It's A Crazy World Out There

Loser... as in the biggest

2010-09-15T15:33:00.009-04:00

Last March a fellow co-worker started a "Biggest Loser" competition at my office. There were 26 participants all who contributed a monetary amount and the 3 with the highest % of weight loss at the end of 90 days declared the ~~biggest losers~~ "winners". I had found myself in a predicament prior to this competition with having to go up a~~another~~ size in clothes and thought, "Yep, that's for me!"

So I signed up.

I exercised.

I dieted.

And I exercised some more.

I. Would. Win.

It sucked!

Then after the first couple of weeks, I started to see results. The ~~ounces~~ pounds started coming off. We weighed in each week and posted the % results, and I stayed up near the top. It was exciting and motivating.

But I was still determined I. Would. Win.

So I exercised some more, and sweat ~~like a pig~~ a LOT.

When the final days came, I pushed myself and worked my butt off (literally) until I could see my name in the #1 slot!!

It was hard. But I WON!!!!

I lost a total of 25 pounds!!!

It was a life changing time.

I have dropped 3 sizes and am still eating right (most of the time), and still trying to exercise as often as I can....

Unless my toes vote against me. :)

Wedding Bells

2010-09-09T11:32:00.005-04:00

Ahhh, I've missed you fellow internets... sorry for being MIA, but it's been quite a whirl wind here. As you know, CG started school (still not diggin' that, but I am better) and most recently we have been traveling for the most exciting event!!

Over Labor Day Weekend, the family and I traveled here:

Destin, Florida

Where we got to spend time with her:

But most importantly, we got to witness this!!!!

After 11 years together, my brother finally married the love of his life. Although she has been a part of the family for a long time, it was so awesome to see them finally "tie the knot." The wedding was beautiful, as was the bride. It was a super quick weekend, but what a great one it was.

Congrats Matt and Kate!

Love you !

And she's off.....

2010-08-21T09:44:00.008-04:00

It's official.....

Cheerleader Girl is all settled into her college dorm.

It was an adventure to say the least.

And it was hard.

Before

During...

And After.....

Gah! I'm sure gonna miss her!

Playing With The Moon

2010-08-18T12:13:00.004-04:00

Photo source: unknown

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
- Irish Blessing

Shhhhh

2010-08-14T07:38:00.002-04:00

This picture was taken on our trip to Clearwater, FL last Spring. This is the view of the sunrise outside our hotel room overlooking Tampa Bay.

I love a quiet mornings.

When the world is still sleeping just before the chaotic day begins.

There is nothing better than a good cup of coffee with The Salesman and.....

silence.

This-n-That Thursday

2010-08-12T11:13:00.005-04:00

Courtesy of MPM

And so it begins..

One week from today I will be moving my baby girl into her college dorm.

Do you have any idea how ~~many hundreds of dollars~~ much money it costs to PREPARE a kid for dorm life? LOTS!

I am still not sure how we are going to transport the ~~thousands of pounds~~ piles of stuff. A tractor trailer perhaps?

CG has been GREAT about keeping up with everything regarding the start of school. Thank Goodness!

It's going to be really strange knowing she won't be sleeping down the hall. It makes me feel a little sad.

Parents weekend is Sept 25-26... I wonder if I will make it that long?

I am thankful for Skype and Google video chat. At least right now.

I can not believe this day has gotten her so fast.

Gah!

A Mother's Realization

2010-08-03T12:07:00.006-04:00

This is Cheerleader Girl. Many of you may already know her, or maybe you have heard me talk about her. She is the oldest of my two children, and is leaving for college in less than 2 weeks. I told a good friend of mine just recently that the ability to deny that fact is quickly becoming a thing of the past. We have packed up almost all of her stuff- and believe me, it’s ~~enough to fill an 18 wheeler~~ a lot, and she is ready to make the journey.

This process is bittersweet. I am so very excited to see her set out on her own and make her way in this world, but I am sad to know that my little girl is growing up. She has turned into a remarkable young woman and I know that she will make good decisions, along with a few bad ones. She will make mistakes, but I can only hope she will learn from them. Someone once told me, this was a natural progression, and as much as I believe that, it’s going to be hard. I am proud of her and look forward to watching her continue to grow as she pursues her dreams.

But, damn, I’m going to miss her.

To Cheerleader girl… in the words of Rascal Flatts:
My wish for you,
Is that life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
And you never need to carry more than you can hold.

I love you Cheerleader Girl!

Pooped

2010-08-02T11:58:00.003-04:00

As in Pooped out....

Peed out.....

And Played out.....

"Me thinx I needz a wittle nap now"

This-n-That Thursday

2010-07-29T09:38:00.003-04:00

Courtesy of MPM

I'm pretty sure I have Adult ADD. All my posts should be random, like this one.
The new puppy is kickin' my butt. Pee, play, pee, eat, poop, pee, sleep, pee, play, pee, sleep, pee and so on and so on with the emphasis on PEE!
She's really cute though, which is probably why she is still with us (just kidding!)
This is Bud's dog, but somehow, I seem to be the one always home taking care of her.
Cheerleader Girl leaves for college in 3 weeks. UGH!
I really want to take a cooking class.
Maybe I should just watch more Sandra Lee.
It's a good thing today is This-n-That Thursday, because that means tomorrow is Friday and that is a MUCH better day!

Any thoughts you would like to ramble on about. Forgive me if I have a hard time paying attention, I think I mentioned Adult ADD??

Paradise

2010-07-28T11:55:00.004-04:00

Wish I were here.

This a photo taken from Bud's Beach on the last day of Blogfest '10.

I was only able to attend the infamous Beach Day, and was very sorry I missed all of the Fun, Frivolity and Hijinx with the rest of my "Blisters" throughout the rest of the weekend.
But there is always next year!
Thanks CBW, BHE and NoeNoe!

Are you serious?

2010-07-27T10:46:00.003-04:00

Total Stranger at a concert to Woman in front of her constantly messing with the clasp on her bra strap because the tag of her dress kept getting caught on it and it continued to rub on the sunburn the woman got at the beach: "Um, next time you go out and you are pregnant, and it is hot like this, just don't wear a bra and you will be much more comfortable."

Woman ~~now with her self esteem in the toilet~~ to Total Stranger: "Ok thanks, but I'm not pregnant."

Total Stranger: "Oh, I'm sorry, you were holding your belly like you were."

Woman: "Nope, as a matter of fact, I have lost 24 pounds in the last 4 months, and the fact that you think I still look pregnant is quite disappointing.... but its whatever."

Woman thinking to herself as she holds back tears: "Really?!?!? Did that just happen?? WTH!!!"

Daughter of Woman: "Ima cause a scene cuz that was MESSED up! Who says that to someone!!!!! "

Woman: *sigh*

Yes this conversation happened. Yes that Woman was me. Yes my self esteem was in the toilet. But then there was Tim :)

Sighh

2010-07-24T10:40:00.000-04:00

Meet Tim- as in Tim McGraw.
A country music superstar with over 30 number one hits.

Cheerleader Girl and I are headed to the beach tomorrow to see him in concert. And let me just say...

I. Can. Not. Wait!!!

Oh, and I am sure his wife Faith won't mind that MY name is tattooed on his arm..... Sigh :)

The Newest Addition To Our Crazy World

2010-07-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

As if we needed another mouth to feed.....

But how could you resist this little one?

Meet Amberley :)

She was a rescue puppy that we just had to bring home....... now if she would just learn where to potty and what NOT to chew on, all would be well again.

She Did It!

2010-07-21T15:49:00.004-04:00

It's official!!!

Cheerleader Girl is a High School Graduate!!

I can not begin to express how PROUD I am of her!

She is off to Longwood University soon and I will miss her terribly,

but I know that she will be successful in pursuing her dreams!

Chin up little girl!!

Congratulations!

I love you!! <3

Whaaat's Up!!

2010-06-11T11:04:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I've been missing...... But I read your blogs all the time, and I try hard to stay in the loop. It's just hard when.... well..... you're, um, busy? Haha :) I can't believe I haven't posted on here since February..... just so you know, it's no longer cold here.

Today is Cheerleader Girl's last day of high school..... She will make her way into the world, starting at Longwood University in the fall..... Where did the time go??

This-N-That Thursday

2010-02-11T12:29:00.002-05:00

It's cold.
Cheerleader Girl had surgery over a week and 1/2 ago. She is still in pain. It sucks.
We have a crapload of snow.
It's cold.
How much do you think a crapload is?
My kids JUST went back to school today after almost TWO weeks of NO school due to the crapload of snow. (At least I don't live in Baltimore).
Cheerleader Girl made out well since she couldn't go to school anyway.
I have come to hate snow. And I hear there is more in the forecast.
My Superbowl party was a success. Even though it snowed. But we had a great time!!!
I hate the cold. We are going to Florida for Spring Break.... is that break coming anytime soon? NO! It better be warm when I get there!
Sorry I've been MIA, I've been ~~lazy~~ busy. I was hoping my assistant would have done a better job of keeping everyone updated. Just can't find good help these days. Not sure why since so many people are unemployed. Which is why I won't fire her, even if she was somewhat lazy in regards to udating my blog.
Does anyone know what color grass is? I seem to have forgotton.
It's cold.

Mom x 2's assistant (if she had one) says.....

2010-01-26T10:51:00.003-05:00

Dear Fellow Bloggers friends of Momx2,

I have been in close contact with Momx2 and she would like for me to pass on that she has been real busy as of late. She is sincerely sorry that she has neglected you and her visits to your blogs have been sporadic at best.

She has been attending wrestling tournaments to watch Bud wrestle. He has not been a friendly one to be around as cutting weight makes him VERY grumpy. That makes Momx2 grumpy and she finds it better not to share her attitude with the internets, even though she totally knows they would all forgive her (right?) She is however, very proud of Bud and glad to see he is doing well this year.

She has also been helping Cheerleader Girl try (keyword) make a decision where college is concerned, which has also made her grumpy. Her friends have told her leaving for college is a natural progression. Although you will miss them when they are gone, by the time that day comes around you will be DAMN ready for them to go. She does want Cheerleader to know however, in the event she might be reading this, that she still loves her and will support her in whatever decision she makes.

I also think I overheard her talking with The Salesman concerning a few not so great things going on with someone they have been close to for a long time and that person's daughter. I'm pretty sure they think that they have made some good decisions, and if she could, she would love to share the story, but not yet, not now. She is sort of in a funk and doesn't feel like writing about it, but says that it sucks when you try to do the right thing only to have it thrown back in your face. She stands by her convictions though and I have faith she will get over it. Eventually.

Apparently there is some big football game coming up? The Superbowl maybe? So it is very possible she is starting to make plans for some gathering she might be having at her house. But I don't know. She is kind of a procrastinator so..... who knows. ; )

She did tell me that she was able to get ALL THREE laundry baskets empty. Of course I am sure that was short lived. She does have two children afterall, as well as a husband, who after being out of town for TEN days will most likely fill them up in the next couple days. But as of yesterday she could still see the bottom. She is so proud!

As soon as she is available, I will be sure to let her know you are looking for her (you are right? she needs reassurance), and I have no doubt she will be back... soon.

Thank you for your time and understanding,

Momx2's Assistant

Congratulations Cheerleader Girl!

2010-01-13T09:21:00.002-05:00

I am one proud momX2 today.... actually more like momX20000000000!

Cheerleader Girl has been accepted to all 3 of the colleges she applied to, and all early acceptance.

Christopher Newport University, Longwood University and James Madison University. Her top 2 are LU and JMU.

Let the decision process begin.....

Congratulations Cheerleader Girl!

This and That Thursday

2010-01-07T10:23:00.002-05:00

Apparently it is a new year.... Why am I just as busy as the last one?
Happy New Year!
A new year means that wrestling season is in FULL swing.
Bud is wrestling Varsity this year. That'a a big deal, but it's also a lot more work.
I wish I could win the lottery this year so I didn't have to come to work. I don't mind working, except when I would rather be doing something else. Like, surfing FaceBook.
I got a new Blackberry. I think I am going to like it, except I don't know how to use it, and I type very slow. I can, however, access FaceBook at work now, ~~which is probably not a good thing.~~
I am looking forward to the new year.... hope it brings all kinds of good things to you all!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T12:42:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas!

