Pop Quiz: What's My Favorite Day of the Year?

Take a look at the following choices.

Think real hard about what you think I might say.

You ready?

OK.

A. My birthday

B. Christmas

C. Opening day of SEC Football

D. My wedding anniversary

Raise your hands if you answered "C'.

You would be correct, my friend.

That's right.

OPENING DAY OF SEC FOOTBALL.

Which is Saturday.

Less than 48 hours away.

I cannot wait to spend my day watching college football game, after college football game. Too bad the Hogs (Arkansas Razorbacks) game won't be televised. We're not playing an SEC team.

However, I will be listening to it on the radio while simultaneously watching another SEC game on TV.

Can a girl ask for anything more?

I don't think so.

What's equally exciting is that tomorrow, I'll do my annual "unveiling" of this year's Hog t-shirt collection.

Every Friday before a game day, I wear a different Razorback t-shirt to work, to show support for my team. I also hear my necklace with a Hog helmet charm & my Hog watch.

Nope.

I'm so not kidding.

Maybe I'll get Matt to take a picture of me tomorrow to post on my blog, so you can see what I'm talking about.

Anyway, back to Saturday.

I think games begin around 11am & will go on until 9 or 10pm at night. Football will be on, on every TV in our house. Until 6pm, when we have to leave for a 30th surprise birthday party for one of Matt's friends.

I mean, who are they to throw a party on OPENING DAY OF SEC FOOTBALL, I ask you?

Don't they realize what they're making me give up?

Thank God for our DVR.

Or else.

So, if you like football & you don't have anything better to do, want to come over & watch?

I'll save a seat for you.

P.S. Ok, ok...the quiz was kind of a trick question. All the days listed are my favorite days. I mean, a girl can have as many favorite days as she wants. That's what I thought.

The Trick To NOT Getting A Speeding Ticket.

I woke up at 8:15am this morning.

I'm supposed to be at work at 9am.

To be there on time, I have to leave my house at 8:40am.

In other words, I was going to be late.

I jumped out of bed, took a quick shower, slapped some make-up on, blow-dried my hair, put it up in a ponytail, got dressed in record speed, let Maisy out, grabbed a Pop-Tart & kissed Matt bye.

I ran out of the door at 8:41am.

I was in good shape.

Until.

I saw a cop parked in the golf course parking lot of our neighborhood.

Crap.

I knew I was speeding.

And, yep, sure enough, as soon as I passed him in the parking lot, he pulled out & flipped his lights on.

Double crap.

So, I pulled into the other entrance of the golf course, rolled down my window & waited for the wrath that was to come.

Cop: "Good morning."

Me: "Good morning, sir." (A little ass-kissing never hurt a girl!).

Cop: "I pulled you over because you were speeding. 65 in a 45."

Me: "I know, sir, I'm late for work."

Cop: "Do you have your driver's license?"

Me: "Of course." I hand it over.

Cop: "How's your driving record?"

Me: "Clean."

Cop: "Let's see." He calls in my driver's license number into his portable radio.

Operator: "Clean driving record. No past offenses or warrants."

Cop: (hands back my license) "Okay, since you have the same first name as my wife, I'm gonna let you go."

Me: "Thank you!"

Cop: "Be careful & slow down."

Me: "I will."

Whew.

20 miles over the speed limit would have been a pretty pricey ticket.

I think we can all learn a lesson from this, can't we?

Next time a cop pulls you over for speeding & wants to know your name, instead of telling him, just say, "Before I answer that, could you tell me your wife's name."

That's 18 Minutes of My Life I Can't Get Back.

I cannot stand calling Dish Network.

Ever.

Whenever I have a question about something, I'm on hold for at least 10 minutes.

At least.

Today, however, I reached a new record.

We're supposed to be getting a $50 dollar rebate for upgrading to the Dual Tuner DVR.

