Wordless Wednesday.....

If only things were this harmonious between them all the time!

Terribly Bad Moody No Go Day Today!

Ummmm....that pretty much describes me today....so, blogging today? Probably not a very good idea...

How many of you listen to Bob and Tom? Ever heard this song?

I am not usually a fighter..but, today for some reason...this song just suits my mood.
It's a Great Day...For Me to Whoop Somebody's Ass.....

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I'm feelin' it, brothers and sisters, angst anxiety and just plain meanness from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head. Somebody mess with me cause I NEED the aggravation....or maybe I need a Xanax....

Here's the lyrics from Paul Thorn, we think alike (great tune btw).......(substitute the wife part, make it into a female version)

It's A Great Day To Whoop Somebody's Ass

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing goes right?
You're wife starts bitchin' 'bout whatever it was she was bitchin' about last night.
So you escape into the bathroom just to sit there on your throne,
But after you finish your business, the toilet paper's gone.

Well it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass
It's a bad day, so you better get off my back
You might get cold-cocked if you cross my path
Cause it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass

Well I was runnin' late for work so I poured me some coffee to go
And just before I had a flat tire, I spilled it all over my clothes
When the highway patrolman pulled up
I thought that help was on the way
But when he saw the tire tool in my hand
he shot me with pepper spray

Well it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass
It's a bad day, so you better get off my back
You might get cold-cocked if you cross my path
Cause it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass.

When I finally made it to work, I was 15 minutes late.
I told my boss about the flat tire, but he fired me anyway.
So here I am out in the parkin' lot just waitin' by his Corvette,
I'm gonna give him a goodbye present that he never will forget.

Well it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass
It's a bad day, so you better get off my back
You might get cold-cocked if you cross my path
Cause it's a great day for me to whoop somebody's ass.

Like I said, I am just not feeling it today....I am usually a lover, not a fighter..but today? This week, so far? I am just not myself....so, I probably need to refrain from posting anything deep or philosophical...

Carry on amongst yourselves.

Yay!!! It's Friday....

And I'm a doing the happy dance!

What a long week it has been....Whew! Just a couple more hours, I will be clocking out of here and heading to meet the Ex to get 14 year old for the weekend....I look forward to seeing him. 12 days, to go without seeing your kid is a long long time. It takes about two hours, round trip to pick him up....throw in a stop for dinner, and a visit to Hell-Mart, and I probably won't get home until 9 p.m. or so tonight.
Hubby has to work...He is working straight through for the next 15 or so days.....for the overtime. We really need the money, as we have kind of depleted our savings, we would like to get that built back up over the next couple of months.

What with having to put the two younger ones in school, in a few weeks....new clothes, new shoes (2 pair to wear to school, one pair to leave at school for gym), book fees,(Which does not include $1800 for Max, to go to all day kindergarten), school supplies, classroom supplies (as requested by the teacher every year)...then reconfiguring the budget to include breakfast and lunch for both! And, I also like to try to help the ex out with buying some things for the two oldest... Whew! That is why hubby is working....We also would like, hubby and I, to take another romantic weekend get a way here real soon, before fall....maybe rent a cabin in TN for the weekend.
On top of that, try to plan a trip to see my Mom and brother in SC by Thanksgiving...don't even get me started about Christmas, either...which will be here before we know it.

Wow...did I get off on a tangent or what? Man, wouldn't it be nice if this could really happen?



Yeah, when hell freezes over, right? LOL....

Moving on...

After hubby goes to work tonight, Max goes to bed...I plan on hanging out next door, (Justin will listen out for Max) and helping my friend/neighbor C pack up her stuff...she is breaking up with her boyfriend....bless her heart....she is having a tough time...so, I am taking over some Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, bottle of wine and I am going to help her pack and try to help cheer her up a little bit. Normally, I wouldn't go anywhere with the kids at home...but, it's just next door...Justin will be watching football, playing on the computer, so he won't mind listening out for Max....he can reach me really fast if there is a problem. I am looking forward to some girl time, some wine drinking and some men bashing (hers...not mine~mine is wonderful...lol..most of the time).

Tomorrow, I may take Justin to see Batman..the Dark Knight....Max want's to go really bad, but..I stood firm, said No...from the reviews I have read...it should have been rated R....it has a PG-13 rating at that moment...I won't let Max see a PG-13 movie..especially this one. I have heard it is really graphic, very dark and demented. Have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts on it?
It's all good now though, we took him (Max) to the fair last night...we made him happy, for an hour anyway, the fair left us $25 poorer. He rode 4 rides, we bought him some cotton candy and a lemon shake up and spent $25...can you believe that? Those carnies should have all been living in airstream trailers for the money they are making off of us idiots!

