Quick Take Friday

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-1-

Is it really Friday?  Wow.  Summer is in full force if I can't remember the days of the week anymore.  I guess that is a good thing. This week has been full of  the car search  STILL.  I swear, no one can blame anyone in this household with being an uniformed buyer.  I feel like I am in information overload.  The search continues.

-2-

Yesterday I was supposed to go up to the lake and celebrate a good friend's 50th birthday.   She deserves to be celebrated.  Besides being a great mom and educational advocate she is my favorite librarian... No, not this one.

 

But instead my crazy life got in the way.  Couldn't leave by 1:00 with everyone else.  Too busy taxiing the working kids -- back to "need a car!"  Around 5:00 I got hit in the head with a 2x4 that kicked my ass.  Sorry Sara. Tell your net-nanny that that is the only way to describe a headache like that.  Twelve hours of sleep and 1600 mg of Advil later and I am a little happier this morning.  But, I missed out on all the fun.  I wonder if Nan did  dance on the dock last night?

-3-

I have really enjoying my daughter's blog -- despite her recent efforts to oust the family skeletons due to her resignation that she will never be able to run for public office with a family like hers.  I had a great comment, so witty and insightful.  But it was eaten by Blogger.  Such is my life.

-4-

This morning is gloriously dark and rainy.  I am sitting on the sofa doing nothing but blog-rolling and watching Netflix instants like Veronica Mars. Watching old reunions has become a family tradition-- this has been the Buffy summer.  I guess I look at it as a way to remind my kids that girls can kick ass too.

-5-

My friend Robert has a love affair with all things Apple.  He is constantly reminding me how user friendly it is.  Well even though I really like my i Phone, I am ready to throw it out the window!  Trying to sync with my Google contacts has resulted in 47 EACH!  Help!  I mean, really, help... anyone....

-6-

This weekend we have my niece and nephew with us.  I am excited.  Really.  Growing up we were never really around our cousins.  We moved too much.  I really want my kids to know their extended families.  From both sides.  Come July we are headed to Gulf Shores with DeBuys cousins.  I think.  Not looking forward to this:  Thanks BP.

 

-7-

Well, the day has brightened up -- reminding me that I actually have housework to do today.  But at the moment I am enjoying listening to my oldest chastise her 13 year old brother about who he is friends with on x-Box live.  She'll make a good mother.

Don't forget to stop by Jen's for more Quick Takes!

Quick Take Friday

-1-

I am beginning, yet again, a new commitment to blogging.  MUST USE MY BRAIN.... OK, well the last blog post didn't require much brain work.  But, I did have to sit down and think a little.  Let me say that automatic word fill on my cell phone is ruining me.  It's like I can't be bothered with typing my own apostrophe anymore.  Lazy....and now the return key is stuck on my lap top.  Yuck.

-2-

I would be using the desk top, but  number one son is taking an on-line economics test that is due by noon... and he has to work at 9:30.  Thank goodness for the kindness of his friends who thought to text him at midnight and remind him of all that was due.  That would explain coming downstairs at 7 to find him still awake sitting at the computer.  My constant nagging wasn't getting through I suppose.  Why do I struggle so much with this helicopter thing?

-3-

My mother-in-law is in the hospital in NOLA, please pray for her.  At first they thought she had a stroke.  That was a horrible phone call to get.  Luckily she was coherent and was able to talk to us and explain what happened.  The doctor wanted to administer a stroke medication that was slightly controversial.  We had 30 minutes to decide and were the only family members they could reach.  In the end, Rhett's mom decided that she did not want it.  I have to say that in this case the doctor did a good job at being her advocate and respecting her wishes.  Yesterday we learned that it may not have been a stroke; it may have been a seizure caused by a car accident she had a few weeks ago.  There is some blood in the brain barrier that is usually caused by a shearing injury and that may have caused a seizure .  That stroke medicine could have had catastrophic repercussions.

-4-

This stuck return key is really starting to piss me off.  AND the cursor is missing!  AAAAKKKK!

-5-

Hubby is looking for a new car.  Just what we need right now!  Looks like 169,000 miles is the end for his SAAB.  The repair costs far exceed the value of the car.  You know you are screwed when the mechanic tells you it is a lost cause-- rather than milk us dry.  So now the search for a new, used car begins.  This will prove to be quite a daunting task because it takes the two of us 2 hours to grocery shop.  We suffer from information overload.  Can I ask for just a short prayer for brevity and clearness of mind as we navigate this?

