a surprise in the mail

I received a surprise in the mail today- a photo cd of my niece and nephew. Here are pictures of my 2 sweeties. They live far far away and I do not get to see them very often. The super cool thing about the cd is that it had little videos on it so I could see the kids in action. I throughly enjoyed it.

finding my center

Anyone who really knows me can tell you that disorganization is my middle name. My goal for the summer is to declutter my life. To quote Uptown Girls- one of my favorite movies- I am trying to "downsize, purify, streamline, sloughing off the excess to find your center". One area in particular is the guest room closet. It is a nice closet. It is the kind of closet that Monica had hidden on the show Friends. If you open it- be prepared for a flood of crap to fall at your feet. It is a great closet filled to the brim with unfinished projects, items that have not found any other home, things I don't need- but someone might and of course it is filled with lots of good intentions. It is the kind of closet that I can't even post a picture of without fear that a falling object would hit and damage that camera.

Anyway- the point of this blog entry is to share something funny I found in the closet. My friend Tiffani and I used to read a blog about this really cool girl and she had a list of 100 things about herself. In January of this year, we decided to make a list of 100 things about us. I found my list today, and it had 22 things on it. Just another unfinished project. I just called my friend Tiffani and she said her list had 41. Here is my list of 22 things about me.

1) I have held drivers licenses in 6 states.
2) I have 8 sets of dishes.
3) My Mom thinks I am obsessed with buying dishes.
4) I absolutely hate carrots but I love carrot and raisin salad.
5) I have had 2 car accidents being parked in my garage and without being in the car either time.
6) My name is called about 100 times a day.
7) I have a pencil lead in the palm of my left hand.
8) I am not sure how I lived without my Blackberry.
9) I go to the local Mexican restaurant so often, they gave me a present at Christmas.
10) My first concert was Hootie and the Blowfish.
11) Every painting in my house involves rain.
12) I am never without a to do list.
13) My student council slogan involved the words "be a dandy winner- vote for" if you know my maiden name- you can figure out the rest.
14) I still sleep with a stuffed bear- 2 actually.
15) My favorite place is a hot bubble filled tub.
16) I own and can twirl a baton. You'd be impressed!
17) I rarely finish the books for book club. (wow- this must be a very old list, since the book club is no more)
18) My state fishing license has me listed as a male.
19) I do not keep a check book registry.
20) I have moved 18 times in my life.
21) I am left handed.
22) I still have the Jessica Simpson Christmas CD in my car, and I listen to it year round.

Brady- the driving dog

Last night I went to the garage to take out the recycling and to get a book out of my car. Brady, as usual was right on my heels. When I opened the passenger door he jumped in and went to the driver's seat. He would not leave the car. I even went inside to get the camera and he was still just sitting there. Once I opened a piece of cheese- he was out in a flash!

pillow talk

I haven't been sleeping well lately. I have decided it is because I have crappy pillows. So I set out today to buy all new pillows for the master bedroom. I found an awesome sale at JCPenney. Buy 1, get 1 for 88 cents. I was very excited about that. We spent a great deal of time in the store trying to pick the perfect pillows for our sleep styles. Here is a picture of the ones we chose. Hopefully I will be catching some restful zzzs tonight.

my pocket book

My pocket book is out of control. I can't find anything and it is driving me nuts. Tonight, I decided to clean it out. How else would you spend a Friday night? Here is the before. I dumped everything out on the desk and here is all of the contents. It is hard to believe it all fit in the little purse.
It contained:
8 pens (2 of which were Westin pens)
2 pencils
1 set of keys
1 key chain of the little discount cards you need at the stores
2 chap sticks
1 lip gloss
1 lip stick
1 days of the week pill organizer- empty
1 pair of sunglasses
3 Publix Partner's key chain things I need to give out that will benefit my school
1 dental floss
1 stamper ring that Emma bought me with her tickets at Chuck E. Cheese
1 Claritin D
6 paint swatches for the kitchen/dining room
13 quarters
2 nickels
3 dimes
30 pennies
1 necklace
1 pair of earrings
1 wiggly eye
1 outlet cover
1 ticket where I paid to park somewhere
2 used post it notes
1 ponytail holder
1 mini hair clip
7 receipts
1 orange stick
1 gift card to Subway
1 checkbook
1 wallet
1 thank you note-- written on Wednesday, addressed today and to be mailed tomorrow
2 watermelon Halls Defense

Here is the results of the cleaning-- a nice cleaned out pocket book--- for now...

my new glasses

I got a pair of glasses in addition to my contacts this year. I needed something for those times when you just don't feel like wearing contacts. I totally love them.

look what came in the mail

In anticipation of our pending trip to Lake Tahoe, I ordered this book from Amazon.com. It was amazing to find something that was published in 2007. I haven't even cracked it open yet because I can't stop reading this book.

