This is the same little girl who HATED to have her picture taken. I had my camera out and she said "Cheese Mamma". I was so delighted!
I still haven't had "enough" apparently but i'm getting there.Thanks for all of the good advice & support.

It might be hard to see but this woman has on overall shorts and a string bikini top. Yes, people it is true. I had to take the picture from far away to avoid getting my ass beat by her and her large common-law husband as they had already busted us making fun of her outfit when they were walking in the gates. You will see any and every kind of sight at a redneck racetrack on a Saturday night (technically this was Sunday due to a rain-out the night before but who's keeping track?)

Oh and did I mention I got into an altercation with a large man who out-weighed me by oh, a good 200 lbs?
Yes I did, but did Patti_Cake back down from the behemoth?
No S
he did NOT! She defended her driver's honor.
Here is the hottie who's honor I was defending, and my own hottie's beside him in his rebel pride shirt

As you can see Maddie is feeling better today (despite the fit she's currently throwing because she's tired but doesn't want to take a nap). She had bad blisters in her mouth and that was hell trying to get her to eat or drink so she didn't dehydrate but today is much better. She had a few blisters between her fingers but none on her feet/toes. I guess we were actually pretty lucky, though it sure didn't feel like it at times.
Brett is in the box my Garrett's popcorn came in this morning. Ohmigod that stuff is AWESOME. The cheesecorn is so buttery and cheesey. I thought it would be my pick but I actually heart the carmelcrisp a little more. I will probably buy this for some Christmas gifts. My fingers are already stained yellow!
Thanks for all of your kind wishes and suggestions for Maddie. We appreciate it. I stayed home with her because hf&m diseaase is highly contagious and I didn't want to risk infecting Carrie and her family.

Here is Madison last week with her caregiver, Carrie. We were doing a print of her hand and she loved getting messy! Carrie is worth a million dollars to me. Madison loves her to pieces, she listens to her and respects her and I don't have to worry about missing work when Maddie is sick like I would if she were in Daycare. I am a lucky, lucky Mommy and so is Maddie.
I figured y'all had enough with my bathroom post below LOL So i'd plaster another pic of my baby (who BTW her Daddy is taking her to the doctor as we speak becasue she has been running a fever today and has white/greenish blisters on her tongue and won't eat or drink). I'll give an update tomorrow. Poor baby :(

UPDATE: Madison has Hand,Foot & Mouth Disease. I only recently heard of this due to the Kept Woman's Peanut being infected. Of course Stacy said "She hasn't been around any cows". I stifled an urge to laugh and told him "It's not hoof/mouth disease." It IS very contagious though. Ugh. Now we've got to get soft, non-acidic things to feed her.

Blogger is once again being a HAB and won't let me post any pics so i'll just ramble on. I had a nice peaceful week-end. Stac & Maddie went to Summerville and I stayed home.
I went shopping with my sister on Saturday and man were the stores PACKED. It wasn't even tax-free week-end (that's this coming week-end). Good for the economy I guess. I sure did my share. Well, tell me what YOU did this week-end. :)
P.S. Did anybody else hear about Mel Gibson's arrest for drunk driving? He was pretty abusive to the officers involved. Wow. Not too cool.

Yesterday we went to the Watermelon Festival in Pageland, SC. It was a great time! They had the cutest little kiddie carnival, Maddie even rode the roller coaster - big girl! Her favorite is the merry-go-round though. Pageland is a small town that has retained alot of it's small-town feel. The downtown area is nice and the store fronts were all decorated to commemorate the festival. They were giving away free watermelon and it was cold, oh man good stuff! It's like taking a big bite of a smile.
Tell me about any festival's you have attended in your area. I'm a festival junkie!

I apologize for the poor quality of this picture. I took a picture of the actual picture sitting on a shelf and hurriedly downloaded it this a.m. before leaving for work. This is me and Stacy nearly 12 years ago. Yes I was pudgy when we got married. He loved me anyway ;) It is so hard to believe that was almost 12 years ago. My wedding was the most stressful event I had ever experienced up to that time but boy was it beautiful. We still watch the video sometimes but it's been awhile. Maybe it's time to break it out again. I know Madison will get a kick out of it when she is older. Hope everyone has a happy week-end! Got any wedding or romance stories to share?

Please note the elegant plastic menus and formica booths. Also the mural of Nascar Winston Cup Drivers behind me & Stacy. I was able to name every single one. Stacy was impressed :)


Since it was his last night w/ us Chandler wanted to eat at Raceway Grill. Raceway Grill is a hole-in-the-wall right outside the big ol' Darlington Raceway here in lovely Darlington, South Carolina. Lots of Nascar Drivers eat at the Grill when they are in town. The hamburger steak is awesome (the size of a dinner platter) and the french fries, they are hand cut and fresh. I could eat less than 1/4 of my hb steak w/ onions & cheese and about 10 french fries but Chandler & Stacy helpfully took care of the rest! We don't go to Raceway alot, but every so often we crave those handcut fries. Of course we go on Race week-end to be looky-loos On any given Friday or Saturday night be prepared to WAIT because this is a popular place. So... if you are ever in Darlington now you know where to eat!

