Tuesday, June 30, 2009

tuesday with tommie


I will spare you a self portrait pic this week. I have been experiencing some vertigo, so I thought this pic of Will exemplifies how I feel, going round and round ....everything very blurry!


WHAT I’M READING: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World ...still reading this. Next week is the day I can call to make my advance reservations.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: DVR'd Hitched or Ditched...the momma doesn't like the guy's girlfriend, so you know it won't work out!




WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: just turned on Pandora, Nickleback station. It played "If Today Was Your Last Day" I love the words to this song:

"My best friend gave me the best advice. He said each day's a gift and not a given right. Leave no stone unturned. Leave your fears behind. And try to take the path less traveled by, That first step you take is the longest stride"

WHAT I’M WEARING: jammie pants, t-shirt, freshly washed face.


WHAT I’M EATING: nada, it is late. Had quesadillas for dinner though

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: thinking of the long weekend

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Crystal Light lemonade I am drinking

Monday, June 29, 2009

Manic Monday and a fun new car



What is the longest love relationship (partner) you have had, and if it has ended, why? Being married to Husband. We have been married twelve years this fall. It certainly doesn't feel like it. I guess it is true, time flies when you are having fun!

What is on your bedside table? a Tiffany style lamp that my sister gave me, a Bose Ipod docking station (that I got for Husband when he got home from Iraq....I wonder how it ended up on my bedside table???) and usually whatever book I am reading.

How many pillows do you have on your bed? 7: two in pillowcases, two in some mustard yellow shams, two in one that coordinates with the duvet cover, and one foo foo pillow (that has somehow ended up on Livi's bed)

Do you make your bed every day? Are you kidding me? Of course I do!


Husband came home with this fun little sporty coupe. (This pic is straight from the Volvo website.) After his head on collision, it made it all too clear that despite you being a safe driver, you never know what the other guy is going to do. The car is so fun and is Safety's friend. Will called it a "go speed racer".


Sunday, June 28, 2009

Friday fill in: weekend update style


Graphic courtesy of Tonya! And...here we go!
6. At Dinosaur World the sun was shining. It was so hot, I felt like I was melting!

1. She had a great sense of style. Despite the fact that I laid out her outfit with matching shoes, Livi choose to wear these pink MaryJanes. But she did mention that they were NOT the proper shade of pink. This was a battle I chose not to fight.



3. I know this: Will has the bluest eyes.....even today, someone commented on them when he was getting his hair cut.
2. Husband is by my side, always. Thankfully, even after this weekend started out with him getting in a head-on collision, he will continue to be by my side. He is fine, though a bit bruised and sore. He is sad to have to say goodbye to his convertible!

4. I still hope Husband finds a car that he loves as much as this one.

5. These words apply to me: organized.


7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pizza with the family, tomorrow my plans include dinner with Will's future in-laws and E and Sunday, I want to take the boys to get haircuts and start looking at cars for Husband!
PS, so sorry my Fill In is all wonky! I couldn't move the pics around, I could only move the text. Oh well! Happy Friday fill in on Sunday!!
Friday fill in questions courtesy of the talented Janet

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Photostory Friday: wanna flower

Livi has a gift to see the pretty in every day things. A couple of weeks ago while we were waiting on Will at his soccer camp, she found another little sister there. Before you know it she had a little bouquet of flowers.....or are those weeds? Either way, we brought them home, put them into a little vase for our dinner table.
I hope you don't ever stop seeing the beauty in things, Livi!








PS, my favorite picture of her was also taken that day.




PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



Tuesday, June 23, 2009

tuesday with tommie


WHAT I’M READING: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World ....pouring over all the food selections, character dining, etc. I am getting so excited!

WHAT I’M WATCHING: DVR'd Here Come the Newlyweds...love this show!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: the hum of my laptop. The babies are sleeping.

WHAT I’M WEARING: jammie pants, t-shirt, freshly washed face. It was hot today. We were outside quite a bit, so I was sticky. I can't like being sticky!

WHAT I’M EATING: nada, but we had grilled chicken and wild rice for dinner. That is one of my all time go-to meals. I can use the leftover chicken in some quesadillas soon. Yummy!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: Husband made it home for dinner tonight. He has been working some long hours these past two weeks.


WHAT I’M SNIFFING: new dryer sheets I tried this last time...something lavender.


