Never Say Never

When I was pregnant with my now 14 year old I said a lot of 'nevers'. You all know what I mean?

I will never let my child...

One of my big ones was that I would never take my children to McDonald's. I had only eaten there about 5 times in the first 21 years of my life so it was an easy thing to say. But after moving to a town where I made friends that had young children I started going there. It was the only place in town that had a play place that allowed the kids to bond while the moms had an entire conversation with only a few interruptions asking for ice cream. I even went twice a month for two years with some girlfriends!

It's so funny now to look back and think about my stand against it.

My other big never??

I would never let any daughters of mine wear clothing that had words across their tushie. But then....we got to gymnastics without a leotard. A quick run to the over priced gift shop resulted in shorts with flames and letters across that certain area. I justified it by saying that they were only to be worn at home. There, that sounded good. We've held to that for several years without many slip ups.

Until today.

We recently made the massive switch of fall/winter clothes to spring/summer clothes in the girls room. With three girls with one dresser and one closet that is absolutely necessary. What surprised me was that the girls wanted to do it almost on their own. I was thrilled and worried all at once. They really did do a good job, but I spent a few hours helping finish. But that meant that I didn't see the clothes that went in. Reagan came downstairs today dressed in clothes that are appropriate for a day with P.E. I approved and we moved on with the mornings activities. But as we were rushing out the door to beat the traffic I saw it. The word CHEER across her backside. I had no time to pick a fight. So I let her go without a word said about it.

Guess we'll be having McDonald's for dinner tonight.

Channeling Martha Stewart

This blog post is brought to you by my new pink laptop:c)

Sorry, moving on.

My grandma gets several monthly magazine subscriptions that she reads and passes down to me. Well, I forgot the best part. When she's reading them she tears out any page that is an ad front and back. So when I get them it is just article, article. It's a whole new world. A world I can't believe I didn't live in for many many years.

You all should try it.

Visit my wonderful world.

Anyway...

I found something in Martha Stewart Living that I knew I needed. I even knew I could make it. I don't often feel that way since most of the projects in there are too expensive and the recipe ingredients are things I can't even pronounce.

But this, I can do.

I started by going through the storage area right outside the kitchen. Pulling pots and hoping to find enough dirt that I wouldn't have to buy some. Looks promising. Luckily I had plastic pots to use as the stands so I didn't have to waste any of the terra cotta ones that I use around the pool.

Not bad. Can I also say that I worked up quite a sweat and burned some serious calories moving all of those.After a quick run to Home Depot..and somewhere else...I had everything I needed. And here it is! I bought Flat Leaf Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Cilantro, Rosemary, Chives, and Thyme. I use the parsley the most so it went on the top. More growing room. I put it right outside the kitchen window so we can enjoy it from inside as well as out. And can I just say, it smells terrific outside my back door! My old herb garden was right behind the diving board and it took a lot of abuse. It also was a long walk when I had something already cooking on the stove! And, if you don't mind me saying, I'm pretty proud of it.

So, now I need some more recipes for dishes with fresh herbs. I have some favorites would like some new ones. Anyone want to pass along some tried and true ones?

Facebook Funniest

All these times that I've shared my funny Facebook friends I've left the most hilarious person out! How I overlooked this fabulous person I don't know.

So are you ready??

Here we go.

It's ME!!!!!

If you think I'm funny here you should see me when I get on Facebook and Twitter. I have them rolling in the aisles.

Here are a few of my favorites.

*For each sneeze that I have today I have a mini ab workout. I should have a 6 pack by morning.

*I'm home with the only democrat in our house. I'm not sure how she feels about health care reform but at the moment she just feels sick.

*I decided today was the day to clean out the attic. After all, it's been 9 years. We've accumulated enough to either start our own country or have a garage sale.

*I'm definitely counting the upcoming Wal-Mart trip toward my calorie burning today. If I buy a lot and run down the aisles with the cart I think I can get some good numbers. Stay tuned for how this theory works out.

*I just filled up my car for the 5th time in 13 days. Great way to kiss $300 goodbye.

*I was chased by a roadrunner today. No lie.

*I wonder if this is why I have a weight problem. I wanted clementines for breakfast and we're out...so I had a waffle.

*Let it be known-Princess Bride never gets old. Never. That is all.

*I honestly believe that Junior Mints and a Sonic Diet Dr Pepper with cherry and easy ice would make me feel 100% better. Anyone feel led to purchase and deliver??

