Just One Bite..

Another book for May, making that 3 books this month. One Bite With A Stranger by Christine Warren. Recommend by this post from Donna Downey so I added it to my To Read list. I purchased it with Bell, who will read it next at our book swap next weekend, at Books A Million. I did not remember the author so I asked a sales clerk. It was located in the Romance section, which is not what I usually read.

I start it and what gets you going about this book is from page 32-112 is a hot makin' love scene. I am talking hot and heavy love scene.. You know with a vampire. For bored housewives everywhere! And it still is a great read. I was wondering if it took that many pages for a love scene, would there be a plot to this book? There was and it was really good. I read 90 pages in one evening and finished the book in 3 days. I will be adding the next book to my to read list.

Her: "I generally don't date the living dead."

Him: "What sort of dead do you usually date?"

Book Check:

341 pages

2nd vampire book in a row.

3rd series of vampire books I will now read.

It went where Twilight didn't, but where you wanted it to go.

Similarities:

Fire to kill a vampire and turning them to ash.

Werewolves.

Fun Book References:

Grease "Rydell High"

Apollo 13 "Houston we have a problem."

Recommending To:

Shannon, Becca, Shawna, Mandi, Julie and Tammy

The Simplest Saturday.

-Sleeping in until 7:33.
-Half a pot of coffee.
-Karate at 8:30.
-Quick book check at the Goodwill. Scored 3 good ones.
-Taking Jason to the library.
-Leaving with 19 books.
-Depositing a full piggy bank into a little boys bank account.
-Home by 10:44 to find 2 babies napping.
-Hubby napping.
-A trip to the park with the kids and dog.
-Sonic for cool treats.
-More both baby and hubby napping time.
-Candyland.
-100 piece Transformer puzzle.
-Playing outside while Mommy reads more.
-A walk to the pond to feed the geese Kix.
-3 boys in a bath.
-Matching pajamas.
-Baby bedtimes.
-Quiet reading time with only 40 pages to go.
-Hubby painting the master bathroom and closet.
-Simple.
-Satisfying.
-Saturday.

Goodbye, May.

1. Indiana Jason 2. Lincoln 3. Holding Hands 4. Dad and Jason 5. Mom and Jason. 6. Study up 7. The Graduate 8. Mandy and Jacques 9. Thursday 10. Ryan and Lincoln 11. New Cut and Color 12. Spring Summer Mini Collection 13. Jacques, Mandy and Zachary 14. Jason 15. Bowser 16. Twins and their Boxer 17. Our May 18. Zachary after the Zoo 19. Ryan after the Zoo 20. Jason and Zachary 21. Zachary 22. Elmo and Lincoln 23. Jason and the babies 24. Friday Morning 25. Becca and the Twins 26. Daddy and the Boys 27. Mommy and Ryan 28. Becca and Jason 29. Twin's first boating trip 30. Wednesday

E is for Ella.

I made this small 8x8 album for Shannon for her new baby granddaughter, Ella. I did not post it any earlier because it was a surprise baby shower gift. I made it back in March. Now that Baby Ella is here, I think it is time to share. There are 20 pages total and you can see more of them here in my Create set at flickr. Just click the link and scroll all the way down. I just posted a few favorite pages. Rarely do I get to scrap PINKS! The photo is the title page.

And Summer Begins.

Today's post comes to you with lack of enthusiasm due to the lack of coffee. Two days in a row. I ran out on Tuesday but yesterday I hit McD's for some coffee.

I know it is not officially summer, but to me summer still begins after the last day of school lets out. I have been planning out all our various summer activities and events.

I am also working planning lunches and snacks. Now that Jason is home and soon Jordyn will be joining us, lunch is totally a scheduled meal as in I have 4 kids to feed plus me. I plan them out making enough leftovers for the next lunch that following day. I make the plates the day before and label them so at the next lunch I can just pop the plates in the microwave.

Today's lunch is fish and mac and cheese followed by speech.

Monday.