I also have to work out tomorrow, I didn't last night, I won't have time tonight....so, of that..I have no choice! Yuck! But, I will get up early, have it done and over with by 9 a.m.....that way I can cook Saturday morning breakfast for the family and then clean my house...it's a pigs sty! Seriously, my bathroom worst of all...out of all the household chores, cleaning my bathroom is the one I hate the most. Why? Well...we have really really hard water....I have white shower tiles....(we actually need a new water softner, but, hubby seems to think we don't...ours is only like 40 years old, I think it's time to say, "Hey, Culligan Man"....but, he doesn't..sucks)...anyway, after a week of use, before cleaning, my shower tiles look like the left half of this picture....

It takes a hell of a lot of elbow crease, a full bottle of CLR, Iron Out and Comet to get it pristine white again...I hate it..It usually takes me a full hour to clean my bathroom..plus, I need to get some new Wallpaper border...we have so much steam, no ventilation in our bathroom, the last paper up there started peeling off and so, hubby ripped it off, there is still glue stuck to the wall, so I need to get that scraped off....I don't know for sure, but I may stencil something in there, instead of replacing it with more border. Have any of you readers done any stenciling before? How hard is it?

Tomorrow evening, we may grill out, then Sunday morning, I will work out again, then relax the rest of the day until it's time to take Justin home....and Monday will once again be here before we know it! Seems I am constantly "Working for the Weekend"...

In the mean time....I hope all of you Have a great Weekend!



(Yes...I do totally look like this pin-up girl!!! Just kidding.....lol.)

Friday Funny 2!!!

I know this is probably in poor taste...but, I thought it was freaking hilarious. So??
Sometimes I have a sick sense of humor!

(Click on the comic strip to enlarge it)

Friday Funny!

Thursday 13.....

My post today is about exercise....to have the body above, well..it doesn't come from being a couch potato....you have to get out and (shudder)...




Now, as all three of my readers know....I have been on a weight loss, exercise kick since February....I have done well...25 lbs lost, just from watching my caloric intake...anyway, I decided, in order to keep it off, I really really needed to exercise, so I started walking a few months ago, then I added running into the mix...Now, I run 3 miles or so, 3-4 times a week....but, I hate it!!
To me, exercise is....



Yes, it burns off calories...but, not nearly enough...so, here is a list of other day to day things, that I am so thoughtfully providing, for those of you that are curious as to what you can do to burn calories, above and beyond just exercising...keep in mind, you have to burn off more calories than you consume...I keep my calorie intake at around 1200-1400 per day....exercising (running), probably burns off 350 or so calories....but, here are some other things you can do to burn off those calories.

1~Cooking dinner~96 calories
2~Grocery Shopping~190 calories
3~Making your bed~94 calories
4~Taking out the trash~120 calories
5~Playing with the kids~192 calories
6~Washing dishes~144 calories
7~Vacuuming~196 calories
8~Watching TV for one hour-60 calories
9~1 hour of sex~250 calories(throw in 20 minutes of foreplay, add 29 calories)
10~Washing and vacuuming your car~177 calories
11~Gardening~320 calories for one hour
12~Surfing the net(blogging)~60 calories
13~Dancing for fun~150 calories

So, combine all of those activities in one day...you have burned a whopping 2078 calories!

Imagine that......most of these things we all do every day...except maybe the sex and the dancing...lol...but, on those days, if you dance and have sex..well, then maybe you can splurge and have that piece of cheesecake!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Lazy Wednesday Meme......

I totally stole this from Ajooja...He is such a sweetheart, I didn't think he would care. Since I have been at a loss for words as of late, I figured this would enlighten some of you about little ol' Dixie here....so, here goes!


What time did you get up this morning? I got up at 6:55 a.m., my alarm was set for 6:30 a.m., but I hit snooze every morning, at least twice.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Wall-E. I have a little kids, geez...did you think I went on my own?

What is your favorite TV show? Lost, Weeds, Big Love, Sopranos, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck...oh, the question was "favorite t.v. show"...MMMmmmm, sorry I can't name just one.

What do you usually have for breakfast? One pack of oatmeal, 40 cal cup of yogurt and one cup of fresh strawberries/canteloupe.

What is your middle name? Ann

What food do you dislike? Beets and turnips.

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Ummm...I don't listen to a C.D...I listen to my IPod...with songs downloaded from I-Tunes....now if the question was...what is your favorite song, well I would have to say, at the moment...Three Six Mafia..and Lolly.

What kind of car do you drive? 2007 Silver Saturn Ion

What is your favorite sandwich? Turkey Club

Favorite item of clothing? My stilettos, baby!

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland

Favorite brand of clothing? Bebe

Where would you retire to? Miami, Florida

What was your most recent memorable birthday? 32. I had just met my husband that summer, we found out we were expecting the little Maxter, and his family gave me a birthday party at the lake, the only one I have ever had as an adult.

Favorite sport to watch? Sports? Yuck! I hate all sports. I will tolerate watching football, if its the Superbowl, or if its my boys that are playing.