Let me just say, one friend commented and said if she'd known earlier she would have. Another friend sent me a text and said she was out and would be over soon. Don't I have the best friends??

*I would like to know who hit me in the head with a 2 x 4 while I was sleeping.

Here are a few responses: The 2 x 4 fairy?? - I'm so sorry. Did I get the wrong house? My apologies.

*I've eaten 18 clementines in the last two and a half days. I expect to look like I have an 80's spray tan soon. In unrelated news...I need a manicure.

*I just fried two pounds of bacon. My house, and quite possibly the block, smell terrific.

*When Hootie became a country singer did he leave the Blowfish floundering?

*I am living in a house with no milk, eggs, butter, cereal, or oatmeal. That frightens me to my very core.

*I just found out it's a lot easier to treat your family to donuts when your purse is in the car when you get to the donut place.

*I am cracking up that McKinley just texted "No oyster oy" to someone because even though her eyes are dilated she insists she can see.

*My steroid says to take after supper. Since I'm not eating at my Grandma's, I don't exactly know when that is.


Really and truly, I crack myself up!

Technical Problems

My laptop is not the newest model. If you remember, Shawn bought me a new one for Christmas and I turned it down. I like mine. It's been mine for 2 years and I know everything I need to know about it. I can do everything that I want and don't usually have problems. The new one was bigger, had newer operating systems, and was a little too shiny.

I guess I'm saying I'm too old to learn new tricks.

There, I said it.

But over Spring Break something happened. My screen started dimming on its own. I can't brighten it, there seems to be a short. Shawn's replaced the screen for me before so I really wasn't worried. It's annoying, but I thought I could deal with it. Well, he doesn't think it's an easy fix.

I discovered that I can get the screen to look right if I jam my elbow on it right by the touch pad. That means I have to have it on a flat surface (which my lap is not), not be doing much typing since I will then only have one arm, and have an elbow that can handle that kind of pressure. Sadly it's the elbow that lets me down every time. It could be the carpet burn on that elbow from trying to beat my 21 year old cousin at holding a Pilates plank...but that can't be proven.

So even though I've fought it, I have a new (pink!) laptop on its way to me. This old dog is about to start walking in circles and licking itself because even the thought of learning has it nervous.

But until it gets here I am trying to cut down on my computer time because the dim screen gives me a headache in about 3.57362 seconds. I haven't been able to read all the blogs that I follow since that takes longer than my headache free time. I will have to spend about 3.57362 days catching up on everything when I get it.

If I can figure it out. Anyone want odds on it??

I want in on that bet.

Off And Running

Thanks to some awesome friends and some amazing family I am 9% into my fundraising. I still have a long way to go though! The math scares me! Will you help? If each of my followers gave just $20 I would have an additional $1040!!! Kim blew me out of the water with my very first donation. She got the ball rolling and I hope some of you can help me keep it going!

The money that you donate goes straight to helping find a cure for blood cancers. As Tracy said in the sign up meeting at her house, "It's because of people like you, running these races, and donating your money, that I had two more years with my son." Her son lost his battle, but others don't have to.

Will you help? Just click on the Team in Training banner on the left of this page to go directly to my fundraising page.

Thank you in advance for anything you feel you can do. I love you all and am so glad you're on this journey with me!

What Happens When I'm Gone

While the girls and I were in Texas for a few days of Spring Break Shawn was left with limited groceries and an approaching snowstorm. I wrote on Facebook that if I could make it home I would probably find him in the den eating dry Ramen noodles. What I didn't know was that he'd brought home an entire pan of Chicken Spaghetti that my awesome catering cousin had made for a recent family funeral. That meant to me that I would have a pretty clean kitchen when I got home. After all, he was just reheating.

But I learned more when I got home.

When he'd decided to make some coffee he's started by putting the grounds into the filter in the maker. But when he looked away he poured some of the grounds into the water part. He emptied it all and rinsed it out and started again. Since he wanted the filtered water he'd set a mug in the refrigerator door that is just the right size to hold the trigger down so it fills without having to be held in place. While he was rinsing the coffee maker out that water overflowed, went down the refrigerator, and across the floor. After he cleaned that mess up he went back to the coffee pot and got everything going. After a while he went back to get his coffee and found this.

That my friends is what happens when you forget to put the pot into the maker.

