Here is the darling Princess wall hanging that Lee made for Madison. I just noticed Madison had it turned around so you can't see the detail and I will try to get a better pic of it but she loved it (and I do too). Thanks so much Lee.

Also Cheeky sent me some cool birthday gifts. I use that big ol' Minnesota Mug for hot tea and I love it. The candles are just beautiful, so "me". The leaf ornament will hang on my Christmas tree and I am a lip gloss addict!

Yesterday I received a package in the mail all the way from the land of Indy 500. I couldn't imagine what it was but sweet Jen at Insert Catchy Title Here had sent me a beautiful Willow Tree friendship statue. I do collect knick-knacks and I love it. She said it was a late birthday present and apologized for that. NO need for apologies Jen. It came on a day when I needed some brightening up and you did just that. To the right is Madison's silhouette portrait by Clay Rice.


Remember when my old wonderful boss left and I got the jealous insecure female boss.. well as I posted last Friday I have a new cool boss and it just keeps getting better. Today he told me since Madison is two now, and the holidays are so important and i'll be in Wisconsin so long, that when I fly back on the 20th I don't have to come back to work until Dec 28th. He would give me the 28th & 29th also but we do have some end-of-year loose ends to tie up and he prefers I help him with it. Fine with me. So.... i'll leave work on Friday Dec. 8 and not darken these doors again until Dec 28th. Um I can deal with that, yes I can. He also hinted broadly that he doesn't like the hierarchy that he was "given" and intends to make his own changes when feasible. Not counting my chickens or anything but maybe a promotion/pay raise is in my foreseeable future. ~Happy~Happy~Joy~Joy!
Great Boss - Check. Great Blogger Friends - Check. Life is GOOD.

This week-end we went to the Festival Of Lights at the James Island County Park in Charleston SC. It was so much fun!
The sand sculpture art was AWESOME. This is the big guy aka Santa Claus enjoying some beach time.

Madison rode the Merry Go Round three times, this time with Mommy on a Bunny Rabbit.

Then with Daddy on a silly Monkey! (her fave)

The first time was on a regular carousel horse

Here is a shot of the gift shop area it's blurry - sorry! But it was really pretty

This is a shot of us driving into Candy Land. I wish you could have saw Madison's face light up. She really loved it.

Yep i'll be flying back to the land of Snow and Cheese on December 10th and this time I feel fairly sure I might see some snow. Stacy is not too happy about it but I told him I think this is my last trip. It should be. Apparently I made such an ass out myself last trip impressed them so much last time that I have to go back and impress them again.

My brand new boss will be with me this trip (He's friends with my old boss - how do I keep getting so lucky and getting cool gay guys for my boss?) and he's already planning on us going barhopping and to the Casino and to Chicago for the week-end. I'll have my own car but I am not one to like driving much, so that's not much of a bonus for me. Now if they had included a driver, that would be a different story! I put down sports car, we'll see what I get. The girl beside me said "Put convertible". Uh, Hello?! Who wants to drive a convertible in the winter in Milwaukee, WI? Anyway I should get some Christmas shopping done while i'm there. I've been feeling kinda blue about the holidays so this should be a welcome diversion.

We went to see This guy ...Raef J*dd is one of the nicest guys around. He will race you clean, he is a gentleman on and off the Track. I heart him. He and Stacy have known each other forever and he was always my favorite driver in Summerville and when that Track closed I was thrilled when he came to race at FMS. Unfortunately he got in a wreck and totalled his car. His car is so pretty. You TX chicks would totally dig it. It is shiny burnt orange with purple numbers.

an ambulance was involved.. OMG I almost had a heart attack but Thankfully he was okay. You can see his beautiful orange car at the bottom of the Track

He relaxed on top of his Hauler right across from us

He had to walk some of the soreness off. He took a pretty bad lick, got T-boned on the Drivers side. That's him in the light grey shirt, I have one just like it that he gave me and I wear it every time I watch him race.

He also raced his Super Truck (also #34) but unfortunately was involved in another wreck (not his fault again) in that too finishing his day. Crap. :( I was not a happy camper.

Okay ... um.. I think Rat Tails went out when Silver Spoons went off the air?



To quote one of my favorite TX Blogger bitches Kami "Dear Bob"..... female plumbers crack. Who knew?

Oh and the plumbers crack chick was SCARY. Finally Stacy said "Patti, quit taking pictures of her before she catches you. She can totally kick your ass".
Me: "As If" ;) Oh what the hell. Here she is. Toldja she was scary!