BIG HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BLOG BUDDY CHEEKY

Well I thought Chandler was going home this week-end and i'd be able to meet Cheeky but he wants to stay this week too so Stacy & Maddie will take him home on Friday. Hopefully next trip Cheeky!
Instead we went to the beach for the week-end. I can't describe how the beach makes me feel. I love relaxing on the sand, letting the warm sun kiss my body, the ocean breeze blowing alternately warm and cool. Ahhh.... there isn't much better to me. I grab a day or two whenever I can but I think next month we are going back for a WEEK. Bliss.
What happens when you let an 11 year old take your picture? Dork-On-The-Beach that's what! ;)

But it takes a special one to be A Daddy!" Here is Daddy's little girl waving a sparkler on the 4th of July. Last year she grabbed one and burnt her lip. We felt like the WORST parents ever! This year she just kept saying "Ooh pretty". Stacy is not only an awesome husband he is an awesome Daddy as well. He changed Madison's first ever diaper and has never shirked from one since. He cooked dinner for us last night and cleaned up. I told Chandler "You better take notes on how to be a good husband".

#1 I can't believe I was dumb enough to come back to work today! Thursday feels like a Monday. Ugh!
#2 We went to a big family 'do in Summerville and brought back my 11 year old nephew Chandler with us. Last night it was `knock`knock`knock. Chandler would go to the door and either Brittany or Hailey would be standing there giggling. Or else they were on the front porch peeping in the window. Gah! I didn't know that started at their age! (almost 7) Finally I said "Chandler please go outside and smile at them, wave, SOMETHING. They are driving me nuts". So Chandler gamely goes outside and game "chase" ensues. Me & Madison went out to watch the proceedings. Cute! It should be even more interesting today when Kelsey is there too!

We had yummy grilled hamburgers & hotdogs, silver queen corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, cupcakes, blueberry pie, unbaked cookies & I think that about covers it. We had AWESOME fireworks. Of course the guys were in charge of setting them off while the girls ran squealing from the wild ones but Madison LOVED the fountains & sparklers. Not so much the bottle rockets & firecrackers buti'm not a fan of those etiher.

Well, what did everyone else do their 4th of July holiday? What did you eat? Didja see any good fireworks?

As soon as Stacy gets home after 5 we will be packing up and heading down to Summerville for a big family get-together tomorrow so I thought i'd go ahead and wish all of you a Happy 4th of July. May you eat plenty of good food and enjoy pretty, sparkly fireworks!
I am raising my hand for the "dumbass of the day" award. There is a pool in our backyard. A large pool, not a kiddie pool, filled with sparkling clean blue water. So why am I laying on a freaking lounge chair melting in a pool of my own sweat. Wait, I forgot the old maxim, "Southern girls don't Sweat, we Glisten".
Okay, why am I glistening my ass off in near hundred degree heat? Because I am a moron who doesn't want to get her hair wet in the pool and the kids will splash me cos' they are rotten 6-11 year olds! I can't stand a swim cap either so I guess i'll just wrap this up and go glisten some more!

I got an email from "someone" who was offended by yesterdays post about my darling Yorkipoo, Reilly, and the baby Guinea. "Someone" said that if I were going to exploit my pet for amusement purposes that just maybe I should not be a pet owner, and also that I did not seem to be concerned for the welfare of the tiny Guinea if I let my dog that close to it. Initially I was all upset and hurt, then I got mad.

First off "someone" can kiss my ass. I love animals as much as anyone (more than the average person). I take wonderful care of Reilly and my cats and have rescued many animals over the years and taken in strays. I AM concerned about the welfare of the Guinea which is why i'm having my husband build it a pen so it will have some modicum of safety from predators. It's not my bird but I will do what I can to look after it's welfare. I am always checking on my niece's dogs and rabbits to make sure they have what they need also (food,water,shade) but she is an excellent pet owner as well in my opinion.
Well now that i've got that off my chest I want to wish you all a WONDERFUL week-end. Some have to work Monday (I don't) but i'm sure i'll blog from home.
How about light a sparkler for me :)
Firecracker. Out.

My niece who lives next door is somewhat of a Dr. Doolittle.
She has three large dogs, two rabbits and now she just got, from God knows where, a baby Guinea.
He is a little guy, probably the size of a tennis ball on a good day. To me, he looks like a tiny quail.
Anyway myself,Madison & Reilly went over there yesterday on the screened in front porch where the quinea currently resides.
Reilly is my darling 5 lb Yorkipoo. He thinks he's a guard dog but the cats are twice his size,poor little guy.
He noticed the guinea and made his way over to it. The tiny bird stood there, looking him dead in the face.
As Reilly leaned toward it the bird pecked him a quick peck on the nose. Reilly jumped back. The look on his face said "What the hell is this and what did it do to me?".
He eased forward again and the guinea pecked him again. Reilly backpedalled toward me. Then the guinea sensed that he had the upper hand and it was ON.
He ran poor Reilly all over that porch and we were just screaming with laughter. Maybe i'll get a chance to video it. For once Reilly finds something that is smaller than him and it turns out to be feisty. It's tough being small I guess.
****UPDATE to answer Sandra's question of what does she plan to do with the guinea whenit's grown, she plans to keep it and let it run in the yard and roost in trees. They eat all kinds of bugs.

Yesterday when I got off work I stopped by our local Farmers Market and got a dozen ears of the fattest,sweetest Silver Queen Corn you could imagine and a big juicy Watermelon. I got home, seasoned & pattied up the hamburgers, we shucked the corn and Stacy got to grilling. It was the best supper. It just felt like I was eating summertime.
Then I got absorbed on eBay and when I came out of my bidding daze Stacy had gathered everything up, put away the leftovers, did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, bathed the baby and got her ready for bed, had a load of clothes going in the washer AND he had a drink ready for me. Talk about spoiled. Did I mention he totally rocks? Cos' he does.

