I am needing to take a nap--so this will be totally random

I'm tired today. And Autumn just now went down for the nap she usually takes at 1:30 or 2:00. (She's been putting her babies down for naps all over the living room on couch cushions she's pulled on to the floor for the last two hours.)

It was 103 out when we went to run errands this morning and that's without the humidity added in. It's just too stinking hot outside to move. I even closed all the shades on the windows to keep it cool in here and the AC hasn't stopped running all day.

Read Sharon McCrumb's Once Around The Track. Yeah, I read a book about NASCAR, totally by accident. LOL. Still not interested in NASCAR one bit, but it was an intereresting book. I picked it up without even looking to see what it was about. I like her brainless mysteries and the ghost stories, never had any thought it would be about NASCAR. Still managed to read the whole thing, which is really saying something. I think I've read a total of about 4 books in the past year. Amazing how having a kid makes it so hard to read anymore.

brb--i'm thirsty. love Dasani. specially when there are three cases sitting in the breezeway. :-)

Ummmm...watched Deja Vu finally and really enjoyed it...seriously had me holding my breath a couple of times--lol. yeah, pathetic.

Made the first cut for a design team I'm trying to get on. Keep your fingers crossed for me, k? I'd really like to get on this one. :-)

Look for my first pub out this next month! :-) We deposited the check today. Yay! And I've already bought paint with it for our room. Just have to find the time to move all the furniture.

I've been drooling over this tv armoire at Hobby Lobby. Well, it's marked down now from $600 to $359. I'm drooling even more. Stopped by again today to drool. I want it. Our tv is on a teeny tiny desk right now and it's ugly.

MW party on Monday evening. Not ready. But have to get there soon. Hoping if I manage to get a nap in today I can pack up tonight. We'll see.

Today needs to get better...

It's been pretty frustrating so far. I got up and skipped all the routine things in order to make it to a local (as in 35 mins away) farmer's market this morning and get some good local produce. Well, there was one guy selling cabbage (and nothing but cabbage) and one guy with just a few things. I bought some overpriced tomatoes. It was really disappointing...

I get home and there's a package waiting for me. It's the next to last shipment of things I had to buy online for next weeks party. And it's taken about 2 weeks to get here. Very small order--and they shipped the wrong stuff!!!! ARGH! There it is, clearly written correctly on the invoice, with the wrong item in the box. And the party is next week! And I needed to have all this stuff cut, organized, and packed in kits before then!!! Since this didn't get sent out for a week last time I ordered what are the chances it will even get here before the party? I'm thinking pretty much non-existent.

And then I notice that the bag of clothes I left on the front steps is still there. The bag of clothes that I listed on Freecycle and had 8 responses for overnight. I had decided to give it to the lady who emailed twice saying how badly her daughter needed clothes and that she could pick up immediately. I check my email when I go inside and it turns out that she has to get a ride here to pick up and doesn't know if she can make it today. So there it sits on the front steps--the ugly garbage bag full of clothes.

I'm thinking about just restarting the day. I think when I put Autumn down for her nap, I'll lay down for a few minutes too. And then get up take a shower and just pretend this morning didn't happen.

Dictionary of Autumn-ese

Just a few I can think of off the top of my head...

arf-arf = dog

gitty = cat

ticky-ticky = tickle

e-in = airplane

uck=truck, duck, or yuck depending on the situation

ock= rock or sock

ainain = raisin

ba-ba= cup, juicebox, water bottle, etc.

osh-osh= rhinoceros

deeshee = baby

up-da = up, down

dutton= belly button

mous= mouth

eas = ears

oush =nose

ice = slide

yeg=leg

dat=that

arsh-arsh=cars

diar=diaper

stink or yuck = messy diaper

boom=a sonic boom, something falling, a pillow

nana-nana-nana...= banana (this goes on until she gets one)

eesh = cheese

numma-numma=food

moo=moon

duck=anything with a beak or bill

ight=light

She will use all of these in sentences too.

For example, if she sees Reagan's dog food: "Dat arf-arf numma-numma!!"

Or, pointing at the sky: "Moo!!! See moo??"

