The end of a year

At the close of 2008, I thought I would take a second to put down what I am thankful for and what I am glad to say goodbye to in 2008. These are in no particular order.

Things that made this a great year...

1. First birthday celebration for Little Red and several of her close friends
2. 30th birthday and no surprises
3. Lots of Monday front porch parties
4. Cow girl, princess and bouncy birthday parties
5. Lots of first words and first steps
6. America voted for change
7. Cousins that live two streets over and forgive little Red when she is not in a good mood
8. Disney World
9. Friends near by
10. Dress up clothes from Other Red
11. Long weekends at the lake
12. Bike rides with the cousins
13. Tigger, Pooh, mimi, pink baby, pink bunny and all the crib friends
14. Hand- me downs, especially princess CD players
15. New friends at school for little Red
16. Our jobs
17. Discovery of Black Box wine
18. The return (if only for a short time) of good friends
19. Babysitters
20. Grandparents
21. Friends getting pregnant after years of trying
22. Boating
23. Baby kisses
24. Friends weddings
25. Plastic pools
26. Living in the best part of Memphis
27. Yummy cupcakes and fairy princesses
28. Big Red
29. Zelda and the Wii, oh and I guess I should mention Hells Kitchen
30. The discovery of a fun new bar and karaoke
31. Going on road trips with friends, sometimes just for the fun of it
32. Bouncy- jumpy things for those long Saturdays in summer
33. Frequent Target visits with my friends from work
34. Instant Messenger

What I won't miss from 2008...

1. My mentor's cancer
2. Death of close friends family members
3. 5% pay reductions and no 401ks and no bonus
4. Gas prices and owning gas guzzlers
5. People who randomly knock on our doors
6. Rats and then Chipmunks and then Rats again
7. Ear infections
8. Dogs (not mine) going to the bathroom in my yard and then me stepping in it
9. Moles
10. Getting strep throat in Las Vegas
11. Housing market
12. Baby cries
13. Sinking floors
14. The elections
15. People who have their values and morals screwed up
16. Big Red going out of town
17. Friends leaving town

I am sure there are things I have forgotten but I will just have to list those in 2009! We have so much to be thankful for and I am so glad to have great friends and family. Happy New Year!

These boots are made for walking....

What can I say, she likes my shoes.

Mass Chaos in Memphis! (well really just at Winchester!)

I am one of those weird people that does not like to get out in bad weather- at all. I mean rain, snow, sleet, whatever I would rather stay home. There is nothing so important that makes me feel the need to get out and drive. Not because I don't trust my driving skills but it's everyone else I get worried about. Also I don't claim to be one of those Northerners who can drive in whatever type of weather (we have those people at work and let me say "good for you" to all those people)- I am a born and raised Southern girl and when it snows, you directly home only stopping for bread and milk and liqour.

So secretly this morning, I hoped that schools would be closed so I could work for home (isn't that why I am equipped with a laptop, wireless and blackberry?) and not have to drive Little Red to school. Well no luck- there was not some much of a drop of rain in Midtown. So I braved the roads, took little Red to school and began to make the trek to South- East Memphis. I have to say for the first leg of the drive, I had white knuckles I was so nervous. However there was nothing at all- not even a drop of rain on the interstate (Midtown 240 and 240 East at least). I wasn't sure by all the chaos on the radio if 385 aka Nonconnah was open so I got off at Mount Mariah and again had no problems. The only traffic or slightest bit of rain I encountered was at Winchester and the 385 over pass where apparently no one was allowed on and everyone was forced to get off at that point. The picture doesn't do any justice to the situation but you would have thought all drivers at that single point, just forgot their driving skills and couldn't find their way around town- like lost little lemings on the edge of the cliff. It was actually quiet entertaining. So lessened learned, don't take 385 in any inclement weather situation and don't listen to the radio.

Bathroom talkers.

This just happened to me. It's so strange. We have some ladies at work that are bathroom talkers. I really try to avoid them but sometimes you have to just go in with your head down and hope they don't acknowledge you. I mean you go in the stall and sit down and they start talking and talking. And then you realize they are talking to you! I get so embarrassed I can't even do what I went in the bathroom to do. I try to politely respond with a "uh huh" and "huh" or a "really" but then the questions move to more than yes or no questions. It is so bizarre.

To all you bathroom talkers out there just know that we don't want to all have conversations in the bathroom. Some people just want to go in, do their business, wash their hands and get the heck out.

