Day One

Another first day of school for us, one in Kindergarten, one in second grade. This was not only a new school year, but a new school, so we were all a bit nervous. We had met the teachers at open house, which I think I told you about, so they seemed pretty nice.

Well, of course, you can't go to school in the morning and not be running late, right? I mean, you all do that, right? Right? Well, mom and I had been up until after 2 a.m. Sunday night, because she was making gorilla bread, which, according to Paula Dean, kicks monkey bread's butt, and we agree...I was watching my Tivo'ed So You Think You Can Dance...I mean helping her make it. So we had a good reason to be running late, like dad didn't have the boys take showers the night before while mom was working, so mom had to take care of that, unknowingly this morning.

We had our gorilla bread, still warm from the night before...on the go. We pulled up to the school with five minutes to spare, which kind of sucked because it was like, "Here is your class, honey, remember that nice lady you spent five minutes with the other day? Good. You're cool, right? Okay, see ya later then." Turn around and leave. Kind of made me feel bad, but I wouldn't want them being singled out as the late kids the first day of school.

They seemed to have liked it. After I waited in line to pick them up for 35 minutes, that's right, hope they have that fixed by tomorrow, I pull up and see Jackson working the ladies and Dylan looking worried. Once in the safety of my car, they both expressed that they had good days, but Dylan thought being a car rider was "hard" because he didn't know where to go. Poor guy. Always worrying. Jackson said something about the three girls he made friends with. They compared notes about the playground, rattled off what they had for lunch and somewhere in there, I think they both mentioned that they had fun. This relieved me. This relieved their father, who was a military brat and has poor memories of having to change schools about the same time in life.

Tomorrow, I unfortunately have a meeting to go to, which will not allow me to drop off or pick up my children from school. Hopefully, my mother will be able to fill my shoes and adequately corral them to their classes. Dylan offered to walk Jackson down. He is so sweet. I am excited and think it will be a great school year. Hope all of yours was equally good today.

Ask me again when they get their first sad face or F and I will tell you how the school system is failing them.

While I am bragging about the boys, take a look at how big this girl is getting....


Malia

Potty Training again...

We are trying it again...this time with a little more success. She has gone peepee in the potty several times, but no poop. She went all day while we were running errands, she did wet in her pullups and make the princess hearts go away at all. As soon as she goes all the time in the potty, we can have a pee party and yes, you are all invited.

We had Open House last night and the boys got to meet the teachers at their new school. They seemed very nice, but I was a little concerned when Dylan's teacher said, "We haven't yet decided which reading program we are going to use....no, we are not going to use Saxon math anymore, we haven't decided how we are going to do the math yet." Hello people, school starts Monday! Shouldn't you know how and what you are going to teach the children? I mean I don't have a degree or anything, so I could be totally wrong on that one.

Speaking of degrees, I have decided that as soon as my co-worker and friend, Devin, finishes school, which should be in May, I am going to start back and try to go to West Georgia and get my teaching degree. I am excited and I plan to get it done so that I can have a freakin' career and I can quit worrying about the money.

Now, another school-related note, I keep hearing complaints about the kids clothes being so hard to find to go with dress code. Some examples were buying jeans without holes above the waist and that they were so hard to find. People, Levi's, which I believe are still cool, are available at any Target, department store and even Wal-mrat now. Then I have heard complaints about not being able to find loosefitting shirts for the girls. Puhlease!!! Either get a larger size if you feel like you can't find that style or hey, there are plenty of styles of shirts that are loose fitting! She will live if it doesn't say GAP! Oh and they can't find shorts that aren't too short for the dress code. So...if you seriously can't find shorts long enough...put them in capris. Thanks, that will be $100.00.

More later...maybe.

Malia

Crap!!!!

(The F word is going to be used just a little in this post....sorry ahead of time.)

