Posted Entries:

Holidailes fail Posted on Dec 24, 2022, 1:12 pm
I've totally failed at Holidailies for the first time ever! Oh well. I have a good excuse though!

The Wreath Pin Posted on Dec 9, 2022, 6:12 pm
For as long as I can remember, my Mom had this pretty gold wreath brooch she wore at Christmas time.

The Evolution of Santa - 2007 Posted on Dec 8, 2022, 8:12 am
I remember this day vividly. It wasn't planned or I would have dressed them better. We were at the mall and I asked Valerie if she wanted to take a picture with Santa.

The Evolution of Santa - 2006 Posted on Dec 7, 2022, 6:12 pm
This time Valerie was a bit freaked out by the big scary man.

The Evolution of Santa - 2005 Posted on Dec 6, 2022, 2:12 pm
Every year my girls have taken a picture with the local mall Santa. Well, almost.

Parading in the South Posted on Dec 5, 2022, 4:12 pm
If it's a parade, you better bring a big bag cher because you will bring home more junk than your bargained for!

Finally, the Senior Jacket! Posted on Dec 2, 2022, 1:12 pm
It is totally based on merit so it is a big deal to get a letterman jacket - even more so if you are an underclassman.

Happy Holidailes!! Posted on Dec 1, 2022, 8:12 pm
It's time once again for Holidailies!

2022 Posted on Jan 1, 2022, 6:01 pm
I've got the traditional New Year's Day pork roast in the crockpot. I'll whip up some black eyed peas and cabbage to go with it.

Don't let the door hit ya... Posted on Dec 31, 2021, 3:12 pm
Time for 2021 to move along. What a year it has been.

New furniture Posted on Dec 29, 2021, 6:12 pm
Clint and I took a drive down to Cut Off, LA. Yes, there is a town named Cut Off!

Spider-who? Posted on Dec 28, 2021, 4:12 pm
I'll probably ruffle some feathers but I will say it anyway. I don't like Marvel movies.

Boxing day! Posted on Dec 26, 2021, 7:12 pm
Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were quiet. Christmas Eve we had our party food, snapped the usual photos in front of the tree, then opened gifts.

Merry Christmas!! Posted on Dec 25, 2021, 5:12 pm
Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends.

Christmas Eve! Posted on Dec 24, 2021, 4:12 pm
It doesn't really feel like Christmas this year. It's 80 degrees for one! I had to put the a/c on.

Only in Louisiana Posted on Dec 23, 2021, 3:12 pm
Only in Louisiana can you go to a Christmas parade and catch Mardi Gras beads!

Christmas break is here Posted on Dec 22, 2021, 10:12 am
It's finally the last day of school!!!

She's finally a dancing queen Posted on Dec 21, 2021, 10:12 am
Oh, to be seventeen... not quite a kid, but not quite an adult. To have a whole lifetime of possibilities ahead of you.

Sunday Stealing Posted on Dec 19, 2021, 6:12 pm
I remembered today was Sunday!

Shopping and progress around town Posted on Dec 17, 2021, 7:12 pm
I did a little bit of shopping this week in the main part of town.

Still a Barbie Girl Posted on Dec 16, 2021, 10:12 am
Perhaps someday, once the kids are grown and we have a spare bedroom, I will turn it into a Barbie room. I could paint the walls pink and black and put all of my dolls on display..... AND set up the Barbie Dreamhouse of course.

Fenced in Posted on Dec 15, 2021, 1:12 pm
I never thought I'd be so excited about a fence.

The Show Must Go On!! Posted on Dec 12, 2021, 4:12 pm
This is our seventh year having a Light-o-Rama show.

Sticking with 1982 Posted on Dec 11, 2021, 10:12 pm
It was about 1982 and I about ten years old when collecting stickers was all the rage. My friends and I traded stickers often and we were all about carrying around our sticker books. For a couple of years, I stashed my favorite stickers in my book.

A freezer for me Posted on Dec 10, 2021, 7:12 pm
Our upright freezer bit the dust in Hurricane Ida. Honestly, it wasn't working all that well to begin with. It was a decade old and would randomly leak water all over the utility room floor.

Wordless Wednesday ~ the best of friends Posted on Dec 8, 2021, 5:12 pm
The best of friends ~ Demeter and Gizmo.

The Printer Paper Posted on Dec 7, 2021, 7:12 pm
One afternoon in the early 1980s, my Dad was riding his bicycle around the neighborhood and spied a big box on the side of the road. He often pulled broken things out of the trash and fixed them, so it wasn't anything new for him to take notice of someone's trash.

An early Santa visit Posted on Dec 5, 2021, 6:12 pm
Well, Santa came early for Clint.

Christmas party time Posted on Dec 4, 2021, 2:12 pm
Keller Williams hosted their annual Christmas party last night. It was pretty casual so we didn't get too dressed up.

25,000 imported Italian twinkle lights Posted on Dec 3, 2021, 11:12 am
"Why is the carpet all wet, Todd??" If you know, you know.

