Weekly Scraps with Friday Fragments

People, it's freaking HOT out there. That's why I'm in here taking part in Friday Fragments! You should too! Just click the button below and head on over to Mrs. 4444's at Half-Past Kissin' Time to join in the fun!

Not too much going on around here- just a 21st birthday and Birdie getting back from her trip to London and preparing for ALL 4 of the lovelies and their boys to arrive tonight...but that's all.

I finally figured out how to get a picture on my blog header- FINALLY. And, big surprise, it was super EASY! It was one of those things that, when it did finally come to me, I said- out loud- "What an idiot."

The heat is blasting full force around here- although they are calling for a cool down soon with temps at 90 instead of 98. Gee, thanks. Please tell me that this is a precursor to a lengthy, chilly fall and cold winter!!! Tell me. Now. It's the only thing that makes this heat bearable.

I'm still vacuuming up dog hair from Birdie's dog, Strider, about 3 times/day. I'm not used to having dog hair around here. Tucker doesn't shed. I'm also not a fan of dog hair all over the dang place. But I am fond of Strider. He's such a great dog! Even though I just noticed that there's even dog hair on my cell phone. Hrmrph.

I've got TONS of summer reading to do- I've only made it through 5 books so far! YIKES! My list includes: Ready, Set, GO! (it's all about Sprint 8- very informative so far...probably reading this one slow because I know that when I finished it's ON);  A Year on Ladybug Farm- easy read but hasn't piqued my interest just yet; 4 more Harlan Coben books- I'm reading the entire Myron Bolitar series; The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve; World Without Cancer: the Story of Vitamin B17; and then there's the one I'm waiting for- Carol's new book Surfing in Stilettos-and when it arrives, everything else goes on hold!

Got the third bookcase painted. And lifted. And then my back starting yelling at me. I don't know when I'm going to learn to wait on help. Seriously. At my age.

I've got to go peel some shrimp for tomorrow! I like to get the hard part over with the day before!

Hope y'all have the most fantastic weekend! Watch out for that heat!

Friday---Fragmented Style

Got sweltering heat like us? Humidity kicking your butt? Is the rain getting you down? No worries! Just head over to Half-Past Kissin' Time and join in the fun with Friday Fragments!

Whew! Is it just me or is summer flying by at warp speed? I hope it is anyway because I'm sure sick of the weather. But then, I'm sick of the weather every summer. Until August shows up and NFL Preseason begins! The first Carolina Panthers preseason game is on August 11- my dad and I were talking about how there would finally be something worth watching on TV once preseason starts. And then we both said, "Wait. We don't know if it'll be worth watching yet or not!" Come on Panthers. Y'all have been dragging your feet long enough! Let's have a winning season boys! (Otherwise, I'm going to have to watch football just because I love it and not have a team to pull for, SO--FIND YOUR GROOVE AND WIN SOME FREAKING GAMES ALREADY!).

Stifling weather and all, I was still able to get some running in this week without killing myself! YES! That's quite an accomplishment in this heat. I've tried three days of the Sprint 8 and that went well---although I did sweat about 10 buckets of water each time. And then came right home and stepped on the scale. LOL

We have had several storms that included thunder, lightning AND rain without any damage so that was WONDERFUL! The garden was particularly happy!

I've been working on throwing out a whole bunch of old stuff that hasn't been needed or used in about three years! I do love a good purge!

I'm vacuuming every single day at least once to keep up with Birdie's dog's (Strider's) shedding. I love Birdie and I love her doggie but I do not love the shedding. Tucker doesn't shed. And there's a reason I picked a dog that doesn't shed---I don't care for the shedding. There's dog hair EVERYWHERE. (Sheesh, how many times can you use shed or shedding in one sentence...)

Birdie and I attended a farewell gathering for a dear friend/teacher this week. I will post those pictures later. It was bittersweet but so good to see everyone.

Speaking of Birdie, she and the boytoy leave for London on Monday evening. Prayers for safe travels are welcome and greatly appreciated! I know they'll have a great time!

