Saturday, September 29, 2007

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." -- Joseph Campbell
Gorgeous weather bright & early this morning at Kendall's football game. The 75 lbs. Hoover team won again. We played on the sports grass at Spain Park. It was pretty neat. Chris was at men's lax practice and T had spent the night at a friend's so KJ & I went to Zaxby's for lunch. We came home and changed into some comfy clothes and she fell asleep on the couch. She slept for 4 hours!!!! Poor thing! She must have been exhausted! Grammie & Pop probably wore her out! Ha! Ha!

Chris had another great day at the store. Fall ball starts tomorrow and Kendall & I are going on a hike in the woods w/ scouts.

Chris is watching the Alabama vs. FSU game. Wonder if Britt or Kristen are at the game????

Friday, September 28, 2007

Crazy Friday

Mom & Dad left this morning. I was still feeling a little puny so I went back to bed until 9:30-ish. My cell phone totally died the first day I was in Vegas so we had to get me a new phone, new plan and ended up up-grading T's phone, too. Then, my license expired the day before we left for Vegas so after spending a couple of hours in the phone store I had to wait on line for a new driver's license. Fortunately it went super quick; there were only 2 people on line in front of me and the one lady didn't have the correct paperwork so they made her get off the line. On the way back I stopped at the mall. T has a b-day party tonight for the twins who live behind us. I bought them each our "go-to" gift . . . a card for Hollister. Chris & KJ ran up to the lax store and I'm just waiting for T to call from rehearsal. I still have a ton of laundry to do and sheets to change.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

A couple of nice quotes for the evening . . .

"We're so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about." -- Joseph Campbell

"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope." --Martin Luther King Jr.

"The journey is the reward." -- Chinese Proverb

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit." -- Harry S. Truman

Almost 8 PM, kind of quiet. Just me & Grammie in the house. Taylor had rehearsal after school and stayed for the football games. Chris, Pop & Kendall wanted to see the 8th grade game so they left around 6:30 PM.

Taylor had spirit week this week...crazy hat/sock day, super hero/dynamic duo day, tacky day (Taylor's favorite!) and today was supposed to be Buc day (orange & black) but she woke up and said, "she didn't feel like it."

Grammie & Pop leave in the morning for FL. I think they're planning to break the trip up into 2 days and will arrive sometime on Saturday.

Can't believe tomorrow's Friday already! KJ has to cheer Saturday morning, fall lacrosse starts Sunday and Kendall has a scout meeting Sunday afternoon. We're hiking thru the Moss Creek Preserve. Should be fun!

More Vegas Pics





A couple more pics from Vegas. I love how each casino has it's own theme and own identity. I can't decide which is my favorite. The conservatory at the Bellagio was decorated for fall and it was SO beautiful (fall is my favorite time of year anyway). The Wynn was nice also but I think the Venetian and Caesar's Forum have the best shopping selection.

I'm officially in another age bracket

Had a great time in Vegas! The weather was spectacular (I think Vegas was several degrees cooler than Hoover) and I had such a good time exploring while Chris was at the trade show Monday & Tuesday. I walked around NY NY, MGM, Paris, Mandalay Bay, the Wynn, the Fashion Show Mall, Caesar's, Treasure Island, The Luxor, the M&M Store. I hopped on and off the monorail and must have walked miles and miles. Sunday night a vendor treated us to dinner at Maggiano's (incredible tiramasu) and Monday we had dinner at Ruth's Chris. Todd, the guy who helped me win big at the craps table in the Atlantis casino in the Bahamas, made special arrangments for a cake and everyone sang to me. Tuesday night (my b-day) we had pre-dinner cocktails at Tao in the Venetian and dinner at the Eiffel Tower in the Paris casino. We had the best seat in the house and were able to watch the fountains at the Bellagio while we ate.


It was a wonderful, relaxing trip. I've come home w/ a little bit of a cold and my cell phone totally and completely pooped out on me the day we arrived in Vegas. So, if you left me a message while I was out of town, I'm not being rude, I just can't get into my voicemail.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

FaceOff is a Success!


