Good morning all this is a post truly written on the run. I'm waiting on my niece Kelly to pick me up to go shopping. Yes - I said I wasn't going but I am. Gotta get out there and elbow people out of the way for a $79 portable DVD player for the little one LOL I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving. I sure did. We just had the best time with everyone over here. So much so that i've volunteered to be host for the Christmas gathering as well. Well she's here and i'm off!

Thanksgiving has settled in at chez t*****. Last night I had the best time getting things ready with Carrie, the kids played and ran in and out (but it was okay) and Stacy put up Christmas lights! Every so often he'd ask our opinion and we'd go outside for a look-see. Some of you (what I like to call the white light brigade) may be horrified at our Christmas cheer but we think it's quite festive!
The turkey is roasting slowly in the oven. The giblets & neck and assorted nasty sundry is sitting in the refrigerater waiting Carrie or Kathy's attention tomorrow. I am struggling mightily not to throw it out and claim ignorance. Something about the giblets just turns my stomach. I think because I bit into one in some gravy on a long-ago Thanksgiving and it just - Ack!
I got the double layer pumpkin pies made - Mmmmm so good! How could anything that involves whipped cream, vanilla pudding,cream cheese, pumpkin and shortbread crust NOT be good?
I am going to try and get a little shopping in tomorrow as well. I hope everyone has a blessed fulfilling Thanksgiving and eat all they can hold of their most favorite things. I know the main thing I am thankful in my life is first and foremost my wonderful husband and daughter and the rest of my family and then my wonderful friends.

UPDATED TO ADD: Thanks for all of your great comments and sympathy. I don't dislike my MIL - we actually get along great but it's just the negativity and the apathy towards the holidays. Maybe it's ME. I don't know!

(this picture just cracks me up)


Well I do have plans for Thanksgiving after all and many thanks to
Shell for inviting us to Houston! I talked it over with Carrie and she,Casey (her sister),Brittany and my oldest sister Kathy (their Mom) and their other sister Kelly and her husband Bruce and kids Kelsey, Hailey & Gavin will be coming to my house. That will be very nice to be with family after all. I got my turkey last night so it has a chance to thaw. Stacy usually fries a turkey but this year we are going to roast one. Carrie is already mapping out the plans (she's so good at it!) and will come over to clean my house tonight.

Okay this is something I just have to "get out of my head". I could talk to Stacy about it (because there is nothing I can't talk to him about) but I don't know if he'll understand where i'm coming from so i'll just unload here - Lucky Y'all right?
It is getting to where I don't like going to my Mother-In-Laws. It's her. She is such a negative woman. I am pretty sure Stacy doesn't see it because she doesn't talk to him as much as she does me but every time I am down there I hear the same things about the same people over and over and over. I can practically quote her now. Don't get me wrong, I do my share of 'talking about people'. We all do it whether it's intentional or unintentional. It's to the point now where I think my mouth would drop open in surprise if she said something NICE about someone. Seriously. The last few times I was there I spent time away from the house, went shopping but still the time I was with her was, well, draining. Never mind i've heard all this last visit - she'll repeat the same thing on the same visit!
I DREAD going down for Christmas. She is so apathetic about the family celebration that I wonder why we all even bother (I guess for the kiddos). The deal is, we all buy for the children and then buy "stocking stuffers" for everyone. This is not just actual stocking stuffer but we usually end up with wal mart bags full of stuff. When Stacy and I were first married it was so much fun. Lots of silly fun stuff and some really nice gifts as well. You could tell THOUGHT went in to them. My biggest pet peeve is not putting thought into a gift. I don't care if it cost $1 if I know you truly thought about whether I would like it, is it appropriate then that is what matters. The MIL pretty much goes out the day OF (sometimes the day before) our family celebration to Wal Mart and buys toiletries etc, the same things. There is nothing personal except she does bother to find out what brand you use. This just flies all over me. She's done it for YEARS. Even before my FIL got sick so she doesn't get a pass for that either. I don't know I am just so over her lately. I am afraid this may be the year I speak up and say "Why do we even bother?". It's not my place, I am an in-law and I know this but i'm about fed up as I can possibly be. *sigh*

I was tagged by Caroline and Casey . Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person’s blog who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself
4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.

