An end...

...to Fall Break. How sad!

Back to work I go. And I'm not thrilled! lol. I love my students and I love teaching, but this break, wisdom tooth pain and all, has been so nice!

Let the count down to Thanksgiving break begin!

Made to be a home maker...

The story of my day with some random pictures thrown in for fun...

Today was a wonderfully simplistic day. I took Chris to Web's mom's house to help her with some construction clean up. I had lunch (although I couldn't actually eat) with Julie and some other friends. I went with Chris to pick Lily up from his parents house and visited for a bit. Afterwards, we headed to Chris' where he snuck and afternoon nap while Lily and I ran to my house to gather some yard sale items. We returned to unload, play Simon Says with ALL of Lily's gazillion stuffed animals, straighten up... then I cooked dinner with my favorite little Chef (she calls it "Chef-ing"), played in the back yard while dinner was on, visited with Rob and Crystal (who came for dinner), and then relaxed in the living room as the evening wound down.

Sounds like a very simple day, but I was struck by how much I enjoy making a house a home! Lily and I found some pumpkins and such at my house while gathering yard sale items and brought them over to "Fall up" Chris and Lily's house a little.

While Lily played in her room, I rearranged her closet and categorized some of her toys to make them easier to get to and play with (aka: a tub full of nothing but kitchen stuff and a drawer of all the dress-up goodies)!

As I cooked dinner (Baked pork chops, fried apples, and sweet potatoes) Lily was by my side every step of the way helping and asking questions! I love that she loves to help in the kitchen because (as you know) cooking is one of my very-most-favorite things to do in all of the world! Lily is such a good helper in the kitchen and pretty much everywhere! Today, she darted back and forth between helping me in the kitchen and helping her Daddy do some other things around the house!

While dinner was on we played a quick game of Boccee Ball in the back yard and then Chris and Lily practiced hitting golf balls while I sat at the patio table sipping wine, meal planning and making a grocery list.

I know it might sound strange, but I am such a list person. If I don't write it down, I forget it. Maybe it's because I rely on lists so heavily or just because... whatever the reason I love making lists! Especially meal planning and grocery lists. For the past 2 or 3 months I have been able to plan an entire months worth of meals and groceries and only go once. I love it!

Crystal and Rob came for dinner and we all played and talked for a little while and then Chris put Lily to bed and then the boys watched a silly guy movie while Crystal relaxed and texted and I continued my list making and planning....

...another favorite of mine... Christmas lists! I always do a spread sheet with everyone I have to buy for, ideas, prices, places, etc. So I started that tonight and thoroughly enjoyed every moment!

So, in short, today was nothing spectacular. No major events, no big goings-on, just life. Life that is pure, simple, and fills my heart to overflowing. And as I lived that simple life, it occurred to me that I was (among other things) definitely made to be a home-maker. Caring for, nurturing, and providing for those I love in my own special way is what brings joy to my heart and peace to my soul. Thank you Lord for the life that you have provided for me. It is good.

First few days of fall break...

My first few days of fall break have been so peaceful and productive! We've done some major deep cleaning - it's amazing how quick it goes with two people at work! We have visited with Chris' family. We are getting ready for a yard sale. We even took the "catch all" room at his house and turned it into a really nice study!

We haven't worked the whole time though, we have gotten in a lot of relaxing and some play time too! It has just been SO peaceful! I took mom and dad to the airport to go see my sister in Montana! They are there now, in the snow! That's right, SNOW!

The only unpleasant thing about break so far was a trip to see the dentist. I had my upper left wisdom tooth extracted! I was SO worked up about it because I have heard so many horror stories about wisdom teeth! Well, all my worry was for nothing (so far). Dr. Compton (Megan - thank you for the recommendation) called me back into the office, deadened my mouth, and then I waited for that to take effect. After about 15 min of waiting for the shot to really take effect, he came in and extracted my tooth.... standing up.... with no hygienist! He was in and out inside of 5 minutes and that is NO exaggeration! I was so pleased. Now, a day later I am obviously a little puffy, a little sore, and don't think I can actually eat yet, BUT I am glad that the actual extraction was quick and painless! I was all worked up for nothing! :-)

And last, but not least, I of course watched A LOT of football over the weekend! Most of you already know that I am in two leagues. An all female league in which I am now ranked 2nd (I was first until yesterday, lol) and a co-ed league for which I am commissioner in which I am ranked 5th (out of 14).

