Just When I Thought...

... that the sweetness of little boy-Mama love had given way to pre-teen, eye-rolling angst and resentment, my eldest has to go and throw me a curve ball this morning.

Sorting through schoolwork to keep/toss, he nonchalantly hands me a packet of papers tied together with red ribbons. "Ugh, this was supposed to be for Mother's Day," he mumbled. "I guess it's a little late. "

As I opened the first page and began to read the letter he had written, tears welled up in my eyes.  This child, a brilliant kid dangling precariously between boyhood and teenage awkwardness, expressed to me feelings I never knew he had. I was blown away.

Daniel and I are so much alike that we often butt heads and find ourselves frustrated with each other's stubborn personalities.  But reading his words allowed me a glimpse at the tender heart inside the often-moody exterior.  It transported me back to those little boy hugs and kisses when you felt blessed that they were oblivious to your flaws and shortcomings. It was a refreshing reminder that maybe, just maybe, I'm not the "bad guy" afterall.

My son will never comprehend the value of the gift he gave me this morning.  Belated or not, it was the best Mother's Day surprise I could have ever asked for.

My Little Celebrity

Daniel was on both Fox Sports South and the jumbotron at tonight's game.  Too funny!

Summer is Here!

The boys have been through so much transition I decided to give them a little surprise after school today (part of the surprise being tickets to the Braves game tonight).  Summertime is underway...

Last Meal of Freedom

I'm celebrating the end of school with my Last Meal of Freedom.  With a trip to IKEA for dessert.

So Proud of the J-Rock

Today was Jacob's Kindergarten play as well as his Awards Day. I could not have been more proud of this little guy. There is a special honor called the Bronco Award given to one boy and one girl who exemplify leadership, kindness, and willingness to help others and Jacob received this today! He also received the Citizenship Award and they made him a special certificate called the Helping Hand award for his attitude and how he is always ready to help his teachers and friends.  I was one proud Mama today.

The entire cast of Bugz ~ May 22, 2014

Jacob and Liam doing their speaking parts as fruit flies

A glimpse at the wings... spray paint and glitter can work wonders :)

Awards Ceremony in his classroom

A bulletin board I did for them yesterday for today's ceremony

Jacob and his best friend Liam being silly... as usual!

Ms. Emily ~ the assistant teacher in his class

Ms. Cofer ~ his Kindergarten teacher

Jacob and pal Ryder

50's day (captured from class video)

Jacob on Field Day (from class video)

The groomsmen of the Q & U wedding (from class video)

Bronco Boy -- so proud of my little man :)

Public Service Announcement

If I ever mention growing my hair out again, anyone reading this has permission to publicly flog me. My new haircut literally takes 5 minutes and I'm out the door.

I'm not kidding about the flogging, folks.

Love This Kid

Leave Jacob and I bored in a car alone and suddenly he's leaping over the seat to turn me into a unicorn. So of course I had to try to turn him into a unicorn, too.

Love this kid.

The End is In Sight

Henceforth begins the last week of school when we cram in every theme possible.  I think Wednesday is "Bring a Live Llama and Your Favorite 1980's Cassette Tape Day."

I'm thinking Air Supply or Sly Foxx"s Greatest Hits.  Ooooooh. Maybe Anne Murray.  That would teach them to theme responsibly next year.

No Rest for the Weary

Somewhere in a dimly lit office with dark wood paneling and the wrenching smell of cigar smoke is a short, plump, bald man sitting behind a desk twice as big as it needs to be. He is chuckling and wringing his hands in delight at his latest conquest. He is the CEO of Insomina, Inc. and is thrilled to have me as his newest customer.

My slumbering opportunity was chock full of promise as I agreed to a playroom sleepover to watch a movie with my eldest spawn. Drifting in and out of consciousness, I felt the weightiness of eyelids befall me and I soon gave way to a much-needed sleep coma.

That is until 3:00am when the aforementioned eldest spawn comes barreling into the playroom to rouse me.

"Mom! WHAT is that beeping?! I can't SLEEP with that BEEPING." It was only then that I heard the chirp of the smoke detector battery in the upstairs hall. "Make it stop," he pleaded. In a half-asleep, groggy state I climbed upon my desk chair and twisted the face off the device.

"CHIRP!," it shrieked, taunting me.

I squinted to read the warning underneath the little electrical wires now flowing forth from the hole in the ceiling. "To change battery, remove AC unit cap to access battery door." Then, just underneath:  "CAUTION: LIVE ELECTRICITY IS FLOWING INTO THIS UNIT."  Let me get this straight? You tell me to remove the cap off the wires which have LIVE ELECTRICITY running through them knowing this will surely electrocute me or, even worse, cause me to never have another good hair day as long as I live. No thankyouverymuch.

