Friday Fill-Ins 11/20/09

1. We need to start a petition to get "The Christmas Shoes" banned from the airwaves.

2. I watched last night's episode of "30 Rock" today and it made me smile. Heck, it made me snort and guffaw as well.

3. If you want to know what I think of the whole Twilight saga, have a seat. You'll be here awhile (I'm not a fan).

4. I need redemption that only comes through Jesus Christ because I am a sinful creature.

5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think it should be higher, and it should be adopted nationwide.

6. Pajamas, the Macy's parade, my sister visiting and a leftover turkey sandwich make for a happy holiday.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed. Tomorrow my plans include helping the boys and Camryn straighten their rooms (I think I put something to that effect every week!), then keeping the babies in the nursery at church and Sunday, I want to maybe finish decorating the trees and have some hot tub time with the fam!

Friday Fill Ins 11/13/09

Happy Friday the 13th!

And here we go!

1. The last band I saw live was the Eagles. Awesome. Completely awesome. The last concert I went to was Taylor Swift, but technically, she's a singular artist performing with a band, so I didn't count her.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is staying in my PJs for as long as possible, watching the Macy's parade, eating dressing and cranberry sauce (the kind from the can is the best!) and having leftover turkey sandwiches on white bread (with mayo!)

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is not done. It's started, but usually by this time I've gotten it all done. I'm way behind this year. I'm planning on doing most of the shopping online, so that'll help. I honestly wish I could press the pause button on Christmas for about 2 weeks. Not ready. Not ready at all!

4. Thoughts of how loud this stupid RC car that Quinn got for his birthday is fill my head. I don't think my mother-in-law thinks about us having to listen to this stuff when she buys these loud toys for the children (or, maybe she does, and she buys them with a smirk on her face. Who knows!) This one has obnoxious lights and loud music, and it's not helping my headache one bit.

5. I wish I could wear pajamas all day long, no matter where I go. Pajamas are the best.

6. Bagpipes remind me of my father-in-law's funeral. Someone played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes at his funeral. It was a cold January day and whenever I hear bagpipes, I get a chill and think of that cold, sad day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to just sitting here and hoping this headache goes away. I also want to watch the episode of "Private Practice" I missed last night. Tomorrow my plans include helping the boys straighten their room, plus cleaning up my own office. It's a mess (I haven't been in there much at all this week! Busy, busy!) Sunday, I want to do some work on getting my office moved upstairs. It's driving me nuts that it hasn't been done yet.

Farm Livin' is the Life for Me!

Today I was straightening the playroom with Quinn and Lillian. Every time I help clean the playroom, my posterior region gets sore (it's all the bending over). Who knew cleaning the playroom would give you such a glute workout?

The last thing we did today was put together all the puzzles whose pieces had decided to scatter themselves about the room. When we were done, I stood up. I felt the butt workout when I did that.

Using my best deep Southern drawl I said, "I do believe mah boo-tay hurts. Oh, yes, my boo-tay hurts!"

Quinn said, "I know some people who talk like that!"

"Really? Who do you know who talks like that?"

At the same time, Quinn and Lillian yelled, "EMMA!"

I chuckled when Emma's name was mentioned, because they were right. Emma is the cutest little redhead you ever will meet. I love her and her sweet momma. They both have very cute Southern accents. Emma doesn't know it, but she's going to marry my Quinn one day (she's in his class).

That's another story for another day, though.

You know the reason Emma talks like that (according to Quinn)?

Because she lives on a farm.

HA!

Saturday Morning: A Play in 3 Acts

Scene One: 6:30 am, a darkened bedroom where a male and a female are blissfully sleeping. A 6 year-old boy enters the room. The 6 year-old boy (Quinn) bounces up onto the bed and squirms his way between the sleeping man and sleeping woman. He plops himself down right in between them. The man pulls the little boy to his side of the bed and rolls over to snuggle the boy. The woman rises and uses the bathroom. Upon her return to the bed she finds the boy in the spot where she was previously sleeping. She nudges him to the middle of the bed, climbs in and embraces the boy. Sleeping continues.

Scene Two: 6:45 am, a darkened bedroom where a male, a female, and a 6 year-old boy are blissfully sleeping. Heavy footsteps are heard pounding their way down a hardwood-lined hallway towards the darkened bedroom. The woman hears the footsteps and awakens in time to see an 8 year-old boy approach the foot of the bed. The woman snaps her fingers.

Woman: (whispered) Aiden! Come to this side of the bed. (turns to the 6 year-old and whispers) Quinn. Move over. Aiden's here.

The 8 year-old boy climbs into bed on the left side of the mother. She rolls over to hug him.

Aiden: (whispered) I thought Quinn went to the bathroom, so I waited and waited but he didn't come back. I remembered last night he said he wanted to come snuggle you this morning, so I came in here to find him.

Woman: He's been in here since 6:30. Try to go back to sleep.

Act three: 7:00 am. The 6 year-old boy whispers to the woman that he is returning to his bed. The 8 year-old cannot sleep. The woman hears him giggle a little.

Woman: (whispered) What's funny?

Aiden: (whispered) I was laying here thinking about Soarin' (the ride at Disney World). That made me think about Bee Movie, and I remembered the guy that does the video before you get on Soarin' (Patrick Warburton). He also does the voice for the boyfriend in Bee Movie, which is a Dreamworks film. But, he also does a voice in the Emperor's New Groove, which is a Disney movie. So, that guy works for two different movie companies. Funny.

Woman: (whispered): I love how your mind works, son.

Curtain.

Commentary: Seriously? This is what my 8 year-old son is thinking at 7 o'clock in the morning? Patrick Warburton working for two different movie companies? I really DO love how his mind works!

1-800-222-2222

There's a third time for everything.

Today I had to call poison control for the 3rd time.

Know why?

