fits...

SO THIS MUST BE THE PART OF THE TERRIBLE TWOS I'VE HEARD ABOUT...

I hate to speak too soon but today has been a lull in the roller coaster of a week of fits in this house.  I am not complaining.  It seems to be a constant resistance...going against the grain with Chloe Jo, lately.  BOO.  I do not like to be the bad guy but she has to learn. 

I guess my expectations are unrealistic.  I certainly had hopes of not going here but it is what it is.  I just remind myself...Spare the rod, spoil the child.  Man, this has been tough.

LAST NIGHT...

Is it a sin to paraphrase things in the Holy Bible to use to my advantage? ha

So, I am re-reading The Love Dare (which will make my closest friends chuckle).  Anyway, I notice Chloe Jo in "hiding" and of course in the bottom of her pile of stuff she is not supposed to have...my copy of The Love Dare.  

My first reaction was to simply ask for my book.  But, as mentioned before, things are really not that simple around here lately.  I began talking with her about options and started the countdown.  I quickly saw her willingness to take this to the next level because she had no plans of handing over the book in one piece.  She began rolling around in the floor on top of my book bending it all up.  I became furious that I could not seem to pry this book out of her hands.   

This led to a serious situation...and I will spare you the details.  Afterwards, true remorse on her part.  I talked with her and told her that I had a book especially for her.  I gave her my old green Bible.  I told her this was a special book called the Holy Bible and pointed to the words on the front cover.  Together, we sat down and I read some things that the Holy Bible says...in kid-friendly terms.  She carried her bible around the rest of the night.

This morning when she woke up at 6:30 (on my last Friday of summer), she came into my room with her Holy Bible in her hands.  She says,"Mama, I want to read to you." 
         

PLAYING DOLLHOUSE...

I love to eavesdrop on Chloe Jo when she is playing in her bedroom.  It is so sweet to hear her making different voices for the people in her dollhouse.  Just last night she was discussing with the little girl about being a big girl and they go to the potty!  Then I hear... "Don't fight...be nice!  I wuv you"...then in her little girl voice she is yelling.."I don't want to go!"...then the last thing she said was,"and we don't be sneaky...we don't do that."  


Have a great weekend, friends! 

More Randomness...

MALFUNCTION...

After my walk tonight..I was getting in my car and I heard it snap as I am pulling out on the road.  All of a sudden I feel a slice into my chest area...I look up with the pain just burning and drive right through a broken glass bottle on the street with my brand new tires.  That's what  happens when you have an under wire malfunction, friends.

DOUBLE TEXTS...

Seriously, I finally came clean and told JoMeagan tonight after two weeks of pure entertainment...her phone has sent every text message twice.  (and we text a lot)  She texts me back..."that's what my friends have been telling me.  stupid phone!"  A few seconds later, after I had already gotten back into The Bachelorette..."that's what my friends have been telling me.  stupid phone!"  HAHAHA 

This will not be funny to anyone else.  I have thoroughly enjoyed it...without even thinking you carry on after reading a text and then it rings again...without thinking about the last you read the same thing again.  I have been calling them parrot texts.  I actually did a little parrot texting tonight myself! 

Everyone has the things about them that are weird.  My baby sister and I do phone commentary during our shows that we watch together from a distance.  Dancing With the Stars and The  Bachelorette/Bachelor are "our shows".  So, the fact that every message comes through twice just makes it even more comical.  David was just looking at me thinking she is blowing my phone up!  heehee 

MY CAT NEPHEW...

Meet Gus, friends.  He truly thinks he is human.  JoMeagan sent this text tonight...he actually sits like a real person:) 

Hope you are all having a wonderful week! 

Eggs, sausage, and toast...

FUNNY CHILDHOOD MEMORY...

One tidbit of weird info about Hazy, our mama cat, is she loves to eat scrambled eggs.  Just knowing that I cook her an egg if she happens to be around in the mornings is probably weird for you all to hear.  ha  This morning while cooking mine, Chloe Jo, and Hazy's eggs I got to thinking...and laughing to myself:)

I am amazed that my mother did the things she did and worked a full time job, too.  Every morning we had scrambled eggs, one piece of sausage (occasionally bacon), and toast/biscuit for breakfast before school.  I remember noticing that my brother got bigger portions on his plate. 

