Saturday, February 26, 2005

Maybe they won't notice that I'm gone...

I've been w/ my nieces, Shelby (8) and Halle (2) all weekend. It's Saturday evening, we've just come in from playing outside, Brandon is watching the girls in the living room and I have retreated to the back bedroom ~ and I'm busted. Ok, that didn't last long. Halle needs to pee so I'll be back.

Alright! No accidents... yet.

I don't know how you ladies do the whole mommy thing 24/7. I am exhausted! And it's only been two days... two long, tiring, stressful and yet wonderful days. Really, has it only been two days?!!

The house looks like a tornado has been through at least twice, clothes are strewn from here to high heaven, dishes are all over the kitchen and I still have to get them bathed, fed, asleep and wake them up for church tomorrw. Seriously, I have a huge newfound respect for ANYONE who can do this and keep their sanity. It's quite a change from my quiet, neat, clean house (I will say that it was spotless before my sister and brother-in-law left on Friday morning) ~ but I love staying w/ them and being "Mimi/Mae Mae/Amy (Huh? I think it's a mix of the first two, though I'm really not sure.)" for the weekend.

A couple of things I've learned since yesterday afternoon when Shelby came home from school.
1. It's ok for them to scream, yell, run, jump, and wrestle as long as everyone is having fun.
2. Crying is acceptable as long as there is a lack of exposed blood, bone, or organs.
3. If they are quiet for more than 5 minutes they are probably doing something illegal.
4. It hurts to see either of them cyring, but if it leads to a nap... well all's fair in love and war, right?
5. My husband has found numerous places to be other than here... how convenient for him, eh?
6. Tomorrow is Sunday ~ praise God for mommy and daddy coming back home!
7. Waking up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning should be illegal ~ esp. when it's to lullay music being played by little hands and accompanied w/ "I want fresh" (meaning frest juice, half juice / half water and two pieces of ice please!).
8. I hear crying so it's time to end this little escpae.

Hope you had an interesting weekend. I'll post pictures of our adventures sometime next week. Till then, Caio.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

T.M.I. From my world

Alrighty, I'm jumping on the 100 list of obscure things about Mae bandwagon so here goes...

