(Almost) All I want for Christmas...

Can ya'll believe that tomorrow is December 1st? I can't! And you know what that means? Christmas is only 25 days away! I'm not READY!!! Guess how many gifts we've purchased already? ZERO!!!!!!!!!!! We don't even START shopping until the week before. Get this...our wedding anniversary is on the 17th of this month, right? Hubby and I usually spend this day together...alone...Christmas shopping for the KIDS!!! What a tradition, huh? So, with that said, we've got plenty of time :-).

Anyway, I totally feel that Christmas is all about the kids and all about giving. However, that doesn't mean that I can't have my own wish list, right? Well, I've come up with the things that I think would really be nice to have this year. Here's a few of the things that I'd LOVE.

Ok, let's start small (relatively speaking). I'd like to upgrade to a platinum princess cut diamond engagement ring. This year we will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. I think it's time for an upgrade.

Alrighty, now I really LOVE Dr. Pepper. Although I don't keep it in the house (unless we have guests over or something) And on occasion, if I'm out shopping, I will treat myself to a nice cold one. So, an unlimited supply would be nice :-).

Ok, now we're getting to the bigger stuff. A few years ago, I actually owned a Chevy Tahoe. However, in order to save some money, we had to trade it for something more affordable. And now, considering how much gas costs, that was a great decision. But I'd be lying if I said that I don't miss it. And NOW...they've come out with a new body style and I LOVE it!!! I'm not really picky about the color, but this black is pretty HOT!!! I'm not normally one who drools over stuff. But don't let me see one of these baby's driving down the street......

Now, being that I'm a stay at home mom, my cash flow is a little....uhhhhh, shall we say, non existent? Don't get me wrong, I have access to the family account. But I do stress out a little when there's not enough there for what we need and sometimes want. I'd LOVE to have a constant flow of money that can take care of all our needs and some of our wants. Fortunately, I'm a very frugal person, especially when it comes to my own desires. So, if we did have the money, we wouldn't want a bigger house or extravagant vehicles (except that Tahoe...which isn't really extravagant...just HOT!). We'd pay off our debts, pay monthly bills (always on time) and have "play" money. Oh, and maybe add a little addition onto the house (a craft room).

Ok, so, how did I do? That's not asking for alot, is it? hee hee. Now, for those of you who think I SHOULD have some of these things, please send your generous donations to........

HA HA! Just kidding (obviously). Alright, it's your turn. If all was right in the world, and money was no object, what would be on your Christmas list??? Share, share.....

The Celebration continues...

As you all are probably already aware, I just had my 40th birthday. And my baby daughter just turned 5. Well, my dad and his girlfriend, Gwen came to Georgia from New York to help us celebrate.

Fast forwarding a bit, they stayed through Thanksgiving and came to spend their last couple of hours in town with us. Well of course, we took this opportunity to take some pictures. You guys have got to know my dad to appreciate the big lauging smiles you'll see on our faces. Enjoy!!!

This is me an my dad. Oddly enough, he was having a "semi" serious moment. However, this was the 3rd try at this particular pose. LOL

Jayla and her Pop-Pop. Again, one of 3 pictures where he was attempting to be serious. He's such a great grandpa!.

Alright now, here we go. Dad is trying to make Jayla smile...instead, he made both of us laugh and of course we "caught" him acting up. :-)

This was another rare moment of my dad being serious. Here, he's pictured with my DH, Jayla and his girlfriend, Gwen.

Ok, this is a picture that my dad took. He loves to ask Jayla how to spell her name. Then he tells her it's wrong and proceedes to add his own letters AND numbers to her name. This, as you can see, cracks her up!

Now we can't have any pictures of Pop Pop without our doggie, Trae in one :-).

Well, that's it for this trip. Dad and Gwen, thank you both for making this birthday SOOO special for me and Jayla. We love you both very much and look forward to seeing you again REAL soon!!!

The Princess is FIVE...a whole hand!!!

Oh my goodness...my BABY is 5 years old!

She is SO excited to be a WHOLE hand now...LOL. She says now she doesn't have to "bend her fingers" anymore to tell people how old she is.