From Our Family.... to Yours!

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

2009-12-17T08:50:00.004-05:00

This was passed on to me by a co-worker, and because I love all of my bloggy friends, I really thought it was only fair to share. Especially since most of you live far away and won't be attending the same parties as me, so I won't have to worry about any of you knowing that I really do follow all of these tips. They are quite helpful, and you should read them carefully. K, thanks....

Holiday Eating Tips

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. Rather one should skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Have a Merry Christmas & a great holiday season!!

It's Christmas!

2009-12-15T21:43:00.005-05:00

I don't have time to hardly turn around anymore, but that's okay....

because these two still smile for Christmas pictures :)

Here's to hoping your holidays are filled with smiles!

Here's a little shout out!

2009-12-12T15:05:00.004-05:00

I've recently reconnected with old friends from high school, and one of them has started her very own blog. Hopefully she won't share all of the stories from high school haha. Actually, she probably won't share any since it's not that kind of blog. But, all of YOU, should head on over and check it out! Talk about being in the Christmas spirit! Adventures in Decorating is definitely going to get you there!!

Happy Holidays everyone.....

Friday Fragments

2009-12-11T14:40:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness! It's Friday ! AGAIN! ALREADY? WtH?

Been super busy- as if my lack of posting is not already an indication of that, but thought I would at least put it out there in case there might be someone who thinks I've not been busy and just been neglecting all of you....
High school football is over. Our boys (not mine, I have a cheerleader and a wrestler remember) were the regional champs this year for the 2nd time in 3 years! That's pretty amazing for a school that has only been around since 2003. Plus just 4 years ago they were 0-10. That's real bad!- Anyway, they played in the state semi final game against a team that was ranked 25 in the nation and was on a 28 game winning streak in the FREAZING freakin' rain on a MUDDY field! They lost. But only by 3 points. So, the season is over. But it was a heck of a ride. No more cheering for football. Cheerleader girl is sad, but warm and dry.
BUD GOT HIS LICENSE. I feel the need to shout that from the roof tops for all of my town to hear so they can be on the look out of that red mustang coming down the road! Ha, just kidding Bud (not that you read this or anything). I am so proud of him! He was so tired of depending on his sister to take him everywhere. Now, not so much :)
Wrestling season has started. I love that my son plays a sport. Wrestling is not my favorite sport though. I love, love, love, to watch MY son wrestle, but not everyone else's son (or daughter, let me please not discriminate against the girls out there). So now I will get the opportunity again... because, well, wrestling season has started. The good thing though, Bud will have a starting spot on the Varsity team (assuming he can make weight).... FINALLY after lots and lots of wrestling matches.
The Christmas decorations are up! 2 trees and lots of other stuff. Too bad there won't be many presents under the tree thanks to CG's accident and Bud's license. Maybe I could wrap up match box car replicas of their cars. Think that will fly? Well it just may have to. We are in a recession after all.
My husband got invited to the inauguration of our new governor. I think that's pretty cool, even though I am not sure what he did to get an "official" invite. Ha- everyone probably got one, but I still think its cool. I've never been to an inauguration. What does one wear? Maybe I should ask the Salahis.
I heard Tiger Woods is changing his name to Cheetah. I thought it was an appropriate change under the circumstances. So far none of the women he has been accused of having affairs with have been "cougars." I mean if they were he could start his own zoo.
I think I am out of stuff to talk about, well probably not, but that's enough for now.....I'll move on now and try not to be away for so long next time!

Happy Friday everyone!

2009-11-25T08:45:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Photo borrowed from here.

FRIDAY :)

2009-11-20T09:38:00.004-05:00

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Photo borrowed from here.

This-That-Thursday

2009-11-19T08:53:00.002-05:00

One more day until the weekend!
The weather is yucky here….. again.
I have another cold.
Probably because the weather is yucky….. again.
My kid’s high school football team continues their season this weekend with play off games. That means CG will be cheering…. Still.
I love high school football.
But not when I have a cold.
I hope it won’t be cold and yucky.
Wrestling season has started. I think I am happy about that. It’s still up for debate.
Bud finishes his behind the wheel portion of driver's ed on Saturday and will officially have his driver's license.
After CG’s accident, I am NOT happy about that and it has nothing to do with having a cold.
The insurance company has finally settled on CG’s car. Now we just have to replace it. That is not making anyone happy.
One more day until the weekend.

Thankful

2009-11-12T19:40:00.008-05:00

Scariest

Call

Of my life!

Bud: "MOM, WE NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!"
Momx2: "What happened?"
Bud: "CHEERLEADER GIRL HIT A TREE!"
Momx2: "WHAT!!!!OMG!!!! ARE YOU GUYS OK?!?!?!?!?!!?"
Bud: "Yes, her lip is bleeding and the car is kind of a mess, but I think we are ok"
Momx2: "THANK YOU GOD FOR WATCHING OVER MY CHILDREN!"

Yesterday afternoon, the above conversation occured between my son and me shortly after his sister ran off the road and slammed her car into a tree. Due to the lovely nor'easter we have been having here, the roads are VERY wet, the yards are VERY muddy and the wind has been blowing VERY hard. As a result, driving has proven to be somewhat difficult. The road she was on is narrow and winding and not the most fun to drive on a dry, sunny day. Her right, front tire slipped of the side of the road, and she skidded in the mud only to come to a stop after the car collided with a tree.

I cannot begin to describe the fear that ripped through me, first when I got the dreaded call, and again when I rolled up on the scene of the accident. I had already called my parents, who live only a short (at the time probably very long) 5 minutes away and they arrived before I did. Fire, rescue and police were also there. There is nothing more scary then red and blue lights, knowing your children were somehow involved.

As I write this today, I am so very thankful! I am thankful that my children are both okay. Although it may sound strange, I am thankful my son was there to help my daughter deal with whatever was happening. He came through for her and was her rock until my parents arrived. Had she been alone I don't know how she would have handled it. I am thankful my parents live close and dropped everything to be there from my children when I called. I love them! I am thankful for the nice man, whose name noone got, stopped and tried to help them and stayed with them until the police arrived. I am thankful for the 911 operator who help keep CG calm so she could give him the information he needed. I am thankful for the officer who did not give her a ticket and was so unbelievably nice to my family. I am thankful that I received the call from my son, rather than the paramedics, or from an ER nurse.

But most of all, I am thankful that God was watching over my children yesterday. That He did not let anything serious happen to them and that they both walked away.

Hold your babies close, and don't take anything for granted.

It can all be gone in the blink of an eye.

Thank You.....

2009-11-11T09:53:00.005-05:00

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

But fame is theirs - and future days

On pillar'd brass shall tell their praise;

Shall tell - when cold neglect is dead -

"These for their country fought and bled."

~Philip Freneau

College

2009-11-10T11:39:00.004-05:00

Last Friday Cheerleader Girl and I headed up to Longwood University. It is the first college of several in which she has/will apply. It is also the only one that has an “immediate decision” which essentially says, if you meet certain requirements, you apply, bring your transcripts, tour the school, and while touring, the admissions office reviews your application and by the time you get back they have their decision, but you don't have to commit until May. (Pretty sure that was a run on sentence, glad I didn’t have to write her essays). We knew going into this tour that CG far exceeded the requirements, and according to her college comp teacher her essays were “phenomenal,” but there is still a level of anxiety that is comparable to bungee jumping in Thailand. For me, not for her. Fortunately, all of my concerns were put to rest shortly after we returned to the admissions office……. Yep that’s right my friends ~~that live in my computer~~

SHE WAS ACCEPTED!!!

Congrats Cheerleader Girl!!!

Still don’t know if she will go, but it is one down……

I think I’ll go find that bungee cord now.

Let the wine ~~gulping~~ sipping begin.

Ugh.

Oyster Festival :)

2009-11-08T17:29:00.007-05:00

I don't have pictures to post, I'll leave that to my fellow attendees, because well, I FORGOT my CAMERA, and my phone takes crappy pics.

I was unable to attend Friday's festivities, but on Saturday, The Salesman and I ventured over the bridge into the ~~humongous~~ teeny town of Urbanna for the 52nd Annual Urbanna Oyster Festival. It is such a quaint little place with 4 billion people. Well maybe not 4 billion, maybe it was only 2 billion, but who knew you could put so many people in one little town. Of course when you don't let cars in, it's a little easier I guess. Okay, Okay, maybe not 2 billion, but there were A LOT of people.

There was food GALORE! It was like going to the fair, but better! We had the best clam chowder I have ever eaten. And butterfly fries, and crabcakes, and roasted cashews and WINE! Yes, there was wine tasting. $10 got you a wine glass and an all day pass to the taste the wines of many of the Virginia wineries. We drank lots, and bought more! My favorite of the day was White Meteor from White Fences Vineyard, in Irvington, VA. Hmmm, may just have to take a trip there, as soon as I find out where the heck Irvington, VA is ;) Oh and there were lots and lots of booths with people selling their wares. Everything from apple jelly to zebra print purses. Yes we spent money, what can I say.

The best part of the day was meeting up with BHE, Mental P Mama, CBW and Bud, Noe Noe Girl, Little T (even if he did call me Atlee) and CW, all at BHE's dad's house for the parade. I missed the Fireman's Parade on Friday, ~~and I can still hear, unlike the others~~ but Saturday's parade was a site to see. The parade wrapped all around the town, literally! It ended where it started and in order to get to the start/finish, the leaders had to stop to let the end come around so they could complete the loop. (I'm pretty sure that statement doesn't make sense, but I know what I mean). There were shriners and antique cars, marching bands and Little Miss Spat, there was even a man dressed as an oyster. At BHE's dad's house there was good company and wine and laughs all around. They are the most fun group of people to be around! Never a dull moment for sure and I am sure glad I got to spend time with them.

I believe they all headed back to Ann Marie's for a fish fry, but The Salesman and I had to head on back to the 'ville. I always miss the good parts, and I am for sure sorry I missed this one and look forward to reading all about it.

I sure hope you all had as fun of a weekend as I did! Can't wait to see all of them again!

Regionals

2009-11-04T12:28:00.003-05:00

Since Cheerleader Girl's competition team placed 2nd at their district competition last week, they advance to the regional competition which takes place tonight. Its another "last" for us. Possibly the VERY last competition she will compete in - ever. Only the top 4 of 16 teams advance to the state competition and who knows how CG's team will do. They have all but one of their original team members back from inury or illness (thank you H1N1), so that is a good thing, and we are expecting big things from them tonight!!

However, I am pretty sure the stars are not aligned correctly or something, because weird things are happening with sports in our area this year. Teams that haven't ever placed are winning district competitions and matches. Teams that haven't had a winning record in a lot of years are ranked top 10 in the area. Its good for those teams.... I am happy for them, it's just weird. It also leaves things WIDE open, which makes me, Psycho Cheer Mom, wondering if the stars will be aligned correctly tonight.

I wish all of the teams Good Luck,

but most of all...

I wish my not-so-little girl the BEST OF LUCK!!!

Love you CG!!! Kick A$$!

Friday Fragments

2009-10-30T15:20:00.000-04:00

My kids high school football team plays their cross town rival tonight. I sure hope they win. Too bad CG won’t be cheering due to that LOVELY injured shoulder.
I am a “cereal killer” at work today for Halloween. Lots of little cereal boxes taped to a shirt with plastic knives in them. Pretty clever huh? Yea, I thought so. I definitely stole the idea.
I love when daylight savings time ends. It gives me an extra hour of sleep. Even though I will probably wake up an hour early anyway.
I just finished reading “The Lost Symbol.” Interesting book, full of cool references.
CG finally submitted her application to James Madison University. I am not diggin’ the whole application process. Well, actually, I’m not diggin’ the whole “going away to college” thing. Wonder if she would mind if I moved to the town in which she is going to college? Probably not? Dang it!
Based on the drop in temperature and the change in the leaves on the trees, I believe autumn has finally arrived. I wasn’t aware the sun stopped shining during fall. I thought the grey set in during winter. Strange.
I have no plans for Halloween. None, and for some reason, that seems strange.
Do any of you have any plans? Have a Happy Halloween!

