Monday, January 31, 2011

Miscellany Monday

 Happy Monday Everyone!!  Once again this week, I'm linking up with
Carissa for one of my favorites...
Miscellany Monday!
I have a new great niece!!  Welcome to the world Isabella Nell Bustle, born on Thursday, January 27.  I'm so happy that she is here and healthy!  Congratulations Happy and Robert, and also congratulations to my sister Chandler....she is finally a grandma!!  I love you all!!

Poor Lawren....she fell while playing basketball last  Thursday at Crestwood High School in Sumter and got a bad sprain.  The trainer taped her up and she played the whole game, but afterwards the pain really got bad and she's been off of her foot since then.  Hopefully we can get some PT underway soon so she can move on to softball!

 It has been so long since I blogged that I cannot remember if I told everyone that we have a new baby at our house....
Josh got MJ a puppy!  She's a cute little thing...fluffy, black and white, and ultra-sharp teeth!  Her name is Pippi, and we are growing to love her!

Speaking of Josh....yesterday was his 19th birthday!  Happy Birthday son....I love you!
Say a little prayer for Scott....he's not feeling well.  His mama took him to the emergency room because of chest pains yesterday afternoon.  After he sees a cardiologist, he'll probably have to wear a heart monitor to see what the cause of this trouble is....
Get Well Soon, Scott!! 

Meet Me on Monday

 
 
I am linking up to Meet Me on Monday hosted by Java at Never Growing Old

Questions:

1.  What do you put on your hot dog? 
I'm not much of a hot dog fan, but when I do eat them, I like mayonaise and chili. 

2.  Do you play Sudoku?  Sometimes....not very often though....

3.  What is your favorite vegetable?  I love all vegetables....peas, beans, eggplant, spinach, brocolli, cauliflower, etc.!!

4.  Do you color your hair?  
No....my hair is the color God made it....I call it "blonde," but others call it the "G" word!!

5.  What is your favorite brand of clothing?  No particular brand...just whatever fits and I like. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

Vlog....REALLY Southern Dialect

I saw over at my sweet niece Kit's blog, she did such a cool dialect vlog...so I thought maybe I would try it out...

Take note: 
*  I hate to hear recordings of my voice....I am soooooo Southern!!
*  BTW, I love being Southern....many people think that because you have a strong Southern accent, you are uneducated.  Well, so not true.  I'm not a rocket scientist, and many other Southerners are not either,
 but we are not ignorant!  We just love to use colorful language and dramatic vocal inflections....
talking slowly and savoring every syllable!
*  Here are the words that I read and questions that I answered~~

Read these words:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:
•What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

•What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

•What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

•What do you call gym shoes?

•What do you say to address a group of people?

•What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

•What do you call your grandparents?

•What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

•What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

•What is the thing you change the TV channel with?
OK....here I am....
(Wow....that's about all I can say....Wow!)

Why don't you join in the fun and post your own dialect vlog??
 
Jo

Meet Me on Monday

Questions:

1.  Do you like your ice cream in a dish, waffle cone, pretzel cone, sugar cone or cake cone?  I actually prefer my ice cream in a bowl....but if it's in a cone, I like waffle cones.


2.  Do you read the newspaper daily?  No, our small town's newspaper comes out once a week, and that's about the only newspaper I read.

3.  Marinara or meat sauce?  I don't eat beef or pork, so I enjoy marinara sauce.  If I cook spaghetti sauce for the family, I usualy put meatballs in it so I can pick them out of my serving.


4.  Last time you cried?  Silly me....I cried on Friday because I was afraid there might be ice on the road, and I needed to drive around the block to take L and MJ to a friend's house....I have an irrational fear of snow and ice since wrecking my car several years ago.

5.  What word/phrase do you find really annoying?  I do not like to hear profane language.  I also find improper grammar annoying...

Miscellany Monday

Once again, I'm linking up with Carissa for this week's edition of Miscellany Monday....one of my favorite memes of the week!

Happy MLK, Jr. Day....another school holiday for us.....
We have not been to school since the middle of December because of our winter intercession and then the snow....
Secretly, I'm ready to go back to work, but I've seriously enjoyed my time off....I've slept late just about every day, and spent QT with my family!!!

We have a new baby in the house.....
Isn't she precious??
Her name is Pippi,  and we love her!!

I have received so many cool postcards from different people all over the world.  Here are just a few that I got this past week.
from Canada

from The Netherlands

from Germany
 Go to http://www.postcrossing.com/ and start your own collection!


The girls, Chuck, and I went to Timmonsville to the Honda plant for our first meeting with the parents and coaches of the Palmetto Force.  Lawren is going to play on the 18U showcase team and MJ is on the 16U team.  One of my goals for my
Day Zero Project (101 in 1001) was to find an established fastpitch softball team
for the girls, and I think I've done just that! I'm really excited about the girls playing softball this spring, summer, and fall! 
Hope everyone has a super Monday!  I plan to.... :)

<3
Jo

Monday Blog Hop


Skip on over to Frugality is Free to link up with this marvelous Monday blog hop!!
Photobucket
Question of the Week 
***
Are you ready for spring?   Yes ma'am!  I can hardly wait for warm, sunshiny weather!
 
