Dy-NO-mite!!!

Updates via photo-montage

2010-03-02T13:33:00.004-05:00

Sorry it's been so long. Really, I am. But I'm here now, so quit your bellyachin' already!!! Here's a quick overview of the highlights of the last few months from when I've been missing...

(in not-chronological order...)

SNOW!!! Today is Snow day number 3. Really? In Georgia? Yep. Pretty house. Going well so far!

View from the back deck early on the first snow day.

We decorated Christmas cookies and a gingerbread house with our beloved Miss Debbie. (Miss Debbie happens to be mom to The Boyfriend...and our new neighbor. LOVE HER!)

We loved Christmas vacation. Stayed home a whole week with the kidlets. Here - dueling preschoolers on laptops. Still in PJs at 2pm. Ahhh, vacation. (You can sorta see our tree there in the background, too!)

Cole got to ride the school bus for the first time in January to his new school! West End. Actually, they aren't normal school busses, they are the huge RTD (city transport) busses, since he goes to City School. He loves the bus and catches it to school every day. Here - fun at the bus stop. Carson can't wait to ride with him come August...

Cole's kindergarten class took chartered busses to Atlanta to see the Ringling Bros. circus! We got to go down on the floor and have autographs from the performers before the show started. However, the real entertainment of the trip was that there was a real working potty on the charter bus.

More kids at the circus. (They were not particularly amused that I was taking their attention away from the action for a photo op - hence the not-real-smiley-faces.)

And, we're up to the present - Today is "dress-like-your-favorite-Dr. Suess-character" day for Cole. Note the fuzzy cat belly and huge satin bow-tie. Specially made by Mommy. I'm good, I know. Ha ha ha ha ha. He actually did love it!!! This morning he came in and gave me huge smooches and hugs and said "THANKS MOMMY!!!!" - that made it all worth it. (Not that it was really that much of an undertaking. 4 layers of quilt batting tacked to an oval of canvas and stitched to a black long-sleeved tee....with a strip of cheap leftover polyester satin fashioned into a tie and tacked onto the collar of the tee.)

So, in other news - I LOVE MY HOUSE! Love it. Had no idea that I was missing that sense of "home" that I now feel. My trial calendars are swallowing me whole....but I'm grateful for a steady job and security. I have started a group training class at the gym and loving that...part of the motivation for that is that I have TWO vacations planned for the summer already. More on that later...

The Boyfriend - I love him. He loves me. He's great, and still around.

Hmmmm, what else? How are y'all?

T-Minus 2 days to closing, 11 days to MOVING

2009-10-27T20:16:00.003-04:00

The kids are helping me pack. I'm so totally proud of Cole - writing all by himself on the box - which contains important things like MicroMachines, a baseball trophy and a Jeff Gordon model car.

As previously mentioned, I lost my camera at the fair. I just got a new one, though - so I will post more photos as I take them!

Otherwise, there's not much to tell - work is insane - I've been in court the last two weeks, and will continue to be in court for the next 3...which is just *perfect* for when you're a single momma moving yourself and two kids into a new house across town. (Note sarcasm in previous statement...)

For the time being though, Carsie and I are cuddling up on the Couch while Cole colors in his Halloween coloring book (gifted by the AWESOME Parents of The Boyfriend!) - and watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown..." Just wanted to do a quick post and say HI to my 3 faithful readers out there. Mucho love. I'll be in touch more after the move!

FURLOUGH...ugh.

2009-10-09T12:20:00.003-04:00

Today is a required/mandated UNPAID day off for me. I have SO much to do at work, and I'm not allowed to do a thing - and I'm not getting paid, so you know, I really just feel irritated. But, I do have a "free day" off - and I'm supposed to be cleaning out closets, taking trash to the dump/recycling center, and generally getting ready to move.

Instead, I am sitting in my pjs, at 12:30, and I just made my first pot of coffee. I HAVE done 3 loads of laundry (and put it all away!) this morning, so I figure that's something, yes?
So we went to the Coosa Valley Fair
And I lost my camera there....Sigh, sigh, sigh. I can't keep up with a camera to save my life. BUT, I do have photos to share. Here is the front of my new house - cute porch, eh?
And the very sleek kitchen. Not huge, but definitely big enough.

And, as promised, here are just a few sewing photos. I will try to take more pictures of completed projects - when I solve the missing camera dilemma.

This is the Oliver + S birthday party dress made out of $1/yard strawberry shortcake pique/seersucker type stuff that I've had for 2 years. I used some left over pink pique from a pair of pants/kimono top I made ages ago...for the lining and contrast hem and button tab. There are super cute strawberry buttons down the back and on the tab in the front.

She loves it. I made a 4, and usually, in sewing patterns a 4 is slightly larger than a 4 you'd buy in ready-made, but it fits just perfect, and I'm thinking that I'll make her and my little neice Sadie (who will be 10 months at Christmas) matching Christmas dresses from this pattern. But I'll go up to a size 5!

And this is a random playing around with quilting moment. I love quilts. I have 6-8 handmade quilts and my kids have a few each, too. I have made NONE of them. My mom makes them. I don't particularly enjoy the quilting process. I like the piecing. And I don't mind *some* of the cutting, but it takes FOREVER to cut, piece, cut again, piece again, square up, sew the rows, sew the rows together, measure, square up again, measure borders....etc etc etc. And that's just for the top! Then you have to do that whole backing/batting/top sandwich and figure out how to quilt it...

Ironically, I'm ok with the binding. It's mindless and pretty easy, but IF I ever make it to that point, I'm so darn tired of the quilt I've been working on, I give it away. Hopefully that won't be the case with this one. I LOVE these colors - it's the Tula Pink Neptune line. Yum-O.

This is just a sneak peak. IF I get any further or *gasp!* - ACTUALLY FINISH A QUILT - I will post updates. It's 9 fat quarters cut into 4" squares, then made into half-square triangle units. Flipped and turned to make a nice zig-zag pattern a-la-Ashley from Film In the Fridge...

I will say, as much as I get frustrated with the tedium that is quilting, reading Ashley's blog inspires me! Especially her "breaking-the-rules" wonky/maverick ways and the tons of nice white solid she uses...

OK - topic change - so, my kidlets are out of town. This is the second day. I took them to their dad's on Wednesday night...and I MISS THEM. Like, terribly. And, I'm not usually like this! I mean, I always miss them when they're gone....but I also always appreciate the break, and encourage the time with their dad, etc., but this time it's hard...because it's FOUR NIGHTS in a row, and that's the longest I've been away from them. I've done 4 nights before, but not in a long...long...time.

Anyway, The Boyfriend had to go to Boca Raton this week for a work thingie. Industry conference type thing, and had to make presentations, hob-nob and rub elbows with execs in his field, etc...but I MISS HIM, TOO! He's coming back tonight, so that will be nice.
TOMORROW IS THE CHILI COOK OFF! YAY! This is the weekend I met The Boyfriend for the first time last year. I met him on the day of the Chili Cookoff. Sweet, eh?

And tomorrow, sweet Saturday, my Auburn Tigers are playing at NOON!!! Can you believe they are 5-0 - go Gene Chizik. You have exceeded my expectations and I look forward to your continued butt-kicking of all other teams you face.

Tomorrow night we have a joint birthday party to attend at friends' new house. Should be gobs of fun. I'd promise photos except for that missing camera situation.

So, really, now that I've had a productive blog post, I'm off to take the trash to the dump, change everyone's sheets, and do a little packing. Mucho love, peeps.

2009-10-06T09:41:00.004-04:00

This is my new house! The living area is all open and combined...(as they say on that wacky Canadian House Hunters show on HGTV... it's "open concept"...) - this photo was taken while standing in the kitchen and looking out the back part of the house. Don't you LOVE the yellow on the walls and that awesome sunny window...ahhh....

Every closet in the place is at least this big. This one is Carson's closet. Cole's is identical (with boy stuff in it...) and the Master closet is about 3x this size!!! MADNESS! Storage rocks.

Full basement anyone? It's unfinished as of yet - but in 5-7 years, it would be great to throw up some drywall, put in another heating/cooling unit, and it's already studded for a bathroom (meaning plumbing is run, but there's no fixtures...YET!)

And...one of my faves - the BACKYARD! (That's my real estate agent at the fence. There's a small (above-ground) pool inside the fence, on a sectioned of area of pea-gravel. I'm taking the pool down...but the deck is AWESOME. Can you see the awesome *huge* umbrella? (I get to keep that ;) And one of my top requirements for a house is that it have an adequate baseball-loving backyard...and here we go!

The listing is no longer up on the MLS website because it's under contract...everything's been done - inspection, appraisal, loan documents, etc. - we're just waiting patiently until October 30.
Now...onto other things.

Today is opening day out at the Coosa Valley Fair! I am headed there with the kidlets after work, and we'll meet The Boyfriend for some awesome fun times. Look here for my Coosa Valley Fair post from last year...And, look here for pictures from last year's fair...kids are out of school this week - fall break for Cole (Carson's still at Berry College Child Development Center, so, CONVENIENTLY (and I mean that in the most sarcastic tone ever) she's out NEXT week. Lovely.

Anyway, tomorrow, we'll sleep in a bit probably, since I will have to bring Cole to the office with me, and then at some point (probably in the afternoon) I will be taking them over to see their Daddy in Alabama for the rest of the break. They'll be gone 4 nights!!! FOUR NIGHTS!!!! I have been away from them for 4 nights once before...and it was HARD. Relaxing, but lonely. I mean, I'm really glad they're going with their Daddy, and they'll get to see Uncle and Mema (grandmother), too - so it's cool cool, and I'm excited for them (as well as looking forward to some "me" time) - but FOUR NIGHTS....*sigh*

Stay tuned later this week for fair photos!!!! Peace, love, I'm outta here for the day.

I took a break...but I'm back!

2009-10-05T13:23:00.002-04:00

OK - party people. HERE I AM.

I'm sorry it's been so terribly long, and I'm pretty sure I'll have to re-establish my readership. (All 3 of you loyals...)

Blogging is a great thing, and I love it. Anyone who IS a reader (again, all 3 of you) - will wonder why I was gone...for SO long...well, it's too complicated to explain. Just be grateful that I have returned, ok?

So - here's the 3-second rundown of my life since May.
We had a great low-key summer. We held off all organized activities for the kids so we could spend the summer as God intended: running naked through the sprinkler, eating popsicles on the backporch, and sleeping as late as we wanted (well, within reason, I do have a full-time job...)

Then, as soon as it came, it was over...boooooo....However, in it's place, we now have a KINDERGARTENER! I am so proud of my 5 year old. He is a top-reader...on a 3rd grade level already, and now has permission to check out the elusive "chapter books" from the library. Fabulocity.

Carson misses her bubby when she's at her school (Berry Child Development Center), but she is loving the independence as well.

The Boyfriend and I are still together. It'll be a year in November (GASP!)...and I have to say, I am happy. HAPPY. There is a comfort with him I've not felt before. And, I'll leave it at that and spare you the mushy lovey-dovey dialogue.

I sewed sporatically throughout the summer, but not much, really. I did make the Oliver + S "Birthday Party Dress" for Carson out of some $1/yard Strawberry Shortcake fabric (with strawberry buttons, even!) and we love it!

And...ok...here's the big news flash...

I. Bought. A. House.

Yes. I am closing on a house in Rome on October 30. There are a number of reasons that I am so very excited about this move:
1. No more living out of boxes (as I've done for the last two years...we started packing the first time in October of 2007, and I haven't been fully unpacked since then.)
2. Lower utilities/upkeep.
3. My children will have more of a sense of home/ownership.
4. I can be settled and keep both kids in the same school from here on out.
5. IT'S MINE AND NO ONE ELSE'S!
6. Neighbors
7. Smaller house = less cleaning

I will post some photos of the house soon. I promise.
Photos to come soon:
KIDS!
some minor sewing fun
the new house
progress on moving

Maybe tomorrow. Definitely by Wednesday. If you read this, one of my 3 faithful readers, please comment and let me know. It's my fault, I know, I've been gone. And blogs with photos are way more fun, so they're coming...I promise promise.

Slacky McSlackster

2009-05-13T07:49:00.002-04:00

Sorry - I'm having blog-o-phobia lately. (Well, not really phobia - I'm just INSANELY busy and haven't been able to sit down and post.)

Here's the quick run-down of what's been going on. Friday night was movie night. I ate with the kiddies, popped in a movie for Coley, and Carsie and I sewed up a cutie Spring Ruffle Top from the tutorial on Sew, Mama, Sew! from Made by Rae - I promise to take a picture at some point. It turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself!!! Saturday morning we got up early, ate some oatmeal, and headed to the ball park for Cole's 10am ball game!!! He got a trophy and everything. Too too cute.

Mema (kids' grandmother) came from Alabama and took them to the mall for some lunch and playtime while I.....wait for it.... **I WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE....ALONE!!!** Fun, fun. I ran back and picked the kids up at the park - where they presented me with some lovely finds from the Mall for Mother's Day....too sweet.

We headed home and got ready for our friend Tricia's graduation party!!! The kids were definitely the hit of the party - pictures to follow. Our new babysitter friend, Miss Caroline (who is an Auburn student and home in Rome for the summer) came to play while Mommy went and watched the Hawks game with The Boyfriend.

Sunday was MOTHER'S DAY!!! And so fun...we went to Church - Kiddos wanted to sit in "big church" rather than go to Children's Church, and I was doing the scripture readings/lectoring - so I was nervous, but they were little angels, I have to say. Thank you, Jesus. Then we went to Panera Bread for Mother's Day late breakfast, the craft store for some little picture frames to color for the grandmas and Aunt Casey (and Cousin Jamie for her birthday!) and then to the Bookstore, where we each chose a new thing to read. Carsie got a "flip-the-flap" book and Cole got a "Step Into Reading" book about "Babe Ruth Saves Baseball" (awesome) and I got a strange novel about the Malazan Empire...which is turning out to be somewhat entertaining, but I am struggling - I think that has more to do with my own distractions than the book itself.

After that, we headed home, feverishly finished the Mother's Day presents (little note-holders!!!) and went to Walgreens to pick up the photos we had printed and headed to Grandmomma's (my mom's) for a lovely family evening where the kids played outside, we had banana pudding, HoneyBaked Ham and potato salad...and it was just all around a great day.

Carson's Spring Ballet Recital is Saturday! Then lunch with the folks and the kiddos are going with Daddy. It's only Wednesday, but I'm ready for the weekend! I will eventually get around to putting up pictures of some other things here - maybe tomorrow.

Have a great Hump Day folks.

Notemaker Tutorial

2009-05-06T14:06:00.008-04:00

The much-anticipated tutorial is here... You will need the following materials -

- 2 coordinating/contrasting fat quarters (Mine are Anna Maria Horner...yum yum)

- a scrap of fusible fleece (or plain old cotton batting will work, too) at least 9.5 x 12 inches

- a scrap of muslin the same size (for foundation piecing)

- a ponytail holder (for the button loop - optional closure)

- rotary cutter, quilting ruler & mat

1. Cut a 9.5 x 12 inch piece from each fat quarter, the fleece & the muslin.

Cut THREE (3) 2.5" x 10-12ish (length doesn't really matter as long as it's more than 9.5) strips from EACH fat quarter -

You will end up with SIX 2.5" strips:

Take the muslin piece (your "foundation" if you will...) and arrange the strips alternatingly on it to visualize what your front cover of the folio will look like:

Line up the first strip with the edge of the muslin and sew, not along the outer edge lined up with the muslin but along the inner edge as shown. Don't worry about the fact that you can see the seam - you are going to cover that seam up with the next step.

Take the next alternating strip, and place it right sides together down on top of the strip you just sewed down to the muslin. I like to place it at an angle, so that it turns out wonky in the end. No pinning is required. This is not precision piecing - pretty much whatever you do will end up looking great. Stitch with a scant 1/4 inch seam. Again, seam allowances in this type of piecing are really not that important - as long as it's STRAIGHT.

After you stich this down, flip the piece you just sewed down over and press along the seam. Keep adding alternate strips (at an angle of your pleasure) and flipping & pressing:

See how it's coming together?

After you sew on the last (6th) strip, flip & press, you'll have something that looks like this:

OK. Time to straighten up the cover piece. Flip it over so the muslin side is up, line up your straight edge to the edges of the muslin and trip so your piece is 9.5 x 12 inches again.

Take your 9.5 x 12 piece of fusible fleece and fuse it to the muslin side of the strip-pieced rectangle and you'll have this:

Now it's time for the quilting. This part is optional, but it's super fast, and I think it gives the folio a polished, finished look. I used (on this one) a tiny close zig-zag stitch and top-stitched through the cotton and the fleece down each seam where the fabrics met.

If you're feeling brave, or - like me, you have a 3 year old who just MUST sew like Mommy, and won't stay in her bed while Mommy is sewing, feel free to delegate this task to said 3-year old. (With supervision, of course ;) ) - Of course I had to press the pedal, but Carsie DID do the guiding, for the most part. And now she wants a kid-friendly sewing machine for her birthday. I've created a monster.

After it's quilted, it will look like this. Press well once more.

OK - the exterior is finished, so now it's time to make the inside, where your little pad will go in a pocket. Remember those 9.5 x 12 pieces you cut from the fat quarters? Take one of those and fold it in half lengthwise - (so the two 12" edges meet) and press the crease well.

Edge stitch the top (folded) edge - I forgot to change my stitch selector from the zig-zag I was using for the quilting - so I did a zig-zag edge, which I actually think looks nice - happy accident - but you can use a straight stitch, or a decorative stitch, or leave this step out all together. It's non-essential ;)

Now - line up the raw edge of the folded pocket piece with the right side of the 12" edge of the other 9.5 x 12 inch fat quarter piece. Stitch with a scant 1/4" seam.

After stitching the bottom edge of the pocket to the interior lining piece, fold the whole thing in half and find the center. Measure 1/2" from the center and mark a line from the top of the pocket to the bottom on each side of the center. This is your stitching line for the pen holder pocket. Stitch from the bottom of the interior to the top edge of the pocket with a straight stitch on those marked lines, back stitching at the top (edge of the pocket) for security. Your pen-pocket should be 1" wide.

This picture below is INACCURATE - so read these words and do as I say, not as I do ;) - pinch the ponytail holder about 1/3, and place it on the RIGHT edge of the INTERIOR LINING piece with the pocket attached. NOT the exterior (like shown in the picture.) Baste with machine stitches over the elastic. Again, you're going to want to put the ponytail elastic on the RIGHT side of the POCKET/INTERIOR piece, pointing INWARD (I show it pointing inward, but I put this one on the edge of the exterior piece, not the interior...)

Make a fabric sandwich. Put the exterior piece down, right side up, fleece side down. Place the pocket piece (with elastic basted on) on top of it, right sides together, lining up edges.

Pin around edges, leaving a 3-4" opening at the top for turning.

Stitch around all edges (leaving the 3-4" opening, pivoting 90 degrees with the needle down, and back-stitching at beginning and end) with a generous 1/4 inch seam.

Clip the corners, and turn right side out, using a turning tool, closed scissors, or fat knitting needles to turn out corners so they are sharp.

You should now have something that looks like this:

Press well, turning edges of opening under and pressing, using a pin or two to hold turning hole edges in place. Now, top-stitch very close to the edge all the way around all 4 edges.

Here's the inside!

Add a button and VOILA! You will need a mini-legal pad (5x8 size) and pen to complete!

REQUIRED LEGALESE - DO NOT TAKE PERSONALLY!!! ;)

Please note - I am sharing this tutorial which I made up on my very own out of the goodness of my heart. No, this is not the very first most original idea in the world, and yes, people have made such things before. However, I figured out these steps on my very own and these words and photos are MINE...Please feel free to link to this post and share the information freely, but please, please, PLEASE, do not sell any creations you make from this tutorial for profit, and please do not use any of my photos without permission. Yes, I am a lawyer - but I did, in fact say "please". Thank you!!! :)

Sunday Night - a Recap

2009-04-26T22:27:00.006-04:00

It was picture day at school on Tuesday. Here's Carsie with "Ona" (one of the 4 most popular dollies at our house) - We have 2 "Claires", a "Honey Buns" and "Ona..." Ona is the only one with hair, and the largest of the 4-some, so she got to go to picture day in her pretty dress, too...

This was at the ballet studio, at the end of the day, so Carsie had been playing hard - but she still looks adorable!And here she is in her ballet clothes. Tuesday, Cole also had a tee ball game at the same time as ballet - so that's why the gorgeous boy was not in these photos - but he had on a coordinating navy & white striped tee, courtesy grandmomma - more of Cole later this week!!!
And then on Friday, I had a hair appointment. I try to knock off early from work at least once a month and pick up one child early for a little one-on-one time with Mom. Carsie came with me for her first "real" haircut. I've "trimmed" it twice before for her - but it needed a real shape. SO - I took her to Laura Beth - this is the "before" (and no LB is not putting color on her hair - that was for me ;)
And the "after" - complete with shampooing & styling - she felt like a pretty princess. Honestly, I think the thing she was MOST excited about, because she said it 50 times is "I don't have to take a nap today!!!" because I picked her up just at nap time...

I'm thinking of starting a new trend - whatcha think? I think foil is a good look, yes?

And then, Carson was SO worn out from getting beautiful, I looked over and this is what I found. So much for no nap, eh?
And then Saturday, the chillies were invited to go to Callaway Gardens with my grandmother, and I went to the 2009 Atlanta Steeplechase!!! Fun times. All high society and redneck country mixed together. It was WAY hot - you can see the red cheeks on all of us here! These are my newest girlfriends, Ashley & Shauna - lovin' the hats...but they kind of get in the way when you're squeezing together!!!

And this is my sweet friend Brooklyn. We had to have a photo op because we both broke out the black with tiny white pin dotos. Love it!!!

And...a gratuitous photo of my sweetheart. Cute, huh?

Phew. What a week!

My to-do list

2009-04-22T13:29:00.003-04:00

Just because I know you're dying to know (bwahahaha)
1. Put all the laundry away - and keep washing. (This is ONGOING at my house).
2. Be sure to wash and pack up tee ball stuff for 5:30 game tomorrow!
3. dishes (ick)
4. clean up all the clutter (This one thing should occupy most of my evening) for Yolanda to come clean the house tomorrow
5. Write check for Yolanda.
6. Remind self that I am ONLY one person, and if everything doesn't get done, life WILL go on.
7. Make Carsie's ballet bag... 6 months late.
8. Finish tutorial for note-list-folio thingie (no one suggested a better name!!!) and continue making boatload of folios for Mom's Day presents and at request of paying buyers!
9. finish hand-quilting (only like a tiny bit left) and binding quilt for best friend that has been hanging out 90% complete for, oh, 18 months...
10. Get Steeplechase outfit together for this weekend...
11. Figure out my life. (This will be on my everlasting To-Do list.)
12. Find crafty fun thing for kids to make for Mother's Day presents...ideas anyone? I'm thinking chocolate dipped/sprinkled pretzel sticks.
13. Have a beer (or 4)...
14. Try to figure out what the plan for the children is this weekend. (This is week 3 in a row of all-mommy-all-the-time - minus Saturday night...and I don't mind at all, but I need to figure out what we're doing!)
15. Call 401(k)/investment guru and set up appointment...re: you know, my life.
16. Get hair appointment ASAP.
17. pedicure (it's REALLY bad, folks...and sandal weather is upon us!) - and eyebrows (also in somewhat disgraceful disposition...)
18. Print photos - lots of them - of children for Moms/Grandmoms & Aunts...

Hmmm, 18 is probably enough to get me started.... (as I pass out in my office chair just thinking about these things...*sigh*)

The Good, The Bad & The Gorgeous

2009-04-21T11:09:00.002-04:00

The Good:
It's Tuesday. One day closer to Friday.
Saturday is STEEPLECHASE. Yay.
I only had 12 voice mails at 9 this morning, as opposed to the average of 17-20.

The Bad:
It's Tuesday. Picture day at school, ballet @ 5:30, tee ball also @ 5:30, Junior Service League meeting at 7. Something's got to give...and tonight, it's JSL.
8 of my 12 voicemails were mean-spirited, angry folks.
My house is a W-R-E-C-K...(but Yolanda comes Thursday - which is GOOD, but, I have to actually pick a lot up and put a lot a lot a lot of laundry away for her to be able to clean!)
I'm exhausted. This is week 3 straight of having the children to myself. Their grandmomma, Mema, did take them Saturday afternoon and I got them back on Sunday afternoon, but I helped a friend move Saturday and Sunday, so though I was glad to help, I didn't do too much at my own house!

The Gorgeous:
My kiddos!!! Today was picture day at school. Cole wore a navy tee with white horizontal stripes and some pants...totally cute. Carsie wore a pretty navy sailor dress and took "Ona" (one of the dollies) in a MATCHING dress. I'll have to get post-school pictures - oh, wait - they'll be in ballet & baseball gear...Alas.

Also gorgeous - I've been playing around on Flickr while waiting for laundry and stuff (I just upgraded to a "pro" account with unlimited storage!) - and finding SO many pretty things people have made! *sigh*

I promise to have more pictures later this week. Nothing fun right now - but I AM (Sarah - mexcitymom) working on the folio tutorial this week. No promises until next week - but I'm still working on it!!! If I post it early next week, it gives everyone almost 2 weeks to get it together for Mom's day presents ;)

As promised...an update.

2009-04-17T22:41:00.004-04:00

So much to share!!! I just spent 45 minutes trying to choose the best of the best pictures I've taken in the last week to let you all in blogland know what's been going on. First - SARAH in Texas...I love you. I am working on instructions and I PROMISE they will be up before Mother's Day because that's what I plan on doing for several presents...

Now - on to what's been occupying my life and keeping me from blogging:
My Lil' Viking baseball player!!! He played First Base in his game this week and did AWESOME!
Easter Egg Hunt - This is Carson with her haul. She's such a hoarder...

My beauties. Cole always looks so stoic in photos that are posed. Carson either goes whole hog posing with her hands on her hips or won't look at you at all...like here.

This is my dad - aka "Pop" - and that gorgeous lady on his arm is my sweet lovely niece, Sadie. (The sun was in Pop's eyes...obviously, but he's known to pull a face here and there anyway ;)

An afternoon visit to Swan Lake and letting my kids run wild with the ducks, geese & the one swan. I forget sometimes (since they argue, like, all the time) that they are almost completely inseparable. Here's "bubba" helping Carsie cross the little rock-water fall thingie. I love to see them whispering and giggling and they're just close and dependent on each other. Siblings are the best!

Holding Hands...and laughing together.

OK - so I'm in this Swap world now. God help me! I could go hog wild. So, I entered this Tea for Two swap - so you basically are supposed to send 2 teabags to your partners (we had 2 partners...) - and mine are in Australia (South Australia, not NSW, family...) and Norway. Fun, right? Well, I had seen this tutorial for a "tea wallet" and decided that would be a nice thing to include for tea lovers, right?

So I made two, right? And, they hold 4 tea bags each, so why just send 2???

And, finally, finally...this is what I did in about 2 hours of spare time between washing, drying, folding, sorting and putting away laundry this afternoon. It's Heather Ross's "Summer Blouse" pattern from Weekend Sewing. Um, I LOVE this pattern? It turned out bigger/roomier than I expected (I made a large because who wants a tight woven cotton "summer blouse" right? - and because I thought it might make a good swim coverup...) - Well, it WILL make a good swim coverup, but I will probably re-trace the medium for next time and add a few inches to the bottom. Oh, and PS, the sleeves were insanely long for me, but many other patterns I've made have the same problem, but I don't *think* I have oddly short arms? Oh, and it looks a little "That 70s Show" or "The Partridge Family" because the way the collar is folding out, but I don't think it looks like that in person...and if it does, I don't care.

