Here is the gift the marvelous Lynilu sent me (still can't do linkage - I did try!)

Lynilu gave me this explanation: "Having a symbol of the bear in the home gives protection to the occupants and helps them to withstand difficulties, to understand their lives, to heal all sorts of ills.
~ ~ ~Patti, I thought about your middle name. Many were available: Stunning; Dreamer; Loyal; Friend; Gentleness; Optimism; Warmth; Faith, to name just a few. But then I found the one that encompassed all. Your middle name is "Special."" I love it!

I received a surprise package yesterday from Lynilu!
I will have to take a picture of what she sent this week-end but they will definitely go into my Curio Cabinet.
I love them! Thank you so much Lynilu. You are the sweetest lady!
That was the good note, on a bad one Madison was still sick last night.
We had multiple visits from UpChuck (she couldn't even keep gatorade down) and then the Poonami started but she seems better this morning.
I am in the world's WORST mood though and woe unto anyone who crosses my path.
They will walk away with 1/4 of an ass you can bet on that!
*sigh* so it doesn't look like a very good week-end is in store for me.
"Paging Pity Party Of One". :P

While on our trip to M*yrtle Beach last week we ate at Crabby Mike's which is actually locted in Surfside Beach (between Myrtle Beach and Garden City Beach - confused? Good!).
At $21.95 per person it may sound steep but well, well worth it my friends (as Cheeky can attest). They have over 120 items on their buffet and i'm talking things like boiled shrimp, garlic steamed mussels, steamed oysters, scallops, prime rib, and fresh king crab legs. I only ate mussels, oysters, scallops and crab legs. Stacy ate crab legs and prime rib (lots of both) and two pieces of peanut butter pie for desert. Neither Madison nor Chandler would eat any seafood but as you can see below Maddie enjoyed "helping" Daddy with the crablegs.

This one has a pincer on it! Look out Daddy!

All this eating has me zonked out! Zzzzzzz....

As I mentioned I did enjoy our little beach trip. To me there is nothing more relaxing than laying on the beach with my toes in the sand. What relaxes you the most?
EDIT:
I know some of you laugh at my co-workers but can I just say I am surrounded by FREAKS? There is a guy I work with. Sometime after the New Year (can't remember EXACTLY when) he came out of the closet and began dating another guy who works here. Of course it generated a lot of gossip etc. Well last week or a few weeks ago (again fuzzy on the details) the guy who recently came out was arrested for stalking his estranged wife (Yes people he was married and then came out of the closet) and now she has a restraining order against him and there has been all sorts of drama. I saw him in the Cafe' a minute ago and... he scares me. He has such an intense, scary look/way about him. I can seriously see this guy going postal. *shivers*

Thank God it's Tuesday. Tuesday is a much friendlier day than Monday. Why is it when you are out of work for a day or two the minute you are back, everyone descends on you like locusts? They know you have voicemail messages, emails coming out the wazoo .... give me a little time to re-group, people!
I am a sleepy gal this morning. Due to some auditing issues I have to come in at 6a.m. this morning, Tomorrow and probably Thursday. The only positive thing is the traffic is VERY light at that time of the morning. Well as you can see I am the babbling brook, this is all i've got.
I do want to give a shout out to Shell at Shell's Thoughts (see blogroll I can't do linkage). She is collecting money for a blogpal, Carrie (of Random Ramblings) whose precious kitty Mufassa passed away two weeks ago and she is having a memory stone done at the ASPCA which i'm sure that $ will go to help other animals in need. Hat's off to both of those thoughtful, kind, compassionate Texas girls.
Are you a cat person or a dog person? I'm both I guess. Being that I have both. Cat's are easier if you have to go away for a day or two but I do love my little Reilly bug. He is so sweet to cuddle on and play fetch with. He is so devoted to me and he really cheers me up when i'm having a bad day. Thank God for Pets!

Oh and SOMEBODY had a birthday last week....... Bwwa haaaa haaa!!!

