24 hours...

I can't believe it's been over a year and a half.

2010-11-30T22:20:00.008-05:00

I disappeared from the blogosphere quite some time ago. Lots of things have been happening since the last time I posted anything.

Most importantly.... We had a baby!!

We welcomed Kady Leah Ann into our little family on June 16, 2010.

We were so happy to finally have our little girl. Boys are great, but this little girl was born a princess!

We have been blessed that Little B. loves his sister so much. At 4 and a half years old he is such a little grow up when it comes to taking care of her. He just loves helping with everything from feeding to diaper changes.

Amazingly it has been 5 and a half months since little Kady joined us, I just can't belive how fast time is going. Much faster than it did with the first child.

We just had holiday pictures made and this is my favorite one, it really shows how much B. loves his little sis.

I also STARTED MY OWN BUSINESS! I have recently become a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant.

I decided to start selling Mary Kay because not only do I really enjoy their products, I am completely in LOVE with one product in particular, the Extra Emollient Night Cream, and I wouldn't have purchased it without my neighbor mentioning to me that she was selling Mary Kay.

I have been having trouble finding a cream that would help with the extreme dry skin that my son was dealing with in random spots on his body. Poor kid looked like he had patches of aligator skin.

When I heard my neighbor sold Mary Kay I remembered a Mary Kay product (the Emollient Cream) that I would use of my mother's when I had really bad dry skin in high school. I purchased the cream and within 2 days my son's skin started looking better.

I have been using the cream on his dry spots for about a month now and they are barely noticable. I can't say how much I love this stuff.

If you are interested in any Mary Kay products, take a hop on over to my Mary Kay site, where you can shop online 24 hours a day.

www.marykay.com/meredith.sawyer2

Macy's Friends and Family Event is Back (25% off coupon)

2009-04-25T17:36:00.004-04:00

I posted about Macy's Friend's and Family sale event in November, and guess what... It's back!
I was given the opportunity to share this sales event with you and the coupon to save 25% while you shop. Macy’s Biggest Savings event just got Bigger! From Wednesday, April 29-Monday, May 4, 2009, Macy’s will be sharing their Friends and Family employee discount for 6 incredible days of savings and shopping!

Be sure to check out Macy's for great deals for Mother's Day and Swimsuit season, both of which are just around the corner!

Grab the coupon HERE!

Enjoy,

Passing it along...

2009-04-17T09:55:00.002-04:00

I found this on Soxy Deb's blog, who took it from Lisa's blog, and now I am passing it on to you. I agree so much with this.

It's a Proposed Revised Preamble to the Constitution

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes ..

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair or lethal injection.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

Can I get an AMEN?!?! (*steps down from soapbox)

Pass it along if you agree. It's time society had an attitude adjustment for the sake of our great nation.

Writer's Workshop: 400 Bones

2009-04-16T09:41:00.004-04:00

How excited am I??? Mama Kat just gave me $400 to spend on any ONE thing I want! I can't wait to go shopping.

If I had $400 to spend any way I please, and my husband could not object to me spending the money, I would buy a laser grip for my new S & W 38. The one I want is less than $400 so Mama Kat would be getting some change back.

I heard a story while in a gun shop about a woman who lived in a very expensive neighborhood in the area and her husband had just purchased a gun for her to use for personal protection while he was out of town on business. The night she got the gun, her husband was not at home, and she was sitting in her living room reading the owner's manual of her new weapon. A few minutes later the lady heard someone break into her house and he was approaching the room she was in.

This woman had never used a gun before, and it was not even loaded, but she turned on the laser that was built into the grip, pointed it at the intruder, and when he saw the red dot on his chest he ran. When the cops showed up they found the intruders shoe, which he lost while jumping a fence to get away.

I have been amazed at how often home are getting broken into in this area, while people are in the house. This has been happening during the day or night and at an alarming rate. I want to be able to protect my home and family in the best possible manner, and if a little red dot would help, then that's what I want. I would like to say that if my husband were home and someone broke into our house, he would be the one facing the intruder, but I know that is not true. I think I have convinced Hubbs that should that happen, I will be the one to take matters into my own hands, one because I can be a mean SOB when pushed, and the law is easier on women thank men in that situation. Plus it would be fun to use at the range.

So, my spending spree would be not just for fun, but also for practical purposes. If you are not a fan of guns in the home, please don't judge.

Tools

2009-04-15T10:34:00.005-04:00

The tools to a great education...

