Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

As we prepare all our food, deserts, party favors & cute outfits let's remember what this holiday is all about. Sing along with me...

The Star-Spangled Banner

  by Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,   

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?   
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,   
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;   
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;   
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?   
   


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,   
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,   
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?   
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,   
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;   
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!   

   
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore   
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion   
A home and a country should leave us no more?   
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. 
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,   
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;   
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!   
   

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand 
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!   
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,   
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.   
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.   
And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; " 
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave   
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave. 

xoxo, Mrs. Montgomery Thanking our Military Men & Women Like...

Gimme A Break?

Did you have a nice holiday break?
It wasn't quite what we expected around here.
I know I'm not alone in this, either.
I'm not saying the whole thing was a bust, but I'm going to tell you about some stuff that went horribly wrong.

The Wii U from Santa didn't work. That was bad.
The BIG SNOW we were promised for Christmas Day didn't come. Kids were devastated.
Our Christmas Day movie outing was sold out. Boo.
But that's not all.

Next up - my oldest baby caught the flu.
Yeah.  The flu.

Good thing The Dood was happy to keep him company.

Then Cutie Moody had a stroke.  

Yeah.  I said the hamster had a stroke.

That's a blurry picture of Jacob with our hamster.

Cutie Moody's right side doesn't work properly these days and she hobbles around her cage with one eye open.  She's like a pirate with a peg leg.  It is very sad for those of us who are fond of this particular rodent.

I posted about coughing eighteen days ago.

EIGHTEEN!

Guess what?

Still coughing.  I spent quite a few days on the nebulizer.

It was awesome.

And... it didn't cut it.

So I ended up at the Doc-In-A-Box (because my doctor was sick, too).  

I was asked to wear a mask.

It was hot.

One flu diagnosis later, I'm hanging out in my room watching anything I can find on TV and coughing up my lungs.

My husband won't stand in the same room as me.

And every once in a while, this sweet little guy comes in to show me his latest Lego creation.

And that is how we spent our holiday break. We're going to need another break to make up for this one.
I know it's not just me, either. Did anyone escape the flu over break?


Mrs. Priss

Whining again like...

who has had better days.

P.S. I will try to post about something other than illness next time.  Really.

Tis The Season

It's the most wonderful time of the year - except when you are sick or injured. We interrupt this delightful Christmas season to bring you a list of our ills and spills.
It seems like the housewives and their families are under attack.
I would call and tell you all about it but I would need my voice back first.  You might catch every third word if your hearing is decent.  I'm also beginning to think breathing is overrated.  This weather has kicked my asthma into high gear.  Right now, I'm living on Hall's cough drops, steroids and inhalers with a side of Delsym cough syrup.  Chin up, my friends, if you haven't had a Hall's cough drop in a while, the wrappers provide all sorts of inspiration with sayings like "power through it."  

Mrs. Sinclair had her knee drained and her gall bladder out in the last two weeks.  She hit a new low when she had to accept help walking into the doctor's office from an elderly gentleman who drove her to the door in a golf cart.  You just can't make this stuff up.

There is a lot of this going around.

Mrs. Albright's daughter was sick on her birthday yesterday.  Her birthday party has already been rescheduled twice.

Consoled by her birthday gift - a Nintendo 3DS!

Her PJ days are coming to an end today as she returns to school. Finally!
Mrs. Hart fell down.  Between her knee and shoulder, she's feeling it still.  That's okay, the doctor got to take a peek today when she went in with a congested head.  In a yelling match, I don't know if she or I would get a word out right now.

In addition to having problems with allergies, Mrs. Montgomery's son came home with some skin missing after a PE incident.

Guess I should have warned you because that was just plain nasty.   This same child gets to go to an elbow specialist tomorrow for a previous injury.
I would like to not here that Mrs. Montgomery tried to turn the conversation over to dog poop at this point, but I did not take the bait.
Now you have seen the truth behind the scenes.  We are Christmas-ing along like the rest of you and doing our best to not let our decrepit bodies and exhausted children get us down.
Please excuse our whining and this short interruption from the merriment.
Now, let there be JOY!
You're feeling it, aren't you?



