Naughy or Nice?

Our little elf...Lainee! She is very excited about Christmas and the toys she hopes to get! She has grown into a beautiful little girl who is almost 7!!

Here are some things that she and I plan on making this week...sausage balls, cookies, craker toffee, puppy chow, ham rolls, and reindeer food! She loves to help me cook and we wear our matching aprons because we are quite messy. We have decided to make some extra sweets to take to our local fire department and let them know how much we appreciate their ard work. Merry Christmas

Just some updated pics

Mommy Dearest!!
Maclaine...always posing!
Pumpkin carving with Uncle Alex
The Fam in Destin
Sarah Palin, Boots the monkey, and Me...the hippie

Oh My Goodness

I have just made the most wonderful thing...Praline Sweet Potatoes. They are sooo good. Imagine sweet potaotes, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, pecans, LOTS of butter and more brown sugar. YUM YUM.
This is definately NOT part of my diet, but judging by how eating heavy food like that made me feel, I will not be doing that again...until next week!!
Ya'll don't know what you are missing.

The Chicken Dance Featuring Lainee-Bug!

If you are watching this video, you have to promise that You will NEVER mention this to Maclaine as she will surely kill me!

Sorry, I am computer illiterate and don't know how to make the video turn right side up! Oh Well:)

A typical day

My budding photographer (Maclaine) has captured the way Len and I feel after most days!

A must see

I have a favorite movie that I am highly recommending you not only watch, but buy and watch many times! It is based on the American Girl Doll series and is Kit Kittredge. Whoa, it is so scary how the times that the movie was set in (depression era) are so closely looking like what we face in America now.
I loved this movie because it has not one bad word in it, no offensive behaviors to corrupt my precious little ones, and such a great lesson.
You might cry, or at least I did!

6 Random things about me

I have been terrible wqith blogging lately and I just saw that I was tagged to do this several weeks ago! Sorry, Kelli. I just don't think we have had anything exciting going on lately.

So, here is my post including 6 things about ME!

1. I am very superstitious and always have certain rituals I follow. For example, I always put my left earring in before I put my right one in. I always put on my right shoe before my left. I always start out sleeping on my right side in bed everynight even if it is only for a minute before I can turn over to another position. Wierd, I know!

2. I am becoming a runner. I run 1.5 miles every day and love how my body has changed because of that. I also eat very healthy now and have lost almost 25 pounds in less than 12 weeks!!! I am now a size 2 and 4 depending on how things run:)

3. I have been in the medical field ever since I was in the 7th or 8th grade. I started out as a candystriper in the hospital. I have been a nurse over 10 years now, which makes me feel very old and very sad to see how medicine is changing.

4. I have not traveled much at all. I have never been anywhere exotic or overseas. I really haven't ever been too far from Tennessee. I do hope that I can go to Cabo one day before I die. As for Europe, I could care less.

5. My dream car is a volvo. I know it is such a suburban mommy thing! I love the old boxy ones, too! Right now, I would settle for any new car though!

6. I am (or used to be) awesome at water sports. I could barefoot, slalom, trick and jump ski! I am so proud that that is the one thing I can do better than my sweet hubby:) My dream job would be to own a ski school and be out on the lake everyday in my swimsuit on my Mastercraft! For those of you who don't know, a Mastercraft is a competition ski boat that is equivalent to a Harley!

I cannot think of anything else! So...Ashley, Amy, Sara, and anyone else who reads this...Your'e it!

Oh happy day.

We are outta here and heading to Destin!!! WOOHOO:)

Oh happy day.

Surprise, surprise

Well it has been almost 3 years, so you know what it's time for?!? Yep, I am ready to move again! I have found the perfect house (again)! It is very small and since we are never home, that would be great. It also has 1 acre yard and would be very close to my parents and sister.
Tonight, my sister and I went to look at it and I secretly hoped that the inside would be hideous so I would hate it. Howeverr, it has been completely redone and is all cute. UGH! Len will stroke when he gets home tonight and I have papers to show him. He has been through this so many times with me.

I also came home from Memphis this evening and was told that last night my current house was featured on the 10 o'clock news because a criminal was evidently hiding in the rose bushes along my house after he robbed the coffee shop down the street. HMMM...need I give any other explanations as to why I want to move?

Len, if you ever read this blog, just consider this...AGAIN:) I love you honey!!

SO FAR...

I have lost 17 pounds, and I am running 1 mile a day.
We are going to Destin next week and for the first time ever, I am not dreading putting on my swimsuit!!!

Yay me! Sorry I am just a tad bit excited about this.

I'm Doing It

It seems that I become overwhelmed with life and all that we have going on quite frequently. This morning, I was blessed with the time to lie in bed, watch some news and hear Disney's Mickey Mouse on the den T.V. with no fighting between my children!

As I was relaxing, I began to think of all that I have to do today and the days coming up, and it occurred to me that I'm doing it.