You already know he was much smarter than me.  But, it was a case of "he got more than I did" just getting the best of me.  On this particular morning he came in and started hollering for my mother...his sausage was gone!  I guess I thought I was sneaky enough to pull it off before anyone saw me.  My mother entered the kitchen to see about the situation all too quickly.   I had crammed the WHOLE PIECE OF SAUSAGE in my mouth.  The bad thing is when my mother asked me if I had taken his sausage I shook my head no...with my cheeks full! ha

I NEVER did that again. 


YET ANOTHER CHILDHOOD MEMORY...

As a young girl I loved going to church with my grandparents to Matheny Grove Baptist Church.  DaddyDoyle had a white Cadillac with red leather interior that he kept perfectly clean.  Gosh, I can still see him with that cigar in his mouth..with his fancy duds on.  Anyway, the road was long and winding and when we turned a curve the seats were so slick you would literally slide all the way across to the other side. I remember being pretty car sick by the time we got there...because that car NEVER lost it's new leather smell.    

MamaBill always bobby pin curled my hair.  (so I truly looked like George Washington at church, but I loved it!)  ALL the ladies had fresh, set hair for church.  Sometimes I played barbies on the pew with Tiffany Kelly.  We would walk around and sing while we shook hands and one time I remember hearing they even washed feet.  Sometimes there was a piano player...sometimes we ate in the fellowship hall out back. 

The one thing that has stayed with me is the sound of the music.  They sang in shape notes.  It was what "make a joyful noise" means.  Not that anyone was a soloist, but the combination of everyone singing as loud as they could...brings tears to my eyes just trying to describe it.  One of my favorites....He Whispers Sweet Peace to Me...I wish I had the Matheny Grove version to share on video...I will tell you , though, it is forever in my mind. 

I do not know these folks but I searched this song on YouTube because it is always a song in my heart!  Seriously, just close your eyes and listen...those tears roll...love you, friends:) 

I guess I am really missing my DaddyDoyle tonight:)  I can still hear his laughter...he would laugh so hard he couldn't breathe...and usually it had something to do with MamaBill.  heehee

my new verse to focus on...

THANKS NAY...

What great encouragement for me in this journey of life.  I grow tired and weary trying to keep things balanced and barely recognize myself in the mirror, sometimes.  I think this happens to women a lot.  Just anxiety from dealing with everything at home and work outside of home...we are all in the same boat...it just becomes too much at times.  The sad thing is we don't take time out for ourselves.

My Aunt is good about telling me certain scripture she loves.  Last night on our walk she shared this verse with me.  It came as a result of me sharing about my struggle with weight issues and fine, thin, wiry, gray hair at such a young age...the upkeep of coloring it...cutting my hair and styling it each day...just my hair in general and the fact that I need to do something...so you can simply agree and move on because I have known this for a while.  haha

I totally get it.  I need a complete makeover.  I have one in the works...


Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.                              
                                                                                             -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tinkerbell...ugh!

NEW MOVIE...

So, Chloe Jo and I went to Wal-Mart and the deal was she would get to pick out a new movie to buy.  I was trying so hard to persuade her to choose otherwise but, of course, she would have no other choice but Tinkerbell...or as I like to call it "Stinkerbell".  It makes her really upset when I say it.  ha

I hate fairy shows.  I have never liked fairies.  I never wanted to dress up like a fairy when I was little...it could be the ears...I don't know.  I bet you can guess how much Chloe Jo loves this movie!  We watch it all the time.  I try to sneak in a little "Stinkerbell" just in talking with her...like just enough where she thinks she understands what I am saying and looks at me with that puzzled look.  It helps me through these trying times of potty training and fairy type stuff. 

BAG OF ROCKS

We went to Patti's and bought Chloe Jo a bag of rocks in the gift store.  It has fast become one of her favorite toys since we bought her new movie.  She literally plays with her bag of rocks all the time!  They came in a little black bag with a drawstring.  

