The Letter Game

Kristen assigned me the letter "S" in the Letter Game. I am to choose 10 things that I love that begin with the letter "S"! Here goes nothing...in no certain order.


1. Sonic: Um, hello, my name is Lindsey and I'm addicted to Sonic fountain drinks.





2. Sister: My little sister Abbey. She is 6 1/2 years younger than me and really is my best girl friend!


3. Sweet Home Alabama: I love that movie. So cute, even if they get the geography all wrong.





4. My handy dandy Shark Steamer. I mean to tell you, this thing works!

5. Shopping for my girls. I love finding cute things for them to wear. I adore it when they are all matchy matchy!

6. Having said that I love shopping for my little girls, I also love SMOCKED clothes for them. I would have them wear smocked every day if possible!

7. Socks: I love fun socks whether it be polka-dots, frogs, plaids, or furry.

8. Sheets: I splurge on high quality bed sheets. I love soft, sateen, high-count sheets. It is a must for me!

9. Scented Linen Spray and Scented Soap: I abhor perfume and really, smelly lotions. They almost give me a headache. I do love linen spray for my bed and smelly hand soaps for the kitchen and bathroom. The spray and soaps give off just enough smell. My favorite is the Egyptian Cotton linen spray. I find it at Bed, Bath, and Beyond or TJMaxx.

10. Smart Start: I eat the same thing every morning for breakfast. I really like this cereal. I have been eating it since I was in college.

11. Spouse and Sweet Children: He is my rock and we have really been blessed with 2 precious children!

12. Sudoku Puzzles: Love them! I taught all my gifted kiddos how to do these. I am addicted. I keep a book in my car for long car rides.

13. Subscriptions: I love magazines. I subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens, US Weekly (I admit it!), Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Everyday with Racheal Ray, Redbook, Glamour, Parents, and like all good Southern girls, Southern Living. Several of these magazines were freebies (by completing several surveys online). Needless to say, I have plenty to read and not enough time!

Let me know if you want to participate and I'll assign you a letter!

The One Where I'm Paranoid

Late one night not too long ago (around midnight on a Saturday night), we had a knock on our front door. I, being the paranoid person I am, believed that it might be a serial killer. So I tip-toed into the playroom and peeked out.

Oh heavens!

It is a car with lights on the top. You know, a police officer's car.

I, immediately, start having a hard time breathing. I just knew this officer had knocked on our door to deliver awful news....just like you see in the movies.

"Your loved one was found and is dead" is what I could just imagine that this officer would tell us.

I just knew it. I woke up Michael and we headed to the door. I was almost hyperventilating. Who was the person that had passed away? I was scared to death. My face was white and I was near tears.

I open the door in my pajamas (matching, at least, but no robe).

Michael looks at me and says, "Lindsey, it's just a Sheriff's representative."

I am still scared. I ask this officer, "Who is hurt?"

This poor officer looks at me and asks, "Are y'all #1128?" (I changed the street number)

"NO we are not. We are #1127."

"Oh well! I have the wrong address," he simply states.

"WHAT? What do you mean? Why are you here?" I inquire.

"I am trying to serve a warrant of arrest." he replies.

"Oh, ok. Sorry wrong address."

I was so relieved and kind of laughed it off with the hubby as we went back inside. My breathing finally returned to normal, oh about an hour later. I had a hard time going back to sleep. In that hour of trying to find that sweet slumber, I prayed and thanked the Good Lord that no one was hurt.

I dread the day when I have to let my sweet girls go their own way. I do know that is all part of life. I remember thinking how lucky I was to have them sleeping in the same room with me and I didn't have to worry about them making curfew or being out on the roads. And for now, I'm just going to enjoy every day at home with my little angels!

Chess Squares Recipe

This recipe is easily one of my favorites. Some people call them "Gooey Bars" but my Mom always calls them "Chess Squares" and they are delicious!

1 yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter (melted)

Mix until creamy and then press into greased 9 x 13 pan. You see this on the right in the picture below.

Now for the gooey part:

1 box confectioners sugar
2 eggs
8 oz cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and put on top (evenly). This is pictured below in the bowl on the left. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Into the oven

Finished product

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine's party at Mary Margaret's pre-school

Daddy and his girls

P.S. I know I'm showing a lot of pictures as of late, but I am oh-so-thankful to have them. Remember I almost lost them because of my sweet, adorable, computer-tapping, technological genius named Harper Jane.

