T.Mae Turns One

No, it isn't awe-inspiring, but I am excited.
Taylor celebrated her first birthday on Saturday (her actual bday) at my home. Rather than bore you with the details, here are some pics to satisfy your curiosity:

Best expression ever!
Taylor opening her first gift from me (the bday girl shirt and crown shown in below pics).



Party!




The La la la la song is stuck in my head.



Adorable Elmo (cup)cake(s)



Party Guests



Wearing Tina's beads and lovin' it.



Gifts galore!



Taylor's first baby (was creepy); She loved her.

Unlike most 1 yr olds, Taylor could open her own gifts!

T.Mae was very lady like about "digging into" her cake. There was no digging.



She was exhausted after the party.
My mom made the blanket; there is a plush Elmo sewn on and it's precious.



Doing her best Flava Flav impersonation
(She stayed the night with Kiera and me and we had a blast!)

~Geesh~

By the time I find the time to update, all the news will be old news.
Here's a quick breakdown:

• Jana heads to Vanderbilt tomorrow to start intensive chemo for her (2nd) stem-cell transplant (next Tuesday); please pray for her.
• Leslie went back home today (pouty)
• We are officially in the new house and have done a final walk thru with the old on (exhales). I love my home. I just put the garbage on the curb for the first time (in my life?) this morning.
• My mom is the best *ever*. She's been a great help with the above.
• Crazy August (bday month) is over. Thankfully. All went well.
• Kiera's going to be an Aunt!
• English Lit geek in me is uber-excited; I got tickets this morning to see David Sedaris at the GPAC in Nov. Fellow lit geek/rocking-ass Memphian-turned-Mississippian, Van, will be joining me (does happy dance).
• Kiddo and I are sick. You know--sinus draining, allergies crazy kinda sick. I just want to sleep.
• 8WC over weeks ago. I lost. Steve lost 30.5 total lbs. Waitasec...have I already covered this?

Sooo much more to say, so little desire. More soon.
B.

Update, quickly

It's been a crazy busy week at work with about 1/2 the administrative/management staff on vacation or overseas for business; I've been completely without respite since Monday.

So here's the best I can do with the time I've got:

8WC
I was slightly disgruntled at the weigh in when Steve had dropped an astonishing NINE lbs. There's absolutely no way I can compete with that. Even if I (continued) working out twice a day and took up anorexia as my religion, I couldn't manage that. Still, instead of being disgruntled and giving up, it's got me working even harder. My 35 min sessions on the elliptical have evolved to 50 and I'm eating less. Keeping in mind that I was pretty much eating nonstop during that 1st week. Now that I know the dietary "tricks," I expect to stay fuller, eat less and start dropping more weight. Granted, it won't be anything near Steve's, but I know that, as a man, his weight loss has peaked and it's downhill from here. Well, at least after week two or three. I keep telling him slow and steady wins the race, although I am a little intimidated at this point. Every time I vamp up, he matches. I think I just need to keep my mouth shut and not tell him what my regimen is!

Kiera's Bday
The dinner (Fri) was a success and we had a lovely time. Kiera got some nice gifts and really enjoyed the all-eyes-on-me mentality of the night. It was especially nice to have Melissa and Taylor Mae there and for Theresia and Zoe to join as they are, after all, practically family.
The party is tonight and it's a downtown Memphis theme. Dinner on Beale, trolley ride, maybe a little Peabody Place shopping and OF COURSE photos galore. Rather than send out invitations, we sent postcards (text done on the computer) that featured downtown Memphis scenes. They were very cute!

Friend News
Great happenings here:
1. Lisa and the fam moved back to Southaven from Chattanooga last Sat, just in time for Lyla's birthday on the 3rd. I've known for about a year that they were moving back, but it seemed that they were going to encounter endless problems with the financing, etc. on the house they wanted. Needless to say, I'm stoked that they've finally made it home, and I'm looking forward to seeing Lyla grow up and getting Lisa back!

2. Leslie is (apparently) coming to visit allll the way from California for her best friend's birthday (that's me, folks). Although I am certain she will not find the south at all favorable, at least she will get to experience it and will have a better understanding when I go into my rants about the "apparent rampant inbreeding" that occurs here. She's a rather cultured girl, a Notre Dame honors grad; this should be interesting! :)

3. Jana's kick-off party was marvelously done and well received by all. We are very much looking forward to orchestrating this event, and (as an aside) there is some very good networking to be done in Jana's inner circle, evidently. Or maybe that is precisely why she chose those specific people for the kick-off (?). I don't know. But it was great and I'm sure the race will be no exception to Jana's marvelous event-planning skills. Also, thanks to Jana for the birthday cake for Kiera. It was very sweet and so very "Jana" to put someone else in the spotlight when it's supposed to be ALL about her!

