Puzzling...

It's one of those times where you have to sit back and just wonder "wth?" Y'all know the time. Good, close friend just disappears off the face of the planet and you can't get in touch with them...for several weeks. You then go through several stages:

1. Don't worry because they must be busy.
2. Start to worry after some time passes, hoping everything is okay.
3. Really, really worried that something bad has happened.
4. Start to wonder if you did something to upset the friend and spend hours racking your brain trying to figure out what in the world it could have been (and coming up with nothing since the last conversation you had with them was great).
5. Okay...I'll just keep my cool and hopefully they'll get in touch when they can.
6. Enter into the "am I hurt or mad" phase (am I hurt because this friend that I thought was so close has disappeared or am I mad?).
7. WTH?
8. Grrrr..... (still hope they're not hurt or something)
9. Fluctuating between 5, 6, 7, and 8. :)

Yeah, I'm at step 9 at this point. I'm more hurt at this phase as I can't bring myself to be "mad" at them yet. Its just sad when you find yourself in this situation with someone you really cared about (though you are aware of some "outside circumstances" that may be keeping them away, though they should know they can talk to you about it.

There....there's my sad post. Every blog is supposed to have some serious stuff occasionally, right? :)

Come on September!

What's so great about September you ask?

Several things this year!

My precious first born will be turning 4 mid month and I'm wondering how in the world is he that old already??? Didn't I just bring him home???

The new Tastefully Simple catalog comes out either the 1st or 6th and I am very excited! Can't wait for my customers to see what's in store! Check out my site here.

Cooler temps (hopefully). Need I say more? The man on the radio said the high - the HIGH, not with the humidity - will be 100 on Wednesday; I don't want to think about adding our humidity into that!

Fall festivals!!! I love this time of year!!

Our book club is doing something different this month: instead of meeting at someone's house and bringing food, we're meeting at a Japanese Hibachi restaurant to discuss our read for the month (Memoirs of a Geisha). So excited!

We're hopefully taking said 4 year old to Disney World at the end of the month. We took him when he was two but I know he doesn't remember anything. I think he's going to pee in his pants from excitement when we get there!


I really do love this time of year. So many things to look forward to...its just a fun time all around! Really looking forward to the holidays this year!

Wish Folks Would Respond!!

Today's rant: People who won't return phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages, etc, etc.

Don't ya just hate it when you're trying to get in touch with someone in an effort to get some important information and they just will not respond?? There are several folks here recently I've been trying to contact via all forms of available media and can not get one person to get back in touch with me.

Gahhhh!!!

I'm about to throw up my hands and say "Too bad, so sad" when they don't get what they need from me!!!

Really, is it that hard to just respond with a "Hey, I'm busy right now. I'll get back to you"??? At least then I know you care enough.

Bleh.

Rant over.

Random Randomness...

1. It seems like I've spent this entire pregnancy either sick or tending to a sick 3 year old. This is by far the sickest I've been during the time span...I feel like I'm trying to cough up a lung or something.

2. Has it really been 10 years since Dale Earnhardt died in the Daytona 500? It really doesn't seem that long. I remember pulling into my parking space at college, listening to folks call in to the local country radio station (I really do miss 106.7) and talking about Dale and I could tell something was wrong. It wasn't until I was in my dorm and had the TV on that I realized what had happened. My first thought (after wow) was "I feel really sorry for his son since everyone is going to expect him to become his dad instantly."

3. I made some delicious pineapple cupcakes with coconut frosting a week and a half ago. They were so yummy. It was my first attempt at from scratch cupcakes. I'm really hoping I can get some interest...I'd love to have a little cupcake business. Wish I'd thought to take a picture of them...they were so pretty. That coconut buttercream was the best frosting I've ever made!!

4. We still haven't picked a name for the baby. Guess we'd better get going on that! At least we have first names narrowed down to 3: Luke, Colt, and Evan. We're having a harder time agreeing on one this time around for some reason.

5. I'm tired of snow and cold. Never thought I'd say it but I don't want to see another flake of snow for quite a while. We've had more snow this year (and we're only two months in!) than I think we've ever had...and let's not talk about how I was stuck in the house for 4 days with my 3 year old son in January because of the snow and ice. Ugh.

