Friday, November 28, 2008

Signs That You Have Had Way Too Much Turkey Lurkey.....



Hey Y'all,


Well as you can tell, we like our turkey lurkey in this here household. This is a picture of "the man" after leftovers last night. In typical form, he is on his side, on his fleece blanket, paw on the remote. And y'all wonder why I'm not married. Heee! Thanksgiving was yummy yesterday, we ate at The Boundary House up in Calabash, NC. The food was plentiful and great! The inside of the restaurant reminds me of the California Dreaming near my house. They even served yummy crescent rolls with honey butter just like they do at California Dreaming. We met Uncle Rich around 11:30 and by 12:30 our tummmies were full. Mom is getting an extra workout this year, the doc finally put her in a cast to heal her broken foot. She went for the understated look and chose light blue for her cast. She could have gotten with the season and opted for red and green! Zoe has been staying with us on and off for a while. Since Mom is in a cast, she can't walk Zoe, and that does not go over well with the princess. I was hoping to take a road trip to Cola town next weekend, but since Mom is in a cast, I can't leave her with the two dogs. So maybe over Christmas break I can get there!


I went out and did a little shopping today during "Black Friday." I didn't hit any of the major chains... I was in and out. I don't like to deal with the crowds on Black Friday. I left my house at 9:30 and was home by noon. Zorro and I heated up some leftovers and then we took a walk and a nap. The weather was great here today.. 68! I happily wore my flip flops all day! We have had some extremely cold weather for us, so this warm day was a treat! I haven't made it to the movies yet, but I have caught up on my DVR'ed shows and some DVD's. I am hoping to make it to a movie tomorrow.


Well, I am going to get ready for Elf... it comes on tonight and it is one of my all time favorite movies!!!! SANTA'S COMING!!!!!! SANTAAAAAA! SANTA... I KNOW HIM!!!

Get your popcorn ready....It's the BEST MOVIE!


And last but not least, one more picture of Zorro in his turkey bliss...


Wednesday, November 26, 2008

I Love Me Some Oprah....

Hey Y'all!

Well, I officially survived my classroom move! It is OVER! It is DONE! All 62 boxes have been unpacked, furniture is arranged and I have educational stuff up on my walls! And can I just say.. how wonderful it is to actually have a sink in my classroom now? That is my Christmas miracle right there! Whhooo hooo! Of course, we moved last Friday and I was at school ALL weekend long. I am so exhausted. Not to mention that I have had to teach for the last 3 days. The kids were released today at 12 and let me tell you, I was out the door right behind them. I came home, made a grilled cheese sandwich for me and the furballs and proceeded to take a two hour nap. Life is good! Then of course, I did some cleaning up and laundry. I also had to run out this afternoon and purchase one of my favorite things.. because by the end of the Friday sales it will all be gone! I love the scent of Bath and Body Works Winter Candy Apple that they put out this time of year. Every year I am either too poor or forget to get some, and it is all gone after Turkey Day. This year, I remembered (amazing in my current exhausted frame of mind!) and I went and got some hand soap to put in the bathrooms and kitchen. So yummy smelling hands for me!

If you tuned in to Tee Vee land today.. you saw that Miss Oprah had on her "Favorite Things" show today. Let me just tell you, Oprah needs some snaps this year. Instead of her over the top show she always does (and I love) she opted for a low key, Christmas from the heart show. Let me just tell you it was great. She showed folks how they could give gifts from the heart and not spend a lot of money. As one American who is currently struggling right now, it was a sigh of relief not to sit there and stare at things I can not afford. Ever. In this lifetime. Not while I am a teacher!!!! One of the greatest gifts she gave was free Christmas music.. so for the next 48 hours, you can visit Oprah's site and download 8 songs for free! They even include a CD cover and everything. Of course, I downloaded mine to Ichabod the i-pod, but I immediately made CD's for Mom and my grandmother. So go and visit now and get your great Christmas music!

I am so excited to have a few days off! While I am on Turkey Day break I hope to catch some movies and catch up on my DVR'ed shows. I also plan on catching up on all of my lost sleep! I also have to get on the ball and get my annual Christmas card done... let's just say that it involves Zorro and Zoe in costumes this year...... I'll post tomorrow about the Turkey Day feast!

:) JKP

Monday, November 17, 2008

Pass the Duct Tape Please.....