So, here are 7 facts about me that you may or may not know!

1) I would SO love to go out with Stacy this week-end and have a few cosmos (a pomegranite one would be lovely). We don't get to go out nearly enough on "dates".

2) Although my hair is at it's natural dark chocolate brown color I REALLY would like to dye it blonde again and may do it before summertime much to the chagrin of a few of those near and dear to me I am sure! LOLI really like the look when I was a blonde with a black turtleneck and silver jewerly. Very classic!

3) Sometimes I wish Madison had a brother or sister. I wonder how it will affect her later in life being an only child. It makes me sort of sad.

4) Before I got married I sometimes fantasized about hopping on a train to somewhere and just leaving everyone I knew and love. I don't know why I felt that way. I suspect depression. Since getting married my life is so much better and more grounded and I wouldn't do it now for the world. (take off via train,plane whatever)

5) There are people in my family who I could seriosly smack the SHIT out of but I refrain to keep the peace.... if I were not related to them I wouldn't even SPEAK to them i'm sure.

6) Casey with all of her talk of Starbucks was the person who got me to try Starbucks and now i'm hooked. Thanks woman! I even asked for a giftcard in my stocking. Stacy was like "You don't even like coffee". Um, they aren't coffee, they are candy in a cup! LOL I like the white chocolate pepperminte better than the gingerbread. Any other suggestions for the holidays?

7) This is the first year in a long time I am not ready for Christmas. I have a gameplan except for the stuff for down at Stacy's family. I really need to get on the ball because i'm starting to get stressed out about it. I just have no idea about stocking stuffers for them and i'm just really not in the mood for it either. I hope that changes - and quick!

This has been a really boring me~me hasn't it? I'm sorry!

What a delightful lady Lynilu is! I know this will come as no surprise to any of you :) She called me when she was leaving Atlanta and made good time on her way to Florence. I chose a local restaurant Redbone Alley. I will let Lynilu tell you her impression of the place as I go there all the time and am biased. Ha Ha! We met at 4:30 and didn't part company until 7. 2 1/2 hours literally FLEW by. It was just like talking to an old friend. I was sitting on a bench out front and spotted her walking from her truck and we both called "Hello" and hugged each other. We had a nice little waiter also. He took this picture of us. The hostess also took one outside but that came out totally blurry so I hope Lynilu's was better!

Here is her sweet girl China. She graciously allowed me to snap a few pictures. One for your viewing enjoyment!

Ali was a little stinker and kept looking away just when i'd go to snap his picture LOL They are the sweetest prettiest doggies. I so enjoyed meeting them also.

Stacy and Madison didn't get to meet Lynilu. They left the MIL's kinda of late but hopefully next time. I did show the pictures when I got home and Madison was very upset she missed her. She said "I want to meet that lady" when I was downloading the pictures and she was sitting in my lap. Oh she also thought Lynilu lived in Minnesota with Cheeky and Katie! Poor kid thinks everybody lives in Minnesota LOL
I just want to say I appreciate Lynilu taking the time to go out of her way to meet me. I hope we get the chance to do it again!

Okay I have to go over my daily duties, spreadsheets, reports etc before I leave. Do you think THEY think i'm going to die or something and nobody will know how to do my job??? *gasp*
But my boss is being really nice about it. Now word is trickling out (doesn't it always) and people are coming by wanting to know if i'm okay, some fishing for more info LOL you know how it goes.......
How can I be glum when I have the best bishes in the world? I count Manblogger and the other guys in with the bishes also :) Honorary bishes! Thank you all for the moral support you give me. It is greatly appreciated and I heart you so much!

Despite the fact that it is asshole central around here and everybody is scared of losing their jobs I am looking on the bright side and shouldering on :)
A Saturday at Fundaygo can improve your mood!