6. Warmer weather will also make getting dressed easier! It is extremely hard to get my shoes on and putting on flip flops will make life so much better! :)

7. That master's degree will have to be put off for a few more years. I had thought once my son started school I could look into it but with a second on the way it will push that timeline even further back. Think I've figured out I'll go to Georgia College and State U in Millegeville when I'm finally ready; they have thesis and non-thesis options in the program I'd go into.

8. My England trip is something else that's going to be pushed back. No way was I going to travel overseas while pregnant! At least this gives me more time to save up!

Friday Funny

Thank you, Karen, for sending this my way!

An Award!

I feel all special! My good friend Kristine the HistoryDiva at Blissfully Unaware has passed along my first award! Pretty cute, eh?

So the rules for this one are that I'm supposed to list 7 random things about myself before I pass it along to a fellow blogger. Hmm....

1. I wish I was an archeologist.

2. I desperately want to get my Master's degree but there is not one college in this country that offers the program(s) I want or would be interested in!

3. Green thumb I am not. In fact, plants running screaming in terror when they see me as I am a serial plant killer.

4. I love white roses solely for the fact that they are the emblem of the medieval royal House of York. (York peppermint patties are pretty good too actually...)


5. Deadliest Catch is my absolutely favorite show on TV. (still can't figure out what is so fascinating about watching grown men catch crabs...)

6. I could probably quote the entire movie Cars from memory. (Logan watches it that much...)

7. I am claustrophobic and would rather deal with the hassle of getting to the airport and flying somewhere rather than sit in a small vehicle.


I am passing this award on to....my friend Melissa at her blog The Sheltons!.

Yay for Robins!!

Or...I'm really looking forward to the new Robin Hood movie starring Russell Crowe. It opens on May 14th and Johnny has said he wouldn't mind seeing it. Yay! I don't have to go by myself! Only 7 days to go!!
There have been so many versions of this legend (and legend it is, though there probably is some basis for it in the lives of real people) and so many of them have landed on the big screen. There is a BBC TV series about it as well.
Who can forget the oh-so-manly green outfit of Errol Flynn?

Why, yes, it is a lovely shade of kelly green; makes me feel manly. I can give you the number of my dyer.

My personal favorite (really, it is) is the Kevin Costner version which came out in 1991. Yes, cheesy acting (though I do so love Alan Rickman) and an almost equally cheesy plot but I still loved it. The scenery was beautiful.

As a matter of fact I do use Garnier Fructis.

This newest version, starring Russell Crowe as a much more realistic Robin and Cate Blanchette as a very warrior like Marion, is going to give viewers a much more realistic look at the way life was in the 1200s - gritty, dirty, and violent. I am really looking forward to this, especially since I have read so much about this time period (via Sharon Kay Penman's wonderful Here Be Dragons and Elizabeth Chadwick's novels about William Marshal).

Shhh...be vewry, vewry qwiet...I'm hunting wabbits.

Cousins Rock!

That's what my son and my cousin's daughter apparently thought this evening!

We drove up from our hotel in LaGrange to Carrollton to meet my cousin Joyce and her daughter Madison for dinner at Applebees and then spend some time at their home. It was so great to see Joyce again; I don't think we've seen each other in almost six years (since my wedding). We were close friends growing up, sending letters back and forth all the time (yes...LETTERS...this was before email and a disappearing art I believe). Our children hit it off with no problem and kept us laughing the entire time!

Some classic lines this evening:

Madison: Does he eat people food??

Madison: Hey! Listen to this!!

Logan also decided that it was more fun to lay in the crayons and wiggle in them than to color with them. Well, to each his own I suppose. As soon as I'm home I'll try to upload some pictures; got some cute ones.

I am just so happy to finally get the chance to see my cousin again and I am determined that it will NOT be another 5 years!! I really want our kids to be as good friends as we were growing up.

Opening Day!

Yay! Baseball is back in town! Opening day down at Tuner Field. Wish I was there...I'd love a nice cold Coke and a hot dog right now!

Oh how I love my Braves!

