Lean In

Paula Dean is KILLING me right now...

I think I've mentioned that I really don't enjoy cooking or anything to do with cooking, but I DO like to eat..and I like to have the Food Network on in the background while I'm making dinner and stuff..love The Barefoot Contessa..makes me want to live in The Hamptons and hang out with Ina and all her gays (sorry..but all of the men that show up at her house for dinner parties are a little lispy or arrange flowers really well..except her husband, who appears to just like to eat her food...I got the word "my gays" from that hilarious but oh so inappropriate comedian Kathy Griffin)...and then there are "The Neely's"..the cute little black couple who are always just so fun and flirty in the kitchen together..makes me want to drink a glass of wine and get in the kitchen with Brad and cook up a good Southern dinner of ribs and stuff..yummm..Gina Neely is just so cute to me...and actually, so is Pat.. man, were they cookin' up some Southern goodness this evening...

and THEN, there's the infamous Paula Dean..holy cow, she was cooking "on a budget" tonight, but wow, right up my alley..frying fish, hushpuppies, cole slaw, and then she had to go talk about cheese grits..my goodness, have you ever eaten cheese grits and shrimp????? THE best thing on the earth..she was making me just want to run to my nearest down home cookin' restaurant and "tho down" on some good country cooking...Miss Paula doesn't do low fat...she is the queen of "high fat"..and you know that means REALLY GOOD! UGGH.....It's no wonder we tend to be a little "heavier" down here in the South..THE FOOD, my goodness, is SO good!!!!

...could be the PMS, I don't know...

Oh, and for the record, not all of us in the South have an accent quite like Paula Dean...she pours it on REALLY thick..but she IS from South Georgia..and well, they have a thick accent down there..my mother in law can pour her South Georgia accent on when she's down there with her people in "Al-BENNY" and "SYL-VESTA"..lol..I know she's going to kill me, but it's true..we swear that's where Chaz gets his thick accent..from Mimi..you would swear that boy was raised in South Georgia..people crack up at him...I do throw around some Southern sayins' a lot though, like "ya'll" and "fixin to"..when you think about it, "fixin to" just doesn't make any sense, but I've always said it..a lot...Now, I've talked on the phone to a few of my "mid western" friends, Julie and Elizabeth..did I sound really Southern? How would you rate my accent?..lol

and I just keep thinking I could SO see my Dad and Paula Dean hanging out and having a ball..he loves those types of women and she's so funny and flirty and all..I could just see them cutting up together...

I have this girlfriend cough, cough, Joann, cough, cough who has recently decided to try to go "vegan" and organic...GIRL, she gave me this book called "Skinny Bitch" to read..ummm, NO, life is too short to just eat lettuce leaves and fruit..those girls are HARD CORE...no way I could give up at least chicken and eggs and stuff..I have to have protein, and not tofu or beans and stuff..anyways, Joann looks great and will be way more healthier than me, but I kindly gave the book back and said "no thanks"..lol...more power to ya..it's funny cause her husband and Brad and I keep saying he's going to be sneaking down to our house to eat a big fat steak on the grill and stuff..lol...

Ok, off to eat my salad and baked potato..BORING..I want cheese grits and shrimp!!!

Anyways, carry on...

Camping..captured in LOTS of pictures...

Yes, I take my Chardonnay camping too...lol..Photo courtesy of Chaz...

Bailey had issues with the geese and felt the need to run them off at all costs..

Lots and lots of football this weekend...

While they waded out into the mushy, nasty mud that squishes between your toes to "swim", I sat my booty on the sidelines and took pictures..I don't go out into the lake unless we are on a boat out in the middle..and unfortunately, on this trip, Cici and David weren't able to go, so we had to camp next to the lake with NO BOAT this time...stunk...

Everytime we go, Brad and I bitch and moan about how we've got to upgrade to a bigger camper with a bathroom, decent sized kitchen, room to move, quick set up and tear down,etc etc..so maybe one day..there are tons of them for sale for GOOD prices...the only problem is, if you don't have anywhere to park a big camper, you have to rent space to park it..and it adds up..that's our main issue...

Ahhhh, beautiful day...

LOVE this one of Chaz...

Cynthia, No, I did not touch the fish, but I DID put the worm on the hook..does that count for something?

Like I said..lots and lots of football..

and that's all folks...

We're back...

 

Hi..got back from camping yesterday..and couldn't wait to get everyone home, mainly myself, and take a good shower..I'm kindof in picture overload right now with the shoots I've been doing plus my personal stuff..and then I was asked yesterday to photograph a women's ministry ladies night out tonight..soooooooo, lots of pictures to mess with...but I got some cute ones of us camping, hanging out, being rednecks..and yes, I did catch a fish..for the record..back later..

I actually kindof feared for my life...

