We had a wonderful visit in Beaufort, SC. Here I am before we took the Haunted Trolley Ride.

A bottle tree over on St. Helena Island. I saw one of these in Southern Living Magazine years ago and I loved seeing one in real life! It is an old gullah tradition - meant to keep away the 'haints and hags!

The Beaufort river, we were drooling over the beds of oysters!

The front door of the Old Point Inn where we stayed. I can't reccomend this place enough. I have more pictures on F@cebook. The innkeepers Paul and Julie were awesome.

This is their slogan, they gave me two coffee mugs and a fancy pen for my birthday. I loved it! The Inn was fabulous. So comfortable and I felt so at peace there, something I desperately needed.

Just out goofing around a little bit!

Sadly after we came in from taking this picture I received a call from my sister that my beloved Aunt Barb had passed away in Pennsylvania. She has been battling cancer for so long and took a turn for the worse before Labor Day but still I wasn't ready for this news. We cut our visit short and they even refunded us a night's stay which was unexpectedly kind of them. We headed to Summerville to pick up Madison, visited with my MIL for a little while and then headed home to Darlington. I packed, got about three hours sleep and we were up and headed for Pennsylvania. I was terrified of bad weather (they had snow the preceding week) but we were blessed with wonderful weather and the foliage was gorgeous. I know Aunt Barb probably ordered it up especially for me. I was her pet. I will blog more about that trip this week.
Peace and Blessings from...

Five years ago this was the happiest day of my life
(well a toss-up to my wedding day) and God blessed me with the most wonderful little girl imaginable!

Thank you Daisy & Man for sending her a surprise in the mail, that will be a seperate blog post but she was so excited and I really appreciate it! It helped occupy her while her Mamma was gone.
We had a party on Saturday at Top Hat Special Teas Tearoom, all the pics are on f@cebook but here are a few...

Mommy, Maddie & Daddy before the big event!

Madison & her cousin "J" peer into the window

Getting make-up done - I LOVE her in that hat!!!

Walking the run-way - supermodel!

Alas the Vikings lost yesterday but she did love her shirt!!!

blowing out the candles & making a wish!

This cake is not only pretty - it was yummy too!

Happy Birthday Madison Moore Tindal from your Mommy....
aka.......

Okay.... I know this won't exactly SHOCK many of you... but I accidently DELETED the whole video of Madison's routine. Yep. This is the only picture I have. She broke her original fan even before her dance recital so this was a sub we bought. It was huge, she looks like she's hiding behind it but she wasn't. She is NOT a shy child in public!
None of the kids were enthusiastic at all during the numbers. They didn't like these routines when they did their dance recital last May and didnt' like them now.
She may not like it but i'm going to strongly suggest to Miss Patsy that she have much better costumes this year and peppier songs. Otherwise it will be our last year because the "Around The World" was CRAP.

Moving along........ her and Daddy observing the "jump thing". I have no idea what it was I just know we paid $7 for her to do it and it was all she wanted to do.


This child has waited all year to do this! All hooked up and raring to go!

Up - UP - and AWAY! She loved it. Best $7 I - er, her Daddy - ever spent!

Okay, for me this was the worst Sweet Potato Festival I have ever been too.
It was chaos trying to get her ready, WAY too many people milling about the area we were getting ready in. It was BEASTLY sickeningly HOT. I didn't even walk around and look at anything. I hope next year is about 15-20 degrees cooler. I also might go to the Catfish Festival in Society Hill in November just so I can walk around and enjoy it because thankfully we are not dancing in that one.
At any rate i'm still glad my baby had fun and she did well and that's what really matters! If I can get through tomorrow i'm off to spend some special time with my honey!

