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Well, at least for the weekend! I'll be back on Wednesday...Happy Fourth of July!!!!

FRIDAY! FRIDAY! FRIDAY!

And it's before a long weekend! woo-hoo! And for once, we have NOTHING planned (shhhhh..please don't tell anyone, they may find something for me to do). We are going to the Biscuits game tonight but other than that, it's a free weekend. I plan to spend some time at the pool and hopefully get the house cleaned up. I'd also like to get some scrapping done, but the hubster will be home as well so I don't know how much of that I will actually accomplish. I had originally thought that I would be the only one at home on Monday (and boy was I looking forward to THAT) however, after posting all week that they would only be closed on Tuesday, yesterday the Ladybug's daycare decided that they would be closed both Monday and Tuesday. SHIT. There goes my "me" day. Oh well, I am sure that the Ladybug and I will have a grand ol time. And it's not that I don't want to hang out with her. I just had a "me" day planned. And that'll be four days that she's not in daycare. Do you know what a bitch taking her back on Wednesday is going to be?

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I hope that everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday weekend. Please remember to say a special "Thank You" to all the men and women who are currently fighting or have faught to maintain our freedoms. We are so blessed to live in America, and regardless of your opinions on this war, those are our troops over there and we must support them. Enjoy your BBQ and please, drink a cold one for me (and I will do the same for you) and have a great time!

oh yeah....and I'm outta here until Wednesday! I'll catch up with all of ya'll then...and post some weekend pics....Have a great one!

Confessions

So, I have a couple of confessions to make:

1. I ate Mexican food yesterday for lunch. This totally did away with how good I was on Tuesday night when a friend and I went to Applebees and I actually ate of the Weight Watchers menu. I had the Tango Chicken sandwich (7 points). I watched as my friend ate a great looking bacon cheeseburger but was so proud of my willpower. Then I had mexican food. I felt wretched afterwards, mainly because I knew better. But see, I'm a sucker for mexican food. I love it. It is a wonder the Ladybug didn't come out a giant cheese enchilada because I ate so many when I was preggers with her.

2. I bought ANOTHER dang pair of flip flops yesterday. This is pair number four for the summer. I seriously have a problem.

What about ya'll? Anything you need to get off of your chest?

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I uploaded some more scrapbook pages here. I've been working on some more pages, but not with the same fever I worked on them before. See, I must have to be pissed in order to get so much accomplished.

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Our local country station is beginning a special countdown today for the holiday weekend. They are counting down the top 1000 country songs. In order to compile this list, they sent out surveys to people in their listening audience who registered with them on their website. Of course, I had to register. We were asked to list our 10 favorite country songs of ALL TIME. Seriously? Just 10? Anyway, here's my list just in case any of you actually, um yeah, CARE.

1. The Dance by Garth Brooks (all time FAVORITE song EVER)

2. Don't Close Your Eyes by Keith Whitley (ya'll I LOVE this song)

3. Moon over Georgia by Shenandoah

4. Courtesy of the Red White & Blue by Toby Keith (LOVE HIM!)

5. I was Country by Barbara Mandrell

6. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynard Skynard (yeah, not so sure this is actually COUNTRY, but since I live in Alabama and am a Crimson Tide fan I had to include this on my list, that and they do play it on this radio station)

7. Whiskey Girl by Toby Keith (did I say I love him?)

8. When the Sun goes Down by Kenny Chesney (DUH)

9. Lay you Down by Conway Twitty (such a legend)

10. My Home's in Alabama by Alabama (yeah, obvious reasons here)

So here's my question to you. What are you top 10 songs (don't have to be country, don't have to be all one genre). Just 10. See, it's hard.

and yeah, I was gonna do all those links, but shit, I don't have the patience.

DAMN

*if you are not a fan of bitching, complete with curse words.....then STOP READING HERE! (because quite frankly, I'm pissy and I cuss a lot in this post. And I say fuck)

So Dr. B says the ladybug has to go back on the breathing treatments. 3 times a day for at least the next week, with us heading back to see her next Thursday for a "re-check" (damn money sucking doctors....that's two $30.00 copays in a week, don't these fuckers know I'm going on vacation soon and I need ca$h?). At least I don't have to buy the medicine for the breathing treatments, I still have some from our last go round just a little over a month ago. THANK GAWD, as it is only partially covered by the bastard insurance company and is also expensive as freaking hell. The thing with the breathing treatments is that they take so freaking long to give (well you know 10 minutes of sitting still is pure torture to my wiggle worm of a 3 year old) and if the bastard insurance company would pay for the inhaler then we could cut it down to 2 times a day and for only like 3 puffs. SERIOUSLY. WHAT THE FUCK? How can they pay for the medicine but not pay for the medicine dispenser? I suppose if she was diabetic they would pay for the insulin but not for the needles. FUCKTARDS (interestingly enough I have honestly never used that word before.....EVAH). So oh holy hell, here we go again. Anyone got any ideas on how to make her keep the GD (because I won't say this word) mask on her face, aside from super gluing the bitch there?

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*oh and Greta, I would love to "hump" the husband on "hump day", however he happens to be over in your lovely state on business.........and yeah, shit me at home with a sick child. FUCK.

It's Hump Day. . . . . . . .

