Tuesday, September 26, 2006

It's funny because it's TRUE!

Those Born 1930-1979!

TO ALL THE KIDS

WHO SURVIVED the
1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we
rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats,
booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and
NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank koolade made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because .

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were
back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day.

And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms........

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house
and knocked on the door or rang the bell,
or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.

They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned

HOW TO

DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them . . . CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as
kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives
for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they
will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Blood in the Water

I swear- they can smell it. Like sharks.
Or dogs, who sense your fear.

I was having a bit of an "off day" today. Just tired, not in the best of moods... Cotton went to work at 8AM and isn't home yet at 10:42PM.

The kids have done nothing but fight, cry, climb, smear rainbow cupcake icing into my carpet (that was shampood FRIDAY!), spill drinks all over the house...

The dog has been out of this world HYPER. The dog walker never showed up today either, go figure.

The cat has actually been very sweet, and out of sight, most of the day. Good kitty.

My point is- any other day, these guys wouldn't be so bad. But they sense it! They KNOW that I can't handle it, so they heap it on! I SWEAR it!

I'm so ready to have some chocolate and go to bed. Tomorrow will be better. It has to!

Thursday, September 21, 2006

A Krysta original

I've been sewing again. Here is what I've come up with: a pointelle turtleneckneck dress with matching palazzo pant leggings. I was nervous about it, until I put it on ANOTHER Krysta original. And boy is she original! Lol! She totally makes the outfit, of course!

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Baby's got a tummy ache today, hence all the ear holding. :o(

The good news- I've taken orders for 4 of these outfits! 4 OF THEM!!! WOW!!! And I just finished it and showed it to everyone last night!
4 is the limit, because I'm all out of the pink and zebra fabric. GO ME!!

2 outfits go to Susan, as payment for all of the gorgeous bracelets she is making us! I've got to brag on her a little- she does such great work!
One of them matches this outfit-
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Thanks for looking!
I just love designing, and I get so excited when i finish a project!
Next on the list halloween costumes, then the all-important Christmas outfits! I can't wait!

Puppy love

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Here's to new friends!

Today I hosted a playdate for the hometown girls. We had a pretty good turnout, and everything went great!

It is always fun to make new friends- but friends that live right down the road are awesome!
Everyone in the group is so sweet. All of the kids are just too cute, too. Jacob and Lucy had a great time today.

I can really see myself bonding with some of these girls.
There's a cop's wife, a crafty momma, and another dog lover just to name a few- Plus just being moms, and living in the same town... we've got a good start right there.

The seeds are planted- lets hope some beautiful friendships begin to bloom!

Friday, September 15, 2006

I've just read something that makes me want to puke






Breed specific legislation.
A possible holocaust of pit bulls in California.
And after California passes it...? Is my Emmitt next on the list?

How could you want to kill this angel? His best friend is a cat, and after that- a 2 year old girl.

Punish the deed, not the breed.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Dog update

He came and got her. Thank goodness.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Double double trouble

4 kids and 2 dogs- last night and today.
The house is a WRECK! I'm tired and hungry!

The extra kids just went home, thank goodness. I love them to bits and pieces, of course- but having them that much at once is tiring!

The extra dog- we're waiting to see. She had an owner last night, but he may have changed his mind. We may be the recipients of a dumped pup. :o(
She's Emmitt's sister, and she's a sweetheart. They are having an absolute ball together- I'll almost be sad to see her go. If she does go, that is.
Cotton has been calling her owner every hour, since 8AM, to no avail.
Anybody want a sweet female AmStaff?

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Another wondeful photographer

works with my kids. This time it was my very talented BFF- the lovely Christine!

What can I say? I am obsessed with having their pictures taken!

I'm trying to build a collection from every photographer I know. ;o)
One day they'll all be famous, and I can say "I knew them when..."
Check it out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/poutyface/sets/72157594281913321/

Also- big thanks to Shannon for the poofy dress. Obviously the girls of the family are making good use of it!

If you love these pictures- tell the artist! She is damn good, and she doesn't realize it yet!

Oh, and if you happen to be an "up and coming" photog, and want to build your portfolio by doing a free shoot- pick us! Lol! The word of mouth advertisement will be great for your career! ;o)

Monday, September 11, 2006

one more...

Because she's too darn cute!

Abby loved her dress! She was spinning and twirling...

scroll on down

if you want to see more hunting pics. I'm adding them to the original post. :o)

Going through photobucket takes forever and a day- but it is SO worth it to FINALLYYY get my pictures on the blog!!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Pageant mom... erm, I mean AUNT!

Pageant Mom sounds better- but Brittany gets the credit for these little beauties!
My nieces were in their first beauty pageant this weekend!


Beautiful Kelsie...



Adorable Abby...




Good luck, sissy!



Unfortunately, though, the way these things work is that there can only be one winner. A bittersweet moment for the family, but (drumroll please...
Introducing
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Little Miss Blue Ridge 2006
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KELSIE JOE!!!


