Scenes from Christmases Past

I love seeing how everyone has changed over the years. Can't wait to see my neice Caitlyn; she was only a couple of months old the last time we saw her. She's not even going to know who we are!

"Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things." -- Miyamoto Musashi

Had a wonderful, relaxing night's sleep last night. I took a shower and used some Johnson & Johnson's baby wash and lotion with lavendar to help de-stress. I actually slept in the guest room and woke up feeling like I had spent the night at a 5-star hotel (minus the room service). The guest room gets really dark and it's almost sound-proof. I didn't even hear Tbone shower this morning and her room is right next door. Apparently my spouse didn't fare quite as well. The dog kept him up all night and KJ gave him a hard time this morning . . . her back hurt, she didn't have any clothes laid out, etc. He still somehow managed to get both girls to school on time. He's my hero. My very own Mr. Mom.

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." -- Paulo Coelho

Trying to get some interior Christmas decorations put out. It's almost 65 degrees here today so it's kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I've got some windows open to let in the fresh air. Maybe some Christmas CD's will help. I've always been partial to Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey and Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis. I also like that Bon Jovi Christmas song (I think it's something like "Please come home"). Alvin & The Chipmonks always crack me up, too.

"The food that enters the mind must be watched as closely as the food that enters the body." -- Patrick Buchanan

I am ghostly

you are ghostwhite #F8F8FF

Your dominant hue is blue, making you a good friend who people love and trust. You're good in social situations and want to fit in. Just be careful not to compromise who you are to make them happy. Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

I love these quizzes; they crack me up and I do think they have some truth to them.

Nice day at playschool today. My sweet little Meredith fell asleep in my arms on the playground. I brought her in at lunch and laid her down on the sleeping bag. She continued to sleep thru lunch. She stirred a little bit after lunch so I rocked her in the rocking chair for a few minutes and she slept the rest of the afternoon in my lap. I love it!!! She is so sweet and chubby and snuggly. It has taken her a really long time to warm up to me and Margaret so the fact that she wanted to snuggle with me really warmed my heart. Anderson had an awesome day and, as always, so did Ava Clare. Today is Camila's last day before she leaves to visit her family in Columbia. Her mom is so sweet and brought us in some Christmas gifts.

I went to the store today and Chris taught me how to use the cash register. The scanner is really cool.

I realize I am way too "experienced" (since entering my 40's I refuse to use the word "old") for this young man (unless he's got a Ashton/Demi thing going on) but I think he is absolutely adorable. Not sure what's going on w/ the banana AND the cigarette (oral fixation, perhaps?). Anyway, the reason why I brought it up is because I saw something about him being in the new Indiana Jones movie. The India Jones trilogy contains 2 of my favorite movies (I hated the 2nd installment w/ all those dirty kids working in the mine and I really hated the part when they eat the frozen monkey brains). I also saw that National Treasure is coming out w/ a sequel and that, too is one of my favorite movies. I like the Action/Adventure stuff w/ a little bit of history thrown in for good measure.

Glistening Gumdrops

Each of us has much more hidden inside us than we have had a chance to explore. Unless we create an environment that enables us to discover the limits of our potential, we will never know what we have inside of us. --Muhammad Yunus

T & I were at the mall Sunday and I always try to buy Bath & Body Works anti-bac liquid handsoap when they're on sale. I lucked out . . . the were 4/$10. I also treated myself to some "Glistening Gumdrops" body wash and lotion. It smells delish!!! I just got out of the shower and I keep smelling my arm. Very festive.

T had an unscheduled orthodontist appointment this morning; one of her brackets was messed up and she couldn't put her rubber bands in. She only has a couple of weeks left w/ the braces. She's done so good and has been very mature and responsible about them.

Back to our regular schedule of dance classes, work, etc. It was very, very hard going back to work yesterday. It was a gray, dreary, rainy day (my favorite!) and I would have loved nothing better than icing my back on the couch w/ a good book. Fortunately, the babies were super good and the morning went fairly fast.

"If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give." -- George MacDonald

Nothing exciting today. Hubby told me he doesn't like the new layout. I don't think he gets it. Make mine a COSMO. Get it? Whatever.

Fairly uneventful day. KJ went to the store for a little bit w/ Chris this afternoon while T & I went shopping. I bought new sheets for our bed (whoop-de-doo!). Chris wanted flannel but I bought regular cotton sheets. My metrosexual husband was disappointed w/ the threadcount...he said he doesn't sleep on anything less than 1,000 count. He doesn't pay for 1,000 count either so the 400 threadcount will have to do.

Between Saturday night and today, we must have hit every store in Hoover & Vestavia looking for an Elf. Apparently, this is the big thing with the elementary school set. According to child #2, you write a note requesting an elf friend, leave out some crackers and water and VOILA! The next morning an elf appears. The elves are a mysterious lot. They play lots of tricks on people. We've been to Learning Express, Wal-Mart, CVS, Walgreens, Build-a-Bear, Hallmark, Libby Lu, Stein Mart. You name it, we've been there. T & I finally found an Elf at a little gift shop down by Hobby Lobby (which was closed today for some reason). This Elf is definately one of Santa's Ho's. She's wearing thigh-high green boots, a red sequined dress, and a green furry jacket. I'm sure K will love her. Couldv'e smacked my husband upside the head, however. He took one look at the "Elf" and said, "she doesn't have Elf ears."

