Hello...anyone there??

My coffee pot is broken. It is a sad, sad morning. I didn't realize I needed that drug so bad. Whew.... I do. I already have a headache. And what a yucky day to have to get out and shop for a new coffee maker! This is the 3rd carafe I have broken, so I'm looking for one with no carafe. I always put a little water in it to clean it out, and then I shake it around. I just knocked it right up against the sink and shattered it! I'd like one that you just put the cup under there and fill 'er up. Our other coffee maker was the slowest making machine in history, so maybe I subconsciously broke it on purpose. Yea! Now I must get a new coffee maker!

I was supposed to start the "couch to 5K" training today. Angie Dutton and Jennifer Bihl are starting with me, but Angie has a sick baby and Jennifer has a migraine. Pooey. I'm excited about exercising again. I know it makes me feel better in the long run (no pun intended).

I was really wishing for some snow today. But I guess that's not going to happen. I just read Crissy blog about their ski trip , and I want to go skiing. But we used up our vacation on Disney World. Which was totally worth it, but now Landy can't miss any more school. So, I'm just looking forward to Spring Break (maybe a camping trip to the Smokies!)

I haven't blogged in a really, really long time. Didn't really have anything interesting either. But just thought I'd see if anyone would read it!

I definitely need a new picture on my blog! If I have any readers....I'll work on that.

I guess I need to have some pictures made. (hint, hint, Anne Marie) This a picture from this time last year. But it least it isn't flip flops!

I absolutely love this fall weather we are finally having. It is a little too cool for me in the mornings, but the afternoons are perfect!! We are going camping this weekend. The kids are out of school Monday, so we are packing up and heading to Oak Mountain. So far, this is the only camp ground we have been to. We love it, and it is so conveniently close to home. But while we are there it seems like we are so far away from everything! We have some friends coming with us this time, so it should be a lot of fun.

The next few weekends are going to be busy! I am looking forward to Halloween and also to my grandmother's birthday party next weekend. "Mama Webb" is turning 90 years old. Wow. Can you imagine all the changes she has seen in her life? She lost her husband in WWII, when my dad was only a few months old. He is the youngest of four, so she raised them alone. She never remarried. I don't believe she ever even went on a date! She poured her life into her family and her church, and they both have always been very important to her.

Mama Webb made all of her grandchildren (15 of us) quilts as wedding gifts. I was the youngest of the grandchildren until my half-sister, Brittany, was born when I was 15. So, most of my cousins married many years before me. Mama Webb gave me my wedding quilt when I was 17, because she said she "may not be around" by the time I married. And here we are celebrating her 90th birthday, I've been married 10 years, and last month she was able to attend Brittany's wedding. She has even attended her great-grandchildren's weddings and now has great-great grandchildren!

Happy Birthday, Mama Webb!.............no, she doesn't really read my blog.

I know...I haven't blogged in a really long time. I just haven't been in the blogging mood. I'm still not really. I feel that I don't have anything that is "blog worthy" going on right now. I can't just write about everyday things and make them interesting. Sorry. So goes the title of my blog.


Hummm.....I'm thinking about the Fall festival at our church right now. I am excited we are having it again this year. Thanks to Stokes and the youth for stepping up. It is always fun. OK, I've heard it described as "rinky dink", but praise God for rinky dink! That probably should be the new title of my blog. "Days of my Rinky-Dink Life"...I kinda like that.

I'm also very excited about the women's retreat this weekend. If there happens to be someone reading this (that is a women) Please come! We had so much fun last year. It is a great time to hang out with women in our church who I may not know very well. You can learn a lot from spending one night with someone in a cabin at Hargis. And of course, last year's motto will continue this year..."What happens at Hargis, stays at Hargis." Except the really important stuff doesn't stay there! Friendships are formed or deepened and you come home with a greater love for Christ and His church!

Carson is waking up from his nap, and it is almost time to go get the girls from school. Oh the joys of carline.

Be Nice to Your Children

I'm just sayin'....they are the ones that will take care of us when we are old and decrepit, right? Oh I hope so, because my day is coming. I'm just on the downside of 30, and I have the worst memory ever. It scares me sometimes. My mother would say that I get it honestly, but I doubt she was near this crazy when she was my age. (not that she is now, but you know what I mean...)

