Friday Night Leftovers- Case of the Hootypuckers Edition

No doubt, we've had better weeks. Here's to the end of the work and school week...

• Champ, Fudge's parakeet, died. Equally devastated are Fudge, me, and Buddy, our other 'keet. We dug a grave last evening in a beautifully sunny spot in the yard, buried poor Champ, and Fudge painted a tombstone. Buddy has not chirped or blessed us with his song since Champ passed :(

• Any parents of sleepwalkers out there? Fudge's latest the other night was a 3am wander into the bathroom and pee in the trash can. At least it wasn't the clothes bin.





• I awoke at 2am- as in WIDE AWAKE. On the upside, I now have a cleaned out pantry and the birds/squirrels/rabbits/raccoons/'possums have some new snacks...even tried homemade suet (at 4am) and got a jump on preparing weekend meals. It's one of the only times this year you can call me Martha. Oldest thing in the back of the rounder cabinet- any guesses? Unopened seaweed sheets from 2005!





• Weekend plans include celebrating my brother's birthday this evening (I can almost taste that margarita), soccer, and hopefully some sunshine and free time to enjoy it. Oh and some sleep, that would be nice. The motto around here is "you can sleep when you're dead."





• Just realized I have a stack of overdue library items...dear YCPL- I think your email alert system needs some bugs worked out. I don't need to know the stuff due in two weeks, I need to know what's due now.





• Some big wins at work this week- now to sustain them.





• Not much of a TV watcher and while I lose enthusiasm for Revenge, I am hooked on Missing. Last week's episode reminded me all over again why I just love the city of Prague! Scandal is intriguing as well.





• I need to wrap up the summer camp registration hustle...it's intense here...reminds me of bidding on a house. In the interim, I lost my mind and said yes to a fantastic camp I attended as a kid...which means commuting 90 miles EACH way for a week, on top of the hefty camp fee. I must really love Fudge.





• Speaking of houses, remind me why I left my wonderful townhome 10 years ago? I hate keeping up with this @#^%&*( yard!

Want to share in the FNL love? Visit our wonderful host and super-mom to three, Danifred.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Dazed Edition

Actually, the title should probably be the "dazed and confused" edition...

• Spring break was just what we needed- fresh air, sunshine, adventure, and back to nature. Ok, maybe a little too much nature for this city girl, but nature nonetheless. It ranged from having a camel in my car, a moose trying to kiss me, a big snake right near our feet in the river, and a precariously teetering (but fun) swinging bridge.




• Today is my Dad's 60th, so I had his yard "flocked" with flamingos, skel-a-mingos, and tombstones. It was my Mama, however, who surprised me with the text requested for the yard sign: "Shut the flock up- Bob's 60!"




• Soccer season is in full swing, and as I posted on Facebook the other night, "It must be parent asshat night at youth soccer." You should have heard the parents SCREAMING at their kids. I'm not talking about encouraging shouting, but full out rage screaming- "[Child's Name] YOU DON'T LET ANYONE PAST YOU WITH THAT BALL, DO YOU HEAR ME?" Lady, the whole effin' sports complex can hear you! Were we in an episode of What Would You Do, or maybe The Twilight Zone? And it went like that for the whole game; I had to stifle myself with the parents/grandparents behind me. All I could think was how sad for that kid and would these people please take their obnoxious (Long Island?) accents back to where they came from. Unfortunately, about half of the parents from that team behaved in the same manner. These are a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds, not Manchester United.




• I pulled the muscles in my lower back, so while I am getting relief, I feel like Molly Ringwald's older sister in 16 Candles. Surely you remember the one, who could hardly function thanks to some good drugs? Oops, is that drool on the keyboard?

Want to join the FNL fun? Stop by and see our lovely and talented host, Danifred, along with allof the other ladies from FNL.

Friday Night Leftovers

• I'm working like a mad woman today so I can take off with Fudge until April 10th. Regardless of public opinion of my employer, my own opinion, or the financial services industry as a whole, my leave time and flexibility is top-notch, which I greatly appreciate. Too many parents have to choose between "employee" or "parent" during school breaks and I am thankful that I don't have to make that choice. If only we could get the majority of employers in this country to value the parent-child connection. Or the having-a-life connection, regardless of parental status. Hmph!
  



