This is the same little girl who HATED to have her picture taken. I had my camera out and she said "Cheese Mamma". I was so delighted!
I still haven't had "enough" apparently but i'm getting there.Thanks for all of the good advice & support.

It might be hard to see but this woman has on overall shorts and a string bikini top. Yes, people it is true. I had to take the picture from far away to avoid getting my ass beat by her and her large common-law husband as they had already busted us making fun of her outfit when they were walking in the gates. You will see any and every kind of sight at a redneck racetrack on a Saturday night (technically this was Sunday due to a rain-out the night before but who's keeping track?)

Oh and did I mention I got into an altercation with a large man who out-weighed me by oh, a good 200 lbs?
Yes I did, but did Patti_Cake back down from the behemoth?
No S
he did NOT! She defended her driver's honor.
Here is the hottie who's honor I was defending, and my own hottie's beside him in his rebel pride shirt

As you can see Maddie is feeling better today (despite the fit she's currently throwing because she's tired but doesn't want to take a nap). She had bad blisters in her mouth and that was hell trying to get her to eat or drink so she didn't dehydrate but today is much better. She had a few blisters between her fingers but none on her feet/toes. I guess we were actually pretty lucky, though it sure didn't feel like it at times.
Brett is in the box my Garrett's popcorn came in this morning. Ohmigod that stuff is AWESOME. The cheesecorn is so buttery and cheesey. I thought it would be my pick but I actually heart the carmelcrisp a little more. I will probably buy this for some Christmas gifts. My fingers are already stained yellow!
Thanks for all of your kind wishes and suggestions for Maddie. We appreciate it. I stayed home with her because hf&m diseaase is highly contagious and I didn't want to risk infecting Carrie and her family.

Here is Madison last week with her caregiver, Carrie. We were doing a print of her hand and she loved getting messy! Carrie is worth a million dollars to me. Madison loves her to pieces, she listens to her and respects her and I don't have to worry about missing work when Maddie is sick like I would if she were in Daycare. I am a lucky, lucky Mommy and so is Maddie.
I figured y'all had enough with my bathroom post below LOL So i'd plaster another pic of my baby (who BTW her Daddy is taking her to the doctor as we speak becasue she has been running a fever today and has white/greenish blisters on her tongue and won't eat or drink). I'll give an update tomorrow. Poor baby :(

UPDATE: Madison has Hand,Foot & Mouth Disease. I only recently heard of this due to the Kept Woman's Peanut being infected. Of course Stacy said "She hasn't been around any cows". I stifled an urge to laugh and told him "It's not hoof/mouth disease." It IS very contagious though. Ugh. Now we've got to get soft, non-acidic things to feed her.

Blogger is once again being a HAB and won't let me post any pics so i'll just ramble on. I had a nice peaceful week-end. Stac & Maddie went to Summerville and I stayed home.
I went shopping with my sister on Saturday and man were the stores PACKED. It wasn't even tax-free week-end (that's this coming week-end). Good for the economy I guess. I sure did my share. Well, tell me what YOU did this week-end. :)
P.S. Did anybody else hear about Mel Gibson's arrest for drunk driving? He was pretty abusive to the officers involved. Wow. Not too cool.

Yesterday we went to the Watermelon Festival in Pageland, SC. It was a great time! They had the cutest little kiddie carnival, Maddie even rode the roller coaster - big girl! Her favorite is the merry-go-round though. Pageland is a small town that has retained alot of it's small-town feel. The downtown area is nice and the store fronts were all decorated to commemorate the festival. They were giving away free watermelon and it was cold, oh man good stuff! It's like taking a big bite of a smile.
Tell me about any festival's you have attended in your area. I'm a festival junkie!

I apologize for the poor quality of this picture. I took a picture of the actual picture sitting on a shelf and hurriedly downloaded it this a.m. before leaving for work. This is me and Stacy nearly 12 years ago. Yes I was pudgy when we got married. He loved me anyway ;) It is so hard to believe that was almost 12 years ago. My wedding was the most stressful event I had ever experienced up to that time but boy was it beautiful. We still watch the video sometimes but it's been awhile. Maybe it's time to break it out again. I know Madison will get a kick out of it when she is older. Hope everyone has a happy week-end! Got any wedding or romance stories to share?

Please note the elegant plastic menus and formica booths. Also the mural of Nascar Winston Cup Drivers behind me & Stacy. I was able to name every single one. Stacy was impressed :)


Since it was his last night w/ us Chandler wanted to eat at Raceway Grill. Raceway Grill is a hole-in-the-wall right outside the big ol' Darlington Raceway here in lovely Darlington, South Carolina. Lots of Nascar Drivers eat at the Grill when they are in town. The hamburger steak is awesome (the size of a dinner platter) and the french fries, they are hand cut and fresh. I could eat less than 1/4 of my hb steak w/ onions & cheese and about 10 french fries but Chandler & Stacy helpfully took care of the rest! We don't go to Raceway alot, but every so often we crave those handcut fries. Of course we go on Race week-end to be looky-loos On any given Friday or Saturday night be prepared to WAIT because this is a popular place. So... if you are ever in Darlington now you know where to eat!

