Manic Monday

Updated with pics of B's room below! :)

You know it's going to be an interesting week when you arrive at school to find:

a. Your door handle wrapped in foil

b. A sign on the board that says..........

U R lucky we ran out of foil!

c. Balls all over the floor

d.

PS You should see my next door neighbor B's room. Let's just say she was not as lucky as I was!

The Scrabble board cracked me up! It says: Next time lock UR door. U got owned.

B and I made the mistake of leaving Friday without locking our doors.

Let's just say, there will be payback. Someone (who's name starts with S and ends with hannon, has a master key! Bwahhhhhhhhh!)

A Note to Myself

Dear Shannon,

If you decide at your oldish age to take up a new sport like tennis and begin taking lessons you had better invest in some Ben-Gay and some Advil.

Because after spending an hour hitting forehands, backhands, and learning to serve, you will be sore.

VERY VERY VERY sore.

So sore that your arms will feel like they are about to fall off when you do something as simple as try to put a shirt on.

And as a bonus your family will laugh at you.

Often and loudly.

Especially when they say they say that you look like a duck when you are concentrating on playing tennis.

Quack quack quack.

Love,

Shannon

A Look In the Bag

Some of you guys are so smart and guessed correctly.

Here's what was in the bag:

Wish you could have seen the look on his face. It was hysterical!
After all of the jokes and harassment I received about my shampoo/conditioner
buying, he so deserved it!
(And not to worry- he did get some nice, regular gifts too!)


Loved, loved, loved the guess of a zebra.
Made me laugh out loud.
Too stinkin funny!

What's in the Bag?

Here's one of Honey's birthday presents.





Can you guess what's in the bag?

Happy Birthday Honey

In honor of my sweet husband's 46th birthday today,

I decided to list 46 of the many reasons that I love him.

1. He is a godly man who loves the Lord.

2. Instead of talking all of the time, he sits back and watches others in a group and as a result is very, very, very intuitive.

3. He NEVER gets angry- because he says that people are only usually angry because they are being selfish.

4. He is the handiest man ever and can fix absolutely anything.

5. He is a fabulous father and an incredible step-father to Maddie.

6. He loves his family with all of his heart.

7. He is the hardest worker ever! He gives it 100% in anything that he does.

8. He is always willing to lend a hand. If he notices someone broken down on the side of the road or a woman with a flat tire- regardless of where he is going- he will turn around and stop to help them.

9. He is thoughtful. Once when I sent him to the store for some feminine hygiene products (bless his heart)-he returned with them, some of my favorite cookies, and some flowers. What a sweetie!

10. He does not complain- EVER. Really.

11. He's romantic. Back when we were just friends and had not yet started dating, I had a Valentine's party for some of my single friends. I cooked a big Italian dinner and everyone came over for dinner. When T arrived he had a single long stem red rose for every single woman there- plus one for M who was only 3.

12. He's got a great sense of humor and is always playing tricks on me and on Maddie. He keeps us laughing.

13. He is a great gardener and our yard always looks fabulous!

14. He takes my car every week and washes and vacuums it out because he knows that I love a clean car!

15. He fell in love with me when I was fat and after I lost the weight he told me that he wanted me to know that although he complimented me more since I had gotten thin, he wanted me to know that it wasn't because he thought I was more beautiful thin, it was simply because I accepted compliments better.

He said he didn't care what size I was- he just loved me.

16. He brings me a Sonic Diet Coke when he knows I have had a really bad day.

17. He takes care of paying all the bills and makes sure that we are financially secure.

What a treat not to have to pay bills!

18. He pats my butt every morning while I am standing at the bathroom counter

getting ready as he walks by to get his socks.

19. He is tall, dark, and handsome!

20. He always, always, always holds my hand.

21. He is a true gentleman- always holding doors and pulling out chairs.

He wouldn't dream of sitting while waiting at a restaurant when a woman was standing!

22. He plays with my hair at night when I can't fall asleep (which is most nights).

23. He rubs my feet when they are killing me after a long day- even if he is tired and doesn't want to.

24. He loves my cooking and always brags on me in front of others.

25. He encourages me and believes in me 100% and is my biggest cheerleader!

26. He prays FOR and WITH me.

27. He has the most gorgeous blue eyes and a special look that's just for me! It makes me swoon!

28. Even though he had a horrible previous marriage and an unfaithful wife,

he trusts me and loves me with all of his heart.

29. He is faithful and loyal.

30. He will help me do anything I ask- even if he is busy with something else or would rather not.

31. He is a big guy- about 6 ft and STRONG as an ox!

32. Even though he is a big strong guys guy-

he loves to go to chic flicks with me! How lucky am I?

33. He is very wise.

34. He is quiet. (Of course, between me and Maddie- when would he get the chance to talk around here?)

35. He has an incredible singing voice and sings all the time.

36. He picks on me all the time. Even though I say it drives me crazy, I actually love it!

37. He loves to play games- all kinds!

38. He knows how to relax and has learned how to make me take the time to relax too.

39. He treats me like a princess and spoils me rotten!

40. He knows how to calm me down when I am upset and makes me feel safe.

41. He gives the best hugs EVER!

42. He sees the good in every situation and person that he knows.

43. He mops the floor because he knows it hurts my back.

44. He puts up with my crazy busy schedule and my insane perfectionist tendencies-

and loves me in spite of them!

