I need a vacation from my vacation...

I am completely exhausted and it's just day one of the vacation.  Baby Boy slept all the way down (8pm-11:30pm) last night.  LOML and I got no sleep last night because BB refused to sleep in his pack-n-play...
Up at 6 am, we hit the beach around 9.  Around 10:30, BB began wandering aimlessly all over the beach which, to us, was a clear sign that he needed a nap.  I brought him back up for nap attempt number 1...no go.
11:30- After a good lunch and some play time, we tried for nap attempt number 2...at this point, all of the other kids were returning from the beach...no go on nap attempt number 2.
Just a minute, I need to adjust the toothpicks holding my eyelids open...ok, that's better.
 Nap attempt number 3 is underway.  I have only heard him cry out twice, but fear this is the calm before the storm.  He is convinced there is something in the closet that he needs to play with, and refuses to admit that he is exhausted.  Uh oh...I just heard not one, but two pacifiers hit the floor!  Ohhhhhh, he is pulling out the big guns now!  He knows I have to go in there now, ok- I am going in...  I get the pacifiers and get him to lay back down.  This is ridiculous!  PLEASE TAKE A NAP!!!  I know he is tired, I can hardly make a complete sentence, so he has got to be on the verge of breaking...ok, I'm going back in-he's really tuning up...
Oh hell, I CAVED!!!

Naps are overrated anyway...

Proof that I need to get off the computer and go weed in the garden...it is actually an oak tree that started coming up in the middle of my hydrangeas!

Olive update...

It's over, I have finished with Olive.  
Next book is undecided...what are you reading?

Baby Boy impersonating Mama

Baby Boy doing his best "Mama" impersonation.

Fresh Produce Stand

One of my favorite places to go in our town is a local produce stand that, luckily, is now open year round.  It sits on a corner and occupies a space that used to be a filling station.  I have enjoyed watching this small business grown over the last few years.   I love the fact that I can go purchase wonderful, fresh, local produce for next to nothing when compared to super market prices!  Today, I got to witness one of the farmers coming in to try and sell his produce to Mr. Ramsey, the proprietor.  The farmer had a crate of really pretty tomatoes that he was trying to sell.  Mr. Ramsey gave them a VERY thorough once over before purchasing the crate's contents.  It was an interesting deal to watch as I was paying for my loot.  I think both men wanted to make sure the other one knew what a "good deal" they were getting.  I'm almost certain they thought I was eaves-dropping, but I really couldn't help it!

The Stand

My Loot

More on books....

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128542237

This is a great listing of some "Laugh out Loud" books on the NPR website this morning...will be adding to my stack I see.  Having read some books about the great Vanderbilts- I can't wait to read Dead End Gene Pool.

Family Vacations

As the summer winds down, we are packing up to make one last trip to the beach before school starts back.  Baby Girl 2 left this morning with my sister and my nephews and we will join them Thursday night.  Since adding Baby Boy to the mix almost two years ago, I have thought a lot about family vacations from my childhood and how things have changed over the past 35 years.
  Everyone had a station wagon- minivanistas weren't even thought of yet!  Although I did have a friend whose family had one of those vans with the curtains on the windows and captain's chairs that spun around.  It was more like your den on wheels- AWESOME!
 The first station wagon I remember my mom driving was a smooth and sleek red number more than likely purchased from the local Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealer.  She was one hot mama in that ride I tell you- with her two kids hanging out the window and fighting over who would get to ride in "way-way" back just out of mama's arm reaching ability.  I am sure that she was the envy of all of her friends!
The one that I remember more clearly was the brown and wooden two toned number that lasted us until I believe I was in middle school.  That one took many a road trips down to New Smyrna Beach or St. Augustine, Florida.  I distinctly remember my dad packing us and the luggage into the car...that's not a typo, I said "us".  Once my sister came along, there was no way in hell that we were all three going to be riding across that middle seat together, and without putting the roof rack on, the back seat had to lay flat for the luggage and the lucky kid who rode with the luggage.  Now for all of you car seat safety nuts, just calm down and don't even think about calling DFACS on my parents because you can bet your sweet tush that you parents did the same thing!  I'm pretty sure our cars didn't even have seat belts.  It was actually nice being back there with the suitcases- you totally had your own space and no siblings to mess with you.  The ultimate treat came when we'd take a friend because then we pulled up the "way-way" back seat!  While station wagon shopping in the last few years in an attempt to avoid the minivanistas, I found that the "way-way" back seats, known as "jump seats" to the real experts, are not really "recommended" by the car manufacturers anymore.  Pooh!  So, after about three months with Baby Boy, Baby Girl 1, and 2 riding around in the Volvo station wagon, I turned in my keys for a Volkswagen Routan.  I'm afraid once you go mini, you never go back!
We didn't have DS's, TVs, ipods, or any of that other super cool stuff the kids do now to get them through a long drive.  We actually had to "talk" to each other.  I still try to get my kids to play the old "ABC" game with the road signs, but it only works about 10% of the time.  I remember entertaining with myself by laying down in the floor board and trying to figure out where we were based on the billboard signs we passed.  I was a load of fun as you can imagine.
Well, I'm going to go load up the DVDs, secure all of the car seats, and make sure my own ipod, cell phone, and laptop are charged and ready...

