I Now Have NO Life!

Well, statistics started this week. I have 5 or 6 assignments per week to accomplish by Sunday night. I HATE math. I cried Monday. Was it the class or my back? Today I went to the foot doctor, then the massage therapist, then the foot doctor. I still hurt so bad I can't hardly walk!
I would like to take time to appropriately whine, but I am afraid, to let myself play to far in that courtyard! Since it appears there is a new writing contest we need to enter.

Question of the year: Why does the other school get two hours to teach Reading/writing and I get on paper 70 minutes and in actuality 45? Please ponder this thought and respond. If you have any idea how to pull off miracles (it is the season of hope) please, please let me know.

Check this out!

You have got to check out http://jill-inc.blogspot.com/ right now she is having a way cool give away. KE click on the modbags link and look at the totally cool mommy bags!

Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall

I think we should play this on Tuesday for the intro into our topic on Discipline. Follow up with the teaching style of Cheech and Chong's Sister Mary Elephant.

K.T. Oslin - Come Next Monday

For some reason I lost this on the blog!

K.T. Oslin - Come Next Monday

I've had one heck of a day! Thank goodness for Gunter:) without her artistic talent we would be sunk. Then poor Julie who had worked all day, dropped in to see what was going on. For some reason this song and video came to mind! I couldn't believe it was on youtube. So in honor of a hard day, Halloween, and good friends... here you go.

Thankful Thursday!

As you know I have been on WW with Freda and others from work. Freda is much like NH and can loose weight relatively easy. Me on the other hand it is hard. The first week I lost 5.8 pounds and that was great. Then after following the plan to the tee and working hard for two weeks, I only lost 1.2 pounds. This lead to discouragement, but the consensus was that I needed to drink my water. So this week I did and lost 5.2 pounds. What a relief! I was afraid I would be hospitalized if I didn't lose weight this week. So now I am happy at 12.2 pounds lost in one month!

Tonight we went and had Chinese food and studied for his history test on China.

What A Day!!!

My day has been great. (Even if the man I've been married too for half my life forgot.) To start off Gunter brings me 2 CD's she has put together and a cute card. I haven't listened to both, but I really like cd 1. I thought it was a wonderful gift! Then Freda takes me out to eat at Jimmy's (I've tried hard to stay on this diet). I had grilled chicken with mushrooms and onions, baked potato (no butter or sour cream) and salad. I'm counting it at 15 points to be safe. To top it off I got a gift too!!! Carlisle VS Army. How cool is that! A book about football, Oklahoma born Jim Thorpe, Dwight Eisenhower (who was born across the Red River) and Pop Warner (former UGA coach) I've thought about the book for two weeks and now it is mine. I want to call in sick tomorrow, but fear Freda would kill me if I left her alone with my babies! Then the in-laws sent me a little check in the mail that I am hiding from the man!

So now I am off to church for choir practice. Gabe is excited about youth. Then when we get home Criminal Minds is on. How cool is this!!!!

Oklahoma Hills

Happy Birthday to Me!!

Several blogs have been doing the 10-20-30 years ago thing. So in honor of me--here goes.



Ten years ago--we were in the process of moving to Jackson. At the time we were living in lovely Unadilla, Georgia.



Twenty years ago--In May of that year we took almost 2 year old Drew and moved to Colorado. It snowed the day we moved in. The area was beautiful. I learned that in the Rocky Mountains you best keep a coat handy even in the winter.



Thirty years ago--I was a freshman in college. I lived at home and commuted to school in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Brenda had left to go to East Central in Ada. We would meet at her house every Friday afternoon and eat bananna cream pie that her mom would make. It would be fresh out of the oven, with merange'. Wonder if that is why the two of us go crazy for Coconut and Chocolate pie from Hamburger Inn.



On an interesting note, I have now been married to Dan for half of my life. Never again will it be half my life--just this year. After this, I will have been married to him for most of my life.



As I reflect today, there are many times I wish it had been easier. I wish my mom had never gotten sick and that she would have helped me with the boys. I wish my grandmother could have lived longer and known Drew. I wished life hadn't been so full of pain and been blessed with more joy. I wished I'd of handled the painful times better. I sometimes wish, we still lived in Oklahoma. It is at those wishful times that Dan reminds me I would have missed an awful lot if I had stayed in Oklahoma: Freda, Nanci, Gunter, Sarah, Dianne, Robin, Penny, Denitia, Sandy, Bob and Glennabel, Earl, and so many more.

