8 years

Do you know - I've had this blog for just over 8 years!  I love scrolling down to the archives on the right side and arbitrarily picking a year and seeing the posts made at this time during that year.  I started it in December of '04, right before Joshua was born.  We were living in Wrightstown. 

I think that's cool.  I hope to have it for many more years.

And The Shopping Is Done.

I actually had a great time shopping with Tyler today.  We went to the Fox River Mall.  First stop:  Scheel's where he bought a hunting knife.  Then we stopped in at Hollister.  It was funny;  While we were standing in line waiting to purchase the sweater and button up he picked out he said to me, "I'm not carrying the bag."  I'm thinking - wait a minute.  I'm not going to be his personal assistant.  So, I told him, "No I'm not."  He looked at me - dead serious - and I even thought he was about to walk away and put up his shirts when I saw him glance at the lady putting the customer in front of us purchases in a bag.  Then, it dawned on me - and yep.  I had to agree.  So, I wound up toting his Hollister bag with the picture of the really hot, half naked guy with his thumb in his mouth, looking sultry & sexy!  LOL!  I can't blame him for not wanting to carry that bag around! 

Anyway, our next stop was Target where he was seriously considering blowing the remainder of his dough on headphones.  He decided on the $60 set but - they were out.  So, he made the next best choice on the $30 pair.  We left target and hit Younkers where he bought a wallet.  One of his very own, not a hand-me-down (so maybe he won't loose it).  It was funny though - he wanted to put it in his front pocket.  He didn't believe me that men carry their wallets in their back pockets!  Then, he was self-conscious putting it in and pulling it out.  Then it kind of occurred to me he was afraid his pants would fall off (they were very loose - perhaps I shall suggest a belt!). 

We ate lunch at the mall.  He had Subway and I had Sarku (what else???).  We took our time and enjoyed ourselves.  He searched Game Stop and almost bought a game but I told him I'd bring him back if he didn't find something he wanted more at The Guitar Center.  So, with that -we left the mall and headed to the guitar store.  He walked in and he was in heaven.  And I - was "don't touch that," "did you see the price on that," "Oh my God, don't break it!"  LOL!  Tyler had his hands on EveryThing!  Expensive things.  At last, he wound up buying a digital delay pedal, an A/C adapter and a daisy chain.  So, he can hook up 5 pedals at a time.  He has two.  But, we got home and realized - he needs an amp that can accept more plug-ins.  Well, that'll be a generous birthday gift or will have to wait until next Christmas. 

Finally, we stopped by Wal-Mart to spend his gift cards.  And, like Joshua - I had to spot him a little extra.  He had made the comment that with the weight bench in his room he feels claustrophobic.  I told him that's why I had wanted him to switch beds with Joshua (which he balked at when I suggested a month earlier - seeing as I knew what he was getting for Christmas).  So, he agreed to switch beds with Joshua but needed new bedding.  He bought a black comforter, a fitted sheet and two pillow cases.  None of my kids (or my husband) can stand having the flat sheet on them.  A simple comforter or blanket and they're good.  And, I'm thinking - the purpose of the flat sheet is so we don't have to wash the comforter.  Oh well.  It's not a battle I will win - and didn't have to spend money on a sheet he'd never use.

I'd love to post pic's but that will have to wait until Sky gets the beds moved - tomorrow, hopefully. 

But, I did enjoy spending the day with Tyler.  He is such a character.  Unlike  his brothers and much like a friend of mine I've always admired for her 'smarts' - Tyler has wit.  And, he knows how to use it.  He is wittier than I - and that amuses me.  I'm always stunned by him - but in a good way.

And, that's that.  No one has any money left to spend.  That's the sad part.  Ringing in the new year broke - LOL!  Well, I'm not being entirely truthful - Justin managed to hold onto some spending cash.  ;)

Toys R Us, $250, and a 7 year old . . . Um. . . What Exactly Was I Thinking????