I got a letter in the mail on Friday, saying I didn't send in the correct paperwork. Dish says they need a "current" bill to show proof that our package was upgraded.

I looked at what I sent them & it WAS a current bill. In fact, it was the bill that said "Upgrade: Dual Tuner DVR, $119.00". If that's not proof, then I don't know what is.

Anyway, I called at 7:02pm Friday night to try & ask someone just how much more current would they like me to be.

I got a recording, "We're sorry, but our regular business hours are from 7am to 7pm. Monday through Friday. Please call back then."

OK.

I did.

I called back tonight at 6:33pm.

I was put on hold & forced to listen to some awful elevator music....

FOR 18 MINUTES!

Only to have another recording tell me that due to the overwhelming number of calls, it's best if I try back later during different hours.

What?

You had me on hold for 18 minutes & couldn't tell me that sooner?

Whatever.

So, I just wasted 18 minutes of my life, to get nowhere.

Thanks, Dish Network.

Reconnecting With Old Friends.

You know how in Junior High & High School, you have your "core" group of friends?

Sometimes that "core" group changes because you go to different schools (high school or college), or you move away.

It's nobody's fault.

It happens.

Back in Junior High, I was part of a group of about 8 or 10 girls. I didn't always feel like I fit in with them, but nonetheless, I thought of them as my friends.

When it came time for High School, all of the girls went to one & I went to another.

We lost touch.

As the years went by, I would think about them occasionally.

Wondering what college they went to?

Were they married?

Did anyone have kids yet?

A few months ago, I was on MySpace (yes, I know...but, it's addicting!) & noticed a place where you could search your High School to see if any of your classmates had a page.

I put in my High School & found a few people that I knew.

Then, I decided to put in the other High School & several girls that I used to hang out with, came up...including Amy.

I clicked on her page, only to find out that she's married, living in another state & has a baby girl.

There was also a link to her blog....which, of course, I clicked on (because I'm nosey) & was delighted to learn that she was doing well.

I visited her blog several times before I finally decided to leave her a comment, asking her if she remembered me.

She e-mailed back & said that yes, she did remember me & was glad that I had found her.

A few weeks ago, she came back to Arkansas for a wedding & we got to visit with each other.

It was great to see her again...as well as a few other girls that were part of that group...Darla & Heather.

It was great to be able to catch up on what all we'd been doing over the last 10 or so years. We're adults now...all of us are married, most of us have kids & we're all happy.

We all have busy lives, with work, husbands & kids, but I sincerely hope that we get together more often, because even though we lost touch for more than a decade, we were a part of each other's lives once & to me, that's pretty special.

$123.70? I Could've Spent That On New Clothes.

Instead, I spent it on Maisy.

At the doctor.

Because she's having another allergy attack that caused little red bumps on her belly...which, of course, she scratched, leading to a slight infection.

Her bill?

1 Examination: $38.00
30 Hydroxyzine 25 Mg Tablets: $14.50
21 Simplicef 100 Mg Tablets: $40.00
1 Genesis Topical Spray: $16.20
1 Pedicure: $15.00

Total: $123.70

Oh, yeah.

But, really, it's worth it.

I mean, I can't stand having ONE mosquito bite, much less about 1,000 red bumps all over my belly.

There IS good news about all this, though. Next time she has an allergy attack (and she will because she has about 2 or 3 a year), the doctor said we could try the spray first, for a few days.

If that clears it up, she's good to go...no doctor visit.

But, if it doesn't, I guess I'll shell out another $100 bucks.

The best part about Maisy going to the doctor is that I let her stay all day (doggie daycare) to play with all her dog friends.

That tires her out so much, that when we get home, all she wants to do is sleep.

Which keeps her out of my way for at least 4 hours.

And, that, my friends, is PRICELESS.

If You Liked Summer Swap, You're Going to LOVE Awesome Autumn.

It's that time of year! Time to say say your goodbye's to Summer & make way for Fall.