Just sitting here enjoying Opening Day 2010 and watching my Braves beat the snot out of the Chicago Cubs! 14-5 right now in the 8th. Rookie phenom Jason Heyward has made a great start for us...3 run homer in his first major league at bat!

I sure do hope they can make it to the play-offs for Bobby Cox's last season as manager. I really can't imagine anyone else down there in the dugout...it will be weird next year.

Here's to a (hopefully, got my fingers crossed) great year!!

Yay for Spring!

Well, I had my snow. It was fun and pretty. Now I am more than glad that spring is here! Yesterday was gorgeous here...70s. I love being able to open my windows - even if that means some sneezing!! That's one thing I'm not looking forward to...everything being yellow for a few months. I noticed some yellow along the edges of a rain puddle just a little while ago....it has begun already.

JJ got his new truck. Yay. I had hoped for a Toyota mini-van but once he got his bass boat he just HAD to have something that could pull it. Sigh. It is a nice truck (Chevy Silverado 1500, 4 door crew cab) and I am looking forward to going fishing.

I have been getting some sub work which is a blessing (and Logan is doing great at the baby-sitter we found). If I keep getting a couple days a week I should have enough money saved to go to England in the fall, which is my ultimate goal. Ahhh...England...I want to go back so bad and I'm determined to see more historic sites outside of London this time around. My tentative itinerary:

1. London - Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Madame Tussades
2. Hampton Court Palace
3. Windsor Castle
4. York - York Minster, Jorvik Viking Center, etc
5. Bosworth Field

Yes, I am a complete nerd. While in York I would love to be able to travel to Middleham where Richard III lived but I just don't think I'll have the time or money. I also need to find out where I could get some white roses to take to Bosworth...I want to put them at Richard III's monument. I fully plan on avoiding chain hotels and staying in B&Bs and small, local hotels. I've already begun my research into that!

Now to find someone to go with me!!

Golden Day for the USA

Yesterday (Feb 17) was an awesome day for the USA at the Winter Games in Vancouver! In fact...it was the most successful day the US has ever had at the Winter Games: 6 medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).

Skiier Lindsey Vonn FINALLY won the women's downhill (and with a severely bruised shin!). She has suffered through so many injures to get to this point. Fellow American skiier Julia Mancuso won the silver.

The amazing Shaun White completely cleaned up the competition in men's halfpipe last night. He didn't even have to do his second run - he had already won - but he did it anyway and got an almost perfect score of 48.5. He even threw in his new move that I can't even pronouce correctly!! I just know he was twisting and turning the air A LOT!! American Scotty Lago won the bronze.

Shani Davis won his second gold in the men's 1000m speed skating event. He's the first man to win the event back to back. His teammate Chad Hedrick took home the bronze.

What an amazing day for the red, white, and blue! I can't wait for the events today! Men's figure skating finishes up tonite with their long program and American Evan Lysacek is sitting in silver medal position at the moment. The women hit the halfpipe today as well and US boarders Gretchen Bleiler, Hannah Teter, and Kelly Clark are poised to possibly sweep the medals as well.

CURRENT US MEDAL COUNT: 5 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze
(Germany is in 2nd place with 10 medals)

Snow part deux!

Yup...we are getting some snow here in the Atlanta area again this year. Thankfully it is not so bone chillingly cold like it was with the snow last month..don't think I have to worry about my pipes this time around. However, we are getting a lot more snow with this system and surprisingly, we'll be getting more snow south of the city (hey...guess the mountains can't get everything!). Its been coming down about 2 hours now here and I'm guessing we have about an inch or so on the ground now. I am a bit anal about my snow though...I don't want people walking around in it because it messes up the beauty of it (and makes it melt faster). Yes, I'm odd...I know it. But when you live in an area that rarely seeing enough snow to actually turn the ground white you can become a bit possessive of the snow you do get! Hahaha!

It is really, really pretty...and so peaceful to watch. I am planning on starting a fire closer to when Johnny will be getting home, having some yummy homemade sweet and sour chicken for dinner, then curling up on the couch to watch the Opening Ceremonies tonight. What could be better than watching the Winter Olympics, a cozy fire, and snow outside??!!

Didn't want to make myself ill...

...so I didn't watch Presbo's State of the Union speech.

