Fragments All Around

I have NEVER been so happy to see Friday arrive in my life like I am today! And I've been really happy in the past about Fridays. So you can just imagine how this week has gone. The good news is that there's always the wonderful Friday Fragments waiting for us at Mrs. 4444's place! Just click the button below and come join in the venting fun!

 

This week has really been a strange one. Or crazy. Or crazy busy. Or I'm just really glad it's over. 

I got thrown off by election day. Since people vote at our school, we didn't have school on election day. Which was nice. BUT, it messed me up in being able to know what day it was. Maybe that was more of an age thing. Who knows? AND it seems as though a short week lasts twice as long as a full week. WTH?!

I'm quite glad the election is OVER. I was getting tired of turning the channel every time a political ad came on the television. I though there were fewer of them this year but I think it's just that I watch way less television than I used to. 

Speaking of the election, I am so totally disgusted with political commentary on facebook (and other online places) that I'm seriously still considering 'unfriending' (and stopping following) some of them. The very fact that they think they can influence my vote based on their opinion makes me wonder if maybe they suffer from delusions of grandeur. I appreciate and support the fact that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. But I don't particularly care to have those opinions shoved down my throat. I've lost complete and total respect for many people NOT because of their political preference but because of their negativity. I had no idea they were as arrogant and judgmental as they proved to be. Come to think of it, maybe this was a good thing to discover. A true blessing in disguise. There's a lot of hate out there. I don't like that. 

The job is great! I'm busy every single day and home before I know what happened! I do enjoy being around the kids. They really do say the darnest things and have me laughing all through the day. 

The motherboard on my computer is dead. The hard drives are fine. But not the motherboard. So, I'm in the market for a new computer. Right here when I should be focused on Christmas shopping. I guess the lovelies are getting a new lappy for Christmas. Only I get to keep it and use it. And it'll be mine. Being without a computer SUCKS. Thanks to Birdie and Evwardo, I do have a loaner. But I have to give it back at some point. What laptop do y'all recommend?

It's been in the upper 30s and lower 40s in the mornings around here. I'm loving it! We're going to warm back up this weekend but will go right back down in two or three days. 

Did anyone catch this week's episode of Modern Family? I was laughing so hard I nearly wet myself! 

Have a great weekend y'all!!!!

OH- and the winner of the downloadable gift bag (the e-book of Sonia's Song and the iTunes download of her CD "Chansons de Love from Around the World) is:  

Judy at Cranberry Morning (comment #3)

Congrats Judy!!!

 

I Thought It Would NEVER Get Here!

Hallefreakinglujah! Its Friday! FI-NA-LLY! I though it'd never get here. One of the really good things about Friday-besides being the end of the school week- is FRIDAY FRAGMENTS!

Did anyone else out there think that Friday would NEVER get here?! I fully plan to slow down time this weekend and enjoy the hell out of some football both days! YES!!!

Speaking of football, our high school team is undefeated this year. As I understand it, this is the first time since 1990. Go WARRIORS! Good luck boys!

It's been an interesting week of craziness but it all seems to be settling down. Though I will raise an eyebrow if the start of my true schedule coincides with the return of a certain kindergarten teacher. Funny thing about working- either things are crazy there or they're crazy at home or they're crazy both places but NEVER seem to be calm at the same time?

One of the lovelies' PHENOMENAL teachers in elementary school--the one who recently moved out to CA because she was going to be a grandmother soon? Well, she became a grandmother yesterday morning! Congratulations Suzanne on your lovely granddaughter! The baby is precious and Suzanne is beaming!

I spent two afternoons in a kindergarten class this week. Where I heard many urgent utterances such as:

• "He pushed me!"
• "I don't have any snack!"
• "I'M the line leader, NOT YOU!"
• "She kicked me!"
• "I think a bug just flew up my nose!"

 Oh yeah. It's been a week. Let me just say that kindergarten teachers ROCK and I do not know where in the world they have the energy to do this all day long, five days/week.

Our temps have gone back up. It's too dang hot around here. Mid to upper 80s do not equal fall. Sometimes, we have to wait until the end of October for the true cool down. I hope that's not the case this year.

