Quick Post

Hi-ya!



Here are some, yep, you guessed it! Pictures from us boating this weekend. Although some tendons in my left foot were "inflicted with trauma" while kneeboarding, we had a great time!

9 on the 9th - Modern "Conveniences"

Nine on the Ninth - hosted by All that Naz

Here is my rant on "convenience" things that don't always work out to be truly convenient.


1. Cell phones - Ugh, from the person in line in front of you at the grocery store who won't stop chattering incessantly about NOTHING to unload their purchases to the driver in front of you who can't concentrate on driving for yapping - I am over it with folks who are obnoxious cell phone users. Hush already in public places - those of us who have to listen to you, we don't care.

2. Automated telephone answering systems at places of business - Geez...these are really annoying. Especially if you don't know the extension of the person you wish to speak with. And then it will ask you spell their last name with the keypad. Good luck with that! It hardly ever works for me.

3. Self checkout lines - Okay, maybe it it simply the operator, but those things seriously trip me up!

4. Gadget lights in your vehicle - Low Tire Pressure, Buckle Seat Belt, Low Fuel....these are great about notifying you on items that should be checked on your truck but please - no constant dinging noise.

5. Childproof anything - I know these mean well and have a really good chance of saving lots of incidents with children but....don't you find them annoying also? Or is it the same problem as listed in #3?

6. Mechanical pencils - Why is the lead in these not as thick as the old fashioned pencils you sharpen yourself? Man - I can bust the lead off these things all day! Of course, I put a lot of pressure on my pens and pencils but the old fashioned ones don't break with me. What is the difference?

7. Weights on red lights - Ever get behind the car in the turn lane who is not pulled up far enough for the weight at the red light to detect they are there?? OH MY GOSH! I just about lose my mind in this case scenario. Major road rage folks!! Especially when you have sat through 2 green lights for the cars going straight and the person has not yet figured it out.

8. Telemarketers - enough said.

9. Automatic faucets in public bathrooms - I have a 2 1/2 year old. This is a logistical nightmare.

Whew, that was therapeutic!!

Short lived times but oh, what good times

When Bug's cousin Xylie comes to GA, those two goofy kids have a wonderful time. Bug sure will miss her the next few days and ask about her often. Luckily, my camera was fully charged and ready to go this visit (last visit I barely snapped a few pictures) so here are some really silly pictures.

This is a little video of Xylie showing LaneBug some dance moves. To me, this was a stark contrast between boys and girls. Bug is just flopping around and yelling whereas Xylie is delicately dancing and singing - too cute!

GoodBye Xylie!

We love you and look forward to seeing you again soon!

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!