I had to break out the old Easter sweater. Last year I completely forgot I had it and never wore it. I'm wearing it one time then it's in storage again until next year. Yes I am one of those dorks who wear the holiday themed sweaters! I would hate to disappoint the lurkers from D*atalounge who think i'm a classic cliche'.

Got alot to to do before Sunday. Have to make up 15 small baskets for Madison's pre-school class. Boil eggs and color them to hide. Might sneak a few candy filled ones in there too since Mom doesn't like boiled eggs. Ick. Have to make up and hide Madison's basket (real excited about that) and maybe find a way to put "bunny tracks" in the house if it won't be too messy.

This is one of my favorite Easter Cartoons!

Now that the wearin' o' the green is over we look ahead to Easter which is - gasp! - this coming Sunday.
I don't know when St. Pat's and Easter have EVER been so close together. I've got all the preparations made so i'm ready.
I'm eating dinner at my parents so I don't have to cook.
Madison is really excited about the prospect of hunting for the basket the Bunny leaves for her.
We will also be dying Easter Eggs probably Friday night or Saturday. I want to do an egg hunt for her and whatever other kids we can scare up.
Also things are getting even more shaky at Crying Cow Bank so although I will be sure and do some type of daily post I won't get to do much if any blog visiting during the day at work.
Maybe once in awhile - we'll see. I will have to do it at night but you know I won't forget about you all. As if!
Hope Cheeky, Katie and the Lil' Cheeky's have a blast at Bon Jovi tonight!

May the luck o' the Irish be with you today my bloggy friends!
Stacy, Chad and I decided to go out Saturday night so went to O'Lacy's Pub where they were having a St. Pat's Day bash! Free beads, $2 green jello shots, $2 Green Beer. Then we went to another pub that began with an Mc - uh I honestly don't remember the name was I wasn't driving either!!!!!
I may or may not have sang in public......

Stacy and Chad patiently waiting on food and beverages!

This guy here we dubbed "the leprechaun" because he was maybe my height if he was lucky and wearing a kilt and already hammered. I feel certain somebody kicked his ass before the sun rose the next morning begorrah! He was very obnoxious LOL (but funny)

Stacy did some drunk-dialing,

some people

did not answer their phone but

other people

did! LOL

Sweet economy-size baby Jesus!
Thank you for Tranzine because without a half one in the morning all of my blogging friends would see me on CNN or read about me on Yahoo News.
I'd be the one who took out the whole first floor of her Crying Cow Bank building with an Uzi. Yep that would be me.

That is if I didn't drive into High Hill Creek on my way into work after fighting once again with my three year old about what is proper wear for a balmy March morning that will grow into a fairly hot March day.
NO you cannot wear Dora tights with your gingham checked shorts and green shirt.

NO you cannot wear the Dora tights, long sleeved shirt and overalls, you will burn up.

NO you cannot wear the black/red dress with the crinoline underneath to school, it's a special occasion dress.

NO you cannot wear a dress with a big honking candy cane on it.

Um, what DID she end up wearing? Glad you asked. The Dora tights and a t-shirt dress with flowers on it. Some battles you just have to give into eventually. It was the lesser of the evils trust me.
Must go take my Tranzine now. Is it 3:30 yet?????????!!!!

(seriously though typing all this out made me laugh so who says blogging isn't therapeutic). Better to laugh than cry as my dear Momma has often said!

Also I wanted to let you know when I start leaving comments I start at the bottom of my blogger list and work my way up. If you haven't posted I try to check back later but don't always succeed. I always try to catch up if I see i've missed a post. Just to let you know you are not forgotten and I DO check!

Practicing her make-up skills on her baby! You should have seen DADDY when she got through with him. Maybe next time I can sneak a picture!

She was "on her throne" in her room. Must not be disturbed. :)

Today I believe will be another good day. The Easter Bunny visit went well last night. At first she was like "No way". Then she agreed to stand beside the Bunny if he didn't touch her. Next thing I know she had sidled around and he was lifting her up in his lap! She got a pink kaleidescope egg and a pinwheel!

This is a new book about spring and planting flowers

Now she's eager to get some seeds and plant. I had to explain it's not quite time yet but soon....

I could have done a rant of PSA's today in fact I think I will:

Starting with my asshat boss who doesn't have the balls to speak to anyone directly but always has a minion do his talking for him. Dude, grow a pair.

The fat guy in the red rollerskate who zipped right into the parking place I was going to back into and then bolted for the building. Yeah you knew technically you were ripe for a good cussing out. Coward.

