Wheeler-isms

Speaking "Tennessee"....

2010-04-01T11:47:00.000-07:00

What...this blog is still around???? Well to answer that, yes and no!!! I know its been awhile. I've just been SUPER busy so I'm not going to bore you with everything that has been going on in my life for the past six months. I'll just bore you with something I found absolutely hilarious yesterday!!

As Lucy and I were driving to school yesterday morning we had, yet another, very meaningful conversation about life in other countries, languages they speak in Mexico, foods they eat in Italy, etc. Lucy learns a little Spanish in her class and loves to tell me the new words she learns and what they mean. Well her horizons were broadened when she went to stay with my in-laws for a day and learned a new word in a language in which only us southern folks are familiar and fluent. And here is how that conversation went....

Lucy - "Mom, I learned a new word in another language"

Me - "You did? What is it?"

Lucy - "Purdy"

Me - "Purdy? Do you mean pretty?

Lucy - "No PURDY...it MEANS pretty in 'country' "

Me (Laughing) "No sweetie, its just how some people say pretty"

Lucy - "Well where do they speak 'country'? In Tennessee? Poppy speaks Tennessee!!"

And we just left it at that!!!

Cowgirl Champion...

2009-11-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in my last post, Lucy's cheerleading squad took home second place at the Mid-State Competition two weeks ago and as a parent I was SUPER proud of all of the girls. These ten girls have been through so much and totally deserved the honor of second place. However, the week after that competition they really stepped it up. The coaches worked extra hard with them, changed a few things and at the UCA State Championship this past weekend the 75lb Chelsea Hornets TOOK FIRST PLACE!!!! Lucy, being the adorable four year old that she is, was just beyond words and the only thing she could say to me when I went to squeeze the life out of her, oh I mean HUG her was... f f f FIRST p p p PLACE....Mommy FIRST PLACE!!! Ok and I might have cried just a little bit!!!! I don't think I've every seen her at a loss for words....EVER but I was so happy for her and the entire squad, coaches included!!! Of course before the competition we had a few stressful moments. First of all I couldn't find her little turtleneck undershirt thing (which ended up being in my car) so I washed and dried it and it was done in the very nick of time. We fought about her hair and how she didn't want to wear pigtails, she wanted to wear it down and straight like Hannah Montana and then the fact that we had left her cheerleading shoes at my parents house and she decided she would rather wear cowboy boots anyway. So here are a few before and after pictures of Lucy from getting ready to the BIG WIN!!!!...

The torture of rolling the hair on rags...
The result of rolling her hair on rags...

Mad at me for the argument over the boots....obviously she won...
Super excited about the "HUGE blue trophy that matches her blue uniform"...
This face says it all...
And finally....the whole Champion Squad....
When we got home and Lucy set her trophy next to her 2nd place one from the week before she said..."I hope next time we get a #3 trophy so I can have a 1, 2, AND A 3!!!!! But finally decided she liked the big one the best and only wanted "those ones" from now on!!!!

It's About Time....

2009-11-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

...for an update. My life has been so crazy lately I have had no time for a blog post. So for that I apologize!!! So moving on, lets just cover the past month or so...shall we?

A few weeks ago myself and my friend Mycalee took our Hannah Montana obsessed daughters to the Miley Cyrus concert here in Birmingham. As you will see in the pictures below, it was all about glitter, sparkles and of course the right attire. The night before the concert, I went out to find the perfect accessories for Lucy's outfit and came across the icing on the cake.....a child sized, perfectly matching, black and hot pink.......FEDORA!!!! It all came together quite perfectly (in Lucy's eyes) and I thought she was pretty cute too. Olivia, of course, was equally adorable in her scarf and feathered purse.....

The next weekend was Halloween but before we set out on our trick or treating adventure, it was homecoming for the little league. The girls had practiced their dance to the Hoedown Throwdown. I made posters, sashes, ribbons, sold raffle tickets, put together gift baskets, volunteered to work the bounce house after the game. You know, all of the crap a "good mom" does, only to walk out of the house to POURING down rain. Of course the game went on and we sat in the driving rain to watch the girls in their ponchos dance and be escorted by the boys on the mud covered football field! Luckily, after much debate, Mark ran home and came back with a huge tarp and tent poles where he and a friend erected a 12' x 12' covered area in the stadium, or as I like to call it - the VIP Section!!! I don't have any pictures of the tarp simply because I didn't want to get out from underneath to take a picture of it. However, I do have a few of Lucy...

For Halloween, Lucy was Princes Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty! In my opinion, she was the most beautiful princess in the world...or at least the neighborhood.

And she racked up on candy too.....

Since Halloween, it has been nothing but cheer practice. The girls did fantastic at their competition last weekend and took home second place. Considering their squad has two four year olds, Lucy included and the other squads were mostly 6 and 7 year olds, I'd say they did an AMAZING job. Lucy has now made her trophy her new best friend. It has a special place on a special shelf when she isn't holding it, sleeping with it, or trying to sneak it in her bag for school. It is probably the cleanest item in my entire house as it has to be polished at least five times a day....

I have no idea why these pictures are so small????

WHEW....that is about it. The girls will go to another competition this weekend so I will be back with results....unless I keel over from exhaustion, cheer overload, or too much momma drama in the mean time!!!!

Me and my other half....

2009-10-22T11:08:00.001-07:00

I got this from a FABULOUS BLOGGER - TRINA. Since my hubby is home and its kind of like a holiday at our house i thought this fit pretty well into what is going on with us right now!!!

What are your middle names?
Ashley and Mark - we both go by our middle names, first names are Rowland and Melissa

♥How long have you been together?
Together about 6 years, Married for almost 5

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About 5 years!

♥ Who asked who out?
Very long story but it just sort of happened.

♥ How old are each of you?
I was 22 and he was 35 - I know I know!!!!

♥ Did you go to the same school?
Nope, he went to Barry (now Hoover) and I went to Erwin (when it was ok to go there)!!!

♥ Are you from the same home town?
Both from the Greater Birmingham Area but not the same part

♥ Who is the smartest?
Well as he has 13 more years of wisdom than I do, I'd say him!!!

♥ Who majored in what?
I think we both majored in Partying!! Now we major in Parenting!!!

♥ Who is the most sensitive?
ME - Hands down!

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?
We don't eat out much in Birmingham but when we are in Orange Beach we ALWAYS go to Doc's.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Probably West Palm Beach

♥ Who has the worst temper?
Luckily neither one of us really has a temper but if I must answer, I'd say me.

♥ How many children do you want?
I want 2 so it doesn't really matter how many he wants....right?

♥ Who does the cooking?
He does. I'm lucky not to burn my Lean Cuisines at lunch everyday. When he is gone that is dinner too!!!

♥ Who is more social?
Me me me!

♥ Who is the neat-freak?
Unfortunately, neither of us are!!

♥ Who is the most stubborn?

Me again, although I'm trying to give in a little more!

♥ Who wakes up earlier?
It depends, when he is fishing he does (they leave the dock no later than 6am every morning). When he's home, I do.

♥ Where was your first date?
On our first REAL date we went to Fox Valley. Mark even wore dress shoes (this is a HUGE deal) and that's when I knew he loved me!! HA!!

♥ Who has the bigger family?
I do. 3 Brothers and 1 Sister. He has 1 Sister.

♥ Do you get flowers often?
I think the last time I got flowers was when I had Lucy (almost 5 years ago)!!!

♥ How do you spend the holidays?
With family!

♥ Who is more jealous?
No jealousy issues in my house. Unless he has chocolate and I don't but most of the time he shares!

♥ How long did it take to get serious?
We went from friends to serious overnight (or at least it seemed that way)!

♥ Who eats more?
He does...he eats EVERYTHING!

♥ What do you do for a living?
He fishes for 6 months and is starting a new "business venture" as we speak. I work for a real estate investment company.

♥ Who does the laundry?
I don't let him do the laundry. EVERYTHING will go in the dryer if he does!

♥ Who’s better with the computer?
Me for sure!

♥ Who drives when you are together?
He does mostly.

♥ What is "your" song?
We don't have a song but if we did I'm sure it would be something like Ray Lamontagne's Three More Days!

Nautical Wheeler....

2009-10-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

People always ask me, what does your husband do? My answer, he fishes. This always gets a shocked response and wonder why I live in Birmingham and why he lives in Orange Beach for half of the year. Well, my answer is this....it just works for us!!!! While he does live 300 miles away from May to October it IS better that I am in Birmingham for several reasons. #1 - When he is fishing, he works 12-14 hour days, EVERY DAY (so we wouldn't see him anyway) #2 - There are so many more jobs for ME in Birmingham #3 - When he works that hard for six months while he is away, we have a full 6 months of good quality "daddy time". Is it difficult to be a single mother half the year....YES. Do I wish my husband was home every night....YES. Could I ask for a better husband, father, provider, best friend....ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! So, if your still wondering what "fishing for a living" is.....MEET MARK or in the words of Jimmy Buffett my NAUTICAL WHEELER, where he is and what he does from May - October.....

The past few weeks....

2009-10-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

(Lucy and Jacob at the pumpkin patch)

Wow...its been awhile! My world has been pretty much turned upside down in the past few weeks and "blogging" has been the last thing on my mind!! So the readers digest version of whats been going on in Wheeler World is as follows....

Cheerleading practice three nights a week.
Mark came home for a week!!!
Sat through two little league football games in the rain
Went to the Auburn vs. Ball State game and sat in the rain
More cheerleading practice
Work Work Work
Had a great time at the Pumpkin Patch with Amber and her family UNTIL it started raining
Mark went back offshore
More cheerleading practice
Little league game tomorrow (hopefully NOT in the rain but its not looking too promising)
And finally, if my long lost husband returns from his fishing adventure by tomorrow morning, we are off to the Orange Beach Shrimp Festival and will be back on Monday to start all over again!!!

I have lots of pictures to share (eventually) of my cute little cheerleader, the pumpkin patch, and the Auburn game, however, Mark is determined to catch a HUGE tuna this week and took the camera so he could prove it.....which probably jinxed him!!!!!