That's my fall break so far! Other things on the Agenda for this week; Pumpkin Patch, Discovery Center, some family time, and even more football!

As much as I LOVE the beach and enjoy vacationing, sometimes it really is nice just to have the week of work to spend time at home and with those I love! :-)

Ask and ye shall receive...

SO many have asked for this recipe I thought I would post it so everyone can enjoy!




Vegetable Salsa
2 chopped tomatoes
1 bunch of green onions (chopped)
1 bunch of fresh cilantro (chopped)
1 can drained shoepeg corn
2 cans drained chopped green chilies
2 cans chopped black olives
8 Pepper Jack cheese
1/4 bottle of your favorite Italian salad dressing



Mix all, let sit refrigerated for a few hours, serve with your favorite tortilla chips! This recipe always gets so many compliments! It's a great party dip... you know me, I like best served with a great football game! :-)





And... another great football food, or if you aren't a football adict like me, a good fall-weather meal:



Web's Taco Soup :-) We made this last night and are eating it again in just a few minutes while we watch the football game! It's an award winning soup that Web Hutchings cooked last year at Cooking to Build for Habitat for Humanity!





1 lb hamburger
chopped onion
2 cans stewed diced tomatoes
1 small can of Mexican corn
1 small can shoepeg corn
1 small can chopped green chilies
2 can chili hot beans
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 packed ranch dressing seasoning


Brown the meat and onions (I added green peppers too because I love them so much!)

Add everything else in the pot, and simmer for a while on the stove!


We served it with shredded cheese, Fritos, and sour cream (much like chili) it is OH so GOOD!

Do wisdom teeth make you smarter?

Well, I have now confirmed that one wisdom tooth (after 27 years) has decided to make an appearance! Too bad I don't get an extra dose of useful wisdom with the tooth! So, as I count down to fall break, I also count down to getting a tooth pulled for the first time in my life! Nice! :-) The good news... Thank you Dr. Compton!!!! ... I only have to get one taken out (for now) AND I don't have to go to an oral surgeon, I can have it done under local anesthesia in his office! Yay for me! I promise you, I will be a nervous wreck on Monday thanks to all the wisdom tooth horror stories I have heard over the years, but I am hoping and, more importantly, praying for the best! :-)

T minus 18 hours to fall break.

I. cant. wait.

:-)

My latest favorite commercial

Homecoming.

Well, I survived homecoming week! It was hectic and crazy and cram-packed, but I survived and all I could think of this afternoon was my "homecoming" .... as in coming - home to my cozy house to rest and relax and recharge!

We played the Rockvale Ravens this week and beat 'em with a shut out! I was so proud!! We had a big Fall Festival type thing after the pep rally outside until game time, it was so much fun! MTSU brought over Lightening and their cheerleaders and dance team along with some fraternity and sorority step teams! There was popcorn and cotton candy! My cheer parents sold candy! We even had a ton of alumni from the old high school AND the middle school along with past principals (every one I have ever worked for) and family representatives of the deceased principals! It was a really neat night and week in general! It was special because it was the last ever "Central Middle School" homecoming as next year the school will be known as "Central Magnet School" and most of the teacher there, including me, will be at new middle schools in the county!

Lily decked out in her cheer uniform...

I'm sorry, but it doesn't get much cuter than that! I am SO thankful that my mom can sew! Every time someone asks where she got it, she says, "Grandmommy made it!

This week on a quest to fix quick meals, being that we were SOOOOO busy, I opted for hamburgers and later sandwiches on my new find....

If you have not tried these yet, you should! they are thin and kind of like pita bread, but whole wheat and softer. I can't really explain is, but they are really really really good and much better for you than "regular" bread. Like I said, we used them as bun substitutes and they were great and for sandwiches... also great! I even thought about making Cinnamon toast rounds with them!

Yesterday I was looking at one of these....

...and wondering what in the world we were doing! Neither Chris nor I know anything about soccer, but we were "stand in" coaches for our friend Patrick who was out to have his first baby! It was hot and bug infested.... we all three got ate up, and we lost the game! Guess we shouldn't try to coach soccer any time soon, lol.

And today was...

Crazy sock day at my school (we didn't participate because neither of us have crazy socks and we were focusing our efforts and thoughts more on...) funny feet day at Lily's school! I don't know about you, but I think these feet are pretty funny!!!!

All in all, this week has kicked my butt, but it's all been worth it. Especially when I got to come home today! Whew!