Sugar and spice...

and everything nice
that's what
Hadlee Anne Hale ~ a.k.a. HAH
is made of!!! (We're 95% sure, anyway.)

She has chubby cheeks, a blank space between the legs, long appendages, and was incredibly bouncy from the Sun-drop I enjoyed before hand. It was a lot of fun and crowded ~ I was joined by my sister, brother, sis-in-law, niece, her aunt (the ultra stenographer ~ that's a fun one to say) and her daughter in a pediatrician's exam room on a very small table!!! YAY! Just 16 1/2 weeks (or so) to go.

I chose her first name and her father chose her middle. I think it's a cute combination, and not something you hear everyday. How 'bout you? (If for some un-godly reason you disagree, keep it to yourself, please. Thankyouverymuch!)

We found a house in Manchester to rent for the next little while. It's in a cute neighborhood and has a garage and plenty of space for us, HAH and almost everything she'll bring along. It'll work until we know what will come next. RELIEF in one area at least!

Woo~Hoo!!!

I can now feel HAH's jazzercise and breakdancing moves outside of my tummy!!!! So exciting! :)

Question...

Does Sonic, America's Drive-In, really need a drive thru?!?!?!?!!

Saturday Hilda and I spent several hours looking at the baby sections of Target and Toys-R-Us (we weren't sure where Babies-R-Us or USA Baby were located). I successfully went through Target zapping away at large and small things for the baby's registry. If you have the urge to spend money on a gal, I urge you, do not be afraid to send it our way!!! :) Kidding, but really, I'm kind of not too.

Massive head ache, probably sinus related. Going to watch Oprah and veg, then pack up Brandon to send him on his weekly Georgia trip (he's been asked to commit to Wednesdays and Thursdays for an undetermined amount of time). He'll be on the five hour drive around 4:00 in the morning. Please pray for his safety. Mrs. Paranoid isn't too keen on him driving for so long all alone. Yes, I am officially turning into a worry-wart mother ~ he's my closest experiment!

Losing it / Gag a Maggot

So, as with all prego's it is beginning to happen to me. My innie is becoming an outie... and I find this extremely disgusting (or as Shelby used to say "di-gust-ing"). I am so not interested in belly buttons. When my sister was pregnant she could easily make me gag by belly flashing me w/ the big button staring at me like a one-eyed monster (what are those things called? I just can't remember.) I'm cringing just at the thought. Today's term is "GAG A MAGGOT!!!"

Tomorrow I am going w/ my mom-in-law to a baby shower for Brandon's aunt. Yes, you read that correctly, his aunt. (She's a couple of years older than B, but his uncle is in his late 50's. It's an interesting story to say the least!) And then we are going baby furniture shopping!!! I am SOO EXCITED!!!! What fun. I can't wait to pick stuff out. I doubt that we'll buy anything just yet. It will more than likely wait until we move back home, but looking is the fun part.

I have to start compiling the list for my own shower invites. Apparently I'm not supposed to know about the shower, but hello, I picked the date! It will probably take me days to try to remember everyone I should invite. Maybe I'll just get Lynette to put an ad in the paper. That would be so much more convenient, don't you think?

The energy phase is beginning to slip away. I'm glad of that for only one reason... the end is near!!! Only 123 more days... and if I do my yoga squats, it could be even less than that (is it bad to think that way??!!).

Off to rest and do some laundry. Have a great weekend and kiss your babies (or someone else's, either way will work!)

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Do you ever look at situations and ask yourself, "Is this a gift from God, or is He just bored with my current life and in need of some real entertainment?" No, I didn't think so.

With the closing of Murray getting closer and our move from our little home even closer still, Brandon and I have been tossing around several different living scenarios...

Our favorite is striking it rich, buying a home in Coffee County and flying our private plane to exotic destinations along w/ any friends and family who wish to join in. Since we've never played any type of "strike it rich" game, that one seems to be a bit out of reach...

Next is finding a job that allows us to live happily ever after (again in Coffee County). Only, the more realistic version includes me having a "real job" and HAH and any subsequent children being watched by someone while B and I bring home the cabbage. While we both know that having excessive amounts of $$$ isn't everything, we also know that it sure does seem to make some things easier. I've been thinking about what my dream has always been (staying at home w/ the babies, being an SUV driving soccer mom, having lunch and play dates w/ all the other mom's in the neighborhood, etc.) and what reality seems to be handing us. Working (more than likely as a teacher ~ the more you know, right? ~ until I finish my master's anyway) and having what can be the best of both worlds. We want to provide our children with whatever they want, but more importantly to be available, nurturing, supportive, loving, and set the best examples possible for their lives. How do you decide what is best for your children when you have no idea what being a parent is like?

It's not a stressful decision. Obviously if there is anyway that we can be geographically close to our families that is the path we will head down. Neither of us are worried about the future. God always provides. He always has, and He always will. It's just that there is so much more to consider with a child coming into the world. How do you know what to do when you don't even know what to expect next week?

Just some ideas and details that are swimming around in my head. Apparently, I don't have enough going on in my life already. Any insight on this whole "parenting" thing would be greatly appreciated.

Home

Safely returned.
Stir crazy.
Swollen.
Incessant appetite.
Craving pizza covered in ketchup and Hawaiian Punch Kool Aid.
And homemade vanilla ice cream.
Ready to be in Manchester for a semi-permanent stay.
HAH is moving around like crazy.
She doesn't like it when I go down inflatable slides at Party Palace.
Fun weekend w/ the New Orleans family.
They gave me a surprise baby shower ~ fun ~ & INCREDIBLY surprised!
Going to rest on couch and lay on heating pad.

Yee Haw!!!

Brandon and I just finished up a celebratory trip to the DQ for some ice cream (his choice ~ a Dilly Bar, mine ~ an M&M Blizzard). Why were we celebrating you ask? Well, there is finally a contract on the house ~ YIPPPPPPEEEEE!! We are supposed to close on everything May 16 and then we have two weeks to pack up and move on. The plan for now is to head home (that sounds so surreal) and live in one of my parents' rental units until we are given further instruction by the powers-that-be to head to another place.

It's an exciting time. We've never lived in the same town as our families (always been 2 - 4 hours away) so for the short time we'll be there I'm sure we'll gobble up every chance to see the peeps as is humanly possible. And as an added bonus it will be much cheaper to live in Manchester, so we'll be able to save up some extra cabbage for HAH's future and the down payment on house #2.