Online shopping Posted on Dec 2, 2021, 6:12 pm
Did anyone venture out for Black Friday shopping this year? Or did you do it all online?

Hello, December Posted on Dec 1, 2021, 2:12 pm
November has slipped quietly away so hello December. Also, hello Holidailies. I signed up to participate again this year in hopes it motivates me to get back to blogging. It's old habit now so how can I not?

Happy New Year!!! Posted on Jan 1, 2021, 4:01 pm
Here’s to better times ahead for us all! Wishing everyone a happy, safe and healthy 2021.

Time to turn the page Posted on Dec 31, 2020, 4:12 pm
Here's the moment we've all been waiting for -- the end of 2020!! This certainly has been a crazy year for everyone.

Wordless Wednesday ~ 2020 going out with a bang Posted on Dec 30, 2020, 2:12 pm
So much for NYE!

UN-Christmasing Posted on Dec 27, 2020, 5:12 pm
I spent yesterday afternoon packing up Christmas and finished all but the bare tree today. As soon as Clint gets the box out of storage, the tree will be put away also. A lot of people leave their trees up and convert it to a Mardi Gras tree. I've thought about doing it but never did.

Happy Boxing Day! Posted on Dec 26, 2020, 6:12 pm
December 26 has always been my favorite shopping day of the year.

Merry Christmas! Posted on Dec 25, 2020, 10:12 am
Merry Christmas, everyone.

Christmas Eve!! Posted on Dec 24, 2020, 1:12 pm
I'm feeling a little nostalgic this Christmas Eve. Don't we all think about Christmases past this time of year?!

Eve of Christmas Eve! Posted on Dec 23, 2020, 10:12 am
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!! Today I plan to catch up on a bit of housework and bake a batch or two of cookies.

How Sweet is Sixteen Posted on Dec 21, 2020, 4:12 pm
Sixteen years have gone by in a blink! It seems like we just brought our little baby girl Valerie home from the hospital.

1988 Posted on Dec 20, 2020, 9:12 pm
When I was 16, I got a car for Christmas. (Being and only child had it's advantages!)

Elf on the... Posted on Dec 19, 2020, 6:12 pm
School's out for Christmas break - yippee!!

My favorite things - the nesting dolls Posted on Dec 18, 2020, 6:12 pm
Vintage Santa Nesting Dolls

My favorite things - THE cookies Posted on Dec 17, 2020, 6:12 pm
To quote Junie B. Jones - yucky blucky fruitcake!

Wordless Wednesday Posted on Dec 16, 2020, 3:12 pm
Easy 8 can taco soup

The one you've been waiting for..... Posted on Dec 14, 2020, 5:12 pm
This is the 5th year we've had a dancing lights show.

Party time! Posted on Dec 13, 2020, 9:12 am
Last night we attended our first Keller Williams Christmas party! Yes, a party in 'these times.'

About the cats Posted on Dec 11, 2020, 3:12 pm
Deme, Gizmo, and Bella

My favorite things - the ginger bread dolls Posted on Dec 9, 2020, 5:12 pm
Anyway, here I was nine months pregnant and somehow I pulled the number that matched the biggest box that was there. Lo and behold -- look what was inside!!!

Just a Tuesday...... Posted on Dec 8, 2020, 7:12 pm
Today we said goodbye to my Dad's last living sister, my Aunt Barbara. She had been sickly for a while so we knew it was coming.

My favorite things - Mom's Ornaments Posted on Dec 7, 2020, 6:12 pm
My Mom was a crafter. She could sew almost anything and loved to crochet. I have quite a few ornaments on my tree that were made by her. She did the local craft show circuit for years and years.

My favorite things - the Putz house Posted on Dec 6, 2020, 3:12 pm
This simple little cardboard house is one of my favorite things.

Just vanished Posted on Dec 5, 2020, 3:12 pm
Yesterday was not a good day and I was not in the mood to post so I didn't.

She's a S T A R! Posted on Dec 3, 2020, 11:12 am
Quite some time ago, Veronica became obsessed with musical theater, particularly CATS.

Roux in the.... microwave? Posted on Dec 2, 2020, 10:12 am
Now, all the old Cajun Mawmaws and Pawpaws would beat you with a stick if you mentioned making a roux in the microwave. Shhhh if you don't tell, I won't tell either!

Happy Holidailies 2020 Posted on Dec 1, 2020, 12:12 pm
We woke up to frost this morning!! And welcome back old friends, and new....

Changes are a'comin Posted on Jan 1, 2020, 4:01 pm
I admit I have gotten very lazy in 2019. Lazy at the gym, lazy with eating too much sugar. I've put on almost 10lbs rather quickly since Thanksgiving. Uggggh. Getting back on track is definitely my 2020 plan.

They All Ask'd For You Posted on Dec 31, 2019, 6:12 pm
Today we went on down to the Audubon Zoo!

Just another Monday Posted on Dec 30, 2019, 5:12 pm
I went to Target to see if Christmas was marked down any more. It was 50% off yesterday but today it was 70%! There was A LOT left.