I was having trouble deciding how close was TOO close on the Lacrosse field last night...that little bitty ball would go flying everywhere and I just kept picturing it clocking me in the face..breaking my face and my camera..but I hung in there and got a few shots..haven't really messed too much with them yet because I've got to get going to meet Brad and the kids at the campground..but here's a few...

Zach is #28...

Of course, I got the most action shots while I was having to shoot INTO the sun..grrr...

Ok, have a great weekend!

Change of Plans..

Well, I got cancelled for work this morning, so I had to reevaluate my day..decided to stay home and still meet the fam camping tomorrow instead of going today because I've been "hired"  to photograph my friend's son playing in his Lacrosse game this evening..

Remember him?

He's trying to look all big and bad in this picture, but really, he's a big 'ol sweetie..great kid!

He's in 9th grade and is playing Varsity Lacrosse for his high school..and he's supposed to start tonight!

I photographed him playing football a few years ago, but have never even been to a Lacrosse game..All I know is they use those funky sticks..but looking forward to it...

Just another neat little opportunity!

Brad and the kids left about an hour ago off on their adventure..man, the house is quiet with them gone..kindof makes me sad...but working on some Smile Tile orders, editing maternity pictures, possibly some scrapbooking may take place, and then off to take pics this evening..sounds like a good plan to me!

I think all is well now..

lol..yesterday I had a few dramas..the whole "not finding the paper I need for my tiles" thing >solved..it may sound silly, but there was at least $200 at stake..if not more..I'm telling you, if you ever need anything, post on one of the 2peas boards..they always come through with answers/solutions for me..love that site...

and then I thought I had missed registration for Chaz to play tackle football this Fall..I would have never heard the end of that..and we actually weren't going to do it..dude, it is EXPENSIVE! for 6 year olds to play football? but we caved..he's so into it and good at it..so, I found out all is well and I can mail in his registration, which I did..now I'm pondering what zoom lens I need now for sports..cause you know, it's going to be serious play out there on the field..I'm looking forward to it! Today, Sharpsburg Stallions..tomorrow, playing between the hedges on a full scholarship to UGA for the Bulldogs..his father's dream..lol..totally kiddding...the good thing is, his friend Kyle across the street, who is 13 and plays for his middle school, runs drills with him out in the yard..lol..getting him ready early..I think Kyle enjoys being "coach"...fine with me..

Ok, cute picture share..

Daddy's are so important..good ones, that is..and this girl has a GOOD one...

She was obsessed with flying Chaz's kite yesterday evening...whatever..made her happy...

hmm, what else..a layout!...

That's some OLD KI Memories paper, huh? but dang, I have always loved it..so who the heck cares..and the "new" in the title was cut with my Cricut with that new cartridge I told you about yesterday..

Anyone totally digging the Def Leppard "Hysteria" I added to the playlist? Totally takes me back to ninth grade..I LOVED Def Leppard..went to their concert and it rocked..with my ripped up jeans, huge hair, and leopard print jacket ..and I think I drank wine coolers at it (Bartles and James Wineberry, maybe?)..shhh, sorry Mother...I still would rank that song in my top 10...

Ok, so this is the scoop on the camping thing..actually I have to work tomorrow (on the other floor where I used to work..grrrrr, I've been dreading it since last week, but whatever)...so, Brad and the kids are heading out tomorrow and camping tomorrow night and then I'm joining them at some point on Saturday..nice..I've got all the food packed and the kids packed..they are psyched..they LIVE to go camping..and Brad is checking Chaz out of school tomorrow at like 10:30, so double score for him..should be a fun weekend!

OK, gotta go get a shower and get pretty so B and I can go out to eat...yay..no kids..he just took them to the g-parents...night!

In a slight crisis...can someone help me out?

Edited: All is well..a couple of girls from 2 Peas are hooking me up..Thanks!

Ok, that sounds way more dramatic than it is, but I'm in a "Smile Tile crisis"..See, I have a bunch of orders, I ran out of the transfer paper I use, and the company that makes it decided to change the formula, so now it doesn't separate like it used to..and I'm freaking out..

Does anyone just happen to have a pack or a few sheets of this paper lying around in a drawer or something that you purchased a while back BEFORE they CHANGED the stupid stuff? You can check it by pulling out a piece and taking the corner and seeing if you can separate the backing from the front piece with your fingernail easily...

This is how it looks...

I even called Avery to see if they had some of the old stuff in some old warehouse somewhere..I know that girl thought I was CRAZY...

If you can help me out and send me some, I will make you a free photo tile for your kindness!

I've been to two places today and will hit everywhere I know of that carries it tomorrow..and slyly open the package and check the paper hopefully without getting caught by any store employees..it's the only way to tell if you are getting the older paper..uggh!

By the way, if you go on the message boards at 2 Peas, I've posted all over all of the boards there too...lol

I have a new scrapbook crush...

Silly, I know, but dang, this girl's layouts are AWESOME..bright, colorful, great pictures, interesting shapes/curves..I've seen her in magazines before, but check out her gallery !..Pam Callaghan..I kindof stumbled upon her gallery, but I'm so glad!

