After the blowing and raining got done Friday Night/Saturday Morning it turned out to be a nice day (humid as hell but otherwise nice). We decided to go to Columbia and ended up eating at one of our favorite spots - Hooters!

Daddy got in on the action and had his picture taken with Madison and the Hooter Girls too! U da man Daddy!

Sunday we went in search of a Mermaid Costume (neither W*l Mart nor T*rget have their Halloween out yet - i'm impressed!) and ate at Applebees in Hartsville. She had to give Daddy a smooch!

She was just being goofy here, we enjoyed her so much this week-end! She's finally getting out of that "baby-tantrum" stage and is fun to be with.

I hope everyone else had a most excellent week-end as well. Not too thrilled to be at work this a.m. BUT I have a paycheck right... and I take my first TEST tonight!

I know, I know, a RARE post from the Monogram Queen on the week-end! Just wanted to let y'all know we made it through okay. Had alot of wind got about 5 inches of rain so it wasn't too bad. Stacy moved everything to safety (my stained glass window, patio cushions, furniture, swings etc). Now i'm trying to figure out what I want to do with the rest of the week-end! Hope y'all have a great one!

My Pearls and Wedding Rings ... given to me by my beloved husband, Stacy.
My hand-monogrammed ring from Charleston... given to my by my dear friends Bella and Cheeky........

What is something that defines you?

****EDITED TO ADD**** we are now under a Tropical Storm Warning for our County

I hope the boss is mellow today and I hope he okays the week of Christmas off for me like I asked him.
My trip to the dentist still has me cringing. I swear I can still smell the burnt peanut-y smell. Gack. Turns my stomach. He did a bang-up job though. I go back Sept 30th. Will be glad to get it all over and done with.
I am feeling so-o-o-o-o restless. I need a trip. Stacy if you're reading this - hint~hint.
I know what he'd say. "Next Month".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET NIECE JULIANA Who turns FIVE today! It seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms at Christmas at Ma's :)

As much as I love the beach - and I do love the beach alot anymore, I love Fall best. I am so happy to see September arrive. Madison and I were at the Playground yesterday morning and I saw some golden leaves gently drifting to the ground ....
It was nice three-day week-end. Didn't get some things done that I would have liked to, but I spent time with loved ones and that is most important.
Boss is out today, leaving me with peace and blessed quiet (hearing him call my name sets my teeth on edge) and even though I have a dentist appointment I don't even mind that because i'm getting the damage done by my braces fixed.
Maddie and I sat out on the porch last night waiting on the Pizza Delivery person and it was downright chilly!
Thoughts & Prayers going out to those affected by Gustav. I even dreamed about it Saturday, Sunday & last night. Also keeping an eye on Hanna churning out there and now we have joinging the party Ike - Yikes! (Sorry - couldn't resist!).

Cheryl Wray is turning the big 4-0 today and she's hosting a birthday party on her blog. Fun! I love pink and picked out this pink poufy party dress to wear to your party Cheryl. The design would allow me to eat lots of cake and goodies and hides a multitude of caloric sins!

You can't have a birthday without CAKE! Yummy looking frosting!

I'm a big fan of jumping on the bed or the couch but what's a party without - you got it THE ELECTRIC SLIDE! C'mon don't be bashful. Join right in!

I hope you have a wonderful, fantabulous day with your equally wonderful, fantabulous family & friends! Happy Birthday my sweet friend! Maybe before the next one rolls around you can add me to your "met IRL friends" list! :)

Since i've got another post set up for tomorrow I wanted to take a minute and wish an early Happy Birthday to another of my favorite bloggers born on August 31st - Southern Fried Girl whose blog is May I Nap Now? in my blogroll. She is currently readying to evacuate her home in NOLA due to Hurricane Gustv and her and the family are in my prayers. To top it off she is expecting her first child the beginning of November AND her husband is a Firefighter and won't be able to leave with her. That is a whole lot on a girl at one time so keep her in your thoughts okay? Also thinking about my girl Andie who lives on the 'Bama coast. Hugs & Godspeed to you all!

Stacy and I were both sick as dogs last night. I got sick after I picked Maddie up and we stopped by my Mom's. Stacy managed to get home, take her to dance class THEN get sick.
It did not help that I had a small salad for lunch and no snacks in the afternoon and had the dry heaves the entire time. I think I scared Madison to death! She was so concerned and kept fussing around me like a little mother hen. She was so good and ate her dinner, took her bath and went to bed like a big girl. Stacy slept in his recliner and I fought the bed all night. Reilly alternated between the bedroom and livingroom. He gets concerned too. It's cute.
Started feeling like I could maybe take a sip of something around 3 a.m. then I took an Aleve because I felt like someone had beat me with a bag of rocks.
Have I mentioned how GLAD I am that today is Friday?
*** Also please say a prayer for my buddy SFG who is in New Orleans, and understandably concerned about that bastard Gustav. Go Away Gustav! NOLA suffered enough three years ago with Katrina!
EDITED to ADD: Also pray for Andie who may have to evacuate her fam and all her critters too off of the Gulf coast and Hannah who might hit Florida (Stacy -Peanut Queen)or HORRORS - US!

This is my beautiful red entranceway, and my iron frog hooks hanging to the left as you walk in. Madison's backpack, dance bag and my coat are hanging from them.

I had the day from HELL at work yesterday which is why I couldn't get online. Today I will try and at least pop in and respond to comments and I will catch up on reading blogs over the (Thank GOD) long week-end!

