I COULDN'T take it ANYmore!

Bentlee was WAYYYY over due for a haircut...we were trying our best to let it grow out but the child has WAYYYY too much hair for that right now. As most of you know, I kept Bentlee's hair cut as a child for the very same reasons and she has a double crown which makes it even worse...she got a beautiful shade of blonde but the rest is a nightmare to maintain daily unless its short...so...its short again, and sweet on her...or at least I think so! And the back is wedged up pretty hi with the sides still long...too cool for school! LOL (Not the best picture but my camera is "ill")

Our Christmas

Well, I am finally getting around to fighting this DIAL up internet...so, our Christmas was pretty uneventful...we always spend Christmas Eve with my folks steaming up oysters and shrimp in our shed...YUMMY! Always my favorite part...then we opened our gifts. Well, my gift had to be installed so I got cmas from mom, dad, and Wade early...a CD player for my car! Hooray! I have been driving my old Honda for 6 years now with no CD player! NOT NOW~! And Santa Wade brought me a IPOD Nano to hook into my new radio! And its pink! CUTE!

Anywho- The kids had a large Christmas as usual...they got a plenty! We have never had alot of Santa stuff...but its always enough. Wade and I just made our minds up after Bentlee was born that we did not need to start setting huge standards on Cmas morning...and we have pretty much stuck with that.

The best part of Christmas Eve and morning...my mom and dad spent the night with us again! Their house has been pretty boring since Jessica is "grown" and they like to enjoy Bentlee and Rylee on Christmas morning...and I can't tell you how much I treasure the memory of them being here. Last year I prepared a huge breakfast but I forgot to buy the stuff this year...next year, I will be more prepared.

We spent the evening with Wade's family...and all came to a bitter sweet ending. Without a doubt, it was an even better Christmas than last year...as always, we had so much to be thankful for...especially my dad's health. Last year, we were not sure what 2008 held for us...but He provided another Christmas spent with family and friends and good health...Amen.

Gifts for my kids

How cute did these turn out!??? I thought they were just perfect gifts for the kids I keep...and I made one for Bentlee and Rylee too! The boy buckets had Lightin McQueen socks, tobogan, and an ornament...the baby bucket had baby forks and spoons and can;t remember what else, LOL...the girl buckets had doodle pads, markers, light up bracelets and an ornament. Cute and right on budget when you have to buy for several. I found the buckets at Michaels the day after Thanksgiving but only in BLUE! This was Michele's idea and she remembered to buy her buckets during the summer so you all might want to keep that in mind if you want to do these next Christmas. All the kids loved them and the parents too.

Something from my "old" friend...

I am still a somewhat active part of Mary Kay and usually just sell to my friends...when I joined Mary Kay God put me in touch with a wise lady that is a Mary Kay story...her name is Ann Gibbs.

Ann continues to support me and hopes for a future for me in Mary Kay...I doubt it will happen but Ann never gives up encouraging me. And to me she is like an "old wise woman"...with old NOT true but you get where I am coming from.

She sends out a newsletter every so often with interesting stuff about ramping your business and so forth...Monday I received her newsletter and it contained a list of "Ten ways to get unstuck"..which is supposed to apply to my Mary Kay business but I can;t help but think it applies to more to life in general. I wanted to share it with you...

3. Stop worrying about the obstacles. The best antidote for anxiety is action! Stop worrying about how you are going to solve everything, and just take the first step. If you are looking for solutions instead of bemoaning the problem, the solutions will present themselves to you as you go.

Just thought some of you may like this...its simple but good.

