I know, I know this wasn't the tree you had in mind. Actually this is where she had her picture taken with the Big Guy a.k.a. Santa!
I never saw the actual lighting of the tree. They danced very well and then we meandered over to Pitty Pat's and The Jeweler's Bench, got some free Merle Norman Make-Up, Stacy bought me some fancy over-priced bubble bath and I got a beautiful silver snowflake necklace (free from the J-Bench). We ate some delicious food, stood around and talked awhile and then headed back home. When we left the golf cart parade and tree lighting hadn't taken place. However you can only ask so much of a four year old and we had fun anyway! I made out pretty good :)

Isn't she precious in her dress coat? I know the lime ribbon doesn't match but she was in her dance costume. My girl is getting so big! Where does the time go?

Yesterday was a roller coaster of emotions, up and down - down and up.

One minute I was thankful to know i'll still be getting a steady paycheck, then i'd think of my friends, who, in a matter of months will no longer be part of my every day....... and get teary eyed.
For me, selfishly.
For them, because let's face it - this is rotten news at the holidays even though all of them will get a paycheck at least until Feb 1st and some as long as Sept 1st of next year.

I'd think "How am I going to survive the passive-aggressive monster I work for?".
Then i'd answer myself "The same way you've survived him up until now - drugs".

Is anyone else sensing a touch of the "crazy" here? hehehe.........

*** Oh the p/a monster will be out Wed-Thurs-Fri so I can BLOG! Yippee!!!!

Set the alarm for 4a.m., when it went off agreed we were still tired and re-set it for 5a.m.
We went to W*lmart in Hartsville which we "thought" would be less crowded. Ha!
It was a pure-tee mess when we got there, lines snaking throughout the store BUT I did get the B*by Alive learns to P*tty that Maddie wanted there, for the same price T*rget and K*ohls had it listed for (W-Mart didn't have it listed) so I got that. They had 500 thread count sheets for $20, those were long gone but my SIL got me a set as they were shopping in Charlotte (and did get up WAY earlier than we did). This is where net-working and cellphones come in real handy LOL

We then went to T*rget (no big deals there but we already had the doll we wanted) but we did get some Pepsi products 4/$10. Are you bored to tears yet?
We got lucky at T*ys-R-Us and got everything we wanted to there that was in the Ad. We had to stand in a hella line thought but it was very worth it.
We didn't have any serious FUG except for some little pierced/punked out EMO boys in girls pants but nothing like the knee socked/lime green guy of a few years ago.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving (we did) and are gearing up for Christmas!

Someone requested I show my Thanksgiving airblown's so... without further ado here is the Turkey.
I don't know why he looks like he's praying.
Maybe he's saying "Dear Jesus please take me away from these nutty people who rival the Griswold's in their decorating enthusiasm. Amen".
I dunno.......

This is the side table in my foyer.
So much better against that red backdrop than the old peacock wallpaper!

My sparkly fall foliage wreath that looks so pretty with the sun hitting it when I come home in the afternoon!

This little guy is wishing you all a Happy Harvest!

We wish you the same and a Happy Happy Thanksgiving from

and Family!

We had a "blossom" on our porch last night.
Yep a Blossom. That is what Madison calls it.
Oh dear me & Stacy laughed and she got mad at us. How do you keep a straight face when little ones mis-pronounce something?!!!

He hissed at me here!


Pigs in the yard (twice now)... Deer.... now a Possum. I'm afraid to ask "what next?"

Okay i'm not going to post any more Maddie pics this week but I couldn't resist this one. This just captures her PERFECTLY!
She wore this last week while it was still warm. I bought her this dress, plus two other long-sleeved ones (all by J Khaki one of my fave kid brands at Belk) and three legging/top outfits all for about $35 at Belk. I hit a terrific sale there! The one in Hartsville always has stuff in Maddie's size. The one in Florence, not so much!

I can visit all of your blogs today and get caught up and that makes for one VERY happy ....