We have a 21st birthday coming up on the 24th of this month and all the lovelies will be HOME! WooHoo! It's not even MY 21st birthday but I feel as though I'm the one getting a gift. :)

Hope everyone has had a wonderful week and has an even better weekend!

Friday Fragments!

It's Friday AGAIN. How does this happen every week?! The velocity with which these weeks are flying by is CRAZY! But no worries- because with Friday comes our chance to join Mrs. 4444s over at Half-Past Kissin' Time for some Friday Fragments!

Week 2 of C25k is officially over. Whew. It really wasn't all that bad. Except for Wednesday when my allergies got in the way. I've decided that it is beneficial for me to go ahead and mow the backyard instead of waiting for the husband to get around to it. Plus, it's pretty darn good exercise. But the allergies are a definitely issue. Another issue is week 3. LOL

It's been a good week for food around here. I've been trying new recipes- here and here. Just another week and a half until I begin the 31 days of Gerson and RAW foods- which includes smoothies!

I've discovered that there is a bad thing about blogging. Specifically, bloggy friends. It's been GREAT meeting of you blogging buddies, but there is a down side. Y'all live TOO FAR AWAY from me! We can't go to the beach and walk together. We can't have coffee or tea together. We can't get together and do stuff. Does that mean I wish I never started blogging? Nope! It just means I wish we all lived closer to each other.

Speaking of bloggy friends- my friend Kim, of My Field of Dreams fame, sent me some sunflower seeds (among others) last year. I planted them this year and LOOK:

Aren't they pretty? There are a bunch more but they haven't bloomed just yet. Although one of them is taller than I- and I'm 5'10"! Some little pest is eating the leaves-even though I am putting Diatemacious Earth on them- but the plants are still growing, so that's good!

Birdie just finished week 3 of Lundy soccer camps in NC. Next week she's off to the one at Wofford and then it's back to work the one here in Charleston. And then, July16th, she and the boytoy are off to visit LONDON! Talk about busy!  At least she's back on the east coast instead of 20 hours away in Texas!

In one month from Sunday, DoodleBug will turn 21! My baby has gone and grown right up just like her sisters did. The good news- all of her sisters will be here to celebrate! The husband turns more than 21 on Monday. We'll celebrate that the following weekend. We have to schedule birthday celebrations depending on when we can get the most kids home!

And today, I get to take my BFF to lunch for her birthday- it was May 23 but she's been swamped with wedding planning for her daughter that we just haven't been able to fit it in. Today we will though and I get updated on all the wedding plans! Her daughter and Deanie have been friends since they were 2 years old- that was 23 years ago!

Have a fantastic weekend, y'all!

It's Friday HOP Time!

It's the end of another week!  That means it's time for FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY!  This HOP is a great way to get to know each other better and to meet new friends!  If you click on the button, it'll take you right over there to join in the fun! 

Questions for Friday, July 22nd:

1. If your husband had the BIG V and you got pregnant what would your first reaction be? For the dudes, what would your first reaction be if your wife told you she was pregnant after the Big V? Who's is it?  LOL  Seriously, shooting myself comes to mind and then.....nope.  Just shooting myself.  And, maybe a law suit against the doctor? Not that I'd go on record for the oldest woman to become pregnant but FOUR Lovelies are quite enough for me! 

2. Best memory about this summer so far.  So far, I don't really have one.  We've been so focused on Birdie preparing and then leaving for her two year stint in Texas that I've not really enjoyed summer.  Plus it's ridiculously HOT.  HOWEVER, DoodleBug will celebrate her 20th birthday on Sunday and that will fast become my favorite summer memory for Summer 2011. 

3. How often do you change your sheets? Your kids sheets?  I'm a once/week changer.  Even when the Lovelies were little.  I hate it--mostly putting them back on the bed.  But they feel so darn good after they've been washed!

4. Having just gone through TSA, would you rather have a full-body scan or a pat-down?  I choose neither.  I'll just stay grounded thank you very much.