Maybe one day life will stop getting in my way and I'll have a much better blog!!!!

TGIF!!

Car Talk....

2009-09-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Lucy and I usually have our deepest conversations in the car. I knew the day was coming soon that she would ask the dreaded question "Mommy, where do babies come from?" Well that happened this morning and it was a little different than what I was expecting. I got through it quite easily and didn't have to make up TOO MANY "cover ups". So, here is how our conversation went this morning....

Lucy - Does he do it on the table or just on the floor?

Me - Does WHO do WHAT on the table or floor?

Lucy - When God makes people, does he do it on a table or on the floor?

Me - OOOOH (as if I COMPLETELY understood the question NOW). Actually, He puts a teeny tiny little seed in a mommy's tummy and it grows and grows until its a cute little baby. Then the mommy and daddy go to the hospital and the doctor takes it out.

Lucy - So it grows like a flower?

Me - It sure does

Lucy - Well how does the doctor get it out?

Me - (THANK GOD I had a C-section) Well when you were born the doctor cut a little opening at the bottom of my tummy and took you right out kicking and screaming and you were the cutest fatest little baby and we loved you SOOOOOO much.

Lucy - Well God must have put a medium sized seed in your tummy.

Me - You think?

Lucy - Yeah because I was a BIG FAT BABY!!!!

All I could do was laugh at this point!!! And thank God for putting that particular "medium sized seed" into my tummy!!!! I am so blessed to have the family that I have. If it weren't for the crazy "Wheeler-isms" from time to time, my life would be so very boring!!!

Muddy Butterfly Ringworms....

2009-09-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

WOW....what a week it has been. I think it is about time for a girls night. Thank heavens we're having one this Friday. This past Saturday as usual, Lucy had a game. If you live in the south, I'm sure you have noticed the never ending RAIN so yes, we sat in the pouring rain Saturday while the adorable yet extremely muddy cheerleaders and football players splashed their way to a 34 to 6 victory!! Did I mention the game was an hour away? So after we drove the long road home while soaking wet, we changed and went shopping in the pouring rain. Although while shopping, the rain didn't bother me quite as much! Oh and WAR EAGLE!!!

Sunday we went to my friend Mycalee's daughter Olivia's birthday party. My plan to go to the beach was immediately vetoed when Lucy saw the Hannah Montana invitation!! It would have been pure torture for the child to sit at the beach while missing ANYTHING Hannah Montana! We had a great time and they had the most incredible face painter. Lucy was painted as a butterfly (picture below, thanks Mycalee) and I thought she was going to have a come-apart when I told her later that night that it was bath time. Before that we stopped at the gas station on our way home and when the lady behind the counter asked Lucy about where she had been to have her face painted so pretty, Lucy told the lady, and I quote "when I was born, my face was like this"!!!! She kicked and screamed long enough about bath time and having to wash it off that I finally gave in and let her take a bath the next morning!!! By that time, the pillowcase had turned into a colorful smudge of butterfly and Lucy was ok with washing the rest off of her face!

On Monday morning we woke to Lucy scratching her shoulder and off to the doctor we went. Turns out she has a ringworm (YUCK) which apparently had just popped up....so don't worry parents that were at the b'day party!!! The doctor prescribed a cream and Lucy also had a flu shot. While we were at the pharmacy waiting on the prescription to be filled, Lucy felt the need to tell EVERYONE she came in contact with that she had a ringworm. Everyone we passed in every Walgreen's isle, behind the counter and EVERYONE who works in the pharmacy now knows that she has a "yucky, itchy ringworm on her shoulder-wanna see it"? So now you all know as well!!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic rest of the week!!! We are off to the Auburn game this weekend so I'll post about that next week - if I can't think of anything in the next few days!!! WAR EAGLE!!

Cutie Pie Cheerleaders and a Giveaway!!!

2009-09-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend was Lucy's first "official" game. She was so excited to put on her "real chee-leader dress" and head out to the stadium. Other than having to get up at 7:00 am on a Saturday and me being sick, we had a great time and the girls did really good!!

Lucy and her best cheer leading buddy Chloe (who is just adorable).

Very proud of herself after the halftime "show".

All of the cuties breaking it down at halftime!!! (Lucy is front row far right)

Secondly, since I haven't kept up very well with the book review I thought I would do one now...with a twist. A while back I won, YES WON, a book from a great blog Happily Ever After. She read the book The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, loved it and had a giveaway on her blog for this book. So I am doing the same, #1 because I think any woman would LOVE this book (yes it is a girly read) and #2 I have WAY too many books and from now on will be giving away every book that is reviewed in my blog!!! SO leave a comment with your e-mail address and on Friday Sept 18, I will randomly choose a winner!!! Good Luck!!!!

Finally (almost) Recovered....

2009-09-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have finally gotten over not knowing what day it is after the long weekend and while my brain is temporarily unscrambled I thought I would update everyone on the Wheeler/Wiseman Labor Day Festivities!! First of all let me just say WAAAAAARRRR EEEEAAAAGGGLLLLLEEE!!!! I didn't realize how much I missed football season and am super happy that we had a Tiger victory since last year those were few and far between!!!

My mom called me last Thursday, at the last minute as usual, and asked if we wanted to take a family trip to Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA for the long weekend. Of course we wanted to go. I will never pass up a trip with the family (especially when the parents are paying)!! So we packed up the Suburban and headed east. As we set out on our "Griswold" adventure the first fight was over what movie to watch. The choices were Hannah Montana, which everyone IMMEDIATELY booed (except for Lucy of course). Lucy started yelling at Ryan telling him he never lets her do ANYTHING and he gave her a long drawn out story about how it was a special DVD player and kid DVD's didn't work in it but promised he would watch it with her when we got there (yeah right). Surprisingly she bought that load of crap and then we continued the argument. No I couldn't agree to watch the best of Will Ferrell because who knows what Lucy would come away with after that, NO we couldn't watch Superbad for the same reasons. Finally we decided on DodgeBall which I know isn't exactly "mommy approved" but hey, it got the 26 year old uncle Ryan, 23 year old Aunt Emily, 20 year old Uncle Josh, 4 year old Lucy and myself quiet for at least a little while!!`I think, after raising five children, my mother is now deaf to stupid arguments in the back seat! My dad decided that he would follow us on his Harley therefore my mother drove at least 25 miles UNDER the speed limit the entire way. This of course fired everyone up and had them moaning about how long it was taking. I think I even heard a few "are we there yet's" and NOT out of Lucy's mouth. FINALLY we arrived (four hours later thanks mom). First we went to the beach where they had enormous slides and rock wall type things in the middle of the lake. We all ran like kindergartners to the playground out into the water wanting to see who could be the first to the top. Josh was the first, Ryan eventually made it up, there was absolutely no hope for Lucy myself or Emily. You would have to be Superman to climb these things. After awhile Lucy and I gave up while Emily was so determined to get up the floating 30 ft high rock wall she never quit (but never made it either). Next we went to the pool for a few cocktails and relaxation after what felt like a few hours of The Biggest Loser in the lake! Later that night we went to see the Hot Air Balloon Festival, grilled out, sat on the back porch to watch Lucy entertain us with cheers and dances, had a few more cocktails, got yelled at by the kids in the next Villa to shut up, the boys yelled a few choice words back and we went to bed. The next day we headed to the Wildlife Safari and let me tell you, it is SO MUCH FUN. We fed the giraffes, zebras, ostriches and other animals. We also found that Pine Mountain Georgia is all about free love in the animal kingdom. We saw Ligers (lions mixed with tigers) and Zorses (zebras mixed with horses) and I think I saw a Unicorn on the way out!!! The rest of the time we just hung out, laughed harder than any of us had laughed in awhile, argued like old times and had one of the best Labor Day weekends EVER!!! I really hate my husband and Uncle Phillip (who is 32 and lives in Portland, OR ) couldn't make it, we sure did miss them!!!

I do have pictures....TONS of them. I just haven't had a chance to deal with all of that yet!!!!

Wordless Wednesday....Attention to Detail....

2009-09-02T14:52:00.001-07:00

Lucy LOVES Play-Dough and we often re-create ourselves or people we know in squishy glory. This week - Uncle Ryan.....
What a perfect replication of my brother made by future sculptor Lucy Wheeler herself. What is the big black wad on his hip you might ask....The can of dip in his pocket!!!!!

Below - Uncle Ryan's Play-dough version of Lucy and my other brother Josh. With the direction of Lucy of course - She wanted Josh to be a baby with a purple diaper (please don't ask me where she gets these ideas)!!!

Mommy I want.....

2009-09-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

....and want and want and want. My my how times have changed in the few short decades since I was a kid. Sure when we went to the grocery store or heaven forbid my mother took us to Wal-Mart I would beg for candy or bubbles or some other random little thing that we happened to pass while searching for necessities such as toilet paper or peanut butter. When I was on my best behavior (which was rare since there were FIVE of us) I would occasionally be treated to a candy bar or something in the $.50 range. When I think back I cannot recall EVER asking for something outrageous because I just knew there was no hope on God's green earth that my parents would buy me something I didn't NEED nor did I ever dream they would buy me some super luxury such as a computer of my own for no reason at all and most likely not for any other occasion. So, with that said, WHY WHY WHY does my FOUR YEAR OLD think she MUST have every new gadget and gizmo, no matter the price for no rhyme or reason whatsoever?

Side note - I have decided to be thrifty and efficient this year and start Christmas shopping early. Usually I cram it all in in the few weeks prior only to stress and am usually unable to find the most popular and sought after items. SOOOOO.....last night I asked Lucy what she might want Santa to bring her this year.....

