STAY!

We put up the Christmas tree last night. Shorty is not one for Christmas decorating....he "supervises" from the couch. But THIS YEAR, he helped! He put the tree together....and I decorated it.

Yes, I see the garland is crooked. I will fix it.....it was late last night.

After we got the tot to bed...I hauled out all the bags and boxes of decorations. I was kinda overwhelmed. It was so much...and I was kinda tired. Have I mentioned we had Thanksgiving here?

So, as I began to hang what felt like 874 ornaments on my new tree....football was on. Commentating and whistle blowing was not putting a pep in my step...so I grabbed my ipod and put it on shuffle.

Turns out that I have more of The Beatles on my ipod than anything else.....I decorated our tree to the tune of "Michelle" "Love Me Do" and "Yesterday"

Not quite festive music...but, it made my fingers move a little faster.
Doodle the Poodle is not phased by the tree. I had nightmares of her bouncing off the tree, knocking it over, and eating ornaments.

She just lays by it.

We have mastered "sit" and "shake" but, not "stay"

Just haven't taught it to her yet.....I am a lazy dog trainer.

I wanted a picture of my black fuzz ball in front of the tree...and this is the best I could get.

She was just about to stand up and walk towards me in this picture.....she is not depressed.....

So, had to share a picture of our 30 pound 5 month old puppy.

Sit, shake, stay.

It's that time....really?

No way. It couldn't be time to decorate for Christmas. I just can't believe it.

Turkey Day has come and gone...and it is time to fill the house with all things sparkly.

Wonder how fun it will be to have a 2 year old, a puppy, a 33 year old, and a Christmas tree. I am taking bets on who messes with the tree the most.

Shorty is a sucker for playing with those Christmas ornaments....

So, tomorrow night...we will set up the allergy free Christmas tree...and unwrap boxes full of family ornaments...and that box from The Dollar Store too.

Must admit that I am pretty excited to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. Now that we have a 2 year old at Christmas time...I have an excuse to watch those shows.

I love Christmas.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to Minnie! :)

Hope your day was perfecto!

Love you!

The Shortys

I'm a slacker.

Have you been so sad? Have you lost sleep at night wondering where I have been? Have you been longing for a pointless post?

Well. I have been busy. So there.

One of my dearest friends has been in town since yesterday. So, my ritualistic life was thrown of course and I couldn't type my blog....and tell you all about my opinions.

We celebrated one of our best friends 40th birthdays over the past weekend. We spent the day at The Galleria, ate dinner at some new trendy spot, went to listen to a band, and spent the night in a hotel....

The band we went to see....it is a band that we used to go watch 12 years ago. They are still playing in Houston. The birthday girl used to be friends with him back in the day....and we just couldn't pass up an opportunity to all go back to see them again.

Saturday night was a blast. Dinner was out of this world, the girl talk was perfect, the music was good, and the cab divers were hilarious.

I always sat in the front seat of the cab....I get car sick...so, I got to chat with the Yellow Cab drivers as they toted us around the big city.

I hope our friend had fun....I KNOW she did.

A few more years down the road till another one of us turns 40.

Happy Birthday!

Don't sweat it...

The title of a book.

"Don't sweat the small stuff"

How true could that be? Yesterday, I was reminded of that. A great many times.

Yesterday was the little one's first "performance" in her ballet class. Their "Turkey Dance."

I had been preparing movie cameras, regular cameras, and talking about it to everyone....for days.

So the big time comes. We all gather in the room....2 year olds about to show us their stuff.

My kid froze. She started whining...then crying....then really crying.

I got up...and took her out of the room. At that moment. I was upset. I wanted to watch her dance like you couldn't imagine.

But, she didn't. She got stage fright. Disappointment made me forget what it feels like to be frightened to be in front of people. It is a horrible feeling.

So, I got over it. And so did she. Her dance teacher said it happens all the time...and next time it will be another one who is frightened.

Last night....my friend arrived in from out of town. We had a girls night in.

My 2 dear friends and I were sitting on the floor in the bedroom talking about jewelry, movies, and blogs. We each shared a few of our favorites.....

