Brand New Day!

I am feeling good this morning--physically and emotionally. Our family has been so sick, but thankfully we are ALL healthy and energized again. Right now, it's sunny, I can hear someone cutting grass, the birds are squawking, and a squirrel is raiding the pinecone bird feeders we made a few weeks back. The wild rabbit just streaked through the yard...guess the mower scared him. (memo to rabbit: there is a 100lb lab and stealthy cat on this side of the fence; might want to weigh that against the mower, bud.)

I'm feeling a bit like Super Mom again this morning, you know, where things in my mind play out like a Disney movie. I've got the notion to take the little girls to the public library. I like to imagine that it will be a precious, whispery experience. I won't be, though. I thought little girls were supposed to be quiet, clean, delicate creatures...that boys were the rougher, boisterous kind. Ava and Marilyn have always talked like they're 1,000 feet away from each other. We'll see how this goes.

Liv is getting ready for an Easter eggs hunt at a friend's house. Now there's a brave mom: Angela K. School volunteer, nerves of steel, and always with a smile.
I'd have a flask in my Coach wristlet...

Tomorrow, it's back to preschool after a WEEK out due to illnesses. I am very much looking forward to seeing my babies, and my bestie, Nichole. I know it's gonna be full-throttle, but such is the life of a preschool teacher. I plan to enjoy the rest of this school year with all that I've got. I'm thinking about bringing pinecones and birdseed so my class can make feeders. They will really enjoy that.
We can hang them in the river birch tree right outside our window and watch the action.

Alright, well time to get on with my day. Toodles!

DWTS

I watched some of DWTS last night. I haven't watched this show in seasons. I'm too impatient; let them dance, then cut somebody loose already. I was happy to see they got a new co-host; didn't like that husky-voiced girl that's hung in there this long.

Really, I am amazed at how fluidly some of these people move! They make it look so easy and effortless. Much unlike my fall at WalMart...okay, so maybe falling was easy, but it was not graceful. I thought Edyta looked so beautiful last night! That girl has a body that they just didn't make when I was her age. Truthfully, if I looked like that, I'd just be scantily clad all the time. Serilously, I'd fry chicken in one of those outfits. Wait, I think I just figured out why I don't look like that. Now, who wants fried chicken?

Pamela Anderson had to be drunk last night. Even for her she acted strange. And that sweet, young Ashly--who got stuck with Buzz Aldren. She hasn't been on the show in several seasons, so her hopes had to be up. You know she walked in, saw 100-yr-old Buzz, and said, "Well, crap." I want to see them pair up Buzz with Kate Gosselin! Bless her heart, she was as stiff as her pointy boobs. (I thought pointy boobs went out in the 50s?) I don't know how many more episodes I'll watch. I'm moody that way. Maybe I'll resurface near the end. I said I was impatient, remember?

tv commercials

I really like creative commercials, especially if they make me laugh. Some just bug me. The ones that make us, the viewer, out to be bungling morons until hope arrives in the form of their product. How many times have you 'wrestled' to remove a 50" x 60" throw from your body, just to answer the phone? Stupid, I know.

There is one commercial that I've seen several times, and today's the day to finally write about it. The Hoveround. Now settle down if you or your Memaw already has one. I'm not hating on the Hoveround itsself, but the dumb ideas they plant during their commercial. "Where would YOU go?" is their slogan, then they actually show someone scooting around the lawn on Liberty Island, where you'll find the Statue of Liberty. Okay, so maybe you'd take the ferry over. I'll give you that one, because my next one is so silly. Next, they show two elderly peeps, both in Hoverounds, parked at the un-fenced, un-guarded edge of the GRAND CANYON! Seriously? I'm not getting close to the edge of anything--while I'm on wheels.

Alright, I'm tired of talking about that.

We're thinking about letting the girls get a parakeet. I don't know. I like them; had a couple as a kid. I know our dog ate one...not sure about the other's fate. Still, what if this one actually makes it 10+ years? Do I really want to commit?
11 says she'll take good care of it, but, well, she's 11. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, have a great night and enjoy your weekend! (Every time my husband walks through the room, he quips to/about me, "I'm a blogger.")

