UK Cheer 2012 Champs!

Love my Cheer Cats!
19 National Titles!
Way to go!

Language Lesson from myself...and Jen

Yesterday, after I posted the story about my hubs, I kept looking at the title.

. 

For some reason, it looked wrong to me...it looked long to me, as well, but that is how I write.
I decided to ask a friend of mine about it,
I was pretty sure what needed to be changed,
but I didn't like the way it looked either...LOL.
Thus started this convo:

JEN:1.     PIZZA IS BETTER THAN CHICKEN!

          2.     Thank Goodness you scratched CALIGULA!

ME:  LOL...piizza is just about better than anything!!!!

...and I am sure names will change again...LOL.

I think there should be a comma after hubs in the title????

what do you think?

JEN:Commas are for pauses.  I do not think there should be a comma.

ME:dang it...I meant apostrophe...LOL

JEN:Should be hub’s face as it is a possessive

ME:http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/

this was great!!!

:I call him hubs...so I think it should be hubs' face????

JEN:In that case hubs’ lol

However you said my hubs in which case I would think it would still be hub’s as opposed to I want to say to hubs’ face. :P

Also following the rules

add 's to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in -s):

 so it would be hubs’s

ME:but that would be saying my hub and then making it poss...

since I said "my hubs"...I think hubs' face would be OK

but now I am thinking it would be hubs's...LOL

maybe i should blog about this...LOL

JEN:Well there is only one of him! So the singular would be hubs’s but are intending hubs here to be the plural of hub (husband). I’m going with my hubs’s face on this one lol

ME:I am leaving it alone...and using this as tomorrow's blog post...LOL

I guess, maybe...

I found this funny because,

I am a total English/Grammar snob, and if someone corrects me( "Thank you, Former Alice Lloyd College President, Jerry Davis"), 

I feel I should learn from it.

However, I think we own our own language, too.

I pause. I inflict. I pronounce. I enunciate. I write the way I talk.

(Hence, many ellipses for good ol' me.)

I know I use the word THAT waaayyyy too much, but it is what it is. 

I don't write for the Washington Post, New York Times, or the New Yorker...

and probably never will.

My biggest lesson though, is to let it go...to an extent.

Never will I let there, they're, or their go!

EVER...LOL.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

Christmas Fun

So, I follow quite a few blogs that are about, well...nothing. Just gals that like to talk, type, and live life to the fullest. Today I was catching up with Claire over here and came across this great idea.

Turns out, I was too late to sign up...so, I thought I would host my own. I commented about it being a great idea and 10 minutes later I got an email saying there was another girl wanting to do it, too. That quick, I was in like Flynn.


I am so excited about doing this, but really excited about my swap partner. A bit nervous, too. She is about the same age as my eldest daughter...and you have no idea the struggles I have when trying to make or buy her something. However, so glad to see a young lady chronicling  her life and times in this busy, fast-paced, uber high-tech world we live in:

http://somethingforsarah.blogspot.com/

She has 2 middle names, as do both my girls. Studying education, what is better than the teaching profession? She LOVES pinning...don't we all? But as great as she is, I am struggling with 2 known facts about Sarah. One, she is a GA Bulldog 4life; We are a UK Cat family for basketball and an LSU Tiger family for football, I guess I can let her "sports" affiliation slide during this Christmas season. Second, this girl loves the treadmill more than running outside...who loves machines over the great outdoors?...Kids these days...LOL.

Anyway, just wanted to share today's event...and how it has truly put me in the Christmas spirit.

Things I want to say to my hubs face, but can't...it would be too weird, but I want him to know.

• When I eat an apple, and I twist off the stem...I always hope it comes off on the letter "C".
• I like looking at his butt when he has on blue jeans! I mean, I really like to stare at it...LOL.
• I secretly like that it upsets him, when the girls haven't called, text-ed or Skype-d me for a few days. (He knows how heart broken it makes me.)
• He REALLY needs to try pizza...not just bread sticks.
• Getting email at work from him makes me giggle like a school girl.
• I trust him more than anyone in this world...and for some reason, it worries me immensely.
• Love that he sacrifices his wants for me and the girls.
• I can only hope that we do have twin boys named, Churchill and Chamberlain--to go along with my girls, Catarina and Claudia.
• Thinks it is amazing how he has stayed true to his roots without compromising his integrity.
• Wish that he would NEVER have cancer again. Life without his love would be a very long road.