Quinn and Lillian were playing in the yard. Quinn's voice came over the walkie talkie.

"Mommy? We found some berries in the woods and K. (the neighbor child) says they're not poisonous. Can we eat them?"

I grabbed my walkie talkie and practically screamed into it. "NO NO NO NO NO NO! K. does NOT know what berries are poisonous and which ones aren't! She's only FIVE! DO NOT EAT THE BERRIES! DO NOT EAT THE BERRIES!"

I heard Lillian say in the background, "Quinn already ate one!"

Aw, man.

I told them to bring the berries inside. I lectured all 3 of the kids about eating things without adult permission, and then I sent K. home.

I jumped on the internet and Googled "South Carolina berries red stems". I found out that the plant the berries Quinn ate (which looked a lot like blueberries, except blueberries aren't in season) were possibly Pokeweed Fruit and they are poisonous. A tingle started in my cheeks and went down my spine. Lillian took Camryn back outside and showed her the plant, and then Camryn cut off a stem and brought it back in to me. Pokeweed was indeed the culprit.

Aw, man.

I picked up the phone and called 1-800-222-2222. Poison Control.

Worst case scenario from eating one berry: a touch of the runs.

This, in case you didn't know, is a Pokeweed plant:

I guarantee you that my kids won't ever go near one again.

Bless their hearts.

Friday Fill-Ins 10/16/09

I'm blogging two days in a row. Don't pass out. I know. It's hard to imagine. Breathe deeply. We'll get through it together.

1. So are we going to Disney World in 12 days? Well, I don't know about you, but we are! We've been counting down since around day 170, and our paper chain made from scrapbooking paper scraps has gotten shorter and shorter. Can't believe how fast time has flown.

2. Disney prep is what's up ahead. Gotta make sure the kids get all their school work done (the work they're gonna miss), gotta make packing lists and then pack. Lots to do!

3. I love to be productive. I feel so lazy when I don't do anything all day long. Today has been a good day. I crossed one thing off my list of 4 things to do (don't laugh... all 4 things are big things! I can't do them all in one day!)

4. Last night I was craving chocolate of some sort. I ended up with a sugar free chocolate pudding cup, but I wanted ice cream, like, reallllllllllly bad. Today after I took the kids for haircuts we went to Bruster's and I had a scoop of chocolate almond coconut. It's like Almond Joy ice cream. So yummy.

5. I walk a lot when we go to Disney, and I don't mind it at all, because there is a reason for walking (getting to rides!) I wish I could motivate myself to take walks at home.

6. Knowing that God loves me unconditionally is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sitting in the hot tub with my family. The weather is perfect for it! Tomorrow my plans include getting the playroom cleaned up so we can split it into a playroom/office (Quinn wants his room back, and my office is currently in his bedroom). Sunday, I want to get as much of my office moved upstairs as we can before I get too exhausted. It's going to be a big job.

Just Now...

...when I submitted the previous blog post, ads with the following headlines appeared on the right side of my computer screen:

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Cheap Bereavement Flights Looking for Bereavement Travel? Find Cheap Rates Here. Save BIG! www.Tripmama.com/Bereavement

Newspaper Obits

Today

....is actually Thursday. It's not Friday. Just in case you were like me and mistook today for Friday just about all day long.

I got my roots touched up and got a haircut today. Thanks for noticing.

It's rained for 3 days straight. And it's cold. Like, turn on the gas logs, simmer a pot of chili in the Crock Pot all day kind of cold. C-O-L-D. Not ready for it to smack me in the face like this. I need a gradual progression into cooler weather. Not the 80 degrees over the weekend, freeze your feet off on the cold tile floor on Monday morning kind of shock to the system. What the heck? Yeah, Al. Global Warming is real. Not made up at all.

Camryn and Aiden participated in an Egyptian burial ceremony. Didn't know they were Egyptian? Didn't know there was a death? Wasn't contacted about making a casserole for the family of the deceased? 'Sokay. It was all part of their history lessons at school. It was cool, from what I hear. I wasn't there. (I was getting the roots and haircut taken care of at the time of the burial. I sent online condolences.)

Camryn played the part of Isis during the ceremony. As part of her costume, she wore mascara and the moms who helped applied black eyeliner to her eyes. She wiped off the eyeliner, but she was still wearing mascara and lip gloss when I saw her this afternoon. Amazing what a little bit of mascara does to her eyes. Now she's begging to start wearing mascara every day because she got so many compliments on it. Not sure how I feel about that. She's eleven.

Since today is Thursday (not FRIDAY, remember?!?) I'm going to head into the den in a minute to watch the season premiere of 30 Rock. Oh, Liz Lemon. How I've missed you and your dorky minions. Kidney Now!

Enjoy your weekend.

Nouns, verbs, prepositional phrases... oh my!

One day last week Stan sent Aiden to the shower. A few minutes later he went in to check on Aiden's bathing progress (you gotta check on him... he likes to get things done fast. Not well... just FAST, like he's constantly competing with an unseen force.)

So Stan opens the curtain and sees Aiden leaning up against the shower wall, arm raised, head resting on his forearm. Naturally, Aiden is startled, but recovers.

Stan says, "Whatcha doin', Aiden?"

His response?

"Ah, Daddy! I was classifying a sentence!"

Aiden's brain is a sponge. Once something gets stuck in there, it doesn't come out. He probably can't read without diagramming sentences, either.

Friday Fill Ins 9/25/09

1. One week ago it was September 18th. I was looking forward to date night with my husband.

2. I felt very loved and secure when I was young.

3. Mama told me I'd have a child just like me one day. Oh, how right she was. Thanks, Mom. ; )

4. Just between you and me, I think some people need to keep their noses on their own faces.

5. Take your time is always good advice. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

6. This, too, will pass! And then I'll probably look back and think it wasn't so bad after all. That could probably be said about most of life's little bumps.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a nice, quiet Friday night at home with my family. Tomorrow my plans include cleaning up the playroom, then church and Sunday, I want to hang out with my family!

