I Just Can't Quit You

I'm lookin' at you Mr. Nyquil.

My family likes to give me a hard time because I like Nyquil maybe just a little too much. Strangely enough, I really love the green liquid kind. Of course, I don't take it unless I have true symptoms, but surely there's somebody else out there that likes it too. They keep making it, right?

Oh, how I love the peaceful sleep it provides instead of coughing and tossing and turning all night. I think I should be a paid spokesperson. Hey Nyquil, have your people call my people!

I remember when Angie Smith said her dad wrote the little slogan that Nyquil has used for years in their commercials. Remember...the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy-head, fever, so you can rest medicine. I was so jealous when I found out because I bet Angie got a lifetime supply. Only in my dreams friends, only in my dreams.

Please tell me I'm not alone. How do you feel about that glorious green goodness?



Come On In And Sit A Spell

Well hello there to all of you who are new around these parts! I'm glad you're here! (Hi to those of you that having been hanging out here for a few years too.)

I started this blog in 2008 mainly as a scrapbook for our family. Unfortunately, after Claire came along, my time of making "real, hold in your hand with precious stickers and scalloped edges" scrapbooks ended. Two kids will do that to you. However, I couldn't stand the thoughts of not keeping a record for us somehow. Blogging was kind of newish back then, but I decided to give it a try. Honestly, it's a true miracle that this little blog has made it so long. Somehow, it's still alive and kickin'!

Like I said, I mostly post pictures of our family and the things we do throughout the year. I also like to share recipes and some of our travel experiences. Every now and then, I write something with a little more meaning and EXTREMELY OFTEN my super silly side comes out. I don't worry too much about editing and such, so please don't judge. #thankyouverymuch Feel free to leave a comment anytime if you have any thoughts or just want to say hi. I'm glad to have some new friends reading along! 

Because When It Rains, It Pours

Before I post all of our fun vacation pictures, please just let me whine a wee little bit. 

The day before we left, I had a personal day off work full of big plans. As I was pulling out of the garage, our garbage can jumped out between my van side window and our garage door track. The window was cracked, the garbage can crushed, and the garage door so bent that we couldn't put it down.

On the day before we left for vacation. Yep.

Thankfully, we were able to find somebody that could fix it on the same day. 

Total cost: $300+

After we arrived in Florida, we noticed a tire was a little flat. "No Problem," we said. "We can get a patch in it," we said. "Easy fix," we said.

Yeah, right. Nope. Couldn't be fixed. New tire needed.

Total cost: $200ish

The entire trip I had a toothache. (This isn't the first time I had a toothache on vacation. Someday I need to tell you my honeymoon story. Yes, I said honeymoon.)

Anyway, it got worse as the week went on. I went to the dentist on Monday to hear the inevitable. Then I had a root canal yesterday. Fun times.

Total cost: $532.00

Of course I will have to get a crown too on that tooth. Guess what the kind endodontist also told me! I need another root canal on a different tooth next month. 

Total cost for addition root canal and two crowns on top of the first one: $3 trillion

Also, I have something to look forward to now. Sheesh.

One more thing, we came home from our trip to find a broken water heater. 

Total cost: I don't even know because I quit counting at $3 trillion.

Thanks for letting me whine. Truth is, I am so thankful that these things are fixable (albeit expensive). None of them are life-threatening. And of course, no eternal significance. 

First world problems!

(I couldn't help but think about those who have no access to dental help. I can't imagine having that kind of pain and no relief ~ Or no home with a water heater to take hot showers or even have clean water at all ~ Or a car to drive with four tires ~ Or a garage to park it in.) 

I am so blessed and pray I never take it for granted.

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Max Is Three!!!

Our sweet baby Max is three! I can hardly believe it!

 

So we had ourselves a little party.

 

Claire helped decorate the cute cupcakes.

Pizza is essential for most any party. Surely you must already know that.

He even welcomed some special guests.

Megan & Tyler
(And Nana not pictured)

 

A very special present for a very special boy!

He sat up at the table in his party hat and loved every second of that birthday cupcake!