When I say that I mean this: I get up early to make sure that I have time to get myself ready and let the kids and Len sleep in a little. Most days, the kids have time to eat a good breakfast and relax a little too before heading off to school at 7:13. I am working full-time now which means that we don't get home before 4:30. The kids are getting their homework done, dinner is served, showers are taken, kids are in bed by 8:15-8:30. I also have managed to fit in practices and games, grocery trips, laundry, and keeping the house in a sort-of picked up state.

I get my nightly walk/run in around 9pm and then my favorite thing, my bath at the end. Most days, I do this alone as Len and I are both working 2 jobs (although he does help me out alot when he is in off season) and I travel across Tennessee on the weekends to do my pharmaceutical trainings.

I know my house may not always be the tidiest, my kids may look ragged some days, and my car is very well worn in, BUT I am able to sit back and smile at the thought that through all of this I can say "I'm doing it, and I am doing it quite well!"

My Housekeeper

I think it is time that I fire my housekeeper. She has been with us for many years and I hate to break the news to her, but she is just no longer working out.

Here are my reasons:

She never does the dishes anymore and certainly won't empty the dishwasher once she decides to do the dishes.

She always complains about our "messes."

She rarely cleans the toilets and when she does, she throws a fit that she didn't make that mess, so why is she stuck cleaning it up? I try to tell her that I have boys in my house who seem to have trouble hitting the water when they pee. She doesn't get it.

She never wants to make the beds and hates to wash the sheets.

She will do the laundry, but never gets it put up.

She finally mopped for the first time in a LONG time today.

Don't you agree that she is worthless? She probably won't be too upset because she never gets paid enough (mostly not at all)! Oh, wait... It's me!!!

Not funny anymore...

Tonight, we drove around town looking for gasoline to fill up both cars. Guess what, THERE IS NO GAS IN TOWN (but you probably already knew that). This really is scary, because we are both getting very low on fuel. The 3 stores that we did find with gas had lines backed up for up to mile down the street. They would be out by the time we had our chance, plus who can stand to wait in line for hours? This really is getting crazy, plus I saw several cops today pulling into one station because people are going crazy and tempers are flaring.

So, we are not going to be going anywhere and if it keeps up like this, Len will be riding his bike to work.

Just venting...

forgot to tell you something...

Down 13 pounds today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


It has been 4 weeks since this challenge began and I think I might just make it to 18 pounds lost by October 10th? I have started to plateau, so I have to work extra hard for these last pounds to come off.

Also...I have found my new favorite thing: Target Gilligan O'Malley modal pants. They are #1 on my list of favorites right now and they are the first thing I put on when I get home. They are offically considered sleepwear, but I might just become redneck enough to wear them out once in a while!!

Poor Hubby

I feel so bad for my husband. Last night he was playing in a church league softball game. The games are so late that we never get to go watch, maybe we will from now on... As he tells it, he was going for a fly ball in the outfield when he felt pain in his hamstring. Knowing he was injured, he moved to 2nd base, but that was not working for him. So, in case he hadn't injured himself enough, he decided to go up to bat. He says that as he swung, he heard a distinct pop and knew that he had torn his hamstring. He could barely get inside and take his clothes off. He is hurting so bad and I feel so bad for him because I think he is finally feeling his age and it is hitting home that he is not the athlete he once was.

So, being the good nurse that I am, he is happily buzzing around high on Lortab and icing his leg while not feeling a thing!!!

Was it her?

For those of you who do not know, our school is located in an old, old house dating back to the 1800's. It is very beautiful and full of history. The story goes that the Cox family who built the house had a 3 year old daughter who died in the home.

When I began working there, they absolutely terrified me with all of their ghost stories. It is so crazy because the computer I use even has an Excel folder of Lower Shool Ghost sightings. The last supposed sighting was last year on September 12th. The ghost was seen in the cafeteria refrigerator. I know you think this is crazy, I did too. Well, I was the first to school everyday last year and I will say that I never had any paranormal experiences. Thus, I did not believe there was such a thing.

Fast forward one year...

This week, Spetember 11th, I was in our teacher lounge and heard crying, more like sobbing. I put down what I was doing and went to another room looking for whomever was hurt. NO ONE WAS THERE. I then went into the clinic and one again...EMPTY. At the same time our guidance counselor came around the corner looking for who was crying. The other nurse and I walked down the hall by the clinic and this time both of us heard a child crying (it was more high pitched). After that happened we were all stunned and confused. We walked into the cafeteria and looked around, asking if anyone had been crying. They looked at us as though we weere crazy.

So, my question is...Do you believe in ghosts? I am not sure if I do yet or not, but this is definitely making me wonder if all this time I've been wrong and she really does haunt the school.

I think it is strange that these occurences were almost exactly 1 year apart. I have all the house info in my files and have been trying to research more about the family.

