1. What is your dream vacation?
My dream vacation is to go to one of those far away islands and stay in one of those little huts over the water and not do anything for a week but lay in a hammock and work on my tan.
2. What has been your favorite trip so far in your life?
Favorite trip so far has got to be our trip to San Diego with the girls. I think KJ was in kindergarten. It was one of those magical vacations where everything just fell into place . . . our flight was perfect, the girls took a surf lesson, we went to the San Diego Zoo, saw the sea lions in LaJolla, the girls played in the cove and we played on the beach in Coronado and had ice cream at the Del.
3. If you and one of your best friends could go anywhere in the world for one week, where would it be and why?
LCM and I would have a fun time in Paris or London. We have very similar tastes and would have a great week having a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe, shopping, visiting museums, etc.
4. Have you ever booked a trip using an online deal? How did it go?
The only time I booked anything travel-related on line was a hotel in Chicago for T & I. We stayed at a famous 5 star hotel right on Michigan Avenue for pennies. I would definately do it again for hotel, not sure how I feel about using it for flights.
5. What’s your favorite thing to do while you’re on vacation?
Depends on the location. Beach is a relaxing trip, other trips are for sight-seeing, museums, dining and shopping.
6. Have you ever missed an opportunity to take a trip that you regret?
I don’t think so.
7. You travel far away from home and get stranded with no way to buy anything, what’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Advil (and Chapstick).
8. What’s one of your favorite traveling memories?
Although my luggage was "lost" on our direct flight from Atlanta to Cabo and magically reappeared the morning we were heading home (my brand new luggage was held together with electrical tape. I swear it was dragged behind a truck or something), I think Cabo was one of the best vacations I ever had. I had no make-up and only the clothes (and underwear) on my back. I slept in one of Cosmo's t-shirts and rinsed my clothes out in the sink each night. I still managed to have an incredible, relaxing, romantic trip with Cosmo. I swam with the dolphins, partied on the beach, took a boat ride out to the Arch and watched the migrating gray whales from our bedroom window each morning.
9. All included resort or backpacking? Why?
All inclusive. I hate being nickle & dimed to death. We did an all inclusive for our honeymoon in Jamaica and didn't have to worry about a thing!
10. Are you more of a lie on the beach kind of person on vacation, or do you prefer to see the sights?
A little of both. If I'm at the beach, I usually park it and don't move. If I'm in Europe or a city I've never been before, I want to do and see EVERYTHING (which usually includes stupid stuff like the "World's Biggest Ball of Twine").
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Proud Mama Bear (and Poppa Bear, too!)
Addendum: Holy cow! Good thing senior year only comes around once in a lifetime. I have shelled out a small fortune for T this week: graduation announcements, deposit on the Spring Trip and senior yearbook ad. I really wish school administration would learn to spread this stuff out over the course of a couple of months. It's September. Do we really need to be ordering graduation announcements and caps & gowns already?? Seriously?? Yearkbook ad? Can't we do this in January or something???
So proud of both of my girls! Even though KJ's volleyball team hasn't won a single game yet this season, she hasn't given up. It's so easy to become angry at her teammates or become complacent because she knows no one is going to be able to return the volley, but she still has been giving 110% on the court. Every week we tell her she needs to be a leader, she's the only 6th grader on her team and she needs to show the less experienced girls how its done! She had school photos today and looked so pretty when she went off to school. I like her hair long and she had on new jeans and a pair of brown mary janes w/ a slight heel (I have no idea where these shoes came from; I had never seen them before but she said she found them in her closet. Huh! Amazing what you can find in there when you clean!). I can't believe how grown up she's getting! She's so funny and sassy and keeps us in stitches. She comes up with the funniest things sometimes!
So proud of both of my girls! Even though KJ's volleyball team hasn't won a single game yet this season, she hasn't given up. It's so easy to become angry at her teammates or become complacent because she knows no one is going to be able to return the volley, but she still has been giving 110% on the court. Every week we tell her she needs to be a leader, she's the only 6th grader on her team and she needs to show the less experienced girls how its done! She had school photos today and looked so pretty when she went off to school. I like her hair long and she had on new jeans and a pair of brown mary janes w/ a slight heel (I have no idea where these shoes came from; I had never seen them before but she said she found them in her closet. Huh! Amazing what you can find in there when you clean!). I can't believe how grown up she's getting! She's so funny and sassy and keeps us in stitches. She comes up with the funniest things sometimes!Daughter #1 has made both of her parental units very, very happy. She got her most recent ACT scores back and we are all just over the moon! She killed it. She totally killed it. Unless a wild card pops-up after her Naples tournament this fall, she's got it narrowed down to 3 schools . . . two of the schools want her for lacrosse and each of the schools is different from the others in size, location and setting. One of the school is a super large university, one is a smaller school and one is mid-size. One is up North, two are in the South. It will be very interesting to see which direction she goes. She's got some tough choices ahead of her but whatever she decides, we are incredibly proud of her!
