A wonderful surprise...a mix CD from my hubby.

My husband came and kissed me goodnight tonight, and said something that made me think I was dreaming. He said, "I made you a CD." In my half awake state, I thought I must have heard him wrong, but sure enough the next morning...there it was.

(the CD he made is not the one pictured to the right, but I was trying to give you a feel for the moment.)

We've all heard of drinking and dialing, right? Well, my husband likes to drink and download...LOL. If Itunes only knew the stuff he was buying while lit up like a Christmas tree, they would send him a case of Bud Light a week. (Yes, we buy all of our music!!!!)

Anyway, I could not wait to listen to and could only imagine what was on that CD, but I was surprised by some of the selections, saddened by one or two or 10, and then cracked up at the very last one...and why it even made it on the CD.

Here it is, and for the most part, why it's on there...some are self-explanatory.

1. Close Enough to Perfect-Alabama He loves to play Alabama love songs for me. Our first dance as husband and wife was to Alabama's Feel so Right, but he sings this one to me all the time.


2. Once in a Blue Moon-Earl Thomas Conley A great love song, but it makes me think that he thinks, I underestimate his love and devotion to me, which could not be further from the way I truly feel.


3. She's a Miracle-Exile He thinks that I'm a great catch, I guess. :o)


4. Major Moves-Hank Williams, Jr His life changed a lot by marrying me and settling down. He says he loves the life he has b/c I'm in it. (aawwwwe...he really does say things like this almost daily.)


5. Time in a Bottle-Jim Croce The quintessential love song. He somehow fits it into my birthday every year. I can not listen to this song completely without tears showing up to make me look like a cry baby.


6. Mama he's Crazy-The Judds He knows I love these gals and I could not say it better if I was singing this song to my own mother.


7. When you say Nothing at All-Keith Whitley Our wedding song and a very touching, yet funny, moment from our wedding. Every husband and wife, every set of lovers-old and young, should feel this way about their relationship.


8. Home-Michael Buble'/Blake Shelton It's a song that I have experienced and he has, too. We love both versions, but he picked the one I love (Buble') just a tad more, even though he loves the other version (Shelton). I always picture the 2 of us dancing somewhere, in another country, and laughing, and being in love...and then coming back to the place we love--Home.


9. If you didn't love me-Phil Stacey Says it all, kinda... in an upbeat, ex-American idol kind of way. I was shocked this was on here b/c I never thought he would had listened to it.


10. Love You Out Loud-Rascal Flatts My husband is a very shy-ish guy, so the thought of him wanting to tell people how much in love he is with me...makes me blush and reminds me how lucky I am.


11. Unchained Melody-The Righteous Brothers Come on, people. Does there ever have to be an explanation for this song ? Think back to Ghost...go ahead, cry if you need to...LOL.


12. All For You-Sister Hazel His Mantra, he says...LOL.


13. Leather and Lace-Stevie Nicks/Don Henley This song is us, a bit. It's a great love song that we both really like and the lyrics are us.


14. Do I make you Proud-Taylor Hicks I can only assume that he wonders if I like, love, appreciate the man that he is. I do.


15. LoveSong-Tesla This is just a great song and takes us both back in the day to a time when we were younger and free-er, but makes us thankful for where we are.


16. Imagine-John Lennon If only we could all live by this song's message!


17. Wonderful Tonight-Eric Clapton This is one of the most heart-touching love songs...EVER. We have all been one of these 2 people and had this conversation with out significant other, right?


18. The Greatest Love of All-Whitney Houston Wait a sec, let me pull myself together, since I have been laughing from the moment I heard it...LOL. I had no idea why this song made it to "our" mix-cd. I thought about it...Hard! Did we dance to it? Did it play in the background on some special occasion? Did it involve the kids? I was stumped...so I had to ask him. He replied, simply, " No reason really. It had love in it and lasted 4:55, and that was all the time I had left one the cd." What?! I had to laugh (again), because that is so like my husband. When it comes to the end...Practical supersedes Romantic-al...LOL.

That's why I married him. No, really...it is.

:o) Mrs. B

Merry Christmas from the family. --REK

Merry Christmas from the Family

Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk at our Christmas party

We were drinking champagne punch and homemade eggnog

Little sister brought her new boyfriend

He was a Mexican

We didn't know what to think of him until he sang

Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad

Brother Ken brought his kids with him

The three from his first wife Lynn

And the two identical twins from his second wife Mary Nell

Of course he brought his new wife Kay

Who talks all about AA

Chain smoking while the stereo plays

Noel, Noel The First Noel

Carve the Turkey

Turn the ball game on

Mix margaritas when the eggnog's gone

Send somebody to the Quickpak Store

We need some ice and an extension chord

A can of bean dip and some Diet Rites

A box of tampons, Marlboro Lights

Hallelujah, everybody say Cheese

Merry Christmas from the family

Fred and Rita drove from Harlingen

I can't remember how I'm kin to them

But when they tried to plug their motor home in

They blew our Christmas lights

Cousin David knew just what went wrong

So we all waited out on our front lawn

He threw a breaker and the lights came on

And we sang Silent Night, Oh Silent Night, Oh Holy Night

Carve the turkey

Turn the ball game on

Make Bloody Mary's Cause We All Want One!

Send somebody to the Stop 'N Go

We need some celery and a can of fake snow

A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprites

A box of tampons, some Salem Lights

Hallelujah, everybody say cheese

Merry Christmas from the Family

You said it, Robert Earl!

Happy Holidays from the Buettner-Boyds!

Christmastime

Here are some great Christmas links:

http://www.northpole.com/

www.history.com/content/christmas

http://www.allthingschristmas.com/

www.holidays.net/christmas/

www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/index.html

www.seussville.com/grinch/

www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/

I thought all of these sites had something to offer my family and I this holiday season. I hope you find something that will add to your family's celebration, as well.

Happy Holidays,

Mrs. Boyd

PS. Don't forget to watch classic movies like It's a Wonderful Life, ELF, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and of course our family favorite, A Christmas Story.

I need a new camera...

Dear Mr. Chad,

I need a new camera.
I know, I know. I have a digital camera already, but I want this one.

Yes, I know I told you I would NEVER be a digital girl, but I was wrong. These things are AWESOME!

Think of all the money I would be saving us by not buying film.(That in and of itself is the best reason of all to buy one of these things.)

Also, I would quit buying scrapbook stuff for a month...OK, 2 months and I promise I would use what I already have in my scrapbook arsenal.

Anyway, just a quick not from the love of YOUR life. In case you needed Christmas shopping ideas!

Christy

a physical...

This is unbelievable!

Today I was informed by my current employer that if I did not have a physical...my paycheck would be held until I did so.