Saturday night me, Stacy, Chad & Chandler went to the Fright Night at Boone Hall Plantation.
First off let me say i'm glad I went. I love stuff like that and despite a few minuses we did laugh, have a good time, and it was the first time in a long time the four of us did something together.
First off it was not actually "at" Boone Hall but on what appeared to be the back side of the property. I never saw Boone Hall nor anything associated with it.
Just the four attractions plopped in the middle of a fallow strawberry field.
The attractions were: the Haunted Hayride, Bloody Mary's Haunted Manor, Killer Zombies, and the Spooky Corn Maze. We only went on the Hayride, the others looked wayyyyy too cheesey even for me!
We had to park a good bit away and walk through alot of loose dirt and sharp rocks.
Something my feet nor my moccasions appreciated!
I am usually cold at any outdoor evening functions so I wore my Scarowinds Hoodie and about passed out while we stood in line. Once we were in the wagon and moving though it was tolerable.
We were with a pretty fun group. Alot of screaming and those !@#$ stupid chainsaws. When will the powers-that-be who organize these haunted festivities come to realize there is nothing scary about a chainsaw. You know the chain is detached and the noise is frankly just loud and annoying. I'd like to find out who came up with that bright idea first and beat them over the head with said chainsaw! Argggh I hate those things.
As i've said before i'm a freak magnet. Never mind i'm standing there with Stacy, Chad & Chandler, the guy in front of me felt compelled to turn around, talk to me and tell me his life story complete with which child lived where with which mamma.
Yeah.
Anyway I am very appreciative of my sweet husband for taking me and also for buying dinner at the Noisey Oyster on the way home. The red rice and oyster sampler platter were "to die" for!

This little face was READY for Halloween so when her Daddy got home we started hauling out the decor...... outside shots to come later because we don't have it all up yet. Yes we decorate for Halloween like most people decorate for Christmas!

This ghostly group parades down the table in my entranceway. These were my Mamma's and last year she gave them to me!

This picture hangs above the same table - I got it last year at TJ M@xx and I loved it from the moment I laid eyes on it. In case you can't read it says "The Hal and Lou Ween family"

This is the left side of my TV stand, that is a witches hat and iron shoe below a pair of bright witches shoes on the middle shelf

This is the right side, more bright witches shoes (different patterns) and below a big glass witches boot. I think at one time it had a lid but that's long gone. I don't mind I love it anyway! Maddie and I got those mercury glass jack o' lanterns from Hobby Lobby @ 80% off last year!

This litte trick-or-treating ghostie came from Cracker Barrel years ago....... I will probably add some more decor so stay tuned!

of Halloween!

**** Madison's o'alls have "Maddie" spelled down them and that is her prized
Vera Bradley bag in the 'pink cupcakes' pattern. My little fashionista!

Today... I will pay for my friend's lunch because that's what friends do when the other is down on their luck...

Today... I will keep my mouth shut during our meeting no matter how much bovine feces is spread around that table.

Today... I will go visit my Mamma because it's been almost two weeks since I have seen her. I don't think i've ever went that long before, but I couldn't go while Madison was so sick. My Mamma has serious respiratory problems. Gonna give her a big ol' hug and a kiss too!

Today... I will not call Governor Mark Sanford an asshat who needs to resign and go away - Wait - already did that. Too late!

Today... I will not choke the ever loving !@#$%%^ out of an annoying co-worker with the first initial of "L".

Today... I will not hyperventilate because they still haven't cleared the way for that other position I so desperately want. It will come. In due time.

Today ... I wish you all a wonderful wild and wooly WEDNESDAY from...

****EDITED TO ADD****
Today... I wish I HADN'T dropped my container causing my turkey sausage links to roll around on the floor beside my desk..... but I did and I picked them up and brushed them off and am eating them. Shhhhhh..........!