-6-

My sister is here (well at mom's) for the next two weeks.  I am excited to hang with her !  I was hoping to get up to Virginia and see her new house, but I am worried that it won't be in the budget with this car setback.  Arrrgggg again. This is not where I pictured myself at 45.  That's all I have to say about that.

-7-

Speaking of budgets, we got free passes to the new movie theater by our house!  I am excited, and hope I can just go in and order a coke rather than a full meal.... What shall we see?  I really want to see Toy Story 3 and I have heard great things about Karate Kid -- that would make a great family day.  There is Sex and the City, if I want to go alone.

Well, there you have it.  Seven short thoughts on my week.  Not to whiny, was it?  Because in my head it is really WHINY.  Stop by Jen's for more quick takes! She's not whiny at all.

Lazy blogging day

Totally "borrowed this" from Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses

1. It's 2AM and you are not home. You are more than likely: Picking up a kid from a midnight premier of a movie they just "had to see" (Harry Potter...cough cough)

2. What's the last thing you spent more than $100 on? a Visa bill :(


3. What do your bank checks look like?  Checks, what are checks?  Whatever I get FOR FREE from the bank

4. Where did the shirt you are currently wearing come from? Old Navy--6 years ago

5. Name something that will be on your Christmas wish list:  World Peace, and maybe some new clothes

                                                    
6. What color is your toothbrush?    green

7. Name something you collect and tell us about it.  Children... ha.... Um, I don't collect things anymore too much clutter.  Though as a kid I had a nice collection of Madonna statues (and that is the BVM thank you)
8. Last restaurant you ate at. Who were you with? How was it?  Rhett's Birthday dinner.... what else would it be?  Chop chop at Misono

9. Who was the last person you bought a birthday card for?  My hubby.. and like I have said before I am birthday challenged.  I bought it and FORGOT to give it to him!!!

10. What is your worst bad habit?  Being judgemental!

11. Name a magazine to which you subscribe? Real Simple, Southern Living, Traditional Home and Popular Mechanics (all for $5 each -- and AWESOME Amazon sale at Christmas)  I am a magazine ADDICT

12. Your favorite pizza toppings?  If it just me?  Mushrooms, spinach and feta cheese -- but I settle for pepperoni and the pick-up one topping special.

13. Whose number were you looking up the last time you used a phone book?  Phone book?  What's that?  The last time I used one was as a booster seat for Daniel (who is 11)

14. Other than family, who is the person that you love most?  Jesus

15. What is the last thing you cooked? Roasted corn and black bean quesadillas...yummy
 
16. Name something you wouldn't want to buy used?  Underwear

17. Which shoe do you put on first?  Right

18. What is the last thing you remember losing?  My sunglasses, happens all the time.  Have to remember to NOT use them as a headband.  They end up in all the strangest places

19. What is the ugliest piece of furniture in your house?  Hmmm the plaid sofa in the basement that the boys love?

20. Last thing you bought and ended up returning?  a.... it was at Walmart... can't remember.... oh yea, capri pants that were a bit snug.  I KNOW, I didn't try them on beforehand.  Dressing rooms seriously give me the hives (well, maybe looking at this body in a full length mirror under flourescent lights gives me the hives)

21. What perfume/cologne do you wear? If none, why?  None.  Too lazy I guess

22. Your favorite board game? Taboo, which also happens to be my sister Bridget's least fav game.  But she always plays with me at the beach....

23. What was the last board game you played? Yahtzee

24. Where did your vehicle come from?  Cumming.  MANY years ago....

25. If a movie was made about your life what would the theme song be?  What I thought it would be at 18... Be Young, Be Foolish but be Happy (my senior year in HS theme song) What it is now...The Sparrow.  Because I know that He is always watching me...

26. You're sad, who can cheer you up easily?  My hubby.  The goofiest, most kind and loving man on the planet. 

27. What was the color of the bridesmaid dresses of the last wedding you went to?  Brown.  Nice, but who would have thought that in 1988?  Come on pale blue ruffled taffetta is SOOO cool!

