TAYLORisms

2009-06-19T14:09:00.002-05:00

2009-06-08T12:11:00.002-05:00

We've Upgraded

2009-01-28T10:53:00.002-06:00

2009-01-27T18:19:00.002-06:00

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T09:54:00.007-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. The girls love their wii. I'm not sure which game they like best, best I sure am enjoying the Wii Fit. Tommy is enjoying the Wii Guitar.

Order, Deliver, Wrap 1-2-3

2008-11-30T11:40:00.006-06:00

Just waiting for the rest to come in!

2008-11-28T16:52:00.005-06:00

At daylight, Tommy, spotted a hog about 300 yards away. He watched it for 20 minutes, before it started down the fence toward him. He decided to shoot at 30 yards. It weighed in excess of 200 lb. He let the pig lie there and about 45 minutes later, three coyotes came to check out the hog. He shot the biggest of the three coyotes. He then decided to go check his corn because he was through hunting for the day. When he went back to the blind, he saw three deer coming directly toward him. He got behind the tree that was behind his deer blind in order to get a good shot. Two doe ran off and the buck turned to look and that's when he shot---Boom!

2008-11-28T16:32:00.009-06:00

We went to Grandma Taylor's for Thanksgiving. As you can see, there were a lot of people there! The food was yummy! After Grandma Taylor's we went to Papa and Lulu's house and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, a must see! The next day, the girls, along with Tommy and I made a gingerbread house. Isn't it cute? Seven Up Taylor lied on the couch and watched as we created a masterpiece!

Tommy thinks it is funny to get butt shots of me!

Social Networking 2.0!

2008-11-28T09:45:00.006-06:00

I just opened a Facebook account. I already have this blog, Taylorisms, and I continue to keep a MySpace, not to mention I keep a class webpage, taylorstigers. I have decided in this WEB 2.0 world, I need to be connected with all sites, because each one offers a little something that the other doesn't. Take this blog for example, it is a great way for friends and family to see and read what is going on without having to find some hidden blog posted somewhere on the page, it is a big BLOG! MySpace allows me to check friend's status all on one site, along with view photos of family and friends who do not keep a blog, but would much rather post pictures and update their whole life in one or two sentences. Now Facebook, is a whole different ballgame, it is all about messaging back and forth. Yes, you can post pictures, but there isn't a creative venue to display pictures and videos, it is more about posted communication between friends and family while also reading each other's "wall." So, to make a long story short, if you want to keep in touch with everyone about everything you must amalgamate all!

Christmas is Coming!

2008-11-16T11:21:00.008-06:00

I asked Tommy to pick up a Christmas present for the girls, before "it" become harder, if not impossible, to find. He completed the task and put it in the gun safe. ( I would tell you what it is, but the girls might find out--shhh!) All is good, it sounds! Well, I lost my cool when I looked in the gun safe, as he was putting "extras" to go with "it," and noticed lots and lots of stuff for "it" was added. I guess picking up one Christmas present, in Tommy's case, is the same as picking up one bottle of ketchup at the store. Why pick up just one, get the motherload, that way you don't have to go back! Jeez Louise, I bet there is over $500 dollars worth of additions to go with "it". I have complained in the past that he doesn't help in the task of Christmas shopping. What I perceived as a slothful act in Christmas shopping, was all the time a blessing from the Lord above. What's done is done, kind of, sort of, there are more extras coming in that haven't been shipped yet! Now, who was "it" for, Tommy or the girls? (Somebody please tell Tommy, the next time you see him, "A little bit goes a long way!")

Busy Halloween Weekend!

2008-11-08T19:53:00.007-06:00

The Sunday before Halloween we gutted a pumpkin. The girls picked a template that they wanted to use for their pumpkin and I used a jigsaw to carve the pumpkin.
On Friday we went trick-or-treating. I love to go trick-or-treating! Katie-Mae went as a Maudi Gras girl. I know, what is a Maudi Gras girl? Tommy told her it was a girl who showed her boobs for beads. She yelled and told him to stop teasing her. Brianna went as a Fairy. She had a light up skirt, crown and make-up. By the way, I did their make-up. I know, I know, I am a jack-of-all-trades. Yes, Seven Up Taylor went trick-or-treating too. He went as a bucking horse. He enjoyed his adventure through the neighborhoods of Cache. He met a lot of people and even pooped in one lady's yard. Of course, it was the "one lady" who was giving out candy on the front porch.

