2008 In Review

6719+ photos later...
That's how many photos I have uploaded to my Shutterfly account this year as of this minute.
That's not including any that I take today or tonight.
And I didn't print 1/4 of those...yet.

Ally did a Layout Year In Review...which inspired me to do my own like this.
Here's what we did this year...What did you do?

January
We moved to Collins, Georgia from frigid Minnesota.
February
We celebrate Valentine's Day and Erik's birthday long distance as Tommy, Gabby, and Erik are still in Minnesota.
The girls see the ocean for the first time and are in love.
March
Tommy and Erik bring Gabby down along with 1/2 of our furniture and stuff.
Puppies are born...3 out of 7 lived.
April
Ashley turns 18...MAJOR milestone for the child that wasn't supposed to live to tell about it.
I start my job at the office after my trip to Minnesota for the B&I Wedding.
May
Kids get out of school...and actually adjusted well and loved it.
June
Tommy and Erik come home in time for Natalea's birthday.
Erik sees the ocean for the first time.
July
Kylie comes to visit.
Tommy celebrates his birthday and a new job.
August
Kids start school and Erik adjusts well to a new football team.
September
I celebrate my birthday.
October
Halloween is a learning experience here and fun at the same time.
November
Mo's birthday is celebrated by Bowling and the kids have a blast.
Thanksgiving is spent quietly at home with a nice ham dinner.
December
Gabby's birthday is spent quietly at home.
Annie Lynn comes for Christmas vacation.
New Year's Eve is the traditional Monopoly Marathon.
(Only decision is WHICH Monopoly to play!)

I also found Faith in God, myself, and others this year.
I changed my attitude and in doing so, changed my life.
I accomplished things I'd never thought I'd live to see.
And we've had an amazing year because of all that.
I can't wait to see what 2009 brings us!
Happy New Year's Eve and Happy New Year!
Love,
TT

UnOfficial Transcript

APM 311-OL Management Functions 3.00 3.00 A- 11.100
GD 100-OL Introduction to Graphic Design 7.00 7.00 A 28.000
PDC 111-OL Success Strategies 3.00 3.00 A 12.000
TERM GPA : 3.931 TERM TOTALS : 13.00 13.00 51.100
CUM GPA : 3.931 CUM TOTALS : 13.00 22.00 51.100
Dean's List
Good Standing

See that ^ in blue?
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
You have to get a 3.75 to make the Dean's List.
This HOT MOMMA CHICK has a 3.931.
IN MY LIFE...
I HAVE NEVER
EVER
made the Dean's List.
Ask my mom.
My education has always been a struggle for me.
I can't retain information long enough to pass tests.
But somehow and God willing, I have done what I always thought impossible.
My dear Blog Readers, I can't tell you and stress enough...
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
If you put your mind to it.
Concentrate and REALLY try....
Believe
and you will
Achieve.

Thank you God.
Thank you family.
Thank you friends.
I'd like to accept this Oscar on behalf of Oscar.

On another note...we have to make the trek to Atlanta today to take Lynn up to the airport for her flight home. She's SO not looking forward to the snow and cold. I tried to tell her to stay...she's not havin' any of it...so away we go.
Happy Saturday!
Love,
TT

Christmas Day

This is what the kids woke up to on Christmas day.

They have been truly blessed this year.

After we opened up all this, we headed to the beach at Tybee Island...our favorite spot.

My boys love the sand...

My girls love the surf...
These 2 just love the water...

Which was chilly, but the day was balmy and 80 degrees.

SO worth the trip and the hour and a half drive.

I love that we can do that...spend our Christmas day on the beach.

AWESOME.

(Now if I can just convince my family to move here too...it'd be PERFECT!)

Happy Boxing Day!

Love,

TT

Ralphie and Annie Oakley's

WARNING: THIS IS HYSTERICAL!

I have my very own Annie Oakley right here. She looks SO serious as she tries to hit that bleach jug that's about 6 feet or so from her to the left. We got Erik a bb/pellet gun for Christmas this year. We even wrapped it up for Lynn...he didn't think that was funny...but we're still rollin' about it!! He knows the rules that come with it though, especially after being around guns with his Auntie Cheryl all these years. The girls also know the rules.

