Owens 2009 year in review

Janurary 2009 brought a very rare snow fall to the East coast of North Carolina that put things around here at a stand still for a few days. We made snow cream and Kyle & Chevy played in it well into the night!


In February, Chris was released by the Dr. to go back and work the road after being out to recover from surgery to replace his torn ACL....VERY happy day!!!


Nothing major happened in March execpt that we got our tax return check back...BooYah!!!!


In April, I headed off to see the Big Apple for the first time and fell in love with this place! This picture of Kyle & I was taken at Ground Zero...oh and we headed back for another trip in June and November.....you guys see a pattern starting to develope here????? Yea, me too!


I really don't have any major things that happened in May but I am sure my boys fished cause well...if they are awake and Chris doesn't have to work, they fish!




In June, Kyle and I drove the 9 1/2 hour drive home to Kentucky for a visit with my family. We had a wonderful time and look forward to another trip back in June 2010!


July- was a bitter sweet month in the Owens household...Kyle was welcomed into the
teenage world as he turned 13..he was thrilled...Chris & I...not so much. Kyle also accepted Christ into his heart while away at church camp.


August- Chris & I celebrated 14 years of marriage...yippeeee! Kyle started 8th grade and North Carolina had a major heat wave!


September- I celebrated my 34th birthday with all my girl friends cause Chris had to work. But he suprisedme the day before and had his mom come and decorate the house and cook us a wonderful me...thanks babe, your the BEST!


October- was pretty calm for us. I was in charge of putting together the Harvest Festival for our church and Chris turned 37.

November- brought Chris's promotion to Sgt. with the Highway Patrol and a new new duty sation that would take him over 2 hours away from us. It was hard to let it all sink in but we new that it was the best thing for our family in the long run. We put our trust & faith in God and had him organized with a hotel to call his new home, stripes sewn on his uniforms(thanks Teresa!)all his shirts pressed complete with all the extra heavy starch they could hold and with a goodie bag of snacks a hug & tear he was out to hit the road.



December- brought a wonderful Christmas spent with family and new netbook that we now all adore...thanks Santa!!!


Ihope 2010 brings wonerful things to each of you. Be safe, kind, patient and make each day a memory.

See ya in 2010~

did you ever just have one of those dayz.......

me too.......come on 2010!!!!

Oh, Sweet Cheese

...cake that is! I have been to New York 3 times in one year but the last time I went was the first chance I got to sit down and enjoy the real deal, New York style cheesecake(a girl does have to shop too ya know!)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE cheesecake. I love cheese cake so much my wedding cake waa a 3 tier cheesecake complete with frozen coolwhip to look like a real iced wedding cake and three crystal bowls filled with fruit so you could add your favorite toppings. I must say that it was the most beautiful, HEAVY and tasty thing I have ever eaten to this day!

Here are some pictures from a bakery we came across while walking around Grand Central Station. I forget how much in cost, isn't it funny how are brain supresses that kind of information, howver I can tell you exactly how many calories it had.....just kidding. But it was wonderful and well worth every calorie!!!!







Which one do I pick.......hmmmmmmmmm...so many to choose from...I'll never be ableto decide......




Yummmmmmmmeeeeeeee!!!!!



Can;t wait for my next trip so I can go back and rescue the chocolate trutle one I had to leave behind.

Awesome Giveaway!

Head on over to Parajunkee@blogspot.com to enter this awesome giveaway. It is a chance to win a new header, button & background. Over a $90 value!!!!!

Just make sure and let her know that I sent ya over...who knows, maybe it will help MY chances at winning..hehehe!!!

New York pictures

...better late than never. Or so I have been told anyway. Now that Kyle has this netbook I have downloaded all the pictures I have been stashing away on my camera. So I decided I would go through them all a little at a time. I tell ya, I could really get addicted to all this modern techno stuff! I you guys should really be proud of me. Cause to tell ya the truth when it comes to electronics I run screaming...VERY loud...as far away as possible. My coffee pot still blinks 12:00 (even though my Mom tried to set the time herself...nope...didn't work...guess I know where I get my non-geek squad ability from...yepo!)

Merry Christmas from the family.......

Well Christmas is over and I braved a few stores and got a few deals on some wrapping paper....cause u can never have too much!
We had a wonder time cooking eating and spending time with family......and guess what I am typing on right now?????

If you guessed a laptop....your close...it is a netbook (thanks Santa!!!!) Kyle was so excited as he went on a wild goose hunt all around the house with hints left everywhere (even in the freeze) he finally found it hidden in the fireplace(no we didn't have a fire going...duh?????)

I have now stashed all the Chritmas decorations and memories back up in the attic every so NOT neatly....until time to drag them out next year. so for now I will leave you with a few pictures.

Well I should have known......

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.......

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl. We should've known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.


