My Life Behind the Chair

Vacation

2009-05-29T05:58:00.002-04:00

I have been in need of a vacation since about mid January when we found out that we were expecting. Not just any vacation but an escape!

Then Paintboy decides to put the house on the market. After completing the 100 or so things that needed to be done the "escape" was never more necessary.

As we speak, I am sitting in a lovely condo on Longboat Key. It is the same place we have visited before, the average age for the island would be 82. The Publix closes at 9pm, but don't worry they serve their people well, 6:30am they are open again. I am not kidding, the whole island rolls up early. No excuses for the kids to do anything but swim and Mommy gets her book and umbrella on the beach. Beautiful!

All that's missing is a fabulous cocktail. That will have to wait until next year, I've already booked my "escape" time!

Where have you been???

2009-04-22T10:48:00.002-04:00

I know you have been pondering, "Where did Hair Girl go?"

It has been crazy busy over the last 2 months.
As you all know Hair Girl is knocked up! We have also found out that its a GIRL!!! She is very healthy and kicking away in utero. Her name is Anna Elizabeth ( after my mother and grandmother) we are going to call her Anna Beth. From here on out we shall refer to her as AB. She will be the first granddaughter on both sides of the family. Can you say spoiled?
Yes, my boys are 13 and 7.
No, this was not planned.
Yes, we are so very excited.
Yes, we need to move from our 3 bedroom home.
Yes, I realize that I am 5 1/2 months pregnant and insane!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T10:13:00.002-05:00

Paint Boy and the boys headed down to Daytona yesterday for a VIP race weekend. They are red neckin' it up! 2 days at the races, box seats and "meet and greets" with some drivers. The best part (besides the fact that I didn't have to go) it is completely FREE! My cousin is a Daytona Beach detective and has worked track security forever, he totally set the whole thing up. Such a great guy!

In honor of Valentine's Day and the fact that I had time to blog, I stole this from Clemsongirl off FB.

This is kind of like the 25 things - except there are pre-decided questions and it's about you and your spouse, not just you. Come on, play along - inquiring minds want to know! ;-)

♥ What are your middle names? Eric and Marie

♥ How long have you been together? 17 years, married 14 next month

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? We met at a pool party at the end of Spring quarter and reconnected at a keg party the weekend before classes started in the Fall

♥ Who asked who out? After sleeping on his couch after the keg party, he walked me home (one building over) and asked if I wanted to grab some lunch

♥ How old are each of you? 36 and 35

♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most? His, he is very "family oriented" or as most people call a "momma's boy"

♥ Do you have any children together? C is 12 and J is 6 and #3 is due in August, I am trying to see if I can get the world record on time spent at an elementary school volunteering

♥ What about pets? Buddy the Basset and Lucy, chihuahua/ miniature dachshund mix and Carley the hamster

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? we "disagree" most often about money, but don't most couples?

♥ Did you go to the same school? Yes, met in college

♥ Are you from the same home town? Nope. He married a city girl

♥ Who is the smartest? I am more book smart, lots of useless knowledge. He has way more common sense.

♥ Who is the most sensitive? me

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? Tuesday at La Parrilla, its margarita night and Nana has the boys ( I no longer partake, just eat a lot)

♥ Who has the craziest ex? Neither, we met at 18 and 19 there wasn't time to create drama

♥ Who has the worst temper? Him. I am a screamer but he holds it all in and then blows a gasket

♥ Who does the cooking? I do. Except for the grilling

♥ Who is more social? Me, definitely. It bugs him that I draw people to me like moths to a flame

♥ Who is the neat-freak? Him. I have been known to come home to a "cleaned out" house. Once even furniture was moved out into the garage

♥ Who is the more stubborn? Him

♥ Who wakes up earlier? me 6:30 to get J ready for school

♥ Where was your first date? That lunch date he asked me on was to a campus pizza place ( so he could use his meal plan)

♥ Who has the bigger family? Him. His mom is one of 8 kids and his dad is one of 9. I am still meeting 2nd and 3rd cousins. (people in the country keep track of these things, so they know who they can date!)

♥ Do you get flowers often? couple times a year, 2 dozen orange roses yesterday

♥ How do you spend the holidays? We spend every other Thanksgiving with his mom's family or my dad. Christmas is spent at home with my mom joining us. we see his family the weekend before and my dad the weekend after. ( Gotta love divorced parents!)

♥ Who is more jealous? Him. He checks my cell phone bill to see what I'm up too. (Just sayin' that the Lawyer's wife and I are planning on running away together as soon as we get these kids raised. That is what the 17 phone calls in one day are about, our plot to freedom. Yeah, right!)

I think that in every relationship one party loves the other more. I am very blessed to have found the man that loves me a teensey bit more. I like it that way. Its very nice to be loved. Its harder the other way. Think about it...

Tag, I'm it!

2009-02-05T20:12:00.003-05:00

This tag instructs the blogger to do the following:
Go to your pictures
Choose the 6th Folder
Choose the 6th picture in the Folder
Tag 6 Bloggers

I was tagged by the Lawyer's wife. The picture she posted is the one that I use as my "comment picture". How funny that it would be her 6th?
BTW, we got pregnant in November, before Thanksgiving. Not after the Party of the Year!

This shot was taken during our trip to Arizona during Spring break 2008. Those are my children standing under that cactus. I loved this shot and posted about it after we returned. Wanna trip down memory lane?

I tag-
Green Magsterpie
Mad about Plaid
Caffiene Court
Biscuits are Never Boring
Peyton Place
Card girl

Have fun and show me what ya' got in your folders, girls!

Rockin' out in utero

2009-02-02T09:08:00.003-05:00

Paintboy and I enjoy music. We have attended a million concerts over the years. According to PB being pregnant should not stop you. "It exposes the baby to music early on." C was exposed to a LOT- PB worked for A&M records, he was in the developement field. He went to concerts nightly, trying to find and sign new bands. J got to attend some mega shows, U2 and Madonna. "Bebe" needs to rock out! We have 3 concerts this spring.

We went and saw The Killers on Friday night. It was super fun! I love this band, as much, if not more than PB. It was a great night. The music, the people ( median age 33) there were way more cocktails flowing than beer. I stuck to the bottled water. It was a good vintage.

I totally got a workout at the concert. There is no way you can just stand there, I had to dance. The dancing was fun, the jumping- not so much. It seems that when you are almost 11 weeks pregnant, there is some trickle action if you should jump around too much. After that , both feet on the floor.

Who's sleepy?

2009-01-29T17:46:00.003-05:00

I picked Jack up from school today and I was immediately informed that it was "Jumpits" day.

You know the event. A jumpy place with 4000 smelly kids and 2000 parents standing around chit chatting. The school will get $1 for every kid that shows up. I would rather send the school $20 rather than go to this "special night".

Jack started begging immediately.
"Please, you never take me."
"I'm the only one in my class that isn't going to be there."
"We never do anything fun."
By this time, he is in tears.

I am trying not to laugh at the insanity in the back seat and explain that Mommy is very tired. His response to this-"Do you think that I'm NOT tired after being at school all day!"
That would be why we aren't going... Just sayin'.

7 1/2 months towards 12 steps

2009-01-26T08:38:00.002-05:00

I don't do change.
I like my life. Its easy and smooth sailing (most of the time.)
2009 has brought CHANGE. I did mean to capitalize the entire word, its that big. I need a 12 step program to get myself through all its going to take.

These are the basic rules I am going to need to follow-
*admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion; I have no problem admitting that I don't do change, I am working on the contentment phase-CHECK
*recognizing a greater power that can give strength; God has always been in my life and He isn't going anywhere now-CHECK
examining past errors with the help of a sponsor (experienced member); I am going to need a sponsor, I am going to sign up the Lawyer's Wife. She always has good advice and mint tea-CHECK
making amends for these errors; this is going to take work,
learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior; I have years to work on this one
helping others that suffer from the same addictions or compulsions. Give me a few years and I will be your sponsor

So are you wondering what is changing?
First, One of my favorite product lines is being pulled from the Southeast. This is very rare,usually they will switch to a different distributor, not drop an entire region of the country!
I now have to experiment with new product lines, find new favorites and then convince my clients that they love this new line more than the old one. HUGE!

Second, my assistant of 4 years has decided that the new commute she has is too far.(She recently moved way out into the country) I knew it would happen sooner or later with an hour commute, but damn this week? I have had to place ads, sort applications, interviews applicants, and now train a new assistant. Thank heavens the new girl wants to do everything perfectly, so that the transition is easier for me. Bless her heart! I won't miss the old ones family drama. You would die if I shared half of her crap. She has 6 kids+ their spouses+ 10 grandchildren= a lot of phone calls and drama. BTW, she is only 43. Yeah, drama.

Last but not least. In March, I had a procedure attempted (read this) to not have any more babies. One of my tubes is blocked and the other is very narrowed. God had other plans for me.
I got an elliptical machine for Christmas. I thought that my waist should have been getting smaller from working out, but it started to spread and my chest started to ache. It had to be the arm workout.
I even had a period this month, it was short, but still there.
My tubes don't work.
All the signs were there, but it had to be ectopic. My doctor convinced me that there was no way.
I took a test and like lightning it said POSITIVE!
I laughed, Paint boy laughed. We knew it was a miracle, but probably ectopic.
I went to the doctor on Monday morning. No exam room, straight to the ultrasound room.
Let me tell you when your doctor's response is, "OH My!" you know you are in trouble. The nurse said,"Oh my goodness, how old are your boys?" That would be 12 and 6.

Well people, Hairgirl is knocked up!
10 weeks pregnant. Not a little pregnant, almost through her first trimester.
We saw the little legs and arms wiggling, the little heart beating. A true miracle.
A BIG CHANGE!
Now all of you start praying for a girl.

Did you think I had died

2009-01-20T07:28:00.002-05:00

in Tennessee?

Not quite.
I was told that we were going to Gatlinburg, try Pigeon Forge.
Even more painful.
The cabin was knotty pine. On all surfaces. Floors, ceilings, walls, furniture.
I was in a coffin. By Sunday morning, the the knots were forming evil faces. Not kidding.

When we go on vacation, the only rule, is that we don't eat at any restaurant that we have at home. Well the "family" doesn't do the unfamiliar. We ate at Red Lobster, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Cracker Barrel. I was told to "just deal and go along with what they wanted." Seriously, we waited 45 minutes to eat at Red Lobster and rather than wait for a table for all of us to eat together, I ate at a table for 4 with Paintboy and the boys. If I would have known the seating arrangements I would have left and went somewhere else.
While standing and waiting for our table, SIL said,"I love this town! Its so white. I mean there isn't even any white trash." Priceless statement, as that you instantly become white trash by crossing the county line. As far as the eye could see, people excited about racing go carts, shopping in outlets, eating pancakes and attending dinner shows by "has been" country music stars. This statement was made by a woman that gives here children coffee in their sippycups. I don't mean cream with a splash of coffee: real coffee, splash of cream 2 splenda, just like I take mine. Her youngest walks around in the morning with his coffee and a sour expression. I think he needed a cigarette, he looks like a Winston Man. I am in Hell.

MIL ordered PizzaHut for dinner- 2 large. Did I mention that there are 8 adults and 4000 children? Paint boy ran through Taco Bell for SIL kids(at her insistence) and picked up an extra dozen tacos. I seriously ate the crust off my kids pizza for dinner.