It is worth reminding ourselves that what brings us the greatest joy and satisfaction in life are those actions we undertake out of concern for others. Indeed we can go further. For whereas the fundamental questions of human existence, such as why we are here, where we are going, and whether the universe had a beginning, have each elicited different responses in different philosophical traditions, it is self-evident that a generous heart and wholesome actions lead to greater peace. --Dalai Lama

Roll Tide Roll

It's an amazing feeling . . . I know Auburn and Alabama people are married and during that week they have to split. They don't talk to each other that week." -- Jason Campbell

It's 3rd Quarter of the Auburn vs. Alabama game. 'Bama's down by 3. Had to call my brother in PA at kick-off to give him a little "Roll Tide Roll" shout-out. I'm sure it made his night. I was hoping to talk to Brandon. He usually gives me a "We Are! Penn State!" and I tell him "Go Tide Go." Counting down the days until we see the kids. Caitlyn's not gonna know who we are.

Nice quiet day. My lower back has been hurting very badly the last couple of days so Chris let me sleep in this morning. All of my Thanksgiving decorations are put away, tomorrow we'll do Christmas decorations. I've been so cold today; just can't get warm. My toes feel like icicles.

No Joy in Hoo-ville Tonight

So sad to report Hoover lost to Vestavia tonight. We didn't go to the game but listened to the 4th quarter on the radio and on-line. It's been a rough, long season. I'm glad it's over and we can start fresh next season. However, my heart goes out to the seniors. I know how difficult and upsetting tonight must be.

On the flip side, if Hoover was going to loose to anyone, I can't say I'm "glad" it was Vestavia, but Vestavia is a worthy opponent. It's a huge rivalry and both team fight hard for the honor each season.

In other football news, dear Hubby is in a tizzy. Not sure what he's going to do tomorrow night. Alabama vs. Auburn game is on the same time as the Kansas vs. Missouri game. Not entirely sure why cares about Kansas OR Missouri but he's discussing setting up 2 TV's (apparently picture-in-picture will not cut it Saturday night). Roll Tide Roll!

Black Friday

"Going beyond is as bad as falling short." -- Chinese Proverb (I will keep this in mind this year as I decorate for the holidays!)

Nice, quiet, relaxing day today (the majority of which was spent taking down the "autumnal" decorations and cleaning out the garage). Tonight Chris is making homemade pizza and we'll just chill. Last night we watched "Deck the Halls" w/ Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick. Everytime Matthew Broderick opened his mouth, a scene from Ferris Bueller would run thru my mind. Anyway, I'm a sucker for a stupid Christmas movie . . . National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation w/ Chevy Chase, Christmas w/ the Kranks w/ Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim Allen (I just about pee my pants when he gets botox and tries to eat the fruit cup). Of course, my all-time favorite is A Christmas Story! (There's a great article on http://www.offbeathomes.com/ about how the original house from the movie was bought on e-Bay and restored in Cleveland, OH).

Check out these websites if you have some free time: http://www.welovechristmaslights.com/ or http://www.planetchristmas.com/

"Almost everyone thinks that "nature" is a good thing, but few can grasp the difference between natural and unnatural." -- Masanobu Fukuoka

Happy Thanksgiving!

"He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own." --Confucius

We have a lot to be thankful for this year and I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by those they love! Although we weren't with friends or family, we thought of you all today and kept you in our hearts.

My bird came out pretty good if I do say so myself and T was a big help in the kitchen this year! However, the best part about our Thanksgiving day dinner was not the food, it was during dessert when KJ made T laugh so hard she spewed milk all over the table. It's just not a holiday in our house unless a beverage comes out your nose.

"My home is not a place, it is people." -- Lois McMaster Bujold

T would like to go shopping Friday but that's not going to happen. There's no way in HELL I'll be anywhere near a mall or a store tomorrow. Chris took her one year and he said he'll never do it again! Our first Thanksgiving here my sister-in-law Laurie & I went shopping and had a lot of fun. KJ was just a baby and I don't think we did much Christmas shopping. If I remember correctly, I mainly bought post-baby clothes.

We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful. Think right, act right; it is what we think and do that makes us who we are. --Elbert Hubbard

I don't "do" Wordless Wednesdays!

"I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little farther down our particular path than we have yet got ourselves." -- E.M. Forster

Not much going on today. It's raining a little bit right now which is nice. I also think this crazy weather has brought me a little bit of a migraine. I laid on the couch for a while w/ one of T's sleep-masks on to block out the light. Maybe the rain will bring a little cooler weather.

"Whenever I groan within myself and think how hard it is to keep writing about love in these times of tension and strife which may, at any moment, become for us all a time of terror, I think to myself: What else is the world interested in? What else do we all want, each one of us, except to love and be loved, in our families, in our work, in all our relationships?" -- Dorothy Day

It was so nice this morning not having to get the kids up early for school. Everyone's been home today and I think we're meeting Chris somewhere for dinner since I'll be cooking my brains out tomorrow. I actually LOVE to prepare Thanksgiving Day dinner. It's the one meal I can do really, really well. I think because the turkey takes so long, I have plenty of time for the sides.

