Put a Cork in the Weenie Balloon The Owners are home!

Good Grief Charlie Brown!

Girls night out...hmmmm. Used to be about bar hopping and yelling from the car windows. Now a days we just crash someone's house and throw a par-tee!



Friends early birthday party at the home of another friends parents. Follow that? I'm getting the shtz talked about me because I can't go to the beach and hang out with them.

Little did this "one" know that I was at the 'rents house getting the food on the table while they drove the birthday girl around. They lure her to this house under false pretenses of dropping in for whatever, then meeting ME at a restaurant in town, and after that heading to Myrtle.

WRONG!

Party planner sticks her head out the front door and says "Come on in for a minute, I gotta pee" so birthday girl and friend 3 get out. BD girl comes in to "SURPRISE" and gets tears in her eyes. No one ever plans a party for her, so we just had to do it.

Unbeknownst to her, her daughter (who was at a game and "couldn't make it") was also on her way here. Playing a game of hide n seek with one of the kids, the BD girl was hiding and her own daughter found her! She was shocked! More tears.

So, we're all caught in the lie! Ha ha ha on her!!



Beer and wine on ice, music and laughter...food everywhere. The homeowner left for a meeting so we just kept on keeping on. One time someone said "hey were are the owners of this house?" as if we had just landed in a vacant home.

It was kinda odd, I mean, there we were having a good time and ....no owners.

I came into the room a little late (camera in hand of course) to find them trying to stuff a weenie into a balloon. Well, they got it, but it broke in half. So someone had the bright idea to stick one of the wine corks in it.



Hmmmm wonder what kinda gasses would have built up if we had let that stay? No telling who or when the cork would pop.

Well, the owners showed up (Mom & Dad to planner) and the laughter just kept roaring. Finally about 1 am, we all found our way to a spot to lay our heads. Sleep? Nope, not me....I ended up with a stiff neck and nodded in and out of sleep.

We swore that we wouldn't post any of the incriminating photos, so ...sorry, no evidence.

All in all it was a good time, much needed by all!

Love is grand!

Thank you all for snapping me back to reality. I'm just experiencing overload and it should ease up soon. (It had better!!) I should prioritize my workload better and not let it get so overwhelming. Home...that needs orgainizing too.

The new great-nephew in Hot-lanta should be home today. Got to see some email pics of him and his big brother. Such a happy family.

My niece (10 months) is finally walking on her own. Boy does she want to go everywhere RIGHT NOW! She's fearless too. Watch out mom and dad.

My nephew, Lil Mr Man, is such a joy...always full of hugs n kisses and so glad to see his Aunt. Does me good. We all had dinner together tonight at our favorite pizza joint up on the beach. So nice.

Then I headed over to the pier because the sun seemed to be in a decent position for some pictures. I hope so, I haven't looked at them yet. I do so love the beach, the sand, the shells, the smells.

Today is DAY 60 for Tom. 60 days sober.......WOW! I am so proud of him and I know this has been hard, very hard. Miss T and I both can push his buttons, so you can imagine. He seems to be taking things one day at a time, slowing down, not over-reacting...he's happier and calmer. God is good!

Tomorrow is GIRLS NIGHT and anything goes. I need a night to veg! Wine me up and watch out! Just keep the vino chilled and pouring!

There is a new blogger out there....a former dance teacher of Miss T's who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mamogram something still wasn't feeling right for her so she had a MRI and low and behold...you just never know. Girls, keep pushing and insisting to your Dr to look harder if you sense something is amiss.

http://lvskemosharkreport.blogspot.com/

She is taking this like a trooper. Go over and give her a shout and keep her and her 2 small kids in your thoughts and prayers. God does work miracles...we just need to ask!

I wanna run away....

I found myself checking out an airline ticket and rental car to Florida for a quick get-away today. Not bad for 4 days....$200.

Knew just where I was heading too....

For some reason today was tough. No, not just today, but this whole week. Guessing it's all catching up with me.

Ever since Tom's accident, we've been a one car family. I work 20 miles away; which means I leave work early to drive home just to turn around again to get Miss T to dance. Before, Tom was the taxi.

This week we've looked at 2 different vehicles...the Highlander and just yesterday we found ourselves at the GMC dealership looking at a truck almost identical to the one we lost.

I think that I have not truly mourned the loss of my baby truck. It was a senseless thing; however it has lead to the much needed sobriety of Mr Man.

Everyone depends on me to do any and everything; I think for these people (even at work) and it gets next to me. ME: "Tom, did you call R for a ride?" T: "No" ME: "It's getting late, better get him before he makes other plans"....

No brainer...if you want a ride to AA....duh.

BOSS: "I paid a bill but I don't know why, find out for me"
ME: "Um, you signed up for this service in January!"

MOM: "I'm stuck in your yard"
ME: (I'm not home) "OK, I'll be there soon" in the meantime I run into my neighbor and ask him to help us.

NANNY: "Sharon I want to go get a haircut if you are going into town on your day off"
ME: (sigh.................)

Miss T: "Mom, where's my......? Oh!"
ME: It doesn't matter if it's in front of her nose she just can't see it. I swear sometimes she's a real blonde!

And then there's all these projects I'd like to start or finish, not to mention house work.

I keep hearing about this archaic word...."fun"...anyone have any idea what that's about?

Where is my ME time?

Now I feel like there is something physically wrong with me. I know it's the stress, tension and all, but in the back of my mind I can't help but wonder.....is there more?

A new Great Nephew on Patty's!

Now the Luck of the Irish was indeed upon us.

Ashton Patrick was born on ye old St Patrick's Day. I'm sure his Great Grandma would have been very proud to share "her" day with him. Maybe she was giving a "push" from Heaven eh?

