Nobody puts Baby in the corner...

How sad it was to glance down at my buzzing cell phone earlier and see a text telling me that Patrick Swayze had died. I wasn't quite ready for the last dance of the season. RIP Johnny Castle. Dance on!

What's going on in our world

The weekend started off with some really sweet girls heading to Blockbuster to choose a movie after a pizza dinner! We came home with a Scooby Doo flick and Coraline. Later, delicious white chocolate macadamia nut cookies were served upstairs on our silver Aurthur Court bunny tray. Needless to say, it was a night of indulgence but sometimes it's fun to be a little spoiled! If it helps, we did take a nice walk around the neighborhood to get our blood pumping.

The next day, we had plans to go to tailgating at the MTSU Blackout game. However, Phillip woke up Saturday motivated to get some things done around the house and we had a change of plans. Furthermore, the kids were being a little sniffly and whiney. It was disappointing to bail on seeing our friends but truthfully, I was completely exhausted anyway. Meanwhile, Phillip located my old lava lamp from college and cleaned it up. I got said lava lamp for either my 21st birthday or Christmas that same year from Casey and I have always loved it! I had wanted to retrieve it from the storage closet outside for a while so that I could put it in the girls' bedroom. They were so happy to watch it as they drifted off to sleep last night! My best friend, Mandy, has one in her house, and that got them interested. They were too excited to find out that I had one, too!

Today we headed to Franklin to visit Phil's parents. I ran over to the mall for a few things but otherwise we just had a nice relaxing visit. Tonight I do believe we'll be watching the VMAs...and that's basically a wrap for this weekend.

Why do we find random things that we love but can't replicate?

I am a wonderful replicator. I can often find a way to reproduce recipes that I like to much acclaim. However, we all have a few things that just really make us happy yet we can not ever seem to reproduce these things, right? Here are mine:

• Stones River Country Club balsamic vinaigrette: Oh my. The best balsamic every. Little bit tangy, little bit sweet. Can't find anything close outside of the CC.
  
• Fresh Express Ginger Sesame dressing that comes in their Asian salad kit: the perfect combo of flavors without being bitter. Yum to the max...except the kit cost $4.50 when it isn't on sale.
  
• Fried pickles like they had at Puffing Billy's circa 1998-2001: battered to perfection in a thick, bready coating instead of a thin crumbly layer. I have tried everything possible and can not recreate that breading. The closest thing is panko, but panko is not what they used.
  
• Pizza like Jet's or Pizza Perfect: a thick Sicilian crust that comes out crisp and delicious.
• Honey mustard from Zaxby's: what is up with this one? Absolutely no honey mustard on the market has the perfect sweetness AND zing of Zaxby's!
• Waffle house eggs: how do they make them so perfect when I can see them cooking them and they aren't adding anything out of the ordinary??
• Demos' chicken and rice soup: I have tried recipes that I've found online, including the lemon juice that I know they add, but mine came out with a broth that is entirely too thick.
  

Anyway, can you tell I'm hungry but avoiding a late night meal?? All of the things on the list make my taste buds very happy and but wallet very empty. Maybe I need to try again!

I'm gonna make a statement and leave it at that.

My kids will grow up to love me more than sunshine. I am a disciplinarian when necessary and a best friend when possible. I am a momma most of all. I watch out for them and protect them and love them with all my heart. I teach them well and it shows in their accelerated intelligence and artistic abilities. They are hilarious characters that are well liked and outgoing. They are courteous and considerate most of the time, which is great for their age. We choose healthy snacks most of the time but also know that a little bit of pizza or a happy meal once a month is worth the fun. Anyhoo, my point is just that I am so thankful that I am not a full blown lunatic raising children that will grow up to literally hate me when they reflect back on their childhoods. Not everything has to be a harsh reality at 3 and 5. The end.

Book

I'm currently reading Puff, which is classified as a comic novel. Let me tell you, a comic novel it is. I have laughed out loud repeatedly, and I am so glad that Shea let me borrow it! I haven't had time to read like I normally do here lately, so I am happy to be enjoying my favorite form of escapism once again!