"Where's your Dad?," I grumble.

"Oh he's downstairs asleep. I didn't want to wake him."

Sigh.

I told him it would just have to wait until morning and to go climb in the bed with his Dad and brother. I go back into the playroom, shut the door to minimize beepage, crawl back under the covers only to hear a loud CHIRP!!! Only this time...it's coming from above my bed.

Seriously? There are now dueling beeps and my slumber outlook is now slightly less than promising. I grab my pillow and drag myself into the guest room. I would rather hear a faint dueling Beep Fest than try to squeeze in the bed with three other people (including one that kicks and one that sleeps horizontally). I close the door, pull back the covers and crawl in. I then turn on some music to drown out any unwelcome distractions and eventually drift off to a peaceful...........

CHIRP!

What?! This can't be. The detector in the guest room has joined the chorus and now I am privy to a symphony of high-pitched squeals. I begin to count the time in between the beeps much like a young child does between thunder and lightning to see if a storm is getting closer. As the sun rises, I am lying there wide-eyed listening to my music and my oh-so-enchanting smoke detector ensemble. Just then, the sun shifts and begins pouring in the window directly into my eyes. In a last desperate attempt, I pull the covers over my head before hearing the familiar patter of 6-year old footsteps sprinting up the stairs.

NOOOOOooooooooo. Not morning tickle time yet! I need sleep! I must have sleep.

"TICKLEEEEE TIME!!!!!," my youngest bellows as he leaps on top of my now limp-from-exhaustion frame.

I am out of ammunition. I have no choice but to cave and do what I do best in situations like these: TICKLE!!!!!!!!!

So much for sleep. Maybe I'll have better luck with a nap later.......

THE CULPRITS:

Warning:  Bad Hair Days Ahead

Formidable Tickle Fight Opponent

Seriously?

Happy Makers ~ May 16

Looking for happiness in the little things. Today's "happy makers":

-- wildflowers I picked during my mother's day walk with my pal Melissa

--"fresh cut grass" yankee candle...bring on summer!

-- sugar cookies baking

--my sweet Cassie

--sun tea brewing

Happiness is everywhere.  You just have to look for it.  I'm looking. 

Everyday I'm looking.

A Fruit Fly Cometh

...or four fruit flies cometh, actually.

The pieces are coming together.  I will forever have fingertips coated with silver glitter but doggoneit there will be completed fruit flies at the dress rehearsal tomorrow! :)

Comin' Up a Storm

What is that old saying, "it's about to be comin' up a storm"? Well it's comin up, down and sideways right now. 

On my way home from Peachtree City tonight the lightning danced like a fireworks show in the black sky and the diagonal sheets of rain pelted my car.  Now I do love a storm but don't necessarily love driving in one. But I made it home safely and have enjoyed the steady rain outside all evening.

Now i shall enjoy it from the garage as I go paint fruit fly wings for the kindergarten play.

Never a dull moment. :)

New Career Options :)

I am a woman in need of distraction.  And what better way than mowing lawns and painting tshirts?

It started with my yard on Monday.  Navigating the hilly terrain on a zero-turn mower proved challenging to say the least but I was proud of the result. Next on the landscaping list was my pal Debbie's yard, er, RANCH.  A different type of tractor that required jumping off (a comedy routine at its best) but the satisfaction of neatly mowed rows was pretty rewarding (and I'm actually developing a sun tan for the first time in my life!)

Now it's costumes for my youngest son's school play.  Fruit flies.  I just can't land the kitty cat or lion gig, can I? Fruit flies.  So here's the work in progress... painting tshirts. Next up: wings!

Crazy Week

Single mommin this week and it happens to be teacher appreciation week on top of it. Found these double decker storage totes to give Jacobs teachers their "sweet treats." I think I need to go back and get one for myself. They are too cute.

Power, No Power....

The electricity can't seem to make up its mind.  Woke up to candles lit everywhere and, before you go all Harlequin romance on me...no. The power was out due to the storms that hit us around 4 this morning.

Then, after I got the kids ready by the glow of my phone flashlight,  it came back on. Then it went back off.
Sigh. But hey--no laundry.  There's an upside to everything. :)

Worry

"Let not your heart be troubled..." I'm really not doing a good job of this today.

I'm on my way up to the hospital in Atlanta where my friend Cindy's mom was taken back to the ER last night after doing so well at a local rehab facility. She had been hospitalized for over 2 months following a post surgical illness but had been recovering and doing so well for the past few weeks. I got to spend some quality time alone with her a couple weeks ago and it did my heart good to have that pseudo mother-daughter time with such a dear friend that has see me through some very difficult times as well. I'm praying this is just a small setback and that she will once again be on the road to recovery.