• This amendment 1 in NC is so bass-ackwards. I'd say thank goodness I kissed NC goodbye years ago, but I'm still in the South and in a pretty bass-ackwards state myself.
  



• Lately, I'm having crazy vivid dreams- what's that about? Last night, I was back in Germany, speaking French. ???
  



• Need a good book for the weekend/next week- suggestions?
  



• Why don't Christians celebrate Passover? Jesus observed it- what's the deal? The church I grew up in could never satisfactorily answer the question. Any takers?

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Friday Night Leftovers- Get Outta That Funk Edition

It's been a seriously funky week that I am looking forward to putting behind me. Drumroll please, the not so exciting edition of Friday Night Leftovers rolling around in my mind:

• Anyone else out there politically exhausted? I've spent the last 15+ years identifying as "conservative" and with the slim Republican options these days, I am over it. Seriously, it is causing me to re-think so many things that my head spins. There, I said it- I'm having a political identity crisis...



• ...which brings me to the news- same drivel, different day. I've taken to getting any world news from the BBC since we cannot seem to cover world events in this country. I also benefit from one of my friends regularly posting (on FB) thought-provoking, debate and essay-ensuing news links. Thanks for keeping the intellectual dialogue alive RK! And thanks to my childhood buddy at River Mud for keeping it real on the environmental front. From the water crisis in India, to the Chesapeake Bay and poaching in MD, he's got you covered.



• Time to feel human again- cut and color at my favorite salon this afternoon. For locals, you know this means laughing hysterically with Kelley and her non-stop entertainment.
  


• Fudge's loft and bottom bunk are finally delivered and set up (that only took 6 weeks : /). Now taking bets on the next ER visit. What's that you say? "Shhhh, don't jinx him!" No chance- Fudge is Fudge. Although, Mitchell, he does take way too keen of an interest in the story of you jumping for the ceiling fan from the top bunk and breaking your arm.



• I've created a monster- Fudge has visited 17 states, 27 major cities, and 1 foreign country before he turned 7, so I guess it should not surprise me that he's requested returning to Aruba this summer. When I told him no to the happy island this summer, he came back with his next offer: "Oh, ok- I guess you can book Brazil." Where does he get this stuff? Why Brazil? Because one of the little friends he made in Aruba was from Brazil. The fantastic part was watching these kids play and neither shared a common language.
  


• We are not going to Brazil, but I did agree to the boy's request for a sunny, warm island. I welcome (read: crave) more international travel as Fudge grows/matures. And how old do they have to be to dive? ;)



• Spring Break is coming and we're going to create our own "Weird Virginia" tour...Foamhenge, Zebras in the car, George Washington's graffiti. Also planning a day trip to climb Jockey's Ridge if any local friends are interested, but know Fudge will deny it is Jockey's Ridge and inform you he is climbing the Great Pyramids at Giza- just go with it.

Ok, enough randomness. Send some good juju my way to eliminate this feeling of funk...and if you are playing along with FNL, visit Danifred for all of the latest.

Friday Night Leftovers

• How are we really into February already? The first six weeks of the year have been a blur and I need to get on the ball since Fudge has a birthday that is quickly approaching.



• I went to my first formal crochet class last night, at the local fine arts center. It was an advanced class, but I was relieved to see I was keeping up.



• The student in me lives on...last night's class reminded me that I could be in school full time and just love it...but I don't suppose that would pay the mortgage. :)



• Fudge's class is listening to a teacher read Double Fudge by Judy Blume. Now he knows why I call him Fudge. We checked out Super Fudge and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great from the library and I am so enjoying reading these "classics" with him.



• Snow, dinner out, and a dueling piano bar are on the weekend plans- bring it on!

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Friday Night Leftovers

Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away...my house looks like something off of Hoarders...you do that math.

I learned to crochet last weekend- I am now addicted! Anyone else out there crochet? I couldn't get the hang of knitting and I didn't even care when Fudge used my knitting needles for something and destroyed them. Secretly, I was thrilled. But crochet? I get it and it is so therapeutic. Fudge wanted to snuggle and watch a movie together last night and once he dozed off, I made a scarf. Love it, wore it today.

