Mother's Day: I want a redo

Welcome to the 50,000th Mother's Day re-cap post on the World Wide Web!

I knew my hubby, and by extension, my little guy, would do something fantastic. Hubby is the best present giver in the history of the world. He always knocks gifts out of the park with his uncanny ability to figure out just what I want without ever asking.

I had this feeling on Saturday that something would go awry, but thought it was just based on last Saturday, when a combination of going to bed way to late and my child sleeping almost 0 hours all night left me completely exhausted on Sunday. And even knowing that might be the case, I stayed up late again on Saturday night because in my mind I'm still 25? Who knows.

Anyway.

Baby was up pretty much all night with a cold. Hubby took the first shift, I took the second, and then around 6:45 I decided just to park in the recliner in Baby Blogworthy's room. A couple hours later I woke up feeling pretty alright.

Hubby woke up and we decided I should open my presents right away since the baby was in a good mood.

First was a new charm for my charm bracelet.

It's the last charm on the right -- a pacifier -- and Hubby called it the "mute button". Before Baby Blogworthy was able to nurse really well, we used to just stick our finger in his mouth to quiet him down. Then the heavens opened and angels started singing when he discovered the mute button. Pretty cute and sweet.

The second gift was a really nice women's devotional Bible, which I've been asking for for awhile. Then he saved the best for last:

Click the picture for bigness.

And of course it made me do this:

That's the ugly cry face and Baby Blogworthy with his mute button saying, "eh."

After that the day went downhill. Baby B has a cold, so he was fussy and miserable all day. Hubby started feeling nauseous and ended up with a fever. Me? I became more and more exhausted. With only four hours of sleep, good will runs out pretty quickly. Every time I'd lay down for a nap while he was napping, he'd wake up 45 minutes later almost as soon as I'd really fall asleep.

By the end of the day I was spent, especially since he refused to fall asleep even though he was CLEARLY tired. Why babies refuse naps, I'll never know.

So that was my crappy Mother's Day. The gifts were awesome, the rest of the day not so much.

Honestly though? Even bad days seem a little bit better when you have this going on:

How was your Mother's Day? If you have furbabies, did they get you anything? If you're dad, did you spoil your wife?

Four Year Anniversary: Now with 90% less Disney

Thank you to Log Cabin for sponsoring my post about updated traditions in my household. To learn more about Log Cabin Syrups (which are all free of High Fructose Corn Syrup), breakfast for dinner, and other new ways to update traditions in your home, click here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.


Hubby and I moved to Florida exactly three months before our first anniversary.

Our first year of marriage hadn't been easy. We experienced layoffs, difficulty finding jobs, the unexpected death of our first cat and the biggest move either of us had ever experienced. We decided to celebrate our first year with a trip to Disney World, a short drive from where we'd moved.

Four years younger and ten pounds lighter.

We splurged on a season pass, knowing we'd take full advantage of everything Disney had to offer. Yes, two adults can have fun at Disney without a child in tow. We booked a hotel outside the park, but one with a fancy breakfast and transportation to the park. Not only were we celebrating our first year of marriage, but a new life in a new state where we could grow where we were planted.

Sharing the world's most expensive Coke.

When our season passes ran out the next year, we decided to continue this tradition for year two. It wasn't quite as fancy. We probably stayed in a terrible hotel because it's sort of our thing. We probably yelled at some people for cutting front of us in line. We probably looked like wilted flowers by the end of the day.

We definitely had a great time.

Last year was more of the same, but took on a much larger meaning: last May was the last anniversary trip we'd take to Disney on our own. I was about 12 weeks pregnant and only showing in my face and hips. I personally had been infected with Baby Fever, and although I'm speaking for him, I'm pretty sure he was too. Did you know a substantial amount of children go to Disney? Up until that point, when my little squirt had just only allowed me to eat real food again, we hadn't noticed how many beautiful babies visited the parks. It's all we talked about.

We were in line for Snow White and started a conversation with the woman behind us, mother of a cute two-year-old girl. We told her I was pregnant and due in November.

"That's so great!" she said. "Your lives are going to change. For the better!"

We asked her to take our picture with our little anniversary pins to remember our last trip as a family of two.

This year our family tradition of heading to Orlando for a weekend with Mickey is going to be very different. Instead of park-hopping with a season pass, we'll be shopping at Downtown Disney. Instead of standing in line for $4 Cokes, we'll be cooking pancakes for breakfast in our suite (generously gifted to us by my sweet sister). Instead of eagerly awaiting another ride on Pirates of the Caribbean, we'll be splashing in the hotel pool with our six-month-old baby boy.

Today is one month until our fourth anniversary, and something tells me this year will be the best one yet.

What are some of your favorite family traditions?

Watershed

At first, I mistook the sound of running water for the white noise machine in the nursery. Maybe the neighbor was running water. At 8 am? Stranger things have happened.

I shook it off and rushed to work.

Hubby called at four Thursday afternoon and asked if I'd heard water running. He heard the same thing and checked everything -- sprinklers, toilets and faucets -- and couldn't find the culprit. A quick call to the water company and a visit from our friendly neighborhood Roto-Rooter guy confirmed our suspicions: we were the proud owners of a house with a water leak in some mysterious place between the kitchen and the guest bathroom.

Friday evening a guy from a leak detection company stopped by to find the exact location of the leak while I sat in my bedroom with a napping baby and tried on hairstyles and makeup using the InStyle virtual makeover. I learned two things Friday night:

1. There is such a thing as a leak detection company, further confirming there is a job out there for everyone;
2. When given the option of trying on any type of makeup in existence, even in a virtual makeover, I'll probably try on what I'd normally wear.

I thought my whole weekend was ruined. Thursday we were both a mess. I was crying, Hubby was moody and we both threw a childish little WHY ME! hissy fits. I would say, "where will we get the money to fix it??? Just tell me it'll be alright!" and he would say "It'll be alright!" and I'd be all, "WE WILL NOT BE ALRIGHT THIS IS A DISASTER!"