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person....I am not a happy morning person...I am in fact quite hateful and grumpy

What is your shoe size? 6 1/2 to 7, depends on the shoe.

Pets? Had them as a child, don't want one now. Don't have one.

What did you want to be when you were little? Pediatrician

How are you today? Just peachy...counting the minutes until I can leave work, then I will be even better.

What is your favorite candy? Fudge, any kind, especially chocolate with walnuts.

What is your favorite flower? Roses...any color.

What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Labor Day, Sept. 1st...I get another mini vacation from this hellish job!

What are you listening to right now? The kooks I work with talking, the printer whirring in the background, and the oldies station (of which I have no choice).

What was the last thing you ate? Panda bowl, with chow mein and chicken with mushrooms from Panda Express.

Do you wish on stars? Not since I was a kid.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Sexy, siren red.

How is the weather right now? Perfect. Sunny and 80ish.

Last person you spoke to on the phone? Customer

Favorite soft drink? Cherry Coke Zero

Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden

Hair color? Brown, with Auburn/red highlights..eek...it's time for a touch up!

What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie/Barbie Townhouse

Summer or winter? Summer...strappy sandals and short skirts.

Hugs or kisses? Kisses

Chocolate or Vanilla? If we are talking ice cream, vanilla.

Coffee or tea? Coffee...2 cups per day, minimum!

When was the last time you cried? MMmmmmm...it's been awhile, I honestly don't remember..oh, yeah...last week, I went for a run, my muscles locked up on me and I was in such terrible pain, I think a tear or two was shed...

What is under your bed? Dust?...as far as I know, nothing else.

What did you do last night? Went for a 3 mile run, had "spousal time", played with the kiddo, read him a story, watched t.v. and went to bed.

What are you afraid of? Death....especially of one of my children.

Salty or sweet? Both, at the same time...Margaritas...yum!

How many keys on your key ring? 2...car and house.

Favorite day of the week? Friday

Do you make friends easily? No, I try...when I do, they end up moving away....hasn't been easy over the last few years. Where I work, there are more men then women, the women are clique' and not very friendly.

Time? Why is there never enough?

Update my blog? Does anyone even really care, I wonder to myself....do I care? Well, hell yes I care...I figured my small misniscule hand full of readers might be wondering where the heck little ol' Dixie is....I haven't posted in oh...three/four days...the reason, you ask?

I have nothing....I mean, if you want a run down, timeline, whatever of my past few days, well...I must say you would be sorely disappointed. There is nothing noteworthy....every day, even this past weekend, has went by in a blur...get up, go to work, deal with my shitty job all day, go home, prepare dinner, go for my hour walk/run, home to clean up, shower, spend time with kids/hubby, then to bed, get up wash, rinse and repeat.

Seriously....Friday night was drop off Aaron (8 yr old) with his dad,(Max was already with Grandma), come home after a horrible day at work, and imbibe in a large 1/2 bottle of chardonnay....oh, and I watched all of Season 3 of Weeds....Love that show! If you haven't seen it, please rent it, watch it, all three seasons...seriously, you will be addicted, rather quickly....I promise. It is so funny, drama filled, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Um...Saturday, what happened Saturday...oh! The usual...get nails/pedicure done...hubby and I went to Hell-Mart...grabbed lunch at the Subway in the Hell mart...interesting to sit and watch people come in/go out of the store....people watching is a favorite past time of mine....seriously...I wished I had brought my camera and took some pictures...where is a camera phone when you need one...I could have done some serious secret squirrel damage, which would have been hilarious...you would have agreed..trust a chick on this! Hubby slept Saturday afternoon for awhile...I watched more weeds....then we went to the Dancing in the Streets festival, here in our town..well actually we live outside of Lafayette on the East side...and the festival was in West Lafayette...what kind of festival was it you ask?
Ummmm...well, there were classic cars, lined up and down the main streets, which were blocked off and there were a lot of different bands playing..mostly 70's and 80's music...we met up with some of my hubby's friends..well, actually a Guy Friend (D)...who came with his wife...she is a strange one...(picture me twirling a finger round and round my head, on one side...um, crazy much?)in case he were to read my blog...I won't say anymore about that subject...anyway, here is the link to Dancing in the Streets.....There was also food vendors from local restuarants....after a half hour or so...I was hungry, so I grabbed a sandwich, some wine....walked around a lot, listened to a little music, Saw a transvestite...very simalar to this picture...