The list goes on and on, but at one point I was asked if I was "too good" to be there. The honest answer-YES!
As we left town, PB said that we should find the cabin for next year.
After about an hour, he said that maybe we could find a place somewhere else.
Another hour and he is still contemplating where.
By the time we get home he says that next year we are going back to exchanging gifts and to forget the entire trip thing.
He also promised to never take me back there again!

3rd ring of Hell

2009-01-02T10:31:00.003-05:00

"I'm goin' straight to Hell, just like my momma saaaid. I'm goin' straight to hell."
If you went to college in the South you know that song like the back of your hand. Thank you Drivin' and Cryin' for many a sing along in the bars. Seriously people, I think they may still be playing the college bar scene!

I am headed today to Hell.
Yes, that's right. Gatlinburg, TN.
I know that some of you love the quaint little village.
Love the outlet shopping.
Love the "dinner shows".
Love the go carts and the putt-putt.

I do not share the love.
I am going to a large cabin with my husband's family.
12 IL's and NO alcohol.
Hell.
Its all I'm sayin', pure Hell.

ETA- I am still sitting here blogging at 11 am. I haven't packed the first thing and the SUV will roll out of the driveway at 12:30. A little passive aggressive this morning???

I hate commercials

2008-12-29T19:56:00.002-05:00

You know the one, it comes on every night during the news.
ED.
Erectile Dysfunction.

This morning C says he needs to talk. He wants to know why the commercial says to "see a doctor if an erection lasts more than 4 hours"?
"Well..." I start to explain.
C- "I mean, I get nervous when mine last longer than 4 minutes."
I literally spewed coffee all over the kitchen. Had to clean coffee off everything. That is why I hate ED commercials.

I know, I know

2008-12-29T19:40:00.002-05:00

I totally suck at keeping up with my blog lately.

We have all been busy with the Holidays, give me a break girls!

Paint boy knows my track record of Holiday projects.
Christmas 2004- built screened porch
Thanksgiving 2005- built in closet
Christmas 2005- painted master bath
Spring Break 2007- remodeled boys bathroom

All he had to say,"So what are you going to do this week?"
Can you say Paint?
Yes, boys and girls, I am already tired of the Master bath color. Never, ever paint a bathroom red. Real Red. No matter how well it matches the vintage quilt on your bed that week.

This time its a lovely color called Drizzle. A slight blue green, with a touch of gray to give depth.
It only took 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint to make the red go away!

3 days of torture followed up every evening with dinner with visiting relatives.
From Boston.
That we see once a year.
They serve cranberry sauce as a condiment.
With every meal.
Not Kidding.

Worst Birthday ever.

2008-12-22T06:52:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the Big day. I have reached my mid-thirties. I remember my Mom being in her mid-thirties, I can't possibly be that old.

Woke up at the IL's. (I agreed to go since Paint boy's birthday is today. He is such a Momma's Boy and always celebrates with family.)
MIL made a huge country breakfast- PB's favorite ( he is #1 in his family)
Rushing around for church, no one mentions the birthday. ( I received a text from a good friend, but that's it!)
Come home from church and I am abandoned with my MIL, while PB and the kids go visit an old friend of FIL. (How did that occur? One minute they are there and the next, POOF! MIL and I sit in the same room, reading magazines and making small talk- still no birthday mention.)
Boys all come back and we head out to get lunch. Every restaurant in this tee-tiny town seems to be closed. We end up at Applebee's. (Could have been worse in the land of Fried, Fried and more Fried. But they wish me a Happy Birthday during lunch!)
During lunch J starts to cry. His "little cough" has sprung a fever and full blown strep throat.
We race back to Atlanta. (I am not taking my baby to a doctor in this town. Even my IL's drive 45 minutes to see a doctor.)
I then get to spend 3 hours at Children's Healthcare to find out that "yes, its Strep." (Can't they just have a line for mom's that can self diagnose? Just look at his throat and give me a scrip for Amoxil. I've been down this road a few times.)
We head to Publix. Yeah for free antibiotics!!! Amoxil, Motrin, new toothbrush and we are out of there.
On the way home PB calls to let me know he has taken care of dinner. Taco Bell. (Are you kidding me? In one day I eat at two restaurants that I avoid like the plague .)
I am all done. Next year has got to be better!

No Big Deal...

2008-12-22T06:39:00.002-05:00

So we are sitting at dinner discussing the weeks events on Thursday night.

J is super excited because Friday was "Polar Express" day. You got to wear pajamas to school and drink hot chocolate. They showed the movie on a Big screen in the gym to all the first graders. Classic day in 6 year old land!

C was feeling pretty good himself. He said he had "mid-terms" but they "were no big deal."
Hair girl-"Excuse me? Mid terms occur in the middle of the term. Do you have finals??!?"
C-"Uh,maybe?" ( turning white)
Paint boy- "Have you been reviewing in classes all week? Have your teachers mentioned study guides? Have you lost your mind?" (Growing redder by the moment)
C- (deathly pale, just might pass out from fear, totally stammering) "I think I might head upstairs to study. Tomorrow I have Science, Geography and writing tests. Yeah, I think I'll go study now."
PB- " Good choice, son"

Bless his heart. Sometimes that elevator doesn't go all the way to the top. Especially when there is a sale on the phone calls and girlfriend floor.

Beauty and the Beast

2008-12-15T22:16:00.006-05:00

Every year during the Holidays we take the boys to a musical. This year Beauty and the Beast. It was Fantastic! All local performers, so lots of families and friends in the audience.

After the show they came out to greet the "fans"!

J REALLY wanted to meet Belle. He was sooo shy. I had to talk him into just saying "hi".

C ran around and got everyone's autograph. He is convinced that one day he is going to sell all the autographs he has collected on E-bay. He's all about the cash!

The boys enjoyed the music and the performers, but none more so than Belle. According to C, "she was very talented and kinda' hot."

I will only worry if he starts sneaking the Disney DVD into his room.

ETA- Yes, the date stamp says 9/12. These shots were taken by Nana Judy. Guess what she's getting for Christmas?

Happy boys!

2008-12-14T14:47:00.003-05:00

Friday night was Little Lawyer's (Lawyer's wife's oldest son) Birthday party. The boys were going to camp out and roast marshmallows. They were so sweet to offer to let J have a sleep over with Little Mister. Mommy didn't want to be left out either so the party kept growing.
It became a HUGE spend the night.
8- 12 year old boys
4- 5-7 year old boys
1- 4 year old Babycakes
Lawyer's wife, Clemson girl, and me.

I laughed so hard that night that I snorted wine into my lungs. I don't think I will breathe right until Spring! Seriously, tears were streaming down my cheeks.

These are all things I learned-
*if you play Scrabble with those Lawyer and Lawyer's wife, be prepared to get cremated.
* just try to challenge Clemson girl, she makes up words that are real words! She may not know the definition but its a real word some where.
*Russian, french and polish words don't count. hee,hee
*LW can have all vowels and still find words to make.
*Tarn is the dirty word when you drop an f-bomb in the same sentence. Just sayin'.
* Ubiquitous is the biggest word ever made.
* Parents really do know that their kids are weird. I mean really weird, even the 5 year old noticed.

Baking- round 1

2008-12-14T14:29:00.003-05:00

I was so busy, as we all are this time of year, but add on to the normal stress with 400 clients all wanting to look fantastic for their own festivities.
I decided to decompress last Monday. I did all the usual Monday chores- Laundry, bathing the dogs, general straightening up of life. Then I sat down with my cookbooks and made my lists.

COOKIES! I love to bake. This year I am adding to the usual sugar cookies with: macaroons, chocolate snow top cookies, rugelach and 2 types of fudge.
I got busy. While one dough was chilling, I made the next. While decorating one, I melted chocolate for another. I had an assembly line going.

The Rugelach turned out great- apricot and raspberry! My favorite. So easy with a secret that I found in a magazine this year. They have been my favorite cookie for a long time, but too much trouble to make very often. This trick will change all that.
The Snow tops were missing something, namely the nuts which my boys dislike. They needed something. They turned out so pretty, but beauty was only skin deep. They will be trashed before today is over-1 week and you are out of here. I thought they were dry and boring. Not my recipe, so, Oh well!
The Macaroons turned out fantastically. This year I added almond paste and they were so yummy. After sending a bag home with friends and taking some to the salon- they are all gone. I may have to revisit them again.
The fudge (chocolate marshmallow and peanut butter) is sitting in the fridge taunting me. I am encouraging everyone to eat it and I am sending it to all the neighbors. It made way too much!

This week will bring sugar cookies and jam thumbprints from Ida Garten. Her recipe is the absolute best. I'll let you know how baking round 2 turns out!

Party of the year

2008-12-14T14:12:00.008-05:00

Last week was too busy for words, hence no posts!

The first Friday of December always brings the "Party of the year!" The Lawyer's Wife June Cleaver, Ms.Content and Sporty Spice throw this party together. It is always super fun. They don't hold back. Great Food, Great bar, Great people. This year they really blew out all the stops- they hired a band. No lie, Tom Petty in miniature was on guitar.

Ms. C, June, Sporty and me- as you can see, I am the short friend! They were all so cute carrying the wine or martini glasses that I gave each for their birthdays.

Me, Clemson girl and our friend, the FL girl.

Lawyer's Wife and her "shopping" wine glass. That girl can find a deal!

Paint Boy and me at the end of the evening after MUCH dancing.

Clemson and I totally glowing after all the dancing, sweet tea cocktails and laughter!

I had a fantastic time and I hope they have that band reserved for next year...

ATTENTION!!!!

2008-12-03T20:54:00.003-05:00

Should you happen to visit a salon and have bowel issues, please clean your mess up in the bathroom.
Do NOT leave your poo for my assistant to clean! (she will now receive a poo bonus)
Do NOT place your pink granny panties on the top of the trash, at least bury them deep under the paper towels.
Do NOT put your poo-ie pants in my dryer to dry them out, with my clean towels that now must be rewashed 14 times!
Do NOT walk around the salon in your knee highs and flats with a smock against your bare butt! (I will burn said smock.)
Last but not least, please let your stylist know that any of the above has happened and not let it be a surprise for everyone!
Your $50 tip is NOT enough!!!

Thanksgiving, post 3

2008-12-01T16:09:00.005-05:00

The rest of the family came in Thanksgiving morning. We were now 8 adults, 2 kids and 4 dogs. Yep, my step brother brought his Lab! There were way too much dog hair floating around. It was rolling across the floor and overtaking slow moving people. It was BAD.

We started on our annual Uno competition. 5 hours later we finished. Thank goodness for Firefly Vodka. 6 adults and 2 children should not play Uno. In 5 hours we completed 6 rounds. It was painful. J made it through 2 hands before the tears started. Bless his heart, my step mother's family are ruthless Uno Players!

The boys helped Papa J cook.

snapping fresh green beans

licking the spoon

Jake the Boxer wanted some too. My dad's dogs are the biggest beggars.

While cooking,I realized that my dad was making a LOT of food.

Me- Are you cooking for an army?

Dad- No, just the Navy. ( step-brother is a Navy pilot)

Me- Really, Dad. How much leftovers do you need?

Dad- There are going to be 18 of us.

Me- What??!?

Dad- I invited the neighbors!

Oh, damn. I drive 6 hours to see my father and he invites the whole damn neighborhood to dinner. Figures! He's all about a party, must be where I get it from...

Thanksgiving, post 2

2008-12-01T15:55:00.002-05:00

My Dad and his wife LOVE dogs!
They have had a number over the years. This year they had a Boxer and an American Huskie. They invited us to bring Lucy. She is not a big deal to travel with, she weighs 7 pounds. They loved her, she tolerated them.