Me and my sister took Madison, Brittany and her two grandchildren to Fundaygo on Saturday for "Playalldaygo" which is $6.50. We stayed 2 1/2 hours and boy did the kids have FUN!
Okay I looked like crap (been sick all week with a sinus infection) so I blacked my face out because I may or may not have frightened a few small children!

The gang! They had the most fun sliding down the big slide together and the attendant was nice enough to let them!

These two were buddies toward the end of the day I guess because they are closest in age. His birthday is the same day/year as Reilly's!

Too cute but these two can be little devils believe me! Mischevious? Oh YEAH!

Despite the fact I felt like utter and complete CRAP I hung in there and kept the kids fed and going from 9am til after 2pm then I took Britt home and me and Madison went home. My parents came over for a little while then Mad and I went to the Grocery store for a few must-haves (milk, cat food) and we went home and vegged.

There is something soothing and comforting about the sound of one of these...

I did several loads of laundry over the week-end finishing up a load of whites which are in the dryer right now. I love the hum of a dryer. Even better is the warm feel of the clothes that are fresh out of it. Mmmmmm..........
I have went through Madison's room and got rid of all of her clothes that no longer fit her, shoes also. One beautiful pair of navy blue Stride Rite Mary Janes she never even got to wear. I give them to the Salvation Army because that is the only organization that accepts clothing around here but I really wish I knew someone who had a little girl younger than Maddie that could use her clothes. I'd love to give them to a specific someone. Some of her 3T halloween clothes i'm going to pack away to see if she can wear next year. I purposely bought 3T for this very reason. She's so petite she has no trouble wearing 24 mos/2T right now. Except the pants are too short.
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Okay I guess i'm rambling on to avoid telling you the results of my visit with the ENT doctor. It turns out I have a tumor in my inner ear and will have to have surgery November 29th. He didn't seem worried about the possibility of cancer, just of it growing. If left unchecked it would lead to brain abcess and possibly meningitis which I know is fatal so yeah i'm pretty down with the surgery now. That's all i'm going to say about it. Just think happy thoughts for me on the 29th if you remember!

First off I want to wish everyone a Happy Veterans Day and say a big THANK YOU to all the vets who worked to protect the freedoms we enjoy daily here in the US.
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Okay most of you know back in August I rescued two yorkies who were badly abused. Carrie kept Angel and I have Holly who is the older dog. I bought this Princess costume after Halloween thinking it would be fun to dress my little puppy Princess up.

I have to say after I bought the costume I pondered actually doing it. I didn't know how Holly would react but I must say it didn't bother her one bit. She ambled all around the yard with the costume on and didn't even try to shake the crown off. Reilly danced anxiously around her the whole time LOL I think it bothered him more than it did her. I must confess I did put it on him too briefly but he HATED it. hehe... I know, meanie!

I especially wantedLeloto see Holly dressed as a princess :) It's really hard to get a good shot of her unless she's laying on the bed or couch because she tends to run toward you but I tried! She is the sweetest funniest little thing. We laugh at her daily. Yes she's alot more work than Reilly is but she's worth it. She is just adorable and has the quirkiest little personality. She fits right into our family like she was made for us (and I think maybe she was). Hope you all have a wonderful fantabulous Monday. I have to back to the ENT doc and see what the results of my CAT scan were. FUN! Wish me luck k cos' i'm really not too keen on surgery.