I am at the point in the Stolen Child that I am totally - can't put it down- hooked! It is probably the weirdest book I have ever read- but I love it. It is like a fairytale for grownups. It is really creepy and interesting.

my most recent picture

For those of you who haven't seen me in a while- here is a recent picture of me.

tragedy occurs....

After 3 years of loyal service, the pink flip flops have been laid to rest. The tragedy occurred on the playground today. It was a horrible situation in which I slipped into a hole that one of the kids had dug and the shoe just snapped. My left foot is also a little worse for the wear, but I will spare you the pic on that one. This left me in a little drama- because while I had my ballet slippers I could wear at school, I didn't have anything to wear to meet the new dentist. What kind of impression would I have made going in shoeless? What's a girl to do? I called my hubby and he went and bought me a new pair shoes to make it through the day. Here they are... my new emergency shoes.

The Melting Pot

This was a picture I snapped with my Blackberry at the Melting Pot tonight. It was such a fun experience. It really helped to take my mind off of my dental woes. It was the most I ever paid to cook my own food- but it was SO much fun! We had great company and lots of laughter. I am so full I can hardly type.

Trip to the denist

This is the prize pack that I got at the new dentist office today. It was not much of a consolation prize to the news I got. I will be getting 2 root canals soon. Plus- a bonus filling. Lucky Me!

Fafarazzi

Last night, I was reading Redbook Magazine and I read about a site- like Fantasy Football- but involving celebrities. My friend Russell had previously mentioned that I needed more celebrity gossip on my blog. I called Tiffani and we set up a league. We are only competing against each other. We earn points for any time these people make it into the gossip pages. Here are our teams.


Sandy's Team:
Prince William
Jessica Simpson
Kevin Federline
Lindsay Lohan
Tom Cruise
George Clooney
Katie Holmes
Nick Lachey
Nicole Richie
Bruce Willis

Tiffani's Team
Paris Hilton
Angelina Jolie
Britney Spears
Jennifer Aniston
Christina Aguilera
Johnny Depp (her current love interest)
Kid Rock
Matthew McConaughey
Ashlee Simpson
Debra Messing

If all goes well and we like the program- we may set up an official league later on and invite more friends.

Brady's new bed

Here is the new bed I got for Brady last night while shopping with Tiffani. I thought it would be cool to have something for the baseball season.

World Classless Poker

After dinner, we played poker. It was fun.

Sonic

My friend Tiffani surprised me on Friday with a visit. We went to one of our favorite places... Sonic. We both ordered sweet teas and split a cheesy tots. Yumm-O! Afterwards we went shopping and out to eat dinner. It was so exciting to have her visit. I wish she lived closer so I could see her more often. :)

my new favorite snack

This is my new favorite snack. It is called Pop Secret Kettle Corn 100 Calorie Pack. Talk about YUMMY!! I told my friend Camille about it today and she suggested that I take a picture of it for the blog. She also suggested that I should make the popcorn spill out of the bag like an advertisement. I think I did a fairly good job. I have not had microwave popcorn in a while since another friend told me about the carcinogens found in it- but I just couldn't resist.

Why Brady was evicted from the guest room

Brady is almost 3 now (July 24th). He has been given a few more freedoms lately and one of them has been access to to guest room. He loves going in there and it is kind of his place... or it was. Today, Brady was evicted from the guest room. I found this when I came home. I can not believe that he has chewed up my blanket. It was a perfect match to the comforter, pillows, sheets and guest towels. So, now the gate is back up and the guest room is again off limits.

a little over an inch

Wow- I am so glad to be able to use this rain gauge to keep up with all of this rain. Today, It really did rain fairly hard and I was glad that the patio was done.

Patio

Here it is- the completed project.... kind of. We still need to do the landscaping and stuff, but I think it turned out pretty nice.

HUGE NEWS!!!

