I was wondering what do you plan on dressing up as for Halloween or what are your Halloween plans?
We are going to Summerville to the MIL's early on Friday and will take Madison out to a few people we know.
We are also planning to go the Halloween Extravaganza in Hollywood, SC. I just hope we make it. My plans have been know to get skewed from time to time BUT as long as my baby gets to trick or treat a little bit and dress up that will be enough for me.

PLUS the Coastal Carolina Fair starts that week and we will be going. She loved it last year so it should only be better this year since she is a whole year older. Remember we rode the elephant? I want to do it again! I love love love the Fair!
I want to eat a deep fried twinkie or deep fried candy bar. I've saw those for two years now and been too chicken to try one! This is the year!

If you could be a ghost... what would you do? Who would you haunt?
I am nosey so I would probably snoop around a good bit.
I would DEFINITELY play some tricks on people. Hide their glasses, move obvious things around, that sort of thing.
Some of the PITA's that I work with hmmmm.......... I would probably be kind of mean to them. Mess up some projects, misplace important files/papers. Not nice, I know but i'm being truthful.
The only negative thing is I would be sad not to be able to hug and kiss the people I love and sad that they could (most likely) not see me.
Oh and one question, do ghosts poop? That one is nagging at me!
Have a fabby week-end!
a.k.a. the Ghostest with the Mostest!

The above says IT ALL. I've always been a tad bit crabby about things. I come from a long line of crabby women. It's in my genes. Can't help it. If I am pissed - whoah unto those around me because EVERYBODY is going to know it.
However I don't LIKE to be negative or ugly so I try to snap out of it as quickly as possible and I always try to look on the positive side. I just can't let my inner-crabby overtake me.
Work is driving out of my ever-loving SKULL. I always used to say if I hit the lottery I would do the right thing and stay, with two weeks notice, make sure all my duties were property dispersed to others.
NOW - HA. All they would see was a puff of smoke as I cleaned out the personal items of my desk and got the hell outta Dodge.
Not nice, I know, but absolutely TRUE.
*Sigh* The Monogram Queen would give you the shirt off her back if you ask but she is crabby. Such is life.

TO: Guy in my lab Monday night. Don't ask me for some cashews and then STICK YOUR HAND in my bag! I don't mind sharing but I don't know where your hand has been. That's the equivalent of double-dipping. Ewwww... just Ewwwww.....

TO: QC bitch at whatever-the-hell our banks name is now. HOW can you do quality control on a job you have... never done... know nothing about? Makes ZERO sense to me but what do I know? I have only been here almost twenty years.

TO: DD aka HBIC here: Don't come through here grinning and glad-handing so people won't haul ass off to Monster.com and greener pastures. When the peeps from New Bank come flying through here like Forrest Gump on a cross-country mission we don't exactly feel all warm n' fuzzy, like they are here for a meet n' greet. Let's just be realistic okay? We're all adults here. Or most of us are.

To: Cow-Worker whom I hate with the heat of 1,000 suns. You sincerely are a soul-sucking piece of crap and I hope with all of my black heart that karma lands on you with a THUD. A resounding thud. You make me want to vomit.

***Can I just also say in regards to the velociraptor test below, if they put a mask of my bosses face on that Raptor I would SO kick his ass! I'm not kidding!

I just like to say the word "Tinkle". "Tinkle" "Tinkle" "Tinkle". It makes me giggle.

Anyway here it is Tuesday. I did have a pretty good week-end. We went to visit the Mother In Law.
I know I get aggravated at her because she is not a pet-lover and she can be kind of controlling at times (not with me, others) but she is really a blessing in our family.
She loves my little girl so much and she loves me and Stacy too and is always so happy to have us visit. You can literally feel the love radiate off of her. Chad, too.
I am so glad he is living with his Grandmother because it is less for us to worry about. She is in good health but still, she has arthritis and some health problems and you just would tend to worry about an older woman living alone. Chad is a good boy, he always lets her know where he is (WHEN he goes out anywhere which isnt' alot) and they are just a very good team! He works 40+ hours a week and is just a really really good kid. Madison and he are crazy about each other too. They pick and play constantly! LOL It's very sweet.

Me, Stacy & Chad went to eat at the Noisy Oyster and I had an oyster sampler (Oysters Rockefeller, Oysters Remington & Buffalo Oysters). They were DELICIOUS. I also had 1/4lb of boiled shrimp. Yum. I'm ready for more!

