Hey Y'all! I'm glad to be back to a little bit of "normalcy". Maddie is doing okay, i'm not going to lie and say she's fine but she is a tough little cookie and on the mend. First off I want to say I haven't went and read the whopping 35+ comments on the post Katie kindly put up so you all wouldn't think I had vanished off the face of the earth - but THANK YOU for the kind thoughts, vibes, prayers I felt them all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I also need to thank these four chicks who totally rocked a little girls world;
Southern Fried Girl, Katie, Shell & Cheeky

This bear sings the Carpenter's song: "Top Of The World" and his mouth even moves. This has raised the bar for all teddy bears in Madison's book now. Nothing will ever measure up! Plus it is gorgeous to look at! The flower basket is so dainty and pretty and that child does love balloons!

Here is an overall pic. Thank you so much. She kept saying "Is that for ME Mommy? Is that MINE?" LOL

Yes the last two days have been very very tough but it could have been so.much.worse. Madison could have been killed. She could have had more injuries to her pretty little face. She does have some scratches and bruising on her face but the worse injuries are on her left thigh. She's got two deep bites on the front and one on the back. I won't get all graphic and ruin anybodys breakfast but let's just say thinking about them makes me very very queasy. Cleaning and changing the bandaging twice a day isn't a picnic either. Nor is forcing her to take her antibiotic twice daily (Augmentin - the milky nasty one ACK!). Isn't it amazing what we can do when we HAVE TO? Just continue to pray that she doesn't have to have plastic surgery and the no infection sets in. Again Thank You. So.Very.Much.

***** I plan on responding to your comments also so don't give up on me there. I've got to actually DO some work here today *snort*

Hey everyone, this is Katie hijacking (with permission of course!)

Just wanted to let you know what's going on and let you know the lack of post from Patti today does not mean she doesn't like us.

Maddie was attacked by a German Shepard today, here is the e-mail I received from Patti explaining what happened:


She was next door playing with the neighbors kids and their german shephard, Alex, attacked her. She got multiple bites and scratches on her upper legs and back and a small scratch on her face. The bites on her upper thighs and back of her leg were very deep and wide and she had to get stitches for those. She is doing okay today, sleeping right now. It will take some time for my babygirl to heal though. She is so tough. She said this a.m. "Mamma I want to go to Chick A Lay (read: Chik Fil A) and play but my legs won't let me". She's too damn funny, that kid. Animal control is involved but I am reccomending they not destroy the dog. I just don't feel right about that. I do want them to either get rid of it or put a locked padlock on the gate. Okay there goes the door again.

All the Christmas decor is gone.... look at Spooky in the middle she always has to be in the thick of things. Crazy cat! You can click on the pics to make them bigger I don't know why they came out so small.

Do you think us South Carolinians are state proud? I think we have the prettiest state flag and I have it on alot of stuff (as you can see).Alot of people think it is a palmetto tree and moon but it's a crescent sword reminiscent of the weapons used in the revolutionary war to defend our fair state. There were numerous revolutionary war battles fought here in SC (Battle of Cowpens comes to mind) so that is your history lesson for today boys and girls :)

Stacy got out the wicker furniture we got an AWESOME end of season deal on ($500 set for $75 - yep). Four chairs and a table including the thick cushions.

Stacy finally put up my stained glass window that I bought myself for my birthday. I am going to try my hand at painting these windows if I can get some old windows. I put out a post on Freecycle.com (thanks Tony!)

Went shopping on Saturday and scored some bar-gains! This is Madison's "valentine dress" (she picked it out herself at Kohl's). $8.00 Yep! She said she is a princess in this dress. I told her "Darlin' you're a princess in anything you wear".

Then I went to my other favorite store Belk (Cheeky knows Belk). Valentines jeans for $5.00 Madison loved these too!

These came from the Big Red Bullseye 90% holiday clearance .... $.49 yep under a dollar. I got another pair too with snowmen on them. They're just the thing for Madison playing in the yard and digging in the dirt.

I got these pants at Belk for $3.49 they are cute khakis and you can turn the cuff up or roll it down.

I got these leopard ballet flats for Carrie (who LOVES anything leopard) $5.00!

