River with an 'A'

Cousin Camp 2010

2010-06-01T15:32:00.002-04:00

It's officially underway! Cousin Camp 2010!!!

Local?

2010-06-01T15:24:00.004-04:00

I signed up to be a part of my neighborhood CSA. It's a Community Supported Agriculture group and each week I can order a box of produce that is coming from local farmers. Convenient, cost effective and helping the local folk.

Can't you tell...

You gotta eat!

2010-05-28T11:25:00.011-04:00

For Tucker's preschool year each mom had to bring snacks about three times. Each week they learned a letter so (naturally - lol) I wanted my snacks to correspond to the letter of the week. My thought is this- I enjoy crafting but have no time. I HAVE to make snacks so I might as well throw in a little craft-ing and have fun!

One would think that the internet would be a mecca for stealing ideas. I mean really there is a blog for just about EVERYTHING. Well, I was able to steal a couple and then I had to just pretend to be born creative and make up my own.

O is for...

Owls

Bagels, PB, cheese for the beaks, Ritz crackers, m&m's for eyes and captain crunch for brows
(I first saw the Owls in an issue of "My Big Backyard")

Ocean

Blue Jello, fruit pieces in the bottom and Nemo fruit snacks floating in the 'water'

(The ocean jello came from the internet somewhere)

Octopus Icecream

I made fruit smoothies and froze them (to be thawed to ice cream consistency by snack time) then made the Octopus out of a larger marshmellow, pretzel pieces and mini m&m's. I used a straw to stick the octopus into the icecream.

(The octopus came from the internet somewhere)

Orange

Cake pops (bakerella), homemade donuts, orange slices

W is for...

Wagons

Town house crackers, cereal straws, small ritz cracker sandwiches, cheese

Windows

Graham crackers, cereal straws, pretzels, fruit rolls-ups, peanut butter

Watch

Fruit by the foot, ritz crackers, cheese, pepperoni, little star sprinkles and icing

W week was a short week - which was good for me because I was all out of Dubbya ideas.

E is for... (boy was this another tough one)!

Elephant

(Chanel laughed and thought this one was an alien- the school director thought it was an Ewok

- - -Oh, well)

Half an orange, apple slices, gummy worms, cherrios, mini choc chips

Eight and 'E' Quesadillas

I'm telling you- E was tricky. I just made quesadillas with flavored tortillas for some color and used cookie cutters to make the E and 8.

Eggs

I found the chow mein nest recipe online and then added a couple of jelly beans and yogurt covered cranberries and raisins for the eggs.

Finally, I got to make a special treat for Tucker's birthday and I copied bakerella once again on this one. Seriously, so so cute!

Hamburger Cupcakes and sugar cookie fries. YUM!

What are you proud of?

2010-05-04T15:13:00.004-04:00

I think I have always been one to write a letter, send an email or make a call to a company about a good experience. Maybe it's because it is such a rare occurrence now days, or maybe it's because I just like to be nice.

(Truth be told I like to schmooze. I did a speech on it in college. I am a schmoozer. I am proud-as a matter of fact-to be a schmoozer. Really what is so wrong with that. Making peoples day? Doesn't that sound positively dreadful).

Anyway, in my years of this act of niceness I have written letters to Publix about baggers, taco bell about dining room cleaners, back yard burger about the drive through guy and most recently to Kroger about one of its "Special Projects." (That is the actual name for the handicapped workers they have).

See, Kroger teams up with different groups in the area such as 'JUST PEOPLE' and 'The Tommy Novis Foundation and help a kid out by giving him a job for a designated amount of time. The idea is to help him get a permanent job somewhere by giving him some exposure in a safe setting that is friendly and forgiving to possible error. Well, Kroger has lots and they are all praise worthy most of the time. On recent trips to Kroger I met Chris. I normally have Tate with me when I shop and Tate and Chris are good buds.

Seriously.

When Tate sees Chris he pretty much wants out of the cart and to give him a high five.

Seriously.

I think Chris may have even taught him the high five. This kid is adorable. Friendly off the scale and a decent bag boy even.

I initially wrote Kroger to inquire about their coupon policy (I am a nerd as much as I am a schmoozer---I read the instructions on my shampoo---and needed to be aware of the policy). While writing-the corporate headquarters mind you- I mentioned that I appreciated the attitude and friendliness of a bagger named Chris at my local store who always made my day. That's it! It took me way less time to do that than it has to blog about it.

So that's it, right? Write a nice line about someone, feel good about myself and be done. Normally, yes. Not today though. I just got a call from my Kroger store manager telling me that the corporate folks passed on the compliment to him and he passed it on to Chris' case worker and she passed it on to the Tommy Novis Foundation and they passed it on to Chris and his grandmother. Everyone shared a smile about it and Chris got a copy of the email which I was told he SO PROUDLY is keeping in his backpack.

So it ends there right? Nope again. His stint with Kroger is over this week and since he lives in Powder Springs (the group picks him up everyday and drives him over 45 minutes to work) he was going to try to find a job closer to home. Well, after this email bit the group called Kroger and asked if he could stay on and his grandmother would drive him daily. She said that Chris has felt so loved by the people and this email that he wanted to work there permanently.

Sooooooo, he has officially been hired by my Kroger. Yea for Chris!

Now, let's jump back about two weeks. It was a Sunday afternoon and we were arriving at Tucker's soccer game only to find out it had been cancelled and we apparently missed the memo (along with our whole team---and only OUR team). No biggie, it's not like I had anything else planned so we just played on the field for a while. Well, there is this mom who was so so so so miffed that she was not informed in a timely manner about the cancellation. She complained to me, to the other parents and then went in and complained to the YMCA. "I had snacks and my son doesn't drink juice and I have all this juice and what a waste and blah blah blah." So she comes back over to me (I am rolling my eyes) to tell me she complained and she waits for my praise of her complaining which doesn't come. I just say "what did you complain about?"

"about the communication process---I BOUGHT SNACKS and trevor doesn't drink JUICE!"

again, blank stare from me-who is having a grand time just running around with my kid---who DOES drink juice.

"I am a very good complainer."

I just look at her and say while nodding my head "that's something to be proud of."

Did she make any ones day, no. But she emailed all the parents that week to remind them that our coach didn't communicate well. Did that help, no.

I'm just saying, be nice. For crying out loud people...Just be nice.

