She Has Green Hair!

Woo hoo...today is "Wordless Wednesday" hosted by Angie over at 7 Clown Circus! She gives us the chance to share any picture we want and tell all about it, which I always love to do, as you know.

Well, the picture I've chosen to show today was taken last year when we took a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee during Spring Break. We stayed in a cabin and did lots of hiking. We really had a ball! One particular day, we hiked up a trail that ran alongside a beautiful stream. As were were walking along, I looked over and saw a big clump of moss. So, the light bulb in my head went off, which doesn't happen often (LOL!), and I suggested to Brittany that she pick it up and sit in on top of her head. What better photo op, right? Well, she didn't even hesitate because the next thing I knew, she was standing there with the moss on top of her head! So...I snapped away! Thankfully, she was wearing a baseball cap, so her hair didn't get covered in dirt...and creepy, crawly things! Don't you love her facial expression?
Now, make sure you pay a visit to Angie and the gang and see the other photos that they can't seem to keep their mouths closed about...including ME!

"Never stay up on the barren heights of cleverness, but come down into the green valleys of silliness."~Ludwig Wittgenstein

SMACK!

I, thoroughly, enjoy participating in "Wordful Wednesday" hosted by Angie over at 7 Clown Circus. I love the opportunity she gives us to showcase a photo(s) and to tell the story behind it. Well, the photo I'm sharing this week is definitely a favorite of mine.

I took this picture of Chris and my mom about 13 years ago. They were sitting outside on her front porch steps and, out of the blue, Chris put his arm around her and planted a big ol' smoochie right on her cheek! She didn't see it coming, at all! I'm so glad I happened to have my camera in hand ready to snap away. Brittany almost looks like she's trying to pull her crazy daddy away from her Mamaw! My mom absolutely adored Chris...and he adored her, too! He had her wrapped around his little finger. Anytime we'd go for a visit, she'd always bake him his favorite pie, Coconut Cream. She waited on him hand and foot...and he loved every second of it! I was even beginning to think that she loved him more than she loved me! I can't tell you the times he's told me over the years how much he misses my mom and how much fun he always had with her. He was constantly picking at her about something and seized any opportunity he had to play practical jokes on her. One, in particular, comes to mind. When Chris graduated from Airborne Ranger school, he had his picture taken in full uniform. Well, some of them didn't turn out too well. In one shot, his eyes were half-closed and my mom thought it was the worst picture! I let it slip that Mom didn't think too much of it. Well, Chris took it upon himself to wrap one of those pictures up in a beautiful package and give it to her at Christmas. When Mom opened it, she burst into laughter and said, "Oh, no!" Chris teased that he expected her to display it above her mantel. She told him that was a definite NO GO! Well, it didn't stop there...Chris, also, taped one of those pictures to the inside of the toilet lid for Mom to find...and she did! It's something they both laughed about for awhile! I'm so thankful they had such a close relationship.

Be sure to head on over to Angie's place and see what all you've been missing!

"Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live."~Author Unknown

P.S. More questions and answers coming tomorrow!

A Celebration Fit For A Queen!

Looks like we meet, again, for another "Wordful Wednesday" hosted by Angie over at 7 Clown Circus. What fun it is to share some pictures that we want to tell about! Pop on over and take a look around...you might never want to leave!

Now, the photos I'm sharing today were taken when Abby celebrated her 8th birthday. We threw her a "medieval" party. I say we, but it was hosted by a party planner, of sorts. She booked different kinds of creative parties for both girls and boys. All of the girls got to pick out a dress to wear when they arrived, complete with their choice of a tiara, hat, or head wrap (for lack of a better word!). They, also, got to pick out necklaces and bracelets to wear. Here they are all decked out. Notice how the table was set very elegantly with "fine china" and "crystal goblets". The lady standing up is the one who ran the whole party...and did a fantastic job! Abby is sitting right in front of her with her head turned to the side.Here's a group shot of all the girls...it, actually, got put in the local newspaper!
Here's the Princess herself waiting to be lavished in gifts!
The girls played some games from the medieval era and learned about life back in those times. I would have to say it was one of the best parties she's ever had! Of course, as we were about to leave, the lady who hosted the whole shindig, came over to Chris and me and insisted we look the part, too. So, for the sake of my daughter, whom I love dearly, I risked every ounce of my dignity by putting on the goofiest looking hat EVER! I present to you the "royal family"straight from Tennessee...
Oh, I'm never going to live this down!

“Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure."~Tony Benn

She Can FLY!

Well, folks, it's that time, again, to join my friend, Angie, over at 7 Clown Circus for "Wordful Wednesday". She gives each of us the opportunity to tell about a picture or something that we want to share. You know me...I never can pass up a chance to blab! So, here's a picture of Brittany I took last summer...
Yes, we do all sorts of "interesting" things around here when we get bored. I remember this day so well. I told Brittany to hop on my broom, run through our backyard, leap into the air, and I'd snap a picture of her. I'm sure that's a common, ordinary thing EVERYONE does with their kids, right? LOL! Well, this picture was the result. We laughed so hard when we looked at it! It, actually, appears that she's flying! Wouldn't you agree? Never a dull moment around our house...that's for certain! We'll try just about anything for a giggle!

"If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can't I?"~E.Y. Harburg

P.S. I just have to say here that you guys ROCK! You never cease to amaze me with your kindness and support. Every time I've asked for your prayers, you've come through and I can't tell you what that means to me. Well, God must have heard all the prayers lifted up on Brittany's behalf because she tore the 3200m up last night! I was a little nervous because her teammate, Megan, stayed on her heels for the first 2 laps (out of 8). Finally, Brittany broke away from her and Megan dropped way behind. Brittany ran with the "pack" for the rest of the race. About about the 6th lap, Brittany passed one of her longtime opponents from another school, whom she'd never beat in track before! We call her "Bobble Head" because her head sways back and forth in rhythm when she runs. Brittany ended up, not only beating "Bobble Head" and her teammate, but she broke her school record by 7 secs., finishing with a time of 11:42! She placed 7th in the region (AAAAA), overall! Her coach told her it was her best race ever...and I definitely agree! Her head was in the race, and she was more focused and determined than I've seen her in awhile. I am so proud of what's she's accomplished...but, my throat is raw from yelling! :)

TEENAGE DRAMA...Oh, What Fun!

I'm so glad it's time for "Wordful Wednesday" hosted by my friend, Angie, over at 7 Clown Circus, because I have a whole lot to say this time around! I know, that's so out of character for me, right? Please drop by Angie's blog and see what all the other participants are yakking about this week.

Now, as many of you know, it's prom season and girls and guys are making preparations for this unforgettable event! I, in fact, took Brittany out this past weekend to find her shoes and jewelry. Here's her shoes we ended up finding at DSW. They were originally priced at $60, but they were on sale for half-off, so I paid only $30 for them! Score one for ol' mom! They're very sharp-looking with rhinestones across the toes. The downside is they have 3-inch heels, so Brittany's feet will be killing her! She said that she plans to kick off her shoes and dance in bare feet, anyway. Now that I think about it, maybe I should have invested in a cheap pair of flip flops!
Here's the necklace and earrings we found at Accessories Necessities for only $24.99. They're so sparkly and shiny! Tiffany's has nothing on these babies! :)
We already have her dress, of course, so we can scratch those major items off the list. Now, this is where it all goes south! Brittany had planned to go with her boyfriend and a group of 23 friends to dinner, then on to the prom. Well, there are two girls in the group, one whose father is an orthopedic surgeon, who've come up with THE PLAN. They wanted to rent a fur bus at a cost of $30 pp, then go to The Melting Pot in downtown Atlanta for $35 pp. Oh, and one of these girls is having a before and after prom party (no drinking, drugs, smoking, etc!) at her house at a cost of $15 pp. Can you see where all of this is headed?

There have been a number of kids in the group (Brittany and her boyfriend, included) who've decided that they don't want to spend that kind of money on eating dinner before the prom. I mean, we're talking a minimum of $80 just to ride to the restaurant and eat dinner...double that for a couple! So, Brittany, along with several others, suggested that they eat at a more reasonably priced restaurant, such as Provino's. The two girls who planned everything canned that idea real quick! They said they weren't about to eat their prom dinner at a restaurant where others might be wearing SHORTS! It's become the biggest fiasco ever! Last I heard, they've decided to forgo the fur bus and eat at another restaurant closer by, but that's equally as expensive. Brittany and her boyfriend are getting so frustrated, they're now thinking about doing their own thing.