I texted a friend to tell her all about this awful tragedy. She was sympathetic but was more concerned about the hissy fits.

"Be gentle with each other!" she said.

I got that text while I was holding my little baby Blogworthy. He looked at me with those big, sweet eyes and my whole perspective shifted. Hubby, Baby Blogworthy and I laid down on the bed, talked and giggled. I just couldn't help but think to myself, he depends on us completely, but he has no idea how much we depend on him, especially in situations like this. He's truly the tie that binds us together and makes our love even stronger.

But this isn't about emotional watershed, it's about physical watershed. 

Roto-Rooter showed up yesterday and added some lovely decor to the middle of our living room floor.

Isn't that what every home needs? A big ol hole right in the living room floor? Like about 10 feet from the entrance. And also right smack dab in the middle of our eating area, where we eat and visit and you know, LIVE and stuff.  Even better is that our laminate floors extend through the whole house and there is no real break between the living room and dining room/kitchen area, so replacing the flooring in one room means replacing it in EVERY room.

The pin-hole sized gap in that pipe caused all that drama and destruction. TGFHOI (Thank God for Home Owners Insurance).

Also? Who builds houses with pipes under the concrete foundation and doesn't include a crawlspace. Floridians, that's who. 

The joys and sorrows of homeownership.

Worse home disasters? Spill it in the comments!

8.6 miles? NBD for this superstar family

As you guys know, I have been raising money for our March of Dimes walk. Hubby and I were both raising and were having a little competition with each other as to who could raise the most. I had the blog, but he had the support of his school and 500 Facebook friends. Ahh, the power of social media.

My view of the 6k walkers (and a hill).

Saturday morning was the walk. We got there bright and early at 7:45, and the walk started at 8. The MOD walk here is one of the biggest in the country, with 6,000 participants in this year's event. The local MOD has raised $700,000 this year, with the lion's share from the walk. They had it fixed up rull nice. There was music, Starbucks coffee, pastries and lots of energy. A few minutes before 8 they asked us to line up and we methodically walked through the March of Dimes arches on our 8.6 mile trek.

Yes, that's right: 8.6 miles.

And let me clear up a little misconception about Florida. Yes, a lot of it is flat. However, North Central Florida has its fair share of hills and the walk took us up and over every single one in Gainesville.

At first we were really worried about taking Baby Blogworthy. Would he get fussy? Would he have a meltdown right around mile 5 and we'd be left stranded? We found out about the courtesy vans that picked weary walkers up after they had enough, so we were confident in taking him. We both figured that after a few miles we could hop on a van and head back home.

Every half-mile or so, companies set up tents to give out juice, water, bananas, granola and other treats. A few had freebies, like the place that was handing out muscle cream for your sore muscles after the walk (good call, company). My favorite tent was the frozen fruit bar stand at mile 6 and the ice cream truck at mile 6.5. I was double fisting ice cream. I'm 99% sure that's what got me to the finish line.

We saw some interesting things. I mean, it takes all kinds. Like, the kind who puts their child in the top of the stroller and their tiny dog in the bottom.

Exhibit A.

During one mile of the walk, the ambassadors for individual teams stood along the sidewalk and cheered us on. Each stood beside a poster that had their story; babies born 29, 30, 35 weeks gestation, who spent the first few weeks or even months of their lives in the NICU, but now were healthy, happy, smiling children. If hearing a 3 year old thank you for walking for babies doesn't melt your cold, dead heart, there's no hope for you, my friend.

Then there was the Memory Mile and I don't want to talk about it.

That mile, I was most thankful for this:

We turned the corner into the home stretch a little after 11. We had two miles to go. We didn't walk that far just to jump on the victory wagon (that's what it was called, awesome right?) to go back to our car. So we pushed on, over the last tremendously long hill with our healthy little guy. I was so proud when we crossed the "finish line". So proud, in fact, that I won't even mention how 3 months pregnant I look.

We all got "I did it!" stickers. Even Baby Blogworthy. Although HE SLEPT HALF THE TIME. (Must be nice, baby.)

When it was all said and done, together we raised over $300 for the MOD in honor of our baby's health and in honor of all the babies we know who were born too soon. It was a really fabulous experience. Sure, we're sore, even a few days later, but knowing we accomplished such a long walk for such a great cause was the best pain killer ever.

The best part? We took the biggest, best, 2 hour family nap when we got home.

Thank you for all my friends and family who supported us and this great cause!

Rural Florida is not much different than all of West Virginia

This is a Wordless Wednesday post.

FOOLED YOU! I knew if I put Wordless Wednesday in the title, 50% of you would move on along down your Google reader list and call it a day. You'd be like me at Sams club with the free samples: "Oh, I couldn't! Well, maybe I'll just try it. Delicious! I think I might think about thinking about buying one." And I have absolutely no intention of buying the product.

But if you skip this one, you would have missed out on three things in this particular post: CUTE BABY PICTURES; lots of actual words; and my comparison of Rural Florida and West Virginia.

I was born and raised in West Virginia. Some of my very favorite people in the world were also born and raised in West Virginia. But come on, let's be honest, it's not the most sophisticated of places, which is OK because I'm not a sophisticated person.

I moved to Florida and I'm all, HOT DIGGITY DOG, no more hillbillies! Hoooooray! And sure enough, there are no hillbillies.

Because there are no hills.

Instead, we have rednecks.

Therein lies the first difference. Secondly, there are palm trees in Florida. Thirdly, the produce stands sell much more delicious fruit AND accept food stamps as payments, so that's different.

Other than that? Pretty similar, which just goes to show that a festival is a festival no matter in what state the organizers set up the [insert questionable meat product here] on-a-stick stands and shaky rides held together by duct tape, luck and a prayer.

Now, on to the pictures!

So many strawberries you turn INTO a strawberry!

Chilling in a great big strawberry.

Delicious.

Candy, foam hats and jazz hands. This is my idea of fun these days.

Very grumpy baby in a very cute hat.

