Mama Snapped

BRUSH YER TEEFS!!

2012-02-07T21:17:00.001-06:00

My girl is such a mess!!!

BRUSH YER TEEFS!!!!

No-Bake Orange Cream Cheesecake - LOW CARB

2012-01-29T16:40:00.002-06:00

Norm started looking for some low carb snacks. This is one of them...

NO-BAKE ORANGE CREAM CHEESECAKE
http://www.diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/946.shtml

We haven't tried it yet (still chilling in the fridge) but the leftovers in the bowl were good! I think I may add a little more orange extract though.

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs (I used cinnamon grahams because that is what I already had)
3 tablespoons stick butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons Equal Spoonful or Granulated* (I used Splenda)

Cheesecake Ingredients:

1 cup orange juice
1 envelope (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin
2 packages (8 ounces each) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated** (I used Splenda)
1 teaspoon orange extract (optional)
2 cups light whipped topping, thawed, if frozen
1 can (11 ounces) Mandarin oranges, drained, coarsely chopped
Oranges sections (optional)
Whipped topping (optional)

* May substitute 4-1/2 packets Equal sweetener

** May substitute 18 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Crust, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and 3 tablespoons Equal. Press mixture onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. (I don't have a springform pan, so I just put it in a round casserole dish.) Bake in preheated 350° F oven 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack while preparing cheesecake.

For Cheesecake, pour orange juice into small saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over orange juice and let soften 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until gelatin dissolves. Beat cream cheese and ricotta cheese in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth. Stir in 3/4 cup Equal® and orange extract. Add gelatin mixture to cheese mixture; blend until smooth. Refrigerate cheese mixture, or place in freezer, 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened. Fold in whipped topping and chopped oranges. Spoon over baked crust.

Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. To serve, gently run metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake. Remove side of pan. Garnish top of cheesecake with orange sections and whipped topping, if desired. Cut cake into wedges.

Nutritional Information (per serving - yields 16 servings)
Calories: 152
Protein: 6 g
Sodium: 158 mg
Cholesterol: 31 mg
Fat: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
Exchanges: 1/2 milk, 1 starch, 2 fat

Autumn in Alabama

2011-10-09T17:19:00.002-05:00

Things in my backyard...

Foust Farm

2011-10-02T19:31:00.002-05:00

I made my annual cotton field pics. This time I had more to shoot! Emily wasn't one of them. She opted out this time.

ENJOY!

Topaz Adjust - Little Church in Cullman

2011-09-24T09:31:00.004-05:00

I don't know what kind of damage this little church may have gotten during the April tornados. These were taken about a month before then.

Before and After

More Topaz Adjust - Ave Maria Grotto

2011-09-24T09:15:00.004-05:00

Here are some BEFORE and AFTER editted pics from the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, AL.

Playing with Topaz Adjust - Botanical Gardens

2011-09-23T19:10:00.014-05:00

I got inspired to edit some photos using Topaz Adjust. Here are some before and after pics from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Which do you prefer?

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

I uploaded the pics to be "large" but this was the size I got. Go figure. I wish they were bigger!

Tornado Damage

2011-05-03T15:12:00.009-05:00

These are just a few of the homes/businesses that were damaged in the tornado.

We had no damage to our house, but we did find a rooster in the backyard afterwards. I wonder where he came from?

Another good trip to publix

2010-12-20T13:28:00.002-06:00

I haven't posted in a while, but here's what I got today.

Spent $28. Saved $60!

Oh, Publix, how I missed you!! Saved 60%!!

2010-06-30T18:34:00.004-05:00

It's PAYDAY, therefore it's GROCERY SHOPPING DAY!

I had some great coupons and lots of them! Some I had gathered over time hoping for the items to go on sale (Curly's BBQ Tubs!!!!) and they did!!!

Spent $116.67... Saved 177.07!!!! 60% savings! Without sales or coupons, it would have been 293.74, almost $300!! The pantry, fridge and freezer has been restocked. I had coupons for everything except the fresh corn (but it was on sale), the Louis Rich ground turkey, and Kraft singles. I had coupons that got me free shampoo, mac & cheese, Yo-plus and bleach. You can't beat yogurt for $.25 a 4pk or those Curly's BBQ tubs that ended up being $1.42 a tub instead of the regular price of $5.69. Even got a couple of packs of Goldfish crackers and pretzel for $.50 each. I also got Grands cheaper there than at Walmart! Gotta love that! Oh and $.30 total for 4 packets of Chinet Dinner Napkins!!!!! Don't forget the free mustard + a little overage. And we love those Betty Crocker boxed potatoes.

Here's the savings break down...
75.57 in vendor coupons
7.00 in store coupons
94.50 saved on sale prices

THANKS FOR VISITING!!

MAIL CALL!! 6-8-10

2010-06-08T19:31:00.005-05:00

I finally got around to checking the mail at the post office. I racked up on the samples and a nice surprise for my daughter, Emily.

Samples included Secret Clinical Strength, Gillette Fusion razor, Old Spice wash, Shirley J's Universal White Sauce, a Hugo men's cologne sample, several shampoo/conditioner samples and some femine stuff *smile*

Emily got that free Barbie prize that I registered her for WHO KNOWS when... JANUARY? She LOVED IT!!!! Had a FIT over it!!!!

OH yeah, I forgot about the Special K bar and the South Beach bar... they didn't last long enough for the picture! I also got coupons for the razor refills, free Tropicana OJ, and a free 4pk of Yo-Plus!! SCORE!!!

Publix and Walmart deals!!!

2010-05-27T20:13:00.007-05:00

Went to Publix Monday to get a few things...
Spent 21.40 and saved 47.75.

Went to Walmart today to use coupons that were going to expire... biscuits, Wheatables. Got my 7UP for free + overages... yes at WALMART!!! They were on sale for 88 cents. When she scanned the coupon, it asked if it was a valid coupon and the girl punched something to let it go through... LOVE THAT GIRL!!!! Spent $18.45 saved $12.15

Minute Rice coupons!