Last weekend was epic- girls' weekend. Not only did I finish two scrapbooks, but more importantly, I was able to connect with old friends and make some fantastic new ones. For my girls that may be reading: STOP- Hammertime!

Fudge likes iPad apps and I have a bank account that I don't use much, but I do toss some discretionary dollars to for this, iTunes, etc. The account is down to $3 and I keep forgetting to put some funds in it. Fudge keeps asking if I've done it yet and today I just said, "no, but I get paid next Tuesday." Really, it's not a matter of getting paid, it's a matter of transfering funds. So Fudge goes on to ask me,"how much money do you make in your paycheck?" I replied, "I am not sure" which is truthful, since I could not tell you what I make to the dollar or penny. His response was classic Fudge: "well, I hope you make at least $10 for the work you do."

Fudge had two days off from school this week, so I took a vacation day and then I was off today for the holiday. By the end of today, he had me worn out, so I'm quite thankful he didn't have any commentary on the following two items that found their way into my cart at the market today: spiked eggnog and Bridesmaids (thank you Redbox). Let's hope he zonks out early tonight!

A year ago yesterday our little monkey fell out of a tree and broke the radius and ulna in his left arm. The child definitely had a guardian angel watching over him that time too. Here we are, a year later, and I got to watch him play classical music on the piano at Barnes and Noble last night, which made my little heart overflow with thanks.

Leave your comment love below and if you'd like to join in the FNL fun, head on over to Danifred's blog and join the party.

Friday Night Leftovers

• We're not really cold cereal eaters around here, except for some Kashi every now and then. The ONE big exception we make is Fudge can indulge in Fruit Loops when on vacation and I love Boo-Berry cereal at Halloween. And, guess who didn't look into getting any a month ago? That's right, me. Cannot find a box of it anywhere, but stores are overflowing with Christmas items. Seriously, can we enjoy one holiday at a time please?




• I am hosting Thanksgiving this year, and while there is so much to be done to get the house in proper order (yikes), I am THRILLED to be hosting and that we also have family from out of town joining us. Seriously warms my heart!




• I'm behind in my master plan of holiday prep (ba-wa-ha-ha), but I will catch up...right?




• This is going to be one busy weekend, between everything to be done here and needing to get photos edited and printed for a crop next weekend. So excited- girls' weekend at the beach to catch up on some albums with some great women.




• Anyone else out there hooked on the new show Revenge?




• I was recently asked during a conference call what's the one kitchen item I could not live without. It was a tie for me, between the Pampered Chef garlic press and my Keurig.




• I've previously stated that I may need to turn in my Yankee passport...cooking greens and buttermilk fried chicken and all that. (Note: I do, however, love my home state of New Jersey.) Today may have been the tipping point...I was at a very crowded store and of course, someone left his/her cart blocking an aisle...and no one was around to claim it. Seriously, not in sight! And you know, nothing stands between me and my K-cups, so I move the cart all of 2 feet so I could get to the coffee. This older woman comes flying around an endcap hollering "THAT'S MY CART!" (um, hello, chillax) with the most annoying New York/Long Island accent, while gabbing on her cell phone LOUDLY the whole time as well. After politely telling her I didn't want her cart, I wanted to get some coffee she repeated "WELL THAT'S MY CART." And you know by this point I wanted to say, "then move it out of the aisle b****" but I just smiled sweetly and said, "and it's all yours" and walked away. But I have to admit, as I was walking away, I couldn't help but think "why can't all of these annoying New Yorkers pick another place to retire? Damn annoying Yankees with their ignorant New York accents." And for my Massachussets friends, the letter R is, indeed, still a functioning member of the alphabet.

Please leave some comment love and visit the original FNL to see what dish Danifred is serving up and join in the FNL yourself.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Longest Week

Hellllooooo Friday! Getcha some leftovers here...