What to do?

This is a dilemma that The Count is currently experiencing.

Most of us have been in that situation where someone invites you to a party, shower or wedding, whatever and you simply don't want to go. For whatever reason it just seems like a chore to go. Well what happens when the invite comes from someone you work with and you can't stand them? It is not like one of those e-vites to the whole department either, it is a single-certain- people invited shower. So what to do? Do you go and grin and bear it, do you send a gift, or don't go/don't send a gift and say you have other work obligations?

To make it worse and more annoying this person just had a baby (the two will be 18 months apart) and she had a work shower for the first baby. So is it okay to have two work showers and register for gifts for both and on top of that they are the same sex babies? Surely the person has items from the first still around. This is very frustrating. So what to do?

A Holiday Assembly?

We received a note last week from little Red's school/day care and it asked that all parents send Christmas PJs to school next week (footed PJs would not work). Huh? First of all little Red is not even two- she always sleeps in footed PJs- do they make anything else?, second and most importantly are they really having a Holiday Assembly for the 1 year old class room? Most of the kids can't talk in the class, much less perform. Don't get me wrong I am a sucker for little kids on stage singing and dancing but not sure how this one will work out. Not to mention it's at 6:00pm at night. Not sure when most little ones go to bed but ours turns into a terror if she's not in bed by 7:00pm. Safe to say it will be a very interesting performance. More to come.

Thankful.

All you read about these days is horrible news about the economy and how businesses are closing, people losing jobs. It's all so gloom and dome. So what can we glean out of this horrible situation? One good thing I think that has come out of this is understanding that we should be thankful for what we have be it allot or a little. I know I am thankful. I am surround by a wonderful (sometimes crazy) family, lots of laughter and fun, and wonderful friends. So while the economy is sinking it makes me sit back and realize that I can live with less and still have the same good friends, good family and clothes on my back.

So while the gifts might not be a'plenty this year, the time we have with our family is really the most important thing of all.

The dreaded Boy's Weekend.

I dreaded this past weekend for weeks. I knew that Big Red was going to be away at his Boys Weekend and Little Red and I would be left all alone. Other Red and I decided to just make it a girls weekend and all bunked up at her house (the girls weekend consisted of Other Red, me, little Red and Other Reds three babies). It was really good for me because I am terrified to stay alone and I really think my house is haunted. Not bad haunted just haunted enough to scare me too much to stay here. I would like to go on record that I haven't always been a scared-freak just since having little Red.

The weekend ended up being great. We spent Friday evening watching the Tiger game and the kids ran around the house. Then Saturday we decided to go make a gift for the kids grandmother who is hard to buy for (pictures below.) The kids had a GREAT time (uh hello paint was involved of course they had fun) except for Baby C. She is too little to get involved so just screamed from her stroller. Luckily the other moms in the place seemed to understand. After the Painting event we all went home and the kids took an extra long nap (lucky us) and by the time all little ones started to rise it was dinner, bath, movie and bed time, oh and babysitter time. Other Red and I went with some girl friends out and had a blast. Too much fun really. The kind of fun you do when you don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn with four kids (also one of Other Red's kids was still awake when we go home- late). Not that I look forward to another Boys weekend but I definitely am up for the challenge- if Other Red lets me and Little Red stay over.

Guinea pig or No guinea pig? That is Santa's Dilemma

Guinea pig or No guinea pig? Whats so bad about a little sweet Lenny? My sister Other Red has a big dilemma. Her oldest baby (CC) wants a guinea pig but my sister hates animals (I mean hates animals- nothing to call PETA about but a severe dislike of them). They already have a dog that my sister despises and now CC wants a guinea pig. I say what's the issue, get her one. She is on the verge of not believing any more about Santa and all she has asked for is a guinea pig- so give her one. It seems so simple to me. Let the magic live on!

I thought this might help the argument...

"Their docile nature, their responsiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, continue to make the guinea pig a popular pet....They are timid explorers, and rarely attempt to escape from their cages, even when an opportunity presents itself." Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea_pig I know Other Red is very scared of these sweet little animals -which could possibly stem from growing up with me -who's multitude of animals were often found roaming the house.

I thought it would be an easy decision for my sister too but apparently this is causing great heartburn for her. So I wanted to post this in support of Lenny (for those without children that is the Guinea pig from Wonder Pets and he rocks!)

VOTE LENNY!