2010-05-21T17:54:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Birmingham Bargain Mom's post on FB.

http://www.minuterice.com/

2 $.50 coupons on there!!

MAIL CALL!!!!

2010-05-18T19:03:00.003-05:00

I got some nice surprises in the mail today!!!!! SAMPLES and COUPONS!

I got this little white box. I wasn't sure what was in it. I found 3 samples of Wheat Thins Tomato Basil and three International Coffee Vanilla Caramel Latte packets. Also I found COUPONS!!!! FREE Bull's-Eye BBQ sauce and FREE Oscar Mayer Selects Hot Dogs!!! Also got a thing to fill out: Spend $30 on Kraft Foods, get a $10 mail-in rebate. Hmm!

Then I got this long white envelope. I got one of these at my school address, so I knew what was in it. A PAGE FULL OF UNI-LEVER coupons for Publix! Let's talk stacking!! The only thing - they run out on 5/31!!! YIKES!!!! Not sure if I have any money left! LOL

I also got a coupon for FREE Mac & cheese!!! Then I got samples of Kotex U and John Freida hair stuff.

NICE to get something in the mail other than bills!!!

WAY TO GO PINK PANTHERS!!!

2010-05-15T17:55:00.003-05:00

I have to brag!!

My daughter's 6&Under Softball team won today. Their last reg. season game. They are UNDEFEATED!!!! YAY!!! #1 Girls!! I'm so proud of you all!!

Publix! Spent 47.19... Saved 80.02!!

2010-05-15T17:38:00.005-05:00

Now this is better!!!! I went to Publix today after Emily's game (They won by the way!! Undefeated!!)

I spent 47.19 and saved 80.02! Here is what I got...

Got some pizza, Tornados, GoGurts, chips (B1G1 coupons were going to expire today), lunch meat (stacked to get $2 off each pack), the free shaving gel (out of razors), some Coles garlic bread (39cents), and a few other good deals... oh got the Dr. Pepper yellow adv. deal and stacked those rare 60cent manuf. coupons!! Forgot to put them in the picture. They were still in the back of the car.

I'm happy!!! It was a great trip in my opinion!!

I Don't Like Shopping at CVS!!!

2010-05-14T21:27:00.003-05:00

No, I don't!! I get the person that has trouble getting a coupon to work, something doesn't ring up right, whatever. I spent $24.83 after adding up each transaction. I have no clue what I saved. Thank goodness for coupons and extra care bucks!

I had coupons for the cereal, deodorant, toothpaste, pantyliners, toilet paper, M&M's. The toilet paper was supposed to be Cottonelle but they were subbing Basics and I still got to use the $1 off Cottonelle coupon! I had a CVS coupon from their little machine thing for $3 off M&M's and on top of that a Buy2Get1 Free for the M&M's that were on sale for $2 a bag... so 3 bags for $1!!! I even got ECB's back from the milk!!

Anyway... Send me shopping at Publix ANYTIME!! Less of a headache!!!

This Week's Publix Deals!

2010-05-01T16:17:00.002-05:00

I think I did pretty good this week...

I scored some major deals!!
DiGiorno Pizza w/ Breadsticks for $2!! Regularly $8!
CapriSuns for $.79.
$1.00 total for 4 packs of Kraft shredded cheese.
Kelloggs gummy snacks for $.47
$.50 Moneymaker on each of my Oscar Mayer hotdogs! (That paid for the $.49 hotdog buns!)
Danonino's Yogurt $.67 each.
And a few other deals.

Wanna take a guess??? How much did I spend?

$46.11 Total!

Saved $86.75!! A 65% SAVINGS!!!

My $20 Challenge

2010-04-19T21:18:00.002-05:00

I bought a bundle of stuff this month, and, yes, I've saved a LOT but ,yes, I've spent a lot. So, after seeing some sales going on at Krogers and Target, I begged Norm to let me spend $20 (or less) on some deals. This is what I got!!

From Krogers... $10.42 (saved $46.63!!!) The veggies boxes, grill mate seasonings, and scotchbrite sponges were FREE!

From Publix... $2.20 got me 2 more boxes of oatmeal. (I rounded up a couple more $1 off coupons. I saved 5.88!!)
From Target... $4.03 (saved $12.10)for the Go-gurt, Vaseline lotions, and the free Midol PM. They didn't have any of the Pure & Nature bar soaps I was looking for... for free... they didn't even carry it. Oh well!

GRAND TOTAL SPENT... $16.65

TOTAL SAVED... $64.61

CHALLENGE WON!!! Woooohoooo!!!!

4-14-2010 My Publix Deals + a few others finds

2010-04-14T22:20:00.003-05:00

This time I went to Vestavia's Publix. I'm not that impressed. We happened to be down there anyway, but it won't bother me a bit if I don't go back to that one. I do like the one in Huntsville (Bailey Cove area). LOTS of coupon tearpads there!!! Found some nice ones for future trips, too!!!!

I found some deals. I needed a little more this time (canned mushrooms and a few other things) but here is what I got...

Here's the $tats...

I found some great deals at Walmart in Oneonta, AL. They are remodeling and they have a LOT of stuff on clearance. I found some great toys and games for Christmas presents. Not posting pics... wouldn't want to give anything away!! :D

Publix + Coupons = New Addiction!

2010-04-08T18:52:00.003-05:00

I think I'm becoming an addict to Publix and their deals with coupons!!!

Here is the scoop on my latest trip. I went Wednesday and managed to score that penny bleach deal! :) Thanks to SouthernSavers.com I scored a lot more!

So for $32.24, I got all this...