Except it had longer blond hair, was wearing a white tankini and mini skirt, white high heels...everyone, and I mean everyone, was turning around, doing a double take at this person...as we were following behind them...watching peoples reactions, hubby would turn around to the watching people, and say, "Yep, you're right, it's a chick with a dick!"...OMG...I was so embarrassed...and I so didn't want this person to hear us....with the high heels on, they had to be at least 6 ft 4 and I so didn't want to get in a fight with a transvestite..luckily, they exited ahead of us, we didn't see them again...anywho...we stopped for a coke and
then we left...went to a couple local bars, ended our night fairly early....I only had a couple glasses of wine, the remainder of the night, I drank diet coke...I would say at least five large diet cokes, I was so wired when we got home, I couldn't sleep...by six a.m. Sunday morning, I was near tears..I was so tired, couldn't go to sleep to save my life..so, I umm...took 2 sleeping pills...and slept until five p.m. that Sunday afternoon..I was so pissed at myself..my day was gone! Hubby had slept too..so, we finally rousted ourselves out of our sleep induced coma and dressed and went for dinner...

Oh, yeah....the fair is in town. Yay! Just kidding...I hate the fair, but Sunday evening, after dinner...hubby had this bright idea...let's go kill an hour and walk around and smell pig poop....Ewwww....great place to people watch...again, no camera...I know if I am going to be a serious and entertaining blogger...I am going to have to start carrying that damned camera with me everywhere! It would have added such enlightment and entertainment to this post....

On another note...work is kicking me in the nether regions...I have posted about how much I hate my job...things have not changed on that front...just gotten worse. I won't elaborate as to the reasons, just in case anyone from work finds my blog, and reads it...I don't want to get dooced....I want to quit, not be fired. So, I will save my defamation of my "co-workers" and this ridiculous excuse for a job until I do quit...I am currently updating my resume' and I am a lookin'....so, thus the reason I have had no time to blog....

Things can only go up, right? As far as the job looking goes? Hubby doesn't want me to quit this job..he basically just wants me to "deal"....that is unfair, because he likes his job, and he makes good money...I on the other hand, want to work somewhere fun, that pays well, and where I can make friends...the people here hate me....maybe, hate is too strong of a word, but they don't go out of their way to befriend me..yes, I have tried...and been shot down...so, screw em'...and I will find another job.

Well..time for lunch...so, I gotta fly....

Fun Treat!!!

How many of your kids love Scooby Doo?


If they do, then I am sure they know all about Scooby snacks, right?
Well..why don't you make them some..involve them in the process...they will love it! My kids did....here is the recipe.

Friday Funny!!!! (A little risque' so read at your own risk)

Pfizer Corp. announced today that VIAGRA will soon be available in liquid
form and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer.

It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one.

Obviously we can no longer call Pepsi a soft drink, and it gives new
meaning to the names of 'cocktails,' 'highballs' and just a good old fashioned
'stiff drink.'

Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of 'MOUNT & DO'

Wordless Wednesday....Pool Time Fun!!!!

(Ignore the people in the background...I have no clue who they are!!)

Woe is me......

NOT!!!!!!!!
(In reference to the above cartoon)...

I so wish I could take a sick day today. I feel like crap! Feel kind of sick to my stomach....plus, I think I hurt myself exercising last night. I was doing crunches, every time I would come up, my back would pop/crack...now, my tailbone hurts so bad I can barely sit down...I keep having these sharp stabbing pains in that area....I am sure you all wanted to hear that, huh? Anyway....going to make for a long painful work day. It hurts to sit down....and guess what I do all day? Sit at a desk....ouch. The only relief I get is if I am lying down on my side...I would so love to take a sick day and go home. Unfortunately, that is not an option. If I did, the people I work with would get upset...not speak to me for days...wait...they don't speak to me now....still, I would probably get wrote up or something....they have a very low tolerance for people leaving work or calling in. They make you feel like a horrible person if you do. So, I will try and tough it out.

In other news...I had my yearly gynecological appointment yesterday....everything checked out ok...I have to go by his office one morning later this week, before I eat or drink anything, have my cholesterol and blood sugar checked. He also told me to start thinking about getting a mammogram...Yikes...did that make me feel old. He said 40 would be a good time, that gives me just a little over two years....it scares the crap out of me...I have heard so many horror stories about how much it hurts...and, what the hell is up with the scales at a doctors office? Why do they always seem to weigh you more than what you weigh at home? His scales weighed me about 6 lbs heavier than what my scales at home weighed me. I have a good set of scales...they are set exactly right...the scales at my mother in laws house weigh me the same as my scales at home...yet, every single time I go to the doctor..they always weigh me heavier....that totally put me in a bad mood yesterday. I was fully clothed though, so that should allow for a few lbs, right?

We went to a new restaurant last night with the kiddos....it was way overpriced, the food was just mediocre...although the kids did behave fairly well. At least until Max decided to spill his container holding his ketchup all over the place...what a mess. I had on a white skirt and let's just say it may need to be replaced...since some of the ketchup splattered on me when he dropped it. I hate spending $70 on dinner and have it suck so bad...we should have just went to one we were familiar with and where we knew we would get value for our money...oh, well...live and learn I guess.