He cleaned that up and tried again.

As he was starting again he noticed that coffee was coming out the bottom of the maker. He decided to take the bottom off and see what the problem was. Several drill bits later he discovered that a new screw has been invented that couldn't be budged. He still felt like he'd emptied it enough and set off to make a pot of coffee. Of course, while he was fussing with the bottom and the new fangled screw, yep, the water in the fridge overflowed again!

And I thought these things only happened to me!!

I love that he told me the story while laughing almost constantly. And I love him!!

And to tell you the truth, I love that I'm not the only one who makes messes in that room:)

God Bless the Internet!

Recently when I wrote about why Facebook should be sainted, I told you about how I was going to get to meet my cousin Amy. Because of that post my cousin Robin started reading Amy's blog and now follows her on Twitter. That lead Robin to send me this e-mail.

I've been reading Amy's blog and we're now following each other on Twitter. She's in Africa and asking me about Krispy Kreme donuts this morning! So how are you related to her? Do you know yet when/where you'll meet her when she's in the states?

Imagine how excited I was to tell her that we're all cousins! Our grandmothers were three of 11 siblings. Because of all of this...Robin will be joining us for the mini reunion also!! Aaaaannnnddddd...since Robin's twin sister lives in the area of Texas that Amy is coming to, she's joining in!!! Can I tell you how incredibly stinking excited I am!?! But wait, it gets better. If Amy gets to come to the Dallas area we might add three more cousins to the mix. Amy's two sisters and Robin and Renee's sister. What a time to be an only child.

So there are the reasons I'm thanking God for internet. And Facebook. And blogs. And Twitter.

And family:c)

Catch A Falling Star

Here it is. One of my proudest moments.

My Girls trio debut.

Enjoy!

Snow Shovels and Surprises

When the Blizzard of '09 hit there was a status put on Facebook by my aunt.

If any of my family is reading this, I would like a snow shovel for my birthday.

Since her birthday is at the end of March I knew by then it would be obsolete but was glad to have something to give her since she's really hard to buy for. When I heard we had another storm coming I knew I needed to get it early. We had a 100 year choir practice that night so we presented it to her in front of a room full of people. That meant she had to explain to everyone why she was getting it.

I personally enjoyed it quite a bit.

Luckily there was a huge storm that meant it was put to good use right away. And now it's about to get some more good use.

We're in Texas visiting and left Shawn at home in a house that has hardly any food. With the Blizzard of '10 coming he might be home alone for awhile as we might not be able to get home! I can't wait to see if what is expected actually hits.

But if it does, my aunt is ready.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

It's March. Our pool is full, but covered and the water is ice cold and black.So why did I just fold an entire load of towels????

Braces!

Well, McKinley is in full braces, complete with Herbst. She's had her ups and downs.

The day the brackets and wires went in was rough. Lots of pain and about three days of soft food. The installation of the Herbst didn't ruffle any feathers. The day one month later when the wires were taken out and replaced with wider ones, she spent two days in pain. But as we know from this post, having the matching rubber bands put on was a high point.

We have discovered a few things during the last two months.

1. She can no longer chew lettuce. Any variety. It's so thin that she can't get her teeth together enough to chew it. Why she ordered a salad at lunch today is anybodies guess.

2. The Herbst looks like an antenna. You know how they fold into themselves? It also has a sound and she plays it at the most improper times. The sound also makes my skin crawl.

3. Her smile is different. In face, it looks a lot like her friend Emily's. I think it wider because she has to get around the Herbst to make it comfortable. I'm an Orthodontist you know.

4. She has always been the slowest eater in the family but that long time has now doubled. Watching her move the food around in her mouth to find the best place to chew is hilarious and disgusting all at once.

The orthodontist group that we chose is all about fun and rewards. I enjoy going there because the decor and the employees are so much fun. There's a game room, a video room, complimentary coffee and hot chocolate, and beautiful views out of every window.

The day she had her brackets put on she was given a t-shirt. Wear your t-shirt to your appointment and you get 4 OATS. Money to spend in their store. Be seen wearing your shirt outside the office by a staff member, 25 OATS. Go all 27 months without breaking a bracket and get a $250 gift certificate. Our Christmas present from them? A free sitting and 11 x 14 print by a local, very expensive photographer.

But my favorite thing?