And the hits keep on coming...

Lillian's on a comedic roll lately.

Last night at dinner she said, "Hola, Daddy! I want you to sit by me! Do you know what I just said to you, Daddy? I said, 'Hello, Daddy! I want you to sit by me!'"

Yesterday afternoon she was singing a song called "Mighty to Save". We sing it in church. The lyrics go:

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.

Lillian's version?

Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty insane,
He is Mighty insane..

Stolen From Facebook

I've been a bad, bad blogger. I'm sorry. Life is happening fast here. I wish I had more time to write, but I don't. I'm throwing you a Stolen From Facebook bone today. Here you go:

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Chicken Minis from Chick Fil A. I had to eat something before I went to the dentist this morning, because that stupid, tastes like ear wax sedative he shoots into my gums before a filling makes me shaky and woozy if I don't eat.

2. Where was your profile picture taken? My Facebook profile picture is my 4 kiddos at the zoo in July. It would've been a much better picture if Aiden had smiled. He hates having his picture made. He usually hides, but he couldn't escape the camera that day, so he just frowned.

4. Name someone who made you laugh today? Can't say that I've had a laugh yet today. I'm sure that'll change as soon as I pick the kids up from school. Someone always says something funny in the car.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? I think I was asleep before they announced the last Emmy category last night. Glad to hear "Mad Men" won, though. I love that show.

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you? Gulf Shores, Alabama. I'd love to see the ocean every day.

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? Probably... we always see fireworks @ Disney World, and I usually feel so happy to be there that I would be likely to kiss someone.... one of my children or my husband.

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you on facebook? My husband and my daughter.

9. Do you believe exes can be friends? Probably, but it's awkward.

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper? Meh. It makes me burp worse than any other soft drink. I don't usually drink Dr. Pepper or any soda for that matter.

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Hmmm.... when we thought our cat, Beeson, was having a stroke and that it was quite possibly his last day on earth. Turned out to be a seizure, and thankfully he hasn't had another.

12. Who took your profile picture? Me.

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Our guests @ Lillian's birthday party yesterday.

14. Was yesterday better than today? Yes. It was a Sunday. I slept late (one of the benefits of going to church on Saturday nights!). We went to Golden Corral for breakfast (Lillian's choice for her birthday), then we had her party and church community group. Today I had 2 fillings filled @ the dentist. Yesterday wins hands down.

15. Can you live a day without TV? Funny, because our satellite is down right now so I'm sort of forced to live without it until either the weather clears or the repairman comes on Wednesday, whichever happens first. I'm happy some things are viewable online.

16. Are you upset about anything? Currently? No. I've had some stressful moments in the past couple of weeks, but nothing monumental.

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? Yes.

18. Are you a bad influence? I don't think so. You know something I don't?

19. Night out or night in? Really depends on several factors. Is it raining? Then definitely in. Good concert or movie? Out. I like going out, but I probably stay in more than I go out. I'm usually beat by the end of the day.

20. What items could you not go without during the day? My computer and my car.

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? I honestly cannot remember.

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? I don't text, so there shouldn't be anything in my inbox.

23. How do you feel about your life right now? Content.

24. Do you hate anyone? Extremely dislike, yes, but hate, no. That's a very strong term.

25. If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find? a message from a friend telling me that the lady in front of her in line is tweezing her eyebrows (this friend and I both have issues with stray hairs. I keep tweezers in the car so I can pluck my brows in carpool line. I know... sick.), a message containing an important phone number and another message containing important addresses.

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? Yes.

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

28. What song is stuck in your head? I don't think there's anything stuck there now 'cause the iPod is playing and it's hard to have a song stuck in your head when you're hearing other music.

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? I was going to say Ed McMahon (with his big, fat Publisher's Clearing House check) and then I remembered that Ed is dead. I don't think I want to see Ed at my window holding anything @ 2 am.

30. Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50? Let's see... I was 25 when I had Camryn, so I guess technically I could be a grandparent before 50. I'm hoping she waits a little longer to have kids than I did.

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow? Not sure. Laundry is always on the list, as are dishes. So those are always a definite must-do in this house.

32. Do you think too much or too little? Too much. Always.

Little Miss Misspoken

Lillian was doing her "homework" just now (coloring a little booklet full of things that start with the letter P) and as she was coloring, she was singing:

"My God is so big

So strong and so mighty

There's nothing my God

Cannot do!

The mountains are His

The valleys are His...

The stars are his HANDIWIPES too!"

After several rounds of "THAT'S WHAT MRS. HOWARD SAID! HANDIWIPES!" I gave up and let Lillian think that God uses the stars to wipe His hands.

I guess He can. After all, He *is* God!

Sign of Fall

I did a little Target shopping yesterday. By myself. That was a treat by itself.

Then I stumbled across these little treasures and grabbed them quickly.

I love this stuff. Sugary goodness that is a sure sign that fall will soon be knocking on my door.

I cut the bag open this morning and ate a couple of handfuls. I love the pumpkins the most, but the chocolate flavored candy corns are delicious, too.

It may still be 80 degrees outside, but in my mind it's a crisp fall day.

Brach's Autumn Mix: one of the many things that make me smile.

Manic Monday 8/31/2009

Are you usually late, early or right on time?

I like to be a little bit early. I'm hardly ever late. I think it's rude to be late, honestly.

What would be harder for you, to tell someone you love them or to tell them that you do not love them back?

It would be harder to tell someone I don't love them back. I don't think I've ever had to do that.

Which would you rather have: a high salary or job satisfaction?

Job satisfaction. There's no point doing a job you hate, even if it's for a ridiculous sum of money. Too much and stress resentment comes along with that.