"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Still undecided about the Hoover vs. Vestavia game. I hate to purchase our tixs during the week at the high school because if something comes up, then I've got a handful of high school football tickets to unload. Unfortunately, if it's on TV, that's usually how we support our team. We'll see. I'd really like to go if it's a nice, cool night. I don't like to sit out there in the heat and I will never sit thru a football game in the rain. Go Bucs!

I've got a bunch of birthday shout-outs for the remainder of the month: Happy 40th Birthday to both Dean Martin and Jodi! Happy Birthday Lisa and Happy Birthday to my favorite Godson: Zachary Martin!

Is it still Tuesday?

Here's a pic of Chris & the guys from their football frenzy weekend in Dallas.
Left to Right: Spaulds, Fruit, Bubba & Cosmo.

Feels like it's been a loooooonnnnnggg day. T had an orthodontist appointment this morning. They put crazy rubber bands on her teeth, almost look like a spider web or something. She looks kind of creepy. She goes back in 2 weeks, they do something (not sure what -- maybe take the wires off??), she goes back in another 2 weeks and she's all done! YaY!

T and I ran a couple of errands/Christmas shopping before I was supposed to take her back to school but we ended up going to Roly Poly for lunch and decided, "the heck w/ it!" She's just going to hang out at home for the rest of the day. I don't think they were doing too much in school today. Tonight, she's at ME's w/ a whole bunch of other kids. Looks like this "getting together w/ friends" is turning into a weekly event.

No major plans for Wednesday. I still have to pick up a couple of things for Turkey day but again, nothing major. Gobble! Gobble!

What is going on???

Here it is a few days before Thanksgiving and it's in the 70's. What the hell?? I've got windows open and we're all wearing short-sleeved shirts. It's so damned hot here, this is what Chris will be wearing on Turkey Day.

35 days Until Christmas . . .

holy cow!!! can that be right??

Poo

My beautiful teen-age daughter just sent me some "woozy festive poo" on Facebook. Now that's love.

Sloth Sunday

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." -- Albert Pike

What a nice, lazy Sunday. It's 1:30 PM and the plan is to stay in my pajamas as long as humanly possible. I am not leaving the house today. The car is not leaving the garage (except in the event of severe vomiting, loss of limb, or the need to pick-up some takeout for dinner!).

T had some friends over last night. The kids were good, just loud. Thank God it was a nice night and they could hang out on the deck. Most of the kids were picked up around 10:30 PM. Shortly before 11 PM, I told all the kids that lived in the neighborhood to start walking home because I was going to bed.

Spoke w/ Chris a little earlier today. They were already at Texas Stadium to start tailgating. Sounds like they had a good time last night hanging out, catching up on old times. Isn't it funny how w/ truly good friends you can always pick-up where you left off? You may go years w/out seeing each other in person, but when you finally do, it feels like just yesterday.

Social Saturday

"Only through our connectedness to others can we really know and enhance the self. And only through working on the self can we begin to enhance our connectedness to others." -- Harriet Goldhor Lerner

T's got a bunch of kids coming over tonight (it started off as a couple of kids, I think she's crossed the line into a full-fledged party). I'm hiding in the basement. We were able to build and sustain a fire on the deck even w/ Chris gone. Go girl power!

Today the 75lbs. youth football team played the Clay Cougars for the SEYFL championship. These little Hoover boys are something else! Totally undefeated! It was a gorgeous day for football. No problems w/ any over-zealous fans this week. :-) I'm sad, in a way, to see the season end. I've really gotten to know and love all the little girls on my squad. However, I am REALLY looking forward to sleeping in late next Saturday!!! That 9 am game just about KILLED me each week!!! It wasn't the early kick-off time, it was the travel time, the getting KJ dressed and ready to go time, etc.

The girls and I had lunch at Wings and then ran to the mall. KJ makes her reconciliation in December and the kid truly has nothing to wear. I'm not very good at getting the girls to church so she doesn't really have "church" / Sunday kind of clothes and T's hand-me-downs either don't fit or are the wrong season. She bought a cute gold satin long sleeve top to wear w/ brown gaucho's she bought a week or 2 ago at Limited Too (I think she's going to save that outfit for Christmas). She also bought a cute black & white short sleeve dress to wear for church (don't forget, she's my sweaty kid . . . she can get overheated in an igloo) and she actually bought a brown 3-piece suit to wear for her reconcilliation. She looked like she was going on an interview. T picked out a sweater and necklace from Buckle to put away for Christmas. I think she knows everyone of her Christmas presents so far. Hopefully I can surprise her w/ a few things. Buckle had some really cool jeans for T but I'm not about to spend $96 on jeans for an 8th grader. I love her alot but not that much!

Cosmo has landed in Dallas and met up w/ his college buddies: Spaulds, Bubba & Fruit (don't ask!). Tonight was the TCU game; tomorrow is the Cowboys.