14 boxes of cereal (1.44-1.49 each)
12 boxes of BC potatoes (.20 each)
2 boxes of supreme brownies (.49 each)
11 boxes of Green Giant boxed frozen veggies (FREE!!!!)
2 Pam sprays (.94 each)
1 bleach (.01)
6 pk. Yoplait Fiber One Yogurts (.25 each)
2 2-liters 7-Up/A&W (.79/.80 each)
1 Midol (FREE+Overages)
1 Bayer (FREE+Overages)
1 Alka Seltzer (FREE+Overages)
1 Oncor steak patty box (forgot how much the coupon was for)

Gotta love it!!!!!!!

My first trip to Publix... Spent $122.93, SAVED $214.65!!

2010-04-03T23:22:00.003-05:00

I've been learning how to extreme coupon. I hit Publix for the first time on March 31st. I went in with my printed list from Southern Savers and a huge pile in my coupon organizer. I racked up on a bunch of B1G1 deals and several other sales!!

This picture would tell more if I had taken everything out but after 3 hours in Publix, the trip home and bedtime lurking, I needed to get the cold stuff in the fridge and the rest put up, too.

And just for the fun of it... the full length of the receipt! I'm 5'6" and it was long than I am tall!

Off the top of my head I stocked up on Ronzoni pasta and Classico sauces. I got some Yoplait Greek yogurt (try free + 30c off coupon that got doubled!) Used the mystery penny item for that loaf of bread plus other loaves using those Kraft cheese/Oscar Mayer lunchmeat coupons ($2 off Publix bread).

I WAS SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! The cashier, poor girl. It was her first day. Guess I broke her in good! The cashier next to her, the lady she was checking out and the bagger were stunned at the savings!! So was I!

I went back tonight to get a few more things before the sale went off (had to hunt up some coupons and hope another item was restocked. I also stocked up on Capri Suns while they were on sale. I spent around $21 and saved around $24. Can't complain!

Until next time!!!! Have a great Easter!!!!

A NEW BLOG!!!!

2009-09-19T17:24:00.002-05:00

I've started a new blog.

R.I.S.E. Up & Learn

It is geared toward preschool special ed. and regular ed.

I've let this one fizzle, but I'm hoping I can have more to post on the other one.

THANKS for following me! Please follow my other blog now!

Raindrops on roses....

2009-05-17T15:29:00.002-05:00

Here are some pics from today.

This isn't a rose but I LOVE this shot...

Iris

2009-04-28T18:32:00.003-05:00

My irises are FINALLY blooming! This is the 4th spring here and they finally decided to bloom. I had no idea what color they were going to be.

A new do.

2009-02-17T19:16:00.002-06:00

I took Emily to get her hair cut. It was getting so stringy and annoying!

Before...

After...

Early Works Kid's Museum

2009-02-07T19:27:00.002-06:00

I took Emily to the Early Works kid's museum in Huntsville while Norm was at his softball umpire camp. She loved it there. Here are some pics from today.

There's a story to go with the water tubs shots...

When we got into Biscuit's Backyard Emily wanted to know if she could play in the water tub thing. I said sure. Apparently she thought I meant she could play IN THE WATER TUB because she proceeds to PULL HER PANTS DOWN!!! I guess she was going to strip naked and play IN THE TUB!! LOL!!! Needless to say I was rushing to pull her pants up and thank goodness NO ONE WAS IN THERE WITH US!!!

I think this is my fav shot... and it isn't of Emily.

More pics.

Making a butterfly with the cute guy at the museum.

Laughing about hitting me on the head with a bundle of material at the "barn".

Emily's Half-time Show

2009-02-02T13:04:00.003-06:00

Emily enjoyed Bruce Springsteen during the half-time show. Here are some clips. Emily shakin' it and smoochin' on Bruce.

Emily and her daddy dancing.

A Day Out With My Friend

2009-01-24T20:29:00.004-06:00

Emily and I spent the day with my friend Karla. Even though I talk to Karla online, I haven't seen her in years! We went to the mall and window shopped, hit some more stores around town then took Emily to the Imagination Place. Here are some pics from today.

The carousel at the mall.

At the Imagination Place. Emily had a ball there! The blurrier pics were taken with my cellphone when Emily and I went back after Karla headed home. My camera batteries were dead. They still turned out semi ok for a cellphone.

Construction Gal Emily!

Oooooooh! Emily's in the doghouse!!!

A couple of shots in front of a fake set of frenchdoors... "trump loi"

Grocery shopping! Ready to check out!

ALL ABOARD!!!! Too bad we couldn't go in the train car. The museum seems to be using it to store junk.

Here is painted wall behind the traincar. Pretty cool work!

The Shadow Room. She LOVED this! (cellphone pic.)

Is there a doctor in the house?

Meet the Fishies!

2009-01-04T20:19:00.000-06:00

Meet the two newest members of our family... Dorothy the Fantail Goldfish and Minty the Black Moor. Dorothy is named after Elmo's goldfish "Dorothy", of course and Minty is named after "Minty", the green My Little Pony that Emily got out of her Happy Meal last week. I guess she thought it was a greenish tint of black. Who knows! LOL

Christmas at Grammy's

2009-01-03T09:07:00.000-06:00

We went to my mother-in-law's for Christmas. Here are some pics from our trip there.

Cousin Ryan

Cousin Aspen

Dr. Emily giving her baby a shot

Giving herself a shot

Princess Emily

Norm was blowing leaves in the front yard at his mom's and Emily had to be right in the middle of it. Oh, how she loves the wind blowing through her hair.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!!!

Santa Came to See Emily!

2009-01-03T08:48:00.000-06:00

Here is the washing machine she's been asking for. She also got a vanity, a fish bowl, and some goodies in her stocking. We still have to get a fish. We were gone for over a week after Christmas so Santa knew a fish wouldn't make it on its own for that long! :) She wants a fish like Elmo's Dorothy - a gold fish! :)

I think she enjoyed her gifts! She also had to go out and check to see if the reindeer at their food and they did. She was thrilled!

Santa's Cookies

2008-12-24T21:17:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to add a pic of Santa's cookies.

