Texas Homecoming (Mum's the Word)

Round about September a very interesting section pops up in the craft stores here in Texas. There are ribbons and trinkets, beads and flowers and bells and whistles and other amazing items in the local school colors.

It is Homecoming Season in the Great State of Texas.

"For the uninitiated, a homecoming mum is an oversize mum corsage decorated with three-foot long streamers in the school colors, bells, charms, banners, little plush animals done up in bows, sparkly letters, even Christmas tree lights.

It is usually worn in the middle of the chest like a breastplate with the streamers flowing down the front of the body almost touching the ankles. It is, in short, a fashion statement.

But homecoming mums are so much more than that. They are a sign that somebody loves you. They’re no longer given only by boyfriends. Mums can come from friends, your mom, dad, aunt, or even a booster boy (a boy-friend who is not your date)." ~ from TheArtfulCrafter.com

Well, this being the weekend of Maddy's Sweet Sixteen marked her very first date. She was asked to the Homecoming Game.

In Texas tradition, the boy gives the girl a Homecoming Mum and the girl gives the boy a Homecoming Garter. So, off we went to a friend's house for a quick lesson; to the craft store for some supplies; and to the coffee table to create.

Here is the Garter that Maddy and I made for her date.
(red and gold are her colors, but he goes to a different school which has black and gold as their colors- so we added token black accents)

Here is Maddy wearing her Homecoming Mum. It was truly gorgeous! Her date made it with his sister's help. There were so many beautiful ribbons and trinkets.
They also made her a cute little Finger Mum.

Here they are wearing their Homecoming garb on their way to the game.

Her school lost. They were creamed, actually. She didn't care one bit.

Meltdown Monitoring

Yes, my hubby's business trip was extended.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

Yes, Maddy's first date went well.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

Yes, I now have a sixteen year-old daughter.
No, I haven't had another major meltdown.

Political Tango

And Now for a Little Comic Relief...

Special thanks to Blissfully Domestic for the photo

It's My Blog and I Can Whine if I Want To-

So I have been without my sweet hubby for 11 days now. So far, here is what I have been up to:

• Had a solo anniversary;
• Been driving kids left, right and center all on my own;
• Have been preparing for Maddy's 'first date' to the Homecoming Game. (more on the crazy Texas tradition of mums and stuff when I am feeling a bit more cheerful)
• Had our new freezer do a mini-meltdown; mopped it up; tossed some stuff; consulted manuals and messed around in the garage for more time than I have EVER spent there... (unless I was looking for Christmas decorations.)
  
• Been hobbling around with an ingrown toenail while awaiting a little 'procedure' to get it fixed. Can I just tell you that I got nauseous and burst into tears booking the appointment. Oh, yes, it was pretty. If you feel like punishing yourself- come visit me!
• Definitely NOT been sleeping. (could be the cause of the hysteria today...)
  
• Dropped many-a-ball in my YW prez calling.

The list could go on, but I am sure that you get the idea. My head is going to explode.

So, the nature of my first sobbing meltdown this morning was a call from my sweet hubby confirming my dreaded feeling. He will probably have an extension to his trip. Ugh! Seriously, my head aches and my face is purple from crying. I truly had my sights set on Saturday night-- 'I only have to make it so Saturday' I would tell myself. Finding out that Saturday is turning into possible Wednesday, I just lost it.

So, not only will John miss Maddy's first date (already a known fact, but still sad) he will also miss her birthday.

How much Coke or Dr. Pepper do you think that it will take to make my head stop throbbing and to help me get through a Scavenger Hunt with about 40 kids?

I'll let you know.

Tired of Being Good

Yet again, -
a victim of the Quiet Chair...

~picture captured by Daddy~

Camel: The Other White Meat

Going on 3 hours of sleep and just having completed a cross-country training run--

"I am so thirsty, I could eat a camel!"

Dear Journal,

So we have a new computer that I love, but I can't seem to post my pictures from my library...
You wouldn't think that it would be so hard to post about life without pictures, but to me, it is.

I have been without my sweetie for 3 days now, and it really seems like 3 weeks! I think that it certainly didn't help that he left on a long weekend, and time just seemed to lumber along. Now that school is back in, the day went quicker, but still a little bit sad.

It is weird to me that it can feel so different when someone is 'out of town' vs. 'at work.' How is that? I have always noted it and can't quite decide why that would be.

I had some pleasant surprises from friends and family on my 'alone anniversary.' I had cookies dropped of from my dear friend, Kristy; a cake and roses from my sweet neighbor; and my kids and nephews tricked me into letting them go to the park, at which point a few of them went to the store and bought roses and chocolates! Ferrero Rocher, even. ;)

I had great dreams of taking on many projects and other things to keep me busy, but so far I have just been a tad bit overwhelmed. The little kids are a bit out-of-sorts, and even the doggie is acting out! (yes, I know that I haven't posted her picture yet... I just can't seem to figure it out!!)

I have taken up my crochet hook again lately, and I can't wait to post some pictures of some of my little creations! It has been a lot of fun. I forgot how much I enjoy it. It is somewhat a lost art, and I am even contemplating setting up and Etsy shop if I can perfect some of the patterns.

So, I am off to an evening of crocheting, reading and watching the news. Actually, it sounds quite lovely to me.

Things I Never Thought I'd Hear Myself Say - Volume 2

And now for today's installment of
Things I Never Thought I'd Hear Myself Say...

"Don't lick your feet."

Mr.Monk Goes to China

So my sweet hubby is off to China on business for two weeks. BooHoo!

Our Anniversary is tomorrow. Sniff, sniff.

Comic Relief Moment--

Items found in his car:

2 boxes of wipes
Pre-packaged food bars

So, we love watching Monk, and we have all noticed Monk-isms around our house. This totally cracked me up when I needed a chuckle.
I guess he won't be picking up any funky bugs while he is over there. :)

Powerful

I was so moved by this beautiful video that has been making its way around the nation. 

It is so easy to get caught up in all of the money that we are losing in our 401Ks and everyone just wants the money loss to stop... so much so, that we are distracted and are only thinking about the economy. 

There is much more at stake. The freedoms that we often take for granted (which may become more limited in the near future) and the freedoms of those americans yet unborn.

Thank you to the catholic dioceses who have distributed this wonderful reminder.

God Bless America. Please.

Pioneer Bread

This is a great recipe! It is dense and yeasty. Mmmm....

In our ward, the Young Women have made this recipe twice. Then the leaders baked it and it was the Sacrament bread for the coming Sunday. It is a really fun activity and it is meaningful for the girls to help by providing the bread for this special ordinance.

The greatest thing about this recipe?? You dump it all in; let is rise; knead and bake! No 3 - 4 hour bread-baking here. :)

My family adores it, so I have made it many times. Give it a try!

This recipe was found on Cooks.com

MORMON BREAD RECIPE

4 eggs
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. yeast
1 qt. warm water
10-12 c. flour

Mix all ingredients well. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
Place on floured surface and knead well for 7 minutes.
Shape into rolls or loaves and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Yield: 3 large loaves