I know what the "state of the union" is. I don't need that ass telling me. Its BAD!! VERY, VERY BAD!!!

I have no desire (or stomach that can handle) to hear that pompass, arrogant ass spew more lies and spin from him mouth while his nose is so far up in the air that he'd drown if it rained. It doesn't matter what he says anyway; he and the people in control in DC don't give a damn about what the American people want or what is good for America. Hell, I don't even think the man even LIKES America. He just wants to ruin the country and he's doing a good job at it (only thing he's doing good at, besides making the USA a laughing stock).

I just wish people in this country would WAKE UP and see that he DOES not want to help you, he wants to control you. If he can weaken the country enough and ruin things enough, he feels certain that we, the American people, will come to depend on him, the government, for everything. HELLO???!!! Is this ringing any bells out there, America??? Socialism?? Marxism?? Communism??? Having the government controlling every aspect of your life????

Here I Blog Again...

...really, blogging gets a bit addictive. At least its not harmful to my health.

Anyways...

I have started ANOTHER blog though I'm fairly certainly it won't be a frequent updated one. The topic, you ask??? Well...after drooling over the places Guy goes to in Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, I've decided to try to get to some myself...and blog about it. Hehehe. Yes...silly I know. But I've been wanting to try some of these places for a LONG time and I think it would be fun to blog about it.

So, head over and check it out. The address is tripledfoodie.blogspot and I've put a link in the side bar (along with my OTHER blog that is updated about a zillion times a day!).

Countdowns begin....

Soo....my two countdowns begin!

days until the Cauldron is lit!

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver begin on February 12!! I can not wait!! I love the Winter Games...much more than the Summer Games.


And...

days until the green flag at the Daytona 500!

I so can NOT WAIT for the Nascar season this year. Maybe THIS will be Junior's year...I sure hope he does better than last year!!

Anyone Remember These???

I saw this posted on another blog and wanted to pass it along!

Anyone remember The Babysitters Club series of books??? I LOVED those books when I was younger. I collected them! My two favorites were the one where Stacey and Maryanne baby sit for a family at the beach on vacation and the super special where they were camp counselors. Anyway, an article in the New York Times says they will be making a comeback. The original publisher will be reissuing the first two books (with some slight changes in terminology to keep it up to date, i.e no mention of cassette players, etc.) PLUS a prequel that looks at the four original girls the summer before the school year portrayed in the series.

I might just sneak a peek at that since I loved them so much growing up. I always had one question though...there were over 200 books and they were published over a span of longer than a decade...HOW were those girls STILL in the 7th/8th grade???

Now if they'd just reissue Sweet Valley High....

Friday Funny

I don't care how good the food is...I'm not eating there!!!

Where's my vitamin C??

Apparently its easier for me to post about historical fictions, books, book reviews, and the like than it is about normal, everyday things. Hehe.

Anyway, Johnny is sick...ear infection AND sinus infection. Logan still is coughing (though its JUST a cold the doc said). I am sure at this rate I'll wake up Christmas morning sick. Must drink lots of vitamin C!!!

We did manage to get MOST of the Christmas lights up outside and the tree inside. Sure does look all purdy-like! Sat down today to figure out who is getting what pictures of Logan for Christmas presents this year and what all I have to bake for presents as well. Yes, Christmas is going to be small and as inexpensive as I can possibly get it this year. Depressing, I know.

I did finally get all the substitute teaching stuff squared away...just waiting for something in the mail I was told. Guess we'll see. The money sure would be nice right now. Still hoping for a trip to England in the spring!!

Yay!!! SITB1

Oh! What is SITB1??? Easy...

Sleeping In Toddler Bed + the number of nights we've done it!!! Yay!!!!

Yes...little man FINALLY slept in his toddler bed last night. I did have to sit next to it for about an hour waiting for him to fall asleep though! I knew if I got up and left before he was out he'd hop up out of that bed and get into something. :)

I'm so proud of my little man! I was going to take him to the park today but of course it decided to rain. Oh well!

We Will Not Forget

I can't believe that 8 years ago RIGHT NOW I was stranded with my mom in the Kalispell airport after the horrendous terrorist attacks on this country. It saddens me that the present government wants people to forget that day.