Fun Night Out

I've been meaning to blog about a fun night out I had a couple weekends ago. Em, Jen, and I were dying to get out of our houses to go do something so we all met up at the Penguin downtown. I know it's been around for some time now, but it was mine and Em's first time there. We had a really good time. The dueling piano theme is so much fun to watch and it's just a neat place to hang out. Eric, Em's bro, joined us for a little while, and Jordan also joined us.

It can get very rowdy, but we had a great time enjoying the music! I recommend it for a fun night out with friends.

New Blogger

My good friend, Brittany, has just started a new blog!

Brittany and I both went to Georgetown College, but didn't really get to know each other until we both worked as kindergarten teachers together at PCA. Brittany is an avid reader and includes summaries and insights on books she has read. She usually reads one or two books a week (I don't know how she does it) and we tend to have the same taste in books so go check out her blog at http://bluegrassbuckeyebeauty.blogspot.com!

New Additions

On some of my snow days and cold days off I've been enjoying time with Mark and we've been fixing the house to the best of our ability. On one of the days, after enjoying a yummy Thai lunch, Mark and I browsed some of the local stores. I love Twisted Twigs, which just so happens to be just a couple blocks from our house, and I seem to always find something fun in the store. I was taking a couple watches there to have the batteries switched out when Mark spotted a sign for our house. We couldn't decide if we liked it best in our bedroom or kitchen (since both have a black and white theme), but we decided on the kitchen/dining area.

I love it and it's the perfect daily reminder for my life.

Mark and I also tried on a few pairs of glasses while in the store. So becoming on us!
Mark and I also ended up rearranging both the front living room and the back dining room that day which included not only moving a piano and couch (multiple times each), but also purchasing and assembling a new TV stand. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of these.

Finally, on Thursday Mark called me at work and told me he'd gotten me a small gift, but he wasn't sure if I'd like it. I assured him I would no matter how cheesy it was. I came home to this:

YAY!!!!!!!!!

I know that last year I blogged that I'd gotten a Kitchen Aid mixer for Christmas. That wasn't entirely true. Mark gave me most of the money to buy one so I was all prepared to go pick out the one I wanted. Without getting into details, we needed the money for other things so my Kitchen Aid was not purchased. I never forgot it, but wasn't getting too hopeful for a new one.

Mark knows that if there's extra money I don't like to spend it on myself. Therefore, he purchased it with some money he'd been saving secretly for a while, and he had it waiting for me when we got home!!!!

I've already mixed everything in my house and looking for more! I'm happy as a clam thanks to my wonderfully thoughtful husband!

Christmas in Ft. Wayne

After enjoying many Christmas festivities as well as a small New Years get-together at our house on New Years Eve with some of our favorite people, Mark and I traveled with the family up to Fort Wayne to celebrate one last Christmas.

This year was particularly fun for me because there were lots of babies around this year. The new addition this year was my cousin Andrea and husband Reid's new baby girl, Trinity. I've blogged about her before, but she has grown so much since then and she really is a doll baby. I got to spend plenty of time fulfilling my baby bug need by playing with quite possibly the sweetest baby. Trinity is so well-mannered! She'd just sit there on your lap chewing her fingers and giggling. She was so much fun to love on. I've included some pictures.

Mark with Trinity. This picture cracks me up!

Just chewing on those fingers!

Trinity with Grandma (her Great-Grandma)

All that partying caught up to her. Her head literally fell forward and stayed just as it is.

This year I made gifts for Taylor and Kayla. Since my camera was MIA until right before we left for Indiana I was not able to get any close up pictures of the gifts, but I do have a picture that I took of the girls holding their gifts. I got the idea from Jen. It's simply wooden letters from Michaels with scrapbook paper cut out with many layers of Modge Podge. Taylor has a striped letter and Kayla has flowers. They were a hit!
This was my first Christmas without Grandma Dorse. It felt very surreal for me that she wasn't there, but I made sure to bring chocolate covered cherries in her honor. Someone has to carry on the tradition!

That evening we went over to visit and celebrate with the Durick side of the family. Nick and Stacey brought over Jonny and he was tons of fun! He is getting so BIG! We'd love to see him become a linesman for the Bengals because they could definitely use him (probably as is), but I think his parents would prefer the Colts.

Hard to see but it's Nick, Matt, Stacey, Melissa, Jonny, and Londa

Jonny takes after me in the fact that he can't resist pushing buttons. We heard "Silent Night" played by this bear quite a bit.

Daniel and Grandpa who seems to have a headache from too many Duricks in a room at one time (we set the number over the top by being there)

Too goofy!

