Dishwater no more!

Thank goodness I can finally enjoy some decent tea!  After months of drinking dishwater - it was well worth the wait!

Not worth the time...

Dear Lord,  Save me from books like this one...


I have wasted weeks mucking through this book - in the car, on the iPod, however and wherever I could just to

GET IT DONE. 

I have a bit of a quitting problem.  I don't like to quit books.  I've only quit one so far in my life and I still get the "rabbit ran across my grave" shakes from it...

I mean, does old what's her name ever end up with the Italian?  Now that she can finally focus enough during meditation and the fantastical blue lights appear and she is all zen-like, then what?  What happens in the end????  What is the point to it all????  I just kept feeling sorry for the husband that she left!  

Back to Wicked - it is just entirely too detailed and my friend, Wren, put it quite nicely when she said, "it's a book of tangents" and it is.  Finally in the end, it does come together, just a bit - barely.  Ok, so after weeks of wasting your time, the author does finally sew it together just enough to keep you from FREAKIN' JUMPING off a cliff. 

But you'll have to make the final decision for yourself. 

You do end up finding out why the Wicked Witch of the West is oh so green...

And that might be enough for you...

It is a bit enticing...

Sugar Bears!

The newest additions to our family are two little Sugar Bears (Sugar Gliders.) 

I'd love to share their names with you, but they change almost daily. Currently, this one is Pistol and her sister is Fuzzy. Oddly enough, both of my boys have decided that the Sugar Bears are also boys - so they get called he and him routinely. 
Pistol, here, is quite loving and friendly.  Fuzzy is, however, a bit obtuse and is taken with swatting and barking at us.  Our relentless trainer, the famed Jim Murphy, is not at all deterred by this behavior and works with Fuzzy daily to domesticate her, excuse me, him. 

Check back for Sugar Bear updates and name changes!  ha ha ha!

2012: The Year of Nearly Zero Commitments

Aren't we all critics in some manner or sort? I am my worst, but it is for good reason. I try to improve upon the subject matter at hand (me, myself and I) and by finding flaws, I am better able to hide them, or as the case may be in the year of 2012, flaunt them!


Candace is a homebody.  It's true!  (I hear you naysayers out there!)  Although I tend to look as if I am the life of the party and the consummate social butterfly, I really would rather be at home with zero plans, nor commitments to cloud my little head. 

Timelines, projects and events make a marketer, and boy do we make it look easy at the office - it's our job and we love it!  However, when I get home to my hubs and my babies, I like a clear plate with zero commitments and operate best by the seat of my pants.   If something feels good in that moment, I go with it - if it is planned in advance, I usually come to dread it.

So cheers to 2012, the year I plan to be commitment free as I can be!

Miles Murphy turns 6!

My little ham of a child, Milesy, turned six years old today.  For this precious birthday, I let him pick his favorite lunch spot - and of course, we headed straight for the golden arches.  (Yes, we watched the "Supersize Me" movie at least five times - I know, I know.)

Alas, all things in moderation - and so both boys ordered the dreaded Chicken McNuggets.  According to the movie, these gut bombs are made entirely from the breast meat of excessively-aged chickens that are no longer viable for anything else.  All of this served up with a side of crisp, salty fries!

Minutes later, this healthful decadence came together with a germ-encrusted finale -  crawling through McDonald's PlayLand for hours.  Yes, that bacteria-ridden maze of tubes and slides that my friend Jody jokingly said, "is cleaned once a year, whether it needs it or not."  Joy!  Life is good - at least for a six year old!

The lost art of saying "No..."

Or maybe this should be entitled, "The forgotten art of accepting the word 'no'."  Either way, the world has forgotten that "no" is an option.  The word "yes" is just a more acceptable answer, but for who?

In my long-standing struggle to become a better, more calm version of myself, I have learned that sometimes I have to say no.  I think that my brain knows my limit and in a last-ditch effort of self-protection, the word "No, I just can't..." finally comes through - and thank goodness!

This is rarely met with acceptance. 

The most common response is for my family/friends/co-workers/etc. to begin trying to shuffle around my responsibilities, so that I can attend/do/be what they want or need.  This relegates me into giving further details of why it just won't work out.  Always hopeful that this will be enough - and perhaps receive a "that's ok, I totally understand."  More commonly though, more shuffling from family/friend/co-worker ensues, in the hopes that I will relent. 

Sadly, I usually do.    

If you, like me, always fall culprit to this muddled puddle of People Pleasing - stand up and just once this week say a profound "Sorry, I just can't."  Be strong.  We'll do it together! 

