New Orleans Is Fabulous!

Our flight from Atlanta to New Orleans wasn't nearly as nice as the one with wifi...but at least it was on time! Thank God for no delays. The clouds were beautiful. We even saw an airplane flying across from us way up there!

We met Lil Sis at the airport and took a taxi to the Hilton Riverside. Can't wait to show you the view from our window. We dressed up and went to dinner at Mother's Restaurant...I had yummy fried chicken!

Then we hit the street to check out the costumes...we saw the Sham-Wow guy, Rainbow Brite, Santa Claus, Micheal Phelps, Harry Potter, the Joker, Cheech, Snake Charmer, lots of pirates, Ghostbusters, Dodgeball (movie) team, Father Time, nun, Blue Man Group, cowboys, doctors...it was so neat! And yes...we saw a couple more "colorful" costumes too.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...

Blogging at 18,000 Feet!

Guess where I am!?

I am flying high in the sky!

Delta has free gogo wi-fi today! I didn't even know airplanes had wifi! This is really helping with my anxiety.

We are flying from Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!) to Atlanta, GA...yep...I just might see a Real Housewife! I wonder what my reaction would be? Hopefully they won't need a restraining order against me...lol!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and a spoooooky Halloween. I can't wait to get "Raggedy" and explore the streets of New Orleans. I look forward to blogging about my trip and sharing my experiences with the best bloggy buds in the blogosphere!

Scrappy

The Countdown Is On

Packing for a trip is EXHAUSTING! I am so tired...but I am excited too! I threw up yesterday and I have had diarrhea for the last couple days! My bowels are directly connected to my nerves...I can't help it...I guess it's faulty wiring...lol!

We will arrive in New Orleans around 6pm tomorrow night. I can't wait to see Lil Sis!

Some things we have planned...cemetary tour, eating at Cafe Du Monde, Mardi Gras World, Algiers Ferry, Oak Alley plantation tour, swamp boat ride and lots MORE...it is going to be FUN and I can't wait to blog about it each evening.

Keep us in your prayers for a safe trip!

Don't Make Fun Of The Frazzled Mom!

This morning was crazy! Dr. Hubby snapped at Manga Dork and made her cry. I had one preschooler crying to go to school and one crying to stay home...unfortunately it was the one who didn't want to go that had to go today! I couldn't find her shoes anywhere. We were 10 minutes late.

I went in and apologized to her teacher and explained that we had lost her shoes and about the crying. She laughed and said, "Well, I'm surprised you haven't brought the wrong one in." I told her not to count that out yet.

As I was walking out the door I heard her say to the kids, "Today we do not have a leader...because we are having our VALENTINE party!"

Feels good to not be the only crazy one on this planet! LOL! I needed that giggle...

Are You Packed Yet?

Are your suitcases packed?

Only 3 more days til we leave for New Orleans!

Anything specific you want to see while we are there?

Faith And Airplanes

Today I was struggling. Struggling with anxiety over flying to New Orleans on Saturday. Somewhere in my head came the idea that I needed to go to church. I felt like if I did not go to church that the plane may crash. I know that sounds completely irrational. I even laughed and said that I would go to church so that I wouldn't have that craziness in my mind...even though I knew it was irrational.

So the 3 girls and I went to church...they are having revival. I sat in the pew and I thought "I would love to know if that was God speaking to me or just my flying anxiety. I kinda laughed and thought "if this preacher says {airplane} I will know." I mean, come on, what are the chances of him saying airplane?!

The 2 little ones had squirmed and wiggled me to death, but around the middle of the sermon the preacher got my attention. What did he say? He said...

"There was this pilot flying an airplane...way up high with 147 passengers. He got on the speaker and said, "I regret to inform you, but we have lost one of our four engines. Luckily we can make it fine with just three." He also added, "I would also like to inform you that there are four pastors on the flight." At this time a guy leaned over and said to the woman next to him, "I would much rather have four engines and three pastors instead of three engines and four pastors."

Everyone laughed...except for me...I was too busy wiping the tears.

During this time my little ones were very still...it was the only time I wasn't wrestling with them. I had prayed this morning for God to keep me safe...and he had asked me when I was going to go to church for him instead of making exscuses. I have been absent way too much. Through my fear of flying God let me know that I need to do my part. I need to go to church and worship. I need to put more effort into my prayers. I need to read my Bible.

I wish I could bottle the feeling I had tonight and share some with each of you. I felt God so close. I will get on that plane Saturday and know that he is watching over me.

Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.-Matthew 18:20

{This was the daily scripture shared on my scrapbooking message board. I know that God was with us tonight.}

God Bless You.

Feelin' Raggedy

Last night was our community Halloween party. My "Andy" was home sick...not that he agreed to the Andy costume.

Wild Child loved walking in the parade.

But this is where Cutie stayed in the beginning...she was not fond of the scary costumes. My MIL joined us for the event.

Our little gangsta diva won "funniest" in her age group.

I even walked for my age group...the high school ninja kid in front of me was TOTALLY gettin' into character and almost whacked me with his sword several times. The oldest parade participant was 81 and the youngest was 2 months.

After the parades we went to play games...at this point the little ones' cat costumes were falling apart. I've got to exchange them before trick or treat on Thursday.

This is Manga Dork's boyfriend. Looks like Kim from Real Housewives...LOL! Peace! He was a very nice young man and they enjoyed helping with the games.

The evening was a blast! Oh yeah...I almost forgot!

Congrats to the Lady Reds! 2nd place at the District Tournament! Manga Dork is top row last one on the right. She played hard and received a standing cheer from her coach and teammates on the bench for one of her plays.

Happy Weekend!

Get Them Into Their Arms...

Yesterday while we were out on the town doing some retail therapy I took the kids to Petland.

During college I worked as a Pet Counselor at Petland and I know that the easiest way for a pet to go home with someone is to get the furbaby into the customer's arms.
So I warned the kids. We will pet one puppy in the puppy room. That is it.

Cutie was "floored" by all the furry choices...but they chose a Pug and had a blast. Then they looked around the rest of the pet store...

Wild Child forgot the rules when a pet counselor put this soft bunny in her arms. Can you tell what she was thinking? The answer was no. Then I had to deal with this...

Manga Dork...the answer is no. Don't fall for that face and those eyes. It is just a trick. Think housetraining and barking and POOP! And what did I tell you? Don't let them put the cuteness in your arms! Come on...how hard can it be to resist!...

Oops! LOL! This mini schnauzer stole my heart. He wanted to be held and would just put his furry little chin on my shoulder...

BUT...take that pet counselors with your furry cuteness voodoo...we went home with zero furbabies.

We win.

Don't Always Worry About What Others Are Gonna Think!

Last year I threw myself a Twilight birthday party (that's the invite above). The movie premiered during my birthday weekend. Those of you who were reading my blog then probably remember that my party almost didn't happen because of other people's actions/attitudes. You can read about that HERE.

Well, I did not let the negativity ruin my party. It was a great time and I enjoyed planning every detail. You can see the fun HERE and HERE.

The point of this flashback is to talk about how I learned a lesson (again). If you read the linked posts you will know that very few were supportive of my party and some even laughed. Well...the other day my MIL and I were talking while we were on our way to Columbus. I told her about a project I am now working on...a list of 35 things I want to do while I am 35. She said...

"I think it is really neat how you do things that you want to do like that. Like throwing your own party last year instead of waiting on other people to do something...you made it something you really loved."

I almost wrecked the car.

I'm Going To Atlanta TONIGHT!

Tonight is the season finale of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Dr. Hubby is out of town and I think I am going to throw myself an "Independence Party."

One of my fave things these catty housewives did this season was the alter-ego photo session...enjoy!



























This post dedicated to Kandi's ex-fiance, AJ Jewell, who died in a bar fight a few weeks ago. So sad. They had seperated in August.

Stay tuned for my party post! It's gonna be FABULOUS!

Move Over Pumpkin Shirt Kid's Mom

Our preschool has special days dedicated to colors and shapes and letters of the alphabet. The kids wear the color and/or bring something in that is that color, shape, or that begins with the letter. Wild Child's class has special days every Friday for random things (Pumpkin Day, Spiders Day, etc.). On pumpkin day we did not wear anything pumpkin-y. I am usually the mom that "goes all out." In walks Miss Mom of the Year with her smug little daughter wearing a shirt with pumpkins on it and a big ribbon in her hair. Guess what was on it?!...yep...pumpkins.

Today was black day for Cutie. She took a completely black Webkinz pony and her shirt even said the word "black" So...ha!...top that pumpkin shirt kid's mom! I need a life.

Meet Larry and Other Random Stuff

My back wiper is broken (I tried to pull in the garage with the rear door up in the air) and I have had a little copilot for several weeks now. We named him Larry. He has traveled many miles with me since at least the beginning of September. I am not going to fix my wiper until he is gone (Don't judge me...I am extremely soft hearted and sentimental). Dr. Hubby just thinks I am mental...lol.