100. I'm the third of four children.
99. The oldest of two children.
98. And the third of six siblings. (figure that one out and I'll get Val to send you his Next to Nothing Award)
97. I am a Daddy's girl.
96. Sometimes that could be irritating, esp. when I was doing things I shouldn't have been.
95. I'm incredibly spoiled.
94. I love that I'm incredibly spoiled.
93. There are numerous things that bother me.
92. Such as... tags sticking up on someone's shirt.
91. People saying things like "fanger" or "thur" instead of "finger" or "there".
90. Loud chewers / food smackers / someone who chews the cood louder than a cow.
89. Gum smackers / poppers.
88. Loud talkers.
87. People w/ a wandering eye (Hello? Which one am I supposed to make eye contact w/?!)
86. Feet. Buick ma'guick.
85. Slow drivers in any lane that happen to be in front of me.
84. Driving through horse poop after the Amish have been on the road. It stinks.
83. Having to go into a room at my OB's office after a stinky Amish family has been in it.
82. Stinky people.
81. Dirty fingernails.
80. Dirty hair.
79. Mulletts.
78. Anyone who wears socks w/ sandals.
77. Anyone who wears their pants too high or too short.
76. Loud things unless they're done by me.
75. Not being in control.
74. Getting into trouble.
73. Noises in the car, however, my solution is to just turn up the radio.
72. On to things that don't annoy me... such as food.
71. I love food.
70. Right now, I'm really into home cooked food.
69. I'm enjoying being pregnant.
68. I'm not enjoying people feeling like they have the right to feel my stomach ~ back off skista!
67. I love going on trips, but I hate the ride back home.
66. My favorite city to visit is New Orleans.
65. My favorite vacation spot is a private resort in Santa Rosa, FL.
64. My least favorite place to visit is the hospital.
63. My favorite shows are.. ALIAS.
62. Live w/ Regis and Kelly.
61. Newlyweds.
60. The Bachelor/ette.
59. Sex and the City. (Yes, I know the ones on TBS are much cleaner than the re-runs on HBO, but still ~ I like to watch it!)
58. Desperate Housewives.
57. Extreme Makeover Home Edition.
56. American Chopper.
55. Gilmore Girls.
54. One Tree Hill.
53. ER.
52. Will & Grace.
51. I watch too much tv.
50. I'm in graduate school.
49. I've been in school non-stop since I was 5. (And before that went to "Toosde / Thursde school" aka "Mother's Day Out")
48. I love school.
47. I do not love to study.
46. I was very often the teacher's pet.
45. I got away w/ doing lots of things both at home and at school.
44. I cheated on lots of stuff.
43. I love to have a clean house.
42. I hate to dust, I'd rather clean toilets.
41. I don't touch raw meat ~ it makes me gag.
40. I don't do very much cooking ~ that's what my husband is for.
39. I honestly believe that girls should not take out the garbage or weed-eat.
38. That's also what husbands are for. (Not that you should have more than one husband at a time, but if there's a lot of garbage and too many weeds, it may be something to consider.)
37. I am a Christian.
36. I am a C of C'er w/ rather "liberal" views.
35. I have been a member of 5 different churches.
34. I have attended 6 different universities, but I've been registered at 7.
33. I think I'll be in school forever.
32. I was obsessed w/ orphans when I was little.
31. I wanted to be an orphan on the weekends that my older brother and sister were gone.
30. Mom wouldn't let me.
29. I have a baby brother, but I'm treated like the baby in the family.
28. I LOVE getting pedicures (esp. French or American ones)
27. I can now get a pedi at Wal-Mart, but I highly doubt that I will.
26. I love to read.
25. I'm not a good dancer (as my brother says, "Hey, I'm white, C of C and southern ~ that does not equal skill on the dance floor.")
24. My fingers are hurting from all this typing.
23. My tummy is getting very big.
22. I'm not sure that I like it very much.
21. I get stressed out VERY EASILY!
20. I often stress over dumb, useless things.
19. I have 2 grandmothers, 1 step-grandmother, 1 grandmother-in-law, 1 great-grandmother, and 1 grandfather who are still living.
18. I have moved 13 times in 7 years.
17. I love to live in a new place, but hate moving.
16. I love to drive w/ the sunroof open, the windows rolled down and the music blaring.
15. I've worn glasses since I was 9.
14. I'm incredibly anal.
13. Being anal can be an endearing quality (just look at Monk!).
12. I buy vehicles way too often.
11. My first vehicle was a 1985 pearl white El Camino.
10. I wrecked it so often that Daddy bought another one to get parts off of.
9. I've only had one speeding ticket. It was in Macon, GA at 2:00 in the morning and when the state trooper opened the door for me he said, "How in the Bee-Jesus fast was you a goin'?"
8. Apparently it was 83 mph.
7. I've never had a cavity.
6. I still have all of my wisdom teeth (only 3 have come in).
5. I love sappy movies and books.
4. My sister is one of my best friends.
3. My husband is too.
2. I'm afraid that I won't know what to do when I get my child home.
1. I'M HAVING A BABY IN 26 WEEKS!!!!!!

Offers of @#*&^%

Our realtor just called w/ the first offer on our little house. Now, I know that it's no palace, but I am very attached and think incredibly highly of my abode. The offer made was $87,500 + the refrigerator and stove. Our asking price is $97,500 and we paid more than $87,500 in the first place! I understand trying to low ball us to find the best possible price, but come on! When the realtor is laughing about an offer he's trying to make to you, it's rather obscene!!!! We all got a little laugh out of it ~ and I really understand what they are doing ~ we tried the same thing when we moved in, but come on now.

Brandon has been searching for prospective jobs. They are anywhere from Brentwood to Huntsville to Savannah, GA and West Palms Springs, FL. As much as I don't want to be more than a couple of hours from our families, beggars can't be choosers! We'll take what bites and go from there! Besides, who wouldn't want to live near the beach?????!?!?!??!!

The pounding headache that I've had since we got "the news" is lessening a bit with time. Brandon was looking for a job when he found this one and I'm sure all will work out. God provides, but man if He could just do it at my pace how things would seem easier!

Almost time to leave for church. Till next time. ~ M.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Umm...

Turns out, we're not Kentucky bound. The mighty powers that be at GE decided that the current customers in KY can be handled on a part time basis by someone other than my incredibly talented, people pleasing, hard working husband. What does this mean for the Hales? Only God knows at this point and no matter how much I ask, He's not talking. Brandon was told this today by one of the other sales guys who will soon be moving into a management position. Now Brandon is busy contacting the regional managers in our area looking for new job leads. He has a phone call to his current regional manager in the morning to, hopefully, find our more info. Not what we were hoping for. I'm trying to think positively, but tonight it's just not working ~ maybe tomorrow will be different, at least that's what I hope. Maybe this will be our opportunity to get back to Coffee County ~ what a treat it would be to have our entire family w/ in a 20 minute drive! That thought certainly helps to clear the rain clouds. :)

Hey, wanna buy my house? We think that the second walk through today went well, though we do not know that for sure. Our realtor left a message asking for the past 12 month average of the electric / gas bill to be faxed to him. To us, it sounds like they are trying to see how their budget will work if they buy the place. I just hope it works out for a family to be as happy here as we have been. It's a great home w/ a long list of happy memories.