I am a teacher. I work with children. I have had background checks. I have been fingerprinted. I have been drug tested, and probably have had my retinas scanned without having known it.

This, all before stepping into the classroom. Why, in God's name, would it matter if I was 10 pounds overweight or that my BP was slightly elevated.

Just walking down the halls of my school and looking at my co-workers (...and listening to them talk about their ailments...) , I think I'm in pretty, damn good shape!...at least, by comparison...LOL.

Anyway, this is truly frustrating, but...no real choice. I understand that they need to know if I have TB, but I mean, what are they going to do...give my job to someone else in the middle of the school year because they weigh less and can run faster?

Mrs. B :o)

Ahhhh...now I can decorate.

Just a quick note today. I finally feel that it is time to start TRULY decorating for Christmas.

It is time to get out all the trees, garlands, wall decor, bulbs, ornaments and all things needed to make your home look like a magazine advertisement.

This year will not be that year for us, though. I mean, I will decorate as much as I can, but having just been in the house for a few months, I'm not even sure I know where everything is?
Also, there is still "house" stuff all over the place...LOL.

I will make it as nice as I can, but I'm quite sure it will not be on the pages of Better Homes and Gardens' this year. I'm going to go for elegant and simple, but still it will not be worthy of Domino or Real Simple...LOL.

Next year, I will aim bigger and better. OK, maybe just better...

The price of Divorce.

I assume it's true we all want to find our true love the first time around. However, that does not always happen. In fact, it may take some "MANY more times around" than others. I am on my 2nd marriage and I have found the love of my life. It does not mean I did not love my first husband. I did. I just did not love him the way I love my husband now. My husband now is the one that God intended for me to have. The first time around I wanted control of who my mate would be, the 2nd time around I let God have control and prayed, and prayed, and prayed about it. He gave me the mate I was intended to spend the rest of my life with--FOREVER.

My first husband gave me the 2 most wonderful blessings that I could ever have ask for, not saying that I will never be blessed again with more children, but right now I am VERY happy with how things have turned out. My girls are perfect...well, they are to me.

Yet, the price of divorce is sometimes making decisions that are not always what I want. I wish so badly that my ex-husband and I lived closer together...much closer...like in the same subdivision closer. By being 13 1/2 hours apart, it makes for a lot of travel time. I have blogged before about liking the time that I spend in the car alone traveling with the girls, and I do, but when I can't be there in the moments they really need me for (even if it's just a hug moment)...I get overwhelmed with sadness.

This is not to say I would have stayed married if I had it all to do over again. I wouldn't and neither would the EX. We both have the lives we were meant to have these days and "for the rest of our lives" , but the highest price of divorce, when children are involved, is that there is no right answers on how to solve the time and distance issue and all that we can hope for is that years down the road they understand that every decision was made with their best interest at heart!

Mrs. B

Thanksgiving

" I am thankful that God trusted me enough to give me 2 perfect children!"

----Christy Buettner Boyd

Picking up my girly-girls.

My EX and I try to share "our" girls 50/50, but due to distance...it's truly not feasible. So...my 5 months have to be about quality instead of quantity, and that's very hard. I try to squeeze in EVERY relative, going to the movies, reading books, playing board games, cooking or baking, and just hanging out and relaxing. In the summer, this is easy, but on the "holiday" weeks...everything seems like a blur. That's why I love picking up my girls. It gives us time to just talk, sing with the radio, or look at the scenery. It is OUR time alone.

I watch Claudia, in the rear view mirror, as she plays her Nintendo DS. Catarina falls asleep texting and listening to her Ipod.

We have these moments where everyone is doing their own thing, but we are all there together...and that's what matters. I'd drive a million miles to spend one minute with them and sometimes...it feels just like that.

:o) CBB

Clinton

Dear Hillary,

I'm sorry I failed you.

( I am, also, very sorry that you didn't send me a wedding card/gift...even though I invited you...with or without Bill.)

I want you to know. I believe in you and that great things are to come your way. I will not jump ship. The democrats are needed to lead this country and I believe that Obama can lead us in a much longed for, new direction. ( I believe you could have done this, too, but that's not where we are now.)

You have always been an inspiration to women EVERYWHERE, and will continue to be as time goes by. I think you will be an intricate part to the new administration and that people will love and respect you more in 4 years than they do right now. I love you, Hillary. Thanks for the ride.

friends of math...

I love teaching Math. I am, by no means, Euclid or Pythagoras. I just enjoy teaching kids a skill they need and will use everyday for the rest of their life. Now, it hard to convince them that they will EVER need geometry...or that math is fun, but I try.

I call all my students "friends of". I have about 100 "friends of geometry" and a little over 20 "friends of algebra". The kids think it's hilarious that I call them this, most like to say, " I'm not a friend of geometry, I can barley spell it".

Everyday though, I feel a little more like they at least enjoy coming to my class...I try not to think that it is merely for the Twizzlers or Smarties or Tootsie Rolls that I give out on their "good days", but I hope its to acquire a new tool that will help them now and later in life. I hope that if it doesn't click in their minds now...they will one day have one of those that's what Mrs. Boyd was talking about...wow, I finally get it moments.

At least, that's what I hope. :o)

Mrs. B
Some great math website are:
http://www.famousmathematician.com/
http://www.coolmath.com/
http://www.funbrain.com/
http://www.mathsisfun.com/
http://www.aplusmath.com/
http://www.mathgoodies.com/

Toyota Tacoma

Truck price in 2000-$7k
mileage-145,000

Buy-back from Toyota in 2008 with 254,000 miles-$8k

Deal of a lifetime-Priceless!

You deserved it, baby!
:o) Mrs. B

sister weekend.

Yeah...that's not us. These gals are way more classier than us, but not nearly as fun. :o)

This weekend was the annual SW (sister weekend). It's a weekend with my mother, her sisters, nieces, cousins, etc. (anyone in our clan that is female)

We all look forward to it year round. We plan on what we'll do, what we'll do to each other (while sleeping), what we'll discuss, what we'll get each other, and of course...what we'll eat.

This year, though, my favorite thing was reconnecting with my cousin, Gina. When I was a kid and stayed at their house, I idolized her. She was pretty, popular, a cheerleader, and a smart mouth. All things I thought I was at 9...so I just figured she was what I was going to be when I became her age...LOL.

However, over time, and the strained relationship that my husband and her brother have, we just lost touch. In fact, we only saw each other once a year at the family reunion and didn't say too much to one another even then...