Couch to 5K

My hubs has started the Couch to 5k with me. I am already a W-unner, you know a person that will walk-run-walk-run until they reach their destination or time runs out...all depending on why and where they are running. Know what I mean?

I would like to think he has chosen to do this to keep me from being a sad, pitiful soul.
However, turns out he thinks he needs to "get rid of a few pounds".
I am running for that reason too, but also because I LOVE to run...
and I want to do a marathon one day.

Let's see how long this lasts?
LOL

Workout Tunes

I have to listen to music when I work out. In fact, if no one is around, I sing when I work out! Music is vital when trying to get your booty movin'.

When making a play list, keep in mind what you will probably do during the workout. For my warm-up, I like "happy" songs: I Gotta Feeling-Black Eyed Peas, My Hallelujah Song-Julianne Hough, and Airplanes-B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams.
However, when I start to really get the blood flowing and the calories burning, I want music that reflects that: Don't Stop Believin'-Journey, Save a Horse-Big & Rich, and maybe something from the Top Gun soundtrack...LOL.

My cool down music is normally something that reflects a pay-off for my hard work: anything from Wicked, Coming Around Again-Carly Simon, or my fave...One Hot Mama by Trace Adkins!
Truly, it does not matter what it is. It just needs to inspire you!
Post a song here...that does just that:
Inspires you!

Mrs. B

Hair bows and old age????

Today, I was so tired from yesterday's events,
and I knew I had Zumba today,
that I put my hair up in a ponytail.
(Yes, a ponytail like high school.)
I took my dress-down day at work
and sauntered in with yoga pants,
a t-shirt,and a sweat shirt on.

I was OK rockin' the pony,
but I one-upped and tied ribbon around it.
It looked cute and youthful,
but then I started thinking,
"for the love of God, I am 38 years old,
should I be wearing a ribbon in my hair?"

Don't get me wrong,
I would not come out of the house in a cheerleader bow.
(Well, I would try not to...LOL.)
However, I think ribbon is different than a bow...
or is this a bow?
And am I too old for this?
LOL
Just wonderin'.
What do you think?

CBB

PS. I love this pic b/c it looks like I was poppin' my collar or something, when in actuality...I was just talkin' with my hands...LOL.

Sons of Anarchy

So, had to decide on a new Netflix series to watch,
and after seeing some posts by this gal
decided to give it a shot.
OMG!
I am hooked.
My hubs is hooked.
WE are hooked.
(Now, I will say, it is probably for different reasons secretly, but we both love the show in general.)

Once you start watching it, you more or less get sucked in by all of it.
The love stories, the bad ass-ness, the fight between good and evil.
The following 2 reasons...LOL.

I am not ashamed to say it,
after watching 3 full seasons,
this could be the best CURRENTLY produced show on television.
For today,
I am ready for a tat,
a biker man that looks like JAX,
and an unlimited amount of money for the 2 of us to spend,

BUT only for a month or 2,
after that,
it would get tiresome being called someones old lady.

Phineas and Ferb (P&F)

I could probably break out in song right now,
b/c you know in your mind you hear the theme play whenever you see P&F,
but I will remain silent
and tell you about why I THINK I really love Phineas and Ferb:

I AM CANDACE.

I spent my summers with my brothers, this was our time together. They were younger than me and opposite of one another. I'm not sure which one was the smart one and which one was the silent one...they were either of these at any given time, but me...I was always Candace. I knew more. I was older. I was cooler...and I didn't see what I had in front of me; Two, out-of-this-world, awesome little brothers!

I am also 99% sure I was always trying to "bust them". No matter, what they were doing, I am sure I was running to find my mother to tell on them. Boys are boys; and regardless of what my lil' bros were doing...they probably shouldn't have been doing it!

Time flies and now 30+ years later,
I wish I had spent more time in their world of trucks, mud, bugs, and God only knows what...LOL.
Just so thankful that a cartoon could come along, instead of therapy,
and remind me just what I had and how lucky I am to still have it..

Kingsport Mall

Truly,
it no longer looks like this,
but rarely is,
where you are,
as important as,
who you are with,
right?
(Wow, that was a lot of commas...LOL.)

