Early Dismissal...WHAT???

So, I get a call from school saying that in anticipation of potential bad weather school will release at 2PM instead of 3:10PM. Now this CRACKS me up...for crying out loud we only have a dusting of snow on the ground AND I can still see the grass!!! I know, all of you from up north are saying to yourself, "WHAT?" Well to those of you Missourians & further south...we wouldn't even get an early dismissal until there was at least 5+ inches on the ground and there had to be at least a foot for school to be cancelled!

Regardless of my feelings on this issue I do still however support the school's decisions.

One more thing, people here REALLY need to learn how to drive in this stuff!!

UPDATE: I published this 1st @ 12:45 PM (the time that is posted at the bottom is wrong)...well it is now 4:55 PM and it just only started to snow sometime around 4:30 PM.

The Mayonnaise Jar & 2 Cups of Coffee

A friend just emailed this one to me...I've always liked it so I thought I would just post it for all!

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.. When the class began , he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebblesand poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sandfilled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions-- and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car."

"The sand is everything else--the small stuff . If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18.. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first --the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked." "It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Have a Great Day & Love to you all!!

Blog Invites

Hello all,

For those of you that are new to our blog - welcome & hope you enjoy a glimpse into our lives! For those of you that have been here before, I chose to have our blog as an invite only because twice now I've had some strange people on here. So to keep this personal this seemed to be the best option!

Thanks & We love you all!

Cotton Bowl Craft Fair

Sorry for the amount of pictures but I wanted you to be able to see the Hospitality room, and these photos give you a pretty good idea of this awesome room that the Cotton Bowl provided for us!

Olivia is at the end of the table on the right in a yellow t-shirt...

Bailey & her friend Tricia crafting...
Bailey & Olivia (Olivia is the one with the ponytail w/her back to the camera)...
Nico getting into making his car with one of the Bowl helpers...
Olivia & Anna...
Group shot...

Fox Sports Welcome

These are some photos of the Welcome party at the Bowl.

Nico with one of our players...

Bella with some of the Kilgore Rangerettes...

Angie with Frank Caliendo, the comedian that performed for us...
The kids & some friends with the comedian...

Hotel Room @ the Hilton Anatole

Here are some photos of our hotel room at the Cotton Bowl. This is the "room" that Bella thought was our new house!

This is mine and Don's room. Where Bail is standing is the entrance to our bathroom. The window in our room had an awesome view of downtown Dallas...

This a shot from our room leading into the parlor...

This is the parlor with it's own bathroom an a Murphy Bed that Angie slept on. This is when we first got there, that is why there is so much stuff all over...being that Don is the EQ guy we always seem to have some form of extra gear in our room on Bowl trips....
Here is the 2nd dining area and where the Murphy Bed is (the dark wood unit on the wall is the bed)...
Here is the kids room...

Float Barn

Once we got to Mobile Keith, Adriene, Kade, Kathy (A's mom), Don & I headed off to the float barn...this where all of the floats are stored and where the maskers load their throws for the parade. Like I said earlier, we were very fortunate to be apart of this as only the maskers & their friends and family are aloud to be here. Dave was very well liked by all and they wanted Adriene's family & friends to still be apart of it all this year. Here are some photos of it all....

This is more then likely 1 or 2 guys load of throws. Isn't it amazing! Each guy buys all of these out of his own money and on average spends around $500 on them....

This is Keith & Kade standing where Dave would have stood. Don, Keith, Kade & I were fortunate to be able to go onto 2 of the floats...it's a big no no for anyone other then the maskers to be on them, but they made a special exception for these circumstances. Thanks Mr. Kim & Ms. Kevin for all of your hospitality!!
This rat was coincidentally on the side of Dave/ RAT's float (their theme was "Green Cheese")! That was really awesome that it happened that way....it was meant to be!!!
Here is a photo of the armbands that many of the members wore in honor of Dave (for those Dave's last name is Ratcliff...and has shortened to "Rat" over the years...That is how ALOT of people knew him...simply as "Rat.") Unbeknownst to Kathy & the Catons, they had these armbands made up and were wearing them at the float barn, on the float during the ride and at the ball...it really was an awesome tribute...
The next 4 shots are of the fronts of some of the floats...they are amazing....
Myself next to a sigh on the side of one of the floats (I think it's on the train - the train leads the parade)....Look at how big this head is! Once the roll the float this will be put on top of one of them...

The back of one of the train floats...

Moon Pies anyone! Take note of the potty on the float...they all have make shift pottys...

Once we were done here we all headed to dinner at a local favorite restaurant and the food was great! I did learn that the Southerners do not order their milkshakes with dinner like we do in the north. I ordered mine when I placed my food order & they all looked at me like I was growing another head...they get them for dessert - boring...life is too short - order it with your food! :) We then headed back to Ms. Kathy's for some much needed rest!

In Twos...

So I read this on a friend's blog and for question #10 , she wrote: Sherri (oh wait, you actually have to blog first!!! :-)...so I guess I'll show her :-)...

