You Mean it’s NOT Normal to SWIM at 8AM?!

It’s just after 8am on this Saturday morning and everyone is outside swimming. (Well, the kids at least) We are still having 90 degree days, but early in the morning we dip into the 50s. IDK the temp now, but I bet we are in the low 70s. Its not cold, but I don’t want to swim.

Ryleigh spent the night and they girls all wanted to swim. They swam until 9:30 last night and were ready this morning again. Here are a few pics that I JUST took.

Jeff put Jade in the hot tub. At least she is warm. She is in her PJ bottoms and, by the looks of the swell, a regular diaper. She thinks she is a BIG girl because she is swimming, too.

Ry and Jenna are jumping into the cooler pool. They are having a ball!

 

Here is Jeff, still drinking coffee. Are we crazy?

Please draw your eyes to the towel hanging on the rail. Yes, that is an ORIGINAL New Kids on the Block towel. Folks, this is no throwback or retro, this is the REAL DEAL…straight from 1990. (Thus the fade) I would say we have gotten the goody out of this towel. There are not even any holes in it. It will be a sad day when it finally wears out.

So excited about UGA playing Arkansas today. The hogs are my 3rd fav team. (Behind UGA and USC) I always like a good under dog. However, AR has a Heisman pick as QB, so I am a bit worried. They are also MUCH higher ranked than UGA. Let’s hope that UGA has just been a sleeper team that is going to AWAKE today.

I will be DVRing the game. I have a DAY at the spa! Yes, you read that right. I got a gift certificate from Jeff and the girls for my bday. Jeff was a bit upset because normally when he gives me this gift it is for the 1/2 day Getaway. This year, we did not have the funds to do that. With the g/c I was still able to schedule a nice massage and spa pedicure. I have had a sore body for a week so Jeff suggested that I call and make the appt for today. When I called Thursday, I was surprised that I was able to get an appt so quickly. They are usually so booked up. While I was on the phone, Jeff told me to up the appointment to the Getaway. He is using some of his money that he makes while traveling to make up the difference. I am SO thankful!

So at 12:00 noon I will arrive at the spa. I will start with a 1 hour facial, followed by a lunch of spa cuisine (AKA, the BEST salad EVER), next will be a 1 hour heated stone massage, and last a spa pedicure. I should be home by 4:30 or 5pm.

Now, that makes for a good day!

Sorry, I haven't posted this week. It’s been a boring week. Hope you have a nice weekend.

Rivalry Day

This is the one game of year where Jeff and I root for opposite teams. I am a  Bulldog fan, but always root for Carolina unless they are playing UGA. Jeff will always root for UGA, but his true allegiance is to Carolina. MOST years UGA comes out on top, but it is ALWAYS one of the best games of the year. Typically, it is a nail biter. This year: NOT SO MUCH!

Jeff is all smiles because Carolina won 17-6! UGA did not even get a single touchdown. This is the first game that Jeff and I have missed since we have been dating. In fact, the first year we went to a game we were driving with Nonni, Pop, AC, and UJ when Todd and Caro called to announce that they were engaged. I swear Todd planned it that way so that he would not have to make so many calls. He knew he could catch us all in one vehicle. Why else would he propose at 7am?! Ha! In the 6 years we have been together, UGA has won 4 times. Jeff’s phone has been ringing ALL afternoon. Truth be told, it rang all week with lots of harassment. I am proud for USC.

I told Jeff last week that I would cook chicken ALL week. He ended up cooking up every night, so that worked out well for me. :) He told the guys at work if Carolina won he would bring his grill and cook HOT DAWGS for everyone next week. Jeff doesn’t even really like hot dogs. Ha!

I have been SO SORE today! I don’t know why. It’s like I have been in a football game myself. My neck is SO sore, my hips are killing me, my shins are on fire, and wow, my ankles! It’s the strangest thing. I think I need a chiropractor, but they are all SO expensive and my insurance is not that great when it comes to chiropractic care. Boo! (and no I have not worked out. Imagine how bad I would hurt if I did!)

I got a few more aprons cut out and monogrammed. I will not post any pictures today because I am afraid I will lose readers if I do 3 apron posts in a row. Trust me, they are cute. I am getting better and even tweaked the pattern all by myself- AND IT WORKED! (AMS, you would be proud) One is for me, two (or 4) are for Christmas gifts, and the rest are for gifts in the future. I always like to have gifts put away for emergencies. (or slack times when I don’t have time or money to shop) Earlier I posted that they cost about $5 each. The way I tweaked the pattern, I am using scraps for the other aprons to make new aprons. The way I do that math, they are a whopping $2.50 each! They still make a nice gift because they have a lot of time and love in them. (and they are cute and sassy, too)

Jade is SO funny. Where does this child come up with stuff. She came out this afternoon saying, “I’m cooooold!” and dressed like this……

 

Um, it’s like 90+ degrees! She also has watched Vootball all day. She sounds like a little Swedish girl when she says it.

