GREETINGS

HERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF BRIANNA WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO TAKE ONE FOR OUR CHRISTMAS CARD:

HELLO EVERYBODY

Sorry I haven't kept you bloggers updated in awhile. It just seems like with the holiday season, there just isn't time for anything. Not to mention that I hardly ever get a chance to "play" on the computer because Brian and Brianna are always playing Webkinz. But at least they are playing for something. Brianna now has $3000 in Webkinz money. It won't last long though. She plans on buying another room and fixing it up. I really do think that Brian likes it more than Brianna. Everytime I come home from work, he's in here on this computer playing her games on Webkinz. He says he just does it to help her win money, but hey, those of you that know about Webkinz have to admit that those games are pretty fun. I have been spending some of my time in the evenings working on Christmas presents for the grandparents from Brianna. I can't really tell you all about it because I don't want to ruin the surprise. But it is a really cute idea. Maybe after the holiday, I will post some pics so that you can see them. Brianna stayed down at my mother's last night so that Brian and I could have a date night. It was fun. I beat him in GinRummy and we watched a movie. And I drank 3 beers. And let me tell you.....3 beers is alot for someone that doesn't drink too often. Let's just say I probably should have stopped at 1:) I am planning on cleaning this dirty house up this morning. We haven't put our tree up yet, so I have to pick up around here before I make a new mess with decorating a Christmas tree. It sure seems like alot of trouble to go thru, putting up a tree on Dec 1st just to leave on the 21st and come back home on the 30th. Just in time to take it all back down. But I have a little one here, and there is absolutely nothing that I would not do for her to make this time of year special. So anyway, after cleaning I plan on picking up a few more gifts and then hopefully Heather and I will meet up to go to the Holiday Fair this afternoon. And then later today, all the stuff will come out of the attic so that we may FINALLY put up our Christmas tree.

BRIANNA'S RESULTS FROM HER TEST

Everything came back normal. Thank you all for your cares and concerns.

I KNOW YOU MISSED ME

Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I guess it's just taken me this long to "recover" from the Thanksgiving Holiday. Ya'll know that Heather and I did the midnight shopping excursion Thursday. It was fun. My shopping continued into Friday morning, afternoon, and evening. I was soooo exhausted. I felt like I was hungover. And no, I wasn't drinking. Heather had a great idea for Christmas presents for Carson and Brianna's teachers at school. So we worked on that all day Saturday. Yesterday, I just laid around the house. I had today off work. Brianna's doctor recommended that she be tested for cystic fibrosis. I took her to Greenville Memorial where they conducted a sweat test. I should know the results by Tuesday. I don't really think there is much concern. She is just wanting to rule it out due to her asthma issues. All right, I hope this gives you bloggers your "fix". At least for now anyway.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY EVERYONE

I wonder how many of you are sitting there reading this with your pants unbuttoned. I know that I sure did over eat today. How can you not? We have many things to be thankful for this year. I think I am most thankful to have this precious little girl bless our lives everyday. But I have to tell you that I could have killed her this morning:) While her Daddy and I were looking through all the sales papers, Brianna decided to keep herself occupied by playing with a stamp set. Lets just say that I now have blue and red footprints all through my house. Did I mention that we have carpet? I guess I should be thankful for a steam cleaner. I will make this posting short tonight because I have to get some rest. I baked last night, and cooked this morning. Heather and I will be doing our annual Day after Thanksgiving shopping starting at midnight. The best husband in the world is sending me out with his credit card. He must really love me:) I'm thankful for him too.

A RECIPE FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING TABLE

PUMPKIN BREAD


SIFT THE FOLLOWING TOGETHER:
3 CUPS FLOUR
1 tsp. BAKING SODA
1 1/2 tsp. SALT
1 1/2 tsp. NUTMEG
1 1/2 tsp. CINNAMON


MIX TOGETHER IN A LARGE BOWL:
3 CUPS SUGAR
4 LARGE EGGS
1 CUP OIL
3/4 CUP WATER
1 CAN PUMPKIN (15OZ.)