I was introduced to 2 blogs about 2 different women...and their incredible lives.

They made me realize how "not sweating the small stuff" is so very important.

One of the bloggers was a burn victim dealing with a multitude of rehabilitation issues, all while trying to raise a family.

Another was about a Mother of an infant with Cerebral Palsy. The pictures....of an infant with glasses, special chairs, equipment, feeding tubes, and a shortened life span....it all made me step back and give thanks for the 100 million blessings I have in my life.

So one week before 22 of my awesome family members arrive at our home to celebrate Thanksgiving....I am thankful.

Thankful for my family, my husband, my child, my parents, my friends, my health, my freedom, my home, my country, and a million other things I could list.

So, take a moment to remember it is the little things in life that count....those are the things that make life what it is.

Be thankful.

This is B.S.

"MS is BS"

Those were the letters on the fronts of our shirts.

One of my dear friends has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

As you can tell from the picture....she has an enormous support group. This passed weekend...there was a 5 mile walk for MS. A fund raising opportunity and a time to show support.

Lindsay is one of the strongest people I know. Now that she has a firm diagnosis....she will be fighting this head on....full speed ahead.

So, next year, I am sure our group will be bigger...and we will do some awesome fundraising...to help find a cure for this disease.

Lots of things are BS...and MS is surely one of them.

It was so inspiring to see so many people all gathered together...all for one common cause. Every person there had some connection to the disease. Whether it be a Mother, a Father, a friend, or cousin.....they were all there to support and remember their loved ones.

Lindsay is an inspiration to me. She is always thinking of others....always. When she was going through lots of pain and searching for a diagnosis, she took the time to bring a gift to my house. For our new dog. A bag with a dog toy and treats. Lindsay is such an animal lover...and she just takes time to do the little things....even when she has so much on her plate.

I have known her for over 25 years...and she will win this battle.

MS IS BS.

Just don't do it.

You may disagree with me...totally....but, I will share my opinion anyway.

I hate fake purses...wallets....sunglasses....the whole deal.

If you can't buy the real thing, just don't buy it. Period.

Yesterday...during my Target store therapy...I noticed a lady who had this bag draped over her shoulder...kind of like a messenger bag. This LONG strap..made of seat belt looking material....and this tiny plastic faux leather sack at the end.....with giant metal zippers...and the paint had rubbed off around the circle part of the zipper. So, it looked cheap. And that is fine...who cares if you carry a cheap purse...I have some in my closet.

Just don't advertise it as being Chanel. All along the strap was the word "CHANEL" in huge white letters....clearly it was not.

I guess it is the whole "pretending to be something you are not" aspect that irritates me.

I for one can not afford a huge Louis Vuitton handbag....or a Chanel bag.....

And if you can't either....then you just shouldn't buy one. If it is $50 bucks...and has "Prada" on it....it is not real.

When I started this blog...I told myself not to be opinionated in my posts. Well...I can only go so long without being opinionated. If you know me well at all....you probably know I am one of the most "opinionated" people you know. And, that is ok.

So, my request to all women (and men) if you have $40 bucks to spend on a purse...please buy a $40 purse. There are 500 cute ones at Target right now. Just don't spend $40 bucks on a purse and expect other people to believe you are carrying a Chanel handbag.

Please. Thank you.

I give up

Some days...this is what I feel like I look like. A frumpy and nerdy Mom.

So it explains my recent shopping escapades in search of a more exciting collection of clothing choices.

I bought myself a few things....yes, that pair of stirrup pants was in the mix....and I brought it all home to try it on. Boots, pants, shirt....the whole shebang.

I slipped into my closet and put it all on. When I stepped out.....and glanced at myself in the mirror....I almost shed a few tears. Not from crying...but from laughing at myself. I looked like a total 100% nerdo.

One thing I was not blessed with is long legs. And, I am not a tall lady.....

Let's just say that riding boots, leggings, and a long shirt make a barely 5 foot 5 girl look 5 inches shorter and 10 pounds heavier.

So, you can all sigh with relief in knowing that the pants were returned to the store.

And for me, I have returned to my 4 year old Lucky jeans and black Merona t-shirts.