To save money on gas, we decided to ride to Tennessee together. A trip, that later, we discussed we both were dreading...LOL...Needless to say, she and I had a blast from beginning to end. We stuck right together the whole weekend. We laughed when everyone ran off and left us to do other things. We laughed because we got stuck on the air mattress beside the door that let cold air in, we laughed together all weekend. It was one of my favorite times with a family member in a long time. I learned so much about her...how far she has come from the struggles that no one is this family can imagine. I just loved her so much more at the end of the trip than I ever had when I was 9. I was so proud of who she is and although in a new, and different light...I kind of idolized her all over again.

It was a wonderful weekend. Carrie Ann and her new husband John were great hosts. They have a beautiful home and everyone loved life in Tennessee for 72 hours. :o)

Are you kidding?...Christmas already!

I am totally depressed. It is not Christmas, yet. In fact, it is not Thanksgiving, yet!

Why does Thanksgiving always get skipped? It is one of my favorite holidays. The day set aside for family and friends and the idea of simply being thankful for everything you have in your day to day life.

Instead, everyone seems to somehow forget Thanksgiving Day and they move right into the Christmas season after Halloween and then right into Black Friday.

Thanksgiving is not about preparing to run over small children and the elderly, just to get a new TV for 1/3 the price it was yesterday. I mean, come on people!!!!

Do we not want to remember the whole Pilgrim/Indian story? Was this not the day that lives in infamy for bringing us corn and corn-based products...LOL. OK, so maybe it was not this exact day, but I like to imagine it was around this time. :o)

I just want to say, for the record, that although I do love Christmas, Charlie Brown...Thanksgiving is not forgotten in the Buettner-Boyd home.

Very thankful this year,
CB ( CB, CB and CB, too.)

The Fallout...of marriage.

My hubby is a gamer. Me, not so much. I mean, I can play games like Luxor, or Zuma, or Peggle, but I can not imagine creating a character and playing for hours, days, weeks, months...or years. Yes, I am talkin' directly to you WOW-freaks. Although this rant is really about the new Fallout.

Here's the story, my husband waits for months for this game to come out and pays for it waaaaay in advance so that he can get it in a little lunchbox carrier. I laugh so I don't cry...LOL.

However, it truly is funny when he is playing. I tend to go to bed and read, so when he appears from out of his office(game room)...I normally get a kiss, and ILY, and some random comment that I know has to relate to the game. For instance, last night, he was looking for a pressure cooker. Well, we don't own a pressure cooker, so I proceeded to ramble thru my mind about where I could find one and what in God's name he needed one for...LOL...and then, as always, I figured it had to do with the game. And it did.

I don't mind that he likes to do this sort of thing, though. I'm sure I have blogged or ranted about this before and like I always say, "he could be out doing something far worse", so I'll stick to having this sort of Fallout when it comes to being married.

Mrs. B :o)

Halloween Homecoming

What school in their right mind would have a homecoming game on Halloween night? Well, notice I said "school in their right mind"...LOL...and it was US.

I'm just going to right a few lines tonight. (It was cold and I'm now tired.)

It was a great night, almost half of my cheerleaders were in the court and they all looked stunning. They looked like cute little women all dressed up with no place to go...my school does not have a Homecoming dance. How lame is that? (Let me answer my own question...VERY...LOL.)

Still the weather was perfect, slightly above a normal chill, but great for a fall evening. I wish my husband and children could have been there...then it would have been perfect.

cold and sleepy,
Mrs. Boyd

Carving Pumpkins

I like Halloween, but not b/c of the dress-up day or the candy. I LOVE to carve pumpkins. It has become "kind of a big deal" around here. For several days before carving day, we search on-line or in our own books for patterns. We mull it over during dinner. We discuss it with Mr. Chad's parents(...LOL...they carve them, too.).

This year, though, I did not have to think hard about what I was going to carve. I knew, though not original, I was going to honor my new position as math teacher and carve a PI sign on my pumpkin...get it Pumpkin PI...LOL.

Anyway, it was cute (as seen above), but more than one person asked what it was.(...are you kidding me?) True, it was not the man in the moon, or the grim reaper, or crazy jack-o-lantern face, but it was the one symbol you should have learned in high school math. Funny as it may seem, I was actually going to put 3.14159 underneath the symbol, but I thought that would take from the humor.

For me, the only down-side to carving pumpkins is not always having the girls here to carve when we do, but I know, I'm sure, their dad enjoys doing this with them, as well as I do...and that's what co-parenting is all about. (At least, I tell myself this to keep from crying...LOL.)

Honoring the Great Pumpkin year after year,
CBB

Lilly Cornett Woods

My first field trip as a teacher was to a place called Lilly Cornett Woods (LCW). Although, I grew up in eastern Kentucky, I was not much of a hiker or explorer in these mountains, but when I came home again in my 30s, I discovered this place and fell in love with it.

According to Eastern Kentucky University's website, Lilley Cornett Woods, the first and one of the largest protected tracts of old-growth forests in eastern Kentucky, is a Registered National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of Interior. The Woods is used primarily for base-line ecological research and advanced undergraduate and graduate instruction by the University, Division of Natural Areas, Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute and other institutions of higher education. Public use is limited to guided tours in this unique forest.

In fact, you must make an appointment to hike the property and only guided tours are allowed. (It is a beautiful place, but I would not want to get lost in there...I always look around when I am there b/c I'm afraid someone will wander out like on M. Night's movie, The Village....LOL.)

Anyway, it was great day for the kids, they hiked, played in the creek (OK, so they looked at lifeforms in the water), watched a falconer, learned about rabies and raccoons (ooh, ooh I'm a rabid squirrel...LOL), and most importantly to them...they missed a whole day of school. :o)
...and that was kind of nice for me, too.

reflecting on Walt Whitman,
Mrs. Boyd

My Warm-Up...Mrs. Boyd

OK, OK...so I'm not in full regalia, but I did have on my warm-up jacket...and there is a funny story to this. During the game, I couldn't help but keep looking at the embroidery on the jacket...LOL. Right there, in plain sight was my name--Mrs. Boyd.

Yes, I've been Mrs. Boyd for a few months, but there are always those "A-Ha" moments, and this night was one of them. I was so proud just sitting there in my Lil' blue LC jacket. The only time I ever remember feeling this giddy over clothing was probably back in the day, when I got my Beaver Creek Beavers jacket. (Yes, that's a little shout out to my hometown.) I'm sure my husband loved it, though he never said anything, b/c he would gladly have my "new" name stamped on my forehead for everyone to see...LOL.

Anyway, it was just another happy moment in my pretty-good life and I just wanted to share it with y'all.

Mrs. Boyd

Not the son of a preacher man...but close.

You could have never told me that my cousin, Jr. Boy , would grow up to be a preacher. However, there were many signs of the possibility as far back as I can remember.

He was smart and articulate--so he would never be dull in the pulpit.

He could scream and shout with the best of them--so he would always have a voice.

He was very self-assured--so he would make a good leader...

