LET IT BE KNOWN that all in the McClure house are on heightened alert since it was discovered that one Miss Ashley Kate has decided that continuing on into her 15th month birthday with only two teeth absolutely will not do and that she will work on springing forth with FIVE new top teeth AT THE VERY SAME TIME.
For Ashley and her parents, there has been a nonstop Tylenol and beer drip, respectively.
Have mercy on us all.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Pancakes and Bacon
Today was pajama and movie day at preschool and Ella couldn't have been more excited. She took The Jungle Book with her and wore her new horse pajamas (from Aunt Jamie and Uncle Jeff). Her teacher, Ms. Regina, even made pancakes in class for breakfast!
At supper tonight I was trying to extract from Ella exactly which movies they watched today, when she continued to ignore me and said 'IIIII'm tryyyyyin' to fiiiiined the chicken!' in regards to our chicken noodle casserole meal. I scampered right off to get the camera in hopes that she would say it again, knowing full well that she only lays on the thick accent when she's showing out.
When I brought the camera back to the table, she froze up and refused to speak. So I just turned it on and let it roll. Eventually she forgot about the camera and started to talk (because, let's face it, the girl talks non.stop.). Unfortunately, she started to talk about baycun. More trying to be cute on her part, but highly amusing on my part!
A few things to note:
* Those are the horse pajamas. Rather handy, having your child go to school in her pajamas!
* She and David are reading more of the Hank the Cowdog books, in which most recently Hank eats fatty pieces of bacon.
* Ashley Kate is there, just off camera, but heard nonetheless.
* Ella had a collision with a classmate that gained her a bruised head, busted lip and any other minor injury she could think of.
* The laughing, followed by 'What?' is a result of me laughing at Ashley Kate filling up her pants (which you can actually hear, if you listen very, very carefully).
You know it warms my heart to hear Ella picking up bits and pieces of a Southern accent. Pretty much burns it up, really. But holy smokes, the amount she has picked up in such a short time kind of scares me. She very well may end up sounding like a backwoods hick! Aaah, I'll take it over 'pop' (Coke) and 'seerup' (syrup)!
Since Ashley Kate could not be ignored, I turned the camera on her (right before I whisked her off for a diaper change).
(You can hear Ella in the background telling David about her fatty baycun.)
At supper tonight I was trying to extract from Ella exactly which movies they watched today, when she continued to ignore me and said 'IIIII'm tryyyyyin' to fiiiiined the chicken!' in regards to our chicken noodle casserole meal. I scampered right off to get the camera in hopes that she would say it again, knowing full well that she only lays on the thick accent when she's showing out.
When I brought the camera back to the table, she froze up and refused to speak. So I just turned it on and let it roll. Eventually she forgot about the camera and started to talk (because, let's face it, the girl talks non.stop.). Unfortunately, she started to talk about baycun. More trying to be cute on her part, but highly amusing on my part!
A few things to note:
* Those are the horse pajamas. Rather handy, having your child go to school in her pajamas!
* She and David are reading more of the Hank the Cowdog books, in which most recently Hank eats fatty pieces of bacon.
* Ashley Kate is there, just off camera, but heard nonetheless.
* Ella had a collision with a classmate that gained her a bruised head, busted lip and any other minor injury she could think of.
* The laughing, followed by 'What?' is a result of me laughing at Ashley Kate filling up her pants (which you can actually hear, if you listen very, very carefully).
You know it warms my heart to hear Ella picking up bits and pieces of a Southern accent. Pretty much burns it up, really. But holy smokes, the amount she has picked up in such a short time kind of scares me. She very well may end up sounding like a backwoods hick! Aaah, I'll take it over 'pop' (Coke) and 'seerup' (syrup)!
Since Ashley Kate could not be ignored, I turned the camera on her (right before I whisked her off for a diaper change).
(You can hear Ella in the background telling David about her fatty baycun.)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Cabinet Cleaning, by Ashley Kate
I got all caught up trusting this cute face who so readily smiled for the camera, that I missed out on her true intentions: cabinet clearing.
But I wasn't mad. How could I be? Clearly the girl needed some dip to go in the dip bowl!
But I wasn't mad. How could I be? Clearly the girl needed some dip to go in the dip bowl!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Getting Ed-u-cated
The new preschool that we have Ella and Ashley in is fantastic. Unfortunately, the preschool we had Ella in before was not fantastic, and she has a little catching up to do. No worries! Her teacher is so wonderful and has been there for years and years (one of the problems we were having with the old preschool was teacher turnover) and sees it as her personal mission to catch Ella up. For real.
This preschool is also a Christian preschool, which we think is fantastic as well. To that end, the other night Ella said to us:
"Did you know that if you call to Jesus he will come into your heart and eventually call you to Heaven?"
