My Pearls and Wedding Rings ... given to me by my beloved husband, Stacy.
My hand-monogrammed ring from Charleston... given to my by my dear friends Bella and Cheeky........

What is something that defines you?

****EDITED TO ADD**** we are now under a Tropical Storm Warning for our County

I hope the boss is mellow today and I hope he okays the week of Christmas off for me like I asked him.
My trip to the dentist still has me cringing. I swear I can still smell the burnt peanut-y smell. Gack. Turns my stomach. He did a bang-up job though. I go back Sept 30th. Will be glad to get it all over and done with.
I am feeling so-o-o-o-o restless. I need a trip. Stacy if you're reading this - hint~hint.
I know what he'd say. "Next Month".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET NIECE JULIANA Who turns FIVE today! It seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms at Christmas at Ma's :)

As much as I love the beach - and I do love the beach alot anymore, I love Fall best. I am so happy to see September arrive. Madison and I were at the Playground yesterday morning and I saw some golden leaves gently drifting to the ground ....
It was nice three-day week-end. Didn't get some things done that I would have liked to, but I spent time with loved ones and that is most important.
Boss is out today, leaving me with peace and blessed quiet (hearing him call my name sets my teeth on edge) and even though I have a dentist appointment I don't even mind that because i'm getting the damage done by my braces fixed.
Maddie and I sat out on the porch last night waiting on the Pizza Delivery person and it was downright chilly!
Thoughts & Prayers going out to those affected by Gustav. I even dreamed about it Saturday, Sunday & last night. Also keeping an eye on Hanna churning out there and now we have joinging the party Ike - Yikes! (Sorry - couldn't resist!).

Cheryl Wray is turning the big 4-0 today and she's hosting a birthday party on her blog. Fun! I love pink and picked out this pink poufy party dress to wear to your party Cheryl. The design would allow me to eat lots of cake and goodies and hides a multitude of caloric sins!

You can't have a birthday without CAKE! Yummy looking frosting!

I'm a big fan of jumping on the bed or the couch but what's a party without - you got it THE ELECTRIC SLIDE! C'mon don't be bashful. Join right in!

I hope you have a wonderful, fantabulous day with your equally wonderful, fantabulous family & friends! Happy Birthday my sweet friend! Maybe before the next one rolls around you can add me to your "met IRL friends" list! :)

Since i've got another post set up for tomorrow I wanted to take a minute and wish an early Happy Birthday to another of my favorite bloggers born on August 31st - Southern Fried Girl whose blog is May I Nap Now? in my blogroll. She is currently readying to evacuate her home in NOLA due to Hurricane Gustv and her and the family are in my prayers. To top it off she is expecting her first child the beginning of November AND her husband is a Firefighter and won't be able to leave with her. That is a whole lot on a girl at one time so keep her in your thoughts okay? Also thinking about my girl Andie who lives on the 'Bama coast. Hugs & Godspeed to you all!

Stacy and I were both sick as dogs last night. I got sick after I picked Maddie up and we stopped by my Mom's. Stacy managed to get home, take her to dance class THEN get sick.
It did not help that I had a small salad for lunch and no snacks in the afternoon and had the dry heaves the entire time. I think I scared Madison to death! She was so concerned and kept fussing around me like a little mother hen. She was so good and ate her dinner, took her bath and went to bed like a big girl. Stacy slept in his recliner and I fought the bed all night. Reilly alternated between the bedroom and livingroom. He gets concerned too. It's cute.
Started feeling like I could maybe take a sip of something around 3 a.m. then I took an Aleve because I felt like someone had beat me with a bag of rocks.
Have I mentioned how GLAD I am that today is Friday?
*** Also please say a prayer for my buddy SFG who is in New Orleans, and understandably concerned about that bastard Gustav. Go Away Gustav! NOLA suffered enough three years ago with Katrina!
EDITED to ADD: Also pray for Andie who may have to evacuate her fam and all her critters too off of the Gulf coast and Hannah who might hit Florida (Stacy -Peanut Queen)or HORRORS - US!