My birthday and our wedding anniversary are in October and we usually go somewhere to celebrate.
We went to Beaufort, SC, last year and loved it, we stayed at the North Street Inn and it was very nice.
This year we were going to go to Savannah but decided we've been there four times in the past 10 years and then I thought "Well there are things we haven't done or saw in Charleston and it's close to home" so I booked us a room there....... BUT
over the week-end while staying home to take care of my bebe' girl I had time to peruse the internet and came upon Beaufort again.
I found a wonderful place, The Old Point Inn (www.oldpointinn.com) that is on the opposite end of the waterfront where we stayed last year.
It was used in the filming of the movies "The Big Chill" and "The Great Santini" (a Pat Conroy book).
The Inn was featured on the awesome halloween carriage ride we took last year (and I hope we can do it again!).
I am just beyond excited that I was able to get a reservation - and for $25 less than the room in Charleston cost us, where we would have only gotten continental breakfast.
At the Old Point Inn we will get a three course gourmet breakfast (served on the Verandah weather permitting) and they have a wine/cheese reception in the afternoon as well.
The Inn has bicycles we can use (HA won't THAT be cute but we just might!) and I am just so excited to be going back to Beaufort again. I really think it's the right choice for us.
I can't wait and you know there will be lots of pictures!
***Hoping to hear about the j-o-b this week. Cross your fingers,eyes, & toes for me!

Tuesday was almost over when I got a call from Madison's Daycare she was running a fever. I picked her up and she did look pitiful.
Took her home and it wasn't long before I knew we were likely going to the ER.
Luckily Mcleod (the largest hospital in Florence) has an Urgent Care in Darlington, recently opened and I took Maddie there.
She was running a fever despite the Tylenol I gave her and complained her arms & legs & tummy hurt and when the nurse asked if her throat hurt and she said "Yes" I figured she was exagerating as she IS known to do that from time to time.
They did a nose/throat swab and after about 10 minutes or so we got the verdict - Flu (although not the swine flu) AND Strep Throat.
My poor baby! I can count on one hand the times she has been sick but when she is she gets slammed. I called my boss and left her a message on her cellphone, not alot I can do because i've got to stay home with her.
Well, that place is the least of my worries. I've got to get my princess well!

Wow I had a busy week-end! Madison stayed with Carrie Friday night.
Stacy and I went to see "Jennifer's Body". We enjoyed it and each others company. Before the movies we ate at the Mediterranean Grill and had delicious pizza made with beef, grilled chicken, shrimp and gorgonzola cheese.
Saturday morning we went to a few yardsales, did a little shopping.
Went to Home Depot and got some paint. What for? you say.
Well, my fabulous husband is enlarging our deck by adding a screened in porch to it. I bought some paint for the floor and trim - Charleston Green.
It's a very dark green, almost black. I'm going with southern traditional look. I am going to get a Pawleys Island Hammock for it also and a decorative white screened door.
Went to get Madison, she didn't want to come home so we let her stay again. Went home, couldn't decide what to do so we made some Uncle Ben's Rice and had some leftover BBQ from Boss Hogg's. Delicious-ness! Then we watch three back-to-back episodes of True Blood.
Got up Sunday and Stacy made scrambled eggs with cheese & ham and toast. I did my Spanish homework that takes me up to October 1st!
I went and got Madison & Brittany and took them to see "Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs". It was a very cute movie. It was also Madison's first time going to the movies and she enjoyed it very much.
Got home, watched the end of the Vikings/Lions game (Brett threw two touchdown passes - whoo hoo!), added potatoes to the ham & fresh stringbeans that were cooking and began watching the Steelers/Bears game. Go Steelers!
Had an early night and looking forward to a good week at work.
I think something I have been wanting may finally come to fruition this week. Let's just hope my new boss doesn't throw a monkey-wrench into things!

This is my childhood home in Williamsport, PA. 800 Diamond Street. Our phone number was 717-322-4451. Funny what you remember.
These pictures were taken last spring by some old school chums of my oldest sister. Denny & Pat are both really funny, nice guys. They get together about once every month or so and eat at Joey's a neighborhoold bar/hangout in downtown Williamsport.
Denny works in DC but goes home on the week-ends, Pat lives in upstate NY.
They were taunting us on F@cebook one night about going to Joey's (home of the most divine cheesesteak and pizzas - yum!
We were talking about our old neighborhood and they graciously rode by our old house and took pics with Pat's cellphone.
They said the house is still called "the Switzer house" even though we haven't lived in it in 30 years! With 5 kids in our family there was always a minimum of 10-12 people in the house at any given time. Ours was the "go to" place because our parents were very welcoming and had the attitude "the more the merrier".
I think there was always a house like that in every neighborhood.
I am very glad I grew up in a neighborhood/city setting but I wouldn't trade the South for anything either and I am very glad my daughter is growing up where she is.
Williamsport has grown more crime-ridden and attracts alot of riff-raff from Philly because of a drug rehab center that opened in the last 10 years.
Where we roamed the neighborhood freely and rode the City Bus downtown, no one even goes down to Center City at night anymore.
That makes me sad, very sad.
I will always have my memories though and remember where I am from.
Thanks for the memories Billtown.....