Oh and No I didn't get a new camera, just borrowed my sister's to download some pics she had in hers for her. I'm enjoying hers though. Might even get some FUG if we go to the races Friday night just for Manblogger!

Miss y'all and please, please send good thoughts that I don't lose my temper and stupidly get fired from my job - as i'm working on my 19th year and well, that just would not be cool. Lord are they testing me.

P.S. School is going GREAT. I'm feeling so focused and even Math isn't freaking me out and i'm learning as I go instead of feeling lost as I feared I would. I guess it all balances out in the end right?

This is the end result, I don't know why she wouldn't smile - she loves it!

We may have to hold off on pigtails for awhile but it will be worth it. Then again maybe we can still pull of pigtails - you never know!

Madison and Miss Felicia (our awesome hairdresser!)

I love this look on her face - PURE MADISON!

Miss Felicia says "Hold very still Maddie so I can get it straight"

I got mine cut and colored as well, just a trim but it's straight across the back now instead of so "choppy". Ugh - NOT a fan of "choppy" unless it's a deliberate look.
It's raining here today so I had to dig up an umbrella. Could I find any of my umbrellas - No. Is my "Crying Cow" umbrella at work? No. I had to bring... get ready for it a Red and Black Chevrolet Racing umbrella. LOVELY. Hey at least it'll keep me dry! LOL

Had to leave work about 9:30 as Maddie's school called and she had been sick three times. I had to go pick up my poor little pumpkin. She did look pitiful sitting there with her head down on her desk.
We got home and I got her some cold sprite to sip and a big bowl to be sick in and I rocked her awhile. Then she tried to eat some chicken noodle soup and some mini wheats. Not entirely successful.
She wanted a warm bath and then we got back in the recliner again and she thankfully fell asleep. To me, that is the best thing for a sick child but that kid will fight sleep like a warrior. She's just afraid she will miss something I guess.
She did hug me and tell me I am the best Mommy EVER. That felt good. Real good. :)

My birthday will be coming up in a few months and I know Stacy will be asking me what I want ....
I've wanted a pair of these monogrammed clogs for a few years now but can't bring myself to pay their steep (to me!) price. They are probably the only item my friend that has a monogram shop does not do. I've begged and begged her LOL
Maybe - just maybe i'll break down and order a pair when I go to "Merry Market" in October. We'll see.

I already said I want an iPod BUT i'm seriously considering asking for another Kodak Easy Share Camera to replace the one I had that I wore slap out. I have REALLY missed not having a camera.

I also really REALLY hope Stacy and I can get away for a few nights to celebrate our Anniversary. I'd love for him to take off on a Friday and we stay Thurs,Fri & Saturday night somewhere. Gotta be back for school on Monday.

I'm ready to go through my closet and Mad's and purge all the summer. I think I will do it next week-end. Although we have warm weather sometimes through the Fall and it's not been unheard of to get 70's in the dead of winter, I just cannot wear outright "beachy" stuff after Labor Day. Just can't!

I'm also fighting the urge to order some of those delicious cookies or icing shots from www.palatinecookies.com With all the stuff I have to buy for school and Madison's dance tuition doubling (she's added Tap) I really can't afford a splurge but God I want to!

So on one of the message boards someone started a little game yesterday and I thought it was cute and thought I would let ya'll in on the fun.
Go to Google and put in your name and the word needs after (like this: Patti needs) and then do a search and see what the first 10 things are. For this little exercise I used my real name:

My results are:

Patti needs... some men to help her sing (Believe me no amount of men will help!!)

Patti needs... a cause (i've got several thank you!)

Patti needs... to be a guest judge on America's Next Top Model (yeah like i'm SO qualified!)\
Patti needs... to know God's judgement is not based on popularity (I know that thank-u-very-much!)

Patti needs... an intervention (Huh?!)

Patti needs... a little help (don't we all?!)

Patti needs... to go back to her mid-range (who wants to be mediocre?!)

Patti needs... to go solo (nope i'm happy with the hubs)

Patti needs... to get over herself - QUICK! (i'm sure there are some who think so!)

Patti needs... some Irises. (I hope they mean flowers and not eyeballs.. Eww!!)

Y'all go ahead and play... it was fun!

http://monogramchick.blogspot.com/ visited my blog a few days ago and I just realized it and when I went to her page - WOW! Does she ever have some cool monogram items and right now there is a give-away of customized

monogram cookies!

Click on the link and also visit www.platinecookies.com! Go on over and poke around and get yourself something personalized just for YOU!

Was Monday night (I go Monday's & Wednesday's from 5pm-8:45pm).

First I went by the bookstore to get the books I needed. I'm only taking two classes but the total for the books for those two classes. $237. I was floored but got them. Yikes! I don't remember books being that expensive, er, 20 years ago!

I can't find my car registration so I can get my parking decal and that must be done this week. Oh God I hope a trip to the DMV isn't imminent. I hate going to the DMV!

Okay my first class is in an auditorium setting with about 50 people. I am definitely not the oldest one there, it was mostly older students maybe 15% youngsters. One girl even worked with me at Crying Cow eons ago! This is Math though, which I hate and wanted to get out of the way as quick as I can. That is my weak point, always was in school too. Once I get two semesters of that out of the way the rest is pie. Ha!

My second class, about 16 people. I am definitely "Mom" in there! These are babies... However this is an easy "A" for me, I think, and will boost my GPA from the beginning.
I wanted it to off-set the Math because, guys, I really REALLY suck in Math.
Division, whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages make my head SPIN. Please pray for me!