PS...several people asked me about my eyelashes in one of my tuesday with tommie posts. First off, I have VERY straight thin eyelashes. But my little secret that I have done every since I ever started wearing makeup...(some where along the same time I used a can of Aquanet on my hair!), I have heated up my eyelash curler with my hairdryer before I curl them. For the life of me, I can't remember who showed me this. After that, I use the mascara in the pink tube: blackest black. I have tried the waterproof, but I use the regular one.
Disclaimer here: this pic is taken pre-makeup. Not that I wear that much anyway!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy father's day, Husband


Happy Father's day, Husband. Keeping things simple with a little interview with the kids.


I really love it when my dad:
Will: tickles me.
Olivia: tickles me and snuggles me.....Oh, and makes good food.

My dad likes to:
W: fly planes.
O: love on me.

My dad always tells me to:
W: strip my bed on Sundays.
O: Go to bed because I don't like to go to bed. He is a good daddy, the most good Dad.

The best thing he does is:
W: let me scare him when he gets home from work.
O: make is famous cheesy pasta.

It makes him happy when I:
W: try to make him laugh.
O: help him clean the kitchen.

My dad loves to:
W: hug me and Stister, and you. **tommie note: Will still calls Livi his Stister even though he can say sister!**
O: read. And I like to read too.

I like it when:
W: he cuddles me.
O: he tickles and snuggles me.

The best thing he cooks is:
W: his famous cheesy pasta.,.....Oh and pizza!.....pizza pizza, I love pizza.
O: cheesy pasta.

When my dad shops he likes to buy:
W: Daddy chips (sour cream and cheddar ruffles potato chips)
O: strawberries and blueberries so they can be mixed in ice cream.

My dad's favorite household chore is:
W: Can we just take this one out?
O: to clean the tables.

My dad's favorite TV show is:
W: Mythbusters
O: dangerous shows, NOT our kid shows. But sometimes we watch kid shows together. I do not come in here when Daddy is watching mean shows.

At the hotel he likes to:
W: swim.
O: snuggle me.

If he could go on a trip he would go to:
W: Disneyworld
O: Disneyworld.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Friday Fill In




Friday fill in questions are from Tamy at 3sidesofcrazy; thanks, Tamy since the talented Janet is recovering from surgery today. I do hope you are doing well Janet!


And...here we go!

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting one kid or the other to break a bone, or at least something to require a visit to the ER. **ps,every post deserves a pic, so I had to throw in this "crazy face" pic. I do think this was the first crazy face pic we ever took (circa fall 2007). These started when Husband was deployed. I would take a pic of them for something, then they would say, "Let's do a crazy one for Dad!"

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you a person who is still a loser.

3. Ugh this makes my tummy ache just thinking about it is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time.


4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy being cool and smacking flies. This Youtube video cracks me up. I do hope someone ran up with a baby wipe or some hand sanitizer after this.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine moisturizer and tinted sunscreen. I do this in the summer when I run out of my favorite makeup with sunscreen built in!

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without carbs or butter in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to catching up on some blogs , tomorrow my plans include movie and popcorn with the kids and Sunday, I want to take a big honking guess......sleep in!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Photostory Friday: magnolia blossoms

This past winter we had a fairly severe ice storm here in Kentucky. Many people were without power for weeks. Our power flickered on and off, but we never lost it completely. Just when you didn't think it could rain and freeze anymore, there would be another day of it. Hearing the trees limbs moan, groan, and creak with all the weight of the ice was like some horror show. We lost several branches of trees.
Most significantly was this magnolia in the front yard. I seriously didn't think it would come back. One branch snapped right in the middle of the main trunk. Another branch was touching the ground from all the ice on its branches.

So this past spring, I was pleasantly surprised to see these gorgeous blossoms on our little tree.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

tuesday with tommie


self portrait tla, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

**pic taken at the dentist yesterday** just keeping it real here

WHAT I’M READING: the latest Real Simple magazine

WHAT I’M WATCHING: The Bachelorette...DVR'd from last night

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: rain and a bit of thunder

WHAT I’M WEARING: black leggings and a black swingy top

WHAT I’M EATING: crunching on ice, does that count?

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: that the kids aren't too bored not being in school. Today Livi asked to clean the baseboards! I was doing the "house blessing" and she wanted to help. Go crazy, baby girl!

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: cinnamon apple candle

Happy Tuesday, y'all

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

tuesday with tommie


1) photo of me: taken with my Iphone this afternoon! Love that thing!