Because if we are loved as much as we seem to be loved, it will be ok.  People will understand.  I think... 

Ragusa - my new BFF...

I have a new BFF.  I didn't even know she existed until yesterday!  Meet Ragusa.  These cute little golden sticks of heaven are chocolate on two sides and hazelnut in the middle and oh my!  Thank you to Phillipe and Dani - what good little Swiss and French men they are!  God bless us, everyone! 

Dear Sam's Club Bakery Lady ...

Would you be my wife?

Sure, I know I appear to be married (and to a man, no less), however, you do such heavenly things to my senses that I know we must be soul mates. 

You maketh your cupcakes so tender and true, they tickle my nose as I breathe in the freshness. 

My heart goes a-flutter as I lean in for a bite. 

We are meant for each other, my cupcake-making friend.

Do not deny me!  I know you like me too!

Wind beneath my wings ...

Lots of you have heard me talk about my friend Jaime - the one that has five children and could any day be contacted by TLC - not because she has five kids, but because she has five kids and looks FABULOUS and her house is immaculate.

So Jaime has a little secret that she shared with me. Red Bull. It took awhile to get used to, but now I am on the band wagon, and I've even perfected a mini-cooler for my desk at work - to keep it super cold. It has to be super cold for me.  I can do big things after drinking one of these.  BIG, I tell ya!

Our Chinese clients at work did a double take when they saw this. I know they are at home laughing about American women right now and I just might be the reason why!

Priceless...

For the last three years, we have not sent out Christmas cards.  We've designed them online, saved them and then just not ordered them.  What with the cost of the cards, added with the cost of the stamps, we just sparkled over how much money we were saving by not sending them.  We were revelling in our smartness!

Then something happened ... we fell off of several of the most coveted cards' lists. 

I won't mention any names here, because I just nearly pass out with excitement in the driveway when these three cards arrive in the mailbox.  They are the ones I look forward to the most.  I actually hesitate and wonder if I should wait until Jim gets home from work, so that we can open them together.  (Freakish, I know!)  These women, the creators of these cards, are so talented and clever, well, I just can hardly keep up.  So last year, when one of these three cards never came - that was it!  We had to start sending cards again! 

This year, I was all over it (like white on rice, like bees on honey, like a fat girl on a doughnut - you get the picture.) 

See this stack? 

This is just the first draft of recipients - and it was done.  DONE.  DONE - at the end of November baby!  I had to wait - that is how early they were done.  I had to actually wait to send them - so I wouldn't look like the over-zealous freak that I really am. 

So there!  BAM!  YEAH BABY!  (Yes, the coffee has kicked in....)  Bring on those cards!  Two of the three have already shown up - I did survive in the driveway - I couldn't scare the neighbors, you know.

Much needed Girl's Trip to Columbia - Jonesy, here we come!

Most of you know of my adorable Amy Jones (aka Sweet Little Amy Jones, Jonesy, Amy J.)  We haven't seen her in forever.  (Forever, forever ever, forever ever.)  With the upcoming Breaking Dawn movie looming, we knew that we must see it together.  So off Jennifer and I went to meet her in Columbia with three main purposes in mind:

1.  To hang out in comfy clothes.
2.  To eat at every single cute spot in town.
3.  To see our beau, Edward Cullen, in Breaking Dawn.

Yes, we are thirty-somethings in love with a vampire.  So what, who cares? 

We had the best time.  We learned that there are things you can do with your girls that you cannot do with your husband.  (Yes, I am all about lists today, so here goes.)

1.  You can go into every single store, one after another, cause your girls want you to be happy and feel complete.
2.  You can look at anything and everything as many times as it takes to make a decision - cause there aren't any whining children to contend with, worry about and say over and over "No!" and "Stop That!"
3.  Can I say it one more time that there are not any husbands and zero children?  There just aren't!   

If you have not had a girls weekend, like me, up until this point - and your oldest is almost nine years old - you need to go away.  I worried over it and shredded a few napkins in my lap, but it was necessary and more over, it was gosh darned FABULOUS! 

Just in case you are wondering how fabulous - pictures do not lie...

Insanely happy girl in the kitchen of bakery, Cupcake, in Columbia, SC. 

So hurry up - grab your girls and go away to some sort of local and super cute place.  Your hubsie will do fine without you and he might even say, "I don't know how you get it all done when I am out of town..."  and that will be music to your ears!

Fave tasty treat ... from the Dollar General?