While discussing their dogs over breakfast, we found out that they had buried their Cocker Spaniel behind the fence in September. (there is a green space behind their yard) We were not really sorry to see Bear go. He was the meanest dog. C has a scar on his nose to prove it!

While burying Bear my dad realized that this was going to be a big hole and he was going to have to keep the animals away. He decided to pour Quikcrete over the bag to keep the dog safe. While discussing all of this with my step mother; they decided that since her mother had never said what to do with her ashes they would "dispose" of them here.
You got it-
They mixed Grandma in with the Quikcrete!

Not to worry they covered them both with stones and made to tiny markers.
The worst part of this story is that the woman HATED that dog!

Thanksgiving, post 1

2008-12-01T15:43:00.003-05:00

We headed down to Tallahassee to visit my Dad.
Papa J was determined that we were going to eat when we arrived. Its a 5 hour trip (with NO traffic) and we left at 4:30, so under the best circumstances it would be 9:30. We rolled into his driveway at 11pm.
What was waiting on us? A BIG pan of Lasagna and lots of wine.
I actually had to eat lasagna at 11:00 at night to make my father happy.
BTW, there is a "clean plate club" even at my age. I am not kidding. I got yelled at last year for "wasting" spaghetti.

Say what?

2008-11-24T23:07:00.003-05:00

J was having a hard morning and needed lots of "encouragement" to get a move on.
After the 14th time of asking him to brush his teeth and get dressed and be nice to his brother and to stop crying over everything, he looked at me and said "If you would be nicer to me it would be easier for me to have a good day." Um,okay. I got told by a six year old.

C was cleaning his room and listening to the radio during all of this.
He comes into my room and says, "Mom, what's an orgasm?"
Me- "excuse me?"
C- "An orgasm, there was a lady on the radio saying that when she does jumping jacks she has an orgasm"
Me- "ummmm, (thinking that I need her trainer)well its sexual."
C- "ohhhhhh, you mean like when a guy, ummm, yeah, umm. Good to know. Okay." and he walks out of my room.

Wow, that was huge.

Big Bargains

2008-11-23T21:10:00.002-05:00

Nana Judy and I headed out for our big day of shopping on Saturday morning. The goal for the day was to finish Christmas! And of course to get the best bargains available.
Lawyer's Wife has a theory that regardless of what the tag says, when its on sale at Macy's it will ring up $12. So very true!
All weekend when you used your Macy's card you got an extra 10-20% off. This was on top of the sale or clearance price. Can you say "SHOPPING!!?!"
C wanted a leather motorcycle jacket, 40% off then another 20%. It was so cheap that I was able to get one for J and still saved $5 off the original price. crazy!
Abercrombie kids had everything marked down too. C is very label conscious as most teenagers are. I refuse to pay that much for a tshirt or a hoodie, it has to be on sale. We found some serious bargains. Its going to be a very Abercrombie Christmas for that kid. J is finally big enough to fit in the smallest size. He is going to get his first Abercrombie fix. He has been begging forever, I hope he is excited to be the proud owner of a hoodie.

I finished my list, including the stockings. I even helped Nana pick out everything for the kids and we shopped for my aunt. She hates to shop, we are supposed to buy what she needs and take it to her so she can see it and stick it in a bag. Merry Christmas!

Do you know the best part of this?
I have wrapped everything that was purchased yesterday! Wrapped, bowed, stacked in a corner until the decorations go up.

I saw the funniest sign on a landscape/nursery store- Permanent trees and wreaths 20% off. Not Artificial, permanent. I love it!

Not again

2008-11-23T21:01:00.002-05:00

So I was finishing up wrapping presents (more on that later)and I showed Paint Boy the cute tags on the packages. I love them, they are "Big and bold", I say.
Paint boy follows up with, "its not the only thing that's Big and uhhhh..."
"You are not allowed to say that anything is big, heavy, large, whatever. I only gets me in trouble!"

You think?

Planning

2008-11-18T00:29:00.002-05:00

my free weekend!
Yep, that's right. Paint boy and the kids are heading to his parents for the weekend.
I am the total winner here!
No Husband!
No kids!
No IL's!
'Cause I'm free to do what I want any 'ol time!

I am going to have dinner on Friday night with friends. (I just have to figure out who I like enough to spend my special night. hee,hee)
On Saturday, Nana Judy has pencilled me in on her calendar. It's officially "Hair Girl day". We are starting off our day with a ton of Christmas shopping. I will be completed by the end of Saturday if it kills me.
We will eat what ever we can scavenge while on the gift hunt. Then we have massages scheduled at 4:30. Its a perfect day!
BTW, while discussing our massages today, Nana said that she had a "couple of gift certificates" that we could use.
HG-Okay, great! But how many?
NJ-(pulling out a stack that equals everyone that I have given her in the last 2 years) Enough!
HG- Mom, you always get excited when we give you these. Why haven't you used them?
NJ-I am always excited, because eventually you will offer to take me and I can spend the day with just you.
HG- Well, we could do that any time. (feeling guilty)
NJ- No, we are both too busy, we have to make plans and write it on my calendar.
HG-Let's look at your calendar and we will schedule another day.
NJ- Mmmm, I think I can work you in at the end of January. Smiling and not kidding

So this means that in a convoluted way I paid for my massage 2 years ago!
Also, that my mom is very busy taking care of 2 sets of church friends, my aunt, my boys and all the assorted charities for whom she volunteers. She has been trying to become a substitute teacher now that she's retired, but she can't find the time. She should have been using the Gift Certificates for massages.

Big Thanks...

2008-11-15T12:58:00.002-05:00

to all my Bloggie friends!
Y'all have sent the good karma my way. I am almost completely booked until Thanksgiving. Only 3 slots left. It is also filling up fast in December. Think good thoughts, ask and you shall receive,etc.
Clemson girl tells a story about being told to "write it down and mail it to yourself".(Truly hilarious) Its supposed to come true. Hey, whatever works. I wrote it here and y'all answered!

Remember, its "Great in '08, but its going to be Fine in '09!"

PTA update

2008-11-15T11:22:00.004-05:00

I never knew there could be this much drama.
After I worked my butt off yesterday to get the stupid flier distributed for the Holiday Market, I got a phone call.

Her (chair of the fun run, that is happening on the same day)- Are you busy?
Me- no, just wandering around Garden Ridge. (avoiding the rain)
Her- So I found a flier in my son's Backpack today. I want an explanation!
Me- Did the President not call you? At the Board meeting, we voted to have the Market and Elf shop.
Her-No, she didn't. I told you both that I didn't want a "fundraiser" to mess up MY community event.
Me- Well ,we need funds. So it was cookie dough or this. The Board voted to do this.
Her- I don't like people talking about me and my event when I am not there. (she is supposed to come to board meetings)
Me- It was in the agenda, so we discussed it.
Her- I am not happy. I need to call the President! Someone has to answer for this!
Me- Here's her cell xxx. I look forward to talking more later.

So I get home and there is a very hateful email about how she has run political events in New Hampshire, raised tons of money and doesn't want to deal with money anymore; how people should not talk about behind her back and how over all of us she is.
Great, just great.

I have decided to go back to the Junior League next year rather than deal with all this.

ETA- So crazy lady must have taken her meds this morning, because I just got another email. She is apologizing for acting crazy and going off the deep end.
Here is the last line of the email-"I think the world of you and am awed by your commitment to both your professional life and to XXX elementary school."
Did I mention that we have spoken less than a dozen times? That we have been face to face twice? Who blew sunshine up her butt this morning? She must be close to overdosing on her happy pills.

PTA

2008-11-14T10:54:00.002-05:00

Should you decide to chair an event and come up with a "great idea", do not pass it off to me. I have my own stuff. I will take care of it 'cause that's the type girl I am, but don't have anymore ideas.

If a flier needs to go home on Friday and I am working, do not approve it on Friday morning and expect me to be able to "work it out". 1100 copies do not make themselves. Nor, do they count themselves in stacks of 20 for the teacher's mailboxes.

If I say I will have to leave by a certain time, please stop saying,"one more thing..." I don't have time, clients are waiting. Put it in an email, at least I can hit delete.

BTW, buy a new cardigan! I am tired of looking at the same 5 pink ones that you wear as your "signature".
I feel better.
Just so you know, the Junior League is WAY more organized than the PTA ever wanted to be!

No you didn't.

2008-11-13T21:06:00.002-05:00

Paint boy is totally one of the husbands that makes everything a sexual innuendo. Even after 16 years together he still "likes" me, "really likes" me.

That said, on to the story.

We are standing in the kitchen tonight, discussing whether C is still dating his girlfriend. He asked me if they were "hot and heavy".
Me- "No, I think they broke up."
PB- "that's good. He's only 12."
Me- "yeah. (my mind is on finishing dinner)
PB- " The only one Hot and Heavy around here is you."
Me-"WHAT!??!!"
PB-" That didn't come out right, did it?"
Me- "Not so much."
PB- "Um, yeah, sorry. Stammering I meant you were hot, you know, hot. Not heavy, like fat, just hot. Just..."
Me- "stop talking, just go set the table."
Pb- "good idea."

First of the year

2008-11-13T09:24:00.003-05:00

I saw my first Christmas decorations of the year, going up on a building in town.

Its very exciting, all of the local events are getting underway.

There is an old theater in the Square that has been in horrible shape, several local leaders led the charge to renovate it and bring back the glory to that corner.

The Strand is almost finished after years of fundraising and renovations.

The Atlanta Lyric Theater company is going to put on productions there, starting with Beauty and The Beast. The first curtain rises on Friday December 5th. Tickets are very reasonable and they are abundant. On the site you can see the floor plan and choose your seats (not just what's "best"). I was able to get seats on the fourth row for Saturday 12/13!

What child wouldn't love the magic of Beauty and the Beast? What adult?

Run, don't walk to the Strand for the Event of the Season!

Feeling better,BUT...

2008-11-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

WTH?

Thank you for all the well wishes, they must have worked. Either that or the antibiotics I have been on for 4 days!

The only thing that is still sick is my business. It has a bad case of the sluggish.

Usually this time of year I can barely breathe getting everyone beautified for the holidays. This year, not so much.

I haven't been this slow in about 10 years. Way back when I went out on a limb and opened my own salon.

I am now issuing an order- GO GET YOUR HAIR DONE!

Colored, cut, the works.

Your Stylist needs to eat too!

She has presents for her kids to buy!

You know you don't want to show up at Thanksgiving with roots. Aunt Sally will say something. We don't want that now do we?

Dying, truly dying

2008-11-11T13:48:00.003-05:00

So last week was June Cleaver's Birthday. We have celebrated that girl's birthday every year like its the BIG one. She loves a party and likes to make a week of it!
A group of us went out on Friday night. I was feeling great. I rode to the restaurant with JC's best friend, that was trying to rally out of her cold and Lawyer's Wife, who's kid's have pneumonia.
Can you see where this is going?
I woke up Saturday and thought,"I didn't drink that much, how can I feel this bad?"
I am Dying.
Since Saturday morning I have been vertical for about 8 hours.
This includes the 3 hours at church where I taught Sunday school. Yes, I taught a bunch of 6 year olds and yes, I hope they get sick. There are too many of them every week. 14 is too many, most classes average 6-8. I average 12-16. I am the craft queen, they don't want to miss a project. A nice cold could widdle out the stragglers.