Do you think that crying was the mother and child?

update

Today when I weighed I was 10 lbs down since I started 3 weeks ago. 10 more to go!!! I like what I'm beginning to see:)

The 8 Week Challenge

Well, I have once again rejoined LA Weight Loss. I am miserable right now because I am withdrawing from carbs and sugars. Those were my best friends:( Anyway, I am going to try very hard to get down at least 18 lbs by October 20th. I did it before and lets hope that I can do it again.
So, thanks to all my blogging friends who are getting super skinny from exercise and diet...you are my motivation!!!

This made me think...try it!

I AM...always overwhelmed!

I WANT... my children to always be happy, safe and healthy

I HAVE... gained back too much weight.

I WISH I COULD... run a marathon

I HATE... that we don't have more financial security without me having having to work so much

I FEAR... for the future that my children will have growing up in this world. I also fear death

I HEAR...children in the lunchroom

I SEARCH... for contentment within myself

I DON'T THINK... I can get all that I need to get done done

I REGRET... Moving from our first house that was paid for.

I LOVE...my family and desserts!

I ACHE FOR... the days when my children were babies.I want to start over again!

I ALWAYS CRY... when I watch Father of the Bride and when I am frustrated

I AM NOT... at the weight I want to be

I DANCE... with Maclaine every chance I get

I SING... in the car and I really stink

I NEVER... go to bed without first taking a hot bath

I RARELY... ever have my house all clean at one time

I CRY WHEN I WATCH... Father of the Bride

I AM NOT ALWAYS... The Christian mother, wife, friend, etc that I should be

I HATE THAT... I don't know more about the Bible

I'M CONFUSED ABOUT... insurance plans right now!

I NEED... a long vacation with my family

I SHOULD...be working right now:)

check this out....

We had some pictures taken this summer and now they are posted on her blog. Here is the link to check them out!
www.erinnolenphotography.blogspot.com
She did a great job (if I do say so myself!)

Pottery

After my Dad suffered his heart attack 2 years ago, he was unable to continue practicing dentistry. Once the boredom had set in, he took some pottery classes at the Rec center. We all joked about this so much and gave him a really hard time about becoming a potter. We never ever imagined that his pottery would be so beautiful. I am so excited for him and finally got to pick out my own pieces! Every time he would get ahead and stock up on his pieces, people would buy them all:) He has been very successful in this new endeavor and is selling his pieces quicker than he can make them! I just wanted to show you some of the pieces he has made.

M&M

Seriously?

You know I have been whining about all the "issues" we are facing currently. Well, to keep in line with everything going on....SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED...

Earlier today, I needed Len to run an errand for me. He was so kind to offer and he took our dog for a ride too!
Fast forward....3 HOURS...
We are home and Maclaine has a fever spike and needs more Motrin. Len was going to run out to get that for us and was once again going to take the dog for a ride.
Well, the dog was not in the house.....YEP, He was still in the car.
Windows up about 98 degrees out. Total panic set it and Len got him out. That poor thing looked awful. We threw him in a cold water bath and called the vet. When I took his temp, it was steadily rising and when it quickly reached 108 degrees it was decided to take it out and get him help.
The vet was vey surprised that he made it through this. We thought he would surely die. Rest assured that after IV fluids and some bloodwork, that dog looks better than he did prior to all of this.
He is staying close by and not too sure about going out to pee, but other than that he is one lucky dog and we are very relieved that this had a good outcome!

This has got to end...

It is a fact that stress will kill you. I guess I will find out how true that is.
My grandparents are doing okay and coming back home from Jackson this weekend. We have hospice and a sitter set up to help with their care.
Today, I found out that my Dad is going to the hopital Monday for another heart cath and possible open heart surgery on Tuesday. I think he will end up having this surgery since his stents keep occluding and causing heart pain.
My sweet daughter also woke up this morning with a fever and feels yucky.
All of this as Len and I are to start school Monday. I am worried about the stress my Mom is going through and what this next week will hold.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


..much better now:)..
Please keep us in your prayers.

We need your prayers...

Yesterday was one of the saddest days of my life (so far). I got the dreaded call from my mother that we have a diagnosis for my grandfather, who has been very healthy until 2 weeks ago. He has a disease where his cells are "commiting suicide" and destroying themselves. In other words, he is not going to make it through this. My uncle, a geriatric doctor, gives him anywhere from 3-12 months to live.
This is heartbreaking, because he has no idea of this (as far as I know). He just wants to come home and that is what we are trying so hard to make happen.
Last night my mom, sister and I talked with hospice, sitters, home health and a family friend who is a doctor and agrees to keep him as comfortable as possible.
Please keep us in your prayers as we do not know what the next few months will hold. My grandmother is not doing well at all. She barely weighs 100 lbs and is blind. This whole event has exhausted her both physically and mentally.

A few things you may not know...