At 9:12pm (central- 10:12pm Eastern) the last brick was put into the ground. We were in a time crunch to get things done because the weatherman is saying there is going to be actual rain falling from the sky. I don't really believe it- but there is always a chance I guess. We are so glad to have the bricks all in and leveled. Hopefully, It will be more fun putting in the plants and finishing touches. I will have pictures soon-- because I am going to get my camera back tomorrow!

the big date- take 2

I had so much fun last weekend on my date that we decided to do it again. This time it was even more fun because it was a double date with the neighbors. I am so glad they were able to find a great sitter at such short notice (Thanks Bonnie!). We went to the 5:20 showing of Ocean's 13. This movie was so much better than Ocean's 12, but I don't think they will ever trump the first one. We went to a different movie theater than last week, but they still had the same combos and we got the medium popcorn and 2 diet cokes. I think the popcorn was better at the other place. After dinner, we ate at Long Horns which had just opened up. It was very yummy. It was great to go out with our friends and catch up on what is going on with them.

A survey

There is nothing I find more amusing than a survey. (As one reader is particularly aware). Here is a survey sent to me by my dear cousin Shane. I think these surveys are fun and I always learn something about the person. Maybe you, dear readers, will learn something about me.

1] What was the highlight of your week?
The naps I have been taking in the afternoons.
2] Whose car were you in last? my own
3] When is the next time you will kiss someone?Probably a Brady kiss in the next few seconds..
4] What color shirt are you wearing?red and gray
5] How long is your hair? First off, measuring your own hair is not an easy task. I think it is 20 and 1/2 inches from crown to end.
6] Last movie you watched? Knocked up
7] Last thing you ate? A few baked Doritos
8] Last thing you drank? a Diet Coke
9] Where did you sleep last night? At home on the right side of my bed.
10] Are you happy right now? yes
11] What did you say last? "sure"
12] Where is your phone? Blackberry is to my right, house phone in behind me.
13] What color are your eyes?blue
14] Who came over last? Julie and Caleb
15] When was the last time you had your heart broken?Not real sure
16] Who/what do you hate/dislike currently? germs
17] What are you listening to? My friend Karen on the telephone telling me about Maddy making the cheer leading team-- woo hoo!!
18] If you could have one thing right now what would it be? a hot caramel sundae
19] What is your favorite scent? cookies baking
20] Who makes you happiest right now? My family, friends, the kids in my class and of course Brady!
21] What were you doing at midnight last night? snoozing!
22] Are you left-handed?actually...yes.
23] Spell your name without vowels: snd sknnr dgl
24] What's for dinner tonight?chicken tenders and fries.
25] Who was the last person to send you a text message? Tiffani
26] Last time you went swimming in a pool? probably over a year
27] Where was the last place you went shopping? CVS
28] How do you feel about your hair right now? good- I am growing it for Locks of Love
29] Do you have any expensive jewelry? some
30] AIM or MSN? I don't have either
31] Where does most of your family live?Alabama.
32] Are you an only child or do you have siblings? I have an older brother
33] Would you consider yourself to be spoiled? Absolutely
34] What was the first thing you thought when you woke up? "gotta make the doughnuts"
35] Myspace or Facebook? Myspace
36] Do you have T-Mobile? I do!
37] What is your favorite subject in school? In college- it would have to have been geology...haha.
38] Do you have any talents? Heck yeah! see my blog a few days ago about my "giftedness".
39] Have you ever been IN a wedding? Yes.
40] Do you have any children? I have lots at school.. but none at home
41] Did you take a nap today? I did- and it was awesome!
42] Ever met anyone famous before? yes
43] Do you want to be famous one day? no- I don't want to paparazzi always at my doorstep.
44] Favorite Actor/Actress?Marshall from How I Met Your Mother and Brittany Murphy
45] Are you multitasking right now? not right now, but I usually do
46] Could you handle being in the military? probably not.
47] What is your average cell phone bill? not sure
48] Do you believe in Karma? I do- and I have been known to play Karma Ball
50] How many pairs of shoes do you own? who has time to count them all?
51] Last place you drove your car? home from work
52] Ever been to Vegas? yes
53] What are you doing today? it is almost bed time for me- early to rise you know...
54] Have you ever been gambling? yes
55] When is the last time you updated your blog? I am doing it right now
56] Have you been to Europe? I just got back from there.
57] Ever been to Disneyland/world? Disney Land- in California- but never Disney World and I REALLY want to go.
58] Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Hello Kitty
59] Last thing you cooked?chicken
60] Hows the weather? H O T hot!
61] Do you e-mail?yes.
62] What's the stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone? Well- I was talking to my friend Tiffani and I was driving. I was explaining to her about how my biggest fear is that I will be singing and my phone will call someone on it own and they would be listening to me singing into my blue tooth. So anyway I was telling Tiffani about how I always pick up the phone and push the off button before I sing anything and at that moment I accidentally hung up on her. She called back and said something like- you were showing me how you pushed the off button weren't you. And I totally was - I was demonstrating and hung up on my friend. We still laugh about it to this day.
63] Last time you were sick? I have a runny nose right now

