You Are Appreciated…and Other Randoms

It’s Employee Appreciation Week around these parts. So this morning as I approached the main hospital entrance there were two folks from administration grinning and handing out goodies to all employees walking through the doors. Words cannot express how disgusted I was when, as a “valued” employee, I was handed…a wrapped butter mint. I know that times are tight, and when I say I’m thankful for employment, that’s not just me blowing smoke. But a butter mint? Really? That’s insulting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to spend a little time under the hairdryer this weekend. So I turned to Pinterest and ended up making three delicate little seed bead bracelets. I love them! They’ll be perfect this summer when I want to add a dose of color, but not weight, to my ensembles. I plan on making a few more, but need to pick up another packet of clasps before I can proceed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of making things – do you craft? If so, what do you make? When LG is a little older, I think I’m going to sign the both of us up for sewing classes. She’s expressed interest, and if I could learn to make myself a pair of pants, I’d be a happy, happy camper.

Um…did anyone read “The View From Here?” I kind of forgot all about it. My Mom sent me her copy so I’m happy to have a discussion about it in a week or so if anyone else read it. Anyone? Anyone?

Do y’all have Sonic restaurants where you are? Let me tell you, I love this place! Their cherry limeades bring me joy all summer long and I now have a new reason to visit. They’ve declared this the “Summer of Shakes.” What, say what? I love – LOVE – a shake and Sonic has seen fit to tempt me with 25 flavors from which to choose. I’m going to stop short of saying I want to experience all 25 this summer, but really, I do. Well, all except for the peanut butter bacon flavor. I appreciate the juxtaposition of salty and sweet as much as the next girl, but I have to draw the line at pork products in my milkshake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LG – and the rest of her elementary school – is in the middle of state testing. I really hate how aware of standardized testing she already is. She was glad we skipped church yesterday because “I need that extra study time, Mama.” Sigh. I want her to do well, and I’m certain she will (if she slows down and oh, I don’t know, actually reads the questions/problems), but I don’t want testing to be a major force in her life.

That’s it! What’s shaking in your neighborhood?!?

Who’s Raising Who?

LG has always been an honest kid.  Honest to a fault – she is always confessing sins I know nothing about, telling on herself, etc.  When I pull up to aftercare, before I can get inside good, she’ll tell me how many sticks she pulled in class that day, if she got in trouble in aftercare, whether she had bad thoughts about anyone…the child is an open book.  Which I rather appreciate and hope she keeps up well into adolescence

Yesterday on the way home from the gym I was telling her something when she interrupted me to tell me that she was sorry, but she’d just rolled her eyes at what I was telling her.  I told her that was disrespectful and to cut it out.  She agreed and we went on to the house.

Right before she got in the tub, she handed me this note:

 

 

 

 

 

(pardon her horrid spelling…)

Basically this chick is telling me she rolled her eyes – again – but that if I wanted to “wope” her I could.  Um, thanks?

Am I raising her or is she raising me?!?!?

 

 

 

MANICure Monday

This week’s manicure is “Carly” by Zoya. This is such a pretty purple – so shiny it looks like it is glowing – love it!

MANICure Monday

So…apparently I’ve decided to join the fun and post pictures of my manicure every Monday. I did this a while ago and thanks to Mimi I’m giving this another shot.

Today I’m rocking my Valentine Week look. Hot pink on eight nails (Zoya’s ‘Katy’) and my accent nails are a pink glitter (Pure Ice’s ‘Spitfire’). Love this combo though when I bought the hot pink I envisioned as a pedicure only polish.

Next week I’ll be sure to take pics of my polish bottles as well.

Snowmaggedon!

Woke up to light snow this morning so of course I woke my girl up so she could see her answered prayer!

And then I got texts/emails letting me know school was closed for the day.

Thank you Lord for this unexpected day off! Going to spend the day puttering around and cleaning up. But first? I’m going back to sleep. G’night!

:)

Best weekend ever!

Okay, so maybe not the best weekend ever, but still pretty amazing!