We shared a birthday cake (but only because before this when I mentioned getting us a cake together - she looked at me, hand on hip and said "Momma you need to get your own cake".)
Oh really.........
It was so good, it was a pound cake with real buttercream frosting.
You all know i'm a cake snob and do NOT do supermarket cakes.
This one came from Freeman's Bakery. Delicious!

Some days I wish I could run around with a tutu on over my jeans. Seriously!
Do you think I would get any raised eyebrows if I wore a feather boa?

I won't be able to visit today but the rest of the week will be blessed peace and quiet.
Also don't forget to keep me in your thoughts/prayers.
We should be hearing about lay-offs this/next week.
I have made peace and am ready for whatever happens.

Are any of y'all familiar with that old country song sung by ol' Possum himself - George Jones.
Stacy and I are both big fans of George and have saw him perform several times. Anyhoo....

Sorry I wasn't around yesterday it was not pretty but i'm still here and I just cannot let one person make me so doggone miserable.
Hopefully i'll know my work status in the next two weeks.
I am confident it will be right for me.. whatever it is!

In the meantime I give you the two girls who love me the best in this whole wide World (besides my husband and Daddy of course)
My Momma and Madison.......... Have a fabby week-end and by mid-Tuesday through Friday next week I should be able to blog to my hearts content. Unless someone sets up a spy-cam that is! Ha! I shouldn't laugh - it could happen! Thanks for checking up on me Lynilu!



Also want to welcome little JA to this world - he is the newly arrived (Nov 12) off-spring of Southern Fried Girl from May I Nap Now? blog! Welcome precious baby!!!!!

Well y'all are in for a treat this morning, a bunch of blathering by me more than likely!

Work has been absolute H-E-double-toothpicks (as we used to say in grade school).
My boss is a nightmare straight from Halloween.
I honestly believe the man is a combination narcissist/sociopath.
I admit on my part - to a certain "not giving a shit" mentality lately and I do need to step it up and pay attention to the details. Someone else's job might depend on it. I can get laid off and we'd still be okay, there are others who are not so fortunate. I have to remember that.

It rained the early part of the week and my Halloween is still up.
I am ready for my big air-blown turkey and scarecrow!
Stacy is going to take care of that this week-end. Yippee! Then it is only a short matter of time until we decorate for Christmas. I am slowly getting into the holiday spirit. I am off the week of Christmas and that helps a LOT.

Even if I have, um TWO dentist appointments that week. Gah. They shouldn't be too bad though.

I remember when I got my braces.
I went to the orthodontist at the beginning of November I was worried about my braces and Thanksgiving (fat girls don't let ANYTHING interfere with eating let me tell you!), so he said "Well, we can put them on today and you should be feeling okay by Thanksgiving" and I said "Do it!".
Then I went home and a shocked Stacy said I was ugly and that is another story for another day .... Ha!

Happy Friday all and may you have a fun week-end!

As for me - i'll be at the Catfish Festival on Saturday (Maddie's dancing) and a birthday party on Sunday. Good times!

One Sassy Mermaid....... my sister made her costume, she wore silver shoes with it and carried a bag made of pearl handles that matched her tail!

I didn't get any pics of her actually trick-or-treating. I was too busy watching out for other kids and vehicles. Man it got hairy there for a bit!

and one poor, pitiful, abused Lobster..........

Y'all I SWEAR this dog should get an Academy Award with his "put-upon" act. He kills me!

"Won't somebody PLEASE rescue me from this evil witch I live with?"

Ladies and Gents we have made history ..... they have approved Sunday alcohol sales in Florence County, South Carolina. (and y'all thought I was talking 'bout Obama!)

For some reason this cartoon just made me laugh - it's sort of apt isn't it? Politics is such a dirty business these days!