List of knowledge for new moms

Some work friends and girl friends are expecting their first babies- yeah! So I thought I would start collecting random but helpful advice for the soon to be mommies. Advice that maybe no one else will tell you and the books that do tell you are too boring and long to read. Also advice that might not sound good or make you feel like a great mom but hey they are realistic.

I am going to start a list and keep adding, so comments and recommendations are greatly appreciated. These are in no particular order but separately by pre-baby and post-baby.

Pre-Baby

1. Yes people will want to touch your stomach. Tell those weirdos to back off.
2. Just cave to the cravings, its really your only time too and its fun! Especially since you can't drink.
3. For those friends that only invite you because you can be the designated drive, tell them they will be the first person you call for a babysitter. They might rethink the situation.
4. The baby will suck the life out of you and kept going after they are born. I know they are cute and all but they really do. Its not bad to think or feel that way either. You will love them regardless.

Post- Baby

1. If you feel like you might shake the baby because she has been crying non-stop, just put the baby down and go outside and smoke. While smoking is bad for you, it really does help in those situations. If you don't want to smoke, make yourself a BIG tall glass of bourbon- no ice.
2. You don't lose the weight before you leave the hospital. Sorry, you might be skinny but you will be wearing maternity clothes out of the hospital. Just get over it now.
3. Babies are all cute and fun at the hospital and then you go home and it gets very scary. Just remember they grow up and turn into little humans that can talk. This is just a phase.
4. If you like the baby phase, be realistic and know that one day they will grow up and talk, so enjoy every minute.
5. Your body does some weird stuff. I mean really weird. Just be sure to cover up the top part- no one wants to see your post-baby boobs.
6. Go back to work. Just do it. No one will judge you and then you will actually have time to yourself. If you don't go back to work then have someone that can give you breaks. Babies are great and all but damn you need a break.
7. This baby will test you and your marriage- just remember life only gets better.

Okay that is all for now....more to come.

You had her at "Tigger Shoes"

It's no secret that my imaginative child likes to dress up. She has tried many times to wear her tutu and crown to school. While I am sure they would be okay with her attire, I try to make her look somewhat normal for school.

At home, all rules are off and she can dress however she wants. So that includes Tutus, weird Tigger shoes (courtesy of the Count) and my Target brand high heels. I thought it would be fun to share the pictures.

I would like to take this moment to thank The Count who brought us possibly the ugliest shoes possible knowing that my sweet little baby would want to wear them every day. Revenge is sweet- that's all I have to say.

"They pulled their guns on Hillary"

"They pulled their guns on Hillary" that is how my conversation started with my sister (for the sake of this blog we will call my sister Other Red.) Other Red and her husband (lets call him Italian Man) are notorious for having their house alarm go off. I think the City of Memphis started their False Alarm Fine rules because of Other Red and Italian Man. For some reason, their alarm just goes off allot and although their alarm company calls everyone on their list, the police almost always go out to their house. So this past Sunday was no exception. When I got the call from Other Red's alarm company about their alarm going off, I just ignored it (sorry but its the truth Other Red). Apparently they also called Big Red (my husband- I know there are allot of Red's in the family) and he cared enough to put Little Red in the stroller and walk to Other Reds. The fine Memphis police people had apparently done a thorough job of searching the house and after a small misunderstanding with Hillary they went along on their way and deemed the alarm as just another false alarm.

So who is Hillary one might ask? Well think really hard about this past election and the Hillary is that Hillary. So why would Hillary be in my sister's house? Well apparently Other Red and Italian man are raising some very independent and strong minded little girls in their house. The oldest child of Other Red/Italian man (by the way she is redheaded too) was a HUGE Hillary supporter. There were many a'nights when my sister got the speech about how women should support women and so on. Anyway, some how Other Red's daughter received a gift of a more-than-life-size Hillary Clinton cut out. It is so big and in the dark it can be very scary. But apparently not to Other Red's red-headed daughter who considers it a prize possession.

The funny part and end of this story is that when the police were going through the house they turned the corner to look in the daughters room and there staring back at them was Hillary Clinton and they pulled their guns. Luckily no one was shot.

If you don't believe me check out this picture. Hillary even traveled Midtown with us on our campaign for change.

I actually do have proof. Does that count for anything?

