Walmart: Opelika, Alabama: December 23, 2008

When you walk into a Wal-mart location on December 23rd and there are only 10 buggies remaining to choose from, you should run fast and as far as you can. Well, that is what one should do, but that isn't what I actually did. The second red flag would be if the check-out lines are into the clothing section, RUN!! I stayed and looked for the items on my list. I know you may ask why I didn't go to another store. Well, it was one of those trips where I needed food items as well as things like rubbermaid (lowercase) containers and other various & sundries. December 23rd is NOT the day one should go to Walmart in Opelika. It just isn't a good idea. One of the items on my list couldn't be found at this store. So, I left there and went to Target here. Not nearly as bad as the first location, but it is December 23rd. I found said item and realized it was really not worth the $38.99 that I had just paid for it (I went back and returned it at 10:45 pm tonight). I left there and went to Tuesday Morning...wishful thinking...just hoping they would have this item for E. No luck. I called Mark. He made a call to Sam's, they don't have it either. I was in K-mart at this time.... There were a lot of buggies, no long lines, but remember it is December 23rd! Toys could be seen flying over shoppers shoulders, babies screaming and crying to go home; parents yelling and screaming at the babies to "shut they mouths" (I am not making fun, I am quoting a parent). So very sad. I had to leave very quickly when I realized that they were in the same category as the other stores I had just frequented. Off to the Auburn Wal-mart location. I knew from the look of the parking lot, this would be a much more tolerable experience. Unbelievable...I hate to even say this. There weren't that many people, no long lines, no one shouting at each other to move their buggie out of the way...maybe a crying baby or two, but I didn't hear a parent screaming at a child - at least. Not nearly the number of people that can be found in all other stores in Auburn/Opelika tonight. Is the Auburn W-M a secret? So, my observations from this evening have shown me that the Auburn walmart is much better shopping experience. That being said, I have to remind myself that most all of AU students have left the city. That makes a big difference. Just be warned, if you go to Walmart tomorrow and you live where I live, go to Auburn and not Opelika. It is just two totally different shopping experiences!!! And while you are out shopping on the last day before Christmas remember most stores will close at 6 pm (if not earlier) and to say "Merry Christmas" in your most cheerful voice and along with your sweetest smile. :)

Christmas Circus 2008

This is how I describe our Christmas trip to Mobile each year. It is like a circuit that we travel around. We always go to Mobile the weekend before Christmas. For several years now, we have celebrated with my dad's family on the Saturday evening before and then Sunday night we are with my mother's family. Mark's family is Sunday lunch. We arrived this year at lunch on Saturday and went straight to my dad's house. We had a light lunch on small appetizer plates (read into this) with my dad and his wife, Janice.

They have a Wii so as one could imagine, the kids had a great time (so did Mark and I) playing on that. Lots of fun. Then they opened their gifts from them. B got a racetrac and Battleship.

E got a CD/radio player and diamond/gold necklace from them. B also got a treasure chest handmade by a friend of my dad. They were both very excited. We left there to drop off Mark's car at his mom's house...

Next, Mom's house. Mom is my dad's mother. We have alwas called her Mom, her choice of grandmotherly name when my cousin's were born. At this gathering would be my dad & his wife, Janice; Mom, of course; my dad's brother Ronnie and his wife, Judy and their granddaughter - Carley; my dad's sister Aunt Trisher (yes, that is how we all say it) and her husband Dennis; and the four of us. This is a vibrant group - I am loud and my voice carries...let's just say this is how the ntire crew is there. This gathering is held at my grandmother's home. This is a one bedroom, one bath, small house that was built for her on my aunt's property. The kids get gifts there from the adults and then the adults play dirty Santa. It is always a lot of fun and lots of laughter. At this stop, B got a race trac and a game of stacking chairs. E got a rapping rodent (mouse that sings rap music and dances) and a 2-CD set of music which is great. The food was wonderful and the conversation quite colorful (not sure how to adequately describe it). One conversation was the result of a commercial on TV. There are these new Barak Obama coins that one could buy. Now, I don't really think that Obama (or any other elected official) would want a coin with their face on it that isn't even circulated currency/coin. This is a gimmick to get people's money. I digress...my dad's reply to this commercial is this:
"I have some 30-O6 shells at home that need to be used on something. I could use them on those coins. I could blow his head up with them." This is all in front of his grandchildren, my children. This is exactly what they need to hear and the example they need to learn from, right?

