Shhh! It is a secret !!!

This coming Tuesday is the day the 3rd grade and 9th grades (grades applicable to my kids) take the TAKs test. That is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge test that the state requires. Of course - at the 9th grade level - Jason is too cool for school to get a bag like this. LOL.

The 3rd grade teachers asked the parents to put some goodies into a bag for the kids to open at school Monday afternoon.

It contains:

roll of Smarties - to reflect the knowledge they have gained
eraser - for when the check their work
pencil -to record their knowledge
pencil grip - to get a grip on the test
hugs/kissed - to encourage them
stickers - to remind them to stick to the task

We could also include a new book to read silently when they get done, a healthy snack, and notes of encouragement from us and relatives too. They each have a note from Mike & I, their Grammy & Poppy, Grandma and Mamaw & Papaw.

I decorated the bags. I think they turned out pretty cute!

Firsts

FIRSTSShare

1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Jerry

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? no

3. What was your 1st alcoholic drink? beer

4. What was your FIRST job? Dairy Queen

5. What was your FIRST car? 1972 Mercury Capri

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today? Mike

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Mike's Uncle Robert

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs Pedigo.

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Germany, as an infant

10. Who was your FIRST best friend & do you still talk? Toni - not in years

11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? probably Toni's

12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Mike

13. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time? Gail Stevenson

14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? take a shower (after I went to the bathroom to pee)

15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? Boston

16. FIRST tattoo? don't have any

17. First piercing? Ears

18. First foreign country you've been to? Germany - but I don't remember it.

19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? Cinderella or The Sound of Music

20. When was your FIRST detention? I don't remember ever having D hall

21. What was the first state you lived in? Alabama

22. Who was your FIRST roommate? Donna.

23. If you had one wish, what would it be? To be more relaxed and enjoy all that I have.

24. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? Medical Transcription.

25. Who do you think will be the next person to post a first things? Mary Beth

American Idol - Top 36 week 2

Quickly, on last nights performance show I thought that red-haired Allison and curly blonde with tattoo Megan would definitely go through in tonight's results show. As for the 3rd spot I really liked Adam Lambert - but enjoyed Matt Breitzke too.

Reality:

Allison got through

Adam got through

total surprise [to me] was that Kris (sang Michael Jackson) got through.

I was sorely disappointed that Megan was sent home - she is such a unique performer. I am holding out hope that Megan will be selected in the wild card round to compete in the Top 12.


Icing on the cake tonight was a performance by Brooke White from Season 7.

Later.

Wednesday's Walk Down Memory Lane

Wow! I think I will start off with an easy one, rather than a funny one.

When my twins were born on January 1, 2000 they were 34 weeks and 5 days along. They weighed a surprising 6 pound 8 ounces and 6 pounds 4 1/2 ounces. After one hour in the NICU, they got the hang of breathing and never looked back.

We came home together on January 4th, but the babies had each lost a full pound of weight. They were both able to wear preemie diapers and clothes for one month. Megan had the teeniest little feet. Size zero shoes didn't fit her for about 6 more months.

Anyway - we got home with these [big for twins] but tiny babies [compared to Jason's whopping 9 pounds six years earlier] and I was oohing and aahhing over them and I called Megan "Sweet Pea".

Mike walked by and overheard me and he said "She is too small to be a Sweet Pea - she's just a Pea!"

And "Pea", she is to this day. Sometimes elongated to Peabus (ask Mike).

Thanks you to the website I borrowed this from. See the button about and go to visit her.

My Point of View

This is what I see every morning and afternoon while at my crossing guard job. It will be nice when the cypress trees begin to green up again.

My fortune cookie

I ordered take-out for lunch - Kung Pao Chicken. Here is my fortune:

Follow a hunch about improving your position.

What do you make of that? Oh, the possibilities are endless!

Acronym

****DISCLAIMER: I thought this was funny. Please accept my apology if you don't agree. I didn't make it up.*****

Little did we know the word Obama is an acronym.

OBAMA = One Big Ass Mistake America!

Ten Things You Will Never Hear Me Say

I am borrowing this from Joyce who I am pretty sure borrowed it from Bob. I enjoyed their take on this so much, I wanted to join in the fun!


You will NEVER hear me say:

1) I love watching NFL games!!

2) I love the smell of Lysol.

3) I like stepping in dog poo.

4) I love getting weighed at the Dr.'s office.

5) I love running the vacuum.

6) Let's go running today!

7) I enjoy waking up at 6:00 a.m. everyday.

8) I love tomatos!

9) I am thrilled that we are going to be late somewhere AGAIN.

10) I love paying the bills!

Grammy and Megan's afternoon

My Mom "Grammy" and Megan went together for an afternoon of pampering. They had a manicure and pedicure. We are thinking to make this a 3 generation affair on March 1st.

Daddy and Daughter

American Idol Results night - First 3 members of the Top 12

Okay - our schedule is nuts this week - we just this minute finished watching tonights results show - so I am cutting straight to the chase:

I predicted:

TOP GIRL - Alexis Grace and it is !!!

TOP GUY - Danny Gokey and it is !!!