My sister (my dad's daughter) is getting married in two weeks. She had her bridal tea this weekend. Saturday 4-6 to be exact. Too bad that I show up Sunday! I could not have felt any worse. I wrote it on my calendar. The bad part is that I thought it was Sunday from 2-4 and then went and looked at my INVITATION to check the time. STILL not realizing it was Saturday. So I showed up the right time...wrong day. How stupid is that? It's not like I miss major events often, but it does happen to me (obviously). But I do have memory lapses during the day constantly. I walk in the kitchen and stand there wondering, "what did I come in here for?" I have to come up with tricks to help me remember birthdays and anniversaries. Thank goodness for the phone calls the doctor's office gives to help me remember appointments. AND thank goodness for my husband that will drive me crazy reminding me of something over and over, because he knows I will forget! I can only imagine how crazy I drive him by forgetting things.

This is just a "heads up" for anyone that ever wants me to remember something important. Call me, email me, tape it to my forehead. And remind me to be nice to my children too. So they can take care of me..... soon.

Answered prayers and ugly stipulations...

I know it is time for a new look on my blog. Isn't that some sort of rule...that you shouldn't have flip flop pictures on your blog after Labor Day? Oh well, I'll have to wait on that. I just wanted to say hello. I have been in one of my anti-social moods lately. Isn't that awful? I know it is! But it is the truth. I definitely go through social stages. I will want to be around my friends all the time, and then I just want to stay home and do nothing. Weird, huh? Well, today is actually the first day since Mother's Day Out started that I am planning on staying home all day by myself. No running around like crazy because I have some time alone. I have plenty to do around the house. I'm really looking forward to it.

Did you hear the great news about Jason and Anne Marie's friend, Dan Waid? We all feel like it is definitely an answered prayer! It is sad how we really do not expect our prayers to be answered. That's the way I am anyway. But, WOW, when He answers our prayers it is so incredible. Please be praying that God will use this experience in Dan's life to draw him closer to Christ. Jason was able to share the gospel with Dan, he seemed very receptive.

I have been down on my faith this past week. I do not like that feeling, because I know it is nothing but my own flesh revealing my own weakness. I do not put my faith in Christ as I should. I pray for God to increase my faith, and yet I put stipulations on it. "Increase my faith, but please don't mess with my family....increase my faith, but don't give me too many hardships. " I truly do this! Does that mean I really don't want to put my faith in God alone? I look at the hardships different people have experienced, and I am amazed at the faith and strength God has given them. I wonder if I would have the same? I guess it all goes back to what I said in the beginning. I am weak. I know we all are. The strength that others have can come from one place alone. Therefore, my prayer today is that God would increase my faith. Only He can do that.

Have a wonderful day. Maybe I'll get rid of the flip flops soon! :)

Useless Information

I despise our Lincoln Log set that has 304 pieces.

I've never seen a Chinese person with freckles.

I am enjoying being up at the school again. I'm also enjoying being able to leave when I want.

I cry every time I watch an American receive their gold medal.

First graders learn to make pooting noises under their arms the first week of school.

McDonald's french fries can stay under a car seat for weeks and still look fresh.????

Josh and Quinn laugh like pre-adolescent boys because an Olympic athlete is named "Dong Dong."

I still want a mini-van.

I think I'll never eat at Burger King again because of those weird commercials with that freaky looking King!

Over the past two weeks, I have had approximately 134 people ask me if I will ever go back to teaching.

I ready for football season.

I'm thinking of giving Carson shock treatments so that he will forget that the cartoon "Cailou" ever existed.

I have hit two birds with my car over the past couple of weeks. I kept thinking, "Fly away! Fly away!" And then BAM...dumb birds.


TTFN....ta ta for now

At Last.....