Life
Not really relevant to anything, other than the following mini-rant, but I am sooo over the Katy Perry/Lady Gaga/Rhianna/Ke$ha music scene that I am slowly migrating back to country music. Actually, I'm migrating back pretty rapidly. I was, at one time, a major country music fan. Post 9-11 (in the Toby Keith high-tide) it seemed that every song was about Uncle Sam shoving his boot up someone's ass. After about a year of that, I gave up (as a side note, I've met Toby Keith and he was a bit of an asshole, so I may be biased). But now, in the age of talentless mainstream-musicians and radio stations that limit their playlists to roughly twenty songs, I'm willing to give it another go. Kiera may not be overly thrilled, but that's what an iPod is for!

House Hunting
Still no word on the bid for the dream home. Patience is still in tact, thankfully. However, my relator asked me earlier this week if I wanted to start looking at other houses, which is probably not a good sign. Also, having wanted to be moved in before Kiera starts high school, we are running out of time. Geesh. I may start looking again, while I wait on word back from the banker.

That was much more than I intended to write. Have a great long weekend, folks. We have a big one planned our way, and I expect to be thoroughly exhausted by the time I get back to work on Tuesday. Enjoy and be safe!

As Promised... (Action Item 1 Completed)

The hunt for our new home is moving...slooooowly.

As I said several weeks ago, we put a bid on a house Kiddo and I both love. And, well, since then, we've been waiting. And waiting.

I knew a short sale would work this way, so I had already put the I-want-things-my-way-when-I-want-them in check before we began the process, and that's really paid off in the form of patience. It also helps that I really want this house.

On the flip side of things, I have another constant voice in the back of my head reminding me that *if* I don't get the "dream" home, and I've waited too long for an answer, I might also lose the 2nd home on my list. I've got people throwing the whole "If it doesn't work out it isn't meant to be" cliche at me, but I'm a firm believer in making things happen (as opposed to thinking there is some greater force in the universe dictating what is/isn't meant to be), so I know it's simply a matter of timing. And of pricing. Since we put the offer on dream home, the asking price on the 2nd home has been lowered, which worries me a little more.

Just when I start wavering in my decision and think about withdrawing my offer, I remember all the things I love about the "dream" home and I am reminded to stand firm.

I'm just going to continue that...just plant my heels and wait for an answer from the banker (I feel like I should be standing beside Howie Mandel) and see what may come.

If I lose the 2nd home, there will be another...and another...and another.
Just have to exhale and remain calm. :)

[Keep your fingers crossed]
(++)

As promised... (Action Item 2 Completed)

Chicago...

Ahhh, where to begin?

It’d take far too long to go over all the details of our trip, so I’m going to cap myself at ten minutes and see how far that gets us. And, since a picture’s worth a thousand words, I’ll supplement via pics.

The trip:
I was a little apprehensive regarding the Amtrak by the time we made it to the station thanks to a multitude of horror stories from my co-workers about the passengers, the delays, the ride, the stench (yes, I said stench), the air conditioning (or lack thereof) etc. Initially, my fear felt founded as I stared at my fellow-passengers, but all went well and the train was a much more comfortable ride than I’ve ever had by plane. It was not ideal for sleeping though (as I was hoping). We arrived on time to and from Chicago and didn’t experience a single problem (nor stench).

The hotel:
One word: Amazing! It’s located right in the heart of the loop of downtown Chicago, which meant we were able to take the El everywhere. The service was impeccable (they even let us check in five hours early), amenities were bountiful and the entire hotel was beautiful—not to mention full of history.



And, since it’s taking forever to compose this amidst the interruptions, I’ll finish out via photos

The sights:

The Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, 103 stories high above Chicago
These plexiglass ledges made my stomach go crazy, and I'm not even remotely scared of heights.



Picnic Lunch at Millennium Park with DJ Ron Trent

This was one of the best pieces of art I've seen (and is housed in Millennium Park)

Aragon Ballroom & The Script in concert

We were right beside the stage.

Check out my YouTube or FB for some awesome videos before YouTube flags and removes 'em.

 

Sailing on Lake Michigan

Kiera even helped lift a sail!