When I raised the question "So Little Miss Lucy Bug, what do you think you might want Santa to bring you for Christmas this year?" After a few seconds of deep thought she asked me if Christmas was tomorrow. Then of course I had to tell her how there were so many new babies born this year that Santa had to get an early start so EVERY kid could get what they wanted. Without hesitation she spouted off her list as if she had been secretly planning the glorious day that I would ask her the simple question. She began with the usual, a new baby, some new red shiny shoes and then without missing a beat told me she wanted a new laptop, an i-pod touch, Hannah Montana to sing at her birthday party (in January), new bronzer because she didn't like the color of mine (who knows where that one came from), another puppy (which WILL NOT HAPPEN) and last but not least, a great big bottle of GLUE. I didn't question anything, I simply wrote it down on a list and told her I would get it to Santa. I also told her that Santa would have to review the list and she would have to be surprised on Christmas morning. I sure hope she's not TOO disappointed when she only has a baby, sparkle shoes and a huge bottle of glue under the tree. Ok and maybe a few other surprises that I feel are AGE APPROPRIATE!!!!
But who could say no to this face? Not Daddy, Not Nanna, Not Pop or Uncle Ryan or Josh or Phillip or Aunt Emily.....nope....I guess I'm the only one. Which of course makes me the bad guy!!!!

Fat Foot Results.....

2009-08-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

I sucked it up yesterday and went to the doctor. I HATE Doctors!!! Not as people of course just because I don't usually go to the doctor for anything GOOD. One of these days I'll be pregnant like everyone else I know and that will change but until then....I HATE DOCTORS!!! When I got to the doctors office I was in terrible pain and it was painfully obvious because I was pretty much hopping on one foot. The girls at the front desk could plainly see that it was difficult for me to walk back and forth from my chair to the desk every five minutes to hand them my insurance card, paperwork, drivers license, you name it and I guess it would have been too easy for them to ask me for it at ONE time and saved me quite a bit of agony. Anyway, when I finally got back in the suffocating little closet of a room, the nurses came in with there cheery faces and asked what the problem was SOOOOO I showed them. It certainly didn't make me feel any better when they both gasped and squealed EWWWWWWW when they saw my foot. Then in comes the doctor who knows my husband and had no interest in my rainbow colored elephant foot. Oh no, he wanted to know all about fishing in Orange Beach. Were they catching a lot? How's the season going? When does HE come home? Excuse me doctor but could you please take a gander at MY problem? I promise to bring you a cooler full of grouper if you waive the co-pay!!! Waive the co-pay he didn't but for the low low price of $25 dollars, I found out that I WAS NOT pregnant and my foot was not broken!!! Apparently to have an x-ray it must first be confirmed that you don't have a bun in the oven (and maybe just to squeeze a little more from my insurance company) but what do I care!!!! Three hours later with a pat on the back and a "Tell Mark hello and bring me some fish" I'm home, still in pain and all I have to give to that doctor is a little finger wave (you know which one) and a haha, I get this (see below) and you got my $25 bucks.....

Sorry for the ranting!!! Its the foot, it puts me in a bad mood!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!!!

Wordless Wednesday....BROKEN?

2009-08-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, maybe just a FEW words....last night as I was trying to take Oscar outside for a bath, I was pulling the hose out of the garage. I didn't realize that it had gotten hooked around the brush guard that goes onto Marks Jeep. This thing is VERY heavy and big. I yanked the hose and hard as I could and when I did it lifted the brush guard and it fell over smashing my foot. The results.....

Obviously it is the left one and don't say anything about my toes...I know I know!!!!

Lovely yes???? Don't worry, since I can't walk on it, I'm off to the doctor (no I didn't go when it happened) and HOPEFULLY its not broken. Hope you all enjoyed these disgusting pics!!!!!

So much to say....

2009-08-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

I have so many things to write about today I don't even know where to start. Friday, I left work around two o'clock to head south for the weekend. Of course I had forgotten just about everything that I meant to pack so I had to run home before we hit the road. When I pulled up there was a box on my doorstep and it contained these.......

Yes, I DO love them although they will most likely end up next to the purple stripper shoes in the back of my closet. I ask you ladies, who doesn't need a pair of spike heeled silver gladiator shoes in there closet?

On to the beach...

We arrived at the house around 6:30 and immediately went to eat. Eating is the main event when we go to see Mark but this time it was Mexican not shrimp. I have eaten enough shrimp this summer to carry me through the next year. So here we are at the restaurant not exactly looking our best....

Home and to bed. Saturday, since Mark wasn't fishing, we decided to go to the pool for a few hours (or 8). We had a great time spending the day with daddy and some friends and somehow Lucy and Mark ended up very much resembling Scuba Steve.....

I beg you if you ever see my husband to NEVER mention this lovely picture!!!!

After swimming ALL day, we went to EAT AGAIN with our good friends Jimbo and Stephanie...this time it WAS shrimp!!!

Sunday morning Mark did have to fish so we went to Tacky Jacks for a quick breakfast (one of everything) and of course had to have our picture made by the "pokey nosed fish" as Lucy likes to call it. I have a picture from EVERY weekend beside this fish. Lucy seems to think it is a fascinating work of art.....that stinks apparently...

Thats about it. I won't bore you with a book review today (because I haven't quite finished this weeks book). Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!!!! Happy Tuesday!!!

Never miss a beat....

2009-08-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

I really do try not to spoil my child. Mostly I fail but I have gotten better about not giving her EVERYTHING she wants. I do, however, LOVE to surprise her. I love to see the look on her face when she gets in the car and I've randomly picked out a toy or candy or something that she really gets excited about. I love the huge hug and super dramatic "OH THANK YOU THANK YOU MOMMY. YOU'RE MY FAVORITE MOMMY IN THE WORLD (as if I was competing with some of her other mom's). I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE MOON!!" And hearing those words melt my heart. So this week's little surprise was the Hannah Montana movie and a huge bucket of Double Bubble!! When she opened the beautiful wrapping (a Wal-Mart bag) and dug inside I thought she was going to pass out with joy. She even told me she loved me to the moon and BACK....now that my friends is A LOT of love!!! Last night as I was packing for the beach, I set Lucy up in the "big chair" and turned on the movie while I packed for the beach this weekend. When I came back into the living room (about 10 minutes later). I found her like this......

Double Bubble bucket in one hand and yes that is the trash can she pulled out of the pantry so that every time her gum "tasted yuck" she could spit it out and throw the other one away without missing a second of the movie!!! Pretty clever kid, HUH? Of course I would hate for her not to be able to get up and scream, dance and replay the Hoedown Throwdown two thousand times a night!!!!

Scatterbrained and Forgetful...

2009-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Yep, that's me!!! I was so excited last week to share with everyone the books I had read and this week I just forgot. What I also forgot was to put up a few pictures of cheer leading and the new haircut. My brain doesn't work the way it once did so I found it difficult to remember to take pictures AFTER the haircut and BEFORE Lucy got all sweaty during the football game. So anyway, lets just roll it all in to one Book Review/Picture/Wordless Wednesday post shall we?

They obviously don't have their uniforms yet so hopefully I'll remember to take my good camera and get some better shots!!

And on to the haircut...

Below...Lucy's "I haven't had a nap today, its 3:30, I've cheered in 100 degrees all day" face...

And as for the book review....

I have read two this week that are definitely worth mentioning. The first is Undertow by Sydney Bauer. It is a very interesting drama about a teenager who drowns in a boating accident and her friends mother charged with murder. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and introduce you to the sickening world of dirty racist politicians....

Secondly, I have started the Left Behind series and finished the first book just yesterday. If you are a Christian it will bring you closer to God, if not, it will give you something to seriously consider. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for answers. Although it is fiction, it is a great way of explaining the book of Revelations so everyone can understand. It has certainly made me realize that the end is near and how to be prepared...

Well, that's it!!! I think I'm all caught up for now. And just for giggles, here is a picture of Lucy and her cousin Cate at the lake last weekend...

When the Hornets Rock the House.....

2009-08-17T11:51:00.000-07:00

.....they rock it ALL THE WAY DOWN!!! Cant you just feel the cool breeze blowing through the stadium, the smell of hotdogs, and the excitement of the crowd when the players run onto the field for the first time. Yea, me either. I feel 100 degrees of stale air making me sweat like a pig as I sit in a high school stadium, leaning into my neighboring cheerleader mom praying that a tiny cloud will cover the sun if only for a millisecond so maybe the back of my shirt will stop sticking to my neck. Yes, this is little league football my friends and it has officially begun.....in AUGUST!!

Obviously, I had my first experience as a little league "cheerleader mom" this weekend. Lucy was beside herself and boucing off the walls with anticipation of her first "real game". We got to the field at 11:30 for the noon kickoff. We gathered at one end of the stadium so the coaches could count the girls and get them in line. They walked down to the sidelines and seeing the delerious smile of enjoyment on Lucy's face got to me and I thought I felt a tear run down my face. I was mistaken, it was sweat. Lucy did an excellent job of doing the cheers and was the most incredible at holding her waterbottle (which contained orange gatorade-Her favorite) to her mouth and cheering at the same time! I will admit, despite the sweltering heat I was a very proud momma on Saturday and absolutely cannot wait to do it again.

After the game we went to Sweet and Sassy to get Lucy's hair cut. Since she wanted short and I wanted long we compromised and....Ok, She won.

Later that night, we had to make a run to the grocery store. Keep in mind Lucy had not had a nap after all of these exhausting events and was a bit loopy for lack of a better word. She stood in the cart the entire time we were in the store yelling...WHO ROCKS THE HOUSE? THE HORNETS ROCK THE HOUSE AND WHEN THE HORNETS ROCK THE HOUSE THEY ROCK IT ALL THE WAY DOWN. On the all the way down she started standing and shook her little tushie "all the way down". Other than a few odd looks from people who I assume did not think it appropriate for a four year old to shake it like that, we got a few laughs and I wasn't THAT embarrased. Thankfully on the way home she fell asleep in the car and saved me from having to explain to the neighbors why their kids were waking up because of a booty dancing, screaming little girl outside!!!

I left my camera at home but I promise to post cheerleader and haircut pics tomorrow!!!!

Calling All Readers....