You're lucky you're getting this HORRID photo of me posted here on the free internet for the world to see. I *just* took it with my self-timer on the camera. The light in the kitchen is terrible because, oh 5 of the 6 cannister lights are burned out and I don't have a ladder to be able to reach them to replace them (and I don't have any bulbs anyway...and they're like $3 a pop - so right there it's already $15...*sigh*) - I digress. It's also 11 pm at night and I've been all over town, cleaning out my garage, working in the yard, and to the Rome Braves game tonight. So there. I'm allowed to look like this. I'm ok with me ;) And i have a pretty new shirt (albeit wrinkled), too.

Just a Teaser...check back later...

2009-04-17T10:24:00.002-04:00

It has been brought to my attention that my blogging regularity is sketchy lately. Sorry. I happen to be overly busy ;) - I've been in court for like 2 weeks straight - and at home with the kiddies, it's insane.

BUT - I'm in the office now, have 2 little appointments and then a long to-do list of errands and house-related upkeep. I will UPDATE tonight or late this afternoon (I hope, but don't shoot me if it's tomorrow!) - with fun things, including but not limited to:

Easter Egg Hunt pictures
Tee Ball photos
A fun update on a little swap I'm doing with cute sewn stuff
An update on the progress (er, lack of progress) of my Steeplechase dress...which I'm second guessing anyway...

In other news, we're headed to the Rome Braves game tonight!!! Mema (Kiddos' grandmomma) is coming to Cole's tee ball game at 10am in the morning and taking them back to Alabama with her for Cullman's annual "Bloomin' Festival" - and I'm helping my honey move from one apartment to the apartment one-street-over. Good times.

Catch ya on the flip side. Check back for updates. I promise.

Happy Easter, yo.

2009-04-12T06:55:00.003-04:00

*THE GOODS*

THE GIDDY RECIPIENTS (look at Cole's grin & Carson's hand-to-mouth)My Boy - with a Superheros Book - he was SO excited. My Girl. With Lipgloss - equally excited.

HOT WHEELS ROCK!

We're up early. We're having scrambled egg sammies for breakfast. We'll go to Church in four hours (dang, did I mention we got up early?) - and then head to GG's for Easter Egg hunting and an Easter Feast with the family. More pretty Easter pictures from the day tomorrow.

Tornados?!?!?

2009-04-10T17:28:00.004-04:00

We're in the middle of thunderstorms & apparently tornado watches. So, we're stuck inside today on this Good Friday. Here's a silly picture of the short people.

I'm in a funk. I've been SUPER stressed this week. Work was I-N-S-A-N-E...I had probation matters to deal with Wednesday, which were mentally draining - not the cases, so much, but the clients. I didn't have an inordinate amount of cases on my trial calendar Thursday (only about 20!) but they were VERY complicated cases with extreme maximum sentences (armed robbery carries 20 year minimum, life maximum; I had a drug case, NINE prior felony drug convictions - so the State is asking for 30 years, serve 10, as a recidivist (which means he can't get parole...)) - and that was only 2. Of the 20+ cases I dealt with yesterday...and then the kids are out of school today, so I had a sitter because I had to be in court at 8:30am for arraignments. Fun times, but hey - it's over now. On top of the work stress, I have some personal things I'm a little anxious and stressed about - nothing major - and I'm ok - just some things I'm trying to work out and figure out and all. Add all that to the fact that neither of my children has slept through the night this week, meaning I have gotten very, very little sleep - and I'm a MESS!!!
So, after work today, I decided I needed some sort of therapy. After I got out of court, I could NOT calm down from the stress-filled week and these personal things I'm worried about... And...what better place for therapy than - THE FABRIC SHOP!?!?!? I've been thinking about making a cute dress (cute but COMFY) for Steeplechase this year - I've made my Steeplechase frocks in the past, and Easter dresses, and other such event-based ensembles...but it's usually not a "plan" - well, this year, I'm going to be a guest of the V3 Magazine tent. (Guest may be the wrong word, as I am in fact paying for my ticket - which is totally worth it, by the way...) - The theme is an 1800-period Saloon - "A Fist Full of Dollars" - and one of my FAVORITE local bands - Atomic Boogie - is playing. FUN, FUN, FUN! So, anyway, I was wandering aimlessly in the cotton section (You know, cotton? It's the fabric of our lives? ;) ) - and I ran across this gorgeous blue toile with COVERED WAGONS and cowboys and horses and stuff...how cute for a Western theme, without being cheesey!!! But, I had planned (in this time of economic recession) to wear one of my hats from previous Steeplechases (I have 5...but they're all black, black & white, pink & black or pink & ivory...) - thus, blue wouldn't work...but SO CUTE...and then. THEN - Lo and Behold, I found the same print - in black and white!!!
And it was on sale ;) I looked and looked through the pattern books but found NADA for what I was really wanting...but I dug through my pattern stash at home and found these. I haven't made the New Look one ever, but prior Easter dresses were made out of the other two, so I know they work pretty well. One is a vintage pattern from the 60s - and it fits GREAT - and is very clean-lined and flattering - which is necessary for a somewhat busy print. The other Simplicity one is a redraft of a vintage pattern - and is also flattering, though if I use that one, I'll make the A-line a little less wide, because it's pretty full on the pink linen dress I've made before from that pattern. And, I'd probably use some black Sateen that I have for the bodice/bust piece, instead of the western toile print.
If I have enough left over, which there should be, I'll probably try this out - and even if there's not enough left, I have enough of like 5,000 other fabrics to do this pattern, anyway ;)

Stay posted for dress construction details!

Thank God for Small Miracles

2009-04-06T23:28:00.003-04:00

Cole's first tee ball game got rained out last Thursday. He also had a game scheduled for Saturday....but it was a Daddy weekend, and as Daddy lives in Huntsville, it was totally impossible for him to make the game...at 10 am. Mommy guilt takes on a whole new level. Of course I could do nothing to remedy this situation - except hold tight to the fact that Cole would be able to attend the next FIVE scheduled games in a row...

And then, at 8am, I found out upon dropping Cole off at preschool, that his rain-out makeup game was to be at 5:30 tomorrow. Tuesday. And, as luck would have it, Carson Claire has ballet every Tuesday at 5:30. Across town from the ball field, of course. What's a single-mommy of TWO supposed to do? Two children, two activities scheduled for the same time, one mommy, one car... No grandparents in town. oooohhhhh, CRAP.

I neglected to mention, it was Parker K.'s dad who said "We'll see you at tee ball tomorrow!" and I MUST have had the "oooooohhhhh, CRAP!!!" look on my face when I muttered "hmm, ballet is at. the. same. time..." But, of course I had back up plans...Back up plan A) skip ballet. (Carson has been protesting ballet because she's not delighted with her lack of passe' skills (I have no idea what passe' means, but Carson's upset that she can't passe' - keep in mind. Carson is THREE. Who CARES if she can passee'...) - BUT Back up plan A isn't a very good plan. I have PAID for ballet, she only has about 4 or 5 weeks left until her spring recital in May, and then we're DONE with ballet...for a while, at least. Move on. Back up plan B) call Miss Brittany, savior to single-mommy-lawyer. See if she can meet me at 4:45 and take Carsie to ballet and shuttle her to the ball field after. For a price, of course...

In the meantime, I'm drinking coffee, making a list of to-dos for the Jail clients, researching a Motion dealing with the sex offender registry requirements, and balancing my checkbook while mulling over a potential Back up Plan C)...

And then...then the phone rings. A local number I don't recognize, but again - if you're keeping up, I'm on cell phone number THREE in 8 months thanks to preschoolers' inability to keep said phones away from liquid. Thus, I have lost numbers...

But after running out to the back door to answer the cell (my office is in the basement/old vault of the old courthouse...no signal) - I realize it's Parker K.'s mom. (Stay with me, it was Parker K.'s dad that told me about the game...) - Parker K.'s mom - Alison - says "Parker's dad said you might need some help - with getting Cole to the ball game tomorrow. I know Carson has ballet on Tuesday, so if you want, I can totally pick up Cole and carry him and Parker to the game - you can just come on when you're done with ballet." Um, Parker's Mom ROCKS!!! AND she already has an extra car seat - plus, bonus, Parker K. is one of Cole's best buddies - and he's SO excited to ride in Parker's car to the game. Parker's parents are an answer to a prayer I hadn't even gotten around to uttering yet...Amazing, eh?

Alas. The Mommy Guilt remains. My boy will be at what is, essentially, his first ball game - in his NEW uniform, new cleats, major league pants, fancy jersey & hat (#21) and there will be not a parental soul there to cheer for him. Cry cry cry. Sniff sniff sniff. And, I mean, what if he gets whacked in the head with a bat or a ball or something?!?!?

Maybe Back up Plan A) (skip ballet) should happen after all...

Don't be jealous...

2009-04-05T16:04:00.003-04:00

but look what arrived in the mailbox yesterday!!! Yep - what you're seeing is 26 GORGEOUS fat quarters -yum yum yum. I haven't ordered any fat quarters in a little while because, well, I've been on fabric purchase restriction for the last, well, the last year, frankly, and I've been requiring myself to just go through my stash and find things that work. And, it's working. I've used up a fair bit - including almost ALL of my fat quarters!!! Fat quarters are basically 1/4 yard of fabric, but it's 18x22 instead of 9 x 44. You can get bigger squares, etc., out of it (even though it's the same square-inches total) because it's wider, make sense?

Anyway - I gotta figure out what to DO with these!!! I'm thinking DEFINITELY more of the little note-folios like the one I prototyped below. (Tutorial to come, I promise, for you folks that want to replicate...you'll need 2 fat quarters, a 9.5 x 12.5 piece of batting, or fusible fleece, and a scrap of muslin the same size. A ponytail holder or piece of ribbon, and a button. That's it.)

So, my other excitement for the day - is as follows:
1. I had a great lazy weekend. I mean, I did get a ton of laundry done (miraculously), and I actually completed my grocery shopping trip (I go once every 2 weeks.) AND I came in under budget - $120!!! (my budget is $150 every two weeks, which I usually go over by about $15 - but I DID buy dog food and Easter basket stuff at Wal-Mart yesterday...so adding that in, I was right @ budget...ah, well.)

2. TONIGHT IS THE BEGINNING OF BASEBALL SEASON. I can't tell you what a relief I feel about this turn-of-season. Tomorrow is the championship for college basketball, and the rest of the week, I'm able to watch baseball. Glorious, slow-paced baseball. Ahhhhh....

I think one of the things I love about THIS baseball season is that I got divorced during baseball season, so the return of baseball season this time means it's been a year. It's like a benchmark or something. I mean, I hate that I got divorced, and it's definitely not an ideal situation, and my ex and I get along fine, really - we're both great parents, but something about the one-year mark makes me feel more at peace. I have no idea why. I'm just rambling now, so ignore, please.

For now, I'm off to fold and put away the laundry and figure out something to do with my yummy fat quarters for now. Then I'll head to get the kiddos in a couple hours and back hopefully around the 2nd inning of Braves @ Phillies - I need to check out this Japanese pitcher Kawakami and Derek Lowe (who we paid a pretty penny to get) and of course, my personal favorite and underdog of pitchers - Javy Lopez...

I'm out. Have a happy week.

Hang tight, baby.

2009-04-02T23:32:00.002-04:00

I don't have much to say - but what I DO have to say is brief...

1. There will be no tee ball pics thanks to a very rainy day (much to my dismay and the 4 year old's spirit was crushed...but a visit to Pasquale's - where Mom was pleased to learn that kids 5 & under eat FREE! - solved most all our problems.)
2. This weekend has been deemed (by me, and by Will) "Operation Chillaxation" - which is pretty self-explanatory - but it basically means we have plans to "do nothing." Sometimes, actively doing nothing is really hard, but SO worth it in the end.
3. THANK YOU for admiring my little note-holder thingie - many emails and questions I'm getting about how I did it - and I'm thinking one of my "Operation Chillaxation" projects for this weekend will be to do a tutorial on how to do it so that you, too can have a fancy little "Note-holder Thingie" - be sure to check back Mondayish (ok, maybe Wednesdayish?) for that...
4. I am officially taking suggestions for a better, more sophisticated name to call the "Note-taker thingie" - it's not really a portfolio - maybe a Note Cozy?
5. Note to self: Income Tax returns do not complete themselves.
6. I had another house showing (supposedly) this afternoon. Please keep praying.
7. I have run an average of 3 miles a day, 3 days this week (today I planned to, but then I had to run home after the jail visits to make sure the house was clean - see #6)
8. Not only have I exercised religiously and really pushed myself (well this week, anyway) I have also eaten very "clean" and well this week. Lots of non-processed stuff, lots of fruits & veggies...I even had a salad at Pasquale's and passed up the pizza/pasta bar. (OK, I had the crusts of the kids' pizza - but I hear there are starving children in China, or India or somewhere.)
9. Note to self: Cars do not clean themselves out, laundry does not wash itself, and dogs need to be fed. Take heed.
10. Is it really midnight?!?!? I MUST GO TO BED NOW. (So, hang tight, baby - I'll be back another day soon.)

The downhill slide...

2009-04-01T22:13:00.004-04:00

to the weekend...that is. I can almost taste the sweetness of a weekend with no plans. And, seeing as it will be the ONLY weekend with no plans for MONTHS on end, what with tee ball games, Easter, Steeplechase, Mother's Day, a ballet recital and 84,000 other things, you can bet that I will enjoy EVERY MINUTE of the upcoming nothingness of this weekend.

This is what sprouted out of my machine in about 30 minutes this evening. A quilted little list-book thingie. I love wallet-ish stuff...as you can see in my "Happiness" post from last month...because A) they seem to be quick! B) they're highly useful and utilitarian (which is redundant, but I love the word utilitarian, but that sort of belies the fact that it's not JUST useful but also pretty...) C) IT'S PRETTY and it uses small pieces of fabric. This was made with 2 fat quarters and a scrap of fusable fleece, and a ponytail holder. Oh, and the button. That's it!

This is it open. And yes, I choose crayola thin markers to do ALL my notemaking. (In fact, I can never find a working ink pen in my house, but we have markers and crayons galore.)
This is it open flat down. Oops, shouldn't have done this on my kitchen counter, now there's a definite tomato soup stain. Alas. Measurements (finished) are 12ish by 8.5ish...

Today was...uneventful. Got my replacement phone at 4 pm only to learn that I have to charge it for 12 hours - and then call from a landline phone (which I don't have at my house) to activate it...but I DID get the crystal light-logged phone to dry out (in a bag of rice) overnight. It is working intermittently, which is better than not at all.

Tomorrow is Thursday. Jail-visit day for me...and then, Cole's first tee-ball game! Pictures to follow, I promise. I MUST take pictures after dropping a good $60 for cleats, pants, another $40 for jersey & socks and this all on top of the $60 playing fee. All worth it of course, but every time I turn around I drop another $50-60 on some activity for the children. Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way. They deserve it!!!

This evening, after supper, I left them playing contentedly in the back yard and came out to find them both buck naked playing with the water hose, which - yes - was turned on full-blast. Ah, well, the damage was done, let them play. (This led to a 10pm bedtime, though!!!)

So - that's all I got today. Neither witty nor inspiring, but I am pretty pleased with my little note-book holder. I'm thinking Mother's Day gifts...hmmm....

And....we're back.

2009-03-31T20:35:00.006-04:00

I've been gone over a week. Oops. Sorry. It's been ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH around here lately. House showings, weekend with madness events and small children, etc. etc.

But - here's what I got for ya today.

These are the fabrics I sent to my swap partners for a "Novelty Square Swap" - We were supposed to send 10 6x6 squares of "novelty prints" to 2 different folks, and I'll get two packages of 10 squares from 2 other folks. Fun, right? So I came up with I think 12 from my stash. Most of them are a good bit bigger than the 6x6 (closer to 8x8) because I can't BEAR to cut fabric smaller than I absolutely have to.

And so far, from Adrienne, I have received these beauties! I'm expecting another soon.

Fun, right?

In other news, I'm phoneless. Carson decided to stir up my crystal light with my cell phone this morning. Never, ever, in my life have I been as angry at her as I was this morning. I calmly placed her in her bed, walked out and closed the door. I WAS SO ANGRY I didn't want to yell at her or anything. I was afraid a bad word would come out of my mouth... ;) Anyway, I made an insurance claim and I'll have a new phone tomorrow.

I have more to say - but I'll have to say it tomorrow. Kiddie bedtime awaits.

Fabulous Friday, FINALLY

2009-03-20T08:32:00.002-04:00

I'm sitting at my kitchen island bar. I'm drinking coffee. The TODAY Show is on the TV in the other room. (i.e. No SpongeBob, no Little Einsteins, no Tigger & Pooh...) There are no short people here. It's quiet.

The children were on Spring Break this week. Our wonderful blessing of a friend, Miss Brittany, came and spent the days here at home with C&C Music Factory. I honestly don't know WHAT I would do without her. She is truly patient, and kind, and generous with her time. Yes, I paid her to "babysit" - but her availability and willingness and love for my children gives me a grateful heart. I feel guilty enough being a full-time professional working mommy. It's even harder when my babies (who are, I recognize, not really babies anymore at almost 4 & 5!!!) are out of their normal "get up go to school come home with Mommy" routine. Thus, when Brittany volunteered to watch the kids for 4 days during their Spring Break, I was relieved and overjoyed. The kids LOVE her, and I LOVE her, and somehow, she manages to spend a good 8 hours at my house, with preschoolers, and when I come home, it's more organized and cleaner than when I left!!! (Which, admittedly, is not that hard to do - but really, it made my life SO MUCH less stressful to come home to a clean(ish) house and be able to focus just on the Cs.) Thank the Lord for people like Brittany Smith!!!

Today is Friday. Last night the children went to Alabama to spend an extra day (today) with their daddy. Ahhh....sweet quiet. I slept like the dead last night (but, unlike the dead, I woke up refreshed and ready to conquer this day...) Luckily, there's not too much to conquer. My jury trials finished up this week already, and I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon at the jail preparing myself and my clients for Monday's hearings. Ahhh, the satisfaction of completing this week.

And here's the best part!!! I am actually, for the first time in AGES AND AGES getting out of town this weekend. Because of my schedule with the children's visitation, I'm just not able to go away...this extra day the kids are spending in AL lets me get out of town a little early this afternoon, without having to drive across the state line to carry the kids. I'm going on a little mini-break vacation. I'm headed to Nashville! And, as a bonus, I get to go with my sweetheart. SWWEEEEEETT!!! I am going to CELEBRATE my successful week in the courtroom, which includes a HUGE Not Guilty verdict on a felony drug possession case (and, for the record, she really was NOT GUILTY...) Updates when I return!!!

So. Going back to the "pretty things" from my last post...I happened across this lovely blog: Tea Rose Home - love what she has to say. GORGEOUS fabrics, wonderful ideas, loved the tutorial on the placemat apron!!! Pretty things make people happy, you know. And I am going to start linking some more "pretty things" here...so keep checking back!!!

I'm out for the weekend. Wish me luck and fun on my long-awaited, well-deserved, weekend away. Thank you, friends!!!

Happiness

2009-03-16T20:02:00.002-04:00

This^ makes me happy.

Let me just list the reasons why this makes me happy:

1) I made it from scraps already laying on my table from Carson's dress.

2) It took me less than half an hour to make TWO identical little wallets.

3) It was exactly what I NEEDED. I have a Vera Bradley wallet that I've literally had for about 6 years, and USED HEAVILY for 6 years. It's embarrassing. On it's last leg, etc. I keep TOO MUCH junk in there (old receipts, random cards I never ever could use, expired insurance cards, etc.)

4) It's just PRETTY. LOOK AT IT. Isn't it pretty? Pretty things make me happy.

5)Most of all, what I loved about this 15 minute project was that while I was in the sewing room, Cole was watching a specific requested show on the TV in my room, being still & quiet. Carsie, though, was in the sewing room puttering with me. She was first "making a book" for me, and talking to herself all the while. Things like "Let's see now, if I put this part here, then the next picture should be on *this* page, but that doesn't really look exactly like I imagined it..." (giggle) and then she decided that she was going to "open a store" For what? For drawings, paintings, and anything anyone could want that was pretty. (Be still my heart, I think what we have on our hands is a young artist) - then "someone" (as in an imaginary someone) came into her store and she asked "someone" "What can I do for you today, sir? I can draw anything or paint anything you want. A drawing or painting will make you happy."....pause...."It will make you happy because it's just pretty. And pretty things make people happy."

This little observation of my youngest child, my only girl, made my heart burst with pride and love. Sometimes I miss stuff like this. When I say I "miss" it - it's not like I'm pining for it when I don't get to participate in it, I mean - I just flat out don't take the time to notice. But today I did. And I'm so glad...because "Pretty things make people happy."

(In other news, I got a "not guilty" verdict in the felony drug possession jury trial today. I had spent the better part of yesterday afternoon/evening reading the witness statements, investigative summaries, etc., and - it paid off. My client went home scott free. And I went home TIRED to the bone, but...Happy. And, to top it all off, I looked pretty today. Everyone said so - and you know what? (Repeat it with me...) "Pretty things make people happy."

So, tell me, what made YOU happy today?

Banana Dogs, a pinafore and pre-Monday anxiety

2009-03-15T13:42:00.003-04:00

This ^ is a "banana dog" - Cole saw a "do it yourself" little spot on how to make them this morning on Saturday morning TV. He has been BEGGING all morning for me to help him make one. It's a banana on a hot dog bun with peanut butter & jelly... yum. THEY INHALED THEM..giggle giggle.

This ^ is a pinafore. Random made-up-by-JJ pattern based (loosely) on Carson's measurements and a few simple dresses I'd seen online...but was too cheap to buy patterns for them. I'm pretty pleased. It basically took me one hour to make my bodice pattern/cut out the other pieces, and this morning from about 10-12:00 (with breaks for things like banana dogs ;) ) - to sew it together.

Pretty cute. But - the problem is - Carson refuses to try it on, even. *sigh* Luckily I found this little munchkin hanging around.

And HE wanted to try it on - but "just for ONE second, Mommy..."

FUN!!! It's a little big/long for Carson - but should fit her well into next year, and even the summer after that...

So - I have three jury trials this week, starting at 8:30 tomorrow morning. Thus, I have a lot of anxiety about it. And, I am trying to prepare myself (since I didn't get to during the week - I was in court with other matters) - but keeping toddler/preschoolers from mauling each other all day, and making banana dogs and pinafores, has been distracting. My neighbor Steve and his son Patrick (Cole's VERY best friend...apparently today anyway) are going to come down for an hour and let me run to the office to get the last few things done. Thank you, universe & God, for good neighbors in the nick of time.

I'm out. I won't post much this week. I'll be in trial. But I'll be around!!!

Wow. It's almost FRIDAY!!!

2009-03-12T23:19:00.003-04:00

It's been a crazy week. I could tell you ALL ABOUT IT - I mean, that IS what blogs are for, no? However, this crazy week I've had has led to complete and utter exhaustion and an overwhelming need for a foot rub (heels all week and in the courtroom on my feet....*sigh*) - so I'll tell you the highlights of my week at some point this weekend. In my free time - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - wait, I don't HAVE free time! That's why that is so funny.

Anyway - I will leave you - in lieu of the cute boyfriend picture and the placemat tutorial which, if you DON'T sew, which most of you don't...is not all that enlightening, or exciting...with some photos of the short people. Oh MY !!! Wait - these aren't my babies - these are little KIDS. I don't have kids. I have babies...wait - these babies grow up?!?!? Apparently so - look how B...I...G they are!!! And gorgeous, despite (or maybe because of) the dirty faces. This was at St. Mary's - we had a mission week last week - with church supper every night - so this was after Mexican night (mmmm, mmmm, good!)

Have a good Friday folks. I'll see you Sunday, maybe ;) Love, and sunshine, and all that good warm fuzzy stuff to each and every one of you from the bottom of my very big (very tired) heart!

Funky Placemat How-To

2009-03-08T15:05:00.009-04:00

I'm so excited to share my *first* (very amateur) tutorial on how I made some totally cool placemats (which I need to get final pictures of - because I already gave them to their recipient...) But before I get to that - -just a quick comment about how I have a cute boyfriend. See? (OK, I get it, I'm cute, too...but I really like this self-made photo...)

OK - moving right along before I start blushing. For fun placemats (and 6 matching napkins, if you desire), you'll need the following:
1/2 yard each of SIX (6) coordinating/contrasting prints
(Mine are from Heather Bailey's Pop Garden line for Free Spirit Fabrics. Yum-o.)
About 3 yards of heavy weight interfacing (I used sew in, but fuseable would be great, too.)
(A note about the interfacing, I had intended to use canvas as interlining until I found the stiff stuff in my stash, so canvas would probably work, too - just depends on how "stiff" you like your placemats - I like mine fairly stiff. If you like 'em soft you could even use quilt batting.)
Coordinating thread and sewing supplies, especially a rotary cutter, quilter's ruler & mat.

1. iron all your pieces - I don't prewash. I'm not a prewasher. If you like to prewash, please do. I won't hold it against you if you don't hold my non-prewashing against me. Then, from each print, cut a 15 x 18 rectangle. (I wanted my placemats to be square-ish, so that's the reason they are this size. Any size from this up to 18 x 22ish will be fine if you like them more rectangular.)

2. Stack all 6 rectangles, aligning edges carefully with each other and with the lines on the cutting mat. Take your ruler and make "slices" how ever you choose. Since you have 6 fabrics, you'll need to make 5 "slices" (cutting the rectangle stack into 6 generally equal pieces...but not necessarily on a straight edge...see this picture) - I like to make a center cut FIRST, so that the side pieces will be close to even, while still looking slightly askew. I like askew. If you like 'em straight, cut 'em straight :)

3. This step is the fun part. "Shuffle" the pieces, (see above photo) so that you have one of each print on each of the 6 layers. Be careful - you MAY even want to label the pieces 1-6 on the back or with a water soluble marker. I risked it, but I had one (out of 6) that I didn't sew together in the right order (1 to 2, 2 to 3, etc.)...and I had to rip out and start over.

4. Carefully sew the pieces in order, as you have them laid out. The edges should match up fine, but they will look like this when sewn...press seams flat, and then to one side.

When you are done sewing the seams of the shuffled pieces, it should look like this:

5. Measure your placemat tops across the middle lengthwise and crosswise. (Mine are 15 x 16ish.) From the remaining fabric, cut ONE rectangle of that size from each of the prints. Also cut SIX rectangles of that size from the interfacing/canvas/batting - whatever you are using:

6. Make a sandwich. Put the solid panel down, right side up. Layer the pieced placemat top, right sides together, on top of the solid panel. Place a rectangle of interfacing on top. Pin all the way around, leaving about a 4 inch opening along one edge for turning.

7. With a 3/8" seam (you could use a 1/4" if you wanted...I just like that 3/8" gives me more wiggle room if my big rectangles don't match. I hate cutting...have I mentioned this?) - sew all the way around, turning at the corners with the needle down, leaving the 4" open for turning.

8. Clip the corners, and grade/trim the seams.

9. Turn placemat right side out through the hole.

Use a turning tool (or a fat knitting needle) to make the corners sharp.

11. Press edges well...

12. While pressing the edges, turn under the flap where you left the opening for turning & press well. Use a pin or two to hold it closed.

13. Edge stitch all the way around the placemats, closing the opening, and turning at the corners. I did a second row of stitching just inside the first row of edge stitching, purely because I like how two rows looks.

14. Then, I stitched "in the ditch" along the seams where the top is pieced. (This is optional - and would be fun if you decided to stitch in a different pattern, or in a zig-zag stitch or blanket stitch along those seams...) VOILA! Placemat divine.

Here's the back - you can see the stitching (you have to look hard...)