What better way to welcome in the new season, then to take part in "Awesome Autumn"?

It's just like Summer Swap, but instead of sending your partner gifts that spell out S-U-M-M-E-R, you'll send gifts that spell out A-U-T-U-M-N.

Here's what you need to do.

1. Sign up by September 1st, 2007 by e-mailing Jenny at JayJennyS@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, your address and your blog’s address so we know where to find you.

2. Please post the AWESOME AUTUMN button code in your blog to invite other bloggers. Jenny will e-mail it to you when she receives your request.

3. After September 1st, be looking for your Autumn Bud in your e-mail, so you can begin to gather your items that follow along with the AUTUMN theme.

Be creative, here are just some ideas...

A- A mug full of hot teas and such

U- Ultra-soft scarf to keep you warm this season

T- Tote filled with many things to keep you busy indoors

U- Ultimate comfort food recipes to warm you inside out

M- Multi-colored bracelet of Autumn hues

N- New Autumn holiday decorations for your home.

4. Send out your box of gifts by September 15th, 2007 & wait for yours to arrive via the mail.

5. On September 23rd, or as close as possible, post a picture of your goodies and a thank you to your new Autumn pal! Don't forget to link to Jenny's blog so we can all see what a success AWESOME AUTUMN was.

I know that many of you guys wanted to take part in Summer Swap, but either forgot to sign up or missed the deadline, so now's your chance to be part of Awesome Autumn.

It's a great way to meet new people & make some new friends. Through Summer Swap, I met Beth, Michelle & Brittny. Some of the other girls, I already knew.

So? Awesome Autumn? Go sign up. That's an order.

What's Happening in Maisy's World.

Ya'll know she loves to be under the covers. The other night, Matt was getting ready to go to bed & couldn't find Maisy. But, here she was...sound asleep in her bed, with her pillow thing on top of her. The next morning, I found her the exact same way. She hadn't moved.

In these pictures, she's on our bed, sleeping with Matt. The cutest one somehow got deleted in my camera. In it, she had her head turned toward the khaki pillow in the background.

I didn't know Matt was eating ice cream, when I let Maisy back inside after going to the bathroom. She immediately jumped on Matt to beg for ice cream. I thought it was cute!

Want to know what else is going on in her world?

She's stopped eating food out of her bowl. Now, she wants us to put it on the floor, IN THE PANTRY, where Matt found the mouse.

Um, no.

But, if we don't put it on the floor, she stands there & cries. So, we compromised. I open the pantry door, lay down a paper towel IN FRONT of the pantry & put her food on it.

She thinks she's eating in the pantry, when technically, she's eating OUTSIDE the pantry.

It's all good in her little world.

Except that on Thursday, she has to go to the doctor.

Oh, yeah.

Allergy attack.

Red bumps & scabs all over her belly. It makes me so sad to see her scratch her belly all the time. Hopefully, she'll get some medicine.

I'll let you know how it goes!

He's Getting So Big. And, I Don't Like It.

How cute is this boy?

My nephew, Jackson, started Kindergarten today.

Yes, Kindergarten.

Ya'll, he's not even my kid, which is why the emotions that I felt today, totally surprised me.

I thought I could handle it.

I thought that my oldest niece (Matt's sister's daughter) had broken me in last year, when she started Kindergarten...I had a really hard time admitting that she was growing up.

But, admitting that Jackson's growing up...that's a whole new feeling that I didn't expect.

As my sister was telling me about packing his lunch & labeling all his school supplies, I teared up.

When she told me that last night, she read him a book called, "The Night Before Kindergarten", I couldn't hold it in any longer.

Big crocodile tears rolled down my cheeks.

I've known this day was coming for the past 5 years, 8 months & 13 days & I thought I was prepared.

I was wrong.

I was there the day he was born & held him for hours on end.

I watched him take his first steps, with a head full of curly brown hair & snaggle tooth grin.

