Good morning.
Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.- Florence Shinn
Every time I've done something that doesn't feel right, it's ended up not being right. - Mario Cuomo
God is Love,
Rev Run

Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free. --Starhawk

OK, So I rec'd this e-mail yesterday and it says that it was checked out on Snopes.com. I will admit I have not had the chance to actually go to the Snopes website myself but I will post the e-mail (basically, what I'm saying is, this is my blog and I can put whatever I want on here). This is exactly what I mean when I say "Barack scares the crap out of me."

"Who is Barack Obama? Probable U. S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHIEST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school."

Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear thatthat he is not a radical.Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background.

ALSO, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance norwill he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their handsover their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.

The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!!!!"

I've had the most wonderful morning

Wow. I feel like I had a massage this morning.

Let me start at last night: Chris had 2 lax games last night in the freezing cold. Although both JV and Varsity beat Vestavia, the boys didn't play up to their potential. Chris was totally mentally and physically exhausted when he got home. I told him to sleep in Friday morinng and I would drive the girls to school. There was absolutely no traffic this morning . . . I made it to elementary school in 5 minutes and was home w/ in 20 minutes. The round-trip from home-elementary school-middle school-home usually takes me 38 to 45 minutes. Anyway, Chris was still sleeping and I didn't really want to make any noise so I had no choice but to get back into bed. I slept from 7:45 to 10:15 AM. I was so cozy, comfy, snuggly. I felt like I had melted into my mattress and was a big puddle. Before I got out of bed I stretched and every bone in my body cracked. It felt amazing.

So after having my pop tart and cup of tea, it's now almost 11 AM and I haven't accomplished much. We have NO plans tonight so I have all day to get stuff done. Looks cold, windy and a little gloomy outside.

McCain's Presidential Eligibility

I saw on today's news that there is some question as to whether John McCain is eligible to run for President based on the fact the he was born on a US Military base in the Panama Canal while his father (an admiral in the Navy???) was stationed. His mother was a US citizen at the time. Despite your presidental candidate preference or your political affiliations, do you think a man (or woman) born on foreign territory should be able to run for office? Let me elaborate: the candidate was born on a US military base to natural born US citizens of which, one parent is serving his/her country in the military Is the candidate considered a "natural born US citizen" or not? I was born on a US Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain at the height of the Viet Nam war. My dad was in the Air Force (a US Citizen) and both of my parents are considered "natural born US citizens." Does the fact that I was born outside the continental US make me an less American? Do I not deserve the right to run to for president? Does this allow foreign born politicans eligible? Specificially, Arnold the Govenator. What about the fact that Hilary has never served in the military? What about the fact that Obama spent most of his formative childhood years outside the US? Where would his alliance lay in the time of conflict? Would Arnold declare war on Austria if needed knowing that his family and friends are still natives? This unique situation really brings up alot of questions. What's even weirder is that our founding fathers were all techinically born on foreign soil. At the time of their birth, the 13 colonies were considered part of the British territories.

I hate clothes shopping

There. I said it. I like shoe shopping, Actually, I LOVE shoe shopping. I could have bought 5 or 6 pairs of shoes today at DSW. I like shopping for make-up and accessories, I like shopping for home decor. I hate CLOTHES SHOPPING. I have spent the entire day at the mall looking for a cocktail dress and shoes to take to Cabo. Everything I tried on either itched, was cut really really low and my boobs hung out or was just plain fugly (freakin' ugly). I ended up buying 3 dresses at Macy's. Everything was on sale but I still felt like I over-paid considering I will never these dresses again. I'll try them on for T, Chris, and KJ, get their opinion and return the ones I don't want. Not only was I extremely frustrated today, but the mall was like 100 degrees. I was so hot, the dressing rooms were a sauna, my hair is all droopy and messy. Not a good day. I'm very cranky. Then, the sales clerk at Macy's accused me of stealing the gift card my mother gave me for Christmas. She started to ring up my 3 dresses, I told her I was going to pay w/ a giftcard and some cash. She started talking Ebonics so I couldn't understand a freakin' word she was saying. Apparently some old lady said she lost her gift card a few minutes before I got to the counter. The sales clerk was asking me all sorts of questions: what does my gift card look like (what are we talking here, dimensions? color? shape?), how much was it worth. Why didn't I know how much money is on it? Honestly, it's almsot March. My mother gave me and Chris each Macy's gift cards for Christmas and I couldn't really remember how much money was on it. I finally got a little aggravated, asked her if she was the gift card Nazi and told her she could bring out a manager if she wanted and turn on the air conditioning for cyring out loud!!!!

Crawfish is STILL alive. Great.

Wacky Wednesday (what else in new in this house??)

Both girls eased back into school today. We let everyone sleep in a little bit, take their time getting ready, had a nice breakfast. Chris drove them to school and checked them both in late. Unfortunately, T didn't make it the whole day. Who am I kidding? She didn't even make it to lunch. By 12:15 PM she was in the nurse's office.

I did call the pediatrician yesterday afternoon thinking I was going to get an appointment for her today. The nurse called, said it sounded more viral than bacterial and there reallyl wasn't much they could do for her. Plenty of liquids, some Mucinex to clear the mucus and some Claritin for the decongestant.

T & I are watching the news. The scumbag former Ohio cop who killed his wife and their unborn baby just got life in prison w/out parole. Hmmm....what's in store for Drew Peterson??? He just gives me the willies.

Definately a wild & crazy nite!

Wow! What a wicked thunderstorm last nite! Of course, Kj got into bed w/ us. Even tho' it's a king-sized bed there just isn't enough room for 3 so I ended up on the couch.

She threw up a little bit again this morning in the garage. She was in the beer fridge looking for something to drink (juice) and threw up a little bit on the garage floor. She's not running a fever or anything and is actually eating pretty well today. T, however, isn't doing too hot. She has a horrible head cold. She's very congested and looks like death warmed over. She has terrible bags under her eyes.

Supposed to have a couple of lax games tonight but because of the storm last night, they've called off the games. The fields are getting pretty tore up and Parks & Rec is trying hard to keep the fields in good condition for everyone to use. I think the games will be re-scheduled for Thursday (which works better for me!).

I think my Tues/Thurs friends had another rough day today. They have a tough class and this crazy weather doesn't help. Some kids just really need to be outside, running free.

Have I told you about our new family pet? Well, we used to have Buddy the Wonder Dog, now we have Buddy the Crawfish. Yes, we've had a crawfish sitting on the kitchen counter in a take-out container since Saturday night. I keep hoping he suffocates, T wants to boil him up in some Old Bay and put him on her plate. KJ went out to dinner w/ the little girl across the street and her family Saturday night. They were supposed to go to Red Lobster but there was a long wait. So they decided to come home and go to Jubilee Joe's. I guess a couple of crawfish jumped out of the pot and were crawling around in the kitchen. The waiter asked KJ & Clare if they wanted to take the crawfish home. Duh. Of course they did. So, KJ comes home w/ a live, huge, disgusting crawfish in a take-out container w/ a hole poked in the top. He's probably about 5 inches long and is crazy noisy. He is so angry and aggravated. He thrashes around in his container so much, he actually moves the container. I want KJ to take him down to the little pond in the sub-division and get rid of him but she wants to see how long he'll live. I know for a fact we have some pretty big fish in that little pond and we've seen several snapping turtles. I'd like to see one of them take a big bite out of Buddy the Crawfish.