Apparently this is a "thing".

Maybe next year, my love.

You've come a long way, baby

As we were packing to leave on a weekend trip to Tampa on Friday, I found a tiny, yellow hat under the bassinet. It took me back to the last time Luke wore that hat, the first week we had him home from the hospital when he would sleep approximately never hours and zero minutes. The first night we tried to get him to sleep in pretty much every device made for baby sleeping and some that were not. We tried the swing with and without a swaddle. We played the music that comes with those baby swings, mechanical renditions of classical pieces that circled through my subconscious as I slept.

We tried lights on and off, the pack n play, the crib, and in a moment of sheer desperation and exhaustion, we tried laying him on our chests while we sat sleeping up. Turns out, rocking in someone's arms for the better part of the night was more his cup of tea.

Then there was the matter of his temperature and general comfort, because as you moms and dads know ,and we found out quickly, parents don't really know if the baby is too hot or cold unless they are screaming, and even then it's sort of a crap shoot. Our son was born in November, but also November in Florida, so it is hot, then cold, then hot. Rinse and repeat. SO, we dressed him layers at night: onesie, socks, blanket sleeper, and a hat. The hat was an exercise in futility; it never once stayed on for more than five minutes. And of course, with an anxious mom and worry wort dad, we checked constantly to see if it was somehow smothering him.

Three months later, we don't mess with the hats, he sleeps laying down in his bassinet without music hours at night, for which I'm eternally thankful to the big guy upstairs. He's learning to hold on to toys and his feet, and learning to roll to his side. He;s laughing and smiling and clearly thinks we're so silly. Those times are simply the best.

But I'm learning there are challenges with every age. I always naively though I could just keep on doing whatever I did before, but with a baby in tow. After two consecutive baby meltdowns in restaurants this weekend, I realize my life as I knew it is gone. Long gone. Riding into the sunset with its friends, happy hour and a clean house.

Even when he's at his crabbiest, ripping us all a new one because the sun is just way too bright for his liking, all he needs to do is smile at me and I fall more and more in love. We've come a long way in the past three months, Luke, me and hub, us as a family, and we have so much more to learn.

I can't wait to see what other changes are in store.

For you moms and dads, did you realize your life had changed sooner than I did, or am I just slow?

Wordless Wednesday except with words: Savannah!

It's almost back-to-school time for my hubby, and when summer begins to draw to a close, we've had a tradition of taking a mini-vacay the last weekend before he heads back. I had a half day Friday and after a nice lunch and nap, we decided to go to Savannah for the weekend. We're only about 3 and a half hours from the city, so it's a nice place to go -- beautiful, good food, far enough away that it feels like you're on vacation but not so far that you feel like you're going to kill your spouse on the drive back.

As you'll recall, we don't stay in nice hotels. Like ever. Like now it's sort of our "thing". This particular Days Inn was about 10 minutes from the historic district and had all the charm of a college dorm room but with none of the booze. Oh wait, there was booze at the "Hercules Bar and Grill", a round building surrounded by windows and Christmas lights, placed in the middle of a man-made pond. And let me tell you, was the Hercules jumpin' on the daily. It's like there was literally nowhere else to go so why not head down to the Hercules for a cold 'Nati? Have at it, friends.

The room  -- oh, you guys, the room -- was judged by our normal standard of "clean" i.e. no bodily fluids visible to the naked eye. It was a square white box, decorated with generic hotel artwork and dated bedspread. We had a fridge, although it was covered with rust (but clean inside). The TV had plenty of channels. There was a couch and a toilet and a shower with a shower curtain. I mean pretty much the lap of luxury except for the Daddy Long Legs (that my husband claimed was actually a deadly, poisonous spider) crawling up the wall. So there was that, but on the other hand, it only cost us $30 per night AND had continental breakfast. So you win some, you lose some.

OH, and I almost forgot to tell you about the clock: Hubby picked it up to set it for the next day and the top pulled off, so all you could see were the clock guts, but it STILL WORKED because it was a clock from 1982 and they don't make them like they used to, huh? At any rate, there was no way to set an alarm. I really know how to pick'em.

What site am I on, TripAdvisor? She's needs to get back to the story. I'm tired of hearing about her crappy hotel. OK you guys, no need to be rude, just one more hotel related thing, and I promise you'll like it. Here's a graph:

The trip was really fun, and if you haven't been to Savannah and get the opportunity to go, please do. It's just fascinating and very lovely. Don't go in August because in addition to those things, it's also very hot and sister can't BUY a breeze in that city in the summer.

Look at that big fat preggo about to waddle down some stairs!

AMAZING frozen hot chocolate at the Paris Market.

And then the most exciting part of the trip....I got to meet Allyson from Magnolias and Mimosas! She lives in the Dirty South now, is only a hot minute from Savannah and was on her way to Charleston to meet the one and only Salt (which I'm so bummed I didn't get meet her too, but hopefully in October). Maybe we were all inspired by some people and their recent bloggy meet up.

Anyway, we ate lunch at a sweet little bakery and had the best time! Go visit her blog.

So that was my weekend. Anybody been to Savannah before? What are your favorite things to do there?

Let's talk about value. Hamburger value.

Where did this week go? I just realized I hadn't posted a blog since last Friday. It's like in my head I was blogging but in reality I wasn't.

So, sorry about that. Besides work business, I've been suffering from a FUN HANGOVER after our weekend trip down Orlando way. This was our last hurrah because our seasonal passes expire and we aren't going to renew right now because of the BABAY.

I'd like to tell y'all a little story about our dinner in Orlando Sunday on the way back at a place called Five Guys Burgers. It's a chain, but I don't think there are all that many locations. They sell hamburgers with lots of different toppings, thick cut french fries (with optional cajun seasoning), I think hot dogs and drinks. That's it.