Well my week-end is over with. This is me & my best friend Mindy (in yellow) who lives in St. Pete, FL She was up over the week-end and I left early from work so I didn't get to visit everyone's blogs. My abject apologies.
Lee I was in your neck of the woods yesterday at the Barnyard Flea Market. Didn't buy much there but it was fun to walk around and Madison loved it too.
No drama to report this a.m. I went in the canteen got some grits & bacon and went right on upstairs. AssChips was there but he didn't say a word. Maybe he's getting my vibe finally.

Okay I need a little advice from my blogger friends. You know I work at the Crying Cow Bank which is a VERY uptight, by-the-book kind of place. There is this guy who works here. He used to play for the Atlanta Braves (he has a World Series ring - very cool) until he got hurt. Anyway there are some that are jealous or who have had a problem with him in the past. He is a good looking african american male and very flirtatious. A short while ago I went to the drink machine to get a Diet Mt Dew. We crossed paths and he made a teasing remark "Working that money maker early this morning" to which I laughed and then we stopped and conversed about something work-related. He just called and told me someone reported him to HR for the remark to me. I told him it was NOT me and I think he believes me. I don't have a problem with that kind of stuff. BUT now I know HR will probably be calling me and what do I do? I can deny he said it and probably get him off the hook. I HATE shit like this. WHY oh why can't people just mind their own business? If you did not make the remark or it was not directed to you, just ignore it. Do I have the wrong attitude? HELP!

UPDATE: I did have to go to HR and I told her that we were discussing something business related (true) and that nothing offensive was said to me.(true) I re-iterated that I consider him a good colleague and have no problem with him whatsoever. He later called and thanked me because I probably saved his job. Whew i'm glad that is over with. He is just a real sweetheart and I know pure old fashioned jealousy and maybe a bit of racism is behind this. The women around here literally throw themselves at him and he is a bit of a "player".

Yep I am looking for one of these: an AMC Pacer. I want to restore it and paint it hot pink and drive my daughter to school in it. Do you think she'll be embarassed? Maybe she'll think it's tres' cool? I LOVE the movie Wayne's World so of course i'll have blast Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody while driving it!
My ex SIL's mother had a yellow Pacer back in the day and to little 8 year old me it was the car of the future. Something out of the Jetsons!

Well I did get my pictures downloaded. There are none of me cos' i'm the one always weilding the camera. I told Stacy he has got to practice taking pictures or we won't have any of me & Maddie :( Isn't she darling? She loved the Beach so much. Got knocked down and was gun shy for a minute but then she was right back out there. We sat in the surf and dug for shells and filled up cups and then she threw them or dumped them out. Just simple but fun. Before leaving Sunday we went to eat at Murrells Inlet ("a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem") We wanted to eat at Nance's but they weren't open yet so we opted instead for Flo's. Very good choice. I had crab legs and Stacy had Boiled Shrimp, Oysters & Mahi Mahi. Madison ate what we ate but she preferred her Daddy's plate to mine. All in all it was a good week-end.
I'm telling y'all I could really stand to live at the Beach. Something about the warm sand, the ocean air, the water calls to me.

This was one of the neatest things i've ever done. I have a fear of heights coupled with a fear of flying so two things I vowed i'd never do was 1) go sky-diving (jump out of an airplane) 2) ride in a helicopter especially one with no doors on it. Well as you can see I did the helicopter thing but I was firmly ensconced in the middle. That's my hub Stacy by the door. It was FREEZING but definitely gave me the thrill of a lifetime. What is one thing you've done that you were glad you did it?

P.S. _ We went to Myrtle Beach this past week-end (it was HEAVEN) but my stupid laptop froze up w/ the pics in it. Maybe i'll have them to post tomorrow! OMG it was GREAT though. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, warm enough. The sand & water were the perfect temp. Oh WHY can't I go ahead and win that damn lottery already!

I try to be a positive person. Yeah I come on here sometimes in a bad mood and bitch and moan, who doesn't? That's partially what a blog is for (to me) to get things out.

To the guy in the cafe' with the Polo Jeans, Polo Shirt, Polo Cologne (hell he probably had on Polo underwear for all I know) and BAD BREATH please, you do not have to lean in within mere centimeters of me to speak.
I know you are probably dazzled by my beauty (Heh) but please refrain.
You have caused my eyes to water, my hair to deflate and my ears to retract.
I am sorry you think you are not valued at your job here at the Crying Cow Bank.
I am sorry your son will not go out and get a job, I am sorry your wife "does not understand you".
If you are hitting on me, please stop.
I am not interested. Not now, Not ever. That is all.

UPDATE: Okay i've got to share this little "gem". I just came from downstairs and another co-workesr said to me "I saw you sitting with X this morning, did his breath smell like he'd been eating Ass Chips for breakfast?"

Well I finally took the plunge. EVERYONE wanted me to get her ears pierced. Both grandma's all her aunts... I held out because I wanted it to be her decision when she was older but i'm tired of people calling her a boy. She doesn't have alot of hair yet (she had pigtails here but you can't see them) and people are ALWAYS calling her a boy. Grrr.... Don't you love that grin? She holds my heart right in the palm of her tiny hand. Her Aunt Bonnie went with us so someone could keep an eye on the girl while Mom hyperventilated. She did so good didn't mind the piercing at all. About 15 minutes afterward as we were walking down the mall she looked at us and said "Ow". We just busted out laughing and she grinned good-naturely along with us.