Good Monday Morning All! I am SPOILED from being off a couple of days. Ugh it was SO hard to get up this morning and get into the swing of things. We had a wonderful time last week. We did go to the Beach and I did get to put my toes in the sand if only for a little while. It has been FREEZING here but is supposed to start warming up tomorrow. Well as you can see below the Easter Bunny visited it (wait - or was it Santa Claus? That's a lot of loot for one bunny to deliver!). OK my kid is spoiled...

This is where we, er, the BUNNY hid it. Beside my Curio Cabinet.

When she woke up instead of coming in our room like she always does, she went straight and looked for her hidden Easter Basket. She came staggering in our room with the big stuffed Bunny. It was so sweet! Then Chandler took her to see the rest of her loot.

Hey it's a cheesy grin but at least it's a grin! A rarity from Madison in pictures!

We had an Easter Egg hunt for her and my SIL's husband's grandson. They are the same age and so cute! It was fun.

Doesn't she look SO grown-up laying on the floor coloring? *sniffle*

Now she was rolling around being silly :)

This is my favorite shot of her hunting Easter Eggs. Happy Easter Everyone!

Okay I know I did the "fluff" post below but I have some things I MUST get out - or explode so ....without further ado....

To my blonde page-boy co-worker: You, my good lady, are F#$@%!ng annoying. You bray like a donkey when you laugh. You are WAY too ingratiating to the point of being nauseating. You are so freaking OCD / Germaphobic that I would like to push you off of the top of our building.

To Racist/Homophic Guy: Do not, I repeat, Do Not roll your eyes at me nor give me dirty looks. I am not the one at fault. You are. Excuse me if you are uncomfortable because I called you out on your un-PC views.

To spike-haired wanna-be rocker chick: This is a banking institution. We are business oriented and slightly conservative so if you are asked to take your facial piercings out and to dress a tad less slutty, just do it and skip the speech on "freedom of expression". You are not a teenager anymore and I believe you even saw 40 many moons ago. So, get over it okay?

To: The Hottie in the Mustang convertible. When you grin at me and give me that jaunty wave my heart just goes pitter-pat. You make my day, you little hottie! Oh yes you do! Thanks!

Am I the only one in this freakin' building who has gotten run over by the Mailbot multiple times in one day? Does he lay in wait for me? Am I mildly retarded and just haven't realized it????!!!

To off-set the ugliness of my post yesterday I present to you our first Library visit! *** racist/homobophic co-worker didnt' sit with me today in the Cafe'. Boo Hoo. I doubt if i'll have to put up with him anymore. He did give me a dirty look though. Again, Boo. Hoo.


We were both mesmerized by the Little Tikes Computer Station for ages 2+ It is an actual computer but the controls are kid-friendly.

Already knows about headphones and how to wield a Mouse. Scary! (but cool)

Hmmmm which puzzle to choose? Decisions.. decisions....

Okay Mommy i've got the perfect puzzle. Let me show you!

Okay this guy is all i've been hearing about for the past two weeks. "I wanna see Easter Bunny, wanna see Easter Bunny". We took her last night and she cried but we made her sit on his lap and get her picture taken anyway. I think it's cute! She didn't mind eating the lollipops he gave her though :) That's my girl, never miss an opportunity for free food no matter what!
***

First off this is my oldest kitty Brett. He loves to lay on Mommy's bed (notice how the duvet matches his pink nose) He is the sweetest, most loving cat ever. My other cat Spooky is more aloof but he is a "talker".

Ignore the junk to the right, somebody was doing yardwork (and it WASN'T me!)

She looks so skinny in this picture! I swear we feed her!

She sure does love her trike. She usually rides it in the house but she is allowed to bring it outside when we are doing something in the front yard.

Everybody have a wonderful week-end. Madison is going to my MIL's and both are VERY excited about it.

If you are wondering the easter egg trees (there are five of them)are in a row behind me as I snapped these pics looking at the house. If I think about it i'm going to stand across the street and get the whole effect. Purpletwinkie, don't hyperventilate with excitement Mmmmkay? ;)

Stacy bought this for a QUARTER at a yardsale. We were sure it didn't work, but it does! Oh joy!

