Thursday already??

I can NOT believe tomorrow is Thursday already! This week has totally flown by. Tbone has totally immersed herself in dance this week, KJ is angling for a cell phone so she's being extra "good" this week (doing her chores w/out being asked, not complaining about chores, getting up good in the morning for school, etc.) and Cosmo has so much lax going on this week it's not even funny.

KJ has been bugging us for a cell phone for a year or so. Tbone got her cell phone the Christmas she started middle school. Not because we caved in to peer pressure, but out of necessity. She was doing a lot of after school activities and becoming more social so we bought her the cell so she could call us for rides home, etc. KJ doesn't really NEED a cell phone but boy she sure WANTS one. We've always tried hard to treat our girls as individuals and I am not a believer in "well, your sister didn't (whatever) until she was ...... (insert age here)." We've never done that to the girls. I have a friend who has 3 daughters and has based everything the younger 2 do on what age the oldest did it....ears pierced, sleep-overs, cell phones, etc. My two girls couldn't be more different. What's appropriate for one, may not be appropriate for the other. T is the mature, responsible one. KJ is the unorganized younger sister. That's all there is too it. T only lost a phone once in the all the years she's had it. Of course, we did go thru a rough patch w/ out of control texting charges but have remedied the situation. Today KJ brought home her first A Honor Roll (she's always made A/B in the past). It's really a big deal. She has really stepped up this year (I think it's because she absolutely ADORES her teacher and really looks up to her and admires her). So, of course, she handed me her report card and the first words out of her mouth were "So, can we talk cell phones now???"

Spring Break Recap

Had a really really nice Spring Break. Very low key, no drama. T went to Destin w/ friends and had absolute blast despite the cold. Cosmo, KJ & I went to Ft Myers to visit w/ my folks for a few days. We arrived late Sunday night and spent Monday at the beach. The sun was shining but it was very, very chilly. I enjoyed it immensely. I really hate to be too hot. Tuesday we hung out at the pool, Wednesday was rainy so we ended up going shopping and that night we went to one of our favorite restaurants...Bahama Breeze (I know it's a chain restaurant and there were plenty of local joints we could have gone to but I really like their Bahamaritas and the Bahama Breeze here in Bham closed a while ago. I also like their Calypso Shrimp Pasta and we always order a delicious shrimp appetizer that is served w/ the most wonderful Cuban bread!). Thursday wasn't exactly a beach day either so we ended up going to a manatee park in the morning and went on an air boat ride in the Everglades in the afternoon. It was one of those great, unplanned days that ends up being wonderful. The manatees were really neat and we saw TONS of alligators on the air boat ride! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and looked just like Larry the Cable Guy. After dinner we played mini golf and went for ice cream.

I'm all caught up on my laundry and now I'm gearing up for a crazy, crazy week...lots of lax, lots of dance, big lax tournament this weekend, etc. It never ends.

Moi

Another one of those "about me" questionnaires that someone sent me. Here we go....(the bold ones are the ones that I have done)

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice --- does Vegas count? ha! ha!

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Been sky diving

66. Visited a Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglade (just road in an airboat this weekend)

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

I am SO there!

Got my hair did. My toes done. Got plenty of books and magazines. Got my flippy-floppies and a big ol' hat. I'm ready! I'm ready!

Out of the Clost

I positively HATE our master bedroom closet. We've lived in NY, MD, OH and now AL. Five homes in four different states over seventeen years of marriage. This is the smallest, oddest shaped closet we've ever had. I can organize, clean, throw away as much as I want, it's still a terrible closet. Part of the problem is that it has extremely high ceilings. When the closet shelves and rods were installed, they put them up very, very high. Hubby is over 6 feet tall and he kind of has to throw his sweaters and sweatshirts on the top shelf. We permanently keep a step stool in the closet for me. A lot of times, I have to ask T-bone to get things off the top shelf if Cosmo isn't home. On the flip side, the builder also installed a lower tier of shelves and rods. A little too low. Forget any of my dresses, I can only fit tops, skirts and pants if I fold them in half.