BUT...

he was NEVER humble...LOL.
His father was, and even though HE never possessed those traits mentioned above that his son had, he taught all of us the best lesson--A GOOD HONEST MAN CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT.A lesson we all learned, especially Jr. Boy, by watching.

Uncle Solmo, as I called him,never told us some fable from a book, nor did he compare himself to anyone as an example, nor was he likely to pass judgement on anyone...and we learned from him, merely by observation. I guess, technically, he was the closest man in my life to a father figure.

I loved spending the night at their house. It was so very normal. My Aunt Em cooked and was always redecorating or renovating (still does the same thing to this day), Jr. Boy had books, records (yes, folks--good ol' 45s) and toys that I didn't, and Solmo was a working man. Dinner was ready when he got home, he controlled the TV until bedtime, and we had to be quiet because "he worked".

Anyway, I have always thought that I knew at least 2 people, other than my granny, that would make it to Heaven...my Uncle Donnie, a preacher from Tennessee...and my Uncle Solmo, a teacher from the heart--a man who taught me the best lesson ever: Lead by example.

I fall short in so many ways, but I try...and if, I'm sorry--when I fail, I get up and start all over...day after day, because maybe someone is learning from me the way I quietly learned from Uncle Solmo. God grant me the strength to prevail.

CBB

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

I could write today on two meanings of my title...and since I have a little bit of time, I think I will.

My little brother rarely contacts me, and that's OK. We all have "home" and "past" issues, so I don't judge him for that, but I think as we get older we have to let some things go, and become our own person and decide what is important to us. Family is the most important to me, and he is a big part of that, so I am bothered by the lack of communication. Yet, he is not the only one to blame. I do not go out of my way either for him, and I know I should. I assume he wants to live his own life without interference, so that's what I do. I let him be. Whenever he writes or calls, I do not complain and just enjoy the moment. I guess for me it conjures up a literal sense of questioning when did my baby brother become a grown man.

The other part is a more physical idea. "Where" is my little brother? Yes, I know he lives in Memphis, but I have never seen his place, slept on his couch, or had a cook-out with him on his own back porch. My children and I have called ahead to stop and see him, maybe take him and his wife out to dinner, but either no one answers or they don't call back until you're in another state. I now no longer make the effort. For now, I will settle for seeing him on special occasions or during the holidays.

My love for him never changes, regardless of when or where I see him.
Peace out, Bunny!

CBB

Halloween is coming.

...we didn't look like the picture on our costume's packaging labels...LOL. I think that occurs when you purchase them inebriated.

Funny story, though...when we bought the costumes...I wanted an XL b/c I was afraid the costumes were cut smaller than usual...so, I found one that had a sticker that said XL, I needed a L for Mr. Chad. However, the sticker did not imply that there were multiple XLs...LOL. Without knowing, I bought a 3XL for me and an XL for Mr. Chad...LOL. Needless to say, both were wwwaaayyy too big for us.

Now, I would love to go into the whole size issue with all of you, but I am going to focus on one particular size of my costume and that is the bosom. I could not believe how big the chest area of this costume was...I swear it seemed like you could put cantaloupes in it...LOL. I laugh, but I am not kidding. I felt so inadequate in this particular "womanly" area.

It took my MIL and her handy-dandy sewing abilities to fix this for me, and I still thought I would lose the top of the costume by the end of the night. The torso area had a cute little corset, but b/c it was sooooo big I had to tie it as tight as possible, so you didn't really see the corset (and it was still loose in the back...LOL). I loved our costumes, though!

All of this adjusting brought to my mind a question, or ponderment if you will, what woman that wears a 3X would put this costume on and go out in public? This is not an insulting assumption. In fact, I would gladly applaud this woman. I mean, I was totally insecure...and normally, I have a so-so positive body image. I was just simply was wondering.

So today, KUDOS to the Big(ger) Women of the world.
All I can say is...you go girls--use what you Mama gave you!!!!

With love,
Mrs. B and all of her insecurities. :o)

ruffled knickers

I live so far into nowhere that I can't find ruffled knickers...OK, so I suppose stores aren't rushing to fill orders of granny-panties with lace across the derriere...LOL, but I need then for Halloween.

Yes, I know they sell them on-line, but I waited 'til the last minute and now I have no time to order them. I looked everywhere, too. Including that store in Norton, where you close your eyes in certain sections...LOL.

So instead of the "fancy-pants" undergarments I wanted, I have to live thru Halloween this year with undies that don't match my costume. Know this, though. I have learned my lesson. Next year (or the next time I seem them), I will buy 5 pairs of ruffled knickers--one in every color...LOL, and maybe one pair for every day of the week.

On a mission from God to find my knickers,

Mrs. Boyd :o)

I am Starbucks

I love "frozen" coffee. What do they call it?...frappuccino, ah yes. I call it a coffee-milkshake and Starbucks makes the best. They, also, make the most expensive, but as they say, you get what you pay for...LOL.

Surely, there are sites strictly dedicated to making fun of Starbucks and those of us wasting our money there when children are starving somewhere in the world.

I know. I do feel guilty paying more for something to drink than 2 Happy Meals would cost me, and in bags of rice for 3rd world countries--well, I can only assume that would be like 3 bags or something.

Now wait, I am not making fun. I am the most philanthropic person I know, but Starbucks' drinks are like McDonald's Coke and Diet Coke...they totally put something in it to make you want it...LOL. ( I have swore this for 10 years, my best bud C2 will agree.)

Anyway, I am Starbucks and that makes me feel weird, or if nothing else...average. I am the targeted demographic for advertisers. I am the typical American consumer now...I am slowly becoming vanilla, after all these years of being Neapolitan...LOL. Well, I'm OK with that. I can now blame it on old(er) age.

...and by heck, I like my Starbucks' frappuccino. (Grande Caramel, please.)

Oh yeah, I do save more money now...since Mr. Chad moved me to the boonies and there's not a Starbucks in sight. Thank God, I love to travel...LOL.

Mrs. B :o)

Ragin' Cajuns...I have 2.

Mr. Chad and I traveled to Louisiana to spend a few days with the girls. It's a long drive and we all know Mr. Chad will not fly (yet). It was great doing their daily lives with them, though. It's the one thing I miss the most. I went to school with Claudia. I know most of her school pals and it's always great when they remember me. I watched her play dodgeball and do some classwork. I signed her out and then we went to get Catarina and one of her friends and THEN it was time to pick up Mr. Chad back at the hotel. We had Chick-fil-A and then dropped the girls off at their speech and drama competition.