This is the ONLY airblown I could find for Easter. I like it but I want a BIG one. The shipping is so high to order them online though. *sigh*

If anybody catches me curled up and napping on your blog it's because my little one did not go to bed... *drumroll please* until TWO A.M. She wasn't sick, wasn't hurting, I don't know WHAT was wrong but I do know I can't take another night like that and i'm glad she is going to her Grandma's Friday & Saturday night

Here I am yesterday morning wearing my beautiful necklace that SHELL made me!

Here is my "borrowing" neighbor. He was going to another neighbor with a blue plastic cup. I'm guessing he was borrowing sugar?

This is him in front of his house. He couldn't tell I was taking pictures it looked like I was taking them of my easter egg trees (aren't they cute). On a scarier note I was looking out my diningroom window that same evening (Can we say MRS KRAVITZ??!) and I saw him peeping into his neighbors window. Oy. I am not getting involved in that but I will definitely keep my eye out. I'm glad he lives on the other side of the street! Creepy. (no banjo comments either Manblogger!)

Shell from "Shell's Thoughts" pulled a sneaky one and got my address from Cheeky. (threated to have no beer when Cheeky comes to stay w/ her for Blogger Blowout Houston 2007 next month). Clever girl and Cheeky's weak hehehe..... Anyhoo I got a GORGEOUS necklace made by Shell herself. OMG I couldn't have picked out anything more perfect! You all know how I heart brown and turquoise (the colors of my beloved Java Blue Villager Vera Bradley Bag that I got for my birthday). Here is a pic of it but Stacy took one of me wearing it this morning that i'll have to download for show tomorrow. Thank you so very much Shell. I feel so special!

When Madison and I pulled in the driveway there was a box sitting on the porch. Madison said "Mine?". I said "Let's see. Yep it has your name on it". We barely got in the door before she was bouncing around chanting "Open it Mommy, Open it". I told her to pose for a picture first. She was still chanting LOL

The box was from my bestest bud in Minne-freakin-sota CHEEKY
The cutest shamrock shades and headband which sure did make me laugh. My girl looks like a bug in the glasses (albeit a cute bug). She loves them!

There was also some cute socks, a piggy bank (which I promptly put in my curio) and a sucker which Madison and I both ate. Well, she broke a piece off and I got that. Wow that was some kind of a good sucker girl! Thank you so much for making our day Shell and Cheeky! It sure made up for my depressing Saturday to know people are thinking of me.

This hangs above Madison's bed. I love it. I got it at the same place I got some of SFG's stuff that I sent her.

I snuck in and took this one of her sleeping. That is the dreadful BOY that she must sleep with every single night. She loves that doll more than life itself :)

A co-worker took this when I was walking through Friday.

I am feeling a little better after my mini-meltdown Saturday so thank you very much for all of the nice comments and for not making fun of my stupid my-space sounding grammar. ;)

Check out her snazzy rainboots (Old Navy - Clearence $3.50), she MUST wear them every time it is raining.

Tell me my girl is not a little lady. Already wearing Pearls. Oh, okay I 'fess up. I bought these at T*arget in the PET SECTION. But we'll never tell her? No we won't.

She spends HOURS at this Little Tikes Vanity.

Ooh these caps can be HARD to get off!


I am leaving at 11(hour and a half) Yippee! So ya'll have a wonderful week-end!

My cool new "mod" shades. My sister said I look like a dork. You can see the people in the car behind me. hehe.... I am contemplating taking a half day tomorrow and get Madison's Easter pics done. Not sure if I will or not yet. Depends on how much the boss can show his ass. :)
Guess I will throw in a few PSA's while i'm thinking of them:

To Easter Egg Girl: Do you even look in the mirror before you walk out the door in the morning? Do you? You have on a bright yellow blouse, bright purple skirt and bright yellow shoes. You look like... a giant easter egg. Not a good look I assure you

To Plumber Crack Guy: Your brains must be leaking out of your crack because you drive for shit. Next time you swerve over in front of me like that (and I do see you several times a week remember) I am letting you hit me and I will have a new ride and you will be out of a job. You have been warned.