Friday Fill-Ins 8/28/09

1. He was a size 2.5 when I took him into the shoe store yesterday. We walked out with brand new size 5.5 tennis shoes for Aiden! His poor, scrunched up toes were screaming, "Thank you!" Funny thing is, I had to drag Aiden into the store. He swore that his old sneakers were fine, but I could tell he was walking funny.

2. Being on a regular schedule and getting the children back in the routine of going to school is what I look forward to most this time of year.

3. My best friend is my husband.

4. The house is kind of too quiet with the kids gone, to be honest with you. My mom was right!

5. Appearances can be something people put too much emphasis on.

6. The last person I gave a hug to was Quinn, last night before bed. He gave me one, then came back a few minutes later for another. It was a long, "I don't want to stop hugging you" snuggle hug.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to not having to make 4 lunches! Tomorrow my plans include sleeping late, spending the day being lazy, maybe by the pool, and keeping the babies in nursery @ church! Sunday, I want to get the house tidy because community group is meeting here.

Guess What?

I'm not doing a meme today! You get an actual, true life, it happened to me story!

Dinnertime lately has been a battle. Three of my children are pretty easy going when it comes to what I cook. They'll usually try everything on the plate without much hassle. It's just the one (ahem, Camryn!) that raises her nose in the air and refuses to even consider touching food to her tongue if it's not something she LOVES to eat (chicken nuggets and pasta, anyone?)

I'm at my wit's (wits'?) end with this child. I have tried everything I know to make this a tolerable situation, short of just making her favorite meals every night (that's not really feasible, nor is it fair, really). I didn't know what else to do.

My husband finally suggested that we let Camryn be involved in the menu planning and/or cooking. No, we're not having pasta and chicken every night, but at least she can suggest things she'd like to try to make and eat. Okay. Now we're getting somewhere.

Tonight she helped me peel, slice, boil and mash the potatoes. She added the butter, salt, mayo & milk and whipped up some great mashed spuds. They were tasty.

I made fried okra. She added the flour and shook up the bag. Then I showed her how to know when to add the okra to the oil and how to turn it and brown it.

I made a grilled chicken using an Asian flavored marinade, and Camryn actually complemented it. She ate the potatoes and all of her okra. It was the nicest, most controversy-free meal we've had in a L-O-N-G time.

So as we were eating dessert, I commented on how pleasant dinner had been. I said, "No one argued, no one left the table in a huff, no one slammed a door in frustration...."

And that's when Aiden said:

"NO ONE HAD TO CALL ANIMAL CONTROL!"

And that was it. We dissolved in fit of laughter.

It's been a great day. I hope it was for you, too.

Friday Fill Ins 8/9/09

I know it's Sunday, but here is this week's Friday Fill Ins...two days late.

1. Sleeping late and not having a set schedule are my favorite summertime pasttimes.

2. My favorite John Hughes movies is Some Kind of Wonderful.

3. My kids' hair is something I love to touch. I love snuggling them on the couch, because they put their heads in my lap while we watch TV and I can run my hands through their hair until they get sick of it.

4. The full moon is so bright it lights up my kitchen at night (we have a Solatube in the ceiling).

5. I am hungry right now. We didn't eat lunch, which is typical of Sundays around here. We are headed somewhere (don't know where yet) for supper soon.

6. When daylight fades it means the house will be quiet soon.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____! (I'm leaving this blank 'cause it's irrelevant now.)

The Australian Judge Gives It a 9.6

As I travel along this path called Adulthood, I gain more and more insight about the reasons for the things my mother always did. Things I never understood.... until I started (gasp) becoming my own mother.

For instance, I always thought that my mom got up at an insanely crazy hour. I like my sleep, and I have always been good at sleeping. I practice a LOT. I don't like waking up early. Mom was usually up around 5:30, I think. I was always asleep, so I'm not 100% sure of her wake up time. I just knew it was really freakin' earlier than I'd ever consider being up and about. She still rises with the sun. Crazy.

For two weeks now I've had a bad cold. It's the kind of cold that keeps you awake because you're so congested you cannot breathe, whether you're reclining or sitting up. You lay in bed trying not to wake your spouse with your throttling nose blows. You drain the dregs of what was a glass of tea at midnight (but is now a flavorless puddle of tea-flavored water) in an effort to wet your dry throat and stifle your hacking cough. You finally give up trying to go back to sleep (sleep is hard when you can't breathe, no?) and seek solace in another part of the house. My solitary place is my office.

Three times this week I've been up before the sun. And you know what? I've discovered that Mom is a genius.

It's Q-U-I-E-T before the break of day. I can actually think and spend a few moments collecting myself before I'm hurled head first into the insanity of my daily life. I can imagine it's a lot like the few moments a competitive diver spends collecting him/herself before diving into the pool below. Time to concentrate (all alone) on the task before you gives you so much clarity. It's amazing.

I think I'm going to set a goal for myself for the coming school year. I am going to try to wake up at 7 am in order to give myself 30 solitary minutes to just chill before I start the day. I'll be able to greet each child with a smile instead of barking at them to get up (because I'm mad that I had to get up only 2 minutes before). I think it might just make life a little smoother and happier.

We'll see.

Thanks, Mom.

Manic Monday 8/3/2009

Would you rather go a week without bathing, but be able to change your clothes, or a week without a change of clothes, but be able to bathe?

I can't go a week without bathing. I hate having greasy hair and a stinky body. I would much rather wear the same clothes everyday for a week than not be able to bathe. ::Shivers::

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?

Don't laugh too hard at my answer, please. I would choose to be on Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. I got addicted to that show last summer amd turned my husband onto it this year. Tori & Dean just seem like they're so real, so fun, so.... normal. I mean, Tori makes her own baby food fer crying out loud (with veggies she buys @ the Farmer's Market, where she goes without an entourage...just her and the kids and the camera crew.) That might all be staged for the show, but I think they'd be a riot to hang out with. I just finished Seasons 1 and 2 that I got from Netflix and I think I just have a big ole Tori & Dean crush. (That's Tori Spelling & her hubby Dean McDermott for those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about...)