Here's Gabby taking her turn...funny thing is...now the girls want their own too!! Who knew they had hunting in their blood...
Here they are on the tramp...they looked like they were waiting on a deer to come jump out at them...hysterical, I tell ya!

Anywho, I am off to edit more photos and then off to Hobby Lobby to see what I can find for my scraproom...I need to get this project in gear and organize it vertically! Hopefully they will have shelving on sale...and I have to get laundry soap at least sometime today. I may spend the extra 2 bucks and get it from the grocery store...and AVOID Wal-Mart like the PLAGUE today!!

For the record...Natalea didn't shoot the gun nor had any interest in doing so...she's LOVING the iPod...so THANK YOU MEGAN!!!

Love,

TT

I Saw Santa Claus!!

Just outside of Lyons, Georgia is a lil ole town of probably 200 people at most called Santa Claus.

It is about 10 minutes from the office.

And they are SERIOUS about Santa Claus.

At night they light thousands of luminaries on the carefully named roads to map the way to the various Christmas lights around town. We hope you get a feel of our visit with Santa Claus.

Scooby Doo was even there.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas...we are going to the beach!

Love,

TT

One More Thing...

They REALLY DO have an outdoor ice rink in Atlanta, Georgia in Centennial Park. Here is the proof and notice the puddle of water at 8:30 a.m. on a balmy Saturday morning. I'm flabbergasted that it's not ALL water!

This was taken on our trip to Atlanta last weekend to pick up Lynn, before we went to Coke World.

TT

Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas...
And all through the house...
My stockings are hung...
My presents are wrapped...
Bring it on!

Today is a day for relaxation. Both at work and at home.
We are having our Christmas party at noon today for the whole work family and our families are included to be there.
Mr. Salter likes for the younguns to be there...and it keeps him young.

After that we are going to see Santa Claus...not the Big Guy, the little town in Georgia only 11 minutes from my office.
Then we can say we've seen Santa Claus..lol!
(I'm taking pictures of course)

Then we'll come home to play games and party on Wayne, party on Garth with snacks and stuff.
And celebrate our blessings this year.

Tommy will start at the Rogers Prison on January 16 at 7:15 a.m. He'll train there for a week then head up north to Forsythe for a 4 week training course. He'll be home on the weekends though...me and the kids...we got this!! Oh yeah, speaking of kids...I promised them a Nintendo Wii if he got hired...guess I won't be making any more of THOSE anytime soon!!!


Happy Christmas Eve!
I hope you've been as blessed as we have this year!
With all my love,
TT

Trampin' Yankees

Oh Christmas Tree....
Here is what I did for gifts for the folks at the office. The majority of them got trees...as that's what they wanted. I did 3 snowmen too. I think a total of 13 projects...Lynn picked out a tree.
On to the trampin' yankee childrens...
Love this shot of Mo with her hair all spread out...this girl LOVES that trampoline. She goes out in the morning and evening to get her tramp on....seriously too funny!!

Her and Erik have a blast...he jumps and she bounces...and giggles...and laughs...and loves her brother...and he loves her too.

She thinks she's cool...cause she can do tricks...touch her toes...and front flips...with supervision, of course. Go get your tramp on girl!

Two more days until Christmas...I'm getting excited as Santa will be stopping here for some pretty good yankee childrens this year. I can't wait to see their faces when they see it all! That's my favorite part I think...Happy Tuesday...today and tomorrow left to work then I'm off until January 2, 2009. Where DID the year go?

Love,

TT

In Perfect Harmony

I'd like to see the world....
Our trip to World of Coca-Cola started like this. This is the first thing you see when you walk in and they bombard you with a group photo. For $24.95 you can have one too when you go there.

A close up of the bottle from Africa....for my brother Remmy.
Lynn and the kids on the Centennial Park playground...all the stone-looking pieces are recycled and sponge-like. I even went down the slide...more photos on that later when I transfer Lynn's pics to the puter.

The buildings across the way from our hotel room balcony.

At night.

Now we're off to Paula Deen's restaurant Lady & Sons in Savannah.

More on that later...my camera is attached.

Happy Sunday!

(Thanks for the iPod Megan!)

Love,

TT

Questions

So, does scheduling your husband to get a "New Hire Packet" mean he got hired?

(I think so!)

Do you ever STOP believing in Santa Clause?

(I'll NEVER stop believing!)

