I can remember, vaguely, the day she was born. I may not remember exactly the details but I can recall getting her older sister primped and ready for the hospital. I can remember being thrilled to have another cousin, especially a girl to doll up and play with. We use to watch Saturday morning cartoons together. We use to do the Barbie workout together. I can remember playing with her as if she were just a doll in our little game. She seemed to love it. Who really knows. I’m glad I have these memories. Cousins are important people. They’re more than just friends and family. It’s a difficult relationship to describe.

Times have certainly changed. That same little girl is now a beautiful young woman. She’s sweet as can be, charming, hilarious, and stunning at whatever she does.

She and her sister amaze me constantly. Just like their momma. Those three chics I most certainly could not live without.

I was so excited when her name was called last night for homecoming queen. MV couldn’t have chosen someone more deserving to represent their school.

If there’s anything I love more than my family and M it’s probably seeing my dad smiling.

We all went to karaoke Wednesday and I had the chance to see my dad just glow and shine. He has such an amazing voice and really loves to sing. He sang old gospels. He sang some patriotic numbers. He and I sang Ike and Tina’s version of “Proud Mary'”.

That was my favorite moment. During one of the instrumental breaks we looked at each other and grinned. I don’t know what he was thinking but I will tell you what I was thinking.

I am so lucky to have my Dad. He is always looking out for me. He uses his big ole heart to help others all the time. He loves his kids and family. He comes to my rescue whenever I need him. He just always wants to help. Not just me, but anyone.

You see there are constant reminders that life is short. Our family had another moment recently in which we were sympathetic to an unfortunate and familiar situation. These types of situations make me do two things.

1) always instantly miss my mom and grieve a little bit while thinking of that person realizing they now understand that very same hurt

2) thank God that I still have my Dad, sister, brother, M, aunts and uncles, and friends who are family.

I like to think of these as God’s little wake up calls to be thankful, gracious, and appreciative.

I’ve always loved cupcakes with great passion. So when M’s mom asked what I wanted for Christmas I gave her some ideas involving cupcakes.

I’ve spent a lot of time over my break baking but the last two days has been filled with cupcakes

First, the batter.
The next day was the fun with icing.

It took LOTS of practice. In fact, two and a half hours to ice 24 cupcakes.

I threw about 6 away because they looked disastrous.

Needless to say, I am not ready to open a shop anytime soon like I would love to do. It took way too long to prepare 24 cupcakes.

I guess I will have to stick to baking them for fun!

My New Years resolution is to start blogging at least once a week. Ideally I would love to blog twice a week but I’m realistic so I will start small with my goals.

Oh and some other things I resolve just about every year but rarely accomplish…in no particular order:

1. Blog weekly
2. Lose 20 pounds
3. Attend church more often.
4. Visit my mom more often and not just on special days but even those days I just need to cry or talk. I should no longer see it as a scary place.
5. Work on genealogy and make info books for everyone.
6. Visit my grandma no less than once a month.
7. Set my sewing machine up and use it.
8. Be a cupcake extraordinaire.
9. Finish several of my crosstitch projects.
10. Never bring papers home to grade. Ya right!

I think the list could probably go on to at least 20 but I’ve worn myself out just thinking about how busy I will be in 2012.

Here’s to 2012!

There were four nights in a row last week that at 9:05 p.m. a little mouse (named Ralph) ran from the kitchen into the living room, around the corner, and hopefully down the cold air return.  I never saw him so I’m assuming that’s where he went.  If he went into the bathroom or bedroom I wouldn’t have slept for days.  So, that’s what I’m telling myself he certainly went down the cold air return. 

My hard working farmer was in the fields late every night so it was up to me to put more poison out, and even traps if I could figure out how.  I texted my dad begging him for help.  His reply, “Scream a lot during the night and M will get the point to do something about the mice.”

That didn’t help. 

No one wanted to help a poor girl out and come set some dang traps.  

Problem with traps.  I could probably set them….but who is gonna come and get them when it actually catches something?  He’s working in the fields so it’s up to me.  And plain and simple….I ain’t got NOTHIN to do with a mouse. 

In fact the second night Ralph entered the living room I was frozen on the couch for 2 hours until I told myself if I screamed loudly and ran straight to bed he would surely be too scared to make another appearance. 

I stressed.  I nagged.  I complained.  None of which worked, by the way.  My man was too dang tired by the time he got home to give a second thought to the fact that I was even in tears at one point thinking mice were taking over my life. 

So…solution.  Poison adds up to a lot of mice poo.  Which tells me, they are still alive.  At this point.  Or, they died taking a crap.  One of the two. 

Either way, I haven’t seen Ralph since last week on Thursday and I’m hoping that was the last of him.  He better have told his little friends to be afraid.  Be very afraid. 

I do want to point out, however, that no matter how much complaining, nagging, and groaning I did…when harvest is going on there’s only one thing this man is concerned about.  Workin in the field and sleep.  I’m trying to be very considerate of this. 

I’m not gonna lie though……harvest can put a huge strain on a relationship. 

Almost done though!  I think I can I think I can…..

Got my iPhone in the mail yesterday.

iFell in love on an instant. How did I ever live before?

And there is an App for Blogger so I should have more posts for my 2 fans.

So, I got a glimpse into the life of a mother with a scared and sleepless child last night.  I have to admit, not the most exciting adventure of my life.  About 4 am this morning coyotes were attacking and eating the life out of something or someone and I think they were right outside my bedroom window.  I mean I’m not 100% sure, but I’m pretty sure they were.  Where ever they were, they had Shiloh scared and whining like a baby.  She sat next to my side of the bed licking my hand consistently until I recognized she was there.  I let her into bed with us but that didn’t cure her problem either.  Shiloh and I laid awake from 4 to about 6:30 a.m. watching early morning news shows.  Finally, she fell back asleep and so did I. 

What do you think her dad was doing this whole time? 

Snoring like he’s never snored before. 

I bet in our later years I get up more than he does for the children.  What do you think?

Thsi morning when he finally woke up I told him what happened last night.  He had no idea. 

Men.