I told you I would keep you updated. So here it is! I have FINALLY begun the "de-decorating" process. I understand that I am among the last 5 people in America to take down my Christmas decorations, but I admit it. I really wasn't that worried about it! I did see that MckMama still has her tree up. However, she does have four kids running around and I have absolutely no excuse except that I've been terribly unproductive and played all week and weekend! It was fun! Now, it's time to tackle the decorations before my neighbors start calling!

As you know, Russ and I will be moving this summer. The longer I stared at my decorations, the more I thought about how I would pack them up. I wanted to pack them up to move. Organized! Not in the random duct taped cardboard and gift boxes. Russ and I stopped by Bed, Bath, and Beyond to pick up a shower gift when I saw this:


These ornament organizers are fantastic! And, if it wasn't so cold outside, I'd drive over there right now and buy 10 more! The dividers are made of a thick foam and the red wrap is a thin foam. Very attractive to the eyes. And, we all know that the key to organization is having a nice look!

Doesn't it look nice? And, the best part is that it fits perfectly inside a 60 quart Rubbermaid container.


I also purchased another ornament organizer. This piece was used for the random ornaments on my tree. The dividers are adjustable in size.

The three layers snap together to form one solid carrier.

Once all my ornaments were off the tree and garland, I neatly labeled the boxes for future use. Now, my sweet hubby has placed these organized ornaments all together in the back of the attic.

Next Christmas, they are sure to be easily accessible and neatly organized!

Next step, pack and box my Christmas dishes and other random decor in a neatly organized way. Who knows when that will be!

Ir a la capilla

Simply translated: "Goin' to the Chapel!"

Clancy and Jack are that much closer to tying the knot. Last night, Russ and I attended a wedding shower for Clancy and Jack at Papitos. How fun! When we first arrived, we looked around and really didn't know anyone. It didn't take long to meet some of the other bridesmaids and I had a great time! Of course, Russ always meets friends everywhere he goes. So, I never worry about him! Ha!

We had the back section of the restaurant to ourselves, which was good because there were a lot of guests! We were loud, and we had fun. Did I mention we had fun?

After everyone had arrived and ordered supper, we worked in groups of four writing down something we wanted Clancy and Jack to have to do right then. Of course, we were NOT nice about it! We tried to write something that would embarrass them to death.

Katie and Jeremy writing our "dare." I was NOT at the table when Russ, Katie, and Jeremy came up with ours, so I can not be held responsible! Ha!

However, the joke was on us! You see, Clancy and Jack read the requests along with the names of the people who wrote it down. And WE had to do it - not Clancy and Jack! So funny!

Clancy and Jack reading one of the "dares."

After supper, Clancy and Jack opened gifts. We all brought a gift for the kitchen.

Clancy opening our gift

Uncle Howard, Aunt Patsy, and Clancy

cousins

Looks like Russ and Jack are "goin' to the chapel!" Ha!

The Johnsons and soon-to-be Redmons

One thing's for sure! This is going to be a fun wedding! Or as Clancy said, "This is how we roll around here!" Ha!

The happy couple

Not So Easy Gettin' Started

So, I made my resolutions. And I'm doing okay, I think. However, this recent "Arctic Blast" thingy that is NOT dropping snow here has me a little hesitant about getting out in shorts. I do realize that I'm not actually running outdoors and I should just suck it up. And once I get there and get walking I'll be hot. But, just thinking about how warm and cozy I was yesterday after school laying on the couch playing Mario Bros. and actually having to get up and put shorts on to step out in 15 degree weather! Well, it made me feel like this:


And I'm thinking about all those people who ran in the Blues Marathon this morning! Wow!

But, I did it...with a little lot of help from my hubby. I got out and ran inside the gym to keep from being frostbitten. I did it. And after I did it, showered, and got dressed for my hot (actually very cold) date with my hubby, I felt more like this:

It's not so easy getting started. But, the feeling after is great!

