Favorite Photo Friday

My 6th Birthday

ShowBiz Pizza

Just found this one and thought it was funny, since we were just discussing the possibility of a birthday party yesterday.  This is my 6th birthday at Showbiz (the previous name for the aforementioned Chuck E Cheese).

Nothing much to say about it -- just liked the picture!!

Where Can I Get One of Those Hats??

I'm not sure what I expected ... waking up this morning.  I am officially 33 years old today.  Honestly, I don't feel any older.  I checked for new wrinkles and new greys in the mirror -- no evidence of me getting any older overnight.

That's good.

The morning was just like usual.  Arguing with the girl child about how to fix her hair and what shoes she should wear.  Arguing with the boy child about how many stuffed animals he could bring in the car to take Sissy to school.

Nothing new there.

Of course, before all of that I was greeted with several expressions of love from my wonderful hubby.  I found "Happy Birthday" and "I Love You" all over the place -- the envelope for the tag office, the mailbox board where I make my to-do list.  He's so sweet -- he knew exactly where'd I'd look first thing this morning.  As you can see from my to-do list, it's just another day at the office for me.

On that note -- why do birthdays have to be so boring and regular for us adults?  I mean, do you remember when you used to get to wear those fun "It's My Birthday" hats at school?  When your friends decorated your locker?  Or when you wore pins that said, "Kiss Me, It's My Birthday"?  I miss those days.  Last year, I didn't want a big deal made about my birthday.  Honestly, I haven't made a big deal about anything since my 30th.  But why do we not make a big deal?  Seriously, another 365 days under our belts.  And look at all that we accomplish in one year?

Of course, I can't really remember much from this year because it flew by so quickly (or maybe it's because I'm not very good at remembering things ... we've discussed that before, right?).  But I do know that I proofread a lot of crap.  And I potty trained a 3 year old.  And almost got the same stubborn kid to stop sucking his thumb.  I've managed our home.  I've cooked hundreds of dinners.  I've attended many kid-type birthday parties.  I've tolerated some pretty annoying behaviors from several adults at those parties. ;)  I've taken care of myself -- trying to keep up my annoyingly youthful good looks (thanks to a lot of hair dye).  I ran my second Peachtree Road Race.  I celebrated 10 years of marriage to my Timmy.  Hmmmmmm ... what else ...

Anyway, for all of these things, I honestly believe I should get an all out Chuck E Cheese party.

Or something like that.

Without the the big mouse puppet.

And with alcoholic beverages. :D

Oh, and what did we do without Facebook for so many years??  I have felt more love today on my birthday than I ever could've imagined.  Thanks to Facebook --- and of course, to those who posted the birthday wishes on my Wall.

A special shout out goes to my daughter who reminded me this morning, "Mommy, even if you feel old, you're still perfect."  She melts my heart.

Another shout out to Heather Dahlby who sent me an awesome birthday card in the MAIL.  (Yes, believe it or not, I'm one of those people who still enjoys paper cards in the mail.)  She reminds me (quite often) how lucky I am to have such awesome friends.

And the last shout out to my mom for taking me to lunch.  My dad used to take me to breakfast every year on my birthday -- it's funny how I remember that.  We used to go to Le Peep on the Square and have French toast.  It was nice to sit at a table with my mom and just be us -- Mom and daughter.  :)

Now I'm off to make myself one of those hats ...

Favorite Photo Friday

Tim & Tannerbug

Cocoa Beach - September 2010

Seriously, how could I not love this one?  As i look at this picture, I search for some resemblance.  Everyone in Tim's family remembers when Timmy looked like Tanner.  I've seen evidence of the tow-headedness ... but when I look at them side by side now, I don't see it.  Tim has dark hair while Tanner has light.  Tim has hazel eyes; Tanner's are sky blue.  They don't have the same features in the face.

