Tuesday, April 29

Katie needs your support!

Katie Knell of Mount Juliet, Tennessee has been nominated by her teachers to represent West Wilson Middle School and the state of Tennessee at the Junior National Youth Leadership Conference (Jr. NYLC) to be held in Washington, D.C. this summer.

This important opportunity is offered to 5th and 6th graders across the country who demonstrated maturity, academic excellence and are considered to have strong leadership potential. Attending this program will help her develop leadership skills by meeting, and learning from, important leaders from the past and present.

Imagine if you had been given an opportunity for this kind of experience when you were twelve years old and were unable to participate for lack of funds.

Katie's participation in the conference depends on whether she can raise $2,000.00 in sponsorships. Her tuition is due by May 16, 2008.

Your sponsorship support of any amount is greatly appreciated!

You can purchase (1) bouquet of lollipops for $5.00..each bouquet contains 5 lollipops. I bought 2 bouquets this morning at Stylemasters Ltd, 11381 Lebanon Road #B, Mount Juliet

or

You can contact Katie at: ejknell@comcast.net to purchase some of these yummy bouquets!

Hurry! Get your lollipops today and let's send Katie to Washington, D.C.

Belated Birthday..

Another April baby...my sweet friend Rhen turned 32 on the 24th! Go visit her and leave her some belated birthday wishes:)
I understand that you like chocolate? Well this cake looks like it is right up your alley:) Yummo!


Photo: Aunty Pam's Chocolate Cake via theage.com .au


I hope you had a wonderful, fun filled birthday..you young thing:)

Birthday hugs,

Sunday, April 27

17 years ago..

Samuel E. Hardaway III (Trae)
April 27, 1991 (Saturday)
(Original Due Date: May 3)
6 lbs. 11 oz.
21 inches
4:31am
Birthing room #1

He looks a little banged up in his first photo..he had a rough entry. I was 18 years old..and my body hadn't really fully developed(I was 95 lbs. when I graduated from high school)..I was 118 lbs. when I delivered him. They used forceps & suction on his head. The Dr. pulled so hard..the suction came off while she was pulling and left sort of a hematoma on his little head. Still today he has a bald spot, the size of a quarter where no hair grows. Thankfully he has the super thick hair from my side of the family..and you really can't see it until you are giving him a haircut.

Gosh..I am still trying to accept that I am a mother to 17 year old..time has gone by so quickly.
It was exciting when he turned 16..we gave him 2000 Black Mustang..I guess I didn't realize that 17 would be right around the corner. This year Rich & I bought him a cell phone (KRZR Z1)..he has been eye-balling this phone for a few months now.

Trae was attending his youth group class Wednesday..he told me they discussed "Stupid Parents"..apparently there is a book available for purchase with that title. Mainly it is parents that don't care about there children..or just don't communicate well with there children. I asked "Am, I a stupid parent?" He said "No, mom." "Stupid parents are like the mom across the street." (More about that later) He said, "Kids in class were talking about when they yell at their parents, or slam their bedroom door, etc." I said, "Did you tell them that you are an angel, that you haven't even raised your voice to me?" He said, "No, mom." He gave me that look..he wasn't going to announce that he was such a sweet kid.
I realized at that moment..he has never yelled at me..he has never slammed a door in my face..he has never dis-obeyed me (purposely)..he has grown to be a very responsible young man..needless to say I am a very, very proud mother of a 17 year old boy:)

He is not at home this morning..he is at his father's this weekend..but he will be home this afternoon! Make sure you leave him a comment today..he gets a kick out of this blog:)

Saturday, April 26

Another..birthday girl!

Happy, Happy Birthday Krystal! I know you read my blog..so I thought I would give you a shout out on your special day:)



Wednesday, April 23

We have a {Birthday Girl}..

Happy Birthday Aunt Cherry!
Let's celebrate with a sweet tea party..how about today at 11:30am?
Maybe someday we can go to a tea room together..
Enjoy your special day today:)
xoxo



Monday, April 21

{Turn of your television week}

April 21 - April 27

PURPOSE: To re-think the role of television, why we use it and how and what for. Assess its impact on students, teachers, parents, children, individuals, etc.


HOW: Simply switch off or unplug your television set for 7 days and engage in a wide range of substitute activities.


WHO: Individuals, children, families, students, groups, etc.


WHERE: In your homes, schools, libraries, businesses, congregations, etc.