Creativity

Yesterday it was brought up at work about how so many bloggers seem to be SAHM's who have time for all types of activities. However, I love some of the new book blogs I've found, but I found this one crafty blog that got me thinking about more work for Monkey! Personally, I never have enough money, it could be the marriage to the cowboy...I don't know. Anyway, after viewing this blog http://dreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/ I thought Monkey was the only top notch creative chick we know, so maybe she'd want a side business. There is nothing like this in town!!! And I want to paint Christmas ornaments too!!!

I refuse to discuss children whose medication gets changed during ITBS week, or people who want to chew on me because the medicated children are not acting like the other children (who I'm beginning to wonder about).

Hestad children update. Matt's 18 year old self is loving not being in school this week! I called him today to tell him how big of a help he really is around here. First, I have to get Gabe to and from the bus stop. This should be no big deal except for faculty meetings and tutoring other children all week. Then today Gabe gets off the bus with no bookbag the conversation went like this:

"Gabe, where's your bookbag?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I must of left it in the gym."

"Gabe, where's your belt?"

"I couldn't fit it in the gym bag, I must of left it on the bus while I was looking for my bookbag."

Needless to say Gabe and I had to drive over and get the bookbag. I can only hope the belt is on the bus. I miss Matt and Dan!!!

Today, I wanted a big, thick, juicy piece of steak for supper. Instead I came home and had pretend cheese, grilled, on pretend bread. If I don't lose more weight this week, I may need to take some Lithium!

Where Should I live in Europe

You Belong in Barcelona
When it comes to Europe, you don't want to decide between culture and fun. You want art by day and a big party by night.Barcelona is ideal for you. You can check out some Picasso, eat some tapas, take a siesta, and then dance all night!

Check out yours:

http://www.blogthings.com/whateuropeancitydoyoubelonginquiz/

Funny Spirituality

Today Monkey made mention to the funny utube clip (thanks Stephen for sending it) and not the new spiritual me. So in an effort to be more spiritual today:

Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

In light of these words of scripture I will share more. First, if you know me I struggle to find any joy in life. Perhaps I hide this well, but I am one of those folks that life has just been hard on and so-o I tend to not have much fun. Usually this coincides with money woes, but that's another blog. Anyway...I've got a few days off school and my 4.0GPA can have a brief rest. So I've been delving into the funnier side of life. This weekend I have mindlessly watched utube clips, surfed various blogs (of the more spiritual side), and watched mindless TV [Gene Simmons Family Jewels].

Today, I've laughed every time I've thought about Family Jewels. That show is a riot and definitely not spiritual! So perhaps my endeavors of late aren't were they need to be, but as the scripture says, "A merry heart doeth good like medicine..."

SNL More Cowbell

This is too funny! Thanks Stephen!

I SWEAR I have things to do!!

I choose not to do them. Took a nap during the Falcons/Saints game----Saints won. Now it is AP and the Cowboys playing.

Anyway, I cruised a few more inspirational sights and came up with the following link....http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/index.html.

Not that I hate Christmas or anything, it is just that we have never been able to keep up with what the kids peers get. I don't think it has bothered them much, but what a thought no buying!!

Need to make changes!

Fall has brought about a lot of changes this year. Gabe started school without me for the first time in his life. Matt is a senior and we are busy with pictures, announcements, and talk of college. Drew has gotten married and now is planning a new life with his best friend. Dan has moved to a new barn and had a life changing accident. Kate and CW are pregnant again, amnio shows that all is fine with my new nephew. Dan's parents are considering moving closer. I have actually made it through 4 classes (24 hours) towards my doctorate and still I'm maintaining a 4.0 GPA. (after this next class I can apply for my 6 year) To top it off I've joined weight watchers again with a new commitment. Hopefully, this will be my year.

Yet, God has been dealing with me about other things of late. I miss my early mornings with Him: reading, meditating on the Word, and writing in my journal. Yet, I continue to make the excuse that I don't have time. However, I flitter (my word)away countless hours checking blog spots and being mindless. It was yesterday as I went to various Christian websites that I was reminded of my need for continued spiritual growth, not the need to be busy, but to be quiet before the Lord. So changes are coming.

