Exceptional Voyage: 2008

I have been eaten by the holdiay rush monster!!!!

I can barely STAND it!!! HELP! I'm stuck in Holiday Hoopla! Actually, I'm doing much better in terms of organization this year - but things are just BEYOND busy. I don't want to come off like I'm more busy than anyone else by any means because this time of year makes EVERYONE nuts. I just want to say WHEW! I'm glad it's almost over - and sad at the same time.

I guess the first item up for discussion is our Thanksgiving trip to Dallas. We spent a good portion of it at TX Stadium with my niece rehearsing for the Thanksgiving Dallas Cowboy halftime show (she's a Jr. Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader - JrDCC).

We had to be there by 10 on the day before Thanksgiving. The girls got some meet and greet time with Demi Lovato and then they rehearsed the anthem and creating the pom pom flag.
Ok, for someone who gets teary when I hear the anthem - imagine the inner torture when I heard it about 5 times. ENOUGH ALREADY, you're killing me!! I couldn't decide if a good bawl would fix it - but then I would look like I was abused for the rest of the day. So tearing up each time had to suffice. I was already a little emotional because I had taken the picture of the stadium - with thoughts of, "that might be the last time I get to be at TX Stadium as I know it" before we even entered.

Cowboy's (my cowboy - not the Dallas Cowboys) horseback riding instructor is single and there's been a running joke that I need to hook him up with one of the cheerleaders. So while we were there, I KNEW I had to get a pic of Cowboy with a cheerleader. My nieces friend has a BigDCC as a sister so when Nerdfish and BIL brought the boys at 3:30 (that's when the Jonus Brothers were rehearsing), I was yelling at Cowboy to hurry down the stairs. He was absolutely clueless and I kept telling him to walk around people to a different aisle than I was on. The cheerleaders mom kept saying "Come on, jump on the field hon, hurry" and he kept looking at me for validation - visibly CLUELESS. Once he got down there the mom said "Go ahead, stand next to Sarah - we're going to take a picture of you dear" he threw on the best smile without blinking an eye. She thought that was the funniest thing. Isn't he cute though?? Kind of in need of a haircut though. Ok - she's cute too but in a disgustingly gorgeous kind of way.

Cowboy and Itchy (and their cousin J) enjoyed watching the Jonus Brothers rehearse, the cheerleaders and of course THE PYRO effects. However, after hearing the song for the 4th time, Cowboy was baffled "Aren't they going to play a different song?" Heheh - the kids were getting restless so Nerdfish and BIL took the littles home. SIL, niece and I finally got out of there at 6:30 after hearing the JoBros sing that song another 5 or so times. My niece was super excited because she was 'stationed' right at the stage and I'm pretty sure it was heaven for her - I mean she'll be 12 next month. She touched Nick's foot during one of the rehearsals and said she would never wash her hand again. LOL she was upset when she realized it only took her 20 mins upon getting home to take a shower and wash all remnants of her teeny bop dreams away. I told her she'd have another chance the next day (Thanksgiving) at the game. They left to head to the stadium at 9 on Thanksgiving and we stayed home - the tickets and parking to the game were OUTRAGEOUS (even for the cheerleader families) so we just watched it on TV. Only my SIL and niece went. We didn't do Thanksgiving dinner until about 6:30 when they got back home so it was pretty quiet most of the day. My camera didn't have the zoomability (or a longer battery life) and I'm still waiting on close-ups from my SIL - so that's the only pic I have of the JoBros. You can really only pick out Nick from the bunch with the black guitar strap across his chest.

Nerdfish and BIL went fishing every morning except for 2 I think. Mostly because they had wounds, blisters and were sore. Oh to live and work with such injuries! They rotated out the kids on the boat so they all got a shot. Nerdfish caught several fish - you know making sure he still holds that title of "fisherman" high within the family. I think they all had a good time though and that's the bottom line.

I really enjoy our visits home - their older boys have turned into great guys and we had the best time joking around and just enjoying being around each other. The oldest nephew will be graduating this year and then heading off to college. I made sure to savor those memories with him. I miss the family terribly though. I wish we could figure out some way where we lived in the same place but for now, it's not going to happen.

Anyway - as if you thought you could get out of it...here's a few more pics!

Remember all that talk about the power of Neenee? Apparently it works for my BIL too.

Here's the whole brood of boys. I'm so happy I forced them into a quick picture. Little peanut on the right was about to break free from the grips of our oldest nephew within the next breath so I was lucky. I wish my niece was in this shot but I think she was already in bed. These are the same kids (except for the two youngest ones) that were in THIS post/picture so it's neat to see the progression. Our godchild is holding Itchy on the left.

Itchy and my niece.

Oh I almost forgot....a few folks asked what I ended up telling Cowboy about the tooth fairy and I just told him that she had already gotten 'buzzed' by his head hitting the pillow the first time. She did have to come for a visit the next night. She had to make another visit this past week for Itchy but thankfully she DID remember and we didn't have to chalk up another entry for reasons why I SHOULDN'T win Mom of the Year.

I'll update more soon!

I'm A-L-I-V-E!!

I know I've been missing since Thanksgiving - WOW - how did THAT happen? It feels like I wrote my last post just yesterday.

Anyway - I'm trying to dig out of bags of gifts, suitcases and dirty clothes. I'm hoping I'll update on our past months events soon.

In the meantime, I have a thought for you....

As we were driving home from Ohio the other day we saw a sign at the driveway of a home - not unlike any other sign...you know, advertising that they have "Hay for Sale" or something like that....but what WAS different about this sign was... "Used Cows for Sale". Ok - see for the next 5-10 miles or so I contemplated exactly what this meant. In NO way did this ever come out looking 'pretty' and something that I would actually want to buy.

WRONG I tell you - simply WRONG. If my purse, with my camera, wasn't buried - I would have whipped out my camera...also if we weren't in such a hurry to get home - I would have turned around. I really wish I had now.

Ya'll be good...

We're going to be out of pocket for Turkey Day so I just wanted to let ya'll know why it'll be quiet around here.

I'll give details on our field trip when I get back...it was quite entertaining to say the least.

gulp

What have I done?!?!?! WHAT HAVE I DONE!?!? I volunteered for something weeks ago - I think it was the end of September to be exact and the date is upon me tomorrow and I'm regretting my decision IMMENSELY. Of course, if I had made any other decision it would effect another person so I guess I had no choice.

