Happy Birthday Greggie

Today is my brother's birthday. What are you Greg? 50? Naw, I'm just kiddin' he's 46. Old man. Let me tell you about my bro. He is why I wanted to take piano lessons. He has a natural talent in music. (I do not, but this is about him) He took lessons and eventually the instructor told my folks that she couldn't teach him anymore. Wow.

When I wanted to run away from home, he stopped me and told me I needed figure out where I was going to stay before I ran away.

When I started high school he warned me where to stay away from and not to buy a subscription to the school newspaper. They didn't have one but the seniors would prank incoming freshmen.

When I was upset about being short. He comforted me by telling me I would not have a hard time getting a date.

He picked me up from taking SATs and took me to McDonalds.

My brother married me. Not became my husband but performed the ceremony. He is ordained but had only done funerals up to that point. And he said cleavage during the ceremony which made me get the giggles.

He is a great dad and husband to his family. Even in the midst of tragedy, he stayed strong. I admire him a great deal.

Happy Birthday Greg. Hope today is a great day.
Love you.
Sabrina

He had a note sent home

This sweet child had a note from his teacher sent home last week. Evidently, this angel has been talking in class instead of listening to his teacher. Naughty. She said she even went so far as to move his desk to the hall to get work done. All to no avail. I can't believe this innocent babe would do such a thing. Unless, such naughtiness comes from his father. Of course that is it! All the not so great things come from their father. This baby's father, my man, is the one that taught his fellow kindergartners cuss words. Naughty behavior must come from him.

As my man and I discussed our course of action with the babe. All these things came up...
What is going on with the child?
Is he having issues with a classmate?
Is he being bullied?
Is he the bully?
What kind of consequences are in order?

Well, I went on to tell my man that when I was in 2nd grade my teacher, Ms McPeak, would make us do the 'captain's chair' against the wall. The 'captain's chair' was where you would be in sitting position with your back against the wall but no chair underneath you. That is probably where my big thighs came from. Thanks Ms McPeak. I often had to do the 'captain's chair' because I would talk with this boy that sat in the row next to mine. And I talked with Tony, the girl who sat behind me. Actually, Tony would call me honky and I would turn around and shhhh her. This would go on and on. Then Ms McPeak would make both of us do the cpt. chair.

In 3rd grade I had my desk right in front of my teacher's desk. And I often had to write out my multiplication tables due to talking. At that point in the conversation, it hit me. I am the culprit. He got it from me! The naughty chattiness came from me.

Oh sweet child of mine, I am so sorry that you inherited my chattiness. But you are still grounded and have extra chores.

And my amazingly forgiving man... I apologize for blaming you for everything. You are a good man.

Have a happy day.
Sabrina

Sabrina where have you been?

Well, to be quite honest with you, I have been in a funk. Can't place it... just a funk. Oh well, no worries. It is over now. Plus nothing much has been going on anyway.

The missions weekend at church went well. The ladies loved the brunch. The only faux pas (fox pause) is I ran out of chicken salad. I had a cool apron to wear that my friend Rindy had given me. It says Chef Sabrina. Part of being a success is appearing like you know what you are doing. At least I told myself that.
One gal came up to me and said "I didn't know you did catering". In my insecurity I had no idea how to take that, so I said, "I didn't know I was one either". I really didn't follow my own rule, of appearing like I know what I am doing, in that situation. The one dish that was a huge success was the French Toast Casserole. I will post on that sometime. It is a total indulgance. Oh and the Hot Fruit Salad from Big Red Kitchen was a winner too.

You know how I wailed and moaned about doing that brunch? Well, then I got to spend some time with the various missionaries. Um, talk about humiliating... I got to hear about real "suffering for Jesus". Ouch a painful reality check. What a great act of faith to follow that calling into the mission field. I know we are all called but I am talkin' about the far far away ones and the persecuted ones. It really made me appreciate my sheltered and spoiled existance.

My Ravens lost to the Steelers. I was so bummed. Even one of the kids in the neighborhood came by and said he felt bad for me. He actually came over to play with my boy but he did say sorry.

Hmmm... I've worked at the preschool. One of the kids told her mom that Jules and I hit her. It was cool though, I know her mom. She laughed about it. This little angel has also threatened her parents that she will tell Ms Sabrina that they were bad and I would spank them. By the way, we really don't hit the kids, at least not that hard.
I'm just kidding. Don't get your knickers in a bunch.

I got to go riding last Friday. I had not ridden in over a month. Although it was a short ride I have been sore for two days. I am so old.

I went for a check up recently. I have to get a mammogram now that I am 40. Lord, help me I am so old.

We finished painting the family room. Picture coming soon.

Oh, on a good note. I have lost 4 pounds.

Well, you are all caught up. That didn't take long.

Have a happy day.
Sabrina

Under pressure

This week has/is a long one. I had to go back to work. I just work at a pre-school. I work with two year olds. I have been doing this for 3 years now. I am a little jaded at this point. I teach with my friend Jules. I seriously couldn't make it without her. Let me give you a glimpse into the elusive pre-school world. We have a kid in our class that his parents describe him as 'exceptional'. Well, exceptional he is...
Today we were working on a color sheet and this is the dialogue I had.
'Exceptional' says... "I need more sex."
Me... "huh"
'Exceptional'... " I need more sex"
Jules... "yeh, we all do". She never misses a beat.
me... "What is it?"... "did I hear him right?"
'Exceptional'... "I need more sex"
me... "one more time sweetie..you want more crayons?
'Exceptional'... "No, I need more sex"
This went on for a little more. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Ok... I am sure I just couldn't decipher what he was trying to get across. But it was amusing nonetheless.