Mr. Chad got to see his first, homeless wino--which is nothing to laugh at, but he has lived a very sheltered life. Back at the hotel he let Claudia swim while I took a nap. We had Bennigan's for dinner and that day was gone. Catarina did not have to go back to the competition the next day, but had to work at a car wash. I will not go into how it was the worst car wash ever, but I looked at it as giving money to my daughter's team...LOL. (Claudia was still able to write WASH ME in dirt after the car wash...LOL.)

The next day, the girls and I went thrift shopping at Goodwill. Nothing much for us except some books and Band of Brothers on VHS for a buck, but somehow we spent $44, and Claudia came out to the good. We then just hung out, went to Hobby Lobby, and browsed around.

We picked up Mr. Chad after UK's game was over and then dropped Catarina off to work the "car wash". The 3 of us then went to Wally World (Wal-Mart) and somehow Claudia schmoozed Mr. Chad into buying her new luggage. All of this was fine until it became "find Catarina a Homecoming Dance dress"...LOL. Mr. Chad is not a shopper, but he sucked it up and took it like a trooper. She must have tried on 8 dresses, but chose one in the end that was very, tasteful and classy.

As with any trip to LA, we went thru the drive-thru daiquiri stand. We think that's just the funniest thing. (Even when I lived there, I could not get use to that concept...LOL). I was tipsy and ready to eat, so we somehow talked Mr. Chad into going for Hibachi. Now, we never expected him to eat, but knew that he would love the experience...and he did.

When we're with the girls time goes by so fast...and when I drop them back off at their Dad's house, my heart sinks to a new level of low. It's fun to be able to do things with them, but nothing replaces the time that is slipping away, that I can never get back.

I have to snap back into "Christy in Real Life" on the drive home, otherwise I would be a very sad soul. I love my girls more than anything and although, co-parenting is the proper way to raise kids of divorce, it's never fun to have to say good-bye even if it's just for 6 weeks.

Mrs. B :o(

Happily Ever After...

I saw my Aunt today while shopping. It was weird b/c I felt like an adult with my "buggy" all full of crap. Normally, when I'm with any of my aunts, I feel like a little girl. They always pick up the tab, I'm usually with one of their children, so we're like an older picture that has been taken years before...

She hugged me and asked, "How's teaching? The new house? Married life?"...I was totally in control of being my big-girl self until she said those 2 words--married life. I couldn't control what started happening. I almost giggled out loud and my cheeks pushed up and my mouth opened to one of the biggest, truest smiles I'd had in forever. Do not ask me why? I have no earthly clue, but I think I got dizzy and almost fainted with happiness...LOL.

I am such a happily-married woman. I even feel sorry for people if they look like they are not as in love with their significant other as I am with mine...LOL. Isn't that funny? I can't speak for Mr. Chad, but I know he says that minus a new baby and maybe a garage one day...he's living his love song. (I blush...I'm really not that great of a cook...LOL.)

All I can say, is that I hope this feeling never goes away. The feeling that happiness is within you so deep that you want it for all of those around you. Country musician Jason Michael Carroll said it best:

Baby just look at us

all this time and we're still in love

Something like this just don't exist

Between a backwoods boy and a fairy tale princess

People said it would never work out

Living our dreams has shattered all doubts

It feels good to prove 'em wrong....Living our love song

Happily Ever After to y'all.

Mrs. B :o)

Secret Wish...

That's me...3rd row, 1st girl on the left...LOL.

Just kidding, right?...LOL, but I always had a secret wish to be a Dallas Cowgirl Cheerleader. I lost that dream when I hit a growth spurt at 13 and saw my first stretch mark on my hip, but I still had the dream. Now, I had goals that in no form or fashion dealt with me prancing around half-naked in shiny, white cowboy boots...there was that dream of being President, or maybe finding the cure for cancer, oh yeah...and helping with that whole "world peace" thing, but like a boy that dreams of having a chance with Heidi Klum...I wanted to be a DCC.

You laugh, but you know it's true...we all have some dream that, even though, futile at best, it was there. My brother, Jamie, was the original Larry the Cable Guy...and my brother, Bran, wanted to be DJ AM, my niece Sarah Lee wanted to be the next Faith Hill...her dad, my uncle Edgel, wanted to be a John Lennon, or Robert Plant, or Bon Scott, or someone like that...LOL. My husband, Mr. Chad wanted to race cars for a living, but not NASCAR, or IRL, or Formula 1, but dirt tracks...no money, but a helluva good place to make friends and drink beer (according to him).

Think back.
[...for years I have wanted to be an actress...(In my eyes, I will one day still be discovered...for I am an actress.)...]

What was your dream? Not the, "I'm going to be a _______when I grow-up!" The hiding in your room, with the door locked, pretending to get interviewed by Johnny Carson while looking in the mirror dream. Who did you see? Who did you become? One of my favorite quotes is by George Eliot, "It's never too late to be who you might have been." I think it's pretty self-explanatory. Never stop dreaming...and I won't.

...got to go practice my high-kick and count off...5,6,7,8...

Mrs. B :o)

Dollar Days...add up quick.

$377.00 grocery bill.
Mr. Chad and I could live easily on $30 a week, and for the most part we do. However, now that we have somewhat settled into our new house we needed staples, so we went to the grocery.

I kind of felt like Gilligan. We left for a quick trip and it became a "3-hour tour"...LOL. Everything was fine and going great until Mr. Chad discovered what I call the "armpit" of the grocery store...the dollar section.

This particular area has nothing to buy that you can eat, but is like a toy store for a man. By the time I got him out of that aisle, my cart was full of $50 of crap that "we'll need this one day". OK...so I bought an apple corer, but that means $49 was his stuff...LOL.

I laugh, but it was a fun night. It was like a scavenger hunt date. The 2 of us had the best time together and I saw the future us pushing a cart nearby. It was magical, if nothing else.

I love you, Mr. Chad...and we could so win on SUPERMARKET SWEEP.

Mrs. B :o)

Eat Vegan

Raw diet? Have you heard of this one? I mean, is she suppose to look better in the thinner picture? I think she looks sick. No offense, but maybe they need a different poster child. I can definitely see that the weight has come off...I'm just not sure about it for me.

CNN.com has a section on successful dieters and what they did to get in shape. It's pretty neat to see the extreme dieting of these folks. It's hard for me to believe that Dr.Sanjay Gupta thinks these diets are OK?...LOL.

Check it out...maybe there's a diet for you.

Mrs. B.

PS...I here a lot of celebs do this "raw" diet thing.

My name is Christy...

...and I'm a habitual dieter. How many times on this blog have I talked about dieting, eating right, nutrition, blah, blah, blah???? Lots, right?

Today, I just want to rant about skinny people who complain about being fat. Yes, we see that you are skinny...so, yes, we know that you know that you are...Don't expect us strugglers to feel sorry for you. Give me a break.This un-nerves me to no end.