South Carolina Gamecocks VS Florida Gators


Okay first off I have several shirts and a pair of shorts that say Go Cocks hehe...
A gamecock is a fighting chicken I seriously think it used to be the state sport of South Carolina. It is illegal now but i've heard it still goes on. Bloody and ugly. Still I am hoping for a gamecock over gator win tonight!
Hey at least I didn't buy the shirt that said....
"You can't lick our cocks"

First off I want to offer an apology to some people who mistakenly think I dropped them from my blogroll on purpose. Some people just got dropped by accident when Blogger gave me problems awhile back and some I deleted if you didn't post for quite awhile. I am trying to add new people and get back some old ones so email me if you want to be on my blogroll (if you haven't already LOL) A warm welcome to my new reads and some old friends are back as well (Hi Maidy!)
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Also it appeared last night that I was on Yahoo Messenger (cos' I got a few IM's) but I wasn't. I had to re-boot the computer and went to bed. Lazy, that's me! Sorry though I would never intentionally ignore you!
***
When someone reveals themselves to be an asshole on their own - PRICELESS.
***
Thanks for all of the nice comments and emails yesterday. Y'all really got my back and I appreciate it more than you know. to borrow a phrase from an old favorite show of mine 'Hill Street Blues': "Let's Be Careful Out There".

Loyalty is a good thing. I am loyal to my friends, family, always have been. Sometimes that has gotten me in trouble. In school I would never rat out my friends -EVER.
Some people in blogland get a large blogroll and alot of friends. I like my blogroll just the way it is. I visit those on it every week-day and most of them do the same. I am usually able to read the occasional week-end post as well.
I have cut a few toxic people from my blogroll and for that I am glad. Maybe a few got cut in the shuffle that really didn't deserve it, but I am equally sure that they don't care either.
Nothing was done directly to me, however a few bloggers had a meet-up back in April and were nasty to some other bloggers. Really showed a "mean girls" highschool mentality and I was very disappointed in that.
That sort of started changing how I felt about those bloggers then. Then I found out that another blogger whom would have you believe butter doesn't melt in her mouth is the complete and total opposite. Whew. Talk about surprise and shock. She was one of the "mean girls" so I thought "Well do I really want to have anything to do with someone like this?". This girl also treats her "friends" like disposable panti-liners. Sad. Her sidekick I always thought was the coolest and really wanted to meet IRL. Not so much anymore. She is merely Igor to Frankenstein in my way of thinking. Do I regret my online friendship with these girls? No, everything happens for a reason and maybe I learned some vaulable lessons in human behavior. Do I regret anything nice I might have said or did? Absolutely not. No good deed is ever wasted. Plus i've made a really terrific friend from the fall-out and she has also developed quite a friendhship with some other bloggers as a result. Good times!
We've got some craziness going on at the Crying Cow Bank today so let's just all pray I have a job at the end of the day/week mmmkay? *whistles* Trying not to think about it :)

Saturday night after the decorating frenzy Stacy and I went and saw THIS movie.....

OMG the beginning/first part VERY intense. So much so that I had to go to the bathroom and was actually VERY nervous in the bathroom. I'm never like that! LOL If someone had come out of an end stall I would have probably ran screaming out like a fool! The ending was kind of cheesy but yes i'd watch it again on DVD when it comes out. To see the parts I hid my eyes on hehe.....
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Sunday we went out to the Racetrack around Noon and the Late Model Race and Chargers were very good. Trucks, so-so and by the time the T&L and 4-cylinders were up i'd had enough. The cold got to me. I honestly did not realize what a long day it would be and I went and sat in the car finally. Brrr........ i've got a nice headcold now courtesy of my stupidity. I would have dressed alot warmer if I had any sense. Sheesh. No pics of fug because said camera was still on fritz although it is okay for now. There was one dandy couple. Oh my! The man made my eyes water but I cannot share. I'm so sorry.
***
Last but not least remember when I blew out my eardrum in August? Well I went back to the ENT yesterday and I have to have a CAT scan this Friday and go back to see him on Monday. He is thinking maybe surgery. Something I am NOT thrilled with. I do not like the idea of someone messing around inside my ear/head. ACK. So I am kind of freaked out about that BUT after the CAT scan he might just say "Eh we'll just leave it alone - no surgery". That's what i'm hoping for anyway! Y'all have a good Tuesday!