I literally felt my heart melt when he said, "I lub you, Rah Rah" for the first time.

And, to watch him with his little sister, how he rubs her back when they sit together, how he helps her with a puzzle or holds her hand in the car, I swear, ya'll, my heart fills up with so much love, I think it might jump right out of my body.

Jackson's the most sweetest, lovingest, cutest, smartest little boy I know.

And, I just can't believe he's big enough to go to school.

What Were You Doing at Midnight?

Sleeping? Watching a movie? Blogging?

Want to know what I was doing at midnight?

Cleaning out my pantry.

Want to know WHY I was cleaning out my pantry at midnight?

Because we found a mouse on the floor.

Oh, yeah, Internet.

A freaking mouse.

Like, seriously, is this "Let's see how many times we can make Robin scream" week?

First, wasps.

Now, a mouse.

Thankfully, I was not the one to make the discovery last night.

Matt did.

He was actually very calm about it.

I was putting some laundry away & he came into the bedroom to ask me where I put his cooler. He's playing in a weekend softball tournament & wanted to get it out to remind him to pack a few water bottles & ice in the morning.

I told him I last saw it in the pantry.

He leaves the room & about 1 minute later, I see him getting a towel out of the linen closet.

Curious, I followed him, thinking that maybe he spilled a drink & was using the towel to clean it up.

As I got closer to the kitchen, I couldn't see him or the towel.

Then, about a split second later, I see him walking away from the pantry, scratching his head.

And, he says to me, "Sweetie, I'm gonna need your help with something."

I'm like, "OK, what did you spill?"

And, he says, "There's a mouse in the pantry."

I go into attack mode, ready to show this mouse who's boss.

Then, I realize I'm me & I don't do mice.

So, I ask Matt, "Um, ok, so how do YOU plan to get him out?"

I mean, he can't expect ME to get anywhere near it.

We set up a little perimeter around the pantry, so that the mouse couldn't escape. Matt put on some thick gloves & got a small box to put the mouse in.

Carefully, he started taking things out of the pantry & handing them to me. He found the mouse & in one quick move, was able to coax it into the box.

It was a little bitty field mouse, but nonetheless, it was NOT something that I want to come into contact with, IN MY HOUSE.

So, Matt took the box outside, to the end of our cul-de-sac & set it free.

(I should explain that we're not strangers to field mice. We live in a fairly new sub-division & with every new house, the mice are forced to leave & look for a new place to stay. In the 3 years that we've lived here, our garage has played host to 2 or 3 mice that I know of. They only stay for a week or so & move on. Unfortunately, our most recent guest found its way into the house).

Back to last night, once I knew the pantry was "rodent-free", I got everything else out of the pantry, to make sure there weren't any more mice (which there weren't, thank goodness).

We ended up throwing everything that was the floor of the pantry away.

We figure the mouse was in the garage & when we opened the door to the garage, it must have run in sometime within the last 2 or 3 days.

And, we know this because there were very few mouse droppings on the floor.

I know, I know.....EWWWWWWW!

Anyway, I spent about an hour scrubbing the floor & the shelves & rearranging all the food.

I turned off the pantry light & closed the door at 12:30am.

Sad thing is, the pantry is probably the cleanest room in my house right now.

We can all thank the mouse for that.

I'm Just Wondering...

Have you ever been driving down the interstate, minding your own business, when all of a sudden, you see a leaf or a bug flying straight at your windshield?

And, you duck.

Even though you're in your car.

And, then you feel really, really stupid & you look around at other drivers to make sure nobody saw you do that.

Not that this happened to me, you know.

I'm just asking for really no reason.

Tatum's Frame.

I can finally post Tatum's frame now!

I've been waiting for Kim to get it in the mail, so she could see it for the first time, in person, rather than on my blog.

I did this for her daughter who was born a few months ago.

I really had a lot of fun making this one.

Kim sent me pictures of Tatum's nursery, which is what I went off of for my colors & choice of design. I think the little bugs are so cute!!