A Marriage\Wedding Meme

1. Where/How did you meet? I had just graduated when Len started teaching at BGA. My sister was still a student there and missed a day of school during my spring break. I thought it would be nice to go get her work and see some of my favorite teachers. While in the office, I saw a cute man walk down the stairs, we waved at each other and I asked the secretary who that was. For all I knew, he was married or had kids, but I still said "he's cute...set me up with him!" He called the very next day. He never found out that version of the story until after we were married. He said that later that day the secretary said "did you see the cute Haley H.? You should give her a call" So he thought all that time that he was they one who initiated things:)

2. How long have you known each other?13 years

3. How long after you met did you start dating? the next week

4. How long did you date before you were engaged? 3 months

5. How long was your engagement? about 1 year

6. How long have you been married? 11 years

7. What is your anniversary? June 7,1997

8. How many people came to your wedding reception? I would guess somewhere between 300-400

9. What kind of cake did you serve? white cake with strawberry filling. Len had a chocolate cake...I think he had 3 cakes!

10. Where was your wedding? Southern Hills Church of Christ

11. What did you serve for your meal? Our wedding was at 3:30, so we just has appetizer like food...fruit, finger foods, cake, I really don't know b/c we didn't get to eat any of it!

12. How many people were in your wedding party? 7 bridesmaids and 7 groomsmen

13. Are you still friends with them all? I wish, but no we all moved around and lost contact...But 4 of them are my sisters!!

14. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I doubt it.

15. Most special moment of your wedding day? It was all special:)

16. Any funny moments? I was too nervous to eat and felt like I was going to vomit all day! I could only eat crackers and Sprite. I think something was wrong with one of the tuxes, but other than that I don't remember any crazy moments EXCEPT you can probably ask anyone who has looked at our wedding video and they will say I blinked too much...I must have a blinking problem when I am nervous!

17. Any big disasters? Some of our friends put condoms all over our car and threw them at us...at our church! I think there may have been a few that were left over for church goers the next day!!

18. Where did you go on your honeymoon? The Great Smokey Mtns. They weren't so great!!

19. How long were you gone? Supposed to be 7 days, but the cabin we had was so bad that I cried when we pulled up to it. We left 2 days early!! The hot tubs was infested with wasps...it was not a place I would recommend.

20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? I would have a nicer honeymoon and maybe even a destination wedding(yes Sara, I have an obsession with them!) We would have also stayed around at our reception longer and enjoyed it rather than letting the coordinator make us do everything the way he wanted it done.

21. Greatest strength as a couple? Our faith in God, trust and love for each other

22. Greatest challenge as a couple?Daily life!

23. What did you dance your first dance to? We didn't have dancing at our wedding..we just had our first ddance this year at my brother in laws wedding. It was by Maclaine's request and was so funny because we weren't sure what song was going to be played we just knew that it was late and we needed to go home so we had better hit the dance floor at the next slow song. To our surprise it was Marvin Gaye "Let's get it on" That was funny and awkward to be dancing to in front of Len's parents!!

24. Describe your wedding dress: It was white satin A-line with an empire waist with beads. It had your typical 90's wedding style big bow on the butt! My veil was fingertip length. I loved my dress, though!

25. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? I loved my flowers so much. They were springtime colors and were bright with lots of roses, hydrangeas, greenery, and lots of other colorful flowers in them.

26. Are your wedding bands engraved? yes, they say "never to part" and they have our initials and date on them.

27. How old were you when you got married?I had just turned 20 and Len was 26!

Blessings

I went out on a limb yesterday and resigned my Vandy nursing position. I was very nervous about doing this as I like my boss and my coworkers and the job is not that bad. I was not liking the cost of gas to get there and the hours that I had to work. Child care was becoming too difficult to arrange and I just felt overwhelmed all the time. I knew that no matter what happens down the road, God will protect us and something would work out. Well, 2 things happened:
1. My resignation went very well. I have a fabulous boss who was so kind and said that my position is always available for me to come back to as long as he is there! That is relieving:)
2. Today, Len and I took the kids to Holiday World and had such a great time...while we were there my other boss called and offered to make my school nurse position full time!!!! It will more than double my previous salary and puts me way ahead of what I made a VUMC, plus it is only 2 miles away from home and I will get free lunches and will be with my kids at night. No more babysitters:)
It is so amazing to me how God comes through for us in times of stress and things always seem to work out when we finally hand our worries over to Him. Tonight (and so many others) I am feeling very blessed and I just wanted to share.

On another note...go to Holiday World...it is a blast!!!

Making a change.........