Some things didn't need to be said

2009-12-21T10:23:00.003-05:00

So today I just feel like blogging. If someone were trying to figure me out from my blog there is plenty they wouldn't know. That's because I haven't blogged in over a year.
And maybe THAT'S because the computer has lived in Tucker's room.
And THAT'S because I had a kid.
And THAT'S because...

well, nevermind.

Frankly 10 seconds ago I felt like blogging. Now, Tucker is climbing on my back, rubbing my head (in a not pleasant way) asking a million questions and trying to get me to push certain buttons and I just don't feel like it anymore.

hmmm, maybe THAT'S why it has been over a year...

Here is Tucker with said new kid

We call him Tate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANEL!!!

2008-07-27T11:28:00.003-04:00

CHANEL IS 31!!!

This picture is from when Chanel organized a helicopter ride for our valentines day one year. I just think it is funny and wanted to post it for his birthday!

So far we have celebrated by sleeping in (on accident because the power went off at our house), going to breakfast (because our refridgerator broke and all the food/drinks in it went bad) and playing cars (because that's what Tucker wants to do). HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!

Touche'

2008-06-14T14:19:00.002-04:00

We seriously limit Tucker's tv watching because it alters his mood/behavior. I guess I have had to explain this to him one too many times. Sometimes he listens too well. This afternoon I sat down to eat my lunch (PB&J and Cheezeits) and to watch TV for a little 'me time'. Tucker was upstairs playing and he starts yelling "Momma! Turn the TV off...it makes you Grumpy."

Happy Father's Day Chanel

2008-06-14T13:59:00.002-04:00

Whether it's at work or out playing...Tucker wants to be just like Chanel!

I just wanted everyone to know what a great dad Chanel is to Tucker. It is so cool to see Tucker light up when he is around Chanel. I couldn't ask for a better role model. I hope Tucker continues to be just like his daddy!

Riding Bikes

2008-06-14T13:54:00.004-04:00

A couple of weekends ago we met up with Chanc and Tracey to let the kids ride their bikes at this really awesome park in Canton.

Tucker, Matt and Will

Emily, Tucker, Matt and Will

All their little legs just kept on riding forever. They had a ball. Tracey and I LOVED sitting on a swing in the shade while Chanc and Chanel played safety dad's if anyone fell....which they did...right into a water puddle. Oh well.

Not the daring type

2008-06-14T13:43:00.003-04:00

Our company is based in Baton Rouge Louisiana so every year they do a huge crawfish boil. This year they wanted our office to host one as well. Family and friends were invited and the president and his wife brought 100 pounds of crawfish to cook and serve to everyone. Here are some pictures of the Atlanta office's Crawfish Boil.

The boys (Tucker, Matt and Will) were all about watching the live crawfish). Matt probably ate 3 pounds all by himself. Will thought it was neat and also ate his fair share. Tucker...enjoyed the cookies.

I would like to mention that even though I very much dislike seafood I was under extreme pressure to try the crawfish. (Our boss had already offered it to Katie who willingly ate it...I couldn't be "the bad one" so I had to try it as well). I actually really liked it! Who knew.

My Ears don't hurt

2008-06-07T23:41:00.008-04:00

But just about everything else does.

Here is a warning: It is 11:45 at night and I just took 2 Tylenol PM. I am waiting for it to kick in, so no telling what (if anything) will make sense.

Today was our coed softball game. Chanel and I showed up on time (because that's how we roll) and no one from our class or age group was there. (The singles' department at our church challenged the adult 1 and 2 classes to a softball tournement). One other on-timer showed up and then we all just waited for the other 4 people to come. If you do the math that makes just 7. Not quit enough for a team. The singles' department had 3 teams worth of people show up. This was setting up to be a very long day.

We convinced the Adult 1&2 leader to play on our team and then we borrowed an impressive player from the singles. yada yada yada...we scored 11 runs the first inning with no outs when we decided to call a 10-run per inning run rule. We gave the impressive guy back and took one of their girls. They were going to need all the help they could get. Yada yada yada again...we won 17-7. On to game two. We were set to play the winner of the other game that was going on. Apparently they won their game with as much gusto as we won ours so we began to worry. Here are the important details: I dove for a ball in the outfield. I slid into second base to be safe. I dove at homeplate to barely beat the tag. We won 21-1. One of the guys from our team told the singles after we won that "once you get married you all the sudden play with a lot more aggression." Humph...there may be some truth to that.

I had a great time being back in the softball atmosphere. I loved being the only girl from our class and actually playing pretty well. The wounds were just an added bonus. That is until now. I am really hurting. My legs are scraped up, my muscles hurt, but bum is sore and my head is aching from being in the heat for that long.That is why I am up right now and that is why I have taken two tylenol PM. I can't lay still without some bodypart burning in pain.

Nice huh??? At least I was safe!

Here are some other pictures from the games.

We looked so professional!

I am pretty sure the singles department had something other than a diaper to write a lineup on.

We had great cheerleaders too!

I am still around

2008-06-06T13:35:00.002-04:00

No excuses. Really. I don't have good reasons for my month+ absence from the blog. Nor do I offer any promises of being better. Sorry.

Today at work is unusually slow and quiet. The whole office is gone to a meeting. I am done with work stuff and have surfed the net as much as I care to on a computer that is monitored by our corporate office. (That sounds bad...oh well). So here I am with nothing really great to report about but I am here none-the-less.

Last month Chanel and I have celebrated our 7th year anniversary! If I had my camera with me I would post some really cute pictures of us. Just imagine it...it can't be that hard since Chanel is a hunk! (do people still say 'hunk'?) Well, he is as cute as ever. He made us dinner reservations at Stoney River and then we went to the batting cages to hit a few balls. This may seem odd, but it is one of my favorite things to do. We have a coed softball game tomorrow and I needed to know if I could still hit a ball-which I can. Chanel got me an awesome iPod touch as a gift. I LOVE IT. It is right up my alley. Music and internet. Yahoo! I love him so much. I have loved spending the last 7 years married to him. 7-year itch??? We must be hydrocortisone baby, because there is no itching here. HEE HEE.

Katie and I are still job sharing. This is a real job too. I mean the kind where you skip lunch if you are too busy or you stay late if things aren't done. I don't know what they were thinking when they gave us all this responsibility: Accounts payable, receivable, Human resources, invoicing , conference calls, web meetings, weekly managers meetings - we are big time. I am still loving it. I love being this important. I don't love being overwhelmed and confused, but I will take the good with the bad.

