And the Award Goes To.... Me!

TA DA!

I just don't even know what to say, I'm so excited about this award!

There are so many people I'd like to thank... David, for his undying love and support, even when every other piece of automotive equipment threatened to quit on me, The Bank for their willingness to float this girl a loan, all of the Other Vehicles for their general oldness and fatigue, and finally, the previous owner (note: singular) who bought this new 6 years ago from the dealership where I used to work (and did work at the time of purchase, as a matter of fact) and took it there for all service and maintenance and oil changes every 3,000 miles so that I can verify all of the love and attention it was given via the CarFax.

Thank you, thank you!

I will keep this award high on the mantle for 9 years, just like I did my previous award, at which point Ella will be almost old enough to drive (holy.crap.) and I can present her with her very own old and tired award.

Thank you again!


The Cast of Characters, also known as The Other Vehicles:

The Explorer: The first vehicle that I ever bought all on my own, 9 years ago, who has served us well. She will spend the rest of her days being run into the ground and getting squeezed for every ounce of umph that she has to give, which may be quite a bit yet since the only thing wrong with her is an AC that is low on juice. Any future trips that involve Lilly will also involve this sporty girl, bar none.

Ah, The Honda: I hope I still look this good at 216,000 miles. This one came in and pinch hit when we needed something with four doors. The gas mileage and general whipping around-ness has been lovely, but sadly, her time is coming to a close. I'm afraid to say that she will be run until the wheels fall off, and I'm not even kidding. Literally, the wheels, or front axle as it were, will fall off soon. Then she will become an organ donor for some other deserving Hondas. But not the tranny. It's shot all to hell.


The Truck: FOR SALE

Anyone with the need of a farm/ranch truck, please contact us ASAP.

I must be in touch with The Bank regarding The Loan soon and it would be most beneficial to have this section of the McClure Used Auto Lot cleared.

Since we are keeping The Explorer, what do I call the New Explorer? (These are the names of the vehicles, as they are referred to in my house. Funny how The Explorer is The Explorer, but The Honda isn't The Accord.) Hmmm... It's a question I am happy to ponder, if it means being presented with a gen-u-wine major award!

What I've Learned, by Megan M.

* Just when you think that the pain in the ass ants who have camped out in your kitchen can't get anywhere else, you may find them in your silverware drawer.

* If you bang on your computer's mouse six ways to Sunday it will still jump, skip and not roll where you tell it to.

* When you finally decide that you have had enough of aforementioned computer mouse's misbehavings and you are going to take matters into your own hands and take the damn thing apart to clean it out, you should definitely, definitely pay attention to exactly how it comes apart, and more importantly, how it should then go back together.

* Even though you have only had a computer mouse for 6 months, that is no reason that there can't be an insane amount of fuzz and junk inhibiting the little roller ball, which once cleaned out will make your mouse perform at an exceptional level, if you can get it put back together.

* When you finally attempt to really clean your toilet and find that a steel wool pad is necessary, it's probably been too long since the last super thorough cleaning.

* Gas prices will rise in direct proportion to how fast your 4 cylinder, billion miles to the gallon vehicle will fall apart.

* Despite all previous evidence to the contrary, David can be awakened at 2:30 am and move like lightning when presented with a 4 year old in the process of throwing up beside (and on) his bed.

* Little children who are calm, nonchalant even, about the act of throwing up and can look at you and simply say 'I'm done' when they, in fact, are done, are a glorious gift, at 2:30 in the morning.

* Greased Lightning will peel several layers off of whatever it's sprayed on: grime on the shower, paint on the stove hood, skin on your hands.

* One wee little baby who was known far and wide for her spitting up skills will move right past that and replace it with her excellent sitting up skills in the blink of an eye.

* Babies love to chew on remotes.

* Babies love to pull hair, rather hard, and laugh maniacally about it.

* Babies who love to chew on remotes and pull hair may not have any sign of teeth coming in.

* Marry a man who makes you laugh and you will be rewarded on a daily basis as he produces gut busting words, phrases or observations.

