Go ahead and tell me: "I'm a freak of nature. Nobody decorates THAT much for HALLOWEEN." "Are you a devil worshipper?" "You decorate for Halloween like some people decorate for Christmas". I've heard it all! (for the record I go overboard at Christmas too!). Hey my kid loves it and so do the neighborhood kiddies.
Here are the lights we have outside on the deck. They are blurry. Sorry. They are candy corn lights in the middle of the deck and pumpkin scarecrow lights on both sides. Jack O' Lantern lights in the area over the steps. The neon pumpkins on the steps came from K-Mart last year. They are battery operated.

You can't see (again, blurry - sorry) but the lights above spell out Happy Halloween. The pumpkins on the wicker couch are Stacy,Me and Maddie. You can barely see Maddie pumpkin peeking out!

My requisite Halloween Flag!

"Old School" plastic halloween light-ups. They are getting scarcer and scarcer to find. Can you see my cat Brett "supervising" off to the right :)

Here is the Mark Roberts Fairy on my front door. I heart her. I am just starting my Mark Roberts Collection. I love them! She is a larger one although I normally collect the smaller fairies with the poseable legs.

A close-up - isn't she a wicked beauty!

My entrance hallway. I love this fiber optic pumpkin! I've had these terra cotta pumpkin candleholders for YEARS. Don't hate on that snazzy wallpaper either *snort* It's gotta go eventually.

Here is my collection of witches shoes on top of my Curio. I HATE this freaking border. Hate it. It will be changed.

Festivity abounds atop the Telly!

This is Maddie's pumpkin purse I bought her at Cracker Barrel. She wanted a decoration to put out too so I figure it's safe hanging here!

This little guy is here to greet you as you come into the livingroom. Trick or Treat!

Money really IS the root of all evil :( I am kinda down this a.m. so i'm pulling a me~me I had in my drafts. Y'all be good.

I stole this me~me from a new blog I just added; Cheryl Wray (see sidebar)

1. Age I was when I first walked:
I was six months premature but I walked right at 12 months anyway. Talented from way back when *snort*

2. Age of my very first memory:
I can remember back when I had just turned four I fell down the stairs of our 'row house' in Williamsport, PA. Ouch!

3. Number of stitches I've had in my life:
Plenty. Plen-ty. The first ones were age Five.I was being stingy with a cut glass dessert bowl full of Lifesavers and fell breaking the bowl and handily slicing my right hand ring finger, tendons and all. It's still not right and I will never be able to bend it straight. *shrug* Lesson: don't be greedy!

4. Number of broken bones I've had in my life:
I broke my left leg Aug 1998 and i've broken a toe twice. Ouch.

5. Number of cars I've owned:
I'm currently on my ninth one.

6. Number of countries I've visited:
Sadly only Canada (Niagara Falls) as a child which I can't even clearly remember

7. The age I was when I moved out of my parents' house:
17 when i went away to college but I didn't move out "for good" until I got married at 27

8. Number of ex-boyfriends in my past: Let's just say I was a popular girl (Not for THAT reason either!) Hmph...

9. Number of televisions in my house:
One (and sometimes one too many) Oops make that two, the other is for gaming.

10. Number of days old I am right now: You are 40 years old . . .

or 492 months old
or 2137 weeks old
or 14960 days old
or 359040 hours old
or 21542458 minutes old
or 1292547520 seconds old

And, your next birthday is in:
15 days 17 hrs 2 mins 20 secs
go

HERE

to calculate your info!

Jeez-us I am glad it is Friday. Bear in mind it is not even quarter after 7a.m. but this morning I already had to bathe Holly in the sink cos'she peed all over the puppy pad in her crate and got pee all over her. Yuck.
Madison showed her ass - ROYALLY.She slept with us practically ALL night long and hence did not sleep well at all and was tired. I stupidly let her watch Scooby Doo before she went to bed and even though the "monster" took his mask off I think it still made a very vivid impression on her. That "boogeyman" thing remains very much in her mind.
Stacy is going to his friends after work. I never mind him doing that,he needs time to himself sometimes (we all do). Sometimes he takes Madison, sometimes not.
Something that makes me smile even though she is a little PILL sometimes (okay lots of times)
I just feel very down and depressed today and it's Payday and the week-end.. but I don't even care :(


Oh and we got her costume changed to a very cute one for the Sweet Potato Festival. She dances at 2p.m. on Saturday October 13th on the Square in Darlington at the Festival. I hope she doesn't get stage fright!