Finish the Year with the Bengals

I have gone to a Bengals game at PBS since 2006 and despite the Bengals pitiful season 2008 was to be no exception. Plans fell through for us to go to the Bengals-Ravens game on November 30th, which worked in our favor since it was freezing and raining. My entire family went to the last game of the season (since there was no hope for a Bengals preseason after their 0-8 start) this past Sunday. We knew we were all going to go, but we had no idea how great the tickets would be! Mom and Dad got us tickets on the 5th row behind the endzone. They won which made this game the first time I've actually seen the Bengals win while at the game. Here's some pictures from the day!

Mark and I bundled up to stay warm.

It was 40 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Perfect weather for football!

Daniel and Jen

Had to share our blanket to keep the warmth in

The whole family! Loyal fans!

As promised, I'm including a picture from one of the highlights of the game...the 2nd annual Mascot vs. Pee-Wee football game. Who Dey, the Bengals mascot, gathered all of his local friends such as the Xavier blob, the Cyclones mascot, the IKEA Moose (I was just as surprised as you), Max and Erma, and all of the Reds mascots (Mr. Redlegs, Rosie Red, and Gapper) to help play against some of the 4th grade kids from the local Pee-Wee league teams. Well, from the first play you could tell that Mr. Redlegs came to play. He obviously felt this was his chance to relive the old glory days because he seriously took it to those kids. As a kid was running for a touchdown, he slammed the kid into the crowd which invoked an uproar of boos from the crowd. I'm pretty sure this only fueled his fire because on his turn to run the ball, I swear he stiff-armed at least 6 kids. I can't make this stuff up! Here's the picture to prove it!

Yes, that is a drop of blood chasing after them. Fitting for this debacle.

This was all I could capture on film because I was in a state of shock and disbelief! Soon after, Erma's head fell off to reveal a man underneath which explained the muscular calves she had. The whole day was great fun!

7 Things

I had every intention of completing my list of 7 things that people don't know about me when Cameron made her list, but due to my laziness around the holidays I didn't blog right away. Since then many other friends have also blogged their list of 7 things and tagged me as well. So, for everyone, here are 7 things that you may not know about me (but I'm sure many of you already know one or 2 of these items):

1. To my mother's horror, I actually do not like warm doughnuts. I know that many people would protest that it's the only way to eat them, all fresh and warm, but the idea of sticky, hot doughnuts makes my stomach turn. I like my doughnuts cool albeit still fresh. On the same note, 9 out of 10 times I do not care for icing on my baked goods. I'll take a little but I don't like a lot. This is strange because in actuality I really do have quite the sweet tooth!

2. As a child I was absolutely terrified that I had gorillas living in my closet. I thought the only way to keep them from coming out was to have my parents shut my closet door. In my defense, the closet really was big enough to hold a single gorilla...

3. I am constantly doing math in my head. My mind works around numbers and patterns. I can create any pattern from addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. It's hard to explain, but just to give you an idea I'll tell you that to pass time while driving on the highway, I divide the tenth of the mile into the mile marker number (remainders and all). i.e. 98/1, 98/2, 98/3, 98/4, etc. That's about a math problem every 10 seconds or so. It drives Mark crazy!

4. I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and really anything that flys and stings. Have been since I was 6. It's pretty embarrassing.

5. I can't swing on swings. I used to love it growing up, but now I can get nauseous...every time!

6. I think empty churches and empty post offices are incredibly creepy!

7. I have what Mark calls "foot claustrophobia" when I sleep. I can't stand to have anything restricting my foot or leg movement when I am sleeping. The first thing I do when I get in bed is untuck the sheets. I can't wear socks to bed and I don't like any heavy blankets or objects resting on my legs.


Now that I've read this, I'm beginning to wonder how I have friends and a husband that loves me. Most of my friends have already done their list so I don't know that I have many others to tag, but I do suggest it if you haven't already! Thanks Cameron, Jen, Ashley, and Em!

Happy Holidays from the Bennetts!

Love, Mark, Maria, and Guinness

*Many of you will be receiving New Years cards from the Bennett clan this year*

Also, notice Guinness' Bengals jersey!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Competition 2008

Some of you have already seen these, but for those who haven't I thought I would share my pictures from the Tacky Christmas Sweater Competition between myself and one of my dear co-workers, Jacob Brown. Last year Jacob wore some absolutely horrible sweaters for an entire week and I told him that I would join him this year in a friendly competition.

Now, since we work at a school where some teachers could unknowingly beat us, we had to refer to our competition as the "Spirited Holiday Outfits" competition. Jacob and I were both featured on the morning newscasts and each class voted. The students and teachers really got into it!

Day One

This one came with a little help from my mom. While I didn't win, the results were much closer than you might think.

Day Two

I channeled my inner 80s on this one with the help on one of my co-workers' old applique sweaters. Jacob won on this day after a late costume change when he saw how I came to play. All of the co-workers said I should have won on this day. You can't see in the picture very well that I have light up Santa earrings AND giant Christmas tree earrings. My ears still hurt!

