the backwards dinner party

Tonight, we had a backwards dinner party. We served dessert first which was symphony bar brownies and ice cream. For the main course we had Hamburgers, potato salad, baked beans and macaroni and cheese. Then, later in the night we had rotel/sausage/cream cheese bites for appetizers. We played Wii and Quip it. It was a fun time!!!

life without lappy

Sorry for the lack of blogging-- but as you read in the previous post, I am without a laptop. What happened??
It was one of those crazy things.... a wii remote smacked into it. It was one of the funniest and saddest things I have ever seen. I am hoping we can reinact it for you when my friend who did it comes over tonight-- but that is up to her. Don't worry, everything is being taken care of and I should have a new laptop soon! Until then- I am hanging out on the desktop-blogging for you.

another thing I wasn't expecting

I wasn't expecting the previous blog entry to be the last from my laptop. Last night, we had an accident occur that left "lappy" a little worse for the wear.
I don't know at this time if she can be revived, or if she is going on to that big computer heaven in the sky. I will keep you posted. Hopfully, once the pure shock is over, I will be able to do a reinactment for you guys to show what happened, but right now.. it's too soon.

Thursday 13: thirteen things I wasn't expecting that happened today

1) TMI-warning... I did not expect that the bra I was wearing should have been taken off and immediately thrown away. It didn't fit, I was miserable all day, it will never be worn again.

Now, wasn't that some information that YOU didn't expect!!

2) I didn't expect that my least favorite lunch would be served in the cafeteria today... and no, I didn't bring a lunch today.

3) I didn't expect to get a phone call from the police this morning. It wasn't for me, but at my cell number. If I ever meet this Cynthia Chambers- I am punching her.

4) I didn't expect to get a Tahitian tattoo today and for it to be so funny.

5) I didn't expect to be face to face with a lizard this afternoon, but it was on the other side of the window pane. I got a very good view.

6) I didn't expect Tiffani to come and spend the afternoon with me.

7) I didn't expect that when I was trying to come up with a new way to make potatoes, that the Paula Dean show today was all about potatoes.

8) I didn't expect Paula to say she was "happier than a June bride on a feather bed"-but I thought it was funny.

9) I didn't expect to watch the whole show and the food listed in the info (hash brown potato casserole) was never made in the episode.

10) I didn't expect to have to ask my dinner guest to bring trash bags.

11) I didn't expect the Wii to be dead!!! Yes readers, D E A D!!! (I sent Mr. D. a text that read "Houston- Wii have a problem!)

12) I didn't expect that the Wii could be Wii-vived.... But we did it!!!

13) I totally didn't expect Tiffani to actually leave "after one more song" on Guitar Hero... either of the 8 times she said she was.

livin' in 82

Tonight, we were out shopping and our cell phone network went down. We were in a large shopping center and Mr. D. had to go into every store until he physically found me. It was like living in the olden days. He said it took him about 20 minutes to find me. I was oblivious to it all and just browsing at Book-A-Million.

I was shocked

I was looking at the razors at Walmart today. I was totally shocked at the cost of shaving these days.

a crazy picture

I would not usually put a totally horrible picture of me on the blog- but this is too funny. I had just gotten out of the shower and was all bundled in my plush Westin robe, wet hair and all. Brady was stretched out across my lap and we were watching TV. Then, I guess he decided that we needed to change positions. Enjoy!

little visitors

The girls came over tonight to visit and bring a few things for their dresser drawers. They brought their parents to. We went over some stuff for their visit and we introduced the girls to the Wii. They had so much fun playing!! We are all getting very excited about their visit! They are so sweet and fun.

T.G.F.M.(thank God for Meghan!!)

As many of my loyal readers know, I constantly struggle with a certain closet in my house. If not, just search closet in the little blogger search window. Knowing I am getting ready for my special visit, Meghan came over last night and today to helped me. We took EVERYTHING out and sorted, classified, and dare I say- threw stuff away. I felt like someone on a tv show for being a pack rat. I really couldn't believe how much CRAP I have accumulated, and that it all fit in such a small space. Thank goodness a certain co-worker of mine is having a yard sale and accepting donations. So, with Meghan's help, I am proud to say that for the first time (probably ever) in this house my closet is 100% organized. My guest room looks incredible and I am glad because the girls are coming tonight to bring some of their things. I can't wait!!!

