I'm Confused

While we are on the topic of shopping, I figure I will confess to you my complete confusion on why anyone would want to shop at Abercrombie or Abercrombie & Fitch, or Hollister.

Caroline and I took a little shopping trip with our friends in Montgomery this summer.  Caroline and Borden really wanted to shop for a few hours (ok, it was really me wanting to take a trip to Harolds, but it included shopping for the girls, too).  So, we set out to a great outdoor mall near their house.  After I bought the dress I'd wear to Adam's wedding (at Harold's), we began our search for clothes for the girls.  They wanted twin t-shirts.  Justice let us down and the store next door did, too.  So we headed into Hollister - you know - the store with no name on the outside???  Please enlighten me on that one.  In the past few years I've walked by multiple times just trying to find the name of the dadgum place.  So, I usually just call it "the store with no name".

Anyway,  we venture into this dark room with BLASTING music and some sort of hidden cologne misting dispenser that continuously pours out the odor of the day.  The girls are drawn to cute little cami's and scoop-necked t's which looked horrible on, not to mention the fact that they were overpriced and inappropriate for our 12 year old girls.  Our down and discouraged daughters then ventured to the t's with "HOLLISTER" written on them.  They weren't wild about them, but they acquiesed and decided that they'd better agree or we'd be leaving for the day empty-handed.  So, Jennifer and I shelled out an amazing amount of money for a simple t-shirt with a store logo on it.  They look cute, though, don't they?

In addition to the scavenger-like search our daughters took us on, I haven't even mentioned the affect of the environment on these almost 40 year old moms.  I felt like I was going blind!  That store was so dark and the mirrors had a haze on them.  It was impossible to get a true picture of the image in the mirror - hint number one that they are trying to encourage poor buying decisions from the dressing room. Plus, the four of us were completely disabled from all communication.  The music was so loud - I couldn't think - much less talk to anyone without yelling at the top of my lungs.  

I was seriously hoarse by the time I left.  and I had a headache from the overstimulization of my olfactory senses.  I could smell that blasted store for hours after our visit.

Yesterday Caroline and I sauntered into an Abercrombie and I began to recollect our summertime experience.  Once again, the store was dark and overly scented, with music blasting at decibels beyond one's hearing health.  I hope they have a good worker's compensation package for the young employees.  I predict imminent hearing loss for them all.

What is so great about these stores?  They have no variety... just shirts and jackets with the logo,  jeans that have been ripped to shreds in the making and a high price tag, to boot!  I know, I am showing my age and my practical tendencies (does that picture make you laugh, Mom?).  Obviously I just don't get it.  I recently asked Brooks and his friend what it is about one girl in their class who seems to be passed around by the boys - they both just said - "you know, she wears those cool clothes from Abercrombie and Hollister".  I was shocked - it had nothing to do with her figure, her hair, or her personality.  Her attraction for the 5th grade boys was her mother's ability to withstand the torturous experience of pouring out mucho dinero for tight fitting, colorful, logo-ridden clothing.

I think I need to go take a shower.  Just writing about these experiences are bringing the odor misting experience back to reality.  I can't handle another assault on my senses this weekend!

Facebook or Not?

A few weeks ago Tim's brother sent an email informing him that he really should join facebook.  His email stated that both of Tim's brothers have an account as well as a few of his sisters-in-law.  Peer pressure!  All of our nieces and nephews on Tim's side have accounts, so what better way to keep up with all 11 of them?  I didn't even consider joining, but a few nights later Tim had his very own page.  

I had no idea what was involved.  All I knew was that my computer had once again been highjacked and that we were suddenly inundated with emails informing us that many of his fraternity brothers and high school friends immediately wanted to be his friend (again).  I have to admit, it was fun to see their names.  I could even name their hometowns - one of the many things you have to commit to memory as a pledge.  Why I have Tim's frat brothers' hometowns stuck in my head, I don't know, but I do.  I could also spout off all phone numbers for every place we've lived - and those of most of our friends - but I will spare you the boredom.  I began to wonder how many old girlfriends he would hear from... evidently he was quite a casanova.  I felt confirmed in my suspicions when our nephew, Adam, emailed to congratulate Tim on his new status as "married".  Evidently everytime you change your status, pictures, or profile, everyone on your friends list is notified.  Talk about having a public!!!  So, Tim had enrolled in facebook but didn't complete all profile options, so when he updated his marital status a few days later, that sent red flags around the world.