Did a little bit of retail therapy (probably spent more than i'll wish I did but what the hell). I am in a better frame of mind and that is what really matters!
Happy Tinkle Tuesday all!!!!!

I could survive for 57 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Boo Yah!

I had to add something light-hearted after my whining post late Friday. Sorry about that but again your comments moved me. I am so lucky to have met each and every one of you and please know you are very special to me! Whatever the future holds I am ready to face it head on!

I'm home... we're about to go to Summerville and i'm very glad to get away. Ever since i've gotten home i've fought back tears.
I guess stress and strain. I dunno... anyway I sat here and read all of your sweet comments below and finally busted out crying.
Thank you all so much for all you do and say. Like I told Lynilu in an email today I don't have alot of IRL friends so my friends I meet through blogging are very precious to me!
May you all have a fantastical week-end...
Go Gamecocks! Roll Tide! Go Nittany Lions!

Look what Daddy brought home as a surprise today.....

She's cruising and styling.... notice the zebra print seat!

It's a Groovy Girls Scooter! You can't get much groovier than THIS girl!


(AND it doesn't take as long to charge as the Barbie Bug! and we can take it to Ma's in the trunk of Mommy's car! which is why I suspect he got it!) Way to go Daddy!

******* NOTE the wait is over. Crying Cow Bank has been bought out.... don't know what this means for me but i'm taking as a GOOD sign from the man upstairs :)

We decided to take a trip to

Mcleod Farms

in Mcbee,SC (that's pronounced Mac-Bee ok?). After buying some fruits and vegetables including a pumpkin roll for yours truly Madison and Daddy sat down in the comfy rocking chairs out front to enjoy some ice cream!

Look at that sweet face peeking through the gorgeous Lantana ....

Mommy - can I just eat my ice cream in peace now???!!!

Even a shot of Mommy sitting on the porch. Of course, true to my I-Love-Lucy Life when I hopped down off the railing I ripped my favorite pair of hippie jeans on a nail. Yep right in the ol' behind! Now i'm in the market for a patch!

We stopped by Stacy's friend Tommy's (who lives about two miles from Mcleod Farms) and Madison got to check out his horses. He has about 5 or 6 large horses but her favorite was this Pony aptly named "Midget".


She says next time she's wearing her cowgirl boots and riding Midget. I don't doubt it a BIT!


******** Just wanted to say I am busy at work for a few days but I may get caught up and be able to visit your blogs soon. Thank God for pre-posting!!!

Daddy had some shocks to replace on his truck so...........

Naturally "Lil' Missy" had to follow his lead... Wouldja hand me a wrench Daddy?

Yeah i'm down here getting dirty - so what? (that's what she LOOKS like she's saying - she didn't SAY IT)

Yep I think i've got my hands full with this one. A ballerina/princess that can work on a car. A redneck boys dream come true! LOL

Pink Owl

sent me my winning prize from her Gold Medal Gifts drawing. The box as it arrived....


Wow now I can teach Stacy to give me a serious pedi! I love it!

Almost FAINTED when I saw it was the Vera Bradley Pink Elephant pattern. How awesome of you Pink Owl! These will REALLY come in handy for me. A mini jewelry box, and although the other is billed as a lunch bag I will use it to store hair/beauty products when I travel I think. Also the little wooden box is darling too and really looks like a Vera pattern!!


Thank you so much for your sweet generosity. You really made my day and I feel like a real "winner"!!! I am even inspired to try such a contest myself.... soon!

But nobody was hardly there... no FUG's (sorry Manblogger!) Unless you count me and Stacy *snicker*

Stacy was spotting for our friend Bo's son Timmy #72 ! Timmy lost oil pressure and had to come in early. Boo Hoo!

This little man is ALWAYS there, we've dubbed him "the turtle". He looks so feeble and fragile though and I have always wondered how in the world he gets up that steep, steep hill but somehow he does. I guess you do what you have to when you love something and I believe he is a true blue dyed-in-the-wool racefan!

The car count was even pitiful but of course there was drama. Always drama!

Little Miss Maddie is too! I know, I need to find that child some black socks but she's had those orange shoes for over a year and can just now wear them! She's cute anyway! Rockin' the humongo hairbow too.
She has a orange/white polka dot one but I put my foot down - there IS such a think as too much polka dots!!!!
I really really REALLY want to get one more beach trip in, just a few nights would be great.
Madison has been asking me if we can't go "just one more time Momma".
"One more time Momma, indeed!"

