Racking up on Wrecks

So, to all of those of you that have attempted to keep score, add another tally mark to the wreck column.  I believe that brings the current tally to:

     Wrecks - 5; Avalon - 0

I'd like to preface all of this by saying, this was, again, not my fault.  Although it wasn't my fault, I'm starting to wonder where I picked up this bad car karma.  Seriously.

Let me fill you in . . .

1.  I am minding my own business, backing out of my driveway and BAM - hello, retaining wall.  Ok, this was definitely my fault, [boo-hiss] but the rest of these weren't . . .

2.  I am enjoying a beautiful Friday afternoon on my way home from work, [and out before 5:00 . . . yeah . . . didn't realize how fast I could go from winning to losing] yielding to on-coming traffic and waiting to turn right when BAM, re-ended.  She had insurance.  Car is repaired.  Life continues.

3.  I am beginning another work week on a dismal and cloudy Monday morning.  I'm stopped at a red light waiting for the signal to change and minding my own beeswax.  I happen to glance up and see major-moron coming at me, not braking at all, yapping on his cell phone and BAM, re-ended.  Again.  Seriously.  Throw in my first ambulance ride and you have wreck ^ 3.  Neck is ok.  He had insurance.  Car is repaired.  Life continues.

4.  Hubby and I have just endured the most boring parenthood-preparedness class from 8:00AM to 5:00PM on a SATURDAY.  Yes.  SATURDAY.  I am 7 months pregnant and starving [of course].  We are on our way to my parents house to chow down and visit with my sis and bro-in-law who are in town.  We slow down, see random-civic who needs a break, let them pass and wait for traffic.  Man-in-expensive-SUV is not paying attention and BAM, we are rear-ended and get pushed forward to hit random-civic.  Bummer.  So hungry and it is just sinking in that food will be delayed when B-A-M, we are hit AGAIN by Man-in-expensive-SUV who was hit by breaking-the-light-ginormous-truck and we are pushed back into random-civic.  Cue the tears.  I'm preggers and it occurs to me that food is even further away now that we are in a 4 car pile up.  Preggers and baby are ok.  Food is given to Preggers.  Car is repaired. Life continues.

5.  And to the present . . . again, minding my own beeswax, headed into the parking lot to pick up Biscuit from school when BAM, I am side-swiped by speeding black chevy truck about 75% of the way through my turn and then am hit on the hood and roof of my car with random flying mailbox.  Yes.  You read that right . . . random flying mailbox. Shoulder and wrist are both x-rayed and ok.  I opted out of the ambulance ride and just let the hubby take me.  Car is being repaired . . . and was surprisingly not totaled. 

Needless to say . . . I'm a little gun-shy about driving.  Let's just say that if you offer to come pick me up, I won't turn you down!   =)

Can anyone beat my # of wrecks??  Surely someone out that plays "bumper cars" as much as me, right?!?  =)

Low on the Priority List

I personally feel like the concept of having an elastic band wrapped around your entire head seems uncomfortable.  I don't want to make Biscuits uncomfortable on purpose . . . although sometimes I wonder where comfort is on her priority list.  I mean . . .

Example #1 - You should see how she sleeps!  She is on her tummy with her booty pointed up so high in the air that it is nearly at a 45 degree angle! 

Example #2 - When she is getting the ol' die-dee changed, she SLAMS her feet into the changing table.  A lot of times, her feet are hitting the sides of the changing table [which are wood].  I feel like that would hurt . . . but she just giggles and tries to roll over before I can get the die-dee fastened onto that tiny tooshie.

Example #3 - Nearly every time she gets a bottle, she runs her hands over her head and tugs at her tiny tufts of hair.  I know she is a busy little thing . . . and I think that just eating is too BORING, so she has to busy herself with another activity. 

So . . . case in point.  The baby bow.  Is this adorable OR cruel-and-unusual-punishment both in comfort and self-esteem??

Exhibit A



 Exhibit B



Exhibit C


Funny side note . . . she looks THRILLED in every pic with a headband!  =)  Silly Biscuit . . .

Playing Catch-up: Halloween Happenings

I'm behind on my holidays.  Biscuit actually wore a Thanksgiving outfit to school today and I'm just now posting Halloween pics.  Ah well . . . I'm going to go ahead and continue to use the "rookie parent" excuse along with the lack of sleep that daylight savings time has gifted me.  =)

Biscuit was Big Al [University of Alabama's mascot] for Halloween.  It has floppy ears.  It has a trunk that serves as a snapped-on, not-going-anywhere chew toy.  It is soft and fuzzy.  Basically, it's the cutest thing ever.  There is a slight chance I'm biased. . . so, you be the judge . . .

