Creative wooing the ballsy way?

We got home after dark Saturday night from the beach as you all know. On Sunday I get up to let the dog out and I see there is a ball in the backyard. OK. This isn't all that unusual. We have thrown stray balls back over the fence for the neighbors before.

So head out to the yard and pick up the ball so I can throw it back over. I notice there are some drawings on the ball.

For those of you who can't clearly read it, it says "Do you want to be on top? Love Mandee".

Upon reading that I began to wonder if this ball does in fact belong to the neighbor behind us. They moved in a few months ago so we don't know them very well but they have a couple of young kids. None old enough to write that. The neighbors next to us watched our house while we were gone and I know the ball isn't theirs. The third neighbor that shares the back fence on that end of the yard we don't know at all.

On the one hand I want to return the ball if it belongs to a neighbor. I do not, however, wish to return it to the wrong neighbor and accidentally send the wrong message if you get my drift. There is a small possibility that it was thrown over the fence from the road nearby but it is on the complete opposite side of a very long yard from the road. What do you think? Throw the ball away? No one has claimed it? Maybe they are too embarrassed? Of course I am the freaky neighbor who goes out and takes pictures of the ball to post on my blog so who am I to judge? Maybe I just have a dirty mind and poor sweet Mandee was talking about the top bunk?

What a waste of a $100.00 copay

So the doctor called and they can't see anything abnormal in my ultrasound. He honestly didn't know what to tell me. I actually find this much more frustrating that finding out that they found something wrong with me. Because if they found something then they could fix it or treat it. When they can't find anything it means that I have to wait for other attack to hit me out of the blue and try to get to an emergency room and hope they can figure out what is wrong then. I have waited 3 hours to see a doctor in the emergency room before only to be sent home with basically no treatment. They are a waste of time.

I think I have a pretty high tolerance to pain and I only go to the doctor if I am dying or out of birth control pills. So if I go to a doctor and tell them that I have had 3 attacks of unbearable pain and nausea I expect them to help me. I am so sick of doctors. They can't tell me what caused my water to break at 32 weeks. They couldn't tell me why I peed blood twice during my pregnancy with no other symptoms. They couldn't stop my contractions when I was in early labor and instead the drugs they gave me landed me in the ICU. They can't tell me why my vision is worse each year at my eye exams.

I know I should be thankful that they found nothing serious. That I have no serious health issues. I'm sorry to vent I am just so frustrated and upset that when I know things are wrong they can't figure out why. This is why I don't go to the emergency room when I am desperately sick. Why waste the time and money when you can be sick in your own bed for free? I just want to scream but I guess I'll settle for crying since Bear is napping.

Catching up

I feel like I have been gone for months not a week. The past 2 days have been a blur. Trying to catch up on sleep, laundry, house cleaning, my DVR, and most importantly my Google Reader. We spent all day at the lake yesterday with friends. I am so mad that I forgot my camera. They had deer everywhere out there. We literally watched dozens of them playing and eating in the backyard.

I am slowly working my way through all the Season Finales from last week. Plus I am unbelievably behind on my blog reading. I am so sorry if I haven't left many comments lately but I promise I am reading and laughing and commiserating with all of you.

I had my gallbladder, kidney, and liver ultrasound today. I still don't know anything at this point. My doctor called to check in this afternoon to see if I had gotten it done. He is going to check with the radiologist and call me back as soon as they analyze the pictures. I hate waiting.

We're back

Finally. Back. Ugh. Remind me to never ever ever get in a car with a teething toddler and drive 600+ miles in 1 day. We left Florida around 6:45 a.m. and arrived at our house at 9:30 p.m. There were several stops along the way. Each longer than the last. We stopped at my in laws for nearly 2 hours because we could not take being in the car a moment longer. But we made it. The trip itself was fine except for the hour of traffic we sat in when we hit the Louisiana border. There was no actual reason for the traffic jam other than the fact that it went from 3 lanes to 2 which apparently is a cause for panic and brake slamming which results in miles upon miles of bumper to bumper traffic.

Our trip was good overall. We had a lovely anniversary. My parents watched Bear so we could catch Indiana Jones and go out to a long leisurely dinner at the Melting Pot. We spent 2 1/2 hours eating, drinking and talking. No highchair, no sippy cup throwing, no food covering the floor. It was pure bliss. The movie was OK. We saw Ironman earlier in the week and it was better in my opinion anyways.

It is good to be home though. I missed my bed more than anything. And not sleeping in the same room as Bear. He did not sleep well the entire trip which means I did not sleep well the entire trip. I think it was a combination of the new place, sleeping in the pack-n-play (him, not me), and sleeping in the same room as us. The night before we left Florida he didn't go down for good until 1 a.m. and I got up at the cheery hour of 5:30.

