If I had a Million Dollars

I love listening to music.  Thanks to modern technology (aka the DVD player in my car) I never get to listen to the radio.  Oh and my CD player (keeping old school here) --Drew put quarters in it back in 2009... One more issue--those awesome earphones that they can listen to the movie while you have the radio on...Sprite + Earphones = Disaster!

The Barenaked Ladies song "If I had a Million Dollars" is one that goes through my head alot!  We've been in a constant stage of renovations since April 2008.  I'd like to think that it will end-but I've come to the realization that it's just a part of home (and business) ownership.  We've come a long way with the house.

Before

After

Party Party Party

Tyler turned 10 last week!  Drew and Jac had a BIG time at his party on Saturday.

Things That Blogging Makes Me Do….

This post should coincide with throw back Thursday.  A few summers back everyone was doing it--everyone was blogging about it-- what was it.  TA DA:

I'm not a big polisher.  My toes have polish on in the summer but that's about it.  I'm not a manicure kinda girl.  I love pedicures--but I'm not going to the local shop to hang with the Baby Mamma's who are in there.  Think Medicaid and WIC - I ain't got no money for my kids medical attention and food-- but I've got money for my hair and nails!  So back to Essie.  I bought the Turquoise and Caicos while Trey and I were in Chicago.  I loved the polish so much that I later added a blue and magenta to  my collection.  I wonder what the Big Polish for Spring Summer 2014 will be--will it be a new brand? or just new colors from an old favorite?

Workout recap-We had company two evenings last week so I missed my Tuesday workout.  Monday-Thursday and Friday I had my workout with my trainer and ran 2 miles Monday -1 mile Thursday and Friday.  Sunday Jillian Michaels kicked my butt!  I was disappointed in myself-the first week of the month I was able to crank out 15 miles followed by 4.5 then 4.  I'm trying to redeem myself this week-Monday I ran 3 miles and Tuesday I ran 4.5 both days I worked out with my trainer afterwards.

Not in My Backyard!

I've been very preoccupied.  I live on the Main Street of my town.   I bought my house knowing that the funeral home as well as a Sole Practitioner Law Firm were across the street from me.  The house I lived in when we first got married had a small real estate firm in the front room.   I get it--we allow mixed use.  However, I did not intend on the zoning allowing a Commercial Operation--we're talking Sonic, Doctors Care, Walgreens.  Really?!?!?  My home is not under attack- the other end of Main Street is under attack.  I grew up in the Low Country--I can't even begin to imagine a 10,000 sf office building across from the Great Santini House!  This is a new territory for me-I just always assumed the Historic Preservation came in and saved the day.

The property under attack was home to the Community Center and Junior High.  Both Buildings burned to the ground.  Nothing has been rebuilt in their place and nothing should!  The proposal is for a 10,000 sf medical facility-complete with a Pharmacy, Laboratory, XRays, Community Room, etc.  All surrounded by homes less than 3000 sf.  We can only hope that our leaders do the right thing.

I hijacked this photo--Sharon Corey Freeman took it for the National Historic Preservation Flickr site.

I can't get the Pin but this quote sings to me:

"There may have been a time when preservation was about saving an old building here and there, but those days are gone. Preservation is in the business of saving communities and the values they embody."

- Richard Moe, President National Trust for Historic Preservation

TBT

Just reading up on Election Laws in SC

Go Big

So…all I'm going to say is I heart Southern Charm…heart heart heart!  It's all in good fun--reality--whatever!

And I'm still keeping it real--go big or go home:) 

Luckily I had a shower like three seconds after this photo was taken--throw up in your mouth at the smell.  I don't need Botox in this photo but I totally need Clearasil!

Things That Blogging Makes Me Do

I'm back.  We had company Monday night and Tuesday night-so there was no early morning coffee blogging time.  I promised I'd quit posting the 5 trillion crap photos my children take of themselves--it was cute the first few times-not.  However, I didn't promise not to post my selfies.  Everyone's doing it. It's a great way to pass the time….

when you're lost on the State Park Trail-the three mile run that turned into 6+

When little man is at the doctor and doesn't know he's about to get shots

when you're stopped by the train in McBee on the way home from another doctors appointment--and you decide that maybe you went too blonde

on the sixteen hour drive to Crockett

When little man doesn't want to go to sleep.

Driving..who knows where

on the road again...

We do have a house-I promise we're there sometimes!  I still want Botox for the lines between my eyes--mean dermatologist told me I don't need it--but I want it!!!  

Tis the Season

It's that time of year again!  It only comes around once a year!  DIXIE YOUTH BASEBALL.  We've signed Drew up for his second year.  Last year was t-ball but it ended up being more coach pitch.  Everyone got a turn, everyone ran the bases, everyone got a trophy.  I think this year they keep score but I'm not sure.  Our first practice was rained out this past Thursday.  This week they have practice from 5-7 on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.  I'm not sure that we'll make Tuesday because Drew is still playing in his Upward Soccer League.  Can I just say one thing--who can be anywhere at 5---isn't that when most people get off of work---ugh!!!  I'm thinking that I'm going to have to round up someone to get Drew there on time-I hate to throw that on Kayla-the field backs up to Highway 102 and there is no fence.  Jac=traffic=no fence=NIGHTMARE!

It's also Lent.  So I'll leave you with Drew hugging on Mary with his baseball uniform and trophy.