A roller coaster ride with no stop

Well, here I am...once again and no promises to be a regular again...sorry, but my life seems to get more hectic rather than slow down.
As most of you know I usually get my Christmas cards out right after Thanksgiving but this year...I am behind! which seems to be the case in EVERYthing...I have become quit the procrastinator it seems...too much going on and too much on my mind these days. So, I finally got the cards done after several attempts at photos as you will see below. I spared you all the really silly shots, just gave you a preview.
Just a quick update...The Anatomy and Physiology class will come to a sweet end tomorrow night...with hopes of a C! yep, thats right, I have gone from a A to a C in about a month...lots of factors involved. The course information has gotten SOOO boring...we ended with the Central nervous system and if any of you have been through that study you know what a slow deathly grind that info can be...BORING would be putting it mildly!
So, the debate is, do I take A&P II next semester or do I give myself a break and let my life settle down a bit? hhhmmmm...can't decide. Its not that I am regretting going to school but I have alot going on that I would rather not get into.
Lastly, I want to put a prayer request out there for myself...just know I am need you to pray for me and lift me up...thats all you need to know. I am not sick...just an internal battle if you will.
Very lastly, I want all of you to know I have been thinking of you during your times of trial and your times of greatness....Kelli, I have had your dad and your family on my mind and I feel your pain, I pray for good days ahead, God will show you the way...Mandy, I know you and Charlie will be great parents, you just have NO idea how your life will change...Tina, my bestest bud, you have been patient with my blogging and been there for me emotionally and physically, thanks once again for all you do, Michele...I just can;t say how I miss having you in my life everyday and sharing this time with you and vice-versa...and to the others I have left out...just know I am still here...its just hard to get in front of this darn computer when kids call and laundry buzzers go off...and notes are waiting to be studied...and so forth.
Rock on my blogging buddies! Merry Christmas to you and yours...

First attempt at christmas cards...

Wade and I decided we would go visit Santa and see if we can get a card shot then...the sun was just awful on Rylee so she decided some shades were the best option...LOL! She seriously kept them on even as she rode into the mall in her stroller...reminded me of the movie Big Daddy...cause Rylee would want to be "hidden" just like the boy did in the movie...



Not the best...but okay, we'll use this on for the card! It turned out a bit dark on the actual card but these are the best smiles. My header picture has Rylee "cheesing" just a bit too much but its still a funny shot! Oh, and she even sat with Santa! NOT touching him but she was up there NOT screaming! Hooray!

Boy, am I glad its Monday! LOL

I just planned TOO darn much this long holiday weekend and I am EXHAUSTED!

Our Thanksgiving has never been really crazy simply because my parents/family do not really get together. Wade's family does get together for dinner but thats it...the real madness started at 3:40am Friday morning when I woke for my LONG AWAITED Black Friday shopping trip with Tina. With the exception of a couple of years this has been a tradition for the two of to SHOP TIL WE DROP on the day after Thanksgiving. We do LOVEEEEE it! We are not fighting for anything but we will be hard core shopping on this day "come h--- or high water"! LOL!

On Saturday we did the craft show in Conway as planned. That was a waste of my Saturday and energy. Not sure what the problem is with that craft show but its been going down for a couple of years I hear. Nobody did good business there, not sure if we need to blame the economy or what.

Sunday, I WORKED at the Grapevine...went back to Chesapeake to return unused stuff from the craft show and FINALLY made it home around 8:30 only to fall into bed around 9!

So, I am MOST thankful for my family, my friends, my faith, and our health but heres' to MONDAY also. Never thought I would say that, LOL!

Here are a couple of new boards I did for family birthdays (got to correct Sieanna's name) I forgot and some vases I sold at the craft show.

Spread the word...

Tina and myself will be at the HO-HO Craft Show in Conway on Saturday. The Conway parade will be first thing and then the craft show.

The hours are 9-4 and I heard its a full house of vendors. The location is in the gym at Conway Middle School and benefits the Conway Volunteer Fire Department.

Come on out and support the community and check us out!

Tina will have her PREMIER Jewelry and I will have my initial signs.

Happy Birthday to me!

My family and friends have been so sweet to me and its still a few hours until my birthday.

I had a birthday weekend...I had dinner with two of my best friends, Ava and Michele on Friday night at Applebee's..Vicky couldn't be there unfortunately. They gave me a cute pocket book, a new Cricut cartridge, a bath wrap with my initial, and a few cards. It was such a treat to be with them and have girl time...the gifts were just a perk! THANKS to all three of you for such great time and gifts...I love you girls!

I spent the night with Michele and we had more girl time on Saturday. We went to Greenbrier shopping for a dress for her to wear to a wedding in December. We had a great time just hanging out and chit-chatting!