Took Claudia-loo shopping today for school clothes, uniforms, dinner, and a movie.
However, didn't seem right buying for one child when the other was not there.
Mr. Chad even came along, as well.

Buying uniforms is never a big deal:
khaki or navy bottoms,
red, white, or navy polo,
socks,
undies,
shoes,
hair bows,
school supplies.

This year, though, 7th grade--something happens to the "tween" brain and it slowly starts morphing into the "teen" brain. Leg shaving, name brands, iPads, I think I got queasy when I bought 2 bikinis and an off-the-shoulder shirt.

Anyway, we watched The Smurfs, and to be honest, it wasn't that bad...and it made me remember, after all that I had been through that day...I still had a 12 year old!

Gnomeo and Juliet

Watched this adorable movie tonight.
Well, I fell asleep somewhere near the end,
but I have read the story it was based on (a time or two),
so I do not feel like I lost anything from the movie.

However, the cuteness of it all was to die for.
I think they are the most adorable gnomes.
Makes me just want to eat'em up.

I noticed  while "google-ing",
Hallmark has a Christmas ornament of this adorable couple this year.
I just want to take this time to say to my hubs and kids...
HINT! HINT!

-ing Randomness

Things I am always up for:
singing back up for the Stones on Gimme Shelter
riding in the Cash Cab...it is going to happen!
watching infomercials
crying at sci-fi movies
cooking mac and cheese for eldest baby
making Manwich (on little buns) for youngest baby
acting out WICKED when no one is around
baking homemade angel food cake or any kind of cupcakes
driving to LA for the weekend...just to smile...and see smiles
going that extra lap to make 2, maybe 3, miles
blogging about my life
having those I love laugh
laughing with those I love

Really try-ing to get back into the swing of things.
Today's randomness was courtesy of me half awake and half asleep...
think-ing about my blog!

Google +

Got my invite to Google+ and am super excited about using it. Roughly 10 million users are on board, but I am still having issues with finding people to add to my circles, and knowing just what to do...LOL.

I am a total Google addict, along with FB. I love FB, but I really just use it now to creep on pictures, play games, and keep up with my kids. I think it is over crowded with ads and non-sense.

Everyone knows about my SUPER-crush on hoodie-wearing Zuckerburg, so I don't want to abandon him, but I am really looking forward to something new...and hey, I hear he uses Google+, too.

Me, the bestie, and the kids...minus 1.

Today we hiked the beautiful Natural Bridge in Slade, KY.
It is one of my favorite places in the state and this was a great day to do it.
The weather was hot, but not too bad since we hiked somewhat early in the day!
Plus, I got to spend it with some of the people I love MOST in this world: my bestie and her 2 babies and my little buttercup. (None of which are at the age that they would allow us to call them babies or buttercups in public.) However, my other baby wasn't with us, (We missed you, Catarina!) but we pretended she was there in spirit.

I love the top pic of the youngest ones, both 12...going on 16!
I have to believe, in this moment, their little minds reveled in all that was not technology
and just allowed themselves to be consumed by the beauty of their surroundings!!!!
In actuality, they were just concerned with the paddle boats below...LOL.

Which then brings us to lunch after the hike...
and the fact that C2 was the 1st to pull out the phone to text...LOL.
Awwww, what has apple and Steve Jobs made us into?
I know...putty in their hands.

Finally, our homage to Catarina.
We saved her a seat @ the table with us...and quietly, to myself, I thanked God for all my blessings!
What a wonderful day!

Cut-Thru Adventures

 The Start of the Adventure

 Getting ready to "tube" through the

Cut-Thru.

 Our "Helm's Deep" pic of the Cut-Thru...LOL.

(We are total nerds.)

 Love this pic of Claudia looking at the scenery.

 My hinky foot, Mr. Chad's knees, Claudia's foot...

and the beautiful Big Sandy in front of us!

 Mr. Chad chillin'.

 The Cut-Thru.

(The water below is where we were tubing earlier.)

Claudia and mr.Chad...wwaaayyyy above sea level!

Catarina wanted to go kayaking/canoeing when she was here last month, but the Cut-Thru Adventures place was closed on Memorial Day, so we had to issue her a rain check. We, of course, joked with her about how Claudia would love to do it this summer while she was here and how sorry we were that we could not take her...LOL. We were really trying to rub it in just to tease her.