And not too much is going on. Slow week in the Manic Mommy house. I like it. Not complaining, just doesn't give me much to blog about. The only exciting thing, after a 2 week hiatus, the nails are back on. My nail lady, sweet Betty Lou had to cancel my last appointment because she was a bit under the weather. So rather than reschedule, I just took the nails off and let them have a "breather". So yesterday, they are back on. I went with a french manicure this week. Clean and simple. I gotta tell ya, after not having them on for a couple of weeks this is taking some getting used to again! So that's it, the only exciting thing I have to report is that I had my nails put back on. Whew, aren't you glad I told you that?

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I do think the Ladybug is going to have to have breathing treatments AGAIN. Her allergies are just going nutso this year. She's on Zyrtec everyday, but is coughing up a storm again. We have to go back to the doctor this afternoon, but somehow I think we are going to have to pull that ol nebulizer back out again. This will be our 5th trip down nebulizer lane since she was born. This is only our second trip since she's been old enough to physically remove the mask from her face. We could try the inhaler, but since we already own a nebulizer, why would I pay for the inhaler, which is NOT covered by our insurance. The medicine is, but the way to get the medicine into the body, not covered. Stupid insurance companies.

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Not Much Going On

Not too much going on today, so I give you some pics of the Ladybug "cooking" last night. I was making lasagna (5 points Veronica that's it! I found this awesome recipe....I'll send it to you). We're having it for supper tonight. So while I was doing that she was doing her own cooking. And the apron, yeah it's actually a gardening apron that she wears whenever she cooks. I don't know why. I don't wear an apron. (Little Miss Suzy Homemaker I AM NOT!)

Some other random stuff going on with me....since diet began I am down 2 pounds. It's not a lot but it's a freaking start. My weight watchers stuff from Veronica arrived. Thanks again honey! Big "happy" heading your way today.

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Also, a friend of mine's father passed away yesterday. We aren't close, but her and her husband are in our Sunday School Class (Life 101). I feel for her. He has been very sick with cancer for sometime. She is such an amazing person though. In her email to notify us of his passing she said "please don't be sad for me, I am happy now that he is no longer in pain and is at home". I don't know if I'd have that kind of faith if my father had just passed away.

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On a much lighter note, I am going to the beach in 1 week and 4 days! woo-hoo!

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This is my 83rd post on blogger........Guess I better start planning something for my 100th post, it'll be here before I know it!

Weekend Birthday Party

This weekend we had my nephew B's birthday party. And actually, he's not my nephew. His mom and I are first cousins. She is, as is her husband, an only child. So, I'm the closest to a sister she's got, and therefore her children are my "nephews". I cannot believe that B is 9. Today is his actually birthday. He was born shortly after the hubster and I started dating, which means we have also been together for 9 years. (ok, so I deserve a medal for putting up with his shit for 9 years!) Anyway, we went to my aunts house (B's grandma) for some swimming and cake and ice cream. We did get some swimming in before the afternoon thunderstorm set in (and camped out for like 3 hours.....we got over 3 inches of much needed rain at my house). Here's the pics:

This is my cousin Lora (B's mom), B, and my Aunt Cathy (B's Grandma) getting ready to blow out the candles on the fabulous Bruster's ice cream cake. This thing was delicicious (and so not on my diet! I did only have a small piece V, bet that was my daily point allowance though!)

This is JW in the pool. His mom is the one I referred to in this post. He is the cutest kid (ok, boy kid because mine is the cutest kid)!
B, Lora and the Ladybug...
The ladybug explaining something imporant to her daddy

B and the $10,000 chocolate bar my sister gave him. It was from Chocodelphia and was YUMMY! (again V, just a small taste!...LOL)

JW & the Ladybug....

The ladybug and her daddy. (she's not getting in trouble, though it really looks like it)

JW & the ladybug AGAIN!

Whew, another busy weekend in the books. I swear, we need to slow down and enjoy one once in a while! We did go see Cars and it was awesome. Aside from the creepy 30 something man that was sitting at the end of our row without a kid with him. Anyone else find that creepy? The movie was great though and the Ladybug loved it. She was quick to point out that "Junor" had a cameo in it (well, she didn't call it a cameo, she doesn't know what a cameo is). I also found out on Friday that my office is going to be closed the 3rd & 4th of July. SWEET. A 3 day work week before we head to the beach!

Woman of the Year

Ok, I said previously that I was going to go to a Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday to get ready for my trip. Whatever it may be. Well, let me just say that the reason Veronica is my Woman of the Year is because she hooked a sista up! I do not have to go the WW because, well, Veronica is sending me all kinds of shit for me to use and she hooked me up on some websites. Thanks Girl! I owe you one!

(oh, and she wouldn't send me a real pic, so you're stuck with her cartoon and her toes, maybe we'll get a real pic when she's done with her WW and has her new nose!)

Do You Ever Wish You Could Just Make Up Your Mind?

Ok, so the hubster and I are so going on vacation. Where are we going? Well, yeah see that is source of great dilemma for us. There is always the cruise option. And now, well there is an all-inclusive trip to Cozumel on the table (another great deal at $779 per person including air fare, and his diving). He got a travel agent involved, and now we can't make up our minds what we want to do. It all seems so nice, so wonderful, so romantic, so beachy. I want to do all of them. Imagine that. The vacation is going to happen, I just don't know where the hell we are going to go!

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Last night it thundered and lightninged at my house for 2 solid hours. We got 1/4 of an inch of rain. Total. It is so dry. I swear that one little spark could send the whole area up in flames. The only way you could tell it rained? My deck was semi wet. The rain gauge said 1/4 inch. All that ruckus and no rain. We need rain.

(oh, and it reached 100 AGAIN yesterday. DAMN.)
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Hope everyone has a fantabulous weekend. I wish I had something more exciting to blog about today, but right now all that is going on is trying to plan this vacation. Nothing else. I like it when my life is boring.