On Sunday my in-laws came over and visited for a short while. They gave me a NEATO picture frame that I will share once I get pictures in it. Its so me...and I can hardly decide on the pictures I want to use. They have had the frame for months, I would never have been able to wait that long...if you know me, I get REAL excited about gifts and end up giving them early or telling what it is...I guess thats why I don;t shop early for anything!

Tonight, Wade and the girls gave me some clothes, a book, and two sweet cards.
Since I will be in class tomorrow night we had to celebrate tonight. My new header picture is a rough picture of me at the end of a long Monday! LOL~

Again, its not what I received thats important...its the thought that was put into it and the time I have spent with each of you. Thats everything a girl can ask for on her birthday..and its not even here yet!

Thanks again to EACH and EVERY one of you for being a part of my life and touching me each differently. I am THANKFUL for you on this Thanksgiving!

"Hunter Dan" got herself a little six-pointer!

"Hunter Dan" (Jessica) got herself a small six pointer Monday night but there was no "hunt" involved.

Jessica babysits for Wade and I 2-3 times a week and has been a real help to us with me going to school or Wade going to the hunting club on Tuesday night (LOL!). Anyway~ she leaves here around 10 or so at night and all of us know the deer have been just awful this year. I always worry about her getting hom without hitting a deer. And she has been lucky until this week...

She called me about 10:15 Monday night and I had just closed my eyes...she wasn't SURE where she was, she told me to head the Woodland way to her house...so, I left Wade at home because we all know Wade and Jessica would not make a good crisis team, HAHAH!!! She was out of Hwy 35 South and the car wouldn;t start. The deer had jumped right out without giving her time to brake and tore the entire front off the car! Deer can be SO stupid and SO smart and CREATE so much damage!

I called Dad and told him it was no need to come, we called 911, and the trooper showed up shortly. Jessica and I had attempted to start the car and it wouldn;t. When the trooper got there the car started right up! No doubt~ FYI- the newer cars have a sensor on them that shuts the engine down on impact and will start back after so much time...so, I did learn something new out of this.

The car was running but the hood would not stay shut...so I got my brain in overload and cut up a t-shirt (ever seen Jessica's trunk full of junk? LOL) and tied the hood down so we could get it home...the trooper said that was a "first" for him...he had never seen anyone use a tshirt to tie a hood down, LOL! I told him it was "Girl Scouts 101"! Even though I was never a girl scout everybody knows I am my daddy's "little boy"! LOL~

I hate I did not have my camera to take pics of the deer but you just can't think of everything when responding to an accident, LOL! I am just so glad she was okay and not hurt...accept for her feelings and her car.

A future doorman (or woman rather)~!

Since Rylee has gotten tall enough to open doors she has been OBCESSED with opening and closing them...she insist on ALWAYS opening the door when we go outside...she spends much of her energy opening and closing her bedroom door, the closet doors, etc and she is FLAT out driving us crazy with it!

On Sunday night I went to visit Michele and Wade called to say Rylee had LOCKED herself in her room and she was asleep already! Now all of us have the "Bedroom" style door knobs that take a bobbypin to unlock. So, when I got home I attempted the bobbypin and a paperclip with no luck. I ended up removing the doorknob and just left it off. I am sure the locks will be her next obcession so why bother with the knob! LOL! I guess the next question is will I just remove all the bedroom knobs, I don't hardly think so!

I know everyone has kids with "obcessions"...but will this mean Rylee will become a doorman-woman in her later life? I sure hope not! Just thought I would share this little story with you..she is such a strange little character for two years old sometimes, LOL.

So if you come in my house within the next few weeks or months try to understand WHY I am missing a DOOR KNOB...hahha!!!

A cute little name sign

Here is a sign I made for a little boy a keep...I think it turned out pretty cute. These will run around $18 I think because of the amount of vinyl and board.
The ribbon is blue and white gingham but the cool thing is it can be changed as he ages!

OKAY Tina!

Okay Tina, I have been a BIT busy working TWO jobs, raisin a family, and a husband that hunts more than he eats!...and you know DARN well I have been out-of-sorts sista! BUT, fear not....I will post at least TWICE tomorrow...I did take the time to update my background tonight, thats all I can handle for now...I am SICK again (coughing, snotty, etc)...ill and TIRED...and having internet withdrawal but in MUCH need of SLEEPPPPPPPPPP! Good night, farewell my friends until tomorrow.. I promise better bloggin days' are on the way, LOL! Well...maybe not promise but I have good intentions anyway.