So, as I sit here watching the Top Chef Season Premiere, I am contemplating a page of my own.  I just don't know if I want to open myself up for all eyes to see every move that I make!  Strange, I know.  Here I am blogging away and I am apprehensive about friends seeing my "wall" and what is said about anything and everything.  It can be impersonal or personal, I guess.  Somehow you can monitor the privacy levels.  However, I do suppose it is a good place to get started as my kids approach their teen years.  By the time they are allowed to have a page, it will be old hat for me.  Maybe I will even show them around the site and educate them on all of the ins and outs of their own Facebook page.

I have been impressed to see how many of our friends have pages.  It would be fun to link up with them again - and it seems much easier than a blog to maintain.  Obviously my curiosity is peaked and I am on the verge of caving in - maybe by the end of the weekend.  But I'll have to keep blogging for my sanity!  Winter is fast approaching and the dreary gray days are here. I will soon begin my hibernation by the fire with my friendly laptop close for my fingers to blog  (and facebook???) away.

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

The deadline to complete "40 things" is looming ever closer as the days in 2008 fade away.  Therefore, I've been trying to keep my nose in a book every chance I get.  I have just 30 left to go... now you can see why I must read, read, read!

Anyway,  the past few weeks have been filled with difficult decisions, distressing news, instability in the financial world, an upcoming election that is slinging mud all over the place, and it is raining today! This morning I went to a funeral and learned that a boy from last year's baseball team died, too.  Bad news seems to be all over the place. 

Books have always been an escape for me.  With times like these, Fannie Flagg has been just the prescription I've needed.  I'm reading Can't Wait to Get to Heaven.  It's a hilarious tale giving a first hand description of heaven after an elderly woman is stung by a bunch of wasps and falls off a ladder. 

If you like to read and haven't already subscribed, check out www.goodreads.com.  This site provides an easy way to record all of the books you've read.  You can link up with friends' book lists, recommend books, read reviews and search for books - all in one location.  You can even keep track of books you are planning to read.  Caroline

Yesterday I was a ball of stress. Today I feel lighter and more optimistic in light of the bad news.  Thank goodness for the escape I can find in a good novel.  

Adolescent Aromas

I know what you are thinking after reading today's title.  You can barely stomach the thoughts of "adolescent odors".  Me too!  Believe me, I can not tolerate the waft that comes my way from sweaty, dirty tween-age boys.  Fortunately, I have maintained my level of (shall we say) "power" over my 3 males, and they will still shower nightly.

A few years ago, one of my good friends in Mississippi gave me some invaluable advice.  She recommended that I start my boys in the habit of wearing deoderant around 2nd grade.  I know, it seems crazy!  Boys who are 8 absolutely do not need to worry about B.O..  They certainly sweat when it is hot and while exerting themselves in the competitive way that they do, but there are minimal lingering odors that would cause pain to adults.  However, just a few years later, that is no longer true.  Joy said if we start when they are young, they will already be in the habit and you can TRY to prevent the assault on the senses.

I took Joy's advice to heart.  Upon their 8th Christmas, every child in my family received one travel-size stick of deoderant for their wearing pleasure (and for mine in the future).  I purchased the unscented variety for my kiddos.  I figured they didn't need to carry the smell of musk or baby powder around with them all day.  I'm sure it won't surprise you when I reveal that Cole has actually had his since his 5th Christmas.  He refuses to accept that he is not as old as everyone else.

Brooks came home one day last year from school with a request.  Could I buy him some deoderant with a "smell"? He had noticed in gym that all of his friends had different deoderants and he wanted a new kind.  I'm always up for shopping, so I promised him a quick deoderant-sniffing trip to Walgreens.  Off we went to locate the scent that would soon define him via my nasal cavity.  He had a ball trying them all out.  There are sticks, sprays, gels, etc. - all with either a "clean" smell or a "cologne" smell.  I had a headache by the time we had narrowed the selection to three.  I hastened him to "just pick one!" and out I could go to the fresh outdoors! Brooks picked the Cool Rush version of Ultra Dry Degree.