We are so thankful to have this sweet boy as part of our family!

Are You A Bobcat Believer?

Back around Christmas, my family went through a little bit of a crazy phase.  Actually, we live in a continual crazy phase.  This was just beyond crazy.

It all started when Andy made a comment about thinking he saw a bobcat in my mom's yard.  Oh, he was sure that, without a doubt, it was a bobcat.  Then Mom/Nana started saying that yes, indeed she had seen a bobcat at a different time. 

In an effort to convince the rest of the family, much insanity ensued. 

There was food left out to entice the bobcat to visit.

There was a camera installed.  I'm not kidding.

(I told you we are crazy.)

There were multiple gatherings at Mom/Nana's house.  Some of us were there to watch for a bobcat sighting.  Others of us (ahem) were there to eat and talk.

Here are a few pictures of one Bobcat Gathering:


The dogs were especially on the lookout.
  "One thing you don't want to be when a bobcat is around is a small dog." ~Charlie and Bear

See, some of us were just hanging out, eating, and talking.

Others were literally staring out the window at the alleged bobcat hideout.

There was musical entertainment.

(Probably a song about a bobcat.)

Max even made it to the party.  He thinks he sees a bobcat on the ceiling.

Wonder why you can't see anything in this picture?

That's because a bunch of crazies were sitting in total darkness staring out the sunroom window. 

Looking for a bobcat.

Seriously.

The whole thing went on for a couple of weeks.  Because the crazy runs deep.

There were pictures like this sent around to each other...

There were even persuasive videos made...

In the end, some still believe there was an actual bobcat visiting the premises.  Others have concluded a very large house cat may have been an impostor bobcat.  Others just think everybody is crazy. 

I'll let you guess which group in which I belong.

I love my crazy family!

Let's Ride

Parker and Brian served at a community event on Saturday.  They just happened to run into these lovely ladies...

What a nice surprise!

Nana & Aunt Brenda

 Parker got to help lead the Pledge.

 Unfortunately, Claire and I were at home all day on Saturday.  She wasn't feeling well on Friday night.  Then things went from bad to worse. If you know what I mean.  Yuck.  Bless her heart.

I did enjoy a lovely cup of hot chocolate when things settled down a bit.

Today, she seemed to feel better so we headed to church.  Brian and I worked with the Elevate kids, and she acted puny the whole time.  So after a fanceeeeeeee lunch at Burger King (BOGO $0.55 Whopper ~ whoop, whoop), we headed home for her to rest.  She seems way better tonight, so let's hope that continues.  And that nobody else gets it.  Please.

Two good things to report:

1. We booked our vacation for next summer in the big MB.  I love getting that taken care of and officially on the calendar.  Yes, we start early.  I've been known to reserve in August for the following year.  Don't judge me.  I just love me some Myrtle Beach.

2.  I went to town (just like Laura Ingalls Wilder) this afternoon because I noticed some great deals advertised for some things I was planning to get the kids for Christmas.  Listen people, I was on a mission.  I went to Target, Walmart, Kmart, and ToyRUs in just a couple of hours time and found almost everything I needed to find.  Hip, Hip, Hooray! I don't feel like such a loser mom now that I actually have a few presents for our little ones.  And now to wrap.  Not to be confused with rap.  Oh, I can rap if you want me to. I can bust out a little Dirt Road Anthem with the best of them.  

I can take y'all where you need to go
Down to my hood, back in them woods

Let's ride

Because this needs to be shared with the world

I'll let these videos speak for themselves...

(Ignore my mess and the dog jumping in and out of the video)

Don't you just love how he pushes his sister out of the way so that he doesn't have to share the spotlight? 

All industry professionals should contact our managers for future bookings.

RIP

RIP

Skillet The Frog Murray

2011-2012

He was a good frog.

He will be greatly missed by his tank mates, Rex and Ringworm.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Parker Murray Frog Replacement Program.

We Interrupt This Blog

To make an official Murray announcement.