The walls are all decorated with their own kudos. Like every time they were mentioned in any magazine when the chain started, the owners made copies for every franchise to hang on the walls, and when I say that I mean ALL walls, like all up and down the counter, in the bathrooms, wherever there is a vertical surface there is either a copied newspaper article or quotes from said articles in 1000 point red type. It's a little on the tacky side; I mean, just let the tasty burgers speak for themselves, ya know?

The most mind boggling thing about the decor is the articles don't proclaim them to be the best TASTING burgers or most UNIQUE burgers, but the best VALUE in burgers. There are two problems with this:

1. Walmart stuff is value. Publix bogos are a value. Redbox machines are a value. But there's something about a restaurant focusing on value rather than taste that just seems wrong to me. I mean, we can all agree that McDonalds hamburgers wont' break the bank, but we can also agree that they will make you feel like death. Right?
2. FIVE GUYS BURGERS IS NOT A VALUE. Join me as I weave this tale of overpriced food:

Hubby and I were tired, cranky and ready to get home. It was 9 and they closed at 10 so I'm sure they felt the same. We walked in and the first thing the guy said to us was, "WE'RE OUT OF CHEESE!" like that was the determining factor in us staying or leaving (as that was no option because it was the only place open). And I'm all, well that's a bummer, I guess I'll just get something beside cheese. Hubby ordered his bacon hamburger and I ordered mine with mushrooms and onions. Then the guys says to me, "WE'RE OUT OF MUSHROOMS TOO! EVERYTHING BUT MUSHROOMS AND CHEESE!" I'm all eye-rolly with him but changed my order to onions and mustard only. Then Hubby tries to pay with our Discover card and he says, "Hm, it says 'not a valid transaction, THAT'S SO WEIRD" and about that time Hubby realized they dont' take Discover card.

Cearly we're dealing with Einstein over here working at Five Guys, but I  decided to go into mini-meltdown mode and said "You've GOT to be kidding me right now. I have to walk away." I sat down and started steaming about it mumbling about how a HAMBURGER PLACE can possibly run out of cheese. There wasn't a store you could run out to and grab a hunk of cheese before your supply truck rolls in? No? not even the Quiznos next door?

Hubby brings the food to the table and hands me the receipt for.....$17 BUCKS.

Excuse me, but in what universe is $17 for two burgers, one fry and one drink a value? I'm going to refer back to my breakfast chart from last blog:

It should be easy to understand why I had such a fit. I feel like a chart would also best represent my feelings after this meal:

Before we left, I went to the bathroom and discovered why Five Guys were so delusional in thinking the food there was a good value. I was washing my hands and reading one of the articles when I noticed the publishing date -- 1996. The article stated that Five Guys had one heck of a burger and a good value, too: only $1.75 for two big, juicy, fresh, hand-pattied burgers. I read some others -- 1990, 2001, 1998 -- not one media outlet has proclaimed them BEST VALUE in at least 8 years. Maybe it's because one hamburger now costs $4.50! I mean let me just hand you my wallet and pin number so you can take all of my money! It's good but not that good! Bev's Better Burgers in this podunk little city near us is just as good -- if not better -- and her burgers cost $2!

My rage turned to pity when I saw this:

It just.....it explains a lot. I'll leave it at that.

Then yesterday we were on a quest to find some shorts that I can button and saw a building under construction that looked eerily like the Five Guys decor...sure enough: Gainesville is getting a Five Guys. I am encouraging all my friends here to mortgage their houses so they can try it at least once.

Have y'all heard of this place? What do you think?

Nobody reads Sunday posts anyway

Hubby and I are having the best day today, filled with some yummy food, a 2 hour nap and lots of couch-sitting. It's awesome.

I'm going to go back in time to 2008 and tell y'all a little story. That year was our first Easter in the dirty south. Back in WV, there were a few places open on Easter, including some grocery stores and restaurants. You know, there is only so much ham a person can eat. Seriously. That year we had a delicious ham filled, homemade meal, then took a nap, then woke up and decided to run out and get something fast food to save us from a dinner of ham sandwiches.

Guess what's open on Easter Sunday in the south. NOTHING. N-o-t-h-i-n-g. Not even the grocery store. So we had ham. AGAIN.***

I guess it's blasphemous to want some fried chicken or something on the holiest day in the Christian calendar. I mean, call me crazy, but I think Jesus would have LOVED some Zaxby's chicken tenders.

***UPDATE* Hubby was reading my blog with me and he reminded me that two years ago we didn't, in fact, go back and eat ham; we ate at the only place open in all of Florida which was Perkins. And this particular Perkins had a distinct vomit smell. You know what doesn't' go well with pancakes? VOMIT SMELL. We haven't been pack (obvs).

This year we prepared by ordering a pizza online on Saturday night. And it's ridiculous a person can order a pizza online, p.s. We had lots extra to eat today, although I couldn't resist a little ham on a Publix roll.

Anyway, I hadn't posted in a few days. I got another email, this one for 20,000,00020millionUSD. All I need to do is send my money to Zimbabwe. I'm on it, Mr. Samuel Muyo, the elder son of Mr. Joseph Muyo of Zimbabwe.

I'm super pleased that WVU lost last night. I do wonder if they went ahead and burnt the couches anyway up in Morgantown.

Oh, and Saturday I started a Facebook Fan page for It's Blogworthy! Go join here or it's also on the sidebar to the left.

Tomorrow's post will be better, I promise.

Country roads are taking me somewhere, but not really home

Have you missed me posting all over your blogs the past few days? Hubby and I have been in West Virginia, the place of our births the place of my birth because Hubby will never let you forget that he was born in Kentucky even though he was raised for most of his life in WV and..AND...eastern Kentucky pretty much is the same as WV, how is that even better? Anyway. That's where we were. And boy, oh boy did I get behind on my blogging.

It was great for one reason only -- sister time. Sister time is my favorite time ever. It's filled with just pure awesomeness topped with icing from the most delicious cake place called Servatiis.

This is what I imagine Sister time looks like:

 We totally demolished that cake.

We had the best time just sitting around and talking and eating and then a not so great time watching UK lose to my mortal enemies, WVU. Then we reverted back to best times by making her cats dance.