One of my favorite bloggers, the Peanut Queen from the Peanut Queens Lair (apologies I don't know how to link in my post) did something VERY exciting yesterday. She went to a local amusement park and got to see JOHN CUSACK in the flesh. He was there filming a movie. John Cusack ... Mmmmm... so sexy. He is like the boys I dated in highschool but I ended up marrying someone totally different. Go figure. I love every one of John's movies simply because John is in them. Well, I love "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" for many, many reasons and it spawned a love affair for me with the city of Savannah, GA. The Peanut Queen went on this adventure all on her own against the wishes of her Peanut King. I commend her. It's not always easy to do what you want in the face of adversity (i.e. a pissed off husband) but she did it! Hats off to the Peanut Queen and much thanks for sharing the photos of John's sexiness.
I really wish I could have been there with her,I get the feeling Lucy and Ethel would have had NOTHING on Patticake and the Peanut Queen!

Here is me, Stacy & Madison at the photo/sketch booth at ChuckECheese. Doesn't Madison have the skinniest long legs? We call them her noodles. She amazes me everyday how big she is getting. I think she is going to have the sweetest southern accent. She already says "dah-per" for diaper. Everybody altogether now "Awwww..... ". I know - MomBlog alert! I can't help it! This has been the best Mothers Day. I can't wait until she can make me things in school. I will treasure them. I don't know how Mom's of only sons feel but I love having a daughter. I always said I wouldn't know what to do with a boy. I always dreamed of a daughter, the Mother/Daughter dresses, her playing with baby dolls & dressing her up.

Here is Madison at Chuck E Cheese, my niece Hailey is behind her. Isn't Maddie getting so big? We had a party at C-Cheez Saturday morning at 10:00 and then a Horseback riding party at Noon.
The Race was GREAT another sell out crowd. I was SO glad a Hendricks car did not win. Didn't get to grab Tony Stewart's ass for Angie (though I totally would have had I gotten the chance) but I was on Speedvision. Didya see me? Huh? No? It was before/during the segment Bobby Labonte (#43 Cheerios car) was on. I was next to the drunks yelling WFO - (wide f'in open- I had to ask) and carrying signs that said WFO. Security kept coming over and yelling at us and finally I said "Look I am NOT with them". Jerks. All in all I had a good week-end though. I got a spa package & tanning bed from Stacy, Madison & the pets. Happy Belated Mothers Day to all my bloggy Mom's Next week-end I will be going to the Blue Crab Festival at Myrtle Beach and my nephew Chad graduates at the North Charleston Coliseum Sunday night so I won't be at work next Monday. Okay, I was whining about being, um, bored not to long ago right? Be careful what you wish for? *grin*

To the left is my darling Yorkipoo, Reilly. He was two on January 14th. He is the sweetest, smartest, well-behaved dog.

To the right, yours truly (I TOLD you I had braces didn't I?) and my baby girl Madison. I usually don't smile in pictures because of my metal mouth. Madison looks nothing like me :( I am fooling around with some picures now instead of going to Darlington but i'll be MIA tomorrow and Saturday. Ah heck who am I kidding? I'll find time to blog!

I spent all last evening trying to hook up the Router to my laptop.
Stacy went fishing. No dice. I'm NEVER going to be able to share any pictures at this rate! Arrgh! This is one my niece took of me. It was a family party and no, that is not my house with all of that tacky indian stuff. Oops did I say that out loud?

I'm currently wrestling with the decision to have my tubes tied. As many of you know it took me 10 years to have my little Princess and it was a very difficult delivery. My doctor advises against another baby but I know Stacy would like to try for a son. Plus i'll be 40 this year. I had another babbly post up but I went to the Peanut Queen's Blog and it reminded me of my current dilemma.

I admit it I am a book 'Ho. I have always loved to read ever since I was a wee girlchild. I had the Nancy Drew books but I liked Trixie Belden even better. I also found (thanks eBay) a bunch of Cricket Magazines circa early 1970's. I used to subscribe to Cricket and loved it, it's not the same anymore. I did look at one in the library the other day. I was disappointed. Why do things have to change and seldom for the better? What were your favorite childhood books magazines? Have they changed over the years for the better or worse?

We had a GREAT time at the Flowertown Festival. It was very crowded and so many vendors. I had heard they had to turn away over 100 vendors and I can believe it! Does anyone else go to these festivals? I love them! We have the Sweet Potato Festival in Darlington in October (usually around my birthday). My MIL asked us to go to the Rice Festival with her in Walterboro which I think is the end of this month. Anyway I know this is a rather boring post but I honestly didn't do much else over the week-end except go to the Flowertown Festival. I bought a few things, Stacy a set of windchimes made out of recycled glass that he liked because he won a bet with me and the loser had to buy the winner any item of his/her choice at the Festival. Let me tell you that was a FIRST that I bet him something and was wrong. Usually I won't bet unless it is a sure thing! I got Maddie a cute hand-painted romper with "Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed" on it. That is one of our favorite books. Okay enough. Gotta get to work and start reading other blogs. I've got a late start this morning. This time change has totally messed me up!

Today is my Mom's 70th birthday. I will be leaving at 2:00 to run errands and pick up her cake. We are having a surprise party for her with the whole family there. Should be fun! My Mom is a great lady, was always a good Mother and I heart her very much. She is a two-time breast cancer survivor and that means alot to me. Happy Happy Birthday Mom!