Or, going to bed: "night-night Deeshee, night-night fish, bye-bye ight"

Coffee

We stopped in at the local coffee shop tonight. It was nice. We haven't been in a while. Good lattes. (As long as the right person makes it!)

(I've been a horrible hypocrite and have been going to Starbucks occasionally. Why? Because it has a drive-thru mostly. It's just such a pain when I'm by myself, to get Autumn out of her seat and keep track of her in the shop. Ok, so it's because I'm lazy. But that's all off topic.)

Anyway. It's funny, because as soon as we go in Autumn runs over to the couches and the bookshelf, which has several bins of toys. She pulls out the crayons and coloring books, a counting book, and her favorite magnetic doodling thing. She loves this place. She grabs the magnetic pen and scribbles something. Then she pulls the lever to erase it and says, "bye-bye."

Everyday Photo Shoot

I recently saw a "one minute photo shoot" on another blog and decided to do my own take on it. Just a few minutes with the camera to take some close ups. This is the everyday Autumn. Her hair's a mess, she's making funny faces. Nothing fancy, but I love them.

little political animal

I got so many pictures of her at the Goddard announcement rally, here are just a few.

(Matt miraculously had the day off.)

And yeah, she ended up going home with all of those balloons...

soap

the B&BW sparkling peach hand soap makes me feel like eating my fingers it smells so good.

Routines

As much as I hate them, I love them. They're a pain, but they make things easy. Contradictions, but they're not. ;-)

(Amazing how much easier it is to keep up with laundry when you MAKE yourself start one load every morning.)

TV Time

I think Autumn made the news either in a real shot or in the background on every local station today. We were at the announcement rally for Rick Goddard and really, she was so cute not a camera could resist her. ;-)

Here's one with a quick shot of her with her grandpa: http://www.13wmaz.com/video/player_news.aspx?aid=37359&storyid=39599

Right now...

Autumn is "reading" aloud to herself in the rocker.

Opens "Are You My Mother?"
Reads "ducks, ducks, ducks, ducks"
Closes book
Drops it on the floor

Notices "Go Dogs Go"
Picks it up
Reads "arf-arfs, arf-arfs, arf-arfs......"

My Little Gardener

She really loves to garden and she's getting pretty good at helping dig holes for plants...

Of course, I didn't have the camera out until after she had pulled out one piggy tail all the way and one most of the way. Messy girl. :-)

FINALLY!!!!

We got some rain. It's been a LONG time coming...

There is still no grass on the baked lawns in our town, but at least it doesn't go crunch, crunch when you walk on it at the moment. :-)

Autumn

-Seeing a mockingbird hopping around the front yard today: "DUCK!! Duck--SEE DUCK???!!!!" (Everything with a beak or bill is a duck in her mind. Oh, and chicken...chicken is something you eat.)
-She loves the moon and is expert at finding it in the sky whether it's day or night.
-She now informs us "I stinky" when she needs a change.
-"Noooooooooo, Nooooooooo" is becoming a favorite phrase.
-When I'm working on stuff outside she has to help. If I don't let her hold the hose when I'm watering the flower beds, she grabs a watering can and goes over to the faucet, trying to unscrew the hose so she can water things all by herself.
-She loves carrying a purse, always hanging over her elbow.
-One of her absolute favorite activities is making the bed. She hands me each pillow and blanket and when we get finished she is SOOOOO happy that she did it!
-Her baby's name is "Deeshee" D.C. but with an H in there. Why? I have no idea, but that is what she calls it.
-She insists on having her vitamin every day. Runs in the kitchen, points at the shelf and yells, "Treat, treat" until she gets it.

And some reception pics too...

Food fight!

Races

Dunk Tank

Tug of War (this one between the bride and groom--guess who won? ;-))

Father of the Bride (this is when the money really started rolling in for the dunk tank!)

Just a few wedding pics...

Our little flower girl on her way down the aisle
(she stopped and handed her flowers to the photographer half way down)

Family Photo Op (freaky how Matt just blends in there)

Matt and my dad (We brought our ring pillow for them to use--thanks again Beth for all that beadwork!! :-))

Jessica leaving the church

Jessica and Jason (lol--you can't tell how much I had to fight with her to wear that make up and the earrings!)

Seriously, it's 4:00 am, why am I still awake?