I am now at work infecting my clients. They complain too much if I cancel them. They all can see that I am sick, they don't seem to care. One did offer to "let me go home, when I finished her." Nice, huh?
I am going to have to start injecting food, like Madonna. I can't breathe and chew at the same time.
I know this post rambles.

I am high on cold medicine.

We need help...

2008-11-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

with the Big Thank You Project!

A local radio station sent thousands of letters to our military over seas last year. This year they are trying to have a MILLION messages by Thanksgiving.They will play every thirty seconds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Imagine what it must be like to be separated from your family during the Holidays. This will help both the service people and all the family that they have left here.
It will only take you 2 seconds to fill out the form. Please do it as many times as you can. Every time you sign into your blog, send a message.
If you Post this on your blog and leave me a message, I will send you a special treat. Remember that I am a Hair Girl and I have access to good stuff.

It's Swap Time!

2008-11-05T21:45:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite people is hosting a swap!
Head on over to Clemsongirl's blog and sign up. It's super easy , no major theme, just Christmas.
Sign up ends Monday, so don't wait.

ETA-Okay girlies, we are up to 37 people in the swap. Keep adding those names. Lets make this A LOT of work for our Clemson Girl!

PTA ownership

2008-11-03T16:32:00.003-05:00

I am just saying that if you sign up to chair an event, don't think that you own the day. Should another committee choose to do something in conjunction or if the Foundation chooses to hold an event, YOU DO NOT get to take your toys and go home.
GROW UP!
We are ALL trying to make the school a better place.
You may have issues with "Fundraising" but its necessary to pay for "your" community event.
I am not asking for your help.
This was your idea in the first place. You asked me to help you!
I will not even enter your event, because I will be holding mine. And let me tell you I will be holding my event, because I don't want to have to sell another d@mn thing (cookie dough included).

There, now that the PSA is over-

Isn't the weather glorious? I am basking in the 70 degree days.
I hope you understand a little rant now and then. ta ta!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-02T21:26:00.005-05:00

My family loves Halloween! It has everything to do with dressing up and playing a part. The boys get to choose their costumes with the only condition being that it can't be too scary.

This year J was a knight (check out the "Go-T" he spelled it for me). His costume always revolves around the weapon.
C was a vigilante from "V for Vendetta". Yeah, I didn't know what that was either, but as you can see, pretty harmless.

C had issues with the pumpkin bag that he has carried for years. He decided he would carry a pillowcase.
Um, not so much.
I decided to make it less ghetto by making him carry a jack-o-lantern one that Nana Judy made. The cool factor was zero.

Ding, dong. Trick or treat? racking up the candy.

As you can see from their loot; our neighbors pass out good candy. Everybody gives choices, my boys always go for the M&M's. The fewer Reese's Peanut butter cups the better.(I eat those!)

Nana Judy and I sat in the driveway and passed out glow sticks, pencils, tattoos and of course candy!

I have decided -

that if you can't walk in high heels, you shouldn't be wearing them at 13! Also if its 50 degrees outside you shouldn't be dressed as a hooker. Now you are a hobbling hooker!

if you can't tell me what you are, you don't get candy. No costume, No treats!

that everything is better with Firefly Sweet tea. (but we already knew that!)

I am a rocket scientist.

2008-10-28T22:07:00.002-04:00

When I say something I mean it.

I was changing the blade on my razor, during a haircut, and said," I'd better be careful before I cut my thumb off." Well, of course I cut my thumb.
A 2 inch gash. not cool.

I called my doctor, "We don't do stitches."
What the hell do you "do"?

So I drove myself to the ER.

I checked in and right behind me was the token "Hacker". You know the one, she has some contagious disease that they call the CDC in to evaluate. She is barking like a dog!

I finally get a curtain (with the hacker right next door) and the doctor comes in.

7 stitches later and 6 VERY painful shots, including a tetanus, I am finally finished.

It is an all time record- 2 and 1/2 hours in and out of the ER!

I am now consuming massive quantities of Advil and Wine. Hair girl's kind of drugs!

Just so you know, I am working tomorrow- this Hair girl rocks!

4th and 4th- Tag you're it!

2008-10-28T21:38:00.003-04:00

Mom on the Run tagged me to pull the 4th picture from the 4th folder and tell you about it.

C and Nana Judy-this is a picture from C's birthday dinner. They are so close, he was the only grandchild for 6 years.
We are so happy to have Nana live here in town. She picks the boys up every Wednesday after school for dinner and fun. Nana also is available for babysitting duty any weekend for us or our friends. Nana Judy Rocks!

I tag-
Card girl
AFRo
Mad about Plaid
Peyton Place

Okay girlies, go to your picture file and select the 4th folder. Now find the 4th picture. Tell us about it!

Too cute.

2008-10-27T10:31:00.002-04:00

Check out this adorable little boy. http://www.candyvote.com/

His parents are super creative. I wish he lived in my neighborhood.

For real...

2008-10-26T22:38:00.002-04:00

This is Lawyer's wife and Tahoe Girl at my annual Costume party. They are HOT!!!

Tahoe girl and I go back to college! I am not lying, she was friends with a girl that was best friends with one of my roommates.
Are you following me here?!!?
Tahoe, Paint boy and I knew each other 17 years ago.

We connected again through June and Lawyer's wife. One night a strange woman walks up to me and says, " Did you go to Southern? I would recognize your voice anywhere." That was it. we connected.

I am happy that we can be friends as adults. We are way cooler as adults.
Hello, who can pull off Jane Fonda after 3 children? Tahoe Girl, that's who!!!

Meant to Be..

2008-10-26T22:17:00.003-04:00

I have very good friends.

I have a group of girlfriends that I love dearly, they are all intertwined. I just didn't know how much.

You all know 2 of my favorite girls, Lawyer's wife and Clemson. It feels like we have always known each other. I love them more than my sister. (That is a whole different story, didn't know that I had a sister did you?)

We were supposed to be friends. God decided to make sure of this.

We were all in the same Junior League Provisional class 8 years ago. Clemson moved to Chicago a month into the year. Lawyer's wife had too much going on to handle the amount of work involved. I had Paint boy to take care of C and I stuck it out. (I don't remember them at all, I had a few friends in the class that I stuck close to.)

Fast forward 6 years...

I meet Lawyer's wife through June Cleaver. (June and I were on the same committee in the Junior League.) Loved her immediately.

another year passes...

She talks me into this whole blog thing and through it we connect with Clemson.

No way could anyone be that fabulous. Damn it, she is!

I have laughed with these girls until I have peed in my pants, we have talked it all out, our little boys all play well. It is good.

God wanted all of us to be friends.

No matter the distance, we will be friends forever.

I love you, girls.

Has it happened to you?

2008-10-18T22:24:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I was having some quiet time with my laptop reading blogs and catching up on facebook.

I check out all the old friends and I see that an ex boyfriend from high school has a new profile picture.
ooooh, he's in baseball pants ( these thing do wonders for a man's butt, ask Clemsongirl, she will back me up)
I can read the name of the team ( I google it.)

Hello, Gay Atlanta Softball League Champions!

I am cracking up and I call to Paintboy that "so and so is gay". Not a big deal, but I did date this boy for a while and it's the first ex that I found out is gay.

C walks into the room- "So Mom, after dating you, this guy decided to be gay?"
Paint boys response-"Nice one."

So I sent one to the other team...he still was working those baseball pants.

Party like a rock star

2008-10-16T20:56:00.006-04:00

This week was the big prize trip for the Fundraiser that I chaired at J's school. The top ten sellers got to ride in the Fur Bus to a local pizza place for lunch. Beyond the great prize, the kids got to be out of school for 2 hours. Woooohoooo!
The kids had so much fun rocking out on the bus to all their favorite tunes- here they are doing the YMCA

and the Macarena

they had to sit while the bus was moving so they wiggled in their seats.

We took the only male admin at the school, 6'4" and about 300 pounds. The guy knew every song and was doing all the dances with the kids. It was hilarious to see!

These are the top eleven sellers, we had said ten but a little sister needed to be included since it was a family effort.

The kids had a blast but after 2 hours of hyped up, rocked out, over sugared kids; I felt drunk when we returned to the school. I have never felt quite like that without a few cocktails.

I immediately went home and corrected the situation!

It's five o'clock somewhere, even if it is in Europe.

I am so sorry

2008-10-14T20:23:00.002-04:00

I just haven't been able to write lately.

A 13 year old boy in our town choose to end his short precious life. He and C played in the neighborhood and all summer at the pool while growing up. I will never forget how he wore his "shark fins and goggles" to chase all the kids around the shallow end. I can't believe that his life was that bad. He was having anxiety at school and it has come out that there was major bullying.

I am so sorry for the family.

A dear friend that has been trying to have a baby for years suffered a miscarriage last week. She was 37 weeks pregnant, on bedrest and doing great. Placenta previa. before they could even get to the hospital it was over. A perfect baby boy.

I am so sorry for the family.

I took my aunt to the hospital last week to have a procedure on her back. The surgeon came out to let me know that she was in really bad shape and if she didn't change her ways (diabetes and an alcoholic) she would not live much longer.
"2- 3 years?", I asked.
"Try weeks", was his reply.
She is 64 years old and has a body of an 85 year old. She refuses to change and her son has washed his hands of the whole mess. Its up to me and Nana Judy to handle everything.
I am so sad for my family.

Not much in comparison, but huge in Paintboy's life.
PB's car got broken into and all of his camera equipment was stolen. He takes photographs in addition to painting. This is serious equipment, thousands of dollars. Lots of them.
This is a man that is never without his camera. He feels like a part of him is missing. I feel like I am going to vomit know that he will replace it all, very soon.

My perfect town has been violated
my peacful world has been invaded
and none of it is funny

Long time no see..

2008-10-07T11:57:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that it has been a week since I posted!

It has been a very long week. I worked late, helped C with a science fair project, held the ice cream sundae parties for the fundraiser, went to a friend's house for dinner, unloaded the storage unit of the Halloween decorations, started decorating, taught sunday school and had the "sahara desert" feeling eyes from surgery last week! I am tired just typing it all!

My eyes are doing great, I keep forgeting that I don't wear glasses and keep reaching for them. I swapped sight for memory. I am good with the switch. I will forget that I am crazy!

Take this quiz

2008-09-29T11:53:00.003-04:00

You Should Live in Georgia

If you don't want to live in Georgia, you might also consider:

North Carolina

Florida

Nebraska

Ohio

Texas

What State Should You Live In?

I saw this on Abnormally normal and thought I would give it a try. I wonder how in 6 questions they figured out so much?

Ouch!

2008-09-29T11:18:00.001-04:00

That is just the beginning.

I had Custom Interlase, which is a bladless form of LASIC. It was custom because I have funky corneas and they had to smooth them out first. I also have very dry eyes, which is why I stopped wearing contacts a few years ago.

***WARNING***
For the info junkies out there- DO NOT WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE. I had the procedure with my eyes open and I couldn't watch.

The procedure is best described as stressful, because of the pressure on your eye and having to hold perfectly still and focus on a light. I passed with flying colors, but the stuffed animal they gave me to hold could be missing a paw. oops!

I would definetly do all of this again, I just feel like I am walking around with dried out contacts in my eyes and I am not allowed to rub them.
But I can see.
For the first time in 29 years I can see without correction.

My new best friend is the bottle of tear drops.

Today is the day

2008-09-26T08:48:00.002-04:00

that I get LASIC.
I have been blind (or nearly) for 29 years. I am incredibly nearsighted and have funky shaped corneas. This all leads to the fact that I can't see; not even the alarm clock next to my head in the morning.