Did you know that Big Brother is watching in the school now? I found out when a friend said, "Be careful. Big Brother is watching us now. You have to be careful if you want to flip somebody off." My but I have missed being at school! LOL I'm not really too worried about flipping someone off though. But what if I have a wedgy?!?! HORRORS! 

Hope y'all had a fantastic week but have an even better weekend! 

A Few Morsels

How in the world these weeks keep flying by is beyond me. At least we have Friday Fragments to look forward to at the end of every week! Just click the button and you can join in the fun over at Mrs. 4444's Half-Past Kissin' Time!

It's been a wet week around here. The outer bands of Isaac reached all the way from the gulf to us. Downtown Charleston flooded like crazy but that's not really uncommon down there. Every time there's a heavy rain, a full moon and it's high tide, there's flooding in Charleston.

It's college football weekend, y'all! I'll be planted in front of the television. For the season. Preseason is nearly over for the NFL. Fall is on the way. I'm in 7th Heaven! Birdie and Evwardo have headed to the Clemson/Auburn game this weekend. Lucky ducks. Not that I pull for either of those teams but just to be there would be fun! They went because Evwardo went to Clemson and Birdie has always been a Clemson fan and they both enjoy football. Or is it the tailgating? Hmmmm.....

I'm at the end of Week 2 of my 8 week commitment to the Synergy workout program! And I feel better already! If you want, you can read my daily journal entries by clicking right here.

I had the opportunity to review a wine guide on YESTERDAY'S POST. The author wrote 21 of these wonderful wind guides and you can pick one for FREE! Just click HERE for the link.

All in all, it's been a quiet, uneventful week. Except for a couple of things that I'm keeping to myself, temporarily. Don't get excited- no one's getting married and no grands are on the way. The only bad thing is that the heat just will not go away. We had a couple of days' reprieve and that was it. Although the evening breeze does have a hint of coolness in it. I am ever hopeful that we won't have to wait until the end of October for it to feel like fall around here. I'm quite tired of being hot.

That Blue Moon was gorgeous last night! Did anyone else enjoy the view? 

Hope y'all have a fantastic weekend!

Bits and Pieces and Some Ultimate

What's this?! Friday Fragments ON TIME? Will wonders never cease! This is such a great way to meet new bloggers, visit friends and see how everyone's week went. Just click the button and you can join in the fun over at Mrs. 4444's Half-Past Kissin' Time!

It was back to school here this week for public school and the College of Charleston. No big deal, right? Wrong. This means that DoodleBug, my youngest lovely, began her SENIOR year. In May- just 9 short months from now- she will be a college graduate. And that is giving this empty nest a whole new meaning. Wow.

I added a new tab on the blog- Synergy Work Out- it's a daily journal of my attempt at committing to the 8 weeks required for the work out. I'm hoping that keeping the journal entries on the blog will help keep me accountable.

Last Saturday, the husband and I went out to watch DoodleBug play Ultimate Frisbee. She's been playing since she was a senior in high school. She's even been captain of the team at the College of Charleston. But Saturday was her last time for a while because senior year as an education major is quite time consuming. Especially when you put off taking that science class and have to carry 19 hours this semester. Oops. The tournament was a culmination of the city summer league. Teams are co-ed and they have such fun!

Having dudes on the teams doesn't seem to phase DoodleBug...even though the dudes can really get some height---

and seem to be fearless---

and fierce--- but we all know that, ultimately (no pun intended)------

---it's the girls who get the job done! Yep, that's DoodleBug who just scored even though she had to lay out to do it!

 They're laughing because, right before they went on the field I jokingly said, "Ok, how about eating some dirt or tumbling one last time for the camera?" And not five minutes out there, she had to lay out to score. Some of you might recall that I have many shots of DoodleBug laying out, eating dirt, tumbling, etc. all in the name of 'WINNING'!

The college gang is still coming over once a week for dinner. We switched our day from Wednesday to Tuesday to accommodate their schedules. I still look forward to this weekly visit. It's going to suck when they all graduate in May and move away and we don't do this anymore. I need to find some new college kids. :)

And that's about it. Guess I'll head off to figure out what to do once my baby graduates in May. From college. Even though she's the one who said she'd never grow up and leave me.

Have a great weekend y'all!