In my next house, I'm thinking something like this:

One of Paris Hilton's closets (above)

Kimora (not sure what last name she goes by these days); I believe this photo is actually from their home in NYC that sustained structural damage during 9/11. Her closet in their NJ home is magnificent!

Eva Longoria Parker's closet (above)
Paula Abdul (love the sunglass rack!)

And the mack-daddy of them all, Mariah Carey:

I could spend days and days in here and NEVER come out!

Who's Got Your Back?

I had a little "situation" yesterday and at the dinner table I referred to someone as a "snake." Actually, I think the term I used was a "snake in the grass." KJ said, "Mom, I would step on that snake. I would step on that snake in high heels." That's my girl!!!

P.S. Ask Me Anything:
http://formspring.me/alabamavalerie

Oscar Recap

Luv, luv, luv watching award shows in general, particularly luv the Academy Awards. I think the only movie nominated this season that I have seen is the animated movie "Up." T-bone has seen both Avatar and the Blindside. The Hurt Locker was delivered the other day on my netflick but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. I think it's awesome that James Cameron's ex-wife (sorry! I can't remember her name!) was the first women ever to receive the Best Director Award. I was also happy to see Mo'nique win for best supporting actress.

Metallics seemed to be a big trend on the red carpet this year (hey! listen to me! I sound like Robert Verdi or Jay Manuel!). Some I loved, some I didn't.

Sandra Bullock: she looked beautiful, a little nervous, a little tense. I didn't hate the dress, didn't love it either.
Cameron Diaz: My favorite for the night. I thought she looked very glamorous and grown-up. Sometimes she shows up on the red carpet looking sloppy and sweaty and very disheveled.

Miley Cyrus: I really liked Miley's gown. I just don't think it fits her properly in the bust area and I wish she had better posture. She was very slouchy all night. Also, why was she even at the Academy Awards? And, did anyone seen her mother showing off her new back tattoos on the red carpet? Classy!

Kate Winslet: I thought she looked amazing! Always classy, always elegant.

Demi Moore: I am convinced Demi Moore has made a deal with the devil and drinks daily from the Fountain of Youth.

J-Lo: I liked the dress. I thought it was perfect for J-Lo and she carried it well. She wore the dress, it didn't wear her. At one point I thought it was white but then under a different light it was very pink.
Rachel McAdams: I think she is one of the prettiest actresses in Hollywood and is very fresh and natural. I liked the colors and the pattern of this dress.
Kristen Stewart: She looked lovely. Grown-up and finally a little feminine. She still seems very uncomfortable walking on the red carpet.

SJP: I like this gown on Sarah Jessica Parker, hated the gigantic bun on the back of her head.

Charlize Theron: Again, one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood with legs that go on for miles. However, what the hell was she thinking last night? This looks like two cinnabons attached to her boobs. Ridiculous! Very distracting.

Zoe Saldana: really hated this gown. It looks like two seperate gowns....sequins on top and then a weird multi-colored scarf or something on the bottom.

Although I couldn't find any photos, I thought Queen Latifa, Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren looked great.

Sunday Sunshine

So it's late Sunday morning and the sun is shining! Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day and today is supposed to be just as nice if not better.

KJ is not feeling very well today, she has a bad cough and a bit of a sore throat. Cosmo & T-bone are out of town at a lax tournament this weekend so KJ slept w/ me last night. She slept well and didn't toss and turn as much as she normally does. She does, however, have a horrible habit of talking in her sleep. She's always done it and last night was no exception.

KJ & I have enjoyed our girls only weekend so far....yesterday we had a big family breakfast before Cosmo & T headed up to Greenville, SC. KJ & I went shopping and bought her some new spring clothes that she desperately needed. I also bought some things at Belk and then we met a friend in Homewood for the chili cook-off. We didn't get to stay very long but the weather was awesome, the band was great and the chili I tested rocked! After the chili cook-off we had some friends over for game night, wings and fondue.