2nd Place

2009-10-28T14:11:00.002-04:00

Well, for those wondering, Cheerleader Girl's competition team placed 2nd out of 6 in her district competition last night, only losing to the 1st place team by 4.5 points(240.5 to 236). After the many obstacles and challenges they faced over the last week, a 2nd place win will just have to do :) I am so proud of the job that all of them did, but especially my baby girl! Best part, I didn't cry and CG made it through without additional injury. Woo Hoo!

We will face the 1st place team again at the Regional competition next Wednesday.

Watch out Raiders.... there's a host of Hawks headed your way!

Congratulations Cheerleader Girl and her Lady Hawk Cheerleaders!

Another last...

2009-10-27T09:23:00.002-04:00

Tonight is my daughter's last High School District Competition Cheerleading competition.

I am not sure how I feel about that.

I am very sad, because, while I feel confident they will move on to the Regionals, it is still the last Districts.

At the same time, I feel relief.

I am looking forward to the season coming to a close. She has been practicing with an injured shoulder, 3 hours a day, 6 days a week since August and that includes a 7 hour practice just last night to reset the entire routine.

There have been numerous physical therapy appointments, even more bouts with advil and TONS of tears. Her team has been plagued with injuries and the "piggy flu" and still they manage to put it all together.

We take it one day at a time, and the very important day is finally here.

I wish her all the luck in the world that she will be successful and bring home a CAPITAL DISTRICT WIN for her team. And I am praying that she can do it without further injury.

I love you Cheerleader Girl! Good Luck!

HANDBOOK 2009

2009-10-23T12:55:00.001-04:00

I received this email from my mother, who received it from who knows, but it was really cool so I thought I would share.... Happy Friday everyone!! Have a great weekend!

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes’ walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past that will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29.. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up..
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please share this with everyone you care about, I just did.

This - n - That Thursday

2009-10-22T09:23:00.002-04:00

Is it really Thursday already?
Cancun was amazing, except I was sick from the time I got there all the way up to.... uh, today? Actually, I am feeling much better, but still coughing- ugh, so over it!
Work is surprisingly under control.... makes me wonder if the stars are not quite aligned?
School is crazy for my kids right now. Does it really ever slow down.
Who knew the college application process would be so unbelievably INSANE? Was I warned, probably. Did I heed that warning? Apparently not!
I miss my friends terribly. Time seems to get away from us and it appears to be an impossible feat for us to get together. I hope they know I miss them.
I'm going to a chocolate party at BHE's on Sunday..... yes you heard correctly. CHOCOLATE Party. 2 of my favorite words.... 3 if you include "BHE" :)
Cheerleader Girl's last district cheer competition is next Tuesday. Can you say super nervous? and kinda sad :( with "last" being the key word.- Hopefully their team will not be plagued with the swine flu like a couple of other high school teams in the area.
The Oyster Festival is coming up soon..... it seems like just yesterday the first weekend in November seemed eons away.... now, not so much! I hope all of my "Blisters" will come and we can have a mini reunion!
Happy Thursday everyone..... anything going on in your worlds? This or That??

Friday Fragments

2009-10-02T13:37:00.002-04:00

Its been a bunch of Fridays since the last time I posted
There is never any extra time (or money) left over at the end of the day. Why is that?
It's Homecoming at my kids high school this weekend. The cheerleaders and the parents are tailgating before the parade and game. I am bringing subs and chips for 40. That's a lot of food.
I can't believe that next year this time Cheerleader Girl will be coming back from college(I hope) to particpate in the festivities and I will no longer be a cheer parent.
Bud is actually going to the dance this year for the first time.
It's perfect football weather! Warm till the sun goes down, then the fall temps set in.
I get to see BHE tonight..... first time in 908752942 days!
The Salesman and I leave for Cancun in 9 days. I haven't really thought about the fact that this trip is coming up so fast since I have been trying to catch up to today.
Do you ever wonder where the people going through the drive through at a fast food restaurant are going? Am I the only one that does that?
I got a new car. It's pretty and I love it!
I wonder if my boss reads my blog? I hope not, because then I would probably get busted for blogging during work hours, even if it is my lunch hour.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!

I got nothin'

2009-09-15T09:31:00.003-04:00

Been crazy busy with school starting, The Salseman out of town, college stuff, senior stuff, cheerleading stuff, new driver stuff and now wrestling practices- already. It all seems too much to think about let alone write about.... I'm still around, and I'll be back when the world stops spinning at mach speeds and only spins at a speed equivelant to reckless driving.

Friday Fragments

2009-08-28T11:29:00.005-04:00

My daughter had her senior portraits done last week and we are anxiously awaiting the user id and password from the photographer so we can actually see the gagillion picures she took.
I received an email this morning listing 25 ways to tell if you are old. You know what? I read that damn list TWICE and every single one applied to me!
I am pretty sure Virginia has the most oblivious drivers in all fo the US. I thought for sure whn you took driver's ed you learned that the left lane is the PASSING LANE. So if you are in THAT lane going slower than the people in the right lane, GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY! Sorry for yelling, but this is a huge pet peeve of mine!
I really want a Blackberry Curve. I just got a new cell phone, but I wish I had gotten the Blackberry. I haven't quite figured out how I can talk The Salesman into buying me one since my phone is not even 6 months old. Any suggestions?
It really bothers my husband and I spend so much time, effort and money on taking care of our lawn, only to have the neighbors spread their weeds in our yard. Use the weed whacker and bag your grass! You only have a postage stamp size lot for Heaven's sake.
I love sommer, but I am ready for cooler weather and less humidity. I am pretty much over the HHH effect. Hazy. Hot. Humid. It would be nice to actually walk out the front door and not have my glasses fogged up immediately.
Is it time for the Oyster Festival yet?

Vanity Plates

2009-08-27T10:41:00.006-04:00

Not sure I will be playing any road rage games with this one :)

How's that for a vanity plate Mama?

P.S. This picture was emailed to me and I have no idea where this picture came from so I can give no credit.

Weekend Recap

2009-08-24T13:58:00.002-04:00

After an extremely stressful week with The Salesman being away, I was extremely glad for the weekend to arrive.

Saturday night was an amazing one spent with BHE, MPM and CBW (huh, lots of initials there). We spent a great evening ~~stuffing our faces with~~ eating piles of wonderful food and a few ~~bottles~~ sips of wine, and best of all, lots and lots of laughs! BHE’s plans to have dinner with Mental P after she dropped her lovely daughter off at UVA were intensified when she included both CBW and Bud and Cool Breeze, and myself of course, as a surprise to Mama. I sooo wish I'd had my camera in hand when I looked up and saw her face! SURPRISE = priceless!!!! It was so good to just relax with good friends, good food and good wine, even though I think there was some talk from the waiter about how we couldn’t have anymore wine?

Sunday proved to be just as amazing because The Salesman finally arrived home after being gone almost the entire month of August. It is really, really good to have him home. I have some updates on my FIL, but for once I would like to end a post on a happier note, so I am going to leave those details for another day.

What did you do this weekend?

2009-08-20T10:31:00.002-04:00

I’m kind of angry with God right now. I don’t usually get mad at Him, but 2 grandparents in one summer is just not fair. My Father in law is not fairing well, and although we are still waiting on the results from all of the tests, the prognosis doesn’t look good.

And I am sad.
I am sad that my husband is ½ country away and is having to deal with all of this and I can’t be there to comfort him.
I am sad that my children may have to deal with the death of another grandparent, even though they are not close. It is a two-fold thing. The loss of another, and the painful memory of the loss of the last.

At the same time, I feel guilty. Life here is continuing, while life in Indiana/Chicago is suffering. We still go to work, go to practice, go out to dinner, live our lives.
I feel guilty for being happy that my son has a new girlfriend that he seems to really like.
I feel guilty for being ecstatic that my daughter made both varsity and competition cheerleading and is Captain on both teams. Finally.
I feel guilty for being excited for school to start. For my daughter to start her senior year and for my son to start is junior one.
I feel guilty for looking forward for good things to come this school year.
I feel guilty for wishing my husband was home, instead of several states away when I know the right thing for him to do is to be with his mom and brothers right now.
I feel guilty for not being there with him and his family as they make these life decisions, and I feel guilty that I am thankful I don’t have to make them.

And I don’t know if I am wrong to feel all of these things, including the guilt. I feel as if things are spinning out of control, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to make the spinning stop. I just want time to slow down a little and let me catch my breath.

A note from Momx2's assistant

2009-08-18T14:29:00.006-04:00

Momx2 wanted me ~~ahem, her personal assistant that you all wish you had~~ to assure all of you she has NOT, I repeat NOT, dropped off the side of the Earth.

Unfortunately, Momx2's family has been struck again by cancer. The Salesman's father has had bone cancer for quite sometime, and recently has taken a turn for the worst. A couple years ago, the doctors replace his pelvis and upper thigh bone with a titanium rod and within another year had to remove more of the bone in his leg and replace that as well. The type of tumor he has is called Chondrosarcoma and although can be treated, sort of, it is not uncommon for it to mestastasize in the lungs and lymph nodes. We are afraid that we have reached that stage. His lymph nodes are enlarged and they have found a few spots in his lungs. The x-rays and mri SEEM to indicate that the spots may only be blood clots and that perhaps the lymph nodes are as a result of the excruciating pain that he is currently in. We should have results for the 40gagillion tests they ran earlier this week on Wed or Thursday. We are just praying for something positive, whatever God decides that should be. The Salesman has only been home 2 days out of the last 2 weeks and is not due to return home again until next Sunday. Needless to say, Momx2 is quite stressed out.

On a lighter note, CG has recently made both the Competition cheering and the Varsity cheering teams at school, and as team mom, Momx2 has been busy meeting with coaches, other parents etc. to try and get ready for the last year of cheering.

So to all you bloggers out there, that might be missing Momx2, rest assured, she is still around.
Although she is not sure when her blog became written by a personal assistant that she must be getting for free, because she dang sure ain't paying her.

Sincerely,
Momx2's personal assistant who, as previously stated, ain't gettin' paid!

What, Momx2 is missing?

2009-08-10T15:56:00.000-04:00

Oh no!! Should we look for her?
Perhaps she has lapsed into another blog fog and just hasn’t had the energy to post. That sounds lame, but I have it on good authority that it is a possibility. Don’t worry, I bet she will turn up eventually. She would like to assure you she has been reading your posts, and although has only commented on a few, she really is paying attention. I heard that she has been super busy at work, and really lazy at home. I bet she’ll be back soon, I hear she has lots to talk about.

Sincerely,
Mom x 2’s Personal Assistant
(I am sure if she had a personal assistant, that this is what she would tell you.)

Wine One One

2009-07-29T20:30:00.001-04:00

I am a little concerned that my good friend BHE and all the other ~~winos~~ wine lovers I have come in contact with lately are rubbing off on me.

I have never been much of a wine drinker. I prefer a cold beer or a Lemon Grey Goose and Sprite (tastes just like lemonaid). If I do drink wine, it’s usually a sweeter white wine, and it must be cold. No warm (or room temp) red wine for me. However, recently I have acquired a new found taste ~~addiction~~ for wine. I have managed to finish an entire bottle of Reisling by myself since The Salesman has been out of town and I rarely drink during the week.

Worse yet.... I went to Sam's Club yesterday for Vitamin Water and never made it past the wine section.

I think I may be in trouble….. Better call Wine One One!

photo ~~stolen~~ borrowed from Big Hair Envy

Oh and as a side note.... Check out the article in the Glouster-Mathews Gazette-Journal!

