The plan- to tell no child, less the secret slip. To hide the gift in an unexpected place. To play it cool. To wait.....
Can I do it??
Of course I can! For I am LoW!
The unexpected gift- a very badly wanted for a long long time cell phone.
Hid in a tennis ball can, attatched to an obviously wrapped tennis racket.
As expected, it was the very last gift opened. Any hope of a phone was lost. He said he didn't even need to open the present......
"Fine, I'll open the tennis balls", says he.
"What?!"
Perfect.
This year, if I did a theme for Christmas Treats that I am sharing, it would be nuts. Not on purpose, but so it happened to be.
Peanut Butter Fudge
Pralines
Toffee Balls with Toasted Almond
and Spiced Pecans
Naomi learned that a shirt of her little sisters may fit but doesn't exactly fit.
Puffy Cheeks had his wisdom teeth pulled yesterday but ventured out for a bit...
...to hang out with friends.
I wanted to share three of the funnest people I know. I love hanging with any of these three. If I ever hung out with all three, I think I would die of a fun overdose.
My first FUNtastic is my Nolan. He's going to kill me for saying this but I recently read my old journal from when he was 4 and 5 and at that time I don't think I imagined he would be so fun to be around at 16. He cried so much I imagined him as depressed at 16. From our little interview you will learn I had nothing to worry about after all!
NOLAN!!
Why don't you tell everyone how we met.
Why dont you tell me what happened to Mr. Fluffles.
Your daddy named you, did he do a good job?
Yes, I am glad he didnt name me something weird like Lorinda or something
When you aren't poking fun at your sisters, who are you teasing?
Im making fun of you, Lorinky Stinky
Who do you think you got your sense of humor from, me or your daddy?
Pshhh...My humors more like Dave Chappell, or Buddha
Who is funnier, me or your daddy?
no
Where do you hope to be in 3 years?
Hawaii
Do you think you will have lots of youngin's when you get married?
if "youngins" is one of those hip new words for money, than yes
On a scale of 1-10, how cool is your mom?
That depends on what you mean by "cool"
Why did you talk me out of buying candy that cost $12 and had 5 pieces?
Because I talked you into buying 12 pieces of candy for 5 dollars.
Well, son, I think you are a hoot, do you realize you crack your momma up?
well....uh....gee....uh....LOOK! A DISTRACTION!
Anything you would like to say to my blog readers?
Dont forget to wipe. Peace.
Next I would like to share with everyone my baby wittle sister. No doubt about it, we've had our share of FUNtastic times!!
You will see in this interview I asked Anitra what her funniest memory of the two of us was.... she didn't mention what I would have... but one of the funniest things was about a year ago (I think less though) we both were home with our men, and we were all in Sunday School. I believe she and her men were in front of Gary and I (maybe vice versa, but I don't think so) and we were competing to see who could give the most PDA in YES... SUNDAY SCHOOL and yet keep it appropriate.. I think you had to be there, but it was HILLARIOUS!!
Anitra!!
Do you remember that one time we went to girls camp together? ;-) ~YES!!!! It was my most favorite year of girls camp. I learned so much from you. You are so calm, and you are so Christ-like.
Did you love it as much as I did? (See above.:) )
Do you have a favorite memory of our camp experience? ~Seriously, all of it. I think my absolute fav was when we were able to just hang out in our leader cabin and talk.
How are your puppies doing? ~They're doing good. Cookie just got a hair cut, and she looks way cute. Cocoa is still his perfectly content self.
Have you always been the happy person that you are? ~Ummm...I think I have always been more on the optimistic side of life, but I really found true happiness when Heavenly Father blessed me by allowing me to find the Gospel. I know my Heavenly Father loves me, so I think no matter what happens, I will genuinely be happy. Also, I hide my sad or mad feelings well, because I don't want to make anyone else feel bad because of my feelings. I like that song that goes something like, "Smile, though your heart is breaking." I believe in smiling because doing so may help someone's day to be a little brighter.
How did you meet your husband?~ We met at a Young Single Adult Halloween dance. I had a trash bag on me with wrappers. I was dressed as garbage. It was a cheap costume when I was in college. He always tell people that I was a little trashy when he met me. That will be a joke I will hear for the rest of my life ( and perhaps all of eternity.)