Oh, now I remember, it's the first night in a week I haven't had to take Nyquil. Ugh. If I take it now I'll sleep all morning and won't remember to get Autumn out of bed.

Mother's Day

Was a little weird. I'd gotten a gift for my mom (I was supposed to be in IN today) and hadn't gotten anything for my MIL (since Matt was going to and I wasn't going to be here). But of course, I was here. So that got messed up.

It was also Matt's birthday, but I gave him his gift early since I wasn't supposed to be here today. But I was, so then I felt silly cause I didn't have anything to give him today. (Oh, and it was a watch.)

Best thing about my mother's day--feeling better. A lot better. Still tired, but so much better. Flying tomorrow (knock on wood). Oh, and I got a Starbucks card from "Autumn." Yes, there is finally a Starbucks in town.

smoke

btw, the smoke is really really bad today. it looks like thick fog everywhere. and it's not moving. today is a day to be inside and be grateful for air conditioners.

ouch

I just paid an additional $215 to move a $59 ticket to Monday. Isn't that ridiculous? Got sick with Autumn's bug last night. Just in time to keep me from flying today. Ugh. Just hope I'm better by Monday. Can't move the flight again. :-(

To Do Today

oh...

and Autumn's doing a lot better since she got the IV. She's stopped throwing up. We're still having a hard time convincing her to drink though.

Picky eater

While we were at the Dr. today, I was talking to him and we were discussing having picky eaters for kids. I've never been around picky kids before really. I'm the oldest of 12 and we all came into the world loving things like spinach, broccoli, etc. All those things kids aren't supposed to want to eat.

Autumn, on the other hand, likes starches, chicken nuggets, yogurt, and a couple fruits. That's it. No meat. No vegetables.

Most kids I've been around, when given pizza, pick the toppings off to eat and leave the crust. Autumn, when given pizza, flips it over and picks the crust off and eats it, leaving only the toppings...

Autumn's stomach bug, which seemed to be getting a lot better, got a lot worse yesterday. We've spent the morning at the Dr. She had to get an IV and we're headed back on Thursday.

Renassaince Festival

We went to the GA Renaissance festival just for a couple hours on Saturday. Autumn had fun. :-)

The dragon was fine until he started talking with a human voice.
Then he was scary.

I miss these...

picture taken while in Ohio (they don't come back here in GA--never gets cold enough)

Just a few quick pics...

...that I'm in love with. Took over 100 on our walk the other day in OH and I want to post them all! But here are a few of my current faves...

(You'll need to click on them and then zoom again for best effect.)

Up, Up, and Away

Autumn is becoming quite a well-traveled child. We're off again tomorrow morning for nearly a week. Back for a week and a half. Then off again for another week and a half.

In fact, I should be doing just about anything but blogging right now. Gotta get dishes done, laundry done, and packed tonight. Oh yeah, and an hour of exercise. When I'm going to get that in, I have no idea.

Totally unrelated photo here, but I've been feeling bad about not posting more...

Quick update...

Autumn is feeling a lot better, for those of you who have asked. She's finally been put on some allergy medication and it really seems to make her feel a lot better. She's weird though. She actually cooperates with getting stuff sprayed up her nose. I ask her if she wants her medicine, she runs in the room and sniffs until I spray it and then sniffs a few more times, and is totally happy. How many kids do that? If someone wanted to do that to me, I would probably run away and scream. :-)

Good Morning Kisses

When I get Autumn up in the morning, the first thing she usually does is ask me if Matt is home. "Da? da?" Most of the time I tell her he's at work and she drops the topic. But if he hasn't left yet or if he has the day off she HAS to go find him in bed and jump on him till he wakes up and gives her kisses. Funny girl.

Some new pictures

When I open my door to unlock the car, Autumn squeezes past and hops up into the driver seat while I'm opening her door. She loves to "drive"! :-)

life

• during this last week we set an all-time cold record for the area. it froze overnight between april 7th and 8th.
  
• we have had almost no rain this spring (which starts here in late january)
• autumn's allergies have been keeping us inside and the garden is really suffering for it.
  