“You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college does..." -- Tom Petty
One of Two (Weird) New Obsessions
From our friends @ IMDB.com:
Ken: I'm Ken.
Barbie: Barbie. Have we ever met?
Ken: Nuh-uh. I'd have remembered. Love your legwarmers.
Barbie: Nice ascot.
Ken: I'm Ken.
Barbie: Barbie. Have we ever met?
Ken: Nuh-uh. I'd have remembered. Love your legwarmers.
Barbie: Nice ascot.
Last night KJ & I ran a bunch of errands in preparation for our upcoming trip and ended up at Toys R Us. Wow. I haven't been there in YEARS. Even though we have young neices and nephews and several great neices and nephews, I always buy them gift cards for their b-days and holidays to save on shipping and also, because I don't seen them enough to know what they have, what they're into, etc.
The DaVinci Inspired Barbie (Mona Lisa)
Palm Beach Coral Barbie
Van Gogh Inspired Barbie (Starry Night)
Farrah Fawcett Barbie
I think these two are Reem Acra-inspired Barbie's
Golden Anniversary Barbie So, KJ & I walked down the Barbie aisle and holy cow I am now obsessed with collectible Barbie's. I used to buy them for the girls when they were younger and they became huge dust collectors. I think they're all in the attic. I always bought the Holiday Barbie at Christmas and T had the Animal Kingdom from Disney when the park first open. She had a Coca-Cola Barbie, an Oreo Barbie, both the Alabama and Penn State Barbies, and a bunch of other ones I can't remember (I seem to recall some Valentine's Day Barbies, some Easter ones, a Halloween one). But WOW. These new Barbies are magnificent. I luv, luv, luv the Statue of Liberty Barbie, the Starry Night Barbie and the Farrah Fawcett Barbie!
Statue of Liberty BarbieKen: [Giving Andy's toys a tour of the daycare, Ken passes his dollhouse] And this... well, this is where I live. It's got a disco, it's got a dune buggy, and a whole room just for trying on clothes.
Barbie: [gasps] You have everything!
Ken: Everything... except someone to share it with... [he walks away]
Barbie: [sighs lovingly]
Barbie: [gasps] You have everything!
Ken: Everything... except someone to share it with... [he walks away]
Barbie: [sighs lovingly]
Monday, September 26, 2011
Birthday? What Birthday?
I didn't have a birthday! I swear! I didn't!
Haha! "JK"
Had a very nice birthday weekend! Weather: Spectacular! Family & Friends: Wonderful! Breakfast in Bed: Delicious! Presents: Excellent! Lunch on Sunday: Hysterical! Dinner Saturday night: Bellisimo! Flowers: Beautiful!
T had a football game Friday night (Hoover won), KJ had volleyball Sunday (still haven't won a game yet) and Alabama beat Arkansas. The only dark cloud on the weekend was Sunday's Jet game. And apparently it's all my fault because I wore a new Jets T-shirt.
Haha! "JK"
Had a very nice birthday weekend! Weather: Spectacular! Family & Friends: Wonderful! Breakfast in Bed: Delicious! Presents: Excellent! Lunch on Sunday: Hysterical! Dinner Saturday night: Bellisimo! Flowers: Beautiful!
T had a football game Friday night (Hoover won), KJ had volleyball Sunday (still haven't won a game yet) and Alabama beat Arkansas. The only dark cloud on the weekend was Sunday's Jet game. And apparently it's all my fault because I wore a new Jets T-shirt.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Hoo Are You??
Here are the questions!
1. What are your favorite 3 things about fall?
2. Are you a football fan and if so who is your favorite team?
3. What is your favorite fall scent?
4. So you have seasonal allergies?
5. Have you started Christmas shopping yet?
My Answers!
1. Thanksgiving, sweater weather, sleeping with the windows open
2. love Alabama football and the NY Jets
3. just plain ole Vanilla
4. Nope
5. not yet
1. What are your favorite 3 things about fall?
2. Are you a football fan and if so who is your favorite team?
3. What is your favorite fall scent?
4. So you have seasonal allergies?
5. Have you started Christmas shopping yet?
My Answers!
1. Thanksgiving, sweater weather, sleeping with the windows open
2. love Alabama football and the NY Jets
3. just plain ole Vanilla
4. Nope
5. not yet
It's OK Thursday's
..to covet your husband's side of the bed.
..to not make aforementioned bed everyday.
..to force yourself to get through a book that doesn't interest you much, because you already spent your money on it.