But have no fear -- Tanner is truly a little Tim when it comes to his personality.  They share the same need to be moving -- Tanner's not one to sit still for very long.  He doesn't enjoy reading or watching TV, particularly.  He'd much rather be building or taking something apart or getting dirty in the mud.  Just like his Daddy.  They share the same temper -- neither likes to be told no or that they are wrong.  They share the same level of patience -- we'll say it's lower on the scale.  ;)  Both are loyal, good friends to those who take care of them. Both will protect you to the end if they believe you deserve it (and would do the same for them).

Both of these boys -- my favorite two boys in the whole wide world -- are my angels.  I don't know what I would do without both of them in my life!!

Take My Mother. Please.

OK, OK, before all you nosy family members jump on your phones to tell my mom I'm talking about her, you should keep reading.

I mean this in the nicest, sweetest, most loving way possible.

My mom is awesome.  She is beautiful and kind.  She has a loving and patient heart.  She is a dedicated hard worker.

And for all of these reasons, she absolutely does not deserve to be alone.

Now that I know for sure she doesn't want to be alone, I'm putting it all out there.  I wish I could write her profile for the online dating sites.  I'm fairly certain she hasn't said all the things I think about her -- and that so many other people feel.  If I wrote her profile, she'd be fighting them off with a stick!  Honestly, I believe if my mom put herself in the right situations, she would meet someone.  She's been trying the online stuff for a while.  She's made several "matches," but nothing ever seems to pan out.  I wish she had more time to devote to meeting people -- and not just men.  I think she would be a happier person if she had a group of friends to hang out with -- to go to the movies and dinner.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I've said it before -- I love having her available to babysit at any time.  And if she was dating, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be able to do it.  But the kids are getting older, and I don't mind taking them with us when we have to if we have a date night or something like that.

What I do mind is how my mom has so much on her plate -- she works 4 days a week, 10 hours a day.  One day of her weekend is devoted to spending time with my grandmothers at the nursing home.  She also visits one night during the week after work.  She gets up so early for work that she's exhausted when she gets home from work.  She has this crazy dog that has kidney problems and costs her an arm and a leg, and she pees and poops (the dog, not my mom) all over the house, which doesn't help with Mom's stress.  She spends her days and nights worrying about her mom (my grandmother in the nursing home), her sisters, her brother, me and my family, my brother and his family ... and I know, that's what moms do..

But I want her to think about herself.  I want her to be completely selfish.  I want her to not have to worry about what the other people in our family think about this guy or this new outfit or the paint color or the new furniture.  But with her big heart comes big worries.  I don't know where her low self-esteem comes from.  She always puts herself down when I talk to her.  She asks me why, after 6 1/2 years, no one has approached her; no one has asked her out.  I don't know what to tell her.  I don't know how to explain that the world must be blind.

She said something to me on the phone two days ago after I told her a friend's mom was getting married for the 3rd (or 4th) time.

"How does this happen to other people?  What's wrong with me?" she asked.

It took me a little off guard.

There's is nothing wrong with her.  At all.

"There is no way that the one man I married is the only love I was meant to have my entire life."

OK, that one threw me for a loop.

He was a damn good man, though, Mom.  Some people marry 4 or 5 men who don't even come close to totaling her 1.

And while I pray every night for her to find someone else to share the rest of her life with, I know he won't be as awesome as the first love. ;)

So here are the requirements:  (Yes, I'm campaigning.  And not because she's desperate or because she asked me to.  In fact, she'll probably be upset when she reads this.)

He must be at least 5'10" tall.
He must be a Christian.
He must have something to offer -- she can't support him forever.  I'm hoping for a little money because she'd like to retire ... eventually ...
He should be handsome.
Tim would like for him to be Harley man.
He should have strong shoulders to help carry the burden.
He should be accepting of the crazies in my family.
It would be nice if he has kids and grandkids as well, so he can appreciate the worry she provides.
He should be honest.  No liars.  No ladies' man.

Anything else, Mom?