• while cars in other areas turn white or gray from salt on the roads in march, here, all the cards turn green from the massive amounts of pollen in the air. you can live in a subdivision without a single tree, but it still gets to you.
• a mcdonald's vanilla cone has only 150 calories. sonic, only 160. dairy queen, over 300.
  
• i'm going on a retreat this weekend, if autumn's health cooperates. 3 days of conversation with adult females. it will be very different.
• i haven't washed dishes since friday. no one else has either. but the living room is finally thoroughly vacuumed.
  
• i really like live oaks
• i just bought airline tickets for my sister's wedding in may. today is the last day of some great airtran sales, if you need to fly somewhere.
  
• diet A&W is good
• this morning i made matt french toast with fresh strawberries dusted with powdered sugar and bacon and good coffee. mine was slightly different because i had french toast with low calorie bread, egg white only and strawberries sweetened with splenda. still pretty good though.
• freecycle rocks.
  
• my "to do" list currently takes up three pages, two columns on each page. and i have a lot more to add to it, so i better get off the computer and get some stuff done.
  

her favorite place on Easter

...well, other than bed or the rocking chair with me (she was so tired)...

How she actually dressed for Easter

...though she was feeling pretty rotten and running a fever the whole time...

Prayer Request

Autumn could use a little prayer. She's been sick for the last five days or so with a fever and feeling miserable. We went to the Dr. today, since we finally could, and she's having a strong heart murmur and low white blood cell counts. It's probably nothing, just a result of having a fever/virus for so long, but we're keeping an eye on it. And she's still feeling rotten. So she could use some prayers. Thanks!

How Autumn Wanted to Dress for Easter

And that dress had FIVE layers of fabric she had to dig under to find her belly button to rub.

Egg Hunt

A few pics from last weekend's Egg Hunt....

Allergies..

...just aren't any fun. Autumn was having some problems with sneezing and a runny nose for a few days from being outside and now she's all congested and not sleeping again. Which means she just wants to be held. Which means I get nothing done.

Check out my scrapping blog if you want to see the new projects I did using Savvy n Sassy ribbon, and also for pictures of the tags we're going to make at the mini-class I'm teaching on Saturday. Fun. :-)

gardening

has been keeping us pretty busy. we've added on to the big bed in the side yard that we started last year. it's looking GREAT, so that's encouraging. Yesterday we also put in a small bed around one of the two cedars in the front yard. Hopefully it will survive without being completely dug up by the squirrels. I also sprayed the roses and cannas yesterday for bugs (I NEVER do this, but decided I want them to look nice this year). most of the cannas are about knee-high right now, but growing really fast. and the lilies that we JUST put in are already several inches out of the ground, looking really good. put in some onions in the vegetable garden, even though they would have been better started earlier, but oh well. two more bunches of strawberries and some squash to plant today. i love gardening this time of year. :-)

What did you do today?

Today I:

-sent off my first ever contract and layout for publication
-sent in our state tax forms
-shopped at home depot and wal-mart--LOTS more plants!!
-had a delicious coffee Matt picked up for me at one of the two best coffee shops in GA
-collected over a bushel of elephant ear roots from someone's yard waste pile next to the road
-set up two trellises and planted two climbing rose bushes
-planted really pretty oriental lilies
-planted a cherry tree
-planted some prize-winning daylilies
-worked (again) on wedding shower invitations--hopefully will be done soon!!
-received over 200 photos in the mail
-received my the ribbon kit for my first ever GDT spot

--and got absolutely no housework done

ouch!

Last night I was exercising and somehow managed to really pull a muscle in my back. Kind of felt like it does when you accidentally grab an electric fence, kwim? This weird buzzing sensation that doesn't hurt so much as it just feels very very wrong and you are momentarily paralyzed, wanting nothing more than to let go of the fence, but unable to move. (If you have never accidentally grabbed an electric fence, you'll have to take my word for it. Klutz that I am I have had the experience too many times to count. (Oh, and the one place it really does hurt is in your teeth if you have fillings.))

Anyhow. It didn't hurt too much then, but got progressively worse until I went to bed after taking some painkillers. And this morning it's still bothering me. And somehow I have to go lift Autumn out of her crib, lift her up to the changing table, put her back down, and lift her up to the highchair all before breakfast. This will be an interesting day.