so much for a comeback

Normally I don't lie. I don't really even like fibs. But I did lie. In a recent post about feeling stretched, I wrote...and I quote...

"Bear with me as I get myself back to normal and back to blogging."

Um...yeah, whatever.

Clearly, life is not back to "normal" (whatever that means) and I'm not back to blogging the way I want to be.

I feel terrible that I haven't popped in on all my friends and left fun comments in a long time - I miss you all and I miss our communication.

So, for now, I'll give what I can give. I have some exciting ventures on the horizon which I will share with you in further detail in the near future. However, I will tell you that the MOPS group I'm starting here in town is kicking into full swing (this is what would be eating away my free time) - and I'm really excited about it!

I am also seeing another passion of mine develop...cake decorating. You remember I did this for the redhead's 2nd birthday in October? (I even impressed myself!)


Well......I'm making another cake next month for my sister's baby shower. I've got the idea and with the help of my wondermous sister-in-law (who is the cake lady extraordinaire), I purchased some necessary supplies. She encouraged me to test my skills a bit further, so for this cake I will be entering the world of..............fondant. Oh yes, this should be good! Stay tuned for photos (coming the first week of March).

So, that's what's up with me in a nutshell. Hopefully I shall return in a fortnight to keep you abreast of the happenings!


Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day!

this gives new meaning to black friday

This morning I picked up the paper to read a story about investment fraud (nope, not kidding) and my eyes caught a headline reading...

Shoppers trample worker to death

I was immediately curious, so I began reading. Here's a little of what the article said.

New York - A Wal-Mart worker was killed Friday when "out of control" shoppers desperate for bargains broke down the doors at a 5 am sale. Other workers were trampled as they tried to rescue the man...

Honestly, I have absolutely no words. I am shocked. I am angered. I think its UNACCEPTABLE and unbelievable that people can have such a lust in their hearts for material possessions that the life of another person would come second. The article goes on the say...

"...and customers shouted angrily and kept shopping when store officials said they were closing because of the death, police and witnesses said...Shoppers stepped over the man on the ground and streamed into the store. When told to leave, they complained that they had been in line since Thursday morning."


Here are just a handful of the great deals that shoppers were waiting for:

Samsung 50-inch Plasma HDTV - $798
Bissel Compact Upright Vacuum - $28
Samsun 10.2 megapixel digital camera - $69
Various DVD's - $9

I hope they enjoy the great deal on these items, because it cost them someone's (priceless) life to get them.

for discretion's sake

The following story is true. Names have been changed to protect the innocent guilty.


I may have mentioned before that Mr. Baseball is the manager of a bank that happens to be inside a certain infamous super center that shall remain nameless. (Let me just say it's not even close to his dream job, but it pays the bills for now.) Fortunately the job is not without its - how shall I say this politely - "perks".

A woman (we'll call her "Miss Show-em-off") came into the bank yesterday with her 2 year-old daughter to open an account. One of Mr. Baseball's associates sat down at the desk and proceeded to help her. Since the bank is not large, Mr. Baseball could overhear the conversation and see exactly what was going on the whole time. He said that while Miss Show-em-off was seated, her little girl kept saying "Boob" and was attempting to get under her mother's shirt. Miss Show-em-off laughed it off and prevented her shirt from coming up over "the girls". Then, Miss Show-em-off told the bank associate, "She really wants the boob."

At this point, it is getting a little awkward, but you know toddlers, they'll do and say just about anything. Mr. Baseball is still watching from the sidelines, saying nothing. Then, Miss Show-em-off is finished at the desk and approaches the counter where Mr. Baseball is ready to cash her check and send her on her way with her money.

As he is counting out her bills, she (along with her daughter and the shopping cart) steps away from the counter. Mr. Baseball finishes counting the money and says, "Miss Show-em-off", you're all set."

Her response, "Oh, can you just bring it over here please?"