Nice night for a fire Posted on Dec 30, 2019, 2:12 pm
We've been trying to have a fire for a few nights. It's either been raining or we had other things to do

Let's go shoppin' Posted on Dec 29, 2019, 4:12 pm
I made a few visits to Dirt Cheap doing my Christmas shopping during December. I know y'all are just dying to see what's inside this go round.

All packed away Posted on Dec 27, 2019, 7:12 pm
Christmas is officially over and packed away. All that's left are two straggling presents I have yet to deliver.

Boxing Day! Posted on Dec 26, 2019, 6:12 pm
Who went shopping today??

Eh, it's Christmas Posted on Dec 25, 2019, 6:12 pm
Veronica came to help a bit but Valerie was MIA. I found her barricaded in her room - literally her door was blocked so I had to force stuff out of the way to open it. She was under the covers sobbing.

Christmas Eve Posted on Dec 24, 2019, 12:12 pm
Anyway Valerie, Veronica, and I made a quick trip to the mall yesterday afternoon. With all the running around we hadn't had time for a Santa picture!! It is one of those things we must do, or at least I think so. The kids, not so much.

Almost the axe Posted on Dec 23, 2019, 2:12 pm
Every time a round is made, we've always wondered if Clint was on the chopping block. Clint thought it was going to happen many years back, but it never did.

Santa!!! Posted on Dec 22, 2019, 6:12 pm
Today was the day that Santa passed throughout the area.

Fifteen Posted on Dec 21, 2019, 11:12 am
Fifteen years ago tonight this little baby entered the world and our lives changed forever. It seems they have gone by in a blink. Toddler days... preschool days.... elementary.... middle school...

Light 'em up! Posted on Dec 20, 2019, 1:12 pm
This is our fifth year running our light show - Bayou Blue Dancing Lights.

Wordless Wednesday ~ and this is before Santa passes! Posted on Dec 18, 2019, 11:12 am
Santa hasn't even been here yet.

Is it live? Or is it Memorex? Posted on Dec 16, 2019, 2:12 pm
Back in the 70s and 80s, owning a video camera was definitely a luxury we didn't have. My parents had the means to buy a camcorder if they wanted to, but they didn't see it as necessary. My Dad made do with what we had: a cassette recorder.

Sunday Stealing Posted on Dec 15, 2019, 1:12 pm
Sunday Stealing.

Out with the old, in with the new Posted on Dec 14, 2019, 6:12 pm
It was time for a change.

Question of the day Posted on Dec 13, 2019, 4:12 pm
Why are these cookies so good?

Wish Book Posted on Dec 12, 2019, 3:12 pm
Who remembers the JC Penney and Sears Christmas catalogs?

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas 'round here Posted on Dec 11, 2019, 3:12 pm
A few pictures of Christmas things.

Forgive. Maybe. Forget. Never. Posted on Dec 10, 2019, 3:12 pm
If at any point in time, someone double crossed her, believe me when I say she paid them back. It may not have been right away, but she found a way.

Monday, Monday.... Posted on Dec 9, 2019, 1:12 pm
I'm guessing Louisiana is the only place where candy, toys, and (yes) beads are tossed from floats at a Christmas parade?

Sunday Stealing Posted on Dec 8, 2019, 12:12 pm
1. What don’t you share? My toothbrush 2. A reason to celebrate? Valerie's 15th birthday is two weeks away!

Dirty Laundry Posted on Dec 6, 2019, 5:12 pm
Talk to me about your dirty laundry.... and your clean laundry. How do you keep up?!

Beignets! Posted on Dec 5, 2019, 6:12 pm
A Louisiana favorite is french market donuts covered in powdered sugar also called beignets. It's basically a fried donut sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Wordless Wednesday ~ leftover turkey, Cajun style Posted on Dec 4, 2019, 5:12 pm
I'm pretty sure everybody in Louisiana had turkey and sausage gumbo during this past week!

Only in Louisiana Posted on Dec 3, 2019, 6:12 pm
Only in Louisiana will you find things like a shrimp boat in the median of a highway.

Amazon Junkie Posted on Dec 2, 2019, 6:12 pm
I can't be the only one addicted to Amazon Prime, can I? I often wonder if UPS gets tired of coming here as get packages almost daily.

Hello, December. Posted on Dec 1, 2019, 6:12 pm
What better way to kick off the Christmas month than with a viewing of The Nutcracker??

2019 Posted on Jan 1, 2019, 8:01 pm
2019 Goal: "Accept the things you cannot change."

Fireworks at midnight Posted on Jan 1, 2019, 9:01 am
Pretty much anything goes here in Lafourche Parish and my neighbors put on quite a show!

2018 Posted on Dec 31, 2018, 5:12 pm
A series of unfortunate events. That sums up 2018.

Amazing Spray Posted on Dec 30, 2018, 5:12 pm
Our cleaning supplies consisted of very watered down product called Amazing Spray and paper towels.

Old Disney World Posted on Dec 29, 2018, 4:12 pm
But somehow, in the summer of 1977 just before I turned five, it was decided we should drive 800 miles to Orlando.