"The value of achievement lies in the achieving." -- Albert Einstein

Freaky Fun-Filled Friday

"Cowboys and Redskins is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, game in the NFL. When the schedule came out, the first thing I looked for was when do we play Dallas? It's here finally. " -- Unknown
Chris took the girls to school this morning and then got back into bed w/ me so we could snuggle. We snuggled until after 9 AM. It was chilly and he kept me warm. He leaves bright & early Saturday for his annual football frenzy weekend. Saturday they have TCU vs. UNLV tickets and Sunday is the Cowboys vs. Redskins. I know I was not a happy camper about last year's trip (OK, I basically made Chris's life a living hell) but to show that I've built a bridge and am over it, I bought him a Cowboys jersey to wear to the game and a Cowboy Nerf football to throw around while they're tailgating. I'm torn about who to root for: the girls and I watch that show on the Country Music channel about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders making the team but I also liked cheering for the Redskins when we lived in MD. Hmmm.....

We may or may not go to tonight's Hoover game vs. Hueytown at the Met (Regions Park, whatever!!!). First, it's going to be a little cold. Not that this Northern gal can't handle it but I'd rather stay at home w/ a cup of hot chocolate reading a book. Secondly, Chris has to get up early for his flight to Dallas and KJ & I have to cheer at 9 AM in Trussville. We all know I am NOT much of a morning person!

Other than our Saturday morning football game, the girls & I don't have much planned for the weekend. I think T is having some friends over Saturday night and KJ has a scout meeting Sunday afternoon. I am off from playschool all week next week!!! YAY!!! We are all SO looking forward to the long Thanksgiving weekend!

Twisted Thursday

BRRRRR. It's chilly here today! We had a nice little rain come thru last night (or, as KJ has learned from watching James Spann . . . a "t-storm") and it brought some cooler air.

Speaking of KJ, she is a major pain in the ass on a daily basis but she is funny as hell. She has started to speak in "text." Last night I said something really sarcastic to T-bone and KJ said, LOL, mom. LOL." Then this morning she had her panties all in a bunch about something and said, "OMG!!"

Had an 8:15 AM staff meeting. UGH!! The good thing was the director made breakfast . . . one of those breakfast casserole things which I just love and some cinnamon rolls. We picked names for our December Secret Santa. I picked someone fairly easy.

After the staff meeting I stopped at KJ's school and took her to the book fair. She picked out a couple of things.

I came home, got Chris and we did some toy shopping at Toy's R Us and had lunch at Moe's. Welcome to Moe's! I had an 11:45 AM haircut (I keep going shorter, and, in my humble opinion, sassier!). After my haircut I did some light grocery shopping (just the basics) but I did manage to pick up my turkey and a couple more Christmas presents.

Since I have such delicate ears, I can't use the bluetooth that came w/ my new phone so I gave it to Chris and he had it activated for his Crackberry. Now we can refer to him as a "Blue Tool" (someone who wears their bluetooth ALL the time).

The girls are home, no one needs to go anywhere tonight. Just a nice family evening in!!! Yay!

What Is Wordless Wednesday??

I've been doing some blog surfing/stalking and I am so impressed other people's creativity. What's also interesting is that there are a lot of blogs posted by stay-at-home mom's slowly going crazy. Made me start to wonder why a woman loses her identity when she becomes a wife and mother. For example, tonight T-bone and I had a some time to kill before I had to take her to dance so we walked around the shopping mall where we had dinner. We ran into a boy on Chris's lacrosse team. I said, "Hi, X." He looked at me a little strange (hey, I know how that feels!!! I am HORRIBLE w/ names & faces especially if I run into people someplace where they're not supposed to be!). So instead of saying, "it's Mrs. X," I said I am Coach X's wife. Also, from what I've read on-line, there are alot of women who are getting tired of saying "yes" to everyone and "no" to themselves. A lot of women are tired of PTO, bakesales, fund-raisers, chauffering kids everywhere, etc. And yes, I speak from personal experience. The other day I was supposed to volunteer at "Body Trek" at KJ's school (unfortunately I was sick and had to bail). The night before Body Trek, Chris looked at me and said, "you're kidding me, right?? can't you just tell them "no?" Must be easy for a guy.

Guy #1: "Can you help me move this weekend?"

Guy #2: " Sorry, buddy. I've got stuff to do."

Same conversation, different sex:

Chick #1: "Can you help me move this weekend?"

Chick #2: and she shows up w/ coffee and donuts for everyone

Sheesh!!!

On a happier note, Project Runway starts tonight! Yay! T and I like to watch it together. We also watch America's Next Top Model together. She watches House each week w/ Chris, too.

Chris & KJ just walked in from seeing "Fred Claus." KJ yelled at the neighbor's crazy ugly non-stop barking dog and told him she was all jacked up on Diet Coke and he should just shut up. That's my girl. Making friends everywhere she goes.

"We are weaving character every day, and the way to weave the best character is to be kind and to be useful. Think right, act right; it is what we think and do that makes us who we are." -- Elbert Hubbard

Still feel really cruddy, however, I'm a little smarter today. Instead of waking up, feeling bad, calling everyone on the sub list at the crack of dawn begging them to work for me, I made my phone calls last night and PRESTO! The first person I called said she'd love to cover my little class for me. I woke up w/ Chris & the girls, took some Sudafed and fell back asleep until 10 AM. Buddy and I were snuggled on the couch. Those Sudafeds totally knock me out. Me likey.