Today I went shopping in Huntsville for some badly needed maternity clothes. I took a friend from church and one of her friends and we met up w/ my long time friend, Vette, who bought me Oh, Baby, the Places You'll Go. It's a book inspired by Dr. Seuss' work to read to your baby while still in utero ~ it's a really neat little gift. Thank you Vette!

I'm exhausted both physically and mentally. Sweet dreams and rest to you blog family. Till the next time ~ Good day.

Friday, February 18, 2005

Well,

I ended up staying home yesterday. Hilda called on Wednesday night and said that she'd rather have me come on a day when Ron/Poppy is back at the apartment and can't be alone than when he's in the hospital w/ everyone there to look after him. One of his sisters was going to drop by on her lunch break and sit w/ him for a while and Hilda/Grammy had been leaving him alone for 3 and 4 hours at a time. Brandon and I will probably go this weekend. It will be a much easier task to do w/ him by my side, holding my hand and guiding me along. Thank you all so much for your encouragement and prayers. I appreciate it so much.

I got a call this morning from my sister-in-law. Dede's/Mawde(?) (my step-mom) brother-in-law, Phil Moffitt, passed away suddenly this morning. His wife found him in the bathroom. They believe it was a heart attack (he had numerous physical problems, his heart being one of them and I believe that both of his parents died the same way). The arrangements are being made now and Brandon and I will spend this weekend in both a hospital and a funeral home ~ not exactly my idea of a good time. (Ugh, being a bit selfish today, but that's just how I feel.) Please keep Debbie (his wife), Kenny (son) Donna, Brady, Hannah (daughter-in-law and grandchildren), Desi (daughter) Robert, Natalie, and Max (son-in-law and grandchildren) in your prayers.

On a very different and exciting note... I felt the baby move for the first time yesterday!!! It was so neat and when I realized what it was I almost cried. She's been moving around a bit today too, but I can only feel her when I'm very still. My tummy is growing a little bit more each day. I have been in the "energetic" phase for a couple of weeks now and it feels so fantastic!

Yesterday our house was officially put up for sale. It's sad to see the sign in the yard. On Saturday the realtor brought a couple by to look at the property and since we were home he asked if they could come in and see the house. I immediately freaked out! It was NOT READY for a walk through ~ neat ~ yes, clean ~ yes, but lived in and not the way I wanted it to be! Clothes were folded and on the love seat and breakfast dishes were in the sink, but I let them come in anyway. They liked it a lot and are coming back on Monday w/ their parents (a young couple w/ an 18 month old and another on the way ~ we think they are first time home buyers). It would be neat if we sold the house in 5 days!

Brandon heard that the tenetive closing date for Murray would be in August. Anyone remember when this baby is due? Yup, August. That's just how things work in my life! All I can do is laugh about it. We were thinking of renting some place in L'burg until it shuts down, but we only get he movers once and I don't want to have to live out of boxes for months on end. B's been talking about going to Manchester for a while. That would be so fun ~ we've never lived closer than two hours to our family, but I don't really see the point in going there either. My vote is to just go ahead and get settled in KY. Since I almost always get exactly what I ask for, I'm pretty sure that it won't be very different in this case (insert naughty giggle here)!

Ok, must do yet another class ~ someday I will have a master's degree and this will be over with, but today is not that day!

Tidings of Joy... and feeling baby Hale! :)

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Facing a 15 Year Old Fear

When Ron had his stem cell replacement done last week, he was given instructions on what and what not to do. One such instruction was that if his temperature reached 100.5 he was to immediately go to the ER at Vanderbilt (2 whole blocks from where he and Hilda are staying at the Vandy Suites at Morningside). Well, low and behold on day 5 after the replacement his temp got up to 102. Sunday evening he and Hilda spent 6 hours in the ER and he was admitted to the Oncology Floor (Floor 11). Brandon was in Orlando (he'll be home in a few hours ~ I can't wait!) and Hilda didn't want me (though I think she's more concerned about "my grandchild" at this point!) near the germs and I didn't find out that he'd be re-admitted until today. I offered to come and stay w/ Ron or w/ Hilda's mother (who had to have laser eyes surgery today for the second time in two months) and give her a nice break. I was REALLY hoping that Grandma Rachel needed me more than Ron (since he's got nurses and doctors and all that jazz), but Hilda asked if I'd stay w/ Ron for a few hours on Thursday while she gets out and does some "stress relief shopping".