There are some changes going on around here.  Our blog has a new name called Meet The Murrays.  You will automatically be redirected to the new site if you visit using My Favorite Things, however it would probably be a good idea to change it in you bookmarks, readers, etc.  You will no longer need to use the blogspot.com at the end of the address.  Here is the official link:

www.meetthemurrays.com

Also, there may be a new writer on here every once in a while.  I like to call him The Brianaby.  So be on the lookout! I will still be the main author of the blog and will continue to post lots of pictures of our daily happenings.  This blog is a great way to record our lives, and that was my original goal for beginning the blog.  However, I have combined My Favorite Things and My Other Favorite Things into one site, so you can expect some crazy to show up here too.  Please be patient while I am still trying to make it all look right. For example, that header up there is giving me fits!

I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Our Dining Room

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today for a dining room tour.  Here are a few pictures of our red dining room:

Finally!

Whatever shall I do???

Of course, I have big plans to clean up this house ~ everything from closets to garage.  Now will it really happen? That certainly remains to be seen.  In reality, there will be a lot of swimming.  Lots and lots of swimming.  I'm hoping there will also be some reading for all of us.  Several fun trips are coming up too, so we have lots to look forward to in the next couple of months. I was crazy enough to agree to a Dollywood trip yesterday on our first full day off.  I didn't even get to sleep late! So this morning, I rest....the resting will only last until lunch time because I need to vacuum, do a little laundry, and run some errands this afternoon.  One of my errands is to replenish my Love Spell since nobody has stepped up to be a supplier for me yet.  Tonight, Brian is making his winning recipe for a practice run, and we have some family coming over to taste his creation.  Yay for yummy food, family, fun, and REST!

Tales From The Nursing Home

Today was my first day back to school after Spring Break.  And it wasn't pretty.  At all. 

I got to bed last night a little late because I have some wild friends who shall only be referred to as MLBSG or S, L, & R.  Being the Mamaw that I am, 11:00 was certainly past my school night bedtime.  We had so much fun though, and it was totally worth it.

Unfortunately, I didn't sleep great and definitely have some sinus issues starting.  So I felt kinda puny-ish.  Also, I made a remarkable discovery today.  Apparently, ten days out of school is the exact amount of time it takes for first graders to forget every rule and procedure they ever knew. 

I had really great intentions of walking tonight, but I just went and talked myself right out of it.  I blamed it on my tiring, puny-ish day.  Then I decided that I definitely should stay in and rest up for my big night of television.  It's hard on a Mamaw to watch Dancing With The Stars and The Voice all in one night. 

Well, I reckon I better skedaddle since I'm no spring chicken, and I'm plum tuckered out.  I guess I'll just piddle the night away watchin' my stories. 

Goodnight. Sleep tight. Mamaw loves you.

I Always Keep My Promises

So I'm about to hit you with some riveting photos.

Last night, Parker and Claire spent the night with Nana, so Brian and I went to Chop House.  Brian LOVES Chop House with all of his heart.  We usually go about once a year for his birthday, so this non-birthday trip was extra special.  I like it, but I don't love it (kind of like dark chocolate).

So the first picture that I give you is this:

My salad

Picture number two:

My steak and baked potato

 Now before you get too excited, I should just tell you that it wasn't as good as it looks.  See that potato up there? It was (three words) Fab.U.Lous.  BUT:

My steak was a little weird.  It had a whacked out texture or something.  I didn't say a word though because I didn't want to ruin Brian's ultimate Chop House experience that he had going on.  Then all of a sudden he said, "This steak is a little different tonight.  The texture is strange and the flavor is a little off".

Yes! I knew it!

So he says they get one more chance, and if it's not-so-great again, then it's over.  He's already planning a break up.  Even though I just moderately like the place, I actually feel a little nervous for Chop House.  

Because we are party animals, we went to Barnes and Noble after dinner. 

Here is Brian's dessert: 

Two forks...but I didn't take a single bite

 This was my dessert:

Yummy!

That's all I have for you today.  Except that I accidentally squirted my "only thing that keeps me from being totally bald" conditioner onto my body loofah thingee.  So I'm afraid that the hair on my arms will suddenly grow in think and full.  Wonder if it would work on eyebrows?