I've also been keeping my eye on the weather as a line of really strong storms move towards Central Tennessee. Having worked in the aftermath of the tornado outbreak this same week 3 years ago, I can't help but worry for their safety.

Just a lot on my mind today.

Me and the J-Rock

There's rarely an opportunity to sit in silence with my youngest and just "be." But that's what we did down by the lake this morning. I watched the ripples in the water as he dug in the dirt with a stick. A rare treat.

One Strep for Mankind

The D-man has strep throat so we're awaiting his prescription and then it's onto the homestead for rest and healing (aka he gets to veg out and watch tv).

Can't go back to school till Monday :( When it rains it pours!

A Sad Day

We regret to inform you that we lost Katie Bodiford under a mound of laundry earlier today. "The load of towels was the final straw," witnesses report.

She will be remembered for her athleticism, her graceful dancing ability and her superior math skills.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Save Ferris Bueller fund at Coweta County Bank.

Breathing a Sigh of Relief

Today has been one of those days.

The dark sky loomed with clouds and it rained on and off throughout the day. Normally, I would relish this kind of day but my mind was twisted into knots-- one of which centered on my golden retriever Cassie and the lump we'd found behind her left front leg. We had not noticed the growth until we had her shaved for the summer. Knowing that goldens are predisposed to cancer, I made her an appointment for this afternoon and waited (not so) patiently for 3:30 to get here.

But it's not just me I was concerned about...my 6-year overheard me mention "the C-word" when explaining the reason for my trip to the vet and I was suddenly under an official interrogation that would rival any tense Senate hearing:

"I know what the C-word is, Mommy. It's cancer.
Does Cassie have cancer?"

"If Cassie has cancer, will she die like people do
when they have cancer?"

"Does she know what we're talking about?
Will it make her sad?"

"If she dies, what do we do with her body? And how will I
give her hugs and let her keep me warm if her body is not here?"

The last one got me as tears welled up in my eyes. I answered best I could and tried not to break down in front of him making the situation worse.

Jacob was somber as we waited for our turn to see the doctor and it seemed as if he were the one being checked out instead of her. The doctor came in, loved on her, evaluated her and then aspirated the lump to see whether or not it was something we should be concerned about. Cassie, unaware of the results we were waiting on, laid patiently on floor at our feet.

After a little while, the vet came in with a big grin and said "it's just some fatty tissue! Nothing to worry about! Cassie will be just fine!" Jacob, overcome with relief, dropped on the floor, embraced Cassie and just laid his head on her in silence. The doctor even teared up at that point and remarked about his obvious love for her. "You have no idea," I told her.

So even on a day of knot-twisted thoughts and dark, rainy clouds, we found a little bit of sunshine. Looks like the Cass Cass will be with us for a while longer and that is enough to brighten any kind of day.

Won't Take Me Long to Pack

Click here and take me with you. Please.

Got My Golf Fix

Bubba Watson

Well, the 2014 Masters Tournament is now complete and I must say I'm pretty excited that Bubba Watson won again. He has a bit of a renegade personality (like driving the General Lee up to Augusta) but his reaction was truly touching. His flood of emotions with both his caddy and his wife and son really endeared me to him.

Other official and maybe-not-entirely-sports-related observations of this year's tourney:

• I still love my boy Adam Scott even though he didn't play at the top of his game this year. No one can rock the light blue pants like that fella. Just sayin.
  
• 20-year old rookie Jordan Spieth almost brought it home with an impressive two-stroke lead early Sunday. But when it started falling apart he went a little John McEnroe and beat his club on the green. Keep it in check buddy. Never let 'em see ya sweat!
  
• Jonas Blixt--another rookie--played like a champ but unfortunately those blue pants were just a little too blue and would clash with the green jacket. The Fashion Gods of sports knew this and caused him to bogey one too many to take home the title.
  
• Bless Miguel Angel Jimenez's hair. Is he a retired wrestler? Checking Wikipedia now.
  
• Matt Kuchar is so nice and was wearing really sensible shoes. Like deck loafers you'd wear on a casual sailing excursion. He's like the really nice guy a few doors down that cuts your lawn when you go out of town. He couldn't find the fairway this afternoon to save his life but I like him. Kooooooochhh!
  
•  Bubba's pal Ricky Fowler played really well today coming in two under but oh-my-heavenly-day that orange get up he was wearing with that thug-looking wide-brimmed hat was killing me.
  K-i-l-l-i-n-g me.
  
• And finally, this is directed at the fans attending the Masters. No matter who you are or how much you paid for your ticket, a red diamond pattern on your pants is never a good choice. You are there to watch golf and to eat $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches and to post selfies from the game on Facebook. But please for the love of everything that is good and holy look in a mirror.

Till next year, folks.