BIG HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BLOG BUDDY CHEEKY

Well I thought Chandler was going home this week-end and i'd be able to meet Cheeky but he wants to stay this week too so Stacy & Maddie will take him home on Friday. Hopefully next trip Cheeky!
Instead we went to the beach for the week-end. I can't describe how the beach makes me feel. I love relaxing on the sand, letting the warm sun kiss my body, the ocean breeze blowing alternately warm and cool. Ahhh.... there isn't much better to me. I grab a day or two whenever I can but I think next month we are going back for a WEEK. Bliss.
What happens when you let an 11 year old take your picture? Dork-On-The-Beach that's what! ;)

But it takes a special one to be A Daddy!" Here is Daddy's little girl waving a sparkler on the 4th of July. Last year she grabbed one and burnt her lip. We felt like the WORST parents ever! This year she just kept saying "Ooh pretty". Stacy is not only an awesome husband he is an awesome Daddy as well. He changed Madison's first ever diaper and has never shirked from one since. He cooked dinner for us last night and cleaned up. I told Chandler "You better take notes on how to be a good husband".

#1 I can't believe I was dumb enough to come back to work today! Thursday feels like a Monday. Ugh!
#2 We went to a big family 'do in Summerville and brought back my 11 year old nephew Chandler with us. Last night it was `knock`knock`knock. Chandler would go to the door and either Brittany or Hailey would be standing there giggling. Or else they were on the front porch peeping in the window. Gah! I didn't know that started at their age! (almost 7) Finally I said "Chandler please go outside and smile at them, wave, SOMETHING. They are driving me nuts". So Chandler gamely goes outside and game "chase" ensues. Me & Madison went out to watch the proceedings. Cute! It should be even more interesting today when Kelsey is there too!

We had yummy grilled hamburgers & hotdogs, silver queen corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, baked beans, pasta salad, chips, cupcakes, blueberry pie, unbaked cookies & I think that about covers it. We had AWESOME fireworks. Of course the guys were in charge of setting them off while the girls ran squealing from the wild ones but Madison LOVED the fountains & sparklers. Not so much the bottle rockets & firecrackers buti'm not a fan of those etiher.

Well, what did everyone else do their 4th of July holiday? What did you eat? Didja see any good fireworks?

As soon as Stacy gets home after 5 we will be packing up and heading down to Summerville for a big family get-together tomorrow so I thought i'd go ahead and wish all of you a Happy 4th of July. May you eat plenty of good food and enjoy pretty, sparkly fireworks!
I am raising my hand for the "dumbass of the day" award. There is a pool in our backyard. A large pool, not a kiddie pool, filled with sparkling clean blue water. So why am I laying on a freaking lounge chair melting in a pool of my own sweat. Wait, I forgot the old maxim, "Southern girls don't Sweat, we Glisten".
Okay, why am I glistening my ass off in near hundred degree heat? Because I am a moron who doesn't want to get her hair wet in the pool and the kids will splash me cos' they are rotten 6-11 year olds! I can't stand a swim cap either so I guess i'll just wrap this up and go glisten some more!

I got an email from "someone" who was offended by yesterdays post about my darling Yorkipoo, Reilly, and the baby Guinea. "Someone" said that if I were going to exploit my pet for amusement purposes that just maybe I should not be a pet owner, and also that I did not seem to be concerned for the welfare of the tiny Guinea if I let my dog that close to it. Initially I was all upset and hurt, then I got mad.

First off "someone" can kiss my ass. I love animals as much as anyone (more than the average person). I take wonderful care of Reilly and my cats and have rescued many animals over the years and taken in strays. I AM concerned about the welfare of the Guinea which is why i'm having my husband build it a pen so it will have some modicum of safety from predators. It's not my bird but I will do what I can to look after it's welfare. I am always checking on my niece's dogs and rabbits to make sure they have what they need also (food,water,shade) but she is an excellent pet owner as well in my opinion.
Well now that i've got that off my chest I want to wish you all a WONDERFUL week-end. Some have to work Monday (I don't) but i'm sure i'll blog from home.
How about light a sparkler for me :)
Firecracker. Out.

My niece who lives next door is somewhat of a Dr. Doolittle.
She has three large dogs, two rabbits and now she just got, from God knows where, a baby Guinea.
He is a little guy, probably the size of a tennis ball on a good day. To me, he looks like a tiny quail.
Anyway myself,Madison & Reilly went over there yesterday on the screened in front porch where the quinea currently resides.
Reilly is my darling 5 lb Yorkipoo. He thinks he's a guard dog but the cats are twice his size,poor little guy.
He noticed the guinea and made his way over to it. The tiny bird stood there, looking him dead in the face.
As Reilly leaned toward it the bird pecked him a quick peck on the nose. Reilly jumped back. The look on his face said "What the hell is this and what did it do to me?".
He eased forward again and the guinea pecked him again. Reilly backpedalled toward me. Then the guinea sensed that he had the upper hand and it was ON.
He ran poor Reilly all over that porch and we were just screaming with laughter. Maybe i'll get a chance to video it. For once Reilly finds something that is smaller than him and it turns out to be feisty. It's tough being small I guess.
****UPDATE to answer Sandra's question of what does she plan to do with the guinea whenit's grown, she plans to keep it and let it run in the yard and roost in trees. They eat all kinds of bugs.