My 3rd place guess totally wrong - I thought it would beRicky Braddy or Brent Keith -

3rd Place went to Michael Sarver. I am okay with this - he is a good guy.


One note though, it was NOT actually stated that Danny Gokey was the TOP male vote getter - but I really believe that he was superior to the other men last night. Just my opinion.

Goodnight!

Tuesday & American Idol

Well, it has been a busy, busy day. After crossing guard duty, I went grocery shopping. We needed everything. When I cam home, The Fat Brothers were waiting on me for breakfast.

Afternoon crossing guard duty was uneventful, but I can tell the weather is getting more pleasant because tons of kids walked home today. Some of the parents who came to school I haven't see in a couple of months.

I dropped Ryan at the house and Megan and I went to Petsmart for dog food. Jason called about that time, needing a ride home from the highschool. We got here about 4:05 and he had to be back at the field house no later that 5:15 to ride the bus to tonight's baseball game. In that hour I cooked grilled cheese sandwiches, warmed left over pizza and did some dishes.

Mike came by the house about 5:20 to get the twins and head to the baseball game. I finished the dishes and then headed to bell choir rehearsal. We had a really good rehearsal and I can't wait to ring some of the songs.

Tonight was American Idol - but but the time Mike and the kids got home it was after 9:00. The kids needed to shower, and Megan wanted me to braid her hair so it would be wavy tomorrow. We didn't even start watching American Idol until after 10:00.

Due to the fact that it is 11:38 and I need to get to bed, this is very abbreviated:

In my humble opinion:

TOP GIRL: Alexis Grace
TOP GUY: Danny Gokey
3rd spot: Brent Keith or Ricky Braddy

The girls were not good tonight. Many guys and girls chose terrible songs.

Goodnight. 6:00 a.m. will be here before I know it.

Monday

Not much to blog today. Ryan and Megan got home from school (and I got home from crossing guard duty) about 3:20. They both did their homework. Ryan had soccer practice from 5:30 to 6:30. Jason had baseball practice from 3:45 to 6:15 and Megan had gymnastics from 7:00 until 8:00.

I hate eating fast food, but can't seem to come up with a meal that can work for all the different schedules.

Tomorrow will be crazy too. Jason has an AWAY ballgame at Birdville. At 6:30. The same exact time as handbell choir.

I am thinking we are having a super early dinner. Then everyone will be starving at 9:00 p.m. when they should be getting ready to go to bed.

Mike does not like to eat breakfast for dinner. The kids and I love it.

Bah humbug.

AUMC Handbells

My friend and sister - ringer Mary Beth asked me if I would be interested in co-authoring a blog for our handbells group recently. I said yes, and our director approved.

Mary Beth got straight to work and set it up tonight.

Please go take a look here.

I have been ringing handbells about 10 years. I am really blessed that Mary Beth is giving me a resource to share my passion with the readers of my blog!

Happy Valentine's

Friday

Today I got to have lunch with my dear friend Michelle. She invited me to a new restaurant called Baja Grill. It was very good. I stuck to my usual 'test' of a new mexican restaurant and ordered the enchilada plate. It was very tasty. Their salsa was good too, which is another indicator I use to judge by. Michelle ordered us a cup of queso to share, and I liked it too. Michelle had the brisket tacos which looked fabulous with the black beans on her plate. Thanks for the treat Michelle. I enjoyed our chatting and time catching up! Let's do it again soon!

Ran a few errands and paid a few bills. Did my crossing guard duty this afternoon.

Oh!! I got some Valentines candy from 2 of my kids that cross every day. What an unexpected treat!

I bit later this afternoon - I juggled Megan and Ryan over to my friend Candice's house following an SOS call from my step-Dad. My mom had a diabetic emergency and we all rushed to the ER. She is home now and will followup with her physicians Monday. She is doing okay though or I am sure they wouldn't have let her go home. THANK YOU CANDICE FOR BAILING ME OUT AND TAKING THE TWINS!

Jason had his first freshman baseball game yesterday. It was a scrimmage against another high school. It wasn't officially scored - but Mike says we had alot of runs to their not-so-many runs. Jason looked sharp in his uniform and new cleats.

He has a double header tomorrow in Weatherford.

Off to tuck a sweet little girl in bed.

American Idol - Top 54 narrowed to Top 36

This was my favorite show. It was organized and just plowed through the results without all that skipping around.

The show opened at the judges mansion. Judges reviewed the tapes from auditions and Hollywood week, and now they are going to have the contestants come room to meet with them one on one and give them the news as to whether they have made the Top 36 or not. In a few instances, two singers may be called and asked to "sing for their lives".

7:00 a.m. the 54 contestants have gathered in a holding room. As they are called, they will walk down to the judges room.

I was going to list all 54 - but I think I will just list the men and women who made it through.

WOMEN

1. Taylor Vaifanua
2. Jasmine Murray
3. Arrian ?
4. Casey Carlson
5. Megan Corkrey
6. Misha-Vonna Henson
7. Stevie Wright
8. ***Joanna Pacitti (it was noted she previous had a 2006 deal with Geffen records.) ***The alternate is Felicia Barton
9. Kendall Beard
10. Kristen McNamara
11. Alexis Grace
12. Lil Rounds
13. Jessie Langseth
14. Allison Iraheta
15. Jackie Tohn
16. Tatiana Del Toro
17. Janine Valles
18. Anne-Marie ??

