Shots

Miles and Lola got flu shots and H1N1 nasal mists today, so we are much more confident that we won't have any major illnesses at our house this flu season. Also, Lola would like for you all to know that she does NOT have the swan flu.

Somebody loves Little Richard

It will never cease to amaze me how many hits I get from my posts on Little Richard!

Disney on Ice -OR- how we kicked off celebrating six years of Miles

I realized tonight that I never blogged about Disney on Ice. This was our second year seeing the show at The Sommet Center. Since Daddy works downtown, we met him at work and set out on our evening of fun.

For starters, we went to the Old Spaghetti Factory again this year.

Later, we walked down 2nd Avenue and Broadway to the venue and found our seats.

The girls brought their hats from last year to avoid the temptation to buy new souvenirs, and I'm glad we did that because I didn't see much that caught my eye. Workers came around selling $15 snow cones, but I assured my kids that I'd buy them the cup for $8 at the Disney Store and they dropped it.

The show was wonderful, full of their favorite characters, lights and some faux fireworks, too.

Lola has grown up so much since last year, so she was into it far more. Miles was more into sitting back and admiring the production. Lots of smiles from our group, nonetheless.

On the topic of best friends

Mandy is my actual, functional, best friend. She is my best friend from childhood who has known me the longest and to this day, knows my deepest darkest secrets. I rely on her to be my rock, my cheerleader, my confidant and my partner in crime on a regular basis. We haven't always seen each other much more often than once or twice a year since she is a bit of a rambler (or has a history of being one) and has spent time living elsewhere, but we will always be on that level with each other. We are each a part of the others' families and we know each other in and out. She can see right through me and she isn't scared to call me out. Our husbands were fast friends and are hilariously, two peas in a pod. If she calls me out on something, I know it is for real and that I need to really think about what she said, because she knows me deep down to my soul. I'd give her a lung, a kidney or my bone marrow, and she knows it. She'd fly to Mexico in the middle of the night to kick some corrupt government booty and bail me out of jail. That's just the way we are. She has a couple of other best friends, and she would do that for them, too. The few other people that she counts as best friends have really different personalities, like apples and oranges, just like my short list.

I also have best friends from college that I rarely see but will always consider best friends. They are not all at the same point in their lives, so I can't hold it against them that our lives don't always correspond these days. I have two children; they either have zero or live an hour away. I have been married 8 years today; they either haven't walked down that aisle of life yet or they didn't marry someone that makes an effort to be a great friend to my husband. They still mean the world to me, but they aren't really filling that void at this point and they will never compare to someone that has grown up with me and is truly here for me when I need her. I know we'll be friends til we die, though, and that at one point, my life revolved around them, so they will remain what I consider a close friend or even one of my best friends.

I also have a few friends that are by far, my best friends in my momtourage. Shea and Jen are my main homegirls. I love them to death and I rely on them for certain things. I also know we will be friends outside of the mom role. I think Shea and I will be stalking Donny Whalberg at a retirement home, but she had two best friends before I ever met her, Juli and Sara, and that doesn't offend me. We're get each other on a different level. We are parents but still people. I couldn't make it through the daily grind without them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that its hard to feel like you have hurt one person by calling another person your best friend when you don't mean any harm or insult, because I can't even begin to list all of the other people that are important to me. I didn't write this for any specific reason but just because I regularly see that as women, we (not meaning anyone listed here) don't always think it through when we get our feelings hurt. Agreed?

Good times in the 'Noog -OR- when Money married Ellen.

Phillip and I spent Saturday in Chattanooga. We ventured to the city on the river for a friend's wedding and had some good times, for sure. We attended the wedding of Jeremy and Ellen Money at the Convention Center. The ceremony was nice, and Ellen's dress was gorgeous. I really liked the style and the way part of it was gold. The train was nice, too!

Once we wished them well and sent them off, we all headed downtown to Market Street to spend some quality time at Deluxe. I liked Deluxe a lot. It reminded me of the downstairs of Sebastion's from many many years ago.