"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." -- Henry David Thoreau


What a great, busy weekend (and it's only 7 PM Saturday night!). Last night we went to the Hoover Homecoming game and sat w/ friends. It's a lot of fun seeing the boys all cleaned up and checking out the girls dresses. It was particularly nice this year because we knew some of the girls that were nominated for Homecoming Queen and we were hoping they could all win! KJ wore a Hoover cheerleading uniform and had so much fun hanging out w/ Joe Leventry, Maggie & Will, Lauren and Lindsey. T sat w/ the Bumpus crowd. Bumpus won their game Thursday night and Hoover beat Mt. Brook last night.

This morning KJ had the 9 AM game @ Hueytown (Hoover 75 lbs. team won) and then we went to the Grand Opening of the new lacrosse store. Taylor and I stayed until almost 4 PM and it was very steady the 4 hours we were there. Lots of friends and players popping in to say Hi!

So, we leave for Vegas in the AM. Still have lots of packing to do! Chris is relaxing w/ Pop and watching the Alabama game. Pop is a little annoyed w/ Penn State right now. Stephen has called several times today to analyze each play w/ Pop.

Friday, September 21, 2007

TGIF



"Love. Laughter. Life. Without the first two, the third does not exist." -- submitted by Malinda Childers

So KJ and I did PM Yoga last night. Hopefully she was a little more rested and got a better night's sleep. I know I was sleeping great until Buddy woke me up at 5 AM to go outside. I ended up just laying on the couch until Chris & the girls woke up.

I have some last minute cleaning and packing to do today. Busy day Saturday. KJ & I have the 9 AM football game and then we're off to the grand opening of FaceOff Alabama (conveniently located behind the Red Lobster on Hwy 31 in Vestavia!).

SNAPPLE UPDATES:
-The first penny had the motto "Mind your own Business"
-The first show ever to be puti into reruns was "The Lone Ranger"
-Dragonflies have six legs but cannot walk.

Thank you. You've been great. I'm here all week. Try the veal.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

AAAAAHHH . . . SPAAAAAA


"Boredom is the feeling that everything is a waste of time; serenity, that nothing is.” -- Thomas S. Szasz quotes

Had my day at the spa today in preparation for our upcoming trip to Vegas. I'm feeling very peaceful and relaxed. The masseusse (spelling??) today was crazy! She cracked the heck out of my back and really worked my shoulders. I had a mani & a pedi, too (Cajun Shrimp . . . my all-time favorite color!!). I usually do a bright color on my toes and something very pale and neutral on my fingers. Today, however, I did Cajun Shrimp on my fingers, too. I had totally forgotten how nice it was to have a bring color on my fingers. Remind me of the L&F days (BC .... before children) when I had weekly, yes, that's right I said weekly manicures. Aaah, those were the days.
So, Kendall hasn't been sleeping so well. She's having a hard time at night winding down. Yes, things have been crazy this week w/ dance, the store, school work, Chris traveling, etc. But she really fights it and then is horribly cranky in the morning. I think we are going to do a bit of yoga and some stretching tonight so she can get a little loose.
Mom & Dad should be here Friday. Spoke to Mom last night and Dad was in the background yelling about the Friday night Hoover game. Sounds like we're all going to go. It's homecoming and I don't think Chris & I have missed a homecoming game in a couple of years now. Mom & Dad are in for a real treat.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

KJ is Home Sick Today

Kendall woke up w/ a headache and sore throat today. I was supposed to have an early meeting staff meeting and work today but luckily Tracy was able to fill in for me.

Apparently my parents have finally embraced the year 2007 and bought cell phones last night. My folks should arrive Friday and will head to Ft. Myers from here next week when Chris & I return from Vegas.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

I'm bored

Chris is still out of town and there's nothing good to watch on TV. I'm pretty much caught up on my TiVo, too. Oh well.
Taylor came home from dance class tonight very excited. She's been moved up to the Jazz III class from the Jazz II class. She said Ms. Shannon scared the heck out of her. She asked Taylor to stay after class and Taylor thought Ms. Shannon was going to yell at her or something.