New month, new season, new budget

The weather isn't the only thing changing. Life is changing around here. We now have a school girl and a suddenly extroverted Lola running around this joint. I am loving it. Another way that life is changing is that I am starting a new budget this week. Being more accountable for my spending. Watching what I buy so that I don't waste money. Being more conscious of how much we blow on wants instead of needs. I think it will have a great impact on our family. I am excited!!! Yes! I am excited!

I am officially signed up to be a room mom.

The past few days have been an emotional roller coaster! I've felt elated that my studious little girl was finally going to start kindergarten because I absolutely know that she thrives in a stimulating environment, but I've also had moments of completely inconsolable sobbing at the notion of letting go. Today was the day. She started kindergarten.

She wore a precious little brown pleated hem A-line dress from The Gap with her new high tops and little bow barrette. She carried her Baby Bambi backpack and she colored her morning work like a champ. I know she will do so well in the world of academia. It just takes some getting used to when you've taken care of this person from the time they were a little 5 lb peanut until now...virtually every single day.

Here you see Miles listening to "The Kissing Hand" just before we left.

When I picked her up, she came bouncing to the car, exclaimed what an awesome day she had and asked if she could return tomorrow. That alone made everything all better. It isn't that I don't want her in school yet. In fact, a big part of me is overwhelmed with relief. I love my girls and we have a ball, but disciplining your child is heartbreaking, and when you stay at home, you discipline, discipline, discipline all day long sometimes. Some days, I am ready to strangle someone by lunchtime. My children are generally well mannered, and maybe that is why I stress so much over bad behavior when I see it. Staying at home is a huge blessing and I wouldn't trade it for anything but it is a job that allows no breaks or lunch hours, so you can imagine how trying it is; furthermore, at times your 'customers' at this job beg and pull on you left and right whenever they please.

I am not good at goodbyes, so the thought of taking her in and leaving was extremely hard for me. I have spent the last almost six years taking care of her every need, going to story time, treating her to the zoo and lunch at 'the pizza parlor' and celebrating birthdays at Walt Disney World. For every stressful moment at home, there has been one of pure bliss. Just about the only way to describe ending your time as the hands on care giver for a child is bittersweet. You are relieved to no longer have to handle everything but you are in a panic that you won't be handling everything!

When we arrived at school, we happened to walk up just as Miles' cousin was walking in. What a God thing! It took my mind off of wanting to cry and it made Miles' day!

All in all, the first day is over and I made it without crying again all day! We already have our clothes ready for tomorrow and our game plan set for the morning routine. Wish us luck and pray for success at school for Miles, please!

Random fun

I already posted this on Facebook, but for those people still not on FB, here ya go:


ok I'm answering this but I am also listening to some mad beats as I type this and dancing while sitting, if that makes it any more interesting...LOL. I will apparently always be a hip hopper at heart cuz I can go wherever I like and going anywhere with me is one big fantastic voyage. questioning my lyrics? Check it out. I didn't misquote it. Just because it isn't the title doesn't mean it isn't a line in the song. :) And by now, surely you know that I'm serious but I'm also joking.


Do you eat food of the floor?
well not habitually

Have you done anything you regret in the past week?
Absolutely nothing to regret :)

Have you hit anybody in the past week?
UGH I think I probably swatted my child's butt for being bad one time...and don't even think about judging me for it if you don't have kids. :)

Do you like anybody right now?
well of course

Do you like weird food nobody else seems to like?
I am very, very picky, though I am sure that there is something. I do love artichoke hearts as a pizza topping.

Would you actually consider yourself a weird person?
I KNOW I am a weird person. :) I am also: artistic; extremely smart; classy, eloquent and well spoken when I'm not being silly; stylish; and genuine. So I'm ok with being weird. As I'm famous for originally coining this quote, I will say that a lot of idiots might think I'm a nerd, but I'd just die if I was an idiot, so we'll just call it even. My entire family is freaking hilarious. I'm talking holiadys ALWAYS end with everyone around the dinner table for a couple of hours and somebody laughing til the cry.

Has anybody in your family made fun of you?
I'm the youngest of four kids.

Have you ever been hurt emotionally?
Does the Pope wear a funny hat. We ALL have.