The shed Posted on Dec 28, 2018, 5:12 pm
I was a little girl when my Daddy bought the shed. I couldn't have been but six or seven years old. Eight at most.

Birthday party fun Posted on Dec 28, 2018, 3:12 pm
Last night we hosted Valerie's 14th birthday slumber party at home. Her actual birthday is December 21, so we either have her party really early or a little late.

Hi, Nikon Posted on Dec 27, 2018, 5:12 pm
I had been eyeing this red Nikon Coolpix B500 at Target for a while.

So long, Christmas Posted on Dec 26, 2018, 2:12 pm
I don't know why, but it never really did feel like Christmas to us. Even the kids said the same. They got presents, but it didn't feel right.

Merry Christmas! Posted on Dec 25, 2018, 10:12 am
.... from my family to yours.....

It's Christmas Eve! Posted on Dec 24, 2018, 3:12 pm
Yesterday we took Valerie, Veronica, and two of their friends to this big Christmas Fest in New Orleans.

Louisiana Pralines Posted on Dec 22, 2018, 4:12 pm
Let's make some Louisiana Pralines.

Front Page Posted on Dec 22, 2018, 11:12 am
Our house made the news again today! Front page... above the fold at that.

I blinked and... Posted on Dec 21, 2018, 11:12 am
Fourteen years ago today I was given the best Christmas gift.

Ready or not.... Posted on Dec 20, 2018, 11:12 am
Christmas is five days away and closing in.... fast. I don't feel prepared at all.

Santa what? Posted on Dec 20, 2018, 9:12 am
Santa Shark. Really.

Cheap as Dirt Posted on Dec 19, 2018, 3:12 pm
Today I'll take y'all along on a shopping trip. Not just any ordinary shopping trip, but a visit to Dirt Cheap.

Judgement Free Zone Posted on Dec 17, 2018, 4:12 pm
Our Planet Fitness opened earlier this year. It was jam packed when it first opened. Like you couldn't even check in at the front desk there were so many people.

Another cookie recipe Posted on Dec 16, 2018, 3:12 pm
I've had this little paper booklet of cookie recipes for 28 years. You can see it's much loved and much used.

Sending Christmas Cards Posted on Dec 15, 2018, 11:12 am
Sending cards through the mail is becoming a thing of the past.

Wordless Wednesday Posted on Dec 12, 2018, 5:12 pm
Only 12 days 'till Christmas.

The kids are weird, too Posted on Dec 11, 2018, 8:12 pm
A while back a musical artist announced tour dates and New Orleans is on the route this summer. Both kids, "Can we go, can we go! Can we please go? I want to go!"

Doubtful Fudge Posted on Dec 10, 2018, 6:12 pm
I've seen this microwave fudge recipe floating around the Facebook groups. It seemed too easy and I was highly doubtful that it would actually turn out fudge like.

Just another Sunday Posted on Dec 9, 2018, 6:12 pm
Today was pretty lazy. Clint went to the new house to change the locks and put up a for rent sign. The kids and I just hung out at home. It's a little on the cold side, so it's good gumbo weather.

This is the Greatest Show! Posted on Dec 8, 2018, 2:12 pm
Say hello to Bayou Blue Dancing Lights.

We did a thing..... Posted on Dec 7, 2018, 3:12 pm
Say hello to house #4. AKA Rental property #3.

Bake these now - The best chocolate chip cookie recipe Posted on Dec 6, 2018, 11:12 am
I bake a lot of cookies. A lot. These are winners. You want to make them. Today.

How to.... Posted on Dec 5, 2018, 7:12 am
.... wrap a cat. On this Wordless Wednesday, Bella and I will demonstrate how to wrap a cat for Christmas.

Sassy Cat Posted on Dec 4, 2018, 4:12 pm
Dear old SassyCat is hanging in there. She turned 17 in September, which seems incredibly old for a cat

Things aren't always what they seem Posted on Dec 3, 2018, 4:12 pm
Valerie auditioned for Junior High District Honor Band Saturday. She'd been practicing since August, at home, after school, and during free time at school.

Winter Formal Posted on Dec 2, 2018, 4:12 pm
Both of my daughters went to their school's Winter Formal Friday night. It's not too often that they get all dressed up.

Hey, it's meeee! Posted on Dec 1, 2018, 11:12 am
We are generally those parents who show up an hour (or more) early for performances and award ceremonies so we can sit right up front. Hey, if my kid is doing great things I want to see!! I also want them to see me.

October equals Halloween season....you know what that means!! Posted on Oct 2, 2018, 6:10 pm
It's that time again.... time to rev up Bayou Blue Dancing Lights!! This is our fourth year putting on a Halloween show and we have come a long, long way from that first year when we were just testing Light-o-Rama out!!

The end! Posted on Jan 1, 2018, 3:01 pm
It is ridiculously cold here in the South and it will be this cold all week! We haven't seen these temps in years. School has even announced instead of uniforms, the kids can wear warmer clothes when they return on Wednesday.