I got these preppy plaid for me also $5.00

I also got Madison two j khaki t-shirts at Belk for $.98 each! Red and light blue. I very rarely ever pay retail for clothes. I love to bargain hunt.

I've had a few of these........


Some rambling thoughts that were in my head screaming to get out.

WHY didn't I freeze the liquor first?

Why are some drinks so yummylicious?

Why can't I speak fluent french after downing several French Martinis. It just doesn't seem fair.

Should I wake the hub up for some wild monkey sex?

Why is my nose numb?

Why can't I feel my lips?

Will numb nose/lips inhibit wild monkey sex?

**EDITED*** I should be embarassed posting such drivel but even a monogram queen has to cut loose once in awhile *snicker* I didn't wake him up, He wasnt' where I thought he was and when I collapsed into bed and it was empty I just closed my eyes and was down for the count Zzzzzzz.........

Remember back in October when we stayed at theWatersEdge Inn at Folly Beach? It was super deluxe - easily the nicest place i've ever stayed. I got an email from the Innkeeper offering a deal of $99 a night Sunday - Thursday (the price almost triples for the week-end) for the month of January. Oh how nice it would be to stay for a few nights during the week. Sinful even. Ride downtown to Charleston and do a little shopping because it wouldn't be busy. Not during the week, not in January. Eat at a nice restaurant downtown Charleston, peruse the Market without the week-end crowds. Eat the divine pizza from Woodys on Folly Beach. Have some fresh seafood and a few libations at Joe's Crab Shack. Maybe even drive to Sullivans Island and eat at Poe's again. They have a really nice Happy Hour at the Inn and the breakfast was super yummy also. We could walk on the Beach even if it is 20 degrees it is still wild and beautiful. Stacy doesn't get much vacation time though *sigh* Oh well, a girl can wish.......

Reilly (he is a yorkipoo and the longer his hair gets the more poodle-y he looks - cute!) lays on Madison's bed (well on her pillow is his favorite spot) while.....

Madison is in my laundry basket on the floor. She does have boy, blankie, her portable DVD player her big monogrammed blanket and probably a partridge in a pear tree in there with her! LOL

I have been tagged by Lynilu who has changed the rules on the five weird things (which I,too, have done several times) and wants five things I never pictured myself doing at age 25 and also five places I want to visit before I die so without further ado....

Five things I never pictured myself doing at age 25:

1) Being Married, to Stacy no less. We had broken up a few years earlier and I wasn't even SPEAKING to him at that point! LOL

2) That I would within the next ten years lose over 100 lbs.

3) That I would ever have a broken bone and be wheelchair bound.

4) That I would ever be responsible with money (I sure wasn't in early twenties it was all spend~spend~spend and spend some more!)

5) That I would ever dye my hair blonde and have braces!

Five Places I want to visit before I die:

1) Great Britain, I so want to see England, Paris and also Ireland and Scotland if I can squeeze them in.

2) I want to spend Christmas in a cabin with a fireplace, somewhere it snows.

3) Canada (and NOT Niagara Falls which I saw as a child)

4) New York City - a whirlwhind shopping trip and see all of the tacky, touristy things. (does anyone notice a theme, tacky, touristy, with me???)

5) Someplace warm and tropical. I don't have a specific destination. Just someplace with a beach. The Carribean (St. Maarten or Martinique) would be nice. I don't want a cruise either I don't think. Flying there would be fine.

There you have it! I'm not tagging anyone but if you want to do it i'll be glad to come and read!

It's amazing how a few French Martini's can take a shitty attitude and turn it around. My Mamma used to say "turn that frown upside down" LOL

To my cherished Blog Friends, Lurkers and anyone else who visits my little slice of the blogosphere .... may you have a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Blessed 2008

To the Haters you can just kiss my ass okay? Don't need you, don't care what you think, just go away. Karma's nipping at your heels.

Is'nt blunk drogging fun?

Oh yeah mine looks to be shaping up to be about as delightful as Christmas was. Lucky, lucky, lucky me. My niece had a pig picking and we went this past week-end.