This summer, Brooks talked so favorably about his new scent that Reed decided that it was his turn.  We just happened to be in Kmart one day and both boys ended up on the deoderant aisle.  Brooks was there to guide Reed to the "best smell for him".  Sure enough, within minutes, Reed had selected Gillette's gel edition with the Cool Wave scent.  He couldn't wait to apply his new purchase, so once in the car, he whipped that gel out and applied it to his apparently sweaty underarms.

A few days later, Reed and I were on our way to soccer practice.  I pulled up to a red light and heard Reed inhale with a gasp.  I whipped around to see what was wrong, but he was just grinning.  I asked if there was a problem (you know me, I thought he was about to throw up) but he said "no!  I was smelling my deoderant!  It just smells so good!"

Who would have thought a scent could bring such a change to two boys.  Reed applied his deoderant 3 times a day the first few weeks he had it.  I suspect that Brooks did, too.  I guess I don't really care as long as it prevents me from suffering through the upcoming sweaty, hormonal odors that will soon abound!

A Quick Note

We are headed off to St. Augustine today.  Just thought I'd let you know that I've posted a few additional blogs in chronological order, so you will have to scroll back to see them.  I have more pics from our summer trips which I'll post again soon.  Plus, I have a few drafts written and if we really get to relax on the beach (or in the condo) I will edit them, too. 

 

I especially need to publish the blog that tells you all about the dirtiest kid in Minnesota... here's a glimpse of his legs.

I really am trying to get the blog up and going again!

Before 40 Update

I realized today that my 365 days are quickly ticking away!  I am very slowly checking items off of my “to do” list.  A few weekends ago I had my garage sale.  You woldn’t believe how empty the basement and garage are!  What a great feeling!

I have 35 books to go – that is crazy!  I just can’t find the time or attention span to read anymore.  Vacations will begin in about 3 weeks.  Maybe I can get some read by then.

I think I’ve run 3 miles.  Ahem.  What about the 5k and ½ marathon?   We got a fantastic treadmill this weekend, so maybe I can put a few more miles under my feet.

I have painted 2 bathrooms.  One looks great, the other looks horrible.  It looks so bad, I think Tim is going to sand it down and repair the wall (again) and repaint while I am in Texas.  But I still get to cross out # 8!

Brooks and I played Guitar Hero about a month ago.  He is better than I am, but I refuse to start on easy.  I have to say, my musical abilities are still with me and I was playin’ some tunes that didn’t sound too bad.  “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” is by far my best song.  Check off #38!

Since I had the garage sale, the basement is fairly clean.  It really needs to be vacuumed, but it is hard to convince oneself to clean a concrete floor.  Good-bye #29.

I almost wrote #28 into the record books last weekend, but my friends wouldn’t go for it.  I think I need more adventurous friends, don’t you? 

I LOVE BodyJam – it is lots of fun.  Takes me back to Spartanaire days.  I don’t think I will be a regular, though, till school is back in session.

The gym discontinued our Belly Dancing classes.  BUT, a friend from our baseball team is a Real Live Belly Dancer, costumes and all!  I am going to get her to give me a private lesson.  You never know, maybe I will join her troupe and travel around East Tennessee shaking my mid-section.  I’ll let you know on that one.

I guess I’d better get to stretching.  Who knows how long it will be before I get into the splits again… maybe that could go along with Belly Dancing.

I did memorize the credit card and boy is it easy to shop on-line, now.  I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

I still have lots to go.  Stay tuned, I’ll keep y’all abreast of my latest accomplishments.

As of today, there are exactly 243 days left for me to finish my goals and then, we must have a PARTY, don’t you think????

