There once was a lady with a very big shoe...

So I made an error and posted a bunch of my Seriously 365 days of pictures on this blog. I have since moved them, they can be found by clicking on the pictures of my girls to the right. I left behind the two that had comments as to not be rude to my commenter's.

The large zebra high heel shoe picture was going to be addressed later this week but since I have kind of let the cat out of the bag I'll go ahead and do it now.

My very dear friend Debi is moving this Wednesday, please pray for cooler temperatures {something under 90} so her dog "Lassie" can make the trip with her. This lady is a real trip, I never spend time with her that I don't come close to sending whatever I'm drinking out my nose, which can be shades of sexy especially drinking sangria, orange pulp hanging from the nose is a real turn on I tell ya! She's the one that turned me on to Anjelah Johnson.

Anjelah Jhnson?

Seriously, you have got to know who I'm talking about.

Bon Qui Qui.

Still nothing?!!? Please take just a minute and go to you tube {it's no longer available to be embedded or I would have a link here for you}. I was able to share this one with you, from here you can link to Bon Qui Qui at King Burger.

If you watched that are you not wanting to thank her and wishing you were IRL friends with her just like me!

So back to the shoe. Debi and I went out Sunday night. She picked me up and it was raining, I jumped in the car and noticed a very large zebra shoe in the back seat. She just giggled and said in her ever so "Debi" voice "oh girl, I have big plans for that". With Debi one can really never tell what is running through that cute little head of hers. It was still raining when we got back from dinner. She expressed her disappointment to the good Lord above and from her lips to Gods ears it stops raining. I kid you not! She quickly jumped out of the car, grabbed the shoe and her camera and had me posing on that freaking shoe...in the front of my house! I had never been so thrilled to be outside in the middle of a lightning storm, it covered the flash of her camera perfectly, I hope. She will not tell me what she's doing with the pictures she took nor will she let me see them.

I'll be honest with you, I'm a little skeered!

Miss Debi, the original Bon Qui Qui, on the shoe, I figured if it was good enough for me it was good enough for her!

Denver is a very lucky place to have you dear friend. I will miss you like crazy, love you!

148/365

148/365

I can't even begin to imagine what Debi has in store with this chair and the pictures she took of me on it!

May 30, 2010

143/365

143/365

G8 Summit 2004. President George W. Bush's chair.

May 25, 2010

Well if Good Housekeeping says it it must be true!

While sitting outside enjoying the beautiful weather flipping through Good Housekeeping I came across an article titled 50 Ways to Organize Anything. Honestly, I found it rather comical that someone would need such trivial tips. As I read the tips and made mental checks next to all of the things I do I became more than full of myself and my mad organizational skills! According to GH I'm one organized mama! Even though my life seems to be spiraling out of control, even though I feel like I'm circling the drain, even though I cannot tell you what today's date is without looking at a calendar, even though I have something to do every freaking waking moment of the day and even though my to-do list is as long, if not longer, than Santa's Naughty/Nice list I can rest victorious in the fact that I am organized!

Well halle-freaking-lujah! Can you hear the Angels singing? I'm actually doing something right!

I have a friend that struggles with staying organized, well actually I have two but they will remain anonymous because I'm not the kind of friend that would call out their challenged friends on her blog! I will tell you that their names rhyme with Natalie and Rebecca that's all I'm gonna say. I love them too much to rub their faces in the fact that GH says I'm a freaking organized rock star! See what a good friend I am!

I tell my kids all the time that everything has a place and every place has a thing. If they follow that basic rule they would never have to clean!

Imagine how thrilled I was to see a section of the article called, Everything In It's Place. I was so thrilled that I have decided to share their tips with you...because I care!

1. Go beyond purse pockets and try zippered pouches to corral small cosmetics or keep feminine products discreet. Opt for bags in bright colors for faster finding.

Check! I keep this little bag full of lipstick, gum, a pen and Tylenol inside my purse. I also have two pouches for my "girlie products" one stays in my bathroom ready for me to grab, the other in my glove box.

2. Create a base for remote controls with a small basket or tray that permanently resides on your coffee or side table- the clickers will be less likely to go missing.

Check! This sits next to the TV, it's a great concept if I could actually get everyone to use it it would be perfect. I find the remotes sitting next to the container more than I find them in it!