the big rain storm

Here are the results of the big rain storm.... around 1/4 of an inch. I don't know if this means the drought is over or not. I will advise you if the watering restrictions are lifted after this downpour.

How I spent my afternoon

This afternoon my little friend came to visit. I took this picture on my Blackberry, so I am sorry if it is fuzzy. Hopefully the day will come soon that I can stop being lazy and go get my camera.

my fortune

This was my fortune from my fortune cookie the other night. I thought my readers would love for me to list the ways I am gifted.

1) I am gifted in the fact that I can pick things up with my toes.

2) I am gifted in the art of being disorganized.

3) I am gifted at laying and leveling pavers... I have had lots of practice.

4) I am gifted at measuring ingredients without using measuring spoons or measuring cups- even though I own many of them.

5) I am very gifted in blogging about absolutely nothing!!!

If I think of any other "gifts" I have I will post them.

patio update

Yesterday, we were able to get 60 pavers put in. Today-- we did 145. That makes a weekend total of 205 in the 205.

the big date

After putting down 60 more pavers yesterday, I went out on a date. We want to see Knocked Up at the 5:10 showing. Issy (no, I don't know her real name- just her name on Grey's Anatomy) was very good in this movie. The script must have been very easy for her to learn because she seems to drop the F Bomb every few minutes. She was very angry for most of the movie. The movie did have quite a few funny moments. And, the movie had some not so funny moments like when they showed the actual birth of a baby. One of my favorite actors was in it.. Marshall (from How I Met Your Mother). Not for the weak stomach! After the movie, we went to a new store here called HH Gregg. We didn't buy anything. We are looking for a little refrigerator that would hold like 6 cans of diet coke for work. After the shopping we went to a restaurant called Stix. It is a cool place because one side is Japanese and the other side is Chinese. We ate on the Chinese side. We had sushi, steamed dumplings, crab rangoons (my fave!) and hot and sour soup. It was very tasty.

Rain

Why oh why do I not have my camera to document the fact that in the last 2 days we have had a little over an inch of rain.

an apology to my readers...

I am without my camera. I left it somewhere and I will not be able to get it back until mid-week. I have seen so many things I wanted to share with you. So, I apologize that you will not get to see great blog entries on the following things I have witnessed lately:

1) a beat up car in the Books-A-Million parking lot with it's hood held open by an axe handle
2) a herd of 5 white-tailed deer we saw just last night less than a mile from our house
3) the finished pottery painted by my sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law
4) pictures from the first day of summer school and my new little angels

I hope that you will be able to cope with all that you are missing out on!

the patio saga coutinues

Today was a do-over day. There was no getting around the fact that no matter what we tried, the ground was just not level. I have been very perplexed by this for the last few days. When you are laying the bricks, all looks great, but when you walk away from them, or say, looked out the window at them you could totally tell. Even though doing double work is our pet peeve, we decided to do the right thing and go back a few steps. I can not tell you what a difference it has made! Today involved a little tamping...

and a little bit more sand here and there...

and lots and lots and even more leveling. This way is level, that way is level, check it once, check it twice....We added more sand and then the sweeping started....

Now... Finally, something that looks positively amazing......

only about 800 or so more bricks to go!!!

I will keep you all posted as the saga continues!

Speedy

This is Speedy. He will be visiting the Blue Class this summer. He actually belongs to the 1st-3rd grade class, but no one wanted to take him home for the summer. So, we took him in. We also took in several potted plants. The plant watering lesson will have to be very popular this summer.

Rain.... sort of

Today, I heard it raining and I ran to get the camera. However, by the time I got outside the rain had stopped. Not even one little drop landed in my new rain gauge. I took this picture of the sidewalk. Maybe one day it will really rain.