It's NOT the Color of Your Hair!

The color of one's hair has nothing to do with the ability of person to think or reason properly. Re-telling this story is to provide laughter and entertainment at my expense. On Thursday, I woke up...opened the refrigerator to get out some biscuits to make for the kids. I knew they didn't feel very cold. Felt the canned drinks in there...nope, not cold either. Opened the freezer, meat was beginning to defrost. I 'looked' at the thermostat, it said cold. Closed the door, sad that it wasn't working correctly. Took the day - yes the entire day - to look for a new refrigerator. Had tried to call service repair shops, to no avail. Finally found one, a good deal too. Fast-forward to yesterday afternoon. I was getting the last things out before we got the new one. Looked up at the thermostat....it was on cold, but it should have been on coldest!!!!!!! OR at least on the factory suggested, middle of the road, setting. Yes, I searched and searched for a refrigerator, purchased two and have now returned two. It turns out that our 4 year old daughter likes to play with the thermostat dials in the refrigerator. So, I was/am embarrassed that I spent that much time, involved several people, and NEVER needed the new refrigerator to begin with!!!!! Thankfully, we don't need a new one. But embarrassing that I didn't actually check the thermostat to begin with! Geeze...

UPDATE #2: Surgery went well, will be in ICU until Sunday or Monday.

UPDATE: The surgery has been postponed until tomorrow morning - a rescheduling mishap...

Mark's dad is going into the hospital in the morning. He is having the 2nd of 3 heart surgeries tomorrow. The first surgery, several weeks ago, was to clean out one of his carotid arteries. This second surgery is to replace his aortic valve. After his recovery from this, he will have the carotid artery in the other side of his neck done. Mark is there, he left this afternoon. Obviously, this is a serious surgery. He has other health problems, so we are hoping and praying that all goes well.

More party pics.....

These photos are in no particular order because I do not want to re-arrange them now that I have put them here.

Party Re-cap

Let's go back to Friday night of last week. I had two friends join me in setting up for E's birthday party. A & HB helped out SO much. I wouldn't have had everything ready without their help. We had a great time hanging out and decorating on Friday night.

Saturday morning we began by getting last minute things done. Mark decorated the cupcakes while I took a few more things to the church. I asked a friend to take photos at the party and will have more photos to post soon. Our flash is broken (yes, this sounds like a broken record about our camera!) so the ones we took aren't great. But some to post here until I have the photos H took for us. Yes, this was a Pinkalicious party with a lot of pink. But there were dress up clothes for the girls to change into, shoes to be worn, and jewelry to be added.So, the next few photos are of her dressed in an aqua tutu on loan from HB. I love the ones of her looking in the mirror....even though a little blurry, I still love them.



I think the girls had a fun time. We read the Pinkalicious book, made foam crafts, ate pink & green food, played with balloons, danced to music, dressed in many different outfits and just had a fun time. I know that I had a great time with all of them and celebrating with our "baby" girl who turned 4 yesterday!

Monday

Whew...it is quiet in my house and has been now for about 20 minutes. It has been a long few days at work (great weekend in between). Today was no exception. Today is one of the days I sit and wonder why I am a mom. Today I didn't do such a good job of being a mom. I came home and worked at the kitchen table with B while he did his homework. I then parked both of them in front of the TV so that I could continue to work. I don't do this very often, but guilt doesn't begin to describe it when I do. I did actually make them "dinner". Tomato soup & a grilled cheese sandwich. Bath time was very quick and back to the kitchen table to work more. I am frustrated with this project at work, and I wasn't nice to my children.

Now I sit here on the landing at the top of the stairs...with my laptop. Still reading new e-mail at 9:00 pm on this project. But, it is quiet...I can hear them both breathing now as they sleep. What a beautiful sound. Not just the silence, but their sounds. I am blessed to have them and thankful for them. Wishing I hadn't raised my voice, had NO patience, thankful I apologized to them. Tomorrow is a new day, a clean slate. The good thing is they still love me when I am not the best mom.

I welcome tomorrow.

1 week and counting

Pinkalicious party time!!! We are having a Pinkalicious princess dress up with makeup craft playtime pin the cherry on the cupcake book kind of party! As anyone can imagine, I am pretty excited about her party next weekend. Because this is a February birthday we are having it inside at our church in the fellowship hall. Of course, after next weekend, I will have photos to share. But for now, it is all in my head and drawn all over my pads of paper and notebook. Balloon flowers, chair covers (white pillow cases) with pink ties, maybe white lights, pink & green foods only, flowers hanging over the tables in the middle of the room between the columns. I really can't wait. I have recruited some friends to help me set up the party and the family is going to help with the party on Saturday.