So if you know any men like this, send me their names and numbers.  We can play match maker.  My mom needs and deserves some happiness in her life.  She's given me so much; this is my way of giving back. :)

Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels

A quote taken from my girlfriend (for life!!), Viv.  I'm not sure where she got the quote from, but it inspired me to write this post.  It appears that I'm running low on material right now, what with the kids returning to school and me not having much going on.  I don't want to bore you with the slightly annoying whining that appears to have taken over my posts as of late.  I've started several entries only to abort after rereading.  I was beginning to see a pattern ...

Kid complains or makes mess.  Mom gets irritated.  Mom yells.  Kid cries.  Mom feels guilty and apologizes to kid.  Then mom posts about it in order to get some affirmation from fellow moms and friends about how awesome she is and why it's OK to yell at the kids sometimes.

See, sounds strangely familiar, right?

Then, yesterday, when I was attempting to enter information in a pre-made spreadsheet from an employer (which, BTW, absolutely does not work for me ... the spreadsheet, I mean), I chatted with my other girlfriend (for like!!), Carly.

I know, right?  Who knew I had so many friends??

Carly has her own blog.  She is witty and charming.  Absolutely hilarious.  She writes about other things -- like living a life of leisure and her workouts and diets.

So this entry is going to be about my current weight loss struggle.

What???  You mean this isn't new material??  Are you sure?  I'm pretty sure I've never written about this before ...

Anyway, regardless, I know several people are in the same boat I'm in right now (mostly because we all complain about it on Facebook).  For whatever reason (too much cake, too many beers, not enough movement), I've put on a couple (or 15) pounds.  Honestly, I know exactly how it happened.  And while some of you may say, "Whatever, Keisha, you look great," you (I say it again) haven't seen me naked.

And you won't.  Stop getting your hopes up. :0P

Actually, I'm not so worried about the nakedness.  Good grief, Tim (who is the only one who does see me in the buff) saw me in all my "glory" when I was 200 pounds; I'm sure he's OK with the way I look.

It all goes back to the jeans.

Not the genes ... the jeans.  The expensive ones.  The ones that I can buc(inhale an suck in)kle, but not sit in.  I would like to be able to sit in said jeans again.  And not have to wait for the blood to rush back to my legs when I stand up after sitting for a little while.

Chuckle, if you must.  But some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.

So I decided to start working out again -- Tony Horton now holds a special place in my day.  Picking back up with the P90X workout is just like riding a bike (or whatever you can compare to that).  It makes me ill that I used to be able to do all the exercises in Ab Ripper X and now I can only do half (on a good day).  But I'll get there again.  I also decided to really start paying attention to the food I put in my mouth.  I'm back on my Weight Watchers kick, which is probably becoming annoying to some people.  I'm a bit obsessed.  I don't go so far as to weigh my food, but I calculate points on everything.  I'm having to re-acclimate myself to eating fruits and veggies again; I have even acquired a taste for bananas!  (Those close to me know how much I used to loathe bananas -- I had to eat baby food bananas when I was preggers to keep my blood pressure in check.)  I eat Egg Beaters.  And whole wheat pasta.  And fish.  An drink so much water my bladder could probably swim away if not attached.  All of this leads me to the title of this post.

Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

Several of the girls who are also doing the WW thing are complaining about being hungry and unsatisfied.  Luckily, with the new WW Points Plus plan, they encourage the occasional splurge.  (I'm going to get a little technical here -- bear with me.)  I get 29 points a day.  I also get 49 extra points for the week.  That's a lot of points, people.  I know, WW says that, if you are trying to lose, you should stay away from those extra points, but I also think that if you deprive yourself, you won't stick to it.

So ... to an extent, I agree that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.

Except red wine and chocolate.

So if I could find a high protein, high fiber, low fat, low carb red wine and chocolate, I'd be all set.

So let me know if you find one.

And remind me to write it on one of my lists so I don't forget. ;0)

I Could Use Some Grey Matter ...

When you are pregnant, your brain shrinks.  Don't laugh -- "pregnant brain" is non laughing matter at all.  It's been scientifically proven that a pregnant woman's brain "shrinks" due to the fact that the growing fetus feeds on the fat in the grey matter.