7 Things:


7 things I plan to do before I die1) Visit my blogger buddies in Minnesota 2)Go to the United Kingdom 3) Become a Teacher 4) See alot more of the United States 5) Have another big family reunion like we used to have 6) Drive a racecar 7) Have a tummy tuck

7 things I can do:
1) Wiggle one eyebrow 2) Buy anything monogrammed3) Read VERY fast 4) Have a witty comeback 5) Drive a stick shift 6) Milk a Cow 7) Put an outfit together

7 things I cannot do:
1) Snap my fingers on my right hand 2) Whistle with my fingers 3) Lose weight 4) Kill an animal (even a skeeter or roach) 5) Workout6) Wait 7) Watch TV for a long time

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1) Sense of humor2) Nice Shoulders 3) Wants to please me 4) Likes to do new things 5) I can be myself with him 6) Is thoughtful 7) Is good to his Momma

7 things I say most often:
1) You dumb ass 2) Madison - what are you doing? 3) I wish I could lose X lbs. 4) I love you 5) Fudge (can't say Fuck in front of a toddler okay? 6) Asshole

7 celebrity crushes:
1) Brett Favre 2) John Cusack 3) Josh Hartnett 4) Jon Bon Jovi 5) Dominic Purcell 6) Dennis Quaid 7) Keifer Sutherland (this was harder than I thought)

7 people who need to do this:
Anyone who'd like to give it a shot...;)

Prompted by the ever-so-lovely Loving Annie who wrote about people who do/do not comment etc on last Friday's blog post. I got to thinking about who comments on my blog versus people I can see who stop by but don't.

EVERYONE who visits me, if you can, tell me how you found my blog or how we met. Pretty please, with sugar on top!

Thank You!

Where we stayed had about anything you could wish for including a playground by the sea! Madison's all time favorite is the Swings! Thankfully she has mastered the art of pushing herself
My Beach Baby
"Oooooh this is kinda hard Mommy!"
She almost looks like she's flying~~~~
With her cousins Juliana, Chandler & Nolan.......

I love this one of her and Nolan (he's Juliana's big brother)
I love this group shot in black and white also!
Chandler comes to stay with us quite a bit. People always think he & Madison are sister/brother
Look at her "bucky" teeth in this pic. It cracks me up. Lord that child is a CLOWN!

Hope you didn't get "overloaded" on beach pics!

I thought this would be a cool pic but it looks kind of dorky - like i'm a prisoner or something! That sawgrass will cut you to bits too.... just sayin'!

This picture was taken in July when we went to Myrtle Beach for a few days. Madison and I, that is. Daddy had to work *snicker* My camera had just crapped out so I have been waiting on my SIL to send the pics and she just did. This one isn't too bad so I thought i'd share it.
Bella you might recognize the shirt as it's fron the Banana Cabana where we went the first night we met while we were staying at the Isle Of Palms! :) Good Times! It's hard to believe it's been a YEAR (and I STILL haven't made it to Minnesota yet!)

I can't decide if I want to go back to the beach or go to Savannah. I've been reading some books set in Savannah and it's been a few years.... I would say i'd let Stacy decide but I know he'll leave it up to me. I have been on two beach trips already this summer..........
Tomorrow i'll post a few pics of Madison and her cousins on this trip!

Sneaky had her kittens on Monday Night. Since I already had written that post before I even knew it was imminent... well let's just say I didn't realize it would be THIS quick that i'd be a Grandma!

We were sitting on the front porch and Sneaky was laying with us. She kept going to the front door and meowing to go in.

Me: "No, Sneaky you are not going in the house because I don't feel like chasing you all around to get you back out".

Still she kept at it.

We went inside and then Dalton (friend's son) goes "Miss Patti - Madison let that cat in and she ran behind your big Curio Cabinet".

Me: *insert cussword of your choice*

So I huffed and pulled the big hulk out and got her out of there. I petted her awhile to make up to her and when I put her down realized my hands were wet.

Stacy said "I think her water broke".
(I don't know why the rest of the post is in blue)
Me: "Ya think so?"

Stacy: "Yeah, she's panting a LOT like you were when you were in labor with Madison, that sure was funny!".

Me: *Death Stare* "It sure was NOT funny. Now where can we put her to have those kittens?".

He ended up making a big box with a blanket in it in his Shop. She ended up moving into Madison's Playhouse and having them in a corner. She had FOUR (Lynilu!) but sadly two died. I hope the other two make it.

** Also I am currently trying to decide if Stacy and I go to Savannah the end of September (since October is always so busy for us) should we stay downtown (like we always have) or out at Tybee Island. It'll be a Bed & Breakfast either way. Decisions.. Decisions....

say it with me now...... i'm gonna be a GRANDMA~! Hey it's better to rejoice in that fact than grouse that i've been an irresponsible pet owner. Our dear little Sneaky is going to have babies. Yes I just let time slip by and neglected to get her spayed in a timely fashion. She's so petite that she always still seemed like a "kitten" compared to those other monsters male cats of mine.

We're going to keep a kitten and Carrie wants one. I'm hoping because of her small size she will only have two or three. At any rate rest assured I will find good homes for whatever she has and then she will be fixed - STAT.

I wish I had my camera i'm definitely going to have to rectify that and SOON.
After all a proud Grandma has to show of PICTURES!!!

