Instant GRITS~girls raised in the south

SO Stink'n proud

2008-10-02T19:40:00.002-05:00

As most parents do I often wonder if I am doing a good job as a parent. This week has proven that I must be doing something right at some point anyway. Beans stutters a little and we had her speech tested. The speech therapist tested her for about an hour and scored her and came in to tell me that she would see her back in 6 months for another evaluation but that she feels that Jillian is stuttering just to gather her thoughts because she has never tested a 3 yr old that scored as high as Jillian did in the language area of the test!

Alexis brings home a folder once per week with her grade average for me to sign along with all of tests. Since the first week of school she has brought home not only ALL A's but they are all 100 A's! AND today she came home with her little goodies and certificate because she was named student of the month!

It is totally wonderful to know that I have a positive impact on their early learning anyway. I guess when I told them the sky is blue, the grass is green and the definition of annoyed LOL they listened to me.

More Photos

2008-09-29T06:53:00.002-05:00

Spent Saturday morning taking pics of the girls. We saw tons of opportunities but the skeeters and Beans stopped us LOL Beans is not much of a picture taker but likes to go along for the ride. Abby and Alexis get mad when it is time to stop. They love modeling for me! We had lots of fun!

Abby being a lake side cowgirl Alexis posing in her nifty hat

Alexis being a cowgirl

all of my girls

Wednesday is So Animated day at school for homecoming week so I made Alexis this Mad Hatter costume

Brenda tagged me

2008-09-28T16:49:00.002-05:00

7 Things I Plan To Do Before I Die

1. Go back to school even if it is with my children and have a career other than being a mom

2. Move away from Helena

3. Take a great relaxing vacation with no money worries

4. see and enjoy grandchildren

5. Get out of debt

6. Just be plain ol happy!

7. decide what the 7th thing will be

7 Things I Do Now

1. Be constantly entertained by things my children say or do

2. sew and paint as I can

3. be a packrat with un-needed things

4. all the family duties except earn a paycheck

5. Take photos, many, many, many, photos.

6. love my children unconditionally

7. stress A LOT

7 Things I Can't Do

1. burp

2. make bread

3. go anywhere without at least one child

4. Sleep late

5. yard work because I am scared that my kids will get hurt in the process

6. Understand why people lie even when everyone around them knows they are lying LOL

7. catch a break money wise

7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex

1. Sense of humor

2. big ol arms (like my hubbys) I like a strong man

3. smile

4. Security

5. smell

6. conversation

7. stability

7 Things That I Say Most Often

1. well son of a bitch

2. stop acting like you ain't got no home training LMAO

3. can you just give me a second please

4. move so I will stop tripping over you

5. hush, dang my ears hurt

6. I don't know why Alexis

7. stop making a mess

7 Celebrities That I Admire
I do not really admire any celebs because to me they are just people that by chance got a lucky break in life and became "CELEBRITIES"

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

7 Favorite Foods

1. house fried rice

2. homemade bread

3. mac and cheese

4. Liver & onions

5. fried taters

6. salad

7. greens of any kind

7 People Who Need To Do This

heck I don't think I have 7 people that even visit my blog LOL

Changing Seasons~photo Challenge

2008-09-20T07:43:00.002-05:00

This one was tough because we have very few things that are changing around these parts so I dug out some things that would sort of work.

The first pic is an older one that was taken in March 2008 when we had a crazy crazy crazy snow storm here. I liked the way the pine cones and branches were capped with snow in the sunlight.

This one is of my niece Dallas. I took this one about a month ago. She just began college and I was trying to depict the new road in life that she was traveling...this was sort of a shot between me and her so that she could have a reminder that it can be a beautiful road if she chooses her paths carefully.

I stacked these into a pile at James' house Wednesday evening. These Acorns are huge compared to the small ones in my back yard. These would make for some happy Squirrels and Deers.

Fairy Photos

2008-09-15T19:18:00.003-05:00

I made this fairy costume today, getting a head start on Halloween because Alexis will change her mind 5 times between now and then LOL last year she had 3 costumes. I like for them to be original so I always make their costumes. Hope you enjoy the photos!

Beans and her groceries

2008-09-15T06:23:00.002-05:00

Jillian has cracked me up several times this weekend. This kid is serious about food! Maybe she'll be a great food critic one day LOL

She went to town with her Nanaw the other day and as she does with me she was tossing in food. Nanaw told her no several times but gave in finally Beans threw her a lil fit and Nanaw spatted her, which never happens so my understanding is she was pretty mad! When she got home I asked "why were you ugly in Wal-Mart" she said with a sigh...."I not talk about what Nanaw do to me"!

Saturday James was in town and cooked some fish , fries and hush puppies while I fixed the go withs in the house. We all immediately laughed at his hush puppies as they were lacking nearly in existence LOL they were so small! We sat them on the table and Beans was already sitting there and said "Thank you mommy, I love them.....what is em's" I nearly passed out laughing!

2008-09-14T08:02:00.002-05:00

My mother in law and I drove into town Thursday to take all the kiddos to tae kwandoand as we were leaving the parking lot of a local shopping area I looked up the highway straight into this beautiful sky shot. I loved how the rays of sun beam up towards Heaven! Alexis is particularly fond of these odd but beautiful findings in the sky as she says they are the works of her pawpaw Norman that is in Heaven.