What is this awful task you ask?!

I signed up for a field trip

with the whole first grade - oh yeah - FIRST GRADE

to go to the Tennessee Aquarium.

That's an hour and a half drive from here.

*blinks* yeah I said 1.5 hours! 90 mins - 5400 seconds - ONE WAY

We have to be at the school in the gym by 6:15 AM (YES A.M.!!)

We will load up on chartered buses - THANKFULLY - so the kids will get to watch a movie on the way there and back. I picked up Wall-E for the ride home and they get Nemo on the way there.

We should get home at about 4-4:30.

Thankfully our class has PLENTY of chaperons since the aquarium is always busy. We should each get only 3 or 4 kids to watch over and we''ll all meet up later. But sheeesh - the whole bus thing is going to be NUTS. Itchy couldn't have gone if I didn't simply because of the food allergy situation. Monitoring a new environment and keeping him safe comes with more burden and not one I'm comfortable with putting in the eyes of someone that doesn't deal with it on a daily basis. The school would have provided a nurse to go with him (well I would have forced them to) but I still feel more comfortable helping out myself.

So ya think taking a bottle of tequila is a bad thing??? Yeah - you're right - 6:15 might be a bit early for that - how about Valium??? I could always clean the bottle on the way home.

------------------------------
Oh and by the way, for those that were wondering - the Cowboy tooth fairy saga, I said "it must have been because you had already 'gone to bed' and she didn't get the message you had lost one".

He had a horseback riding lesson later that day and his instructor came and gave him a hug. He IMMEDIATELY told her he lost a tooth - showed her the lovely gaping gum hole and she said "AWESOME!! How much did the tooth fairy bring you?!" Yeah when he said "The tooth fairy didn't come last night" all eyes were on me....I'd say there were 6 people in the room. Yeah - DEEELISH! That's a warm and fuzzy "Mom of the Year" feeling for ya. All I could do was cover my face and shake my head. Thankfully he explained that he had already been in bed and that's why she couldn't come - but DANG! It's one thing if *I* confess the error of that slacker fairy - but for him to rat her out....OUCH!

Can ya roll down the window?!?!

SO Cowboy and I were driving to his homeschool supplemental program and we're listening to music...not just listening to it - we're be-boppin - singing to each other, just enjoying our drive regardless of any smirks or looks we get.

He proceeds to ask me "Can I roll down the window?"

What??? I turned off the stereo so I could hear him.

"Can I roll down my window?"

"Well of course not, it's FREEEEEEZING outside"

I turned back on our be-boppin tunes...I look in the mirror and see he's pouting. Oh that boils my skin! There will be NO pouting.

"Get over it Cowboy, you're not rollin' the window down, now don't let it ruin your day....or mine."

"But I just want to roll my window down" Can you SEE the steam coming out of my ears?!?!

"What on earth did I just say?!!? Drop it - don't ask me again - stop pouting and lets enjoy our ride to school."

I turned the music on AGAIN with a sigh and a quick prayer - "please let that be the end of it"

I check in the mirror - he's not pouting anymore - just kind of nodding his head to the beat. Then he said something "Can dkgalkjgdfh;lasdfkjh?"

"WHAT??" I turned it off again.

"What did you say sweetie?"

"Can God hear through windows? Because I just want to sing and worship Him and make sure He hears me. Can He hear through windows?"

BEEESHEEEEEOUUUUUP Yeah that's the sound of me feeling about the size of an ant.

"Yes dear - he can hear through windows but if you think it'll help - roll down your window and worship Him"

So for all of those people in the Nash on this freezing morning that heard Toby Mac blaring in the streets and a little boy rock'n out this morning - join in next time - just roll down your window. ;>

I ALMOST made it!!

Dang, I couldn't be any closer if I tried. Here we are...what....weeks away from the end of the year and I disqualified myself for "Mom of the Year" award. I was THIS CLOSE PEOPLE! I am GREATLY disappointed in myself. How on EARTH could I let my peeps down???

You see as I was waiting for the quiet calm of two sleeping boys to take over the house last night - I heard one shuffling around, climb out of bed and go into the bathroom. Fair enough...then he, Cowboy, approached me with a beautiful baby tooth. He must have been wiggling that thing big time while trying to get to sleep. So as I write this, I'm trying to come up with the best excuse for why the tooth fairy forgot to visit last night.

I'm thinking that 'because your head had already hit the pillow and sent the signal to tooth fairy headquarters - you had all your teeth - there are no re-submissions'. I could say the tooth fairy had her annual dentist checkup and it appears she was slacking this year....instead she was getting cavities filled. I could say there was a tooth losing epidemic in Ireland and she was too busy...she couldn't make it. She's not as quick or as good as Santa so every once in a while some kids have to wait until the next night. I could say that '4 mountain' (technical term I'm sure) teeth have last priority on the list since the kids are older and sometimes they have to wait for two nights....perhaps a week (figured I could cover myself in case I forget tonight). I mean, those teeth are bigger than your regular front teeth and require much more effort from the tooth fairy to carry them back to headquarters.

I could certainly sneak up there and swap it out now - but at this time of morning, he wakes up if I breath funny. I'd much rather try to follow a fib than get caught in the act of swapping. Plus, through my experience, it'd be easy to go up and swap out - if they hadn't of misplaced their tooth fairy pillow - we had to go with the tooth in a zippy under the pillow theory. I've learned that fishing under the pillow to FIND the tooth is just as hard sometimes (so you don't wake them up)...as say...remembering to be tooth fairy. I'm not sure which one I will use, I guess we'll see what actually comes out of my mouth when he asks....or better yet...oh, I might just be a genius...HOLD ON....maybe I should ask him why he thinks she didn't come. *smirk* Oh yeah, the genius is spilling - 'scuse me while I go clean up. Maybe I can still make "Mom of the Year" afterall ;>

Fx4 and a whole lotta thanks.

It's FRIDAY!! (OK, well not technically...but close enough) That means it's Candid Carrie's Fantastic Funtastic Friday Foto Finish Fiesta. When you're done here...go check out it out!