I think her name really stands out on this, which is what I wanted.

Kim e-mailed me after she got & told me she really liked it & asked her husband to rearrange Tatum's furniture so that the frame could hang right above the crib.

She's also going to take a picture of it, hanging in the nursery, so I'll be sure to post that too!

And, Kim's keeping me in business...she's got 2 more orders for me!

Wow.

By the way, head over to my design's blog to see my latest venture in my design's business....party invitations! Let me know what you think.

Can I Come Stay With You? Please.

Um, people, we have a huge problem at our house.

We're being invaded by wasps.

Big, red, scary wasps.

Ok, maybe "invaded" is a little bit of a stretch, but when you're talking about wasps, whether it's one or 20, I call that an invasion.

I cannot stand insects that fly & buzz & can sting you.

Not since I was 8 & a big bug flew in my ear when I was riding my bike in the driveway.

My dad had to lay me down in the shower & pour water in my ear to make the bug come out.

I felt it buzzing & moving around in my ear the whole time.

It sucked.

Since then, anytime I hear or see a flying insect, I scream really loud, wave my arms frantically & run really fast in the opposite direction.

Matt makes so much fun of me, but he didn't have a bug fly in his ear, now did he?

No.

Anyway, I was walking past the front door to our bedroom tonight & something caught my eye. After a closer, but very cautious, inspection, I realized it was a wasp on the floor by the door.

I screamed, waved my arms & ran to get the fly swatter & Flying Insect spray.

I went back into the entryway, eyed my target & sprayed.

Jackpot.

As I was reeling in my victory, what did I see?

Another wasp.

Yes, Internet, this meant war.

So, I eyed my target & sprayed.

Jackpot.

As I was turning around, I heard a "buzzing" sound.

Oh, yeah.

Another wasp.

This time, on the light fixture that hangs from the ceiling.

When all was said & done, I think I killed 4.

And, when I say "think" it's because I called Matt to tell him what happened & he said he killed 3 this morning, but didn't have time to clean up their carcasses, so he left them there.

Gee, thanks.

2 of the 4 that I think I killed were on the floor, so it's possible they were the ones that met their fate this morning & I just killed them again.

The other 2 I killed were flying. So, I know they weren't dead.

But, that doesn't explain what happned to the 3rd one that Matt killed.

Unless, he just thought he killed it, but really didn't.

Maybe he just paralyzed for a little while.

Nonetheless, we think we've narrowed down where they're coming from, so after dinner, Matt's going up into the attic to see if he can find a nest.

I'll let you know how that goes.

In the meantime, can I come stay with you until this problem is solved?

Somebody Has To Stop Me. Really.

My name is Robin.

And, I'm a shopaholic.

Seriously.

I can't stop.

Would you like to know how many times I have been at the mall in the past 8 days & spent money?

4.

In case you didn't hear that, I said FOUR TIMES IN EIGHT DAYS.

I must be stopped.

I can't go on like this.

It all started when I had to exchange a pair of shorts that Matt got me for my birthday. Apparently, I have a bigger ass than I thought & I had to get a bigger size.

When I got to Aeropostale, I realized that shorts he bought me were on sale. So, of course, I just HAD to get another pair in another color.

Then, I saw this really cute tank top. And, I justified it by telling myself that the top would go with BOTH pairs of shorts.

I mean if that's not justification, I don't know what is.

Really.

That was on a Thursday.

On Saturday, while at the lake, my sister & I went to the mall.

I found several cute tops at a store that we don't have in my city, so that was my justification for those purchases.

We also went into this store that's kind of like a Forever 21 & found even more stuff.

Like this really cute dress that will be PERFECT to wear to dinner one night during our vacation to the beach next month.

Of course, a girl has to accessorize...so I HAD to get this really cute necklace to wear with the dress.

Our last stop was Aeropostale, where I found these really cute jeans for $20.