Friday Fragments...On Saturday?

Yep. That's right. Friday Fragments on Saturday because...well, there's no excuse really. But there IS still time to join in the fun so y'all can click right on the button and head over to Mrs. 4444's place and have at it!

This week has been a blur just like the rest of them. Too bad the heat never blurs though. I think a lot of us are ready for a long, chilly fall.

My brother and SIL surprised me this week with a visit and lunch on Shem Creek. You can see the pictures from that outing by CLICKING RIGHT HERE.

Birdie, our athletic trainer, offered (and I use the term offered, loosely) to train me for the 5k on Thanksgiving day. You can read about that if you CLICK HERE.

DoodleBug had a scare this week with financial aid at her college. It was a mess up on their part but still, it sent her into a tizzy like you wouldn't believe. A total freak out. Luckily, I had picked up on this when they told her weeks ago, "No, you don't need anything else. You're good to go." because I know better than to believe someone when they make that sort of comment and I was able to help her straighten this out in a matter of minutes. See? I told you we're still needed even when they've left the nest. Now, who's going to help financial aid get their crap together?

I received a most wonderful gift in the mail this week. Patrice at Everyday Ruralty held a party a couple of weeks ago and her DD2 (a self taught artist) painted a picture of Tucker for me! You can see it if you CLICK HERE.

Finally, I have a winner for a copy of THE DIVORCE GIRL- congratulations to NANI over at The Chronicles of Nani!

I've already contacted Nani and she has already responded! I've emailed your info and they will send the book at soon! 

 
Have a great weekend!

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 Fragments!

I was working diligently on a post for today when I realized- IT'S FRIDAY! And that means- FRIDAY FRAGMENTS with Mrs. 4444s over at Half-Past Kissin' Time!

This week flew by speedy quick! I had to get my journal out just to remember it! Whew! Blink and you miss the weeks during the summer months.

I started the C25k running trainer this week. Today was Day 3 of Week 1. Week 1 wasn't too bad. All you have to do is run for 60 seconds and walk for 90 seconds. And you do this for 30 minutes. Well, 20 because the first 5 minutes are a brisk walk to warm up and the last 5 minutes is a cool down. Except that this morning, it was really hard. The weather was gorgeous- only around 65 degrees and the humidity was only 83%- perfect day for training. So why was I having such a difficult time with it? Because, last night I was skimming through the various weeks (I don't know why, so I could have something to dread maybe) and I never put the thing back on Week 1, Day 3. So I was trying to do Week 3, Day 1. Idiot. I figured it out rather quickly, however, and set that darn thing right that very second!

I got to go to lunch with a dear friend on Tuesday. She was the lovelies' SAIL teacher-that's the GT (gifted/talented) program in our schools. I'm here to tell y'all that she was one of the most phenomenal teachers I've ever had the pleasure to know. All four of the lovelies learned so much from her! Shoot, I learned a lot from her! She's getting ready to move to California. And the only reason we aren't trying to sabotage this move is because she's about to become a grandmother for the first time and her son and DIL live out there. Anyway, we went to a brand new restaurant. I'll have a review soon!

All of my yellow squash and zucchini bit the dust. SAD. I was able to buy a few more plants to try one more time. But, since this is the third year this has happened, I'm not really holding out much hope. Anyone out there have an explanation as to what I'm doing wrong?

That's about it. Not much going on around here right now. We do have a milestone birthday coming up in July- DoodleBug will be turning 21! My baby is going to be 21. I can't believe it! Seriously, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? AND Birdie and Evwardo are going to visit London in July also. AND Deanie and Breezy will be coming home for a visit! Looks like July is going to be the happening month around here.

Have a fantastic weekend y'all!

Friday Fragments

Don't have a lot of time? Then Friday Fragments is just what you need! Hop on over the Mrs. 4444's at Half-Past Kissin' Time and join in the fun!

Congrats to the high school graduates out there! Be ready y'all- college is a total BLAST!

• The wedding was big fun! Y'all can read about it here if you missed it. Though I have to say that traveling on a holiday weekend is not something I'd want to do again. Ever. 

