It's officially...

TOENAIL SEASON!! Green for St. Paddy's Day...

Emma wasn't too patient the first go round, but she was much more intrigued for the touch-up!

Spring garden...

We planted our spring garden this past weekend. We actually planted some seeds this year...that's a first for us. Little seedlings are a safer bet, but surprisingly we have some things starting to come up! Here are some pictures the day we planted (Saturday). We have radishes, carrots, cabbage, an early girl tomato, spinach, lettuce, and mesculin greens. YAY!

2 hours, 28 minutes and counting...

That's how long Emma has been playing in her bed, refusing to take a nap... *eyes rolling*

Goober ChickenTush

I found this on my cousin Kerrie's blog. Enjoy!

What's your new name?? :-)

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloppy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dinky
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

$300 to fix or $215-$400 for new?!?!

Ok...so the motor is out on the washing machine. To replace it, it will cost almost $300. I can get a NEW WASHING MACHINE FOR $218! I would rather pay up to $400 for a new washer than $300 for one with no warranty left that may have to be fixed again. Jonathan agrees that a new machine is the better investment, so I guess we're in the new washer market...

Drive belt??

Our washing machine isn't agitating or spinning. From what I can find on the internet, the drive belt may be worn or broken...whatever that means. Please pray Jonathan can figure it out and fix it soon. I'd hate for any of the 3 of us to have to go in public naked due to the lack of clean clothes!! And more importantly right now, there are soaking wet clothes in the washer that I've tried to spin and re-spin 3 times...it doesn't take long for wet clothes to mildew...eeeewwwww!

Motor Vehicle Inspection...

I'm used to getting my car inspected. Texas requires the same thing. My inspection expires the last day in December. Since we have lived in North Carolina, I don't think we have ever had my car inspected on time. December is filled with Christmas and our minds are not turned to maintenance of the car. So every year we receive a letter in the mail at the end of February stating that we have until May 1 to get the emmisions test done or we will be fined $250. This is enough of a warning for me to go get the car inspected! SO...today, Emma and I spent 25 minutes sitting inside a little Texaco station waiting for the car to be inspected. There is a place on 49 where we ususally go, but the guy who does the inspections was out to a meeting and wouldn't be back for an hour and a half (we get to stay in the car there, so I like it better...but we didn't have an hour and a half to wait for the guy). My point...can someone please tell me why I have to pay an extra $10 to have my window tint inspected? They use a little device that goes against the window and it takes less than a minute! Anyway...no use complaining about it. The fact of the matter is that it costs $40 to get my car inspected (23.50 for the actual inspection, 6.50 for the sticker and 10.00 for the tint inspection). Until next year my car inspection friends! Maybe next year I will remember my inspection before December and get it done in November! :-)

Allergic Rhinitis...

Allergic Rhinitis - Overview

What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, often called allergies or hay fever, occurs when your immune system overreacts to particles in the air that you breathe-you are allergic to them. Your immune system attacks the particles, causing symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. The particles are called allergens, which simply means they can cause an allergic reaction.
People with allergies usually have symptoms for many years. You may have symptoms often during the year, or just at certain times. You also may get other problems such as sinusitis and ear infections as a result of your allergies.
Over time, allergens may begin to affect you less, and your symptoms may not be as severe as they had been.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
In most cases, when you have allergic rhinitis:
You sneeze again and again, especially after you wake up in the morning.
You have a runny nose and postnasal drip. The drainage from a runny nose caused by allergies is usually clear and thin. But it may become thicker and cloudy or yellowish if you get a nasal or sinus infection.
Your eyes are watery and itchy.
Your ears, nose, and throat are itchy.
Which allergens commonly cause allergic rhinitis?
You probably know that pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds cause allergic rhinitis. Many people have allergies to dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold as well. Things in the workplace, such as cereal grain, wood dust, chemicals, or lab animals, can also cause allergic rhinitis.
If you are allergic to pollens, you may have symptoms only at certain times of the year. If you are allergic to dust mites and indoor allergens, you may have symptoms all the time.


THIS IS ME RIGHT NOW! Is there any relief? If anyone has any suggestions, FOR THE LOVE OF SPRING, please let me know! I'm taking Allevert everyday and we won't have prescription insurance until April 1 due to Jonathan's new job...I'm to the point that I will try ANYTHING! It's so bad that I SERIOUSLY thought about wearing a surgical mask to walk this morning!!

Gwinnett,GA...