Oliver Twist

While Baby Boy takes his three hour afternoon nap, BG 1 and BG2 are snuggling up with me and Love of My Life for an afternoon showing of Oliver Twist...he just moved in with the under taker and was shown to his room...the room where they keep the coffins.  LoML just told the girls, "just imagine the worst day of your life....and that would be the best day of his life."  We will be watching something like Hannah Montana the Movie after this to bring the spirits back up:).

Where did the summer go?  My girls have been in "big kid" school for the past five+ years and I still get a stomach ache when I think about them going back to school before Labor Day!  When exactly did those "school" people decide that this was a good idea and why wasn't I invited to the meeting?  Don't get me wrong, my girls are ready and I guess I am ready - but I do wish they had more than two weeks of lazy summer days left.  I feel as if we just got into a good "lazy" routine, and then WHAM!  Summer reading, order uniforms, practice multiplication facts....the list goes on and on.

 The only thing that is keeping me sane is the fact that I LOVE school supplies!!!  I love the way they look all stacked neatly on the shelves in the store.  I love the way a new notebook looks and feels when you open it.  I love sharpened pencils and new pens.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE school supplies!

Ok, I know I'm a dork.

Yeah, I'm cute...Baby Boy doing his "eyes" yesterday.

wow, check out these crazy ads on my blog...

I am getting quite a chuckle at Google and the ads they are putting up here based on the content of my blogs!  Really going to have to think before I put stuff up on here from now on:).
On a lighter note...did you know that Gwenyth Paltrow has here own on-line newsletter?  Stumble upon it this morning:
Goop.com
Kinda interesting, and funny!  Check it out!

The Vampires are BACK!!!!

It has been a long and hot summer here, but last week I was excited to see the big orange cranes and trucks that, to us, mean the production crew has arrived!  The Vampires are back baby and in full force! (Well, sorta).  Last week, the production crews rolled back into town with all of there gear ready to shoot Season 2 of the new hit show Vampire Diaries that is filmed in my home town.  Damon, Stephan, Elena, and crew will soon be spotted around town.  Ahhh!
Wait just a minute, am I really sitting here typing up a blog about a television show about vampires?  Is this really what I have stooped to?  Hell yeah it is!!  Don't worry, I will continue blogging about all of the other things that make me "who I am", but come on people- you know this whole vampire/werewolf craze that is sweeping the world has gotten under your skin too? Right now, I am keeping tabs on three tv shows and one major movie series whose main characters are either vampires or shape-shifters (things like werewolves for those of you not "in the know") and I am not embarrassed to admit it.  However, several of my family members are probably rolling their eyes at me right now for making a complete fool out of myself.  But, there it is folks, I am a vampire/werewolf watching junky!