Madison went to the MIL's on Saturday. We are supposed to pick her up tonight. It was nice having some "us" time at home. Something we rarely get. I miss the little one though and Stacy does too. But.... I just don't feel like my MIL really enjoyed having her and that makes me sad. When I was a kid I always loved staying with my grandparents and was always welcome. I just don't feel that for Madison with her grandparents (mine included). They are all older with health problems and seem so set in their ways *sigh* Oh well. Oh well.
*
Whew it was alot of work getting Halloween down and put up. Ummm I must admit Stacy did 85% of it but I did 15% We won't even go into how the ladder/steps to the attic broke and Stacy had to stay in position and I had to schlep stuff to him as being the main reason for my 15%. Haaaa!!!!
*
Welcome to my humble abode (can you tell I like the sparkly)

My big flag - got this one several years ago at Cracker Barrel and it's hung in there very well (pardon the pun)

My mini flag courtesy of my Mom. I have lost serious track of my flags in the various moves recently. Thanks Mom!

I'm sure my neighbors are thinking "Holy Hell WHO puts up Thanksgiving airblowns?" LOL

Tom Turkey giving his Thanks

Scarecrow Man wishes you a Happy Harvest

My Mom made this stuffed turkey many years ago. I heart it. Madison hugged it when I told her that. Awwww.........

My entranceway. Told you I dig the sparkly! (hey I didn't string up the tinsely leaf garland or strew the tinsely leaf confetti - YET!)

Nice to enjoy a little Thanksgiving decor before the Christmas whirlwind hits. Y'all hold onto your hats then!

On Wednesday Madison received a big box in the mail. What could it be? A birthday present from the awesome KATIE! I have looked at these saucer chairs and been contemplating buying her one. Now I don't have to!

She LOVES it - as if you can't tell. Thank you so much Katie for thinking of my little girl.


*** Yesterday we also received a box from CHEEKY which contained a cool paperweight for me (birthday month bishes!!!) and a Dora throw, pillows, explorer flashlight and two packs of stickers. That girl is down with Dora thanks to my two Minnesota buds. My camera once again crapped out so I couldn't get any pics yesterday. Sorry Cheeky but we love them!

I am SO glad it's Friday. Can I get an "Amen" people? My house is a MESS. Birthday and Halloween (both mine & Maddie's) everywhere, but you know what? We've all got our health we are all happy and if all I can complain about this morning is a messy house then hallelujiah I am truly blessed!!!

We had a very nice Halloween! Not a single trick or treater though :( :( :(
Here is my Mom, the coolest Witch evah!

This was the coolest house we visited. Across the street from Miss Patsy.

I present to you.... DOROTHY!

Isn't she absolutely adorable? She got SO much candy and we probably only visited ten houses. I think they gave her double because she was so cute!


Public Svc Announcement: To someone at the Halloween party. Um, not a good idea to blow off a favor someone who has done for you and cared for you your whole life asked, not even acknowledging it and then let said person hear you offer to do same favor for someone else who probably hasn't said two freaking words to you since you've known them. And then cop an attitude w/ me on top of that. Nope. Hell will freeze over before any favors will be done for said person ever again

I overloaded you all with pictures the past two days and I'm sure i'll have some more tomorrow from the Halloween festivities so... I give you that risque' little cartoon hehe.... Hope I didn't offend anyone.
I am excited about tonight but it's tough when you want to A) Take your kid trick-or-treating B) Hand out Candy and see all the cute costumes everyone else is wearing C)Have a family party to attend also. I've got a plan though. Miss Patsy (Maddie's dance teacher) asked us to bring her by her house (I am nosey and want to see her house, I admit it!) and we are going to do that first thing right before dark and then come home and i'll hand out candy and Stacy will take Maddie around our neighborhood. Then we will go over to our old neighborhood and we'll both take Maddie and Brittany around then go to the party. Lord I will be so disappointed if I don't get any trick-or-treaters but you never know. When we lived in Summerville (when first were married) we were BOMBARDED. and I was prepared. Or THOUGHT I was. Stacy had to make an emergency candy run to K-mart at 8 o'clock. Wonder if he remembers that? Or the drunk who knocked on the door and Stacy gave him a can of Coors Lite and he went on his merry way LOL Good times folks, good times!