So I am off to catch up on some more sleep but I will leave you with a few pictures as promised.

4 years ago

4 years ago today I woke up single and went to bed married. My wedding day will go down as one of the best days of my life. There were a few snafus as with any big day but I didn't know about them until later. It is one of those days that I wish I could go back and do over and over. Having all my family there. Getting to see my husband choke up and even shed a few tears during our vows. Walking down the aisle with my father on one arm and my stepfather on the other.

A lot has happened in 4 years. We have moved. Changed jobs. Been to funerals. Seen births. Traveled. Fought. Loved. Laughed. Welcomed a new family member of our own. I know I picked the right man for me. There isn't anyone I would rather be doing this with than him.

Happy Anniversary, baby.

We're here

Well we arrived in Florida in one piece on Saturday a little befpre 4:00 p.m. We drove 2 hours to my in-laws on Friday night after my husband got off work and then left from there a little before 7 a.m. on Saturday. The trip went better than I expected. Bear did awesome. He slept the 1st 2 hours and the last 2 so he was only awake about 4 1/2 hours of the Saturday trip. We did have to make an emergency pit stop somewhere in Alabama because his diaper leaked and he spilt juice all over himself and his car seat. So we had to strip him and put down blankets on the car seat so he wouldn't have to sit in the wet seat.

We have been having a great time so far. I didn't get any pictures Saturday or Sunday because it was so windy we were afriad to take my new fancy camera out onto the beach and get it pelted with sand. Bear has also decided that he does not care for sand and cries when we set him down in it. So we have taken turns holding him and keeping him up in the beach chairs under the umbrella. We went to an outdoor mall last night with an outdoor play area and he had a blast. I got nice and sunburned yesterday so we decided to use today to do some shopping and take in a movie while my Mom kept Bear. We saw Ironman and it was much better than I expected.

I am looking forward to our anniversary on Thursday because my parents are going to keep Bear so we can sneak away for dinner and another movie. Such indulgence. I will try to upload some pics soon.

Getting ready to go

My to-do list of things to get done before we leave and before Bear wakes up from his nap is getting longer but I'm fairly certain clearing my Google Reader and updating my blog before I go is high on the list. I just wanted to give y'all a quick update before I go. My doctor visit went very well yesterday. As well as one can expect anyways. I think I made a good choice. He also scheduled me for an ultrasound of my gallbladder as soon as I get back from vacation. Now doesn't that sound sexy? I believe I may have been having gallbladder attacks over the past year since I had my son and we want to find out for sure before I decide to have another baby.

My camera arrived late yesterday afternoon. I have gotten in a little bit of playtime with it and I love it. The only thing that is hard to get used to is the weight. I am used to my little point and shoot and this thing has a little junk in its trunk. I can't wait to share some vacation pics with y'all.

Anyways I need to go finish packing, unload the dishwasher, finish the laundry, pack Bear's food, set out all the dog stuff for the neighbor who is watching Rocky for us, etc. I'll check back in as soon as I can.

Road Trip...

I am in the midst of preparing for a vacation that has been a long time coming. 3 years in fact. Friday after my husband gets off work we are hopping in the car and heading for the sunny beaches of Florida. My parents rent a condo for a week every year. I am so ready mentally. Prepared? Not so much. There is so much to do. There is even more to pack. Last time we did this it was on our 1 year wedding anniversary. No baby to pack for. We hit New Orleans on the way there and back. This year it will be straight through with hope and lots of prayers that we avoid too many meltdowns from the backseat.

I have sort of begun preparations. I have written the requistite packing and to-do lists but I am just not 100% focused on the trip yet. Why? Because tommorrow I meet my new OB/GYN. When I left my job I left my insurance and had to switch to my husband's which does not cover the doctor I have used for the past 5 years. The doctor who delivered my son 7 1/2 weeks early. The doctor who monitored me after my miscarriage before Bear. The doctor I trust. Needless to say I am not looking forward to this. I don't want to start all over with someone new and explain my history and have to learn to adjust to new bedside manner. Ugh. Not to mention the $40.00 copay plus the babysitter I had to hire to watch Bear so I could go.

Once I get through that tomorrow morning I hopefully will be able to switch into vacation mode. Plus my camera comes tomorrow. I CANNOT wait. I want to play with it and learn all the new settings and take 100 pictures of the same thing. I have been tracking it all day from when it left KY and landed in Texas. It is now in route to my town and tomorrow it will be out for delivery. Unfortunately we are like the LAST freaking house the UPS man delivers to so it will probably be about 8:00 tomorrow before it gets here. Oh well, as long as it gets here before we leave so I can take beautiful beach pictures I will be happy.

