Ton of Bricks

We have all said it - lots of times. "that hit me like a ton of bricks"

Last night, it was the first time in a very long time that I actually felt that feeling. I learned a dear friend of mine passed away almost 2 weeks ago. Her name is Peggy and I loved her so much. She was beautiful inside and out. She loved me just like one of her daughters. We spent hours and hours together each week for a few years and when I moved it became frequent phone calls and visits and slowly drifted into random phone calls and no visits. I will miss her so much. I regret not being able to tell her once again how much I love her. I would have loved to say thank you for all the time we spent together - laughter and tears. She will always be in my heart.

She was a Cancer survivor 2 times and we all hoped and prayed this 3rd time would be the "charm" and be the last. Well, it was but not like I had hoped and prayed. Peggy was a fighter. She loved life and her family. I am lucky that I have her watching over me today.

Andrew, Peggy Diane Touchton


MOULTRIE — Peggy Diane Touchton Andrew, 58, died Sunday, May 25, 2008, at her home.Interment will be at a later date in Newnan, Ga.Born Dec. 28, 1949, in Dundee, Fla., she was the daughter of the late Leland Touchton and Dartha Tucker Touchton. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.Survivors include her husband, Dave Andrew of Moultrie; two daughters, Bria Andrew and Calley Andrew, both of Moultrie; one stepson, David Andrew Jr. of Sevierville, Tenn.; two brothers, Jack Touchton of Delta, Ala., and Steve Touchton of Columbia, Mo.; one sister, Linda Pettyjohn and husband Larry of Moultrie; a stepgranddaughter, Anna Grace Andrew; a brother-in-law, Ben Andrew and wife Betty of Snellville, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to M.O.S.T (Moultrie Oncology Support Team), P.O. Box 1881, Moultrie, GA 31776.

Potty Training Blues

First of all, just so I don't sound like a completely ungrateful human being, please understand - I am extremely proud of LaneBug this week. He started potty training at daycare and he has scored all A's everyday. Today - no accidents at all. I literally started jumping up and down when I saw him the same clothes that I dropped him off in at 7:35 this AM.

The kid is doing an excellent job of grasping the whole concept. We tried potty training a few months ago - he didn't get it - not at all. Per advice of my "experts" at daycare, we dropped it immediately. They told me Friday when I picked him up that they were planning to start this Monday. I laughed - hard. I didn't think he was ready at all.....yeah...don't worry. I am planning on keeping my day job of bean counting because child care is obviously not my area of expertise. Neither is a simple oil change but that is a completely different post for another day. *sigh*

Now, here are the "blues" I am experiencing. He won't potty here at home. Why? Well, I am really not sure. It isn't because I haven't asked about a GAZILLION times that is for sure. You know, being new to this whole potty training thing and having a boy with obviously a very strong Y chromosone, I find it very difficult to distinguish the oh la la - I have a new toy crotch holds from the oh my gosh - I have to tinkle crotch holds. Anyone with some additional info on how to tell the difference between those, please feel free to leave a comment.

So after 2 nights of cleaning really yucky things off my hardwood floors (man, I am really loving those hardwood floors right now!), I just snapped. Why won't he pee pee here at home? What I am doing wrong or different? Why will he pee pee for all the ladies there at daycare but not for his own Mommy?

Then the feeling of guilt starts creeping in - you know what guilt I am talking about - the working Mommy guilt. It is always there lurking around and popping it's ugly head up from time to time. And now, in this situation, it stands out more than ever. Again, don't get me wrong on this. I love my job and I don't desire to stay home with children. But at times like these, I really feel guilty. It is just knowing that my child feels more comfortable at daycare with pottying than he does at home. Is it the peer pressure there at daycare that makes it easier? Everyone lining up and seeing all the others pee pee in the potty; is that why he does it there perfectly?
I don't know. I am really bummed about him not performing here at home but I am thrilled he is doing so well there at daycare.


But honestly, I feel like a failure as a Mommy right now. The rational side of me recognizes that I am not a failure but the other side, the one that strives to be so good at everything - it is really struggling.

Are there worse things? Yes, of course! I am lucky and blessed that this is my biggest worry. But right now, I am really sad about this.

Fresh Fruits

Ahh....summer. Don't you just love all the fresh fruits now? We do. I picked up a lot of it at Publix this weekend. I couldn't remember all the tricks/tips. I had to come home and look them up on the Internet (Mommy brain - sigh).
So in case I am not the only one struggling to remember what I should hear when I thump the melons - here are a few tricks/tips for picking up some yummy fresh fruit. There are many - but I am only listing a few of our favorites.