* Lots of rain + no RoundUp = cars getting lost in the weeds and grass invading their designated parking area.

* Fresh new highlights will do wonders for a girl and all of those that she touches with her new radiant glow.

* Buying used books is good for all involved, especially when you buy them for someone else.

* Hearing from three friends about an engagement and two pregnancies all in two days will elevate your mood dramatically.

* Marking multiple things off your To Do List = You Deserve A Nap

She Dresses Herself

Much to my relief, Ella's choice of clothing this morning was much, much better than the other day.

That'd be a purse for show and tell, ladies and gentlemen, and Lilly the attention hog

I don't know if I can formulate the words to properly describe the outfit atrocity that was Wednesday. I thought, for a very brief moment, of taking a picture of her, but decided that I didn't want irrefutable proof that I let her out of the house in such a get up. Even David commented that the combination was horrible (which, I really figured that he would be a 'whatever' kind of guy when it comes to her clothes, but oh no, he has definite opinions!).

Her stately ensemble began with an orange shirt that had a palm tree, sun and flowers on it, all in tones of pink, green and yellow. She chose a pair of pink knit shorts to go with the shirt, which I was mildy ok with, since there was pink in it. Off she goes to secure shoes (tennis shoes! we tell her, since it was muddy out) but no. A pair of pink shoes, akin to these, and blue socks.

By the time she emerged from her room and we were able to take in the full glory of her choices, we were really late and needed to get moving. David and I made a feeble attempt at 'how about some tennis shoes?' but didn't have the time or energy to fight. So off we go, and I immediately think of Granny and her mantra "She dresses herself" to explain my mom's less than desirable outfits. Perhaps I should write it on a piece of paper and pin it to that orange shirt.

That afternoon I picked her up from preschool and headed over to Target for a few things. Except that I had forgotten all about her outfit and now I'm about to go marching into public with Ella Grace, who had recently garnered a chocolate milk mustache, to boot. Fabulous! I told Ella, as we walked into Target, that I was going to have my Mommy card taken away, to which she just laughed. Perhaps I need to pin a note to my shirt that reads "I know better! But what are you gonna do?"

We Had Great 4th, on the 5th

We celebrated the 4th of July on the 5th, with a bbq and fireworks at Angie and Scott's house for the third? fourth? year in a row. The food and company were excellent, of course, but mercifully the boys didn't get quite as crazy with the fireworks, blowing up a watermelon and all.

The Wallace's had recently made purchase of an above ground pool and Ella absolutely could not stand the wait to get over there and make a splash. She was rather bothersome about it, actually, but all that constant 'pool' talk was well worth it. She and Mallory hopped in and kept themselves busy for quite a while, playing 'mom', jumping off the ladder and just general all around good times. There were relative few 'Mama! Watch this!' which means that the adults could converse splendidly without major interruption.

Ashley was her usual laid back self, and continued to be an all around champ as she slept through the incredibly loud fireworks outside. (When I say loud, I mean LOUD. These are no small potato firecrackers, y'all, these were fireworks.)

I made up this easy, easy, so good your husband will about kill himself eating the whole 9 x 13 pan, Banana Pudding. It went up against homemade ice cream at the bbq, so there was quite a bit left when we got home. Leave it to David to rise to the challenge!

Angie Jo is expecting, which I am thrilled to the gills about, and is due on... get this... Christmas Eve! Miss Mallory was born on December 14th, so the Wallace's must be gluttons for punishment! Angie looked super cute in her purple maternity dress, because, yeah, the second pregnancy shows up the stinking minute you take the test. I finally! thought to get our picture made together since we are usually the ones behind the camera.

Speaking of behind the camera:

The Water Babies

Note the not so subtle differences in 'jumping in' style.

Waterlogged, and couldn't be happier.

We didn't think these prunies would ever go away!

Ella sports a pretty little headpiece that Angie's mom made for her and Mallory.

Looks like a K-State party

Second Verse, Same As the First

From Ella's take home note from preschool:


"Ella and I had several talks this morning about her job being a kid and not a teacher. She seemed to be having a hard time listening to my words and letting a teacher take care of situations between other kids. We talked about giving her a chance to do some teacher activities like leading group time or an activity."