Vacation Bible School starts on Monday for our church. It is going to go by like a whirlwind. I can't decide who is getting the better end of the deal, me or Katie. She is going to work all week since Chris will be out of town for his family's annual beach trip. And I am going to work VBS all week. It will be fun to have a whole week of Tucker all to myself.

Speaking of Tucker-we are still potty training. If you know how to potty train in a day...I don't want to hear it. Really. Keep that to your self. He could care less about wearing "really cool big boy underwear with lightning mcqueen on it". He could care less about being "such a big boy that pee pees and poopoos on the potty." He could care less that "mommy and daddy use the potty and so do ALL your friends." No, what he says is "I am not that big." "I just like my diaper." Need-less-to-say, this is not going very well. I shouldn't say that. I just mean we are not trained yet. STILL WORKING ON IT.

Until next time...whenever that may be...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

2008-04-28T15:55:00.002-04:00

First the cell phone...
Then the cell phone...
Now the computer.

My computer got attacked by spyware this weekend. I am starting to agree with the crazies that say technology is of the devil. Please tell me this is my "things come in three's" and we are done. I am far to dependant on my phone and computer.

See new song to the right. I just can't seem to get it right.

Why I love Saturdays

2008-04-19T20:48:00.004-04:00

I don't know how Chanel mowed the whole yard like this...but it sure looked cute.

True Boy

Thanks Uncle Keith for letting Tucker adopt the helmet for awhile.
Tucker loves being a football player. Go Dawgs!

Lazarus does not translate like I'd hoped

2008-04-18T13:24:00.003-04:00

In John 11:11 when Jesus said "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." and in John 11:43 Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" I have decided that Lazarus is not really symbolic for anything else...It quite literally means Lazarus and only Lazarus.

So I had to get a new cell phone.

...And insurance

This is a very Biblical cell phone

2008-04-14T08:28:00.003-04:00

Last night I dropped my (just recently returned) cell phone into the bathtub while bathing Tucker. Don't even ask why or how. God was able to return my phone to me like the Prodigal son, now He is going to raise it from the dead like Lazarus.

Praising God in advance for what He is going to do!

So...what's for dinner? Now I know

2008-04-13T16:02:00.005-04:00

I am always in search of a good system. Mostly relating to cleaning, laundry or cooking. This is because I don't have one of my own. This isn't to say that I have never had one. But apparently not one that will stick, work and continually be easy to repeat.

Enter my newest attempt. This one relates to cooking - so here is the background. I like to cook. I like to find new recipes and try new things. I do not like to stand confused in my kitchen with all cabinets open and wonder what's for dinner. I have tried Super Suppers - Loved it until the food all started to taste the same. I have tried whatever the featured dishes are for Publix Apron Simple Meals - loved it until they started to repeat ones I didn't care for and the food was too expensive for one time only. I have tried writing out a weekly menu then the corresponding grocery list - love it done...just don't like doing it. My greatest need boils down to needing to know what I am going to fix for dinner at least the day before. SOOOOOOOO, here is what I am trying now. Chanel and I sat down and wrote down everything (really) I have cooked that we like and would eat again. Totaled about 36. Now, I really only cook 3-4 times a week max (due to weekly activities and...well...just because that is my limit before I start to despise it). With 36 meals written down and a google calendar in front of me I was able to place meals from now until early June. With that all filled out, I then made a google document (admittedly obsessed with google) with all the meal ingredients listed out by section of the grocery store (this step is not done...but, getting there). This means several wonderful things. 1st- We not only know what is for dinner way in advance, but we also don't have to eat the same thing for 2-3 months and then I can just repeat and add in anything new I want to try. 2nd- With the ingredients/grocery items already typed out, I only have to hit print and off to the grocery store I go.

Here is the Calendar so far (side dishes are listed under the details)

Here is the list I take to the store (this only the first two weeks worth).

Fun huh! I am very excited about this. Yes, it was a lot of work initially, but I won't have to do that again. Just copy, paste, print. Please feel free to copy it and use it as your own. If there are any recipes you want...just ask, most of mine are on the computer already from a cookbook we did so it will be very easy to email.

Now...if only I could conquer cleaning...

This is my child on drugs

2008-04-11T14:55:00.006-04:00

I know that three year olds have a lot of energy but add an albuterol treatment and it is downright hysteria. Tucker had a little bit of an allergy issue this week so we pulled out the breathing treatment thing (I know it has a real name...Nebu-something) and did one vial albuterol and one vial pulmicort. Here is the result:

7:45 (15 minutes after the treatment)

He starts speaking in this crazy language. And yes that is Idol Gives Back in the background.

8:15 (45 minutes later)

9:00 (1 hour and a half after treatment) I think this is him winding down

I have added the song that Chanel mentions to my playlist (Angels and Airwaves - The Adventure)

9:30 (2 hours after treatment) He is NOT winding down

10:40pm - Chanel goes into his room and tells him he HAS to go to bed. He was just in there talking about Diego. CRAZY CHILD.

Prodigal Cell Phone

2008-03-28T14:44:00.002-04:00

My cell phone like most people's is my life. I have had a phone since I turned 18 and have never lost it. My current phone is also my mp3 player and has 150 songs on it. I have phone numbers to anything you can think of (approx. 300) that are not written down anywhere else.
On Tuesday, I was a fool and took it to Monkey Joe's while I was playing in and up and down all the big blowup things. This is how attached I am to the silly thing. I couldn't just leave it in the car for an hour? I had to stick it in my pocket. I'm not that important. Me missing a call would not be detrimental to anyone's health. I have a problem.

Well, I lost it. Of course I lost it. I was climbing and sliding and bouncing. What did I think was going to happen? Chanel and I searched each bouncy thing and did not find it. I left my name and Chanel's number at the counter and we reluctantly left the building. It was officially lost. The issue was out of my hands. It wasn't a naked feeling but a not-able-to-breath feeling. It was dramatic. Well, I calmed down at lunch and came to the conclusion that God was going to take care of me. He was going to get my phone back to me. By Friday. I know, I shouldn't put time limits on God. However, I would eventually have to come to terms that I would just have to go get another phone. Anyway, I prayed (seriously, I prayed with expectations.) I had very little doubt that God was going to get it back to me by Friday. Come Friday at midnight...I would worry, but until then- no problem- He has it all under control.