I was going to do a me~me but I was reading about storms etc. and got to thinking about them. I LOVE a good storm. I love lightening, thunder, wind, to see the rain lashing against the windowpane. I don't like go out in a bad storm or especially not drive in rain. I love to be home safe and sound with Stacy and Madison and the pets with a good storm. It's been awhile since we've had a good storm too. Seems like we got more when we lived on Warley Street.Maybe it was the "haunted" aspect? Hmmmm...
I think an ideal vacation for me (other than the beach - duh) would be staying in a big old bed and breakfast or an old hotel and have a rip roaring thunderstorm while cuddled up in bed with Stacy. I would LOVE that! Love it!
Here is my scenario: I would be surrounded by soft white snowy sheets and a thick fluffy comforter and have a big mug of hot sweet milky tea beside me. I can see the rain and wind and dark grey sky through french doors across from the bed. It is cold outside and we have a fire crackling in the fireplace as well but the ceilings are so high that it does little to make a difference as far as warmth goes (hence the thick comforter). The fireplace is mainly a "mood setter" and for atmosphere! Ahhh a girl can dream......
We need rain so badly around here and none in sight. My ferns are dying, my geraniums aren't looking very sporty either. I am bad about forgetting to water. That is why we need a good storm this evening. I'm putting in my order with Mother Nature. Back when we were seriously racing every week, it would rain-rain-rain and I would get so aggravated because it interfered with racing. Now I don't think they've had a single rain-out this whole season and if so, than i'm sure it's been only one.
Tell me what you do or don't like about rain.

I knew I bought SOMETHING the day after Halloween but I couldn't remember what. It was this Halloween Carousel Globe. It was moving which is why it was blurry. I love it! The neighbor kids and Madison do too. This is all we got out last night but by Sunday - look out.
Some people *cough* Liz *cough* have been bugging me to see the house, well you can "kinda" see it :)

This is my newest Fall shirt. You can kinda see the livingroom in this pic also. Please ignore the tacky 80's country looking border. That will be changed eventually. I am so excited about Halloween coming! Whee!

Yesterday when I got home there was a package in my door. I thought "Is it the checks I ordered?". No-o-o-o-o it was a box from Gold Creations in the Market at Charleston. The totally awesome hand-engraved sterling silver signet dome ring that I have been coveting for YEARS. Seriously people every time I have went to the Market in the past four years I have pressed my nose up against the glass like some kind of pitiful puppy drinking in the beauty that is this ring. I had NO idea those two sneaky wenches ordered it when we were there in August. When did they have the time? How did I not know? Okay it was one of the best surprises ever. They did not have to do it, nor did they have to order that awesome custom Packers jersey for the hubs because we were more than happy to share our beach house with them. Thanks again girls. I will wear this ring every day and think of y'all with a smile. You made my day.



Here is my girl before she went to dance class. I think she was eating a caramel. I wish I would have gotten a better shot of her hair. It was a mini version of Princess Leia's 'do.

Shot from behind. My friend Stacy gave her this sweatsuit. It's one of our faves!

Happy Friday y'all. I am in the BEST mood today. Wahoo!

This is my word cloud I made some time ago and this is just how I feel this morning.
Alot of things just all jumbled up in my brain.
I get the "stupid-stupid-stupid" stubborn person award. I blogged week before last that I ruptured my eardrum due to a sinus infection. I took the medicine and the ear seemed better so I cancelled my appointment with the ear specialist yesterday and re-scheduled it for Oct 15th. Well my ear is bleeding inside again pure blood. Ack. I can tough it out but really I guess I should have went.

Thoughts and Prayers go out to my buddy Denny Shane of "Not So Normal News". He suffered a massive stroke with brain bleeding a few weeks ago and is paralyzed on the left side and cannot speak. His daughter in PA is keeping me updated. Denny is a great friend to many bloggers and he will be greatly missed for his wit and intelligence on many many subjects.