Too bad this stuff doesn't come in Diet. Sierra Mist - Cranberry Splash

Ooh I bet it would make a great vodka mixer too... Friday, where are you ?

The Grayson Rose

2009-04-15T08:49:00.006-04:00

My favorite local radio station is the home town station for a nationally syndicated radio show, The Matt and Ramona Show, that is probably the best radio show in the US. Matt and Ramona have been working together since 2000 and they are just a great team. I have been listening to the show for as long as I can remember. Listening to Matt and Ramona everyday you really get to know who these two people are in real life.

Recently, Matt, of the Matt and Ramona show, and his wife Amy had to experience a tragic event that I cannot even begin to imagine. Matt and his wife lost their second baby girl when Amy was 35 weeks pregnant.

I remember driving to school after work one day listening to the show. I wondered where Matt was and why everyone else on the show seemed so somber. Then, between stories, Ramona told the audience why Matt was not in the studio that day, and that he would not be back for a while. He and his wife needed time to grieve the loss of their baby girl, Grayson.

I broke down in tears driving down I-77 at the news. What an awful thing for anyone to have to go through. I thought of how I would feel if one day my baby, B., was not here anymore, and that is something I would not wish upon anyone. It breaks my heart just thinking about it now.

This post is not meant to be a downer. I wanted to share with you all the Grayson Rose, and what it means, how it will help, and how you can get one. This post is not sponsored by anyone, and I was not asked to share this information, I think it is something you all will be interested in.

The Grayson Rose, pictured above, is available from Ashdown Roses and proceeds will be supporting March of Dimes.

"From the fields of the French nursery Delbard comes this outstanding shrub
bearing dark velvet-red blooms all season long. The plant grows upright, is well
foliated and very disease resistant. Delbard has been growing and breeder roses
for over 70 years and we are delighted they have allowed this rose to be called
The Grayson Rose in support of this great cause."

The Grayson rose is available for $18.95, and this year 40% of the proceeds will go to March of Dimes. When 1 in 8 babies are born too soon and March of Dimes is working so hard to help these children live healthy lives, there could not have been a better organization to benefit from this rose.

Ashdown Roses will be shipping this rose in September, which should be the proper time to plant in most areas. While on the Matt and Ramona Show, Paul Zimmerman said the rose could also be shipped at another time should September not be appropriate in your area. And for those of you who do not have a garden, or do not own your home, this rose can be planted in a container, so you could take it with you if you move.

This rose would make a great Mother's Day gift, or Father's Day gift to a father who loves to garden, a birthday gift, or just as a reminder that you care to a family who may have been affected by a premature birth.

I am happy to share this information with you because it is a great cause, I have grown to love Matt and Ramona and their entire cast, and this tragedy affected them all, and the Grayson Rose is just a beautiful rose.

Magnolias

2009-04-14T13:48:00.005-04:00

I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . .

So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!

To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church. After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before midnight, I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any bride had ever had!

The music, the ceremony, the reception - and especially the flowers - would be remembered for years. The big day arrived - the busiest day of my life - and while her bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiance Tim walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check....

When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them - all the beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm during the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on that hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died. I panicked, knowing I didn't have time to drive back to our hometown, gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding. Tim turned to me, 'Edna, can you get more flowers? I'll throw away these dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements.' I mumbled, 'Sure,' as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.

Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in the arched ceiling. 'Lord,' I prayed, 'please help me. I don't know anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers - in a hurry!'

I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of white magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds. As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house....No dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . .No shotgun.. When I stated my plea the man beamed, 'I'd be happy to!' He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, 'Sir, you've made the mother of a bride happy today.' 'No, Ma'am,' he said. 'You don't understand what's happening here.' 'What?' I asked.

'You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday.. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. 'On Wednesday I buried her.' He! looked away.. 'On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday - yesterday - my children left.' I nodded. 'This morning,' he continued, 'I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried, 'Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!' I began to cry louder. 'Nobody needs me!' About that time, you knocked, and said, 'Sir, I need you.'

I stood with my mouth open. He asked, 'Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room...' I assured him I was no angel. He smiled. 'Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those magnolias?' 'No.' 'I decided I'm needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They're all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches - all sorts of places. You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!'

I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy's wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, 'Forget it! It's my only daughter's wedding, for goodness' sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.' But God found a way. Through dead flowers. 'Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.' If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.

If you have missed some of my emails, you may have missed a laugh. But, if you have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, you have missed everything in the world.

May God's blessings be upon you. THIS IS SO TRUE, BEING NEEDED IS SO UPLIFTING TO EACH OF US.