Looky what I found at the Dollar General of all places ... Dolce Delights!  Just the name alone enticed me to buy a pack. 

 

They are delish alone and best with your favorite cuppa.  Stop by your local Dollar General and enjoy this sinful little cheapy, but decadent treat!

(Yes, this is empty - did you notice that?  I was hoping you wouldn't.... they are that good!)



Sewing badge for Moms?

Moms of scouts will agree when I say that moms should be able to earn badges too.  The first of which should be a sewing badge.  The second, a camping badge.

I know, because I am a mom to a cubscout and I am going through my own little initiation. I do not have a sewing machine folks!  How about the perfect alignment of the pack number?  Pretty spiffy for a brand new scout mama!

Favorite birthday gift from my boys...

Mama didn't ask for diamonds or pearls.  All she wanted was a bright, shiny pack of Sharpies for her birthday.  Mama like!

Soccer is over...

YMCA Effingham County District winners ...

The team played their hearts out, but lost the second game in a shoot out match after neither team was able to score during overtime.  Everyone was exhausted - the parents paced and shouted, the kids gave their all.  Still, I can't say I am glad it's over.  We eat, sleep and breathe soccer in this house! 

RJ says that gymnastics is an awesome companion sport to build flexibility and bounce.  Maybe these boys will suit up in leotards!  Anything is possible!

Owen and Coach RJ

Room Mom Mahem

The Room Mom...

Everybody has one or a few depending on the number of children in your brood.  Her letters begin entirely too perky, alternating between passive and agressive.  In the past, I admit to reading through flyers sent home by the Room Mom, with my red pen in hand, ready to catch a grammar error or two.  I can remember one year, the room mom was a former friend of mine - and I greatly enjoyed reading her form letter flyers.  The only personal touch she added was her name ... at the end. 

(When I see her in the parking lot, I hum the tune to the Wicked Witch of the West (aka Mrs. Gulch from The Wizard of Oz.)    Just so you get the full effect of this former friend o' mine... click here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=r4kiXh8YOzk

Well, now I am the room mom times 2. 

Let me just clear a few things up.  It is hard work. 

Do not laugh at the room mom, she is on the verge.  The verge of going crazy, the verge of complete insanity, the verge of tears, of heinous laughing.  She is overworked and completely unpaid. 

She is Volunteer Numero Uno. 

She is stressed and she has to drag a few of you into whatever it is that she has to do - and be sure of it - she doesn't even want to do "it" herself.  Appease her, thank her.  Do not giggle and say, "ha ha ha - I really don't want tooooo..... , but if you can't find anyone else, I guess you can call me back...."  The room mom foots the bill for a lot of things in the classroom.  Cupcakes, juice boxes, decorations for the room door, printer ink, paper, the list goes on and on and on. 

Did you know that room moms decorate the room door?  Oh yes, you can be sure of it. 

The room mom collects money for teacher gifts and usually pays for a portion of it herself, out of her own pocket over and over again.  She makes spreadsheets of names and addresses - and do you know how precarious it is to assume or not that parents are still together and should be typed as Mrs. & Mrs. So and So?  Because what if they are divorced, and the mom stilll has the same last name, but DOES NOT want her name on the same line as his?  Oh my.

Room Mom-ing is a competitive sport.  Well, maybe I am just competitive with myself.  I just want to make cute treat bags ...

Somewhere around the 4th bag out of 40, I throw my hands up and question for the millionth time "Why can't I be normal and just buy cellophane bags and be done with it?"  It is a constant internal struggle. 

So the next time you see the room mom, or one of her entirely too perked-up and threatening letters, please know that she is over-worked.   Please know that she is not paid.  Please volunteer to bring juice boxes or cupcakes FOR SOMETHING.  Because she means well.  She wants your child to have a grand year with a few jolts of candy and cupcakes thrown in, with a door that says "Come in and stay awhile." 

God bless the Room Moms!

Life is Sweet ...

Time flies while you're having fun...

This is me on my birthday.  Happy 35th to me! 

One thing that I am learning as I get older, is that I am still learning as I get older.  One thing I have learned just in this last week is that I spend a great deal of time fretting over things that I cannot change and trying to perfect things that really don't matter much at all. 

Soul searching is what I am doing - and learning to slow down for the small things (and smallest people in my life) that I seem to hurry along far too often.

Further to that note, I will be slowing down on my blog.  While this has been a fun and a creative outlet of sorts, it takes up a great deal of my time and fret over it, I do... far, far too often. 