Bunch O' Stuff

Happy Thursday Everyone! One more day til the weekend. Ours is chock full as usual. One day I'm gonna find time for a break, but I just can't seem to fit one into my busy schedule. I promised the Ladybug that we'd go see the movie Cars on Saturday so we are going to the 4:30 matinee. I just don't see having to pay full price for a movie, even one for the Ladybug. Sunday is my nephew's 9th birthday party. I cannot believe that he is 9 years old already! Seems like just yesterday when he was born. He decided that he really wants to go deep sea fishing for his birthday, so his parents are taking him to do that later in July. So Sunday is a family only swim party and get together. Should be lots o' fun!

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Ok, onto Big Brother last night, America's Choice. Turns out America only votes in 6 (3 men and 3 women) of the houseguests. The remaining 6 must have to do some sort of challenge to get into the house, though Julie Chen kept this information secret last night. I was excited to see who might be returning. Some of my all time favorite players: Will, Nakomis, Howie.....I was thrilled. Must go to cbs.com to vote today. Last night was simply a teaser as the real show doesn't begin until July 8. Oh well, I'll actually be at the beach that weekend, so I'll be Tivo'ing it so that I can see what went on when I get back! I'm telling ya'll, I am so addicted to this show!

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The hubs and I talked last night and we decided on the cruise! I am so freaking excited! We leave on the 22nd of September! That is 3 months from today! woo-hoo! He gets to dive and I get to soak up the sun and drink drinks with umbrellas in them. We got a hurricane policy so should the weather decide to impede on our fun, we'll get vouchers for a future cruise. I'm glad we have some sort of "back up" plan, as you can never tell with Mother Nature. Though personally, I think we deserve a break in the crazy hurricane season. Keep your fingers crossed (not only for us, that we may enjoy our cruise, but for everyone else that would suffer much more than me not getting to go on my cruise) that nothing major occurs before, during or after our trip. I don't think I want to be stuck in the Bahamas when a hurricane hits! I am, to say the least, thrilled! I still cannot believe that he suggested this. He actually said he thought about surprising me with it, but decided it best to just let me help decide where and when we go. How sweet of him! I know that he can sometimes be an ass, but ya'll I love him so much and every now and then, he reminds me why I love him so much! He has put so much into this trip and I am so excited about it. He didn't even bill it as "I get to dive and you get to tag along". He made the trip all about us, and then asked if maybe he could dive while we were down there. Diving is actually the reason that we decided on the cruise as opposed to flying somewhere because it is a short trip and something about you can't dive and fly within a certain time frame or you'll get the bends. And the bends are, well, BAD.

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So, because of the trip the diet has started. I have an appointment with Weight Watchers on Saturday, but today I am just eating better. I brought my lunch (hello Lean Cuisine) and some better snacks (as opposed to my chips). I hope to be down at least 15 pounds by the time our trip rolls around. Wish me luck!

My Trip!

Ok, so we are definatly going somewhere. Quite possibly the cruise. We've looked at some other options, but hell for that price......you can't beat that. Now, do we drive to Miami (um, yeah long time in a freaking car) or do we look into flights? I'm going with flying, but then I'm not the one footing the bill! Whatever we do, in 3 months I will be going somewhere tropical. Please pray that no hurricanes are a brewing then!

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And holy hell it is hot.....my weather pixie indicates that it is officially 100 degrees here. As does my Weather Wizard on my computer. DAMN.

Wacky Wednesday

In celebration of summer's first day...........the Ladybug....too cool for school! (I took this this am in the car, she has on my old sunglasses because hers are "missing" (in other words, she lost them).

So, summer is here......well "officially" anyway. It's been in Alabama for the past month. Our weather guy said last night that we have already had 30 days where the temperature has soared above 90. Today's High? 98. Yesterdays High? 97. Tomorrows High? 98. Yeah, it's HOT here. I will have to say this though, and quietly I might add, that while yes, it is very HOT here it has not been quite as humid as normal. Shhh....don't say anything.

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Big Brother returns tonight. Woo-hoo. I heart this show. Tonight is the first night where they bring back 20 previous houseguests and we, America get to vote for the 12 that enter the house. Personally I'm rooting for Nakomis, Kaysar, and Will. They were great players. Am I the only one who is addicted to this show? 3 times a week. Wow! I don't subscribe to the 24 hour feed, well you know cause if I did I wouldn't do anything but watch it all the time and then I might get fired, so I do go to Morty's TV to read the recaps for those people who do watch 24/7. I always know what is going on.

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Ok, remember my previous post where I mentioned the unplanned vacay to the beach in a couple of weeks? Well get this, the hubster has decided that he wants to go somewhere in late September / early October to do some diving (he's a certified deep water diver, or something like that, I just don't quite share his *passion* for this). And I get to go. And it's going to be just us. We're trying to decide where to go. He found an awesome deal on a cruise to the Bahamas yesterday with Royal Carribbean. I've never been on a cruise. We've also looked at using a friends time share and possibly going to the Florida Keys or to Sanibel Island, Florida depending on flight rates. The cruise is something amazing like $238 a person. And that is a room with a real window, not a view of a wall. WOW. I'm thinking we will end up on the cruise. I am so excited. I am also officially on a diet. I can't take my fat ass somewhere this nice. Diet starts today. Must loose at least 15 pounds. Think I can do it? Any suggestions? Wow! Another vacay...and I really just cannot put into words how excited I am about this. It was all the hubsters idea and I am just thrilled. We haven't been on a trip like this since we got married. WOW!