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350. MIX DRY INGREDIENTS A LITTLE AT A TIME WITH THE PUMPKIN MIXTURE, STIRRING WELL. GREASE AND FLOUR TWO BREAD TINS AND DIVIDE BATTER INTO PANS. BAKE 60 MINUTES OUR UNTIL TOOTHPICK COMES OUT CLEAN. *IF THE TOPS BROWN TOO FAST, COVER WITH FOIL UNTIL DONE.*

13 Toys Brianna Wants For Christmas:



PINKIE PIE SING AND DANCE ***GOT***

MY LITTLE PONY MOVIES

BARBIE GROOM AND GLAM TAWNY HORSE

MY GENERATION HORSE ***SANTA WILL BRING***

PLAY N CARRY SKY WISHES ***GOT***

PRINCESS THRONE

"TOTALLY ME" GIRLY STAMPS

RESCUE PETS PUPPY WAKE ME UP

SHAREBEAR CAREBEAR SINGALONG ***GOT***

LITTLE MOMMY BATH BABY DOLL

OTHER MENTIONABLES WOULD BE A SLEEPING BEAUTY DRESS UP DRESS, DREAM DAZZLES GLAMOUR DRESS UP KIT,DOODLE PONY AND AQUADOODLE RAINBOW DOODLE.

Tuesday

My day off was spent with Brianna. I kept her out of school. I know...........but it didn't seem fair to make her go if I was off. We went to the park and had a picnic lunch. It was alot of fun. I managed to even get some cute pictures. And in case you're wondering about that scrapbook I was suppose to finish, the answer is no. Not yet, anyway. I am trying really hard to get it caught up though.

RELAXING WEEKEND

This is a 3 day weekend for me, and I am trying to enjoy it. I haven't done too much at all really. Yesterday, we stayed around the house except for a visit to Granny's. I scrapbooked a page last night. Yes, just a page. Hey, it took long enough let me tell ya. I cleaned up the house this morning and went grocery shopping this afternoon. Then as promised, I took Brianna to ToysRUs. I always take her every year to pick out the toys that she would like to have for Christmas. And of course we couldn't walk out without anything. Her Daddy had bought her a baseball and bat set. (Heather, tell Carson he had better watch out. Brianna is going to be practicing.) Brian has work tomorrow and Brianna has school. So I plan on spending my day off getting some rest and finishing up Brianna's scrapbook from 2006. I am exactly one year behind. Maybe one day it'll be caught up:)

BRIANNA MODELS A NEW OUTFIT

I can't believe she actually let me take these pictures. However, you can see in one picture that she is giving me a little bit of "attitude". Not to mention I had to bribe her with a trip to the toy store.

13 THINGS I HATE ABOUT BEING SICK:

1. Not feeling like doing anything, least of all blogging.:)
2. Sleeping on the couch so that I wouldn't make my husband sick.
3. Making my husband sick anyway.
4. Spraying so much Lysol in the house that you could choke on it.
5. Taking medicine that should help you "rest" better, only it doesn't. It keeps you up ALL night.

6. Listening to everyone at work say, "What are you doing here? Go home!"
7. Not being able to smell or taste anything.
8. Blowing my nose so much that I look like Rudolph.
9. Having a whole layer of skin peel off my nose from blowing it so much.
10. Coughing so hard that my rib cage hurts.
11. Coughing up all that mucus-----yuck.
12. I've coughed so much that I can now hardly talk.
13. Looking like I've been hit by a MACK truck---forwards and backwards, a couple of times.

FOR HEATHER:)

Excuse me!!!!!!!! So I haven't blogged all week. Uh hello....its just been 3 DAYS. I have been sick, sick, sick. I thought that ya'll might have to come visit me at the mortuary:) But, I am FINALLY starting to feel a little bit better. A girl at work has told me everyday that I look like I have been hit by a Mack Truck. She didn't tell me that today, so I must look a little better anyway. Heather is giving me a hard time about my not blogging this week. So I pose this question: How many times have you visited Heather's blog, only to be disappointed that it wasn't updated? So here's poor, sick, snotty(literally) Kristy. I haven't blogged in 3 days because I couldn't get my hands free from Kleenex long enough to do anything. I have been working, spreading God knows what kind of germs at work....which I must add is stupid. Because I am sure that by Friday, someone will be calling in sick because I made them that way. When I've gotten home from work, I have gone straight to bed. I haven't gotten to spend any time with my child and now my husband is sick. So....Can anyone blame me for not blogging?


Really Heather, I have missed you this week. I am having withdrawals. As soon as I can finally have a conversation without coughing my head off, I will call you. I'm glad that you at least, are keeping up with your blog this week.

BRIANNA GIVES A MATH LESSON

Brianna has been learning math.

You will need to cut the sound off of the "Our Daughter is Growing Up" Slide with music so that you can hear this video.

A NIGHT WITH THE DOODLEBOPS

Friday night I took Brianna and Carson to see the Doodlebops. We went with Beth, a friend from work, and her two boys Brandon and Ethan. The kids loved watching DeeDee, Roonie, and Moe dance and sing on stage. I think Beth liked it just as much as her kids:) I had fun just watching Brianna and Carson. They REALLY enjoyed themselves.