Me and my niece Holly

Me and the host, my nephew Bruce. I don't even know the guys name behind us but he's a Clemson fan so he doesn't count *snort*

We did have a good time but I wish I had taken more pictures

*********** I lost my links and am trying to remember who to add back so please post your blog URL or email it to me at tindal38@yahoo.com

To the Texas A&M 'Yell Leader' who said Penn State Coach Joe Paterno (or JoePa as he is fondly called) "is on his deathbed" and "needs a casket" ..... You don't insult a Legend, honey, just, No.

You have embarassed yourself and your school. Verily.

Now Nittany Lions go kick some Aggie Ass and defend JoePa's honor! Go Lions Roar!

WARNING: This may be a long one full of rambling emotion....

I found out today that my "family" church in Williamsport PA, St Mary's, will be closing sometime this coming summer. It makes me immeasurably sad. This church has been attended by my family for generations back through the 1800's.

I was born in the neighborhood, only two blocks from the church, on Wilson Street. The red door has a plaque on it in memory of my Great Grandmother Nellie Switzer who died March 13,1988 at the age of 98. I used to always tell her "Gram I want you to live to be 100" she would laugh and say "Why in the world do I want to be 100?". She was an awesome, amazing woman. Not even in ill health until about age 95 or so. I aspire to be just like her and I DO want to live to be 100+. I'm selfish like that heh heh...

Back to St Mary's it is a small church. The parsonage was sold several years ago because it was difficult to secure a full-time priest so one was shared with Christ Episcopal Church and St Ann's. Two other city churches in the diocese and it seemed to work just fine. The pew that my family always sat in still bore the gnaw marks of us bored children the last time one of us were in the church (we always check).

I spent many an afternoon in the church kitchen where there were doughnuts frying and sausage sandwiches being made for one fund-raiser or another. My Uncle Larry is on the Vestry and always right in the thick of things. He lives down the alley from the church and he is very grieved over the pending closing.

The last time I was there was for my beloved Aunt Paulette's funeral in May 2003. My sisters and I drove all night to get there. Paulette's funeral was on my sister "B's birthday and after the funeral everyone gathered in the Church Hall for a meal (as is the tradition for all neighborhood funerals) and "B" was HORRIFIED when our other sister "K" stood up and announced her birthday and everyone sang Happy Birthday. She did not think it "proper" to sing Happy Birthday after such a sad occasion but heck Aunt Paulette would have laughed about it and did it to her too!

I want to have Madison christened there. I realize this is something I should have had done years ago but she has hated riding in the car and riding in her carseat up until recently so now time is drawing short. I need to get home and attend services at St Mary's. Have my baby girl baptized at my church where generations of us have been baptized and I need to see my beloved Aunt Barb before it is too late.

We had my family over on Christmas Eve. We had some goo-oo-ood food. The table wasn't fancy but we enjoyed it!

Isn't this cake the cutest? It is from a local bakery (remember I don't "do" grocery store cakes.) The frosting is delicious!

Yep Santa came! The opened presents to the right were from our haul from Stacy's family in Summerville. My lord we got alot of stuff down there!

Madison opened up her Princess Kitchen. She specifically requested this along with the Dora DoodlePad - and a Baby Sister (the only thing she did NOT get!)

a HUGE make-up set and opening her Dora Memory Game

Opening the Dora DoodlePad! That big blue jug is bubble bath!

Playing with her V-tech Laptop.

Madison had a nice Christmas and that is what really matters. She got WAY too much stuff next year will be scaled WAY down. I think she was overwhelmed by it all.

I am GLAD It's over.... and that is all i'm going to say about Christmas this year.

I sure wish I would have taken today off too like Stacy did *sigh*
Next year i'm taking the whole week off as Christmas falls on a Thursday. We had a nice time with his family this past week-end and with my family Monday evening.

It's raining and it's cold and it's going to be one CRAPTASTIC day. It matches my mood perfectly. Madison got everything she wanted and I think she enjoyed it.
Tell me about your Christmas,are you glad it's over with or do you wish it were starting all over again today?

From Our House To Your House!

