Pre-Christmas Festivities

First "Quitters' Club" Meeting

I cannot take credit for naming the club, that honor goes to Chassity.  Some of us former Girl Scout employees got together for dinner and lots of laughs (mainly at the cost of Girl Scouts).  It was so much fun!  And yes, there is a lone man in the picture; David our former CFO whom we all adore.  Especially since he bought dinner.

Chassity and Me (I love this girl.)

I also love the above "Foxy Lady", Sara (who is in labor as I type).  Chass, Sara and I went to Walmart in search of a Santa shirt with no luck.  What he did find was these jewels.  Clearly being a Foxy Lady gets you pregnant, SARA!! 

Beau and I visited Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs to see their beautiful lights with Ryan and Debbie.

With Debbie

Another favorite stop of ours is the Saline County Courthouse where they have a beautiful display every year.

 Great from a far but when you walk around the courtyard, there are some creepy displays.

I think they are subconsciously telling children to shy away from careers in city/county government.

On to less creepy light displays:

 Me, Court, Irish, Anna Kate, and a friend of Court's and her daughter visited the beautiful trees and Gingerbread house at the Arlington.

The tree in the lobby

More pictures to come!

I Will Now Inflict Photos of My Christmas Decor on You

In case you're wondering what the glowing object is.....

 

You're welcome

Chalkboard Craft

It's been a while since I have been crafty but the other afternoon I decided to let my inner Martha out.

 I took the above framed picture that I've had for years and have never used because it didn't go with my decor (my sister had used it in her office and passed it on to me).

So a little antique blue paint and chalkboard spray paint and voila!

 

 I (Beau) hung it above the kitchen sink because I've needed something there for almost two years. I think I like it there but may decide to move it. 

All together, the craft cost $3 (chalkboard paint) because I already had the blue paint and frame.

I think it turned out pretty well!

Oh Christmas Tree

We put the tree up last week!  This year I made burlap bows for the tree and added the cranberry sprigs to the top.

We took our Christmas card photo in front of the tree.

It may look odd with Beau standing and me on the ground but this is the only way we could wrangle the little terror.  As much as she loves having her picture taken, she loves the photographer even more; Ryan, Beau's BF.  Apparently, Ryan gives really good booty (really it's just above the tail) scratches.  No, I am not speaking from experience; just going on the look Mamie gives when he does it and the fact that the whole time he's over, she backs her end right up to him like, "You can scratch my booty now."

We tried to get a picture of us standing and Mamie in the chair but then she fell off of it (swear).  Then I tried to sit in the chair with her on the ground but I had to stay humped over trying to hold her so she wouldn't charge Ryan. I can't imagine what people with multiple children do at picture time.  Of course, most two year olds are better behaved than Mamie.

Also, I wish I would have realized that Beau was wearing tennis shoes before now.  Nike, feel free to pay me for the product placement. 

I'll be sure to take pictures of all the decorations around the house and post them later.

Merry Christmas!!

Making Mom & Dad Proud Since 1984

The other day I was at an important meeting at the Memphis VA surrounded by several important/influential professionals (at least in my line of work). I was going to write something down for one of them so I reached in my purse for a pen and as I pulled it out, a Victoria's Secret free panty offer fell out from the purse onto the table in front of everyone. I'm sure you can imagine that on that offer was a picture of a scantily clad Swedish model. So what did I, Ms. Smooth, say, nay, announce in front of all those people?

"It's not porn! Just free underwear, I swear!!!!!"

Black Friday

For all four of you who follow my blog (including my mom) you are probably anxious to find out if my Black Friday experience was the same as last year's.  Here is the link to the story in case you are curious: 

http://thethorntonsar.blogspot.com/2010/11/apparently-im-scrapper.html

If you were hoping to hear that I got into an altercation over a Shark Steam Mop, you'll be disappointed.  This year was strangely calm but then again, we did not go for any major items.  Irish bailed on us but after the Black Friday Debacle of 2010, who can blame her? This year it was me, Court, Ashton and Ellen (Court's sisters) and Jill (Court's cousin). We made the usual rounds; Walmart, Target, Kohls, Belk, etc and pretty much got everything we wanted.

 It was Jill's first Black Friday so, of course, we had to capture us with our Walmart loot.

Beau called a few times during the night to check on me because he was so worried I was going to get shanked. He was more than relieved when I got home without cuts, bruises or a decent story.

I really wish I had a little more excitement to share about the trip but in this case, no news is good news!

I'll be posting pictures of our Christmas decorations soon!  I love this time of year!!!

On the Streets They Call it "Survival"

Over the weekend we dog-sat for my friend Chassity.  Her dog, Rashad, is a sweet (yet ornery) Lab mix and a friend of Mamie's...that is as long as he doesn't stay at her house.  

The second we pulled up and Rashad got out of the car, Mamie went Cujo on him.  She didn't bite him but was determined to establish her authority (which she has never done with another dog.)  So for a while afterwards, Rashad was terrified of her even though he has at least 20 pounds on her.

 I think this picture pretty much sums the mood up as Rashad is trying to mind his Ps and Qs around Mamie and she's all, "Why is he still here?"

 This next one barely captures an act that we believe to be an intimidation tactic on Mamie's part where she pecks her "inferior" with her snout.  Seriously.  Just like a chicken.  She did it all weekend to him.

 She was also determined to keep Rashad off the furniture (note the above picture of Stonewall Jackson) which was ironic since she originally wasn't supposed to be allowed on it (I owe my husband for breaking that rule 48 hours in.)  When we went to sleep Rashad plopped down on his doggie bed beside the human bed (where Mamie sleeps) and she stood on the edge of the bed, over him, to stare him down.  If dogs could talk this would have been the dialogue:

Mamie: "Rashad, you can't get on this bed!"

Rashad:............

Mamie: "OK, Rashad???!!!"

Rashad:..........

Mamie: "RASHAAAAAD!!!! I mean it!  I know you want to get up here but you are not allowed!!!"

Rashad:.........

I am making Mamie out to be meaner than she really was.  She really likes Rashad and at times loved having him over but also felt very territorial. I really think a lot of her issue was that he is larger than she so she thought she needed overcompensate. 

The next morning I cleaned out the pantry thinking that my big helpers could assist.....

 I mean, pick up a broom or consolidate the popcorn packages to one box.... Ugh!

The rest of the day the kids managed to wear themselves out and Stonewall even gave in to Rashad...

 Chassity came later that night and took our guest on home and as much as Mamie enjoyed (at times) her company, she was glad to have her house (and mom) to herself the next day.

That evening at dinner Beau and I were joking about her treatment of Rashad.

Beau: "Mamie, you are such a bully!!"

Me: "On the streets (where she came from) they call it "Survival".