Happy Easter...

...from our family to yours.

Too bad the only picture that was any good had Big Brother's eyes shut! Can you tell I've taken away somebody's pacifier and she is wanting it back? :)

On book number 3 of the Twilight series--Eclipse. I can't get enough. It's causing me to neglect the blog among other things.......like laundry, husband, children, etc.

Several of you have commented about the fact that you are considering reading it--just go for it! They are great and such easy reads. I promise you'll love it!

Oh the Beloved Outlaws, I mean Inlaws

Well, we thought we weren't going to have to see or deal with the Inlaws for several months, but like I think I told you, Hubby's older sister is getting re-married (third time is a charm?) and this time she's having a wedding. The first time she eloped, don't know what happened the second time, and now we have her marrying bachelor #3. When Hubby and I got married she was estranged from the family, so I didn't meet her for about 5 or 6 years? I think she was estranged for over 10. Or possibly 15? I can't recall. After giving birth to two children I think your brain just turns to mush...at least mine has.

I do like Husband's sister. She is really nice. I just kind of keep my distance b/c she is random (obviously) and Husband isn't really friendly to her either. We send the typical cards and such, and remember her children's birthdays and graduation. It's actually a pretty easy relationship.

Except now she's having a wedding and we have to come. Not that we have to go. We just want to support her. Shouldn't make everyone suffer just because the inlaws are problematic. So, we are going. We are staying with Husband's brother and sister-in-law. Should be fun. And short. I hope. My MIL is the freaking wedding planner for crying out loud! Husband's sister is a reformed Baptist--reformed meaning she was Catholic. Now she is all about being a Baptist. Not that there's anything wrong with being a Baptist--I grew up as one--but it is just a far cry from being Catholic. That will make things a little more interesting. (chuckle, chuckle)

At least I get to buy a new outfit and buy the kids something new. Hopefully some of the aunts and uncles will be there to dilute everything. That will help. I will let you know as the situation continues.....me and my lovely MIL drama. Still haven't talked to them. MIL did email and ask for some pictures. I wanted to respond with ,"Yeah when hell freezes over." But I didn't. Now that I'm working at my church, I'm trying to be more Christlike. So I could respond with, "When heck freezes over.' HA HA HA. She'll get some when I get around to it.

Husband has travels in the town where his parents live and he is going to see his brother and sister-in-law. They asked the inlaws if they would watch their kids so they could go out to dinner w/my husband and they told them no. They've never told them no before. She thinks it is because they told them that they were going to see my husband. Interesting, don't you think?

Like I said, this wedding should be interesting. I did borrow the book Boundaries, that has been recommended to me. I'm going to try to have it read soon so I can prepare myself of how to deal with them all! Now all I have to do is get it from the floor of my car and actually open it!

I do have an award I need to post about too! So much busier with a job, but it is good for my brain! I am missing all my friends in bloggy world! Don't give up on me and thanks for following! Is it because you just can't resist my lovely MIL drama? :)

Biker Love....

And I don't mean motorcycles. Nothing against them, I am just talking about the cycling kind of bikes.

Clemsongirl posted about the traffic in Atlanta on her way home the other night and mentioned that some cyclists were on the road and she was frustrated and just wanted to get home and put on some comfy pjs! Many of you guys, my fellow bloggy friends, made some rather harsh comments about cyclists. My husband came across Clemsongirl's post and was floored by the comments. He was saying, "And several of your 'followers' were on there going off!" So, I ask, why the hate ladies? Where is the love?

Here is my love. This is my husband after a 120 miles bike race called the Triple Bypass--held each year in the mountains of Colorado. His Bike = His Sanity

My husband is an avid cyclist (to say the very least) and this Plaid family knows all about cycling rules, regulations, their rights to ride just like everyone else on the road, etc. He even has some plaid-ish type socks (ok, argyle) courtesy of his wife. Although I do understand that it can be frustrating when you come across cyclists on the road (or anything for that matter--children, dogs, runners, etc.) but somebody's life is worth more than the 15 seconds you are delayed in traffic.

Someone even commented that cyclists should stay on trails or get their own bike lanes. Well, trust me when I tell you this--cyclists wish they could have their own lanes. My husband, as well as his friends, all ride in the bike lanes when there are some there. But there aren't many there. I, for one, would feel SOOOOOOOO much better if there were more bike lanes. I know my husband is taking his life into his own hands when he rides, and I pray practically every time he goes out. (He rides like 4-5 times a week--20 to 30 miles each time.) But that would mean paying more taxes, and nobody wants to that. So, the states put into place laws that give cyclists the same right to the roads as a motorized vehicle.

