My mom and dad and my kids

I was born 14 years after my sister. I'm not sure and never asked why the big gap between us? I often wondered--conception problems? no sex? was i an accident? i know i was supposed to be a boy though and my dad lost a bet.

I think my dad looks like a gangster in this picture. Look at those ears!!

Sister and mom have some tight curls in this picture!!


I am so thankful my kids have wonderful memories of times with their Nana and Papa. They were not fortunate enough to know hubby's parents. Grandparents play such an important part in a child life. Maybe that's what is wrong with me. I can only remember my mom's mom, Mama Nix. I only remember her as being old. She lived with us for a while, but I have no memories of staying at her house, playing games, or just spending time together and that makes me sad. My sister does though and she has told me stories.

When Jordan and Sarah were younger, they spent lots of time with their grandparents. They spent the night, played Sorry, Wheel of Fortune, and Hide and Seek. Nana cooked whatever they wanted. We went on several vacations together and one of our favorite places to go was Silver Dollar City.

Jordan and Sarah entertaining Nana and Papa

My babies

i love them so. i remember so many things when they were little. they were such cutie pies and stinkers at the same time. i remember when jordan was attached to a tube of toothpaste and had to carry it everywhere, including a wedding reception!! he also had an imaginary friend named olivia; she was very mischievous and was blamed for many of jordan's antics. sarah was my dancer, my gymnast. she informed her nana once that she couldn't be an angel like nana had told her she was because she didn't have wings. i hold the memories we have close to my heart and i look forward to making many more.

See Jordan and Sarah--you were sweet to each other. Despite living hours apart, stay in touch because you need each other.

"Make it at Home" shopping list

sooooo, thanksgiving is quickly approaching and i'm trying to get ready. that means major yard work and housecleaning. this year i would also like to have the house decorated for christmas. i've been up for hours. i have meatballs cooking in the crockpot for hubby. i made meatless taco soup for me, substituting Morning Start meal starters for the ground beef, and also some jalapeno cornbread. it's 10 in the morning and i've already eaten soup and cornbread.

i was working on a grocery list cause i really dislike going to the store and wandering aimlessly while looking at a disorganized shopping list or worse than that not having a list at all. so i googled shopping list and i found a great site where you can generate your own list by category and print it. WOW! the site just happens to be walmart, but i promise it's okay and this link takes you directly to make it at home . just scroll to bottom and click on personalized shopping list. it's great cause you can save your lists. since i basically have the same menu each thanksgiving, i now have a shopping list i can use each year. you can also send your shopping list in an email to your hubby or kids so they could shop for you. soon a free application should be available for iphone and ipod touch.

Easy and Delicious Meatballs


1/2 Bag of Costco meatballs

1 or 2 bottles of Heinz chili sauce (in ketchup section)

32 oz. of grape jelly



I usually put the chili sauce and jelly together in a bowl and place in microwave for a couple of minutes to help liquefy the jelly and the mixture covers the meatballs better. Put meatballs in crockpot and pour jelly and chili sauce mixture over meatballs. The meatballs are better if you let them cook all day. (cook on high a few hours, then switch to low) If you want them to cook more quickly, thaw your meatballs the night before in the refrigerator. ENJOY!!! The sauce is great to dip bread/rolls into. This recipe makes me dislike being a vegetarian cause the aroma coming from the kitchen is wonderful.