Yep - that's right.  Joshua (and all three of the kids) had $250 in cash to spend.  So, I took him and Justin out today to make their purchases.  We first went to Big Lots because Justin wanted to buy a desk to do homework (he's in a large room now and has the space for it).  He looked online at many places and found the one he liked at Big Lots.  When we got there the display was the only one left and she couldn't sell it until after January.  It was $100.  Then, she (the sales clerk) informed us she did have one on clearance because the top was scuffed in several places.  For half price we were definitely interested - scuffed??  Nothing a furniture marker can't fix.  So, Justin made out with a really nice desk for half of what he intended on spending.  He also wound up buying a really nice chair from Wal-Mart to go with it - for $50.  He did really good!  His other purchases included a pair of jeans, another gaming chair to match one he already has, a wireless controller for the PS3 and Black Ops 3 - and the kid still has $$ left.  He did buy his mama a coffee, too.  ;) 

Now, Joshua - he only had one destination in mind: Toys R Us!  He did really good about walking through the whole store and really seeing what all he might be interested in.  He couldn't believe the prices on some items but after we made the initial round - he knew exactly how much he was willing to spend on which items.  I was pleasantly surprised he bypassed Skylanders for a set of toys costing about as much.  He bought a remote control Angry Bird and the helium tank for it.  One small and one large Hobbit Lego sets, another light saber, an angry birds game on clearance, 3 dino sets, and alien putty.  Then at Wal-Mart he bough some Bey Blade stuff (which I contributed to because I mistakenly thought the stadium was on sale - I didn't read the tag well enough).  I will take a pic of him with his Christmas loot.  And, he says a very heartfelt 'Thank You' to everyone who gave him money for Christmas!!

Tomorrow - me and Tyler will be hitting the mall since that's where he wants to go.  ???  It will be an interesting experience.

But, ultimately - I had a really good time with my kids today.  Now, it's just unfortunate that Sky is working minuses on days because Joshua can't get anything out tonight. 

Joshua Sledding down Big Bertha at Meadowbrook Park

Mine and Sky's Christmas

Sky got me a wine cooler for Christmas.  Thank God!  LOL!  I needed one badly!!!

Sky got a lot of tools.  I mean - a lot.  But, unfortunately, I don't know what they're all called.  I did, however, also get him some nice Ice Armor gloves for ice fishing and a $50 gift card to Fleet Farm (the Man's Mall).  :)

Christmas!

I have to say I did real good.  I'm not a bad cook at all.  I have made a delicious turkey in my Nesco roaster ever since I've had it.  I couldn't imagine cooking a turkey any other way.  Nothing but butter, salt & pepper, and some browning sauce and it's as tender and juicy as can be!  My dressing is always a hit or miss but this time it turned out really good.  The flavor was good!  It's ultimately a combination of recipes of my dad and Sky's nana.  The sweet potatoes are nana's recipe.  Green bean casserole is a staple for us at Christmas, as is the corn - gotta get those veggies in somehow.  I short-cutted the gravy big time.  Just a couple of jars of Heinz turkey gravy and added boiled egg (apparently it's a southern thing).  Gordie made the deviled eggs and they were very delicious!!  For dessert I made a Chocolate Delight, again following nana's recipe.  It was very delightful!  Oh - and my mom whipped up some watergate salad - love that stuff!

I love it when we have a big meal in the dining room.  It's very cozy but - for all the time it takes to cook a wonderful fare it sure does go down way too quick.  If the kids hand't been so anxious to open gifts I'd have lingered a little while longer.

Okay - it's present time!!

OMG!  Robbie is the epitome of ADD!  So, this gag gift of a 'squirrel' from mom and Gordie was hilarious!  I'm sure some of you get it. . . right?

Sky and his wedding cake cookies!  I got the pfeffernusse kind - I love them (anise, or licorice!).  And, a wee FYI - I hate it when folks refer to strawberry licorice, or red licorice.  Licorice is a flavor in and of itself.  They're twists or twizzlers.  And, saying 'black licorice' is like uttering a double negative.  Not really - but you know what I mean - right???