I think we are going to take the little guys swimming again tonight, after I get off of work. Hopefully I will feel up to it. They are so looking forward to it...I hate the thoughts of disappointing them. I think I will go get them some swim goggles and water toys on my lunch break. That way, they can kind of entertain themselves in case I am too crippled to move off the lounge chair to play with them.

That's it...I have nothing else to talk about. I need coffee..so, I'm off of here...I have to go and make it...because the losers in this office will let the empty pot sit there and burn up before they will make another one.....that pisses me off!


Later....

Questions and Answers.......

Last week I opened up my blog to questions that some of you may have about little ol' Dixie here and I waited for awhile, to see what kind of questions would be posed...I only had five takers....so, here are the questions that were asked and the answers to said questions.

I Beati asked...What were my 4th of July plans....that was answered earlier in the week.

Flat asked....If I could have an evening with a celebrity, both male and female, who would they be, where would we go and what would we do...

Hmmmm....that is a tough one....male, I would have to say Julian McMahon from Nip/Tuck....he is so totally my type and I just adore him on Nip/Tuck...he is such a wild nasty boy...he definitely makes my heart go pitter patter...

As far as where we would go, what we would do....Well, I would love for him to wine me and dine me, maybe take me to a famous Hollywood Club for a little dancing and cocktails, then back to his place for some hot monkey loving!!!!!!!!!

As far as female goes....I guess my celebrity girl crush....this may come as a surprise...but I really like Dita Von Teese....I love her "old school" look, how elegant she always is and come on, she used to be With Marilyn Manson...I am sure she really knows how to party....

Plus...just look at her..she is hot, hot, hot!!! As far as where we would go, what we would do...I really don't know..maybe some shopping, lunch...then back to her place to get ready for a girls night out clubbing....just go with the flow...whatever happens, happens.

Toni asked "How did I meet my Husband"....My hubby and I met when I was going through my nasty divorce from Ex number 2...I was an emotional basket case, because Ex Number 2 was an emotionally and physically abusive jerk, addicted to drugs, didn't work, etc..etc..(blog post for a later time)...anyway, My ex had downplayed me, degraded me, lowered my self esteem so bad, even going as far as to tell me, "Who would want you, with three kids, etc"...so, one night, home alone, feeling sorry for myself, I sat down in front of my computer, and signed up for Match.com..the first night I got like 36 responses, over a couple months, I met and dated a couple guys...one in particular turned out to be a real jerk, after leaving his place one weekend, I came home, logged on to match.com, with the intentions of deleting my profile, and there was this email (from Hubby)..again. I had never answered him, in fact had deleted two prior emails from him, but for some reason...this time...I answered him. He responded right away...said he was in my city, at that very moment for the sprint car races..we talked for an hour, agreed to meet the next day in the lounge at the Holiday Inn....I was about 10 minutes late to meet him, when I walked in I seen this really tall, dark haired, very handsome man on the pay phone in the lobby...I looked around, didn't see anyone else..we tentatively approached each other, I asked if he was Keith, he said yes...I said I am Donna...He was wearing Sunglasses, he slid them down on his nose, he looked me up, he looked me down...He said, you are gorgeous! I blushed...he took my hand, we went and sat down, and I started talking...he just listenend...I talked for almost an hour...He told me later he was instantly smitten with me.....anyway, we left and had lunch...I was so comfortable with him, he followed me back to my place, we spent another couple hours together, then he left to make the two hour drive back to Lafayette (I lived in Terre Haute at the time)....He called me as soon as he got home and said he would see me on Tuesday...he came down on that Tuesday and he never left...(He drove back and forth, from Lafayette, to Terre Haute for work, for 2 years, before I finally agreed to move to Lafayette with him). We have been together ever since, I could not have been happier. It so true in regards to that saying, "The third times the charm"...because he is truly the most wonderful man I could have ever met...I was truly blessed the day fate sent him to me.

Steph asked "What is your favorite blog post"....I am not sure...I guess the birthday posts for each of my kids.

Joey asked "How did you get through the toddler and preschool years with four boys?"
Well...that is a hard one to answer....Basically, just one day at a time....it wasn't too bad really. My boys were kind of spread out. There ages now are 18, 14, 8 and 5....so, I had time in between...with each one, it actually got a little easier...My first husband, the father of the two oldest would help me out...I struggled with the third one, because his dad, my second husband was the biggest loser, he didn't work but the first year of our marriage (we were together for five years)....it was tough. But as a Mom, you do what you have to do to make sure there needs are met and they are taken care of. The last one has been really enjoyable...because his Dad, Keith...my husband now, is an absolutely amazing father. He has pretty much taken care of him 100% since the day of his birth...this is his only child, so he has been involved from the get go..not letting me do a lot for him, he wants to do it all...and he does do a lot. They are all really good kids and there have been issues along the way, what with divorces, visitation, Aaron (8 year old) being diagnosed with ADD....but, I made it...just taking it one day at a time.