In an effort to make this a cheerful, happy Monday I am wearing my monkey sweater. It is exactly the same one as the one pictured. It has a monkey appliqued on the back at the neck also. Maidson pulled one of the banana bunches off the sleeve this morning but i'll sew it back on tonight. She loves when I wear fancy sweaters & shirts. She always has to touch everything and say "Pretty" over and over again. I have a few for her but we have to be careful that she doesn't pull the pretties off!
Anyway I wore this so it would improve my mood.

Mondays just are not my best days. I don't hate my job but it... bores me. So sometimes it's a struggle. Stacy's birthday is this Saturday and my Mothers's 70th birthday is this Thursday so it might be a busy week for me. We are having a big family party for Mom and guess who Dad put in charge? Moi. I don't mind though, he knows i'll do it right. Stacy is going fishing on his birthday and we'll have cake & presents also that evening. Boy am I rambling on here. Sorry! Happy Monday all. Do you have any clothing/item that makes you feel good and lifts your spirits?

My post about Easter Candy led me to think about Easter's past. Do any of you remember when they used to sell Easter Peeps (or Chicks) at the dime store and dye them green & pink? One time my brother Mike rode his bicycle from Williamsport to Montoursville (about 12 miles I guess) to get us some peeps for Easter. He tied the cardboard box to the back of his bike and set off for home not realizing one of his captives had escaped. Yes this hardy, brave little peep rode all the way back to Williamsport clinging for dear life to the back of Mike's bicycle seat. We lived in the city but when the peeps & ducks (we also got ducklings several times for Easter) got bigger we took them to a friend's farm "Mr. Red". He boarded our horses for us so we always got to visit our peeps & ducks when we went riding on Sunday afternoons. We also got bunnies several times but my personal favorite was always the peeps.
Madison is still too little but when she gets older we will probably get her a bunny for Easter. I don't think you can get peeps or ducks anymore and I don't think the peeps or ducks would enjoy being terrorized by our cats. I really want to go all out on the holidays for Maddie like my parents did for me. Maybe next year I will cut out cardboard bunny feet and dip them in talcum powder and make bunny tracks in the house on Easter Morning. ~Hop~Hop~Hop~

Okay I don't know who watches American Idol but i'm a fan. I don't watch much TV but this is one (along with Desperate Housewives) that I don't miss. I'm about to start on Monday nights with Prison Break also just to see that little hottie Wentworth Miller. Anyway I am curious at everyone's guess who will be eliminated tonight. I say it will be Kevin aka Chicken Little. I voted for Elliott last night and had a hard time getting through so I think he is safe. I also like Chris, Taylor, Mandisa & Kellie. I think the guys are better than the girls this year by far. Really there are none left that I can't stand. I didn't like Brenna or Ayla or Sway much. Last year I HATED Mikayla (aka little Babs aka Little Nanny) and before that I hated Jennifer Hudson & Fantasia.

Well I couldn't leave you guys hanging with a post about being a crab could I? This is my Vera Bradley Citrus Bucket Bag. I heart it very much. I also have the matching wallet, checkbook cover & key chain and am about to get the mirror. Vera is very popular here in the Southeast even though it originates out of Indiana. All the young girls are carrying this pattern and alot of the pink & sherbet also. My main baby diaper bag is a Vera in the Greenfield Pattern with my monogram on it in hot pink. When Madison is out of diapers I am going to carry it as a tote. Madison also has a tiny Vera purse in the Greenfield pattern that her Aunt Bonnie got her. She was carrying it this week-end and Stacy said my MIL was having a fit over how cute and girly-girl she was being!

My sister and I went shopping in Columbia all day Saturday and I do mean ALL day. Well we went to Kohls & Ross and did a little damage then we ate at Red Lobster and then we were off in search of Mark Roberts Fairies. (you know the ones I blogged about a few weeks ago that they do NOT sell here in Florence anywhere). We went to two places on Two Notch Road, nada. One was closed, the other said they sell them at their other location but only at Christmas. We were hunting for the third store on Sunset but time ran out. Drat. I REALLY wanted a St. Patricks Day Fairy dammit.

Okay what is relevant about the pic above (besides the chick has a shape that I am SO sure does not need a body shaper) you may be asking. I detected a little pudge and decided I could use some smoothing out here & there.
So I found a body shaper.
This morning Stacy is helping me get into it.
Him: "What the hell is this thing for?"
Me: "A torture device"
Him: "Why are you wearing it?"
Me:"Cos' I was looking pudgy and this will help until I get a tummy tuck"
Him:"You women are crazy as hell I wouldn't be caught dead in one of these"
Me:"Men do wear them"
Him: "No Way!".
I am sweating like a pig by now and we are both out of breath from trying to wrestle me into the shaper.
Madison is sitting in her Daddy's La-Z-Boy silently watching the proceedings while sucking on her sippy cup of milk.
She's probably thinking 'I'll have to watch my weight so I don't get big as her and have to do THAT".
So now I sit here at work feeling slimmer and trimmer but realizing that if I take a deep breath and bust this thing I am going to fly all around the building like a baloon in the Macy's Parade...

As you know I am having "issues" with my stupid laptop and cannot download pics from my camera to it yet so I had to rely on a picture sent by someone else. This is me & my bff Mindy in February at a party. I am the dark haired one in red on the left. It is not the most flattering picture of me I think I have a slightly demonic look in my eyes but maybe it was the refreshing alcoholic beverage that I was holding making me look that way. Well do I look like you thought I would? I often get a mental picture of someone I have not yet seen. Sometimes I am right sometimes WAY off. I know Madison really looks nothing like me, she is the spittin' image of her good-looking Daddy!