The boys lax team is in Greenville, SC for the weekend and T went along for the ride since she didn't have any games this weekend. Last night JV played 2 games and varsity lost to Ponte Vedre, FL. I spoke to Cosmo this morning and he said it was a very, very competitive game. He said Ponte Vedre was the best team they've ever played. I think the final score was 10-5. Today they are playing Greenville, SC. The three coaches got together last night and committed to play the next two years...next year in Jacksonville, FL and the following year in Alabama. Kind of a "battle of the South" thing.

Is It Spring Yet???

Ordered my usual "pre-season" Old Navy staples the other day --- some new fllippy-floppies (2/$5), a couple of white v-necks, a couple of black, a navy, a gray, a brown and I think I splurged and bought a green. All the t-shirts were on sale for $5. Score!

I love these market baskets! Mine looks very similar to the brown one in this photo and I love to take snacks to the lacrosse games or to the pool in the summer.

I'm really into cardigans this Spring. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd wear one but I like their versatility. I don't like to be overheated so a lightweight cardi is perfect for me. I can leave it unbuttoned and push up the sleeves if I get too hot.

Philosophy has come out w/ a new line of Pink cosmetics. While I don't think I particularly look good in Pinks, I would like to try their new eyeshadow and I love the kabuki make-up brush. Tarina Tarantino also has a new line of cosmetics at Sephora. A little too bold for me.

ABC's of Me

A fun survey someone sent me:
{A} Age - 42
{B} Bed Size - King
{C} Chore you hate - Laundry
{D} Dog's name - Trixie
{E} Essential start your day item - cup of Tea
{F} Favorite color - Green
{G} Gold or Silver - went thru a "gold stage" in the 80's, now I wear a lot of silver
{H} Height - 4'11 and 3/4"
{I} Instruments you play - Zero
{J} Job title - Queen
{K} Kid(s) - 2
{L} Living arrangements - 4BR, 3 full bath, 2 half bath house with hubby, 2 beautiful daughters and our dog
{M} Mom's name - Virginia
{N} Nickname - Val
{O} Overnight hospital stay - When my daughter's were born
{P} Pet peeve - People who are unaware of my personal space
{Q} Quote from a movie - "Life is like a box of chocolates. You nev'r know what you might get." --Forrest Gump
{R} Right or left handed - Right
{S} Siblings - 1 younger brother
{T} Time you wake up - around 6:30 AM on the weekdays to get the girls ready for school, I like to sleep in on the weekends.
{U} Underwear - Victoria's Secret cotton
{V} Vegetable you dislike - lima beans
{X} X-rays you've had - teeth and my ankle
{Y} Yummy food you make - tacos and a couple of decadent desserts
{Z} Zoo animals you like - I like them all except snakes

Television This Week

Busy week in TV -- Sunday was the Olympic closing ceremonies (T & I agree it was horribly boring). Monday was the Bachelor finale (don't watch it, don't care). Apparently, during the Bachelor ABC announced the new celebrities of Dancing with the Stars:


Pamela Anderson and Damian Whitwood, who will be making his DWTS debut this season.
Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his eighth season.
Shannen Doherty and Mark Ballas, two-time DWTS champ returning for his sixth season.
Kate Gosselin and Tony Dovolani, who returns for his ninth season.
Evan Lysacek and Anna Trebunskaya, who returns for her fifth season.
Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel, who returns for his sixth season.
Chad Ochocinco and Cheryl Burke, two-time champ who’s returning for her ninth season.
Jake Pavelka and Chelsie Hightower who returns for her third season.
Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough, one-time champ who returns for his sixth season.
Aiden Turner and Edyta Sliwinska, who is the only pro to compete in all 10 seasons of DWTS.


I think Ochocinco will do well and so will Nicole Scherzinger (she's from the Pussy Cat Dolls and is positively gorgeous!). I love Erin Andrews, I have no idea who Aiden Turner is and I don't think Kate Gosselin, Shannen Doherty or Pamela Anderson will make it very far. I think Olympic Gold medal winner Evan Lysacek will do wonderful, too. He moves so well.


But seriously??? Who cares??? Lost is on tonight! Whoo Hoo!