Have you ever been to Gwinnett, GA? Might I suggest a visit there? Maybe a drive through the scenic parking lot of a Korean Farmer's Market (twice) off Exit 103 of I85 North. Let me warn you, though. If you'd like to stop just for a few minutes to grab food and then hop back on the interstate heading north, you might choose Exit 104 instead.



On our way home from Atlanta, we were going to grab some food right off the interstate and eat in the car. We saw a sign for food that included Chick-fil-A. PERFECT! Take that exit. Once we exited, there were no more signs showing which direction the food was. We drove left...no food. We drove right...no food. We turned down a side street (twice) and turned around in a Korena Farmer's Market (twice)...no food. We turned by Khol's...surely there's food close to Khol's...no food. Finally, we decided to get back on the interstate to find food at another exit. There's the sign for South I85, but we need North I85...turn around...no North I85 entrance to be found ANYWHERE! Let's get on South I85 and then turn around at the next exit. As we FINALLY get back on I85 heading in the correct direction (North), we see the food sign we had seen an hour earlier. It was actually for Exit 104 and not 103. Next to the the Exit 103 sign read words similiar to this "No rentry to I85 North"... SOOOO, after finally getting food off Exit 104 we were back on the road after an hour and a half diversion. :-P ETA: There was a stop at a gas station in this saga that I will let Kelly tell you about...I stayed in the car to "guard" the van.

We had a GREAT time in Atlanta Friday night and Saturday. Our day Saturday began with sleeping late ;-) (5:45 am for some, 6:30 for others and 8:00 for the last of us). After some chatting and showers, we were off for breakfast. We found an IHOP...PERFECT! I LOVE Harvest Grain and Nut pancakes. Our waitress was wonderful and 2 of us were stuffed until we could eat no more. It was finally time for IKEA. We drove into the parking lot at about 10:30am and found literally the closest parking spot possible. It was right across from the entrance. We started upstairs in the showroom (which is AMAZING, if you've never been). We had finished walking through by 1:00pm or so and stopped for a quick drink and snack (no time for a real lunch...we had shopping to do). After our snack, we headed for the warehouse portion to find our treasures. We finished up ready to check out at 5:30. By 6:00 we were loading our van full (literally) of purchases up, ready to head back to Charlotte. If we ate in the car, we could be home by 9:30 or 9:45. Well...that didn't happen (see above). We pulled into Charlotte at about 11:00, were at my house by 11:15 and I think Joy finally made it home at about midnight. I don't know about the other girls, but I think it was worth it! A good time was had by all! (In case you missed it, YES we did shop in the same store for roughly 7 hours!)

My "big" purchases are below:

A pot rack to be hung over my bar....


And Roman shades for my living room window and the back door.
I can't say how much I enjoyed this trip! Thank you again to the Daddy's who stayed home with the kids! Thanks also to Nathan for sharing his Marriot points and for letting us take your only van with keys, leaving you homebound with the kids all day!!

IKEA IKEA IKEA

Say it with me now, IKEA IKEA IKEA!! Today is the day I get to go to Atlanta with my dear friends Kelly and Joy to spend the night and then shop at IKEA all day Saturday! I've been looking forward to this since before Christmas when Kelly mentioned a possible trip. It was just decided earlier this week that we would actually go on Friday and spend the night. It will be my first night away from Emma. I'm not worried. She'll be with her Daddy! (Although, you can be praying...he has a fever and feels horrible...) Thanks to our husbands for the time away and time off of being a full time mommy and wife!

C F O

Here it is...the big news you've been waiting for! Jonathan was offered a CFO (Chief Financial Officer) postion with Mecklenburg Radiology Associates on Thursday of last week. I had to wait until he gave notice at work (yesterday) to post it. I'm very proud of him! He will start on February 26.

And Kelly, Jonathan would LOVE to grow his hair and start a band. That would actually be his profession of choice! And toenail season is right around the corner!!

A new post...

I know...it's been a few days. I just wanted to whet your appetites a little...a new post is coming in the near future...keep checking. I'm hoping to post something new in the next few days (and no, we aren't pregnant...that I know of)

Emma this morning...

This is what Emma looked like this morning when I went in to get her. She wasn't crying or anything, but when I walked in she looked at me and started doing the baby sign for "Please?" LOL! She did this yesterday during her nap and it scared her to death, but I guess this morning she remembered that Mommy rescued her and would do it again!

Entrepreneur...

So, I've decided to try to sell the nursing covers that I make. You can find my first listing here. I'm hesitant to list them on Ebay. I've looked at others listed there and they don't seem to be getting many bids, if any at all. It's expensive to list on Ebay, especially if your item doesn't sell. If you or anyone you know is interested in purchasing one, please let me know!! I have different fabrics and would make one for a lower price if someone wanted to provide their own fabric.

