It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The Christmas Decor is out! I went ahead and put out what I had from last year, and when I have time I would like to add a few new things this year.

The Kitchen Table

The Outside

Wreath by Mom :)

A few kitchen touches

Mama Inish's houses...just a few of the one's that mean the most.

When we were growing up my brother and I used to race downstairs every morning to see who was going to get to move goose...guess who gets to do it now?

The Mantle

My crooked tree...but I think it gives it a little character.

I am really itching to monogram something....any ideas? I thought about buying those oversized ornaments and monograming those for my mantle, not quite sure though, what do you think?

Can't we all just play nice?

The Rivalry....it's an ugly thing.

As I sit here reflecting on today's game, I am starting to think that the Clemson/Carolina rivalry pulls the bad out of everyone. I like to think everyone has a nice, classy side to them, but for some reason it disappears the weekend of the game. Why? I like for my team to win with the best of them, but really is it worth all the trash talking? I know every team has fans who aren't the best behaved (mine included), it comes with the territory and it's a shame that teams are characterized by those few or by those few people someone may be friends with who just act obnoxious. I am sure the nice fans out number the ones who are well, aren't so nice.

So, can't we all just play nice and be happy for our team and leave the others alone?


Now, I know what some of you are thinking....you are just saying this because Clemson lost. But I will respond with no, this is really how I feel. I also know that if we had won there would be those Clemson fans running their mouths too. I will talk and play around with the banter, but I try to remember that no one knows the outcome of the game. I may slip up every once in a while, but no one is perfect, right? I try just to cheer my team on and leave the other teams out of it. In the grand scheme of things, it's just a ballgame, right?

No excuses for Clemson's performance today. We didn't show up ready to play and we didn't deserve to win. Lets focus our attention on getting ready for next week and hope we play better than we did today. Go Tigers!

Tampa Bound My Friends!

Oh how I love everything about Clemson!

This weekend Clemson clinched the ACC Atlantic Division Championship! I was so happy that Mere called and offered her tickets to me. I went up Friday night and spent some time at the Esso to hear the Blue Dogs play and had a wonderful host and hostess again. Clemson had a 3:30 kickoff, my favorite!! I went to tailgate with Amanda and Hal and then off to the game. Clemson did a wonderful job of honoring those who have served and are serving as a part of Military Appreciation Day. Amanda and I celebrated as we won the game! We had actually clinched the title before the game even started when North Carolina beat BC, but by winning we won it out right. We still have some more big games left in our season, Carolina, the Championship Game, and the Bowl Game!

If I am being honest with myself, I have to admit I was one of those nay sayers for a brief moment in time earlier in the season. Who would have thought after the Maryland game that we would have made it to the Championship game....not me. I am so proud of Dabo and the team for not giving up, even if I may have for a bit. Here's to the Tigers!



(After seeing these pictures, I have determined I need a new camera with a better zoom.)

I took a short clip of the celebration on the field after the game :)

Where the Blue Ridge reigns it greatness, Where the Tigers play...

People (and Kids) Say the Darnest Things

I came across two situations where I just had to stop and appreciate the moment today.

Situation 1
At school I can always count on something to make me laugh each day. This week has been especially crazy for some reason, and I am probably finding little things funnier than normal. One of my kids said the darnest thing today and with the week I have had, I had to take a chuckle to myself.

Set Up: I had sent my kids by groups to the restroom. Three boys walk in the room yelling...

Kids: MISS SAVAGE! SOMEONE WAS HITTING ME AND.....

Me: Boys. First, you know not to come into my room yelling like that and second, please come over and quietly discuss what happened.

Kids: (Still rather loud, me asking them to whisper) Some kid was hitting me in the bathroom.

Me: OK....tell me what happened one at a time.

After spending a good amount of time trying to figure out what happened and finally just telling the office what happened to let them figure it out, the culprit was found. The 3 boys came back in the room to tell me how everything had ended and one of the children responded with this....

Child: Miss Savage they found who did it and he had the lamest excuse!

Oh my! I had to smile and laugh.

Situation 2
I thought my laughs were over for the day, until I stopped to get gas on the way home from school.

Set Up: Pumping gas quietly by myself. Car pulls up to someone who is pumping gas near me.

Person in Car: Do you know where Gibbs Road is? In a very redneck accent.

Person Pumping Gas: Gibson Road?

Person in Car: Yeah, where the jail is. (This is when my ears perked up.)

Person pumping gas continues with directions to the Detention Center.

Person in Car: Thanks, I gotta go get someone out....haha

WOW! This might not be funny while you are reading it, but again, after the week I have had, I just had to laugh.

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Well...

So I haven't done such a good job of keeping up every day....maybe I shouldn't have set such a lofty goal of posting everyday. Leave it to me to set a goal I think twice about. I am going to try to get back on track...

1) I am thankful for the classic Christmas movies...It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and my all time favorite White Christmas. My mom and I watch that one every year at least once a season together.

