Mama-ratzi

I was at the mall the other night and I saw this really cute little red head running all over the place.. Apparently his Mom messed up BIG time and let him out of the stroller and so he decided that he wanted to push. He was so cute that I thought I would just snap his picture.... Hahahaha...
Just look at the concentration on Mason's face, he was in such a big-ole hurry that I could barely snap his pic. I got some super cute video's of the whole even, but blogger still will not let me up load.... He was running and telling the stroller to "go, go, go!" Seriously he was so cute that he had a crowd....
P.s- sorry if you were one of the poor people that I trampled on to get these pictures.... This was important Mama-ratzi business...

blogger break.

i am taking a time-out from my blog for a few days. i have so much going on, so much on my mind and i just do not really want to blog. i am taking a self-forced break. i am pretty sure i will still get on to stalk my regulars, but no posting from me--- that is until sunday night or monday. we have a family reunion this weekend {jackson family- curt's side} in chattanooga. i am sure i will have plenty to talk about after that. fun, fun, fun..... i hope you do not miss me too awful much, and i hope you do not mind... here is a list of the up coming events on my planner.

family reunion this weekend
kiki & lele event next weekend
kiki & lele event the weekend after that
labor day the weekend after that
hosting a baby shower the weekend after that
sits girls give-a-way the week after that
two weekends off to plan,
MASON'S 2 BIRTHDAY! oh man-o-man....
did i mention that i am working full time during the month of august?


wish me luck.... i will be back next week, just a short break...

Flattered.

Apparently, Angie over at "Seven Clown Circus" likes my blog. She gave me a bloggy award. Seriously, me? I am so excited! Her blog is a pretty big deal and she has a ton of readers (for her to notice me, it makes me feel like a pretty big deal), I wish I had this many readers.... Just kidding, I love my little crowd of readers...

Well, here is my award... I am going to think looooong and harrrrrd on who I will be passing this little jewel on to. It is pretty special.....

Thanks a TON Angie for making my day....

The time is upon us.

I have never been a huge Halloween fan. This most likely comes from my Mom not being a huge fan and so we never really celebrated when I was growing up... I can understand because she was not into the "ghouls and goblins and scary stuff" thing. I can actually totally understand now that I have Mason.

I am really excited to decorate this year because I know he will love picking stuff out and helping me. I had to run by Michael's on my way home and I was totally in love with the decorations. They are "happy" Halloween decorations, even the skull is smiling..: )

Also, I am thinking that I may do a Halloween theme for Mason's Birthday this year. He will be 2 and his birthday is October 4. Let me know what you think.... Is the 4th too early to have a Birthday Halloween party? Thoughts, please.

Happy skull bucket... I can so do this, and I just may... Never know....
Styrofoam pumpkins. I think I need some of these... They are pretty expensive, but I would not have to worry about the pumpkin getting smashed or about it getting rotten... Downfall- you cannot carve a Styrofoam pumpkin. Well, if you did it would not look too hot.
My fav-0-rite, the happy, smiley pumpkin... I think Mason would really like him.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

If you give a boy a cup of sweet tea.... he will take what he wants and then have fun destroying the remains...
And then he might even eat the remains....
When you go to the toy aisle, you might have a lot of choices before you pick the one you like... But, if you go to the store with Mammie, you might luck up and get more than one...
Choices. Choices.
If you think Daddy is really cool, you might steal his helmet and ride around the house on your "momo".

Taking one for the team.

Curt rides a motorcycle to work when it is not raining out. This is a huge gas saver for us. He drives an 80 mile round trip, 5 days a week. I know he does not mind riding the bike, he actually loves it (except for the time it rained on his way home). I get so nervous because there are so many stupid car drivers out there on the roads. He is a safe driver, he has had training (when you work in law enforcement, you get lots). I just have to say my prayers and I always make him call me when he gets to work. I know he thinks I am totally neurotic, but he already knew that before he started riding the bike to work.

I love you honey, thanks for making the sacrifice. Our pocket loves you for it, the planet loves you for it and I think you look super HOT on the bike.