Wild & Crazy

KJ (in the green pants) learning how to face-off @ Sunday's lax practice.

What was supposed to be "My wild & crazy nite" getting the girls to their lacrosse and softball practices has just turned into "My evening at Home w/ 2 Sickos." As mentioned in my earlier post, KJ went to softball practice right after school w/ a friend. Said friend's Mom calls from the ball field and said KJ wasn't feeling too hot. KJ gets on the phone and I can't even understand a word she's saying because she's crying so bad. I hang up and run up to the field to get her. In the time in took me to drive up there, she threw up. And no, she didn't make it into the trash can. Not sure if she threw up on the field or what but friend's Mommy said she'll just throw some dirt on it.

Monday (I mean Really! What can U Say About a Monday???)

T-bone's home sick from school. Her stomach's been bothering her and she has the beginnings of a head cold. She's not a happy camper.

KJ, on the other hand, was a very happy camper this morning. She's going to softball practice right after school w/ her friend Lauren. So, the usual weekly craziness begins tonight: T's got lax and softball tonight (if she's feeling up to it) and KJ's got softball. Tuesday is always crazy due to dance, Wednesday is dance and lax also. I think Friday is our only free day this week and I'm not even suree what Chris's schedule is this week.

Nice, warm sunny day. Our babies were very good today. We went outside for a little bit after lunch and the kids just ran around. They were so happy to be outside in the fresh air.

Oscar Nite

Lots of "Red" on the Red Carpet 2nite: Katherine Heigel (gorgeous!), Miley Cyrus (hated it! thought she looked really old -- kind of mother of the bride but I'm glad she got rid of those nasty hair extensions!), Anne Hathaway (beautiful! very classsy!), Heidi Klum (undecided). Helen Mirren (elegant as always!).

I thought Cameron Diaz looked very sloppy. She needed a steam iron and something more formal than a ponytail. T absolutely adores her but she didn't even know whose jewelry she was wearing. Trust me, if someone gave me free jewels for the night, I'd be sure to give them a shout out.

Jennifer Garner and Hilary Swank (in Versace) both looked beautiful in basic black and I really liked Jennifer Garner's hair. Kristen Chenoweth, also in basic black, was stunning. I like blond hair w/ a black gown. I understand Ellen Page, from Juno, is very young (21 maybe?) but she looks so uncomfortable on the Red Carpet.

John Travalota's wife, Kelly Preston, looked beautiful in a weird yellow color strapless gown. Amy Adams from Enchanted is getting some flak that her dress is boring but it's a beautiful, simple green gown. Faye Dunaway also looked gorgeous. Damn. I hope to look that good at her age. Jessica Alba, very pregnant, looked wonderful too.

Now for the men: Daniel Day Lewis desperately needs some Crest white strips. His teeth were so horribly yellow. Steve Carrell looked so cute! I love me a funny man. George Clooney just gets better w/ age. His girlfriend was beautiful. I think Johnny Depp is an absolutely beautiful man but I just want to give him a freakin' haircut sometimes! Gary Busey had to have been drunk or totally stoned. Either that or he's just a media whore.

OK! So that was just my opinion.

Peace & Quiet

Have the whole house to myself. Yay! T is out w/ friends, Chris is watching basketball at a neighbors and KJ is at Red Lobster w/ the family across the street.

Chris & I started watching "Gladiators" w/ Russell Crowe earlier but he left to watch basketball. Now, I'm stuck watching it all alone. I'm not a big Russell Crowe fan but he was good in this movie and I also liked him in Cinderella Man.

So, the Academy Awards are Sunday. Can't wait to see who's wearing what.

Cold, gray, dreary day. KJ was supposed to have softball today but it's reallychilly out and I'm fighting a chest cough. I don't feel like sitting on those ice cold metal bleachers for 2 hours. Guess she'll just make it to lax practice Sunday.

Chris is at the John Carroll lax game. Haden wanted Chris to watch him play. Mt. Brook plays Huntsville Sunday and I'd like to watch John play. The boys in the store are a good bunch of kids and kind of have become like family. The girls and I tease them horribly and pick on them like they were big brothers or something.

Found this really fun website called Meosphere.com It's a bunch of checklists: cities you've been to, books you've read, movies, Disney movies, etc. It's a little addicting.

Just read on line that they're making a movie of the Shopaholic series. I think it's going to be butchered and end up being nothing like the books. Instead of being filmed in London, the movie is being shot in NY. Her best friend is going to be African-American or Latino. Sorry, but that's not at all what the books are about. Why do they do stuff like that? I also read that Jerry Bruckheimer is involved (he's known for major blockbuster movies) so that may be why the story has been moved to NYC.

guitar hero battle of the bands

Chris & KJ are upstairs playing guitar hero (very loudly I might add). KJ gets so aggravated w/ her father. She says he totallly hogs the Wii.

Nice day/nite. The rain has stopped. Chris had an open house at the store tonight for the little lax kids and KJ & I helped out w/ the popcorn and sodas. She come home w/ a trick stick tonight and a sweatshirt. She tells Chris to put it on her tab. It's so funny...both of my girls are playing lax but girl's rules and play is very different from boy's. Since lax is in their blood and they've both grown up on the lax field, they both play like boys. T & KJ have all these illegal moves they learned from their father. I should clarify, if they were boys they wouldn't be illegal. KJ's team is the Lady Lizards and we stick our tongues out at each other like little lizards. Chris had really cute pink t-shirts made for the little girls.

Afterward the evening at the store, we grabbed some dinner (eggplant parm for me, fettucine alfreedo for KJ and a big honkin' calzone for Chris). I wasn't feeling too great this morning and was all hopped up Tylenol sinus medicine. I wasn't thinking too clearly and had a sausage biscuit for breakfast. I'm know I'm going to hell for that one. KJ said she had beef nachoes at school today so if she's going to hell, it's all the lunch ladies fault.

T is at the movies w/ friends and I'm sure she'll bring someone home w/ her to sleep-over. Her modeling comp cards came in the mail today. They look awesome! The agency sent approx. 25 cards for her to keep here at the house and they will keep the rest on file to send to clients.

Now Chris & KJ are downstairs catching up on TiVo. They are watching American Gladiator. She told me the other night she thinks Titan (I think that was his name) is hot.

TGIF

I have so much work to do today so this is not going to be a long post. It's 8:15 AM and I've already made our bed and have a load of jeans going. I need to clean bathrooms and the kitchen floor. What joy.

We had a wild thunderstorm last night. I was so cozy after we watched Lost, I fell asleep on the couch. The storm woke me up a couple of times but I liked it. KJ must have come down at some point in the night and got into our bed but I never heard her. She's had a rough week. We were busy almost every night this week, Chris was out of town and she's having difficulty w/ some girls at school. Second grade and they're already talking about boys and who is popular and who is not.

