If it's not broke, well... I can fix that!

Last week, I borrowed my Dad's steam mop cleaner thingy. It worked great, until it stopped working! I don't know what I did to it, but it's broke. I swear, Mom & Dad are never going to let me borrow anything again. Last time, I borrowed something, it was a Crock-Pot..and I broke it, too. I replaced it, which wasn't a big deal. They needed a new one anyway. Theirs was old, and burnt everything. But, this time, it's different. Dad's precious Shark Portable Pro Steam Cleaner is fairly new. I think he bought it just a few months ago. And, I broke it. How do these things happen to me? It just stopped working. I didn't drop it, I didn't fill it to full. I can't even blame the kids, I'm the last one that used it.
I guess I'll go shop for a new one, and just hope he doesn't ask for it back until I get a replacement. I'll give him the new one, and a Post-It for the fridge that says, "If my oldest daughter ever asks to borrow anything again, tell her no!"

Must. Have. Caffeine.

I was out way to late, and up way to early! But, it was worth it. The Rascal Flatts concert was awesome! We had a great time.

Now, where's the coffee?

It's never to late to say thank-you!

Every year our town holds a festival in late August. There's always a parade, arts & crafts booths, food, car shows, hot air balloon glow & race, entertainment, and fireworks. Our town has always been very patriotic, and huge military supporters. We have a lot of current and former military in our town, and I think we always do a good job of showing them what they mean to this community. But, yesterday, we took an extra step at the parade for a group of men that wasn't always shown a hero's welcome. This year's theme for the festival was "Thanking our Vietnam Veterans"

The first thirty to forty-five minutes of the parade was the Vietnam Vets that live in our area. Some walked, some rode on floats, some rode motorcycles, and some rode in cars. But, regardless, they were greeted with cheers, salutes, applause, and the waving of the American flag. It was very heartwarming, and emotional not just for the men we were honoring, but for the people there participating.

I have been to a lot of military events over the years. I've done welcome home ceremonies, "Support Our Troops" rallies, change-of-command ceremonies. I've been there when troops deploy, and when they pay tribute to a lost soldier. Every military event is emotional in some way. Yesterday was no exception. I'm glad these wonderful men finally had a proper thank you for their service many years ago.

It's never to late to say thank you!

Well, crap.....

I cut my bangs, and I got them to short! They don't look bad, but they are shorter than what I wanted. Why can't I just leave things alone?

Soccer? Baseball? Football?

Fall sports are up and running for Hankadoo. Last night was his first soccer practice. He was so excited! For one, he loves soccer. But, another reason is that he was able to show off his new soccer cleats. He is my child afterall! He was excited over shoes! I have to admit, his new soccer cleats are awesome. They are the gray/bright orange Nike's that a lot of the teams wore in the World Cup this summer. When we came across them in the Zappos outlet a few weeks ago, I really believe Hank had a case of lust. When I realized they were on sale, and had an additional mark downs, I couldn't pass them up. They are a little big, but with his soccer socks on, they aren't bad. He is so proud of them. He couldn't wait to show them off. Maybe shoes make the man.
His coach seemed really nice, and he knew what he was doing. He made practice fun, but they were working on skill drills the entire time. The boys on his team have all played before, so I think they'll have a good team, and a fun season. Hank really enjoys soccer, and I can see him staying with it. We'll be the mini-van family with the soccer ball decal on the back, that's fine with me.

Baseball on the other hand, is a different story! Hank had played softball this summer, and really loved it. There wasn't a fall softball league, so we decided to try baseball. It's a six-week learner league that preps them for the upcoming spring season. With his age group, they use the pitching machine, it's not coach pitched. I knew that Hank would have some trouble with the machine since he's never used it before. That was to be expected. When you go from a slow,coach pitch to a machine that pitches at 40mph, there's going to be some balls that you don't hit!
What I didn't expect was how serious and competitive a six/seven-year-old baseball team would be, or that Hank would absolutely hate it. He went to one practice, and asked if he had to go back. He did not like it at all. I'm not going to force him to do something, and if he doesn't like it, that's fine. I really wish he'd give it more of a try though. I kept reminding him that he had to practice at soccer and softball before he liked them, and maybe he needed to do that with baseball, too. We shall see. To be honest, I'm not going to get my feelings hurt if he decides to just give it up. I want him to have fun, and enjoy sports, not to feel like it's something he has to do. To me, sports are recreational, for fun..not a part of life. I didn't have good vibes last week when we were at practice. The parents were insane! I think they live and breathe that ballpark. It seemed like they expected these six and seven year old little boys to play like a high school team going to the state tournament.

