Ode to my Chi

Oh, how I love you, my little Chi

Without you, how puffy my hair would be

There has been no one like you

to come into my life

to save me from curls, frizz and strife.

I got you on Ebay, and saved lots of dough

and thanks to that, I have no more 'fro.

Short hair I always thought I'd know.

But with you, I can try and let it grow.

You are the best purchase I have ever made,

Now my hair is almost long enough to have a braid.

How I wish I'd invented you,

but since I didn't I'll write this poem for you.

I LOVE MY CHI!

I've been tagged

I just got tagged by my Nannie. Many of you know her, but for those that don't, I'll try to describe her. She is strong in her convictions, which is a beautiful thing. She says what she thinks and believes no matter what people think. She says she is shy, which I've never known that side of her...or maybe I just thought she was a snob when I first met her (J/K). She has been a dear friend to me over the years, and I plan on that continuing! Even though she barfed all day on her wedding day, she was a radiant bride! And I seriously wore her bridesmaid dress to several Mardi Gras Balls. Betcha can't say that about many of the dresses hanging in your closet. Thanks for choosing black Nannie!

Here goes...7 random things about myself:

1) I like to gamble. This is really funny considering I am generally a pretty cheap person. I don't buy any clothing that's not on sale, and rarely go anywhere without a coupon, or bargaining with someone at the cash register. However, I will turn over a $20 bill on one hand of blackjack at the casinos...go figure.

2) I love Days of Our Lives. Ridiculous. I started watching it again (after several years off after college), when I was pregnant with Hadley. I couldn't sleep at night, so I would watch Days at 10pm on the Soap Opera Network. I'm not addicted, like I have to watch it everyday. But I definitely catch it during the day, or at night a few times a week.

3) Friday the 13th is my lucky day. Not that I believe in luck or am superstitious, but good things happen on Friday the 13th. Tadd and I had our 1st date on Friday the 13th, and it has just kept on getting better. So since my baby is due Wednesday, Feb. 11th, I'll probably be 2 days late.

4) I've been obsessed with shaving my legs for the last 2 weeks. Like Annie wearing socks during labor, I'm scared to death to have hairy legs in stirrups. And my feet do not go to bed without getting a good dose of lotion.

5) I get softer with age. Most of you who have known me the longest know how hard I have been (no need to comment). I think my children have softened me up. I cry so much more, and have become much more sensitive. If someone hurts my feelings these days, they are usually shocked because I haven't been the type you could get to easily in the past.

6) I love karaoke.

7) I have never dyed my hair (or injected my lips). People think because it is so black, that it's dyed. If you look closely (or far away these days) you will see several stray grays. I've been pleased that I haven't had to do anything to my hair in the past. Guess I'm gonna have to give in soon and cover up those grays!

I tag Lindsey, Molly and Illy

'member when Monday

I spend much of my time thinking back to times past. Whether it was last year or 20 years ago. So enjoy, and please, feel free to leave your own 'member whens in the comments section.

'member when tight-rolled jeans were cool? Oh wait, this is a recent picture! Why oh why do some of these horrible fads have to come back into style? And who even gets to decide it's cool? They even look bad on precious Katie Holmes. Does she realize her jeans are too big too? I mean come on! This is one come-back fashion you will not catch Holly in!

Good Day

Friday was a good day. I had a sitter for the day for Hadley, and of course, Alex was in school. My friend Shannon and I had a manicure, then I met my friends, Chris and Molly for lunch at Wild Ginger for the sushi I've been craving (don't worry, nothing raw). Then I used my gift certificate for my massage that my sweet hubby gave me for Christmas. Now, I was really looking forward to getting to lay on my belly for the massage on that prego pillow. Well, my belly was too big, and it was not comfortable, so I ended up on my side for my massage. It was wonderful! Then I went to the mall...by myself...and the Lancome ladies did my makeup. Then I got a smoothie, and got my toes done. Good day! I decided if I could afford a day like that once a week, or even month, I'd be a much better wife, mom, and happier person all around! But that's ok, I'll take what I can get! My relaxing day made my achy body feel much better, and I'm not in such a hurry to have this baby now :)