Reindeer Food

2008-12-24T21:01:00.004-06:00

My friend Jan sent Emily a baggie of reindeer food. Emily loved this idea and had a blast sprinkling it all over the driveway.

Thanks Jan!! Great idea!!!! :)

Christmas Eve at Our House

2008-12-24T20:54:00.001-06:00

Mom's side of the family came over tonight for Christmas. I think Emily was well pleased with all her gifts! Here are just a few shots of what she got from everyone.

Cookies For Santa

2008-12-24T14:51:00.001-06:00

Emily saw the commercial where the dad and son make sugar cookies for Santa. Emily had to make some, too. When we bought the cookie mix, we picked up chocolate chip. "NO!!" She said. "Not that one." So, we tried oatmeal raisin. Nope, that wasn't it either. It HAD to be SUGAR COOKIES! Not just plain sugar cookies but with SPRINKLES!

Isn't she talented? :) Well, she did have SOME help! Ok, a LOT of help. We have four cookies saved for Santa. I'm not sure how much longer the others will make it!

Merry Christmas!

A Rite of Passage

2008-12-24T14:14:00.000-06:00

A mother's instinct is to know when it is too quiet then you need to check on them. You find either a sleeping babe or a child in trouble. This time it was trouble.

Well, Emily did it. She cut her own hair. Thank goodness it isn't that bad or noticeable. She got her bangs a little bit it can be brushed over and hidden. Then there is a place on top of her head that really isn't that badly noticeable either. Looks sorta like her hair is just broken off by ponytail holders or something.

I don't know where she found the scissors. They were small and black handled. No CLUE! The others are accounted for. So, it blew my mind to see her with a pair in her hands and hear that sound of cutting hair as I yelled "NO!!!!!!!!! STOP!!!!!!!!!!!" I think I scared the crap out of her.

Here is the place in her bangs.

Now, THIS is what you want to find when they get quiet.

We can Disco, too!!

2008-12-21T11:56:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Bush Family Elves

2008-12-19T20:14:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

We were elfed!

2008-12-19T11:13:00.001-06:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Animoto Christmas

2008-12-13T20:30:00.001-06:00

Santa Slide Show

2008-12-13T19:41:00.001-06:00

Christmas is in the Air

2008-12-13T15:39:00.000-06:00

We've been picking pecans and I've been baking!

I have a wonderful pecan pie recipe I got from a friend who is no longer with us. I did a little tweaking to Barbara's recipe. It it yummy!

1/2 c. melted butter or marg.
1 c. pecans chopped
1 c. light brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar or Splenda
1 heaping Tbsp flour
2 eggs
1/8 c. syrup (Log Cabin Sugar Free does well!)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie crust

Combine all ingredients well and pour into pie crust. Cover crust edge with foil to keep from burning. Bake for 35 minutes at 350. Decrease temp to 250, take foil of the edges and bake for 30 more minutes. YUM!

I've also been making Toast Rosemary Pecans

4 c. pecan halves
4 Tbsp. butter melted
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon dried rosemary lightly crushed
1/2 teaspoon sugar or splenda

Preheat oven to 250. Bake for 15 minutes on a cookie sheet with edges. Stir them up and back for 15 minutes more. Transfer to papertowel and let cool. YUM!

Oh Nascar Tree, Oh Nascar Tree...

2008-12-13T15:30:00.000-06:00

Norm got his NASCAR/Jeff Gordon tree put up with some help from Emily.

Elmo Christmas Collage

2008-12-09T20:03:00.002-06:00

We got Elmo put on the front porch today. I took some pics of Emily with Elmo and she had to take a picture of me and Elmo, too. Yes, the pic of Elmo and me was taken by Emily! I put the camera on a short column I have on the porch. All she had to do was keep the camera on me and shoot. I think she did a pretty good job for a 2 1/2 year old!
This is a collage I made for my siggy on a few message boards I am on.

Just a flashback to last Christmas with Emily and Elmo.

My Tree

2008-12-06T20:25:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to putting my tree up. I just realized I didn't put my pink silk roses on it. Oh well. Here's a pic of it.

Merry Christmas!

Alphabet Adventure

2008-12-01T15:18:00.003-06:00

Here are some of the items that I will be getting with the grant money I won. I know the students will LOVE all of this. I know I will! All of the items are coming from LAKESHORE LEARNING. I LOVE that company!!!!

Literacy Chest - this is being bought with the extra money from winning the bigger grant.

Here are the original items I wrote the grant for.

In the last pic I'm not getting all of those games. I'm just getting two of them. They didn't have pics of just the two.

Christmas Village

2008-11-26T21:27:00.000-06:00

I put my Christmas Village up this evening. Emily had a fit over it! "It like Walmart!"

This gave me a chance to work with low light shots and non-moving objects. I really do need a tri-pod. I used a book to raise my camera up and keep it steady. If I tried to hold it on my own, the pics were blurring, the lights streaming along.

Photo Challenge - WEATHER

2008-11-24T14:47:00.000-06:00

How's the weather in your neck of the woods? Today, it is rainy, dreary, blah! The sky was just gray and blah... not good for a photo if you ask me. Nothing interesting about that. So, I thought I would add a little color to my blah weather pic. Here are some nandena berries from my front yard with raindrops on them. I'm not sure if nandena is spelled right, but you get the idea.

Thanks for lookin'!

I WON!!! I WON!!!

2008-11-21T17:35:00.000-06:00

Back in September I wrote a grant for my classroom. The Blount County Education Foundation gives them out yearly to our county teachers. Up to $750 can be requested. My project was titled "Alphabet Adventure" and was for $746. (I try my best to make the most of my money.) They announced the winners this morning and I won my grant!! Not only did I win my grant, I won a "signature" grant worth $1000!!!!! So, I have extra money to spend on my project! YIPPEEEEEE!!! Wooooooohooooo!!!!

