My husband hates....

My cooking.

Well, maybe not true....but, the man loves to go out to eat. Hear me out people...I am not complaining.....this girl likes it too.

But tonight....tonight, I am forcing my family to stay home. To eat in our kitchen, to eat at our table, and to complain about my service...instead of a waiters.

Making fish tacos.

I bet they taste JUST like Chuy's.

Yummy in my tummy!

Bribery

First to admit that I used bribery to get my child to cooperate today.

She is a sensitive one and was hesitant to get her pictures taken with her dance class today.

"If you smile pretty and if you don't cry, we can go to the Disney store in the mall and pick out a princess snow globe."

Pardon me...but could you pass the spoon? ;)

I am happy to report that we made a trip to the Disney store.

I am also sad to report that we will be making another trip.

The tiny dancer insisted on holding it....begging to take a nap with it....and I gave in.

My mommy instincts should have over ridden her requests...because I have a broken Sleeping Beauty snow globe sitting on my counter....and a glitter covered ugly wood floor.

Better get out the Windex.

Me likey

One thing I would change about my house is the floor in the kitchen. I have never liked it...wood in a kitchen is tough.

My brain has been on lock down about what to get. Or even if we should get.

I love checkered floors...always have. Lots of folks don't like them...but this girl does.

Maybe someday...maybe who knows.

Next time you come over...you may see the same old ugliness or you may see something new and lovely.

benefits of exercise

As you have heard me blab before...I am trying to get in shape.

Most of my "Mom friends" are in very good shape and I don't want to be odd man out.

So lately...I have been running, lifting weights, doing some "yogaing" and pilates.

My 5'5'' self is weak....no strength...no muscles...and I am trying to change that.

Today...the first person noticed the TINY change in my physique....without being asked.

I always ask Shorty and his reply is ALWAYS yes. Like he would say no....he's no dummy.

So my motivation came in the form of a compliment from my Mother. She is not one to just say something if she does not think it and she is honest with you if you ask her if you have gained weight.

Today...I was sitting in a chair at my parents house and my Mom just looked at me and said, "you look good, I can tell you have been working out. Your muffin top looks smaller."

Love it. Cracks me up....

Off to the gym in the morning. Gotta shave off that muffin top.

Bad Mom

Think I am a bad Mom because I bought Cheetos for my kid to eat while I went grocery shopping?

I do.

But, that is ok....I will get over it.

There is something about Cheetos that makes my kid zone in, sit still, behave herself, and wait patiently while I shop.

Today was a day that needed the extra help from a bag of Cheetos. It was a LONG shopping list...and the extra crunchy, over processed, food coloring filled, little fried bites made it so much nicer.

I love Cheetos.

it couldn't be...she is 3?!

3 years ago today....hard to believe.....my little one is 3. Here are a few pictures from her birthday party and her special day.

The day started out with rain. The radar images were not looking good....looked like we were going to have a washout...a repeat of last year. In the end...it ended up being just right...couldn't have asked for a better day.

We had Cinderella come to surprise the kid. She was thrilled. But, she did want to know where "the mouses" were...and why didn't Cinderella have her hair in a pony. (ponytail)

Princess theme. One thing I have learned to bite my tongue over. I swore I wouldn't have a kid who loved this Disney Princess stuff...yeah right. She loves it more than anything...that cake was her dream come true
Cinderella was great. She was a lifesaver with the rain. Kept the kids occupied and under the pavilion when it rained...couldn't have worked out better. The girls were picking out jewelry from her treasure chest.
Time to pick flowers with Cinderella
Emma and her little friends.
I took Emma and 3 of her little friends to have their toes painted today for Emma's birthday. She hasn't ever had her toes painted. So this was a big deal.

The lady told the birthday girl to "pick a color" and she immediately went for the electric blue.

I in turn found a pretty pink color and was able to get her to see the beauty in the pink. Not so sure I was ready to see blue toes on my 3 year old.
The girls after their trip to the salon. We have had a great day so far...dinner with Dad later today.

Happy birthday to my sweet "baby" girl.

amazing.