I survived the first "teenage party" Posted on Dec 30, 2017, 8:12 pm
Valerie decided long ago she wanted to have a sleepover for her 13th birthday party.

Obligatory Christmas Post Continued Posted on Dec 29, 2017, 10:12 am
What was the wrapped gift? Some were decoy smaller gifts... but the big one.... the hot ticket item this Christmas....

Obligatory Christmas Post Posted on Dec 26, 2017, 6:12 pm
We always have a little 'party' on Christmas Eve. It's not really a party, but I like to call it that anyway.

Merry.... Posted on Dec 25, 2017, 7:12 pm
From our family to all of you...

The Big Man in Red is Fading Fast Posted on Dec 24, 2017, 2:12 pm
Santas, are you ready?? I've spent a lot of time planning, buying, and hiding!!!

Eve of Christmas Eve Posted on Dec 23, 2017, 9:12 pm
I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve already. December sure has flown by...

Lucky 13 Posted on Dec 21, 2017, 10:12 am
It does not feel like I should be the Mom of a teenager. She's still my little girl. She'll always be my little girl!!

Hello, Dafni, my new BFF Posted on Dec 18, 2017, 3:12 pm
We all see those ads while scrolling through Facebook: cute clothes, gadgets, amazing products, phone chargers, etc. I'm sure we all know by now many of them are China knock-offs and it's hit or miss as to what you actually get, if you get it at all.

Santa's the same Posted on Dec 17, 2017, 9:12 am
Yesterday I took Valerie and Veronica to the mall for their annual Santa picture.

Not a Christmasy post Posted on Dec 16, 2017, 11:12 am
Do you ever feel like no one listens to you? Or maybe they listen but they don't really hear you?

Counting down... Posted on Dec 15, 2017, 8:12 pm
Who's done with their shopping and who hasn't even started?!?

Lovely day.... not. Posted on Dec 12, 2017, 12:12 pm
My alarm went off too early at 5:45, and I discovered we had no internet. No cable TV. No home phone. All of Comcast's services were down.

Today's joke Posted on Dec 11, 2017, 6:12 pm
Val: Why can't you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom?

Taking of the Christmas pictures Posted on Dec 10, 2017, 6:12 pm
Every year, we take family Christmas pictures for cards. I debated on not even bothering with cards this year as our list has dwindled greatly.

Sneaux Day!! Posted on Dec 9, 2017, 1:12 pm
Yesterday we had an awesome but very rare weather event!!!!

For the love of lights Posted on Dec 8, 2017, 10:12 am
Clint spends days, weeks, and even months working on our light show. This is our third year with a Light-o-rama show. We've already been mentioned in the newspaper twice this holiday season!!

Oh Chippy Posted on Dec 7, 2017, 11:12 am
Feeling tired and un-creative, Chippy mostly just moves from hiding place to hiding place, occasionally being a tad bit mischievous. Veronica still pops out of bed grabs her candy, and will glance around for Chippy.

Joke of the day Posted on Dec 6, 2017, 5:12 pm
Valerie: "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Me: "Uh, to get to the other side." Valerie: "No. To go to the idiot's house."

This old house... Posted on Dec 5, 2017, 12:12 pm
Our entire summer was spent working in this house. We re-did everything. Painted everything. Replaced everything.

Get your bake on Posted on Dec 4, 2017, 3:12 pm
Apparently today is National Cookie Day. Who knew? I figured it would make for a good excuse to bake some cookies.

Band girl Posted on Dec 3, 2017, 10:12 am
Val took to her instrument right away and has been a fast learner. We discovered not long ago that she has perfect pitch. I can play a random note on the piano, and she can identify it. Ask her to sing a "B" and she can! Perfect pitch!!! That is truly impressive for a twelve (almost thirteen) year old!!!

Coffee, coffee! Posted on Dec 2, 2017, 10:12 am
At about age two or three, I wanted coffee like my Mom and Dad. I had a small coffee cup that was all mine. My Mom served me breakfast of waffles, toast, biscuits, and the like with my cup of coffee

How's ya mamma and dem? Posted on Dec 1, 2017, 1:12 pm
We eat gumbo, boudin, and jambalaya. We go trawlin, crabbin', huntin', and fishin'. There's a festival for just about any reason you can imagine where you can ride the flying horses (merry go round) at da fair.

Our Spooktacular Show.... Posted on Oct 16, 2017, 2:10 pm
I'm certain we are the only house in town with a singing pumpkin!!

Well hello ~2017~ Posted on Jan 1, 2017, 8:01 pm
One thing I plan to do this year is clean up my Facebook. I stepped way back from posting there long ago. I don't really comment much and I post mainly funny pictures of the cats!! Nobody needs to know what we eat every day and every time I'm at Wal-mart.

~2016~ Posted on Dec 31, 2016, 5:12 pm
Tonight I will ring in 2017 with my little family of four at home.

The no-carb life Posted on Dec 30, 2016, 6:12 pm
We are 'those people' some of the time.