-Whirlwind week was full of soccer games, school volunteering, teacher conference, homework, reading, library, a corn maze, the movie COURAGEOUS (awesome, awesome, awesome- go take your man to see this!), and Robert Amaya spoke at our church on Sunday. What a full week!

-Speaking of church, one of Fudge's best little friends is Jewish (dad is a rabbi). I am thankful that though we hold different beliefs and traditions, both families are open to sharing time together when it includes their respective faith. We were honored to be included in their oldest daughter's Bat Mitzvah celebration this year, Fudge has attended synagogue picnics and tonight, Fudge will join his friend in celebrating Simchat Torah at their synagogue. Frankly, he is looking forward to lots of candy. I'm also thankful that when his friend expressed an interest in joining us for church, the family was open to that and allows him to go with us. Most of all, I am thankful that the difference in faith is not even a blip on the radar for the boys...one shares what he is learning in Hebrew while the other talks about the 12 disciples, and they like that Moses is a common guy. What really gave me a laugh recently was the heated game of dreidel they had going on the other day- who knew? I think the boys know what I wish most adults would figure out: Fudge celebrating with a friend at synagogue doesn't make him any less "Christian" and his friend worshipping with us doens't make him any less "Jewish."

-Being the voracious reader that I am, I am hoping to raise a voracious reader. My mom recently bought Fudge The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which we read in no time. Tomorrow, we are taking him to see a children's theater production of the story and we are looking forward to that. And we get to visit my alma mater, and a trip to Carl's- totally in love with my Saturday already...and still ordering what I did in college almost 20 years ago (yikes, we are getting old)- hot fudge sundae with strawberry ice cream. YUM!

-Who scored two pre-sale tickets to Cirque Holidaze? THIS GIRL! Balcony box seats for me and Fudge to kick of the holidays. Sad to say, theater tickets are so expensive that the hubs and I usually split who takes Fudge to see what. Hubs got to take him to The Lion King last year, so I get Cirque. Sssshhh- don't tell hubs the boys weekend away last year was really for me to have some peace and quiet to catch up on Christmas preparations.

-Girls weekend at the beach is coming up- looking forward to the down time.

-My 15+ year old washer is just about dead...any suggestions on a replacement?

-Our parakeet, we've had for a month, is still terrified of us. Suggestions?

Please leave your comment love below, then go visit the original queen of the leftovers, Danifred.

Friday Night Leftovers...The Grumpy Edition

• I am grumped up...as much as when I was on fertility drugs (explain that one to me). I need this grumpiness to go away, because frankly, it's pissing me off!


• Fudge has not missed the bus since I charged him $5 to play taxi. Hmmm...maybe that worked?


• Soccer, we live at the soccer field these days...three days a week. But I love wathcing Fudge running up and down the field and having a great time.


• Did I mentioned we got a bird? I caved and let Fudge get a parakeet three weeks ago. It seems sweet, but I am afraid it's going to bite me. Oh, his name is Sir Washington.


• The school situation is still a mess due to construction delays, so Fudge is one of six classrooms in the gym, or as our neighbor likes to call it: "refugee camp."


• We are decorating for Halloween this weekend. Finally, because in my book, we are a week late.


• I have Monday off while the hubs has to work and Fudge has school. So, as much as I "should" be doing something around here, I am giving myself the gift of peace, quiet, a good book, a soft blanket on the couch, and maybe even a nap. Go me!

Friday Night Leftovers- I'm BAAAAAACCCCCKKKKK!

It's been a crazy past four weeks, full of joy and sorrow and a blogging slump. I love writing, so I really do need to make more time to blog, even if just for my own catharsis of having a forum for writing. Here's the latest...

Aruba was AMAZING! Really, my favorite Caribbean island thus far, and I've been to a few. I think our tradition of OBX is on it's way out and Aruba will be on it's way in. My goal is to chronicle our vacation highlights (so I don't forget) and post some pics along with it.

Sadly, my grandmother was killed in a car accident (NJ) while we were in Aruba. We returned home to travel to NJ and say goodbye. Instead of planning the 90th birthday surprise party, the family was planning a funeral. Absolutely heartbreaking. If there's one thing I saw as the entire family came together is that she had a knack for making each and everyone of us feel special- quite an accomplishment when you consider she had more than 55 grandchildren (including great- and great-great)!

