I've been in Texas this week helping facilitate an Evil onsite meeting.
The day after I left, Cassidy was diagnosed with the flu. The real flu, not the generic "flu" people sometimes use to describe a head cold. The poor girl missed three days of school and spent lots of time watching TV with Papa.
While I was trapped in a conference room deep in the heart of Texas, our little village was nursing Cassidy back to health and shuttling Campbell to/from school every day.
What a crummy week to be away. What a wonderful reminder of how precious our village is.
Thanks, Village!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The Birthday Party That Almost Didn't Happen
Holy Cow.
What a close call this one was. We had an AMAZING birthday weekend for Cassidy, which included a wonderful party for both Pop and Cassidy on Saturday. But for the first time, I was seriously questioning if it was going to come together.
I mentioned Sergeant Sexy's head cold last weekend. Well I caught it, and I didn't just get a few sniffles and a cough here and there. I got a non-stop hacking cough complete with a screaming sinus headache and snotty nose. To top it all off, I felt like I'd been trampled by a horse. I went to bed Wednesday under three blankets (and was still cold).
I didn't miss a beat at work - I couldn't. I had to prepare for another onsite meeting this coming week. But the one piece that did suffer was the party prep. I just didn't have the energy to do the running around I needed to.
Have I mentioned lately how awesome Sergeant Sexy is? He stepped right in and picked up what I couldn't do. He also made me go to bed at 6PM Wednesday, which helped tremendously. By the time Saturday morning rolled around, we were all healthy again and the house had been completely debugged with Lysol.
I love Lysol.
Anyway, it was a great celebration this weekend! I took cupcakes, juice boxes, and beach music to Cassidy's class on Friday. The beach party quickly turned into a mosh pit on the circle time rug when "Barbara Ann" came on and I had to laugh. It was hilarious.
What a close call this one was. We had an AMAZING birthday weekend for Cassidy, which included a wonderful party for both Pop and Cassidy on Saturday. But for the first time, I was seriously questioning if it was going to come together.
I mentioned Sergeant Sexy's head cold last weekend. Well I caught it, and I didn't just get a few sniffles and a cough here and there. I got a non-stop hacking cough complete with a screaming sinus headache and snotty nose. To top it all off, I felt like I'd been trampled by a horse. I went to bed Wednesday under three blankets (and was still cold).
I didn't miss a beat at work - I couldn't. I had to prepare for another onsite meeting this coming week. But the one piece that did suffer was the party prep. I just didn't have the energy to do the running around I needed to.
Have I mentioned lately how awesome Sergeant Sexy is? He stepped right in and picked up what I couldn't do. He also made me go to bed at 6PM Wednesday, which helped tremendously. By the time Saturday morning rolled around, we were all healthy again and the house had been completely debugged with Lysol.
I love Lysol.
Anyway, it was a great celebration this weekend! I took cupcakes, juice boxes, and beach music to Cassidy's class on Friday. The beach party quickly turned into a mosh pit on the circle time rug when "Barbara Ann" came on and I had to laugh. It was hilarious.
Cassidy's class sang "Happy Birthday" to her!
Saturday was her actual birthday, and it was also the day of the big family party. I ordered this cool banner to use and reuse for years to come instead of hanging up "Happy Birthday" signs everywhere.
Pop and Cassidy's Barbie cake from Lisa's!
And Cassidy's special Barbie cake that Nana made her!
Mama and her brand-new Great Niece, Keilynn.
Pop, Campbell, and Aunt Never Says No
Gabriel!
4 Generations - the birthday boy, birthday girl, and the 2 generations in between
Marissa stayed with us after the party so she could watch Cassidy cheer at the basketball game Saturday night. Uncle Jamie and Aunt Kristen spent the night, and Sunday morning we all went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. The girlz were really sad to see them go.
We took Cassidy to Toys R Us so she could get her birthday balloon and have her named called out over the loudspeaker. Once she'd chosen a toy, we all went home to rest.
Happy Birthday, Pop and Cassidy!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What A Difference A Day Makes!
Cassidy and I went to the Dentist yesterday morning for a routine check-up. Cassidy has had a loose tooth for a few weeks. Both the Dentist and the Dental Hygienist commented on the tooth. "That one's going to come really soon!" they both said.
Fast forward to today. Cassidy hopped off the bus this afternoon with a giant gap-toothed Cheshire Cat grin on her face.
I got to hear the exciting story of the tooth that came out during nap time. The Tooth Fairy should be making a stop at our house tonight!
Fast forward to today. Cassidy hopped off the bus this afternoon with a giant gap-toothed Cheshire Cat grin on her face.
I got to hear the exciting story of the tooth that came out during nap time. The Tooth Fairy should be making a stop at our house tonight!
Yesterday...
... and today!
Long Weekend
It was nice to have a long holiday weekend after last week's insanity at work. Not that our weekends are restful, relaxing or any less hectic then weekdays, but at least we're (presumably) having fun.
Sergeant Sexy had a meeting at work all day Saturday, so I had the girlz all to myself. In order for Campbell to go to Gymboree, Cassidy had to come with us... that was a treat. She did okay, but I had to constantly remind her she was there to help and not play. Much of Cassidy's life from age 18 months to 3 1/2 was spent at Gymboree, so it was a tough position for her to be in. She loved being back, but it was hard to remember she's in a different role now.
After Gymboree, we went home for lunch and then to Marissa's house for her birthday party! Our friend Ashley was there to paint faces and twist balloons - FUN!!
