This morning I got a little nostalgic on my way to drop the kids off at Mama’s.  There is something about driving to your childhood home that really can bring back the memories.  I enjoyed the peacefulness of my ride there.  By peaceful I mean…my kids were actually quiet!  I know!

The old dirt road I walked down many times to meet my friends at the ball field is now paved a gray color.  I longed to look in my rear view mirror and see the dust fly this morning.  The ball field is in need of a good mowing and the dug outs need a few pieces of lumber to fix them up.  But, it still looked like the place I played many Sunday afternoons.  I could almost see us running around, not really playing ball, just enjoying being together. 

A few more minutes up the road brought me to the barn.  This was where I wasn’t really allowed to play much.  I did go a few times with my twin cousins when the adults were not there.  We would play on the old hitching post.  We’d walk one end to the other trying not to fall off.  We’d chase the goats and run from the chickens.  We never did climb the forbidden ladder to the loft.  For some reason that was the one rule we followed.   This morning I noticed that it was broken on one end.  I wondered if there was a need to repair it.  I don’t remember ever seeing horses there, but I suppose there could have been.

Next we rounded the last curve and saw the house that I called home.  I watched the sun glisten off the metal roof.  I saw the cedar trees sway in the gentle breeze.  I listened as the birds sang their morning song.  I felt the dew on my sandal clad feet.   This was the place that I learned to ride a bike.  The place where I’d stare up at the stars and wonder if there was someone staring back at me.  The place I spent many summers riding the lawn mower in my swimsuit so I could get a tan.  This was home.

The house still sits between two roads.  The cedar trees still form an arc on the drive.  The house is no longer a dark brown.  It is a white, but the tin roof still lulls you to sleep when it rains.  This was home.

I pondered a little while before I got the kids out.  My memories are vivid.  I want my kids to make their own memories.  I want them to look back on the days spent at Mama’s and the fun they had.  I want to make memories with my kids the way Mama did with me.  I decided right then, in my Mama’s driveway, that I would take life at a slower pace.  I would make those memories with my kids. 

When I drove back down the road toward work, I drove a little slower.

• When trying to find the perfect dress go with the first one you think looks good.  After trying on about 20 dresses, I bought the one I tried on first.  I could have cut that shopping trip down to only ten minutes instead of two hours!
• When it’s over ninety degrees outside, drive the Explorer that’s air conditioner works all the time.  Or, better yet, get the other one fixed…. ahem…. Jason…. did you get that?
• When your kids don’t like a certain brand of cereal they usually dump it in the sink.  That cereal will clog the drain beyond Draino.  Your husband will have to do a ton of work.  Then he will get frustrated and call his dad who will come over and blow some air in it or something and the sink will be fixed.  Thanks Mr. Ricky!  Your are GREAT!
• When you decide not to follow your husband’s advice you will be scolded.  Yes, even at 31 your husband can still make you feel exactly like a three year old caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
• When you decide to be Miss Mary Homemaker and do a ton of stuff at once the scolding will begin.
• When you bake pork chops, steam squash and potatoes, heat oil for fried okra,  wash/dry clothes, and run the dishwasher do not get the bright idea to melt chocolate in the microwave for chocolate covered strawberries.
• When you do all the above, you will flip the breaker for the kitchen.  Then your husband will be mad because he has told you many times not to run everything at once.  Then he will try to fix it.  He will run into many problems.  He will have to rewire half the kitchen at 8:00 p.m.  That is when the real scolding begins.

I hope you will learn from my mistakes.

Dear Young Lady Driver,

I am not usually surprised by the things I see.  In this day and age things just don’t come as a surprise to me anymore.  I’m used to seeing the stranger things.  However, what I saw you do yesterday completely shocked me and honestly appalled me!

First, I need to say I am a good driver.  I usually obey the speed limit.  I do not put mascara on when I drive.  I give my signal in plenty of time. And, I do not follow too close!  I, like the many other people in the world, can not afford any kind of traffic ticket.  So, I obey the rules.

My Grandmama gave me some amazing advice.  “Watch the other feller.”   I always follow her advice.  It’s a good thing since you obviously were not following her rule of driving.  You in your Hummer were doing the unthinkable.  TEXTING!  Yes you were!  I pulled into the lane beside you so I could take the next exit.  You were driving way too fast and using no hands!  I did a double take.  You were holding your phone with both hands.  Your thumbs were going crazy.  Texting!  Do you not realize what kind of danger you put yourself and others in.  Suppose I had swerved toward you…. you would never have seen it!  You were too busy probably gossipping about the color Suzy Q wore to the mall.  I just don’t understand. 

I want to leave you with a piece of advice.  Not everyone is “watching the other feller.”  So, put away the phone and pay attention!  I’d sure hate to see the other feller watch you go in the ditch!

Thank you.