28. What house cleaning chore do you hate to do the most?  Clean the bathrooms... more specifically the BOYS bathroom.  I have almost killed myself several times creating Chlorine gas by adding Cl to the pee on the FLOOR (yuck!)

29. What is your favorite way to eat chicken?  Chicken Marbella

30. It is your birthday. You hope the cake is? Italian creme cake.

 

Anyone else having a lazy blog day and want to link to me?  Come on, it's mindless fun!!

Quick Take Friday

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Up bright and early this morning even after a bedtime of 2:30 am!!  We got some last minute visitors last night. My brother-in-law and his son are here from NOLA to see his nephew's graduation.  (Got that?)  Let's just say that yesterday was spent in a fury of cleaning.

-2-

I learned from my lovely daughter that her friends refer to our house as "the burrow".  Now, after wordless Wednesday I was the first to admit that we are casual...I AM going to take it in a positive light.  Because Mrs. Weasly kicks butt and always makes the kids feel at home.

-3-

The lazy days of summer are here.  I find it funny that my dear friend Sara's chaos is just kicking off, and my more relaxed time is coming.   Doesn't make me want to homeschool AT ALL.  ;-)

-4-

Actually, chaos starts tomorrow.  My two oldest are soon to be co-workers.   Read excitement here.  Hopefully it will force some communal bonding.  I know they are really excited to be working for the City at the newest attraction-- the splash park.  Poor babies will be reinforcing the "pay to play" rule in an attraction that was free last summer.  I am not sure how fun that will be.  Personally, I was weirded out by the requirements for said job-- you know to say "no running" and to sell candy bars in the concession stand. 

• drug test -- no problem with them peeing in a cup
• physical exam -- that's right, paper gown and everything - scoliosis screen and "turn your head and cough".
• agreement to tell NO ONE what they are making -  written in the contract...not co-workers, prospective employees or PARENTS.  If divulged-- immediate termination.
• the only way to get paid is by direct deposit. Therefore I  had to front son some money to open an account so that he could earn money...because until he gets a job, he has NO money....

What do you think-- am I falling into Conspiracy Theory madness?

-5-

Looks like 2010 will pass without a family visit to the Renaissance Fair :(.  I know we are dorks like that.  The older two are working this weekend and either starting or ending at 2.  Makes that one hour trip to Fairburn look not so promising.  Looks like Claire will have to wear her elf ears somewhere else...

-6-

My husband rearranged our furniture AGAIN!  This time he put our old dining room table (read my grandmother's apartment sized hand-me-down) in the family room.  He wanted a game table.  I resisted, thought it looked too cluttered.  But, guess what?  He was right.  It has been used everyday---- scrabble,. Yatzee, cards.  Good idea honey.

-7-

This quick takes has become "not so quick"... but at least I am blogging again.

Check out Jen at Conversion Diary for more QT.

Wordless Wednesday

I know, it's supposed to be wordless.  But let's just say... THANK GOD for slip covers, washing machines and being non-anal-retentive.  I would have killed myself years ago if I was. 

Simple woman's Day book

Outside my window... a cool summer breeze which makes me ever so thankful as I have not turned on the A/C yet....

I am thinking... about my huge list of summer projects, which only went from the printer to under my iced tea glass while I waste time strolling through my blog roll.  I actually created it on excel so that my kids could check off on the projects they help me with. (HA)

I am thankful for... that cool early summer breeze and the fact that the dog gate I heard squeaking in the night was just my 17 year old coming to bed LATE and not the ax murderer I was sure it was at 2:30 am.  I love it when my husband travels!

From the kitchen... Finally getting around to baking the ALDI cinnamon sugar pretzels I bought ages ago.  Breakfast of champions!

I am wearing... shorts and a tank top... but I am clean and freshly showered!

I am creating... a digital photo book for my son's rowing coach.  A friend asked me to help her with a scrap book-- and I don't think I am capable of such things.  Digital is so much easier and very professional looking.

I am going... crazy...

I am reading... nothing.  How sad is that?  Unless you count culling the stacks of magazines that clutter my family room or the blog roll that just keeps growing.

I am hearing... The dishwasher, washing machine and the anal retentive whining of Jeff from Flipping Out.

Around the house... did I mention my project list?  It just keeps growing and growing. 