All little girls should have a copy of this fun book, Pinkalicious. E has it almost completely memorized now. It is funny to "read" it with her. She "reads" most of it now. I can't believe that she is about to be 4. I know that I say it all of the time, but it is always hard for me to wrap my mind around a new age. How could have another year have passed? We all know far too well that it happens and very quickly.

Mark mentioned last night that B has already lived in our house 1/3 of the time that he will live with us before college. We only have 2/3 of this time left. Interesting to think about.

By the way, E just old me she wants a Tinkerbell party. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Sorry dear, that will have to wait until next year.

Tagged...fun, join in!

.....yes, anyone who reads this and has a blog!

20 Questions:
1. Do you own a box of crayons? we have a lot of crayons in our house
2. Do you always wear a seatbelt? Yes
3. When do you shower most often? mornings
4. What is the last thing you purchased? party supplies for E's b'day party
5. How often do you remember your dreams? every morning, it seems
6. How do you vent your anger? Don't ask....well most of the time, I get really quiet, which is very unusual for me!
7. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Working at ITC Holding Co. in Valley. We were all at work. 2 months pregnant. All of the employees watched it unfold on a small conference room television.
8. What is your ringtone? a 'song' that has become quite annoying
9. What is one thing you're looking forward to? E's birthday party? Not sure really that I am looking forward to anything. How sad is that?
10. Do you get eight hours of sleep each night? HA HA HA HA HA
11. How is your mood today? Good, can't really complain.
12. Have you ever changed your clothes in a vehicle? Yes
13. What is one thing you've learned about life? It's not all about me and my decisions impact others!
14. What is something you want to do within the next week? I guess I am not really a forward thinker...OH, year end statements for daycare!!
15. Do you care what people think of you? not usually
16. What scent are you wearing right now? None!
17. What do you carry with you at all times? cell phone
18. What was the last gift you gave someone? baby gift
19. What's one car you will never buy? any large vehicle, my van is getting too big for me!
20. How much money would it take for you to give up the internet for a year? HA HA HA - Mark would say a million or two. Money wouldn't make me give it up. Sorry!

Random Gathering

In our newly (2 years) renovated building, we have a nice kitchen/break-room with tables, etc. Very nice. We also have a flat screen TV in there. I walked past yesterday morning around 10:30 am. Not sure if anyone had even turned the tv on yet. One person, standing alone, watching the inauguration festivities. I watched her for a few seconds, seemed longer. Very symbolic to me. She recently lost her husband, before Christmas. Unexpected loss, unsure future, hope. Standing alone watching. I joined her. She told me that she thought of George W. as if he were approaching retirement. She was to retire in December. That all changed. She said that she imagined him being afraid and excited at the same time, "like when you face retirement" she said. I am thankful she is still here working with us.

Another co-worker joined us a few minutes later. Vicki. She and I had already discussed, earlier in the morning, how we weren't going to get much done today. I could tell she had already shed a tear or two and I confessed that I had as well. All it took was for me to see his motorcade leave this temporary housing to begin his day at the church service.

Next spectator joins. Consultant working here in our building with one of our centers. I don't know much about him, but I do know that I saw tears as he watched President Obama take his oath of office.

Where was Krislyn? I called her. "Get down here, we are all in the kitchen." She arrived shortly after a graduate student had joined the gathering. I assume graduate student, maybe undergrad. Kris and I had already shared a moment of crying in my office. She introduced me to "America's Song". If I can figure out how to add a song link to my blog, I will put it here. Until then, imagine it - because it is a beautiful song.

So an interesting mix we were, from all different walks and back-grounds. Our emotions were all fueled by different things - we have all come from different places to get where we are and have all experienced different parts of our southern state.