What's the one thing you are most excited about, when it comes to spring?  I love to be outdoors, watching my children play sports and just enjoying the beauty of nature.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Saturday 9: Wouldn't It Be Nice

Saturday 9: Wouldn't It Be Nice
1. What's the nicest thing a complete stranger ever did for you?  OMG....I cannot think of anything that a complete stranger has done for me....poor, poor, pitiful me.....

2. What one thing always speaks deeply to you, to your spirit, no matter your mood or what else is going on in your life?  When I think about how fortunate I was to be my mama's daughter, I feel her love in my spirit.  I love to occasionally visit her grave and reflect on my family's strong, rich heritage....those in the past made me who I am today, and I'm very thankful for the examples that they set for me. 

3. How many jobs have you held in your life? How many of those were part of your chosen career field?  I've worked in probably 4 jobs in my life.  I worked at a linen and carpet store for several summers when I was in college, for 2 day camps through county rec. depts., and for the past 27 years as a teacher....a sp. ed. teacher...my life's vocation and calling!

4. Of those jobs, how many did you leave voluntarily?  I left one day camp suddenly yet voluntarily.....the other 2 jobs were temporary summer jobs, and of course, I'm still teaching.....they'll probably have to take me out of my classroom feet first... :)
 
5. How did you discover Saturday 9? How long have you played? (Thank you for joining in!)  I discovered the Saturday 9 from a meme website.  I've been playing along for several months.....it's a GREAT meme!!!

6. What's the worst beverage you've ever tasted?  Wine.....yuck....

7. Is there anything in life you are "certain" about? Firm in your beliefs? Strong in your convictions?
I'm certain that I am a child of God's and He loves me in spite of my shortcomings.  I am firm in my convictions about raising my children and doing the best that I can to teach them morals and values that will hopefully take them far in life.

8. How did you come up with the title of your blog's posts?  I came up with the title on the spur of the moment because I couldn't think of anything better.....I'm sure there is something more interesting or creative, but at the time, I just played it safe and chose "Everyday Life."

9. Would you consider yourself a good cook?  Yes, I am a good cook.  My mama taught me and my siblings to cook, and we all can take care of ourselves in the kitchen.

Fill in the Blank Friday


 Head over to Lauren's to join us for Fill in the Blank Friday!!  
(better late than never....)


1.   I feel happy when       I'm watching my daughters play softball....I realize that Charles will finish high school in just a few months....when I think about how blessed I am to have a wonderful family....   .

2.  I get silly when    I am around my children's friends.....they bring out the kid in me sometimes!

3.  Something that makes me sad is       when I think about how much I miss my mama and how I never had the opportunity to get to know my daddy before he died.....I follow the sadness up with joy because I know I will see them again one day though.... .

4.  Something that makes me annoyed is   the sound of people who chewing ice cubes!  GRRRR....I also get annoyed when my husband "flips" channels during commercials too...    .

5.  A time that I've been truly surprised was        when I was strong enough to finally end a bad relationship....I actually surprised myself for just doing it so quickly and firmly....I'm definitely non-confrontational, so it was a big step  .

6.  I am so thankful for        my husband and my children, my job, and that Jesus died on the cross to save me from my sins....    .

7.  I feel loved when       I am spending time with Chuck and the children....we don't always get along, so when we are cooperating, it is really special....five strong-willed people (with 3 being teenagers) are bound to have disagreements every now and then, but we're still family and committed to one another..

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

What I'm Loving Wednesday


I'm loving that we have a wood burning fireplace in our den so I can stay super warm when we have these cold, snowy days.

 I'm loving that Larry, Chandler, and I were able to go to NC to visit with our dear Aunt Mary, our daddy's only living sibling.  She has always been one of my favorite aunts and I love her so much!

I'm loving that I finished the book that I've been reading this month, The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarky.  It was such an inspirational book that I'm sure to remember for a long, long time.

And, of course, I'm loving my sweet husband and my outgoing children.



Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Top 2 Tuesday

Top 2 Strange Addictions
 1. I must have a tall glass of Diet Coke over ice every morning.  That gets me going, and I drink coffee afterwards...

2.  The bread on my sandwiches, and anyone elses, must be matched up correctly.  My husband says it really doesn't matter, but of course, it does!  He calls me "The Bread Police."  (Could be worse, I guess....)

Monday, January 10, 2011

Miscellany Monday

Miscellany Monday @ lowercase letters
[one]
More snow!  Snow, snow, snow....and now it is supposed to sleet and/or rain and then freeze!  We were out of school today (Monday) and have already received the call that school is cancelled for tomorrow. I am definitely not liking being trapped in the house, and definitely hating the cold!!  But, I must say that Chuck has kept the fire in the fireplace burning all day, so it has been relatively warm here in the house.  The bottom line for me, though, is, "Snow, snow, go away!"