You are not going to believe this. I actually started this post prepared to tell you that my car was broken...AGAIN. We had just spent $1360.00 on the car to have a head gasket replaced for the SECOND time in a two years. I then had to take it back because after they had torn it to peices and rebuilt it, it was idling funny. They decided it needed a new battery. I went and spent another $53.99 on a battery, but that didn't fix the problem, so I took it back a third time. They then told me that I needed to let it run at the same speed for at least 10 miles and this would reset the battery and also that I needed to add some fuel injection stuff. Did that. It runs better, but not like before. So, Sunday, after church, we headed to Super' Target' to buy some prayer journals. About the time we reached our destination, the car started running hot again. Now, when I first took it to them, I asked them to figure out what was making the car run hot and causing the head gasket to blow. I am thinking now that obviously they did not do their job. So yesterday, I took it across the street to the grocery store and it started running hot again, so I took it straight to the shop, left it running and took Emma and I inside and explained the situation. He said that they would look at it immediately. A few minutes later he comes out and tells me the head gasket may be blown again and that I should not have run it hot. Basically, he was getting onto me for something I didn't feel I had done. When it ran hot, not in the red, just hotter than normal, we took it straight home and I did not drive it again. He basically continued to blame me until he made me cry. I went outside and called my stepfather who knows cars better than I and about that time Wade showed up. A much nicer man then came out and explained the situation to us. He explained that the water pump was now leaking, which was a direct result of running the vehicle hot. I got a little bit hot myself then and told him again that I DID NOT run the damn car hot. He begins to explain that when it ran hot the first time, the damage was done because it can weaken the bolts, belts, blah, blah, blah, blah. My thinking is that if you know that it can happen, why didn't they check them to see if they had been weakened. Anyways, I was probably their worst nightmare, a blubbering girl who was in hysterics with her daughter who wouldn't shut up! So, my stepdad said, "Yeah, their right, it is probably the water pump!" The mechanic did tell me that the head gasket was not blown, they didn't think." Well, halleluah for freakin' small miracles!!!

So, that is what I was planning to blog to you about, but Wade just called and tells me that I am going to hear some news that I am not going to like. I am thinking, "What? Did someone die?" No, guess who's FUCKING water pump has gone out in his car?! UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE!!! I have no fucking money for this shit. So here I am, blubbering like an idiot again with my mom telling me that this is just life and it will all be okay! YEAH, WELL FUCK YOU!

Belated July 4th

Fourth of July was uneventful with the clan. The boys were not even with me and I had to work. The boys spent the night with my friend Devin and her son and they shot off their own fireworks. So, when I got home, Emma, Wade and I shot off a few so that it would feel somewhat like the Fourth to me. I actually did all the shooting and I had never done that before. Fun! Happy Belated Birthday America!

Get Dunked...

At work, I was coordinating a fund raiser for The Children's Miracle Network. For the final day, we rented a dunk tank, but I had it for the whole weekend. So, I towed it on home and me and the fam had some fun.....

No He Didn't....

See this man? I know, it is not a good picture, but I didn't want him to know that I was taking his picture, you know, like I was making fun of him on my blog. Let me set this up...Wade and I are sitting at the QT. We are sitting there discussing what he is going to get me to drink and we see this strange man walking up the sidewalk. Now, there is a QT employee and his girlfriend standing on the sidewalk talking while he is washing it off. We both noticed the man. We look him up and down. He has on a white page boy hat, a red 70s style western shirt with white detail and then....then, as you move on down, he has on short, like to the bottom of his booty cheek, chrocheted pink, orange and yellow shorts....that's right, crocheted. shorts. Not only that...but, you could see his wad. HIS WAD! As if that wasn't bad enough, yes, there is more, you move on down his body and he has matching crocheted socks with black sandals on. People...it was over 90 degrees that day. Now, around his crocheted shorts, and I believe you can see the two liter bottle in the picture above, he has a tool belt. The tool belt holds various items, a two liter soda, some pens, some tape, etc. I have now seen everything! The QT employee and I look up at each other and he shakes his head as I laugh. We wait for the man to come back out of the store, just so that I can take his picture to show you.