As promised, I have details of the Princess Ball we had for Jayla over the weekend. We had such a great time. In addition to Jayla, 11 of her little girlfriends came over all dressed up like princesses. My oldest daughter, Briyanna, came over on Friday and helped me decorate the "ballroom" in the basement. We had quite a time keeping Jayla from coming down there :-). But it turned out SO beautiful.

Anyway, we successfully suprised Jayla with her Princess Ball. She knew she was gonna have one, she just had no idea to what extent we'd set it up for her. I have to admit though, she was the prettiest princess there. Well, wait no longer...here are the Princess Ball pix. Just click on "View Slide Show". Enjoy!

Again, I thank you Briyanna, for ALL of your help. I couldn't have pulled it off without you. I'm glad you were able to be here to share in your sisters 5th birthday.

Dad & Gwen, I thank you both for being here from NYC to share in both me and Jayla birthdays. I love you both!!!

Happy Birthday my dear, Jayla. I love you SO much!!!

I'm on TOP of the hill...not OVER it!!!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Oh my goodness, as of 10:00 THIS morning...I turned 40..yes, FORTY years old!!! Ya know, this is truly an age that I never thought I'd be. Not because I thought I'd be dead or anything....I guess I just didn't think ANYBODY would be around by the time I turned 40. I remember thinking that anyone who was over the age of 30 had one foot in a grave and the other on a slippery banana peel! LOL.

Welp, it ain't so!!!

People say that when you turn 40 you are OVER THE HILL....well, not ME! I am ON TOP OF THE HILL...with my feet danglin off the side!!!! I say that with such confidence because at this point, today, on November 17, 2006...I am having the time of my LIFE. I honestly don't think my life could be any better. I mean sure, if I had an unlimited money supply, I may feel a little differently :-). But other than that, I'm COOL!!! I have all the things a girl could want! And it's nothing short of a blessing.

I'd like to give a special thank you to all my dear friends and family who wished me a happy birthday today. Without you all...and you know who you are, my life wouldn't be as grand.

I love ya'll!!!

Look at these cool gifts I got from my friends & family.

My friend Diane gave me these beautiful flowers. Thank you Mrs. May :-).

My dear husband took me out to an AWESOME dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House. Ya'll have GOT to save up some money and go there...it's SOOOOO worth it.
My daughter gave me a cute little six pack of Dr. Pepper and the Trivial Pursuit Totally 80's game. Thanks Bri!
And my friend Stacey gave me a Dr. Pepper t-shirt.

Be AWARE...and Take CARE (of YOU!)

Tomorrow is my 40th birthday...so today, I gave myself a birthday present. I took myself to my doctor and got my very first mammogram. It's amazing how certain events in and around your life can change your perspective on LIFE. Last year, the dreaded disease of breast cancer took the life of my sister in law. And I am proud to say that my aunt, is a breast cancer survior. So needless to say, this disease has touched my life personally.

In January, when I had my annual doctors visit, he reminded me that my 40th birthday was coming up later in the year and that I soon needed to make an appt for my first mammogram. Well, of course I stalled because I've heard HORROR stories of how uncomfortable this procedure is. On a funny note, I've heard it described as being the equivilant of laying on your garge floor and closing the door down on your breast...LOL. Ok, it wasn't THAT bad, actually. Don't get me wrong, it was uncomfortable. But if you do what they tell you to do, it's a breeze. Let's put it this way...my appt. was at 10:40 this morning. I checked in at 10:15am, they called me back at 10:20am and I was getting in my car and LEAVING at 10:30am!!! Piece of cake!!!

I will end this post with a plea to all my female readers....Do your monthly self exams!! And when the time comes, GO HAVE A MAMMOGRAM!!! It only takes a few minutes of your time. You're cheating yourself AND your family & friends if you don't go to make sure you're healthy. Remember, you're the only YOU we have!!!

Talk to you tomorrow...when I'm a little older :-).

Disney Princesses on Ice

Somewhere in an earlier post, I mentioned that Jayla will be having a Princess Birthday Ball for her 5th birthday in a few weeks. Well, as luck would have it, the theme for this years Disney on Ice was the Disney Princesses. I was SO excited when I got the flyer in the mail about it. I successfully hid that flyer for almost 2 months. And when I got back from my trip to Illinois, I bought the tickets. I thought this would be the perfect early birthday gift for Jayla.