Good God. Paula Deen is on the Today Show right now cooking chicken on the beach in Miami with Al Roker. I can NOT stand that woman. Her voice sends me into epilectic seizures.

Catching up on My Quotes

Man! It is POURING out! KJ & I are supposed to go to the Library tonight w/ her scout troop for an American Girl event. She's been upstairs getting her dolls ready. Not sure which of her girls she's taking: Emily or Kit. It's a big secret.

Made my hair & nail appointments for Cabo today. Glad I got that done. I also made an appointment for T to ger her hair cut the same day as me. I have a dress for the Sunday night cocktail party, not sure what the dress code for Monday is and I have nothing to wear for the Tuesday night awards ceremony. I do know that one of the days Chris & I are going whale watching and one of the days we're swimming with the fishes. I mean dolphins. He's not too crazy about the whole dolphin thing. I think it will be awesome. KJ said I should take surf lessons while I'm down there. Riiiiiiighhht. Looks like it will be in the 80's all next week in Cabo, I'm sure it will be pretty much the same thing when we're there.

Secret revealed. KJ just came down stairs w/ her Kit doll. However, she's not really dressed like the actual Kit. KJ dressed her in the varsity jacket I bought at the Chicago store, the leotard from the ballet/yoga set she got at Christmas and the Mickey Mouse capri pants and sneakers from the 18" Belle doll she got at Disney a couple of years ago (she's the same size as the American Girl dolls and KJ has a couple of Disney Princess outfits for her). So, she's Kit, but not really. She's like the Anti-Kit. KJ is wearing the black American Girl t-shirt I bought her at the Chicago Store in January.

Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.
God is Love
Rev Run

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging." -- Joseph Campbell


"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." -- Anthony J. D'Angelo

"You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers." --John J. Plomp

Cold dreary rainy day. Just the way I like it! I spent most of the morning sitting in a cold hard plastic chair while I took Chris's car in for new brakes and an oil change. I made myselft at home, though. I had my ipod and put 2 chairs together to make a chaise lounge and I pointed the space heater they had in the waiting room pointed right at me. I turned down their TV (it was BLARING!) and I closed my eyes for a couple of minutes. The car still wasn't done at noon so Chris came and got me and took me to lunch at Johnny Rockets. when he dropped me back off, I only had a 10 or 15 minute wait.

I came home, lit some candles and now I'm blogging. i've got a bit of a headache going on but hope the vanilla shake I had at lunch will take care of it.

There were supposed to be a couple of lax games tonight but with all this rain that's just not going happen. Secretly, I'm glad. Chris has been traveling so much, his boss is in town today, etc. He's under a lot of stress and I'd just like him to relax tonight. He needs a glass of wine and a hot bubble bath. Maybe some chocolate.

Hope my friends at playschool had a nice day. I know it's so hard when you can't play outside. Fortunately, our staff meeting planned for early this morning was cancelled! Yes!!! My evil plan is working. MMMMMwwwwhaaahhaaa.

Humpity Hump Day

Another good day at playschool. I swear, we have the best little class. A couple "babies" were a little pushy-shovey today but nothing bad. I guess I should stop calling them babies; technically they're toddlers. Meredith fell asleep for a long, long time today. Poor little thing. Oh yeah. Almost forgot. Grace almost choked on a piece of cantaloupe. Margaret & I actually had her in the hemlich position ready to go but she worked it out.

Exciting news . . . Taylor's pic is up on her agency's web-site. They have it password protected now, more client-user friendly to avoid any pedophiles activating her personal info. She'll be so stoked when she gets home from school today. She really and truly just wants to start working. this is something she really, really wants to do. She just wants to make money so she can buy designer handbags. Hmmm....where does she get that particular gene from???? Can't believe she's going to be a freshman in the fall. she said yesterday a teacher came from the high school to talk to her advance math class about the IB program (inter-national baccalaurete). We talked a little bit about it at dinner last night. She said some of the kids in her classes already know what they want to do w/ their lives (she said one kids wants to be a pharmacist, one said physical therapy) and she's still not sure. I told her she still has 4 years of school and most people don't actuallly have jobs in their degrees. I can't believe she's stressing about this at 13-years old. At 13 I was wondering who was going roller-skating Friday night and which Jordache jeans I was going to wear.

You Go Girl

LCM just sent this pic of Abby Grace working it at the Jamfest Dance Nationals (I hope I got that right!). Is she fierce or what!!??

No Howard Stern

I stand corrected. Howard Stern is NOT participating in Dancing w/ the Stars. I could have SWORN they announced his name on the local radio station earlier tonight while I was running errands. My bad. I must have been hungry or delirous or something. Maybe one of the girls was talking non-stop in my ear and I just imagined it. Sorry! Didn't mean to get ya' all excited about Howard Stern dancing!

Dance Costumes

KJ rec'd her dance costumes tonight. Very very cute. She came home and tried them on for me and showed me a little of her ballet routine and a little of her jazz routine. I like the ballet costume the best (it's a long, blue, floaty kind of dress w/ dark blue velvet sleeves) but she looks like a cute little Shirley Temple or something in the hot pink Jazz number. She likes the jazz costume because they are dancing to a HSM2 song (that's High School Musical 2 for all you novices out there) and the costumes are supposed to look like something Sharpei would wear. KJ's just got that chubby little body and those chubby little arms. She's such a drama queen. She was carrying on at dance because the costume was itchy. None of the other girls seemed to mind when they were trying on their costumes and it didn't seem to bother her at home. She just reallly knows how to push my buttons.

She's supposed to read everynight but tonight she wanted to show me some website they go on at school. She couldn't remember the username and the password so she decided to call her teacher at home and ask her. Good thing Mrs. S is a friend! I hope KJ didn't bother her during dinner or anything!

Back to work tomorrow. Sounds like Tracy is subbing for Ms. Becky who became a grandma today (yesterday?). Becky weighs about 90 lbs. and looks way too young to be a grandma. Can't wait to see baby pics.

I'm not a big Dancing w/ the Stars fan but I heard they announced the next batch of celebrities: Pricsilla Presley, Monica Seles, Kristy Yamagucchi and Howard Stern. Wait. Howard Stern???? What the hell? He has got to be the most un-graceful man on the planet. he's so freakishly tall and gangly. I just can't imagine that white boy having any rhythm. Maybe his side-kick Robin can teach him a few moves.

Felt like a Monday this Morning

Let's just say KJ was very, very ugly this morning. T woke up just fine, showered, got in the car. No problems. The little one is so NOT a morning person. She was a cranky mess. There was some yelling, some tears and she ended up eating a bag of mini chocolate chip muffins in the car on the way to school. The 3-day weekend totally threw her off and she just can't handle it. Actually, it was a 4-day weekend for her because she was home sick Friday.

The sun is shining, think I'll open some windows to let in some fresh air. I can hear the wind howling a little bit. No. Wait. I think that's the garbage truck.

