Monday. Again.

Is it just me, or does it seem like just about the time you put Monday to bed, you get in bed yourself, and when you wake up, it's Monday again? No? Okay, so it's just me ...

Sure, it would be different if I had an actual paying job to go to. Maybe I would be stuck in a job I hated and I really hated Mondays because it would mean another week in H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS. Or maybe it would mean returning to a job that I absolutely adored and Mondays would represent another week in Heaven!

Since neither of those situations exist for me, I will just say that Mondays for me represent another day. It just seems like Mondays come every so quickly.

As far as today goes, I did go to my lady doc appointment and checked out just fine, thank you. Nobody mentioned the elephant in the room (that would be me and my hefty, hefty, heftiness) and mentioned the possibilities of losing weight. We chatted about other stuff, she did the necessary procedures, and I left - as usual trying to find the exit door of the office (it's around the corner, but there are several doors between the room I was in and the actual exit door).

Steve and I went to the Sounds game, which seemed to last forever, which meant we left the game about half-way through. Tonight we got bobble-heads of Buck Showalter (baseball manager, MSU baseball player back in the day). This time instead of waiting in our usual line, we went through the center field gate and had no problems getting a bobble head (as if these were big draws - however, the cap that we worked so hard to get last week is now selling on eBay for $75 - go figure).

So that was pretty much my Monday. Guess it's time to go to bed and wake up tomorrow - which will probably be Monday again!

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Blessings today include: 30 mins on the stationary bike at the Y; chatting with Dr N; chatting about "Nancy Nurse" with Nurse N; lovely day outside

The Mammy-Gram

This morning I was really going to get up and get out and do a training walk. And then I decided not to. I know, nothing is ever going to change if I don't put forth an effort. It's just today I chose not to put forth an effort.

Anyhow, I did manage to take a shower and shave my legs. Because I have my annual lady doc visit tomorrow. And I'm not sure why I have to have fresh legs - maybe because I'm hoping that the hair on my legs will amount to the 80 pounds I had planned to lose by this time this year, last year. Needless to say, there has been no weight loss. And I'll just get that over with now, so I don't have to lament it in a blog post tomorrow.

In related news, I did get my annual mammogram last Friday. For those of you who have never had one, and you are a woman, I hope (if you qualify to get one) you have scheduled yours or already had it. My sister's breast cancer was caught just that way - very early so all she needed was a lumpectomy and some follow up radiation. And hers is one of countless stories of women who caught their breast cancers early.

Anyhow, mine went fine. I am not super endowed, so it takes a bit of maneuvering to get the necessary tissue on the proper surfaces in order to squeeze the boob between two plates to get a good picture. Today's tech was particularly adept at maneuvering and squeezing. Unfortunately, she was also a smoker, which was kinda unpleasant, being in such close proximity. As in totally up in my face as she was positioning me for the picture. Oh well, she was probably likewise unimpressed with whatever mouth odor emanated from my mouth, too.

Anyhow, once tomorrow is done (and I will spare you the details of THAT exam), I should be all caught up on my medical procedures for 2017. Well, except for the colonoscopy that's due. Even I don't want to discuss that one!

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Blessings today include: family time at dinner and Mathieu getting picking up Chipotle; Molly bringing Starbucks; Everley, Lindley, and Emmatha time; Steve's safe travel home from Columbus; catching up on bills

A Slow Saturday

You know how I said yesterday that the good thing about friends was how you like to do stuff together? Well, it also includes eating out (like breakfast today) INSTEAD of working out or wogging! We should have gotten our derrieres out and walked a few miles. But we didn't. Instead, KB, Molly, and I decided to go eat breakfast. And while we didn't help our physical conditions by eating instead of exercising, we certainly had a good time.

Afterwards, KB had to go get her oil changed in her car, and Molly and I did a few things and then I took her home. Sam is moving into a house today, so they stopped by my house to leave a few things and pick up a few things. Once all that was taken care of, Mathieu and Everley and Emmatha came over and Lindley and Lynnette picked up Sonic and we had lunch and playtime.

Not too much else went on - a pretty slow Saturday. Eventually everyone went back home and I did a lot of nothing. Of course, somebody had the right idea, and had a nap on the way to her house!