That is what Stacy calls me. A Fashion Bug. It always makes me giggle. Yes I love clothes and shoes and accessories.
Friday I was in a rather large meeting and the woman next to me I recognized as a transplant from our former Milwaukee Center. She made the comment to me "I love your skirt, you always dress so well and look great!" I just smiled and thanked her but it got me thinking.
If she only knew. I get alot of my clothes from yardsales, thrift shops, eBay, Clearance racks etc. I bet she would never guess that in a million years.
I do know how to put myself together though. I know what colors/cuts suit me. I know how to mix accessories and which shoes look good. I am not afraid to be "bold". I love bright colors, chunky jewelry, animal prints etc... I have an eye for detail. My Momma always taught me that the "little things" count. A certain seam, a type of fastener, whether something is "lined" etc. Always look at the details in a piece of clothing or shoes.
Also "less is more". That is my credo. I live and die by it.
Madison, her credo "the more I can pile on and not fall down".
I am hoping she will watch and learn from her Fashion Bug Momma!

Carrie is supposed to keep Madison tonight and take her swimming tomorrow and Stacy and I are planning a date.

Actually we'll probably end up at the races as our friend Raef is driving tonight but if the weather doesn't co-operate we could end up at the Movies.

I want to see the Dark Knight or StepBrothers, there is another one that he wants to see.

My SIL "A" is supposed to come get Madison next Wednesday and take her down to her Grandma's in Summerville and we will go down the week-end. We will definitely see a movie one of those evenings that she's gone.

Is it totally silly that i'm so excited? I still love going to the movies with Stacy. Holding hands, whispering to each other. I love eating the butter popcorn, slurping on an icy cold drink, sharing a box of candy. I can't wait!

I love the way Mary Kay Andrews writes and she writes about areas I know about.

I am finding myself getting MAD at the con man in this book.

How could he DO this to her? Silly, I know, but that is what makes a good book, good. When you really care about the characters.

I read a LOT of Authors who write fiction set in the South Carolina Lowcountry/Savannah, GA area because those are some of my favorite places.

This is only my second book of Mary Kay's, but I enjoyed the first one immensely and LOVE this one, so i'm pretty sure her other two will be winners as well.

At least I hope so.

I also want to look into the "Twilight" series that Cheeky blogged about.

My tastes are certainly eclectic, from aging southern belles to vampires........

Anything YOU care to comment about or reccomend that I might like?

*** I am already a fan of Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, Kathryn Wall, Anne Rivers Siddons, & Dorothea Benton Frank. I also love the "Miss Julia" and "Dear Dorothy" series as well.

I'm all registered for school i'll be going on Monday & Wednesday from 5pm-9pm. I am not sure how Stacy really feels about it. I know he doesn't mind I just... I don't know. He didn't have much to say when I told him but what did I expect him to do? Jump for joy. Us women are weird sometimes - I admit it! I hope I like it. It is going to be tres' strange being in a classroom again and i'm sure i'll be the oldest one there! Oh well I do think i'm doing the right thing. I think a safety next is exactly what I need and if I do get laid off i'll start full-time after the first of the year and get done even sooner.
Question: If you could go back to school, time and money are of no object what would you be?

Okay, I hate - hate - hate not having my camera. I got the correct battery, the # even matches up between the camera and the battery. I've been charging it for DAYS but when I turn it on, the green light comes on then the red light then it goes dead again. I'm so pissed. I KNOW i've got the correct battery. Any suggestions? Anybody... Bueller?..........

**also before you even say it I really don't have the money to go buy a new camera right now either *sigh*

Okay given my cheerful disposition and post yesterday I am giving myself an even BIGGER pat on the back. I had a back molar broken off and had to go to the dentist and he had to CUT it out of my gum. He is so good though. He gives me something for nerves before he even swabs the gum area to give me the shots to deaden for the extraction. He has a very slow soothing way about him also. Two big thumbs up to Dr. Herbert. (okay see if i'm still saying that when the novocain wears off because I am posting this after I just got home).
Seriously and another good thing - Percocet! La~la land here I come just as soon as Stacy & Madison get home and the novocain has completely wore off.

Also can I get a big thumbs DOWN for my stupid freaking camera. This is the THIRD time i've put replacement batteries in it... and I still don't think i've got the right ones. I don't know what the hell to do. I missed a LOT of FUG at the racetrack last Friday night thanks to the !@#$%^ camera! Also i'm dying to show you my poppy red entranceway! All in good time I suppose....

You know, Monday, blah blah blah but I thought you know what? Instead of the usual gloom n' doom and griping i'm going to post positive things this Monday morning. Here goes:

* I have a job. I may hate it but it gives me spending $$$ and keeps a roof over my head

* Gas has gone down about $.14 a gallon in the past five days

* I got to see my sweet babygirl and hold her a few minutes before I left for work this a.m.

* My sweet hubs took everything out to my car and it was running when I walked out the door (he usually does this in cold weather and defrosts the windows)

* I have big bowl of ice cold watermelon to eat. He bought it yesterday and cut it up last night. Mmmmm just like eating a big ol' smile!

* We went and ate yummy chinese food yesterday at Winn Buffet in Hartsville. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a fan of buffets but Winn always seems to clean and neat (Chelle if you know anything bad - don't tell me! LOL). I love their pork eggrolls & crab rangoon.

* I bought the coolest vintage "Button Your Fly" Levis t-shirt yesterday. Remember them?

