Scott Turned 26

December 20th Scott turned 26. After the Christmas play, family came over to eat cake and open his birthday presents. His birthday sometimes gets overlooked due to it being so close to Christmas, so we also celebrated his birthday during Sunday school the morning of the 20th with a birthday breakfast.

A Night In Bethlehem

Last night, our church had our Christmas play. The lobby of our church was set up like the town of Bethlehem. You could visit different stores like the carpentry shop, jewelry shop, bake shop, etc. You were given baked goods, necklaces, and a drink as you visited through the town. When you registered for the "census" at the front door, you were given a bag with gold coins. While walking through the town, people were asked to pay taxes and you could give to the beggar on the corner. Scott and I (aka Joseph and Mary) walked through the town and told visitors of our long journey. After a while, all guest were told by the Roman soldiers to enter the sanctuary where the singing and play would begin. I had to hold a baby during the first part of the play and toddler Jesus during the second part. Both kids were excellent and so well behaved. It's amazing what a Gerber teething biscuit and a vanilla wafer will do!! My MIL forgot her camera and my mom's pictures did not turn out very good. The only two pictures I have are from my FIL's blackberry, so the quality is a little fuzzy. The first picture is of Mary and Joseph hanging out in Bethlehem. I think I rubbed my belly the whole time. Oops. I did get a lot of compliments that pregnancy really suits me. I also heard the church rumor from many members....whatever couple plays Mary and Joseph ends up pregnant. I was more than enthused. Scott was less than enthused. I didn't mention it again.

After the play, we left the sanctuary with Levi (aka toddler Jesus).

December Favorites

I'm not a huge perfume wearer due mostly to getting sinus headaches from weird smells, but the Bath & Body candle in Spiced Cider scent is to die for. My house smells so good and cozy. I keep this candle lit not only at Christmas time, but practically whenever we are at home.

Have you had Bear Creek soups?? I have been buying them for a while, and cold winter nights seem so much better with a bowl of soup. The mixes are prepared with either milk or water. THEY ARE SO EASY!! I have a pot of soup and grilled cheese sandwiches made for dinner in less that 15 minutes. I have had "soup nights" twice this week already. Scott thinks that nobody should ever eat soup, sandwiches, salads, or cereal for dinner, but he even ate the potato soup Sunday night. Now, here's the secret. Walmart sales the soup, but I was wondering around Big Lots the other night and found them for $3.00 per mix. I made a 1/2 gallon of broccoli and cheese soup last night for $3.00, and it was really good. I'm eating leftovers for lunch.

How cute are these owl labels?? I ordered them from Etsy. They are perfect around the holidays to put on gifts of food or dishes that are going places other than home. I think they are great gifts for newlyweds or just about anybody!!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas....

But not at the Partain house. I didn't put up a Christmas tree this year. Gasp!!??!! I know. I know. I didn't do much decoration at all actually. We hung a Santa flag on the outside of the house, put out some Christmas dishes, hung our Christmas calendar, and framed a picture of Junior with Santa. It snowed last Saturday and left a dusting on the ground. They are predicting snow again for this weekend and O-M-G possibly the week of Christmas!!




Last weekend, Scott's parents treated us to dinner and a trip to see the Alabama symphony perform Led Zeppelin music at the Alabama Theatre. Scott and I weren't sure what to expect, but it was absolutely fabulous!!

Dear Santa

I know it's short notice, but I've been a really sweet girl this year. I cook, take care of Junior & Scott, and keep the house very tidy. I was browsing online and fell in love with a gift wrapping organizer from Pottery Barn. It's the perfect gift for a crazy organized girl. I can already in vision turning the walk-in closet into gift wrapping central. I can also in vision the perfectly, beautifully wrapped gifts. How can I be so giddy?? I know $200 is a lot for a gift that is not a necessity, so I understand. Maybe next year, right??

Thanksgiving '09

Family....Check
Food......Check
Stretchy Pants......Check :)
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! God is Good!!

Payback

Last week, my MIL and FIL asked Scott and I to stop by there house to take care of a few things. They have a fake rubber snake that they keep on the carport, and it scares me every time I see it. Since we were at their house alone, I decided to play around and put that snake behind the toilet in the master bathroom for a good, innocent laugh when they got home. I knew they would know it was my all my doings, but Scott was involved and thought it was hilarious too. He even suggested putting it in the bathroom. Later that night, they called saying that my MIL fainted....she really didn't, but for a second I felt really really bad. Well, my MIL and FIL went to Miami to visit my SIL, BIL, and nephew for Thanksgiving, so we are staying at their house to take care of the dog and for Scott to go hunting. I was expecting that snake to show up somewhere, but I definitely still screamed when I pulled back the covers. I am afraid the war is on.