Dear Neenee,

Hi, it's me, mom to Cowboy and Itchy and savior of your a$$ quite often. I've been gathering my thoughts, cleaning the house and doing some soul searching. During my soul search I have focused on being thankful for the little things in life. Then there you were, on the floor, under the kitchen table, just BEGGING to get impaled by a chair leg later when the boys got home. I went through my mental checklist and for the life of me don't see a year or check by your name as having been given thanks. I now realize the error of my ways and I would like to make amends for my omission of thanks the previous years.

Who would have known that the Easter Bunny, of all people, would bring a family angel into our lives in 2002. I do want to apologize for forgetting to put a blue bow on you like I...err the Easter Bunny promised in the store. I bet that was upsetting to wake up Easter morning and realize for the rest of your days you were going to be a girl.....oops, sorry bout that. However, Cowboy was so excited to see your cute little face, he immediately became attached to you, pink bow and all. Let's not forget how you got your name. At the time when Cowboy got you, he was 4 years old and his speech was still very bad. Instead of repeating Bunny - he could only say Neenee. It warped into Deedee at some point when Cowboy got his sounds confused - but you have always gone back to Neenee.

I must say though - for a clump of fiberfill, some furry fabric and a pink bow, you have been a rock in this family. You stand watch over my boys and never complain. You get stepped on, dropped, thrown and tugged every which way at least a gazillion times a day - yet you still maintain your sweet demeanor and slight smile. I've sewn you up, washed you and done my best to keep you safe. You've had COUNTLESS things spilled on you - not to mention suffered a few bleeding wounds. Yeah sorry about that too - those few months when Cowboy would get bloody noses in his sleep, who knew a boy could bleed so bad? Also - who knew you could soak up so much of it?? I'm sure it was quite a surprise when I whipped out version 2 of you and put version 1 in a box. I told Cowboy I gave you a bath - you looked WONDERFUL DAHLING...never better. Those next few weeks you didn't get the sleeping love you usually do since we had you sitting on the night stand watching over him every night. Thanks for helping keep him calm. You've also been to numerous doctor appointments, speech, OT and PT appointments and several hospital visits. You've helped keep us...I mean, them, calm through several procedures and if you aren't involved, you're the first thing they ask for. You definitely helped them keep from getting scared in MANY situations. When I was so sick this year and last, the boys gave me the honor of sleeping with you since you are so good at making people better. You have influenced much laughter and also been the reason for several arguments and time outs. You're one busy bunny! I'm just glad that we actually had enough wits about us to purchase all of your doubles from the shelves in 2003.

I'm happy when Cowboy got too old for you, three years ago, Itchy took responsibility of making you as his lovey too. Oh that reminds me...yeah - TERRIBLY sorry about that whole night time potty training with Itchy....that was a tough one wasn't it??? I guess that explains Version 3 and Version 4. Dang you get upgraded just about as much some software!

Regardless, I just wanted to say thanks for your contribution towards our family unit and dynamics. I have to admit - you are a cute little bunny...but it's been almost 3 years since your version 4 update and you're starting to look a bit...well..rough to be honest.

You're stuffing has gotten all wompajawed from being held in the center, NICE BUTT! Your fur is all clumpy now and your bow, well I'm not sure we could call that a bow anymore...maybe a wadded knot.

We have been TIRELESSLY trying to purge items from this house and in the midst of it - we have to make some pretty harsh decisions. The boys have gotten rid of some stuffed animals from the annual GrandEasterBunnyParent gift box. We've taken pictures of each of them so we can remember them...but I certainly don't want you to end up like Yellow Bunny as pictured below, R.I.G. (rest in Goodwill). So please, do you think you can hang in there for maybe another year?? I'm all out of versions and I'm not sure you can handle another full wash. Oh and while you're at it - make sure the boys don't look in the shoeboxes under my bed - where you'll find v1, v2 and v3. That might REALLY bring up an awkward moment.

Love you....
The bunny wrangler and only other female in the house...Mama Nik

R.I.G. 2008

Nicknames...Aliases...Codenames

I've never been big on nicknames - I mean I've been called different names throughout my life - not all of them have been vulgar either, but I've never held onto a name that long. Itchy has earned a new nickname in his classroom this year since he's one of two with his name. Let's just say that it sounds like Pace but more like the Windu variety. Only those Star Wars fans will understand that one. He thinks it's cool and it's something we've always called him...but to have his whole class call him that, he gets a kick outta it. I wouldn't prefer that he have a nickname but I would much rather him have that than being called first and last name or first and last initial...or just last name or even just by the first letter of his last name (like hubby does at work).

Cowboy had a birthday party two years ago where we used a secret agent theme. When each child got there, they drew a secret codename out of a bowl, put on a derby hat, a mustache and I took pictures of them and made them secret agent ID badges. So we've also had the secret codename going around too. For the record - Cowboy was Tumbler and Itchy was Digger. I think I ended up being FireStar and Hubby was Mustang. Even here on the blog I've handed out the nicknames - Cowboy and Itchy. I occassionally call them by those names IRL too.

Each member of the First Family receives a codename for Secret Service purposes. Former first codenames include the Clinton family, who were referred to as Eagle (Bill) and Evergreen (Hillary), and the Bush family which was Tumbler (George W.), Tempo (Laura) and Sheepskin (George Sr.).

The Obamas now have codenames beginning with the letter R. Barack Obama will now be known as Renegade. Michelle as Renaissance, Malia as Radiance and Sasha as Rosebud. I personally think Maverick would have been a good one too o;>. Ok, I *HAD* to do that - sorry.

Seriously - I found it hilarious that Cowboy had the same secret code name that George W has. Afterall, he thinks he's the president of this house. I also get a big kick out of Sheepskin for Sr. Why does that sound so wrong to me? It almost sounds like an insult. And don't you think there is SOMEONE on the force that BAA's everytime they say his name? Even if they do it mentally - it's not the prettiest picture.

Anyway - I answer to all nicknames - so do my kids because I call them various things - they have a laundry list. At least I don't think anybody can make animal sounds after they use my nicknames....ok...maybe the clean ones :>

I have a confession to make....

I LUV the Titans. Yes that does say LUV because as I've been told by Itchy, that means you REALLY love something. At least that's his response when I try to get him to write LOVE vs LUV. So I LUV the Titans.