Friday Fill-Ins 7/31/09

1. It's time for these children to go back to school. I'm starting to hear choruses of "I'm boooooooored!" They start August 24th. I'm already starting to go to bed earlier in anticipation. Maybe when the kids go back to school I'll have more time to blog. All I've managed this summer are these Monday & Friday memes.

2. Birmingham; it's not a bad place for a girl to grow up, but I love South Carolina. Never thought I would, but I miss the Palmetto State when I'm away from it.

3. I must be getting better. I haven't coughed as much today as I have for the past week. I hope the worst of this sudden summer cold is over. I hate being sick. I've felt so drained.

4. Being a wife and mom is the best thing I have ever known.

5. My key to happiness is simply to try and find the positive in everything.

6. The last time I laughed really loudly was today at lunch when Stan sat down and had Craisins on his salad plate. "They have Craisins!" he said. That's funny because the other night on In Plain Sight (one of our favorite TV shows) Marshall ordered oatmeal in a tiny diner and asked the waitress if they had Craisins instead of raisins. Guess you had to be there. It made us laugh.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to working on my scrapbook layout for the Sketchapalooza class I've been taking at Feeling Scrappy. Tomorrow my plans include taking the kids for a swim (hoping it doesn't rain again tomorrow) and Sunday, I want to start working on a plan to move my office to the kids' playroom. It will be half playroom, half office. Then we can either give Quinn his room back (if he wants it) or make this room into a guest room.

Manic Monday 7/27/09

What is one thing that you would change about yourself if you could?

The ability to trust people without hesitation. I wish I could take people at face value without wondering what their ulterior motives are, but we are selfish creatures. We all have ulterior motives of some sort or another.

Name three exotic countries you would like to visit:

Bali, Indonesia; Vietnam; maybe the Seychelles?

What do you think the secret to life is?

Lots and lots of laughter. And don't take things too seriously. And be nice, even when people aren't nice to you.

Friday Fill-Ins 7/24/09

And...here we go!

1. Despite the way some people are acting, Michael Jackson's death is not the end of the world.

2. Sitting here, listening to the sound of rain falling, I wonder where you're sitting, because it's not raining here. It was last night. I wish it was raining right now, but it's a sunny 90 degrees outside today.

3. That first ice-cold glass of tea in the morning tastes so good!

4. Sometimes, putting others first is soul satisfying. As a mom, I usually do put others' needs ahead of my own, but I'm learning to take care of me, too. I've been getting regular pedicures and facials this summer; I also finally (after 4+ years) have found an awesome lady to cut my hair. She's at the same place where I get the pedi and facial. When the kids go back to school I'm going to do a monthly spa day: haircut, pedicure, facial and 1 hour massage. Heaven.

5. Hearing "I love you, Mommy!" is breathtaking, really. You can keep your sunsets and mountain views. Give me a tender, heartfelt expression of love over anything nature has to offer anyday.

6. Well, maybe there is time to take one more short vacation before the kids go back to school. I'm thinking Atlanta: the Georgia Aquarium, the Egypt exhibit, maybe a quick stroll through the World of Coke. Sounds good!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed early (again; I need to catch up on some sleep!) Tomorrow my plans include sending Lillian to a birthday party, plus church and Sunday, I want to get my office cleaned out, spend some time scrapbooking and perhaps some time in the sun and the pool!

Friday Fill-Ins 7/17/09

1. Hot dogs and Bush's baked beans make a quick and easy dinner.

2. Julie and Julia is the book I'm reading right now. I want to read it before I see the movie.

3. July brings back memories of sitting on the roof of the Caprice Classic wagon we owned as a child while watching the fireworks shot off of Red Mountain.

4. That Camryn was sick when I picked her up at camp on Wednesday was obvious. I just wish she could've recuperated at camp and finished the week. She was 100% better as soon as she had something to eat.

5. They say if you tell your dreams to your children, they will laugh at you, especially if you confess to dreaming about dancing, sweatband wearing chicken nuggets.

6. I watched an episode of "My First Place" on HGTV last night, and the lady in the episode lost 3 great houses because she always had to have a night to think it over. She was driving me NUTS.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to maybe getting some time alone while Stan takes the kids on a bike ride (crossing my fingers). Tomorrow my plans include packing for a trip to Birmingham, then keeping the nursery (2 year-olds) at church and Sunday, I want to get an early start on our Alabama trip. I'm hoping to stop in Commerce to shop a little bit ; )

Friday Fill Ins 7/10/09

1. The last thing I ate was French toast and syrup.

2. Kleenex is something I recently bought. Really. My life is THAT exciting.

3. When it rains, it means a quiet afternoon inside.

4. My husband was the first person I talked to today.

5. Hugs are better than drugs. Remember that slogan?

6. I'm always on the hunt for things that give me extra comfort.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to finishing a book I've been reading (Black Water Rising by Attica Locke... a GREAT book!) Tomorrow my plans include packing the kids' bags for camp (Camryn & Aiden) and a trip to Grammy & Poppy's (Quinn & Lillian) and Sunday, I want to meet my parents in Atlanta to drop off Q & L for their week in Alabama.

Manic Monday 6/29/09

What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why?

I'm married to the partner I've been with the longest. We met August 19, 1994 so as of August 19, 2009 we've been together 15 years, married 13 1/2. Wow. Doesn't seem like it's been that long!

What is on your bedside table?