Fudge started 1st grade and a huge shout out to the hubs for being super parent while I was in NJ that week.

I am back to being a soccer mom- Fudge swapped out the baseball cleats for soccer this fall and he has not looked back. So, three days a week we are on the field and the first game is tomorrow if we are not rained out.

I did something for myself yesterday- I said YES to an all-day crop next Saturday! Now to get all of those photos printed...I will have a completed album of something yet (said the woman who never got the baby book totally finished).

We've had some parenting revelations around here and cannot wait to share them (separate post, coming soon).

The weekend is off to a good start after this crazy work week: Thai lunch with my mom, volunteering in Fudge's classroom (where one little boy said, "you have awesome, rock-star hair!" ummm,...ok), pizza and a movie with my fellas tonight.

Fudge continues to ask when he's going to get a little sister...in the meantime, he did get a bird. Sir Washington the blue parakeet joined our zoo last week.

Ok- your turn!

1. Leave some comment love below.


2. Link to your blog/leftovers.


3. Leave some love at the lovely Danifred's original FNL site.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Happy Birthday Edition

What a crazy-busy, stressed-out, full moon type of week, sprinkled with lots of cheer (as we celebrated my birthday on Wednesday) week.

Fudge finished pirate camp today, and based on the ship raid I was in this afternoon, I can totally see how Lord of the Flies could be a factual read.

Evidently my gallbladder, which has been a perfectly behaved organ until I awoke a 36 year old this week, decided to launch a protest. Check out what it had to say (not in the presence of little ears).

I don't have time for a misbehaving, grumpy gallbladder. Vacation is 9 days away. My doc has me going for an ultrasound on Tuesday to see what the issue is, but he says "classic gallbladder." He started jumping to the s word (surgery) and I jumped to "whoa buddy, slow that train down."

The word gallbladder is disgusting to me. The fact that this was likely brought on by me LOSING weight makes my mind spin. Who says diet and exercise are good for you? Evidently, my body didn't get the memo.

Since Fudge was in the ER last week, we did not make it to birthday date night to see The Help. Hubs and I are going tonight...or, that is the plan at least. I think our plans in general give God a great big laugh. Life is what happens when we are making other plans.

We just learned yesterday that my son's school is not ready for the kids to come back, thanks to some off track summer renovations. K-3 will be in the gym and resource wing (Lord, help us all) and grades 4-5 are being bussed 20 minutes away to another school. This is likely to last until October. Anyone see The Money Pit? "Two Weeks!" sound familiar? He will not meet his teacher until the first day of school, since we are on vacation for open house.

Dear Lord, I am formally asking You, could we PLEASE get a break from emergencies and doctor visits? Thanks.

Good weekend in store: movie night, Ducktape Regatta (come support CHKD), Fudge is having a friend over, awesome Sunday morning at church, then dinner with friends Sunday night. Somewhere in there I need to finish packing, wrap up errands, and get some cleaning done around here. Whatever your plans, enjoy!

Ready to share some FNL love? Leave a comment, link back to your own page, and don't forget to enjoy all of the leftovers at our lovely Danifred's site.

FNL: The Is It Vacation Yet? Edition

What a week...

• I read these blogs with cute names for everyone, like Danifred's, and nope, we don't have cute here. But we have wild, and smelly, and fearless, and all boy...so I'll be referring to C as Fudge from here on. Yes, as in Fudge and Super Fudge. If that doesn't mean something to you, you're probably too young to have your eyes on this blog.




• Now that I have Fudge, I need moniker suggestions for M. Ideas?




• Fudge had not one but two hospital visits this week. Stellar. I think my paycheck should just be issued to CHKD for the next few years. Seriously though, thankful for good care.




• It was around this time 20 years ago that I was returning from volunteering with some awesome folks in a very remote village in the Dominican Republic. When I say remote, I mean no filtered water, tarantulas falling on you in your sleep, riots nearby, and no basic comforts...one of the most growth-inducing, eye opening, life changing events in my little life up to that point. Go out and do some good.




• Infertility is still a dirty word around here.