•  Birdie made it home safe and sound. Evwardo flew out to Texas to drive back with her- I'm tellin' y'all, that one's a keeper! We had a welcome back sign put up at the entrance to our subdivision- it contains a little inside joke:

•  My very sweet friend sent me this in an email and I thought y'all would get a kick out of it:

• Deanie was able to come to NC for the weekend (she lives in DC) so we all stayed at my dad's house on Saturday. I love it when things work out like that!

• We had TWO birthdays this week! Both BestSonInLawEVER and my brother T had a birthday on Wednesday! T is way older than BestSonInLawEVER, aren't you T? Happy birthday fellas! Love y'all!

• My Tucky Poo doesn't travel well so Mimi (my mother) came down to stay with him while we went to the wedding. My aunt goes to lunch with a group of friends every Friday. This past Friday several of them weren't there. Guess where they were? Babysitting their grand-dogs! How funny! 

• Also funny- y'all know Joyce at From this Side of the Pond, right? Well, her DD2 was in a wedding in NC on Saturday. Guess where it was? At the exact same place of the wedding that we attended on Sunday!   

• Met the boy that DoodleBug is sort of dating a little bit on Monday. He seems quite nice. We'll see how he works out.

• Yesterday, Birdie and I went out to the IOP (the Isle of Palms) with the pooches. During certain hours, the dogs can run free without leashes! It's awesome and only 6 minutes away! I'll leave you with a few pix:

Here's Strider having a run after a swim:

Tucker prefers to have the run without the swim:

But Strider just swims and swims and swims:

While Tucker watches:

Sometimes there are holes that we can't see when we're in the water. And we fall. And we get wet. Like Birdie:

Tucker met a new friend who ran into the water. Tucker followed. But, as soon as he realized he was in the water, he came out. Speedy quick:
 

There was a random dude out there paddle boarding:

The water was gorgeous:

I could stand there all day and just look at it:

Yellow flowers abound on the dunes:

Another random doggie heading out for a swim. Or so we thought. As soon as he got to the water's edge, he stopped and headed back:

Quite a lovely way to begin a day:

Have a great weekend y'all!

Friday Fragments

It's Friday. AGAIN. Where DOES the time go?

The good news--besides it being the weekend--is that it's time for FRIDAY FRAGMENTS with Mrs. 4444s over at Half-Past Kissin' Time!

Seriously, this week FLEW by. Speedy quick. And what do I have to show for it? Not much people. Not much at all.

I did get my focus back on running. I had slowed way down because of the humidity but, let's face it, where we live the humidity is not going to go away. So, it's time to buck up and do the running. So I am. And I'm not dead. Yet.

I also moved up to level 2 on the 30 Day Shred for three days. Yesterday I dropped back to level 1 due to that darn left leg issue. I refuse to succumb to injury- so I back off. Which is much better than quitting. I'll go back to level 2 on Monday. Or maybe tomorrow. We'll see. Today was day 16! I'm over halfway there!

Oh, and I lost 3 pounds this week! WooHoo! This is fantastic because that scale has not been very nice lately. Not nice at all.

We have been having some rather regular rain. That's right- RAIN. And the garden LOVES it! The tomato plants are up to my waist now! And that's tall!

Saw a snake on the side of the house where the pump is. Hubs was all like, "What was it? Just a little grass snake?" To which I replied, "Yes, but a snake is a snake so what difference does it make?" He was really nice and came home during lunch to turn the pump off and check for the snake. Nice but, no matter. I won't be going over there anymore.

Also saw the neighbor's dog catch a squirrel. Ew. I felt terrible because Tucker chased it out of our yard through the fence right where the neighbor's dog was standing. Watching. Waiting. Ew. No matter how annoyed I get with those little things when they dig in the garden, I hate seeing anything killed. Ew.

The husband, DoodleBug and I went to my mother's for Mother's Day. Breezy and BestSonInLawEVER drove down and met us there! Even though we missed Deanie and Birdie, we had a nice visit!

Deanie redesigned my blog for me. I was ready for a change. At first we went with some bright, bold colors but that just wasn't me. So she went with what you see here. Thanks, Sweetie!

Something new at the bird feeders this week---A HUMMINGBIRD! I'm so excited. Though I haven't been able to get a photo yet.  

And that, my friends, is it. Hope y'all have a fantastic weekend!