Our Mama cat, Hazy, was sitting in the living room the other day and all of a sudden Chloe Jo starts throwing all these rocks on her.  Needless to say, she was frantic!  The look on her face was "What the crap?"  The look on my face was "What the crap?"  (and we don't even say crap)  I hollered "What is wrong with you?  You don't throw rocks at Hazy!"  I pulled Hazy out from under the couch.  As I try to calm her down, Chloe Jo just looks at me so innocently and says.."my pixie dust...I wanted her to fly, Mama." 

Maybe there really is a "Stinkerbell". 

LET ME CLEAR MY THROAT...

I'VE GOT THE BLUES...

I am almost completely gray.  By the beginning of school, I will be fully.

This potty training phase has become a situation.  I am telling you...I am too old for this trouble.  We have literally tried all the tricks.  Chloe Jo is standing her ground in this battle...it is just about all she has left to be stubborn about.  Honestly, she does not care if she has wet panties...she runs and hides as if  that is not a dead giveaway. 

We bought this Cinderella potty watch that you can record your voice on.  Every 30 minutes she hears her daddy say "Hey!  It's time to go potty...I love you."  It lights up and plays three times then the time starts over.  She runs to her brand new pink potty and sits...telling her watch I love you too...heehee    

Maybe she will go a little...but usually she waits 15 minutes then the puddle...the hide...the cleanup...the tension headache...over and over.  She tells me she does not want to do it.  I am asking for prayer in this...because I am about to lose my mind! 

BLUE AND GOLD FOLDERS...

This one is for Michelle..H-H...H-U-N...T-I-N-G-D-O-N...HUNTINGDON.<clap clap>..MUSTANGS!  haha  I bought my first blue/gold folders for my class and immediately started doing this cheer in your honor right there in Wal-Mart!  I sure am gonna miss our songs and cheers that only YOU get the full meaning of.

FEELING GOOD ABOUT THIS MOVE...

Let's just say the more I hear the more thankful I am in many ways.  Everyone likes to hear great things from time to time.  I just want to send some encouragement to my friends...don't let the drama get you down.  I love you all and hope you have a great school year!  Don't sweat it ladies...just keep loving your kids and do what you do:)

 
JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS YET...  hope you all have a great day. 

Makes we weepy...

Chloe Jo and her boys:)

 I showed Chloe Jo this picture and she says "Oh, it's TonTark, and Kywul, and Kawson, and Cole AND MRS. BETTEEEEEEE!  WOo HOO:):) 

Although I'm not their mother,
I care for them each day.
I cuddle, sing, and read to them,
And watch them as they play. I see each new accomplishment,
and help them grow and learn,
I understand their language,
and I listen with concern.
They come to me for comfort,
And I kiss away their tears.
They proudly show their work to me,
I give the loudest cheers!
No, I am not their mother,
But my role is just as strong.
I nurture them and keep them safe,
Though maybe not for long.
I know someday the time may come,
When we will have to part,
But I know each child I've cared for
Is forever in my heart!
~author unknown

What a wonderful lady!  Just like this poem says, I know how much you love her but the time has come......AND you will forever be in our hearts.  Thank you for loving Chloe Jo and for taking such great care of her and her boys.   Wishing you the best always and so appreciative for all you have done for your little "Pitter Pat".  (We sure will miss grits and butter, too.  ha) We love you, Mrs. Betty & Van:) 

Sunday mornings....

GIVING THIS TO GOD...DUH

I am telling you...Lucifer himself is at work in this house when it is time to get ready for church!  By the time we get in the car, I am questioning why I even bother??!!  I know why I do it...but for the past two weeks I have spanked Chloe Jo, cried while getting myself ready, and then ridden in complete silence all the way to church.  I have the air conditioning blowing full force trying to cool down from all the drama.  We roll in and literally slap a smile on our faces...throw Chloe Jo in her classroom...sit down on the pew and finally breathe because we actually did it!

Honestly, while I sit there on that pew I am thinking David and I must just be in shock about the spiritual attack that has just gone on to try to deter us from attending.  I find myself looking around at folks that I know wondering if their morning went any better than ours or if we are just doing something horribly wrong. 

The moment of insanity for me is when I have Chloe Jo ready and she is turning upside down on the couch.  We have hair drama every morning.  But on Sunday mornings it is WORSE!  She has been known to even mess up her hair on the way to church.  She loves church.  She always is excited about going.  SO, one would think she would be cooperative and happy.  I hope someone out there experiences these same things...no telling what she tells her teacher about her grumpy mama and daddy.    

