Growing Up Girlie

the obsession continues

2012-01-28T12:25:00.001-08:00

I am not quite sure where this obsession has come from but this child LOVE LOVE LOVES her some puppies!! She has tiny ones, medium size ones and one life size one..
they ALL have names and i have no idea how she remembers all the names - she can tell you which one is in her hand by touching it (for those of you just joining us - she's visually impaired)
There's cookie, georgia, devon, sparky, snow puppy, goldie, lovie and i have no idea how many more - this is leading to her wanting a REAL dog again - but at this moment we have NO interest in a dog unless it can walk and feed itself - hahahaha

so if you don't hear from me soon - i've been buried alive in a sea of puppies by the hoarder!!!

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Annie meets Toby and The Josh!!

2012-01-11T16:59:00.001-08:00

I had to go to Nonnie's house to pick something up and of course Annie wanted to go
with me to meet Toby and Alex!! She is SOOO excited!

She's in pet wonderland! Toby AND Alex?!?!? what? too much fun! I had to make sure she kept her fingers away from the cage (alex has been known to bite)

Come back Toby...i want to pway some more - she chased him everywhere and fortunately he loved it!!

All the way home she asked where Toby was and what he was doing...She wants a dog
sooooo badly but mama doesn't want to do all the work so i see many trips to Nonnie's in the future!!!

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A change will do you good...

2012-01-03T09:36:00.001-08:00

Well, another year is gone and with it went my eyebrows...one of my "resolutions" this year was/is going to be taking "better" care of myself - exercise, flat iron, learn how to put make up on and making sure my brows are waxed and highlights did...

MAYBE i should have waited a day or 2 - we were heading to Charlotte to celebrate NYE with Jen and Shane...I didn't want pictures to look bad so off i went
FIRST LESSON OF THE YEAR
Super Cuts is anything but SUPER
and you get what you pay for - ladies and gents THIS is what $8 eyebrows look like!
(yes I was SURPRISED at how they looked but that's my new expression until these grow out in say....3 MONTHS)

Loving words of encouragement from friends and family
Mike "oh no did i scare you?"
Jen "they don't look that bad - well, at least the right one doesn't"
Shane "it's NYE not a surprise party"
Mom "you look so different - not bad just different - sort of like if i shaved my head"

SO needless to say i am going to reevaluate my resolutions and get back to you plus i never start on the 1st it sets up failure...

Happy New Year!

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Peace on Earth???

2011-12-29T10:08:00.000-08:00

I'm having a hard enough time with good will toward men!!!

I think most of my "disgust" comes from retail/facebook - I have a darling bloggie/adoptive/facebook friend who's heart is breaking because it's taking so long for her FOUR babies to come home from Ethiopia at the same time i have a customer calling every few hours for a tracking # for her monogrammed car mats - SERIOUSLY?!?!?!
Has everyone gone crazy for the "what we have" and lost the "who we are"?

I am also having a BIT of a time with "treat others as you would want to be treated"
at what point do you say enough is enough of the beating and bullying??
(figuratively - i'm not actually getting beaten)

I read something on a friend's facebook page (yes, these days it's where i get most of my wisdom) about having lots of leaves and branches on your tree that have fallen off and disappoined you so it's best to stick with your roots that are your true support system.
(is it sooo sad that it's a Madea's advice from you tube - hahahaha)

And even though it really came from Tyler Perry dressed as a grandma it still rings true
and that's what i am going to do - prune my tree to the roots and focus on keeping them nurtured - more is not more if it's crap - less is always more when it's supportive, nurturing and reciprocal...love those who love YOU and rid yourself of the rest..

as for peace on Earth - sadly it's never going to happen until it happens...

I could rant and rave about things but i have realized (through a few ups and downs) as i am sitting in the stillness - God has made this path for me and I am just going to meander
and see what happens....cause so far so good!

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We wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS????

2011-12-25T19:09:00.000-08:00

Seriously!?!?!? Didn't I just say that LAST week? How can another year possibly have come and gone?!?!? BUT it has and we had a wild wacky wonderful CHRISTmas filled with lots of fun and amazing blessings!! we started at Steph's house for a CHRISTmas Eve celebration...gifts, food and yes, of course fun!

Mike is of course my best Christmas gift of all times!

The Josh and I - I love that kid to the moon and back and may be the only soul on the planet that loves college football more than me (if that's even possible)!

Mike and Tobie - no he's not a Christmas gift - he belongs to Stephanie and Josh - the only thing he wanted for Christmas was receipts and beer (yes, he likes the hooch)

Mike's sister Stephanie and I...She's a great sport ~ she puts up with the 3 of us and smiles all the while - and anyone that has Josh as a son and Mike as a brother has got to be pretty damn funny so of course i love her!

Oh how excited are we...Josh is CRAZY about hockey and lookie what he has - tickets to see the Carolina Hurricanes (he's a caniac) so look out raleigh cause we're coming soon!

I really don't think this needs much explanation...coozie "Beer Belly Under Construction" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Early the next morning we head to the lake for CHRISTmas....Look at that face!

GrandDennis got her a Cranky Monkey - he screams and cries when you take his banana (i think he's making fun of her little tantrums)but dang if she ain't cute!

COOKIE ~ COOKIE ~ COOKIE - that is ALL this child has been asking for - she heard him in Walmart wimpering and said "cookie is crying because he wants to come home with me" so that's what he did!! and does she love him!!!

you can nevah have too many pictures...

Oh MY - who knew a Grannie Pad would score such high marks!! Grannie LOVED it and now wants "grannie business cards" hahahaha...yes, she'll get them!

LOVE HER!

a blackberry just like mommie's - she also got a leap pad "lap top" so she can work with me from home she'll be oh so cute!

That girl LOVES a baby doll and because she has every sickness you have - bad cough, broken knee, her foot hurts and she has a headache - she got the baby alive doctor doll so we'll have all the tools needed to make her better!

Family Christmas at the yake ;)

Me and Grannie

Merry Christmas!!

from all my girls!!! we are looking forward to a HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!!

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I SWEAR I am not old enough to....

2011-12-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

have graduated from high school TWENTY YEARS AGO!!!!but all these people and damn name tags say i did....REALLY?!?!?! it seems like yesterday i was in high schoolok not really but my mirror says there's NO way I'm almost 40!! I had the pleasure (there is some sarcasm and humilityin that statement) of planning the reunion - it was wonderful to go through the process - i have become friends with people i haven't seen in years or may not have "known" in high school (there were 800 of us in my class so it's possible)I am amazed by people and where the many roads of life have taken us - we have lost some classmates who were far too young - they were missed and remembered...we had someone fly in from CHINA (yes i'm saying i am a kick ass party planner)EVERYONE looked great (a few so good i now hate them) but it was a BLAST!Friday night was an oyster roast at Miler Country Club ~ they were great to work with and even said we could come back again...hahahahhaha

Me and my cutie Mike!He's the BEST date and party co-planner

Me, Dyana and Sheriess (i was jumping in as many pictures as possible ~ i made a sport of it)

ahhh - me and my girl jen ~LOVE HER - HOLLER

Dyana and I - she swears she graduated with us -i keep telling her being ONE grade older does not make her oldand she did make me look purdy!

because a party ain't a party without a lame line dance!

We had a picnic Saturday morning - I wore our "Seniors" T-shirt ~ Jen had saved it all these yearsit said "enough said" on the back - gaw were we silly!Saturday Night was at the boat club - the weather was gorgeousand dyana turned it into the perfect setting for a party!

with a blackberry in one hand and a drink in the other i could rule the world or at least a large part of it!!!

MY senior prom date and his gorgeous wife!

Shawn my FFFF ~ for those out of the loop that'sFUNKY FRESH FRIENDS FOREVER

Me, David (he tried to get in more pictures than me and lost)Emily (my maid of honor and God Mother to Annabelle) and of course Mike!!

I must say a BIG ASS THANK YOU TO....Amy Her photography is amazing Dyana - she did my hair and make upand of course MIKE he kept me as calm as i could be, put tablecloths and candles on tablesand cleaned up afterwards...seriously love him!!

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And the MOTHER OF THE YEAR GOES TO......