Oh, and I made matching napkins out of the leftovers from the 1/2 yards...I just turned under 1/8 inch on the edges, twice, pressed, and stitched.

If you try this, or some version of this, PLEASE let me know!!! I heart comments and pictures.

Sick Day

2009-03-05T09:27:00.003-05:00

I'm sick. I'm not dying or anything, but I have a killer cold, and this is day 4 or 5 (I can't remember) and I just need to rest. I stayed home from work, though I'll probably go in after lunch. Because I'm like that. But, in the meantime, it's 9:15, and me & the kids are still in our PJs. Oops. I have to get them to school, but that would require certain acts on my part, namely, putting on a bra, socks & shoes, and getting in the car.

Anyway, my plan for the day is hot tea, the couch, and to run the laundry. The kids go to Alabama tomorrow for a Dad-weekend, so I would like to feel better (and bonus if the laundry and dishes are done on my sick day!) to be able to enjoy my weekend.

So, I promised sewing news and here it is. I got this half-yard set of FreeSpirit Fabric (Heather Bailey's POP GARDEN) from FabricWorm - I got it from her etsy shop - and there's a link from her main webshop to the etsy site. Gorgeous, isn't it!!! I love the big bright florals, I've really been drawn to that lately.

The ribbons are just from my crazy stash of ribbons & trims. I got like a 1/2 pound bag of ribbons - it was LOTS of ribbon, each 2 yards. So, these I thought would be good for embellishment, maybe, at the end I'll decide...

So, anyway, I wanted to do something fun with this, that incorporated BIG hunks, since cutting it up into tiny pieces would make you lose the pattern. I have some friends that are moving in together soon, and the one friend already lives in the house - but they plan to have a housewarming (and I'm ALL FOR any excuse to party) - so I wanted to do something fun and pretty (and useful) for them, so I decided on placemats. I actually used the stack/slice/switch method of "crazy quilting" - and I'll post my *first* (amateur) tutorial on that in the next couple days, when I finish them. Preview:

Fun, eh? I wish I had the time or the energy today to just sit and sew. I'm in the mood. But, I'm sick, and my house is a wreck. (Maybe after lunch. ;)

Maybe Tuesday will be OK...

2009-03-03T07:56:00.004-05:00

TUESDAYS SUCK - have you heard? Well, if you ever read my blog on a Tuesday, you would've heard!!! (Or if you ever read my friend Liam's blog, you'd get a weekly installment of "Which sucks more...Tuesday, or...???)

OK - so anyway, I'm sorry I've been gone. It's been kind of wild around here - I had a busy weekend with the children, etc. And work has been strange - I've been in court and working, but rarely in my office in front of the computer.

I went out Friday night with some high school friends. SCARY!!! We literally haven't seen each other in years and years - especially not all together. There was beer and cheeseburger consumption involved...and after it was all said and done, it looked like this:

In that top picture, that's my "first" friend from high school, Tricia. Tricia's one of those people that I laughed so hard I spit Coke out my nose as a teenager. Of course that's me in the middle. Doesn't it seem that I have more teeth than a normal person? And that handsome guy is Ryan. Ryan was a year ahead of us girls, and Tricia just happened to be chatting with him on Facebook the night before our get-together and I'm SO glad he decided to jump into the madness with us!
The second picture (which does no justice to the amount of alcohol consumed) is, from the left Heather, Ryan (again, lucky guy with all us gals) and Amy. Fun times.

Our waiter was crazy, and Tricia drove me home well after midnight, where we sat in the driveway and talked until 1 something...so when my chicklets were bouncing out of the bed (at my mom's - I stayed there) early the next morning, I was very proud that I was fully functional!

Since Tuesdays suck, I'm trying a little preventative experiment. I was SUPER productive last night and did a number of things that I've been procrastinating on - for example, I picked up the trash that had blown across the yard. My sweet dog, Bella, had gotten into the trash (trash situation is that A) I live in the country and have to take it to the dump myself and B) my 30 gallon cans got trashed a few months ago, and I haven't gotten more so C) the trash just sits on the back porch...ick.). And it rained for the following 4 days, so I couldn't get out there and pick it up in the freezing rain, so yesterday (even though it was still freezing) I was able to get it all picked up. My neighbor Steve (thank GOD for good neighbors) is coming to take it to the dump for me today, and I plan to go to Home Depot at lunch and get new cans.

Also, I cleaned out one whole side of the garage. I haven't been parking in the garage because the door was on "manual" (i.e. the button wasn't working) since the power went out a few weeks ago. Well, I was tired of that, so I cleaned up, trashed a bunch of junk, and swept out the whole right side of the garage (and actually straightened up the other side) and found a stool and fixed the opener mechanism (though I almost fell and broke my neck...) - oh, and did I mention I was doing this at midnight last night? Because THAT'S when I felt inspired to do this. Strange.

And, I got 3 loads of laundry done last night - well, washed, but not "done!" - I haven't folded it OR put it away - but at least it's clean.

Alas - Tuesday still sucks, but at least I got a few things done. Even the ballet things are clean and ready for tonight!!!

Keep up tomorrow for some sewing pictures.

A Song for Thursday

2009-02-26T11:04:00.003-05:00

If you live in Rome...(which, despite my gripes, truly is the land of Milk & Honey for me...)...then you will identify with the current rage I feel when driving on the bypass (at rush hour) or on Martha Berry Blvd. between the post office and N. 5th Avenue. And, chances are, if you ever go downtown (and particularly if you WORK downtown), you have had a run-in with the lovely folks at the Downtown Development Authority or the Rome City Police, who (I swear) must get a huge kick out of writing those parking tickets. (For the record, I've had 7 parking tickets - after 2 prior warnings, in the last 10 months. Oops.)...INSANITY.

(If you DON'T live in Rome, then you will just have to believe me when I say, traffic sucks.)

So, in my frustration after being (ONE MINUTE) late to pick up the children thanks to some sort of river cleanup they're doing off the bridge over by State Mutual Stadium, I made up a little song about my issues. I feel much better having gotten this out - and if only I could actually sing, or play some accompaniment...it would be very entertaining.

Without further ado, an Ode to the Streets of Rome, GA:

(In an "up" tempo - think 80s Pop tune...Girls-just-wanna-have-fun-ish)

((Verse 1))
Monday morning - I got a case in Court...
Gettin' kids ready's an Olympic sport.
Finally all dressed & strapped into the car,
Get on the road, but hey - we don't get FAR!

Oh, HECK - what is this that I see?
A crane on the bridge, and gosh - is that a TREE?
Get past Rome High and the traffic slows,
Traffic on the bypass really blows....

CHORUS
oh, oh - traffic on the bypass,
you know it really chaps my ((bleep))...
yeah, you know that traffic on the bypass
ain't no way out, no way to get there fast...

((Verse 2))
Finally get through, drop the kids at school,
Hit a ton of red lights, but didn't break any rules,
Rushing into court, not a minute to spare,
'Course I get there...and my client's NOT THERE!!!

There's now an order for his rearrest..
Don't blame me, man, I tried my best!!!
This happens a lot, so I try not to sweat it...
Get back to my car - Crap! A PARKING TICKET!?!?

Oh, oh, parking on Broad Street,
Sometimes they just got you beat...
Two hours, are you kidding me?
Gotta take out a loan just to pay my fees...

oh - yeah
((Bridge))

((Verse 3))

OK - folks - there is in fact a verse 3 having to do with Martha Berry traffic/construction, but you'll have to wait at least another day. I have to go move my car before I get a(nother) ticket.

I love my kids.

2009-02-22T23:44:00.003-05:00

That title has not so much to do with what I'm sure is about to turn out to be a rambling post...but it's Sunday night at 11:45. The chickadees were with their Daddy-O all weekend in Alabama, so I got to chiiiiiiiiilllll....and for the first time in what seems like MONTHS, I really had a relaxing, fulfilling weekend. I've been sick, or overscheduled, or something...since Christmas, it seems...

Anyway, after a very chill Friday night doing pretty much...well, nothing, I spent all day Saturday watching TBS movies (giggle) and folding laundry and replacing lightbulbs. (OK, so I never got around to the lightbulbs, but I was still productive.) I was supposed to get my hair done (just a trim, remember the need for ponytail hair?) and a color touch-up - but I had a friend in dire need of a beer and the ability to get over her minor emotional breakdown - and my hair gal (Laura Beth) was running 45 minutes behind anyway (and had an appointment after me...) so it wasn't happening anyway - so, after a beer and a gab session with girlfriend, and helping her move a little furniture (how DID I get roped into THAT?), I headed home to get ready for a dinner date with my sweetie.

Will came and picked me up around 7, and after a false start (I left my phone at home...and realized it halfway into town - this would not be a problem if I didn't live SO FAR from town), we made it to the Olive Garden and had a FABULOUS meal. After the food poisoning/bacterial infection/relapse, I've not been eating what I like to call "real food" - so this was my first REAL meal in what seems like ages. And it was nice to share it with such lovely company, of course. Then we went out with friends and had a rockin' good time listening to D. Bell & Tim of Thunderbolt Patterson...love love love them. LOVE THEM!!!

And today I was the lector at church, and went straight to Kroger after (YAY, me!!!) and spent WAY more than I usually do at the grocery store, but I have a meal plan for the next TWO WEEKS, and I got dog food, and a few other higher ticket items, and so - it's ok. I was very proud of my organization - and now I'm looking forward to the following meals this week -

Taco night tomorrow, meat ball subs, homemade chicken noodle soup, garlic chicken & rice, and homemade pizza...mmmm.

THEN, I got to go get my babies. My sweet gorgeous (sometimes overwhelming) babies. They were delighted to see me (makes my heart happy...) and we went to Cracker Barrel, where they were complete doll baby angels and we had the best conversation at dinner. You may think the conversational level of a 3 & 4 year old would not be up to par, but we had a great discussion about gratitude, another one about turtles, frogs, and amphibians, and a third about the meaning of a "calorie." Then they came home and.....s....l....e....p....t.... ahhhhhh.....

And I sewed. I finished a whole little project from start to finish today. (well, I'd already traced the pattern. It's from this book:

I am very pleased with the quickness of the project...because it took me maybe 20-30 minutes to trace & cut out the pattern, another 15 minutes to cut out the fabric (there are only 2 pattern pieces, though they are large - and I used a rotary cutter - super speedy!) - and then maybe a total of 45 minutes or an hour to finish stitching from beginning to end, including finishing with a label, etc. So, what is that - under 2 hours?!?!? Cool. AND, I did all french seams (which, for you non-sewing people, is my fave way to finish seams, but it requires twice as many steps, since you sew each seam....twice.)

I am going to post a picture of the finished project, and tell you WHICH ONE IT IS - but I made it as a gift, and apparently the person to whom I will present said gift occassionally reads my blog, so...I don't want there to be any spoilers...maybe tomorrow. ;) Until then...good night.

Funnies: From the Vault

2009-02-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

OK people. I'm not feeling blog-a-licious this week. Mainly, I'm exhausted, and worn out, and slightly overwhelmed...so I went WAY back to my MySpace blog (GASP!) looking for inspiration, and just for kicks & giggles (and I DID giggle, re reading these!) here are some of the highlights of life with C & C Music Factory. Oldies, but goodies...

Monday, April 14, 2008
So, it’s been a while...
A LONG while...and I'm so sorry, faithful readers (all 3 of you, he he...).
Yeah, so, we moved. To Alabama. I'm officially an Alabama resident (hold jokes here, please...)...I do no have a job (well, other than motherhood, which of course entitles me to sainthood...but that's another blog entirely), and we have not sold our house in Rome. I could cry. But I'll spare you that and move on to funnier things. Here are the highlights of the last 3 months.
So, after moving to Huntsvegas, we join the local YMCA. They have a kid's playroom area where the kids can stay while Momma gets up close and personal with the treadmill...my kids LOVE this place. So, we call it "the playplace" and finally I tell them a few days in, that it's REALLY called the YMCA. The next day Cole asks, "Momma? Momma, are we gonna go to that place today...you know, the playing place where you exercise? The...the...um, the L-M-N-O-P???" (Of course he meant Y-M-C-A...and I know y'all are all singing it in your head, and that's ok, I am, too...)

Carson is trouble. She's 2. Right? TWO sweet years old. So, we go to the locally owned (small) fabric store and the owner lady is there and says "HI, how ARE you?"
And Carson proceeds to talk the lady's ear off and Lady says to Carsie ... "How Old ARE you?"
C2: "I'm 13. That's a teenager, you know?" (hands on hips here...remember, she's TWO)
Lady: Ah, I see...and what is your name?
C2: Cinderella. This (pointing to Cole) is my brother, "The Prince"...
Lady: Oh! Does the Prince talk? How old is he? (meaning to get Cole to talk to her)
C2: "Yeah, he talks, don't you Prince? He's three. Not thirteen like me."
Honestly people. I can't make this stuff up. The child is unbelievable. I mean, yeah, she's smart and all, but Cole's super smart...like can add numbers and stuff for which *I* (with multiple degrees and at age almost-31) need a calculator...but Carson, well, she's of a different breed.

Sunday, October 07, 2007
Funny Cole-isms...just because
But, THREE is a REALLY funny age.
1. When we say the blessing at dinner, Cole dictates what we are thankful for and begins by saying "I'd like to say a word..." and then proceeds to tell us how he's thankful not only for the food provided, in general, but SPECIFICALLY for the chicken, rice, and field peas (which are called "Rabbit Beans" In our house - thanks to POP...) Oh, and gratitude for nourishment (in a 3-year-old's eyes, anyway) also applies to ketchup, ranch dressing, and salt.
2. Show & Tell was Friday. Bring something that starts with "C" - Cole comes into my room at 5am on Friday. "Does Spiderman truck start with C?" no, cole... "Does pirate sword start with C?" no, cole... "Hey, Momma - COLE starts with C!!!" yeah, Cole, but you're supposed to take something in addition to yourself. His solution? "CARSON starts with C, too, Mommy - I'm taking Carson for show & tell..." (Carson is Cole's sister, who is 2...)
3. Overheard at Home Depot: "This place is Orange. Pumpkins are orange. You know what else is orange? Tony Stewart's 20 car..." You should have seen the elation on the kid's face when I told him that Tony Stewart drives THE Home Depot Car, and we were actually AT Home Depot.Crazy kid. Three is fun.

EXCERPT FROM:
10 Random Thoughts on a Sunday night:
(Only #6 still struck me as mildly funny...)
6. Note to Self: 2-year olds and 3-year olds should not have access to the following things: electricity, Sharpie Markers, steak knives, sewing machines, and toasters. This is particularly true when said toddlers are wet and naked.

Thursday, August 02, 2007
Happy Birthday TO ME!!! Current mood: content
Yeah, so I'm 30.
Imagine that. A lot of my friends had a hard time with 30? I don't understand. I don't deny them their "mid-life" freak-out depression whatever, but dude - I'm HAPPY.
This is how my day went:
5:45 am - Cole comes into our room and Mark tells him it's my birthday - Cole proceeds to sing "Happy Birthday DEAR MOMMY!!!" totally off-key. (Makes my mouth and my heart smile...)
7:22 am - Cole comes into the bedroom wearing the following ensemble
- Long sleeved layered Halloween t-shirt - black and orange with Frankenstein Cartoon on it that says something catchy
- size 3T (read: way too big in the waist - I can see his "drawahs" (which have sharks on them, by the way) hanging out above the waist line) khaki cargo shorts
- purple socks that are too small, and, in fact, belong to Carson...
- 2-sizes-too-small "Cars- the movie" tennis shoes from Wal-Mart - one of which is missing the tounge.
Cole's announcement: "Look, Mommy, I'm all dressed and ready to go to the doctor on your birthday!" (They had pediatrician appointments today.)
Me: "Uh - Coley, that's AWESOME!" (Somehow convinced him into a whole new outfit - minus the socks - which was a cowboy shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, which sufficiently camoflauged the purple socks...)
8:17 am - walk into Carson's room to find Cole "reading" a story to Carson (he's in the rocker, she's in the crib...) - almost cried at the sweetness there.
10:00am - go to doc's office with two toddlers in tow. THEY WERE ANGELS - thank you, Jesus.
11:30 am - have the lucky chance of getting free lunch in the hospital cafeteria and Cole and Carson took home FREE "hospital" hats (disposable scrub hats...)
12:30 am - drop sleepy kiddos off for naps at daycare
1:00pm - MASSAGE. (Again, thank you Jesus!)2:30pm - haircut - looks pretty good - it's been 5 months...
5:00pm - "breakfast for dinner" at Landmark
6:00 pm - take Cole to pre-school Open House at Berry Child Development Center
8:30ish - all children IN BED, Mommy has a Martini!!! WOO HOO. Continue reading (for the 2nd time - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...) *I'm about to start A Light in August for a book club venture...

My life is blessed. Thank you friends for my birthday wishes. I've had a good life so far. And a lot of good times yet to come.

***BACK TO THE FUTURE***
Check back tomorrow or Saturday for another Blast from the Past installment. I have a few more on there that will CRACK YOU UP!

Minor Obsessions

2009-02-17T10:59:00.003-05:00

Yep. Tuesday. Have I ever mentioned that Tuesdays, generally, run me ragged? Of course I have...and to my regular readers, I'm sorry for once again beating the proverbial dead horse, but TUESDAYS SUCK BIG FAT ROTTEN EGGS sometimes.

In fact, I even try to counteract the negativity that surround Tuesdays...Today I let the kids watch TV first thing, fixed them breakfast (oatmeal & cinnamon LIFE cereal & string cheese each...) And, I made sure to dress extra-pretty (I have on my purple turtleneck sweater dress, black tights & knee high black boots...) so that at least I'd feel nice today. We were not in a hurry, in fact, it was already 9am by the time I got the Cs to school...but we were taking our leisurely time with Tuesday. Usually we have ballet, but today is Carson's little friend Ann Elise's birthday - at Kangaroo Jake's (God help me...) - AND I have my Junior Service League monthly meeting tonight...so a babysitter friend is meeting me at Kangaroo Jake's at 6:30 (halfway through the party) to mind the children while I run to the meeting...all this makes for a long day, tired children, and a beat mommy.

Alas. I have been on the phone all morning with trial calendar clients trying to work out deals...and for every deal I get worked out, I have 3 more voicemails to deal with. SO - here's what I've been daydreaming about to take my mind of Tuesdays - (hence the post title - minor obsessions...)

1. Fabric. What we have here is my FIRST online fabric purchase in 12 months. Yep. I haven't bought any fabric on line since last February and I'm very proud of that. In fact, I've bought very very little fabric AT ALL in the last year...because I've been A) not sewing much and B) when I do, I just have been using stash stuff...which is good. But I couldn't resist this. It's six one-half yard cuts (so 3 yards total) of very nice new quilting cotton, which usually runs $8-9/yard, and it was only $20!!!! - so that was a deal (even with shipping) - and I know I'll squeeze at least 2 outfits for Carsie out of it all.

2. Vacation - I totally have spring fever. I could SO handle this view right now.

3. Selling my house. Enough said.

4. THE WEEKEND. It's still 3 days away, the weekend, but I'm looking forward to it. I need to clean out drawers/boxes, etc. - a little minor spring cleaning...Atomic Boogie is playing at 400 Block Friday night...good times...and I plan to go to the grocery store (ALONE!!! ooooohhhh, exciting!!!) on Saturday at some point...and I'm getting a hair cut on Saturday (my last hair cut was December 4. It's time. I'm trying to grow it out for ponytail season (and aforementioned beach vacation, which is yet to be planned but MUST happen sometime.) - but I need an update. Thinking I really dig the Ashley Judd look. I just don't know...Maybe I'll have a hot date on Saturday with fancy hair ;) - what do you think about this? Find me a hairstyle that would look good on me....:

Yeah, so I better do some more work now. The obsessions are ruling my life...
What are you daydreaming about today?

Weekend Review

2009-02-16T11:47:00.003-05:00

All weekend (SINCE I HAVE INTERNET AT HOME) I've been drooling over sewing blogs and patterns (since I rarely get time to do such things at work...) and these things have caught my eye.

Oliver + S patterns - I SO want to make EVERY ONE of these outfits for Carson and a couple for Cole!!! (While they're still small enough to look cute in them, anyway...) (And some for my sweet Godson, Grady, maybe, too...and possibly my new Sadie...but of course, I'd have to get around to actually doing all of that...and I might not, but it's fun to think about...)

SO - Happy Monday. (P.S. it's Roman Record day...if you missed my post on the Roman Record...it's highly entertaining, if I DO say so myself...so go back and read it here...)

My house is clean...well, pretty clean - there is nothing on the floor (except laundry baskets full of CLEAN clothes needing to be put away...) - and this is an amazing fact...living with two preschoolers and a crazy dog.

We have TELEVISION and INTERNET at my house, and I'm on TV overload. I don't know what to do with myself...honestly. We were late to school/work today because of being sucked into Curious George/SuperWhy/Clifford the Big Red Dog. Amazing, huh?

I have a big trial calendar this week. On Thursday. Only 13 cases (only, right?) but I'm thinking at least 3 of them will be full-blown jury trials. And, honestly, my time has come - the last two calendars I've somehow gotten away with not trying any cases because they all fell through, got dismissed, or plead guilty. So...it's time - but it's also a little stressful and overwhelming some days. But, hey - I love my job. And, I'm telling you this so that when I don't do a blog post all week, you'll understand that I'm actually out working for the good of the people and all - and not just ignoring your need for random ramblings and entertainment...

I had a good weekend, except I had a little scare that my bacterial friends that came from the sushi had returned for another visit Saturday morning. Yep, I woke up very very ill and hanging my head over the toilet. Again. But luckily, phenergan worked pretty well and I felt human (somewhat) by supper time. So much for a wild Valentine's Day!!! But, my sweetheart came over anyway, despite my puny condition, and brought me gorgeous flowers. (I have a picture I'll upload later. They really are gorgeous.) The flowers arrived with a grilled chicken sandwich from Chick-fil-A (at my request) and a totally sweet card. Ahhhh....We watched LOST on DVD and Saturday Night Live. A perfect evening in. ***ahhhhh....**** I actually love my quiet life sometimes. (Now, obviously, if you've seen the pictures in previous posts, you also know that I like to go out and have a good time here and there - but a good life is all about moderation & balance...right?)

OK - I will edit this post with a couple pictures later tonight...so check back!

NEWS FLASH

2009-02-13T21:50:00.003-05:00

I now have TV and internet at home. If I fall off the face of the earth for a while, please do not put out a missing persons report, I am probably just sucked into WifeSwap or something equally atrocious and mind-numbing...though I am SO looking forward to SportsCenter. I was having SERIOUS withdrawals back during football season, and just couldn't stick it out through baseball season, too - I mean, I can only look up so much Michael Phelps and A-Rod juice online, ya know? I need tickers at the bottom. Woo hoo for ESPN. (Oh, and miracle of miracles, I have ShoTime, too...wow.) ***and for those holding their breath - I got the TV at Sam's - 26" flat screen HDTV. No built in DVD...***

And, P.S., tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I am not a big supporter of faked romance or pressure to have a date (though I have one, and I don't want to sound ungrateful, because it's nice to have a Valentine...) BUT - I AM a huge supporter of telling the people that you love how important they are in your life.

Family - you are my everything. You are "that from whence I came"...Thank you.
Friends - my adopted family, you are the icing on the cake. Thank you.
And most of all, I love myself, even though I'm a goofball and retarded some days. I love myself even when I give in and let the children watch 5 television shows in a row instead of the intended 2...and when I pretend I didn't see the 4 or 9 chocolate hearts they snuck (which happened to be sitting right by my side...because I may have been sneaking them myself.)...and I pretended even more not to know how late it was (9pm) when they were allegedly sneaking such hearts. I love myself even though I noticed a blaring grammatical error (be still my heart!) that ***I*** made in a brief I filed a month ago...I love that I try hard every day to just do my best. And my best is as good as it gets. So, even if I didn't have a Valentine this year (which, did I mention, I do have a Valentine?), I'd be happy. I have love all around.

Hey. It's Valentine's Day. Share the love.

2009-02-10T09:15:00.002-05:00

As promised, I finally, finally, pulled the sewing machine out on Sunday night. After months of being sad and neglected, she SANG at the prospect of a little project for Carsie. I was wasting a little time Sunday afternoon waiting to head and get the children, and found these Valentine's Day fabrics on sale for 50% off at Hancock's. They were only $4.99 to begin with, so with four 1/2 yard cuts (total 2 yards), I made 2 little dresses like this. One for Carsie and one for our little friend Addie, who just turned 4 in December. Carson can't wait to wear it to her V-Day party at school on Friday.

And these are my dear friends Jesse & Tricia. We went to see David Bell at 400 Block and it was nice to hang with my peeps for a while. Good times. Aren't they a cute couple?

Tricia's goofy (but so am I, obviously...)

And this is Bucky...also known as the Buck Master, BuckNasty, Buckalicious, etc. Ain't he cute? Well, he's too young for me (no, really...and I have another guy I'm sweet on anyway ;)) but he IS a great adopted little brother...and he loves me.

So - it's 10 am. I've had a productive day so far and crossed a mountain of things off my to-do lists (personal & work related...)

Here's the news...brace yourself...(((I AM GETTING CABLE & INTERNET!!!))) Finally, right? I had the cable shut off in Alabama at the beginning of May...so it's been almost 10 months of TV-free and internet-free living...and I'm over it. Get me back into the real world. I feel out of sorts and isolated...and I've been waiting forever to get it because - What if we sell the house? What if we move? but you know what? I'm tired of waiting on the world to resolve itself. I need to live in the NOW...and it's no fun for me or the kids or babysitters to not have ANY tv...right?

So, on Friday between 3 & 5 pm, I will be a proud TV-watcher once again. ;)

What else...hmm...ok - I'm off to the bank to deposit some money (yay...) and do some other running around - dry cleaning, etc. - ah, the excitement of being a grown up, eh?

Fun random questions:

1. What TV shows do you watch regularly? (Tell me days/times/channels so I can catch up, too...;)

2. What was the last (good) movie you watched? (on tv or in the theater)

3. What are the main websites you check regularly every day?

4. What's for lunch and/or dinner today?

2009-02-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

YAY for this Monday. After a week of being horribly ill from this bacterial sushi thing (see prior post), I am so so so much better and so so so happy!!! The shorties went to see their Daddy this weekend, on Friday - and the Junior Service League put on Follies 2009!!! I worked at the Patron's Party both nights to help out a little...but other than that, I did very very little besides hang out on a couch and relax. And it was so nice. I did get a TON of laundry done, which was necessary for my continued existence, but it wasn't stressful at all.

And I slept. I slept WELL and happy. No tossing and turning, no stomach pain, no small sweaty preschoolers cuddled up next to me with 3 and 4 year old breath in my face...(which I actually love, but that situation does not beget sound sleep for Momma...)

And now I'm at work, about to have my 2nd cup of coffee and pore over the Roman Record (Hey, it's Monday, I gotta keep up!!!) and get my work life back in order. I have a few appointments scheduled for this afternoon and I need to go to the jail to see my boys in orange about next week's court appearances...I feel in control of my life (well, as in control as one could be of the madness that is my life) and much, much, much more like myself than I have since before the Holidays!!! YAY.

So. This week - I have a bunch of crazy errands to get done like:
- pay car insurance
- get oil changed
- pay Berry and file for reimbursement from Flex account
- pay parking ticket (eek)
- pay speeding ticket
(Do you see a car-related theme going on here? I actually washed and vaccuumed out my whole car yesterday and I'm so happy about it!)
- go to the bank, deposit checks
- call Gas company and moan about my bill (I'm sure there's a leak, it CAN'T be normal for it to be that high)
- check into cable TV & internet (GASP!) - I'm breaking down here...
- wash Carsie's ballet things this evening so she can do ballet tomorrow
- finish Sadie's prize so I can take it to the hospital when she's born on Wednesday
- organize sitter for Wednesday so I can go to the hospital...
- figure out dinner for the rest of the week so we can eat at home.
- get little Valentine things for the kids to take to their parties at school for classmates
- figure out something for my own Valentine (YES, I have a Valentine, isn't that sweet?)