Hey Y'all,

Well I warned you that I was going to be AWOL for a while! I made it through my crazy week last week! Besides celebrating my birthday, I had to get ready for a major presentation that I had to give on Saturday to wrap up the Coastal Area Writing Project that I took over the summer. I had to give a 50 minute presentation and luckily it lasted 50 minutes! :) Besides getting ready for the said presentation I have been busily packing my classroom for our "big" move this week. Our new wing is getting inspected tomorrow and if we pass, the move is on for Thursday and Friday. Which, of course means, I will be camping out at school this weekend getting my "new" classroom straight. So, this is going to be an incredibly long week! I am a little scared that we won't pass inspection and we may end up moving over turkey day break. I really need that break though, so I hope everything works out! So we will just have to wait and see.

I am going to sign off now, I am incredibly exhausted. I spent yesterday at school packing, today teaching AND packing and I am sure that tomorrow will be the same.
Take care and I'll check back in once the move is OVER!!!!
:) JKP

Monday, November 10, 2008

Blowin' Out Those Birthday Candles...

Hey Y'all!

Well, today I celebrated another birthday! I have actually been celebrating since last Friday (that's how I roll) but today kind of wrapped it all up!

I took the day off from work because I had a mammogram scheduled for today. It was my first and because of my age (more than mid thirties now... 36!! and family history) my doc thought it would be a good idea to get a baseline. I had the new "digital" version done and it wasn't painful at all. I went to this great place to get it done Carolina Forest Imaging Center and it was more like going to the spa! So I got one thing checked off my to do list for this year!!

I opened up my mailbox today with lots of good wishes from family and friends. All of my buddies on Facebook (aka crack book) wished me happy thoughts too! So all in all it was a good day!

Also this weekend, I went to the movies. Of course. One of my favorite things to do! I saw the movie Fireproof with Kirk Cameron. Ok. Kirk Cameron should say it all! Oh be still my 8th grade heart! Anyway, I have been hearing great things about this movie because it is from the producers who did Facing the Giants. It was also filmed in Albany, GA.. where I spent a lot of time when I worked for Corporate America. Several of my clients were located here. Also, just for trivia's sake... this happens to be Paula Deen's hometown. So, it has a lot going for it! Anyway, this was a really positive movie and I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a great movie, with a great message, check it out. And, let me just say it again... Kirk Cameron! Hee!
p.s Another Albany side note... it has the smallest airport I have ever been in. There are only 2 flights a day from Atlanta. And it's on the small, say a Hail Mary and you peddle airplane!!!!!!
p.s.s. When you rent a car in Albany.. they just give you the keys and let you pick. It is insane! I always had the best rental cars in Albany!!

Zoe and Zorro topped off the birthday celebration by giving me a new crockpot, a candy apple (yum-o) and some roses! The Z's know of my love for all things slow cooked and they really upgraded my crockpot status! My new crockpot has a several temperature settings and it will automatically cut off to warm when it is through cooking. My other crockpot (a college graduation gift) was missing the new safety feature. Also, I can take out the ceramic inside and put it in the dishwasher to clean. My other crockpot did not have a removable inside. I can't wait to try it out this week and cook some good ole' chili!! I think Zorro and Zoe want me to make them some lickin' chicken! Ohh and check out this blog I like to read... A Year of CrockPotting... there is a new recipe listed each day!!

Alrighty.. let me run and get in the bed. I have early morning duty tomorrow. Both Z's are on either side of me snoring away as I type....
:) JKP

Monday, November 3, 2008

Me Likey......

Hey Y'all...


Well, it rained cats and dogs today, so we did not get to go on our field trip. It was really a blessing in disguise. After having Field Day on Friday I was still fried and having a field trip to the zoo today would have done me in. So, it all worked out in the end. We are going to try and reschedule the trip for one of our moving days so the kids won't have to be in the room when the movers come to move our stuff. Yes, we think it's just brilliant. Let's hope it all works out!


We have tomorrow off of school, so we can V-O-T-E! I am so excited I can't stand it. I love to vote. This year's election is so exciting too. I told my kids today that no matter who wins tomorrow we will be making history in one way or another. It's just neat to be a part of it.