5. Since it is fair time...what's your favorite fair (county or state) memory?  It's not fair time here until the end of October- and it always seems to bring cooler weather towards the end--which is the only thing I like about the fair.  My favorite memory is taking the Lovelies when they were little.  They so enjoyed the rides and the food and even some of the exhibits.  But you won't catch me there since they've all grown up.  I don't care for the fair.  Too many people and too much oppressive heat. I've never been to the state fair---never wanted to go, still don't.   

Friday Hop!

It's time for Five Question Friday from Mama M. at My Little Life. 

This HOP is a great way to get to know each other better and to meet new friends!  If you click on the button, it'll take you right over there to join in the fun! 

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (Schools in Indiana have now voted to take teaching cursive writing out of their curriculum.)  I'm not sure that I have an opinion about this.  Our youngest lovely has terrible handwriting but prints well.  The only time she seems to be bothered by this is when signing something- if horrible handwriting is all it took to be a doctor, she would be one already.  Of course it's nice if one's print or cursive is legible---you want to be able to read a handwritten note after all.  But not that many people hand write notes anymore. This is one area that I'd want to hear the two sides debate before deciding my opinion on the issue. 

2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone? Up until last week I would have said both.  However, I discovered a shopping list app on my phone so now I don't have to write those down.  I prefer the calendar on my phone because it sounds an alarm.  Now, I don't have to worry about looking at the calendar or leaving my shopping list at home!

3. What 3 things would you save if your house was burning down? (family & pets are already safe)  Camera, computer, pictures. 

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person?  How about 'town' person?  I would love to say that I am a country person, but there are way too many snakes out there for that to be true--although I love visiting friends who live in the country and taking pictures out there.  I am definitely NOT a big city person either because I don't like constant noise or crowds.  I prefer a small town with less noise, fewer people and houses that aren't sitting on top of one another or so close that you can touch your neighbor from your window. 

5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick?  I wouldn't pick any of them.  I think they are ridiculous and, the very fact that they are so popular speaks volumes about the general public. 

Have an absolutelyperfectlywonderful weekend y'all! 

The Friday HOPS!

It's the end of another week!  That means it's time for the FRIDAY HOPS!

First is Hilary's Follow Friday Four Fill-In at Feeling Beachie!  

This week’s statements:

1.  I despise the expression "It is what it is."  If I never hear anyone say that again it will be just fine with me.  I believe some people use it as an excuse to be lazy and not do anything to change a situation.  To me, it's synonymous with giving up or defeat or not caring enough to do something.  And I have been known to go off on a tirade when I hear the phrase uttered.

2.  I put mayo and cheese on my burgers.  Of course, I'm not eating burgers right now because I look like the woman in the cartoon they are not on my AssOff program.  But I have eaten them with mayo and cheese ever since I was a little girl.  It's the only way for me.

3.  If I could have any view out my kitchen window it would be pretty much anything outside.  I like to look out my kitchen window and see the magnolia tree, my garden and the birds at the feeders which is the view I have now.  It helps take away the monotony of washing dishes.   

4.  If money were no object I would do a lot of things!  I would pay off all our bills; buy Hubs a boat (he loves to be out on the ocean and fish); pay off Breezy and BestSonInLawEVER's house for them; and do whatever the other three daughters needed/wanted.  And, for myself, I would rent a huge beach house and fly in all my wonderful bloggy friends for a wonderful week long visit!

 Next is Five Question Friday from Mama M. at My Little Life. 

This is the first time I've participated in this HOP!  It's a great way to get to know each other better and to meet new friends!  If you click on the button, it'll take you right over there to join in the fun! 

1. Do you apologize to your kids?  Of course.  Doesn't everyone?  When I'm wrong, I'm wrong.  I don't like to BE wrong BUT, when I am, I do admit it.  I was never afraid to apologize to our lovelies nor was I afraid to say, "I don't know."  They are 26, 23, 22, and 19 now and I will still apologize and say that I don't know.   