My co-workers who just can't seem to mind their own got damned business. Get a life people. Sweet tiny.baby.jesus. Get A Life.

On the homefront we had a very pleasant time this morning. No tears, no arguements, no leaving in anger. In fact Madison is going to visit the Easter Bunny at the Mall tonight and swears she will not cry. Full report tomorrow!

It's mostly home stuff. Madison is getting out of control and i'm afraid she's turning into a spoiled brat. That kid has everything, we do everything for her and I just want to run away screaming sometimes and live like a bag lady. It gets to be too much. NOTHING compared to what others are going through right now, I realize that. I do have it good. I have a family who I love and who loves me, I have a place to lay my head at night, food to eat, a car that runs, money in the bank, no huge debt.... i'm just.... I don't know. I left the house in anger this morning and I feel bad about that but sometimes you can only take so much.

to go with this post. Oh my what a Saturday I had!
I was out of good reading material so it was off to the library.
Stacy & Madison were off to Harbor Freight and then to his friend T's house so I knew I had some time. I made the most of it and got some fabby books so ya know I was in a good mood.
Well I knew we were due to have high winds from about 10a.m.-7p.m. with gusts up to 70mph.
I saw one power line down on the way to the Library and while I was at the Library some lighting went out. I thought "I'd better get on home" cos' the wind was really affecting my driving even.
I get home and what do I see?
For one, our carport all torn to hell. I could take a pic of that still but not too interesting.
Then I notice Madison's Bouncy House merrily skittering along through a neighbors yard.
Thank Bob I got home when I did cos' it would have been GONE and probably never seen again.
I leapt out of the car and took off after it.
Well, you should have saw me trying to wrestle it back through the other yard THEN I hit the !@#$%^&*&%$##@! tree line (which seperates the yards) with all the bare branches and stuff. Oh the cussing - but I prevailed.
I got the Bouncy House back over on the side of the house and then ran inside to put away my groceries (I had some frozen things).
I glance up and sonofabitch it goes flying by again.
I dash out of the house and catch it before it goes through the friggin branch hell and wrestle it back to the side of the house again then I drive Madison's Barbie Bug into it.
There, that sucker oughta hold ya down. Hah!
I go back in and resume putting groceries away.
Then, I am getting some clothes out of the Dryer when I see a strange dog cruise by the doorway in my yard. I remember Reilly is still outside from the mad dash for the Bouncy House and I run outside.
Oh !@#$%^&& there is a HUGE Great Dane out there as well as a big brown/white spaniel.
I panic and toss Reilly into the house and then I remember "Oh, those are Karen's dogs".
Karen is my groomer who lives down the road a little ways. I call the dogs to me and they are friendly and gentle as lambs but very excited about their freedom and I have no way of restraining them.
I know I can't get to the phone (note to self: we need a cordless phone and one with a built-in answering machine).
I talk to the dogs urging them to stay here, come on be good boys etc. and I dash in and grab my cellphone which was turned off.
I coax the dogs back (see how fast they started off as soon as I went in the house?) and I called Karen and she was on her way down to get them.
The Great Dane (who I am not shitting you came almost up to my shoulder just standing on four legs) decided "OH this is such a nice lady I think i'll jump up on her" and hilarity ensued.
I don't know WHAT that dog weighs but it's more than me. I told him "One more time boy and we'll both be flat on the ground".
The Spaniel in the meantime stood there grinning, as Spaniel's will. He had much to grin at believe me.
Then Thankfully Karen pulled up in her minivan and ushered the dogs inside. She thanked me for calling her.
They had gotten away and she had no idea which direction they had gone.
I shudder to think if they had made it to the main road which is not that far. Anyway that is my version of "Windy Day from Hell".

Happiness is ...... a trashcan full of liquor bottles
Happiness is not.... that you have no more liquor bottles for the trashcan

Happines is.... a cold french martini
Happiness is not.... a headache looming on the horizon after X number of martinis

Happiness is.... your child falling to sleep all on her own
Happiness is not... if she comes into your bedroom waking you up at o'dark o'clock

Happiness is wishing your sweet blog friend a Happy Anniversary
Happiness is not... they are a gazillion states away

Happiness is .... planning a visit to Mississippi to stalk Brett Favre when I visit Southern Fried Girl
Happiness is not... the sheer fact that Brett has retired dammit.

Okay my nose is getting numb which is a clear time i'm about to start posting shit that will be alien to all of us. Slainte'!