Yes, it is 3:45 am and I'm blogging. Scott and I have dial-up at home, so I am enjoying getting a chance to blog and internet surf while staying at his parents. Please notice that there are several new blog postings. :) Heather, I hope you are happy and continue to read my blog.

Dana's

My husband's favorite restaurant in the world is a small BBQ joint in Locust Fork, AL called Wayne's. Unfortunately, earlier this year they closed due to tax issues with the owner. Scott was devastated. Really. His mom called a few weeks ago to let us know that a girl who worked at Wayne's, Dana, was opening up the restaurant. The rumor was that she knew all of Wayne's secrets and planned to change nothing except the name of the restaurant to Dana's. Tonight, Scott and I headed out to see if Dana would live up to Scott's expectations. She failed. Scott said the sauce was too peppery/spicy, and he let Dana know. When she asked if everything was okay, Scott told her that his tongue was on fire. She admitted that she got pepper happy on the last batch of sauce. I also added my two cents and told her she needed cheesecake and banana pudding on the menu asap. I'm sure she appreciated our critiques.

I busted out my iPhone to take a picture of Scott. You would think he would know by now that I take random pictures for the blog. You can tell by his "put up your phone and stop embarrassing me" face that he did not want his picture taken.

Little Surprises

I have a cabinet in my dining room where I keep important keepsakes like the shirt I wore home from the hospital, my wedding invitation, my dad's watch, etc. The other night I was rearranging things, and I picked up my dad's wallet. I remembering looking through his wallet before at pictures and his license, but last week I found a folded up $20 bill . It was like finding money in an old jacket pocket, but it was a million times better. I love little special things like that. It made my week. So, my dad treated Scott and I to Mexican and it was the best chicken chimichanga EVER!!

Mary A. Barrett April 14, 1928 - November 18, 2009

On November 7, 2009, Gabe went to visit my grandmother and found her in the floor suffering from what he thought was a stroke. Grandmom stayed in the hospital for 3 days and was transferred to rehab to recover from her stroke and get strong enough to go home. Sadly after 8 days in rehab, she did go home only to heaven instead of Honeysuckle Lane. I don't know if it I am just getting more mature or if I getting more used to letting love ones go, but I am excited that Grandmom is no longer sick. I know her weak, tired body is fully restored, and she is rejoicing with her husband, son, and grandchild. After reading some of her notes, I know that she never stopped missing her husband, my Papa. Losing her son 6 years ago must have only added to her pain and loneliness. She no doubt had a great 81 years on this earth, but I am happy that she is home with her Heavenly Father.

We had 3 yellow roses from her 3 grandsons and one pink rose from ME. :)

My sweet friend and co-worker, Robin, sent this gorgeous plant. It is now living with me, and I hope it survives.




A few years ago while Scott and I were visiting Grandmom, she asked me to come to her bedroom. She pulled out a large white box from under her bed and showed me the most beautiful handmade ceramic nativity scene. Her sister handmade each piece and each one is signed and dated. She told me then to make sure I take care of it when something happened to her. It is such a precious gift, and I love seeing it in my living room. I put it up for Christmas, but it may have to stay up year round.



I made her pasta salad tonight to take to Thanksgiving meals tomorrow. I have always loved her pasta salad. It's super easy and delicious. Add pasta, english peas, bell pepper, tomato, and ranch dressing. I promise it is good. I majored in food. I know these things.

My grandmother also told my mom while she was in rehab to give me a bear that was on her guest bed. He looks so perfect in my guestroom. I have a small obsession with anything Scotty dog. You know....because of Scott :). I know it's cheesy. I love him. Anyways, Scott's mom thinks the same way I do. She apparently dressed him in clothes with Scotty dogs. Precious. A while back she gave me a wood Scotty dog that hung in Scott's room when he was a baby. You can see it on the side table. Grandmom had a huge collection of beanie babies from back in the day. I saw the Scotty dog beanie baby and fell in love. The black and white photos in the room are pictures of my mom and dad when they were about 2 or 3 years old. I plan to have a wedding picture of Scott's parents framed to also hang on the wall.