..to share your love of trashy gossip magazines with your 11 year old daughter.
..to miss my family (especially my brother and my niece & nephew!).
..to wear socks to bed.
..to love the Real Housewives of _________ (fill in the blank).
..to consult Pinterest before going shopping or planning a vacation.
..to be excited for another weekend full of football fun!
..to not like country music.
..to luv, luv, luv this weather and look forward to wearing sweaters even though it's still 80+ degrees outside!
..to fall asleep on the couch some nights.
..to still be madly in love with your husband!
..to watch all of the Bourne movies in one sitting. Or all of the Lord of the Ring movies back-to-back. And wish I could speak Elfish.
..to not shower until noon on the weekends.
..to delete your Facebook. And be happy and satisfied with the decision.
..to have no clue what to make for dinner.
..to nap.
..to hate growing out your hair.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A to Z
A. Age: 43 (will turn 44 on Sunday)
B. Bed Size: King
C. Chore that you hate: cooking and laundry
D. Dogs: a shih tzu named Trixie
E. Essential start to your day: a cup of tea and a goodbye kiss from Cosmo. I get very upset if he doesn't kiss me goodbye in the mornings.
F. Favorite Color: green.
G. Gold or Silver: love them both equally
H. Height: 5'
I. Instruments you play: not a one
J. Job Title: Sales Assistant
K. Kids: I am the mother to two beautiful girls
L. Live: Birmingham, AL.
M. Mother’s Name: My mother's name is Virginia.
N. Nicknames: Val (and I hate it)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Each of my c-sections.
P. Pet peeve: Unfortunately, I have a couple. I hate when people do not respect personal boundaries and stand really close to me on the check out line. I also hate when people walk into a building and just stop. Right in the middle of the doorway. Keep it moving folks.
Q. Quote from a movie: So, so many. I like to spout quotes from Forrest Gump, Princess Bride, Christmas Vacation and (European Vacation "Look kids! Parliment! Big Ben!"). Old School ("You're my boy Blue!").
R. Right or left handed: Righy
S. Siblings: I have a younger brother.
T. Time you wake up: during the week I wake up around 6:15 AM. On the weekends, I'll lay in bed as long as I can!
U. Underwear: Yes, I wear it. Daily.
V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel Sprouts and Lima Beans
W. What makes you run late: I'm pretty punctual.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: My ankle when I rolled it playing tennis (not broken), a bunch of sonograms while pregnant and a scan when I had a ovarian cyst.
Y. Yummy food that you make: chicken satay w/ peanut butter dipping sauce
Z. Zoo Animal: Sea Lions and otters
B. Bed Size: King
C. Chore that you hate: cooking and laundry
D. Dogs: a shih tzu named Trixie
E. Essential start to your day: a cup of tea and a goodbye kiss from Cosmo. I get very upset if he doesn't kiss me goodbye in the mornings.
F. Favorite Color: green.
G. Gold or Silver: love them both equally
H. Height: 5'
I. Instruments you play: not a one
J. Job Title: Sales Assistant
K. Kids: I am the mother to two beautiful girls
L. Live: Birmingham, AL.
M. Mother’s Name: My mother's name is Virginia.
N. Nicknames: Val (and I hate it)
O. Overnight hospital stays: Each of my c-sections.
P. Pet peeve: Unfortunately, I have a couple. I hate when people do not respect personal boundaries and stand really close to me on the check out line. I also hate when people walk into a building and just stop. Right in the middle of the doorway. Keep it moving folks.
Q. Quote from a movie: So, so many. I like to spout quotes from Forrest Gump, Princess Bride, Christmas Vacation and (European Vacation "Look kids! Parliment! Big Ben!"). Old School ("You're my boy Blue!").
R. Right or left handed: Righy
S. Siblings: I have a younger brother.
T. Time you wake up: during the week I wake up around 6:15 AM. On the weekends, I'll lay in bed as long as I can!
U. Underwear: Yes, I wear it. Daily.
V. Vegetable you hate: Brussel Sprouts and Lima Beans
W. What makes you run late: I'm pretty punctual.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: My ankle when I rolled it playing tennis (not broken), a bunch of sonograms while pregnant and a scan when I had a ovarian cyst.
Y. Yummy food that you make: chicken satay w/ peanut butter dipping sauce
Z. Zoo Animal: Sea Lions and otters
Monday, September 19, 2011
Man Muffins
and here's yet another reason why I love the Foo Fighters:
http://new-magazine.co.uk/latestnews/view/34283/Foo-Fighters-perform-tolerance-song-for-anti-gay-protesters/
http://new-magazine.co.uk/latestnews/view/34283/Foo-Fighters-perform-tolerance-song-for-anti-gay-protesters/
What a great weekend! The weather was spectacular and we spent as much time as possible outside. I think yesterday we had breakfast, lunch & dinner outside and the girls both had lax practice so everyone got plenty of fresh air.