As a girl growing up in a burb of Dallas, you can imagine my love for the Cowboys. I never really cared for the Houston Oilers. Truth be told, I didn't care for their uniforms and that turned into me not liking them at all. We then moved to Tennessee and my love for the Cowboys stayed strong but I started breaking off a bit and actually being interested in what other teams did. Then 1995 came around and word got out that the Oilers were coming to TN in 1998 - what??? We were getting our own team?!?! YAYAYAY!! Then the thought crossed my mind, "What about those AWFUL uniforms though??"

It turns out - there WAS going to be a new name, logo, etc...because honestly TN Oilers just doesn't seem right. There was 1 year where we had the TN Oilers and that was while they were waiting for their new stadium to be built for the 1999 season and they played in Memphis. Tennesseans got to help choose the name of their new football team, I can remember the names Tornados, Rattlesnakes and Titans being the main front runners. The fans came up with the choices and I could be wrong but I think Bud Adams made the ultimate decision.

It was announced December 22nd at around 11:00-11:30 what the new name would be and they showed the first logo for the helmets. Seems kind of silly that I remember that date, but I was in labor with Cowboy and I looked at the clock - made Nerdish turn on the TV because I KNEW they were announcing it that day. I was so excited, well not that I still had 3.5 hours of labor still to go - but that I (we) now had a football team!

1999 is when they went to the Super Bowl and they had the Music City Miracle with hottie Frank Wycheck. I remember it being somewhat magical around town. TONS of Titans support all over the city. Several of the players lived in our neighborhood so we had signs at the entrance congratulating them on making it to the Super Bowl. It was COOL!

My interest waned a little (knocked down to love status) in 2004 when the team let go or traded a few of the players I really watched. Then PacMan Jones came around in I think 2005. My interest in the Titans shifted even more because through all the years, they've generally had a great group of guys and been on the more classy side of things.....but adding PacMan did not bode well with me after losing players like Derick Mason (who went to our church), Samari Rolle (whom we saw quite often) the year before. Both of those guys did a lot around our city, were genuine and didn't act gangsta every chance they got. I rejoiced the day Dallas took PacMan and returned my Titans obsession from love to LUV once again.

So that leads us to this year. I love football and I LUV that my Titans are 9-0 so far this year. They are partially mine BTW - I was one of those fans that suggested Titans. I'm happy that in the storm of the economic problems we're having and the the bickering and ill feelings elections bring - that our state once again has a euphoric feeling about our Titans. It feels downright good.

I love going to a 'fru-fru' (as Nerdfish called it the other day) restaurant after church on Sunday and them having TV's on all over the place with the Titans playing. Nothing says Fru Fru to me like being dressed up, eating great food, coloring on the paper table cloths and playing tic-tac-toe with the boys while watching the Titans. What a GREAT family moment! And the fried goat cheese salad is to DIE for! I sure hope my Titans finish up strong this year...that would make the salad even better.

So in closing - who/what do you LUV? (beside the obvious - family, friends, the Lord, etc)

waving wildly

I'm here! I'm here!

Thanks for the message Shannon...it whipped me back in shape to jump back on! I have been away from my computer these past few weeks...well it's been away from me - we had a fight and it wasn't working well - it won for a few days until I got a new part. I could have used the computer upstairs but it is SOOO slow with blogger, I just get frustrated and forget what I'm blogging about.

Anyway - I'm back. I'm finally FEELING better after a third round of antibiotics and I'm DONE with football AND soccer. I can't tell you how liberating that is!!! I'm a new woman.

I have been reading and staying up to date with everyone. I've been thinking about ya'll! I'm highly jealous about the Blogger-meeting extravaganza, wish I could have made it! I loved seeing all the photos. Each and every one of you are beautiful!

I'll get back in the saddle here soon though.

Friday's Foto Finish

It's Friday and that means I get to dig in photos and play Fx4 initiated by Candid Carrie. After you've taken a gander here, be sure to go check out the other fun fotos!

These photos are from March 2003. Nerdfish's sister and her kiddos came up for a visit and we did pictures in the park. Itchy and their youngest were just babies so they aren't in this swing photo but they did get in a group photo. We tried REALLY hard to get a good pick of ALL of them. It was absolute torture for all of us. Naptimes for babies, hungry kiddos...just not pretty...we got some acceptable ones, but it wasn't until we took the babies out of the pic and let them have more fun that we got good pics.

Here's the older cousins. Our godson is the one in the back. The 12 year old to the left is the cousin Cowboy resembles quite a bit at the corresponding ages. Cowboy is 5 years old here and the girl on the right is the only girl amongst our two families. Poor thing.

Yeah that first photo is cute of all of them...but I LOVE this one. Cowboy decided to go on a tickle fest. He almost got a genuine smile out of girly girl even!

Urban Crack

Today was our mom's breakfast. A group of about 6 of us from the school meet up for breakfast at Cracker Barrel once a month or so. We always have a good time and we leave right before the lunch rush hour starts. My close friend and I usually go shopping afterwards so it's a nice day.

However, today I got there first and I was sitting at the table waiting for the rest of the ladies to get there. I was looking around and saw this man sitting at a table on the other side of the room. I noticed his hair -it was highlighted. He stood up a few mins later and grabbed his newspaper and stuck it under his arm and walked quickly past me and in to the bathroom. I was sitting at the table that faced the store entrance. I knew exactly who it was...Keith Urban. But then I thought - at the Crack?!? Maybe not. So another one of the ladies walks in (right as he walked out of the bathroom and towards the front door) and she said "Did you see Keith Urban just walk out of here?" So we giggled that if it wasn't Keith Urban, the guy sure missed a good chance, maybe he should be a decoy. Another lady got there and said "I could have sworn I just saw Keith Urban pulling out of here in a Bentley" LOL I don't know many people that AREN'T the real deal to drive Bentley's though.

Living where I do, we see stars quite often and at what would seem like odd places. I think why a lot of famous folks enjoy this area is that people rarely approach them here. The girls started talking about who all we see around here and where. The one similarity in all of them was the fact that nobody approaches them. I guess I'm happy for them that they've got a nice place to live/visit without being constantly hounded.

Anyway - I enjoyed my Urban Crack this morning :>

The SIXTH meme...

Carabee over at Land of Bean tagged me for an interesting meme. I love it!

So here are the instructions:

Go to your sixth picture folder then pick your sixth picture.

Pray that you remember the details.

Tag 5 others, leave a comment to let them know they've been tagged.

Well lets see - most of the pics on this computer are relatively new since this is a new computer so I'm going to use my picturetrail site as a basis since it has older photos.

