Little Boy Pink.....

Today I learned that no matter how tight you have the lids on your ink bottles, a3 year old is stronger.

Today at lunch time TT2 was eating and decided he would reach over into the dining room where I have my stamp table set up until the basement gets done. He grabs the red ink bottle and opens it. The result is a pink boy after multiple washings. Luckily he didn't get it on the carpet...or his clothes...or the furniture...but the boy has pink hands and a big streak on his leg and tummy. Maybe I should call into SU! demo support and ask them how many washings it takes to get the Real Red inkpad refill off of your skin.....

So now tomorrow, for TT2's Patriot Day parade...he will be pink, white and blue!! God Bless America!!

Rude wrong numbers....

One of my pet peeves is rude people....and man are there a lot of them out there!!

Today my cell phone rings...of course I'm at home and not expecting a cell call so it's in my purse in the entry hall and I'm in the dining room working on some cards. I limp over to the bench and get the phone in time to answer it.

"Hello"
"Is this Wachovia Bank?"
"No, I'm sorry you must have the wrong number"

click.


That's it!! No thank you...no I'm sorry....nothing but a hangup.

My immediate response is to ask her if I answered the phone "Hello Wachovia Bank may I help you?"if not then chances are she dialed wrong. If I went through the trouble of answering then damn phone the least they can do is say thanks...sorry....whatever.

If you dial a wrong number for heaven's sake please don't just hang up on the person. You may catch me on a bad day...and my phone has a callback feature!!

Wailing Wall.....

That's what the drop off line looked like this morning at TT1's school. He is an official kindergartener now. He looked so grown up in his school uniform (yes I's a school snob and he is attending private school) and he was excited beyond all get out this morning.

Car line doesn't start until Thursday, so we all had to walk our kids in today. We walked into the classroom and I showed TT1 where to put his lunch bag and his backpack. Then I showed him his desk and tried getting him to sit still long enough to snap a few photos. All the while TT2 is whining that he wants to start school today and wants his picture taken and where's his backpack and why didn't I pack his lunch and and and...just shoot me....

So I look around the room (since TT could care less at this point if I'm even there) and I notice the strangest phenomenon....tears....lots of tears....and not from the kids!! There are adults in every corner of the room bawling like babies. Their children look traumatized by their display of sorrow...but the parent's still cry.

I never understood this....maybe it's the heartless wench in me...but for cripe's sake you'll see them in 5 hours - get a grip people!!! You are not dropping them off at college...or putting them on a plane to some far off place never to be seen again...it's only kindergarten!! TT yelled goodbye as he ran away towards the bookshelf and the fish tank...he told me he'd see me later. See....my kids went to preschool so we've had this dance before....no tears necessary for either of us.

Yes I love him....yes I am proud beyond words of him...yes he is growing up...but my job as a parent is to raise him to be able to handle change and to branch out. I want him to make new friends...and have fun...and not freak out because mommy is having a nervous breakdown over the first day of kindergarten.

Or maybe it really is because I'm a heartless wench.....c'est la vie!!

Really??...you don't look that old.....

Yes...it is true..I am another year older. hopefully not middle aged....but then again....when I'm 80 I don't want that to be my "middle age" either.....

I got a beautiful necklace that was given to me by BD and designed for me by my friend Yoli who designs and makes jewelry. The piece of course has a history.....so I'll share that with you.

Many years ago BD and I worked with Yoli's husband on a contract in Nebraska. We knew him for about 7-8 years then we moved to Alabama in '02. Well in '05 her hubby called and was asking about the area and jobs and housing...only to find out that their youngest son was going to be going to school here!! They were looking to move to stay close by and was there anything we could tell them...well we did more than tell them...BD recommended him for a job with BD's company and they were moved here pretty quick.

Yoli and I became fast friends (partly because we are both looney tunes) and have a standing "date" for lunch and shopping every Wednesday when the TTs are in school. Yoli works at a bead store. I have gone in and helped with inventory and to just peruse the gems. I fell in love with Swarovski and pearls.