Things are about to change...
I'm about to go pull out some "Stone Cold" next week...so watch out devil...you can take this one up with God:)






   

Rollerskating days....

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY...

As a young child my favorite thing to do was roller skate.  I had several new pairs of skates:)  My sister, Micki, got my hand-me-downs when I outgrew them. (I don't remember her ever getting new ones for herself)  I remember the white skates I got from MamaBill and DaddyDoyle for Christmas one year.  I EVEN HAD BLUE BELL FUZZY POMPOMS ON THEM!  I thought I was the stuff!

(PLAY THIS SONG AS YOU READ! HA)

When I think about skating...I get in the "MAGIC WHEELS" zone.  Oh my goodness...that was my "place".  COOL=Magic Wheels.  It brings a smile to my face just talking about it.  I can still hear Blondie singing "The Tide is High" as I made my way around the rink...feeling very cool:)   

Skating was a big part of my childhood.  Today I was looking through stuff on facebook and thought I would re-share this story.  It is truly my all-time favorite memory.

THE SKATING INCIDENT

When I first started teaching I lived in an apartment by the park in Gleason. There is a round walking track around the ball fields. JoMeagan was spending the day with me. We had pizza for lunch and afterwards came back and decided to go try out the roller blades over at the park. We made a round and were doing great...it was all coming back to me. <I was a skater as a kid> When she rounded the next corner she wiped out...not a graceful fall either. I was laughing so hard I could not breathe...of course after I saw that she was ok. Then she gets up and she has split her pants...we continue skating around with her split pants and me laughing with tears in my eyes. As we reach the far side of the park it hits me...motion sickness...I drug myself to the bench and started throwing up like crazy! When I finally stop I look up and see JoMeagan left me out there! The bad thing I had to skate the rest of the way back home...and I am a grown woman out there! I put a bucket on top of the area I got sick and I want you to know that bucket stayed out there for months! I would laugh every time I walked the track...it was my little secret! SO, JoMeagan is great until you embarrass her:)

(Let me just say in her defense...she was in Jr. High when this happened...seems like yesterday)

Don't you just love old skating music? 

Here are a few more to refresh your memory...YOU WILL LOVE THIS!

Have a great weekend, friends!
oops almost forgot this one...I do not know how...

Photo funny...

Today while I was visiting, I looked up and saw her STILL sitting there.  I just cracked up and grabbed the camera so you all could see her!  Remember the post about the statue at MamaBill's house? 

Well, here she is...

(I apologize if this offends anyone...)

When I went out to water this morning...

CATS, FLOWERS, AND 2YEAR OLDS...

We have four cats.  Hazy "MawMaw", Fozzie, Toot, and Buzz.  We acquired Hazy from the Jackson's when they moved from next door.  She is not the nicest cat in the world to other cats...and she treats her children horribly.  She usually arrives home later in the evening to come in and eat a bite and enjoy the luxuries of our home until bedtime.  We think she probably had kittens so young that it actually stunted her growth.  She is a little bitty thing compared to her children...Fozzie and Toot.

Fozzie, Toot, and their sister, a fuzzy calico, were all born in the culvert in our driveway.  Rain was in the forecast and I convinced David to try to rescue the kittens before they drowned.  With a broom in his hands, he wrapped a towel around the handle of it and somehow got all three out just before the floods came.  Sadly, the sister died a few weeks later.

Fozzie is a big, fuzzy, fat, handsome cat.  Toot is the runt of the litter.  Now Buzz, he is a whole new story.  He was a stray that came to David's parents.   David fell in love with him because he looked so much like our cat Izzie that was hit by a car.  I think we actually got him the day after she was hit.  Buzz and David immediately bonded. 

Despite Fozzie's size, he is scared of his own shadow.  You shake a plastic bag around Fozz and the look on his face and just seeing a big ole cat scramble like that will make you laugh until you cry.   He loves to be petted but by adults ONLY!  He never sticks around when Chloe Jo is around.  Toot, though terrified during storms, fights all the stray cats who come in his territory.  He is overbearing in the petting category and he is ALWAYS trying to run in the house.  (just to get David all fired up)  Buzz is a lover.  He loves Fozzie and Toot.  He loves to play.  He loves to sleep.  He loves to chase squirrels.  He loves to eat birds.  He LOVES to chase Hazy.  He loves to get on my nerves. 