** In case you can't tell or your eyesight is slightly shot like mine those black blobs on her shirt are black kitty cat heads!

You all know i'm the Monogram Queen... right? Right!
One of these days, when I get them unpacked (never mind the nitpicky detail that we moved here over a year ago Mmmmkay?) I will show you all of my monogrammed purses.

But... I just got an early birthday present from my friend Stacey (who does all of my monogramming for me - she operates Monograms By Gail in Scranton, SC along with her Mom)!

Now ... a back view.....

Couldn't you just DIE?! I mean how freakin' cute is a Pumpkin Purse!
It's almost spooky how well Stacey and I can buy for each other.
When we used to work together on a daily basis, we would actually find we had bought the same shoes or dress or top!
Anyway she gave me this so I could start carrying it early.
I'm already itching to put up Halloween decorations!

Hello-o-o-o blow-ups!
I'm sure my neighbors are waiting with bated breath also, seriously..........

We were outside last Friday, waiting on Daddy to come home and this little guy jumped on Madison's Barbie Bug causing her to run screaming to me "Momma-a-a-a there's a cricket on my Bug!"
After I satisfied myself that we weren't under bug siege I discovered this little guy and promptly moved him to the porch where he settle upon a red Geranium.

I explained to her that he's not a cricket (they are black) but a grasshopper.
That they won't hurt you. He tickled my hand and was quite friendly when I moved him.
He would peer at me as I talked softly to him (can you imagine how BOOMING our regular voice must sound to bugs?).
Then he jumped from Geranium to the Deck.
He stayed there for a long, long time. Every once in awhile i'd go check and talk to him and he'd peer at me - so cute! Madison lost interest and resumed zooming around the yard once more.

I was just glad she didn't run upon a snake.
I don't quite have the courage to give her a nature lesson in one of those and probably never will!

Going great so far but, uh, Madison that is NOT what you do on the barre'!!!

Miss Patsy giving a little one-on-one instruction before class actually begins!

Look Mommy - I think i've got it!

I didn't get any during Tap Class as they segue right into it after Ballet but I can hear them in there, tapping their little hearts out!
Madison loves it. I'm so glad we can do this for her.
She's such a confident little girl. Something I was NOT at her age.
That is one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children is build their confidence, in my opinion!

Pikes Pickles

did a post last week on people's cars and bumper stickers .... I don't have stickers on my bumper but I do have them on the rear window.....

A gamecock spur/palmetto tree on the bottom left (top left is my parking permit for School), a smiley face/palmetto tree on the bottom right, my Monogram in the middle and below that my "stick family". What stickers do YOU have? Please ignore the dirty car also. Thank You! *wink*

Whoo Hooray! I passed that test Wednesday night on the re-do AND I aced my Power Point. I am feeling (as Tony The Tiger would say) - Ga -REAT!!!! I couldn't do it without the help of Stacy and the encouragement from him, my parents, my friends and you all! Thank you so much.
I have to admit it's not easy. There is no time between classes to get anything to eat, I have resorted to packing some Nabs (that would be snack crackers to you non-southerners) and munching when I can. I also put a drink in my backpack. The rule is no eating and drinking in classes and I try to adhere to that but I get a headache if I don't eat something. Hmmmm how come I don't see any weightloss benefit here? LOL!
I am ready for a Ga-reat week-end now! I am going to organize my closet and work online on as much homework as I can! (don't anybody get jealous of my rockstar life okay?!) *wink*

I want to extend a warm Monogram Welcome to

Hippo Chick

on my blogroll. Pam comes to me via Cheryl Wray's blog. Although her blog is new to me, her posts already touch me - being that she's a Pennsylvanian as I am.
Just reading her post yesterday about her visit made my soul yearn for those wonderful PA mountains... the excitement of spotting an Amish Buggy, trying to "politely" stare at the adorable Amish children ... of childhood summers spent in PA ....

Today... I choose...

To smile at three people on my way into work and wish them a nice day.

To not cuss at anyone in the parking lot No. Matter. What.

To not immediately start googling for info on Cry*ng C*w B*nk the second I get to my desk and start freaking myself out.

To not grimace or make faces at my boss behind his back. No. Matter. What.

To make 100 on that re-test IF she let's us do it tonight.

To give the best Power Point Presentation in my Col 103 Class and not be nervous!