Random stuff for the end of 2013...

Hard to believe that 2013 is over tonight...this week we have boxed/packed all of Christmas back up till next year (so sad to put up all the Christmas cards...they are always so fun to look at during Christmas!) Used gift cards that students had given me for Christmas (best gifts ever!)...Thank You! I've also gotten some reading done and we have just kinda chilled out.

These are the books I have read over break so far...

I really enjoyed all of them..."The Sea of Tranquility" was interesting and I'm a little surprised that some think this is YA as I thought it had a lot of heavy issues in it and definitely would recommend being at least an older high school student age reader for it...and the last line of the book gave me chills! "The Girl you Left Behind" is by the same author who wrote "Me Before You" but is a totally different book...I think that I will have to now check out the author's other books as I really enjoy her writing. And "The Lightning Thief"....I watched the movie recently and thought it was cute...definitely YA and I can see why the kids love this series...will definitely read more of this...

I must admit that I started getting antsy again (you know how I miss Charlotte lately!) so Norah and I went to Charleston this morning...we walked around, shopped, and had lunch...then headed back...it was just what I needed!

Norah got "ice cream" after lunch and was in heaven!

Somebody was pretty tired from our adventure!

Then we got home and Norah had a surprise...a teacher (Thank You Mrs. Ladd) I work with sent back a snowball from Maine in a cooler for her...she thought it was way cool!

So now I will leave you with something random that makes me chuckle!...love Jennifer Lawrence...



Have a Happy and Safe New Year's Eve! Here's hoping that 2014 is an amazing year!

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Random stuff for the end of 2013...

Merry Christmas Day 2013...

Christmas started early in Pawleys Island...this is Norah while I made her wait before walking into the den until Jeff was ready!

Norah had a blast opening all her gifts (and we are so appreciative to everyone who sent/gave her something!) and it is so fun to watch Christmas morning through her eyes! She loved everything! And I must say that she always opens the dogs' stocking first to give them their toys and bones before doing anything else which I think is really cute! So after the gifts were opened, breakfast eaten, car packed, etc...we headed to Charlotte for Christmas with the Hoppe family! We had a late lunch at Allan and Robyn's house and it is always so fun to see everyone together!

Jeff's mom with her 3 sons and 4 grandchildren

Top Pic: Jeff and me with his two brothers and their wives
Bottom Pic: Me with my niece and nephews

Norah's new obsession.... :)

What a great Christmas Season/Break we have had so far...I'm kinda not wanting it to end! :)

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Merry Christmas Day 2013...

This week leading up to Christmas...

Monday I had 3 kids...and we kept busy! After a trip to "jump" at Coastal Grande mall and Costco for the essentials...we made it back to make cookies and watch Christmas movies!

Then in the afternoon...Norah and I went and got our nails done!

The next day brought Christmas Eve...things got prepped and then end of the day we ended up at the Wilcox party...such fun! We had live music with John Lammonds, incredible food, a perfect outdoor fire, and great company!

Then we came home and we opened one gift each...

(Uncle Jake and Aunt Betsy...the excitement around your gift was awesome! She was very concerned that Santa would bring her the same gift since it was on her Christmas list...I think we reassured her!)

And then a "text" Merry Christmas happened with one of my favorite people...Meredyth....oh the fun we have had in our days...we always send fun texts and here is an excerpt of them from the night telling each other "Merry Christmas!"....(If you know us...this will all make sense!)

Well we are hoping Santa hits our house early and that everyone has a Merry Christmas!

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This week leading up to Christmas...

Weekend in Review...

Friday was the last day of school for Norah and myself. After getting the last report card sealed...I got home and crashed! Saturday came and Jeff went with Keith and kids on a little boat ride action. As you can tell...they had a blast!

Meanwhile...I was prepping and errand running for dinner at our house with my mom and step-dad (aka Frankie/Denny or Nini/Pops...depending who is speaking!) for our family Christmas. We had a lot of fun and got some great goodies! Jeff picked up some fresh oysters that he grilled and were awesome. I made shrimp and grits for dinner...presents were opened...it was a festive night!

Today we got up and went to 8 am Church and then met Denny and Frankie at BisQit for breakfast.

Next up...we changed clothes (into shorts and t-shirts since it is 80 degrees 3 days before Christmas!!) and headed over to Frankie and Denny's for Norah to ride one of the presents that they had gotten her. Norah and I dressed alike so we are calling her my "mini me!"

The rest of the day we have chilled out and played with some of the other toys Norah got (what color marker would you like us to make you in the Marker Maker?)...Jeff went hunting (yes in the heat...) and just getting excited about a two week holiday break! Oh yeah...and go Panthers!

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Weekend in Review...

10ish Books...plus some extra book stuff thrown in...

So I was tagged in Facebook to name my top 10 books...this one is hard because at different times...I love different books! But here is a list of 10 books in no particular order that I would recommend to anyone...

* Well you know the Harry Potter series is one of my favorites! I would have never read them if I had not started teaching middle school. Once the kids finally talked me into it...I was hooked by book 4. I love everything about the Harry Potter world!

* "Me Before You" was my favorite book I read this year! Bawled my eyes out but so loved it! Highly recommend to anyone.

* "Cutting for Stone"...I think about it all the time and how I did not want it to end. This is what I would consider a perfect book for me.

* "Unbroken"...I'm not a big nonfiction reader but loved this one. I think it says so much about the human spirit that he survived all he did...amazing.

* "American Wife"...very interesting. I wonder if it really mirrors Laura Bush? Makes you realize that you never really know what goes on in each person's life that shapes the person they become...