Interesting Facts About Television

  • Number of 30 second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
  • Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
  • Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
  • Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have televisions in their bedrooms: 50
  • Percentage of day care centers that use television during a typical day: 70
  • Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900
  • Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
  • Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66

About Television Free America and the National Television-Turnoff Week

Television free America is a national nonprofit organization that was founded in 1994 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of excessive television-watching and encourage Americans to reduce the amount of television that they watch and replace television time with activities that lead to more literate, productive lives and engaged citizenship.

National Television-turn off week is the first nationwide effort which targets the medium of television and asks that people reassess the role television plays in their daily lives as entertainer, pacifier, babysitter, time filler and background noise.

Television is generally a passive "non-activity" which often detracts from more healthy, interpersonal, productive, rewarding and community-oriented activities.

National television-turn off week is about having more fun and turning "on" your life. It is an opportunity to rediscover the wide range of activities that exist when one unplugs from the sedentary, image-based, simplistic and commercial world of television.

Alternative Activities for Children and Families

  1. Volunteer in a school to teach reading, math, computer skills.
  2. Learn to play the guitar or other musical instrument.
  3. Attend community concerts.
  4. Organize a community clean-up.
  5. Put together a puzzle.
  6. Visit the library. Borrow a book. Attend library activities.
  7. Go ice skating or roller skating.
  8. Listen to the radio.
  9. Visit the zoo.
  10. Paint a picture, a mural or a room.
  11. Attend a high school sporting event.
  12. Find out about your area's community center or park's activities.
  13. Go swimming. Join a community swim team.
  14. Read a book aloud to your younger sister/brother.
  15. Plan a picnic or barbecue.
  16. Go bird watching.
  17. Volunteer for a community organization or charity.
  18. Play with your pet.
  19. Go dancing.
  20. Write a letter to a friend or relative.
  21. Learn to cook.
  22. Plant a flower, vegetable or herb garden.
  23. Read magazines or newspapers.
  24. Plan a slumber party.
  25. Start a neighborhood basketball, soccer or kickball game.
  26. Go camping (even if it's just in the backyard!).
  27. Join a choir.
  28. Go through your closets and clothes. Donate surplus items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a local rummage sale.
  29. Start a diary/journal.
  30. Go to a museum.
  31. Take a nature hike. Collect seeds and leaves. Make a collage with the materials you collected and post it on the refrigerator.
  32. Play cards.
  33. Start a community excercise group that power walks, runs, or bikes.
  34. Get out the family album. Research your family history.
  35. Go listen to a local band.
  36. Make crafts to give as gifts.
  37. Make up a story and write it down.
  38. Learn to say simple phrases in a few different languages.
  39. Ask an older family member to tell you a story about his or her childhood. Write about it.
  40. Learn some new riddles or jokes.
  41. Bake two batches of cookies; one for your family and one for your neighbor.
  42. Watch the night sky through binoculars; identify the different constellations. Observe the moon.
  43. Visit a local bookstore.
  44. Go to a movie with your family or friends.
  45. Walk to work or school.
  46. Start a kids bowling league.
  47. Train for a 5K race.
  48. Teach a neighbor about a computer program.
  49. Go fishing.
  50. Begin a family project.
  51. HAVE A PARTY TO CELEBRATE A TELEVISION-FREE WEEK!!!!

Update: I just read an article from the {American Academy of Pediatrics}..they say that children should not watch anymore than an hour or two a day of television. Children under two should not watch television at all.


Saturday, April 19

Tooth Fairy Duty

Izabelle lost a tooth tonight! It was one of the teeth that the orthodontist wanted pulled..that just saved us a wad of money..yippeee! Blessings come in all different kinds of ways...don't they:)

This toothfairy job is getting harder & harder..when do you explain that the toothfairy isn't real? She will be 11 on May 4th! I refuse to do this with Mattie..I plan on being straight up with her. I will explain that Santa Claus, Peter Cottontail and The Toothfairy are just pretend. I was exposed to these "people" when I was a child..so I just didn't know any different..ya know?



On another note: Trae broke one of his toes today..poor baby:( He ran into his Baritone case..bummer! But..I am sure he will feel better tomorrow..we are going to the mall to get an upgrade on his cell phone..he wants the new Motorola KRZR K1 for his birthday.
We are going to have a combined birthday dinner for Trae and Izabelle at Maggiano's on April 29th. It should be lots of fun..we will have family from Alabama & Utah..yeah..I know right?
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Guess what! Rich got free Predator's tickets again..for tomorrow's game..in a suite:) Whooohooo!
What was that song you were singing to me today..Renee?
"I want Stanley"..."I want Stanley"..
I think we might have "Wings" for lunch tomorrow..kidding:) I will call you tomorrow.
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Nighty-night..I am going to check and see if Izzy is asleep so I can place a *banknote* under her pillow:)
Update:
The *banknote* is in place..it is 12:41am..and I get to go to sleep!