Friday wrapped up T's senior homecoming week and was a busy day for T. She had fun with toga day, the homecoming pep rally and the dinner the Buccanettes hosted for the Freshman dance team. Cafe Iz catered and we had so much fun w/ the decor and theme. I still wasn't feeling great and fighting this horrible cough and cold so I didn't go to the game but Hoover won so all is good. T got to see her friend who is a Thompson cheerleader but plays lax for Hoover since her school doesn't have a lax team. Saturday she worked up at the store earlier in the day, KJ had vball (her team lost both games) and Cosmo & I got the house ready for the homecoming after-party.
She had homecoming photos w/ her group around 4 PM, they went to Bonefish for dinner and then back to someone house to watch some football before going to the dance. R's truck was acting up so his mom let them take her Camaro for the night. It is a very cool car! After the dance the kids all came back to our house for a bonfire, hot dogs, s'mores, etc. Very nice group of kids, they had a lot of fun and everyone was very polite and thanked us when they left (the boys went out of their way to tell Cosmo & I goodnight which I thought was funny. You know their mom's told them "Make sure you tell T's parents thank you for having you!"). One of the girls wasn't feeling too good after dinner and got a little sick in the middle of the night and T & I drove her home around 3 AM. I was wide awake anyway and didn't fall asleep until sometime after 5 AM Sunday morning. My wonderful hubby let me sleep while he got bagels for breakfast and we had a relaxing morning before everyone went off to lacrosse practice.
I started my fall decorating Friday night while everyone was at the game and got some more done yesterday while they were at lax. I luv, luv, luv this time of year. It's still been a little warm but the humidity is gone and I can't wait to start opening some windows.
Since we've got a busy, busy weekend coming up Cosmo & KJ decided to make me a special b-day dinner a week early and made a scallops appetizer, steaks and we had mini cheesecakes for dessert. It really was a GREAT weekend!
Friday wrapped up T's senior homecoming week and was a busy day for T. She had fun with toga day, the homecoming pep rally and the dinner the Buccanettes hosted for the Freshman dance team. Cafe Iz catered and we had so much fun w/ the decor and theme. I still wasn't feeling great and fighting this horrible cough and cold so I didn't go to the game but Hoover won so all is good. T got to see her friend who is a Thompson cheerleader but plays lax for Hoover since her school doesn't have a lax team. Saturday she worked up at the store earlier in the day, KJ had vball (her team lost both games) and Cosmo & I got the house ready for the homecoming after-party.
She had homecoming photos w/ her group around 4 PM, they went to Bonefish for dinner and then back to someone house to watch some football before going to the dance. R's truck was acting up so his mom let them take her Camaro for the night. It is a very cool car! After the dance the kids all came back to our house for a bonfire, hot dogs, s'mores, etc. Very nice group of kids, they had a lot of fun and everyone was very polite and thanked us when they left (the boys went out of their way to tell Cosmo & I goodnight which I thought was funny. You know their mom's told them "Make sure you tell T's parents thank you for having you!"). One of the girls wasn't feeling too good after dinner and got a little sick in the middle of the night and T & I drove her home around 3 AM. I was wide awake anyway and didn't fall asleep until sometime after 5 AM Sunday morning. My wonderful hubby let me sleep while he got bagels for breakfast and we had a relaxing morning before everyone went off to lacrosse practice.
I started my fall decorating Friday night while everyone was at the game and got some more done yesterday while they were at lax. I luv, luv, luv this time of year. It's still been a little warm but the humidity is gone and I can't wait to start opening some windows.
Since we've got a busy, busy weekend coming up Cosmo & KJ decided to make me a special b-day dinner a week early and made a scallops appetizer, steaks and we had mini cheesecakes for dessert. It really was a GREAT weekend!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Toga! Toga! Toga!
So tomorrow is the day Tbone has been waiting four long years for . . . Toga Day! Friday ends the weeklong Homecoming festivities at her school and after dressing up all week, the Seniors get to celebrate by wearing Togas (it has something to do with salad dressing . . . if I remember correctly, the underclassmen wear "Ranch" and the Seniors are supposed to be "Caesar" or something like that). Because she was on a college visit she missed Neon Monday and Wizard Tuesday (not that she was going to dress up as a wizard in a million years....). Yesterday was Middle School day and today is Holiday. Earlier in the week was the Powder Puff game and from what I hear the Seniors prevailed. T did not participate because we weren't sure if she'd be home from FL in time for the game. She was a little bummed but did go after Bnettes to cheer her classmates on.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
(I think this is more than) 10 on Tuesday
How do you describe your personal style: sophisticated casual
Style Icon: Jackie O
Modern day style crush: Jennifer Aniston (and Pippa!)