One of my favorite things... the lazy days of summer (do you sense a theme here?)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish graduation gift shopping (late as usual), take my kids to the pool, finish this book for Coach Dan, start one project, and tie up the loose ends from my school year volunteer commitments.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

 That little boy (look at that juicy goodness) trying to push his sister off the bridge after her 5th grade graduation, has finally crossed that bridge himself. After 14 years the DeBuys kids are out of Northwood.  Kind of bittersweet. 

 Thanks to The Simple Woman's Daybook for inviting us to join in! Click on the link to read some amazing thoughts by other woman...

                                                             

  

Quick Take Friday

Seven Quick Takes (Snow Day!!)

--1--

Snow day!  I can't tell you how amazing it was to not have to go to work today.  I am afraid that it is way to close to Christmas break and that I am getting to comfortable being home again.  I miss being home.
Summer is just around the corner - I just keep telling myself...

---2--

Back to the snow day.  I know that if I had any northern readers you would comment and laugh at how the south immobilizes when it snows.  We have no salt, no gravel, no plows.
So laugh all you want.  Sure we drive like crap in the snow.  You would too.
We are relaxed down here.  Our motto?  We'll just wait until it melts....

--3---

I live at the top of a fairly steep hill.  My neighborhood is old and thickly wooded.
Hill + woods+ snow= ICE.
Ice and hills DO NOT MIX.  And I don't care if you are from New Hampshire, Illinois or Timbuktu  you will not navigate this hill safely!  At least that is what I spent the day telling people on the street outside.  I'd say I personally saw 12 cars careen down the hill into the curb, onto the grass, or spin a 360.  the results?  One tire blow out, a few bent rims, lots of burnt rubber.  But the worst?  The run-away trailer that had been pulled by an F-250.  After jack-knifing and blocking the street completely it got away, slid down the hill, banked off the curb and hit a car 5 feet into a driveway (the blown tire car-- crappy day for them).

The worst thing, is that despite several people calling the city to complain-- we got NOTHING... no salt, no gravel, no barricades.   

--4--

On a positive note, snow days can be fun!  I reconnected with several neighbors today.  Met a few new ones.  Shared some movies with a few - can you believe there are some people out there who have NEVER seen Dirty Rotten Scoundrels?  We shared some hot chocolate with our mailman who skied down the hill on foot to deliver the mail! We LOVE our mailman!

--5--

My sister Sheilah is in Virginia these days.  Yesterday she had mohs surgery on THREE separate spots on her face.  Poor baby.  Amazing woman that she is, she posted a picture of her bandaged face from the car on her way home from the hospital SMILING.  She amazes me, truly.  I sure hope she takes advantage of my mom while she is there- and keeps Perky out of the local thrift shop and away from the cool whip.

It's just peanut-butter cups, some sugar cookies and some cool whip....oh my!

--6--

I feel very efficient this winter.  By the end of the winter my wooded back yard might look half way decent.  We have been burning anything and everything from back there.  Well, anything not covered in a hairy vine.  Because we all know that this is POISON IVY, and it can be nasty when burned.  Another thing we southerners just instinctively know. 

--7--

Christmas is almost put away.  :(

I think I might leave the snowflakes up indefinitely.

I like them.

Stop by Jen's for her Quick takes!

Saving Frank

You know that old expression  you never see a dead cat up a tree? 
I actually heard it for the first time a few weeks ago when a friend mentioned that her neighbor's cat had to be rescued removed from a tree (hence proving the old saying wrong...)

This afternoon I heard it again.  Only this time it was Frank, my dear friend's cat, who was up the tree-- at LEAST 40 feet up.  He had been up there for two days.  We have had record low temperatures.  The wind-chill was 5 degrees... Thankfully, Frank was cold but alive and well up there on his perch.  He was just not willing to come down.

With no success after calling the power company, the fire department, the local news, the vet...,  Bri and her kids did everything to get him to come down on his own.  Yummy food, treats, yelling, throwing sticks.  He was too high for nerf darts and the tree was too big to shake or bend.

Frank wasn't coming down on his own.

In desperation Bri called our house looking for a chainsaw to cut the tree down. 

Who am I to not help a friend in need?

So we show up en-masse  ready to  help extracate Frank.