2009-08-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

As I have fallen deeper into this addictive blogging universe I have noticed a lot of "special" weekly posting ideas from some wonderful bloggers and thought I would start my own. How original am I?! Since I don't do a lot of exciting things, unless of course you think driving A LOT, working in real estate, or every step Lucy takes is exciting. Which I have to admit, I think Lucy is pretty exciting! Ok, I'm getting side tracked...I do love to read and I am always looking for a new book. I love to hear of books that other people have read and try them for myself. So my, oh so original idea, is to do a book review every.....what day is it?....oh yea, TUESDAY and it will be called, WAIT FOR IT, WAAAAIIIITTT FOOOOOR IIIIIIT....Ashley's TUESDAY BOOK REVIEW!!!! Don't you love it?!! So, enough of my idiotic rambling and on to the good stuff (or at least I think books are "good stuff")....

Ok, so for my first TUESDAY BOOK REVIEW I am actually going to tell you about a series of books that I have finally finished and can't say enough good things about.

Janet Evanovich - The Stephanie Plum Series

If you love mystery/suspense/funny books these are for you. Stephanie Plum is a lingerie buyer who loses her job and goes to work as a bounty hunter for her cousin. There are fifteen books in all and every one of them will have you laughing out loud and unable to put them down. They make for excellent light reading and I have read all of them in about two months (yes they are that good). Everything about the books makes you want to read the next one. The hysterical situations and the sexy, crazy, over the top characters will have you reading late into the night! I don't want to give too much away but I would recommend that you start from the beginning although you don't have to. All of the books are listed on Janet Evanovich's website here. Check them out and let me know what you think. Also, if anyone else does a book review, let me know. I would love to hear about what everyone is reading and check it out for myself!!

What's with the 'tude?

2009-08-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

Oh how I would love to say I have the sweetest most perfect daughter on earth. If I ever say that, please know that I am lying. Lets start at the beginning shall we? Nine months (and two weeks) prior to January 18, 2005 I became pregnant. Oh what a joyous occasion to find out I was having a baby! A month or two later while I was throwing up in the toilet or parking lot or nearby bush, I began to wonder if babies were all that wonderful after all. A few more months pass and though the puking has subsided, I now have acne and have gained 65 yes SIXTY FIVE pounds by the end of nine months. But that wasn't it...oh no...Lucy didn't come until TWO WEEKS later. But when I went into the hospital and had her twenty four hours later by C-section all the pain and discomfort was forgotten. I fell instantly in love with this perfect child! As she grew throughout the next three years I became more and more attached - if that is possible - savoring each milestone. Poopie diapers were perfectly acceptable dinner conversation, throwing food was adorable, pulling everything out of my wallet was hysterical and coloring on the walls was just "one of those things". Terrible twos were never an issue and threes were just as easy.....then we get to four and I SWEAR we skipped from three to sixteen. What happened to hugs and snuggles and random kisses and hold me mommys? I don't understand where my baby went. Now I just get attitude. I hear things like, "If I can't have a cookie then I won't be your daughter" , "If you make me wear that I will NOT go to school", and "this is ridiculous," yes she says ridiculous, "I'm calling Nana". I HOPE beyond hope that this is just a phase. She only seems to do this at home, with me. When we are in public she is 99% of the time very very well behaved! Just wondering if I'm the only mother out there with a sixteen year old in a four year old's body or have a really been through some crazy time warp?

Life's Little Lessons....

2009-08-06T10:28:00.001-07:00

I am not usually one to get sappy and give advice. As far as I'm concerned, I don't feel fit to give ANYONE advice. I can only stick to what I believe in and let God lead the way. Today something happened that really made me wonder if I was doing everything right as far as raising my child. Most of the time I'm pretty easy going. If paint spills on the floor or something gets broken because of Lucy, its no big deal. No yelling, no time out just a hug a good clean up and move on with our lives. This is "small stuff" and for the most part I "don't sweat it". Then there are other times when maybe I've had a bad day at work, tired or just in a mood that I fly off the handle at the smallest thing. These are the only regrets I have in life and today it really made me realize that I don't need to worry about the ridiculous little mishaps of everyday living. I believe deep down in my heart that all I can do is teach her right from wrong and pray for the best. I want more than anything for her to be well rounded, responsible and able to make her own decisions without an overbearing mother hovering over her or telling her that something she wants to try or experience is wrong (with limitations of course). I only want to give her more love than she can stand, be a shoulder to cry on, a guide when she is lost or confused or a best friend to laugh with. When I got some bad news this morning a song got stuck in my head and brought in so many emotions I didn't know what to do with myself. So here is the song and I think it rings true for all parents. So my little piece of advice courtesy of Crosby Stills and Nash.....

Teach, your children well
Their father's hell
Did slowly go by
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would die
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.

And just to clarify. This had nothing to do with events at my house but some family friends lost a son this morning and it has really gotten to me. Please say a prayer for this family, I can't imagine what they are going through.

Endless Cheers, GNO, and Butterfly Snatching

2009-08-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

Since I'm usually a day late and a dollar short I don't feel so bad about posting about the weekend on a Tuesday!!! We had an extremely packed-full-of-fun weekend and I even took pictures - YAY ME!! So lets just get right down to it....

Friday, my sweet little Lucy started Cheerleader Camp. When she was finished on Friday she told me she liked it better than gymnastics. Before this, gymnastics was at the top of the list beating out skipping daycare for a day and going to the beach - so I knew we had a winner. Although they learned about fifty cheers, Lucy can only seem to remember ONE and yes this is the ENDLESS CHEER. This cheer can be used to express feelings, turned into a song, or just chanted OVER AND OVER AND OVER. I think Lucy has forgotten an extensive amount of vocabulary and replaced it with....say it with me now.....BIG G, LITTLE O, GO, GO!!!!

Please forgive the quality of this picture. I had to take it from WAY up in the stands and obviously my little point and shoot couldn't handle the stress....better pictures to come....

Friday night was girls night!!! Who doesn't love that!!! I would like to raise a toast to my girls - Amber, Morgan, Mycalee, Amy, Nicole, Lindy, Melissa (and LeAnn even though she wasn't there this time) and it is simply - Thank you for being you and for letting me be me!!!!

I stole this picture from Amber!!! Thanks girl!!!

Saturday was back to cheerleader camp, lunch with the ten people who wanted to go see Lucy cheer, dinner at a new Hibachi restaurant in town and home to bed!!!

AHHHHH....Sunday. We decided to take a little road trip to Childersburg, AL to visit DeSoto Cavers. Since I had not been there since my fourth grade field trip (we won't say how long ago THAT was) I thought it would be fun. We toured the cave....
Where not only did we see huge formations, Indian burial grounds and an underground waterfall, Lucy discovered the art of piling gravel on benches....
Out of the cave and on to the butterfly exhibit. A sign posted on the gate clearly stated DO NOT TOUCH THE BUTTERFLIES.....

So she held herself back.....

And I was so proud. But who am I to deny the child a scientific learning experience?

And then I remembered to set a good example. So I told her we had to follow the rules. But she didn't want to....So she grabbed one out of the bush....

After that it was time to GET THE HECK OUT OF THERE....But I'm pretty sure (with this face) Lucy was scheming to get a butterfly in her pocket!

Sorry so long!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!!!!

Pilates....Four year old style.....

2009-07-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Lucy - Mommy are we going to do Pilates tonight.

Me - Yep, Mommy needs to get skinny.

Lucy - Ok, but I need to put on my Pilates clothes.

Me - Ok, you go change and I'll get everything set up.

(Lucy enters in size 3T - she wears a 5 - BROWN sweatpants, one of my Tye-Dyed t-shirts and gladiator sandals with rhinestones on them)

Lucy - Ok, lets do it to it.

Me - Are you sure you can move in those clothes.

Lucy - Well this is what YOU wear when you workout. (OUCH)

Me - Ok, lets go.

(Lucy is doing quite well with her band at this point, following right along. Skip to about halfway through the DVD)

Lucy - Mommy, I don't want to do this anymore. I think its making YOU skinny and ME fat.

Me - (ok what else can I do but laugh)

(The DVD is over now and I get up to get some water as I'm standing at the refrigerator)

Lucy - OH MY GOODNESS MOMMY, YOU'RE NOT FAT ANYMORE!!!!

Oh the joys of a four year old. If only it was THAT simple to drop 15 pounds!!!!!

Won't My Mommy be so Proud of ME......

2009-07-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

First I'd like to thank Morgan at A Buggie Full of Beans for giving me this award. I'd like to thank Lucy, Mark, stripper shoes, blue-jeans and brownies for giving me inspiration....Ok enough with the Academy Awards speech. I got an award for MY BLOG of all things. Now I can see getting an award for eating more brownies in an hour than anyone else or the most fad diets tried in a month but MY BLOG!!! I'm so excited. I'm pretty sure the rules are to give this award to a few more bloggers and make a list of 10 things you might not know about me. I'm going to skip right to the list because #1 I'm pretty new to the blogging world and #2 I'm making more blogging friends everyday but right now I would have to give this award back to Morgan and probably the same people she has already given it to. I am going to hold off on giving out the award until I can really get into reading some other blogs and to be sure they are much deserved...even though I'm pretty sure mine wasn't. But hey, I'm certainly not going to pass it up. Ok, enough rambling, on to the list.

1. I never REPLACE a picture in a frame. These are wonderful memories that I can't stand to take down. Every time I get pictures that I think I should frame, I get new frames and if I have nowhere to put them, I also get a new table or squeeze it into a spot on the wall.

2. I obsess over good books and literally ignore the world when I am reading. The house could fall down around me and I'd still have my nose in a book.

3. I hate being bored. I eat too much and tend to do really weird things when I am alone and don't have a plan!!!

4. I hope to one day move to Costa Rica and become a professional beach bum. This is my true calling!!

5. Cats scare the bejeebers out of me. I can't stand to be within 50 yards of one.

6. Same with birds!

7. I love NOTHING more than being on a boat in the ocean. I spent 14 days traveling from Orange Beach, AL to West Palm Beach and back (on a boat) and this is when I REALLY fell in love...not only with boats but with my husband.