I have chickened out on the surgery 3 times already.
I am going today.
Nana Judy is driving, Paint boy is codependent on the chickening out. He is out.
I am scared to death.

Phew!

2008-09-22T14:44:00.013-04:00

I had the biggest weekend.

Paint boy and I had Date Night.
First we headed out to Bubbalini's. We had a fantastic dinner of Calamari and Lasagna. YUMMO! There were no children in sight, not ours or anyone else's. It helped we sat in the beautiful bar area.
We have season tickets to The Theater in Square. Friday night was Sherlock Holmes. Funny. It helps that they serve wine. Our tickets guarantee a date night once every 6 weeks.

Saturday brought about errands, laundry and Swirls!
Clemson girl, the Lawyer's Wife and her mom, Nana Judy and I, all headed to Swirls to paint. What a great idea! You bring drinks and snacks, they provide everything else. We were very adventuresome and decided to paint this-

Holy Crap! What were we thinking?

Paintboy asked if it was going to be "paint by number". No way, dude.
Blank canvas.
Brushes.
Paint.
It's all up to you.

Clemson and me with our blank canvas in the background.

Clemson and Lawyer's wife. They are well on their way.

Ta Da!!!!
Here are the results. Everyone did the same picture, but our own interpretation. SO fun.
We are definitely going back for the holiday pictures.
After drying over night the pictures were even better. The paint seemed to mellow. Either that or they just started to grow on us.
Like mold.

Sunday brought about church, but that is going to get its own post.

And then...

it was time...

for...

FANCY NANCY!!!!

Babycakes had her 4th birthday and I was invited to help at the hair station. It was fabulous and the kids had a blast. (Click on the 2 links above for tons of photos.)

In all their dress-up finery.

After everyone left, Babycakes broke out her Birthday loot. All at once.
Cinderella meets Barbie meets every bit of play makeup in the box.

She then went outside and ran over her boyfriend in the Barbie car. The entire time she was laughing uncontrollably as he chased her around the yard. It was priceless.

I have had the best weekend ever.

I need drugs

2008-09-18T20:19:00.003-04:00

CAFFEINE COURT brought up an interesting topic the other day- What are you on?

I was a very proud member of the "I don't NEED a pill to get through the day" club until last year.

I chaired our JL largest fundraiser with half of the normal committee members (had to move the venue), had a child starting kindergarten, had a child starting middle school, ran my own business ( one employee pregnant and another with health issues), my husband made a career change AND we opened an art gallery.

I am now on 10mg of Lexapro every day.
I smile.
I breathe.
I usually can sleep through the night.

I am now apologizing, IF, I have spoken sharply to you or not said "please or thank you" as I should.

I am sorry.

Please do not lecture me on the drugs. I didn't need them until I was 35 with a middle schooler. You just don't need them yet.
Its just a matter of time. I'm just sayin'.

I now have lexapro and Firefly sweet tea vodka. Life is good.

Thank you!!!

2008-09-17T22:56:00.003-04:00

A BIG giant thank you to the Lawyer's wife for rescuing the silver Saab!

Paint boy and the boys thought it would be fun to put a pirate sticker on my car. It was complete with the "AAARRGGH!"

The Lawyer's wife came and got her hair touched up and my surprise was a monogram sticker. Not only did she honor me with a hot pink sticker, but she used her credit card to scrape the pirate sticker off, Windexed the window and applied my monogram.

That girl is a TRUE friend. The silver Saab deserves better than pirates.

Get your own hot pink monogram at Monogram Me, don't ride around without one.

What do you want?

2008-09-16T08:03:00.002-04:00

Paint boy and I had a "discussion" on Saturday concerning his "help" around the house.

Sunday, I got nothing from him.

Yesterday while cooking dinner I mentioned that I was out of a few things and needed to find time to run to the store. What to my utter amazement did he offer to do?

Paint boy went to the grocery store!!!!

This is BIG TIME, people.
He goes once a year and I drag him just so he can see grocery prices.

He got everything on the list and picked up a few of his favorites.
I was so proud and excited that he helped.

What do you think greeted me in the kitchen this morning?

Melted ice cream sandwiches. I guess putting away the groceries was just too much.

Fundraising...

2008-09-15T09:10:00.002-04:00

Everyone is getting nervous about the economy and the up coming election. I think this is leading people to hoard their money.

I am the fundraising chair for J's elementary school. We are selling Sally Foster wrapping paper, which is usually a huge success. This year not so much.

It is still the same amount of work, but so far the totals are about 33% down. Which means instead of one BIG sale, I am looking at having to do a LOT more work to make budget.

Here come the lollipops, cookie dough, jingle jog, camp out, biscuit sales. Don't forget the Elf Shop, Fall festival, sock hop, and Spring Carnival.

Paint boy only thought I would be finished this fall. This is looking like an all year, all consuming project.

Do you need anything? I can sell it to you.

Missing?

2008-09-15T09:00:00.003-04:00

At some point Friday, Lucy decided to go for a walk. By herself. Unfortunately, she had just had a bath and I forgot to put her collar back on.

(She gets out every once in a while, explores for a few minutes and comes back and scratches at the door.)

When we noticed she was gone , I went outside and called for her.
and called.
and walked around and called.
and sent the boys out on their bikes to call and look.

C, was the hero! After 2 hours of calling and looking, he spotted the sign.

FOUND and a picture of Lucy.

A good Samaritan"rescued" her. Crossing the road. In front of my house. Heading home.

oops!

At least we found her and she was safe.

I thought I was an original!

2008-09-08T00:19:00.001-04:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
4
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

My real name, not-

The Dog Days of Summer

2008-09-07T22:44:00.014-04:00

Today was "Bark in the Park". More or less, bring your dog to the Braves game.

Here we are with Buddy and Lucy, on a huge lawn chair

We went with ACE and Spray boy and their 2 Bassets, Duke and Roscoe. Duke and Buddy are from the same litter.

Buddy was the Welcome wagon. You were not going up the stairs unless you greeted him and gave him a little rub. Who could resist that face?

Lucy was sad she couldn't solo on the National Anthem.

Duke and Roscoe drooling as only a Basset can.

So many cute dogs. I was very impressed with how well behaved they all were. 689 dogs attended the game today, you just needed to watch where you stepped, sometimes the "clean-up crew" was a little slow. A doggie daycare gave out ice water and had misters and baby pools all set up. Different distributors were passing out treats and puppy ice cream. The dogs were treated like royalty.

There were a few dogs that made you feel like this...

Check it out, not even a face a mother could love!
I snapped this shot and Paint boy said, "for the blog, huh?" I was thinking about y'all!

That was an interesting day. Check it off the list, all done.

High on Hairspray

2008-09-04T21:18:00.002-04:00

You are my new Bloggy friend. I love your name and "should" have thought of your title myself.

When we "do" a swap, you ask questions of your "SWAP MATE". You also answer questions to give hints at what you might like.

I love Halloween.
I have an annual Halloween party, everyone dresses up or they don't get invited again.
Its adults only and a TON of fun.
I decorate my house October 1st.
Anything you send, will make me smile and get used somewhere in the house.
I am easy.

Do you decorate for Halloween?
Do you do cute or scary?
Do your boys have a preference over candy? Any favorites?

Do you watch crappy TV?

2008-09-04T21:09:00.005-04:00

PROJECT RUNWAY
TOP DESIGN
TABATHA'S SALON TAKEOVER

I LOVE the new fall line up. I am a junky for reality TV.

Warning...

2008-09-03T09:10:00.004-04:00

Do not come and get your hair done today.

I am warning you, I have a SERIOUS cold and a raging headache. This will not be my most charming day. I will not be able to hold a conversation as I concentrate on your haircut.

Just reschedule for another day and let me go back to bed.
Sniff.

Got Apples?

2008-09-02T21:19:00.003-04:00

We planted 2 apple trees in our yard the year that C started kindergarten. One tree is a Granny Smith and the other is Red Delicious. They have cross pollinated and we now have Granny Delicious apples. hee,hee

Now, 7 years later, we have a HUGE crop of apples every year.

Every Saturday, we collect the fallen, yucky apples and throw them in the woods for the squirrels and deer. After that, the boys "shake" the tree and collect the ripe apples that fall to the ground.

I have a ton of apples cut and frozen for pies, 20 bags with 6 cups of sliced apples in each. Thank goodness for my freezer!

This weekend, Paint boy decided all the apple business needed to come to an end. He climbed his ladder and picked all the remaining apples.
I had a laundry basket full of apples to deal with before going back to work today.

I made a few pies and took them to neighbors and one to a cookout we attended.

Still not a dent in the basket.

I made a batch of apple butter.

Slight shift in the basket.

Nana Judy came over and we decided to make apple sauce. That woman is a professional peeler.
We worked for 5 hours and yielded 112 cups of applesauce.
I am not exaggerating.
112.
I had to put it in 3 cup freezer containers.
I counted.

Do you want some applesauce or maybe a pie?

Swap buddy

2008-09-02T15:11:00.003-04:00

My "Wicked" swap buddy is High on Hairspray! Now why didn't I come up with a cool blog title like that? I know after all these years of doing hair that my lungs are coated with some hairspray.

Please contact me so that we can do the swapping thing- I am a HUGE Halloween fan.
We have an annual party and I decorate the first of October and it stays up all month. This started out as Paint boy's thing so it tends to be really creepy and dark. I can't wait to add some cute to the vast amount of scary stuff we already own. They come out with great stuff every year.

It was so easy

2008-08-31T23:33:00.002-04:00

I am sooo excited!

I finally found five minutes to create a signature!
Thank you, thank you Sasha!

The world according to 6 year olds

2008-08-31T22:58:00.002-04:00

Today in Sunday school we were singing "Jesus loves Me". One little boy piped up,"I hate that song!"
Yikes! We kept on singing as he plugged his ears with his fingers.

He "hated" everything that we did today. Every story, every art project, every song. Everything.

Later, during project time, we were all talking about which school everyone attended. By far, they all went to public schools. (We are blessed with a fabulous school system!) "Ear plugger" let us all know that he goes to a Christian school so that he is around only "good kids".

It seems the Christian education hasn't soaked in yet.

I've got a lot of work to do...

No, you didn't??!?

2008-08-30T22:36:00.002-04:00

Standing in line today, trying to buy a new grill at Lowe's, I was accosted by a Russian Grandma.
I am not just saying that she screamed at me to "Buy something or get out of the way!" She didn't just use the huge trash can, that she wanted to purchase, to push me out of the way. She started cussing at me, in a foreign language, in front of my children and all the workers.
I have never been so mad or shocked in my life!

Paint boy came to defend my honor and all he got was an earful of Russian old people, who left with a parting shot of, "You a f'ing redneck!"

He said I should have punched her, but I couldn't hit a grandma. Even an evil one.

The best sweet tea!

2008-08-29T16:58:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time Sasha told me about some sweet tea that I thought I should try. After an exhaustive search and no luck, I discovered that it was no longer distributed in GA.

I was so very sad not being able to consume my favorite beverage in alcohol form.

Well, what did my big 'ol eyes spot today???

FIREFLY Sweet Tea Vodka!

Firefly Vodka currently distributes to South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Kentucky, and New York.

If you live in one of these states, run, don't walk to the closest store and pick up a bottle. Don't forget the lemonade, it makes a perfect mixer.

I am sitting here, sipping out of my tervis and everything is right with the world.

