Getting Thrown Under the Bus

My battle to control my addiction continues to be fought.

I did make a trip to the store on Tuesday during which I did NOT buy any shampoo or conditioner.

I felt strong.

My family was so proud.

Sat., however, was not such a proud day.

It started innocently enough as I was shopping and decided to go quickly down the shampoo aisle to get to the facial cleansers. Now I know that I could have gone down the aisle from the other direction- so that I wouldn't even have to look at the hair care products but sadly that isn't what I choose to do.

I thought I was strong enough to walk by without stopping.

But I was wrong and stop I did.

Because I saw a sale.

A sale for products that I just happened to have some really good coupons for.

Really GOOD coupons.


Really GOOD coupons that were about to expire.

Suave shampoo and conditioner were on sale for only 88 cents each!

I had a coupon for $2.00 off 3 Suave products and a coupon for $1.00 off 1 Suave products.

So that means that I had $3.00 off for products that cost $3.52.

That means that 4 bottles of shampoo and conditioner only cost me 52 cents.

People that's 12 cents each.

12 CENTS

How could I NOT buy them?

Of course I rushed home because I knew that Honey was on his way home and I wanted to beat him there and hide the evidence before he could see it.

I rushed in and told Maddie (who had stayed at home) to hurry as we started putting away the groceries.

She asked why and when I didn't answer right away she said................

OH Mom, please tell me you didn't buy any more shampoo or conditioner?

So I came clean and told her what a fabulous deal I had found and she just shook her head.

I told her not to say anything to Honey.

Of course the moment he walked in the door, what did she do?

As he walked in the door she yelled out.............

Momma bought more shampoo at the store.

She threw me under the bus.

Seriously.

PS Although Honey was disappointed that I bought more shampoo and conditioner, he was thrilled that I was able to get a box of brownies for just 30 cents. Doesn't that seem like a double standard?

A reminder I needed

My soul finds rest in God alone;

my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62: 1-2

Explanations

Y'all crack me up!

The questions and comments about my ridiculous pictures were just too funny!

The first pic is from when I first started stripping (wallpaper of course, wallpaper) this past summer and was taking a silly pic of myself to post.

The second pic was taken at about 4:50am on the morning that Maddie and I drove to my friend S's house to put notes in her yard before her surgery. Someone mentioned that it didn't look like I had no makeup on since it's black and white. Well that would be WHY it's black and white. :)

The third pic was taken this past summer at my sweet friend B's country house when Dory and her girls came to visit for a week. This pic was the last night when our three girls were busy in the other room creating dresses out of pink and green streamers. While they were busy designing dresses, Dory and I sat in the living room with our cameras chatting. At some point we started taking pictures of each other. Silly pics. Most of the ones that I took of her were where she's hiding under a blanket. There is a bowl of potpourri sitting on the table next to the recliner. As we sat chatting and laughing I picked up the piece that looks like a large white Bugle chip and put it on my nose. Of course Dory just had to take a pic or two. Of course I was laughing so hard it kept falling off of my face. Every time I look at that pic, I crack up.

So glad that my embarrassment not only made Dory laugh- which was my goal- but made many more of you smile as well.

Proof Positive

One definition of love is the willingness to embarrass and humiliate oneself for someone else.

And this post is proof positive that I love my friend Dory.

A bunch.

I've been wracking my little brain all day long to think of ways to make sweet Dory smile and realized that posting some ridiculous and embarrassing pictures of myself will most likely do just that.

So Dory in case you ever doubted it, I love you a whole big bunch
and I sure pray these pics (and the fact that I was willing to post them) make you smile tonight:

(This has the be the STUPIDEST look on my face. EVER.)

(A picture of me without makeup? On the Internet? Oh how SCARY is that?)

(Could I be a bigger dork? I think NOT!)

Perspective and Prayers

It's amazing how a death of someone in your family or in the family of someone you love- puts things in your life immediately into perspective.

Things that you were stressing over and pulling your hair out moments before are no longer even a thought.

Things that previously frustrated you beyond belief seem so petty and insignificant.

Things and issues that seemed so murky and confusing become positively crystal clear.

Things that had just irritated you seem so ridiculous and minor that it makes you want to cry.

Things on your schedule that seemed so vital and important you immediately realize are totally expendable and are crossed off your schedule without so much as a second thought.

You hug and kiss your loved ones more.

You make sure you share the love your have for those in your life directly, freely, and often.

You forgive and forget.

You love freely and without abandon.

You pray continually and without ceasing for those you love who are hurting and in pain.

What's truly important.........God, family, and friends..................is your complete and total focus.


My prayer tonight is that the perspective I have today after returning home from helping my sweet friend to bury her precious father, will not dim or diminish in any way but will instead stay with me.