2) current candle scents: apple cinnamon. I just went to a Partylite candle party, can't wait for those to get here!


3) what i am currently reading: Cookie Magazine


4) newest music i added to my playlist: Some princess relaxation stories for Livi for when I had to take her to my hair appointment.

5) movies i saw: Listened to the kids watch Madagascar2 on the drive to soccer camp every day.

6) something yummy i made this month: lemon chicken...oh my, it was heavenly!


7) the last place i ate out: sad to say, McDonalds

8.) something that made me cry: recently...Will's graduation

9) something that made me laugh: getting sprayed by the slip n slide


10) something i looked forward to this month: summer break


11) something i am thankful for: family, friends, food....brought to you by the letter F

12) something i want to remember about this month: my baby turned six and loves his Superman jammies

13) a photo i took this month: Livi, at Will's soccer camp final day. She wanted to wear her hair in a headband. I agreed. I swear I said, "Get your hair out of your face." at least 1000 times!


borrowed this from Janetwho borrowed it from Dawn)

Monday, June 08, 2009

Interview with Claudia Hall Christian



A few weeks ago, Claudia of On A Limb with Claudia asked me to be a part of her blog tour promoting her new book. I immediately agreeded to do this. I am very excited to be able to interview Claudia. Several people have already asked the questions about the book, so I went in the other direction. Without further ado… the interview:


If you were a car, what kind of car would you be?
Book mobile. Large and sturdy with just the right story for everyone who comes to visit.

If you were on a desert island with only one thing to eat, what would you want an endless supply of, and why?
I’d want a laying chicken and a rooster so I could have eggs – which are my favorite food. I’d grow chickens for food. Mmmmmm. And you know, people say that snake tasted like chicken. But it does not. No. Snake tastes like snake.

What do you really want to do with your life?
I want to live my life to it’s fullest. I’d like to make the most of every single minute of every single day. I enjoy helping people, but I don’t need to leave my ‘mark’ on them.

In more practical terms, I want to continue to write novels and serial fiction about interesting people, who try hard, fail miserably, but keep doing their best.

Do you have any plans for the summer?
We are hoping to get backpacking over the forth of July weekend. Right now, our lives are fairly uncertain right at this moment, so other than a little backpacking we’ll stay close to home. Between the gardens and the hundred year old house, we have plenty of “adventure” to enjoy before the snow returns.

If you were on American Idol, what song would you sing?
“When you wish upon a star” That’s a song that plays a significance in The Fey, my thriller novel. It’s the only song I can play on the piano. I just love the song.

Do you remember a favorite teacher?
School was never really my thing, Tommie. I endured Elementary School and Jr. High. In high school, I worked so much I basically didn’t go. I never had a problem with the school work, so was passed from grade to grade. My favorite teacher in college was Dr. Jasper Rine. He was wicked smart, and very kind to me in a moment that I needed smart kindness. In some ways, he’s a major factor in my learning to listen to my own wisdom.


What is the hardest thing you ever had to do?
My first thought was surviving my parents’ home. My next thought is getting through the aftermath of my father’s death. My father was the glue that held my sisters and I together. When he died, we fell away from each other in a way that’s irreparable. Even though childhood was tough, I always thought I’d have my sisters. Now, they are just strangers in a sea of people. It’s truly broken my heart.

Tell me about your favorite book?
Wow, there are so many. My favorites growing up were the Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare and the Lord of the Rings by JR Tolkien. As an adult, I admire so many writers. I admire Ursula Le Guin for writing excellent, entertaining fiction with deeper meanings. I admire James Joyce for his obsession with language. I love Mark Twain’s dedication to writing for ‘real people.’ James Lee Burke writes amazing characters. Sue Grafton has an unbelievable capacity to hold to her era, her time frame in the Alphabet mysteries. Jasper Fforde’s fiction is so quirky, wild and brave. Gosh, I could go on and on.


Who is someone you admire?
I’m kind of funny. I don’t admire famous people or accomplished people. I admire people like you, Tommie. I admire anyone who gets up in the morning and do their best regardless of the circumstance. It’s so easy to give up or give in to the overwhelming press of modern life. The choice to just keep moving, one step at a time, is truly admirable.

I have a particular soft spot for military families because they give so very much. Every member of a military family gives up something so that the soldier can do his or her job. They work so very hard and get very little credit for all they do.