13 COSTUMES WE SAW LAST NIGHT WHILE TRICK-OR-TREATING:

1. PRINCESS--EVERY KIND OF DISNEY PRINCESS THERE ARE.

2. TOOTH FAIRY

3. MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS

4. LADY BUGS

5. SPIDERMAN--WE SAW ALOT OF THOSE

6. BATMAN

7. DOROTHY--FROM THE WIZARD OF OZ

8. FIREFIGHTERS

9. TEENAGE GIRLS DRESSED UP AS GOD KNOWS WHAT--I KNOW THEIR PARENTS DIDN'T LET THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE LIKE THAT.

10. GROWN BOYS THAT WERE WAY TO OLD TO BE TRICK-OR-TREATING.

11. SCARY COSTUMES--WE TRIED TO STAY CLEAR OF THOSE FOR FEAR OF NIGHTMARES.

12. FUNNY HILLBILLY MASKS

13. ANGELS--I MUST SAY MACY WAS THE CUTEST ONE OF THOSE.

HALLOWEEN HOOPLA AT DOWNTOWN GREER

We've been trick or treating 3 times already and it's still not Halloween yet. It's giving her practice for the big night. And the way I look at it, I'm at least getting my money's worth out of Brianna's costume. If you don't know yet, Brianna has decided to be a pixie this year. She's really cute in it. But boy does she get mad if someone calls her a butterfly! She says "I'm not a BUTTERFLY!!" Last year she was a spider for Halloween. She would get so upset if someone called her cute. She would say, "Spiders are not cute. They're scary!" I'm surprised she got any treats at all:) I'm really enjoying myself on all these little adventures. Momma is really liking all the good treats she has been getting. If it's chocolate, I want it. Anyway, wanting to just give you a quick update on what we've been up to this weekend. Not too much really. I took Brianna downtown yesterday for Halloween Hoopla. It was alot of fun. We rushed from there because we needed to go to her school festival, only to ride all the way out there to see that it was postponed. Instead I took Brianna to the Enchanted Forest at the Pavilion in Taylors. It was ok. There was a train ride that you could take, but after waiting in line for about an hour, we called it a night. I know what you all are thinking, why leave if I had already waited an hour? Well, to answer your question, there was still about another 45 minutes of wait time ahead of us. So if anything, you can just call me crazy for standing in line that first hour. But it's hard when you have a 4 year old and you know that it's something she would have enjoyed doing. Maybe next year, I guess. Hope you all had a good weekend. May God give us ALL the strength we need to get through another week at work. (Especially you Heather)

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

There has really been alot going on around here this week. Brian, Brianna, and I worked on carving the pumpkin Monday night. Brianna didn't want to stick her hands inside to clean it out. She left that dirty job to her dad and I. After cleaning up the mess, MyMy arrived to stay the night. She had called earlier in the day to ask if she could come stay the night with Brianna. How could I refuse? I had a meeting at work Tuesday, bright and early at 8:00. She offered to take Brianna to school. That was a big help. Now she knows just how CRAZY it is around here in the mornings. Tuesday, I watched as my husband "danced" in the kitchen with his daughter. They were "teaching" each other new dance steps. I just loved watching them. Picture a grown man, 40 years old, in the kitchen spinning around at the request of his little girl. PRICELESS. It was such a sweet moment. I wish I had taken a picture. I really haven't been doing too much of anything this week because I have become addicted to EBAY:) Brian offered to by me a Kate Spade purse for Christmas this year. So since Saturday, I have been trying to bid on Ebay for an authentic purse. I never knew that Ebay could be so addicting. I get up in the morning, look at Ebay. Come home at lunch, look on Ebay. At night after work, yep you guessed it, I'm on Ebay. I have really been neglecting my daughter and my husband. But it wasn't for nothing. I finally won a bid last night. It just sucks having to wait till Christmas to start using my new purse. But not to worry, I'm sure there will be others I will bid on before then. Do they have EBAY ANNONYMOUS meetings? Just playing.

BOO IN THE ZOO!

Brianna really loves this event. Kids dress up in their costumes and walk around the zoo at night and trick or treat. As you can tell from the pictures, she really had a good time. The only thing I have to say about it is that the adults have to pay to get in as well. Uh, Hello....they don't give us bags to get any treats. It cost $12 for me, Brian and Brianna to get in, and she sure didn't get $12 worth of candy. I guess that's for the best; don't need her to get any cavities.