Must catch up on classes and begin packing for a weekend trip to New Orleans.

Hooray for a contract, heading home, and not having to keep an immaculate house! :)

Danger: Overly Occupied

Just taking a small reprieve for a moment. I'm in the middle (ok, really, just the beginning, but humor me for a minute!) of a project that is due tomorrow (or today, actually) by 5:00 p.m. and trying not to get overwhelmed by the gargantuan size of this. Going brain dead and losing ideas as soon as they seem to take a tangible form. Is this mommy mush or am I just losing it?!! I'm thinking the best thing for my brain is at least six hours of sleep and a good breakfast. Mmm, breakfast!

Leaving the paper at page three ~ the beginning once you get past the ever important title page and completely useless abstract. Seems like a good place to stop for the time being. Hope your reading this when you've had sleep and some fortifying food... Mmm, food...

Hallelujah for the end of the semester on April 20!!!

Sugar & Spice or Snakes & Snails?

I am not a patient person, nor am I one who likes to be left out of the loop of knowledge. I guess you could call me stubborn or perhaps hard-headed... I truly believe this child will be just like me in every way (her father is the polar opposite in each of the afore mentioned characteristics). We were unable to check out the "important" area in order to determine the baby's sex, she just floated there pretty as a peach w/ her legs crossed in a very lady like fashion. The rad tech, nurse, and doc all think that HAH is a girl (heartbeat was b/t 150 and 160). I was so disappointed and even shed some tears. Oh well, the baby is healthy and doc is pleased w/ our progress. Her brain activity and growth (10 inches and 1/2 lb) are all in line w/ the projected due date. All's well, I'm just left out of the loop for the time being. We'll try again between weeks 30 and 32 (late June / early July)~ maybe HAH will cooperate then. My sister also told me that they have an ultrasound machine at her office we can play around with the next time Brandon and I are in Manchester.

We've had three house showings this week... looking forward to having a contract put on the place sometime in the near future.

Tomorrow B and I are off to Birmingham to visit w/ some friends and do an area survey. It's on the list of possible re-location areas. I'd much rather be there than in North Carolina, but we really don't have a clue as to where we'll end up. The plant isn't closing until Sept. 30, so we have at least that long to find something else. The other option for now is a job where he'd be traveling constantly, but we'd be back at home. I'd rather live away from home and see him on a constant basis ~ call me selfish...

I'm going to soak some strawberries in sugar water for strawberry shortcake and put cucumber slices in salt water. Just a few cravings coming my way! :)

Have a fantastic weekend.

?

We just returned safely from a fantastic trip down to Mobile. I've "done" Inner City work before for a while in Montgomery, but this was an entirely new experience. Instead of just riding the bus to pick up the children and take them to Tues. / Thur. evening studies (not that this isn't an important job by any means!), we were in their homes trying to make new contacts for Chuck and attempting to show them the one thing we ALL have in common ~ the love of GOD. I haven't yet fully processed what happened; I'm not sure that I ever will. What I can say is that it makes me take a look at what I do in my walk w/ Him and want to toss it out the window b/c it is nothing compared to what I am capable of doing. I also have so many questions. Some that I will probably post on here and some that I am sure only the Good Lord himself can answer.

What I do know for sure:
* People in the Inner City are precious chilren of God.
* Mother's in the Inner City are the foundations of the family and home.
* They have struggles. I have struggles. Some we may share, and others we may not, but we all are just trying to get from here to there w/ safety and securtiy.
* You can't map out the "Five Steps to Salvation" for someone who hasn't ever heard of Jesus, who doesn't know how to find Bibile passages and can't imagine how God is going to help them put food on the table.
* It all begins w/ forming relationships, showing God's love, telling them the story of His love and showing them the right way to live.
* It's incredibly exhausting work, but the rewards are immeasureable!

********************************************************************************

Today marks the half-way point in our pregnancy! Woo ~ hoo!!!! Just two more days until we find out what's swimming around inside of me... Holy Moses am I afraid to find out, for fear that I'll have to eat my words! ;) Excitement abounds.

Off to nap before services tonight.

Hey.

It's a little after 10:30 and I just finished book review #2 for one of my classes. Now all I need to do is finish a couple loads of laundry and pack for the mission trip to Mobile for tomorrow morning. I am headed down along with about 15 others to help remodel the Inner City Church building, teach games, and do some Bible studying with people in the neighborhood. Please pray for us as we travel and plant the seed of the Kingdom.

Have a wonderful weekend and I'll update you all when I get back.

{Only one more week until we know HAH is a GIRL!!! And if she isn't we'll have to come up with another name and get into a completely different mind set for the remainder of the pregnancy. Week #20 here we come! :) }

Mush

The best part about living in TN is getting to fully experience every season; the worst part about living in TN is getting to fully experience every season with allergies. Today my head feels like a big puffy marshmallow that has gotten a bit too close to the camp fire. Sluggish, non-attentive, and certainly not up for two more school projects that must be completed before I leave Saturday morning on a mission trip to the Mobile, AL Inner City Church.

Does the house selling ever end? We got another offer from the crackheaded couple that still doesn't come anywhere near what we are asking. Our realtor said she was in love w/ the house, but that they didn't qualify for the amount we are willing to negotiate. Sorry Charlie. There is a house being built on the lot next to ours for what they put on the table ~ buy it and pick out every little detail you want... No sympathy on my part. We've had showings every day this week so I've been to town just to be out of the way a million and fifty-three times. I love the farmer's market and flower stands ~ however, my allergies disagree.

Need a nap, need to do yet another book review, need to map out the entire Bowenian therapy choices I would use for the Steel Magnolias girls, need energy, need lots of stuff... Lord help me.

P.A. (Procrastinators Anonymous)

Hi. My name is Mae Anne (but you can call me Mae if you wanna) and I am a procrastinator. I meant to do this yesterday, but well procrastination happens. Plus, it was Easter and I was munching on a not-so-traditional meal of pizza and cheese sticks from Pizza Hut.

Back to procrastinating...

I have two five pages papers that are due on Wednesday. So far, I have the title and abstract pages written for one of them. I figured that was enough work for an hour so I'd take a little break from all of the difficulties of writing a book review of a book that I haven't read. Well, technically I read almost the whole first chapter. That should be enough to get me through the rest of them. A ratio of 1:16 isn't too bad. Did I mention that I'm an honors student? It's amazing how that works.

So...