If any of you have any further questions, then Don't hesitate to ask...I am open to answer anything...so, ask away and I will post them at a later date.

Dixie...

Family Night...

Last night, after work...the family and I packed up and headed to our local swimming pool for family night.

Tropicanoe Cove, here in Lafayette, is more than just a pool....it is amazing. They have a wading pool that starts out at your ankles, goes to 2 1/2 ft, then it turns to your left into 3 and 4 ft, then they have a double barrel slide into six foot of water. They have an awesome kiddie area, a lazy river and a huge water slide. It was so nice to spend a couple of hours there last night with the family. I braved wearing a new bikini for the first time and before we left the house, I had some major anxiety about doing so. Although I have lost 25 lbs, and weigh in at 118 lbs now...I was still insecure about myself...wondering "What will people think?"...no matter what, I have and will always have insecurites with my body....My tummy is not flat enough, what? Can you see the stretch marks? Yikes! Hubster reassured me I looked great, to relax, wear my new bikini (sorry, no pictures...I forgot my camera...next time, I promise)....be proud of how I look...

So, we left and ventured to the park. I removed my cover clothes and eased back onto the lounge chair and started to look around...what the hell was I having anxieties about..because seriously, there were women there, wearing bikinis, strutting around, that should not have been wearing bikinis....seriously. Think Razfusha (sp?) from the movie Norbit...


OMG...my eyes. What the hell were they thinking? Maybe their attitudes about themselves were better than mine...I don't know. I just feel that if you are a rather "large" person, no one else seriously want's to see your "largeness"...Wear appropriate swimsuits and cover ups....It's not just the pool either...I see it everywhere...girls with halter tops and low riders on, with huge muffin tops....women wearing shorts so short, and three or four sizes too small....Where has the modesty gone?

I don't want to offend anyone with this post...I seriously am not down on overweight people....Some people seriously can't help it. I know how hard it is to lose weight, it is tough as hell. But, if you can't....just dress appropriately for your size....is that too much to ask? Here I was having anxieties about my bathing suit, when actually, I really should not have been. Some of these women were downright indecent...there were kids running around everywhere....and there was this one lady, walking around in an orange two piece...everything was "hanging out"....it was bad, people...really bad. I wanted to take my beach towel over and tell her, For the love of God, woman! Cover yourself! I would have felt the same way though, if it was a smaller woman, wearing a too small bikini, with everything hanging out. It is a family Aquatic center..

What do you think? Am I being too harsh? I honestly am not trying to be....Guess, what I'm saying is, have people lost all sense of respect for themselves anymore? Do they just not care?

Just like in the scene from Norbit, should people at the pool start asking these people if they even have bottoms on before they enter the pool? You can't go into a nightclub dressed inappropriatley, they will turn you away at the door. We were turned away from one once, because hubby had shorts on, instead of slacks. I think they should implement the same rule at swimming pools.

That is all I have to say about that.

Aside from all of that, it really was an enjoyable evening and I can't wait to take the kiddos back again....it only cost us $11 to get in. Cheap, cheap family entertainment and a wonderful way to relax and spend time with your family after a hard day at work.
We went for pizza afterwards and then it was home for baths, bedtime and snuggle time with the hubby, before he headed off to work. Thanks to last night...I just might make it to the end of the week.

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Dixiechick...out.

Wordless Wednesday....I love this new side to Kid Rock!

Kid Rock - All Summer Long

Take a listen!!!! Man, does this bring back memories......Love it!

This Is So Me Today.......

Four days off and I am back to work today. I just want to stick my head in the sand...well, um...figure of speech, since there is technically no sand here in this dismal office. But you can guarantee damn tee if I had a sombrero, I would so be covering my face with it.


I am tired, ya'll....ga'll dang tired. What a busy four days off. But..it was enjoyable. I was finally able to spend some quality time with my oldest son, Tim.
We celebrated his birthday....18!!! He has grown up so much. Max was in heaven. He so idolizes Tim and he was such a happy little boy...to be able to spend time with him, then throw in some fireworks...he was over the moon.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment...


Tim helping me cook dinner Friday night...we were going to grill out...but, Tim wanted me to make Taco's....so, that is what we did.

Of course, Max had to help too...whatever Tim did, Max had to do as well. No, he did not have a knife...he had a little dull butter knife...so dull it would not even cut butter...but, I let him think he was helping.


Of course, we couldn't pry Justin away from the computer...he is usually one of the first to want to help me cook, but he obviously had some girl he was talking to on Myspace....(Please, ignore that hideous lamp...I had a shade on it, hubby keeps taking it off, putting it on the computer desk, so he can "see" to pay bills, etc....I move it, he puts it back...it is truly a vicious cycle).


Horsing around with water guns...in my kitchen! The face Tim made when I came into the kitchen and caught him with the water gun....(Also, Ignore my curtainless kitchen windows...I took them down to wash them, didn't have time to put them back up).