Chris has his annual "football frenzy" this weekend. As you may remember I was NOT very happy about it last year but I will try to be a little happier for him this year. It's not that I don't want him to have fun, it's that his timing totally sucks. Last year he went to Phoenix for 4 days in October the same weekend the girls had a long weekend for fall break. It was the first weekend since June that we had absolutely nothing to do. This year we will be celebrating our 25th year as a couple (10 years of dating, 15 years of marriage). Hopefully I will get a nice, thoughtful, expensive gift out of the deal (and it better not be a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt or worse --- a Hooters t-shirt!).

I leave you today with some photos of Paris & London. As I've been doing my Christmas shopping, I've come across some gifts for Taylor that would be appropriate for our trip in the Spring so I've had Paris on my mind lately. Maybe I'm just really sick and hallucinating.

Feel like Crapola

"When all is said and done, the only change that will make a difference is the transformation of the human heart." -- Peter Senge

I have the flu or something. Headache, fever, body aches, etc. I'm exhausted. I got out of bed today to eat. Exciting, I know. I'm such a dummy. I never get the flu shot for some reason.

Kids were off from school yesterday for Veteran's Day. KJ had her friend Maggie's party at Pump-it-Up (an inflatables party place). I hope KJ's not coming down w/ something. She came home from the party around 5 PM and promptly took 2 aspirin and fell asleep. We had to wake her for dinner. Strep is rampant at school and among my cheerleading squad. Fun.

"The differences between optimists and extreme optimists are remarkable, and suggest that over-optimism, like overconfidence, may in fact lead to behaviors that are unwise." -- Manju Puri

Veteran's Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their Veteran's Day and please remember to keep our service men and women and their families in your thoughts.

Last Night's Cheer Party

Had a good time at our end of season cheerleading paraty last night. It was a gorgeous night and the girls had fun jumping on Margaret Ann's trampoline, making posters for the Championship game next week, getting their trophies and watching the highlight DVD. My super sweet little squad gave me a gift certificate to the spa at Ross Bridge. AAAAAHHHH. My favorite pastime. Works for me everytime!

Evvy slept over last night while T spent the night at Katie & Kerrie's. I spent the night on the couch. I was watching TV and just fell asleep.

Chris left before 9 this morning for his last lax game of the weekend. After the game he'll have All-star's practice. He's having a hard time finalizing his roster for Tampa in January and needs to see the boys one more time.

I have Brooks's baby shower at 2 PM. I haven't been to a baby shower in years. Maybe the last shower I went to was when Margaret was pregnant w/ Ella (who's now 3 years old).

Fanatic Football Fans

(Above) This is the lady who was screaming at me today at the football game and this is her son (below):

Absolutely gorgeous day today. High 60's (low 70's, maybe???). Plenty of wonderful sunshine.

KJ's little football team played McAdory today. I'm assuming we won, I wouldn't know because I pulled my little cheerleaders off the field and left shortly into the 3rd quarter. I started to politely ask another Hoover parent to walk AROUND the girls while they're cheering rather than THRU them and she actually gave me the hand, started SCREAMING at me that HER SON was playing and BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. Seriously, the only words I was able to get out of my mouth were, "Excuse me . . . " She actually gave me the HAND. The HAND!!!! I turned to look at several of the cheer mom's for support, they looked at me and said, "let's take our girls and get the hell out of here." It was crazy. I felt very, very bad. However, I am a volunteer. I have been volunteering since mid-July and I don't deserve to be spoken to like that ESPECIALLY in front of my cheerleaders. It took every ounce of control to turn away from this woman. I have never in my entire life wanted to bitch-slap someone more than I wanted to smack this woman. I was truly ready for a throw down. I have never felt that angry before and can not believe how out of control raging mad I was. I was physically shaking and was so pumped up I could have put a cap in someone's ass. As a parent whose daughters have cheered, played softball and soccer for other people, I have never nor will I ever speak to a coach like that. I felt bad for my girls and I felt bad for the boys out there playing but my girls did not deserve to be disrespected like that. The crazy thing was, we were winning 35-0 in the 3rd quarter. I can totally understand a spector getting overzealous in an overtime game, etc. But we were WINNING 35-0 in the 3rd FREAKIN' quarter. I was visibly upset and some of my parents came over and hugged me and said we were doing the right thing.

Anyway, since we left McAdory so early, we ran over to Chris men's tourney at the old Berry Middle School. We got there just as the guys were shaking hands. I think Chris scored 5 goals in that first game and 5 or so in the 2nd game. Guess the old man still has some moves.

The girls and I left his game and headed to the mall to purchase a baby shower gift for Brooks & Greg's baby boy (to be born 2008). I bought the cutest little blankie at Gymboree w/ dogs all over it, a little long-sleeved coverall to match and a stuffed dog. The cashier gave me a 30% off coupon which just made my day!

KJ & I have our end-of-year cheer party. At least we'll have something to talk about! Ha! Ha!