Hank told me, "I don't really like baseball. I don't think I'll ever like it. Can't I just play softball next summer with Coach Joey where I can have fun, and see my friends?" Yes, Hank. You sure can!
I actually saw his softball coach today, and I told him what Hank had said, and that he didn't like baseball, etc. Coach Joey said he'd love for Hank to be on his team next year. Then he told me that Hank should try football! He can see where Hank would be great at it, and absolutely love it. AGH!! Not another sport to add to the mix. But, if he wants to, I'll sign him up. There's nothing wrong with trying something new. I would rather him try these things now when he's young and see what he likes and what he doesn't like than get older decide to try his hand at something.

Goodbye, Mr. Mom

Joe has gone back to work!

I know he really enjoyed being at home, spending the summer with the boys. I also know that he didn't enjoy my nagging about what could have/should have been done that day while I was at work. We had different ideas of what he and the boys would do during their summer vacations.

After the boys started school, Joe began looking for a job. And, luckily, something came about. He started work last Thursday as a service writer at one of the local car dealerships. This is right up his alley--he's in the garage, working with cars, yet he doesn't have to get greasy and nasty turning wrenches. It's a win/win situation. If he's at work, I can't nag about the amount of time the TV was on. If he's at work, I can't nag about the way he folded my tee shirts. If he's at work, I can't nag that the vacuum cleaner didn't get ran. I'm starting to see a pattern here...

Tim McGraw & A Deep-Fried Snickers

It's time for the Kentucky State Fair!! I love the state fair...the food, the music, and the best people watching event ever. Really, who doesn't like chowing down on a funnel cake, while listening to country music and spotting mullets? That's a good time!!

Joe, Ellen and I are going tonight, and I can't wait!! Thanks to a friend of Joe's, we have free tickets to the TIM MCGRAW concert! I love Tim McGraw. He's hands down, one of the sexiest men alive! Oh, and we share a birthday! But, for whatever reason, I've never seen him in concert. But, that will change tonight. Montgomery Gentry opens for him, and they rock! I've seen them several times, and they put on a great show. Those Kentucky boys know how to party!! We're going again next weekend to see Rascal Flatts. (Thanks again to Joe's friend for the tickets!)

Whoohooo!

Big Dolores

Now, anyone that really knows me knows that "Hope Floats" is one of my all-time favorite movies. I have watched it over and over, and will continue to do so for years to come.
Today, the one scene that keeps coming to me is where Big Dolores calls Bernice "Pop-Eyes" because of her glasses. Well, I'm a "Pop-Eyes"...

I have some yuckiness going on in my right eye, so I was forced to wear my glasses today. And, again, anyone that really knows me knows that I hate wearing my glasses. Since I'm basically blind as a bat, my glasses lenses are thick. They've been that way all my life. I had my first pair of glasses at 18-months old. My first pair of contacts in 2nd grade. I have accepted the fact that I have bad eyes.

I'm amazed at the amount of adults who will say, "Oh my gosh, you must be blind. Your glasses are sooo thick, they look like the bottoms of coke bottles"
Thanks for that reminder. I had somehow forgotten that.

Here I am, 30-something-years-old, and the thought of a Big Dolores still hurts my feelings. I am so self-conscience when I have my glasses on. I guess there's things that regardless of age, or wisdom will always remind you of being eight-years-old and getting picked on at recess. Big Dolores just isn't the mean kid at school, she's everywhere. Maybe I'll change my name to Bernice.

What do YOU blog about?

The other day I was telling someone that I had started a blog. And, she seemed confused about this. "What do you blog about?" she asked. I told her, "Whatever is on my mind. The boys, my friends, laundry. Just whatever!" She still seemed confused about the whole thing! I told her that the great thing about a blog is that you can write whatever you want, there's nothing that says, "Blog this, not that..."

She asked me what most people wrote about, and I told her a lot of blogs are just randomness, people like me telling about their daily lives, their kids, their jobs, their hobbies, etc. I decided to check some more blogs out. Earlier this morning, after reading my friend's blog, I hit the "Next Blog" button at the top of the page. And, 2.5 hours later, I finally had to quit searching through blogs and do some actual work! There are blogs about everything! In my 'research' this morning I found the recipe for what claims to be the World's Best Apple Pie, and I found little known facts about the castles in Germany.

However, I do find it interesting that there are so many blogs on religion and politics! The two topics that I have always been told to stay away from in actual conversations are two of the most popular things to write about online.

Regardless, if the blogs are made of rhyme and reason or if they are complete randomness they prove to be both entertaining and educational.

Monday....Blah......