8. I never hold a grudge. When I have confrontation with someone, I decide whether or not the relationship is worth it and if it is, I get over it and on with my life. If it isn't, I pretty much just go on with my life and leave that part or person out of it completely. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff!!!

9. My car is ALWAYS a disaster no matter how hard I try to keep it clean.

10. I truly believe that everyday should be lived to its full potential. I want to do everything I want to do while I'm young. I have no desire to save every penny I earn for retirement (although I do save SOME for retirement). I want Lucy to experience everything once and I want to be able to share her experiences with her!!!!

Ok, now that I feel like I am standing naked in Times Square....I'm done!!!! I would love for everyone to do a "10 things" list and let me know about it so I can get to know you as well!!!

Another post for the day....

2009-07-28T14:44:00.000-07:00

As I was Blog-hopping I came across I Heart Faces and they are having a beach photo contest this week. Well, since we are ALWAYS at the beach, I figured I'd join in the fun...

Favorite Children's Picture Blog Hop...

2009-07-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

Still being a newbie to the blogging world, I am copying my friend Amber on this. Hopefully I did it correctly. Here are a few of my favorite photos of Lucy it was very difficult to pick so few....

First "official" year at the beach

Gulf Shores Dance recital

Mardi Gras Orange Beach 2007

Lucy and her BFF Abigail, Orange Beach 2008

One of my absolute FAVORITES!!!

Cowgirl Lucy January 2009

My talented child...I'm so proud....

2009-07-27T08:29:00.000-07:00

As you know, the beach is our playground. You can do ANYTHING on the beach!!! Since Lucy was just a tiny little thing, her favorite thing to do on the beach is stand on her head or practice her forward roll. Yes she gets sand ALL in her hair, body and in all of the cracks. This doesn't bother me because #1 it is SUPER cute and #2 she LOVEs to do it and #3 it is HOURS of entertainment....for her as well as myself....

Lucy as a wee little head stander....

And again on another occasion...

But this year FINALLY she is getting the recognition she deserves. Someone OTHER than her proud mommy realized the head-standing flipping-in-the-sand talent that we knew was no lost cause......

Yep, that's my Lucy standing on her head on the front page of the Mobile Press-Register's Regional page!!!! I think I'm going to have to start a scrap book of upside-down Lucy pictures!!!!

Sweet Revenge...

2009-07-23T13:29:00.000-07:00

I openly admit that I am addicted to shoes, however I rarely admit (at least to my husband) that I am also addicted to jeans. During summer months I rarely wear anything other than flip flops yet for some reason I feel that I need to have 500 pair of sandals, heels, flats, metallic, gladiator, you name it SHOES in my closet. During the fall/winter months, I can actually justify buying 500 pair of jeans. Being vertically challenged (5' ZERO) with a big ole butt, I usually find it difficult to find a pair that fits but heaven help us when I do. In the past few years I have discovered Rock & Republic and let me tell you, every time I pull on a pair...well, on second thought, I should probably keep the "what happens" to myself (insert your imagination here). They are THE most wonderful, fabulous and every-other-word-you-can-think-of-for-GREAT jeans!!! SOOOOO....you're probably wondering what the revenge in the title is about. NO? Well I'll tell you anyway. The reader's digest version...

Mark works in Orange Beach half the year. Our anniversary is in the Summer. He missed it. Not forgotten but he was gone and I didn't get a gift and only a two minute phone call. No, he's not horrible, he is actually a WONDERFUL husband and we roll with the punches. Anyway, I still like to tease him about it and I just got myself an anniversary gift......

AND THESE.....

And I couldn't leave Lucy out, so I ordered these.....

If you have never had a Rock & Republic jeans experience, I highly recommend it!!! They are SO worth the money and last FOREVER!!!!

Boredom and Brownies....

2009-07-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in one of last week's posts, my plans for the past weekend were suddenly canceled so I opted to stay home....alone. I was so excited to have a little time for myself that I didn't even have a plan....bad idea. When I left work on Friday, around 4:30 I could not wait to get home. I pulled in the driveway around 4:35, ran straight to the bedroom to find my most comfortable clothes. This consisted of a #1 Dad t-shirt size XL and black yoga style stretchy pants. Since no one was around to witness the outfit, no one would know if I ate a brownie (or two) either. AHHH...relaxation. I read a little of my book and boredom struck around 6:00. UGG. It was 6:00 on a Friday night and hadn't a clue what to do. Light bulb!!! I'll color my hair I thought. I had some blond hair coloring in the bathroom that I hadn't been brave enough (or bored enough) to try. I went through the steps and came out with blond, no not just blond, PLATINUM blond hair. OMIGOD what should I do? I couldn't take it nor should I ever color my own hair. I grabbed my keys and off to Wal-Mart I went. I was so distracted by my hair that I didn't even think about the clothes. So looking like the perfect mix of Hulk Hogan, Hank Hill and Peg Bundy, I went in search of MORE hair coloring to fix this mess. I walked into Wal-Mart and suddenly realized my wardrobe choice wasn't all bad. I blended well with the Moo Moos and wife beaters of the fine country folk who frequent Wal-Mart on Friday night!! I found what I was looking for within 10 minutes. But wait, I had all the time in the world. I wondered around the cosmetics isles and decided on an Olay microderm abrasion / peel kit and thought if I could have perfect skin (like the box said) I might have a boost of confidence. The hair and outfit really had me down. This was too depressing, I needed chocolate. After checking out and ducking out the door I passed a Dairy Queen and my steering wheel just so happened to turn in. My car knows what I need. It ordered me a brownie sundae and took me home. I ate the sundae, colored my hair to a somewhat normal shade of dirty blond and jumped up and down with excitement when I took the towel off my head and my hair didn't come with it. Ok, lesson learned, always trust a professional!! On to the facial, I scrubbed with the orange stuff, rubbed in the sticky stuff, and then to the "peel". HELP....It felt like fire on my face. I thought I was dying. I finally figured out that if I washed it off instead of running around the bathroom it would stop burning. Obviously the hair fumes were interfering with the part of my brain that contains common sense (not my fault). That was enough excitement for one night so I decided to go to bed. The fumes must have been messing with more than my common sense because my feet let me into the kitchen and to ANOTHER brownie...Damn feet. After all of that I went to bed, watched The Little Mermaid and fell asleep. I missed Lucy terribly therefore I was bored yet again on Saturday. We'll save that for another post!!!

I hope everyone had a good weekend and maybe I can hold it together for a few days until I can get back to the beach and regain my sanity!!!!

Rain on my Parade....

2009-07-17T11:41:00.000-07:00

My plans for the weekend have been completely shattered and I am nothing short of heartbroken....on the outside. On the inside I am half jumping for joy, one fourth disappointed and one fourth lonely. My in-laws asked (for the fourth year in a row) if they could take Lucy along to Ft. Payne for the annual family reunion. Some of you might wonder why on earth I wouldn't want to go to a family reunion and it is simply because I DON'T WANT TO (insert red face and feet stomping here). I agreed to let her go and I was headed to Orange Beach to spend some overdue quality time with my husband. In other words, I was going fishing!!!! I couldn't wait to put on my new adorable "fishing flip flops", hop on the boat at 5:30 AM and head out to sea for twelve blissful hours of dropping line and reeling in the big ones. That is until Mark called me about an hour ago and told me there were going to be 14 other people on the boat, there would be six foot seas and possibly rain. Of course it was left up to me to make the ultimate decision whether or not to go on a rocking boat (where someone ALWAYS throws up all day when it is rough) all day and most likely get caught in a storm. Sorry, I LOVE fishing but I love fishing in water as smooth as glass and sunshine in the sky. Therefore, my decision was to stay home.....alone. I have been begging to go fishing all summer and what I thought would be the perfect time, turns out to be not so perfect. On a happy note, I do get to stay home. No driving, no cooking, no cleaning!!! I get to go SHOPPING. I am beside myself. It has been ages since I have been shopping with out a child attached to my hip and so now I have a revised plan for the weekend. Go home tonight from work grab my book and read until I fall asleep. Sleep as late as I possibly can in the morning, have a few cups of coffee and head to the Summit. When I get to the Summit, I will go into EVERY store, try on EVERYTHING taking as much time as I could possibly want or need and actually (maybe) buy something for ME....until I unconsciously wonder into Janie and Jack or Gymboree and spend all of my money on Lucy - as usual!!! So anyway, although plan number one got squashed, you can never go wrong with shopping!!!

I know I know....this all sounds so sad. But don't cry for me!! I could not be happier about spending an entire 48 hours ALONE (ok maybe 24 the other 24 will be sad and I'll be missing my babies)!!!!

Scary Bikes and Lack of Exercise....

2009-07-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Remember being a kid and how you could not wait to get up and go cruising on your bicycle? Seeing how fast you could go down the steepest hill you could find and skidding to a stop only to fall off and bloody your knees, elbows or whatever happened to land under the pedals? To me this is all just normal kid stuff....right? Well, not for Lucy. About two years ago when Lucy would see a shiny, glittery bike with a cute little basket on the front and hot pink training wheels, she went nuts...she couldn't live any longer without a brand new "bite". Not that she had any interest when she was three of doing anything other than sitting on the seat and having me push her around the garage. Not much has changed apparently. She LOVES riding her bike in thousands of tiny circles around the garage but heaven help us when we take it to the street. We live in THE perfect neighborhood for a kid to ride a bike. Flat streets, sidewalks, cul-de-sac. No matter, Lucy is TERRIFIED to ride her bike outside.

Side Note: Summer has made me a little more round that I care to be in a swimsuit so, my solution - SouthBeach Diet with a side of exercise and the occasional Miller Lite or Mango Margarita (weekends only). The exercise routine being that every night I walk Oscar and Lucy rides her bike around the neighborhood....sounds pretty simple and everyone wins....Back to the story.