Then Friday night, my sister-in-law, Kelley, and Molly threw Tadd and I a very fun couple's baby shower! Pictures to come. Even though the men complained that they had to be at the baby shower, they had fun. The beer and wine kept them happy :)

As my friend Stacy was leaving the shower, she told me and Molly that it was her birthday, and laughed. I wanted to cry. We TOTALLY forgot for the 2nd year in a row. Actually, last year, she was a new friend, and she just failed to tell us it was her birthday. This year, my fault. Now, I'm terrible at birthdays, and I admit that. But two years in a row is bad. So I felt really bad about having my, "ME, ME, ME" day when it was Stacy's birthday. How do you make up for such a thing? I mean we even had a shower for ME on her b'day. Has this happened to any of you before? When I say friend, I mean really good friend. Not just someone you know. But someone you see at least twice a week, and talk to more than that. HELP! We have a fun belated b'day lunch planned for Wednesday, but I feel like I'll never be able to make it up to her. Any bright ideas?

By the way, I am the type that talks about my birthday for like weeks before, and have a birthday week for myself. If my friends don't plan something for me, I am planning it myself. I guess I expect other people to be the same way. But some people (Stacy included) have never been the type to make a big deal out of birthdays. What category do you fall into? Would love to hear your comments!

Sorry for rambling!
Ciao!

Please Pray

Please pray for this family http://prayersforowie.blogspot.com/ . For those of you who went to Troy with me, you know Jennifer Martin. Please read the blog to see what is going on in her family. She needs our love, prayers and support now more than ever. Hearing this really puts things into perspective for me right now. I think I'll be complaining less.

Big Momma's House

Last week, my maternity clothes fit me. I have dropped majorly since then, and every shirt I put on shows several inches of my belly. So I've decided to not leave the house. Plus, there's plenty to do here...considering I have no clothes out for the baby, a bag halfway packed, a car seat in the attic, and fabric to make curtains for the nursery. Oh, the list goes on. So big momma ain't goin' nowhere. Takin' Alex to school (on time) and pickin' him up...maybe to get groceries if absolutely necessary. So if you see me in my pajamas at Publix or something, ignore me and just know that they are the only clothes that will cover my belly. Oh, and if you do say something, just know that I've got 3 weeks until my due date, am a bit emotional, allot in pain, and may cry if you approach me.
Ciao!

'member when Monday

I spend much of my time thinking back to times past. Whether it was last year or 20 years ago. So enjoy, and please, feel free to leave your own 'member whens in the comments section.
'Member when slap bracelets were cool? Probably around the same time that Hypercolor was cool. Didn't they take them off the market at one time? Were people hurting themselves with them? How? I remember the cool tricks we did with them. Slap bracelets rule!

Internal Oven

Seriously, I know it is cold outside...at least that's what I'm told. It was 8 degrees when I took Alex to school this morning (at 9:00 am because school opened late...public schools were closed...WHAT? WHY? Snow was nowhere in the forecast). Anyway, point is, my belly is so huge, that if it weren't for my face being exposed to the cold, I wouldn't know it was cold. I am so hot all of the time that it doesn't matter. I wonder if I'm underdressing my kids because of the way I feel. I think Alex would wear gym shorts everywhere if I didn't make him change, but maybe they should be in scarves and gloves? Oh well, I guess when one of you calls child services on me, I'll just deny it all.

NOLA

Jackson Square

Every so often, Tadd and I try to have a little romantic getaway. This time, we went to New Orleans. It was convenient since we were in Mobile the week between Christmas and New Years. We were able to leave the kiddos with my parents, and hit the road. Here are a few pics from our fun time. We ate at Nola (Emeril's restaurant), and of course some fried dough with sugar on it ;) @ Cafe du Monde. We also stayed at the same hotel as the Alabama Crimson Tide...Roll Tide! We got Alex John Parker Wilson's autograph, and he was so pumped! We didn't stay for the Sugar Bowl (glad we didn't waste our money to see Bama get their brains beat in).