Doneille, what's your excuse? LOL!

I was tagged...

This is my 4th folder, 4th picture...NO DOUBT, its Bentlee! This is her 4th birthday party..My Little Pony. We had to have this party at the church. It was the only year it rained and we had to relocate. We still had the pony ride outside thanks to a local sweet woman named Pam. The sun came out just long enough to have the pony ride and it rained like the devil afterwards. Thanks for the memories Doneille by "Tagging" me. Unfortunately, I don't have any other friends that have not been tagged so I guess the game ends here.

Halloween ADULT Style!

So we left the kids with mom at the wedding reception and decided to go to the country club Halloween party...we went home and threw together some costumes...and even Wade decided to dress up with a little encouragement from Jessica and I, LOL!

The country club halloween parties are always fun because of the people that actually dress up! Its amazing to see what everybody comes up with. There were not many people there this year but it was still fun.

Here is "Hunter Dan", "Ellie Mae", and Hunter Dan's "Hoochie"...Hunter Dan won the ladies costume contest




Tina! I love this look on her, LOL!


Adam as a Funkie Chicken! TOO darn funny! He won the men's costume contest


Sheryl's best cat face


All the girls that were dressed up

Bentlee's First Wedding

My cousin Paula got married yesterday. It was really pretty and different. She asked Bentlee to be her flower girl and we were thrilled!

The wedding was decorated with a fall theme...chocolate brown bridesmaid dresses, pumpkins, leaves, cotton, and grapevine. Paula is a simple kind of country girl and her husband is a country boy so the theme really fit the two of them.

Bentlee's dress is over 12 years old. My sister, Jessica, wore it in another cousins wedding and my mom saved it. My mom saves so much stuff that has been useful for my girls. The leotards I used for their cat outfits were Jessica's too! I had the dress altered a bit...sleeves and lace collar removed and added the brown trim and sash...and it turned out just perfect.

Bentlee did great in the wedding considering how tired she was from the night before (Halloween)...her basket was filled with fall colored leaves and she threw them all out and did a good job. She did not want to hold the ring bearers hand when they came out but thats okay...she doesn't need to be holding hands with boys at her age anyway, LOL!

Between all the hustle bustle I failed to get a picture of Bentlee by herself! SILLY ME! I do have a pic of her here a few days before the wedding. The picture makes her look a little fat and her hair is still wet from her bath but you can see the dress anyway.

Happy Halloween!

All I can say is Thank the Lord this day is over...its been a WHIRL wind of a holiday I must say. And here I sit...blogging with one eye open...must be "bouncing off the walls" from all the TREATS! OHHHHH yeah, we have at least a 8 pound bowl of candy we compiled between the two girls...or CATS I should say.

And I have to admit...I have owned a few cats in my lifetime but never two this CUTE! BRAGGGGIN, yes, I am...the costumes turned out too cute! I bought the ears, bow tie, and tails in a set...sewed the bow tie and tails on, made arm bands out of fur...black tights, black shoes, a little mascara for whiskers and a nose...and here they are! Homemade and ADORABLE I must say.

Wade, myself, and two cute kitty cats, "Mama Cat and Baby Cat", started off in Murfreesboro at a wedding rehearsal, yes on Halloween, Bentlee is a flower girl in my cousins wedding tomorrow. Then we stopped in to see our FAVORITE daycare/sitter/friend, MACHEL! What a "treat" that was for all of us. We have not been able to see her lately and she loves the girls as much as we do. Then we headed back to Conway for the church fall festival. They both got prizes when their names were drawn from a pot, they played games, got WAY too much candy, and Bentlee won 2nd prize in her age group of costumes. She was thrilled! And Halloween is not complete without actually Trick-or-Treating...so, we hit a few houses after the festival...adding to the heavy treat bags...and finally we are home. Again, THANK the Lord this holiday is over! FUN but CRAZY~CRAZY!