As hard as the "economy" has been on so many people lately, I think our family has had a more positive hit. We are home more and together as a family more. I might feel differently tomorrow.
Today, I feel that I am determined to make FAMILY my number one priority again. It has always been very high on my list, but I am afraid that we have let "life" take over our family and influence what we do too much.
The rising costs of gas has made me think twice before just going out, and I have only made 1 Target trip since May. That right there is huge because that used to be a weekly and sometimes daily occurrence. I just could not get out of there with under $50 worth of goods, so I think it's best to just stay away.
I also have known for a while that we were eating out way more than we should and it had no longer become a treat like it was when I was a child. Now I love me some food, but I actually miss a plain old sandwich and just eating at home. Our food budget was just way out of control and it is my plan to take hold of it again!
I am also looking into ways to cut unnecessary costs around the house. If it weren't for the boys, I would cut the cable. I think that it would be so nice to not have to hear the sarcasm that my dear daughter has adopted from the Disney channel and the attitude that she thinks is cute. I think that my boys might not make it without their ESPN. That alone would save us $40.
I am also very close to cutting ties at one of my jobs. It costs way too much to drive to Nashville for 5 hours one time a week. I think that not going to Target will make up for what I won't be making there! I'm still praying and contemplating that decision.
If any of you have any ideas of other ways to save $$ then please share...We are not hurting for money, but I just want to be home more and plan ahead because we all know that things aren't going to get cheaper:(

Albuquerque, NM

Len went with me to a school nurse conference this week in NM and we had a blast! I enjoyed our visit to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, but I would not like living there because there is no color other than brown! Brown dirt, brown houses, etc. No grass and few trees, no flowers at all. I love the color that our region has. The nice thing was that there is no humidity, which as you know, means NO FRIZZY HAIR!!!

Down and Out

There are 2 parts to this post 1)Down and 2)Out.
First of all I didn't realize how long it has been since my last post. It just reminds and saddens me that this summer is going way too fast. I am enjoying it so much and really don't want it to end.

Now for the first part DOWN: I have been excercising every morning around 5:30 and hating most every minute of it, except the part where I get in my car and drive away! BUT...I weighed this morning, and I am so shocked and excited to say that it is paying off. I am DOWN 8 pounds!!! WOOOHOOO. Now, keep in mind that the OUT is coming next so this probably will be short lived:)

OUT: Very early tomorrow morning, Len and I are OUT to a school nursing conference held in Albuquerque, NM. We will be gone for 5 days. It has been a long while since we have "honeymooned." I am excited to go especially since a huge part of the trip is paid for by the school. Here is where I will probably fall off the track...EATING OUT FOR EVERY MEAL! The only excercise I will get is whatever walking we do. My past theory has been "when on vacation, never deny yourself...anything." That usually begins in the airport when I pass the Cinnabon stand!

Anyhoo, please pray for a safe trip because as much whining as I have heard this week from the kiddos and as much as I've wanted to escape, I am really getting nervous to be away from them for so long.

Does anyone have a walker I can borrow?

After 1 day of "commando" (fitness boot camp), I am officially too sore to walk. I am finding it very hard to make it up and down our steps.
Day 1 we found ourselves tackling the football bleachers. Let me tell you...(1) I am out of shape...but you already knew that, and (2) that is no easy challenge especially when I am sick with a sinus infection and can hardly breathe!
I am proud of myself that I did finish the workout, even though I felt like I wanted to vomit at any moment.
I am telling you all of this so that when you see me out and I am walking like I am in pain...I AM! But even though it will look like the pain is from hemorrhoids, IT IS NOT!!! Just those darn bleachers:)

Lemonade .50

Our neighborhood had a yard sale today, and Maclaine has been wanting to have a lemonade stand. Today was the perfect opportunity! She was so cute all dressed up and selling her drinks. I think she enjoyed operating her first business...for the first 30 minutes! Needless to say, we were out of business after about an hour or so. Oh well...

Meet Squishy

So, I bet you thought I'd forgotten that I'd promised to post a photo of the rat! Well, I did sort of, but the real truth is my batteries in my camera have been dead for a while and I have just not taken the time to recharge them. This weekend I got out the camera and made up for lost time and took lots of photos.
Maclaine loves Squishy and I must say that we have (or I have) adjusted to him quite well, as he is very quiet and clean and doesn't require much attention (from me) like the dog does! I do think I might be allergic to the hay that he loves so very much and will do flips over, but thankfully there are drugs to help with that.
I just think it is so cute how he is so good around Maclaine, and really is very docile...or maybe he just thinks that the more boring he is to be around the less he will be played with...not sure yet!

Summertime!!!

It is amazing how the day we got out of school the temperature seemed to immediately soar to the upper 80's and have extreme humidity. Anyway, that is just a sign of good ole summertime!
I am so ready for some down time this year, so here are my top memories of summers, both past and present:

1: Going to the lake and skiing all day long...eating all day long...then lying in bed at night and having the feeling that you are rocking with the waves!

2: Ballgames. Long ago, when Len and I were young and in luv, I would go and watch him play baseball with a Nashville league. That seems like ages ago...it was about 13 years ago! Now, I LOVE me some Franklin Force travel baseball. It is so exciting to smell the hotdogs cooking, see the eyeblack on, smell the sweat (hehe), and work on my redneck tan while yelling for my #10 to hit the ball hard and run fast!!

3: Freshly mowed grass. I just love that smell.