We have quite a few characters in our small town, there is Ms. Jessie, the crazy black lady in Hiram with her buggy, tamborine and stick. She likes to point and preach/cuss/yell at you as you drive by. I fear for her life. There is the Danicing Man seen in Dallas and Hiram with his IPOD on, always dancing and I mean getting it! There is Preacher Man, he comes into Kroger at least three nights a week always preaching about Jesus and how Kroger is going to Hell. I guess he is spreading the word and that is all that matters. Now we have The Walking Man, he in his crocheted shorts, whom I have now also seen in my store, wearing the same ensemble. He is seen in Dallas. People, don't drink the water here.

Malia

A Day at the Park

I joined Wade and the children at the park, usually Wade takes them while I am at work, so they showed me the ropes. We had initially gone to the Park of Dreams where Dylan proceeded to pitch a fit about sliding down the pole. See...he is not one to take risks. He is very level-headed and just takes things in stride and walks a straight line. So, it just is not logical to him to throw yourself onto a pole and plunge to the ground. Meanwhile Jackson takes a running jump onto the pole and plummets to the earth. I spent about five minutes with Dylan trying to force him down the pole. I gave up, but was determined that he was not going to. So then, Wade took over. I heard a lot of arguing, a lot of screaming (from Dylan) and a lot of yelling (from Wade). Finally, he went down the pole. Then there was a lot of "you did goods", "we're proud of yous" and such and such and so on....

Then....they all circle around me and want to show me a new park. "Okay", ...So, we begin to walk, and walk and walk and walk. My cute sandals were rubbing blisters on my big toe and I was starting to get dizzy. Finally, we come to a teeny, tiny little contraption of a park and the children start running everywhere saying, "Look mom, here it is!" "This is it, huh?" Wade then begins to make fun of all of my complaining. It was a lot of fun though. They got to see me run, which they find funny. We played hide and seek, freeze tag and Wade and Emma played "Catch me daddy". That's the one where he chases her and she acts all scared. I was glad I got to go and that they invited me.

The Gifts

Jackson had asked for Floam about six months ago when it first came out. (Gasp! I just realized I don't have a picture of the birthday boy on his birthday! For shame!) Anyways, this is what we got him, which was a shock to my mother. Emma has already discovered the Floam...and so has dad....

Two days in a row

I am off of work. I love having two days or more off in a row. It seems like I can get so much more accomplished. I wind up at the store anyway though. I should just move in there.


Malia

The Shadow Family

Malia

I Finished the Cake...

It took three weeks, but I finished it.


JUST KIDDING

I finished it two days after his birthday and I learned a very valuable lesson. Read all of the directions before you start a recipe. I had to make a run to the store a total of three times in the middle of making the cake. I had to stop several times because many steps included refrigerating a portion of the cake for several hours. Hello...the child got his cake TWO days after his birthday...TWO DAYS. So, without further ado...here is the cake.

So They Say It's Your Birthday...nah,nah,nah, nah, nah..

We celebrated Jackson's birthday and today, it was my turn. I had some surprising birthday wishes from people I didn't think would remember, including my brother, (shoot, I forgot to get his picture!) I figured it would pretty much be just another day since I had to work and since my birthday is kind of overshadowed now that Jackson's is right before mine, but I had some very special friends who made it a birthday to remember, from serenades over the intercom at work (several actually), to pizza, cookie cakes, gifts and surprise visits. Thanks to all who made it a special one. Love ya.


First, I ran some errands and then I had lunch with my friend Devin, my children and her son Braedyn. We ate some wonderful mexican food with lots of cheese dip, salsa and chips.

Being that it is now 1:53 a.m., I am going to put this day to bed. I will post more birthday pictures tomorrow, promising it will flow better, but for now, I have a headache. Hope you all had an equally wonderful day.

Malia

HNT 5

Pssst....