 

Tori introduced me to these crackers- YUM! The pistachios are so yummy! What a great treat. So sorry for the rest of you, I bought the last 2 bags at Wal Mart. (and they were on clearance,so it’s not looking good!)

 

I think I have rambled enough. Good night.

Done!

Jeff was eating a bowl of yogurt tonight and he set it down to take a phone call. This is what Jade looked like when he returned. She ate ALL of his yogurt.

This morning at work I got an email that appeared to be from Jenna’s teacher. Upon opening it I determined it was from Jenna herself. I guess he hijacked her teacher’s email and sent me a message to bring her clothes for garden club.. Ha!

 

Surprise! I have finished ALL of the required aprons. Yep, all 5 of them! PLUS 1 extra. That’s right, 6 are complete! I have a couple more that I want to do, but the MUST DOs are done. YES!

This one is for Jade’s teacher. Have I ever mentioned that I taught BOTH of Jade’s teachers? I actually taught Melinda for 3 straight years. I was teaching multiple subjects and multiple grades during those years. She is such a sweet girl. I have one of her niece's now.

  

 

This one is for Jenna’s gifted teacher. I had a hard time deciding whether to use the red or pink accent. I am still not sure, but red it is. Hope she likes it. (You can see the sewing disaster in my dining room if you look at the background)

 

Jade insisted on modeling. She calls it, “cheese.”

“I wanna cheese!”

This one is my VERY favorite. The white has tint black dots and the back is a black and red plaid. (ok, so I have the stuff to make myself one of these)

CHEESE! Again

 

Jenna was not mad here. It’s just not a great picture. This apron is not for anyone specific. I made an extra to have on hand for an “extra” gift. It’s really cuter in person. The back is light pink with white dots. I think I will put some black trim on the pocket to bling it up a bit.

A few close ups of the accent fabrics.

 

Told this one was cuter.

 

My fav!Pictures just don’t do it justice.

 

Kinda wishing I had just put the first 3 letters on this one. HA! I will definitely make me one like this in the next few days.

 

and this is the close up of Beth’s. Did I do right going with the red?

These cost about $5 each. Granted, that is with some already on hand fabric, some from AMS, and a pattern from AMS. I also did not count the cost of the thread, stabilizer, etc. I already had it, so it’s hard to account for. I think it’s a pretty swanky gift for $5.

The girls have WONDERFUL teachers who I want to do something nice for. The budget says I have to be careful, so this is what I came up with so far. Thank you to all of you who have left nice comments. It makes me feel good.

2 down- a bunch to go

If you teach my children this year- stop reading now. You will ruin your Christmas present.

On Friday I had the bright idea to make aprons for the girls’ teachers. They have 5 teachers between them. I was thinking this would make nice Christmas presents. I attempted to chose sassy fabric so there would be no grandma aprons in the mix. Thanks to AMS and Gloria, I have 2 finished and the rest OH SO CLOSE to being finished.

 

For the record, aprons are hard to photograph…here are a few shots:

Jade modeled for me.

This one is for a very young girl who is getting married soon. It was the first one (well second really, but the first one doesn’t count- YET) that I did. I LOVE the yellow and black material. It is lined in white and is not reversible.

Apparently, Jade attempted to choke herself. Ha!

 

LOVE this!

We sewed most of Labor Day at Gloria’s house. She has a fabulous sewing room in her basement. Todd, whatcha think of that Ga Tech quilt she is working on?

 

   

 

 

Gloria and Charles have a beautiful home in Harbor Club. Charles feeds the deer and they are almost tame.

 

Hi Gloria!

 

Here is the 2nd apron. It is reversible. The back is white/black dots. I think the pocket needs a little ric rac or something. What do you think?

 

This one is for one of Jenna’s teachers. She is a young 50ish aged lady. She has a lot of personality and Jenna just adores her.

I can’t wait to see how the rest turn out. They are all different from each other. It just so happens that the first 2 are yellow and black. (Because I had yellow thread in the embroidery machine and wanted to rethread as little as possible)

The pattern called for a ruffle along the bottom, but I go SO frustrated that I gave up on it. Mary Sue and Gloria had better luck with the ruffle, but after fighting with it, they both decided they like the apron better with no ruffle. Phew!

I have to thank Gloria for the encouragement, friendship, sewing room,  fabric choosing expertise, and FOOD! (Thanks to Charles, too)

Also, a BIG thank you to AMS who picked out and bought the pattern. She also gave me some of the fabric. Thanks so much for the gift of your materials, time, and patience. Your friendship and encouragement was MUCH needed.

I literally could not have made it without the two of you. (Shout out to Tori for helping to select the fabric.)

Now, my dining room looks like a sewing shop exploded inside of it. I have a Nice sewing area upstairs, but its so hard to carve time to go upstairs. I will get finished MUCH faster with it in the dining room.