Mr. Baseball thought that was an odd request, but he obliged. As he gets over to Miss Show-em-off and her cart, he realizes a moment too late what she is doing. She totally has her shirt pulled up and is proceeding to lean forward and NURSE HER LITTLE GIRL WHILE THE CHILD IS SEATED IN THE SHOPPING CART!!!!

Yes, Mr. Baseball saw the boob and I am totally not happy about it.

According to another client of the bank, this is not an uncommon sight in this "super center".

Um.................I have never seen this with my own eyes and I'm there (*cough*) like every other day!

So, in efforts to avoid therapy and keep my marriage intact, I have decided to write Miss Show-em-off a letter to express my feelings about "the girls" showing up before my husband's very eyes.

Dear Miss Show-em-off,

First of all, let me say thank you for giving me some great blog fodder. You probably don't even know what that is, and will probably never read this post, but please know that I and my readers are grateful!

Now that that's out of the way, I have a few things thing to "get off my chest" (pun intended).

I totally didn't realize "the mart" had another eatery - a mobile breastaurant!

I am TOTAL proponent of nursing your children. I understand some women can't and/or don't want to, but I'm all for it. I for one, nursed my son for a year and had a wonderful experience.

HOWEVER, if I was ever in a public place when my child needed to nurse, I always did so with discretion (i.e. in a fitting room, restroom, or in a corner while covered with a blanket). Allow my friend, Mr. Webster to define the word "discretion" for you.

discretion - "The quality of showing good judgement; prudence (sensible in judgement)

So, as you can see, this definition is the exact opposite of what you did by raising your shirt in a public place and allowing everyone in "the mart of wall" to see your ta-tas, especially my husband, who unbeknownst to him, entered your personal space while the girls were just hangin' out.

Do you not see anything wrong with this picture?

Please, for the sake of your dignity/reputation and for the sake of the public at large, please save the ta-tas for a more discreet location. Its not like your daughter would starve if she didn't get "boob" right at that moment. The worst she might do is throw a temper tantrum and none of us have EVER been witness to one of those while in "the store" before.

And besides, the only breasts I want to see in "the store" are those of the chicken I'll be eating for dinner tonight.

Signed,

A Protective Wife

P.S. Pictured below is what you should wear the next time you go out in public and need to nurse your child.

our take on labor day

Today is Labor Day.

Ironically, many people don't work on Labor Day - I guess in order to celebrate all the other days that they have to work. Plus its a good excuse to have a cookout.

Not at our house.

Today, we had a lot of this...

And because of that, we spent some time here...

and then redhead spent some time watching this...

so that his mommy could spend some time doing this...

and watching him...



Parenting...its a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

Happy Labor Day!

Now...back to work.

eatin' good in the neighborhood

We were on the edge of our seats. Michael Phelps was poised to win his 8th gold medal. It was the men's 4x100 relay and the final swimming event for America's Golden Boy. Aaron Piersol (backstroke), Brendan Hansen (breast stroke), Michael Phelps (butterfly), and Jason Lezak (freestyle) were America's best chances for the gold medal. The backstroke was first. The swimmers took their mark and then they were off. Piersol was neck and neck with the Australian swimmer. I didn't breathe. The USA was going strong and trying to hold off their biggest threat, the swimmers from down under. Hansen did his laps and then it was Phelp's turn. He did what he does best - swam his little speedo-ed heart out. All he could do was watch as Jason Lezak dove into the pool to complete his anchor leg of the relay. Lezak swam with lightning speed and barely edged out the Australian swimmer to take the gold medal for the US team. Phelps was beyond excited as I imagine I might be if I happened to win 8 medals in one Olympic games event.

Mr. Baseball and I were so proud of our boy. I cheered and we watched eagerly awaiting the dramatic gold medal crowning of the four best swimmers in the country.

Just before they were presented the gold medals, the "Official Olympic People" acknowledged Michael Phelps for winning his 8 great golds. They also handed him what looked like the case diplomas come in, but clearly this was no diploma. There was silence as Mr. Baseball and I waited to see what it was.

