Hello From The Trenches!

Hey Everyone! How have you all been? Geez, I have missed the "blog-sphere" but have also enjoyed the break. What has been going on you ask? Most of you were correct in your guess that we are moving. I couldn't come on here and talk about my husbands job hunting till he had something firmed up, heaven forbid someone from his current job found out and we were jobless because of MY blog. I would have never lived that down!

OK, on to more important things...

Where are we moving? You will never guess, nope not in a million years...


Spanish moss, warm southern rain, small town...



Good fried chicken, millions of mosquito's, front porch rockin'...



Green growth everywhere, humid nights, fireflies...



Friends, family, home...



Is any of this ringing a bell? Obviously we're moving back to the southeast, but the plot thickens, we're moving back to the SAME TOWN we moved from to get to Arizona!? How crazy is that?

I wanted more for my children then I thought a small southern town could offer, but what I have come to realize is we had it all to begin with. Great friends, a great community, life was good. Luckily my hubby's old job has wanted him back since the moment we left, so getting a position there was pretty easy (it's an even better position than he had before we moved!).

Doesn't the saying "The grass isn't always greener" come to mind? ha ha

Now for the yucky, not fun stuff... Trying to sell our home. I LOVE this house, you all know the time we've spent painting & decorating it. It's perfect, just in the wrong place. I really wish the tornado from the "Wizard of Oz" would pick my home up and drop it down in South Carolina. But, that won't happen, bummer. Our house is on the market now, we've had a few lookers but nothing has come of it yet. Also when we get back to SC we have to rent for awhile, not a big deal for most, but you try renting a home with 3 dogs!!! Impossible.

There is a lot on our plate right now, so far I have dealt with the stress pretty well. I've only had one melt down in a restaurant parking lot sobbing into my hubby's arms. My hubby begins his new (old) job in December, if the home doesn't sell by then I will be staying in Arizona till it does with the munchkins and pups.

Please keep us in your prayers for an easy transition and guidance as life once again takes another crazy turn in our life. And if you know anyone looking for a home in AZ let me know *wink wink*


*pictures from Hartsville - The Art of Good Living web site

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

So Not Dead, Living Actually!

Yes people, I am alive :)

There hasn't been any catastrophic events, nothing new...

Just living life.

The mini-munchkin is LOVING her new gymnastics class. I am very glad I was able to find a new studio she could enjoy :)

I have been volunteering a lot at the kids school. Who knows how many years they will want me there, so I'm doing my best to enjoy it while it lasts.

My 1st grade son decided that kissing mama good-bye was no longer "cool." I'm heart broken.

Football is still going strong. My hubby is having a blast coaching and meeting new people. The munchkin is doing a great job as the center.

We are looking into the possibility of moving back East, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

By "back east" I mean South Carolina, not the same place we moved from, somewhere far more exciting!

Weight loss update: at a stand still, BUT not gaining :)

I wish you all a fabulous weekend, off I go to enjoy life some more.

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

It's Been Awhile

Hi world! I haven't posted in a week! What have I been up to you ask? Well I can show you better than I can tell you...

*twitter snippit


My parents visit, football, killer thistles, trampolines and resting. It's all there :) Pictures to come and hopefully the chance to visit everyone else's blog for a change!! (any tips on how to keep up with that?!) Hope you all have a fabulous day!

If you are on Twitter and want to follow me click below:




au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Practice Makes Perfect

The Buckeye Bolts... The cutest little flag football team you've ever seen :) These little guys practice Monday through Friday and I have yet to hear them complain! My munchkin is sure enjoying having his daddy on the field too. Season kick off is this Saturday, wish us luck!


Be prepared, I have a million pictures so far and the games haven't even started!! I seriously need someone to come over and help me get caught up on my scrap booking. I used to be so good at keeping up with all the memories. The kids got bigger and life got more demanding. I guess that's why I started this blog :)

My mom and dad will be flying out to see the munchkins first scrimmage. He is VERY excited. So I am off to clean my messy house since "real people" are going to see the inside. *eek*

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Wired On Diet Pepsi Randomness

I thought I would share some random hoopla because I have had too much caffeine this morning and can't seem to get my mind to stay on one subject (is it just me??)

