I Like It That Way

Insert: (if Travis were here he would say):  That's what she said.

So today I was at the gym trying to get my kids from the daycare room.  Other friends and gym mates were picking up and some were dropping off.  It was madness in the room and one friend said, so I see Manheim Central doesn't have school today.  And I was like you guessed right.  She asked, "Why not?  Hunting season???"

Actually yes.  You see here in Manheim we are a farming community.  We are the hunting, small town, good ole' boys established city.  And with every Thanksgiving break we have, we give the following Monday off to respect the start of hunting season.  And logically let's be honest to avoid all the absenteeism they would encounter if they had school anyway.  A local Manheimite commented "Geesh, I didn't know that is why we had off.  We get off for Farm Show week and hunting season.  Man we are hicks."

And to this I say, "yes-sir-ee" and proud.  Because I moved from one small town, Spring Grove - Pennsylvania and established myself in another small town Manheim - Pennsylvania.  And it wasn't because I had never been anywhere else and just settled.  It was because after 6 states, and 10 plus addresses I realized that I love small towns with all their "Funny Farm" charm.

Note:  We also have Ladies Night, the same Monday - start of hunting season- at the local hardware store, although that hardly does justice to the store that carries a little of everything - Longeneckers.  And I swear to you it is the Manheim equivalent of Black Friday.

Celebrity Visits Baron's Ridge...Again

And he's back.  Edward Cullen.  Yeah we could care less about Robert Pattenson or whatever his name is.  The builders and realtors hate when we cover their signs with our signs.  But we all laugh for days. 

Tonight is our neighborhood viewing night.  First time for some, repeat viewing for others.  My first.  I'll let you know tomorrow what I think.  We're silly, but that is why I love these girls.

Amelia Bedelia and Other Literal Things

I get my groceries at half price.  This is not an exaggeration.  Just like the books where Amelia Bedelia takes everything to a ridiculous and very literal conclusion I do the same when it come to grocery shopping and my bragging rights.  It's why I can feed our family of 6 and always some extra neighborhood kids for a whole month for under $400. 

So where do I shop, well for the most part I shop monthly to avoid the impulse purchases I know I can't help and stock up on bulk stuff from stores like Amelia's.  I know I have blogged about this store before, but seriously people each time I come out I am a little amazed.  Note:  they are super overpriced on certain things.  Not everything is a good deal, but some things are and when they are - they really are.  Buy tons.

This week I got:
14 Boxes of cereal
2 boxes of Wheat Thins
3 bags of Chips and 1 Heluva Good Dip
2 boxes of Gogurt
3 boxes of granola bars
4 packages of cookies
3 boxes of crackers
2 bags of pretzel sticks
2 boxes of fruit snacks
1 cake mix
1/2 gallon of Tropicana OJ
2 gallons of milk
2 lbs. of string cheese
4 32 oz. bags of frozen veggies
4 lbs. of frozen mozzarella cheese sticks
4 lbs. of frozen french fries
3 lbs. of chicken nuggets

How much would you pay for these groceries? 

Twins or Look Alikes

I'm always just a little nervous when someone says I look like someone they know.  From past experience when I finally meet, see, or view a photo of that alleged person I'm a little woebegone and sometimes a bit offended.  In my head I am often prettier than the person they thought I looked like and it is always a temporary let down. 

Likewise about five years ago, people started saying that this newer actor looked like my husband.  Initially I had never heard of him.  Then as his career picked up more momentum so did the claims that my husband and him could be twins.  Even today at the gym, the claim was made again.  You see I think my husband is much better looking than this guy, Jason Statham.  What do you think?

I see similar head and face shapes, wrinkle lines between the eyes, and no actual ear lobes, and a near constant state of 2 day beard growth, but otherwise my husband's way hotter.  Case closed.

When Church Is...

at 11am - the perfect time - 

there is time to start your day with a romp in the snow. 

Especially when there is fresh snow from the night before.

Give The Man an Award

Travis came home the other night and asked "What's for dinner?" 

I promptly responded, "Whatever you make." 

Not out of rudeness more just sheer exhaustion from the day.

After a bit of hmming and hawing, I gave him a recipe and said try this.

It was for Cajun Chicken Pasta. 

The man went over board and even made his own Cajun spice from online too.

Who says men can't follow directions?  It was delish.

And I repeat...Travis rocks my world.

That's what she said.

October in Headlines

Life seems to be slipping by me.  I can hardly keep up in terms of living it let alone documenting it for posterity's sake.  Here is the wrap up of October that I haven't gotten around to.  Yeah just ignore that fact that we are over halfway done November and the week before Thanksgiving. 

• The Beauty of Fall 

my mom's back yard has one of the best views ever this time of year

• Bats, Wolves, and Cats Oh My: Pumpkin Carving Was a Huge Success   
• Corn Meal Made With Cars

Lancaster County = Spilled corn, cars and cornmeal



• Best Teacher: And the Award goes to a Man 

I love Wyatt's teacher so much!

• Homecoming Football Game:  Barons vs. Crazy Kids
• Freakish Snow Storm Pounds the East Coast on Super Saturday
• Last Minute Costume Changes Imminent

Thirty Things of Thanksgiving

For the month that celebrates an attitude of gratitude

 here are 30 things I am grateful for,

one for each day of the month.

1. my home being my refuge

2. older pictures

3. a husband who can follow a recipe and cook me dinner

4. the excitement of a first snow - even if it comes early in the season

5. wet kid kisses

6. the beauty of the Earth

7. cute pictures of me

8. the gym, gym friends, and pushing myself everyday

9. going out to eat

10. reading a book with absolutely no substance whatsoever

11. watching my husband turn our old VHS family videos into DVD's

12. crafting Christmas stockings

13. hearing the primary children sing really loud and full of excitement

14. children who consider each other best friends

15. attending sporting events

16. bread bowls filled with hot soup on cold evenings

17. forever friends

18. a vacuum on each floor of the house

19. posing for family pictures - sometimes I'm thankful, sometimes I'm angry

20. this blog to record life's little moments

21. parties, social gatherings

22. educational toys - i enjoy them more than most

23. new recipes

24. really good fast and testimony meetings

25. cuddling with a child and talking about their day

26. listening to music while i pay bills - it eases the stress

27. getting stuck in traffic and being able to get to know the person in the car with you better

28. sunny, cool autumn days filled with the smell of burning leaves

29. being a part of and living in a great community

30. the birth, death, and resurrection of our Savior

I hope you are considering the things you are grateful for this month too.  What are they?

Waiter...

What happens when you go to

Texas Roadhouse and get

the world’s best, friendliest, and gay waiter? 

This!  And I love it and he got tipped big time.