Gordie and Mama - Gordie will be a great addition to the family!  He's a great guy and we are happy to know him.  And, congrats to the two who will be getting married in 2013!

Ahh - the aftermath!  I love it!  But, the kids get to clean it up.  :)

Sky and me - I look awful but, hey - that's me and I'm well loved. 

All in all, we had a great Christmas!  Hope you did too!!!

Snow Boys

Love the ones if Tyler shooting the snowman - target practice! Them the snowman became sword fighting practice.

Joshua's just crazy.

And Justin would rather not hang outside.

You have to love the creativity - the boogie board as a shield. . . Ready, aim  -  Fire!

He's all boy.  :)

And, whack!  Off with his head!

Die Snowman, die!  LOL!  This kid cracks me up!

Isn't he the most handsome 12 year old you ever saw!!??!!  Look at them dimples!

And the 7 year old - so sly. . .

King of the Snow Hill!

Santa Gifts for the Bryant's

Tyler got a weight bench, telescope, & G-pedal. Joshua got a drum set, transformer, & lightsaber. Justin got his very own PS3.

Anticipation. . .

Okay, I'm heading to bed.  Since Santa is bringing Tyler and Joshua big toys we asked him to set up their gifts in their room.  So, Tyler and Joshua are sleeping on the couch and love seat in basement.  They are finally asleep and I can go to bed now.  I can't wait for the kids to wake up in the am and wonder just where their Santa gifts are.  Hehe! 

I usually wake up early and sit and wait with the camcorder.  But, I don't know if I'm going to do that this year.  Things are changing. . .

Well - I will probably set the alarm for a decent time and just hope I'm up first. 

In prep for tomorrow I already made the Chocolate Delight pie and sweet potatoes.  I also have most of the dressing done.  Just need to throw a couple things in the oven tomorrow and cook my turkey - a 19 pounder.  I ruined the pecan pie (over-cooked it) - oh well.  Kids don't like nuts anyway.  It'll be nice having mama and Gordie and Robbie to share the holiday.  We won't eat until 6:30 and do presents afterwards.  It sucks that Sky has to work but - we need power!  Ironically, the Christmases have worked best in the past when he is on nights.  That way he can come home in time to see the kids receive their Santa gifts, sleep while I cook, and eat in evening.  As it is now, he will miss the Santa part. 

I will miss the whole Santa business.  This may be the last year - don't know.  But, a small part of me is also okay for that to be done with.  I guess I'm kind of on the fence with that one - don't want to let go but don't want to hold on to it even when the kid is ready to be done.  A part of me thinks Joshua may have an inkling - but is holding out just for me.  If you catch my drift, and if I'm right - that's super sweet of him. 

I'm very tired and I am rambling.  So, it's nighty-nite for me.  Merry Christmas y'all!!

A Verbal Recap

Well, it would certainly have been a much more pleasant trip for me had I not gotten sick.  It started on the 2nd day heading towards my dads.  That was a Saturday.  Monday I went to urgent care - and I have to say - I'm so glad I live in WI.  And, maybe it's just this part of WI but I have never had to wait or have been treated so 'clinically' here.  The doc came in and litterally spent less than 3 minutes with me.  He only asked me one question and determined I had laryngitis.  Laryngitis???  Really?  I mean - if he'd read my chart he could see I had my kid in to the ER with bronchitis.  It was early, I'd had nothing past my throat - of course my speach was hoarse.  Oh well, turns out the treatment was still an antibiotic so who cares.  At any rate, sleeping in 5 different beds in as many nights didn't help my situation.  Next time we come down - we'll still stay at my dad's - but after that - it's a hotel for us, all the way.  Traffic?  OMG  - I really just can't even talk about it.  LOL! 

BUT, for all the down sides we did enjoy seeing the family. 

However, there's no place like home. 

 

 

Nana's

I love this pic of Justin sitting in his nana's lap -well, kind of.  He's so big now!

Kerry was teasing the kids playing with his hair - telling them that now they'd have gray hair.  Everyone had a great time!

