my world

Don't you hate it when a significant moment passes you by where you could have, but you didn't. I had one of those last night. I seem to be better on the afterthought, rather than on the spot. I was visiting my former pastor last night and attended one of his bible studies. It was a great message on being a witness and at the end he opened it up to questions. The questions evolved around how to approach people and such. One of the "set-up" questions was how do you witness to someone of a different race. I happened to be the only one of different race in the building so he brought the microphone to me to answer. My answer was simply something to the tune of there's no difference, people are just people. You witness to them the same. True enough, but there definitely was no depth behind my answer. Looking back, I should have given this answer, my testimony if you will. When I was 18 years old, lost in Jackson trying to find a Carmen concert, I ran across ...

I cleaned out my desk in attempts to prepare for the new, get rid of the old, when I came across this blog. I must have scribbled it on a notepad last November but never typed it into my blog. It's not every day that you feel like a Supermom so for the moments you pull it off, it must be remembered! I haven't felt great all day long, in fact I feel pretty lousy. While fighting a miserable cold, I've somehow made it to the end of this day. (not accomplishing much) I run to Walmart and pick up a rotisserie chicken.... mmmmm ..... call hubby to make sure we don't need anything else, pick up a coloring book for Baby Girl, the ET movie for Little Man, and drive home to officially call it a day. Daddy and Little Man race out the door for Cub Scouts, dinner has to wait. Baby Girl and I cuddle on the couch and watch TV. The boys make it home about the time I slap dinner on the table. Everyone's happily eating and discussing the events of the day. In the middle ...

Aren't homemade cards the best? The kids made two of the sweetest. They'd give Hallmark a run for their money. To Mom From Little Man Mom is like a rose. You look Buteful . You are The Best Mom. and I love you. and now I'm selabrating your Brthday To Mom From Baby Girl with help from Little Man I love mom. your as Buteful as a rose. your eyes are Buteful Happy Brthday !

I've had so many bloggable moments in the past week, but who has the time? With or Without time, I've got to feed my addiction. I'll try to be brief.... Earlier this week I was out of town on business. I desperately wanted to drive home but even a cup from Starbucks was not helping. You know, mind willing but eyes slapping shut. I pulled over at a recognizable hotel and went to check in. No Vacancy. Okay, don't panic, there were at least a half a dozen runner's up off this exit alone. I asked the clerk which she would recommend and she informed me that the rest were also sold out. Are you kidding me? It's not a holiday or even a weekend. She gave me the name of another hotel to try a little further up the road. It's funny, I was pretty tired when I decided to stop, but let someone tell you no room available and then you become like the walking dead. I found the other hotel, and wearily walked into the lobby. I, nervously, asked the clerk for a room. He had...

I've spent the better part of this day doing the normal stuff with the radio on. I thought a little boot scoot'in country music might help lighten the mood or else the kids and I just might not make it through this day. One of the 1st songs played moved us towards a happier place, "Beer in Mexico" by Kenny Chesney . The kids immediately shout, "Hey Mom, It's one of your favorites." We jump up, turn it up, and proceed to bounce around the office singing each line louder than the last. Should I worry that my 4 year old knows every word to that beer drinking song? Naaaah . . . At an early age I could sing most of the lines to such classics as "Take This Job and Shove It," "Family Tradition" and "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw." Anyway, after a few songs, my reliable radio station started a "Care for Kids" radio- thon to raise money for a local hospital. The one where Baby Girl was born. I probably should have...

At the last minute, we decided to take the kids to the wedding. Reluctantly , I called my mom and let her know that we didn't need her to watch the kids. In the car with the other groomsmen, groom, and his son, we began the two hour trek to the little town for the ceremony. Pushing time, hubby drove a little faster than I liked but we made it in one piece with not a minute to spare. In the park's bathroom, I slipped into my wedding attire, dressed little girl, and sprayed everyone down with bug spray. (the mosquitoes were awful) Taking full advantage of me loading everything back in the car, the kids ran off. Knowing that I or hubby needed to put the fear of God in them and explain proper wedding procedures, they ducked out of sight. Before I knew it, the bride and other bridesmaids arrived and pictures commenced. I was unable to snag a minute in between the photo shoot and the ceremony to talk to the kids. With a deep breath and a silent prayer, the ceremony began. ...