This is my beautiful red entranceway, and my iron frog hooks hanging to the left as you walk in. Madison's backpack, dance bag and my coat are hanging from them.

I had the day from HELL at work yesterday which is why I couldn't get online. Today I will try and at least pop in and respond to comments and I will catch up on reading blogs over the (Thank GOD) long week-end!

Oh and No I didn't get a new camera, just borrowed my sister's to download some pics she had in hers for her. I'm enjoying hers though. Might even get some FUG if we go to the races Friday night just for Manblogger!

Miss y'all and please, please send good thoughts that I don't lose my temper and stupidly get fired from my job - as i'm working on my 19th year and well, that just would not be cool. Lord are they testing me.

P.S. School is going GREAT. I'm feeling so focused and even Math isn't freaking me out and i'm learning as I go instead of feeling lost as I feared I would. I guess it all balances out in the end right?

This is the end result, I don't know why she wouldn't smile - she loves it!

We may have to hold off on pigtails for awhile but it will be worth it. Then again maybe we can still pull of pigtails - you never know!

Madison and Miss Felicia (our awesome hairdresser!)

I love this look on her face - PURE MADISON!

Miss Felicia says "Hold very still Maddie so I can get it straight"

I got mine cut and colored as well, just a trim but it's straight across the back now instead of so "choppy". Ugh - NOT a fan of "choppy" unless it's a deliberate look.
It's raining here today so I had to dig up an umbrella. Could I find any of my umbrellas - No. Is my "Crying Cow" umbrella at work? No. I had to bring... get ready for it a Red and Black Chevrolet Racing umbrella. LOVELY. Hey at least it'll keep me dry! LOL

Had to leave work about 9:30 as Maddie's school called and she had been sick three times. I had to go pick up my poor little pumpkin. She did look pitiful sitting there with her head down on her desk.
We got home and I got her some cold sprite to sip and a big bowl to be sick in and I rocked her awhile. Then she tried to eat some chicken noodle soup and some mini wheats. Not entirely successful.
She wanted a warm bath and then we got back in the recliner again and she thankfully fell asleep. To me, that is the best thing for a sick child but that kid will fight sleep like a warrior. She's just afraid she will miss something I guess.
She did hug me and tell me I am the best Mommy EVER. That felt good. Real good. :)

My birthday will be coming up in a few months and I know Stacy will be asking me what I want ....
I've wanted a pair of these monogrammed clogs for a few years now but can't bring myself to pay their steep (to me!) price. They are probably the only item my friend that has a monogram shop does not do. I've begged and begged her LOL
Maybe - just maybe i'll break down and order a pair when I go to "Merry Market" in October. We'll see.

I already said I want an iPod BUT i'm seriously considering asking for another Kodak Easy Share Camera to replace the one I had that I wore slap out. I have REALLY missed not having a camera.

I also really REALLY hope Stacy and I can get away for a few nights to celebrate our Anniversary. I'd love for him to take off on a Friday and we stay Thurs,Fri & Saturday night somewhere. Gotta be back for school on Monday.

I'm ready to go through my closet and Mad's and purge all the summer. I think I will do it next week-end. Although we have warm weather sometimes through the Fall and it's not been unheard of to get 70's in the dead of winter, I just cannot wear outright "beachy" stuff after Labor Day. Just can't!

I'm also fighting the urge to order some of those delicious cookies or icing shots from www.palatinecookies.com With all the stuff I have to buy for school and Madison's dance tuition doubling (she's added Tap) I really can't afford a splurge but God I want to!

So on one of the message boards someone started a little game yesterday and I thought it was cute and thought I would let ya'll in on the fun.
Go to Google and put in your name and the word needs after (like this: Patti needs) and then do a search and see what the first 10 things are. For this little exercise I used my real name:

My results are:

Patti needs... some men to help her sing (Believe me no amount of men will help!!)

Patti needs... a cause (i've got several thank you!)

Patti needs... to be a guest judge on America's Next Top Model (yeah like i'm SO qualified!)\
Patti needs... to know God's judgement is not based on popularity (I know that thank-u-very-much!)

