Last Day of Fall Colors...

My favorite... October the leaves are changing, Halloween's trick -or-treat, Thanksgiving and finally Papa's birthday mark the end of fall colors. So with the first day of December coming soon, construction will be displayed. The orange cones will be out, but on a good note...only for the day. Blogging will be resumed in full by Tuesday.

Shopping on Black Friday

It wasn't soooo bad! Scott had to work, so I ventured off myself. I got up after he left for work around 6am. The kids were all still asleep, so my exit was a fast and easy escape. I went to Wal-Mart with my list in tow. And with my surprise, I got everything I wanted for the kids! My shopping this year has officially started...and I'm soooo excited?! I also hit up Target, Old Navy and Lowes.
The crazy ladies that start shopping at 3am and shop all day for the best buys...my props to you! Okay, I'm 4 hours into shopping and I'm exhausted! This kind of thing isn't for me...fighting the mob of angry ladies trying to get the last and only toy made to mankind is madness! Pushing and running over me with their carts aren't cool, I just must say! Remember the years of the Cabbage-Patch Kids???? No more is needed to be said...

Happy Birthday Papa!

Today is the celebration of our wonderful Papa, who has turned 61 years old!

And also the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as 'Black Friday.' If you are the venturous type and head out shopping, get some good deals! And be careful...it's a mad house out there! In the news, a NY employee of Wal-Mart was trampled and later died from the rampage of customers. Crazy!!

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL...

We will be celebrate Thanksgiving with my Grandpa and Grandma Halsey this year. Four children with spouses, seven grandkids in all and twelve great-grandkids too! We will be decorating a Christmas tree as a family TOO!
I'm sooooooo excited! Pictures and stories soon to come! Stay tuned.....

Noah made TURKEY cookies

Looking through Sunday ads, I had notice some sugar cookies that were decorated like turkeys. I thought Noah could decorate them for his class on Tuesday, last day of school before Thanksgiving.
I had told Noah if I can't find the candy corns for the feathers, we won't be able to make them. Just in case, I couldn't find them, his heart wouldn't be broken because it was set to make this 'turkey cookie.' Since Halloween is over, the candy corns were hard to find. Scott & I had went to three different stores in looking for them. Scott even mentioned just using the colorful Mike-n-Ike's. But I was determined to finding them! Last store and final gleam of hope, the gas station. YES! And even in stock priced as a 2 for $1 special.
Noah was excited! The cookies were baked, icing and candies are ready to assemble. But first, Noah needs a taste test...Yummmmmm! They are delicious! He starts decorating, and gets the icing on his fingers. Yep, you guessed it, LICK! The cookies are finished and ready to share with the class of first graders! A fun and easy treat for the kids!

My Life Just Ended...

We came home to a mess, just one mess. One that I didn't want to ever happen!!! Saturday morning, Makaleigh had basketball pictures followed by practice. Scott and Noah had dropped her off, then met me after work to get a few groceries. We decided to get a bite for breakfast quick, and Scott respond with "Oh SH__! I don't think I put the dogs in the cage." Thinking that the dogs would be on their best behaviors, we didn't rush home that minute. We went to get the few groceries that we needed, and now to the home front. I peek through the window to see Apollo sitting in front of the kitchen sink soaking up the heat from the air vent. Jack and Rocky are MIA. I opened the door and the dogs came running. Laundry room, hallway, kitchen, and dining room escaped untouched by disaster. So we finished unloading the truck. Scott walks to the front living room to inspect the rest of the house and finds 'the mess.' I don't remember Scott exact words, but I do remember is the tone in his voice. He voice made me tremble inside with fear, I was scared. As I walk in there the thought that came to mind was my cat was chewed up laying on the floor not able to move. Noooo, it was much worse.......the dogs or dog(I think, Jack) had taken my camera lenses out of the case and chew on it like a bone! What... are you serious.... YES! I start to cry, get down on my hands and knees picking up pieces like I was going to save my passion for photos. While picking up the pieces, Jack the youngest dog, comes over to say sorry with a kiss. Sorry, a kiss isn't good enough for me! I'm definitely holding a grudge for a long time!