Zoe and Zorro are going to the doggie spa tomorrow and while they are there I have a ton of errands to do. Zorro needs his meds picked up at Walgreen's and I have a few household things to take care of. It is so nice to have a day off during the week! I also have some major knitting to do. Mom's b-day is tomorrow and I have The Sunday Market Shawl to finish up. Yep. It was supposed to be a Mother's Day present. But. You. Know. Life just got in the way. I am taking it with me when I go and vote just in case there is a wait.


If you have been out and about lately you probably have noticed that Christmas has thrown up in most major stores. This really bothers me. I am a proud member of The Society for the Preservation of Thanksgiving. Hello, Turkey Day is an important holiday! Anyway, it's about this time of year that a few things that I like a whole lot start to appear....




1) Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash: Folks I buy as much of this as I can get! It only comes out during the holiday season. If you are lucky, most of your batch will last all the way until April! I am going on a hunt for this tomorrow. I scored some at the evil mart a few days ago, but I need to replenish my stash. This stuff is yummy good. Me likey. ALOT. Try it!








2) Southern Comfort Eggnog- This stuff is deadly good. It is so thick that if you try and drink it with a straw, you will have a great facial work out. I was never an eggnog fan until I had this stuff. The original flavor is my favorite, but the vanilla will do in a pinch. Again, I buy tons of this right up until the day after Christmas. Me Likey. Alot. Alot. Alot.



3) Oil of Olay Winter Retreat- Ok, I admit, I am not much of a lotion fan. I love my philosophy smell goods, but overall I am just not a lotion person... unless it is philosophy. Well, in the winter I get crazy dry skin. So much in fact, that I can only use philosophy's Purity Made Simple to shower and take a bath with. But, I have a new discovery. Oil of Olay has come out with a body wash called Winter Retreat. It smells vanilla-ish and it makes your skin feel great. It's a real treat for your shower and your skin. And, I can't eat it, which is a good thing.




Well, I'm gonna run. Even though we have an extra hour, I'm still not used to it. I feel like I should be sleeping right now and it's only 9:30. The Z's are already in the bed, under the electric blanket asleep. I'm going to join them. Philosophy is coming on at 10 on QVC.. so I am off to watch, not buy. But maybe the guy with the white beard and red suit is watching......or maybe Zorro is watching and is going to shop online.....

:) JKP

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Lovin' the Redbox

Hi Y'all,

Well, we survived Halloween around these parts pretty well. Zorro is no longer phased by the trick or treaters, but Zoe would have eaten every single one of them if she could! She went nuts every time someone came by for some candy. Zorro just hung out on his chair and observed. I guess he let Zoe do the leg work this year! We only had about 7 or so trick or treaters so our night ended early.

We woke up early on Saturday to have yard sale #2. We did pretty well, and I am glad that it is over. Now I have my garage back! Of course, when my garage was in yard sale form, it was the coldest it has been in SC in decades. We even broke records! However, now that Ceasar is safely ensconced in the garage, we are back into our normal fall weather of 70. Go figure! Oh well. I am happy to have my garage back!

I have discovered something totally fantastic that I can't wait to share! A few weeks ago, I cancelled my Netflix subscription to try and save a few pennies. I have noticed these RedBox $1 DVD rentals at my local grocery store and decided to do some investigating. It turns out that RedBox is a great DVD rental service that let's you rent movies for $1 a night. All you have to do is return the movie by 9 p.m. the following night to any RedBox unit and that's it. If you want to keep your movie for an extra night it's $1 more. The great thing is that they have all of these free codes that allow you to get free movies! When you join you are emailed a free code and of course, there are sites out on the Internet that give you more free codes as well. You can also opt to have RedBox send you a free code for a movie every Monday. Maybe if Netflix had promotions like this, more folks would still be with them! So today, I went and rented 3 movies.... Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Kit Kittredge An American Girl, and Iron Man. I got all 3 for absolutely free! I didn't have to wait for the mail and, bonus, it was at my local grocery store, which is on my way home from school! So if you want to rent some movies, but are tired of the Blockbuster and Netflix hassle... try RedBox. It's really good!

Tomorrow I am supposed to go on a field trip with my kids to our local Zoo. I use the term Zoo loosely! Anyway, we have about a 90 percent chance of rain, so I'm thinking maybe that our field trip is off! We'll see. I am really looking forward to voting on Tuesday... not to mention having the day off! Zoe and Zorro are going to the doggie spa... so I will have some time to clean house. Believe me, it so needs it!
:) JKP