Pool...

We are getting a pool!
Before:

During:

There is currently a large pool sized hole in our back yard!

Zippies

Zippies are the best invention ever!
They are resusable water bottle ID tags.
My kids are on the swim team and in marching band. There are always a bunch of water bottles lined up on the edge of the marching field and on the edge of the pool. They all look the same, but they aren't the same! My kids' germs are different than your kids' germs. I'd rather they not share germs...
Zippies attach to the water bottle so that you can immediately distinguish yours from everyone else's.  There are 10 different animals and more are due to be released shortly.

Of course, you can use Zippies to identify more than water bottles. You can hang it on your keys, put it on your child's favorite stuffed animal, camping equipment, your luggage, and more.  There is a place on the back for you to write a name and a phone number. Perfect!

Here is what they say:  Zippies give kids a fun and easy way to keep track of their stuff while parents rest assured that emergency contact information (last name and parent’s phone number) is with them at all times. Use the rubber loop - or detach it to clip the pal on a key ring. They can even help prevent the spread of germs by identifying water bottles and teach children the importance of being responsible for personal belongings. These kid collectibles can also prevent constant arguments over their belongings.


This little guy is my favorite!  You'll find him hanging on my water bottle.  Check out the other choices.  I'll wait.  See? Aren't they terrific? The tiger? Yeah, he's my other favorite... LLB's, too. He's hanging on her bottle right now.  LLB has mentioned that she'd like to give them to her trumpet section at Band Camp. I think it's a terrific idea! 

Do yourself and your kids a favor. Before summer camps and summer activities start, order some Zippies! You'll make sure your kids comes home with their own items -- including their own germs!

This post was written for Family Review Network & Zippies who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions.

A funny...

Gram sent me this. I found it hysterically funny!  It was one of those things that tickled my funny bone... I can only hope you find it as funny as I did.


While conducting some business at the Court House, I overheard a lady, who had been arrested for assaulting a Mammogram Technician, say,  "Your Honor, I'm guilty but.....there were extenuating circumstances."

The female Judge said, sarcastically, "I'd certainly like to hear those extenuating circumstances."  I did too so, I listened as the lady told her story.

"Your Honor, I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met by this perky little clipboard carrier smiling from   ear to ear and she tilted her head to one side and crooned, "Hi! I'm
Belinda! All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?"

I'm thinking, "Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science."
Belinda then skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors.

With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, "Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?" Fine, I answered.

I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck to finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other breast wedged
between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when I heard and felt a zap!

Complete darkness, the power was off!

Belinda said, "Uh-oh, maintenance is working, bet they hit a snag." Then she headed for the door.

"Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?" I shouted.

Belinda kept going and said, "Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back."

Before I could shout NOOOO! She disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, "maintenance men Extraordinaire" found me...half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life and the other part smashed between glass!

After exchanging a polite Hi, how's it going type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off.

Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible, "Uh, yes, I did but thanks anyway."

"OK, you take care now" Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, "Oh I am sooo sorry! The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?"

And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps...."

The judge could hardly contain her laughter as she said "Case Dismissed!

Whooosh..

That's the sound of time passing...
We've had some great things happen this week.
#1 was chosen to play Corny Collins in the high school's musical, Hairspray! He is thrilled and the part is absolutely perfect for him.
LLB is off to University of South Carolina for an Honor Band thing. She arrived there yesterday. She called and told me that she definitely did not make the top band as she had the most dreadful audition ever. Do we care? Heck, no! She is there to learn and have fun.  (I just heard from her and it turns out that she got 2nd chair in the next band! Yippeee!  She is very pleased!)
She texted me later and told me that she had the most delicious dinner at the Japanese Steak House. Of course she did!  We told her that Mr. wanted the leftovers. Her response was, "LOL! I brought the leftovers home to have later tonight." That child can eat... I will say no more.

I had an adventure yesterday. I was on my way home from helping the Lions Club with their eye and ear screening at the high school. I had called Gram and asked her if she wanted a wrap from McDo. She said yes. Our local McDo is at a gas station - sounds gross, but the food is great!
I pulled into the drive thru lane, which is clearly marked on the pavement. The drive thru lane skirts the perimeter of the gas pumps and keeps things safe and orderly for the most part.  I was behind another car. As it crept up toward the ordering location, I crept up.
I saw a car driven by an older gentleman out of the corner of my eye. He came off the road and straight through the pumps. (I find this utterly uncool and extremely unsafe.) He wanted to scootch in front of me. There was nobody behind me. I pretended I didn't see him. I was NOT letting him in front of me. It was late. I was hungry. AND, he did not follow the drive thru lane... he tried to cheat. So I ignored him. He beeped at me and then yelled at me. I told him I was sorry - even though I really wasn't. He yelled some more. He threw his car in reverse and then screeched around me.
As I pulled up to get my food, I saw the man ordering at the counter. Just think... if he had pulled in behind me, he would have gotten his food at the exact same time...  Karma...

I have crocheted 4 hats! I knew you'd all be impressed. I'll take some pix this weekend and put them up with all those Disney pix I've promised...
Enjoy your Friday!