4: Swimming at the pool is the best babysitter in the world. It is so nice to be able to sit back, lather on the sunscreen and watch everyone wear themselves out. I like coming home after a couple of hours at the pool, getting everyone in the shower, putting our jammies on and just letting the sting from the chlorine burning their eyes lull my kiddos into naptime!!!

5: Staying up late and sleeping in. What is so nice about that one is just the lack of HAVING to be somewhere so early in the morning. We are all so much nice to be around when we awake naturally without the help of a pesky beep...beep...beeep...beep...beep...beep(told you it was pesky!)

6: Tan Cellulite: I know that this is stupid, but why is it that my fat always looks so much less bumpy with a tan? I know (or hope) that you all never have to see the areas I am speaking of, but you know that I am probably talking about you too! Why can't men suffer from this syndrome?

7: Sonic green apple slushes: These are my favorite summertime drink by far. My family will often pile in the car at night for happy hour and get our slush fix! Len and Laine want grape, Mason wants lime and the green apple goes to moi!
***If you drink a green apple slush...Always, always, always check your teeth as you are drinking it to make sure you are not ending up with green stained teeth. Of course I would know nothing of that!!***

8: Pedicures: Pure bliss.

That is all I have time for now, my delightful children are screaming at each other and running through the house...wonder where Len is?

Twitching Muscles

At the school my children attend and I work, we have an annual tradition of THE TUG. Each child is named when they start school either a greer or a plato. I have been a greer since 1990. Len is a plato, so we are very much a house divided. The teams compete against each other in everything. It is a fun tradition the began over 75 years ago.
Yesterday was the Lower School Tug, and as a faculty member I donned my garden gloves and I TUGGED! I guess our teachers teams were pretty evenly matched, because it felt like we were pulling and not getting anywhere. Let me tell you, it was very evident that these arms and legs have not seen excercise in a very long time. My muscles were shaking and twitching! After it was over (we lost) half of us were either out of breath or shaking. Just another sign of aging, I guess.

At last.....

When we moved into our house over 2 years ago, I was faced with wallpaper from the early 90's. Think hunter green, burgandy, navy and gold...you know you loved it too THEN! I really don't like wallpaper and I really dislike stripping it.
About 1 month ago, after walking through my dining room, I decided that the best way to remedy this yucky situation was to have some fun. Yep, the kiddos and I started just ripping pieces of wallpaper off. WARNING: DO NOT BELIEVE HOME DEPOT WHEN THEY SAY THAT A CERTAIN REMOVAL SPRAY MAKES IT PEEL OFF EASILY...They are LYING,LYING,LYING.
Well, after a week or so of looking at messed up walls, and knowing that Len was not going to be helping me, I enlisted the professional help. Let me tell you, with what I spent at Home Depot on supplies,I came out much cheaper with these guys doing it for me.
Fast forward a few weeks...after they had removed the wallpaper, I said I would save money and paint the walls myself. I must have been high on stripping chemicals. The ceiling trim and walls needed help. Yesterday, I had had enough of my furniture being displaced and looking at patched walls, so once again these wonderful men saved me and repainted everything. The walls are a warm and rich chocolate brown and the ceiling is the lighter shade. It looks great! FYI, if by chance you have white ceilings, I highly recommend painting them...especially if you have moulding. You will be amazed at how much better it looks and makes your trim POP!
After a Target run to redo the upstairs bath (now very spa-like) and an expected run today to find a dining room mirror/picture/? Then my house will finally be one that I don't feel like I have to make excuses for. Woohoo.

Happenings

I feel like I have been so out of touch lately. As with most families, spring time means that life gets too hectic.
Mason is playing travel and rec baseball for the Franklin Force. He is doing so well and plays second base. It is so much fun going to those games now that we are out of the "everybody wins" stage. That whole concept bothers me...it is just not the way life works. Oh well, that's another post.
Len is very busy with work and baseball for his high school team. He umpires on the side and coaches Mason's team as well. So, we never see him.

Maclaine is turning 6 today! I cannot believe that she is ending her kindergarten year. It seems like Laura Meade and I should still be in the hospital giving birth! It is amazing how those girls have grown! I am so proud of both of my children, but especially proud of the fact that we have made it through school without getting into trouble...Woohoo!

Today is administrative professionals day and my great boss bought me tulips and is taking us to lunch! The children keep bringing us cards and giving those great hugs. I am so blessed to have this job. The kids are so sweet.

Hopefully as school winds down, we will be making it to church more often and be more involved. Thanks for everyone's friendship, kind words, concern and help. It is much appreciated.

Rain, Rain go away...

Is everyone else feeling the way I do about the rain? I know that this summer we'll be praying for it, but seriously, enough is enough! I am feeling the effects of the gloominess and have no energy anymore. It is amazing how sunshine makes you feel so good. Anyway, that's enough of my complaining today! Have a wonderful, albeit rainy day!