One day I was checking out the new items and there was the most wonderful mother of pearl cameo like nothing I had ever seen. It wasn't a true cameo in the sense that it was two toned and cut out...but it was more like a natural occurring relief in the pearl. It was amazing. I wanted it so badly...but it was not in my budget at the time. I would check on it every time I went into the store to make sure it was still there, and as luck would have it the day that I came in prepared to purchase it - it had already been sold and was gone. Figures.

Flash forward to my birthday....BD comes home and puts a string of pearls around my neck...I run to look in the mirror...and what do my eyes behold but *my* mother of pearl cameo!!! The strand is pearls and crystals (pink of course) and my cameo. A perfect pairing of demure and bling..just like me. Brazen enough..but also properly sedate. It is by far the most perfect piece of jewelry other than my wedding ring.


Without further ado...here is the new woman in my life...












Isn't she B-E-A-utiful????

Blast from the past....

Second verse same as the first...


You all may remember the oldie but goodie.......my injured knee from may...

isn't it pretty? It looks much better now...no discoloration...no swelling...a perfect knee.


A perfect knee that needs to have surgery. I just found out that I have to have arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn miniscus. I have both lateral and medial tears that need to be removed and repaired. That means that I have tears on the right and left side of my cartilage that is attached to the top of my tibia.

I'm scheduled to go in at the end of August...I'm just going to keep a bright outlook on the whole situation. I've been through many many surgeries...and they've all had great outcomes...so this one shouldn't be any different. I'm going to pray about it and let God take it into His hands. If you are a praying sort of person, please pray for a quick and easy recovery and that I will get back to running my house and taking care of my children as soon as possible.

It's finally happening

We are getting a new deck!!! The old one was in horrible shape and just needed to be ripped down and replaced...so that is what is happening this week They started on Monday by ripping down the old deck and starting the framing. Yesterday they started the cross supports and setting the posts. Today they have cemented the posts and are completing the cross supports. We will probably have decking getting laid before the day is out!! I'm just a little excited.



This is what it looks like from my doorway looking out into the east side of the yard. The small green "nubby" that is sticking out from the wall is where the old deck stopped. This deck is considerably larger than the old one. It will be 10' deep and 34' wide across the back of the house.







This is the other end of the deck. It goes about 4 foot past where the old deck stopped on this side. The stairs will come down the side and across the front. We're going to put decorative brick from the front of the stairs to the concrete in the back so you don't have to walk on grass. I am so excited to get this deck done. We'll have enough room to have people over.....for the TTs to sit on the deck and play or color. They will finally be able to sit outside and I won't have to worry about the deck being unsafe. Plus it will be prima party space man!!!

I'll post more pics when it is done...they are framing up the stairs as I type...so it should be done by friday!!!

TGIAF....

Thank goodness it's almost friday....

I have seen the future and it is iPhone!!! We went to check out new phones the other day...we've been toying with what company to switch to and what features we can get with what company. let me tell you how cool the new iPhones are....they have full iPod capabilities and then some. It's an MP3 player and cell phone...but on crack...it's crazy. The price is also crazy...$499 for the "simple" version....whatever. As cool as the phone was...active scroll screen...album cover playlist graphics...it was not 500 bucks cool....

do you know how much rubber I can buy for 500 smackers??? haha

I also had my first and hopefully last MRI today. I am not in the least bit claustraphobic...but let me tell you....fat women in small tubes - doesn't happen.

I had to have my knee MRI'd and even though they don't stick you all the way into the machine it still freaked me out...longest 35 minutes of my life. They did give me headphones that played XM radio though...I was able to rock to the 80's the whole time. That made the time pass quicker at least. I get my results and see the surgeon next friday...we'll see how that goes. I keep telling BD that it would be ironic that he broke his leg and has been out of work for a while to avoid having surgery on his leg...and that I've been hiking around on my bum knee the whole time and now I'll have to have surgery...that would certainly suck big time. I'm sure that the doc will just tell me that I screwed it up and have to wear a brace for a while...but I really wish the numbness would go away...it feels really screwy to be walking and bending a knee that you can't feel.......

You're welcome Northern Alabama!!

We knew it would happen. We contracted to have a new deck built since the old one was small and in disrepair. Northern Alabama has been in its worst drought since 1921. As soon as the lumber hit our driveway it started raining and it has rained every day since!!! We are officially the end of the drought I guess.....it never fails to happen. It's like our own personal version of Murphy's law.