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My mini-munchkin started gymnastics this week. I am THRILLED. When we first got to AZ she didn't want to do it anymore. Out of nowhere last week "mama, can i do gymnastics again?" YES!!!

Unfortunately I do not like the studio I signed her up with. She knows her stuff, even though she's 5, she's had over a year of training. This class was a bunch of kids goofing off, jumping on trampolines, etc. The coaches didn't even show them proper technique?!?! I know I sound like such a whack job, but I paid for lessons, not "happy fun time." I will be looking into other options.

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Football is going well, we are planning the football opening game jamboree right now. What's that you ask? It's like a carnival with football scrimmages being played at the same time. It also means I will be manning our teams booth, hopefully other moms will help so I don't get stuck doing it the entire time!

My son picked the #12 this year because it was my hubby's old football number. How cute is that?

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Did you know I have 3 tattoos (well, technically 4 because one was covered up) and I love them all.

Yes each one has a "story" or meaning. blah blah blah, I'm sure no one is that interested. Did they hurt? I say no, but everyone is different. YES I want more. 2 actually, on my sides. A Gladiolus on my right side and a Daffodil on my left. These are the flowers for the months my kids were born. I am still working on bribing my hubby into letting me get them. (Sorry mom!)

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Why can't people put their shopping carts away when they are at the grocery store? Is it really that hard to walk 20 feet and put it away in the little cart return slot? Every time I go to the grocery store I am forced to park in the South 40 because every spot close to the door is occupied by some shopping cart a lazy person couldn't put away!!! *ggrrrr*

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I have been obsessed with folk music lately. Damien Rice has been on my iPod non stop this week. Not sure what it is about Irish Folk singers that make me get all OCD and download all their songs. Darn them.

Here Have a listen:
(don't forget to pause the music player in the upper right of this blog)

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It's still hot in Arizona. I miss trees, water, being outside...

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Weight loss, slow going but still going :) I am loving my kick boxing class. It is the only work out that works my back. I like putting on my boxing gloves and getting all my aggression out. And of course they are pink boxing gloves. My grandfather used to box, he'd be proud.

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Well, I think my caffeine is wearing off (OH NO!) I am off to slice a million lemons for a Bunco fundraiser tonight. We're raising money for Relay For Life and guess what the chick who can't cook was asked to bring? Yup, lemons for the drinks. Perfect. So if you happen to be in the Phoenix area and want to support a good cause shoot me an e-mail or if you are not in the area you can donate! Just click the picture for more info.

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I hope you all have a fabulous, wonderful weekend. Sorry for the long rambling post. Goodness, I just looked at how much I typed, sorry!!!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Football In Full Swing

Gee, Lizzie, what have you been up to? We haven't seen you around much, we miss you SO much! Our lives aren't complete without you in it! (OK, I added that last part, ha ha)

me? Where have I been? Oh. I've been been busy with football.

than after that I'm busy with football just a bit more,

in the end it's all about football ... apparently.

Hubby is coaching, my son is playing, my daughter is, well, she's in charge of playing in the dirt on the sidelines. What is my job you ask?

Make sure the coaches are happy, sell goodies at the concession stand, keep dirty daughter off the field, apply many layers of bug spray to hubby, son, and dirty daughter, keep track of time, help other football moms with any of the above listed items, earn money for the team through sponsors, hydrate the entire world, and drag everyone home hungry and tired :)

So again, to answer what have I been up to?

football!

and I love every minute of it!
(adorable pictures of my munchkins throwing around the pigskin coming soon.)

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Wordless Wednesday, The Season Begins

Yup, it's that time of year again. We'll rush home do homework at the speed of light, gobble down dinner insanely early, load up the truck and head to the field. We'll get home late, tired and dirty, clean up and hit the hay. Then we'll wake up and do it all over again. Football has begun!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

I Can Be A Foodie Too! (well, kinda)

I love reading about my blogging buddies yummy culinary creations! I wish scrumptious aromas often filled the air in my own kitchen. Well, I've decided to do something about it. I too can document my fabulous food concoctions!