Gawrsh. Let me see if I can remember. There is an alarm clock/sound machine/CD player thing (I never use the CD player part!). I have a bottle of the Drenched in Pink Victoria's Secret lotion, some Target brand Aveeno-type lotion for dry skin (for my feet!), a cordless phone that needs to be replaced because the one we have doesn't live long once it's off the cradle (and it needs to be hung on the WALL to give me more table space!) a box of tissues (rests on top of the alarm clock), a lamp and both sets of TV buttons (TV ones and DISH network ones... I hate having 2 sets of buttons!)

How many pillows do you have on your bed? Do you make your bed every day?

I don't know how many pillows are on the bed. I would guess about 6 or 7. My husband only needs one of those to sleep. The rest are mine. I have to have one to hold onto and usually stack three up to sleep on. I cannot sleep flat on my back, and I do not stay still at night. My husband sleeps on his back in the same position all night long and falls asleep really quickly. I envy his ability to do that.

Friday Fill Ins 6/26/09

1. She had a great time at camp. I knew she would! Now she's home and she loves what we did to her room. I missed her so much!

2. My husband is by my side, always. Maybe not physically there all the time, but I know he'll always be there for me.

3. I know this: I have been blessed beyond measure and I have done nothing, not one thing, to deserve it all.

4. I have a hard time sitting still for long.

5. These words apply to me: happy, content, amazed.

6. This morning the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to the restaurant of Camryn's choice to celebrate her homecoming from camp. Tomorrow my plans include finishing the many loads of laundry that have piled up this week while I was playing decorator, and of course, church! Sunday, I want to do nothing!

I once was lost but now I'm found...

You know what that is right there?

It's a pink iPod (and a very poorly lit picture, I know).

It's been MIA for a couple of months or more, last seen in the garage.

We looked high and low.

We looked low and high.

But not high enough.

Because today when the hubby went out to fetch some tools off a high shelf, the iPod jumped on him.

Camryn is going to be over the moon when she gets back from camp tomorrow.

Welcome home, tiny pink Nano. We missed your Hannah Montana, your Demi Lovato, your sounds from the threshold of teenagerhood.

Good to have you back, because we missed being ignored under the guise of Camryn listening to your tunes.

Manic Monday 6/22/09

Do you usually wear perfume/cologne? If so, what's your current favorite?

I don't wear it on a daily basis. I do use perfumed lotion, and my current favorite is Drenched in Pink from Victoria's Secret. I also have the body spray in that scent. I have 3 bottles of the lotion stationed in convenient places: the den table next to where I sit on the couch, my bathroom counter and beside the bed. My skin is so dry in the winter and gets dried out when I sit in the sun. I like having the lotion handy.

What's the last book you've read that you thought was really good? If you don't have one, what looks promising on your to-be-read list?

I just finished Columbine by Dave Cullen. It was really fascinating and disturbing at the same time. It gave me a fresh perspective on the Columbine High School tragedy. Hard to believe it's been 10 years since that happened.

Fill in the blank: I wouldn't be caught dead _________.

...wearing black pantyhose with white shoes.

Manic Monday 6/15/09

What is the last song that was stuck in your head and how did you get rid of it?

A friend of mine posted something about Northern Michigan on her Facebook last week, and that Kid Rock song "All Summer Long" got stuck in my head ("It was summertime in Northern Michigan...") It didn't last long once I put my ear buds in and started playing music from my iPhone.

If you had to say what one thing in your life best represents your freedom, what would it be?

The Sparrow.

"So I'll sing because I'm happy.
And I'll sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me."

If you were invited to the White House for dinner tonight, what would you wear from your current wardrobe?

I have nothing appropriate for dinner at the White House in my current wardrobe. If Obama doesn't want me in shorts and a tee shirt, I guess I'll have to turn down his dinner invitation.

Huh. Who knew?

How do you entertain a 6 year-old boy and a 4 year-old girl?

Give them 3 12-packs of Diet Pepsi cans and let them pop them and pour them into the sink.  They're thoroughly entertained for as long as it takes to pour out 36 cans of rancid soda.

How do I know this?

Funny you should ask.

Hubby popped a can of Diet Pepsi and poured it over ice about 30 minutes ago.

"Is THIS how Diet Pepsi tastes?" I heard him say, rather disgustedly.

(Bless his heart.... we're out of Coke Zero and we've worked our way to the Diet Pepsi in the back of the pantry...)

"Taste this!"

(Why is it that we do EXACTLY THIS when someone grimaces and passes us something that makes their face twist and lips pucker as they utter an expletive?)

What I pulled through the straw protruding from his plastic cup was unswallowable.  It literally sat in a puddle on my tongue.  I grabbed a Kleenex and spat.

Beyond disgusting.

Hubby upended the can to check the expiration date.

March 2008.

Just so you know, there is a reason for those dates printed on the bottom of cola cans.

Don't say I didn't warn ya.

On a side note, we now have some space free on the pantry floor.

Friday Fill Ins 6/5/09

1. When I'm at Disney World, I don't want to think about coming home.

2. My favorite thing for dinner lately has been something I pulled out of our freezer. I'm on a "clean out the freezer!" kick. We've been eating out way too much lately. Now that the kids are out of school (yea!) and I have more time during the day, I can actually make homemade meals.

3. I'm glad there's not a dog in our neighborhood that goes bark! bark! bark!

4. A nice long walk is not my idea of a good time. I'd much rather swim.

5. I'm always in the mood for some good news.

6. When all is said and done, then there's nothing more to say or do ; )

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to Kanpai for Japanese to celebrate today being the last day of school for Camryn & Aiden. Tomorrow my plans include a possible trip to the neighborhood pool (if it doesn't rain), then church. Sunday, I want to start thinking about what to pack for our trip to Myrtle Beach next week. I'm really looking forward to being at the beach, because we didn't go last year and I missed it!

A hunting we will go...