A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I'm on the Naughty List!!!

.....yep, I think Ole' Santa must have me down for coal & switches.....

...cause there sure aren't any presents under the tree with my name on them...

{{hmmmmfffff}}

But have no fear. The hubs is going shopping for me today...YIPEEE! I must say he is a mighty brave soul to venture out to shop this close to Christmas...and not to mention that he has the patience of a gnat.

So wish him luck ladies.

Cause Momma needs a new pair of shoes...hot pink New Balance to be exact!!!!!

Another conversation with Kyle......

I was in my bathroom Friday night getting ready to cut my nails and I couldn't find my clippers so I yelled out to Kyle to see where his pair where.

Me: Hey Kyle?

Kyle: Hey Mom!

...man I hate when he does that!

Me: Are your fingernail clippers in your bathroom?

Kyle: Nope....they left today and headed to Florida for the weekend!



....sometimes I don't even know why I bother!!!!!!

Oreo Balls a.k.a "Doodie Balls"

1 pkg cream cheese
1 bag oreo cookies
1 pkg chocolate bar sguares(the one that come with the mirowave tray works best and less mess)

NOTE: Let the cream cheese set to get room temp. That makes it easier to mix.

Blend entire package of oreos in food processor to makes oreo crumbs.
Use mixer to combine oreo crumbs and cream cheese.
Roll into small balls and place on wax paper lined tray. Put in fride to cool for about 10-15 min.

Melt chocolate bars according to directions on the bag. I recommend buying the one that comes with a mirowave tray. You can find these in the same isle as the pudding, nuts and and pie fillings at the store.

Use a tooth pick to hold the balls while you dip each one in the chocolate and then place on wax paper to cool.

Makes about 50 balls. Store in airtight container.

No need to refridgerate after made.

Hope you guys enjoy my famous Doodie Balls...well, that's what Chris calls them anyway!

What I miss most

Being so far away from my family around the holidays makes me think about all the things I miss most this time of year.

I have been so blessed with a wonderful husband who would do anything in the world for me....and well....a son who would do anything in the world to stay off the naughty list! But there are so many things that I miss about being in Kentucky for Christmas.

~I miss the smell of bacon cooking on Christmas morning as I would walk in my Grannys' house....but it would always get cold before we could all sit down to eat(cause my Uncle would ALWAYS be late!!!!)

~I miss getting to see all my family on Christmas.

~I miss my Granny's coffee can fudge and chicken & dumplin's. They were good enough to make you cry!

~I miss my Dad. He always loved Christmas.

~ I miss hearing the Christmas Cantada, and seeing the hanging of the greens and the children's Christmas play in the little country church where I grew up.


But most of all I miss the anticipation and wonder in Kyle's eyes on Christmas Eve as he waited and wondered what would be left under the tree by Santa. Once your child no longer believes in Santa the magic seems to be gone.

Yes, Chris and I will still stay up late on Christmas Eve to get everything "just right" before finally slipping off to bed. Cause even though Kyle knows there is no Santa we still do it anyway....it just wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't!

Santa's give slam out!!!!!!

....whew...I don't know about you but I am give out. All the rushing, shopping, wrapping, baking is taking it's toll on me. Here is a quick run down of what I have been up to and what is still yet to come....

This past weekend:

Sat-cleaned house and cooked for my Ornament exchange with all the girls.

Sun- Sunday school, then church, then Christmas shopping with Kyle for the girlfriends present...that is enough to scare anyone to death. NOTE TO SELF- don't ever, ever, ever take 2 teenagers Christmas shopping in the rain again. Yep, I took Kyle and his girlfriends best freind(yep, you read it right...she said she just had to go to give a 2nd opinion on the gift he was gonna get). I think things would have went much smoother if I would have a had a double stroller to keep both of them contained in one place! Then rush back to church for Christmas play practice.....then back out to Walmart to shop for the childs name we picked off the angel tree.....by this point my legs were wobbly. my hair flat to my head and my stomach growling!!!!!!

Mon- Chris gets home. Pick Kyle up at 6:30 from the basketball game. Rush home to make supper and get Chris's laundry all washed up.

Tues- stop at the store after work then rush home, throw a ham in the oven for supper then get one more load of laundry done for Chris, make over 100 oreo balls....I think I gained 10lbs just rolling those little suckers in chocolate!


STILL TO COME~

Wed- try and get my hair done and make 2 eyebrows instead of 1

Thurs- pencil in time to breath...subject to change without notice!

Friday- dress rehearsal at the chruch for the Christmas play, then pizza party and Christmas caroling.

Sat- Head to Raleigh to finish up last minute shopping

Sun- Christmas play at church and then covered dish lunch afterwards.

So....what the heck have all you guys been up to????????

The Grand Tree!!!!!

So here she is...in all her 12 foot glory!!!!