Today's assistant will be my lovely daughter.

The delicatessen of choice? Box cupcakes, yum :)

Step 1: Turn box over and read the back, collect ingredients.
(after you chug a glass of wine)

Step 2: Pick out your cupcake cups.
(this will eliminate any unnecessary cleanup)

Step 3: Put cups into pan, arrange in a colorful pattern, a MUST!
(in my experience it makes the cupcakes taste better, i swear)

Step 4: Put packaged mix, eggs, water, and oil into large bowl.
(if you spill the powder as it comes out of the bag just scoop it off the floor and add to bowl, no one will know!)

Step 5: Make the hired help do the mixin'.
(watch her though, she can be a real messy cook)

Step 6: Time for a taste test!
(nothin' like some raw egg goodness!)

Step 7: Does it taste good? if it doesn't then abort immediately.
(OR finish the yucky cupcakes and give to a friend!)

Step 8: If it does taste good, then lick the mixer beaters!
(am I the only one who's tongue can't reach the center pole?)

Step 9: Admire your handy mixing skills, and thank the help.
(meaning bribe her with candy so she'll leave and quit eating it)

Step 10: Pour mix into cups, stick in oven.
*be sure to turn the oven on... VERY important.
(note the beautifully clean oven? the advantages of being a bad cook!)

Step 11: Banish the mixer the the "chamber of never used appliances."
(kind of like the "Island of Misfit Toys" without the island, or the misfit toys)

Step 12: Take out of oven and place on a plate to cool.
(be sure to keep out of reach of dogs. They like cupcakes on the counter... apparently.)

Steps 13 - 15 are not available due to next batch being left in too long, smoke detector going off and hands being burned trying to remove said burned cupcakes from the oven without pot holder. *ouch* No children or animals were harmed in the making of this post.

Good luck and happy baking!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

How To (not) Be Organized

In my mind everything is nice and tidy. My home is ship shape, organized and in order. If you are like me in reality it looks like a bomb went off! I have tried for years to get my home straightened up FOR GOOD. Somehow it just never happens. Life happens and that forlorn filthy pantry is left in shambles.

What is the secret to household organization?
What do those "organized people" know that I don't?
Why can't my cupboards look like this:


So people I have made an extremely late new years resolution, I WILL get my act together and be able to find things in my own home, I WILL be able to walk through my home without tripping on shoes, I WILL be able to find space in my closets due to handy dandy organized shelves.

Now comes your part... (what, you thought you'd get off scott free?) How do I do this? Please help me!?! Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated. I already feel liberated, they say admitting your problem is half the battle!

Ta Ta for now

It's Coming Along

For all my home decorating updates click here.

I am on the home stretch, soon the interior of our new home will be painted and pretty :) I have never done well with plain white walls. So far I have painted the following:

The Munchkins room Gray
Office an Aquamarine-ish
Guestroom, 2 tone green and Ivory

Now all I have to tackle is the Mini-Munchkins room (pink of course) and 2 bathrooms. We have hired a professional painter to do the living/family/kitchen room. I am quite independent and like to do things on my own, but that area is just TOO big for me to do. I can't wait to get it all done so we can move in!

Our goal was to be in the house April 1st... Well, that isn't going to happen so now our goal is to be moved in there by May 1st. We just moved our entire lives all the way across the country 4 months ago so the thought of moving again doesn't make me all giddy inside. But a 2 mile move should be a lot easier then a 3,000 mile move, right?

OK, I need to quite dilly dallying and get back to painting.

Ta Ta for now

Crazyness!

Alright people, sorry I haven't been sharin' the love this week. My head is spinning. We close on our home THIS FRIDAY! And what does a girl do when she's about to get a new house? Go shopping for fun, new things to fill it of course! You can read about my shopping finds here. My mom & dad fly in Thursday night to celebrate my sons 6th birthday on Saturday. He will be having a tail gate party before we head off to watch a Spring Training baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's. Then I hope to start painting the new house. Busy, Busy, Busy. I hope you all have a great rest of the week and weekend. I'll be back to blogging soon.

Ta Ta for now