Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I LIVE WITH MARLEY...




AFTER WATCHING MARLEY AND ME I HAVE DECIDED THAT MARLEY AND BENTLEY HAVE MANY THINGS IN COMMON. BOTH BENTLEY AND MARLEY LOVE TO; EAT SHOES, RUN FOR MILES AND MILES AND MILES WHILE YOU CHASE THEM, EAT ORNAMENTS OFF THE CHRISTMAS TREE, RIP APART ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE FEATHERS, AND HOWL RELENTLESSLY DURING THUNDERSTORMS. HOWEVER, AS THE STORY GOES WE ALL LOVE OUR PETS, EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DESTROYING DOWN THE HOUSE AT 2AM. HERE IS A QUOTE THAT I LOVE FROM MARLEY AND ME;

"What I really wanted to say was how this animal had touched our souls and taught us some of the most important lessons of our lives. 'A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours,' I wrote. "Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things- a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty'" (Grogan 279).

GOD BLESS OUR PETS

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

NOPE, NOT ME...




OKAY....HERE IT GOES...I AM POSTING "NOT ME MONDAY" ON TUESDAY, WHICH IS VERY REFLECTIVE OF MY PAST WEEK....

I DID NOT, I REPEAT, DID NOT GO SHOPPING IN LOWES WHILE LEAVING MY CAR RUNNING FOR A HALF HOUR...

I CERTAINLY DID NOT FALL DOWN OUR STEPS ON CHRISTMAS DAY BRUISING BOTH MY ARMS AND MY LEGS AND BREAKING ALL OF THE HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES I HAD MADE FOR OUR FAMILIES CHRISTMAS

I ABSOLUTELYDID NOT HAVE A DOCTOR AT WORK CALL ME "MAM" FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, HE WAS CORRECTED VERY QUICKLY

I DID NOT WAIT TILL CHRISTMAS EVE TO DO ALL OF MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN MURFREESBORO WHILE IT WAS RAINING BUCKETS

AND LASTLY, I DID NOT CHASE BENTLEY RELENTLESSLY AROUND THE HOUSE FOR 30 MINUTES TRYING TO RETRIEVE A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SHE HAD SNATCHED OF THE TREE...I DID NOT

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

FOR "WORDLESS WEDNESDAY" I DECIDED TO POST JUST A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES FROM 2008..ENJOY!














Tuesday, December 23, 2008

BLESSINGS

When I laid down to bed last night I began to think what a terrible day at work I had and how I felt like someone had beat my body with a baseball bat...then I began to think about how blessed I was to have a warm bed to lay my aching body in...............

A few minutes later I began to wish D.J. would scoot to his side of the bed and share some of his warm covers.....Then I began to think how blessed I am to have such an amazing man to share my bed with, so I just scooted a little closer.........

This morning I woke up and was bummed when I discovered that I had no milk for my frosted flakes....Then I began to think how blessed I was to have food in my fridge and chili warming in my crock pot, so homemade chili for breakfast it was........

Then I began to think how I needed to hurry up and begin cleaning my house for guest tonight, and how I dreaded having to mop my floors....As I pulled out my mop I began to realize how blessed I was to have a warm home to clean, and most importantly I realized that my guest were not coming over to see my house, but they were coming over to see me...People first, then things...So I put my mop back in the closet...

Then my focused shifted to Christmas shopping..which I have not done at all.....I began to think kick myself for procrastinating and wished I had been smart enough to have started my shopping sooner....Then I began to think of the people I had to shop for..and how much I love each of them...and how there is no mall busy enough to turn me into a scrooge this Christmas season..How blessed I am for my family and friends....

I post this because I realize how easy it is to get carried away this time of year....between work, Christmas parties, plays, and walmart, it is easy to forget the blessings that have been placed upon each of us. I thank God for everything he has done for me and my family and vow to cherish this season with the ones that I love. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Friday, December 19, 2008

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." ~Judy Garland

Monday, December 8, 2008

WHAT'S NEW WITH THE GANNONS???