This was in an email from a friend and thought it was such a lovely story that I needed to share. I hope it brings some brightness to your day. Thanks Roxi!

All Star Buddies.com

2009-04-13T11:09:00.003-04:00

As a mom to a 3 year old, I am always looking for ways to get him involved with the computer. I think the way technology is changing so fast and becoming such a major part of life, kids need to be introduced to it at an early age.

In looking for fun, yet safe, websites for me and my son to visit, I have realized it is hard to find a really great kid site. I was recently asked to review the new AllStarBuddies.com website and was very pleased with what I found.

Here is a little information from the About Us page of the website:

About Us
The All Star Buddies world was created by two moms
who share a passion for sports, fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle.
As their children grew more interested in spending time on the Internet, they
realized that there was a noticeable gap online between websites that were
created for entertainment and those developed for education. They set out to
find a way to seamlessly weave important learning into the fun and adventures
that their kids were having online. And so All Star Buddies was born.
As
sports lovers, they chose the sports theme because it offered the opportunity to
speak to kids using real game concepts and ideas in an imaginative and virtual
way. The sports theme also allowed them to incorporate important lessons such as
problem solving, teamwork, good sportsmanship, fitness and good nutrition
throughout the games and adventures so that kids would be exposed to these
messages while playing. Other concepts like taking care of the environment and
the importance of staying active and playing real sports are important to the
All Star Buddies team and can also be found throughout Varsity
Heights.

Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe,
entertaining and educational virtual world for kids 6+. All Star Buddies takes
you on a virtual adventure throughout the town of Varsity Heights.
This magical sports town offers endless games and activities while teaching important
lessons such as good sportsmanship, teamwork and the importance of leading a
healthy and active life.
We built this website and virtual world to bring
kids of all ages and skill levels together on an equal playing field to have
fun, compete and socialize. In Varsity Heights, every kid can be an all star and
everyone is part of a winning team.

This website is easy to navigate, with bright colors and cool caracters.
This is 'CHIP', my favorite character.

Your child will love this website and so will you. Go check it out and see how much fun there is to be had, from games online to printable coloring pages, this site is a fun place for your child to play on the internet, while meeting other kids their age and being safe at the same time.

Happy Monday to all,

How Sweet is This?

2009-04-08T13:28:00.006-04:00

I found this on my big brother's, girlfriend's myspace page as a comment that he left for her. He is not one to be a lovey-dovey guy, so this fits him perfectly. Here is a picture of him.

If you can't read what it says, here it is:

I wish the zombie apocalypse would happen,
because I think I could make it.
And I think I could save you.
Maybe we could find a cure and save the world,
or maybe we'd just fall in love.

How sweet is that? I don't know any girl that wouldn't love for her man to tell her that.

ps: He doesn't know I am posting this, I hope he doesn't read my blog.

I want to introduce a NEW BLOGGER!

2009-04-01T21:07:00.005-04:00

My mother-in-law has just set up a blog! Judy Has Hats is her outlet to bring her amazing handmade hats to the world. As far as I know the main posts will be the 'Featured Hat of the Day' posts. The first one is up now, featuring a hat that I fell in love with. Unfortunately, when she was in town visiting for a bit about a month ago, the hat was still back up north in her house. To my surprise, the day before she left to go home she showed up at the house with a hat that looks almost exactly the same. I was so excited.

Of course, now, here in NC we are going through our Moody season, days of 70-80 degrees followed by days of 40 degree weather. So I don't know if I will have a chance to wear the hat this year.

Anyway, the reason I am posting this is because I need the help of all my loyal followers to spread the word about my mother-in-laws site. These hats are totally amazing, and warm, and super cute. My son has 4 of them. It's too cute, everytime she is at the house visiting Little B. and he see a color of yarn that he likes, he just has to have a new hat, and of course, loving grandma that she is makes it for him.

Thanks in advance for spreading the news for me.

The Terrible 2's curse has been lifted!

2009-03-31T12:38:00.004-04:00

Little B. turned 3 at the beginning of this month. I don't think I have the words to express how different our child has been in the last 4 weeks. B.'s vocabulary has grown amazingly, which has helped with the frustrated tantrums we used to experience. He is also coming out of his shell and has friends in the neighborhood that he asks to play with. He will even leave the room that I am in to go play with other kids or all by himself. The clinginess is definitely gone.

