Finally got a JOB!!!

Good things come to those who wait.....I have been a stay-at-home mom for 11 1/2 years and today was my first day back to work as a TEACHER!!! I was hired to take over a maternity leave at my kiddos' school. How about that....This is the ONLY school that I really want to teach at. I have lived in this area all of my life. I can not imagine teaching at any other school than the one I attended (Well, it is basically the same school. When I was in elementary, it was in the same location as the high school. Now, it is about 3 miles from the high school. It is the only elementary school in this area). The staff is super helpful and soooo nice. Everyone works so well together. Added bonus....kiddos and niece and nephew are their too. :) I will be working until February 2010. Hopefully, this will help me get my foot into the door!

New additions to our family

The fish adjusting to the new water temperature.....waiting 15 mins. before they can be released into their new home.

Tippy, Nova, and Mickey checking out their new crib. Spotty and Blacky are a little bashful. Yes, we named our fish. If they die (which I hope they do not), they will not be flushed down the toilet but buried.

One of Mr. Hubby's co-workers gave us the 35 gallon tank. We had to purchase the accessories and the fish. The kiddos were so excited about getting some "indoor" pets. hehe

Thrifty Fall Decor for next year

Last week, I was in Hobby Lobby. They had a small section of fall decor left and guess what....it was 80% off. ALMOST FREE!!!!! Did not total up how much I spent, but I doubt that I spent over 10 bucks for all of this.

Noah is 9

Our one and only nephew celebrated his ninth birthday on Nov. 9th....(yeah, a little late with the posting) Happy Birthday Noah

Snowing????

Snow in 70 plus degree weather....how can that be you ask???

With a little help from gigantic ice cubes, a ice crusher and a man....

The kiddos really enjoyed throwing snow balls and playing in the snow....hands did get a little red and cold!

Foodie Friday~ Taco Soup

Just the right ingredients for the perfect hardy soup on a cool, fall night......Taco Soup that is!!! Placentas were a gift several years ago from my lifelong friend's mother. She brought them back from her vacation to Guatemala....first time I have ever used them. The perfect backdrop for a "Mexican" soup!

Top off with shredded cheddar cheese and saltine crackers.....grab a soft spot to rest and enjoy!!! Do not get too comfortable because you will want seconds.....

Taco Soup

1 lb ground chuck

2 c water

1 pkg. taco and ranch dressing seasonings

1 can pinto beans

1 can whole kernel corn

1 can chili beans

1 can Rotel

Brown ground chuck and drain off the fat. Mix in water and the taco and ranch seasonings and simmer together. Mix all can goods in WITHOUT draining and simmer. Enjoy!!

Falling leaves

Fundraiser Extravaganza

My moma-Joan, Me, Charlotte, and her moma-Patricia went to a gift/Christmas idea fundraiser extravaganza for a local high school. There were all sorts of beautiful gift ideas, Christmas decor, Christmas ornaments, food, clothing....you name it. Our mom's worked together during the sixties and were friends. Patricia and her family moved about an hour away at some point. Moved back when Charlotte and I were in the 4th grade, and we have been best friends ever since. We have gotten even closer over the past year or so if that was even possible. Our kiddos play together, and we try to do things together whenever she is off of work ....she is a librarian at a local elementary school. I could not ask for a more dependable friend than Charlotte....she is ALWAYS there for me no matter what!!!! Well, enough mushy stuff....on with the pictures I took of the goodies!

Just small mercury glass ornaments on a metal ring of some sort...price tag $59.00. I know I can make this for lots cheaper from Hobby Lobby's half price sale...watcha think????

Mongrammed things were EVERYWHERE.......stockings, mugs, mousepads, notepads, jewelry, ornaments....you name it....it was there monogrammed!!!

Super neato idea to display Christmas ornament.....hang them from chicken wire and curling ribbon....how clever is that?????? Looked like a Christmas Tree of some sort.

Pretty wreath with a pretty price tag....are you sitting down? $159.00 gasp? Once again, can make this for a lot cheaper with the help of a glue gun and Hobby Lobby!!!