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Blessings today include: breakfast with KB and Molly; grandgirl time at the Doik; Lynnette picking up lunch; getting letters and packages done and mailed

Buds

There are a lot of things I can say about my friends. And there's probably a lot I should just keep quiet about. But the most important things about my friends are the things we have in common. Like our mutual feelings about doing boot camp and exercising, participating in various road races and walks, and watching movies, just to name a few. But it's a true sign of deep friendship when you show up in the same shirt three days in a row to attempt to get into shape! Sure, KB and I were both born in the same year. But she's the older "twin" and definitely the "good twin." Guess that's what family is all about!!

Day 1 at the Y

Day 2 on our morning wog

Day 3 - Back at the Y.
While not the same shirt - the same color!!

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Blessings today include: "working out" at the Y; Molly coming over to watch Lindley while I got my mammogram; nice mammy-gram tech; lunch with Molly and Lindley at JAlex

Camp LaLa

Catching up on sleep whenever/wherever possible!

Today Camp LaLa was in session, but only with half my clientele. With Everley and Emmatha still in Wyoming/Montana/Canada/Westward with their mommy, they were not in attendance. So, Lynnette dropped Lindley off and we proceeded with our day - which was a lot of nothing. Yesterday, Lindley had to get up at 4:30am or something like it to catch the flight home, so today would be a zero day. We did manage to make it to lunch with Moo, and to Target for some new earrings.

Once we got home, Lindley settled down to watch Boss Baby while I did some work on my computer. At least until Lindley came to me and said her earring fell out of her ear (circumstances of how that actually happened are a bit suspect). So guess who was in charge of putting said earring back in the earring hole? Yes, that would be LaLa!! Lindley is not a big fan of things that might hurt, and having had pierced ears for decades, I was fully aware of the dangers/possible catastrophes that putting earrings back in can hold. Nevertheless, I gave it the old college try, and miraculously got the earring back in without an ear/earring hole emergency. Which was good, since the earring in the other ear also came out a bit later, again under mysterious circumstances.

Lynnette finished work early and came over to collect Lindley. Boss Baby was finishing up, and at the end Lindley said she was ready to go home. So Lynnette and Lindley left, and once they got home, Lynnette sent this photo - Lindley was still catching up on sleep from yesterday!

Meanwhile, out West, Danger Baby was up to her usual antics. I'm thinking maybe Maribeth may be considering this enclosure for when they are back home in Nashville. I figure it will keep Ems for awhile - until she figures out how to scale the fence!!

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Today's blessings include: lunch with Moo and Lindley; shopping with Lindley; God guiding those earrings in the holes; photos from the Westward Ho gang

The First Wave Returns Home

Today Molly, KB, and I started out the morning at the Y for a little bike activity. You know, the kind that's stationary and has a tv on it? Yup, we work out hard. Especially since today we discovered the built in fan just above the tv! Anyhow, we did our 30 minutes and then headed to our own destinations. For KB and Molly, that meant work. For me, that meant Wal Mart!

Back in Nashville!

I finished up some odds and ends in time to pick up Steve, Sam, and Lindley at the airport. Once we got home, we unloaded Steve's stuff, and then Sam and Steve left to go to work/do stuff. Lindley stayed with me for the afternoon. She showed me her new earrings, which she will get to replace tonight because she's had her starter earrings in the required length of time. Glad that her mother is in charge of that!

Once Steve got home from work, we loaded up the car to take Lindley home on the way to the Sounds baseball game. Tonight is UT/Sounds free baseball cap night, and Steve wanted to make sure we got one. Did I mention it's 900 billion degrees outside with 250% humidity? And did I mention that I do not do heat, especially when it's coupled with humidity? The things I do for a UT/Sounds cap that I will never wear...

Anyhoo, we got to the game the requisite 30 minutes before the gates opened (which is an hour before the game starts) to find that apparently a lot of people wanted this stupid hat (my opinion of this never-to-be-on-my-head hat was reaching the bottom of the desire/compliment barrel). By the time we reached the door and had our tickets scanned, they gave out the last hat. WHAT THE %**#?? Needless to say, Steve was not happy. Since I was having difficulty seeing through the sweat that was dripping into my eyes, I was having difficulty summoning up much outrage. Steve went up to an usher dude he knew and complained. The usher dude told us to go to the midfield gate because that was the least used gate and they might still have some there. Did I mention that the gate WAS WAY ACROSS THE STADIUM? And let's just revisit my heat/humidity feelings for a moment ...