2011-12-06T11:56:00.000-08:00

ME OF COURSE....Do you ever do sh*t that sounds like a good idea but afterwards all that crosses your mind is "WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?!?!?!" THIS is one of THOSE moments...Annie as you all know has epilepsy...her seizures are pretty much under control but sometimes when you pick her up she has a "limp spell" she twitches a little and has no real control over her muscles - if you put her down she would fall right over...the doctors can't figure out what it is... they say neurological reflex issue - i say isn't that what you'd call a seizure? SOOOOOO...they said "let's do a 48 hour EEG to see what's happening" ME "great - it's taken 3 years to get here" OMG OMG OMG - WHAT THE HELL DID I DO?????

Would YOU want this happening to you in the BEST of circumstances?? Well ADD visually impaired, a little developmentally behind and epileptic to it... AND to top it all off she wasn't feeling well....oh yeah and she's SEVEN.. We had to restrain her little self to let them put all those nodes on her while she whaled at the top of her lungs and the technicians couldn't figure out how to work the machine they even looked for the MANUAL... HELLO - THERE'S MY FIRST and SECOND SIGN DUMB*SS!

But wow what a cool do rag and purse (yea right it was a heavy tracking machine for her to carry for 48 hours) Let's just say that she didn't quite grasp the concept so she would drop the bag and everytime it would PULL HER HEAD BACKWARDS... I think the do rag lasted about an hour and a half - the drive home was about an hour and she fell asleep... THERE'S MY THIRD SIGN...

So needless to say - my brain finally kicked in...she's too young and i can't possibly drink enough to last 48 HOURS...OPERATION LIMP SPELL was on..Mom and I wisk her to the bathroom bc she has them in there when you pick her up (after OPERATION TAKE HER IN AND OUT OF THE CAR DIDN'T work) FINALLY a limp spell (you have to press a button when it happens so they can see the time) I pressed that button - carried that child into the living room and started pulling those damn things out of her head...WE LASTED THREE HOURS TOTAL!

AHHHH...MUCH better - she was back to normal asap - i may NEVER be back to normal i had the best of intentions with the worst possible outcome well almost worst we DID catch an episode ~ I returned the machine Monday morning I told them "we lasted 3 hours" we did the best we could but this was a HORRIBLE idea and we are traumatized!!! Well I am - I don't think Annie could give a rats! It took 3 WEEKS for that glue to come out of her hair! LAWDY BE like i didn't feel bad enough! So you can all put what you thought were your winning moments back in the file, shine that trophy up and send it my way...better luck to the rest of you next year cause this was the winner..... love ~ dena MOTY 2011

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MENTAL STATUS - SHAKING & BREAKING

2011-11-18T13:35:00.001-08:00

I think THIS may be what broke the proverbial camel's back....SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?! YES - I woke up Wednesday morning covered in HIVES from HEAD TO TOES!hmmmmm....whatthehellhappened??? Apparently I am allergic to an ingredient in a decongestant...Theraflu - several shots of "the hooch" did me in - OFF to the dr. I go - NOT my usual dr -the one that you get when it's a non urgent emergency...Let's just say he had a stethoscope to my throatmaking sure i could breathe....hahahahathen I had to go HERE....It was Judy's priss pot grandaughter's 5th birthday party and I couldn't have her miss it!!

I LOVE my job and I HATE my job....i ADORE the girls i work with BUT i am constantly amazed at the outright RUDENESS of the customers....J'adore retail in all it's pink and green, polka dotted magic...and it's a combo of EVERYTHING i love - children's clothing, gifts, monogramming, stationery and invitations...I get to spend someone else's money (i've taken over MOST of the buying for the 2 stores and all of the marketing) and not work on weekends....BUT THEN THERE'S THIS...."girl" she's probably in her 30s comes in - says we had a conversatiion about a bracelet - long story short..it wasn't me - we had called her (had it written down) - she said she didn't believe us - the ONLY time we could have done it was while her phone was switching over to international whilest they were in the BAHAMAS - let's just say this "HONEY - I don't make enough money to be called a LIAR...." we'll leave it at that and ps that she called back and said i was rude (she speaks the truth bc i won't tolerate that)which then brings me to THIS

We were out having cocktails at a friends' house the other night - of course the girls were gabbing...we were poor mouthingabout the economy - WHO ISN'T?!?!?! The girls were spatting about how much they make - I giggled and said "oh lawdy - i am working retail and i shall not tell....One of the girls says "whatever - you'll always be fine" now for those of you not in the know - we own some properties...I WANTED to say (but i'm more polite until i get here) anyway you look at it - i have taken a $50K pay cut over the last year...YES i said it for ALL the world to hear!!!Which brings me to THIS

I want one of these...I've been living in an apartment for over a YEAR - there is stuff everywhere (CLUTTER KILLS ME)I have 4 (yes only 4) purses and i don't have anywhere to store them...my perfectly precious upstair neighbor got a perfectly precious pup who runs around ALL the time - and I can't say for sure but I could just SWEAR he drops weights on the floor and never sleeps...UGH - Annabelle has TOO many toys and i have crap under my bed!!! I want to walk around and have neighbors..I have moved 15 minutes from where i used to live ~ work in the opposite direction and haven't really seen a soul...my commute to work is an hour (thank goodness i am working from home 2 days a week) but i miss my friends and my lifeit is a journey i am taking - i understand - i'm pretty good about knowing this is the valley but this week has got me to the point of no return...i want to toss everything non essential into a dumpster while screaming and cussing!!!which then brings me to THIS (maybe this purge will make it all better)

the grannie nannie (my mom - who is like having a nanny/wife/maid combo) the news hound says to me don't you EVER watch the news? I say " NO - all the scoop i need to know is whats trending now on my yahoo account" SERIOUSLY - could this week be ANY sadder/pathetic/worldgonetohellinahandbasket??? I LOVE college football and am just devastated by the Penn State "scandal" i wouldn't call it that - i would call it "serve the ENTIRE staff that was working on a silver platter to the police, parents and victims" now - the Oklahoma State coaches that got killed in a plane crash and the syracuse sex scandal...WHY OH WHY WOULD I WANT TO WATCH THE NEWS WHEN I CAN WATCH PEOPLE BUY HOUSES????So needless to say I am eager for the weekend and in DESPERATE need of defouling!!!! If you see me on the street - you MAY want to run the other way.....HAHAHAHA - you know i'm not kidding!!!I know BUT it clearly states MIS adventure of the Bailey girls!!!

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Living Out Loud

2011-11-17T07:09:00.000-08:00

I have been wrestling lately with the concept - I have had a TON of changes over the past year and a half - closed my store, moved (into an apt WITH my mother), gotten a new job and a few others...when i began this journey - these were not places i saw myself EVER - it's hard to be GULP 38 and starting over - Annie has had some health set backs which has led to both of us having frustrations....

I feel like i have to "contain" myself because in this day and age everyone is watching and EVERYONE is judging....I am constantly thinking "should i say that?" "will it offend anyone?" "did someone get left out?" "did they get my tone"" "what if people get mad or don't approve?"

Can't i just put the friggin' picture up without worrying that someone is out of the loop or may take it the wrong way....or if my denaisms and profanity bother my CLOSEST 868+ friends on facebook....

Do I have to always be nice back when people aren't nice to me?

Do you really lose friends because A) they don't agree with what you say/did or
B) because they didn't bother to listen to the whole story?

Am i REALLY what I have and not who i am?

I guess when you have 850 friends to spare it's easy to just say f - it...it's the times

I (believe it or not) don't put the whole of my life on display - for several reasons - but the biggest one is - SOME OF IT'S MESSY - i have gotten to places that my heart is overjoyed with in ways that i'm NOT necessarily in like with...

Some of it I put in the "DENIAL PILE"

Annie is 7 and a half - legally blind, has epilepsy and my 4yo that could count to 20 in spanish, could recite my family tree, alphabet, shapes and was progressing is now not counting at all...can't distinguish shapes, count to 10 or say her abcs - is this permanent? Is it caused by epilipsy or medicine? and i've learned (the hard way - which is usually how i roll) that people don't want to know because it causes anxiety in their shiny lives....I know it does suck but mostly for ANNIE!!

So this is what I leave you with...if you are my FRIEND - I LOVE YOU to the MOON AND BACK - no matter what you have done, said or how you got where you are going...