Me: "That's right, sweetie. Do you know who just went to Heaven?"
Ella: "Opie and George."
Me: "That's right, they sure did!"
How awesome is that?!
(I forgot to tell you that we had another death in the family... George passed away last Saturday.)
This preschool is also a Christian preschool, which we think is fantastic as well. To that end, the other night Ella said to us:
"Did you know that if you call to Jesus he will come into your heart and eventually call you to Heaven?"
Me: "That's right, sweetie. Do you know who just went to Heaven?"
Ella: "Opie and George."
Me: "That's right, they sure did!"
How awesome is that?!
(I forgot to tell you that we had another death in the family... George passed away last Saturday.)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sometimes That Camera Comes in Handy
One of the (many) things I will say about Kansas is that I have never seen such pretty sunsets. The sky would light up like fire with gorgeous reds, pinks and oranges that seemed to move on as fast as they came in. Once I was lucky enough to run outside from my post at the receptionist's desk at a local auto dealership and grab a photo of one such sunset. And I mailed a copy of that picture to many people in my address book, because I thought it was pretty dang stunning.
A few weeks before we moved, one such colorful sunset was taking place and I commented on it to David. Whether it was what he believed to be the truth (or a part of his sneaky ploy to get to stay), David told me that I wouldn't see those kinds of sunsets in Georgia.
We caught the tail end of one tonight that was very pretty, reminiscent of the one from weeks ago. Knowing how fast they change, I ran to get my camera and bolted outside to catch these few photos. I was indeed a little late, but I think they are pretty nonetheless.
As I wandered my way to the back door, I noticed that Ella Grace was leaned up in a window watching me.
Never one to shy away from the camera...
And then later on, once it was approaching bedtime, David and Ella sat down to read a few more chapters in Hank the Cowdog, one of all of our favorite series.
A few weeks before we moved, one such colorful sunset was taking place and I commented on it to David. Whether it was what he believed to be the truth (or a part of his sneaky ploy to get to stay), David told me that I wouldn't see those kinds of sunsets in Georgia.
We caught the tail end of one tonight that was very pretty, reminiscent of the one from weeks ago. Knowing how fast they change, I ran to get my camera and bolted outside to catch these few photos. I was indeed a little late, but I think they are pretty nonetheless.
As I wandered my way to the back door, I noticed that Ella Grace was leaned up in a window watching me.
Never one to shy away from the camera...
And then later on, once it was approaching bedtime, David and Ella sat down to read a few more chapters in Hank the Cowdog, one of all of our favorite series.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Didn't I Tell You? No, No, I Sure Didn't
I realized (after a very nice email from Granny) that I failed to fill you in on all of the scoop about our new place! So sorry!
A little more about our new digs:
The house is pretty dadgum big... 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, but I don't know the square footage. That doesn't really matter, because the point is, it's bigger than our old place so we are all a twitter with this turn of events. We hardly know what to do with that kind of breathing room!
The girls are sharing a bedroom (because it is that big) and now they have a dedicated play room. I KNOW!
David and I decided to use one of the extra bedrooms as an office/storage/tack room, which is really nice when it comes to me taking class online. The playroom is adjacent to this multipurpose room, with a door connecting them, so the girls can play while in 'in class' and it works out beautifully.
The last extra room has been deemed the spare bedroom, although there is no bed in it. Currently it is the spare recliner room, because that's about all you're going to be able to sleep on in it... :)
We have a very, very large dining room as well, which makes our lack of furniture all the more clear!
The living room does have a small wood stove insert (yea!) but we won't be using it until a chimney sweep comes out to ensure that we don't start a chimney fire. I'm sure once we get the first month's electricity bill for heating this big ol' house, we will be calling the chimney sweep immediately!
There are several buildings around the house, but we only have access to the garage. Two others are utilized by the family that owns the place, and the once nice barn is not safe for anything beyond housing feed and halters.
There are quite a few trees around, including pecan, walnut, chestnut and MAGNOLIA!! Hallelujah! We also have a muscadine and scuppernong vine in the back/side yard, so guess who will be busy picking up nuts and picking grapes?! ELLA GRACE, that's who!
There are two of these beauties, just waiting to thrill me with their blossoms. YUM!
To the side and rear of the house is a cow pasture that the family leases out. We routinely get serenaded by these black beauties, especially when the hay truck shows up.
From the fence in the side yard: above, to the pasture, below, to our house
We sure are hoping that we find a deal on a riding mower come springtime... That's A LOT of grass to cut with a push mower!
They were all about it, I tell you what!
A little more about our new digs:
The house is pretty dadgum big... 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, but I don't know the square footage. That doesn't really matter, because the point is, it's bigger than our old place so we are all a twitter with this turn of events. We hardly know what to do with that kind of breathing room!