So after I drug myself to the gym, Russ and I headed out for dinner at PF Chang's and a movie. Russ has been dying to see Avatar since Christmas. And since I'm trying to be a better wife these days, I decided we could go.

I must say that it was awesome! The visuals were obviously phenomenal. But there was also a lot of action and even a love story for me! Yay! Of course, it is 3-D so we all looked pretty nerdy with our 3-D glasses on. Ha! But, a great movie! Since we were so late getting started with our night: eating supper at 9:00 and a movie at 10:10, we didn't return home until after 1 AM! It's been a long time since I've had such a late date night! I'm getting old - well, the Wii told me that already! Ha!

Russ is off this weekend, which makes late nights even more enjoyable and less stressful. No one had work in mind, and we were able to sleep in this morning. I, of course, slept in later than Russ. When I woke up he was already up playing the Wii. I got a short turn before he took back over, and now we're about to head out to run a couple of errands and eat a late lunch. My Christmas decorations are still up, and I'm just not sure if they will come down today. Maybe tomorrow. Or maybe next week. Ha! I'll keep you posted on that one!

Happy Saturday!

Sub Sandwiches and Salad

Whenever sub sandwiches and crunchy romaine salad are on the menu, Russ automatically knows what that means. Pat and Felicia will be joining us. This is by far the easiest and quickest meal I've ever fixed besides mac and cheese. It's almost embarrassing that it is the big hit with the Robbins. But, Pat loves it. So, I fix it. Felicia has grown to like the salad, and I am happy to fix such a stress-free meal taking a maximum of 20 minutes from start to finish!


We haven't seen Pat and Felicia since Russ has been in Corinth, so we decided to get together. Felicia walked in and immediately told me she dressed comfortably for the Wii Fit. Ha! So, after dinner, we pulled out the Wii. After Felicia and I killed each other and ourselves numerous times on Mario Bros., Russ hooked up Wii Fit. As you may remember, I am apparently 30 years old according to my Wii Fit age while my sweet husband is a mere 24. Such a youngster! I was feeling a bit depressed about this until Pat and Felicia came over. Felicia was totally 42! Hilarious! In her defense, she took the test again and was 35. I'm thinking she is the one that is on my level and can be my running partner. Hmmm...

Next, Pat took a turn.
He wasn't happy with his age either. Russ is just a baby, we've all decided.

Russ showing off his Wii fitness...and YES, I still have my Christmas tree up! Get over it!

Farley acted especially peculiar last night. I'm thinking he wasn't getting enough attention since I didn't put Toby down except for him to nurse. Ha! So, in case you didn't know...

Farley was there too.

Once again, I did not pull out the grades or lesson plans. I enjoyed my time with friends and family. I'm thinking this new year is gonna be a great one!

Back in a Routine

So, I guess the holidays are really over! I woke up Monday morning with a not so pleasant attitude for sure. I wanted to throw my new beloved iPhone across the room when that alarm sounded at 5:00 AM. Of course I would never do such a thing since it was such a hassle to get one in the first place. But the thought crossed my mind for a mere second. The great thing about waking up Monday morning for work was that my hubby was laying there beside me! For those of you who don't know, Russ has been working in Corinth since the first of November. Yes, living with his parents and being fed home-cooked meals each night, no doubt. Unfortunately for him, he's back to MY cooking. Ha! I haven't woken up to him on a work day in a while, so my attitude became a little perkier. I sat in the parking lot of the school and said a little prayer for my sweet ones and for me! I needed the strength to get back into a routine. All went well. My students came in (mostly sleepy like me), but happy to be back. Excited to tell me what they got for Christmas or what fun thing they did. They all couldn't wait to tell me that Charles couldn't swim at Lyric's swimming party. We laughed. We learned. We got back into a routine.

