It's been a loooong week.

I'll have to blog more about it this weekend since I have lots to do today.

I guess the main things going on right now are:

Tracy wrecked his dad's car about 2 weeks ago and we're somehow still driving it. The insurance company plans to "total" it but that's about all that we know right now and we won't have the car after that. Tracy was fine; someone ran him off the road on I-85 and left the scene. The car is scraped, dented, and flat out missing chunks of the driver's side of the car. He hit the metal fence in the median that keeps you from crossing into the other flow of traffic. How on earth he didn't get hurt or have airbags deploy is beyond me and I'm so glad God was watching over him. So depending on how things work out, we will either be car shopping earlier than anticipated or repairing the Saturn if we work out that option with the people who get it after Farm Bureau takes it.

I finally finished knitting my mom's hat - it looks a little big to me but it fit my head just fine. I just hope it fits hers! I knitted on circular needles and then 4 double-point needles and I don't even know how to begin to explain any of that to blogland! I will have to take some photos of the hat - it's a pale rosy pink yarn called chinchilla (no it's not made of them, just soft like them!). I am so glad I met my knitting ladies - they are really a sweet bunch of women and I wish I had more time to spend with them each week!

I have missed the last 2 Tuesday nights of Bible study but I'm really looking forward to being able to go this week. I have a good time with them and usually learn a lot! we're doing a 12 week Beth Moore study this time.

We have had tons of work for Shelton Properties this week. I guess that's how it is - it comes and it goes. For this I am grateful, for about 5 weeks we had nothing as far as work goes and from Dec. 19 to until the second week in January we didn't get a check at all and when we got one it was for $350. I'm glad we had saved money for other reasons and that we were able to pull through it all. Tracy has travelled all over the state in the beat-up car as far down as Yemassee and Walterboro and as far west as Aiken and North Augusta. I won't complain about miles and hours it takes because in the present economy, I'm just grateful to have work and a job at all.

Last but not least in the long week - Julia Grace fell last night in their bedroom and had a small gash above her right eyebrow. We think it may have been where she was running with a block in her hands but we're really not sure. I was home alone with her and cleaning up spilled milk.Prior to me cleaning it, Julia Grace was lying on her belly trying to lap it like a dog or cat and I said get out of that! She ran away when I said that and fell or ran into something in the bedroom while I was cleaning. She came out crying and saying ow ow ow. She had blood on it and I cleaned it and she screamed. It was evident she needed to go to the doctor, but the blood wasn't gushing anymore, it was starting to clot some. She allowed me to get her dressed and then went back to playing with her toys in the bedroom floor and jabbering and LAUGHING! When Cathy got here to take me to the ER, she was jabbering and smiled and laughed at her too. I felt bad; Tracy was at Mallory's PTO program and had to leave without talking to Mallory. He did get to see her part of the performance in the recycling program and took pictures of her dressed in her trash bag. That's a story for later!
Anyhow - long story short, Julia Grace got 3 blue stitches last night by Dr. Rauch. She didn't like the band aid over it while the numbing medicine took effect and she didn't like them binding her arms so she couldn't push them away. I had to hold her legs down at her knees so she didn't kick them. It was definitely an experience - after watching how they stitched her together this time I am certain they should have stitched her eyebrow last August instead of steri-stripped and glued it.

And I guess somewhat ironically, Jayne had just called me yesterday morning asking how deep Julia Grace's cut was last August, did it ooze, etc because Riley had hit his head on the coffee table at her in-law's before she got there to get him. She was debating on whether to take him to the doctor. Well, she went and Mr. Riley got 2 stitches himself. His cut was in the same area as Julia Grace's last one. So we have matching 2 year-olds! Definitely not planned but they both have done so well with this hiccup in toddler-hood. Riley gets his stitches out in 5 days and Julia Grace gets hers out in 6 days.

Well there's the updates I can think of for now. At least all the news that's fit to know for now. Haha.

Everyone have a good day and a good week and stay safe out there!

BUSY!

We've all just been so busy in our house - lots of different things going on right now. We've had meetings and Boot Camp and work and activities and well you get the picture!