My precious

So yesterday was Mother's Day as some of you may have heard. And I spent yesterday and today reading all your posts about breakfast in bed, a day free from children, family picnics, husband's doing dishes, handmade cards, etc. My day contained not one of those things. No flowers, no card, nada. My husband left the house at 8 a.m. yesterday for work and should be arriving home in about 30 minutes. Poor guy had to work all day, sleep in his truck (its a 24/7 type job), and work all day today so I will give him some credit on that. All to make extra cash so I can stay home with my darling toddler.

I did take Bear to church and then drove myself through Jack in the Box for my big Mother's Day meal. But today my husband redeemed himself. He got me (well I picked it out and paid for it) the greatest Mother's Day gift I could have asked for. The Sony Alpha DSLRA300X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera.

SQUEE!!!!!!!!!


(I stole the picture from the Amazon website because the camera won't be here till Wednesday or Thursday)

I am so excited. I appreciate all your suggestion which I took into consideration and it was a tough call between the Sony Alpha and the Cannon Rebel but after reading Amalah's review as an owner of both cameras I decided to go with the Sony. I am so excited. My husband is now totally redeemed. This is the greatest Mother's Day/Anniversary gift EVAH!

Mother's Day - My own private celebration

Today marks my 2nd Mother's Day as a Mom. Unfortunately this is also one of the many weekends my husband has had to work both Saturday and Sunday to bring in some extra cash. So its just me and Bear. Since its my weekend I decided to celebrate with chick flicks and chick books. So while Bear is napping and after he goes to bed I have been being a total girl and crying through every movie and book. I've read the Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya sisterhood, cried all the way through P.S. I love you and laughed and commiserated through 27 dresses. I am now working on a Nicolas Sparks book that is shaping up to be pretty good. All in all it hasn't been a bad weekend.

If my husband makes it in at a reasonable time today I am totally sneaking away for a pedicure. He did take me last night out for Cajun food. We loaded up on crab legs, boiled shrimp, new potatoes, corn on the cob, gumbo, and crawfish etoufee. Yum. He has also agreed to buy me a new camera as a Mother's Day/Anniversary gift if he keeps up the overtime. Squee!!!

I am really not happy with my point and shoot Cannon right now. It just isn't getting the job done. So I am going to upgrade to a digital SLR. I can't afford one of the really nice ones but we can get a nice basic model to start on. I am a little nervous because even the bottom of the line ones are still pretty pricey for us and I really don't want to be unhappy a year later. I know basically nothing about cameras but I really want to learn and take beautiful pictures of my family. If you guys have any suggestions on what to get I would really appreciate it.

6 Things

Crisis 2 averted. I am $314.99 lighter but I have a fully functioning, non-leaking water heater. I watched my rebate check from Uncle Sam slip right through my fingers and out my faucets. But I can't think of a more vital thing to spend money on than water except maybe chocolate or Shiner Bock but that's neither here nor there.

Anyways I got tagged for a meme by Marmabug at My life as "Momma" so I think thats a hint to move along...


a. Link to the person who tagged you
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.
Random crap about me


1. I am a total freak when it comes to food safety. Anything that is remotely approaching the sell by date has to go. If it has been left in the car for more than the time it takes to drive home from the restaurant it gets thrown out. If the meat has been defrosted more than 1 day and I didn't cook it then it gets thrown out. I make my husband cook chicken when we have it because I refuse to touch or look at raw chicken. Last time I was forced to cook my own chicken I used tongs to get it out of the package and rinse it under the hot water in the kitchen before moving it to the pan. Then I bleached out the sink.

2. I have recently become a complete and total coupon addict. I even bought a little coupon organizer at Office Depot. I carry it everywhere now. The transformation to dork is now complete.

3. I am a nailbiter. I can't help it. I've tried everything but I just cannot stop myself. You can tell how stressed I am by the length of my nails.

4. I am a planner. I always have a plan and a schedule. I am constantly figuring out the best, fastest, easiest way to do something. I hate wasting time. I am basically incapable of relaxation without many, many drinks.

5. My husband and I collect pint glasses. Every where we go we pick up new ones. My favorite is a blue one I picked up at the House of Blues in New Orleans.

6. I am a completely uncreative person. I don't sew, paint, make crafty things, etc. I would rather write a 20 page research paper then a one page creative writing assignment. I prefer order and specific instructions. My husband says its the German in me.

I am supposed to tag 6 other people to do this but Blogger is giving me so much crap trying to get this post up that I am just going to leave it open to anyone who wants to do it.

The day where I lose it...