If I gave you ONE MIIIILLLLIONNNN dollars would you move back to Stinkin' Rincon?? ~If my family was closer, and if the climate was a little more temperate, I would move back there tomorrow (for free!)
What inspired you to be a sign language interpreter?? ~I think American Sign Language is the most beautiful language. I love it, and I sometimes I feel that I understand it more that English. I also love Deaf culture, and the Deaf community!
(Did I word that right?)~Totally!
Do you realize how VERY awesome you are?? ~ Thanks Lorinda, I think you are VERY SUPER awesome!
Merry Christmas garland...
Wes insists he keeps using the stocking Gramma made him when he was a babe, even though it's smaller and holds less than the other stockings.
Zoe hanging two stockings for the second year in a row... and getting away with it.
Santa candle sticks found and given to me by my sister Anitra.
My favorite. My Nativity.
But oh how I wish I had a live one to display.
Okay- things were too orderly and so I had to interview one more person, mix it up. Kinda like when I had two boys and two girls. Too tidy, had to throw in a 5th.
Wes is my oldest son. I almost died giving birth to him! I was in labor for the whole month of August! I had to walk to the hospital, uphill both ways! My heart stopped several times on the table and I ended up with a uterus transplant!
At least that is how I remember it.
Do you prefer to be called Wes or Wesley? WesLEY
What if I want to call you Wes? I will ignore you
Where will you be this time next year, Wes? Hopefully in Japan
Doing....? Serving my mission
Would you cry if you were sent to Montana? No
Dude, what's so hard about school? too much work, I'm too lazy
And your room? too much work, I'm too lazy
What do you want to be when you grow up? I am grown up
No really? Hopefully architecture and anime
How big of a family do you want? Doesn't matter, as long as we are happy
What's the hardest part of having type 1 insulin dependent diabetes? remembering to check my blood
Is there a benefit to having type 1, or a bright side, or anything good?? I learned not to be picky and I eat healthier
Do you think you could beat up your Uncle Jug? I think Nolan could take him out
What about Auntie Anitra? Could you beat her up? Most women are undefeatable
Favorite quote. True change cannot be made if it's bound by laws and imitations
Favorite Scripture. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Anything you want to say to my readers (aka, Gramma and Aunts and possibly Uncle Jug) Watch your purses, you too Jug
Family.
I decided next I would share 3 fascinating people from my family. Now obviously I think all of my family is fascinating, minus one or two... just kidding! They all are, but I had to pick 3. Because those are (my) rules and rules are made to never be broken. Or whatever. Anyways ....
The first person is my baby sister's husband.
When my sister was of marrying age one thing that concerned me most about her getting a husband was the husband getting her. She has a peculiar sense of humor and I was afraid that if she married the wrong dude, he might extinguish it. That may not make sense but that was my concern. I am not however concerned anymore, I think she found the right guy in that area and that makes him pretty cotton pickin' cool. That and his concern with table scapes.
I present to you Jud! Or as my Zoe calls him- Jug!
How about tell everyone how we met. It all started many years ago at a quiet resturant down by the pier...ok so maybe it was thru your sister-my wife, a text here and a text there, until we got engaged(not us, me and your sister) and the rest is history.
Did you marry Anitra so you could have me for a sister-in-law? Yes, ok maybe that wasn't the whole reason.
Do you plan to move Anitra near her sister any time soon? Only time will tell
What do you have against my small town? Fresh air, nice people, and that is about it...I don't really have anything against small towns .
What is one thing you do for your wife to show her you love her? Cook her dinner
Do you love love? yes
Will you be dancing at our annual Christmas Eve party/talent show? If it is a Luua?
How was the food at your wedding reception? Probably some of the best food my mouth has ever tasted!
Do you have any words for my blog readers (aka- your mother-in-law, wifey, and sisters-inlaws)? Life is pretty good as long as you have Food, Family and Friends.
Next I must share with you all one of my beach princesses. Naomi!
Do you like your name? Yes, it fits me fine
Who is funnier, mom or dad? Dad, he makes funny noises
Why do you love ice cream so much? Because it tastes so good, it's like an explosion in your mouth
Do you think you will always have long hair? I want it to always be long
What's up with your room, why is it always so messy? the boys throw all our stuff in there
Why do you like kittens so much? Because they are so cute and cuddly and fun to play with
I've saved the best for last. Gary is silly and funny and my best friend and most favorite husband I have ever had.