Last night we set out on our adventure. Usually we walk Oscar (at a four year old's pace) up and down the street. This time however we were going for an hour at least. With Oscar leashed and bike at the ready we began. Slowly at first so that Lucy could get the hang of it and then....slower and slower until a turtle would have looked like a jet plane next to us. All I heard was MOMMY YOU'RE GOING TOO FAST, THIS IS SCARY AND I THINK I'LL JUST PUSH MY BIKE. I don't understand. This is NOT normal kid stuff. Needless to say, I go absolutely NO exercise and after that fiasco, I went inside, threw my bikini in the Salvation Army bag and ate a brownie.

A Welcome Change of Direction....

2009-07-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

Instead of our usual trip south down I-65, this weekend we decided to head north!!!! My in-laws have a big beautiful lake house on Smith lake and we very rarely get to enjoy it...for obvious reasons. However, this weekend we made an exception, skipped out on the beach, and took advantage of the "short drive" and headed to the lake. Moving on....Lucy left with them on Thursday and I drove up Saturday morning. By the time I got there, Lucy wanted to show me how she could jump off the foot bridge (about an 8 foot jump). I nearly had a heart attack when she just walked up and jumped right off. Next up on the agenda, take a boat ride around the bend to the neighbors so Lucy could jump off of the TOP DECK of the boat house. ARE YOU KIDDING ME....she did it, she jumped off of the top of a FREAKING BOAT HOUSE!!!! My batteries in my camera went dead when we got to the boat house jumping. Which is probably better because if I had to watch her do it again I might die. But here are a few pictures from the lake and a video of my FOUR YEAR OLD jumping off of the footbridge....Well so much for the video, it was taking too long. I'll try again tomorrow!!!

Lucy and Oscar

She rode Oscar all over the lake!!!

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-07-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

Musette Bracelet GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Wordless Wednesday.....Sort of

2009-07-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

I left MY camera at the beach with Mark (accidentally) so here are a few from Mark's camera.....more to come

Sweet girl

Dinner at the Hangout

Lucy's Henna Tattoo....that later smeared the permanent ink all over her foot and we are now stuck with a big blob for two weeks....YAY!!!

Lucy and Uncle Josh Kung Fu fighting/dancing with the blinky sword!!!

Minus Mark and Lucy who were off digging in the sand!!!

Four Years Down....

2009-06-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mark and I celebrated our FOUR YEAR anniversary and man what a wonderful four years it has been. Around 9:00 last night Mark surprised me by coming home from Orange Beach for our special occasion. He was dressed in a suit with an arm full of roses looking quite dashing I might add. Lucy was in bed so it was just the two of us, a glass of wine, staring into each others eyes and telling stories of all of the things we'd been through since we have been together. There were laughs and tears and then he took my face in his calloused, sun-dried hands and poured out all of the love and commitment he wished he could tell me about more often..........

AND THEN I WOKE UP.....and realized he had NOT come home. I was lying in bed with my celebratory strawberry cupcake crumbs all over my bleach stained t-shirt. Lucy really WAS asleep and my book had fallen over and I lost my place. The phone was ringing and it WAS Mark. A quick..."Hey babe, sorry its so late, we had two trips today and our water pump is out. Gotta fix it tonight so we can fish tomorrow. Just wanted to tell you happy anniversary and I love you." I certainly wish it was the other way but that worked too. That's pretty much the way we've done it for the past four years and it most likely won't change anytime soon. I'll eventually guilt him into giving me money for something ridiculous that I just can't live without and maybe taking me out for Sushi but until then, I love him all the days of the year....not just our anniversary!!!

I can't keep up....

2009-06-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

I realize (again) that is has been quite a while since my last post. Most people think of Summer as a time to relax, go on vacation and have a little down time. Not me. It is quite the opposite. Not in a bad way, just SUPER busy 24/7. I took a much needed day off on Friday and to my relief, got about five out of ten loads of laundry done before my trek to the beach. We left a little later than I would have liked to but we were running out of clean underwear and I wasn't in the mood to run to Wal Mart for new ones!!! We had a grand ole' time spending Father's Day weekend on the beach while FATHER was fishing or as some might call it "doing his job"! We did get to spend some good quality time with him Saturday night when we were all exhausted from the sand and sun, stuffing our faces with shrimp and new potatoes....our favorite thing to do on the weekends!!! We left on Sunday while daddy had to "work" again but not before we headed to Tacky Jacks for Mark's father's day breakfast. When I say breakfast, I mean HUGE farmer's omelets, pancakes, french toast and English muffins, enough to kill a horse!! Back in Birmingham we stopped by my parents to spend some time with POP (my dad) headed home to a broken A/C, back to my parents to sleep in the A/C, Lucy woke up with a rash and a fever, no work for me Monday, two doctors, antibiotics, cough syrup and a three hour nap later....Lucy is fine, I'm back at work, A/C fixed and everyone is happy!!!!

My Vampire Affair....

2009-06-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

I realized today that I haven't posted in an entire week. I have been incredibly busy (and obsessed, but I'll get to that in a minute) this past week. We have rearranged our office so that I am up front and with a few new people in the office, I pretty much feel like I work in a fishbowl. With everyone watching...all the time. I have been trying desperately to organize the clutter in my life. I started with the playroom and moved on to the garage. I feel pretty good about my progress but still have a long way to go. Now that the busy part is covered, I now am embarrassed to admit my OBSESSION. The Twilight series. Yes I said it and I am fully aware that I am the last person on this planet to jump on the wagon. I don't usually obsess over vampires, werewolves and teenagers for that matter but I have found myself literally consumed by these books (after Lucy goes to bed of course) every night and free second I can find. I usually favor murder mystery, romantic comedy and legal thrillers, well...I've found a new love!! Most of the books I read take me to another place for a while and I suppose that is why I read so much. However, I usually feel like an outsider looking in. Stephanie Myer on the other hand, pulls you right into the story. I get completely lost while reading these books and I have no idea what is different about THESE books from any other "good book" I've read before. With two down in just one week and just two more to go, I might need to slow down because I don't want it to end!!! For those of you (if any) haven't read Twilight I encourage you to do so. Hopefully you won't think I'm crazy. And if you do...DON'T TELL ME!!!! Well, I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and that it continues through the weekend. I'm off to the beach to see the hubs. Well, that is if I can keep my nose out of the third book long enough!!!!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-06-05T06:23:00.000-07:00

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check it out. These dresses are ADORABLE and perfect for work, church or just everyday!! I would LOVE to win this one!!!!

Decisions Decisions.....

2009-06-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

I have posted before about Shoe Dazzle, the AMAZING shoe club that I just had to join because...well...I LOVE SHOES. I still have not found an outfit to wear with my first pair that I received last month (other than something you would see in a strip club). Just to clear the record, I don't actually OWN any stripper attire. ANYWAY...the reason for this post is that I have received my new selections and am having a hard time deciding. I have narrowed it down from five to three so OPINIONS PLEASE........

First we have the "BRISA"

This shoe looks very beachy and fun to me. I love the color and the cork heel and actually have a dress that these would go with PERFECTLY!!!!

Next we have the "HENNA"

I am SO in love with this shoe!!! I LOVE the wedge, I LOVE the studs and the color goes with EVERYTHING!!!!

Finally the "UMA"

Please don't ask me why I like this....I don't have a clue. I do know that I LOVE wedges and the color of this one. Probably not the most practical choice but I'd be more than happy to have them in my closet next to the purple stripper shoes!!!!

What do you think????

Another Reason I'm Late....

2009-06-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

We are always rushing to get out of the door in the morning it seems. I wake up early and only hit snooze once most of the time but there always seems to be some reason why we just can't get out of the house ON TIME. This morning was no exception. We were on schedule as usual, a little early actually. I made it a point to get up a few minutes early because I was out of coffee. God knows I'm no happy camper without at least two cups. So with hair fixed and teeth brushed we rush out the door so that I will have time to sit in the mile long line at Starbucks. We get out to the car and I load up the lunchbox, nap mat, purse, keys and everything else we need for the day while Lucy stands on the other side of the car waiting for me to help her into her car seat. Finished with the loading and keeping to morning ritual, I went around to the other side to load up the most precious cargo...Lucy. As I always do I told her how beautiful she looked this morning and she turned to crawl up into the car. With her butt in my face I notice something a little off about the pretty little green shirt and plaid shorts she was wearing...It was completely BLACK. Black as if someone had bent her over and spray painted her butt. When I asked her what it was, of course, she had no idea. Out of the car we go and as I closed the door to my car, I noticed a long streak of clean down the side of my car. She had been rubbing her little tushie up and down the side of my car. Back in the house, changed clothes and off to school. From now on, I think I will leave her in her pajamas until we get to school...I'm running out of clothes fast!!!!

Greasy, Sandy Happiness....

2009-05-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Some might call me crazy but there is no better feeling than slimy, oily sunscreen mixed with gritty sand and salty hair. To me that is the feeling of summer. Carefree days on the beach building sandcastles, reading a book and making sure Lucy doesn't steal the other kids sand toys....all at the same time. We've been to the beach twice this season and when I'm there I don't want to leave. I have mixed emotions about moving back to Orange Beach but when I'm there, its home. I love that no one cares what you wear, which is good considering my wardrobe for five days was flip flops, my favorite pair of cotton shorts and a Tacky Jacks t-shirt. My hair was never brushed and rarely washed and whether or not my toenail polish was chipped was never a concern. Yes this may sound repulsive to some of you but....THATS ME. I hate showers and shaving and make up and hairdryers and flat irons, the list goes on and on. It seems to me that the only time I can really be that way is when I'm down there, on a boat or rolling around in the sand with Lucy. No, I'm not a grungy hippie that never showers and doesn't shave, well....anywhere ever. But I don't like having to be perfectly coifed day and night, head to toe. I also love that a party in Orange Beach consists of a big pot of boiled something, a cooler full of beer that everyone shares, swimsuits, flip flops and sitting around doing absolutely nothing but enjoying the company. Kids and dogs are running amuck and everyone walks home. No one is formally invited but everyone knows when and where to show up and just what to bring. Don't get me wrong, I love Birmingham as well. I love that my family is here, I love all of my girlfriends that I don't see often enough. I'm content with the fact that Lucy is in a GREAT school and has all of our extended family at her fingertips, oh excuse me, I mean wrapped around her finger. I am torn between two totally different worlds and the decision deadline is rapidly approaching (I am determined to decide before Lucy starts kindergarden....NEXT YEAR). I know God will move me toward the right decision....I just hope its soon!!!!!!!!!