Stay tuned for the night we clean out my clothes closet- we are going to play what not to wear!!!

Thursday 13: thirteen dollars to spend

Tiffani and I met after school for an afternoon of fun. We decided to do our Thursday 13 about the 13 dollars we spent this afternoon. While we could have gotten very creative with this, we didn't. Here is the tale of the thirteen dollars.

We started off conservatively by going to the $1 movie theater. We saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was cute and funny. Those movies are funny to us because they all have pretty much the same cast members. (Knocked Up, this movie, Super Bad, etc). It reminds me of some other movies that were the same way. (Jay and Silent Bob, Clerks, etc.) It was actually a projection screen movie- but hey, what did you expect for a buck. Since it has not been too long since we had both eaten, we didn't partake in the usual popcorn and beverages. It was a relaxing matinee.

After the movie, we spent the rest of our cash at Johnny Rockets. MMMM. It was so good. we both had burgers and split the fries and onion rings. Definitely worth the rest of our cash!

the package

Les emailed me today that he has already received his package. It only took 6 days!! He was very appreciative.

little by little

In preparation for my special visit, Operation Organization is in full swing at my casa. I have chosen at least one project a day so I wouldn't be overwhelmed. Here is what I have accomplished so far.
Saturday- organized and totally cleaned the laundry room.
Sunday-cleaned and organized the pantry (making a usable list of everything in there)
Sunday- cleaned out for under the bathroom sink (Mr. D. cleaned his too)
Monday-organized and decluttered "my" shelf in the garage
Tuesday- 2 loads of laundry
Tuesday- refolded and organized all guest towels
Tuesday-started working in the guest room--- again.
Now- we just need to maintain maintain maintain!!!!

oh what a night....

This afternoon, I went to the grocery store for a few things we needed. I then came home and worked on cleaning the shelf in the garage that holds my stuff. Meghan and Kelly came down and I made cheese sticks for us. We snacked on those and I finished cleaning my shelf. Julie, Parker and Caleb came over. After they left I taught Meghan how to make Rice Krispie treats. We made those and took some to a new neighbor. Then Kelly and Meghan stayed for dinner. We laughed and had fun. At 8pm, Mr. D. and Kelly went to the store to see about a new Wii game. Meghan and I went walking/running. We came back and enjoyed some refreshing water and Rice Krispie treats. Now I have showered and read 3 magazines. I am headed to bed. It was a great afternoon, evening and night!

The legend of the hen

I have really been missing Karen lately. So, when it came time to prepare a special Sunday dinner- of course I wanted to use one of her signature recipes. Rumor has it that when Karen cooked this main course for Jonathan for the first time, he dropped to his knee and proposed. I am not sure if it is actually true or not, but that is the rumor. Anyway, she was sweet enough to share her recipe with me, and my hubby enjoyed a fabulous Sunday dinner. I accompanied the little Cornish game hen with Mr. D's favorite "fried" zucchini, stuffing (though not my usual homemade), and broccoli and cheese bites. Even though he is not a father yet, I know Mr. D. felt special today.

a stop along the way

This is where we ate on the way home from the wedding. They have the best strawberry shortcake!!

manicotti and makeovers

Saturday night after we got back from the wedding, Meghan and Kelly came over for manicotti and makeovers. Kelly made over Meghan and myself. It was so much fun. We laughed and laughed. Mr. D. thought we were crazy.

we've moved

I can not tell you how AMAZING our stay was while at the wedding. I told Mr. D. to sell the house and then we could live in the suite at the hotel forever (in true Dylan McKay style!). It was simply breathtaking. Everything about the room was top notch. We had our own private glass enclosed balcony. There were flat screen tv's and gas fire places in the living room and bedroom (not that anyone would want a fire when it is 99 degrees out). The room had an infinity tub and an awesome shower. I took 2 baths and 3 showers while I was there, which was a time frame of 22 hours. It was great. On Saturday we ate breakfast and headed to the pool. I had just completed reading the forward in my book when it started thundering and lightening. So, we went back to the room. I took a shower and got the gross awful sunscreen (I threw that kind ways) off of me. As soon as I was done, the sun was out so it was bathing suit and sunscreen back on and off to the pool again. We swam in the pool and sat in the hot tub and then swam some more. It was a very relaxing day, following a super fun night and we were home by 3pm.