You can breath again. I'm sure you have all been holding your breath, sitting on the edge of your seat, twiddling your thumbs, anxiously awaiting the news of how Landy did at school. Well, It went something like this. She was really excited yesterday morning and woke up bright and early. She walked in, with me, of course, and even had a little pep in her step. I was very impressed. Anne Marie was waiting for us, with camera in hand, ready to get that great "first day of school" shot (which is lovely, by the way, check out her blog.) And Bobbie Barker was also at her classroom door. I think this helped Landy put on her brave face. Her teacher gave her a big hug, and she went right in. She had one incidence at lunch, but, thank goodness, Ginger was there eating with Cullen. She helped Landy find her teacher, and then everything was okay.

I really like her teacher, Lana Woods. She is young and very sweet and affectionate with the kids. Landy already likes her a lot. Next week we will start the carrider line and just drop her off in front of the school. Another small step for most kids....but one giant step for Landy Mitchell.

I'm proud of her.

Carson is now asking everyday to go to "big school." He started back to Mother's Day Out this week too. But, as you can tell in the picture, he's ready for "big school." I am definitely not ready for that. Ask me again in two years.....

Good News, Bad News

The good news is...school starts Thursday! The bad news is...school starts Thursday! I have to say, I am really excited about it. And Landy has her excited moments and her "I'm not so sure I want to go to school" moments. I guess we will see how she feels Monday after she gets to go the school, see her classroom and meet her teacher. I think it will help.
I will have to get used to the new routine. I haven't had to get up and actually be somewhere at a set time in quite a while. My punctuality has gotten much better over the years, but I am still almost always about 5 minutes late wherever I go. Even when I set my clocks forward 5 minutes. I mean, I know that they are 5 minutes fast so.....doesn't work. Anne Marie and I will take turns taking and picking up the kids. So, that will help. I will be on time if I know someone else is counting on me too.
We took the kids out to dinner last night and to the Pinnacle to buy some new shoes. I'll tell you, tax free days really brings out the crowds. I can't believe Leeds and Moody didn't participate. I guess there isn't enough retail here. We saw tons of kids at the Pinnacle with Moody shirts on. Maybe we will have a shopping center here soon. I have mixed feelings about that though. I like being close to shopping and entertainment, but I hate to lose that small town feel that I have always known Moody to have. It has changed so much over the years. It is amazing when I think back to being a small kid. I wonder what Moody will be like thirty years from now?????
We have a very busy week ahead: church, birthday party, and small group Sunday, birthday party Monday, along with school orientation, birthday party Tuesday, REST Wednesday, and school Thursday! To quote a favorite book, "And now, let the wild rumpus start!"

HAPPY CAMPERS

Oak Mountain has a great petting zoo!

Taking a break from the hike.

Enjoying a Nathan's hot dog!

I LOVE that Josh likes cooking while we are camping. I guess its different because we are outside. And it's not just hot dogs. We had grilled chicken with potatoes, onions and squash! Yum. Breakfast was eggs, biscuits (toaster oven), and bacon. We don't eat this good from our kitchen at home!

Yea! I am excited today. Our best friends from college are coming to spend the night with us. They have two girls, ages 6 and 4, and my kids love them! We only see them two or three times a year. They were supposed to go camping with us and one of the girls got sick.

Speaking of camping, I thought it was high time I changed the perception of my husband that I left on my last blog! So here are a few pictures of him being what he really is. A hunky outdoors man! Not a floppy hat model.

We had a great time camping. We went to Oak Mountain and stayed three nights in our pop up camper (which has an air conditioner that will run you out of there!) We spend the early mornings hiking. Although it was still quite warm, the kids did pretty good. But Carson always ended up on Josh's shoulders. The hotter part of the days was spent at the lake. We rented a paddle boat and let the kids jump off in the lake. Of course they loved that! The main lake was very crowded, so we stayed at the small beach by the campground the most. Landy met some friends. Interestingly, we met people from Ohio and even Kenya! You definitely see "all kinds" there. Even scary little kids with Mohawks that turn their eyelids inside out. You should have seen the look on Landy's face when he tapped her on her shoulder. I wish I had a picture. Priceless.

Look-a-likes, frogs, and floppy hats

This is a picture McClain took of herself a few days ago. I think she looks like Maggie Sharp.