There was another conversation later in the evening about Mexicans and Chinese or other Asian decent citizens who work in Mobile. They should all know English as their first language. My dad and his brother should never have to deal with them...on and on and on.....just so very sad.

Let's see...OH - my brother and his wife Jenny and my sister and her fiance' Troy do not attend this event. They haven't spoken to my dad in quite some time and do not participate in the family gathering at Christmas or any other time with our paternal side of the family. As we were backing out of the driveway this year, I noticed I had a missed call on my phone from my sister. I called her back and she wanted to know if they were all still there. I told her yes and she told me that she & Troy were going to run by there. Very good. I know the family would be very happy to se them. She told me on Sunday night that she did go by there. I know that they were all thrilled to see her. Not sure how long it has been since she has seen Mom.

OK, up next....lunch at G & Paw Paw's house (Mark's parents). Prior to this, though, we had to finish shopping. We had not purchased a gift for our nephew Ryan yet. There is a new, really cool shopping area 'across the bay'. There is also a new and really cool Bass Pro Shop on that side of the bay. We knew could get him something there. We decided to get up early and head across the bay to finish up our shopping. We also had to finish shopping for Mark's mom. So, we would be able to get both of these done early on Sunday before lunch at her house. My brother and his wife live on the eastern side of the bay. I checked to see if they wanted to meet us for b'fast since we would be in their neck of the woods shopping. They did. So, we ate b'fast with them and then the Bass Pro was open. Ran there, then to JC Penney for G's gift. Then back to the west side of the bay. Straight to G's house...lunch, then gift chaos for the kids. Gifts, gifts and more gifts. A fun time with Aunt Angie, Ryan (Uncle Hunter was called into work) and G & Paw Paw. E played with her new swimming doll and was dressed in her new Cinderella dress. B was transformed into a Clone Trooper with the helmet he received. Fun times. Let's see...one more stop on the circuit.

Next was Memaw's house. We were to meet there at 6:00 to eat and give her gifts. She, in turn, ended up giving all of us something - which she wasn't supposed to do. But she wanted to get us something. This gathering involves the following characters: Memaw; Aunt Dee (my mom's sister) and Uncle Hugh; Uncle Eddie (my mom's brother) and his wife Denise, her daughters Carly & Amanda and her boyfriend Marcus (I love his hair, by the way); Christy & Todd, Meadow; Alison & Jeff, Lainey & Cole; Jarrod & Edith, Patrick & Paige;

Kim & Troy;

Kyle & Jenny; then the 4 of us. So many of us, and so much fun. This year, we were going to bake Christmas cookies and decorate them. We ran out of time and this didn't happen. Maybe next year. Maybe we should start earlier than 6:00...oh never, mind...B got Legos from Aunt Kim and a Star Wars Transformer from Uncle Kyle & Aunt Jenny as well as clothes from them. Oh and he got $$ from Memaw. E got Dora Scrabble from Aunt Kim and a Dora phone and clothes from Aunt Jenny & Uncle Kyle. Memaw gave her a case of make up. It has been interesting. She loves it. They both love their families and had a wonderful weekend in Mobile.

Thank you to all of our family for hosting us while we are in Mobile for so many wonderful meals and for the beds to rest in. Thank you from us to everyone for the gifts for our kids!!

So, the circus ended then. On Monday morning, the kids and I pulled away around 9:30 am and put the bird back down on the ground in Auburn around 12:30. One may ask why we didn't/don't stay longer. We are off from work for two weeks. Well, there is so much that goes into this...so much. The way I describe it is that there is a lot of baggage for both of us (me and Mark) in Mobile. I enjoy being at home, it is peaceful here. Things are under my control here. That isn't the case in Mobile. There is so much vulnerability there. I will use an example that a friend uses...it is like jello that will not form. You put it in the bowl or form, and it will not gel. It just runs through the cracks and crevices. I can't keep it all together and in place. It is easier at home, here. I am a basket case while there. Certain family gatherings specifically.