Bossy. Pants.

(Or, as Marisa pointed out, she's a leader. Yeah, that's it. She's a bossy leader.)

My Personal Shopper is a Four Year Old

Ella brought home these magazine cut outs as 'some jewelry for you!' How nice of her! Doing a little shopping while at preschool, perusing the PARADE insert, I'm sure.

These aren't too bad, considering some of the horrific things I've seen advertised in some of the Sunday circulars. The family necklace was a rather sweet gesture, I thought, until I asked her if she knew what it was and she had no idea. But still!

At least she didn't choose the garden clogs, the miracle lifts like a crane bra or the Precious Moments Christmas dog!

I Want My Library Card To MELT

I am looking for help, kids.

I went to get Ella some books from the library and I couldn't think of any good classics that she might like. (The standard ones that we normally get were all checked out.) I asked for help from the librarians, and they had some good suggestions, but overall I was disappointed. Maybe you have some ideas for me?

I would prefer something in a series, perhaps, but at this point anything will do. They still need to be in the picture book type category, but can certainly be more complex stories. You know, the kind that are forever long and you have to really prep yourself before reading it out loud? Yeah, those kind.

I know y'all won't disappoint, and I'm looking forward to a trip to library this weekend! There's a glass of water with my name on it for when my throat gets all dried out from reading aloud for 30 minutes straight. I'm READY.

Much obliged.

The Fun Begins (and Makes David Sweat)

We have known for a while that Ella has taken a shine to an older boy named Brett. He's the son of one of our coworkers, and we see him and his family at softball games. Oh, how Ella just loves to chat up Brett and all his 3 years older than her glory. The even better part is that Brett's younger brother is older than Ella too but she just skipped right over him and went for the older man.

This looks like trouble, kids. Trouble with a capital T.

Notice the strategic placement here, wormed right in between the boys.

Little Miss Lean On In for the couple pic!

(Much to her credit, Brett is a really cute and super nice boy. At least she has good taste!)

A & E, in List Format

Ashley Kate:

* Has begun refusing to eat her solid foods. She will only crack that mouth open to laugh and my crazy antics to get her to open her mouth. At which point I quickly jam the spoon in.

* Has had the dire rear for 2 weeks now. And it can quit any old time it pleases. Like right now.

* Still no teeth.

* Is beginning to think about sitting up. She will do it for a few moments at a time, before throwing herself backwards or to the side.

* Is beginning to think about putting weight on her feet for more than 4 seconds at a time.

* Don't even ask about crawling or pulling up.

* Loves to laugh at dogs that come near by, and possibly even grab a handful of ear/scruff/hair.

* Will pull mine and Ella's hair with great ferocity.

* Is one huge tickle factory.

* Makes for the best squishy hugs and kisses.

* Continues to be such a happy, laid back girl.

Ella Grace:

* Will pop off with some dandy phrases that get nipped in the bud before she's done spewing them forth.

* Got a new to her little table and chairs and absolutely loves them. She simply cannot wait until Ashley is big enough to sit with her.

* Is the best mama's helper around, especially when it comes to Ashley.

* Loves to play teacher and hold books like the teacher while I'm reading them to her.

* Can spot an ant at 500 feet.

* Refuses to kill said ant.

* Heard David say 'pico de gallo' and remarked that they sounded like Spanish words.

* Has begun to incorporate three new words into her vocabulary: compromise, appreciate and additional

* Has eyes that turn an absolute steel grey in the right light

* Has begun giving compliments on my attire, most notably 'That is cute, Mama.'

* Mercifully has been going to bed without getting back up for a drink of water/I need to tell you something/my nose is stuffy/can I have some Chap stick.

* Kills us each and every day with her wit, sharp-as-a-tack-ness and compassion. And sometimes sass, but mostly the other good stuff.

Ashley Kate's Catching Flies

Just like Ella, Ashley got her daddy's eyes. And her mama's love for pictures with her mouth open.