The other night I decided to check out Gymboree clothes online for my little peanut. Holy crap! That stuff is so stinkin' cute, I think I'll have to be a part of Gymboree Moms Anon. from doing so much shopping. Come to think of it, that may interfere with my P.A. meetings or grad school or shopping at Gymboree so then again, maybe not...

Also...

Today I had to make myself scarce while the house was being shown. I entered the store that Vette and I promised not to enter until we're 80 ~ but only to look at baby clothes I promise to stay away from the old geezer outfits ~ YUCK! (Sorry if I offended any Peebles shoppers, just my opinionated opinion coming out).

I have come to the conclusion that...

I LOVE LITTLE GIRLS CLOTHING!!!!

Hmm, think I can work that into the book review? Maybe after dinner...

Pure Bliss

For me, there is nothing more calming, soothing, or meditative than being able to work in a flower bed or garden. I itch in the late winter / early spring to get outside and dig up last years' remains in order to start the entire process all over. Even if it is simply clearing out clutter and digging up bulbs, splitting them and finding a new area in the bed so that they look fresh and new. It makes me so happy to feel as if I have accomplished a task and enables me to go to bed exhausted, but happy.

I could literally spend hours in the gardening department of any store checking out the planting season, blooming season, soil and sun preferences and watering preferences of any plant. I love the smell of freshly tilled soil and feeling the cool dampness of the dirt and worms squishing between my fingers. I'll often take off my flip flops and walk barefoot in the beds just to feel this mess that will eventually turn into precious flowers.

On this weekend of remembrance of what Christ did for us by submitting to death on the cross I wonder if God sees His children as a dirty bed of weeds, rocks, and last years' remains, or of the beautiful flowers and plants that He knows we can be? I'm sure that just as any gardener will attest, it's not necessarily the end of the season when the work you have put into your soil has come into fruition that you are the happiest but the hours of sweat, the callouses and the dirty fingernails, the smell of dirt, the physical exertion and the simple joy of gardening. God's love for us never ceased, even when we were weeds, rocks or remains of what used to be ~ He's loved and looked upon us through every bad storm, every sunny day, and every frost to help us know that we are loved ~ no matter if we are in bloom or out.

Happy Easter ~ go hug your gardener.

End Scene.

I love vacation time. It's getting back into reality and dealing w/ adulthood that seems to put a damper on the whole trip back home.

B and I had a wonderful time in the Smokies ~ regardless of mullet sporting, sock w/ sandal wearer's. Of course, we didn't do Ober, so I'm sure I only saw a small percentage of the mulleteers.

We spent Sunday in Asheville and Hendersonville, NC which is more than likely the area we'll be moving to when we leave Lawrenceburg. We drove around Hendersonville expecting to see family neighborhoods all over the place. Much to our surprise all that we found were retirement communities, homes in excess of $250,000 and a neighborhood that we thought may work out, but turned out to be a Habitat for Humanity area. It seemed to be either feast or famine in H'ville. We just didn't get a good vibe about the place. So we headed for Asheville expecting it to be a similar and a bit ritzier situation. Again we were surprised, but by the normalness, all be it, yuppie-esk areas that we drove around in (all near the Biltmore ~ go figure!). Once the house is under contract we'll contact a GE certified realtor and get moving on finding a new home that we may actually be in for more than 2 1/2 years!

B was given another job offer w/ the same company which would allow us to move back home, but require him to be gone about 75% of the time. We've talked and talked and prayed and prayed about it and decided that it'd be better for our family situation for him to be home all the time and us be a longer distance from family than for us to be surrounded by family and him not really be an everyday part of the baby's life. Plus, I'm really not as highly functioning as a person if he's not around. I think I'd go stark raving mad and that just wouldn't bee good for my future professional life as a marriage and family therapist. If the Asheville situation doesn't work out, we'll take this job for a while until he can find something that will allow him to be at home every night.

The job B currently has is very cushy. He leaves around 8:00, is home at lunch for an hour or so, and back again by 3:30 or 4:00. I am incredibly spoiled and used to having him here. I hope that this sort of thing will be able to continue, but w/ the responsibilities he'll have in that particular management position in NC, I highly doubt that will be the case.

The house has showing #3 tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed, we've only got a little time before we have to be in a new city. Being able to buy a new house in the new place will be great as long as our current home belongs to someone else at the time.

Brandon and I have been tossing around names for the child. We're trying to make words w/ her initials. So far the one we have is HAH! We really want a SHH, DUH, DOH, and B wants a BOB, but that doesn't exactly seem possible. The name is a secret, but I'm not above giving out initials! Besides, I'm so fickle, it's bound to change in the next day or so.

Have a fabulous Wednesday all. I'll be w/ the retired gals at our weekly gab session, a.k.a. the Ladies Bible Class. It's such a fun time ~ something I'll dearly miss when we leave.

Vandalism and Thievery

We've been having problems in our neighborhood lately with missing items and tattered patio furniture. As it turns out, my dog is to blame. She's spending the next week in canine juvy while we skip town to avoid the papparizzi.

My mother-in-law asked Brandon if it was ok for her to buy the baby's furniture for our Easter / Anniversary gifts... hmmm, let me think about that for a minute. HECK YEAH! Woo~hoo ~ shopping is going to be so much fun! Not that we will take advantage of her generosity in any way. We've been looking at stores on the internet and checking prices on e-bay for ideas of what we like and what is a definite no. We're more than likely going to get a cherry sleigh bed convertible set and a dresser w/ the changing table and pad on top. I found a rocker / glider / cutsie / chair deal in a small store in Huntsville and I can't wait to order it. They custom make the things for a very reasonable price and it looks like a regular piece of furniture instead of the wooden contraptions that can only fit in a nursery. Do any of you have ideas for what you couldn't imagine doing with out or items that were useless? Any comments are more than welcome!

I must hit the books and watch another class before head out to Gatlinburg and Asheville. Have a wonderful Spring Break and be careful if you're traveling. :)

Thoughts... or the lack there of...

I spent all night Thursday and from Friday morning around 10:00 until Saturday morning at 1:00 writing a paper on personality theories. Due to the fact that all of my "extra" brain cells went towards writing a semi-coherent paper worthy of a master's level student... and the fact that this child is sucking away at any intelligence I formerly housed in my cerebral cortex, I now have zero energy to sit at my computer and type anything of particular interest or humor.

I will say that my hormones have officially taken over my sensory functioning and if I thought my mouth was uncontrollable earlier, boy was I mistaken!!! It seems as though Mrs. Say-what-you-think/feel/should-be-said has been embedded in my body.