We used to have the worst time getting B. to go to bed alone. I spoiled him by letting him sleep with me for the longest time, and when Hubbs and I got married it was difficult for B. to sleep in his own room without me. So I would end up sleeping in B.'s room all night. We decided about 6 months ago to start putting him in bed by himself and letting him cry it out until he went to sleep. This was hard on all of us as he would sometimes cry for an hour before falling asleep, or I would get really sad and let him get up and fall asleep on the couch or in my lap. However, since turning 3, B. has been going to sleep and staying asleep by himself with no problems. I tell him 15 minutes before bedtime that he needs to settle down because he only has "minutes" before bedtime, and when that time comes I tell him to give Papa, Chewy, and Eddy goodnight kisses and tuck him into bed.

Last night he got in bed and covered up by himself and then rolled over to look up at me and said "goodnight mama" while waving and pointing to the door. As I turned to walk out of his room he even told me that I needed to "shut door."

We have even begun potty training, but without really training. In the evenings, after bath time, we have been letting B. run around without a diaper and with his little potty in the room with us. Every few minutes one of us will remind him that if he needs to potty he needs to sit on the potty and do it, not on the floor. B. seems to be at a stage where he is comfortable moving into the big boy world and has been very good at using the potty by himself when needed.

I am so excited about the person Little B. is becoming. He has the greatest personality, and is changing so much every day. It's amazing how much has changed this fast. To all of those parents out there suffering with the terrible 2's, hang in there, it will get better, and you won't believe how fast it all changes.

My new obsession...

2009-03-27T12:34:00.001-04:00

So I decided that I really needed a way to get motivated to get in shape. I bought a Nike Plus Sport Kit, and I am hooked. It's this little sensor that you put in your shoe and a receiver that attaches to your Ipod nano or Ipod touch. Then all you do is run or walk and it tracks your workout. When you get home you sync your Ipod and your workout information is sent to your Nike Plus account so you can track yourself. You can even set up workout schedules, and join competitions with other runners throughout the world.

I just got the kit last weekend, so I have only run twice with it, but it is so much fun to be able to see your distance, pace, calories burned, and listen to music while you run.

My first run on Tuesday.
The details:
2.27 Miles
25 minutes, 53 seconds
11 minutes, 21 seconds per mile/ average pace
219 calories burned

Now, I am not a good runner, nor do I claim to be, but I think this is a pretty good start.

My second run on Wednesday:
The details:
2.90 Miles
32 minutes, 30 seconds
11 minutes, 11 seconds per mile/ average pace
279 calories burned

This run was better. I found a trail that I really like. It weaves through the woods at a local park and has lots of ups and downs. Although it was pretty muddy Wednesday, I still enjoyed myself and felt good afterward.

In the past I have posted that I was going to workout, and it never really happened. This time I am determined. It feels really good to get outside and run without other distractions.

If any of you out there are runners that use the Nike Plus sensor let me know. I would like to know how it is working for you. Do you find it easier to get out and run knowing that you can link your workout info to the web and share with others via the Nike Plus website?

From the Church Bulletin...

2009-03-27T09:30:00.005-04:00

I received an email this morning with bloopers from church bulleins that were just so funny I have to share.....

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
**********
The sermon this morning: 'Jesus Walks on the Water.'
The sermon tonight: 'Searching for Jesus.'
**********
Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
**********
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to someone who doesn't care much about you.
**********
Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
**********
Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
**********
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
**********
Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
**********
Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
*********
A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
*********
At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir practice.
*********
Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
*********
Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
*********
Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
*********
The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
*********
Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM - prayer and medication to follow.
*********
The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
*********
This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
**********
Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.
*********
The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
********
Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
*********
The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
********
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
*********
The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new campaign slogan last Sunday: 'I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours.
*********

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!

Not the day I wanted...

2009-02-20T15:24:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I thought to myself that I sure would love to be able to take today off work. I really wanted to get the rest of the painting done and touch up the little spots where paint got under my tape, and have the other things in the room clean and organized so that when the new furniture was delivered tomorrow, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get stuff finished.

Well, I got today off. But not in a way I wanted. I wanted my boss to call and say that since I am the best (see 'only') employee he has, I should just take the day off to do as I please. Unfortunately, I got the day off because I have been up since 3:30am with a puking child. Yeah, once again the midnight vomit monster has struck our house.

I don't understand why this stuff always happens at night. But the good parents we are, we jumped right up, I had B. in the bathroom cleaning him up and telling him that it was ok to be scared, throwing up is a scary thing, while Hubbs immediately grabbed the carpet foam and cleaned up the mess in the room. Of course, we could not get back to sleep, every sound you hear makes you think there is more cheeseburger on it's way to the bed.