On Saturday, the Middle School Dance was going on. Katie-Mae and Kenzie went. It took them two hours to get ready. They shut the bathroom door and wouldn't let Brianna in. She and Kenzie participated in all the line dances. After the dance, Tommy asked Katie-Mae if she kissed any boys and she said, "NO, STOP TEASING ME! GAH! YOU ARE SO MEAN!"

Lastly, on Sunday, we went to Plano, Texas where the TQRA Banquet was being held. It was a lot of fun. The place was called Amazing Jakes. They had bumper cars, go-carts, lazer tag, kiddie rides, arcade, and buffet. A lady handed Brianna over 800 tickets. Therefore she was able to get all kinds of things at the end of the day when she added the 800 tickets to the 300 she had won. She was excited because she had enough points to get the biggest stuffed animal there. We stayed there for 6 hours. I would have stayed longer, if it wasn't for the fact that I had a 3 1/2 hour drive ahead of me. Yes, I drove, Tommy is down in his back. It is not his foot this time, but his back. The girls that Katie-Mae is pictured with are Makenzie and Ashley. They both race with her. Tommy bought the two boys that are pictured OU hats. They are from Texas and Tommy is trying to convert them to OU.

Brandon is headed to O-Hi-O!

2008-10-26T10:35:00.008-05:00

The packers and movers will be at Brandon and Shelly's Lawton apartment tomorrow. Friday morning they will leave via car to O-hi-O. They have a new three bedroom town house awaiting their arrival with a beautiful yard and garage. Brandon will continue his radiology schooling at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They will stay there for the next nine months. We will have to wait and see if they make it back for Christmas or not. I am excited for both of them as they take on a new adventure!

Fall Break Shopping 2008

2008-10-16T18:24:00.004-05:00

This is our 4th annual Fall Break shopping trip. For the second year in a row, we decided to go to Norman, OK. We like the atmosphere and Campus Corner. We bought some clothes, shoes, new wallet, jewelry, and two very important dolls. Katie-Mae and Brianna each brought a friend. Katie-Mae brought Kenzie C. and Brianna took Grace. On the way to Norman, Grace learned that Kenzie was an OSU fan and said very matter-of-factly, "What is she doing in the car with us anyway!" Kenzie was traumatized at Campus Corner. For the very first time she saw Pistol Pete being abused. There was a figurine, in one of the stores on Campus Corner, that had Pistol Pete lifted up by his neck (like a bobble head). Kenzie was truly shocked. She got over the shock of Pistol Pete being mistreated after she saw several displays of Pistol Pete being trampled by the Sooner Schooner. After a day of shopping, we ate at the Texas Roadhouse on Wednesday night, and later went back to the hotel to swim. The next morning we had breakfast and shopped some more!

Update!

2008-10-12T17:29:00.005-05:00

Tommy is doing well, I think. He limps. He now has a new limp on the left ankle, but he says he will go to the doctor if it isn't better tomorrow---Yeah, right! He was disappointed in the OU vs Texas game on Saturday, but darn, what OU fan wouldn't be. Nobody wants to lose to Texas. Tommy is looking forward to going to the TQRA banquet on November 1st in Dallas. It will be a lot of fun--food, games, and celebrations. Tommy has been perplexed this week with a new phone from a new carrier and has had to exchange one phone to another because he couldn't figure out the first phone. I believe Tommy has the right phone for him now. Tommy is a wonderful dad and enjoys playing with the girls. They played catch with the football today and I'm sure they will wrestle, scream and yell this evening.
Katie-Mae is adjusting fine to sixth grade. She ran for reporter/photographer. She didn't win, but we were extremely proud of her effort to run for office. I know I wouldn't have even tried because I would have been afraid of failing. There were many life lessons that were taught during the campaign, some good, some bad. Katie-Mae's TQRA season is over. She finished 4th in one of her classes. At least for me, when she is not racing, I can relax my shoulders. Katie-Mae cracks me up with her hair styles. She wants to wear her hair all girly, but it can be too much work, so she ends up putting it in a pony tail. I agree, I would put my hair up too, if I could.
Brianna flutters around. She is a happy person. She received Student of the Week on Friday. She has started her own cheerleading club at recess. She is the head cheerleader along with the other head cheerleaders (everyone on the cheerleading recess team). She comes home and shows us her new recess cheers. Another interesting development is that we have curtailed her showers to about 30 minutes, that is down from 45 minutes. We are working on 20 minutes next.
Seven got neutered on Friday. Buck is doing great and Jack is getting fatter.