Anyway, it is an ongoing joke amongst pregnant women that the forgetfulness during pregnancy (and during the short time period after the tiny human is born) is the baby's fault (not the fault of the lack of sleep or raging hormones).

Anyway, it has been decided (by me, specifically) that my brain, in fact, never regained it's previous size.  I don't believe I ever had a humongous brain -- I imagine it was probably average size.  I do not have a vast amount of knowledge or genius in this head (well, certainly not now, nor did I prior to being pregnant), but before children I considered myself to be fairly intellectual.  I could hang with the best of them on Jeopardy.  I could read about history and art and literature and retain most of the information I read.  I could carry on two- and three- way conversations.  I could make valid arguments and back up my decisions.  I could chew gum and walk at the same time.  You get my drift.

But times .... well, they have changed.  I do not feel educated or intellectual in the slightest any longer.  If you want to talk about potty training or breaking habits like thumb-sucking, I'm your woman.  But politics?  history?  Forget about it.

And not just have I lost my ability to carry on theoretical and religious conversations (for example), but I have also lost the ability to remember.

I cannot remember anything.  I have lists everywhere.  Most people think this is my way of retaining control over my household.  In actuality, the lists and calendars are my way of not forgetting.

Don't get my wrong.  We are a little family of four.  Our children are small.  It's not like we have erupting social lives or anything like that.  But I can't even remember what kinds of things I have in the freezer to make for dinner.  I can't remember to workout.  (OK, that's a stretch.)  I forget when the cat needs her meds or the dog needs food.  I can have a conversation with Tim in the morning and forget that he's working late by 3 PM.

It's really quite sad.

Where was I going with this???

(See, I told you ... it's bad ...)

Oh, yes, I remember.

Forgetfulness.

It has ruined my life.

Last week, my shrinking brain caused another episode of havoc in our house from which we are still reeling.  After the crazy week of being snowed in, I was so relieved when Tim came home and said we were going out to eat Friday night.  This momma couldn't wait to get out of the house!  So I got dressed and put on my wedding rings.  (Side note : Most of you know I rarely wear my rings because they make my fingers break out.)  This was a "special occasion" so I put on my rings.

When we returned home after dinner, I put Tanner in the bathtub.  Many of you also know that when water gets under my rings, my skin reacts badly; so I popped my rings in my pocket.  I proceeded on with my evening as usual.  Baths, PJs, recliner, bed.  At some point, I changed into my PJ pants and put my jeans in the hamper.  I didn't empty my pockets because ... well, honestly, I never empty my pockets.  The next morning, I washed a load of darks and jeans.  When the load was done, my engagement ring was verrrrry clean, but my wedding band was nowhere to be found.

And I have now spent 4 days turning this house upside down looking for that darn ring.  I have vacuumed.  I have emptied said vacuum bags (which is a disgusting act, in itself) to make sure the ring wasn't sucked in.  I have taken furniture apart.  I have gone through every pair of pants, every set of socks, every pair of boxers and panties ... I have even checked all of Sugar's hiding places, thinking maybe she picked it up and carried away because it was pretty and shiny.  (hey, she;s done stranger things.)  Tim has taken the dryer apart to see if it was sucked in there.

It is nowhere.

But it has to be somewhere.

Ugh.

So, pregnant brain has struck again.  Except I'm not pregnant.  And I haven't been for 4 1/2 years.

The only place I haven't checked yet (and I'm not willing to) is the dog's poop.  That is my final option.

Any takers?

Favorite Photo Friday

Melting Snow

January 14, 2011

That's right, people!!  We have pinestraw.  Glorious, beautiful, brown pinestraw!!!!!

I've never been so happy to see it.

Nor have I ever been so happy to hear dripping in the downspouts outside.

So I'm going to finish my second cup of coffee (with a dash of Skinny Latte creamer) and do my workout before I wrap the kids in blankets and send them outside to PLAY.

Away from me.  And Tim.

Hooray for pinestraw!!

Snowpocalypse ... Snowcation ... blah, blah, blah ...

We are looking at Snow Day #5 tomorrow in Cherokee County.