It's now 5:30pm and Little B. is taking his third nap of the day. I haven't been able to keep any liquids in him, and that has me a bit worried because he has not had a wet diaper all day. I called the Dr. and they said there is a bug going around, which I already knew, because Hubbs had the same thing Monday and Tuesday this week. As instructed I will continue to give B. little sips of pedialyte while holding him with a bucket in our lap.

I have washed 4 loads of laundry so far, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom floors more times than I can count, and have not gotten anything accomplished by way of painting the living room. Thank goodness Hubbs will be home in an hour and a half and can take over vomit duty while I get things done.

I think I am in over my head!

2009-02-19T14:50:00.003-05:00

I have taken it upon myself to paint our living room. Without the help of Hubbs. I was actually told that I could paint any color I wanted and paint whatever I wanted, as long as I did not ask him for help. Oh what a gentleman he is!

So, last night I gathered all my supplies from the store, picked out a sage-gray color for the walls, and we got furniture moved last night.

I think I am in over my head because I have to have everything done by Saturday morning because our new furniture is being delivered sometime Saturday. I have really only painted a bathroom by myself before, with the exception of the room I painted with quotes scattered on all the walls. But that was not a real paint job because I didn't have to tape off anything or paint around doors or windows.

Haha, boy, do I have Hubbs fooled (and myself for that matter.) I think this may become a test of just how much I can get away with in the future. If all goes well, I can see Hubbs letting me undertake pretty much any project I beg of him; conversely, if all goes terribly wrong, I may never be allowed in the hardware store ever again. However, the in-laws are in town. We conveniently have fairly large projects to tackle whenever they are in town, and they are such a big help. Grandma is great with Little B. and can keep him occupied and out of our hair, and Grandpa knows how to fix or accomplish anything having to do with a house.

I will make sure there are pictures taken of anything that will bring laughter to you all. Like if the paint bucket on top of the ladder falls and we end up with an entire room of sage-gray. Lets hope that doesn't happen.

Approaching a milestone...

2009-02-13T10:59:00.003-05:00

Well, I think we may be approaching the greatest milestone of anyone's life.... The day the kid learns to potty all by himself!

Last night I saw Little B. get that look on his face like he was about to poop, so Hubbs suggested he go and do it on the potty. GREAT Suggestion.

I took B. to the potty and told him to go and after a bit of confusion on his part as to how the whole poop in the potty thing works, HE DID IT!

I was so excited. Hubbs even let him have ice cream when he should have been going to bed.

I can only hope that he keeps this up and eventually learns to go tinkle in the potty too.

My fingers are crossed.

Happy Valentines Day a day early to all of you.

I guess I was called out...

2009-02-12T12:15:00.004-05:00

Heatherlyn left me a comment on a previous post a few minutes ago saying that my blog has not been showing up in her blog roll. Ummm, yeah, about that.... I have obviously not been here in a while. Since January 30th to be exact. It's horrible, I have been neglecting this blog for 2 weeks now. I don't know that I have gone this long without a post ever in the past.

You see, a few weeks ago the high for the day was like 23 degrees F, which may not be that bad to some of you out there, but the natives of North Carolina are not made for that kind of weather! So , when the weather warmed up to highs in the upper 60's and lower 70's two days later, I went outside with Little B. I don't know why warm weather makes life seem busier, but it sure has lately.

The days are getting longer, and B. wants to play outside with the other kids, which is wonderful that he is coming out of his shell and making friends. Other than playing outside in the evenings, I really haven't added much to my daily routine, but I feel like I have not had time to stop and rest.

I have done one really cool thing since the last time I posted, I sold my huge goldfish. I was really sad to see them go, but they were just too big for the aquarium I had them in, and since we really can not buy a bigger house at the moment, I could not get a bigger aquarium. Two of the fish I had to let go of were the first two fish we had. Hubbs won them at the county fair by throwing ping pong balls into little fish bowls. I never would have thought 'fair' fish would have been as healthy and beautiful as these fish turned out to be.

So I took four fish to the local pet shop and the owners were absolutely shocked at the size and beauty of these fish. I felt like the best fish mommy in the world! I did get some baby fancy goldfish, a hoplo catfish, some live plants, and much needed water conditioner for free. I think the pet shop lady got a fantastic deal on the fish, seeing as how she will now sell them for $30 a piece, and I went home with about $30 worth of stuff. But I am not one to be greedy, and I really could not have taken home anything else as over crowding was the problem I had to begin with.