*I finally got my 1976 & 1977 set of vintage "Cricket" magazines in the cases on Saturday. Haven't read them. I'm kind of savoring them.

*I made a great library run yesterday. Found a new Author that I think i'm going to really like. Found out I really can't "get into" the Great Gatsby but maybe it's because others have caught my eye/interest. I'll give it another try before I take it back.

That concludes my post. I hope you all have a fabulous Monday and I hope I am able to get caught up on my blogroll. I haven't exactly found my sparkle but I think i'm at least shimmering!

I seem to have lost my.............. Can't someone help me find it? Please.......... :(

I have the wandering itch. Always have. I love to go-go-go. Especially to travel. I love to explore new places, stop and see the sights etc. If I could take a few trips right now this is where i'd go (in no particular order so don't anybody get their pants/panties in a twist mmmkay?)

1) St. Petersburg, FL - my BFF Mindy lives there and so does one of my favorite Nascar Fan/Bloggers Ryan. I'd like to show Stacy an alligator farm (boy do they STINK), visit the Citrus Tower, let Madison pick an orange or lemon or lime from a tree, of course go to the gorgeous beach ......... i'd also have to search out Chickie and Stacy PQ somehow while i'm in the State!
2) Key West, FL. I've always wanted to go and just piddle around and explore. Margaritaville come to life! See if I can find any of the Hemingway six-toed cats.
3) Minnesota- Hop a plane to see all of my favorite bloggers who live in and around the Mini-Apple (Cheeky,Bella,Sandra,Jenn,Flip Flop Mamma,Jessica, The Mutt Princess). We could organize a BIG get-together. How cool would that be?! Visit the Mall of America.
4) Hop down and spend a day or two in Indy + KC and visit blogbuds Jenie and Wendy and then Caroline (and hopefully meet MJ while i'm there). Swing by the Chicago area and visit Retro Girl, Vince, AFOD & visit the Egel's Nest!
5) Go to NM and see Lynilu and her "kids". She could show me all of the beautiful scenery and sights she is always talking about. I'll skip the high ride into the mountains though. I'm no hiker LOL Also swing by AZ and visit Michael Manning!
6) Go to Texas and visit Shell and hopefully get to meet Laurie, Kellan, Tammi and some other Texas Bloggers.
7) Go to Loo-siana and see the Southern Fried Girl. She could show me around and maybe help me stalk Brett Favre in Mississippi. Maybe meet the Mississippi Songbird too!
8) Go to PA and visit my hometown and the relatives. See Namaste while i'm there and also Daisy & Man who live in the general area is a definite MUST. Maybe Pat if she's not too busy in the upstate NY area...
9) Visit NYC for a few days and do all the fun touristy things (probably taking Namaste with us would be best as she knows the ropes). See Melissa! Buy baby things :) Meet Brown English Muffin and adorable Baby C !
10) Visit Boston and show Stacy & Madison all the things I Love about Beantown! See Hilda-May as she lives fairly close by! I think maybe Tigeryogiji is in the area too! I know i'd love to meet him!
11) Visit Canada and let Walker cook us some delicious Greek Food! I'd also want to meet his parents and Archie as well as Frick. Also meet my other favorite Canuck Blogger Martini and we can compare cool Halloween ideas!
12) Fly out to the West Coast and visit Vegas (PTwinkie & Mr J), maybe see Shephard in LA if he's not too ahem, busy (wedding bells anyone?), spend some time admiring Loving Annie's home and i'm sure she'd bake something especially for me and then head up to San Francisco. Ride a cable car. Do all of the touristy stuff there too.
13) Head on up to Oregon and meet Shangie, Lelo & Adri, then head further North and meet Casey & Dakota and their two adorable kids!
14) Before I headed home to SC for a rest i'd have to hit the Alabama/Georgia area and visit Cheryl Wray and her fabulous family as well as Andie and then Dawn Bibbs and Grant in the Atlanta area!
Of course I could go on and on and on and visit lots and lots and lots more places but this is a pretty good start! Also i'd love to take some time and visit some of my "local" bloggers, Chelle, Miss Hope, Nancy, Lee, Pink Owl .........

If i've left anyone out it's not intentional. I probably am not sure exactly where you live! (Whirling Betty)! Oh and can I just say it's one of my absolute dream's to go to the United Kingdom where i'd hope to meet Shabby Chic and dear Gledwood ......

I had one but sold it because I was too retarded to download any music to it and got tired of seeing it sitting around mocking me.
My sister got one and got one of my niece's to download her music for her so I figure I can do the same.
So my birthday is coming up in a few months and if the hubs asks...that is what I want. A small one. Shuffle would be fine. Whatever's cheapest. I have no need for thousands of songs. Now a list of songs I would load on said Ipod ... if I had one.
A LOT of Prince. Warning ya.
1) Do me baby- Prince 2) International Lover- Prince 3) Little Red Corvette - Prince 4) Purple Rain album- Prince 5) Slippery When Wet album - Bon Jovi 6) True Blue album- Madonna 7) Live At Paradise Theater album - Styx 8) The Stranger album - Billy Joel 9) Glass Houses album - Billy Joel 10) Born In The USA album- Bruce Springsteen 11) Saturday Night Fever soundtrack album 12) Alan Jackson's Greatest Hits13) All Summer Long- Kid Rock 14) Jezebel - Chely Wright ....oh man there is alot of rap & stuff but this would get rather tiresome I fear. That's a start though dontcha think? Anything you care to reccomend?