Before the trip to sister's house, Hubby and I visited my Mom and Dad, who are getting ready to sell our childhood home. Mom finds all sorts of treasures, and by treasures I mean things that she doesn't have the heart to throw away, so she gives them to us to "do with them what we will."

One of these treasures was a big, plastic Big Boy bank. Do y'all have Shoneys? Well long ago and far away, Shoney's used to be Shoney's Big Boy. I guess there are still Big Boy restaurants around, but here is the logo:

via

So I'm laughing thinking, where on God's green earth did this come from? Mom proceeds to tell me how when my sister and I were little, she wanted this Big Boy bank more than anything and Mom wouldn't buy it for her. Big sister stepped in and bought it for her as a gift. Now I know, you're wondering, how did a young child get money to buy something like this? And to that I don't' have an answer and neither did Mom. It's so appropriate, though, because my Sister has always been awesome with money and is now an accountant, so I like to think I was building her dreams even at a very young age. I'm selfless and amazing like that. You're welcome, Sissy.

I decided it would be super funny to take the Big Boy to her for it to live in it's rightful home. Hub and I brought it in and wrapped it in paper we found in Sarah's dining room, then handed it to her. She was all, "Oh! A present!" and then laughed her face off when she saw it:

Please note the Snuggie she has on. And look how the Big Boy is staring longingly at her. Her husband better watch his back, is all I'm saying.

And also during this trip, our husbands went shopping together which we both agree will NEVER happen again. Go to her blog to read about that story and to see some male modeling.

Oh! And we are both known for saying some random things because that's just how our brain spits them out. Sarah was showing me her scrapbook calendar and one page has a pic of our two cats who passed away and Sarah's new kitties. Sarah said, "These are my two dead cats and these are my two alive cats" and also "He [one of the new cats] has a skunk eye in this one because he has the herp." And those are both reasons why she's the best.

Then on the way back, Hubby and I were simultaneously bored out of our skulls and terrified for our lives. If you don't know that feeling, drive I75 through Tennessee.

We're really into huge mugs lately, like the ones that hold 72 oz of water or whatever, because we both need to drink a ton more water than we already do. So I borrowed one from Sarah and then he randomly found one at a gas station. He found another use for it when we stopped at Arby's:

I am unbelievably proud.

This post will make more sense if you take some Dayquil

So, you guys, guess who got the ManCold? Yup, apparently picking up dirty tissues and sleeping right next to a sick person will, indeed, get you sick. Of course, I can't let a little head cold get me down. And it is nothing more than a little head cold. I've done more in the first 12 hours of this cold than he did in a week. But he thinks it's because "it hasn't kicked in yet". Right. Might not have anything to do with the fact I actually took something for it when he suffered for a week refusing to take anything but Nyquil at night. Dayquil, people -- it is the wonder drug.

I made some homemade guacamole today. Dudes, I really adore me some guac. Publix had avocados on sale for  $1.25 each. I already had onions and tomatoes and garlic, so basically I made a whole mess of guacamole for $1.25! Now I'm going to eat the snot out of it while watching basketball. Speaking of basketball...

Today is the SEC tournament semi-finals. A die-hard University of Kentucky fan, Hubby was so super excited about watching the Cats play TN this afternoon. But big time FAIL for our local ABC affiliate, TV20, whose antennae  conked out at approximately 12:45 pm (with the UK game tip-off set for 1 pm.) But I don't' expect much more from a station that is more or less run by interns. We headed to Beef 'O Bradys and had a nice little lunch while watching the game.

During halftime, I picked Hubby's brain for this week's blog posts. He suggested I write about the difference between men and women when they are sick. Um, too late. I guess I could always write about other differences, such as when men just can't see messes and let them sit for a million years before women clean them up. Such as this example:

How cute is that lobster chalkboard anyway? Much cuter than rotten lemons.

This is a pitcher of lemonade made with real lemons that he got from a student at Valentine's day (I know -- weird gift but whatev.) VALENTINE'S DAY. That was a month ago. He immediately made this lemonade, drank one glass, set it on the counter where it has stayed for 4 weeks. Those lemons? Rotten. Like to the CORE rotten. Like green stuff all up in those lemons. But I feel like he should be the one to get rid of that mess, right? Do you hear me ladies? So now it's a battle of wills that I'm apparently fighting myself because I'm pretty sure he doesn't even NOTICE the green lemons anymore. *sigh*

But then we came up with a really great series to celebrate the only time of year I actually enjoy sports -- MARCH MADNESS PEOPLE. Get excited!

Here's where I need your help. You know how guys who are really into sports have their own little secret language? It's like Twin Speak or Pig Latin or something; little shorthand phrases they use to describe plays or players or refs. Like, for instance, "THAT PLAY WAS NASTY!" or "WAHOHOHOHOH THAT DUNK WAS SICK!" You know you, your men and/or men friends do this! So I need you to leave those phrases in the comments, email me or friend me on Facebook (that's right, I'm going there) and leave it on my wall. I'm planning this one for Tuesday, so don't let me down! You guys blow my mind with your clever-ness and wit!

Watch for my basketball themed series next week and if you want to get in on the hot bracket making action and you're a bloggy person, Cathy from Antsy Pants is coordinating a little sumthin' sumthin' so go visit her or tweet her!

A little housekeeping

I'm taking a break from random blogworthy stories to give a few shout outs to my favorite bloggy friends and post a couple awards I received. I'm relatively new to all this and just finding my place in the blogosphere. I've gotten to know some truly amazing people through this new medium and wanted to share their blogs with the rest of y'all.

First I got this nice award from notquiteawake over at Reality Faker. I found her blog when I was first starting and I've been a fan ever since. She's also very supportive of me and my blog and comments a lot! What's not to love about her? Read this latest post and you'll be hooked:

And here is the award:

 

And yes, I do believe my blog is very much over the top!

With this award I have to answer the following questions using one word and then give it to a handful of other bloggers. 