Finally, It's Friday

I covered KJ's class for an hour yesterday. All I have to say is "thank a teacher" heavily at Christmas. I think there is 19 or 20 kids in Kendall's class. Not bad kids by any means. Just needy . . . . can you help me color this? I need another piece of paper. She's not sharing the crayons. He said I'm fat just because I'm drawing a fuzzy bear. And not ONE child stayed in their seats. Not one. They all wandered around the room aimlessly. I felt like a screaming moron . . . . Sit in your sit until you're done coloring your mask! When you're done coloring your mask you can start working on props! Push in your chairs! Clean up the crayons on the floor! BLAH. BLAH. BLAH. Fortunately most of the kids know me so they don't think I'm a total bitch.

I also did some Christmas shopping. Can't go into too much detail or I may have to kill you.

Last night Chris & I watched Tuesday night's episode of Nip Tuck that we TiVo'd. Christian is being such a jerk, it was actually hard to watch. Finally, the shoe is on the other foot and Dr. Troy can't handle it. Sean is getting some of the limelight and Christain is so jealous. I don't think the lesbian relationship Julia is having w/ Portia deRossi is going to last, however. I think she's just sowing her wild oats.

Busy weekend coming up. KJ has a little friend coming home w/ her afterschool. Saturday morning we have to cheer at the 9 AM football game. Chris has a men's lax tourney all weekend, Saturday night KJ & I have our end-of-year cheer party and Sunday I have a baby shower for one of the wives on the men's lax team. Have NO idea what to get her or WHEN I'm going to find time to buy a present. Should have thought of it yesterday when I was out doing some Christmas shopping. Crap!

I'm supposed to be cleaning today (what else is new??? Don't I clean EVERY FREAKIN' day???). I started a FaceBook account and have 5 new friends (my niece, our friend's daughter away at college -- I'm sure she's just thrilled to have a 40 year old woman on her friend's list, my husband is listed as my friend, and 2 of his lacrosse buddies). I've also been having fun finding "blinkies" to put on my log. I like experimenting with all that stuff. I'm cool like that.

"Gratitude is something of which none of us can give too much. For on the smiles, the thanks we give, our little gestures of appreciation, our neighbors build their philosophy of life." -- A.J. Cronin

Beautiful weather today. I love it . . . crisp, cool air; plenty of sunshine.

Our new little girl started at playschool today, Anna Beth. She did wonderful. A couple of cries for mama but nothing major. She snuggled w/ me in the rocking chair and fell asleep for about a half-hour. Camila, Hunter and Meredith all fell asleep too today. 4 out of 7 babies were out like a light! I call them babies but technically I guess they're toddlers (18 - 24 months).

Started Christmas shopping today. The girl at Toys R Us was a complete idiot (she kept yawning and rubbing her eyes like she was exhausted. You work at Toys R Us, how hard can it be???). I purchased something (can't say what because I don't want that person to read what it is on my blog!) and the dumb ass didn't put it in my bag. I was halfway out of the store and for some reason I looked in the bag and sure enough, it wasn't in there. I went BACK to the cashier and she looked at me like I had 2 heads. The item I bought was sitting right on the counter where she left it.

With 2 daughters, I rarely have to buy little boy presents. Brandon, my only nephew, has turned 4 and it seems like this is the first year he's out of the "baby" stuff. I wanted to buy him something from Disney's Cars. I'm used to pink or pastel colored packaging (i.e, Barbie, Littlest Pet Shop, My Little Pony). I went down one of the boy aisles and felt like I had entered a entirely different dimension. Everything was in really dark boxes, red or deep blue and had really angry, bold lettering. It was really weird.

Hubby gets home from Dallas tonight. KJ has homework to catch up on. T has hip-hop and really needs to get her eyebrows waxed. She has a serious aversion to tweezers but has no problem letting a stranger pour hot wax on her face.

Wedding Shoes

KJ helped me finish cleaning out my closet today while she was home from school. She oohed and aahed over all of my old high heel shoes and asked me if she can wear my wedding shoes on her wedding day. Since Taylor's feet are twice the size of mine, Kendall is my only hope. I think the shoes are going to end up in the dress-up box but she was so sweet about them. She's been wearing them around the house w/ her pajamas.

I have to watch KJ's class on Thursday while the teacher has a planning meeting. It's always a trip being up at the school with the kids.

Crap! I just caught Buddy eating a red crayon.

Two 4 Tuesday

My little buddy is home from school today (not the family dog Buddy, the other buddy!). She had a bit of a headache this morning and after I took T to the bus stop, KJ fell back asleep until 9:30 AM. She read for a little while when she woke up so she won't have to read tonight for school (dance night is always crazy!). She's been busy making costumes for her Webkins and is being very quiet.

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want." -- Margaret Young

"You are to become a creator, not a competitor; you are going to get what you want, but in such a way that when you get it every other man will have more than he has now." -- Wallace Wattles

"Every man is more than just himself; he also represents the unique, the very special and always significant and remarkable point at which the world's phenomena intersect, only once in this way, and never again." --Hermann Hesse

cold snap coming thru

Kendall must have heard on the radio or news that some parts of Alabama are going to experience much cooler temperatures tonight, maybe even in the 20's. Well, she's under the impression that's it's going to be in the 20's ALL DAY tomorrow. She's laying out her gloves, scarf, winter hat. Taylor keeps telling her she's a moron. Nothing like an older sister to keep you in check.