Dani

Now, to the man I saw this morning.  I won’t even write you a letter.  I feel that your complete ignorance would not even understand a letter.  Do not drive with your dog in your lap.  Do not let said dog put his/her front paws on the steering wheel while you drive 70 down the highway.  Thank you.

Next,  to all my thousands hundred three readers my Grandmama was smart.  The other feller needs to be watched. 

That’s all.  I’m off the podium now.

I think my heart will just explode with the love I feel for my Zack.  Well, all my kids, but today I’m talking about Zack. 

He has this new thing.  He likes to press his head or cheek just as close to yours as possible.  Then he will ohhhhh and ahhhhh.  His head will pop up and he just grins. Zack does it most when he gets sleepy or when you say love love.  I just love it!

At night I take him to bed with me so I can have a little time with just him.  I try to give each of my kids their own time.  It’s hard and some days it doesn’t happen.  I feel like Zack needs to have his time with me.  Oh OK, I need that time with Zack!  We giggle and play for a bit, then he starts the nightly ritual of going to sleep.  He plops from side to side.  Then he will kick the cover off.  Then he stands up and bangs on the headboard of the bed.  We go through this a few times until he just literally passes out. 

Last night was no different except he added something new that took me by surprise.  Me and the big kids have been singing 1-2-3-4—-5! and holding up our fingers.  He giggles every time.  Well, last night he did it.  I could catch the words one & two then it was all jumbled.  But, I knew that’s what he was doing.  When I joined in he clapped and grinned.  He knew what he was doing.  I just love to see his developments. 

He is getting brave.  He will stand holding on to the couch.  Then he will stick one leg out behind him.  Sometimes he even lets go with one hand.  We have caught him trying to climb in the playpen at home.  He does that at Mama’s too. 

I can hardly stand to see my baby boy, my last child, grow so fast.  I want to hold him and snuggle close forever.  I know that just like my other two, he will soon say, “Mama, can you not kiss me in front of all the kids!”  And I will respond the same as I did with Tyler and Abbey, “NOPE!”

Summer starts this weekend.  To me…. it already did.  The day Tyler and Abbey got out of school, Summer started at our house.  Camping, grilling, water slides, mowing, and all the other Summer activities have started to take up our afternoons.  I love it.  I like the way Summer time makes me feel free.  Free from the hustle and bustle of the school year.  I do have a major list of things to do. I’m sure these will not get done anytime soon, but maybe y’all can keep me on track.

1. have a yard sale…. Jason says no, but all the boxes sitting in my room are yelling YES
2. Fix roof
3. remodel kids bathroom
4. make a place for kids to study & do homework
5. teach Zack to say MAMA!
6. lose 25 pounds…. I’d really settle for 10, but 25 would be amazing!
7. organize office
8. paint dining room
9. take down Christmas wreath!  Yeah I know! 
10. work on my tan

The list is actually bigger, but I think this is all I can handle for now.  Can I do it?  Sure I can.  I think I’ll mark off #9 tonight.  That should be pretty easy.

I don’t want to even think about this, but it is inevitable.  My little man will be ONE next month!  My sweet adorable baby boy that will say dog, but not MAMA, is going to have a birthday.  I just can’t believe how fast this year flew by.

Anyway, I’m not posting to be all sentimental today.  I need ideas!  Usually I turn to www.tipjunkie.com, but I just could not find anything I thought would be like him.  He doesn’t really like anything special except me… yeah right… and that would explain why he never says MAMA! Seriously, he doesn’t have anything special he plays with or watches on t.v.  He likes to say dog.  ALOT.

Any ideas?  I would really love to do this cake.  It is so bright and just happy looking.  I don’t think I’d have any problems making this one.  I thought with it I could do a crayon theme.  Or maybe a rainbow.  Do you think rainbows are girly?  OHHHH…. I need ideas!  Maybe I should find something different for the cake. 

OK…. send me your thoughts!  I need help and fast!  Oh… keep it simple because Emily is getting married on the weekend of Zack’s birthday, so time will be limited to decorate a cake!

One of my favorite blogs is going dot com!  How fun!  I absolutely love Tip Junkie!  I have found some great ideas there.  There is everything from B-day party ideas to Christmas gifts.  If you need an idea, this is the place to check. 

In honor of her 2nd b-day she is having great giveaways all week!  TEN winners EVERY DAY!  WOW!  Maybe I’ll get lucky!  So check her out!   www.tipjunkie.com

Jason and I had a little time to ourselves this weekend to celebrate his birthday.  Mama kept the kids Saturday night.  I was skeptical of leaving Zack all night, but it seems he did just fine. And, much to my surprise, he still smiled when I picked him up Sunday.  He wasn’t too mad that we left him.