Random thoughts for today

I cannot believe it's been a week since I've written. I guess after the family got over the bubonic plague, we were just so happy to be healthy, out and about...and I slung the blog to the back burner. Rest easy. I'm back. ; )

I'm in a good mood, and really there's no big reason; I'd say that's the best kind of happy to be, right? I've gotten a lot accomplished this week, or at least it feels like it. I bought groceries today, and seeing full shelves in the pantry & fridge makes me smile. Of course, we'll have most of it eaten by next Wednesday. Yesterday, I got the house picked up in a whirlwind! See, the bug man was coming, and I didn't want him to think "we live like this", even though we do most of the time. So, there I was, slinging stuff left and right, taking out the trash, spraying my Febreeze and all that stuff. I even had the two little ones plugging away, stuffing toys in the toy box and warning, "Y'all hurry up! The bug man's coming! He's probably turning down our street right now!" (with my girls, a little dramatic embellishment usually helps the cause). It's a wonder this didn't backfire and give them bad dreams. Anyway, I was breaking into a dainty sweat when the phone rings. It was him--cancelling. HA! Oh, well. He's coming Friday. Now if I can just keep it neat for 48 more hours. Right.

This weekend, there is an arts & crafts festival in Fairhope, AL. Fairhope is a beautiful, unique, old-fashioned-meets-modern community right on the Mobile Bay. There is always something going on there. Once parked, people walk blocks and blocks, darting in and out of bookstores, seafood/sandwich/icecream shops, boutiques; most have their pets with them. It seems to be "that place" where everyone wants to live, just so they can have "that lifestyle." Anyway, I'm hoping that my family will make it down there to enjoy all the artists and their crafts. I love, love, love looking at artists' work. There is one artist friend of mine that I admire--Lisette Normann. Can't wait to see what new things she's been producing. It sure stirs up my creative juices. Of course, so does HGTV...

I hope that y'all have a great evening. I'm looking forward to mine: dinner with my hubby in the den while we watch some of our favorite shows. Okay, mainly MY favorite shows. One he hates, but sometimes watches with me is the Real Housewives of (OC, NYC, NJ) and of course the Reunion Shows for each season. I know it's garbage, but I love it. My best friend and sister are RH hounds, too, so I always have someone to dish with afterwards. Well, let me get busy with my check list so I can have my yung'uns in the bed early tonight! ♥LOVE

On The Mend

Today was the first day everybody was well enough to go back to both work & school!
So thankful! After being cooped up in the house for 5 days in a row, less a trip to the doctor, I was glad to get back to my preschool class...and they were glad to see Miss Dana! :)

I actually went to Walmart to restock our bare cupboards without incident. Makes for a less intersting story, but I'm sorta over 'drama' this week, so that's a plus.

Last night, Jason and I got to indulge in one of our new favorite comedies: MODERN FAMILY. If you haven't watched yet, you gotta. Almost has "The Office" quality about it with the looks toward the camera. Knowing we should have been in bed at a decent hour, we threw caution to the wind and stayed up late to watch a few episodes of a new show on A&E called BILLY THE EXTERMINATOR. Oh, Southern people, do watch this one! You'll laugh and make fun, even though we all know there are members of our own families that are scarily similar. Well, at least you know a family a lot like this one. Two brothers, Ricky & Billy....and their meddlin' mama, whom I love!
She is so over-the-top country, lots of makeup, big ol' hair, loud...I can't help but like her. And you know right quick that Mama Is The Boss.

Well, I've got a ton of groceries to put away. Save all my Walmart bags...BTW, when do you ever have enough of those bags? Plus, my impatient 5th grader needs help with math. Hope I can wing it...

Y'all have a great night! ♥

Cabin Fever...and coughing, and runny noses, and...

Hey, everybody. It's been a few days since I've had the luxury of sitting down at this computer to blog. Our family, minus me, has been sick. For the past 7 days now, I have been the Infirmary Admin (joked my hubby). I would definitely call myself a compassionate person/wife/mother...most of the time. However, (and I know they can't help it) everybody's coughing has been driving me up the proverbial wall! I swear, if I'd started collecting a dollar for every cough, our mortgage would be paid off.