2. What color are your nails right now?  I guess you would say they are au naturale.  I never use fingernail polish.  Never.  I rarely even polished them when I was younger.  I'm just not into painted fingers and toes.  My four lovelies use it though.  Mostly the two older ones. 

3. When you were growing up, how difficult was it for you to stay home from school sick? (As in, did you have to vomit or just say "I don't feel good".)  My parents had to hog tie me to get me to stay home from school.  I didn't mind going at all. So, if I didn't feel well, they knew I was really sick.  My lovelies just had to say they didn't feel well, but they always loved school too.  I gave each of them two free cuts from school every school year when they could stay home or go to the beach (as they got older) or whatever they wanted to do.  Out of FOUR daughters, only two of them used this 'free pass' and each of them only used one day and only during one year.  They really loved school. 

4. When is the last time you bought a new comforter for your bed?  Are you asking this because you can see my bedroom and noticed that I NEED a new comforter?  I have a pretty good excuse- I'm waiting to paint in there and I am still deciding on colors.  

5. Favorite website(s)?  Pandora Radio; WOW! Women on Writing; all the blogs that I follow which are way too many to list here; AND this one:  Susan G. Komen (this link takes you to DD2's donation page; she is running in Race for the Cure in DC- this was her sorority's {ZTA} philanthropy in college and she continues to raise money for this worthy cause).  

Finally, Java's Follow Friday 40 and Over at Never Growing Old  

M is for Miriam

Last Wednesday I experienced some adrenalin fueled excitement while walking Tucker.  We took a little different path that day which took us on the outer loop and had only walked a bit over one mile when we spotted friend Joanne and a lady lying on the grass.  We stopped and Joanne told me that the lady, Deborah, had fallen off her bicycle and hit her head on the road (NO HELMET).  Joanne was holding her dog, Kendall, and Deborah's dog, Emma.  Deborah said she was feeling dizzy but she didn't want us to call EMS.  Finally, Joanne was able to convince Deborah to call a friend.  It was going to take the friend a while to get to us so I went to pull my car around just in case we needed to transport her and I had water and a blanket in there.  Deborah could not shake the dizziness which she told me came after the fall.  I got a quilt out of the car and put it down and she laid back on it--it was a coldish day with temps in the 40s.  We were still trying to get her to let us call EMS when another car pulled up and the lady inside asked if everyone was ok.  When I told her that Deborah had fallen off her bike and hit her head on the road (did I mention NO HELMET) she told us she was a nurse (read GIFT FROM ABOVE; DIVINE INTERVENTION;etc.).

Her name was Miriam and she was just about the sweetest, kindest person I've ever come into contact with in my life.  This wonderful angel of mercy was driving down the main road to go run the bridge and ..."just happened to look over and I thought I saw a person lying there."  So this completely-unselfish-cares-about-others-over-herself-wonderful-nurse-lady turned her car around and came through just to make sure.  JUST TO MAKE SURE...  Wow.  Miriam sprang into action asking all the right questions, taking Deborah's vitals, getting another blanket out to cover Deborah, and so on.  Miriam is the one who got Deborah to let me call 911 (my very first time EVER doing that) this way:  "You really should let us call emergency services because, if you have a concussion, you need to know that.  But you could also have a bleeder."  That's when Deborah decided that calling 911 might not be such a bad idea and Miriam asked me to make the call and I did and IT WAS MY VERY FIRST TIME EVER CALLING 911.

The fire truck was the first on the scene and three of the cutest firemen got out to....ummm...well, after I finished drooling over them I saw that they were talking with Miriam and Deborah and doing their emergency services stuff that they do.  It was decided that Deborah should be transported to the hospital after all so an ambulance was called.  Once Deborah was strapped onto the stretcher (do they still call them stretchers?  Or are they gurneys? Whatever they are, they pretty dang cool!).  Deborah's friend Monica had arrived and secured Emma and was going to follow the ambulance to the hospital, take Emma home and return to the hospital.  And then....it was over.