3. Assign keys to a single spot, such as a chic tray on your entry table, and shave valuable seconds off your daily dash out the door.

Check! I don't use a tray but I do have this hung right inside the garage door, my keys and Dejas seat belt are always hung here unless Babe was the last to drive my car then I will undoubtedly spend too many "valuable seconds" on an unsuccessful search and end up using the spare set.

4. For on-the-go gadgets, invest in a docking station. Then match labels on cords to those in the gadget slots (e.g. Sue's cell phone, David's PDA, Tyler's iPod).

Babe keeps his phone in his office, I keep mine in the kitchen next to the coffee pot so I don't leave without it and the girls each keep theirs in their rooms. No need for this for us!

5. Keep your pet leash on a hook, or in a basket or bin, by the door-so it's always right there when Buddy needs out, now.

Check! All the leashes hang here in the laundry room. Since the dogs have an electric fence and are only on their leashes when we go on a family walk or to the vet they hang in the laundry room so we can go out through the garage {I need to add Rogues name to this}.

6. Store important papers in a lockable fireproof box. This includes any hard-to-replace documents, like birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, and wills.

Check! All of the above and a few other non-replaceable items are in here.

I keep my bathroom fairly organized as well. I have a utensil tray in the drawers to keep everything organized and separated {there's no need for the bristles of my toothbrush to touch anything else}. I have a basket full of all my hair products, I pull the basket out, do my hair and when I'm done it goes back under the sink.

Clean up made easy!

Honey doesn't really bring anything home from school any more but Peanut does. All the important papers are sent home in her Friday folder, she sets them on the counter for me to go through right away and sets her papers go in a basket in the pantry. I go through them a couple times a year, weed out the junk and put the things I have to have in my office to scrapbook.

I just cleaned the basket out this week, leaving behind her A paper!

...and put the things I have to have in my office to scrapbook.

My office...

Ha! My office...

This is where my earlier mentioned friends can point their finger and laugh at me! My office is the one place that gets completely out of control on a regular basis! This is the place that makes me crazy because I just can't seem to stay on top of it. This is the place where I need help! Because I like to keep things real and because I called my friends out I've decided to show y'all that GH really wouldn't know and organized person if one sat on their freshly pressed lap!

Cuz this is how I roll!

What about you? Are you organized or do you need me to send you my GH magazine? What are your tricks and tips to staying on top of things?

Out with the old in with the redone.

My hubby worked very hard getting our outdoor furniture looking presentable for this summer. He knows how much I love to be out there and since Natalie and her family are moving and we're hosting their "see you soon" party {yes, the ying to my yang is moving} it was on the top of my to do list. It is about 3 years old, the sun is brutal so it really looked about 5 or 6 and instead of buying a new set Babe refinished the old. He is a great husband, a wonderful Daddy and a fantastic provider but a "do-it-yourselfer" he is not. So when he told me that he was going to make the old stuff look new I totally heard Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunting and was prepared to call Bob Villa.

I have to say he did an amazing job and I owe him an apology for doubting him, but he's only getting one if he happens to read this which is highly unlikely. It took him about 2 weeks which may seem like a long time but since he works 6 days a week, doesn't get home until 6:30sih, had 2 charity golf events and an overnight business trip in the last 7 days I'm not complaining, especially since he was able to get it done in time for a luncheon I hosted here Wednesday, I threw that one on him Monday afternoon.

We went out Sunday and bought new cushions and a few accent pieces and Monday the girls and I redid all the pots that go around the pool. It looks like a new lanai and is ready for the 3 parties and the out of state visitors that are already on the calendar between now and mid-July. Now if I can just keep those wet dogs off it I'll be good to go!

From a sun bleached light brown to this, I love it! The old cushions were brown bottoms with green floral accent pillows they were pretty but yep, you guessed it, faded.

I've searched my photo files for a before picture but came up empty, you'll just have to trust me when I say it was bad!

The girls and I redid 9 pots that go around the pool after school, each one os different and each girl picked out her own flowers.

I'm not a big fan of yard work, I hate dirt under my nails, but I'll admit they turned out beautiful so I guess it was worth it.

Thanks Babe, Honey and Peanut you did a great job making the lanai look brand new. I am certainly one lucky Wife and Mamma!

Summer's here...I can taste it!

