It's gonna get fun!

So, I've got nothing... absolutely nothing to say these days. Thus the "no blogging" thing I've apparently got going.

But coming up... boy-oh-boy, is it going to be fun!

This weekend while Don takes Bub to a big wrestling thing-y (a definite boys trip, right?), Sis, my mother-in-law and I are going to Chicago. I am so excited! And a reservation has been made at a certain vortex store that may have girls that are American there. And no one is excited at all... NOT!

Then the whole following week is SPRING BREAK, BABY! But, uh, no plans have been made yet at this point. But I'm SURE we'll do something... We'll just figure it out after this weekend. Really!

Then the FOLLOWING week is Bub's birthday. He's going to be 8. That's SO OLD! Then he gets a birthday party that next weekend. It'll be crazy insanity fun!!!

So, watch for lots and lots of pictures!!!

Thankful Thursday

Let's get right to it...



Today, three things I am thankful for are:



1. I am going on a real live date with my hubby tomorrow night. There are no errands or anything tied in with it... it's just a real date! WOO HOO!



2. Warmer weather. I have already seen the forecast for this weekend, and the warm weather isn't permanent, but I am sure enjoying it while it's here!!!

3. The people in our Wednesday night class at church. The group has really grown in the past few years (with the growth of our church), and I've really enjoyed getting to know so many new great people.

What are you thankful for today?

I'm putting it out there

So, here's my plan...

I will lose 16 pounds in the next 16 weeks. It has nothing everything maybe a little to do with the fact that my 20 year class reunion is in a little over 16 weeks.

The fact remains that I need to get in shape, I need to lose some pounds (maybe not 16, but I've got some "winter weight" that isn't going away on its own now that it's spring), and I need to be a HEALTHY example for my kids.

So, I'm still working on my specific approach, but here's what I've got so far:

1. I'm going to use Weight Watchers online. Well, I already do that, but I'm going to quit cheating. How pathetic is that? I lie to myself on there about what I eat!!! I'm going to get SERIOUS this time. Or at least be honest!

2. I'm going to schedule work-out time... that's the only way I'll consistently do it!

3. I'm going to use Don and the kids as my support.

4. I'm posting the class reunion countdown on my computer at work, as well as in my pantry (although it sounds like it, the class reunion isn't really what's important to me... I just need a goal!).

5. I'm posting my goal on here... for all to see. I'm craving some accountability, apparently!

What I am NOT planning on doing:

1. This. I want no part of it!

Maybe Macaroni???

When Don and I were first married and living in Kentucky, we had dinner with a girl I worked with at the mall. She went on and on (and on and on, etc) about a new song that was out. She couldn't remember the name of it, but she was pretty sure it was called "Ah, Margarita."

Don and I just looked at each other. "Ah Margarita?" Could she be thinking of an OLD song... maybe by Jimmy Buffett? Like Margaritaville? No, it was brand new and it was called "Ah Margarita." Then she started singing... in a really high-pitched voice, she just kept singing "Ah Margarita."

We couldn't stop laughing at her... really? This is a GOOD song???

Then she got all excited. We were at Applebee's eating, and it came on the overhead music that was playing there. Don and I listed as best we could over the noise of the restaurant. I told her I wasn't sure what they were saying, but I was pretty sure it wasn't "Ah Margarita."

And that was the first time I heard "The Macarena." Too bad it wasn't the last.

And now (years later), my kids have joined the Macarena club. If there is a club. Is there? Because I need to revoke their membership if there is!

Anyhoo, here they are in their wordless rendition of THE MACARENA!

The future John Grisham and Stephenie Meyers??

Our school district (and the state, too, I guess) have a Young Author's program that they offer. The kids can write books, turn them in to the school. The winners out of each school go on to a county competition, then a state competition as well. Before 3rd grade, participation is optional. Therefore, my children have not participated (lazy mom, remember???). But since Sis is in 3rd grade this year and HAD to participate, Bub decided to go ahead and write a book as well.

So, my kids didn't win. It was oh-so-sad. NO IT WASN'T!!! Because here's the deal... all who participate in the school writing contest are "invited" to a weeknight presentation of awards. BUT IF THEY WIN, they have to go to OTHER presentations, too (the county's version, the state's). This is NOT my cup of tea. Or coffee. Or diet pepsi. AT. ALL. Nor is it Don's.

But the kids... there was NO QUESTION that Don and I were taking them to the school's presentation! They were PUMPED! So, I put on my big-girl attitude (I was going to say "panties," but I didn't want to gross you out), AND pulled out my big ol' camera so it LOOKED like I was really into it. Appearances are 90% of reality, you know. No, they aren't. I just made that up.

So, I took pictures. See?


Look how excited my children look... and a bit angelic, too. They were so proud of how much they "looked like they loved each other" for this one.

Here's Bub and his book "Getting Along." He dedicated it to Martin Luther King, Jr. I thought maybe he'd dedicate it to me, but NOPE. Oh well... maybe Sis will.