My GARY!!
Do you remember when we first met? Was it at the church playing ball?
(yes)
Yeah
If you had to describe in one word what it's like being married to me, what would it be? Interesting
Was there one moment that you fell in love with me? I don't think so.... it was many moments
DO you remember our first kiss? Yeah, I saw fireworks
Do you remember when we were newly married and we made a deal that you kiss me before you leave for work and I greet you with a kiss at the door when you get home... why don't you keep up your end of that? Because you are asleep and I don't want to wake you up
What are we going to do when the kids grow up and leave us? Get a cabin in the woods
Am I funny? Yes
Who is funnier? Yes
Prez for '08? Rudy
And there you have it, two loves of my life and a love of my sisters life. Fascinating Family.
When Wesley was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 4 years ago his Endocrinologist told me about www.childrenwithdiabetes.com , almost immediately I joined an on-line support group that I believe saved Wesley's life and my sanity. And there I met some pretty fascinating people.
The OT list mean "off topic", I pronounce it "The OT" like "The OC". I perfer this list from the main list because it's not diabetes talk all day, which really could make me crazy, and yet they get it and I can still go to them about diabetes issues. Anyways...
These are my pick for The Most Fascinating People of the OT.
First I will introduce you to Mike.
Mike is a husband, father of two fine young men, and survivor of Sept 11th. http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1533178,00.html
Mike is also like a brother to me. No really. We argue all the time, but he starts it!!
Mike has a voice of a mobster (but maybe that's just cause he's a New Yorker, or maybe it's just me). He loves showing funny pictures with all us on the OT and he loves bad words. :-\ And I try and try to get him to clean it up, and he tries and tries ( I think?) to clean it up.... but... whatcha' gonna do? So here is my interview with him, with a couple of dirty wordies and I am going to blog later about bad words being my pet peeve... but either way... he made me promise not to edit out his words. And he tried... this is good for him.
Mikey!
So who demands more attention on the OT, you or me?
DEFINITELY you! I write and respond there to make people laugh. You write and respond there because you apparently have nothing else to do at home.
No, seriously?
You think I was kidding?
Can you list all the famous people you have met?
Sheesh, tough one. Franz Beckenbauer (at the time, the World's best soccer player), Gary Hall Jr., Dr. Kevan Herrold (trying to find a cure for Diabetes), Dr. Norma Sue Kenyon (same...), Rik Bonness, Sen Sue Collins, Sen Hillary Clinton, Sen Charles Schumer, Rep Steve Israel, Rep Peter King, Rep Carolyn McCarthy, Rep Tim Bishop, Jeff Hitchcock, Alexi Yashin (once thought to be one of the best hockey players in the world, but he eventually sucked and the Isles let him flea to Russia), Jaime Rivers, Zdeno Chara, Nicole Johnson Baker (Miss America 1999), Tom Karlya, Tony Graffanino (he plays an infield position for the Milwaukee Brewers... we bought his parents' house), Steven Baldwin, Billy Baldwin, Danny Baldwin, Zander Baldwin (we all grew up in Massapequa), Perry Pearn (Asst Coach of the NY Rangers), Gary Melious (owns the largest private residence in America (I think... OHEKA Castle), Al D'Amato, Colin Powell... I think there are more... drawing a blank at this point...
What makes you and your wife so dedicated to one another?
She is the perfect woman for me. Gorgeous, inside and out. I adore and worship her, and she me.
Who do your sons awesomeness take after, you or your wife?
Gigi, definitely.
Can you play any musical instruments?
No, but I can sing (for a couple seconds before people start throwing rotten fruit at me).
Do you really think Mel and I are the same person??
A lot of the time, yes. I think you do that so that everyone (except me) doesn't realize that you are having conversations with yourself while you try to gather as much attention as possible (see 1st question)
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest (of course), how important is a cool escalator when considering a job?
It's a "0". But it is cool as hell that the great job I just got, with a great company and great salary/benefits has a cool escalator which curves a little more than 90 degrees as it descends from the 6th to the 5th floor.
Best thing in your life?
Gigi
The worst?
Tie: Nicholas having Diabetes has killed me on the inside. Living through 9/11 while my BIL and some of my friends died... that ALMOST killed me on the outside.
What (or who) gives you strength to get through the tough times?