Is this Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 4 more compact?

(Only 4 installation disks + 1 Content and 1 Learning)

Will the next 12 hours FLY by?

(I hope so...at least the next 8)

Do I owe my children a Nintendo Wii?

(YES! I promised to get one if Tommy got hired at the prison)

Did my mom LOVE Rem's book?

(ABSOFRICKINLUTELY! But did he...is the real test!)

I do have photos I'll post...this weekend sometime, I'm sure!!

Stay tuned until next time.....

Happy Friday!

Love,

TT

Um, Yeah

Um, yeah, we had that air conditioner on yesterday. December 17, 2008. The AIR.
UNbelieveable.

If you want a cute, quick craft to do with the kids....head over to Kim Kesti's place and check out her crafty self. SHE ROCKS IT and puts Martha Stewart to SHAME! I must get that book too...much as my kids like to craft.

Anywho, it's Thursday.
Mother said she has a package for me better than the lottery.
It MUST be George Michael in a box. Hehe.
He'd be the only thing I can think of right now anyway.

Things left to do before tomorrow.....
Finish packing bags
Work on gifts
Get gift bags
Laundry
Charge camera battery
Pray I don't get that crap going around at work
and I'm sure some other things I can't think of right now at 4:50 a.m.

Final grades are in....STRAIGHT A's BABY!!!
Intro To Graphic Design=95.38
Management=91.29
Success Strategies=97.8
I think I might've made the Dean's List...more on that when I find out!
Not bad for an old lady with 4 kids and a full time job. Now if I can just get OUT of that damn Math class....Where is MADEA when I need her??

I have cards to make and send out too...apparently some folks thought us worthy of cards this year...hehehe. I wasn't going to send any out, guess that'll be added to my list!

Erik made a cane for the oldest member of the Legion in Vidalia and will present it to him tonight at a dinner we are invited to go to for Scouts. I'll bring my camera and post photos. (I know I owe you photos from weeks ago too!) He really worked hard on it, sanding and staining and finally applying the clear coat. He could go into business for himself and may have to take orders tonight. I may have to price it for him...$20 a cane. For all the work he's done, it's a fair price.

Kwanzaa is coming up...wonder if mom will celebrate it with Rem? He is of african decent you know...pretty cool if you ask me. It'd be a new tradition...maybe I'll research that one and start it up here too...add that to my list!

Happy Thursday!
Love,
TT

December 17, 2008

Let it be known...
It's 80 degrees here today.
It was foggier than all get out this morning.
There was a MOSQUITO on my windshield this morning.
And my van really does run smooth with some fresh tires on it.
(THANKS MOM!)

Sad but true, it's below zero in Minnesota with some freshly fallen snow (like 10 inches on the ground or more).

And I don't feel so hot.
The flu is going around up here, so I hope I'm not getting it.
I'd be mad....I'm not missing the Madea Tour for NOTHING!!
Speaking of which...wonder if there are studio tours?
I'm off to check...
Toodles!
Love,
TT

9 Days

Can you believe it?
Only 9 more days until Christmas is here and Santa makes his yearly appearance.
We are about done here, with a few more things to pick up for Santa being the last of our shopping.

I can't believe how this year has flown by. It's been amazing living down here in Georgia and we'll have been here a year next month on the 12th! I'll reflect more on that towards the new year.

Some things for me to finish up...
Laundry
Gifts to make
Last minute shopping
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda.

We have Boy Scouts tonight, then a Legion Dinner on Thursday. Hopefully I won't catch the flu that my boss has so lovingly decided to share. :) I just don't have time for that. NOT.AT.ALL.
Friday is fast approaching too.
Kids get out at 11:15 on Thursday...Tom is ECSTATIC! (*NOT*)
I may take Friday off.
I'll find out today.

Happy Tuesday.
Love,
TT

Monday's Musings

So far....
91% in Management
97% in Success Strategies
Still waiting on the Intro to Graphic Design (still at a 98% as of this morning).
He has until Thursday to grade, so we'll have to wait for hottie instructor.

Classy Coordinates is giving away free sketches here:

http://www.classycoordinates.com/Classy_Co...A_DAY_CLUB.html

We sold Chubbie. After 9 months.
To the same guy that bought Diamond.
No more breeding for us for a while.