Love it when this happens...

like when I discover a new blog, especially when it's one of my all time favorite scrapbookers, Lisa McGarvey..never even knew she now had a blog, but she does! Love her photography and scrapbook style..I'm dying to watch this video that Tara Whitney did of her family, but it keeps skipping the whole time I'm trying to watch it? Anyone know why? It's very annoying..it's like my computer isn't fast enough for it or something?

and here are some layouts...

One with some old pictures that I LOVE of my boy..look how white/blond his hair used to be? Uggh, so cute..He was about 1 1/4 year old here...

and ignore the crooked letter on there..I fixed that..didn't realize when I took the picture..

This one is a picture I took of Chaz last July and dang it, he looked like he was 14 in it or something..

And then, this last one is of a baby shower we hosted in our backyard with two other couples for our friends that have sadly moved to Charlotte and actually have another child now..I just always loved how pretty we had our backyard looking and wanted to scrap these pictures..our patio looked like a restaurant or something..all wrought iron tables/chairs, big candle holders, wine (sorry, Desiree couldn't drink that, but we made up for her not drinking any..lol), and quite a food spread..the only bad thing was that it was like 100 degrees outside and we all almost melted..seriously..lol..but man, we had fun!

That cute pink paper with the baby carriages is actually digital paper that was a free download from Designer Digitals, I added the photo collage made in Picasa and then added a digital frame on top of that..then printed it all as one..this in one of the instances where I really wish I had a large format printer, but oh well, I pieced it together..and added it onto real paper and then added the other stuff on top..thanks Colleen for that little flower paperclip you gave me at the crop..it was the finishing touch..

I've already scrapped Chaz losing his tooth too, so I'll share that later today..I broke down and bought the Graphically Speaking cartridge for my Cricut and used it on this layout..This cartridge rocks..would highly recommend it..and I got it here for only $30...

Gotta go make myself presentable and go get some supplies for my Smile Tiles..the orders are coming in and most people are wanting three at a time! lol..

Have a great day!

I couldn't stand it anymore...

Looking at my empty planters, that is...I used to be way into making container gardens and planting flowers everywhere, but each summer seems to get worse and worse here, we have watering restrictions, and things end up dying.It just started to seem like a waste of money..so, I haven't really gotten into it anymore..however, I do have three key planters that must have something pretty in them and they make me happy when they actually HAVE PLANTS IN THEM...been holding off because the weather has been so unpredictable, but yesterday, Bailey and I hit Home Depot and brought home some pretty things...

and these quickly became these..in like 20 minutes, I was finished..

I always have to have a red geranium somewhere..they love full sun and bloom like crazy..and that makes me happy..so I put this one at the backdoor..

at the front door...I love the spiky things for height, cause you know when planting a container garden, you need something tall, some things that are medium height, and then something that's going to spill over the side or front..for my medium height plants, I chose Pentas (cause butterflies LOVE them) and Dusty MIller to add a little pop of silver, and then to spill over I chose those most wonderful Wave Petunias..as these plants grow, the container will fill out and over..maybe I'll remember to share a picture once this grows...

and then beside the garage...the same mix of plants..

and I took a picture of this because I just love the view between our house and detached garage into our backyard when all of our bushes are blooming and stuff...

Alrighty then, changing subjects...

A few things in the news that are bothering me..

First the "Craig's List" killer? Umm, how weird..a cute guy in medical school about to get married ..so hard to imagine why he would do things like this..sick, sick..and his poor girlfriend he was about to marry? shudder..I'm so glad I'm not single these days..my goodness, you never know what kind of psycho you may end up with..so scary ..and you never know what skeletons people have in their closet...

and then the Miss America thing? You go, Ms. California for speaking your mind and not being all "PC"...and apparently Mr Perez Hilton did NOT like her answer..and then he turns on her and calls her a stupid bitch later on TV? Because she disagreed with YOUR beliefs? People like that just get to me..preaching "tolerance" until someone disagrees with you..who's being intolerant here? ugggh!!!

and then Oprah had the child porn epidemic thing on yesterday with Lisa Ling..just couldn't watch it..I CANNOT think about stuff like that..it sickens me and scares me! I want to put my children in a bubble..actually, I don't even watch O that much anymore..occasionally flip by and see what's on and usually move on..and can I just say that she needs to go back to her old hair style? The straight hair thing is not working for her..she needs the height to balance out her face..just my opinion..

Ok then, I feel better now..

I have about three layouts to share, but I'll save them for another post..

I swear Chaz looks different since losing that one tooth..and he scored $5 for his first tooth..thereafter, the going rate will be $1 a tooth..he's been informed of the Tooth Fairy's budget plan..lol..

Our first camping trip is officially on the agenda for this weekend..the weather is supposed to be awesome! 

Happy Tuesday..