AND PS ~ If you don't like it or you disagree you can A) not listen B) defriend me or C) talk about me to others but do NOT call, email, or write me telling me why you won't or don't because - I am taking my life back and LIVING OUT LOUD!!

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Twick or Tweat!

2011-11-17T06:15:00.001-08:00

Priss Pot decided she wanted to be a Princess for Halloween ~ she's a princess everyday ~ So here is Cinderella!!

Hope your night was filled with lots of treats!!!

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Pumpkin Carving

2011-11-10T07:56:00.001-08:00

I'm not sure why but Annie has been very into getting her picture taken lately - usually all I have to say is "you want me to take your picture to put on facebook?" I know it's sad but hey it works....So here we go to carve a pumpkin all dressed (with bow again I might add)!

Miss Priss all dressed up and ready for photo ops with the pumpkin! Where dat punkin and what we gonna do to it???

You would think I would take photo ops lessons from Annie and at least put some make up on - hahahaha..I figure after 5 years y'all have seen the good, the bad and yes, even the ugly!

Soooo....we thought Annie would like putting her hands in the pumpin and help pull out all the guts but after sticking her little hand in ~ she wanted NOTHING to do with it..hahaha

Here's the finished project! She loves her punkin and thinks he's bootiful!

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Happy Fall Y'all!!

2011-11-06T11:21:00.001-08:00

So we took Priss Pot to the Pumpkin Patch......she was SOOOO excited she even agreed to a bow in her hair ;) she had fallen at the lake so she's got a slight fat lip but it didn't slow her down one bit!

Wow - look at all the punkins - how will we ever choose???

We let her pick enough for everyone in her class...let me say A) there's only 5 kiddos in her class B) they are still on the floor in the living room - she just couldn't part with them

This is the one she picked for HERSELF...I really thought we'd have a fight to get her to leave but once she realized when we paid for them she could take them home and have them all to herself she was ready to roll!

We have been having a busy happy fall and hope y'all have too!!

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First Day of First Grade!

2011-10-25T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yes I know I am LATE - I am playing catch up because I've missed a lot and am having blogger's remorse!! So Annie started FIRST GRADE - where did all the baby time go (and with it went most of the smocked dresses)She had the same teacher for 2 years so moving on was a big deal!!

What does a sweet little girl have on her first day of school? Chocolate chip cookies - the breakfast of champions!

Waiting for the bus....she has NEVER been on a bus so this is new stuff - she's kind of excited.

It's here! It's here! As most of you know Annie is visually impaired so she is riding on a handicap bus...there are just a few kids on it - I must say it made me a little sad for her to not be riding with all the other kids and worried that people would make fun of her...but so far so good - Ms. Jessica and Ms. Buckey are wonderful!

One final glance back at mommy to make sure it's what she's supposed to be doing..I tell her to have a great first day!

And off she goes....she now wakes up excited to go catch the bus because it's "her bus" no anyone elses...I don't even have to shove her up the stairs!!
hahahhaha

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Gavin DeGraw ~ Train ~ Maroon 5

2011-08-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

Made my way to Charlotte to see Adam Levine with "the girls"
Jen, Me, Jamie and Berta....LOVE THEM

Clearly we were more concerned with the music, beer and shade - you don't have to see them to DaNcE!!!

Jen and our $11 beers (we may have had a FEW)

looks like a FEW other people thought it would be a good show too

That's my girl!!!!

I had an absolute blast at the concert - of course the music was FABULOUS but girls' night was awesome....we laughed, dance and of course drank!!! I can't wait to hang out with them again - they kept me LAUGHING!!!

PS - and i KNOW i always say this BUT i am feeling the need to start blogging again - there is LOTS going on and i need to keep everyone up to date and really truth be told I always have so much going on - i need a scrapbook reminder!!!

i've been missing everyone - blogging is still better than facebook!!!

MRI

2011-04-25T04:58:00.000-07:00

I think she thought we were there to play....

photo session

they gave her this sweet little bear to play with while she was being poked and prodded

I hate gettting blood taken - needles make me ill!

LOOK at this on my sweet baby's arm - wow - it was a lot of tubes

she was a brave little girl - she didn't like it on her arm but she didn't complain.....

TOO MUCH!

but then they gave her the sedative and she was OUT!

trying to wake up but not quite strong enough to lift her head!

Juice to make sure she was feeling alright

She walked out to the car all on her own (she looked a little tipsy and was VERY happy)

Most of you know that Annabelle has been diagnosed with epilepsy - her seizures are very minor in comparison - mostly they are slumps and baby tremors - usually triggered by being picked up (i have NO idea how that triggers them) we have been consulting with neurologists to get them under control and either have horrible side effects to the meds (she was in a fog and VERY whiney on keppra) or no great result getting them to stop - we are afraid they are going to cause memory loss and/or her ability to learn will be affected - after getting off of keppra she learned where the "A" on the braille writer is and moving on to the "N"!!!

soooooo we had an MRI done to try and figure out what is going on....I was very nervous considering they had to sedate her to get this done but the wonderful nurse on the phone reassured me that she would be ok and i could trust them so off we went - WOW were they right - the nurses were AMAZING - they were very patient with ME (annie was very good and calm) obviously i took lots of pictures. They knew what they were doing and how to do it with the least amount of trauma to Annie and me.....we were in and out in less than 2 hours! she was up and walking within 20 minutes of being out of sedation....we won't get the results of the MRI until we meet with the neurologist in May and can discuss what the next best route is but we have the MRI out of the way and I can't say enough about MUSC!!! it was wonderful (IF you can get past the fact that your sweet 7 yo with epilepsy has to have an mri - which i'm still a little miffed about)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T19:39:00.001-07:00

Annie watching Dora Egg Hunt while laughing outloud...

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Don't you wish your teacher was cool like...MINE!!!

2011-04-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Annabelle's sweet teacher said she needed to talk to me this morning - immediately i thought "Oh great - what did she do now?" and THIS is what she gave me - she is making picture quilts for all of the parents! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!?!?!?!?!

Look at my cutie pie....she is so sweet!

Her kindergarten graduation picture....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? how caYute is this picture?

Her first day of school...ahhhh

When she gave this to me i CRIED....it could be one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever gotten - she put a lot of work into this and loves these kiddos like they are her babies!

How amazing to have a wonderful teacher who loves me and my baby so much!!!

Thank you Ms. Caille - you ROCK!!!

What you say?

2011-03-28T19:11:00.001-07:00

So its a normal Monday night here at the Bailey house...a little Two and a Half Men on the tv - jenny mccarthy and charlie sheen come rolling down the stairs fighting next I hear "dat girl said beetch" - I didn't really pay attention and again "dat girl said beetch"
FINALLY it registers.... I said "um did you say BITCH?"
Annie says "yea...dats what da girl on the tv said"
OOOOMYLAWDY!!!!hahahaha
I had to explain that's what big girls say and its not appropriate for a little girl (sadly Annie knows what that means her mommy is sort of a potty mouth)

Just another day at the Baileys - HA!!!!

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LOST TOOTH (literally)

2011-03-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Annie was eating a Reese's Cup and Mom thought she had some chocolate on her tooth and went to clean it and found

the tooth was GONE.....

apparently we had lost her lost tooth....

I won't begin to tell you what the Grannie Nannie did to look for it

Alas, it's never been recovered!

And of course - a lost tooth calls for a celebration!!!

(we have since lost a second tooth that, you guessed it has never been seen)

I AM SEVEN !?!?!?!?!

2011-03-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

Um...the icing is THE best part and not one lick is to be missed!!!

Mmmmm....Pizza is GOOD (i think Rebekah is thinking - you gonna eat all of that?)
hahahahaha

I DO love a partay!!!

Please don't make me stop eating for a photo op!!!

Christian thinks pepperoni is best!

That girl DO love her grannie!!!

You want me to wipe ALL of that goodness OFF?!?!?!?!?!

HOLY MOLY - where has the time gone??? I turned around and my baby turned SEVEN!!!
Although there are days when I feel time drags on the next thing I know it's ANOTHER birthday - As most of you know it's been a CRAZY year with LOTS of changes so I decided not to have a big to-doo....We had a PIZZA PARTY at school on Valentine's Day to celebrate Annie's big birthday...(her birthday is Feb 13th)

WOW! the kids went crazy - they were soooo very excited for pizza and cupcakes! Annie had a great time and was thrilled that her Grannie and Mommy came to celebrate with her at school...5 kids went through 2 large pizzas (no i didn't have ONE bite)

Her teachers were fabulous to let us come celebrate at school!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG GIRL!!!!