I am one who firmly believes who you vote for is your own private business.
I don't get into arguements about politics, I believe in everyone's right to believe and vote as they please.
I have a sister and a sister-in-law who LOVE to get in your face and push their opinions on you and they just automatically assume you agree with them.
I just let them think it and go merrily my own way.
I'm proud to be a part of history today folks, and you should be too even if you don't agree with whomever wins!

Had a very nice Halloween and trip to the Fair. Will elaborate later. *sigh* I may have to take an official "break" from blogging if I can't do better than this!
Madison was cute as pie and said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You"! We were proud. Some of the kids acted like little heathens. I can't wait to post pics of her and Reilly.
Hope you all had a very happy Halloween. Tell me all about it!

I am very excited about taking Maddie out trick-or-treating tonight but I can't help but wish Stacy would surprise me and say "let's go find a haunted house or let's go have a few halloween spirits somewhere"...... it seems like lately I make all the plans. Don't get me wrong i'm grateful he is willing to go along when I do make the plans i'd just like to surprised... for once.

Still busy but I did take a moment to take this quiz from one of my all-time favorite tv specials!

Which Peanuts Character Are You?
	You are Sally Brown. You may not be the most ambitious person, but life isn't supposed to be hard! You are relaxed and easy-going, but you can hold your ground when you want, too.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Which one are you?...... Did you think you would be that character and why!
Just click where it says Which Peanuts Character Are You (it's a link)
Also let me know what your Halloween plans are! Stay Safe!

After her party on Saturday we had to go pick up her cake for Sunday and we stopped at Indigo Joe's for a bite to eat...... she was a tired and cranky girl by then...

But a Shirley Temple (with extra cherries) lifted her spirits!
The food was good (I had the seared ahi sesame tuna appetizer) but it is expensive and for the money i'd really rather eat at Redbone Alley.
Although the tuna tasted good I couldn't quite get past the fact that it LOOKED raw.

Anyway as I said i'll get caught up visiting blogs and responding to your comments soon I promise.
I forgot to mention my dental appointment yesterday and this was by far the longest (and most expen$ive) yet! Still i'm getting the work done and no bills so who am I to complain?
The Viewing I went to was very sad.
Everybody if you can, just go hug your Momma and/or Daddy HARD! There is nothing like Family.
Much Love to MY "blog family"!

I haven't been able to respond to your comments or visit blogs. Work is a major PITA right now and also I have to go to a viewing tomorrow as well as take my Math Final. I will get caught up soon I promise!

Since this month is all about little miss Madison (never mind MY birthday came first LOL) I have to show you the surprise she got in the Mail on Saturday after we got home from her party!
Two books and the cutest card from Daisy amd ManBlogger !!! Thank you both so much! Y'all are the best!

We immediately read "Vunce Upon A Time" as Halloween is less than a week away and we will probably read Bolt tonight! She loved them. Thankfully I think she's going to be a reader like her Momma!

Thank you so much for all of the birthday wishes and kind comments you make about Maddie. I really appreciate it!

We had her party on Saturday, the day before her birthday. It went really well! I had so many people tell me it was the best party they had ever attended!
Some of the gifts already piled up when I got there! (Madison had come with Aunt A, Daddy and Juliana, I rode with Aunt Buff & Chandler)

Learning how to measure a level cup of flour. Of course some got on that cute little button nose!

YES - her Daddy is a Goofball. What else can I say? Pepperoni anyone??? (that's his siser Buffy to his left people always thought they were twins growing up)

Cupcakes all frosted and decorated - what's next?!

PRESENTS! That is what is next! She got a lot!
A new pair of winter crocs from Aunt Bonnie! (Caroline - take note my Mom has a pair and she LOVES them!)

Every Princess needs a poufy PINK BOA!!! (I may borrow it!)

All of the party enjoyed eating their pepperoni pizza's that THEY made!


