No, not Billy Blanks - the inventor of Tae Bo - (I may fall in love with him after the new year, if he can do something about these thighs!) but Billy Mays, you know, the loud mouthed guy who pitches different amazing products like Oxi-Clean, Mighty Putty and KaBoom.
Well, in the process of de-germing the house after our holiday illness, I've scrubbed everything from top to bottom! For my floors, I used Orange Glo 2 in 1 Clean 'n Shine and I'm amazed! Let me tell you, Billy got it right on!!! (I know this is a pitiful topic to blog about, but give me a break people, we've been in our house for about two weeks with ick -- it's a small moment of happiness!)
Look at that shine!
One of my blogging friends (Hey Jill!) had a "Products you Love" post and this would definitely be my contribution. All you do is squirt it, mop it and you're done! (I did use my floor scrubber before, because we needed a GOOD cleaning!)
So, in my small moment of cleaning bliss, I thought I'd post this and help make someone's life easier!
Where are my shades? These floors are bright!!!~ Laurie
Which angel of Christmas past, present or future did we offend to have the luck we have with Christmas holidays? Why do I ask this question? Well, let's see...last year Lily Clare was so very sick with the flu, the year before that I had my bout with appendicitis and this year, this is how poor little Sam spent his Christmas day... Nope., 7:00 a.m. wasn't the waking hour because of the Santa excitement, Sam was awakened by an awful stomach bug! And it continued on until 10:30 that night. Sam really tried his hardest to enjoy the morning excitement, as you can see in this pic (they are about to rip into their new trampoline!):
But, very soon the sofa called his name and he stayed there (or in the bathroom) for the rest of the day. So pitiful!
As we quarantined Lily to other parts of the house, she enjoyed her new possessions:
Princess bike (Now she doesn't have to ride on Sam's old tiger-striped bike!)
Play-doh Ice Cream Station: Cinderella outfit:
She eventually ended up outside helping John put the trampoline together:
Then testing it out:
While Sam was inside still doing this:
I, on the other hand, played with my toy - a Nikon D40 camera! Lots to learn, but hopefully my pictures will be very impressive soon!
Here are some of my random pics:
So, have I bored you yet? Not much excitement when you're having to stay within earshot of a sick boy running to the bathroom!
On a good note, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve gathering with John's family! Janet cooked an incredible Italian feast and we had a grand old time eating, drinking and being merry together! (Sorry, no pics...we were too busy eating, drinking and being merry!)
Even though we had this icky day, we definitely know the true meaning of Christmas and we know that we are blessed with all that we have: love, family, friends and health! (After all, it was only a virus and not a life-threatening illness.)
We hope everyone had a day full of smiles, happy moments and felt the love of Jesus on His birthday!
He came here from the North Pole to help me keep "the Moore kids" on the straight and narrow until Christmas! Each night he flies back to Santa to report what he's seen for the day -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- then he returns and hides in a new place the next day!
Let's keep our fingers crossed that he's a good influence!
Writing Christmas cards, buying gifts, wrapping presents, Christmas cupcakes for the scouts, searching for the "perfect" surprises, some handmade gifts, Christmas parties, decking the halls, baking, school programs, teacher presents...then throw in the standard Cub Scout meeting (and another patch), ballet classes, grocery shopping, visits to the gym, laundry, etc. Whew! This song just sums it all up!
My sister-in-law played this for me saying it reminded her of me. That comment worried me a bit at first, because our tastes in music can differ some! (Yes, Janet, I think Sugarland fakes their country accent!!!!) But she hit the nail on the head! Plus, I adore Amy Grant!
**I know I volunteer for a lot of this stuff on my own, but that's the spirit of the season, right?!?!
I promise to get my Silent Nights soon!!!
Ready~ Laurie
P.S. Here are the lyrics!
I've made the same mistake before Too many malls, too many stores December traffic, Christmas rush It breaks me till I push and shove
Children are crying while mothers are trying To photograph Santa and sleigh The shopping and buying and standing forever in line What can I say?
I need a silent night, a holy night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a silent night
December comes then disappears Faster and faster every year Did my own mother keep this pace Or was the world a different place?
Where people stayed home wishing for snow Watching three channels on their TV Look at us now rushing around Trying to buy Christmas peace
I need a silent night, a holy night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a silent night
What was it like back there in Bethlehem With peace on earth, good will toward men?
Every shepherd's out in the field Keeping watch over their flock by night And the glory of the Lord shone around them And they were so afraid
And the angels said fear not for behold I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people For unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace
I need a silent night, a holy night To hear an angel voice through the chaos and the noise I need a midnight clear, a little peace right here To end this crazy day with a silent night To end this crazy day with a silent night
Don't you just love those mornings when you sleep in a little and can smell the sweet aroma of breakfast being made? Well, this morning, that is just what I did. But as I turned over and peeked out of one eye, I noticed that John was still in bed next to me. So wait, how am I smelling breakfast if John is still nestled all snug in the bed?!?!