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Thanksgiving

2010-11-28T16:05:00.001-08:00

There is going to be a whole blog just about this cutie! One of the newest additions to our family! Mary Nicole Buckley "Mary Cole"
OMG - We LOVE HER!!!

I think she likes mash potatoes...YUM (I may have snuck her some)

This is our other newest addition - Kelsey Gail Bailey (I will fill the pages with these precious ones)
Annie just LOVES her cousins! She likes to sit criss cross apple sauce and hold her babies!!

Our Thanksgiving was filled with lots of food, fun and laughter - it is a great day to remember our many blessings of the year!

Kelsy and Mary Cole are by far our best and favorite blessings of the year!!!!

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Ethnicity....Race???

2010-11-22T18:47:00.001-08:00

This morning mom handed me a piece of paper to fill out before I took Annie to school. It was a "race/ethnicity" census...

Did you know that there are now only 5 RACES - White/Black/Asian/Native American/Pacific Islander

An ethnic group (or ethnicity) is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, consisting of a common language, a common culture (often including a shared religion) and a tradition of common ancestry (corresponding to a history of endogamy).

Apparently Hispanic/Latino is now an ethnic group, a culture so to speak....

So I checked white because I didn't know what else to do - none of the others seemed appropriate... And does that now mean she doesn't qualify for affirmative action? or did she ever?

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2010-11-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have not forgotten about my new promise of blogging...I have hit a small speed bump is all. Apparently in the moves I have lost the cords to BOTH my blackberry and camera uploaders. CURSES!!! There is much to catch up on and lots of great moments to review - I hesitate to upload partial pictures because i am afraid i will get lazy and not come back to make the extra effort...

here's a sneak peek :)

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Thanksgiving Feast at Annie's School

2010-11-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

Princess Eternal Sunshine
(hahaha - clearly she has her teachers fooled)
this is the turkey that her class made all the feathers for!

This her super cutie class - they did a "Tom the Turkey Rap Song"
Annie didn't sing...she was a little shy

I have NO idea what she was doing (my guess bossing me around)

We are very blessed to have such an amazing school filled with wonderful teachers and students...LOTS of her classmates wanted to talk to us and they are all very inclusive, kind and loving!!!

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Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-17T18:19:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Ice Cream 'Stache!

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WordLESS Wednesday!

2010-11-10T19:21:00.001-08:00

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Thanksgiving Devon Forest Style!!

2010-04-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Annie's school had a Thanksgiving Day feast at the school cafeteria and then a sweet program in her class..

we enjoyed turkey, dressing, mash potatoes, green beans and a roll (it was actually good - i shared annie's cause mama don't do cafeteria food)

Here is my little Indian Princess...She was sooo stinking precious and actually kept her outfit on!

Ok - so I know it's WAY past Thanksgiving but i have to catch up the ONLY scrapbook this poor child of mine will ever have (so far I suck) so....

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Halloween Party!

2010-03-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

what a cutie - the spider matched the one on her dress! she has the most precious teacher and class...i heart them!

OMG - this little princess LOVES Annie (they actually get in trouble for talking in class) she is very chatty and i wanted to put her in my car and take her home with us! (i think her mommy would have been mad)

They had 10 stations with different crafts to do from face painting to decorating cookie - making spider hats...all manned by parents - i was extremely happy with the parent participation - not every class is that blessed!!

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Back to BLOGGING!!

2010-03-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

EVEN SHE'S BEEN BORED!!!

As you can see - I have not been blogging for quite some time - SOOO - it is time to catch up - please forgive the order these events might come in I am going to do my best and even back date them - it's really a scrapbook for annie because my SIX YEARS of stuff in a drawer has done nothing!!! We have missed you!

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GO TIGERS!

2009-09-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Its football season y'all! That means Tigers all the way! It was purple day in Annie's kindergarten class it also happened to be first game Friday!!! We took care of both at once!!!
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Happy 3rd Birthday Reeser!!

2009-08-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday was the Reeser's birthday party! What a great time!!! Jumpie Castle - an tennis shoe that was a basketball hoop game (I made one basket - that's pretty sad since it is made for kids) - ALL of our fun friends were there! We even got to see Sugar!! I just can't believe Reese is 3 - the time has flown by but she also seems like such a big girl...happy birthday sweet girl! We heart you!!!
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Dora

2009-08-16T18:50:00.000-07:00

I'm so sneaky - you weren't suppose to take a camera but really it's Dora - Annie's FAVORITE!

The girls shared a seat the second half - I just love their little faces and hearing them chat and giggle!!

It's NOT a "concert" without cotton candy - Aunt LeLe always buys it for her and she is spoiled but hey - it's fluffy sugar who wouldn't be....

The girls were soooo excited when we got there!!

LOOK at them!!! That Reeser and Annie riding in the car holding hands...Annie will tell you that Reeser is her little sister and Abby is her best priend eber!

So FINALLY Dora Live came to town - we have gotten to see some fun things but Dora is our absolute fave! So Leslie, Buffie, Joni and I took all the girls - it was a BLAST....we had gotten 4th row tickets (hey it's Dora) and it was ever so slightly cute when Les pouted that they had put out an extra couple rows ;)

4th row tickets to Dora $45 each
Pink Dora T-shirt $20 bucks
Cotton candy, pretzel and water $20
2 hours with our cute girls at DORA - PRICELESS!!!

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THE BIG SALE!

2009-07-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

SATURDAY, JULY 11TH

8AM until 11AM

60% OFF SUMMER CLOTHES
40% OFF SUMMER SHOES

11AM until 2PM
50% OFF SUMMER CLOTHES
30% OFF SUMMER SHOES

2PM until 5PM
40% OFF SUMMER CLOTHING
20% SUMMER SHOES

COME IN EARLY AND SAVE!!!

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Summertime and Girly Days!!

2009-06-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Annie and Mommy decided to go to the pool for some sun....she's obviously been "sunning before"

UM is Little Miss Priss checking out the boys??

She said "that was a good picture Mommy"

So of course on the way home - because we've been to the pool and pool equals PARTY we MUST stop and get a birthday cake to make!

Annie stirred it all by herself (no we don't have a beater - I'm NOT that domestic)

So she must taste the batter to make sure it's JUST right!

Pat a cake pat a cake bakers man....

I must admit - I took it out of the pan too soon (it fell apart) but it l fixed it with funfetti!

I take that as a YUMMMMMYYYYY!!!!

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SALE SALE SALE!!!

2009-06-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

GO TO THE PINK CROCODILE

and SAVE SAVE SAVE - I have put MOST of my End of the Season Clothes up (will add more) 30% OFF CLOTHING and 40% OFF BATHING SUITS

there are LOTS of cute boy suits I have to upload them!!!

Call (843)821-1889 or email me thepinkcroc@yahoo.com

HAPPY HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

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Pool Party! Its all fun and games until EMS is called!

2009-06-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday was the last day of school here so our sweet friend Miss Jen called....impromptu POOL PARTY!! 4 moms - 8 kids!!! Annie was sooo excited - she thinks every party is a BIRTHDAY PARTY so we had to stop and buy a CAKE!!! Bathing suits and off we went! Annie was a little apprehensive about being in a float (it was her first time - I know I'm over protective) Once she got the hang of it - watch out!!! She was all over that pool (with me following) she had a BLAST! She was sooooo cute I just couldn't stand myself. She decided it was time to get out - as soon as we got out - I started itching - thankfully I knew what might happen so we got prepared.... Hives everywhere - I am HIGHLY allergic to one particular ant - so apparently I had gotten bit...won't go into the details - EMS shows up - ER for a few hours while pumped with fluid (FYI - Pepcid is awesome for hives) I get home and Annie and GranDennis are waiting on me - ant bites all over their faces! Hahahahahahaha!
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Moving On....