My prayer tonight is that sweet Dory feels my love and constant prayers- no matter how many miles separate us and knows that I am here at any time and in any way she needs me. Always.

My prayer tonight is that this moment- and in the many difficult days ahead- sweet Dory will feel the arms of our Heavenly Father who loves her more than she could ever know wrapped tightly and securely around her.

Prayer for a Friend

Please say a prayer for my precious friend Dory.

Some Days................

Maple Oatmeal Bars

Maddie absolutely loves oatmeal cookies. LOVES them! So I decided to make some quick oatmeal bars with a little added twist.

2 packages Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix

1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 T maple syrup

2 eggs

1/3 cup water

1 cup powdered sugar

1 t maple flavoring

milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl cream butter and brown sugar together till creamy. Add in cookie mix, syrup, eggs, and water. Mix till well blended. Spray 9 x 13 inch pan with cooking spray. Spread dough in pan- using wet hands to pat down if necessary. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until center is set. Cool for 20 minutes.

In small bowl mix together powdered sugar and flavoring. Add milk till of drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cooled bars. Cut into squares.

Falling OFF the Wagon

So I went to the grocery store on Sunday with every intention of NOT buying any more shampoo or conditioner.

After my confession last week, and all the comments from friends and family- I decided to go cold turkey.

NO more shampoo and conditioner.

As I walked into the store with my coupon binder and blue Kroger bags, I truly thought to myself............

Now Shannon, you do not need any more shampoo or conditioner. If you buy any Honey and Maddie will harass you to death and you so do not need that. So.......just say NO!

So I quickly went up and down the aisles checking things off of my list and finding coupons for those items that were on sale. I finished fairly quickly and found myself at the end of the store in the hair care aisle.

Now I honestly just went down the aisle to LOOK.

Not to buy.

Seriously.

But when I looked at my coupons for shampoo and found a Buy One Get One Free coupon for Loreal shampoo and conditioner- which was also on SALE, I hesitated.

I picked up a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner and stood there in the aisle for several minutes debating.

Should I buy them?

Or should I put them back?

Should I buy them and hide them in my car so Honey wouldn't see them and take them in the house later?

Or should I put them back?

I even took a picture and was about to send it to Dory as a cry for help- but I knew she would talk me out of it- since we have already discussed my problem at length.

So I did not send the picture.


Finally the addiction became too strong and I could not longer resist.

I placed them in my cart and went to check out.

I drove home, grabbed a few bags out of the trunk and went inside- passing Honey on the way out to my car to get the rest of the groceries.

In an instant it dawned on me............he was going to see proof of my falling off the wagon.

I yelled....................

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! I'll get the rest of the groceries!!! GO GO GO GO GO sit down- really- I'll do it!!!!!!

Of course he went to the trunk, grabbed the remaining bags and brought them inside shaking his head disgustedly and said.................

You did it again didn't you? You bought MORE shampoo and conditioner didn't you?

I tried to justify my purchase but it was all for naught.

My name is Shannon and I am an addict.

Gravity

Maddie came into the my bathroom one day not too long ago as I was getting ready.

I had on a new shirt that was rather fitted and so I asked her..........

Hey, does this shirt look okay?

She stopped, put her hands on her hips, looked at me, and said...........

Well, the shirt is cute but um...........it kinda makes your boobs look like they are LOW.

And I laughed and said..............

Well honey, it's not the shirt. Unfortunately they ARE low.

She looked very alarmed and quickly said................

Oh no! How does that happen?

To which I replied.....................

Gravity baby, Gravity. Just wait till you are old, you'll see.

Bye Bye IKE

I think I've spent more time watching TV during the last three days than I have in the last year combined. I've been glued to the coverage of IKE on the weather channel, our local channel, and Fox News as it came through Galveston, Kemah, and Houston. It was horrible to watch all of the damage and my heart hurt for those who lost so much. It's been horrific to watch places you have been to so many times basically destroyed before your very eyes.

We were so lucky to only have lots of rain, lots of strong wind, and only a few limbs down and a little damage. The winds were crazy here and I can't imagine how strong they were in Galveston and Houston.


My sister in Houston did not fair so well as she lost power on Friday evening around 10. She spent the evening in the bathroom with her dog riding out the storm. When she came out on Sat. she found a power line down in the backyard as well as some damage to the house. She called about her power being out and was told it could be awhile before it is turned back on. I'm hoping that she'll come here today to wait until they can turn the electricity back on.


Other than weathering and watching the storm it has actually been a fun few days hanging out with my family.