These cats are Chloe Jo's playmates.  She loves each one of them so I try to deal with it.  She just can't seem to let them be, though.  So, there is always cat drama.        

What does Toot do on a hot summer day? 

"Mama, Toot scratched me....."  

THAT DARN CAT!

Our other darn cats...

Fozzie

BUZZ when we first got him...

                                                                                             BUZZ(ard) haha

Hazy (she even looks irritated here)  heehee  I am sure Buzz was lurking near her when I snapped this.  grrrr

MORE FISHIN' and SWIMMIN' and RIDIN'...

Chloe Jo gets at the top of the hill and takes her feet off the pedals.  It scares me that she may crash at full speed ahead.  The funny thing is she has done this for a long time even when she was way too young to do it.  I remember that feeling, when I was a kid, of being on a bike and catching a breeze on a hot summer day. If I close my eyes I can feel that feeling again.  Gosh, a breezy day sounds nice...

HOT Summer Days...

4TH OF JULY...

Chloe Jo and "Ahh-Ahh" waiting for the show:)

Aunt Jo rocked it on the 4th...

                                                                  See she loved it.  heehee

McKenzie has a great firework show!  This was our first year to actually be home on the 4th.  Usually we are at the lake or in the mountains.  We had such a low-key day at home.  Those are my favorite times when David is actually off work on the weekend and home with us.  We grilled at home and then met my aunts for fireworks.  Chloe Jo was slow to warm up but when we she was tucked in that night she said...I want to tell you something....that was FUN!    

FLOWER GIRL...

Well, we survived the wedding of Paige and Ernie. (you all know him as Aaron but Chloe Jo has always said Ernie and refuses to believe it is anything else!)  Ernie was soooo handsome...Paige was absolutely gorgeous...and I must admit, Chloe Jo was super cute despite her unwillingness to show her wedding smile we had practiced many,many, MANY times!

I would love to tell you how cooperative she was throughout the rehearsal and wedding.  We bribed her with Smarties candy and our plan was working well....UNTIL she saw her Grangy and Papa in the crowd.  David drug her down the aisle while she was crying and yelling she didn't want to do this and she wanted her Grangy and Papa! 

Everyone was coming up and saying she did so good...I guess they did not know what to say.  haha  That is not how I would describe her first and final trip (according to her daddy) down the aisle as the flower girl.  I know my expectations were high but I had hoped she would just for once do what she was supposed to do.  I cannot wait to see the photos. 

My favorite part was the way Chloe Jo marveled at the "big girls" as they got ready.  See, she is all about the makeup and jewelry...shoes...all the things I am NOT in to.   She accidentally got in the eyelash glue...oops. 

She thought Paige was an absolute princess. 

The first time she saw Paige:)

Showing her Wedding Smile!

Watching the "big girls" get ready:) 

QUESTION OF THE NIGHT...

WHEW...LET ME CATCH MY BREATH...

So, I get a text from my sister tonight that says a week ago she got a tizzy perm.  I have had a lot of fun with this one tonight...I have SERIOUSLY not stopped chuckling to myself.  First of all...she hasn't answered any of my text messages from the evening after telling me about the tizzy...but she knows I am on this one.  See...we all remember the time in her life when she had a perm before.

I have no idea what a tizzy perm is...she could have meant frizzy...or it may be the newest thing in hair.  I'm thinking it probably isn't the newest thing...since, I'll have to say it again...all my texts went unanswered.  My sister knows my imagination has gone wild with this!  I immediately texted JoMeagan to inform her about the tizzy.  She probably cannot wait to come home this weekend just to see how Micki is managing her 2nd perm...because after her first we really thought there would never be another.