Okay those of you that don't know what that title means - you are better off not knowing.
It means I am bitchy, bitchiest and bitchier. Did I mention i'm a tad bitchy? Yeah well I AM!

*** Apologies in advance for language although the worst is not spelled out completely 8-O

1) To UPS - YOU SUCK. I cannot believe that despite all of our careful packaging you still f*cking broke my friends birthday present that I made with my own two hands. You ASS. It cannot be replaced. I had to go out and shop like a fiend but I totally love what I found her and hope she does too. Anyway UPS you are not my friend anymore.
*
2) Friend-At-Work. I am seriously, seriously getting tired of you. The "i'm-so-busy" I forget to go to break/lunch/shit/go home routine is getting O-L-D.
For f*cks sake who forgets to go HOME? You know I don't have sh*t to do but twiddle my thumbs and you just like to rub my nose in how "busy" you are in your Dept. because you want me there too. Not happening. I've been to kindergarten once, don't need to experience it again. Capisce?
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3) To Same Friend- If you would freaking GROW A PAIR and stand up to your sorry-assed husband maybe you wouldn't be so miserable all the got-danged time. That shit is getting old also. Maybe I need to find a new friend. Yeah, I think that just may be the ticket. I have my own set of aggravations I sure as hell don't need to hear about yours five days a week. AND you want us to get together on the week-end? Are you freaking KIDDING ME? I can hardly stand you for five days I sure as shit am not putting up with your ass on the week-end. No way, Jose'.
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4) To the powers-that-be at Crying Cow. For the love of the Sweet-Tiny-Baby-Not-Yet-Potty-Trained-Jesus will you just go ahead and shut the freaking company DOWN and stop torturing us. These every-other-month lay-offs are working my last nerve. Y'all are seriously going to drive some poor bastard to shoot up his office i'm afraid.
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Okay i'm scaring myself here so I need to go take a break and drink some water... or pop a Tranzine... or something!

Ci'ao Y'all and I truly hope I haven't frightened my newbies. I do NOT have rage issues. I pinky promise!

I've mentioned before that I like what I call my "alone time".

Saturday I did a little running around, read a little, watched some TV, went to my parents and when I finally came home and took a bath and got settled in for the evening I realized how silent the house was. No little voice calling "Momma" no distant buzz of voices from Stacy watching TV. I started feeling a little melancholy.

Then Reilly wanted to go out and I let him out and it was SO dark out there. Creepy dark.

Yes, we have a security light via the electric co-op but it was still creepy out there. You could almost hear the hum of silence.

I think it is the fact that my neighbor Miss Rose is finally gone. We'd known for months it was coming but now her house finally looks empty even though she's left the curtains up and her statues are still in the yard and her flag. No one has been there for days now.

There are four houses on our cul-de-sac. Miss Rose's is to my left, the neighbor's with the attack dog on the right and across the way is Miss Brenda. We can't really see each other's homes unless we come right out and look.

I can't see the neighbors to the right's home either due to an immense privet hedge. Although they haven't been home all week-end, i'm pretty sure. They are gone alot.

This all contributes to my alone feeling I guess.

There wasn't a car that went in or out that Miss Rose didn't know about it. Sometimes she was a bit "needy" and NOT that we ever begrudge helping an old woman but she's got daughter's and sons-in-law and grown grandchildren and none of them ever seemed available to help her but were right there when it benefited them. Oh well, water under the bridge, we were good neighbors to her and i'm glad we were.

I just hope if/when someone buys her house they are good neighbors as well.

For the amount owed on the house i've got a feeling it will be on the market a l-o-n-g time unless they decide to rent it out which I don't think they can do as she let it go into foreclosure.

Anyway I had a few spooky moments this past week-end. Maybe it was the Jill/psychic/Sandy thing. I dunno.......

Reilly and I will be left home alone this week-end while Stacy & Maddie go to Ma's in Summerville so....... my plans include several of these.......... Lounging around in this until maybe 9:00 (whoah-can't tell ME i'm not living like a rock star!)
Working on the suntan..............
Curling up in this and seeing if I can find a good scary movie
IF I had the ingredients I'd make a few of these (but I don't) :(
BUMMER.

In the past 6 - 8 months Maddie has been experiencing what we call "night fits". She will wake us up in the night screaming and crying.
When we go to her and try to touch her or pick her up she will usually kick and fight and it's impossible to do anything with her. She will scream and cry continuously.
Sometimes she will scream things we can understand like "I'm cold" or "help me" or she will call "Mommy" or "Daddy" and nothing we say seems to get through to her.
Sometimes she will even opens her eyes and you would swear she is awake but then it is apparent she isn't.
It is fa-reaky let me tell you and heartbreaking because you feel so powerless. It usually abates after 15 - 20 minutes but that is a damn long 15 - 20 minutes let me tell you!
Have any of you ever experienced this with your own children or know someone who has?
My Mom told me I did it as a toddler and once gave her a black eye. Is it hereditary?
I never remember to ask her pediatrician about it when we've gone in.

As anybody who knows me, knows. I LURVES me some Brett Favre. Always have. Always will.
Do I think he has been wishy~washy in the past few years regarding his return. Um, yes.
Who knows what any of us would do in that position? He's had a lot of pressure on him and this year I think the front office (that would include Ted Thompson aka The Bastard) put alot of pressure on him to make up his mind quickly and he rashly chose retirement.
I can understand him not wanting him to go back to the Packers in any other role but as starting QB. Aaron Rogers is young, he will have his day. Let the big man lead em' just one more year.