It never ceases to amaze me, the creativity of my children. There are days when they can entertain themselves for hours using only their imaginations plus a few (thousand) Legos or a can full of Tinkertoys. Then there are the days when the phrase "I'M BORED!" seems to constantly echo throughout the walls of our home.

Today is a creative day, thank goodness. Camryn and Aiden are still in school (2.5 days left!) so it's just me, Quinn and Lillian here today. I'm catching up on some TV while folding laundry and gift wrapping about 50 wooden blocks for Field Day on Thursday (dunno what they'll use them for, but I volunteered to make 'em pretty!)

So Quinn & Lillian just tiptoed stealthily out of Lillian's room. Quinn said, as he raised his Tinkertoy invention to the sky, "Mommy... we're pretending like we live really far out in the woods and we don't have any stores so we have to hunt for our food. This is my blaster," (Everything that shoots is a blaster to our kids, thanks to Star Wars...)

I nodded and praised the kids' ingenuity, then went back to my basket of clean clothes.

Moments later I heard, "Lillian! What stuff should we hunt?"

Lillian's reply?

"Sharks and hamburgers and chicken nuggets!"

Yeah, make sure to shoot a bag of crinkle fries and a gallon of barbeque sauce while you're out there in those woods, sweetheart.

And watch out for the red clown. He's a clever foe.

I don't care who ya are; that's just funny right there

Our family's funniest moments always seem to happen in the car.

A little back story:

On Wednesday I took the kiddos to the neighborhood pool. On the way home, we passed a dead snake on the side of the road. Of course, we had to loop around and drive by it again.... s-l-o-w-l-y.

Today we were coming home from school and Quinn asked where the snake had gone. I told him that some larger animal had probably dragged it home and eaten it for breakfast.

"Or lunch," Quinn said.

"Or dinner!" Lillian replied.

"Or a snack..." I said.

Then, in his classic deadpan style, I heard Aiden reply:

"Or fourthmeal."

The kid is FUNNY.

Just so, so FUNNY.

Friday Fill Ins 5/29/09

1. It's (not) cold and I'm thankful for that. Give me the sunshine over the cold weather any day!

2. This summer we're growing our own tomatoes. I'm going to enjoy so many BLTs and fried green tomatoes this summer!

3. My favorite health and beauty product is the new Aveeno Dry Touch sunscreen. It's awesome. Not greasy AT ALL, and doesn't make me feel like I'm covered in a suffocating blanket that won't let my skin breathe.

4. I like it when the hubby takes the kids on a nice long bike ride. It gives me some time alone.

5. Well, first of all I'd rather be in bed right now.

6. Insert your own names here; those were the cast of characters in a recent dream and it was non-existent. I haven't had a memorable dream in awhile.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to nothing. Is that sad? I'm not doing a thing tonight except catching up on some episodes of Mad Men that I've had on the DVR forever. Tomorrow my plans include taking Lillian to a birthday party, then dinner at Jalisco and church and Sunday, I want to relax with my family and maybe get the patio cleaned off.

My husband is currently at Lowe's buying something he needs for a project. He took Lillian with him. Bless his heart.

Lillian is, for lack of a better word, LOUD. She loves to sing and talk and giggle, which is all well and good, but she doesn't know when to stop. She often makes me wish kids were born with an off switch.

Hubby just called asking for a measurement for a shelf he needs to hang. I could hear Lillian in the background, and thus I could barely hear hubby. She's that LOUD.

I asked, "What's Lillian saying?"

"She's singing, 'Oh, it's what you do to me' over and over and OVER into a 4" pipe."

If you are familiar with top 40 radio, then you know that's the Plain White T's song, "Hey There Delilah." We're fans of the song, but she hasn't picked it up from the radio or my iPod or anything like that.

You know where she's gotten that lyric?

Stupid Kidz Bop CDs that McDonald's is currently giving away in their Happy Meals.

I HATE KIDZ BOP. I've never, ever purchased one in the store. I'm not a big fan of kiddie choral music, and the Kidz Bop songs creep me out. Who thought that up, and who buys them? Really? Are the original versions of the songs just too palatable to your ears? You like to be tortured on a daily basis? That's what that Kidz Bop stuff does to me. Blood. Pouring out of my ears. It's AWFUL. As soon as the kids aren't looking, I throw them in the trash.

Lillian, however, has salvaged one and put it into the CD player/radio that's in her room. Evidently it's on repeat, 'cause she knows the lyrics to "Hey There Delilah" as if she was a Plain White T herself.

Did I mention that I HATE KIDZ BOP CDs?

"Ooooohhhhh.... it's what you do to me-eee-eee..."

Poor hubby.

Friday Fill Ins 5/22/09

1. Moving is not something I want to do in the next few years, but it would be nice to own some acreage and build another house when the kids are a bit older. Give me land lots of land....

2. I'm ready for the summer... to be free from the daily grind for 3 months.

3. My best quality is my organizational skills. If I wasn't organized, I'd be crazy.

4. I always notice the details. Subtlety isn't wasted on me.

5. In nearly 10 years, I will have a 21 year-old daughter, an 18 year-old son, a 16 year-old son and a 14 year-old daughter. That makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

6. A beach vacation is what I need right now! Just 3 more weeks until I feel the sand between my toes! It won't be Gulf sand, but Myrtle Beach sand will do in a pinch. Can't wait to sit on the beach with my book while the kids dig the day away. Bring it on!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to doing nothing. Absolutely nothing. Tomorrow my plans include possibly taking the kids to the neighborhood pool and then church and Sunday, I want to go see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian with the family!

Manic Monday 5/18/09

If you could completely redecorate any room in your house at no expense to you, what room would you choose?