Blogfest.... finally?

2009-07-28T15:38:00.016-04:00

I am finally coming out of my Blog Fog, and see sunny skies ahead. I am in definite need of a happy post, so I thought it was about time I wrote about Blogfest! Unfortunately, I have managed to delete all of my pictures (don’t ask how, I. Have. No. Idea!) But…. Lucky for me, there are lots of people that ~~were much smarter than me~~ took lots of them, and managed NOT to delete them. So you will have to do like I do, and live vicariously through their blogs.

Unfortunately, my stay was cut short, and you must know I was EXTREMELY disappointed. Apparently I missed the some of best days, but you can read about them here, or here, or you can go here and get the links to all the blog stories. But for the time I did spend, it was an amazing experience and I have never met a more fun, caring, wonderful bunch of women (and a couple men). I am very thankful that I was able to put faces with names and to realize they really don’t just live in my computer. They are real people, with real lives and real families. Just. Like. Me!

I arrived at the home of our gracious host CBW to find our other gracious host BHE pouring herself a glass of wine and knew right away I was in the right place! As I attempted to get myself settled after my trek from the Ville, I noticed what an incredible spread of delicious food.

[INSERT ~~DELETED IMAGINARY~~ PICTURE HERE].

Leave it to me to notice the food first. I mean people drove from freaking Maine and Connecticut and flew from the West Coast and Canada for goodness sake, and I am all about the food..... I have to admit though, it was easier to find comfort with the food then with my own awkward self in a house full of people who, up until that very moment, lived in my computer. I soon realized there was no reason to be nervous, maybe it was the Cactus Lime Michelob, but no matter. I was perfectly comfortable just hangin' out with my newly found friends. It struck me as nothing short of amazing that these incredible women would travel from Connecticut, NYC, Canada, Seattle, Texas, Maine, Maryland and California to meet people that live in their computer too.

The next day was our amazing tour of Mathews by our wonderful host. We went to New Point and Bethel Beach. The sites are just amazing.

[INSERT ~~DELETED~~ IMAGINARY PICTURE HERE].

We saw a Tabernacle which was quite an interesting site. I wonder if they still worship there? We had the most delicious lunch at Chef Todd's in Mathews Courthouse. I was so impressed with them! When 16+ ~~crazy~~ excited women "dropped in" for lunch they never skipped a beat. We were seated - together- and quickly. Our food was served- together- and hot. That's pretty good for any restaurant, but for a small town joint, it was awesome! After a stop in at the Visitors Center located in Sibley's General Store it was time to head back to the lovely home of CBW for rest time.

Unfortunately, it was time for me to head out, but they continued on. I will forever remember my trip to Mathews and the amazing friends I made there. I cannot wait for next year! Wonder where it will be?

Sad Goodbyes

2009-07-27T15:41:00.003-04:00

My children never cease to amaze me with their strength and their tenacity. Over the last few days, they have faced challenges that will forever be a part of them. (Most of which I believe are better left unsaid.) Last Monday night, I got the call that their Grandmother had passed away. They have cried for their loss, and they have tried to be grateful that she is no longer suffering. But it has been hard. Both kids were extremely close to her, and as the only grandchildren, they were the apple of her eye. CG summed it up when she read the following at the funeral on Friday…..

“To describe my Grandma in one sentence is pretty much impossible. She was nothing short of incredible to me, my brother and anyone who touched her heart. She was so stubborn and anyone who was close with her can verify that, but she was also the solid rock of the family.

I’ll always remember her amazing Freckles cooking, the many lessons she taught me and her ability to make me laugh in any given situation.

After my grandma was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, she was still a ball of spitfire and always amazed me with her strength.

Overall, she was strong, good hearted and most of all…. My hero. I’ll be missing her presence, but in my heart she’s as close to me as ever.

I love you Grandma!
Always and Forever!”

I cried as she and her brother stood before a packed funeral home and with all the strength and courage they could master, said goodbye to their grandmother.

We’ll all be missin’ you Sue…… Rest in peace.

Blog Fog

2009-07-22T11:43:00.006-04:00

As BHE calls it, I am in "Blog Fog." I think that means I don't have the energy, or maybe it's the ability to find words, or put them together, or something along those lines. At any rate, I seem to be suffering from all of the above.

I have lots to write about and much to tell, but there has been a lot going on around here, and finding time to put it all into words seems to be a difficult task.

I highly recommend you visit the blogs of the some of the most wonderful women of which I have had the privilege to meet and spend time with! They are amazing!

Prayers

2009-07-19T19:35:00.004-04:00

I haven't yet had a chance to post about BlogFest, and I promise I will. But we've had some rather sad news we are trying to handle here in the Crazy World.

Last March, my kids grandmother, my ex's mom, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. While my kids have little to do with their dad, we have all stayed close with their grandma. She took the news remarkably well, but no matter how you look at it, it sucks! The doctors were able to remove 95% of her tumor, but there still remained that dreadful 5%. She never spoke about it though. She just lived her life. I'll neve forget the day we talked to the oncologist for the first time and he gave her the odds. She said, "Well, I guess we will have to beat those odds!" For the last year or so, there have been chemo treatments and a few minor setbacks, but overall, has led a fairly normal life- whatever normal is.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a significant downturn in her health. She started to lose more of her eyesight, her balance became more unstable and dementia has slowly taken over. Last week she was hospitalized in the hospice unit. She is an extremely tolerant woman with a will stronger than I have ever seen. It pains me to see her so small and frail just fade away. It breaks my heart for her "grandbabies" to see her suffer. CG and Bud, her only grandchildren, put up a brave front, but it hurts them like nothing they have ever felt before. I pray every day for God to help them through this most difficult time.

Thank you for reading, and please keep Grandma Sue in your thoughts and prayers.

It's here!!!!

2009-07-16T09:24:00.002-04:00

Well the day has finally arrived that some ~~crazy~~ amazing women will finally meet. Some of them already know each other as friends or family, some have only read about each other on their own blogs. No matter the relationship today, it is for sure going to be different after this weekend.

That's right bloggy friends BlogFest has finally arrived!

I was so excited to be heading out to this wonderful event that I packed yesterday. I still have to work today, and it might be quite difficult to stay focused, but I'm trying. ~~As soon as I finish this post, I promise to get back to work.~~

Camera a
Alcohol a
Airmatterssa
Flip Flops a

I'm pretty sure that's as good as it gets.....

Can't wait to meet those ladies, and we're sure going to miss those that can't be there.

Birthday Surprises!!

2009-07-13T09:45:00.010-04:00

It's been a whirlwind of a weekend. First let me apologize for the delay in this post but it has taken me a bit to recover from this past weekend.

Some of you may (or may not) know that I had a birthday on Sunday. I love birthdays because ~~I love presents~~ it beats the alternative. We usually celebrate birthdays with a small gathering of family but nothing over the top. Well, not so much this year. Apparently my wonderful, amazing husband thought that this milestone birthday deserved a little more.

A few weeks ago, The Salesman called me at work and told me to take Friday July 10 off. I asked why ~~a gajillion times~~ but never got a response. Just a "Do it, or I will call your boss and do it for you." Yes Sir!! All week leading up to that ~~I have no idea what's in store for me~~ day I kept asking what I was going to be doing? NO ONE WOULD TALK. I tried everything from grounding ~~only to be lifted by Dad~~ to waterboarding and still - NOTHING!

When the big day arrived I was told to dress casual, but nice, and to wear a blindfold! WHAT? I don't do well with my face covered, but ~~because I am the best sport in the world~~ I obliged. In the car we go to God only knows where. "Don't take the blindfold off until we get you out of the car" they said. Okay???? I cannot begin to describe my ~~complete shock and excitement~~ surprise when they removed my blindfold and in my face was my BROTHER from ATLANTA!! and his awesome girlfriend!!(I'll call him "Mr. ATL" and her "Mrs. ATL" even though they aren't married, but they should be and that is a post all in itself). My husband had managed to work with them to get them here to surprise me. Let me just say, out of all the things I had racked my brains to come up with regarding my surprise... that was not even on the list!

I could say that my post was coming to a close, but then I would be lying. After we arrived home, and I was still trying to process the fact that Mr. and Mrs ATL were here, The Salesman, CG and Bud were trying to get dinner ready. There had been a couple trips to the grocery store, a few phone calls, but nothing out of the ordinary considering the fact that we had company the for me was unexpected. I was just sitting there ~~smiling so big my cheeks hurt~~ playing with the dogs, and all of sudden I heard this strange voice behind me. At first I thought it was The Salesman making fun of me (not something unusual by the way) and when I turned around I ~~almost peed my pants~~ was TOTALLY SURPRISED AGAIN!!!!!! There standing in my kitchen was my DAD and stepmom from HOUSTON! My brother and his girlfriend- also from Houston and my sister and her husband from TULSA! Yes, my wonderful amazing husband had managed to corral ALL OF MY FAMILY!!!!! here for my birthday! I was so surprised I literally could not comprehend it all. I haven't seen any of them since last year and except for Mr and Mrs ATL, none of them had been to Virginia in at least 7 or 8 years. I was THRILLED!!!! to say the least.

The rest of the weekend played out wonderfully with the opportunity to spend time with my family, and of course the party of the year (more on that later).

On a different note- BLOGFEST this weekend!!!! I can't wait to meet everyone! It's going to be a blast. I am sure there will be many posts next week to document ~~the craziness~~ how much ~~trouble~~ fun it was!

This-N-That Thursday

2009-07-09T08:53:00.007-04:00

My birthday is Sunday. I'm turning 40 - ugh, I know I shouldn't, but I feel old.
There has been a lot of secret keeping going on in my house lately. Birthday secrets maybe?
I have new furniture on my front porch and I love it. I love to sit out there in the evenings when it finally cools down. No one else in my house seems to have the same appreciation for it, but they humor me anyway.
I have decided my favorite ice cream is Bruster's Key Lime Pie. I'm pretty sure there are no calories in it, and if you out there in bloggy world know differently- DON'T TELL ME! What I don't know won't hurt me will it?
I have taken almost every Friday in July off. I wonder how long it will be before people notice I am on a 4 day work week.
Blogfest is in one week. I am pretty excited to meet everyone and it should be alot of fun. I can't wait to read all of the post Blogfest posts.
BHE's birthday was yesterday. We are going to have BLAST celebrating our birthdays together this weekend ;)
I wonder if there will be Karoke? Did you know Karoke means "empty orchestra" in Japenese?
Mexico and Iceland have the highest consumption per capita of Coca Cola. I prefer Pepsi and I know that's not a Southern thing, but I don't care, I just like it better.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Catching up.....

2009-07-06T15:06:00.017-04:00

I've been busy, busy, busy...... not too busy to read and lurk on your blogs, but too preoccupied to write on my own. I figured it was time to play catch up and fill you in on my most ~~boring~~ exciting life.

As you probably know, I went to the beach last week with Mom, CG and BHE’s Snow White to see Kenny Chesney!!! What an AWESOME trip!!!

It started off a little rough, with a 4 mile back up at the ~~tunnel from hell~~ Chesapeake Bay Tunnel. 4 miles is a long way, not to mention the fact that all the signs said “TUNNEL BLOCKED!” In a last ditch effort to save ourselves from ~~cussing and fussing~~ endless hours of waiting in traffic going nowhere, I called The Salesman and asked him for a round-a-bout way to get where we were going. Since we were at the last exit before the tunnel, he says, “Turn around.” WTF? Go the other way and take this road and that road and this bridge and that tunnel and eventually you will end up on the other side of the bay. It was a 30 minute detour, but it beat 4+ hours in nowhere traffic! Gotta love VA Beach in the summertime ;)

Once we arrived at the beach, all was well.

We spent and entire afternoon on the beach, soakin’ up the rays, waiting for the infamous Kenny to show up with a fruity drink. He never did show. I guess he was ~~hanging out with some other lucky chick and forgot his date with us~~ getting ready for the AMAZING performance he was going to give the next day. Anywho, the girls and Mom and I had a GREAT day on the beach. We went to an awesome dinner on the waterfront and had some of the best crabcakes! Nothing better than crabcakes from the Chesapeake Bay!

