Hooray for Andy!

This blog is dedicated to my fellow in-law, Andy! In December, he graduated too! I'm not sure what his actual degree is in, but I know you have to be really intelligent in order to get one. (He wears glasses, so I knows he's smart.) Andy knows all things dirt, engineering, and politics. He also builds fabulous sea walls and retaining walls.  I may even start calling him Handy Andy, because he's just handy and fun to have around! But in all seriousness, we are all very proud of his accomplishments and we all know (especially me) how hard he has worked. We celebrated Andy's graduation last Saturday (I know it's been a while since I've blogged-another day, another blog!) at Provino's in Auburn. Two whole tables of Boswell's and Fuller's were there to show how thrilled we were for Andy! It was a truly special day!

Table 1 full of people who love Andy!

Table 2 full of people who love Andy!

Emily and Andy

Just one of the many family photos taken that night!

The graduates! We did it!

Amanda

Cleaning Out and Moving On

This weekend was difficult. Period. My family had the daunting task of cleaning out my grandmother's house. This was it. This would make it final. She is gone. It was the period at the end of the sentence. It was hard, harder than any of us let on. Everything went fast. We only had one weekend to move, which was good because that left no time for us to look through everything. Looking through everything and reminiscing would only make the move harder.

I was proud of myself. I was very anxious about everything. So anxious that I actually drove to Sand Rock and back. I never drive if I don't have to. I wanted to do anything to distract my mind from thinking about what we had to do that day. I only had one break down. Cleaning out my grandmother's closet and remembering each and every outfit and where she wore it just stung my heart. She still had the dress she wore to my high school graduation, and I lost it when my aunt pulled out the dress my grandmother wore to my wedding. I never thought clothes would affect me so much!

Thank goodness for Tucker! He is a moving machine. His poor back really got a workout! Not to mention, he was my rock during all of this. I don't know what I would do without him. Now that everything is final, I feel like I can move on. It's hard and I know there will be times when I still get upset and cry, but that's okay. A good cry is just what I need sometimes, and then I'm better.

Till next time,
Amanda

Chick-fil-a Bowl and New Year's Eve

Happy New Year!!! Tucker and I celebrated New Year's at the Chick-fil-a bowl in Atlanta. Auburn played Virginia, and thank goodness we won! Other than the first quarter, we looked great! I hated that Clint Mosley got hurt, but I was so very excited for Barrett Trotter. He has really developed over the season,and in my opinion, I think he should be the starter next year, if he decides to stay. I'm hoping for an offensive coordinator that refuses to play the quarterback shuffle. Let's pick one and stick with him! Barrett Trotter came to our school earlier this year, and he was great with the kids. He talked to them about leadership and taught them games that involved teamwork.

Barrett Trotter at Morris Avenue

The kids payed more attention to him than they do to me!

We are so fortunate to have family that lives close to Atlanta. We always stay with Tucker's aunt and uncle, Paul and Kathy. I tell you, it's like staying in a bed and breakfast! Friday night, we all went to Los Arcos and had a delicious dinner!

All of us at Los Arcos.

Saturday, we had a tailgate style lunch. We also got to spend time with Paul T., Casey, Townsend, and Sarah Peyton! We don't see them enough! We missed Eiler, but hopefully we will see them again this summer.

This picture is a little blurry. I'm hoping to have a better copy soon!

Tucker and I at the game.

Phyllis and Al

Touchdown Auburn!

Midnight at the Steak n Shake!

After the game, we were exhausted and hungry, so we went to the Steak n Shake. There we did a countdown to New Year's day. I couldn't imagine anywhere else I would rather be when the clock struck midnight. I was there with my family, the people I love and who love me!

Sadly, today is the last day of my Christmas break. Tucker and I had a fabulous week. He had to go back to work today, and I miss him so much already! And I miss my kiddos. I'm excited to see them on Thursday and hear all about their holidays. 2012 is going to be great!!!

