There’s been something happening lately, and I quite like it. That is my elderly neighbor, Beverly, and I have become friendlier. We enjoy talking over the fence, catching up in her flower garden, and on Friday we took it one step further. Earlier in the week she had invited us over for afternoon tea. How quaint, I thought, and gladly accepted.

On Friday, at three o’clock in the afternoon, while Davey napped, we went over to her house. I was really glad that Davey had taken a late nap because it would have been horrible to chase him around the house; the house of an elderly woman who has music boxes, books, magazines, pictures, and antique furniture.

The table was set in blue and white china, each place even had a little tea bag holder, and there was a plate full of gingerbread and raisin cookies. The cookies, she said, were “Monkey Faces,” and upon further study we saw that she had placed three raisins upon each. After baking the cookies puffed up around the raisins revealing a unique muzzle.

Continue reading Weekend Update | Best Shot Monday »

I don’t know about other parents, but I have a theory that the odd numbered years suck.  They suck donkey balls.  However, I digress.

Benny’s Birthday Weekend was awesome!  It started on Saturday when after soccer practices (I say that in plural because there were two back-to-back sessions in blistering heat) we came home, had stinky siblings shower, and took off for the birthday dinner.  Benny made his choice and it was Beef O’Brady’s.   We used to haunt the one in our town during GA Part I, so the place is synonymous with good times.  And, good times were had.  There was a college football game on (Bulldogs, I presume), and the place was loud and full of life.  The kids screamed and cheered, along with the crowd.  Davey got in on it by obsessively clapping and calling out yay.  The food was great.  Mikey had hot wings.  Livey and Benny had chicken tenders, and Davey had his weight in chicken nuggets.   Seriously, they gave BIG portions.  Me?  I had The. Best. Buffalo Chicken Salad. Ever.  I don’t know why, but put blue cheese and hot sauce together–for me–and I’m in heaven!

Continue reading Best Shot Monday: Goodbye Seven, Hello Eight »

My new lens is like butter. No, no, it is butter! I’m still getting to know her, but she’s doing some marvelous stuff! I’ll be getting my new camera bag in the next day or so, too. I can’t wait to be able to take my lovely out in style, but I digress.

When we moved in to our house, last August, I didn’t get to see any of these orange lilies. So they were a pleasant surprise this spring. I love having flowers around the outside of the house. I grew up with flowers in pots and beds, and I think it’s a nice thing to keep up. We plan to get a tiller and once we do I will be able to plant some flowers around the perimeter of the house; I think I’ll go with sunflowers and wildflowers.

Our nephew’s visit came to end this weekend, on Sunday. My father-in-law and his wife came in to town to pick him up, which coincided with Michael’s arrival home. Joe accompanied Davey and I when we picked up Uncle Mike while Paw Paw stayed at our house with the kids. It was nice to spend some quiet time with him, minus the other kids. When we got home, Michael got changed, and then we went out to eat. After that Michael took the kids back to the hotel where his dad was staying so that the kids could swim. I put Davey to bed and then when the kids got home we prepared Joe for his departure in the morning.

Paw Paw came over around 8:00am. I had a full pot of coffee and biscuits in the oven. The kids ate and played some more Mario Kart Wii, while Michael, his dad, and I drank our coffee and visited some. Before long it was time for them to get on the road. The kids weren’t thrilled by this, but the invitation was extended for Joe to visit us again this summer. I sure hope he does.

The kids all had a blast, and I’m so glad that we had the opportunity to have him stay with us. Despite his list he still forgot something here…his toiletries bag! It’s waiting for him under the sink in the upstairs bathroom now.

I see a few unhappy kids in this picture. Mikey wouldn’t smile at all. Grrr..

Coming Up This Week:

• Fun Times with Papa
• A Pool Pass
• Sex and the City Girls’ Night Out with My Friends
• Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
• A Possible Play Date &
  
• Hopefully Some Barbecue on the Grill
  

I am happy that a relationship with our neighbors is being forged. There’s been a line that’s been crossed from neighbors to friends, and it thrills me. The kids all get along. We, adults, all get along. It’s really nice.

On Saturday we went to the Atlanta Zoo. Michael and Mikey hung back at home; they had themselves a nice father-son afternoon. I would have loved for them to join us, but they had other things planned. I’m glad they had the time to hang out. After all, Michael should’ve been at work and they wouldn’t have had that time. But, he was placed on call and got to spend an extra week home with us. That was a pleasant surprise since we thought that, upon our return home from Buffalo, he’d go back a day later.

The Zoo was great. I have been three times–total–now. This was our first trip on a Saturday, though, and while it was busy, it wasn’t bad at all. We ate an all too expensive lunch there, too, but it was good. Or, we could’ve just been THAT hungry. I’m always a sucker for the zoo, no matter where it is. Our last trip to the zoo was in Buffalo, last spring, and the Atlanta Zoo is much more grand.

I was a bit disheartened by rude behaviour by people. Neighbor Dad and I were talking about how it’s just not the same anymore and that more-and-more people are just idiots without respect. Sure enough, though, just as we were getting ready to leave I was shown that there are still decent people in the world. I guess we just have to keep hope alive.