So, Steve and I go hiking through the UNCOVERED CONCOURSE IN THE AFTERNOON BLAZING SUN to the midfield gate where yes, they indeed do have two of these blasted hats. Glory be!! The world is no long coming to and end!! Life can resume!! So we have hats. Now we just have to RETURN TO OUR SEATS BY WALKING ACROSS THE CONCOURSE IN THE BLAZING SUN. Luckily we pass the concession stand where they sell drinks. Of course do they have iced tea in a great big cup with lots of ice? Of course not, you fool!! But they do have bottled ice tea (we're talking like Snapple). So Steve gets a bottled Sprite for him and a bottled tea for me - AND THE TOTAL FOR BOTH (AS IN TWO BOTTLES) IS $9.00!! Now, you can get out your calculator if needed and do the math, but that's $4.50 a bottle. And I'm not talking about those size coke bottles that double as banks. I'm talking about a regular size bottle.

Well, this liquid gold is better that dying of dehydration, so I gladly take my refresher and we head to our seats. Which thankfully are in the shade. Which is like sitting in a warm oven. Every now and then a breeze came through which was nice as I sipped (because it was like $1.00 a sip) my drink. Which would have been much nice if it were over ice. Anyhow, we stayed for three innings, since by that time the layers of sweat on my skin were beginning to make my clothes feel tight.  By this time I had finished my bottle of tea and left the bottle, although I considered taking it to use as a vase and get my money's worth.

Once back home I relished in the cool air and cool bed. I even fixed myself a nice glass of water with ice! I do live the high life!!

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Today's blessings include: safe travel home and airport pickup for Steve, Sam, and Lindley; Lindley time; Sam's closing on his house; eavesdropping on fellow cap-line people; getting hats thanks to usher dude; Lynnette's cleaned up front yard; relaxing in a cool bed in my cool house

Book Review!

Today I finished Confessions of a Prairie Bitch by Alison Arngrim. For those of you who might not know, Alison played the role of Nellie, the mean girl on Little House on the Prairie, hence the title of the book. Maybe you've seen the series - my most vivid memory is that I was watching Little House when my water broke when I was 41 weeks pregnant with Sam. I have no idea what Mary and Laura and Nellie were doing, but I was sitting on the bed on a bunch of towels waiting for Steve to get back from the mall. But I digress - back to the book.

Alison writes about her life from its beginnings. She tells us about her parents, who came from different walks of life, and about her brother, who horrifically abused Alison when she was a little girl. She talks about how she met Liberace. She talks about how poor her family was at times and about several of the places her family lived. And then she won the part of Nellie, and her life changed.

If you have watched the series, you know how bad Nellie and her mother acted. While both were redeemed in later episodes, so you didn't hate them as much, Alison tells of stories when both actors were yelled at in real life because of the parts they played. She also talks about her relationship with Laura (Melissa Gilbert) which was very good, and her relationship with Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) which was nonexistent. She also tells many stories about behind the scenes of the series.

Then she tells what happens after she left the series. She talks about what she did in those immediate years after, and where her life is now (well, where she was in 2010, when the book was published). In short, she turned out okay.

This was a quick read - finished it quickly and passed it along. And now I've checked out books written by Laura/Melissa and Mary/Melissa Sue. And Erin/Mary from The Waltons. I think I've hit a rut. At least it's better than keeping up with the Kardashians ...

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Today's blessings include: 2.5 miles in the hood with KB; actually finishing the laundry and getting clean sheets on the beds

Monday

Today I dropped Maribeth's van off at the service place. The radio needed an update and the third seat was having issues. I explained these items to the service dude and then went to wait for the courtesy van to take me home. It took awhile before one became available, and the driver dropped me off after dropping off the other rider. I was home about an hour before the service dude called to say the car was ready (and they would call me when the third seat part came in) so I called to get a return courtesy van trip. It was the same driver, so we had a nice little chat on the way back to the dealer. I picked up the car and headed home. Wasn't this a nice little story?