THE OFFICIAL NO-NO LIST

To Be Posted On Your Refrigerator Door

AVOID ALL HARD, STICKY, OR CHEWY FOODS SUCH AS:

ICE...A thousand times NO. It will totally destroy your braces.

PIZZA CRUST...The hard crust bends wires.

HARD PRETZELS...Bend wires, loosen bands, knock off brackets.

DORITOS, TACOS, TOSTITOS, CHEETOS, FRITOS, and the like...Will form a hard ball and break your braces.

CARAMEL CANDY, BUBBLE GUM...Sticky goo which pulls off wires and feeds the bacteria in your mouth.

HARD ROLLS, BAGELS, BONES...Bends the wire and knocks off brackets.

BEEF JERKY, SLIM JIMS...Tough as nails.

SUCKERS...You might weaken and bite.

NUTS...No nuts of any kind.

RIBS...Knock off brackets.

PENS AND PENCILS...Favorite exam time food. Break everything.

POPCORN...The little shells get between the gum and band and will hurt you like crazy.

RAW CARROTS...Hard as rocks.

So, how many off these has she had?? Almost all of them. Aren't we great parents? It is discussed and my points are made.

So...so far, so good.

Of course, I'll keep you posted:o)

Here are a few pictures of her getting the brackets and wires. I love how the assistant has Cindy Lou Who hair. I kept giggling.I of course would have liked better and closer pictures, but they were a bit focused and I was very worried I'd mess something up!

You Need One Of These

I did a little something this weekend.

I designed a little thank you for the people that donate to my fundraising.

I'm hoping they'll hang it on their fridge and be reminded to pray for me on race day.

Think it will work?Now, who wants one??

Facebook Funnies

It's that time again! Time to share some of my hilarious Facebook friends with you. I know you've been missing it.

Mark. Oh Mark. My friend from high school who I now serve on a Board with. He has one of the driest humors of anyone I know. He just throws things out that make me snort.

-I was just sitting on the toilet installing the game of Craps on my phone. Now THAT is ironic.

-Why are the bags of Raisins resealable? Are they afraid they might dry out?

-Skorts are to clothing what a mullet is to hair. Business in the front and party in the back.

-Ever wonder if the words "it cannot be contained" ever get mad or feel slighted and replaced by the word "uncontainable"?

-Loving the famous condiment ketchup while hating real tomatoes is a lot like loving Hannah Montana but not liking the real Miley Cyrus.

-I am all for second chances. But Cured Ham? I think i would prefer to know exactly what former disease the poor pig suffered from before placing it in my mouth.


Bailee-my friend Kristi's daughter. She is a beautiful human being who cracks me up. Her constant drastic hairdo changes and sense of fashion make me wish I could grow up and be her.

-Oh man, God definitely has a fairly twisted sense of humor. That or he's using me as a test subject for how much a person can take before going nutty.

-needs a caffeine i.v. .....Stat. I think i'm flat-lining.

-is sipping wine with a psychic. No seriously.

-can't wait till Valentines day. It's gonna be a bloody massacre. You'll see. There will be pictures.

-hates mornings with a fiery passion that can never be quenched.


Julie-I went to high school with Julie. She cracked me up every single minute of every single day. Thanks to Facebook she still does!

-My son learned to tie a full Windsor from a youtube video. Technology is amazing! Anyone have a link to a video about how to clean your room?

-Cinderella was a shoe-in for the crown.

-I have decided if I grow old and haven't traveled as much as I'd like, I would ask the assistance of my friends to help me fulfill that dream. Just cremate me and ship me UPS to each other. When I arrive at your house, throw a party and send me on. Thank you in advance.

-According to my scale, the 13 cookies I ate last night weighed a pound and a half.

-Stop making funny posts people! I'm trying to take a test and don't have the self-restraint not to reply.

-Ordering "chicks on a raft and a cup of mud." maybe I'll just have "dough well-done with a cow to cover." Naw. Eighty-six that. (Anyone speak diner lingo?)



Karen-Our middle school secretary.

-Driving around today with my top down. Beautiful weather!! Then I remembered that I don't have my Firebird with T-tops anymore. Maybe that's why people were looking at me.

-Watching GI Jane this afternoon. I'm glad Demi Moore made that movie so I didn't have too.

-So the vacuum caught on fire today. That sucks.

-Why is it ok for a guy who has man-boobs to go without a bra?



