Posted on July 27, 2010 by thebluehutch

So we arrived home on Sunday and in enough time for Little to introduce Memom to Scout and Violet


KB to make a fashion statement with her shoes (again), 
and for Bubba to read Pop a book
before we headed out to dinner.  We went to Hometown Buffet and the kids enjoyed the splurges associated with a vacation: blue Icee with dinner, soft serve after dinner, Memom and Pop during dinner.  Everyone went to bed happy.
Day Two
Agenda: Boat & Candy
We left for the Riverboats after having lunch at Chickfila.  Monday is “bring your bulletin” day at our Chickfila and that meant the children and Honey ate free.  I had some free sandwich coupons left from Mother’s Day and so our frugal staycation started off on the right foot!!!.  The Riverboat Cruise was a Groupon deal I got back in EARLY spring and I was excited about this adventure that we had never had before and would never take without a reason like this staycation.  
The family waited on the “pier” while I picked up our tickets.  This picture might go in my “favorite of Memom and Little” stack.
We got on the boat and readied ourselves for a one hour tour.  
There was enough time for some exploring before we shoved off.
Just like Gilligan, we were surprised by a torrential downpour and lightning galore.  The ride was postponed for an hour.  We should have gotten off.  The hour on the boat that we spent waiting was the hour our children behaved and enjoyed themselves.  By the time the boat left the dock, their patience with needing to be still was gone and . . . well, we just should have gotten off.  Tip for future tourers: Sit on the side of the boat that is beside the boathouse!!! I’m just sayin’.
After staying still on the boat for two hours it was nice to stretch our legs on the walk back to our car.  
We headed over to the Crown Candy Kitchen and the seven of us commandeered a table for four beside a table for two.  (This was after following the directions provided by Google Maps and ending up MILES away from the Crown Candy Kitchen, calling friends who were on vacation in NEW YORK CITY to get better directions, and back tracking to one intersection where we turned right instead of Google Map’s left to then arrive – almost immediately – at our destination.)
See the love in this picture!!! KB was in the business of pushing buttons ALL DAY.
The ice cream came and made everything alright.  My children are hilarious.  They will talk to anyone and when the server had come up to our table, KB set into telling her just what she wanted.  All the lady had said was, “How are we doin’ today?” and KB exploded with, “I good.  Dis my Bubba and he want Oro and I’d like Choclate.  Could you get dat for me?”  The lady stood dumbfounded for just a moment and then looked at me for permission and translation.  I love my life.
There was so much space between the seat and table that Bubba just gave in and stood to eat.  
KB tired of trying to scoop her ice cream with a spoon (it was really hard) and just dove in.
Honey had no problems. . .
and neither did Little.
Memom asked that no pictures be posted of her eating her treat – she wanted no evidence out there.  So, I’ll honor that and then verbally set the record straight by letting my readership know that my mom ate the tiniest taste of ice cream you have ever seen.  I am surprised that she even feels guilty it was THAT small.  
(then she finished her SUNDAE).
We headed home for a yummy dinner and everyone fell into bed – exhausted.  What a great day!
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Birmingham, Surprise!

Posted on July 26, 2010 by thebluehutch

Last Friday Honey dropped me off at the airport for a 5:30pm flight to Birmingham.  Usually when we fly Southwest we are not anxious about security; Southwest has their own terminal and I have never seen a line before.  Well, July 16 was a different story.  There were people lined up outside to check baggage, hundreds of people to wade through once I got inside and FOUR full lines to go through security.  I turned to the lady checking I.D.s and started laughing.  She smiled and told me that there was a “convention coming through”. 

It was then I noticed all the green and pink.  So much green and pink.  It took me back to my Troy State University days, when the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority had their chapter room in our dorm.  I spoke to the woman in front of me and asked if AKA had held a convention that week in Missouri.  The answer? Yes.  7000 women attended!!! Dude.  7000 women, a large portion of which were trying to get through security at that very moment. 

Once I arrived at my gate I called Honey and just laughed with him about it all.  Then I called my dear friend Monica and laughed with her too.  So Much Green and Pink.  Blazers.  Dresses.  Shirts.  Hats. 

Here is a photo of my gate.  I can count 17 women wearing AKA apparel in this photo and know there were another six off to the left in wheel chairs. 

Now, I have written enough about this topic that one might think it was the point of the post – but NO.  The point is that I went to Birmingham to surprise my sister and see my niece.  I flew in on Friday evening and spent time with my parents and then drove with them over to Anna’s on Saturday.  My nephew, Cole, was having a “1/2 birthday” party with the family and my mom thought that would be the perfect time to spring me on Anna.  It worked.  Cole was super surprised to see me and so very sweet to be excited (he’s 10).  My sister cried and hugged and cried.   Good times.
We celebrated Cole first: 1/2 a birthday cake and 1/2 of the birthday song was sung, but ALL of the presents were opened!!!
Naomi slept through our lunch/celebration.  She has just enough hair to hold a bow so I put one in to see.  Wow.  My sister was NOT happy with that.  So, no bows.  Got it. (But isn’t she precious?)
The rest of the day was spent with me (and my extra chins) holding Naomi like this. . .
or this. . .

Love me some babies! Seriously.  This is my favorite stage. . . I love it.  Even told Anna I would take her home and raise her for the first 3-6 months if she wanted and then would give her back.  No takers on that one.  Oh well.

Sunday morning my daddy’s car pulled out of the garage at 6:30am with me, my mom, and him ready for a road trip back to my home.  Such a quick trip.  So worth it!

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Celebrity Friend!

Posted on July 25, 2010 by thebluehutch

Remember me talking here and here about my friend Julie, the professional organizer?? Today she was on the news doing a spot on getting organized for the new school year.  She did GREAT.  Don’t know anyone who couldn’t benefit from some back to school tips, so here’s the link to learn from a master.  (And I know her!!!)

Another fun thing is that Julie has asked me to make some cute labels for her “bin central” and laundry room.  She will have opportunities for other organizers to see these and there is potential for future “gigs”.  (Hence the cards I posted about earlier)  I get a little excited when I think about it.  Here’s a couple of the things I did for her:

This is a tag for “bin central”.
This will go on a glass jar.

I tried to simulate what they will look like:

And I took some of your advice and was thinking about a tag line.  What do you think about, ” ‘Cause every thing’s more fun when it’s cute!”?

That’s enough for tonight.  Be sure to check out Julie (theorderedhome.com) on Fox News.

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