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Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame......

Here's some pictures from our Saturday night at the Biscuits game. We went with the hubsters whole family (yeah, all 12 of us). Our seats were in the same section, but not all together. Our friends JC's Mom & Dad also came along with J & C. It was a fun family night at the ballgame, complete with fireworks after the show. About once a month, one of the Credit Unions here sponsors fireworks after the baseball game. It is the only reason we were still hanging around, especially after the Baybears had a 7 run top of the ninth. The game was tied until that point. And it was late. And the Ladybug was extremely tired! We had a blast though....

Alli & her daddy enjoying the fireworks........

Fireworks.......
This is what Alli thought of the fireworks....she'd never seen them before and was impressed, but the noise scared her a bit!
Biscuits on the field!
The Ladybug & Me
Blue Cotton Candy does this..........
The hubster, me & the Ladybug
The Ladybug and her Big Mo (the mascot) stuffed animal
The Ladybug & her daddy.....
So there you have it, recap of our night at the ballpark. I love having this minor league (they are a AA division of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays) so close by. The hubster's company has season tickets so we get to go often.......

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Thanks for the encouraging words regarding my hobby turned hopefully job. I've checked out each suggestion each of you made and will keep you posted on my progress! If you know of anyone in my area that needs photos taken, please let me know. I'll be happy to take their pictures to build up my portfolio for no charge. I'll do prints for them at cost. Thanks so much ya'll!

What I Want to be When I grow up

Lately, I've been giving a lot of thought to my career path in life. I actually have a degree in marketing. I do not use it in my current job. However, the pay at my current job, plus benefits is more than any marketing job that was available after I took some time off after the birth of my daughter. I enjoy my job. I work for a very small non profit organization and there are, count them, 4 of us in this office. I have a great working environment and a boss that is actually not a bad person to work for (I would not have said this during my first 6 months here, but now that I've been here just a little over 3 years, we have gelled and developed a fabulous working relationship.)

Anyway, I've signed up for my 3rd photography class at a local university as part of their continuing education program. I've loved every one of them. I've also been very quiet about doing this, as I signed up as a way to get more out of the digital camera I got for Christmas and have somewhere along the lines fell in love with photography. I've kept most of my work under wraps for fear of someone not liking it. I shared some with some friends this weekend for the first time. I also shared my desire to become a photographer. They both loved my work and encouraged my dream. What great friends I have. The hubs has listened to me talk about this for months and was proud that I finally shared this with someone other than him. He wants me to be happy, but he also wants me to bring home some bacon. Therefore, I'm scared to try to do this. I'm scared to attempt to make a living doing something I love for fear of failure.

My question to you, dear internet, is......what kind of equipment should I purchase? I've talked to my instructor who has given me some ideas and now I want more opinions. Most of my work so far has been pictures of my daughter. I also got some great shots at a recent wedding where the ladybug was a flowergirl. Ya'll, I think I've been so quiet about this because I think (no, I believe) that I have found my calling. I also am petrified to take a step and do this. I just don't know where to start. I don't know what camera or cameras to buy, what equipment I need or even how to market myself (funny from a marketing major huh?). I can market anything else, I just don't know how to sell myself. This is because myself is afraid of failure. I am afraid to put myself out there. I want to shoot children, families and weddings and I want to be GOOD. I want people to want me to be there photographer. But I'm scared to death.

Anyway, now that I think I've found my destiny in life, how do I move past the fear of failing and into making my dream a reality? I've never really been so sure of anything in my life. I don't know when or how I developed this love affair, though I think most of it comes from the digital camera for Christmas. I've just fallen in love with taking pictures. I always loved it before, but now that I can see instant results I am taking pictures of anything and everything. I also found that I have a talent for it. Who doesn't want to earn a living doing something that they truly love? Anyway, now that I know, I've got to find a way to step outside my comfort zone and do this.

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Side note: Biscuits baseball pictures posted soon.............hope all you dads had a wonderful Father's Day.

Friday Free For All

Welcome to my Friday Free for All. Kinda like yesterday, I've got several random (and probably pointless) thoughts running around in my head so this post is probably going nowhere.

So, thanks to a horrible cycle (damn you aunt flow) related migraine, I didn't get to watch the Matt Lauer interview with Britney on Dateline last night. Not to worry, I Tivo'd it. I don't know when I'll have a chance to watch it, but I will. I started watching it and then was knocked to the floor by the pain. I took a pain killer (nighty nighty) and went to bed. When I get these shit ass headaches (and they are always related to stupid auntie flow) I can do nothing but sleep them off with a little help from Mr. Narcotic. I also usually know when they are coming and wasn't surprised at all when she showed up last night. I had the signs, I knew it was coming so I had already turned on the TIVO when the show began. Of what I saw, well HELLO Britney's Boobs. She was busting out of her slightly too small top. DAMN woman has some boobs thanks to her babies! LOL. And, and I am seriously hoping that there was some sock eating monster that invaded his suitcase while on the plane from New York to LA and not that he thought this look was cool, but where were Matt Lauer's socks? He didn't have on any, and with jeans and the loafers he had on, well that was just not a look that he should have been going for. I actually kinda feel sorry for Britney, in a sick, train wreck sorta way. She does need to dump the Federline though, but only my opinion.