The girls are sharing a bedroom (because it is that big) and now they have a dedicated play room. I KNOW!
David and I decided to use one of the extra bedrooms as an office/storage/tack room, which is really nice when it comes to me taking class online. The playroom is adjacent to this multipurpose room, with a door connecting them, so the girls can play while in 'in class' and it works out beautifully.
The last extra room has been deemed the spare bedroom, although there is no bed in it. Currently it is the spare recliner room, because that's about all you're going to be able to sleep on in it... :)
We have a very, very large dining room as well, which makes our lack of furniture all the more clear!
The living room does have a small wood stove insert (yea!) but we won't be using it until a chimney sweep comes out to ensure that we don't start a chimney fire. I'm sure once we get the first month's electricity bill for heating this big ol' house, we will be calling the chimney sweep immediately!
There are several buildings around the house, but we only have access to the garage. Two others are utilized by the family that owns the place, and the once nice barn is not safe for anything beyond housing feed and halters.
There are quite a few trees around, including pecan, walnut, chestnut and MAGNOLIA!! Hallelujah! We also have a muscadine and scuppernong vine in the back/side yard, so guess who will be busy picking up nuts and picking grapes?! ELLA GRACE, that's who!
There are two of these beauties, just waiting to thrill me with their blossoms. YUM!
To the side and rear of the house is a cow pasture that the family leases out. We routinely get serenaded by these black beauties, especially when the hay truck shows up.
From the fence in the side yard: above, to the pasture, below, to our house
We sure are hoping that we find a deal on a riding mower come springtime... That's A LOT of grass to cut with a push mower!
They were all about it, I tell you what!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Our Faithful Scout, Georgia Edition
Look who made it to Georgia: Coon!
There he sits, watching out from a front window
I told you we would take him wherever we went! Actually, Coon was one of the very last things to come out of our old place, so he got to ride with distinction in the console of my Explorer. Because, let's face it, there's wasn't once inch of space left anywhere else. (Oh, and Andria commented about Lilly getting to ride on the big comfy bed that that took up so much room. Weeell, you see, Lilly's bed was actually our feather bed that I couldn't fit into the back. So I just folded it up and covered it with a sheet to make her an elevated spot. There was no way I was putting her in the back; we had that thing packed to the ceiling!)
There he sits, watching out from a front windowI told you we would take him wherever we went! Actually, Coon was one of the very last things to come out of our old place, so he got to ride with distinction in the console of my Explorer. Because, let's face it, there's wasn't once inch of space left anywhere else. (Oh, and Andria commented about Lilly getting to ride on the big comfy bed that that took up so much room. Weeell, you see, Lilly's bed was actually our feather bed that I couldn't fit into the back. So I just folded it up and covered it with a sheet to make her an elevated spot. There was no way I was putting her in the back; we had that thing packed to the ceiling!)
Monday, January 12, 2009
The 80's Are Dead And Gone, Unless You're Me
If you look closely at the picture of our house in the post below (after you have recovered from the gigantic nap that you needed after reading all of that above it!), you will notice that the shutters have Ts on them. That's right, Ts for Thomas. Because we are renting 'the old Thomas house' or so they tell me. And we live on Thomas Road to boot!
Apparently the Thomas's had a pretty nice farm back in the day but the original farm house burned down. Around about 1981 a member of the family rebuilt this house on the site of the old one, and here we are! Living in a lovely home with the very exact same fixtures and wallpaper that were put in it almost 30 years ago. For instance, the kitchen is very spacious with tons of counter space and cabinets. Problem is, when there is a lot of space, there is a lot of terrible wallpaper and yellow counter top to fill up all that space.
Well, you see what I mean:
Not that I'm complaining, mind you! We hardly even notice the wonderful yellow glow that we all have when standing in the kitchen!
And then, there above the door, you can't really see but trust me when I tell you that there is a woman's name, Miss Lois, fitted in stained glass above it. And a man's name is above the back door.
Of course it's DAVE! So all logic would tell you that that would then make me MISS LOIS, would it not?!
Apparently the Thomas's had a pretty nice farm back in the day but the original farm house burned down. Around about 1981 a member of the family rebuilt this house on the site of the old one, and here we are! Living in a lovely home with the very exact same fixtures and wallpaper that were put in it almost 30 years ago. For instance, the kitchen is very spacious with tons of counter space and cabinets. Problem is, when there is a lot of space, there is a lot of terrible wallpaper and yellow counter top to fill up all that space.
Well, you see what I mean:
Not that I'm complaining, mind you! We hardly even notice the wonderful yellow glow that we all have when standing in the kitchen!
And then, there above the door, you can't really see but trust me when I tell you that there is a woman's name, Miss Lois, fitted in stained glass above it. And a man's name is above the back door.
