Now ... what you have been dreading waiting on with bated breath *snort*
From finish to start (why be normal?)

Madison riding her favorite - the Monkey!

Madison even got DADDY to ride!!!

One of my favorite of the "life-size" Christmas Cards made by local students at area schools in Charleston.

Madison working the light-board on one of the huge Christmas Trees!

This is one of my favorite things to see every year, a sculpture made of SAND.
(I'm not sure if that reindeer to the right is dead or what but.....)

Madison and her cousin "J" pose by a reindeer


Another favorite - the coconut falls from the palmtree, conking the monkey on the head! Poor monkey! This is another timed light one with the coconut falling in stages.



Another bright snowman! (I love snowman - how bout' you?)




Snow family! (and somebody peeping in the mirror while driving!)

We interrupt this light show for some family photos! Me & my sweet girl!

Three kiddoes ready to see some action!

Finally - after waiting over an HOUR, Yes - an hour to just get into the Park we are turning in! None of us have ever been in a crowd like this. We went the Sunday before Christmas so I don't know if that is the most popular night but I don't reccomend it mmmkay? Thank God my SIL had a portable DVD player in the van or we would have been toast! Ha!

Hmmmm I usually don't do very well at Resolutions but why not?
Nothing ventured - nothing gained!

* To lose 30 lbs in 2009

* To go to the Beach at least three times between April - October 2009

* To go Snow Tubing this month or in February

* To make the Dean's List every semester

* To not let my job make my whole life miserable.

* To cut all "toxic people" out of my life.


A few words of advice or encouragement appreciated! *grin*

Well friends I am back at Crying Cow/Run once again after over a weeks respite.
It was WONDERFUL.
I sure wish I didn't have to come back. Kind of tacky, I know, in light of so many who WON'T be soon coming back but it's how I feel.
I do love the paycheck though *snicker*

My child has been an absolute BEAST since Christmas Eve. I don't know what has gotten into her but I feel like "beating" it out! I want my sweet little girl back not this smart-mouthed disobedient monster! Arrgghhhh!!!!!

I accidently deleted EVERY single Christmas picture that I took from my camera so all i've got is the pics from the Festival of Lights which i'll probably post them tomorrow or Wednesday. I want my sister to look and see if there is any way they can be retrieved (I read the manual and couldn't find any) before I take a few pics of my Christmas spoils at least to share.
Santa WAS good to me!
I hope he was good to YOU as well!....

We are in the midst of wrapping paper... gift bags... stockings ... reindeer poop - and the like!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Holiday and doing whatever it is that brings you happiness and peace.
Whether it be with family, friends, a special someone, your beloved pet(s) or by your own sweet self. (sometimes we are our own best company).

I am very blessed to have my family, my health, my job and wonderful friends such as all of you.

I am blessed.

Okay ... no laughing (I see you over there snickering!)
These are the only two shots one of the kids took with my camera.
I will get some more from the ones that the newspaper photographer shot.
I think i'll have access to them by Thursday.

It really was fun and I enjoyed doing it! It helped with my "christmas spirit"

Madison decided she wanted to be an elf the next morning ... this is how elves sit apparently! and they hold candy -filled canes!


Okay I am off today and out doing any manner of Elf-like things... Toodles~!

Finally without further ado.. for your viewing pleasure a tour of the Griswold, er, T*ndal abode by the cutest little Christmas girl EVER!!!!!

A Peppermint Christmas Fairy watches over our livingroom.........

Lighted packages (the middle one opens and closes) and a life-sized Santa welcome you

The Santa Express chugs through our yard and a little blowmold Snowman says "Hiya"!!

A Jolly Ol' Gator chases Surfin' Santa while another Santa makes a getaway in his trusty Speedboat!

No yard is complete without SNOOPY and his famous doghouse!!! from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Nascar Santa and his trusty pitcrew of Elves... we're not fans of J*mmie Johnson so Stacy tried to change the number... with whatelse? Duct Tape!!!!!