Day Three

I won this day hands down!!! I had the jumper with the giant vest, the velvet purse and shoes, the elf hat, a light up necklace, and Christmas light earrings. This day helped my clinch the popular vote for the week while Jacob clinched the electoral vote.

I still considered the week successful and I honestly had about 10-15 sweaters that I didn't even wear (I have some generous co-workers!), but unfortunately we had 2 snow days that week so it cut our competition shorter by 2 days.

Hope you enjoy these priceless photos!!!

Thanksgiving List

At my parents' house, we wrote down a list of 20 things we were thankful for. Then we cut them into strips, placed them in a basket, and passed it around the table taking turns to read what everyone was thankful for this year. There were a lot of repeats in there. I really enjoyed getting to hear what everyone is thankful for and I think that it's important that we take the time to really appreciate everything that God has given us. I'm including my list on here (in no particular order) to the best of my memory.

1. Mark- He is my best friend and the light of my life!
2. Mom- She is a constant support and is always there for me to talk to.
3. Dad- He was the 1st man in my life and he is such an encouragement to me.
4. Jen- I love that Daniel has met her. She fits in so well with our family.
5. Daniel- I am most thankful for how far Daniel has come in the last year. God is continually working on his heart and he is turning into the man we knew he could be...a man after God's heart.
6. Answered prayers.
7. A God that is ever-faithful and graceful. His unconditional love amazes me each day when I realize how unworthy I am to receive it.
8. That Grandma Osborn and Grandpa Durick are now cancer-free.
9. My job- I love my students, my co-workers, and the fact that everyday I know I'm getting to do something that I love.
10. Em and Jen- I would be so lost without them. They are my favorites!
11. Guinness- He's such a goof, but he is so loyal and loving. I couldn't ask for a better dog!
12. Crossroads in Georgetown- I love the smaller community and that's it's so close to home.
13. That Mark has a job that he enjoys and that he's been able to start working towards the career of his choice.
14. Freedom of religion
15. Education- As difficult as it is, I am grateful that I am able to go back for my Masters.
16. Bengals football- Without it, what would we do on Sundays???
17. Friends- I have some of the best friends that anyone could ever ask for.
18. That I am never in need- God is too good!
19. In-laws that I love and I know they love me back
20. The fact that I have been blessed with so much and that I have the ability to give back to others physicially and emotionally.

Some others mentioned that I can't claim were:

• Heat and energy- People are working so hard to provide us the easy conveniences that we take for granted everyday such as heating, central air, refrigerators, microwaves, electricity, etc.
• The fact that I was born fully healthy both physically and mentally. I think this hit me so hard since I work with so many students who were not.
• Food. We ate and will continue to eat a ton this week. So many don't have that luxury.
• Music.
• All 5 senses. I can't imagine life without just one of them.
• The simple pleasures in life such as doughnuts (that one was Mark's)
• Not having to work on Black Friday

I have so much to be thankful for and I think so often we forget to say "thank you". We also forget that we are blessed on a daily basis. At church in Cincy last week they talked about how we live in a "culture of forgetfulness". Gas is down under $2.00, but you don't see that all over the news like you do when it reaches $4.00. Too often we focus on the bad rather than stopping to be grateful.

OK, that's as deep as I'll get for a while.

Irish Thanksgiving

Irish Thanksgiving was so much fun! It was met with great success and has already been deemed a family tradition. Mark and I (and my brother) are very proud of our Irish heritage (you can make fun of us all you want) so we were so excited when my parents suggested an Irish feast rather than the normal Thanksgiving spread.

As promised, here are some of the pictures...

Mark and I started cooking pretty early. Mark took care of all of the bread. Plus, he was my wing man!

Me making the brandied yams. They were a hit!

Hanging out in the kitchen. Yes, I'm wearing an apron. It got pretty messy!
Irish Thanksgiving couldn't have happened without these sponsors.

Daniel with Guinness (our mascot). Guinness looks pretty evil in this picture!
Mark's Irish Flag Bread
The full spread...we couldn't eliminate anything from the menu
A plate full of goodness!

Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce for dessert

Mark was STUFFED!

Daniel wasn't sure what to do after all of that food!

Another dessert, a Blarney Bulldog!

The Blarney Bulldog was great! I'm including the recipe if anyone wants it. It's delicious but dangerous!

Blarney Bulldog

You need:

• Vanilla ice cream
• Vodka
• Kahlua
• Heavy cream
• Root beer

1. Put 3 scoops of ice cream in a pint glass.
2. In a separate bowl, mix 3 Tbs. Kahlua, 2 Tbs. Vodka, and 1/4 cup heavy cream.
3. Pour mixture over ice cream.
4. Fill the rest of the glass with root beer (about 1/4 cup)

This drink is very yummy!