So far, that's what I got. Aren't you glad you came to read my blog so now you know my whole to-do list? Of course you are!!! You love the random irrelevant details of my life. That's why you come here. ;)

I got some Valentine's fabric yesterday while I was at the fabric store buying machine needles and a tape measure. It was $4.99/yard, on sale at 50% off! (So, only 2.50 a yard...) - I got 1/2 a yard of 4 different heart-prints for a total of $5.00!!! (And, miracle of miracles, I eeked TWO size 4 dresses out of it...they're a little different, but the same...so I think I'm going to give one to Addie - my secretary's granddaughter...) Pictures soon!

OK - random questions:
1. How often do you wash your car - either in the drive-thru wash or hand-washing?

2. If you could be doing something OTHER than being at work today, and just for today, what would you be doing?

3. What is the coolest Valentine's gift/idea/date you have gotten/given/heard of?

4. Tell me about your shoes. Either the ones you have on or your favorite pair, or both.

Come on, you know you missed me...

2009-02-03T10:58:00.002-05:00

I've been gone a WEEK from my blog! SORRY! It started last week when I kept getting this error message when I tried to open my Outlook email, which then turned into the crazy IT folks (you know how IT folks can be... ;)) taking my computer on Tuesday and not returning it until Friday afternoon...SO, I was without a computer (which normally would have been tragic - but I was actually in court every day last week except Monday...)...

Then it was Friday - and I got to go see my fave local guys play at 400 Block (David Bell & Tim of Thunderbolt Patterson...good times...) Pictures soon, gotta sort through those for the appropriate ones, you know...and then on Saturday I went and saw my Nannie and my sister and my mom and we ate at IHOP, and ran into an old friend from high school (Amy Mac!!!) Then I got a call from my realtor that the house was going to be shown at 5:45 - so I busted it home to clean up real quick and take a shower - because I had a hot date planned for Saturday night!

So, I go over to date's house at 5:45 (since house is being shown) and we talk, then decide we should go pick up Season 3 of LOST to watch after dinner - meet friends at dinner place and all decide to sit together. Dinner place is Japanese, and I LOVE sushi, so I order a rainbow roll (my favorite) and another roll (Super Crunch, which is cooked stuff) and go to town. As we are leaving, I think "My tummy hurts, I ate TOO TOO much." But figure it will settle down soon enough. Well, we get back to sweet friend's place and put in LOST - before the season premier first episode is over, I am feelin' ill. I started throwing up and couldn't stop! IT WAS SO MISERABLE...and I was so embarrassed, because, like, remember? I WAS ON A DATE. But, it turned out alright, in the end. My guy took care of me and made sure I was ok (thanks, hon) - and I finally made it home early the next morning and got to sleep a little before my momma returned those small beings who call me "mommy".

I have very very little recollection of anything past Saturday at midnight until this morning. All I know is that I'm glad to be ALIVE! ;) and that I'm very very very tired, still, even though I slept all day yesterday, and all night last night.

There ya go. I won't be eating sushi again for a long long time. This saddens me because I enjoy sushi! It's a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, just the thought of it while I'm typing is making me queasy, so I'll shut up now. A big thank you and shout out to my boy Will who made sure I was ok. I promise the next date will end on a happier note.

Recital Recap

2009-01-26T09:43:00.006-05:00

Carson Claire Walker, Age 3.5, doing her "moves" on the front steps of the Rome City Auditorium. January 24, 2009.

WOO HOO! And a happy Monday to you all...right...sarcasm, much?

Anyway, I am happy today to post the pictures (and one short video - go ME, figuring out how to record AND post a video!!!) of Carsie's FIRST ballet recital. We had a crazy day Saturday of playing Candy Land 84,000 times, and doing SEVEN different puzzles and playing "dress up baby and take her to the mall" and Transformers (more than meets the eye!)...this went on for hours. Then we had a 2 pm bath time so that I could do Carson's "ballet" hair. I love girls with pretty "done up" hair. Unfortunately, our household has no such little girls. Carson's hair is WILD and she loves it that way, and will hardly let me pull it back or anything. Plus it's super fine and wispy and all different lengths since it's still growing in (at age 3.5)...but one of the other ballet moms (of a wispy haired one) told me to do the ponytail bun while her hair was wet, and to put a little gel in it to cement it. It was GORGEOUS. I did really well. Pat me on the back, whydoncha, because I'm a good mom, but I'm not as good as MY mom who actually fixed our hair with matching barrettes (sometimes ones that she'd made herself with coordinating ribbons, etc.

Anyway, after rushing around with two wet naked preschoolers (I know, good times, right?) and FINALLY getting out the door at 3:15 (Carson was supposed to be downtown at the Auditorium at 3:30 and it takes exactly 15 minutes with no traffic and no parking issues (of which we had both, of course... so we were kind of in the back with seating, but it was ok, in the end. And Carson did so wonderful and looked so beautiful. These pictures are kind of in reverse order, because that's how Blogger chooses to upload, like, everything - backwards...(rolling eyes here)...and it's a pain in the tookus to rearrange them - so I'll just "narrate for you" -

This is Cole and Pop (my dad) outside the Rome City Auditorium. Cole was proud of his sister. This is me with my little ballerina. I look a little odd - but we were standing on the steps and Carson was tired, etc. Too cute, though. Note the awesome bun (There are stringy pieces hanging out, yes - wispies, we call them - but all in all it still looked great - and this is about 2.5 hours AFTER I put it up, so it held up pretty well!!!)
Carsie with her little pink carnations Grandmomma brought (there were a TON of other flowers that are now in vases all over my home - she LOVES them!)

These next few are from the actual performance, I couldn't use "flash photography" and we were mostly towards the back of the theater, so they're a little blurry, but you get the idea. Carson is the one on the left in this photo, next to Lily - the only other 3 year old in the class (most of the other girls are 4, 5 and almost 6...)

Here she is again, second from the right (That's Lily on the far right...they were kind of off in their own world, but it was adorable...)

My grandmother brought little dumbbells for them because we've started lifting weights in the morning together - it's a story for another post, another time - but this was before the recital - my tough weight lifting boy. (They're 1 lb. weights ;))

And Cole is an aspiring photographer. He was DYING to take a picture with my new camera (be still, my heart!) and he DID take this one...and it turned out pretty nice, I think - except for my crazy-lady bugging eyes, but still.

And here's a VERY short video of the performance. Too cute...you can hear the music. Carson is the second from the right...

Alright - that's it for today - I have trial calendars and probation revocations and all kinds of fun things to take care of today...ack. I'm out. I have no questions - but please leave me a comment and tell me how GREAT Carson did!!!

I'm a loser baby...

2009-01-22T14:45:00.002-05:00

Yep. Another song title...BECK. I'm not REALLY a loser, of course. But, I feel like one - It's THURSDAY and even though I've had a lot of appointments with clients, talked to a lot of people on the phone and sent a lot of emails over the last 3 days, why haven't I worked anything out yet? Weird...

I have probate court in the morning. Tomorrow is FRIDAY (thank you!!!) - I am hoping to make a short trip to the jail tomorrow after probate court, but before lunch. Unlikely, but still worth hope...Carson's dress rehearsal for her ballet recital is tomorrow afternoon at 5:30, and then friends are coming over to eat chili and cornbread. WOO HOO! I love stay-at-home dates on Fridays. Then Saturday is THE BIG DAY - the recital!!! We have a whole entourage of folks coming to the recital - so it should be fun, fun, fun...and the kids are so excited. Be prepared for pictures on Monday! Of chili night, and the recital!

I am really a loser because I have nothing fun to say today. Sorry. Please forgive me. Also, if you want Follies 2009 tickets, please email me at jenniferjoywalker@gmail.com or call me! They are $15/adult or $5/child - Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7 @ 8pm. Fun times!

Random questions -
1. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV, is it different than what you like to watch in person?

2. On average, how many text messages do you send a day? Do you mostly text the same few people?

3. How in the world is one full-time-working-mommy to two preschoolers supposed to keep her house clean and the clothes washed (and put away), and still manage to do things like bake cookies with her kids and have people over for dinner? (if you can give a real feasible answer to this one, I will PAY you...)

Happy MLK Day! (And Ava Jane Day!)

2009-01-19T10:45:00.002-05:00

This is what we are doing today - the kids are at my office with me - currently shooting staples and rubberbands at each other (Lord, help me...) - they have been really good - but it's now lunchtime - and this is my new (made-up) knitted hat - I look goofy in it, but the hat itself is not to blame...Here's Cole...

And the lovely Carson - with her Daddy Dead-Eye Stare...no smiles here...

My sister's baby shower was this weekend. She's having a girl - and her name is...

And here she is herself! With me, the sister - Sadie will be here any day and we're SO SO SO excited!

Today is the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday - but it's ALSO my dear dear sweet little friend Ava Jane's birthday!!! SHE IS FOUR! Four ROCKS, by the way - and tomorrow is her little brother Henry's birthday - he will be 2. (Two, while also being a cool age, is not as great as FOUR, in my opinion, but he's halfway there ;)

I'm still in the throes of house-selling-negotiations. ARGH! I'm about to lose my mind! I really have hope that it's going to work out, but I just want to KNOW already so I can start making plans if I'm going to be moving here in the next two weeks. I'm really super excellent at "going with the flow" and "rolling with it", "playing it by ear" and all that stuff, you know, even "flying by the seat of my pants"...and this is thanks to a lot of practice over the last two or three years of things popping up unexpectedly and me having to deal with these wrenches thrown into my life.

However, this time - I'm anxious and ready to get on with it. Maybe we'll have a contract by the end of the week...please, dear Lord. Have mercy on my weak heart...

Again, I'm at my office today. Yes, it's a holiday. But, I have arraignments tomorrow and a couple people that wanted to plead and I just wanted to look at my calendar and figure it out for now...so the kids are here with me and just spent a record almost 2 hours in the conference room at my office doing puzzles. Good good children. Thank you, universe, for cosmically aligning so that my kids are in a good and helpful mood today.

After lunch in town with the chicklets, we're headed to my friend Tricia's for a MLK party (tee hehe) - actually, no disrespect to Dr. King, but we're just painting our toenails and gossiping while the kids play and run wild and watch TV (which is very exciting because we have no TV - a situation that will hopefully change soon if we move!)...good times.

Carsie's ballet recital, entitled "Footsteps in Faith" is this Saturday. She's SO excited, the dress rehearsal is Friday afternoon...my whole family and her daddy and his family are all coming up to see her perform! WOO HOO!

I think that's all I got. I can't be funny or witty today because I'm wrestling children and trying to keep them from throwing staples at each other and from drawing on my walls with assorted colors of highlighters...and because I'm mentally distracted with the house negotiations.

Have a good MLK DAY!

Let's get it started...Let's get it started in here...

2009-01-16T11:45:00.002-05:00

I have that song in my head (funny how a lot of my blog post titles have been song lyrics. How unoriginal of me...) - but today I have that song in my head because A) it's FRIDAY!!!! and I'm ready to get the weekend started and B) We got an offer on our house yesterday (I'd woo hoo but it was an insanely low offer) and we countered today, and I'm really really really hoping we can just get on with the show and get this thing not only STARTED but OVER....already....

Random thoughts:
Cole has asked me for the last 3 days to buy him hair gel or mousse. ??? Yesterday it went like this:
C: "Mom, is that stuff boys put in their hair called 'moose'"
J: Yeah, bud, it's "Mousse", but not like the animal moose, it's just called "mousse"...because it's got a creamy texture.*
C: Mom, can you get me some mousse at Wal-Mart?
J: Maybe (which is mom-code for NO...), why do you think you need mousse? You are handsome already and you have great hair.
C: BECAUSE, Mom, Will says mousse makes your hair stick up. I want my hair to stick up. PLEEEAAAASEEE????

* This was said, as if my 4-year-old could "hear" the difference in the spelling of "moose" and "mousse" and also as if he had the contextual knowledge to understand WHY the creamy texture inspiring word was derived from the French. Silly Mommy.

I still haven't figured out which Will he was talking about. He has two little friends at school named Will (Will Terry and Will Hester) and then we have another "grown-up" friend named Will...so you know, who knows?

I'm sucking it up and going to buy a new camera today. Be prepared.

I'm sort of confused about the 3-day weekend. I don't know if I have MLK Jr. day off or not...but kids are out of school...so...hmmmm....? I do know I'm planning to knock off early today because I spent yesterday morning working on a ton of arraignment cases that want to plead, and yesterday afternoon preparing for one big fat meth lab trial, so I did a LOT yesterday, and the stress of the house stuff is making me INSANE...

My sister's baby (Sadie Layne) is due to arrive in like 2-4 weeks. Oh. My. Her baby shower is tomorrow - so I gotta go make a cheeseball and finish Sadie's present and all...and it's MOVIE NIGHT at our house. My kids want pizza. I want Chinese in the WORST way. It's been months and months since I had good Chinese. So, maybe I'll order it take-out and get the pizza and then stop by on the way back...hmmm.

Here's some randomness you can answer for me:
1) What is some random fact about your childhood that a lot of people don't know about?

2) If money were not a factor, and you didn't HAVE to work, how would you spend your days?

3) Who is the most difficult person you've had to work with and why?

Slap Happy Anxiety - and it's Tuesday...

2009-01-13T09:17:00.005-05:00

Tuesday...why you gotta be so cruel...

So, here we are at Tuesday again - my hella day. I just got a girl outta jail, though, and it's only 9:18 am. So far, so good. Now, I need a babysitter...for after ballet, and during my JSL meeting. *sigh* My regular (fabulous) babysitter Brittany is sick...(like the other 75% of Floyd County) - and I'm feelin' kinda desparate.

Anyway, this post (fair warning) is going to be scattered. I have not heard from my real estate agent yet about whether we have an offer, but you can bet your cute little tooshie that I will update as soon as I hear anything. Because of the crazy anxiety I have related to how my life is (slightly) out of control and overwhelming, and adding in that it's a typical insane-in-the-membrane Tuesday, it's no wonder I'm scattered.

So, Britt sent the pictures from our crazy grown-up slumber party. We always, always play Celebrity...(sort of a hybrid of charades and some drinking game)...here are some of the highlights...

First - here's me trying on my 70% completed knitted hat. Sorta looks like a crown o' thorns (actually knitting needles...)

This is me being Ricky Bobby, in Talledega Nights (SHAKE 'N' BAKE, baby!) - because I was trying to get them to guess "Will Ferrell" - for the record, it worked.

I have no idea what this is - but it looks fun...?

As Britt said, not all the pictures were very flattering (DUH! - look at these!) but it was VERY FUN, and because they weren't all flattering, I refrained from posting the other girls...just because I don't care if *I* look like an idiot on the internet doesn't mean I should post pictures of THEM looking like idiots! ;)

Love and Sunshine this Tuesday. I am out of questions currently - but if you have something to tell me, by all means, leave a comment.

2009-01-12T10:48:00.000-05:00

OK - so it's totally Monday, but for the first time in a long time, I do NOT have a bad case of the "Mondays" - though there's time yet, it's only 11am, I'm being optimistic.

Part of the reason for my lack of Monday-madness is A) my trial calendar cases were all disposed of on Thursday. (WOO HOO!) and B) I had a fabulously refreshing weekend full of people I enjoy and C) I AM ANTICIPATING AN OFFER ON THE HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN FOR SALE FOR 16 MONTHS!!!

My weekend was fabulous (thank you for asking)...despite that it got started a little late (we had some hitch-ups in getting to Alabama, because C & C's daddy was working late, but it was all ok...in the end...) and the kids wanted Sonic (yeah, I know...) but I obliged, and got a JUMBO POPCORN CHICKEN combo with tots and a Sprite for them. (Nothing for me, I was waiting to get something to eat for the way back, since I was picking up food for a friend.) On the way back, I call my friend Will (because we had plans to watch LOST, Season 2) and ask him what he wants me to pick up. "Um, how about Sonic?" Sure, no prob... "I want a JUMBO POPCORN CHICKEN combo, with tots & a Sprite." No problem. Get back to Sonic (the SAME Sonic) and order stuff. Same delivery/car-hop girl. "HEY! You're back again! What happened to the first JUMBO POPCORN CHICKEN combo? With tots & a Sprite?" Uh, well, it's for a different person... Anyway, LOST was great, and I had a nice time with Will.

Then Saturday AM, I got up and straightened up the already-Yolanda-cleaned house and headed out to Sewanee, Tennessee (Monteagle) to visit my bestest oldest gal pals from college. Oh, my. We DO get into trouble together. I'm hoping Britt will send me the photos so I can post some (hint, hint, BB, I know you're reading this...) - and I LOVE LOVE LOVED meeting and hanging with our newest initiate to the crazy group, Lindsay (or Lindsey?)...fun times, girls. I'd do the retarded Cher impression, but I can't figure out how to type it. And YES, we have to go back in the Spring for hiking and hanging @ Shenanigan's!!! And, hopefully, hopefully, I will have a new place to have a slumber party, too, soon!!!

Which leads me to the sale of my house. Please, please, please, Lord. I think the months and months of praying and petitioning by me and my friends and their friends is finally finally starting to work. Some folks have come to look at our house (Twice. and brought their parents back for an ok from them...) and we just did a new disclosure for them and they've asked a TON of questions and I'm anticipating an offer anytime.

So, this wasn't a totally exciting post; updates as they come on our house situation, ok?

I got Two Turntables...and a MICROPHONE...

2009-01-08T14:53:00.005-05:00

Arbitrary title. I just have this song stuck in my head - because it came from an earlier thought at about 7:30 a.m. - the thought in my head went something like this:
"I got 4 felonies and 11 misdemeanors...and it ain't all that bad." (OK, so, in fact, I would never, ever, in a million years, have a thought with the word "ain't" in it because, well, it's just bad grammar...but I took some creative license...)
Anyway, that led to the "I got two turntables and a microphone!" song. And now, it's stuck in my head, but of course the only part of the song I can remember is that exact phrase...no other lyrics are popping up. I should Google that, for real!

The 4 felonies and 11 misdemeanors turned out all either pleading guilty or getting dismissed! WOO HOO!!! - No trials next week...which makes me feel so much less guilty about taking a tiny little road trip one state north to visit my Mercer homies for an adult slumber party!!! It's my Alpha Gam buddies - Melissa, Brittany & Lisa (dear sweet little sis...) - and my non-sorority related, but bruddah from anodah muddah, Sooz - was supposed to come, but she's actually killed her back and can't make it. Boo on that.

Funny picture of me at the Junior Service League Christmas Party:

Courtesy of my friend Kay. Thanks, Kay. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm in Jennifer Bagby's hallway. I think I must be practicing my moves for our upcoming FOLLIES 2009 show!!!

Speaking of which, here's a little shameless plug. Follies is a broadway-esque type show that JSL puts on in odd-numbered years to raise money for our various causes. It will take place Feb. 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium. Tickets are $15, general admission; $5 children 12 and under; and $50 patron ticket. All the proceeds this year will benefit the Hospitality House, Harbor House and The Sexual Assault Center of Rome. For ticket and show information, see http://www.follies2009.com/ or call 706-238-8261.

I HAVE TICKETS FOR SALE IF ANYONE WANTS SOME!!! Come see me and all the other jr. leaguers be silly on stage! It's an excellent party, too - good times, right here in River City!

(Shameless plug is over now, unglaze your eyes and start paying attention again!)

So - today is Yolanda day. WE LOVE YOLANDA DAY!!! (For the non-faithful readers, Yolanda (a.k.a. Yo-ho-ho & a bottle of rum - my endearing nickname for her...)) is my house-cleaner.) I so cannot afford Yolanda right now. At $80 a pop, it's a major splurge - but on the other hand, who ELSE is going to scrub my toilets willingly? And, honestly? I don't know how other working-single-mommies get their house to stay clean. Particularly adding in furry friends and sticky juice boxes. And tonight my Rome beeeotches are coming over for dinner. With wine. What good friends.

Here are some silly questions - come on, entertain me! It's almost FRIDAY!!!

1. Is there anyone from your past that you wish you could get back in touch with, or at least just find with Google to see what s/he is up to? WHO???

2. What was your favorite Saturday AM cartoon (or whatever TV show) as a child?

3. Tell me the thing that last made you laugh. Like a real hard belly laugh!!!

Typical Tuesday Tirade!

2009-01-06T08:41:00.002-05:00

Tuesdays, for me anyway, are always rough. Here's why:
1. They follow (typically) craptastic Mondays.
2. I generally have court on Wednesdays and Thursdays, so Tuesday is the day to hit it hard (as my Crazy Auntie Julie told me - "Head down, Bum up, Get stuck into it!") - I work really hard on Tuesdays at work.
3. AFTER working so hard, we have ballet at 5:30 - so I have to bust on outta here to get the chickadees at Berry and bust it back downtown to ballet. And in the middle of all that somewhere, I have to get a 3-year-old into tights and a leotard. Fun.**

And today, THIS Tuesday, I have to say - the rain is getting me down, man. Makes me want to sing a sad, sad song. It's been raining for TWO weeks. And, according to Hometown Headlines (which is where I get all my local news when I don't buy the paper - i.e., on Monday/Roman Record Day ;) ) - there's been 3.03 inches of rainfall here in Floyd County over the last 13 hours. Seems that we're already way ahead on rainfall for the year, so it can just stop now.

OK - so now that I'm over the Tuesday rant...well, sort of, let me just say that I'm SO glad Monday is OVER. I still have a ton of things to do - but despite staying up too too late last night, I bounced out of the bed at 6:15 (ok, I did hit the snooze once, so 6:25...) and everyone got dressed and we were out the door at 7:10! WOO HOO. On time. For once. With shoes and coats and blankets. Of course - the shoes were not actually ON their feet - so when we got to preschool, I had to stand (in the pouring torrential rain) and put on socks and shoes while the kids were still in their seats...so I'm soaked. And cold. Alas, it was still a victory in my eyes.

I have an ad sales meeting today at lunch with my junior service league folks. I'm sucking eggs at selling ads this year, and while I did try, I just didn't sell what I wanted. Boo. Honestly, I got myself in over my head (as usual!) and this is why one of my resolutions is to start saying "No." more often - without apology. I can't do EVERYTHING. Even if I want to. Then, after my lunch meeting, I have a trial calendar meeting with opposing counsel (prosecutors) at 2 pm. Then on to ballet.

Speaking of ballet - Carson's recital is this month! YAY! She's really excited, a little about the dancing part, but more because I told her I'd let her wear some lipstick. *rolling eyes* Such a girl.

Tomorrow I have court in the morning, lunch meeting, court in the afternoon - and I HAVE to go to the grocery store after that because I'm making dinner for some friends (Rock it, RLC) on Thursday...and I have to get stuff for that and for a cheeseball and homemade salsa that I need for Saturday.

Thursday is my big trial calendar. Then, the girly girls are coming over for dinner (and wine!) and I'm going to pack up the kids' suitcases to visit their Daddy-O. Friday - sweet, sweet, sweet Friday - I don't have court - but I do have a lunch date with a fellow lawyer-mommy to discuss a minor civil matter I'm helping with for my sister. And then I'll head to Alabama - and this, this is the best part of the week - when I get back to Rome, I'm spending the WHOLE EVENING watching LOST Season 2. With my friend Will!!! And some good food and most likely a beer or two.

And then, on Saturday - I'm headed to Tennessee to visit my best college buds. WOO HOO! Good times, probably a LOT of good food (and drink ;) ) - and board games & celebrity. This is why I need to make the cheeseball and the salsa Thursday night. *sigh* So, I gotta work hard the rest of the week, so I can enjoy lovely lovely lovely friends Friday & Saturday!

OK - so how's that for a pointless blog post?!?!? Oh, one more thing: you should all check out my other Crazy Aunt, Carol - she does awesome art - and has a great new art blog that you should check out by clicking here.

And, just to spice up Tuesday, here are some random questions:
1. If you could be doing anything other than what you're doing right now, what would you be doing?

2. What is your morning routine? Do you eat breakfast, and if so, what do you normally eat?

3. What are you looking forward to in the immediate future? (i.e. weekend plans, upcoming vacation, etc.)

Monday is Winning...dangit.

2009-01-05T14:23:00.003-05:00

HALF TIME SCORE:
Monday - 2
J.J. - 0

Yep. Monday is kicking my tail. I had grand plans to get my trial calendar in order this morning. I have about 13 cases (which is light, I must say) on the calendar for Thursday. Now, that's not to say that all 13 of them will be tried...most of them will enter guilty pleas, but a few may be tried, after all.

Of course, I got to the office and discovered that I'm supposed to be in Cave Spring City Court (which, for non-Roman locals, is kinda in the BOONIES and way the other direction from the part of the BOONIES that I live in, and I do live in the boonies...but I live on the East of B.F.E. and Cave Spring is way on the other side of B.F.E.) So, of course you're wondering "So the heck what, J...you have court - get on out there!" Well, the problem is that it's at FIVE O'CLOCK P.M. and, well, I have to pick up my children in ARMUCHEE (@ Berry College) by 5:30 (and again, for what it's worth - that's a whole other world, too...) or they'll call DFACS on this momma's tail. Not only that, but like, I'm wearing jeans and cowboy boots (with a cute cotton blazer, I'll have you know) today because...I'm not SUPPOSED to have court.

To make a very very very long story somewhat less long, I spent ALL morning trying to get either A) someone else to cover my hearing B) find someone to tend my children for a few hours while I handled this matter OR (and this is the best option) C) get the durn case continued to the next Cave Spring City Court calendar. In the end, the gracious judge continued it for me.

The problem NOW is that my client lives in Alabama. He apparently showed up in Cave Spring at 9am, thinking that his hearing was then (for what it's worth, it's a DUI/driving on the wrong side of the road case) and now I can't get in touch with him because - there's no cell number, etc. on the application for a public defender. And his "home" number is apparently out of order, or not working, or whatever - "This number cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and try again." Grrrrr...

And I haven't even GLANCED at the trial calendar today!!! HELP! I'm losing my mind (well, assuming I had one to begin with, of course...)

I forsee a few beers in my future after the chicklets are down for the night...Tomorrow - Tuesday - I'll kick tail, right? There's always tomorrow...

Random Thoughts on a Friday

2009-01-02T11:10:00.003-05:00

AND THANK GOD FOR FRIDAY!!! Though I have to say, I bought the local newspaper today, as I am occassionally prone to do, at Panera Bread, got to my office and was PISSED that the Roman Record had been nicked out of my paper. To those of you who live in Rome, you are fully aware of the importance of the Roman Record. For those of you from elsewhere (bless your hearts!), let me tell you about the Roman Record. Once a week, the Rome News-Tribune (enlightening work of journalism that it is...excuse me while I snort coffee out my nose at that...) publishes an "insert", if you will, to the regular daily paper. This insert contains all sorts of nuggets of imperative community information, including a community calendar, self-help groups available and their meeting times, etc. But more important, it contains vital (VITAL, I tell you) info about who was arrested over the weekend & the alleged offenses, marriage licenses, divorces, babies birthed, property sales, civil judgments, etc. In other words, it's the local gossip all summed up in one place. Printed in black and white for posterity, and everything.