To the two pleasingly plump chicks in the Cafe whom my boss lovingly christened "The Wildebeest" (and I SWEAR I didn't give him even a hint or say a word beforehand). Ladies, ladies, ladies. There will still be some food there if you two are not first in line. I promise. Cross my heart.

To the old lady with the frizzy perm. It is bad bad bad manners to elbow my friend T out of the way in the porkchop line. They weren't THAT good (well ok the smothered ones rocked) but honestly. She almost dropped her tray and I really had to restrain her from smacking the shit out of you. We have our eye on you.

To Pug Lady. I told you last week that I understand when you walk past my house it is second nature for your male dog to pee on my bushes. That's okay. However I did ask that you not let him shit in my yard. Yesterday when I was in the laundry room what did I see? Your pug SHITTING IN MY YARD. And you didn't scoop it up. Next time I am busting out the front door like a SWAT team got it? Let's be a good neighbor mmmmm kay?

*** Oh and why didn't someone tell me that the classic Jergens Lotion cherry/almond scent smells so good that I am struggling not to lick my hands?

On one wall in my livingroom is a framed print of the King George IV Inn in Charleston SC. A bed and breakfast we stayed in last February. A neat souvenier!

My palm tree floor lamp in my livingroom. The picture really doesn't do justice to how pretty it is. We use this in the evening instead of the overhead light to get Madison calm and mellow for bedtime!

A somewhat blurry pic of the glass doorknobs throughout my House. I just love them! They are original to the house.

I'd always wanted a Curio cabinet, and my sweet husband bought me one. It has touch lighting and will hold all of my treasures. I am delighted with it! (We'll pretend we don't see the mess to the right in the diningroom Mmmmkay?)

Here is my new sleigh bed. Ignore the spots at the bottom,that has something to do with the photo and NOT the bed! Stacy didn't even mind the pink/brown toile duvet. His exact words were "I could give a shit what color it is as long as my ass can sleep". Nice.

Here is one wall of Madison's room. I still have pictures to hang and stuff to do and her toys are now in there as well. The picture goes so well with the darling Princess Wall Hanging made for her by LEE of "Carolina On My Mind". Thanks again Lee!

Here is the palmetto tree bench Stacy bought me for Christmas and the palmetto hanging stone that Madison,Reilly,Brett & Spooky gave me for my birthday. Wonder which one of THEM picked it out? hehe......

Now for the broken... I think I have broken the toe next to my pinkie toe. I tripped going up my brick backsteps. Can you say OUCH? Well, actually the air was fairly blue there for a few minutes with cusswords. I have to say it's little but it HURTS.

I downloaded these two pics before I moved the computer from old house to new. I still don't know WHERE my USB cord is but i'm looking. It's driving me nuts.
Here is my BirdGirl statue in front of the house. Isn't that ivy pretty? If any of you are familiar with John Berendt's book/movie "Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil" this statue is featured on the cover of the book. She also guards the entrance to Bonaventure Cemetary in Savannah, GA. I lubs me some Savannah and I have even met the Lady Chablis who was in the movie. She is a HOOT. Anyway Stacy bought me
this statue as a souvenier and I heart her. She looks "at home" here doesn't she?
OK Southern Fried Girl had to rain on my parade (kidding!) and pointed out this is not exactly like the statue on the front of the book. SHE has the exact statue :) Which is a greenish/jade color and just looks a bit different. Mine is probably a bootleg version of the birdgirl. Who knew?

This is my entrance stone in front of my door. Can you tell it's a sunburst/palm tree? Stacy has tripped over this so many times but I think he FINALLY remembers it is there. Uh just kinda ignore the fact that somebody needs to wash off the front stoop Mmmkay? Thank Ya!
Well i'm off to get some breakfast (please let them have some good mini muffins! if not biscuit swirls) and I have an 8:00am meeting then i'll get down to the business of visiting your blogs!