Here is where my fear comes in. I haven't stepped foot into Vanderbilt Hospital in 15 years and 21 days ~ since the day that Momma passed away. For a VERY LONG time it was difficult for me to enter ANY hospital (though my frosh year of College, Jon Owen got me into several for a ministry at Vaughn Park that handed out snack bags to the families in waiting rooms). I'm not looking forward to the smell, those initial steps in, the ride up the elevator, and seeing the spot in front of the huge waiting room that I stood in when I got the news that Mom was gone. So I ask that you pray for me to get through Thursday (and any following visits there), for relief, assurance, and healing for Ron.

Monday, February 14, 2005

Happy Day o' LUV!

A little poem from me to you. Take it, leave it, share it, or toss it... But remember that Cupid is watching you! :)


Oh Cupid, dear Cupid,
Today is the day for you

To do your magic in our hearts
And in our bedrooms too!


Sweet Cupid, cubby Cupid

Without you what would we do?

But celebrate this day w/ loved ones

Doused in hugs and chocolates filled with yummy goo.


Oh Cupid, um Cupid,

Can you send your arrow this way?

For my dear loved on is at Epcot with out me
And I miss him more and more each day.

Hey CUPID! I said,

Give me some love over here
Or I'll have to get all hormonal on ya'

and kick you right in the rear.


Please forgive me dear C.

My temper got the best of me,

But go and do your job this day
Help my friends feel love I pray.

Happy Valentine's Day dear blog family! May the arrow of Cupid hit you where it counts.

Much <3>

Sunday, February 13, 2005

Best Teacher Quote Thus Far...

"It may not appear that I'm right, but I am." - Dr. G. 2/9/2005 ~ Suck on that egg for a while!

Friday, February 11, 2005

Let me just say, "Yuummmy!"

Today my Valentine's gift from Brandon came in the mail. I called him (he's doing some work for another GE guy in Murfreesboro) to say thank you for indulging me and to see if he wanted me to open the package or wait for him to get home and us exchange gifts then (like I can wait 5 hours to open any thing from Godiva!). He said tear into them and so I did (BTW, didn't win a pair of Minolo Bhlaniks each week for the next year ~ oh well!). This is just so wonderful! Thank you Hale~b! I love you! We're celebrating early b/c he leaves for Orlando tomorrow and won't be home until Tuesday.

Hope you enjoy your weekend. I'll be doing pregnancy yoga, cleaning house, doing laundry, taking classes that I keep putting off, reading stuff for school, and missing my husband while he's gone. Monday night I'm keeping Shelby and Halle while Lynette and Bryan go out for dinner. My sis-in-law Karen is going to bring over her daughter Alexis and we're going to have an all girls V-day celebration ~ making all kinds of crafty gifts for the people that we love ~ it'll be lots of fun!

Tidings of Joy... and gifts of Godiva! :)

My wonderful husband sent me this incredibly indulgent gift for Valentine's Day. He REALLY knows how to make & keep a pregnant woman happy! Posted by Hello

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

The magic # is...

1!

We're having one beautiful little baby, who was so excited that she (not known for certain, just what I think) waved to us! Everything is looking great and Dr. Bullard said to keep on keepin' on (and to get as much exercise as possible b/c it will help squeeze a baby through my small pelvic bones ~ aren't you glad I told you that?)! I tried to scan the pictures, but they just showed up as a black blob on the screen. It was so wonderful to see her and hear her little heartbeat ~ what a fantastic day! We won't find out the sex for two more months, but as soon as I know I'll inform you all.

Also, Ron's stem cell replacement went really well this morning. Hilda said it looked like they injected him a/ a big bag of strawberry daiquiris. He's doing ok ~ well enough to talk to Brandon for a minute and ask about the baby. Happy birthday Poppy! :)

That's all the news for now.

Tidings of Joy... and a waving, swimming around little butter bean!