Have you ever failed a test?
yes but usually do pretty well with very little preparation

Have you ever lied to your parents?
yes

Do you still lie to your parents?
No

Do you work for your money?
Stay-at-home-mom

Have you ever lied about your age?
No unless a fake ID counts

Have you ever made fun of someone at school?
never for being disadvantaged, yes for being a douche. My parents would murder me if they found out that I made fun of someone for being less priviledged. I would have gotten a talkin' to about that. I didn't want to create a scenerio that resulted in a talkin' to.

Have you ever given out info on the internet?
not really but I have a blog

Are you angry at anybody?
nope

Have you ever held a grudge?
absolutely but the recipient deserved it. Don't make me name names.

Do you spend your money for good use?
say what?

Have you ever cried over something really stupid?
Probably

AND SOME RANDON INFO that I am adding just for your enjoyment:
I took lessons in the following at some point in my life: piano, tennis, modeling, toll painting (that's the 80's crafty country style if you didn't know) and pottery plus foreign language (french) from age 5. Yeah baby, I was a pageant contestant and that meant you just had to take modeling. LOL! PS For the tennis, it was my mom, dad, sister Dinky and me when I was 15. It was my dad's idea that we do it as a family. LOL!

I am the youngest of four. My name was Amy when I was born but my mom called a nurse in and had my birth certificate changed when my dad went home to take a shower. Swear to God.

I got a trampoline one year for Christmas, a bb gun for Christmas in 2nd grade and a horse named Mandy in third grade. I think my parents were trying to create a Mary Lou Rhetton/Annie Oakley hybrid child.

I got my for real driver's license on my 15th birthday because my parents straight broke the law and took me out of state and lied about my primary residency.

The week I turned 16, my dad got mad at me for not picking up on a five speed easily with him sitting in the passenger seat screaming at me for stalling, so he told me to take my car out on Friday night and figure it out. I did but only after Sandy and I stalled out trying to back out of a parking spot of Sonic on Broad Street. I proceeded to drive around Murfreesboro like a maniac in a really fast car. I got a lot of tickets. I look back and wonder why in the world I didn't get the keys taken away from me?!?!?!?!?! At least I never got my Riverdale parking pass temporarily suspended for speeding in the high school parking lot, right Ayslin????? AHAHAHAHAHA. Sorry girl but I'll never forget it.

Happenings around our house...

Wow. Exhaustion is an understatement of my physical state since the weekend. The one thing that makes it much more bearable is the notion that the money raised at the rubber duck derby went to the Child Advocacy Center! It feels so good to make a difference and to know that my kids saw me working as a volunteer. Furthermore, it makes it a lot easier to be at home with my children if I am also busy with a community project. I love my kids, but I am high strung and is just isn't my nature to enjoy the uncertainty and often the unproductive nature of being a SAHM! I would like to see more of my mom friends commit to some cause, any cause!


This coming weekend marks my MOPS retreat; the Belle Aire MOPS leadership team is heading to Center Hill for some girl time at the lake. I am serving as the publicity chair once again, so the retreat will be a fun time to route our road map for the year. The international theme for MOPS this year is about space, so I have to think of ways to make a fun connection to Jesus and space!! Suggestions are welcome. I'm talking newsletter theme, decor theme, etc.


Miles starts school in 24 days and I just can't believe it. It seems like just a year ago that I snuggled my little monkey baby in her nursery. I miss the mural that her fabulous daddy painting while she was still in my belly. I feel certain that the current owners of our old house painted over it, but I pretend not to believe that! It was just so phenomenal...a washed out, dual-tone toile. So original and so much talent shown in it.


I know that I will be ok in the actual classroom, but I have a really big gut feeling that I will have to pull my car over and cry like a baby when I leave the school. Having said that, I am really excited about being at home with Lola alone for the first time. She is anxiously awaiting her one on one time, though she hasn't grasped the fact that sissy will be gone in order for us to have that one on one time. We'll have to see how that goes. Anyone that knows Lola is aware that she isn't too thrilled to be separated from Milesy. Pray for little Lola's heart as she embarks on this solo time at home and for little Miles' heart as she begins a journey that might be challenging since she can be exposed to children that are not raised in the same manner as my children.


On another note, I am actually enjoying this dreary, lazy day. There is just something relaxing about the drizzle. Normally, I'd be pretty disappointed at the lack of sunshine...but after this weekend, I need an excuse to stay at home all day!