Music Appreciation

I think I'm going to put together a syllabus, approach our school system and teach a music appreciation class in our middle schools. Case in point . . . T just walked in the door from lax practice and is freezing. She's eating some soup and watching VH1 before she goes to bed. She just asked me who Flavor Flav is (she caught the tail end of Flavor of Love). Now, the Salt & Pepa show is on. She has no idea who they are. The other day someone was interviewing Slash at the Grammy's. I asked T if she knew who he was. She said, Yeah, he's the guy from Guitar Hero. WRONGO!! He's from GNR. GUNS and Freaking Roses T-bone!!!!! I'm so embarrased. Could this really be the same child I used to hold in my arms and dance to "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by the Stones? Is this the same child I used to sing KC and the Sunshine band songs to instead of lullabies? How many other 2-year olds knew all the words to Shake Your Booty at playgroup? At the Grammy's they showed Yoko Ono walking down red carpet. T had no clue who she was. I had to explain the whole John Lennon/Beatles thing to her. These kids today are missing out on their musical history. I'm thinking we need a Music History month. We have Breast Cancer Awareness month, we have Black History month. We need a month to discuss Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, the Beatles, the Stones, 80's hair bands, 70's arena rock, a little Metallica, throw in some disco, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross , some Run DMC (or would they be covered in black history month???). I wouldn't be biased, I would cover every musical genre (except country. I'd have to bring in a sub to cover country music. I know absolutely nothing about country).

Prattville Video

Courtesy of ABC 33/40:
http://cfc.abc3340.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=9074&ref=home

Just some quotes for a Monday evening

"Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." -- Henri-Frederic Amiel

"I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle." --Vincent Van Gogh

"I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened." --Mark Twain

Some pics from our Prattville Friends

Chris (from chris's men's lacrosse team) and his wife Amy have a rental property they lease out and these pics were taken from that street. Amy & her mom were out getting their nails done when the tornando hit and they all had to bunker down in a back room. Chris's company car is destroyed but he said it happened from the force of the tornado forming. Sounds like when all the air was sucked up and into the funnel cloud.

Prattville, AL

keep everyone in Prattville, AL in your thoughts and prayers today. From what the news is showing, it's a mess down there. I need to call Margaret to see if she has family there. I know both her & greg's parents are in Wetumpka, not sure how far that is from Prattville

Happy President's Day

Isn't it weird? It's a holiday here but just a regular ol' day in other parts of the world. Kind of like Thanksgiving.

Made everyone scrambled eggs & toast this morning for breakfast. Well, not everyone. Princess Twinkle Toes was still sleeping so she lost out.

The sun is shining so I made KJ & Lauren get dressed and get outside for some fresh air. I think they're back inside but I did see them jumping on the neighbor's trampoline for a little while.

Still digging my laptop. A couple of my fingernails are too long so I hit the wrong key sometimes. Good excuse to get a manicure! Actually I should get my appointments in order for Cabo . . . mani, pedi, hair.

Remember that really cute blue dress I bought from Bananna Republic a couple weeks back? It arrived a while ago and I frankly forgot about it. I tried it on the other day and it fits me really really well and looks cute. I need to get a sexy high heels and some colorful jewelry to go w/ it. I'm thinking blues & greens. I need to start laying out my clothes and seeing what's what. I just ordered a bathing suit off Victoria's Secret this morning. I've never ordered from them before but I love the fact that you can order your tops & bottoms seperately because we all know my ass is bigger than my top (although the "twins" have been looking pretty Gi-Normous lately).

Just chilling w/ the kids tonight. Chris had a board meeting earlier tonight and brought home chinese food for dinner. KJ's room is immaculate. T cleaned her room, too but it's never been an issue the way it is w/ KJ. KJ's waiting for her friend to spend the night. T is bugging us to take her to her friends house. Chris is rockin' out to guitar hero. Typical night in our house.

Some of Chris's lax buddies were hit by the tornado in Prattville earlier today. Everyone is safe, thankfullly, just property damage. Don't know much at this point other than everyone is safe.

Sounds like all of my creative friends had nice busy days, too. Working on cards, painting, etc. Maybe that's what I need . . . a creative outlet. yeah right. I also need a hole in my head.

Good 4 the Environment?

You know how we have disposable diapers, we eat off paper plates, have disposable cameras and all that other stuff we just throw away? How about disposable socks & underwear? Wear them once and just throw them away. They'd have to be made out of some type of bio-degradeable materials though so as not to clog up our landfills. I think in the long run we'd save energy by not having to wash and dry the clothing items and we'd probably save water, too. Perfect for those regional areas suffering from droughts.

P.S. Can you tell my laundry is piling up again????

The sun'll come out

Looks like the sun is trying to come out. it's been a dreary gray, rainy Sunday. Some severe weather but it's calmed down now. Just the way I like it. Chris let me sleep until 9:30 AM this morning and made us all waffles. He said I snored really bad all night. I was really stuffed up when I woke up and feel like I'm getting a little bit of a cold.

We have been deep cleaning KJ's room pretty much all morning. Chris went up in her bunk bed and couldn't believe the stuff that was up there. No wonder she can't sleep at night. There were were Bratz dolls, at least 10 pairs of socks, books, a flashlight, a softball, magazines, a hairbrush, tons & tons of stuffed animals, etc. We literally threw everything on the floor and started from there. As we were trying to clean the stuff off the floor, I realized her drawers were full. I ended up emptying her desk drawers onto the floor and she's just been going thru this massive mountain of stuff. She's on her 2nd large lawn & leaf bag. I also discovered that she was shoving stuff under her dressers. I would give her clean laundry to put away and rather than putting her socks in the sock drawer, she was shoving them under the dresser (if she had a regular bed, I bet she would have shoved things under her bed but since she has a loft/bunk bed, she was shoving her stuff under her dressers. nice.)

Also trying to put away Valentine's Day. I love to decorate for each holiday but putting stuff away is the hardest. I try really hard to properly wrap each piece in tissue paper so it doesn't get runied. It takes me forever.

It's almost 2 PM and I'm still in my jammies. I''ve been working on some laundry too today. Maybe I can get semi-caught up and won't be in too much trouble this week. Looking forward to having tomorrow off. that extra day just really seems to help. T has lax practice Monday night but that's really it. KJ has softball later in the week and the girls still have their regular dance schedules.

TiVo Catch Up

Dear God, someone please tell me why I watch reality TV??? Why O Why am I watching ANOTHER season of Rock of Love w/ Brett Michaels on VH1??? Is it because I'm shocked each week by the depths of skankiness each girl demonstrates? Is it because Brett Michaels really does seem to be a cool, charming guy?? Is it because he was really sexy back in the 80's when I was in high school but now that he's in his early 40's not so much? Is it the long hair? The bandannas (which my husband SWEARS is covering a huge baldspot)? The cowboy hats? The tattoos?? Maybe I'm hoping he'll break into a few bars of "Every Rose has it's Thorns" each week? I think I'm totally fascinated how each of the girls SWEARS that they have a "connection" w/ Brett, how they "having feelings" for him and it's only week 2 of the show. R U kidding me?? I dated my husband for 10 years before we got married. I'm obviously not someone who falls in land out of love easily (I think that was a Bon Jovi song). The episode I'm watching the girls get to dress up in pin-up styles. I do, however, think that would be really cool. I've always thought it would be cool to do a sexy photo shoot for Chris's b-day or anniversary.