MONKEY JOES CALLED CHANEL ON FRIDAY MORNING ... THEY FOUND MY PHONE. I mean really! God is so good! God cares about me and my phone! This is my PRAISE GOD MOMENT OF THE WEEK! Thank you Lord!!!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TUCKER!!!

2008-03-28T09:36:00.009-04:00

Today is Tucker's 3rd Birthday!It is so hard to believe that it has been 3 years! The tradition on my side of the family is breakfast in bed on your birthday and this is the first year that we did breakfast in bed for him and he really loved it.

Yesterday was the birthday party and here are some pics from that. We went to one of Papa Dave's work sites and he let us drive around in the tractors. The kids were so over-the-top excited. He had two workers there (one spoke perfect english, the other spoke perfect spanish). They told Chanel, Chris and Keith how to drive everything-so the dads did most of the driving and playing. We all had a great time.

This was supposed to be a house...they didn't care it didn't have a roof.

These last two pictures are of Tucker walking with one of the workers and having a full conversation. He just became mister chatty with this guy and the worker just chatted back and got a big kick out of Tucker going on and on. Neither seemed to mind that they didn't speak each other's language.

Chanel and I made this cake all by ourselves!

This morning when I got Tucker up and told him he could pick what he wanted to do on his special day and he said "put more gas in the dump truck and drive in it again!"

A picture is worth...

2008-03-17T20:59:00.004-04:00

What could I possibly want to convey with this picture???
A) I finally got a cordless vacuum (Not the shark. I did some research and the dirt devil got the best reviews and was half the price). It is the greatest little vacuum. Amazon delivered in 2 days for free. Gotta love the internet.
B) Tucker loves using this vacuum to clean the kitchen. (It is so light and easy to maneuver that he also enjoys a game of chasing Flash around the house- Flash equally hates this game).
C) Tucker helped me cook dinner tonight at which point I accidentally spilled olive oil on his head and his hair became a piece of art. Dinner was fantastic. Tucker told Chanel "I made that for you...but I don't want to eat it." (of course not).
D) Today marks the fifth day of potty training (this explains the no pants in the picture) and the first full day of no accidents and not going through any pull-ups/diapers. Thursday (the first day) and Friday I had come to terms with going straight to Depends. Maybe I should have invested in a carpet cleaner instead of a vacuum. I digress, he is doing much much much better and hopefully will soon learn how to tell me when he needs to go potty. (Will I ever stop saying "go potty" or "make sure you push it down" or "is there any pee pee left" or "yeaaaaaaa! you pee peed on the potty! You get a treat")

Anyway, It isn't quite 1,000 words, but this picture says a lot.

And the angels will sing

2008-03-14T14:22:00.004-04:00

I am a glass half-full gal. I get excited about the littlest of things. Some of my excitement could be described as borderline retarded. I don't use that term to be offensive and I would certainly never wish to make light of someone with real mental issues. I have recently been informed that the politically correct word is impaired. So when talking about myself in a crazy-funny-hope-no-one-is-looking sort of way...I will call myself retarded.

It is always a challenge to get Tucker to voluntarily eat vegetables. Yesterday was no different. I pulled a bag of mixed veggies out of the freezer and showed them to Tucker. "Do you want to try these?" "Uhhh, No. I just gonna eat my pirate pasta"
I tell him how pretty they look and point out all the different colors. Finally he agrees that they look as good as ice cream. I cook them and put them in the bowl and of course he says "I don't like those."
Well, the rule here is if you ask me to fix it, you have to try it. Until then, nothing else happens. So we go back and forth for too long and he continues to eat his pasta. I decide to jump in and 'help' him eat his pasta. All the while sneaking peas and corn underneath the pieces of pasta.

He is none the wiser.

Little angelic choirs are going off all around me. Trumpets are playing. Legendary mothers of the past are looking down on me and giving a standing ovation. I begin to smile inside with a touch of hee hee hee added. I am so good. I am so smooth. A three-year-old can not outwit me. I will win every time.

The day is a complete success. Nothing else good needs to happen. I tell myself that this is blog worthy.

Later that day Katie comes to pick up Griffin and I tell her my tales of wonderment in the kitchen. And she has to ask - "how much did you sneak past him?"

"Three pieces of corn and two peas"

They're having a Girl

2008-03-14T14:04:00.004-04:00

Katie and Chris found out they will be having a Girl.
Check out her blog here http://www.thehookers9905.blogspot.com/ and vote on the name ~
Taylor Morgan Hooker or Taylor Madeline Hooker.

Anyone...Anyone...Anyone...Bueller...Bueller...

2008-03-13T13:56:00.004-04:00

My dad sent me a link today for the new movie that Ben Stein is involved in. I checked it out and I am on board to support it to. The trailer is long, but very interesting. It is an absolutely worthy cause!

Like my dad said:
"We've got to get people to see this movie.
If we won't....who will. "

check out this link http://www.expelledthemovie.com/

If retail therapy were a classs...I failed!

2008-03-10T13:21:00.005-04:00

I had been given a $50 gift card to a local department store. (I am leaving the department store unamed so as not to offend anyone). Yesterday I was itching to go shopping so that I would have new clothes for work. Tucker was sleeping so he was at home with Chanel. So far the details are as follows: Free money, no child, blessings from my husband. Could it be any better than this?!

As I walk into the store I notice right away the outfit that my friend's mother was wearing in church that morning. Not a bad thing...just generationally inappropriate for me. I take a glance around at the other customers and I realize they are all older ladies. Again, this is not horrible, we just don't typically share the same taste in clothing. Let's call these observations strike 1.

As I am walking around I hear over the intercom that the associates are playing bingo and they are frequently calling out numbers. In between numbers the music is alternating between elevator classics and something you would hear on an adult alternative station. Strange. I say we are up to strike 2.

I admit that it wasn't very difficult to find some cute items to want to try on, so I had stacked up a pretty large armful of clothes. A sales associate comes by and asks to start a dressing room for me. "Great! Thanks."

Once I have made all my selections, I head to the dressing room. Here is the conversation:
Me "I am ready to start trying on"
Associate "oh you would like a dressing room?"
Me "Actually, you had started one for me, I am just not sure which room the clothes are in."
Associate "I did? Hmmm, what would I have done with those clothes? Do you remember what you had?"
Me "I had a whole bunch of things. Jeans, shirts, skirts."
Associate "I must have gotten confused and returned the items to the shelf."
Me "Really? It was fun the first time, but I don't really want to do it again. Are you sure?"