Here's What's Happening On The Ranch...

I don't really live on a ranch. I just wanted to say that since Ree Drummond says it all the time on her cooking show, and maybe I wish I had a cooking show. Or maybe I just want a cowboy.  Can't you just see Brian Murray with chaps, boots, and a cowboy hat? Now that would be a show to see.  Fo Sho. (By the way, I talk about Pioneer Woman a lot on this here blog...she really should pay me.)

Let's play a little catch up, shall we?

1. I'm having some serious technical difficulties.  I've been mostly using my phone, Phoebe, to take pictures lately.  Unfortunately for me, Phoebe has decided that she will not under any circumstances let me transfer the pictures to the computer.  She has always cooperated in the past, so I have no idea why she's giving me such a hard time. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks" 

2. I haven't been able to update my other blog.  See number one.

3. I went to the doctor this week.  For a checkup.  You know, THE checkup.  Fun times.

4. When I called the number I've called for the last three months to find out when I needed to report for my next $11, here was the recording: "Jury panels A, B, & C, we are pleased to inform you that your jury service is over."  Hallelujah.  I was on Panel C in case you're wondering.  I'm pretty sure C stood for Crazy.  Why else would I be in that group? There were some other interesting folks in my group who fit the description quite nicely as well.

5. Tonight's pizza crust was the best yet.  I hesitate to bring it up because I know you HAVE to be sick to death of hearing about pizza crust.  I figure I've brought you this far, and in the words of Conway Twitty (may he rest in peace), "You've never been this far before, pum pum pum". 

6. If you don't love Conway Twitty and know his songs then get out of here.  Just kidding. Please don't go.

7. Hello Darlin' (See numbers five and six).

8. We had what I like to refer to as a bit of a dead fish situation.  You see, Claire had a dead fish.  Dead as a doornail.  Oh sweet Tara, you will be missed. It was really pitiful to see Tara on the pink rocks upside down with all of her beautiful pink color completely gone from her body.  In fact, it seemed as if Katie the frog was taking the news especially hard.  She kept sitting right beside her, and I was pretty sure I saw a little frog tear in her eye.  Until ~ Katie suddenly had Tara in her mouth.  I'm going to be keeping an eye on Katie from now on.  For all we know, it was cold-blooded murder right there in the fish tank.  The only eyewitness is Ella, the other pink fish.  She was swimming around so frantically that I can't yet determine if she is terrified by what she witnessed or nervous because she was an accomplice. 

9. My hair is dark brown.  Well, actually it's just a little darker than normal, but I tend to exaggerate just a little (in case you haven't noticed). I've been trying to let a little, tiny bit of what I think is my natural color sneak back in for the last few months.  Then my hair lady, the one who took off half my eyebrow last time, decided to speed up the process a little.  No pictures at this time. See number one.

10. I've been having ridiculous dreams.  I have always had lots of dreams that I remember, but last night's dream was just too hilarious not to share.  In this dream, it was my first day of high school.  I was in this humongous school, and my real-life high school friend Jason and I were frantically searching for our first class.  I ended up in this really large auditorium sitting next to my friend Staci.  Turns out, Staci was there for her daughter's wedding.  In my dream, her daughter was all grown up and had a totally different hair color.  It's also probably worth noting that Staci was wearing a wedding dress for her own daughter's wedding and sitting really far from the stage.  Then suddenly I realized we were at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas.  The End. 

I think I'll stop with ten because I really think I've reached the limit on how much crazy you can handle at one time. 

Will You Please Join Me?

There has been a special called prayer meeting for today.  We will meet on my front steps promptly at 5:30 pm.  If you can't join us in body, please join us in spirit.

Brian is making another pizza crust, and I/he/that poor pizza crust need a lot of prayer.