The Salt "n Pepa show started this week, too. Maybe I'm just addicted to reality shows starring icons from my wonder years. I will not, however, be a regular AMerican Gladitor watcher. Hulk Hogan. Not a fan. I did watch a couple episodes of that Brady show and a couple episodes of the Scott Biao show. I think both of them have age incredibly well.

T has been hanging out w/ Dusty, Jay & Jake tonight and now they're bugging me to take them rolling.

Pat Benatar Rocks On

KJ's upstairs jamming on Guitar Hero. I can hear her belting out "Hit Me w/ Your Best Shot." busy day today. T had softball ratings this morning. She hasn't picked up a bat or glove since last softball season, and it showed today. Fortunately most of the coaches know her and teased her about playing too much lacrosse. KJ also had lacrosse today. It was her first practice I attended and I was politely told by my husband to "keep it down." She's 8 and was going up against a 12 or 13-year old big black girl. I guess I got a little too vocal and have to remember that this is girls instructional lacrosse. Not boys lacrosse where they smack the snot out of each other. Anyhoo, KJ was really holding her own.

We went to TCBY after KJ's practice and Chris is slapping some burgers on the grill for dinner. I am so looking forward to not having to get up early for Sunday School. KJ was supposed to have a little friend sleep over tonight but said friend was supposed to clean her room today and didn't. So said friend is NOT sleeping over and KJ is a bit upset.

Chris is reading over my shoulder as I type and I don't like that so I'm signing off now.

Our Very Own Little Miss Sunshine

Almost 5 PM and KJ's been alseep on the couch since about 2:30 PM. She's just like her mama, needs a good sleep every now and then.

The other night she informed us that she wants to start doing pagents. When Chris asked her Why she said she wanted "the tiara, the big hair and the spray-on tan." So Chris said, "how about I buy you a tiara and you wear it w/ your Hannah Montanna wig??" and she said, "but will you still let me get a spray-on tan??" What in the world???

I've got a piper down

"Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love." -- Rilke

KJ is home today. She's got a really bad cough, no fever. She had softball practice last night from 7 to 8:30 PM. Poor thing was so cold when we got home. She took a nice hot shower and went to bed w/ the heating pad. I gave her some cough medicine and she was out like a lite. Chris let her sleep in this morning and she woke up around 9 AM. She's just hanging out on the couch watching movies on my new laptop. She thinks she's so cool.

Eliminate physical clutter. More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter. -- D.H. Mondfleur

I'm getting some housework done. Taking down all the Valentine's Day stuff. I was so upset this morning...I was hand-washing some of the Valentine's Day dishes that had food on them and I broke my favorite plate. When it slipped out of my hand it also broke another Valentine's Day in the sink. Two for one. The big red plate was my favorite. I bought it several years ago at Target. It wasn't expensive or anything but it was really big heart shaped, deep red dish. I always displayed it on my kitchen island.

Wednesday night I didn't sleep so well so I ended up sleeping in the guest room. Chris & the girls knew I had a rough night so they were very quiet and let me sleep in on Thursday morning. I won't let that happen again. I first noticed something was wrong when my perfume bottles were out of order. Apparently the little one likes a spritz of Vera Wang Princess every now and then. Then, KJ got off the bus and I noticed she was wearing one of my silver-disc necklaces. Then, T gets off the bus and I noticed she was wearing a pair of my Brighton dangling earrings. Crying out loud!! They could at least wait until I'm dead or in the looney bin before they start pillaging thru my stuff. I was just upstairs sleeping!!! The clincher, however, was last night at bedtime. The Crest Whitestrips was still in the drawer but completely empty. I guess KJ thinks her teeth aren't as white as they should be and she's been sneaking Crest Whitestrips!! Chris told her to cut back on the caffeine and nicotine.

Good morning.
The question was posed to me and a few people...How do you eat a elephant?
My answer was...“One bite at a time."
But one smart young man said...“With barbque sauce!!!!”
In other words... We must find pleasurable ways to do difficult things.
Keep your eyes on the prize! Think of the health while you're in the gym.
Think of the harvest while you sow your seeds! Stay focused! Stay strong!
God is Love,
Rev Run

Like Christmas Around Here!

Well, I was expecting a gift card for a mani & pedi for Valentine's Day but instead I'm writing my blog entry from my new LapTop computer!!! I'm still getting used to the touch of this gizmo so please excuse any weird spelling errors or crazy punctuation. Chris handed me a big heavy box when he got home from work and said, "This may not be the most romatic Valentine's Day gift but it's a good one." I knew it was too big to be a gift card to a salon. At first I thought it was going to be one of those robot vaccuum cleaner things that glides across the floor.

Then, if that wasn't enough, Chris gave the girls Guitar Hero for their Wii. I haven't even attempted to play that yet. T is really good at it but KJ is struggling a big. She's having a hard time w/ her fingers.

I gave T a gift card to Starbucks and a pretty Starbucks coffee mug and some chocolates. KJ got a Hannah Montanna nightgown, some Hannana Montanna foot scrub and a facial mask and some Hannaha Montanna hair bows.

I made our traditional Valentine's Day dinner . . . shrimp scampi but Chris really had to scarf it down. He has lax practice at 6 PM and KJ has softball at 7 PM.

Really looking foward to the long weekend. T's already bugging me to have kids over this weekend to hang out. I think she has softball ratings on Saturday, KJ has lax pracitce Saturday and I'm sure hubby will have lax practrice, too. nO Sunday School this weekend and no playschool Monday. Very cool.

I luv, luv, luv my laptop yes I do. Luv my laptop yes I do. Thanks Chris!!!! P.S. T said now I need to get a cool laptop bag.

Happy Hearts Day

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love. ~Author Unknown

Love is being stupid together. ~Paul Valery

I love these Victorian Valentine's Day cards. They're truly works of art and a lot nicer than the SpiderMan and Bratz cards KJ handed out at school today!

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine! ~Thomas Hood

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

WTF????

What is going on?? Yesterday was 70 degrees and I had the windows open. Today is about 32 degrees and we've had snow all morning. SNOW! I don't even know if my girls wore coats to school this morning.

Crazy day at playschool, too. The kids were a little nutty because it was too cold to go outside. Glad we got in some outside time on Monday. One of the mom's from the baby room made all of the teachers an incredible baked ziti lunch w/ a fresh salad. It was so super sweet of her and totally delicious! I think she watched the babies so the 2 teachers could sit in the conference room and have a quiet lunch. Very thoughtful. Holden's mom made chocolate chip cookies for us and Hunter's mom made sugar cookies to celebrate his b-day on 2/15. Camila's mom brought in some coffee from their trip to Columbia and we rec'd beautiful cards from Shawn! Yay!!!