So tally-ho!  See you in a bit!  I am off to swing in the swings and play kick the can in the moonlight.  Life is Sweet, but it can be very, very short. 

Turn off EVERYTHING and LIVE!

Sight Words ...

Sight words, blending words - this is how I keep up with all of the words Miles needs to learn each week...

Keep them in the car with you for easy practicing on the go!

Easy Peasy Teacher Gift

For the packaging:

1 mason jar with lid

Raffia or ribbon

Hanging tag with child's signature

For the Munch Mix:

Pecans (preferably from your grandma's farm)

Walnuts, broken into pieces

Hershey's Dark Chocolate Chips

Salted Sunflower Seeds

Dried Blueberries, Raisins or Cranberries

Mix, shake, tie up, give & smile!

My very own pencil sharpener...

My Grandma Louise had a manual pencil sharpener mounted on the wall in her hallway closet.  Growing up, I loved to open the closet door and sharpen a pencil or two.  I was always into one thing after another and that pencil sharpener was on the list!  Once I had my fill of the pencil sharpener, I was quickly on to the electric ice crusher and having a go at that.  Poor Grandma Louise - I think I drove her batty! 

When Owen started school, I knew I needed my very own manual pencil sharpener.  Most people tried to convince me to get an electric one - as if!  They did not understand the nostalgia behind the manual pencil sharpener.  Nothing else would do. 

This year, my choice for a birthday gift was not jewelry or a shopping trip to Jacksonville's St. John's Town Center.  It was a Stanley Bostitch Double-Cutter Pencil Sharpener. 

Isn't she lovely?

I have finally arrived!

No thank you ... please?

I have a lot of stuff.  It is everywhere.  In piles, stacked in chairs, tucked into baskets.  At one time it was good to tuck things into baskets - it made for my new house to look lived in and cozy, but that was ten years ago.  My drawers are overflowing, my closets have begun to revolt and throw stuff onto the floor below.  Sometimes anxiety takes me over to the point that my dear, well-intentioned husband gets abused for leaving wayward papers on the counter.  It's just enough to throw me right over the edge of sanity, into the deep and murky pool of insanity.  A place where a happy and smiley girl like me becomes quite evil. 

It could happen.

I am not a hoarder, but I do watch the show and it makes me itch ... it makes me panic.  Before I know it, before the end of the show, I practically run to some crowded corner of the house - a closet, under a bed, a drawer and I start throwing the contents away.

I think we are all a little overwhelmed by all of our "stuff."  Our brains are sitting on "Go!" with to-do lists, our in-boxes are overflowing with action items, our text message memory is full, Facebook is constantly calling, the endless papers that come home from school (fundraisers, forms to complete, graded worksheets, "art" that we form an emotional attachment to) and all of it on the counter.  What about the things that get gifted or given to us by family members and friends?  Every now and then, I will tuck one of these things under my bed to re-gift to a person who might enjoy that sort of thing.  Guilt - it gives me guilt. 

And so, I've come up the following phrases and I have practiced them so that I sound sure of myself, here goes...

"Thanks for thinking of me, but I have plenty..."

or

"I don't really need it, but maybe you could find someone else who could use it and love it."

This is hard and I am not very good at it, but I am trying.  Downsizing has to happen in our three bedroom home of ten years. 

My next step is stop the magazines from appearing in my mailbox, but that would be ... harsh.  Maybe I will save that one for another day!

Phoenetic Alphabet

I've been working in the aviation field since 1996, so by now I should know the Phoenetic Alphabet by heart.  The thing is, I've always been sort of ... rusty.  I always forget J (Juliett), M (Mike) and I (India.)  I always remember W (Whiskey), G (Golf - how easy is that!) and others.       Q (Quebec) is also hard to remember. 

So, the next time you find yourself on the phone, trying to rattle off a string of letters to someone, feel free to use the method below instead of A for Apple.  The Phoenetic Alphabet has been in use since 1913 and although a few letters have changed since then, they still remain the standard for communicating the alphabet over phone or radio.  

3rd Grade with Mrs. Anna Barton...

You have a handful there, Mrs. Barton... get ready! These two might look innocent, but I know these boys - and it's gonna be a fun, sweaty, completely brilliant, exciting, sometimes dirty, but always worth it adventure!  Good luck!

Miles' 1st Day of Kindergarten...