The Twilight series-seen all of the movies, and read the books twice!
Vampire Diaries- how could I NOT be glued to the hit tv show that is filmed in my home town?
True Blood- a great HBO series (Are there any bad HBO series? I miss you Tony and Carmella!)  Set in Bon Temps, Louisiana this show has the best characters ever.  Oh, and I read all of the Sookie  books and can't wait for the next installment.  At the moment I am a little upset because my husband just canceled HBO...will have to wait until Netflix or Itunes puts out Season 3:(
ok, and the last one that I have recently taken on...
The Gates (Yes dear, I have started watching this one too- sorry!:))  This one is really just getting started, but from what I have seen so far, it is based on a cop from Chicago and his family that have moved into what can only be described as a gated community on crack!  What I mean is, there is basically a stone wall with security cameras around the entire community.  It has been built by some big developer to promote the safest environment for people to come raise their families.  One problem though, they sold some houses to a bunch of vampires and werewolves trying to make good with their lives, but are having a hard time with all those humans running around.  Talk about a homeowner's association's nightmare!!!

Well, the recent Twi-movie, Eclipse, was my favorite so far.  Baby Girl 1 and Baby Girl 2 keep asking when they can read the books/see the movies.  Still way too young!  Mainly because it is quite scary at parts and just not age appropriate AT ALL!  (Unfortunately, the couple with the 3 and 4 year old who sat next to me at the movies have other parenting ideas.)
Vampire Diaries is just getting better with age, like any good bottle of wine!  Looking forward to September when I am hoping the new season will start...but will find out for sure and get back to you.
True Blood-  Not too upset at missing the show right now since I have read all of the books that are way past the show's story line, so I basically know what's happening, but I do miss my Sunday night Sookie time!
The Gates- Missed it last week, so I am downloading the  episode now on Itunes and must go watch before Baby Boy wakes up ready to play! Oh, there it is done and ready for my viewing pleasure.  Gotta run-

Lies I have been known to tell my doctor:

Doctor: "Are you exercising and eating right?"
Me: "Oh yes!  Running and cut WAY back on the food!" (Running to catch the ice cream truck and cutting mack from one whole pizza to 1/2 a pizza)

Doctor: " How much do you drink on a weekly basis?"
Me: "Oh,  a glass of red wine here and there. "  (Every night starting at 5 sharp, here in the kitchen, there in the den, really anywhere....)

Olive update...

Hands down, this is definitely one of the most interesting books I have read in a while (and yes, I am including all of the Vampire books that line my book shelves:)).  Every chapter is basically a new short story where occasionally you see some over-lapping characters, but you NEVER know what is coming next.  Not my usual pager turner, but a page turner non-the-less.  The characters are all well written and the stories are intriguing.  This book has it all- love, comedy, and action all rolled into one.  Still not done, but being 75% through, I can say this:
Check it out, buy it, or download it TODAY!

More tales from Walmart...

 Wal-mart, I can go in there for two things and leave with 20.  I know I am not the only one out there with this problem, so I ask you this- what are those other 18 things?

"Honk for blueberries", It Doesn't get Much More Southern Than This, Part 2

After leaving the taxidermy shop of the late Joe Kellar, Miss Emme showed us what was, a few months ago, quite an array of day lilies- all but a handful past their prime.  She told us we should cut through her side yard leading to the neighbor's backyard and check to see if they were selling blueberries today.  You see, it does seem to me that in the South (not having spent too much time up North I can't swear to this), it is almost an insult if you don't visit your neighbors, friends, family via their backdoor.

We were lucky that Ms. Carla was over there with I assume her daughter and mother high up in the blueberry bushes that lined the driveway leading to the house.  Approaching from the back of the house, we made our presence know and we were once again greeted with that good ole' Southern hospitality.  Carla, as it turns out, went to school with our friend's older brother and had not seen our friend in many years so a few brief introductions had to be made.  Now I need to tell you that Baby Boy loves him some fruit straight off the bush, vine, tree- whatever..., heck, he doesn't care if it's on the ground covered in dirt.  We had found his Heaven on earth right there in North Georgia off Big A Road.  We all enjoyed picking and eating right off the bushes, and even purchased several quarts that Carla and company had already picked.