I need to take time to be more giving. I love to cook and need more time to cook healthier for my family. I need to learn how to handle stress better (without cussing!). I need to know that I may never have all the answers and that's okay. I need to accept the fact that we will never live a perfect life, we will live the one God has given us and we need to enjoy every minute of it. I need to always be thankful for the journey; because if I had never gone to Colorado, Pennsylvania, and then Georgia, I wouldn't have most of my dearest friends. I want to relish in good books and be thankful that I came to Georgia when Celestine Sibley was still alive and writing for the AJC. I found a wonderful author that now needs to be rescued from dusty shelves and given to all my friends. I'm also thankful to almost be 48 and know what a run on sentence is and don't care!

Stay tuned for more.

Halloween is not my thing!

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

The scariest thing on Halloween is you! You definitely don't want any kids in costumes crossing your path - and you're willing to scare away any who do.

You're weird. You're downright deviant. And you use dressing up in a costume as an excuse to act out.

Your inner child is open minded, playful, and adventurous.You truly fear the dark side of humanity.

You are a true misanthrope.You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal.

You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it's only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect.

You too can waste valuable time:
http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourhalloweenpersonalityquiz/

Honesty

Today Dan and Matt have headed off to Mississippi, so last night Dan and I went out to eat. Since neither one of us wanted to get dressed up we just went over to Jimmy's. We sit down and Dan says there's something we need to talk about! (That always makes me nervous.) Anyway here's how this started:

Dan: I heard from the insurance company yesterday.

(my cell phone rings---it's Denise--I'm on pins and needles and can't hang up.)
(hang up and waitress comes over again....finally)

Me: Okay, can we get back to this conversation. (waitress returns)

Finally the whole story comes out. Seems that the insurance company called with an incredibly large offer (double what it should have been). Dan said he hung up and thought, "Okay, they'll call back soon." But they never did. Around 4:30 Dan decides to call Luke (our insurance man). Luke tells Dan, "Well boy, even a blind hog gets an acorn now and then." So, Dan is puzzled, because he feels that it isn't honest to take that much money....even though they are still out on whose paying for the horse trailer. Well I had PTO so we never got to this the day it all happened.

Then on Friday morning, Luke calls Dan at 7:30am. (I think this was really bothering Luke). He tells him they can do whatever, but they probably need to say something. Dan agrees. Both know that it won't take long for someone to figure out the mistake, want the money back, and fire the woman. Within minutes the adjuster, who is new on the job, calls and recants the first offer. So it goes....those moments when we must choose to do the right thing or to do nothing.

This leads to my thoughts of this morning....As always we are broke. If you ever want to know how to lose money, go in the horse business. No matter how many customers you have it want be enough! Dan is in need of filling up his new barn. He is out in Mississippi and could use a great week, for him and Kay. (I'm getting to my great confussion this morning) If you do the right thing does God in turn bless you. I'm sure God is constantly blessing us each and every day. Yet, this week we need large blessings...are they in route.......was the insurance thing a little test........

Another Day in Paradise!

I did come home and the boys had the house cleaned (living room and Kitchen). They were sitting quietly reading there books....something had been up! But it was nice. Then we ate sandwiches for supper! (We never do that).

I need to be writing test, but instead I went over to check out pioneer woman's new contest. (Check it out) My entry for naming the picture was "Bull Scootin' Boogie" a play off of the Brooks and Dunn Song, "Boot Scootin' Boogie" Dan wanted me to enter "It's a Mexican Standoff" I don't know how she can give $600 JC Penny Gift Certificates.

I'm afraid May Britt has done me in on the quilt. But wasn't it neat that she left a comment on my blog and was from Norway. Way cool!

Now I must write two mini quizes and be done before NCIS. I do treat myself on Tuesdays.

Quilt update!

Okay now whoever this MayBitt is she is sending over the people by groves. Here's the new plan SBB and Monkey, we've got to get others in on this. KE, Lee, F, and D can all go over and post. Somebody email NS and get her to post.

Love ya!!!

Do this for me!

You know I'm crazy about patchwork quilts. Well there is this giveaway thing going on at

www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com

If you leave her a comment and mention "Lennye (hestad240@charter.net) sent you, whoever sends over the most people to look at her blog wins a quilt. Would I go crazy!!! And it is my birthday month!!! This could be fun (For me!)

Sunday and Time is fading fast....

Does anyone remember the Jim Croce song, "Time in a Bottle?" Or have I totally dated myself? That's how I feel today, kinda in a melancholy mood.

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them......

So it goes as tomorrow I face another work week full of conferences, planning, meetings, cleaning, and laundry...I guess I'm very lucky to have another day to do these things. I have finished my class, so I have maintained my 4.0 and I don't have another class till after my birthday. (Which no one will be here to celebrate, cause there's a horse show in Mississippi.) But a mental break from doing so many things at once will be appreciated.