Christmas At Granny Sharon's

Brandon, Justin (with his eyes closed!), Tyler, Joshua, and Alyssa.  My boys are always so silly and make it hard to get a good picture.

Passing out gifts!  All the kids watching as each name is called out is reminiscent of when I was a kid and how excited I got!

Well, I had to snap this shot of Wendy - she's covered!

The money gift from me and Sky was a huge hit.  I have a video I will try to post.  Thank you Pinterest!

Alyssa, "I'm rich!"  It was very cute!

Granny-Great

I got to stop by and see my granny twice. The first time I went by myself and we listened to Xmas music from the 40's while playing Chinese checkers and eating old-fashioned hard candies. She whipped up on me. I lost three out of three!

This is the craft project I made her.  It looks good on her wall.

This magnet has been on her fridge forever.  I have always found it quite hilarious!

Me and Granny!

First Stop, Xmas Vacation 2012

Our first stop was my dad's - Grandpa Terry & Grandma Wanda!  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and it was fantastic seeing my cousin Ginny and her beautiful daughter, Lexi.  I just wish I hadn't been so sick otherwise, I would've held her.  So, she wound up taking a liking to Sky.  If we had had a little girl she'd be sooo spoiled!

My dad and Wanda are awesome cooks - best meals I ate were there! 

Scary Situation

Well, on Sunday the 9th of December Joshua began not feeling well.  With glassy eyes and lethargy I knew he was coming down with a virus.  As long as he was comfortable and sleeping there was nothing really I could do for him.  Sky and I hadn't been out in a while together so we left him with his brothers while we went to play Bingo.  Not a big deal - he's 7, it's not like he's 2 - that's not the scary part.  While at Bingo I always have my phone on me and during an intermission I happened to check facebook.  I came across a post that kind of had me 'ticked.'  The mother of one of Joshua's friends, who also has a daughter in the same grade as Justin, posted a very cryptic message indicating that a child at the high school had died.  Unless you're going to explain messages like that only incite worry and fear and sadness in others.  Whereas all that is due - not via facebook to the masses of those near and far and everywhere in between.  So, of course, I was very concerned about Justin knowing this person and if it was due to a traumatic accident or if it was someone who had been sick for a long time - lots of questions.  Ultimately, I found out that a sophomore cheerleader had died.  She had been sick with a virus and the virus attacked her heart.  I think something like this happened about 2 years ago at the high school, too, but can't be sure.  Anyway, knowing that Joshua had a virus made me really scared.  Back to the timeline - when Sky & I got home from Bingo we sent Joshua to bed.  Upon getting up he vomitted - only that once.  So, it was a very short-lived virus.  I kept him home the next day.  He was fine except for an odd cough - one I normally associate with him being about to get sick again.  Tuesday, he went to school.  His cough was getting a little worse - but it was just a cough.  At 3:43 am he came screaming down the hallway.  I have never moved so fast!  I threw my clothes on and ran him to the ER.  Obviously, my fears over the death of the high school girl had me conjuring worst-case scenarios.  They gave him a breathing treatment and Tylenol for a  low-grade fever.  They took an x-ray and diagnosed him with bronchitis.  The doc said, of my concerns with the HS girl, that if that were the case - we wouldn't know until it was too late.  How is that for reassurance?  Could they check for a heart condition that might have them treating him differently?  Of course, but apparently that is medical fraud.  Don't you love insurance????  At any rate, Joshua remained home Wednesday and Thursday.  I took him for his follow-up on Friday and intended to take him to school for the rest of the day considering he'd be missing the entire next week while we went to GA.  But, when my neighbor down the road told me she was the 30th person to pick up her sick child from school - I wasn't risking it.  It's been about 2 weeks and he still is on the mend. 

Gift Of Money Packaging

I think the niece and nephew will enjoy getting this.

They pull the tab and a string of money comes out. I modge podged paper onto a check book box. Money is taped together.

What A Sight To See

This was the view as I traveled down my drive way this morning. Beautiful!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Of course, Justin & Tyler are mumbling something else.