Shooting off Fireworks...


Yes...he is shooting bottle rockets off of my front porch. I was constantly yelling at Max to stay back, stay out of the way. He honestly thinks he is 15 instead of 5 years old.


"But Mommeeeeeee.....I promise I will be careful!"....um, NO MAX! Give the Bottle Rockets back to Tim, NOW!!!!


Sparklers are just a little safer...Trust me, I was hovering very close...just in case..yelling the whole time, hold it far away from you...Don't touch the hot part...I swear, if you do, you are done! (That was what I was constantly yelling at him)...he even rolled his eyes at one point and said "I am not an idiot Mommy!"

After a few close calls, not including the burn marks on my porch, I made them get down on the sidewalk.

Justin finally decided to come out and join in the fun! (In case you were wondering, Aaron 8 yr old, was with his dad)....

Once it got dark, we came in to the traditional Happy Birthday Song and cake...yum, Dairy Queen ice cream cake...Tim's favorite! (Yes, I know, I took a picture of the cake upside down...I'm an idiot!)



I wonder what he wished????

Then it was back outside for even more fireworks....



Wow, it sure didn't take long to blow through the little stash of fireworks we had. We had fountians, bottle rockets, sparklers..the cheap stuff. Unlike my neighbor next door to me. Wow, does he go all out. We spent Thursday night over at their house, watching him shoot off a couple hundred dollars worth. They were pretty spectacular.

All in all, it was a great four day weekend. How was your 4th?

Oh..I haven't forgot....

I haven't forgot about the few of you that actually responded to my ask me anything post...I will answer your questions soon...I promise, and hopefully...there will be a few more...I'm just waiting around to see.

Ask away, ya'll!

Happy 18th Birthday Tim......

Wow...18! Where has the time gone....I swear it just seems like yesterday that I was in the hospital, scared to death, in labor...wanting my Mom (your Grandma)...trembling with fear, knowing she could'nt be there as I gave birth to you....my first born son, (I was homesick, knew no one...wishing I could have had you in SC, so that my family could be there) A son? I thought to myself..I don't know anything about taking care of a son....I was scared. But, I had your Dad...I knew he had been through having kids, with your half sister and brother, Amanda and John, so at least one of us had a little experience. I think back and I realize I was only a year older than you are today, when I became pregnant and had you. When I first found out I was expecting you, I admit...I was terrified! I didn't fully accept that I was pregnant until I was about four months along, and I felt you flutter inside of me for the first time! Wow! It thrilled me beyond measure...all through out those remaining months...I lived to feel you move....it completely and utterly amazed me....I poured over pregnancy books, magazines...any and everything I could get my hands on, I so wanted to be the "perfect" mother for you. Your Dad and I started buying little clothes, diapers....everything I thought you would need (according to the books)...we made a trip down to SC and your Aunt Michelle and Melanie gave me a baby shower...your Grandma Spearman gave us your cradle...the very cradle that each and everyone of you have slept in, the very cradle I hope to pass on to you for your children one day. I knew you were going to be a boy....so, we had lots of blues/yellows and greens. When we returned home from SC, I washed all of your new little clothes, your Dad put the cradle together, and we started the countdown.

Before I knew it...your due date was fast approaching....It was June, I was hot, fat and so wanted you out...I couldn't wait to meet you. I had heard so many old wives tales regarding starting early labor....not all of them I felt comfortable trying, but the one your Dad and I did religiously, every evening, was to walk...boy, did we walk....Then, on July 2nd, your Dad and I went for a really long, vigorous walk, came home, I took a shower, your Dad went to bed. No sooner had I laid down, and rolled over to my side, my water broke! I jumped up, your dad jumped up....your Dad verified...yep! It's your water alright! Your Dad got a little frustrated with me...he was ready to go immediately, but..you know your Mom....I couldn't go to the hospital without fixing my hair and make up...Ha..ha....

Overall, my labor with you wasn't too bad...once I got the epidural! :) You gave us a scare at one point...your heart rate dropped really low, the Doctor was concerned the cord was around your neck...so, he said he would be back in a few minutes to check me, if I wasn't progressing....well, then I would have to have a c-section...I freaked out....I willed you to chill out, get that heart beat to normal....slowly and steadily, your little heart beat picked back up....the Doctor checked me, said I could push....with the help of some really huge forceps...they were able to get you out....you didn't cry at first...I immediately started crying, "What's wrong...What's wrong with my baby"....but, then...they laid you on my stomach...and you let out this little tiny whimper...kind of like a puppy....you opened up one little eye, peaked up at me...and I instantly fell head over heels in love with you....I was a mommy! What a wonderful feeling. I have never felt such pride and accomplishment...Oh, my God...the love I felt...my heart could hardly take it. I remember, like it was just moments ago, holding you that very first time. I remember that night, after your Dad had left, picking you up out of the bassinet...pulling the little blankets off, and just marveling at every teeny tiny little inch of you. At that very moment, I realized, everything I had ever done, everything that had ever occurred in my life, up until that moment, was in preparation for you, the most important job, the greatest honor, the most amazing joyful expierience I could ever have had.

