Thanksgiving Day Fun!

We went to Jessica's parents for Thanksgiving. Jessica had to work, so she and Jason didn't get there until that night. We stayed long enough to see them and then headed home. We had a great time with everyone!

A pic with Carter...he had on a cute Turkey shirt! I enjoyed many Thomas videos with him. :)

Olive the puppy...so very soft and cute!

Jason practicing with sweet Lucy!

(Laura, Adelyn needs a dress like this for the next turkey day!)

The next morning I got up bright and early to bake cookies for the game this weekend. Once I had them all in and out of the oven, I headed out for some shopping. I managed to make my two stops with waiting in line in an hour. I was pretty excited, but it really doesn't take much to excite me. I headed home to decorate the cookies (3 1/2 hours total cookie making time) and pack for the big game in AL!! Pictures of the best game of the season coming soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Poem, Author unknown

Twas the night of Thanksgiving; I just couldn’t sleep,
I tried counting backwards; I tried counting sheep.
The leftovers beckoned—the dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore!

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off of the ground!

I crashed through the ceiling, floating up towards the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But I managed to yell, as I soared pass the trees---
Happy eating to all---Pass the cranberries please!

May your stuffing be tasty, May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy have nary a lump!
May your yams de delicious, may your pies take the prize,
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!

"I'll Be a Pumpkin Pie"

My favorite Thanksgiving day song brought to you by the Wiggins sisters!
"Thanksgiving day is coming and Mr. Turkey said, "How very careful I must be or I may lose my head." The pumpkin heard the Turkey, "Oh, frightened me oh my! They'll mix me up with sugar and spice, and I'll be a pumpkin pie!"

Well, its not a pumpkin pie recipe but it has pumpkin and it is good!
Pumpkin Nut Squares

4 eggs, slightly beaten

2 cans pumpkin (15-16 ounces each)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1t salt

1t ginger

2t Cinnamon or pumpkin spice

1/2t cloves

3 cups evaporated milk or light cream

mix 8 ingredients listed above

pour into 9x13 pan

mix 1 box yellow cake mix and 2 sticks melted butter

crumble over top

sprinkle with 1 cup nuts

Bake at 350 degrees or 325 for glass for 1 hours and 2o minutes

Serve cold with whip cream on top!

Enjoy!

Lots of Updates!

I made it through my first week and loved it! Everyone there has been really helpful, and they all seem to really enjoy what they do which makes for a great working environment! The kiddos are too cute and while I have a lot to learn/re-learn, I can't wait to really get started!! I have one on Monday and then several on Tuesday and Wednesday. I have plans/activities lined up for each treatment, but with kids, plans will probably change throughout the treatment...back-up plans are a must!

Last night I went with my mom to the preview party for the Holiday Mart! It was pretty fun, and I did find one gift for Jason!! I am going back with some friends tomorrow, so maybe I will find some more Christmas presents. I also got my new bedding in the mail yesterday and two owl ornaments. I just need to wash and iron the duvet and shams and will be good to go...Laura, maybe you could come iron for me because I know you do such a good job!

This afternoon I went back to the hospital to finish up some certification from a course I took back in Sept. It was fun seeing everyone again. While there, I was recruited to help at a fundraiser, and since I have been lacking with my community involvement from all of my weekend travels, I thought it would be a good time to start! I ended up working with some therapists who I work with now instead of the rehab group and found out they are also Chi O's!! It was fun but very very cold!! I had to run over to Wild-mart for some gloves and hand warmers. After the fundraising fun, some of us (rehab group) went to Chili's for dinner. I then headed to do some shopping for a little girl for Christmas and found an owl shirt...I decided she may not like owls and left without it...be impressed!!

The rest of my weekend plans include cleaning, shopping, and maybe Christmas decorating!!

A pic with the group from rehab!

Random: I filled my empty gas tank for ~ $35!!!

First Week...So Far

Well, I have had a good first two days at the new job! Today was my first full 10 hour day (didn't have to go in as early yesterday since it was the first day), and I did make it through all 10 hours! I think I will like having 10 hour days with the reward of a day off at the end of the week!!! Right now I am mainly doing orientation type things, so I am not really into the job yet...next week I will do more orientation with some time treating on my own! Also, I am a little closer to this job location which means less travel time which equals more sleep time...always a plus! Tomorrow we have a breakfast potluck and next Tuesday we have a Thanksgiving potluck...should be fun!
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!