My baby loves a bath! I just thought these pictures were cute and wanted to share them. My SIL Buffy sent them to me. I just found out Madison has two back teeth! Yay! She's been sort of crabby, now I know why poor thing. She has already cut her eyeteeth so maybe the worst is over now. She changes every day, does more & more. In the close-up pic she really looks like Curious George doesn't she? Maybe it's the shape of her face, I don't know but we think she looks like an adorable little monkey. I was going to get her Easter pics done tomorrow (w/ a live rabbit) but Oh well I can get them done March 24th. We will also attempt to visit the Easter Bunny at the Mall. I hope he rates higher than Santa did. Maddie threw a FIT on the jolly old elf's lap.

No pic to go with this post but let me say I am feeling much better today as is BabyGirl. She was crabby last night, whoo ee! I was glad when she went to bed at 7 p.m. and so was she.
I then went to the Library and got a few new books (not as many as I would have liked) but I finally, FINALLY found one of the Anita Blake, vampire hunter books. I started it when I got home and yep, I love it! I didn't like the other series I kept finding by Laurell K. Hamilton (about the Aunt who was the Queen and always trying to kill her niece or something like that) but I do love the Anita Blake ones.
Also on the work front I still have a job (yay!) but due to some major CRAP may not get a bonus in July. We'll see. I'm not going to get bent out of shape over something that has not occurred yet and may not occur. All I can say is if they want to get stupid about our raises and bonuses than they will probably see the quality of work go WAY down and it will serve them right. We have a good group here and we deserve better.
Even though I don't think she reads my blog I want to thank Pissy Britches for turning me onto yet another childrens clothing line Zutano. Adorable!
Also a big shout out to Denny at Not So Normal News for being a published Author and go check out his cool forum for budding Authors and voracious readers. (He loves that word, voracious, heh.)
I'll be jetting out of here at 3 to get my internet installed I hope it all goes well. I tried to install the software for my Kodak Easyshare camera this a.m. and failed miserably but i'll wait until i'm online and give it the old college try again because then I can get help hopefully.
Who knows my bloggy friends I might even have a pic of yours truly posted tomorrow and then you can see what I actually look like. I know you've been waiting with bated breath (not!). Seriously i'm nosey and always like to see pics of people and wonder what they look like if they don't have one.

Okay actually somebody needs to smack this bitch and say "No, God hates your ignorant ass". I hope I live to see the day that SOMEBODY kicks the crap out of Phelps and his band of not-so-merry Misfits. They spend their days harassing the families of soldiers, who are fighting for the freedom they enjoy to spew their garbage, and they harass gays and I don't know who else but i'm sure the list is long. These people turn my stomach. I am a live-and-let-live kinda gal. Love comes in all shapes & sizes and anyway who are these people to judge? Grrrr........ I didn't want my only post of the day be about an upset tummy but then I stumbled on this which is even worse. Human diarrhea. Yeah, that's what these people are.

This is why I wake up each and every morning. My sole reason for living and breathing. No, not really but I do heart her infinity plus. My big 16 month old girlie, Madison Moore (her middle name, Moore is my mother-in-laws maiden name). She is SO funny. She makes me smile and laugh all the time. She is a Daddy's girl and has her Daddy wrapped firmly around her finger. Yesterday we took her to the zoo and my camera was DEAD so we didn't get any cute zoo pics but my sister took this one of her on Saturday (and made me some cool address labels - Thanks Sis!). She doesn't have much hair but isn't she cute in her little gymboree Goldfish. She got to ride a pony at the zoo and of course Daddy walked beside her. Every time she went by all I saw were teeth. She LOVED it. The girl gave her an extra long ride, I guess because it was her first time and she liked it so much, or maybe she was flirting with the hubs I don't know but it was to my girls advantage so... *wink* Things are still weird here around work but frankly I just don't care anymore. It is always something here. Sometimes I wish they would just close up this operations site and give me a good severance package and send me on my merry way. They are so nit-picky, anal and just plain STUPID about things sometimes. It grates your nerves.

Well I had to go out of town yesterday and managed to get a little shopping in at the Tanger Outlets at Myrtle Beach. Awesome deals! I got Madison & Brittany (my niece) matching dresses at Hartstrings. They are just beautiful! I buy alot of Gymboree but I really really heart Hartstrings clothing also. I got a beautiful jacket at the Coldwater Creek Outlet. I always drool at their catalogue. I bought a bit at the GAP also. I know, I know, so cliche' but I heart the GAP! Me & Maddie have matching pink GAP hoodies. I also bought the biggest bottle of their "Dream" perfume that I could find. I love that, it's so subtle and ladylike and stays with you. I also wear Clinique's "Happy" and in the winter "Obsession" by Calvin Klein. Oh, Oh I also got the cutest Liz Claiborne Doctor bag that reminds me so much of the one I carried in college.

Well it went good at Dr. Trant's! Madison so far does not have to have surgery but we do have to keep an eye on her. He said treat her like a normal little girl, not like she is sick so we will do our best! Thanks for all the good wishes and kind words. They mean alot. It was a scary day. I don't have any recent pictures of Maddie since her first birthday ones this one was last June. She was so funny this morning blowing me kisses when I was leaving for work (her Daddy takes her to the baby sitter). Such a sweetheart!

This afternoon my babygirl Madison who will be 16 months old on Sunday goes back to her pediatric cardiologist. Last spring we discovered she had a heart murmur and she went to see Dr. Trant. He did an echocardiogram on her and she has some blockage that makes one side of her heart work harder than the other. They said if it did not get better on it's own there would have to be surgery at MUSC in Charleston. When she had her 12 month check up in October it seemed to be getting fainter but when she just had her 15 month check up it was just the opposite. To say I am worried is a gross understatement. BUT I guess I should just be thankful they are on top of things and if she needs surgery we will just deal with it. Please send some positive vibes, make a wish, say a prayer, whatever works best for you for Madison today. Thanks.