Never travel without: my camera, toothbrush and passport
Favorite websites: Ebay, Etsy, Twitter, CNN and my local news website
Style Icon: Jackie O
Modern day style crush: Jennifer Aniston (and Pippa!)
Signature scent: Coach Summer Scent (but will change it up for Fall)
Go To Outfit: Wrap Dress
Go To Outfit: Wrap Dress
Accessory you can’t live without: Bracelets
Current weekend uniform: capri cargo pants, v-neck t-shirt, lots of funky bracelets
Must-have beauty/grooming essential: a good moisturizer
Best beauty advice you have ever heard: exfoliate!
You can never have too many: Accessories and tubes of lip gloss (I have tubes of lip gloss stashed all over the place...my car, my purse, the kitchen, my desk, my beach bag)
Style “Don’t”/Pet Peeve: the wrong bag with the wrong outfit
Trend(s) you could do without: socks with heels, mom jeans and jeggings
What will never go out of style: Classic LBD
East coast or West coast: East Coast (but I love the SoCal vibe/lifestyle, weird)
Currently obsessed with: Pinterest
Favorite night out: (please pardon the pun) I know it's cheesy but I love the Melting Pot!!!
Favorite city/vacation destination: favorite city is London but my favorite vacation destination is LaJolla, CA
Current weekend uniform: capri cargo pants, v-neck t-shirt, lots of funky bracelets
Must-have beauty/grooming essential: a good moisturizer
Best beauty advice you have ever heard: exfoliate!
You can never have too many: Accessories and tubes of lip gloss (I have tubes of lip gloss stashed all over the place...my car, my purse, the kitchen, my desk, my beach bag)
Style “Don’t”/Pet Peeve: the wrong bag with the wrong outfit
Trend(s) you could do without: socks with heels, mom jeans and jeggings
What will never go out of style: Classic LBD
East coast or West coast: East Coast (but I love the SoCal vibe/lifestyle, weird)
Currently obsessed with: Pinterest
Favorite night out: (please pardon the pun) I know it's cheesy but I love the Melting Pot!!!
Favorite city/vacation destination: favorite city is London but my favorite vacation destination is LaJolla, CA
Never travel without: my camera, toothbrush and passportFavorite websites: Ebay, Etsy, Twitter, CNN and my local news website
Favorite film: Forrest Gump is my all time favorite movie and I never get tired of watching it.
Favorite quote: ‘Happy wife, happy life’
Always searching for the perfect: t-shirt (I live in t-shirts and I think my 2 favorite brands are the Gap V-neck and the Old Navy Perfect V-neck. They don't fade or sag and hold up really, really well).
Never leave home without: advil and chapstick
Signature cocktail: very simple. . . . a classic margarita on the rocks w/ salt
Go-to gift: Candles
On my iPod: Adele, Rihana, Jay-Z, a lot of 80's hair bands, a lot of dance music, a lot of disco, GNR, Cowboy Mouth. I can listen to just about anything except country and gospel and that Glee crap.
Describe your home in one word: happy
Dream dinner guest: Matt Lauer
Hobby/pastime you could not live without: reading! I can get lost in a book for days. Books (now my Nook) are portable. They make the best travel companions!
It wouldn’t be ‘my’ party without: a great tablescape
Stranded on a desert island, what 5 things could you not live without: advil, chapstick, my Nook, Schweppes ginger ale and a photo of my family.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Still Managed
Despite being really, really sick for a couple of days I still managed to have a very nice weekend. I didn't want to cough all over everyone so I didn't go to the Friday night football game but sounds like it was a heck of a game! Cosmo & the girls said it was CRAAAAZY! Go Bucs!
Tbone woke up Saturday to take the ACT's and had lunch w/ friends before heading to band practice. I kept my hair appointment w/ Jeffrey while Cosmo took KJ to her volleyball game. Unfortunately, her team lost. Fortunately, my cut & color came out great and I stopped for a pedi on my way home since I had already missed the volleyball game. Cosmo took KJ to TipTop for lunch and we met back at the house in plenty of time for the Alabama vs. Penn State game.
Cosmo put the TV outside and and it was an absolutely spectacular day! T got dinner on her way home from practice and we had such a nice family night. KJ talked her dad into starting a fire and we all just relaxed, ate, laughed and watched a lot of football. No s'more though. We had the choclate bars (which was really weird) and the graham crackers but no marshamallows.
This moring T & I went to the studio to view some of her photos. These aren't her "official" senior portraits. Mr. B just wanted to do a test run but they came out great and I'll probably end up buying a couple. The studio made it a really, really fun experience and had a slideshow set to music so we could view the photos and also gave her a book of proofs to look at. We picked out some photos for her yearbook senior ad and we also picked out a few for her model cards. The lacrosse photos are totally bad-ass and I know Cosmo will want one or two for the store.