Seems the real "push" came from Scalini's Eggplant Parmesean. There is tales of many a baby being born within 48 hours of consuming this "famous" dish and yes indeed, my great niece indulged! Maith thú (well done!)

www.scalinis.com/backgrounds/bambino1

A couple of pushes and all 8 pounds of hisself arrived! Shamrocks, shilelagh and all that other blarney accounted for!

Congrats to the Mama & Papa!!

Happy St Patty's!

This was a decent day for a holiday.

Tom didn't want the normal Corned Beef....said it had too many bad memories. So I made Beef Stew, the "original" meal of the great Island.

Miss T and I made a Pistachio Nut Cake (delish) and she made 7 layer cookies. I had plans to make the Irish Soda Bread, but Tom said "don't worry about that".

My Mom picked Miss T up from school at the request of my nephew. They came over, and my Mom got STUCK in my back yard! (It's been raining for 3 days) Luckily my neighbor was riding behind me, and I pulled into his yard to say "hey come help me pull her out". The funny thing about this was that my nephew whipped out his pretend cell phone from his back pocket to call ME!

"Aunt Sharon, hurry come help us we're stuck in the mud"

Too funny.

And Aunt Sharon did just that!

He thinks I can do everything.

It made me remember, I miss my truck, I really miss my truck. But that was a small price to pay if it sobers Tom up and makes him well. So far so good (knocking on wood still). I am proud of him for going this far. He reaches day 60 this Friday. WOW!!!!

Keep up the prayers for him, for us...there's still court to come.

On a happier note, I've been getting to know my new sewing machine. I put together a dress for Miss T. One of those tube type dresses that are elastic banded across the bust...and added some straps, cause she's weird about "what if it falls down?". It's in a favorite pattern of hers...cherries on a black background.

Now Tom wants to make over our extra bedroom so I won't be sewing on the kitchen table. Hmmmmmm, my own hideaway. Could be nice.

G'nite, Sharon go Braless!

Brother

This is the California brother.....

Drama Mama

I must be getting old and cranky.

The rules and regs at our dance studio are relaxing and I fear it will continue to get worse if things don't change.

Some parents are wishing for more updated dance techniques (me for one). I just don't see the "pop" in ours much.

The irritation for me is the lack of respect for the presentation. We are required to present a uniform fashion: tights, shoes, eyelashes, makeup/hair color/style. I am one of those Mom's that everyone can come to for help with applying such especially the false eyelashes. They are a chore.

But what I have observed is the disregard the kids have for the efforts put out by the studio and their parents.

For instance, walking around in bare tights without shoes on concrete outside and across the street to a burger joint.
1) Tights will be ruined and dirty
2) Tights are expensive ($15 up)

Not wearing protective coverup over expensive costume while not onstage.
1) running around, playing, falling,
2) EATING! OMG! If there is a stain on that costume, I'll......

And the parents are allowing this....I watched it.

Our kids are asked/required to keep up their dance skills throughout the summer. When we were at the School of the Arts we watched very talented teachers bringing some new skills to the floor.

My question is, why aren't the teachers requied to have "continuing education" as well? We need some fresh art.....fresh steps. I spend a lot of money each year in "tuition" and, yes, she's a stronger dancer, but they are the same steps.

Time for teachers to step up too!

Home from Competition, again.

These dance weekends are showing MY age!

My aches have aches. Nevertheless, I push forth. The show must go on they say. Miss T's tap group got a judge's award "fun, fun, fun award" -- I admit they're group was entertaining.

Golden awards for the groups and solo...nice!
Saw some old friends that had moved away, that's always great.

Sunday after our last dance I did treat Miss T to the Cheesecake Factory, her one request other than shopping at the mall. The weather was awesome. High 70's even 80 on Sunday and a light breeze. Perfect Spring like weather for walking and enjoying the landscape.

Tom is still dilligently attending AA and determined to keep the demons at bay. We're all so proud of him. It is nice to see him smiling these days.

I won't be smiling come 8am Tuesday....the dreaded Jury Duty Selections! Ugh.

To snow or not to snow?

It's certainly a snow job.

Seems the weather around here doesn't know which way to go. Threats of snow Sunday night and into Monday delayed schools in surrounding counties. The sight of snow Monday night delayed our county schools 2 hrs on Tuesday.

Then the sun was out most of the day. Windy and cold for the past 3 days. 20's tonight. Going to be up in the 70's this weekend.

I'd say Mother Nature has it in for us. No one can get better; my niece and nephew are still sniffly; Miss T has a bad cough too.

I'm not the only one surprised by the latest Winter storm. Seems we were in the bubble and missed out on the worst of it. Even to the South of us it was blizzard like. My lil brother was in Charlotte trying to get back home via airplane and was delayed. He must have been one of the last planes they let out.

Lot of my Facebook friends even were amazed at the snow, in March!

So I'm thinking, "gee wonder how the weather in Raleigh will be this weekend?" since we have a dance competition. They get snow and ice! Not my cup of tea.

Speaking of cups....I broke my coffee pot this weekend. Just tipped it ever so gently off the side of the counter and it broke into thousands of pieces, luckily on my old rug by the sink. Rolled up the rug and tossed it and glass in the trash.

Gotta shop for a new rug....and coffee pot. Thankfully I had a back up coffee maker. Miss T has become a coffee drinker too. It helps with her throat in the morning. Yeah, right, she just loves the French Vanilla cream ....makes it more like a Latte than anything.

It would have been nice to have a bit of accumilation of snow this year. We barely had enough for decent snowballs. Although, I'm not a lover of snow, it is fun to watch and know the kids are having a blast in it.

Don't know about y'all, but I'm ready for some warm weather!