I've read a lot (I'm on book number 4 since Friday), napped some, watched a few movies, cooked quite a bit, eaten WAY too much, played lots of games (Yahtzee especially), and laughed so hard at Maddie and her antics that I cried.


Today we will be back to homework, chores, church, and regular errands- but it's really been a blessing to have a few extra days with my Daddy, Maddie, and Honey. So although Ike wreaked havoc on many, I'm thankful for the gift he gave me of some special and precious time with those I love the most.

Preparing for IKE- Part 2

This afternoon I finished up all of my tasks to ready us for IKE's arrival. I purchased gas, water, batteries, and canned goods, rented some movies, bought a few new books and made sure everything outside was put up in the garage.

As I finished up my tasks I decided to go by my Sonic for one last Sonic drink before Mr. IKE arrives.

As I pulled up to the window- all of my favorite Sonic boys were there in the window to take my money and hand me my drink.

But instead of handing me my single Route 44 Diet Coke that I ordered, they handed me



Yep.

That's THREE Route 44 Diet Cokes.

Two for FREE.

How sweet is that?

They said they thought I might need the extras since the storm was coming and they would be closed tomorrow.

They said they knew I couldn't go a day without my Sonic fix.

Do you think maybe I have a problem?

Preparing for IKE

A Note to Myself

Dear Shannon,

The next time you get the bright idea to eat a bunch of yummy sugar free, fat free, low calorie meringue cookies READ THE FINE PRINT ON THE BOX.

Because if you do and you see something that says:
EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION MAY HAVE A LAXATIVE EFFECT

they are NOT NOT NOT kidding.


And FYI......the word MAY really should be replaced with ABSOLUTELY WILL.

Remember, Mama always said...............

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Love,
Shannon

PS Just lay off the cookies altogether you ding dong- your 20th high school reunion is in only 37 days.

Starbucks Copycat Coffee Cake

Although I have never eaten any coffee cake (or anything else for that matter) at Starbucks, I have heard others rave about it so when I saw this recipe I decided to give it a shot. It's an easy coffee cake that I whipped up the other morning and took to work for our faculty to enjoy. Judging by the empty pans and requests for the recipe, I would say it's definitely a hit and something I'll be making again soon.

1 box yellow cake mix (plus ingredients on back of box)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup butter or margarine

2 1/4 cups flour

1 1/2 T cinnamon

1 ¾ cups sugar

1 1/2 T vanilla

Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix in large bowl according to directions on box adding in 1 cup sour cream. Spray 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until center is just barely set. While cakes are baking, prepare crumb topping. In large bowl of electric mixer combine, butter, flour, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla until all crumbly. Immediately after cake is removed from oven, break crumb topping into marble size pieces with fingers, sprinkling over top. Put back in oven and bake an additional 10-15 minutes. Let cool fully then dust with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Coming Clean

I am so very embarrassed to tell you that I have an addiction.

Well, ok, another addiction (other than my Sonic addiction).

I've tried to trick myself for weeks and weeks into believing that I don't really have a problem, that it's merely a figment of my imagination but it's a fact I can no longer deny.

When I realized that I was hiding this from my family- for fear of ridicule or embarrassment- I knew it had turned from a mere passion into a serious problem.

When my hiding place became full and I had to find another hiding place, I knew I had a problem.

When Honey saw me doing this again and said "Tell me that's not what I think it is?" and shook his head in disgust- I knew I was an addict.

When Maddie saw me doing this again and said "Mom, not again!" I knew I was in serious trouble.

When both Honey and Maddie spent the entire drive to and from church ridiculing me about this addiction-seriously giving me a really hard time- I knew that my little fun had turned into something much more serious.

When I realized that I could not control myself- that I simply HAD to do this, I knew I had a problem.

I know that the first step is admitting you have a problem so I'm here today to come clean.

My name is Shannon and I am addicted.

Addicted to buying shampoo and conditioner using coupons.

And here is the proof.

Anyone know of a good rehab?

PS Does anyone need any shampoo or conditioner?

PPS Don't be surprised to find a bottle of shampoo and/or conditioner in your Christmas present this year. :)

Almond Joy Brownies

This is another easy way to jazz up a boxed brownie mix! These are both yummy and easy!

1 (19 7/8 ounce) box Duncan Hines chewy fudge brownie mix

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup Eagle Brand Condensed Milk

1 (14 ounce) package miniature Almond Joy bars, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup toasted almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare mix according to brownie package directions, except only use 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Pour and spread 1 cup of condensed milk on top of brownie mix. Sprinkle with chopped candy bars and toasted almonds. Bake at 350 for 35-38 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into 2 dozen bars. Enjoy!