KJ and I shopped for a dress for her for the wedding and we both bought shoes and bags. I luv, luv, luv the shoes I bought but KJ's not overly thrilled with the dress we, OK, the dress I forced her to buy. Everything was either too baby-ish or horribly inappropriate for a 6th grader. Same thing with the shoes. Either a "kitten" heel (which KJ positively HATES) or a stripper shoe. Fortunately, we're at the height of homecoming season and Macy's had a decent selection in the Juniors department.
Cosmo met us for lunch and then he & T headed to the airport. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed due to the late afternoon storm that rolled in. So very weird to be sending my oldest child off on a college visit. Made me think of the first time she flew on a plane. We were moving from Annapolis to Cincinnati right before T's 2nd b-day. I had promised her she could have "Sprite in a cup" on the plane if she was a good girl during the flight. Well, don't you know she fell asleep right after take-off. I had the flight attendant bring the "Sprite in a cup" anyway. We're about ready to touchdown and the crew asked us to put our tray tables up. Trying to avoid a potential melt-down mid-air, I actually woke T up so she could drink her "Sprite in a cup" before we landed. The poor thing could barely hold her eyes open and I made her chug a Sprite. I always keep my promises. :-)
Tbone woke up Saturday to take the ACT's and had lunch w/ friends before heading to band practice. I kept my hair appointment w/ Jeffrey while Cosmo took KJ to her volleyball game. Unfortunately, her team lost. Fortunately, my cut & color came out great and I stopped for a pedi on my way home since I had already missed the volleyball game. Cosmo took KJ to TipTop for lunch and we met back at the house in plenty of time for the Alabama vs. Penn State game.
Cosmo put the TV outside and and it was an absolutely spectacular day! T got dinner on her way home from practice and we had such a nice family night. KJ talked her dad into starting a fire and we all just relaxed, ate, laughed and watched a lot of football. No s'more though. We had the choclate bars (which was really weird) and the graham crackers but no marshamallows.
This moring T & I went to the studio to view some of her photos. These aren't her "official" senior portraits. Mr. B just wanted to do a test run but they came out great and I'll probably end up buying a couple. The studio made it a really, really fun experience and had a slideshow set to music so we could view the photos and also gave her a book of proofs to look at. We picked out some photos for her yearbook senior ad and we also picked out a few for her model cards. The lacrosse photos are totally bad-ass and I know Cosmo will want one or two for the store.
KJ and I shopped for a dress for her for the wedding and we both bought shoes and bags. I luv, luv, luv the shoes I bought but KJ's not overly thrilled with the dress we, OK, the dress I forced her to buy. Everything was either too baby-ish or horribly inappropriate for a 6th grader. Same thing with the shoes. Either a "kitten" heel (which KJ positively HATES) or a stripper shoe. Fortunately, we're at the height of homecoming season and Macy's had a decent selection in the Juniors department.
Cosmo met us for lunch and then he & T headed to the airport. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed due to the late afternoon storm that rolled in. So very weird to be sending my oldest child off on a college visit. Made me think of the first time she flew on a plane. We were moving from Annapolis to Cincinnati right before T's 2nd b-day. I had promised her she could have "Sprite in a cup" on the plane if she was a good girl during the flight. Well, don't you know she fell asleep right after take-off. I had the flight attendant bring the "Sprite in a cup" anyway. We're about ready to touchdown and the crew asked us to put our tray tables up. Trying to avoid a potential melt-down mid-air, I actually woke T up so she could drink her "Sprite in a cup" before we landed. The poor thing could barely hold her eyes open and I made her chug a Sprite. I always keep my promises. :-)
Friday, September 9, 2011
Annual Kickoff Party
Last night was the official start to the NFL season and Cosmo had the usual suspects over to watch the game. It was such a gorgeous night so he set up the huge flat screen from the store on the back deck, put up Christmas lights and they guys ate and drank their way thru the game. No need for a fire last night. Troy always brings my kids shrimp cocktail so the girls were in heaven! I've been under the weather for the last couple of days so I went to bed early and have no idea who won. However, it was very exciting to see our friend Tim on the sidelines for Green Bay. He's part of the Packers front office management and he got some good facetime on TV!
KJ had vball last night and went to the middle school game at the high school stadium with friends afterward. She had so much fun and came home very wound up! I had to go to the high school yesterday after work to take some photos of the freshman dance team and it looked like there was a really good crowd for the game(s).