Ain't she just a beauty????

She almost kicks our butt's every year with all her 12 feet of limbs, 5 huge pieces and cords that could incircle the earth 10 times and plugs that should hook up to heaven only knows...not to mention the 2 tall ladders required to be perfectly stationed on either side of her....it is a major task we under take every year...and just when we think we have it down to a science....well.....we don't!

So, I must say a HUGE thank you to my wonderful husband for all the grunts, tugs, pulling, lifting, balancing, mumbling under his breath, here hold this steady here for just a sec, oh, wait...this cord needs to go...oh, hang on I have a cramp in my...wait...I need a male plug to go with this female one over here and.....well crap.....there is no way that one is gonna streach all the way down there.......

........taaaaadaaaaaaa.....

she's done!!!!!!!

So who's gonna come help me take her big butt down after Christmas???????

So what do ya think?????

Do you like my new winter layout????

I was gonna pick out something with more of a Christmas theme but then I thought since that will be over in only 2 weeks...YIKES....2 weeks...oh Lord, baby Jesus in a manger where has the time gone......

....anyway.......back to my new look.......I decided I would just go with a winter theme instead.....you like??????

~Christmas ME~

1. What is your Favorite Christmas Movie?
I don't know. I have so many. I am a HUGE sucker for Christmas movies!

2. What is your Least favorite Christmas Movie?
Really don't have one

3. What is your favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night

4. What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?
Dominque the donkey...if you have heard it...you'd remember..trust me!

5. What is your favorite Christmas Drink? (ie. egg nog, hot chocolate)
Grande Non Fat Peppermint Mocha!!! Starbucks...YUM


6. What is your favorite Christmas Memory?
I don't know. I have several, some when I was a child and then most are of Kyle's Christmas's.

7. What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
I would have to say my Baby Skates and all my Barbie stuff.

8. What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?
It really wasn't something I received but it was the year Kyle got the 4 wheeler....he was 10 that year and Chris was bound and determined that Santa was not getting all the credit for that gift! So I made Chris promise to atleast let us enjoy Christmas Day...but the next day Chris could not wait to tell him the truth...there was NO SANTA....and Mom & Dad had bought the 4 wheeler for him.


9. What do you LOVE about the holidays?
EVERYTHING! Christmas songs, family, cooking, wrapping, shopping and watching Kyle getting all excited.

10. What annoys you about the holidays?
That I can't be with all my family on Christmas

11. Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?
A huge bow!

12. What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?
I have have to say coffee can fudge. No, it doesn't have coffee in it, but my Granny would alway store it in a Maxwell House coffee can after she made it. It was the BEST!

13. Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?
Cindy Lou Who all the way!

14. Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?
there okay...some go a tad overboard

15. Santa's at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?
okay as long as they have a "real beard"

16. Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?
Absolutely! Most of my family live out of state.

17. What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?
Listening to Kyle read the Christmas story every year. It melts my heart.


18. What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Taking down the decorations when it's all over!!!!!

19. When do you put the tree up and take it down?
I put it up the 1st weekend in December and it would come down Christmas night if I had the energy to do it! But most the time it is down before my head hits the pillow on the 26th!!!! Once it's over...it's over...I am not one of the people who leave it up until New Years.

20. Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your truelove to give to you?
Since I'm not crazy about birds, allergic to milk, not crazy about having men in tights jumping all around my house, would have a headache from all the drums a drumming and pipers piping I will just take the gold rings please!

21. Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?
too much egg nog????

22. Who is your favorite reindeer?
Leroy the redneck reindeer...of course!

23. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
as long as you believe, you receive!!!!!

24. What is your favorite smell at Christmas time?
Christmas Eve by Yankee Candle

25. What would make you happy at Christmas this year?
For Chris to get a transfer back home!!!!

Please let me know if you decide to play along. I'd love to read your answers. :-)

2 Points~

Ahhhhhhh......sweet VICTORY!!!!!!!!

I am sure most of you out in blog land have no idea what I am talking about, so I will tell ya.....

Final Score
Kentucky 68
North Carolina 66

{{see me do my happy dance}}

{{{shake, shake}}}}

That's right folks.....Saturday at my house was let's just say....ummmmmm...a little on the loud side (and it was not due to putting up and decorating a 12 foot Christmas tree)

Ya see, the Hub's is a die hard Tar Heel fan...and well me......I was born in the great "Bluegrass State" of Kentucky. So come basketball season we each have our own cheering stations to say the least. Well, I cheer...he yells! The entire game was ruled by the Wildcats. They didn't miss a beat...unlike the Tarheels..they missed everything...including the basket. :O)

So, now I am here today to bask in the glory of his pity party and rub a little salt in his wounds...hehehe.....all while listening to my Wildcats roar!!!!!!!