Miles' 1st Day of Kindergarten

Owen's 1st Day of 3rd Grade

I used to worry about Owen more than Miles.  Owen, so fair-skinned with blue eyes, seemed almost puny compared to my tan and tough ("spicy" is what my Grandma calls him) Miles.  I used to imagine Miles, years down the road, taking up for his older brother in high school.  Miles would throw the first punch at any kid picking on his brother and the school would call, and yep, that's our Milesy. 

Then something shifted.  Gradually, I started realizing that Owen was the stronger, more confident one.  Owen is smart and analytical.  He has a curiousity about life and everything in it.  He puts things together, takes them apart, does it again and again.  He asks lots of questions and weighs the answers.  Sometimes he doesn't believe me, Jim or his teachers.  I guess you'd call him a "know it all" and usually I am not a fan of that, but he's my Owen.  Inventor of gadgets and gizmos, lego builder supreme.  He has big plans for what he will invent when he is older and how it will work.  The kid even has common sense. 

When did all of this happen? 

And then there is my little Milesy.  A smaller fella and so loving.  He's still spicy and he's a fighter, but I am not so sure he gets the big picture yet and I kinda worry about him.  He's reading already - that was the goal of the summer, but can he button his shorts after going potty?  Can he reach the sink in the boy's bathroom?  How will he be able to carry the heavy lunch tray?  These are things that I never worried about with Owen...

We survived the first day of kindergarten, and my little fella fit right in.  He sat down at the table in the spot where the little yellow teddy bear labeled "Miles" was taped.  He started working on his coloring sheet.  Wrote his name at the top of the page.  Bless him.  So studious already and I realized I could go - that he was fine. 

There wasn't much of a chance to get sad or emotional.  There were no tears on his first day (just buckets of them the night before.)  I told him "bye" a few times more to make myself feel better.  I gave him a squeeze.  Then I walked out the door.  I thought I was ok.  I think I am ok.  Am I ok?  Is it me I am worried about or is it him?  Am I having a hard time letting go?

That afternoon, Owen bounded into the car like a tiger.  Nothing phases this kid anymore.  I trust him to be smart, to be careful, to be kind and he does.  Poor little Miles forgot his lunch box.  He wasn't much for conversation in the car or at home. 

I know he will learn and he will grow, but for right now, he just seems smaller than the rest and so I worry, as all mothers do...

Bless these children of ours!  And bless us mamas too!

Perfume Tip

Something came over me recently in Ulta - I decided to test out perfumes... A lot of perfumes.  After the first five or so, I came up with this idea...

After spraying the sample card, write the name of the perfume, this will come in handy later when you've forgotten which was which and what was what.  (Cause I am so smart and all... ha ha ha!)

P.S.  I am selling this idea to Martha next week. 

New fave jeans ...

This girl (that would be me) had to go to Wisconsin to discover Buckle Jeans.  Imagine my surprise when Jaime texted me that we have a Buckle store right here in the Oglethorpe Mall.  What a goober I am! 

Anyway, this is how it works - I go to Wisconsin and hang with the Hanuses, who are a very stylish bunch, and I come home bringing a lil' bit of their style with me.  It works well.  I like it.  And I LOVE my new jeans! 

Here they are ...

Drying Laundry Like My Grandma Did...

It is so hot in Georgia.  Today, Jim and I shared a lightbulb moment ... why turn on the dryer, which will only heat the house even more ... when we could hang the laundry out to dry instead?  (By the way, this load dried on the line in less time than it would have in the dryer!)  We are brilliant!

P.S.  A typical load of laundry costs .60 cents to dry.  Today, I saved $1.20 - cha ching!

By the way, if you don't live here and you'd like to experience the heat we have down South, I have a mini experiment for you that will give you a good idea of the heat and humidity.  Here is what you do ... Fill up a huge pot of water and put it on the stove to boil. Once boiling, grab a handy dandy dish towel - walk to the pot. Put the dish towel over your head and put your head (very carefully - adults only please) over the pot. Do you feel the heat - the steam? This is how hot it is in Georgia today.  

Now go out and enjoy your own weather!

Best ever kid's thermos...

If you have kids - and picky ones at that - you might be a lunch maker supreme like me.  Thermos brand's Funtainer Thermos is the absolute top of tops for keeping the liquid inside the container without leaking - and keeping that liquid ice cold until that evening!  The tag says 12 hours - and I would have to agree.  A few times we've left Owen's thermos in his lunchbox until nighttime and one shake revealed clinking ice cubes inside!  You can buy your own from Walmart or Target, but for the best selection, try this link ...  Very worth the $14 price tag.

http://www.thermos.com/SearchResults.aspx?q=Funtainer

Cucumber Slices by the Pound!