Now, all of this to say, people take their Roman Record readings VERY seriously around here. Your feelings on the Roman Record will firmly place you in one of two camps. Camp One: You read it without fail weekly, and call and congratulate people on their new baby or new property. (Side note: generally, people won't call and congratulate you on your arrest...or your divorce, though it has been known to happen...more on that in a minute.) Camp Two: You (and when I say "you", I mean "me") pretend not to be concerned with such minor things as local community gossip. You are grown and important and have so many Better and More Productive Things to Do than read the gossip rag. This is true even though you (meaning me) only buy the paper once a week on Roman Record day, and hole up in your office (with the door closed) and pore over it from cover to cover, getting your hands all inky in the process...and then pretend you didn't know about your 3 friends getting arrested at 3am last Saturday for drunk and disorderly conduct. Instead, you (again, I mean "me") just wait for them to call you for your stellar legal advice and act Oh So Surprised! to hear about their misfortune and "Yes, those cops are retards! Arresting a man just because he had to pee so bad he couldn't wait to get 2 blocks down and had to relieve himself right there in the street...I mean, really. Come on. That sounds like perfectly appropriate (not to mention LEGAL) behavior to me!!!"

OK - so now you know about the Roman Record. One more minor story re: the Roman Record. I have only had two occassions in which the names in the Roman Record personally affected me. One was related to someone very close to me who was arrested, who I bonded out, and I was rather embarrassed about the whole situation. However, no one called or mentioned anything about said name (which will remain withheld) after the Roman Record was published that week. (Thank GOD for small miracles.) The other time I had personal ties to the Roman Record was when my very own name appeared in it. It was clearly published - "Jennifer Joy Walker" under the "Divorces" headline. Right there in black and white. And of course, that was the ONE WEEK that I didn't pore over the Roman Record (in my office with the door closed), because, likely, I was in court or tending a sick preschooler or, you know, handling some detail of my daily life doing something else that was equally, nay MORE important, than wasting 3o minutes on random Rome gossip. However, and this is the kicker, so be prepared: PEOPLE CALLED ME TO SAY "Hey, I saw your name in the Roman Record!" - these are clearly Camp One folks. Clearly. Um, what exactly is the proper salutation for a new divorcee? "Congrats" doesn't seem to work, however "I'm so sorry" at that point wasn't really appropriate anymore either. It's not something to celebrate or mourn over. It just "is what it is." Weird.

I think that was one of the first times after The Big Split that I actually felt like - you know, I am ok. Really, really, REALLY, ok. No worries, man. (And, fyi, faithful readers, this was many many months ago, I just got elaborate on it today because of the incident with the Roman Record that occurred at Panera.)

OK - so back to this morning. I arrive at my desk. Coffee - check. Bagel & cream cheese - check. Email - check. OK, open the paper, New Year's Babies on the front page...awwww, How about the weather? (It's raining. And cold.) OH - I should check the Roman Record!!! But - NO!!!! SO TOTALLY UNFAIR - someone nicked my Roman Record out of this paper...but wait. The Roman Record? Today is Monday, right? Monday is when the Roman Record is published...and you know, it is Monday, isn't it? No? It's not Monday? Hmmm, I was off yesterday - seems like Monday...oh, but it's Friday. Duh. There's no Roman Record on Friday. I'll just have to wait for my gossip a few more days...

EDITED TO ADD THIS *VERY RANDOM* NOTE: To the Rome, GA, visitor that views my site between 5:30 and 6 am most days...you are a dedicated and faithful reader, seeing as you come so EARLY in the mornings ;) Thank you. You must be responsible and go to bed on time and stuff...unlike me, because I, unlike you, am lucky if I get me & my two short people out the door on time, WITH SHOES ON US ALL, and actually make it to the gas station, Berry, and the office with no major incidents involving bleeding, SuperGlue or small fires. If, by chance, I do make it to work (with the coffee and the Roman Record) without any such incidents, I pat myself on the back.

New Year's Resolutions

2008-12-31T12:26:00.002-05:00

Right. So - I've been thinking about this a lot and I'm just gonna throw 'em all up here, but in no particular order (hence, the lack of numbering)...

- Start running again. Or at least walking. Preferably at the gym. I was up to 3 miles in 30 minutes (THAT'S A 10 minute mile!) back in April...Now I'd be lucky to run just one mile without keeling over.

- Make a budget. I'm ok but at the end of the month, there's very very little left, and I'm not buying anything excessive that I can figure out?

- Tell my family and friends how important they are to me. Every day.

- Be more organized and proactive at work - i.e. start trying to get plea deals worked out at arraignment.

- Be patient with my children and enjoy every little minute I have with them. They're already slipping right on into full-blown childhood! Where did the babies go?

- Be not so hard on myself. Say no more often without feeling guilty. Enjoy doing nothing. For once.

That's really all I got! Here's to a FABURIFIC 2009!!! I'm so excited about the potential that this year holds. Thank you to all my friends. Old ones, and new ones. I love you.

(Now, please tell me - what are YOU resolving this New Year's???)

Holiday Hooplah and Haberdashery

2008-12-29T14:47:00.002-05:00

OK - so haberdashery has nothing to do with the holidays, or hooplah, really...but yes, I do know what haberdashery is...and you can, too! If you look it up on dictionary.com...and I really just like the word. It's one of those fancy words I use to impress all my friends.

You know. Like "pedantic" (giggle) and "apoplectic" (which, in fact, I heard a football announcer use the other day. Really.)

OK - so anyway, the holidays ROCKED. Obviously. We had a somewhat simple Christmas, though I missed most of the week before Christmas thanks to the FLU and all of the week of Christmas thanks to the birth of the Baby Jesus and my children being out of school...and I apologize profusely to my dear, faithful readers for my extended 2 week absence, but - hey, I was kinda busy and I know you love me and I'll make up for it.

Now, right down to business. IT'S A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE! This was my mantra throughout the week...Santa was good to me. Apparently, I was a very very good girl this year. Ya think? (on second thought, maybe you shouldn't really answer that.) My crazy aunts Julie & Carol were here and that was fabulous and undescribably great. (It's a Christmas Miracle!!!) I got to eat homemade peppermint stick ice cream AND banana pudding. (A DOUBLE Christmas Miracle!!!)My children slept until 7:30am on Christmas Day...IN THEIR OWN BEDS. (BEST Christmas Miracle!!!) And, I got to chill with my bad self on my couch on Christmas night (with Bella the Super-dog and a cuddly blanket...) - and on Boxing Day, I laid around and did nothing with a really good friend - we even watched Sixteen Candles...and I dreamed of Jake Ryan. (Post-Christmas miracle ;)

So, gratitude abounds in my heart, as usual. Today the children are at home with a sitter who is one of the student workers at their preschool. I got to eat lunch with Ms. Kikki. I finished all my business at the jail just in the nick of time (before they kicked me out at 11am), and I'm about to head out for the rest of the day. To go home and finish laundry...

Tomorrow the children will be with Miss Brittany again and then ballet in the evening and heading to Grandmomma's house for New Year's Eve (so Momma can have some adult-ish fun, thanks, Grandmomma, you're the best!)...Speaking of New Year's - I have specific people that I am planning to hang out with, but said people and I have no actualy *plans* so if you know of something that I'm missing, please let me know. I have a couple options up my sleeve, but still...

And you may commence with answering my annoying prying questions:
1. What was your favorite Christmas gift(s) that you received?

2. What was the best one you gave?

3. What are your New Year's Plans (I have a whole question planned about resolutions later...)?

Crisis averted & Holy Cannoli!

2008-12-18T09:50:00.002-05:00

I just want to calm all your fears about my recent crisis involving the Fisher-Price Loving Family Dollhouse (or the apparent lack of said dollhouse, since every store and online retailer was out of stock...) - My dear sweet lovely friend Brandy (who apparently reads my blog!!!) called me Monday night and miracle of miracles - had an extra one hanging around! (Or rather, her mom did...) so now Carsie's Christmas wishes will all come true. Fabulocity, I tell ya. It's funny how when you state your needs, they are often met.

Since the dollhouse search was solved through expressing my need, I thought I'd go ahead and mention that my camera is missing? And I NEED it back. My brand new fabulous, much-researched Sony Cybershot 7.2MP in a black padded case with extra battery & memory stick, etc. And there are really good pictures on there of my children and my friends, and I'd really really really like to have it back. I have been a slacker-mom on the picture-taking front with my small children, and after many months of saving and procrastinating, I finally broke down and got this camera - I took like 20 pictures on Friday - and now it's gone. Last seen at La Scala/400 Block on Friday night during the Atomic Boogie show. Please return there if you have it. No questions asked. I just want it back. PSA over, thank you.

And, I appreciate everyone who was looking so diligently for a solution to the dollhouse issue. But now problem is solved, crisis averted...

So, onto the Holy Cannoli portion of this blog post. Um, do you know what today is? TODAY IS THURSDAY! Which means, this time next week, billions of little children all over the globe will be ripping paper off their new gifts and wondering in amazement how DOES Santa eat all those cookies and all that milk (for the record, we leave vanilla Silk for Santa - too much lactose slows a body down, whereas soy protein is an energy-booster.)??? How in the world did it get to be Christmas so quickly?

Tomorrow is the children's last day at school until January 5. I'm off all next week (because I have no where to send them...) and I'm looking forward to the festivities!!!
Monday - lasagna with friends
Tuesday - Christmas Eve Eve in Carrollton with the Kilgores (mmmm, homemade peppermint stick ice cream, wassail, and banana pudding....mmmm....)
Wednesday - Christmas Eve with the fam at G.G.'s (my grandmother, Vicki) and chicken & dressing....mmmm
Thursday - SANTA TIME!!!
Friday - hoping the crazy aunts will come up and go eat at Schroeder's, hang out at bars with me & friends ;)
Saturday - chill, chill, chill....

Christmas Spirit has ARRIVED!

2008-12-15T10:44:00.003-05:00

OK - so I am having a simple Christmas, and it's so lovely. Santa finished shopping for The Dynamic Duo this weekend - EXCEPT for the Fisher-Price Loving Family Dollhouse, which is currently out of stock...everywhere. But, I'm searching for a reasonable alternative online today.

I had a hair cut (finally) on Friday, which did WONDERS. She barely even trimmed it, but it looks so much better - and I (finally) replaced my flat-iron with another $19.99 wonder from K-Mart (which was the last spot on the search-for-the-dollhouse expedition Saturday night...)

This weekend, I received my first Christmas gift of the season. And I received it from a dear of a friend...the ENTIRE FIRST SEASON of LOST on DVD. *sigh* of happiness. I am maybe 10 episodes in, so not quite half-way through the first season...and there are 3 more seasons I have to catch up on after that! YAY!. I got back into knitting while watching the first few discs...and I've already completed one scarf and I'm about to start another project! YAY!

My crazy Auntie Julie will be here from Australia - well, actually she's already here in GA now - my sister went to pick her up at 6:30 am at the airport. I'm so terribly excited to get to visit with her and catch up. I know we're related and all, but she and my other Crazy Aunt Carol will both be here and we have such a crazy ball of a time together. Whoopie!!!

Um, ok - so I need some questions of the day. I love the answers, keep 'em comin' - and if you read my blog, please let me know you're here!

1. What are your favorite holiday traditions?

2. What is your LEAST favorite thing about the holidays?

3. What thing, (minor or major) are you looking forward to most right now in life?

4. What's your favorite candy product?

Contentment

2008-12-11T10:06:00.002-05:00

I have been on this "on my own" journey for 8 months. I'm not REALLY "on my own" - I have the Dynamic Duo with me - but of course, I'm the Mommy, so I'm in charge of them... I have been noticing lately that for the first time, in a long time, I'm content. CONTENT. At peace. Centered. Sure.

It's sort of paradoxical. My life (from the outside looking in) looks kind of chaotic, it's a wonder I get out of the house every morning and we make it to preschool and work with all our ducks in a row (for the most part). I have two crazy kiddos, a very satisfying full-time professional career, any number of outside private committments (Junior Service League, church, kids' activities, etc.), and an extended family to keep up with as well. But on the inside, I'm calm. I'm not worried about things like I was for a while. I know exactly where I am, and I have a general idea not really of where I'm going, but of the path I'm taking. And it feels right. So, I'm celebrating. I feel, as much as possible, balanced. (This is not to say that there is such a thing as "balance" in a single-working-mommy life, because that would be a misnomer...but to the degree that a feeling of balance is possible, I got it goin' on!)

Now. Here's what I have to look forward to this weekend - Friday, going out with great friends to hear a good band (Atomic Boogie is playing at 400 Block - you should come!)...And Saturday I'm going Santa-shopping. On the list - 2 pre-k bikes with training wheels, a couple barbies, a doll house (and accessories), a Batman Castle (way cool! - and accessories!), books, puzzles, and stocking stuffers. Fun times! I love being a Mom. I get to go to the toy store!

In other news - I'm now addicted to LOST on DVD. (Thank you to all who recommended it...) Y'all know me - I don't have TV, but I like the ability to watch as much or as little of this series whenever I want. Unfortunately, I've found myself sucked in and sitting there knitting for HOURS...*sigh*

OK - that's all I got today. Let me think of some questions... I love when y'all respond, ya know.

1. At what age was your first kiss? And with whom?

2. Is there any part of your job that you just DREAD more than anything? What is it?

3. If you could go anywhere for a long weekend trip (3 days...so no island hopping or anything...) where would you go?

Waffle House Whimsy

2008-12-09T09:48:00.003-05:00

I'm a little down. Let me tell you why (and this is my blog, did you expect anything less of me?) - I have these friends - Keith & Ana Kastanias - that had a great little sandwich shop across from my office called the Broad Street Cafe. I ate lunch there most days, with the "courthouse crew"...because it's madness to deal with downtown Rome parking and drive somewhere for lunch. I also realized, after their recent relocation (just 3 doors down) that they make a killer breakfast. I'm a big fan of breakfast - REAL breakfast - bacon & eggs and stuff. None of this mini-muffin or pop-tart stuff.

So, anyway, I was eating breakfast there a couple times a week and enjoying it. And now, they are gone. Keith has taken another opportunity, which I think is great for him, but where the HECK am I supposed to get breakfast? I like a local diner kinda place. I went to Waffle House today, and while the service was Fast & Friendly, and the food was great, it was just NOT the same. And, it was kinda pricey! $7.50 for breakfast? I don't pay that much for lunch most days. Grrr....

Anyway, now that I got the breakfast dilemma off my chest, onto bigger and better things. Have you noticed it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas? Seems like just yesterday it was sweltering hot in August. And now it's only 2 weeks until Christmas? CRAZY! I gotta get busy. Santa comes soon, soon, soon! Speaking of Santa, I have some issues when talking to my children about Santa. I'm not a good liar. Really. Despite being a lawyer and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater...I really am NOT a good liar. Particularly when it comes to lying to my innocent children. I had scary Santa issues as a child, and while I was apparently not scarred for life, I just don't know what to do about this. Cole is into Santa. He thinks he's cool, is not particularly scared of him, and will straighten up and fly right if he thinks "Santa is watching." (Though, really, shouldn't he do that just because he's TOLD to do that?) Carson, on the other hand, seems somewhat freaked about Santa, denies that he can see her at all because if he could, he might be able to see her panties and that, my dears, "would just be so wrong, Mommy!" And, honestly? She's so totally right! Who wants a strange fat old man from up North looking at her in her panties? Not me, man. However, Carson has recently had a change of heart because Mommy said Carson can't have a trampoline. Well, apparently, Santa will, in fact, bring her a trampoline. When asked how Santa is going to get a trampoline on her sleigh, Carson answers, in the most OBVIOUS voice... "One at a time, silly."

Tomorrow is the annual Rome Bar Association Christmas Reception at the country club. Miss Sarah (babysitter) is coming over to watch Christmas movies with the munchkins and I am going to schmooze with the good old boys for a little while and then hit the Moon Roof for maybe one drink while I enjoy the soothing sounds of David Bell/Thunderbolt Patterson. Fabulocity.

And then there is the weekend. Let the shopping begin...and the good times roll.

Questions of the day:

1. What is your perfect breakfast?

2. Do you have a Christmas spending budget? Do you stick to it?

3. What are YOUR feelings on the whole Santa debauchle?

Gosh, Time Flies!

2008-12-03T11:45:00.003-05:00

How is it December already? Please tell me. Anyone, anyone...Bueller??? We were entrenched in the experience that IS the Rome Christmas Parade downtown on Broad Street last night. (In the freezing cold, I might add...) (*side note - I'm fully aware that the previous parenthetical is a sentence fragment, but this is a blog, not an official publication, and I have creative license. )

I loved the parade, and the chicklets did, too. Cole was REALLY into the bands. He wants to play the trumpet. Carson liked the "ponies" (which is an understatement, to say the least, since the "ponies" were actually the Budweiser Clydesdales!!!) and the cloggers. I liked the Boy Scouts, the pee wee cheerleaders, and all the church groups, etc. Have trailer of cute kids bundled up against the cold and Christmas cheer, will travel. Now it really feels like Christmas time! I was nervous about Christmas this year. Last year, for many, many, many reasons, Christmas was a bust. And this year, though all that is way over and done with, it's still a little like walking-on-eggshells. However, I asked myself if I was fine, and I answered "Absolutely!" so I reckon I'm alright. I wouldn't lie to myself. The only thing is that my tree, and the boxes and boxes of things that make Christmas Christmas-y at my house have been in storage in Alabama for a year. Madness, I tell you, but we're making do without it. Starting new traditions. Living simply. (yes, still aware of the fragments, by the way)

Ah, so it's Wednesday and I have probation revocations today. Basically, these folks were on probation for pleading guilty or being convicted of a crime in the past, and got in trouble for any number of reasons while on probation - which means the Judge has the discretion to yank the probationary status and put them back in jail/send them to prison, etc. My three this morning all got revoked just to time served/return to probation! This is really good news. Of all my jobs here as an indigent criminal defense attorney, probation revocation hearings are my least favorite. I can never win. These people were dead in the water before they ever got to the courtroom...ya know? *sigh* Anyway, today was good so far and gotta go back at 1:30 for more.

I've been skimping on the questions of the day - so please, do tell:
1) What are you having (or did you have) for lunch?

2) What do you want for Christmas?

3) How many Christmas parties/events are you attending, and where?

4) Do you already have New Year's Plans? And if so, what are they?

An Uncommon Tuesday

2008-12-02T12:37:00.002-05:00

I know you have all heard my ranting about Tuesdays. Tuesdays are a frustrating day, altogether - for a myriad of reasons - but for me they are beautiful AND exhausting. Normally on Tuesdays (after work, work, working, of course), I hit the ground running at 4:30 (or 4:45) and book it across town to Berry to pick up those little boogers in my life known as Cole & Carson, and I change Carson frantically into her cutie little ballet things (her slippers fit in the palm of my hand!), and then we book it BACK downtown for ballet at 5:30. Cole and I usually hit the Honeymoon Bakery for a cookie and a cup o' joe (the caffeine is for me, not him, of course...seeing as he's 4, and I wasn't hooked on caffeine until I was at LEAST 5 and a half...), and then we pick Carsie up at 6:15 and usually go to Schroeder's, though we've been known to frequent Jefferson's on Tuesdays, too. After a tired supper, and keeping Carson's fingers and hair out of the cup of Ranch dressing, I usually will let the kids throw a penny in the fountain on Tribune Street, just because.

So anyway, all that is OUT the window today!!! Because TODAY is the day of the Annual Rome Christmas Parade!!! This year's theme is "A Family Christmas" and I'm excited. I have THE BEST family. I actually have several different families... I have my little threesome - me and the chick peas - and then I have my slightly extended family (momma, daddy, sis & bro-in-law) and then I have the rest of the extended family, which includes my grandmomma, my Nannie, my 3 crazy aunts and 3 silly cousins...) and in addition to all that family - I have my adopted family - my sweet dear friends that love me unconditionally just like I love them. I don't know if it's the holidays or what that is making me so sappy about the great people in my life - -or if it's that I'm realizing HOW MUCH I've really been through (and come out unscathed) and each and every one of my family members (both the blood-family AND the spirit-family) have been right there with me every step of the way. Thank you family.

Alright, enough of that...you might think I had gone all tear-jerker on you, but I'm done. You know I love you, I know you love me (and how could you not), so that's that. Here is a bunch of random thoughts. Just because it's Tuesday.

- Cole does not like egg nog. Fine! More for me & the Carsonator!
- Carson ate 4 snowman Peeps this morning behind my back, the little stinker.
- Last night I dreamed I was watching TV. How hilarious.
- I have a few client stalkers, a Krystal stalker, and now I have a Facebook stalker. My profile is SO going to be private like ASAP.
- My house showing was ok, but the real estate agent said the folks wanted a "more expensive" house (4 BR + bonus & 3 full baths) in Armuchee. Their loss, right? ARGH!
- I got a new calendar last night. I am very excited. Yes, I'm a nerd and I love the smell of new pencils and school supplies...I have since I was 7.
- Karen Sue is the best girl-date around.
- I love my Momma. She is proud of me, and I can't think of anything that I would want more.
- I love that I have telepathic communication with Carol?
- I was a junior bowling champion. My cousin, my sister and I were on a team with another girl-friend of ours - and we had shirts. We were the pinheads. I miss those days (I told you I was a nerd.)
- Once I tried to sneak out the window of my basement room to meet some girls in my neighborhood, and I got stuck.
- Last night I danced in my bedroom to Outkast and lip synced to Melissa Ethridge and Sheryl Crow... I wish someone had had a video camera. No, wait...no I don't...but it was FUN...(and yes, I was alone...but Bella seemed to enjoy the show.)
- GG (my grandmomma) wants the kidlets to spend the night on Saturday and she's going to take them to see "Bolt" - new kids' movie - FUN! I love my family (like you didn't know that already)...
- My auntie Julie is arriving in 12 days for a WHOLE MONTH. Whooooooppppppieeeee.
- I miss Sooooooozie & Melissa & BSB. (Y'all - I took a little trip down Memory Lane with the Cauldron (yearbook) c. 1997. Good times.)

I'm out - having lunch with the Keekster. Catch ya on the flip side.

Post-Turkey Madness

2008-12-01T09:21:00.002-05:00

Why is it that after a holiday, when you should be all refreshed and ready to get down to business, everything seems so much more overwhelming?

I have an insane week. Work - of course - I have a LOT of work after a pretty much nothing week last week, I have court most days this week, and I need to prepare feverishly for a bunch of probation revocation hearings, trial calendar and arraignments...and then it's also officially the beginning of the Christmas season, meaning tons of extra events and functions and obligations. I love Christmas, really, but it's all so overwhelming. I have no real "parties" to go to (yet), which is fine, but I do have a little Junior Service League Christmas party tonight. The Rome Christmas Parade is tomorrow, so I am taking C & C Music Factory to enjoy that (in the freezing cold...) and then Wednesday the poinsettias get delivered. I am on the poinsettia committee for JSL, which is great, but it's also a HUGE job. Thursday and Friday (after trial calendars and arraignments) is the big poinsettia delivery fest...and then...then it's the weekend. Phew...

I don't even want to THINK about next week, and trials...but I will. Because I'm a professional and it's my job. Speaking of my job, I did have my annual performance review last week. I have officially "exceeded expectations" in all areas...meaning, normally, a raise. However, it's just a promotion on paper thanks to all the State budget cut backs. Ah, well.

On another note, I did have a lovely holiday and weekend. I love my family. We had SUCH a wonderful Thanksgiving and Carsie said the blessing (well, she sang it, in fact) and we all enjoyed each other so very much. And then I went home and did laundry and watched a little Clark Griswold in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" which is sort of my own private tradition. It's not Christmas without Chevy Chase...

The rest of the weekend was chill. Good times with good friends, good food, good music, and a bit of beer. Saturday the dawgs lost AND my War Tigers fell off the wagon. Again. *sigh* but then I got to hang with the girls (plus a couple guys) and see David Bell at Opi's...and then there was a random viewing of "Dogma" at a friend's...a trip to Silver Creek to drive a friend home, and then I was in bed...Sunday was really nice. I watched "Shag", read my book (Naked by David Sedaris) and picked up the chick peas from Alabama. All in all - fabulocity, I must say.

Now. To work, I go. With a somewhat heavy heart, but after a couple cups of starter fluid, I should be fine. Coffee...mmmmmmmm.....

Pre-Turkey Transgressions

2008-11-26T10:19:00.002-05:00

So, the chicklets are out of school today (The Berry CDC is closed) - and I thought, ah, well, I'll just take the kids to work with me. They're good kids, right? Right. No problem. We'll bring some books and some markers, etc., and for a couple hours, they'll be fine.

Not so much. We had breakfast (everyone brought something) and they were really good. Then at 9:30, we came back to my office. It's barely 10 and I'm pulling my hair out!?!?!?!?!?!? There is ink on my wall, pushpins on the floor, and they're shooting rubber bands at each other. Who knew office supplies were so freakin' dangerous! Well, obviously 3 & 4 year olds enjoy them.

Like I'm going to get work done. So, without further ado, since I won't post tomorrow and probably not again until Monday, here is my list (in no particular order) of the things for which I am thankful.

1. Confidence
2. Cole & Carson
3. cowboy boots & jeans
4. My family, the whole crazy lot of 'em. I love you guys.
5. My friends, specifically my girlfriends. Thank you.
6. New friends. New friends that I didn't see coming and can't wait to know better.
7. Yolanda, the house cleaner.
8. Unlimited call/text/internet plan from Verizon.
9. Knowing my proper bra size (I kid you not, this has changed my life.)
10. Clean Sheets
11. First Dates
12. Georgia has Yuengling now. And it's good.
13. Football season is still kicking, and I have friends with cable.
14. Good books.
15. Good friends that LOAN me good books.
16. My wonderful job. I make not-so-much money, but I can get by and I love my job.
17. I almost completely own my car. 6 more months, about.
18. I am able to pay all my bills every month and not be in debt.
19. Cole's drawing of "our family"
20. Carson singing "Angel from Montgomery" to me.
21. Friends that make cheesy scrambled eggs and biscuits after I crash at their house the night before.
22. My own strength to let go of the past.
23. My ability to listen, and give good advice.
24. My grandmother's jade ring that she designed. It's one of my favorite tangible objects.
25. Woolen anything (socks, sweaters, scarves...)
26. Energy saving techniques
27. Floyd County is getting better and better at encouraging recycling.
28. Berry preschool is a nurturing place for my children.
29. Bella, my sweet sweet puppy (even when she's nasty and it's been raining.)
30. New journals for new chapters in my life. (I need one, p.s., in case anyone wants to get me one for Christmas...)
31. Resolve & peace in my life after some mad turmoil.
32. Book time before bed time and that my kids beg and beg for more books.
33. Having to reprimand my oldest child for getting out of bed to "read the dictionary"
34. Good medical care, and good health insurance to go along with it.
35. I only had one cavity at the dentist, and it's one that he'd noticed 2 years ago, but never filled.
36. My children had NO cavities!!! YIPPEE!!!
37. Old photographs of my family.
38. Sentimentality. I'm a sentimental girl.
39. ITunes. I'd be more grateful if I could access it...sigh.
40. I don't have cable, and I'm grateful.
41. I am also grateful for the prospect of having cable TV & internet again...someday.
42. House showing this weekend.
43. 2 acres and a fenced in yard.
44. recessed lighting.
45. good smelly girly stuff. Makes me happy.
46. Philosophy's "Hope in a Jar"
47. Excellent babysitters that I trust, and who my children love.
48. Sunday mornings.
49. Coffee.
50. The Sunday Crossword (and time to do it sometimes!)
51. My blog
52. My boss, I love my boss. He's an excellent boss.
53. My admin assistants - also awesome and always helpful.
54. That I have a sister. And I love her. And I'm going to have a niece.
55. Lunch Dates
56. Good soup when it's raining.
57. Homemade chicken & dumplings.
58. A good shoulder rub every once in a while.
59. My judge. He respects me, and is very fair. I love working in his courtroom.
60. The ADAs I work with are very reasonable and we're all friends.
61. Local bands.
62. First beer on a Friday night with good friends.
63. 6-disc changers in my car
64. xM radio
65. Audiobooks on long drives.
66. Hot showers
67. I can wear my hair curly or straight and it looks alright either way.
68. My jeans are too tight sometimes, but I don't have body issues, really.
69. My body has birthed two perfectly beautiful people. How awesome is that!
70. I am grateful for my own gratitude.
71. I have a fair sense of humor.
72. Very few people can find a reason to dislike me.
73. I can find very few reasons to dislike others.
74. Text messaging is a miracle.
75. Holiday Parades.
76. Small town life.
77. Local high school football.
78. people that make me smile for tiny reasons, like sharing gum.
79. Facebook friends. I love keeping in touch.