2009-06-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

So some of my FB friends should already know but for all of my bloggie friends... WE ARE MOVING!
Yes...the girl that loves her town like no other is leaving....
As most of you know Annie has low vision, her school is precious but she will be mainstreamed after 5th grade (yes I'm a planner) which in this area isn't my favorite idea so mother and I have been discussing our options. A few weeks ago we went to Spartanburg to look at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind..great campus, cute town but now exactly what we had in mind.
Next we road tripped to St. Augustine to visit the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind (2 schools one campus)
IT ROCKED! The campus is gorgeous...the blind children do archery and canoe in the intercoastal (which the campus is on) the teachers were amazing, the technology .... I was done when I walked into the library...I wanted to sit down and cry from joy! It is the PERFECT place for my princess to grow and thrive!
Did I mention its a very cute town and the beaches??? We went to the beach TWICE on Saturday...from the hotel to parked on the beach in 10 minutes!!! Annie LOVED it!
Sooooo..please pray for us that the Lord works in a timely manner..we've got to sell my house, my store, our lakehouse, my Moms house and maybe my car (the roads are tiny) before we go...I would love to be there for Annie to start school next year!
Of course this means more blogging to keep up with everyone!!
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HOORAY! I'm a member of STITCH and BITCH!!

2009-05-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

Soooo Leslie's got me hooked!!! As a Happy Birthday to me - I went out and got a new sewing machine (thanks me and mom) - of course I had to get some fabric! I am IN LOVE with fabric!!!
And for my birthday - Leslie got me a super fun sewing basket (that has already been to the lake) FILLED with all sorts of sewing surcies!!! I couldn't wait to break it in...I packed it up for my family lake weekend and voila!!! LOOK what I made!!!! Mom had to help me put it together (I had forgotten) with the chaos all around (there were ten people) it took a long time but it was soooo fun and its SOOO very very cute!!! Its my first solo project!!!!
Now if I can just learn how to read a pattern! Hahahah - poor leslie, she's in for it now!!!
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Ooops! Pictures here see story below!

2009-05-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

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OMG...Look what I did!!!!

2009-05-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

Leslie made Annie this super cute tshirt with a PINK crocodile...she even has a bow in her hair!!!
But we didn't have anything that she could wear with it (we only have dresses or sets) so Leslie ordered fabric and came over and look what I MADE (yes made) Les made the pattern, I cut them out and sewed them together!!! I LOVED it!!! I need to finish them and then on to the next project!!
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Ice Cream Truck

2009-04-27T21:34:00.000-07:00

Annabelle and I were at home with the door open - she was "chalking" on the stoop - I was watching TV when I heard it....the ICE CREAM TRUCK!!! I ran outside to see where it was - I asked Annie if she had ever gotten ice cream from a truck....she hadn't!!! SOOOO we grabbed some $$$ and off we went! We had the best time waiting on the truck...listening to all the good music and getting excited! We got a Dora popsicle and a cherry screwball with TWO gumballs!!! As you can see Annie ended up eating mine! It was a super fun experience although Dora melted in the fridge! We can't wait to do it again!!!
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Ice Cream Truck

2009-04-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite events of the year is the Wee Wimberlys Annual Easter Egg Hunt! It is so fun and all of our priends are there...
It was time to get ready for the big event and Annie was excited to get in her outfit so I took a minute to try some new clothes on her to see how they fit...she loved the first one so I pushed my luck and went to the next one - it was a HIT!!! So I decided to get her ready , um, well she loved her new crab dress so much she REFUSED to change into her bunny outfit! After several tries - gave into the fact - saw it as a perfect opportunity to try a big bow and off we went!
We had the best time hunting eggs, eating a fantastic picnic lunch, watching pinata fun and seeing the easter bunny!!!! We have the best priends eber!!!
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Chalking

2009-04-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

On Tuesdays, Abby and I go pick Annie up from school. I ask what they want to do and usually hear "go play at home" so off we go. Their newest obsession is "chalking on the stoop" - FYI a container of sidewalk chalk gives HOURS of entertainment/peace.
So they were outside "chalking" when I hear Abby "come take our picture" so off I go with my phone and here it is!!! My two FAVORITE girls chalking it up!!!!
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Pretend Princess Birthday Party!!

2009-03-27T15:04:00.000-07:00

I took the girls to a party shop for a few things for work - as we were roaming the aisles Abby and Annie decided to pick a few essentials up - they had birthday princess hats, confetti and balloons....Abby said "let's have a pretend birfday party" so we grabbed stickers, poster board and off we went! So both Abbys and Annie had their party! I never ever ever get tired of hearing those laughs!!!!! As you can see the partay was a HUGE hit!!!! Next time I am making a cake and all the trimmings!!!!! I LOVE me some little princesses!!!
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They grow so fast!

2009-03-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

I actually cried tonight...Annie has been saying tomorrno since she could speak and tonight she said tomorrow! I am DEVASTATED!

She also went to sleep in her new shoes tonight so she can "wear her shoes to school" in the morning - hahahahahaha!!!

She is growing up so fast, part of it makes me sad but I must say she is the coolest kid eveh!
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Princess Annie's 5th Birthday!!!

2009-02-26T09:06:00.000-08:00

Cinderella came to visit with all the newly crowned Princess and Court...
It was Bibity Bobity Precious! They learned how to curtsy, wave and twirl
They had makeup and crowns....

Snow White and Mommy at the "tea table" singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

My two precious Princesses - Annie and her best friend Abby!! They were sooo cute!

This was THE CUTEST party EVAH - I am trying to upload pictures from my camera but the dang card reader - ARRGGGHHH!!!

I can't believe my precious little girl is FIVE!!!

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Fun Random Uploads

2009-01-22T20:05:00.000-08:00

My 10 year HS reunion

Emily, Terra, Caroline and I the night before Em's Wedding

Me rockin the smock

Girls Night out for my Birthday

80s Prom Party!!! Obviously I was Prom Queen (No one voted - I just assumed)

I am going to Hotlanta for work but have a HUGE stack of pictures to scan!!! Be back soon - I mean twice in one week...getting better!

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SORRY

2009-01-17T13:59:00.001-08:00

I will be back!

I have been hanging with the most beautiful girl in da world!

Obviously been to Clemson a few times!

I've been chilling with my Olivia (Sugar's daughter - i haven't been gone THAT long)

And spending time with my sweetest cutest girls!

I hate not being able to "find" the time to blog - between Facebook, work and Annie I have never been so busy and accomplished nothing...I am missing ALL of you!!

I also uploaded new arrivals to The Pink Crocodile go check it out spring is the best ever!

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Just saying hi!!

2008-11-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

We just wanted to say hi! I am finally looking at computers for the house so soon I should be able to catch up with everyone!!!
We miss y'all!!!
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Dubose Pictures

2008-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hooray!!!!

We had our Dubose pictures done and last year they were so cute but her HAIR was a disaster! This year I was prepared - So now I have to decide which one - these are my 2 favorites but you can go to the website and let me know!
*Keep in mind Annie's vision - so a straight look into the camera is not important*

DuBose Blakeney

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OH ME - OH MY!

2008-10-17T10:12:00.001-07:00

Remember Us???

We have been busy - we went with our cousin Sherry to the children's museum and of course Annie had a blast!

She LOVES to shop - the mini Publix - she loaded and unloaded AT LEAST 20 times!

Her buggy tipped over TWICE because it had toooo much stuff!

Then we went with Sherry and Patty to Basil (our favorite Thai restaurant) for dinner - YUMMMMMMY! Annabelle carried the leftovers (she may have dropped them a few times but they were yummy the next day)

We will be updating more now - we have LOTS to catch you up on!

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BEDTIME BOOTCAMP

2008-10-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

Leslie came over to help me get Annie sleeping in her very own bed!!! It was a rough first night but now its going like gangbusters! THANKS Leslie - tonight Annie actually asked me to leave! Awesome!
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Backyardigans!!!

2008-09-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

So we took the ENTIRE CREW to see the Backyardigans! Our cameras got nabbed at the door but somehow Susie got hers in so this is the lone picture!
I am now more convinced than EVER that people who come up with children's shows are on drugs! Hahahahahhahah!!!!

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FFF - OH BABY!

2008-09-05T06:58:00.001-07:00

Who are you - and WHY are you talking so funny??
(on one of my trips to visit)

My baby shower - Mama got to have a glass of wine - now that's a baby shower

Annie and her Aunt LeLe - this was her announcement picture (POOR LeLe I cropped her out)

She has always had THE best facial expressions - she never needs to talk - the look says it ALL!!!