So now my beautiful new deck is sitting in it's raw form on my second driveway....I had wanted it to be done within the next 2 weeks...but now I have no idea when we will get to enjoy it....*sob sob*.

YAY rain....get us out of this drought.....boo hiss rain during the day....I want my new deck!!!! My luck it clears up every night and only rains during the day....maybe I can offer the contractor extra and he'll build in the dark???

I'm selling it all!!!

okay...well maybe not all of it...but a lot of it!! What am I selling? My plethora of accumulated scrapbooking supplies. I have realized that I overpurchased in the past couple of years and will never use all the stuff that I have bought, traded for, or rec'd as gifts.

I have paper, cardstock, embellishments, stickers, rubons, fibers - you name it I probably own it. I have found myself going into my scraproom and not doing anything becuase what I have overwhelms me. It's time to clean house!! I have so much stuff that I bought thinking I'd use it for some project later on...and I've never touched it. How horrible is that??? It's just wasted sitting here.....

So if you know someone or if you yourself are looking for scrap supplies....contact me and we can work something out!!

Have you ever?

Have you ever wanted to just say screw it all? I have. Regularly.

Lately I have just been dealing with a myriad of things that make me want to just say forget it...I'm done. My stress levels seem so high these days that I don't know what it feels like to calm down anymore. That alone is driving me nuts...everyone suffers...the kids...the husband...the house...me....

I feel like things are closing in on me and I can't find the door to get out. So much stuff....so little energy. It just gets to the point where I start to not care about things. I forget to do things that I am supposed to do...and I don't have the energy to do the things I want to do.

I want to find my way out of the pity party....someone please show me the door....

Clear Your Calendars!!!

It is official. Keep the weekend of January 25 2008 clear on your calendars. The first semi-annual Northern Alabama Scrapbooking and Stamping retreat is coming!!!! I am so excited to be able to host this event for all my stamp and scrap addict friends. We are working out the details right now, but the reservations have been made and we will have details in the near future to get your registration together.

The weekend will be all inclusive (food, lodging, goodie bags, door prizes). There will be classes that are included in the fee and add on classes that are available for a small fee. The rooms will be double occupancy, private will be available at a higher rate.

Hope to see you in January!!

aaarrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh

I am warning you all....vent ahead.....straight ahead....full steam!!

I was perusing one of my regular sites and came across a post about a woman in Malaysia who wanted to change her official religious affiliation. Well, in Malaysia this is obviously better said than done due to the fact that they are a Muslim nation and that is their official religion.

I was fine with the discussion until I felt that people were comparing Malaysia to the USA. They are different countries with different laws and beliefs. We cannot assume to understand how or why their country does what they do.

Here is the article (not a very unbiased source actually either) :

Misjudgment in Malaysia



And here is my response to the discussion as far as freedom of religion rights:

we as americans cannot presume to understand how the malaysian society works when it comes to laws and adherance to those laws. If those laws include processes which must be followed to change your religion then that is of no concern to us.

Why must we as a country continue to cleanse the world of societies that *we* deem as wrong? Is it our place as a nation to begin "americanizing" the entire world so that our conscience and way of life is not infringed upon? Who are we to say that their way is wrong when we are not living in a utopia ourselves?

She is not in america...she is not an american...if there are laws in place that she should follow then that's the end of the argument for me. I will not presume to know the story just because I read this article. I don't know the culture or the laws of the country so it is not my place to make judgements about what is right or wrong in this situation.

It just infuriates me when people get on their high horse about how things aren't fair in other countries just because it wouldn't be considered fair here. You can't compare apples to oranges...yet people try.

Scariest Day Of My Life...

I have had enough of emergencies. I just can't take another one...and if they come in threes then I have filled my quota.

2 weeks ago I messed up my knee (still not fully recovered), last week BD fell and broke his leg (home healing and 1 more person to be taken care of), yesterday I had to rush the baby (3) to the hospital becuase he kept going into this weird state where he would glaze over and become unresponsive. I really freaked out and took him to the ER after calling and talking to his pediatrician.