Stay At Home Mommy

It's almost been a full calendar year since we made the final decision.

You remember the one, about my JOB.

I have been thinking a lot lately about teaching. I do miss it. It truly was rewarding and I loved seeing my students grow up.

But you know what??

I love watching these kids grow up.

Now I'm not saying I don't have my moments and we do make sacrifices financially, but overall I truly love my job as a "domestic engineer"! It is priceless!

Party All the Time!

Yesterday, we had what I like to call "Dress-Up All Day-a-thon"! Mary Margaret had not 1, but 2 dress-up Princess/Fancy Nancy parties. I'm tired just reliving it all. Here's the skinny...

We got dressed up!

We made a fancy flower headband!

We made a pink glitter pet rock. We now call her Bridget (after our friend Amelia Bridget)!

We ate all while achieving the oh-so-glamourous look!

We came home to recuperate!

We dressed up again. This time as Ariel, our favorite Disney princess!

We met up with our friend Amelia, Brandy's daughter.

We ate frou-frou food!

We saw Cinderella!

(So excited)

(Couldn't stop talking)

(Desperate for Cindy's sole attention)

We are still talking about her today!
WHEW! That was my weekend! How was your's???

Daddy Daughter Date Night

Daddy Daughter Date Night was a fundraiser at the middle school where the hubby is principal. At first, they were hoping for 100 girls to sign up. In the end, there were 293 girls (including our 2) that attending the event. WOW, what a fundraiser and what a fabulous night the girls had! Each girl received a rose, a t-shirt, a framed 5 x 7 picture with Dad (or Step-Dad, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, etc.), dinner, and dessert. Limbo and dance contests were held. During the dance contest, everyone did the Cha-Cha Slide and the Cupid Shuffle. It was so funny and sweet to see those Dads out there with their little cuties! Below are a few in action shots of Mary Margaret doing the Cha-Cha Slide with her Daddy.


And then the Limbo Contest. Michael apologized to MM before this even started. He tried to explain that "Daddy is not very agile or flexible so we probably will not win." MM still wanted to give it a good try!
Of course, Harper Jane had a blast. She is showing off her dance moves and her new funny little smile!


She had so much fun that by the end of the night she had lost her hairbow....and I had almost lost my mind. I was exhausted trying to keep up with these 2 kids. I'm not as young as I once was!

Hump Day News

My computer has been saved!

(Singing the Hallelujah chorus)

I'm happy to report my pictures are now double-backed up. That's right, friends, double-backed up.

Let me just say in my best teacher voice, "Back up your pictures, people!"

This has been a public service announcement.....

HA!

Also the hubby received Mario Cart for the Wii for his birthday and he is loving it! So are both of the girls. They both watch intently and cheer wildly. Harper Jane even pretends to drive.

This afternoon, HJ was oh-so-whiney. A trait that drives me crazy. So I asked her if she wanted some milk.

She replied, " 'ant it now!"

She is a girl that knows what she wants.

P.S. Kristen, I have not ignoring your tag. I promise! I'll get to it when I get my computer back. These days I'm on the hubby's MacBook and I'm not aware of all the "how-to's" on here!

More MMisms

Saturday night, Mary Margaret wanted to snuggle in our bed. We agreed and so she crawled right into the middle of the bed (her favorite spot).

She was quiet for a little while and then proceeded to tell me about a problem she was having.

MM: Mommy, my sciences are so congested I can't think.

ME: Oh really?

MM: The pressure is keeping me up all night.

ME: You really have a problem, don't you?

MM: My sciences are about to explode. They are going to erupt just like a volcano.

ME: You have got to be kidding me. Where exactly are your sciences??

MM: They are right here (rubbing her tummy).

Michael and I were desperately trying not to laugh. You never know what MM will say next!

P.S. Let's all say a little prayer for my old laptop. Harper Jane pressed a few buttons and encrypted it somehow (already the computer genius, she is) and I can no longer access Windows. We've got someone to look at it, but no promises. ALL my pictures are on there. I do have CD back-ups through August of 08, but the last 6 months or so might be lost forever (this would include MM's 5th bday party and Christmas). I just pray that those special pictures can be retrieved!!!