Hope you enjoyed the little tour......lots of neat things to see and spend you money on. Got lots of ideas of things to make.

Halloween Fun

Halloween was GrOOovY this year, but very BUSY. Started off with a Party for the BIG kids. First time Taulbe and I have ever been to Halloween party and dressed up. It was fun and interesting to see all the different costumes. As you has guessed, we were hippies. Peace! Halloween week at my kiddos's school was super busy...planning the Fall Festival which included the Fifth Grade sponsoring a Haunted House (my older son is in the 5th grade, so guess what...Moma had to help with that project of course), two Halloween parties, a field trip, and of course Trick or Treating!!!

Boo...we are to welcome you to our house. The boys' Jack-O-Lanterns...custom made by Moma of course. :)

Enter if you dare into the Fifth Grade Hall of Horror.......This was the section that I decorated ALL BY MYSELF......with no help from any other parent from our classroom. Talk about being over-stressed....that I was!!! Had no clue what to do. Borrowed the skeleton from the High School...about a 4,000.00 skeleton ...that was enough to make anyone nervous! Had someone hiding off to the side to scare the kiddos when they came thru. Had a black light shining on the rocks and it made it GLOW.....now thru the rest of the Haunted House...all made by Fifth Grade Parents and some high school kids.

This was a Witch Cauldron ....had a witch stirring the pot with someone in it of course.

The deadly graveyard...once you enter...no escape!!!!!

You may LooSe your HeaD once you enter in......

You never know what might jump out from JaCk'S Box????? Not bad from a bunch of parents?
BIG success...kids left SCREAMING......

Little blurry, but Caleb's party: Pizza, chips & dip, cupcakes, and a drink. They watched the movie Monster House.

Rylee digging into brains and eyeballs to get a prize. His class also had a Mummy Wrap, craft project, Broom Dance. Goodies to eat were: Pizza, cheese puffs, fruit, mashmellow sticks, pumpkin cake, and punch.

Trick or Trick smell my feet give me something good to eat or....I, Harry Potter, will cast a spell on you and take your stash of treats.......

Trick or Treat smell my feet give me something good to eat or....I, Jeff Hardy, will wrestle you to the ground and take your stash of treats......

The cousins visiting Grandma's house: Noah, Rylee, Sarabeth, and Caleb

Visiting Gran's house....

Pumpkin Patch

Moma and Rylee enjoying the fall decorations.

Could not resist this CUTE little bunny....just waiting for someone to take it's picture...aaawww

Having fun in the corn bin......corn was found behind his ear, in his pants, and everywhere else!

On our way to pick our pumpkins.....a BIG one of course!

Rylee found his prize future Jack-O-Lantern!

The class strikin a pose....Future Farmers of America

Watch out....we know Ninja!!! It was a fun day had by all. The weather was GREAT!!! Beautiful day for a visit to the pumpkin patch. See ya next year!

Foodie Friday~ Chicken Supreme

Chicken Supreme served with broccoli with cheese and corn from the garden.......

Sauteing the chicken to a golden brown

The finished product....blurry but yummy

Ooohhh....melted cheese

Chicken Supreme

3 tbsp butter

4 (4oz) boneless and skinless chicken breasts

1 lb sliced fresh mushrooms

1 can of sliced black olives

6 green onions, chopped (I used sweet onions)

1 tsp minced garlic

1 tsp chopped rosemary

1/2 tsp salt

black pepper to taste

12 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Coat pan with cooking spray.

Melt butter in skillet, add chicken and saute until golden brown. Turn and cook the other side. Remove from skillet. Saute mushrooms, onions, olives, garlic, and rosemary in same skillet.

Place chicken in baking dish. Sprinkle salt and pepper. Pour vegetable mixture over chicken. Place a cheese slice over each piece of chicken. Cover with foil and bake 40 mins or until done.

****Mr. Hubby is NOT a fan of new recipes, but he actually liked this one a lot. I can cook it again. I received a kiss on the cheek and heard the words "supper was good"!!! In other words, give it a try if you like black olives and mushrooms! Enjoy!!!