Hello?

How did I not see these jeans when I was at MY Aerospostale just 2 days before?

You know I HAD to get a pair.

Yesterday, I had lunch with a good friend of mine.

And, what do girls do best?

Shop.

So, we went to mall after lunch.

Granted, we did find some very cute scoop neck shirts for $5.99.

Who can pass up that deal?

Certainly not me.

Obviously.

And, that brings us to today.

Matt & I went to the mall to get his hair cut.

We were going to leave right after that, but our feet took us elsewhere.

We walked out with a pair of shorts for Matt & 2 pairs of shorts for me.

However, each pair was $9.99, marked down from $39.99.

Oh, we also got Matt a new bathing suit for our trip. But, it was also $9.99.

Now do you understand me when I say that this can't continue.

I'm a maniac.

OK, so granted, about 80% of the stuff I bought over the last 8 days was on sale & I do have some birthday money (well, did) that I set aside for clothes...

So, when you think about it, maybe it's not all THAT bad.

Am I right?

Maybe?

Just a little bit?

Tell me I'm right so I'll feel better.

What would also make me feel better & maybe not so guilty, is if you'll tell me you've done this sort of thing before.

Please.

Maybe next time I go to the mall, I'll just leave my wallet at home.

OK, Now What Are Your Thoughts?

Back by popular demand is my photo slideshow!

Plus, I copied over my Blogoversary countdown.

And, I made the green type a little darker, for KimmyK.

But, I'm not done, so if you have any other comments or suggestions, just let me know.

What Do You Think So Far?

Ok, so I'm not anywhere NEAR finished with this, but what do you think so far of the new look?

KimmyK says it made her left eye close because it's bright. What did your right eye think?

It doesn't seem too bright to me, but sometimes colors vary from computer to computer, so as soon as I get to work tomorrow, I'll look at it on that computer.

It might make my left eye close too!

I do have a few questions, though, about stuff I want to do to my blog.

• Does anyone know how to make a photo collage at the top of my page? Erin has one on her blog & I'm a little jealous of it.
• Does anyone know how to add music to a blog?
• Can I copy over my stat counter from my old blog? I was almost up to 5,000 visitors. I don't want to start over.
  

If you have a suggestion on how I make this better...or if there's something you like, please leave me a comment.

I only ask that you keep in mind that I am not finished & please be kind, because if you say something you DON'T like about it, I might cry.

Changes Are Underway.

I've decided it's time for a change.

So, for the next few days, when you check back here, you'll notice that my blog will be "Under Construction".

Hopefully, I will have everything like I want it, by the end of the week.

Our Weekend at the Lake.

I thought I was going to catch up on my rest last night, but at 11pm, I realized I had a hair appointment at 8am, so I had to get up at 6:15.

So much for trying to get my planned 9 hours of sleep.

Oh well.

At least I don't have split ends anymore.

Anyway, as promised, here are pictures from this weekend at the lake.

Every time we stopped, Riley made a bee-line for the driver's seat. She would climb up all by herself, look at us & say, "Are we ready? OK. Let's go!"

She also learned how the blow the horn...unfortunately.

Here's the most handsomest little 5 year old in the world. Jackson LOVED getting on the inter tube.

He would lay on his stomach & hold the handles, just like the big boys.

Um, I'm not sure who this is tubing, but I think it's Jackson & Matt. Guess who got tired first?

Yep, Matt.

Jackson INSISTED on playing putt-putt golf on Saturday night. People, it was like 90 degrees & so freaking humid that night, I thought I was going to die.

Here's me & Jackson posing on the golf course. (You know, I didn't realize how flat-chested I look in this picture, until now. But, I mean, I DO have boobs, trust me!).

My husband, the golf pro! Well, not really. But, he does play golf all the time on real golf courses. And, he DID get 4 hole-in-one's on the putt-putt course.

We jokingly called him Arnold Palmer.