I am sitting here watching the season finale of "True Blood" ....
thinking about my day today. It's amazing how many lessons we learn in life...
I know you read what I wrote on F@cebook and it's true.
I don't have alot of friends, but the ones I have are wonderful.
During a dark time not so long ago you were right there to offer me comfort and support, letting me know I was not alone. I really really appreciate that.

I am so lucky to have my dear, sweet husband. He couldn't love me and Madison more I don't believe. He spoils us shamelessly.
Madison........ that child is the light of our lives. She constantly makes us laugh.
Like the day not too long ago when she put on a pair of her daddy's tighty whities. She's going to LOVE me for this in 10-11 years isn't she?!

Well... in my workplace neighborhood anyway!
and No, I am not officially blogging again, I am writing these blogposts because I don't have a !@#$%^ thing to do on Tuesday! So i'm sitting at my desk eating cheetos, drinking crystal lite iced tea... and blogging! Yee Haw!

Back to the people.... most of you know where I work. There aren't a LOT of people in my building, roughly 1,000 maybe but I can promise you I have made contact with everyone who has ever flown their freak flag! They are drawn to me like ants on a picnic!
Being the bitchy nice person that I am - I am NOT making fun of these people. Merely pointing out their "colorfulness". Mmmm kay?

First up we have the woman who looks like she crawled out of a Dumpster! Every! Day!
So much so that the Guards scrutinize her badge every time i've seen her come in the building because i'm sure they think she is a homeless person wandered in from outside.

Moving along..... we have the girl who wears mens clothes complete with wifebeater undershirts beneath her polo shirts. Dude, the wifebeater t's are just distracting. I constantly have people coming to me and asking if she is a man. I simply say "no" and go my merry way. I don't know (or care) if she's a lesbian or not I just know her fashion choices are a MAJOR topic of conversation around small-minded here.

Next we have Germs.......... this chick is always hacking and barking and coughing, she makes me want to puke. I keep a small can of Lysol just so I can squirt it in her general direction when she starts up and,you know, arrest any germ activity before it gets good and started. She is a smoker and that is the culprit I believe. Sometimes I do confess to having most uncharitable thoughts such as "I wish she'd @@#$ die and get it over with already". Shame. On. Me.

Then we move right along to GQ Man. This guy was a baseball player for the Gamecocks, has traveled all over to XYZ, ran his own company (er, if you are all THAT why are you working here as a TEMP no less, but I digress), actually HAS copies of GQ magazine fanned out across his desk at all times, wears tight t-shirts and ripped jeans from AEO or A&F and hes in his late 30's ... and buzzes around here so that I want to take a flyswatter and just SWAT the living sh*t out of him. He is the poster child for annoying.

I guess I need to stop here before I ruin my rep and say something NICE for a change... Y'all be good.

I went and got my hair did... yes I did!
This is how she did it at the Salon..... please note that I do not straighten my hair very often so it just looked very... odd to me and Stacy both but I took a picture for posterity!

Now on my to my regular every-day hair. I think it will be fun for summer and on my next visit she will add a bit of chocolate brown back in and we'll gradually darken it back up again for Winter I think.
Hope everyone is doing well, I still miss blogging but it's impossible at work and for now, impossible at home too. So much to do! I'll try to get some of my house pics up on here too. Greg how come you haven't been on Facebook in ages???