Of course it's DAVE! So all logic would tell you that that would then make me MISS LOIS, would it not?!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Eastbound and Down, part 2
Considering how nuts the past few weeks have been, I realize that I will probably not ever get to a long and detailed post about our move. So I'll try and sum it up in as few as words possible, for your benefit (and mine!).
Thursday, Dec. 18: David and I come down with a nasty stomach bug and stay up all night with the associated maladies
Friday, Dec. 19th: Feel like total junk, skip out on most of my last day of work, still have tons of stuff to pack as of 9 pm, agree to go to hotel and push off leave date
Saturday, Dec. 20th: Sleep in, David still feels bad, hope Ella doesn't get bug (Ashley already had it and probably gave it to us), finally get all of our shit packed with the help of the little hitch platform thingy, drive to Jamie's house
Sunday, Dec. 21st: Ella woke me up at 6:30 am saying she needed to throw up, have mild heart attack, finally leave late morning once she remains throw up free, stop once when she really, really has to go to the bathroom (have mild heart attack again) but then doesn't, stop at Mom's in Nashville for the night
Monday, Dec. 22nd: Hang out with Mom, Marisa and Anderson come up, go over to Uncle Randall and Aunt Pat's to see Granny and Grandaddy who flew up from Florida (Yea! Their first time seeing Ashley! Yea!), almost get UR and AP kicked out of their very nice neighborhood for our Clampett-mobile being parked out front, drive on the David's parent's house
Tuesday, Dec. 23rd: Drive to Griffin area to see the rental house I had chosen (I had even had the electricity and phone turned on there in my name), make the gut wrenching decision to turn it down, thrust my family into the the destitute and homeless category, have a mild heart attack
Wednesday, Dec. 24th: Determine that searching for a rental house on Christmas Eve is pointless, try to get the in-laws set up with the internet so I can feed the addiction that is email (and search for properties!), have NO LUCK, go last minute Christmas shopping for Ella from Santa, get word the George, David's grandmother's husband is sent to the hospital
Thursday, Dec. 25th: Have a great morning with the girls opening all of their gifts, take girls to visit Opie (David's other grandmother), have a great Christmas dinner, go visit George in hospital
Friday, Dec. 26th: Drive to Athens and see Marisa and fam, friends from way back, and my dad and Celeste, get on internet for the first time in a week, feel like I can almost breathe (this addiction is FOR THE BIRDS), scribble down names and phone numbers for rental houses
Saturday, Dec. 27th: Drive back to David's parents's house, learn the Opie has been admitted to the hospital
Sunday, Dec. 28th: I don't even know what we did here... something? Watch football?
Monday, Dec. 29th: We all load up and drive to Griffin to search for rental houses, can't get in touch with ANYONE, take David to see the one that I rejected, he agrees that it's awful, get word that Opie has cancer and will be undergoing surgery that night, have mild heart attack, fly back to in-laws and hospital
Tuesday, Dec. 30th: I drive to Griffin to search for rental houses, have almost no luck, get lost several times, stumble upon a realtor with a large house out in the sticks for rent, go visit, take lots of pictures, go back to show David, hear that George isn't doing so well
Wednesday, Dec. 31st: Drive to Griffin to see a few more houses, struggle over choice between two, decide on farm house in the sticks, haggle with realtor over details, FINALLY SIGN CONTRACT AND OBTAIN KEYS! We are no longer homeless!
Thursday, Jan. 1st: All drive to Griffin to purchase a refridgerator and get it plugged in so that we can move in on Friday
Friday, Jan. 2nd: George is doing better, Opie is not, stay in town, purchase really cool dryer on super clearance
Saturday, Jan. 3rd: Plan to load up stuff from storage unit and move down but it's raining and the stock trailer has windows, go to Home Depot and purchase plastic sheeting to cover windows, load up stock trailer with stuff from storage unit, realize that it's too damn late to move, stay in town
Sunday, Jan. 4th: Move down to new rental house in the sticks, realize that I will be spending AT LEAST a million dollars at Wal-Mart within the next few days, freak out a little over being sort of in the woods, hear that Opie isn't doing well at all
Monday, Jan. 5th: Plan to meet with my major professor, plans fall through, go to Wal-Mart and spend a million and one dollars, hear that Opie isn't doing well at all, go visit potential day care and preschool for girls, love day care and preschool, find out that DSL will not work, schedule technician to come out
Tuesday, Jan. 6th: Hear that Opie has passed away during the night, go to meet major prof, hunt down washing machine to match super cool dryer, eat at Waffle House, keep girls out WAY past their bedtimes
Wednesday, Jan. 7th: Meet with major prof again, have DSL tech come out and get us hooked up (how sweet it is!), take girls to day care/preschool for a few hours, go to new student orientation, almost kill myself from sitting through NSO, go home and have a nice TV and internet filled night
Thursday, Jan. 8th: Take girls to day care/preschool for first all day, go to class for the first time in 5 years, utilize new technology for classes that is so super cool, realize that I need to get organized, try to find something to wear to the funeral, fail miserably, have mild heart attack, drink a glass of wine
Friday, Jan. 9th: Run out to find funeral clothes and shoes, Success!, attend visitation, service and burial, drive home, get buzzed by low flying aircraft, seconds later see big plumes of smoke, almost call 911, try to find source of smoke, instead discover hidded little 'neighborhood' of people with personal aircraft who live in house-hangers around the smallest airport/landing strip you've ever seen
And then here we are! Good grief that seems like a bunch, but I suppose it's been a long time since I've really posted! Here is a shot of our rental farm house. I promise more pics of the house and land around it to come soon!