Your Cell Phone? red
Your Hair? short
Your Mother? loving
Your Father? generous
Your Favorite Food? lomein
Your Dream Last Night? cats
Your Favorite Drink? Coffee
Your Dream/Goal? happiness
What Room Are You In? Living
Your Hobby? blogging
Your Fear? failure
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? mother
Where Were You Last Night? church
Something That You Aren't? extravert
Muffins? yes!
Wish List Item? shoes
Where Did You Grow Up? WV
Last Thing You Did? breakfast
What Are You Wearing? PJS
Your TV? huge
Your Pets? excessive
Friends? amazing
Your Life? comfortable
Your Mood? happy
Missing Someone? sister
Vehicle? G6
Something You Aren't Wearing? glasses
Your Favorite Store? kohls
Your Favorite Color? pink
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? morning
Last Time You Cried? yesterday
Your Best Friend? hubby
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? work
Facebook? addicted
Favorite Place To Eat? LaFiesta

I thought that was going to take forever, but seeing that you only have to answer with one word, it's pretty easy!

Bethany at Nobody Listens to the Girl.  You guys? She's so funny. This is a new find for me but deserving of this beautiful blogger award because she also  

Lauren (aka Salt) at Salt Says (I really love saying Salt Says, by the way). I just found her blog recently and vice versa and it's quickly became a must read! She's funny and such a nice girl, plus an amazing commenter. 

Tristachio at Tristachio: Not a Peanut. Why does she get this award? She tie-dyed her dog to win a blog contest and writes about Asian ladies feeling her up at airports. 'Nuf said.

And then I got another award from Kiera over at Imperfect Daisies!

Thank you! And with this, I have to tell 7 things about myself and pass it on to 7 bloggers. 

1. I am going to be 30 in 6 months.

2. I've been married for almost 3 years.

3. I moved from West Virginia about 2 years ago for my job down here in Florida.

4. My favorite cities to visit are Savannah; Nashville and St. Augustine, FL. 

5. I have 4 cats, 1 dog and zero children.

6. My day job is a Web editor. I have a degree in Journalism and a grad degree in Communications, but I hate reporting.

7. I'm about TO RIP BELL SOUTH A NEW ONE IF THEY DON'T FREAKING ANSWER THEIR PHONE AND FIX MY INTERNET.

There are a handful of bloggers who have been regular commenters since the beginning. I want to give them a shout out and award them this beautiful blogger award!

1. Jennifer over at Crazy Shenanigans . She's a sorority sister from back in the day and an awesome blogger. She was also one of my very first followers! A great friend and a very entertaining blogger; check her out!
2. Miranda at Tucci Times Three. Again, she's a real life friend, sorority sister and fellow transplanted Floridian who has the cutest little boy ever. She has great stories and shares her goals, financial plans and yummy recipes! check her out.
3. Mariah at Mariah Smile. Let me tell you a story about Mariah. In 2007, my Hubby and I had to rush our sweet little white cat to the Animal ER because her little back legs weren't moving. Mariah was the vet tech at the ER. We got to talking and she knows my cousin. It was the saddest situation, but I knew after talking to her that my sweet cat was in good hands! The cat never recovered and passed away shortly, but I still stayed in contact with Mariah through Facebook. I will never forget her kindness. Now she has a blog! She's new to the blogging world, but I love what she blogs. Check out her latest escapades in Snowpocalypse 2010.
4. Jackie at Happiness Is... She's an online friend and also has been a follower since the beginning of It's Blogworthy. She's sweet and clever and writes blogs that always make me smile. She's also a really awesome photographer and I always look forward to her Favorite Photo Friday.
5. Rachel at Our Life in WV.  Rachel is another sorority sister and Momma-to-be! She's one of my first followers, too, and she's been supportive of my blog since the beginning. She's a great blogger and now she's got a new little person to blog about!
6. SS at Passionately Pink. She's got a great writing  style and really sweet stories. She's also really supportive of my blog and leaves great comments. SS is one of the first blogs I started following and I'm so glad I did!
7. Steph at Le Sigh of a Fasionista. She's not only funny and a great writer, but also very stylish! I'm new to her blog and she's new to mine, but she's also a really supportive reader AND a great read! Go to her blog now!

Beware of Evil Nap Cats

There's evil lurking in the shadows of my home; under the bed, behind the couch and in the closets. It slinks silently across the floor, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. It lulls you into a false sense of security with a sweet cry, a nudge against your leg. Before you know it your soul has been invaded  and there's no turning back.

The Evil Nap Cat has won.

Today about 3:30, my cat Sushi jumped into my lap. "Oh, hi," he said, "Just stopping by to say hi. And I love you."

I looked at him skeptically, "You're not trying to get me to take a nap, are you? Because I did sleep for 12 hours last night, the last thing I need is a nap."

"Me? Getting you to nap?" he exclaimed, "This is my 'incredulous face'. Ridiculous. But I think I'll just sit here in your lap for a second, if you'll allow me..."

A lap-sit turned into this:

If you're wondering, he's purring.

  "ZZZ. :snort: Oh, sorry, I must have fallen asleep," he said, "I'm so sorry. Say, wouldn't you be more comfortable if you put your head down? I mean football is on, I have always heard football is much more fun to watch if you're in a reclining position, don't you agree?"

So fine, I put my head on the arm of the couch.

Then he says to me, "Brr, isn't it a little chilly? You know what would be nice? That blanket. Yeah, just put it over your legs a little bit. Well, since it's here, I might as well go sit on that blanket. Looks kind of nice."

Which lead to this:

More purring and kneading. Another weapon in his arsenal.

My eyes started getting a little bit heavy. By then it was too late. The Evil Napping Cat had succeeded with this final blow:

Full-on NAPPING. 

Moral of this story? Don't mess with Evil Nap Cats. They will beat you every single time.