Busy as a bee

Wow. We've been a busy little family lately! This past Wednesday, I took the girls to the CAC Duck Derby tagging party. They entertained themselves playing, mainly. At one point, though, I got super nervous when I couldn't see Miles anywhere. I was cleaning ducks when asked my friends to pardon me for a minute, as I couldn't see Miles. Lora (of The Lula Smith Collection fame) then pointed out to me that Miles was behind me at another table, amidst a group of adults, just cleaning those ducks like her life depended on it. I am so incredibly proud of the volunteer's heart that she already has! Speaking of Lora, she is a friend and an artist, so she's cool like that. She makes me laugh forever and her husband is real sweet and she loves Jesus but doesn't make a fuss if you drink a little, so I like her. Plus, she's super cute and has wicked style and class, so she makes me look good.

On Saturday, the girls and I took a little journey to the library and to Uncle Dave Macon Days. We enjoyed ourselves, except I could strangle the jerk that set up some inflatables and wanted $10 per kid to jump. Honestly, I don't think a festival should allow them if they are going to be so blatant about ripping people off. Why? Because it ruins the entire outing for the parents that have to listen to constant begging. Ahem. Parents such as me. Back to the subject of UDMD, I was sad to see that even though they were adamant about not allowing random people to invade the art area, they DID have Gutter Guard, Bath Fitter and several others like that. I am glad I did not do it this year. We came home, napped or rested and headed out to my parents' house for dinner.

We've had my niece, Brittany, and her boyfriend, Matt, in town from Louisiana this weekend, so we had dinner with them on Saturday! Lots of fun time sitting around talking and shopping at The Avenue's Ulta and being there when she got the call saying that she was hired for a position that she wanted! Great times. We're sad that they are going home tomorrow.

Tomorrow both of my girls go to the dentist for their cleanings! Pray for no cavities again this time!

Lake time!

Our July 4th weekend was off the hook. We were quite busy! Part of the weekend was spent on Tims Ford. We took lots of pictures and I'm posting just a few of my favorites.

Ready to hit the water...

Aunt Dinky and Lola swimming at the dock...

Drake and Phil showing us their guns...

All four kids hanging out up front...


Miles and Lola in one of my favorite shots of the day!

Wow!

We are all devastated that Steve McNair was found shot to death in Nastyville today! I can not believe it. He was one of the good guys. He had one little ordeal once, but he wasn't in the cops for serious crimes like some NFL players, and he was a country black dude. He was so likable! We're gonna miss him around here. It will be very interesting to follow the case as it unfolds, though I sure wish he hadn't been killed.

Who heard me??

I was on WGNS to speak about the Child Advocacy Center and the Duck Derby today! It was so much fun! I think I'm addicted to being a spokesperson now!

Don't forget...
July 18th
Family fun fest at noon, drucks race at 4:34 PM
Sportsman's Lodge on Medical Center Parkway

Adopt your ducks at local businesses or

at www.duckrace.com/murfreesboro !

Irons in the fire OR Why some people think it's their place to comment on my obligations

If you know me, you are aware that on top of being Momma to Miles and Lola and a wife to Phil, I am a Chi Omega Alum, a Junior League member, a member of the MOPS steering team at Belle Aire and on the planning team for the Child Advocacy Center's upcoming Duck Derby.

Not that long ago, someone commented to me (unsolicited, of course) that I had too many irons in the fire. Are there times when I just wish I could stay at home instead of attend a meeting? Of course. Would I miss all of those groups if I stopped my involvement tomorrow? Absolutely. I would be crushed. I would feel less fulfilled.

On a daily basis, I see the benefits of staying at home and volunteering. I am there to give my girls the encouragement they need but also sculpt their ideas about what is acceptable behavior or what it means to be well rounded. I dance with them, I sing for them and I paint with them. I take them to the library, the zoo or to play with friends. I am able to do all this while maintaining my other commitments at night.

I believe that my children are heavily influenced by seeing me work for these groups as a volunteer. In fact, Miles is already showing so many signs of a perfect little public servant. She is on fire with the notion of doing good for others! Just take a minute to process that. My daughter, at less than six years old, expresses interest in volunteering. She wants to be like me...and I specifically make it a point to set an example through voluntarism. Now how can that be a bad thing?

I know that I do not have too many irons in the fire, and quite bluntly, I think my opinion on that little fact matters more than anyone else's.