However I would not be averse to them releasing him........ to the Carolina Panthers. That is.
**** Be warned I do not want to hear any negative comments re: Brett. I just don't.
Right or wrong, I blindly support him (just like I always have Stacy in racing). The man just does no wrong in my eyes. He IS my next-ex-husband after all............ *grin*

I have a story to share with you dear blogfriends.........
My Momma and Daddy came by the house last night to bring me some blueberries and just to visit. They do that occasionally.
Momma asked me "Did you work with a woman named Sandy at Crying Cow Bank?" I said that I had. She was a nice lady.
My cousin Jill was friends with Sandy also. They spent alot of time together.
Jill had dinner with my sister over the week-end and she told my sister the story that I am about to relate to you, that my Momma told me.

Last week Jill received a phone call. It was a local call, with Caller ID she did not recognize the name. Still, she answered it. The woman on the other end said "Is your name Jill?" Jill said it was. The woman continued "You don't know me and please do not think I am crazy but I am a psychic. I don't do readings or anything or make any money at it. I just have visions sometimes and there are almost always spirits nearby and sometimes they make contact with me."

The woman related that she had a spirit that had been visiting her for a few days without making any contact, just pacing back and forth. (that would unnerve the HELL out of me personally). She finally asked the spirit if she could help her. The spirit gave her Jill's number and asked her to contact her friend named Jill. She had a message for her "I'm sorry that you had to be the one to find me but I had to do what I had to do". She couldn't rest until she found a way to let Jill know that.

See Sandy committed suicide in May and Jill was the one who found her when she went to check on her. Sandy had taken care of her invalid mother for years until her death and she was all alone family-wise. She had MS and her health was deteriorating at an alarming rate and she was at the end of her rope. She lay down on her bed and shot herself in the chest. Her little dog was with her (I hate that) but thankfully Jill took the dog with her. I can't imagine the trauma that poor little animal went through. The whole thing just breaks my heart.

This woman said she did not know Sandy or Jill IRL. In fact when Sandy died, as she had no family there was no funeral, no obituary, the general public did not even know.
Is that not just FREAKY?
I have had an encounter or two (besides the prior house/boogeyman scenario) so I am a believer. Are you a believer or not?

My girl CHEEKY is um, 29 today so I want to give her a great big shout out. She just got back from bacation of riding roller coaster's so she's probably pretty tired but i'm sure she'll have a wonderful day!!!!! Love you honey!

No, I didn't cut my hair this is how I looked last year. Amazing how much difference a few inches of hair and a flat iron can do. The only problem is in the summer the humidity will make my hair curl right back up so not worth the bother!!! Actually though this summer has not been bad heat wise (shhhh don't tell the Weath God's k?) This was the first time I was able to coax her hair into piggy tails. I was so excited! Now her pigtails hang down past her shoulders. I loved this polka dot outfit she had too. My baby is growing up too fast.
I just put in for vacation the week of Labor Day. We'll see if my !@#$% boss gives it to me. He can be such a pill sometimes and this week especially as we have auditors coming in. Oh well I was going to rent a house I found for REAL cheap at Oak Island,NC again and I don't have to have the deposit until 7-27 so i'm sure he'll get back to me by then. I hope so. I haven't even told Stacy yet because he can't take another full week anyway and at least he's off that Monday for a holiday so...... i'm just waiting until I see if I get the time off or not. Cross your fingers for me.

I had a very happy Childhood.
I was born in Williamsport, PA. Our first house I remember was a red brick three story "row house" (you yankees probably know what i'm talking about) on Wilson Street.
This was in the area of town called "East End" - where my Daddy grew up.
When I was about 3-4 we moved to a much nicer neighborhood called "Newberry" into a big old victorian house built in the 1800's.
It was on the corner of Diamond Street and Linn Street.
There were beautiful old stained glass windows, the doorknobs were ornate and heavy and the keys were the big skeleton keys.
This is my favorite house, the one I still dream about sometimes and the one I somehow wish.... I wish...... I guess I wish I could go back to that time once again. Just for a little while. Silly isn't it?
It had a detached double garage out back, an attic and a cellar and what was called a "summer kitchen" seperate from the house in case of fire. We used that for a play area though because by then there was a kitchen in the house. As well as a diningroom, livingroom, TV room, Sewing room, and upstairs five big bedrooms and a bathroom with a huge clawfoot tub and the kind of drain that had a stopper on a chain. I used to be sort of scared I would somehow get sucked down it. I was a silly kid. My siblings didn't help matters any by singing the "Alice" song. Anybody know that one? The ending goes "Oh my goodness, oh my soul, there goes Alice down the hole glug~glug~glug~" LOL
Dad was the head of Pepsi Cola and with five kids who never wanted for anything he had to be making some money *grin* but I never thought about that.
Never knew "rich" or "poor" just that I was a happy, happy kid.
The playground was a block away.
In the winter the blacktop was flooded and we could all go iceskating. My best friend Lori McDermott lived across the street from the playground on Pearl Street.
I went to Jackson Elementary School (still in existence and use) about six blocks away and we walked to school. Usually in big groups.
Our route took us past the James V. Brown Library and on Thursdays I would stop for "Story Hour". A magical time for me and what i'm sure fanned the fires of my love of books (along with my Mother).