Thursday, Dec. 18: David and I come down with a nasty stomach bug and stay up all night with the associated maladies
Friday, Dec. 19th: Feel like total junk, skip out on most of my last day of work, still have tons of stuff to pack as of 9 pm, agree to go to hotel and push off leave date
Saturday, Dec. 20th: Sleep in, David still feels bad, hope Ella doesn't get bug (Ashley already had it and probably gave it to us), finally get all of our shit packed with the help of the little hitch platform thingy, drive to Jamie's house
Sunday, Dec. 21st: Ella woke me up at 6:30 am saying she needed to throw up, have mild heart attack, finally leave late morning once she remains throw up free, stop once when she really, really has to go to the bathroom (have mild heart attack again) but then doesn't, stop at Mom's in Nashville for the night
Monday, Dec. 22nd: Hang out with Mom, Marisa and Anderson come up, go over to Uncle Randall and Aunt Pat's to see Granny and Grandaddy who flew up from Florida (Yea! Their first time seeing Ashley! Yea!), almost get UR and AP kicked out of their very nice neighborhood for our Clampett-mobile being parked out front, drive on the David's parent's house
Tuesday, Dec. 23rd: Drive to Griffin area to see the rental house I had chosen (I had even had the electricity and phone turned on there in my name), make the gut wrenching decision to turn it down, thrust my family into the the destitute and homeless category, have a mild heart attack
Wednesday, Dec. 24th: Determine that searching for a rental house on Christmas Eve is pointless, try to get the in-laws set up with the internet so I can feed the addiction that is email (and search for properties!), have NO LUCK, go last minute Christmas shopping for Ella from Santa, get word the George, David's grandmother's husband is sent to the hospital
Thursday, Dec. 25th: Have a great morning with the girls opening all of their gifts, take girls to visit Opie (David's other grandmother), have a great Christmas dinner, go visit George in hospital
Friday, Dec. 26th: Drive to Athens and see Marisa and fam, friends from way back, and my dad and Celeste, get on internet for the first time in a week, feel like I can almost breathe (this addiction is FOR THE BIRDS), scribble down names and phone numbers for rental houses
Saturday, Dec. 27th: Drive back to David's parents's house, learn the Opie has been admitted to the hospital
Sunday, Dec. 28th: I don't even know what we did here... something? Watch football?
Monday, Dec. 29th: We all load up and drive to Griffin to search for rental houses, can't get in touch with ANYONE, take David to see the one that I rejected, he agrees that it's awful, get word that Opie has cancer and will be undergoing surgery that night, have mild heart attack, fly back to in-laws and hospital
Tuesday, Dec. 30th: I drive to Griffin to search for rental houses, have almost no luck, get lost several times, stumble upon a realtor with a large house out in the sticks for rent, go visit, take lots of pictures, go back to show David, hear that George isn't doing so well
Wednesday, Dec. 31st: Drive to Griffin to see a few more houses, struggle over choice between two, decide on farm house in the sticks, haggle with realtor over details, FINALLY SIGN CONTRACT AND OBTAIN KEYS! We are no longer homeless!