I want to love you, P.Y.T., Pretty Young Thing...OR Remember the time?

Seeing the news of Michael Jackson's death is so unexpected. Watching the coverage, I just get more and more sentimental and sad.

I will never forget the day that we woke up to the news that MJ's hair had caught on fire as he filmed a Pepsi commercial. We were driving to Mississippi to visit some of my parents' friends and it came on the radio. Plus Dinky got the Thriller LP for Christmas the year it came out and we spent hours looking at the big fold out picture of Michael holding the tiger cub. We were caught up in how bizarre his wrist looked. If you lived it then you know what I mean because it was impossible not to notice how his wrist had two tendons or veins or something that popped out really far.

When I heard "We are the World" tonight, I thought about a night in 1983-ish when I stood out in the yard at dusk and processed the fact that if Michael Jackson might happen gaze at the moon right then, we would be looking at the the same thing at the same time. It was a pathetic! I was a huge fan. We bought the teeny bopper magazines to read all about him and we watched The Wiz when it came on tv.

We had a 2 story playhouse with a balcony. We would pull the trampoline over beneath the balcony, turn on the little tape deck of songs, including MJ's biggest hits, recorded from the radio and perform a concert and then do trick-like flips off the balcony. My dad would drag the trampoline away but then we'd get some friends together and bring it right back across the yard while he was at work. One time Dinky landed on the springs on her back but otherwise no one ever got seriously injured. He finally gave up. P.S. Our playhouse had a working bathroom upstairs.

We sat stunned when the video for Bad debuted and he was so light and barely had a nose compared to his natural, original features. We followed his career and wondered what in the world had happened to him but we never quit loving his music. His moves still look the smoothest.


I will always remember Michael Jackson fondly. May his glove always sparkle more than any disco ball. I always held out hope that I would see him in person.

Do you ever have those moments?

Do you ever have morbid thoughts about yourself now that you're a mom? I know I do. Not morbid thoughts in the sense of graphic info, but morbid thoughts like how you'd like to be remembered should something tragic happen to you? As bizarre as it might sound to some people, I really think those thoughts are necessary when I have two little girls who would be left in this world without me.

I do know that I would want to be cremated, and that I would want certain music played at my services. I am a funny person, and I would automatically want some music to crack people up. I would want some Elvis singing southern gospel music mixed with some baptist hymns that were my favorites growing up, like Victory in Jesus, Because He Lives, Old Rugged Cross and so on played. I can't forget to include The Brown's 'Three Bells'. (All the chapel bells were ringing...) That last one if from the 50's or 60's if you don't recall it.

The hymns are important to me because those were my favorite church songs at Pine Grove when I was little. The Elvis is because I think people that know me would immediately realize that I picked those to be hilarious. Seriously, in this day and age, doesn't it crack you up to hear Elvis sing Amazing Grace?!?! It would be flamboyant, just like me!

I wonder if other people think the same way I do?

Furthermore, I would hope that my husband found love again...and as crazy as this sounds, I would like for it to be with one of my friends! Yes! I said one of my friends. Why, you might ask? Well, because any friend would not come in and try to replace me. She would also value my children more than a stranger would as a step-mom. Plus, I know my friends. I choose my friends wisely. I do not choose fake, childish people as my true friends.

I am well aware that I might get some comments telling me that I've lost my mind, but just think about it. The more you consider it, the more sense it makes.

I would want my girls to know just how much they fulfilled my life, and for Phillip to know just how much I respect him. He works so hard for our family. I am able to stay at home and take care of Miles and Lola because he gets up everyday and commutes to Nashville. Nothing has ever made me happier than to see a smile on my girls' faces or to hear how much they look up to me. They fulfill me in every way.

Though I might complain sometimes, I would never, ever trust a stranger to take care of them as well as I do.

I would want my girls to grow up to be Chi Omegas and Junior League members, since both of these organizations mean so much to me. The truth is, I make a difference in our community, even if I am normally humble about mentioning it. I volunteer for my community on a regular basis!

I would like to see them each marry a Sigma Chi or a Kappa Alpha. Silly, but it is just a part of me. I would want my girls to group up under the wings of Miss Mandy Cany Kelly, Missi and Julie and Leigh Ann, who could share old stories about me as they grow up. I would want them to look for a husband like their daddy or Brent Campbell or John Trail.

