New Year, New Season of life and STILL Maturing Momma -

I have decided to revive my blog.  New season of life and always growing and maturing as a Momma!  Take some time this weekend, catching up on all the years before.  Choose to follow and you will see an update to catch up the major highlights over the years and the journeys we are all currently on!

47/365...2011 Every Letter Makes a Sound

   Today was show and tell day.  Every Wednesday at preschool is the most exciting for Savannah.  The night before we put our thinking caps on to find the object that matches with the weeks letter they are learning.  This week is the letter "R"  Last night I was thinking rat, (like Mickey Mouse), Eric thought of Racoon (the one in a blue dress that Nana gave to Savannah).  She said she had a better idea.  It was her RAPUNZEL doll that Santa brought her for Christmas!  She had always wanted to take it to preschool, but had no real reason until today!  This morning when I woke her up she was ready in no time to start her special day.  On the way to preschool we started a new game this week.  On our 15 minute drive, I name words and she has to tell me what letter they start with and another letter in the word.  She is getting real good doing this! 

 I work with her some, but I am going to give the majority of the credit to the Leapfrog Learning DVD.  Her favorite sings the song, Every Letter Makes a sound the A says ah, the B says ba.... and all thru the alphabet! 

46/365...2011 It's a Good Day Day for a Tea party

This morning Savannah woke up and jumped out of bed.  She told me to just relax, she had a surprise for me.  I could hear she was in the cabinet where her tea set is kept.  When I got up a few minutes later, she had the tea cups for four, tea pot, saucers and sugar and creamer set out.  I put a towel/tablecloth on her small table and made her some fruit tea.  I put sugar in the sugar bowl with valentine sprinkles. In the creamer I poured vanilla soy milk.  YUMMY is what she said!  Some days in our home, quiet often are just perfect for tea parties!

45/365...2011 (Monday February 14) "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"

"Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you, Let me hear you whisper that you love me too, Let me call you sweetheart, I'm in love with you"!

Happy Valentines Day 2011 to the Haag's

Today was all it should have been and more!  Savannah had preschool and gymnastics today.  This afternoon she delivered her cupcakes to Garret, Anna Cate, Gabby and Mrs. Marnie.  Today she said Garett was her boyfriend.  It's all because he played dodge ball with her last week.  She said he hit her with the ball because he loves her and that's what you do when you play dodge ball in your sisters bedroom!  If I could secure the Schembers as our future in laws one day many years in the future that would be all right with us.  Can we bring back this custom of promising your daughter to who she will marry?  She did tell me that a date is when you went somewhere with someone and she had not had a date yet with anyone other than her Mommy and Daddy! 

This evening we had a great healthy dinner of Curried Roasted Chicken salad over a bed of fruit and fresh spinach.  Chocolate covered strawberries with my two sweethearts over candlelight made the evening very special.  Our home is full of two bouquets of flowers.  Eric brought one home for each of us!  Usually we share, not any more! I have a beautiful Fleur de lis watch and sunglasses that I picked as a special gift also.  Savannah and I gave Eric workout towels and a beautiful framed silhouette of her that we made.  Mom sent Savannah a sweet valentine card with money!  Maw Maw's card said for me to take her shopping or to McDonald's. Savannah said we would be going to Chuck E Cheese.  YUCK, I must really love this little girl to take her to that crazy place! 

The house was full of little girl valentine gifts.  Most of them were new art supplies for her art bag, a bit of candy, snoopy dog and a new Sing A Ma Jig that sings "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"! 

Valentines Day 2011 was a very special day at home with my sweethearts and I would not have it any other way.  I am thankful for all my friends on this day also that have stuck with me thru the years, thru thick and thin and the ups and downs.  

44/365...2011 (Sunday February 13) Now You See Me, Now You Don't!

Sunday afternoon as Savannah and I were watching Huckleberry Hound she learned a new word.  The word was Camouflage!  I was impressed that she really understood it.  She hid under the rug and told me she was camouflaged.

  A bit later in the afternoon, she was playing in her art supplies and had her back to me.  She very proudly came over to show me her face.  She had her black stamp pad and was making camouflage marks all over her face.  Pretty smart girl!  She not only understands the new words she learns, but most all the time puts them into action!  Thank goodness I only buy washable crayons, markers, paint and stamp ink! 

43/365...2011 (Saturday Feb 12)

The day finally arrived!  Eric's Krewe of Centaur Mardi Gras Ball here in Shreveport. La.  This Mardi Gras Krewe has more than 400 members and 40 floats. It is the largest parading Krewe in Shreveport and the second largest in Louisiana.  This is much larger than Krewe de la Dauphine that we were members of on Dauphin, Island (Mobile, AL area) for many years. The theme was Carnival and it was the 20th anniversary celebration for tonight's ball!

It had been a very long time since we had any excuse to get all fancied up!  I had searched hard for two weeks to find a ballgown.  Next year, I will search in a larger city to avoid the painful process that I had searching here.  I wore a beautiful turquoise and rhinestone gown.  Rhinestone jewelry, my new rhinestone watch from Gaudy Girl shop and rhinestone and silver shoes.  Eric wore a Black tuxedo and went all out wearing his Rolex for a change.  The Balls in the Mobile and New Orleans areas are much more strict and formal.  Your gown has to touch the floor,  and it has to be a specific tuxedo tails or you will be turned away at the door. 

We had a great evening, everyone at our table was so nice and the show was fabulous!  The band was rocking the place and the food was yummy.  I can't say the $25 bottle of wine the city was selling was worth that much.  But every penny we put into purchasing our tickets, clothes,  Lauren our babysitter for the evening and all the other accessories were worth every penny.  Sometimes you just have to get all fancied up and be Cinderella with your Prince Charming at the Ball!  Next year we hope that many of our friends join us for this grand event.  The Mardi Gras parade is coming up in two weeks and we are counting down the days! 

42/365...2011 Party Day (Friday February 11)

Today was a very exciting day for a little 3 year old girl named Savannah!  It was Preschool Valentine Party day!  It took quiet a while to load up all the goodies to take.  Savannah took cupcakes for her teachers, the Director Mrs Betty and Mr. Richard.  For her classmates she had a special Valentine card with her picture on it with Ladybugs.  She gave them heart gummies and Scripture conversation hearts.  I was excited to be working at the party.  She told me that Mommies could not go to the party.  She wanted to invite her Daddy.  She said I could come help and then leave.  I quickly told her that she had many many years ahead of her where I would be volunteering at school and being a room mother! 