I have the stretch marks and c-section scar to prove I have had a child. However, sometimes I find it hard to believe little Red is mine. People who don't know the fam thinks she looks just like me but that's just the hair- she looks and acts like her daddy. This morning she declared that she didn't want me to change her clothes or brush her hair or take her to school. And for the first time ever she didn't cry when I dropped her off at school, she just sashayed up to the teacher showed her the new book she was proudly displaying and blew me a kiss- "Bye Bye Momma." Like get the hell out of here, I got people to see. I love the fact that she is independent and strong minded but it would be nice to just once cuddle up to me or hug me or something.

My friend "The Count" told me about research that came out that said people are cutting out presents to friends and family or reducing the presents by 60% but people still plan to buy presents for their pets (not sure the source on this one). So what does that say about our society? Does it mean that our pets are held in a higher regard than our friends, siblings, parents, colleagues?

As I think about this, I think, 1.) I have really never bought my dogs a gift (besides some cute toys from the pet store when buying the essentials - like FOOD), 2.) White and Red Dog wouldn't know the difference if they got a gift and I can say for certain white dog would forget about it in 10 minutes, and 3.) just petting their heads makes them feel like a queen/king. So why do dogs need gifts? Don't call PETA on me or anything, I love my dogs, I just can't image cutting out my mom or sister to buy for my dog. Just seems strange to me.

My gift to White and Red dog is this picture on the world wide web for all to see. Merry Christmas!

Blog Stalkers.

So I have heard about these blog stalkers that are out there and I think its pretty interesting. They silently follow your blog but are too nervous to comment. My question is how can they be
"stalkers" when you post your information out there for the world to see. Isn't that the point? Plus isn't there some type of justification or satisfaction when you know your blog is interesting enough for someone to want to come back?

I guess I didn't have a problem with stalkers or silent readers as I like to think of them as, until a friend from worked asked if I had a blog and then basically named my blog. I mean I did put it out there for the world to see, except of course for work people, ex-boyfriends or any one else I might want to blog about. So to you work people out there...read at your own risk and don't take anything personally. Everyone is game but is covered under my anonymity clause.

Happy Reading!

"Bush leaving office more unpopular than Nixon"

I have really tried hard to not make this a political blog, but I just had a short comment on the cnn.com article, Bush leaving office more unpopular than Nixon. Really, are you kidding me? No joke. Like we all didn't see that coming. He is the worst president we have ever seen in office. Why even waste your time writing the CNN article? Anyone could have told you that.

Thank goodness this country voted for change!

Back house for Rent

Does anyone need a back house to rent? if so, my very awesome and single neighbor has a back house for rent. Its cheap and nice, did I say she is single?

My sweet little Red’s new word is Patience

My sweet little Red’s new word is Patience. Yes you read right, Patience. I guess I must say it too much. But at least it's better than a bad word.

So that brings up the question, are people only given a certain threshold for patience? I will tell you my patience is very low but having little Red has definitely helped. When I am at work my patience seems to be even worse though. Some people might blame it on my hair but that’s a myth and really a blog for another day. So really, what is the average patience level? Are some people more inclined to have the patience gene? Are we all on the same playing field but others handle themselves better? There was an article in the CA yesterday that talked about how to respond to difficult customers in a professional manner. Is that not just a form of patience? I have a low tolerance for lazy people and people who can’t help themselves (maybe that is lazy too) but does that really require patience? Is my baby going to have no patience because I have ruined her by trying to teach her such an adult behavior at such a young age? I guess one day I will find out. Oh well, if you have the answers let me know!

Bye Bye Mr. Ratatouille, Hello Chip and Dale

So the great news in this wonderful neighborhood of Midtown, Mr. Ratatouille and his young family have moved on to the after life. After hundreds of man hours and dollars, we have evicted our uninvited guests.

Yeah! Cause for a celebration and bottle of wine, right?! Well not quiet yet. It seems that Mr. Ratatouille had told his forest friends of our vacancy and we just found out that Chip and Dale have moved into the basement. We have sent one to the after life with the other four legged creatures but who knows if Chip or Dale is still hanging out in the basement, waiting for their friend to return. Big Red is convinced he can catch Chip without the help of an expert but if I recall that is what got us into the Mr. Ratatouille problem. So as the Justin Timberlake song says, "What goes around, goes around, goes around, goes back around"!

I am thinking about hanging a sign that says, "Yes we except all forest creatures in all rooms in our house, just don't let the dogs disturb you."

When does it just get rude?