The chain saw did not cooperate, despite coaxing.  It was having performance anxiety. 
Ry tried shooting Frank in the bum with an airsoft...  no luck 
He settled for using his newly acquired knot skills to tie the pull rope to the tree (good Christmas gift Claire!)
She and E suggested psychological ways to coax him down (ah, girls)...  no luck
The little boys just ran around in circles
The big boys young men opted for the physical route-- chop it down with an axe.
 
Which they did
With great force
(picture soon-- when I can figure out how to get pictures off my phone)

Watching Frank ride that tree like the Silver Surfer was a thing of beauty.  A quick hop and a skip before touchdown and he was off.
Hopefully NOT up another tree.

2009 --- It's in the past....

January brought devastating news about my sister-in-law Biffy.  Rhett and I made a trip down to visit and hold her hand and pray.  Claire went back to school and life went on -- at least for us here in Atlanta.  It would also bring my baby's 10th birthday.  Who strangely asked for a fondue party?

We, of course obliged.  Because we LOVE fondue. 

So do Mumma and Poppy!

February  brought about some stir-crazy kids and the death of my lap top. I also chaperoned our Sean's orchestra trip to Savannah for the GMEA convention.  Isn't he handsome here in his tux?

 

February would also bring a newly confirmed Catholic!! Sean's sponsor, Uncle Rob, was in Iraq.  Here he is with the rest of the family

March  would begin my   fascination addiction to Facebook.  You can see a direct correlation between this addiction and the number of blog posts from here on out.  While I love FB, I would become disenchanted by it as we learned of the death of my mother's best friend Cate, via FB

Throw in the obligatory Irish celebration, the annual church party...

and a LOT of rowing,  and chaperoning a GREAT group of kids from church on retreat.

April would continue with more rowing...and a quick trip up to Charleston the visit the girlie and play tourists.

May saw the end of the rowing season...the end of the school year -- my first employed school year!!  Sean turned 16!  God received 2 souls into heaven, our friend Judith our friend and neighbor Erin, who was only 17.  We would celebrate Mother's Day by giving mom a gift that she would, OF COURSE, return...

June would bring the whole clan together to celebrate the baptism of the newest member of the family and finally another girl! Welcome to the world Keira Rose!

The rest of June would be spent poolside enjoying our cousins before the Davidson's next move to Virginia.

July would bring sadness.  My dear sister-in-law Biffy would lose her battle with cancer a short seven months after her diagnosis.  I was blessed to be with her at the end and pray everyday that she is at peace with our Lord and is looking out for me

.

  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 2 Timothy 4:7

August brought the back to school frenzy and one-day, round-trip jaunt to Charleston taking the girlie back.  Not something you want to do frequently. Once again I will have 4 kids in 4 different schools, and I am the mother of a 19 year old!  YIKES.

September would bring more rowing.... more carpooling....and lots and lots of rain!!  Our rowing club boat house would flood 3 times.  Each time would involve shoveling the remnants of sewage overflow -- YUCK
October brought the sought after Head of the Charles Regatta

November was full of Thanksgiving goodness.  The girlie came home.  Family fun was had by all

December brought Christmas fun and sad memories of Biffy's struggle.  Ryan would finally become a teenager!  We would also have another basement flood and a broken hand on Daniel.  We spent the holiday snuggling in front of lots of fires in the fireplace watching movie after movie.

 

2010 HERE WE COME!

Old friends

I grew up here in Atlanta.

Well, let me take that back -- I went through puberty here in Atlanta.  I consider that growing up.

By the time I got to high school as an 8th grade "sub-freshman" I had started my 7th school.

That would have been THIRTY-TWO years ago.  Yeah, you heard that right.

A lot can happen in thirty-two years.

First love and the inevitable heart break that follows,

Leaving the nest

Weddings -they are the easy part- and MARRIAGE

births and deaths

Toddlers and TEENAGERS (sometimes together)

laughter and tears.

I have been blessed to share these times with these lovely ladies.
Aren't they pretty?
We don't look old enough to have known ANYTHING for 32 years, let alone each other!


I must say we all look much better when not sporting plaid skirts and saddle shoes.

"The best mirror is an old friend."
--George Herbert

Old friends are a mirror to your old self.  You know, the one you see in the mirror when you wake up-- before you rub the sleep out? When I look at them I can see myself 16 again, ready to take on the world.

Old friends not only remember who you were and know how you got where you are now,
they still like you.
 
Or are at least willing to have lunch with you every once and a while.

Who is your mirror?