And topped it off with this TollHouse Cookie Pie! Yummy :)

Our walk on the boardwalk after returning to our hotel left all of us ~~with extremely over worked abs and cheeks~~ exhausted from the hysterical laughing we did.

Thursday proved to be just as amazing! The weather was perfect...

And the concert- UNBELIEVABLE!

This is Cheerleader Girl (left) and Snow White (right) waiting patiently for it to start. I swear they are not related. Lady Antebellum opened up, followed by Miranda Lambert. Both of them were great! It’s awesome to go to a concert and have the performer actually sound like they do on the radio.

Then Kenny came on and he was AMAZING! He sang a some of his old stuff and a little of the new stuff. He really does put on a show! He definitely confirmed why he has been named Entertainer of the Year by the CMA so many years! He sang NON-stop for one and a half SOLID hours. The only break he took was to introduce his band! Well worth the money and I am ready for him to come back next year!

I will definitely be there :) BHE, we sure missed you.

After 2 really good days at the beach and an amazing concert, it was time to head home on Friday :( As sad as we were to leave, it is always nice to go home. The trip home proved to be just as adventurous as the trip there. This time SEVEN mile back up. So, I'm back on the phone with The Salesman, asking again for another detour. At least this time I didn't have to turn around. We managed to take this road and that road, this tunnel, that bridge, another tunnel and then back on the other side of the back up. I am not sure what it is about that Tidewater area, but I feel for those that live there. I would be ~~in jail for numerous cases of road rage~~ a basket case!

Let's seeeeee... what else has Momx2 been up to? I'm not really sure- that's scary!

Hope everyone had a great 4th!

Here's a shout out to all those men and women serving in the finest military in the world!

Thank you for your service!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the day!

2009-06-23T11:45:00.006-04:00

I have been so looking forward to this beach trip with CG, Snow White and Mom :) I can not tell you how excited I am. And the best part (other than spending time with 3 of my most favorite people)

...................................

HE WILL BE THERE!

Not on the beach with me of course, unless I can somehow ~~kidnap him and hold him hostage while we sip pina colodas~~ talk his manager and body guards into letting him hang out with us. I mean who wouldn't want to do that, right? But we will definitely see him ~~in our dreams handcuffed to a beach chair with a smile on his face as he realizes he is with 4 of the most amazing females on the East Coast~~ in concert!

I. Can. Not. Wait!!!!

Photo borrowed from ~~my dreams~~ http://www.ramblestrip.com/kennychesney.jpg

Happy Birthday Bud!

2009-06-21T07:04:00.005-04:00

My youngest turns 16 today. It is hard for me to believe that my children are growing up so fast! I wish there was a way to slow down the process, at least on most days. It just amazes me how quickly they grow up..... Bud has made the biggest changes over the last 12 months.....

This is him with his sister last year in Hawaii just shortly after his 15th birthday.

Yes, I promise he was 15 in this picture.

This was taken yesterday after celebrating his 16th birthday.

Yes, I also promise it is the same kid. Pretty unbelievable.
I am so proud of the young man he has become.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUD!!

2009-06-19T14:17:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

and Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there :)

photo borrowed from http://media.photobucket.com/image/tgif/pamipj/tgif.jpg

LG U.S. National Texting Championship.

2009-06-17T12:00:00.003-04:00

Did you ever hear of such a thing?

Iowa teen is the latest texting champion

Apparently the 15 year old girl sends 14,000 texts a month! WTF?!? She beat out 20 other finalists which were selected from over 250,000 who attempted to participate.

The best part (for her and her family)?

She won $50,000!!

Hmph- I thought CG's 4000 a month was bad! I don't suppose I should let her or Bud see this article. The texting will never stop!

IMO, 14,00 tms a month is INSANE! TTYL ROFL!!!!

Raffle :)

2009-06-16T10:07:00.007-04:00

Hallie over at Wonderful World of Weiners is having a raffle for a great cause.

Looks like there are a ton of great prizes....... You might want to enter :)

Click here for details. Below is her comment left on a previous post.

I was wondering if you might be willing to mention my raffle/fundraiser. I would NOT ask if it wasn't for a great cause. Plus, there are over 90 donated prizes to win totaling over $3000.00! And who doesn't like to win??It's really a win-win for everyone. People get to help me meet my fundraising goal AND potentionally win big.PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE clickover and enter my raffle!! You can truly win TONS OF PRIZES (totaling over $3000.00 - gift cards, Starbucks coffee maker, $600 in camping equipment, gorgeous jewelry and more).
It's for a great cause….http://www.firstgiving.com/hallietwomey

6 years ago my Dad received a new heart.
This is my way of giving back.
Hallie
http://wonderfulworldofweiners.blogspot.com/

2009-06-15T12:00:00.002-04:00

Hubby home from visiting his parents in Indiana - CHECK

House cleaned ~~sort of~~ - CHECK

Hardwood floors scrubbed - CHECK

Grass Mowed - CHECK (thanks Bud- you're a good son)

Kitchen Cabinets cleaned out - CHECK!!!!!! Thanks Mom :)

Pool Time - CHECK

Laundry Done - ~~CHECK~~

Finally watched Slum Dog Millionaire - CHECK Great movie by the way :)

Happy Monday everyone!!!

Friday Fragments

2009-06-12T11:36:00.004-04:00

I wish I could find the link for Friday Fragments......

The Salesman is out of town this weekend, and I thought I would work on getting some stuff done around the house. As if we haven't already been doing that for the last hundred weekends. But Mom is coming over to help organize kitchen cabinets.... she should have been a professional organizer. It's something she loves, why I'll never know, but she does. So, because she does, she wants to help.

My kids are officially out of school today. Cheerleader Girl will be a Senior next year and Bud a Junior... not sure I am ready for that.

I love summer. Warm weather makes me happy. I should move to Florida where it is warm all the time, but I don't like hurricanes.

I am only 1 week and 6 days away from the Kenny Chesney concert. Have you noticed I really ~~am obsessed with~~ love Kenny?

I have trouble making up my mind about my layout for my blog. Duh, that explains why it has changed 3 times in as many days.

I like the layout I have now, I think I'll keep it.

We're ~~trying to~~ selling our boat. I am not sure if I am happy or sad about that.

I wish I hadn't asked Mom to come over tomorrow to help with cabinets. I would really love to spend the day being lazy at the pool.

Any big plans for you this weekend? Want to come help with the cabinets?

Summertime

2009-06-11T08:45:00.003-04:00

Summertime is finally here

That old ballpark, man, is back in gear

Out on 49

Man I can see the lights

School's out and the nights roll in

Man, just like a long lost friend

You ain't seen in a while

And can't help but smile

And it's two bare feet on the dashboard

Young love and an old Ford

Cheap shades and a tattoo

And a Yoo-Hoo bottle on the floorboard

Perfect song on the radio

Sing along 'cause it's one we know

It's a smile, it's a kiss

It's a sip of wine, it's summertime

Sweet summertime

Summertime, by Kenny Chesney

Repurposing rooms

2009-06-08T21:16:00.022-04:00

This past weekend, the Salesman and I decided that it was time to repurpose a couple rooms in our house. We have a 3 story house, with the 3rd floor being the room that the kids can go and hang out with their friends, it's where we ~~pretended to exercise~~ worked out, where we used to have 2 computers (with laptops, there was no need for a space for computers) and where all of the school supplies, games, etc were stored. In other words, a big junk room.

Then there is the ~~second junk room~~ spare bedroom. No one visits, so it has become a drop off room. The room where everything everyone is to lazy to take to the ~~big junk room~~ 3rd floor.

So we decided this weekend to repurpose those two rooms. The Salesman says he had the idea 2 years ago and I shot it down, I disagree. Anyway, we decided to start Friday night by cleaning out the spare bedroom and moving everything out so we would have somewhere to put the weight machine. Did I mention the weight machine has 200 pounds of weight and who knows how many cables and pulleys? Well, it does, and it was a pain in the a$$ to put it together when we bought it, why we thought it would be a simple task to take it apart and then put it BACK together is beyond me. So with the spare bedroom cleaned out, we started labeling cables and pulleys and more cables and more pulleys. I thought we would never finish. Then it was time to take it apart and haul it downstairs (thank goodness it was down not up). Then it was time to put it back together. Okay, you would think that after the time we spent labeling pulleys and cables, putting it together would be a breeze right? WRONG! It took FOREVER! Finally after 2 days we finished everything- including cleaning out the ~~trash pile~~ crazy corner on the 3rd floor. Talk about a job, but what a transformation!

It is amazing to me how a ~~major overhaul~~ little cleaning and moving of furniture can completely change an entire living space.

Below are the pictures of the before(left) and after (right).

Now I just have to find the energy to actually exercise!

Bittersweet endings

2009-06-08T13:04:00.002-04:00

After 6 years of All Star Cheerleading, Cheerleader Girl and I found out today that her all star gym will no longer offer a senior team. Due to lower sign ups this past year, partly because of the current state of our economy I am sure, the owner/director felt it was in the best interest to combine the junior and senior teams. What this means to us is there is no team for which CG meets the age requirements. As a result, there will be no more all star cheering for her. In the long run, this will be a good thing for our family, since cheerleading is an expensive and extremely time consuming sport. However, it was quite a shock to get the news. It would have been CG’s last year of all star cheerleading, and to be informed that LAST year was the end of the road, is disappointing. Had we known that her last competition would have been the end, we would have celebrated it as, the end. As it turned out it was more like “Good Job girls, see you next year.” Now, there will be nothing. Sure there are other gyms in the area, but when you have been with the same program for 6 years, it just wouldn’t be the same. The positive spin on it, is that she will be able to start her senior year with one less burden. She will still cheer for her high school for both competition and for sideline, but will have much more time on her hands, and we will have much more money in our pockets. I will miss those cheer weekends, where it was just she and I together at competitions, but I am glad we had the times together.

As time passes on, I realize this is only the first of many “endings” to come.

Summer's starting......

2009-06-04T10:41:00.002-04:00

School is coming to a close next week for Bud and Cheerleader Girl and I am actually really excited. I love the fact that my children are old enough to clean the house and do laundry and mow grass and what ever other ~~fun things~~ chores I can come up with for them to do through out the day.

They will both be working this summer which is a new for us. Last year CG worked babysitting, but Bud was ~~lazy~~ busy doing nothing but hanging out. This year, not so much. CG’s working at an ice cream shop, which she loves, but the hours are never consistent, and Bud is ~~chillin’~~ working at the pool. It will be hard to keep up with them, but somehow we will manage.

The one disappointment I do have about them being ~~partially~~ gainfully employed is that their schedules will probably never be the same so it will be ~~impossible~~ really difficult to do things as a family. Especially Bud, who will most likely work every weekend. We have always enjoyed being able to go boating on the weekends, or head off to the beach for a weekend getaway. This year that probably won’t be possible. And most definitely a family vacation will be out of the question. Bud is already taking a week to go to wrestling camp, and CG a week to go to a leadership conference (both with out the parents of course) not to mention that cheer stuff starts 24/7 for CG the second week of August. We will manage, I suppose with a few days here or there, or a spontaneous "OMG you don’t have to work today, let’s go do something." I’m actually thinking of starting a list of “Things To Do This Summer” and when the time arises, just go do them. This list looks something like this:

KENNY CHESNEY and 3 days at the beach with CG and Snow White.
Throwdown at BHE’s to celebrate whatever.
Turn 40 (guess that one’s going to happen whether anyone is working or not)
BlogFest at CBW’s

Any other suggestions?

Prom 2009

2009-06-01T20:11:00.007-04:00

"I'm not sure where the time goes, but it sure goes fast......"

Cheerleader Girl's Junior Prom was this past weekend, and she looked so amazing. It was a really bittersweet thing to see her so dressed up and so grown up.