I could HARDLY wait to share the photos...especially this one of my mom with the girls. I cherish these simple moments that my mom is able to share with our girls...it makes the day even more special...even more than a holiday.

My dad

Just wanted to give you a quick update on my dad. His hair is growing back (LOL!) and all is well, he finally returned to work this week. He was not out of work due to cancer but his back had not completely healed. That was a blessing in discuise if you ask me, it helped him slow down and "smell the roses" a bit. He had his 6 month PET scan with the oncologist in Chapel Hill last week and he got a good report. The doctor assures them there is no cure for cancer but dad claims "VICTORY in the LORD". He says it will not come back...and would not discuss future options with the doctor. Praise GOD. Continue to pray for my Dad...his faith is so strong and has taken him this far. November will be the one year mark of his diagnosis.

More signs...sold my first one Saturday!

Doneille was my first customer on Saturday...bought my "M" sign right off my wreath...LOL! Thanks for the business...and she placed orders for a few more for Christmas. She and I are considering doing the Ho-Ho Craft Show in Conway??? We'll let you know what we decide...I can ALWAYS use the money for sure and it fills my "creative space" within my body...if that makes sense.
Here are a couple more I did this morning...the B is a white background, distressed, with a black letter and silver ribbon. I was curious how the white background would look and to jazz it up a bit I added the silver ribbon and may brush a little silver paint around the edges??? the picture does not do it justice but its pretty cute, a bit more "plain" than the brown/fall look but very versatile.
The P is one I did for Michele, she needed a birthday present and VOILA...here it is. This board is more narrow but she had a small letter she had ordered from UCL and it worked perfectly. The letter is soft gold and the ribbon looks really pretty with it.
If you want to order keep in mind the boards are tan and white for now... I may branch out to some brighter colors for kids room but not until I see if anyone really wants them.

Happy Anniversary!

Here is the cutest cake I bought for my mom and dad for their anniversary from Bentlee and Rylee. I knew they would not actually eat the cake since neither prefer it but we had a lunch at church yesterday and I knew the kids would eat it. It was just SO darn cute I could not resist. Doneille can't take the credit for this but I feel sure she could duplicate it, LOL!

I also ended up giving them the ceramic tile I made in the below post. I suggested to mom that she put it on the alter table with the new fall arrangement and I wish I had taken a picture of it because it was beautiful all together. I just hope mom takes it home and doesn't actually leave it at church, lol.

I am always up to something...

Here is one of my new little projects I have been thinking about...I got some initials from UpperCase with nothing special in mind...just thinking Christmas presents when I ordered them...so, here is one I did for myself first.

I thought I had more ribbon in the closet but I was wrong...it worked out pretty good though. I did have this pretty fall ribbon and it turned out great. the paint color is the same as my doors...a pretty brownish, taupe whatever...the board is about 6 inches.

I have started making them for Bentlee's teachers for christmas and I have one for my sister have to add ribbon and walmart selection was terrible last night)...just a little something to tell my sister I love her, she hardly ever gets little stuff like that. And I plan to make more. I figured if anyone is interested in these I can make some for you. They will be $7.50 each....special orders only. I also bought letters for the kids I keep and I am considering making kiddie one's for their bedroom doors or doorknobs, you could really hang them anywhere.

I had no idea I would hang this in my wreath but how cute it is! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

What a perfect PERSONALIZED gift for teachers, coworkers, etc. They could go on office doors...hang on a knob, on a dresser...on the wall in a small space somewhere...in the bathroom, the ideas keep coming. I also considered making some larger one's with three initials...have not tackled that yet (got another test next week so my time will be limited).

My creative juices are FLOWING these days....need to scrap some of this energy!

My new UpperCase Living!

I finally got my new UpperCase Living stuff from my party.

Here's a lookie for you...

This was my freebie...and I LOVE it! Although, I think I am giving this to my parents for their anniversary today (even though I have about $6 in the whole thing, its worth way more than that to me)! 37 years for them today...WOW! Will I be able to make it that long? :>
Its a two part...I bought a ceramic tile and a black wrought iron stand and VOILA! Its super nice looking! I got the background in linen so I should have gotten a bit darker ceramic tile but its still nice, the wheat is not as light as it looks...the wording is the copper color that I think is the BEST color!