Helping sister

2008-09-10T06:59:00.002-05:00

Alexis was doing her homework the other night and Beans was just tinkering with some things in the livingroom. Alexis said hummm bee, butterfly what else starts with a B..she was just thinking out loud and Beans chimmed in and never looked up...BOX,BRACELET,BELL......me and Alexis had to pick up one anothers jaws from the floor LOL It is 2 yrs before Beans starts kindergarten but if she keeps paying attention to her sister she should have an easy time of it.

Little Beauties

2008-09-09T06:14:00.002-05:00

Beans doing her thing on stage in the lineup....myself and the mom of the little girl in purple were both laughing that our girls would much rather be out in a mud hole somewhere. She is in Jillians dance class...neither of them placed but were beautiful none the less!

Alexis and her winnings...She looked beautiful too and did an excellent job. She placed second and out of 12 girls we can't complain! She said "moma 2nd is better than nothin' huh" LOL and then she wanted the dress off so she could go ride rides LOL

photo shoot

2008-09-08T13:53:00.001-05:00

Took some photos of Abby and Alexis over the weekend

PHOTO CHALLENGE~THINGS WITH WINGS

2008-09-05T06:21:00.004-05:00

My things with wings....I had so many I didn't know what pics to choose. I picked some of my favorite ones. Also please see my previous post..I am a new grandma!

I am laboring AGAIN today

2008-09-05T06:08:00.002-05:00

This is Ned Thomas....he is such a rotten boy!

And Moma Kitty the ol bitty LOL

LOL okay so not really me but my 9 yr old Moma Kitty is having babies this morning! She has kept me up all night. She prefers to have kittens on my lap but she is in her box and meowing for me right now. She has had one beautiful orange tabby boy.

James and I got Moma Kitty when she was a couple of months old in October 1999 when we were moving into our first home together. She is a great little gray tabby. But man for lack of better words she is such a whore. I have made attempt after attempt to have her spayed and by the time her appt. rolls around the girl is pregnant again! I could abort the babies and her spayed anyway but my heart just can't take that! We have always managed to find the kittens good homes and if by some chance we are unable to find a "home" for them there are 3 barns at the prison where James works and the inmates love the company! James took one from the last litter to live with him but Rambo was a wild fella and kept him up all the time so he lives there at the horse barn now LOL We go check on him when we go up. He is well loved by the inmates. He roams the grounds during the day and at night he goes in when the barn is locked up and snuggles up with the horses.

I let the girls keep Ned Thomas, a kitten from Moma's last litter and he is ROTTEN I tell ya! He is meowing at the door now but I don't want him to disturb her so he is outside. I will post pics of the babies when she is done.

I labored today

2008-09-01T20:33:00.005-05:00

Hope you all had a super holiday! I spent the day laboring behind the camera with 3 gorgeous girls as my subjects. My niece Dallas was in town for the weekend and after a couple of days of moving my Grandma we decided to spend some photography time. We went downtown and a few hidden spots I know of and to the lake. Got some great shots (I think anyway LOL) Jillian got tired so we took her to my mom and Alexis wanted to stay and play so it was just me and Dallas for the second half of the photo shoot! Dallas, Alexis and Beans sitting on the river wall downtown

Dallas, Alexis and Beans on the tracks in a hidden area downtown

Dallas trying to get beans to smile for me

Teasing Beans with ice cream so that I could get a grin

Alexis on the tracks

This is my fave shot of Alexis! We were at the boardwalk at the river

Close up of Dallas

Dallas posing at the confederate cemetary, just a few minutes later beans got stung by a bee

Dallas posing at the lake

SO Busy

2008-08-27T06:05:00.002-05:00

It has been a busy few days but I took a few minutes the past couple of days to sit on the patio and watch the hummers. I just love watching them. I have one I call the guardian because he always runs the others off when they come and then one (the one shown) that I call the showoff because she will literally fly inches from my lens but my camera never focuses fast enough to catch her. I am still working my way around the Sweets Challenge photos so if I leave a delayed comment that is why LOL

Alexis ready for school yesterday in her requested Raggedy Ann jeans. I am working on a raggedy Ann tote for Ms. Sally and I think that made her want some LOL. Back about a month ago or so we had a little outbreak of what the Doc says is pink eye ( I blogged about it LOL) well Alexis woke up yesterday and looked as if she was having a relapse but it looked better when I picked her up)

Beans at her Nanaw's house over the weekend. She can't fool me with that so innocent look.

SWEETS~photo challenge

2008-08-23T08:52:00.003-05:00

eeeekkkkk I for some reason thought that the posting was for the 29th so I had to dig through old pics because I didn't have anything ready LOL

Beans digging into her birthday cake last year! It was a sweet moment and a sweet cake

last winter I made some gooey brownies and set them on the counter to cool and went to the bathroom, when I got back to the kitchen Beans had helped herself to the warm sticky SWEET treats!

This one was just a few months ago...I walked into the bedroom and Jillian hid something behind her back ...when I pressed her for what it was she popped out this DOG BISCUIT! I don't know that it was sweet...I've never tried one but she sure was enjoying it!

Teen needs advice

2008-08-22T06:11:00.002-05:00

My poor Dallas (my niece) posted this bog on her myspace and I stole it. It broke my heart when I read it but I can think back to that time in my life and I know how she feels. Poor baby..she will be 18 next month but she is still my baby and I hate for her to feel this way but what can I do? I can even handle the stressed about class thing but wanting to stay with her brother at high school broke my heart.