They took blood (he took that like a champ and didn't even whimper - the nurses were so giddy about that), did a heart trace, and a urinalysis. The ER doc said that it was probably a sezuire or a vaso vagel response to nausea, but likely a sezuire. Unless he had another episode in the ER there was really no way to definitively say what it was. It could have been a one day thing and whatever was cuasing it had passed. After being there for almost 6 hours they sent us home. No answers...no reasons...nothing.

He's fine now...the first thing he did when we got into the house was walk over and kick his brother in the leg. Ahhh...sweet sibling love. Right up there with having an anuerism. Then he wouldn't let me take his hospital bracelet off becuase he said it made him better when they gave it to him. It was cute when he said it...but it kinda freaked me out as well....so attached to a bracelet. A couple of hours later he did come over and ask me to cut it off...so I guess he felt better.

So I have decided I can't do drama.....we are now living in a no drama zone....my heart can't take anymore...neither can my head. I am throwing in the towel........

It's been a whole week....

One week since I did in my knee. I did end up at the ER on Thursday morning. It looked pretty bad that morning when I woke up and it was numb. It's been a week of limping and whining....and it's still numb...and looks pretty gruesome as well.



The top part in between the ugly bruise and the knee cap area where it's just a little off color...you see that part? Where it looks like it's still natural skin colored? That is where it is still numb. I can feel pressure when I touch there...but nothing else...I even tried poking myself with a pin and it didn't hurt. I hope that goes away soon. I thought after a week the bruise would be much further gone than this...but ce la vie!! I will survive!!

Another year down....

Last night TT#1 graduated....... Preschool anyways. It was so nice. They did a musical program that covered all the songs they learned this year while going through the alphabet. They had them get into caps and gowns after that and did the walk. They got their diplomas and then they filed out while the director read the Last Will and Testaments. It was so nice to see the slideshow that they presented to all the parents featuring each of the children in the graduating class. Being a sub there, I have gotten to know each of the children and seen them grow up over the years....it will be strange next year to see a whole new Bear Class at the school. We had to duck out early on the after party since it was storming pretty badly and the dogs were outside when we left for the ceremony. They did give us all CDs with the slideshow and a mini album of photos of the kids from over the years. Such special keepsakes.

Congrats to the Class Of 2007!!!

Dirt in the skirt baby!!

or in my case dirt all over....tonight I played softball. I know I know.....what is a fat gal doing running around in the dirt?? Well after tonight I would have to say - I have no freakin clue!!

I decided to play ball for Big Daddy's work team when he said they might need a second female to cover some games since you can't play unless you have two females. The first game of the season we had to forfeit since we didn't have enough players show up. The second game Big Daddy plays and I take care of the TTs. We ended up watching the game from the van since the TTs couldn't seem to sit and watch and wanted to run amok instead. The third game I had book club that night so neither of us went....then came tonight.

Since BD went and busted his knee during the last game trying to slide into second, I played tonight. Did I mention that I haven't touched a ball since the 3rd grade? Did I also mention that when I was in 3rd grade it was Tball and I was much thinner and more coordinated? Just thought I'd clue you in on that....

So anyway back to the game. We started at bat...I didn't make it during the first inning. They put me at catcher (wth??) a position that I really don't have any idea what is expected of me. Catch right?? Kinda....I guess you are supposed to know the rules and what not as well as catch....silly me. I did learn however that you don't try to slow the ball down with your right hand if your left hand is the one in the glove...just in case you wondered if that was a good idea - it's not.

The second inning I did get to bat....hit a pretty good line drive to third...and I was out. I completely blame the out on the bruise that was developing on the thumb on my right hand. The ump did say it was a good hit though...so I guess it was okay.

Then the field time on the second inning was like getting spanked like a red headed step child. I don't think we could have let more runs through than we did. I think I got to see everyone in their lineup at least once...some twice. One guy...he reminded me of pigpen. Everytime I saw him he was in a cloud of dust. I almost tagged him out...but I think the ump got some dust in her eye and called him safe.

The next inning I didn't make it to bat again...but that was okay...I was wheezing from the dust and needed a drink. I really needed a beer...but water sufficed. Another round of watching the other team round the bases was fun...okay not really.

