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"?