My Grandpa used to sing that song :)

*drumroll please* I baked another cake last night and it was done all the way through and although a trifle lop-sided it tastes GOOD. It's all homemade, frosting and all. Oh and Stacy frosted it for me.



I WANT THESE!!!!

Navy suede driving mocs from Lands End. Size 8 I normally wear a 7 but it says to order a size up.
Hmmm how can I get the hubs to read my blog again? Oh he'll just say "You don't need any more shoes". No but I heart these!

..

Do I have "sucker" stamped on my forehead? Is the word out "Pssssttt head for the Tindal's - they'll take you in!"? We have another little girl living with us. Actually she's been here for a few weeks but I think it's official now and she too will go to the vet. Madison LOVES this kitten to pieces and the kitten, bless her heart seems to return the affection. She is so patient and let's Madison pick her up whenever she wants. Maddie has named her "Sneaky".

Here is Madison, Sneaky and my niece Graceson - aren't they cuties?! :)


*update* Holly pooped outside this morning!!! I'm lucky enough to be able to go home at lunch and let her out because I just don't think she can stay in the crate 8 1/2 hours although Reilly goes that long without any problem. Holly ate this morning though and Reilly typically eats in the evening. I've got her on a feeding/water schedule because she's a wolfer and will get sick if left to her own devices.

We went to the Racetrack Friday night. I didn't get any FUG pics (drama going on with friends) but I did get a pic of my favorite driver (next to Stacy, that is) Raef Judd. He usually drives #34 but he has changed his car number to #9 in honor of the "Charleston 9" - Nine firefighters from the Charleston/N Charleston/Summerville,SC area who lost their lives in a blaze on June 18,2007.
Here is the front of Raef's car. It is just beautiful! He came in second by the way which isn't bad for a new car and it's been several months since he raced after destroying his car at the Dillon track.

Here is Maddie and Me with Raef. We have been friends for years. Stacy and he raced against each other at the old Summerville Speedway.


BTW: Anybody got any tips or encouragement to offer? I think Holly is a very old dog and she is not housetrained. I don't think she's incontinent, she will go outside and then come inside and go potty. I have a crate that I put her in last night. I feel like a RAT. I'm sure she doesn't understand why she's being put in there. I am lucky I am able to go home at lunch and let her out and give her some food/water and run around. Still......... Sandra - you've fostered. HELP!

I would like to change her name but maybe she's too old for a name change. We do call her "Lil Bit" also. Perhaps a nickname will have to do. Isn't that the sweetest little face?! She's feisty too. Her and Reilly are already following each other around. Angel is still at Carrie's. Carrie may keep her or we will introduce her at a later date. Must take things one step at a time. She really seems attached to Carrie though (which is okay) :) I don't mind sharing!

Thank you all for your prayers, happy thoughts and healing vibes - they worked! I took Holly to the vet and she is fine. Well, malnourished but she will be okay. The trembling, falling over and vomiting he said were probably a combination of nerves and being given decent food after starving. She has a hernia on her abdomen but he said he thinks it's been there a long time and won't even require surgery. He said he thinks she is much older than 4 (which I suspected) but I don't care. As many years as she has left will be spent being loved and taken care of. Angel is malnourished as well but she does not look nearly as bad as Holly and she didn't exhibit the same problems that Holly did. She goes in for her check up and shots etc. next week. Holly didn't seem to be in any pain and she behaved very well for him. Her heart checked out fine, no heartworms or parasites or cataracts. She was THOROUGHLY checked out believe me! Yes the pocketbook took a hit but it could have been so much worse and I was/am so very relieved. Now we have to feed the sweet girl and build her back up. Again much thanks to you all. It's been a very very worrisome day. I honestly thought that sweet little dog was going to die last night. It was an awful feeling as if i'd failed before I even really had a chance to begin. Anyway all is well. Y'all have a wonderful splendid week-end!