My friend and I recently had a conversation about hosting events, showers, parties and things. She was ranting that she hosted a shower and out of all 30 plus people that RSVPed only 5 or so showed up which left her with tons of food and extras. We actually hosted a "regrets" only shower a couple months back and no one regretted so we were expecting 60 people and only 20 showed up. We didn't really care- less work for us but the shower-honoree sure was embarrassed.

So my question is when is it okay to not call/show up or just plain rude and there is no excuse?

We had our annual pumpkin carving party last weekend and sent out an email so most everyone RSVPed. Emails are really the way to go as far as I am concerned. But some people didn't respond which is fine, really. However, I called one person that didn't respond because apparently she thought kids were invited and she STILL didn't respond or call back.

So when is it okay to not RSVP or regret or call? Is it ever? I am not Emily Post or anything but how hard is it in the digital age we live in to respond to email or call. I don't except much- really.

My favorite painter of all time has a blog!!

I just found out my favorite painter has a blog. Check out NJ Woods at http://njwoods.wordpress.com/

What can I say the baby likes to dress up!

As I was working slash blogging, my sweet little red came into the room with my boots and insisted that she put them on immediately. Little did she know I bought her - her own pink boots today, from - can you guess- Target.

By the way, what happened to Target moving to Midtown, it would totally help me save on gas so I could spend more.

How do you describe the holy land, your mecca of sorts?

I often wonder what makes people so happy its like their holy land or mecca. Not in a religious sense but in a sense of pure enjoyment, harmony, wonder.

Well I did not know what "the mecca" was until last week when I stumbled upon a two story Target in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. I have heard rumors of larger-than-our-Target stores but never have I seen one with my own eyes and really I didn't believe the rumors. It was so wonderful and big and just the best thing ever. Of course I must explain that I saw this Target after several visits to different roof top bars, so I was feeling beautiful, smart and on top of the world and very cool. So not to forget my drunken find, I took at picture-- after putting an empty cart on the shopping cart escalator.

Every day should be a princess day!

First of all, I would like to thank those of you who were worried about my cell phone dying. I have been reunited with my blackberry and things are now back to normal. I did have to bury the old phone and it was replaced with a nice shiny red edition- to match my hair.

One a separate note, I think every day should be a princess day. Wonderful party, wonderful friends and sweet little princesses. Happy Birthday L-Bear!

This is how every weekend should start!!

Every weekend should start with fun, food, margaritas, sweet redheaded babies and of course lots of chips and dip.

I am so very lost.

Okay I never thought I would turn into one of those people, but I have. I can not be without some type of mobile device. I have been without my 1980s version Blackberry since 1pm and I am freaking out. I had to leave work without it and to say the road home was bad is really an understatement. Really, I was gripping the wheel just thinking about not having a phone. I mean what if something had happened? I guess I would have to walk some where if my car broke down- oh the horror of that. And what about calling my mom, sister, best friend and husband on the way home - how can I live without my daily chats. I had to come home and blog just to feel connected to the mobile world. It's all very, very sad. In fact, I am so depressed about not having a phone/email device that I asked our IT rep to call me at home and I will meet him this weekend to get it. I mean how can I go 24 hours without connection to the world?! He seemed awfully put off by my request but what is a girl supposed to do? I have considered going to get a prepaid phone for the weekend just to get by. Its horrible- I know.

It went great!

So I was all nervous about my high school friend reunion last night and it went off just fine. Come to find out one of the girls were nervous too which made me feel so much better. Its funny because ten years has pasted but everything really is still the same we are just older and wiser hopefully. One is still the funny, bubbly, outgoing crazy girl and the other is still the kind, sweet person that everyone wants as a friend. I guess the thing about good friends is no matter how far away you go, they are always right there besides you.

Like oh my gosh, is that you?

Tonight I am meeting two of my old friends for drinks. I am very nervous. When I say old I mean not in age but from a long, long time ago. I haven't seen these two girl friends in over ten years. The scary part is not seeing them and worrying about what I am wearing or look like, its will they still like me? These are my two high school best friends. The girls who I shared my biggest secrets with, they knew all about me and still liked me, we were going to be each others maids of honor when we got married, the girls who saw me through the best and often worse times in my life. Okay so you get the point.