Knowing that I don't want to be without Gigi... (that's why I don't want to die... because if I die, then I won't be with her). I am also afraid of failing.
So if I ever went to a CWD conference that you were at, would we argue like we do on the OT list?
No. I am shy in person, but I have very big Internet muscles. If we met there, we would hug, you would tell me that I am not a Fat B@stard, that Gigi is gorgeous, and then you would ask 1 question: "Gigi, what are you doing with him?"
On a scale of 1-10, how cool is Lorinda?
7.4
Don't you think you would be a good daddy to a daughter?
I would be a better Daddy to a daughter than I am to my boys.
How does it feel to be one of only two dudes on the OT list?
I like how EVERY woman on the OT list wants me.
Do you have any messages for my readers (aka, my mother and sisters)?
I'd like to ask them how THEY dealt with your schizophrenia and non-stop attention grabbing antics.
(You have no idea how hard it is not to argue some of his comments right now! Ha!!)
Next is Melinda. My sister from another mister. (Ha!! I made that one up myself!) Mel and I hit it off right away. We have been called the Amen Sisters because we see things much the same and tend to Amen each other a lot. We took that as a compliment. Some people are also convinced that we are the same people. Well, I think Mike is the only one that has accused us of that.
Melinda has two daughters and one was diagnosed with diabetes and about two years later they found out it was a misdiagnosis!
Melinda!
Why do you recon we hit it off right away?? Buttermilk Pie, diabetes, and we have to be related someway
Do you think it's cool that our names rhyme? Yes, it is fun confusing people
Isn't it funny that your last name is a color and my maiden name is Black? Yes, completely
Did I ever tell you that I lived in a town the same name as your town? No, I don't think I knew that. Hendersonville is very catchy.
Did you expect the interview to be a lot about me? Yes… Drats…..
Okay- so you have two very bright very talented daughters, does that come from your side of the family, or hubbies? Mine, has to be mine…. Well, some of the book sense had to come from him. But the sheer raw talent, all mine…..
How did you meet your husband? He lived across the hall from me. His roommate vacuumed the doormat. I thought they were gay. Our first conversation was about baseball. It was Ric Maddox's first game with the Braves. I was leaving with a beer in hand, he was coming home from work. My how times have changed. I haven't had a beer in years. Maddox is pitching for another team…. Oh, his roommate's wife did leave him for another woman….
When you count your blessings, what makes the top 5? God & salvation, Family, Kids, Friends, and my church family
You had a daughter misdiagnosed with diabetes, what's 1 word that you would use to describe your feelings on that? Horror
Do you recon we'll ever meet in person? I sure hope not
Do you have any idea how hillarious you are?? Why no……. should I be?
- Be true to yourself
- Integrity defines who you are
- Make a difference in the world, to make it a better place then when you found it
Zoe asked, "Mom, do fish know it's the holidays?"
"No, honey."
"Well they know how to swim!"
"Yep, very true."
This is from my old blog titled 'Think You're too Good for Casserole?' My friends best buddy's birthday is coming up. His favorite food is cinnamon rolls and I usually make him that... well he had this casserol recently and asked that this coming birthday I make him this casserole instead. It will look funny with candles stuck in a casserole, but I'll do it if it's his birthday wish. :)
You might want to think again.
This to me is the epitome of good home cookin'. It's honestly the YUMMIEST casserole I have ever had, I could eat it every single day. It's my mother in law's recipe and it's something my husband grew up on, and now my kids are happily doing the same.
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
2 jiffy cornbread mixes, baked in a 9x13 according to directions on box
1 onion
1 T black pepper
1 whole chicken
1 bunch of broccoli, cooked
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 c milk
about 2 cups casserole cheese (your favorite, I use cheddar)
Cook chicken in large pot with plenty of water until done (about 30 minutes). When done reserve 1 1/2 cups of the chicken stock from pot.
In the meantime cook corn bread according to directions on box. When done scoop out the cornbread and crumble in a large bowl. Add one chopped onion and black pepper. Add chicken stock and store with a fork, this should be crumbly. Put back in the 9x13 pan.
Shred chicken and layer on cornbread mixture. In small bowl mix cream of chicken soup and milk. Evenly pour over pan. Add broccoli. (when in a pinch I have used frozen broccoli spears). Top with cheese and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30-45 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
