An After School Snack...

You know you are Grant when your after school snack is... a half rack of ribs!  Don't come between this boy and his meat!

Here chicky chicky...

I'm in Memphis today.  Tomorrow, North Carolina.  Last week, Alabama.  The week before that, Dallas.  This is my life.  At some point, I told someone at work, "I enjoy traveling."  The next thing I know, they started beating me to death with my own stick.  I still enjoy it, but I miss the family.  So I find things to fill the void.  Mostly edible things.  In an ever-expanding void.

Last time I was in Memphis (about six weeks ago), I noticed this place:

It was closed, because it was late.  But next door, I noticed this place:

Drawn in by neon and creamy filling, I got myself some donuts.  Some.  They were good.

Tonight, I decided to go back to this place:

It was amazing.  I don't even order fried chicken normally, but since there was a picture of a chicken on the sign, I got the chicken.  It was amazing.

After my chicken(s), I went to this place (again):

I ordered a cream filled donut.  I told the dude behind the counter, "I'm only getting two."  Meaning, "I only want two donuts, so no need for the box.  I know I'm stout."  I then ordered my jelly filled.  That one was for later.  As in minutes, not hours.  I paid my cash money and returned to my car.

When I dove my hand into the sackful of goodness, I discovered that a misunderstanding (possibly because of the visual cues provided to my donut host, such as the disappearance of my belt) had left me with an EXTRA CREAM FILLED DONUT.  Score.  Two for now.  One for right before I hurl.  Excellent.

The other night, I mentioned to Erin that one of the downsides of getting old is that everything that happens to your body now is permanent.  If you fall and twist an ankle, that ankle will ache before thunderstorms for the rest of your life.  Cut your skin shaving?  You now have a new line on your neck that forever reminds you that one morning, you forgot to screw the blade down tight on your old timey razor.

The same thing may be happening with my weight, I fear.  Each donut and filet is now permanently affixed to my being.  No hope of it ever going away at this point.

One of the unintentional side effects of my constant travel is that I'm feeling more and more like I'm living a corporately funded "Leaving Las Vegas," but with donuts and fried chicken instead of booze (mostly).  Tonight as I returned to the hotel, the desk clerk looked down as I walked in, shaking his head a little bit.  When I got to my room, I discovered I had icing all over my nose.  I suppose maybe he thought it was something else, but either way, it was shameful.  I was sniffling a lot and licking my upper lip frantically.  I understand his concerns.

It's about time for cream filled, #2.  Excellent.

A Girl and Her Crafts

We turned our large storage closet (complete with a window) into a craft room just for Grace.  She loves it! The girl almost NEVER plays with toys (sometimes with her older brother) because she is too busy crafting. She sews, paints, colors, cuts, glues, tapes, staples, beads, stamps, feathers, glitters, etc.   In fact, all she wanted for Christmas: rolls and rolls of scotch tape!

Grace thinks that this new work station is for her, but really... it is for me--so tired at looking at the mess!!!  But, so thankful that my little girl has such a crafty imagination!

How Did Your Christmas Photo Shoot Go?

Here is our only kid group pic... 

It's a Good Morning...

for some baby swooning!!!  Look at that tush--could he be any cuter!!

It is starting to look...

a lot like Christmas!

Grace Love

We work hard to convince Grace that "pretty is as pretty does," so don't let the secret out: she's a stunner of a beauty (I can say that... because I have ZERO to do with her good looks)!

Some Cute Pics

Trent has two new tricks.  He sits (kind of), but more importantly, he gives kisses.  Melt. My. Heart.

Trick or Treat

So. Freakin. Cold.

But, the two older ones ventured out while the baby stayed home playing pumpkin (I know it's a repeat pic... but, come on, he's just too cute).

Grant went as the Karate Kid or a White Ninja (don't get me started...) depending on who asked.

And, Grace, well she wanted to be a Penguin Princess Fairy, and seeing how I am a mother who can make magic happen, we slapped on a penguin shirt and tutu, threw on some wings and a crown... and added a wand.  

Hope your Halloween was as freakin cold or miserably freezing  sweet as ours.