There was a spin art game, find the heart treasure in the sandbox (rice instead of sand), ring the ball in the red bucket, ring toss and spin tic tac toe.  At each event they received a prize to go in their valentine pail. 

When Savannah saw me there she was very proud and excited!  It was a great day of seeing a lot of excitement in her eyes. 
 Excitement that I remembered as a little girl.  I remembered when I was about in the 4th grade that I found the night before a big white stuffed dog that my parents were probably going to give me for Valentine day.  So I decided to be sick the next day.  I could not wait till after school on Valentines day to get my present.  But, then I remembered the next morning if I was sick that I would miss out getting my valentines from my classmates!  They were hung on the rail of the chalkboard in our classroom.  So I decided it was best I go to school.  I did come home early.  I don't remember all the details if I was really a little sick or totally faking it.  I remember telling my sister Becky who is 5 years younger about how I came home early and got my valentine present before her!  She totally ratted me out!  It was many years later in high school that I played sick again.  I wasn't bad sick, just not feeling like school.  I am sure it was a Friday or Monday and it had something to do with a Days of our Lives episode!  I walked on the back screen porch that morning to get a coke from the coke machine.  There was a snake there!  I pushed my turquoise skateboard onto it and it went flying, I went screaming and that was the absolute last time I have ever played sick in my life!  I felt for sure that was Satan trying to get me!

As I write this blog, it amazes me the memories that come back from my childhood.  Ones that I have probably never shared! Tonight as I catch up on the past few days blogs I am remembering many things from years past valentines, while enjoying the new memories we are creating as a family with Savannah!

41/365...2011 Who's In Charge Here?

Today was an ALMOST perfect day.  Savannah and I woke up and went to Kid City and met up with sweet Momma's and their sweet kids.  It was cold outside, 27 degrees!  There were a few snow flurries in the air.  Kid City is an awesome indoor place for kids to play, climb and slide.  There is a Cafe that brews Starbucks for us Mommies!  I was ready for a Skinny Latte!  As we left there Savannah said "Momma, I would rather go to Michael's Craft Store than Toys R Us."  Now, you should know I had not mentioned us going to either!  I thought she was pretty clever with this move!  So, how could a Mom resist?  We went to Michael's!  Savannah picked out a frame to paint for her Daddy for Valentines and ladybug cards to make for her friends.  I was pretty sneaky adding a few things to the buggy (or as Eric calls it a shopping cart) for Savannah's art bag as a Valentine gift. 

This evening after Eric arrived, I mentioned I needed to go to the grocery store to pick  up cupcakes and a few things for Savannah's preschool Valentines party.  We had a nice dinner together and I was on my way.  Eric headed to the bedroom to lay down with Savannah, watch Josie and the Pussycats and to have her fall asleep.  I enjoyed being out for nearly an hour.

Upon arriving, Savannah was standing in my bedroom hallway and had her eye covered.  She quickly ran to hide under the kitchen table.  I went to her and asked why she had her eye covered.  She seemed scared, as if she was going to be in trouble.  I got down on my knees and hugged her.  She came out and I told her she was not in trouble, but to please show me her eye.  OH MY!  She had mascara and eyeshadow on it!  She had a lot of mascara on her eyelashes!  She really did pretty good and was lucky not to poke or get it in her eye!  She took me to my bathroom and showed me where she moved the shower stool to turn on the light.  She opened the drawer to get the things to make her pretty like her Momma.  I asked what about Daddy?  She told me he had been asleep for 20 years!  She said she snuck out of the bed when he was snoring loudly and went to the bathroom.  Then we cleaned her makeup off.  I decided we better go check on her Daddy, who was still snoring loudly.  She climbed on the bed and tried to wake him up, no luck, I shook his shoulder and he just rolled over.  I looked on the floor and there was about 150 envelopes it seemed all over the floor.  She had emptied the box and said she was trying to cover the floor!  Then we went to the kitchen.
  She had started unrolling the Scotch tape and it was hanging off the counter!  What the heck, I had her stay up and help me decorate cupcakes for her preschool teachers.  She was just too darn cute! She kept asking me is SHE was in trouble and if I was not going to let her go to lunch bunch at preschool.  I told her no, she was not in trouble... but her Daddy was.  She said "Momma, don't get him in trouble.  Daddy didn't do ANYTHING, he was just sleeping!"

I was worried at what could have happened, tickled at what she did do, furious that Eric had no earthly idea  and had fallen asleep.  When I  lay down with Savannah I do everything I can to stay awake until she falls asleep.  Poor tired Daddy.  After decorating the cupcakes, Savannah went back to our bed to snuggle with her snoring Daddy.  It did not seem to bother her ears.  She watched Josie and the Pussycats again and fell asleep sideways in her Daddy's arms.  Somehow, in the midst of the craziness of the night, it was still her Daddy that put her to sleep!  It is now two hours later and he is STILL snoring loudly! 

Who was in charge?  From this morning it was Savannah who decided what store we would shop at and this evening it was Savannah who was in charge all alone for who knows how many minutes.  And why on earth did she not think to wash the dishes, pick her toys and clean the dinner dishes?  Next time, I will leave her a list of what really needs done! 

40/365...2011 We Are Still Waiting!

Snow was predicted today.  If you read yesterdays post, you know that it was 4-6 inches.  My comment was "BRING IT ON"!  We are still waiting.  Nothing but cold and rain today and School was cancelled - the 3rd time this month!  Roads and Highways were closed and government offices also!  As of 3:00 pm today, I said what the heck, I am building a fire anyway in the fireplace!  I enjoyed watching Dr. Phil and had a warm cup of tea with honey!  Savannah watched a movie and kept coming to the fire to warm her bum!  She loves a good fire! 

Here it is 8:00 pm and it is finally snowing or sleeting.  It doesn't matter now, because we don't have School on Thursdays!  Now if they cancel school on Friday - I will be sending Savannah to one of my friends that homeschool!  LOL!  Remember Savannah has not attended her 3 days of preschool in any one week since before Christmas Break!  No consistency is really hurting her schedule! 