All of a sudden the silence was broken.

In his great, perfectly timed one-liner fashion, Mr. Baseball said (in a robotic voice)...

"Its a gift certificate to Applebee's!".

And there you have it folks. I'm sure that as soon as his little tuckuss lands in America, Phelps will take his gift certificate and head of over to Applebee's for some good eats.

Never mind those million dollar endorsement deals, its all about some grub - and all courtesy of those fine folks over at the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

hey...keep your eyes on the road!

Lately, I've been doing a lot of driving. Monday, the redhead and I drove to Charlotte (approx. 90 minute drive) to visit my parents. Tuesday, Nan and I drove to see a friend and her new baby (30 minutes one-way), and Wednesday, the redhead and I drove to SC to visit Mrs. Noonzie (my best friend from high school) and her two little chitlins (more on that later). That was at least 90 minutes each way.

Like I said, a lot of driving.

I have been a licensed drive for 15 years now. Fifteen. That's a lot of years. A lot of close calls. A lot of sitting in traffic. A lot of accelerating and braking. A lot of potential road rage. Not one ticket.

In fact, I've only been pulled over once and that was for a burned out headlight. That happened to be one of the only times I have ever driven without having my license in the car. I told the officer that I didn't have my license with me, but that I knew my license number. He told me I needed to carry it with me at all times and to get my headlight fixed. Yes sir officer, I'll get my husband on that right away when I return home. But when I get home, the headlight was working fine.

God has a great sense of humor.

Anyway, where was I?

Let's talk about driving hazards...

Back in days of old (i.e. 1993 - when I was 16), the only distractions that might occur whilst driving were the noise of the radio or the noise of friends riding with me.

Nowadays, it seems the distractions are too many to number - talking on the cell, listening to music, changing the cd's, passing sippy cups, matchbox cars, or snacks to a whiny toddler, dealing with the heinous Charlotte traffic (this week)... you get the picture.

My mom always told me (when I would get in the driver's seat), "Be careful, I trust you, its all those other drivers I don't trust." This statement would always be met with a dramatic roll of the eyes.

Now that I'm an adult and a mom, I understand.

Case In Point:

I'm driving home from SC today and I've got 10 minutes left in the trip. Its getting dark, its past the redhead's bedtime, I'm tired, but I'm watching my surroundings. I'm a good driver - most of the time - but especially when my child is in the car.

I stop at a light on a busy four lane road and glance to my left. In the lane next to me is a girl around 18 or so. While we are waiting for the light to change, she begins to text a friend - maybe a boy she is driving to see. No biggie right?

The light turns green. We ride side by side. I glance over again.

She's still texting.

Her car starts swerving.

Honestly, I don't know what I wanted to do at that moment. Part of me wanted to yell at her that what she's doing is extremely dangerous and she could kill someone (namely me and the most precious child on earth). Part of me wanted to pull over and get as far as I could from her. I don't know why it infuriated me so much. Its not like she's the first person to do it, and she certainly won't be the last. I guess I know myself enough to know that when I drive and talk on the phone (even with handsfree), my attention is divided. Instead of just being the operator of a dangerous weapon, I become the distracted operator of a dangerous, speeding weapon. I know what its like to think that you're fine one minute only to find yourself slamming on the brakes in that same minute, desperately hoping you won't careen into the back of the car in front of you.

Driving is no game, its a privilege. A privilege that even I take for granted each day.

To the girl who was texting tonight:

I don't know where you were going - maybe to work, maybe to meet your boyfriend, a friend, or going home to your parents. No matter where you were going, I'm sure you have people in your life who care about you, who would like to see your beautiful face come through the door on a hot Wednesday evening in August.

Please don't take driving for granted, and please don't put those other drivers around you (with their precious children in the backseat) in danger because of "just one more thing" you wanted to tell your friend that you were going to see in 5 minutes anyway.

It's a team effort - we all need to get where we're going safely.