* "Pride and Prejudice"...I love the characters in this book and how it still applies to today. Brilliant!

* "The Boxcar Children"...was one of my all time favorite books when I was a child (I think I might have actually "forgotten" to return it to the library so I could re-read it...oops!) Cannot wait for Norah to read it one day soon!

* "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" series...this had it all...I remember reading the first book and having to wait for the next one to come out...torture! (And yes...I love the Swedish movies and the one American version they have done so far!)

*The next is Ken Follett books...I loved "Pillars of the Earth" and "Fall of the Giants"...there is something about a huge book with all these little plots that connect. Plus I love the research that goes into it.

*Dan Brown books...I know some either love or hate but I think the mystery part is so clever and smart. I love reading it and trying to decipher what is going to happen.

**And I have to throw in the Twilight series...another young adult series that I love! It was so fun to talk to my students about it and tell them that I am totally team Edward!**

So what am I reading now....

What is on my Christmas wish list? (And these are just a few!) :)

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10ish Books...plus some extra book stuff thrown in...

Gift Ideas 2013...

Every year I have done some type of gift idea list usually for "us" but this time I have already done "us" so maybe this will give you ideas for someone (guy or girl) else!

1. Coasters / 2. Dog Print (you can pick the dog) / 3. "You Rock" Tray / 4. Doc Kit / 5. Coffee mug / 

6. Bauble Bar Necklace / 7. Smart Radio / 8. Back-up Phone Charger (could have used this in NYC!) / 

9. Southern Tide T-shirt / 10. Bracelet (silver would be cool!)

You can also always go the gift card route...then they could buy books, movies, or whatever is their fancy!

And for cute gifts...you can always get housewares/accessories from Anthropologie, a fun cup for coffee or water bottle from Tervis Tumblers, Patagonia or North Face shirts, vests, or pull-overs....the list goes on...

And the little ones...well Santa knows best! ;) There is a great site that has lists for kids divided up by age group on a Charlotte website...click HERE . Norah is all about another American Girl doll, stuffed animals from Land of Nod, and art supplies...or at least that is her main requests from the big guy! 9 days left!

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Gift Ideas 2013...

New York, Books, and stuff...

Wow! I cannot believe that Christmas is only 11 days away! Usually I'm so on top of things for Christmas but this year...I am so behind! Hoping to get it all done in time!

Our trip to New York started with a big adventure to just get there...with a canceled flight, then flying to Boston...arriving at 1 am, sleeping in a hotel for about 3 hours, then taking the Mega Bus from Boston to New York (lots of shuttles and public transportation too!)....all this after about 10 additional hours in the big city of Myrtle Beach! I absolutely loved the apartment we stayed in and the neighborhood...it was so cute! Seeing Phantom of the Opera was amazing! Our favorite eats were Waldy's Wood Fired Pizza & Penne, Tal Bagels, and Serafina. After arriving late on Sunday night back home...I had to hit the ground running! Jeff and I had a super busy week at work and then I had something each night of the week too! So now today is all about running errands, household chores, and getting ready for Christmas! I keep thinking that after one more week...I can relax and maybe take a nap! :)

Click HERE to see pictures from our trip.

I've read the above books lately..."Wife 22" and "The Theory of Opposites" were good chick lit books. "Shine Shine Shine" and "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" were both very different books. "Shine Shine Shine"...I was not really sure where it was going when I started to read it but after you read it...it really makes you think. It would be a good book for a group discussion. "The Ocean....Lane" is definitely a little odd and if you are not ready to read something strange...it might not be the one for you. Now I'm debating to read the Harry Potter books again since it is Christmas or just pick something else? Decisions...

Norah and I did end up seeing "Frozen" and it was really cute! Norah and I said we could even see it again!

Well this is the last week of school before break and there is a lot to be done...but at 5 more days...I think I can make it!

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New York, Books, and stuff...

Thanksgiving 2013

Tuesday was our last day of school so we were getting excited about our trip so headed over to get our Wilcox fix before we left... :)

I took this pic on Tuesday morning when I dropped them off at school...they are growing up so fast!

Wednesday...Norah and I headed to Charlotte and I literally screamed with delight as we got close! We first stopped at Christie's house and the time went by too fast! I loved visiting with Christie (I miss seeing you all the time!) and of course Norah was in heaven playing with Harper and Perry. In the short time we were there...Christie had an art activity for the girls and baked cookies!

Next I hit up a couple of stores and then headed to Shannon's house. I walk in and she hands me a glass of wine...yep...awesome! We sat and chatted and she even made Norah dinner with her boys. It was fabulous! I had so much fun Wednesday...I sure miss both you girls!

We headed over to Jeff's moms house and the next day brought Turkey Day! I must say we are spoiled and did not contribute in anyway for the dinner...just kinda show up...the food and company was great! We had a wonderful time over at my brother/sister-in-laws house catching up and just chatting away...we didn't want to leave! :)

We did hit Starbucks Thanksgiving morning...it was the only place open for some breakfast!

Yep...the famous car shot we always take...this was Turkey Day morning!

Norah and her cousins! Love it!

Turkey Time!

Norah being silly!

I did not do too well on the picture taking as I should have...I always wish I had more action shots of everyone there...but my niece got a pic of the three of us that made the Christmas card! :)

Friday came too soon and we hit Panera for breakfast (you know Jeff was about to have a fit if he didn't get his Panera fix!) before it was time to head back....

It was hard to leave Charlotte but I think we will be back soon! Someone was quite tired on our way back....

 Today we have gotten our tree...just have to decorate it now...

And now let the games begin! So many to watch today that I almost don't know what to do with myself...I love it!

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Thanksgiving 2013