Patti needs... an intervention (Huh?!)

Patti needs... a little help (don't we all?!)

Patti needs... to go back to her mid-range (who wants to be mediocre?!)

Patti needs... to go solo (nope i'm happy with the hubs)

Patti needs... to get over herself - QUICK! (i'm sure there are some who think so!)

Patti needs... some Irises. (I hope they mean flowers and not eyeballs.. Eww!!)

Y'all go ahead and play... it was fun!

http://monogramchick.blogspot.com/ visited my blog a few days ago and I just realized it and when I went to her page - WOW! Does she ever have some cool monogram items and right now there is a give-away of customized

monogram cookies!

Click on the link and also visit www.platinecookies.com! Go on over and poke around and get yourself something personalized just for YOU!

Was Monday night (I go Monday's & Wednesday's from 5pm-8:45pm).

First I went by the bookstore to get the books I needed. I'm only taking two classes but the total for the books for those two classes. $237. I was floored but got them. Yikes! I don't remember books being that expensive, er, 20 years ago!

I can't find my car registration so I can get my parking decal and that must be done this week. Oh God I hope a trip to the DMV isn't imminent. I hate going to the DMV!

Okay my first class is in an auditorium setting with about 50 people. I am definitely not the oldest one there, it was mostly older students maybe 15% youngsters. One girl even worked with me at Crying Cow eons ago! This is Math though, which I hate and wanted to get out of the way as quick as I can. That is my weak point, always was in school too. Once I get two semesters of that out of the way the rest is pie. Ha!

My second class, about 16 people. I am definitely "Mom" in there! These are babies... However this is an easy "A" for me, I think, and will boost my GPA from the beginning.
I wanted it to off-set the Math because, guys, I really REALLY suck in Math.
Division, whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages make my head SPIN. Please pray for me!

7 Things:


7 things I plan to do before I die1) Visit my blogger buddies in Minnesota 2)Go to the United Kingdom 3) Become a Teacher 4) See alot more of the United States 5) Have another big family reunion like we used to have 6) Drive a racecar 7) Have a tummy tuck

7 things I can do:
1) Wiggle one eyebrow 2) Buy anything monogrammed3) Read VERY fast 4) Have a witty comeback 5) Drive a stick shift 6) Milk a Cow 7) Put an outfit together

7 things I cannot do:
1) Snap my fingers on my right hand 2) Whistle with my fingers 3) Lose weight 4) Kill an animal (even a skeeter or roach) 5) Workout6) Wait 7) Watch TV for a long time

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1) Sense of humor2) Nice Shoulders 3) Wants to please me 4) Likes to do new things 5) I can be myself with him 6) Is thoughtful 7) Is good to his Momma

7 things I say most often:
1) You dumb ass 2) Madison - what are you doing? 3) I wish I could lose X lbs. 4) I love you 5) Fudge (can't say Fuck in front of a toddler okay? 6) Asshole

7 celebrity crushes:
1) Brett Favre 2) John Cusack 3) Josh Hartnett 4) Jon Bon Jovi 5) Dominic Purcell 6) Dennis Quaid 7) Keifer Sutherland (this was harder than I thought)

7 people who need to do this:
Anyone who'd like to give it a shot...;)

Prompted by the ever-so-lovely Loving Annie who wrote about people who do/do not comment etc on last Friday's blog post. I got to thinking about who comments on my blog versus people I can see who stop by but don't.

EVERYONE who visits me, if you can, tell me how you found my blog or how we met. Pretty please, with sugar on top!

Thank You!

Where we stayed had about anything you could wish for including a playground by the sea! Madison's all time favorite is the Swings! Thankfully she has mastered the art of pushing herself
My Beach Baby
"Oooooh this is kinda hard Mommy!"
She almost looks like she's flying~~~~
With her cousins Juliana, Chandler & Nolan.......

I love this one of her and Nolan (he's Juliana's big brother)
I love this group shot in black and white also!
Chandler comes to stay with us quite a bit. People always think he & Madison are sister/brother
Look at her "bucky" teeth in this pic. It cracks me up. Lord that child is a CLOWN!