Attack of the Princess Scooter...

2009-05-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Let me start off with a little preface so as this post goes along, you know what I am talking about...Lucy has a scooter. Its one of those little three wheeled, princess, glittered toddler scooters that is pretty easily handled by a four year old (with the exception of today). I let her ride it around in the house because it has rubber wheels and she usually doesn't try to do any fancy tricks or acrobatics with it (again, with the exception of today).

Oh what a Tuesday morning I've had. It started off pretty good. I was playing Susie Homemaker last night and had everything ready for this morning. The clothes were set out, lunches packed, EVERYTHING ready to get up and go this morning. With Mark out of town I have found that this method works much better for us as far as being on time. Lucy woke up without a fuss, hopped in the bath and got dressed....everything was flowing quite smoothly. While I was in the bathroom putting on my make up, Lucy was watching her cartoons in the living room. We were actually on schedule!!!! Then, to my surprise, Lucy comes zipping in from my bedroom on her scooter, makes a hard right turn and runs flat into the bathtub. Of course this scares me to death. As my brand new mineral powder flies all over the floor, my child has flipped into the bathtub. Not only is she screaming (not crying, laughing) the water from her bath just shortly before, has not completely drained. So here we are, the laughter has come to a screeching halt and we are both dumbfounded. Lucy is lying on her back in about two inches of water, fully clothed I might add. I am starring at her, mouth wide open and then I realize, I have powder all over MY clothes. Her hair is wet so we re-dry, her clothes are wet so we re-dress, her shoes and socks are wet and of course we can't find any matching socks. I change clothes, sweep up the BRAND NEW powder off the floor, throw it away, finish my make up and Lucy wears purple flip flops and a brown and hot pink dress to school. We were surprisingly STILL on time with about two minutes to spare!!!! So much for planning ahead!!!!

Three Times Clean....

2009-05-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

For the most part this weekend was uneventful. Unless, of course, you consider mopping, sweeping, laundry and scrubbing toilets an event. With nothing else to do this weekend, I decided the house needed a good old fashioned "spring cleaning". I started in the kitchen and from top to bottom gave it a scrub down with the last task being mopping the floor. I have a white kitchen floor so this was a grueling task to say the least. I moved tables, wiped down cabinets and even got down on my hands and knees to make sure there was NOTHING and I mean NOTHING on that floor. I had planned to eat dinner off of it later (kidding). After the blood sweat and tears that went into cleaning the kitchen floor, I was finally happy. Overjoyed actually. My kitchen had not been this clean in ages. So I moved on to the bathrooms planning to take the same extreme measures as I did in the kitchen. As I moved buckets and rags, I set Lucy up in the living room with Shrek the Third and threatened the child with her life if she were to step one toe in my pristine kitchen. I even put chairs between the kitchen and living room to make sure she did just that...STAYED OUT!!! As I was happily breathing in fumes of clorox and lysol in the bathroom I heard the drip drop of rain on the roof, well, so did Lucy. There was never a ruckus or sound coming out of the living room, or maybe I just didn't hear it because I was high on clorox, but as I went to check on Lucy I stopped dead and my tracks. Foot prints, FOOT PRINTS, MUDDY DOG FOOTPRINTS all over my kitchen floor while Lucy AND Oscar, with their evil little innocent faces sitting on the sofa watching their movie. I was livid and Lucy explained that Oscar was scared outside in the rain and had to come in. Ok, Ok, so I mopped the floor AGAIN and AGAIN threatened her with her life. I put Oscar in the garage to insure that this time my floor would stay clean. Back to bathroom number two I went. Lucy came back a time or two to ask if she could play dress up or watch a different movie. "Yes of course sweetie, just let mommy get the house clean and I promise I'll take you somewhere fun". Somewhere between me hanging out from under my bed dusting the hardwoods and vaccuming the cobwebs from the corners of the ceiling and wall, Lucy wanted to check and see if it was still raining. She informed me she was going to check so I assumed she would do what anyone else would do....look out the window. But Lucy wanted to make double sure it had stopped. As she came to tell me the rain was gone I noticed a little grass on her dirty bare feet. I got a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach and could only think one thing....kitchen floor. I slowly and carefully walked out of the bedroom, down the hallway, across the living room and into the kitchen where I found not dog footprints but dirty little Lucy footprints on the floor and cabinets where she had climbed up to get Oscar a treat. How did Lucy check for rain you might ask? She went out into the middle of the mud covered backyard, ran a few circles and went right back into my KITCHEN. I couldn't help but laugh despite my rage so this time I gave Lucy a rag and a mop and she cleaned it up without even a fit!!!! So, I guess the moral of the story is, kids are going to be kids and don't sweat the small stuff. Since Saturday we've spilled spaghetti sauce and sprinkles from cupcakes so my floor is no longer clean anyway!!!! A good sweeping and mopping will do from now on!!!!

My Inner Stripper...

2009-05-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

I was so excited when I arrived home from work last week to find a FedEx box at my front door. I had been expecting this package for a week or so and could not wait to dive into it. As I tore open the brown cardboard box, a shiny pink and purple shoe box greeted me under the annoying little peanuts. I lifted the top to find a TON of purple tissue wrapping up what I knew would be the highlight of my day, week or possibly even the month. Yes people, new shoes do that to me!! Moving on....as I ripped into the tissue, revealing the shoes that I was head over heels crazy about in the picture online, I began to question myself as to WHY I would order these. Don't get me wrong, they are FABULOUS. Let me say that again, FABULOUS. I mean, what girl doesn't need a pair of purple four and a half inch stiletto heels with zipper detailing and a one inch platform in their closet? Then the fun part...I tried them on and attempted to strut my previously 5 foot tall, now 5' 5" self down the hallway where I stumbled more than once. Of course my little sashay down the catwalk was enormous comedy for Lucy. I really think these shoes will be a lot of fun with the right outfit, I just haven't quite found that yet. They are a bit stripper-esque for lack of a better word but I must admit, I LOVE them and can't wait for my next pair to arrive the second week of June!!! So, without further ado.......meet ELA......

Weekend Happenings!!!

2009-05-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Our weekend was quite exciting and packed full of fun and not so fun activity. Friday we left for our first trip of the season down to the beach. It started off great until I realized I had forgotten my I-pod and was stuck listening to either High School Musical, Bolt or Marley and Me coming from Lucy's DVD player or the music on the radio that sounds like UFO's and Fire Alarms with a robot saying god knows what in the background. I guess that is what "the kids are listening to these days"!!! Anyway....Lucy was a little angel on the way down and we only had to stop once. We made GREAT time and had a good night with daddy. Saturday, Mark was fishing so Lucy and I went to the beach where we spent ALL day in the sand. It was not too crowded and the weather was gorgeous!!! When we left the beach, we headed to get Lucy her "hair wrap" that she just couldn't live without and on to the boat to meet daddy and see his catch of the day (which turned out to be a 25lb grouper) GO MARK!!! Since we knew we would be driving and Mark would be fishing Sunday, we went to Doc's for dinner where they seared our freshly caught yellow fin Tuna for my little Mother's Day celebration. I couldn't have asked for a more special time than spending it eating good food and in THE BEST company! Sunday things took a turn for the worse. I ended up with a cough, a swollen right eye and and headache from you know where. We did make it home around 3:00 and spent the rest of the day with my mom and family. Overall, a pretty good weekend and now I'm off to get ready to head out next weekend!!!!

Let the Driving Begin!!!

2009-05-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

Tire rotation, CHECK. Oil Change, CHECK. License renewed, CHECK. Bank run, CHECK. Full tank, CHECK. Packed bags, snacks, sunscreen, CHECK. Whew....what a day and after all of this, I am still at work for another hour. After some serious thought, prayer, stress and tears (Lucy's not mine) we have decided to break the seal and head to the beach for the first time this season. Any other time I would be SO excited to get down to the Gulf and relax. However, I was kind of looking forward to just ONE more weekend at home before what seems like the never ending drive up and down interstate 65. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely cannot wait to see the hubs and Lucy needs to see daddy every weekend. I am also super happy about getting to sit on the beach for one whole day....WOO HOO. I guess that is the part that gets to me, all of the stress of getting ready to go, driving four hours, bed, play all day Saturday, back in the car for four more hours on Sunday. I don't know why I am complaining. I do LOVE the beach and if I didn't get to go every weekend I would complain about NOT going. So....SUCK IT UP ASHLEY...is what I keep telling myself. This is the life we have chosen for now and it seems to be working out just fine, fantastic in fact. So, there is my little rant for the day......and don't tell anyone but I really can't wait to get there!!!!!!!

To Kindle or Not to Kindle???

2009-05-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

There is nothing better than snuggling up in the bed, lying on the beach or just simply relaxing with a good book. I am an avid reader and jump at the chance to live in "another world" even if for only a few minutes a day. When a new book from one of my favorite authors hits the shelves, I'm the first one in line to buy the $25 hardback. This is where technology steps in...I have been researching the Kindle for a little while now and wonder if it is right for me. I have several questions that are still unanswered despite all of my internet research. Number one, and the most important of course is...How will it hold up while I'm on the beach, wind blowing and sand in the cracks? A good ole paper book I can turn over, shake out the sand and continue my blissful line or two before Lucy dumps a bucket of saltwater into my lap. Could a Kindle take it? Number two, is it worth the price? Sure I'll spend $25 on a hardback that not only I can read but share with someone else. Or I can download a Kindle book for $10, have it in seconds and save gas and half the price. Its a tough one! I wish there was a Kindle sample fairy that would drop one off, for free of course, so that I could test drive it, on the beach, in the bed, and of course give it the good ole' kid proofing before I decide to spend $300 on something I may or may not use. If anyone has one or knows someone who does, reviews would be greatly appreciated!!!!