Now, I failed to mention that the before and after party is an all-night sleepover for both girls and guys! Everyone is still wanting to attend the party...yes, even Brittany! We had quite a "discussion" about it last night! Chris and I both feel uncomfortable allowing her to go to the girl's house for a party because we don't know her or her parents! Most of the other kids we know very well. We don't have the assurance that those kids will be properly supervised! Secondly, we certainly don't like the idea of her spending the night there with boys...friends or not! Please don't get me wrong...Brittany is a very good girl and I thank the Lord up above everyday. However, things can and do happen with kids her age, particularly when adequate adult supervision is lacking! Plus, it's a proven fact that the reasoning portion of the brain, the pre-frontal cortex, doesn't fully develop until about the age of 21, which makes it hard for teens to understand the connection between actions and consequences. Brittany is a prime example of this. She can't seem to grasp why her daddy and I have reservations about the party...we're just being meanies. If it were a bunch of girls, we might be more inclined to let her stay, but with boys being invited, that's a whole different story.

We realize that as your child gets older, especially when they turn 17, you have to start loosening the reigns and allow them room to grow and mature. We, in fact, suggested to Brittany that she attend the party for a few hours after the prom (we were trying to COMPROMISE!), but that was a NO-GO! She feels that we're ruining a memorable night for her because most of her other friends, including her best friend, are staying all night. Are we being unreasonable or unjust? Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew, will be spending the night, too!

I would LOVE to hear your take on the situation we're facing. Would YOU allow your 17 year old daughter to attend a sleepover party for guys and girls? My feeling is that, as a parent, you sometimes have to take a stand for what you feel is right and stop worrying about being your child's best friend. PARENT is a verb, not a noun. Oh, I feel so much better now, but I would love to hear your thoughts! For those of you who've never raised a teenager...just you wait! Uh, oh...I think I just saw another gray hair pop in on the top of my head....I WONDER WHY! LOL!

"Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years."~Author Unknown



P.S. Abby got her palatal expander put in, but her mouth is really sore and she talks kind of "funny". She said it's like having a big glob of peanut butter stuck to the roof of her mouth! I have to give the expander a turn with a key twice each day for 3 weeks, but she'll have to wear it for 4-6 months. It's expanding her upper jaw so there will be ample room for her teeth. The next phase will be to get her braces on. Brittany said the "loved" volunteering with the Special Olympics. Her job was to hug the children as they crossed the finish line...that's exactly what I did in college! She said they were all such an inspiration! Thank you for your prayers!

"American Idol" In OUR Future?

Just a reminder...don't forget to enter my giveaway here! It ends on Friday at noon! Good luck!

My good friend, Angie, over at 7 Clown Circus hosts "Wordful Wednesday" each week. It's always a lot of fun because you get to share a picture, any picture, and tell all about it. As you know, I'm never at a loss for words! So, please stop by Angie's blog and check it out! You'll be so glad you did!

Now, last summer we took a 7-night cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas, which I highly recommend! We had the best time! Well, the girls and I discovered that there were recording booths onboard! You could, actually, make music videos of yourself singing! You were able to pick the song and the background, then you'd step inside the booth and record your video. All you saw behind you was a "green screen", but there was a monitor in front of you with the lyrics to the song, as well as the background you'd chosen. You were superimposed on the screen, just like the real deal! It was so much fun and truly addictive! I bet we did it 30 or more times... sang with Bon Jovi, Rascal Flatts, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, you name it! Yes, even a little "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lynard Skynard. We had dance moves that would put Justin Timberlake to shame...I REALLY mean that! LOL!

Well, this picture shows Brittany and Abby in the recording booth one evening after dinner. Abby was always pretty serious about it, but Brittany and I couldn't keep a straight face! I thought Brittany was going to tinkle on herself, she was laughing so hard! Look at Abby...she was watching herself on the monitor and hoping that Brittany would compose herself so that she could continue with her recording. Oh, she has visions of hitting it big in the music industry one day....so do I! :) Just one question...why is it that I always sound so phenomenal in the shower, but like a dying calf everywhere else? Must be the acoustics! LOL! Those were some good times!
“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”~Maya Angelou

My, How We've GROWN!

Today is Wednesday and you know what that means, right? It's time for Wordful Wednesday hosted by Angie of 7 Clown Circus. Pop on over and join in the fun!