This is a picture of Cowboy on the 4th of July in 2005 which would make him 6.5 years old. We were at a friends house for dinner and he 'climbed' this tree. To him - this probably felt like he was 30 feet off the ground...to us, all those trunks meet in the middle at the ground so he was barely off the ground. However, I love how he feels he is being such a daredevil and his reckless abandon. He thoroughly enjoyed the moment and in return - we did too.

Thanks Cara - It's really hard to just pick 5 because I would love to see everyone's 6th! I'm going to pass this fun adventure onto:

Fx4

With Halloween quickly approaching, I thought I'd share some of the boys' past Halloween costumes. Any pictures "pre-Itchy" are on another computer so ya'll are saved from the full bombardment - rest assured I will make you suffer another day through them. Cowboy has never liked having stuff on his head or face (thankfully he's MUCH better now). Every Halloween was an adventure - and betting game - one whether he would actually wear the costume he picked and tried on or we would have to alter it in some way.

2002 Cowboy had a different costume that year, he was going to be a fireman - when it came time to wear it he acted like it burned his skin. Not the kind of FIREman we had discussed - I told him you're NOT actually ON fire - you put OUT fires. Didn't work, so I ran quickly and grabbed a white sweatshirt (he would wear those hoods) and made Sharpie spots (didn't need to have scent dogs around us then - you could find us anywhere) and cut up a black tshirt to make the ears. Itchy based on dates is 2 months here? That doesn't seem right at all - he's gargantuan! Regardless - anyone for "light as a feather, stiff as a board"?

2003 - this seems right - Itchy would have been 14 months here - he's got the girlie curlies workin. Also - even though I got a smile out of Cowboy - he is LOATHING every second he has that helmet on. Notice the hands are READY to rip it off his head.

2004 - Yeah Cowboy wants to get the stuff off of his face and the hat off.

2005 LOL poor Cowboy - that mask stayed on all of 5 mins. Itchy was in HEAVEN - he loved being able to take his lightsaber around. The mask didn't stay on the whole trip of trick or treating but he did good. Plus the cape was just long enough on his costume that it floated/dragged just like it does on Vader in the movie.

2006
I have no clue where this picture is - I'll have to look through old archives someday. Cowboy was Flash Gordan and Itchy was a Storm Trooper. Itchy didn't want to wear the helmet and of course NOBODY knew what he really was without the mask.

2007 - this was the year he went trick or treating with Friendgirl and she was the Bride of Dracula (yeah, remember I said they were an old married couple - I guess the real truth of how long they've been married came out last halloween). The only thing Cowboy lost was the teeth before they went trick or treating.

2008
Itchy is going to be a ninja and Cowboy is going to be a Gladiator. What are your kiddos going as??

If you'd like to join in the Friday Foto Fun Fiesta - please go take a look at Carries site to see how to enter. ENJOY!

Follow up...

Here's is a followup to the Flock of Seagulls post I made a week or so ago.

This morning Itchy is getting ready and I look at him and notice his hair is a little whompajawed so I tell him "Go fix your 'do dude" in which case he responds "I dunno Mommy, I like it, makes me look like an evil GEEEEENius, do I have to?" and does an evil laugh.

Ok - WHERE did he get THAT from???

At least he didn't say "makes me look like a ballerina" or something like that. LOL

Fx4 - you BIMBO!

So do you think they get many women drivers??

I was driving down the street and actually made a u-turn to get this picture.

If you'd like to join in on the Fun Friday Fiesta with Carrie - head on over, you won't regret it!

Getting help from the little people....

So yesterday I got some new cough medicine (I was able to SLEEEEEP!! YAY!) and antibiotics (or was that the day before, not sure it's the cough medicine that has hydrocodone in it so I'm a bit loopy).

ANYYYWAY - today we had soccer and football games to tag team...I got home and Cowboy and Nerdfish took off fishing. Itchy stayed home "to take care of Mommy". I think he really just wanted some Xbox time without some interference from brother...fine with me.

So I told Itchy I was going to take my medicine and probably just lay in bed for a bit. He asked if he could get my medicine for me. I told him no, I'll take care of it - I didn't want him messing with medicine. So I get up, he said he wants to see it and smell it, so I poured it.

As I'm starting to drink it...."Eeeeeeewww Mommy, that looks like PEE! Does it taste like pee???"

Thanks for the help hun! Needless to say it was hard to drink it down.

Fx4

I found this a few mins ago...found it appropriate for Friday's foto finish fiesta and flashback Friday.

I'm thinking Itchy had a rough night sleep'n - sure made me giggle when he woke me up. Awww and he was still in those little romper onesies for sleepin. *sniffle*

Flock of Seagulls anyone?

If you don't know what Fx4 is all about...head on over and take a look at Candid Carrie's Blog, she provides with all sorts of Friday FUN! Well and Saturday and Sunday - since sometimes it's hard to catch everyone in one day.

Ohhhh - editing to add that I just noticed the AWESOME October giveaway at SITS for a new Photoshop Elements 7! Go check it OUT!

General Babbling...

Not much going on here except I'm on cruise control.

The weather FINALLY feels like Fall today!! WHEEEEHAWWW! We have gone from high's in the mid to upper 80's to high of 71 today. YIKES! I don't have the right clothes pulled out of bins yet for this! Guess that will be my task for the day.

I finally sent Cowboy's football coach an email about what an a$$ he's been. The first line of his response "you are absolutely correct". Well of course I am dingus! I didn't spend a good 5 hours working on an email to be wrong. I would have sent it to the football director of the program...but he IS the director. At the Tue practice the week before they had told Cowboy to go work on this position with your dad at home for the game on Saturday - then worked him again on Thur in the same position - but didn't play him in the game in that position. He DID get to play a WHOPPING 50 seconds though! Yeah, you don't give my boy FALSE HOPE - MAMA BEAR WILL WHIP UP ON YA! At practice last night, the coach came over and THANKED me for the email and reminding him what is really important on the field. I believe his email said something like "if only more parents would communicate like you do....blah blah blah" Whatever - go blow smoke up someone elses wazoo, it won't work on me - you done pissed me off! Of course last night on the way to practice I told Cowboy he better play his little heart out because he had something to prove last night...the coaches were going to be watching him pretty close (he didn't know about the emails). They did too - it was a TOUGH practice, kids getting hurt, Cowboy was bleeding in 3 different places and two kids actually got into a scuffle. I am HAPPY...no wait ecstatic to report - Cowboy showed up to play last night - he was hittin hard, knock'n people around and really showed he DESERVES more play time. And for those that remember the problems we had with a coach two years ago...yeah it's the same coach. We had a different one last year. It'll be interesting to see how much play time he gets in Saturday's game.