**UPDATE** We have a 4:00 appt at the vet. Holly is doing much better she's eating, drinking and moving around better when I spoke with Carrie at Noon. We're now thinking that maybe her blood sugar was out of whack yesterday/last night because she had previously had so little to eat. Anyway just pray that all she needs is her shots and lots of food and TLC. She had me really scared yesterday. She wouldn't eat or drink and she kept bobbing & weaving and then would fall over and last night she was so lethargic we didn't think she'd last the night and yet we have no emergency vet service around here so we just did what we could.

Well little Holly made it through the night. She is going to the vet this morning. There is more wrong with her than I initially thought but we'll see what can be done. She's such a dear, sweet little thing. I hope it is not as bad as i'm fearing.
Please send prayers, good vibes and get-well wishes Holly's way! Sorry this post is rather anemic. I just don't have alot to say this morning.

Well I ran into a dilemma last night. Two little doggies had been abused and starved and were desperately in need of a good home. Without asking Stacy I said "Yes, i'll take them both" God bless my wonderful husband even though he initially wasn't thrilled with the idea of three little ankle biters he was like "That's cool". Carrie is going to foster them for me until the week-end since she's home all day and we're not.On the way to get them Carrie kept saying "OKay when we get there - we can't cry! No matter what - we can't cry!". We are both so sensitive when it comes to animals. This is Holly. She is only 2-3 lbs - smaller than Reilly even!

Holly is four years old and she has no teeth. I don't know the entire story - don't want to. I could KILL people who are cruel to animals and children and old people. I just can't stand it! She wasn't exactly posing for me but i'll post better pics soon.

This is "Angel". She is about 6-8 lbs. They are both sweet as can be and have wonderful temperaments as far as I can tell. They were very loving toward us from the start and not overly shy or timid as I was afraid of. They were friendly to Madison also and even Reilly seemed okay with them. They wagged tails and alot of sniffing was done. Of course we may have some bumps ahead but I think it will be okay. We will go to the Vet on Saturday. I know Holly has a leg that looks like it was broken at one point and she limps but I don't think she's in any pain from it. She sure doesn't act like it. They both are pretty little Yorkies although I think Angel may be a Yorkipoo. Not sure there either! I don't care. I just know they are darling little dogs and i'm glad they are a part of my family!


I have a presentation and meeting this a.m. so I won't be doing any blog reading or commenting on my comments until late morning/afternoon! Y'all behave!

Okay I was in a GREAT mood, on my way to work, jamming to Shake Ya Tailfeather (I know it's old - shut it!) and then I get in the parking lot of Crying Cow Bank and Pfffttt.... (no I did not fart).

To The Dumb Bitch in the Raggedy White Car - You do NOT have to follow so closely in the parking lot Mmmmmkay. and when I call you on it "I didn't know you were backing up to park" is not an acceptable excuse. The point is if you were not up my F'in tailpipe - we wouldn't have had a problem.

To The Hens in my area - Will you just shut the f*ck up for five minutes. Just five.minutes. You give me a headache every freaking day. Chatter~chatter~chatter. It's enough to make a girl go postal.

To Dog Lady- You're $900 dog - oh, did I mention it cost $900? I have a $900 m*altese.... Get the point? It is a dog. A d-o-g. It can't fly, it can't walk on water and i'm sure it can not ever be even 1/4 cute as you gush on and on and on and on that it is. Put a cork in it lady. We are so over it.

To The People at "Slice It Pizza"- Get your shit together and get the damn restaurant open already. I rolled up there last night just ready to get my Pizza on and you weren't open for business yet. Are you freakin' kidding me? How many months does it take? GAH!

This is Madison and our youngest neighbor Jordan. He is a little over a year older than she is. They play so good together!

He is kinda shy but he finally warmed up and will talk to me now. This is their favorite pastime besides digging in the dirt. Kenya and Leon are very good neighbors. Stacy and Leon both take care of Miss Rose's yard. She's an elderly lady who lives to the left of us on the cul-de-sac.

Who is the best or worst or better yet "most memorable" neighbor you have had?

P.S. Yes I know it is the sixth anniversay of 9/11 however I just don't feel like blogging about it. I just hope there are no more events like that - ever.

