We're on the News

You remember how back in early May I had a few days off because of this...


Swine Flu/H1N1 vacation.

Well, tomorrow

will be at Harvest filming live all day. It is a day in the life of a school after being closed for Swine flu. They will be showing our school, teachers, students, parents, etc. online and on TV all day, so if you get a chance you may want to check us out.

Just remember no autographs please. :)

Lucky is Home

About two weeks ago, Donnie calls me after school. His first words are "How much do you love me" Well, knowing Donnie so well, I knew that meant money or something was wrong. He goes on to tell me that we lost $800. I am thinking stocks fell or something. He continues telling me how we lost a cow. I knew that we had just gotten a couple more so I thinking he brought some sick cow and it died. Finally he completes the story, by telling me that one of our cows got out and they cannot find it. I am still not thinking this is a big deal, Zeb's cows get out all of the time. I figured that it would be in the field over and be back in our fence within the day. Well, a week later, our cow is still not home. Donnie calls the Ardmore police to find out if anyone has spotted a lost cow. He puts an ad in the paper. I am by this time just thinking it's gone and I forgot about it. Anyway, Donnie comes home Thursday night and tells me that they think that our cow has been found. He got a phone call from someone wanting him to describe it. It is a big black cow looks just like most other big black cows. Well, sure enough it is our big black cow with the white 63 tag in its ear. Today Donnie got Lucky back. Lucky, so kindly named, not only survived outside of his home fence, but crossed HWY 53 in down town Ardmore without being noticed.

Crepe Myrtle Festival

This morning, Katie Lee and I went the Ardmore Crepe Myrtle Festival. It was at the park. I have not been in several years and boy has it grown. There were lots of vendors selling goodies, girls painting faces, churches performing, beauty queens, and lots of rides. After I looked through all of the vendors things, it was time for Katie Lee to play. We rode the train first. She waved at everyone. Then it was off to the playground. I love these small town festivals. You know everyone and their brother. :)








Ready for the Train Ride
Playing at the playground

Waiting on the puppet show.

Ready to go. Balloon dog and a purple heart painted on her face

makes one very sleepy girl.

Red Devil or Ardmore Tiger

Friday night, we went to the first football game of the season. Long time rivals, the Elkmont Red Devils vs the Ardmore Tigers. When the mommy went to EHS and the daddy went to AHS, what does that make Katie Lee. A red devil of course. HA She was so excited about going to the football game. It is the first one she has even been too. We got there late because Donnie did not get off in time. Katie Lee could not wait to get to the ballgame and eat a hot dog. Well, when we got there, I really do believe everyone in Limestone County was also there. I thought that it was going to drive me crazy--claustrophobia was kicking in BIG TIME!!! Katie Lee was so taken by the crowd that she could not decided what to do and could not focus enough to eat her hot dog. Anyway, by the middle of the 4th the Ardmore side had cleared out (because they were getting beat) that we finally found a place to sit. This is when Katie Lee decided that she really liked the game. She could finally see what was really going on. I did not get any pictures at the game, but here is one after we ran back to the car because it was pouring down rain. We ended out great adventure with a milk shake from Sonic. Maybe we will try it again next year. :)

Teddy Bear Tea Party

Today I am joining Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.

Last week, my aunt and uncle passed along their children's table and chairs for Katie Lee to use since their children are now grown and in college. We got it Saturday night. I could not wait for Katie Lee to see her "prize" from Freddy and Charlotte. She got just a sneak peak of it before church on Sunday. After church, while Katie Lee was taking her nap, I set the table for a little girl and teddy bear tea party. Needless to say, she was very excited to see it when she woke up.

I set it up in the playroom.

I used a light pink tablecloth.
Thanks to my friend Amber for sending Katie Lee yummy cupcakes. I served these on a bunny silver tray.
The plates are Noritake China in Maywood. These were my husband's aunt's china. I tied a sweet bow around a simple white napkin. Katie Lee is too young for tea so we had pink lemon-aide. (That is her favorite treat.)
The blue carnival glass was my mother-in-laws. The little pink bouquet of flowers in a mint julep glass was a gift from a student several years ago. I just change the flowers out as needed.
Katie Lee was very surprised at her treat.
We have had a tea party every night since. I think that we will be having many more.