Well, Claudia's turn came up and we drove to Pikeville to take her canoeing. When we got there, we were informed that "innertubing" was an option. Really? You can inner tube down the Big Sandy?...Yes, you can!

It was wonderful and bizarre at the same time!

First, let me explain what the "cut-thru" project it.
According to the Kentucky Tourism website:(http://www.kentuckytourism.com/things_to_do/featured_attractions/pikeville-cutthru-project/4365/)
                                     The Pikeville Cut - Through Project was conceived by visionary and former Mayor William C. Hambley, a life long resident of Pikeville. The Cut-Through Project began in 1973 and was completed after 14 years of constant construction. The project created over 400 acres of usable land for civic expansion and growth by the 18 million cubic yards of earth that were moved. The Cut - Through Project has freed Pike County from the floods that plague so many Eastern Kentucky counties and is to date the second largest earth moving project in the world.


Wow, who knew?...and right here in my own backyard!
Anyway, all you locals, if you get a chance...this is well worth the money!
Just $10 a tube for almost 4 hours of water time!
It was a fun, family day.

Life is good floating in a river..on an inner tube!

Come Monday...it will be alright.

Spending some much needed time catching up on my blog.
Well, mainly reading those that I follow...LOL.
Have decided that it isn't worth throwing away...and I will pick things back up on Monday.
June 20, 2011!

I have been editing posts that I have written, but not posted.
(Should have just left them alone...they weren't half bad.)
So check back with me soon...
Read...
follow...
enjoy your life and who you are...
and blog yourself.

CBB

Catarina's Grad Party

Celebrated my daughter's graduation today with an Open House/Party.
Lots of family and friends spent the day with us
at The Garfield House in Pikeville, KY.
It was a glorious and sunny day.
Perfect for good food and laughter.

My heart is so appreciative to all those that chose to spend the day with her.
A very BIG thank you to Robin of Robin's Cakes
for letting Catarina's cake be one of her last before her retirement.
Oh, and a special "shout out" to my hubs for doing a video at the last minute.
The Girls and I love you!
Again, thanks to everyone for celebrating with us!

 FAB cake...tasted like a little piece of heaven.

 Molly, Karen, and Callie

 Nana and Uncle Jamie

 Ty, a few hours before his own graduation!

 Aunt Fern, Sissy Rhonda, and V

 Peg, me, Gina

 Papaw Jeff

 Mr. Chad, me, Catarina, Charles, Phil, Junlina, and Ty

 Karen, Catarina, V

 Catarina and Peg!

 JD, Catarina, and Miss Mary

 Catarina, Ms. Christie, and Chris

 The Buettners

Grandma Nona, Charles, Catarina,  Grandpa Bob,

Emma, and Uncle Ray

 Aunt Jamie, Catarina, Uncle Bunny

Catarina and Aunt Black

Derby Day 2011

On Derby Day, we always do the same thing. My hubs takes us to a hole-in-the-wall "off track" betting place... where they run out of cold drinks(beer) and NEVER have mint juleps, but it's our thing...and since we can't go to the derby--this just has to do. So, I am always overdressed, but who cares. How can it be Derby Day and you not want to sport a hat????

It, normally, is one of our best dates of the year. We drink, gamble, and then come home and drink and snuggle...LOL. Does life get any better than that? Let me answer for you...it does not!

Look at the 2nd pic closely, though. Yes, that is smoke. My non-smoking husband thinks it is OK to smoke when you drink. I do not agree, but it is what it is...and it is better than him being a chain smoker.

BTW, we bet on EVERY horse in the race (we bet for others that couldn't go with us) except for one. Wanna guess which one we didn't bet on?...LOL...the winner. Way to go Animal Kingdom! Never saw you coming!

Hiking at Natural Bridge

First hike of the year--Natural Bridge.
Beautiful weather and  beautiful company.
Great day for everyone!

 She is Queen of the World,

but not of the sky-lift!

:o(

 Top of the mountain,

with the Allens!

 Fat Man's Squeeze I.

 Fat Man's Squeeze II.

 The family, without Catarina, 

with Natural Bridge in the background!

 Amazing rock formations!

 Natural Bridge

 A proper Arisaema triphyllum,

"Jack-in-the-Pulpit",

on our descent.