It is only the 4TH DAY of College and I already feel like a failure!! Algebra is so hard and Im in a BIG KID class so I dont want to look stupid but i keep tellin myself that there is older people in there that know just as much as I do but honestly its not helping at all. Psychology seems like its going to be fun but.. I dont remember very much from the Psychology class that I took last semester in High School!! I grew up to fast!! I wish I could be starting kindergarten with Alexis or going to dance class with Jillian!! I do not like being a big kid!! The other day when I took Kyle to his first day of school I started crying because I wanted to stay there with him and watch after him thats what I'm here for.. and you know what he didnt even want me to tell him bye he doesnt even need me any more but i need him and im older than him he just doesnt see it.. But my Mom let me tell you what she is the only reason I know I can get through college. She encourages me everyday she ALWAYS asks how she can help. I feel to dependent on her though. I dont want her to think I take advantage of her AWESOME writing ability lol or all the big words. And I feel like Im causing her alot more stress in her life than she already has. But my mom, she is my hero, the one I can always count on. And my dad he says he is proud of me for going to college but when he says it i just dont feel the enthusiasm that I want to feel. Oh well I guess thats just the way dads are. I keep telling myself that I can succeed and I will succeed but it really doesnt seem to be working.. Mom I know you will read this but I want you to talk to me about it in a comment I dont want to talk about it in person NOW you know what has been bothering me lol!

The New Dress

2008-08-21T19:54:00.003-05:00

As you know Alexis requested a long dress for the pageant this year and I am not so sure LOL It came in the mail today and even without her hair fixed she looks so dang grown in it. I think it looks great on her though. While we were taking pics all the neighborhood kids (about 15) gathered around and was saying how beautiful she was and she was eating it up to LOL The dress fits PERFECT YAY!

PRIDE NIGHT

2008-08-19T20:27:00.003-05:00

The school had a Pride Night this afternoon at 6:30 and Alexis was really excited to go so after picking her up from school, then taking her to dance we came home and changed to head back out to the school. Before we left I painted bear paws and PRIDE on their faces and arms for them.

Alexis showing off her PRIDE

Beans and Alexis sitting in the stands watching the cheerleaders

Beans sporting the red boots! She picked them out and kept them on the whole time!

Alexis being silly with her noise makers

I took this from the very top of the bleachers but they called everyone out to the field to dance with the football players and cheerleaders and Jillian literally drug Alexis down the stands to go. Alexis is generally the go getter! Beans was absolutely HILARIOUS dancing! I wish I had videoed it!

Firsts (and a little second)

2008-08-19T11:50:00.006-05:00

My pics got all outta wack so you will have to see the captions to know what happened when LOL Alexis loved her first day of school. The only had two complaints! First they didn't have enough time to all of her lunch, that makes me angry because I have always been told to et slower and let your food settle and you will eat less because you feel fuller faster! But yet the government/schools complain of obese kids! Anyway her second complaint is that they had to learn the number zero and color and apple red and she already knew that! They even told them how to was their hands LOL **GASP** Alexis is a little OCD about clean hands though so that was not a problem for her either.

Jillian was super excited about her first ever ballet/tap class. I thought she may cling a little but she didn't and she jabbered on and on when I picked her up!

Alexis walking Beans to dance. She actually wanted me to stay in the truck and let her do it all together but I thought I better be there just in case. Alexis thinks she is an expert LOL she has been in dance since she was 2.5 yrs old.

This is what my little diva chose to wear her second day of school (today) she really wanted to wear her hot pink cowgirl boots but the seam was uncomfortable so she didn't.

SO 80's! She will look back at this style and wonder what I was thinking for letting her wear that LOL She really likes fashion though and I do for the most part let her pick her own clothes/shoes.

Beans getting ready to leave for dance class!

This was Alexis and Beans yesterday morning before the first day of school.

I just love this pic! She looks so grown though. I instantly thought that she sun fading into shadow across her face was perfect for a scrapbook page....she is transitioning to a whole new phase of childhood just as the sun is transitioning to a whole new day! Okay maybe it is corny but I did think that LOL

I cry today....you ask why

2008-08-18T04:54:00.003-05:00

The first two girls in my life are starting new chapters in their lives today. Dallas is my 17 yr old niece that I consider MINE LOL I was only 15 when she was born and I must say quite jealous of her because she stole my spotlight as the baby of the family. I was forced to keep her one evening while my sis and mom went to play Bingo. Dallas was a few weeks old at this point. I put her on my bed, turned on the tv, grabbed my school books and the phone as most teens do. She started fussing and I had to pick her up...geez I couldn't let her just lay there and cry could I. Oh my, it was all over with then! She was so warm and soft and the smell of baby lotion poured from the blanket. I was hooked! We were like two peas in a pod from that day on. She could have the spotlight...she earned it! Heck I don't if anyone could put her higher on a throne than I did! She is a big girl now and we have our disagreements to say the least LOL We butt heads about silly trivial things but we have always been more like friends and she really does have my attitude and I can only blame myself for that one. I have dried her tears, calmed her fears, played with her, seen her grow, take her first steps, drive her first car and the list goes on. Today, although I am not there to see it she will be doing another first...she starts college today! I am so proud of her and I hope she does as well with this chapter as she has done with all the other chapters of her life.