Just a quick update from work, we are in the new house and I LOVE IT.

Did I mention I love my new house? Oh I do! I feel so at home. So much space, so new shiny and pretty. We have stuff to put away and a few more things to do.
Madison's hellhole room to set up and organize but we are getting there.

I have cooked a meal and done laundry and the pets are all settled in.
I know Stacy will be glad when he gets his shop built and Madison's playhouse settled in. The floor needs replacing but all in all we are snug and happy as bugs in a rug.

I miss you guys like crazy! Will have internet at home by week-end (should) and will update on F*acebook. I can post a little from my blackberry but i'm still woefully ignorant with it!

Hugs & Kisses from

I have a little time on this Sunday evening so I thought i'd share what few pics I have of my visit with Disgruntled Daisy and her sweet SO Manblogger back in April at Myrtle Beach!

We had an uninvited guest at dinner, Finn McCool's which was very laid back and very good. Man bought our dinner - again many thanks sweet guy! (oh and for those who aren't familiar with southern wildlife - this is a raccoon or a 'coon!) They are terrible scavengers!

Man watches as Daisy tries her hand at peeling boiled shrimp

The girls thought they were SO grown-up at their OWN table!

Our hotels shared a waterpark, much enjoyed by the guys and the kids. Daisy and I just lounged around and kept the cabana boy busy ;) Here an unsuspecting Brittany is about to get nailed by the HUGE bucket! Man braved it - he said it was COLD!

Daisy, Me & Manblogger

The night-time view of the pool from our balcony. Isn't it beautiful! The ocean is just off to the left, that is a sound I love to hear at night. Sooooo soothing.

Stacy & Man, I can't wait until we go on vacation with them again in October. The four of us really hit it off!

Me & Daisy, the first second we began to talk it was as if i'd known her my whole life. I truly love these two people - they are just like long-distance family!

Thank you for the opportunity to spend some time at the Beach (something I can never get enough of) and can't wait for Savannah in October!

Okay you all know how it is in your last week at a job, you do what you can, clean out and discard but still I have time so I said "heck I might just blog every day this week"...!

If I ever get busy and download my pics from Daisy & Man's visit I will blog further about that, then I need to download the few pics I took of Bella's visit.

Y'all will not believe it but I have no pics of Madison's recital.
All because I was so FREAKING busy doing costume changes. She had FIVE. Seriously.
I handled it like a trouper, no post-Paxil meltdowns or screaming or impatience. Not a bit.
All this despite my own jitters over my end of show dance debut.
I'm not angling for a gold medal.... or even a pat on the back.
What I WOULD like is......
1) a pedi/eyebrow wax.
2) cute pair of (cheap) roll-up capris I saw a NY&CO when Bella and I were there Friday.
3) Cookies from the Mall.

Unfortunately these things will have to wait until maybe the week-end because my fun-ds are all funded out but I get paid this Friday - yippee!!!

In other good news Stacy met with the mortgage broker today and gave her the hard docs she needs and things are looking GREAT. She said the only thing that will mess things up are if any of the inspections fail or the property doesn't appraise right.
Seriously this is a year and a half old house so I think it will inspect okay and if not I believe the sellers would make things right. AND they are selling it for over $20,000 LESS than market value.

Well what do you know? A post from "she-who-no-longer-blogs"!
I had to write and let you know that Bella arrived safely last night. Her plane was right on time and we were out of that airport in no time at all just yakking away.
So much so, that I almost took a wrong turn going out of the airport - imagine that! :)
I plan on blogging about her visit (with her permission) and I also would like to blog about my recent visit with Disgruntled Daisy & Manblogger (complete with pics) with their permission also.
I hope life is treating everyone well.
I still have good days and bad days - but don't we all?
I will be glad to get Madison's recital over with tomorrow. Our practice last night did not exactly go "smoothly". Ha! All in good fun, though, all in good fun.
Have a fabby week-end - and try not to be TOO jealous of me & BellaLouWho living it up in the Carolinas!