First I gotta say WOO HOO PACKERS!!! 13-19 in OT! FAVRE RULES
***back to your regularly scheduled programming***

I didn't take a picture of even 1/4 of what she rode but I did get the obligatory merry-go-round pics (check out the darling sweater I bought her the day before at Marshall's for - get this $6!)

Mommy and Madison twirl in the Teacups!

I couldn't believe she wanted to ride this! She is definitely her Mommy's daughter riding the daredevil rides :)

All the kids were shouting "Ribbit! Ribbit!" We were cracking up. Look how little she looks with the other kids!

She won the frog (sitting in her lap) playing the Duck Game. She was SO PROUD!

With Mommy on the Merry-Go-Round

Check out her sweater :)

We had just got there - she was SO excited!

I always wanted to ride an elephant! It felt SO neat!

Maddie wanted to pet the elephant after we got off. She said "I like this elephant Mommy!"

The ride is over and done with!

I wanted to show all of you some cards I got recently. The first one was a birthday card CHEEKY made for me that Madison "stole" because she liked it and I just found it hidden in her little cache in her room. Isn't it CUTE? Very talented girl, our Cheeky!

THIS card is from my crazy bishes Katie, Cheeky, Caroline, Shell and Southern Fried Girl. I laughed so hard when I opened it. It will take a place of honor on my vanity mirror. Thank you my sweet friends. You KNOW that is totally me in the middle wearing the crown bwaa haaaa.....

I got this card Saturday from DAISY and MANBLOGGER it is the cutest pop up Halloween card! Madison was already eyeing it this morning (she was asleep cos' we got home so late last night). You know what that means.... cache!

I also received Saturday this super cute Halloween card made by CHEEKY. I love it! I am going to start a scrapbook or memory box of nothing but cards. I love cards! Love them! They are so personal and special. I have some saved from childhood even.

One of her birthday gifts she opened Friday was a dress up set. As you can see it was a BIG hit. I LOVE this photo. It is a "framer" for sure!

I got the cheeseball grin in this one but she's still cute enough to eat! I love my little prissy Princess so!

Coming up probably tomorrow will be pics of the Coastal Carolina Fair. We got there when it opened at Noon Sunday and didn't leave until after 6 p.m. Madison LOVED it. She rode ride after ride after ride (good thing we got the $17 hand stamp - a BARGAIN) and well, i'll blog about it tomorrow. I'm about to get on a roll here. Let's just say we were WORE OUT. Wore out.

The party was a HUGE success! I wish I had gotten more pictures but i'm sure my sister or someone else did. Madison's face was the picture of happiness the whole time. They greeted her at the door like a little Princess and anointed her with the birthday crown and a balloon.

This is my FAVORITE picture and I will probably have it blown up and framed.

This is the pedestal for the cake and she got a bag of cotton candy. Yummy!

My friend Stacey who owns the monogram shop did this tub for her. I don't know if you can see but it has her name on it. It was filled with "ballet" themed monogram items and some other goodies. I will try to have pics up of her gifts on Monday. She got some great ones. That crazy Carrie (along with Brittany & Casey) got her a hip hop singing animal that sings "In Da Club" (You know, "Go shorty it's yer birfday" etc.) Madison loves it and so does Stacey's little not-quite-one-year-old Johnny Mac! She also got her a darling Princess Piggy Bank. It looks like it should hold quite a bit of money as well. Heh Heh.

My Mom got her a set of Princess dishes that she had saw in a catalogue and liked. The look on her face was pricess. That little mouth was one big round O! I can't describe everything else right now but you can see she had a pretty pile of presents!

The cake was YUMMY and we brought some home as well. That's my girl, Love Ya More Than A Fat Kid Loves Cake!

Here are the little party-goers! What a cute bunch!

Zoom Zoom in the racecar!

Doesn't she look like she's having fun?!

Daddy was enjoying himself too! LOL