Almost Vacation

It's hard to believe... summer is half over. I have been home for the entire first half although 3 of our 4 kids have taken short jaunts out of town. I can't say it's been relaxing. I haven't slept in much and I haven't had anytime to sit around and watch tv. Sleeping in and spending hours upon hours perusing the channels used to be my idea of relaxation. Those ideas went out with the bath water about 12-1/2 years ago, when I had a child - and then another - and another - in less than 35 months. I remember summer during my teen years as days when I would go to swim practice, come home to eat lunch, watch tv and listen to the locusts in the trees on the HOT Houston afternoons. Eventually I would end up back at the pool, or at the movies with friends. Hmmm. The good ole days.

I don't hear as many locusts these days. I'm not sure if we even have them all the way up here in the mountains of Tennessee. But we do have the heat (although this year it has been quite cool and pleasant), and the sound of kids diving into the pool. I love to take all 4 swimming. I sit in the chair with my eyes closed (for a second) and listen to the sounds of the laughter and splashing in the water. It takes me back to my childhood summers filled with fun - biking, eating Blue Bell ice cream, and sleeping till noon. But my daydreaming is always cut short with a little voice saying "mom?" and I snap back to reality and the fact that I am already 39 and the kids are getting older and older with each second that passes.

This summer for our family has been a little different. We have had at least one child gone every single week. The dynamics have been interesting as I have observed the challenge of doing without a sibling. We even took a trip where we could all fit into one hotel room. Usually we have to get 2 rooms, or a suite.

Caroline missed the state baseball tournament. We ate sushi while Reed was at camp ('cause he isn't too crazy about it). We drove to Alabama to see friends while Brooks and Tim were at Scout Camp. We did "big kid" things while Cole was at camp. I've enjoyed the variety.

The middle of this week brings us to the beginning of a vacation. We are headed to Nashville for a wedding. Our nephew Adam is marrying the cutest girl named Sampy. Caroline will be a jr. bridesmaid, Brooks and Reed will be ushers, and Cole will be the "ring bear". Sunday we are headed to Dallas to spend the week with friends. Then we'll fly to Houston to spend the last week with my parents. Unfortunately, Tim will be at home to work and take care of Sassafras. His vacation was at Scouts this year. August 2, we are going to take a quick trip to the beach, reuniting all 6 of us before school begins again.

Long live summer!! I've so enjoyed the lack of routine and homework!

A New Day

Who ever heard of a mother of 4 feeling free after school is out?  Suddenly, I have the daunting task of entertaining a quiver of kids for almost 3 months and I am experiencing a feeling of elation.  I've kissed our busy routine good-bye and am embracing a life of new activities - none of which involve homework, tests, or obligations.

Saturday was the start of this new life.  Here are 10 things I've done that would have been absolutely impossible in the past 60 days:

1. Let's begin with sleep.  I've gotten out of bed without the help of an alarm clock.  Yes, I still wake up early, but there has not been the "jump out of bed and hurry" feeling - 4 days in a row.

2. I've been to the gym 2 days in a row.  I even tried a new class yesterday - body jam.  It was great!  Lots of shimmying and shakin' like I used to do as a Spartanaire 20+ years ago.

4. I went to 2 movies within 24 hours.  I saw 2 movies the weekend they opened.  Last time I made an opening weekend?  I don't have any idea.

5. I went out with friends - at night - for dinner - and saw a movie.  We had a great time and I loved "Sex and the City" - I can't wait to see it again!  and I got a free ticket for another movie because we had such a bizarre movie experience, so my 2nd movie of the weekend was FREE!

6. I walked through my yard inspecting the landscaping.  Everything has grown and it's just beautiful.  We've had something blooming over here continually since the week before Spring Break.  Right now we are blessed with massive Oak Leaf Hydrangeas, a Cousa Dogwood, a Fuschia hanging basket, and blue irises in the pond.

7. I bought a file cabinet and put all of our files in it!  Why is this a big deal?  I don't know, but I am already feeling incredibly organized.

8. I ordered 4 books from Amazon and a box of vacuum bags from the internet.  I know, it's not exciting, but there was NO TIME until now and boxes from UPS always make me happy - even if they do have bags with a future of dust and dog hair in them.