[two]
I'm still waiting for good news, and hope that it will come by Wednesday.  I continue to keep my fingers crossed, and am praying that God's will will be the deciding factor.

[three]
My sister Chandler and her husband Gary are supposed to fly home to Berkeley tomorrow.  It was so good to have time to visit with them and the rest of the family over the past week or so.  I'm so excited that she will be back in March probably, for the birth of her first granddaughter!  I'm so happy for Happy and Robert!  I'm sure you two will be great parents.  A wonderful example of motherhood was given to you, Happy, by your loving, caring mama.  Remember all that she taught you and you will be a super mama too!


Chandler and Gary

[four]
I love my children!  They are so full of life and energy!  L and MJ (and friends) are always into something or another....and Charles is usually on the go...
therefore no new pics of him.....
Lawren skyping with friends....
Ariel, Josh, Matt, MJ, and Lawren....just hanging out..
One would think that we were hosting
Wrestlemania 2011....
There's never a dull moment here at our home!
They are such good girls....especially
when they are sleeping!!  :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY: January 10, 2011

Outside my window... it is very cold....snow is all over the ground and on the tree branches.  The dogs have made paths all through the yard, up to the porch, into their doghouse, and over to the gate.  We live in the south, so we don't have snow very often...thank goodness....

I am thinking... boy, that's a lot of snow!  I hope it does not start to sleet now and make the roads messier than they already are. I am also thinking about how we missed school today and will probably  be out tomorrow too, so that will mean we will have two days we have to make up between now and the end of the school year....

I am thankful for...the opportunity to reconnect with my siblings over the last week or so...I love them all so much and wish that we could regain the closeness we had when Mama was living.
From the kitchen... comes the smell of the warm chocolate pound cake that I just took out of the oven....
I am wearing... a long sleeve white t-shirt, blue jeans, and white socks....

I am creating...a big pot of chicken bog for my families' supper.

I am going... no where today because of the snow.  There is no way I'd go out driving in this weather.  Matter of fact, just now Chuck and Charles left home to go on a wreck call about a bloclk or so from here...overturned vehicle.  God help the victims and the rescuers...

I am reading...The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarky and am going to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett as soon as I finish the other book.

I am hoping... that I will get good news from "the man." 

I am hearing... a commercial on the television and the sound of the blower on the fireplace. There's not too much else happening here in the den since the firefighters rushed out.....

Around the house... is the usual clutter.  One of my New Years Resolutions is to dejunk and organize our home, but I just havne't started yet....tomorrow may be a good day to start....or maybe not....
 
A Picture I Thought of Sharing...
7 inches of snow....U N B E L I E V A B L E  here in (usually) warm and sunny SC!

Meet Me on Monday

I am linking up with Java at Never Growing Old for this week's edition of Meet Me on Monday.  It is a great way to learn a little about some fellow bloggers.

Questions:

1.  Have you (only you..not a group) ever won first place in anything?  Well, I received several scholarships my senior year in high school, so I would consider that coming in first place....but other than that, no....

2.  Are your toes always painted (sorry guys...this question for girls only)?  No, not always....only painted when MJ feels like treating her mama to a little TLC
 
3.  What color eyes do you have?  blue

4.  Look to your left....what do you see?  Through the sliding glass door, I see the backyard covered in snow....tracked up with puppy dog footprints...

5.  Soft cookies or crunchy cookies?  I like crunchy cookies usually, but soft cookie are good too!!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Davis Family Gathering - January 2,2011

Well, I'm finally getting around to blogging about our Davis Family Gathering last Sunday.  It was the first time that all five of us siblings have been together in one place since Chuck and I got married in June of 1992.  Chandler and Gary came to SC/NC for Happy's graduation from nursing school, so it was the perfect opportunity to  reconnect with each other after oh-so-many years.

Here are a few pictures of the lunch and our time of visiting. 
Chandler, Evans, Kathy, and Gary
My beautiful great-niece Victoria and me

My middle brother Frank

My oldest brother Larry and his wonderful wife, Gayle

Charles and his Uncle John
My beautiful niece, Kit Scott

My nephew Evans, a senior at Clemson

Not only my niece, my friend.....Mary

Jeff and his sweet son, Law

Great-nephew John, and his daddy Douglas

Mary and Jeff, and little Law

Kit, John, Mary, Jeff, and Law



My brother John and my husband Chuck
Sweet Victoria
My smart and handsome great-nephews John and Harvey
Mary Jo
Lawren
Charles

After lunch was over, we all went outside to take family and a group picture.  These pictures are truly a treasure to me!
Larry's family:  John, Harvey, Gayle, Victoria, Larry, Jeff,
Law, Mary, and Douglas

My sister Chandler and her husband Gary

Brother Frank and Teresa

John's family: Kit, John, Kathy, and Evans

My family:  Chuck, Lawren, Mary Jo, me, and Charles

The five Davis children:  Larry, Jo, Frank, Chandler, and John

Our children....
You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. 
                             ~Desmond Tutu