I need a break. It is another Monday. One week from last Monday which will go down in infamy (for me) as the Monday of no hot water. So today dawns the Monday OF NO FREAKING WATER WHATSOEVER. Unless of course you count the non stop rain outside and the flash flood warnings for all surrounding counties. Why do I have no water today you ask? Could it have something to do with my husband wanting to fix the world's tiniest leak in the pipe running to the new hot water heater? Something to do with 5 hours of cursing and whining in my garage yesterday? Something to do with my husband deciding at 10:30 last night that he GIVES UP and will just call a plumber tomorrow to fix the leak which is now a BIG leak? Big enough for us to need to keep the water turned off to the house? ALL DAY!

Sorry for the use of caps y'all but I am not a happy camper. I can't take a shower, I can't bathe my filthy child who played in the yard all yesterday afternoon, I can't leave the house because I am waiting on a plumber who will be here sometime before FIVE today. I have a stack of dirty dishes and pots from last night filling my sink and counter tops. Did I mention I was sick as a dog all day Saturday and ended up cancelling my anxiously awaited trip to the outlet mall planned for Sunday because someone didn't get anything done Saturday because he had to watch the baby? So its not fair that he has to watch the baby all day Sunday. Oh and I got so nauseated at 3 am this morning I had to sleep sitting up the rest of the night.

I could scream right now, seriously. Tomorrow I am going to do some retail therapy if the plumber doesn't take all my money.

The posts that weren't

I have been a bad blogger. I haven't been posting. I haven't been reading. And the worst offense of all, I haven't been commenting. I am behind in my reading so that at any given point I am lagging about 3 days behind. So if I comment on a post you wrote 3 days ago it seems like its a bit obsolete. Especially if the post is time specific. Like saying good luck on a test you took 2 days ago. Seems a wee bit superfluous.

I have also been thinking about blog posts but then scrapping them by the time I actually sit down to the computer. I have them all witty and thoughtful in my head but by the time I sit down to write it out I've lost all thought and wit. So here is a peek at few blog posts that weren't...

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We had our couples group last night at another couple's house. There is always dinner and then a bible study. This is the second time this particular couple has done the food and both time the food has been great but how shall I say it? Sparse? They are very well off, he is an extremely successful lawyer and she owns a local food business. They live in a million dollar home and drive extremely expensive vehicles. Its obviously not a financial issue.

We live in the South and I was raised to believe in certain basic hostessing rituals. Never show up empty handed. Always offer to help clean up. Estimate the maximum amount of food your guests could possibly consume and then double it just to be sure. If there aren't leftovers then you didn't make enough. I did offer to bring something and she turned me down. Maybe they just don't eat much and expect no one else does. But for some reason it just bothers me. Like she has broken the cardinal rule of being a Southern woman.

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I was at the grocery store last night. I ran in to pick up 1 thing. OK. Maybe 2. Because of this I chose not to get a basket. This typically ensures I will purchase no more than I can carry. I picked up 3 packs of baby food (I had a coupon), ketchup (what I went for), and an air freshener (I had a coupon) and then I spotted it. A sale on taco shells, enchilada sauce, refried beans and hot sauce. Now if you know me at all, you know I love Mexican food. So much in fact that I really should buy stock in Ortega or Old El Paso (2 brands I buy a lot of). I am struggling at this point to juggle 3 packs of baby food, an air fresheners, ketchup but the sweet siren song of the Mexican food aisle was too strong. Another girl down the aisle spotted me stacking my stuff up on the shelf so that I could reorganize my carrying style to maximize the number of objects I could carry without smushing a toe with a falling can of enchilada sauce. She went and got me a basket. I was so shocked. I don't know why. I live in a town where people do those types of things all the time but it still made my night. I love random acts of kindness. It restores my faith in humanity.
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Bear has now hit the tipping point where he is walking more than crawling. This blows my mind. I am not prepared for this. I am afraid if I blink he will be walking out the door to college. It is so scary how fast they grow up and how independent they become. He doesn't want to cuddle or let his mama give him kisses.
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I am in the process of courting a new best friend. As I have mentioned before I really suck at friendships. Especially female friendships. They are tricky. There is a certain level of maintaining aloofness while still sharing enough to make them feel comfortable. No one wants a needy, clingy friend. But she has been the one initiating the get togethers so that makes me feel good. But then I find myself overdoing it. I baked banana bread, made her lunch, let her do all of her laundry at my house, helped her study for a test, gave her a brand new stick of deodorant when she asked to use some to freshen up before we went out, and volunteered to go an hour out of town to a new outlet mall to help her shop for work clothes this weekend and this was all just Thursday. I hope I don't turn into a doormat. I swear this is harder than dating.
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I am loving my Mario Badescu samples I got in the mail a little too much. They are so cute and come in twee little containers. I want to marry the kiwi face scrub and have little fuzzy green babies with it. It is so yummy.