I can't get motivated today. I am so tired. We had a storm last night with a lot of thunder and lightening that woke me from a heavy, sound sleep. It kept me awake for a while, and I don't think I slept real well the remainder of the night. When I did roll out of bed at 5am, my throat was sore, and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I'd really like to go home and crawl back in bed for a while. A good, long nap would do me a lot of good! Unfortunately, that's not an option for today. I guess I'll keep the caffeine coming, and hope the day passes quickly. Why is it that Saturday and Sunday flies by, but Monday is the day that never seems to end?

Do you hear that? It's the sound of a quiet house!

It's rare that I get a quiet Saturday morning like this. If we aren't running off to a sports event, Hankadoo is up watching cartoons, talking my ear off, and planning out the day. But, here I sit...the house is quiet, the coffee is hot, and there's "I Love Lucy" re-runs on TV. What a great way to start my Saturday. I'm not going to rush to do laundry, or get things clean. I'm going to enjoy a few minutes of just me, the remote and the couch.

Happy Birthday, Pops!!

My sisters and I are very lucky to have such a wonderful dad. He's taught us all the important things in life: how to fish, never punch with your thumb inside your fist, add a beer to chili and BBQ sauce, speak your mind, and love your family. Our dad is smart, and funny, and there's nothing he can't fix. Even though we are grown, we still call dad when we need help or advice. He's been there to change my lightbulbs, and help my sisters with their home re-modeling projects. Dad always has a joke, or story, some of which we have actually numbered because we've heard them so many times before. "Yep, here's story No. 109!"...

Dad and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye. I'm a lot like him. We're both stubborn, we both have a quick temper and an even quicker tongue. We sometimes say things without thinking, when we should really stop and think before we speak. This has caused a lot of arguments and hurt feelings over the years. But, now that we're both older, and maybe a little wiser, we don't have these heated battles anymore. I'm sure I'm not the only one that is glad of this! I jokingly say that all the 'bad' stuff I inherited from him--my temper, my allergies, my love for salt and pepper, the arthritis in my lower back, etc. But, he knows that I'm just teasing when I say that. I do wish, however, that I had his big, blue eyes! Stevie was the only one lucky enough to get those. And, thankfully, I don't have his ugly feet!

Dad is one-of-a kind, and my sisters and I are lucky he's ours. Happy Birthday, Pops! You rock sixty!!

If you don't know, then say, "I'm sorry..I don't know!"

Why is that so hard for people to grasp? Yesterday, I was on the phone with the nurse at my doctor's office and she was very, quicky going over the results of all my lab work. (I went in last Friday to have my thyroid checked, and while I was there, my doctor ordered all kinds of other lab work to be done.) The nurse tells me that my TSH level was high, and that my doctor had written me a prescription to start medication. I asked her, "So, does that mean it is Hypo or Hyper?" to which she replies, "Ummm (pause) it's Hyper."
Okaaay....I didn't think this sounded right. I researched both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism before my appointment. I knew that my symptoms and signs pointed to hypo, not hyper. After, I got off the phone, I researched some more. And, I knew she, indeed, told me wrong. My pharmacist confirmed this when I picked up my prescription.
I wish she would have just said, "I'm sorry, I don't know!"
Hypotyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are very different, and do very different things to your body. If I hadn't have done my homework on this, and just took her word, things could have been bad. I could have ended up feeling a lot worse than I have.
I have to go back and see my doctor next month, and when I do, I'm going to tell her about what her nurse told me. I would rather someone be honest with me and say, "I don't know!" than to tell me wrong information of what they *think* is right.

The 1st Grade Socialite

This is the first full week of school, and Hank's social calendar is packed full. He has three parties this weekend. A birthday sleepover on Friday, with his buddy, Nick. Nick and Hank were in the same kindergarten class, they go to after-school care together, and if we ever get back in the habit of going to church, they'll be in the same Sunday School class, as well. Saturday brings two parties. The first is for his friend, Cara. Hank and Cara went to pre-school together, and are at the same school now, just in different classes. Her party is at the pool/playground. It's going to be extremly hot on Saturday, so I imagine the pool will get more play time than the monkeybars. The third party of the weekend is on Saturday night, for his friend, Sarah. Sarah and Hank went to pre-school together, but are now at different schools. Hank was a little concerned about going to Sarah's party because he's usually the only boy in that group of friends. There's typically five or six little girls, and Hank! Granted, this works in his favor a lot of the times. Who wouldn't want to be showered in attention by a bunch of cute girls? But, this time he was not looking forward to playing with princess stuff. Rest assured, Hankadoo, you won't be the only boy there! The girls won't make you wear a tiara!

I know that our calendar will only get busier in the weeks to come. Fall sports start next week. So, we'll add soccer practice, soccer games, baseball practice and baseball games to the mix of parties, and all the other things that I need to remember to write down.

Austin turns 17!!