Wednesday, April 16

20 Little Tikes

Mattie is now 20 months old..the big 2 is right around the corner now! Here she is right out of the bathtub..smelling like Aveeno lavender lotion..I could just take a little bite of her..ya know what I mean:) I picked up this Little Tikes picnic table yesterday for $45.00 at a consignment store. They had just got several in. There were some people attempting to open a daycare center..purchased a bunch of stuff..and then didn't get approved to open the facility..bummer.
She sure does love it..she colors for hours now..and she has eaten all her meals there every since I brought it home:) Two kitchens..you ask? Well, the little one..Rich and I bought for her first birthday..I hate to get rid of it..just incase..the BIG Little Tikes kitchen..a very sweet gift from cool Renee..it was Page's..so these are two of her favorite things right now..coloring & playing kitchen!

Mattie has BIG back teeth coming in..she even has the BIG stinky poops that stink up the entire top floor of the house..according to Izabelle..she said, "It smells like a poop factory up there!"
BTW..Aunt Cherry..thanks for the reminder of popsicles for Mattie and her BIG teeth..cause Trae found some {Pop & Fudge} from Kroger..it is a BIG box of popsicles and fudgesicles..yummo..I have already inhaled 3 fudgesicles! Mattie is enjoying a red popsicle..and I can feel the coldness on my back..through my t-shirt..she is sitting in the same diningroom chair with me as I blog:) Brrrrrr!
Now she is trying to wipe my shirt off..guess I should change shirts before I transfer red popsicle to the couch..American Idol will be on soon.





"Toto" & "The Wizard"..a.k.a "The Clean-Up Crew" are just waiting for one of those Cheez-Its to hit the floor! :o)

High of 71 today..beautiful..just beautiful! Mattie swung in her Little Tikes swing..foreva! And Izabelle..well..just look for yourself..
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...decided to jump on the trampoline..and then turn on the sprinkler..can you say..JUMP & SLIDE! It was freaking "The Wizard" out..he was trying to bite her feet from under the trampoline..and then "The Wizard" was freaking "Toto" out (mom thinks that Toto thought The Wizard might be trying to hurt Izabelle)..so they ended up fighting..Rrrrr! Toto finally got over it:) Silly dogs!







Tuesday, April 15

"No one...

and I mean no one, comes into our house and pushes us around."


Nashville Predators 5
Detroit Red Wings 3

Rich received free suite tickets to the game last night..so we went on a little date:o)
What a great game..it started a little slow..but man by the end of the evening..that place erupted! Go Preds!






Saturday, April 12

The Daffodil Principle

I received this email the other day from a friend..thought I would share it with all of you:) They are simply beautiful!

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Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"But first we are going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.


It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted in large groups so that is swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one women," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the questions I know you are asking", was the heading. The first answer was a simple one.... "50,000 blubs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Begun in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life changing experience. I thought of this women whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principal of her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principals of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby step at a time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world....

"It make me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years! Just think of what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the daffodil principal. Stop waiting....

Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die....

There is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and , dance like no one's watching.



****Click here for a GIVE-A-WAY!! Hurry..it ends on April 15th!!!

Thursday, April 10

Have trouble sleeping?

Try these new Sleep Melatonin Strips. Place one self-dissolving melatonin strip on tongue to promote restful sleep naturally. $4.99 each (15 strips in each pack)


I thought I would share this product with you..I have 2 Avon customers that order 10 packs at a time..they tell me these strips work great! So..I ordered a pack for myself..I think I might try one out tonight (it is 1:21a). They smell like chocolate & mint..and they taste good!

Sweet dreams!

P.S. Izabelle has updated..

Wednesday, April 9

What dog breed are you?

This is a fun little quiz I found tonight..check it out!
(Click on: Take the quiz)

What dog breed are you? I'm a Labrador Retriever! Find out at Dogster.com

Your family is what makes you tick, and you never "flea" from an opportunity to hang out with the whole gang. A family picnic complete with hot dogs, deviled eggs and a refreshing swim in the lake is hard for you to stray from. Your sparky temperament and dogged intelligence mean you are not only a blast to hang out with, but great to work with as well. Your close pals appreciate your patience and forgiveness, knowing you'd rather let sleeping dogs lie than dwell on the mishaps of the past. Your dashing good looks may one day lead to a modelling career, if only you can tame the unfortunate clumsiness that sometimes causes you to go flailing from the catwalk.