Please think about this the next time you see a cyclist. This is probably someone's husband/wife, dad/mom, son/daughter, etc. It is my husband, riding off his stress from work, his family ( me! HA), etc, all the while getting exercise and staying healthy for his family and himself.

This is my son, future cyclist. He has had a 'big boy bicycle' since he turned 2. He also has a helmet. We are teaching him the rules of the road. Education means knowledge and power and we want the next generation to have it all! This is one way of doing that.

Please think about this the next time you see a cyclist. Give them a thumbs up and move over a little or slow down for a few minutes! It will make you feel better and them, too! Now I'm going to hug my cyclists--big and little! Why don't you do the same?

Loving my plastic!

Thanks to Mommy's On Vacation for my special little card. How considerate of you. And yes, I could use a little retail therapy after dealing with Big Brother's Tonsillectomy and now---are you ready for this---the inlaws want to come for CHRISTMAS! For the love of all that's holy---what the hell am I going to do? I get to give up my bed to my mother-in-law, as well as give up my family's pleasant Christmas holiday for them.

Let the prayers and chants begin immediately......

More to come. I don't have the energy or time to give you the details yet, but they're coming. I'll try not to leave you hanging for too long.

More MIL c-r-a-p

I must think of a more clever way to title my MIL drama posts. If you have any ideas, give me a shout. (And if you are new to the blog, just go to my labels and click on the MIL drama and you can get updated on the MIL situation.)

Here's the latest email from her. I just thought I'd copy and paste it. And to keep you up-to-date, I had sent out an email on how Big Brother was doing after having his tonsils and adenoids removed last Thursday. I changed his name to protect the innocent (*wink*wink*)

Here is what she says:

Good morning,

We are delighted and thankful that Big Brother's surgery went so well. Always be assured that all of you are in our daily prayers.

Please give Big Brother a kiss and hug for us and tell him how much we love him.

I am just now getting around to mailing Miss Bug's birthday card. We will have to give some thought for a present. I am sure she has everything she needs and most of what she wants. But there will be a present.

Thank you for the update,
MIL

And just so you know, I'm not even responding to this email. I've about decided that I'm going to have my husband read the emails and if he thinks I should/need to read them, then I will. Otherwise, I'm deleting them. She sends them to him, too, so he can be the communicator. It is about the only thing I can do other than really going off on her. I keep telling myself (and receiving gentle reminders from the husband) to be the bigger person. I swear to you people, I'm 5'2" but she makes me reach about 7 feet. I am telling you, I can't get much bigger, taller, whatever. I'm going to need handicap access very soon at the rate I'm going.

Am I just being too sensitive? The first paragraph about Big Brother didn't really bother me. Yes, he was supposed to have his surgery on the 6th. They were to be on their trip to Italy. They said they'd pray, yadda, yadda, yadda. But no phone call was to be expected. (I won't be like that when I have grandkids, but whatev.) Then his surgery got postponed due to freaking Strep throat coming on the night before, so I sent out an email about that. So, they got home on the 15th, and, as expected, were jetlagged. That is fine. But when Husband called them on the 16th in the afternoon to update them on Big Brother's surgery, his dad says that he knew it was postponed because he checked his email when he got home.

OK, so why no phone call? Still, this doesn't really set me over the edge or make my blood pressure rise.

But the part about Miss Bug's FIRST FREAKING BIRTHDAY and how she hasn't gotten around to sending a card, and that 'I"m sure she has everything she needs and most everything she wants....." is obnoxious.

The point is that she is your granddaughter.
She turned one.
It's the THOUGHT THAT COUNTS..........hellllloooooooooo?

And please, don't break a sweat making sure that you send her a present. Really, don't bother. We wouldn't want to put you out or anything.

Can you guys tell I'm so incredibly pissed off at her? I can't even stand it. It just makes my eyes bulge out and smoke blow out of my nose!!! And I know this is blogger world, so I shouldn't drop the F bomb in every other word, so if you are an F bomb kind of girl, please place it where you see necessary, or just place it in between every other word, because that is how I'm feeling!!!!

So am I too sensitive?

I just want to go off. I just want to shout to the rooftops that she is missing out on one of the best things in life--children/grandchildren. MY CHILDREN! HER GRANDCHILDREN! But then I just remember that she would hurt them anyway because she is so selfish, so it is better that we keep our distance. I remain calm in her eyes and just don't respond. But girls, in my own little closet here where my computer is, I'm really really mad. And really really hurt.

I have wondered why I blog and what it does for me. And I'm beginning to realize that this might turn into one of the best things in my life--a way for me to vent, be 'heard' and find support from others.

