My Cousin is Coming!!!! (and Uncle Too!)

Woo hoo! My cousin, Skelly, is coming thru and stopping off tonight, as he heads up to OH! I'm so excited! And yes, I'm excited that my Uncle Don will be here, as well! RISK, anyone? ;) So, we're going thru the house putting it all in order!

So - let's see - in the last hour my emotions have gone from high to low to high!

High: because I was out helping a new mommy breastfeed and getting to hold the precious baby! Ummmm... that newborn baby smell! It's wonderful!

Low: because on my way home from thus said appt, my dh phones me to say the meat wagon is coming w/n the hour and will be doing part of the processing right on site! (ugh... I'm not a puker, but I about lost all the food I didn't eat today... ) And remember - we all voted she should end up in my freezer!

me... whining saying - let's really just sell her instead - because I think you'll all agree with me - having 2 cows in your freezer is just 1 too many! And she can be sold to make the mortgage payment coming up! IMNSHO!

High: because my uncle just called me saying they'll be here some time tonight!

Let's just say - I can't pull the kids down from the ceiling! They are all so excited!

Old-Fashioned Rag Tie Curls!

OK - so I've had many requests on how Gracie's hair gets so curly! Yes, she did come by some of it naturally... but we also have some help. Here's how:

1. Get an old, clean T-shirt.

2. Cut it in strips of 10" x 3"

3. Grab a small section of hair and place the strip at end of hair. (sometimes it may need to be dampened on the ends, just to keep it in place as you start to roll!)

4. Start rolling up the hair in the strip (roll towards head)

5. Tie in knot.

6. Sleep on it.

7. Wake up and unknot and unroll

8. Shake out curls! and voila`!

Disclaimer!

Some hair will refuse to curl no matter what.

Some hair curls better if it's damp before rolling.

Good luck!

A Man's Usage for a Post-It Note!

I tho't this was funny! My hubby sent it to me! In case you can't read the Post-It... it says "Jane"! That's why I love *MY* hubby so much! not only did he know my maiden name, he knew how to spell it too! and very early on in our relationship, too! Love at first spelling!

Grace! Gracie! Grace C!

What a weekend of soccer! It is in full swing for us - a family of 4 soccer stars. Today's brag bit will be about Grace, because she deserves this! When we moved here, we knew nobody! God blessed us richly, and I mean RICHLY, when he plopped us down next to Angie & Brad and gang! They got us involved in soccer and nobody would believe us that our kids had never played this sport before.

After Grace's first season she was heavily recruited to try out for the girl's select team - which she made the cut. She is one of the smallest peanuts out on the field - but I would never want to tangle against her. She is so tough and fierce and aggressive, never backing down to the competition that may be a whole foot taller than her, let alone outweigh her by 50lbs, too! We get many comments from the other parents on her boldness! I just grin as Don says he knows where she got it from! LOL

Today was her greatest day yet! She scored not only one goal - but two goals - and to top it off her team won! They were machines dominating the whole field!

We're now being 'recruited' to have her a manager and get her going on the Olympic Youth Team, being touted as the next Mia Hamm cuz she's got the look, marketability, skill, speed and that grin she's always been known for: Grinnin' Grace. Whatever... it's up to her! She loves the sport. The refs love her, the crowd loves her and we all love her! We'll see what the future holds in store for her!

The above pix is of Grace and my cousin, Skelly - who *IS* a soccer star!

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things: Part I

Where did the week go? Last posting was Monday and now it's Friday... I guess I was all consumed during what might be considered 'free time' by soccer practice for 4 kiddos plus one of them also playing baseball. Anywho... on to my post!

One of my fave things is when Charlie Boy whispers in my ear before bedtime to say, "Mom, I'm gunna try to come down and sleep with you tonight!" It warms my heart. Charlie has always been the best co-sleeper. He's such a sensitive, loving guy. Well sure enough last night he had a nightmare - we think he was too hot - so at 345a this morning I got to be snugged between my boys. I love it.

What Is Your 80s Theme Song?

Your 80s Theme Song Is:

Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen

What's" Your 80s Theme Song?

Well - I'm kinda shocked by this answer to the blogthings.com quiz. I'm not really a Bruce fan - never have been - despite the fact that my dh use to set up his tents for his concerts in Jersey! At least it wasn't a DuranDuran tune! ugh! That was one part of the 80s that *I* didn't partake in! But really, I'm surprised it wasn't a Prince tune, or the Artist formerly known as Prince - but back in the 80s - he was Prince.

Let me know what you came up with! (even for those of you who are too young to remember much of the 80s!)

SHOTGUN!

Hannah & Mel @ H's bday ice skating par-tay!

Well, after 13 years of feeling like a chauffeur by driving solo and having my posse hangin in the back seats... my life of front row loneliness is now over. Hannah has taken upon herself to force the issue of riding upfront - calling 'SHOTGUN' - when we are out and about. Can I just say how bizarre this is? Think about it - all those trips to the store, to church services, to outings, to therapies, to wherever in the world we had to go - for the past 13 years I have been solo up front. But not no mo' tho'!

What truly scares me is that next year Grace will by vying for 'SHOTGUN' ~ and let the fighting begin once again! ugh... Thankfully I have one year reprieve!

And just the rest of you wait... once they're sitting upfront with you, blink again, and they'll be the ones doing the driving. AAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!