My items are coming from Lakeshore Learning. They have some of the neatest education items in there. My grant items from last year came from Lakeshore.

Anyway!! I thought I would post something other than photo challenge pics!

Photo Challenge - LOW LIGHT

2008-11-16T20:24:00.000-06:00

I had to go back into the archives again. Christmas time seems to be the best time for low light pics but right now, I don't have any of my Christmas stuff out.

Here are some pics from last year at Noccolula Falls on the train ride around the grounds. The first one is my entry into the challenge. We are going through a covered bridge on the train.

Here is what the bridge looks like when we were standing near it.

Here is one of the light displays taken while on the moving train.

Maybe next week I will have new stuff for the challenge. :)

Photo Challenge - MACRO

2008-11-11T16:43:00.000-06:00

I went back into the archives and found these. I couldn't really find anything around here to take good macro shots this time.

Photo Challenge - Make Over

2008-11-01T19:11:00.002-05:00

This week's challenge is a photo make over. Take a pic and make it better. Here is mine!

BEFORE

AFTER - brightened, cropped, red blemish on left arm fixed, noiseware ran to get rid of graininess, and a slight vignette.

Witchie Poo!

2008-11-01T14:51:00.001-05:00

Emily LOVED trick-or-treating. We did more trunk-or-treating at churches than hitting house to house. She picked up on the concept quick, too. We got done with one place and she'd yell, "go to 'nother church, get more candy!"

Emily decided she was going to be a witch this year. After seeing a local high school band's halftime show - The Wizard of Oz - she became fascinated with the witch. She even managed to get three witch dolls from McDonalds! She'd going around posing like the wicked witch and tell you "I'm a witch" with her little growling voice. She even had the laugh down pat.

Here is my little Halloween Witch!

He's Home!

2008-10-31T12:45:00.000-05:00

Norm came home last night!! YAY! I know he's glad to be out of the hospital. He was about to go stir crazy!

Hospital Trips

2008-10-26T23:16:00.000-05:00

Well, it all starts Wednesday.

Norm started having chest pains at school, sugar level sky high, arm tingling some. They called 911 and the ambulance took him to the hospital... they treated him, kept him there. They ruled out heart attack. Found out he has a hyadial hernia (sp?), h-pylori stomach virus, stomach/esophogus lining gone from reflux. He ran a fever Thursday night, coughing a little Friday, discharge him Friday at 4pm, we get home around 5pm, he starts feeling cold - running a 102 temp around 7pm. Takes 3 extra strength tylenol - no help. Still has a fever at 8. The doc on call says come back to the ER. Guess what - PNEUMONIA!! Yep! So, he BACK in the hospital. He's doing better. Hopefully will get to come home soon!!!

Animoto - Fall 2008

2008-10-23T21:55:00.001-05:00

I was just playing with animoto and some of the fall pics. I thought I had petting zoo pics in there, but I guess not. ENJOY!

Photo Challenge - SOOC

2008-10-23T20:45:00.000-05:00

SOOC = Straight Out Of the Camera... no edits, no crops, no color fixing, nada, nothing... WYSIWYG... what you see is what you get. Here are mine. Yes, they look familiar if you've seen my recent entries of Emily's field trip to the petting zoo and the ones of her in the cotton patch .

SOOC! Here is my fav and my entry in the challenge.
In case you've never seen cotton, here you go... cotton, right in the field, up close and personal!

Is it a winner??? I hope so!!!

Here are others just for the fun of it! All SOOC!

Cotton-Eyed Emily

2008-10-19T12:52:00.000-05:00

I think I'm going to have to make it a ritual... pics in a cotton patch. Emily loves playing with the cotton and I love the pics.
Here are some shots from today.

Look at my DEERE Daughter

2008-10-14T14:52:00.002-05:00

Look! MORE PICS! :) Three posts in one day and all pics!

Ok, so it isn't our John Deere tractor. Our landlord left it outback. Photo opp calling!

THANKS FOR LOOKING!!!

PHOTO CHALLENGE - Colors/Colours of Nature

2008-10-14T14:45:00.002-05:00

Here are my shots! As usual, I can't pick a favorite so I'll have to let Wendy and Helen pick!

And look! A sneak peak of flowers! I found this one hiding in the hedges!

T & N Acres Field Trip

2008-10-14T14:37:00.004-05:00

Emily's class went on a field trip to T & N Acres. They got to feed and pet animals, ride a wagon to a hay maze and pick a pumpkin, ride a pony and stuff their own scarecrow! Here are a LOT of pics from the trip!

No, she didn't get to pet or feed the snake. :)

PHOTO CHALLENGE - Portraits

2008-10-07T06:33:00.002-05:00

This is NOT my strong point. Went into my archives for this one. This week and weekend was busy with a birthday party (see the post below this one) and I'm sick, too. Here's what I've got. I hope I'm not too late.

Aspen's One Year Old!

2008-10-06T13:46:00.002-05:00

Aspen is Emily's baby cousin. She turned one. These pics are from the party Saturday. This gave me a chance to play with the manual settings on my camera. I took over 100 shots. Most were smash the cake shots. Some turned out grainy. Thanks to Noiseware for clearing up that problem!

The Birthday Girl!

Grammy and the Grandkids... Ryan, Aspen & Emily

The Cake

Smashing the Cake!

Just Hangin' Around After the Party

Crest catch phrase contest

2008-10-06T08:51:00.002-05:00

Crest is having a contest for a new catch phrase. My uncle Randall and his wife have submitted theirs. You can see them on youtube.

Here is Randall's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cvJAOe1dt8

Here is Wanda's.
http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=cRg4ul3Z07M

To vote, you must be registerd on youtube. :)

ENJOY!

Friday Night Lights

2008-09-27T21:55:00.001-05:00

My husband is a football referee. We went to one of his games last night and tried to get some shots of him in action. I played with the manual settings on my computer trying to get some good shots. I was a good bit up there in the stands, so they aren't the best quality.