Two of our closest friends were married this past weekend. The ceremony took place in an exquisite garden surrounded by flowers. They made a beautiful couple, a true picture of happiness. The ceremony from start to finish brought tears to the most stubborn of eyes and the reception was a perfect end to a perfect day. The weeks leading up to the big day were not so beautiful for me. Okay, the bride, a close friend of mine, asked me to be a bridesmaid. My first emotion was excitement, my second was moved that she would even think of me. She's marrying one of my husband's best friends, someone I have become very close to as well. My answer was of course I would love to stand with you on your day. Husband was asked to be the Best Man, life is good and perfect. And then, I receive a call from the bride-to-be asking me to run to the nearest bridal shop and try on a dress. It wasn't a problem at all b/c I was just right down the road at a bookstore. Leaving hubby, kids, ...

Baby Girl was in the pool talking with a new found friend. (Yes, we are swimming . . . finally) Baby Girl smiles and says matter-of-factly, "You know, everyone in town says I'm beautiful." I immediately give her a look and she snaps back, "I just thought she should know!" (smile) conceited or not, I wouldn't change a thing.

This morning, like most, Baby Girl and I were side by side in front of the bathroom mirror putting on make-up. As I'm scrutinizing my face trying to cover wrinkles, dark circles, and such, she's humming happily while the make-up sponge dabs her nose, the blush brush tickles her cheeks, and the white eyeshadow decorates her eyelids and occasionally her forehead. While this is a total job for me, it's nothing short of fun for her. As she approaches perfection, she grabs the hand-held mirror for a closer look. While studying herself in the mirror, she smiles and says, "Oh, Such Pretty Eyes!" On the other hand, I've surrendered to the fact, it's as good as it's gonna get for the day, I start putting the make-up away. She grabs that same mirror and insists I take a look. To appease her, I bend down to look as she catches my eye in the mirror and says, " Oh Mama, such beautiful eyes!" I know there's a fine line between confident and co...

Today, I was at a friend's house. The conversation turned to cooking, cleaning, child rearing and such. Suddenly, I felt like I was in the hot seat. They were teasing me about how much hubby does around the house compared to me. As far as teasing goes, I'm quick to dish it out so I ought to be able to take it, wouldn't ya think. But today, the comments really bothered me. Now, I'm trying to figure out exactly why. Maybe they hit the nail on the head because at the moment they asked how I contribute to the above duties, I fell silent and brain dead. Tonight, while sitting on the front porch with hubby, feeling totally exhausted like the night before, and a little disgusted thinking about the earlier conversation, my perceptive husband asks what's wrong. While knowing that this is a road not worth going down, I began telling him about the conversation. Although not using these precise words, I expressed how inadequate I felt as wife and mother and maybe I'm fallin...

Right before summer break, Little Man was sentenced to litter patrol on the school playground. His crime was entertaining his classmates by making fart noises with his armpit. I don't know where he learned it. . . could it be hereditary? When I was around his age, I would entertain friends and family by singing Jingle Bells while keeping the beat with my armpit. I was bound and determine to win the Miss Tennessee pageant with my talent. Baby Girl has developed quite a vocabulary to go with her attitude. She says, "Whatever" more times than I would like and has perfect timing with a sarcastic "Hello!" When arguing with her brother, she nags. . "Boys drool, Girls ....., MOM, WHAT TO GIRLS DO?" She can't remember the ending for anything. I've had quite a week. I began tutoring my kids plus one (Little Man's Best Friend). I started a diet and actually stuck to it for once. Today, makes 7 days and I'm proud to say I'm 4 pounds ...

There's a hole in the backyard where the money goes. The pool is not only taking more time to install but also costing more money, go figure. We were suppose to be swimming this Memorial Day Weekend. It's not gonna happen. We'll be lucky to be swimming by the end of June. On a lighter note, Little man and Daddy were out of the house this weekend. They went camping with 100 cub scouts. They had a great time with archery, target shooting, t ye dye activities, and water balloon fights. They had a gigantic water slide and Jupiter Jump. They grilled out burgers and hot dogs then finished up with smores . Mama took a friend's advice and went to Wal mart , grabbed a few good books, and hung out in the tub most of the evening with the book and cheap bottle of wine. Yesterday, Baby Girl woke up with a little blemish on her forehead and under her eye. By the end of the day, her face was covered, her ears inside and out, as well as her fingers. Poor baby has poison s...