Picture it. Kentucky. Summer 1993. It was unbearably hot with outrageous humidity levels. I was nine months pregnant, swollen from head to foot, and completely miserable. I thought the summer would never end, and that I'd never have that baby.

But, on August 6th, I went to the doctor for a routine exam. Towards the end of my appointment, my doctor said that I was in pre-labor, and his guess was the baby would come that weekend. This was around 2:30ish.

Austin William was born five hours later. I had been at the hospital exactly seventeen minutes when he made his grand debut. I always tell him that he was just about born in the elevator.

He was one of the prettiest baby boys that I have ever seen. He had black peachfuzz for hair, and dark, dark eyes. His eyebrows and eyelashes were defined, and he had great coloring. He was perfect.

Fast-forward to the present. My baby boy is almost six-feet-tall, and skinny as a rail. We've had our disagreements, and he's tried my patience, but at the end of the day, he's still my baby boy with the dark hair and dark eyes.

Happy Birthday, Son! I love you...

Things I Love, Part Two

Just a few more of the things I love--

*Cute shoes*

*Coconut Rum*

*Golden Girls reruns*

*Bath and Body's Cotton Blossom*

*Mom and Dad's porch*

*Hankadoo's grin*

*The way my sisters and I can laugh until we can barely breathe*

*Reese's Cups*

*A good cup of coffee*

*My old, ratty pajama pants*

*80's Hair Bands*

*Family Movie & Game Night*

First day of school, and Mom is the one that cried..

Unlike Phineas & Ferb, my boys didn't have '104 days of summer vacation'..I think they had 62! School started back today! I'm not a fan of going back to school the first week of August, but I can see the pluses and minuses of it. It would be nice to have a few more weeks of sleeping late, hanging out with friends, going to the pool and whatver else my boys have done in their 62 days off, but as a mom who works full-time, I like having a routine! I like dinner at a certain time, we do this on this day, and this on that day. I like being able to set my watch by the time we leave to catch the bus. This morning was a perfect morning! Everyone was up early, there wasn't any fussing, everyone got out the door on time, it was nice. I imagine next week will be an entirely different scenerio! The big boys will sleep until the last possible minute, Hankadoo will be grumpy, we'll be running out the door to catch the bus, etc. I am, however, going to miss my nice, quiet mornings where it's just me and the morning news. I drink my coffee, check my email, and Facebook, and take my time getting ready for work. I enjoy the quiet mornings, and now that school is back in, the choatic mornings will start coming. And, fall sports will start pretty soon, too. There will go any chance of a night-time routine! I may as well just hang up the idea of having a perfect routine. And, really, life isn't about schedules and routines, it's the unexpected, non-planned events that are the daily happenings. Things can get crazy, and busy, but as long as my boys are home at the end of the day, it all balances out..

As smooth as the morning went, it started out sad for me. Hankadoo woke up early, and when I went to put him back in bed, he snuggled up to his bed full of stuffed animals, and then wanted me to hold his hand until he fell back asleep. I sat there, with his little hand in mine, his arm around his favortie stuffed dog, Regal, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I could have sat there all day and just watched him sleep.

My babies aren't babies anymore! Hankadoo is in 1st grade, and the big boys are starting their sophomore and junior year. It doesn't seem possible! I can still look at Austin and see the little dark-haired, 4-year-old in glasses, I can see PJ in his Mickey Mouse underwear pretending to be Stone Cold Steve Austin! WWE was huge in our house when the big boys were little boys! Now, they are both taller than me, and will be driving soon. Austin's voice is so deep that he sounds like a grown man, and he eats more than most grown men. That kid has a hollow leg! And, PJ is this buff, muscle kid who has all the girls chasing him. Gone are my little boys! I'm proud of the young men that they have turned into. And, I know that in a few years, I'll be writing the same thing about my sweet Hankadoo. There's not going to be many more mornings where he curls up with stuffed animals and wants momma to hold his hand until he goes back to sleep. But, I'm going to cherish it while I can. I have to confess, after I got to work, I sat in my office and cried. I know Trace Atkins is right when he sings, "You're going to miss this, you're going to want this back...."

Things I Love

Just a few of the things I love--

*How the pages of a new magazine stick together*

*How my teenage boys still call me Momma*

*Snuggling in my bed with Hankadoo and watching 'Scooby Doo' or 'Cake Boss'

*Tiramisu*

*Sunday afternoons on the couch, watching the Colts*

*A night out with my best friend, trying on shoes, and gossiping over coffee*

*Pedicures*

*A good bargain*

*The way sheets feel when they come out of the dryer*

*Diet Coke*

*Christmas Day at Mom & Dad's house*

*My loud, rowdy, crazy family*