• Vacation is not a dirty word. Vacation is just around the corner. And after going an entire summer seeing everyone posting their beach pics, I am in countdown mode.




• I am going to Aruba. No it does not "freak me out" as one person asked me. Crime happens everywhere. Being escorted by armed military officers in the DR freaked me out a little, being burgled in Jamaica freaked me out a little, seeing corruption up close in Mexico freaked me out a little, navigating the streets of Nassau after dark freaked me out a lot. Aruba? Playing it smart and sensible and looking forward to our exploration of "one happy island."




• Looking forward to a rescheduled date night with the hubs to see The Help.

Ok, here are the FNL rules:

Post all those little items rambling in your head and don't forget to join the party and leave some love on the original FNL at Danifred's site.

Friday Night Leftovers- the Saturday Edition

Isn't that just the face of happiness? What a terrific week I've had taking a "stay-cation" with my little guy. So keeping with FNL tradition...

• Will the projects/needs around this house EVER end? Still overwhelmed.



• I had a nice week off with C- local farm and history museum, a labyrinth and old time drive in for lunch, visiting a friend in the country, beach, theme park and fireworks, swimming, sleepover, and time with friends.



• Thankful for my employment, but it's always hard to go back on Monday after a week off.



• Aruba is about a month away!



• I gave up all sugar and white flour products...I am feeling great, I am losing weight, but as you can guess, this has not been easy. So far, I am about 2 weeks no sugar and one week no white flour.



• Looking for a good beach read? Any of Celia Rivenbark's snarky books will do.



• I need suggestions for good beach reads while on vacation next month.



• New deck is finished and we need to stain/seal. New windows go in this week!



• I am crazy enough to be hosting a Pampered Chef party this week...along with everything else on my busy schedule.



• Don't forget to visit all of the other Friday Night Leftovers with our wonderful Danifred!

Friday Night Leftovers- The-No-Cute-Title Edition

I seriously could not even think of a title for this edition- my brain is spent!

Last week I was in Charlotte (business) but had a fantastic time catching up with friends, especially staying with a dear friend on Thursday that I had not seen in WAY too long. What is such a blessing is that we were able to pick up like we'd never left off...and we will not let this much time pass between visits. Stop by and give her some love at http://littlepapiandpunkin.blogspot.com

I hope this is one of my last posts without photos...fingers crossed we are laptop shopping this weekend.

C had a good time at camp this week and a fabulous time at VBS last week. I took next week off- not thrilled with the staycation idea for the week, but I do have Aruba to look forward to in August. We have some fun planned next week too, including a trip to the country to visit a family friend.

Trying to wrap up work prior to vacation is never a small event, nor is it enjoyable. I really need to get back to that.

Hubs and I have a date night tonight- actually headed to the movies! Any suggestions?

Want to be part of the FNL fun? Post a comment with a link to your blog, and don't forget to join the orginal FNL party at http://sippycupsarenotforstarbucks.blogspot.com

Friday Night Leftovers- The Random Edition

Still crazy busy around here...I don't know if I am coming or going and the house is a mess! Oh well, here it is...

The new deck is just about finished (LOVE IT!)...now to stain and seal it...and get some furniture for it. Windows should be in the next few weeks, so The Money Pit is looking better, but still has many more projects to go. Too bad my budget doesns't align with all of the project needs, but good thing we like the house and the neighborhood, because we'll be here a long time at this rate.

C finished Kindergarten yesterday and I don't know what it more bittersweet: watching him go off to school the first day, or having him come home yesterday to tell me he is now a 1st grader.

I've not printed photos since C was 9 months old...I am going to a crop tonight...you see my dilemma. Goal is to have 5th birthday trip to Disney completed tonight. 332 of 800+ photos selected and printing off at the lab now. God help me!

When you explode Red Curry Panang Tuna in the microwave, it takes a LONG time to clean up.

Still feels like I am never going to catch up with this house...between the projects and the clutter it's a complete time suck and that's the one thing I always seem to be short of: TIME! That's my big frustration these days.

2 months until Aruba!