Here are me (front of course) and my girlz behind me. We didn't all go to Milwaukee together but we ended up hanging out some. This was Sunday afternoon and I was beat. We went from the airport straight to the Mayfair Mall (which if i'm correct is the largest Mall in Wisconsin). Very productive trip but I am GLAD to be home. I missed Stacy,Maddie & Reilly more than I can say. I missed you sweet blogfriends also. If I have to go again I will definitely take my laptop though it seemed a big hassle. I've got to go do some stuff but I expect to visit some blogs over the week-end and at least comment on your latest post. Ciao!

P.S. No Laverne & Shirley sightings at all :( Fish, L&S are characters in a popular american sitcom from the early 70's, sort of a spin-off of Happy Days (Fonz-AAAAYYY)

Ha Haaaaa I can just see me & Cheeky as Laverne & Shirley but who would be who?.... Hmmmmmm?.....

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Schlemeel, schlemazel, hasenfeffer incorporated.

We’re gonna do it!
Give us any chance, we’ll take it.
Give us any rule, we’ll break it.
We’re gonna make our dreams come true.
Doin’ it our way.

Nothin’s gonna turn us back now,
Straight ahead and on the track now.
We’re gonna make our dreams come true,
Doin’ it our way.

There is nothing we won’t try,
Never heard the word impossible.
This time there’s no stopping us.
We’re gonna do it.

On your mark, get set, and go now,
Got a dream and we just know now,
We’re gonna make our dream come true.
And we’ll do it our way, yes our way.
Make all our dreams come true,
And do it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you."


I'm doing a last-minute load of clothes before I pack (do I suck or what?) Honestly I am the QUEEN of procrastination

Stacy is at Santee fishing since noon yesterday and Madison has REALLY missed her Daddy. All day today I had to endure "Daddy home?" "Where Daddy Momma?". I wonder if she'll miss ME that much????

Every year in Summerville businesses and individuals take part in a contest called Scarecrows On The Square. I love to go and see what ideas they come up with and took a few pictures. I'm sure Cheeky has been there too!


The Red Hat Club Scarecrows... One of my favs!

The Lions Club Scarecrow "Melvin" was collecting glasses for the needy.

This Weeny Witch poked her nose into it!

I love this Thanksgiving theme! Turkeys rule!

I loved her skirt - so colorful!

the Tooth Fairy! I want her mask!!!

Eeek it's a Geek!

Follow the Yellow Brick Road Madison

A Pink Poodle!

She sat right down on the steps and promptly started munching on a popcorn ball (It's okay, her Granny gave it to her). I had to explain that there were more houses to visit and more candy to get!

Which one is cuter? Tigger or the Pink Poodle. I"m going with the Poodle ;)

A little Halloweeen Cheer to burn your retinas this morning.....


Also to clarify the quinea questions.... they actually belong to my niece next door so no, they won't be moving with us. They are pets, they eat fleas,ticks,bugs in the grass. We also buy chicken scratch to throw out for them. They let me pet them but are still sort of skittish. They are obviously devoted to me & Stacy though because whenever we are outside they follow us around like dogs. It's pretty funny. I'll miss them when we leave.

Y'all I have GOT to find a t-shirt with that saying on it!
We sang and had cake/ice cream last night for Madison's actual birthday. She was smiling and kinda shy when we were singing (and it was only her nearest & dearest) but she's going through a "shy" stage right now. No she was NOT picking her nose! ;)

She blew out her candle so good! Didn't even spit all over the cake LOL

and then ... dug in! Her Pop (my Dad) baked her cake and it was yummy!

I think this concludes "Madison week" at Patti_Cake Land!

Two years ago today at this time I was in labor with my little Princess. Was I scared? Yep. Was I uncomfortable? Check. Would I do it again? You betcha. I wouldn't give a million dollars for my baby girl. Here she is as an infant. Yes, that IS me with short blonde hair. My Mom says i'm a chameleon LOL Wasn't she DARLING? I could just reach into that picture and cuddle her close and smell her little new baby smell. Mmmmm....

Here she is today my little pig-tailed monkey (Michael Manning you'd better stop by today - pigtails!) :) I am so blessed to have her and her Daddy to make up my wonderful little family. So.Very.Blessed.

*** I hope to get by your blogs maybe tonight. I'll probably only be able to comment on the most recent post since there are so many I visit but I WILL get there! Hugs!