45. He puts up with my Sonic drink and shampoo buying addictions.

46. He has a heart of gold!

I am truly blessed to have such a FABULOUS husband!
Happy Birthday Honey!

Getting Thrown Under the Bus

My battle to control my addiction continues to be fought.

I did make a trip to the store on Tuesday during which I did NOT buy any shampoo or conditioner.

I felt strong.

My family was so proud.

Sat., however, was not such a proud day.

It started innocently enough as I was shopping and decided to go quickly down the shampoo aisle to get to the facial cleansers. Now I know that I could have gone down the aisle from the other direction- so that I wouldn't even have to look at the hair care products but sadly that isn't what I choose to do.

I thought I was strong enough to walk by without stopping.

But I was wrong and stop I did.

Because I saw a sale.

A sale for products that I just happened to have some really good coupons for.

Really GOOD coupons.


Really GOOD coupons that were about to expire.

Suave shampoo and conditioner were on sale for only 88 cents each!

I had a coupon for $2.00 off 3 Suave products and a coupon for $1.00 off 1 Suave products.

So that means that I had $3.00 off for products that cost $3.52.

That means that 4 bottles of shampoo and conditioner only cost me 52 cents.

People that's 12 cents each.

12 CENTS

How could I NOT buy them?

Of course I rushed home because I knew that Honey was on his way home and I wanted to beat him there and hide the evidence before he could see it.

I rushed in and told Maddie (who had stayed at home) to hurry as we started putting away the groceries.

She asked why and when I didn't answer right away she said................

OH Mom, please tell me you didn't buy any more shampoo or conditioner?

So I came clean and told her what a fabulous deal I had found and she just shook her head.

I told her not to say anything to Honey.

Of course the moment he walked in the door, what did she do?

As he walked in the door she yelled out.............

Momma bought more shampoo at the store.

She threw me under the bus.

Seriously.

PS Although Honey was disappointed that I bought more shampoo and conditioner, he was thrilled that I was able to get a box of brownies for just 30 cents. Doesn't that seem like a double standard?

A reminder I needed

My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62: 1-2

Explanations

Y'all crack me up!

The questions and comments about my ridiculous pictures were just too funny!

The first pic is from when I first started stripping (wallpaper of course, wallpaper) this past summer and was taking a silly pic of myself to post.

The second pic was taken at about 4:50am on the morning that Maddie and I drove to my friend S's house to put notes in her yard before her surgery. Someone mentioned that it didn't look like I had no makeup on since it's black and white. Well that would be WHY it's black and white. :)

The third pic was taken this past summer at my sweet friend B's country house when Dory and her girls came to visit for a week. This pic was the last night when our three girls were busy in the other room creating dresses out of pink and green streamers. While they were busy designing dresses, Dory and I sat in the living room with our cameras chatting. At some point we started taking pictures of each other. Silly pics. Most of the ones that I took of her were where she's hiding under a blanket. There is a bowl of potpourri sitting on the table next to the recliner. As we sat chatting and laughing I picked up the piece that looks like a large white Bugle chip and put it on my nose. Of course Dory just had to take a pic or two. Of course I was laughing so hard it kept falling off of my face. Every time I look at that pic, I crack up.

So glad that my embarrassment not only made Dory laugh- which was my goal- but made many more of you smile as well.

Proof Positive

One definition of love is the willingness to embarrass and humiliate oneself for someone else.

And this post is proof positive that I love my friend Dory.

A bunch.

I've been wracking my little brain all day long to think of ways to make sweet Dory smile and realized that posting some ridiculous and embarrassing pictures of myself will most likely do just that.

So Dory in case you ever doubted it, I love you a whole big bunch
and I sure pray these pics (and the fact that I was willing to post them) make you smile tonight:

(This has the be the STUPIDEST look on my face. EVER.)

(A picture of me without makeup? On the Internet? Oh how SCARY is that?)

(Could I be a bigger dork? I think NOT!)

Perspective and Prayers

It's amazing how a death of someone in your family or in the family of someone you love- puts things in your life immediately into perspective.

Things that you were stressing over and pulling your hair out moments before are no longer even a thought.

Things that previously frustrated you beyond belief seem so petty and insignificant.

Things and issues that seemed so murky and confusing become positively crystal clear.

Things that had just irritated you seem so ridiculous and minor that it makes you want to cry.

Things on your schedule that seemed so vital and important you immediately realize are totally expendable and are crossed off your schedule without so much as a second thought.

You hug and kiss your loved ones more.

You make sure you share the love your have for those in your life directly, freely, and often.

You forgive and forget.

You love freely and without abandon.

You pray continually and without ceasing for those you love who are hurting and in pain.

What's truly important.........God, family, and friends..................is your complete and total focus.


My prayer tonight is that the perspective I have today after returning home from helping my sweet friend to bury her precious father, will not dim or diminish in any way but will instead stay with me.

My prayer tonight is that sweet Dory feels my love and constant prayers- no matter how many miles separate us and knows that I am here at any time and in any way she needs me. Always.

My prayer tonight is that this moment- and in the many difficult days ahead- sweet Dory will feel the arms of our Heavenly Father who loves her more than she could ever know wrapped tightly and securely around her.

Prayer for a Friend

Please say a prayer for my precious friend Dory.

Some Days................