Yesterday the family that sits in front of us at church (usually two parents, a grandmother, and three children ages 8 to 12, plus a friend or two) was rather slim. It was only Dad, little sister, middle brother and a friend. Dad got an emergency page for work, leaving children and friend all alone. The two boys began thumping knuckles (we called it a horrendously derogatory name when I was in school, which shall be left out of this blog entirely). I sat, and sat, and sat waiting for them to end the game. It continued through the entire sermon, the song of invitation, a couple coming forward and asking for prayers from the church, two interval songs, and the shepherd's challenge and even a prayer on the family's behalf. I was annoyed, then irritated, and then IRATE!!! This is not something that would be tolerated had any familial adults been near, so I decided to step in. I leaned forward, put a hand on each of the boys shoulders and said, "Stop, please." in the most controlled, caring, teeth clenched fashion I could muster. I got a look that said many things and then the boys both turned beet red and did actually stop. I ask you, had it been your child or children and you had to leave, would you want another adult correcting their behavior? Because if I'm near enough to say something, believe me, I will. I certainly hope that it will be the same for my children, though I am certain they will be as near perfection as I was and will need no correction what-so-ever.

Stopping the endless, mind numbing babbling.

Hey, hey,hey what do you say?

We got a call yesterday from B's boss. Looks as if we may be headed for mountainous living sometime this summer. Click here for more information...

Things are going well. Yesterday we sold the car that I bought to drive back and forth to Henderson. Thanks to a lady from Clifton, we now have thousands of dollars less in debt! :)

I finally got a heart rate on the baby yesterday at my regular check up. It was beating in the 160's. My sister was elated ~ both of her girls were in the 160- 170 range. Yet another clue as to HER sex! We will have the second ultrasound on April 8 at 9:00 to find out for sure.

I'm having the hardest time coming up w/a name for this child. I love ever-so-many names... until I have to tack "Hale" onto the end of them. My plan is to keep the name a secret (since everyone will know that she's a girl). Plus if I change my mind a bajillion times no one will be disappointed. If you have any suggestions I will be happy to entertain them.

I must stop procrastinating and get back to work on a theories of personality paper that is due on Friday.

But first... I have a time share in Gatlinburg that my parents deeded to my younger brother and me. Our week goes from Friday to Friday 3/18 - 3/25. Jonathan and his wife are not going to be able to use their half (a one bedroom condo) so if you need an escape let me know and I'll be more than happy to share our time share w/ you! Brandon and I plan on being there from Sunday afternoon until whenever we get sick of the clean, mountainous air... Does that really happen??!?!! :)

Ok, now I'm working on that paper... right after Oprah, for sure.

Being an example

This morning began a new quarter of classes at church. I volunteered to take on the high school girls (all 7 of them) in a discussion / question / learning more about who you are and who you want to be / huh? / I don't really know what I'm doing/ class. There are two ladies who have been teaching the girls for 28 years, so we decided that we'd take turns about doing their lessons on purity and my random discussions on the topic of the day.

You know the saying, "Tred lightly and carry a big stick."? Well, I feel that I am going to have to do just that. What I really want to provide for them is a place where they feel comfortable asking questions and discussing matters that they wouldn't necessarily ask their mothers. Questions of any sort: Biblical, moral, teen-ish, sexual, etc. I hope, with God's guidance, to be able to create an atmosphere of trust, love and acceptance. Where I think I will have difficulties is keeping MY opinions out of the way and straying too far from what is provided for us in the Word. I am a rather opinionated person with quite radical / left sided / liberal views, especially when compared to those that are taught at this church. I do not in any way, shape, form, or fashion wish to stir up controversy. Instead, my hope and prayer, is to encourage the girls to think about things before they take action and to ponder things and learn to value who they are, whose they are, and what they can do to help further God's kingdom.

All of this is a big duty, but one that I am certainly looking forward to getting into. I hope that I can set some sort of positive example and help them to have open minds and hearts and to think for themselves. Please wish me luck in this endeavor, and pray for my mouth to be on it's best behavior and my heart in the right place!

Random e-mail from some guy I've never heard of.

Hey ya'll. I got this e-mail from a couple of people I've never heard of, but thought that I'd share it anyway...

Fellow CofC bloggers:

I'm putting together an aggregator for Church of Christ bloggers. If you're not familiar with aggregators, they're useful tools for bringing together posts from all aggregator members on one links page. They're updated periodically and they're a good way to keep up with what's being said on a particular subject.

If you'd like to see what an aggregator looks like, here are a couple I already belong to:

http://groups.blogdigger.com/groups.jsp?id=1634

http://groups.blogdigger.com/groups.jsp?id=1575

Please let me know if you'd like your blog to be included in the Church of Christ bloggers aggregator. If so, please e-mail me and include your blog's URL your reply.

There are many CofC bloggers (including the much-read Mike Cope) whose e-mail addresses aren't available on their blogs. Please spread the word and let them know they're invited, too.

Peace,

Milton Stanley

http://transformingsermons.blogspot.com

I just got back from the doc. Yep, I've got the funk ~ a.k.a. Shingles. They put me on Valtrex ~ you know, the VD drug that is so eloquently advertised on tv? Umm, hmm I get to go to the most popular drug store in town and get herpes medicine. That's a real self confidence booster, let me tell ya!

Nurse Johnnie w/ the purple hair was listening for the baby (the pulling I felt was just her moving up ~ she' s above my belly button already!) and had a hard time hearing her. Johnnie's exact words were, "Umm, hmm, this is a girl honey, I never have this much trouble out of boys." Woo~hoo!!! See, I'm not the only one who thinks so. We finally heard the heartbeat and the swishing of my placenta (didn't you want to know that?) and all is well. I have to go back on Tuesday for my regular monthly checkup w/ Dr. B to get some tests done, I think. Can't remember whether these are optional or not...

Lot's to do and time's a waistin'. Caio baby.

Itching and Pictures

Below you will find some pictures from this past weekend ~ of the not-so-stressful times that is!

I think I know what the mysterious rash is that popped up on my back this weekend ~ shingles. How gross ~ and almost STD sounding. I had my sister and a friend who is a retired nurse look at it and they both definitely think that's what it is. So I have a doc's appointment in the morning w/ purple haired nurse Johnnie to get it taken care of. I'm also going to have her check on the baby. Last night I was getting up to get a load of clothes out of the dryer and I felt something pull in my lower stomach ~ it was the worst pain I think I've experienced in a long time. Brandon was freaking out b/c I couldn't speak and was doubled over crying hysterically ~ paranoia isn't in me for nothing, huh? We didn't go to the ER b/c the pain subsided after a few hours, but I'm still pretty sore today. I did feel her moving aroudn for a few minutes today, but I'm still concerned. Yesterday was just crappy all over!