Disney scheming Posted on Dec 29, 2016, 4:12 pm
I'm a sucker. I may have fallen for said scheme and bought four tickets for this three hour private event to the tune of $507.

Un-Christmasing Posted on Dec 28, 2016, 10:12 pm
I started un-Christmasing the house this afternoon. I know, it's still Christmas until January 6, but it can be Christmas with out all the clutter around. My Mom usually started picking up Christmas afternoon and by December 26 not a bit of Christmas was left.

It's a major award! Posted on Dec 27, 2016, 11:12 am
Our local power company has a holiday lighting contest each year. It's probably a ploy to encourage people to decorate excessively so their bills will go up! We've been decorating and entering for many, many years. Every year we'd put up more lights and we'd get the usual consolation prize in the mail - a calendar.

Christmas Re-cap Posted on Dec 26, 2016, 5:12 pm
Our Christmas Eve and Day

Our Merry Christmas needs a do-over Posted on Dec 25, 2016, 5:12 pm
Can we just get a pass for a Christmas do-over? Veronica is sicker today than she has been the past few days.

Merry Christmas Eve Posted on Dec 24, 2016, 1:12 pm
It's a wintry 80 degrees here in South Louisiana.... Ah, Christmas weather.

Extra, extra! Read all about it Posted on Dec 24, 2016, 11:12 am
Yesterday I walked out to the street to check if the mail had come and pick up the newspaper. I really don't read it much, but I like getting an actual newspaper. To my surprise I saw a very familiar sight when I unfolded the rolled up newspaper:

Santa on the fire truck Posted on Dec 23, 2016, 1:12 pm
Every year, usually the weekend before Christmas, Santa and Mrs. Claus pass through neighborhoods in a fire truck parade. They usually throw junk candy, but one year we got toothbrushes!!

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry Posted on Dec 23, 2016, 10:12 am
Rotavirus: 1. Veronica: 0

Cookie Day! Posted on Dec 22, 2016, 5:12 pm
I spent part of the morning mixing up dough and most of the afternoon cutting out, baking, and decorating cookies! These will most likely be the cookies we lave out for Santa. This recipe comes from a 1990 Crisco cookbook that we got for free from somewhere. I've made them every year ever since.

NOLA Christmas Fest Posted on Dec 21, 2016, 10:12 pm
Having birthday fun at the NOLA Christmas Fest!

Just a quick... Posted on Dec 21, 2016, 8:12 am
My little girl isn't so little anymore. Happy birthday to my winter solstice daughter. Valerie is officially twelve today!! I'm taking bets on when she will be taller than me -- less than one inch to go!!

Cha-ching Posted on Dec 19, 2016, 1:12 pm
I can't pass up a deal especially if it's something I can use. I mean, have you seen the cheap things you can buy on wish.com and ebay.com from China?? Sure, sure, they're knock offs sometimes and occasionally you get China junk, but the majority of the things I have gotten were surprisingly nice.

Oh fudge Posted on Dec 18, 2016, 10:12 am
We're all familiar with the line from the famous movie, but fortunately I am referring to real fudge candy. Yesterday was hot (80ish) and humid, but I had planned to make fudge so I was going to make fudge. I guess I thought I could make fudge invincible to the elements.

Student of the... Posted on Dec 17, 2016, 10:12 am
Botched Student of the Month award. Sad Momma here.

On to Christmas break Posted on Dec 16, 2016, 3:12 pm
Today begins Christmas break! Two whole weeks with no set schedule. I know the kids are glad but this Momma is glad too!! I need a break from the routine sometimes as well. Clint is on vacation until the end of the year also, so all four of us will be home for two weeks - yay!!

Cookie season Posted on Dec 15, 2016, 3:12 pm
For today though, I decided to try my hand a big, soft, gingerbread cookies. Oh my, these are fab! They are soft and have just the right gingerbread flavor. I'll share the recipe below...

Seamingly a seamstress Posted on Dec 13, 2016, 12:12 pm
Veronica's first 4-H event was in November, and one of the contests was to sew a drawstring apron. I looked over the pattern first and saw it was with in my skill level, so she signed up. I took her to JoAnn's and she picked out the cutest fabric. I have a couple hundred spools of thread already thanks to my Mom, so I knew I likely had a close match.

Light 'em up!! Posted on Dec 12, 2016, 11:12 am
Our Light-o-rama display - we have approximately 20,000 lights

Birthday party day Posted on Dec 11, 2016, 2:12 pm
Re-cap of our Saturday and Valerie's 12th birthday party!

Chilly Friday Posted on Dec 9, 2016, 1:12 pm
We have winter!! We've had a few chilly days and nights, but real southern winter has finally arrived. Tonight's lows are in the 30s, which isn't unheard of but it only happens a few times a year. It'll be back to the 70s by Sunday and that's fine with me.

The clock ticks on Posted on Dec 8, 2016, 9:12 am
One of the pieces I inherited from my parents is this Emperor grandfather clock.