She has kept me cracked up all day. She has told us she went Scuba Diving in Hawaii, without wearing goggles and her eyes burned.  She said she also ate ice cream sandwiches on the beach.  Sadly, she is getting this confused with the beach at Dauphin Island, Alabama.    What a great imagination she has!  Now - I am going to chill on the couch and also dream of being on a beach, someday soon!

39/365... Bring It On!

WHAT?  WHAT is going on?  Its definitely not global warming here in NW Louisiana!  I honestly miss the snow of living up north, BUT if it has to snow here AGAIN, please let it be cold enough to last on the ground a few days - instead of melting less than 24 hours later into a nasty mess.  PLEASE let it snow on a non school day, hint, hint, hint, how about a WEEKEND?  PLEASE let it be enough snow for Eric to have time to get home from work, in the daylight hours and actually play with Savannah! 

We have an awesome hill in our backyard.  Heck, it may be the best in Bossier City/Shreveport combined.  PLEASE let it be enough snow that it is fun to sled down!  We welcome friends and their redneck sleds, garbage can lids and Rubbermaid tops.  Come on over.  We have hot cocoa, SPARK, coffee, Kahlua and Pecan Liquor!  You bring the food - all yummy comfort food would be great too!  I have the kids movies and plenty of shows on the DVR! 

Is this our 3rd or 4th snow since January?  I don't remember any last year and before that we lived in KY, IN and OH for 7 years.  Oh well - It will be in the 50's again by Saturday and Eric and I will be dancing away in the warm South at out Centaur Mardi Gras Ball! So - in other words, if you don't like the weather in these parts, wait a day - it will change! 

38/365...2011 Little Silly Girls!

Tuesday, a day that we usually do something different every week.  No set plans, sometime Kids City and sometimes friends come over.  This week, we had a few friends over for an event.  It was all little girls about age 3 to 5.  They were all so cute.  I love watching these little girls grow up.  I don't think there were any meltdowns, any arguments and not a big mess at all.  At one time or the other all were in dress up clothes, riding on Blaze the horse, cooking in the play kitchen or pushing the shopping or tea cart. Most all of them had a Scooby Doo band aid on.  None of them really had any bobo's.  It was just a fashion statement!  Hannah is always on the ball to let me know when Savannah is playing in the bathroom sink.  That was so helpful!  Savannah, Hannah, Kaylynn, Addison and Abbey all played great together.  It was so funny because the only other kids were all baby boys! 

I don't any of these kids to continue growing as fast as they are!  It doesn't seem that long ago that they were all having to be held by their Momma's while they ate their lunch, had to have their diapers changed and had to be home soon after noon for naptime.  Well - it would be great if we still had those naptimes!

37/365...2011

What busy lives we lead!  I really need about 3 more uninterrupted hours in my day!  Tonight I had to catch up on the past two days of Blogs that I did not get to.  Feeling bad on Friday night and out of town on Saturday made it difficult to get to the laptop.  Not a good excuse, but I decided I would do this 365 day BLOG my way and not add any more pressure to my life than I already add to it for trivial things!  I still plan to document every day, but sometimes life happens and you get to it when you get to it!  Heck, I was proud of myself going 36 days without missing one!  I had my BLOG topics, but sitting down was something that was not going to happen!  Maybe I need to figure out how to do this from my Blackberry! 

Today Eric and I did a lot of clothes washing and a lot of cleaning the main living areas of the house.  Baseboards, cabinets, ceiling fans, carpets were cleaned and other minor home projects.  Later this afternoon I attempted to again try to find a Mardi Gras Ball Gown.  This is becoming more painful by the day to do!  This would not be nearly as hard in Mobile.  There there are many stores that carry ballgowns and they are open every day!  Stores like JC PENNEY, DILLARDS, BRIDAL Shops, STEIN MART, ROSS, MARSHALLS, Local owned Boutiques, Resale shops.  Too many to choose from!  Its just different here!  When I have a day to go shop there are stores closed on Wednesdays.  There are stores closed on Sundays.  The snow comes and everyone is closed.  Stores that do not open till 11 am, which is 30 minutes before Savannah is to be picked up from preschool.  The Ball is 6 days from now and I know I will need alterations!  Stay tuned for daily updates!  I am like Cinderella with out a dress!  I need a fairy Godmother! 

During my outing I was to go to a drive thru car wash to get the SUV cleaned.  It was so dirty from the snow.  Eric said pay for the best one.  So I did, it was $12.00.  I inserted my card and it never printed the receipt with the code for me to enter the car wash.  So, I had to have 6 cars back up to let me back out of the car wash.  What a day!  Just life's little annoyances.  I will have to go back on Monday to get a car wash or hope to get my $12.00 back.

We attempted to watch the Super Bowl. I missed the National Anthem.  I think I saw two commercials. It's the time of day that things tend to get crazy around our home.  Good thing it was not a team we were crazy about.  Last year was awesome - the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.  It was a great year having the Saints be the champs!  Maybe again it will happen!

36/365...2011 Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Good Saturday morning!  There are 3 inches of beautiful snow on the ground!  Thank you God for this beautiful blessing that Savannah got to experience yesterday!  We are predicted more snow next week and sure hope it happens!

This morning Eric woke up early to check the weather reports and road conditions. We were planning a drive to Dallas to pick up the yellow Mustang Convertible he purchased a few weeks ago.  By late morning it was safe to travel as the temperatures were rising and the 3 inches of snow were melting fast! 

Savannah, Eric and I had a great ride over to Dallas.  It was a beautiful day and we packed a great lunch for the ride.  Savannah was excited to get her "vertable" as she called it!  I was excited to get our convertible also.  Dreaming of days with no snow on the ground riding around town.  Dreaming of warmer days going out as a family for ice cream in a fun car! 