I highly HIGHLY reccomend the Young Chef's Academy to anyone. They do different types of foods (pizza being the easiest for the 4-5 year old set but they start at 3 years of age also). They also offer a Pasta Party and i'm not sure what else on up to Teens! I may even take a class their on baking Christmas stuff (as if I have the time but it's a good thought!) because i'm such a terrible baker that the kids won't eat my stuff. Now that's bad. *sigh*

I've been running to and fro all day but I wanted to take time out and wish a VERY HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY to my babygirl Madison!


You bring more sunshine to mine and Daddy's lives than you could ever know sweet girl.
I wouldn't know what to do without you!
Four years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life! I love you Maddie!!!!
All My Love,
Mommy a.k.a.

You can go HERE to read about my meeting with Michelle of Chelle's Winks in Target on Wednesday.

It was so funny I was on the phone with Stacy, frustrated because Madison has kept changing her mind about what she wants for her birthday and her current request -neither of us had any idea how to fulfiill.
She wants a new kitchen set with a stool, well she's got two kitchen sets plus a washer/dryer and two table/chair sets so....
Then I hung up and wandered over to the Halloween stuff and was approached by a pretty blonde lady with an adorable little girl in her buggy and trailed by a handsome little boy.
She said "What is your name?" (at least I THINK that is what she said first) I smiled and said "Patti" then ~zap~ realization hit.
I said "That's Abby and Kyle, I told you last week that I would recognize your kids but I wouldn't know you" and we both started laughing. She confessed that she had recognized me and stalked me through the store before getting up enough nerve to approach me. I am so glad she did. I had been to the dentist and the right side of my mouth was numb so I felt slightly dorky but I explained.
My impression of Michelle is that she is friendly id a bit reserved but I do think we'd enjoy spending time getting to know one another, and I think Madison would like playing with Kyle and Abby. She does well with boys or girls/older or younger. She just likes other kids!
I really hope we get a chance to do it soon and I intend to surprise a certain blogger down Charleston way one of these days *grin*
All in all it was a very pleasant surprise to meet up with her so unexpectedly. It truly made my day! Thanks for taking time out Chelle!

I promise i'll have a "real" post tomorrow and if she doesn't beat me to it I met someone on my blogroll IRL quite by accident on Wednesday! Fun!

The stuff that’s true is in BOLD. ** the bold wasn't working for me so I added two ** asterisks at the end of the true ones. Sorry :)

Appearance:
- I am 5′4 or shorter.**
- I think I’m ugly.
- I have many scars.
- I tan easily.**
- I wish my hair was a different color.**
- I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
- I have a tattoo.**
- I am self-conscious about my appearance.**
- I have had braces.**
- I wear glasses.
- I have gotten plastic surgery.**
- I’ve been told I’m attractive by a complete stranger.**
- I have had more than 2 piercings.**
- I have had piercings in places besides my ears.**
- I have freckles.**
Family/Home Life:
- I’ve sworn at my parents.
- I’ve run away from home.
- I’ve been kicked out of the house.
- My biological parents are together.**
- I have a sibling less than one year old.
- I have a kid.**
- I’ve lost a child.**

Embarrassment:
- I’ve slipped out a “LOL” in a spoken conversation.
- Disney movies still make me cry.**
- I’ve snorted while laughing.**
- I’ve laughed so hard I’ve cried.**
- I’ve glued my hand to something.**
- I’ve laughed till some kind of beverage came out of my nose.**
- I’ve had my trousers rip in public.(recently)**

Health:
- I was born with a disease/impairment.
- I‘ve had stitches.**
- I’ve broken a bone.**
- I’ve had my tonsils removed.**
- I’ve sat in a doctor’s office with a friend.**
- I’ve had my wisdom teeth removed.
- I’ve had serious surgery.**
- I’ve had chicken pox.**

Traveling:
- I’ve driven over 200 miles in one day.**
- I’ve been on a plane.**
- I’ve been to Canada.(as a child)**
- I’ve been to Niagara Falls.(as a child^)**
- I’ve been to Japan.
- I’ve been to Europe.
- I’ve been to Africa.