Alexis only briefly went to a babysitter before the offices closed where I worked and I have had her with me at home since then. I never returned to work. It is with a heavy heavy heart that I will get to watch her take her first walk into the next chapter of her life. She starts Kindergarten today. She will have so many new experiences that I will not be there for but I guess that is something all children have to do at some point in their lives. Having Alexis and Beans home with me all day and night really gets to me sometimes. I feel I can not get anything done because one of them is always hanging on me. My mom always says "hold em while you can because tomorrow they may not want to sit in your lap"! Those words passed through my mind yesterday evening as I fixed her first school lunch and snack. She picked out her first school outfit and had to put on all the smell good in the bathroom...I called my mom to say "I changed my mind" I DO want her hanging off of my leg! But I know this part of her life will be filled with stories to laugh about. You know I will be posting first day of school pics later LOL

When I was a senior in high school I needed a few points to boost my English grade to graduate. I just didn't grasp the whole Macbeth thing LOL Every year my school put out a poetry book and it was published by low and behold my English teacher. She said if you write something and it is chosen by the committee to be published you will earn 100 extra points....just what I needed. I know how to rhyme if nothing else LOL so I grabbed a pen and thought of Dallas, she was I think 3 at the time and jotted down the following poem about her...YAY I sit here today as the proud owner of a high school diploma LOL my poem was in the 1993 edition of Ephemera the school poetry book.

A Day With DAllas

Open the door
and out she runs
Under the sun
She'll have her fun.

The bouncing curls
Of my little girl
Ring around the Rosie
and watch her twirl

The smile on her face
When she's playing race
Her little legs can't keep the pace
But Dallas knows she's my true Ace

Her big blue eyes
She can disguise
But with them
Your heart she buys

Her button nose
With it's wrinkled pose
Give it blow
And off she goes

A hump
A bump
Her toe she stumped
And little Dallas hit her rump.

A jump, a hop
A lollipop
This little girl
Just doesn't stop!

In pawpaw's chair she takes her seat
There she watches Sesame Street
Smiling, laughing and keeping the beat
That's my angels greatest feat.

A yawn, a stretch
Her blanket I fetch
Her weary body
The couch does catch

Off to dreamland
Without a peep
Now my sanity
I can keep!

Got a dress~honest opinions please

2008-08-17T11:50:00.002-05:00

Okay I just got a dress..it is a perfect angels dress for $75 they usually go for $150 + so i snagged it up less than 2 hours after it was listed LOL I hope the colors work for Alexis. She has such a dark complexion that I am sure it will.

Pageant dresses

2008-08-16T09:34:00.003-05:00

I have been searching high and low for a long green pageant dress for Alexis.....we need this sucker in 2 weeks LOL these are the 3 that I have found that are sort of in my price range. I am doing some bargaining with the sellers. I TOTALLY love the first one and it is the one that is out of my price range but I have made an offer to the seller. WISH US LUCK!

So Busy

2008-08-16T08:39:00.001-05:00

We have been at James' house since Wednesday and not much has happened but I wanted to post and say HOWDY to the readers that I do have LOL

Green Eggs and Ham highchair

2008-08-12T14:21:00.003-05:00

I have not finished the seat obviously and I still have touch ups to do but I really like how it is turning out (see previous post for details LOL)

Dr. Seuss and Silly Jilly

2008-08-11T21:04:00.011-05:00

I hope to have a pic to share with you guys tomorrow of my painted high chair. I bought an old wooden high chair many months ago for $2...it was hideous...the top part was still wooden, the seat was covered in polyester liberty bell fabric and the bottom was painted baby blue....I so wish I would have taken a before pic. I have been putting off painting it and recovering it until I thought of a good theme for it. Well I finally decided and I am painting it in Dr. Suess Green Eggs and Ham theme. I am Dr. Seuss crazy (I posted some pics of previous Seuss things I've painted) Alexis has requested a Green Eggs and Ham dress for her first day of school! I have made it so fun and whimsical the legs and support bars are done in the classic red/blue/green Suess colors and the tray (when I finish it) has SAM I AM holding his plate and some of the other fella with I DO NOT LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM and then the cross bars also have some of the sayings....like would you eat them with a mouse, would eat them in a house etc......I am so proud of it...I have had lots of fun. I just might not ever paint clothes again LOL

Now for my Silly Jilly sayings of the day!

Jillian Paige (beans) has been a funny funny child today. I have been cleaning some stuff up around these parts. My mom is a super yard sale junkie and brings the girls lots of goodies. which we love, HOWEVER we did not need 6 yes SIX little tyke slides so I eliminated those and I still have bassinets, walkers and all that baby stuff and I have 3 folks that have been asking me about these things so I am selling some of it. Anyway...Beans was sliding on one of them and had no undies on under her dress so her little butt stuck to it. She stood up with a goofy look on her face and said "moma my moma mmmy moma dat slide bit my butt"

She wanted some "baby weenies" (Vienna Sausages) so I popped open the can and was draining the liquid off into the sink..she said "I wanna taste the water" as she stuck her finger under it..no sooner than she popped her finger out of her mouth she said "ummm ummm ummm it taste just like juicy weenie water" I had to contain my laughter on that really hard!

The Virtual yard Sale

2008-08-10T11:57:00.002-05:00

I have been cleaning closets and drawers for the past few days so that I can have a yard sale and there were several things I didn't want to let go for .50 so I created a virtual yard sale for some of my better things. Check it out. All little girls things sizes 2T-4T and shoes toddler size 5-12.
yard sale blog

I am also taking orders for the holidays for my creative can totes, they are great for trick or treat totes, toy totes, holiday wrapping and adults even like them as purses!