Anyhow, the rest of the day was pretty dull. Meanwhile, the Westward Ho travellers seem to be having a great time (and lovely weather):

Guess you have two choices - up the mountain or across the bridge!!

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Today's blessings include: nice ride and chat with shuttle driver; Molly's pre-made breakfasts; photos from family in Canada

Checking Things Off An Invisible List

Today I actually got a few things accomplished. I did get the den and kitchen picked up and looking like non-slobs live here. I did get our room booked for next February during Princess Race Weekend. I did get some flights re-booked so we won't be getting in close to midnight (or have to leave at the butt-crack of dawn). I did make a Costco run with Molly and picked up a few things in an effort to eat sensibly this week. I did text a few friends to check in with them. I even relaxed in the bed and watched the live-action "Beauty and the Beast" that I hadn't seen. Watched it all the way through without interruption. Now that's a task completed!

Of course that only leaves the sixty-eleven-million things that still need to get done. And no, I didn't make a list. I need something left to accomplish tomorrow ...

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Today's blessings include; Molly making breakfasts for the week; Costco-ing with Molly; checking in with Nancy and Pam; finding a cleaning wipe for MH's shirt; chatting with Dani at DVC and her great help; getting the car seats back in MB's van without melting in the heat; photos and texts from the Westward vacationers and baby E's fever going down; chatting with the Dominos Dude who delivered my pasta

Past, Present, and Future

Molly and I headed to the Y this morning for some working out. We started on the treadmill, since it's too hot outside for wimpy woggers to get out. Molly stopped halfway to get on the torture machine known as the elliptical (which requires more coordination than I can contemplate right now). Once we were both done, we hopped on the bikes (not to be confused with "cycling") for a bit. And of course, once we were completely done, we headed to Noshville for breakfast. We needed to replace all those calories we burned!!

Molly agreed to make healthy breakfasts for us to eat this week, so we then went to Kroger to get ingredients. She makes individual quiches and hashbrown casseroles so that we just have to heat them up. Hey - at least we are trying to eat smart. By the time we were finished there, it was about 925 degrees outside, so I dropped her off at her house and then headed to mine. We both agreed that it was time for a shower and a nap.

Maribeth's minivan is at my house since I took them to the airport, so I decided to take it for a cleaning (with two little girls, it has a tendency to get a bit gross). Once I did that and returned home, I decided to sit around and stare at all the other stuff that needs doing.

My friend Cheryl then called and said that she and her nephew Todd would be coming by soon to pick up the trampoline that I took apart last week. Here's the story behind that ...

A long time ago, I taught a student named Camille. She was the ideal student, one of God's blessings. She was well behaved, well mannered, and very kind and sweet. Her mom is Cheryl. Camille easily passed from my class and I didn't hear from her until I found her attending the same high school as Sam (he was a few grades ahead). After she graduated, I really didn't hear from her until Facebook started up, I joined it, and we reconnected. Through her, Cheryl also reconnected, and we all bonded over our mutual love of all things Disney.

Now, back to the past. A few years after Camille was in my class, her cousin Todd was in my class. He was a little guy and pretty much the same kind of student as Camille. I really didn't stay in touch with him, except through Camille and Cheryl via their facebook pages. I was surprised to see that what a man little Todd had grown up to be. I facebook stalked him and saw photos of his wedding, and then photos of the birth of his son.

A few weeks ago, Cheryl had stopped by the house and I asked her if maybe Todd and his wife would want want the trampoline for their son. She asked them, and Todd's wife said yes, and so today they had a chance to come by and get it. Todd got out of the car, and it was such a blessing to see him all grown up. We reminisced a bit about some teachers and we got the trampoline loaded. Once it was all bungie-corded in, Todd and Cheryl got in the truck and left, hopefully to reassemble the trampoline for more enjoyment by a little guy.

There are many moments in my teaching career than I regret. There are many things that I wished I had done better. But the thing I am most blessed by, even knowing that I really had very little to do with, is when I see former students who have grown up to be such wonderful adults (although the fact that they are grown adults has me wondering about how old I am). Today was one of those blessings. In fact, it is a double blessings, knowing Todd back then and now. It's an indication that there is indeed hope for the future - we just have to invest and believe in what we have in the present.