I couldn't resist this picture! I stole it from Anne Marie' slide show. It is what Josh looks like while he lounges around the pool. Kim had to fight him to get it back. We all know this is her favorite poolside accessory.

And the dead frog....This is the end to a long and painful (I'm sure) death. Josh slashed it with the weed eater. Landy actually enjoyed poking it with a stick as its guts were hanging out. Poor thing. Then she ran inside with this picture and wanted it on my blog. So...there you go.

Oh, gotta publish fast Josh just realized what I'm doing....

Christian the Lion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkglYMYbyeo

I couldn't get this video from youtube on my blog, but here is the link.

It's a "feel good" video. Interesting story. Snopes.com says that it is true.

Blogging without obligation...

Leslie B. would be disappointed in me...because I feel the need to blog. No, I don't feel like it's an "obligation", but I know people check my blog and get tired of seeing the same 'ole thing. So I'll let you in on a little of my "uninteresting life".


Humm.....went to Wal-Mart today. I really don't like Wal-Mart. It is the "hundred dollar store". I rarely get outta there without spending too much money. Sure, I really needed that cute little dinosaur gadget that cuts the crust off the kids sandwiches. That's why I really like Aldi. Get in get out...fifty bucks and all of it is FOOD!


Speaking of money. I have to go buy Landy a flower girl dress today at David's Bridal. It is for my half-sister's wedding in September. I'm not complaining (because what if she reads my blog!) wedding stuff is just expensive. :)


I talked to Kim yesterday...I can't wait for Camp Cornerstone!


I have to put a link on my blog to my friend Emily's blog. She was my best friend in high school. We haven't kept in touch much over the past few years, but thanks to the blogging world, we are talking a lot more now. She has some interesting posts. You should check it out. She is "princess motormouth" on my comments. Which cracks me up, because it fits her to a tee!


Star wars is on. I'm sick and tired of Star Wars.


Emily was talking about being particular about things. I also read a post by Steven Gables recently about things he is particular about. It made me think about things I may be particular about. So, one night I ask Josh to tell me some things he thinks I am particular about. His response came in about one second..."Nothing, absolutely nothing", he said. He says my heart beats about once every 15 seconds because I am so laid back. Is this a good thing? I guess it is in a lot of ways, but not in many others. So I am on a quest now to find things that I am particular about. I'm sure you are all dying to know so I'll have to post a list soon (if I can actually come up with a list)


My kids love tattoos, it scares me...



One last thing that's on my mind. Landy starts school August 8th. I'm really excited about it and feel that it is definitely the right thing for us to do now. But I am beginning to get stressed about it. She went to play at Isabella's house last week for a few lours. Honestly the first time she had ever gone to some one's house, other than family, to play without me. She cried and acted like she was going to be separated from me for months. I get very discouraged because I just don't understand the mind of this 6 year old. I was encouraged that she actually stayed for a few hours. Thanks to Laura for being so kind and gentle with her. I know it can be frustrating. I just pray that school will not be overwhelming to her. I know she'll adjust after some time. I'm just not looking forward to the "adjustment period".... We'll need your prayers!

I must go clean the M&M chocolate off Carson's face and wipe the snotty nose (I hate summer colds!)

Long, Long Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Actually, it was three years ago in St. Vincent's hospital. Through a very painful and epidural-FREE labor, (yes... NAT-U-RAL) a beautiful baby boy was born! This year we celebrated his birthday at home with a Star Wars party. We had been planning to have a party at the gym at church. We had even planned on having a friend of my step-brother's come to the party in a full Storm Trooper costume and take pictures with the kids. We started talking to Carson about this a few weeks ago and he emphatically told us he DID NOT want a storm trooper to come to his party and he wanted it at his house with his family. Which really surprised us because he is a huge Star Wars fan. I think Josh was a little disappointed he couldn't hang out with a Storm Trooper (oh, come on, you know you were, don't deny it). I, on the other hand, thought the home party was a genius idea. We had a great time and Carson received plenty of Star Wars goodies. Here are a few pictures!

Just to let you all know

.....NO we are not going to Disney in the heat of the summer. I know better than that. Everyone gets ill when it's 100 degrees. We are going in early December when the temp and the crowds are lower! I'll be one of those bad parents that takes there kid out of school for a vacation.