It's all in the genes

Harper Jane is not a big talker, but really with Mary Margaret around how could she be. She says lots of various words but just not very often. So when she does speak, we all listen intently. I was worried initially especially after having such a talker for my first child. I read and read and asked and asked just to make sure that her hearing and development were on track. The doctor said as long as she was following directions (which she does fabulously) and speaking (on her terms) that she is fine.

Now that I've given you that background info, let me tell you a little story.

HJ has recently began a love affair with the television and I can't tell you how happy I am. Don't judge me you non-mommies out there. You have not had times when you just need a 30 minute break. There are times when you just need your very own body back because as of late, I have been feeling like a real-life jungle gym.

During one of my, let's call them "moments", I needed a small little window of time when nobody was touching me. I turned on The Backyardigans (one of our very favorite shows) and actually sat down on the couch by myself. Let me reiterate that---by myself.

Ahhh!

For 30 entire minutes, I got a mini-break. After the show ended, I turned off the television.

Harper Jane turned to me and asked just as plain as day, "What did you do?"

So guess what? All that talking has started here at the Douglas household. Why I was ever worried, I'll never know! I should have remembered -- it's in her genes!

Happy Birthday Michael!

Today is the hubby's birthday. The girls and I are so excited and made not 1, not 2, but 3 desserts for Daddy! I'd like to give some little known facts about my sweetie:

*We met at school. He taught elementary school and I interned at his school during my Senior year at Auburn.
*He helped design my engagement and wedding band.
*He once was a member of his high school's cross-stitching club. (It was a dare).
*He almost has his doctorate in educational administration. He just has his dissertation left. He followed in his father's footsteps.
*He wanted a girl both times I was pregnant.
*He truly is so very creative when it comes to gift giving. He totally surprises me every single time.
*We only dated 5 months before we got engaged and then 3 months later we got married.
*He was the quarterback for Auburn High School's football team.
*He loves playing games.
*He is completely devoted to his family.
*He can not multi-task and honestly admits this.
*He is a really good decorator. He gets this from his mother.
*When he gets home in the afternoon, the girls leech onto him. Seriously both of them get in his lap and they vie for his attention. It gives me a little break;)
*He is a good problem solver which is a good characteristic for his job.
*He loves to play Webkinz with Mary Margaret, likes seriously, it's an addiction.
*He is extremely handy around the house and can do most anything.
*He had only lived in one city, Auburn, until we got married.
*He would rather stay at home with the girls than go be social.
*He loves musicals. Yes, musicals. Oklahoma, Rent, Moulin Rouge, Chicago, and even, Annie.
*He has not ever gotten mad at me for splurging on clothes for the girls. And I do love to splurge. Remember my weakness for smocked clothing?
*He has helped me be better at everything (person, wife, mother, teacher).

I am so thankful that God blessed me with him.

That little boy, he speaks the truth

Yesterday, we went to a restaurant (as MM likes to say) with my grandmother-Nene, my mother-Nanee, and my sister-Abbey.



Oh a girls day! What fun!



While we were there enjoying some cornbread, one of MM's pre-school friends walked by. He was leaving and was obviously there with his grandparents.



The little boy turned to his grand-daddy and we overheard him saying, "That's Mary Margaret and gosh, I've got some stories to tell about that girl."



We all were in hysterics because that little comment, it completely sums up my life.

A Not So Healthy Recipe

So your arteries won't thank me for this one, but you will! This recipe is too good to pass up!

Fried Shrimp

(We modified the Paula Deen recipe)


1 1/2 pounds large Shrimp (peeled and de-veined)
1 egg
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of Frank's Hot Sauce (You know I like it spicy. More or less depending on you!)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup yellow corn meal
2 tablespoons pepper
3 tablespoons salt
Vegetable oil

1. Mix egg, milk, and hot sauce together. Put to the side.
2. Whisk flour, cornmeal, pepper and salt together. Divide into two bowls.
3. Dry shrimp. This is an important step.
4. Your fryer should be set on 375 degrees.
5. Make assembly line of dry mixture, wet mixture, dry mixture.
6. Dredge shrimp into the dry mixture, then the wet mixture, and lastly the dry mixture.
7. Drop into fryer.
8. Fry for about 2-4 minutes. We like them crispy so went for the entire 4 minutes.