9. I played Guitar Hero for the very first time.  Reed has gone to soccer camp for 4 days, Caroline is in Charleston, and Cole was at a friend's, so Brooks initiated me into the fun life.  I am too impatient for easy and medium is pretty hard.  My best score was on Hit Me With Your Best Shot - because I knew the tune and rhythym so well!

10. Finally, I baked a pie.  I've had this recipe from my mom for years, but I just never get it all together to cook it.  Plus it has red hots in it and I've had the hardest time finding them.  Luckily I located a box at Walgreens recently.  The pie was good (although very runny), so we'll just call it Red Hot Cherry Drizzle.  

Caroline gets home tonight, so the laundry will begin again.  Who cares!  It's summer!  Yahoo!

Summer

Ahhhhh the sounds of summer have begun. I have this sudden feeling of freedom. I can't really pinpoint what I am free from, but I feel light, happy, and relaxed. I actually noticed myself taking deep breaths three times today. Can you believe it? I had enough time to do something that was not already scheduled on my calendar! I heard the baseball hit the bat today, the sounds of splashing children in the swimming pool, and I endured the heat through it all. Like I said... summer is certainly here.

The beginning of summer is always bittersweet for me. It's a little bit of a shock to have the full responsibility of entertaining 4 children who have strong opinions on what we should do next. I love to have them home all day - we can sleep late, have lunch together (at whatever time we want), and just take in the afternoon in whatever fashion hits us first. But as summer begins, we have to bid our teachers good-bye. This year Cole was a part of his Kindergarten teacher's very first classroom. Reed spent the year with a teacher who we knew well. Brooks was in her class 2 years ago. I knew what to expect, yet it was even better than I remembered. Brooks loved his first year of middle school. Caroline's year brought great success.

I am so thankful for our teachers and for their willingness to help my children through each stage of their education. I always wanted to be a teacher growing up. I played school for hours in my room with the door closed. I had my very own back-scratcher and I dreamed of the beautiful wedge heels that my 3rd grade teacher had. How the shoes relate to school teaching, I don't know, but I thought every teacher had a pair. I also couldn't wait to have my very own blackboard along with a chalk-holder. But somewhere along the way my sense of reason left me and I entered the world of business. Don't get me wrong, I loved my days in Human Resources. I helped plenty of people and learned all kinds of things. But I am just amazed at how a teacher shapes a child's day. When I volunteer in classes, I constantly re-evaluate how I could go back to school and become a teacher. Isn't that crazy?

I guess it has to do with the fact that my mind is beginning to wonder what one does when the kids are all gone. Yes, I know, I have 12 years till my nest will be empty - but it seems like it was 19 years not too long ago and now 7 of those years are gone. I am constantly evaluating what I want to do in my 3rd career. I think I might try something entirely new.

Didn't I tell you I was feeling free? I am actually free to daydream. Today I was free to water the flowers and move a few pots around. We hoisted some junk to the dump and hung the towel bars in the bathroom I painted back in April. I feel like I've been to the spa. Oh yeah, it was just the humidity in the air as I breathed in the heat from the first days of summer. Before our routine begins again.

14 Hands

One of my friends, who also happens to be an up and coming wine connoisseur, gave me the low down on this great wine - 14 Hands.  Unfortunately, when recommending it to others, I got a little mixed up and referred them to 14 Husbands.  It really isn't surprising that I would make such an error.  I can hardly remember my own name these days - it's May and WE ARE BUSY.

I'm sure you have noticed that my daily blogs have taken a backseat to everything else in life.  Such is the difference in January and May.  January brings the type of weather that allows for sitting by the fire and conjuring up topics on which I can expound.  May, on the other hand, shoves our schedule into high gear and there is hardly time to sit on the toilet.  

I was thinking about it today and I think I could really use 14 hands.  No thank you on the 14 husbands - I already have enough mouths to feed.  But 14 hands?  or 7 of me.  I could do well with one brain on 7 bodies to coordinate all of the activities of these 4 kids.  We would need 7 cars and that would require enough shoes for 14 feet - and that would be expensive on my very narrow feet.  But 14 hands could get those 8 little feet where they need to go - and we wouldn't have to settle for missing anything.