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As for my weekend plans, well dang they just got busier. My mom, sister and I are going to visit a friend's grave in the morning, on the 2 year anniversary of the day that her life was tragically cut very short. This in itself is a whole nother post, and I will write on it one day as her bastard husband will go on trial beginning in 2 weeks for her death. Yes, she was a victim of domestic violence. The 2 year anniversary has snuck up on me. It doesn't seem like she has been gone that long. I actually thought of her the other day when there was a mouse in my house (and then the very next day an exterminator). I was freaking out about it and I know that she was smiling down on my laughing her ass off because once before she had to remove one from my house. She just picked it up by its tail and took it outside where she very calmly set it free. Let's just say my release of the mouse was not nearly as graceful as hers. I know she laughed when I threw the towel over it's little mousy body and then ran like hell out the door where I flung the mouse into the ditch. I'm sure all the poor mouse could say was "damn". I missed her so much on Tuesday as I captured the little mouse. In mentioning the story to my sister, she reminded me that the 2 year mark was approaching. We've bought our flowers and I've written my yearly letter, but I find myself missing her so much. She was a beautiful person and a wonderful mother. Her son now lives with his father (not the maniac who killed her) and I wonder everyday if he'll ever know just how special his mother was? He was just 2 years old when she was killed. I think of her often, and have a beautiful mural that she painted in the Ladybug's room. I'll try to remember to take a picture over the weekend and post it. I hope that we have built a new house by the time the Ladybug outgrows this mural, because I do not have the heart to paint over it. My only regret on the mural is that I never got her to come and sign her work. I always thought that I'd have plenty of time for that.

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Sorry to have brought ya'll down with the part above. On a bright note, we are all set to go on our unplanned vacay! I am so excited. I wish we were leaving today, but the weekend will be here soon enough! I'm thrilled that the hubster and I will be getting away for some quality time. We need it!

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If you have never read William's Poop and Boogies, then you are missing out. But I just wanted to give him and his wife a shout out, as they welcomed a new baby boy this week! Congrats Ya'll!

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Hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend.....I'll try to have some Biscuits Baseball pics for ya'll on Monday! Oh, and we've put off going to see Cars again. DAMN, I know that Alli beginning to think I am never going to take her to see this. I promised that we would go next Saturday and nothing is going to keep me from taking her then. I don't care what my MIL thinks we need to do, or what her daddy thinks we need to do or what anybody thinks we need to do, her and I are going to the movies. It's a date. I wrote it on her calendar this time, and she's crossing off each day until it is time, so we're going.

Happy Weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRETA!!!!!!

*please go here to send your own wishes!

Thursday Randomness

Because I have a lot of things running around in this crazy little head of mine, today's post, well yeah, the title sums it up!

For starters, like we are all drawn to train wrecks, I find it "must see tv" to watch the Britney Spears interview tonight with Matt Lauer. (It's on Dateline.) First I must find out what she has to say about the big ole giant piece of white trash that she has become. I'm guessing that I am not going to hear her say "that KFED is a douchebag". However, like a moth to a flame, I must see what she has to say. And secondly, HELLO....it's Matt Lauer in primetime. I love Matt Lauer! I have a thing for news guys. Matt Lauer, Anderson Cooper, Sean Hannity. Love them! So, I'll watch it and I'm sure scream at her at least once during the interview. But I will not scream at my Matt! LOL.

On another note, Greta showed me the light and said that the reason that "C" will have to take antibiotics before going to the dentist, should his heart not heal before he is 3 is because when you go to the dentist you can stir up all kinds of bacteria and grossness that can cause an infection in your heart. Who knew? Thanks Greta! Practicing without a license!

I found out last night that we are going to go to the beach in like a month. This is an unplanned trip! Woo-hoo! My sister and her boyfriend are going and they got a great deal on a townhouse so they asked us to tag along. Ya'll, 2 nights in PC Beach for $125 a couple? That is UNHEARD of! It's in a great complex that is right across the street from the beach. They have their own clubhouse and pool and beach bar on the beach side. How awesome. And the hubster said we could go! YEAH! I love the beach! And a trip that I wasn't planning on! How lucky!

This weekend is already full and I thought that we'd be able to be lazy and just hang out. No such luck! We've got supper club Friday night (I'm looking forward to this though) and then are going to the Biscuits (yeah, our minor league baseball team is the Biscuits...) game on Saturday night with my whole freaking in law family. I'd rather swim in a pool of scissors! Oh well, at least they have draft beer there! I had also promised the Ladybug that we would try to go see Cars this weekend. I hope that we can find time to squeeze that in on Saturday afternoon because Sunday we've got a cookout with my dad. Geez, for someone who didn't have anything to do this weekend, I sure can fill one up fast!

And finally, last night we ate dinner with my parents. It was great southern style food. Fried pork chops, fried eggplant, fried green tomatoes (are you realizing a theme here?), cream corn and great old fashioned corn bread. It was THE BEST! I'll have to go with something a little less heavy today for lunch (should I ever be hungry again) because I think my arteries need to be declogged! Thank GAWD we don't eat like that everyday!

I've also added a new link over to the side to my scrapbook pages. This is a new blog I just started to show off my scappin! Hope ya'll like it. Don't forget to check out my 100 things too......

Happy Thursday!

Calling All Bloggers.....

I have joined. Have you?

I "stole" this from The Kept Woman. It originally is the brainchild of Dale. The object is to get 2996 bloggers to each honor a victim of 9/11 on the Fifth Anniversary this September. You do not and will not honor the terrorists. Their names or cause shall not be mentioned. I have been assigned the name of David LaForge, who perished at the World Trade Center. I will do a post on him on September 11, 2006 in honor of the Fifth Anniversary of the attack on US soil.