Rachel and Charlie are married!!

Congratulations Rachel and Charlie!!!

Friday night- we attended to marriage ceremony for Charlie and Rachel. It was about an hour away. Everyone was so happy and the room was filled with love and family. Rachel's dress was by far the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen. It must have weighed a million pounds with all of the beadwork. One cute feature of the wedding that I must also point out was Reid. Rachel's nephew did an awsome job as ring bearer. He was pulled into the chuch in a wagon by the two other ring bearers. This is a pic of him leaving the church. Just precious!!
Another cool feature of the reception that I somehow failed to get a picture of was the kid's buffet. Little burgers, doritos, m&m's and other kid like stuff. I loved the idea-- but I had my hands full trying to keep Mr. D. away from it all night.

my name would be

A friend of mine posted this on her Myspace. I found it amusing. So, here is what my name would be it I were a....
COUNTRY WESTERN SINGER NAME: (mother & father’s middle name) Campbell Dewayne

NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother’s dad, father’s dad) Edwin Troy

STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of last name, first 2 letters of your first name) Dansa

DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Blue Dog

SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Skinner Birmingham

SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)Pink the Tea

RAPPER NAME: (first letter of 1st name, first 3 letters of your last name) S. Dan

ROCK STAR NAME: (current pets name, current street name): Brady Cahaba

AMERICAN GLADIATOR NAME (model name of your current car) Tribute

Thursday 13: thirteen reasons I am ready for this weekend to finally come

1) Karen will be back from vacation- I can see her blog updates and pics
2) Meredith will be back from vacation- I can see her blog updates and pics
3) Tiffani will be out of her class- I can see her blog updates and pics

Do you see a theme here? I have seriously been blog deprived this week with every blogger I know being MIA.

4) I am going to a wedding.
5) I get to hang out at the hotel pool.
6) I have an awesome dog sitter- so I never have to worry about Brady.
7) Time in the car with Mr. D.
8) Manicotti and Makeovers on Saturday night
9) sleeping in
10) relaxing with friends
11) catching up on my reading stack
12) NOT having to go to the grocery store!!! I planned ahead!
13) Because every weekend that passes by is another weekend closer to time with 4 super awesome kids!!!

can't wait!!!

In just 26 days- I will be playing with these two.


In 29 days, we will have these two cuties!!!
July can't get here fast enough!!!!

and they're off

The packages are off without a hitch. They lady was very complimentary of our custom forms. They were completed correctly. The flat rate boxes rate went down as well, so our shipment was only $9.80 per box and all of the boxes weighed around 5 lbs. I think this is very cheap when compared to the little 2 lb box I shipped to Atlanta that cost $5.20. The people at the post office gave us more supplies for when we are ready to ship again.

2 blondes and the customs forms

Meghan and I have had a very hard time figuring out the customs forms for our soldier packages. Thanks to the help of the world wide web- we think we have it right. Hopefully our trip to the post office will be successful this afternoon- Tony (Meghan's) and Les (my soldier) will have their packages soon. If not, at least someone will be there to hold our hands and show us how to fill out the forms correctly.

this is me...

...having fun on the job. My co-teacher Camille snapped this pic of me while I was playing on the playground with the kids today.

Taco Tuesday

Tonight, Kelly and Meghan come over for Taco Tuesday. I made a super fun taco bar for dinner. I got to use my favorite sectioned serving dish that we got last year for Christmas. Meghan and I packed our packages for our adopted soldiers. We had so much stuff!! We each had been buying a few things and then when we put it all together we couldn't believe how much we had.

it's a BOY...

.....and a girl and a boy and a girl and a boy and a girl and a boy and a girl!!!