Friday Night Leftovers- The Making a Comeback Edition

- I'm happy to be blogging again, regardless of how busy and crazy it is around here...and I look forward to reading all of the other FNLs out there...it's been way too long!

- You can now leave a comment...it's working (hint, hint)...for all two of my readers.

- The little guy makes me proud; he saved his birthday and tooth fairy money to buy a new bike. He's crashed three times in the first five minutes on it. If you know C, you are not surprised.

- I stocked up on Sara Bee wine today. Coincidence? I think not.

- There are many conversations I am not yet ready to have with C yet. Leaving the store tonight he tells me, "Well that's weird...those big-year-old kids were holding hands." I responded, "they must really like each other" and we left it at that.

- I accidentally dropped a can of sunblock on the shep's nose. Poor thing yelped and he is still giving me the stink eye.

- Henry Limpitt is on his last gills :(

- Tooth #6 fell out this week...it's amazing the kid still manages to eat.

- Final baseball game is this weekend, followed my some work in the garden.

- Read The Help in 48 hours: best book! Look forward to the movie this August and hope it stays true to the book.

- I had such a nice evening with my mama this week- manicures, shopping, and dinner...and pedicures this coming week. Woot! A little spoiling never hurt anyone, right?

Want to join the FNL fun? I don't remember all of this directions, but in a nutshell:

1. Comment with a link back to your blog and your FNL post (grab the image at the top here).

2. Stop by Sippy Cups are Not for Starbucks and leave some FNL love.

3. Check out all of the other FNL posters.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Way Too Busy Version

Spring has sprung, and so have our schedules...baseball is in full swing, school and church activites have amped up and I am traveling over the next three weeks. I get tired just thinking about all that needs to be done. I am overwhelmed- there, I said it.

Somehow, between traveling for work next week and swinging home for 24 hours before we go on a little vacation, I need to prep a bunch of clothes and toys for a big consignment event. NO TIME, however, I've got to get some of these things out of here or it's going to start looking like an episode of "Hoarders" or "Buried Alive" around here. Mom, if you are reading this, yes, yes, I know it already looks like that.

We are headed down to the beach this weekend to celebrate my mom's birthday- looking forward to some R&R and hope I can just enjoy it, not stress about all that still needs to be done.

I am overwhelmed. Oh, did I mention that already?

We celebrated the little man's 6th birthday at school yesterday...sweet. Good "do-over" of what C called "the worst birthday ever."

The home laptop acting funky and me not being able to download pics is getting really old. For Christmas, my brother gave me an IOU for an iPad 2 when they are released- so excited that it was ordered...should be here in late April. So- what apps do you love?

C returned to the plastic surgeon on Monday and he's healing nicely- so that's our big HOORAY for the week.

How to enjoy the leftovers:
1. Write out all the random thoughts swimming in your head that don't quite constitute a blog entry of their own.
2. Copy and paste the Leftovers photo onto your post (copy photo, upload to your post).
3. Link back to The Simple Life (http://tsl1.blogspot.com/).
4. Enter your blog name and the permalink to your post into the comments section.
5. Visit all the other leftovers and leave your love over the weekend.

Stop by and give our original FNL host, Danifred, some love.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Grumped Up Version

It's Friday Night Leftovers- but it's only fun if you play along.

- I cannot "find" the FNL image button on this pc this morning.

-Speaking of PCs, I need a new one. The current laptop the hubs and I share is on it's last legs, so no downloading photos (in what seems like ages), and I need to get all of my old photos off. How quickly can that be done with an external hard drive? Need to put my pennies together for a new pc, but it's a little lower on the list these days. Boo.

-The little man lost his third tooth last Friday...at school...and swallowed it while eating a donut. And of course I'm thinking, "WHAT? He was eating a DONUT?" Kidding, kidding. He wrote a letter to the TF and she still managed to visit him.

-Shout out to my mama- my parents are keeping the little man tonight so the hubs and I can get a night out...at a nice restaurant...with friends. Much needed right now!

-Don't ask about my crying jag over a pair of Elmo swim trunks (hormones, anyone?). On the positive side, after 6 years of not letting a thing go that was C's, I've talked myself into consigning about 1/2 of it. Now in all of my spare time (HA- what is that?) I need to get it all prepped.