FLOP

Last night's pizza crust was a flop.  An F.L.O.P. flop as my dad would have said.  So bad that we ended up ordering from Pizza Hut.  I should add that Brian has taken over this crust making si-u-a-she-on.  I started this whole mess back with Pioneer Woman's crust making, and now it's become a challenge (especially for Brian).  There have been videos watched, research conducted, reviews read, etc.  It's getting out of hand.  I seriously don't even care any more, but he will not back down.  Since Friday night is pizza night (see: tradition), we should have many more opportunities to get it right.  At this point, I'm honestly just wishing we could go back to my beloved Chef Boyardee.  I know that most people don't like it, but haters gonna hate.  It never let me down.

Bringing Down The House

It's Friday night!!! My first full week after two short weeks is complete! All I have to say is that all of this going to school five days a week is for the birds! Of course, it's way better than being sick and/or sitting in a courtroom for hours on end.  However, where is the snow???? I don't even need a big snowstorm.  Just a small threat of snow around here is enough to get us a snow day.  This teacher needs one.  Also, I know 18 first graders that could use one or eleven days too! Man alive, they are wild animals lately! At least it's been warm enough to go outside to play some.  Today we celebrated the birthday of good ol' Dr. Seuss.  It was fun until we were rudely interrupted with an early dismissal announcement because of tornado watches and warnings.  We still have a tornado watch so we are home having a dance party tonight.  I actually gave up a free ticket to see Brad Paisley and The Band Perry in Knoxville tonight.  I can promise you that Brad doesn't have anything on this dance party though.  We are bringing down the house. (Right now Brian is doing some kind of line dance to "Wagon Wheel" aka "Mama, Rock Me". Do you know that song? I love that little ditty).  We're just praying a tornado doesn't literally bring down the house! Y'all stay safe!

Reunited And It Feels So Good

My sweet Loretta is back.  Loretta the Laptop has been sick and at the doctor since Monday.  Five days is a long time for an addicted person like me.  Hello, my name if Michele, and it's been five days since I last logged on.  In the spirit of full disclosure, we do have another computer in this house.  I did use it a very few times, but I had to be a bit sneaky.  Somebody, who shall remain nameless, doesn't like me to use the desktop for facebook, blogs, pinterest, etc. because unnamed somebody uses it for work and doesn't want to take any chances.  Apparently, I am a true wildcat on the computer.  All of those mommy blogs and mason jar pins are just so dangerous.  (I should probably confess somebody's concerns might have something to do with the virus Loretta came down with earlier in the week ~ maybe he has a tiny bit of a case.)  Anyway, she's home. I can quit singing "Near...far...wherever you are...I believe that my heart will go on".

Why is it I can think of 92 things I want to blog about when I don't have access to Loretta? Then I forget them all.  I do have a few things I want to talk (write) about, so I'll be back soon.  I'm sure you're on the edge of your seats...

An Update of Sorts

 1. I finally got my Christmas cards addressed!

 2. All of the kids presents are wrapped and under the tree!

3. I still have quite a few presents to wrap, but that's ok.

4. This week is insane at school.  We have Christmas Around The World going on in first and second grade.   So that means Monday-Thursday I have a different group of kids every afternoon to teach all about Christmas in Australia.  Merry Christmas mates!

5. I was also CRAZZZZZZEEEEEEE enough to schedule elf day, reindeer day, Grinch day, party day, AND Polar Express day for this week. 

6. Oh, and we still have to cover all of the "regular" stuff too for math and literacy.

7. And a writing assessment

8. And first grade literacy night at school

9. I also have to make about thirty batches of cracker candy (that might be a slight exaggeration).

10. And food for the faculty luncheon.

11. And cookies for the Bible study cookie swap.  I decided to skip this one.

12. Sheldon the Elf has managed to move to a new location every night of December except one.  We still aren't sure why he stayed in the same spot for two days.  Some of the reasons being considered are:
           A. He can see a lot from way up there
           B. He was tired and needed to rest for the night
I'm sure it was one of those...

13. I'm looking forward to Christmas break! I'm sure I'll get all caught up on everything, my house will be spotless, and I'll blog every day. (insert sarcasm here)

14. Well, I'm off to make Grinch juice and attach little tags to green candy canes. Gotta go, buffalo!