Kendall picked out her Halloween costume tonight. We went to Party City after dance class and she really couldn't find anything she liked. She had on her black dance leotard and she had a lightbulb moment . . . she picked out a black cane, a top hat, black gloves and a black bow tie. She looks like a female Fred Astaire. She told Chris all she needs is a pair of fishnets and she'll look like a playboy bunny. He almost croaked on the phone.

Kendall also told me tonight that she has decided to buy a really inexpensive wedding gown when it's time for her to get married. She's going to have a "destination" wedding and she and her husband are going to run into the surf after they get married so she won't care about ruining a very expensive dress. Isn't that sweet? I can't believe she's thinking about her wedding day. Looks like Chris will luck out with Kendall 'cuz you know the older sister will buy the most expensive, couture gown she kind find.
Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up.

Snapple Facts

Getting a little behind on my Snapple facts so here's a couple to tide you over for the next couple of days:

-The mouth of the Statue of Liberty is 3 feet wide (and you thought I had a BIG mouth, Christopher!!!)
-Manhattan is the only borough in NYC that doesn't have a Main Street.
-Your eye expands up to 45% when looking at something pleasing.
-If you put all the streets in NYC in a straight line, they would stretch to Japan.

Roll Tide Roll

Bet y'all didn't know Chris is friends w/ a celebrity! This is a pic of one of the boys who played on Chris's all-star team. He's Big Al this fall. I think Chris told me he rec'vd a full scholarship for being the school mascot. Must be hot as hell in that get-up!
So this is officially "pamper the old lady" week (exactly one week from today is the BIG day). Had my hair cut & highlighted today and Thursday I plan to use the gift card Chris & the girls gave me for Mother's Day for a massage, a mani & a pedi. Got to look good for Vegas, baby!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Nick Names

We leave for Vegas on Sunday, 9/23 and will be home on Wednesday, 9/26. My parents are coming down to stay w/ the girls and will go straight to FL from here. I'm really looking forward to getting away for a couple of days. I have no idea what flights we're on, I have no idea what hotel we're staying at. I'm letting Chris handle all the details; I'm just going with the flow. This is technically a business trip for Chris and I think Sunday & Monday night we have dinners w/ vendors. During the day I think I'll be on my own. This trip I'd like to get to the Bellagio and some of the stuff down that way. Last trip we were at the Venetian and saw the Mirage, Treasure Island, the Wynn, Caesars.

I subscribe to a neat little e-newsletter called Wickedly Chic. They have Sunday night give-aways and they just started doing Thursday night give-aways. All you have to do is send them an e-mail during the contest hours. Well, this week I won a $25 gift certificate to an independent bath & beauty company called "5th Avenue Bath Co." I ordered a "Martini Gift Set" which includes a
*Luxurious hand & body wash
*Jojoba Exfoliating Body Scrub with Dead Sea Salt
*Hand & Body cream with goat milk & shea butter
They had all different flavors: Cosmo, Lemon Drop, Pink Grapefruit Martini, Pomegranate Martini. Don't they sound yummy??? I think it's super cool! I never win anything!

OK, so we've figured out my stripper name is: Dallas Glitter Heat
My Gangsta name is: Valeizzle
My detective name is: Green Unicorn
My soap opera name: Ann Lakemont
My Star Wars name is: CosVa
My SuperHero Name is: PinkSnapple
My witness protection name: Edward Ann OR Ann Edward (depends on my mood)
and, finally, my Goth name is: Black Buddy (my personal favorite)

What else is new? Let's see . . . Chris left this morning for California. He'll be back Wednesday. He was busy all weekend at the store. Face Off Alabama looks awesome and the Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, 9/22. He had so much help this weekend and is so happy to have such good buddies. Randy Nace, Scott & Haden Smith, Odie, Eric Christensen, Jake P and a bunch of lax boys also stopped to by to either say hello or lend a hand.