The Lights

The Pre-Game

Norm is #5 from the left. :)

The only good action shot I got of Norman. The others were either him standing and waiting or a blur. He's the one in the bottom left corner.

Mike Raita - ABC 33/40's Sports Guy came to the game.

Half-Time

That is the visiting team's band. The home team didn't do their typical show. It was homecoming.

BORED!! Emily was getting bored by 3rd quarter. Can you tell?

At the end of the 3rd quarter, Emily and I went back to the car to wait on Norm. She started playing around and having a good time.

Meet Cousin IT!

Mama's Little Cheerleader

The Carol Burnette Ear Thing.

She looks like she's pulling on her ear like Carol Burnette used to do in her show. I'm really not sure what she was doing.

Well, the home team won their game. Made for a nice homecoming.

PHOTO CHALLENGE - Bridges

2008-09-26T07:09:00.003-05:00

Here is mine!

Where I live we have 3 covered bridges. We used to have 4 until some idiot several years ago set one on fire. It was replaced with a basic bridge. Then some other idiots tried to tear down another one by tying it off to their truck and driving off. I still don't think that one has been repaired for working condition. It is still up but it is warped.

This is Swan Bridge. It is still is working condition. The water below is a nice place to hang out during the summer. When you go by there, several cars are usually lined up along the road.

Want to learn more about photography?

2008-09-25T19:59:00.000-05:00

My friend DeAnn has started a great blog!!

http://www.learningtoclick.blogspot.com/

Some of you photo challenge people might like it! If you are like me, you are always learning something new about your camera! If you like it there, tell DeAnn that Lori sent ya!

:)

PHOTO CHALLENGE - MORNINGS

2008-09-23T07:13:00.003-05:00

I thought to myself, "I barely function in the mornings. How am I going to do this challenge?" You wait until you wake up a little more. LOL

Here are my shots.

Tired... just worn out

2008-09-22T18:01:00.002-05:00

You know, it could be worse, but it could be better... the school year that is.

I have 18 students in my class, 15 special needs and 3 typical peers. I have 2 aides in my class but due to the large number I have, we are having to "borrow" 2 aides to help out. They help at different times during the day. We (my 2 original aides and I) are starting to feel the wear. Well, they've been feeling it sooner that I have. But now it is starting to catch up with me. I will be getting more special needs students soon. One in Oct., one probably late Oct/beginning Nov. and one in January when he turns 3. 18 Special needs students. You know. It is supposed to be 50/50 in my room. For each SPE student there is supposed to be a typical peer. CAN YOU IMAGINE MY ROOM with DOUBLE the kids in it? I think we'd all be bald from pulling our hair out! I hope we get some help of some kind SOON. I can't even remember if I wrote this kid's mom a note about whatever or that one a note about whatever else. I still have meetings I need to conduct along with others I've been conducting and you know, sometime or another I am supposed to be teaching, too. Imagine that... actually being able to teach. We have one with issues that seems to disrupt our main instruction time. He can't help it, but it really gets the other 14 SPE kids out of sorts at times.

I'm tired. I come home and I don't feel like doing squat. I go to bed at 9 if not earlier. I get up around 5 or 5:30 in the morning and just drag my butt out of bed. I get to work around 6:30 because my husband and I are carpooling in order to save gas money. I'm there until 3:30 because I watch the typical peers that can stay until 3:30. I'm tired. I can't sleep late on the weekends. Little Miss won't let me. Her behind is soooooooo hard to get up at 6AM during the week but by cracky, she can sure wake up easily and on her own at 6AM on Sat. morning!! NO JOKE!!! I can't tell you the last time I did get to sleep past 7 on the weekend. I'm tired. A couple of times I've gone to bed at 8:30. Very few times do I get to take a nap on the weekends. My husband can fall asleep if he just gets still laying on the couch. Most times if I were to doze off SOMEONE wakes me up in one way, shape or form... purposely or unintentional.

I can only take tylenol and sometimes that just doesn't make a dent in the achy muscles. Right now, my shoulders and back hurt from the tiredness and stress. I should be thankful that is all it is. A girl I went to school with would love for her pains to be just from stress and her job wearing her out. She has stage 4 cancer, a tumor on her back, cancer in several organs, on morphine for the pain, surgery cannot help. She'll have to go through chemo and radiation hoping it will help. I guess I should just stop complaining and be thankful I can get up and go to work in the mornings. But I'm still tired.

Popcorn and nose holes don't mix

2008-09-21T14:25:00.004-05:00

Last night we went to a local high school band exhibition show. While there Emily and I had some popcorn. I guess Emily got bored because she poked a hard unpopped kernel into her nose. *rolling my eyes* I couldn't see it because the lighting wasn't that great and Emily's head wouldn't tilt back as fas as I needed it to. On the way home I was on the phone with my dad to see if he'd help me dig it out when I hear Emily yell "I GOT IT!! I GOT IT!!" So, she managed to get it out in one way, shape or form... THANK GOODNESS!!!

So, if you haven't learned anything until now - Don't stick a popcorn kernel in your nose.

SHOUT box!

2008-09-12T21:29:00.001-05:00

I added a shoutbox over to the side if anyone every wants to just leave a message! :) Have fun with it!! Please, keep it clean!

HEY AtoZTeacherStuff People!!!

2008-09-06T20:52:00.002-05:00

I see all you out there checking out my blog!! Why not drop me a line and let me know who you are?!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Lori AKA "SpecialPreskoo"

Photo Challenge - ABSTRACT

2008-09-04T20:31:00.001-05:00

The Bon Fire tonight for my alma mater's homecoming. I thought they turned out pretty cool. I'm not sure which one or ones are my favs.

Emily's Haircut

2008-09-02T17:53:00.001-05:00

Emily got her first real haircut today... not just a trim but a CUT. Here are the before and after pics!!