But, since there is just 1 of me and 1 husband (who works a lot), I will settle for doing the best that I can until the lazy mornings of  June come around to take the craziness out of life.  Hang with me, I'll post when I can - probably late at night when the house is silent as I try to organize my thoughts of exactly how I will manage tomorrow.

Here's my countdown:

19 days of school left

21 baseball games

12 baseball practices

12 soccer games & practices

8 Sound Company practices

4 Sound Company shows

5 piano lessons

3 doctor appointments

2 trips out of town

3 field trips

6 scout meetings

525,600 white socks to match

at least 20 loads of laundry

80 lunches to pack

I don't even want to think of the dinners.

1 more hour till I'm going to bed.

Viral Interpretations

We had a rather sickly winter this year. All four kids missed school at least one day for some sort of virus. Cole has been the grand prize winner - 3 stomach viruses and one stubborn fever. I was beginning to think that I needed to have a deep cleaning of our house in order to clear the house of our germs. Thankfully, with the warmer weather, things are looking up. I haven't had a kid home sick in 2 entire weeks. But when they are sick and mention a sore throat, I will no doubt load them up in the car and take them to their daddy's office for a quick, gagging swab. They hate it. I feel sorry for them. But I want to catch it early if they have the dreaded Strep Throat!

Reed brought home a small journal entry today. He will kill me for this, but I can't resist. I think it is great - and it explains his impression of an illness he's never had...

Now I know why he fears Strep Throat! Evidently it leads to death in dogs.

Amber actually died due to a stroke, but Reed's little mind conjured up another diagnosis.

Stating the Obvious, or Not

How often do you notice something about someone - maybe it's new - maybe it's not. Should you say something, or should you just go on pretending that everything is just as it has always been?

I'm not really talking about spinach in your friend's teeth or an errant zipper that needs to be "xyz pdq'd" (examine your zipper pretty darn quick). You absolutely should comment and save that soul from embarrassing themselves in front of who knows how many that day. Nor am I talking about wondering whether an aquaintance is expecting a baby, or if they have gained a bit of weight around the middle. Surely we all know by now that we should never ask about a due date until it has been announced personally by the one with the larger middle.

With that being said, when you see a friend or a "frainquence" (a friend that is really more on the side of an acquaintance) - not to be confused with a frenemy (that would be a friend that treats you like an enemy) - you should comment when said friend who used to look like this....

suddenly appears looking like this:

Otherwise you will look like this:

as you try to carry on a normal conversation, suffering through an abrupt halt in your line of thought as you try to ignore the monkey in the room.

The Sound, Oh the Sound!

Guess what I got for Valentine's! Yep, you've got it. The waterfall and pond are complete. It's really been too cold to sit outside and enjoy it, but if everyone in the house is real quiet (ok, that never happens), I can hear it in the kitchen. We planted a Kwanzan Cherry to replace the invasive River Birch. It needs a few years to grow, but it's gonna be beautiful this Spring!

Spring is almost here, isn't it??

Eureka!

Amelia Lou, Little Cindy Who and I had lunch at Panera last week. We haven't been together much lately, so we planned a long and leisurely lunch in a booth. Booths in our Panera are scarce. You really have to be aggressive to get one. You see, we don't have many retail options, so those of us who otherwise might be shopping and funding our local schools with tax money, instead compete for a warm and comfy seat for our long lunches.

I grew up in a big city - where you have to plan to meet a friend if you want to see someone you know. However, I've learned that in a small town, you will almost always see someone you know. Still, I'm amazed at the number of familiar faces at Panera everytime I am there. Sure enough, today was another day of brief conversations with many people I knew. Best of all, we ran into a friend who we used to see everyday at step aerobics and on a regular basis at bookclub. Unfortunately our gym sold out to the competition and we no longer have our morning class to keep us together. You know how it goes when you see an old friend - you have the typical discussion on what you've been doing.

That's how it happened. I mentioned that I've been blogging and she said "really! one of my friends from high school does that". We were drawing her in from her standing position, but I could tell she had places to go. She was expecting a coffee table that day. On her way off to the car she said "it's really funny, my friend's blog says 'read by tens of people everyday'".

and we all three said -"YOU KNOW BOOMAMA????"