My New Favorite

Over the years I have tried several different kinds of make-up. I've used expensive ones from the mall, cheap ones from Wal-Mart, and in between. In the last couple of years I've gone back and forth between Merle Norman and Bare Minerals. These are two completely different kinds of foundations. I loved using Merle Norman Long Lasting Foundation because it will last most all day without me having to touch it up. It is great for the school year because I never touch my make-up after 6 in the morning. This one is about $40 for a small tube. In the summer, I loved using Bare Minerals, you know the one off TV. It is by far the healthiest make-up I think that I've ever used. It covers well and does not clog pores. I do believe that it would be great for teens especially those who are just beginning to use make-up. It gives a more natural appearance and you don't have make-up lines. The bad side to this make-up is that it doesn't last all day, so by the time I get home from school, it is gone.

In the last few weeks, I've tried a new make-up.




This little jewel is my new favorite. It is the Max Factor Pan Stick. You apply it with a sponge, so no messy make-up hands! It stays on all day with out touch-up. It is less than $10 at Wal-Mart.

Along with my stay on make-up, I love stay-on lipstick. This is my favorite.

Ready for Church

Sunday morning, we actually got ready with time to spare. I decided it was the perfect time to take a few pictures. It was just beautiful that morning and felt like fall.

One More Birthday for the Month

Saturday night, we helped celebrate Amber's big 3-0!! We had a great time and I think that she did too.

The birthday girl!

All of the girls gathered round for her to blow out the candles.

The boys; however,watched the race.

Getting Ready with Daddy

Donnie came home earlier this afternoon while I was giving Katie Lee a bath. He said that he would take her with him to run some errands in Ardmore, but that they needed to go so that they could get back in time for tonight. She was so excited to be going with Donnie in the big truck. Anyway, to help get things together I let him dry her hair.I never dry her hair but it was soaking wet and would have been wild if she had gone with it wet. It really looked cute because he knows nothing about drying hair.

Hot from the Oven

This afternoon I made Chocolate Chip Pie to take to the Smith's tonight. It is my favorite pie because it is really good and rich and it is super easy to make.

Chocolate Chip Pie

1 uncooked pie crust
1c. sugar
1 stick butter melted with
1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4c flour
2 eggs
1t. vanilla
nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into uncooked pie crust. Bake 325 for 45 mins. Serve with ice cream.


It is not the prettiest pie to look at because it always falls but the taste makes up for its looks. :)

I Love Friday!!

I just love Friday. I always have but especially when school is in. Growing up it was always Friday night ballgames to look forward to. Well, I couldn't tell you the last Friday night ballgame I went to. Now I love Fridays because it is the beginning of the weekend, I get everything for next week done at school so I don't have to think about it until Monday, time to play with Katie Lee, and it is the only time I ever come home to a spotless house!!! The spotless house is just wonderful!!! This afternoon when I walked in I just had to admire the super shiny floors and the smell of clean. I know weird but it is the simple things like Pine Sol and Windex! :)

This afternoon, Katie Lee and I made cookies. I love cookies!! They are probably one of my favorite sweet treats. Today we made super easy Cake Mix Cookies. I used Sprinkle cake mix today. These are great cookies to sandwich together with icing or make chocolate and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box of cake mix (any flavor)
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs

Mix together. Roll into balls and bake at 350 for 10-12minutes.


Katie Lee after her third one. :)

Why You Should Love the South

SOUTHERN LIFE


If you want a glimpse of Southern life,


Come close and walk with me;


I'll tell you all the simple things,


That you are sure to see.


You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,


Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,


Caterpillars on the step,


Wooden porches cleanly swept;


Watermelons on the vine,


Strong majestic Georgia pines;


Rocking chairs and front yard swings,


Junebugs flying on a string;


Turnip greens and hot cornbread,


Coleslaw and barbecue;


Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,


Fried pies and pickles too.


There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,


And cool, green grass beneath your feet;


Catfish nipping in the lake,


And fresh young boys on the make.


You'll see all these things


And much, much more,


In a way of life that I adore.



Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
from Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems

Happy Birthday to My Daddy

Today is my daddy's birthday. He is the best Daddy and Poppie ever!!!! We celebrated his birthday Monday night. Supper was so good and so was the banana pudding.


Katie Lee is so excited that it is Poppie's Happy Day. She gave him an Elmo card that sang happy birthday. I really think that he liked it----just because it came from her of course!!


I wish Daddy many more Happy Birthdays.

Happy Day Wez

The month of birthdays continue. Last night we went to Aunt Kitty and Wez's to celebrate Wez's birthday. Kathryn had a delicious supper of white lasagna, salad, bread, and double chocolate cake.
Katie Lee was so excited about Wez's happy day gifts that she about opened them herself.








After supper, we all went out onto the front porch. Katie Lee had a ball playing with Dusty the cat!

Sittin' Like A Lady but Spittin' Like a Man

Here is a pretty little picture of Katie Lee sitting all girlie in her new ballerina pjs. Crossing her legs has become her new thing.



A few hours earlier, I picked her up from Grammie's. They were all outside. She was sitting on her chair (side table that goes to mother's patio furniture, but is the perfect size for her to sit on). She has her legs crossed and her hands folded just like a beauty queen. Once she gets settled nicely in her chair she so casually leans over and spits in the grass!! I think my girlie girlie has some tom boy in her too. This we can thank her daddy and poppie for. She also thinks that if the windows in the car are rolled down it means that you have to spit out of them too.

2 year old check-up

Today, Katie Lee had her 2 year old check-up. I cannot believe that she is already 2. Time just flies by these days. Katie Lee quickly decided that she really did not want to be there. She cried the entire time Dr. Dudley was in our room. As soon as she walked out, she stopped crying. She did not hardly cry while the two nurses and I held her down for her shot. As soon as it was over, she sat up and asked a sticker and a sucker.

She weighs 28.7lbs and is 35 inches long. She is in the 75% for both. This is the first time that she has not been above 95% since birth.

Back to School Funnies.

As you all know, this week was back to school for all of us. So far, my week is going great. I have only 22 kiddos, and they all seem to be really well behaved!!! :) We have spent the last two days working on procedures of the classroom and school. I have also tried to add in a few fun things. Next week we will hit the academics hard.

I thought that I would share some of the funnies for the week so far.

1. Yesterday, while on car line, a little boy maybe 1st grade came out when his number was called. The teacher asked him if he could find his car. He pointed to one. She replied, "the gold car?" The 1st grader said, "No, the one with the red lights on the back."

2. Today, my fourth grade co-worker came out of her room while my kids were at the bathroom. She just had this look so I asked what was wrong. She told me that a little boy in her class had cried all morning long while they were trying to work on writing their names in cursive. She asked him what was wrong and his answer was.
"I am just trying to cry though my pain." He was not talking about writer's cramp.


I am sure that I will have more funnies to share later.

Parties Parties Parties

Sunday night, we went out to eat with several of our family members. Katie Lee was gifted again for her birthday---Dora cups, Pooh Sunglasses, frog pjs, Dora backpack, and ballerina pjs. She had so much fun visiting with everyone at Piz Piz Hut. (I forgot my camera, so no pics from this make shift party.)


Monday, Katie Lee's actual birthday, turned out to be quite the party too. She and Grammie made Elmo cupcakes that morning. She could not wait for me to see them when I got home from school. Mother had supper for all of us. Katie Lee's favorites---Chick-fil-a nuggets, fries, rolls, beans and potato salad. We had "Melmo" cakes and ice cream with lemon-aide for dessert. She also dressed in her favorite clothes for her party. Don't you wish you could spend your birthday in a t-shirt. I know that she loved every minute of it.

After eating, it was time for gifts. Grammie and Poppie gave her a new dress, a Dora lunchbox with candy, and a pink tricycle. Aunt Kitty gave her tink tink pjs and a ABC bus. She had so much fun playing with all of her new toys.

When we got home Monday night, it was time for her to get her gift from us. We got her a sandbox and so books. The sand will come this weekend. She had so much fun trying to cover herself up with it.

I believe that Katie Lee had a wonderful birthday weekend. Thanks to all of you who made it special.