How Time Flies!

2008-10-12T17:04:00.004-05:00

Forgive me father-blog for it has been over a month since my last blog. Worse yet, my father-in-law, Jimmy, had to call me on it:) In order to blog, you must have something to say. Don't get me wrong, I always have plenty to say. It's just that I didn't think anybody would care to read some of the things I had to say. However......
Yesterday, after Jimmy's reminder, and looking at the picture to the left, I finally had something to blog about.
Yesterday, Shelly, Tommy's sister, took a picture of the kids just as they were pictured 7 1/2 years earlier. Looking at the pictures reminded me, as life does everyday, that it is short and how it sure does pass by. I think sometimes I get so bogged down on how I can spend quality time with the kids that I don't know where to begin and therefore waste more time than I planned. I want to make sure that the next 7 1/2 years, at which time Katie-Mae will be 18 1/2 years old and Brianna 14 1/2 years old, that we made the most of those years together with many more to come.

Racing Weekend!

2008-09-02T16:56:00.003-05:00

We have one more race left in Tulsa, OK--Yeah! Last weekend we went to Fort Worth, Texas to Village Creek. Katie-Mae rode well. She got 3rd in one class and had some trouble in her second class. Seven went to his first race and did very well.

"Buck" A-Roo

2008-08-19T19:40:00.005-05:00

First of all, Buck is home from the vet. He is tired and seems to be spoiled to certain foods and pampering. He has two places on his hind end/back that is shaved with a strip down the middle that they left unshaved--Why, they left one strip unshaved is beyond me. Maybe, Golden Retriever Mohawks are the "in-thing" with all the canines!

I started night class on Mondays again (4:25 - 9:45 pm). It is always interesting to get home from night class to see what has happened, or hasn't happened, while I am away.

Howdy!

2008-08-12T20:44:00.004-05:00

All is very busy! I'm getting ready for school to start. Brianna
went to open house tonight to meet her teacher. Katie-Mae
is such a sweet big sister, she walked Brianna down
the hall to meet her teacher and find her desk etc.,
because I had to stay in my class and Tommy was working late.
Seven is doing great. He is very loved, he has
lots of energy and is sleeping through the night
in his kennel. Jack is missing
Buck while he is at the vet. Jack thinks he should
be treated like he is a lap dog.

Heartworm Disease

2008-08-07T07:59:00.005-05:00

"Buck" a Roo Taylor was diagnosed with Heartworm disease yesterday. I took Buck and Jack into the Vet to get their routine rabies shots and was asked if I would like to get them checked for heartworms. I have had several dogs over my lifetime and have never checked or treated my dogs for heartworms, but she told me she had seen a lot of cases of it this summer. At $35 a dog for the blood test, I agreed. Jack's test was negative, but Buck's test was positive. So, what does this mean? Well, from what I understand, I can either cough up $600 dollars to get him treated with some type of FDA approved arsenic type injections or put him to sleep. First thought, you might think well heck, I'm not paying $600 for a two-year-old dog, but....... who is going to tell the girls that you choose to put their dog down rather than pay $600 to get him treated. He will start treatment, I guess, on Monday. I started Jack and Seven on heartworm pills to prevent a mosquito from transmitting the disease to them.