Just wait until Final Four time...it will just get worse around the Owens house...say tuned...this won't be a pretty season!

GO CATS!!!!!!!

Ornament Exchange

They came....they came!!!!!! I had a huge suprise in my mail box last night when I got home!!!!

I signed up for the secret ornament exchange with It's A Wonerful Life (valeriegail.blogspot.com)and I must say that Misty did a great job picking my ornaments!!!!!! You can find her blog over at www.mistywagner.blogspot.com.

Here are pictures of all my goodies...sorry about the picture quality. I used my phone.

I got 2 Studio 56 Snowmen ornaments, a Studio 56 snowglobe ornanment and a box of chocolate's shaped like ornaments...yep, pretty sure they won't make it to tree :O)

Anyway, thanks so much Misty for your thoughtfulness!!!! I love each ornament you sent me and I know they will look just great on my tree...which I hope to get up this weekend!

Top 10 Thursday!

For todays Top 10 I thought I would revert back to my childhood Christmas's and reflect on my favorite "Santa" gifts....

1. Baby Skates - This little doll was awesome. I think I sat on the floor for hours watching her skate around.




2. Barbie McDonald's - I loved Barbie and this was the icing on the cake for me. It came complete with booths for her to sit in and even trays to serve the food on....now how cool is that!

3. My Little Pony castle - I grew up in Kentucky and none of our horses lived in castles but My Little Pony did!

4. My China doll - this was a gift from my Granny...I adored her!!! She was just the most beautiful thing I had ever seen....until I sat her down in the driveway to straigten her balnket and then all the sudden....BANG!...her he busted.....then I ran screaming into the house with tons of tears...I don't think I have ever been the same since then.

5. My kitten - yep, a real one! When I was younger I loved cats....ALOT has changed since then....I can't stand them now! Anyway, it was Christmas Eve and my Dad always had to work 1/2 a day so when he got home they told me to come sit down in the livingroom and close my eyes...of course I did...cause I LOVE suprises...and then I felt something warm & fuzzy on my legs....it was a KITTEN!!!! I named him CC for (curious cat) and he lived up to his name and later died in a not so pleasant dryer accident.

6. Boom Box- Any of you guys remember BEGGING for one of these baby's back in the
80's??? I thought I was way cool with my HUGE boom box and Tina Turner, Debbie Gibson and Janet Jackson tapes.....yep cassette tapes....good grief!!!

7. Guess Jeans - yep...the acid washed ones with the big red upside down triangle on the back pocket...would that my right butt cheek look just wonderful now???? I THINK NOT!

8. Cabbage Patch Kids - I received my first Cabbage Patch for my birthday. The second one, a preemie boy I got for Christmas. And I still remember his name...
Simon Lebon...strange huh?



9. Smurfette - Loved the Smurfs growing up. So one Christmas morning I had a Smurfette doll sticking her cute little head out of the top of my stocking!

10. Barbie Condo- Does anyone remember this one? It was a 3 story cardboard condo complete with drawstring elevator!!!! It was the coolest thing ever! Barbie now had a home!!!!!

So those are just a few of my all time favorite Christmas gift from "back in the day" hope you enjoyed it!

~Kyle Christmas List~

I thought I would share Kyle's ever growing, very expensive and sooooo far over the top Christmas list for this year.

Some of the items on the list will be filled, while others will be left to hopefully be forgotten....good thinking...huh????

1. Dirt Bike- Not a chance!!!! He already has a Honda Rancher 350 and my theory is, he only has one skinny little butt, thus he can only ride one :O)

2. Labtop computer - STRIKE 2!!! He hardly ever puts his phone down as it is. If we were to get him a computer we would NEVER see his cute smiling face!

3. Nitro R/C Remote truck - have you guys seeen these things??? The are powered by gas and nitrous and go 55mph!!!! For those of you who know Kyle can you imagine him with this much speed in the palms of his hands....I THINK NOT!!!!!

4. A kitten - Chris and I both are not big cat people...nuff said

5. Clothes - now your talking!

6. DVD movies - yep...I can work with this

7. Playstation Games(Madden 2010) - more resonable....

8. Phiten Torando Necklace - He got one 2 yrs ago for his birthday...have no clue where it is now...but that doesn't matter cause he is currently wearing 3 that belong to Morgan(the Girlfriend)...yep....and there ALL pink...????????

9. .22 gauge shotgun - thought about this one...thought came and went in about 3 seconds......

10. Blackberry phone - STRIKE 3...your OUT!!!!! I don't see him EVER having a phone nicer than mine...unless he is paying the bill.

So there you have people...the Christmas list of a 13 year old boy...what ever happened to all those Christmas mornings with a livingroom full of trucks, cars, power wheels, John Deere tractors, talking Barney, Elmo and other fun toys????? I guess they are now just Christmas memories that will forever be tucked away in my heart.