Although I am a great lover of St. Patricks Day as soon as Valentines Day is over the stores are stocked with Easter Candy. My favorite being the Leaf Robin Eggs. I really prefer the full sized ones to the mini version but I couldn't find a picture of the full sized one. I love-love-love these things. Thank God they only come out at Easter. I have a bag in my drawer right now, half gone. Okay 3/4 gone. I only like the Leaf brand (maker of Whoppers Malt Balls). I don't like the "off-brand" pastel ones and don't try to fool me, cos' I can tell! I really can! My other Easter love is Marshmallow Peeps. I am even a card-carrying member of the Peeps Fan Club. I like to open a pack and let them sit for about two weeks until they get firm, not brick hard just slightly stale and THEN, only then do I eat them. It doesn't work if you try to cheat and put them in the refrigerator to speed up the stale process either. Strange quirkiness cannot be rushed.

Yep this is my Valentines Mantel I am a self-confessed Holiday freak. I love to decorate. I love to dress to celebrate the holidays, I buy my animals holiday items. I dress my child in holiday clothing. I make goodie bags for my co-workers, I would make my husband wear holiday themed underwear except he puts his foot down at that. Has to do it somewhere LOL
I dont' know. I can remember when I was a child of course I never paid attention to a calender but I would walk in from school and Mom would have the house transformed with spooky Halloween decor, or beautiful fall leaves,turkeys,scarecrows, or a winter wonderland of christmas decorations or pink & red & hearts everywhere or easter bunnies/chicks/flowers. I would always get SO excited. I guess you could say I get it honestly! I plan on going all out for Madison also. I want her to have the same kind of memories that I have and love the holidays as much as I do. This morning I dressed her in red tights, a red/pink dress decorated with hearts and the word LOVE embroidered on the chest and little black boots with pink hearts on them. I am wearing black boots, pink trousers and a pink michael simon tunic trimmed in zebra with a zebra print heart on the front. Sassy! ;) Oh and I was presented with a beautiful box of Godiva Chocolates this a.m. Happy Happy Valentines Day to all of my friends/visitors!

Well I did take some pics and hopefully will be able to post them soon. I have been visiting around to other blogs but have been busy with work and just getting a chance to post. Our week-end was wonderful. The King George IV Inn was just lovely and very soothing. The bed was heavenly. Stacy had to boost me up to get in it (i'm short) so we had a giggle over that!
There was a huge Victorian Dollhouse in our sitting room that Stacy was enchanted by. He is now inspired to build one in the future for Madison. I say "Good luck i'll stay out of the way on that endeavor".
The Inn has it's own on-site mascot named Queen Victoria who was quite the charming kitty. I of course pampered and made much of her every time our paths crossed. We had a delightful southern breakfast every morning with scrambled eggs, grits, sausage on Sat. & bacon on Sunday, toasted fruit breads,Waffles and Earl Grey Tea. There was also complimentary cookies & benne wafers all day/evening long which we partook Saturday night. We walked all over Charleston and enjoyed the old Slave Market. I laughed at Stacy in the Gucci boutique goggling over the price of a pair of Maddie sized loafers $238. I saw him stealthily sneak into Godiva so i'm looking forward to some nice chocolate tomorrow on Valentines Day. I of course bought some souveniers but also got some good buys in Talbots Petites & JCrew and some funky little boutiques. We hit some of the culinary highlights of Charleston. Friday night we ate at Hyman's Seafood and got there "right" before it got busy cos' there was a line three deep when we left. Stacy had boiled shrimp & steamed oysters, I had a cup of she-crab soup and a shrimp scampi appetizer. Heavenly. Saturday we at lunch at Poogans Porch on Queen Street I bought a t-shirt w/ poogan on it and also the Cats Meow Poogan's Porch house that shows Poogan on the porch and the black cat on the porch railing It is the only Cats Meow figure with another animal in it besides the requisite black cat. I will put it with my collection of Sheila Houses that grace my mantel. Anyway at Poogan's we both had fried catfish (gave mine to Stac), fried Oysters & fried shrimp all very lightly breaded & fried to perfection, accompanied by red rice, collards & fresh biscuits. Yummy. For dinner Saturday night we went to the Mellow Mushroom for pizza. I am somewhat of a pizza conniseur but this one would make yo' tongue slap yo' brains out! It had a nice light garlic/olive oil base, steak, portobello mushroooms, artichoke hearts, black olives, feta cheese & fresh mozzarella. And did I mention this was one HUGE pizza. We took the leftovers back to the room (there was nicely appointed little fridge in the far corner which we stocked with beer & leftover pizza) and we ate the rest of it last night at home. Still delicious. Man. I love me some good pizza! Sunday we went 'round the Market one more time buying a few more things and had dinner at A.W. Shucks. Stacy again had boiled shrimp & steamed oysters (his fave) and I had a cassoulet consisting of lump crab, scallops, shrimp & cheese. Very good. I also got a goofy t-shirt that reads "Big Mussels, Long Legs & Tasty Tails"
Anyway a good week-end was had by both of us. We did some relaxin & lovin - something we have needed for quite a while. I'm thinking of surprising him in a few months with another week-end at a B&B this time in Wilmington,NC at the Beach. Pics should be posted soon, I promise, I might have to get a FlickR account or something. I'll surely be glad when I have access to a computer at home again.