Yesterday Kendall & I had cheer photos and right after that she had a Brownie Meeting. We were supposed to go to church for the Sunday School open house but never made it. Kendall is making her First Holy Communion in May and is happy to have her friend Maggie in her class, her friends Lindsey, Joe and Evvy, too.

So, did you watch the Emmy's last night? T & I watched most of it. I loved the yellow dress Joely Fischer wore but can't seem to find a picture of it on the web. I'd like to put a snapshot of it on my blog. Eva Longoria looked sassy as always and Taylor really liked Teri Hatcher's dress (I didn't see it . . . must have been in the bathroom or something). I really liked the dress that Edie Falco wore (Sopranos) and I also liked Denis Leary's wife's dress. She had a cute haircut, too. The critics don't have anything nice to say about the green ostrich feather dress Vanessa Williams wore. She's a diva and I thought she carried it off in a way that only she can. She's so beautiful, it really doesn't matter what she wears.

So those are my meandering musings for a Monday. Have a great week!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

I'm in the Dungeon


"Live with intention. Walk to the edge. Listen hard. Practice wellness. Play with abandon. Laugh. Choose with no regret. Appreciate your friends. Continue to learn. Do what you love. Live as if this is all there is." -- Mary Ann Radmacher

Taylor is having some kids over tonight and Chris & I have strict instructions to stay in the basement and not embarrass her. She didn't say anything about Kendall not embarrassing her so she'll be our little spy for the night. We'll send her upstairs for snacks and stuff. Chris ran to the video store to get them a movie. I think Kendall is in her pj's. Hope they don't run into anybody we know.

Gorgeous day today. Kendall & I had our 9 AM football game in Gardendale (Hoover youth team won). Kendall went home w/ her friend Evvy after the game and I stopped in on Chris & the boys at the store. Carpet looks good, walls look good and Chris had plenty of friends and players throughout the day to help him. He got the slatboards up and they've already started to stock inventory. Guess we're really going thru w/ this!

So the big news is I'm going to Vegas for my 40th b-day. Yay!!! Chris has his annual ASIS convention the end of September and it always falls right smack on my b-day. I think he was afraid to leave me alone on my 40th b-day. He was worried I'd drown my sorrows in a big raspberry margarita. So, grammie & pop are driving down to stay w/ the girls while we're gone Sunday thru Wednesday. Kendall is hoping grammie brings a big can of peas. NOT!!!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Go Hoover! Go Hoover!

Hoover's up 17-0 in the 2nd quarter vs. Spain Park (cross-town rivals). T is @ the game; Chris & I are watching on cable. This would have been the perfect game to go to but we're both pooped! We had a lot of rain last night and most of today and it seems to have cooled everything down.

Taylor went to her middle school game last night and came home soaked to the bone. It started raining right before half-time but I think all the fans stuck it out.

Kendall & I have the 9 AM game vs. Gardendale Saturday morning. Chris will be at the store so he won't be able to help me w/ offense & defense cheers. I hope we're not yelling "sack the quarterback" when we're running in a touchdown like we did last week. Ooops! My bad!

Hoover update: Spain Park Jaguars just scored w/ a few minutes left in the first half. Spain Park's got some BIIIIIG boys on their line.

Clean Up Friday

"Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind." ~ Patanjali

"I tried yoga once but took off for the mall halfway through class, as I had a sudden craving for a soft pretzel and world peace." ~ The Quote Garden


So today is Friday. Most people get excited because it's the end of the work week for them. Friday, however, for me is Cleaning Day. It's the one day of the week I set aside to do nothing but clean bathrooms and the kitchen. So, I totally dread Friday's. I'm trying to get in the right frame of mind this morning. I'm trying to get my chakras all in a row, open my mind, center, achieve clarity and just float thru all my cleaning. So I've lit all my aromatherapy candles, my zen water fountian is on and I'm listening to my soothing "inner peace" music. What I really need to do is snap out of it, get my booty on the treadmill and say to hell with housecleaning!!!!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Maybe Little Miss Cranky Pants Should have Stayed in NY