I realize that there are people out there that struggle to gain weight as much as I struggle to lose, but it's still very different. I do not think that society considers skinny-ness to be a product of laziness, as thought with people that are overweight. I think I'm fat, but have never thought of myself as overweight...yet, I am.

I'm not unhealthy by any means. I don't drink cola. I don't add salt. I walk on a treadmill daily...and truthfully, I'm not big-boned. Yes, I am a thyroid cancer survivor and I know that somehow messes with your metabolism, but here I am wearing clothes in double digits (12/14).

How do I get to a figure "8"? Eight that's a good healthy size, right?

Mrs. B :o)

Run Elizabeth Run

http://pages.teamintraining.org/in/nikesf08/ecase

Just a little blurb on my gal pal's marathon. Elizabeth is running a marathon in California to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is such a blessing to have her run in honor of my husband, Mr. Chad, a survivor of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

The funny thing is that E-beth is really into her health and eats and drinks strange crap all the time. She does yoga and pilates, but I could have never pictured her running...yet she is.

She has raised $2000 already and has set a goal of $4000. I'm sure she can do it...both run the marathon and raise the cash.So, today is just to say, "Good Luck, girlfriend...it's me, you , and the Flying Pig next year."

CBB :o)

Different Faces...Same Parties.

My friend, Tim, is a philosopher. Now, he would never say so, but he is...OK, so maybe he's just a wise ol' drunk, but I like him. He was my first boyfriend way back in 1st grade, and that stands for something in my book...LOL.

Tim likes to remind me that I am NOT a city girl. (Yes, in my heart I am a New Yorker, or should I say, a New Orleans-er.) But he is right, I was born and raised in the mountains, and found love and returned here, but that's not what this story is about...

Recently, we were standing outside another friend's house when I looked at him and said, "Tim, it's the same anywhere." He looked at me somewhat puzzled and I proceeded to tell him that no matter the place, no matter the people, no matter the money involved...all parties are the same...just different faces. He laughed and said, "Christy-Daryl (yes, around here and to my old classmates, I have a double name), you are exactly right." For about 5 minutes we talked about how the same types of people are always at parties...the dancer, the drink-til-you-pass-out guy/gal, the fighter, the singer, and so on and so forth...and talked a little about how there was nothing better than being at a party and having a good time with good friends.

...I've seen him at 3 other parties since that night...
The unexamined life is not worth living. -Socrates or was that you Tim Hall?

Mrs. B :o)

Cheerleading, Academic, Math Club...oh my!

I guess I volunteered for all of this...LOL. I did want to help with cheerleading, and the academic team, but my true love was to start the math club, Mu Alpha Theta. I wanted a way for Catarina and I to be connected other than email--when it comes to school.

Cheerleading is sooooo full of drama. I guess that's why no one wants to do it and they let the "1st years" get suckered into it. ****Note to any new teachers out there...if the club, sport, or organization does not have a coach or sponsor...RUN. No doubt, there is a good reason why...LOL.

Academic team, what do you expect? I mean, smart kids that show respect to their fellow classmates and say "please" and "thank you". I bet teachers line up for this one. I like working with them b/c one of the coaches was my high school coach many years ago...and she still looks the same. Go Babs!!!!

Now, about the math club, these are some of the kids from the academic team, but some are just kids that like math and me. I have 30+ kids that could do it, but only about 10 will...and that's OK. I like small groups. It was great looking up their grades to see if they qualified. Mu Alpha Theta requires students to have a 3.0 in their math classes, but I went one step further for our group and required 3.0 overall, as well.

I'm excited about starting the club, but more excited about it taking shape, and letting the kids take over...I'm not sure they know that ultimately they will do it all themselves, but I'm sure they will do just fine at pulling it all together. I mean, c'mon...they're mathematicians...they'll just have to use some logic...LOL.

Onward my little PI-oneers...show me what you can do!

Mrs. Boyd :o)

New Towels...Thank you, Martha Stewart.

It's always the little things that make us have an epiphany, isn't it? I like to shop, but it seems that after my "shopping-detox" that sometimes, I find it to be a burden...LOL. This is not true, however, when buying things for my house.

New pants, that kills me!!!! What size? What color? Wear with heels or not?...but for the house, it's not how it looks on you, but what it is most times and what it means to you.


Towels for example, pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of life on this planet, but very important when reflecting one one's life. I only buy white towels. Why? I can tell if they are clean or not...long story short...not a big fan of tan colored towels...LOL. They go with any color of shower curtain...LOL...and they remind me of a calm day full of inner peace. Also, they have to be big and thick to wrap around my kids like some kind of bathroom security blanket...LOL.


Anyway, buying these towels had my mind in deep thought. Somewhere, in some remote part of the world, someone has never felt, smelled, or used a towel. Now, that in and of itself, is not important, but it brings me back to my life. A life with a lot of white towels.


A life with clean drinking water. A life of free speech. A life blessed with 2 AWESOME girls and a fabu-husband. A life that I am in control of and where I create my own destiny every day. I was so overwhelmed in that moment that I stood in the aisle crying and praying in thankfulness. A life so blessed that I wished my grandmother was alive to see it. I looked up and hoped that she was smiling down...and she was I'm sure and probably saying, "Lord that poor child is standing there trying to figure out whether to buy bleach or not."...which was true, also.



Mrs. B :o)

So long, Collective Soul!

Years ago, on a far away stage, Ed Roland danced with me. In another city, at another time, he professed his friendship with a gift of a tye-dyed T-shirt. I LOVED that shirt. It has traveled with me for years, but today...it became a "paint" shirt...LOL. Yeah, y'all know what I am talkin' about. Those shirts you hold onto forever and think that if you let it go that somehow that memory will die. It won't. I promise.

Ed was one of the nicest guys I'd ever met. I always thought if it had been a different time and place...we'd live happily ever after. He was such an average joe, but could mesmerize you when speaking to you. I love people that can do that--men or women.

Anyway, in this chapter of the Book of Christy, I am a different person. As with everyone, getting older and settling down leaves us with the ability to let things go that seemed to have been so important, but weren't. He would never remember me--time does that to you...LOL, but I'm OK with it now. I love that shirt still, but now it means more...in a different way. It reminds me of a time of no direction and personal confusion to now--happily ever after. A time where it's much more important to have a good paint shirt then to dwell on old memories...LOL.

Soooo...so long, Collective Soul. I've moved on to Johnny Cash...but you probably have, too.
Mrs. B :o)

paperwork, paperwork, paperwork

I often here people do not teach b/c of the pay...WRONG!It has to be the paperwork. I'm not complaining--I LOVE MY JOB!...and I guess, you could say that about any job, really? I mean, I assume trails upon trails of paperwork are for the protection of the teachers, and I'm good with that, but meetings upon meetings to discuss the aforementioned paperwork seems so tedious.