Amanda

Closing Out 2011

Tucker and I have been on vacation this week, together! Usually, Tucker's vacations do not coincide with my school holidays. He planned it just right this year! We have decided that we are so ready for retirement! We have been staying up late, sleeping late, having lunch dates, and working out together. It has been wedded bliss! I wish every week could be like this!

Monday, we celebrated Christmas with Grandaddy John and Carol. We had a wonderful brunch and more presents! Granddaddy John gave all of the grandchildren peanut butter jars filled with change. Tucker and I both got one! We counted Tucker's, and it added up to $75! We assume that's how much is in mine too. We are saving our change for a rainy day:)

Emily and I in our new pea coats! 

Tuesday, Tucker and I went house hunting! We are not quite ready to move just yet. We have a few more projects to complete at the house we live in now before we can put it on the market. We are hoping to sell our house this year and be in a new house before the end of 2012!

Wednesday, we had lunch with Granddaddy John and Carol at Hamilton's in Auburn. It was delish! Then we went back to Granddaddy's house to sing some karaoke! I retired from singing karaoke a few years ago, but I just had to indulge Granddaddy John! He is a karaoke master! Then it was back home to tackle taking down all of the Christmas decorations. This year I decided to buy tubs and organize all of our Christmas decorations. It wasn't very fun, but I know I'll be so thankful next year!

Today, Tucker is out playing golf while I'm catching up on pajama wearing, coffee drinking, and blogging. We have a lunch date planned, then it's off to catch up on a few errands; grocery shopping being one of those things. I hope I'm not the only one who hates the grocery store! I make Tucker go with me to keep my anxiety level down! Ha!

Tomorrow, we are heading to Atlanta! We will be spending New Year's Eve watching our Tiger's play in the Chick-fil-a bowl against Virginia! I'm not going to make any New Year's resolutions this year. I feel like 2011 was a very productive year, and I accomplished everything I wanted to do! I completed my master's degree, lost 15 pounds, and got my booty in shape! My only plan for 2012 is to keep on doing what I'm already doing!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!!! Happy New Year!

Amanda

Christmas in Snapshots

Merry Christmas! We are finally home after a rowdy day and a half of celebrating! First, let me say how nice it was to have Will home for Christmas! We don't see you enough, Will! Secondly, Kate, Tucker, and I REALLY heard sleigh bells as we were going to bed on Christmas Eve. You might say crazy, but as for us three, we believe!!! Thirdly, tacky Christmas MUST become a family tradition. Tucker and I are already planning our outfits for next year.

Phyllis was the most tacky by far! The puff paint sweater was fabulous, but the gold pants pushed her over the edge! Can you say jealous?!!!

Tucker and I in our tacky outfits!

Bandit was especially happy that Will was home! So cute! 

Merry Christmas from the family!!!

Please don't judge me for how terrible I look in these photos. I forget something every time we go away somewhere; never fails! This year I forgot my makeup:( Catastrophe! On another note, Christmas was fabulous! Tucker got me an orange pea coat, and I got real cow girl boots from Phyllis and Al. I wore them all day to break them in. Tucker got new golf shoes, a new jacket, and lots of clothes. We must have been very good this year!!! Till next time!

Amanda

Super Easy Pinterest Recipe

During this holiday season I have been invited to many parties. I always feel obligated to bring something to the hostess as a token of my appreciation. This year, I found a super easy recipe on pinterest, and it literally takes only minutes. If you are a busy gal and pooped like I usually am during this time of year, you need to try this!

Basically, all you need are small pretzels, Rollo's, and pecans. Heat the oven to 250 degrees.While the oven is preheating, place pretzels on a cookie sheet. Top the pretzels with one Rollo. Place in the oven for 4-5 minutes. This melts the Rollo just enough so that you can easily push a pecan down on top of it. Take out of oven, and immediately push pecans on top of the Rollo. Place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.    

Just out of the oven.

The finished product!