"Your wrinkles either show that you're nasty, cranky, and senile, or that you're always smiling." -- Carlos Santana

Whoa!!! Was Kendall cranky when she got off the school bus today. I told her she needed to lay down on the couch for a few minutes and control her emotions (when I asked her to wash her hands and get all the "school skank" off before she ate her snack, she had a total photonic meltdown and told me I was being mean to her). She was asleep within 5 minutes. I'm sure she's tired from her trip and the time change probably messed her up. She also rode this bus this morning for the first time EVER (they changed her bus schedule . . . it now comes at 7:15 AM instead of 6:55 AM and she now gets off the bus at 3:35 PM instead of 3:10 PM).

Maybe she'll cheer up after she eats a couple of tacos! ha! ha!

Thursday

“A male gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car.” - Carrie P. Snow quotes (although I happen to like my doctor very much! The girls in his office call him the bald-headed wonder!)

Had my regular yearly exam and pap smear (is that TMI . . . too much information??). Next month is my mammogram and appointment immediately following w/ the breast surgeon. If it's not one thing, it's another!
Met Chris for lunch and then we went up to the store to check on the carpet guy(s). Friday the slatboards are being delivered. Phone lines are on, power is on. Chris is picking up the temporary sign today and a permanent sign is in the works. All systems are a go.

Nothing planned for tonight. I wanted to go to the Bumpus football game but Taylor said we didn't have to be there. She'll just call when she needs a ride home. Friday is Hoover's game against cross-town rivals Spain Park. It's supposed to pour all day so I'm not sure if we'll go. I think it's on one of the local cable stations. Might stay in and watch it on TV. Saturday AM Kendall has to cheer and Saturday night Taylor is having some kids over to hang out (boys AND girls). Should be interesting.

That's it for now! Have a great night!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

I know I'm getting Old(er) . . .

but I'm not THAT old! Kendall & I were looking at her dinosaur pictures from the Museum of Natural History. My darling youngest daughter just asked me if there were dinosaurs around when I was a little girl. Crap.

My Baby's R Back

Chris & Kendall walked in the door around 4:45 PM. Buddy heard the car pull up and went running to the garage door. He must have missed Kendall very much (either that or he really had to go outside!).

Today they went to Battery Park to see the Statue of Liberty. Kendall said it was very cold. She has her sweatshirt on in most of the pictures and it looked like it was windy. There was a mobile tribute of 9/11 victims that toured the country and Chris was able to find his friend Rob's name. Hard to believe 6 years have gone by already.

So tonight at dinner I asked Kendall a ton a questions about her trip. She really had a great time and can't wait to go back to NY again! I think the Blue Rock School left a big impression on her!

Yay! Kendall & Chris will be home soon!

Chris has texted me a couple of times today. He & Kendall woke up pretty early and headed down to the city before they had to be at the airport. She really, really wanted to see the Statue of Liberty (she said it was very foggy Monday and she didn't get a good look). They drove down to Battery Park so she could see Lady Liberty a little better and I'm not sure if they drove around Ground Zero or actually got out and walked around. It was a quick trip and I know she wishes they had more time to do a few more things but I'm glad they're on their way home. I always feel so much better when all of my chicks are in one basket.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Quiet as a Mouse




House is quiet . . . T's at dance and should be home any minute. We had a nice day today. She had an orthodontist appointment at 2 PM so I checked her out of school. I thought I was going to have to take her back to middle school for play rehearsal but it was cancelled. After the orthodontist we walked around Hobby Lobby looking for adhesive numbers to put on the electrical meter at the store (Alabama Power won't turn on the juice until our meter is properly identified). Couldn't find numbers appropriate for outdoor use so we had to go to Home Depot. After Home depot we had an early dinner at Johnny Rockets and had plenty of time to kill before dance. I took T with me to the store and we put the numbers on the meter in the rain. Hope they stick!