Here is the one in my girls bathroom....got the electric pink and its awesome! Hard to photograph, sorry, but cute all the same. Bentlee is thrilled with it and I think she takes it seriously, HOORAH!


And the newly painted back doors received my long awaited vines! I ended up cutting them in 6 peices each, it was a real booger to get like
I wanted it or had visioned it. They are linen colored also and its just enough for the doors. As always, they look better in person. Someone thought I had stenciled them! Wade is not happy with them but when has that ever stopped me, LOL, after all, who has the crafty eye in this house???...LOL!

Handy-Man

Here are a few projects I have been working on since I have been home, things I have put off for some time...finally getting around to them...the weather finally permitted me to paint my back doors. Wade, Dad, and I put up the fencing last week...we have had the fence up beside the house, a storm took down one side and Wade and I finally took down the other side and VOILA, we have a $$$-free project! And since I bought too much paint for my backdoors I decided to go ahead and paint the shutters since we took them down and pressure washed the house. I am not sure about the shutters...they were navy blue so this looks a bit "blah"...its growing on me. I have painted the side door and front door the same color but have to put a second coat on those next week. So, just in case you thought I was sitting around eating Bon-Bons and screaming at the kids, LOL, I have been using outside time and naptime very wisely...did I mention how tired I am this week after all the handy-man stuff last week? But it sure does feel good to be getting all these little home projects done..and if I had more money I could REALLY get some stuff done, LOL! My neighbors think I need some Ritalin, LOL!
BTW- Wade was a trooper last week...I worked him hard on his days off, and "we sure 'preciate it"!

Can you feel the concentration?

If you have small kids the picture of concentration has a whole new meaning...I LOVE to watch my oldest daughter Bentlee really concentrate on her work...I can feel the determination she has to please me and herself. It was hard to really capture this moment and I sure do wish I could download the video I took of her counting...if only you can see her little mouth forming the numbers as she writes them and how hard she tries to write them. Can you imagine her saying "firty one, firty two...(thirty one, thirty two)?
Bentlee had some trouble with her small motor skills in PreK. Now that she is in Kindergarten Wade and I can see her overcoming those difficulties more and more each day...she colors better, she forms/writes her words better, and I love to SEE how she is learning by looking at her school work she brings home each day. PreK was a play/learning environment, Kindergarten really takes a learning "curve" of sorts...they are not playing much anymore, they are absorbing SOOO much more. I can only imagine the day I will sit and listen as she reads, which won't be long...we take so much for granted each day...the minutes turn into hours, the days to weeks...PreK to Kindergarten....and tonight I stopped the clock as I sat and watched my daughter with patience and I almost cried as I realized the value of me sitting right there with her...can you really feel her concentration?

Pumpkin Farm

Friday morning I decided we needed a "field trip", the air was cool, the breeze was blowing and fall was definately tickling our toes (i.e. flip flop days are getting to be few and far between, guess I may buy some toe socks right, lol)...anywho, the three toddlers and I set out for the local pumpkin farm.

The kids really enjoyed this little trip...we even walked the pumpkin patch and had sort of a pumpkin "hunt". The kids kept seeing the pumpkins growing underneath the big green leaves and saw the large yellow blossom. I tried to explain how the pumpkins came from those large yellow flowers...I think I lost them, LOL! I took loads of photos but as you know dial up internet prohibits me from sharing ALL those photos...FROWN!

They each came home with a small pumpkin of their choice and much less energy after all that walking in the patch.

I did manage to upload a new header picture. Sweet Rylee in the pumpkin patch with her long pigtails, did I tell you how much I am enjoying her each day? She is such a joy, such a blessing to be with her each and everyday.

Trash the Dress

The pictures are online!

Tara's pictures are just awesome, she is new and up to date on photo applications, etc and made us look really good, even with wet hair...not bragging or anything but Michele and I did a pretty good job too, not professional or anything but pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

Visit Tara's website and check us out...www.photobytarastore.com....click on Michele and Shelley in the pulldown column, password is "trashed". Enjoy!

Michele, I know you don't mind me sharing these with everybody....or you shouldn't anyway! WE ROCK!