This was on my desk the first day...from another OT.

Shopping Trip

Yesterday, I headed to Nashville with two of my coworkers to go to Christmas Village and then shopping at the mall. I look forward to this shopping adventure every year after Ginny took me when we were Soph. at Union. Thanks Ginny! I lived in Nashville for 3 years and rarely saw anyone I know while out shopping, but yesterday, I saw several people I know which was surprising and so fun! I didn't really do much buying which is probably a good thing. I bought a few ornaments and that is about all! I was hoping to find some Christmas presents! I guess there is always next weekend! I was also on a mission to find new bedding, but naturally they were out of what I had picked, so I guess I will have to start over. It was a fun day, but also a very long day. I got home around 7, ate dinner, and fell asleep on the couch watching the game. I think the phrase "shop 'til you drop" would definitely describe the day!

Last Day

Well, today was my last day working in the rehab dept. :( I will miss everyone there, but I am so very excited about my new job!! We had my favorite for lunch...McAlister's, and I brought cupcakes as a thank you to everyone there for a good first "real" job experience! They gave me a key chain and a picture frame, too!

I made some Oreo cupcakes from a really great cupcake book...I can't remember the title, but it is really good! I don't completely follow the recipe anyway because it calls for sour cream and maybe some vanilla flavor.

You put half of an Oreo in the bottom of the cupcake liner...must have some cream filling on the cookie!

You crush some more oreos in a bag to put in the cake mix and then on the icing.

Add in 1 1/2 cups of crushed cookies. Save the rest for the topping!

Fold in the cookies.

Bake!

and let cool.

I also made strawberry cupcakes from PD's strawberry cake recipe.

The finished product! These are soooo good!!!

These were even better than the cake I made before (dad's bday cake)!! I want more! I kind of think these are better than MBS strawberry cupcakes and those are really really good!

Family Tradition and Sweet Memories

This weekend my mom found some of my grandmother's things from her days at UU and following her graduation. I thought it was pretty appropriate to find this the weekend of UU's homecoming. I unfortunately was unable to attend because of work, but it all brought back sweet memories of my grandmother and my time at UU. My grandparents met at Union and had a part in helping me decide to go to school there. How sweet to think that my grandparents went to school there before me and while the school had moved since they attended, it always made me think about them as I walked the halls and through the campus. I am grateful they were both able to attend my graduation making it even more special to me. Attending Union has become somewhat of a family tradition with my mom going back to school to get her Masters there and now my sister-in-law is in grad school there, too. Who knows what the future brings with future generations from our family possibly attending good ole UU!


Another family tradition of joining Chi Omega started with my grandmother. What a special bond to share! She and my mom were both able to attend my initiation.

The Unionite looks a little different, doesn't it!?!

Overtime Anxiety

The AL/LSU game was a little too close for comfort. While overtime can be exciting and was last night...I still do not like it...not one bit at all. Glad "The Tide" is still rolling on to victory! Here are some pics of my parents during overtime.

Day Off

This weekend is my weekend to work, so I have today off and then one day next week. Instead of relaxing, crafting, movie watching, shopping, etc. I will be doing the following. Such a fun day off!
To do list:

1. allergy shots (flu shot was yesterday...guess I am making it a week of shots!)
2. fingerprinting for new job
3. laundry
4. organize room and maybe bathroom (I am looking for some bathroom storage...no luck so far)
5. unpack the rest of the boxes from my move in MAY!!!! Seriously, it has to be done soon...I can't take this anymore!!

Homecoming Tradition

On our way to the Alabama Homecoming Day Parade!

Future cheerleaders!

Big Al!


Cheering for the Tide!

The Million Dollar Band!

We sure do!

For my nursing friends!

The next two are for Amanda:

One car ran out of gas and had to be pushed!

Another car pic for you!

One of the only groups still full of energy by the end of the parade!

Leapin Lena...would not want to be the guy in the back bouncing up and down when they start moving!

What would the end of a parade be with out good ole St. Nick?

The best comment of the day came from one of our little friends (not sure if it was the 6 y.o. or 4 y.0.) "Look, Santa is for Alabama, too!!!"