I can't tell you how hard it was to keep this a secret from her. Everyone in our house knew about it, even a few other friends and family (I had to tell SOMEBODY!!!) So up until we got parked at the show, Jayla had no idea. That little thing tried to think of everywhere under the sun that she and mommy were going. All I told her was that it was a special "date". She even thought we were going to New York to see her Pop-Pop :-).

I know it goes without saying, but I took a few pictures (about 60 to be exact...LOL). So here are a few of the better ones. Enjoy!

Mommy & Jayla waiting for the show to begin.

Aladdin

Beauty & The Beast

Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs

Cinderella

Ok people, I've about HAD IT with BLOGGER not cooperating with me and my NEED to download pictures. Therefore, look for another short part 2 post to me and Jayla's "date". :-)

Making Progress!!!

It has been a minute since I gave an update on my progress at CURVES. Probably because, my weigh in last month, although it wasn't BAD news, it wasn't the news I was hoping for either. I kinda "hung out" at the same weight for 2 months.

Well my last weigh in (on 11/1) was much better. And I must say I was plesantly surprised. Don't worry, I won't give my new weight, albeit LESS than when this venture began. But I will say that as of 11/1, I have lost a total of 12.75 inches and 7.5 pounds since starting with CURVES back in June. And I must say, I'm pretty darn proud of that accomplishment! Only 52 more pounds to go...and I'll be back at my birth weight...LOL. Nah, about 50 more and I'll be at my target weight. I know that sounds like a lot. But I REALLY think I can do it! Tune in next month!!!

More hayride pix

Hello everyone. I hope this post finds you all well.

Ok, before BLOGGER has any hiccups, here are a few more of the pix from this year's neighborhood hayride.

Here's a FEW of the kids that were on the hayride.

Here's my little princess and her handsome Ninja bodyguard :-).

This is my handsome Ninja boy!

And again, my pretty little princes (this was actually in the morning before going to school)

And lastly, this is Jayla's Pre-K class...well, some of them.

Thanks again for looking!

The neighborhood hayride

Am I the only one who CANNOT believe that it's NOVEMBER 1st?!?!? Christmas is right around the corner...but personally speaking, I'm not walking around that corner right now...I'm in denial :-). And I've got one better than THAT...in 16 days, I'll be 40 (FORTY) years old!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, let's get back to the REAL reason for this post. Not that the comments above aren't "real"...I'd just rather not talk about them anymore :-) hee hee.

This year, our family did a little something different. We decided to allow the kids, to not only particiate in our annual neighborhood hayride. But we also let them dress up in costumes. If you read my "halloween" post last year, you'll remember that I was kinda on the fence about the whole thing. I'm still straddling...but starting to fall on the side of the kids. At some point, you have to trust that your kids know right from wrong and understand what you've been teaching them all their lives. We told the kids, as long as they didn't dress up in anything scary or "gothic" that we didn't have a problem with dressing up this year. I know these kids pretty well, so I knew that wouldn't be an issue. Markell wanted to dress up in a Ninja custume. That's cool! Two of his friends from the neighborhood also dressed as ninjas. Jayla wanted to be a princess (what a shocker! NOT!) As long as this child has been able to talk, she has considered herself a little princess. So this was a no brainer. As a matter of fact, she's gonna have a princess ball for her 5th birthday in a few weeks (look for a post on that one in the weeks to come).

ANYWAY, at Jayla's school they had a little party and a costume parade. It was the cutest thing. We chose not to keep her from the festivities and let her dress up for that as well. She had a ball.

Ok, so here's the pix of my cute little kids and their costumes. ENJOY!!!

Here's the trailer at it's fullest. The kids had a ball riding down the street, jumping off the trailer and running to houses to collect the "goods".

I just had to share this picture. This is one of the dads from our neighborhood. Nothing like seeing your dad in a purple crushed velvet "pimp" suit! LOL

I know you're all gonna be shocked...but BLOGGER is having issues with loading pictures. Look for more in a seperate post...ARGH!!!!