(This blog should be read entirely in a whisper)


Today is Jackson's 5th birthday. Five years ago today, I was in the worst pain of my life, pushing out a 10 lb. 1 oz baby boy with no epidural. Ouch! At that point, I didn't like him very much, but now, I am in love with this little man.



I am attempting, to make him a cake. My very first cake. It should look like this when I am done.
I will let you know how it turns out. Stop by and wish my little one a happy birthday.

Malia

Addicted

Yep, it is true! I am addicted! I have found old friends, people I didn't remember and even new friends... all via Myspace. Thanks to Rachael she has given me something new to pencil into my schedule. It has truly been an absolute joy to reconnect with some of my old buddies from way back before my Paulding County days. Though I am "like 85" according to my co-worker, I have connected with my younger co-workers because of Myspace. They are all now "my friends". It put me in a new "cool" category among those youngsters. Gotta run and check to see if I have any new friends to approve.

Malia

HNT 4

Malia

What a Horrible Weekend!!!

Guess. Who. I. Met!

Tonight, tonight at my store, guess. who. I. waited. on. Patty Loveless. Do you know who she is? She is only one of the greatest and best country singers ever. Thing is, I think I have seen her many times before in our store, but didn't really notice until tonight. So, here is the story. First let me note that I was way braver than my friend Rachael, who when she saw Julia Roberts in her store, yes, more known, but still, she didn't speak to her, nor did she touch her. Love ya, Rach, but I did better! So, here is what happened. This sweet looking housewife type came up to my desk and said that she wanted to exchange some orange soda that her husband had bought, but that it was the wrong kind. I told her to go get what she wanted so that I could exchange it out in the computer. I told her she could just stop back by after she did her shopping. She laughed and said she didn't have anymore shopping to do, that was it. She turned and went away. I thought, "She looks like Patty Loveless." I went on about my business.

I waited on a few customers and by that time, I had decided that she was indeed Patty Loveless and I remember that she lived in this county and it was a possibility, but I wanted to get a good look at her again.

Mrs. Loveless came up to someone else next to my desk and I quickly made her come to me with a, "I got her. Over here." She came over and I erxplaned that for inventory reasons I had to change everything out in the computer and I was sorry for the inconvenience." She said that was fine and explained again about her husband buying the wrong kind and also said that we did not have the kind that she had wanted.

Now, when you return something, they have to fill out a slip with the reason they are returning it and their CUSTOMER INFORMATION. I could see that she was struggling with it. By this time, I had decided that I was going to ask her if she was indeed Patty Loveless because I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to meet the most popular celebrity I had ever had the chance to lay eyes on. So once she signed her name, "Patty and then her married last name"

I tapped her little hand and I said, "You know who you look like?"

She gave her famous smirk and said, "Who?"

I said, "You look like Patty Loveless."

She smiled and smirked again and said, "You have a good eye."

I said, "It is very nice to meet you."

She said, "And your name is Malia?" She bent down closer to check out the name tag.

I said, "Yes m'am." (Oh My Gosh, she just said my name!)

We said goodbye and she then turned and walked away. I was playing all cool and collected and as she was leaving she turned around and said something to me, but it was illegible and she laughed. I figure she was talking about the way she looked or telling me not to tell anyone or something. I don't know. I think she looked great, like one of us. She was very sweet, very normal and very housewife.

The drinks that she returned...yeah, I bought them.

Malia

Sunny Days and the News

Yesterday, I went to a Bag Off. What's a Bag Off you ask? Well, I work as a supervisor in a grocery store and we had one of our courtesy clerks a.k.a., baggers, compete in a competition of the best baggers. He won in our division and went on yesterday to compete for state. Yes, state. He placed fourth or fifth, but we are still so proud of him. Yea! David!!!

We were on three news stations. Most of the coverage was of David and yes, me. It was fun.

Malia

I'm Late......HNT 4

Sorry...my mother was mad at me and she locked herself in the room that had the computer. Sounds juvenile, but...alas, it is true.

malia