Dawn - you had asked how The Muz got her name? Well when my oldest cousin (you know, the one that determines the name of the grandparents?) called her grandmother, she could only say grandMuzzy and it stuck. So for years and years and years we all called her Grandmuzzy. It turns out, once you are grown and get married, you somehow drop the Grand and just call her Muzzy. For purposes of the blog - since she had the BAD TO THE BONE koozie - I thought that The Muz gave her more street cred. LOL

I'm*STILL* sick and I'm downright angry about it. No sympathy please, just send cough drops. I've already been on one round of antibiotics and if I'm not better by tomorrow, I'll go get a different flavor. I went through this a few years ago when I had pneumonia and while I'm not that sick yet - I'll be there soon I'm sure.

Because I've been sick and exhausted, I have been a master slacker on handing out comment love. I'm terribly sorry ladies. I have been keeping up with ya'll, I just haven't been able to comment. I do all of my whacko schedule stuff, come home, crash, wake up, do more whacko schedule stuff, crash again....etc. We went to church Sunday and I came home, went to sleep - slept all day Sunday (except for when Nerdfish brought me lunch and dinner) and then slept late Monday morning. Thankfully Cowboy woke me up at 10am and reminded me we had school before it got too late. Since I homeschool Cowboy, calling in a sub isn't an option..

I'm also trying to help out my good friend that's been afflicted with Bells Palsy. I'm picking her kids up at Itchy's school every day and taking them home...helping out where I can. I know if I had it, I wouldn't want to be seen outside of the house. She did take THE medicine that is supposed to make the time you're face is paralyzed much less - for her sake, I hope so - it's driving her nuts. We DO talk on the phone quite a bit lately since we can't get out and do fun stuff together. I'm amazed we can understand each other on the phone with me hackin' and her talking with half her mouth. I may surprise her with some cheap mexican food for lunch tomorrow.....and lots of napkins. LOL We might have to call ourselves drool'n hack sisters.

I've seen the news and I sure hope the ladies in ATL and the Carolinas get some good gas flow soon. Nothing is worse than sitting in those gas lines and wondering where you're going to get your gas. GOOD LUCK! I also heard the gas lines are back up to 100% over there...we went from 85% of the gas station WITHOUT gas to only 50% in a day...hopefully your recovery will be that quick. Man, imagine those tanker drivers....do you think they are being stalked?

I guess I'll end it here - like I said, nothing major going on - just cruise control. I hope everyone has a good rest of the week and weekend!

The eye of the tiger....

Ya'll have heard me talk about Cowboy and how he has a kind, gentle heart. His love for animals (namely horses) supercedes anything in the human world. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure a horse could step on me and he'd ask the horse if it was ok. SERIOUSLY! Like I injured the darn horse or caused it to step on me! He's also got a soft spot for anyone that has special needs....as he's had a long and winding road himself. He definitely celebrates any obstacles they have overcome and helps them when he can. He had a friend that used a walker and he would come slamming into Cowboy to say hello and Cowboy wouldn't even flinch. Said friend now walks without a walker and every time Cowboy sees him he comments about how strong he's gotten - how awesome it is that he's walking without a walker and says how hard he must have worked. Find an animal that has special needs and it's GAME OVER. He still sends little letters to a horse (whose name is Courage) that we worked with 3 years ago that can't be riden because it was stepped on as a colt and has a deformed back because of it. Courage was shy until Cowboy started talking to him and feeding him. The occupational therapist that owns the horse (she intercepted him before he was put to sleep because of his deformity) called Cowboy a horse whisperer since he also helped her other horse.

So months and months ago we went to buy fish. He found a fish he REALLY wanted (just goldfish folks so it's not like we're spending a fortune). I told him he could pick two and Itchy could pick two. When they had both made their choices, we got the store clerk over to start the great chase to get the fish. I always feel like a dork when talking to those fish tank people...."hey my boys want only this one and that one....out of the 30 you have in here.....CATCH IT!!" I mean what do you say "oooh you almost got it!" "nope that's not it" Talk about putting pressure on someone! SHEESH!

When Cowboy points out which two he wants I say "whoa! Wait a second, you don't want that one...it's missing an eye, he could be really sick and make our other fish sick." I know there is some kind of mangled fish disease or injury that can take an eye and make it really gross. He proceeds to tell me that even a one eyed fish needs a good home. "yeah honey, but he might not live that long, you realize that don't you?" "yes I do, but I will love him for as long as he lives". Sheesh - can your own child make you feel insignificant enough?!?!

So now we have Cyclops who really only has one eye. You can't even tell where the other one was supposed to be...it's as if he was born with only one. Cyclops is still alive and kicking (or swimming in his case). We have to be careful when we feed the fish though - the other fish dart around and grab all the food - since Cyclops can't see on one side, he misses a lot of chances for food. We usually hang around and try to scare the other fish off until Cyclops has had a few bites to eat.

Nerdfish and I were laughing the other day how we somehow get the weird pets with some kind of quirk. He of course opened my eyes (I won't say that too loud) that Cowboy gets it from me. What is the saying....you reap what you sow??? Why.....because I found a BLIND ferret running through our neighborhood and I scooped it up and made it mine while Nerdfish and I were dating? Or what about that baby bunny that was being attacked by a mockingbird and I tried to nurse it to good health? The ferret lived for years and years....the rabbit made it two days. What about the time I cried...ok sobbed when I hit a DEAD deer on a dark highway? I also have a tendancy to "ditch the truck" (as Nerdfish would call it) to avoid hitting an animal. I beg to differ, I rarely cross the curb or side-line...I might throw someone through the windshield by braking - but rarely do I cross the line.

PISH!!! Yeah...Cowboy is NOTHING like me...........

He can't drive yet! o;>

Watts Bar Lake Part 4!

Here's all the fun misc pictures from Watts Bar.