This is her and Soccer Boy. They looked so amazing.

But this better describes their personalities. Silly and ridiculous :)
They had just a few people in their group...

They grow up so fast..... if I could just freeze this moment in time .......

Friday Fragments

2009-05-29T11:55:00.002-04:00

It's Friday! Thank Goodness. Even though this was a short week, I am fairly confident I could not manage another day at work. (Well I could if I have to, but it's a good thing I don't)

It's prom weekend for Cheerleader Girl. I'm very excited for her, as she seems to be extremely excited as well. Tomorrow starts early for hair and makeup appointments, all just for pictures. Why do they do that again? Her dress is gorgeous! I can't wait to see her all "dolled" up :)

WeThe Salesman are finishing the fence this weekend(thank you Thompson's water seal). He power washed it, and the back and front porches last weekend. Hope the rain holds out. It's an icky job.

I realized this week that all of the shows we typically record on our DVR have all ended for the season. I realized this because my DVR is only 4% full. That just sucked. And the only show with a half way good ending was 24. I will be really pissed off if Jack Bauer dies! We have started watching Harper's Island (thank goodness for OnDemand). It's really, really good.

I am super excited about the Kenny Chesney concert and 3 days at the beach with CG and Snow White (boo BHE! for not coming). June 24 can not get here fast enough.

I have seen a remarkable difference in the level of responsibilty shown by Bud since he got a job. Whooda thunk it? Should have made him start working years ago, but I think there is something about child labor laws? Dang it!

I realized at Girls weekend, that the mosquitos LOVE Sex on the Beach. (It's a drink just in case you were wondering why I was having sex on the beach at "girls" weekend).

Have a great weekend all!!!

Are you high maintenance?

2009-05-21T14:37:00.004-04:00

I was recently told I was a "High Maintenance Woman," by the Salesman (who said it with the utmost adoration of course). It doesn't bother me, because honestly I am a particularly picky ~~controlling~~ woman who just ~~wants it her way~~ knows what she wants. Does that really make me High Maintenance? I don't think so.

High Maintenace could be defined by some as needy, fussy, whiny (I do get kinda whiny sometimes), hard to please, not easily impressed (it doesn't take much for me to be impressed, really it doesn't) attention grabbing, difficult to deal with, troublesome, demanding, inconsiderate, and stuck on themselves. Only a couple of those actually apply to me ;)

After listening to the women in our office today complain about the infestion of velvet mites(which hang out on the bricks outside) in our 3rd floor office , which actually amounts to one on someone's desk, I realized I am not high maintenance AT ALL. They actually want our company to pay high dollar for an exterminator to come INSIDE to spray for OUTSIDE bugs on the THIRD floor, and they want to close the office when they do, because the insecticides will cause breathing problems. ARE YOU SERIOUS??? Do they watch the news?? 5+ million people out of work, and they want what?? These women around here are EXTREMELY high maintenance. They are the whinniest, pickiest, fussiest, uptight, bunch of complaining women ON THIS PLANET! Grrrrrr!!!

So hubby comes home tomorrow! YEA! It's about time, because I need him to do somethings for me, like spray for bugs.......

I wish....

2009-05-19T14:12:00.002-04:00

I wish I had something amazingly funny to tell you, but I don't.

I wish my husband was home from being with his father who just had surgery to remove a football size cancerous tumor from his leg.

I wish my father-in-law never had a football size cancerous tumor, or any tumor for that matter.

I wish I would have eaten my children when they were little (hahahaah just kidding)

I wish I lived somewhere where the temperature is always 75 degrees and the sun always shines and there was no humidity.

I wish I could talk to the bird on my windowsill and he would understand me (and the girl that sits outside my office didn't think I was crazy or weird for talking birdspeak).

I wish it were Saturday and I was at BHE's house with something cold and fruity in my hand.

I wish my friend would ditch cleaning her house tomorrow and come see Jason Aldean with me.

I wish I had a job that didn't actually require me to work. Maybe I should have applied for the Best Job in the World.

I wish I weighed now, what I weighed when I got married, but didn't have to diet or excise to weigh that.

Do any of you have any wishes?

MIA

2009-05-15T21:28:00.002-04:00

So Mom x 2 has been MIA for the last few... uh weeks?? Wow where has the time gone? I'm sorry to all my bloggy friends. I hope you haven't abandoned me all together ;)

My computer crashed, no thanks to the trojan virus I had! I was not a happy camper and they were unable to save it soooooo hubby bought me a new one :) Isn't he the best.

There have been tons of other things going on, although at the moment I can't name a single one.

I'm ~~hopefully~~ back now and will do my very best to get back into the swing of things.

Friday Fragments

2009-04-17T08:40:00.009-04:00

- Why does going on vacation always consist of 20 billion things to catch up on when I return?

- I wish I could win the lottery, so I could vacation all the time and not have to worry about the 20 million things I have to catch up on.

- I really LOVE spring time.... but DON'T like the rain :(

- I have this random bird that keeps landing on the window sill of my 3rd floor office. He likes to sing to me. I wish I could talk back to him with out worring about my co-workers trying to commit me to a padded room somewhere. He could be my new work BFF.

- Bud goes for lifeguard training this weekend. There is something about having your 15 year old son training to save the lives of other people, when you can't even get himto remember to brush his teeth on his own. Is that a boy thing? or just my boy's thing?

- Kenny Chesney tickets go on sale tomorrow! I. Can. Not. Wait.

- I absolutely hate computer viruses. There must be a lot of really, sick, twisted, bored people out there that have nothing better to do then to make me some poor soul spend hours trying to fix something stupid and be completely unsuccessful in fixing it.

- I think I will have oysters and grey goose tonight! Sounds good doesn't it? Wanna join me?

- I am trying to figure out a good weekend for BHE and SW to go on another AMAZING beach trip again this year.... I just haven't told them that yet ;)

I know I promised to share my beach vacation with you all, but my laptop at home has a @#$%^& virus, and I can't do a freaking thing, and blogging at work, well..... I've been so busy trying to catch up from vacation, I barely have time to think. I will, eventually, get around to catching up. I hope you will forgive me ??

Happy Friday to everyone!

Finally home!

2009-04-10T20:11:00.002-04:00

Ahhhhh we finally got home today from the beach! We had an amazing week, and I promise to fill everyone in over the next couple of days. I know I have neglected you all and will catch up for sure! For now, I am going to catch up on all of the shows currently saved on my DVR.

The Paradox of Our Age

2009-04-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

I got this email from one of my co-workers and it really makes a lot of sense. Especially with everthing going on in the world today :) I just thought I would share on this ~~rainy~~ lovely Friday!

The Paradox of Our Age

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge,but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less real communication. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight.... ....or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Well.............

2009-04-02T11:17:00.002-04:00

HE GOT THE JOB!!!!

Congrats Bud!

I am so proud of you :)

Now there's the training but I have NO DOUBT you will fly thru that with flying colors!!!

Interview

2009-04-01T15:51:00.003-04:00

Ahhh!! My son has his very first job interview today. He wants to ~~hang out at the pool all summer and get paid for it~~ be a life guard at our neighborhood pool. It's a popular job for kids in our area because the hours are flexible and there is no need for transportation.

That makes it pretty competitive.

I am really nervous for him.
I just hope the Pool Gods are watching him today.

Wish him luck!

Oh Lordy

2009-03-30T10:06:00.003-04:00

It's Monday. Blah! But the good news is only 5 more days till I go on vacation :)

But this week I have to.....

Finish Laundry - ahahahahah that's the funniest thing I've ever said. Finish laundry. Does anyone ever finish laundry?
Clean my house- again! Even though I JUST cleaned it, it will be amazingly dirty before we go, and I hate to come home to a dirty house.
Pack- clothes, food, towels, sunscreen, movies, books, Grey Goose, coolers....... I'm sure there are a hundred other things I should remember. Perhaps I'll make a list.
Stop the mail- even though it takes the mail person (I've never actually seen them so I don't know if it's a man or a woman- don't ask me how that is possible, I am not sure, as I've lived in my house for 6 years) forever to actually deliver the mail we received while we were gone.
Make sure there is plenty of kitty food and kitty litter- Lord knows you wouldn't want to starve the poor thing.
Make sure the world will not stop at work while I am away- Yes, I am fairly ~~scared~~ confident this is ~~not~~ a possiblity.

What things do you do to get ready for vacation?

9 more days

2009-03-26T11:34:00.003-04:00

In just NINE ~~long~~ short days,

I will be here

Watching this

~~Drinking~~ Hanging out here

and here

And ~~doing crazy things~~ sleeping here!

I. Can. Not. Wait!!!!!

ps- CBW I figured out the strike through! Can you tell??

So check this out....

2009-03-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

My friend sent this to me a while ago.

I am not sure if she was being funny or not....

I never really know........

Don't worry, it got me too !

Pretty girls

2009-03-23T21:36:00.002-04:00

Aren't they pretty....

This is Cheerleader Girl and most of her best friends(sorry you couldn't make it SW) at her cook out on Sunday for her Birthday. (She is the 5th from the left).

I am so very fortunate that she chooses good girls to be her friends. This group of girls have been friends since the 6th grade (they're juniors now) and they are just a good group of girls..... Oh they have their "girl fights" but they always seem to come back to the thick of things.

Our house has always had an open door policy.... if it's unlocked, come on in. I'm sure gonna miss having them around when they run away to college. Hmmmm, I wonder if Cheerleader Girl will notice if I just camp out on her dorm room floor? You think so? yea me too- damn ;-)

Look who's having a birthday :)

2009-03-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today is Cheerleader Girl's 17th Birthday.... she has gone from this...............

to this.........

Happy Birthday Cheerleader Girl!!!!!!

I love you!

Where does the time go?

2009-03-17T18:29:00.006-04:00

This week is proving to be just as crazy as last week. Is that possible? I'm beginning to get a little scared- 2 weeks of crazy starts a trend - uh oh- could be trouble ;-)

To fill you in on the weekend....

Friday-
Dinner with BHE and Cool Breeze. Too. Much. Fun! We had a blast. The rain didn't let up like we had hoped, but they brought their EZ-UP tent and with good drinks, it didn't seem to phase any of us. The Salseman cooked up some kick a$$ oysters and scallops on the grill and Cool Breeze some amazing steaks - the food was delicious and none of us noticed how fast the time flew by. I don't have any pictures... shame on me, but that's probably best - haha

Saturday/Sunday
Cheerleader Girl's competition - I don't recommend doing competitions after a night with really good drinks flowing. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't dying or anything, but competitions are loud and long and can wipe. you. out! They did amazing, so it all worked out in the end.

Monday got here really quick and proved to be as crazy as last week. I haven't been able to blog at all, and that is just depressing! Especially since I have so much to tell everyone about some crazy things that have happened over the last week. The good thing about today being Wednesday already is that 2 more days makes it Friday.... and that is just AMAZING!!

Hope everyone else is leading a wonderfully blissful life!

Confused <8-)

2009-03-13T11:25:00.004-04:00

So it's snowing again today ??

I mean what is up with that?

It's not sticking to the roads, and barely sticking to the grass, but really???

Snow?

As you may know, we had snow a couple weeks ago, 8+ inches of snow- and then 5 days after the snow, it was 80+ degrees, now 5 days later, its snowing again?

I am so confused.

Maybe we could blame Punxsutawney Phil? I mean he did predict 6 more weeks of winter.

Or perhaps Mother Nature is just angry with Virginia? Do you think it is because we are so close to Washington DC? Naw, that can't be it.

Oh well...

It is supposed to stop later today and although the ground will be wet and it will be a little colder than last weekend (like 50 degrees colder), my grill will still light, the fire pit will keep me warm, and the drinks and wine will still be flowing at the house tonight when BHE and Cool Breeze arrive.

Life is lookin' up!!!

Happy Friday EVERYONE!!!!

Mom x 2 needs....

