Awards!

Thank you Sara! (Ordinary and Awesome )

Thank you RaeAnn! (Critical Mass )

Thank you Jamey! (Walking by Faith )

Thank you Catherine! (Evolving Mommy )

Thank you Kristen! (La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Kristen! (La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Julie! (Momspective )

Thank you Maggie! (Life with Boys )

Thank you Lori! (I'm No Super Mom But I'm Lovin' It! )

Thank you Kat! (Sassy Irish Lassie )

Thank you Whitney! ( Whitney Inspired )

Thank you Janet! ( The Jumbled Thoughts of Janet )

Thank you Jamey! (Walking by Faith )

Thank You LeAnn! (Tollesons 4 Him )
Thank you Brig! (The Heckathorn Family )

Thank you LeAnn! ( Tollesons 4 Him )

Thank you Keri! (It Flickers Dimly)

Thank you Michelle! (There Must Be More To Life Than Dishes and Laundry )

Thank you Janel! ( Dandelion Dayz )

Thank you Janet! ( The Jumbled Thoughts of Janet )

Thank you Michelle! (There Must Be More To Life Than Dishes and Laundry )

Thank you Tena! (Punky Monkey's)

Thank you Kat! (Sassy Irish Lassie )

Thank you Julie! (Momspective )

Thank you Maggie! ( Life with Boys )

Thank you Kat! (Sassy Irish Lassie )

Thank you Jen! (Another Online Mom )

Thank you Brandi! (The Life of a Small Town Girl )

Thank you LeAnn! (Tollesons4Him )

Thank you Kristen! (La Dolce Vita )
Thank you Jamey! ( Walking by Faith )


Thank you Kristen! (La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Rachel! (Following In My Shoes )

Thank you Rachel! ( Following In My Shoes )

Thank you LeAnn! ( Tollesons4Him )

Thank you Jenn! ( The Peacock's Nesting Place )

Thank you Kristen! ( La Dolce Vita )

Thank you LeAnn! ( Tollesons4him )

Thank you Kristen! ( La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Kristen! ( La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Jennifer! ( Happily-Ever-After-Land )

Thank you LeAnn! ( Tollesons4him )

Thank you Kristen! ( La Dolce Vita )

Thank you Merrie! ( Sleepless Mornings )

I'm sorry it has taken so long to announce these awards. (Have I mentioned I'm lazy?) I love them all! Thanks so much for thinking of me you guys!

Delicious Singing

Who's ready for a 3 day weekend? Actually, I haven't been out in the working world for 5 years now, do people still take the day off on Labor Day? Besides mail carriers? Big pup doesn't have school on Monday which means I don't have to set my alarm for 6 a.m. That's enough of a day off for me right there.


I almost posted this poem for the July 4th Poetry Friday Edition but I thought it fit more with Labor Day and the whole celebrating the working man/woman thing. Here's I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman:


I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

I Need A Doughnut

We have survived almost 2 weeks of school now. And you know what? First grade is really, really, really kicking my butt. Really. You know that saying, Everything you need to know in life you learn in Kindergarten? Tell that to first grade teachers.

Big pup's grades aren't so good right now. He's gotten a few A's but this week he brought home a C and a D. And making him do his homework results in a lot of crying, arguing, bribes, and threats (No Max and Ruby for you!). I'm hoping that it's just a matter of adjustment, that he'll get into the groove of things and his grades will improve. After all, it has only been 2 weeks. But it's been a hard 2 weeks and I could sure use a doughnut. Or two. Or twelve.

I Love You More

Last year I wrote about Little pup being such a mommas boy. And he still is. A very loving and affectionate momma's boy. Here's a typical exchange between myself and Little pup that may happen 2 or 3 times a day:

LP: MOM-MAY!!!

Me: What?

LP: I love you.

Me: I love you more.

LP: I love you more than that!

Isn't that sweet?

Well, one day I was reading Kristen's blog and she had just designed a new necklace inspired by her son and their own I love you more moment. And of course I had to have that necklace! So I patiently waited until my anniversary so I could justify buying myself jewelry and I've worn it everyday since it came in the mail. I love it! It's the perfect way to commemorate these special memories I'll have of the boys. Thanks Kristen!

Last Place

If getting the gas pump to stop on an exact dollar amount was an Olympic event, WD would come home to the United States as a disgrace. Every time it goes over by a penny or two (or seven), he shakes his head, gets back in the van, and blames it on the gas pump. Personally, I think it has more to do with his age combined with his love of Newcastles.