Spoke w/ Kendall this afternoon. She had so much fun with Lisa at her school. Kendall said she likes Lisa's school better because you don't start getting homework until 3rd grade. She also said they went out side and played in the rain. I asked her if she had PE or anything like that and she said they don't get PE until Thursdays. Kendall has PE every day in Hoover.
Chris had a good day at the show. He had a good steak dinner somewhere downtown and was sitting in traffic heading back to his mom's. I'm sure he doesn't miss sitting on the Tappan Zee Bridge every night like he did when he worked in Westchester (pre-cell phone era).

Playschool tomorrow. We have a very sweet little class and Monday was much better than last Wednesday (the first day). We still have a couple of little ones that need to ease into the whole playschool/being away from Mommy thing but I'm sure they'll do fine. Ava Clare and Anderson play wonderfully, Holden generally does well. Camilla will do fine in a couple of weeks. Jerries (JuJu) makes our hearts break because he just cries and cries for his Mama. Meredith is too cute w/ her beautiful blonde curls and Grace is very, very sweet. Hunter is a little peanut and is going to do just great.

2 weeks left


People. People. It's not too late. You still have exactly 2 weeks until my big 40th birthday surprise party. Plenty of time to buy me a hugely expensive gift. Exotic vacations, diamonds, cars . . . I'm not picky.

Kendall NYC Update Day 2


So Kendall woke up this morning and went to school w/ Lisa. Lisa teaches 3rd grade and, technically, if we were still living in NY, Kendall would be in a 3rd grade class. She's in 2nd grade here due to her "late" b-day. Sounds like Grandma Jo-Jo packed her a lunch and off she went! I'm sure she'll have a great time! Can't wait to hear all about it. Spoke w/ Chris this morning while he was sitting in traffic on his way to the Jacob Javitz. He said she was exhausted last night and slept in the car a little bit on the way to Garnerville. He said they had so much fun in the city and Kendall bugged the HECK out of him for a rickshaw ride. I think tonight Grandma Jo-Jo is going to make her infamous baked macaroni.

Day of Remembrance


“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.“ - President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." --Ernest Hemingway

Monday, September 10, 2007

Evolution of Dance ~ One of My Favorite Videos!

Kendall Update

She DID go into the American Girl store (see pics) and they also went into the Disney store. She said Chris wouldn't let her wear her foam Statue of Liberty crown in public but she wore it in the car. That's my girl!!!
Still not sure where they ended up eating dinner (she likes Hard Rocks and she loves that Bubba Gump place in Times Square). Not even sure if they've made it up to my mother-in-law's yet. It's 10 PM Hoover time. Chris!!! Put my baby to bed!!!!

They couldn't get into the Plaza to see the Eloise portrait due to massive construction. She's so funny! She gets an idea into her head and that's that. Hmmm...wonder where she gets that from!!! :-)

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"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." -- Dr. Seuss

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful." -- Sophia Loren



"There must be quite a few things a hot bath won't cure, but I don't know many of them." -- Sylvia Plath

“Life is too important to be taken seriously.” – Oscar Wilde

If people are truly, madly, deeply in love with each other, they will find a way.~Gilda Radner

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"Everything you see I owe to spaghetti." -- Sophia Loren

"I know I'm vulgar, but would you have me any other way?" -- Elizabeth Taylor

"After thirty, a body has a mind of its own." -- Bette Midler

"Cherish forever what makes you unique, 'cuz you're really a yawn if it goes." -- Bette Midler

“I know I can be diva-ish sometimes, but I have to be in control. The nature of my life, the nature of what I do, is divadom, it really is." -- Mariah Carey

"I want minimum information given with maximum politeness." -- Jackie Kennedy Onassis

"I've been called a diva, queen diva, diva supreme, and I love it. However, that's really for others to decide, not me." -- Aretha Franklin

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