Seven Up Taylor

2008-08-04T11:04:00.005-05:00

We welcomed Seven Up Taylor, to our home this Sunday, August 3rd. I must admit, he is cute! So far, less than 24 hours, the girls are doing a great job caring for him. Brianna is even giving him a tour of the house in the doll stroller. He doesn't seem to mind. The biggest thing right now is getting him used to the kennel. He did really good last night. He woke up at 4:00 this morning crying. I should have let him cry, but I didn't want him to wake everyone. Therefore, I did what every good mother does, bring him to bed. He was just fine after that. The girls were taking a shower this morning, so I had them put Seven in the Kennel. He did NOT like that. He was crying and crying. He will get used to it, it just takes time.

Badlands August 2, 2008

2008-08-04T10:04:00.007-05:00

We raced a night race this Saturday, August 2nd in Celeste, Texas at Badlands. It took 5 hours to get there and you guessed it, IT WAS HOT!!! We didn't get home until 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 3rd. LONG DAY & NIGHT! Katie-Mae didn't race with her usual zeal. I didn't realize Katie-Mae was focusing so much on not wrecking, due to being in a wreck at the last TQRA race, that I failed to give her my philosophy of mind over matter, which, by the way, I too have to remind myself at times.
Dwelling upon problems or past circumstances, develops weakness of character. To dwell upon problems and/or past circumstances in thought, leads to talking about them, which in turn impresses the problem or past circumstance more vividly in your mind. Therefore, focus on what you want to take place, in order to manage your thoughts, to cure the soul and bring about rewards and goals. If you want to have a pity party, set your timer to pity, then STOP!

With all that said, one of the wonderful things about going to the races, for Katie-Mae , is the other two girls (Ashley & McKenzie) she has bonded with. It is great, despite their competitive nature to want to win while racing against each other, they choose to laugh and run around the track together.

A little at a time!

2008-07-30T09:28:00.005-05:00

Well, I've been working in my classroom for a couple of hours each day since last Thursday. I can't make anything simple! I went and rearranged my classroom, had the custodian move some racks around on the walls, caused Tommy to get a hemorrhoid from lifting a heavy table and to top it off, I'm still not finished arranging and organizing. Maybe by this Friday? Yes, I have to be organized and arranged by this Friday! We are racing on Saturday. Great Plan; Be done by this Friday! Then, next week I can decorate and prepare for the kids! Wow, I better get going, I have a lot to do in the classroom! Wait, I should drink a cup of coffee first, straighten the house, start some laundry, take a shower, make my bed, vacuum the floor, sweep the porch, feed the dogs..........then go to my classroom!

Guilt Puppy!

2008-07-25T10:55:00.006-05:00

This is a story about a dad who subduedly quiets his daughters' sadness by offering them a puppy. Why not ice cream, a trip to the bowling alley, or even a chocolate rush? No, not Tommy, he offers them a puppy if they will stop crying, not to mention Brianna got a real cash register from Sam's Club for her efforts. I went to Ada, OK for three weeks to complete 12 graduate hours from East Central Univ. and while I was away, the girls were having a hard time emotionally. Katie-Mae and Brianna went to stay with one of my friends for a couple of days. She had a Yorkie-Poo. When Tommy came to pick them up from Lindsey's house, the girls asked Tommy if they could have a Yorkie-Poo like Lindsey's puppy. He said, Yes! He told me they deserved it for their efforts of being without me for three weeks and Katie-Mae did a wonderful job of taking care of her sister. So, long story, now reality. We put a $100 deposit on a black Yorkie-Poo, which will come to live with us on August 8th. The girls said they were naming him Seven. This name could change between now and then, however.