Movie Afternoon

Just watched the movie Evening. Of course just like One True Thing, I cried. The line where Merle Streep's character says, " Your mother had her whole life. She sang at my wedding... she raised two girls... we can't know everything she did. We are mysterious creatures, aren't we?" had me crying. I guess sometimes there are so many things I wish my mother had answered. That I had been old enough to know to ask.

Unlike some, I think movies that make you cry are okay. However, I hope that on my deathbed I'm not saying names that make people wonder what kinds of mysteries I'm hiding. There are things that need to be secret! Things that can bring a smile only to my face every now and then. Things no one knows (except for maybe Brenda)!

Saturday Tidbit

I've been surfing through some of SBB's links. On the Misadventures of Mama and Jack, she recently purchased a blue and white quilt for $5. Now on top of Pioneer Woman envy, I suffer from quilt envy. See most of you don't know that I am crazy for patchwork! Or that I love quilts and cross-stitching. I love digging through junk stores! None of which I get to do!!!!!
How sad is that!!!!!!!!!

Went to look at a house off Hwy 11 today. I loved the backyard. Can you buy a house because of a fantastic back yard? Didn't go in, just wanted to look it over before calling the man to open it up. However, the man owns the house next door and I liked it too. Need to check with D and see when he can make time to go take a look. Then call the man. I really did like the deck that looked over the wooded pond.

Friday

Well the week has gone by way to fast! Today has been a Matt day. It is hard to believe how fast he has grown. It is customary at Piedmont for senior parents to take out an ad honoring their senior. So I didn't find all the pictures I wanted, but found some good ones. Then you have to write a tribute. So here is mine:

Matt,

It is hard to believe that you have already grown into a man. We remember older people telling us, "before you know it they will be grown," now we know what they mean. You were our miracle child, we knew from the beginning that God had a purpose and a plan for your life. You have been blessed by God with a wonderful sense of humor and the ability to easily make friends. You also have a remarkable sense of loyalty to your family and friends. Cowboy, follow your dreams the world is yours for the taking!

Love, Mom, Dad, Drew, Nicole, and Gabe

(It was hard but notice at no point did I say "if you hurry you can still make Cheyenne." )

Thursday

My how time flies.
6:00am got up (no coffee, fasting for blood work)
6:25am got Gabe up and ready for school
6:55am try to get Gabe out the door, he has to catch the bus!
7:05am train on track, luckily, bus is waiting
7:15am get back and get in shower
8:15am leave for doctors office
10:00am get out of doctors office
10:10 am contemplate going to school and having lunch with the boys. Fix myself a bowl of soup and drink a diet root beer.
11:00am decide that I need to finish up some work on the class I'm taking.
1:00pm decide I need a ham sandwich after finding out there is another paper that has to be written in the next couple of days (only 2/3 pages)
1:30pm decide I need to watch a movie....Georgia Rules....I borrowed Monkey's copy
3:00pm hair appointment in one hour
3:15pm called man about an advertisement for a house
3:40 pm kids get home from school
3:50pm leave for hair appointment
4:00pm-6:00pm hair appointment, Gabe calls and wants to go to fair with Ryan
6:00pm put hamburgers on the grill
6:15pm listen to Dan fuss about going to the fair ....but he goes.
6:30pm eat hamburger on diet bread....then go track points
7:00pm review emails
7:30pm get dishes done....

And F says there is nothing to do at home....I haven't even done a load of laundry yet.....

Wednesday AM

Woke up this morning wanting to be Super Mom. First, I got the rugrats up, this is never as easy as people may think.

Then, I decided to make sausage gravy for breakfast. This is a favorite breakfast of the rugrats. To make the best sausage gravy you must use Holyfield sausage.

After much stirring (Sausage gravy must be watched at all times, this is not a dish you can multitask on!) Now that the kids are off it is time for MUSIC and CLEANING! For some reason cleaning goes better with music. Wonder how I can figure all the dancing and cleaning as activity points?

Tuesday

Well I went to work and took care of some stuff for the team. I got all my stuff for parent conferences organized. Then it was off to find a shirt for Matt to wear to school on senior day. This was important! I found a cream colored shirt, but no tie. Called F. said, "Do you have a brown tie at your house?" She did. So I come home, big boy tries on the shirt and IT DOESN'T FIT!!!!!!!!!!!! So now I must go back out and beat the bushes looking for a shirt for a BIG AND TALL MAN/CHILD.