Here are Matt & Riley on the boat on Sunday. Why my husband has his mouth open, I don't know. Maybe he was talking or maybe I just caught him in mid-smile.

Anyway, Riley thought she was driving the boat again.

As soon as Riley & Matt got up, guess who had to sit in the driver's seat? None other than Jackson. He has his eyes closed because he was tired of me taking pictures of him.

Like I said in my post last night, we spent lots of time at the pool. Here's Matt after 8 beers & 3 hours IN THE WATER.

Yes, 3 hours.

Jackson was eager to show off his swimming skills that he learned in swim classes the past 2 summers. We call his arm strokes, his "scooper's".

Everything big brother does, little sister must do too. That means they both had to have their own Dr. Pepper. No sharing here, no sir!!

Although, sometimes when they sit together like this, Jackson will rub her back.

Isn't that sweet?

**********

I do have to share some of the really cute moments of the weekend.

You see, Riley's almost 2 & 1/2 & she's really starting to talk A LOT.

In sentences.

All weekend long, whenever we'd ask her something, she'd say, "Whhaattt?"

If we asked her again, she'd say, "What did you SAAAAAYYYY?". She'd put so much emphasis on the word "Say".

If you were doing something she didn't want you to do, she'd hold out her hand as if to say "stop" & she'd say, "No, no, no, no, guys. No, guys!".

And, every once in a while she'd look at you & say, "This IS not YOUR bathing suit!". Although, in baby speak, it was more like, "This IS not YOUR ba-in suit!".

She also likes to tell stories now.

Except that her thoughts get all jumbled & it comes out like this...

"And then, Dora & Diego...and then the backpack...and then Swiper said No Swiping...and then they got there...and then...and then....".

She's pretty cute.

There are times when I wish I could stop time & freeze her just the way she is. I wish I could do that with Suzanne, Madeline & Jackson too.

They're all growing up so fast.

Too fast.

I think I just let out a little sob here.

Anyway, that was my weekend.

I hope you guys had a great one as well!!

Ahhhh...3 Days at the Lake Can Really....

Wear a girl out.

Seriously.

I'm pretty sure I have NEVER been this tired before.

Even though we all had a lot of fun, being out in the sun on the boat for several hours at a time can really take it out of you.

We also spent 3 hours at the mall, 2 hours playing putt-putt golf in the extreme heat, plus ample amounts of time hanging out at the pool & eating A LOT of food.

So, you know, that COULD have something to do with why my eyelids are trying to shut as I type this.

It's only 7:12pm.

I CAN'T possibly go to bed now.

Although, I did just hear Matt tell Maisy that we're all going to bed at 7:14pm.

I know you're all wondering how the Big Tattoo Reveal of 2007 went.

Well, surprisingly...it went okay.

Because my dad either didn't even notice or if he did, he didn't say a SINGLE WORD ABOUT IT.

So, all that worrying for nothing.

However, my step-mom & step-brother did see it, but neither of them really said anything about it.

Anyway, I have TONS of pictures to share with you from our weekend, but you'll just have to wait til tomorrow for me to download them at work.

Until then, if you need me, I'll be in my bed...sleeping.

Unless my persistant husband gets his way.

I Love Vacation Days.

I'm off work today & tomorrow.

A few vacation days.

Work's been VERY STRESSFUL the past few weeks, so this is a much needed 4 day weekend.

Anyway, today I'm taking my nephew, Jackson, bowling.

Then, we're going to buy his school supplies. He starts Kindergarten on August 20th.

My family's going to my dad's lakehouse this weekend.

Which means....

I CAN'T KEEP MY TATTOO A SECRET FROM MY DAD ANYMORE!!

There's no way to hide it when I'm wearing a bathing suit.

But, you know, I have to keep reminding myself that I am a grown woman, with a husband, a house, a dog & a full time job.

So, I don't know what I'm so worried about.

Anyway, I'll let you know how it goes.

Wish me luck.