Want to do your part? Go here and let Dale know. He'll assign you a name via email. On 9/11 we will all link together and honor the 2996 victims of the attack.

I absolutely believe in this mission.

We as bloggers can accept it. I hope that you will stand with me.

The Art of Communication

I have spent the last two days in a class about how to communicate more effectively. I'm guessing my boss sent me there so that I could learn how to communicate without sounding so much like a bitch. Bad news for him. I am a bitch. Anyway, the class was actually somewhat informative, but like most classes that you go to, applying the techniques learned in the real world just somehow doesn't seem feasible. For instance, I work with the most negative person on the planet. She oozes negativity. Just to walk toward her end of the building is a dreadful walk. She is the most negative person ever. Nothing is ever right and it is also never her fault. The world hates her. Blah. I'm tired of her "feel sorry for me, I'm a single mother" bullshit. She has 2 kids with two different baby daddies. She has never been married. See, for me this is a choice SHE made. But somehow, the world is to blame. Anyway, I digress. I learned in my class how to address her negativity without being a bitch. Really, I want to tell her where to shove it. I don't know if I'll try what I learned. I don't know if it would do any good really. What I do know is that I am tired of her negativity. It radiates to me. And then I'm crappy. Ya'll, I'm a happy person. (I learned in my class that I am a relater, in case you were curious). I am almost always friendly and upbeat even if the world were crashing in around me. I'm just that type of person. So working with her, well it's a pain in the ass. Anyway I'm still deciding how to use my "training" to speak to her about her negativity. I'll let ya'll know what I find out.

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I want to thank everyone again for their prayers regarding our friends JC's Mom & Dad and the discovery that C had a heart murmur. I previously stated that they wouldn't go to the pediatric cardiologist until the end of this month, but they lucked up and got an appointment this past Monday. Ya'll, he is FINE! He does have a very tiny (microscopic) whole in his heart. It is absolutely NOTHING to worry about. Worse case scenario if it doesn't heal on it's on? He'll have to take antibiotics before going to the dentist (and if anyone can explain this, please tell me why?). Anyway, thanks again so much for your prayers!

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Oh, and I obviously did not melt away in the Alabama heat at the birthday party this weekend. What I did do however, was spend so much time chasing my 3 year old around that NOT ONE picture was taken. I promise to do better in the future. I will try to get caught up on your blogs as soon as possible. As you can imagine after having been out for 2 days finding my desk under all the crap negative Nelly didn't do is quite the task. I've missed ya'll and I'll get to reading and find out what's going on with each of you soon!

Ok, the first time I tried to publish this, blogger the bitch said that there was a "broken pipe". WTF? Why does blogger suck so freaking bad? I am seriously considering a change over to wordpress. I'll let you know if I fly the coup.

Thank GAWD It is Friday

This has been a long week. From the beginning of the week when the husband was an ass to dealing with the 3 year old all alone all week because the hubs has had softball all week I am so glad that today is FINALLY FRIDAY. I am exhausted. On a positive note, I have managed to get a shitload done in my scrapbooking, something that I had not lately found the time to do. So at least I was productive. I've decided I scrap better when I am pissed. Something about releasing pent up energy or something. I scrap to keep me from beating the shit out of my husband. HA! Blogger has been a bitch all week so I haven't managed to upload the remainder of my page pictures and I just don't feel like dealing with it today. They are supposed to be doing some maintenance this afternoon so hopefully that will help with the problem (cough cough, um yeah, sure it will). Anyway, I've tried to comment on your blogs but it wouldn't let me. I wish I had been in the mood to fight with it.

As a reward for being a single mom all week, the hubs is keeping the ladybug on Sunday. I will be spending the day lounging in the pool with my sister and some other girlfriends. Nice. I do however have to get through my nephew D's birthday party tomorrow. It's from 11-2 (isn't that kinda long?) and its OUTSIDE. HELLO? Do you know how hot it is supposed to be in Alabama tomorrow? Um, yeah 97. HOT! Which won't be a problem for the kiddos as they are swimming, but what about the parents suffering in the heat? Anyway, providing I don't melt away on Saturday, Sunday I shall be in the pool. I'll post some b'day party pics on Monday if Blogger cooperates.

Happy Freaking Friday Everybody! The weekend is almost here!

Blogger is Still a BITCH!

Well I tried AGAIN to upload those photos. Again with no luck. Sorry Greta.

I do want to say though that after much work I have finally completed my 100 things list. You can go here to check it out.

Ok, no more posts today. I'll try to do the pictures again tomorrow. Damn you blogger!

Well Crap!

Well, Blogger is a bitch again today so I am not able (so far) to upload the rest of my scapbook pages that I worked on when I was so pissed off. So, maybe one day soon blogger will quit acting crappy! (yeah....um....right!).

Ok, so I saw this sign on my way to work at our local KFC, and it read: "New Famous Mashed Potato Bowls". Can something really be new and famous?

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I got this from Kristine . Here is a case of karma biting someone in the ass. Check out this website on the stolen sidekick. If only I had had the guts to do this when my cell phone was stolen back in March. The idiot answered mine as well. STUPID!