Planning the magic

As all of you know, unless you have not been around me at all over the past 3 months, I am planning a trip to Disney World. I have been a couple of times before, but the last time was about 11 years ago. I am SO excited. Josh thinks it is a little ridiculous. He is no where near as excited as I am. In fact he isn't really excited at all. I don't know, maybe it's a cover up. You know, a guy thing, "Oh, I'm not excited about Disney World. I'd much rather be camping or in the mountains or something." ( said in his deepest, manly voice) But he's got to be a little excited. So that is my main objective now. Not to get him pumped up about going, but to plan it very well, so that he does have a really good time. I want it to be as stress-free as possible. This makes men happy , right? I also want to go again in a few years, so this trip better be good. No pressure. I'm planning and budgeting everything from the big stuff (hotels, gas, food) to the small stuff ( stroller rentals, ice cream and Mickey Mouse ears). Heather N. laughed at me because I am pre-purchasing souvenirs at the Disney Store in the Galleria (she knows how thrifty I am.) They have things on sale a lot, and I know it will be way more expensive in the parks!

Anyway, I have really enjoyed researching everything. I was a little amazed at all there is to do and see. I never planned any of the other trips. We just "went". Which you can not do. Well, not without missing a lot and adding a lot of stress! If anyone wants to plan a trip any time soon. Let me know. I can be your personal travel agent. If anyone has been before and has any useful tips, let me know!

I was over at Leslie B.'s house the other day and discovered they will be at Disney the exact same week we will be there! Isn't that ironic...don't cha think? ( by the way Alanis Morissette has a new CD out)

Now at least Leslie and I can get Josh and Jeff excited about hanging out together some. He shares in Josh's lack of excitement. I guess they are just "taking one for the family"...yeah, right.

Moving On

Well, I made it through the "good-byes" without any convulsing. On the other hand, I did embarrass myself quite a bit. I totally ignored Kim all day Sunday, until she finally came up to me and said, " Stop ignoring me!" That's when the water works began for me. I honestly couldn't stop. A little embarrassing. But I feel better now. Although, I still get teary eyed when I think about it. Sounds a little "over the top", I know. I wish I weren't so emotional. Just ask my poor husband.

We left for the beach immediately following the fish fry. We got stuck in traffic in Alabaster. After sitting still for thirty minutes we decided to go on the shoulder to the next exit, like many, many others were doing. The exit was close and we were, of course, going very slow. And then it happened..."The Slapper" appeared out of nowhere. This man jumped out of his car and began hitting my mother's truck with his hand, screaming at us. We thought something may be wrong so Josh stops and opens the door. This guy was a lunatic. He began screaming and cussing at us. It was a little scary. Josh exercised some of the most patience I have ever seen. He simply told the guy to mind his own business and get back in his car. (He later told me how difficult it was not to get out and pound the nut.) The guy threw out the "F" bomb, and we drove away. Poor Landy was scared to death. People can be crazy. She also got to experience college graduates on the beach funnelling beer, throwing up, and dancing wildly. This all took place quickly and we had to divert her attention and then get the heck out of there, too! (She really wasn't aware what all was going on)

Other than that, we had a great trip. The weather was great for two days and nice the rest of the time. (A little on the cool side for me) We found at neat beach on the "Wildlife Reserve". There was nothing around. Very serene. Much better than the bumpin' and grindin' scene at the public beach. We even saw an alligator in the swamp nearby.

Glad to be home. Missed church yesterday, which makes me feel totally disconnected from everybody. Hope to see y'all soon!

(my email still isn't working!)

Big, Black Cloud

There are literally big, black clouds out today. But I am speaking of the one that has been hanging over my head for months now. I know it is there, but I have just avoided looking up. I can't avoid it any longer. May 19th is too close! That's the day our dear friends will be heading west. Wow, I am such an emotional person that I am really scared to go to the party after church Sunday. We will be leaving for the beach soon after lunch, so this will be our final good-bye to the Hills for a while. I am afraid I may really embarrass myself. So consider yourself warned. If you see me and I can't talk, or my eyes are red and swollen, or I'm convulsing a little, you know what's wrong. (maybe I need to be medicated)

I wish I could put in to words what the Hills have meant to my family, but I cannot. I just can't explain what an impact they have had just by living out the gospel in their lives. They are dear friends and we will miss them incredibly.