The next two spectators are two female graduate students in Chemical Engineering. Both of whom are married to military men. For me, RyAnne added an entirely different dynamic to the room. You see, her husband - Scott - was injured almost 2 years ago in a helicopter accident. In Afghanistan if I am not mistaken. He has severe brain trauma and has been in Tampa and/or Walter Reed for the entire time since the crash. She relies on our government - no matter what side of the aisle is in control - to take care of her husband. She has so many decisions left to make in the years to come. I am thankful she is the one strong enough to walk in her shoes. I am not sure I would have been able to do what she has done in this two years. Nor, would I have the outlook that she does now. Kudos to you RyAnne!! The other lady, Debbie. Her husband is no longer in the military. However, his tenure there made more than emotional and mental impacts on him. He was injured and has a prosthetic leg. I say this about these two amazing women only because when they arrived, it changed the room for me. They watched this inauguration with completely different eyes than I did or ever would. With change ahead so many military families will be impacted - not sure exactly how or what it will mean. But, I know they will be affected by this change.

I don't know the others that were in the room, very well. It was a hodge podge of people, gathered to watch this historic moment. I was moved to tears, again. Not as many as the night he was elected. But tears none the less! Here I was watching an African-American place his hand on an age-old Bible, taking the oath of office for....the President? Surely not. Yes, surely it did happen and I couldn't have been more proud. I thought of my children, B & E. I knew that B would be watching it at school. I wasn't sure about E. I found out later that she watched it. Her 4 year old mind couldn't process it all, of course. BUT, she watched it!

Her teachers, Veronica & Emmy, have been so effective in teaching her class this past week. All of last week they taught the class about the struggles in the 60's - Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges. I hesitate to admit that B didn't know the story of Rosa Parks. When E began to tell the story, he remembered part of it. He didn't remember WHY she went to jail though. So, E told him about it. I had tears in my eyes listening in my kitchen. He turned to me...wide eyes. "Really?" he asked. "She went to jail because she was brown (what he has always referred to our African American friends, not black)?" He couldn't believe that she went to jail because of her skin color. His reply was that he would have kicked, beat up, pushed anyone who would have tried to take someone to jail because they were brown. It was a proud moment for me, I guess you could say. Then I had to tell him that violence wasn't the way to solve this problem. Then we spoke of MLK Jr and how he fought and didn't want violence to be the avenue for this change that needed to take place. So much to teach our children. The responsibility is heavy!

OK, all of this to say....I am proud of my children and that they aren't growing up hearing what I heard in my home in Saraland, AL. I am proud that they witnessed what they did yesterday; even if they don't completely understand it all.

It was a moving day and I woke up thinking about the Obama family this morning. Can you imagine waking up today, looking at your little sister, giggling...."we are IN the White House!!! Let's go tell mom & dad!"

Anna M

Happy New Year

Again...too long without posting.  Oh well, a lot has been going on.  Christmas has come and gone; New Year's Eve & Day have been celebrated and trash heaps have been taken from the curbsides.  It is a fresh start, once again.  Isn't that a great feeling!  It is strange how moving from the end of one year to the beginning of the next can make a person feel "new" or "fresh" to start again.  As interesting as it may be, I do not have a degree to help explain this feeling that happens.  I am not one to make resolutions each year...not my thing.  I do not like to fail, so they aren't for me.  I know that I will not stick to all of them, so I see no reason to actually make a list of things.  I have an ongoing list in my mind - all year long.  This time of the year makes me want to go out and buy a lot of containers (mentioned in a previous post) and organize things; paint walls; finish wall paper stripping jobs; etc.  I didn't do any of the projects during our break that I had intended to get done.  BUT, we had a wonderful time at home and at the beach with the kids.  We were invited to the beach with our friends the Donald family.  THANKS to them again!!  It was so nice of them to include us.  The kids had a great time and we did too.

Now we are back at work, school is back in session, and life gets back to "normal".  I still don't know what normal is.  I am beginning to think root canals are normal for me.  I had another one today.  These stress me out and I now feel like I have a knife in my shoulder blades due to being so tense during the 2 hour procedure.  They didn't have the laughing gas today, so, I was more uptight than normal.  Between kidney stones and root canals, I have had my fair share - at least in my opinion.

The kids are great and have both done well going back to school/daycare this week.  Spring Break is just around the corner in March.  Before I know it, it will be the middle of May and school will be out.  Another season change, another time to feel a fresh start....maybe it is more of seasonal changes rather than year end changes that make me feel a fresh start.  Hmmm...will think on that more.

I leave on Friday morning for Mobile.  My sister in law, J will be induced on Friday morning.  Anna Montgomery Murray is scheduled to arrive that day.  I hope and pray that it all goes as well as it can.  I can't wait to meet her!

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.