The problem is they have remained friends. I guess in a way they were always the closer two anyway, but I am worried. We didn't have some dramatic falling out or anything like that- we just grew apart in college- different sororities, friends, boyfriends. So I have to ask, have I become the person we always said we wouldn't be? What if they think I am not funny or friendly, what if my life is just completely boring to them. I don't know much about what has happened to them since we last saw each other. They are single and live a block apart. I am married, with a baby, and our lives are very different. I just can't help to think if we were that great of friends why aren't we still in touch? Through this wonderful world wide web we got back in touch with each other and tonight will take the plunge and see each other again.

I wonder if they are dreading it? That would suck. I hope they are excited. We will see.

Weird little dots..

Moles are weird little dots that some people have all over and some people have just a couple. Obviously I am talking about moles on your body and not the ones in your yard. It makes me wonder why some people have them and others don't. Its like god's way of branding some people. Really I am branded with freckles and not too many moles but still its something that makes people stand out. And are they bad? I mean Sara Jessica Parker recently had her famous face mole removed- I wonder why? I don't think moles are bad, just curious little things that dot the skin of people.

As a redhead I am naturally concerned about my skin and Big/Little reds' since we are prone to skin problems; okay not prone but we are the whitest of the white so we have to be careful. After someone close had a mole-scare, Big Red and myself decided to get some of ours checked out- just to be sure.

So here is what we learned...

1. You have to get basically naked for them to do a thorough exam. So its like "okay under my fat roll here, yeah can you check that mole."
2. Its the closest thing to a gynecological visit for a man.
3. Our doctor lives like four houses down - and now has seen us naked.
4. The white little dots I have on my stomach and legs are reverse freckles. Fun!
5. The names of any type of mole, weird freckle or scaly patch of skin are so hard to pronounce that really its not worth it even trying and I think the doctors just say the names over and over to make themselves seem smart.
6. The people that are worried about skin problems are usually not the ones that have problems. Well that is comforting.

So there you go. My post for my friend who is bored at work and wanted something to read about.

Just got back...

We just got back from the most magical place on earth. Really, I mean it...the most magical. Even with the 120 degree humidity, long lines, tried babies, fat people on riding scooters, angry cast members, etc...it is the best place on earth. Little Red had the best time and really that is all that mattered to us. The highlight was definitely meeting her most favorite person/thing - Tigger. This picture is my favorite- she could have played peek-a-boo all day long.

From the child who's favorite word is NO Mommy

So I just had a great moment with sweet little Red as she said to me "help momma" so I went over, with a big smile to help her with her task. So I said "how can I help?" She looked me right in the eye and said "NO help." Of course, she always says no. I guess she didn't understand what she was saying when she so sweetly said "help momma". For a child with such a fabulous vocabulary she sure says no allot.

Okay so after that depressing post, I had to add something fun!

The Memphis Literacy Council is hosting the second (I think its the second) "Taste of Cooper Young" night tonight. Me and my fab friends are going and leaving the husbands with the kids. I went last year and had a blast, even though lots of the restaurants have fish from the sea and that is on my do not eat list. There is definitely something for everyone and yummy wine as well. Would encourage everyone to go and support such a fantastic organization and community! For tickets or info visit http://www.memphisliteracycouncil.org/

Lesson of the week

So my lesson of the week is to always get the job done completely especially when it involves forest creatures that aren't supposed to be living in your house.

My week started normally enough. Big Red was out of town but no big deal. Since I am paranoid I decided to sleep on the couch downstairs just in case an intruder came into the house and I don't know, I guess I thought I could react faster downstairs- I can see it now me and my five pound dog and 20 pound dog against a gun-toting intruder- okay so back to the story. Well I didn't have to worry about a human intruder, little did I know I would be battling intruders of another kind. My two sweet dogs are just no help at all. However at 1:30 in the morning Huck decide to whimper just a little bit and then just put his head back down, fast to sleep. I sat up to see what the problem was just in time to get a front row viewing of Mr. Ratatouille. While I am a true animal lover, I don't go for the species that carry disease and whipped out most of England a long time ago. Glad Huck could be of help. So we called the Humane Trappers again and said that Mr. Ratatouille and family were back. Since we had a small attic problem a couple months back I assumed the company's guarantee would come into play however their guarantee didn't cover this problem because we didn't do all the work they recommended, can we say "loop hole". So how only three months later we are giving all of our vacation money to the Humane Trappers so Mr. Ratatouille and family can go live in another house. Actually this time, I told them to go for the kill so Mr. Ratatouille and family will be going to live in heaven.

Lesson learned...get all the work done at once so you don't have to pay double.

Oh to Gus's We Will GO!