We made our way back to our cut through heading towards Grandaddy's via Miss Emme's yard, and I saw this sign displayed perfectly on the front of Carla's home:

It just doesn't get much more Southern than this...part 1

There are three things that I really do appreciate in life:  my family, my friends, and living in the South.  Now, for all of our flaws, (which I honestly do not  believe there to be any, but trying to stay objective for the reader I will keep an open mind), the South is nothing if not interesting- especially if you take the time to really get down to the heart of it and meet some true "Southern Gems".  On a recent trip home from picking up our eldest daughter (Baby Girl 1) from camp in North Georgia, we were fortunate enough to be asked by our dear friends and their children to stop by their grandfather's (affectionately know as "Grandaddy") home.    He lives up there off Big A Road, jut turn left at the Baptist Tabernacle onto Rose Lane and his house is up on the left.  A simple ranch style house that sits among the beautiful oak trees that Grandaddy planted himself some 49 years ago.  Grandaddy was waiting under the carport when we pulled into the gravel driveway.  I had met Grandaddy a few times before and was happy to see him again.  Not having spent a great deal of time in his presence, I am fairly confident that he is the kind of "gem" that uses words like "honey" and "sugar" when referring to any female in his life and "fella" and "buster" when referring to the males.

We go inside and are, in the Southern way, offered anything he can get for us to make our visit more comfortable including the homemade fudge that he keeps available at all times.  We politely decline since we had just scarfed some gourmet Mexican for Los Amigos on Big A Road, but thanked him anyway.  The kids play around for a bit and the adults meander into the living area.  Grandaddy has recently snatched up quite a piece of furniture that is really the focal point of the whole house if you ask me.  He has a sofa that stretches at the very least 14 feet down one wall that came out of his recently departed sister's home. (In the South, that means dead, not recently left the building.)  Boy, did he score big on this!!  Not only can two people stretch out on this bad boy (not spooning, but feet to feet), but out of the five sections that make up this sofa, FOUR of them RECLINE!  In the name of God and all that is holy, would someone please tell me who sat down and came up with this idea??!?!  Grandaddy is a lucky, lucky man.  It was really all my husband could do to stop me from getting Grandaddy to reveal where the dead sister picked up this token piece of furniture, and how I could acquire one for myself.   Oh well, Christmas gift anyone?

Shortly, our friend came in from the kitchen after calling the neighbor, Mrs. Emme Kellar.  He said we were going on a little field trip next door, because we couldn't come to Grandaddy's and not see Mr. Joe's taxidermy shop...excuse me?  

So we take off across the field and all our friends keep telling us is , "you aren't going to believe this", and this is "so cool"....hmmm, OK, a bunch of dead, stuffed animals in a barn-I am with you on the "I'm not gonna believe this" part, but "cool"?  

"Miss Emme", a petite and gentle woman, met us out back to let us into her somewhat recently departed (please see paragraph above) husband's shop.  Now, I do need to tell you I had my camera drawn and ready as if it was going to protect me from what I was walking into.  

Cool? I do believe I stand corrected.  Mr. Joe Kellar, was a "larger than life" kinda man, my friends exclaimed, and I do believe that to be true.  The shop was covered from floor to ceiling with his work, fishing poles, massive numbers of awards from all over the state of Georgia and at least 30-40 walking sticks.  Definitely left wishing we had come four years earlier when Mr. Joe could have given us the tour himself.

Wouldn't want to meet this guy in a dark ally...

This is just what every Southerner likes to keep on their wall...a deer's butt....heads are overrated!!

What's wrong with letting your children become one with nature?

REALLY??  

That Curious Monkey

Can we talk a minute about the lovable character, Curious George?  Shouldn't someone consider calling PETA or the very least Animal Control to report the monkey and the Man with the yellow hat?  The monkey is always being left unattended reeking havoc with his curiosity while the Man goes off to run errands or travel to the jungles of Africa.  I think this is an outrage! Wouldn't you call DFACS if I ran off to the grocery store or Bermuda for the weekend to study pink coral and left Baby Boy to fend for himself?? I mean, come on people, he IS cute and all but what is he really teaching the Baby Boys of the world?
Today's lesson:
How to build a catapult and shoot junk out of a window on the second floor of your home....
Great!

...and possibly hazardous to your health and well being, but what do I know?

A way of eating healthy.

"Scorpacciata is a term that means consuming large amounts of a particular local ingredient while it's in season. It's a good way to eat."
I saw this on the CNN website today and it struck me that there was even a word for this! Just yesterday I was trying to figure out to eat all 8 locally grown  tomatoes before they reached their peak!  I have read a lot about "eating what's in season" and it is a GREAT and HEALTHY way to eat.
Here is a good site that can help guide you to eat seasonally and find local restaurants, farms, and grocery stores that carry local ingredients in your area:
http://www.localharvest.org


Bon Appetite!