TRIP TO NIVENS APPLE FARM

We took our annual visit to Nivens today. They didn't have too much of a selection, due to the lack of rain I would assume. It was a nice day for it though. It was fun watching Brianna pick out a pumpkin. She is a very picky pumpkin picker! Once she finally made her decision it was time to go. Hope ya'll enjoy the pictures.

Posing with pumpkins!

Brianna looking for the pumpkin that is "THE ONE".

"Yep, this one looks good."

FRIDAY NIGHT FUN WITH CARSON,VANCE & ELLA

Heather invited Brianna over to play Friday night. Vance was there. He calls Brianna his "girlfriend". Brianna adamantly denies this. She was a little shy at first, but it didn't take too long before she was running around and playing. We drew with sidewalk chalk, had a game of hide-n-seek and played red rover. I think Heather enjoyed playing red rover more than the kids. After playing, Heather gave Brianna dinner and I played with AquaDots. Have you guys seen this neat little toy. I just loved it. I know what you are thinking, Heather and I are 30 year old grown women. What are we doing playing red rover and AquaDots? Well, let me just say that when you have children that old saying applies, "If you can't beat em, join em!"

So this Thursday Thirteen is becoming a problem. I just sit and stare at the computer screen trying to come up with some cute idea that wouldn't bore the heck out of ya'll. Tonight, I am really drawing a blank. I guess I will have to just give you this:

13 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY LIFE or LIFE IN GENERAL:

1. My Baby Girl--Obviously
2. Having a husband that I can depend on--I know we both have our faults, but he always overlooks mine.
3. My family--I only wish it were bigger.
4. The relationship with my in-laws--Like they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
5. Having nieces and nephews--I will always be there for them.
6. The friendship that I have with Heather--We've been friends since the 7th grade. Not too many people can say that. I really love her to death:)
7. Friends that I have made along the way--I may not have many, but the ones I have are really good ones.
8. My job at the DMV--Ok so I don't really "LOVE" it, but I do "LIKE" it a lot.
9. I have seen places other than Greer, Duncan, & Lyman--I may not be a world traveler, but I have gotten out of SC.
10. Putting on clothes that have just came out of the dryer.
11. Take Out--Who doesn't love not having to cook dinner?
12. Getting in a "clean" bed--There really is nothing like climbing under the covers of a bed that has just been made up.
13. Blogging & Scrapbooking--Scrapbooking(because I know Brianna will treasure them), Blogging(because I know ya'll just love these crazy Thursday 13 lists).

COWGIRL UP!

As you all are aware, Brianna was really looking forward to Western Day at school. Since she missed it while out sick, she wanted to have her own Western Day Monday. She really looked cute, almost like a real cowgirl. Too bad Mommy & Daddy can't afford to let her grow up on a farm with horses. I know she would just love that. So instead, she must settle for her playhorse "Flicka" whom she had to bring with her in the car this morning on the drive to school.

A MORNING AT MILLIKEN

WE FED THESE GUYS 2 LOAVES OF BREAD.

THE DUCKS WERE REALLY HUNGRY.

THERE WERE TONS OF FISH THAT WERE HUNGRY TOO.

IT WAS A REALLY FUN MORNING.

TIRED OF BEING SICK

After not 1, but 2 visits to the doctor this week, Brianna is still sick. The strep throat is on its way out the door, however, now we have asthma to deal with. As soon as she lays down at night and falls asleep, she immediately starts coughing, and coughing, and coughing.....through half the night. The doctor now has Brianna on a nebulizer every 4 hours plus an inhaler twice a day, plus Singulair, plus Nasonex, oh yeah, and her antibiotic. It sure is hard to remember to give her all this stuff. Hopefully the nebulizer will help in a couple of days. She is feeling better though and will be going back to school tomorrow. I am sure it will be hard to get her up and at em' in the morning. Wish me luck!

13 THINGS ABOUT HAVING A SICK CHILD:

1. Having to take 3 days off work to take care of her--After the 1st day, I was ready to go back.

2. Cleaning up puke at 11:00 at night--She was in the bed when this happened, so I spent the next hour cleaning up her bed clothes.

3. Cleaning puke off of your child at 11:00 at night--I had to put her in the shower while she was still half asleep to clean her up.

4. Having to sleep with your child--After the first occurrence of the PM PUKE, I thought it best if I slept with her to avoid the risk of her choking in her sleep. (For those of you that know me, you know how paranoid I am of the whole choking thing.)