Yesterday when I got off work I stopped by our local Farmers Market and got a dozen ears of the fattest,sweetest Silver Queen Corn you could imagine and a big juicy Watermelon. I got home, seasoned & pattied up the hamburgers, we shucked the corn and Stacy got to grilling. It was the best supper. It just felt like I was eating summertime.
Then I got absorbed on eBay and when I came out of my bidding daze Stacy had gathered everything up, put away the leftovers, did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, bathed the baby and got her ready for bed, had a load of clothes going in the washer AND he had a drink ready for me. Talk about spoiled. Did I mention he totally rocks? Cos' he does.

Well my week-end is over with. This is me & my best friend Mindy (in yellow) who lives in St. Pete, FL She was up over the week-end and I left early from work so I didn't get to visit everyone's blogs. My abject apologies.
Lee I was in your neck of the woods yesterday at the Barnyard Flea Market. Didn't buy much there but it was fun to walk around and Madison loved it too.
No drama to report this a.m. I went in the canteen got some grits & bacon and went right on upstairs. AssChips was there but he didn't say a word. Maybe he's getting my vibe finally.

Okay I need a little advice from my blogger friends. You know I work at the Crying Cow Bank which is a VERY uptight, by-the-book kind of place. There is this guy who works here. He used to play for the Atlanta Braves (he has a World Series ring - very cool) until he got hurt. Anyway there are some that are jealous or who have had a problem with him in the past. He is a good looking african american male and very flirtatious. A short while ago I went to the drink machine to get a Diet Mt Dew. We crossed paths and he made a teasing remark "Working that money maker early this morning" to which I laughed and then we stopped and conversed about something work-related. He just called and told me someone reported him to HR for the remark to me. I told him it was NOT me and I think he believes me. I don't have a problem with that kind of stuff. BUT now I know HR will probably be calling me and what do I do? I can deny he said it and probably get him off the hook. I HATE shit like this. WHY oh why can't people just mind their own business? If you did not make the remark or it was not directed to you, just ignore it. Do I have the wrong attitude? HELP!

UPDATE: I did have to go to HR and I told her that we were discussing something business related (true) and that nothing offensive was said to me.(true) I re-iterated that I consider him a good colleague and have no problem with him whatsoever. He later called and thanked me because I probably saved his job. Whew i'm glad that is over with. He is just a real sweetheart and I know pure old fashioned jealousy and maybe a bit of racism is behind this. The women around here literally throw themselves at him and he is a bit of a "player".

Yep I am looking for one of these: an AMC Pacer. I want to restore it and paint it hot pink and drive my daughter to school in it. Do you think she'll be embarassed? Maybe she'll think it's tres' cool? I LOVE the movie Wayne's World so of course i'll have blast Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody while driving it!
My ex SIL's mother had a yellow Pacer back in the day and to little 8 year old me it was the car of the future. Something out of the Jetsons!

Well I did get my pictures downloaded. There are none of me cos' i'm the one always weilding the camera. I told Stacy he has got to practice taking pictures or we won't have any of me & Maddie :( Isn't she darling? She loved the Beach so much. Got knocked down and was gun shy for a minute but then she was right back out there. We sat in the surf and dug for shells and filled up cups and then she threw them or dumped them out. Just simple but fun. Before leaving Sunday we went to eat at Murrells Inlet ("a quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem") We wanted to eat at Nance's but they weren't open yet so we opted instead for Flo's. Very good choice. I had crab legs and Stacy had Boiled Shrimp, Oysters & Mahi Mahi. Madison ate what we ate but she preferred her Daddy's plate to mine. All in all it was a good week-end.
I'm telling y'all I could really stand to live at the Beach. Something about the warm sand, the ocean air, the water calls to me.

This was one of the neatest things i've ever done. I have a fear of heights coupled with a fear of flying so two things I vowed i'd never do was 1) go sky-diving (jump out of an airplane) 2) ride in a helicopter especially one with no doors on it. Well as you can see I did the helicopter thing but I was firmly ensconced in the middle. That's my hub Stacy by the door. It was FREEZING but definitely gave me the thrill of a lifetime. What is one thing you've done that you were glad you did it?

P.S. _ We went to Myrtle Beach this past week-end (it was HEAVEN) but my stupid laptop froze up w/ the pics in it. Maybe i'll have them to post tomorrow! OMG it was GREAT though. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, warm enough. The sand & water were the perfect temp. Oh WHY can't I go ahead and win that damn lottery already!