Bristol (And Yet Another Anniversary)

It's my Blogiversary! A year ago today, I started this blog with a letter. It was "written" by Lexie the Husky to a dead raccoon. Complete with pictures. Sorry, raccoon lovers. What a way to introduce myself to the internet, huh?

No to Nascar? Yes to jewelry? Angie's talking about rings over at her pretty purse today. Check it out!


The good thing about the race at Bristol Saturday night was that 168,000 fans set a new record for doing the wave. the bad thing about Bristol was Elliott Sadler's performance. He had a few things go wrong during the race. He had a bad pit stop due to the positioning of his pit stall, then he had to pit because of a loose seatbelt, and then he exited pit road too fast and had to do a pass through penalty. He started 10th, finished 32nd, and remains unchanged in points at 20th.


I know a lot of people think that bump and run racing is just good hard racing but when you're going for the win, it's not right. Boo Carl Edwards. He's doing a good job of making a lot of enemies these days.


Carl Edwards gets the win, Sterling Marlin gets the red lantern, and we're in California next Sunday.

Anniversary Week: A Poem

If you are a soon to be bride I highly recommend having your guests throw birdseed. Sure, bubbles are pretty and trendy, but just look at how much fun my guests are having pelting us with birdseed. WD and I aren't smiling. We're grimacing. That stuff hurts when it's coming at you at 20 mph. But it's good for the environment.

Here's the perfect poem to conclude My 11th Anniversary Week. It's from Wendell Berry's The Country of Marriage.

Sometimes our life reminds me
of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing
and in that opening a house,
an orchard and garden,
comfortable shades, and flowers
red and yellow in the sun, a pattern
made in the light for the light to return to.
The forest is mostly dark, its ways
to be made anew day after day, the dark
richer than the light and more blessed,
provided we stay brave
enough to keep on going in.

Anniversary Week: A Fight

Several years ago, WD and I were on our way to a birthday dinner for his brother. Not only was it held at a restaurant we had never been to before, but it was located in a part of Little Rock that we weren't familiar with. So, with WD driving, and not knowing exactly where he was going, patience was wearing thin and tension was running high. And he foolishly picked that exact moment to tell me what he thought was the most annoying thing in the world about me.


And for the life of me I can't remember what he said. Nor does he. BUT I do remember what my response to him was.


Oh, yeah? I said, as I turned toward him in my seat, You want to know what I don't like about you? The way you chew your food. It's as if you're some sort of insect that has to inject a special solution into its prey before you can digest it.


WD: .......What?!


I love my husband. He's a wonderful father and a great provider. But if I never have to listen to him chew his food again, I'll be a happy woman.

Anniversary Week: The Dress

I loved my dress! It didn't take me long to find it either. I knew exactly what I wanted. A sheath style dress with a headband veil. I tried on several just to humor the saleslady but the second I tried this on I knew it was the one. I wasn't crazy about the detachable cathedral length train though. But looking back, I'm glad my mother made me wear it I decided to wear it. Very Princess Diana-like, don't you think? And if there's one day when you're allowed to be a princess it's your wedding day.

Remember the Friends episode where Monica, Phoebe and Rachel are all lounging around in wedding dresses? Yeah. I'd like to do that. Except I can't fit into mine anymore. Must've been all those little cocktail smokies I ate at the reception.

Anniversary Week: The Gifts

This is a picture of some of the gifts WD and I received for our wedding 11 years ago. People would ask where are you registered? and I would say oh, nowhere but we need anything and everything! Looking back, I think that was a mistake. Because, hello? Mrs. Fran Linstock? I'm sure you meant well but the bright red electric wok just isn't me.

And do you see that crockpot up in the right hand corner of the picture? People like giving crockpots. I got 4 of them.

But take a look at those mixing bowls in the left hand corner of the picture. I love those bowls. If WD had backed out of the wedding at the last minute I would've married those bowls. It is, by far, one of my favorite wedding gifts. They're so versatile. They range in size from itty bitty (6 in. diameter) to super large (15 in. diameter). They're perfect for serving taco salad for a crowd, bags of chips, and popcorn. Whenever I need to mix up something, they're always there for me.

Happy Anniversary 5 piece mixing bowl set.

Michigan

Happy first day of school! Fortunately, Big pup didn't wake up at 5 a.m. like he did for his first day of Kindergarten last year. I've got to go wake him up in few minutes and I'm hoping everything will run smoothly this morning.


As usual, if Nascar isn't your thing, head on over to Angie's pretty purse. I believe she's talking about rainboots today.