I'm sure I don't have to explain myself too much when I say this is one of my favorite pictures as well. This is a picture of The Muz (88 years old) and Itchy. He has the most mischievous look on his face - but the thing about The Muz is she LOVES that side of him - she gets the BIGGEST kick out of it. One of my friends sent her a koozie that had her name on it and it says BAD TO THE BONE. She brought it with her and used it the entire week while we were there. Thanks Jackie (if you read this) - I told you she loved it!

I thought this was a peaceful photo as well. I just want to go back and sit next to her again.

Betcha didn't know we saw Wall-e while we were there! He musta been looking for Eva LOL

As I mentioned - Itchy has a way with smack talking and being a little mischievous. Again, something we're trying to tone down. Well, you also don't want to play WAR with him because he CHEATS! What on earth am I going to do with this child?!?! He's a HEATHEN! At least he's an honest heathen...you can ask him if he's cheating and he'll fess up immediately.
First he bamboozled my mom....

Then my dad....

Nerdfish got in on the action.

I love my mom dearly but sometimes she's a bit OUT there....okie - more than sometimes. We all used to live in Dallas, Atlanta, and TN so we are familiar with the heat factor. They have since moved up to OH and acclimated to the cooler climate. I thought the woman was going to melt!! Not only that, she thought it would be perfect and quite stylish to wear headbands to help with the sweat. What a hoot - snag her some leg warmers and she's ready for XANADU! I think the only place I would have felt comfortable going with her IS a Xanadu audition. She even MATCHED them to her attire! ROFL At least when she's as old as The Muz I can tease her about her wonderful fashion sense for lake attire. Unfortunately, this is the best picture I have of her with her trendsetting accessory. Also, check out how smooth that lake was...Nerdfish loved showing off the speed of his new toy on that kind of water.

When The Muz got back from her boat ride, she was a bit wind blown - here she doesn't look like she had a good time but she hooted and hollered some.

I actually got out on the boat one afternoon with Itchy and Nerdfish (when Itchy made his big catch). I didn't catch anything but trees. Oh well, I didn't want to show up the boys anyway.

That brings us to our final family picture as we say goodbye to Watts Bar. I felt it only appropriate that I take a picture in all our lake attire glory...it wouldn't be the same without Olivia Newton-John. We had a GREAT time...I can't wait until we can do it again sometime. Thanks for everyone that has commented on our photos - I do get out of control with them but they are our story.

Adding a pic for Lizzy....and Jen B....

I wouldn't show my forehead and "need'n to be tweezed" brows for just anyone hun ;>

As you can see - it's starting to bruise. One small bruise over the right eye and a BIGGUN over the left and where it cut me. LOL kinda gave me wrinkle forehead with me looking up. Almost looks like from that angle I might be working a black eye too. Nice!! Oh well....here I am in all my Xbox slapped glory.

Jen - oh my gosh - how awful that customers are saying that!! I'll let you know if I get any comments - maybe not if my bangs can keep it covered.

Xbox gives me a HEADACHE!

I decided to wait until tomorrow to post the misc trip pictures. I know I've given you picture overload so I thought I would share a somewhat funny with ya'll for today.

Ok - I have been fighting a cold/crud since we got back home. Matter of fact The Muz caught it too which in an 88 year old woman is a little alarming - thankfully she went and got medicine to head off pneumonia before it settled in.

ANNNYYYYWAYY...it's been awful with the sinus headache and the cough - nothing is cutting through the cough. I have coughing fits that make people think I'm about to keel over in their store. I can see "Do I need to call 911?" written on their faces. My good friend gets a kick out of it - at least she tolerates it...I guess she could hang up on me or plead busy but she doesn't. She just tells me "you'll get it here in a second".

We've been soooo busy lately and with the little amount of sleep I've been able to get with coughing, I was looking forward to Sunday since all we had was church - then home. I was going to spend Sunday RESTING....trying to get rid of this sinus headache and cough. I know that's why I'm not getting any better...I've only been getting MAYBE 3 GOOD hours of sleep a night.

So I had a family meeting and let everyone know under no circumstance were they supposed to come to me. If their head fell off, they needed to try to put it back on. If they cut their finger, they knew where the band aids were...and if anybody was hungry - they knew where the food was.

I curled up and got all situated on my chaise lounge...bag of cough drops, kleenex, drink, blanket, remote controls...I was SET! I did go in and out of sleep but I felt like it was good sleep which is what I was looking for. The Titans won too so that made me happy.

When it came time for the kids to go to bed, I was still sprawled on my lounge and told the boys to tuck themselves in bed or nag daddy about it. I leaned back about to enjoy the quiet part of lounging when Cowboy leaned over the balcony to tell me he loved me. The chaise lounge is downstairs and the balcony is right above. I heard him GASP so I looked up and coming right for my face was an Xbox controller. It smacked me right in the forehead. I yelped and let out a little cry and my husband came running in and looked at me...he gasped too.

I knew it was an accident so I tried not to make a big deal out of it...I'm sure Cowboy felt bad enough. Once Nerdfish shuffled them off to bed the tears started coming and I couldn't even get a word out. Nerdfish asked me how many advil I wanted as he was heading back down the stairs - 2 or 3. I told him it was a 4'er. He brought ice over and I was still crying which was a HUGE mistake since crying adds to the headache factor. That's when I felt it - the golf ball on my forehead and the blood. I had been hit in 3 spots - 2 lumps. 1 HUGE one above my eyebrow with a cut and 1 between my eyebrows. It hit my nose too.

Needless to say I had the headache of champions and STILL DO! It's still pretty swollen but I imagine it'll bruise up pretty good here by the end of the day. I should officially look like I've been beaten. Today isn't much of a problem...it's tomorrow - I'm supposed to work up at Cowboy's school/church and then I was going to help out at Itchy's class too.

I've talked about Monday type hangovers before...Mangovers - today I TRULY know the meaning. Who knew xbox controllers were so heavy when dropping from a second story balcony?

As I've mentioned in someone else's blog...I DO try to find the positive in life. Considering my headache is so bad I can hardly think - the only thing I can come up with is.....

AT LEAST I HAVE BANGS!

*OR*

We could use that as a basis for a science fair project - the speed and force in which an xbox controller falls and smacks your mom in the face theory.