A Giant Frosty oversees the whole yard and all who enter!

This is a close-up of the lifesized Santa by the front door. I love him. Wouldn't he look GREAT in the entranceway of an old grand house! *hint* Stacy *hint*

Spongebob Santa oversees Maddie's playhouse. The spiral trees look great lit up but unfortunately they are tripping the breaker. Still it's pretty!

I hope you enjoyed your tour of our festive yard! It surprises me the people who come by to see it! I hope it makes Christmas a little merrier!

Sor-r-r-r-r! It IS Monday you know.
Without further ado.... the SANTA PANTS! I really do love them. I'd totally wear them. In fact i'm going to Dumas myself and scope out their cords. I had NO idea.

Nurse Jacki weighs and measure Madison. Will we EVER crack 40 lbs???

The incomparable Dr. Whi*tehead! We love him! He's taken care of Maddie since she was a tiny baby and done a GREAT job! He always listens and explains.

A weary........

19  

If my poor old body wouldn't curl up and die i'd do cartwheels - THAT is how happy I am that it is Friday!

I got a cute christmas card from Daisy & Man yesterday, Thank You!!!
I promise to get mine out over the week-end!

Madison went for her four year check-up yesterday. She did so good.
Had to have five shots and that almost killed me.
I will post some pics next week because I didn't get them downloaded last night.
Her doc was wearing the snazziest red corduroy pants with santa faces embroidered on them.
He got them at Dumas in Charleston. LOVED THEM!
I took a pic of him holding Madison and will be sure to do a zoom in of the pants.
I love her pediatrician. He is just the best!

Y'all have a fab-u-lous week-end. I plan to.
A little snuggling with my precious husband, taking baby girl to look at lights - can't wait!!!!!!

A suddendly energized and excited...

Stupid, stupid me climbed up on the back of the couch to put our Elf "Wink" up on the doorway after Madison went to bed (he flies back to the North Pole each night and reports on Maddie to Santa and we find him in a different spot each morning).
Well, I over-balanced and FELL on the floor ~splat~.
My leg hurts, my ankle hurts, my BACK hurts, both wrists hurt but...
Lucky I didn't break anything.
Thank God for thick carpeting (usually i'm cursing it in favor of hardwood floors).
Parenthood is NOT for the faint of heart!

I got nabbed to ride and make sure the tree didn't fall over! (it didn't)

The prettiest package on the float!

Madison and her little partner-in-crime Kaitlyn

Waiting on the action to begin!


I must say I had so much fun and saw so many people I knew! It was cold but we were bundled up well although we could have used some gloves. Madison kept her hands down in her sleeves to get them warm but I gamely waved and ended up with slightly blue tinged hands. I can't wait for next year already!!!! I need to send these pics to Stacy. He asked me to and I promptly forgot last night. Oops!
I'm slowly finding my holiday spirit. I just get so overwhelmed.. but that's another post for another day! Merry! Merry!

P.S. I already got some Christmas Cards- Thanks Casey,Dakota & Family, Bella & Ryan! Madison gets so excited when she sees them in the mailbox. Shhhh... I still do too!

To My Beloved *snort* Cow-Workers- Yes the benefits aren't as good as we had them, yes some are losing a weeks vacation (including me) but hey at least we have a steady paycheck for the unforeseeable future and we do have benefits. Sometimes you just have to look on the bright side no matter what.

To My Home Sweet Home- Look out because you are about to undergo a massive weight-loss. I am about to become clutter-free. Well, a LOT LESS cluttered. Let's not get carried away and tell a bald-faced LIE here! LOL

To Self: One cannot expect to not pay one's taxes and a magical sticker come in the mail. You have to have a current tag or you WILL get a ticket. Get thee hence to the Court House. Today!

To Boss: Do not even come stomping in here in a pissy mood because you had the past five days off and have to come back to work. I, for one am not in the mood for your shit. You have been warned.

I will have some pics of the Darlington Christmas Parade. I had THE BEST TIME!!!!!!!

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 ....