Teresa redo

2008-08-27T21:34:00.002-04:00

Do you remember my issues with Teresa at the local Mexican place? Paint boy and I eat there about every 2 weeks. Teresa has not been our server since the dreaded night earlier this summer. Well tonight all that changed...

Do you know that she wanted to confirm my order again tonight, tapping the menu and all? Steak burrito, I even pointed at the picture.

Cheese quesadilla? Yep, wanted confirmation on that too. I guess that's a hard one and people send them back if she doesn't tap the menu.

I need my personal space with my Mexican servers.

I'll request Tony next time, he knows how I like my margaritas.

Daddy Drama

2008-08-27T21:18:00.003-04:00

Today was Nana Judy's day to pick up J from school, but since Nana is in Boston visiting my Uncle Minister; Paint boy had to do 2 days in a row. (I work late on Tuesday and Wednesday, which gives me a 3 day weekend.)

When it's Daddy's day, I am often regaled with "WWF on Play station" stories. Today, they played for so long that their hands were getting tired. Paint boy finally pinned J and all heck broke loose. J does NOT like to lose. AT ALL.

J-screaming- I am so mad at you. GRRRRRRRR ( he growls when angry)

Pb- Sorry, buddy. We can play again.

J-Screaming- I really want to call you a bad name, but I am going to get in BIG trouble if I do.

Pb- A BAD name?

J-still screaming- Yeah, a "fire in the mouth" kind of name.

Pb- That bad? Wow, I guess you are on restriction for a week for talk like that.

J- WHAT??!!?? I didn't even say it.

Pb- But you thought it, so one week.

J- crying and walking to his room- I should have said it then...

Rain, rain, go away...

2008-08-26T08:35:00.005-04:00

It is raining and has been for 2 days. It was overcast and yucky for several days before that. I live in the South, we are in a drought and do not have weather like this. Thank you Fay.

I decided that my mood needed a little brightening up. Kelly green will go a long way in making me smile. This is me today-

Kelly green shrug and white tee from Ann Taylor Loft

Navy ruffle skirt from Target

Green patent leather-ish flats from Payless

I am going to be happy despite the weather!How can you be sad in green patent-ish flats?

Y'all have a great day and stay dry.

How big was our house?

2008-08-25T21:35:00.003-04:00

Or how messy?

We decided to do a BIG purge on the boys bedrooms. J has out grown a LOT of his toys and C need to pass down some things to J.

I like to give them the option of what goes.

J really got into the clean out. He kept saying that he was making room for Christmas presents!

After 6 large trash bags and a 3 foot stack of games and puzzles; we were finished with the toys. The boy decided he was too old for playdoh, only needed 17,000 Match box cars and was over dinosaurs. I think I shed a few tears carrying the bags from his room, he is my baby. But a happy dance soon followed, because everything is SO clean!

We are just getting to the clothes. Thank goodness for my nephews. We sent 4 large bags of hand-me-downs to them yesterday. Is it wrong that I don't send the really nice items to my nephew between C and J? I always feel like I don't get the good stuff back or its totally worn out. He is so rough on clothes.

The boys think we "need to have a yard sale and make some cash". I think NOT. A nice drive by at Good Will is in Paint boy's future.

ETA- I got inspired and cleaned out my closet again! 2 more trash bags of clothes to donate. All of it Fall and Winter. I figured if I don't want to wear it 5 months after the last opportunity, I am not going to want to wear it. More chances to buy new clothes!

The world according to 6 year olds

2008-08-25T21:25:00.003-04:00

Yesterday in Sunday school we read the Rainbow Fish. This story talks about sharing our gifts with others. We gave all the kids shimmery scales to wear home, so they could tell their parents about the message.
Where do you think these stickers ended up? Large 2"x2" silver scales on their foreheads. It looked great with all the smocking.

During church the choir sang a beautiful hymn that they have done a few times. It is always warmly received. About half the choir held their sheet music in folders, the rest must have had it memorized. J leaned over and said, "So are the people with notebooks new? Or did they not do their homework?"

at least he was paying attention

Its time for a new grill

2008-08-22T22:49:00.003-04:00

Over our grilled salmon tonight, Paint boy and I were discussing out plans for the weekend.
Mine involved the typical errands; returning a few internet purchases, Barnes and Noble, dry cleaners and Target. Paint boy is at the Gallery on Saturdays and then wants to stay and paint, etc.

He also thinks that we need a new grill. After cooking on our grill most nights (rain or shine) for the past three years, he wants to upgrade. I think we should wait until after Labor day, when they go on sale.

We are finished with dinner and the boys were cleaning off the table when C screams, FIRE!! Paint boy is laughing as he heads out the back door, he left the grill on to burn off the salmon yuck. He thinks they are over reacting.

Not so much.

Where once stood a stainless steel grill with marinade dripped down the side, is now a flaming ball of grease. With a propane tank attached to it and a spare tank for good measure. (You never want to run out of gas)

Holy Shi-ot!!!

Paint boy finally got the fire out, the paint is bubbled and cracked. The rest is warped and blackened. The thermometer is melted at 1000 degrees. Not his finest moment.

Thank the Lord, that my house didn't burn down and that the propane tanks didn't blow up.

All that he could say was, "I guess I'll go buy that grill tomorrow."

Really??!?

2008-08-18T16:05:00.006-04:00

While working at the school today, (its wrapping paper time!) I stopped and had lunch with J. He has a phenomenal teacher and a great class. There are 10 boys in his class and 7 girls. The girls are very quiet and the boys are super charming. They are hilarious and I was having a good time getting to know them...

until...

from the other end of the table...

I hear...

"EEEWWWW!!! That's GROSS!"

"He just licked his SHOE!"

"And not the top, he licked the bottom of his shoe!"

Why, you might ask, would a child lick the bottom of his shoe?

"Just to see how it tasted."

The world according to 6 year olds

2008-08-18T15:51:00.003-04:00

I am now teaching 1st grade Sunday school. I love it!

The other teacher is the Children's Minister's wife. She used to teach school before she decided to stay home and have babies. She teaches the lesson and I am crafts. We are a power team!

This weeks lesson was on Worry- we should trust God to Handle things.
When we worry, we are telling God that we don't trust him to handle things. I love this advice and am trying to live by this message.

During our lesson we talked about things the kids worry about-
getting in trouble
getting lost
getting hurt
spiders (J)
my house burning down (yikes) and the alarm going off, 'cause it's loud.

and my favorite- I am not worried about any of that stuff; I just worry that I am not getting dessert!

2nd day, 3rd day

2008-08-14T07:23:00.002-04:00

So far, J LOVES 1 st grade.

Every night he comes home and reports on the days activities- how many times they got to go outside, what was for lunch and who got in trouble.

On Tuesday
J-"Ms.R asked me to go to the back of the line today"

Me-"She did,why?"

J-"Well, I was talking in the hall."

Me-"J, its the second day of school and you already got in trouble."

J-"No, she wasn't mad. She just asked me to go to the back of the line. She's really nice."

Me- "Were you upset?"

J- "Nope, I hadn't talked to that girl yet. So I just whispered to her."

Wednesday we had another issue with talking to a new friend. I hope by today he has met everyone in the class.

I just don't know where they get this from. Nana Judy says its the "Sins of the the mother, being revisited on the sons"!

Where have I been?!??

2008-08-12T09:35:00.002-04:00

I know you all are asking yourselves,"Where did Hair girl go?"

Let me do a 2 week recap-

*I had to fire one of my nail techs
*I am the Fundraising chair for the PTA
*I have volunteered to teach 1st grade Sunday School
*We are finishing up the remodel on the salon
*School started yesterday

I will start with the firing.

Due to the remodel on the salon, we are changing out all the yucky, fluorescent lighting. Here come the can lights and track lights! I needed to take down a white ceiling fan that was in the pedicure area.
Paint boy called me on Wednesday night and I wrote a Post-it to remind myself to talk to the Nail Tech in the am. I wrote "Fan going bye-bye".
Nail Tech got to work early on Thursday and went Spider Monkey crazy!
She was stomping around the salon screaming at everyone. I walked in the door and she went off on me.

"IF THE FAN GOES, I GO," she screeched.
"All righty then," was all I could think to say, as I was surrounded by clients.

You did read that correctly, there were clients in the salon!

She kept on, "YOU GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. IS IT ME OR THE FAN?!??"
"We'll talk about this later."
"I WANT A YES OR A NO! ARE YOU TAKING DOWN THE FAN?"

I said "no" just to shut her up.

My client that was being shampooed came to my chair, totally embarrassed. She and her mother are clients of the Nail Tech and myself. Her only comments, "Wow, nothing like an ultimatum to start off your day. I guess I need to find someone else to do my toes." Oh, Sh!t.

I was so mad that it was hard to finish out my day. After work I blew off all my errands and went to lunch and shopping. Retail Therapy always helps!

Needless to say, I tried calling the Nail Tech all day on Friday to "discuss" the situation. No return calls. I had to send her an email to move her stuff out. I know super lame to fire someone by email, but she wouldn't return my call and I wanted her crap out before Tuesday.

Do you know she took everything when she cleared out but the d@mn fan!

100th Post

2008-08-12T09:34:00.001-04:00

Happy 100 to me,
Happy 100 to me
I have made it to 100
and am busy as a bee!

This is July still, right?

2008-07-31T21:34:00.004-04:00

I went to lunch today with the Lawyer's wife and Clemson girl. Between the yummy food and the bug stories it was a great afternoon.

I decided to tag along for a "quick" run to Garden Ridge. You will never believe what I found...

Premo Halloween Decorations! In July!
Every year we have a BIG Halloween party. Very scary decorations, not cutesy at all. It started as Paint boy's idea, but I have to do all the decorating and the purchasing. Every year we add to the collection. Last year, we decide to rent a climate controlled storage unit to hold all this cr@p.

Today I purchased, the coolest black tree (about 36") with a bunch of spiders and miniature crows, a huge feather raven and the scariest monkey bat thing. Lawyer's wife couldn't even look at it. It is very freaky, Paint boy loves it!

I just couldn't believe that I was shopping for Halloween items in July, but if you wait they will be gone.

A Contrast of Friends
Lawyer's wife's buggy- frames, wine glasses, buckets, cocktail napkins
My buggy- scary Halloween decorations, creepy candles
Clemson girl- along for the ride

I remind you of WHO??!?

2008-07-28T21:43:00.003-04:00

Paint boy told me tonight that I-

*am always stressed out
*have too much attitude
*am way over dramatic
*that I yell too much

He said that I am just like Kate Gosslin, without the him being a short Asian dude and only 2 kids!

Rain, rain, go away...

2008-07-25T11:18:00.007-04:00

Dolly very generously gave us a day of rain. We went to the beach so Paint boy could take some cool shots, these are my shots not his. It is beautiful here. Longboat key is full of homes and condos for "snow birds". Most places only rent by the season (3 months). The condo next door literally has 2 cars in the lot.(there are only 2 units lit at night, we looked)

The boys watching the stormy waves. After a big crack of lightning ,it was time to head in. Quickly.

We decided that it was going to be a Movie Day. After much discussion we settled on "Journey to the Center of the Earth" in 3D.
It was a great movie. The kids loved it. Paint boy thought it could have been longer. I love Brendon Frasier. He is good eye candy for a kid flick. I would definitely recommend seeing it in 3D, worth the extra bucks.

Last night we invited Drug boy, beach bunny and their minis to our place. We ate pizza on the beach and swam through the sunset. We were having a great time jumping waves and exploring the sea life. Last night we found crabs, sand dollars, spiny sea urchins and a million fish. The kids had a blast. We all did.