And I will say this again, I would DO this again in a heartbeat..I have more idea's now...facial expressions I would like to use, etc. The location was perfect, just not my dark, squinting eyes...and mean looks, LOL! If you are consider doing this, GO FOR IT! It is a once in a lifetime experience and like I told the lady at the pond that thought we had lost our minds, "I might not be here tomorrow, live for today, have fun, what are the chances my girls will wear this dress in 20+ years!"...

How'bout a round of applause?

Made a 95 on my lab test in Anatomy & Physiology! SOOOOO PROUD and YES I am bragging because the average was an 81.....

How about that...patting myself on the back now!

Blackboard has been down all weekend and I have been "chomping at the bit" to get my grade....finally tonight, I got in and got my grade....HOOOORAAYYYY me!

Lipstick Jungle- 5 stars

So, I am a TV junkie at times...especially when it comes to those upper glamour, high heels, house moms, girlfriend group shows...so, at 12:30 this morning I had insomnia and coughing spells once again...so, I tuned into my DVR and watched Lipstick Jungle....
I must admit I did not need to add ANOTHER show to my list of favs but this one has been added...5 stars...LOVED IT! I do long to have those girlfriend nights of sharing a few drinks and letting your hair down...its good for the soul...guess I need to move to the city, seriously~ (and yep, Gray's Anatomy tonight baby!).

Only got about 2-3 hours of sleep last night...meds, coughing, and my first lab test combined made for a terrible night. Good thing I had Lipstick Jungle as a highlight, will probably be watching the DVR again tonight...have not finished my meds yet. :o(

Biting toddlers

Got one for any of you that may need some help...

Bentlee was not a "biter" as a child, Rylee IS..or was, rather.
A mother and friend of mine told me about an article she read in a magazine on biting. When I was working full time it was difficult to catch Rylee in the act of "biting"...but now its different. Of course, I had to explain to two mothers that are bring their kids to my house that MY child had bit them! How embarassing...I had tried biting her back and pretty much everything except hot sauce. I was just afraid to do that!
The article she told me about suggested using LEMON juice...which I just so happened to have on hand the last time she bit. So, upon catching her biting...I immediately scolded her, took her to the fridge, gave her a good squirt in the mouth with the lemon juice, and escorted her to the TIME out chair...and by George, she has not put those sharp knockers on another child....
"knock on wood"

SO, in case you have a biter on your hands, try the lemon juice. And I would hope my friends, you will not report me to SS...I am a great mother, but a firm beleiver of ruling my own children with the hand...this time it was the hand that unscrewed the lemon juice, and I am not apologizing. Thanks to the mom that gave me the article advice.

PS This is two days in a row I have blogged, LOL!

Still alive

I know its been awhile since I blogged, been awhile since I commented on a blog, been awhile since I even signed INTO my blog! Give me a break...yea, I am home but I am STILL working contrary to popular beleif, LOL!

Just wanted to check in a get a blog "fix" and give you some updates and such so here goes...

I got off to a slow start, have been fighting a NASTY head/sinus/chest cold for about two weeks. Beleive it or not I think I got it from someone at my school, not the kids! So, I have been taking advantage of nap time alot by NAPPING myself...but that has come to an end.

I really am enjoying being home, I have settled right in...still holding a daily schedule with a few alterations here and there...I have accomplished alot of little task since I have been here...got right much yard work done, moved a few flowers around, transported some mulch, going to put some new mulch down (just 4 bags or so), got the hedge clippers on anything growing wild in my flower beds, hauled 5 trash cans full of debris to the woods during nap time yesterday...FUN, FUN! I have always loved to work in my yard but the time was never really there...now I can work those things in! I put Wade's grill together that he got for Fathers Day (lol!), cleaned out a few junk drawers...planning to clean out summer clothes soon I guess according to this weather...need to plan a yard sale...probably will do that too...

I am cooking lunch and supper pretty much every day, I did opt for take-out Saturday night because I felt so darn bad!

I am on Prednisone now so look OUT! Its a love/hate relationship with me and that medicine! I can get SOOOO much done but sleep sOOO little! I was up and down all night.