Maybelline Maven

Don't these eyelashes make you want to DIE? I sure do hope that this isn't some childhood thing that somehow she grows out of but rather keeps these thick, dark, long lashes for good.

Every woman's dream, right here...

Apparently Ella gets these beauties from her daddy, because it sure isn't me. Doesn't it almost look like she's wearing falsies?

When She's Not Sucking Her Fingers

Ashley Kate has every other thing under the sun crammed in her mouth.

And not a tooth in sight!

Scattered Pieces

Found outside the building I work in, post tornado:

* multiple photographs, including some from the 50's, baby pictures, group shots, school pictures and kids in the snow

* pages from a preschool workbook for practicing writing letters

* payment stub for Travis N.'s insurance bill

* Rhonda C.'s work performance review

* page from a general maintenance handbook for the Manhattan Airport

* several pieces of homework or class notes

* installation instructions for a light fixture (one local hardware store got leveled)

* piece of cardboard box for frozen Tyson chicken

* more insulation than you could ever imagine

* one diamond-esque stud earring

* a broom handle (hardware store)

* an Open Letter to Uncle Sam from someone ticked about Social Security, typed on a typewriter

* the backing for a package of wire strippers (hardware store, again)

* a front vanity plate: DELISHA

* a work agreement between Southwestern Bell and a business

* photocopy of check to Dr. Somebody, who used to lived at Fort Hood

Don't worry, we are turning in all of the photographs to collection sites that are scanning and posting them on a web album for victims to look through. DELISHA, however, is out of luck.

This is a Bad Sign

When this sign gets posted in the building you work in, it could lead you to get a little nervous. And start imagining a itchy cough. And that your skin is crawling.

But it's OK, the symptoms of asbestos don't show up for 20 - 40 years.

Fantastic.


(The Health and Safety people tell us it's ok, just as long as we don't go into the classroom.)

Happy Father's Day!

Ashley (in a slightly blurry glow) wishes her daddy a Happy Father's Day!

And HFD to all the dads out there, mine included!

Ella Let the Dogs Out

All I will take responsibility for in this show is the sunglasses, since I gave them to her a while back. Where in the world the words and hand motions come from, I have no idea.

PS: Ella wore this dress to preschool, before which I told her 'Don't show your underwear!' When she got home I asked about showing of the panties... And she told me YES and LAUGHED.

Heaven. Help. Me.

Here's How It Went

From this weekend:

* You know there isn't anything on TV when my husband is watching E! about Lindsay Lohan.

* After our foray into the garden I came back with three mosquito bites, one of which was particularly nasty and made my elbow swell. A lot.

* Also after our foray into the garden, I made a strawberry poke cake with the home grown Mother's Day beauties. And it's delish.

* I have discovered a new favorite pair of jeans, and they were only $30.

* Ashley Kate surely must be getting teeth, although I don't feel any, because she was a bit of a pill, for her usual charming self

* We watched Big Brown lose the Belmont Stakes, and were a little sad about it.

* At the grocery store a nice lady tells Ella that Ashley sure does look like her, and boy don't they have the exact same eyes. To which she responds "We have the same eyes as my Daddy." Just as sweet and syrupy as you can imagine.

* Ella showed off her mad skills doing the alphabet in sign language.

* I try to broaden my food horizons and make fish for supper. Fish, which I generally do not like as a rule. And after one bite, currently still do not like.

* I can't buy regular fresh tomatoes, for trying a new recipe for salsa, due to the salmonella outbreak. Only on the vine types.

* $56 to fill up my Honda.

* These, from hanging out with Ashley Kate while Ella slept in until a remarkable 8:30:

I Can See Your Green Eyes From Here

Gorgeous Haul from the Garden

One Hail of a Day, part 2

FYI:

Our area is poised to get some very, very ugly weather this evening and night. Strong winds, torrential rain, large hail and... of course... tornadoes.

Fear not! While we do not have the best accommodations for riding out storms of this magnitude, we do have friends who do. We will be holed up in the safe room at the home of our very wonderful friends Angie and Scott. And we might even spend the night and make a little party out of the whole deal.