1. Two nicknames you go by:
1. Mom
2.Buttercup


2. Two favorite colors:
1. black (to wear)
2. pink

3. Two places you would like to live for a year:
1. anywhere close to my family
2. In a fab house on the beach

4. Two things you are wearing right now:
1. PJs
2. undies :)

5. Two of your favorite things to do:
1. hang out with Don & the Kids
2. visit with friends/family

6. Two things that you want very badly at the moment:
1. for this virus that I have to pass
2. a raise for Don

7. Two things you wish you could buy right now:
1. a new laptop
2. a new car for Don

8. Two things you need to accomplish today:
1. go to bed since it is 12:54 am
2. since it's technically now Friday, I need to prepare for my oldest baby's b-day

9. Two favorite pets you have/had:
1. Chloe
2. Barney & Dino

10. Two people who will fill this out on their blog:
1. Adriene (she actually did it 1st, I just don't know many bloggers)
2. Kate E.(no pressure!!!)

11. Two things you ate today:
1. pot roast
2. Lentil Soup

12. Two people you last talked to:
1. Don
2. Nico

13. Two things you are doing tomorrow:
1. working as mom
2. Celebrating Bail's B-day

14. Two longest car rides:
1. Minneapolis, MN to San Diego, CA
2. Minneapolis, MN to Fort Meyers, FL

15. Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. my birthday (I have always felt it should be a national holiday) :-)

16. Two favorite beverages:
1. Diet Coke
2. Ice Water

17. Two favorite TV shows:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Right now American Idol

18. Two places you like to vacation:
1. Florida Beaches
2. Our Cabin

19. Two movies you have seen and like recently:
1. The Illusionist
2. We Are Marshall

20. Two things people might not know about you:
1. I used to be skinny :(
2. I was a cashier @ Woolworth (in High School) & Wal-Mart (in College)

21. Two of your favorite foods:
1. Italian
2. Mexican

22. Two features you notice first on others:
1. smile
2. eyes

23. Two qualities you admire in others:
1. honesty
2. optimism

24. Two things you don't like about yourself:
1. very sensitive/wear my heart on my sleeve (get burned a lot)
2. short temper

25. Two of your best qualities:
1. Caring
2. sense of humor

HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY
BAILEY!!!

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY & THAT ALL OF YOUR BIRTHDAY WISHES COME TRUE!!!

WE LOVE YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!!!

Mardi Gras here we come...Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!

Don & I had the privilege to go to Mardi Gras this past weekend with our friend's the Catons, in Mobile, AL (where it all started in 1709). We left early in the morning on Thursday, January 17th and flew into New Orleans. I had never been there before so it was fun for me to see, but I was surprised how dirty/raunchy it is (note to self...never bring the kids). First we ate lunch in the French Quarter at the Acme Oyster House (or should I say they ate...I was WAY to nauseated from traveling) and then we walked Bourbon Street to take in the sights. I was starting feel better after getting some "fresh" air (I use that term very loosely since the air their isn't all that fresh), so we decided to get a little frozen cocktail.

Keith, Kade (he's not really drinking the shot - just good at posing), Sherri & Don...

After that refresher we headed over to see Jackson Square to see the St. Louis Cathedral, which was BEAUTIFUL!
Adriene & I in Jackson Square...

This next photo is a levee that broke during Hurricane Katrina...

From here we headed over to the famous Cafe Du Monde for some very yummy Beignets! After that we decided to get on the road for our drive to Mobile. We needed to get there so we would be able to go to the Float Barn...this is were the Condes load all of their "throws" on the floats for the parade. This was pretty cool to be able to be apart of because it is closed to the public...it's just a party for the Condes & their families. I will post more on this later.

The Conde Cavaliers is the Mardi Gras Krewe that Adriene's dad, Dave Ratcliff "RAT", belonged to before he passed away. He LOVED being apart of this and he was the whole reason that Don I went. Back in September he pretty much begged us to come until we said yes (my dad was so wonderful to come watch our kids so we could do this) and then Dave passed away in October. We decided that we all still wanted to take this trip to honor him...we miss you Dave, but thanks for the memories!

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler...Let The Good Times Roll!!

I'm Back! Sorry it's been awhile!

There has been so much going on since I last blogged! I will give you a run down and then I'll post photos later.