I hopped out of my warm cocoon and hurried down the stairs to find this....
Sam wanted to make the four of us breakfast. Toast, more specifically. (At least he didn't attempt pancakes or scrambled eggs!) Look at his proud face... Yep, it's toasted!
Voila, the finished product. If you look hard enough, you can see the butter that he put on!
What a great way to wake up. Emeril has nuthin' on this guy!
BAM!~ Laurie
P.S. I wonder when I can teach him to make the coffee?
The Christmas season itself is just a wonderful, fun time of year! The bright lights and anticipation of Santa fills the days with such joy. So what could make this season any better you ask? You did ask, right?!?! Well, the answer is easy... it's the great movies that are shown repeatedly on an almost daily basis! You know the ones I'm talking about...Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Story! Did you think I was going to say White Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street?!? Well, those are good, but they just can't beat the "dysfunctional Griswold get-together", or Ralphie being told constantly "You'll shoot your eye out!" or Cindy Loo Hoo melting the heart of the mean old Grinch!
So, I decided to pay tribute to these great flicks. Can you see any resemblances:
I tried to get John to dress up in a short robe like Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation, but he would have none of that! Oh well.
What is one of the fastest (and least fun) ways to spend a large amount of money!?!??! No, not throwing it out the window -- that might be more fun.
Here's your answer:
A new driveway!
I'm still looking for the positive side of this. Still thinking, still...
Ummmmm, still thinking~ Laurie
**************Edited to add********************
O.K., here are my positive thoughts. At least we're able to replace it...and, if it's not fixed now, we may end up losing one of the children in one of the ever-widening cracks. So there, I looked at the sunny side!
Friends grow up together (thirty years strong!)...
Vacation together...
Stand in line to vote together at 5:45 a.m.!!!
Giggle together...
Have plain ol'fun together...
"I keep my friends as misers do their treasure, because, of all the things granted us by wisdom, none is greater or better than friendship." ~Pietro Aretino
Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. ~C.S. Lewis
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same. ~Flavia Weedn
Why? Well, an easy example..... the first story of this week's sermon was about our minister going to the dermatologist to have a wart removed! Yep, and it only got better from there! He is quite the storyteller and does a perfect job of tying in his stories with the teachings of the Bible. Even a wart!!!
Now, if we can get ourselves in there every week, who knows what else we'd hear!?!?
So Tuesday didn't go my way. Well, my way and that of many, many people I know. I'm really not exactly sure what to say except that I believe that God has a plan and that we will see it play out in the future.
In my mixed collection of emotions, I am proud that America has looked past prejudice and hatred to elect the first African American as President. No, I didn't vote for him, but not because of the color of his skin, because of his views...views that I do not agree with. But that aside, we have overcome a hurdle and that is something to be proud of!
Am I a sore loser? No. (I can still roll my eyes when I see people high-fiving over Obama's win. But I'm not a sore loser.) I will now just hope and pray that he does the best for our country!
The change of the leaves, the crispness in the air and the fun of costumes and candy...I just love Halloween! And we had a great one this year! Some things I love about October...
You know the "haunting" season is officially here when this comes on t.v.: Then the fun of deciding on your costume: Of course I had to participate...Officer Moore (More on this pic later.) Then you get all dressed up and head out for the traditional "trick or treat" excursion. And let me tell you, we have one heck of a neighborhood when it comes to this. Look at their "loot": Seriously, we learned last year, that we need to carry a grocery bag with us because we have to empty the trick or treat bags periodically! HA! Please don't show this picture to our dentist!
Speaking of our awesome neighborhood (and that picture from earlier) we have a Ladies Night every other month; so for October we did a costume contest on the Wed. before Halloween. Not to brag...but I won with my police uniform --perfect for the neighborhood co-president!! HEE! After ladies night, I arrested Col. Sanders - he was being unruly!
We also coordinated a scarecrow contest for the neighborhood and had some great entries...
Sarah Palin (No worries, they're Republican!) Dr. "McScreamy" (This is ours! Complete with a brown curly wig!)
S. Crow Landscaping The Headless Horseman Col. Sanders
We also had a "Kung Fu" Scarecrow and a Hula girl! We weren't sure how many homes would participate, but for the first year, it was great! The headless horseman won, with Dr. Mc"Screamy" coming in second! Can't wait til next year!
We ended the day with hosting the neighborhood "Pre -Trick or Treat" party! Lots of food, friends and fun!
I'm a mother to two incredible children - 15 yr old son and 11 yr old daughter. I love to exercise, be outside, spend time with my family and friends and just enjoy all of my blessings!