Learned my lesson....just stay boring....

But, if you ever see me looking like any of those ladies in the picture....THEN you can call the fashion police.

To have me arrested....on the spot.

Please don't call the police

Apparently some of my fellow blog readers seem to be concerned about my recent purchase of a pair of stirrup pants. I went with the yellow and black combo...not the red and black....I just have never looked good in red.

See, people are wearing them. I would never in a million years begin to try to wear them like this. First of all...I am not 5'11 and 103 pounds, and I am not 23.

My purchase was simply to wear with boots. Riding boots. If you know me very well....you know I am the last person on Earth to take a fashion risk. I don't risk anything really.

But, when your butt sticks out like mine does...a long shirt with leggings seems to make it look smaller. The stirrups are more of a "useful" part of the pants. They keep leggings from riding up my ghetto booty.

So, don't call anyone to come arrest me. I promise, when we have lunch together next time...I won't sport my stirrup pants with flats or anything. They will always be hidden...deep inside boots.

Now where did I leave my off the shoulder sweatshirt decorated with rhinestones and puff paint? I know it is around here somewhere.......

Oh there it is! Right next to my Swatch Watch and terrycloth sweatbands.......

Flashdance.....

I love the 80's.

How could you not love the 80's? I mean, look at her outfit....can you just imagine yourself slipping into that sweater....then opening your metal can that has two giant sponge shoulder pads in it. Shoving them under your angora sweater and hitting the town.....leather pants and all.

As a kid, there is always one point in your life that you become interested in wearing what is in style...hip....acceptable clothing choices....so you appear to be with it....so your "friends"

don't think you are some weirdo teenager.

I just happened to enter that stage of my life in the 80's. My memories are vivid. Neon socks, giant bangs, hair paint, legwarmers, stirrup pants....I could go on.

My Mom's closet was full of bold pattern sweaters that were about 8 sizes too big for her...she wore big chunky earrings with faces on them....and she looked hot. I can remember going into her closet and trying to pretend I could wear the clothes. She made broaches for me out of all kinds of things...and I had that all important Guess blue jean jacket.

So today, when I walked into the mall....I was confused, excited, worried, and thrilled about why every single store was so 80's inspired. The shoes, the makeup, accessories, you name it. Straight out of The Breakfast Club.

I felt like I had stepped back in time. I could feel my Mom behind me helping me pick our clothes for school.

Nostalgia got to me. I bought a pair of stirrup pants. Just couldn't help myself.

But, think I will stop there. Pretty sure neon socks won't go so well with my Mom shoes.

You have to admit. The 80's were hot.... you know you want to slide into some stirrup pants and swipe some peacock blue shadow over your top lid.....

don't be a bully....

Why are there bullies? And why do parents just allow it to happen? If there is one trait I can not tolerate in children of any age...it is bullying.

Today is Wednesday...and that is a fun filled day for my kid.

It is ballet, playgroup, and lunch all piled into one.

Chick fil a is always the restaurant of choice among 2 and 3 year olds. Naturally...we end up going there most every Wednesday.

On a side note....I SO wish I owned a Chick fil a. No joke...there are 2 here in our town and the cars literally wrap around the building. It is crazy.....must be the Chick fil a sauce combined with the unnaturally happy workers behind the counter. Wonder what is in the employee lemonade.....

Back to my point. So there is an indoor kiddie playground....it is a perfect way to bribe youngsters to eat all their lunch. "If you want to play, you have to eat your chicken!" I bet I said that 8 times in 15 minutes.

SO there is this kid in an orange shirt. He has a band aid on his eye....with a stitch or two underneath it. He just has that look. You know the one I am talking about.

As you know...I am an avid people watcher...so, I watched him, my kid, my friends kid, and the Mom of the orange tshirt boy. The kid didn't mess with mine...but he sure did mess with other kids. And I watched the Mom just sit there and watch him.

I just wanted to walk over to her table and tell her how the cow ate the cabbage....but, then I would have to count my second parental confrontation at Chick fil a.

Boy, I sure am rowdy. Don't you mess with my kid...or any other kid I know....you will be sorry buster. ;)

So there. Don't be a bully.