A Response from the Girl in the Back Seat

I told Maddie the other day that I had posted about her still riding in the back seat and shared how most people were shocked that I still had her sitting in the back seat.

I then told her of Jen's idea to wrap her in bubble wrap to keep her safe (which I thought was so clever ) and Maddie absolutely LOVED it!

She said................

OH Yes! That is a GREAT idea! I can put bubble wrap around my chest.

No wait! I know...............I can put it IN my bra!!!!

And after I started cracking up she said...................

OH NO! You are going to put what I just said on your blog aren't you?

PS If you like bubble wrap, here's some virtual bubble wrap for you! :)

Praying

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philipians 4:6-7

Baggage

We all carry around some baggage. Some people travel through life carrying around small little bitty carry on bags while others lug and drag around HUGE massive suitcase sized bags filled to overflowing with their past mistakes, fears, painful memories, and hurts.

No matter what size the bag is, the truth is, we ALL have some sort of bag that we carry our baggage around in.

Oh some of us disguise that baggage in a pretty little Vera Bradley bag or a beautiful Coach bag- while other carry theirs around in beat up, torn and tattered old bags. But regardless of what the outside looks like, the inside is full of the yucky and painful things from our past.

And truly, the only way to deal with that baggage, is to lay it at the feet of Jesus.

I am so very thankful that He is willing and able to take that baggage from me.

Because without Him, I am destined to lug it around for the rest of my life.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

The Back Seat

From the first day Maddie rode in a car home from the hospital, she's ridden in the back seat. Through car seats facing backwards, car seats facing forward, booster seats, and regular seat belts, she's always been in the back. As she grew older, others allowed her to ride in the front seat with them.

My dad lets her.

Her dad lets her.

Honey lets her.

Her grandmother lets her.

Basically, everyone EXCEPT me lets her.

And it drives her absolutely and completely batty.

I always tell her that it's because it's safer and that I love her more than anyone else- and that's why they let her ride in the front while I make her ride in the back.

That answer is always, always, always followed by a response of..................MoooooooooM!

This fact came up the other day when I was driving with my friend Debbie. She could not believe that I still made Maddie ride in the back seat. She said...........

Shannon, if she's old enough to start getting boobs, she's old enough to ride in the front seat. Seriously. She's 12, not 2.

The next morning on the way to school, I told Maddie what Ms. Debbie had said and she said...

I love that Ms. Debbie. She is so smart. You need to listen to her.

So then Maddie asked me.............

So Mom, when ARE you going to let me ride in the front seat?

After thinking for just a moment I said............

I'm thinking..........oh about 16 is good.

To which she replied...............

16? 16? Are you kidding me? Mom do you realize that at 15 I'll be able to learn to drive? How am I going to learn to drive..........from the back seat??????

And my response was...............

Haven't you ever heard of a back seat driver?

Randomness on a Tuesday Morning

A list this morning because it's fast and I'm in a hurry:

1. Thank you so much for the prayers for my sweet friend S. The surgery went well and they were able to save the majority of her kidney and were able to remove ALL of the cancer! The surgery ended up being more involved than they had expected though, recovery has been harder than hoped, and as a result she is still in the hospital in Houston. Please keep her in your prayers- please pray that she is doing better and on her way home very soon.

2. After a long day of cleaning (I now have a clean closet and clean floors- woo hoo!), cooking, shopping, errand running, etc. I arrived home Sat. night at about 8pm to find these on the table. A gift from my sweet Daddy and my sweet Maddie. What a precious and unexpected blessing!

3. We had to work yesterday. How un-American is it to work on Labor Day? It was stinky to have to leave Honey all snuggled up in bed asleep. So not fair.

4. Maddie has to do 30 minutes of physical activity for PE each day- activity outside of school. She starts dance today and some days she has 5 hours of dance classes so she'll have no trouble getting in her requirement. But last night she didn't have dance so after finishing her homework she did her activity. She played the Wii. For homework. Playing Wii for homework? How crazy is that? She cracked me up as she went to play saying.............I love homework!

5. My Smartboard is so stinkin neat- I can barely stand it! I promise I'll tell you and show you how cool it is later this week!

6. If you have not yet read The Shack you must. Seriously. Run, don't walk and GO GET IT. NOW. It is amazing. AMAZING. And it truly will bless you.

7. If you have a few minutes (or hours) to play, go and play Untangle. If you don't have any time to spare, don't go because goodness it's addictive. Well, either addictive or infuriating. You decide.

8. We saw the movie The Longshots this weekend. Such a cute (mostly kid appropriate- only a few potty mouth words) movie - based on a true story- with a great message. My favorite quote was.............."If we think about the things we do have, we forget about the things we don't have." Wise, wise words!

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
~Ovid~