I said this once to my principal, and he just smiled (I'm sure because he knew where I was coming from), but then said in his best "cup half-full attitude" voice, "Mrs. Boyd, you should try teaching primary."...LOL. Guess that's why I never will...LOL. The only paperwork I feel appropriate in any class is the I.C.E. info...In Case of Emergency--who do I need to contact.

Sure grades are important. I understand why we test, though most tests, standardized anyway, mainly tests what you don't know, not what you do.

The best thing about being a teacher, and I hope it continues, is being excited about being in the classroom. I love every student and the potential each and everyone of them have to learn. I know at this point in their lives, math may seem unimportant and they may think that this is just work to me, but in 20 years, when they are doing something simple, they'll remember that Mrs. Boyd (maybe) taught them something about numbers that stuck with them all that time.

Mrs. B :o)

Football Season is here!

Are you ready for some football?...I am. I love football season. Since meeting Mr. Chad it has become one of my favorite sports and one of our favorite seasons.

I am more of a college football person and he is an "any and all" types of football person. He can just flip on a game and start watching it..me, not so much.

I like old, traditional rich teams and the SEC, but he will watch it all, and if I haven't mentioned it before...he LOVES him some STEELERS (says it's the working-class man's team...LOL).

Anyway, it is nice to be able to go to my school's games on Friday night for high school action, lay around on Saturday and watch college, and then get a whopping dose of pro-ball on Sunday. Yep, we're good on football around here...Now, I just need to get him hooked on something I like...Wait, he has been watching that Antique Roadshow with me...LOL.

Go Trojans! Go Irish! Go Wildcats!
Mrs. B

thinking about plastic surgery? ...me, too!

It is such a down day. One of those where I am not unhappy with my body, but flippin' miserable with it...LOL. I need Dr. Diamond (who, by the way, is married to the sweetest girl ever, Jessica. She was totally one of the nicest girls EVER from high school...LOL.)

I have always said that I am not above plastic surgery, but I have to wait. I mean--for the love of God, I'm only 35...I know that's 70 in Hollywood-years, but I live in the boonies. Anything that needs to be done NOW-- I should be able to do with out going under the knife. OK, so I can't fix my teenie-tiny deviated septum, but my face is OK, otherwise...and everything else is just a tad jiggly, mainly due to little debbie's and pringles...LOL.

BUT, and pardon the pun, a BIG BUT, this decision should be left up to the individual. Whatever it takes for one to be the best they can be...well, they should be allowed to decide for themselves what THAT is. Right? I say, go for it--just know when to stop. You agree? I thought you would, but we should really thank Michael Jackson for keeping it real and...putting things into perspective for us. We all know--who's bad?

Love what God gave you, but feel free to fix it up.
Mrs. B :o)

"MY" classroom...2026.

This is it...the most dull classroom that I had ever been in--and it was mine. However, the moment I opened that door, it was like stepping into Narnia. I knew adventures were ahead and that I was going to meet the most special, most unique people. My life was, from this moment on, forever changed.

By the time I had left today, I had re-done everything, well...at least in my mind I had, everything except for calling an educational-interior decorator. I was overwhelmed about what to do, and had to let go of doing it all in one day, or one week...but I knew it would all come as it was meant to...

I drew out plans of bulletin boards, and posters, and seating arrangements, but then thought...maybe I should let the kids have some say-so on their learning environment...so I will wait and get some input from them. I am so excited this must be what it feels like when someone says, I feel like a kid in a candy store.

Well, I need to finish up my ideas before I go to bed...LOL, who am I kidding?? My ideas are never finished. Life (teaching) is a work in progress.

Take your seat, class.
Mrs. B :o)

Even old gals get new school clothes...LOL.

Ok, so doesn't everyone get new school clothes? I like to think that they do...I always loved the first days of school b/c everyone seemed to be like pictures from the latest "sale flyers". In my little town, it was flyers from Sears, JCPenney, Dawahares, or Wal-Mart. Now that I'm older...I still prefer most of those stores anyway.

I love JCP. My granny always thought they had the best "bang for their buck" and it was easy for my mom to order me stuff from there and have it shipped. I waited religiously for a week once just for the UPS guy to deliver me a new rain slicker that my mother had ordered...LOL. ( it was pink with a rainbow on the back and had 3 little holes under each arm pit which kind of weirded me out, soooo I never really wore it...after a month or so, I acted like I lost it...LOL...sorry, Mom.)

With my new "real" job in mind, my husband wanted to take me school "clothes" shopping...OK, so you know I'm lying...LOL. He didn't want to take me, but went without bitchin'...same thing in my book...LOL. It was nice, and I did him proud...30 minutes and I was finished... in and out...2 pair of slacks, and 4 shirts. I was ready. ( Had I not felt like a "pig" when I was buying things...it could have turned into a nightmare for him b/c they had some deals goin' on...LOL.)

I came home, hung them up and looked at them for a moment. I then closed the closet door, and smiled because I knew I was ready for school.

Mrs. B :o)

I am a teacher...I think.

Well, It has happened. Somewhere in a little town in the middle of nowhere (actually 20 minutes from my front door)...I am now an official teacher. Thank you, Lord...or I guess I should say, "thank you, Kelly Hall".

I took a chance, out of sheer desperation, and called everyone that I knew that I thought may possibly be able to help me find a job...and I guess it worked. Kelly and I have known each other our whole lives. We grew up a football field's length away from one another. A great guy to say the least, and now I owe him one.

I know it was the 11th Hour, and desperate times call for desperate measures...and well, it worked in my favor, and I am now teaching. Not just teaching, but teaching in the field I want to teach--Math. Now, I am no Euclid, but I love kids in math b/c most of them do not want to be there and you have to make it fun and make it real for them to see how important it is...that there is meaning to all those numbers and letters.

How ironic, I am now a variable.

My life will now consist of putting forth numbers(in a "big way" if I want to keep the job), by teaching numbers, to a cadre of numbers that must produce "big" numbers on numbered tests from the numbers I put forth. Maybe I should be teaching philosophy?

Anyway, here I am...Class, let's begin.

Mrs. B :o)

Appreciate Compliments

Fat girls striving to be me...LOL. How funny is that?... I use the term fat loosely and in jest b/c I definitely consider myself one of the "fuller" ladies these days...LOL.

Yet, I love this fact. Not b/c I am "fuller", but the idea that someone thinks my size is OK. Now wait, you are absolutely right in thinking these are "larger" ladies, but it is the same way I feel about wanting to be Gwen Stefani. (I ain't no holla-back girl). We all want to be someone else sometimes...maybe we do not want their life, but maybe their hips, abs, or legs would be OK?...