Tracy & Shawn . . . you will never guess who showed up at our classroom door this morning ready to go. Joey S from the Tues/Thurs class!!! His mom tried to hand him over to us and said, "This is Joey S. We usually come on Tues/Thurs but we've been out of town for so long." Margaret looked at her like she was insane. Margaret & I thought she was trying to make up her days or something since they've been out of town. You know .... like, we'll come Mon/Weds because we missed Tues/Thurs this week. Like a drop-in or something. Then his mom said something about him being in the 2 year-old room. Again, we looked at her like she was insane. Margaret told her the 2 year-old room was 2 doors down. She said, "Oh!! I thought classes started already." Again, we have no idea what the hell she was talking about. Apparently the grandmother registered him for the Fall Mon/Weds 2 year-old class while they were out of town. But why would his mom think she should bring him today to the Mon/Weds class? Why would we switch classes mid-year on February 13???? So then, all this drama starts in the hallway because mommy can't own up to the fact that she f**ked up. She told him, "Your teachers aren't here today so we'll have to go to the Library." He's crying and instead of throwing his butt in the car, she's standing in the hallway during drop-off telling him, "Sorry. But you can't stay and play today." God help the librarians today!

Dare I say it???

You know the minute I even breathe the words and give them life it will come true. Considering the flu and all this nastiness that is going around, we have been relatively healthy this year. I've had the sniffles fairly regularly lately but I think it's more of a sinus thing. Of course, KJ & I have our migraines but nothing out of the ordinary. Please dear God don't let me have just jinxed myself and my family.

Chris & KJ are watching Transformers. Shia LeBeouf is so cute in this movie (KJ is reading my blog over my shoulder as I type and wants everyone to know that she thinks Shia LeBeouf is "butt-ugly."). I can't wait to see the latest installment of Indiana Jones when it comes out. The trilogy is one of my favorite all-time movie(s) . . . I especially love the last one w/ Sean Connery. He added a lot of comic relief. I'm sure Shia LeBeouf's character will be a smart-ass.

I think the rain has stopped for now. Supposed to get cooler here the next couple of days. No wonder everyone's sick around here.

Blog Give Aways

http://www.nancymalay.blogspot.com/

Do you ever sign-up for those "blog" give-aways? There are some extremely talented people out there just dying to share and show-off their creativity. I love hand-made items (especially holiday decorations). Maybe because I have ZERO talent and creativity and can really appreciate the effort that goes into it?

Get 'er Done

Got my oil changed today. Usually they call my name and tell me I need new brakes, tires, a new battery, new transmission, a new engine, something. Not today my friends. Today was just a plain, ol' oil change. Yee ha!

Had plenty of time to meet the Hubster for lunch at a mexican place near his office. We used to meet for lunch all the time on my days off but lately my days off have been filled w/ a lot of stuff. I am really looking foward to going away w/ Chris for a few days to Cabo. We really need to relax on the beach, get naked and drink margaritas. I hope his crackberry doesn't work in Mexico. Maybe it will mysteriously disappear overboard if we go whale watching. Maybe I can train the dolphins to swipe it when we're swimming w/ them.

Crazy night tonight. I don't want to deal w/ it. I'd like to close my eyes and wake up Wednesday. Dance tonight, lax practice, re-zoning meeting. Blech!!! I'd like to go and get a better understanding of what the school board is trying to accomplish. I don't want to go if it's going to turn into a bitch fest. I don't want to hear a bunch of my friends and neighbors yelling over each other to be heard.

Be encouraged!!!

It is better to lose count while naming your blessings, than to lose your blessings while counting your troubles.
God is Love,

Rev Run

"One day I caught myself smiling for no reason,then I realized I was thinking of you."-- Dr. Seuss

Nice day here so far, the sun is shining. Came home from playschool and opened all the windows. I love having fresh air in the house. Not much going on. KJ has softball practice this afternoon and T has lacrosse practice this evening. Looks like I'll be at the fields for 4 hours or so. No wonder I can't get anything done in this house.

Good morning.

“I find that the words of wisdom that I give to my friends and family sometimes fall on barren ground, but a KIND word spoken to them is never thrown away.”

(BE KIND.... You never know what someone's going through.. :-)
God is Love,

Rev Run

Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived. --Jean Luc Picard

Sweetheart Dance Pics

Chris & KJ had a good time last night. He won't admit it but I think Chris looks forward to the Sweetheart Dance each year. He said KJ danced a lot and he hung out w/ some of the dads. Probably talked football or something like that. "How 'bout that SuperBowl??" Chris & KJ went to Johnny Rockets for milkshakes w/ George Washington and her dad (KJ's little friend Lauren has crazy hair and it looks like GW's wig).

Chris did make us pizzas for lunch. Quite tasty. He also bought Real Coke (not that diet crap) in glass bottles. Nothing better than an ice cold Coke in a glass bottle.

I took a little nap on the couch this afternoon. We've all just been lounging around and it feels good. We don't have a lot of days like this and I'm enjoying it. I like when all my chicks are home in the nest and we're not rushing around.

Back to work tomorrow. I hope it's nice so the babies can play outside for a while. I saw my little Ava Clare in church w/ her parents this morning. For a first time mom, her mother is very cool, very relaxed. Not at all a neurotic mess like some mom's we've encountered in the past. Ava Clare always has a bow in her hair and her mom makes her the nicest lunches. Ava Clare is a very well adjusted little girl and plays so well w/ the other kids. OK. Enuff about Ava Clare!

Guess I need to start looking for KJ's first communion dress. Only 12 weeks to the big day. That will be here before we know it! I think I might have better luck at a bridal place than looking for an actual communion dress down here. When T made her communion my parents were still living in NY. My mom bought a bunch of dresses on her credit card, mailed them to us, T picked out one and my mom returned the rest. Well, Grammie & Pop are in FL right now (instead of Leisure Village, the girls call it Seizure Village) so that doesn't really help me.

Day of Relaxation

If you live in the B'ham area and felt a tremor this morning, that was just me going to church. I'm sure James Spann will report it.

Beautiful day today; supposed to be in the low 70's. I have all the windows open and Chris and the girls were playing hoops after church. It was all fun and games until KJ got pants.

"SOMEBODY" spilled an ENTIRE bag of popcorn in my car so I had to vaccumm that all up.

Chris went to the store for some homemade pizza fixin's. He has it in his head that he's going to make pizza for lunch. Fine by me.

Photo Shoot Shots

Sweetheart Dance

I've got to get the photos uploaded but KJ looked so cute tonight. She had a mani & a pedi today as a special treat and loved her corsage. It's almost 9:45 PM and the dance ended an hour ago. I think Chris may have taken her to Johnny Rockets for milkshakes (sort of a family tradition he started w/ T many moons ago!).

While they were at the dance, a couple of mom's came over for some pottery painting and some adult beverages. Tracy brought all her paints and different pieces for us to paint. I think we all made bowls. Tracy surprised me w/ that adorable Baby Bites divided plate she had listed on her website. I think it's perfect for Valentine's Day! Thank you Tracy!!!

Chris Berman

did anyone catch Chris Berman's meltdown on YouTube? What a diva! He's totally lost his mind. It's pretty funny! BooYah!