I HATE TO ADMIT IT BUT...

I like country music...

I take Flintstones Vitamins...

I locked Landy in the car with the keys when she was a baby...

I haven't been to the dentist in...a very long time...

I am a huge procrastinator...

I am horrible with geography...

I wish I had had children when I was younger...

I can't sleep if I don't wash my face first...

I'm turning gray...

My laundry "scares" Kim Hill... it gets bad...

I want a mini van...

Leftovers anyone?

How can I be tired? Honestly. I slept until after seven. I went to exercise. Since then I have been home, hanging out with Heather, Ginger, and Boo. The kids played. I didn't have to chase them around too much. But I am am exhausted. I'm probably just crashing from a sugar high. I did eat one too many Cinnamon sticks ( from Aldi, pre-cooked, absolutely delicious, just heat 'em up in the oven).

Thanks for hanging out today girls. I'm thankful for the opportunity to just hang out with friends. I stepped a little "out of my box", as Mia talked about in her hospitality seminar Saturday. I didn't have any lunch planned. I just opened up my fridge and put out left overs. I usually feel like I must have things planned if I am going to invite people over. Why? I don't know. I know these girls could not care less about how "planned" it is. I love the comfort in that. I have learned a lot about hospitality from ladies in our church. True hospitality. Crissy opens her house every Friday night to whoever wants to come. Kim Hill invites people over spur of the moment all the time because she has left over cheesecake. Mia invites church visitors almost ever Sunday for lunch. They show true hospitality.

I'm not sure if I have the "Crissy, Kim, and Mia gift of hospitality" (actually, I'm pretty sure I do not.) But I am so thankful God has given them this gift. I'm thankful for seeing that hospitality doesn't have to be this perfect package with a big beautiful bow on top.

It felt a little awkward for Kim to not hang out with us today. She had other plans. We missed her. Josh mentioned not long ago that we should try to spend a lot of time with Kim and Quinn because they would be leaving soon. I said, " No, I actually probably need to start weaning myself away from her." It was kind of funny then. The closer it gets to May 19, the less funny it becomes to me. I haven't weaned. I will miss her greatly. To use a Forrest Gump quote, "That's all I got to say about that!"

Up and Running

I finally have a computer that is up and running now! I have felt lost without it over the past few weeks (although I have gotten more laundry done)! Speaking of up and running...we finally ran the 5K. We have been training since January. I have really enjoyed the training. It is definitely "do-able". I was pleasantly surprised at my ability to finish. Although the first mile was a bit "hellish", the second and third miles were much easier. Imagine an eagle soaring over a mountain top. Now imagine a duck trying to fervently flap its way over that same mountain. There were a lot of eagles soaring ahead of me, but I was that duck determined to make it. I felt like a tired, wet duck when it was over, but I felt good enough that I will be running another in May. I strongly encourage anyone who has ever thought "there is now way I could ever be a runner", to join us three days a week for 45 minutes. You'd be amazed at what you can do!

I went "thrifting" today. Man, how I love the thrift store. And it doesn't get any better when you go with a group of women and leave your kids with someone else. I found some great deals. It is a hunt. Only the strong survive. I have always enjoyed shopping the thrift stores, but I used to only buy for the kids. Only occasionally would I pick myself up something. Then I went through thriftstore boot camp with Kim Hill. "Learn how to go thrifting in one hour!" Something else I strongly encourage everyone to do. The only drawback is that now it is really difficult to buy anything at regular retail price. No...I would say it is near impossible! How can I pay $30 for a shirt when I can get a whole bag of clothes for that! Of course, you have to enjoy the hunt.

I've missed y'all in blog world. Thanks to the three or four of you who read my blog :) BTW Anne Marie has a blog now. Let's pressure her to blog more. She doesn't have enough to do.
www.ohwhatatangledwebbweweave.blogspot.com