You know, I got to looking, one side may be a little longer than the other in the front view. But dang, she would NOT be still. Anita did the best she could with a moving target... lol.

Photo Challenge - Symmetry

2008-08-30T20:30:00.000-05:00

Here is my picture of symmetry. What is more symmetric than a butterfly?

How's it going at school?

2008-08-23T21:55:00.000-05:00

It's a full house!!!! I have 18 students. 3 typical peers and 15 special ed. with a few more expected to come. I tell you. We've had a time this week with several of the kiddos having diarrhea... back to school virus?? severe allergy to school? I don't know but it isn't fun. We really haven't accomplished too much with all the potty trips it takes with that many kids and the extra poopy messes. I have 2 aides in there but I think they are about to go bonkers if the poop doesn't settle some.

Got a new theme up. Instead of the fiesta/western theme, we are going raindrops and such with the hurricane season here. I'll try to get some pics of my wall outside to share.

Thank goodness for weekends!!

Photo Challenge - LINES

2008-08-17T11:54:00.001-05:00

Here is my pic for the challenge... also seen in the previous post. :)

On the Road with Emily, well grass

2008-08-17T11:49:00.001-05:00

Get out of the way, Emily's behind the wheel! Really, get out of her way. She'll run over you! I can't get the video to embed on here. So there's the link.
VIDEO CLIP OF EMILY DRIVING

More shots.

The End

Watch out Gordon! Here comes EMILY!

2008-08-16T16:47:00.000-05:00

We finally got around to putting together Emily's Jeff Gordon car. Then I remembered a costume we bought last year on clearance. She'll be on the NASCAR circuit before long!!

Rainy Days and Tuesdays

2008-08-13T15:06:00.004-05:00

Emily decided to go play in the rain when we got home from school yesterday. They may not be the best quality. I was playing with manual settings and they turned out dark. I tried to brighten them some. Sometimes snapshots are just that... snapshots. No time to play with settings when the moment may be gone in a flash.

*Kangaroo Hop* Must be a new thing she learned at daycare.

*Got some hangtime here!*

*Puddles!!!*

*CAUGHT HAVIN' FUN!*

Fun at the Park

2008-08-09T18:14:00.003-05:00

We took Emily to the park today. Boy, did she love it! These pics were taken with me on the merry go round with her. My head was swimming when I got off.

Seeeeeeeeeeeeeee-Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw

Just a swingin'!

What a day!

2008-08-07T14:44:00.003-05:00

It was a great first day of school!!! I had 12 students today and only 1 pitched a fit this morning. I can't complain. I know more students will show up later, but I'm sure we will do fine!!

In case you aren't familiar with my class, here is the scoop. I have the preschool special ed./inclusion class for our county. We have special needs students and typical peers (TP) in the same class. Last year I had one TP. This year it looks like I'm going to have three! So, word is spreading! :)

Anyway! Here's hoping for another great day tomorrow!!

SCHOOL'S STARTING!!!

2008-08-06T08:35:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow the students start school. We started Monday with meetings and such. My room is ready. I'm excited! I know I'm going to have my hands full though. LOTS of little ones this year. I'm sure it will work out fine once everyone gets into a routine!

Wish me luck!

YAY! School clothes! For Me!

2008-08-02T18:37:00.002-05:00

I went shopping today with my mom. I managed to find 4 tops!! YAY!!! I think I tried on 15. It is amazing how sizes are so weird!! One time is a large, 2 are extra-large and one is a 1X. GO FIGURE!!!! :)

Anyway, I'm pleased!

What Not To Wear

2008-08-01T17:19:00.002-05:00

Do you ever feel like you just have no style? I do. I have the hardest time finding something worth spending my money on at stores. I just don't see things that strike my fancy. The style of tops I see a lot looks like maternity tops on me and I'm not in need of those right now. Sometimes I wish I could get on the show What Not To Wear. Give me $5K and some style tips and I might be ok. I mean, my style is not hideous, it is just blah. I don't have that classy style that I'd like to have. I also don't want to spend a lot of money and then my preschoolers run my clothes with art supplies, puke or greasy foods. It's depressing!

Welcome to My Classroom

2008-07-31T17:08:00.002-05:00

Well, actually 2 rooms. Yes, I have 2 classrooms and it is takes every inch of space with the 16+ preschoolers (special ed. and some typical). The first room is in a fiesta theme and the second room is a western theme.

Here's the tour!

The door to the first classroom. Students will enter here in the mornings, drop off back packs, go potty and have a seat to watch a short video while we wait for all of the buses to arrive.

"Nacho Ordinary Preschool" I scanned a dorito off of a bag of chips to make the paper chips with their names on it.

The view from when you first walk in. We also have Circle Time, lunch, snack and the occasional movie time in here.

Other views of this room. Yes, that's my little Emily! She's in several pics. She helped mama get the room ready. Actually she strowed toys while I tried to clean things up. :)

My Character Ed. Bulletin Board. See, you can do a black background.

Outside the door of my second room. "WANTED: Preschoolers Who Are Ready To Have Fun!"

The view inside from the door.

Other views of this room. The shelves by the fridge will be where they snack baskets go.

The round table near the door will hold my 2 computers for my computer center. I haven't got them out yet.

Boot Scootin' Into Preschool. I am going to put little boots with their names on there later. I haven't got them finished yet.

My Floor Time area.

My Hands On Center area (fine motor skills, matching, puzzles, stringing beads, Mr. Potato Head, sorting, pegs, language games, etc.

The "Table Work" area (pre-academics, writing, etc.)

Nap Mat Storage... I know you really wanted to see all those mats and blankets all stacked up. Ha Ha!

And last but not least!!! The POTTY!! LOL We actually have 2 bathrooms side by side between the classrooms and a changing area, too.

Well, that concludes the tour of my preschool special ed./inclusion classroom.
Hope you enjoyed it! Y'all come back now!