Thursday, Jan. 1st: All drive to Griffin to purchase a refridgerator and get it plugged in so that we can move in on Friday
Friday, Jan. 2nd: George is doing better, Opie is not, stay in town, purchase really cool dryer on super clearance
Saturday, Jan. 3rd: Plan to load up stuff from storage unit and move down but it's raining and the stock trailer has windows, go to Home Depot and purchase plastic sheeting to cover windows, load up stock trailer with stuff from storage unit, realize that it's too damn late to move, stay in town
Sunday, Jan. 4th: Move down to new rental house in the sticks, realize that I will be spending AT LEAST a million dollars at Wal-Mart within the next few days, freak out a little over being sort of in the woods, hear that Opie isn't doing well at all
Monday, Jan. 5th: Plan to meet with my major professor, plans fall through, go to Wal-Mart and spend a million and one dollars, hear that Opie isn't doing well at all, go visit potential day care and preschool for girls, love day care and preschool, find out that DSL will not work, schedule technician to come out
Tuesday, Jan. 6th: Hear that Opie has passed away during the night, go to meet major prof, hunt down washing machine to match super cool dryer, eat at Waffle House, keep girls out WAY past their bedtimes
Wednesday, Jan. 7th: Meet with major prof again, have DSL tech come out and get us hooked up (how sweet it is!), take girls to day care/preschool for a few hours, go to new student orientation, almost kill myself from sitting through NSO, go home and have a nice TV and internet filled night
Thursday, Jan. 8th: Take girls to day care/preschool for first all day, go to class for the first time in 5 years, utilize new technology for classes that is so super cool, realize that I need to get organized, try to find something to wear to the funeral, fail miserably, have mild heart attack, drink a glass of wine
Friday, Jan. 9th: Run out to find funeral clothes and shoes, Success!, attend visitation, service and burial, drive home, get buzzed by low flying aircraft, seconds later see big plumes of smoke, almost call 911, try to find source of smoke, instead discover hidded little 'neighborhood' of people with personal aircraft who live in house-hangers around the smallest airport/landing strip you've ever seen
And then here we are! Good grief that seems like a bunch, but I suppose it's been a long time since I've really posted! Here is a shot of our rental farm house. I promise more pics of the house and land around it to come soon!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Eastbound and Down, part I
We're here! And more importantly, FINALLY have internet access! Woo hoo!
It's late, but very soon I will update you with all of the good details about the big move. Just to entice you to come back, take a little peek at what my Explorer looked like right as we drove out of town:
We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies, I swear to you
It's late, but very soon I will update you with all of the good details about the big move. Just to entice you to come back, take a little peek at what my Explorer looked like right as we drove out of town:
We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies, I swear to youAnd that' pretty much how it went. (But none of that snow business for us in Georgia, THANK GOODNESS!)
Monday, December 08, 2008
Sometimes I wish I had a recording of our conversations
Quotes from the weekend
Ella Grace stunned us, twice, by beginning a sentence (and correctly so) with:
"Speaking of..." and
"I assume that you're going to..."
Good grief, that girl KILLS me.
David made me laugh when, during our 'packing up the whole freaking house to be loaded in a stock trailer with two horses and hauled to Georgia two weeks early" whirlwind, he says:
[looking around at all of junk] "We deserve to live in a trailer" and
"I'm going to go to bed... FLOOR, and try and get some sleep" (Yes, our bed is gone. We're sleeping on a feather bed and boatload of comforters/quilts.)
Ella Grace stunned us, twice, by beginning a sentence (and correctly so) with:
"Speaking of..." and
"I assume that you're going to..."
Good grief, that girl KILLS me.
David made me laugh when, during our 'packing up the whole freaking house to be loaded in a stock trailer with two horses and hauled to Georgia two weeks early" whirlwind, he says:
[looking around at all of junk] "We deserve to live in a trailer" and
"I'm going to go to bed... FLOOR, and try and get some sleep" (Yes, our bed is gone. We're sleeping on a feather bed and boatload of comforters/quilts.)
No quotes from Ashley Kate, but a pic of taking advantage of a carelessly tossed pillow during the moving madness.
Friday, December 05, 2008
I'm sorry, you're doing what? NOW?
Making this move seems to have gotten a few of people spinning in a tizzy. Undoubtedly it's based out of concern for us.
We are very comfortable with the decision that we have made: To embrace the opportunity that presented itself and turn our comfortable, just plugging along life on its ear.
We are fine with that. Because we know that what we're working toward will be worth it.
Maybe times will be tight for a year and a half while I'm in school, but we are looking well beyond that. Beyond all those things that seem to cloud the vision of some when they cast their eyes upon our brazen move. Beyond the 'But you both have good jobs!' and the 'Don't you know what's happening with the economy?'. Even beyond the 'Think of what you're giving up!'.
More than anyone, we know what we have here. Likewise, more than anyone, we know what we want to strive toward. Our path to get there may not be the exact path that some would have chosen for themselves but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't embark upon this for ourselves!
The reasons for going are many. Some that we have shared with you personally, some that we have only discussed between ourselves. I know that all of you can respect those reasons, whether you know them or not, because you know US. And I know that you will encourage us. And offer any help that you can. Maybe even admire the spirit that it takes to grab control of your future. And maybe, just maybe, you will offer us a hot meal and a warm bed when we are destitute.... I'm kidding, I'm kidding!
It's going to be great. I just know it.
We are very comfortable with the decision that we have made: To embrace the opportunity that presented itself and turn our comfortable, just plugging along life on its ear.
We are fine with that. Because we know that what we're working toward will be worth it.