2009-03-12T14:56:00.002-04:00

So I’ve been kind of out of the loop this week. You would think after an AMAZINGLY beautiful, wonderful weekend that my week would have been a good one. Well it started off bad, and went downhill from there. I won’t spend a lot of time venting about everything, only to say work sucks – don’t get me wrong- I love my job- just not this week. Some people just don’t get it- EVER!!! You would think in a company with educated people, someone would have a clue- nope! Definitely not the case! I’ve dealt with teenage boy drama- it really sucks when your little girl is hurting. She’s better now, so therefore, am I. I’ve dealt with school drama- what is it with some teachers? Do they just not get that some kids need a little extra instruction?? At least the courtesy of answering a damn question with out making them feel like they just asked if the grass is green? I’m speaking specifically about a CALCULUS teacher!!! I know this doesn't apply to all teachers- actually not most of them- just my daughters Calculus teacher. I would like to note that the grades on this teachers last quiz ranged from a 16% (yes that is a 1 and a 6) to a 100%. But questions are frowned upon?? I am not generally a stressed out person- like everyone, I have stress, but for the most part I cope. I am coping this week, I have just been EXTREMELY pissy about it and not much fun to be around. Today is a MUCH better day- and tomorrow is Friday and my good friends BHE and Cool Breeze are coming over to have dinner with the Salesman and me so I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Whew! With all of that said, BHE did this last month, and I kept forgetting to go back to do it. Today seemed like as good of a day as any. Google your first name followed by the word needs and list the first 10 things that come up. For example “Momx2 needs” Here is my list.

Momx2 needs to go back to school- aw hell nah- did you see the part above about calculus teachers?

Momx2 needs to get out of the house- most definitely, to someplace warm and tropical that serves fruity drinks with cute little umbrellas in them

Momx2 needs to come chill- okay- with whom and where? I’m game :)

Momx2 needs advice. Probably about a lot of things. Anyone have any they would like to share?

Momx2 needs sleep. Yep! I need to sleep until BHE and Cool Breeze show up at my house with drinks in hand.

Momx2 needs to realize she has a problem. I don’t have a problem (nevermind that ½ the things mentioned above- and below- refer to alcohol- what’s the problem?)

Momx2 needs a considerable raise in salary – see above! Duh :)

Momx2 needs to blow off steam. Hahah didn’t I just do that? Enough already!

Momx2 needs to get a life of her own. As if the life of my children is not enough ;)

Momx2 needs help getting to Cambodia. Wtf? Is it warm and tropical and do they serve drinks with cute little umbrellas in them? Anyone want to come along?

I hope everyone’s week is going well!

Ps- Wow! I should have been blogging all week. I feel MUCH better! Leave me some love, I feel my mood improving with every word I type!!!

Because I am not real focused today......

2009-03-06T11:33:00.004-05:00

Why do I always seem to catch myself staring out the window at work? Wishful thinking I guess.

What the heck is wrong with Chris Brown? Is he stupid? Oh wait never mind… I’m pretty sure I know the answer to that question! By the way Did you hear they got back together?

My 401K- now it is only a 201K ;)

I think it’s weird that they have special cleaners for front load washers…. I mean it is a WASHING machine. I wonder where I can buy them, my washing machine needs a good wash.

Why don’t teenagers come with an instruction booklet and a money back guarantee?

Can you believe there is actually a West Virginia legislator who wants to BAN BARBIE? Why? Because he thinks it gives young girls an image that if you’re beautiful you don’t have to be smart. It’s freakin’ BARBIE!

I think I’m addicted to Vitamin Water. I love to read the stories on the sides of the bottles. Plus it’s something to drink with fewer calories than soda or sweet tea but taste better than regular water.

I never realized how many Tom Petty songs I really like and that I actually know the words to until they had a song block on the radio today.

I’m glad it’s Friday and I can enjoy the beautiful WARM weekend. Even if there is still snow on the ground! I hope all of you enjoy yours as much as I plan on enjoying mine!!

Cheers everyone!

SNOW

2009-03-04T19:10:00.004-05:00

It SNOWED! A lot! Well, a lot for us. Its the most snow we've had in several years. The kids have been out of school since Monday- 3 DAYS! I am going to have to apply for government bail out money to continue to feed them. They go back tomorrow! Thank goodness :) I got one snow day out of it.... that was enough for me.

Sunshine had a BALL in the snow! She chased the snowballs and wanted to be outside ALL the time. That wouldn't be a big deal except that she didn't want to be outside by herself and it was TWELVE degrees. Now, we ski, so we know about snow- we even like it- but TWELVE degrees is freaking cold.

It will be gone by the weekend- Spring is on the way with 75 degree temps for Saturday. Gotta love Virginia weather right?

Secret Pal

2009-02-27T12:28:00.003-05:00

As you may know I've been sick- I know you are tired of hearing me whine. I am trying to get over it. I no longer feel like I've been hit by a truck, only bumped by a car. I've been back at work for 2 VERY long days (and the 2nd one is only 1/2 over), but today... my secret pal left me this.......

She said that "Mark was hoping I was feeling much better soon"

Hmmmmm, now that you mention it.... I do feel a little better ! I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with Mark and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that the Salesman returns today from Nashville/Atlanta after being gone since Monday! Yea!!!!

Happy Friday everyone! Have a great weekend.

Fabulous Drinks, Amazing Food and Awesome Friends

2009-02-26T18:25:00.014-05:00

So I've been sick all week... it sucks! I'm over dealing with it, whatever, I'm movin' on! ugh

But I have been dying to share my evening out with BHE, Cool Breeze, and our good frineds Beach Chick and her hubby Napoleon. (I've named him this because of a certain picture from face in the hole that his daughter made of him. He would appreciate the nickname). There was supposed to be 8 of us, but Wild Child and hubby Sargeant couldn't make it :(

Because our schedules are always busy and we are always working around the schedules of our children, we decided last year that we would make every effort to celebrate all of our birthdays with in a month or so of the actual date. We usually end up combining a couple, or three, into one dinner, but none of us seems to mind sharing in the celebration. Friday night it was out to celebrate Cool Breeze, the Salesman and Napoleon's big day!

All week we had been debating on where to go, and and a girl I work with suggested a place called 3 Monkeys located in our historic Fan District. The menu looked amazing with everything from burgers to pizza to seafood.... The atmosphere looked appealing- a bar and grill with a "fan flare" (that actually means that after 10pm, its more a bar than a grill, with most people from the age of 19 with a fake id to 25ish). And the drinks sounded even better. I mean how could you pass up something called Hear no Evil? I. Could. Not. Wait.!!!!!

So it's off to the Fan to meet up with Beach Chick and Napoleon.... The Salesman is driving with Cool Breeze in the front, and BHE and myself in the back... the GPS leading the way. Which is all fine an dandy except that the volume on the GPS is turned DOWN and the Salesman is paying NO ATTENTION to where we are supposed to be going. Now, the Fan, like any other historic district has off street parking. What does that mean? Yep, you probably have to drive around the block several times to find a parking spot, or park a block or 2 away. Again all fine and dandy if your driver is PAYING ATTENTION to the number of blocks away you are from where you are acutally going! By the way, have I mentioned I am an AMAZING back seat driver? yep just ask the Salesman (or BHE or Cool Breeze) After I realized we were driving around in a circle FOUR blocks from the restaurant, I finally got him to drop BHE and myself off at the door. It all worked out since we had to wait for a table anyway, but still- hmph!

So we arrive at our destination, (go figure Napoleon finds a spot RIGHT out front.) and its drinks all around- It's small, it's loud, it's crowded- It's perfect! After a short wait, we are seated at a great table. Another round of drinks .. this was mine :)

and yes those are monkeys hanging from my drink glass... how cute right? They are even cuter hanging from the Salesman ;)

Then came the amazing food- It was appetizers first... calamari, which was some of the BEST I have ever had, seared tuna- not a big fan but BHE inhaled it, so I'm guessing it was good, and lamb chops! For my entree I had the Macadamia nut encrusted Mahi with a Mango sauce, mashed potatos and vegetables. IT. WAS. AMAZING!!!! I don't have a picture, it didn't last very long... sorry :( I guess I will just have to go back so I can share my delicious meals with all of you....

The drinks were fabulous, the food amazing and the company could not have been any better.

BHE and Cool Breeze

Beach Chick and Napoleon

The Gang!!

It was a night to remember..... the freak show AFTER 3Monkeys was welll.... a post all in it's own.... to be continued.......................................

Next time, we will bring you all along to enjoy in our celebration!! Are you ready?

Ugh!

2009-02-23T12:08:00.001-05:00

I'm sick! It sucks :( More posts later in the week .

Hope everyone is feeling chipper out there in bloggy world!

Happy Monday everyone!

To God, From Dog

2009-02-18T09:17:00.000-05:00

Dear God: Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?

Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?

Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?

Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'Chrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?

Dear God: If a Dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?

Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog.

1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.

2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.

3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.

4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.

5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.

7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.

8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table

9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.

10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.

11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.

12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.

P.S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

Blogger Butt

2009-02-17T15:14:00.003-05:00

As many of you know, BHE started this Blogger Butt Smackdown at the first of the year. As I have said before, I have been amazed by the progress my fellow bloggers have made while participating in this "challenge" of sorts. I have also said that I'm not really participating because I am NOT good at this diet thing, and I usually fail. If I don't play, I can't lose, therefore I don't have to admit my failures - haha I'm not real good at that. That's kind of like admitting to your husband you are wrong, and I am never wrong, so I wouldn't really know how to do that ;)

Anyway, about 4 weeks ago my husband and I went on this "let's try a better budget" thing. We thought it was a good idea so we could manage to afford to send our children to college (reality set in when we started visiting colleges- that's a post for another day!) So, because I really, really like to spend money on shoes, clothes, etc. I just knew this was going to be a challenge- more than you know. Wait, how did this go from weight loss to money saving???

So where was I? Oh yeah, so, I've been bringing my lunch EVERYDAY since that fateful "better budget" day, and when I put my pants on this morning, I noticed my belt wasn't fitting quite right. When I looked down, I realized that WOOOO HOOOO, I could move the buckle AN ENTIRE HOLE! That's right folks, I have lost an ENTIRE INCH! I'm not really sure when that happened, but I am extremely proud of myself! How many pounds you ask? I don't know, I don't get on the scale- it tends to yell at me to GET OFF so I just avoid the humililation.

So, there you have it, I am secretly participating in this damn Blogger Butt Smackdown, although I will only share positive results :) You have all inspired me!

That was then.....

2009-02-15T15:49:00.004-05:00

I have been connecting with old high school friends on FaceBook and they kept posting all these old high school pictures. After I told my mom this she decided to pull out the photo albums- haha it must be nice to be so organized that you have your albums in date order. Oh how I wish I could be her, haha! Anyway, she brought me my high school one and Cheerleader Girl and I got a kick out of looking at my old cheerleading, homecoming and prom pictures. And then there was this.....................

OOOOOooooo how I wish I was that tiny again. But the hair ??? Not quite as big as some, but BHE are you jealous ? And how about that car- 1979 Chevy Monte Carlo. Gosh I loved that car...

Husband Tag

2009-02-13T10:04:00.007-05:00

I stole this from Suz over at Day by Day, and thought since it was close to Valentine's Day, it would be a good time to share.....

You are supposed to tag 4 people, but I'm going to leave it up to all of you if you want to participate or not (not everyone loves their husbands- haha)

1)Husbands Name: The Salesman.

2)How long have you been married? It will be 11 years in May- feels like forever.

3)How long did you date? Not quite a year- it was love at first sight!

4)How old is he? 38 Next week!

5)Who eats more sweets? Definitely me. He requires less sugar to keep his sweetness level up. I, however, require lots and lots.

6)Who is the better singer? The radio for sure.... it beats us both out on any given day :)

7)Who is smarter? Me of course, just ask me. Naww, just kidding, he is defintely smarter about some things (ahem, saving money- I mean not spending money)

8)Who does the laundry? Usually me, but he helps out... a lot. At least when he is in town.