I will be sure to post as I am able as to how we emerge from this ugliness. Hopefully it will blow right past (get it?). Ah, even in the face of danger, puns are never inappropriate!

One Hail of a Day

I don't know how much national news our big hail storm got, but check this out. It was taken at the Manhattan airport on Monday and is just unreal. There is an auto dealership just down the road from the airport that had to total out 100 vehicles due to this craziness. The cars looked like a baseball bat and/or machine gun had been taken to them! Fortunately, we only got marble, and some golf ball, sized hail where we were.

I've Been Tagged

Andria tagged me, so here we go:

I love the smell of – Baby Magic lotion, magnolias, the beach

People would say that I - talk, a lot.

I don’t understand why – American Eagle quit making my favorite jeans

When I wake up in the morning – I brush my teeth.

I lost my willpower to – clean the house.

Life is – NUTS.

My past made me – a Georgian til I die.

I get annoyed when I – procrastinate.

Parties are not a good time to – put your keys in an illogical place. Trust me.

Dogs are – so freakin' funny.

Cats are – for catching mice.

Tomorrow is – a good day to quit procrastinating and clean the house already!

I have low tolerance for – misbehaving children (mine or others).

I’m totally terrified of - becoming complacent.

I wonder why I thought my life would be – sane.

I always knew I would – marry a real man.

Never in my life have I – owned a brand new car.

High school was – a pretty good time.

When I’m nervous - my mouth gets dry.

One time at a family gathering – my Grandaddy almost lost a finger while rescuing me after being pushed into the bay by someone who will remain nameless but has blonde hair and is pregnant

Take my advice – you catch more flies with sugar than vinegar.

Making my bed - happens most of the time.

I'm almost always – finding a reason to laugh.

I’m addicted to – Diet Coke, my girls, those damn chicken biscuits at McDonald's

I want someone to – clean my house.

If you have a blog and have not been tagged, consider yourself so!

9 o'clock

At 9 o'clock tonight it was 85 degrees in my house. You can imagine how well that goes over.

At 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, I will be making a slightly urgent phone call to the a/c people.

At 9 o'clock tomorrown night I had better be putting on a damn sweater because it's so freaking cold in my house.

That is all.

Big Waste of Six Bucks

So I hear on the radio how the new car wash in town has a dog wash with it. And I decide that that sounds like a pretty fun outing for me and Ella. Maybe not so much for Lilly, but that's how things go when you're a dog who likes to roll in poop. Other creatures' poop. Which happens to smell worse than just everyday poop. (Yes, I know that I can wash her at home for free, but that's not the point. A little mother/daughter QT, a little getting messy, a little Lilly love, that's the point.)

Ella was pretty excited about the whole deal since she really likes to help us do anything, but especially Lilly related activities. So off we go to the car/dog wash having absolutely no idea how this show is going to run.

It's a pretty nice looking place, all set up like a groomer's with the sink, spray hose and blower. But the shampoo, conditioner and whatever all else function is set up like a car wash, which I found pretty damn funny. Also just like a car wash is the fact that you have a time limit, in this case 8 minutes.

I immediately feel the pressure of an 8 minute wash and blow.

After Ella got her stool set up so that she could reach and I clicked the little thingy over to rinse, away we go on our 8 minute march. Lilly's not too keen on getting sprayed but I'm after speed here so we might have skipped some of the niceties. Perhaps.

Sufficiently wet dog; click the thing for shampoo! Shampoo! Shampoo? No shampoo, no lather, no nothing from three different shampoo options. Damnit! Time check? Double damnit! Umm... The only options left were conditioner and blow dry with a clock that seemed to be operating at warp speed. Blow dry a rinsed off dog it is. Flip the thing to blow out!

Who knew the air coming out of that hose was going to be so cold? Certainly not one wet little dog I might know. Poor Lilly. Ella, however, thought it was great!