I will warn you now...these are super addicting. You can't just have one. I made a huge batch. I bought 12 packs of Rollo's, 2 bags of pretzels, and 2 bags of pecans. I used all of the Rollo's, 1 bag of pecans, but only 1/2 a bag of pretzels. There are 8 Rollo's to a pack. This is very helpful information when trying to decide how many to make. I definitely would only use 6 packs of Rollo's next time. I'll be making these for Christmas!!!

On another note, I have been loving my Christmas break. I have been sleeping late, drinking lots of coffee, and relaxing on the couch. Tonight I plan on having dinner and doing Sips n Strokes with a good friend, Tricia Adams! My sweet husband has been working himself to death to deliver all of those last minute Christmas packages. Even though he is worn out, he still found time to watch Twilight and New Moon with me last night, and I have been waking up to this every morning!

I melt!

Amanda

Blessed

I made it; I survived the last day of school prior to Christmas break! What a day it was! There were lots of presents, carol singing, and candy cane munching. Even some of my sweet students from last year brought me presents. It felt good to be remembered <3. On another note( a not so good note), some of my students decided to make weapons out of their candy canes. I didn't even know this was possible, but apparently you can suck the end of the candy cane until it reaches a very sharp point. Then you can use it to pretend you have a bear claw and proceed to pretend to be a bear and mock scratch other students. What can I do? I was also threatened AGAIN by the same student who threatened to kill me after asking him to quit talking at the silent lunch table. Don't worry, this time he only threatened to slap me... for asking him to sit down. I sent another student to I.S.S for bullying, and another missed the Christmas party entirely for making bad choices. So needless to say, it has been a rough day, and I am so very grateful for Christmas break.

Although my job is tough at times, I am so very thankful to have a job.I know so many who are looking for teaching jobs at this moment.With budget cuts and our wonderful Governor taking money from the education fund, it's not a very pleasant time for teachers looking for jobs. I also try to remember that many of the students I teach come from not so good backgrounds, and the hugs they get from me morning and afternoon may be the only hugs they ever receive. It's so very hard when you have students in your room, whom you know will not receive many presents , if any, for Christmas. Sadly, we teachers have many of these students.

My goal this Christmas season is to count my blessings, and there are so many! This weekend was absolutely fabulous! It started with a relaxing day on Saturday with a little shopping mixed in. Tucker and I also went with Tucker's parents to the Auburn basketball game. This was our first time to see a game in the Auburn Arena, and it was a blast! I was also surprised with a graduation present from Phyllis and Al! They gave me a birth stone ring that is STUNNING! I love, love, love it!!!

It could not be any more prefect!

On Sunday, the crew met up at Arricia's at the Auburn Hotel and Conference Center for brunch. They had a wide variety of food to choose from and it was all delish! I'm not proud of myself, but I literally ate myself sick. The dessert bar pushed me over the edge, but you can't say no to dessert. Well you can, but why would you want to?! Phyllis and Al, thank you so much for supporting me during this time and for making this celebration so special!

From left: Jay, Jim, Kathie, Emily, Andy, me, Tucker, Mymama, Al, and Phyllis

I was so happy to have Jay and Jim come eat with us!

This screams Boswell Christmas card 2012!

Tucker having fun with the nutcracker. Had I known he was holding this above my head, he would have had an altercation with the nutcracker! Ha!

Emily and I in our fabulous coats! Our goal is to have a pea coat in every color!

Then it was off to Birmingham to celebrate Christmas with my Grandpa and my Aunt Rhonda. I had an awesome time getting to see my cousins., some that I had never even met before. There was lots of yummy food. Unfortunately, Tucker and I were still so full from brunch that we couldn't even think about eating! There was lots of cutting up, story telling, and laughing. I love my family!!!

From left: Staci, Rachel, Taylor, Gracie, Grandpa, Claire, Jason, and me. Talon is squatting and Claire isn't looking. She was precious in her Santa outfit!!!

Jason, Grandpa, and Talon

My Aunt Rhonda! Love you!

Tomorrow I anticipate sleeping late, wearing pj's all day, and coffee drinking on the couch! I may even wrap a present or two! Merry Christmas!

Amanda