We got good news today ~ Ron will be discharged from his hospital apartment next Wednesday. All of his tests are looking great and everything he's gone through seems to be working. Thank you God! I know he and Hilda will both be so relieved to be at home after an entire month away and numerous days in the hospital.

My back is killing me so I'm gonna break out the lovely heating pad and read up for school.

~ Toodles.

Beanbags are a ball of fun, especially when you are upside down and under the age of 10! 

Brandon and me after an exhausting Saturday ~ look at that tummy ~ pregnoid or just fatsoid??!?!?! I will say that I'm pooching out for exaggeration factors, but still, not the cute little pregnant lady like you see on t.v. 

Shelby, me, & Halle (in her favorite night gown ~ it reads "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky" ~ hope that's not a sign of things to come!) 

Welcome Flip Flop Season!

The first day of March (in my world, anyway) brings w/ it the beginning of Mae's flip flop and sandal season. This wonderful season lasts through late October and requires a couple of things ~ 1. freshly pedicured toes & 2. new colors of flip flops to match any outfit! Woo~hoo!! I sadly must postpone wearing my flops for a few days. There is snow falling from the heavens and I'm not getting a pedi until this weekend. However, I am still incredibly excited that spring is so close!

Pregnancy has been good to me so far. This time next week I'll be into month number 4 and just a few weeks later we'll be half way through and know that I'm having a little girl! Until this past weekend, I didn't think I was very hormonal at all. Not so! Along w/ the raging hormones, I have contracted some random rash that has an unbeknownst origin and my appetite goes from ravishing every two hours to being turned off immediately at the smell of food. I'm not nauseous, I just can't seem to eat much ~ three bites of jambalya last night for supper was it. (Although, Brandon did make a special trip to Captain D's to bring home some of their tasty breadsticks!) It's all just interesting going through and still exciting. I haven't felt the baby move since Thursday night and I'm incredibly paranoid about anything going wrong.

Did any of you become extremely afraid of your husbands being abducted or having a horrendous car wreck while you were pregnant? I've gotten really off the wall about B leaving ~ even if he's just going out to feed the dog. It's even worse now that he's traveling more. He's in Nashville, Murfreesboro or North Georgia at least two days a week and it doesn't rest well w/ Mrs. Paranoid. Just wondering if anyone else had the same feelings.

Brandon found out from one of the plant managers yesterday that Murray will not be open past the end of September. It's good to finally have a date for the end of stuff here ~ things were much more stressful not knowing if the place was going to close down tomorrow or sometime next year. If any of you know of a sales / chemical rep / good paying job in the south please let us know. B found a really great sounding job w/ GE doing the same things he does now, only w/ a higher salary, but it's in Montana. Granted if it's Montana or nothing, I'd be on the first plane there, but this gal has never lived out of the south or more than four hours from home and she really doesn't want to now!

I've got a mid-term to do, a class to take and tons of reading to catch up on for school, so I guess I need to quit procrastinating and get to work... right after a shower... and maybe some lunch... or a nap... or an episode of a Baby Story... or... well, nevermind. Have a great day and get our your flip flops! :)

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.

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.

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.

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! :)

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.

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>

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!

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! 

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!

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!!!

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! :)

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.

Realty Mania

I get myself into the most uncomfortable pickles...

For instance, there is a couple we go to church with who, as a team, appraise and list houses. When we fist realized that we'd have to sell the house, I approached her and asked some questions, one of them being, "Would you and your husband mind coming by our house and telling us what all we'll have to do to sell it?" Sure she said, we'll talk about it later, all will be well. A couple of weeks later, I was talking w/ another lady that I consider a mentor (also from church) about the move, selling the house, etc. When I told her who I'd semi-asked to list it I got this look like Daddy used to give me when he thought (or knew) I was fibbing / telling a whopper ~ one eyebrow cocked up and a look that says, "Well, if you think that's the best thing, but you may want to change your mind... NOW!" She said, "Can I give you some advice? I know people who have used them before and afterwards wished they hadn't, if I was to sell my home there'd only be one person in the county I'd ask." That person just happens to be the man who has built our neighborhood and sold every house in it (all 13 of them, plus 2 more that are being started as I type). So, I talk the situation over w/ Brandon and we decide that asking Mr. Neighborhood Builder would be in our best interest since he is obviously very familiar w/ things and b/c Mr. & Mrs. Couple from Church don't exactly have the best track record, four children under the age of 9, a farm, an Amish Toy / Nick Nack Store, and he's getting into industrial equipment sales, and the real topper was that she gave me a listing of houses similar to ours and what they had sold for and the papers weren't neat, orderly and they reeked of some ungodly smell (need I say anything about my insane sense of pregnant woman smell and my anal retentiveness towards things being neat and orderly?). She had called on Saturday to tell us that they could come and look at the house and give us their rundown of things and Brandon told her we'd also talked to Mr. Neighborhood Man and that we'd more than likely go w/ him b/c of the reasons above (his positive reasons, not their negative ones). Anyway, I feel bad about the whole situation w/ Mr. & Mrs. Church Couple, BUT I"m easing into the whole Mr. Neighborhood idea...

He came by this morning, looked around the house, complimented me on the decor and paint (and suggested that we have crown molding put up where I'd lovingly hit the ceiling w/ the rollers ~ which I wanted to do but Brandon didn't ~ SCORE!), and then told us he'd list it for almost $10,000 more than we paid for it 2 years ago to date and that he'd do it for 5%, as opposed to the usual 6% that realtors ask (although, if another realtor sells it he'll have to get 6% to split w/ them). It's the largest home in the neighborhood (not a mansion at only 1550 sq. ft. but still...), and has a better floor plan and nicer cabinets than the others, plus there is a spring on the property and it's one of the biggest lots (a whole acre, we're not talkin' Tara here folks). After a quick calculation in my head I realized that if we sell the house for that amount (or realistically a couple thousand less) that we'll actually make a few thousand dollars off of it when we were just hoping to come out even. Things are looking up. We're waiting for word from the Murray sell to decide if we'll put it on the market in a couple of weeks or wait until the end of February (Mr. Neighborhood has had several people asking about the houses being built and really thinks it will sell w/in 3 months ~ the longest any of the houses have been on the market). So, night Brandon and I are heading to Lowes and Home Depot (which just opened in Florence, it's about the most exciting news to come out of there lately) to pick out crown molding and buy some paint for the pretend nursery. I'm going to call a couple of home repair guys on Wednesday and get the ball rolling. Feels like it's going to be a pretty good experience.