Monday, February 07, 2005

Postcards From the Edge

Do you remember the scene from Postcards where Meryl Streep and some other blonde lady (or was it Bette Midler?) are hanging from a rooftop having a conversation? I feel like I'm teetering on that edge today. For a couple of reasons really 1. I had a Diet Sundrop and a very fair share of Krispy Kreme doughnuts today. 2. THE ultrasound is in the morning!!! I feel all nervous and frantic and nauseous and scared and nervous... did I mention that I was NERVOUS ABOUT TOMORROW? I can be a positive person forr other people, but when it comes to my life and my situations ~ I'm as "the glass is half empty and maybe even three quarters gone" as they come. Crap happens ~ it happens to you, to the people next door and it certainly happens to me and I just like to be prepared for it when it comes flying at me at mock 30. I was talking to my sister earlier tonight (she's still convinced there are three in there ~ I think it'll take me pushing them out to show her other wise / or preferably, being nicely sedated, strapped to a table and having the doctor tell me "Just a little bit of pressure... Congratulations it's a ...." ) and told her I was afraid that the rad-tech chick is going to laugh at me and tell me I'm having kittens (and I don't particularly care for cats). If it was allowed I'd take a couple swigs of wine to settle the nerves and help me sleep. I have a feeling that it's going to be a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g night. Wish us luck and lots of prayers at 9:00 in the morning.

Tomorrow is also a big day for my father-in-law. Not only is it his 65th birthday, but also his stem cell replacement at Vanderbilt. He had chemo everyday last week (Tuesday - Saturday) and has been feeling very tired and not eating very much the past couple of days. Please keep Ron and Hilda in your prayers ~ the next month or so isn't going to be easy for them. This will hopefully keep the cancer at bay and allow him to lead a healthy, long life and be around for his grandbabies and great-gandbabies.

So much going on and so much to be thankful for. But I'll certainly be glad when tomorrow is over and done with.

Tidings of Joy... and NO KITTENS!!!

Saturday, February 05, 2005

Control Freak

I enjoy being in control of the things that happen all around me. This can be anything from how people chew their food or gum to how they say things or how they are dressed (I will go up to strangers and tuck in their tags if they have clean hair and clothes). This is mainly directed towards the love of my life b/c he's the person I am around most of the time. Today, a room in my house is being painted in preparation for the baby(ies) {I'll be so glad when Tuesday comes and I can put either one or the other!}. Brandon a.k.a. "Mr. I Don't Paint" is doing the painting b/c I can't be around the fumes w/out doing damage to the bambino(s). It's a rather difficult task to sit idly by and let him do his thing. Oh-well.

Our neighbor (also named Brandon) has just returned from a successful day of hunting and has offered us some "fresh meat" ~ Dear God please make my husband say a gracious "no thank you."

Have any of you ever been to St. Pawley's Island? It's off the Carolina coast (from what "Mr. I Don't Paint" says anyway). We're supposed to take a family / business vacation there this summer w/ B's co-workers and families. The date is "sometime b/t June and August" according to Mr. District Manager Man Brad. I requested that it be before mid-July and that children avert their eyes when I put on something to wear on the beach at 8 months along. Our last business / vacation was last January to Cancun ~ it was one of the best times I've ever had and I'm looking forward to this summer, but am somewhat apprehensive about it as well. Any info on the place would be appreciated.

Going now, "Mr. I Don't Paint" has been talking for way to long to "Mr. I Kill Things & Eat Them On A Regular Basis." No unprocessed meat in our house ~ thank you very much!

Happy weekend blog family! :)




Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Songs in my head...

This is currently the song in my head that won't go away (not too different from the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friends...). Feel free to sing it with your children over meatloaf and creamed potatoes. Is it stuck in your head yet? :)

Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
Mutilated monkey meat,
Petrefied porpose puss,
Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
And me without a spoon.

Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
Scab sandwich puss on top,
Monkey vomit, camel snot,
Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
And me without a spoon.

Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
Parrot eyeballs dipped in glue,
Scab sandwich just for you,
Great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
And me without a spoon.

Great big gobs of greasy grimy gopher guts,
Mutilated monkey meat,
Toasted little birdie's feet,
French fried eyeballs swimming in a pool of blood,
And I forgot my spoon.

Great big gobs of greasy grimy golpher guts,
Hairy little piggies' feet,
Mutilated monkey's meat,
All cobbed off with ventilated vulture's puke,
And I forgot my spoon.

Ahh, I love the internet! You too can find lyrics of songs that you lovingly sang to your mom in the car while waiting for your brother to finish with baseball practice so the enitre family could pick up little hamburgers at the DQ and have a relaxing night at home.

Tidings of Joy... and mutilated monkey's meat. Mmm, mmm good.