This is serious business, people.  I thought that I was completely prepared for this event.  I went grocery shopping before the snow began, loading up on milk, eggs, and bread.

Oh, and peanut butter.  Because this house can't function without peanut butter.

What I should've been looking for on the store shelves was something completely different.

"Excuse me, sir, but where can I find sanity?  What about patience?"

That's right, people.  This momma has LOST IT!!

I know, I know -- But, Keisha (you say), you are a stay at home mom.  Aren't you used to being at home with your kids?  Don't you have multiple backup plans for art projects and fun things to do so that your children can nurture their creative minds?  I mean, you, especially, (you say) should have lots of fun ideas.  You were a teacher, after all.

What -- ever.

We are completely bored out of our minds.

At least I am.

Then why (you ask) are you just now getting around to blogging?  I mean, if you've had all this free time, you should've been uploading pictures and blogging away about your Christmas vacation (which also involved snow) and the fun times you guys have had.

True, I should've had time to do all that blogging.

Instead I have been spending the last two days (because the first 2 weren't that bad) breaking up fights and attempting to provide entertainment.

OK, let me be honest , today I've done nothing but sit in the recliner and catch up on Days.  But I truly, honestly, needed that.  I sent the kids upstairs with the instructions, "Don't break anything or play in the cat box."  That's all the direction I gave them.  And they were fine.

For 30 minutes.

Then I was interrupted with, "Mom ... mom ... mom ..."

What is this constant need to say my name?  Seriously, they can be standing right next to me with my eyes glued to theirs and they still have to call my name before telling me something.

Just say in, darn it.

Anyway, as I'm watching Days and Facebooking (yes, it's a verb now), I feel so bad.  All these other moms are so excited that their kids will be home another day.  All I keep reading is how awesome it is that they get to sleep in and have all this family time.

How much family time do you people need?  Tim was home with us until yesterday, and we are familied out.  I can sense that the kids are getting just as tired of me as they are of each other -- all they want to do is go play outside.  The ice has cleared from the road, but it is still so cold outside.  They have played with every toy in our house.  We have played board games.  We have done puzzles.  We have organized drawers.  We have watched movies.  We have made cookies.  Heck, they even worked out with me yesterday.

I just want to get back to normal.  I want to go to the grocery store.  I want to get up early and rush around and almost be late for school.  I want to sit in the carpool lines.  I want the snow to go away.

And never come back.

However, so as not to appear as an insensitive, unloving, negative-Ninny, here are some pictures from our fun in the snow earlier this week.

Kendall, Andee, and Tim

Gabby, Max, and Tanner

My precious family, walking home after the neighborhood fun

All kidding aside, I'm really glad my kids were able to experience this kind of snow.  We've had a lot of fun sledding and making snow balls ... but I think we're all really ready for it to be over.  I can handle the cold for a little while longer -- I did get new boots for Christmas, after all -- but we are not prepared for this kind of weather.  Apparently, neither is our state.  And the being locked inside is what's really hurting us.  I'd be willing to pay $20 a head to get into the Bounce House right now if I could just get there!  I have resorted to letting the kids play dress up in the grown-up clothes in my bedroom just for entertainment.  The trash is taking over my house (because the trash can't run in the snow, I guess) and the kids have also begun trying to squeeze into the doll clothes for lack of better things to do.  I even caught Tanner in a pull up yesterday!

But, silver lining!, there haven't been any physical attacks on either kid or me (yet -- we still have one more day) and there hasn't been any thumb sucking.  However, I picked a heck of a time to give up alcohol during the week!

11 Lessons on Becoming a Parent

This was borrowed from a friend's Facebook page -- and I laughed out loud reading it.  I had to share, especially since I have so many friends who are pregnant, whether it be with their first or fourth!  I have added some of my own comments, as well.

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Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

And just when you think you've got it all figured out, something changes!

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner.)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive).

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together (and still maintain good looks for your husband).

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios and goldfish all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney Channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking, "What's 'Noggin'"?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say, "It's all worth it!" Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!