My Aunt Reneigh and I walked tonight.  We do this thing where whatever our topic is while walking...we ask random walkers in Gleason what they think.  So, tonight's question was... My sister told me she got a tizzy perm...what is a tizzy?  HAHA  (My sister will kill me when she reads this.)  One person said if it was anything like a Brazilian wax that was TMI...really funny:) 

In my mind I envision that little girl with a perm who never combed her hair from back in the day...she said it was a bad decision and mentioned 1990.  I wish she would have called me before it happened.  I hope she will forgive me for joking around at her expense this evening.  I really have no room to talk about any one's hair...I inherited my mother's hair...the kind that just hangs and is gray.  BUT EVEN AT ITS NAPPY WORST... THERE WILL BE NO TIZZY IN MY FUTURE.       

Sister...you can run but you cannot hide.  Show yourself and your tizzy.  I love you.   



         

I HAVE to use the "s" word.....STUPID!...

BOYCOTT OF MCKENZIE...

Yes, it is true...I am giving McKenzie a break...sad since my mother and sister live there.  I refuse to drive in that town for now...that is, until I get over this traffic light citation I received in the mail the other day.  I opened the envelope in my driveway and instantly my mouth hit the ground.  I am 37 years old and I never knew it was against the law in McKenzie to go right on red at the stop light.  I even shared the news and pictures with my mailman who said it was news to him too...and I really trust Mr. Eddie.

Well, I get in my little car with my ticket and head to the police department.  I ask...Is it against the law to go right on red in McKenzie?  The guy looks at me and says...(Picture this...pinkie, ring finger, middle finger...as he counts in his AS SEEN ON TV COMMERCIAL VOICE)...you know what...this is what you got to do...when you get to the red light you gotta count one, two, three...then go.  I cannot imagine the look on my face at this point.

In my sweetest voice I say...so, you're telling me it is NOT against the law to go right on red.  I told him I had driven down to look if it was posted no right on red...nope.  That is when I pull out the piece of paper I received in my mailbox...to show him my break lights were ON in the picture.  No, I wasn't aware you were supposed to count to three...but I always look before I just pull out.  He tells me the officer with whom I need to speak is not there (of course) and to come back.

I guess I will probably just pay the 50 bucks.   That's what this is all about anyways...MONEY.  No one is accountable because a stupid computer was the witness.  I will go back next week when I calm down so I can still use my sweetest voice.  I have been driving 21 years...I've said it before...I learn something new everyday. I bet nowhere in the drivers handbook does it say to count to three at a red light before turning right.  But when I do it again...I will use in order my pinkie, ring finger, and middle finger when counting to three.  blah!     

I hate it when people think they can just change the rules in the middle of the game. 

Random Rants...

PILLOW TALK...

So last night when I got in bed David says to me he is too tired to scratch my back...he just got done doing "set-ups"...I said really...he says yeah....I did 45 tonight...15 more than last night. 

VERIFICATION...

A friend of mine's husband got in her car and says...you should be ashamed.  Your friends will never want to ride with you.  Immediately to get herself out of trouble she says...Misty's car is messy!  Later in the day I get a call from my husband telling me that he had gotten a call about my messy car.  I get a text later from my friend telling me the story and that her husband needed verification.  I guess I set the standard for what is accepted in this situation.  I will be expecting spinach dip and pita chips from my friend for throwing me under the bus:)  haha    

ON A MUCH MORE SERIOUS NOTE...

Another friend of mine's mother passed away.  Seeing her at the funeral home tonight really made me sad.  We all get so busy with life and do not make time for old friends like we should.  Before you know it you are completely out of touch.  The gift of true friendship is when you see one another again and it is like no time has passed.  You really do carry your memories and the love you have for a person... especially if they have gone through tough times with you.  I will be forever grateful for my friends...old and new. 

SATURDAY...

Tomorrow will bring quality time with family...and spice girls.  Gonna whip up some pretzel salad and ice cream sandwich cake:)  Ready for a low key night of laughter...AND JENNA...about my spinach dip???haha 

Enjoy the weekend.  Happy 4th to everyone. 

Gone Fishin...

All week long David has been saying if Chloe Jo was good then he would take her fishing.  It has been a great bribery tool for a sassy 2 year old.  When she got out of the truck she threw her hands in the air and yelled "WOO-HOO!"  

She has worked hard all week and finally made it to the pond to do some fishin' with...

JUST her daddy:)