2) I am thankful for Charlie Brown...the Great Pumpkin and Charlie Brown Christmas...it's not the holiday season without it. He puts up with Lucy and can somehow make all of life's problems so simple. I think all of us can somehow related to a Peanuts character. Who would you be?

3) I am thankful for Christmas Cards AND I already ordered mine! They are in the mail as we speak.

4) I am thankful for Christmas decor. I am counting days until I put it out.

5) I am thankful for Junior League Holiday Market. It is the first weekend in December and I can't wait to go and shop. So many cute things to choose from...I wonder if there will be anything new to monogram.

See a pattern....I think I am ready for the holiday season!

GO TIGERS!

We got another win today! WOOHOO!!!

One more win and we are headed to the ACC Championship! Can we do it? I hope there is not a repeat of the Maryland game in our future. Staying positive and cheering on my Tigers in Clemson next weekend! Woohoo, Woohoo, Woohoo, C-L-E-M-S-O-N!

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 8

1) I am thankful for laughter. It can brighten your day instantly.

2) I am thankful for Friends reruns. This too can brighten my day instantly.

3) I am thankful for the little moments with my family. We will always remember the big vacations and holidays, but the little moments are what really hold a special place in my heart.

4) I am thankful for my grandmother's handwriting. I came across some recipes she had written down for me before she passed away and something as simple as seeing her handwriting took me back to all the special times we had together.

5) I am thankful for the smell of a garage. I am clueless when it comes what exactly causes this smell, maybe its the cars that are being worked on or what they use to fix them, but I always think of Papa's garage when I smell it.

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 7

Another day, so much to be thankful for....

1) I am thankful for our Veterans. On this Veteran's Day, we take time to remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and who have served or currently serving our country. Thank you for all you do!

2) I am thankful my day planner. If I don't write it down, I just may forget it. I look forward to getting a new one each August....I know, weird again. I also enjoy crossing things off my to-do list.

3) I am thankful for God, our heavenly father. (I know I should have written about this first.) He is the reason for all the things I have to be thankful for. Sometimes I want my life to go by my plan, but I have to have faith in his plan for my life. He is all things good, and I strive each day to live as he would have me live.

4) I am thankful for good health for my family, friends, and myself.

5) I am thankful for the opportunities I have had in my life. I have been so blessed and have faith that I will continued to be blessed all the days of my life. Each life experience, positive or negative, I have had has shaped me into the person I am today. I have learned about who I am, what I stand for, and what I want to be.

Happy Veteran's Day! Thank a Veteran today!

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 6

So...I guess this should really be day 10. Oops! I ran into a little detour about posting about my thankfulness everyday, but Clemson was calling, and how can I resist Tigertown? I'm getting back on track with five more things I am thankful for. Here goes!

1. I am thankful for friends who are great host and hostess. I am so lucky to have such great friends (who just happen to live in Clemson.) Amy and Lorrie always open their front doors to me when I am in town when needed. I owe them many stays in Columbia, and my door is always open as well. I can only hope I can repay the hospitality one day.

2. I am thankful for babies. Not my own quite yet, but how can you not smile when you see that little face. Little Parker has melted my heart!

3. I am thankful for my third grade team. They make coming to work a pleasure. Thanks ladies and gentlemen!

4. I am thankful for Clemson sunsets. As I was driving into Clemson on Friday night, I was reminded of how pretty they were and how much I miss them.

5. I am thankful for cell phones. What on earth did we do without these? We have come a long way since the huge bag or Zack Morris phone. Remember those?

Football Fun!

A wonderful friend!

The old third grade team...miss thes lovely ladies!

The Girls minus Kate....we missed you!

The Gelb's

Amy and Emily Grace...she like the Corn Hole board

I was so excited to spend the whole weekend in Clemson. For the first time all season, we had perfect SUNNY weather on Gameday. I think the sun itself put everyone in a better mood. I got to visit with the Gelbs, Jacqueline and Brian, who made a visit back to the south for the game. We also got most of the old gang back together, we missed you Kate! It was so great see and visit with them all! The Zelmer's were so kind to let me stay again, little Parker is getting so big. And to top off the weekend Clemson got a win against Florida State. WOOHOO! What am I going to do when football season is over?

Boots

You probably don't care what kind of shoes I wear, but I am so excited about my new boots I bought. I saw them at Belks a few weeks ago and have been wanting them ever since, so yesterday I went and got them. They are the Steve Madden Incca boot in Cognac. I wore them to school today and they were super comfortable, even if one of my kids said I looked like a cowgirl. It was a splurge, but I just considered it a late birthday gift to myself :)

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 5

1. I am thankful for Christmas music. (Thanks for the idea Ashley!) Anyone that knows me knows that I love Christmas music and start playing it at Thanksgiving and enjoy it all season. However, I heard it on the radio on Halloween...even that is a little too early for me.