Lilly Mae Bags Review

I was asked to review a Lillymae Fanny Pack/Purse.
Check it out:

It's ADORABLE!  It's the perfect size for my iTouch and my phone as well as a few credit cards and some cash. It has two pockets inside, so I can stay organized and keep my things safe at the gym, at fundraisers, and any other place I don't want to carry my larger purse.  This little fanny pack/purse can be worn as a fanny pack or as a cross body purse. I wear it around my waist with the purse at my hip. It's most comfortable there for me.

Here is what they say:
The LillyMae bag was designed initially for women, although men love the basic black fanny pack. We all need to carry our phone and other basics, but with our active life-styles big bulky bags get in the way. When you are working out keep your phone or mp3 on you, and have headphone access through the side eyelet.  Have a young child with a cell phone for emergencies? Have them wear a LillyMae Bag, and keep the phone safe and on their person at all times. Our small strap size is perfect for a small person fanny pack.

Use a LillyMae Bag when you  are shopping, exercising, working, traveling, and every activity imaginable. The easily adjustable strap allows the easy transition between fanny pack wear or purse wear.
If you would like a Lillymae, I have a discount coupon code for you: 15001

You've gotta get one! I got the black and white one. There are many colors to choose from! Go, take a look and order one! You won't be disappointed.


This post was written for Family Review Network & LillyMaeBags who provided the complimentary product for review in exchange for my honest opinions

Thursday

Today I was going to go back to bed and sleep.
Instead, I decided that I was out of time and I have to get all the tax information ready for the Taxman.
Since that job doesn't excited me one iota, I'm writing here... Okay, I'm procrastinating.

Today's schedule is pretty bizarre...
I need to be at school for 10:45 to sell chocolate lollipops for Valentine's Day...
I need to be back at school for 2:30 to get LLB and get her some dinner before I have to have her back at school for 4:00 to catch the shuttle to District Band.
I need to return to school at 9:45 to fetch her from the District Band shuttle.
I'm not sure how many times in between there I'll be returning home, but I can guarantee you that my car will need gas before the day is out.

I'd best get my tax info collected and in a folder so I can drop it off on my way.
Now doesn't that sound like a really fun way to start the day?
No - I don't think so either.

Time Flies Away!!

Wow! I've not written in quite a while.
Did you miss me?

Let me catch you all up on my life...
We went to Disney World for Christmas - pictures to follow in a later post. It was a fun trip, albeit a cold trip. We saw Mickey and Minnie and all the other characters. The parades were amazing! The quality of the music and dancing was saw was simply phenomenal. The arts are alive and well in Disney World - it was refreshing.

I'm still fighting city hall trying to get our Performing Arts wing renovated. The school was built in 1963. The only wing not renovated at all since then is: You guessed it! The Performing Arts wing. This is a long and arduous fight, but it needs to be fought. The arts are important - just as important as sports, Math, English, and Science...  ahem.. I'll step away from the soap box.

We've been skiing.  A wonderful and blessedly injury free day was had by all!  Yippee!!

I've had strep.  The pills the doc prescribed taste terrible and I'm really glad I only have one left to take. When I take them, I just want to pull my tongue out and scrape the taste off... it's SO nasty!  I've also been dealing with a nasty cold on top of the strep. Some silly seventh grader breathed on me when I was subbing a couple of weeks ago. I don't appreciate him sharing almost as much as I don't appreciate his mother sending a sick kid to school...

LLB was accepted to and attended an Honor Band Clinic at Shepherd University in West Virginia. She loved it and wants to go back next year.
LLB was accepted to and will attend an Honor Band Clinic at University of South Carolina this spring. She was one of 4 students selected to attend and the only one who isn't a senior. Yes, she is excited and yes, we are very proud of her accomplishments.
She also has District Band coming up this week.  It's all trumpet all the time!

#1 will be receiving a scholarship or two from VMI. One for Chemistry and one for Band. Life is very good! We are hoping he gets enough to cover room and board. He is too, because it turns out he needs a new saxophone. Of course he does... We will be making a trip to Chuck Levin's in DC one of these days.
I've downloaded the list of the things #1 will need to take to VMI. It includes such things as 14 pair of black socks, 6 sets of white sheets - none fitted -- all flat, an alarm clock without a radio, 6 towels and six washcloths - must be white, 6 pair of black nylon knee highs to prevent blisters, 14 pair of WHITE underwear and at least 7 of them must be briefs (Talk about picky! They even control your undies!!)... the list goes on. I found it amusing - he found it "informative and overly exciting".
My favorite thing on the list was that electric razors, cell phones, radios, and iPods are not allowed until after break out - that would be late January or early February... Needless to say, I love structured places!

We've had a bunch of snow days here and I must tell you... I do love having the children at home. They make a mess. They hog the TV and the couch. They sleep until 10.  They can and do help shovel the driveway - which is a big plus since the snow blower died the other day! But honestly, I just love hanging with them. 

They are back to school today and the house seems rather empty. Not that I'm not enjoying the quiet, mind you.  They have their last swim meet of the year tonight.  I've got my name tags made, my sharpie, my stapler, and my other things all ready to go.

Rest? Tomorrow... maybe.