Yesterdays race was up in Kristen's neck of the woods. Brooklyn, Michigan. Elliott Sadler finished 9th there back in June and guess what? He finished 9th again! But he still remained 20th in points standings. I was hoping he would move up a little but that didn't happen. Not that it matters this late in the game. Only 3 more races until the Chase for the Cup begins. I haven't decided who I'm going to root for yet. I'm thinking Kevin Harvick. Or maybe Jeff Burton.

Carl Edwards gets the win, Marcos Ambrose gets the red lantern, and we're in Bristol Saturday night.

Little Brothers

Little pup occasionally likes to make noises as he rides in his carseat. He'll hum, or make popping noises, or rhyme words, or count. Big pup finds this particular trait extremely irritating. And he doesn't hesitate in letting his little brother know just how much this grates on his nerves. Which only makes Little pup do it more. And louder.

Here's a cute poem by children's author Mary Ann Hoberman called Brother. I think Big pup can relate!

Chocolate Cake In A Mug

Have you ever wanted just one piece of chocolate cake? Not a whole cake where you would be tempted to eat the whole thing in 2 days--then feel guilty for the next 2 weeks--but just one piece of chocolate cake. Just a little something to keep you company while you pay the bills, or after you put the kids to bed, or while you watch your laundry pile up. Well, here's a recipe for a chocolate cake in a mug that gives you the 'chocolate-pick-me-up' you may need to tackle that load of laundry.

3 TBS all-purpose flour
2 tsp cocoa
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
2 TBS sugar
2 tsp veg. oil
2 TBS water
1/4 tsp vanilla
mug
frosting

In a small bowl, sift first 4 ingredients together. Then add last 4 ingredients and mix well. Spray the inside of mug with cooking spray; add cake batter. Put in microwave for 2 minutes. Top with frosting, a homemade chocolate glaze, or chocolate syrup.

School Supplies

This whole back to school thing was shaping up to be a disaster. Big pup is starting 1st grade on Monday and hasn't been too happy about it. One night he was in tears, asking me to take him to a wishing well so he could wish that he would never have to go to school again.

But THEN he got a new backpack and lunchbox that he picked out all by himself. AND a new school box in blue--his current favorite color. He's so excited! Who knew that just $16.69 could buy a completely different attitude? And now that I know that he's okay with going back to school, I'm okay with it too.

Favorite Baby Stuff

Is it cheating if I re-post a blog entry that I put up on Angie's site yesterday? I hope not because I'm drawing a blog blank right now. It's either that or put up some more text messages between me and WD:

What do you want for dinner?
I don't know, what do you want?
I don't know, what do YOU want?
Whatever.
So...what do you want for dinner?

Uh, yeah, I'm gonna vote for the re-post. So here it is, some of my favorite baby items that should be a must have for any new mom.


1. Boppy. I didn't have one of these with Big pup but I wish I had. It made nursing Little pup so much easier.

2. Sleep-n-Plays. There's nothing cuter than a baby in footie pajamas. My boys lived in these when they were babies.

3. Baby monitor. My bedroom is on the opposite end of the house from the other bedrooms, so a baby monitor is a must. I've been using the same Safety 1st (audio only) monitor for 6 years. I love it.

4. Baby swing. If your baby likes to swing then you've got it made. Little pup hated it but Big pup would fall asleep in it everytime.

5. Baby Einstein videos. I know, I know. TV is not good for babies. But sometimes mommy needs a little bathroom break and these videos can help give you the time you need to...um...take care of business.

So those are a few of my baby 'must haves.' What about you? What are some of your favorite baby things?

Watkins Glen

Angie's on vacation this week and guess who's doing a guest post: Yours truly, that's who! So head on over to my pretty purse to read about some of my favorite baby items.



Oh, speaking of babies, mine came home from their grandparents house a day early. They changed their minds about going to Tennessee to watch the truck race. It seems that 6 and 4 year olds aren't too keen on getting up at 5 a.m. and traveling 8 hours without mommy around. They had a great time in Pine Bluff (2 computers, train set, play doh, pizza, ice cream, fun) but I'm glad to have them back. I missed them:)



On to Nascar. I had made a mental note to compare the lack of cautions and accidents during yesterdays road race to the caution filled Indy race until...the Big One. With 7 laps to go David Gilliland and Michael McDowell got into each other causing a huge pile up. Ten cars suffered heavy damage, Bobby Labonte was sent to a local hospital, and Gilliland and McDowell were sent to Nascar's version of the principals office. Officials stopped the race for over 30 minutes until the mess was cleaned up. Fortunately, Elliott Sadler wasn't involved and finished 15th, moving him up one spot to 20th in the standings.



Kyle Busch gets the win, Max Papis gets the red lantern, and we're in Michigan next Sunday.