Lost Again

My children are taking turns slowing trying to kill me or drive me insane. I can't quite put my finger on it. Nothing too extreme, just little subtle things. Chris, KJ & I went out to eat after their practices last night. T didn't want to sit at the softball field for 2 hours so she stayed at home and decided to watch Thursday night's episode of Lost. The one I hadn't seen yet. She deleted it when she was done watching it. She's killing me.

Out of the House

Other than work, I really haven't left the house much this week. I returned some items at Belk that T bought for her photo shoot and never wore. I also picked up the Clinique that I had pre-ordered (bonus time!). I bought myself a few things at JC Penneys in preparation for spring and our Cabo trip. Everything was on sale and I bought a couple of short-sleeve t-shirts (I'll live in them all spring & summer w/ capri's & shorts). I bought a pair of cuffed jean capri's and a red & white boat-neck striped sweater (perfect for lounging on the yacht!). I also bought 2 short-sleeve lightweight sweaters and a pair of black pants -- not jeans but not dressy pants either. I treated myself to some Zoey's for lunch and stopped at the grocery store to order KJ's wrist corsage for Saturday night. I also picked up some goodies to eat / make for the mom's-night-out paint-your-own-pottery party.

KJ has softball practice tonight and I promised her I would take her for a mani / pedi Saturday morning so she looks bee-u-ti-ful for the dance. She's a very high maintenance child. I have NO idea where she gets it from.

Good morning.
More can be less if you're looking for the perfect dish.
DONT insist on perfection, just enjoy the good on lifes plate and leave the rest.
Slow down...Be happy! BE CONTENT!
Overindulging does not satisfy, it only makes you uncomfortable, unhappy and over-weight.
God is Love,
Rev Run

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties. --Erich Fromm

Love is a force that connects us to every strand of the universe, an unconditional state that characterizes human nature, a form of knowledge that is always there for us if only we can open ourselves to it. -- Emily Hilburn Sell

"All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction. Love is therefore the only law of life. He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying. Therefore love for love's sake, because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live." --Swami Vivekananda

"Learn and grow all you can; serve and befriend all you can; enrich and inspire all you can." -- William Arthur Ward

Driving Chris Crazy

I'm sure I'm driving my husband nuts right about now. When we were Office Depot the other day KJ asked me what I'd like for Valentine's Day and I pointed out one of those cute little pink laptops (trying to get my office situated and I'd love my own laptop). Then, the other day I told T and Chris I'd really like a spa gift certificate. Now, I'm thinking I'd really like a puppie for Valentine's Day. I really, really miss having Buddy around and I think I've been depressed and lonely during the day. I'd really like another sweet, cuddly, shih tzu to snuggle on my lap. I miss having somebody in the house w/ me all day. Someone who gets excited to see me walk in the door. Chris & the girls just don't wiggle their tails at me the way Buddy use to. KJ just can't do "big sad puppy dog eyes" the way Buddy did and Chris is waaaaayyyy tooo big to be sitting in my lap these days. I know Chris is gonna flip when he reads this because he is not going to want to deal w/ training, chewing, etc. but I think we learned a lot of lessons w/ Buddy and won't spoil the next dog the way we did Buddy. (Who am I kidding?? Chris was the one who spoiled the Budster the most and talked to him like the son he never had). So, Chris, please, please, please buy me a sweet little shih tzu puppy for Valentine's Day??? (I'm doing my big sad puppy dog eyes).

We'll Always Have Paris

So, we're having this big school re-zoning issue going on in our school district. Not sure what's going on just yet, we have a meeting next week, but I would love to just pack up and move. I'd move anywhere but I think I'd especially like to move to Paris at this point in my life. Maybe NY? Chicago? Somewhere different. I'm starting to get that 9-year itch. This is the longest we've lived anywhere (other than growing up in NY) and I'm ready for a big change. I'd like to live somewhere a little more urban, somewhere w/ a true downtown. Somewhere where we could walk the dog (if we ever find him again), grab the Sunday paper and a bagel, relax. Walk to our favorite sushi place, not have a yard to deal with (maybe a courtyard or a patio). I'd love to live in an old brownstone or a historic rowhome. Seriously, who wouldn't want to have their morning cafe au lait sitting in this conservatory? So, who's coming w/ me???

Good morning.

In order to be. successful in life we MUST reach out for help......

We must staff our weaknesses... (Remember this)...

YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE...

The scripture says.......

In the multitude of councellers there's safety...
God is Love,

Rev Run

A little cooler this morning. I drove the girls to school since Chris had to be at the office early for a conference call. I make KJ a hot chocolate each morning in her travel mug so she can drink it in the car. I guess I used a little too much dish detergent when I washed it because the travel mug was soaping up as she tried to drink it. It was pretty comical and looked like something out of Little Rascals.

Another nice, quiet, productive day planned. I was going to pick out a piece of granite for my bathroom countertops today but Chris has a lunch meeting and can't meet me. Guess we'll do it tomorrow. If he's not free Friday, I'm just going to do it myself. I'm also learning to tell people, no, sorry, can't do it. One of the mom's called me and asked me to cover the class today while Mrs. S is in a planning meeting and I originally thought I was meeting w/ the granite guy so I told her no. I didn't even feel any remorse. I just said no. I have got to take advantage of these free days and get some stuff accomplished. When I get rid of the clutter in the house, the laundry, the whatever, I clear my head.

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." -- Helen Keller

Francophile

If I had money, I could be very dangerous. I love the chandeliers and I love a light, airy romantic bed.

Wow! what I wouldn't give to live in any of these rooms!

I think I am slowly becoming a Francophile (someone obsessed w/ all things French). I particularly love Parisian apartments. I read somewher that the kitchens in Paris apartments are really small because most of the eating and socializing is done at the bistro or cafe. Which is perfect for me!

I'm afraid T & I may fall so head over heels in love w/ Paris that we may not come back. I can get a job at the Gap or one of those American stores popular in France. McDonald's perhaps? I've always wanted to be in charge of the fries.

Is it Wednesday already?

Great day at playschool today. The kids were really good. I came back to 2 wonderful surprises today: Camila is back from Columbia and she bought me and Margaret beautiful hand-beaded hoop earrings. Her mother is so thoughtful and kind. Camila has gotten very tall. She left for Columbia the very beginning of December and came back the end of January.

The next surprise was the beautiful hand-made set of cards I asked Shawn to make for me for a friend's b-day. Shawn, you do such beautiful work! I love them and I know my friend will love them, too! How much do I owe you?

The sun is out today but the playground was still nasty so we ended up driving the kids around the parking lot in the "bus" (the bye-bye buggy) to get some fresh air. Meredith fell asleep in the front seat of the bus and Hunter was the "hospitality committee." He waved hello and goodbye to everyone as they pulled in the parking lot at pick-up time.

I think Chris had a good day. One of his players, Brye, asked Chris to join him today as he signed his letter of intent for the Naval Academy. Chris is very proud of Brye. Don't know what he's going to do w/out him next year. Brye is a great kid and is a leader on and off the field. All the other players look up to him and I know he'll do fine at the Naval Academy. His dad is military so Brye knows what he's committing to. It will be cool to catch a couple of his games at Annapolis next year!