When I met Eric he drove an Eagle Talon.  It was a really cool sports car.  I drove a new 1998 Toyota Corolla.  I remember the day sitting in his car at a red light in Mobile, AL at the intersection of Cottage Hill and Hillcrest Road.  There was a nice large SUV in the lane beside us.  We must have been talking about cars, because Eric told me he would NEVER be driving an SUV.  That was probably 2000.  We married in 2002.  In 2003 while I was working, he bought our current Mercury Mountaineer.  He drove it to the Maumee, OH Street Fair that I was working at to show me.  I was so excited and proud.  I still drive this today and it is 2011!  Eric continued driving his Talon until it died and replaced it with an identical car.  I can't remember exactly what happened to that car, but at some point he took over driving the Toyota.  Since then he has always wanted another fun play car.  We looked on the Internet many times.  When in KY he purchased a dark green Mustang.  It was not a convertible and just not what he thought it would be.  I think I rode in it one time to the Somerset, KY Car show when the temps were near 100 degrees.  The AC in the car did not work.  That was in 2007!  Here we are in 2011.  Eric has been a real trouper driving the Toyota Corolla.  It has been a great car.  However, it has been falling apart piece by piece for the past 6 months.  Several door handles have fallen off. He has had a great sense of humor about it!  It still runs, but needs some work. 

It was definitely time for Eric to have a new car.... or TWO!  Yes - my sweet hubby, who brings home the money, works hard to provide an awesome life for us and tries so hard to save and invest.... finally found not one but 2 cars!  He saved and searched and now it finally paid off!   The car he will be driving to work is a Red Dodge Charger - only one year old!  Also a great family car!  What a great deal!  He truly deserves it after driving the Toyota to work every day for years!  That car was 13 years old and still running! 

So as of tonight we have a Toyota Corolla, Mercury Mountaineer, A green Ford Mustang, a yellow Mustang Convertible and a Red Dodge Charger!  Now to donate one car and get the other ready to sell! It looks like we have our own used car lot!   Next will be another SUV for me.  Savannah was excited for Eric to put the top down on the yellow convertible and sit in it with her Daddy.  There is not much room for a car seat in the back!  But it will be fun when the weather is nicer!  Something Eric and I have joked about for years and we are blessed to have a precious daughter to share the fun memories we will create in it!  Her curls will be blowing in the wind! 

35/365...2011 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!

Friday was all that we had expected and all we had planned for!  It was the 3rd snow this year for NW Louisiana.  Who would have known? We got 3 inches of snow!  We moved from OH, IN and KY where there were tons of snow and sold my snow sled!  Now we are having to use Rubbermaid tops as a redneck sled!

Friday night I stayed up late like a child and waited for the snow, nothing.  I woke up at 3 am and it was beautiful coming down!  Savannah woke up at 8 am, expecting preschool.  I told her I had a surprise for her and asked her to close her eyes.  I led her to the front glass doors and told her to open them.  She said "Momma, this is what I always wanted". 

It was difficult to make her wait several hours to play in the snow.  But once she requested a fire in the fireplace she was perfectly fine.  We enjoyed watching all the birds feed at the bird feeder.  It took us what seemed forever to layer our clothes to get ready to go in the snow.  We played in the snow for only 30 minutes.  She loved eating it and trying to catch snowflakes. The day got even better when Eric came home early to hang out with us and start our weekend early! 

And guess what?  This is so crazy!  We are expecting 6 - 10 inches of snow between Wed and Thur of next week!  This town will completely shut down if this happens!  If we get this - what will they get in the Midwest?  All government offices and many stores and major roads were closed today!  Hmmm and we thought we lived in the warm sunny south! 

34/365...2011 I Spy With My Little Eye...

I spy with my little eye a Triceratops, a Tyrannosaurus, a Stegosaurus and a Pterandon.  

Eric and Savannah read one of her I Spy books tonight.  I especially love it because this set of books are ones I bought between 12 and 15 years ago for Thomas, Chase and Haley. Savannah knows and loves her dinosaurs.  I am in my 40's and I did not know the names of the different ones.  If I did, I had erased it from my memory and replaced it with something else.

 I love how her brain is a like a sponge, soaking up everything.  Savannah loves to learn and she loves books.  She does not watch much TV compared to many other kids her age.  Every now and then I need it as much as she does. I love our DVR's and being able to record the good ones and show them at our convenience.  I can get a meal cooked, a floor mopped or take a shower.  She can learn something so interesting when watching the right type of TV show or video.  She learned her ABC's  and the sound of each letter from watching her Leap Frog DVDs. She has learned Spanish and so many other things from Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.  From Word Girl she is learning new words, their meanings and how they are used in a sentence.  She loves Sid The Science Kid. Today's show was about germs and how to get rid of them.  She calls germs diseasers!  She finally caught on when the teacher on the show explained that we could not see a germ with out naked eye.  It was so funny because she knew what naked was, but an eye being naked was just weird to her. Lately she is learning how to rhyme from her Dr. Seuss Books and watching The Cat in The Hat.  (He knows a lot about that!).

  Disney movies are great, some of my favorites.  I remember that when she was about 15 months old Eric bought her Cinderella.  I would play it in the kitchen while she sat in her high chair and I cooked dinner.  It wasn't long after watching it that she would clap a the happy ending.  That was so precious.  After she turned two and was talking, she learned the word stupid from that movie! 

Dinosaur Train on PBS has taught her a lot about the different Dinosaurs who live in  whimsical prehistoric world of jungles, swamps, active volcanoes and oceans, all teeming with dinosaur and other animal life, and connected by a train line known as the Dinosaur Train. Savannah made the decision that her 4th Birthday in March would be a Dinosaur theme. 

It's going to be a wild and bumpy ride for Eric and I in our older age as we learn again thru the eyes of our child.  I am excited about all of it except the science projects in the coming years.  I am sure her Daddy has that area covered.  If not, we can just review back to Sid the Science Kid TV show to help us out!

33/365... Brrrrr - WHAT letter is it?

It was brutally cold here this morning.  Cold for living in Louisiana!  It was 15 degrees this morning when we left our warm and cozy home!  You might be asking why did I leave my home. Well, It was a preschool day for a certain little three year old.  I really did not want to go out that early.  I was letting her sleep and when she woke up she wanted to know what day it was.  I said Wednesday, she asked "Is today a preschool day"?  I thought about fibbing, but didn't.  I told her and she was so excited.  I told her how cold it was and asked if she wanted to stay home this morning and make a fire.  She said "No Momma, Today is Show and Tell and its the letter P"! 