I made a 87 on my first Anatomy & Physiology test....not the "A" I wanted but the average grade was a 82 so I figured I did pretty good. Got my first lab A&P test Thursday night and with the help of Prednisone I am apt to ACE that one...stayed up until 11:15 studying last night and probably will tonight! If my internet was any better I would take pictures of my kitchen...its a HOOT! I have 18 or so pages taped on the walls and cabinet doors of different slides I have to identify on my test...I figured the best way to determine which is which is hang them all up and compare...Wade says "you really get into your work don;t you?"...that was at 11pm last night! I was on a med "HIGH"! LOL~ All jokes aside I want an A and I want it BAD!

I dropped my Psy 150 online course...the teacher was a young idiot rather than professor if you ask me...writing 1-2 page papers every week..this is a PREREC, not a course I am Majoring in and I told her so via email...I plan to take it under another professor later on that is much easier. I know, I am not trying to take the easy route but come on folks, WHO thinks Psycology should be that difficult!? I did not want to flunk a should-be-simple class like that...seriously...

Speaking of seriously~ how about that Grey's Anatomy 2-hour season premiere coming up Thurs night....can I get a WOO-HOOO~!? LOVE that show...I am trying to figure how I will watch all my fav shows, study, keep up on Y&R everyday, and keep kids, LOL? Too funny~ and the answer is....DVR~ not doubt. If you do not have one, get one, you will fall in love and never watch another commercial again! I don't even know what movies are coming out...I just fastforward to the next frame!

Well, thats about it for now...guess it will be another few weeks before I blog again...
Oh, haven't heard from Tara on the professional Trash the Dress pictures...will try to keep you post when they are up for you to see.

Oh, I just took supper out of the oven? jealous? just kidding...I will trade you supper for your high-speed internet.

happy blogging to those of you that can post pictures in a normal time frame....love you too~

REMINDER LADIES!!! UPPER CASE LIVING SHOW....MY HOUSE...FRIDAY NIGHT, 6:30pm....BE THERE GIRLS!

I'm home...

Well, my first few days at home went smoothly...nothing special to report really. I am getting a few things done in between the kids...I cleaned out a few flower beds while we had outside time...I changed my living room around during nap time Friday...I am keeping my laundry caught up most days (with the exception of putting them away, lol!)...the dishes are staying out of the sink...and I am getting out of the house twice a week for class.
I caught a cold already...have been struggling with that since Thursday night...worse this weekend. I did leave the house last night to pickup food since I did not feel like cooking. I did not go to church today for fear of spreading the germs further....and I need to rest! I have my first Anatomy & Physiology test Tuesday night. I have been studying here and there...and PRAY I can make at least a B on this test.
Here are a few pics of Thursday morning outside time and one of a couple of afterschoolers playing dress-up! Too cute! I had many more I could have downloaded but I am feeling Mandy's pain on this DIAL service...I won't tell you EXACTLY HOW I feel about it!

Drum roll please....

Presenting TRASH THE DRESS!

Well, my first day of unemployment was spent with Michele finally taking pics in our wedding dresses. You won't beleive some of these photos...

We started off at Michele's house doing hair and makeup as if we were getting "married" again...heavy makeup, lots of hairspray....

Then we set off to Michele's mom's house...put on our dresses...and off we went...

TO THE JUNK YARD! yep- and pictures to prove it. Now, you did not think this would be an ordinary photo shoot did you? seriously...trash the dress...rusty old equipment, crickets in my dress, dirt between my toes, swarming wasp, huge spider webs, rolling sweat, my first time in a crane bucket, goose poop, and fishy smelling dresses just to name a few perks of the day...BUT BOY WAS IT FUN!








Yep, thats me! I stood up, arms out to the sides, and fell right back! I made them promise to save me if I did not come up...that dress was HEAVY in that water!


Poor "PRINCESS"...look at that dress! lol~



I would do it again in a heart beat if I could...it was loads of fun...and the best part was I got to do it with one of my very best friends...
Be sure and visit her blog for more pics....click on her name under "Friends" to the right of my blog page.

Not sure why some of my photos are small...I just can HARDLY wait to see the professional pictures and to see what Tara does with them...black and white shots, etc...I will let you know when she posts them.