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Today's blessings include: Y and Noshville with Molly; photos from the gang on vacay out West; visiting with Todd and Cheryl and loading up the trampoline; finally getting a shower and a nap; getting MB's van cleaned and throwing away the nasty gross bottle from who knows when

Needles And Docs

Today was my usual blood-letting day at the Red Cross. I made an early appointment, and was thinking of changing it as I was running late this morning. Instead, I decided to forego the shower and head on down. And once I got there, I was glad I decided to do it early.

Last time one of the techs was one of my former students. Today the tech that checked me in, once she looked at my birth date, said that we were birthday twins. I would have asked for a twins photo, but since I hadn't showered, I decided that perhaps a bit of distance might be better.

The tech that actually administered the blood-letting was amazing. She slipped that needle right in without a problem. It was quite the difference from the dude across from me. He appeared to be his tech's first ever human patient. She had her supervisor with her, helping her. He was good about it, even when she had to maneuver the needle a bit. I was in his place once - my first-timer was not very good, and I was about to offer to put the needle in myself before her supervisor came to the rescue. But dude's new tech was good, and once her first was done, I'm sure all the ones to follow will be fine.

Anyhoo, once I was all done, I stopped by Starbucks for some "good for you" drinks. Molly, KB, and I had already started the morning at the Y (for kinda working out), so it had already been a busy morning. In other words, time for a nap.

I would like to say that the rest of the day was spent doing many things. I would always like to say that. But no. However, happy times ensued when I got the mail and saw these - our cruise documents for Alaska!! Less than a month to go before our big Alaska par-tay!  Guess I'd better start thinking about what I'm going to take. Since it's been about a billion degrees here lately, it's hard to think about packing anything more than shorts and t-shirts.

Anyhow, that was my Friday. Was I supposed to make a list for today?

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Today's blessings include: Y time with Molly and KB; meeting my birthday twin; super tech taking my blood; watching the new tech, her supervisor, and her patient; Starbucks treat; cruise docs

Is It Thursday Already?

Waiting for Lindley

This morning started early since we left for the airport at 6:30. Sam and Lindley are flying to Kalispell to meet up with Maribeth, Everley, Emmatha, and PawPaw. Once I got back to the house, I decided that it was time for a nap - whatevs!

I had a massage at noon, which I have decided is a terrible time to go for a massage when the massage place in smack dab in the middle of a bunch of restaurants and everybody needs a parking place. I did manage to find a spot nearby, so I didn't have to add additional stress that needed to be worked out. An hour later I was back outside, headed to my car, feeling a little looser.

The rest of today was spent catching up a bit on this blog, cleaning off my desk, and deciding on what I needed to do next (yet doing none of it). Molly dropped off Taco Bell for dinner (always a bad choice) and then basically I called it a night. Tomorrow I'll make that list. And maybe even do a couple of things on it!

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Blessings today include: airport run for Sam and Lindley and their safe travel to Montana; Molly's new haircut and her bringing dinner by; massage by Brandie; catching up on blogs from the past week

Camp LaLa - Day 3

With Everley already out West, my enrollment decreased by 50%. However, we still managed to have some fun. We decided to go swimming as soon as the pool opened at 10. However, once I got there, I realized that I had forgotten the sunscreen, so we only stayed about an hour. This time I didn't have to stand guard at the chain link fence - I actually got into the pool. I watched the water aerobics class, and swam around a bit and played with Lindley. Oh, and we went in the back entrance and scanned right through - winner!!

After the Y, we went back to the house, cleaned up, and then headed to Moo's office, which is apparently the fun place to be. She had already eaten lunch, so I left Lindley with Moo and headed to Sonic. I brought back drinks and a milkshake (I ate my corn dog on the way) and we hung around Moo's office for a bit. I'm not sure that I understand the draw of her office, but then again, I don't care for (a) trying on her shoes, or (b) drawing with markers on her dry-erase board, or (c) typing gibberish on her computer. So sue me!

Once we had exhausted all those activities, we headed back to the house. Lynnette came over for a bit and left, and then Sam picked Lindley up to go home and pack for their trip. They're spending the night at my house so I can get them to the airport early tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, speaking of the trip, this is a photo of what's going on out there. As you can see, Danger Baby is in her element and has found her spot. Here's hoping she doesn't find the detonator caps ...