My dad's baby book.

Can you guess who are those two in the picture?? My momma and I.

November Update

My MIL made me a CUTE Auburn apron to use while I am cooking for the holidays. Thanks MIL!!

Mom drove to Douglas to help me trim our shrubs and trees for the winter. I COULD NOT have done it without you. Thanks Mom!!

Grandmom is still in rehab in Gadsden. She is going to therapy in the mornings and afternoons. She is very tired and weak, but we are praying that she is able to recover from the stroke and get home soon. A person can only stay at rehab for 21 days, so she is counting down the number of days she has left before she can go home. Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery!!

By the way, when did it become so hot in the middle of November? I am really wanting to put up Christmas lights, but I resisted the urge since putting up Christmas lights on the porch while wearing shorts and flip flops seems too odd.

Grandmom

Last weekend, my Grandmom had a stroke and was put in the hospital. She was moved to rehab today, and the doctor's have high expectations for her recovery. She knows exactly what is going on and her mind is great....she just is having a really hard time getting her thoughts out which leaves her frustrated. We can only visit from 4:00-7:00 during the week, so I got upset tonight when I had to leave her by herself. The nurses keep the patients in rehab working hard during the day to get stronger, so they ask family to leave early to let the patients rest. I ask for your prayers for her recovery. I also ask that you pray for my family and I. I never realized how hard it is on a family to care for somebody who needs full time help. I guess in the past I have always been a kid and too young to actively help care for a sick family member. I feel like I am now involved in family decisions regarding her health, and IT'S SO WEIRD!! I keep saying that I hate growing up and having to be an adult. It was so much better when my parents took care of anything, and I didn't know all the details of what was going on. Life is so strange.

Miami

I had a few things that I HAD to do while in Miami this past weekend. I had to go to DASH to stalk famous people. Unfortunately, the Kardashians were not there, and no I didn't leave a baby gift like I planned. Since everybody thought a gift was a little stalkerish/psycho, I decided to not leave any thing for baby Kardashian. One of the DASH dolls was working. I can't remember her name from the show, but she is the skinny, black girl with a child. She almost got fired in an episode for having attitude problems and being late. I couldn't bring myself to bust out my camera in the store. I'm sure they are used to it, but I was trying to be cool and act like I was shopping instead of staring. The DASH doll was obsessed with Matthew, and my SIL did take pictures of him in the chair at the store. The shop had only 4 small racks of clothes. They had some really cute stuff, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend hundreds of dollars on one outfit. I called Scott after leaving the store, and he was sooooooo upset that I didn't buy anything. I thought it was strange and suspicious that he was mad I didn't spend $300 on a dress. Come to find out, he bought a PlayStation 3 while I was gone and he wanted me to spend money on a dress so I couldn't get mad at him for blowing money on a game. MEN!! He is getting our money out of it though.....there was a nice little indention in the couch showing me that he probably didn't move the 4 days I was gone.

I quickly realized that I can't pretend to be cool, so my SIL took a picture of Matthew and I in front of the store.

After shopping and walking around South Beach, we ate dinner at Gloria Estevan's Cuban restaurant. We sat outside on the sidewalk and enjoyed the 80+ degree weather. Matthew was tuckered out by the time we got home and fell asleep on Aunt Kay Kay's shoulder. I know....it's precious.

Well, the real reason of my visit was to spend time with my nephew celebrating his first Halloween. Katie (SIL) carved him his first jack-o-lantern. I just watched and took family pictures. I don't do messes very well. :) Excuse my face and hair. I had a bit of a traumatic incident in the Miami airport and ended up crying, sweating, and become an overall wreck.

He dressed up as a cute little lion. We used my eyeliner to add whiskers and a nose. He won a costume contest at his neighborhood clubhouse. I was so a pageant mom. I was running around with 2 cameras, camcorder, and eyeliner for touch ups. We all acted like complete fools when he won the contest. Somehow, there is not a single picture of me from Halloween night....I really was busy capturing memories.

One of my favorite things we did the whole time was go to a local market near the Everglades. They had every kind of fresh vegetable, fruit, and spice imaginable. They even make homemade milkshakes with whatever fruit they have fresh and available. My pineapple milkshake was unbelievable. I planned to take a picture, but I couldn't put the thing down. They even took fresh oranges and juiced them at the market and put fresh juice straight into a jug for customers to buy. We bought some and it tasted as good as it smelt.