Tbone is still receiving phone calls from college lacrosse coaches but she has narrowed it down to 5 or 6 schools that she's interested in and are interested in her. At this point in the game it will just be a matter of which school has the best communications department, which school she'll see the most playing time, which school gives her the most scholarship money and which school meets all our of criteria. Got to hand it to T though. As always, she's got a plan. Last night she mentioned that all of the schools except one are located in an NFL market. She's decided, at some point during college, she wants to try out for an NFL dance team. According to her, it will work out "perfectly." She can dance in the off-season and play during the regular season. She said it will be the same as what she's doing in high school just in a different location. The kid always has a goal in mind and I love that about her. However, I told her she'd have to think about buying some boobs. She's got the bod for those skimpy little cheer outfits, just not the boobs. :-)
KJ had vball last night and went to the middle school game at the high school stadium with friends afterward. She had so much fun and came home very wound up! I had to go to the high school yesterday after work to take some photos of the freshman dance team and it looked like there was a really good crowd for the game(s).
Tbone is still receiving phone calls from college lacrosse coaches but she has narrowed it down to 5 or 6 schools that she's interested in and are interested in her. At this point in the game it will just be a matter of which school has the best communications department, which school she'll see the most playing time, which school gives her the most scholarship money and which school meets all our of criteria. Got to hand it to T though. As always, she's got a plan. Last night she mentioned that all of the schools except one are located in an NFL market. She's decided, at some point during college, she wants to try out for an NFL dance team. According to her, it will work out "perfectly." She can dance in the off-season and play during the regular season. She said it will be the same as what she's doing in high school just in a different location. The kid always has a goal in mind and I love that about her. However, I told her she'd have to think about buying some boobs. She's got the bod for those skimpy little cheer outfits, just not the boobs. :-)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
http://espn.go.com/blog/bostoncolleges/post/_/id/1008/video-the-man-in-the-red-bandanaI know this is supposed to be "Wordless Wednesday" but I wanted to provide a little background on this story. A friend sent the link to Chris last night because she thought it was an interesting lacrosse story. We watched it together and to our surprise, this young man was from Nyack, NY. You may recall from earlier posts that Nyack was one town over from us growing up and a HUGE rival (as in "Send Nyack Back to the Indians" -- KJ's favorite North Rockland cheer).
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44356058/ns/today-today_people/t/years-after-dads-love-triumphs-over-terror?gt1=43001And this beautiful family owned the pizza parlor in town. Cosmo & I lived less than 2 miles from each other and Patricia's Pizza was right in the middle. I rememeber when I was a kid we all used to walk to Patricia's and 2 slices of pizza and a drink was $1.50 or something crazy like that!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44356058/ns/today-today_people/t/years-after-dads-love-triumphs-over-terror?gt1=43001And this beautiful family owned the pizza parlor in town. Cosmo & I lived less than 2 miles from each other and Patricia's Pizza was right in the middle. I rememeber when I was a kid we all used to walk to Patricia's and 2 slices of pizza and a drink was $1.50 or something crazy like that!
Day Late & A Dollar Short
I always seem to forget to do "Ten on Tuesday!" I guess having Monday off has messed my schedule up. We're having Taco Tuesday a day late, too! And now I'm a day behind for "Wordless Wednesday!" Sheesh!
1. What temperature do you keep your thermostat on during the day?Summer time, it's around 72; winter time it's around 67.
2. What temperature do you keep your thermostat on at night?
Pretty much the same as during the day. I like it really, really cold at night!
3. In a canister of mixed nuts, do you pick out certain varieties and leave the others?
Not a big fan of mixed nuts but I do love peanuts, pistachios and cashews. And almonds.
4. What is your favorite kind of M&M?
Peanut M&M's
5. How do you buy books? (Amazon, bookstore, new, used, electronic, etc)
I used to buy all my books on either E-bay or Amazon but now I buy everything for my Nook.
6. How do you like your eggs cooked?
I like a nice, fluffy scrambled egg with cheese to give it some flavor and consistency. Don't like runny, wet, icky scrambled eggs.
7. Can you whistle?
No. I don’t want to talk about it.
8. What common word do you always misspell?
I spell "receive" and "definately" wrong ALL the time.
9. Are you afraid of flying?
Not afraid, just don't enjoy it. I feel like I'm on a massive cattle call and always get stuck next to a smelly, fat person who hogs the arm rest. I would have loved to have traveled back in the 50's & 60's when people got dressed up to travel and it was all so civilized.
10. How often do you go shopping?
I try to go grocery shopping once a week but usually end up going on an "as needed" basis.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
September
The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes
Hard to believe we're a few days into September already. I can't wait for the weather to cool down a bit so we can open some windows. I love sitting outside on a fall night. I love sweatshirt weather. On Saturdays Cosmo puts the TV outside so we can watch college football (PSU game this weekend!) and he usually has a fire going and KJ likes to do s'mores. Aaaahhh! Fall!