2. I am thankful for the WIS Morning Newscast. I wake up to them every morning and their up and at 'em pleasant moods helps me start my day off right. And I have to say Ben Tanner is the livelest person I can think of at 5:30 in the morning.

3. I am thankful for Target. What a fabulous store! It has everything a person could need. I wish we would get a Super Target....I wouldn't have to shop anywhere else.

4. I am thankful for scarves. I know, something really not that important, but they have been my new favorite accessory.

5. I am thankful for sweets. I have a big sweet tooth and love any chocolate. Offer me anything sweet, I have a hard time resisting.

I said I was going to do this everyday, well I forgot about football weekends. Oops! I will be gone this weekend, so I will have to catch up when I get back. GO TIGERS!

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 4

1) I am thankful for my computer. What in the world did we do before all this technology?

2) I am thankful for the sunshine. After such a rainy fall (especially Saturdays), I have come to appreciate the sun in a different way. And who doesn't love a sunny day at the beach. Speaking of the beach....

3) I am thankful for the beach. More specifically, South Carolina's fabulous islands. Thanks to some great family friends I have come to love Fripp Island. It is the best place to let go of life and relax. Besides, who doesn't love listening to the ocean, feet in the sand, soaking in the sun, and a good book.

4) I am thankful reality T.V. I know it's not really "reality," and it's a bit trashy, but for some reason I can't get enough of it.

5) I am thankful for dancing. Taking dance class or dancing for fun, I love it. (Yes, I am 28 years old and take dance still...adult class). And I love watching it. I wish I had the opportunity to dance more.

There you have it. Today's dose of what I am thankful for.

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 3

Here goes Day 3...

1. I am thankful for the monogram! I don't know the orgin of the monogram, but wherever or whoever it came from is a genius! I love nothing better than to monogram something and I am always looking for new things to slap my initials on.

2. I am thankful for naps. Is there anything better than an afternoon nap?

3. I am thankful for Clemson. I love everything about that place! Death Valley, Bowman Field, Tillman Hall, Tiger Town Tavern, The Esso...it's where I met all of my best friends and hold the most amazing memories.

4. I am thankful for roadtrips. Sometimes you just need to get away from life.

5. I am thankful for Christmas Captain Crunch. One of those holiday favorites!

26 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 2

Five more things I am thankful for...

1.I am thankful for my friends. Although we all live many miles away all in different cities, I know I can always count on them. We all have our quirks about us and we that's what makes it so fun. They are there for me no matter what and I love them like my family. It's always a great time when we get to see each other!

2. I am thankful for my job. As it is very hard work and at times feel under-appreciated and am asking myself, "What else can I do with my degree?" I always come back to why I wanted to teach in the first place...to make a difference.

3. I am thankful for Murphy, our family dog. Who can resist that precious white fur ball? No matter what kind of day you have had or how bad or good you look, he is always there to love you.

4. I am thankful for Diet Coke. I know what you are thinking....but you obviously haven't been around me when I haven't had one by 10:00. This is my get up and go in the morning.

5. I am thankful for big, over sized sweats. There is nothing better than coming home after a long day and relaxing in those comfortable sweats.

So, those weren't as personal as yesterdays, but just as thankful.

26 Days of Thanksgiving

While I was perusing through others blogs and going from link to link, I came upon this great idea! So I am going to steal...I actually like the word use better...this idea. (She said she we should play along, so maybe I am just borrowing the idea.) Moving from October to November means shifting our focus from Halloween to Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for and many times our lives are so busy we get stuck thinking about what we don't have (at least I do). Everyday I am going to list 5 things I am thankful for. Here it goes!

1. I am thankful for my mom. She is a beautiful, driven, real women who is an inspiration to me everyday. She is a fabulous and talented decorator who is always thinking outside the box. She always wants for best for me, even when I can't see what's best for me. And as much as I hate to say this.....she is always (most of the time) right. I guess that's what you realize as you get older.

2. I am thankful for my dad. My dad has always been there to comfort me. I will always remember the days when he sat on the side of my bed, as I was in tears, telling me everything is going to be okay. He has set an amazing example at working hard to get what you want. And even through that rough exterior at times, he has a great heart.

3. I am thankful for my brother. He always knows how to make me laugh. He has an amazing ability to use his wit to get out of anything. I don't think I have ever told him, but I am extremely proud of all the accomplishments he has experienced in his life and his desire to reach his goals. I know there is only great things in his future.

4. I am thankful for the time with Mama Inish and Papa. My grandparents were the greatest people. Mama Inish had the kindest heart, while Papa the strong and silent type showed so much love to his family. It was only until my grandmother passed away that I realized how much my grandfather loved her. I only hope to find that one day. I will always remember the summers I went to spend with them in Nashville. They set a wonderful example of how to live my life and I think of them daily. I am thankful for the 23 years I had to spend with them.

5. I am thankful for my grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Although I may not get to see them often, I love them dearly and wish we could visit more often.

Do you see a theme? Family.

What are you thankful for?