Beach bunny and I were out in the ocean by ourselves and noticed lots of movement. Then BIG fish started jumping all around us, not good.Time to head in and a huge wave made it easier for us. It carried me halfway back to the beach. Too bad I was under the water losing my suit. I had to decide whether to worry about the top or the bottoms. I went with the bottoms, hoping the top would stop at my armpits. Bottom around my knees, top in the pits and me praying not to drown half naked. We were only in water up to our waists. I am a loser.

Who's tired?

2008-07-24T11:10:00.006-04:00

Most of you that have met J IRL, think he is very sweet and a little shy. Let me introduce you to the child that lives in my house. He decided this morning that he didn't want breakfast.

No big deal, you just don't get anything else until lunch...Stomping feet and screaming started...

followed by throwing himself on the floor...

begging, crying, wailing and flailing...

and now just tears.

Can you believe this was all over scrambled eggs, which happen to be his favorite food?

He is eating them now.

Hello Dolly!

2008-07-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

Dolly may be heading to Texas (praying for all of you there), but she is churning up the Gulf.

J has only been swimming since our last beach trip. Thank heavens Mary Poppins taught the poor baby to put his face in the water! He is doing a great job in the pool, but the ocean is a different story. We actually had tears our first day here, trying to get him out in the water.

Yesterday, the waves were amazing! We went in up to J's knees and jumped waves for hours. They were breaking over his head, they were so large. I would help him jump and he would come out sputtering and laughing. C was way too busy body surfing to pay much attention to anyone. He is my fish. I can only hope that J will enjoy the water as much.

He let me know that we should bring our friends to "this Florida next year, because their Florida was yucky with the jellyfish".

He also made me promise to never take him back to that Florida again! I will hold him to it, when as a teenager he wants to head to Destin with his friends. A promise is a promise!

From the 5 Bickies, Sippy Cups, et al

2008-07-22T09:59:00.003-04:00

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? movies and headphones, from the trip down to FL

2. When was the last time you threw up? stomach bug a couple months ago

3. What's your favorite curse word? F-bombs

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today? J, C, Paint boy

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? sleeping, I am on Vacation

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? making cinnamon rolls

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? Sitting on the beach

8. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yep, some of the best hairdresser used to be strippers. JUST NOT ME!!!!

9. What is the last thing you said aloud? Quit fighting or you will turn the Playstation OFF!

10. What is the best ice cream flavor? homemade peach

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? 3rd cup of coffee

13. What was the last thing you ate? cinnamon rolls

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Yup. J. Crew navy dress for $29.99

15. When was the last time you ran? Haven't been chased in a while

16. What's the last sporting event you watched? baseball, always baseball in the summer

18. Who is the last person you emailed? Nana Judy

19. Ever go camping? yes, as a girl scout. I used to love it. Not so much anymore, Paint boy and I aren't the "roughing it type".

20. Do you have a tan? Totally. 2nd trip to the beach. I wear SPF 50 but my grandmother was Puerto Rican so I can get a savage tan.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? nope straight from an ice cold can

25. What did your last IM say? I texted (?) Paintboy yesterday to bring me a cocktail at the beach

26. Are you someone's best friend? Yes.

27. What are you doing tomorrow? more beach time

28. Where is your mom right now? sleeping, missing us and keeping Lucy

29. Look to your left, what do you see? Lame condo furniture

30. What color is your watch? stainless

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ? the Opera house

32. Would you consider plastic surgery? Hell yes. Saving my money now. When you have to be in a mirror all day, every day you become obsessive

33. What is your birthstone? Blue topaz

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Drive thru

35.How many kids do you want? 2, I always wanted 3 until I had J. He is like 2 kids

36. Do you have a dog? a miniature dachshund/ chihuahua mix (Lucy) and a basset (Buddy)

37. Last person you talked to on the phone? ACE

38. Have you met anyone famous? Yes.

39. Any plans today? Pool, lunch, beach, cocktails, dinner I love being on vacation!

40. How many states have you lived in? 3 North Carolina, Florida and Georgia

41. Ever go to college? yes

42. Where are you right now? Condo on Longboat Key, FL

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? fighting children

44. Last song listened to? Morning Glory by Oasis

46. Are you allergic to anything? seasonal allergies.

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? kelly green ballet flats, make any day better

48. Are you jealous of anyone? any "stay at home mom". I would love to be there for the boys all the time. I do have a great job and LOVE what I do, but it would be nice to give it a try. I just can't give up shopping and going on great vacations multiple times a year.

49. Is anyone jealous of you? Not likely

51. What time is it? 10:29 am

52. Do any of your friends have children? all of them

53. Do you eat healthy? organic and junk, they balance each other out

54. What do you usually do during the day?on working days- I am a hairdresser/psychiatrist On days off- I am a busy mom/ volunteer

55. Do you hate anyone right now? No

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? yes. mostly I say "Hey there, Ms. so and so, Come on back and let's make you beautiful." (I am a southern hairdresser I refer to everyone as Miss-something)

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 35

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes. I love roller coasters

60. How did you get one of your scars? Tripped hiking in Sedona in April. Its still not completely healed.

At the beach again

2008-07-21T20:02:00.003-04:00

I returned 3 weeks ago from my beach trip with June Cleaver and The Lawyer's Wife. It was husband free and over run with minis. I enjoyed coffee on the porch, lunch on the beach and custom cocktails. There were "happies" for everyone and color coordinated paperware.

I am now at the beach with my husband and kids. All I can say is that there isn't any seaweed and jellyfish. I miss my girlfriends for the constant laughs they provided 24 hours a day.

I do happen to have 2 friends that are/were vacationing here at Longboat Key. Beach bunny and Drug boy are here with there 2 boys and ACE and Spray boy were here for the weekend. We went to dinner Saturday night at a fabulous restaurant. Think snapper with a balsamic/honey reduction, YUMMY!

The "boys" (all 7 of them, 3 dads and 4 kids) went deep sea fishing yesterday. About 45 minutes into the 6 hour journey, J decided he was finished and was ready to go. Not happening when you haven't even caught the first fish. We got to eat the spoils of there adventure. For $500, you would think there would have been leftovers. Not so much. One meal for 10 with lots of sides, prepared by the 3 moms. Not a scrap of fish left.

Summer fun

2008-07-14T17:08:00.003-04:00

I purchased a bunch of these kits at the beginning of the summer from Joann's. They are quick art kits and they have all kinds of fun things to do; foam airplane, magnets, and "shrinky dinks".

Today we made glow in the dark bouncy balls. Super easy and quick. Perfect summertime activity, the boys are now outside seeing how high they can bounce.

I know I could have paid a quarter and bought 10 for what I paid for the kit, but what's the fun in that?

Would they still be outside playing with them an hour later???

Nana Judy is appalled

2008-07-14T14:19:00.007-04:00

What can you possibly do with a pile like this? Get inspired by Nester!!!I had a set of Chocolate brown Silk panels in my bedroom. I hated them, BORING! I decided to make them fabulous a la The Nester. The woman can do anything with nothing. She truly has a gift.

I laid out the panel and cut a 20" length of the striped silk.

I then Hot glued it to the top seam of the panel. Yes, I said Hot glue. (It has to be high temp glue, low temp will melt in the sun. )Yep, I am hot gluing silk together. Shoot me.
Make sure that you glue the extra around on the back.

Then I took a length of ridiculously expensive fringe and hot glued that on. It matched a throw pillow on the bed and is so fabulous.
Cut and glue it to the back.
See how fabulous they are??!? I love fringe, can you see it on everything that doesn't move? I will have a pillow made, if I find a fringe I like, just to own it. Right now we are up to 13 total pillows on the bed. I have a bead fringe on the lamp shades and now the drapes. Paint boy better not sleep in!
Nana Judy wants me to let y'all know- I do know how to sew. She taught me at a very young age and I could have sewed this entire project (like Sippy Cups); however, it would be 3 weeks from never before I finished.
Nana Judy even offered to sew them for me so that she would not be embarrassed by my hot glue gun. I wanted it done NOW!

If any of you need any brown, blue and gold tassel fringe, I have a yard and a half left. I will send it to you. If there's a bunch of y'all that want it, I will have J and C pick.

A Riddle...

2008-07-11T00:48:00.002-04:00

what is tired, cranky, likes dark rooms, peace and quiet and slept from 5:30 pm to 11:00pm; but can now not sleep ???

Answer- me, with my once a month multi day migraine.

be back soon...

I love a parade!

2008-07-05T22:36:00.010-04:00

I was very honored to be asked to judge the 4th of July parade. Paint boy and the boys were just as excited. We met up with Green Magsterpie at her staging grounds and got a preview of the floats. Being an election year, there where 17,000 politicians, 1700 beauty queens, and about 25 floats.

Some of the floats were quite spectacular, for example, an eighteen wheeler pulling a float with 100 members of the American Legion and followed by 50 motorcycles. It was BOLD.

Others were more patriotic, the Georgia Vietnam veterans float was beyond moving. They recreated, in still life, 2 war memorials. They held their poses for the entire parade route.

These are my favorite group. Baton twirling grandmas! The dresses are actually blue sequin, and yes, those are tassels on the majorette boots.

This is the greatest picture of Babycakes. Usually, when you ask her to "smile", she looks like she is in pain. She has all the boys in my family wrapped around her finger! You can see why I have a marriage contract ready to be signed. I'll let her pick which boy, right now she is leaning toward C.

This is such a great shot of Clemsongirl's minis. They were so cute. They thanked all the police officers "for keeping us safe".

Babycakes and J waving their flags. J loves his orange sunglasses and didn't take them off all day.

Little Mr. at his sweetest! Don't you just want to give him a squeeze?

Lucy made a special appearance for the parade. She wore all her red, white and blue! That is a Munchkin that one of the kids generously shared. I love how she is licking her lips!

The Lawyer's Wife, Clemsongirl and me at the parade. I love these 2 girls! There are always a million laughs when we get together.

C was at the parade also, but was a LITTLE tired from camp. He made it, but was not the brightest sparkler of the day. Paint boy took him home after lunch. J and I hit the games and jumpies. Magsterpie gave the boys wrist bands for unlimited access to all the fun activities on The Square. J took FULL advantage. He did a blow up shark slide 33 times! At $2 a pop! That is not counting all the spin art, games, other slides, obstacle courses and bungee jumping that the child did. Thank you, Magsterpie!

They are both looking forward to next year.

BTW- I got to meet (and hug) yummy Coach last night. He even ate my leftover pizza. I look forward to seeing him in 2009 , too.

Once upon a time...

2008-07-03T22:44:00.002-04:00

I have been trying to figure out how to relate my client stories to you all. I am not revealing anything that was told in confidence, just the good juicy bits and the "are you kidding me's?"

Once upon a time...

There was a 92 year old man that practiced his chip shot in front of his assisted living home. The only issue was that he was chipping across two lanes of traffic, into the grassy median. He would then walk through traffic onto the median and chip them back. A very busy, 4 lane road called Johnson Ferry.
He's lucky he's not dead.

Welcome home dinner

2008-07-03T22:03:00.004-04:00

C has been away at Church camp all week. He was so tired when he got home today, but he wanted his "Welcome Home" dinner. (Its a family tradition that the night before you leave for camp and the night you return, you get to choose the evening meal.)

After walking through Publix and finding that there was zero trout for his favorite pecan crusted trout; he decided on snow crab legs. I did a little happy dance when I discovered that it was only $4.99 a pound! Run, run, run to Publix and stock up your freezer for winter crab soups and dips.