Really Weird

I logged on tonight and my playlist was really crazy! It was a bunch of weird thrash-metal stuff. I like a variety of music but this was a bit much even for me. Don't know if someone got ahold of my playlist, if someone logged on as me, whatever. It was creepy. My apologies if you tried to read my blog and were offended by the music! It wasn't me!

Fat Tuesday

I had such a nice, relaxing day and I got a lot accomplished, too! Other than having to pick-up T from school due to an upset stomach (she came home from lax practice last night and said her stomach was bothering her and being the mean mom that I am, I made her go to school this morning!), it was one of those rare days where I didn't have plans during the day. I feel a little bit more caught up. I updated my calendar, filed some papers, worked on my spiffy new office (former "sneaky spot"), mopped the bathroom floor, mopped the kitchen floor, vaccummed the first floor and did some laundry. Chris's lax practice was cancelled due to impending inclement weather, T wasn't going to dance due to her stomach and KJ said she wanted to work on her Expo project and didn't want to go to her dance class. She actually ended up doing her reading work very early in the afternoon and will take a bath tonight and go to bed early. I think today was just one of those mental health days we all need sometimes.

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

"It has been said that a Scotchman has not seen the world until he has seen Edinburgh; and I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he as seen Mardi-Gras in New Orleans." -- Letter to Pamela Moffett, March 1859

Happy Fat Tuesday! Mardi Gras always reminds me of the one and only trip I've taken to New Orleans. We went in the fall '04 and had a great time (pre-Katrina). Chris had a business meeting and we stayed one night at a really cute boutique hotel (The Omni Royal Crescent -- we actually recently remodeled our bathroom based on the beautiful bathroom at the hotel). The next 2 nights we stayed at the friend of a friend's little "love shack." She's an artist who owns a shotgun house a few blocks off Bourbon Street and has a little studio/cottage in her courtyard that she rents to people she knows or who are recommended to her. It was very romantic. French doors opened to her courtyard where she had a big fountain w/ a little cafe set to have a bottle of wine after dinner. The studio had an exposed brick wall , a little kitchenette, small washer & dryer, and a small bathroom. It was perfect for a romantic weekend get away. While Chris was in his meeting I spent the entire day by myself walking the French Quarter. I had a mani & a pedi first thing in the morning and I spent the rest of the day exploring the French Quarter. I walked all around Jackson Square, the waterfront, went to the Imax movie, discovered some antique shops, etc. I had one of the most relaxing, wonderful days of my life. Chris & I met up w/ my cousins, Tommy & Arianne and had a blast w/ them. We went to some dumpy bar and had way too many Hurricanes. The next day we had beignets at Cafe du Monde and met up w/ Tommy & Arianne for one of those cemetary tours.

It rained the whole weekend we were there but that just added to the fun. Stomping in puddles on Bourbon Street, wearing flip-flops so I wouldn't ruin my good shoes, etc. Chris went back after Katrina for a lax tournament and he said I would have cried my eyes out seeing all the devestation. I guess that was 6 or 7 months after the floods and he said there was debris and garbage everywhere. Buildings boarded up, homeless people wandering around, very depressing and horrifying.




What is Mardi Gras? Literally, it means "Fat Tuesday," the day before the season of Lent begins. For centuries, people around the globe have sowed their wild oats in preparation for the Christian season of fasting and repentance prior to Easter.

What are krewes? Krewes are private social groups that put on parades throughout Mardi Gras. Here are some of the names:
Krewe of Bacchus
Krewe of Lake Pontchartrain
Krewe of Zulu
Mardi Gras Indians

The first Mardi Gras parade was held in New Orleans on Feb. 24, 1857. The Krewe of Comus began the tradition of presenting parade floats followed by a masquerade ball for the krewe and their guests. A century and a half before, in 1699, French explorer Iberville threw a celebration on "Mardi Gras Island" near New Orleans.

The "king cake" is another Mardi Gras tradition. The cake is named for "les trois rois" or three kings and the feast, Epiphany, that is celebrated on Jan. 6. The cakes are a party staple for the duration of the Carnival season. The person who finds the plastic baby inside the cake (a bean was once the "prize" placed in the cake, but the dolls are more popular now) is crowned king, and custom says they have to buy the next cake and/or host the next gathering.

The official Mardi Gras colors are purple, green and gold. These colors were instituted by Rex, King of Carnival, in 1872. The colors have meaning: purple -- justice, green -- faith and gold -- power.

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“Please, mister! Please, mister!”

"N'Awlinz: Dis, Dat or d'Udda"

Best of Both Worlds

KJ & I saw the Miley Cyrus / Hannah Montanna movie tonight w/ friends and had so much fun! The theater encouraged the kids to dance and sing in their seats and also told the kids they could dance up front near the screen. Of course, that's where KJ & Lauren spent most of the show. Lauren's 5th grade brother, Drew, came w/ us. Poor fella. Not sure he knew what was going on. That Miley Cyrus is so talented, I hope she can keep her shit together better than Brit-Brit. KJ wore the Miley Cyrus t-shirt her Godmother sent her from the live show in Cincy and she wore her guitar pick bracelet, a Hannah Montanna secret star sweatband and a secret star guitar band (like one of those yellow Livestrong bands). She also wore her Hannah Montanna cowboy boots from Payless. Not sure if she had on Hannah/Miley undies. I wanted to wear the guitar pick bracelet but KJ wasn't sharing. I thought she was going to wear her Hannah Montanna wig but she said it itches her. I'm glad she didn't wear it because you know she would have last 5 minutes w/ that thing on her head and I would have ended up carrying it all night in my purse. Anyway, except for Drew, it was a definate GNO (for those of you not in the know, that's a Girls Night Out).

Sicko Monday

A single question can be more influential than a thousand statements. --Bo Bennett

Anything else you're interested in is not going to happen if you can't breathe the air and drink the water. Don't sit this one out. Do something. You are by accident of fate alive at an absolutely critical moment in the history of our planet. --Carl Sagan

Good morning.

Set short term goals and you'll win games.

Set long term goals and you'll win championships!

To have no set purpose in one's life is the harlotry of the will.
God is Love,

Rev Run

Yes, I'm sick. I have head cold, chest congestion, a headache, body aches, etc. After Chris & the girls left the house this morning I found a sub to cover for me at school and took a couple Tylenol cold & cough tablets. They knocked me out and I slept for about an hour and a half. I need to make myself another cup of tea and I feel like an english muffin. I also love to drink ginger ale when I'm sick.

So the Giants won the Super Bowl. I'm glad for NY, I really didn't think Eli had it in him. Peyton is my favorite Manning and always will be. I think Tom Brady had too much Giselle on his mind. I asked Chris: football or Giselle? He wisely answered "football." I think I had a sharp, pointy object in my hand at the time. Good answer Chris. Good answer. I thought he was going to be a smart aleck and say something like, "playing football WITH Giselle."

We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn. --Peter Drucker

To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself. --Soren Kierkegaard