This was her room as it sat waiting on her to come home!!!!

Baby Oh Baby - We sure are some UBER BLESSED MAMAS!!!!

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GO TIGERS!!!

2008-08-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

So football season starts THIS weekend!!! We are sooooo excited!
GO TIGERS GO!!!
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IMG00143.jpg

2008-08-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Look who can BLOG from her PHONE!!! I am oh sooooo excited! Now if I can leave comments - it has NOT been working and with Annie is school I am not near a computer! I MISS EVERYONE!!!
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Hotlanta - The Buying Trip!

2008-08-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

Susie was working at the show! It was FUN!!! She helped us weed through the not so great stuff!

THIS was my FAVORITE outfit!!! SOOO CUTE!!!

We got some hats to go with bathing suits!

AND - I got a DRESS named after me -
It's officially called THE DENA!!!
I loved it sooo much i bought it in THREE colors ( i am certain the Dena was one of the fastest sellers) LOVEIT!

How sad there are NO pictures of Leslie and I on the trip - she is a GREAT help and is the BEST travel companion!! She's ALL work and dinner - which is the bomb!!!
Thanks for going with me - I LOVE trips with you!!!!

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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

2008-08-18T09:58:00.001-07:00

Ready for her BIG first day! She picked out her first day outfit!

She JUST figured out what was going on.....

She said "Mommy - I don't want to go to school!"

Is THAT pitiful or what - broke my heart (I went back 5 minutes later to check on her and she was sitting pretty waiting on Ms. Sibby to bring her breakfast)
Another year begins - where did the summer go???? Praise God I am blessed with two amazing teachers! Can't wait to see what Annie says about her first day!!!!

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THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE FAB!!!

2008-08-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

OLIVIA NEIL JEFFCOAT!!!
went on her first girls night out - Dinner, Drinks (even for her) and a Movie!!!
Her Auntie Dena LOVES her soooo soooo much!

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BLOGGIE BUDS!!!

2008-07-31T08:44:00.001-07:00

I was in the office when I heard the bell ring - I walked out and WHO DID I SEE???
Margaret and Emma Claire from SO Happily Us -
They were in town and stopped by for a VISIT!!! It was sooo much fun and I FINALLY got to love on Emma Claire - I was sad Grayson didn't make the trip but it was girls' only fun!!!!

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Jonah and the Whale

2008-07-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

SUGAR had Olivia Neil on the 22nd - her mom had a week off and since she had a C section LES thought it would be a good idea if we each took a boy (she has 3 of those) it is MY week to work (kay on vacation) - so i said NO KIDS for me!
Buffie out of town - Claire gots 5 at her house - so that left me and Les - YIKES!!
So Les says she will watch them during the day and I will have JONAH for night shift - Needless to say - I WORRIED about how I would sleep - manage to work and help out - I was stressed and a little bit#!y - So last night I went over to Les after work - it was CRAZY and LOUD (Annie is quiet) so I was DREADING my shift -
Needless to say we had a BLAST!!! He was cute snuggly and FUNNYYYY!!! So now I want ONE more BABY - Girl or BOY!!!!
I KNOW I am NOT a whale - but it was a FUN title!!

*Sugar - you may only have 3 kids - I keepin Jonah*

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FFF

2008-07-25T12:57:00.001-07:00

Camera Fixed - CHECK
Cutest kid on Earht - CHECK CHECK!!!!

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How FUNKY is your chicken!

2008-07-17T07:47:00.001-07:00

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Da Yake!

2008-07-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

We were at the lake this weekend and my friend Ben stopped by on the jet ski to see if Annie and I wanted to go on the boat! So off we went - Annie got a new halter life jacket - we stopped in the middle of the lake to swim and Annie didn't want to but then Noelle (another 4 yo) was splashing so she HAD to go tooo! So it was her FIRST time in the middle of the lake and she had a BLAST! she squealed and swam - It was SOOO much fun!!! She didn't want to go home but we rode back on a jet ski so she said she was ready! she had NEVER been on one before! It was FUN!!! Ben didn't drive too fast and she was sandwiched between us - Her dress did fly off the ski and we had to fish it out the lake (it was a little short - but I knew Les would kill me)

It was a GREAT day!!! THANKS Mr. Ben - you soo fun!

my camera is back and working but i didn't have it on the boat - so this is an old photo!

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FFF

2008-07-11T07:02:00.001-07:00

RED WHITE AND BLUE!!!

Look at my little American on her FIRST 4th of July!

And Look how big she has gotten!! But still OH SO CUTE in her RED WHITE AND BLUE!!
(It's the blackberry camera - so it's not great)

Camera will be back TOMORROW so get ready for a blogging FRENZY! I can't believe its been almost TWO weeks!!!

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PICASSO!!!!

2008-07-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Look who got a new art easel!

I see art lessons in her future - Jackson Pollack MOVE OVER!

ps - it appears my camera is fixed and will be in my hands soon!!!!
CAN I GET AN AMEN!!!

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-06-27T07:15:00.001-07:00

SUMMER LOVIN'!!!

Sprinkler Fun!!!

Lunching Ladies

To cool for da pool!

Dinner Parties

And just Monkeying around!

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The Story of My Adoption

2008-06-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

So I have had several bloggie friends mention wanting to know the story of how I came to adopt - so here it goes!

I remember being downtown Charleston during Christmas at the Omni Hotel (it's fancy and full of shops ) probably on my way to Laura Ashley - around the corner came the CUTEST family I had EVER seen - it was a tres posh mom and dad with the most beautiful little girl - she was Chinese and looked nothing like them and they were laughing and so full of joy - I knew RIGHT then I wanted to adopt - I really went home at 10 or 11 and told my parents when I grew up I was going to adopt a little girl from China - I just knew that my family wouldn't be complete without it!
Fast forward 16 years - I am on the verge of getting married - Kevin and I had discussed our family situation - and that was the plan - we would have one baby - if it was a girl - I could decide if we wanted to adopt or not - if it was a boy - adoption was NOT an option! Several years and lots of trying later - neither our marriage or our plan for children worked
I had always said I wanted my babies by the time I was 30 (I lost my dad when I was 25 and right before my wedding)
So I bought my house in July - got my divorce in November and in February had my first meeting with my social worker - I had started doing research and realized that China was probably not going to work for me because of length of referral time, I didn't have the input and the travel - My social worker thought I should go to Russia because the baby would look like me - I didn't want to travel twice and I was concerned about fetal alcohol syndrome - so i suggested Guatemala because it was close - they were in foster care and they were not prone to alcohol syndrome!

I picked an agency out of Simpsonville, SC and off I went - They sent me a referral picture of Annie and it was sooo strange - she looked JUST like me when I was little
I knew the instant I saw her face - I said YES and NEVER looked back!
I turned 30 in May -
I went to visit her in June when she was 4 months old - I went to visit when she was 6 months old and thinking I would be back in a few weeks (that's another story) went to pick her up at 9 months old - We flew into Charleston Airport at 11:15PM on November 17th and as we walked off the plane - My friends had come to SURPRISE me at the airport! it was awesome - off we went the next day to work and the rest they say is history!

I would LOVE to adopt again and am have been on the verge several times in the last 4 years - I have been asked numerous times
"Don't you want a baby that looks like you?"
I really could care less if they look like me (probably better if they don't :)
"Don't you want the experience of child birth"
Uh - NO NO NO

I say "Do you know how many children don't have homes and are starving for love and parents?" "Could there be any greater joy in life than looking at YOUR child no matter how they came to be yours?"

Adoption is BY FAR the greatest experience God has EVER blessed me with and to say I have been blessed in life would be the understatement of the world!

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Weekend Update!

2008-06-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

Mom's Night Out - Fonduely Yours! We went and had fondue - I think the cheese was my FAVORITE!!! Well maybe the white chocolate too! It is always sooo much fun to have some girlie time!!!

Next up BABY SHOWER!!! Hooray - it's a GIRL for Sugar (it's also #4 in as many years)
the other 3 are boys so we are OH SO EXCITED that Olivia is on her way!!!!

We really do look for any excuse (this one is great) to get together and have FUN FUN FUN!!!

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Hit your knees and PRAY!