Here is one of the first toys I remember playing with as a wee one. The Fisher Price Jalopy.
Another favorite, the Fisher Price Little People. If you remember the proper names for some of the family members were Patty (the redhaired girl), Mike (the brother) and Butch (the dog). I only remember those because that is my name, my brother's name and my Dad's nickname and when I was a kid it got kinda mixed up in my head LOL I somehow thought they were named for us.
This was the last babydoll my Mom bought for me. Rub-A-Dub Dolly. I think I was 9. Hey I played with Barbies up until I was 12 or 13. Childhood was alot more innocent then and it wasn't anything weird but today........ kids practically think they should be getting married at that age, sad to say :(
Ah the Big Wheel. We played on these things and literally wore holes in those plastic tires. Me and the neighborhood boys Ronnie and Shane Polson. We would ride them in the parking lot of Ascension Catholic Church and the mean old lady who lived next to the Church (Mrs. Gentz of whom i've spoken before) would try to run us off. I remember her one time smacking Ronnie's Dad, Ronnie Sr. across the face when he went to tell her to leave us kids alone! Yikes!
Then we moved down to South Carolina and life changed........ a lot. At first I never thought I would get used to it. We lived in the VERY rural Mars Bluff area with my Grandparents, Aunt and her three kids (that house was really big too) then when we moved into Florence on Cedar Street, I found my niche once again.
That was a real neighborhood (albeit one without sidewalks and no city buses) and I made friends and still see some of those people today.
Life can take some funny twists and turns can't it?
I often wonder what Madison's childhood memories will be.

Last night we had grilled cheddar brats Yummm......... slathered with mustard on a soft bun! Some grilled corn with parmesan cheese Paula Deen's way - so-o-o-o-o salty/sweet!
A big ol' slice of cold watermelon. Watermelon to me always looks like a smile

Stacy is putting the second coat of paint on the entranceway. I have to get the proper batteries for my camera because I am just itching to take pictures. Also maybe I can capture some FUG at the racetrack this week. I haven't posted any, since, well that freak in FL was emailing me but who is going to let a debbie downer spoil their fun? Not me!

Well I was going to at least give you a preview of the awesome entranceway but i'm going to have to get the proper batteries for my camera. Just regular ol' double A's aren't getting it. Even the lithium kind. It's already dead. So........ you will just have to wait. Maybe by then the second coat will be on and there will be some semblance of order again.... Maybe.

After work I have to go to school and take the Placement Test (you know math, english for the oldsters who haven't been to school in decades LOL). I also have to talk to the Financial Aide peeps. I think it will go well. I already know i'm going to limit myself to one or two nights a week. Seriously maybe only one. I don't want to get too much on my plate nor neglect my family. There's no rush. At least i'm doing it. Or I will be.

I am going to stop by the Farmer's Market (it's right between home and school) and get some watermelon and corn. I had both on the 4th of July and they were excellent. Nothing like a cold slice of watermelon. Nothing. Stacy puts salt on his, I don't. How about you?

I also want to try Grant's suggestion of the Paula Deen version of grilled corn. Mine was a wee bit over-done and I want Stac to try Paula's time of 10 minutes and see how that turns out.

Anyway work didn't go nearly as bad as i'd feared yesterday either. Boss was in a really mellow mood which is VERY unlike him coming off vacation. A little birdie told me they "think" he may be on the trail of another job. We'll see. Anyway have a great Tuesday!

Don't get too excited (Shell) but the above pic is my entranceway with that UGLY pheasant wallpaper all but gone. Painting may commence as early as this week! I tried to find the paint sample but could only find one with multiple colors showing. The color I picked was Grenadine - a bright poppy red. I think it will make a GREAT background for my pictures. I plan to hang lots of family photos. I love to see family photos displayed in a home. So interesting! There was no way to display anything with that wallpaper as background.

The week-end was relaxing. We had a nice 4th, the Racetrack was PACKED (Chelle, did y'all get to go?). Our friend Stormin' Norm (formerly Big Norm but he's had gastric bypass) was announcing and he spotlighted Stacy when he saw us coming in hehe.... MY BIL Wayne won both of the Late Model Races and his nephew little Rick was involved in a wreck on the back straight-away, the car JUMPED the concrete retaining wall (there is a high chain link fence that protects the infield). OMG my heart was in my throat until I knew Rick was okay. He's just turned 17 and i've known him since he was little so he's still a little kid to me. There was some drama behind that wreck but let's just say if the bitch that I think wrecked him did it on purpose she's got some payback coming. Stacy is still not in the car he is supposed to drive. Hopefully next week and there will be pics. I've got regular AA batteries in my camera right now but they aren't doing the job very well. Better than nothing though.

We bought Maddie a little 8 ft (round) pool and it's about a foot and a half deep. Big enough for us all three to get in but I usually just lay out and Stacy is her favorite play-mate. I've GOT to get some pictures of the big goof in the pool with her. He is so patient and they are so funny.

Tomorrow will be Church (why do I want to be a slacker already and stay home? Shame on me!) and I might run to Belk's when they open. I am also contemplating taking Madison to see the movie about the robot, the name escapes me. She's never been to the movies and I think she would like it.

Anyway enough here. I might not get to visit many blogs Monday at work. Boss will be back and on a tear as he usually is when he's been gone. We've got an issue that he has to look at and refer to legal and i'm sure he'll have to get a few digs in on me regarding it *sigh* Lately I really do hate my job. I love the paycheck though *snort*

P.S. I wrote this post Saturday night in case you couldn't tell!