Shhhhhhhh!

You know what I've missed about the boys? Not their squabbling that's for sure. I've missed tucking them in at night after they've gone to sleep. If there were any hard feelings after a day of bad attitudes, sass, and insolence it all disappears when I see their sweet, peaceful little faces. I always have to rearrange them. Little pup is always stuck right up against his brother and Big pup is never on his pillow. I think this poem by Sharon Olds says it all. Here's Looking At Them Asleep

More Text Messages

Yesterday, WD's dad and stepmom made the 3 hour drive from their house to ours, collected the boys, and took them back home with them. Without me. Then, on Saturday, WD will pick them up and take them to Tennessee to watch a truck race. Without me.

So while I disappear under my desk with a tube of cookie dough and try not to think about my babies being a WHOLE STATE AWAY from me, please enjoy some text messages I've received/sent out recently.

1. Home. Butts r sore!
2. Indigo girls june 10 robinson.
3. I want a sedu flat iron.
4. Big & its empty.
5. R u awake?
6. Kroger bill came to 6.66.
7. My can of biscuits popped in back of my van.
8. It wasn't dead!
9. Niijhttytwhdampaidbacfy.

That last one was one I sent to WD. He had no idea what I meant. He's so 2003.

Portfolio 5 Light Chandelier With Accessories

This is what my light fixture looks like in my dining room right now. I'm teaching the boys about the solar system so there's a clothes hanger with all 9 planets on it (yes, I'm including poor little identity-confused Pluto) and a papier mache globe awaiting paint. I don't know where the barrel of monkeys fit into things but even if they weren't hanging there I'm pretty sure Martha Stewart would still not approve.

Corn Relish

Mmmmm...corn relish. I look forward to this stuff every summer. One bite of this sweet, fresh relish makes me want to slap my grandma. Figuratively speaking of course! My grandma is the cook that hands out jars of this relish to my mom, sister, and myself every year so slapping her would not be a very polite thing to do. Especially if I'm expecting to get anymore next year. There's quite a bit of ingredients and chopping involved but it does make a lot (8 pints) and is totally worth it.

2 quarts fresh whole kernel corn
1 quart shredded cabbage
2 cups sugar
1 quart apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped onion
2 tbs dry mustard
1 tbs mustard seed
1 tbs celery seed
1 tbs tumeric
1 tbs salt

Mix all ingredients in a big ol' pot. Simmer for 20 minutes. Pour into jars. Store in refrigerator. And when you take that first bite, please refrain from actually slapping your granny, okay? That's just an expression.

Pocono

Nascar not your thing? Wanna talk make-up? Head on over to Angie's pretty purse!


Forget the Sprint Cup race at Pocono, did anyone see the Nationwide race in Montreal Saturday? If you did, you watched history being made. It was the first Nascar race that was run in the rain. How funny were those little windshield wipers on the race cars? Very, if I do say so myself.

But back to the Sprint Cup race, which had its own issues with rain yesterday. They took a break for a shower to pass through, got the track dry, and then we all waited to see who's pit strategy reigned supreme: Kasey Kahne (instead of pitting before the red flag, he stayed out in first and hoped that the race would be called off) or Carl Edwards (he did pit before the red flag, stocked up on a lot of goodies, and waited in the 22nd position hoping the rain would let up). And...the rain let up and Edwards made his way back up to first when the checkered flag was waved.

Elliott Sadler finished 27th and remains unchanged in points at 21. I accept the fact now that with only 5 races to go until the Chase for the Cup, he's not going to make the top 12. But, come on, he's about to be passed by Travis Kvapil. Travis Kvapil! No offense Kvapil fans. I know he's an excellent truck driver, but, come on!

Carl Edwards gets the win, Michael Waltrip gets the red lantern, and we're in New York at Watkins Glen International Speedway next Sunday.

Got Fish?

This summer has gone by really fast. The month of June was spent finishing up with T-ball, splashing in the pool, and playing with all the toys Big pup was kept away from all day while in school. June was all about releasing all that energy that was being held back throughout the school year.

And then came July. Hot, boring, lethargy-inducing July. The boys were glued to the tv. In an effort to keep their brains from oozing out of their ears and dripping onto my new carpet, I made a new rule: no tv on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There has been a few tears but for the most part I think they've enjoyed all the arts and crafts we've worked on and the educational places we've been (is going to see Wall-E educational? I think so).

Last week's theme was fish. So I took them to a nearby state park to watch the fish being fed. The aquarium was huge and the boys had a good time seeing the big fish eat the minnows.

So in honor of...well....fish, here's Speckled Trout by Ron Rash.