That's all I got and the kids are destroying my office. I LOVE YOU ALL AND I'm THANKFUL FOR YOU!!!

The Tuesday of Random Thoughts

2008-11-25T11:28:00.005-05:00

I only got about 3 blueberries in my GINORMOUS muffin. That sucks. There should have been a lot more.

Dog hair and black dresses don't mix so well.

The BCS points system is stupid. I don't have to qualify this, right? But I will anyway. It doesn't take into account the strength of each team's schedule, really...and it just kinda pisses me off and is confusing. Really. (PS - go Texas, to heck with Alabama.)

Coffee. Mmmmmmm..... 'Nuff said.

I so totally can't afford a house cleaner. But, I so totally can't even function without one. Therein lies the rub. Yolanda is at my house as you are reading this right now!!!

I love, love, love my girlfriends. All of them. Thank you. For everything. Fabulocity, fo' shizzle. Thanks for loving me, just as I am - in all my shining quirkiness.

I can't figure out what day it is, but all I can say is that I'm ready for some turkey and then some weekend...

Right, and so I don't have television right? Well, I really miss ESPN, esp. here at the end of football season...and especially SportCenter. It was kind of my wind-down at the end of the day...but there are worse things, right? And Project Runway Season 5 will be out on DVD soon!

Grocery Store: dog food (I woke up this morning to some strange noises, it was her tummy growling!), cereal, milk, provolone cheese.

Holiday weeks throw me off. Seriously. I never get much work done, really, and then I'm twice as behind after being off two more days. When I come back it will be DECEMBER. Sheer madness...

My next-door neighbor, Johnny, had cancer and recently went back for a second scan after finishing radiation & chemo, again!!!, and it has shrunk some - and that is GOOD NEWS. They go back in February for another scan and if it's not grown any more, he will officially be in remission, which is GOOD news. We love Johnny & Margie. Sweet people. Salt o' the Earth and all.

P.S. - got some fun pictures to add - maybe have to wait until another day, though...sorry!

Just another manic Monday....(ooh, whoa oh...)

2008-11-24T09:12:00.003-05:00

I wish it was Sunday...'cause that's my fun day...my "I-don't-have-to-run" day... OK - 80s flash back over. I do wish it was Sunday, because I had a REALLY good Sunday, doing very little of anything productive, but it was relaxing and followed a fabulous birthday party, I have to say. AND, Tricia made me breakfast (at lunchtime, of course) on Sunday, which was also nice.

So, anyway, now it's Monday. AGAIN, with the Monday. It's picture day for the Public Defender's office. The problem is that the memo *I* got said we'd take the picture at 9am. I got here at 8:45, and they'd already taken the group photo. Apparently they said 8:30, but I deny that. Who schedules any sort of out of the ordinary thing for a MONDAY morning (of a holiday week, no less) at 8:30??? OK, I'm just irritated that I missed it, and yes, it's probably my fault. It's ok - they're going to take my picture (and Larry's and Bill's - because I wasn't the only one!) and cut and paste. Fabulous. I even wore red today because we were supposed to wear a Christmas sweater - which I don't own - or at least something red. So I wore a red & black dress...and I think I look kinda cute, really. (And I'm modest, too ;)

So, it's a holiday week and I have a trial calendar next week...so I really should be working today and tomorrow on that (since the kidlets are out of school on Wednesday, I won't get too much done...) so I'm not scrambling after Thanksgiving...so, I will do that...here's what my day looks like:
- Make sure all online bills are paid (GA Power bill, credit cards, car payment).
- figure out what to do about providing a meal for a sick friend...tonight.
- look at trial calendar, make phone calls, pull files.
- start returning list of 29 voicemails.
- run to 3 or 4 businesses in town about Junior Service League ad sales.
- dry cleaners
- see who I can get out of jail this afternoon because it's the holiday this week.

At some point soon, someone will email me pictures from the birthday party and I'll post some for my handful of faithful readers. We had a GOOD time, and kept having a good time, really until way way late into the early hours of the morning. (This is the reason we ate breakfast at lunch time, of course...)

This week is Thanksgiving, of course. I've been thinking about making a gratitude list for Wednesday's post - 100 things. 100 things is not so many, really. I'm up to 59 right now. And I haven't even really worked on it yet.

So, I think that's all I got today. So not funny. sorry...I apologize profusely. The birthday party pictures soon, I promise. Keep checking back...

Creativity on Crack

2008-11-19T10:45:00.002-05:00

My clients (a lot of them, anyway) are on crack. Seriously. That's not a funny, like, metaphor or anything. It's not like when Carson comes into my room at 5:50 am and says "Hey, Mom - did you know that snails - you know what a snail is, right - did you know that snails like SPAGHETTI!?!? I LOVE spaghetti. Maybe one day I can eat spaghetti. With a snail. Like, for my birthday or something." and then I say "Carson, how long have you been smoking crack?" Carson is 3. She doesn't smoke crack. However, my clients do. Obviously.

Anyway - so I found this link on someone else's blog, and I am feeling dry on the writing/creativity front so I thought I'd play with it. So here is what I got:

Lost? Why?
This was a stupid one to get first, but I'll answer it anyway. I'm not lost. But sometimes I feel like I took the "scenic route" (i.e. it's taking me ENTIRELY too long to get where I need to be, even though I know exactly where I'm going...)... Other times, though, I end up where I am and I MUST have taken a short cut (or teleported) because I can't even remember how I got here.

When I look up at the sky, I feel...
Um, hmm....small? Wet, if it's raining. Grateful to be in this world. Just as it is.

Is true change possible if someone resists?
Change is inevitable, and sort of requires some level of resistance. If everyone just went along like "OK, we'll do this all happy sunshine together, good idea!" then it wouldn't really be "change" - it would just be keeping the status quo, ya know? I think that an INDIVIDUAL cannot change unless s/he CHOOSES to change...no one can change another individual. I can't change you, you can't change me, etc - UNLESS you or I CHOOSE to be changed. Clear as mud?

What is something you do well?
I do a lot of things well. (Including modesty, right?!?!? - ha...) - No, really, I'm a good dancer. And I'm a good reader, and a good mom, and I am insane about introductions. I can't stand knowing 2 (or more) people in the same room that don't know each other...I'm pretty good at tennis. I'm really good at listening...(to people, to dogs, to God, as mentioned in yesterday's post...)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This is starting to feel like a first date with all these corny questions, I thought this was supposed to be creative...ok, get your good attitude back, J. In 5 years I would like to have had some more first dates ;) I've had ONE and only ONE first date in the last 13 years (and remember, I'm only 31...) In 5 years, C & C will be 8 & 7 years old, so I'll probably be at the ball field, the ballet studio, and the basketball gym a lot with them. I'll definitely still be in Rome, but hopefully in a different house, because the one I'm in is STILL on the market (haven't heard back about the house showing, but thanks for your prayers...), but still playing lawyer...probably still criminal defense, and most possibly still here at the public defender's office.

What do you sense you're supposed to do before your life is over?
Raise my children well.
Have another child. (Lady Sylvia, my tarot card reader, says I will have another child, with a man I perhaps already know, and it will be a girl, and the man will be kind, honest, loyal and faithful - and will adore me and support me. Good times!)
Thank God.
Visit Greece.
Make homemade pasta.
Visit Australia on an extended stay trip and meet my extended family there...that I've mostly never met.
Finish a knitting project. For once.
Own property close to water. (This was also a Lady Sylvia prediction, FYI...)
Sleep well with a good conscience.

OK - that's all I have time for today. Answer my questions...please.
1. What's one thing YOU need to do before you die?
2. What are you wearing today? (This is total guilty pleasure, I'm just curious...)
3. Tell me about your best "date" ever...

Break out the LAUGHTER

2008-11-18T14:29:00.002-05:00

Right, so - it's been entirely too boring around the ol' blog lately. We need some funnies! So, in the interest of your pure guilty pleasure entertainment, please note the following announcements...which are purely NOTES TO MYSELF (that's the subtitle...) and not meant for any of you grown, responsible folks reading this blog...just things on my own mind.

1. Small children should not be allowed access to toasters. Particularly when said small children are naked and DEFINITELY not when they are naked...and wet.

2. Ditto above for access by small children to gas-log fireplace with no screen. (irrespective of naked & wet status...)

3. When taking small children to Garden Ridge to pick out smallish pre-lit tree, they WILL want the crazy colored lights. Let them have it. Also, note to self: When allowing children to pick out ornaments for smallish-garish-pre-lit-tree...best NOT to allow them to pick the art deco GLASS bulbs, even if you think they are pretty. Preschoolers + crazy dog+ glass ornaments + hardwood floors = disasterous.

4. It's COLD. (That's not really funny, but it is an announcement, and a reminder to wear woolen socks and a COAT tomorrow...duh.)

5. The dentist told you not to eat any more mints. This mint-crunching is why you have one cavity on your top molar. WHY oh WHY do you have a MINT in your mouth (because I NEED one...silly.)

6. You have a card/pass to the parking deck across the street. This is "free" parking for government employees. Parking in downtown Rome is a mind-melding-mess. I know it's a long way for you to walk like, all the way across the street, but really, J - if you park on the street (i.e. not in the garage) and overstay your 2 hour limit, you WILL get a ticket, and you're up to maximum ticket cost now ($80...$80!!!!! just for parking 50 more feet away - COME ON, lady.)

7. I really really need a haircut. Really. (The fact that BOTH my hairdryer AND my flat iron are on the fritz and my hair is a complete and utter mess is irrelevant...of course.)

8. Don't talk to strange men at Krystal. Even if they talk to you first and seem sad and you're just being nice. I know Grandmomma told you that "strangers are just friends you haven't met yet" but your MOMMA said "DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS!" and that should take precedence. Just smile and nod and get your food to go. You have enough client-stalkers at the moment, you don't need old-man-who-likes-Krystal-chili to get rid of, too.

9. Not everyone talks to dogs. Even fewer folks can understand what the dogs are saying back. In fact, I can only think of two people that do this (Carol...and me...because we are one and the same.)
I have recently discovered this same theory is true for God, too. Unfortunately, not everyone talks to God, and even fewer hear him speak back. Count your blessings.

Please add your own notes-to-self, should you feel inspired (or feel free to leave notes-to-JJ, too... I'll take all the help I can get.)

Calling all prayers...

2008-11-17T10:49:00.003-05:00

The house is showing today between 12 & 2pm. This is the most fabulous house ever (which I can't afford to keep) and the people looking at it don't have a house to sell, so they're apparently willing and able buyers. The house has been on the market (like the rest of the houses...) for over a year. I love the house. It's the only real "home" my kids have ever known, but it's a huge financial and emotional drain on both me and Mark (the father of my children...) and so, I'm petitioning you all for your prayers on this. I know God has plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and they are plans to prosper me - so I am having faith, and I appreciate your faith and prayers, too.

OK - so anyway, it was a happy weekend. Bowling for Bucky was a success. (It was my friend Bucky's birthday. I am still sore from bowling, actually...) However, I also almost got into a knock-down drag-out with the haircut lady at SuperCUTS yesterday. She was MEAN, MEAN, MEAN to my sweet poor child (who was a total trooper) to the point where I yanked him out of the chair, haircut half-finished, and blew the joint. (And the meanie threw a crumpled up receipt at me, because *THAT* is professional and grown-up of her...) It's a long story, but suffice it to say that woman will not have a job much longer. I just spoke to her area manager, Tina. And, I'm getting a full refund and coupons for free hair cuts (though I protested - I'm never going in there again...)

I'm not usually a complainer, by the way. I rarely ever call and talk to a manager or send my food back, etc. - I have been known to call and COMPLIMENT a job well done if I was pleased, because I don't think people do that enough, but in this situation, the woman was rude and she was basically traumatizing my innocent blonde 4 year old, who (I must say) was behaving like an angel.

OK - before my blood pressure gets too high, I need to have another cup of coffee. I hope your week got started off right.

A Letter to the Veterans

2008-11-12T10:12:00.002-05:00

11/11/08

Dear Veterans,

We asked Mommy today why all the light poles had American Flags. Mommy said it was a "holiday" (even though we still had school) - and that it was a very special one because we were celebrating and thanking all the veterans. We didn't know what veterans were, so Mommy explained that these were very special men and women who worked very hard to keep our country safe for all of us. Sometimes, she said, the veterans had to leave their families (even when they had little babies) to go to another country and do their job to keep us safe. Cole said he wouldn't want his mommy or daddy to have to leave, but our Mommy explained that was why it was so very special that we have these Veterans to thank - because they don't even know us, but they love the country enough to make big sacrifices (that means "giving up something they want") to take care of it.

We wanted to know how we could celebrate and say Thank You to the Veterans. Carson suggested we call these veterans on the phone and tell them thank you and maybe bake them some cookies. Mommy explained that even though she knows a few veterans, and tells them thank you all the time, that she doesn't have the phone numbers of all the veterans, nor could she possibly organize a cookie drive for them this evening - but we still wanted to do something. Cole, who loves to write, wanted to write a letter. What a fabulous idea! So, we sat down and wrote a Thank You note to you Veterans (and other kind readers of Mommy's blog...)

We say "Thank You, Jesus" for our food and our family and our friends every time we eat. Carson now says "Thank you, Jesus" for the Veterans, too. We are happy to be able to go to school and go to our church and do whatever we want to do because the Veterans help keep our country free and safe. Mommy says in some countries, the leaders make rules that don't let people worship and they do mean things to people that break this silly rule. But she said we live in a "free" country, and that the Veterans make sure we stay that way.

Mommy is taking our letter to the post office tomorrow, after looking up an address to send this to at www.AnySoldier.com and also checking out www.vetsday.woundedwarriorproject.org - if you are thankful for the people that make sacrafices for our freedom, you should write a letter, too.

Love and Thanks,
Cole & Carson Walker, ages 4 & 3

I heart my Mommy.

2008-11-11T15:50:00.003-05:00

My mom was off work today. I was supposed to be picking a jury for a misdemeanor battery case, and seeing as my Momma has never seen me "in my element" working, she wanted to come observe some trial practice. Well, my case was dismissed, so we never got to the jury-picking extravaganza. But, she got to see a guilty plea by another person (possession of cocaine) and meet my courthouse crew. And then - we walked down to see Ana & Keith at Broad St. Cafe/McCrobie's, and had a late breakfast, and then just wandered back to my office, and then down Broad St. to SmartyPants, where she bought some adorable outfits for the chick peas.

I love my Mom. She makes me feel the most like "me", if that makes any sense at all. I'm so grateful for her.

OK - so moving right along. All my cases from the trial calendar, except one, have been completed. It has been a successful two days. Tonight is ballet for the Carsonator, a cookie at Honeymoon Bakery for Cole. Then home to knock out some laundry and maybe a nice fire in the fireplace and a good book and cup of tea. Tomorrow I am headed to the Young Professionals meeting at Citizen's First (catered by either RuSan's or Blue Fin, last I heard, definitely a reason to celebrate!!!) - Thursday is Yolanda (housecleaner extraordinare), we rescheduled (thank you, I petitioned the universe for that...) - and Friday is FRIDAY!!!

How are you today?

November 10 - Monday.

2008-11-10T12:41:00.002-05:00

Yep. Creative title, I know. Sorry - I'm not feeling witty or anything today. My bad.

So, I was supposed to pick a jury today for my PUI trial (pedestrian under the influence). My guy didn't show up. I called him - he was still asleep, didn't know he had to be there. I told him to be at the courthouse within the hour. He says "I can't do it today." Um, hello? You are charged with a crime, and you knew last week that you'd have a jury trial this week? I told him he HAD to do it today, or the judge would send the Sheriff out there to give him a "free ride" to the jail - where he would sit and wait until his case was tried. His response? Get this... "Well, I guess I'll see what I can do." NO, it's not "see what you can do" time, man - it's get your tail end out of bed and get over here.

Then his mom called the judge and said he'd be there soon but he was having to ride his bike, since he didn't have a car or anyone to bring him to the courthouse. Not only was he having to ride his bike - he was having to ride his bike from....Armuchee. (You non-Floyd Co. folks - that's way out...like probably 12 miles or so from the Courthouse...)

*sigh* Turns out he got to the courthouse and was arrested on a bench warrant, held in lockup (I went and talked to him about picking a jury, etc.) and THEN....THEN....his case was dismissed. He was released, and even though it was originally MY fault (somehow?) that he got arrested, now I'm the best lawyer ever because I got his misdemeanor PUI case dismissed. (The police video turned up, and it didn't show anything, so the prosecutor dismissed him.)

OK - so I had a great weekend. News Flash: Yolanda didn't show up at my house on Friday. I need to call her - but I'm sad. Otherwise, it was fun - I went to see Scott Thompson play at the Pear on Friday night. Love him. Danced. Good times. Saturday, I watched a good deal of football - watched GT lose terribly to UNC. Oops. But it was #19 v #20 - so it was bound to be close. Watched UGA beat Kentucky (go Dawgs!), and....the LSU/Alabama game? Oh. My. In overtime, Alabama took it. *sigh*

Of course, the game of the week was Auburn v. UT Martin (he he) simply because my kids were there. War Eagle! (And they won, apparently the kidlets were camera hogs and were on the big screen at the stadium 3 times!)

As something good to look forward to in Rome - Old Havana is having a private "cigar dinner" hosted by CAO - and my friend Keith Kastanias is doing the catering (if you're familiar with Broad St. Cafe/McCrobies, etc. that's the guy...) - and it's a 4 course meal - including my favorite - PRIME RIB!!! - along with drinks and a cigar ($16 cigar, no less!) for the low, low price of $50. I already have my ticket...it's Friday, November 14 from 6-9 pm upstairs at the cigar shop. Fun! Check out the website (linked above) for more details.

That's all I got. Have a good one!

Hooray and a Yee-HAW!

2008-11-07T10:48:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday!!! Fo' Sho'....it's been a long and crazy week for me. But, I'm happy to report that my trial calendar was very successful yesterday and now I have the lucky pleasure of trying - not some big felony meth lab case (which was continued) or an exciting aggravated assault...but... (wait for it...)

Pedestrian Under the Influence
Disorderly Conduct
and a few other minor misdemeanors...

Madness! So, I have NO plans for the weekend. However, I did want to mention that the Annual CRBI (Coosa River Basin Initiative) Fish Fry is this Saturday from 11 - 3 at the First United Methodist Church downtown. It's $8 for a good plate of fried catfish (with all the trimmings, including hush puppies!) or $4 for a small fry plate (half serving)...they will also have a Green Expo with interesting Earth-Friendly displays. The best part (other than the yummo fish and donating to a good cause) is that all the oil used to fry the fish will be recycled and used in vehicles that are designed to run on vegetable oil! How great is that?!?!? GO GREEN!

Also, there is a Downtown Sidewalk Sale this weekend on Broad Street - so come stroll for some good deals - oh, and the Downtown Business Expo is also this weekend at the Forum with lots of good holiday gift-giving ideas. Fun times! (And free food samples ;) )

Right. So, football... here are my predictions. Alabama will win, Georgia will win. I'm planning to catch as many games as I can on Saturday. My kids are going to the Auburn game with their daddy (though they're playing someone unmemorable...) but they're sitting in the 2nd row, so I'm awaiting pictures with Aubie and the Auburn Cheerleaders!

I am unbelievably in love with my children, by the way. They come up with the most interesting things to tell me all the time! Carson said - "Do you know that snails sometimes like to eat spaghetti? I love spaghetti. Maybe I could have spaghetti with some snails..." Um, ok. If she wasn't three, I'd wonder how long she'd been hitting the crack pipe. Cole is very into nature and science stuff. We had a LONG discussion about evergreens. Like pine trees, firs, etc. (He calls them "forever-greens" though, which makes sense, really. They're just perfect really. I know I complain sometimes about how exhausting they are - but I really don't know where I'd be without them. They teach me not only patience, but unconditional love, free-spiritedness, gratitude for the smallest things in life (you know, like snails...), and their love of learning just makes me so very proud. OK - Mommy gushing is over, thanks for staying with me on that one.

Questions of the Day -
1. What is your favorite comfort food?

2. What are your plans for this lovely fall weekend?

3. As a child, what was your answer when asked what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Yolanda - my house cleaning fairy - is at my house as I type. Fabulocity. Hmmm

Change on the Horizon...

2008-11-05T11:40:00.002-05:00

or so we hope - courtesy Obama...

I had a hard time with the presidential election this year - so I'm not jumping up & down in victory, and I'm not beaten down and sobbing in defeat. I reckon either way things will change...It will be nothing less than interesting. So, there's my 2 cents on the election results, for what it's worth.

Right. So. Anyway - two more days of this week. I have a big trial calendar tomorrow - but amazingly enough, I got A LOT accomplished this week. Previously mentioned meth lab trial is being continued, here's hoping I can pitch a big enough fit with the judge to get my guys a reasonable bond.

For today, I am being grateful...and also irritated at other things. Here's my lists:
Things which irritate me:
1. Slanderous gossip with no basis of truth, particularly when gossip is perpetuated by people in positions of authority.
2. That nasty stuff in the lint-trap of the dryer - because it's really a pain in the tookus to clean out, but I do it every time because it's more energy efficient when I do.
3. People that insist on driving 12 miles an hour. In a 30 or 40 or even 50 mph zone. Grr....
4. When people call and leave me umpteen voicemails and are PISSED that I haven't called them back - but, they neglect to leave their freaking number - or worse, they leave a number, but either the number is not a good number (i.e. disconnected) or they don't answer because they don't have any minutes left this month. Right. Ok. SO LEAVE A DIFFERENT NUMBER.
5. My dog scratching and licking all night and making a lot of noise or leaving a wet lick spot on the sheets. She doesn't have fleas, I think she just has excema - I just bathed her with some stuff the vet recommended... but it's still irritating.

Things for which I am grateful:
1. BEAUTIFUL lovely fall weather.
2. Phone calls from friends that care about hearing my irritations.
3. I paid all my bills already this month (except preschool tuition) so far...and I am not in the red yet.
4. I have NO plans yet this weekend - so I am thinking of sewing something fabulous.
5. Football!!!!!!!!!!
6. That I have no TV, no internet, etc. at my house, but I still survive and really don't regret or miss it.
7. Blueberry muffins and good coffee.
8. A potential first date
9. Children that recognize all the phases of the moon, including the "gibbous" moon....
10. That I can "be the bigger person" in almost every situation and look at myself in the mirror and love myself.
11. I got toilet paper 2 for 1 at Kroger the other day.
12. Moms. Moms rock. (And Daddies are pretty great, too. And Crazy Aunts are also awesome...)
13. Cole (age 4 years, 4 months, 14 days) can READ! He read the following words off signs, etc. last night/this morning after some trial and error sounding out the letters: "ICE COLD BEER", "BROAD STREET", "KOMAN'S" (this should crack up Roman residents...by the way....we were sitting at Honeymoon Bakery, across from Koman's... ;) ), "FORD" (Ranger), "MARTHA BERRY", "HARBIN"...isn't that GREAT?!?!?!? And these were not words (other than Ice Cold) that he would have just "known" or recognized...Obviously he's a genius. (And I'm not biased!)\
14. I really love when people comment on my blog and answer my questions (hint, hint)

OK - so I could keep going with the gratitude things, but the truth is it's satisfying that I have more than twice as many good things as bad things.

For the questions - tell me 3 things that irritate you and 3 things for which you are grateful...please?

Weekend Review

2008-11-03T09:06:00.003-05:00

EDITED TO ADD - I have accomplished my luxury (see questions) - Yolanda will be at my house on Friday. WOO HOO!

Right. So - which genius thought up giving large quantities of candy to small children who dress up and say "Trick-or-Treat" right before bedtime on a fall night? Yeah, well whoever that guy was (and clearly it was a man, not a mom), that guy was obviously smoking crack. Suffice it to say that Optimus Prime and Hannah Montana had a very productive trick-or-treat session thanks to the local businesses downtown. By the way, Double Bubble - also thought up by some crack-smoking genius. My children can't WAIT to be 5 and a half because that's the randomly chosen appropriate age that people in my house are allowed to chew gum. Carson, however, is convinced that she's already 13 (she's 3...) and can have whatever she wants. I'm pretty sure there is no more Double Bubble in her hair, but Bella - well, Bella may be trying to get it out of her ears for a while...poor dog.

Thanks to the mass quantities of candy, I have had to reinstitute the "lock-on-the-snack-cabinet" philosophy. See, you need no lock on the snack cabinet, even with small children who like to nick snacks, when said snack cabinet is bare. I've solved the problem of over-snacking in children. Just don't go to the grocery store! Works like a charm. Nothing to eat = no eating. HA! We're making a quick trip to the Kroger tonight, though - we're out of milk and bread and *gasp* paper towels...preschoolers + no paper towels = anarchy.

I have a huge trial calendar to work on this week. Lots of felony trials for which to prepare. I am forewarning you, faithful readers (all 3 of you ;) that there may not be a lot of posts after tomorrow because I'll be busy and in court...but I love you!

Questions of the Day:
1. What is your biggest regret in life?

2. Do you get a flu shot every year?

3. If you could have one luxury today what would it be?

4. How long is your morning commute? (Including any stops, etc.)

Tricks and Treats - ROCK THE VOTE!

2008-10-31T10:20:00.002-04:00

NEWS FLASH - today is the LAST day to do early voting in Floyd County. Avoid crazy long lines next Tuesday and come on over to the old yellow-brick courthouse on 4th Avenue (behind Jefferson's) and vote - it's sure to be entertaining - I've already seen a witch, a bag lady, a "Black Eyed Pea" and a Kitty Cat voting here this morning. And it's only 10:30!

Today I am the proud mother of Optimus Prime (Transformer extraordinaire) and Hannah Montana. They didn't wear their costumes to school (against the rules) but we are looking forward to the Downtown Trick-or-Treat on Broad St. from 2-6pm.

I love Halloween. At one point in my life, and for many years, it was an anniversary of a first date. Tonight, I have a date with Optimus & Hannah, so that will be just as great. Did you know that the day after Halloween (All Hallows' Eve) is All Saints' Day? Very exciting.

I have to go work now - alas. But I hope you all have a creepy crawly kind of day ;)

Questions of the Day:
1. What are you wearing? (Any other day this would sound like I was getting cyber-fresh with you, but since it's national dress up day, it's a fair question...)

2. Are you/your children going trick-or-treating?

3. When & where was your first date with your current (or most recent) significant other?

4. If you got to have a first date soon, where would you want to go/what would you want to do? (Bonus: with whom would you like to go on said first date ;) )

Memos to Folks, Note to Self (subtitle..."Bite Me")

2008-10-30T09:48:00.003-04:00

MEMO TO THE SHORT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN MY HOUSE
Small children, of course I love you, of course I do. I am your mother. But, at some point you are going to have to realize that A) I am bigger than you; B) I am smarter than you; C) I make the rules; and D) no matter what, you WILL follow the rules...which include 1) no throwing in the house; 2) no playing with doors; 3) no hitting your sibling; and 4) YOU MUST SLEEP IN YOUR OWN BED.