Photo Challenge~PLAY

2008-08-09T07:23:00.005-05:00

This was too much fun as PLAY is our middle names.....I love to play with the kids or at least encourage them to play. I am a firm believer that imagination can take you anywhere you want to go. If my kids are bored...they better be sick because with stimulated minds they should be able to take a trip anywhere to find a less boring place! I think I have done a pretty good job at carrying on the tradition of this act because my girls certainly do some funny things. I did have a hard time picking which photos to post though LOL

Beans dancing to the beat of her own drum...LITERALLY..she was playing us a little beach tune with her sand pail and shovel.

Here the girls were playing Little Miss Muffet! Alexis dressed Beans in the spider costume which she said "wouldn't quite scare her away" so she added the witch costume too and a little tiara so that Beans "could be pretty scary" ROFLMBO!

And my last two children Frankie and Belle having fun Thursday evening after a little storm passed through and the temps dropped down below 90!

The EYES have it

2008-08-08T19:56:00.002-05:00

My dad was in town today and I took this photo of him and the girls.............would ya say that blue eyes run in the family?!?! All of my life I have gotten remarks on my eyes and always heard your eyes are just like your dads...well between James' blue eyes and the strong line in my family my girls were bound to get em.

New Blog for my painted cans

2008-08-06T15:11:00.002-05:00

check out the link..I have a few examples there and below that is all the good things these can be used for.......check em out and drop me msg. if you might want one...GREAT FOR HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT BUCKETS ...We have to go to James' house for a few days and I will post more examples when I return...he has no internet service there ***SIGH***

http://creativecans.blogspot.com/

I think I will build an ark

2008-08-06T07:49:00.006-05:00

I have always been told that bad things come in 3's...well I think the things that have happened to me are more than enough for one gal! Mostly involving water so I will begin building a makeshift ark today!

Wednesday before leaving to go to James' house a storm brewed and the roofer was out of town PANIC because the water was literally POURING in the frame of the patio door (see photos, ignor the dirty window I never open the blinds that far back LOL)

Then Friday I came home from a trip to James' house and the pool filter was stopped up and the water was turning green..easy fix with a little chlorine & algicide BUT the AC was out as well.....yep I know a guy that works on AC's so my mom called him (I was out of town at the zoo by this time) he came he fixed and said he wasn't going to charge me and arm and leg ...just a leg LOL he is crazy! So the AC is working by the time I get home.

The girls came in to take a bath yesterday, I started a load of clothes, the roofers grandson was here helping him and turned the water hose on and Jillian flushed the toilet...more than an old sewer line can handle???????????? I THINK SO because the toilet and tub pics are what happened AND the washer pumped all the water into my kitchen floor (it has never been so sparkling and clean by the way)! There was some seriously scary things in the toilet! Alexis and I identified bird feathers, the GIANT roach (we do not have roaches LOL), dragonfly wings, beetles, grass, cricket remains and some unidentified slime! I went by to talk to a plumbing friend of mine yesterday and he said I obviously have a break in my line for the "critters" to be there so he is going to come do a "side job" for me after work this evening. The children that despise going to their dads house were both saying "let's just go to daddy's house moma"

Doggies are a Girls best friend

2008-08-05T08:10:00.004-05:00

Frankie and Alexis...I am sure he will bring us as much joy as Bugs. He loves us and we love him as well. Alexis was rolling in the floor like bored kids do and Frankie joined her.

My sweet angel BUGS just a few months before she passed away. I miss her so much. She was my baby, my best friend and a great companion!

My terrier Bugs passed away a few months ago from cancer. She was my first born, I had her for nearly 15 years and got her when she was only 6 weeks old. I miss her everyday. James' wanted us to have a dog here with us and the girls wanted one as well so I had to push my heartache aside and give in. I am partial to Labs but that just was not possible since we travel to James' house several times per week so I started searching shelters etc. I decided that even one that was not a purebred could still be a great companion and pet and certainly needed a home more than one that had papers that would almost certainly be able to get a home. About 2 months ago we were on our way to the ballpark and as we passed walmart there were 3 teens standing under a shade tree at walmart, each had a pup under their arm and poster reading "free puppies". I told the girls we could stop and look but if they seemed to be favoring on the side of a large breed we couldn't get one. Of course we fell in love instantly! One of the girls was the assistant in Alexis' dance class. She proceeded to tell me that someone dropped a box off in their driveway and when they looked these 3 pups were in it and they took them in nurtured them and even took them to the vet for their first shots & worming. I thought well now that is a deal. At the shelter the adoption fees are $100 + so I can get a pup with shots and all already for free and give him a home. The girls all pointed to Frankie at the same time. I was partial to one of his brothers but this was for them so we took Frankie.

It took a mere 3 days for him to warm up to us and realize that we loved him dearly. He takes every step I take literally so he is more of my dog than the girls LOL Alexis was mad about it at first but she said "you need your heart full from Bugs don'tcha moma" ahhh such a wise child she is. Frankie is very protective of us. He even bit James' one morning. I layed in the girls bed with them and fell asleep and James come in to tell me bye before work and it was dark...Frankie ate him for breakfast! If we go through a drive-thru I have to put my arm up because he doesn't like the window worker sticking their hand near me LOL I am so glad that we made the decision to get a "mutt" as James' refers to him. He is the best Mutt ever!

School registration AGAIN

2008-08-04T20:45:00.002-05:00

I fumble through my mommy world and gather all things needed, get to the school and Alexis has to be there too! She went with my mom to make my trip easier! I go get her so she can do her placement testing....find out I didn't have to have any of that other crap just her birth certificate and a letter from the prison stating that James must live on the compound for his job!
The lady and Alexis were both laughing when they came from the testing room....Alexis was able to do everything she asked...ABC's, shapes, colors, write her name, she knew all the other things like parents names, phone numbers blah blah blah...