That's when the rest of the familiar faces gazed over at us to see what exactly had just happened.

What had happened? We had discovered that Boo Mama exists and we got to hear all about her. Little Cindy Who has been convinced that she is a contrived image - not a real person. Amelia Lou and I just insisted that she really is out there - blogging in Birmingham. After all, last week she was in Uganda.

Boo Mama was my introduction to the world of blogging. Last August I was in the midst of an internet search when I happened upon her blog. I skimmed the entry for what I was looking for and was headed out to find the next clue, when I found Boo Mama's writing so witty that I had to keep reading. and reading. and reading.

I discovered that blogging is really another way of looking at life. Looking for the humorous in every day. If you try, you will find about 50 different blog titles in the rigors of daily life.

And so it was that our weekly walks turned into great discussions on Boo Mama and her blog, and her Old Navy shopping habits, and her love for Mississippi State. Amelia Lou is from Alabama, I lived in Mississippi and we both know lots of State fans. Amelia Lou has been on a quest to locate Boo Mama's favorite catfish restaurant. We tuned into her Big Boo Cast with Big Mama. I even bought her favorite lip gloss. Remember how I mentioned that my friends named my blog? It's all because of Boo Mama.

I am really not obsessed, but it never hurts to ask, right? We shopped at a Christmas Extravaganza last November and I found the nicest women who were selling purses - they were from Birmingham. I asked if they happened to know Boo Mama and Little Cindy Who about fell out from embarrassment. She hasn't let me forget it, either. Until last Wednesday. Now she knows. Boo Mama is real and I'll bet she really does blog from Panera!

Mia

One Sunday last fall I wasn't feeling well. The rest of the family went on to church while I rested at home. Caroline was so excited when she walked into the kitchen! Tom (our pastor) had begun talking about Compassion International and the children that are adopted by families through this organization. Caroline found a 5 year old that she wanted to support.

I don't mean to sound cold, but the idea of adopting a child was a little overwhelming for me. I mean, I have four children. Some Lots of days I am overwhelmed with my four children! How could I possibly take on another child? If we adopted Mia, it would really be me that needed to keep up with her. I would be writing the letters, I would be finding the gifts. I would be the one to remember her birthday. I would be the one making sure that she had her "needs" met by this family. I am really trying not to overcommit myself this year. I just wasn't convinced.

Fortunately, I have a husband with a heart of gold. He saw this as an opportunity to make a child's life better. He made it sound easy. He couldn't understand my hesitation. He wrote the first letter and sent in the papers with everything Compassion would need to connect us to Mia.

A month or so went by. We got a welcome letter from Compassion explaining exactly how our $32 a month would help Mia. I read it all and felt good that we had committed to support Mia. Yes, she is another child to pray for and another "thing" to remember, but I was feeling like we had made the right decision. Well, I hadn't made it, but in my mind, I knew that MH had done the right thing.

One afternoon, amidst our usual slew of Christmas Cards, I found an envelope with unusual handwriting. I opened the "airmail" envelope and found my very first encounter with this 5th child of mine. It began "Dearest Momma Andrea and Poppa (MH)" - the cold drained right out of my heart and I was absolutely overcome with warmth and love for this 5 year old girl who lives in Indonesia.

Two of the bloggers who I keep up with on a somewhat regular basis are on a trip with Compassion International this week. They travelled to Uganda to write about the children that they see. They are reporting on the poverty, the faith, the churches and the faces. You can read their accounts here and here.

Last weekend in Sunday School, we talked about how much Jesus loved children. I taught my 6 and 7 year olds a song that I remembered from my own Sunday School years - "Jesus Loves the Little Children". I explained that He loves us all no matter what we look like or where we live. He wanted to spend time with the children around him, even when the disciples thought he was too busy. Jesus never hesitates to adopt another child. I am so glad MH didn't either.