Thanks for listening! And I've not forgotten about posting pics from Miss Bug's birthday party last week. They are still coming! :)

Movies from the 80's

I'm sticking with my 80's theme so here are some lines from famous movies of that time. Whomever can remember the names of the movies these came from will be receiving a little treat from moi! Some titles may or may not be repeated....

Here goes:

1. When referring to the fit of a woman's dress at a wedding reception located in the deep South, "Looks like two pigs fighting underneath a blanket."

2. "No shit, Chet...." spoken in a drunken slur.

3. Guy says, "What's your name?" Girl says, "Claire." "Cuh-laire? Claire is a fat girl's name," responds Guy. "No it's not," says Girl.

4. "Wax on...wax off...wax on....wax off."

5. "I feel the need, the need for speed!"

6. "Nobody puts baby in a corner."

7. An old jazz singer says, "Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues."

8. "I wanna be just like you. I figure all I need is a lobotomy and some tights..."

9. "Despite my appearance at this function, I remain now, & will always be a Duckman."

10. "Mr. Nolan, it's for you. It's God. He says we should have girls at Welton."

11. Woman says, "High....I want a baby.Get me a baby."

12. "Whass happenin' hot stuff?"

13. "It was an accident. I'll take it again. I can fail, I know I can." Referring to test...

14. Teacher in class teaching in a monotone voice, "The answer is something 'doo' economics...voo-doo economics."

15. "You break his heart and I'll break your face."

So I remembered most of these myself in my free time (yeah, right) but do have to admit to snatching a few from the Internet. Good luck! :)

Go Diego Go....

away! Leave me alone! I am sick of playing Diego. O-v-e-r it. But I know it's my fault that we have: 12 Diego figurines, the Mobile Rescue Unit, the 4 wheeler, the elephant, the helicopter, the rescue center, the submarine, the animals, the legos, blah blah blah.

So, I've tried to find other things to do (other than placing small children in front of the TV hence more Diego). It's pretty sad when the only entertainment in your town is going to play at the playplace at Chick-Fil-A! (And you know that place gets n-a-s-t-y...) But if that is what will give me a few minutes of peace, then so be it. Those cookies-n-cream milkshakes are pretty tasty as well.

I've tried to have something to do, anything to do, some place for us to go, everyday (or almost everyday) so that everyone stays happy. We went to the library on Monday and Tuesday for their little program. Our library is sad, but it was another opportunity for us away from the home. Then today we went to Chick-Fil-A and met another mom and kids to play. That has been good.

Tomorrow I go to Gator Country to visit my friend and spend the night and go out to eat like real-live grown ups! So exciting. No children.......at least for a night.

Drinking coffee in peace also............ahhhhhhhhhhh.

That's all I've got for you. Must have a little Blogger's Block these past few days!

PS Big Brother is playing ALONE in his room. Hallelujah......

I've Been Tagged!

So I love getting tagged and Boo and Hootie's Mom tagged me. (Thanks, B&H's Mom--you are very sweet).....so I get to give the Blogger Award to others, too. Fun!

I give the blogger award to:

The Pink Clutch (she keeps me on my toes with shopping deals from Target..)

La Vie En Rose (she is so sweet)

Preppy Mama (we are a lot alike and she is so cute)

AFRo (am new to reading her post and really into it lately!)

Love & Labs (I cannot live without the 'documenting the belly'!)

Clemsongirl and the Coach (She is just so darn funny & I look forward to her posts.)

Here are the rules:
Give the award to up to 10 people whose blogs bring you happiness and inspiration and make you feel so happy about blogland!!! Leave them a comment on their blog to let them know they received this award! Beware......you may get the award several times!!!
Remember that people can be tagged more than once!!!!!!!!

Happy Friday!

5 Things...

...which I took from Preppy Monogrammed Gifts

5 things I can't live without under $10:
1. cup of coffee in the morning
2. email
3. key lime pie (any dessert, any time)
4. Aveda products (the travel size are under $10 so I'm fitting this one in!)
5. Diet Dr. Pepper

5 Favorite Movies:
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
2. Superbad
3. Finding Nemo
4. Steele Magnolias
5. Breakfast Club
(yes, they are all old, but I can't think of any new ones off-hand!)