The Blow By Blow

Ok, so last night I planned to have "the talk" with the hubster that I talked about in this post. Anyway, thanks to everyone for your comments. Greta, turns out I didn't have to back down, which is a good damn thing because I wasn't going too. I rarely do. I am pretty darn selfish myself and my husband puts up with a lot from me. He's great and normally not premenstrual or what the hell ever has been going on with him. And Cheeky, yeah, something is freaky with the planets. Because get this, and please don't fall out in the floor like I did, he came in after his ballgame, much LATER than I anticipated (so now you know I am PISSED) and says before I have a chance to ask him anything that "he's sorry he's late, it turned into a double header and that he's sorry he has has his head in his ass the past couple of days". Girls, I nearly passed out from freaking SHOCK! We talked and now everything is all good. Which, please don't get me wrong I am so grateful for, but shit, why the hell does he have to act like this in the first place? Why are men such big, pathetic babies? Anyway, things seem to be on the mend here at Manic Mommies house, much love to each of you for your support. I *heart* all of you and could not have imagined the outpouring of love that each of you (especially V, dedicating a video on her blog to me). Thanks Blog Buddies!

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Now, for Greta here's some of the scrapbook pages I got done when I "stole" her scrapping mojo. There's more but blogger is a bitch and won't let me load them. I'll try again later!

From our Gulf Shores beach trip......

The really young ladybug (see told you I was behind, I've got like 5 books going on) feeding a baby calf.
Halloween, from 2 years (SHUT UP) ago...
Believe it or not, just last summer, the ladybug & I at Gym & Swim
Pictures of the ladybug and J. These are both new and old. I had been wanting to do a page of them for her book and I finally got it done.

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So, that's it. Thanks again to all of you for your great comments and words of advice. I was prepared for the "blow by blow" but turns out I didn't need it. I love it when he just gives in because he knows that it's easier to just admit his ass was wrong than to deal with the wrath of me anymore.

Happy Wednesday!

Feeling Blue

Ok, for starters, let me first say thanks to Chesney Girl, Veronica and Greta for "showing me the love" after my last post. I do have the blues and I don't really know where to start or how to get out of them. I've taken more Xanex in the past few days then I think is probably consider a "safe dose". (Ok, not seriously, but you know). Here's why:

For starters, the hubs and I had our once every three to four months money argument on Friday night. Basically, he thinks I spend too much, and yeah, I'll admit it, I'm the spender of the family, he's the penny pincher. But what he questions is not the stuff that I buy that I don't need (you know, new flip flops or other crap I "need") it's the stuff I buy that we actually need that gets him. This fight started over a $175.00 Wal Mart tab. Well let's see, I bought his $15.00 razors, his new underwear and basic necessities that our house needs in order to function normally (you know, groceries, toilet paper) and I hadn't been in a couple of weeks. I do usually try to go every week, but damn, we've been gone a lot lately and I just haven't had the freaking time! HOW DARE I? We shouldn't need food! Anyway, the fight itself is not this issue, or maybe it is. Usually after this argument we kiss and make up and all is good (basically he realizes that well you know maybe we do need groceries). Not this time. He pouted and sulked and basically did not say 2 words to me afterwards on Friday night (I went to bed pissed off...which we never do) and pretty much nothing on Saturday until we met up with our friends to go to the lake. At the lake everything was great, so I (stupid me) figured that he was finally through being an ass and that things were good with us. NOPE. When we got home on Sunday he was back to his moody ass self, not saying anything to me unless it was required and then short sentences. WTF? I thought we were ok now? Now I know, I probably should have said something to him, but I was tired and not in the mood for an argument, especially not one we had already had and one that I thought was already resolved. Anyway, back to Sunday. We get home from the lake and he and the ladybug lay down to take a nap because he wasn't feeling well (well I didn't tell him to drink like a fucking fish on Saturday and then vomit, but you know it's still somehow someway my freaking fault). No biggie. I can get some stuff done in peace and quiet. So I do some laundry, tidy up the house and wash our sheets and comforters because I found a flea on the Mollie dog and I.HATE.FLEAS so the whole house had to be fumigated. So while they are napping freely I'm working my ass off. We cook steaks and twice baked potatoes for supper (at his request I might add, I was going to go with plain ol baked ones, but he asked so I obliged, without a thank you) and then who cleans up the kitchen? Um, well see that would be me. And then, I ask him to bathe the ladybug but it seems he's too wrapped up in the women's softball college world series (HUH? how exciting) to get up off his lazy ass and do it, so guess what, I did it. Me, miss "I've been busting my ass" today. All the while his moodiness is getting worse. Again, I go to bed pissed off. Monday I am off, he leaves for work with a quick peck on my cheek because I am awake because my body forgot that I took the day off and got up at normal time. No worries. I sat on the porch swing with my coke and smokes and read some of my trashy summer novel. It was nice. Still moody husband though. He gets home last night late (like 10:00) because he had a softball game at 8:30 and well we live so far out coming home would have been stupid (ok, I'm trying to rationalize his behavior, he could have come home, but that would have meant contact with me and possibly having to do something around here) and I was asleep. I got up early this morning (because now, having gone to bed 3 straight nights this pissed off I can no longer sleep) and was getting dressed when he left. Crappy ass kiss on the cheek again. No conversation. ZERO. We've said, I swear to GAWD, 8 words to each other total since Sunday. EIGHT WORDS. That's it. When what i want to say to him is to KISS MY ASS. So tonight, he's got another softball game, but this one is earlier. I'm hoping to get the ladybug in bed and then be waiting on him when he gets home. I simply cannot handle this shit anymore. I'm so confused and shit, lonely. This is not like us. I wish I knew what his issue was. The thing is, he does this every so often. It's like his PMS or something. But instead of being monthly, it's like every 4 months, therefore you have a whole lot of shit to put up with. I just don't get it anymore. I'm tired. I'm tired of his shit. I'm tired of the way he's treating me (and it's only been like what 4 days?). But I'm tired. I swear I think he looks right through me and I don't get it. I'm wondering what the fuck else is going on with him, but you know, clamming up and all he's not telling me. SHIT.