Apollo had tried to get a pack of gum out of my jacket pocket by chewing and gnarling on the pocket. I yelled and screamed at him and didn't talk to him for three days. Finally on the third day, I was on the computer and he came up to rest his head on my leg. Of course with the sad puppy dog eyes saying "I'm sorry will you please pet me?"

Dog... a man's best friend! Whatever..... I'm choosing the wrong friends!
laugh~laugh

Here are some photos... slobber was everywhere! Teeth marks and slobber cover the lens. The metal prongs are bent and buttons are missing. I'm not a happy camper!

Making Gingerbread Ornaments

I love these ornaments! These gingerbread ornaments look and smell like edible gingerbread - but don't eat them! They become very hard after they are baked and are meant to be painted and then hung as Christmas ornaments.

Last year, was the first we had made these. Makaleigh would roll out the dough & use the cookie cutters. Next day, the kids and I painted each one. And even made my basketball team a ball with their name on it. Letting them dry overnight on the dining table, and waking up to a chaotic mess! My dog, Apollo ate every last one! I cried and yelled and cried some more!!!!! Acrylic paints & spray were also on the ornaments...crazy dog! He never ended up getting sick on his own, but I gave him hydro peroxide to make him get sick, to get that poison out of his system.

Anyways, the recipe is fun & smells really good!

http://www.ehow.com/how_11100_make-gingerbread-christmas.html

An Awesome OSU Video...

OSU vs. Michigan Week...

It's all about Ohio State & Michigan week. The emails are flooding in. And the football season is coming to an end. Only to say that winter is approaching FAST!

The last game of the season is their hugest rival and fun party for us. We are having a gathering at the house, all is welcome!

Corn Maze for Michigan Fans

Casino Night...

My employer hosts a 'Casino Night' for their employees each year as a 'Thank You'. The night starts around 5:30 for dinner, a brief meeting about the year in review, and let the gambling begin. Craps, Black Jack, and some spin the wheel & see if you have chosen the right combo of numbers after you made your bet. Each person has received $3000 in 50 dollars bills. After the gambling is done, money is counted & top winner picks a prize. Everyone wins that has money left at the end of the night. Prizes range from a Wii gaming system, Cleveland Cavs tickets, Cedar Point season passes, Fuji digitial camera, Faberware pots & pans, charcoil smoker, digitial frame, tool box, dvds, ipod, camping tent, corn hole, etc. So many things to choose from!

At the start of the night, both Scott & I were losing money. LOTS! So we sat down and mingled with the others. We decided to try again at the craps table, and my the end of the night, I was betting $1000 at a pop. Only to win all the money back we had lost together!

Last year, the top winner had winnings of $20,000. This year, that amount was blown out of the water with earnings of $43,150. We had a good time...

Since, our company works 24/7, it is hard to get off at the same time. So, twice a year the supervisors plan to go out after the gambling. And the supervisors are close in age with the exceptions of two, and have spent the last three-five years together. Our shift was planning to meet up with them too. In other words, let the PARTY begin......

Veggie Soup Recipe

You are so funny! Okay Brenda...the recipe is as follows: 1 big can of Veg-all veggies drained, 1 big can of V-8 juice, 1 regular size can of beef broth, onion, a few extra potatoes cut up and the secret ingredient is a can of beef shredded with the juice added. Yum-Yum!!! I put into the crock-pot first thing in the morning on high. Add a grilled cheese sandwich on the side for a delicious meal! Oh and a picture to tantalize you with... hehehe. Hmmm...Now I have your mouth watering, can you smell that aroma?