Amy-I grew up with Amy and always knew she was funny!

-A personal trainer individual I know said in regards to losing weight the First Rule: Stop putting so much freaking food in your pie hole. (Well, he said it nicer than I did.)

-I am terribly non-photogenic...I really don't like that about myself. I've come to terms with the rest of me...but still I wish I could take a nice picture.

-Dear Current and Future Teachers of Campbell: Could you please commission the help of Jack White, The Edge, and Jimmy Page to teach all subjects deemed "boring" to Middle School boys. Also, have them hold guitars and occasionally play a rif in order to give mathematics/reading comprehension/social studies/science more credence. Sincerely, Mom

-is not a fan of crack sweat.

-My afternoon of shuttle service begins in a few minutes...I despise toting children around...it really sucks...I think my mother was insane for having 6 children...but perhaps that is why she put 17 years between the 1st and the last...so she could make someone else drive. Campbell is as tall as a short woman...maybe we could get him to drive...

-Okay...it's Friday...what new stupidity of Amy's can we discuss today...Oh, I once told a co-worker to, "Mellow out and stop shaking so much". Some of you smart folks have already figured out...he had Parkinson's Disease. There really is no way out of that one gracefully.


So now do we all understand why I have a slight addiction to Facebook?? Good, now someone explain it to my husband:c)

Another Reason I Think Facebook Should Be Sainted

I think we all know by now how much I love Facebook. It has reconnected me with old friends and family. But what it has also done is introduce me to family that I haven't met. Like Amy. Mutual family members led me to her and I'm so glad it happened! When I found out she also blogged, I was giddy. You can learn a lot about a person on Facebook, but on a blog there's a lot more. Can I just say, she amazes me. She and her family run an orphanage in Africa. Her daily life is so vastly different from mine that I read in complete awe.

Recently in reading I found out she's coming to the states on a fundraising trip. To Texas!! I typed a comment so fast that I had to re-type it three times because I kept messing up. I get to meet her soon! Shawn completely understands my desire and has told me I can drive anywhere to meet her. I love that man! I'm just waiting for her to get her schedule and let me know when and where.

Until then I'm on the edge of my seat in anticipation.

And yes, I do think Facebook should be sainted!

The Spam, oh the spam

I don't have one of those captcha thingies on my blog. I don't like to enter them because my brain wants to make it a word and I usually don't get it right on the first try. But can I say, with the spam that is overtaking my life, I see the reasoning behind them. I get at least one spam comment on my blog each day. I have been offered discount prescriptions, computer programs, real estate, and today, French cheese! French cheese? Like I would every mail order that.

But it's not just on my blog, it's in my inbox also. I have two e-mail addresses, one for all those times you have to give someone an address, ordering online, checking out at Bath & Body Works. I check it about once a month and delete 500 and forward 10 to my real address. I give my real address to the people I know and love, like you all. If you comment or send me a direct e-mail it comes right to the good address. That's because I love you all more than I love my dog.

But here's a sampling of the stuff I've received lately.

Deactivation Of Your Webmail Account COX.NET Kindly note that We
recently did some upgrade on our database.

During the upgrade there was an unusual responds code from your
email address requesting for deactivation.

Verify to deactivate or keep your email account active.Inorder to verify/
confirm your email identity, You are to provide the following data;

CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL IDENTITY BELOW.

Name:_
___________________________
Last Name:_____________________________

User ID:________________________

Email Pword:________________________

Account Deactivation:___NO______________(specify yes to deactivate. No

tokeep active)

Reason for Deactivation__N/A___________()
your response should be send to the admin manager

Warning!!! in failure to verify your email account within 24hrs on receiving this notification, your account will automatically be deactivated

Thank you for using our Webmail COX.NET ACCOUNT

warning Code: ASP803hd
Kind regards,
The webmail serviceTeam Management.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To complete your COX.NET webmail account, you must reply to this email
immediately and enter your Password here ()This message is from
COX.NET messaging center to all COX.NET email account owners. We
are currently upgrading our data base and e-mail account centre.We are
deleting all unused COX.NET email accounts to create more space for
new accounts.To prevent your account from being closed, you will have to
update it below so that we will know that it's a present used account.
CONFIRM YOUR EMAIL IDENTITY BELOW

Email Username :
EMAIL Password:

Date of Birth:Country or Territory : Warning!!! Account
owner that refuses to update his or her account within 7 days