Today is my sister's 31st birthday. We had a surprise get-together for her last night at Toot's in the 'Boro. She was really excited and thrilled that we'd thought to do that for her. Today for her actual present (I got her a monogramed bracelet yesterday) I asked her to be w/ B and me in the delivery room. She started gushing and crying (while at work in the front office of a pediatric center mind you) and said, "OHHH, I'd LOVE to. I was sure you'd ask me to, I was just waiting for you to think it over. You're the best sister ever!! This has made my whole week." Yep, I'm good. Happy Birthday Netty Nu!!!



OK, it's been an exhausting day and I'm heading to my incredibly neat, clean organized living room to nap on the couch for a couple of hours. After which I'll watch a class that I missed last week, take a quiz, get supper ready, finish a load of laundry, and go to two home improvement stores w/ my husband. All in a good day's work.

Tootles.

Uber-cleaning-wowman-on-a-mission

This whole selling the house thing isn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. I keep a pretty neat, clean house on most occasions and it's not like I have anyone here other than the hubby to clean up after, but holy crap I've never realized how much dust there is in this place! It's rediculous and I think it'll be the bain of my existance until we've sold the little place. Sniff, sniff ~ our first house going to some other family... I hope to never live in another place w/ white carpet ~ it's just horrific!

End rant. Must get back to making the house look like something out of Southern Living... and probably nap a bit early today. Got any good house selling tips?

Good.

Today was a good, fulfilling day. I had fried green tomatoes with my husband, a good laugh, a phone call from my big brother and actually made it through the day without napping. It's a good life!

Yesterday I was a bit hormonal and somewhat insensitive. Remember when I said that Gran wasn't in the greatest of moods? I didn't realize (for the first time in 15 years!) that is was the anniversary of my mom's death~ she's been in Paradise for 15 years. It hit me around 6:00 last night and a huge guilt wave just washed over me. I was so absorbed in my own life that I didn't even take the time to be a little sad. I cried buckets later, more for missing mom and feeling guilty than for what the day actually stood for. It sucks that I lost my mother, but other people never had the chance to know either of their parents or even family members ~ for the family I have and had I am eternally grateful, flaws and all. All I feel that I can do is to remember the good times, wear at least SPF 30 (her illness started out as skin cancer), and go on with life. My grandmother on the other hand is very much the opposite in many ways, but oh well. Live and learn, huh?

Tomorrow, Friday and Saturday are going to be cleaning frenzy days. I'm even getting a girl that I go to church w/ to come and help do things that I really shouldn't be doing (such as climbing on top of the counters to dust the crystal stuff we got as wedding gifts). A real estate agent is coming in Monday morning to walk through the house and begin the selling process. I haven't been too stressed out about all this stuff until today. This is where my over achiever, anal retentive side comes in. Everything has to be perfect before he gets here and I'm feeling quite a bit of pressure (even guilt over not having any crown molding up or the pretend nursery painted). We're just hoping to break even on the house sale; we'll be lucky to do that after the realtors fee is taken out. Deep healing breaths and a good nights sleep and I'll be raring to go tomorrow. It's another day...

Tootles.

Inconsiderate, Rude, Or Just Plain True?

I have a situation for you bog family. And as usual, the drama in my life concerns non other than the infamous grandmother. Earlier I was on my weekly call to Gran who wasn't in the greatest of moods. After hearing about every sick and dead person in Warren county she asked me how I've been feeling and then later in the conversation asked the inevitable, "Well, how much weight have you gained?" As a side / background note on my grandmother, she's not concerned per say w/ a pregnant woman's health, she simply needs something to gossip about to her friends. I learned this VERY quickly w/ my sister's pregnancies. Lynette never told Gran what I said, which was, "Well it's not really any of your business. That's between me and my doctor and if I want you to know, then I'll tell you." I'm not one to beat around the bush about things, esp. w/ Gran and so I almost always tell her exactly what I think or feel about any given situation ~ esp. about me, my siblings, our spouses or children. She was pretty shocked that I said that (needless to say my hormones began kicking in pretty quickly) and replied, "Well, you just come out 'n say what ya mean don ch ya? I guess it itten any of my business." Neither of us got huffy and she laughed at me being me, but good Lord ~ why do people feel the need to know such things??!?!!

A word of advice to my readers. Don't ask that question and if you see me anytime during this or any forthcoming pregnancies be sure to tell me how glowing and very non-pregnant I look and that I couldn't be more than 5 or 6 weeks along. K? :)

So I leave it up to you, did I seem inconsiderate, rude, or just plain true in my reply AND was Gran inconsiderate or rude in asking???

As far as names for the baby(s) go SG let the cat out of the bag.... Raisin Hale and Goada Hale are my two favorite girl names, but now we're gonna have to go and find something else and keep it as a surprise until the baby comes out kicking and screaming. (Brandon's convinced that it'll come out and ask immediately to be cleaned up ~ just a little issues w/ gross stuff that I may have that may carry over to our poor child ~ bless her heart!)

It's my nap time. 'Night.

Krispy Kreme, Kraft, Kool-Aid, & Bad Baby Names

The cravings have begun... it's all about what I see really. If I see someone on TV eating I have to have that, ahh the power of visual persuation. For the most part though, I just want mac n' cheese (the imitation Kraft kind w/ the skinny noodles, not the real stuff), any kind of Krispy Kreme doughnut, and Kool-Aid (cherry, grape, or hawaiian punch). Brandon makes at least one trip to Kroger every other day b/c I never want what was on "the list". It's pretty fun!

Now on to the third rendition of "Bad Baby Names". I tried to post this twice over the weekend, but was unsuccessful each time. Here are the current "bad baby names" that Brandon and I have heard over the years...

Jaquarius ~ He was born in January & is an aquarius. (Memphis radio station)
Pepsi Nicola ~ Wonder what her mom craved? (also Memphis radio station)
Holly Dae ~ A girl I knew growing up who, along w/ her twin brother Luke, was born on Christmas Day.
Holly Bush ~ Another girl I knew in Manchester.
Bedelya ~ This was on "A Baby Story" the other day and I just couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor child, esp. the first time her librarian reads "Amelia Bedilia" to the class!
Dren ~ Yet another guy from Manchester ~ that's n-e-r-d spelled backwards, and rather fitting for the boy.