NO one likes it.

Nana-nana- boo boo!

Is this Hustler?

So their marketing ploy worked on me this month. You know....standing in line at the checkout at the grocery store. Candy, batteries, hand sanitizer, magazines showing perfect dinners ready in 3 1/2 minutes, and the sure way to fight a muffin top.

So, I bought a Cosmopolitan at the grocery store....not the fruity Sex and the City cocktail....the magazine.

Only because it caught my attention. "How to get rid of your Muffin Top"

What woman who has a kid doesn't want to get rid of that lovely matronly look? I had been recently asking my friends who exercise how to get rid of it...so this was a sign.

I take the magazine home and sit down to read it. I hadn't read one in years. Martha Stewart magazines seem to hold my interest a little more these days....I am getting to be SO boring.....

Anyway...page after page...after page...I could feel myself blushing. This is pornography...just without pictures! I am no goodie goodie or anything...and I can handle most anything....but, this is not the magazine I read 10 years ago. This is a Larry Flynt publication...I am sure of it.

I was reading Hustler. Just without the visuals.

After being kinda grossed out....I closed the magazine. Didn't even learn the new tricks on how to get rid of my Mom gut.

Guess I will have to look at the table of contents to find the exact page number....pretty sure I don't want to read about "How to get a guy to commit after a one night stand" Hmmmm....isn't that what they call an oxymoron?

And to think....young girls read this crap. What is this world coming to?

Yes, I am getting old.

Oh well.

Dear Santa.....

Took my little kid to the Gingerbread party at the Junior League Holiday Market this weekend.

They got to decorate their own cookies with candy and gumdrops. 10 seconds after this picture was taken, the gumdrops were being eaten. No....not by me.....not this time.

After you decorated your cookie, you could sit in Santa's lap....children only.....thank you.

The little one WOULD NOT sit in his lap last year. She was totally terrified. Truthfully, I was expecting the same this year...until she started talking a pretty tough Santa game.

"I am going to sit in Santa's lap and tell him I want candy for Christmas.....Santa is a good guy"

So, as we were getting ready to go to the party....I let my kid watch a little extra TV so I could finish getting ready. She watched this show called Max and Ruby and one of the characters had a jewelery box. So, immediately she said she was asking Santa for a jewelry box.

We walked into the party...she saw Santa and said..."I don't want to sit in his lap now...maybe later." I was sure that the Santa picture was not going to happen. I became one of those Moms ...I started pressing. Over compensating how NICE Santa was. Then, I stopped. Figured she would if she wanted to.

We were about to leave and she asked to sit on his lap. She walked up and sat on his lap...told him she wanted "candy, presents, and a jewelry box" for Christmas.

I was shocked. She looked shocked as she sat on his lap....he is kind of overwhelming to a 2 year old. The picture cracks me up...she wants to smile...but not quite sure how.

I almost didn't take her...I was not feeling well...but, she woke up talking about it and I just couldn't say no. So glad I did....she conquered her Santa phobia....oh yeah and we had fun too.

say what lady?

This morning was a morning without a kid...just me and a friend....doing a quick round at the annual holiday market. You know...the place filled with everything that no one needs....but, everyone wants? If the attendance level this morning were an indicator investors used to forecast the health of the economy....I am certain the stock market would be above 12,000 today.

Self consciousness began my morning. I have put a couple of unwanted extra pounds on in the last few weeks. Nothing to do with the excesses of Halloween candy I stuffed my face with last week....or the fact that I polish off what my kid does not finish at meal time.

This morning...I left the house in a matronly ugly pair of jeans paired with an old tshirt and a jacket to hide my back fat...and it was all just a little too snug.

Naturally, I didn't look at myself in the mirror and think "Damn, I look good today."

Not that I ever DO say that....but, today was just one of those days....everyone has them.

Except Natalie Portman.

So....we are walking down each isle admiring the bedazzled Christmas wares and a lady looks right at me and asks if I am familiar with a spa here in my town.