MEMO TO THE PRE-K PARENTS AT BERRY
There are parking spaces. Use them. If you park perpindicular to the parking spaces, in the drive (even if you leave your car running), then you are blocking in those of us that chose to follow the rules and park in the parking spaces. That means that I go from already being 20 minutes late to work to being 25 or 30 minutes late to work. And I blame it all on you. If, by chance, all the available parking spaces are full - just freakin' park in the grass - don't block me in. One of these days I'm going to "forget" to look in my rearview mirror and smack your cute little Pathfinder or Volvo or whatever it is you drive.

Thank you! - See you at the field trip tomorrow!

MEMO TO CERTAIN PEOPLE
Stop trying to bully me. It's not fair.

MEMO TO ALL THE MALES IN THE LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION
(Particularly ones in Rome, GA)
I am a girl. I will always be a girl. I am different from you. But - that doesn't mean I'm not as smart as you or that I don't have the cahones to cross examine a witness to within an inch of his/her life. We will always always always have different practice styles, as do all lawyers. It's not personal. It's my job. Zealous representation of my clients. I'm really not a bulldog or a beee-otch. I'm a nice girl - with a law degreen.

NOTES TO SELF
If you don't actually turn the washing machine ON, nothing gets washed.
If you don't wash any clothes, it's no wonder the children don't have clean socks.
You cleaned out the garage so you could park in it.
If you don't park in the garage, you waste a good 15 minutes and probably 1/2 gallon of gas warming up the car enough to defrost the windshield.
Hence, you should park in the garage.
You are the only female criminal defense attorney in this circuit (though there are a few others that pop up from other places from time to time...) - you love the guys you work with and against, but at some point you just need to suck it up. Boys are stupid.
Tell your girlfriends and your family that you appreciate them more often. They are the best. Really....

mommy needs sleep.

2008-10-29T14:34:00.003-04:00

Yeah - so I love my children, and I'm a durn good Momma. I'm also madly in love with my queen size bed - with clean sheets, and here's the key - I like having it ALL TO MYSELF.

Unfortunately for me, there are two preschoolers and a super-sized springer spaniel that are also in love with my queen size bed (with formerly clean sheets...) Last night, I put each child back in his/her bed a minimum of 4 times. That's a minimum of 8 times getting in and out of bed (in the span of 3 hours) - and I kicked Bella (aforementioned springer) off the bed at least 10 times between 11pm and 5 am, at which point I just gave up.

I did turn my gas log fireplace on last night. Very nice. Very romantic. Very warm and cozy. Hot tea and a good book...and then I woke up 30 minutes later sweating on the couch...turned off the fire and hit the queen bed...to find a little blondie munchkin in it. This is where the in-and-out-of-bed scenario began...and never ended.

Needless to say, I feel crummola today. I have some fun questions, though - please feel free to share:

1. Brady Bunch or The Waltons?

2. Coke or Pepsi?

3. Beer or Liquor? (or wine, I suppose is acceptable, too)

4. ink pens - blue or black?

5. camping or the ritz?

Monday keeps coming around...

2008-10-27T10:05:00.004-04:00

Strange how that happens, eh? It's Thursday or Friday and you think "Wow, I have a whole weekend to recuperate..." and then out of the blue, it's MONDAY again.

Football recap - way to go Georgia. Good game, good game. And Texas, still number 1. And my friend Liam's Might Fighting Cardinals of Ball State are 8-0 - very impressive, Liam - what are they up to number 16 in the BCS points now? Congrats!

So, it's Halloween this Friday! When did that sneak up on us - I want to know. Cole wants to be an Army-man (Soldier) with camo and all. Carson, well, Carson told me she wants to be Hannah Montana but I think I'm going to veto that. How DO you dress a 3-year old as Hannah Montana, really? I think I'm going to be a 1989 prom queen. Complete with tacky polyester satin red dress (lace, ribbons AND sequins - and a bubble skirt with dyed-to-match satin pumps. And a tiara, of course.)

We're doing the downtown trick-or-treat (Thank you, local businesses...) and then home to make kettle corn and watch a Halloween movie, like Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin or something. I've been invited to a (grown-up) Halloween party, but there's no way I would find a sitter on Halloween, and I'm not sure I would really want to, anyway...

So. Still working on the meth lab case. Madness, I tell you - sheer madness. OK - so I want to know what everyone else is doing for Halloween...

1. Are you dressing up this year? As what?

2. Do you have trick-or-treaters at your house? What kind of candy do you give out?

3. Are you going to any fun spooky events? I went to the Haunted Caverns in Chatty last year - but nothing very fun or spooky this year...*sigh*

Fantabulous Friday!

2008-10-24T10:54:00.002-04:00

But the weather - not so fantabulous. Rainy, cold - windy!!! And, I've been working on a meth lab trial I have coming up all morning, and it's complicated and heavy stuff...but I really think my guys have a defense (for once) - so I feel inspired.

Anyway, so it's Friday -driving C & C Music Factory to the Lucky's Supermarket in Rainsville, AL this afternoon to hang with their Daddy for the weekend. Carson's first sentence this morning "Mommy, is today "Lucky" day?!?!?" Cute!

Oh - favorite quote of the day - 6am:
Mommy: Cole, do you know how much I love you?
Cole: How much, ma?
Mommy: I love you to the moon...and back!
Cole: Yeah, well, guess how much *I* love *you*!!!
Mommy: How much?
Cole: I love you to the moon and back - IN A ROCKET SHIP! With flashing colored lights and shooting stars and...and...and ALIENS!

*sweet sigh* I love my kidlets. Don't you?

There is a Bar Association meeting at lunch today - our two Floyd County District Attorney candidates will be speaking. Should be interesting:
Incumbent (Democrat) - Leigh Patterson
Challenger (Republican) - Dan Morgan
Then I'm going home to put on jeans and boots and a fleecey-jacket and pack up the chick peas to head to 'bama.

By the way - I am not ignoring the results of the Auburn/West Virginia game last night. Actually, scratch that - yes, I am ignoring it - and no, I don't want to talk about it.

See y'all at CHIAHA!

Thursday Thoughts

2008-10-22T10:15:00.014-04:00

1. Thursday is one of my favorite days of the week. Stems from 4th grade, Thursday was library day. Plus, since it's Thursday, we're one day closer to dancing exploits like this: Meet (from bottom up - Tricia, Kikki & "Hot Guy from Belgium" (we missed his name...) - and the half-guy on the right? That's Bucky...2. Speaking of the library, I love the library. Free books? Free videos? Good times! (REMINDER TO SELF: return way overdue library books...you do NOT love overdue fines.)

3. Meet Addie:
Addie is the granddaughter of Barbara, who is one of our lovely administrative assitants at the Public Defender's Office. I would be in big trouble without Barb. Addie picked out this fabric at Wal-Mart and wanted a halloween outfit. Voila!

4. Coffee is good. Coffee, if I needed evidence of a kind and caring God, would be sufficient to prove His existence to me. (But, luckily, I have a LOT of other evidence, but I'm really grateful for small things, like coffee.)

5. Queen sized beds seem luxurious when you have them all to yourself. However, at some point between midnight and 5:30 am, I did not have mine all to myself, as one-by-one, I obtained a 50 pound springer spaniel, a 40 pound 4-year-old blondie boy in cowboy PJs, and a 3-year-old spitfire girl in just Tinkerbell panties. Not so roomy, after all.

6. Cowboy boots go with just about all my outfits (exception: navy blue skirt suit...). Carson Claire agrees as she is wearing hers today (and would probably wear them with navy blue skirt suit, if she had one.

7. Math lessons for preschoolers work really well with dirty utensils, straw papers, and cheese dip. The Dynamic Duo (aka Cole & Carson) can now identify not only squares, rectangles and triangles, but also parallelograms, trapezoids and pentagrams. Rock on.

8. The dictionary is a perfectly appropriate "favorite book" for a 4-year-old. Don't knock it. He's insanely smart. (And also very handsome!!!)

9. The real estate market sucks. In case you haven't noticed. However, in the interest of being positive, gas was only $2.69 at the BP on Martha Berry yesterday. I filled up for less than $50 (and I was down to the --- on my gas-range indicator...which tells me how many miles I can go. the --- is what comes after the big fat ZERO.)

10. I fancy myself a singer. Shhhh...don't tell anyone.

A few reminders about the weekend

Scary Berry - haunted hayride out at Berry College - starts at 8pm tonight, Friday and Saturday out at Berry (there is lots of signage at the entrance...) $6 for non-Berry students and $4 for Berry students. (I can't find a link...sorry.)

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - http://www.romelittletheater.com/ - is playing Friday - Sunday at DeSoto Theater on Broad - check the website for times. This is the last weekend, so be sure to catch it if you want it.

Schroeder's is hosting Free Will Offering (check 'em on MySpace) at 7pm in the courtyard (pray for no rain...)

Also at Schroeder's this weekend - a benefit for the Aids Resource Council
(featuring Devidasa, Tyler Ashley & Jake Mitchell,
Woodcrest Sound Karaoke, and Derotha Garrett) - should be good times and it's $7 I think? and it starts at 8pm in the courtyard.

Shorter College is putting on something fun - The Next Best Thing to Broadway (A Musical Cabaret) - it's a fundraiser for the Friends of Theater. Click here for the Arts calendar. NOTE - the performance will be at Coosa Valley Tech - not at Shorter campus.

And don't forget - Thunderbolt Patterson at Old Havana, Friday, 9pm - also, Chiaha Arts Festival this weekend. I will be there selling poinsettias for the Junior Service League.

Frost, Felonies, Football & Fun

2008-10-20T11:33:00.017-04:00

Today it was 37 degrees when I got in my car at 7:30 a.m. My windshield was frosted over. Wow. And to think that just Friday it was 84 degrees and I was sweaty. I LOVE THIS WEATHER! Don't get me wrong, I love the beach in August, too (and Karaoke at that dive bar with the big boy Marcus - Mel & Sooz & Karen...and Grey Goose Martinis...extra dirty!) - but FALL, particularly THIS part of fall, when it's just cold enough to make your cheeks pink and the sun is still so bright and lovely, and the leaves are crunchy under your boots...*sigh* Love it.

I had two burglary trials and a felony false statements trial this week. Guess what? They were ALL dismissed for some reason or another...so that means I have (finally) finished with this trial calendar and can move on to the 20-something cases I have on the Nov. 6 trial calendar. Good times.

I took the short people to Pettit Creek Farms in Cartersville this weekend. Hay rides, feeding camels and goats (and ZEBRAS and BISON! - who knew there were zebras and bison in the Etowah Valley....) We also picked a few pumpkins and jumped in the bouncy houses and saw a ton of fun things there.

Because I was gone most of the day Saturday, and because I don't have TV (I know, I'm crazy...I'm ok with that.), I watched very very little football. Boo. However, my Auburn Tigers (WAR EAGLE!) had an off week. I hate to admit it, but they probably needed seeing as we've kind of had a problem the last couple weeks which resulted in the firing of offensive coordinator number 8 (in 10 years, I think...) wow. I have to say kudos, though, to my Georgia buddies - because UGA kicked tail against Vanderbilt...THE Vanderbilt that beat Auburn last week, which apparently led to aforementioned sacking of offensive coordinator. Ugh. I'm not bitter, though. It's all fair in love and football.

Carolina and Wake Forest both lost though - but Texas - TEXAS won! Texas (last I checked) is NUMBER ONE!!!) Dang. Who woulda THUNK it - well, Texas rocks, I'll say. And for Brent, and Tyler and all those other Texas folks who I hung with at the chili cookoff - Here's a shout out for ya - "HOOK 'EM 'HORNS!" And for Marlin, J.J. Beebe, Niles, and Mitchell - "Ramblin' Wreck, baby" (insert Mitchell's knuckle-bust here).

OK - so there's frost, felonies & football - and HERE...here, my friends...is the fun.

First - a report on the chili cookoff - fabulous weather, great music, good friends and DIVINITY in the form of meat & beans. Good times (here's one pic, courtesy of Tricia Steele, thank you dear.)

MORE FUN:

I have (re)discovered that I am a phenomenal dancer. And, it's good exercise, by the way. My girls and I have figured out that it's a really good Saturday night thing to do, and plan to do it more often.

So, here's some fun pics of a recent dancing night with the lovely Rome ladies.

And, in the midst of a recent dancing exploit with my ladies - I met the fabulous Jada Ryan Grindstaff from the band Waiting for Jimmy. (Jada assures me the show dates will be updated this week) and their MySpace page is pretty current, so if you're on MySpace look them up there, too. You can hear some of their stuff by clicking here as well. And the MySpace page has all their updated show dates already...Check for upcoming shows in Atlanta in late November - myAtlanta peeps should check it out. We should make it a group event...And you Romans, word on the street is that they may play here in Rome, as well. Good Times, right here in River City!!!

More Fun - CHIAHA is this weekend - the Chiaha Harvest Fair is one of my favorite fall activities (y'all know I'm nuts about outdoor festival type stuff anyway) - and this one is all about the arts, all the time. AND, there's free hot apple cider. What more could you want? Well, here's what makes it even better - the band line up is faburific! Check it:

Saturday - Oct. 25

10:30-11:15: Russell McClanahan & Friends
11:15-12:00: Cheyenne Medders
12:00-12:45: Kelley & Marcie Lane
12:45-1:30: Martha Ann Brooks
1:30-2:15: Bryan Bowers
2:15-3:00: Jule Medders
3:00-3:45: Faye Pierce Band
3:45-4:45: Delta Moon

Sunday - Oct. 26

10:30-12:00: David Elliott
12:00-12:45: Calvin Snow
12:45-1:45: Bryan Bowers
1:45-2:45: Thunderbolt Patterson
2:45-3:30: Doggie Costume Contest
3:30-4:30: Jennifer Daniels

Thunderbolt Patterson is also playing this FRIDAY (Oct. 24) at Old Havana. I will be there with bells on because those guys ROCK (quite literally...)...For more fun Rome stuff, check out Bryan's site - mullinsmania.com

So - that was a happy (long) Monday post - I'm making up for not posting since last Wednesday - sorry! Love and sunshine and sweet tea. Catch y'all on the flip side.

Midweek Migraine

2008-10-15T15:21:00.004-04:00

I am on day 3 of an increasingly annoying headache. Lots of advil, tylenol, coffee, water - and yes, I've eaten...(I like to eat, y'all know that!)...thinking may be sinus headache, after all. It's really weird.

Anyway - today I have NO plans after work. For once, right? No ballet, no tennis, no meetings...just going home to make pasta (mmmm, tortellini) and chill with my short people while we catch up on some laundry.

Here's the story for the weekend - there's are two great events planned for this SPOOKY time of year! "Where Romans Rest" and "Haunted on Broad"...

Here's the description from the City of Rome website (http://www.romegeorgia.com/):
Discover a different side of Georgia’s Rome on Saturday, October 18 with two tours: “Where Romans Rest”, a guided tour of Myrtle Hill Cemetery, and “Haunted on Broad”, Rome’s haunted history and ghost lore.
• Where Romans RestDocents will guide guests through the winding paths of Myrtle Hill Cemetery, stopping along the way as “grave hosts” tell the story of those buried within the gates. Please note: this tour is a moderate to strenuous walk with steps and slopes involved. Tours depart at 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, & 11:30am from the gates of Myrtle Hill Cemetery on Myrtle Street. Cost: $8 adult, $5 children (12 and under).
• Haunted on Broad Docents will guide guests along the streets of Rome’s Between the Rivers Historic District. Along the way, Rome’s haunted history and ghost lore will come alive as told by the Seven Hills Tellers and guest tellers. Please note: this tour is a moderate to strenuous walk with hills and uneven pavement. Route is not conducive for wheelchairs or strollers. Stories are not intended for a young audience. Tours depart from the Midtown Transit Station on East 1st Street at 7:30 and 8:30pm. Cost: $8 adult, $5 children (12 and under).
Tickets for “Where Romans Rest” and “Haunted on Broad” are available at the Rome Visitor Center, 402 Civic Center Drive, across from Applebee’s. For more information, call 706/295-5576 or visit http://www.romegeorgia.org/.

Also - Rome Little Theater's presentation of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" opens this weekend at RLT and plays this weekend and next at the historic DeSoto Theater: http://romelittletheatre.com/
If you are in Rome next weekend (because I can't make it this weekend) and would like to see this, I'm looking for folks that want to go - I think it will be a really good show!

Good times, right here in River City!

Yowza,,,

2008-10-14T12:41:00.002-04:00

So. My little boy. (And, he IS little - he's only 4) took a dive on the sidewalk and skint up his face. We're talking road rash on the whole left side of his face. Busted lip, swollen eye, and a possible broken tooth or two. He looks like he was in a really rough bar fight, or a killer motorcycle accident...but it was just a tumble on the cement. Ugh.

It looks way way way better than it did Sunday (when it happened) but it's still causing sleep issues - which means I'm on day 3 of very very very little sleep. So, I apologize for my lack of funnies today. Nothing is much funny after the first 36 hours of no sleep.

I will say, I had a lovely impromptu dinner party at my house last night. 3 lovely friends made it over for some chili (well, the Kikki doesn't eat critters, so she had pita bread & hummus, close second to chili...). They even brought me a couple longnecks, which I enjoyed - and I have to say that on a Monday night after worrying about my skint-up preschooler, those two cold ones were well-deserved, and much needed & appreciated.

So, it's ballet-Tuesday. I forgot the necessary ballet accoutrements (I'm pretty sure I spelled that improperly. Forgiveness, please. At least I said it in my head with that fun French accent ;) )...I'll head home in just a little bit to get that stuff. The boy and I will have a cookie at Honeymoon bakery while Carsie is twirling - and I'll try to talk them into Schroeder's (and out of Jefferson's) afterwards. Then we'll walk back down Broad Street and throw pennies in the fountain before heading home. Because, this is Tuesday, and this is my simple small life. This is what we do on Tuesdays. I love my life.

Please entertain me today. Even if you're randomly here and I don't know you - I'd appreciate it if you can answer my questions. I really like hearing from y'all. And whomever visited from Bhilwara, Rajasthan - that's a lot of fun, and I'm terrible at geography - but I'd like to know who you are.

So, for fun - here are some questions - I'll answer them, too.

1) Name some pet peeves.

2) What is your favorite thing to make for dinner parties? Or potluck? Or the Superbowl? Whatever works...

3) How do you kick a good killer headache in the tail-end? (This is of particular interest to me at the very moment...)

4) What was your best Halloween costume ever?

Friday Friday

2008-10-10T09:45:00.002-04:00

Well, the puppy shirt is off. 3 days was apparently the limit. So today Cole is wearing a "poppy" shirt (which is very close to "puppy", no?) Poppy is his grandfather...and we did the ALS walk every year as a family team - so we have the shirts with a cartoon depiction of "Poppy" and he wore that today under a "Jr. Builder" button up shirt.

I know that's not exciting Friday news, but I was afraid you were all holding your breath to see what happened to the puppy shirt...

So - now, on to the good stuff - FOOTBALL!!! My unscientific picks - Arkansas @ Auburn is not on TV (well, PPV, but I can't even afford plain cable, much less PPV ;) )

Arizona State @ USC - 2:30 pm (ABC)
Notre Dame @ North Carolina (this one is for JT, who loves his Carolina boys) - 2:30 (ESPN)
TENNESSEE @ GEORGIA 2:30 - (CBS)
LSU @ Florida 7:30 - (CBS)

That's really all I got - I'll be at the Chili cookoff until 3 or 3:30, I think - and then on to the TN/UGA viewing...and then supper time (as if I will be hungry after all that chili) - and S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!!! (can you hear Mike Myers singing that song in "So I Married an Axe Murderer"? You know, when he's playing the Scottish father!!!??? - good times)

Have a happy weekend, y'all!

Puppy dog shirt - Day 3...

2008-10-09T15:00:00.003-04:00

OK - so Cole has this grey heather t-shirt with dog breeds pictured on the front. I think it came from Target (Thank you, Grandmomma...) and he told me last week (he wore it on Friday) "It's my all time FAV-O-RITE shirt, Mom...like, FOR REAL!" (Kids these days...so funny...)

So, I've already laid out the events of Monday (Picture Day) and the dressing debauchle...so Monday we did some laundry and the puppy shirt got washed and put in his basket to put away. Tuesday he wears it again. Fine.

Wednesday...6:30 am -
C: Mom, WHERE IS MY PUPPY SHIRT?
Mom: Dude, it's in the hamper where your dirty clothes are...
C: But, MMMooooooommmmm!!! It's not dirty! I didn't even GET any of my lunch on it!
Mom: Well, it's still sweaty and dusty from playing in it.
C: But Mom...really. For real. It was too rainy to go outside yesterday so I kept it super-clean.
Mom: NO, COLE - you have a drawer FULL of clean shirts, find something else.
C: Fine. Be that way. Mean mommy.
Mom: (Thinking I won the battle...smugness sets in. I make the rules, and THEY follow them!)

6:55am:
Mom: COLE!!! Let's go, time for shoes...

---and Cole, my lovely, hard-headed, knows-what-he-wants child...comes into the room with the puppy dog shirt on. And clean jeans and socks. I can't blame him for trying, it really wasn't that dirty (visibly, anyway), and he dressed himself, so I can't lose, right?

So, last night, we did MORE laundry and I specifically washed the twice-worn dog shirt...and of course he put it away when the load of laundry was done. Guess what he wore today...we'll see how long this can last...

Grey day

2008-10-08T10:24:00.002-04:00

So, the pink was getting to me. It's all rainy and yucky here today, which is fine - we so need the rain...but of course I'm wearing a pencil skirt and sky-high heels, which isn't great for walking back and forth 3-4 blocks each way to the courthouse, because I have court today, of course. And my hair is a mess, of course (but not in a cool messy way, in a frizzy, not-curly-yet-not-straight kinda way...) Ah, well.

I'm wanting pasta. It's only 10:30 am. I've got to be back in court at 1:00 pm, so I'm thinking of going to eat an early lunch, by myself, at an italian place. Of course, giving in to such carb-o-licious cravings is probably why none of my pants fit. Hmmm...?

I want to live downtown. The house I've lived in for 7ish years (minus my 6 month hiatus) has been for sale for a year. We listed it on October 13 last year. Still sits unsold. Of course. The market is crummy. However, we do most things in town - I work downtown, we eat downtown 2-3 nights a week, ballet and the park and all our "social" events are downtown...and most of my friends live down this way, too. If you're a praying person, please pray for an answer to the house selling dilemma.

Random thoughts by JJ today! I'm gearing up for the Trout Unlimited Annual Chili Cookoff at Ridge Ferry Park this weekend. Here's the website: http://coosavalleytu.org/TU_CHILI_COOKOFF/tu_chili_cookoff.html

It should be good times right here in River City! I think the gates open at 10:30 and the judging is at 11:30 or so - and then winners announced around 2-2:30...

I'll probably get there around noon...in case you're looking for me (wink wink).

Other than that, I hope you have a fabulous "grey" day - I'm going to carb-up ;)

Picture Day

2008-10-06T11:21:00.006-04:00

Today is picture day at the child development center. Now, those of you who know me know that I'm a big fan of the fact that my preschoolers dress themselves. I only have two rules about clothing choices in the morning:

1. It must fit;

2. It must be somewhat weather appropriate.

I could care less whether they match their pants to their shirts or wear odd socks...because you know what? I find that independence in a 3- and 4-year old is MUCH more important than color coordination. They dress themselves, they feel pride in what they are wearing, and really sometimes - the crazy combos are cute. (And, we have had some CRAZY combos, let me tell you...)

OK - so, matching doesn't matter, right? Well, it doesn't - EXCEPT on picture day. ARGH! Cole got new Levi's at Sam's Club yesterday - he wanted the camo-printed ones. Fine. Yet, I had already laid out some nice "slim fit" dark wash jeans and a button up Columbia shirt for him to wear and of COURSE he insisted on the camo pants. With the plaid shirt. Of course. *sigh*

Carson, on the other hand had totally cute coordination - an off white/brown/pink printed cotton dress with pink tights. However, instead of the cute mary jane keds I had envisioned, she insisted on the Justin cowboy boots (see above - at the fair) passed down to her by her brother. OK. It's still cute.

Here's more from the fair:

You can see the boots here, too...crazy kids on the carousel. Mommy could only ride it once. Give me a crazy roller coaster any day as opposed to the round & round...

And a thumbs up from my racer-girl! GO SPEEDRACER, GO!

And, in closing, you're probably all wondering about the football weekend wrap up. Let's just say this. I have chosen to repress the memory of the second half of the Auburn/Vandy game. Cheers, Vanderbilt - you're better than anyone expects. War Eagle defense is one of the best in the SEC, and that would be FABULOUS if we had a quarterback that could throw the ball, or receivers that could catch it...alas. I love my War Tigers anyway...ha ha ha ha hah...

Next week, baby...next week.

And the weekend commences...

2008-10-03T11:41:00.002-04:00

I heart Fridays...and here we go with the games of the week...which are picked by ME in a completely BIASED manner...mostly having to do with how nice their uniforms look...(ha ha just kidding...)

Here in GA country, the dawgs are off this week, which makes for sad GA fans...but I recommend a good SEC pick-me-up by watching the following:

Florida @ Arkansas (11:30am, ESPN-GP (if you can get it...watch it.))
South Carolina @ Ole Miss (1:00 pm, only on PPV, or ESPN-GP...if you got it...)
Florida State @ Miami (2:30pm, ABC & ESPN2)
Kentucky @ Alabama (2:30pm, CBS)
Auburn @ Vanderbilt (5pm, ESPN) (My personal game of choice...and it's on regular old ESPN, so you can get it!)

I'll be in town around 5pm for kick off (WAR EAGLE!) and a beer. So, that's that.

As for updates on the fair - I'm getting pictures developed and a CD made (I was using a disposable camera, courtesy of Old Havana - thank you Steven McDowell...) - so I'll try to post some photos if they turn out. It was good times right here in River City. I'd really like to go back as a grown up, with a grown-up - and no small children!!! The fair-food smells, the lights, the crazy announcers "Step Right UP!" etc. Love love loved it.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Bring on the Coosa Valley FAIR!!!

2008-10-01T08:35:00.002-04:00

It's officially fair season in Rome, Georgia. The Coosa Valley Fair had opening day yesterday and today is "kids' day" - so I'm taking the short people...woo hoo.

Of course, when you add up parking, admission, corn dogs & cokes and the obligatory tickets or armbands to ride all those shady rides...well, we're gonna break the bank. But, hey - you only live once, right? I am excited to see the exhibits (the crafting, quilting and home exhibits are my favorite, surprise surprise...) - but EVERY STINKING YEAR I say "Next year I'm gonna blow this place away with MY entries..." yet I never actually get around to it...alas.

The kids like the animals and the kids' art exhibits...but they REALLY like the ferris wheel. (Or, as I like to call it, the rotating wheel of death...) I'm not at all afraid of heights. In fact, I'm a fair bit of a dare devil - but you should SEE this ferris wheel - if it was just me - or me and other reasonable adults, I'd be fine - but preschoolers, no seatbelts, a rocking bucket o' misery and 100 vertical feet make for a nervous mommy...

So, what else is there to tell...hmmm. Well, Cole had an interesting comment yesterday. Here's how it went.
We're on the way from Berry pre-k to ballet. Traffic is kinda slow at 5pm on Martha Berry Blvd.
Cole: Mom, your car doesn't like that black weasel, right?
Mom: huh?
Cole: You know the black weasel, right, Mom? Your car does NOT like it.
Mom: A black weasel?
Cole: Yeah, you know what weasel is, right?
Mom: Like the animal?!?!? There's a black weasel in my car?
Cole: NO - we CAN'T put the black weasel in your car!!! It will make your car mad and sick!
Mom: Where did you learn about weasels? Have you ever really seen a weasel? And why is my car afraid of the black weasel.
Cole: Not like an animal weasel, Mom (rolls eyes here, I saw him in the mirror...) - like the GAS, mom - you know, like the weasel that comes out of the black pump at the gas station? It will make your car SICK!