This is where we are staying in Charleston. It is the Peter Frenault house that was built in the 1700's. I know we will be on the second floor, which I like. I am not one to stay on first floor anything. I hope the tub is neat, i'm thinking clawfoot. Anyway I will post about our visit on Monday and hopefully maybe even have some pictures. I bought a new digi cam a two weeks ago but will probably have to rely on my sister or brother to scan or download the photos as my home computer is packed away at the old house. Hope everyone has a wonderful week-end!

1. Full name: Patricia Lee
2. Were you named after anyone? No my sister Kathy named me.
3. Do you wish on stars? Yes every time
4. When did you last cry? When my FIL died, at the funeral 12-18-05
5. Do you like your handwriting? Yes it's kind of loopy
6. What is your birth date? 10-16
7. What is your most embarrassing CD? None I stand by all of my musical selections even New Kids on the Block
8. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Yes
9. Do you have a journal? Yes this blog
10. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Um, Yeah. a LOT
11. What is your nickname? PattiCake & Lil' Mom
12. Would you bungee jump? No Way but i've been hang gliding
13. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Yes always
14. Do you think you are strong? No, not really but i'm resourceful as hell
15. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chubby Hubby
16. Shoe Size? 7
17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself: My stomach
18. Who do you miss most? My grandparents & deceased pets
19. Do you want everyone you send this to, to send it back to you? I'm not sending it
20. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Pale Pink Khakis, Silver Ballet Flats
21. What are you listening to right now? My co-workers yakking away
22 Last thing you ate: Crab & corn chowder
23 If you were a crayon, what color would you be? hot pink baby, hot pink
24. What is the weather like right now? Cold it was sleeting at lunch
25. Last person you talked to on the phone? SC tax service
26. Do you like the person who sent this to you? No one sent it to me i'm a list whore who stole it from another blog (a link of Fish on a Bicycle)
27. Favorite Drink? Diet Sunkist or Diet cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper
28. Favorite Sport? Football or Circle Track Racing
29. Hair Color? Dark Brown
30. Eye Color? Brown
31. Do you wear contacts? No 20/20 vision
32. Favorite Food? Seafood or japanese
33. Last Movie You Watched? At the theater The Excorcism of Emily Rose
34. Favorite Day Of The Year? Halloween!
35. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Scary Movies
36. Summer Or Winter? Summer but actually I prefer Fall
37. Hugs OR Kisses? Hugs
38. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Cake
39. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? Surprise me!
40. Who Is Least Likely To Respond????
41. Who is in your family? I have a husband and a daughter
42. What Books Are You Reading? Mary, Mary by James Patterson
43. What's On Your Mouse Pad? Brett Favre
44. What's the last thing you watched on tv? The Super Bowl
45. Favorite Sounds? My baby Madison laughing
46. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles
47. What's the furthest you've been from home? I guess Chicago, IL
48. Do you have a special talent? Hmmm maybe it should stay a secret :)
49. What is your cell ring tone? In Da Club
50. Best one sentence advice? Think First

This is my husband, Stacy, he has been racing since he was 15 years old. He has won many races, had many crashes, flipped the car , gotten in fist fights in the pits and just about caused all of the grey hairs on his poor wifes head (hah just kidding me & my hair stylist see to that).
Growing up my Dad & brother were always race fans and my Dad and his father used to race and I HATED it.
Once I married a man who was into it also I just said the hell with it and gave in. Now I love it.
I don't exactly worry about him getting hurt. He is a very good driver and the car is made to be as safe as it possibly can be.
Okay I do worry a little bit. I love it when he is in the back, moving up throught the pack, coming to the front.
What I can't stand is when he has the pole or is leading. I pace. and pace. and pace. I climb up on top of the hauler. I get back down. It is just excruciating.
I plan on letting Madison race if she wants to.
We have talked about it and she probably will given that she cries when we lift her out of the race car and she is only a year old.
Why am I writing about racing today? I don't really know except that my Dad asked me last night, "Y'all racing this year".
My reply "Is he breathing? Is the sky blue?" Hah i'm really funny like that - NOT.

Ahhh... memories..of the way...we were. I grew up in a mid-sized city in North Central Pennsylvania. Williamsport,PA home of the Little League World Series. When I was born we lived in East End (where my Dad was born & raised it is very ethnic, italian,irish,polish) but when I was 3 we moved up to Newberry (much more affluent neighborhood) and I LOVED that house on Diamond Street. In fact I still wish somehow, some day that I could buy that house and stay in it part time. I still dream about that house. I don't know why exactly. It was an old Victorian built in the 1800's with a huge attic & basement and a "summer kitchen". For those of you who do not know what a summer kitchen is, it is an adjacent room where huge blocks of ice were loaded from wagons and the perishable foodstuffs were stored there and also the cooking was done there and if there was a fire the rest of the house was not in as much jeapordy. Inside the house was a regular kitchen, pantry, diningroom, livingroom, tv room & sewing room. Upstairs was four bedrooms and one huge bathroom with a big clawfoot tub. The doors locked with big ornate skeleton keys. Oh it was a great house for hide n' seek! My parents sold if when they moved down South. I don't even want to know the price because i'm sure it's less than what I paid for my last car. I had a really happy childhood. Things seem so innocent from back then. I can only hope Madison has at least half as good a childhood as I had. Here is a picture of me & my sister Bonnie playing in the side yard can you guess which one is me?