Hope you didn't get "overloaded" on beach pics!

I thought this would be a cool pic but it looks kind of dorky - like i'm a prisoner or something! That sawgrass will cut you to bits too.... just sayin'!

This picture was taken in July when we went to Myrtle Beach for a few days. Madison and I, that is. Daddy had to work *snicker* My camera had just crapped out so I have been waiting on my SIL to send the pics and she just did. This one isn't too bad so I thought i'd share it.
Bella you might recognize the shirt as it's fron the Banana Cabana where we went the first night we met while we were staying at the Isle Of Palms! :) Good Times! It's hard to believe it's been a YEAR (and I STILL haven't made it to Minnesota yet!)

I can't decide if I want to go back to the beach or go to Savannah. I've been reading some books set in Savannah and it's been a few years.... I would say i'd let Stacy decide but I know he'll leave it up to me. I have been on two beach trips already this summer..........
Tomorrow i'll post a few pics of Madison and her cousins on this trip!

Sneaky had her kittens on Monday Night. Since I already had written that post before I even knew it was imminent... well let's just say I didn't realize it would be THIS quick that i'd be a Grandma!

We were sitting on the front porch and Sneaky was laying with us. She kept going to the front door and meowing to go in.

Me: "No, Sneaky you are not going in the house because I don't feel like chasing you all around to get you back out".

Still she kept at it.

We went inside and then Dalton (friend's son) goes "Miss Patti - Madison let that cat in and she ran behind your big Curio Cabinet".

Me: *insert cussword of your choice*

So I huffed and pulled the big hulk out and got her out of there. I petted her awhile to make up to her and when I put her down realized my hands were wet.

Stacy said "I think her water broke".
(I don't know why the rest of the post is in blue)
Me: "Ya think so?"

Stacy: "Yeah, she's panting a LOT like you were when you were in labor with Madison, that sure was funny!".

Me: *Death Stare* "It sure was NOT funny. Now where can we put her to have those kittens?".

He ended up making a big box with a blanket in it in his Shop. She ended up moving into Madison's Playhouse and having them in a corner. She had FOUR (Lynilu!) but sadly two died. I hope the other two make it.

** Also I am currently trying to decide if Stacy and I go to Savannah the end of September (since October is always so busy for us) should we stay downtown (like we always have) or out at Tybee Island. It'll be a Bed & Breakfast either way. Decisions.. Decisions....

say it with me now...... i'm gonna be a GRANDMA~! Hey it's better to rejoice in that fact than grouse that i've been an irresponsible pet owner. Our dear little Sneaky is going to have babies. Yes I just let time slip by and neglected to get her spayed in a timely fashion. She's so petite that she always still seemed like a "kitten" compared to those other monsters male cats of mine.

We're going to keep a kitten and Carrie wants one. I'm hoping because of her small size she will only have two or three. At any rate rest assured I will find good homes for whatever she has and then she will be fixed - STAT.

I wish I had my camera i'm definitely going to have to rectify that and SOON.
After all a proud Grandma has to show of PICTURES!!!

That is what Stacy calls me. A Fashion Bug. It always makes me giggle. Yes I love clothes and shoes and accessories.
Friday I was in a rather large meeting and the woman next to me I recognized as a transplant from our former Milwaukee Center. She made the comment to me "I love your skirt, you always dress so well and look great!" I just smiled and thanked her but it got me thinking.
If she only knew. I get alot of my clothes from yardsales, thrift shops, eBay, Clearance racks etc. I bet she would never guess that in a million years.
I do know how to put myself together though. I know what colors/cuts suit me. I know how to mix accessories and which shoes look good. I am not afraid to be "bold". I love bright colors, chunky jewelry, animal prints etc... I have an eye for detail. My Momma always taught me that the "little things" count. A certain seam, a type of fastener, whether something is "lined" etc. Always look at the details in a piece of clothing or shoes.
Also "less is more". That is my credo. I live and die by it.
Madison, her credo "the more I can pile on and not fall down".
I am hoping she will watch and learn from her Fashion Bug Momma!