When we got home, the kids played outside some while I made dinner. I made an easy-peasy dinner—chicken and cheese enchiladas. I was really thankful that I bought a rotisserie chicken the day before, at Kroger. After the kids were tucked in for the night, Michael and I watched a movie. We watched “Gone, Baby, Gone” with Casey Afleck and Morgan Freeman. I thought it was a good movie, but I absolutely detested the ending.

Olivia had a present for me for Mother’s Day. She had planned it in Buffalo and got my mom to help her with the surprise. She couldn’t wait to give it to me and when she woke up yesterday morning she brought me the bag that housed the gift. Inside, a beautiful wind chime.

Day 261:

The kids and I and we went to church with Neighbor Mom and Kids, then the kids played outside, while I made dinner, and afterwards Michael got to cut the grass. Yes, I made dinner on Mother’s Day! I had been planning this dinner for a few days and we had eaten out a few times, already. I didn’t feel like fighting all the crowds at the restaurants, either.

I made: Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions, “Macedonian Salad” (Cucumber/Tomato/Feta Salad), and Corn on the Cobb.

I also drank beer. I also got drunk. I also passed out around 8:30pm.
I am not, nor will I ever be a beer drinker. The Sam Adams Cherry Wheat (2) sure was yummy, though. I liked it better than the Summer Ale (.5)

Day 262:

Michael is back to work this week, we’re back to the grind, but we’ll see him this weekend. The week is going to fly by, for sure. We have two play-dates planned, Karate, Olivia’s soccer game, and a birthday on Friday. A certain “Secret Agent” is turning 34! Maybe she’ll finally get the chicken wings she’s been craving. No more beer, though. Definitely no more beer.

Feasted at Wendy’s with the kids before going to Payless and Target with Linda and Co.
Reasoned with Mikey and let him buy some action figures, with his own money.
Irrigated myself with a lovely iced coffee from –none other– Starbucks.
Discussed some stuff with the kids that I didn’t think I’d have to discuss.
Antagonized for about 2 minutes regarding how I would do it, but it went well.
Yearned for a Friday night with Mo.

Someone had a brilliant idea to “do team pics” early in the morning.
After some cold water on my face and gathering of prepped items, we bolted.
Turns out we just made it by 3 minutes or Livey would have missed the team pic.
Ugh. How could I forget my coffee?
Recharged with a Diet Coke; gotta do what you gotta do to avoid “the headache”.
Decided not to do the foot parade and we went home to rest before her game.
After her game we went to Walmart and the kids picked out pizzas for dinner.
Yippie! I got to talk to Piper on the phone, too!

Such a poor night’s sleep for Mikey; his ear hurt him.
Up until I gave him some Benedryl, he really couldn’t sleep.
Nap time was non-existent for Davey so off we went for a ride.
Drove to the place of testing and then to Sonic for Happy Hour!
All of us ate when we got home, and then we got ready for bed.
Ya know, it’s just amazing how fast the weekend escapes.

Math, reading, language arts, science, and social studies,
Oh what fun standardized testing is.
Not.
Davey and I will have fun scoping out the scenery and taking pictures.
And then on Wednesday Papa will come home!!
Yes, only one week till our big trip.

Friday, 4/11/08
Secret Agent Benjamin was a bit under the weather. He rested on the couch for the better part of the day.
Secret Agent Papa took the other Secret Agent Children on a few missions.
Secret Agent Mama supported Secret Agent Baby as Secret Agent Family played on the trampoline. Then Double-O-Baby had a blast giving his Double-O-Mama a heart attack as she let him play on the tramp.

Saturday, 4/12/08
Secret Agent Papa left in the wee hours of the morning to go to a gathering of liked minded agents.
Secret Agent Mikey invited one of his friends over for a sleep-over.
Secret Agent Mama picked up the friend of Secret Agent Mikey.
Secret Agent Mama and Kids went to the store to stock up on stuff for the “slumber party”.
Secret Agent Kids and Co. played outside while Double-O-Mama cleaned up and made dinner. After feeding the little agents, cleaning up after them, and getting them all prepped for slumber, Secret Agent Mama suggested a movie.
Secret Agent Mama tucked everyone into bed after the movie.
Secret Agent Papa returned home in the wee hours of the morning.

Sunday, 4/13/08
Secret Agent Family relaxed.
Secret Agent Family had Dairy Queen for lunch. (Secret Agent Mama had a salad, yo!)
Secret Agent Mama did laundry.
Secret Agent Baby had another day of boycotting food. Secret Agent Mama pulled her hair out.
Secret Agent Kids watched movies, snacked, played on the trampoline briefly, played on the computer, read books, showered, got ready for bed, got tucked in, and fell into deep slumber.
Secret Agent Papa prepared for his next work assignment.
Secret Agent Mama ironed Double-O-Papa’s uniform.
Secret Agent Parents went to bed at a reasonable hour. Secret Agent Mama snored–again–and annoyed Double-O-Papa. Breath Right Strips?

Monday, 4/14/08
Secret Agent Family’s four part mission for today:

1. Take Secret Agent Papa to undisclosed drop-off location
2. Secret Agent Mama and Kids descend upon a cool grocery store (Trader Joe’s)
3. Secret Agent Kids complete school work.
4. Secret Agent Mama will miss Secret Agent Papa (and, already does…)