I've returned to work with a new attitude. I was completely stressed and close to miserable last nine weeks. Not for any reason other than my own stress and overwhelmth (I do realize that is probably not a word!). My new attitude when coming into the building on Monday was - "work." That is exactly what my day is. It is work. Although I love my work, my students, my coworkers, and have the greatest administration support. My job is simply that. I love my work and I can have my work. But, my new attitude is that my job is my work...not my life. My work does not need to keep me up til wee hours of the morning working on paperwork, lesson plans, and test data analysis. I will do my best at my job because God tells us to. He tells that in all we do, we do for His glory. But, Russ is home now and I'm tired of being tired from work. I want to enjoy my students, enjoy my friends at work, and I want to TEACH. So, that's what I'm doing. Of course, we had deadlines and paperwork due immediately upon our return just like all teachers did. However, I did not work on school over my break and I did not stress about it. I did what I could do and I was fine with that. I worked on lesson plans Monday night - completed five plans to be exact (out of the ten that were due the next day). I did not average grades. (I finished those today at 10:30.) I sat down with my husband for a few minutes, went to the gym, took a car to Gateway to fix a flat tire, fixed supper, and played a couple of games of Mario Bros. on Russ's new Wii. THIS is my life. And my work is my work. I will try to do both for the glory of God. I will work hard because that's what I do. I do it full out. And, I will live hard. Because that's what I want to do. And I want to do it full out.

With that being said, I am pleased to announce that my life just got fuller!!! Because, we now have our own internet!!! Woo hoo!!! Those of you that know us know our internet story. We love our sweet neighbors! Ha! But, we have been without internet completely since before Christmas. So, yesterday we got connected! It was a little more difficult due to some major rigged up connections in the attic, but they got it figured out. So, woo hoo! No more taking the lap top to Barnes and Noble to blog and schedule five posts at a time. I am blogging from my very own living room!

While Comcast hooked up our internet, my mom, Maw Maw, and Pops stopped by. Maw Maw has been in town getting a treatment, visiting with friends, and taking care of her house that is for sale. My mom came in town to take Pops to the cardiologist and bring Maw Maw back to Corinth. Anyhoo...Russ is the only one in the family that knows how to clean and fix Pops's hearing aids. (I do realize you may be laughing now!) So, Mama brought those by for him to clean. In the meantime, Pops just looks around and every once in a while says, "Huh?" Bless his heart! Can't hear a thing without those hearing aids! After the internet and hearing aid ceremony, Maw Maw treated us to supper at Cheddar's. We had a great time!

Maw Maw, Russ, and me

Pops and Mama

Mama and Maw Maw headed home, and Russ and I came home to tidy up (me), study (Russ), take a Tylenol PM (me), and let our heads hit the pillows!

Tonight, we are having friends over for supper. So, I'm about to go get to cooking! Life is good!

Yes, I am back in a routine. Work AND life! And I love it!

Yaya New Year's Party

Well, Russ had to head back home so that he could work on New Year's Eve. (Boo!) I stayed in town and celebrated the new year with the Yayas! Actually, Mama, Daddy, and I drove north to peruse some neighborhoods for our upcoming move. After driving through several areas, we decided to eat supper at Stix in Memphis. Yummy! After supper, we drove over to Hernando to check out The Square Cupboard, a gift shop Jamie opened last year. It was so cute! On our way home, Yaya Sherra began texting me about fireworks. Apparently no one knows what to do in order to get fireworks. They said that Daddy was the "connection." I guided them through the "incognito haggling" involved in getting fireworks at a good price - the good ones. I also told them exactly what to get. Well...this proved to be unsuccessful. So, Daddy stopped on our way into town and was able to get a good deal on the fireworks we desired. Once the Yaya's knew this it was "on like a hambone" as they would say. Ha! We all headed over to Sherra's for a Yaya New Year's celebration.

Me and Yaya Teri

The Yaya hubbies

Landon and Marcee

The girls

After visiting and laughing our heads off, it was time to watch "Boomville," missiles, and "One Bad Mother-in-law" do their stuff. Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the names associated with these explosives. But, they are great to watch!

The whole "official" Yaya crew

So, it's 2010! Happy New Year!