That's the news for today! Please feel free to add to the list, so I know what NOT to name my children.

Tidings of Joy... and GREAT baby names! :)

This is what we know. No more, no less...

<>Crazy rumors are flying around this place (even from an elder's wife ~ not her best quality). What we do know is that the plant will (hopefully) be open until all obligations are filled, which should put us into the summer. However, there is no guarntee of anything (even us staying if it continues to operate at a slower pace). Brandon is sitting down w/ a team of GE guys in a couple of weeks (while at a "training" in Epcot that the wives were un-intvited to ~ don't get me started!) and we'll know (again, hopefully) more about it then; I also hope to have a more concrete timeline. The following article is from today's Tennessean. Surprisingly, I'm rather calm about the whole situation. I had a much funnier "Bad Baby Names" blog, but apparently blogger was experiencing technical difficulties so it will have to wait for another day.

Key parts of a Friday, Jan. 21, letter to Murray Inc. employees from Alan Shaw, president and CEO of the lawnmower maker, about the company's impending sale and likely closure of its Lawrenceburg plant sometime in 2006.

Dear Murray Employee:

''As I am sure most of you have seen in The Tennessean, today is an important day in the Murray bankruptcy process. All parties involved are working diligently towards filing a final Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) today, and things are looking positive at this time. Even though we don't have a final decision to announce right now, there are additional details in the APA that are appropriate for us to share with you at this time.

''Under the APA proposed by Briggs & Stratton, they will acquire certain assets of Murray with an effective purchase date in February. At this time, Briggs & Stratton does not have the capacity to absorb the manufacturing processes of Murray. Therefore, effective immediately following the closing date of the asset sale, Murray would enter into a Transition Supply Agreement (TSA) with Briggs & Stratton to ensure orderly supply of product. In order to fulfill the terms of the TSA, Murray Inc. will continue to operate the company and manufacture product exclusively for Briggs & Stratton for up to 18 months. During this transition period, Briggs will begin to relocate selected products and product lines to other manufacturing facilities. As a result, employee reductions will be necessary to correspond to changes in production and operating needs.

''If we are unable to successfully negotiate an APA, the banks will immediately force Murray into an orderly liquidation. Although certain employees will be retained in order to assist in closing the facilities, the majority of employees would cease employment with Murray within a week. We will fulfill our obligations under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (''WARN'') by continuing anticipated base pay for terminated employees through February 28, 2005. …

''I realize that the news that Murray may only continue for 18 months is disappointing to all of us. All along our goal has been to steer Murray towards a buyer that would invest in Murray and allow it to grow. In the absence of this type of sale, our aim was to secure a purchase that would prolong Murray for as long as possible to allow employees an opportunity to plan for a future outside of Murray. All of you have demonstrated an admirable work ethic in recent months, and I am proud of the effort each of you has put forth in an effort to complete a sale of the company. We will continue to communicate details as they become available.''

Sincerely,

Alan Shaw

President and CEO

It's the little things...

I just returned home from the Ladies Bible Class and a wonderfully fattening lunch at the Chinese Buffet w/ my dear hubby to see that the sweet irises I transplanted from one of my friend's "menopause gardens" are popping up ~ spring will soon be in the air, according to the irises anyway.

Today is the hearing for Murray's future (or so it seems to be, the lack there of). The only company that put in a bid was Briggs & Stratton, but only for the equipment, no real estate or workers. Even if the plant were to stay open we'd more than likely be heading to KY b/c they use Nalco chemicals as opposed to GE. Lots going on. Does anything ever settle down?

Having just finished lunch, I appear to be at least 3 1/2 months along, maybe 4. It's so funny how my tummy grows after just eating or drinking. This morning's Lawrenceburg newspaper headline reads "Beached Whale Spotted in Lawrence County." Who'd a thunk it, huh?! Everything is fun and as long as I can make fun of myself I'll be ok, though I now somewhat understand the thought process behind ladies with bulemia. I ordered my first maternity outfit yesterday. (If you buy it online you don't have to see any of the perky cute little mommy's-to-be trying on things in an XS.) Looks like I'll get to decorate 2 nurseries. Brandon is getting kicked out of his office and we're making it up to be the pretend nursery to help the house sell. I think that people seeing that as a third bedroom will be better than seeing it as an office. Exciting stuff, I'm going to head to Florence sometime tomorrow and try to pick out a neutral paint color (probably something in a green or yellow). Got any vibes on the sex or #? Place your bids and we'll see who comes the closest!

Must get to class and be a good steward of my time.

Have you read Mike's blog today? Isn't it wonderful how God answers prayers and the family that this has created? So magnificent.

Tidings of Joy... and blooming spring flowers. :)


Thank you SOOO MUCH Stephanie!! The book is so funny ~ it made my day! :)

Do any of you have good ladies retreat games? I volunteered to lead us in game time ~ any ideas other than Spades, Rook, Phase 10, or Spoons? Help me please ~ my mind has gone blank in the game area!!!

So, I'm looking for a person or people who are interested in bladder donations...

Anyone? Anyone? Maybe a cow bladder? Or a hippo's? I'm not picky, I just need something to get me through at least one episode of Regis & Kelly and maybe a two hour nap. I've always been a heavy beverage consumer and a small bladder person, but this puts a whole new spin on things! The peeing has begun and I don't think the rainy season in Guatemala even comes close to producing as much liquid as I have in the past two days! 64 oz. of water and 24 oz. of milk, plus a sip or two of Brandon's Sprite = well, Niagara Falls. TMI? Sorry.

Thank you all SO MUCH for the good wishes and prayers. We are both incredibly excited about things, and a bit nervous too. To answer some of your questions....

YES ~ we are definitely going to try to find out the sex of the baby (I"m hoping for twins, but my sister is feeling triplets ~ she's not exactly Madame Cleo so we'll just take what the rad-tech tells us!) As I said before, we get to have an early ultasound in a month. We'll hear the heartbeat and see the little bambino(s) on the screen. I'm going to record it and if I can find a way to post it on the internet then you can enjoy seeing it as well.

No ~ I'm not planning on turning this into a pregnancy blog. BUT since that seems to be consuming my life right now... well, even the best made plans go awry, eh?