2008-06-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

This SUPER SWEET Eliana is in Guatemala waiting on her precious parents and she is SICK! She is in the HOSPITAL! And she had a ROUGH night! Pray for her fragile body and that her parents can get there ASAP to be by their beautiful daughter's side!
Lindsey and Chris Wheeler - stop by their blog and let them know you are PRAYING!

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-06-20T08:37:00.000-07:00

Significant Other

As most of you know I too am a single mommy! So I have many significant others (MY GIRLFRIENDS) there are too too many to show so I thought I would show Annie's significant - Her BEST FRIEND ABBY!!! She is my best friend, Leslie's little girl - so these girls spend LOTS of time together! Annie says as soon as she hears her "it's my best priend ABBBBBBYYYYY!!!" she talks to her on her "cell" phone - asks if she can go everywhere! they have soooo much fun!

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SCORE!

2008-06-18T13:35:00.001-07:00

DARBY will be SOOO proud!

I have been talking about wanting a bike to ride around town with annie ~ good exercise and it's fun! Well as most of you know "cost conscience" isn't my thing - so I was telling my mom and she said "we've got bikes here"
This bike was FOUND at a Cracker Barrel (of course) I guess it had fallen off someone's camper/truck/car - So I have decided to call it my own - It's already been on it's maiden voyage! Now all it needs is a kid carrier, basket and radio and I am GOOD TO GO!!!

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Practicing

2008-06-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Annie LOVES her babies - so she wanted to "stroll" into town with one of the babies and take her to The Pink Croc to pick out a new dress (we have doll clothes) so off we go - she was precious - she couldn't keep the stroller straight and as you can see needed to stop for a break - she learned it's hard work! She tried to get me to push the baby home! hahahahahaha

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-06-13T06:41:00.000-07:00

BLOOPERS!

WOOOPS - SMILE FOR DA CAMERA - OR NOT!!!

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2008-06-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

Hummingbird - the first and FAVORITE drink of the cruise!

Dinner for seven please! (maybe next time i will dry my hair before dinner)

Waiting on the boat to Blackbeard Cay for snorkeling with the stingrays and hanging on da beach with yellowbirds!

Dinner darling - I was having tooo much fun to bother with my hair any night!

Senor Frogs! Ole' is all we had to say - MORE Pictures to come!!!

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School's Out for Summa!

2008-06-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Until NEXT week - Annie is doing summer school/camp!

They had their end of the year partay yesterday!

With PIZZA! Aren't they precious!!!!

End of the year gifts!

Thanks Kay for putting their names on sooo pretty!

4 girls and 1 boy - Monty is leaving us to go to big boy school!

this is annie's super cute class room

this fancy thing is a braille writer - annie's little fingers aren't quite strong enough to push all the buttons!

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Let's Talk about SEX baby!

2008-06-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

AND THE CITY - SOOO FUN!

We met for apps and drinks at our new favorite hang - I tried to gear the mommy conversation toward SEX (the movie - gutter mind) but it swayed toward Victoria Secret and Fredericks - I guess that's what cosmos and girl talk will get ya!

The on to the movie where fortunately we all had tickets so we grabbed seats and POPCORN as you can see and sat back and laughed (and cried a bit) for 2.5 hours!

GO SEE IT WITH YOUR GAL PALS!

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Hello Lovah!

2008-06-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

Guess What I got?

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-05-30T07:25:00.000-07:00

PAJAMA PARTY!

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Wordless Wednesday!

2008-05-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-05-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

So I KNOW there is only supposed be one but since yesterday was my birthday (35 - gulp) I thought I would share my faves from my day - We went on a boat ride complete with snacks and beverages to California Dreaming where we had dinner outside overlooking the water - the food was good but the company was the BEST! LeLe came all da way from Columbia to celebrate (she's glad I am catching up with her) and of course the fabness!! It was the best birthday trip EVER - and Les made my FAVORITE carrot cake cookies with a cream cheese middle - can you say YUMMMMMMMM!!!

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Weekend Wednesday!

2008-05-21T07:55:00.001-07:00

So I spent my Friday night hanging with the Wright girls - Kane and Les wanted to go visit baby Addison so I watch the girls for an hour (my a#$) but they DID bring pagoda! Can you say Fried RICE and as you can see - I taught The Reeser a new trick
SCREAMING - and she puts her hands in the air like she's on a roller coaster! It was OHO SOOOO worth it!

Saturday was Mom's Night Out - ALL I can say is RELISH - is DELISH! it was quite possibly the best meal I have had in a SUPAH long time! it was sooo fun - we sat outside and had cocktails (not les) apps and dinner - everyone loved theirs - my strip wa GONE! it is my new favorite restaurant!
Then on to swimsuit shopping - the girls now know how hard it is to find a suit for the big girls!

On the way home we decided to swing by our favorite dessert joint for one final hoorah before DA CRUISE - cause the next day we was all at the gym! hhahahahaha!

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Guess WHERE we are going????

2008-05-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

Can you say ..... DIRTY ISLAND???
To celebrate Claire's 30th Birthday (baby) her hubby is taking her on a cruise and was kind enough to invite her friends to tag along - and you know we love a trip!
So we set sail JUNE 6th!!!! HOOOOORAY!

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-05-16T07:04:00.001-07:00

FUN IN THE SUN!!!

It's OFFICIAL!

2008-05-15T08:15:00.000-07:00

It's A GIRL!

So I am now OFFICIALLY - the FOURTH SISTER - I mean I always knew I was but convincing them was a little trickier! But I am almost initiated - I do have a LONG list of rules and regulations but I think I am up for the challenge!!!

So here's to the BEST sisters in the world! Mari, Terri and Cheri
You just don't know how lucky YOU are! ahahahahaha!

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Wordless Wednesday!

2008-05-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

LOOK WHO WENT SHOPPIN'!!!

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-05-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

MOMMY and ME!

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Thursday Thirteen

2008-05-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

Today Is:
National Day Of Prayer
For The
Orphans Of Guatemala

There are THOUSANDS of Guatemalan Children stuck in government red tape waiting to come home to parents who are heartbroken they have to wait so much longer to bring home their babies! Please go to JuJu's blog for more info

Thirteen Reasons Adoption ROCKS!

1. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
2. No extra Baby weight - on the flip side -
you have no one to blame for those extra few!
3. No BREASTFEEDING
4. They are usually sleeping through the night - on the flip side they have usually slept with their foster moms - STILL trying to break that habit!
5. You get to choose the sex of your baby - THAT's AWESOME!
6. NO LABOR
7. You have this other family that you are connected to for life!
8. It is one of the greatest ways to be reminded of God's awesome love
9. NO stretch marks
10.All the cool kids are doing it - Hahaha - JK
11.There are SOOO many children that need great homes
12.You get to travel somewhere exotic and bring home the COOLEST souvenir!
13. It is SUCH a blessing!

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Wordless Wednesday!

2008-05-07T07:52:00.001-07:00

OLE'

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Weekend FUN!

2008-05-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

So the "Fab Four" (Les, Claire, Buffie and ME!) met for a girls' date on Friday Night- McDreamy was making his "Made of Honor" debut and it was on our MUST SEE list!

I will say this - It was SUPER CUTE! I would definitely go see it! The Fab have now added NYC and Scotland on their "Wish Trip List"

On Saturday - The Thrilling Three (that's our name when we are missing any of us) Buffie, Les and Me with kids in tow - went to the lake - Annie was there with the Grannie and was SOOO surprised when we showed up - we spent the day in the "hot tub pool" - The Reeser snuck in while I was in and Buffie and Les were standing there - she was sooo fast i didn't see her until she JUMPED in my lap! The kids had a BLAST although GranDennis had to change the water due to "doublestuff oreo clouding"
*NOTE* Oreos disintegrate in a hot tub -hahahahahahahaha!

Leslie had to leave me there because I had such a bad migraine I couldn't make the trip - I may need to clean the side of her car!

On Sunday - Annie and I had a relaxing day at the lake while the Thrilling Three
(Buffie, Claire and Les) had a cookout - I had to skip due to my grossness!

We hope your weekend was as fun!!!

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-05-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

HAVING A BALL!