5 girls' names I love:
1. Kate
2. Reagan
3. Caroline
4. Claire
5. Addison (but not Addy)

5 boys' names I love:
1. Christian (not Chris)
2. Luke
3. Evan
4. Emerson
5. Parker

5 songs I could listen to over and over again:
1. Closer I am to Fine - Indigo Girls
2. Gallileo - Indigo Girls
3. All For You - Sister Hazel
4. Everytime I See Your Smiling Face- James Taylor (makes me think of hubby)
5. Mexico- James Taylor

5 things that stay in my handbag at all times:
1. cell phone
2. pacifier (ahh the baby days)
3. lip goo
4. debit card
5. sunglasses

5 obsessions I have right now:
1. buying stationery--plaid, striped, etc. with my initials, name, etc!!!
2. Ebay--love buying my little girl the expensive stuff at a discount
3. J Crew pants/shorts favorite fit
4. plaid or seersucker or striped (patterned) belts
5. rice pudding

5 places I'd love to go:
1. Germany
2. Hawaii
3. Bahamas
4. Italy
5. New York

I've Been Tagged...

I was SOOO excited to be tagged. I was a tag virgin so thanks to you, The Pink Clutch !I am to list five random things about myself. This should be interesting. Here goes:

1. I like to sleep with a fan or some type of sound machine on. Not a TV, but some sort of swooshing sound. Ceiling fans don't count because they are made so well now that you can't hear them moving above the bed. So, I have a Marpac Sleep Sound Machine that I love, love, love. It is wonderful This is our second one. Miss Bug (babygirl) has one in her room, now. I also like the fact that it masks any noises so I can sleep longer. And I'm all about some sleep!

2. I'm also with The Pink Clutch on the making noise with your mouth thing. It makes me CRAZY! My dad can chew/crunch yogurt. I am not lying. So you can imagine how my head spins full circle when we are eating cereal for breakfast when I'm visiting. It sends me right over the edge. I literally leave the room so I don't act like a total and complete arse because he IS my father, you know.

3. I love sugar...baked in something or just basically straight up. I'll take it in a cookie, a cake, a brownie, a pie, donut, bread, pudding, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sprinkled on fruit, in cereals, etc. Wherever else you want to put it. I'm in. Count on it. I am now to the point to where I have to have something sweet after practically every meal--even if it is just one cookie, one piece of candy or a stick of gum. It runs in my family. I can't help it. It's their fault. And when it comes to deciding if we should "share" dessert at a restaurant? Well, you know what the answer to that one is, right?

4. I am a true-blue friend. My one friend, Love & Labs, and I have been friends since the third grade. We talk or email several times a week. My other friend, who lives in Denver, and I have been friends for 8 years. We see each other at least yearly and talk on the phone probably 6 days a week. My other dear friend, who still lives in the town where I grew up, has been my friend since the 7th grade. We talk weekly, too. Verizon makes no money on me - I can promise you that. (Yes, my husband thinks I'm on the phone entirely too much, but what does he know?)

5. I love the color red. I have a red chair in my living room from Pottery Barn and it was our splurge when we bought our house. It is gorgeous. We also have some red in pretty much every room in our house. I'm just attracted to it. My son's closet doors in his room are red and they are darling! I don't necessarily wear a lot of red, but I do love it. Consequently our son loves red, too. He would live in red shirts and camo pants if we'd let him. Some days we do.

So, here are my five random things. It could be different tomorrow, but for now, this is what you get. Thanks again for the tag!

I am tagging (unless you've already been tagged) :

La Vie En Rose

Scarlet O'Kara

MultiSlacking Mama

Friday Fill-In

Been waiting to fill out one of these...nerdy of me, I know...

1. Contact may cause me to go apeshit on you because I'm TIRED so don't ask please.

2. The parties hereto do mutually agree to put a garbage bag BACK in the can after taking out the garbage!!!!

3. Disney parks rock the house and make me feel 7 again.

4. A Tylenol PM sounds really good right about now seeing as how I've already had my 17 cookies for the night!

5. I positively don't want to wake up in the middle of the damn night to feed a baby.

6. Waking up to coffee percolating always makes me smile :-)(I have a pretty good husband.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching some crap tv, tomorrow my plans include driving my ass 1 hr. to a car dealership to sign papers b/c Hubby (and I guess me too?)is buying a new car probably and Sunday, I want to wear my pajamas to church so I don't have to get dressed! Shouldn't churches have a pajama day just like elementary schools do? I bet more people would show up...

Cool Blog Find....

I picked tulips......

What These Tulips Say About You

You are very popular and universally admired. You are often hopelessly in love, and you connect to other people easily. You are a naturally cheerful and upbeat person. You have an amazing smile.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Check this out......cool, eh?

The Ultimate Blog Party

A quick post to tell you that there is an ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY going on and you should check it out. It is a way to meet more bloggers! It is very cool and I've loved having people come check out my blog.

When I get a chance, I'll post a 'little something about me' to introduce myself a little bit better. So, check back soon and go to the 5minutemom's site. So neat. I've got to feed a baby, put in a load of laundry and clean up the living room.......sound familiar?

I'm trying to get the 100 things about me going too.