Yesterday, I drove all three girls to our family doctor, whom we adore. (Dr. Régan Andrade, Fairhope Family Medicine, and her nursing staff get my highest regards, FYI.) Turns out, two had ear infections & bronchitis; the other had pharyngitis. Next was a trip to Walgreens, where I just hand them my wallet and tell them to keep what they want...they will anyway. Today, the girls are so much better, and for that I am thankful and give all credit to God.

I just got a call from my gorgeous hubby as he was leaving the clinic (to which I finally convinced him to go, even though he thought he "would be fine in a few days"). Double ear infection & sinus infection for him. (Wait, Walgreens! Here's some more of our money...)

Alright, let's talk about something fun now, like things that have been ticking me off the past few days. As tired as I was last night when I logged off, I ALMOST signed on again just to rant about this stupid story. Did you hear that Lindsey Lohan is suing (think it's E-Trade?) for $100 million -- ONE HUNDRED MILLION! -- dollars??! She claims that the commercial where they refer to "that milk-a-holic Lindsey" was a spoof of her. PUHLEEEZE. LL, you need to get over yourself. When you wreck a car after drinking a couple gallons of Vitamin D Homogenized, then pick up your lawsuit. Until then, shut uuuup.

Next. This is a short one. This AM I was tuned into Rachel Ray's show. Every time she salts something, she does the whole "and a little over the left shoulder for luck" move. Really? Beside the obvious, is that truly necessary? Don't you just bet that the person on set that has to sweep up all that pesky salt just wants to jack her jaw once in a while? As a cook, and as the person responsible for the kitchen floor, I don't want salt or any grainy anything on my floor. I spend a lot of time barefoot in the kitchen, and I liken salt on the floor to sand on the condo floor. Not fun.

And lastly, to the singing fish on the McDonald's commercial: enough. Everybody knows fish can't call OR text. Plus, why would you want the guy to "gimme that filet-o-fish...gimme that fish"?

I'll be back later to share the randomness that is my blog. BIG LOVE!!!!!

It has been such a full day: Ava stayed home sick with cough and fever, so I made excellent use of my time. I started my day with some HGTV, so hons, I got this house whipped into shape! Now you're probably thinking that's no biggie, but here it's huge. Seriously. One night this week, I actually made my husband eat supper with chopsticks--because every fork we owned was dirty. I admit, I'd been a little Scarlett O'Hara (I'll get to it tomorrow...) for days. It caught up with me and nearly strangled me. I digress. Anyway, I am so proud of the place. I should be sound asleep right now, but I am immersed in the tacky greatness that is Real Housewives! It is my favorite guilty pleasure. I knew you would want to know about my day. Now you do. Sleep tight!

Walmart

You gotta be ready for anything when you go to Walmart with me. Every single time(okay more like 9 out of 10) I go to our local WM, something out of the ordinary happens to me. I don't mean getting stuck in the line where you're next, but then that dang light starts flashing for management. Annoying, yes; tragic, no. My friends loved this story, and I'll admit after some time had passed, I did, too.