CRAZY Days of Summer

2009-05-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

Well, its that time again. Mark has left for his fishing job at the beach and somewhat "single" motherhood begins...AGAIN. Its only been a few days since he left and, of course, we miss him like crazy. For those of you who don't know, my husband Mark works down south, on a charter fishing boat during the spring/summer and part of the fall. In total, about half the year. Lucy and I stay home and travel four hours every weekend to be with him. There are pros and cons to this arrangement, the biggest pro being that we get to go to the beach every weekend. This is the time of year when I begin to realize how much I take the little things for granted. The times when daddy would give Lucy a bath at night and I could sit down and read a line or two of a book, daddy dragging the trash to the street in the rain, running to the grocery store ALONE, taking a shower with the door closed, you know, the VERY LITTLE things that we don't think about everyday. It really makes me appreciate everything, no matter how small, that he does when he is here and the fact that he leaves every summer to work extremely hard (as blissful as fishing in the Gulf of Mexico everyday may seem) so that our family has everything we need and more. On the other hand, as stressful as it all is to take on alone sometimes, I really cherish all of the time Lucy and I have together and adore the little moments I share with her. Such as, snuggling up to watch a girly movie, the extra hugs I get, holding her had in the parking lot of the grocery store I used to go to alone and letting her help me make dinner for two. I'm not sure why I am so emotional about it all this time. Its not like we haven't done it before. Maybe its because I haven't been to the beach yet and I'm a little jealous!!!! Oh well, we'll see him this weekend and I absolutely cannot wait!!!!!

A Typical Day in Lucy-Land

2009-04-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

I normally don't post pictures, mostly because I haven't quite gotten the hang of this blogging thing yet. I figured since I FINALLY put all of the pictures from my camera on my computer I'd give it a go. So, in pictures, a typical day in the life of Lucy (and Oscar)......

Waking up and snuggling with a giant Polar Bear AKA our dog Oscar

Waiting ever so impatiently for breakfast...

Out to the trampoline for a bounce.....

Back in for a little dress up and dancing to Hannah Montana....

And finally, PJ's on, snuggle up with Oscar again and off to bed!!!!

My Husband will Kill Me FOR SURE!!!!

2009-04-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

A few "posts" ago, I mentioned that I had been couponing (if that is a word) and really starting to get the hang of it!!! By get the hang of it, I mean, Sunday mornings on the floor with the newspaper, Wednesdays scouring the Publix ads for BOGO and every other day figuring out what coupons I can "stack", "double" or use on sale items. A grueling task for sure but after saving quite a bit of money, I have decided to reward myself!!! Being a HUGE fan of Keeping Up With the Kardashians (no chuckles please) I read that Kim had started a "shoe club" of sorts. SOOO...I HAD to check it out! Turns out it is quite fabulous if I do say so myself. It is called ShoeDazzle. It is $39 per month and you get a new pair of shoes, chosen for you after a survey of your style, sent to you EVERY month! You can skip a month if you don't like their selections and will not have to pay. If you decide to cancel, which you can do anytime, there is NO cancellation fee. Its a win win. My husband has no idea and the fact that I'm saving more than $39 per month at the grocery store, we still come out ahead. Ok, I know some of you now think I'm crazy but I would be buying shoes anyway because, I admit, I am an addict. This way it at least saves gas....haha!!!! I guess I can justify anything!!!!! I'll be sure to post pics of my first pair of DAZZLING new shoes....which should arrive in 5 to 7 days!!!!!!!

What a Weekend Should Be!

2009-04-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I actually got to have a "weekend". Its usually a few birthday parties, grocery store, dinner with the family, easter egg hunts...you name it. Well...Not this time. Friday night Lucy and I went to dinner at Pablos, a fabulous Mexican restaurant with a huge patio and a guy with a guitar (I . Lucy had a great time dancing with one of her school friends that we ran into and I had fun relaxing on a beautiful afternoon! Saturday was a little overcast so while Mark was off at work, Lucy and I cleaned. Not that I love cleaning by any means but it sure was nice to just BE HOME for a while. That afternoon we met Nana to go see the Hannah Montana movie. Lucy is a HUGE fan and in the middle of the movie, stood up and yelled " I LOVE THIS MOVIE". She also stood in the isle and danced to EVERY song, screamed WOO HOO every time Hanna OR Miley started singing and gave a standing ovation at the end. Oh the precious moments...haha!!! After the excitement of the movie, Lucy decided she wanted to spend the night with Nana so I went home and caught up on my reality TV, and napped a little. Saturday night, Mark got home and we decided to go BACK to Pablos for dinner (my sister works there) and who do we run into....My parents and Lucy!!!! We had a great time on the patio AGAIN with the guitar guy then home and off to bed. Sunday we went to church, Jim and Nicks for lunch and home for naps and hiding in the bathroom to stay safe from tornadoes. That part was no fun but at least we nad a fun, family filled and best of all RELAXING weekend!!!

This weekend spilled over into Monday. I did work Monday but after work, my sister Emily, my brother Josh and I went to the Dave Matthews concert. The concert was FANTASTIC other than a bruised shoulder (don't ask) and a lost camera. I also realized that I just can't do it like I used to, but I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!!!!

I love COUPONS!!!

2009-04-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Did I just say that? Well...I have to give myself a little pat on the back. I went on my little couponing spree at the grocery store and saved $60. I pretty much doubled what I saved last time! I have always used coupons for retail shopping but thought it too time consuming to clip them for everyday grocery shopping. How wrong I was. It is a little time consuming, however, I'm just getting the hang of it and out of two shopping trips, I have saved $90. I know times are tough but in my head....thats at least one pair of FABULOUS new shoes!!! I'm still trying to figure it all out. Like how some people go to the grocery store and buy $50000000 of groceries for $3. Ok, maybe that is an exaderation but you get my point. I'm going to keep at it and see where it takes me. If I can show my husband that I am SAVING a large amount of money every month, I just might get those shoes!!!!!

Lucy's School Pictures

2009-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

THEY GROW UP WAY TOO FAST!!!!!!!

Worth it?

2009-04-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

With all of the stress of the economy I have decided to become a "penny pincher". Thanks (again) to my friend Amber, I have decided to try, for the second time, a coupon-clipped grocery trip. The last time, or the first time, I tried this I simply clipped the coupons from the Sunday paper, went to Publix, bought all of there BOGO items and ended up saving about $30. I know $30 is money but I couldn't decide if it was worth the extra effort to drive all the way to Publix instead of the Wal-Mart or Winn Dixie that is much closer to home. So the past week or so, I've been printing coupons online, clipping newspaper coupons and really keeping up with the specials at Publix. I really am trying to cut the grocery budget so maybe this time I'll do a little better. I'll post results tomorrow...wish me luck!!!!

Lucy-isms

2009-04-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Lucy, my sixteen year old in a four year old's body, is constantly cracking us up. Being an only child of course, its always about HER, and i'll admit, she is spoiled rotten. Don't get me wrong, she is the sweetest most caring child. However, the things that come out of her mouth are hysterical just about every time she opens it. So I share with you today a a "Lucy-ism" from the past week.....

My mother, NANA or Nana Montana, as Lucy likes to call her, kept Lucy for a little while on Saturday so the "Easter Bunny" could have everything done. Nana asked Lucy if she wanted to go shopping so she could find an Easter dress. Lucy loves to shop but evidently she wasn't in the mood to shop for Nana that day. She told my mom that she was "exhalted" (exhausted) and didn't have the "injury"(energy). My mom says "well Lucy, you already have your Easter dress, I need to get one so I can be pretty too", Lucy has the perfect solution...."Oh Nana, just order online."

Its amazing the things little ones pick up and how much you hear yourself in their random comments. Nana did get her Easter dress and looked pretty too. Lucy however, stayed home and watched Marley and Me!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME

2009-04-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

As you get older it feels like birthdays don't mean much anymore. Yesterday morning (my birthday) it was just another day and I really didn't want or expect anything special. I don't like to toot my own horn or have the world revolve around me (and I don't want to get any older)!! When you are a kid, you do want that, me me me, its all about me today...ITS MY BIRTHDAY. But yesterday, I realized how good it feels to be "special" without begging for it. I went to lunch with a few of my FAVORITE girls. Just knowing that they wanted to have lunch for MY birthday made me feel incredibly special and so blessed to have friends like them. So thank you Amber, Morgan and LeAnn!! After work, my little brother Josh and sister Emily took me to eat Mexican food. You must understand, Josh is 20 and Emily 23 so they thought it was time to PARTY, stay out all night and act like fools. But when I asked them if they just wanted to come over and hang out they were, hesitantly, ok with it. We ended up at my house with my husband Mark and Lucy doing NOTHING!!! A bottle of wine, stomach hurting from laughing so hard, dancing to old music and hanging out with the people I love. It was the best birthday I could ever have asked for and as much as I say I'm DONE aging, if I can have one day like that once a year...at least I'll FEEL young forever!!!!!

The Virgin Blog!!!

2009-04-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well...here goes. Thanks to my good friend Amber, I've really gotten into reading blogs, however, I never dreamed I'd write one. I mean, come on, whats the point? All of these random thoughts I have swirling around in my wacky brain and now, a place to put them!!!

A little about me...My name is Ashley, Mom, Mommy or just plain HEY most of the time. I have a wonderful husband Mark who is the most laid back, funny when you get to know him, perfect man (most of the time). I also have a fabulously prissy, outgoing, colorful 4 year old little girl named Lucy. I work...which I enjoy but wish I didn't have to. Lucy occupies pretty much every second that I am away from work and I rarely go anywhere that I can't take her. She is my little sidekick and we have a blast wherever we go...again, most of the time. As all mom's know, 4 year olds aren't always perfect!!! So, come along for the ride with the Wheeler clan and I hope to be inspiring, enjoyable and at least interesting on occasion!!!!