Now we are home. I have so much to clean up and put away. Laundry to be done...oh and a couple of things to buy for the kids.

Merry Christmas, my blog readers, I wish everyone a very merry and peaceful Christmas!!!!!

Not what a parent wants to hear...

"Kellie, this is Veronica (E's teacher), something is wrong. E will not walk since waking up from her nap. She is balling, very painful crying." I thought it was just asleep. No, that wasn't the case. To hear that your child will not put pressure/stand on their legs is very scary. There are many reasons that this could happen, not any that I wanted to consider with my own child. After x-rays (piece of cake) and blood work (worst thing I have ever experienced with either of my children). After 3 tries in the lab, we were sent to the pediatric floor. She was wrapped in a burrito (aka bed sheet - think swadled infant). Her hair was wet from sweat. Bruised arm....story about that, but I won't go into it.

The pediatrician feels quite sure that she has something that I can't remember the name of that happens after your body has had a virus. I don't remember a lot about it...other than she told me that she feels very sure that it is this and not anything else. The x-rays and blood work are to confirm this. We should get a call in the morning. This is as much as I can say about it tonight. I can't believe this happened this afternoon - all so fast and so scary. I will update the blog when I know more tomorrow.

She is perfectly fine unless she tries to walk. And, even that is better now. She will at least walk now. She didn't walk from about 2:30 until 7:00 pm tonight. So, we are already making progress.

Kidney Stones...

I haven't had to think about this for quite some time, I think a couple of years. I remember the last one was after I had met Mrs. B in Marion. That was an easy one. This current stone isn't quite so easy. I woke up early Sunday morning, the pain is one that once you have had it; there is no mistaking it. I knew immediately that I had a kidney stone. Painful morning...Thanks to some Rx from a friend (yes, I know this is wrong, oh well) I made it through Sunday morning. By the evening, I felt fine. I had swallowed enough water to be sick. We had our friends the Parish's over. We had dinner and Christmas cooking fun with the kids, still fine...no pain.... I left for work on Monday morning. All was well until around 10:00 am. I know when I have reached my threshold for pain, I think. When I can't breathe or talk, then I am done. I made it home, more borrowed Rx later and I slept the rest of the day. After a brief moment of pain this morning, I made it through the entire day. And now, it is 9:38 pm and still no pain. Who knows where this thing is at and how big it is. I just want to be done with it!!!!! I do NOT like pain medication and I do not like pain. So, I am in a fix. I have had enough water to float a cruise ship and no sign of the stone. We will see what happens in the days ahead. Anyone else want to discuss their functioning or non-functioning water system?

Rebel With A Cause

In case you haven't noticed on the right side panel of this blog, there is a camera. CLick on that to see what this other blogger is doing and how much money she has already raised for charities close to her.

Is that an Echo I hear?

I think so. It is so quiet around these parts...unless of course you count me. someone? anyone? no one has anything to say about my rambling ridiculous posts?

Things that Make Me Happy!

This may be a post that is edited many times along the way. I will list things that make me happy...so, this may be a list that grows and grows...at least, I hope it does. Think about the things that make you really happy! List them in a comment to this post if you would like...

-Drinking coffee and reading in a book store
-Reading a magazine
-My children's laughter - deep hearty laughter
-Spending time with my husband - doesn't happen very often without kids these days
-The smell of an infant
-Hearing a song I like and singing very loud along with it in the car
-Seeing/talking to a friend after some time has passed and it is as if no time at all
- Panera Hazelnut coffee...with 1/2 & 1/2 and two splenda packets (why splenda with the cream? Who knows?!)
- looking at "old" photos of our children - from birth up to now
- Christmas cards
- having friends in our home, a preparing a meal for them (as long as I don't worry about food quantity)

Still thinking...