Also, Auntie Denise sent a few fall inspired outfits in care packages . . . so here is the little model herself . . .

Weekend Outcome

Although not as ambitious as I set out to be, we did have an extremely productive and pleasant weekend.  Here's how we measured up:           

1. Put the baby swing in the attic [Biscuit has figured out how to grab the support sides of the swing and stop the seat from actually swinging, thus making the swing pointless.] UPDATE:  The fussiness that reared its ugly head Sat morning was calmed by a nap in the swing.  Go Figure.  Looks like the trusty and dependable friend I have in the baby swing is sticking around . . . so, baby swing, continue to make yourself at home in my living room.  =)
2. Put loveseat in the kitchen back out onto to deck.
3. Clean kitchen floor/Vacuum rug in kitchen
4. Continue teaching Tom that his food is now in the dining room [out of reach from Biscuit]
5. Fold/Put away laundry
6. Put away fall/Halloween decorations
7. Finish baby-proofing kitchen cabinets/Install cabinet safety hardware Being the de-clutterer that I am, I threw away said instructions . . . so searching for a downloadable version this morning . . .   =)
8. Clean the Master bathroom
9. Watch the AL/Miss State game [and watch Harley grill]

10. Set up food/water/litter box for Lil Debbie in the garage [starting to get cold out - and she sleeps in the garage when its too cold out]

11. Sand the new shelves [more details to come!!]   Apparently there is an adapter that we need to attach the sandpaper.  Said adapter was missing.  Hubby went to Lowe's to buy said adapter and glued it back on . . . must wait for it to cure . . . so, sanding this weekend = FAIL
12. Dye my hair I chose the bubble bath and early bed time . . . so my roots still look scandalous this morning

13.  Took 2.5 hour nap on Saturday

14.  Played dinosaur magnets [Thanks Nanny - they taste good too!!]

15.  Took cute cheerleader pics of Biscuit [Here we go Brownies, Here we go!  Woof Woof!!  Thanks for the adorable outfit Aunt Karen!!]

16.  Introduced Biscuit to Minnie Mouse - instant BFFs

Hope you had a productive and enjoyable weekend too!! Happy Monday Everybody!!  Hope you are having a terrific start to your week!!  =)

Ambitious To-Do List

I've got an ambitious to-do list for this weekend . . . which is funny because on Monday I swore that I was doing nothing this weekend since we actually do not have anything planned.  Funny how the productive/task-oriented side of my brain takes over the couch potato side!!  =)

Here's the list . . . I'll let you know how much of this actually pans out  =)
[Sidenote . . . some items are very little items . . . I like to be able to cross stuff off of the list so building in a couple "little items" makes me feel more productive . . . and Harley is not aware that this list exists .  . yet . . . ]

1. Put the baby swing in the attic [Biscuit has figured out how to grab the support sides of the swing and stop the seat from actually swinging, thus making the swing pointless.]
2. Put loveseat in the kitchen back out onto to deck.
3. Clean kitchen floor/Vacuum rug in kitchen
4. Continue teaching Tom that his food is now in the dining room [out of reach from Biscuit]
5. Fold/Put away laundry
6. Put away fall/Halloween decorations
7. Finish baby-proofing kitchen cabinets/Install cabinet safety hardware
8. Clean the Master bathroom
9. Watch the AL/Miss State game [and watch Harley grill]
10. Set up food/water/litter box for Lil Debbie in the garage [starting to get cold out - and she sleeps in the garage when its too cold out]
11. Sand the new shelves [more details to come!!]
12. Dye my hair

So, like I said, I've got my work cut out for me!!  =)  My personal favorite is #9 . . . I should be able to get this one done!!

How many do you think I can knock out??

Currently Obsessed With . . . .

. . . Anne Hathaway's hair in "Love and Other Drugs" . . . [definitely the best part of the movie]

. . . Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha . . . [I wait all year for it - and its totally worth it!]

. . . Built-In Bookshelves . . . [I've got plans for you, living room!!]

. . . Live garland to decorate my house/porch for Christmas . . . [very Courier & Ives]



My Laundry Lair

I do A LOT of laundry = A LOT of time loading, unloading, sorting, folding, fluffing . . . you get the picture, right? :) So, in order to enjoy this whole process more, I had a lightning bolt strike my brain - I'll decorate my "Laundry Lair"in a fantastic, cheery, unique, girly way!!