It always amazes me the simple things that get Savannah excited.  Who would have thought, the letter P?   (For me the letter of the past two weeks has also been P - but the show and tell has been POOP!) What might you ask was Savannah planning for show and tell.  A stuffed Penguin!  She had planned it for five days and today was the day.  I can't imagine the excitement when we get to the letter S.  That's her favorite! 

32/365...2011 What Season is it Mommy?

This morning we woke up to thunder, wind, hail and rain.  It was 64 degrees here in NW Louisiana (Shreveport/Bossier City).  Savannah and I snuggled up in our bed.  I got up to check the weather radio in case we needed to take cover in the guest room hallway. We were fine, just a winter storm warning!  We (I) decided we would be staying in today and I think we were both pretty happy.  Tuesdays are no preschool days.  It was nice and cozy in the house while outside our picnic table and umbrella had blown over and trash cans had been blown down.  We decided it was best to be here and not go to kid city since it was a 25 minute drive with the weather.  The local stations predicted a 30 degree drop in temps by early afternoon.  I seriously think it dropped from 64 to 31 in an hour.  It was crazy watching the temp drop!

Savannah decided she was going to play outside.  She took off her jammies and changed into new pet shop panties, a black t shirt, Toy Story Alien socks and silver sparkle shoes.  She was very angry when I told her she was not going outside to play due to the wind and cold.  She decided in order to keep warm, she would add her purple polka dot leggings to the ensemble.  What a fashion statement she was making!
 I kept telling her it was so cold.  She then said for me to build a fire that it was cold inside, but warm enough to jump on her trampoline if she also wore her Ohio State sweatshirt! 

She told me it was summer and hot outside.  I said no it's winter.  She told me last week all the leaves were blowing and that it was fall.  I said no it's winter.  She reminded me she was barefoot outside a few days ago.  True, she was but as of now it was in the mid 20's outside.  I told her we would need to wear out winter coat and hat the next day when we went outside. She then asked me if it was Christmas since I told her it might snow again this week.  Yesterday to gymnastics she wore her leotard, flip flops and a raincoat. 

All the things she had learned in preschool about the different seasons now meant nothing.  I fell just as confused as she did. What season is it?  Oh yea, its winter.  This past weekend we thought it was summer.  This coming weekend we drive to Dallas to get our Yellow Mustang Convertible.  We hope it will feel like fall or summer again.  I have been planning her springtime Birthday party and what she will be wearing for Easter.  I think that season is spring, but have no idea what the weather will be like!  Tonight the temps dip into the teens and the windchill could be as low as zero or one!  As for now, we are enjoying a cozy evening in our hearth room by the fire.  Thanking God for family and a place to call home, no matter what the season is.

31/365...2011 Good Riddance - January!

Today is January 31, 2011.  I bid you farewell and say good riddance January!  WHAT a month!  It only can get better from here right?  Just a few highlights from this month, in the world that surrounds my little family.  There are good and bad.  However, the sad and annoying things tipped the scales this month. 

January started compiling tax items and organizing.

Savannah finally gave up asking for a diaper to poopie, only to get in trouble with behavior at preschool and other related issues.  She finally learned how to poopie on the potty.  But had to miss a week of preschool for the two of us to work on it.  Now she is not attending lunch bunch for a few weeks as she still needs practice.  The teachers cannot make her go like I can.  They suggest, it doesn't work. 

What a crazy month of weather. We have had snow, ice, power outages and weather in the mid 70's!

Kids at school and their families have been sick with the flu, stomach flu and strep throat.

Everyone I know has faced the blah's that Christmas is over, bills are due and the sun is not shining!

Six years ago this week my Daddy passed away.  Heartbreaking and way before his time in my opinion.  I still deal with it each January and its very difficult.  I have times of anger, sadness, missing him, regretting arguments and missing times of good conversation.  I bought he and my Momma a book once that was for them to complete with answers about things in their life.  He never got around to it.  Its too late now.  I think Mom has started hers, but why is it so hard to share these things?  I think that is one reason I started this Blog, so that Savannah will one day have a bit of history into my thoughts and our days as a family.

Our Cat has went crazy I think, I spend a fortune and time wiping counter tops with Clorox wipes because he climbs up to look for any food that may have been out for 2 seconds.  Its a little annoyance, but it is driving me crazy.  If Savannah turns her back for a minute, Sophie dog has her plate.  How many times have I cleaned up these messes this month? 

Other annoyances are that my $30 makeup is missing.  Is it in the trash can with the cat litter.  Do I really want to know - or just suck it up and buy another one.  They last me forever!  It was only a week old.  I have tried to get a new auto registration for 3 weeks.  State law is if the road is wet, its not going to happen.  So, each time I go out to do it the person is at lunch, only accepts cash, has stopped for the day, has closed or some other lame excuse.  Today - the road was barely wet and they said no.  I have also been trying for a few weeks to find a Mardi Gras gown for Eric's ball.  No time to do this alone and no luck yet.  I found two, and the alterations will cost as much as the ball gown.  I am excited about having the special night of dressing up!  So - I hurt my toe this week and can't wear anything except UGGS and Crocs.  I think I am looking pretty stylish in those choices of shoes! 

On a positive note, this month I signed up for Weight Watchers online.  I wanted to be accountable for every bite I ate and to actually look fwd to a smaller bathing suit this summer.  Especially since with Savannah, that's where we spend our time!

Eric finally bit the dust and bought two cars!  Yes - that's right!  My 11 year old Toyota Corolla that he has driven for about 6 years is falling apart piece by piece.  Door handles fall off each week or break.  Windows will not roll up, its cracking me up to hear the stories.  The first of two cars was delivered today.  It is a Red Dodge Charger!  Its only a year old and beautiful.  He also purchased a yellow mid 90's mustang convertible! (MINE)!  Now - lets count.  We have NO car notes, but we have a Mustang (not the yellow one), an SUV, a Dodge Charger and a Toyota Corolla.  As of Saturday we will have the Yellow Mustang!  YEP, that would be 4 cars and as of Saturday it will be 5 cars!  Can you see we are donating one and selling one really FAST! 