Stacy~Patti~Madison

**This post will remain up until Wednesday!

** Name one (or more) thing you would like Santa to bring you (that you are not very likely to get) :)

I wanted to say a very special thank you to three wonderful blogger friends that jazzed up my mailbox Tuesday. I got a darling handmade card from Maria at I Can See Clearly Now! Great job Maria and thanks for the sweet words about Holly.

I received a box of darling handmade Gingerbread Men (complete with them holding their own tiny candied ginger men in their little gingerbread hands) from the awesome Scott aka Purple Twinkie. I know they will taste even better than they look - if I can bear to bite into them that is. He presented them in a beautiful green velvet bag tied with gold rope

and a darling teddy bear ornament attached which I promptly put on my tree and will always remember Scott's kindness when I unpack it every Christmas. Most of my ornaments have a story behind them or special meaning. I like it that way! Thank you so much Scott.




Then... as if those two weren't enough I got a big box from Jenie at Insert Catchy Title Here! In it were homemade candies and mini loaves of bread Yummm!!!! Also a My Little Pony Princess and bag of Dora candy (which my greedy child spied and took ownership of immediately and the crowning jewel was an ornament "the old mans big prize" of A Christmas Story - my favorite movie of all time. Oh man I am dizzy with excitement.

Thank you all for making my holiday extra special and sending of yourself cos' I know it takes time and effort to make your own cards and baked goods and candy and time and effort are like gold around the holidays. I very very much appreciate all three of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This our oldest cat Brett (three guesses as to who he's named after!) All of ours used to be indoor only but after I had Maddie one got out and they made my life miserable until I let them both go out. I don't really miss the litter box thing and they stay pretty close to home. The other cat Spooky is the pee bandit so he comes in less. Brett is Stacy's baby.

I think he was getting tired of me taking pictures LOL Doesn't he have a sweet face? I realize I don't talk as much about my cats as I did the dogs but I love them all equally. Brett is a five years old, Spooky is four and Sneaky not a year. Reilly will be four on January 14th. He is 10 months older than Madison!
Oh and those lights you see kinda hanging well they weren't until little paws started messing with them. He's always been devilish but sweet as s.u.g.a.r!

I was talking to my retarded ever-helpful sister this morning.
Me: Reilly has ear mites. I got him some medicine. I put five drops in his ear like the box said and massaged his ear then cleaned it with a cotton ball but he still seemed very itchy. I wonder if that got the mites out?

Sis: Did you lift his ear and tap him on the side of the head?

Me: ~Blink~Blink~Blink~ What????

So... anybody have any advice on what further action I should take? I'm scared to ask her anything else! LOL

Tomorrow or Friday my post on Holiday Kindness

A big fat F U to Crying Cow Bank. Why lay people off before Christmas? You could have waited a few weeks. Yeah your stock is going down the shitter at the rate of a landslide on ice but still........ (p.s. No I did not get laid off but alot of good people did and still may)

A big fat F U to the U.S. Mint. Money is WAY-Y-Y-Y over-rated ya know?

Another big fat F U to Father Time. (can ya tell i'm getting stressed out over the big C? Can ya?) Slow it down just a tad mmm kay?

To my esteemed group - No life as you know it will NOT cease and desist if we do not do a freakin' "Chinese Christmas" next week. Jeezus kee-rist it is a $5 gift people, NOT the holy grail. I am sick and tired of the bickering over this.

To My Beloved Mother: If you do not keep giving Madison stuff every time we go to your house to cart home and for me to display..... I know you love her/us, I know you like to give things but I do not have any end tables I do not have a coffee table and I do not have anywhere to display stuff! Now Stop It!

To The Andes Mint Co. - Why-why-why do you make the goodness that is the peppermint crunch mints only in December and why can I only find them at select Dollar General stores (which I only ever go to in search of these mints). I found these little delights year before last. Last year I couldn't find them at all, this year you have teased me with a bag or two here and there. U Big Tease!

Isn't this the cutest little Elf?

I WISH I had a body like this whoo hoo! LOL I just thought this was silly and fun.




Reilly is so sad without Holly. He's pitiful. He will walk around looking for her and he looks at me like "Why Mamma? Where is she?". It makes me want to cry! Stacy was outside last night and he said he thought he heard her bark and almost yelled at me to let Holly out. I guess it will just take time. *sigh*