She was sure and I had to go and search for the clothes again. Definately strike 3! Eventually I made it into the dressing room with whatever I could remember I liked. I get in try-on-clothes-mode (which means practically naked) and before I can even start to try on, the intercom comes on and announces the store will be closing in 15 minutes. WHAT?!?! There is NO WAY I can try all this on in 15 minutes. I dive in and I am puttin on one pant leg and deciding, nope, throw a shirt over my head, yes, whip a dress on, don't bother zipping, i love it, throw two shirts on at one time and yank them off all together. I was flying through. All the while "10 minutes to closing. Number 25 for bingo." The associate kept coming by trying to rush me along. "5 minutes, number 19." I am frazzled. My cute hair is a rats nest at this point. I hurry up and throw my original clothes on and take the ones I don't want down the hall to the discard rack. NOOOOO!!!! I locked myself out of my dressing room. I had to go find miss happy-pants-associate to let me back in. She informs me (just incase all the intercom reminders had fallen on deaf ears) that they closed in 2 minutes. I grab my things and head for the check out. I wasn't really paying attention as he was checking me out. I get escorted out the door which is locked behind me. I feel like I have just been through a tornado so I set all my stuff in my car and decide to look through it to actually see what I bought. Confoundit! I notice that the two shirts that I layered and took off together are rung up as one shirt. At this point I begin to have conflicting thoughts about how much my integrity is worth.
$25, or just go home. I mean it wasn't really my fault. The lady, and the stupid bingo numbers, if they hadn't rushed me....Darn my integrity! So I walk back to the locked store with the shirt and start to knock. They signal that they are closed. No kidding. I wave the shirt while mouthing "I didn't pay for this." Finally they let me in and I pay for the shirt (which looks less cute at this point).

It was as though I had been defeated-by the old lady store! I was exausted at this point. This was NOT the retail therapy I had in mind.

This day in 1980

2008-03-06T23:31:00.001-05:00

Birthdays as an adult are different. That isn't necessarily bad, sometimes they stink, but mostly they are just different. Growing up our birthdays meant breakfast in bed, balloons at school, taken out to lunch, pick a place for dinner, presents, dairy queen cake (my favorite), then more festivities for the rest of the week. Growing up you didn't get "rain checks" on birthday presents.

But today I am 28. This really isn't a big deal because I haven't hit an 'almost 30' depression and I think I have been claiming 28 for the last 6 months anyway. Really I have been wanting to be 27, 28, 29 for as long as I could remember. I mean, those are real adult ages. (or so I thought when I was 18, 19, and 20).

Since I have Tucker I can't just lay in bed pretending I am still sleeping while I wait for Chanel to bring me my traditional breakfast in bed (which he was working on in the kitchen). I had to get up and act like a mom. I had also told a friend that I would take him to his meeting place for his Mexico trip so I had to be up and moving anyway. After the drop off, emissions. After emissions, the tag office. It's strange how no one along the way as they look at my driver's license cares anything about it being my birthday. They just comment on how close to the deadline I am for getting my tag. Tucker is sure that it is his birthday today and all he wants to do is go home and play monster trucks (shocker).

The day really turned out to be very very fun. I was able to hang out with my mom, I got about 20 birthday phone calls, I did get to pick a place for lunch - and my mom treated and then a very fun kid-free dinner that night with friends. I am so lucky that I still get a week of birthday festivities with family and friends. My only real complaint about my birthday this year is that I didn't get the Shark VX3. I guess that's one benefit to having birthdays as an adult. If you don't get what you want...you just go out and buy it for yourself. And I plan to do just that!

Don't let them see us acting like us

2008-03-05T18:02:00.002-05:00

Katie and I started the new job on Monday. On Wednesday we had to go to the regional office in Chattanooga for new employee orientation. Our employer felt bad that we had to go all the way up there, but if you know Katie and I, we were giddy. Although we see each other everyday picking up or dropping off kids, we don't get to hang out and spend fun girl time together.

About 10 years ago, Chanel and I had our first date at a place called the Country Bumpkin. It was a little truck-stop-diner kind of place off of I-75 towards Chattanooga. It was silly, unromantic and certainly comical (a foreshadow into the next decade to come) but it was ours. The next year we thought it would be fun to drive back up there to celebrate at the place where it all began. Much to our disappointment it had burnt down (hopefully NOT a foreshadow of things to come). All that remained was the charred sign, the parking lot and about one quarter of the building. So sad. So as Katie and I drove up I-75 I was interested to see what the ol Bumpkin had become. Here is a picture as we drove by (at about 80 mph).

An RV lot... hmmph.

We made it up to the Aquaterra Siteworks office and had our orientation. (Very little to blog about). I am including a picture of the office...just because we took one.

We broke for lunch and since we thought there might still be an American Cafe restaurant in Chattanooga we set off on a mission to find it. We drove around and got seriously lost. That was with help on the phone and everything. It was all worth it because once we found it it was like old times. Happiness was mine again. (Thanks Katie for putting up with me and this dream to one day eat at an American Cafe again).

We were lost once again driving back to the office. This time we were meeting with Jeff (the VP) and Tammie (I don't remember her title...she pretty much does everything). Unfortunately I dropped food all down the front of my shirt from lunch so instead of relying on my knock-out looks (ha ha) I was going to have to win them over on charm alone. The meeting went great and we were off for home. But not before taking one more picture.

They had a real sign that would have made for a better picture, but then people would have been able to see us acting stupid and that was not the impression we were going for. Ducking behind someones work truck seemed to suit us better anyway.

2008-03-02T15:13:00.011-05:00

Some shots from monster jam!!!

FINALLY!!!

2008-03-01T07:32:00.003-05:00

It's 7:30 in the morning and I am about to get Tucker up to hop in the car to go to MONSTER JAM. I told him last night that he had to sleep and eat breakfast and then it would be time to go. He asked for waffles for dinner hoping that could be the breakfast. It is like Christmas at our house. I just couldn't resist the urge to blog before we left. I don't even have to make breakfast - we are stopping at Chick-fil-A. I am giddy!

Check back tonight for pics of our big day!

Present for Chanel

2008-02-29T15:37:00.004-05:00

I make Chanel read my blog from time to time and I make him tell me he likes it. He plays along very well. Because he is so great in general and because he is such a good sport - it makes me happy when I am able to do something nice for him-just because.