Me and my man!

St. Louis Cathedral

Fun times! Probably the last for awhile with the new babe on the way!

'member when monday

I spend much of my time thinking back to times past. Whether it was last year or 20 years ago. So enjoy, and please, feel free to leave your own 'member whens in the comments section.

'member when we all had Hypercolor t-shirts? I thought about that this weekend, when Annie had a cup at Ellen's house that changed colors when it got cold. Hypercolor was the coolest! My shirt was orange and turned yellow when it got warm. Did you have one (or more)? If so, what color?

Surprise!!!

Well, we are all getting to be that age! The big 3-0! Ellen's sweet husband Daniel planned a surprise birthday weekend for her in Birmingham, and as you can see from the pic below, it worked! She was so shocked. She screamed at the top of her lungs when she walked in and saw all of us. It was priceless. We had such a blast! Friday night, we went out for sushi (don't worry...nothing raw for us pregnant girls.) Me, Jenn and Ellen stayed up late talking that night, and I think Ellen was still a bit in shock to have us all there! Then we got up the next morning, and talked for a few more hours. Went out, did some shopping, had lunch, and got our nails done! Saturday night, Daniel got a yummy Greek dinner for us and birthday cake. Yes...we talked and ate all weekend, and it was a blast. I realized how blessed I am to still have these girls in my life. I cherish you all, and am so glad to have you as my friends!

Ellen: How much have we been through? So much! You have been by my side through it all, and I don't know how I'd have made it through life thus far without your love and friendship!

Jenn: It cracks me up how much we have in common. Don't you think we could sit and talk for like weeks straight and never run out of things to say? Thank you for still loving me despite how crazy I know you think I am for my 'medical beliefs!'

Annie: You crack me up! You say what you think, and I love that about you. How is it that when I say what I think, people don't take it as well as when you do? You are such a beautiful person inside and out, and I love being around you!

Illy: You are the most sincere person I know. I don't think you could be any sweeter if you tried. I love that you have embraced motherhood. I knew you would be a great mom! Keep cherishing every moment with that baby girl.

I love my friends! Thanks for a great weekend girls. Can't wait for the next one!

Surprise Ellen!

Jenn, Ellen, Me and Annie

Annie (little belly...shut up saying you are huge), Me (huge belly...I am huge), Ginger (Ellen's big sis), Ellen (BIG 3-0!), Allison (Ellen's little sis), Jenn and Illy (seriously, you can't even tell they both just gave birth a few months ago...they look great!)

Fashionably Late

I'm not gonna lie. I am typically a late person. This is not a trait I'm proud of. I'd have to look back at my high school report card to be for sure, but I'm sure that each quarter, my tardies were in the double digits...and that was after my sweet homeroom teacher, Mrs. Giddens, overlooked me trying to sneak in the room half of the time.

If it's something really important, I'm not late at all! Rarely late for church, NEVER late for interviews, never late for clients. OK, so New Years resolution needs to be to change that 'rarely' to a 'never' on the church one.

Anyway, I have carried this on into my adult life, and my poor son's life. I went to PTM tonight and got Alex's report card. Last quarter, 7 tardies. This quarter...13 tardies!!! I am so embarrassed. Obviously, Alex's 3rd grade teacher doesn't overlook when we sneak in the door. I'm having a really hard time getting my huge self, Alex, and my 2 year old out the door and to school by 7:45 am. I was reprimanded by my husband when I got home (not really, but I vowed to do better). He reminded me that I'm about to have a 3rd baby to get out the door in the morning. What am I going to do! Any suggestions from you mamas?

Moral of the story: It is not fashionable to be late in the 3rd grade.

'member when Monday

Welcome to my first installment of "'member when Monday." I spend much of my time thinking back to times past. Whether it was last year or 20 years ago. So enjoy, and please, feel free to leave your own 'member whens in the comments section.

'member when nobody had cell phones? How did we get by? How did we find people when we needed them? OK, I had a beeper, and that's how my mom got in touch with me. Can you get more ghetto than that? Here's a look at my first cell phone. I thought I was soooo cool!