9)Who pays the bills? Definitely him! I usually get the - "excuse me, could you STOP shopping!!" line.

10)Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does, although sometimes he gets up on the "wrong" side... oh wait, that's me.

11)Who mows the lawn? Bud, haha.

12)Who cooks dinner? Whatever chef is working at our favorite restaurant. Just kidding, I'd say its a 50/50 thing when he is in town. But he is the grill master for sure!

13)Who drives? Him !! I hate to drive. I would much rather ride. It allows me to do what I want and give driving advice at the same time.

14)Who is the first to say they are wrong? Well since I am never wrong, that would be him.

15)Who kissed who first? Um, not really sure, I think it just happened.

16)Who asked who out first? He couldn't resist me, so he asked me out first for sure.

17)Who wears the pants? Well him of course. He would look pretty funny in a dress. I would seriously have to start questioning how well I really knew The Salesman ;)

He's a keeper !!!!

Bit of a mid-life crisis

2009-02-10T14:27:00.001-05:00

I’m not sure at what age “mid-life” begins, but I’m thinking it doesn’t really matter. I think I am having a crisis regardless of what part of my life I might be in (beginning, middle, or Heaven forbid, the end).

I am turning 40 this year- YUCK. Getting older never really bothered me, and most of my friends are past this milestone, so I am not sure why this year, this particular birthday is bothering me (note, it’s not until July, so why its an issue already, I’m not sure about that either). My husband says we won’t have a “40 years old party” but a “39 again” party. Wtf is the difference! Anyway….

I went to THAT doctor a couple weeks ago, and she told me I was fine, but that this little issue I’ve got going on is hormonal- wow- really? I’m only 39 (again!).

My youngest, Bud, just got his learners’ permit to drive a freaking car…. A real car, not a go-cart, not a golf-cart, a real life honest to goodness 4000 pound vehicle. (Did I mention I am turning 40- Lord help my heart). He’s a good driver as far as inexperience goes, but for heavens sake, it’s just one more thing to mark off my parental list of things to accomplish. Cheerleader Girl got her license last June, and for some reason that didn’t affect me like this one has… maybe because I knew then, I still had one more…. Well so much for one more. I still remember him as a little boy still to small to see over the steering wheel of the riding lawn mower while riding on Papa's lap!

And then, my oldest, Cheerleader Girl, is looking at colleges. I think THAT is really what is bringing all of this to a head. She is a junior this year, but we are already planning for classes in her senior year, registering for SAT’s, scheduling college visits, and applying for scholarships. We are really close, so I have been very involved in the process, which will make her going away that much harder : (

I know, I know, I should probably be thankful that I have a healthy family, I am healthy, albeit, hormonal, I have a job, my husband still has a job, and we can still pay our bills. And I am very, very thankful, but and for God’s sake, I just want time to STOP moving, just for a little while.…. Except that I would very much like for 5 o’clock to get here first ;)

CLEAR THE ROADS!

2009-02-09T12:18:00.011-05:00

This weekend Bud got his LEARNER'S PERMIT. That's right folks - Clear the roads- My baby boy is driving! WHOOO - HOOOO! I am very excited for him because it's a freakin big deal! We headed out to DMV on Saturday so he could take his test- along with every strange, weird person in the entire city! I am not usually judgemental, but there were some really strange people out this weekend- maybe it was the weather .

Anyway, in our state you have to pass 2 tests. One is for signs- a 10 or 15 question test that is strictly on signs. You can't miss ANY, not one. If you miss a sign, the computer shuts off and you have to wait a week to come back and take the test again. The second test is 25 questions general knowledge (common sense) of which you can miss 5. Read the book, pass the test. Signs are first, so when 5 or 10 min had passed I figured Bud was in the clear. (Note to self: get a manicure today since ALL 10 of your nails are now missing due to the impatient nail biting done at DMV on Saturday). Then came the moment of truth, when he walked away from the machine.... wait for it..... yep, there's the smirk and a nod to say "Hell ya! I passed!"

All kinds of emotions go through a mom when that happens....

"Yea! my baby passed his test!".....

"Awww, I'm so proud of him.".....

"OH SHIT!!!!!"

Yea Baby!

2009-02-08T11:34:00.002-05:00

Momx2's weather
66°F
Current: ClearWind:
Sun 67° 34°
Mon 54° 38°
Tue 59° 47°
Wed 67° 49°

True Friends ;)

2009-02-06T16:12:00.007-05:00

It's been a busy week this week - Work is Kicking. My. Butt. (Don't misunderstand, I am not complaining about my job, just that I have been unable to blog this week due to the amount of work). I did however want to share just a little bit about true friends.

Below describes true friends. I'd like to give a shout out to all my good friends and want them to know that I would so be there for any of them.... For example,

1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up and dust you off--

After I laugh my butt off!!

Friendship is like peeing in your pants everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

I received this in an email this week and I have to say this so applies to my good friend BHE. The Salesman and I finally had the opportunity last weekend to get together with BHE and Cool Breeze

and have a few drinks,

eat oysters (which I thought I didn’t like until after a tall glass of Grey Goose and Sprite I realized were pretty dang good!)

and LAUGH!

We had sooo much fun on Friday night ! and then we got to do it all over again for the SUPERBOWL! (BHE thought I was going to tempt her with mini éclairs, but I didn’t.) There is not enough room on the internet to share the number of laughs we shared... so I'll just leave you with this:

I wonder what this weekend will have in store. I don’t think I will see BHE, but maybe that Grey Goose will show it’s head :) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend !

Here's a little story ....

2009-01-29T14:13:00.005-05:00

Okay, I am completely overwhelmed by the number of people participating in, and succeeding at BHE's Blogger Butt Smackdown. I am so proud of you, keep up the good work. I, however, because I am unmotivated, and well- just lazy- am not currently participating (well I am, but I'm not telling anyone, that way if(when) I fail, I will not have to admit my failures in bloggy world). So, because there are so many of you out there, dieting.... excercising.... dieting...... excercising..... i thought I would share a little story ;)

For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since being a high school cheerleader 26 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My daughter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started!

The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo-Hoo!! Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring! Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whines that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the Hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other shit too.

THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny bitch to find me. Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY:
I hate that bitch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damned barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little shit) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure this must be based on a true strory. One I didn't write, nor do I know who did, but because I have once experienced a week of HELL as described in this story, I thought it was just too damn funny not to share :)

::: BREAKING NEWS :::

2009-01-27T10:26:00.003-05:00

In 2009 the government will start deporting all the mentally ill people.
I started crying when I thought of you.
Run my little crazy friend, run!

Well, what can I say?? Someone sent it to me, and durn it, I'm NOT going alone!!
I'm taking you all with me !!

Is it really Monday?

2009-01-26T15:29:00.004-05:00

So it’s Monday. Again.

I have decided I am not a Monday person. Ever. Not that I am a big Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday person either. This Monday is particularly sucky!

My weekend flew by. Cheerleader Girl had a cheerleading competition that consumed the majority of the weekend. That doesn’t particularly bother me because I love to see her compete (Some may say I’m kind of a psycho cheer mom, but I’m not really. I mean I’m not from Texas or anything). It’s just that dang it, Monday morning got here really fast!

I had to go to the doctor this morning… yeah – THAT doctor. The lay down, scoot forward, put your feet here and here one! What the HELL was I thinking going FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING? In fairness to the doctor, to whom this is my first visit(not ever, just to her), she was extremely nice and I wasn’t uncomfortable, well I mean what ever comfortable is there. But still! Monday morning? UGH! Then the gown they gave me (the “it ties in the front one) DOESN’T HAVE ANY TIES!! Wtf!! Who does that. And to top it all off, they took blood! A LOT of blood. What ever happened to lets stick your finger? Geez I am not diggin’ this getting older crap! And on MONDAY MORNING?

I manage to make out of the doctor’s office with my dignity still in tact, thanks to the wonderful staff at my now new physicians office, and guess what! It’s SNOWING! Now, on any other day that probably would be a good thing, except I am wearing my favorite suede jacket today and it’s pissing me off that the beautiful snowflakes continue land on my jacket. And in case you are wondering, yes, I watched the weather, and the weatherman lied. He said snow- TOMORROW.

I get to work, now I am an hour ½ late because I had to go to THAT doctor this morning. Not a big deal really, except that my boss was on vacation last week…. Well he’s baaaacck. And I’m late, which has given him time to catch up on emails and respond to all the emails that I sent him LAST week. Which means I’m already behind. I know you ask, how can I find time to blog and still be behind…. Well, he’s gone for the day now! And I needed to vent!

But I feel better now, and I am glad that I am employed, and I am healthy, and it is no longer snowing, so my favorite suede jacket will survive to see another day, and hopefully, the good Lord willing, I will make it another week. But next week I will probably be whining again because it will be Monday, and I will be hung over from the Superbowl party at which BHE and I will be consuming wine and South Beach Diet stuff (not cuz I’m dieting, but because she is, and she is my friend and I wouldn’t want to tempt her with bad things, cuz good friends would NEVER do that-hahahahahahahah).

Thanks for listening to (reading about) my rant!

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!

Honest Scrap

2009-01-23T08:53:00.003-05:00

Guess what!! Guess what!! Guess what!! I won my very first Award. Yea for me!! I never win anything! But thanks to my friend Noe Noe Girl I won the

She seems to think I love living life… well of course I do, cuz it dang sure beats the alternative! Thanks Noe Noe Girl! I LOVE my new award ! Now if she could just help me win the lottery :)

The rules for this award are: First, choose a minimum of seven blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Secondly, show the seven winners' names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Scrap". Another award to add to your list of awards. Lastly, list at least ten honest things about yourself.

There are so many people deserving of this award it was hard to pick only 7.

1. Big Hair Envy- She is my reason for doing this blog thing. If it wasn’t for her, I never would have gotten into this.
2. Cool Breeze Musings- Because he is married to BHE and because I know him, it is hard to believe he has a blog :)
3. Suz over at Busy as a Bee - I love her desire to save the world. And her sarcasm makes me laugh.
4. The Keeper- Because she is a fellow cheer mom and I love to hear about her adventures -
5. CBW at Life in Matthews- I love her pics and her hilarious stories.
6. Mental P Mama- Because she had a birthday this week J
7. Noe Noe Girl- Even though she has already received this award, I felt like I should mention her again since she ALWAYS brings a smile to my face when I read her posts.

So, enough about them, let’s talk about me- just kidding. Here are 10 things about me you might not know or care to know J But they are true none the less.

1-When I can find time, I watch “The Hills”, “The City” and the new 90210 (have I mentioned before I just love my DVR and OnDemand) I know, it’s juvenile, but what can I say. I am living vicariously through Lauren and Whitney and for heavens sake, Kelly and Brenda are both back in the 90210.

2-I read all 4 books in the Twilight Series in less than a week.

3-I love the beach, but hate the sand.

4-I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers, yet I am an only child, and no I wasn’t adopted (at least I don’t think so. Am I adopted mom?).

5-I have a FaceBook and I am not ashamed to admit it. Addicted yes, but not ashamed.

6-I have been to 13 different countries (14 including the US), swam in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico, but have never been to the Grand Canyon. Venice, Italy and Dubrovnik, Croatia are my two favorite places I have been

7-I love “24” It’s probably my most favorite show on television!

8-I despise doing laundry. I’m pretty sure the laundry baskets in my house have no bottoms to them. And if they do, the laundry in them is like the Gremlins and multiplies after midnight. They are NEVER empty. If I could afford it, I would take it to the little Chinese lady every week and PAY her to do it. (That’s a post for another day- the laundry, not the Chinese lady)

9-I won 1st place for my chili in a chili cook-off at work. I didn’t think it was all that, but apparently it was the hit of the day. I was asked to make it again this year. Bet it’s not as good as BHE’s.

10-I am thankful for my wonderful husband and love him with all my heart. He is my best friend!

Happy Friday everyone! I will be spending my weekend at a Cheerleading Competition! Hope everyone’s weekend is filled with tons of fun!