I had the bright idea late one weekend afternoon for us all to go to Walmart. Together. As a family. Okay, right there. That snarky reaction you just had? That was the same thing my husband did. Whatever. Okay, so we go. I've got the baby (2) in my buggy, Jason's got the 3YO in his, and the 10 year old is walking alongside. We are on the main, big, wide aisle, when 10 announces she needs highlighter markers for school. Hard right turn and we're walking that direction, then the baby does a cough/vomit, I step in it with my cute Payless sandals, and out goes my right leg--my left leg goes straight back and I am doing a full-on split in front of God and the world. I'm still gripping the buggy handlebar, so it's now ramped up into the air. The baby is so low to the ground that her feet nearly touch.
We lock eyes. Hers say, "What the @#&% are you doing?" and mine say, "What the %#$& just happened?" Thankfully, 10 yells "Mama!" and hurls all 79lbs onto the ramped up end and bring it back down to the floor. I get up, walk over to the hightlighters and start looking for the ones she wants like nothing e v e r happened. My husband, who took his time trailing over and being seen with me suddenly rememered the dog needed food, and said that's where he'd be. Right. To make a long story a little shorter, the baby threw up full blast on aisle 11. I sent 10 over and aisle to get paper towels to help me clean her up. Bless her heart! She brings back a two-pack of Great Value towels, not $15 worth of Bounty. I am raising this girl right. Next I send her to the Deli for help. They send someone over to really clean it up, and after a 3 minute apology, I head to the next aisle. Yes, I keep shopping! We didn't have squat in the pantry. I sure wasn't about to re-do all this. Now, we meet up again with Hubby and the 3YO. How convenient. He took the little ones out to the van and 10 and I finished up our shopping. When I got out to the car, I laughed my fool head off at how stupid I must have looked. Hubby even told me he'd overheard some lady saying, "Oh. Her baby th'owed up and she done slipped in it." They didn't stop to see if I was okay, but her husband was kind enough to pop up one of those orange nylon cones indicating it was slippery.

This is just one of my Walmart stories. They are all true, unfortunately. It's a wonder I ever go back. Still, if you're gonna tag along, you better have thick skin or a dang-good sense of humor.

I swear, and I forgot lightbulbs again!!! #$%*@#!!!

Why do my kids fight? Those kids on TV don't.

There's no way around it: kids fight. It's like their sport. Mine will make an argument out of just about anything. One never wants what's available (tv, Wii, the swing on the left)until the other one goes for it. So, what else is new? This even happens in the preschool class I teach. Like right now, MiddleBit and LittleBit are fighting over balloons. No, they're not blown up. Did you really think that mattered? We're not choosey over here. When LB started to tattle on MB, MB tried to talk her down...and LB told her not to interrupt, she was "talkin' to an adult." Wonder where she learned that?

Olivia, our first-born GRITS

Olivia. This child weighed 9lbs 5oz. at birth. And I thought she was tiny. Whatever. Before she got here, I imagined how precious my life was gonna be:
I was going to dress her in the cutest outfits all the time. (Did y'all know babies vomit?) We were going to spend our whole Saturdays in the mall. (Have you ever nursed your baby so much in the ladies lounge at McRae's that you were a 'regular'?)
What about that first mommy-daughter bath? (Did you know babies can poop in warm water?)

Okay, so she put me through Motherhood Boot Camp. I'm all the better for it now.
And so is she! This girl has the sweetest disposition and smile; she's a whiz at writing songs, stories, and poetry. She's creative and a great dancer. I'm serious, y'all. I mean she is Solid-Gold-dancer kind of good. And she's just 11.

Stay tuned for the stories that this one will bring forth.

Ava, the Middle GRITS

Ava is our middle daughter, and the absolute spitting image of her daddy. I don't just mean physical features, but she snagged his knack for all things technical and mathematical. She has a memory like you wouldn't believe, unless I ask her to clean her room.

This child knows what she wants and how to get it. Dont' try pulling the proverbial wool over her eyes--you're just wasting time...hers and yours. Her brain is firing in all directions, all at once, all the time.

Just now, she's asked me to smell her breath. Thankfully, she just ate one of those green-and-white peppermints. There is no rhyme or reason. Just go with it.

Marilyn, the Baby GRITS

Marilyn is the baby of the family. She was the tiniest of all my babies at a mere 6lbs and 6oz. When the nurse told me how much she weighed, I asked, "Where's the rest of her?"

Don't you worry, though. What she lacks in size, she amply makes up in mischeviousness. Seriously, she'll rack up more whippins than her other two sisters combined. Oh, and she is funny and can dance. (She gets those qualities from me. At least the funny part.)

Today, she proudly walked into preschool and announced that she had "weekends" in her lunch bag. Um, to all you lay people, she meant Wheat Thins.

Um, it's 2010...do YOU blog?

I cannot believe it! I'm a blogger now? Thanks, Joy!