The 4th inning was where I really shined. I got up to bat...hit the ball...started running...and BAM!! down I went like a sack of potatoes!! I swear there was a hole in the first base line...and that's the story I'm sticking with! I did limp away with a swollen left knee and a bruised right knee. We'll see in the morning if they are still as bad off as they are now.

The only bad part that I can tell is that I have a numb spot on my left knee which is my bad knee that I injured in high school running track. I was in an immobilizer and on crutches for 6 months that time...and it was not fun. I'm hoping that it gets better so I don't have to go to have it drained or anything...that part was never fun...big needle no pain killer. I'll just have to see what happens...

The rest of the game went pretty smoothly....I really didn't feel the injuries from the fall until I tried to get out of the car at the house. I guess everything settled from not moving for a while and now I'm feeling it....

and it's making me cranky.....

and I still have to finish teacher's gifts since tomorrow is the last day of school and TT#1's graduation....damn....

It Pays To Be A News Whore

I am an admitted news whore...I flip between news channels like there's no tomorrow. Today I was watching the local noon news...to see if the rain was going to stop anytime soon. They had a prize pack to giveaway for Panoply. I of course shipped an email out to put my name in the hat...and I WON!!!

So now we have a 4 pack of weekend tickets...we'll have to take the TTs over there either friday or saturday....cause sunday is their party and I'm not going to be up for anything after that!!

We decided this year to do the TTs party as one big one since their birthdays are so close to each other. So I made and sent out 54 invites...yep 54. Handmade.....54 of them.....and I can guarantee that the TTs won't give a rip.

With that many kids coming (though not all are able to make it - yay!) we are doing a gymnastics party...they get to tumble and run for 2 whole hours....yahoo!!! Well ... so many things still to do....the cake...the goody bags....the valium - oh wait those are for me...

TTFN people!!

I can't believe that Easter is over

This year has been flying by so quickly. Next thing the TTs will be out of school and I'll be trying to find activities for them to do for 3 months until school starts again. I can't wait until TT#1 starts school. I look forward to being able to volunteer and be involved in the "school family" that we have.

I also look forward to the boys having lives apart. They have been together for everything for so long I think that will take a big adjustment for them. TT#2 going to preschool alone everyday...and TT#1 having to be in school all day 5 days a week. That is going to be a big adjustment for everyone. My friends say I'll cry....I think not.

Off like a dirty shirt....

Well this weekend is my yearly trek to Pheonix City to my SU! retreat. I am so stoked. In packing up though I realized just how much stuff I own....and how much I can stand to get rid of. I see a yard sale in my future.

This weekend will be filled with talking and eating and classes...and maybe a little scrapping and stamping thrown in for good measure.

Ohhh...almost forgot...every man's dream has come true.

Fight Like A Girl

Now if they were having cosmos and braiding each other's hair...BD would have season tickets.

Have a nice weekend!!

Anyone want something to help them waste a few hours?

The Impossible Quiz

A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy

That's what I think Spring Break is. A conspiracy by teachers to rally parents to vote them raises....after spending an entire week with your children and having to come up with countless ways to entertian them like a trained monkey....you'd think they deserve more money too!!!

As you guessed the TTs are on spring break this week....I think that we will do a trip to the aquarium...and the zoo...the outlet mall (maybe find some kick butt clearance stuff)....and who knows what else....

well the boys bellow...so I must go....

Way to go Alabama....Good Old Boys Strike Again!!

The Alabama State Legislature used a voice vote to grant themselves a 62% pay raise. Gov. Riley is going to veto it...but it will probably be passed anyway when that veto is overturned. This move has been compared to a smash and grab robbery. I kind of agree with that analogy.

Luckily there has been some press on the issue so it is NOT going unnoticed. There are even plans for a march on Montgomery on Tuesday March 20 at the State House. So anyone who would like to take a stand and say that they are not going to accept this...check out the following links and make a point to be there on Tuesday!!

Huntsville WAFF News Story

Birmingham NBC13 Story

Birmingham News (newspaper) Story

I hope they get a few thousand people there...but chances are it's not enough time to get that large of a group. Make sure you pass the word to your family and friends....get as many people there as possible and get this shot down!!