Experiences:
- I’ve been lost in my city.(hell I can get lost in my yard)**
- I’ve seen a shooting star.**
- I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas.**
- I’ve pushed all the buttons in a lift(elevator).**
- I’ve been to a casino.(and was not a bit impressed)**
- I’ve been skydiving.
- I’ve gone skinny dipping.**
- I’ve played spin the bottle.(oh hell who hasn't?)**
- I’ve crashed a car.**
- I’ve been skiing.**
- I’ve been in a play.**
- I’ve met someone in person from the Internet.**
- I’ve caught a snowflake on my tongue.**
- I’ve seen the Northern Lights.
- I’ve sat on a roof top at night.**
- I’ve played chicken.**
- I’ve seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- I’ve eaten Sushi.**
- I’ve been snowboarding.

Relationships:
- I’m single.
- I’m in a relationship.**
- I’m available.
- I’m engaged.
- I’m married.**
- I’ve gone on a blind date.**
- I have a fear of abandonment.
- I’ve been divorced.
- I’ve had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back.**
- I’ve told someone I loved them when I didn’t.**
- I’ve told someone I didn’t love them when I did.**
- I’ve kept something from a past relationship.**

Sexuality:
- I’ve had a crush on someone of the same gender.**
- I’ve kissed a member of the same gender.
- I’ve had sex with someone of the same gender.
- I’ve had sex with more than one person at the same time.
- I am a cuddler.**
- I’ve been kissed in the rain.**
- I’ve had sex outdoors.**
- I’ve hugged a stranger.**
- I have kissed a stranger.
- I have had sex with a stranger.

Honesty/Crime:
- I’ve done something I promised someone else I wouldn’t.**
- I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t.**
- I have lied to my parents about where I am.**
- I am keeping a secret from the world.
- I’ve cheated while playing a game.**
- I’ve cheated on a test.
- I’ve driven through a red light.**
- I’ve witnessed a crime.**
- I’ve been in several a fist fights.**
- I’ve been arrested.
- I’ve shoplifted.

Drugs/Alcohol:
- I’ve consumed alcohol.**
- I smoke cigarettes.
- I smoke pot.
- I drink sometimes.**
- I’ve taken painkillers when I didn’t need them.
- I’ve taken cough medicine when i wasn’t sick.
- I’ve done hard drugs.
- I’ve been addicted to an illegal substance.
- I can’t swallow pills.
- I can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem.

Mental health:
- I have been diagnosed with depression.**
- I shut others out when I’m depressed.**
- I take anti-depressants.**
- I have had an eating disorder.
- I’ve slept an entire day when I didn’t need it.
- I’ve hurt myself on purpose.
- I’m addicted to self harm.
- I’ve woken up crying.

Death:
- I’m afraid of dying (sometimes).**
- I hate funerals.**
- I’ve seen someone dying.**
- I have attempted suicide.
- Someone close to me has attempted suicide.
- Someone close to me has committed suicide.

Random:
- I can sing well.
- I’ve stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
- I open up to others too easily.
- I watch the news.
-I don’t kill bugs.**
- I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for sake of being able to rhyme.
- I swear regularly.**
- I am a morning person.
- I paid for my mobile phone ring tone.**
- I’m a snob about grammar.**
- I am a sports fan.**
- I play with my hair.**
- I have/had “x”s in my screen name.
- I love being neat.
- I love Spam.
- I’ve copied more than 30 CD’s in a day.
- I don’t know how to shoot a gun.
- I am in love with love.**
- I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
- I laugh at my own jokes.**
- I eat fast food weekly.
- I believe in ghosts.**
- I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
- I can’t sleep if there is a spider in the room.
- I am really ticklish.**
- I love white chocolate.**
- I bite my nails.
- I play video games.
- I’m good at remembering faces.**
- I’m good at remembering names.
- I’m good at remembering dates.
- I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Okay now which one(s) really surprised you about me? Why (if you care to say)