MEN

1. Anoop Desai
2. Von Smith
3. Alex Wagner-Trugman
4. Adam Lambert
5. Scott MacIntyre
6. Danny Gokey
7. Ricky Braddy
8. Matt Giraud
9. Juno Joyner
10. Jorge Nunez
11. Brent Keith
12. Stephen Fowler
13. Norman Gentle a.k.a. Nick Mitchell
14. Nathaniel Marshall
15. Kai Kalama
16. Chris Allen
17. Michael Sarver
18. Matt Brietzky

****The Associated Press reported today 2/12/09 that Joanna Pacitti has been disqualified though it did not cite a reason.

For the next three weeks, different groups of 12 singers will perform. The top 3 people with the most votes will advance and become one of the top 12 finalists. After 9 finalists have been chosen by the viewers votes - the 4 judges will select the final 3 contestants following a wild card show on March 5th.

What is it Wednesday?

Monday-Tuesday and American Idol

Monday brought the news that Jason made the Freshman baseball team at his high school! We are so proud of him. I promise to post pictures after the first game - which should be a scrimmage on Thursday.

Tuesday - impending severe weather had everyone on edge this evening. I went on to handbell choir practice from 6:30 until 8:00. It was a great rehearsal. We rehearsed Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring for church on Sunday. We also sight read Days of Elijah. It it challenging, but already, I am exicted to ring this one. This is a new piece to our choir.

I had not been home very long when the line of severe storms including tornado watches romped northwest over north Texas stretching from Waco to McKinney. We did not have much concern here at home. Briefly, it looked like we might get hit hard - but really - it was nothing. The kids got to stay up a little late though just in case.

It is always interesting that when the news is predicting the worst - one of my kids will always dramatically ask if we are going to die. We always tell them not to be concerned unless they see Mike and I cleaning out the large closet under the staircase. THEN they can be worried. The only time we have ever actually taken cover was in March of 2000 when the tornado hit downtown Fort Worth. I have pictures from that somewhere.

I have been under the weather - so to speak. My parents are moving and I spent Sunday afternoon emptying their attic for them. Far too much dust and insulation particles. A cousin recommended honey/apple cider vinegar/lemon juice for my scratchy throat and it really worked. Now, if only I could unclog my head. I can't get much air in through my nose. So pitiful.

We watched tonights American Idol. I think they probably ended this show with 48 hopefuls including Alexis, Joan, Casey Carlson, Kai Kolama, Arianna, Jasmine, Stephen Fowler, Michael Sarver, Nick Gentle, Anoop, Scot, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Jackie Tohn, Matt and Tatianna.

One person who did NOT advance was Jason Castro's brother Michael.

Tomorrow's episode will reveal the Final 36 contestants.

I am off to bed. Hopefully this allergic reaction or cold will go away while I sleep.

My First Born

Here you go mummies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born!Just copy and paste it in a NEW note for yourself...

1. WAS YOUR PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Very happy

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Never

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 29-30

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Pregnancy test, although I suspected a day or two earlier because I started peeing like a race horse. (me too Mary Beth)

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? My husband, Mike

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes - but I already knew in my heart it was a boy.

9. DUE DATE? February 17, 1994

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Not really.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Dairy product of all kinds!

12.WHAT IRRITATED YOU? Can't think of anything.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? A boy!!

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? No, a boy was just fine with us. Though as others have said - having a healthy baby was most important.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 27 lbs as I recall. I lost that and another 20 pounds afterwards. (breastfeeding)

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, they gave me one at work, and one with friends and family.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I think I probably knew about both!

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Only at the end - I was on bedrest from 36-38 weeks -

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Fort Worth TX

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 12 hours probably - We were watching the Cowboys play in Super Bowl XXVIII and I was having these strange pains - It finally occurred to me to time them and they were happening regularly. The big joke has always been that Mike was going to send me to the hospital in an ambulance so he didn't have to miss the Cowboys WIN the game.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Mike did. It was snowing.

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Mike, my dear friend Kelly, Dr. Watson and nurse(s). I nearly missed it - Dr. Watson said loudly "Open your eyes! He's coming out!"

23. DID YOUR WATER BREAK NATURALLY? No, a nurse broke it.

24. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? the delivery was natural.

25. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Epidural....Ha - I thought I wanted to go drug free - I was frightened of the big needle - after a few really serious contractions - I got over my fear.

26. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 9 pounds even. He had a 15 inch circumference head. Ouch.

27. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? January 31, 1994

28. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Jason Lee Pugh

29. BIGGEST SURPRISE DURING CHILDBIRTH? Hmmm.....that he weighed 9 pounds at 38 weeks?

30. GREATEST MEMORY ABOUT CHILDBIRTH? Mike and I both crying with we saw Jason for the first time.

31. DID YOU BREASTFEED? Yes, for eleven months. Then I had Gallbladder surgery.


I am not tagging anybody - but feel free to cut and paste and personalize for use in your own blog.