Y'all all know I heart me some holiday decor. This is the last one until Halloween and darn it - I couldn't find my blow-ups and I do have two small ones. (they are VERY hard to find for Easter unless you order online and the shipping is EXORBITANT).
I present my entranceway. Shaddup about that !@#$$% wallpaper SHELL! LOL

I bought these big eggs at Hobby Lobby. I might go back and get some more. I like them.

These little twirly guys line the walk-way! Whee!!!

A view stepping back. Too bad we only have one tree instead of the four we had last year to do an easter egg tree but one is better than none right?!

A little signage just to make sure the Bunny doesn't hop on by!

I just thought this "up close" pic of the eggs was sort of neat. Perspective.

I am feeling a little better but I still think I am going to go ahead and call to go in and discuss surgery - in a few months maybe May or June. *sigh* What a year it's been for Doctor's and hospitals but hey it could have been funeral homes and cemetaries so i'd best shut up and count those blessings! :)
p.s. I don't know how to get rid of that weird thing below the first picture so ignore it!

This was what her and her Dad were doing while I went to Urgent Care (for the record he offered to go but I saw no point).
First Sneaky had to check it out..........

I think i'll give it a jump....

Hey! This is pretty fun!

Now it's time for me to let Sneaky go out. She's not much on jumping!

Had to go to Urgent Care last night, don't feel like posting much today (not the flu). Probably won't be getting around to reading much today either but you know i'll catch up eventually.
Thanks to Daisy and Manblogger for the cute St. Pat's Day card they sent. Madison loved it but she's a little confused about St Pat's/Easter (since they are so close this year). Y'all have a great day.

Anybody else love AC/DC? They are one of many rock bands I love. Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick,Queen are some others. I love this shirt. I have a few t-shirts (

Katie

and I share a common AC/DC one) but I just really love this thermal shirt.
Stacy is recuperating good and my baby girl is back home with us. She had been at her Grandma's since Wednesday! We missed her so!

Okay after my hard day of sitting on my ass nursing my infirm spouse I went for a little shopping expedition.
To start with I got some baby gifts for Stacy's friend/workmate Brett who is having a baby next month. A baby bank filled with crap stuff such as a rattle, snack bowls, sippy cup etc, a ralph lauren polo baby onesie, a GAP baby outfit. I don't know Brett's new wife, but I was friends with his former psycho wife and wish him the BEST this go-round!

I got some Easter stuff for Madison. Two cute spring capris (one pair flowered on left and the one on right striped)and a shirt with a sequined bunny on it that will match either pair. A pair of socks with easter eggs adoring them and the classic "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" DVD. I hope she likes it but not as much as A Christmas Story wherein I have to watch it every.freaking.day. LOL

I also got some stuff to celebrate upcoming St. Pat's Day. A shirt for me, and an Irish Boa (got one for Madison too) and pair of Beer Glasses for Stacy. Yee Haw! Bring on the Green Beer!

Then last but not least I got these shoes (or as the cashier said "Oo wee you got you some hot mamma shoes!" (I kid you not) These will match the black and red dresses I recently bought.

Y'all won't even believe how long I was gone screwing around shopping. I left at like 10:30 a.m. and didn't return until almost 5 p.m. and only went to Kohls and Target!

Rarin' to go! Actually we had to be there before 6 a.m. and I was so sleepy I crawled up in to bed with him and napped for over an hour before a nurse came in.

Whoo hoo aren't those surgical caps just too sexay?! The first old guy who came and wheeled Stacy to the prep room had been with the hospital for 42 years. I wish I would have taken his picture. He was great! I think he put Stacy at ease.

Back in the room with his leg all bundled up in a heavy brace. He can actually walk on it with the brace. Something we were not expecting but are VERY thankful for. NOT that it is easy, it just isn't as hard as we had feared. Does that make sense?

They have this cooler pack thingie hooked up to Stacy's leg and it allows "icing it" without the pain or mess of an ice pack. It's pretty cool. Hah. Pardon the pun!

Last but not least... those damn hospital johnny gowns never fit properly do they? *snort*

*** Just so you know I do have Stacy's permission to post these pics. We laughed and giggled this morning and made the best out of what could have been a miserable day.

Last but not least here he is relaxing at home in his recliner....look at that sweet little face peeping out! Isn't that the cutest little doggie nurse ever?

We leave at o'dark thirty so he can have arthroscopic surgery on his knee. It's his first surgery EVER. I know he's nervous but of course he's such a manly man he won't admit it. I will take good care of him during his recovery. He gets six weeks so he should be nice and mellow by the time he goes back to the old salt mines. I just hope his surgery is a success. He's had such a bad time with this knee for awhile. I'll probably catch up with y'all Thursday while he's recuping and Mad's at school.