For dinner tonight we had a Summer bonanza-
Snow Crab legs
Baked potatoes
Tomato pie

Tomato Pie

Deep dish pie crust
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
8-10 Compari tomatoes (or 4-5 Roma) sliced and tossed with cracked black pepper
fresh basil finely cut

-Layer 1 1/4 cups cheese in bottom of crust
-lay 1/2 the tomatoes on the cheese
-Sprinkle with basil
-Repeat layer
-finish with cheese

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes ( great as a side but stands alone as a light meal)

And to top all of this yumminess off, we had Homemade Peach cobbler.
As you all can see, Food is my Love Language!

Where have you been?

2008-07-02T12:29:00.003-04:00

I am sorry that I have abandoned all of you for almost a week. I was better at posting while on the Beach Trip. ( It is capitalized because it has its own identity! 7 kids with 7 personalities= some kind of interesting!)

2 days before leaving on the Beach Trip, Paint boy decided that the salon needed a little sprucing up. While I was gone. (I don't do change so he thought this would be the most painless way.)

After my MOST memorable 22 hour car ride, (it wasn't really but when you are expecting 6 and you get 10, it feels like 22.) I arrived to construction. He wasn't as far along as he expected.

On Sunday, I helped lay a hardwood floor and worked on drywall. We have remodeled our whole house so I know my way around some power tools. I also had to pack for C to go to Church camp Monday.

Monday morning I dropped him off for camp and headed to Home Depot for more molding. A little miscalculation on Paint boy's part, brought about a second trip. Thank goodness Nana Judy came and painted trim all day, because I was sanding drywall and painting and cleaning and praying that we would be finished enough for clients on Tuesday morning.

I know you are wondering about a contractor and he was there. Paint boy and I work on things we can do and give the really yucky jobs to someone who does this for a living. And Paint boy is cheap. REALLY cheap when it comes to construction. He can do most everything, so why should he pay? To get it done in a timely manner is the answer but that is another Paint boy-ism. God love him!

Here he comes!!!

2008-06-26T23:53:00.005-04:00

You know the song and you know what it means. Children hear it miles away and come running- The Ice Cream Man!!! Get your cash because its time.

Waiting, waiting, almost here...
C helps the little ones with their selections...
Dora, Bugs Bunny, and Sponge Bob, oh my...
Have you ever seen anything cuter?
But what person thought that cotton candy and tutti fruity were good ice cream flavors? And what flavor IS a gray bunny??!?

Check out the Lawyer's wife to see Babycakes and Curls in action with their ice cream...

Who's Crabby?

2008-06-26T11:00:00.006-04:00

We decided to have a Field Trip to St. Joe's Island. (About 1 1/2 hours away)

We needed nets for catching hermit crabs.

After a stop at Target, in which we found NO nets; we purchased Nick and Nora jammie pants, a straw hat, dive shirts, swim shoes and goldfish crackers. (You would think we didn't pack to come to the beach)
We went to a Dollar store. No nets, but we found buckets and shovels and a really cute straw hat for Curls.

Walmart was a success! 2 Barbie nets, 3 Cars nets and 2 REAL crab nets later, we were on our way. 1 1/2 hours down the road.

The crab hunting was a success! Fun was had by all...
Showing off the spoils of the expedition...
The race back to the sea...
They caught about 100 crabs! It was so very exciting...

until...

the ride home.

1 1/2 hours to the crabs, meant 1 1/2 hours home. Sandy. Tired. Hungry.

McDonald's drive thru dinner was the only answer.

ETA- Visit the Lawyer's Wife to see what WE ate. And it was closer to 100 crabs, there were 27 in one bucket alone!

You can do it!

2008-06-25T09:53:00.003-04:00

J has had an issue with the pool for years. We have had lessons by a myriad of people to no success.

This trip something clicked.

He is so proud of himself! I am too!

In the course of one hour, the child went from doggie paddling to full on, face in the water, taking breaths swimming.

To celebrate we went to the Green at Seaside and had snow cones.
I had a snow cone that tasted like Peaches-N-Cream. Peach ice topped with sweetened condensed milk, SOOOO yummy. It tasted like homemade peach ice cream. C invented a new treat of vanilla ice topped with the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate sauce. It tasted like an ice cream sundae! J had rainbow ice, but decided that mine tasted better, so Mommy gave hers up for the BIG, swimming boy.

While we sat and listened to the concert, J decided that his new name is J Swim-o, C is C-o and I am Mom-o. ( Little Mr. told Lawyer's wife that she is Big mom-o! She decided that was NOT funny and he needed to try again.)

JELLYFISH!

2008-06-22T21:18:00.002-04:00

So everyone talks about the BEAUTIFUL beaches on the Northern Gulf Coast. Not So Much.

Today, we were welcomed to the beach with the ocean looking like lime Jello. I am not exagerating. There was more sea weed than in a Sushi Bar. There were also jelly fish.

From experience, June and Lawyer's wife know that urine will remove the sting and itch.

C was body surfing and came out crying. He was the first to be stung. No one had to go potty to help the kid out. Finally, Wally (June's son) had to go. We grabbed a cup and got a sample. Instant relief!

Thank goodness that I drank a pot of coffee this morning. When I went to make lunch, we received a very large donation of "Jellyfish Medicine". I figured that a water bottle labeled with "urine" was a bit redneck.

We are now the proud owners of a "Jellyfish Medicine Bottle". Everyone has made a donation, because they have ALL needed a withdrawal. The jelly fish are stinging right and left. Some people more than others. C is the Grand Champion! He has had about 5 stings. It's because the child is a fish, he never gets out of the water.

When we came in for showers tonight, I checked the boys out. They were fine. All the stings are tiny red pricks. They are not bothered a bit. Too bad they had a salad in their suits.

On the road

2008-06-21T23:41:00.002-04:00

We are at the beach!

What an eventful trip. The 7 kids as a whole, were really good for a 6 1/2 hour trip. It helps that we stopped for gas and a potty break and let the kids pick out their own snack.
My two were very much into vacation mode. J selected a honey bun, gummy worms and a Gatorade. C selected candy corn and gummy worms with his Gatorade.

Babycakes loves my boys. She had to have candy "carrots" like C. He is very sweet to her and she loves to bat her eyes in his direction, which he thinks is too funny. There is a 9 year age difference. ( The same as Lawyer and his wife). These 2 better wait at least 20 years before we need to send the engagement announcements.

As we were heading over the BIG bridge, we rolled down all windows to let in the sea air. Babycakes had just woken from a nap and was very excited about being close to the beach.
All of a sudden she lets out several blood curdling screams.
Then starts screaming, "My dankie! Its you fault it blew out da window. That was my favorite dankie!"

I was totally confused, the blanket had slipped from her lap and was laying on the floor.

I tried to explain, but she was too busy screaming that "it had flown out da window!"

I finally reached back and placed "dankie" back in her lap.

No response. Just such relief on that little face. I couldn't have my future daughter-in-law associating me with such a painful childhood memory.
Dankies out da windows. Beach trip 2008.

Paint boy loves me

2008-06-20T22:04:00.003-04:00

When I got home from work today I had to pack for the beach. I had started a few piles, but had a looooong way to go. It was going to be a long night.

Paint boy greeted me with a cocktail and a smile. He is already missing us. We head upstairs for me to start the packing and him to just talk and keep me on task. I was almost finished when he came up behind me and started his snuggling thing he does when he wants something.

Paint boy- Will you do me a favor before you leave?
Me- Sure, ( eyes rolling, I think I know where this is going and his birthday is NOT for 6 months!) what can I do.
PB- Could you make me chocolate chip cookies before you leave tomorrow?
Me- (thinking, I have to pack for 3 people to go to the beach for a week, cook dinner and now make cookies from scratch.) I would love to make you a special treat.
PB- Well... I don't want this to sound wrong, but I don't want the organic-y ones you make from scratch. I want the kind that come in the tube, like you used to make a long time ago.
Me- Really?
PB- I just remember them being REALLY good.
Me-( thinking, as opposed to the ones that I make)What ever you want.

He just left for the store to buy rolls of processed cookie dough.That he thinks are going to taste really good. compared to mine.

I feel GOOD!

2008-06-19T16:35:00.003-04:00

June Cleaver and the Lawyer's Wife took me on a field trip last night.
After having a yummy dinner of fish tacos, we went to the Super Walmart. I have never been there. ( I live closer to Target and have been in a normal Walmart years ago but have never been to a SUPER one.)

If you ever need to feel good about yourself visit the Super Walmart at 10pm.

*There were way too many people in pajamas and slippers.
*There were way too many kids (we left at midnight!)
*There were A LOT of bad haircuts.
*You could get a pedicure- very frightening to me.
*You can buy $1 shorts for your kids (don't tell Nana Judy, C will never get another Lacoste shirt)
*You can buy an embroidered steering wheel cover with hearts or Tinkerbelle- your choice, not mine
*You can spend $68 and get all the snacks and junk your kids want for the week at the beach.

* You could be walking out at midnight and have a very international person let you know that they think you look "Very professional!"

I think its because I have all my teeth and my babies are in bed, but I'm just sayin'.

Ice Cream

2008-06-18T19:27:00.003-04:00

My children's crack dealer came to the salon today.

They are addicts, I know. We will pay for a very expensive detox program one day.

I have a client that owns a Cold Stone and we swap discounts on hair for half gallons of ice cream. Its a Win/Win!

The issue is, if I take all this ice cream home, Paint Boy will eat it while we are at the beach. I think I will just leave it at the salon and threaten a death penalty on any one that touches it while I am gone.

You can leave a $100 bill on your station and it will be there for weeks, you leave food in the break room and its GONE. I am serious about the death penalty thing.

I swore after the accident in the car earlier this week that I would not be purchasing said ice cream again for a very long time. This was "FREE". Totally different thing. Kinda.

Are you kidding me?

2008-06-17T09:10:00.002-04:00

Great day yesterday, it was all about the kids.

*We went shopping for clothes for the beach. (Nana Judy spoiled them a little- 6 outfits a piece. She likes thing to have a specific match.)

*We went to a Japanese place for lunch. J loves the fire. C loves the food.

*We went to buy the summer reading list. Everyone walked out with a stack of books. Very happy family.

*We went to the game store for new DS games. They had money from report cards burning a hole in their pockets.

*We went to Cold stone for ice cream. Better to buy the half gallon and eat it all week, than 2 bowls. Its almost the same price. The boys chose mint ice cream with brownies mixed in.

Driving home, the day was over, the boys are happily eating ice cream and they dropped the OPEN half gallon of ice cream on the backseat floor. The ENTIRE half melted carton splattered everywhere!

Were they worried about getting in trouble? No
They wanted to go back and get more ice cream. I think NOT!

You're the Man!

2008-06-14T23:20:00.009-04:00

Happy Father's Day, Paint Boy!

Wow, 12 years of being a Dad. A fantastic, super involved, best friend to our boys.

They love to wrestle and play. You have taught them that.

They love to explore new things and travel to great places. You have taught them that.

They love baseball and a day spent with family. You have taught them that.

They know when to be serious and when to let loose. They know that adults are allowed to have fun too. You taught them that.

They know that you will be their coach and fight for them on every front. You have taught them that.

They know you are so proud of them in every accomplishment. You are their biggest fan. You have taught them that.

They will know how to be excellent husbands. They will be a true partner, helping on every front. They will love their wives and their children with all their hearts.
You have taught them that.