March 29, 2007

After great consideration, along with the advise from Doug and Laura, I've decided - I'm open to the world when it comes to my blogs. Doug and I have been talking about it for the past couple of days and he assures me that it would be very hard to someone to figure out exactly where we live, not a member of the family or friends.

It has been a very busy week and still more is to come. Yesterday, I decided to get Katie all dressed up in one of her dresses (I bought it off of ebay) and take a few Easter/Spring pictures. I was so surprised to catch a couple of good shots. It is hard to work with a toddler when it comes to taking pictures. I have a great respect for Professional Photographers. I worked on the pictures most of the morning and I think they turned out pretty good. I was so glad to capture her watching the bee buzzing around the azaleas. I had her turned to where she could see it and still face me somewhat. She was amazed! This is the shot where she is touching one of the blossoms. Before I get all the emails, yes, I realize azaleas are toxic to children and surprisingly this is the only thing she hasn't attempted to eat. When I saw the notice on the news about the bushes, I just looked at Doug and asked him what we should do. I was prepared to be pulling them up. He said we would just need to watch her around them. I posted her pictures this morning on my website. You'll have to check them out.

I got a surprise visit from my nephew yesterday afternoon. He's been on Spring Break this week and bored out of his mind. He spent the afternoon with Katie and myself. We ordered a pizza and ate ribs while watching a movie. Afterwards, we played cards. I guess it has been close to a year ago, Nic introduced to me this card game called "Golf." I really like it. I may not win all the time, but it's a lot of fun. I love playing games of any kind - board, electronic, and card. Doug doesn't like to play games. When he does he'll only play card games, but not when there's just two people. Even then, he doesn't like to play card games at any length of time. He says it's too boring to him. So, I get excited when one of my family members come to see me because I know we can get a game going at any moment. I hope to raise Kaitlyn the same way. When I was still living at home, we would play games just about every night. If not every night, we definitely played every weekend. All of us couldn't wait to get together and get a game going. We, included all of the sisters, nieces, nephews, and sometimes a couple of my brother-in-laws. It's a lot of fun! A great way to laugh and have a good time with one another.

Last night, several of the family members got together at June's house and I guess you would say we had an "American Idol" party. As you know, my aunt and uncle are visiting my parents. Well, Aunt Sherry is a big Idol fan and I didn't know it until she announced "in a few minutes, we have to go inside and watch American Idol." My eyes lite up and I was ready to go. There were quite a few people packed in June's Living Room, watching Idol. We all started howling when Seacrest came out with that hairdo. Oh, my gosh! So Funny! We all started taking bets on who would be in the bottom 3 and who would be leaving. I was real unsure cause I knew Chris didn't sing good the other night, but neither did Phil. I hated that Chris got voted off because I know the boy can sing. I think he just got tired. Plus, this whole Sanjaya mess was probably getting to him. Do you know what Susan told me? She said there have been reports that a group of kids are the main cause for Sanjaya to be the idol contestant with the most votes. They are making it a practical joke to have the worst singer to win the American Idol. Susan seems to think that if this is true, this may be the last year for American Idol because people will get tired of the mess. We had a real good visit, but so tired and ready to come home.

Today, all I did was clean and strip beds. I had hoped to get some work done today, so I could go tomorrow and buy some mulch and bedding flowers for the yard. I also need to go Wal-Mart and pick up a few groceries and other items. Our cupboards are bare! I grilled the last piece of meat tonight - pork chops. They were delicious and so tender! I've been promising Peggy I would make my famous Chicken Salad with Croissant rolls. So, I guess I need to get the stuff and make it. I put grapes, pineapple & pecans in my Chicken Salad. It is so good and I love making it this time of year because the salad is nice and cold. I usually like to serve it with mixed fruit (strawberries, grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.). Man, this is beginning to sound really yummy! I may have to make it tomorrow. tehe!

Millard and Peggy came over tonight, just to stop by and say "hello." Peggy asked me if we've been practicing with Katie about egg hunting. I had to tell her that we haven't hid the first egg in order for her to find it. I figure there will be so much excitement, even if Katie had been practicing, she would be to involved in watching and playing with the other kids. She won't want to find the eggs. We'll see! If I have time tomorrow, we might have to hide eggs.

Motivation Quote of the Day
"Start your child's day with love and encouragement and end the day the same way." - Zig Ziglar

Take care and God Bless You!

New Play Activity Set

Last Thursday, Millard & Doug got Katie's new activity set all set up outside. She seems to like it pretty good. It's taking her awhile to warm up to it. Right now, I'm having a problem with her roaming over to the neighbor's house. Of course, she has selective hearing and she can't hear me holler her name several times. That night, we grilled out pork chops from Smith Farms - they are soooo good! If you have access to Smith Farms' store, I recommend their smoked pork chops.

Doug was off work Friday, so we went off galavanting. He found a set of phones that he had to have. After he got them all set up and working, I didn't like it because one of the phones wouldn't answer when the phone rang. We set off Saturday morning to trade the phones for a different type. Well, he didn't find any in Cullman, so we headed to Decatur. While Katie and I were shopping at Hobby Lobby, Doug went to Staples and got the phones. That night, Doug decided he didn't like it. Needless to say, we went back to Decatur yesterday and got another different brand from Staples.

I finally watched "One Night with the King" (story of Esther). It was good. It is one of these movies that you have to really pay attention (even if you know the story) because I had to watch it twice. I watched "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law (gorgeous!) & Jack Black. I thought it was a real nice chic flick. I'm going to have to watch it again before I turn it in. I didn't care for "Little Miss Sunshine" at all. The language is terrible! I guess that's what they consider comedy. Movie Gallery also had "The Nativity Story" and "St. Peter." I went ahead and rented them because I really wanted to see them and any other time, they would be rented out.

This week, I plan to finish cleaning up my last flowerbed, spread mulch in the beds, and pick up some bedding flowers. Nicholas told me tonight, he and Leslie were out on Spring Break. I told him to come by and spend some time with me one day, if they had nothing else to do. I also need to clean house and the inside of the truck (dirty!). My Aunt Sherry & Uncle Roger are suppose to come visit this week. Mom said Sherry wanted to get together and have lunch, which always sounds nice.

Next Saturday, we are invited to take Katie up to Friendship Methodist for an Easter Egg Hunt. I've been so excited! I got Katie a smaller basket, so it would be easier to handle. I thought it was cute - flower. I need to get her a slip for the dress I want her to wear that day. Peggy said they are having a little refreshments afterwards. I was really hoping our church would have an Egg Hunt, but we're not. Instead, we are having an Easter Pageant on Easter Eve and Easter Day. I've volunteered to greet for Easter Eve night. I hated that I missed the Christmas Pageant because Katie was sick, so Lord willing I hope to see the Easter program.

Motivational Quote of the Day
"There is no limit to what you can imagine. And with commitment, with effort, what you can imagine you can become. Put your mind to work for you. Believe that you can do it. The world will tell you that you can't. Yet, in your belief you'll find the strength, you'll find the ability, to do it anyway." - Ralph Marston

Take care & God Bless You!