Yeah, just SHIT. Therefore I feel like SHIT. And I'm not even pissed anymore. I'm tired.

And just so you know, the reason I've let it go on this long with me feeling this way is because I've apologized after the money fight. It's his turn. And I'm so damn stubborn that I'll keep it this way until it's just driving me crazy and eating away at me (or until he apologizes FIRST) before I go and be the one that caves in. I know, it's wrong. It's a selfish way to be, but yeah, I'm bitchy like that.

Back to the Grind

I took yesterday off, well just because I can. I didn't have any major plans or major reason for doing it. I just did. I kept the ladybug home with me and we had a great day. We met JC's Mom, along with J & C at Chick Fil A for lunch and then headed up to my cousin's store for some pottery painting. When we got home, since it was way too late for ladybug to nap, I pulled out her blow up pool and she splish splashed while I attempted to get a little bit of sun. We were out there for about an hour or so. We came in, ate some supper and then she worked on her scrapbook while I worked on mine. I was on a roll, I got like 8 pages done before I went to bed. I plan on doing some more tonight. I have A LOT that I need to catch up on.

Anyway, I am back at the grind today. Do you ever feel like when you take a day off that no one in your office did a damn thing when you were gone? How could they of when it is all on your desk! I swear, I am going to be swamped today!

We went to the lake this weekend with our friends and crazy me forgot my camera. I wish I hadn't though, as there were some very "camera worthy" moments.

I've also got some issues going on that I might discuss on this blog. Since this blog is supposed to be my journal, I guess I should because it might help to work them out on paper. And who knows, maybe those of you who read this (yeah, all 3 of you) might actually be able to offer me some sound advice. Maybe in a couple of days I'll feel like it and have the time to do it. In the meantime, just keep Manic Mommie in your prayers, I'm having a rough couple of days.

Thanks!

Happy Tuesday Everybody!

oh and you would think that blogger's spell check would recognize the word "blog".

He Left Her for Me

Ok, so Matthew McConaughey, the big hottie, sexiest man alive and stupid Penelope Cruz have called it quits because of their "busy schdules" Really, its because (direct Matthew quote here) "I am in love with Manic Mommie and must be with her. I can no longer deny my feelings".

How hot is he?

See, here, he's undressing me with his eyes.
Yeah, a girl can dream right?

It's Just My Opinion

BUT...............

That is all.

Yeah, See Today.....I Got Nothing.....

So I give you this, very funny email that my sister sent me. Women, you know you can relate!

Ladies Public Restroom

A woman will TRULY relate to this story (and men will better understand...!)

My grandmother was a fanatic about public bathrooms. When I was a little girl, she'd take me into the stall, teach me to wad up toilet paper and wipe the seat. Then, she'd carefully lay strips of toilet paper to cover the seat. Finally, she'd instruct, "Never, NEVER sit on a public toilet seat.

Then she'd demonstrate "The Stance," which consisted of balancing over the toilet in a sitting position without actually letting any of your flesh make contact with the toilet seat.

By this time, I'd have wet down my leg and we'd have to go home to change my clothes. That was a long time ago. Even now, in my more mature years, "The Stance" is excruciatingly difficult to maintain, especially when one's bladder is full.

When you have to "go" in a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women that makes you think there's a half-price sale on Victoria's Secret underwear in there. So, you wait and smile politely at all the other ladies, who are also crossing their legs and smiling politely. You get closer and check for feet under the stall doors. Every one is occupied. Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall. You get in to find the door won't latch.

It doesn't matter. The dispenser for the new-fangled "seat covers" (invented by someone's Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn't -- so you carefully but quickly hang it around your neck (Grandma would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume "The Stance."

Ahhhh, relief. More relief. But then your thighs begin to shake. You'd love to sit down, but you certainly hadn't taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold "The Stance" as your thighs experience a quake that would register an eight on the Richter scale. To take your mind off of your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your grandmother's voice saying, "Honey, if you would have tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!"

Your thighs shake more. You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday -- the one that's still in your purse. That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It is still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes open your stall door because the latch doesn't work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet.

"Occupied!" you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle, and sliding down, directly onto the insidious toilet seat.

You bolt up, knowing all too well that it's too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper -- not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your grandmother would be utterly ashamed of you if she knew, because you're certain that her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, "Frankly, dear, you just don't KNOW what kind of diseases you could get."

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, sending up a stream of water akin to a fountain that suddenly sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged off to China.

At that point, you give up. You're soaked by the splashing water. You're exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket, then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks. You can't figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past a line of women, still waiting, cross-legged and, at this point, no longer able to smile politely.

One kind soul at the very end of the line points out that you are trailing a piece of toilet paper on your shoe as long as the Mississippi River! (Where was it when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it the woman's hand and tell her warmly, "Here, you just might need this."

As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has since entered, used and exited the men's restroom and read a copy of War and Peace while waiting for you. Annoyed, he asks, "What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?"

This is dedicated to women everywhere who have ever had to deal with a public restroom (rest??? You've got to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked question about why women go to the restroom in pairs. It's so the other woman can hold the door, hold your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door.

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You know we've all been there! I just wish I could manage to teach the Ladybug "the stance". Until that day, that GAWD that Charmin makes those cool disposable toilet seat covers that come like 5 to a pack and fit neatly in your purse!