Day One with Squishy

Well, this morning was wonderful. For the first time this school year, Maclaine was already up this morning when I went to wake her and playing with Squishy. It was a good incentive to get her to go ahead and get dressed so she could have more play time.
She only came up to the other school nurse 2 times today complaining of a tummy ache, which come to find out was an attempt to get to come home to play with the rat.
Once she got home this afternoon, that poor animal was placed in her purse and strolled around our neighborhood. I have to say that is the poopingist thing I've seen! But, as I made clear last night, it is not my problem. We'll save that for Len when he gets home tonight!!
I still refuse to touch it and it gives me the creeps. I promise a picture will come soon.

On another note, let me tell you about the prank that was played on me today:
This morning I was at my desk at work getting ready for the day. The head of our school walked in and like every morning, he asked about our night. I was telling him about our new addition and how I was so afraid of him because to me he is a rodent, and at the same time I pulled out my keyboard and lo and behold a pretend rat had been placed in the drawer. I screamed so loud and about fell out of my chair. The maintenance man at our school thought that would be a good April Fool's prank. The I looked up at my beautiful tulips on my desk and they had put a little green snake coming out of them. AAAGGHHH!

About the tulips: Monday was my birthday and after almost 13 years, my hubby FINALLY got it right. If you are going to send me flowers, please think outside the box and do not, I repeat, do not get me red roses. I love tulips and have reminded him several times of that and HE FINALLY LISTENED AND REMEMBERED!!
They are gorgeous.

Sorry for rambling, but I just put Maclaine to bed with her upset that she had to go to school for the whole day tomorrow. She was pitiful saying that Squishy would be so sad and that was not what a good mommy should do. I think the guinea pig is going to be more trouble than it's worth!

April Fool's...I wish

Today, Len was able to come home early since rain cancelled his ballgame. He decided to do something special and took Maclaine out for a "date." Mason and I were playing a game and then it happened....They walked in the door with a brand new baby guinea pig. Yep, that's right, a guinea pig.
He is blck and white and has been named Squishy. As far as I am concerned, he is nothing more than a black rat.
I am terrified of him and they know it. I wanted to post a picture, but I will not get close to him.
So, that is the highlight of our day (sad, huh) My house now stinks of guinea pig bedding and pellets, and I am now too scared to go into My daughter's room. Ridiculous, I know.

Another year older...

Well, today is my birthday! I am 31. I will say that it seemed to take forever to reach 30 and now this past year flew by. I am afraid that the years will just come and go faster and faster.

Let it snow...

For me, going to bed when you are expecting a big snow is alot like going to bed on Christmas Eve. You know you are going to get something, you just don't know how much you will get. Early this morning, we were awakened with squeals of excitement from the kids. They were very anxious to go out and play.
Mean mom that I am, I made them eat breakfast first. We made homemade waffles and enjoyed the morning.
After we had all put on several layers of clothes, snowboots, hats and gloves, we were ready to tackle the snow!
Our neighbors measured the snow and we think we had somewhere between 3.5 to 4 inches. That is the biggest snowfall that my children have ever seen. It was gorgeous.
They loved to sled down the hill, play football, try to build a snowman and throw many snowballs.
I posted the picture of our back yard. We are blessed to have such a beautiful pond and view. Hope that you all had as much fun as we did. I was sad to see the sun melt it so fast, but I must admit...that is the best kind of snow. I like to anticipate it, play in it, the be done with it.
Now, PLEASE WARM UP AND BE SPRING!!!

YIIIPPPEEEE!!!

While I was getting dressed this morning, I was shocked to hear the weatherman talking about the winter storm we are expected to get tonight. I get so excited about this!! We haven't had a good snow since I was a kid and I really want to get several inches to play in. I went around the house this morning yelling and squealing that it may snow. As of this point, I think I am the only one excited about it.
I really think Len could care less. But he is a man of very few words...so who knows.
Mason is mad cause his first baseball tournament this year has been cancelled. (I can't understand why one could actually enjoy playing double header games in the 30 degree weather). He is also mad because he was to go to a birthday party tonight, which I expect will be cancelled.
Maclaine might get excited or it might make her angry...these days just smiling at her might make her explode. Who knows, but I do think the this week she has PMS. (Is it actually possible to still feel those signs and symptoms when you are only 5)?

So, here I am at work feeling so good and already planning for the snowman we will build and the food I will need to buy at the store (with everyone else in town). I am so excited at the thought of "hunkering down" for the weekend! We just are in need of time together as a family(can you tell)?

Oh well, have fun everyone and be safe, wear your cute snowboots, go out and throw some snowballs, YIIPPPEEE!!

Fashion Police

I need you help. My brother in law is getting married this June and I need a new outfit. It is a 7pm wedding. Is that formal attire? If it formal, do you think any pants are acceptable? Maclaine is the flower girl and is wearing a beautiful Strasburg gown. Len will be a groomsman, so I think I need to look good. I have sarted back on my diet and need motivation to keep it up.

I Give Up....