Hands down it would be the huge open space in my basement. It was originally carpeted, but after lots of that wonderful South Carolina red mud got tracked in from outside and the cats kept using it as a litter box, hubby ripped up the carpet. Now it's linoleum and just lacks that warm, cozy feeling. I'd love to have hardwoods down there and have it made into a home theater or something, but right now it's just a big catch-all for whatever doesn't need to stay upstairs (clothes the kids have outgrown, discarded furniture, the litter box, etc.) We had nice bookshelves built down there and there's a kitchenette and all sorts of nice things, but we never use it. It just feels cold to me. I don't even like to go down there anymore.

Which hour of the day do you feel goes the slowest?

The hour between picking up Quinn from school and picking up the other two from their school. It will be so nice next year when all the kids are at ONE school and they have ONE pick-up time. I hate having to kill time between pick-ups. This is Quinn (and Lillian's) last week of school, so we're getting closer!

If your birthday could be in a different month of the year, when would you have it?

I like my February birthday. I only wish it wasn't so close to my anniversary and Valentine's Day. It's kind of right in the middle of those two days, so I usually get one big gift. I might choose an April birthday or maybe October just to spread out the gift-giving occasions a bit more ; ) Me likee presents!

Another one rides a bike...

Three down, one to go!

Quinn started riding his bike without training wheels this week, thanks mostly to Camryn's cheerleading and teaching.

Here she is giving Quinn a pep talk on Tuesday night:



Giving it a try (below). Balancing and kicking off was his hardest problem.



Quinn took a tumble, but (to Camryn's amazement) he got right back on the bike and kept trying. Camryn was puzzled at Quinn's resolve because she gave up and quit riding the bike for almost two years after her first fall.



He had made progress at the end of day one and was ready for another lesson on Wednesday. Camryn couldn't wait to teach him some more. Here he is, both feet on the bike, but with a wobbly wheel. Those with cameras really had to stay out of the way ; )



Another fall, but again, he got right back up and tried again.



Watching Aiden soar. Aiden just couldn't stand it; he had to come out and show baby brother how bikes are ridden.



Up the driveway he went... the theory being that more road meant better attempts at riding further and staying on the bike.



And he was right. As soon as he hit the cul de sac, he was off, giggling that choking, happy laugh of triumph and disbelief that he was actually RIDING the bike!





As soon as he made a couple of passes around the circle, he dropped the bike and came running as fast as he could down the driveway... to hug ME! I didn't do a thing but take the pictures. Camryn was the one responsible for this accomplishment. She really, really helped him stay confident and learn. She's got a gift for that sort of thing.

I'm so proud of them both!

12 on the 12th

Finally! I remembered to take my camera along with me today so I could participate in the 12 on the 12th scrapbooking challenge. You take pictures all throughout your day on the 12th of each month, then settle on 12 that tell the best story. When you're done you have a great page for the scrapbook, plus a nice blog post! (Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

From the top left row:

Aiden, relaxing with a Captain Underpants book on the hammock (he pronounces it like a 2-syllable word, "ham-ahk", which sounds a lot like "ham hock"). I got the hammock for Mother's Day (it's really a convertible swing, but I wanted a hammock, so that's what we call it...)

Annabelle, the cat who will turn herself inside out for a rub from hubby's bamboo claw (aka the backscratcher he got one of those tacky beach stores in Myrtle Beach. You know the kind... huge shark out front, towels shaped like beer cans, $5 bikinis and jewelry boxes with seashells hot glued to them. Real classy joint.)

The time: 7:49 am. If we leave later than 7:50, we're probably going to be late.

The temperature this morning at 7:49 am: 53 degrees! After a week of low 90s in Orlando, this is a refreshing, if not chilly, change.

From the middle left:

"Hey Mommy! It's a farmer costume!" said Quinn upon catching sight of the Carhartt overalls while out shoe shopping today. I bought 4 pairs of new shoes for Lillian, one new pair of sneakers for Quinn (with REAL laces!) and 3 pairs of shoes for me (love my new Merrell Mocs!)

Slim Jim, Nacho flavored. Our weekly trip to Rock's (a bait/convenience store/restaurant down the road next to the lake) always includes a snack for everyone. Today they were out of Slim Jim original flavored, so I went for Nacho. Not bad, but there is lingering heartburn.

My desk. There's not a day that I don't spend some time here. Communication central for this household.

Mutt's BBQ. Dinner. Hubby called and said, "Hungry?" ("Yep.") "Cooked?" ("Was just fixin' to.") "Mutt's? ("Are you home yet?")

From the bottom left:

Quinn. On the Wii. Before school. Everyday. In this picture he was arguing because his Daddy was calling him to get into the truck and Quinn wanted to leave the Wii on all day (with the TV off) so he could come back and pick up where he left off. He won. Quinn is not a green kid. He loves wasting energy. Somebody call Al Gore.

What's a day without a trip to Target? Lillian and I had lunch there today (shared a personal pan Pizza Hut pizza) and did a little shopping. Good times.

Camryn's a crammer. In the picture she's trying to memorize I Corinthians 13:7-13. I was helping (I took the picture while we were stopped at a stop sign. Don't have a cow, man.) She had it 94.3% learned when she got out of the car. Guess what? It's not due until tomorrow (she thought today was the day!)

Starbuck's Shaken Passion Fruit Tea with 2 Splendas. A great afternoon treat. Every now and then I like to stop by and get Camryn's teacher or the school's receptionist a Starbuck's treat, and while I'm there I pick up something for myself. I don't drink coffee much, so I like to try different things on the menu. This was a new one for me. I might get it again, but it had a bit of a mint aftertaste, which is not something I like in a tea.

16 days

That's how long it's been since I blogged.

Lots has been going on. No time to catch you up right now, but soon. Maybe.

I'm uploading our Disney vacation pictures to Winkflash right now because they have a 6 cent per print special going on, but it's taking freakin' forevah. I think I'll give up and go with Snapfish. It's worth the extra dough to get the pictures uploaded FAST. Winkflash, my patootie. More like Yawnflash.

More later.

Maybe.