I noticed today that Pinks All Out (a television show he enjoys watching) will be in Atlanta in May at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. I bought two tickets thinking he and his dad can go watch cars race (doesn't even remotely sound fun to me, but I am sure he would rather cut the dogs nails than read my blog). They recently purchased the car you see here and the two of them not only have a wonderful time together, they also share the same love of cars and racing. So surprise Honey! You get to go watch Pinks!!!! (kids get in free so you'd better take Tucker with you---just kidding). I love you- a lot!

Job Snob

2008-02-29T14:58:00.004-05:00

Since last June, Katie and I have worked at a Law Firm. I have really enjoyed saying things like - "Oh, yes, I work for a law firm in Canton." "I'll have to run that by the partners at the law firm." "Me? What do I do? I am a legal assistant." All of these things I say with a certain posture and angle to my nose. Oh, I really think I am big time. Well, all snooty things must come to an end because today is my last day. On Monday I will begin to say things like "I work for the Atlanta office of an engineering firm." (I checked...I can still say 'firm') "I am an administrative assistant" "I only have to drive 10 miles to work" (that one doesn't sound all that snooty, but it is the one that means the most). Yep, we are packing up this side show and moving south to Woodstock where there are no criminals coming to my door and asking for legal advice. (Turns out the law firm wasn't all the uppity - shhh, don't tell anyone). There we will continue our job sharing plan and hopefully our two minds will still work as one (we are a little odd that way).

Hopefully the new office won't have rats (right Kate?).

Never will I ever

2008-02-29T12:13:00.007-05:00

A week or so ago, my siblings/siblings-in-law got onto a discussion about being an adult. We came up with a list of things that are dead giveaways for what we think makes us an adult.

I wake up early without an alarm
8pm is the highlight of the night because the kids go down
9:30pm is way past my own bed time
I like Home Depot...a lot
I can stay in the pool through adult swim
I don't like when the phone rings
Getting the mail is not exciting
I want a broom for my birthday
I made a meatloaf - and my family liked it
When a water pipe busts at the house, I can not just ignore it
Planning my own birthday dinner/gathering
Storms are no longer 'neat', they are leaking windows and potential trees through the roof
The weather channel is the first channel I turn on in the morning
I listen to AM radio - on purpose
I check consumer reports before any purchase
Minivans look cool
I read the nutrition labels on food packages
Bengay smells good
I can use my toes to pick up things
I know how hard it is to tie shoes with one hand
I know which restaurants do not have a changing table in their bathrooms
There are diapers and wipes in my purse - and I am at work
I steal Chick-fil-a bendy-straws, placemats, napkins and wipes
The clothes in the closet are dirty when I take them out (because I put them away with child residue on them)- and I wear them anyway

Thanks Keith, Erin, Chanel, Katie and Chris!

Share yours with me!

Just 2 days away

2008-02-28T14:40:00.002-05:00

Monster Jam is getting ever closer. Today I went out to get the shirt. It happens to just be a shirt with a monster truck on it and it was only $5. Tucker is confused because I keep saying it is only 2 days away and he keeps saying "No, two weeks to monster Jam." I have failed him somehow on days and timing. We finally agree that it is Saturday. That seems to satisfy him for now.

Tonight I am going to a Ladies Night Out with the girls in my Sunday School class. We are all getting together at another lady's house and doing a 'get to know you' sort of thing. Each person is in charge of bringing 2 of their favorite things (edible, dinner-type things). I signed up for my favorite main dish and my favorite drink. Drink is done - a 2 liter of Mountain Dew. I had intended to make yummy Chicken Cresent rolls as my main dish, but as nap time has been shortened by... I don't know what makes nap time short one day and long the next...it is just shorter today, I am thinking that my all time favorite main dish is cereal. We eat it enough. We will have to see what the moods are like once Griffin and Tucker get up and see if I am able to do things with 2 hands. If not, cereal it is.

I handed out this questionaire for everyone to fill out and bring with them tonight and I thought I would share mine

Pick at least 20 of these questions, answer them and bring it with you to Ladies night out.
1. What is your favorite tv show/s

-House, Desperate Housewives, Life, Criminal Minds, Damages

2. Most embarrassing moment
-In the third grade I didn’t understand the way our pods were set up and I thought since the boys bathroom was on my side of the pod and the girls bathroom was in the other pod, I could only use the boys bathroom. So for 6 weeks of school I used the boys bathroom until I saw Paul Ferguson with his pants down and he kindly directed me to the girls bathroom.
3. Favorite restaurant
-Sadly, American Café and Rio Bravo (may they both rest in peace). Currently, Longhorn and Tokyo
4. Sweet or salty?
5. Vacation – favorite place – hot or cold?
6. How long have you been married?
7. Pet peeve
-Pictures out of order, Seatbelts twisted, people who have met you and they don’t acknowledge that you know each other
8. Favorite Book of the bible
9. Age you were saved
10. Dream Vacation
11. How many siblings do you have?
12. What is your love language?
-Words of affirmation
13. What is your spiritual gift?
14. What is the most difficult thing you have ever had to do?
15. Do you have a Guilty pleasure?
-Symphony Chocolate with toffee and almonds, Internet TV
16. Why were you given your particular name?
17. How would your friend describe you to someone who has never seen you?
18. When you have an hour of free time, what do you like to do?
-Be at Borders or another large bookstore
19. What is the strangest thing you ever did?
-Got locked inside a bathroom with my sister at Dairy Queen. I had a job as the Easter Bunny at Northpoint Mall.
20. What is the strangest food you ever ate?
-Chicken Claw
21. What’s one of your worst habits?
-I can be very abrupt and matter of fact
22. What are you wearing today which is most reflective of who you are?
23. If you were given a million dollars and 24 hours to spend it in, (no depositing it in the bank or investing it) what would you buy?
-A house, a monster diamond ring, lots of things at William Sonoma, King size bed, Photo shop, Play set for the backyard, large tv, Laptop, a luxury car, Shark vx3, lots of bags and purses
24. If you had to change your first name right now, what name would you choose for yourself?
-Carly
25. What is the weirdest thing you will ever admit to having done in the past?
-Sleeping at a car dealership (Jack Keefe Ford Lincoln and Mercury Dealership in Crete Nebraska), and peeling car decals off the back of cars so that they read ‘Jack Keef Bras’ then using a bucket as a toilet there for the night.
26. What song best describes you when you first wake up in the morning?
-I need a nap by Weird Al Yancovik and Kate Winslet
27. Are you always early or terminally late?
-Early
28. What is your all time favorite (clean) joke?
-Two hats are hanging on a rack, one says to the other “you stay here, I am going one a head”
29. Do you have any nicknames?
-KJ, KelliJoy, KK, Kelli Kelli
30. Do you have any tatoos?
-no
31. If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be?
-Bree Vandecamp’s house on Desperate Housewives, the house on Journeyman, or the house on Life
32. What's the habit you're proudest of breaking?
-Saying yes to everything
33. What do you order when you eat Chinese food?
-Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice
34. If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
-Maryland
35. What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
-Passion of the Christ tickets – 3 hours, and Garth Brooks tickets – 3 blocks
36. Have you ever taken a picture in one of those little booths?
-Yes, at Kmart with a friend and at Six Flags with Chanel