I reply yes, thank you...she proceeds to tell me they have a plastic surgeon. Maybe it was my extra 5 pounds that caused my silly sensitivity....but, why did she have to tell me about a plastic surgeon? Is my rear really that large? Are my boobs really that saggy? Is my chin really that thick?

Offering women diet advice, suggesting plastic surgeons, and discussing parenting ideals, all without prompting are NOT a good idea.

So there.

40?

Some of my best friends are turning 40. Some of them are wearing reading glasses. My hair is turning grey....don't know what else to say. I am a poet...and didn't even know it.

So, I wanted to post a picture today....haven't busted out the camera so I thought I would do an oldie.

This is from one of my best friend's weddings. Kelly...she is the bride. She is coming to stay with us in just a couple of weeks. And, it is our best friend Paige's 40th bday.

In the interest of secrecy...incase my dear friend Paige set her eyes on this blog...I can not disclose any details about what is being planned for her.

These girls have been my girls since I was 19. When I sold lipstick behind the makeup counter in a major department store. What fun. The most fun I ever had as a single gal. Those days with them were like what college days are to most folks.

Since my college education came a little later in life....these were my days. I can blog about my first adventure in college at another date and time....when I want to reflect on how well I did in class that first year away from home..... yep....so good in class.....hmmmmm.

So, I am counting down the days....to be with my girls...and to have some fun.

Kinda makes me realize....my friends are 40...guess that means I will be 40 someday too. Thank God I am the youngest.

;)

gag me with a spoon

So my dog has ticks and I need an airplane barf bag.

Our lovely home backs up to what we suburb people refer to as a reserve.

It is about 2 miles of woods behind us....all the way to the high school.

Not unusual to see a 10 point buck walking down our neighborhood street....a bunny rabbit chomping down on my overgrown flower beds, and that's right....ticks.

So, the breeder treated her....then the vet treated her...so, I figured we were all safe. Apparently the vet treated her with a heartworm/flea combo...but, not for ticks. Certainly wondering why....but, that is beside the point. It is all fixed now....hopefully. For my stomach's sake.

Last night....we found a few. My stomach is turning just thinking about it.

They are coming from the woods and the deer that live behind our place.

I am getting light headed as I type......

So, I called the vet, changed her medicine and will be making a trip to the hardware store to buy some poison to kill them. The ticks...not the deer and rabbits.

I feel like I need to take a shower with a metal scrub brush. Like people do when they have been exposed to some sort of toxic chemical.

Then, to top it off....I came across a roach, a Texas one...about 3 minutes after I woke up this morning. Lord knows I am so not a morning girl....and that is the LAST thing I want to see when I wake.

I would have settled for a snake. Or a spider....or a tick.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Getting started

Today was the day the Christmas shopping began.

Thankful for Day School and for Minnie picking the rugrat up from Day School so I could actually accomplish things on a shopping trip.

I do truly enjoy buying gifts for our family....but, not like last year.

A restless toddler as a shopping partner is not fun.....also not fun to shop in December alone or not.

Would like to actually enjoy the holiday season with the Shorty family this year.

Take time to have fun, bake cookies, watch movies, see Santa, you know...all the stuff you are supposed to do during Christmas time when you have a kid.

During my whirlwind excursion today...I made a bathroom break.

Walked in the ladies room and the store music was playing over the speakers.

There was a lady in the stall....sitting on the toilet, humming, and tapping her feet to the beat of the song. Who does that? Who sings while they go to the bathroom?

As Jim Morrison would say.... "People are strange...."

Just had to share....imagine you would think that was as funny as I did.

Off to shop people.....or in my blog's case......person.

November?

I just cant seem to put my arms around the idea that it is November.

Seems like we should be loading up headed to the pool.

This month is going to fly by like no other...I am already feeling it.

The Shorty family has something planned every weekend, my Mom's birthday is this month, my Mother In Law's birthday is also this month, one of my best friends is coming to stay with us the week before Turkey Day, one of my other best friends turns 40...celebrating with her, then we are hosting Turkey Day at our home...with a head count of 22 as of today.

So....those 6 pounds I need to loose...hoping I stay busy enough that I will stop stuffing my face.

Nap time!