We are making these this week for the hubby's birthday and I can't wait. The last time we had them, we made Pina Coladas and pretended to be at the beach. Oh-so-fun!

Things I Love-Sunday Edition

A list.

(Gasp)

What? You can't believe that I would make a list. I know, I know. Very unlike me.

Here is a list of things that I love (besides Jesus, my family, and my friends):

1. My Shark Steamer. Uh, hello? Let me just say that I was a skeptic. Hot, steamy water on my newly refinished hard wood floors. Um, I don't think so. I tested a spot and guess what? It worked oh-so-well especially for those spills. You know the ones that your daughters don't tell you about. Then you find the dried on stickiness that once was sprite or milk or sweet tea (decaffeinated, of course). Well the Shark Steamer, it gets those surprise spills right up. It works on hardwoods and tile and I, for one, love it. I didn't buy it online. I found mine at K-mart. It is worth every penny. It appeases the OCD me! (Side note: we have about 2100 square feet of hard wood floors downstairs so it was necessary that I found something that would deep clean them).

2. My Auburn Pottery. I've been wanting (almost coveting) these wonderful pieces of art. I have given several pieces as gifts. This year my Mom surprised me with 3 pieces (pitcher, large divided platter, and over sized plate). I display them proudly!

3. My new living room curtains. These bunch up a little on the floor.

4. Tyler candles. If you have not tried these, you must. Right now, I'm really into the signature scent, Tyler.



5. On a cold, blustery day, nothing is better than a fire. I built this one myself on an especially cold day last week.





6. The new light fixture in our living room. I looked all over trying to find something that I loved and would give off a lot of light. I was finally successful. Initially I wanted to have a chandelier, but in the end decided against it (We have 2 antique crystal chandeliers already and I didn't want to over-do it). Our ceiling is not blue. In fact, it is a very light shade of yellow (2 shades lighter than our walls). Not sure why it looks blue....

7. Our den is oh-so-cozy.

Here it is before:

After:

Yes, we painted those wood paneled walls. Many people have given us a hard time about it, but I could not stand those dark walls. We also ripped up the horrific carpet and now this room has refinished hard woods.

What products/things do you love (besides Jesus, your family, and friends)?

Spoiled Much

So the lesson on humbleness is not going so well...



Yesterday while giving MM a bath, she started talking about the Daddy-Daughter Date Night.

She looked at me ever so seriously and said, "I wonder what my prize will be for winning the Limbo contest."


I had to bite my tongue not to laugh out loud.


I replied, "MM, darling, the contest is for big girls."


"Well, I am a big girl, Mommy."


I tried to explain. "MM, the contest is for big girls, like the ones at Daddy's school."


An obviously disappointed MM said, "Oh."


She was deep in thought for a moment and then came back with this, "Mommy, are you going to have me a prize instead?"


"No, sweet girl, the prize for you is getting to have a special date with your Daddy."


"Oh Mommy, every day with Daddy is special."


I had a Mommy moment. You know the ones, where you are so proud of your child. I was seriously about to give her the biggest hug even while she was covered in suds and all wet. Until....


"But what's my real surprise going to be?"


What am I going to do with her??







Below is the picture that was in the paper. The photographer told MM to act like she was waiting on her Daddy to dance with her. Oh the personality, it is strong in that one!

MMisms

Yes, here I am with another Mary Margaret story.

She and HJ had a picture made with their Daddy for our local newspaper as an advertisement for the Daddy-Daughter Date Night being held at his school. She so looked forward to seeing herself in the paper.

I showed her the picture and the conversation went something like this:

MM: "Mommy, I must be famous."

ME: "Well, I guess you might be famous Mary Margaret"

MM: "Mommy, what are those people called that are famous?"

ME: "They are called celebrities"

MM: "Then I must be a celebrity!"


Next lesson on my agenda with MM is titled "Being Humble"!

Wordless Wednesday

Guess who has started "cheesin" for the camera??

Mary Margaret-- Pajama Day at pre-school.

Now referred to as "the best school day ever"!