-C is healing nicely from his recent injury- what an ordeal. I don't think being a mom gets easier; as he ups the injury ante my heart sinks into my stomach even more. A broken arm- walk in the park compared to splitting his forehead wide open, right near his eye, and requiring 70+ sutures. Anyone have an abundance of bubble wrap I can start using for him? I cannot even begin to describe what it looked liked prior to having surgery to repair, but believe me when I say it looks AMAZING (below) compared to what we started with. Follow up with the plastic surgeon again on 3/21.

How to enjoy the leftovers:

1. Write out all the random thoughts swimming in your head that don't quite constitute a blog entry of their own.

2. Copy and paste the Leftovers photo onto your post (copy photo, upload to your post).

3. Link back to The Simple Life (http://tsl1.blogspot.com/).

4. Enter your blog name and the permalink to your post into the comments section.

5. Visit all the other leftovers and leave your love over the weekend.

Friday Night Leftovers- The Midnight Version

• IT'S FRIDAY!!! Cannot wait to put this work week behind me.


• Again, how is C almost 6? The past six years have gone by at warp speed.


• The great entertainment in our house right now is that we are dog sitting...not just any dog, but a dog that is smaller than my cat. A shi-poo named Coco that maybe weighs all of a pound or two, that the Shep thinks is prey to chase...more interesting to his prey drive than the cat. And I'm just praying it's a very uneventful weekend with three dogs and one cranky old cat who does not appreciate the intruder.


• C's birthday present is arriving within the next week- a swing set. Really, a beast of a swing set- one that even I can swing on, 6 foot rock wall, fort, enclosed slide. Thank goodness for end of season clearance sales and friends to enjoy it with- the backyard renovation continues, slowly but surely. Now, where to put that zip line? And any bets on our next ER visit?

• I am still volunteering in the classroom on Friday afternoons, and I just love it. These kids crack me up and it's sweet to see at this age they are all friends and enjoy each others' company.


• There is a beautiful and fragrant blue hyacinth blooming on my kitchen table and overruling the funky dog smell (despite a bath, Marley still smells like something dead).


• I'm too exhausted to blog tonight, as evidenced by this post.

Friday Night Leftovers- The What Day Is It? Edition

M had a very successful Barrett's surgery last week, despite some initial confusion and a loud argument between the docs in the OR. Teaching hospitals...gotta love 'em.

Work has be cuh-razy. It feels like I just packed a month into a week. But there was one nice perk last week while I was traveling- staying at the Ritz Carlton. The impeccable room service, the garden tub, the television embedded in the bathroom mirror. Aaahhh!

Sunday night I got this lump in my throat, out of nowhere. By Monday, I looked like I had a huge Adam's apple and resembled a drag queen. Ever the procrastinator, I went to the doc on Thursday. After a rapid strep test, nasal flu swab, two tubes of blood, and two neck x-rays, I was sent home with two Rxs to treat both a sinus infection (I suspected) and "cervical adenitis"- the fancy way to say I somehow got a bacterial infection of the lymph nodes. Who knew? So, my body is fighting something off and let's hope it resolves quickly, because this tennis ball in my throat isn't really working for me.

I've lost 4.4 pounds so far...slow, but steady I guess.

The little man continues to be such a source of joy. We are taking the training wheels off his bike, after his basketball game tomorrow, and I know he's going to do great.

I spent $14 on a label maker today. My husband is afraid to go to sleep, wondering what all I will label as he slumbers (insert evil laugh here).

Totally in love with pomegranates- used up four of them this week, and the scent of Meyer's sweet lemons. I have some in the kitchen and I swear I walk in there just to smell them.

Where can I find a cute little chalkboard for my kitchen, without a hefty pricetag (read, Pottery Barn)? Even Wal-Mart didn't have them. Don't kids use chalk and boards anymore?

Reading a book I picked up at the airport: The Naked Gospel. Interesting look at misconceptions we have about the Bible, that continue to be perpetuated secularly or in the church itself. Just read The Five People You Meet in Heaven, while at the doc yesterday. Good read.