Back to peace and quiet in the mornings.
I have to make my list today of things to get done before Friday.
Christmas is coming, ya know.
Happy Monday!

Love,
TT

Life Is Good

It's Friday.
MyPoints came through yesterday.
I'm going to get stocking stuffers after work or maybe on my lunch.
I can hide them here, at the office.
I may be going to Hobby Lobby tomorrow.
Hehehe.
The kids will stay home. They don't like my 3 hour tours in there.
OR
I bring Big Daddy and we leave the kidlins home...hmmm...
I'll have to ask him if he wants to make that trip.

We got our hams yesterday from Mr. W.L.
DANG...not sure my crock pot is big enough...we'll see next week though!

Happy Friday...I'll be taking finals this weekend...planned for tonight after work so I can have my weekend back to clean up that craft room...eyeing some cool shelves from Wal-Mart with a towel rack for my ribbon to hang...more on that later...
Love,
TT

On Vacation

Beginning December 24, 2008 at 12:00 sharp, I will be on vacation.

Right ^ there.

This is my final project poster. I think it turned out very well.

Wait until I get that new CS4.

I'm tellin' ya...you won't be disappointed!

Happy Thursday...isn't it 5 O' Clock somewhere?

I need a Margarita.

Cheers!

Love,

TT

Mack Daddy Program

OMG.

I found out yesterday through a classmate that we get a FREE upgrade to the Adobe CS4 software.

For those of you who don't know, this software, on the Adobe site, is $2499.00.

$899 for just the UPGRADE.

WE GET IT FOR FREE.

I love school.

You think I can do tricks now, heh, WAIT N SEE BABY!

I am taking that Digital Illustration class that focuses on the Illustrator part of that program.

I CAN'T WAIT!

Easy A here, I think.

(I got my books yesterday and OMG I hate math!)

This A will be a struggle, but I'm confident I will get it done.

The Computer Applications book is the same one I had for the Office XP class I took 3+ years ago, only for Office 2007. And it's THICKER.

Easy A though, right there.

So, alas, I still maintain momentum with the A's.

I feel good about it too.

Everything else, I've handed over to God to handle for me.

While we didn't win the Mega Millions last night, there's still hope for us in doing so.

Tyler Perry rules once again and continues to do good in this world and influence little people like myself. Go Madea G0!

Amen.

When I get my new program (or maybe in my not so spare time this weekend) I will edit and post some photos.

Oh and watch for a package to arrive next week also Mother. I picked up some cute things for my lil bro.

Happy Wednesday.

Love,

TT

I Sold A Diamond

Yep, it's true.
Our little girl Diamond was sold to a hunter yesterday.
He's gonna field train her to hunt duck.
She'll like that since she likes to retrieve anyway.

Chubbie sure misses her and Peanut was going nuts yesterday when they were here.
The kids miss her too, but it sure was quiet this morning until all the kids got up. The dogs didn't start squirming until then.

Tonight, I'll have the kids bring Chubbie inside. No sense in keeping him out there by himself now and besides, it's cold out there. My ultimate goal is to get him to be like Peanut in the house. And eventually we'll get Midnight neutered.

Happy Monday.
Back to work day.
School schedule confirmed. I will be taking Digital Imaging, Computer Applications, and College Algebra. Guess who's gonna be busy learning Algebro. It won't be Madea. Heh.
Love,
TT

Thoughts

My horoscope said...A person from your past will surprise you.
I didn't know it'd be Pinarello. Hehe.
Hello my friend, hello. I've missed you too!
Thank you for the kind words...Muah!

Now, grade check. By posting my grades publicly, I'm not only answering to myself, but to all of you, my blog readers as well. This is a team project, and I need your support and understanding most of all.

Management=92%
Intro to Graphic Design=98%
Success Strategies=96%
Average=95%

You have no idea what those grades mean to me. There is this week and next left of this term and I'm over the top THRILLED with my progress. Having a learning disability has not stopped me from succeeding this time. My strategy is to take it week by week and not look ahead and it's working.

I'm sorry that I've neglected you, my friends and family, but this is something that has to be done in order for us to have a better future. The rewards will far outweigh the struggles to get there. Hang in there with me, please.