Do I even have to tell you that UAPB beat JSU to win the 2012 SWAC Championship? (Hush DiscoDiva & KRock!) Well, we did!! And what a game it was. JSU came to play and for most of the game I was pretty sure they were going to win. And so were they. Late in the 4th quarter our QB connected with a receiver for a 95 yard pass that tied up the game. About 15 seconds before that? The JSU side was partying! They were playing “The Show,” chanting “ayyyyyy…you talking out the side of ya neck” and their blue and white pompoms were all a-flutter. We shut that ish down! In OT it was obvious that momentum was on our side and even though we were first and goal and couldn’t run the ball in to save our lives o_o we made the field goal and the final score was 24-21 giving UAPB (and me!) bragging rights for the next year and making your girl all kinds of happy!

Smoochy, LG and I rolled back to Jackson that night and while LG was in the backseat watching Netflix on my phone, Smoochy and I were up front reminiscing. We listened to Tracy Chapman, sang along with Al Green, and yelled “shut up!” along with Trick Daddy. We had a ball.

And…

Look who I met – it’s Adrienne! We didn’t do much beyond hug necks and take a picture, but it was great to spend a few moments together.  Hoping we’ll be able to hang a little more in the future. (Why are my glasses so crooked???)

And lookie here – It’s Dr. Fitzpatrick!  Fitz is the reason that I know so very much about photosynthesis and eukaryotes…or used to anyhow   He taught both Botany and Microbiology on The Yard.  He’s retired from teaching but told me that he’s recently returned as the Director of Research.  One of my favorite teachers ever!

And my brother showed up!  This dude never misses an opportunity to get together and hang out with his friends and his frat whenever, wherever.  Did I know he was going to Birmingham?  Nope, but I sure was glad to see him there!

And my favorite husband!  Smoochy swears that his lucky cap/Superman shirt combo is the reason UAPB was victorious and really, since we won, who am I to argue?  Love that dude!

And last, but certainly not least, I have a prize to award…ThoughtsOfSouthernGal guessed that the final score would be 24-17 UAPB so she wins! Congratulations lady! Okay, my Mama guessed the same score, but relatives of the corporation were not allowed to enter the contest. Rules are rules

Was your weekend wonderful too?

 

Bundled up at the pumpkin patch

Overlooking St. Louis from inside the Gateway Arch

Peruvian Chicken soup – delish!

Sauteed mushrooms.  Man, these things were so tasty.  I’ve got to figure out how to replicate.

Strawberry-basil mojito.  Yum!  If you couldn’t tell, I heartily approve of all things Peruvian.  Though I’m pretty sure mojitos are not…

Stuffing a turkey with White Castle sliders?  No.

Who in the world is paying $650 for a used Christmas tree?!?!?  Or for a new one for that matter…

My nieces and my kid at Thanksgiving dinner.  My SIL is under there somewhere.

The contract LG wrote up.  And that I foolishly signed.

My blanket pajamas.  I have two pair.  And no shame about wearing them when I’m cold.  Which is often.  Smoochy has been trying to destroy both pairs for 13 years.  No dice

See These Bags?

LG and I got out in the yard today and got about…1/3 of the backyard raked. I also hacked the hell outta, I mean um, gently pruned my azaleas. Surely this burned off all the mac and cheese I consumed for Thanksgiving. If it didn’t, do me a solid and don’t tell me!

This Picture Brings Me So Much Joy!!!

Y’all can’t tell me my girl wasn’t getting down!!!

Ask And It Shall Be Given Unto You

Wedding weekend pics with a few extras thrown in for good measure.  This one’s for you KRock

This child’s hair? Makes me want to weep every time I have to wash, detangle and style it. I’m thinking a texturizer would make our lives soooo much easier.

All those plastic, robotic dinosaurs were totally scary! Don’t I look petrified?

Crystal Bridges Museum. Looking from one “pod” to the next. Man, this place was stunning!

This sculpture was mad realistic. It’s the artist as he imagines he will look when he’s older.

So yeah, I took more pictures at the museum than anywhere else

My niece, LG, and my nephew. They had such a good time together. So much fun that they could hardly be still to take a good picture

Youngest brother and the kiddos

Womp womp

Yay!!!!!

You already know – we had to take LG on a quick tour of our beloved alma mater. And you already know – she was unimpressed. SMH.

Smoochy and I had a long, long discussion about slavery, sharecropping, and picking cotton. Let’s just say I thank God I was born when/where I was. I was tired just looking at all that cotton. I cannot imagine having to pick it for a “living.”