Missed This Face

My dear friend Lara are having a sleepover tonight.  Course that's after we gorge ourselves on chips at the west end Chuys. :)

and...i have to add a funny side note as we get ready for bed...check out the pjs we each brought...hers red with black polka dots and mine black with red. Really not surprising at all :)

Back in Town

I've been back in Franklin for a little over an hour now and my first stop was my old house... And I couldn't have been more shocked.

Apparently no one has stepped foot on that property since the day we moved.  It's empty, overgrown and perhaps the freakiest part were our personal items that were still lying around... deck chairs, an old ball... very sad.

Now my friend Heather and I are sunning ourselves on the patio at McAlisters. Feels strange to be back for work. More to come.

Nashvegas Bound

At 10:30 tomorrow morning, I am headed north to Nashville to do an event at the Country Music Hall of Fame Monday night. Putting the event planning hat back on for a few days and it will be good to see some familiar faces. This planning process has been a whirlwind to say the least but everything has come together and I'm ready to see it to fruition Monday evening.

It's been refreshing to focus on doing one event well instead of juggling the details of 50 at one time. Let's hope all goes off without a hitch and that my client will think it's a success. Looking forward to being in the Music City again.

Keepin' It Real

In a recent conversation, my friend Debbie "gently" noted that my blog tends to make everything look pretty and perhaps does not fully reflect the everyday happenings of my life. Isn't that what blogs are for I retort? To have a place to relish life's little nuggets of happiness? But the truth is I agree with her wholeheartedly (but please don't tell her I said that.)

In hindsight, the not-so-happy times have been recorded on my blog but nine times outta ten they have a funny spin to them. Or, they are sad but stemming from grief of some sort and not just the ordinary, everyday, sometimes suckiness of life.

So here it is:

Katie's List of Three Things

That Make Me Wanna

Crawl Back in the Bed This Morning

1. iPhone Went Swimming-- well, actually it was plugged in on the kitchen counter right next to where I happened to be washing dishes after dinner. All of the sudden the flashlight feature pops on and I realize that the phone is sitting in a pool of water. Fried. Kapoot. Night night iPhone. And, with it being my only phone and I am planning an event in Nashville next week, I race to Verizon and have to purchase --at full retail price-- a new cell phone. Why? Because I am not due for an upgrade until JULY TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN. I am now the owner of a Samsung Galaxy 3 Mini. It was cheap and the camera produces pictures that look like Fred Flinstone tapped them out on a stone tablet. But, other than that, it'll do. One thing's for sure. I've learned my lesson about washing dishes. Never again, I tell ya.

2. Satan Called and Wants His Children Back-- for some reason, my children have selected the past two days to lose their everlovin minds in the morning as we prepare for their time at the schoolhouse. Fighting, whining, wrestling, aggravating, tattling. You name it. It definitely sets a not-so-pleasant tone for the day. I threatened to stay in the shower and never come out which, at the present time, does not seem like such a bad idea.

3. Let's Get Physical-- I'm going back to the gym this morning. And I don't wanna. That is all.

OK. Hope that shows the real me. The iphone ruining, Spawn of Satan raising, lazy me. :)

Now back to our regular scheduled motivational, inspirational, make-it-all pretty programming.

Morning memories haunt

As the cold rain falls

On the metal bucket

Outside my window

Tap

Tap

Tap

Winters last call

Beckoning me to

Give in to its grey skies

Tap tap

Tap tap tap

Tap 

Like teardrops they fall

I pull the covers tighter

And long for Spring

A friend of mine shared this and it really spoke to me:

Having No Bieber Fever Will Get You on TV...Apparently

Saying No to The Beebs?

I turned on the news this morning to see a reporter covering what he claimed was a "media circus" and a protest against Justin Bieber relocating to Atlanta. The camera then panned to show a middle-aged man in a sport coat holding a poster board saying "NO BIEBER" and two other people standing beside him with their arms folded. There was also a father and his teenaged daughter a few yards away there to support The Beebs.

REALLY?!  This is breaking news in the ATL? There were over two dozen reporters on a street corner to cover a guy with a homemade poster? I guess I'm lucky to live in a city where this is the most pressing issue we have to worry about.

Regardless of his brushes with the law or reckless behavior, do these people really believe that standing in front of a house that he reportedly looked at buying with a homemade sign is going to keep him from moving to Atlanta? And why does it matter? Are they afraid he'll draw a switchblade on them at Kroger or are they more afraid he might break into "Baby Baby" in line behind them at the Kentucky Fried Chicken?

Who knows? But there HAS to be be something more newsworthy than that going on in this town, folks.
By the way...my son's kindergarten class is almost out of glue sticks. I'm sure Channel 2 is planning to cover that at 11.

Exciting times, y'all.