Trips to Wal-mart and other dumb things I do...

Stepping up to the plate, so to speak, I agreed to help out with my 2 1/2 year old nephew today while everyone else otherwise occupied.  Nephew was not all that pleased at the idea of coming with Baby Boy and myself to the gym for me to get in a quick work-out(as part of my new routine of no scales, keep moving, and eating right). (STRIKE 1)  Then, against my better judgement, but knowing that I had to at least hit a single, I promised him we would go to Wal-mart afterwards and look for a Batman toy (the flavor of the month in the world of super heroes).

As we drove into the Wal-mart parking lot I was ready to do my once down the aisle search for that one coveted space near the door that is never available only to find that the very first car space WAS available!!  The Wal-mart gods were shining on me today I tell you!!  We make our way back to the very back of the store where they always hide the toy section.  Now, Nephew is not the most decisive child I have met, but was quick to tell me what they already owned, enabling us to narrow down the choices...unfortunately, the local Wal-mart is running low on Batman paraphernalia, (for those of you who are interested).   The coolest thing I found was a Batman car that you shook up to make it speak and then drive off!  We played with these for a while until he got bored and handed the Batman care to Baby Boy- who, by the way, LOVED IT!   On to the Star Wars figures.  Now, I have seen the original Star Wars more times than I would like to admit, but these new ones and all the new characters are really just too much for me to keep up with so I totally followed Nephew's lead on this one.  After walking up and down the toy aisles SEVERAL times to make sure he picked out exactly what he wanted ($6 set of action figures) it was time to go.  As we move to the check out line a tiny little voice in my head reminds me that I took my wallet out of my purse at home...you have got to be kidding me?!(STRIKE 2).  Nephew, Baby Boy and I head to the customer service counter to leave our cart and head home to get the wallet.  (Yes, I did think about bailing completely, but Nephew was having none of that.)  

As we headed back out to our coveted parking spot, several cars start to line up thinking they are going to be the next lucky winner...ugh...

Go home, get wallet, Nephew is convinced that someone at Wal-mart is going to get our toys, repeating this phrase, "someone's gonna get my toy, someone's gonna get my toy". Me, "Nephew, zip it!!"

Pull back into parking lot and you won't believe it but we pull up to the EXACT same space and the lady that snagged it when we left is cranking up to leave!!  The Wal-mart gods strike again!!

We go dashing in to the customer service desk to get our cart.  Nephew smiled his sweet smile when he saw that no, no one had taken his toy.  Home run, maybe not, but I think I at least got a double!  

Good books

I am an avid reader and the book I picked up last night, Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout, was recommended by my MIL(mother-in-law)-and so far so good.  Set in a little town in Maine, Olive is a retired school teacher (not the happiest person on the planet), and the people in her life.  At this point in the book, the story is being told from her beaten down husband's point of view.  Beaten down, that is, by his wife Olive.  When talking to my MIL about it this afternoon when picking up baby boy, I mentioned to her that this Olive character is just not nice...she said, that's nothing, just wait until I get to the part when she gets her first daughter-in-law!!  I will keep you posted...also, another wonderful book I just read- The Butterfly House by, Marcia Preston

Today is the first day of the rest of my life...

So over lunch today one of my best friends and I were once again discussing our delima with "loosing weight". Well, she has actually gotten to a good place and was trying very hard to bring me along on the journey...
As women, we beat ourselves up over this constantly- I am actually president of the club on this. Since about age 12, I have really struggled with my weight. Gaining, loosing, gaining with babies, gaining some more...an endless cycle of pain, low self esteem, and lots of food- that brings me nowhere but down. So, after many conversations on this topic, this is where we are today. (Thanks to some help from operationbeautiful.com)-
1. I have thrown out my scales.  I really wanted to take a sledge hammer to them, but....well, I didn't.
and  2. I will continue to eat right and keep moving because it makes me feel good, not to loose weight- that will just be the icing on the cake.
So there you have it, today is a new day.