This week - as many of you know we had Abby over for a slumber party - the girls had a blast - So on Wednesday night we went for a walk and when we got home decided to have our OWN slumber party - I made a palette
on the floor - My camera is still not fixed (I KNOW) so I used my camera phone for our fun fotos! We did manage to get some sleep - it was an early night (10ish) although - 3 weeks from the BIG 35 (YIKES) I woke up ACHY- I am getting tooo old to sleep on an inch thick mat on da floor!

I do love that little face but really - is there ANYTHING cuter than your precious one sleeping? they are angels - so peaceful!

I don't know how anyone can look into the face of their child and not believe that God is awesome!!!!

HAPPPPPPPY WEEEEKEND!

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Sleepover FUN!

2008-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

As most of you know - we are crazy at the Bailey Pad - so we decided to have a Monday Night sleepover with our bestest friend Abby! And wow - did I learn a lot!
I now know why Leslie's house is always a little messy! those girls were all over the place! As type A anal as I am I just couldn't keep up! I laughed ALL night - well until ONE AM - when they FINALLY went to sleep! I see BIG naps in their future!

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She's getting SOOO big!

2008-04-28T08:33:00.000-07:00

Last week Annie did two new things -

1. She has started climbing into the car and getting in her seat ALL by herself!
this may not be oooh la la to some of you but considering I am getting back aches from lifting her and she has low vision - this is a HUGE milestone!

2. I was getting ready the other morning and annie asked to watch Dora - I said sure I will turn it on in a sec - I went to do so and she said
"dats alright - I did it"
WOW - she had turned the TV on and pressed the PLAY button!!!!

Like she says " I getting bigger eberyday!"
is she ever! Now if we can just get her sleeping in her own bed!

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Thursday Thirteen

2008-04-24T07:29:00.001-07:00

Thirteen Things I Miss About My Daddy!

Charles Edward Davis

1. His Faith - he had this special ability to always do the right thing - even when the rest of the world didn't - he was the true form of prosperity - He ALWAYS gave to people - The stories of all he has done are still pouring in - He did it without anyone's knowledge because he was also humble! Mom and I live for the "Did you know Charlie gave me _____?" stories!

2. His Friends - He was a revolving door (which is where I get it from) - He thrived on his friends - he was always available and thoughtful. He had a bounty of friends.

3. Knowledge - If you could imagine it Daddy had done it or researched it - People would make appointments or drop by to ask his opinion on their next move, business, or major! He has been the decision behind multitudes of life changing ventures.

4. His Temperament - He was a glass half full man - He always saw the best in a bad situation - he was even keeled to a fault. I can't remember hearing him ever raise his voice to anyone (even when I did some stupid things)

5. His generosity - There wasn't anything that man wouldn't do for a friend in need!

6. His sense of humor - He was quite possibly on of the funniest people I have ever met - Naturally, that's where I get it! The world was his stage!

7. His sense of style - He traveled gangster style - he had his suits custom made for him - The man owned THREE tuxes - he wore a jacket everyday to work - he had hundreds of shoes! His closet looked like a store!

8. Christmas - Holidays were HUGE deals at our house - There were tremendou parties with HUNDREDS of people - it was the IT party of the year. There were senators, congressmen, tv stars, govenors - if you didn't get invited - you called Daddy who always said - "of course you are invited - I sent your invite out last week"
People knew daddy wouldn't say no!

9. His personality - He made friends wherever he went - If we were on a trip - Daddy would meet people and be bestest friends with them - we had people he met on cruises calling or coming to town to see him!

10. He could fix anything - he could work on a dry cleaning machine, a boat engine and everything in between.

11. Hobbies - He was always trying something new and we would have so much fun
One time he decided to train a fighter - so he and some friends got together and "bought" a fighter - they paid for his training, matches, and living expenses

12. Adventures - He LOVED an adventure - I have been on 20 cruises, Norway, I have sailed to the Bahamas on our boat "Charlie's Angels" spent 6 weeks sailing - been to Atlantic City - Mexico - Every Island known to man - That man wanted to see the work and I was his faithful companion - all of my friends wanted to go too - he took Em and I on a cruise every year!

13. My PARENTS - There is something awesome about having two parents - those of you who have lost one understand - We as a family have never recovered because one of the vital pieces is gone - ALL of my great memories in life have the THREE of us in them!

This is always the hardest week of the year at my house - My daddy's birthday is April 18th and he lost his very short battle against pancreatic cancer on April 24th

I say he is sitting with his friends at the black jack tables - laughing and winning every hand! I can only imagine he and the Lord became fast, best friends!

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Wordless Wednesday!

2008-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

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Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-04-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

SIBLING EDITION

Annie is an Only/Lonely - Poor thing has no siblings - so I am including some pictures of her foster family siblings - These are her foster mother, Isabel's daughter, grand kids, and then there is Sissy Georgia (our black lab)!

I often wonder if she has any siblings - I told my agency that if she did to please contact me because I would LOVE to adopt again - Well, the adoption didn't go as smoothly as it should - So I haven't had ANY contact whatsoever with the agency - I do have lots of contact with her foster mother and family - but they don't speak English (freetranslation.com)! It makes for interesting correspondence ~

Happy FRIDAY!

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Thursday Thirteen

2008-04-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Pictures I would have blogged if my camera weren't BROKEN!

1. Annie eating her first hamburger at the festival
2. The Coakley Clan, me and clients taking cooking lessons at Charleston Cooks
(I made pasta from scratch and the chef said I was very good)
3. Buffie, Lynn and I having lunch at the St. Paul's Tea Room
4. Annie, Abby, Reese and Carmelita the Cabbage Patch Kid having a tea party
5. Annie enjoying her first Guerin's hotdog (it's the old school pharmacy three doors down from the store)
6. The new super cute clothes that came in
7. Leigh Ann's visit
8. More than the ONE picture Les sent from the festival (it IS my favorite weekend)
9. Mary and Jack Lee with play washer and stove on their heads looking like NASA peeps
10. Sally Clarke walking!
11. All the junk I cleaned out of the closets
12. Annie singing to the 30 best bible songs
13. Annie at her sleepover!

Obviously y'all are missing out so for your sake - hahahaha - I am going to get my camera fixed - it won't power on!
Look at all we've missed out on!

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Favorite Foto Friday and Funny!

2008-04-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

Almost TWO years ago - my BEAUTIFUL friend, Christie got married - a fabulously hooplatastic wedding at THE RITZ in Philly! Wowsa! I had this gorgeous bridesmaid's dress that I have kept in my closet thinking maybe one day and really do you want to toss $250 bucks in the trash? And NO MATTER what the bride says (Les) you can't cut that purple taffeta dress off and wear it to a party - or the chocolate chiffon with fish tails - So I was spring cleaning and decided it's time - I took it to the DREAM center closet at church (thinking prom dress) As we were unloading the entire back of my car (I LOVE to get rid of clothes - bye bye diesel jeans I will NEVER fit in again) THIS is what happens!

I said "there's a bridesmaids dress in there"
girl said " don't tell me it's chocolate brown"
I say "sure is"
girl say " I am getting married in October and need just ONE dress"
I say " it's a size ____ "(insert guess here - not really - no comments guessing!)
she say " OMGravy - that's what size she wears"

So out of the closet it goes - into her office! LOVE IT!

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Thursday Thirteen

2008-04-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

So I have been tagged by Margaret for a little MeMe
I am suppose to list 10 -15 things you might not know about me so here's 13!

1. My middle name is Alayne - I am named after my aunt Rochelle
2. Annabelle Louise is named after my 3 grandmothers
Anna Marie
Virginia Belle Welch
Dorothy Louise
3. My dad ran for state house back in the 90s (he lost - sad)
4. My family owned Dry Cleaners for 35 years - Davis Modernize
5. Hence we didn't have a washer or dryer in our house
6. I didn't do a load of laundry until college
7. In college I lived in an apartment complex where I was the ONLY girl
8. I worked at TD's as a BAD waitress
9. My Big Sister (Go ZTA) owns Cupcake - it's a cupcake boutique downtown Charleston
10. My new obsession is Snoop Doggs Fatherhood - Who knew he was semi normal?
11. I DVR As the World Turns and General Hospital - it is sad but I watch tv to unwind
12. i drink 2 Mocha frappucinos a day - YUMMY!
13. I think i should have been/ be on Saturday Night Live! For some reason I think I am funny and could do much better skits than they do!

Would LOVE to hear at least ONE thing I don't know about you on my comments!

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