I am taking a breather today and spending it scrapbooking with Angie. I need days like this. Tracy and Julia Grace are hanging out for the afternoon until he goes to play basketball this evening if that works out for him.

I've got some errands to run before scrapbooking. I've got to run to Ingle's - it's the last day of triple coupons! I've got to go to Gymboree too - I have some Gymbucks that will expire this weekend so I'm going to redeem those as well. Depending on time (it may get pushed to tomorrow) I've got to go to Sam's too and buy some food for the freezer. The pantry is looking pretty gaunt at this point.

I hope to get Elmo pics up later this evening and what little snow we had on the ground as well.

Have a wonderful day!

Please continue to pray for my mom - she is still receiving chemotherapy treatments! Also if you would please pray for a friend of mine who is really going through a hard time right now. Thanks so much! Later taters!

A Wiggly Exercise routine...

Without fail every day now we have Wiggles DVD time. Julia Grace got "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing!" by the Wiggles for Christmas from Grandma and Grandpa (and Chris & Jennifer and Christopher - had to exchange the last two). She loves this DVD! Julia Grace and I have started dancing to the Wiggles because it makes us feel like dancing! Ha!

Seriously - if you did all the dances, the Wiggles do in time to the music - holy cow! You would be in great shape! Julia Grace has 3 other Wiggles DVDs but she really gets into this one the most! She sings the "Ahhs" with the first song on it. But she loves Dr. Knickerbocker. She tries so hard to get the rhythm of the number 9! I'll have to make a video of it some morning because it's so cute! We'll sing it to her and say now we've got the rhythm of the number and she jumps and says NINE! Love it! In the meantime, the 4 devilishly handsome Wiggles are performing in attached YouTube style.

I have to say the Wiggles are great - I can't wait to see them on tour this year. Is that goofy of me to say? It's definitely in the plans for when they come through which doesn't appear to be until OH MY! Late summer or Fall ? Wow... They really do make great music that doesn't get on your nerves and I can definitely get behind these guys educationally as well! We love the Wiggles!

Oh and Julia Grace's other cute thing is she says "Wake up EFF!" We're still working on the "J".

I'm seriously going to bed now. I've had Dr. Knickerbocker in my head for 5 hours now. I danced to it 5 hours ago as well. The things we do for our kids! Yeah, that's it! :)

Coffee...

Those that know me well know that I am a coffee junkie. Addict. whatever. I love coffee. I prefer it sweet . Splenda does well and those little Equal tabs are okay but plain old sugar is awesome. I like flavors. Currently I have 5 different flavors of creamer in my fridge. No joke. They're all on the top shelf. In addition to this I have 4 different roasts of coffee in there as well. One day - when I have more counter space and some money to burn - I will have the cappuccino/espresso maker in my house and a coffee grinder. Is it sad that I dream of these things? Is it sad that I love coffee so much? I don't think so. It's healthy to have aspirations even if it's only for a better cup of coffee!

I love the smell of coffee. It's intoxicating to me. Forget wine or mixed drinks - give me a good coffee any day. I love the dessert coffees too - I really like Bailey's Irish Creme and coffee together. YUM! :) I can make do without the creamer in my coffee but I better have some sugar. I like strong coffee. And please don't disgrace the coffee with whipped cream. Really. What did the coffee ever do to you?

Okay. Now that you know about my coffee addiction, I think I should get back to work. Tracy drove 11 hours today. He ate dinner, did one BPO, and went to bed with Julia Grace. He's exhausted. He was down near my parents house in Walterboro and Yemassee today. Believe it or not - it snowed down there too but it didn't stick. It was snowing all of his day today until he left Yemassee at 6. It snowed here pretty good but it just never stuck the way it should. By the time Julia Grace woke for the day, we only had the same dusting we had when I woke at 3.30 a.m. I took pics (at 3.30 a.m. and at 9.30 a.m.)but I'll have to find the camera later and upload them. It was mixed with crunchy ice in our yard so it wasn't worth taking her out to play in it. We rode with Nana to some errands today and by the time we got home at 3 p.m. it was all melted and gone except the icicles hanging from our roof. Oh well. Maybe next time! Go have a good cup of coffee for me ! Good night everyone!