I did find me a pair of Clark shoes for $20, a sign that says It's a Wonderful Life for the door at Christmas, and a special gift for a monkey I know.

In between all of that I signed up for the WW etools. This is totally cool. I put in what I eat and it figures the points for me. I like it alot. You can even put in a recipe and it will give you the point value. Totally cool.

Now the meatloaf, cabbage, and green beans are cooking. Tomorrow looks to be another exciting day.

Mondays

This is my foot! I have a nasty sore brought on by having to tape my foot. Taping my foot was my doctor's next step for my plantars fasitis (sp). Tracie got a cast, I got a roll of tape. This all sounded good, till we had to take the tape off. Now I can not wear shoes. I can't wait to get my PAP done this week and have the doctor catch a glance at my foot while doing the other! Won't that be interesting.

On a happier note....Dan took the afternoon off and we went to Macon to the movies. We saw 3:10 to Yuma and it was great fun. Then after an extended trip to Barnes and Noble we went to Carrabbas for supper. Another favorite thing of mine. In an effort to be good, I put half my food on Dan's plate. He was sweet and ate his and mine!

Got home to Gabe needing to make a confession. Seems he now has detention, which cost us $20 and he loses a Saturday. As the sorted facts unraveled, it appears that Gabe and his new friend Dean, were throwing plastic bottles of coke at the wall during the football game. Not the wisest thing. Of course Gabe said Dean was just showing him how to blow up a bottle of coke. Apparently it worked well. He was distraught and dreaded our return home. Says he's learned two things, never go to football games and don't be stupid.

Then there is Matt who in one week needs to order senior class ring, announcements, and pay for senior pictures. I need a loan to live for the rest of the month. This was on top of needing field trip money and I need to go buy him a dress shirt.

Well if that was today, who knows what tomorrow will be like.

Lazy Sunday Afternoons

Today I started out at church. Dan had a good Sunday School lesson on the Kingdom of God. Went to a youth meeting after church. Gabe seems excited by all the planned activities. I hope everyone will buy a smoked Boston Butt to be ready on November 3rd. The new youth director is going to go let the kids start a savings account at church...with there fund raising money, so that is good. Came home and went with Dan to feed. Of course that is an hour long trip...one way.

These are pictures of Dan working cattle and the new barn. I still have pioneer woman envy.

Then I came home to find out I made an A- on my paper that was 66.6% of my grade and the prof says it is going nicely to continue on with my thoughts. I'm THRILLED!

Tomorrow is back to the drawing board. I need to finish up some stuff at work. Finish up this class on line and Dan and I are talking about going out one afternoon this week for my birthday. He will be gone the week of my birthday.

7 Random Things About Me

I was checking out some of the blogs that Sarah visits and found a theme going on. Several were writing 7 Random Things About Me blogs, so I thought why not.

1. I could eat Mexican Food all day long, everyday

2. I find cooking therapeutic.

3. I enjoy true life murder mysteries.

4. I watch It's A Wonderful Life every year, sometimes 4 times a year.

5. I think the beach exists to remind us how big God really is!

6. I think the Rocky mountains in a blizzard do the same thing!

7. I KNOW that even if your family has gone on to heaven, as long as you have friends you are never alone.

A Week OFF!!!!

What does one do on the first day of a break! Clean house and listen to music! Okay, now I may be over the top--today I downloaded, Nickelback's ROCKSTAR. I've always said if the teaching thing doesn't work out I could go on the road with Lynard Skynard!!!!!!!!! After last week, Give Me Three Steps and I may very well be a ROCKSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If needed refer to picture of me with flower in my hair below, you can see this would not be a giant leap for me. Plus, I always complain about not ever going places, Oh the places I could go!!!!! Wait that's Dr. Seuss.....I am confused today.........

Pictures

Meme and Uncle CW with the newlyweds
Matt and Me cutting a rug at reception
No, there was no alcohol involved in this picture. Notice I've lost the jacket! All that dancing.
Unfortunately, today's young folks don't understand the term "troll around the dance floor" they just get in the way
Big story of the night was Gabe and his new girlfriend. They danced till they could dance no more. It was so cute! He would pull the chair out for her when she went to sit down. He would go get her drinks. But once when she didn't drink all her water, ol' Gabe threw the left overs back in the fountain. I thought I'd crack up.