IT IS TIME FOR A UPDATE ON THE EXCITING LIVES OF TIFFANY AND D.J. (JUST KIDDING)
TIFFANY: THIS PAST TUESDAY I FINISHED UP MY FIRST SEMESTER OF NURSE PRACTITIONER SCHOOL. I REALLY CAN NOT BELIEVE THE FIRST SEMESTER IS ALREADY OVER..?..ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN TOUGH AT TIMES TO BALANCE BETWEEN SCHOOL, WORK, AND FAMILY, I FINALLY FEEL LIKE I AM IN A GROOVE. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW DUE TO THE WORKLOAD OF SCHOOL THROUGH THE WEEK I HAVE RECENTLY SWITCHED TO THE WEEKEND SHIFT AT WORK, IT ISN'T MY IDEAL WORK SCHEDULE, BUT IT WILL HAVE TO SUFFICE FOR NOW. SO WITH ONE SEMESTER DOWN I HAVE 4 TO GO. ON DECK FOR NEXT SEMESTER IS: ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY, ADVANCED RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION I. ALSO NEW TO ME IS MY RECENT INVOLVEMENT IN JUNIOR AUXILLARY OF MCMINNVILLE. THIS OCTOBER I JOINED THIS FANTASTIC GROUP OF WOMEN TO UNITE IN THE EFFORTS OF MAKING MCMINNVILLE A BETTER PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. I RECENTLY PARTICIPATED IN ONE OF OUR MAIN EVENTS FOR WARREN COUNTY, CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK (BUURRRR). ALTHOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE NIPPY OUT I FEEL SO BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN APART OF THAT NIGHT WHILE IN THE COMPANY OF SOME AMAZING WOMEN WHO I TRULY LOOK UP TO AS ROLE MODELS.
D.J.: AS FOR D.J. HE IS STILL LOVING HIS NEW JOB. I HONESTLY CAN NOT DESCRIBE HOW SCARY IT WAS FOR THE BOTH OF US WHEN HE DECIDED TO TAKE THE BUY OUT FROM NISSAN. HOWEVER WE GAVE THE DECISION TO GOD AND HE HAS TRULY BLESSED US IN RETURN. D.J. IS LOVING HIS "DAYTIME" JOB INSTEAD OF NIGHTS AND IS NOW SURROUNDED BY GOD FEARING MEN WHO HE TRULY ENJOYS WORKING WITH. HOWEVER, D.J. TOLD ME LAST NIGHT HE IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT BORED WITH ME NOT BEING AROUND ON THE WEEKENDS (I TOLD HIM THAT I CAN GIVE HIM PLENTY TO DO). BESIDES WORKING D.J. IS ENJOYING DEER SEASON, AND OF COURSE, MAKING AMISH BREAD.
O' LETS NOT FORGET ABOUT BENTLEY...
BENTLEY: BENTLEY IS CURRENTLY ENJOYING HER DOGGY MANSION THAT D.J. AND I PURCHASED FOR HER IN LATE SEPTEMBER. ON ANY GIVEN DAY YOU CAN USUALLY CATCH BENTLEY CHEWING UP ONE OF MY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS FROM THE CHRISTMAS TREE, STEALING SOCKS FROM ME WHILE I AM TRYING TO FOLD THE LAUNDRY, DRINKING FROM THE TOILET, OPENING CABINET DOORS SO SHE CAN GET INTO THE GARBAGE, AND OF COURSE OUR PERSONAL FAVORITE, TREEING OUR NEIGHBORS CATS AT 3A.M. AND BARKING RELENTLESSLY UNTIL WE GO AND GET HER.
OKAY, WELL THAT'S ABOUT IT FOR NOW...HOPE EVERYONE IS GEARING UP FOR A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS

Friday, December 5, 2008

IT IS SOMEONES BIRTHDAY........

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR LACEY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOUUUU"
VERY SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO MY SWEET SISTER-IN-LAW, HOPE YOUR DAY IS FABULOUS

Thursday, December 4, 2008

IS IT CHRISTMAS TIME ALREADY....

WELL..I HAVE BEEN TAGGED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SURVEY SO HERE IT GOES...

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper..Come on it's Christmas Folks..

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial Pre-Light..Never Going Back

3. When do you put up your tree? About 2 weeks before Thanksgiving..I Love Christmas..

4. When do you take the tree down? About a week after the New Year

5. Do you like eggnog? I like eggnog, boiled custard, hot chocolote, and hot apple cider for the holidays

6. Favorite gift received as a child? blackhills gold ring from my aunt

7. Hardest person to buy for? handsdown...FIL

8. Easiest person to buy for? My mom

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes..but I am not sure where it is at??? Need to find it!!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? I use the traditional postal service..email is to unpersonal.

11. Worst Christmas gift you received as a child? ..ummm...not so sure

12. Favorite Christmas movie? The Polar Express..Love It..

13. When do you start your Christmas shopping? Christmas Eve..I know...I am terrible

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Sure..And I love the term "recycled" Makes it sound like you are also helping the environment

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My Granny Doe's cheese grits...yummy

16. Colored lights or clear on tree? Clear..but I think colored is making a comeback

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Christmas Time is Coming" by the Nashville Bluegrass Band

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel to my Granny Doe's...In Manchester

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I think.?.Well can I..? umm..No, I can't

20. Angel or star on top of tree? I actually have a bow

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas? Christmas Day

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Nothing..I love it..Reminds me of how blessed I am.

23. Favorite ornament? One of D.J. and I (thanks Tabetha)

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just happy to have a break from school

25. Favorite holiday treat(cake,cookie,dessert)? Toss up between fudge and white chocolote pretzels

Monday, December 1, 2008

Honest Abe



"It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place." ~Henry Louis Mencken, A Little Book in C Major, 1916




I could not help but to tell this sweet little story about our "maturing" little Jackson. Last Friday Jackson and I had a play date (which of course involved the polar express). After some ranting and a raving Jackson's mischievous side began to take him over and he found himself in the kitchen faced with a plate of fudge. Jackson's big blue eyes could not have gotten any bigger, desperately he wanted a piece of that fudge (which is pure sugar). The conversation went like this...




Jackson: "Aunt Tiff, pleeeaassseee"


Me: "Does your Mom and Dad let you have fudge at home?"


Jackson: (pausing for a minute, with a very serious look on his face) "No"




I could not believe it....He told me the truth..how hard that must of been for him...God love his sweet little soul..So, In the name of honesty, I gave him a piece.