We went to S'ville to the MIL's Friday afternoon and had a nice quiet evening Friday. It was cool and nice. Saturday I went shopping with the hubs' Aunt and got some VERY good deals and had alot of fun. I finally have a shopping buddy. Carolina beat Georgia - YEAH! Go Gamecocks!
Sunday we went to lunch at Stacy's favorite place which is no longer in Florence, Pizza Inn.
Here we are showing our Packers Spirit! They beat the hated Eagles! Yeah! Yes Brett threw an interception (what do you expect from a wild young gunslinger *snort*) but a win is a win and the Eagles have been a pita for several years now.

Stacy is wearing the custom jersey that Katie and Cheeky sent him! It looks GREAT girls and he loves it!

Stacy and his nephew Chad showing some Packer Pride!

She was eager to go to dance last night as you can see. I already told some of you this but she will be dancing in the Sweet Potato Festival in Darlington, SC on October 13th. I don't know what time yet but i'm guessing between 9a.m.-11a.m. I hope she doesn't get stage fright or anything!

I also want to say a big THANK YOU to Katie and Cheeky for sending the hub a personalized Green Bay Packers Jersey. He LOVES IT! Pictures forthcoming! You guys didn't have to do it but you are the best!

I have been tagged simultaneously by The Peanut Queen and Retro Girl with a fun tag (albeit an easy one for me)
Anyway, the tag is "If you were left alone on a deserted island, which celebrity would you choose to spend time with?"

Honey anybody who knows me, knows if I have breath in my body that my fav-o-rite celebrity is Brett Favre. Quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. I luvs me that man!
Pros:We would have fun on that island, um, Brett could show me some awesome, um, football plays and he could tell me all about winning the Super Bowl.
Cons: Puh-lease. Nothing to gripe about here except well maybe Stacy & Deanna (aka the spouses) wouldn't bee too happy about us being on that island?!


My back-up choice would be Nascar Driver Elliott Sadler. What IS it about these southern boys? Mmm mm mm.....
Pros: His voice would keep me hypnotized and I wouldn't even notice the fact that I was slowly starving to death plus he could show me some awesome driving moves. Maybe we could make a go-cart out of a crate, banana leaves and some coconuts or something. I'm just saying...
Cons: Sorry but I can't come up with anything negative about being stranded with Elliott either. I could make the best of a bad situation! (quit laughing- I see you!)

Honestly though, he's not famous, not a celebrity but if I had to be stranded on a desert island I would truly want it to be with THIS guy. My darling husband Stacy.
Pros: I already know all of his bad habits, er assuming he had any *grin*
He makes me laugh. There wouldn't be any awkward moments as we've pretty much seen each other in every scenario life could offer!
Cons: No cons here either. He's my life partner, the cream of the crop and i'd marry him all over again given the choice. I love you sweetheart!

THREE

PLUS

IN THE (that would be a butt, behind, posterior in case anyone couldn't identify it. You didn't think i'd put a pic of MY butt up here didja?!)

EQUALS
let's say it all together now....

A RUPTURED EAR DRUM with infection on the side!

It can only happen to me people. Now pray the mega-strong antibiotic doesn't cause, um, other complications. Holy.Holy.Holy. Well this explains why i've felt like a bear with a thorn in her paw. Yes it's almost 3a.m. I can't sleep :(

was Poe's Tavern on neighboring Sullivan's Island. I definitel want to go back there!

It was very cute and quaint but kinda "sinister" too!

the place was crowded when we got there and I now know why. the food was AWESOME. Madison had mac n' cheese and french fried (thin, hand cut fries!). I had drunken chili cheese fries and Stacy & Katie both had the Pit and Pendulum Burger (a bacon cheeseburger). All of the burgers were named after Poe's stories. They were HUGE. Which is why I only got an appetizer but that was way too much also. Definitely a "share" kinda place!

We are off to the Lake today. I wanted to mention to my fellow scary movie buffs about this movie: My nephew's girlfriend was Liv Tyler's stand-in :)

The Strangers is a 2007 horror thriller from Rogue Pictures. The story is about about a young couple that are staying in a cabin. They are later followed, tormented, and terrorized by three strangers. The movie was filmed in Florence, South Carolina. The film is scheduled to be released nationwide on October 26, 2007.