One of those days....

Well, if you are a Mom then you know that "those days" are bound to happen from time to time... Really it started yesterday, but I am only writing about today- don't want to bore you to tears.

Background: Mason has not taken a nap for 5 days. We have tried our hardest with no success. He really needs to take a nap- REALLY! He can be quite the stinker when his sleep is messed with (he gets that from his Dad!) For the past 4 nights he has been waking up in the middle of the night, maybe even two or three times... This is very unlike him. Someone finally put the bug in my ear that it might just be his 2 year old molars... DING, DING, DING! Why didn't I think of that? He will be two in October and all of his other molars have come in early. So, I started giving him Motrin and this has worked quite well. But we still have not had a nap yet... I am afraid that his naps will stop (not good) but I am thinking this is just a phase. HOPEFULLY!

STORY: Today was a nice day, but Mason (poor little guy) was sad all day long. There was nothing we could do to make him happy, trust me we tried... We even got out a remote control car that we had been saving for his birthday and let him play with it. Of course he wanted nothing to do with it. He was scared, I guess he thought it was possessed or something. None of his cars have ever moved on their own before... So we nixed that.

Then Curt and I tried to take him to the Mall to let him play in the play area with kids his age... Lets just say that was a bad idea from the start... We also decided against taking the stroller in the mall- What were we thinking? Anyway, we tried to play for a bit and then left. I guess it is not a great idea to take a teething 2 year old to the Mall to a giant play place where he has to share with others....

Then came nap time, Curt decided to put him down since he told me yesterday that I was not doing it right, "Okay buddy- GO FOR IT!" (I wrestled him for 2 hours yesterday and gave up) He ended up having a re-peat from yesterday, I was secretly thinking- I told you so! Of course I did not say it! I am glad he did the nap thing, because I just did not have it in me today... Sad, but true!

Then late this afternoon after many attempts by Mason to escape to the street, I decided to let him play in the sand box. Again, what was I thinking? He ended up with sand in his eyes, screaming bloody murder.... So, we got a bath and relaxed some and then he went to bed.

Of course he went down without a fight, he had no fight left in him. I hope tomorrow is a better day for him... I will be fine. I am sure cutting those teeth really hurt. Someone told me that cutting molars for a baby is like cutting wisdom teeth for an adult. I am not sure how they could actually ever know to compare that, but if that is true, Mason is really hurting...

After he saw it drive on all by it's self. Not a happy camper...

Look at those sad eyes...

I am not sure what the dust pan was about, but after the car incident, he drove it around like a car- much safer...

Before he saw it preform... He liked it then, I hope he forgets tomorrow.

I never win!

But, this time I did! YAY me! I won the "Thrifty Thursday Give-a-way" that Joe Girl was having... Yay for me. I never win anything! Thanks Joe Girl, you Rock. I will post pictures when my gift comes in the mail.

Go Here to check out the loot. I must say that this is the sweetest, most personal thing anyone has done for me. She does not really know me except for the blogging world. If you are looking for a set of cards for your stash, consider visiting Joe Girl!

my LOOT

Trip to the farm

When I realized that Mason was not going to take a nap today, we decided to take a road trip to my grandparents house. I was hoping for a nap in the car. Somehow, this was the only picture I got from the whole trip. Mason was too busy exploring and playing with his cousin to slow down and let me take some fun photos... We had a great time.

First, we stopped by the "Centennial Grocery" store {Grandparents own} and talked with Pa, ate a sudder {sucker}, Helped some customers, helped Aunt Laura with the potato salad for tomorrow's lunch.

Then, we went to see Granny Fran. She had surgery last week {which no one failed to tell me}- so we thought we would see if she needed a helping hand. She was so happy to see us. She was totally surprised { we kept our trip a secret.} I would have taken pictures but she was in a back brace and she might not have liked that (I do have pity and the sick and afflicted.)

Then when we {Mason} got too cranky, we headed home. By the way, he never took a nap... He is such a little soldier some times...

We had a GrEaT day!