Scrap Giveaway

Feeding my need for scrapbooking:

Win everything pictured at this site :http://socalscrap.blogspot.com/2009/01/valentines-day-giveaway.html .

Yes, I should be doing work and not looking at items of craftiness. :) Hehehe.

I've had coffee. Beware.

last few Christmas pics

This is the proof that Makenzie actually sat in Edward's lap! (an uncommon occurrence)

Look at Julia Grace's pretty curls!! No, I do not curl her hair!

hehehe... Jimmy gave them thongs! No lie!

This is Julia Grace's "Are you kidding me?" look!

Nana with Julia Grace and Makenzie in her lap.

Julia Grace is so sleepy before heading home from Gigi's house.

These were in random places - the red dress with the big red bow were taken Granny's house in Asheville on Christmas Day evening. We still missed a few people at Christmas (I still have some presents to mail to Canada in my living room) and missed Carl & Bev's family. We just couldn't possibly be in all the different places this year - it was exhausting as it was. It was quite possibly the best Christmas with the kids yet though!

Christmas at Gigi's house (weekend after Christmas)

On the Sunday after Christmas we met my parents at MY Grandma's house for lunch and Christmas. We were trying to make sure we had a day together that wasn't rushed to be somewhere else. I have always enjoyed visiting my Grandma but it seems like such a long trip. We spent the night there when I was younger but over the years we started making a day trip out of it. Grandma goes to pick up my Aunt Elaine from her group home - Elaine is mildly retarded and cannot live on her own but can live in an assisted living home. She cannot cook - she doesn't comprehend enough directions and pay enough attention to be allowed to do things of this nature. Someone has to check on her and be sure she takes her medications. She did have a job working in their "warehouse" (not sure what work they do) and also Ruby Tuesday's until a few years ago. She would fold the napkins and silverware and help with the salad bar a few days a week. Those were great milestones for her - developmentally she has the mind of an 8 year old child. They have crafts and social activities too and I think it's been great for her to be in this setting. She lived at home with my Grandma until about 10 or so years ago. Maybe longer - I can't recall exactly when they looked for her a place to stay.

Anyhow - we spend a few Saturdays or Sundays a year making a day trip to visit Gigi who is in her 80's and my Aunt Elaine who is in her 60's. Gigi cooks for us and we have a great time talking and Julia Grace does a great job of entertaining! I wish my Papa was alive to meet Julia Grace and that she could have met him. He was in the Army and worked in a factory after this time. He smoked Lucky Strikes like there was no tomorrow but was considerate enough to go outside to smoke in his own home when they found out I was allergic to cigarette smoke as a child. He grew most of his own vegetables and I remember walking to the barn - well I called it a barn - didn't have animals. It was at the edge of one of his fields and in muscadine vines grew all over it and we used to go look for some to be ready to eat. It doesn't produce nearly what it did when he was still alive. I'm sure he tended to it some. He gave the greatest hugs but he was so rock-solid that it felt like hugging a tree literally! I remember he liked his coffee sweet (I do too!) and loved the hot peppers and anything pickled - yeah I think I get that from him too!

I will have to take pictures of my Grandma's house and put them up sometime. They have two swings on their front porch. Julia Grace and Mallory have always liked to swing on them just as I did when I was little and still do.

We had a great Christmas visit. Gigi made a bucket of cookies for each girl - Mallory got butterscotch chip cookies and Julia Grace got vanilla cookies. Each family got a bag of pecans that my Grandma went out and picked up from the ground and inspected herself. I'm sure that took her a better part of a day or two picking them up and sorting them by herself. She also sends a check each year for us to buy something from her for Christmas. The gifts we're unwrapping are the ones we bought to be from her - she still likes watching us open presents but has a hard time getting out shopping for everyone. Red Springs is a tee-niny town that doesn't even have a WalMart and has a catalog shopping center instead of the actual department stores. Here are the pictures! Mallory wasn't able to join us for this trip. Julia Grace's dress is a Ralph Lauren dress that's identical to one she wore her first Christmas. My parents bought it for her to wear to a Christmas party and for Christmas that year. Mom found it in a 2T on sale just before Christmas and we put it away until now. She looks so pretty in it! I love it!