The night was really nice because we got a chance to visit with old friends that we rarely see and spouses or other friends that we're getting to know more and more. Some of the guys there this weekend are younger than me, thus from a different era at the Sigma Chi house, but we have mutual friends. We hope to see all of them more often now.

It was also nice because this was Phillip's first real opportunity to meet some of the guys that he's heard about for years. Well, only a few were there, really, Matt Hutton; Brian Nale (Anjeanetta's little bro) and Money, but still. Now he will truly know who I'm talking about when I refer back to silliness from college. There was a group of us that spent all of our time together back in the day, and we sorta grew up together. We were all great friends. These guys were part of that group, as were Missi, Kirby, Anjeaneatta, Mary Katherine, Flair, Patrick, Casey, Brackin, Alex Green, Bliss, Peanut, Stinky, Harper, Reed, Fuqua, Mickey, who am I forgetting?? I wish Patrick, a big part of the H127 puzzle, had traveled down for the weekend but alas, we'll catch him on his next trip. (H127 was our apartment number at Rosewood. It was three Chi Omegas who were also little sisters, and H127 served as the gathering place for a big group of people on a regular basis from 1997 to 1998.)

I know that when we're all old and gray, we'll still have each other as friends. We've all grown up to be good people, and we've created our own families that might one day get together for an Indian Summer road trip... and that sounds really nice to me. I also hope we get to have our very own 'Big Chill' one day, except nobody has to die to bring us all together for a weekend, but I digress.

Thanks for the memories, Money!

Two more super long, stretched out days until...

Thursday night we head to Disney on Ice!! We are celebrating Miles' birthday with this special family treat. Her birthday isn't for another week and a half, but she's also having a party on the day before her 6th birthday, so she's getting to stretch out her celebration!

On this weekend...

I totally stole the style of my title from Angel.

Anyhoo, this weekend was the bomb. Like the atom bomb. Awesome. And painful, but I digress.

Friday night, we hosted Mandy and Neil for a little sleepover/birthday celebration for Mandy! We had a ball. The kids spent the night at my parents' house and we stayed up late giggling just like we did in 6th grade. Saturday, Mandy, Neil and I hung out around the house while Phil went and got the kids.

He took them to Franklin, where his brother's wife, Aunt Melissa, took Miles on a shopping spree for her upcoming birthday! Miles scored two skirts, a blouse, some knee socks, some adorable new mary janes, an awesome coat and a Build-A-Bear unicorn. Lola got a unicorn, too. Then his parents asked if the girls could stay the night.

Saturday night found us at Shea's house for a birthday party for Jen and Shea. Good times and plenty of laughs with a group of awesome friends! THEN it happened. As we were leaving, I slipped on Shea's front steps. It literally happened as I was warning Phillip not to slip because the rain had made them super slick. I have a mammoth sized bruise on my right booty cheek and another on my back. Ouch. Super ouch. I'm in pain. Regardless, it was extremely fun.

Sunday, I did a few chores around the house while Phil went and got my babies. Then we watched the rest of the Titans game before I made the cookies for mini fruit pizzas. The girls helped make their own concoctions once the cookies cooled. Very delicious, if I do say so myself! I made Lola a new blankie and patched Miles' old blankie with two silly hearts that I zigzagged into place. Mandy and Neil came over again after the girls went to bed and Neil promptly took a power nap on my living room floor. I swear, how that boy can sleep on hard wood floor is beyond me. We talked about putting a bed back up in the extra bedroom since we already know that they'll spend a lot of time here this winter. I just can't have someone sleeping on my floor on a regular basis. The thought of that makes my back hurt.

Needless to say, seeing so many friends this weekend was awesome, but we're ready for a new week around the Brown household. We are also praying for sunny days, since I currently feel like I live in Seattle!