Pa got some new chicken's and rooster's... This was one of the rooster's running from Mason...




ps- don't forget to check in with Kiki & Lele from time to time to see what we are up too....

Faces of Mason.

Mason,
You are one silly bug. Do not ever forget that your laugh and smile could make even the grumpiest person happy.... You are a true blessing in my life.

Love,
Mom

Gimminy Crickets Batman

I did it! You will not believe me when I say it was all "Me." I really have been stressing of this for a whole day. Yes, so silly I know. But I cannot stand it when I cannot do something on my own...

I like this lay-out. There is only one problem, I am not sure if the colors show very well. Not sure if I like it as much as my birdie? I really want a custom job for Christmas... We shall see....

I changed my link list to a "blog roll." Not too sure about this either... But it is updated so that is great...

Let me know what you think {comment}. I am dying to know if I need to go back to the birdie... I miss my little birdie, but I am not sure if I want to keep it until I can afford to have one made just for me...

Meet "Joe Girl"

I have found a new blog that I love... The writers name is Joe, and she is awesome. Sooo, you ask- Who is this "Joe Girl?" Well... if you pop on over to her site you will see that she is your long lost blogger BFF! Her blog is a great read and she is also having a give-a-way right now... I really want the hand made cards.... What will your favorite be? You had better get on over to meet her before she picks someone besides you... Maybe she will pick me....

Joe Girl

PS- Is there such thing as a "blog doctor?" I am almost at the point to where I am going to save my pennies to hire one to fix my links and to fix my ugly page.... This seems to be common- I am always needing to fix something. If I find Dr. McBlogger, I am most likely going to need blogger insurance.. Do you think they sell that at State Farm? Ha!

Stinkin blogger.

Man, oh man... Blogger is on my very last nerve today. This morning I was trying to help a blog new comer out with her template and it back fired on me. She ended up with a sassy template and I ended up with no template. How does this happen? I am soooo mad right now. I have to get my birdie back... So, I am not really under construction, I am just trying to clean up a mess.... The birdie page is from "Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates."

Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates

{I told you my link feature is messed up too...} So here I am having all of this blogger trouble and I have no idea what to do about it. You think it would be as easy as removing the old code and inserting the new one, but NOOOO, of course not- nothing can be easy for me. Now I have to pretend that I am "techie" and try and fix this.

Please bear with me while I try and fix this mess and please excuse the horribly boring page I have right now....

Oh, little birdie I miss you so!

Fun blog

Go and check this blog out. I love her buttons, I am an extreme button collector, in case you did not know, just look at my side bar. She has some pretty cute ones.

PS- She is currently having a give-a-way of some super cute bath time stuff for the little ones...
So sign on up and tell your friends... It is the right thing to do... HA!

I caught you.

I have a friend who has started a blog, her name is Michelle. I know she would love it if you all would pop on over to her blog and show her some bloggy love, just like you show me every day with all of my wonderful comments...!

Michelle

ps- for some reason my hyper-link is not working. Boooo.

How Do you....

Lately I have been trying to find ways to save $$$$. I have gotten pretty creative since gas has gone up... So I am making a post to get more information for all my bloggie friends...

Today, I had to go to Dollar Tree to get some mailers to mail some stuff out in. I, of course, had to browse the whole store. It seems they have really expanded. They had all kinds of stuff. Cleaning supplies, soap, kids toys, greeting cards and more... I was in heaven. I have not been to the Dollar store in a LONG time because it is all the way across town... The major one for me was cleaning supplies, they are soooo expensive and I use a TON of them... I am pretty stocked up for now, but when I run out I will be making a trip over there for more. Plus, Mason got 2 motorcycles for $2.oo. What a steal.... I would have spent $10-$12 at least at Wal-Mart. Not that we do not already have a billion cars and trucks and motorcycles, but the great deal was fun!

My question is.... What do you do {creative or not} to save $$$ on anything....? Lets hear it!

Nonnie

After leaving the Hervig's, we traveled 5 minutes down the road to Nonnie & Grandpa's house. Mason and I ended up staying the night and we had a great time at breakfast this morning before Nonnies doctor visit....