Here's Sis and her book: "Write to the White House." She was really distressed about who to dedicate her book to. I reminded her of my c-section scar on my stomach ALL BECAUSE OF HER. Nope, that didn't work. She instead dedicated it to my should-be-an-author-and-probably-will-be-someday sister, Aunt Sissy. WHATEVER.

Here's Sis with her class in front of the audience. Notice the faux side bangs. It's her latest obsession... getting side bangs. So we just fake it. She constantly swiped at them so everyone in the audience wouldn't miss that she has SIDE BANGS!

Here's Bub and the 2 other boys in his class that participated. No faux side bangs here... just ordinary too-long bangs.

See? I care!!!! I even blogged about the whole miserable painful exciting experience!

Spring has arrived!!!!

Or has it???

It HAS been a bit warmer, but I went outside today to check it out. Here's what I found: trees that still have dead leaves on them.

Firewood still in the caddy... we just had a fire in the fireplace LAST WEEK!

But there are SOME signs of spring, at least for us. Our house and yard contain endless projects. Last fall we laid a new concrete driveway, so now we've just added dirt to the sides... SEE? We would only do that in the SPRING!

And we now have block to build up a small wall (it will be covered in stone) that we're putting...

... here in the circle in front of the house. See? It's seeming more spring-like already! Because after the wall is built... LANDSCAPING!

And look!!! There's dried mud on Don's crocs! That's a DEFINITE sign!

But that still didn't seem like enough! Until I saw this!!!

*GASP*

It's GREEN!!!!!!

Happy first day of spring!!!!

Lazy Days

I have NOT been in the mood to be on the computer lately... can you tell? It's just been TOO beautiful outside!!! So, I have some things to share, and some photos, and some jokes (not really... I'm a TERRIBLE joke-teller), but not just now...

But for now, I'll share my newest FUN purchase... amazingly, they were CHEAP (on clearance, even!) and at Walmart (my least favorite place to go!!!).

*You can't tell from my high-quality camera phone, but they are a navy blue/light blue/white/green plaid. And my jeans aren't really that weird on the bottom... I was holding them up so you could get the full view!*

Do you dream in color? (2 posts in one day!!!)

I've been working on a photo project... I have an awesome black frame that holds 35 4x6 pictures, and I decided that black and white photos would look best in the frame. So, I've been going through photos, deciding which ones to use. I couldn't decide on 35, so I went ahead and ordered 50... I figure that I'll be able to choose better once I actually have the prints in hand.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some of the black and whites... I have included WAY too many photos, so I'll keep the commentary short(ish). I don't have a lot of experience with black and white photos, so if you have any input, let me know!

Don and the kids a few summers ago.

My dad and my nephew, Little Buddy.

The photographer being photographed

Don and I in Times Square a few years ago

Don and Bub playing a little ball... I love this one for some reason!

Don and Sis at a Cardinals game... the first season in the new stadium

How tiny are they? Easter 3 years ago, I think.

Bub and me a few summers ago.

Sisters

The kids and their Dede (grandmother) at the State Fair last summer

Reading a book

Bridal Fashion Show

So, my cousin, Little Miss Sunshine, is getting married this summer. Last Saturday, the girls in our family had a bridal shower for her. While I almost ALWAYS hate shower games, I have to admit that the one we did on Saturday was fun (maybe it was who was there, maybe it was the game, who knows?). We had two pieces of white tissue paper (not white tissue, ie. kleenexes... that caused some confusion when I told someone the story earlier), and tape. That's it. Then we had to make our very best wedding veil, and Little Miss Sunshine had to vote on her favorite.

But our family isn't like most families. We weren't satisfied with just showing our creations off. Nope. That wasn't good enough. We had to do a fashion show. Including the blaring music. And the applause. And the cat-whistles... well, maybe that doesn't happen at a real fashion show. What do I know??? I live in the midwest!!

Here are some pictures of our creations... and no, mine is NOT a pirate bridal veil. I was trying to re-create mine, which was a pillbox hat. I finally gave in to the fact that it looked pirat-ish and just said "AARRGGHH, MATEY" the rest of the day! These aren't all the veils (apparently I was enjoying the show too much to get pictures of everyone!).

As Heidi Klum would say: Enjoy the show.

Here's R1 with her and her sister's R2's creation.

Sis went for the traditional look.

S and her mom made this creative veil. Simplicity is the key, right girls?

Aunt S and her bow-tiful veil!

Little Miss Sunshine's BFF with her bow-tastic version.

Here's C with a veil that looks a LOT like her original!

Sorry, Grandma, I caught you mid-gumchew!!! Her veil had the apron look.

Here's the winner of the contest... and J only used 1 piece of tissue paper! She got "green" points, too!

J's artistic version...

Up close and personal with J and me.

Here's hoping spring is here to stay...

So THIS doesn't have to happen anymore!!!

*The belching at the end is my delicate daughter... I am so proud!!!

p.s. For those of you who already saw this on Facebook, sorry for the double-dipping... I thought it was worth posting both places!!!