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Today's blessings include: swimming with Lindley and spending time at Moo's office; watching half of "Beauty and the Beast"; Sam bringing Baha Burrito for dinner

Camp LaLa - Day 2

Today I went to Everley and Emmatha's house to pick them up because their parents had to get to work early. I was on duty to take Emmatha to school. The plan was that when I got to school, Lynnette and Lindley would meet us there, wait while I checked Emmatha in, and then Lindley would go to my house with Everley and me (my roller skate of a car will only hold 2 car seats in the back).

We got Emmatha handed off, and then spent the rest of the day as follows ...

Breakfast. Because sugar and chocolate are the building blocks of fun?

Park time. To run off all that sugar

LaLa's idea was to run to the top of the hill. Lindley, not LaLa.

Spending time at Moo's office.

And trying on Moo's office shoes.

Lunch with Moo and PawPaw and LaLa. Before a stop at Toys R Us.

There was also a handprint art project and some other random art projects. This evening, Maribeth, Emmatha, Everley, and PawPaw are headed west to Montana to begin the Westward Ho trip. Sam and Lindley will follow on Thursday. We loaded up the van and took the flyers to the airport, and then I took Lindley to her house. Just another fun day at Camp LaLa!!

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Today's blessings include: daycare dropoff for Emmatha; donuts, park, Puffy Muffin, Moo's office, and Toys R Us with Lindley and Everley; meeting porch dude with Lynnette; airport dropoff and Lindley's nap on the way home; safe travel to Montana for Maribeth, Everley, Emmatha, and Steve

Camp LaLa - Day 1

Lindley and Everley aren't going to camps this week, because they will be going out west with some of their parents and PawPaw (I opted out of this trip). So they will be staying with me until their departure days. Since Emmatha pays for daycare by the month, she will attend school as usual - Camp LaLa has an age restriction.

Lindley had a dentist appointment this morning, so she didn't come until later. Maribeth dropped Everley off on her way to take Emmatha (who was not pleased when she saw Everley get out of the car while she stayed in). Once we all were here, we decided to go swim at the Y. Of course, halfway there, I realized that I had left the towels on the couch at the house. No matter, since the Y we were headed to has decent towels at the front desk.

Once we arrived at the Y, I got Lindley's Y card number to add to my mobile Y app. Now I know this information may seem mundane to you, but it is very important when she (or Everley before I added her Y number) is with me for swimming, and I have to yell at the old dude at the back entrance for him to look up Lindley's name (imagine me yelling, "LINDLEY. L-I-N-D-L-E-Y. NO. N-D-L-E-Y. LINDLEY - and then repeat the same thing with Everley). With their numbers on my app, there is only scanning involved, and no actual saying/looking up/screaming spelling of names.

Anyhow, we get that business complete, grab some towels, and head to the pool. There we drag some lounge chairs into the shade (Lala does not like sun) and then head to the pool. There are two pools - the kiddie pool and the big pool. Lindley has passed her swim test and is fine with the big pool. While Everley can swim, she has not passed her swim test and is a bit unsure about the big pool unless she has on a swim vest. Of course each girl wants to stay in a separate pool. So LaLa stood by the chain link fence between the pools to keep an eye on each one. Yes, there are lifeguards, but I must know where they are in case of emergency. Any emergency. Well, any kind of LaLa emergency.

After a couple of breaks, we decided to return home for some mac and cheese and playing before their parents collected them and took them home. There was a moment of drama when I couldn't find my keys, but I had a feeling I had left them at the desk when I was getting the Y numbers. And sure enough, my keys were right where I left them! Not bad for a Monday!

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Today's blessings include: fun times at the pool; Lindley's good dentist visit; pizza and ice cream sandwiches at the pool

The Day After ...

So what's the best thing to do after a great party? Take a day off!!  And that's pretty much what today was about. Many of last nights party-goers were meeting for brunch at the Opryland Hotel (that's where the soon-to-be in-laws were staying). I had tweaked my back in some way, so I opted out - and opted for sitting in a recliner.

KB had cleaned up most of her party things last night and loaded them into her car, so there wasn't really much left to do. As if I would have done anything anyhow. There were still chairs to be moved back and tables to be taken down, but they weren't bothering anyone, so I just left them.