Later on... I was reading a book about a puppy. The puppy was trying to get out of the gate in the fence. I asked the class...
me... "what would happen if the puppy ran out the fence?"
'Exceptional'..."that would suck"
me... yes, yes it would. Or, he might get lost.

This is our future.
*******************

On to the home front....

And this is my mess at home. My man received paint from my folks for Christmas. Lucky guy.

So, we were going to begin painting the family room. Step One... take everything off the walls, patch holes, and move the furniture away from the walls. And Step One is as far as we have gotten. Some how this disaray effects me emotionally. I am in disaray.

Finally... I am in charge of the food for a women's brunch at church on Friday. I thought I was just volunteering to to help with food. In my mind this meant bring a dish. But since no one else offered help, I am now in charge of food. so, I am getting a bit stressed. But is isn't stopping at Friday morning. My man told me yesterday that we have to make chili for a missions dinner Friday night. Then, for the Saturday night Missions dinner, I am in charge of appetizers. All that keeps going through my head is the Queen song, Under Pressure. I understand for most this isn't a big deal. But I am easily overwhelmed.

These are my character flaws... easily amused by helpless two year olds and easily overwhelmed by how much and what stuff to buy for a crowd.

I know this post is all over the place... I am watching House Hunters International as I write. I would love to be shoping for a flat in Paris right about now.

***This was written Tuesday but I had trouble uploading the picture.

Have a happy day.
Sabrina

Some more scenes of Christmas

Happy New Years everyone.
I missed my one New Year's special thing... I missed the Rose Parade. Can you believe it? One of my favorite things and I missed it. We were taking down all the Christmas stuff. And I didn't even realize I missed it until today. My man said my goal of being productive got in the way of one of the highlights of my year. Gee thanks I feel better about it already.


Here are some more scenes of Christmas. These are with my man's family. They are big givers. I don't even bother trying to keep up with pictures.

****Caution PG-13 stuff****
Below is my father in law. He is wearing his new Christmas shirt, which makes me laugh every time I see it. He is full of Christmas spirit.


This is my niece Miss K. She is two.

She got a new camera for Christmas. A blogger in the making.

Here is another neice, Baby C. I could eat her up with a spoon she is so cute.


Ok, just a couple more..... my boy asked for a pocket knife for Christmas. Tell me what you think...
Does anyone else see a problem with an 8yr old walking around with a dagger? Or is it just me? This put a whole new meaning to the line from A Christmas Story..."You'll put your eye out".

Finally, speaking of A Christmas Story... my man got this...
Have a happy day!
Sabrina

I think I can

The man and I are going on a cruise in February. We are both fat and the cruise is 8 weeks away.

I am a last minute person. Normally eight weeks is not last minute. But, quite frankly, in the weight loss game it is. This week we embarked on a crunch time weight loss plan. We are getting 'serious'. At least that's what we say we are doing. My man has a better work ethic than me. He will put his mind to something and it will get done. I however am like a kitten. I stay focused for about...... ummm what was I talking about? You get the point.

So, what does this mean to you. Well, pretty much nothing. But I thought that if I occasionally blog about it then I will be more accountable. So, reader (all 3 of you) beware.

Yesterday I wrote down what I ate. Looked up fast weight loss on WebMD. Bought some fruits and vegetables. Then we went to Outback for dinner. And ordered cheese fries. Do you see any humor in this? I hang my head in shame.

But wait.... there is a glimmer of hope. For the record... I think the amount of cheese fries on the platter have decreased. I only had a small slice of cheese fries. Lord have mercy, do you know the amount of will power and restraint that took? I practically broke a sweat. For dinner I had chicken on the barbie (BBQ sauce on the side) AND I cut it in half! I only had the vegetables for a side.

When we got home my man said he wanted to work out. I just wanted to put on sweats and watch TV. In my opinion, I had worked out the equivalent of an hour by not eating all the cheese fries. He said 'Nay, nay'. Again the work ethic of that man. So, I got on the treadmill for 10 minutes and the eliptical for 10minutes. Not alot but something. Oh, and I did some weight training. Key word being some.

When I woke up this morning I felt it. Surely, I have lost 5-7lbs. Not so. Oh the injustices of this sin filled world.

***I made it 25min. today. Yippee****
Have a happy day.
Sabrina

Scenes of Christmas

We spent Christmas at my parents house this year. We all ejoyed it very much.


My girl learned to cross-stitch. Grandmother showed her and she just took off. She did about 1 a day.

She tried to teach her brother. She told him it is something he can do down at Grandmother and Grand-daddy's house and his friends won't have to know. I thought that was very considerate.

He did not take to cross-stitching. And went back to his computer games.

Both learned to play Dominoes. I think we played this every day we were there. It was nice something all three generations could play. However, I was a bit ashamed to be beat by 8 and 1 year olds.

It was the season of games. We as a family got lots of games.

This picture makes me laugh. Bobo got his rip-stick. He had to wait til we got home to ride it because Grand-daddy lives on a gravely road.

Peanut is into Aeropostle clothing now. Fortunately they have great sales. I was able to hit up the clearance rack and get load up on t-shirts for $2.99 a piece. Love it!

Even Skye received some special Christmas treats.

It was wonderful to celebrate the Saviour's birth and the blessings He has given us with family.

Have a happy day.
Sabrina