Disney and Sistertime = an awesome Sunday

Today Hubby and I met my sister and her hubby at Disney. They are down there for a winter getaway at Disney and then will come up to Gainesville to spend the weekend with us. We met them today at the Magic Kingdom. Our first stop was Lunch at Tony's Restaurant to celebrate her hubby's birthday (the actual day is Dec. 27, so we were celebrating early). Then it was just a really fun day of hanging out, experiencing Disney attractions and being sisterly. That's my beautiful Sis in the picture to the right being all pretty and also wearing her Christmas shirt that is short sleeved and thus rendered useless in the frozen tundra of Northern Kentucky.

I found out Sister reads my blog all the time, so I'm going to start tagging her in all the posts where she's mentioned and see how many times I can mention her in a year.

Sister and I have been BFF literally since the day she was born. We are two years apart (I'm older) and I always tell people that we were each others first best friend. I also like to tell people that we've only had one fight in the history of our 27 years together. That's pretty good, I think.

Anyway, Sis and I pretty much carried on like we tend to do for the whole day. I don't know how I can explain it, but let me try: Our conversations are like a million random words strung together that somehow only make sense to us, spoken in a singsongy voice that is punctuating by either occasional silence because we're eating or talking to someone else, or one saying "You're pretty!" to the other. Our brains work the same way so we can segue flawlessly between topics that have no relation without any explanation of how we skipped from, say, a story about work to what we are having for dinner to explaining about the time we saw a cat dressed up like Santa and it was the funniest and cutest thing WE'VE EVER SEEN IN OUR LIVES.

I feel sorry for our husbands because they have to figure it all out. Thankfully, they like each other and can always just commiserate about how we dont' make much sense.

So we had the best time at Disney, which is AMAZING during Christmas. I hate to sound cheesy, but there is something really magical about it. I don't know if it's just really good memories from family trips there during this time of year or the fact that they have a crap ton of lights everywhere, but I just love it. Unfortunately, we're only going to get one trip down during the holidays. We weren't able to catch the Osborne Family Lights show at Disney Hollywood Studios. If you're ever in Orlando this time of year, it's worth going! They have, like, 14 million lights covering the backlot of Hollywood Studios, and the lights "dance" along to the music. I'm easily distracted by bright, flashing things.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!  Did anybody do anything festive this weekend?

One of my worst fears is coming to fruition tomorrow afternoon

The hands of the clock will slip quickly around, mocking me and myselfish wish that time stand still.  Or if not stand still, move even more quickly, bringing a swift end to my forthcoming terror. I will nervously scrub the kitchen counters, terrified to walk into the living room, worried that if I get to close to the front door they'll see me, ask if they can come in, invade my home.  I will anxiously rehearse what I will say if they speak to me, how I'll react once their eyes meet mine. My heart will beat thunderously in my chest. My palms will sweat. I'll jump as the doorbell rings. They'll be here, and there will be no turning back.

My hubby is a middle school teacher and coach at a Christian school. Tomorrow he's invited the whole varsity basketball team over to watch NFL football. This is the source of my extreme anxiety.

Dramatic? Ok, maybe a little. But for real, you guys, teenagers scare the crap out of me. Like what on earth are you supposed to talk to them about? I have no clue at all. I feel the same about little kids, too. If they can talk and below the age of about 18, I really cannot relate.

What do we talk about? I don't know anything about sports. What else do teenage boys want to talk about? The worst part is that they are polite beyond all reason and call me Mrs. Austin and that's very odd to me, so then I feel like I have to be extra prim and proper and grown-up, which shouldn't be hard for me but is, even though I'm almost twice their age. I feel like I can' talk to them like grown-ups, but they also aren't 5.There is no middle ground for me. I don't have enough experience even being around teenagers to understand them.

Then above all that, all I can think of is what they will say in school to their peers when they're asked how the visit to Mr. Austin's house was. "Oh, it was fun but it smelled like cat poop and Mrs. Austin is a weirdo." I can't fathom that they would say anything different than that? Oh my God, I'm freaked out about it.

Naturally, I'll end up hiding the whole time in my bedroom or the craft room. I'm thankful for my new laptop so I can be connected to the real world while I'm in my self-imposed exile. I collected a nice stack of US Weeklies, Better Homes and Gardens and catalogs. I might even go out and about for awhile just to get away. Maybe I'll do some running to relieve my stress. Maybe I'll sneak some booze into my room and drink. I'm up for anything, as long as anything includes me being as far away from them as possible.

 There are two things that really terrify me in this world: clowns and teenage boys. I feel like they know. They can see and smell fear. Teenage boys are brutal and frightening. This is why I don't have children!

Publix BOGOS: Are you tired of hearing about it yet?

Yesterday was my weekly Publix shopping trip. I am so in love with this store, it's amazing. I mean honestly, I've never been that attached to a store before. Usually trips to Walmart start out positive, but end in a spiral of anxiety and panic. I've never been unhappy during a Publix shopping trip. Come on, Publix, find my blog and make me your spokeswoman and give me a million dollars!

Anyway. Mom went with me and was able to witness first-hand the power of my superior coupon-ing skills. But I learned them from her originally, so I guess it's really like the ultimate cumulative exam. And, y'all? I passed with flying colors. I spent $41 and saved $49. She was impressed and amazed. Or so I'd like to think.

Some of my purchases included:

• Special K cereal
• Betty Crocker boxed potatos
• Gorton's Shrimp
• Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes (for Hubby's breakfast)
• Campbell's Healthy Selects soups
• Hunt's canned tomatoes

And my favorite purchase of all,  Loreal Color Vive shampoo and conditioner. They were BOGO ($4.99) and I had one coupon in  my stash, went to Loreal Paris's Web site, pretended like I needed their help with some hair color products and downloaded a $1 coupon for my troubles (SUCKAS!) That made the shampoo and conditioner together only $2.99. Usually I just get the cheap stuff, so this was very exciting to me.

Hubby and I have been thinking about starting a diet that works for us, so I'm trying to shop more strategically. It can be hard to diet and spend less money on food because it seems like the less expensive food is the stuff that's really bad for you. Have any of you tried diets that won't break the bank, but will help an always hungry 30-year-old man get skinny?