The fun activity was when MaeMae and Lucy returned from the brunch. Tilly was still asleep at brunch time, so she stayed with me. Lynnette and Lindley came over (Everley spent the night). So, while the little girls played, the big girls started their "project."

Lucy had brought her minivan, so that gave me a lot of room to send things back with her (whether she wanted them or not). The first was the Barbie Power Wheels Car. Lindley and Everley had outgrown it, and I wasn't going to wait for Danger Baby to learn to drive it lest she end up on I65. So, that was the first thing we loaded in the van. Yes, it had been kept outside so it wasn't in pristine condition, but Lucy allowed us to put it in her van. Perhaps the Goodwill in Virginia will take it ...

Then it was time for the "big" project. The last time Marilyn was here, she saw a desk upstairs that she asked if I wanted. I told her she could have it. Now, it's not a large desk - but it's not exactly tiny, either. Anyhow, she wanted it and I was certain we could put it in the van beside the Barbie car.

Did I mention the desk was upstairs? And did I mention that Lucy was pregnant? Anyhow, we went upstairs, and the first thing we did was take off the legs. Which made it smaller. And then Marilyn and I proceeded to get it down the stairs. Did I mention I still had a tweak in my back (although at the end of this project it was gone). Anyhow, we decided that if we put the desk on a towel, we could kinda "roll" it down the steps, with us holding on to it. And so we started on the plan. Which would have been a bit easier if Lynnette and Lucy hadn't been laughing at us so hard.

The desk in question is the one pictured to the left. I wanted to make sure you understand the gravity of the situation. No, the desk is not valuable except that it was in the house when Molly got her house, and we liked it. Of course that was 10 years ago, and now it's a red color. And probably had marker markings all over it from small children using it. No matter - Marilyn said she wanted it, and I was happy to pass it along. She seems to think she will refinish it. It really is a good desk. And yes, it would have been smart had we asked some of the men in attendance at the party last night to tote it down the stairs. But I guess that's what happens when you have a good party. Whatevs ...

So, imagine this: two "healthy" old ladies, one in front and one in back, holding on to the top of a desk (which was on a towel) and hanging on to the railing of a very steep stairway, attempting to get down said stairway without breaking a hip. Since I was in back, and have a tendency to fall down stairs in a normal situation, I could only take one step at a time. Marilyn was in front, basically holding the desk from crashing down in front of her. Meanwhile, Lucy and Lynnette were behind us, dying laughing and holding on to the desk legs.

Nevertheless, we got it down without harm to grandmas or desk, and then loaded it out to the minivan along with the legs and the chair. And then we even had enough space to go to Maribeth's house and load up the baby things she had for Lucy. Sure am glad I'm not doing the unloading ...

Anyhow, that was our fun for today. Now to go find the bottle of Tylenol ...

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Blessings today include: fun with the little girls; getting the desk down the stairs and it and the car loaded into the van; Steve's safe trip home

It's A Travel Shower!!

In short, it was a great success! And here are the photos to prove it!

Some of KB's decorating ideas!!

The eatin' spot - the sun room - which thankfully was not a sweat room ...

Just a little photo of the vittles ...

Have a Coke and a smile!

There was a quiz involved ...

The little suitcases!!

Which contained a bag of these!!

Dessert table - cupcakes and suitcases filled with personalized M&Ms

Travel table - guests wrote postcards with travel tips and destinations

The three hostesses - or flight attendants for this trip!!

The happy couple - with their personalized cokes and paper map flowers!

 

MaeMae and Lindley, Everley, Tilly, Morgan, and Madison

The in-laws to be - John, Anne, Mary Lee, David, Beth, and Jeff

Photo booth fun!

Everyone had a great time. There was plenty of food and fun. New friendships were made and there were lots of good wishes for the future. All too soon it was time to head back to the hotels. What a great way to spend a Saturday night!!

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Blessings today include: KB coming over to set things up, do all the flowers, and pick up the food; Cindy bringing over more flowers at the last minute; great travel gift ideas for Mary Lee and David; meeting Mary Lee's family; Adam and Allison and Morgan and Madison coming from Colombia (via Atlanta); sweet hostess bags from ML and D

Let's Get This Party Started!!