Just an Awesome video clip

2008-07-29T07:40:00.002-05:00

Some of you may have seen this video on youtube, some may have gotten it in an email. I just wanted to share it with you.

http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever

Just some Emily stuff

2008-07-27T20:43:00.001-05:00

I tell you, she never ceases to amaze me.

1. We went shopping at the mall with my mom Sat. and she wore cloth training pants and had NO accidents!! Woooohoooo! I was worried because you know how bathrooms at the malls can be far and few between. She told me when she had to go and she used it. They had the family bathrooms w/ the little potties. She said "it fit me" when she sat on it. LOL

2. I tell you, this child has no fear. She jumped on one of those trampolines with the harness and bungee cords. That gal got some big time height! Not the best pic... cell phone camera, moving target... lol

3. She's getting witty with the stuff she tells us! Norman was asking her if he could have a drink of her Bug Juice. She told him "should got own at da store". Guess she told him! Then when we were at another store and walking back to the car another car went by us in the parking lot... ample space from us but Emily goes "Shew, that was a close one" and wiped her forehead. :D

ANYWAY! Just thought I'd share what stinker was up to!

HEY BIM06 Mamas!!!

2008-07-25T15:40:00.002-05:00

We're moving boards. Leslie, the admin for TFGII, has posted a message on our board.

Here is the link to our "new" home. If you haven't registered before on there, you will need to.
http://www.toastmoms.com/index.php
I hope everyone likes our new place. There are BIM06 public and private boards. There are several other boards, too. It is a neat place. It is set up like the old TFG. GhostRose of the BIF06 mama's set it up.

Please, pass the word through email to the ones you have. I'm going to email everyone once my email for Toast To Moms is set up. The last time I tried to email everyone on my urisp.net email, most of them went to bulk or spam and no one got them or if they got them it was by sheer luck by them looking on bulk/spam.

Photo Challenge - Negative Space

2008-07-18T19:49:00.003-05:00

OK, this week's thing was negative space. Here are my shots!

This one falls under negative space and sillouette. :) I lined the sun up behind the globe of the light. I think it turned out pretty cool. :)

I'm Back!

2008-07-18T19:29:00.003-05:00

The training went great! I was the only one there. There was supposed to be someone else, but they never showed up, so I got one -on-one training! I was done around 2pm each day, so I had to find ways to entertain myself in the evenings. Staying in the motel with little to watch on TV got bored QUICKLY! I kept the road hot all over Tuscaloosa and Northport... hit Walmart, the malls, Target, some antique malls, a couple of teacher supply stores and a few Bama campus bookstores. I also found the Bama Belle Riverboat. Here are some of the pics I took. ENJOY!!

The Bama Belle

A couple of pics of a branch off of the river.

Pics along the riverwalk.

A statue of the great Paul "Bear" Bryant, former coach of the Crimson Tide.

Sillouette with sunflare shot of him. (It was not the best time of day to get the shots, but you work with what you got.)

All of the former coaches... not the best shot either.

This is just something I found funny at the motel I was staying at. I was in a non-smoking room. Tell me something - Why put an ashtry upside down in a non-smoking room with a no-smoking sticker on it? WHY? LOL How goofy is that???

Go Figure!

It was a nice trip and all but I'm glad to be back home! Now, if Emily will just come back tomorrow! She's been at my mother-in-laws this week. :)

Going to be MIA

2008-07-13T18:41:00.003-05:00

I have a week long preschool autism training workshop this week. I'll be back Friday evening. I hope I learn something useful this time. I went to a training last summer that was a week long and free. I learned a lot but not what I really wanted. I want to learn more on how to use boardmaker and pecs (picture exchange communication) in the classroom. I REALLY need to know how that goes. This training wasn't free (not out of my pocket though), but it better be more information wise than what I got last summer. At least this one is totally preschool related. The other covered preschool, middle and high school. Let's hope for a great week. I'm done each day by 3pm-ish. Then off with my camera to take pics of whatever I can find that is interesting. I'm hoping there is a park or gardens somewhere down there. I know I might find some neat things to take pics of on Bama's campus. :)

Photo Challenge - FILL THE FRAME

2008-07-12T12:29:00.002-05:00

I'm in a lollipop phase or something. :) Gotta make the most of the prop before it gets eaten up.

Here is this week's photo challenge - Fill the Frame. Is this full enough for ya? LOL

Kinda bright and psychedelic... almost gives me a headache to look at it for long periods of time. :)

Papa's Birthday Cake

2008-07-11T17:28:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was Papa's birthday (my dad) and Emily decided to make him a cake today. :)

She baked her invisible cake all herself. Love those kind of cakes... no fat, no calories, no carbs.

See her cake? TA DA!!

Googled!!

2008-07-08T17:13:00.002-05:00

I was checking out the live feed widget over to the side that tells me who's been here, where they are from, etc. Three people found me by googling another topic! LOL

I've had 2 hits from people looking for info on burning feet on pavement and my post about Norm's burned toe on the pavement popped up 3rd on the list! Ha Ha!

Then someone looked up virus bug and my post about a VBS meaning Vacation bible school turning into Virus Bug Spreading popped up as the 1st one on the list!

Ok, so I'm easily amused. :)

Photo Challenge - Texture

2008-07-07T14:48:00.002-05:00

Here is my pic for texture... going for prickly!

The spider was an added bonus! I guess you could count the web as a soft texture, too.

Happy 4th Of July!!!

2008-07-02T22:04:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I'm early, but I won't be here to say it on the exact day. We are leaving tomorrow and won't be back until Sunday. We are going to visit Norm's mom for a few days. She's been recooping from having her appendix removed.

Talk to everyone later!!

Lollipop

2008-06-30T13:37:00.002-05:00

I finally got around to taking those classic lollipop shots. Here are my favs.

And the color select version.

The End!

Food - Photo Challenge 5 - Edit

2008-06-29T16:44:00.003-05:00

Got to editing my squash pic. Here is the before and then the after.