THEN she asked her to count as high as she can...I know Alexis can count to 100 easily but as she counted the lady was obviously marking some things and she made an X to show Alexis did such and such correctly instead of a check mark and Alexis was at 40, stopped counting looked at the lady and said "I guess I ain't doing so good HUH"?! The lady told her she was doing great and Alexis said "41, 42, 43" and stopped again and said "well now I lost count" LOL My kid is just too silly!

This school really doesn't know what is coming to them in two weeks because Alexis is a seriously funny child without even trying to be!

School Registration

2008-08-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

I am such a procrastinator! I think that was my mommy guard kicking in and not really wanting to send Alexis to school. She has been with me for 4 out of her 5 years and I will so miss her even though it will be a great break to only have Beans here during the day. I have everything together except her birth certificate..I packed it away when we moved and I failed to get her physical. Her docs were all on vacation last week and so they have 100 kids for physicals this morning so I am not the only procrastinator in the county LOL I called the school and they told me to bring everything else I have and get her in and just bring the physical form before school starts. I have to go to DHS because they have a copy of her birth certificate YAY! So by this afternoon my sweet baby will be a kindergartener *SIGH* *SNIFF*

Busy~Fun Week

2008-08-03T16:13:00.002-05:00

We have had such a busy but fun week. We discovered through blog chat that a Miss Shelby was here visiting her memaw so I commented to her mom Sybil (blog buddy) that the library here has a free weekly program. Ms. Debbie brought Shelby and we have been going going going ever since. Later Tuesday afternoon after the library program we went to Ms. Debbie's to let the girls play and do some crafts. That was about 4 pm we stayed until 10 pm...way past the girls bedtime but they were having so much fun and Ms. Debbie whipped them up some chicken strips and fries for dinner. Wednesday morning around 11ish they joined us at the local lake and the girls swam and played in the sand until nearly 4pm.

Friday James, myself and the girls came into town after staying at his house to celebrate his moms birthday with some fine grilled goodies. We stopped by my house and discovered during the 2 days I was gone the pool filter stopped up, the pool was turning green and my AC had gone out. Spent $50 at walmart for pool stuff...got the pool clean. My mom arranged for the AC man to come fix the AC. Got back to Brenda's and Alexis was stung twice by red wasps. Once on the hand and once under her arm.

THEN...yes there is more LOL Saturday I invited them to go to the zoo in Memphis. I told Ms. Debbie that she should invite Veronica and her 2 kids Little Jack and Jay since they live in Southhaven...we would be going right through there and she would be able to see her other grandkids. So, she did! And Jack (Debbies son) decided to go too. He is a friend of my husbands from High School. So here we are 4 adults and 5 kids and Sybil, Ricky and Ryder joined us too! We had a great time even though it was sooooooooooooo hot. It was great meeting Sybil in person after chatting with her online.

The zoo has a pool and fountain that you can get in. Poor Veronica fell in the water trying to keep Beans from getting her dress wet. Jack had to jump in the water because 3 year old Jay got in too deep and he can't swim. Jillian got stung by a yellow jacket. We had a very eventful time for sure. This morning when Beans got up I asked to check her arm & she said "all better, Mr. Jack's Dip Spit made it better" LOL Jack got a dip and put on her sting because it is supposed to make it stop stinging...guess it worked.

No Frog Kisses & Funky Eyes

2008-07-28T21:11:00.004-05:00

Beans pouting because PopPop told her to stop kissing the frog......
but she just "WUBS HOPPIES" My personal opinion is that if this is the worst frog she kisses before she finds her Prince then I am in good shape as a mom LOL

Alexis and her funky eyes...Beans had it a week ago and Alexis woke up with the funky eyes too. Doc said it was not pink eye but just more of a cold in their eyes. None the less it is gross! It really was hard for her to watch the 3-D Hannah Montana Show but she rocked out the show anyway....eye boogies and all!

5 Year Old Photography

2008-07-27T18:53:00.001-05:00

Alexis asked me yesterday if she could take some pictures with my camera . So I let her and I just uploaded the photos and she took some really great shots, especially for a 5 year old

the water tower at her daddy's house..she even used the zoom on this one

Jillian, alexis had her fingers a little over the lens on this one and I just knew it would not come out well but it sort of gave it a smoky look.

My moms friends cat sitting on the entertainment center so that he could keep a good eye on my moms pomerainians LOL

One of Zach's sunflowers in nanaw's yard

And last but certainly not least, Abby posing for Alexis

Heck of a storm

2008-07-27T13:01:00.000-05:00

wow it has been teasing us with dark skies for a few days now and it finally just hit. It is black as night and raining it's booty off. Darn it and I was just going out to mow the yard LOL I don't have any new pics downloaded right now to share but I am sure I will when the storm passes.

Numbers Photo Challenge

2008-07-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

This was a tough one for me. I see numbers everywhere on roadsigns and such but not any real interesting signs etc... so this is what I came up with..

the first one is of my family LOL my mom and grandma were about to die because I wanted to take their photo after we finished painting my grandmas new house today. we were hot, sweaty and paint splattered but I made them do it anyway LOL there are 4 generations of Summerhill girls here *note the fingers representing numbers* LOL yeah grasping at straws for the number thing here.
left to right...my wonderful grandma, my super mom, Me and Alexis and Jillian of course with her back turned because she hates the camera.