Okay, so technically the party isn't until tomorrow. But today MaeMae and Lucy and Tilly (my sister, my niece, and my great-niece) drove in from North Carolina and John and Anne (the future groom's parents and my brother/sister-in-law) drove in from Mississippi (via a side trip to Chattanooga). Lynnette and Lindley came over and Maribeth and Mathieu and Everley and Emmatha came over, and Molly came over, so we kinda had a pre-party dinner. Molly ordered the dinner and John and Anne picked it up (with there being only one thing forgotten) and everyone had a good time.

MaeMae and Tilly decided to stay here to sleep so Lucy could have a big bed and a night to herself. She is staying at the same hotel as John and Anne, so once the pre-party ended, they left. Everyone else left, and once again the house was quiet. Molly picked up the cupcakes today, and tomorrow the barbecue will be picked up, so I think we're ready.

Well, as long as all that stuff that I stuffed into the closets doesn't bust out ...

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Blessings today include: safe travel for family to come to Nashville; Molly picking up the cupcakes; wrapping gifts and last minute touches for tomorrow

Thursday!

The party date is approaching, and I HAVE GOT TO GET SOMETHING DONE!!  You know, like order the food(s), clean the house, wrap the gifts, figure out the decorations. In other words, I gotta get busy. So far, the "deep clean a room a day" plan has not worked out. However, the "sit around and do nothing" plan is moving along splendidly ...

So, today I shall order the cupcakes and the barbeque, start stuffing things in closets, finish the travel plates, and figure what else I need to make/purchase/plan. KB is really the brains behind this party, so I shall also check with her to see what else I might need to do. I shall also clean out the sunroom. With the trampoline no longer in residence, there's so much more to clean.

In other news, Everley seems to be doing great at camp, and having a good time. Still - sleep away camp at five? One of us is getting too old too fast!!

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Blessings today include: photos from Everley's camp; cleaning the sunroom; getting all the suitcases unpacked; Steve's safe travel to Columbus; cupcakes ordered; barbeque ordered

Grandgirls

Everley has been going to Y camp this week. And tonight and tomorrow night, she will actually spend the night at camp (they spend the first two days at day camp before staying overnight). This morning when Maribeth let her off for the bus, she took this photo. Of course, all I can think is "She's only five!" When Steve told her that he didn't want her to go, she told him that "he's letting her grow."

And in other grandgirl news, Lindley spent last week in "Smart Girls" camp at her school. She looks like a teenager in this photo from camp - and she's only seven! Guess we're letting her grow, too! Clearly she's going to be able to do whatever she wants to.

I'm not sure what I did in the summers when I was five and seven. I certainly did not go to camp, and for sure didn't go to sleep away camp.  These two surprise me constantly with what they're able to do at their ages!

And then there's danger baby ...

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Blessings today include: chatting with Sam about the house inspection; getting the laundry done and the suitcase unpacked; Molly getting cruises adjusted and finding good deals

Tuesday

Rooms cleaned - 0          Suitcases unpacked - 0

Oh well, at least I don't show favoritism. Today I had a task to complete anyhow. In reference to Saturday's wedding shower, there is the possibility that we might have it in the sunroom. That is, if it's not boiling hot outside. The sunroom is the largest room that would be convenient for everyone to eat and party in.

However, there's one slight issue - the kids trampoline. Luckily, my friend Cheryl has agreed to take the trampoline for her little nephew. The issue is that it will need to be taken apart to get it out of the sunroom. And since you asked, the reason it is in the sunroom is because when we got it when Lindley was around two, we put it in the sunroom to (a) make it last longer than if it were outside, and (b) so when it was raining, she would have it inside.

So, after putting it off as long as possible, I started un-assembling the trampoline. To do this, I got out the assembly manual and started from the back (which is actually suggested, once I read the last page). It ended up not being too hard - just hot, since it is pretty much sweltering outside. It didn't take too long until all the posts and such were off and carefully put away. Since I could actually get the mat with the springs out the door, I opted to keep all the springs on. Also, I did not have the spring tool thingy, and figured it would be much easier for the new owner if he/she didn't have to reattach all those springs.

Once it was done, I was too hot and sweaty to do anything else, so I called it a day. The sunroom is super filthy, so I will conquer it another day. How many days do I have left??

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Blessings today include: trampoline success; walking two miles in the hood with KB; Everley spending the night