PS Here is my super easy version of fruit pizza. I included the extracts for added flavor and I recommend using the small cookies because a big one gets soggy:

Base:
1 package break apart sugar cookie cough

Cream cheese spread:
1 bar of softened cream cheese
1 T of frozen orange juice concentrate
About 4 heaping tablespoons of marshmallow creme
splash of almond extract
splash of vanilla extract

Topping:
About half a pound of fresh pineapple (about half a cored pineapple), 1 container of strawberries, one kiwi, 1 pint of blueberries

Break cookies apart. Use 1.5 squares for each cookie so they will be a little bigger. Bake as directed. Cool completely. Meanwhile, mix all cream spread ingredients together, whipping it up real good. Set to the side or better yet, refrigerate. Chop pineapple into small cubes, slice strawberries, slice and peel kiwi. Mix all fruit together with the blueberries.

Allow people to build their own mini fruit pizza using 1 cookie with a layer of cream cheese mixture topped by fresh fruit mixture. Yummmmmm-my!!!!

It's another Saturday night...

We had so much fun last night celebrating Mrs. Mandy Vogeler's birthday. It was very low key and so relaxing. In the end, the boys went to bed (separately, of course LOL) and Mandy and I stayed up and giggled endlessly. Gotta love celebrating someone's birthday with her for the 22nd year of friendship.

Tonight we head over to Shea's house for a joint birthday party for Shea and Jen. It is a family fun party, but we will be there without the kids since Phillip's parents surprised us by inviting . Today, Aunt Melissa took Miles on an early birthday shopping spree! She got some new clothes, new shoes, a dress coat and a Build-A-Bear unicorn!

BTW, Neil just told us a hilarious story about water balloons in college. He and his roommate would leave the bars 20 minutes early so that they could make it back to the dorm room before the masses began to walk by after closing time. They would launch water balloons from their dorm room window using a huge slingshot apparatus that engineer Neil created, and his roommate would tell him when to launch. He would launch the balloon that inevitably soaked someone.

The thing is, they lived across the street from Greek Row, so the victims would always just assume that someone in a fraternity house did it. No one ever looked across the street to see these two guys roaring with laughter in a top floor dorm room window.

One night, a group of guys became enraged and began beating on a fraternity house door. Fire trucks and cops ended arriving to restore peace and Neil and his roommate stood around in the crowd just watching, trying to look innocent. It may not sound that funny now, but we all just fell out laughing like maniacs. I guess you had to see the presentation of the story in person!

I love a Rainy Night

This week has been nothing but rain in Middle Tennessee. Literally, we have woken up to rain and gone to bed with rain. We have been entirely too lazy but it feels so good to be lazy sometimes. It is also better for my checkbook! The week has mainly consisted of Lola and I lounging around watching kids movies and taking naps. We've avoided getting out except for picking up Miles. I am ready for some sunshine but I think I'll miss the rain!

Fall vegetable fun

Tonight, Miles' school held a fall festival. Games galore and food for sale just about sums it up. Except that Lola kept asking me all day long if it was time to go to 'the fall vegetable' yet.

I love this!

My friend, Mandy Caffey Vogeler, makes some awesome mixed media art, but when I saw this post, I just knew that I had to share it! Enjoy!

When I say D, you say A, When I say DA you say R!

I am joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. I was asked to join by Mrs. Betsey Murphree at my Junior League meeting and she told me last night that they voted yes on me. We got a little tickled because I didn't even know I was officially under consideration and did not actually intend to apply until next year, but it's cool.

I am a ninth generation DAR. My great, great, great, great, great, great, grandfather, Captain Hans Heinrich Felder, led colonial troops to victory over British soldiers in the South Carolina low country in a few different battles. The period piece movie "All for Liberty" was based on his troops. So there you go. You can learn something new about me everyday if you want to. LOL!

I'll let you know how it goes; I'm not really sure what to expect. Betsey told me they get together for dinner once a month, all sharing a blood link to our country's beginning, to surround themselves with other people who have an interest in preserving our country's history. I can dig that.

Amen, sister.

This morning, I saw a friend's incredibly poignant status on Facebook and couldn't help but nod my head in agreement. What did it say?

"The only people you need in your life are the ones that need you in theirs."

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!