XOXO

Vegetable Soup

I just made my very first pot of vegetable soup ever! Gramma T's recipe was easy and delicious! I thought it was more difficult than a couple cans here and a few potatoes there. Scott & I will definitely enjoy a good cup of soup on a chilly weekend coming ahead. Of course the kids won't eat this...Noah could smell the aroma after school, but was quick to say he wouldn't like it!

Oh and by the way, after work I checked on the motorcyclist that hit the deer. His girlfriend had said, he ended up getting checked out at the ER. Greg ended up with a black eye & a puss sack under the eye. The bike on the other hand, wasn't so lucky, goes into the shop for repairs on Saturday morning.

I Voted!

Today, is the big day. VOTE...for what you believe in.

CHAMPIONS!

The Championship game was scheduled at 2pm and their home school field was hosting the Youth Bowl this year. So, maybe the home field advantage...you are wondering? Nope, the boys played AWESOME! #1 RV vs. #2 Highland. A rematch. RV going into this game undefeated, 8-0. And Highland 7-1, only losing one game this season to RV. The first time these teams met was two weeks ago, with a RV win 18-0, played at Highland. Both teams would get into touchdown territory, but only to be stopped by the opponent. Matter of fact, the first and only score happen late in the third quarter. The boys played tough, and the Scots were out for payback.

The season has come to an end with a long 14 weeks of battle bruises, sweat and tears for the achievement of learning the game of football. All of your dedication, teamwork and strive to be the best earned you the UNDEFEATED SEASON & 2008 CHAMPIONSHIP! Congratulations!

I Witnessed a Motorcycle Crash

This morning on my way home from work at 7am, and had witnessed an accident. OMG! I was following a motorcycle on the bypass. He was two car lenghts in front of me(I don't follow close to motorcycles)Next, I see sparks... and the tail light go sideways. I'm thinking to myself...WHAT! I turn on my flashers immediately and pulled up behind him.

Me: Are you ok?

Him: Did you see the deer, I hit a deer!

Me: Have you called anyone?

Him: No. (while reaching for his phone) I can't believe a wrecked my bike!

We called his work and reported him off. Looked at the scuffs, he was pretty banged up! A nice half dollar size bloody bump above his eyebrow. Road rash on his hands, elbows, left knee and hip. He hadn't had a helmet on, and later I found out that his girlfriend was buying one later that day! He had just purchased the Harley a week ago, and rode it to work that morning due to the nice weather. We picked the bike up after skidding down the left side of the bike for 150 feet, to find the windshield not attached and a chrome piece from the front fender stuck into the passenger's backrest. CRAZY!!!!!!! Still freaking out that he hit a deer, he decides he has to find it. Starts walking down the highway behind my car, and finds the deer scooting his hind legs across the road. I'm afraid the oncoming cars are going to hit the deer again and slam it into us, or better yet try to swerve to miss the deer and hit us! So, I back my car up in the fast lane of a 4 lane highway, with the deer in front of my car still alive and trying to get away from us. Cars are swerving right to miss my car and then back a hard left to miss the wrecked motorcycle. But, NOT ONE person stopped to see if we needed help, to tell me to get the hell out of the road, NOTHING!!!! Finally, two state troopers are on the scene...now the deer has made it across two lanes of highway, a deep ditch and the start of the westbound highway(may have been eastbound, you know me with my directions). One trooper says in the most calmest voice, 'I'm going to have to shoot the deer.' WHAT???!!! My head is spinning...this kinda stuff only happens on COPS not right in front of me! The deer is like 'you can't keep me down' and gets up again, falls and looks right at the trooper. The trooper checks on us(the girlfriend, the biker, and me). He walks back to the deer, and the stubborn thing was still alive...another shot. WHAT???!!! I just witnessed not just one shot but TWO at point blank. Shivers are going down my spine! After the report was made, I had found out that Greg was his name. And he had also said that the deer looked straight into his eyes the second before he hit him. By the way, if you were wondering the deer was an 8 point buck with a nice set of antlers. I should of called Jay to come get it. Despite the hind legs were mangled and a couple gunshot shells the summer sausage would have been great!