The Mystery of the Disappearing Elf Posted on Dec 7, 2016, 3:12 pm
Chippy, our Elf on a Shelf,.... vanished. For a little while.

Alive and well Posted on Dec 6, 2016, 11:12 am
Somehow dear Santa, you are very much alive and well in our household. Valerie is days away from being twelve, so those days are numbered. She was so excited about Chippy our elf returning and I just gave her a 'look.' I thought for sure she would know by now, but I'm not saying anything.

1,000 Cats with Disney Hats Posted on Dec 5, 2016, 12:12 pm
Veronica wrote a story describing her best day ever.

And the verdict is.... Posted on Dec 4, 2016, 10:12 am
Yesterday Valerie auditioned for Youth Honor Band. It was her first audition experience, and she was so nervous and scared from the moment she got up. I told her, "It's not like you are being judged by Simon Cowell!! It's going to be some nice band director from another school."

The End of a Dream Posted on Dec 3, 2016, 2:12 pm
It was Christmas 1982 and I was ten years old. The top items on my list for Santa was an Atari 2600 and a Barbie Dream House. Anyone who grew up in the 80s knows which Dream House I mean -- the ultimate A-frame house in three sections.

Finally Friday Posted on Dec 2, 2016, 3:12 pm
Tomorrow is Valerie's honor band audition. She is in the lower level band, but she is first chair clarinet. This audition will be a first for her and she is nervous. She's been struggling with the prepared piece for a while now.

What's in a name? Posted on Dec 1, 2016, 8:12 am
My Mom told me several times she wanted to name me something else, but couldn't remember it when I was born. I think she said Meridith maybe? It was some other M name. I'm not sure how she picked Melanie, but that's what I ended up with.

Happy Halloween! Posted on Oct 31, 2016, 6:10 pm
Trick or treat, y'all.

A piece of time Posted on Oct 22, 2016, 10:10 am
It dawned on me a few weeks ago that I had saved my Yahoo Messenger history. It was two laptops ago, but I just knew I had the files somewhere. I looked and looked, checking drive after drive. I was beginning to think all was lost, until I stumbled upon some hidden files in a 'picture' folder of all places.

The horror of family photos Posted on Oct 14, 2016, 1:10 pm
Today's Halloween post is about the frightening event of taking pictures. Family pictures. We recently returned from a long weekend get-away to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The scariest thing we did while there was make an attempt at family pictures.

Killer Clowns from (insert town) Posted on Oct 13, 2016, 3:10 pm
Apparently the states are crawling with killer clowns. It's true, I saw it on Facebook.

Bayou Blue Dancing Lights Posted on Oct 5, 2016, 1:10 pm
Clint re-made the singing pumpkin face with rope lights and built dancing pumpkin arches out of trick or treat buckets. Last year was a much smaller show as a test run to see how it all worked. This year, it's bigger and better!

Welcome, foolish mortals Posted on Oct 1, 2016, 10:10 am
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. I am your host, your GHOST host. Kindly step all the way in please and make room for everyone. There's no turning back now....

A mouse thing Posted on Feb 25, 2016, 1:02 pm
Today, I made Valerie and Veronica shirts. I will wake them up the morning we are leaving and tell them I forgot that we all have to wear very special shirts to the airport.....

Today we made.... Posted on Feb 14, 2016, 4:02 pm
Today we made thirteen years!! We were married during a candle light ceremony on February 14, 2003. Happy Anniversary to us!

King Cake!! Posted on Feb 5, 2016, 10:02 am
If you're feeling the Mardi Gras spirit and can't buy one, you can always make your own King Cake. I've made some from scratch, which turned out amazing but it was a lot of work. You can cheat a little and find things in your grocery store to make a decent one. It's pretty easy and quick.

Goodbye 2015.... and Holidailies!! Posted on Jan 1, 2016, 11:01 am
It seems 2015 just passed me by.... I don't know where the year went. Not feeling well most of the time left me with many days of going through the motions. I felt so spacey and out of it so much of the time that I don't even remember half of what we did.

Crusty Butt Posted on Dec 30, 2015, 2:12 pm
On my scale she weighed in at 22 lbs, but on the vet's yesterday, she weighed just over 20. With this weight issue comes another problem. When she tries to groom her hindquarters, she just sort of rolls to the side. Can't reach. Belly's too big. Just lay here like a slug.

I have lost my mind Posted on Dec 29, 2015, 3:12 pm
Somehow, I was convinced of having a sleepover to celebrate Valerie's birthday. It's tomorrow night. The plan is to have a party first with pizza and a fireworks show, then an optional sleepover to follow. Valerie handed out invitations left and right. I was thinking that these people hardly know us and there's no way any mom would allow her child to spend the night with strangers.

Clearance Day! Posted on Dec 26, 2015, 8:12 pm
ust like the other scavengers, I grabbed a buggy and headed straight to the garden center. Everything Christmas had neatly been relocated to the gigantic clearance section.

Mary Christmas Posted on Dec 25, 2015, 8:12 pm
WHO is Mary Christmas? I keep seeing her name all over Facebook today so whoever she is, she must be very popular.....