Mom: Recognition dawns...DIESEL, not WEASEL!!! Yeah, ok, bud you're right. My car doesn't like the DIESEL. The black DIESEL fuel.

(We drove to multiple gas stations on a hunt for fuel and none of them had anything but diesel and Cole couldn't understand why I couldn't use that kind...because...of course "The diesel would make my car sick. My car doesn't like diesel.")

Good times with small children.

Weekend Update

2008-09-29T13:18:00.003-04:00

Here we are at Monday again!
I had a fairly good weekend, but I am still not feeling great. Apparently walking pneumonia turned into bronchitis...yuck-o.

I spent Saturday chilling...then watched some football in the afternoon. (WAR EAGLE!!!) I ended up on a spontaneous sushi excursion at Rome's own "RuSan's" - and it was fabulous!!! My friend Stephen Dillon and I had a Rainbow Roll, a Dynamite Roll and something called the Olympic 5-ring...and some edamame on top of it all. Fabulocity. It was REALLY good.

Sunday I slept in a little, did some laundry (story of my life), and went and got my chickadees. They had a nice weekend with Mema (their grandmother) and Daddy...so all is well here in River City.

On the upcoming Rome, GA, agenda for October -
October 11 - Trout Unlimited's 13th Annual Chili Cook-off @ Ridge Ferry Park - http://coosavalleytu.org/TU_CHILI_COOKOFF/tu_chili_cookoff.html

October 25 & 26 - Chiaha Harvest Fair, Ridge Ferry Park -
http://www.chiaha.org/

There's probably more - but these are two events I'm planning on attending without a doubt. I heart outdoor events like this in the fall. Good times!

It's a GIRL!!!

2008-09-26T13:23:00.002-04:00

Casey (my little sis) is having a girl...she already has a name picked - Sadie. I'm excited!!!

That's all the real news I have for today...bring on the weekend, baby. Sweaty boys in tight pants (college football) and nice fall weather, maybe some good BBQ...I'm set.

What are YOU up to this weekend? Nothing, you say? Come hang out with me - my email is in my profile, ... ;)

College Football - week 5 preview!!!

2008-09-24T10:29:00.002-04:00

FIRST - before we get to football...TODAY IS THE DAY!!!
Today is the day my baby sister has her ultrasound at the OB's office to find out if the baby is a niece or a nephew for me. (Have I mentioned that I love my brother-in-law but seeing as Casey is my baby sister (she's 27) as far as I'm concerned this is the second virgin birth ;) ) We are meeting my whole hoot-a-nanny family in Emerson (what, you've never heard of Emerson? Your loss...) at Doug's Place for supper. Good times. I see chicken fried steak in my future and lots of gravy.

OK - now that that is out of the way - BRING ON THE FOOTBALL. There is, as far as I know, not much going on in Rome this weekend. There is (you locals take note) a Budweiser "American Ale" tasting starting at Old Havana Cigar Co. on FRIDAY at 5:30 - so be sure to stop by for some beer. I will be there probably around 7:30 or 8... BUT, because I'm unaware of any outdoor festivals (or other free alcohol ;) ) I will be camped out watching football all weekend. (Check schedule here... http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/schedules/week5 )

These are the ones I'm geared up for...
NOON:
Kent State v. Ball State on ESPN+ (well, I'm not really interested in that one, but my friend Liam's MIGHTY FIGHTING CARDINALS will be playing, and since there's not much else interesting on at noon, I might see if I can find it...)
North Carolina @ Miami

3:30 p.m. -
Tennessee @ AUBURN (WAR EAGLE!!!)

*SUPPERTIME*

7:45 p.m. -
Alabama @ Georgia

Whoo-hoo...good football days are ahead!!!

OK - so there was my football diversion of the day...have a happy one!

I heart my life.

2008-09-23T10:51:00.002-04:00

I really do. I'm grateful to live in this (sometimes painfully) small town. I love that most of the places that I eat, work, and "play" are within a 10 block radius. (Though I live kinda far out, according to most, it's only 9 miles from "downtown"...)

I have a client who is in jail (imagine that) and his Momma had some items of "evidence" (mostly receipts, letters, employment stuff) to give me. I told her to come by my office this morning, but her OTHER son had court this morning, so I told her I'd just meet her at the courthouse around 9:30 or 10:00. While I was waiting to find her, I thought I'd sit in on a civil non-jury day in my judge's courtroom. See how "the other side lives" for the day (tee hee hee...) Well, guess what. There was a forfeiture hearing of some alleged drug money (basically, the "money" was on trial - if it was in close proximity to drugs or contraband, and the evidence showed it was most likely a product of drug-dealing, the State gets to keep it...) So, the lady who claimed to OWN the money was there trying to get it back. Surprisingly, (note sarcasm here) she is charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute and some other charges. Of course my judge saw me sitting back there and asked me to advise her - of her 5th Amendment right, how anything she testifies to (regarding the money or the alleged drugs) could and probably WOULD be used against her when her case got indicted and tried. *sigh*

That's what I get for going to the courthouse when I don't have anything on the calendar. (In case you were wondering, the money was in fact forfeited...) But, I HEART my job anyway! You never know WHAT you're going to be doing next. And, what I really really heart about Tuesdays is that it's Government Employee discount day at the Peach Palace Diner. 30% off!!! Is it time to eat yet?

Questions for today, should you have the time and inclination to answer in the comment section...
1) Do you heart your job? Why (or why not?)
2) What seemingly insignificant things are you grateful for today?
3) If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what WOULD you be doing?
4) What are your goals for the week?
5) What's for lunch?

Coffee, please...

2008-09-22T08:41:00.002-04:00

Monday. Again.
It comes around so fast, darn it! I was feeling so much better by Friday - spent the better part of the day talking to my incarcerated clients (I think I saw 9 folks) at the jail. Of course, going to the jail is a catch-22 - you go to "get some work done" but seeing as you are at the jail, you have 9 clients' worth of work to handle when you get back.

I'd show you my to-do list again, but it would just depress you. Court this week, too - probation revocations and arraignments. And, I finished my September trial calendar last week, right? Well, guess what was sitting in my box on Friday? OCTOBER'S TRIAL CALENDAR!!! It never ends, but I do love my job. I'm busy, I'm fairly good at it, and it's always changing.

So, my chickadees spent the weekend in Alabama. Went to Chuck E. Cheese (SO sorry I missed that trip ;) ) - and had a super good time. I went to the BEER FESTIVAL! A great big shout out to RACA and all the volunteers and beer vendors that made that so wonderful. I had a great great time and the fall weather was to-die-for! Then went on to watch the UGA/Arizona State game (go Dawgs!) and although I'm severely disappointed that Auburn lost to LSU - Auburn made a better showing than I expected. The winning LSU touchdown was made in the LAST MINUTE! (well, I think it was 1:03 left...) *sigh* At least it was fun to watch (the parts I actually got to watch, since most the folks I was hanging with wanted to watch Georgia, of course...

I think that's all I have to share. I'm not particularly funny or witty today, I'm still medicated for this walking pneumonia stuff. ugh - but my sweet baby sister has her ultrasound this week to see if I'm having a niece or a nephew! Updates as I have 'em.

Did ya miss me?

2008-09-18T09:24:00.002-04:00

I'm sick. STILL!!! I rarely EVER get sick, so this is strange. Turns out I apparently have "walking pneumonia" - but I'm on the antibiotic regimen now so I should be feeling better any minute...

Since I've been in a haze for a couple days, I'm way behind at work, at home, and with my peeps...so, today, I'm going to ask YOU to answer some questions for me. I'll answer my own in the comment section - you should, too...

1. How is your week thusfar?
2. What is one thing that someone did for you that was really nice?
3. What did YOU do for someone this week that was really nice?
4. What's on tap for YOUR weekend?
5. Do you make your bed every day?
6. What did you have for dinner last night?
7. Is the gas price madness KILLING you or what?
8. Tell me something funny. I need it today.

A Monday to-do List

2008-09-15T10:36:00.002-04:00

OK - so I totally need to be organized today. Why is Monday always so JAM-PACKED? Here is my to-do list for the early part of the week - notations made as to what is already done...

1. Transfer cash to second account (accidentally paid sitter from wrong checkbook) - DONE!
2. Pay credit card bill - due tomorrow - DONE!
3. Go to court and enter pleas, ask for Motion to Suppress (DONE! - gotta go back for the "order" granting my motion to let my girl outta jail at 1:30 PM)
4. Write brief for sister's car accident case (due Wednesday - 1/2 done)
5. Pay September tuition ($1000!!!) for C & C at Berry. (planned for lunchtime)
6. Motion for New Trial (must be done by 4 pm today - not done yet...)
7. Keep trying to hunt down specific business owners re: sponsorship of Jr. Service League...ugh.
8. Drink more coffee
9. Spray & Wash and launder Carsie's ballet stuff for tomorrow
10. Call chick in charge of babysitting at Jr. League meeting (which is tomorrow night, AFTER ballet)
11. Confirm kids' weekend plans...then figure out whether I can play tennis on Thursday or not, and call captain if I can't.
12. Call Yolanda and see if I can swing a cheap house-cleaning deal.
13. Call State Farm Insurance re: homeowner's policy.
14. Confirm plans for Beer Festival this weekend!!!
15. Sort out the probation revocation petitions sitting on my desk and go to the jail to prepare for hearings next week on these.
16. Um, I think that's it for the very moment.

Are you exhausted reading this? And it's not even lunch time on Monday yet - but it was raining softly and steadily this morning when I woke up to two cuddly little people and a hairy dog in my bed. Sweet! Three of us wanted to stay asleep in the cozy knit t-shirt sheets - Carson, however, INSISTED on blueberry oatmeal at 7am sharp, so we got up. *sigh* I even remembered my umbrella this morning! We went to the grocery store yesterday (Note to self: The grocery store pretty much sucks at any point with two preschoolers begging for Batman Fruit Roll-ups and Squishy Bouncy Balls, etc. - but it's particularly bad on Sunday afternoons (when the entirety of Floyd County shops in their church clothes...including us) - and even worse when all FOUR of the race car carts have been commandeered by those quicker than us...)

In all actuality, the trip was successful. My kids (leave it to MY kids) figured out that it's REALLY fun to ride UNDER the buggy - on the part reserved for huge bags of dog food, cases of water, etc. They were actually not half as wild as I expected - but of course, this being Rome, GA - I saw 10 people I knew there and had to stop and say hi...and we had to make 3 trips to the potty (with frozen things left in the basket, of course...) Anyway, tonight, we're having homemade whole-wheat 3 cheese ravioli with vodka sauce and freshly grated parmesan. Anyone hungry? Beats frozen pizza, fo' shizzle. Tuesday is Schroeder's to-go because of the ballet/Jr. League madness - but Wednesday we are having chicken quesadillas and guacamole salad. YUMMO...

OK - this is a really long blogarino. Gotta get busy on that to-do list at some point today!

Shout out to my JuneBug Mommas

2008-09-12T11:13:00.002-04:00

Ransom mid-day post:
I see that my girls are here!!! (I am a good snoop and see that there are lots of folks arriving from s3.excoboard.com!!!) Someone must have posted a link to my blog.

The best part is - I know WHO lives in College Station, TX, Germany, Iowa, etc. :heart: And I think of you all by name!!!

I LOVE YOU GIRLS AND I MISS YOU TERRIBLY!!! ALL of you - *sigh* I might be able to jump on with wireless laptop access at the courthouse for a few minutes here and there in the near future - I will DEFINITELY stop by soon.

Hugs to everyone. I feel so lost without you!

I'm a maniac...maniac...

2008-09-12T09:58:00.004-04:00

That title has nothing to do with this post, but TGIF is SO overdone.
It IS Friday though, and I had to go enter a plea this morning - cocaine possession & criminal trespass. We are planning to go to the Rome High School football game tonight. However, we've also been invited to a little fundraising/support cookout thing for a guy that is running for local election - and it's family friendly and there will be food there. It starts at 6:30 and the ballgame won't start until 7:30. I think we can swing both?

And tomorrow is the Annual Rib Cook-off in Rome. If you're local, you should come on out - it's out at the Shanklin-Attaway Recreational Area - out in Armuchee past the mall. Call or email me if you need directions. It starts at 3 pm. Good food, good music, good company (hey, I'll be there! with C & C Music Factory in tow...)...And one more thing for local folks - if you like beer and if you want to support the arts...you should come out to the 1st Annual Beer Festival at Heritage Park, next Saturday, September 20 from 1-5pm. You can purchase tickets ($25/each or $10 for Designated Driver tickets, which they're also selling at the door...) online at www.forumevents.org. The proceeds are going to benefit RACA (Rome Area Council for the Arts) - good cause, good beer, good times. For a mere $25 you get a glass, and the opportunity to taste 50+ different beers from local microbrews to international beers. What a deal! Look for me there!

So, it should be a fun few weekends of fall. I am hoping someone has some football on at this rib thing because you know, I still can't watch TV at my house. But, I've been checking the polls...Fun times!

Y'all have a good weekend. Call me if you need something to do. ;)

Paying it forward...

2008-09-11T10:54:00.004-04:00

I had a blog-worthy experience today. I was running late. This is my first non-trial/non-court day in about a week, so the chickadees and I took our time getting ready and didn't leave until 8:45. I coughed all night - so I'm still feeling cruddy.

After dropping off the short people I had to go to the bank so I was passing Starbuck on the way and decided I deserved a skinny vanilla latte. There were many cars in the drive-up, so I parked and went inside. There were two ladies there at the front of the line chatting up the cashier. This conversation had something to do with the ladies' day and their plans, and some misfortune, blah-blah-blah. Behind the two ladies was a very nice looking man who was just hanging and waiting. We were there FOREVER.

So finally the ladies' drinks are prepared and ready and they move on. The guy in front of me (we'll call him Mike, because that's his name ;) ) - goes right up to the chicka at the counter and slaps her a big ol' High-5 and says "THAT was excellent customer service and you did a GREAT job making those ladies' day." He ordered a skinny vanilla latte with protein & fiber powder, and then turns around to me and says "And, I'll pay for whatever SHE'S having, too - since she waited so patiently..." I shook my head and protested no, he didn't have to do that...but he insisted. So, I got the same thing, minus the protein/fiber...I was being healthy enough with the skim milk and sugar free stuff! He was so super nice and I told him thank you for paying it forward. Turns out the barista accidentally poured the protein/fiber-free latte into "Mike's" cup - and the protein/fiber-dosed latte in to "J.J.'s" cup - so I've been carrying around my "Mike" latte for about 1/2 hour. I'm sad it's gone...and the barista had even dotted his "i" in Mike with a little heart. AH, how sweet.

We should all have a bigger heart some days. Thanks, Mike - wherever you are.

And today, of all days - I still have a hard time discussing the events that took place 9/11/01...but for the sake of remembering how real it was, I will never forget the frightened faces of all my fellow law students crowded around the tv in the student lounge. Frantic cell phone calls - only to get blocked signals. Being afraid to drive anywhere. Worry...fear...disbelief...anger. Insanity. God bless these United States.

Middle o' the week blues...

2008-09-10T13:09:00.002-04:00

This has not been a stellar day, but all things considered, it's getting better mostly because of the banana nut muffin sitting on my desk...

I feel terrible! This is the time of year when I get the preschool sniffles that C & C bring home. They have them, too...which leads to an incessant hacking cough that is more annoying than anything, especially when I'm trying to sleep at night.

I had my second (and last) jury trial of this month today. Guilty verdict. The guy was NOT happy...he has to go to jail until Sunday night, so he has to take 2 more days off work. The thing is that the plea recommendation was for only 12 months probation (i.e. no jail time) and he insisted on a jury trial...I hate it, but I know I did my best. I'm not the one who committed the crime, ya know?

In any event, my to-do list is catching up with me - at work and in my personal life. I need a day off to handle all my errands and minor inconveniences like cleaning the toilets, etc. I would love a personal assistant, but you know, I can't really afford it on my public defender salary. Alas, there is the rub.

Bring on the weekend, already! I need college football therapy!

One down, one to go...

2008-09-09T13:53:00.003-04:00

I finished my first misdemeanor trial of the week before lunch today. Not Guilty verdict (justice was served ;) ) - and I am picking a jury for tomorrow's case in the morning. We shall see.

From today:
1. I forgot Carsie's ballet things and she has ballet at 5:30 (pulling a Homer Simpson - "doh!" at this point...BAD MOMMY!)
2. I feel like crap. Really. I thought taking the non-drowsy cold medicine would help but now I feel worse...ugh.
3. To add to the crappy feeling, I ate a chili dog for lunch. It was so YUM! on the way down but now my stomach has disowned me. ugh.
4. I am really tired. Small children invaded my bed in the middle of the night and we all coughed and played "Kick Mommy until 6 am" ugh ugh ugh...

***NEWS FLASH*** Please note the new little thing over here-------->>> in the sidebar entitled "Followers" - and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign up to be a faithful follower, even if I don't know you. Really, I won't think it's creepy, I'll be flattered. It's really nice to know who my readers are (and even if you aren't necessarily a "faithful follower" and never actually read my blog, but if you're feeling generous and need a good dose of kharma - bring it and sign up. You shall be rewarded!!! ;) Thank you. PSA is over, stepping off soap box now.
That's really all I have to say. It's Tuesday. Just 3 more days until the weekend. *sigh*

I HEART College Football!

2008-09-07T16:38:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a really perfect day, really. I got up and drank coffee on my back porch, took a shower, met the cable guy...who showed up ON TIME at shortly after 11. Unfortunately for all you internet friends...I still don't actually HAVE cable. Something about the phone lines being "home-run" and mine aren't, and the guy was going to have to drill holes and run new lines which equals more money...and HEY! my house is still on the market, and I really really don't think that drilling holes and running new lines is what I want to get involved in at the moment. I just want to sell my house. For realzies.

OK, so back to the perfect day...I left the house around 11:30, busting it to get somewhere that is showing the Auburn-Southern Miss game...so I showed up at Old Havana and all the guys there are watching the Tech game. Snooze... ;) Just kidding, of course, all you tech fans - and they DID beat the crapola out of Boston College, so for you here's a shout out to the Ramblin' Wrecks...but, there ARE two TVs at the cigar shop, so I turned the other one onto the Auburn game and drank some coffee with my friend Joey and watched Auburn smack Southern Miss a good one. Excellent running by the offense. The defensive line fell apart a little there mid-game and allowed a few touchdowns, but maybe that was just good sportsmanship...he he. I left at half-time and ate at El Zarape with Joe - and then back for the second half. WOO HOO! Then, of course the beer drinking began with the kick-off of the GA game (after a quick check on other scores by flipping it to ESPN for a second...) Saw lots of lawyer-buddies in and out for an hour or two throughout the day...fun times. Eventually the GA game was over and I got invited to see a film that was being shown at the City Auditorium at 7 as part of RIFF...so I went with my friends Tricia and Jonathan and enjoyed "Phantom of the Opera" - a silent movie with an orchestral background - 3 guys playing a myriad of instruments. Very fun and entertaining.

Then back to the bar/TVs for the second half of the Miami/Florida game. Fun times.

Eventually I went to sleep. But a good football Saturday was very gratifying and I'm grateful. I have a trial or two starting tomorrow, so I need to get crackin' on that...I hope everyone is doing well!

Ce-le-brate good times...COME ON!

2008-09-05T13:42:00.002-04:00

WOO HOO for the weekend...It has been a doozie of a week. (Doozie (doozy?) is such a nerdy word. I embrace my nerdiness...just go with it...) Even with the holiday Monday, I've kicked some tail this week. I had probation revocation hearings on Wednesday, a trial calendar yesterday and made it to the jail twice to meet with my incarcerated clients. Phew.

AND, it's now FRIDAY. I have a dilemma. I've got a Junior League kickoff party tonight at 7...but it's also the (free) First Friday concert and I've talked to several (non Jr. League) folks who have asked me if I'm going to be there. It also starts at 7. What is a popular girl to do? I think I"ll go to the kickoff party FIRST and visit, and then head to the 1st Friday.

Tomorrow I get cable!!! Bring ON the college football. Ahhh...the simple pleasures in life.

Carol - if you read this, I will call you this afternoon, got the email/chat about your phone...but can't call right this second. I love you.

Well, folks, tune in next week for updates on my two misdemeanor trials - a DUI and a simple battery...fun times here in River City!

The downhill slide!!!

2008-09-03T08:23:00.002-04:00

Update on ballet - was fabulous! Carson was the youngest there (it's a 3-6 year old class, and she JUST turned 3 last month...) but she did great, listened and sat still (well as still as her little 3 year old body would allow). Cole was so proud of her, it makes my heart to bust - he told her he looked SO VERY PRETTY in her ballerina clothes...ah, be still my heart...and that she was the best dancer ever.

I'm off to court today...folks on probation who got in trouble...I have a calendar call tomorrow. Bella is at the vet...she has a boo boo on her tail (think it's a "hot spot" - infected place. Ick.) Last time I fell off the wagon with the blogging was in the middle of my trial calendar, so if you don't hear from me for several days, that's why...if you want to hear about my day - email me. I'll send you my number ;)

On tap for the weekend (I know it's only Wednesday...but we're on the DOWNHILL SLIDE!!!):
- Junior League Kickoff Party Friday
- First Friday Concert
- I'M GETTING CABLE (woo hoo - note to self, call friend that does computer stuff and get him to check out my laptop)
- Saturday - after cable, possibly work on the Treehouse for Rome project with young lawyers...work, (trials next week)...I have no real plans for the evening but I'm looking forward to laid back relaxation...

Weekend Update

2008-09-02T09:39:00.002-04:00

Ah, what a holiday weekend. We usually do "movie night" on Fridays - complete with a $5 Little Ceasar's trip. BUT, on the way back to town from picking up C & C Music Factory, they started whining that they wanted Schroeder's. I had eaten lunch there two days in a row (including Friday) - but I could basically live off Schroeder's, so I thought what the hey?

At Schroeder's, we ran into several people we knew - including my lovely friends Simone & Dan. Simone is a teacher at the high school by my house, and they were headed to the football game after dinner. So, we went, too! My kids were deathly afraid of the "painted boys" - teenagers with no shirts who had painted their faces & bodies in blue, white & black...but they eventually got over it. Cole was SO in his element at the ball game. Wanted to know all about 1st downs, interceptions, incomplete passes, and TOUCHDOWNS...of course, this is Model High School we're talking about so the only touchdowns were in the opponent's favor, but it was still a great time. We got home at 10 pm!!! TOO LATE for preschoolers.

Saturday we went to see Grandmomma & Pop. Fun times. Pop is sick with a nasty cold, but we had a fun time just hanging out. G.G. (my grandmother) came over and played (and got them silly string. NOTE TO GIFT GIVERS - don't get preschoolers silly string...) Then the chickadees begged to spend the night and I headed back to Rome. Helped my friend pack books & knick-knacks (she moved this weekend) then had dinner AT SCHROEDER'S AGAIN!!! (That makes 4 times in 3 days...) and some beer and just had a nice time all night....got home TOO late, but it was fun nonetheless.

Sunday I got up at 7am...picked up my short people from Grandmomma's then headed back and ate in town. Schroeder's is closed on Sundays ;) so we ate at Jefferson's then went to help that friend move. C & C carried stuff out to the U-Haul, couch cushions and such. Monday was a rougher day, I was getting tired from all the festivity - but we got BBQ from the St. Mary's Knights of Columbus and ate with friends at their house. Fun times! Then headed to the park in the afternoon, stopped at Starbucks for some caffeine and went home for a nap.

Now it's Tuesday (though it feels like a Monday) and I am preparing for my hearings tomorrow and my trial calendar on Thursday...Carson has her first ballet class tonight! I'm so excited and she is, too - she even (GASP!) let me put her hair in a ponytail today (and if you know Carsie, you know this was a major feat...)

Y'all have a good week!

Romega...the rub.

2008-08-31T10:25:00.003-04:00

Rome, GA is a small town. Most everyone who's anyone knows everyone who's anyone. You know you have arrived when, in quick succession, you stop at the bank and see 7 people you know...who all say that they heard x, y & z about your personal or professional life, then you go to the sandwich shop and the guy says "Hey, JJ - you want a gyro today? It's not on the menu, but I got it if you want it." (OK, maybe that just shows that I eat too many gyros...) and then, while waiting for my food, sandwich man says "I heard something about you yesterday..." and THEN you go to the local high school football game and the same general thing happens over and over. Turns out that it was mostly good stuff that these folks heard...at least, if there was bad stuff, they didn't clue me in on it. But it's still a little unnerving when everyone knows random details of your life. Of course, I have nothing to hide, but people talk - especially in Rome, GA.

Getting excited about all the fall things coming up - the last 1st Friday concert this coming weekend, the 1st Annual Beer Festival in Rome (to benefit Rome Area Council for the Arts...) on 9/20, the chili cookoff & Chiaha in October...the Ellijay Apple Festival in mid-October...HALLOWEEN!!! I need a good Halloween party to go to, should anyone be feeling generous and want to pass out invites ;)

Happy Labor Day!

Ah...Friday...

2008-08-29T09:51:00.002-04:00

AND it's a holiday weekend, too!!! YAY! Someone needs to kick my tail into finishing this motion to suppress and get out to the jail this afternoon, but I just spent a good 30 minutes at this site:
www.fanblogs.com/sec/
I'm a freak, I know. The thing is, I think NOT having TV for the last several months has made me excited about getting it. I know I'm not THE BIGGEST football fan out there. I don't keep up with statistics or spreads or which players have run the ball the most yards (though that's interesting to know...) - but I just LOVE the feeling of football Saturdays - like TOMORROW!!!

I can't decide what to do this weekend. I would like to go visit my Momma & Daddy (of course) but the game is on in the afternoon/evening...*sigh* So, the plan now is (I just talked to my Momma) to get up in the AM and go visit Grandmomma & Pop and not have a plan from there...maybe we'll take our suitcases and spend the night.

Alas. So, I had a fabulous book club meeting last night, though we never really got around to discussing Jem, Scout, Atticus Finch & Boo Radley. My favorite character changes every time I read the book. Originally, of course, Scout was my favorite - being the girl bucking tradition and wearing overalls and speaking her mind. Then, I LOVED Atticus when I read it in college. He was a good dad. Told his kids the truth, but protected them to the end. I read it again one summer in law school and was fascinated by Boo Radley - even though we don't see him in person throughout most of the book - because he was the stuff of legends and he had a different personality to each character in the book. Now...this time...I noticed what a big character Dill is - and Miss Maudie next door. LOVE THEM.

Anyway - that's the story for now. Happy Friday...Only one more week until I have cable!!!

Notes to self -

2008-08-28T15:52:00.002-04:00

1. If you buy a Coke from the vending machine, don't open it immediately. It WILL fizz everywhere (you'd think that being 30-something would mean that I'd learned that lesson already. Nope.)

2. Your computer will NOT allow you to visit Facebook, MySpace, or any chat/forum enabled website. Never will this change. You will be blocked, logged & reported (oooohhhh, shakin' in my boots) every time you attempt to visit such a site, so you might as well stop trying.

3. You need gas. Do NOT tempt fate and fail to stop on the way home.

4. Yeah, you know how you thought your hair looked flirtatiously messy in a good way this morning? It doesn't. Now it just looks like you don't own a comb.

5. Stop calling and texting people that don't call you back. Remember it is their loss and their prerogative not to answer you. Let it go. I know it bugs you, because I *am* you - but it's really probably not worth the pain of worrying over. Then again, maybe it is. I am confusing myself.