Favorite music/song/ or band?
I’m a huge Breaking Benjamin fan. Right now, my favorite song is “Forget it”

What is the easiest organization tip you have implemented in your day to day routine?
Uh, other than emailing Tommie in a panic for advice! *g*

The best tip I learned from Tommie, the organizational Queen, is to create a weekly meal plan. There are so many benefits to just having a simple meal plan. My husband is gluten intolerant, so we cycle wheat products. I love any kind of cookie, muffin, bread, you name it. With a meal plan, I know what I can eat and what’s not the best choice. Bless you for being such a great teacher.

While I did not know this was going to be a tommie lovefest, I enjoyed being a part of her tour.


Claudia has generously offered a copy of The Fey to Operation Shoebox for active duty soldiers.

With this discount code, you can receive 10% off, if you want to purchase the book. Just enter : HLV7SKA2 when you visit https://www.createspace.com/3369215

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Five little fingers......Photostory Friday

While we were in OH for Memorial Day, my sister-in-law had her baby. He is such a good baby. These hands are baby A's and his daddy's hand. We were all sitting around the fire, munching on s'mores. He was so content, lying there so peacefully, while all the crazy cousins were taking full advantage of a sugar high.

That is one of the few things about being in a military family that I don't like. You never know if you will be close to family. Close enough to be there for births, birthdays, and long weekends. We are only 5 hours from OH...close enough to go for the little things. I have loved being close to family again!

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Happy Birthday, Will

You've come a long way, baby! 9 months





Happy Birthday, little Man! Six years ago, I went to my 38 week OB appointment. Little did I know that by midnight, I would be holding a precious little boy. I looked over at you with tears in my eyes. I couldn't believe you were here.
Around Christmas time that year when you were almost seven months old, you said your first words. Your daddy walked in your room while I was changing you. You looked up and him and said, "hey Dad!".....I just cracked up laughing. For the rest of the month you continued to say that just for grins and giggles from everyone around you. This was the beginning of your silly boy self.


Tonight when I was doing your bedtime routine, you commented, "Mommy, I am now two hands years old." Holding up your left hand and right thumb, you let me sing your night time song, "Hush little baby".
Happy birthday, Will!



Tuesday, June 02, 2009

tuesday with tommie


Keeping it real here, I had to get my hair colored this morning at my favorite Aveda salon here. I have never had to take a kid to a hair appointment. But she did okay. She wasn't quite sure what to think of the entire process!



WHAT I’M READING: the latest Southern Living magazine.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Hitched or Ditched....yes, it is a real show!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Josie snoring, at least she isn't tooting

WHAT I’M WEARING: Halloween jammie pants from Old Navy....they are so comfortable I just can't bear to put them away

WHAT I’M EATING: Nothing...without giving TMI, I must have eaten something that doesn't agree with me this afternoon.

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: seeing Will learning so many soccer skills, though he is worn out after three hours in the sun every morning.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: cinnamon apple candle

Happy Tuesday, y'all

Monday, June 01, 2009

Manic Monday


Imagine you're packing a picnic lunch. What would be in your basket? Are kids involved? PBJs, apples, baby carrots, juice and water. Adults: cheese and crackers, olives, some crusty sandwiches, and wine.

If your life were a weather vane, which direction would it be pointing right now? Which ever way the wind is blowing? Since school is out, it is going to be fairly laid back summer.



What's something that people do in traffic that really annoys you? Kind of funny you should ask this, I took this pic with my Iphone in traffic today. Do you see what I see on that truck? Look closer, just below the tag....yeah, those are truck balls. Now who in their right mind decides it is a grand idea to hang balls from their trucks? Not only that, but when Will asks, "Mommy, what is that?" Nice.....wait until your dad gets home, ask him!
Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here
Awesome weekend here....we did a little kite flying.
Will had his final soccer game. I had a Mother-of-the-Year moment: I had another game on my calendar for him. So I left before the end to get dinner started. I was so sad when he walked in the house beaming with his new trophy! Oh smell, it happens.
This morning, I dropped him off at his first camp. He is going to a half day soccer camp. He looked so little out there with all the big kids. He didn't say much to me about it except a minor problem in the bathroom: he couldn't get the faucet on to wash his hands! But when he was telling Husband about it, he went on and on about it. Husband said he hasn't heard him talk that much about anything!
First week of summer vacation has started!