Madison had to wear her pink weave :)

Picture of Mommy taken by Maddie. Ignore the double chin please - not the most flattering angle!

We sat next to this young couple, she had straight blonde hair and was "beside" me, Stacy and Madison sat across from me with the guy "beside" Madison. Madison says to me "Mommy her hair is pretty". I said "Yes honey it is". She continued "You're hair is not pretty. It's ratty". The girls date burst out laughing and me & Stacy did too. WTF? Moi going to Olive Garden with ratty hair??? I think NOT! LOL The things kids say!

Well i'm back here at work for one day before the week-end. The weather is craptastic and cold but hey... somehow it could be worse!
I am not one to wear dresses alot. I've got a few beachy ones I wear in the summer and for bathing suit cover-ups but you will never see me just say "Hey I think i'll wear a dress today for the hell of it". It's rare I find a dress I like much less love. Well here is the LBD (Little Black Dress for those who are fashion impaired *snicker*) I wore for our dinner out last Saturday night. The burnout velvet is very subtle so I can get away with wearing this year round because of the short sleeves and could add a jacket if necessary.

It's been awhile since i've had a SEXY dress but I LOVED this one upon sight. It is a dark red (the color looks sort of pink to me but that was my stellar photography skills). Not sure where i'll wear this one to but Stacy says I will so....... What do ya think?

I cheated and did this yesterday but anyway she was feeling better and wanted to play in her room (i.e. get out toys, spread them around and make a mess)



Yes that IS a Vera Bradley purse Katie & Cheeky. :) She put all of her toys away and then proudly came and told me she was done playing in her room. A very nice surprise!

This friend was a valentines gift from Mommy and Daddy (we thought it suited it her to a "tee"!)



Another chum who resides in her pink princess rocking chair most of the time.

Also Shell, to let you know the pillow you sent was her main-stay. She held onto that thing, dozed on it until it got puked on Tuesday night and the cover is being laundered today.

Hi Guys n' Gals

Sorry for no post today, Madison is one sick little chica. She's taking a tubby now after barfing in Kmart when we went to pick up her scripts hence my quickie post. I will be keeping her home tomorrow as well so maybe you'll hear from me Thursday.
Hope all is well with you all. This just came up out of NOWHERE as sickness often does.

Okay I KNOW y'all are going to kill me but I forgot my camera. It was charging and I just walked right out of the house without it. So... I will try to show you my week-end with some pictures "borrowed" from the internet. The Southeastern Wildlife Expedition was going on while we were there. Jack Hanna was a guest. What I thought was so neat was EVERYONE brought their dogs, mostly big dogs. We saw one pug and a few other medium sized dogs but no "lap dogs". Labs were the most prevalent. I didn't see any dog poop (and yes I was looking) I wonder who gets that wonderful job????

We enjoyed some shopping on King Street. Can I just say that I may sound like a nerd or whatever but Urban Outfitters is the WEIRDEST store I have ever been in. Bizarre.
We ate lunch at the Mellow Mushroom (best steak pizza EVER) and yeah I got drunk and might have drunk texted a few persons. I am not supposed to text anymore but Stacy knew he was gettin' some later so he didn't care *snicker*

For our (rather late) dinner I had seafood pasta....

While Stacy had some delectible Prime Rib

We had the best cupcakes in the World at CUPCAKE at $30 per dozen they are pricey but man are they good and the variety. If you EVER get to King Street you have to try one.

Oh and here is our hotel... it was nice, the harbor view was gorgeous!


Somehow Madison screwed up the resolution on my computer when she was doing online play-doh puzzles and it is driving me NUTS! Happy Presidents Day all and I hope you had a great week-end as well!

Also last... but NOT least go give my friend BRAD some love and take part in his cool new "Ask Brad the Stay At Home Dad". His instructions are"

Please submit questions in the following format:

Dear Brad the Stay At Home Dad,

*Your question here*

Signed,

Your name or anonymous

All you have to do to get started is think of a burning question you have always wanted to ask and email me at bradegel@comcast.net (Please submit questions by email only and not through the comments section of this blog)

If you choose to remain anonymous I will never breach that confidentiality agreement.

I will also let you know if your question has been selected and give you a heads up so you know to look for your answer and the discussion that follows.

Brad is a great picture taker and a very entertaining writer (as well as a Nascar Fan) and has the cutest son, Sammy, as well as a Beautiful Wife and his Mom is the sweetest lady ever! Go Visit Brad!