On a serious note, there has been some major tragedy's related to house fires.  My best friend from High School's sister lost her home last week.  A friend of a friend in my MOPS group lost their home last week.  A home less than 5 minutes from us burned down this weekend.  This morning my friend Rachel B. in my Moms Group received a call that their home caught fire this morning.  They lost everything.  It could happen to any of us. 

Hug your family a bit tighter in February.  Love them more, take care and appreciate the home and possessions you have.  Make copies of any important papers and things you want to keep in a safe deposit box.  Be thankful for the blessings of being at the right place at the right time. Be thankful for friends who are amazing and will jump in and help when there is a need.  I am blessed by all of these things. 

Good by January, I am glad you are leaving me tonight.  Welcome February, the month of Love, flowers, hugs, kisses and chocolate!

30/365...2011 Sister Wives

We watch very few shows here.  Over the years there have been a few HBO series we have been hooked on.  The Soprano's and Six Feet Under are shows that Eric and I mourned their ending!  Then came BIG LOVE.  We were hooked from the very first show.  I don't remember how many years ago that it was, but I am sad this is the last season of the show.  I don't know who I can relate to best. Most days it is Barb who seems the normal and most balanced one.  Nikki and Marjene annoy me a lot of times, but they truly make the show.  Bill is a pretty good husband and father. I love all the members of the compound.  Albi is a fool who I wonder how any wife could follow.  Bill's parents are the absolute funniest characters on the series. Nikki's Mother I remember watching years ago when she was on the TV show "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman".  All of the actors have been in many other movies and TV shows and I am sure they will continue with something else after the series ends.

My friend Mary and I have often joked about being each others Sister Wives. We laugh so hard, only thinking of being able to help each other out with errands and the kids.  If I had a sister wife I would enjoy if they could split the housework with me.  I would keep the kitchen and living rooms clean and love the decorating.  I would go shopping at Target if they would shop at Walmart and the grocery store. I would cook the meals if they would clean the kitchen. If my sister wife would wash, fold and put away the clothes, I would mow the grass. I would dress up all fancy and go with Eric to nice restaurants and to the movies.  She would stay home and give Savannah a bath and get her to sleep.  I would take Savannah to preschool, but my sister wife would have to face the teachers and preschool director when Savannah misbehaved.  Eric says one wife is PLENTY!  After all, it took him till the age of 40 to walk down the isle with one wife! I don't really think Mary would agree with my plan of distribution of fun and chores! I would not want more than one sister wife and no more than one more child!  Every now and then it would be nice for Eric to have the brother husband to do all the things around the house that there are never time to complete. 

That's my little dream world and I am sure that is not the original plan of sister wives or the Morman Church! I will just enjoy the last season of Big Love and sit on the edge of my seat at each show. I wonder how many other friends have enjoyed the show and thought the same thing at times, laughing at themselves! 

For now I will just dream we win the lottery or some long lost relative leaves us millions so that I can hire a maid, gardner, chauffer and a personal shopper!

29/365...Multitasking!

This has been a pretty good Saturday.  It has been a busy fun day. By multitasking I attempted to get everything done!  Early this morning I drove down to Princeton area to try to find the automotive shop that did the auto inspections.  I couldn't find it, not surprising since I have tried to get an inspection for weeks!  It is either raining, snowing, a wet road or on a perfect day I just forgot about it.  I know exactly where to go on Monday morning and will get one unless it is raining!  I tried to go to the Credit Union to make a deposit, but there were at least 30 cars in the 4 drive thru's and I gave up.  I did get a birthday present bought and came home and enjoyed a nice visit with my great friend Brandy and her two girls.  We had a blast figuring out what to make for our lunch and what the weight watcher points would add up to!  We were stuffed and had only used 6 or 7 points!  The girls played really good today together.  They have been friends for almost 2 1/2 of their short lives!  I look fwd to watching them grow up thru the years as friends.  Later this afternoon I painted a silly wine glass for a friend who had an especially tough week.  We have all had those weeks don't we? I made a glass that said "Mommy's Sippy Cup" on one side and "A little Wine Time" on the other!  It was great fun and relaxing to do a bit of art work.  I definitely need to make more time in my life for art projects! I have also been busy working on orders for the Rags Land and Orient Express Children's clothes Trunk Show I hosted this week, washing clothes, downloading pictures and hanging out with Savannah and Eric. 

 Its been a great day in the mid 70's!  A good day for attempting to multitask.  So strange to have freezing days, snow, ice and summer weather in January.  But, that's what its like living in NW Louisiana. The night is winding down and there are still clothes to be folded, clothes in the dryer, dishes to be put away. But the multitasking is over.  These things will still be here tomorrow morning. A glass of wine and HGTV is calling my name!  Eric is putting Savannah to bed and I am calling it a night! A goodnight at that!

28/365...2011 Never leave home without your lipstick!

Today I kept Savannah out of preschool for us to continue working on her potty issues.  We had a fabulous day.  We could not stay in the house one more day.  I had tons of errands to do and she was just going to have to put on her "big girl panties" and deal with it.  She was a real trooper!  We went to a late breakfast at Strawn's with a few other Mommas and their sweet kiddo's.  She had her first Mickey Mouse Pancakes.  She ate really well since all the other kids were also eating.  We ran a few errands after and then went to a local museum and gardens to take pictures in her Valentine's outfit.  We were trying to take our own pictures for a friend to make Valentine Cards.  I can take pretty good pictures, but getting Savannah to have a natural smile while doing this is tough!  Professional photographers earn their money by making my princess have silly smiles.  When your Momma says "Hurry up and smile like you are happy and then we will go to Target", just doesn't work for her!  She was more interested in skipping rocks in the stream! After our photo session was over, she asked for her giant rainbow lollipop.  I asked what she was talking about.  She reminded me that Mrs. Liz gave her one after her last pictures taken at the gardens.  Well Liz, do you see what you have started now?  I had to buy her a small heart sucker at the bookstore.  It seemed to work and she has forgotten all about it being in my purse!  My Savannah is definitely NOT a pageant kid!  Trying to get her to have a cute pose, sitting, standing, tilting her head or putting her hands on her hips is a very awkward look for her! 