Maybe times will be tight for a year and a half while I'm in school, but we are looking well beyond that. Beyond all those things that seem to cloud the vision of some when they cast their eyes upon our brazen move. Beyond the 'But you both have good jobs!' and the 'Don't you know what's happening with the economy?'. Even beyond the 'Think of what you're giving up!'.
More than anyone, we know what we have here. Likewise, more than anyone, we know what we want to strive toward. Our path to get there may not be the exact path that some would have chosen for themselves but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't embark upon this for ourselves!
The reasons for going are many. Some that we have shared with you personally, some that we have only discussed between ourselves. I know that all of you can respect those reasons, whether you know them or not, because you know US. And I know that you will encourage us. And offer any help that you can. Maybe even admire the spirit that it takes to grab control of your future. And maybe, just maybe, you will offer us a hot meal and a warm bed when we are destitute.... I'm kidding, I'm kidding!
It's going to be great. I just know it.
Wait, what?
Have you been asking yourself as of late 'Just where in the hell is Megan and why is she slacking off SO MUCH with her posting?' You and me both, my friend, you and me both!
I actually do have a good reason, believe it or not! Could it be that I'm pregnant again and just too tired to post, preferring to spend my evenings stretched out on the couch? Noooo! And shame on you for even thinking it! (Come on, tell me, you were thinking it, weren't you?!) No, nothing quite so earth shattering as that. Just a teeny little move to Georgia so that I can start grad school, that's all!
Yep, we're moving back to the homeland so that I can work towards a master's degree in agricultural leadership (think: extension agent). We'll be in Griffin, Ga., at UGA's campus there. It's not the same as Athens, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse! There are a lot of things to iron out yet, but I think we'll get them put together just fine. We'll have to; we leave in two weeks!
I actually do have a good reason, believe it or not! Could it be that I'm pregnant again and just too tired to post, preferring to spend my evenings stretched out on the couch? Noooo! And shame on you for even thinking it! (Come on, tell me, you were thinking it, weren't you?!) No, nothing quite so earth shattering as that. Just a teeny little move to Georgia so that I can start grad school, that's all!
Yep, we're moving back to the homeland so that I can work towards a master's degree in agricultural leadership (think: extension agent). We'll be in Griffin, Ga., at UGA's campus there. It's not the same as Athens, but they made me an offer I couldn't refuse! There are a lot of things to iron out yet, but I think we'll get them put together just fine. We'll have to; we leave in two weeks!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Two Lilies that smell very, very different
You would never believe how wonderful these flowers smell. Rather strong, but wonderful as well. One of the ladies at work even commented that it almost burned her nose, they were so strong! That might be taking it a wee little bit too far, but they really do fill up the room with the smell of lilies! Lilies, btw, are my favorite flower. What you see here in this anniversary arrangement is a classic example of well trained husband!
Well trained children, well, that's a whole other story. This child in particular, sometimes remembers her training, sometimes not. The training that has sunk in deep to the core, however, is the camera's out, I'd better smile training. Actually, it has moved to the 'Mama, take my picture!' league, which can only spell trouble, I'm afraid.
Yep, those would be footie pajamas.
Um, I really don't know what this is... Perhaps a good entry for a 'caption this' contest?
I'm catching your vibe
Young Miss Ashley Kate has become quite the skilled motorboater (for lack of a better term, I'll say). It makes me laugh to watch her do it over and over and over again, knowing full well that her lips have to be tingling! I've tried to accompany her on those extended vibes and I just can't do it. She is a bona-fide champ-een!
PS: The combination of being a champion milk drinker and a champion motorboater DO NOT make for a nice and tidy affair. On the contrary, you had better cross your fingers that the mood to motor does not strike her when a sippy cup is within a 10 foot radius or else you'll need your rain gear, people!
(Sorry for the herky jerky-ness of the video. I have no idea why I couldn't keep the camera still.)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Oh Eight
A Toast To The Hap, Hap, Happy Couple
I unearthed a few bottles of this champagne from our wedding not too long ago. I have no idea what in the world I was keeping it for so I decided that it was high time to pop a top (or unscrew, as it were). Don't you know that it was just as fizzy and good as it was eight years ago?!
Eight is great, my friends, Eight Is Great.
Happy Anniversary to us!
I unearthed a few bottles of this champagne from our wedding not too long ago. I have no idea what in the world I was keeping it for so I decided that it was high time to pop a top (or unscrew, as it were). Don't you know that it was just as fizzy and good as it was eight years ago?!Eight is great, my friends, Eight Is Great.
Happy Anniversary to us!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I Hardly Recognized the Child
What a difference a haircut of a few inches and some curlers will make! Ella Grace went to school this morning as happy as a clam with her hair. And while she was getting dressed she kept asking 'Is my hair still curly? What about after I put my shirt on? Still?' I assured her that yes, her hair was still curly, and I promptly put all kinds of hair products and sprays in it. Because a) I can and b) I'm like that.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
The Official Fete
Ashley wasn't officially One until we had the requisite cake and presents on Saturday. It was a low key affair that got started with me trying my best to write with icing. Damn you, Betty Crocker with your 'It's easy!' decorator icing tips!