Most of you know my friend Lindsay was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

It was a long process to narrow down what she had. She woke with severe pain in her right side one morning...put it off a few days...went to the doctor...ran a multitude of tests...sent to the hospital...was told she had an inoperable brain tumor....then was told she didn't....then was told she did indeed have MS.

She is one of the most strong willed people I know. Really.

Once she found out she had the disease, she dove head first into learning everything about it...becoming involved in raising money to find a cure...and she set her sights on riding in the MS 150.

For any of you that don't know what that is...it is an annual bike tour from Houston to Austin.

Done in two days...

Lindsay had her doctors blessing and she began to train....spin classes, short training, long training, 40 miles here, 80 miles there.

Well...I am happy to say she made it to stop #1 today. Along with about 13,000 other riders.

She rode from Houston to La Grange today...and will be charging ahead tomorrow to make it to Austin.

No matter how far she goes...I still think it is amazing.

Just goes to show you that it really is true...if you put your mind to something...you can do anything.

Nothing is out of reach.

Memory lane

Today was a trip....down memory lane that is.

My Dad recently rejoined the country club where I grew up. He has taken a new interest in the game of golf....and we played today.

Shorty tagged along with us...it was a good day.

The intention was to play 18....although we only got in 9.

I shot 53 on 9 holes. NOT good.....but playing that golf course was fun.

We played the nine where I started "three holders." We saw my aunt and uncle's old home...I saw the deck where I broke my arm AND my jaw...I drove by the pond where I caught fish....saw the property where we took my "Easter ducks" after they got too big, passed by my childhood friends home...and went in the clubhouse that I spent countless hours in as a kid.

It was good...in a world where everything changes all the time...it was nice to see something that hadn't really changed...well...not all that much.

Going again in the morning. With my cousin and 2 friends from our childhood.

Man...am I nostalgic or what?

FORE!

smile!

My sweet friend Rita took this of me and my big front teeth. ;)

Think I've mentioned her about 5 times on here...she is a photographer in Katy, Texas....she specializes in family and children photography. But, has branched off into something called Boudoir photography....and it is quite popular.

If you don't know....it is photos of women...kinda sexy photos that they take for their boyfriends or husbands....as a birthday gift...Valentines Day...anniversary...you get the picture...very tasteful.

One day Rita has asked me to come along on the shoot to "help" her stay organized. I ended up helping a few of the girls with their make up...Rita liked the idea...and asked me to help again.

Then, she asked me to be part of her "team." Guess that means I can do some good heavy makeup. ;)

She took this picture for her website....I wish I knew how to take pictures like she does.

My camera is sitting next to me....still on auto.

Glad Rita asked...it is fun....

I love makeup!

no news is good news

The Shorty household is busy & boring all at the same time.

I have zero stories....zero pictures...and zero anything.

So, maybe tomorrow will provide something funny, interesting...or something for me to make fun of.

:)

Quick! Grab the camera!

This picture could be featured next to "Big Foot" and "The Loch Ness Monster" pictures in a book titled "Sightings"

I love Shorty...and I love the fact that he mowed the yard. He hasn't touched a lawn mower since I have known him. MAYBE once or twice when he was 21....

We had to borrow our neighbors mower....our yard man wasn't due to come until the following week and it needed to be cut for the yard treatment.

This was a moment that I had to capture on "film."
Here is a look into what Shorty and Minnie have been working on. Shorty had one day off last week...and he spent the entire time in the yard. Planting, digging, moving, arranging...

The flagstone path looks great...our yard looks bigger...but, lots more to do.

This is the "focal point" of the garden...maybe that half dead azalea will come back.

Shorty cut down all the palm trees...the harsh freeze got to them.

So he is putting nothing in that even has a potential to freeze....

Stay tuned for the finished project.

please...

To whom it may concern,

Please do not take your children to Target at 9 pm. Please do not yell at your children at Target at 9pm. Please do not expect your tired children to behave at Target at 9pm.

Sincerely,

A concerned Mom

Every single time I shop in the evening time...I am totally shocked by the amount of people who have their children with them...crying their eyes out...begging to go home. It makes me sad.