Quiet day at playschool today. The babies played really, really well together so we didn't want to disrupt the mojo by doing a craft or making them go outside (don't forget, we have one little girl who HATES to be outside...MAJOR freak out!). Our little friend, Jeries (aka JuJu) has left us to visit family in Jordan and a little girl was supposed to take his place today. She was a no show. Margaret and I were quite relived. We've got the kids right where we want them and for someone to start mid-November would just be chaotic. My little friend Hunter snuggled in my lap today and I rocked him to sleep. He slept in my arms for more than a half-hour. I think in my next life I'll be one of those ladies in the NICU who rocks crack babies.

Big plans to catch up my TiVo. I have 2 weeks worth of Oprah and a bunch of "Passport to Europe" to watch. Boy, that Samantha Brown has some life, huh??? I want to be her when I grow up. Room service, housekeeping, exotic ports of call (and she's got a cute little haircut, too!). How'd she get that gig???

My heart goes out to the families involved:

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — A number of gnomes and other creatures have taken sanctuary at the Springfield police station.
As part of a prank, somebody stole 75 lawn ornaments from around town and placed them meticulously on and around the lawn of one house on Oct. 17, police said.
Among the figurines are plastic and porcelain geese, deer, frogs are gnomes.
Police took them back to the station to help find the rightful owners.
"We need to get them out of here," Capt. Richard Harrison said. "Every time I leave my office they're sitting in my chair, working on my computer. I can't seem to get rid of the darn things."
The figurines will be put out for public viewing on Tuesday.
"If they come here and they can identify it we're more than happy to let the gnome go home," Harrison said.
Figurines that aren't claimed will be sold at auction.

Gnomes have feelings, too!!!

Parachute Pants & Leg Warmers, Anyone???

Chris & I started cleaning out our closet today. I think we both had some clothes left over from the Reagan administration (big shoulder pads a la Alexis Carrington). I kid. It wasn't really that bad but pretty darn close. I say that we "started" cleaning the closet because halfway thru Chris had to leave for fall lacrosse. I still have a mountain of shoes and a big pile of clothes on the floor that I need to go thru. I also have 2 big piles: 1 for donation, 1 for garage sale. Yes, I'm going to try to have a garage sale once youth football games are over.

Busy weekend. KJ's little football team beat Irondale alot to nothing. These kids are good I tell ya! Kendall went up to Evvy's house after the game to play for a bit while Chris & T ran some errands. Chris & T went up to Evvy's house to watch the Alabama vs. LSU game and I took KJ & Evvy to Nemo on Ice. Kendall spent the night w/ Evvy and thankfully they took her to Sunday school. Although Chris & I didn't make it to church, we were able to get T up to Sunday school and Evvy's grandmother brought all the kids home.

Chris took T to fall lacrosse @ 2:30 PM and KJ and I went up to watch her since it was her last game. We stayed for the high school boy's game and then Chris had try-outs for the BamaLax All-star team (to play in Tampa in January). Chris had the high school boys play against the current men's team as part of their try-out (the old man even scored against the youngin's). It was a crisp cool night but it was fun to see the men vs. the boys and I love chatting w/ all the parents. Of course, all the boys just love trying to slash Chris. After the try-outs we grabbed a bite to eat at Salvatore's. They had the Cowboys game on in Sal's. When we got home, Kendall said to Chris, "Hey Daddy. How 'bout we watch that Cowboy's game??" He was like: "YES!!!" That's my buddy. (It's really just a ploy on her part to stay up longer; next thing ya' know she'll be saying stuff like, "Hey Dad! Let's catch SportsCenter.")

"Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." -- Rossiter Worthington Raymond

Friday Night Lights

...is supposed to be a good show. I TiVo'd the season opener but we never got a chance to watch it and I was running out of space. I had a really difficult decision to make: Friday Night Lights or Rock of Love w/ Brett Michaels. Friday Night Lights or Rock of Love. Hmmmm.

Speaking of Friday Night Lights, it's high school football play-off time. Hoover is playing Theodore tonight. T is at the game, KJ and I have been watching it on the local cable channel (Chris is somewhere in the skies flying home from Dallas). It was 56-7 at the half. I think next week Hoover plays at Florence.

Got to talk to my brother earlier tonight, my nephew, my sister-in-law and my dad. Brandon was totally delightful tonight (come on, he's 4. He's pretty hit or miss on the phone). We had a wonderful phone conversation. He told me all about gymnastics, we talked Penn State football (according to Mr. B, they're the blue team), we discussed the merits of trick or treating and we debated the current crisis in the middle east. Ha! Just checking to see if you were still reading. He told me all about the footy pajamas he was wearing and he told me how he smashed his meat in his mashed potatoes at dinner and ate it all up so he could have TWO desserts.