The big #1 is the roof of the local bank

The great wall of china redneck style

2008-07-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

I was visiting my Aunt Peggy today and I thought I would share with you her Great Wall of China redneck style. We laughed when she first started but it is really cute and several of the cups actually became homes to little birds over the summer which made it more fun to sit and look at. I had to show it in 2 pics and it still is not all of it, her flowers were blocking some of it.

Lots of the fence has pieces that she has named like she has a coffee cup that is broken in half so it is "half a cup" LOL my fave is the bull in the china "closet" ....can you find it?

This~n~That Thursday

2008-07-24T20:50:00.000-05:00

The following story actually happened the other day but it just crossed my mind again. We were visiting my MIL and my SIL was leaving and said "Jillian Bye" to which lil Beans replied "chicawowow" guess I don't need to let her watch Alvin and the Chipmunks anymore LOL

Today while at my MIL's Alexis, Abby and Beans were outside playing and Alexis came in sweating and saying "Beans threw baby aerial (the doll) in the Cedar tree and it was a long mission to get her outta there" so the girls ask to take a bath and they do. When they get out Nanaw says "good thing they took a bath because PopPop sprayed that tree yesterday with Karate" (a chemical)..I suppose it really didn't dawn on Alexis what she said until on the way home Alexis says "momma Nanaw said that PopPop sprayed Karate on that tree but I only know Tae Kwando"

I had to take Jillian to the doc today, she has been real croupy, snotty and we suspect she got a taste of pinkeye...yep pretty much right big bucks were paid to confirm that she is indeed snotty and croupy LOL ANYWHO Alexis just loves her doc to pieces and refuses to even see anyone else other than Dr. Gill Pillow or the nurse practitioner Jill. Alexis took her doll that had to visit Dr. mom because she was attacked by a dog and her arm was chewed off. She wanted to make sure that the cast was sufficient! Alexis put the doll on the exam table and proceeded to hide behind the table, Beans hid under the chair. When Dr. Pillow came in he started checking the doll out, just played right along which is exactly the reason we love him so. Beans quickly popped up and started pointing and saying "der's my dister". Before we left Alexis had to sing the planet song for him. The child has been performing for him since she was old enough to jabber. Most kids hate going to the doctor but Alexis often asks just to go see him for the heck of it.

Abby is spending the weekend with us so I better go check on them before they are all swinging from the ceiling fan or something.

The things kids say

2008-07-23T08:52:00.000-05:00

While on our way home from the zoo Monday afternoon Alexis says mom I got a boogie. I looked down at her finger and saw a little crusty fella hanging on. I said well just thump it in Banny's (my mom) floorboard (LOL) snatch and thump I say cause I don't have a tissue and it is not a rolly kind. Mom looks at me and says well and least she is not a snatch and licker (ewwww we all say) and Alexis so innocently looks at my mom and says "BANNY YOU ARE A SNATCH LICKER" I thought my mom would have to pull her truck over to stop laughing. It would not have been nearly as hilarious but my nieces 15 year old boyfriend was in the backseat saying "what is a snatch licker, what is so funny" and Dallas was saying "nothing nothing nothing just shut up".

Zoo Trip

2008-07-22T20:35:00.001-05:00

I am thinking this is butterfly fornication LOL I was just thankful they were covered since they were after all in public!

Not sure if this is just a baby flamingo or if he needs more shrimp to add his color although beautiful he was strange looking standing there among all the bright shades of pinks

There is a grasshopper hiding in here...can you find him

The girls caught this caterpillar but once we explained that he would grow into a beautiful butterfly they let him go

Up close and personal with the bumble bee

We took a trip to the Memphis Zoo yesterday and had a pretty good time even though it was the hottest day of the year! My mom doesn't get much time off so since she was off we took the girls and my niece and her boyfriend. I didn't get many of the kids because they were either in the stroller or all I could see was them running from animal to animal but I got some super pics in the butterfly habitat!

Photo challenge info

2008-07-20T11:45:00.001-05:00

if anyone stops by here that is interested here is the link to the host for the next photo challenge which is NUMBERS to post on July 26th...stop by and leave a msg so that she knows to add you to the list.

Happy Anniversary

2008-07-20T11:33:00.001-05:00

I am a couple of days late but I was out of town but I wanted to wish my mother and father in law a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY...This is the only pic that I could find that had them both in the same frame LOL so it is a pic from my wedding and I was too lazy to go crop James and I out of it.

Practicing Photography

2008-07-17T09:01:00.001-05:00

My mom is "sitting" with an elderly lady who lives with her daughter in a beautiful old home in Helena. Ms. Sandra is out of town but left word that I can take photos of the girls in and around her home. I have visited there many times and found that the best light (or lack there of) was late in the evenings. The only thing about that is the girls are getting cranky around that time of day. I did manage to get some pics that I really like but I plan to go back again and try earlier in the day. I like the photos to look natural even if they are posed LOL and I love shots of Alexis and Jillian just doing their own thing and being unaware of the camera. There was just too much going on for that yesterday. Mom was sitting on the porch reading but then my Niece Dallas and her boyfriend Patrick made it into town so the girls were excited. Alexis kept "creating her own poses" which is great, Jillibeans just wanted the stink'n dress off and Meri Kate (my niece) kept walking in front of the camera because she wanted in every shot.