Mondays...

Mondays at our house look pretty much the same as the Monday before. I try to get laundry sorted before Emma gets up and one load started. Then I get her up, feed her breakfast and head out the door to Aldi's to grocery shop. When we get home, I unload the groceries and get them put away while Emma plays and "helps" me. After the groceries are put away, we play together and then I get lunch ready. Emma and I eat luch together and then play for a few more minutes before it's time for her to take a nap. While she is napping, I get as much of the laundry done as I can. Five years ago I never would have guessed I'd be so predicitable! LOL!

What do your Mondays look like?

A New Niece!!

Abigail Grace was born today at 12:08pm (TX time) in Midland, Texas to Reg and Tera McConnell! She was 7 pounds 6 ounces and 20 inches long. I'll post pictures as soon as I get them. They say she has a head full of DARK hair, so much that she is already wearing a bow!! They did a video of going to the hospital and Tera getting prepped, etc. They also asked Trent what he wanted to tell Abby and with no prompting he said, "That I love her"! Is that not the sweetest thing you've ever heard?!?

More Christmas pictures...

Grammie and Emma.

Emma with Grammie and Grampie.

Emma patiently waiting to ride in her new wagon as it is being put together.

Mommy and Emma before church on New Year's Eve.

Emma with GigiPops after church on New Year's Eve. (Pops was distracted because Emma wouldn't look at the camera.)

Grampie opening a gift.

Emma wearing one of Grampie's gifts.

Emma playing on her swing set she got for her birthday several months ago, while Gigi watches.

Pops helping Emma slide.

Mommy showing Emma the Bible GigiPops gave her for Christmas.

Rachael Ray does it again!

On this morning's show she made roasted broccoli with some chicken dish (missed that part). I made it tonight and can I just say "YUMMO"!!

Roasted Broccoli

1 head broccoli cut into spears
3-4 cloves of garlic, diced finely
EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

Lay the broccoli on a baking sheet, top with the garlic. Drizzle with EVOO. Toss broccoli and garlic. Roast in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or so (until tips begin to look a little crusty).

Rachel said the broccoli would have a nutty flavor. It did and it was yummy! I served it with chicken that had been rubbed with a Caribbean jerk rub grilled on the George Foreman grill and rosemary bread.

Let me know if you try it and what you think!

The Book Meme...

Kelly just tagged me with this. Since I am lacking in blog posts, I am diligently doing my homework. She took the time to look up what a meme is. If you're curious, check here.

So, the book meme goes something like this:

• Grab the book closest to you open to page 123, and go down to the fourth sentence
• Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog
• Name the author and book title
• Tag 3 people to do the same

Here's mine:

"Then take your best guess on how long it will take you to complete each task for each zone. You may need to factor in time to shop for new storage containers. Remember, this is just an estimate to help you plan your bedroom decluttering project." 1,001 Timely Tips for Clutter Control by the Editors of FC&A Publishing.

(Shopping for storage containers??? OK!! Let's go to IKEA!!)

I will say that I cheated a little, not once but twice. The first book I saw was a soft shapes book. 2 guesses who's book that is. The next book I saw laying on the desk was the New Geneva Study Bible. On page 123 you will find the ten commandments. Don't get me wrong...great quote! I just thought the clutter book might be a little more fun and it was also on the desk!

So...now I'm to tag 3 people...

I tag Melanie, Kerrie and Michelle (hope you're able to access Blogger these days!)

I know...I know...

It's been FOREVER since I posted. My time on the computer is somewhat limited these days. Emma has completely given up her morning nap so we play together or run errands in the morning. My afternoons are usually filled with cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry or cooking (ok, well sometimes taking a nap). I usually prefer to spend time with Jonathan in the evenings. So there you have it. Posting on the blogs has taken the backseat and I'm not sure it will move much from there. I will still try to post, but don't be surprised if you go a week or two with no new posts and then all the sudden see a splurge of new ones. I'll be trying to catch you up on the things I haven't had time to blog about. :-) I think I won't spend a lot of time posting about Christmas. Pictures are worth more than a 1000 words, so enjoy! There are lots here and more on Emma's blog.















Emma and Grampie before church on Christmas Eve.















Emma and Uncle Steve on Christmas Eve.





















Emma and Grampie after Emma opened a gift.















Emma and Daddy on Christmas Eve opening a gift.















The Kelly's 3 on Christmas Eve before church.