Watching all of the HGTV shows and listening to advice from Decorators or Realtors, everyone is always saying to "maintain a neutral color palette". I get it - and I agree - about 95% of the time. I say that though . . . because I'm pursuing a very non-neutral, very personal-choice for my "Laundry Lair". . . Let me lay it all out for you . . .

Le Inspiration:

I love love love Marilyn Monroe. Always have. Even when I was little and there was a magazine article about her in either Ladies' Home Journal or People, I would pick it up and my mom would always toss it in the cart. Ms Monroe fascinates me. I have always wanted to decorate a room and pay homage to my fav classic movie star - and now I have the perfect place to do this - "My Laundry Lair"

Le Wall Color:

Here is the color I've eyed. [On a side note, I know Benjamin Moore is expensive, but BM and I go way back. After a terrible experience with another paint, BM came through for me and has NEVER, EVER even THOUGHT to make me apply more than 1 COAT . . . and so because of this, I'm hooked. BM - you are worth every penny for the very over-priced gallon!!]

Le Wall Decor:

I'm sure that everyone has seen Marilyn prints when wandering through Old Time Pottery, Kirkland's, Pier One, Target, etc. I'm going to pick up a few . . . here are a couple of my all-time-favorites I'm going to try to hunt down . . .Ballerina Pics . . . The Ambassador Hotel . . . Thoughtfulness . . .

Le Lighting:

There is a cheap-o light on the ceiling in there right now . . . It works, but is ain't pretty.  To keep with the theme of cheery and girly, I'm actually thinking about a DIY light project . . . I've seen where these creative people go and buy a second-hand light and transform it into a unique piece with spray paint.  I freakin' LOVE spray paint . . . so I'm thinking that I should try this.  I'm thinking about maybe a bright purple light fixture . . . I'll keep you posted!  :)


Anybody else deck out a "Laundry Lair"?

Crazy Clocks

I have a clock in every single room of my house.  Seriously.  Even the garage.  I like knowing what time it is. 

Biscuit does not share a love of clocks like me.  In fact, I'm nearly positive that when we got her out of the crib Sunday morning, she looked at the little pink and white stripe clock on her dresser and gave it the raspberries. 

So . . . bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, we were up at 4:10AM . . . chewing on keys and chugging coffee as fast as possible. 

But . . . I do need to give credit where credit is due.  She may be catching onto my love of clocks.  She bumped back her morning giggles this morning to 4:50AM.  :) 

Silly mommy . . . you should have known that Biscuits don't do Daylight Savings time. 

6 Months of Biscuit

I'm sentimental times 500 . . . so here is a mini-trip down memory lane . . . from May 4 to now . . .

Birthday1 month - At Destin in Grandma's Arms

2 months - Soaking up Fam Time @ Grandma's Pool3 months - Lounging in the kitchen4 months - Loving my Auntie Deece5 months - Pretty in Pink Overalls6 months - Making sure Daddy is ready to go to work

Everybody kept telling me it was going to go by fast . . . and it has!! If anyone figures out how to slow time down, please let me know (unless it is almost Friday - then tell me how to speed it up to 5:00!)

Happy 6 Months Biscuit!! Mommy, Daddy and many others love YOU very much!!!

Worth its Weight in GOLD

God Bless Fisher Price. Seriously.

See happy baby below?? All credit is due to the bouncey chair.

Said baby can be a slight cranky pants at points . . . Can't say that I blame her . . . I'd be cranky too if I had teeth cutting through my gums or an occasional upset belly from a milk/cereal mixture in my ba ba [bottle] or a stinky load in my britches . . . so we try to keep her happy . . . but I tell you what works EVERY TIME . . . the bouncey chair.

Like I said, God bless Fisher Price.

The Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend we packed up the Rizzy (4 Runner) and went to Clanton to help Ella celebrate her 1st Birthday at the Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch in Clanton, AL. This place was fabulous - so quaint! It had everything I pictured a pumpkin patch would have - a big, pretty barn, hay bales, a covered wagon (for the hay ride) and - of course - a pumpkin patch!! :)

























Here are Ada and I enjoying the hayride - on our way to get Biscuit her very first pumpkin. Like a dope, I didn't get a picture of her with said pumpkin . . . but I'll get one of Biscuit next to her pumpkin in her Halloween costume and update you! Rookie Mistake . . . I'm blaming the parent learning curve! :)

Token Family picture . . .

Happy Birthday Ella!!!

Thanks for inviting us - we had a blast!!!