Ella! Man the blower hose, I've got to go put more money in because we are running out of time. Are you kidding me with this? I don't even get my dog washed in the allotted time but I've got to pay more so she's not soaking wet?


I refuse to pay the machine any more money even though Lilly's still damp and decide we'll just put the windows down on the ride home. She'll get a 50 mph blow dry with much warmer air.

Six bucks, fed to the machine, so that I could wet my dog and then blow her with cold air. No thanks, I'll pass. Next time, we'll just head down the way and let Lil ride on the roof as we go through the automatic car wash.

Car and dog cleaned for the bargain basement price of... six bucks.

I took Friday afternoon off

to spend it with Ashley Kate. That little girl just makes me smile.

She's a regular comedian, she is

From Ella Grace:

What do you call a pair of bananas?

Slippers!

Blow, blow, blow your bubbles

The weather this past weekend was absolutely gorgeous so we found ourselves spending a fair bit of time outside. One such endeavor involved lots of bubble blowing for Ella Grace. She was chugging right along with the blowing of about a bazillion bubbles and then chasing them down for popping when the excitement of the chase was too much. And bubbly liquid went flying.

She's a keeper, for sure! Look at those skills!

Lightening quick photo snapping skills.

All over her feet too.

Sippy Cup Sippage

This took some coaching, but overall I was pretty proud!

Maybe she's putting that big ol' noggin* to use! (If this is not, in fact, exemplary for a six month old, I would like to live in the illusion that it is. You see, my memory from four years ago is a bit hazy due to four years of one Miss E.G. and I don't quite recall when she started using a sippy cup. Pretty convenient, no?)

*Big ol' noggin reference is not made unjustly. At Ashley's six month check up last Monday the doctor informed me that her height and weight (16.5 lbs.) are pretty middle of the road. Her head, however, is at the 90th percentile. So, cranius gigantus, she is!

Exterior Flowerizing

Woo hoo! The landscaping crew showed up this weekend!

The outside of the house was looking a bit drab with all the dandelions taking over the place, so flowers were purchased last weekend in a Mother's Day 'do good' spree (along with other fixing up the house type items). The weather was just about perfect yesterday so the crew felt it was prime time for replenishing the dirt supply and planting flowers.

This seems to be a regular event for David and Ella. I think it might be the third year in a row that they have been in charge of walkway beautification, or as I like to call it, trailer-skirting-cover-up-ification. Ella really gets a kick out of helping David, especially when it requires getting her hands dirty, and she does a fantastic job!

Up next... the garden! *insert imposing music here*

Things going along rather well on the landscaping crew...

until one member decides to slack off. And jump in the bucket of the tractor.

Strawberry Daiquiris Anyone?

Remember last Mother's Day? I can't believe it's been a whole year! The time flying past like it has has helped my impatience with the strawberry plants. The little tag said that you had to wait a year to get your first crop. And would you look at that, one hot summer, one big belly, one not so big belly, a six month old baby and here we are!

We hardly messed with the plants once we got them in the ground, maybe just making sure that the weeds didn't totally choke them out. No special tending through the winter, no nothing. Thank goodness strawberries are tough little boogers and can take all sort of abuse because looky looky at what we have tempting me in the garden:

These pretty little flowers...

turn in to immature strawberries! Yay!

Ella is already talking about making strawberry cake with these. I don't think that's going to work out so well, but I'm sure she won't mind when we march out to the garden and eat them straight off the vine!

Sitting up AKA falling over

The quest to sit up properly just isn't on Ashley's mind. She's so laid back that she just content to, well, lay back. I have been putting her in the sitting position to try to get her to strengthen her back. Sometimes these sessions go well, sometimes she ends up eclipsing my expectations and throws herself backward, to my horror.


Yesterday I thought I would try to document her progress... That just lead to her falling over and me trying to catch her without getting in the picture. Priorities, people!

So cute, leaning slightly to my left

Again, falling to the left

To the left, just about to topple

Oh no! She throws me for a loop and throws herself to the right!

I heart those cheeks! (Obviously this has nothing to do with sitting up,

or falling down for that matter, I just thought it was cute!)