I am very pleased with the look of the tank now with the live plants and baby fish. Now if this housing market would pick up again, I could have that 125 gallon aquarium I dream of....

Deep, Dark, Evil

2009-01-30T13:40:00.003-05:00

For someone who has not touched the treadmill in at least 6 months, I feel pretty good after 1.5 miles. I do feel like a wuss for not doing more than that, but seeing as it's been so long since I have done any kind of exercise I guess it's not so bad.

This week has been so busy. With school back in session, Tuesday and Wednesday's are long days. I get up at 6:30am and usually don't get home until around 9:45pm. This is the first semester that I have had classes on back-to-back nights and I don't really like it because I don't get to see Little B. very much these days. At least this is the last semester I will be in school. Unless I win the lottery and quit my job so I can go back to school and get a bachelors degree and be home with the kid the rest of the time. That would be nice.

I have decided that I am going to let Brandon watch one tv show a night when I am home. Last night while I was on the treadmill, I was letting him watch tv and all he does is fuss about what show is on, or how he wants another show, or game... I finally turned off the tv and hid the remote, and the house was much calmer. Now, of course, Hubbs is not home during the no tv time. I would be a single woman if I tried to control the tv when he is home. On Monday, Thursday, and Friday's Hubbs works until 7, sometimes later, so I have Brandon by myself, and I just can't take all the fussing any longer. Especially when his fussing is more like top-of-the-lungs screaming!

In other news....

I have discovered that my amazing husband has a deep-dark evil side to him. It seems a sweet thing like an adorable little grey and white spotted kitten makes this monster-within appear.

Here's how it went down...

Hubbs: I'm taking the dogs out to walk.
Me: Ok. Hey Brandon, if you don't stay at the table with that brownie I will throw it in the trash.
Me: (looking out the sliding glass door)

Awww, Brandon look at this cute little kitty that is in the backyard! Isn't it cute?
Brandon: Kitty Kitty
Me: Look, he/she is so sweet, it is coming right up to me. Do you want to keep it? I wish we could but Papa is supposedly allergic to cats. And he said Chewy would eat it.
Brandon: IN HOUSE! IN HOUSE!
Me: (calling Hubbs on the phone) Hey, bring the dogs in the front door there is a kitten in the backyard.
Hubbs: Well get rid of it.
Me: I pushed it out the fence and it keeps coming back. Brandon wants to keep it.
Hubbs: I'll be there in a minute.

Hubbs brings the dogs in the front door and has this look of determination on his face that I don't think I have ever seen (with some evil thrown in for good measure.)

Me: Awww, but Hubbs, he/she is so sweet. It wants in the house.
Brandon: IN HOUSE!
Hubbs: (continues walking the distance to the back door.)
Me: What are you going to do?
Hubbs: Break It's Neck, that's what!

Hubbs then proceeds outside and Brandon and I are pleading with him to be nice. Then the hose comes out and he sprays the poor thing with water until it leaves. I guess it's better than killing it by breaking it's little neck.

Hubbs: There, it won't come back now.

Me: Well you didn't have to spray it with the hose. That's so mean. Say it with me Brandon, "Mean Papa" (it got to below freezing last night, so the poor thing probably froze to death.)

Brandon: Mean Papa

Hubbs: No, what would have been mean is if I had gotten my gun.

Now that's what I call a deep-dark evil side. I don't know how anyone can not love a sweet, adorable, cuddly thing like a kitten.

On my way to this...It must stop!

2009-01-28T21:14:00.004-05:00

If I don't stop what I am doing and start taking care of myself I am going to end up looking like this cat! It's amazing that while on a cruise, where the average vacationer gains a pound a day, I didn't gain ANY weight at all. Back at home, however, I can't seem to not gain weight. I know I posted a while back about getting into shape for the cruise, well that didn't go anywhere.

I have to stop this and get it under control. As of Tuesday, I have had well under 2000 calories a day, and I hope to find a good routine with a daily intake of around 1500 calories and get on the treadmill at least 4 times a week.

Wish me luck, or just tell me to get off my ass, it might help more.

Time to speed thing up...

2009-01-28T12:28:00.004-05:00

I am being lazy here so I am going to shorten up summary of the rest of the cruise that Hubbs and I went on.

I put our pictures into slideshows by the location of the pictures. That way, if you want to see them you can, if not, then skip them; it's up to you.