North Forty Race

2008-07-21T10:38:00.017-05:00

We raced this past weekend in Texas at North Forty. Katie-Mae didn't do as well as she wanted to in the first moto. However, the second moto in Senior Mini, she kicked booty. The second moto in Super Mini, she got hit from behind in mid-air by an irresponsible 9 year old, who had no business even being in the class since it is for ages 10-14. The kid had wrecked another boy earlier that day in a different class and wrecks somebody at nearly every race we go to. Katie-Mae's ribs and butt are bruised. She has a knot on her shin and tire marks on her left elbow along with a bruised knot. Luckily nothing is broke. I go to the races so I can be there in case of the inevitable. I want her to do well, of course, but my main concern is for her safety. Why purposefully put your child in harms way? I take the happy memories that come with racing (being together as a family)and remind myself that this too shall pass(racing).
On a happier note, Katie-Mae got her picture on the plaque this week! She was very happy and had just mentioned she wished she would get to be on a plaque. I added some other pictures of the girls taking part in the little carnival TQRA put on for the kids. One lady has a lizard as a pet, so Katie-Mae and Ashley took a picture with the lizard--creepy! Also, Papa and Lulu drove to Texas with three of Katie-Mae and Brianna's cousins, Blaine, Briley and Kenzie to see the race.

Sherman, Texas North Forty

2008-07-17T16:49:00.005-05:00

KATIE-MAE RACES SUNDAY, JULY 20TH. We are leaving Friday with the camper, which means air conditioning! Saturday is practice and Sunday is the race. Saturday they are having a carnival for the kids. Check out the long haul!!

Riviera Maya Summer Vacation

2008-07-09T10:47:00.016-05:00

The Taylor Family had a wonderful time in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It was a beautiful resort with three huge pools, two had swim-up bars, a lazy river, and of course, the ocean. The hotel offered nightly shows and activities for the kids. The girls got their hair braided. The girls and I painted pottery. We tried all kinds of fruity drinks. We enjoyed relaxing and playing along the beach, taking naps under the cabana and ordering room service when we just wanted to hang out for a little while in the room. The girls had the opportunity to hold a Toucan and get their picture taken. Tommy and I para sailed above the ocean and LOVED it! Click on the title if you'd like to view the video on photobucket instead, otherwise press play!

Ramen Noodle Chest Burns

2008-07-01T19:57:00.006-05:00

I was sitting under the hair dryer at the salon, when Katie-Mae called to tell me that she spilled Ramen Noodles on herself. She has two patches of skin that burned, blistered, oozed and are open to the elements. So, now we will have to take extra precautions as we snorkel and swim in the salty ocean waters.

Nails for Mexico---Of Course!!

2008-07-01T19:39:00.009-05:00

I took the girls to the mall to have their toe nails and finger nails done for Mexico. They always enjoy this treat. They love to be pampered. What girl doesn't? The pictures aren't the greatest due to having to use my phone as the camera. Oh well, you get the idea.

Taylor Racing!

2008-06-30T09:28:00.002-05:00

T aylor Racing has been a part of our family since 2005. Katie-Mae and Brianna both race, but Brianna only races when the weather is just right. She doesn't like to race when it is too hot, too windy or the track is wet.
Katie-Mae, on the other hand, races no matter what!! She is doing an excellent job! We just finished Round #8 in Fletcher and she finished 3rd and 4th in two different classes. You can check out her point standings at http://tqra.com/results.htm.
She has four more races to go. The next race will be in Texas. Tommy doesn't want to take the camper. I think he is crazy. It is going to be "blazing hot" (in Brianna's words). Brianna and I are race track princesses and we like air conditioning to the max. Tommy put a window unit in the enclosed trailer, but it just doesn't do the trick!!

Just started Family Blog!

2008-06-30T08:44:00.004-05:00

Well, I know I like to be nosy and check other family members' blogs. Especially family that I haven't seen in forever and may never again see due to "gas prices!" (Ha! Ha! Ha!). So, why not start my own blog about my family, just in case somebody is curious about our life. My biggest reservation about starting a blog was having somebody, such as my biological male gamete who gave me life know anything about me or my kids; perfect strangers came in a distant, distant, distant ninth. Tommy and I have been married 18 years. We, Tommy and Christy Taylor, married June 1, 1990. We have two children, Katie-Mae, 11 years old and Brianna, 7 years old. Katie-Mae and Brianna are opposites. Katie-Mae is just like her dad and Brianna is just like me. However, Katie-Mae is a light sleeper like me and Brianna is a deep sleeper like her dad. We have two dogs, Jack, who is a yellow lab and Buck, a golden retriever.