By the time Sergeant Sexy got back home, a terrible head cold had invaded his noggin. It was still pretty bad Sunday morning, so the girlz and I went to church without him. After church, we killed some time by visiting Mama and Papa. Once Campbell was up from her nap, we went to the park to play.
Yesterday we spent much of the day running around and preparing for Cassidy's birthday celebrations.
What a weekend! A nice break from work? Absolutely. Restful and relaxing? Not a chance.
Sergeant Sexy had a meeting at work all day Saturday, so I had the girlz all to myself. In order for Campbell to go to Gymboree, Cassidy had to come with us... that was a treat. She did okay, but I had to constantly remind her she was there to help and not play. Much of Cassidy's life from age 18 months to 3 1/2 was spent at Gymboree, so it was a tough position for her to be in. She loved being back, but it was hard to remember she's in a different role now.
After Gymboree, we went home for lunch and then to Marissa's house for her birthday party! Our friend Ashley was there to paint faces and twist balloons - FUN!!
By the time Sergeant Sexy got back home, a terrible head cold had invaded his noggin. It was still pretty bad Sunday morning, so the girlz and I went to church without him. After church, we killed some time by visiting Mama and Papa. Once Campbell was up from her nap, we went to the park to play.
Yesterday we spent much of the day running around and preparing for Cassidy's birthday celebrations.
What a weekend! A nice break from work? Absolutely. Restful and relaxing? Not a chance.
Face painting at Marissa's birthday party!!
Campbell loved playing with Lily's remote control Strawberry Shortcake car!
Campbell decided to have her arm painted instead of her face.
At Fort Fun
And the sun sets on another great weekend...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Clowning Around
The recent barrage of snow and ice in the south prompted a cancellation of my trip to the Evil Empire. In many ways, that's good news... no risk of dying in a plane crash, no need for after-school care for Cassidy, and no need for Sergeant Sexy to turn his work schedule upside down and sideways trying to get everything done.
But it's not all sunshine and roses. I'm in meetings all day, which means the real work is pushed into the evening. I worked a 14 hour day yesterday and didn't even get to kiss the girlz goodnight. It's brutal.
But it's not all bad - if I was in the Evil City, I'd have to go out to dinner with a large group of people after that 14 hour workday... adding another 2-3 hours to the day - super-brutal. Yes, it absolutely could be worse!!
Cassidy has been trying out the make-up kit Uncle Matt and Aunt Nita gave her. I think she may have a future as a clown.
But it's not all sunshine and roses. I'm in meetings all day, which means the real work is pushed into the evening. I worked a 14 hour day yesterday and didn't even get to kiss the girlz goodnight. It's brutal.
But it's not all bad - if I was in the Evil City, I'd have to go out to dinner with a large group of people after that 14 hour workday... adding another 2-3 hours to the day - super-brutal. Yes, it absolutely could be worse!!
Cassidy has been trying out the make-up kit Uncle Matt and Aunt Nita gave her. I think she may have a future as a clown.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
It's About To Get Evil
It's that time again. On an unspecified day at an unpublished time, I will jet off to the Evil Empire Headquarters for a certain period of time. And when I'm done doing what I'm going there to do, I'll come home.
I always enjoy my trips to the Evil Empire. Every time I go, I secretly cross my fingers and hope I'll run into Head Evil One In Charge. One day, it will happen!
In honor of all this travelling I'm doing, I thought I'd see if Tim Hawkins had anything to say about air travel. It turns out, he does!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Back To School!
The snow is gone and the girlz went back to school Monday morning. What a glorious day that was! I was seriously tempted to give Cassidy's bus driver a hug, but was able to restrain myself.
We're on Day 3 of normal. We survived the never-ending Christmas Break and can now get back to our regular lives. What a relief!!
We're on Day 3 of normal. We survived the never-ending Christmas Break and can now get back to our regular lives. What a relief!!
Ready to FINALLY get back to school!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
It's a tradition in the south to eat a meal of pork, black-eyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread on New Year's Day. We've been doing it forever, but Papa retired in 2010. He told me (in no uncertain terms) if I wanted to eat this traditional meal on New Year's Day in 2011 and beyond, I would have to cook it myself.
So we did!
I spent the year hunting around the interwebz for recipes. As a confirmed Crock Pot addict, I felt it was a no-brainer to cook the greens and beans in the crock. Cornbread is easy and Sergeant Sexy would be in charge of the pork tenderloin. My friends at the Farm Fresh helped me find ham hocks and pick collard greens.
Sergeant Sexy was concerned about some of the recipes I chose... according to him, recipes are suspect when there is no "Paula" or "Deen" to be found. Thankfully, the ones I found worked just fine. The meal was ready on time (6 minutes early, but who's keeping track?) and the food was delicious.
I pray this new year brings you love and joy, health and happiness!
Welcome, 2011!!
So we did!
I spent the year hunting around the interwebz for recipes. As a confirmed Crock Pot addict, I felt it was a no-brainer to cook the greens and beans in the crock. Cornbread is easy and Sergeant Sexy would be in charge of the pork tenderloin. My friends at the Farm Fresh helped me find ham hocks and pick collard greens.
Sergeant Sexy was concerned about some of the recipes I chose... according to him, recipes are suspect when there is no "Paula" or "Deen" to be found. Thankfully, the ones I found worked just fine. The meal was ready on time (6 minutes early, but who's keeping track?) and the food was delicious.
I pray this new year brings you love and joy, health and happiness!
Welcome, 2011!!