Here are the first pictures:

This was our trip to FL. and the day we boarded the ship. It also includes the pictures we got at the show the first night and the two formal night pictures that were taken onboard.

Key West:

We had so much fun strolling up and down Duvall St. Such a beautiful place. A great day ending with Jason taking a much needed nap.

Grand Cayman:

We swam with the stingrays, which is something I can scratch off my 'I never thougth I would have done that' list. The last pictures of the slideshow are from our balcony showing the stormy weather we were heading into. From Wednesday night through the rest of the cruise the waters were this choppy or worse. Thank the Lord for the motion sickness patch.

Jamaica:

We went to Prospect Plantation, and had the best tour guide and jitney driver ever! They were so funny, and the driver took a bit of a likening to me... Hubbs better watch out, I may move to Jamaica, I know people...

Extra Pics:

Not many pics here. The towel animals that were in our room most nights, some pics of Bill and Michelle our dinner partners, and Hubbs and I after some drinks at the comedy show.

Hope you all enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for reading.

On with the trip>

2009-01-26T10:20:00.004-05:00

So to start where I left off, here is a pic of Hubbs getting annoyed with me on the bus to the port:

From Cruise2009

I know he is gonna kill me for putting this picture up, but I want you all to know the kind of man I am married to. Always a laugh.

Here we are so excited to finally be getting to the port and about to have the vacation we have always dreamed of...

From Cruise2009

My mom's main concern with us going on this cruise was, "are you sure there are enough life boats for everyone?" Well mom, yes, there are enough life boats for everyone, including crew...

From Cruise2009

Since we were allowed to board the ship early and the rooms were not all cleaned yet, they sent us all up to the Lido deck to eat. If you are not a fish eater, please avert your eyes. I love smoked salmon! And what a treat that I could get a smoked salmon bagel ANYTIME I wanted! Man, if things keep going this way, I am never getting off the boat...

From Cruise2009

While sitting and enjoying our lunch, this was our view of the port...

From Cruise2009

We finally made it to our rooms around 2:00pm, but not after having a drink at the poolside bar...

Me: Hey Jason, look here...

From Cruise2009

Jason: Huh? What?...
Jason: Oh Yeah...

From Cruise2009

Here is our room...

From Cruise2009

And our balcony...

From Cruise2009

Of course, we wanted to be able to sit out here and watch us pull away from port, however, the International Law of Cruise Ships, or something like that, mandated that ALL passengers leave their rooms and find their assigned life boat. Kinda like a fire drill in school. Hubbs and I thought we would be sneaky and just not go, and then there was the intercom message telling us that we couldn't leave port until all guest were at their assigned stations. They even come and check every room to make sure you get where you need to be. I was very impressed with how smooth this drill ran. Now, if it had been a real emergency, I don't think it would have been as smooth. But who knows?

We did make it back to our room to see the us leaving the port channel and watch as the land disappeared behind us...

From Cruise2009

The first night of the cruise we met our dinner partners, Bill and Michelle, from Buffalo, NY. Jason felt right at home with fellow Yanks, but I was the odd ball out being the only Southerner. That really didn't matter though, they were really nice and we all got along well.

From Cruise2009

After dinner we went to the comedy show, the comedian was a juggler. I was very skeptical at first, because how funny can a juggler really be? Well, as it turns out the juggler was very funny, but not nearly as funny as my Hubby. Jason was pulled up on stage to help with the show...

Jason's was to lay on the ground while the juggler juggled three hatchets over him!

From Cruise2009

To tell the truth, I was laughing so hard in my seat. You see stuff like this on TV, and I am always convinced the hatchets are fake. My laughing came to a stand still the second the guy made me come up on stage and verify the hatchets were real, and they were sharp!

From Cruise2009

I went back to my seat almost in tears, shaking uncontrollably that Jason was going to be hurt. After the blind fold was put on Jason, the juggler switched to plastic bowling pins and began his juggling routine. Not 45 seconds later he dropped a 'hatchet' on Jason and the crowd went wild as Jason jumped so high at the scare! It was hilarious. Unfortunately, they do not video tape the shows due to copywrite laws, so the only evidence of Jason's performance are the two pictures above. Which were polaroids taken on stage. Ahhh the memories.

I will end this lengthy post with a picture taken from our balcony of the moon reflecting off the water this first night at sea. Notice how smooth the water is, it was amazing...

From Cruise2009

I'm a TOP Momma!!!