------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friend,
Good Day,
Please kindly accept my apology for sending you this email without your consent. I believe you are a highly respected personality, considering the fact that I sourced your email from
the peoples search database on the web during my discrete search for a foreign partner whom can assist me in taking this business to it success. Though, I do not know to what extent you are familiar with events. I have a proposal for you.This however is not mandatory nor will I in any manner compel you to honor against your will, but I hope you will read on and consider the value I offer.My name is Mr Xiery Kabore, I am Audit Manager in BOA Bank Of Africa. I have a business proposal in the tune of US$10.5m to be transferred to an offshore account with your assistance if willing.After the successful transfer, we shall share in ratio of 40% for you and 60% for me. Should you be interested, please respond to my letter immediately,so we can commence all arrangements and I will give you more information on the project and how we would handle it.You can contact me on my private email:( kaborr@ymail.com) and my private number 00226 7860 9441 ,and send me the following information for documentation purpose:
Full name:
private phone number:
current residential address:
Occupation:
Age and Sex:
I look forward to hearing from you
Best Regards,
And God Bless
Mr Xier yzard
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

See what I mean?? And Mr Xier yzard?? Oh good grief, I think we all know that's not a real person. The first two I thought were interesting because I do have Cox e-mail but I don't think they'd send an e-mail without their logo somewhere on it.

Do these people have nothing better to do with their lives?

Anyone else having Spam problems?

And I don't mean the congealed meat. That's a different problem all to itself.

Weekend of McKinley-Part 1

Here we go with Part 1. Don't check back tomorrow looking for Part 2, it's already been written. I know, I know. But when have I ever made sense.

Our middle school has a banquet every year for the school. Everyone can attend for only $10. There's food, entertainment, and fun for all. Of course for girls...it costs more than $10. The dress, the nails, the hair, the shoes. It can certainly add up. Since I take McKinley to the local beauty college it is cheaper, but still, $20 could buy me 20 days of Sonic drinks!

Kidding.

Sort of....

We lucked out with the dress at the first store. It has been worn for an honor choir, Christmas piano recital, Christmas voice recital, and now the banquet. I'm getting the $27 worth of value out of it by golly. I found a hairdo on Babes in Hairland and she vetoed it right away. I tried what she wanted and it just wasn't possible with the multiple layers in her hair. Without okaying it with her I did what I had wanted. She loved it! We added a flower because it had a bit of a bare spot. With the flower no one even knew. We both did her makeup and she slipped into the dress.

We met with some friends at one of the girls' houses and 200 pictures later we headed to the banquet.

Here are a few of my favorites.

She was so glad to have an adjustment at the orthodontist in the week before so she could match her rubber bands to her dress.Isn't it cute?? I was so impressed with myself. I did my own thing on the twists near the front but got the idea from the same website.With six cameras pointed at them there was no way to get a picture with everyone looking. Still beautiful though!I think I took a picture of McKinley with every girl one on one but this has to be my favorite. Maybe since Becca is like my own.We finally made it to the banquet and it was so cute! It's an incredibly dark room and the fun colors and lights everywhere made it perfect.Michael Jackson performs every year without fail. Following his death this year we were all surprised when the music started and out he came. He still has all his moves.My favorite part though had to be the 8th grade slide show. It shows their baby picture and current. The baby picture is shown for a few seconds alone and when the current picture shows the crowd reacts in the funniest ways. Since a teacher and former student did the show this year she made it more interesting. Since our school is 100 she thought it would be fun to showcase the parents who went to our school.

Soooo.....here's me!! That's me of course in the black and white picture in my choir uniform and McKinley in her show choir uniform. Pardon the blurriness. I had on my telephoto lens which makes me shake a bit.We lost a teacher this year to a horrible accident and he was honored. I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. His wife, two of their four children, and his dad were sitting close to me and I was overcome with their emotion.And then, surprise! Me again. The girl on the left is the mom of Evan, Reagan's betrothed. She has changed quite a bit and was not pleased to see this. I've always thought she was beautiful!A few more pictures after the banquet were of course necessary.And because they hadn't had enough fun yet, we headed to Pink Swirls, a local frozen yogurt bar. They don't allow pictures in there because of competitors but they let me snap this one.But then something happened. A good song came on the radio. The group of girls got up and started having a dance party! I was so worried we'd be kicked out but instead the staff turned the music up, joined the dance party, and took pictures for their bulletin board!I'm so glad McKinley wasn't bothered that I wanted to experience all of this with her. She has never minded that I go to the banquet and sit at the back to take it all in. I'm also glad her friends like me and think I'm cool. I would have hated to miss this evening!