Christmas re-cap Posted on Dec 25, 2015, 3:12 pm
Christmas Eve we had our usual party food, but not until after a fight about a sandwich tray. We usually have 'wedding sandwiches' as the kids call them. Chicken salad sandwiches cut in triangles. Veronica spied variety sandwich trays at the grocery store and asked if we could get one for Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas Posted on Dec 25, 2015, 11:12 am
From all of us to you.... wishing you a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Eve! Posted on Dec 24, 2015, 1:12 pm
Christmas changes a lot once your family is gone, especially when you have young children. It's the four of us every day, so how to make Christmas feel different? Their friends are all visiting grandma and have aunts, uncles, and cousins. My girls have no clue what it's like to have extended family to visit.

Gizzie Gizmo aka Bing Bong Posted on Dec 23, 2015, 12:12 pm
He was tiny, barely 6 weeks old. Smart as can be right from the start, too. The kids had just watched the movie "Inside Out" and wanted to name him Bing Bong. Um no! We finally decided on Gizmo, but he still gets called Bing Bong from time to time.

Eve of Christmas Eve Posted on Dec 23, 2015, 10:12 am
It sure does not feel like Christmas. It's going to be 80 degrees the next few days. And humid, oh so humid, which makes my head feel funny. The walkway to my front door stays wet it's so damp out. Even though we did lots of Christmasy stuff in December, I just don't feel it.

Christmas Card Exchange!! Posted on Dec 22, 2015, 10:12 am
After we married, I was excited to send out our first cards as a couple. When Val and Roni were small, we made sure to send everyone and I mean everyone a photo card to show them off! Over the years though, the card list dwindled.

Her 11th birthday Posted on Dec 22, 2015, 10:12 am
It's awfully hard to have a birthday party in the middle of the holidays. This year, she decided on a December 30 Eve of New Year's Eve fireworks party.

Little big girl Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 12:12 pm
My dear Valerie is eleven today. It's so bitter sweet. I am excited for her future and can't wait to see her become a lovely young woman. At the same time, I wish for her to stay my sweet little girl as long as possible.

On being a writer Posted on Dec 20, 2015, 12:12 pm
I guess you could say the need to write has always been there.

Navy Bean Soup Posted on Dec 18, 2015, 9:12 pm
One of the things my Mom made often in the winter was bean soup. It was always after Christmas or Easter, the only two holidays we baked a ham. I think on a rare occasion my Mom baked a ham for Sunday dinner just so she could have it to make the soup afterwards!

Oh, how I've failed thee Posted on Dec 18, 2015, 9:12 pm
My dear Holidailies, I have failed thee. I haven't been posting or reading or commenting. Not entirely fault of my own though. This whole week has been nothing but chaos.

Project Graduation Posted on Dec 17, 2015, 12:12 pm
How much fun is it going to be when Valerie and Veronica are eighteen - all grown up - and my graduation gift to them will be this box of envelopes full of sweet little memories from their girlhood?!?

Busy Christmas Fun Posted on Dec 13, 2015, 10:12 am
We came home for a bit to grab lunch, then headed out once again to the nearby recreation center. Every Christmas and Easter, they put on a free event for kids 12 and under. For Christmas, you get a free photo with Santa, a stocking of candy, and each child gets to pick out a toy.

Angry Duck Posted on Dec 10, 2015, 11:12 am
My Dad had read in a book or magazine how to make an incubator out of a gallon tin can and a light bulb, like a Crisco can way back when they were actually made of metal. I haven't a clue where he found the materials, but he was a collector of junk so he probably had them in the shed.

Family photos Posted on Dec 8, 2015, 7:12 pm
I posted about our furry photo bomber, so I thought I would share some of our other decent photos from that day, sans cat!

A Moms Christmas Posted on Dec 7, 2015, 7:12 pm
I won't lie - Christmas is work. It's not just a day of work, but a month long preparation. Actually longer because I start thinking about Christmas in September. I'm not complaining one bit because it's my favorite time of year. I love making the holidays feel magical for my daughters. I will do everything I can to keep the magic going as long as I can!! I'm sure the moms out there can relate though.

Destruction in progress Posted on Dec 6, 2015, 9:12 pm
Oh the joys of owning a kitten at Christmas. From day one, Gizmo claimed the tree as his domain.

Rigging up the lights!!! Posted on Dec 4, 2015, 12:12 pm
Anyway, it was a lot of work. A LOT!! We've gotten lots of great feedback, so it's worth it in the end. You can check out our Facebook page (and like and share our videos!) Bayou Blue Dancing Lights.

Ultimate Photo Bomb Posted on Dec 3, 2015, 7:12 pm
I needed at least one decent family photo for a nice greeting card!! No squinting. No bad smiles. Stop moving. Just stand like this, put your arms here, nobody move as I set the timer on the camera and pop back into my spot.

Happy Holidailies Posted on Dec 1, 2015, 12:12 am
Well, hello!! If you're here reading this, I suppose you, like me, have joined Holidailies 2015!