The concept that anyone would look at you, regardless of size, and think, "this is what I am aiming for", is really one helluva compliment...I'm not downing myself, but there are plenty of other people out there that look far better than I...LOL...better than you, too...so, isn't it soooo nice when someone says something like that to you? I won't lie...I LOVE it!!!!

I may not love my jiggly tummy at the end of the day, and I may not love that I do not wear single-size fashions anymore, but I have definitely learned to accept compliments without making excuses. It's a great trait to acquire on your life's journey, but sometimes hard to do...but you must...b/c it makes it a lot easier to look in that mirror every morning or down at that scale every night. You are who you are.

Respect Yourself--and let others do it, too.
Mrs. B :o)

Daily Plate...for health and nutrition.

http://www.thedailyplate.com/





By now, we all know that I may not be the healthiest person, but I do constantly try to keep up with my diet, I worry about my health, and I am always reading up on nutrition. Not that it works or anything...LOL, but I am generally concerned for myself. Summer of 2007 was, by far, one of my sexiest summers--ever, healthiest, too...LOL. I ran 5 miles every other day--minimum. I worked out at the "Y" everyday. Many days, I would do the "2 a day" thingy, but somehow I got out of it and went to hell in a handbag. ( Have I blogged about this before?...LOL)

On to the point of today's post. I ran across this awesome DAILY PLATE site and I love it. I'm not sure I can dedicate myself to it whole-heartily, but it is fabulous when it comes to health, diet, exercise, etc. People are very involved with responding to your post and giving advice. I like how it's very real. Folks will tell you things in a matter-of-fact way, without being mean and it truly seems like these people care about how you are progressing and want to encourage you to strive to meet your goals...regardless of who you are.

Lance Armstrong and his foundation are affiliated with it, too, but I am not sure how. I like him, though...so it somewhat helps me trust the website more...LOL. Thanks, Lance. LIVESTRONG.
Just a little heads up for you new dieters, exercise-aholics, or health nuts...it's a good site.

Mrs. B :o)

Goodbye Win-City...

It was much harder than I thought it would it be...for one year I lived by myself and never realized how much I truly enjoyed it...LOL. I love being married, don't get me wrong, but there is a wonderful feeling knowing you can eat straight out of the Cool-Whip container while standing in front of your fridge in just your skivvies...LOL.

The nights of drive-thru Rally's...ahhhh, me heart will miss, but not me ass...LOL. Mary cooking dinner with JD, a little TV watching, and then a pedi before I left (Yes, I did have to do the treadmill before she would, but it was totally worth it...LOL). Deciding each day with Sweet Dee what we were going to have for lunch. Learning to sew with Val. Gossiping in the office about God-knows-what...LOL. Watching Gin's belly grow along with all my friendships. I really had an empty place in my heart when I pulled out of my driveway for the last time.

Yet, I believe everything happens for a reason. I ended up in Winchester because a plan by some higher being was put into motion. They knew I needed to grow to get where I am today. They knew there was someone in me that I wanted to be, but didn't know how to get there and surrounded me with those that could help...a cowardly lion (Gin into motherhood), a tin man (Mary learning to let people love her), and the scarecrow(JD going back to school)...and with the help of the wizard (Clark...stop it, y'all...I know I could have used a munchkin analogy)...we all ended up in our own "home".

Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road.

Mrs. B :o)

H2O

I am guilty I need to drink more water, but unless it's scorching hot outside...I'll pass. Give me a cola, a diet green tea, or heck...give me an imported beer...LOL.

It's funny that the one thing, other than air which I think is currently still free...LOL, that one needs to live, just does not taste that great to me and I have to pay for it.

Now wait, I'm a Fiji-whore...i do like the taste of that water...and I'm drawn to it's square bottle, but it's NOT worth it's price. I guess, when I add some lemon and a few packs of Sweet and Low, I'm good...but haven't I now made lemonade...LOL.

I am always saying how I need to drink more water. My doctor is always saying that I should drink more water. My friends are are all on the "drink more water" kick, but I'm just putting this out there...Can you make it taste better?

:o)
Mrs. B

Olympic Fever

08/08/08...it is on. The opening ceremonies were, by far, the best that I've seen in the history of the olympics. I almost feel bad, b/c you know some family-somewhere went hungry so that every tourist could have a sparkler. Oh well, today is not my day to save the world.

I am excited just waiting to see Michael Phelps and all of the US swim team compete. Go Dara Torres!!!! Catarina has me interested in the beach volleyball. I may try to watch some of the gymnastics, but I'm sure coverage will be non-stop and all over the place, so I'm ready and pacing myself...LOL.

Go Team USA!

Mrs. B

New job...No Career--yet.

I am so depressed. I have a degree and have been hired to work at a job where... I will sit on my ass all day, answer phones, and if I am lucky get to see the sun, at least once, in an 8-hour period. I am not complaining, so far everyone has been cotton candy nice, but I hope my husband realizes this is for him...to ease his mind. I'm driving 65 miles a day to make roughly 65 dollars a day. I am not trying to be mean, but if we lived near civilization, I could utilize my degree and make double, maybe triple that for working in my field. Nothing else today. I am just so damn depressed.

Mrs. B

School shopping with my girls...

The last few days before the girls go back is beyond hectic...clothes, school supplies, shoes, and final goodbyes...it truly drains me. I like it to an extent b/c it helps me forget they are leaving and that I won't see them again for a month to 6 weeks or even longer as they get older and have their own lives...However, it is the one time a year that I find myself jealous of their father and Ms. Trish, his wife.

I get jealous, at times, when I realize that I am missing bath time, reading before bed, and packing lunches, but I can only do what I already do. I wish I could pick them up after school every day, but that is not our lives and I have to remember, and hope, that I am doing what's best for Catarina and Claudia.

Let's take this back to a lighter note...LOL. My girls wear uniforms to school, and if I haven't already said it before...I AM PRO-UNIFORM...lol. Yet, watching them look at things like earrings, hats, socks, etc...you see their personality come alive. Catarina has to have Victoria's Secret/American Eagle undies and Claudia wants Limited, too whatever...and I laugh to myself b/c my granny could never (and would never) afford those things to me. I guess I'll laugh, again, when I get my clothes "on sale" at Penney's...LOL.

The hardest thing for me, though, is no matter what I buy them...I may or may not see them in it. I make them take everything they buy back to LA...I mean, that's where they will wear it, and I ask Catarina to take pics for me, but that never happens...LOL. (Thank God for MySpace!)

...so I have to believe that I send them on their merry way with not only what they HAVE to have, but what they WANT, as well...I have to believe that...LOL.

Mrs. B