All that adrenaline rushing around and suddenly, everything was over.  Just like that.  But here's the main point to the story- Miriam.  Miriam who didn't have to look; who didn't have to turn around and check; who gave up her own agenda without hesitation; who kept a positive, uplifting attitude the entire time... I'm not sure if it's the fact that she's a nurse or the fact that she's a truly good and giving person or a combination of the two.  But I do know that she is one of those people who can turn a day completely around for the good just by being there.  So, today, M is for Miriam!  Three cheers for Miriam:  Hip, hip hooray!  Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!

I saw Joanne yesterday but neither of us has an update on Deborah yet.  She hasn't been out on her bike--hopefully she's been busy trying on bike helmets!  

This is the 13th day of the A-Z Blog Challenge for the month of April. And this thing is getting harder instead of easier...thankfully, we're halfway there!  Just click the badge on my sidebar if you want to check it out!   

AND NOW it's time for the FRIDAY HOPS!!!  I'm linking up with Java's Follow Friday 40 and Over at Never Growing Old  

and  Hilary's Follow Friday Four Fill-In at Feeling Beachie!  

1. Despite the fact that I should know better, I still always snack on something at night.  Even though it's something I'm allowed to have on my new ASS off regimen, I really shouldn't be consuming anything after 8:00 pm.  I do know that I do this in order to stay awake because, if I go to sleep too early, I will wake up around 3:00 am and stay awake and that makes for a grumpy empty nester. 

2. I EAT when I am worried. And when I'm sad/angry/happy...But I'm getting it all under control now.  Mostly.  

3. I always forget where I put things that I want to use.  I can find anything that I don't need- things that really should be thrown out or given away or put in a yard sale.  But, let me put something away that I'm saving to use when I need it--like those darn hand gardening tools and the spin class gel seat that I used once (because it didn't help my behind AT ALL for that class...plus, you'd think that with all my natural padding back there I wouldn't need it anyway)---and now want to send it to Breezy's SIL who needs one.  Yeah, can't find those darn things ANYWHERE.

4. My life is the best!  It's not extravagant or elegant rather, it's basic, simple, cozy.  We love and laugh and spend time together; we garden and talk and play games. We are all still very close even though the nest is empty.  We have what we need and most of what we want (our needs and wants are simple too). Hubs is a great guy; our girls are wonderful daughters; Tucker is the best dog EVER... Oh sure, we have our disagreements (read: I get mad).  I get to stay home and blog take care of all things homey and volunteer at the local elementary school.  Some people would certainly find my life boring but, all things considered, I wouldn't change one thing.  

New

I am participating in a new (to me) Friday HOP today over at Hilary's Feeling Beachie called Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun!  

Hilary writes:  Each week, I plan on listing four statements with a blank for you to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to me at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If I use them, I will add you as co-host to the hop!


Sounds like fun right?  Just click on the link above or the button and join in!

1) I can’t help it, but every time I see OUR DAUGHTERS I smile.  I suppose that's an obvious answer but they are truly smile worthy!

From left to right: Birdie (DD3), Birdie's BFF since they were 3, DoodleBug (DD4), Deanie (DD2), Breezy (DD1)

 
2) Every time I smell FRESH HOMEMADE BREAD I am immediately transported back to my childhood. My grandmother made homemade biscuits every day of the week and homemade yeast rolls at least once every week!  Of course, everything she made was from scratch and DELICIOUS!

My grandmother and perhaps the best southern comfort food cook that has EVER BEEN!

3) When I was little I wanted to be a PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER.  It's true!  And, when my grandmother's brother told me I could, I was thrilled!  I have always LOVED football!  I was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan.  I still love the Cowboys but the Carolina Panthers took over first place when they entered the NFL in 1995...and they have pretty much been breaking my heart ever since. Seriously what can you say about a team whose leading scorer is their kicker?

I hate it if the Cowboys and the Panthers have to play each other! 

4) If I had to eat only one meal for the rest of my life it would be THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS.  Although I wouldn't want to have to prepare it every single day!

This is the 25th day of NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) for the month of March. The theme for this month is: in a word! My chosen word for today is: NEW because I am participating in a NEW to me FRIDAY HOP!