If you are a huge cucumber sandwich fan like me - you might need one of these handy slicers.  This one came from Pampered Chef and would normally be used for crudites and such.  I use it to quickly slice a cucumber for my sammies.  Get yourself one and save loads of time!  

Water with lemon is sooo yesterday!

The last couple of weeks, I've been using up my frozen strawberries from Ottawa Farms.  Throw a couple in your water bottle with a slice o' lime for a super healthy strawberry limemade minus the sugar and calories.  Yum!

My Owen...

Both of my boys are regular flower pickers for their mama.  A few weeks ago, I was blessed by this little bouquet when I came home from work. 

Let me tell you - life cannot get better than this.

Nourish is a little sweet spot on Broughton Street...

I recently discovered a little slice of sweetness on Broughton Street called Nourish.

http://www.nourishsavannah.com/

The store is set up with farm house appeal (and you know this girl loves a farm house!)  Creamy white bowls and plates overflowing with bars of soap - and in a corner, an old-fashioned sink set up to test their salt and sugar scrubs.  How cute!  Where else can you walk up to a counter with a decadent display of soaps by the slice?  This go round I picked Vanilla Walnut ...

Oh my... yummy!

Last time I bought the Coconut Lime - which wasn't such a good idea.  Besides swooning with divine thoughts of Key Lime Pie - it whisked me off to Hawaii everytime I got in the shower and a few minutes later, I was still stuck in Africa-hot Georgia (and no pie!)

Besides Soaps by the Slice, they offer a huge selection of other natural soaps and bath products - like this lovely little soap bag that works just like a loofah, except that it holds the soap for you - for a very efficient shower experience.

But who really wants efficiency when the soap smells like Key Lime Pie?

I recommend going - and quickly!  You just don't know what you are missing!

Wrap Master!

My mom is such a good girl! (That is Candace-speak for "my mom is wonderful.") She recently bought these two little gems for me. One is for tin foil and the other is for plastic wrap.

Here is how they work:

First you click the middle button by pushing in and up...

Once open, you gently pull out the tin foil (or plastic wrap), depending on which one you have, until you have the right amount ...

Then you press the top down near the middle ...

Which cuts the section off quite neatly....

Easy peasy!  Now you can store your Wrap Master on your counter (I keep my plastic wrap one on the counter sometimes.)  It makes quick work of wrapping up the boys' sandwiches for school...

Or if you can handle clutter better than I can, you could stack them ...

You can have your very own pair from QVC for $27.30.  If white isn't your favorite, they also come in royal blue and a cherryish shade of red.

It's or Its - Does Its need an apostrophe?

Like me, it seems that many people aren't quite sure when to use "its" or "it's".  Quite frankly, when one is zipping along on the keyboard, blogging or typing a letter, it's very easy to become confused!

It's with an apostrophe:
The only time "it's" (with an apostrophe) is needed is when the words "it" and "is" (or "has") are being contracted. ("It's" = "It is" or "It has.")

Its without an apostrophe:
The word "its" signifies possession, and needs no apostrophe. (Nor do these words need one: yours, his, hers, theirs, and ours.) Perhaps the confusion stems from the fact that the apostrophe is used to show possession by a noun, as in "the flower's petals."

There ya go!  If you ever become confused again, simply type "does it's need an apostrophe" in your google toolbar! 

Great Grandma's Laundry Basket

I pined over Great Grandma's laundry basket for years, but it wasn't quite my turn to be blessed with its worn smooth edges.  

As Great Grandma grew older, her daughter (my Grandma Louise) would come from Claxton to wash and fold the laundry.  Still I waited.  Now the laundry basket is mine.  Odd what a girl like me falls in love with - I guess that explains why I have her buttons, tea pitchers and now her laundry basket. 

Remember this one?

Raw and ragged - I love this song.  Simple and just a little bit sweet ... you have to wear cowboy boots for this song.  Happy Girl.

Lovin' this song...

Keith Urban's "Without You"

Just finished...

Excellent book - couldn't put it down!  Written by Jeanette Walls and based on her adventurously disfunctional life, she sheds light on the ins and outs of growing up with an alcoholic father and excitement-addicted mother.  Each person will take what they will from the book.  Personally, I couldn't help but think that maybe a modern life, with all of it's shiny and sparkly trappings, isn't entirely necessary afterall.   


Currently reading to Owen & Miles ...

Next on my list ...