We went to Cullman, Alabama.  Our plans were to eat at All Steak.  We ate there years ago at a tire meeting.  I’m telling you it is the best food.  They have Orange Rolls that are the best thing you could ask for.  We didn’t exactly make it there.  It was well after 5p.m. before we left our house.  It’s almost three hours to get there.  We thought it would be too late.  We decided to have lunch there Sunday instead.  Well, that didn’t happen either.  Jason’s favorite place to eat breakfast is Denny’s.  The closest one is Memphis.  So, anytime we are in a town that has one, we eat breakfast.  Cullman just happens to have a Denny’s.  We had the best breakfast and decided we were too stuffed to try All Steak for lunch.  

After we ate, we drove to Smith Lake.  We found a really nice place for us to camp on the Fourth of July.  Then we had a milkshake from a little Dairy Bar on the side of the highway.  Then we drove home.

We had fun.  We talked more this weekend than we have in months.  We only talked about the kids a few times.  I think we both realized we needed adult conversation that didn’t involve what the kids last week.  We needed to enjoy being together.  And, we did!  I don’t have pictures, but I promise I will have some of All Steak.  Why?  Well, my wonderful husband asked if I wanted to go for my birthday.  He even said he’d wear a suit!  AND…. I can get all dressed up in my black dress!  WOO HOO!  So… in November, there will be pictures!

Happy Birthday, Jason!  I hope your day is great!  I love you and had a great time with you this weekend!

I’m thirty-one.  There I admitted it.  Thirty-one and OK with it.  What I’m not OK with is a little thing we call gravity.  What goes up must come down.  Who says?  Well, Newton of course.  I have news for Mr. Newton.  Last night I defied gravity.  Oh yes I did!

I walked into the store last night a tiny bit intimidated.  I had one thing on my mind.  That was finding the bra that my friend had (Hi Deanna!). After nursing three kids, my girls followed Newton’s law.  I just wasn’t OK with that.  I needed the perkiness that I already new this certain bra would give me.

I was greeted by a nice saleslady.  I’ll call her “B” because that’s what her name started with and it’s easier than typing saleslady.  B asked if she could help.  I told her I was looking for a bra.  We walked to that section.  I was immediately overwhelmed by the choices.  She noticed my expression.  B asked what kind I needed.  I only had two things in mind: perky girls and a little bit of padding.  I explained that I worked with all men and she told me we would find one that kept the headlights on dim.  I knew then I was in good hands!

She measured me and told me a size I was sure Shamu could wear.  Then she handed me a couple bras to try on.  I noticed they were two sizes smaller than she measured.  I tried them on and was not happy with the results.  The cups bulked out.  I could not have that.  I told B and she got me more to try.  After about the sixth one, she told me to let her know when I got it on.  Here is the conversation that followed.

B:  Do you have it on?

Me: Yes, ma’am.

B: Let me see.

Me:  I don’t have my shirt on!

B: Well, Hun, I can’t see your bra with your shirt on.

Me:  Oh… yea… OK…. hang on.

I reluctantly open the door and she comes in.  She begins pushing and shoving the girls where they needed to be.  Then she fiddled with the straps.  I could only think one thing, SHE BETTER MAKE BEGA BUCKS FOR THIS JOB!  I stood there literally speechless until she was finished.  Then she moved back.  I looked in the mirror.  This lady knew her bras!  The girls were perky!  I, with the help of B, had accomplished what I went to do: Make the girls perky.  I even accomplished something else!  I defied gravity.  These girls are staying up!

Thanks B!  You are amazing and you deserve a huge bonus!

There will be more vacation stories.  Oh yes there will.  But today I thought I’d give y’all a break. 

Here are some things I just had to share!  I don’t have to, but I love to share all the little pieces of my family with y’all!

1. Jason’s birthday is Monday.  I asked if he wanted to go fishing with the guys this weekend.  His reply?  “No, Beautiful, I’d rather find a babysitter and spend some time with you.”  Awwww….. how sweet is that.  Passing up fishing for me.  What a catch I have. (pun intended)
2. Last night Zack was doing something bad.  Jason shook his finger at him and said in a stern voice, “NO!”  Zack pointed his cute little finger back at Jason and said in his stern voice, “DOP!”  How stinking cute is that?  We will definitely have to stop him from doing that, but he was just too cute.
3. Abbey took her UFO (you remember, the smart kid test) today.  She didn’t know what was missing from the picture of a camel.  HUMPS??  Yeah that is what I thought too.
4. Tyler screamed like a pig Monday night.  I had to pull his tooth.  It was hanging by a root.  He carried on so much.  I just knew the neighbors were going to call the police!  It was really that bad!
5. I am so sleepy right this minute.  I went home on my lunch break, set my phone alarm, and took a 30 minute nap.  I really don’t think I’ll be doing that again.  I feel worse now than I did before.  It is nice to live close enough to work to go home for lunch.

I just read back through my post and realized just how country I sounded.  Screamed like a pig, fishing with the guys, carried on…. Hello world, my name is Dani and I am a big ‘ol country bumpkin!