Later this afternoon we were running another errand.  She was in her car seat in the back seat.  She told me just a minute, she needed her lipstick first!  I just ignored her and noticed thru the rear view mirror she had her Toy Story Jesse backpack.  She dug around in it for a bit and told me she found it.  Savannah has a great imagination, so I just ignored her chatter.  Thinking she was pretending or that she had our chapstick was not what I should have been thinking!

When we arrived at the Jiffy Lube, I got her out of the car and the man was cracking up!  Savannah had RED lipstick all over her lips and a bit out of the lines.  It was precious!  He told her how purty (in a Cajun Country accent) that she was.  I have to agree.  She asked for a mirror and I let her see how pretty she was.  She asked for the lipstick again so she could make one side match the other.  I think she did pretty darn good for applying it without a mirror at the age of 3! 

So, as my Friend Mary R. reminded me today - Never leave home without your lipstick and mascara! 

27/365...2011 I am NOT in Control! BUT GOD IS

Day 27 of my 365 Blog,  and I have no idea what is going on.  What the heck is "Google Cloud Picker"?  Its definitely something out of my control!  I try to load images or pictures to my Blog and a box comes up that says "Google Cloud Picker, please sign in."  Then another box opens up and before you can sign in an error message comes up "

There was an error!

Details:

The feature you requested is currently unavailable. Please try again later

So, you can try over and over and over and the same thing happens. 

I think I need a BLOG class before I pull my hair out.  THIS is something new.  It was all going so smoothly...

Oh wait.... MANY things were going so smoothly....

My bedroom was getting organized and orderly like the rest of the house.  But - I left the room to vacuum the rugs and something happened.... must have been a little alien...

I had a list of errands to do this week, get the expired auto registration, an oil change, find a Mardi Gras Dress, get Fish Food, organize Savannah's closet, get toys and clothes together for resale, pulling final papers for tax prep, cleaning the fridge... 

I am proud that I did great on my AdvoCare 24 day Challenge and my Weight Watchers food tracking and points.  I had control over a very important thing and for that I am happy!

Tomorrow is Friday and NONE of this has happened.  Tomorrow - Savannah and I together will try to cross two errands off the list. Trying is all we can do.  Because this week I have realized I am not in control of many things.  I can not make some things happen no matter how long or hard I try.  I don't know why I think at times I can control things.  I have not had any control over the big things in my life, why do I think I have control over the little things, but I can look back and know that GOD has had control and a plan. 

God - I am turning this week over to you.  It's all Yours.  It has taken four of the seven days - but better late than never.  I know that YOU have a plan and I can look back soon and it will all make sense.  It almost always does! 

Nite nite. 

26/365...2011 Words of Wisdom

Savannah stayed home from Preschool today for us to work on her "poopy in the pantie" issues. THAT is my focus as a Mom this week.  Not my most favorite thing to do.  She has to be totally potty trained before she goes back.  After speaking with Mrs. Betty the most loving preschool director I have ever known, we both think this will get her attention. Mrs. Betty is full of God's love, experience, and wisdom.  I am not too sure how the mind of an almost 4 year old works.  At lease once an hour I would tell her WHY she was home with me today and what she was missing at preschool.  Then a few minutes later I would ask her to tell me WHY she was home with me and she would say every single time "Momma, I don't know." She had no accidents today - her schedule is all over the place!  You never know when she will go or how many times.  I just don't know why I have to catch her in the process and make her go. I will take anyone's words of wisdom!

Savannah had so many funny sayings or words of wisdom today:

My Eye, My Eye, Momma I can' t see!  (after I heard her screaming from my bedroom - I learned she had hand sanitizer in her eye. We flushed it out in a panic)

Momma, I was only squirting the sanitizer on my forehead to wash it and it decided to go in my eye.

Momma, all you have to do is look at the stars and make a wish and God will give it to you.

Twinkle Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky....I really, really, really wish for a Woody Doll, not a little one.  I wish for one as big as my Jesse Doll that I can hug really tight. I wish for my friend CJ a new Woody doll.  He lost his and is so sad.

Rice Krispy Candy is healthy, its only cereal.

No, I did not cut the tail off "My Little Pony".

No, I did not cut the strings on the window blind.  Maybe it was Henry my elf on the shelf!

Momma, please stop and bend down so that I can give you 20 kisses!

Momma, lets go outside and blow a kiss really hard and my Daddy can catch it in Minnesota where he flew out of the earth.

Momma,  Are you still sad?  Is your heart broken because I don't hear it. Can I feel it to make sure it is working?

I already ate my supper, at 9, a week ago  (who knows what this means?  everything is at 9 or 20.. her two favorite numbers I guess?)

Why did the trash man take all my candy, suckers and candy canes?  Bad garbage man!

Momma, my poopy is  not coming out.

I need my lipstick.

Momma, where is my Lilly doll, someone must have took her, maybe an alien with 3 eyes. I don't want Momma Lilly, I don't want Daddy Lilly, I only want my Baby Lilly!

Momma, you never take me to Chuck E Cheese any more.

I need my Mr. Bones shirt right now!

Momma, we need to go to Target.

I love my Rapunzel doll, her hair is like silk, I got what I wanted, Santa brought me to her.

I think Oscar likes me

Sophie is the best dog ever.

Before I go to bed I need my Lilly doll, my alligator, my ladybug, my Scentsy frog and my Princess Pillow.

I really want to wear my Dinosaur Train jammies.  They are not wet, they are just cold from the washing machine.

Well Mom, I know a little about everything.

Last but definitely not least, "Momma, will you come snuggle with me?  I can go to sleep without you breathing next to me tonight and I miss my Daddy."

Goodnight everyone, I guess you know where I am going!  Its almost 10pm and the princess is still awake.  I am going to snuggle with my baby for a little while and get some butterfly kisses!

25/365...2011 The State of MY Union!

As I sit here tonight and listen to President Obama report on THE STATE of The UNION, its hard to listen to.  I have seen so many friends who are teachers post tonight about their first paycheck of the new year being considerably less due to the new taxes.  Its sad knowing that these teachers have one of the most important roles in our Children's lives.  How can we expect bright, caring, loving students to pursue teaching as a career.  Why would they want to do this when they could spend the same 4 years earning a degree that would pay a larger salary in a different field.  (Example.. Engineering, Nursing, Business) .  Now he is talking about health care.  I know too many people who are borderline and have no insurance.  They make too much to be able to have any assistance and do not make enough to even cover their normal household expenses.  There has to be some answer.  I only wish the leaders of our country had no option but to take the same type of insurance coverage we have.  I also wish they had to draw Social Security as their retirement.  By the time I am mid 60's, I am sure there will be nothing left. 