Now, this picture was taken of Chris and me several years ago when we went to the Florida Keys with his former employer. We went out with a couple of friends of ours one afternoon and did some exploring and shopping. We couldn't resist the opporunity to have them snap our pictures posing as "full-figured" tourists...and I mean FULL-FIGURED! Please, someone assure me that this isn't what we're going to look like as we get older! Of course, now that I look at it...mine's not half bad! Chris, on the other hand...
"They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body."~Author Unknown


P.S. Just as I promised, I chose a winner for my "Followers Monthly Giveaway" using Random.org. The winner this month is Darlene #51! Congratulations, Darlene! If you could e-mail me your home address, I'll get it in the mail to you ASAP! Don't forget, everyone, I'll be having a giveaway at the end of every month for all of my loyal followers! That's not an April Fool's joke, either! :)

Always Makin' Me Smile!

Today, I'm joining Angie and the gang over at 7 Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday. It's a fun time of sharing pictures and being able to tell about them. Head on over there and see what I mean!

Now, this first picture is one I took of Abby when we went to Universal Studios-Florida in the summer of 2002. We walked in a gift shop to get out of the heat and they had all sorts of hats. Of course, Abby just had to try nearly every single one of them on! I love the one she's wearing here...it's a milk carton! The way she's cutting her eyes around cracks me up! From a very early age, Abby has always been one to do anything to make someone laugh. She hasn't changed one bit! Here's a note Abby wrote to me when she was 7 years old. You know how much I cherish things that my girls have made or written to me. This came directly from Abby's heart...so sweet and innocent. Don't you just love how she spelled some of the words? The message to me is very clear. She loves me... and nothing else matters!
"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided, but for the feeling that you cherished them."~Richard L. Evans quotes



P.S. Last night, Brittany ran in the 3200m against 4 girls and 12 boys. She finished in first place for the girls with a personal record of 11:53...that's 20 secs. off her previous time of 12:13! She even beat some of the boys! Guess who finished only 7 secs. in front of her? ANDREW! For those of you who might not know...he's her former boyfriend of just over a year! Needless to say, he wasn't happy about it! So...it was a very good night! :)

Bad To The Bone...NOT!

Yay! I'm so excited that it's time for "Wordful Wednesday" with Angie over at 7 Clown Circus! As you probably know by now, I'm never at a loss for words, particularly when it comes to sharing some of my photos. Be sure to pay Angie and the other participants a visit and see which photos everyone is sharing today! It will be worth your time, I promise!

Now, this is a picture that Chris and I had made a few years ago when we went to Vail, Colorado with his former company. We'd all gone to a local ranch for dinner one evening and they had an area set up where you could put on different costumes and have your picture taken. We were a bit reluctant, at first, because it was out in the open where EVERYONE could watch you make a fool of yourself. We had some friends convince us to do it after they had their picture made. So, this is what we came up with...a Civil War photo. Now, to me, Chris looks the part...straight out of the history books! I, on the other hand, look like some sort of "floozie", as my mom would say. Did women wear boas back in that era? :) Don't you just love the lack of expression on my face? Everybody was standing around trying hard to make us laugh, so I had to put my serious face on to keep from cracking up. It didn't really help because I kept giggling and the photographer would have to stop and start all over, again. I think she got pretty irritated with me, but it was all in good fun!

"Carry laughter with you wherever you go."~Hugh Sidey

P.S. Brittany ran in a track meet yesterday that was a make-up for one they'd cancelled a few weeks ago. She did so well, placing 2nd in the 1600m with a personal best time of 5:40! It was a huge confidence booster...I knew she could do it! What's more is that she beat her best friend by 9 secs. She holds the school record (5:32) for the 1600m. Woo Hoo!

A Memorable Day In Paradise

It's time for Wordful Wednesday with Angie over at Seven Clown Circus. Participants are given the opportunity to share a picture(s) and tell a story about it. I have tons of pictures, so it's always hard for me to pick just one to share! This week, I'm sharing two pictures of my girls.

We took a family vacation to Sanibel Island, FL. back in the summer of 1998 when Abby was a year and a half old and Brittany was six. I think this picture captures the bond they share...I love how they're holding hands! They had so much fun playing together on the beach! Those were some special times that I'll always treasure.
It was Abby's first time to ever be on a beach or see the ocean. She loved to scoop up handfuls of sand and let it sift through her fingers. She'd giggle every time! It was unforgettable to see everything through her eyes. Made me feel like a child all over, again! "Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone."~Author unknown

Enjoy your Wednesday...be blessed!