• On Wednesday, December 26th: we left with the football team (after a bit of a delay) to head to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. We had an AWESOME time - the Cotton Bowl is a class act. When we first walked into our hotel room we all were in awe because we were fortunate enough to get a three bedroom suite, and Bella was so cute, she thought it was our new home & when she walked in she started calling "Chloe, Chloe" (I guess if it is our new home in her mind then the dog must be here to). On the 1st night there the had a welcome dinner for all of us and then they the FOX Sports Welcome with a comedian by the name of Frank Caliendo, which was hysterical (fun side note...we learned that our sister-in-law's brother once roomed with him). Then after that we went to check out the hospitality for the first time...all I can say is incredible! Usually the hospitality rooms at other bowl games were for adults only and in a hotel suite, but not this one. They used a ball room and it was for the whole family. It had computers set up for all to use, Wii game systems for all to play, pool tables, Foosball tables, Ping Pong, arcade games, air hockey, endless supplies of water, Dr. Pepper (a sponsor), milk, juice, they had food set up in there at all meals, then snacks throughout the day, Krispy Kreme donuts (another sponsor), TVs all over & much more! After we were wowed by this we headed up to our room to find waiting for us the 1st of six gifts (we got one every night). I was so excited because there was a "Blue Box" from Tiffany & Co with a beautiful crystal bowl in it along with a stuffed horse & a note reading "Welcome to Big "D"".
• Thursday, December 27th: the kids got to go on a Kids Day Out to the Museum of Nature and Science, Fair Park. Angie, Bailey, Nico & Olivia went while I stayed back with Bella so she could take a nap (much needed to acclimate to the new environment). Then that evening Don & I along with coaches, staff, players & wives attended what they call the Lawry's Beef Bowl. Several years ago they used to have this as an eating contest but has since changed it to an evening for all to have a nice dinner. We had Prime Rib, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, a house Salad, and an ice cream sunday for dessert. The gift this night was for the ladies: another "Blue Box" from Tiffany & Co which contained a beautiful silver bracelet, a gift box from Origins full of lotions & potions, and a stuffed white dog.
• Friday, December 28th: the wives got to be pampered by the staff from Origins. the came to a room in the hotel and did: chair massages, reflexology, facials & make-up applications. I was fortunate enough to be able to do all but the make-up applications and it was WONDERFUL! It's nice to get pampered every once in a while! While this was going on they had a craft fair going on in the hospitality room for the kids...with plenty of fun things for the kids to make, and they had a great time! Then in the evening they had a pizza/autograph party for the families & players. I have to say it was fun, but I felt really weird asking our own players for their autographs (I'm not much of an autograph seeker). I did get over it because EVERYONE in the room was doing it. The gift tonight was a Wii with an extra controller & nunchuck, Madden '08, a Huge Crate & Barrel vase FULL of Hershey's Miniatures & a stuffed animal. The three older kids were yelling, "we got a Wii" and Bella was yelling, "we got candy"...so cute!!
• Saturday, December 29th: HAPPY 36th BIRTHDAY DON!!!! WE LOVE YOU!! Today was another day for the wives...they took us on a shopping day to North Park shopping mall. On the ride over there our bowl host stood up to give us a run down of our afternoon, and then she held up a small red velvet pouch and told us that each of us would be getting one and in them was $50 in gold coins to the mall for each of us to shop with...holy crap this Bowl is amazing and it keeps getting better!! So we get there shop for a while, then we have lunch in Neiman Marcus and watch a fashion show of amazing clothes (none of which I could afford) and then we were able to shop some more! Oh I almost forgot...at lunch they gave us ANOTHER gift...a lovely Waterford Crystal Ring Holder. This evening the adults went to a Texas Two Step Party which was a great time...we line danced, ate great food, some of us rode the mechanical bull (I was not one of them but Don did), had Butt Sketches done (I'll explain more on this one when I post the photos) and then we sang & had cake for Don's Birthday. The day before I had asked one of our hosts if I bought a cake could someone get it there for me and she said that they would get one made for me and have it there - they are so sweet! The gift tonight was an iPhone and a stuffed animal - YEAH!!
  
• Sunday, December 30th: They have Camp Cotton for the kids in the hospitality room. This event was a lot of fun for all and consisted of: face painting, critter man, balloon guy, and a sketch artist. After this event all the families and players (not coaches) went to a placed called Main Event. The kids had a blast here...we bowled, played video games and laser tag. When we left here the kids went back to hang out with Angie and Don & I went to an event called Jake & Elwood's Blues Bash. This was a great time...we had a buttons made with our photo, the gave us each a pair of shades, the had palm readers, tarot card readers, many games (we won a bowl hat and other things), poker, food, dancing, fake tattoos, drinks (of course) & many other things to do. The gift tonight was a Garmin GPS system, a Tumi briefcase, and a stuffed animal
  
• Monday, December 31st: There was an AT&T Lunchoen today but we didn't attend. We just hung out today, drove to see where Kennedy was shot, and Don brought us to the Cotton Bowl Stadium to see it before all the fans showed up. When we got back Don had to load the trucks for our departure the next day...so we ate at a Mexican Buffet that they had for us, spent time with friends that had arrived for the game and then spent New Years Eve with our friends, the Bernskoetters! We had pizza with them, watched the ball drop and then watched the awesome fireworks display from our room...from Mine & Don's room we had a beautiful view of the sky line, so we were able to see miles of fireworks! HAPPY NEW YEAR! The gift this evening was a Desktop Computer and a stuffed animal...Holy Cow!!!
  
• Tuesday, January 1st: It's Game Day...GO TIGERS!!! We got up, loaded the rest of our luggage & left for the tailgates. First we went to the Plains Capital Bank Tall Cotton Brunch, then we headed to Alumni tailgate, and then to Cheer the Tigers on to a Victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. We beat them 38-7...what a sweet victory!!! After the game we headed off to the airport to head back to Columbia. Once in Columbia we helped Daddy do some laundry & then headed home. When we walked in the door Bella cried and said, "I don't want to be at this house I want to go back to the new house"! Poor baby...we all feel that way!