Mrs. Priss

**cough cough** wheeze wheeze** like...


(That was my version of "Merry Christmas to You!")

Holiday Humor

As a woman facing her 4th surgical procedure of the year next week, and it's not even for my knee that looks like a cantaloupe; I've needed to find humor lately.

I'd also like to thank the power of the Internets for online shopping and free shipping. Twenty seven boxes delivered is bliss, I tell you. Now I need a maid, organizer and chef on board. That's not too much to ask is it? That's what I thought. So my current fave is the Instagram parody you can see here. Oh-My-Funny. I am so glad that there are people who apparently have nothing better to do than to sit around and make videos so I can laugh. See also: these people. The parent rappers.
I also like to photoshop and face in hole...and of course Jib Jab.  Click right there and see us rock around the Christmas tree.

Faux Santa pics? No screaming kids!

My recent fashion shoot in Siberia.

MaryAnne and I, we were Rockettes. Did you know that?

Do you have any Holiday humor to share? Please do!! Meanwhile, I am on the lookout for a dragon to slay.

Mrs. Sinclair
on the hunt for giggles and dragons

Make Your Own Ornaments!

We get pretty excited about Christmas around here.  

My family started decorating Thanksgiving week - and we're almost done.  Our pace is killer - as in so slow it's killing me!  I start shopping early for extended family so I can hand them wrapped presents at Thanksgiving.  Yes, I'm so cheap that I refuse to pay shipping.  I even started baking (*gasp*) things that can be frozen for later in the month.  Yes, it's true.  I love having things done early so I can just coast and enjoy the season!

It's only December 5th and I'm curious how many of you are as immersed into the Christmas season as my family is.  Mrs. Albright, Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Sinclair are all either done or almost done with their shopping and decorating.  Only Mrs. Priss (that would be me) has started baking.  The other housewives have declared me insane on this one.  Most of the RHOK have only wrapped a minimal number of gifts.  Mrs. Montgomery is on a different track.  She has done very little for Christmas and plans to do a little each day to prepare.  I think she is just making sure the family celebrates her birthday first.

Over Thanksgiving break, I decided on a whim to put my boys and niece to work creating dough ornaments.  My mom used to make these with me when I was a little girl.  Sadly, mine have only slightly improved over the years - but they are still fun to make!

After you mix the dough, you begin making your ornaments.  Roll and flatten the dough into the shape want to make.  To attach other pieces, dampen your finger with some water and moisten the area you want it to go to "glue" it in place.

The "Before"

After you get your ornaments just right, put a bobby pin or a paper clip in them (so you will have a place to attach a hook later) and let them dry out.  I usually put mine in the oven on a baking sheet at about 200 or less.  I leave them in the oven overnight and keep going until they completely dry out.  If you aren't going to be able to check them every couple of hours, just turn the oven off but leave them in.

Once they are dry and they cool off, it is time to paint!  I use acrylic paint and a variety of paintbrush sizes.

Jacob is having fun with his creations!

Our crazy ornaments.

The "After" for my tree

It was fun to see what my boys would create.  Michael stuck with Nintendo themed ornaments.  Jacob stuck with his own creation - Evil Toast!  Believe me, it's going to be a hit someday.  No stealing his idea!

Eeeeeeeevil Toast King!

These are mine. Just plain ole Christmas.

Once the ornaments are painted and dry, spray them with that shiny stuff that makes them look all pretty and glossy.  That's what you call it if you are not really a crafty gal.

Those of you who are crafty would call it... I dunno.  Clearcoat? Spray Gloss? Varnish?

You decide.

Ready to hang on the tree!

If you want to try this at home, I am attaching the recipe for you.  And if you actually make some ornaments, please post them on our Facebook wall.

~ Mrs. Priss

Enjoying the Christmas season like...

Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful meal with those you love.
Did you know that turkey has more protein than chicken or beef?   There's your turkey fun fact for the day.  
When you are done stuffing your face, head on over to take a quiz so that you can know what you have always wanted to know.   What side dish are you? Personally, I hope you get something more exciting than green beans.

You Are Green Beans

Some people make a big fuss over you, but you're best when you're at your simplest. You have a fresh, crisp outlook on life. You are lighthearted, and you don't like to be weighed down by anything. You enjoy being out in nature, and you wish that more people appreciated the simple beauty of a home cooked vegetable. You are a thoughtful and spiritual person. You wish more people would spend time on Thanksgiving thinking about what they're thankful for.

What Thanksgiving Side Dish Are You?

Blogthings: Quizzes and Tests and Memes, Oh My!

~ Mrs. Priss

Enjoying pumpkin pie like...

Holiday Wine Tasting RHOK Out

The Housewives are kicking off the holidays 

with a little wine & lights!

Join The RHOK for the annual lights on 

Main ST Jenks at 180 Kitchen Design.
We will enjoy trying sips of new wines for the holiday season, 

light appetizers, treats & fun give aways. 

Bring your girlfriends for a night of fun & 

extended shopping hours down Main ST Jenks.

Travis Meyer will be "forecasting" lights on live 

in front of the showroom & live music outside

Worried about missing Breaking Dawn 2? 

No worries! 

We have a group headed over to the 

Cinemark to catch the last of the series.
Let's kick-off the season with our girlfriends & good times. 

Please note this event is 21 yrs. & older only. 

Thank you.

Hope you YOU there, Mrs. Montgomery Sipping Wine Like...

Pre- Holiday Clean Scene with Mrs. Hart

Thanksgiving is two weeks away housewives!!! TWO weeks, that's 14 DAYS!! Are your menus planned, house cleaned, travel plans made, Black Friday shopping strategies shaping up? Did I ask you if your house was clean yet? Not exactly sure yet if I am cooking or my MIL, but since the holidays are coming and my house is always in the need of a good cleaning... 

I have a gas stove. Anyone who cooks with gas knows that the grease, grime, burned on food on the grates and drip pans is nearly impossible to get off. I have tried Comet, Soft Scrub, my dishwasher, everything imaginable. 

During Fall Break, I even priced at Lowe's replacement parts. Yeah, that is not happening in the near future. The double drip pans alone are $12.99 and only come in black. Last Tuesday night, I found the following pin on Pinterest. I guess she just had nasty grates to contend with, not the pans. 

Source: pinchingyourpennies.com via ShaRhonda on Pinterest

Warning: What you are about to see is disgusting. I am ashamed, that I let the mashed potatoes last week boil over and hadn't cleaned it before now.

Supplies needed: 

1 gallon Ammonia- $2 

rubber gloves 

scouring pads 

 large sealable container, I used an ice chest 

well ventilated space- I went outside

Now, I must warn you when you start a Pinterest project such as this you will probably end up opening an entire stove clean scene. I mean really how can you have a clean cook top and the inside not be cleaned as well. 

You are going to put the grates and pans into the large container and pour the ammonia over them. Let them sit overnight. My burner covers and the left drip pan were clean within about six hours. During that time is when you will do the other clean scene.

Now, I am not going to lie to you, you still have to use a little elbow grease. At least I did. Some of the baked on black gunky mess, I am sure, had been on there for a good nine years. It is back wrenching, elbow using, grease and grime. I even felt it in my rear Saturday morning at the football games. Be prepared for some work, but be even more prepared for the shock that I am about to reveal.

"Whoa Mommy, did you get a new stove?", straight out of the mouth of my five year old daughter.What amazing cleaning secrets do you have or have found lately? Please share, so we all can have clean homes for Thanksgiving!

♥Mrs. Hart♥Who can RHOK an upside down cleaning mask like

P.S. I knew it was upside down, my glasses kept fogging up with it turned the correct way!