I love grilling out. I love the minimal cleanup, the smell, being outside, the taste, etc. My family loves it too, especially this time of the year, they are in the pool until dinner is ready and eat wrapped in a towel and usually go for a family walk since the clean up is so much faster. We eat outside at least 3-4 days a week weather permitting. Living in Florida we only get a couple months before and after summer, early June through late September is just too hot to eat outside unless of course you're floating in the pool, which we have been known to do. So it's grillin' season at the Seriously house and we're already taking full advantage!

We all love, love, love grilled corn on the cob, peppers marinated in Italian dressing, chicken {BBQ sauce is added after it's been turned} and Italian sausage. We also love to grill pork tenderloins, potatoes, shish-kabobs with pineapple, salmon and I just did a pecan crusted grouper in a cast iron skillet on the grill that was to die for! Our grill is gas but has a charcoal option, charcoal revisits me so I prefer using it as just a gas grill, my Brother-in-law tells me I'm doing it {charcoal} wrong so I'm waiting for a lesson **hint, hint Casey**.

What about you? Do you grill? What's your favorite? How do you season it? Charcoal or gas? It's grillin' season {for most of us anyway} so please share, I'm always looking for new things to throw on there!

Peanut has been asking to grill a banana, she heard it turns to caramel and she wanted to dip apples in it. It turned out okay, I don't think I left it on there long enough or perhaps the banana wasn't ripe enough, next time I'm leaving it on the entire time dinner cooks and while we eat to see if I can get it right. I thought it tasted a little like Banana's Foster, Babe ate all but the bites we tried so I guess he liked it, Honey wouldn't even try it which was out of character for her since she always tries new things and Peanut didn't care for it at all.

Now doesn't that look yummy?!!?

1-2-3-4-GAG!

I have a pretty strong stomach. I can watch almost anything and clean up almost anything, as long as I don't smell it. I do have a hard time watching someone eat things that are not meant for human consumption, that totally pushes me over the edge! I cannot, will not, watch Fear Factor!

When it comes to my kids and my dogs I do whatever I have to, if it's really horrible the vet is just 5 minutes away. They cannot help themselves and rely on me to survive so there's really no other option than to shut up and do it! However, I must admit, this latest task is proving to be a bit trying. I was nauseous for a couple of hours after I made this and it's not getting any easier. I still have to make this twice a day for a few more days. Trying to find the positive in this situation all I can come up with is that it's working as an appetite suppressant!

I present, Rogue's dog food smoothie...

Step #1- Soak kibble in chicken broth until mushy

Step #2- add green beans at dinner canned food at breakfast

Step #3- Mix in blender until smooth and stomach starts to flip

Step #4- Hold breath and serve

Step #5- GAG!

Oh I can feel my mini bagel and cream cheese churning just looking at the pictures! The things I do for my babies.

Not the accessory I had envisioned!

Last weekend we went to our friends annual Cinco De Mayo party, it was actually an Uno De Mayo party because us old folk with young kids didn't want to party like rock stars mid week! We came home from the party and Rogue was apparently in the Mexican mood and wanted to play a little bullfighting...

I lost!

He jumped on me running his gigantic paw down my arm. This was the result, one week later.

I bruise so easy and with him having the need to be in my business all of the time I look like this more than not lately. Seriously, people are really going to start questioning my hubby!

I was attending a formal event and this not the way I want to accessorize my dress so I ran to Sephora to pick up some Kat Von D tattoo cover-up. After applying 5 coats my arm started to look a little mannequin like so I stopped.

It faded a little but I still was asked a dozen or more times what happened. One guy even said to my husband " she likes it rough huh"? Oh ha ha freaking ha you're a funny one! ASSHAT!

It was a beautiful night for a wonderful cause and Babe and I had a great time, I just had to make sure I stood on the right side for our pictures!

My partner in crime, who is moving in just a few weeks {insert heavy sigh and lump in throat here}, was the co-chair of this event. You did an wonderful job Nat and you looked beautiful, pale but beautiful!

What a face!

Can you even stand it?!!?

This face has saved his butt more times than I care to count and now that he has learned that swimming is fun it's really a good thing he's so freaking adorable!