5. Sleeping on the floor with your child--Hey, I'm a fast learner. I wasn't about to have to clean up her bed AGAIN! Thought that a pallet on the floor would be more practical just in case she threw up. Although, my back and neck are killing me.

6. Checking for fever--It sure is hard to get a 4 year old to keep a thermometer in her mouth long enough to get a reading.

7. Taking them to the doctor--They go in with one thing and come out with something else.

8. Taking prescriptions to Walmart--You stand in line to drop them off to be told that the wait will be about AN HOUR!!!!!

9. Having to go BACK to Walmart to pick up the prescriptions--I know you didn't expect me to walk around that madhouse with a sick child for an hour while we waited on the prescription to get ready.

10. Trying to get your child to eat--I guess popsicles are better than nothing.

11. Sanitizing--You can never do this too much.

12. Starting the week with strep throat and ending up with cough and congestion--Remember what I said in #7?

13. Spending all week in the house with a sick child--Yep, you guessed it.....NOW I'M SICK!!!!

OUT SICK

So, as you all know, Brianna hasn't been feeling too well the past few days. We have stayed home together the past 2 days. After her third day of fever, I thought it best to take her to the doctor. She as strep throat! (Heather, don't worry. She hasn't been around your children since Thursday, so I think they may be ok.)Which also means no school tomorrow. I really hope she doesn't get too used to this. So, since she won't be going to school tomorrow, that means she will miss out on Western Day. But don't worry, there isn't nothing going to keep my child from dressing in her new boots and wearing her cowgirl hat to school the very next time she goes.

UPDATE ON THURSDAY 13

So, of the 13 things listed from my posting Thursday, only about 1/2 have gotten done. I did get all the laundry done, except for the clothes we have just recently dirtied, everything is clean and put away. Brianna found some cowgirl boots at Target yesterday. They are pink of course and look really cute on her. Can't wait for Western Day this week. I did manage to clean my house yesterday, maybe not as clean as I would have liked, but it looked better than it did. Although today, you would never know it! As far as QT goes with my husband, if you call spending 2 hours outside painting the shed together QT, then I can mark that off my list too. I really planned on taking Brianna to Milliken today to feed the ducks and fish, however, she says to me this afternoon, "Something's wrong with me." It must have been because she hasn't done anything today except lie around the house with no appetite. She did make an attempt to go outside to help her daddy and I paint the shed, but after a few minutes she was throwing up. Luckily, I guess that only thing she had eaten today was a green Popsicle. She hasn't been sick in quite a long time, so I guess she's due. And as far as cooking dinner for my family, I still plan on doing that. I am planning on cooking meatloaf, real mashed potatoes, green beans, and crescent rolls. If anyone is hungry, I'm sure I will have leftovers. Oh yeah, I can now check "blogging" off my list. You all have a great week. I'll be posting some pictures from Western Day this week. Stay tuned.

IT'S JUST THURSDAY, AND ALREADY I AM THINKING ABOUT THIS WEEKEND. KEEPING THAT IN MIND, HERE IS MY THURSDAY THIRTEEN:

13 THINGS I NEED TO GET DONE THIS WEEKEND:

1. SCRAP BOOKING--I just have Christmas 2006 left to do and I will be ready to start 2007.
2. LAUNDRY--It seems like the laundry basket is always full.
3. SPEND SOME QT WITH MY HUSBAND--Even if that means sitting outside!
4. WASHING MY FILTHY CAR--I sure am glad my car is dark gray, it really hides the dirt.
5. CLEANING THE HOUSE--Anyone up for a party? I'm having a house cleaning party.
6. FINISH PUTTING UP HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS--I still have to hang bats and lights up.
7. FINISH READING MY NEW NICHOLAS SPARKS BOOK--I used be able to sit down and read a whole book in one day. Now, I will be lucky to finish it in a month!
8. BLOG--It seems like that is a weekend necessity.
9. LOOK FOR BRIANNA SOME COWGIRL BOOTS--She will need them for Western Day at school.
10. TAKE BRIANNA TO MILLIKEN--She loves feeding the ducks and fish.
11. COOKING SUNDAY DINNER--It's been awhile since I have cooked a big dinner.
12. COMING UP WITH MORE IDEAS FOR THIS CRAZY THURSDAY 13--Why couldn't it be done once a month! Every Thursday.......COME ON!!!
13. TRYING TO FIND SOME TIME FOR JUST MYSELF--I would love to be able to just lay in a hot tub of water till my toes get wrinkly, or go lay in the bed just because there is nothing else to do, or watch a movie that I have been dying to see,or give myself a pedicure, or go window shopping, or...........I could go on and on.