Funhouse Maze on Navy Pier

(With the most wicked optical illusion I've EVER experienced)

Rainforest Cafe

Cheesy, but it was kiddo's picked and she totally bought into/loved it!

Shopping at Magnificent Mile

This was the (ten story tall) Macy's where we indulged in a little summer dress shopping

7-11

(Yes, I know, but don't underestimate the value of a 7-11 (and Slurpee) to two girls who lost access upon their move back from California. It was right across from the hotel and we were there constantly!)

Well, that about sums it up. Obviously there are a million other pics (all on Kiera's FB if you're interested), but these are the highlights.

The trip was a blast and we had loads of fun (thanks to all who have inquired).
(++)
B.



The Weekend's Big Three

[In no particular order]
This was drafted on Sunday in anticipation of my adding photos...but on second thought, better to just post those on FB...I loaded them today, so check em out now.

1. Great news! Melissa and Taylor have moved back home--permanently!
I was pretty sure they were coming back this week, but I didn't want to jinx the deal by throwing the news out there. As I type this, Kiera, Taylor and Melissa are on the couch watching Caddy Shack. These are the kinds of Sundays I love. Also--as a side note--Taylor Mae gave her first kisses (ever) to her Aunt Bonnie today. We've got it on video, but I'll have to transfer to show you that slobbery (albeit sooo sweet) ordeal.

2. Kiera's first formal went off without a hitch yesterday. She wore the red dress bought for Jessica's wedding and looked stunning. Although she originally had a "date," she opted instead to go with her best friend Sarah when Sarah's date couldn't make it. That's my girl! She also got her first spray ten this weekend in preparation for the formal. That was a learning experience for both of us (bless my baby's poor ivory complexion!).

3. The dream house appears to be slipping through my fingers. Evidently the asking price hadn't been approved by the bank, so another offer at "full price," which had already been put on the table, was rejected. Now I have to offer more than the "asking" price in order to have a shot. So I'm going to do it. The paperwork has already been sent and now we sit and wait. And wait. And wait. Our chances are looking bleak, but I've got to at least try. We'll be fine with whatever fate deals to us...and on that note, let me end with a little Caddy Shack inspiration...



Hums to self:
[I'm alright...don't nobody worry 'bout me...]

Nostalgia 101

As most of you already know, we are in the eleventh hour of Melissa's pregnancy. She and her boyfriend have just moved into their first apartment this week, so the timing couldn't be any better! I stocked up on necessities for them today: cleaning products, kitchen and bathroom supplies (including a very adorable shower curtain they will love), and some wall art.
The thought of two of them in that bare apartment brings back some fond memories of my first apartment. It's very sweet because I was so young and naive and so very (very) broke. It was an age of innocence that warms my heart when I look back on it.

It was a 2 bed/1 bath apartment in Millington, and (with my birth year forged by one digit), I was able to move in at the tender age of...seventeen. Yup, seventeen.
My kitchen was decorated in (heaven help me) cows and red/white checker print. My poor living room didn't have a solitary thing in it. There was no kitchen table, no furnishings to the spare bedroom. I had a single twin size bed and a cardboard (yes, cardboard) dresser. I remember that the first thing I bought was a set of very cheap pots and pans. And I just began collecting, adding one thing at a time until my little apartment became my home.
I was working at Taco Bell at the time and didn't make nearly enough money to afford the place, but I thought I'd have the help of a roommate when I moved in. It wasn't a week or two in that she bailed, and I realized I'd bitten off more than I could chew, so I worked HARD, 40 hours a week minimum, left school and concentrated on paying bills. I am proud to say I did all this without a dime from anyone: not my family, not the government, not a charitable organization. I prioritized and survived.
It took every bit of my paycheck to pay my rent and utility bill. I didn't have a home phone, a cell phone, cable, Internet or a car. I walked to work (even pregnant, even in the snow pregnant) and back home. I worked until I was 42 weeks pregnant, up to and including the very day they induced me. I had my daughter on a Tuesday and was back at work on Saturday, the kiddo in an infant seat in Taco Bell's management office, door propped open. Maternity leave is a luxury. Child care is a luxury. Most people don't realize that.
Even though it was a very tough time in my life, I look back on it with great fondness. I really pulled through a difficult time, sanity in check. When I tell Kiera about these early years, she is in awe of my perseverance, and I know I'm instilling some of that in her. No, I didn't make all the right choices as a teenager, but I handled the choices I did make with integrity and followed through with my head held high.
She knows defeat is not an option. No matter how hard things get, they are only temporary.
You prioritize. You survive.
You repeat as necessary.