2009-01-26T08:52:00.003-05:00

I finally made it to the front page of TOP MOMMA! Please go visit the Top Momma page so I can get as many 'clicks' as possible. The more clicks, the longer you get to stay on the front page! Thanks for helping out!

National Security Mom Book Winner

2009-01-25T09:12:00.002-05:00

Thank you to all who took the time to enter this giveaway!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
21 Timestamp: 2009-01-25 14:13:52 UTC

The winner of last Monday's giveway is mverno who said: love to be entered

mverno, your email address in Not in the winning comment, nor is it listed on your blogger account.Please email me your mailing address within 3 days so I can forward it on to the publisher who is mailing out the book. If I don't have your address within 3 days, you will forfeit your winnings. mlwd648 @ gmail dot com

Thanks to Heatherlyn!

2009-01-23T11:55:00.001-05:00

I have received two more awards from Heatherlyn at Colt Family Blog. Thanks for reading my blog and thinking so much of it that you would take the time to pass on awards.

The first award:

The original giver of this award describes it by saying: "Blogs who receive this award are 'exceedingly charming' say its authors.This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY-nearness in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement.Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

The second award Heatherlyn sent me:

This award was coupled with the Friends Award because they are very similar in that

"The Friends Award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Those who receive this award must choose eight more bloggers who will include this text on their blog with the award."

I do consider bloggy friends to be real friends. It seems that people are a lot more open and honest with the things they share online compared to sitting face-to-face with another. I have no problem telling the complete truth about things in my life, and asking for help from the blogosphere when needed. I hope that the comments I leave on others blogs can provide some humor, help, strength, or inspiration.

Thank you again to Heatherlyn for considering me a friend and passing on these awards.

I am not going to pick 8 bloggers in particular to give these awards to. I can relate to each and every blog author that I read in some way, therefore, I am passing these awards on to whoever reads this post and considers themselves a friend of the blogger world.

Bon Voyage...

2009-01-22T14:37:00.003-05:00

Last week Hubbs and I went on the best vacation ever! (The only thing that would have made it better is if Little B. could have been there.)

Last Saturday we left for Fort Lauderdale, FL. We had an easy flight and found the best airline ever. Jet Blue will be our go to airline from now on. Each seat of the plane has it's own tv, and you get a full soda (not just a little cup of soda), and awesome snacks.

From Cruise2009

Our plane. Took this picture because Little B. loves planes. I actually took pictures of every plane we saw so Little B. could have lots to look at. I will spare you the dullness of posting every plane picture I have.

From Cruise2009

Here are my motion sickness wrist bands! Like 5 minutes into the flight I was sitting in my seat with the AC on as high as it would go and taking slow, deep breaths trying not to be sick. Within 3 minutes on adorning these bad boys I was feeling great! What a life saver!

From Cruise2009

Totally awesome snacks! I made a point to look for these Doritos Munchies in the grocery store when we got home.

From Cruise2009

I didn't realize that coastal FL was just a bunch of seemingly man-made islands. Kinda cool. I wouldn't want to live here during a hurricane though. God Bless you all living in this area.

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Jason thinks I'm crazy, but I knew you all would appreciate a picture of the bird walking around the Ft. Lauderdale Airport baggage claim area. This bird had a few friends with him and you could almost touch them they were so tame.

We stayed in Ft. Lauderdale Saturday night so we wouldn't be rushed getting to the port on Sunday. The hotel was nice, we had a room with a king size bed that was like sleeping in heaven. I was having a great night of childless sleep when all of a sudden... there was this sound like the beeping you hear when you put your magnetic room key in the door and it doesn't work. You know, like Beep, beepbeepbeep. I wake up and shake Jason awake thinking someone is trying to break into our room. Protector that my husband is, he gets up to investigate the sound and I see him looking in the closet! "What are you doing? Someone is trying to get in the door."

HAHA jokes on us, the battery must have been going dead in the in-room safe because it started beeping and didn't stop. We ended up moving rooms at 2:30 in the morning. So much for a solid night of sleep. When we woke up a few hours later we discover that our room has no towels, wash cloths, soap, or anything else we need. And the worst! There are TWO packs of DECAF coffee! Not one regular and one decaf like normal!

So we check out, make sure the lady knows we changed rooms and that our new room had no towels, and ... nothing. There were no apologies or refunds! Oh well, no bitching on our part, let it go and get in the van to the port, we are on our way to a great vacation!

From Cruise2009

Meet the Carnival Freedom Fun Ship! Our home away from home for the next week!