Last night, Meghan, Kelly, Parker and I went to catch some tadpoles. Of course, we waited until it was to dark and didn't have much luck. Parker loved holding the flash light and seeing what was (or wasn't as the case was) in the net when I pulled it out of the water. Megan got I think 4 for her class and I got 2 for mine. I was thinking all night about how ridiculous it was that I couldn't catch the tadpoles. There are so many that I assumed I would get 10-15 of them by just skimming the net in the water. No such luck. Then I thought that maybe they went to the bottom of the pond since there was a storm coming. Anyway, I went back out this AM and it was very clear as to why I couldn't catch the tadpoles. This picture is really zoomed in. They are a little bigger than a grain of rice, but not much bigger. I was expecting something much larger when I formulated my plan of waiting until the tadpoles are bigger and catching them for relocation. I can barely see these little guys, but less catch them all.

scenes from the va-ca

old bay steamers

While on our vacation- we went to a restaurant called the Old Bay Steamers. We enjoyed this meal compliments of my mother-in-law and father-in-law as an anniversary present. It was delicious! All of the seafood was steamed. We had the gulf coast steamer for two. It contained king crab legs (compliments of the Deadliest Catch??), snow crab, red gulf shrimp, clams, muscles, oysters, corn on the cob and new potatoes. The meal was great- but a lot of work. It was a great way to taste some things I wasn't sure if I liked or not. Thanks Linda and Tom!

what more could a girl ask for

On the menu at the poolside bar and grill-
Cheesesticks served on a bed of french fries!
No that isn't what I ordered today but I just might before the vacation is over!

Thursday 13: thirteen ways my wedding would be different if it happened today

Nine years ago today, I got married. I thought it would be fun to do a list of how my wedding would have been different if it happened today. Enjoy!!!


1) I would have the cutest little ring bearer and flower girl- none other than my sweet niece and nephew.
2) I would have totally different bridesmaids, except I would keep Karen and Kim in the line up.
3) I would eat more cake- I remember it being so good in that little bite I got. I would have eaten more of it!!!
4) I would choose a different dress and head piece-- not that I didn't LOVE mine- but I would need something more in style with today.
5) I would have spent the last 6 months blogging to no end about every little detail until you were all sick of reading about it.
6) I would register totally differently-- and have hoped for more things that I would actually use.
7) We would have had a wedding website for everyone to be in the know and encourage our guest to get to know each other before the wedding on one of the many social networking sites.
8) Cell Phones- and texting-- what a difference that would have made 9 years ago!!
9) The guest list would be larger since we know so many more people now.
10) I am sure Mr. D. would have wanted us you have a different venue because of his career-- so we would have probably spent more time choosing a destination.
11) Unfortunately, we would have to have more "in remembrance of" roses at the alter. We have lost several that we love in the past 9 years.
12) the wedding planners--- enough said
13) I would call Mike Hup and tell him NOT to eat Chinese food the night before and also make sure Russell has better directions.



Now- here are some things I would not want to change



1) the cake!! It was my favorite thing about my wedding.
2) the setting- I loved it- but if we had a new destination as in #10, I would want it to be as spectacular.
3) the wedding favors- loved them!!
4) the time with my Dad, and Mr. D.'s Uncle Pat
5) being with our friends who we never see (Karen, Jonathan, Payson, Barb, Jeff and Deborah).
6) my wedding necklace my parents gave me, and the watch they gave Mr. D.
7) the daisies
8) my personal attendant
9) the love and happiness
10) the wording of the ceremony
11) the time of day and the time of year
12) the laughter
13) I feel like I am forgetting something important... what could it be... ummm..... oh yeah... The Groom!! Haha!!

our soldiers

We heard from our soldier. He is in Kuwait. Meghan's is in Iraq. We are sending them the most basic of stuff like snacks, toothpaste and shaving cream. It isn't costing too much and I can tell by the emails that we have gotten that it is greatly appreciated. I want to take the time again to encourage anyone who can do this to adopt a soldier.

all of the cool kids are doing it..

Tonight, Meghan and I went here. You should too!!!

http://www.adoptaussoldier.org/

my little project

Tonight, I made the journey into the attic to retrieve my sewing machine. I have a little sewing project that I am working on. I do not have room for my machine outside of the attic and I don't sew enough to warrant finding a spot for it. I did however have to change my needle to a denim/canvas needle, so my machine got some much needed maintenance. The project is going very smoothly and it is about 70% completed in just about an hour and a half.

he was right

I did have the same haircut as Kim.

Today, we went to my families for what is called decoration. It is a day where you go put flowers on the graves at the cemetery where my Dad is buried. Afterwards, we had a lunch at my cousins. There was more food than you can imagine. My Mom made one of my favorite cakes. I even got to bring the left over cake home. The best part is Mr. D. hates it!!! Yeah- more for me!!

for Meredith

A double bonus just for you----

a Glamour Shot that looks like a Photo by Deb.