What do you think of my aprons? Are they too grandma-ish? Would you like to get one as a gift? I hope so.

If your name is Monica, Melinda, Janice, Nita, or Beth- YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO READ THIS FAR> BUSTED! Ha! Just kidding, but don’t tell Jenna or Jade that you knew what you were getting. :)

Blog Change

in honor of football season, I changed the blog to UGA colors. Hope you like them.

Speaking of football season, this is the only week of the season that I do not root for both Carolina and UGA. This week, Jeff and I are football enemies. UGA and Carolina ALWAYS bring their A games to this match up. Saturday is SURE to be a true ballgame. This will be the first UGA/USC game that Jeff and I have missed since we have been together. We will have fun watching it at home, for sure. In fact, this week I plan to cook CHICKEN all week. Wonder what Jeff will think of that?!

I took a few pics of Jade today. None of Jenna because she is at Nonni’s for a little while. Jade went there last night while the rest of us went to Alex’s birthday celebration. They have a pool and it is just SO hectic with Jade there.

Tomorrow, I plan to go to Gloria’s early. We are sewing some aprons. I need to make 9 or so, but I hope to make a  good start towards 3 or 4 tomorrow. I have the first 4 cut out already. Jeff and Jenna will join us around noon and we will cookout and eat later in the day. Wish me well. This apron requires the use of a pattern and I don’t know how to read a pattern. There are also some curves and I am a sew in a straight line kind of girl.

 

Tonight, we are grilling hamburgers. I HOPE/plan to eat outside. The weather is FABULOUS! I love this hint of fall that we are getting. Jeff is dove hunting and I hope they kill their limit and come home happy. We could eat lobster EVERY day for what my daddy spends on that dove field. Oh well, they enjoy it.

Hope you are enjoying this Labor Day weekend.

Wal Mart Story #178

I know everyone has strange experiences at Wal Mart. Today I headed to buy a few groceries. I was actually able to go by myself, which is rare.

As SOON as I entered the store I headed to the vitamin aisle. On the end of the vitamins are the laxatives. (Do you see where this is going?) There was an older lady there shopping and she stopped me asking did I have children. What gave that away? Probably my hips! Anyway, I said, “yes”. She said, “Well, Hun, I am looking for children’s suppositories. They used to make them children’s size.”

I’m thinking, “GREAT!”

But I said, “Well, we just buy regular ones and break them in half.”

As I prepared to walk away and continue shopping, she called me BACK!

“Well, I want children’s”

I replied, “Ok, I see these infant suppositories. Try these.”

For those of you who don’t know, they are like mini, tiny enemas. They have a tiny bulb filled with liquid glycerin. You can figure out the rest.

This lady could NOT figure out the rest. She INSISTED that I explain to her how they worked.

So, I did.

Then, she says, “Hun, you are gonna have to speak loudly, I am hard of hearing.”

You have GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Lady, you expect me to yell how to use an enema!

So, I did while fully expecting a camera crew to round the corner at any moment announcing which comedic TV show I was to be featured on.

Then she asks, “Well, what do you do with it when you are finished?”

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uhm, you go sit and wait?!

Actually, she clarified and she meant that she was unclear at to if these were refillable!

WTH?!

“No ma’am, they are not refillable. You throw it away and buy more if you need them.”

She thanked me and walked away. Finally. Phew! No cameras.

I proceeded shopping and guess who I ran into on the NEXT aisle. Yes, there she was.

She stopped AGAIN!

Oh dear! What now?!

She said, “I know you think I am crazy for wearing this long sleeved shirt.”

Yes, I do think you are crazy, but it has NOTHING to do with your shirt.

She proceeded that she has brown spots on her arms and she was ashamed.

WHAT?! Could have fooled me. I thought you had NO SHAME lady. I mean look, you just had me, a complete stranger, yell directions for an enema, but you are ashamed of some sun spots?! Really!

 

She went on to tell me how she was 90 years old. (she looked pretty good,too)

Wow, just wow!

To my aging family members: If you need assistance with enemas or the like, do NOT stop another shopper and require them to YELL the directions. We shoppers DO NOT ENJOY explaining such things.

Jeepers! What a trip.

Vroom Vroom

Edited:  Found this in my drafts folder and realized I never posted it. Oops!

These pics were taken at the farm this weekend by a very talented young girl. Julia, a 9th grader at John Milledge Academy loves her camera. She got a new 50mm fixed lens on Friday and here are a few shots that she snapped. I can tell you from experience that a 50mm is not an easy lens. It provides LOVELY shots when you get it just right. I say Julia has a bright future behind a camera. What do you think?

 

 

 

I am now motivated to get my 50mm lens back out. My most favorite pic that I have ever taken was with this lens. Oddly, it’s of a plate of celery at Thanksgiving. Ha!

Happy Monday!

***Jade did NOT ride the 4 wheeler and certainly not without a helmet. Hold the hate mail. These are just for pictures.