Last year he was too little and was afraid of the water and after having Deja in and out of the pool a dozen times a day during the summer I was thinking it was a good thing. So imagine my delight when I can home from the grocery store Sunday night only to be greeted by one very excited 10 year old excitedly telling me she has taught Rogue how to swim. Apparently she and her sister had gotten in the water with Deja and a few tennis balls, two of his most favorite things, and he came right in after them. Unlike Deja who likes to jump in from the swim out, get her ball and get out, he likes to get his ball and swim around for a while. It's the funniest thing to watch him try to get two balls in his mouth at the same time.

I really have my work cut out for me trying to keep these floors clean now!

They are always thinking about jumping in, I can just read their minds.

Jumping in for his ball. The girls are trying to get him to jump from the higher deck , something I'm sure he will be doing in no time.

I now have two dogs that love to swim and one very hairy pool!

Teacher Appreciation Week ~ It's like pulling teeth!

Teacher Appreciation week should be a big thing, yes? These people have our children longer than we do. They're helping them become the men and woman who will take over this county one day {lets pray they can do a better job} they are forced to deal with things from teeth falling out to teenage drama. In my opinion they do not get paid nearly enough to do it. So when the opportunity presents itself to say thank you I just cannot understand why or how some people don't take full advantage.

As Homeroom Mom in Peanuts class I sent out letters detailing what was going to be done each day this week and asked for donations from those parents that did not send in money the beginning of the year to cover her class gift Friday. Take a guess as to how much I collect after the first letter went home. If you guessed NOTHING than you would be correct! After the second reminder went home I received $10 from one family and after the third reminder I was still sitting with that same $10 check in my hand. All together I have collected $50, from 19 students, for her gift.

I also asked for something small to be sent in each day. Today was a snack or something sweet, Peanut and one other girl brought something in! Tuesday I asked for a $1 scratch-off lottery ticket {One child informed me that it was illegal for me to ask him to bring in a $1 scratch-off lottery ticket because he was under 18. Seriously! It's not like I'm asking him to bring in a 6-pack!} Wednesday I asked them to write her a note, I even supplied the paper. Thursday I have a cooler that says, "thanks for chillin' with us this year, it's been cool". Each kid was asked to bring in something to go in the cooler. I suggested a bottle of water, Crystal Light packets, a magazine or book, sunscreen {I'm thinking she's going home with a close to empty cooler}! Friday the kids are giving her her class gift, a pair of flip-flops and a gift certificate for a pedicure.

We are fortunate to live in a very nice area, our children attend one of the higher ranking schools in the district. Am I asking too much? I did my best to ask for things that were either under $5 or free trying to be considerate of those that may not have the extra money. I feel so bad for the teacher, I plan on writing her a letter telling her that she is an amazing teacher but just drew the short straw with parents this year!

We will continue as planned this week, with or without the rest of the class. This is how Peanut and I will be telling her teachers we care {Peanut has 3 teachers while the other kids have 2, they were only asked to do something for their homeroom teacher}.

Monday- Monster cookies, the tag this year says Thanks for a Monster of a year. {this is last years picture}.

Tuesday- $5 in scratch-off lottery tickets, the tag says "I hope you're as fortunate with the lottery tickets as I am with you!"

Wednesday- To go coffee cups filled with whole coffee beans and a $5 gift card to Starbucks, the tag say Thanks a Latte for all you do.

Thursday- Peanut will bring in a homemade lunch in a cute reusable bag {not done yet, no pictures}.

Friday- A bottle of wine, a Columbia Sangria mix, an orange and a lime. And for the Specials teachers {PE, art and Music} a bag of chips, 2 large boxes of candy and a gift card to Blockbuster.

Thursday after school {no school Friday} I went and decorated 2 of the 3 doors.

I took pictures of each kid making a funny face, hanging upside down from the monkey bars, doing a back bend etc. and then printed them with their names on the photo for this door.

Door #2

I dye cut 70 leaves, stuffed them in an envelope with a letter telling the kids what to do and delivered them to each student {this is her AGP teacher}. Today they were to come to class and hang their leaf on the tree.

I'm not sure what some of these parents are thinking. I did all the hard work for them, all they had to do was extend a little effort. It's just so frustrating! I guess I'll just never get some people.

Being Homeroom Mom for one or both of my girls over the last 12 years I've learned that there's three basic groups, the doers, the non existent and the complainers. As much as I'm complaining right now about the non existent I'm happy to be one of the doers!

Cost for the entire week {per teacher} to say "We appreciate you" about $32.

My daughters education and well being throughout the day- PRICELESS!