Now, when I win the Mega Millions...(it's up to 170+ million now)
~I'm donating a million dollars to Collins School for a gymnasium that has air conditioning. First and foremost. Already told Principle Freeman. Hehe. We're calling it Trump Auditorium.
~Second...my family will get a million each. At least.
~Children's Hospital in Minneapolis gets a couple million to build a nice family area with real beds so that next time I spend the night there, I'm comfy.
~My friends (and you know who you are) will be outfitted with a new abode.
~I'll be dining with George Michael in London after I'm done with all that (and a nice donation to the Goss-Michael Foundation)
~The secretaries will have a nice Christmas at the office with at least $25,000 apiece for them and their families.
~I'd donate $5000 to each family at Collins School so that they could have a good Christmas too.
~A new house with farm land for us and new vehicles too.
~A hefty donation to the Epilepsy Foundation as well as Camp Oz and Camp Odayin. I want kids to experience what I did.
~I might have to quit my job and tour the United States. That'll be lastly though.
Bottom line is...I'd share.
I didn't get to where I am today without help and if I had that much money, I'd sure help someone else. Sure, the odds are few and far between, but you know what..mark my words right here...it's in writing...and don't doubt me...this could be my next mission. hehe.

Saturday in the park, I think it was almost Christmas.
We have 2 parades today...Vidalia and Lyons.
Someone was AWFULLY ambitious and entered the boy scouts in them both.
One is at 10:15 this morning and the other is at 6 tonight. Nothing like wasting a day.
I have a patch to sew on.
Toodles and Happy Saturday.
Say your prayers that we win that MegaMillions.
Love,
TT

P.S. The girls basketball team won their game last night 23-22 against Metter. AWESOME game...one of the best girls' game's I've seen in my LIFE! I'll try to edit photos, even though Nat didn't play, I feel like the team photog. Hehe! It's great practice!

Happy Birthday Gabryelle

Eleven years ago today you were born.
Who knew you'd grow to be such a card of a child.
At 11 years old, you love to read and hate band (so you say!).
You excel in school with straight A's and continue to read your way into the worlds of the characters in your books.
I can't wait to see what the next 7 years brings us Baby Girl.
You make being a momma an easy job (most days) and I think Daddy would agree.
We love you very much Gabryelle Jeanie.
Happy Birthday Sweet P.!
Love,
Mom and Dad
Erik, Natalea, and Monique

All I Want For Christmas...

Is NOT my 2 front teeth!

I had my children sit down and make their Christmas Wish Lists the other day. Here's what they came up with...all on their own I might add. Truly a scrapbooking moment...read on...

Erik
BB/Pellet Gun
MP3 Player
24 Pack of Mt. Dew (IMAGINE THAT!)
Pellets/BB's

Natalea
Jonas Brothers Posters
MP3 Player
Jeans
Bras

Gabryelle
A New House
Nintendo DS

MoMo (That's how she did it on her list..lol)
Wii
X-Box360
PSP
PS3
PS
Video Games
Animal Crossing-Wii
The Punisher-PS

(She's definitely been hanging around HER brother too much!)

So, Santa Baby, if you're so magical, make it happen. ;)

On other lists...
Ashley wants Aeropostale
Megan wants Hollister
(WHEN did they get so bougie? Aunt Jan is rollin' over on them bougie girls! HA!)

As for Tom and I, well we just want to win the MegaMillions so we can share it with y'all.
*I think that's a whole nother post!*
Collins, GA would never be the same and everyone here and there would have a real Christmas instead of a Charlie Brown one. (That's on soon too..watch CBS for details)
Pray hard.
Happy Christmas...as George says.
Love,
TT

25 Days Until Christmas

Are you ready?
We're not.
Money is too tight and we're definitely feeling the economic money crunch here.
Thank goodness for MyPoints and redeeming our points.
And for Grandma's who buy cool presents.
And for Aunts who buy more cool presents.
And for teachers who really like my Yankee children.

One day, my ship will come in and we'll share it with all the less unfortunate.
Until then, we'll carry on and be grateful for what we have and not dwell on what we don't have.

Things to do this month...
Gabby's Birthday (ARE YOU LISTENING MOM?) is on Wednesday.
Make sure there are 2 presents for each child, one for the stocking, the other under the tree.
Get the crafting done, rethink my tags, and make Christmas cards to send out.

Until next time...
Happy Monday!
Love,
TT