My family is no stranger to food. We like to eat (okay let me qualify here- I don't really like to eat and could care less- I know you can't tell can you...anyway but Big and Little Red like to eat so I am going to bunch us all together for sake of this story). So off to Gus's we went to celebrate a friend's birthday (little Red stayed home so we could be adults for the evening). There was quiet an eclectic group of people but that's normal for the birthday girl's following. While at dinner one of the guys decided he would be really cool and eat a very hot jalapeno (again just to qualify I like everything hot- as hot as possible- but I wasn't silly enough to try that!). Big Red feeling his masculinity was being challenged decided to take the challenge. And the moral is the poor guy could feel his tongue for days....

The first bite is sometimes the easiest.

Sorry but beer won't help.

I think the Count really thought his eyes were going to pop out.

















I would like to personally thank the Count for using her handy iPhone to capture the moment. I have got to get me one of those things.

Some day she will hate me for this.

I know there are many things that I will regret as a parent and some things that little Red will never forgive me for. This might not be high on the list but I have a feeling she will one day hate me for posting this picture. I just had to share it. She thought being dressed up was so cool and wanted to sleep with the costume. If only she could stay this sweet and small forever.

It's Wednesday.

It's Wednesday and I don't want to be at work. I would like to be at home or at the lake with my little and big Reds. However if you asked little Red if she wants to go to the lake she would say "no". That is her favorite word these days. I have always been so proud of her because her advanced language skills but now-a-days its just "no". "No I don't want to have milk" (her favorite), "no I don't want a cookie" (second favorite) and "no I don't want to see "K" (her best friend). Not sure why she thinks "no" will get her any where but I am going to say this is just a phase or at least I hope so. This might be foreshadowing of her teenage years and that scares me.

SO I was with some girl friends of mine the other night and some very smart person said something very profound. She said "no one ever complements that". "That" in reference to the good things about our husbands or other peoples husbands, marriage, kids. Its so true, we sit around and gossip about divorce, break ups, heart breaks, weird text messages, skinny women with no souls but we very rarely talk about how great we have it and how wonderful (minus the stuff we complain about) our partners are and our precious little ones. So what did I learn you ask? Next time, I will make a point to say one good thing before I gossip about Big Red and other peoples weird text messages.

And I will leave you with Little Red dancing in the plastic pool without a care in the world...

Vote in the Flyer's 2008 Best of Memphis Readers' Poll.

I went with some of my girl friends to the lovely and very stylish Mollie Fountaine's Lounge last night. Its great because you feel like you are in some swank and hip bar in another city. Plus we had one entire room to ourselves and it felt like we owned the place. The food and drink was fabulous. While we drank way too much wine, we had a blast and had the best waiter in Memphis. Vote in the Flyer's 2008 Best of Memphis Readers' Poll for Tyler Lloyd as your favorite Memphis waiter.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A46593

The Fil-A is a-coming!

Its official Chick Fil-A is coming to Midtown. I could not be more excited. Finally fast food at its best is going to be between the parkways. I was talking to another red in the family and she said "why are you so excited its just Chick Fil-A". She has so much to learn!

Learn more at http://memphis.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2008/07/28/daily16.html?b=1217304000%5e1676139&surround=etf

Maybe we can have little Red's 2nd birthday party there. The possibilities are endless!

"Hester was inexplicability convinced that somehow today was different"

Happy birthday my little dark headed fairy friend!!

Happy birthday my sweet little friend. We had so much fun having cupcakes and milk with you. While little Red might not be old enough to hold her milk hence why its all over the floor at the bakery, she really loves being with you and trying to act like a big girl like you. She said happy birthday the whole way home. We are now scrubbing the yummy memories from her hair and dress. Little sweet friend don't ever change and whatever you do always remember you are a little fairy princess to us.

If you get bored read my blog.

I have said "if you get bored read my blog" to four people today. So I felt like I need to give a shout out to the bored people out there. To my friends in Europe- we love you and miss you. Drink a pint for me.

Its Friday!!!

While its hot as all hell outside and its really just a miserable experience to even participate in outside activities, each weekend our entire family heads to the lake. I feel very fortunate to have a get away place and how wonderful for little Red to hang out with her cousins every weekend. Sometimes though I wonder what we are doing....a bunch of red headed, city people, with really pale skin sitting on a boat with no shade in the hot, bright sun. I am sure we stick out like sore thumbs. In fact, every time a friend goes out on the lake and we tell them where to find us, they really don't have any problems, just look for the boat with a bunch of gingers and little girls (we don't have any little boys in our family).