Watts Bar Lake Part 3 - the PRIZE

Thanks for all the comment love about the art of fishing...now for the prize of fishing. We're asked all the time if we catch and fry or catch and release...we are indeed a catch and release family. Both of my children are mortally wounded if I kill a spider, I can't imagine what kind of therapy I would have to pay for if I actually killed a fish. Wait - let me rephrase that - if Nerdfish killed a fish - because I certainly wouldn't do it.

At the dock, there was TONS of blue gill and the boys honed in on the right bait to use and without exaggerating, they both caught 25-30 blue gill a day. I have a picture of each of them that I'll show you. ROFL - just kidding - I'm a freak but I'm not a weirdo. Sheesh :P

I guess we'll go youngest to oldest. Itchy's first blue gill catch. The Muz is in the background (my grandmother).

We took him out on the boat one evening just to have an "Itchy and Us" moment since Cowboy usually goes with Nerdfish - he caught his fist Bass. I called him Bass Master after that because he wasn't fishing - he was just telling ME how to catch a fish. LOL STINKER I love this picture because of the proud daddy moment too.

Cowboy's first blue gill.

Cowboy's big catch of the week. This happens to be one of my favorite pictures of him too.

Then there is Nerdfish...Day one.

Day Two

Day Three

He caught a good size one at the dock too but I didn't get that one. You'll also notice there isn't a picture of my dad with any fish. Poor guy bought and used just about every lure in Bass Pro Shop and didn't catch a thing. Nerdfish showed his giving side and offered to let my dad reel one of his in once he hooked it. ROFL I also didn't catch any - but yet I only made about 7 casts before we could tell a storm was moving in and we better high tail it back to the house. Believe me, the wind was AWFUL.

Regardless, I think all the boys enjoyed fishing and just being together. I know I loved watching them do their thing. I have a group of misc pictures I'll post tomorrow.

I WON THE LOTTERY!!!

Okie not really - but it's similar.

If any of you have caught the news lately or live in the Southeast - you're familiar with the gas crisis facing the larger cities. Hourly waits in line for gas...and MANY gas stations don't have any at all. Not just that - you could wait in line FOREVER and they run out of gas while you're sitting there.

*I* was smart enough (I'm not saying other people aren't - I'm just saying I had more forethought than others) to fill up on Thursday. So when someone else of driving age in our household - I won't say who - realized they were on E and might not make it HOME from a soccer game - imagine my frustration. Since I was out and about with Cowboy and his football game and horseback ride-a-thon, I kept my eyes open for gas stations that HAD gas. Figured once I got home, I'd grab a nice magazine, take someone elses car, I won't say who, and sit in line and read in the quiet confines of the car - KIDLESS.

I went and sat in line for the gas station at the corner...not for long at all, when they ran out of gas. I then drove to the other one that had gas on my route home from the football game but remembered hearing someone at the BBQ place say this other one had only received 2000 gallons earlier and were limiting everyone to 10 gallons of gas. I thought - wow - could I make it back there in time?!? So I went and sat in the line - and sat - and sat - creeping...ever so s.l.o.w.l.y.

I GOT IT!!! I was one of 200 people lucky enough to get gas at this little town store today!! YEEEHAAAWWW! It's not actually 10 gallons it's more like 9.94 because you had to stop the pump at 39.93 (everyone was following this rule as there was a policeman standing there at the 4 pumps).

I would go back and buy a lottery ticket - but I'd have to use some gas for that. LOL I think I'll stay at home.

I promised fishing results pictures today - but I spent time sitting in a gas line. I'll post them tonight or tomorrow.

Friday Fun Foto Fiesta - Watts Bar part 2

As I mentioned, one of the reasons we went to the lake was so the guys could go fishing....and boy did they fish....and fish....and fish....and fish. Here's all of the pics of them actually FISHING. I'll show the rewards of their fishing tomorrow :> If you didn't catch part one with it's pictures...head on over HERE.

Here's a few of Itchy fishin'.

What form.....

What a great BIG EYED expression...

Just because I love it.

Yeah - I think we're losin' him....20 mins is about all he can handle.

The lessons are never ending...."this is how you get the fish off the hook"

Cowboy is TOO cool to be caught sitting and fishing.

Cowboy fishing with my dad on the bank.

My dad. It did get a little chilly out there one morning.

Tune in this weekend for pictures of their fish and misc fun pictures.

If you haven't already done so - please check out Carrie's Fun Foto Friday Fiesta!

Our trip to Watts Bar Lake Part 1

I'm going to have to separate this into several different days...maybe a week ;x I know I'm awful about taking a lot of photos but I realize it even more when your son yells from the backseat..."Hurry Mommy, take a picture of THAT before the light changes". I'm happy he appreciates the stories we tell with our pictures - but I draw the line when he turns into Steven Spielberg. Leave my picture taking experience ALONE...save up for a camera of your own little boy!

After Nerdfish (DH) caught his big 'ole fish about a month or so ago, my dad called and told us to find a cabin or house on a lake nearby where we could all meet up (including MY grandmother) for a week vacation. There were rules...it needed to allow pets and have enough room for us all to 'live' comfortably for the week. When we started looking through pictures of cabins and such I would hear comments (on the phone) from my mom about "oooh, they've decorated real country haven't they? I don't like that" "that's a little too rustic for me" I started worrying. I mean certainly she's not going to dismiss one because it has country decor???? IS SHE??? My dad ended up sending me a link to one that was GORGEOUS but it wouldn't really work well for the boys or The Muz (my grandmother) because of steep inclines and lots of stairs. After seeing the price he was willing to pay - I forwarded him the link of the house we ultimately ended up choosing. Granted, in THEIR eyes -it's pretty RUSTIC. LOL what do they expect out of a lake house right??? Besides, we're there for the lake - boating - fishing and the top priority...the company. Not the decor or if it had modern style lighting or updated furniture.

So we packed everything up and headed out!

Junk, luggage and food.....CHECK!

Two blue eyed boys......CHECK!!

Parents......CHECK!!!

Boat hooked up and ready to go.....CHECK!!!

On our way up I talked to both of my parents when they arrived and they both commented "it is RUSTIC". I begin wondering how on earth my parents will possibly survive in such deplorable conditions - I mean SHEESH! After all - it had EVERYTHING we needed...it was a 4 bedroom house - three baths - personal dock with canoe and paddle boat, board games, volleyball/badminton net with gear, playhouse for kids, ping pong table...the works.

So tell me, is this too rustic for you??

Here's the walkway down to the dock....