Too funny not to post it...

Okay...now I've never been one to post things that are too revealing about my boys...but this was too funny to keep to myself....

Picture this...potty training....sitting on side of tub while TT#2 is attempting his business....

"The pee pee comes out of here (poking himself)"

"Yes, that is your penis"

"It's not a peanut, it makes pee pee!"

"No honey, not a peanut, a penis. That is where your pee comes out and the thing you push down so you don't pee on the floor is called a penis"

*laughing at me* "No mommy, I told you it's NOT A PEANUT!!"

"Yep...not a peanut".

I had to leave the room....two year olds are too cute sometimes...

BTW...we did have a successful trip to the potty today....he even did #2 in the potty!!!! WTG buddy!!!

Let's chalk up the past month....

as a bad dream....we'll just move on from here....it's been too stressfull and too complicated to even post about.....but life is better now.

Today was my best friend's baby shower. She is on boy #3 and not having a good pregnancy...but she looks fabulous!!! She is due in a month and has that wonderful glow about her (she'll tell you it's indigestion). Three of us did the shower for her...I did the invites and the party favors (since I'm known in our group as the "crafty one")...and the other two pretty much did everything else.

We had a great time just the girls. I did the photos (again...I'm the "shutter bug")...but I used the camera that Jen won at Draw Down last weekend...lucky duck...she bought 2 $10 Bingo cards and wins a brand new Rebel XTi with a 2G card and lens kit. She had been eyeing my Rebel 350D....so at least she got a camera that she will use!!! I hope that the photos come out okay for her...I'll have to get copies from her...

We are now going to start the countdown to D-day .... D for Delivery that is!! 4 weeks and counting!!!

Oh what a week....

When it rains it pours...

Last week BD had to go on a last minute trip to MA....he left on Friday...returning on Monday. Sunday I get a phone call that his mom is in the hospital and we need to get someone there to take care of his dad. His dad is handicapped and needs someone with him most of the time.

Well fast forward to today...

Mom is still in the hospital...no one is telling us anything. I call and the nurses don't have any information for me. They even transferred her and didn't tell anyone. Then when I called this morning they thought that I was off my nut. I said that I didn't realize that she had been moved...and the nurse said that I had already called there this morning and didn't I remember that? I told her no...I didn't call....it must have been her other daughter.....which then confused the nurse. But still no information about how she's doing. I wish I was there to talk to the doc face to face and find out what is going on...why does it have to be such a huge secret? I just don't understand...

Dad is here at my house with our family so that he has someone to take care of him. We are just trying to slip him into our daily schedule...make him feel like our lives are not getting disrupted with him being here. He always feels like a burden since his stroke....and it's so hard to explain to him that he's not a burden...it just takes an adjustment period to get everyone used to new arrangements...

We are planning on him being here permanantly and ideally bring mom down here as well. I don't know how realistic that is....but I can hope and pray that it's possible.

Well enough of being a downer....I need some coffee....

I have started a new SU! blog!!

To showcase my SU! side of life...so this will be my homelife and when I want to bitch blog...and the other one will be about my business and my classes and whatnot...

check it out at

Inksanity

A new year ... a new me?

Probably not. I say every year that this will be the year...the year that it all changes...the year I get the old me back. It never happens. I'm still the same old me...the boring me...the fat me. I get rid of my skinny clothes....and buy more fat clothes. Every year. The fat clothes then become the skinny clothes.....and then I have to buy fatter clothes. It is horrible.

I can't even shop in regular stores anymore unless it's Wally World and even then I usually can't find anything that fits. I hate having to shop in "plus size" stores. They don't carry fashionable clothes...or if they do carry them they expect you to pay twice the amount that they should be priced at just because you relaly have no other choice unless you are going to make your own things. Why they think that it's justified to charge $80 for a shirt I have no idea....and when did denim get so expensive that you have to pay $100 for a pair of plain old jeans? Maybe I'm cheap...who knows.

So maybe this will be the year....the year that I don't make any promises that I know that I'll break....the year that I don't compare myself to all my skinny friends....the year that I don't base my self worth on my dress size.....

maybe this will be the year....