I'm having a yard sale tomorrow

Hubby and I are planning a yard sale tomorrow morning. We've been intending to hold one since we moved, mainly because during the move we realized we have  A LOT OF STUFF. I'll be damned if I unload all that junk into a closet in the house only to let it sit for years. And if I'm going to get rid of things, I might as well get rid of things and get money for them, can I have an AMEN?

But y'all, I do not like yard sales. I mean I get it. One man's trash is another man's treasure, but they just seem so tedious and how much money can I really make on junk I don't even want?

I found this post I wrote four and a half years ago about this very topic:

In the past two weeks, houses in my neighborhood have had yard sales. I will preface this blog by saying that I am not morally opposed to yard sales IN THEORY. What better way to clean out your own junk, unload it on others, and make a bit of money in the process?

But in practice, yard sales suck for the following reasons: 1. It's almost always pure crap--stuff that, in any other situation, one would throw straight into the garbage can and not think twice about it. I'm talking about shirts with stains, tables with legs missing, and lamps that not only don't work, but also do not have a lampshade. But for some reason, when you put in on a table and stick a price tag on it, it becomes more valuable than gold.

Which leads me to number two...  People flock to yard sales like flies to honey, and for what reason? So they can pick through other people's stuff in hopes of finding a good deal? Because they just want to get rid of that pesky $15 or $20 that's been weighing down their billfold? Because CRAP is CRAP. Yes, even when it is sitting outside on a folding card table! Even when there is a handwritten sign that says "SALE!!!!!!!!" beside it! Still crap! Merchandise that SOMEONE ELSE DID NOT WANT. And yet, these people will pay good money for it.

For instance, a few years ago the people on my street had a neighborhood yard sale. My little sister, shrewd businesswoman that she is, decided to sell her old McDonalds toys for 25 cents each. Two ladies bought every single toy, and additionally, were extremely excited about the matter. What could two grown women need with 15 year old McDonalds toys. Tell me...WHAT?

And three: As I've established, crap = crowds. And crowds, logically, bring traffic. LOTS of FREAKING traffic. And apparently, shopping at yard sales also gives people the privilege of disregarding ALL traffic rules. Go right ahead and park on the wrong side of a street...look, there is an empty space right beside that "No Parking on This Side of the Street" sign! No, I don't need to get by at ALL! I'll just follow you at 5 MPH so you can scope out the great deals! God forbid you park and walk to the yard sale to see what's there. No, I'd hate for you to waste your time doing that when there are other sales to peruse!

Four: For the sellers, yard sales are a bad deal. Sure, you get rid of stuff you don't want. And I'm sure it's an adrenaline rush when you sell somebody your collection of Paula Abdul CDs for 10 cents more than they were originally priced. But really--is it worth the time and effort? Collecting the stuff, setting up the sale, advertising the sale, keeping track of money, getting rid of the stuff you don't sell, spending the day bargaining with people over things like single salt-shakers or a prom dresses from 1990 or that book with coffee stains and dog eared pages ("25 cents? that's outrageous. I'll pay 20, and that is my final offer!")--plus worrying about weather. And all for what? Fifty dollars? One-hundred on a good day? So anyway. As soon as I post this, I will surely be bit by the yard sale bug and develop an intense desire to place my belongings in my front yard. But in conclusion: Yard sales--I am not a fan.

And now I'm having a yard sale -- oh, how things change. But I'm going to put aside these feelings because apparently when I wrote that I was made out of money or learned how to grow a money tree, then promptly forgot, because here I am not totally excited about the $200 I might make tomorrow.

It's finally FRIDAY!

Happy Friday you guys!!!

Today is a good day. First, I got ready in record time and got to work in 10 minutes. It was amazing. I'm sure you wonder why that is such a big deal, but here in Gainesville it's almost impossible to get anywhere during the school year (for the university and public school). It usually takes me between 15 and 20 minutes to get to work on a normal school day. I hit one school zone on the way and it's downhill from there. Besides that, my office is located on the same main road as the University of Florida so it's ALWAYS packed. However, today is homecoming and the whole town literally shuts down to celebrate. I've never seen anything like it. Hubby is a teacher and he's snoozing in bed today while I'm working. All the students are out today and a lot of businesses close down. They are serious about their football here, for real!

So then I get to work super early and I'm just in a great mood. The coffee pot is full, I'm ready to start the day. My boss comes by and we all started talking about the offsite team meeting/lunch we're going to have today, and he says, "you know, maybe we should just have it at about 12 and then, gosh, the traffic is going to be so heavy and it's going to be a mess getting back. Maybe we should just head back to our homes after that." I have the best boss ever!

This weekend we're going to relax  on Saturday, although relaxation always seems to evolve into something. Hubby hates sitting around, so we'll probably get into something. I'd love to finish unpacking our guest room and start taping it off to paint. I got a new craft book a couple weeks ago with lots of cool decorations I can make for the room. I'm going to attempt to make a headboard out of fabric, padding and plywood. I also need to make some artwork or something for the walls for that room. Oh, and we have black bookshelves for that room and I want them to be lighter; unfortunately, we tried painting and whatever cheap material they are constructed out of won't paint. They are not worth sanding, so not sure how we'll do that. But maybe I'll find a cool solution for that. The guest bedroom is our next project, so maybe I'll get some of that done this weekend.

Sunday is going to be really fun. We are going to Orlando for the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot! We went last year and it was amazing. They have booths from about 30 countries around the world, featuring food from those countries. Last year we got something from more or less every country and just shared each. It's a great time to just relax, eat some great food and walk around the park. We're meeting our friend Will there who lives near Cocoa Beach.

After Food and Wine, we're splurging on the Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom! It's a special after-hours event with Halloween themed parade and fireworks, the characters dressed up in Halloween costumes and trick or treat for ALL! We would like to dress up but 1) don't know if other adults are dressing up and 2) have NO clue what on earth we would dress up as. Any suggestions?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!