Lessons from the weekends at the lake:
Lesson #1 - the new cool spray sun screen doesn't work. Even if you reapply- it just doesn't work.
Lesson #2- you can't have enough beer on the boat. It doesn't matter how many adults are on the boat, you simply can't bring enough. And if its Sunday and everyone says they aren't going to drink, don't believe them, bring lots of beer cause the mood always changes when you are on the water, in the sun and having fun!
Lesson #3- There might be a lizard in your bed. Its just a fact, get over it.
Lesson #4- It doesn't matter how late the little ones stay up, mine always wakes up first and right at 7:00am. Isn't it the weekend?
Lesson #5- Little plastic blow up pools work great as outside baths, just make sure the little ones who aren't potty trained are in and out fast so they don't ruin the experience for the other kids.
Lesson #6- When the guys say they are going to clean the boat, they either a. go fishing or b. sleep on the boat. I always wondered why it took them so long.
Lesson #7- we are making the best possible memories for our little ones so we need to enjoy every single second.

Have a great weekend and if you are on the lake look for the redheads and say hi!

My dogs are scared of storms.

My sweet little dogs Huck and Imari turn into the devil when a storm comes through. So last night around 1:00am they both start terrorizing Big Red and I because they are scared of lightening. It hasn't always been like this and I am quiet sure Huck really isn't scared but being the baby in the family Imari tells him what to do. Not sure why we all find storms so comforting and poor little Imari is scared out of her mind. I really thought that last night she was going to have heart failure. So now I am sitting here looking at my sweet little Imari- a completely different dog than the one that was jumping on my face last night. Now they both get to sleep and the rest of us have to work. What a nice life they live!

If a tree falls in Central Gardens and no one heard it, yes it still fell.

If a tree falls in Central Gardens and no one heard it, yes it still fell. Trees are some of the most beautiful parts of Midtown. They represent the history and stories that midtown has to tell. So when we lose a tree it is very sad. My neighbor lost a big branch from a beautiful old tree in her yard. Thank goodness it missed all of the cars and other houses on our street. The funny part is not one person heard the branch fall- no one, not the neighbors- so that posses the question- if a tree falls in Central Gardens and no on hears it fall, does it make a sound?

All midtowners probably have some tree related story. Big Red and I had a tree fall on our old house and crush the entire thing. Luckily we had sold it and closed two days before- yes it sucks for the person that bought it.

So in my eulogy to the tree here is what I have to say: I am very sad to see you go (part of you) but I am very glad you didn't fall on my house- our car would have been acceptable- but not the house.

Do they even know I am there?

So I often I notice little Red and Big Red seem to create their own world and really nothing can interrupt them. They just have some special bond that I only get to watch and can't participate in. Last night as I am on the computer they both come in the room, not even sure they saw me, and they start to roll around on the floor (while I don't see the fun in this- they apparently thought it was hilarious). So I decided to capture the moment with a picture and they both stopped, smiled and moved on like I was never there.

I am back as a blogger- or something like that.

So I have tried to blog before and be a hip-cool blogger like the bloggers friends like to follow; but it didn't last- not sure why- maybe life just got busy. But I really have allot to say, so I felt like my only outlet might just be blogging (my friends get sick of my rants). So here I am again- Midtown Mommy is back! With that said, as a business person I feel like I should state my goal- my goal is to be linked to one of those hip-cool bloggers that my friends read daily. I know strange goal but we all have our motivations.

So just a couple of housekeeping things before I begin blogging full-time:
1.) I will not refer to anyone by their real names. Not to protect their privacy, just to create a sense of mysteriousness around the site. Common names you might read: Big Red- husband, best friend, fellow red head; little Red- sweet little baby of mine- entire reason for starting to blog; momma red- my mom; other names to be kept anonymous by using funny names.
2.) I am hoping to get my hubby involved in blogging so any encouragement for "Big Red" is greatly appreciated.
3.) If I post something you don't like, you have to tell me/respond or forever hold your silence
4.) Once I am out of this meeting, I might think of some more.
5.) OHH and please let me know if you have any fun topics.
6.) Last thing, while I was a Broadcast news major at the great U of M I don't consider myself a writer, editor or journalist, so please no editorial comments unless I spell a bad word wrong.