"Sweet" Celebration

The Tuesday after Christmas, Aunt Julie invited us over for dessert with her children and grandchildren. Russ and I were so happy to see everyone. We only see some of these family members once a year at Christmas, and it's always fun to see how all the children have grown. Aunt Julie had their house beautifully decorated and the smell wassail filled the house. I just love their home!

Sisters - Aunt Julie and Russ's mom

The Johnson sister-in-laws

Julie and Joy (Kent's wife)

Russ's mom and Seth

Joy's son and wife

Roan, Vivien, Katie, Olivia, and Julie

The little ones had a grand time!

Russ, his mom, and Kent

Katie, Hannah, and Brett

Doug, Missy, Ty, and Julie

We had a great time, and I wish we could get together more often! Thanks Aunt Julie and Uncle Bill for such a "sweet" celebration!

Guesstures

One of the many fun things about being home for the holidays is playing games with the family. I admit that I am a "Family Game Night" kinda girl. I love board games, card games, or anything with a group of people. Some of the games we went through the last couple of weeks are Scrabble, Buzz Word, The Game of Things, and Guesstures. Although they were all fun, one of the funniest nights was Guesstures night. Hi-lar-i-us! If you have not played this before, please do! Perfect for kids! Even great for adults, as you can see! Ha!

I don't think Daddy was particularly fond of this game because there wasn't much strategy involved. Also because the girls dominated this game!

Kristin looks like she is singing a praise song here, but I think she is becoming a flower.

I was proud to have won the Best Performance Award.

I'm not used to seeing Lee quite so animated!

I must say that everyone did a great job! But, there is just one thing you must see. Take a second - 33 to be exact - and watch my mother (bless her heart!) complete one round of Guesstures. OMG!

Plan your family game night today! You'll be glad you did!

Happy New Year!

So, it's the new year! 2010. This has been a whirlwind of a year for Russ and me. Many changes, adjustments, surprises, and disappointments. I'm praying 2010 has some fun surprises up its sleeve. This is the time of year that New Year's Resolutions are made, goals are set, good intentions set forth, and new beginnings begin. With that being said, I've decided to share a couple of my New Year's Resolutions.

1. Get back to running - regularly.


I have started back here and there since October. But, I'm ready to get into a regular running schedule/plan. I plan to run in races to keep me motivated, and I hope to find at least one friend ON MY LEVEL (that's important to note) to run with me and hold me accountable. (of course I would hold her accountable too. ha!) It just so happens that I've been thinking about this resolution, and when I woke up...I found a plan that Roan posted this morning on her blog. Check it out here. This is the plan I will try to follow. Of course, it will take patience to not run for a couple of weeks. I tend to get bored with walking. But, as my New Year's Resolution, I will follow that plan!

2. Become a better wife to my hubby.

I have read this book before, and I'm quite sure I've shared it with you. But, I plan to pull this book back out with a new determination. I want to read through each chapter and pray that God shows me what He wants me to see. This is a very straightforward book outlining God's role for wives as he writes in his Word. I may not agree with every single thing here (written by a human, so it may not be perfect), but it can be a life-changing book if you listen to what God wants to show you in here. I have had the opportunity to watch women model the guidelines in this book, and I have watched their marriages flourish. I have seen the love and sacrifice from both parties. I have seen a Godly model of what He meant marriage to be. So, I do plan to reread this book with a closer eye and ear turned to God and what He has to show me. I have also seen some friends who are starting their new year with the Love Dare. That's great too! I have always wanted to do that since Russ and I saw the movie. And, maybe we will. But, since I don't already have that book, I will begin with this and possibly add Love Dare to my list.

So, I have a pretty busy new year planned. How about you? What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?

Sunday Matinee

Sunday after church, Mama, Russ, and I went to the movies. Russ was more pulled there by force, but I'm quite sure he enjoyed it! We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel! So cute! I LOVE the music. I would definitely recommend this for your family. I'm pretty sure we were the only "all adult group" there, but we had fun. And I'm positive that we were the ONLY ones to pose with the cardboard Chipmunks! Russ was dying! One day they will thank me for all my insistent photography moments!