The bankruptcy court hearing for Murray is next week (the 19th) that's when we'll find out what will happen (supposedly). The whole town is on pins and needles waiting for one judges decision. I still think we'll end up in KY... and probably about two months before the birth ~ that's just how my life works. At least we'll have movers to take care of everything. I bet if I milk it the right way, I can even get them to put stuff up for me! :)

Ron (my f-i-l) is going through his stem cell replacement this week. He and Hilda are staying at the Hope House in Nashville (across from Vanderbilt Hospital) for the next month or so. I'm sure that a lot of our time will be spent there to help Hilda's stress level and to keep Ron's spirits up. Hopefully this will keep him in remission. Prayers on their behalf are GREATLY appreciated.

Once again the bladder is calling, but not exactly tenderly!

Tidings of Joy... and seriously, if you've got an extra bladder around I REALLY could use it! :)

Busting at the seams (in more ways than one)...

I have this habit of doing things that I swear I'll never do... such as telling the world that I'm pregnant before I am through the first trimester. Read that again, and again, and one more time and then SCREAM, JUMP UP & DOWN, & SHOUT HALLULAH TO THE LORD ~ WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got home from the doctor and am officially 7 weeks and 6 days and the due date is August 23. I think that just on the basis that this child (or possible children ~ we'll know on Feb. 8) has 1/2 of my genetic makeup that it will be late coming into the world. Brandon and I are so excited (although I'm quite a bit more verbal than he is about it ~ surprising I know.) I have already picked out furniture and colors and all the cutsie little things that go along w/ that at Babies-R-Us. Now, we just need to win a couple million dollars to pay for it all! :)

Seriously, we are both so incredibly thankful to God, our OB/GYN, and the medicine that made me so crazy for so long. A precious gift is growing inside of me... it feels and sounds so odd. My best friends right noware the couch, my pillows, and fruit flavored Tums (I only like the orange and pink ones ~ yellow and green make me gag). My doctor gave me What to Expect When You're Expecting so I have quite a bit of reading to do for that, along with my homework for class. Hope your day is as happy as ours.

Tidings of Joy... and additions to the family! :)

Back to reality?

I received my first e-mail about the new classes I'll begin this coming week at Southern Christian ~ expected graduations date 12/07. Why in Sam Goozle did I go to grad school? Can someone please tell me? Oh yeah, I remember ~ it's was the whole "I have a degree that I don't want to / can't utilize in this small town where I have NO political pull and student loans that I don't want to pay back for a while. Easiest solution? Go back to school!" It's all clearly back. If any of you have taken a class through SCU on-line I'd be more than happy to hear any pointers and tid bits of knowledge you may posses.

The past couple of days I've been in Huntsville visiting my friend Vette (a blog snooper, but not a commentor). We went w/ "The Group" (several 20 something single C of C folks) to Applebee's and then to see White Noise. It was sold out by the time we finished dinner so we decided to watch Darkness instead of waiting until the midnight showing (I'd've never been able to keep my eyes open for a midnight movie ~ you can officially call me old!) Other than Children of the Corn, I don't think there is a single horror flick that the two of us have laughed at so much. Oh my goodness ~ tears running down the face funny! It's a European film that I'm still not sure of the purpose ~ Good Times!

Soon after I walked in the door I got a call from my sis-in-law. Jonathan is in Talledega this weekend for some high testosterone thing, so Karen's having a girl's night out at her place. More fun!

Must finish up a bit of laundry and share a meal w/ the hubby before I get back on the road.

Tidings of Joy... & fun times w/ friends & family!

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!

Let's take a journey in our minds back the late, great '80s. That's right my friends, let us revisit that fantastic movie with Wynona Rider "Beetlejuice". Today, Wednesday, January 5, 2005, I am legally Mae Anne McCullough Hale. That's right folks, I have been married for 3 years, 7 months, and 3 days... and I JUST changed my name. In order to do so, Brandon and I had to take a little lunch time trip to the Social Security Administration where a VERY SERIOUS "officer" asked Brandon to peacefully remove his "weapon" (a knife he uses for work) and return it to the vehicle. While we were waiting for our number to come up, the scene in BJ where he's waiting in a room with a million other creatures and his number is fifteen million away from the one that is currently being waited on popped into my mind ~ SO FUNNY ~ I was cracking up!!! There were 3 people in front of us and it took close to an hour, but you can all relax, and Brandon and I can now e-file. All that and not one shrunken head in the group! :)

Tidings of Joy... and the SSA, bless their hearts!

Brain mush

I don't know what it is, but my mind refuses to concentrate on one thing for more than 15 minutes ~ it's like the left over dirty snow 3 days after the roads have cleared up - just gray, cold, dirty and a reminder of what used to be. Now for some over-achievers, you may be able to accomplish quite a bit in 15 minutes. Me? I'm doing good if I can decided what to narrow down the decisions to in 30... sad.

So, I've been trying to think of reasons for this whole "mushiness" thing. Here's what I've come up with so far...

1. The weather. HELLO! I'm in Tennessee in January and it's been over 60 degrees for the past week ~ what the crap?

2. The time of year. After the hustle-bustle of the holidays getting back into a routine seems so plain... almost like I'm missing out on something.

3. A lack of drugs and caffeine in my system. I was on so many different hormone altering drugs for such a long time and on top of that, I've given up caffeine cold turkey... could be on to something here.

4. It's just all in my head (no pun intended). I could be completely normal and just think that things are altered, but probably not.

That's 'bout it for now. I've done good to get this much out, tired, need a nap; the couch, down blanket and feather pillow are all softly coaxing me to sweet rest.

Tidings of Joy.... and an end to the brain mush! :)

Happy 2005!!!

Brandon and I rang in the new year with lots of gusto! We met one of my best friends, Tricia, and her husband, Brad, at the Outback in Murfreesboro. I had a FABULOUS dinner of some Alaskan King Crab Legs and then fell asleep on the couch at 11:30. Brandon tried to wake me up to see the ball drop ~ completely unsuccessful in that area! Today we're just taking it easy and cleaning out things, kind of pre-prepping the house to get it ready to sell. All kinds of exciting adventures, huh?

Happy New Year blog family... I have no doubt it will be full of many blessings! :)

While I'm sitting in my messy but comfy guest room, others in India and Asia aren't so lucky, safe, or blessed. Please keep those affected by the tsunami in your thoughts and prayers and try to help them out of such a horrific situation. "But to the poor o Lord, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and heat." Isa. 25:4