It Was a Big Day. Not For Her. For Me.

Look who's sitting in her brand new pink & purple booster seat.

In my car.

We kept Riley & J-Man for a few hours today & when I picked them up from my mom's house the first thing Riley said to me was "Rah-Rah, you still have to get me a booster seat."

(Well, okay, the FIRST thing she said was "Hi Rah-Rah. Where's Mop?").

Anyway.

I was planning to take Riley to get pedicure's (but, she changed her mind), but before we went to the mall, we went to Target & I let her pick out a booster seat. (Sniff, sniff).

She got the same one that she has in my sister's car, only because that's the only one they had. But, she told me it was okay since she doesn't ride in both cars at the same time.

(How smart is she? Seriously).

I took out her car seat & set up her booster seat for her when we got back to my car. She was SO excited. She smiled the whole way to the mall.

We had pretzels & Diet Cokes when we got to the mall. When she decided she didn't want a pedi, we went to Old Navy & she picked out a new bathing suit & purple jelly shoes.

(Remember jelly shoes? I had a pair in EVERY color).

It's so sad knowing we're done with car seats (until I have a baby, that is), but seeing how happy she is, makes me happy. (Sniff).

Jackson & Mop had a big day. Mop took him to the sports store & Jack got 2 golf clubs & a golf glove.

Then, they went to the driving range & hit golf balls.

Jackson's been asking for a while now, for Matt to take him golfing. They would have played a few holes, but Matt wanted to make sure Jackson was going to like it.

And, by the smile on his face, you can bet he had a blast.

A Conversation with a K-Mart Checker.

I hope I don't offend anyone by telling this story. It's just too funny to keep to myself.

Ok, so.

One day last week, I ran to K*Mart after work because I realized I was out of Diet Cokes.

GAH.

I know, right?

It's so much easier to find a front parking spot at K*Mart than it is at Wal*mart (mainly because NOBODY shops at K*Mart anymore).

Anyway, I took my Diet Cokes up to the check out line (where I didn't have to wait in line because remember, NOBODY shops there...except me on this particular day).

The checker lady scanned them.

I paid with my debit card.

She asked to see my driver's license to make I was who it said I was.

I was.

Er, am.

Er, is.

Whatever.

She looks at my last name & asks me how to pronouce it.

I tell her.

(FYI: It's pronounced Tee-bow, but that's not how it's spelled).

AND, THEN.

And, then she asks me: "Is he black?".

It took me a second to realize she was talking about my husband & asking if he's black.

I say, "Who? My husband?".

And, she replies, "Yeah. Black, Chinese or Asian or something?".

I respond: "Um, no, he's white. His last name is French-Cajun. From South Louisiana."

She thinks about this for a second or two & asks me where South Louisiana is.

I tell her New Orleans & Baton Rouge are in South Louisiana.

She asks, "So, is he from France or Louisiana?".

I'm really at a loss for words here, so I pretend like I'm getting a text & start digging in my purse for my cell phone.

When I put my phone back in my purse, she hands me back my driver's license.

While I am putting that back in my wallet, she says: "Sorry I asked if your husband was black. It just looked like a black name."

I wasn't aware that names had a color.

Anyway, I smile at her & tell her that's okay...not to worry about it.

I've had some strange conversations in my life, y'all, but this one just might have been THE craziest.

Arkansas Derby Day 2009 & Some Other Stuff.

Wow.

Has it really been TWO WEEKS since I last posted?

I don't think I've ever gone this long without writing SOMEthing.

I wish I had some big excuse to explain my absence, like I've been on a fabulous beach vacation for 2 weeks or I won a million dollars & I've been decorating my brand new mansion for 2 weeks.

But, alas.

None of that would be true.

So, moving on...

It was Derby Day at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs on Saturday. Matt & I went with several of our friends: Greg, Avie & Scooter & some of their friends.

The weather couldn't have been better...sunny & warm, but not too warm, thanks to a breeze.

We had a total blast.

(Although towards the end of the day, my legs were KILLING me...too much walking around).

Anyway, I bet on some races, but I think my total winnings only added up to $7.00. That's fine because I only bet $2 per race. Big spender, I know. Ha.

The BIG winner of the day was Scooter.

The 11th race was the 73rd running of the Arkansas Derby.

Horse Number 8, Old Fashion, was the favorite. So, naturally, I bet on him to win.

And, naturally, he didn't win.

He came in 2nd.

Papa Clem won...which means he has the option of running in the Kentucky Derby.

Matt says Old Fashion will also race in the Kentucky Derby. I guess because he got 2nd? I don't know...I didn't ask.

A big crowd.

Scooter with his winning ticket.

Avie & me. If you read my blog, you know Avie has also suffered loss like I have. I just have to thank her for listening to me yesterday. I am so thankful that God put her in my life. Our stories of loss linked us in the beginning, but as our friendship has grown, it's now not the only thing that connects us.

The horses are nearing the starting gate.

The horses are in the starting gate.

And, they're off!

Greg & Matt. How cute is Matt's hat? I love it.



Did we win anything? Greg did. We didn't.

The favorite horse. You know, the one that DIDN'T win.

When we were leaving Oaklawn, the guy was already painting over last year's Derby winner.

This Rolls was parked in the car wash parking lot where we parked. Matt wanted his picture by it.

*********

Last Saturday, one of my very, very good friends that I've known since 4th grade had a baby shower for baby Anabelle.

Lauren is due on June 21st. And, I am so excited for her. She's going to be an excellent mom.

It was great to see her, as I don't get to see her very often since she lives in Texas. But, that's where cell phones & e-mail come in handy.

**********

Earlier this week, an old co-worker of ours, Mark D., came into town for a night.

He used to do the weather at our tv station, but now does it for a station in the northeast.

A bunch of us went out to dinner. The weather was perfect, so we sat outside. It was great seeing Mark again.

Laurie, Mark & me.

Me & Alice. We also used to work with Alice. But, then she got a really cool job working on Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign.

Me, Mark & Greg.

Greg, Mark & Matt.

*********

Last weekend, a bunch of us from work went out to celebrate our new producer's 21st birthday.

Yes, I know. How freaking OLD does that make me feel? Pretty darn old.

Here's Josh handing over his driver's license for his first LEGAL drink.

Mallory made cupcakes!

This is one of our meteorologist's, Greg D. He is crazy, y'all. But, good crazy. And, an awesome dancer. Here he is multi-tasking: dancing, taking pictures & texting.

Matt, Greg, Greg & Casey just getting warmed up.

Party people, put your hands up.

Josh's 3rd shot of the night.

Me & Josh. Producers rule.

A group shot of the girls: Lauren, Lauren, Melissa & me.