Blueberries - don't wash them all up when you buy them. Wash just before you eat them.
Cantaloupes - look for a thick course, corky netting covering the skin. A ripe cantaloupe has a yellowish rind, and gives slightly to thumb pressure on the non-stem end. If it is not fully ripe when you buy it, leave it on the counter at home until it is ripens and refrigerate after cutting it.
Honey Dew Melon - look for a spft, velvety texture, slightly softening at the blossom end, a faint fruit smell and a yellowish, creamy rind color.
Peaches - look for firm or fairly soft. Look for areas of yellow or at least creamy between the red areas. The amount of red blush does not indicate ripeness. Ripen additionaly at home in a paper bag and then refrigerate.
Watermelons - look for a smooth, slightly dull surface.The ends should be filled out and rounded and the "belly" should have a creamy color. Store in the refrigerator before and after cutting.

These are just a few of our favorites - click http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-20630890.html for more.

Lazy Sunday

Ahh...few things are better than lazy Sundays. We really don't have much planned for the day other than dinner and brownies with ice cream for Monty's birthday celebration. We went to Arby's last night when we got back in from the lake. It was about 7:30. I didn't really consider that as a proper birthday dinner for Monty. No offense to Arby's but well, you know what I mean.
So here are a few pictures from our boating trip yesterday. And what do you know? There is actually a photo of me!! I am behind the camera 98% of the time so it is thrilling of sorts to have my picture snapped with one of the boys.


Off to bake the brownies - have a great day folks!

Happy Birthday Monty!

Ahem...
Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Monty. Happy Birthday to you! And many more!!!!

Well, today is Monty's 37th Bday and here are 37 random things about him that I love.

1. His smile - he doesn't show it off to everyone but it is really cute.
2. Curly locks of hair - they are very handsome.
3. He is a wonderful son to his Mother.
4. He will pump the gas in my truck for me so I don't have to do it.
5. He is very smart and loves Biology, Chemistry, Physics - all that stuff I never liked. But it is interesting to hear about from him.
6. Ant beds - ugh - he keeps them treated so we don't have any in the yard.
7. Love it when he washes my truck for me.
8. He always thanks me when I cook dinner - even if it is something crummy.
9. A man who is not afraid to wear pink is a MANLY MAN - and that is a great color for Monty.
10. He looks cute with a Kool Aid mustache (not everyone can pull that look off).
11. He kills spiders for me - even in the middle of the night if I am up tinkling and see one in the corner of the bathroom (now, THAT is love, right??).
12. He knows all the words to Caddy Shack movie(okay, that can sometimes be annoying but I do love it most of the time).
13. He is good with kids.
14. He is very athletic and good at all sports.
15. He loves to take me and Bug out for ice cream at DQ.
16. He has been known to make a quick trip to the store for "girly" supplies before.
17. He will surprise me with a pedicure certificate from time to time for no special reason.
18. He loves to watch old Andy Griffith shows.
19. He has always helped change dirty diapers.
20. He takes the trash out to the street every week and I never have to worry about it.
21. He waters my plants for me.
22. He always wants to drive so that gives me the opportunity to sleep when we travel.
23. He packs his own lunches.
24. He cuts fresh flowers for me from our yard.
25. I never have to put together any of Bug's toys (some assembly required - huh!) - he always does it.
26. I never change light bulbs.
27. He usually cleans our base boards in the house once a month.
28. He leaves reminder notes for me on things I need to remember.
29. I never have fill the bird feeder - he does that for us.
30. He rides Bug around on the go kart and I don't have too.
31. Sets up all electronic things - I am not really inclined to do it.
32. He can take care of Bug single handed when I have to travel (for up to 5 days).
33. He went to most of Bug's well care appointments when he was little so he could participate in asking questions.
34. He has a keen sense of direction.
35. He is really good at gluing things back together.
36. He is a great friend to his buddies.

and last but not least...

37. He loves me unconditionally and sometimes that is not an easy thing to do.

Happy Birthday!

3 Ways to KNOW it is Summertime in South GA

Here are three easy ways to tell Summertime has arrived in South GA.

1) Lizards are being caught













2) Half naked kids frolic through water sprinklers

















3) Little boys sport over alls and a smile








Let's enjoy it now folks....the heat and humidity are getting higher every day!!

Triple Trouble

This was the beginning of the day....










This was the end of the day.





Another wonderful day on the water yesterday! It was a great day - hope you and yours have a safe a Happy Memorial Day weekend!