I didn't run yesterday.  I didn't clean the house.  I didn't do laundry.  We went to Drew's soccer game, went to Pizza Time in Bennettsville for lunch, then napped most of the afternoon.  Last night we practiced a little baseball (Drew hit and threw as a lefty last year but he rights with his right hand--you could tell he was really confused last year--so we think he'll be a righty this year.)  and had a fire pit outside.  I love drinking a glass of wine by the fire-so relaxing.  Losing this hour is rough-we're already late for church.

I Didn't Choose...

I see the shirts, signs, etc "I didn't choose blank, blank chose me"  I just Googled the origin and I believe it's from Tupac saying "I didn't choose thug life, thug life chose me."  My new motto is "I didn't choose the small town life, the small town life chose me".

I maybe had too much fun on Pinterest this morning--like almost wet my pants laughing fun!

I need to run this weekend--I overslept my workout yesterday even though I went to bed before 9-ugh!!!

Zoo Lights

Balance is a daily juggle in my life.  I feel guilty when I am stuck at the office until 7; however, my children are at home with a sitter who loves them-and the job I am stuck at pays for the house, sitter, etc.  Holidays are especially hectic.  Every year I think "this is the year"-I'll purchase all of the out of town presents before November or I'll get the Christmas tree up before we leave for Thanksgiving.  I'm wanting to make memories with my family, but not get too caught up that we don't enjoy the real reason.  I don't want to create a situation where we have to do the same thing year after year--I'm all for new experiences!  This year we took the boys to the Riverbank Zoo to see the zoo lights.  I thought they'd be so excited.  Two words-epic fail!  Zoo=Animals.  They didn't see the animals they wanted to see so they were angry about that.  (Luckily I did overhear other children complaining about the same thing, so I didn't feel like my kids were total brats.)

No trip to the Zoo is complete without the following:

Licking the Candy Cane

Acting innocent after trying to wake up the gorilla

My little monkey's being entertained by piking the lizard's nose

Shoving big brother

Whining to Daddy

Breaking the no entry rules

Dinner afterwards was quite the treat!  Imagine wound up and cranky boys-the joys of parenthood!

Workout recap:  Sunday I ran 3 wonderful miles in the beautiful weather followed by a 1 mile run with Drew.  That made my workouts were 4 days at the gym and a total mileage of 15 for last week.  This week I've been to the gym two times this week and have only cranked out 2.5 miles.  It's only Thursday:)

Things That Blogging Makes Me Do….

Reading blogs is such a stress reliever for me.  I have a window into other peoples lives.  If I don't like someone's opinions-I don't have to read their blog.  I don't need to change their opinion-it's theirs and they are allowed to have one and it's not my job to tear them down.  I find encouragement from other mothers of young children and I'm amazed at the older mothers who step in to lift others up!
I had started a Bible Study earlier this year.  It's turned into an epic fail on my end.  I've missed the last two sessions-both times because of work.  Drew has missed three out of his last four soccer practices yet again because of work.
So where is this leading-I decided to deactivate my Facebook account.  I'm doing this for Lent.  However, I might not go back.  I haven't sent Christmas cards in two years.  I haven't sent a real birthday card out to anyone in ages.  I'm writing this post because I'm not reading Facebook.  I have read other blogs where people deactivate Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.  and find such joy in removing the distraction.  Let's be honest-if you're my friend hopefully I have a way to contact you other than through Facebook.  My cousins are on Facebook-friends from college-friends from high school.  Maybe I'll challenge myself to writing someone weekly-who doesn't love to get real mail!   I've enjoyed posting again and want to keep encouraging myself to take the time to document our lives in Small Town USA!  Here's a photo that would have been used on my Christmas cards:

Kid for Rent

Drew has always loved the camera.  Jac likes it-but he won't slow down for you to take a picture.  Based on the amount of selfies on my iPhone they both think they look handsome.  Sarah asked Drew to be in her wedding this past fall.  Sarah's niece Catherine was the flower girl.  Drew and Catherine have never gone to day care or school together but they love each other.  I hope they remain friends and are there for each other.  They do make a cute couple!  I think we should rent them out!

Rehearsal Dinner fun:

Wedding Day

Notice the Angry Bird Bandaid--five year old and knife=there's a story for life!  He was "Cutting" something-not playing-ha!!

No More Steak

Drew finally lost a tooth!  He's wanted to loose one forever.  It was not cool when Jac lost his by accident before Drew even lost one naturally.  He's had a loose one on the bottom row of his mouth for a month-with a lot of wiggling and pulling he finally got it out yesterday afternoon.  He was so excited. His school is collecting money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and he said he was going to put his money in his box.  This is one proud momma!  I told Drew he wouldn't be able to eat steak since he lost his tooth--we'd have to mush all his food up--he's not good at taking a joke.

He also had his Upward soccer game yesterday.  This was their first win and his first goal!   I had stayed home-boo:(  Two more practices and two more games before the season is over--then it's on to Dixie Youth Baseball. 

Exercise update-after my awesome 5 mile run on Thursday I've sucked.  One mile WALK before my workout on Friday and nothing on Saturday.   Oh wait--I did do 50 jumping jacks in the kitchen and wet myself…nice!  I'm hoping to makeup for my laziness later today.  Trey has to go to the office at 2 for Bankruptcy training so I need to go soon or get a babysitter so I can hit the gym.