Larry wasn't the only crawly creature out on the farm today. It was so warm and nice that it awakened all the aggravating ladybugs and they invaded my scrappy schoolhouse. I accidentally smeared one down my neck...phew...they stink!

I put in my Season 1 DVD of Real Housewives of Orange County. Boy those girlies have come a long way. I just heard the franchise was sold and that in Fall 2010 they will be showing Real Housewives on a local network 5 days a week...woohoo! Oh the FUN and TROUBLE they will be able to get into! Don't forget the OC Housewives premiere on Bravo November 5th at 10 pm!

I got scrappy on some Fall ATCs...I showed you the supplies a couple posts ago and these are the results. I can't decide which one to keep for myself.

I made this card for a friend that was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is such an inspiration.

Today I have to go to Columbus to take Wild Child to her last dental visit. She said, "I can't do it anymore. Cutie needs to get silver teeth now." LOL! My MIL is riding with me. She broke 2 of her fingers the other day in a freak accident...it looks so painful. We are still getting along very well...it's starting to freak me out!

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

I {heart} U!

Did I Really Expect Him To Notice?

Yesterday I told Dr. Hubby on the phone that my goal for the day was to completely clean the house AND get ALL my laundry done. He replied, "In one day?!"

During the weekend I worked on the laundry and he commented, "It feels like you have been doing the same thing all day." Hmmm...

I knew that my goal was a big one, but I was determined. Monday's cleanup is always harder because our home looks like we had a party while our parents were away. LOL!

Well, I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned...I folded and hung laundry all day long. At the end of the day our home looked wonderful. I got all the laundry was all done except for a couple pieces that had to washed seperately. I lit the candles, put the little ones to bed, took a shower, and sat down at the computer to do some New Orleans planning.

Dr. Hubby came through the door and said, "What is that smell?" Manga Dork started in with how terrible her day had been. Dr. Hubby said, "It smells like a wet cat in here!" I had some issues with a smelly mop.

That is all that was said about the house.

Well, I felt like this. My legs and feet were aching. Dr. Hubby did rub my legs when I asked. I think I am going to do NOTHING all day today. That way I am sure he will notice what I did!

Why do we always notice the negatives more than the positives?

Today go out of your way to compliment a job well done.

Frosty Farm

On Sunday morning we woke up to the first frost of the season. We have had alot of rain and the sunshine was a very welcome sight!

The frost could still be seen in the shade of the tree line.

One of our Black Angus had jumped the fence into the hay field.

Frost outlined the greens in our yard. It is in desperate need of one more cutting.

Just one more sign that winter is around the corner! Brrr...

Cause You Know You Were Wondering...

The other day we mentioned moving...not that we have any plans to...Manga Dork flew into the room and said, "We can't! My life is just getting good!" The cafeteria drama has been resolved...she loves the group she sits with. Last night she went to the first school dance of the year and came home with a boyfriend. The BFF that called her a "slut" has apologized, but is still acting odd. We are concerned because she seems to be backing off from her friends.

Remember these suckers and display box from about a week ago?

Here's what they look like now! Ready for the 2 little ones to take to their preschool Halloween party.

supplies {suckers.Walmart.$24}{display box.Walmart.free}{Patterned papers.stickers.ghost.Walmart.from a set bought for $9.99}{ribbon.Michaels.$.50 roll}

On the back of each sucker is a tag that reads, "Love, Wild Child and Cutie."

{tag punch.StampinUp}{witch punch.Martha Stewart at Michaels.$2.50}{cardstock.StampinUp}

My next project...Fall ATCs that are WAY overdue...using these items I have had FOREVER!

Hope you are having a great weekend!

Orange You Glad It's The Weekend?!

Another rainy dreary cold day! I haven't even been able to get photos of the fall foliage yet! All this gloominess is playing on my mood...so how about a little orange...autumn style...

I'm a sucker for a cupcake...especially spooky double cupcakes! YUM!

I {heart} candy corn! But I have no desire to try the new flavors (caramel, chocolate, etc.)...leave my candy corn goodness alone!

I feel like doing this today. I hope I am not coming down with something. Everyone else in our home has been sick except me!

If I had this bike I might actually go for a ride!

This is the way I feel when I walk into my laundry room!

Happy Weekend! Enjoy all the seasonal oranges!