Mine was just fine. I ate more chocolate than usual and my face is breaking out just a little but oh well. That, too, shall pass. We took Madison to dance class and handed out treat bags. The girls were delighted (and a few little boys who tag along with their sisters as well). I am super excited because we will be taking pictures for the dance recital program the beginning of April. You can believe i'll be taking out an "ad" in the program for my baby girl! They've also moved the venue to a brand new place that will be much more parking friendly as well as mobility friendly to older folks (like my Mom). Great news all around!
I just know today is going to d-r-a-g because i've got this wonderful week-end coming up but I will make it through. I've got to take my camera and pray it acts okay so I can have a few pics to share from my week-end. Happy Friday Everyone!

For some reason that heading and this picture just cracks me up. Yeah i'm juvenile like that!

The dinner Stacy cooked was DELICIOUS. That cube steak couldn't have been better. So tasty! Madison helped him mash the potatoes and she just loved that. They were yummylicious too along with the gravy. The nut forgot to tell me there was lemon meringue pie too but I spied it this morning and it will be enjoyed! Stacy hit a homerun with that dinner let me tell you.

Woke up and Gave Stacy his card and candy (put some $ in the card) and when Maddie came in she gave him his gifts a USC muscle shirt (he loves muscle shirts) and a new pair of Levis. My baby will be stylin' and profilin' :) (do people still say that? LOL)
Then we sent Maddie out to the livingroom where she had Valentine cards waiting, a heart shaped box of candy and a big monkey dressed like a princess. It was so cute! She was so pleased. I should have taken some pictures!
We have our reservations for Charleston, we are staying on the harborview side. My unreliable niece didn't come through (no surprise there). Someday I will learn my lesson with that girl and realize I have given for the last time. She's such a taker. Snows her Mother all the time but I know the truth. Oh well. Hope y'all have a good day and at least get a little.................. candy that is!

I got the ADORABLE pillow that

Shell

made for Madison in the mail yesterday. It went right on her bed. It is so plump and so soft and just precious. Thank you so much Shell. Madison has a "thing" for pillows so it was quite a HIT!

Yesterday I wrote about Valentines Day (which is tomorrow). As you all know I love holidays. I am sort of sad that Easter comes early this year. Next month St. Patrick's Day is on March 17th (as always) and then on March 23rd (less than a week later) comees Easter. I am not even putting out my holiday flags, just keeping my SC State Flag flying until it gets warm enough to put up my summer "Flip Flop" themed one. I already have most of my Valentines purchases. I still need to get two more things to complete my list. Then it's on to Easter! I like to buy early because if you don't all the good stuff is gone. Maddie is excited about her Valentines Party at school tomorrow. I will (probably) make treat bags for work and Stacy's work and the kids in Madison's dance class. Stacy is cooking me dinner tonight - cube steak, gravy and mashed potatoes. Something we haven't had in awhile. I'm sure it will be yummy!

For this week-end i'm trying to plan what I want to do. I hope my sometimes unreliable niece can get us a room reserved (she works for the Hilton Chain) as it will be a busy week-end in Charleston and I asked her last week. As I said she's unreliable but I guess I will call her tonight and check. I am not sure where I want us to eat dinner at (the "dress up" dinner). Maybe California Dreaming ... there is a thrift shop on King Street i'd like to visit. Strangely enough I don't think I care about going to the Market. Been there done that and it's always the same. Oh well i've got time to think about it! Enough rambling here. I'm done for now.
Oh and I had some "issues" with my blogroll so if you disappeared off of it and want back on let me know.

Valentines Day is fast approaching. I do not have any high expectations for it. We are going away this week-end (for which i'm very glad) but I am trying not to have any high expectations for that either. That way I won't be disappointed. My sweet hub did try to book us a Dinner Cruise but it was already booked up. He gets an "E" for effort on that one. He did try. I am convinced there are three kinds of Valentines Couples. 1) they totally ignore the holiday and the wife secretly resents it (or sometimes not so secretly) 2) the husband goes all out, flowers at work etc. to impress her co-workers. 3) the hub genuinely does not know what in the hell to do. He wants to but spending mucho $ on flowers seems a waste to him. The wife wants him to go all out for her and make her feel really really special. But spending mucho $ on flowers seems a bit silly to her too. I already have gifts for Stacy from Madison and the pets and i'm doing a little something for him also. I think he will be pleased.
I bought a "little black dress" this past week-end. I've always wanted to get dressed up for Valentines Day and even though we are not going on the cruise i'm getting dressed up for dinner or whatever we do. I want to feel beautiful and special. Something I haven't felt in awhile.