I started reading a book my cousin Heather sent me called, "Pledged." Obviously, it's about Greek Life. As I read the prologue I wasn't sure if I was going to like it. I thought, this is just going to spout off a bunch of statistics and bash sororities and fraternities. While I do think many of the stories told in the book are not exclusive to Greek Life but are indicative of college life in general (i.e., the drunken frat parties, the meaningless sex / hook-ups, date rape, rampant drug use), the book does raise the question about the exclusivity of sororities and fraternities and addresses many stereotypes. Having never attended college let alone stepped foot in a sorority, I'm fascinated by this book. I'm more than halfway thru the book and as I'm reading, one question pops into my head repeatedly: "What will I do / say when one of my girls wants to join a sorority??" Keep in mind, I have an 8th grader. Pledging will be here before I know it. Crap.

Big football match-ups Saturday: Hoover 75 lbs. squad versus someone who's going to lose. Penn State vs. Perdue (sorry Steve-o. Godchild says you're going down!). Alabama versus LSU. I'll be watching Nemo on Ice w/ a bunch of Brownies.

Not So Newsworthy Friday

Not much going on today. Very quiet in the house today. Just me & the Budster. Kendall got into a little bit of trouble last night and went to bed fairly early. She woke up very happy and energetic this morning. Maybe I'm on to something here (or maybe she's just buttering me up. She wants a friend to sleep over tonight). She's not having anyone over until her room is clean. She better get that room cleaned before her father comes home from Dallas or he will positively FREAK.

My friend Tracy has a wonderful quote on her blog today about Hoover football. While I was not a Propst fan, I was not a Propst basher, either. The last couple of weeks, however, I begin to feel that he just needed to go. His little girl was on Taylor's softball team this spring and was a super sweet girl. I feel very sorry for his family and for the boys who played football this year. What a horrible distraction. Whatever Propst did in his personal life is between him, his wife and his God. No one is perfect. The grade changing bothered me but again, the teachers that did it were adults and should have been mature and confident to make their own decisions. The "illegal" player just stumped me. Why didn't a school secretary pick up on this? I know each year when I register my kids for school there is a section about custody papers, etc. Also, I can probably name 10 kids (some in my own neighborhood) who are attending Hoover schools because one of their divorced parents still lives here while the custodial parent moved into a different school district. I am also horribly disappointed with the Board of Ed. I believe Andy Craig is doing the right thing by taking a "wait and see" approach before making any comments. Suzy Baker, however, needs to shut the hell up. Apparently she is SOOOOO anti-Hoover and SOOOOO pro-Spain Park. I love how she makes comments about Propst's morality yet she's the one who appears on camera with shockingly low-cut clothes to show off the best boobs money can buy. Rumor is Bryant Gumble is trying to interview her for HBO. God help us all.

Anyway, those are my random, rambling thoughts for the day.

Ahh....Autumn

To me, this is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

I love everything about Fall. I love the decorations, the Indian corn, the Pilgrims, the bales of hay, the pumpkins, the food, the smells, the colors, the bounty of a cornucopia, the snuggly sweatshirts. Back in our dating and pre-kids years, Chris & I always took a romantic, hand-in-hand walk around Bear Mountain Lake in the Fall. We did walk around one year after T was born but then moved to MD by the following Fall. One of my favorite memories is Chris raking leaves at the house in NY and we put T in the pile (she was super little but her eyes were a beautiful crystal blue and she had on that little white sweater jacket Grammie bought her). She was 3 months old maybe. In MD we took several walks around a pond at a park in Glen Burnie and always bought bread crumbs so T could feed the ducks. In AL our two big traditions are the pumpkin patch (KJ will NEVER let us miss our annual trip to the pumpkin patch) and watching college TV out on the deck w/ a fire going and some s'mores. Chris & The Girls look forward to the annual Turkey Bowl they play every Thanksgiving morning w/ friends. I look forward to the peace and quiet and crescent rolls. I'm such a bad cook on one of my good days but I can really do Thanksgiving dinner. It truly is the one day of the year that I really look forward to cooking. The other 364 days I don't really care about but I really love making a bird for my family with all the trimmings: stuffing, mashed potatoes w/ lots of butter, green beans, the aforementioned crescent rolls and I like an apple pie for dessert (except none of us eats cranberry sauce for some reason).

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~ George Eliot

Happy Birthday Pop !!!

Or, as my children lovingly refer to him, Pop Tart!!!

"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." -- Kahlil Gibran

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." -- George Burns

"If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen." -- Loretta Girzaitis

"Every man's memory is his private literature." -- Aldous Huxley

Very quiet here today. Hubby is in Dallas, kids are at school. Just me and the dog. KJ made the bus this morning; T, unfortunately did not. I had to drive back home from the bus stop and put on some decent clothes (I was still in my jammies when I drove her to the bus stop) and then drive her to middle school (God forbid I should get into a car accident on SSC Road w/out a bra on!!). My two lovelies are in for a rude awakening when they get home today. The are CLEANING their rooms and I do mean CLEANING. Stuffed animals are taking over KJ's room and clothes (not sure what's clean and what's dirty) are taking over T's.

Very nice day again today; I've got all the windows open and I'm enjoying the fresh air. Time to take down the Halloween decorations and switch everything over to Pilgirms & Turkeys!