Tuesday, April 8

Mattie..Up-Close

Trae took Izabelle to taekwondo tonight..so Mattie & I..had some time alone. Or I should say me, Mattie and the camera! She is such a little ham..she loves to draw..color..whatever..give her a piece of paper and something to draw with and she is extremely happy:)

This is what her hair looks like after she has pulled her hair doo-ies out..crazy hair..I tell ya..and it is humid out today so it has curled up in the back. I love that part!
We spent a few hours with "Yaya" today..we went to Tuesday Morning..our first time..very cool store! I found something I couldn't live without..a green deviled egg platter with little rabbits on it! "Yaya" bought Mattie a little sundress..I can't wait to get a picture of her with it on. We are going to the Southern Women's Show on Friday..can't wait!!!











Monday, April 7

Cake & Energy

I am way behind on blogging! I realized this when I imported photos from my camera to my laptop..there were 17. Here are a few that I thought I would share with you:)

This first photo is a crown cake..the crown that a King would wear..I read about this somewhere..someone shared their Easter traditions..they make this cake every year to celebrate that Jesus is alive and is our King!
What a fun cake to make:)

My grandma Pulley would make this (rabbit) cake every year at Easter..this was my first attempt..his ears are a little big..don't you think? Another fun cake to make!

This was last week..we had a lot of rain..so Izabelle and Mattie had some indoor fun...well atleast Mattie was having fun..Izabelle got very tired after awhile. She pulled her around for an hour! I thought Mattie was going to fall asleep..she was so comfortable:)

We had a suprise visit from my dad on Friday..well to Izabelle..it was a surprise..I wouldn't tell her who was coming. When my dad got here..Izabelle kept looking out the front window..she asked "Where's Guelita?" We told her that Papa was in Georgia on business with Ignite..by himself.. (they just announced the deregulation of Georgia on April 1st, Texas was deregulated several months ago)..so he was a busy man..but he made time to drive 3.5 hours..one way..to see us. We took him to Red Lobster for lunch..and then he had to get back:(
He will visit again at the end of the month..and this time he will get to spend the night! The children are very excited..and so am I:)
{Deregulation}:
Benefits of natural gas deregulation. Georgia natural gas deregulation began with Senate Bill 215 that was passed by the Georgia Legislature and signed into law by Governor Zell Miller in 1997. Deregulation began officially on July 1, 1998. This legislation allows Atlanta Gas Light Company to store and distribute natural gas in its facilities (pipelines, storage facilities and other supporting services) and marketers selling of this natural gas to consumers. The Georgia Public Service Commission has the role of administering gas deregulation. House Bill 1568 which took effect September 1, 2002, charged the PSC with implementing rules that expanded consumers' rights.
Natural gas deregulation in Georgia applies exclusively to Atlanta Gas Light Company's (AGLC) service area. Therefore, only those citizens who reside in the AGLC's service area are affected by natural gas deregulation.

{What Deregulation Means for You}:
Deregulation was instituted to help create more competition among natural gas providers, which should lead to lower prices for the consumer. If you feel you are being charged too much for natural gas..please e-mail me (tiarasociety@netscape.net) for more information. You will find that they offer service for a lower price than you are currently paying, you can easily switch with no interruption of service.



Thursday, April 3

6 word memoir

Tagged by Texas Diva..Teresa:)

Sorry, I cannot link you to her blog..due to the annoying poparattzi..it is private! Only a few (important) select can enter. bwahahaha!



*The Diva's* rules are:

1. Write your own six word memoir.
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you'd like
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post, and to the original post if possible so we can track it as it travels across the blogosphere.
4. Tag atleast five more blogs with links.
5. Don't forget to leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play!




Drum roll please..

My six word memoir...

You can sleep when you're dead!

Whoooo-hoooo! Let's here it for the {night owls}!!!

I tag the following:

1. Tina (my SIL)

2. Mom (btw..you should consider updating..haha!)

3. Renee

4. Jennifer a.k.a. Jersey Girl (private blog..she has poparattzi issues also)*wink*

5. Izzy

Tuesday, April 1

Expecting..#4

We are expecting! I am so excited:)
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April Fool's!!! Got cha:)