Cast

* Scott Speedman... James
* Liv Tyler... Kristen
* Gemma Ward... Masked Stranger
* Kip Weeks... Masked Stranger
* Laura Margolis... Pinup
* Glenn Howerton... Mike

She did so good last night at dance class. I took some video but am having a !@#$&* time getting it uploaded to Y*utube. I had to explain to her that we didnt' pay for "Boy" to take dance lessons and he had to wait outside with me and Daddy.

After class was over Miss Patsy let the parents come in and see what the children have learned. Keep in mind Madison has only been once before and they didn't even really do anything then. She missed last week because we were at IOP. Well she turned it out. She didn't even pay attention to me and Stacy. She watched Miss Patsy and did what she was she was supposed to do. I was almost in tears (silly, I know). My babygirl just looked so grown up and.... well......... *sniffle*

Also want to report she got a STAR last night and now has earned a toy! Wahoo!

We headed down toward Charleston Saturday late morning. We stopped by the MIL's and then finally were off on our beach vacation. Yahoo! We had to cross the Cooper River via the new Arthur Ravenel Bridge. I am slightly scared of bridges but this is better than the two bridges that were here before this one. Not nearly as scary.

Nice family shot outside the beach house. Dontcha just love that big ol' fat Palm Tree? Of course being the "Isle Of Palms" they were EVERYWHERE. We all had on our IOP t-shirts that we got FREE at City Hall. How cool is that?

Madison and "big boy". They are like two peas in a pod those two! Katie took the pics.There are alot more but I had to share a few.

One of the best pictures I have of me and my girl. Thanks Katie!

Does she not look SO grown up! I heart these black & white beach pics so much!

I have really been a teensy weensy depressed since we got back. I just really miss laying on the beach, the breeze blowing over me, the sound of the ocean, the cool water. *sigh*

About Miss Katie:
My daughter thinks I steal her clothes!

She is an AWESOME photographer

She has a free spirit and a fun-loving sense of adventure

She will play in the ocean with my daughter when I will not

She has great taste in books and will lend them to you!

She has beautiful hair and my husband was awed by the fact that she could
put it up with no mirror!

About Miss Cheeky:
She will do a U-turn in a heartbeat!

She has the most beautiful eyes

She will follow you around a store even if you don't buy anything, with a smile!

She is the veritable wikipedia of song lyrics. No lie. I bow to her on this.

She wears cute pink sunglasses, and wears them well!

She will go places alone (without me or Katie) and cause my child undue anxiety
over her whereabouts!

**** I think my child would have happily flew back to Minnesota with Katie and Cheeky. Seriously.

Not going to inundate you with pictures all at once. I'll spread them out over a few days :)
Here is me & Cheeky chilling on the couch. Can I just say I heart this girl and we could sit and talk for hours non-stop or just sit and read. She is sweet, funny and I love hearing about her wonderful family. She really doesn't mind being your chauffer either (or if she DOES, she hides it damn well!).She's a "keeper"!

Here is me & Katie. This was our first time meeting IRL but we said "Hi", hugged each other and it was like we had known each other forever. Katie is an awesome bartender and doesn't mind sharing her liquor. I love that in a person. She is also VERY funny, I LOVE her sense of humor and she has the golden touch when it comes to kids.

Stacy and Madison were completely won over by these two. I just wish it could have been a longer visit. Time sure does fly when you're having fun!

Thanks SO much for all of the comments while I was gone. WOW I sure am feeling the love. Please know that I missed all of you very much and wondered what was going on with you daily. Now I have to do some legitimate work then i'll get caught up so please be patient if it takes me a day or so. It's good to be back!

This kid.........

finally stayed in her room all night long and earned the first stars on her chart! Whooppeeee!!! Hooray!!!! Yes we made a big deal out of it and she was pleased as punch. She got to pick out the stars (all blue) and put them on the chart. Does this mean she'll stay in her bed tonight? Probably not (law of averages ya know!) but it's a START!!!
I will be MIA all next week as I will be on the Isle Of Palms relaxing, sunning and enjoying my family. Don't hate.