I might actually get a break this weekend..Yes being in the scorching heat with a 5 year old all day is a break! I have a ball tourney in Pinebluff. Dallas is going to keep Jillian, Alexis insists on going with me everywhere I go and I am taking Meri Kate home. The girls are pretty mad at me but they will get over it. Alexis has had Abby or Meri Kate here for the literally the past 2 months EVERYDAY/NIGHT they don't understand that means extra laundry, extra food, extra costs when we go places and extra headache because there are extra fights and whining. I just don't have the patience to get a sitter for one of mine just to take an extra one with me nor do I have the extra money. I told Alexis to not even look at the concession stand because I will have a cooler in the track with lunch and drinks. I have told Alexis until she spends some time away from me and spreads her wings a little then no more company! I will not make her spend the night anywhere because I can remember not wanting to spend the night other places but geeze go somewhere for the day and get outta my face LOL

Morning at the lake

2008-07-16T13:40:00.000-05:00

When sometimes meet some friends at the local swimming area on Wednesdays so the girls can play in the sand. Alexis has a pretty nasty ear infection so she was doing much swimming or anything else today. She is feeling sort of yucky but wanted to go anyway. I didn't get any super great shots of the girls but I did get a couple of these butterflies and these super cute little bids perched on the edge of the nest under the eave of the shower house.

Training Wheel Drama

2008-07-14T13:41:00.000-05:00

Okay word to the wise never ever mess with a childs training wheels unless she requests it.! James moved Alexis' training wheels on her new bike because the back wheel was spinning and she can really ride without them but she isn't comfortable doing it yet....we went from THIS little determined doll giving it all she's got .................................

TO THIS SEVERELY ANGRY ALEXIS........I think she was really more mad at me for taking pictures of her being mad at her dad than she was anything!

Photo Challenge:Patriotism

2008-07-11T09:45:00.000-05:00

This is my first time joining in for the photo challenge, this round was hosted by Karen.
The theme is Patriotism:what my country means to me. My country means the obvious to me freedom, Liberty and all the usual stuff but there are more things that come to mind as well.Seeing the excitement in my children's eyes when the fireworks explode with beautiful colors and sparkles.

Knowing that my husband loves us fully and provides for us daily and still has time to give us loves at the end of the day.

Knowing that I can give my children the sweet taste of childhood to enjoy on a hot summer day.
Just knowing that I live in a country where (for the most part) my children can grow happy and healthy with lives full of love!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY BEANS

2008-07-08T09:18:00.000-05:00

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY BEANS!

From the moment I saw you I wanted to meet you, from the moment I met you I wanted to know you, from the moment I knew you I wanted to love you and from that moment to this moment and for every moment to come I will love you with all of my heart!

GRITS~girls raised in the south

2008-07-07T23:40:00.000-05:00

I posted about the fourth and fifth but Brenda covered the high notes LOL so I thought I would share some photos from today. This is a better explanation of my blog title...these are my instant GRITS.

Wild Weekend

2008-07-07T23:27:00.001-05:00

Many of you will visit me from my MIL's blog What's Up Down South http://whatsupdownsouth.blogspot.com/
so I will not repeat the Hilarious stories of dead frogs in the fridge or the upside down fireworks however there is never a dull moment around these parts so I am sure I can think of something to type here. We spent Friday listening to Alexis and Beans singing their version of the great Elvis classic Ain't Noffin but a Ham Dog LOL which is beautiful by the way and we ate some fine vittles prepared by Nanaw and PopPop. Then we loaded up the kiddos to watch the explosive fireworks show at my moms firework stand a few miles up the road. Saturday was spent with me preparing the vittles for the Fifth of July celebration (yeah this is a new holiday in the South LOL) We watched the kids play and sat around being lazy until a storm rolled in just long enough to make us scatter. The men folk loaded up to drive down the road but a tree had fallen and they got back just as the storm ended and had the nerve to ask "why didn't you get the coolers" oh hell I don't know maybe because I was running chairs to the shed so you wouldn't get your ass wet when you plopped back down! This came after James asked me "why are you in the house" my reply "well I asked the dishes to wash themselves and the leftovers to get in the fridge but they just wouldn't do it"! Hope you all had a happy Fourth and a happy Fifth too like we did!

Remembering

2008-07-03T06:41:00.000-05:00

Other than the obvious meaning of the fourth of July it is a special time for our family. My mom owns a fireworks stand so it is a busy time too. My step dad was born on the fourth and although he is not with us anymore as he passed away 2 years ago from cancer we still think of him and celebrate this time of year. Alexis (my 5 year old) says that when we shoot fireworks Pawpaw can see them from heaven and he knows they are for him so shoot away so that her pawpaw can see them!
Before being diagnosed with cancer he had to have a liver transplant and of all times he was sent home on his birthday and was basically told he was being sent home to die because there was not a liver match for him and the doctors said that "it was a good weekend though" meaning that there are many deaths during the holiday weekend. My mom felt much grief and stress and said she couldn't believe that inside she was secretly praying for another families loss just save him. She felt selfish but couldn't hold back those thoughts. Of course we were never told of the circumstances but after the weekend they did find him a liver match and he lived many many more great years with us and then he was diagnosed with cancer. He was a strong man and pulled through that as well for many years too.
SO take this time to celebrate the obvious! Pray that the world stays safe and know that miracles do happen. Be an organ donor, it does save lives! okay I will stop rambling now LOL My step dad was just really on my mind this morning.

I will try to keep this going

2008-07-01T21:28:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I started a blog because my mother in law seemed to really enjoy it but with so many things going on I was unable to keep it up. I have two totally precious little GRITS and they provide me with an abundance of humorous stories so I will try to better this time around on sharing!