Even though I took some beautiful pictures of all the pretty girls this is still my absolute favorite from the whole evening! And since I'm not smart enough to own my new Droid phone I took this video sideways. I know, good grief. It also took me 20 minutes and Shawn's help to get it from my phone to my computer. But I learn from my mistakes!

Sometimes...

Can You Hear The Angels Singing??

I submitted the yearbook today!!

I have my life back.

56 full color pages.

350 books for sale.

700 students.

28 teachers.

25 support staff.

2 tired but very happy editors.

I am in love with black circles.

Cue the angels.

And good night.

The Weekend of McKinley-Day 2

You can stop looking for Day 1. It hasn't been written yet. I honestly thought I could get two days worth of pictures on one post. I must have been crazy. But since I'd started with Sunday's events I just thought I should finish. And yes, I know most of you wouldn't know which day what happened...but I would and it would forever bother me.

So here we go, Day 2.

Since McKinley didn't want to audition for Junior High All-State this year, but had to, I came up with a reward system. There were three auditions she had to go through. She started working on the music in July. Three songs had to be memorized, one in English, one French, and one Latin. For each of the auditions two songs were chosen and 16 bars from each one. After two visits to the listening room to hear the cuts, she had to go into a room by herself and sing for the judges. Knowing how nerve racking that is, and knowing she didn't want to do it, I felt like rewards were in order. I told her for each audition she made it through she would get a $25 gift card to a clothing store of her choice. After she made it through the second one she told me she didn't want the money. I was shocked and thought I was going to be saving myself some money! Then she told me her idea.

She wanted to take some friends to Yamato Japanese Steakhouse. So for each successful audition, one friend got to come. When she successfully made the All State Choir she was thrilled that three friends would be coming. But then we found out that after you move into your hotel room, after you've travelled to the town where the choir met, you had to audition once more. Didn't know your music, didn't get to stay. +1 more friend!

Shawn got called in to the hospital at the last minute so it was me with the girls. What a lovely group, don't you think?

When one ordered a mocktail, they all decided to have them.This by far was the best part of the whole experience. They startled other diners with their screaming. And the chef did this three times.The chef was wonderful with them. He let one get up and try to throw the utensils around. It was hilarious! Then he let them throw the eggs for the Fried Rice around.

Surprisingly we only lost one.

Doesn't our lunch look delicious?After we were stuffed I was told I would be taking them somewhere for group pictures. Considering the 200 I'd taken the day before (which you haven't seen yet) I thought my shooting finger would be getting a little break. But no. We picked our favorite place and set off.

They had so much fun setting up the poses and took a model one first followed by one where I forced them to smile.

Here's a few of my personal favorites.
Look at Emily on the left. Hello model! I told her that since I'd discovered her I would need 10% of her future earnings. I think that's fair, don't you?I just love McKinley's friends. And they all think I'm very cool:o)

Paige came to our school two years ago and since she's also a singer she and McKinley hit it off. Three years of out of town trips for Children's All State Choir sealed the deal. I think we have finally talked Paige into trying out next year so McKinley doesn't have to do it all alone. Her little brother is Kennedy's age and adorable. Both families would be fine with something happening between them in the future.Emily came to our school in third grade and she and McKinley have been friends ever since. She also attends our church so they are together all the time. I have never met a more genuinely beautiful girl. Not just on the outside. She is sweet, kind, and loving. I love the example she sets for others. She also has an adorable 5th grade brother that I would also approve of.Becca, oh Becca. McKinley met Becca at age 1 1/2 when we moved here and they met in the church nursery. They are so comfortable with each other it's like they're sisters. They both can join the opposite family for a weekend and nothing changes, they just fit right in. In the last two years their activities at school have been completely opposite and they haven't spent as much time together but they can pick up right where they left off. I consider her one of my own. The fact that her family lives two doors south of us just makes life better.Kaylynn and McKinley have had a rough three years but are becoming friends now. I can't wait to see where this friendship goes from here.They can learn from this picture though. All you need is love. Love is all you need.I'm so proud of you Sweet Pea!