Also a special cyber hug to Lynilu and Cheeky who have both lost precious furbabies.

Well the party has come and gone. We had so much fun. Madison was good as gold despite arriving late and being whisked into her party ensemble. She was so excited by the balloons! Her actual birthday isn't until this Thursday.You can see my Mom and my niece Casey in the photo. It's not at my house either.

Her cake was an ice cream cake and it was YUMMY! We had none left!

The birthday girl!

Mommy and Daddy, tired but happy. We went non-stop for two days getting ready!

Mommy and Maddie, the Queen and the Princess

She was excited over each and every present!

But when her eyes saw THIS! We waited until last and she didn't really want to get off to eat birthday cake! Pictured with her is Gavin whom she calls "Boy" LOL

Here is my little monkey last night at Raceway Grill. She is getting so much easier to take out to eat. For awhile she would throw things on the floor (big NO NO for me) and didn't want to stay in the chair but now she just eats and entertains us and the other patrons. Can you tell I don't have much by way of post today? I guess I rambled on so long about my orthodontic experience yesterday... and i'm leaving early at 11:30 so i've got some blogs to visit! Have a great week-end and .... Don't Do Anything I Wouldn't Do ...... heh heh heh ...

After reading about my friend

Seven's

upcoming adventures into the world of Orthodontia I thought about when I got my braces. I was having terrible headaches and pain in the side of my face. I went to the Doctor and after eliminating other possible scenarios we decided it was TMJ and I was advised to pursue Orthodontics. I went home, discussed the situation with Stacy and made an appointment for the following week. I got to the Orthodontists office. They did x-rays, made molds etc... I was asked "When do you want the braces put on?". Me: "Well, Thanksgiving is coming up and i'd really like to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving so as soon as possible". Dental Tech: "How about today?". Me: "Huh? Today. Well, Okay". So.... since it was a spur-of-the-moment deal and they didnt' have time to put the spacers on they used this thing that looked like an electrified small pizza cutter and "spaced" my teeth. Oy. I don't know if it was the noise that bothered me the most but that was a most unpleasant experience. Then they put this plastic thingy in my mouth that held my mouth open, I sort of looked like a cow saying MOO very loudly. After the brackets were put on I had the most unpleasant taste/sensation in my mouth and only sipping a cold Co-Cola gave me relief. My mouth was SORE. But nothing compared to my feelings when I got home and was met by my darling husband at the door. When I smiled at him in greeting he shrank back "Ohmigod. You are so ugly with them on". I burst into tears. Then he hastily tried to backpeddle saying "You're not UGLY, I was just, um, surprised. I didn't know you were getting them on today". "Really Hon I was just surprised. You're not ugly". Me blubbering away "No,you said I was ugly. That's what you said". He STILL has not lived that one down.
I don't consider braces ugly,and i'm sure Seven will be just as handsome with them as without. I am still self-conscious about wearing them. I don't smile a whole lot but I guess when they come off... i'll find my smile again.

To: Snoopylife Insurance Company: Thanks for jacking the insurance premium on my new house because "if we suffer a loss and have to re-build it will cost between $800,000 and $900,000." EXQUEEZE ME? If we suffer a loss I am not going to be building the Taj Mahal. Asses. Somebody better get their shit together and FAST.

To: my old buddy Asschips. No, we will not be traveling to Milwaukee "together". We may somehow end up on the same flight but i'll make sure we are nowhere near each other in the Hotel. You can bet on that. Freak.

To: The old raisin who insists on asking me a hundred times "What's it feel like to be forty?". The same way it felt for you eighty years ago.

To: The Meddling old b*tches around here. Go test your brooms, your big day is only two weeks away, you know. You're seriously working my last nerve.

Some more of my birthday gifts (and still not all; I got flowers, balloons, spa products, gift cards). I had a really nice day.
These darling shoes are from my friend Stacey. She has the monogram shop I mentioned before. They have inter-changeable ribbons. This one has a candy corn on it. I love it!!! They are SO comfortable! I'm getting a brown/blue ribbon with my initials monogrammed on it and a christmas ribbon also. I can wear them with stockings if need but we frequently have 70's temps around Christmas. Don't hate :)


This is my SC Welcome Stone from Madison, Reilly, Brett, Spooky & Roll. I dont' know if I mentioned it but the palmetto tree/crescent is our state symbol and VERY popular. I plan on doing one room alone in that motif.

My Palmetto Tree Trash Can from Carrie and Brittany.