Toddler Speak

2008-02-27T08:53:00.005-05:00

For anyone who has talking kids I am sure you can relate. They ask you a question "where is my battery" and your brain goes into overdrive. Clearly he isn't actually referring to a battery so what was he playing with that he might have said the word battery? I ask 'clue' questions. "What color is it?"
"My battery." (not so helpful).
"Where did you have it before?"
"In the kitchen." Off to the kitchen we go to search for something that might look like a battery, but certainly isn't a battery. Then he adds "It fell into the hole." Instant lightbulb! He is looking for his silver car that sits on this trailer that he would drop into a slot between the table and the island. Whallah - there it was right in the cabinet of the island. The 'battery' is what he pretends all my spices are so that he can 'fix' his car like Pop. Now I get it.

When he says, "I am going to Mars" this means he is going to dump out all the toys in the cabinet and hide while singing the Backyardigans song "we're going to mars"

"Roar me" means act like a monster and play hide and seek

"Louder" could mean louder, higher, more, brighter, hotter

"You sad mommy?" means, he is playing King and wants to give me something to make me 'feel better'

"Griffin hit me" means, he stood so close to Griffin that Griffin's hand touched him and now he wants Griffin to be in trouble.

"I'm happy" means 'I don't need a nap'

My recent favorite Tuckerism:
Yesterday the power was out at our house from 6:30am to 11:30am. So as we are eating breakfast in the dark Tucker says, "God left the kitchen." Confused as to whether he is wanting to tell me something or if I am supposed to give him a Sunday School answer I say, "No, God is in the kitchen. God is everywhere."
"No - God left and made it dark. Get your Bible and He'll come back."

Tucker Swap

2008-02-25T15:39:00.004-05:00

Today marks one month without TV for Tucker. This may sound bizarre, but one month ago Katie threw out the idea of turning the TV off and seeing if it changed some of Tucker's quirky/frustrating behavior. Well, one month later, I am beside myself excited with the results. Tucker actually seems not only comfortable but happy in social settings. He talks to people who talk to him. He doesn't shut down when he gets scared or freeze when he he spoken to. I am so proud of him and thankful to Katie for suggesting that we try this.

For the first few days I thought this will never work, he won't be able to do this. Then as the days turned to weeks, none of us even miss the tv and he evolved into this new kid! (Chanel and I cheat once Tucker is in bed ---American Idol and Survivor are back on...what are we supposed to do???) I don't even know how else to describe it. Tucker is a totally different person.

Stay tuned (get it?...tuned?...) oh, I am so crazy.

If you can't beat them, join 'em

2008-02-25T14:30:00.007-05:00

There was a time in my life that I had quite the southern accent. If you didn't know me growing up, you might be surprised to learn this. In my adult life (all 10 years of it) I have had people on the phone actually act surprised when I tell them I have lived in GA my whole life. They tell me that I sound like I am from the valley. Much to my dad's dismay, this makes me sort-of happy. I have actually tried to change the way I speak so that it is grammatically correct and not say words/phrases that would geographically place me. I say 'soda' when referring to a canned beverage and can't think of a time when I have used the word 'yonder' to refer to a place. I have no problem with having lived in the south my entire life - as a matter of fact I make the best Brunswick stew most have ever eaten and think real tea must be sweetened (not green or canned). I also get great pleasure when my grandmother refers to Walmart as Walmarts and Target as The Targets. It is part of her charm --- but not mine.

I say all that to say this. I can't think of much that would sound more redneck and country than going to an arena and watching enormous trucks on a dirt field crush other vehicles while wearing ear plugs and shouting "CRUSH EM GRAVE DIGGER!!!" But, I intend to do just that. Come Saturday morning Chanel, Tucker and I (along with our best friends Chanc, Tracey and their kids) will pile into Chanel's work truck and drive approximately 2 hours south to the Macon Centreplex Coliseum to watch Monster Jam Live.

For months Tucker has been asking to go to Monster Jam. He has 10 monster trucks that he plays with, sleeps with, eats with, talks with, he even puts band aides on their 'boo-boos'. If you mention Monster trucks, he will tell you about Monster Jam. For the longest time it was too far away to mention. Now it is Saturday, just 6 days away. He'll even tell you "one week to monster jam!" I can't wait. I am even trying to find him a shirt with grave digger on it.

All those years of refining my image and I have finally made it---Pure white trash! Git er done!

This picture was taken on Christmas eve. We went here on purpose - just to play in the mud. It was great!

Griffin is 1 !!!!!

2008-02-23T20:13:00.002-05:00

Today was Griffin's birthday party and we all had a blast. He seemed to care less about the cake, but made a mild mess for pictures anyway. It was a frog theme and Katie made an incredible frog cake. Hopefully she will post the pictures on her blog. There was tons of friends there and he seemed to really have fun. Great job Katie and Chris! I Love Griffin's fresh hair cut!

It's not fun if it's not loud

2008-02-22T22:56:00.003-05:00

This sure does seem like a "have fun outside of the box" sort of week. Normally on Friday night, we get together with another family but they had other plans so we just stayed home and ate grilled cheese and applesauce. (Good 'ol comfort food). Tucker and Griffin have been in my canned foods all week long and tonight was no exception. Tucker wanted to build a "really tall castle" and then (of course) knock it down. He looks so proud doesn't he. (Don't worry, he cleans it up too).

Is it sad that for my 28th birthday I want a glorified Broom???