I do understand that some are only able to shop at this late hour...but, only for necessities please. Not for the perfect shade of pink toenail polish while your 3 year old sobs uncontrollably because it is past the poor child's bed time.

And last but not least...if these people insist on dragging their poor children shopping with them at night....I really wish they wouldn't yell at them...and expect some different result aside from crying and bad behavior. The kids are tired people....go home.

Ok...that is my soap box post.

The end.

baller!

Blurry enough for you?

Best we could do at the little "baseballer's" first game.

We sat right in front of the bullpen. She would lean over it and yell "hey baseballers!"

She wanted on the field....in the chairs behind us, next to us, all around us...it was full on over stimulation.

A hat was in order...must get the kid a hat to commemorate her first adventure at a Major League Baseball game.

She immediatly gravitated toward the pink one...with faries and sparkles on it.

Lord help us.

But, somehow I was able to convince her to get a "plain" hat. Guess all those years in sales do some sort of good still....

She loved the hat....loved the hot dog, ice cream, and licking the peanut shells.

No way Jose on the actual peanut.

We made it about 6 innings.

About all I can take either.

"Batter batter swing batter!"

got weights?

It was a sad day when I learned I had to quit Bikram Yoga.

Over the past 2 months....my face looks as if I have been using pure acid as a night cream.

After a trip to the dermo...I was diagnosed with Rosacea....and extreme temps do not help.

So, I found a new place to do yoga. It is a full gym...and a "personal fitness evaluation" came with the membership.

This morning...I was nervous. Would he make me run? Lift weights? Tai Chi?

To my surprise...it was basically just "lets see how fat, flexible, and fit you are."

A certain day from the 4th grade stands out in my mind. A day I will never forget.

Each spring we had a physical education test....to see how in shape we were. I was always a healthy child....but, strong was something I never was.

All the other kids did chin ups on the monkey bars...with ease. I couldn't even do one.

So this morning when I had to do curls to determine my strength....I felt like I was back on the Armstrong Elementary playground....

All in all...I was "average." My BMI healthy...my % body fat...needs to come down...my cardio health was surprisingly good......and my "body age" is 3 years younger than I really am.

But, I am a weenie.

So, I think I might get one of those power lifting belts and start bench pressing.....ah yes...I would be so good at that.

Will you spot me?

;)

How many children do you have?

It's a question people ask everyone. I always answer with "she is our only child" but, I think I may have to change my response.

No...I am not pregnant.... ::crickets chirping::

Please look at the photo of my child...she is dressed in her Easter best...we waited all day to take pictures outside in the evening light.....

While I am taking her picture...her Dad is behind me making this exact same pose...trying to get her to do it during our photo session.

And now you see why I am changing my response. I have 2 kids. An almost 3 year old....and an almost 34 year old.

Smile!

I admit it....

I am too overprotective of my child. I am the first one to admit it. And I am sure if you have been around me with my kid...you KNOW I am.

I just can't help it. Don't want her to get hurt.

We had lunch today outside. The kids could run around and play while we waited for food and after they were finished.

My stomach was in knots the entire time.

Are you an overprotective parent?

For those of you who can just sit back and relax...I wish I could.

Maybe I just need to take Prozac when my kid plays.

Now THAT is parent of the year.

First time for everything....

Shorty....so many reasons to love him....he works constantly...plans for our family....can make a mean brisket....

But, one thing Shorty has never done is yard work. Ever.

He has spread fertilizer every now and again...after our yard men have come and gone....but...Shorty...getting dirty and working in our yard....I had to take a picture.

Our backyard has been an eye sore ever since our horrid freeze. We lost several huge palms...and tons of other plants.

So over the past few weeks Shorty has been staring into the back yard...planning his move.

My Mom....aka "Minnie" is a wizard in the yard. You can point to any plant or tree and she knows it. She knows what grows where...how, how long, and just plain old knows her junk.

Minnie came to help give ideas to Shorty...helped him move rocks, and get him started in building the flagstone path.

Our small yard looks 2 times bigger and I can't wait to see the finished project. Now that the heavy labor is over...I might even put on some garden gloves.

Got dirt?