Mom,

Thanks so much for talking me into staying last night. I had the best time with you and Mason this morning... You are such an inspiration to me, always making me want to be a better person/ Mom/ wife.

Love you bunches.

Inspiration.

For those of you who know me, you know that my most favorite type of decor for a home is antique mixed with modern style... I love to walk into a house with so much inspiration and so much to look at...

These pictures are from Amanda's Mom's house. For as long as I have known her she has done the most fabulous job at decorating and making her home so "homie."

Kitchen corner...
Fire place.

pictures taken from the home of B. Hervig

Soul food.

Mason and I had a great time yesterday afternoon... We went to Estill Springs to see Amanda, Joe and Little Cole. We had such a great time just hanging out snacking on chips & dip and picking blue berries from the bush... There is no better way to spend a Monday afternoon than with friends, catching up and hanging out...

Did I ever mention how much I love to edit pictures? I am sure you can tell because I edit almost every single picture that makes it on to the blog. Well, this time we needed it. My hair was a huge poof {unfortunately you cannot edit that} and Amanda had been on the lake all day { lucky gal}, so I gave us some finishing touches.... Mason was too busy eying his {momo} that he thought Cole was going to steal....

Enjoying some blue berries straight from the bush.... YUM! (note to self: buy blue berry bush and plant in the back yard....)

These berries are sooo yummy!

Cole enjoying some berries from the bowl... He liked them the most...

Both of the boys had put on bike helmets, but the picture of the both did not turn out so well... This is pretty much typical Mason, he loves bike stuff!

weekend pictures... POST # 200

Sometimes I get jealous when we go to Gran's house... This is her view from the back porch... So nice and relaxing and no one to bother you. Ahhh, I could live here...









Another beautiful picture just driving down the road... Curt was so funny, because every time I took a picture, he said, "I'll bet you are just going to blog about this- huh?" He has a love/hate relationship with this blogging thing...








Mason and Gran rode the "mo-mo" a lot. It was actually a four-wheeler, but it made mo- mo noises, so he thought it was a mo-mo...






Daddy & Mason riding the mo-mo!







Last, but not least, a picture from date night. We went to Jackson to watch The Dark Night movie... So much fun...

road trip.

Daddy slept...

Mason slept.....

Mommy drove...

We went to Gran's {Curt's Mom's} house this weekend. We left on Friday and stayed until Sunday morning. We were planning on coming back on Saturday night, but we were having waaaaay too much fun, so we stayed....

Mason spent a ton of time with Gran. Curt spent time with his Mom and Cliff {brother}. Curt and I spent time together with a great date night out... It was an all-around great weekend, loaded with family time and fun, fun, fun!

gone.

I will be out of pocket for the weekend, but I will be back with bunches of fun stuff on Monday, do not forget about me.... I {heart} my bloggie friends... Ta Ta for now!

Leslee

Yep, I'm famous.

You can pick this baby up at your local market... Apparently, I am a super-duper blogging queen and they put me on Vogue- go figure!

Re-do...

Ok, so I really do not get tired of bragging on my honey! You may get tired of it, but I do not...

I am busy making an office for myself and a crafting space... I had no chair when we were all done putting things together, you think we would have thought of the chair, but No, we did not!

Soooo, we have been on the look out for a chair, but not seriously- just kind of. I was really looking for a deal- something beat up and old that I could fix up... But like I said, I was not serious about looking.

Well, Curt got out of the gym one morning and took Mason by the Goodwill to look for a chair. He found this little gem for only {$4.99}. Can you believe that? What a steal. It is totally comfortable too! I cannot wait to fix 'er up. There is just one problem, I have NEVER re-done any piece of furniture...

HELP: I need suggestions on what to do to re-finish the little baby... I mean, what kind of paint, do I sand, do I need primer? I have NO clue.... I would love to use spray paint, is that possible on wood? I mean it, I really need help!

Also, if you have any colors that you like tell me. I am leaning towards {burnt orange.}

Please let me know what you think...