2008-02-22T14:41:00.006-05:00

Sunday afternoon I found myself in a daze watching an infomercial for the Shark vx3. Everyday since I have found reasons to need it - Specifically the day of the snowman poop. I looked it up online and it has gotten descent reviews. It is about $80 so I have tried to ignore the urges to just buy it. I believe today was the final straw. Tucker was eating chex mix and I went to put it away and dropped it all over the floor (I wish I had that shark thing). It became a feeding frenzy of sorts. Flash (the dog) moved faster than his breed typically allows and started to inhale whatever pieces were within reach, Griffin, although now a determined walker, realized that crawling was so much faster and also went for as many pieces as he could find and Tucker (the picky eater) noticed that the m&m's in the mix were now his if he moved fast enough. Comical at first. With the dog ushered outside, Griffin on my hip, and Tucker with a mouth full of m&m's I got the broom and dust pan. (It only weighs four pounds). Tucker "helps" by holding the dustpan (The commercial even shows a little kid using it) and shaking it with excitement anytime I get anything in it.
I should have just let the dog have at it.

Don't be fooled this picture is of the controlled mess.

Yep, I am one of those moms

2008-02-22T14:30:00.005-05:00

Tucker is NOT an adventurous eater. I know that there are things he would like, but he would never try something to find out. So I have been known to encourage 'playing' with our food until it ends up in his mouth. Here is today's success story.

Oh yeah...Taxes

2008-02-21T09:20:00.005-05:00

I feel the need to calm everyones nerves about the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway. I know that I put you all on pins and needles when I explained that I got all dolled up for the big announcement and then never updated you on my status. After the entire day came and went and no one came to my door I decided to recheck HGTV's website and learned that they aren't naming a winner until March 16. We can all relax until then. I have had to juggle some things around to make sure I am available...but I think I can make it work. Silliness aside - I really want that house. Have you seen it? It is just slightly nicer than my current living arrangements. Being on the beach isn't a bad perk, or the free Yukon.

(This photo is straight from the HGTV website. I'm sure I don't have express permission to use it)

Every time I mention it to Chanel this is what he says - "If you won that, we would sell it. Can you imagine the taxes you will have to pay on that thing. It would put us in a whole new tax bracket. We wouldn't be able to afford the taxes on the car alone..." I am stopping here, because I won't bore you with the next 30 minutes of oral arguments we have over the pains of winning something this cool!

Here is a picture of when we went to the beach in October.

Cross your fingers that I have to pay some major taxes next year!!!

Happy Birthday Keith!!!! 30 30 30 30 30 30

2008-02-21T08:40:00.004-05:00

Today is my brother's birthday, so this post is for him. In honor of his birthday I am going to recap one of my favorite childhood memories. Actually it is just my favorite story to tell...not really such a good memory.

When we were younger we had sort of a love hate hate relationship. We are very close in age so there was potential to be friends. (Less potential after this particular event). We decided it would be a lovely idea to play chicken with our bikes. (Now that I think about it, it was my bike). We all know how chicken works, person A goes towards person B and if someone doesn't move, then there is a collision. We had been playing this for a while and I moved every time. I suppose I thought I had something to prove and in my head I claimed victory by deciding not to move. Next, the concrete confirmed with my head that I had in fact not been victorious, but had been run over by my own bike. I remember Keith thinking it was so funny, but I also remember being persuaded to "not tell mom" - in both our best interests of course.

I suppose it would have been nicer to tell about how he literally wiped my tears away and calmed me down when I was crying because of the rain at my outdoor wedding, or the incredibly touching toast he, as the best man, gave at the reception, or to tell about how he and I had some awesome times working together at The American Cafe (may it rest in peace), or the YMCA. Truly, there are so many many great memories that have changed our love hate hate relationship to one of love, respect, admiration and enjoyment. I am so honored to call him my brother and can't wait for the next 30 (minus any bikes).
I realize that for someone who has been in my life for its entirety, this is not a lot of pictures. However, I am at work today and these are the ones on my computer. So - Happy birthday Keith, may someone call you and act like granddad while they sing a tweaked rendition of Happy Birthday your Majesty. (It's okay, you can admit it...you miss the song).

What we do when we do nothing...

2008-02-19T13:20:00.001-05:00

Today I didn't want to go anywhere. I did however get dressed in something that would match my new blue and white earings. I mean I put on makeup and everything...with no intention of leaving the house. In the back of my head I knew that today is the day they announce the HGTV dream home winner so I have to be ready...you know for the cameras and people. Sometimes I think I am so stupid. Oh well, I like the earings. Terminix showed up unexpectedly- at least I wasn't in my pj's still.

I decided to blow up about 12 balloons and tie them to my attic door and let the boys just play.

I stole this idea from a fellow blogger/friend, so just know that I am not this creative. It's funny the things we do. It took me about 25 minutes to blow all the balloons up (because every other balloon I had to let go and let fly all over the room for Tucker), then they played with them for about 5 minutes. Oh well, that is 30 minutes of the day that I occupied with something...I count that a success. Now it is close to lunch time and that will take about an hour. That means it is really almost nap time. My how the days fly by!

We have these huge boxes in our garage that are full of "snowman poop." I thought it would be fun to bring one of the boxes in the house to paint. I was sure that not emptying the snowman poop would be okay since I taped the top of the box closed.

I was wrong.

Once everything got cleaned up, we painted and it was so cute and fun.

I think it comes out of clothes.

If everyone jumped off a bridge...

2008-02-19T13:06:00.000-05:00

I keep telling people that although I feel like life is off-the-charts busy, it is also boring in a 'nothing-to-talk-about' sort of way. So up until now (obviously) I have not felt the need to blog. Frankly, it took me a good year or so to understand what a blog was. But as with most everything I now do (facebook, myspace, texting) I have succumbed to peer pressure. Maybe it is just the desire to be cool and have a blog url address, I don't know.

I have learned something about myself through this process of peer pressure --- If everyone jumped off a bridge...I would do my research, google it a few times, wait a year or two to see the response, do things close to but not quite, then eventually, yes, I think I would jump off a bridge too. Sorry mom.

Here are the characters of my blog, err...life

Chanel My cute-as-ever husband for almost 7 years. He has a sense of rhythm I was not blessed with.
Tucker my almost 3 year old. He is too fun!
Griffin this is my 1 year old nephew that I watch half of the week. He belongs to my sister Katie and brother-in-law, Chris. (www.thehookers9905.blogspot.com)

Then there is me, Kelli I always have the camera so there really aren't any pictures of just me.

So that is it huh? This is blogging. I feel older, I feel very smart, I feel one more thing on my to-do list, I feel so cool! No wonder peer pressure works so well.