Birthday Party Plans...

For what?, one might ask. Well, for E's 4th birthday. Yes it is two months away, but normally, I have some idea at this point what the party will be - theme at least. I just started to think about it today. Last year, it was warm enough in February to have an outside party, yet we were inside. I am banking on cold weather in Feb. this year...seems like we will have a cold winter. I haven't checked the farmer's almanac to verify this theory though.

She says princess party, I say lady bug/garden party kind of party. Who knows where we are going with this celebration, but I want to think more on it in the days to come. And between now and the party, there will be a new addition to our family. Baby Anna M is due to arrive mid-January. So, I need to think and plan.

I usually start soon after her birthday, planning B's birthday party that is in April. I think this year, his will be low-key. Yes, that is what I just said...low key. We will see how well that goes over when I really try to convince myself that is what we will do. Yes, I know I am speaking in 3rd person about me, myself and I. :)

It is getting late and I should go to bed...

A Week Has Passed...

and I should have a new post, yet, don't really have anything to post about. I am tired of seeing "baby shower weekend" at the top, so here is something to take up more space.

I did find a friend on facebook that is well worth mentioning. Friends of ours from our youth. ha ha Verr Dean was located on facebook, I was very glad to re-connect with her/them. It is sad how we lose contact with people. I do it all of the time. I get so busy in the day to day life that these things slip by. Time goes on and on and on, and the next thing I realize, it has been 3 years!

Christmas cards are addressed but not mailed. They are sitting on the kitchen counter. When I remember to put them in the car with me, I will take the to the PO and purchase postage to mail them.

A recent change for our family is that I have changed my work hours. I am now working 6:45 am - 2:45 pm. This is the first day of the 2nd week of this new schedule. Let's just say that I can't stay up late! The older I get, I am realizing that I need more sleep. To get up at 5:00 or 5:15, I need more sleep. So far, this new schedule is working well. Mark continues to take the kids in the morning; a friend brings B to my office after school; and we pick up E soon after. We are home by 3:15. I hope this continues to work!!

The Hanging of the Greens service was at our church last night and the children & youth choirs sang. It was a nice service. Both B & E had a fun time decorating the Chrismon trees in the sanctuary with the help of the youth group.

I will stop rambling now...more to post later...I really need to get to work, since I am here!!!

Baby Shower Weekend

After B's stomach bug, we (me & kids) loaded up in the van and headed to Mobile for my sister in law's (brother's wife, Jenny) baby shower. If I had not been able to make it to this shower, I would have been more than sad. I was looking so forward to it. Well, it worked out that no one else got sick and we were on our way. So far, no one else is sick from the bug.

We arrived on Friday and went with my other sister in law (Mark's sister, Angie) to find eggs to go on top of the cupcakes for the shower. The theme for the shower was "nesting". So, we used birds and nests to decorate with . We went to Fresh Market (my first time there and I LOVE that store.) and found the "eggs" to go on the cupcake nest. They were swirl cordials. Anyone know what that is? I found out. It has a candy coating, a layer of chocolate and the middle is a flavored syrup of some kind. I thought they were perfect for our idea of the cupcake bird nests (following an internet idea). That done, we headed home to decorate the cakes. That was done very quickly, we were proud and we headed to the store to shop a little.

Saturday morning arrived and we began to set up for the shower. Such fun and seeing my cousins & family was wonderful to me. I got to spend time with my cousin's little girl, M. SO SO cute and fun to be with. I can't believe she will be 2 in January!! Time really does fly by.

So, many of our family members from my mother's family were there and from Jenny's family. Jenny & Kyle recieved a lot of wonderful gifts - a lot of clothes.

The kids & I stayed until Sunday morning to drive home...hmmmmm....driving home on a Sunday of a holiday weekend is not a good idea. But we made it home, safe and sound.

Now, to wait on Anna's arrival. I am so anxious and can not wait for her to get here. I am very excited to see her and hold her.

Sorry for the play by play journaling blog. Not that I thought everyone would want to know weekend details, but wanted to write them down anyway.