So as I sit here and relax and ponder tonight I think of the state of MY union.  The Union of my little family.  A facebook acquaintance of mine posted this question as her status today:

How many of you are doing what you want with your life? If you could do whatever you wanted to do without judgement or hurting anyone, are you doing right now what you dream of doing? Right now not in the future. Just curious?

I thought a bit about what my answer was. This is what I said:

Great question! Yes you really just made my day and I am teary eyed. I did not marry till 37 and Eric was 40, first marriage for both of us. It took us 5 years of many fertility treatments,  pregnancy, miscarriage of... twins, living in 4 states -,in 6 years, being married for almost 9 years to get to this moment today. Where we have a beautiful (high energy, stubborn and brilliant) daughter who will soon be four. Great friends, great neighborhood and I am a stay at home mom.  The only other thing I would be doing is volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center and that is in my plan to do. For now, this moment I am doing exactly what I want and am truly in a "happy place"! Thanks for your question and making me think about it and appreciate it this morning.

As I sit here tonight pondering the State of OUR Union, Our family, I am blessed.  On those tough days, I need to be reminded of this.  This is what I prayed for many years.  Eric is what I needed and what God planned for me. Savannah is a miracle story for us. As I sit here tonight enjoying my glass of Gewurztraminer (Pelee Island) and wishing that is where we could spend more time, I am grateful.  I know that when I lay my head on my pillow tonight that I am in a happy place with the state or OUR Union!

24/365...2011 EWEEEE, GROSS

Thirty minutes ago I had absolutely no idea what to blog about tonight. I could blog about the sweet sound of the rain, the two cars that Eric bought last week,  Savannah pooping in her panties twice today, having a fit in front of about 50 people as we left gymnastics class or some random topic.  I just wasn't feeling it!

It all changed:

At lunch today I took the suggestion of my friend Jennifer and a few others who sent me info on making Weight Watcher healthy smoothies that are zero points and very filling.  Savannah helped me add the ingredients to the blender.  (4 cups of fresh spinach, banana, fresh strawberries, frozen berry mix, I forgot to add the tofu)  I know that about now you are thinking Eweee Gross!  It was amazingly good.  One of the best fruit smoothies I have ever had in my life.  Savannah loved it.  Tomorrow my smoothie will be green.  I love the color green!


I was giving Savannah a bath in my jacuzzi tub.  I was cleaning off my counter tops that get so messy as I try to do my hair and put makeup on as Savannah is getting into everything.  My Momma would say eweee to that too!  I grossed out stepping on the cat litter also.  I walked into my closet and WHAT did I see on my floor?  A green lizard was there just looking at me!  I got chills and was grossed out!  Yep - me and lizards and bugs don't go together.  I will NOT, I repeat, I will NOT be cleaning out my closet this week nor will I put my foot in any shoe or boot without shaking it!

After bath time Savannah fed her fish Mr. K.  She named it after the fish on Dr. Seuss, Cat in the Hat.  Pretty cute and clever I thought.  A bit later she yelled and said someone ate all the fish food because the jar was empty.  Sophie dog was smacking her lips and had chewed the jar.  I guess Savannah had not put the lid back on top.  I was grossed out because fish food stinks really bad.  My dog better not lick me tonight.  I got even more grossed out when Eric came home and I told him.  He acted like he was gagging saying "Do you know what fish food is made from"?  I had no idea and had never really thought about it.  He said dead insects.

Here is what I googled:

From Wikipedia:
Fish food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by pet fish kept in aquariums or ponds. Fish foods normally contain macro nutrients, trace elements and vitamins necessary to keep captive fish in good health. Approximately 80% of fishkeeping hobbyists feed their fish exclusively prepared foods that most commonly are produced in flake, pellet or tablet form. Pelleted forms, some of which sink rapidly, are often used for larger fish or bottom feeding species such as loaches or catfish. Some fish foods also contain additives such as sex hormones or beta carotene or to artificially enhance the color of ornamental fish

I also looked online at PetSmart and saw freeze dried BLOODWORMS as in ingredient.  EWEEE!

I skipped two eweee gross moments today!  Savannah pooped in her panties at preschool.  They called me to come pick her up.  I was about 15 minutes away.  The preschool director cleaned her off.  They are not suppose to do this.  I LOVE this lady!  She saved me an eweee moment!  As we got to gymnastics Savannah again pooped in her panties.  I took her to the potty, she cleaned herself and we threw away the panties.  I did not touch a thing!  (Savannah also pooped two times in the potty, don't know what is going on there as she says she is scared?)

As I am busy sitting at my laptop figuring the points of whatever I decide to eat for dinner tonight on Weight Watchers online, I hear a noise in the background that I don't even know how to spell, YUM and SLURP, SLURP is about as close as I can get.  I turn around and our senile Oscar cat is on top of the counter licking the juice in the bowl of green peas I am about to cook.  I had seasoned them with Tastefully Simple spices.  They were Garlic Garlic and Onion Onion.  Can you hear me being grossed out and saying EWEEE? 

I never leave food sitting out.  I slipped, forgot and turned my back for 2 minutes.  I buy Clorox wiped at Sam's Club and have an obsession of wiping my counter tops down a few times a day.  I do this just in case something like this happens! 

So, now I am not hungry and it is after 8 pm.   Now I am wondering since I am grossed out and I have tons of points left for the day.  If I get grossed out again I will just puke and I can subtract those Weight Watcher points that I consumed earlier - right? 

All this Eweee Gross blogging takes me back to my Kindergarten days in Mrs. Whites class in Carthage, Mississippi.  I had to memorize a poem.  I am not sure who taught me.  I wonder if it was my parents?  I will leave you with the memory of the poem that I recited at the age of 4 and still remember to this day.

OOEY GOOEY

Ooey Gooey was a worm
a might worm was he
he climbed upon the railroad tracks
the train he did not see,
OOEY GOOEY