You brought such joy and happiness into my life. Every single second I had was spent adoring you, taking care of you...I didn't want to put you down...who could resist...just look at how cute you were:




There was nothing I wouldn't do for you...even today, I still feel the same. I hope you always know, that no matter what, I will always be here for you, I will always stand by you and protect you with the same ferociousness that I did when you were little.

We have been through a lot, you and I....you have stood up for me and stood by me from the time you were seven years old, after your Dad and I split up...you wouldn't let him talk down to me...you stood up for me with him, through all of the hell that John put us through..we shared many tears together, didn't we? I apologize to you for any pain I may have caused you growing up..just know that everything I did, I always did with the best of intentions...for you and your brothers. Sometimes, I made mistakes...which caused some misunderstandings, resentment and confusion between us. I am certian that there have been times you have felt distance from me, as I have felt from you, but today, I still feel that we are close...the bond of first born son, and mother....will never go away, no matter the distance and responsibilities that keep us apart today.

You have grown up so fast...especially the last five years....it has been very hard on me, to lose most of those years with you, since you went to live with your dad....that was the hardest day of my life, the day I had to let you go....it broke my heart, but I knew that was what you wanted...regardless of the sadness and hurt that I felt, as a mother, I had to put that aside and allow you to make that choice...for your happiness.

Now look at you....you have matured into such a wonderful, fine young man. I think back to when you are a toddler and I would never have imagined the day you would turn 18...I wished I could have froze those moments and kept you little forever. You were such a happy baby (once we got out of the colic phase)and toddler...you were always hamming it up for the camera...every thing you did was a "kodak" moment and you were always ready to have your picture taken....even today, you cheese it up, don't you?

The grin, the curly hair....I couldn't fathom how cute you were....










Tim, as a son, especially my first born, I know I have held you accountable for a lot...my expectations of you have always been of the highest....and son, you have gone above and beyond those expectations. You are awesome...one of my favorite people to hang out with....you make me laugh...you put the twinkle back in my eye....you have always been the funny guy, always doing something to make someone laugh...I honestly "can't take you anywhere"...you find humor in everything.



Always the life of the party...from your imitations of Jim Carey to the drunken old man, you have a way about you that just draws people to you....being around you makes people happy. You are so sociable, so well liked and have always been that way. Even today, I stand back and watch you with your friends, and I am in awe....What a wonderful person you have truly turned out to be. For instance, when I went to Collett Park with you and observed you before your prom, with all of your friends, your girlfriend...you brought me to tears. I stood there and it was at that moment I saw the wonderful man you were turning into...I realized, My baby you were no more. I left you there, to enjoy your first real "adult" night out, I felt so forlorn..but, also, happy....Happy that I gave you life...amazed at what a short time I had had with you.


That is how I feel today...happiness, mixed in with a little sadness. Eighteen years have just flew by, I can't say that enough...and I am proud, proud of the wonderful job your Dad and I have done with you. You have a strong work ethic, a strong sense of family and you are very loving and heartfelt person. Your little brothers adore you....especially Max and Aaron...You are Max's best friend and he thinks the sun rises and sets with you. Justin loves you and admires you too...he is just not one to vocalize it as much. Being their big brother carries a lot of responsibility, and I pray that you will always be there for them, long after I am gone....don't be afraid of that responsibility....continue to be and set good examples for them to follow, never be afraid to show your love to them.

They truly adore you...


Even in the above picture...Max wasn't here yet, but I remember that Christmas Eve night, everytime he would hear your voice, he would kick the living day lights out of me.




As far as where you go from this point forward...I don't know. I hope you have much joy, much laughter, many smiles, much happiness, much love. Tim, I can never put into words what a great part of my world you truly are, or what a large portion of my heart you have claim to. You were the one that made me a mother for the first time. You have made my life truly interesting and worthwhile, and for that I thank you. 18 years ago, I had no idea how lucky I was going to be, having you for my son. You are truly one of my life's greatest accomplishments. I swear, I will always be here to listen to you and I want you to know that you will always have my support and my love for you will always be undying. It is my hope, my wish, my intention that I will always be a strong force in your life, as you are in mine...It is my wish, my hope, however misguided it may turn out to be, at times-that you will always let me.

You are beginning a wonderful stage of your life and I hope to help you along your path by sharing some of the best of what I've learned. Just know that I love you and always will. I will be there for you when I can.

Happy 18th Birthday, my son! I am so proud of you that my heart bursts....thanks for choosing me to be your Mom!




Thank God you got my good looks! You are one handsome devil! Ha! Ha!

Love always and forever,
Momma