For those of you who haven't seen much of my family lately, here's why:

First: You probably already know that I had some complications after my surgery, which were quite painful.

Second: Mason had the whole stomach virus thing...enough said!

Third: Monday, I got very sick while working at Vandy. I tried so many times to call home for Len to come get me. NO ANSWER. So, I drove very fast to get home only to find that he had used the dead bolt and thus locked me out of the house at 9 pm. Well, I kept calling and calling and calling (15 times total), only to keep hearing my voice on the answering machine while he was sleeping upstairs with Maclaine. I then resorted to kicking and beating on the door, literally. After the dog started going crazy, Len finally made it downstairs. BUT...instead of coming to my rescue, he was thinking I was an intruder. So, when I finally convinced him it was me, he opened the door to find his bride sitting on the steps crying and puking in a grocery bag. I think he felt pretty awful about this...or he should!
That went on for a couple of days. 7.5 lbs lost!

Fourth: Yesterday, Mason woke up in pain with a terrible ear infection. Turns out that it finally ruptured his eardrum and then he started getting very sick. The doctor said he needed meds...and would you believe that this little boy asked if he could just get a shot instead. So, after a shot of Rocephin, he is still not much better. AAAGGGHHH.

Fifth: Last night, dearest daddy took sweet daughter to the Hannah Montana movie/concert. I was hoping they would have a great time together, but as luck would have it, they came home early with Len sick.

SO...Whatever we did to deserve this....We give up. I just want it gone far, far away. Sorry for all the details, but I am feeling much better now.

Funny Story

Last night, Maclaine and I were on our way home and we had the following conversation:
Maclaine: Hey Mom, do you know who Martin who the KIng is?
Me: yes, I do...but it is Martin Luther King.
Mac: No, it is not. My teacher called him Martin who the King.
Me: Oh, well who was he?
Mac: He was a black man who helped black people be able to sit on a bus and go eat with white people.
Me: You are so smart...way to listen in class.
Mac: Yeah, Martin who the king probably made God real happy.
Me: i bet you are right. We should treat everyone the same.
Mac: At least "c" and "b" (name withheld) aren't black...they are just brown.
Me: lol.
I just think it is so funny how kids can get names mixed up. It really does sound like that if you say it fast!

8 things about my kiddos

MASON:
1. Loves sports (both watching and playing)
2. Looks just like a little Len
3. Compassionate
4. Loves to learn and read. Math and reading seems to come so easily.
5. Goes through more clothes in a day than a girl would
6. Would give anything to weigh 40 pounds
7. Loves the church
8. very picky eater

MACLAINE:
1. Loves to pester Mason and his friends
2. loves to play with makeup and dress up like a diva
3. Very bossy. Likes to be in control
4. Loves her friends and is a good friend at school
5. Loves animals. Is very fond of cats, dogs, and horses
6. Drinks a lemonade every morning before talking to anyone.
7. Loves to play basketball
8. Is not afraid of anything. Very outgoing.

The new Ta Ta's...(for women's eyes only)

It has now been about 12 days since my surgery and to my suprise I am feeling worse than I thought I would. The first few days were bad then I seemed to rally. I guess I overestimated how good I felt and went back to work too soon. Well, now I am paying for it. I really like the new look and my clothes fit so much better. I have to wonder what I was thinking wearing some of my clothes prior to surgery. I must have looked like a big fashion don't. Ya'll should have stopped me. The funny thing is that now I don't know what body-type I fall into. For years I have always been the "big-busted" girl and I still see myself as that (even though I am definitely not!!). Crazy.
For my girls out there who were overly blessed with big ole boobs, I would not be your friend if I did not recommend a reduction. To have no more neck and back pain or headaches and all the other pains associated with them, it is certainly worth a little post-op pain! Can you believe that I lost 6 pounds from up there??

Toothless

Ever since the beginning of last year, Mason has wanted to lose a tooth so he could have a special recognition at school. I hated to tell him, but neither I nor Len lost many of our teeth on our own. We always had to have them pulled. Fast forward 1 year: Maclaine has a very loose tooth and Mason still does not. Yesterday, my dad took him to a friends office and pulled the bottom 2 teeth!
Well, the tooth fairy came and here is what I found out...
Mason: Mom, I got 2 dollars for my teeth
Me: That's great!
Mason: But Mom, why did the tooth fairy only take one of my teeth?
Me:(startled) Huh? Let me go look
Mason: I promise there is only 1 left
Me: Oh my! There is only 1 tooth left. Wonder what happened to the other tooth?
Mason: Maybe she wanted to leave one for Daddy to see.
Me: I bet you are right.
Okay, so I am completely baffled by this one. Those teeth were in a special box and were meant to stay there. Wonder if it has anything to do with my state of mind, seeing as how I have pretty much been under the influence of pain pills:)

If I can get one of my children to take an after pic of my new chest(with clothes on!!) (yes, I got a reduction) then I will post that!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We hope that you all have a blessed 2008! Happy New Years from our family to yours