Don't be alarmed; I plan to live a long, happy life! I don't mean to sound like I expect to meet my maker any time soon. I just think that these subjects are important and I'm not a shy person. I don't mind sharing my strange thoughts; I just hope you all understand where I'm coming from as a momma.

How Miles was injured OR Broken bones are cool to kids!

So much has happened in the past week. I haven't even thought about blogging about it all yet, but here I am tonight.

On Monday evening, the girls got restless around 4. Since Phillip wouldn't be home until 6, I decided to head over to the park with them. After all, we literally live within blocks of a fantastic block and my girls are at an age where I can watch them play without having to actually be on the equipment making sure that they don't fall and hurt themselves, right? Ha! Yeah, right!

We got there and set our things down and before anytime at all, Miles had befriended two little boys. They began to run wild on the playground and the grassy area just behind it. As the little group of new found friends ran back to the play area, Lola lagged behind. I yelled out to Miles to wait for Sissy. Then, in slow motion, I saw the whole thing.

She continued to run but looked over her left shoulder to check on Lo. Just as she looked forward again, she began to tumble. Feet left the ground, and her little body catapulted forward, coming down first on her right elbow and then on top of her forearm. She immediately started screaming in a piercing way. The boys' father asked if she was ok from across the playground, and I yelled back that I was about to find out and smiled.

When I got to her, she was screaming bloody murder that she needed to get home. Now any parent knows that a child asking to leave the playground must really be hurt. Her arm bent back and forth just fine, but I wondered if it might be really injured.

That night, she woke up crying in pain and it was far more swollen. I almost took her to the ER, but she calmed down and went to sleep. First thing Tuesday a.m., we made an appointment to see her pediatrician. Sure enough, her arm is broken! Even the smallest air cast, size xxs, was too big for her sweet little arm, so we have a partial cast and a fancy ace-type bandage over that.

She's hanging in there better than most adults, and hopefully, she will be done with this completely in less than three weeks. Please pray for my Milesy girl. This is her first real injury in life.

Voluntarism must run in the genes...

I am just so tickled to report that this morning, when the preacher asked for volunteers to provide food for VBS, without any prompting or discussion, Miles hurriedly raised her hand high into the air to bring sandwiches!!! How sweet is that?!

Summertime in the city

Thus far, we've spent our summer days roaming around the zoo, splashing at a water park, going to the neighborhood playground, exploring and creating at the Discovery Center, visiting Mrs. Mandy and Mr. Neil's to sit around a campfire and look at the stars and going to the library. We managed to get out of the house more regularly and the kids are exhausted by bedtime! Yes! We've tried to catch fireflies and we've had a picnic underneath a big shade tree on the lush green grass. We've had Push Ups and fresh watermelon. We've picked flowers and investigated butterflies. This summer in the city is turning out quite well.

We're in the process of sorting through our clothes for Goodwill and decluttering as much as possible. Hopefully, we'll be able to sell our house soon and figure out where we go from here. I am not worried about it all. We just want a place with a bigger yard. I am not sure if we'll rent or buy. We are not even remotely interested in buying a place on the same day we sell this place, as we got burned by that three years ago. Considering that the economy is far worse now than it was in 2006, the risk isn't worth it.

We are just going with the flow. Phillip has to touch up the trim and I need to repaint an area over Miles' bed. When we have this joint sold, as in papers signed and closing behind us, then we will make a final decision. If that means that we have to stay at my parents house for a month, so be it. I will just be happy to have a nice big yard again. I miss my old house, though I don't miss the immediate neighbors to the right OR the neighborhood, as it has gone to pot. I just miss the ability to play out back with the girls. And they want a trampoline so much, and perhaps Santa can bring it this year if we actually have a yard to put it in.

callin' Old Navy out

Can I just take a minute to call out the buyers for Old Navy? I went into our local store tonight. It is a nice large location that should have plenty of merch. No! It did not. They had a grand total (I counted) of 16 dresses of various styles in stock. On top of that throughout the entire women's' department, they hardly had anything in sizes beyond small and medium. Now let me tell you, this hot momma is not a small or a medium. So you know what Old Navy? You can just kiss my grits.