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Blowing kisses to her adoring fans!

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There's the proud pageant mommy!
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Abby with her roses

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And of course- my little beauty had to get in on the action just a smidge... so she swiped a bouquet

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Saturday, September 02, 2006

Sept 1st- a Redneck Holiday

Opening day of dove season!
Woohoo!

Since I am not a redneck- I wasn't all that excited. My favorite part of the day is cute father/son pictures. Lots of those right here!

The "getting ready to leave" shot
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9-01-2005- boy has he grown!
We miss you, Toby (sometimes, lol)!


Cotton (and I'm going out on a limb here, as I haven't researched his bloodlines) is a full redneck. Lol. My son, therefore, is 1/2 redneck. So this is a BIG day for them.
They had tons of fun, they've been twice so far this weekend. I'm sure they'll go twice tomorrow...

Here they are with all of their gear


Jacob has his gun, all ready to go


"show me how you shoot the birds"


"C'mon Daddy! Let's go!"


Papa joined the fun, of course!
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(this shot is courtesy of "Pooh's photography." Isn't he getting GREAT?)
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Riding in the truck
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I guess Daddy was hungry? Lol.
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Cotton giggled forever- waiting for me to empty the camera and find this...Niiiice one, Honey.
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Here's the boy in action
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Yes, my precious baby is holding a dead bird. At least it has it's head.
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One of the cutest and sweetest things Cotton has ever said to me, in 7 years, was as they were kissing me goodbye yesterday.
He said "Thank you for giving me a son to do this stuff with." Awwww! You are very welcome!
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I could just eat him up with a spoon

he's SO sweet!

Jacob did this life-sized self-portrait at school. Apparently the teacher asked them what their dream was when they grew up. Some examples of his classmates' dreams: to be a mommy, to be a cheetah, to be a clown, to be a teacher... and my absolute favorite (okay- my 2nd favorite) one said "My dream is to be 5." Lmbo! Kids are great!

Here is Jacob's


Can you read it?


"My dream is to be like my daddy."

"Bee-sets" and a "Jessie hat"

A girl can't leave home without 'em.
She LOVES those annoying little rubber bracelets that come 12 in a pack. I buy her pretty beaded bracelets, and I even tried to tempt her with a silver charm bracelet the other day- No go. It has to be that particular kind! Oh, and of course, she has to wear all 12 of them at once.
Then I got her this hat on a tip from Brooksy, and she actually wants to wear it. Every. Single. Day. Everywhere we go, with any outfit I put on her.
I think a lot of moms would balk at her get-up most days, but I gotta let her be who she is! The kid cracks me up!






Then she wanted to ride the horsey at the grocery store, in her "Jessie hat"... could she get ANY cuter? I honestly don't think anyone could! (not to be that braggy mom or anything :blush:)






Note to everyone that loves my curly haired little princess...
ANYthing with Jessie the yodeling cowgirl from "Toy Story 2," and jewelry are the top 2 on her list to Santa! And that Jessie stuff is hard to find- so keep your eyes peeled!

Friday, September 01, 2006

Sept 13

That'll be my BLOG's birthday!
I have been browsing over the last year of posts... reminiscing.

I think I'll throw myself a little party. With cake. MMMMMMmmmmm... Cake!

I'm so happy...

my eyes are wellin'!

My little brother graduated boot camp yesterday!
I want to hug him so bad!



Isn't he handsome?

You go, Bonk! I'm so proud of you!

Woohoo!




Fall soccer is upon us!

I've only been looking forward to it since, umm... the end of spring... and now it's HERE!
I sent out my little email to all the parents. We've planned the first practices and the big team meeting...

We've been making calls and dealing with a uniform situation that is just fubar. Why would you NOT be ABLE to have uniforms ready for the first game?
Yes, this is the shop that is run by the same people that make the schedule. The very same ones that only gave out team rosters this week, so that we could contact parents to ORDER uniforms- that won't be ready until after the fist game! AAAaaargh! /vent

Anyway... I think we may have all boys this time. Unless Brynn is a girl- which I have no idea. That name could go either way.
We have our MVP Luke back, along with another Luke, and a Lukas. That'll be fun. :oS

I am really hoping that Jacob remembers everything he learned last season! Just as he was starting to get aggressive, and WANT the ball- the season ended!

First practice is TUESDAY!
Stay tuned for pictures!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Cass Cass has a b-day

We went to a GREAT birthday party Sunday!
Tons of fun. :o)

Someone snapped a few shots of us, and I really love them- thought I'd share.

She asked Jacob to give Lucy a hug, and he didn't- lol- but Punkin just leaned her little head over on Jacob's shoulder. Awwww!


And a rare, but always appreciated- picture of me!




And a VERY Happy Birthday to one of the cutest kids I've ever had the pleasure to know: Miss Cassidy!
We all adore you, sweetheart. Everyone that knows you does!
Thanks for letting us share your big day!