Blogging after you haven't blogged in a while is really difficult. Where do you start? Do you wait for that one really funny, cute story to inspire you. . . I mean the story has got to be all that and a bag of chips. I guess, I'll just jump in head first and let the words fall where they may. Our business was like a rollercoaster this year. The ride had a slow start as always. It gave me plenty of time to ponder the million and one ways we could fail. It continually picked up speed until I could barely keep up. Like mother like daughter, I'm terrible with delegating work. I mean, our business is mylife, my passion, and sometimes my escape, truth be known. I've tried to delegate jobs out, but no one cares as much as I do and a good enough job is never good enough for me. I don't know, it's a illness, I guess. Somehow, I made it to the end of the ride for this year and everything just stopped with the exception of some odds and ends. (inventory/paperwo...

A couple of weeks ago at the dinner table, Little Man said, "Mom, when I grow up, I want to be the President of the United States." Not to be out done, Baby Girl said, "When I grow up, I'm going to be Santa Claus." Aren't they the cutest!?!?!

There were many things to remember this Christmas. Little Man went snowboarding with us, a first. We drove through a blizzard to make it home for Christmas. Baby Girl, being the perfect age for the holidays, was fascinated with Everything Christmas; the lights, the tree, the songs. . . She believes in Santa Claus wholeheartedly and every present she opened was the best present ever. But, all that faded in the background, with the news that came the day after Christmas. A good friend from my past passed away during the holidays. He was in his late 30's and had either a heart-attack or anurism (undetermined). Our worlds collided (literally) 15 years ago. I was headed home. He was hauling some big, huge pipe-like thing back to his work. It fell off his trailer and I ran over it. It was lodged under "Rhonda the Honda" and only two things were replaying in my mind; My dad's gonna kill me and This Guy is really Cute!" We became good friends and at times a lit...

Baby Girl's playing in the tub. I run in, grab dirty clothes, and ask "you doing okay." She answers, "Yes. . . . But Mama, my booty has got a hole in it." Isn't she just the cutest ever!?!

Girls night out was scheduled for Thursday night. At my suggestion, we were going to a Karoke Bar. I've been practicing for several weeks. . . ready to tackle Carrie Underwood, Lorretta Lynn, and Janis Joplin, all in one night. The days leading up to the big event have been crazy. I'm not going to whine too much, I'm sure it's been equally chaotic for the rest. It's like there are a million and one reasons not to go to girls night out and one main reason to go, It's called SANITY. The day of our night out was the absolute longest day ever and not b/c I didn't have much to do. It just was crazy busy and crazy long. But the time finally arrived and we walk into the bar. They are setting up for a band. Are you kidding me? I ask the waitress what about Karoke. She says that's on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I was sooo disappointed. We're suppose to have these nights out once a month, but in truth, we'll probably not get another chance until after...

Sitting at the table doing homework, Little Man asks, "Mom, is Holy Shit a bad word?" Trying to keep from laughhing I reply, "Yes honey, that is a bad word!"

The other day at school, my Little Man lost a tooth. He's been visiting the school nurse every day for the last week seeking medical advice and a general time frame on when it will fall out. She was probably one visit away from yanking it from his head in sheer frustration. She gave him a cute little container to put it in and he was back off to class like a king caring his most precious possession. I don't know exactly what happened but somehow he lost it. According to him, it was there and then it just. . . poof . . . disappeared. In reality, I'm sure he just showed it off one too many times. If I know my son and I do, he was seconds away from complete meltdown, tears welling up in his eyes, and the end of his world approaching fast. His teacher, so quick and witty, saves the day. She says, "Find a rock that looks like a tooth, the tooth fairy won't know the difference." What an amazing woman, her solution, simple and perfect. And he bought it hook, line, an...

Wow! I can't believe it's been almost a month since I've blogged. I miss it terribly. So much has happened, many of which would have made killer blogs, like this: I interviewed between 40 and 50 teachers. I'm looking forward to working with them. In looking for some bilingual assistants, I ran into some pretty interesting people as well. One was from Peru but she's been in the States for the past 9 years. She's going through a divorce b/c her husband says she's too Americanized. Ten years ago, her parents had her make a video for American men who were looking for a slave, I mean wife. This guy chose her, he flew to Peru and married her, 2 months later, she's leaves her country, family, and friends and moves to the States. She doesn't speak English, he doesn't speak Spanish. It's a match made in Heaven. Two children later, she wants to venture out of the house and make a life for herself, and he's ready to look at new videos. Another inter...