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The Bed, The Steinmart, and other Southern descriptions

When I was growing up in Texas I felt that I was in "the south" - with everyone throwing "y'all", "fixin' to" and other slang into their dialogue. So imagine how shocked I was to learn in 8th grade at the International Airstream Rally when Miss South Carolina decided to regionalize the U.S. by dialect. I was Miss Oklahoma in the pageant - it was run by senior citizens who drove silver bullets behind their cars. My talent was playing the piano and I had the prettiest tiera to wear around Notre Dame University. ANYWAY... the clogging Miss SC clearly excluded Texans from "the south" - we fell into the "west" category which I found quite insulting! What was it about the south? I don't know, but I wanted that classification and I refused to be left out.

Years later, I realize, most Texans would not consider themselves Southerners. They are Texans and that is all that should be said. They wear boots and occasionally a cowboy hat. They like big hair, big purses and especially big jewelry (those belt buckles). One woman at our church in Memphis described Texan women as "dripping in diamonds". There are certainly lots of women who do have all of the above. I think the stereotypical Texan just does so much in a big way that the Big Texan is what comes to mind first.

Now that I have been living in the REAL SOUTH I have made another observation. Southerners get into THE bed. Texans get in bed. Southerners make a run to THE 7-11. Texans run to 7-11. As Boo Mama says... she went to THE Steinmart while the Texas girl in me just goes to Steinmart.

There are tons of other Tennessee slangs we have discovered... "You-uns" = "y'all." "I don't care to" really means "I don't mind at all!"

I love living in The South. Occasionally I miss the fun of Texas where the parties are big and the people are loud. One thing I know, I have friends in both places who may talk a little different but overall we still like to shop, eat and hang out together as often as possible.

Little known facts

I don't really know where to start with this blogging stuff, so I guess I will introduce myself. Basic information can be found on my profile and details are below.  Where does "patterned pants" come from?  As I discovered the fun world of blogging this fall, I decided to try it out.  But you can't have a blog without a name, can you?  I walk with 2 friends on a regular basis and we began discussing titles for blogs - that is the easiest part!  An appropriate name was evading me... we were on our way to lunch... and I ran in the house to grab a sweatshirt.  As I sat down in the car,  Sweet Home Alabama (that is her cell ring) and Sassy (due to her new haircut) had decided on a name... Patterned Pants... 'cause I am always wearing those pants with a design.  The name began a big discussion on whether "patterned pants" are out of style.  Well, that is a blog topic for another day....  on to my information.

My life began in New Jersey and quickly I became a Houstonian - 'twas the middle of drill team practice in Balmy November that I decided a Houstonian, I did not want to be!  4 years in college smack in the middle of Texas, humidity plagued my 80's permed brown hair.

I travelled to London on a study abroad and found the cutest Tennessean to wisk me off to... humid Memphis (still with my 80's permed hair).  I guess I should mention that I threw up right in front of him the first day we "hung out" together (and we still got married!).

Pregnancy #1 ended the permed hair - I don't even like to have my wedding pictures out to remind me of that 80's permed hair.  By the time pregnancy #1 was over, then I was in Oklahoma where the humid days are far outnumbered by the blustery days!  Nevertheless, I did not revert to kinky, smelly hair processing.

After Oklahoma, MH's job transferred us to the once again wet Gulf Coast.  This time we were down south in Mississippi for 4 years.  Once again, I was reminded of why I hate humidity.  Flat hair.  I don't know how those girls did it in the late 80's - trying to maintain big hair in a town that always feels like a sauna.

Now we are about 10 hours north where the summers are hot and the seasons are colorful.  My hair is much more manageable b/c humid days are at a minimum.  Thank goodness!  Now I have 4 additional heads of hair to watch over although only 1 has hair longer than her ears.  Hers is straight as a stick but a beautiful golden color that will do just about anything she wants.  We'll see if those stylish perms come back in before she is out of high school.

I have daughter and 3 sons.  They are in 6th, 5th, 3rd and Kindergarten.  This Fall, #4 started kindergarten.  He marched into his new class without even looking back!  He is insistent on riding the bus home everyday and wants to buy lunch no matter what.  He's decided that he can eat anything... "acause if you eat everything on your tray, you get to have soup".  That is how my baby became a soup lover - vegetable soup, that is.  What more could you ask for them to learn at school?