T & Cosmo are flying to FL this coming weekend for a college visit. I'm very excited for T! The coach seems really nice and I think this could be a good fit for her....great communications program, PERFECT location and spectacular campus, awesome internship opportunities. We'll see. She has the PA visit in October and the coach from MD has been campaigning hard for T to visit the campus. She even offered to fly down here to talk to the three of us if T couldn't get up there (which totally blows my mind!). She had sent T an e-mail after seeing T play in the fall at a tournament and told her back then she was one of their top recruits. I don't think Cosmo or I took her very seriously at the time. The OH university doesn't have her major so she had to politely decline an invitation to visit at this time. The coach even went so far as to offer to have T meet with the head of the journalism department to discuss possibilities.
T & Cosmo are flying to FL this coming weekend for a college visit. I'm very excited for T! The coach seems really nice and I think this could be a good fit for her....great communications program, PERFECT location and spectacular campus, awesome internship opportunities. We'll see. She has the PA visit in October and the coach from MD has been campaigning hard for T to visit the campus. She even offered to fly down here to talk to the three of us if T couldn't get up there (which totally blows my mind!). She had sent T an e-mail after seeing T play in the fall at a tournament and told her back then she was one of their top recruits. I don't think Cosmo or I took her very seriously at the time. The OH university doesn't have her major so she had to politely decline an invitation to visit at this time. The coach even went so far as to offer to have T meet with the head of the journalism department to discuss possibilities. I'm getting my hair cut & colored next weekend so it will look great for A's wedding. I can NOT wait to see everyone! I love the dress I bought for the wedding and just hope the weather holds out. I still need shoes and KJ still needs a dress.
Homecoming is less than 2 weeks away. I don't think T's "group" has finalized their plans yet. As of right now, they talked about photos, the Alabama game and dinner (maybe not necessarily in that order). Not sure yet what the "after party" plans are. Sigh. Last highschool homecoming for T.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Hoover vs. Spain Park
What a great, wonderful lazy Saturday we've had so far! It was a busy, busy week and we're all just looking forward to the long weekend! Everyone slept in this morning and Cosmo made us waffles at the beginning of the Alabama vs. Kent State game. That was our pre-game tailgating brunch.
Yesterday I checked KJ out of school so she could attend the pep rally at the High School. Cosmo met us up there and the gym was positively rockin'! Great, great, great pep rally! The band sounded great, the cheerleaders did great and the Bnettes did great! The kids were really pumped! T could NOT wait to run out onto the gym floor with the rest of the seniors. She has been waiting for that for 4 years!
Very humid at the football game last night (and we all know I don't "do" humid). Had a lot of fun seeing some of our SP friends and I got to see my 3 favorite Dazzlers prior to the game. I don't know what it was, but I thought last night's game was one of the longest games I had ever been to. Last week's game had commercial breaks but for some reason I felt last night's game dragged on.
T is having SO much fun this year being a senior. We had our annual "family bed" time this morning and she said last night the Bnettes started a new tradition. As they left the dance room and loaded the bus, they formed 2 straight lines and each person took a turn dancing down the middle. I'm glad the girls are doing their own thing and really getting a long. By the end of the year they'll be sick of each other but that's to be expected. These girls are together 5 or 6 days a week.
Yesterday I checked KJ out of school so she could attend the pep rally at the High School. Cosmo met us up there and the gym was positively rockin'! Great, great, great pep rally! The band sounded great, the cheerleaders did great and the Bnettes did great! The kids were really pumped! T could NOT wait to run out onto the gym floor with the rest of the seniors. She has been waiting for that for 4 years!
Very humid at the football game last night (and we all know I don't "do" humid). Had a lot of fun seeing some of our SP friends and I got to see my 3 favorite Dazzlers prior to the game. I don't know what it was, but I thought last night's game was one of the longest games I had ever been to. Last week's game had commercial breaks but for some reason I felt last night's game dragged on.
T is having SO much fun this year being a senior. We had our annual "family bed" time this morning and she said last night the Bnettes started a new tradition. As they left the dance room and loaded the bus, they formed 2 straight lines and each person took a turn dancing down the middle. I'm glad the girls are doing their own thing and really getting a long. By the end of the year they'll be sick of each other but that's to be expected. These girls are together 5 or 6 days a week. Friday, September 2, 2011
It was Adam in the End
So, Tbone totally called it from Day 1. I was totally Team Tribble but she said all along Adam was going to be the last man standing. I think Adam made her feel safe and comfortable and when she was with Tribble, it was all about Tribble and his QB days @ Clemson. Adam does seem like an honest, kind person and I think this is the cutest photo!
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