Using the wrong tip meant that just eeking this out took FOREVER. (Yes, the AK was an afterthought. She didn't care! And no, you don't ever want to do lowercase letters. Trust me.)
Pretending to use a spoon is The. Best.
Ashley's birthday was important enough for some royalty to stop by.
AK with the AK afterthought corner. Perfect!
I think you've got a little something on your face...
Mother Nature does not take appointments, so when she calls, Ashley Kate answers.
After a little diaper refreshing, on to the gifts!
Later that night with a clean face and a clean shirt. (And a not so clean seat!)
Pretending to use a spoon is The. Best.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The Big One
Happy 1st Birthday, Ashley Kate!
Goodness gracious, I can hardly believe it's been a whole year. Time flies when you're having fun, and that's the honest truth. It has been so interesting to watch you grow and develop and sometimes remind me so much of your sister, yet wholly becoming your own person. I love it.
A few things to note:
*Ella Grace is the Best Big Sister Ever
*You can kick your feet unlike anything I have ever seen, and it makes me laugh, laugh, laugh, unless I happen to be bent over you and catch a few of those blows to my person. Then it's not so funny. But still kind of.
*You drink milk like you haven't had it in days, days people!, when in reality, it's only been about two hours.
*Lilly had earned herself a home for life (again) with what she puts up with from you. Big, floppy dog ears are SO. FUNNY. So is pulling them. And chasing down the dog who may have tried to escape.
*Those big teeth? That, ahem, rather large head? The Crazy? They are all genetic, my dear, so while you may try to escape them, they will hunt you down. Especially The Crazy. Just take a look at your sister. And mother.
*Walking isn't at the top of your priority list, which is fine. I know, I know, you've got other stuff to do, like eat things off the floor, open cabinets and pretty much make a mess of my huge pile of paperwork 'to do'.
*That furious feet kicking mentioned above applies to bath time too. I'm pretty sure I need to invest in a head to toe rain suit to protect myself from all of the water that your wild feet kick up. The wall may need a suit too, while I'm at it.
* You are showing some slight tendencies to being a bit sadistic. I mean, if a baby can be sadistic, I don't know, but sometimes it doesn't turn out well for your daddy. Like if he happens to be wearing a wild rag that you handily grab the end of, pull, and laugh a wee bit maniacally about it.
* In true horse girl fashion, clucking is now in your bag of tricks. Lots and lots of clucking.
Baby girl, it only gets better from here. And we absolutely can not wait. (Me, your daddy, Ella Grace and The Crazy)
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
It's the Best I Could Do
I really seem quite incapable of composing a real post at the moment, so lucky for me I found these pictures that I need to share!
Oh, man, would you get a load of the blue eyes on this one?! (Click on the photo to enlarge.) These kids are KILLING me!
This is what happens when Ella Grace helps knead the dough for our pizza the other night. I have no idea when all of the flour went flying, but up to her head it went.
When Ella got sent home from preschool on Monday for being sick, we veered off to the grocery store for some Tylenol, juice, and anything, anything she would agree to eat. Because I was throwing out some of the super good, super 'sometimes' foods and she was turning them down FLAT. The child needed nutrition and I needed some ammo, so look who I found to help the cause... Why, it's the Disney princesses in noodle form! She agreed to that soup in an instant. This is probably the first time I have been thankful for those damn princesses being on every. living. thing.
This right here is super cool, super sleek new camera that we at the McClure house were given by our super cool, super sleek friends Angie and Scott. For no reason other than the fact that they are very, very generous and love us a bunch. I hope that you all are as lucky as us to have friends like that. It is a remarkable, awesome thing.
This is what happens when Ella Grace helps knead the dough for our pizza the other night. I have no idea when all of the flour went flying, but up to her head it went.
When Ella got sent home from preschool on Monday for being sick, we veered off to the grocery store for some Tylenol, juice, and anything, anything she would agree to eat. Because I was throwing out some of the super good, super 'sometimes' foods and she was turning them down FLAT. The child needed nutrition and I needed some ammo, so look who I found to help the cause... Why, it's the Disney princesses in noodle form! She agreed to that soup in an instant. This is probably the first time I have been thankful for those damn princesses being on every. living. thing.
This right here is super cool, super sleek new camera that we at the McClure house were given by our super cool, super sleek friends Angie and Scott. For no reason other than the fact that they are very, very generous and love us a bunch. I hope that you all are as lucky as us to have friends like that. It is a remarkable, awesome thing.
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