Monday's Photos. We spent the morning at the Zoo after taking Bell to the airport. I had bought Jason this hat the night before. It never leaves his head. In the first photo, Ryan wants to make it there before Zach, who he holds back. They found a rolly polly in the next photo. Them in the stroller with Zachary holding Ryan's hand. I didn't even notice until after I snapped the photo. I saw it in the review of the photo then snapped more! Indiana Jason. Daddy and Ryan. Daddy and Jason then Mom and Jason. May 25

Wednesday.

Today was Jason's last day of school. Tonight he has karate.

Yesterday our mirror on the van was clipped totally off in a hit and run while Jacques was waiting to turn. It will cost us $200 to have fixed. And now I have a wiper that is all messed up.

Ryan was a little ham this afternoon. I caught him at my iron table unscrewing a nut from a bolt. He has it completely off. After I scolded him and moved him away, Zachary came to give it a try.

Sometimes I put my ipod earbud in my nose and I eat shrimp with ketchup.

The babies loved being out on the lake. Neither were bothered with their life vests, but both wanted to be on Daddy's lap to steer. We were only out on the water maybe 8-10 minutes before it started raining.

Lincoln had his monthly vet visit and he has an ear infection. The vet said he was a wonderful smelling dog and that he was going to be huge. He is 15 weeks old.

I think that Zachary may be a hypocondrian. Today when I gave Lincoln his ear drops, Zach said ear and pointed to his. I pretended to give him some. He also loves Motrin and syringes.

More photos going up on flickr next.

I am conversing with Shannon on a special new project : )

I am busy planning our summer activities.

I will be in Salina June 6-8.

Blood and Gold with NEW UPDATE!

UPDATE: So in the book the vampires cry tears of blood, however in the movie "Interview with the Vampire" they are normal tears. I had my ideas why the movie did not go with that. However, being ever inquisitive and needing answers, I emailed Anne Rice and asked her. She replied and here is her response:

"The movie people made a mistake. They didn't read the book carefully enough. And the readers noticed it at the time and didn't like the deviation. I was not in contact with the movie company when they made the movie. But they certainly had the book. Thanks for sending your review. Take care, Anne Rice."

Another read in May. Blood and Gold by Anne Rice 471 pages. This is book 8 in the Vampire Chronicles. However, this is the first book of hers I have read. The first book being Interview with the Vampire which I have seen the movie. I love the movie. I picked this up at the Goodwill for $2 and retail is $27. I don't feel like I "need" to read her more, but if I see another book of hers, I will probably pick it up. This was a quick read, maybe took my a week or less. Book Discussion:

I found that being a Twilight fan, there were some similarities. I wonder if Stephanie Meyer is a fan of Anne's? IE: Glittering Blood (not that there was any mention of this in Meyer's book, but there was glittering skin.)

There was also fun food references, as in Twilight, with untouched food from the characters. How they would never drink or eat their meals, they found ways to dispose of the food without getting caught, they would pretend to drink, and their cups would always be full.

There was association with werewolves in this book as well and I had never heard of the two being associated together besides in Twilight. The hubby made fun of me, and said that everyone knew they were enemies. I believe that Ian may have known this too before New Moon.

This is the 2nd book in a row that involves the Plague. Year of Wonders was the book I read before this.

Two Quotes:

"I live lies because I can not endure the weakness of anger, and I cannot admit the irrationality of love."

"I believe in you with my soul." I said this to Jacques shortly after I read it and he replied, "You just read that huh?"

Now moving on to the next book.

Sunday on the lake.

You can see more photos here: Lake Murray.

Friday at the Zoo with Bell.

That's what friends are for.

Me: "Becca, if I were a vamire, you could totally cut off my head."

Me: "Becca, if fell out a building, would you jump after me?"

Becca: "If I were Batman."

Yesterday brought to you by the ER.

Yesterday was my worst mommy moment so far in all of my 6+ years, and it was Zachary who gave me the worries.

We had to make a trip to Walmart for some items after I picked up Jason from school. Ryan was grouchy so I was holding him while pushing the cart. Zachary was sitting in the basket of the cart because Ryan was in the child seat.

Instantly, Zachary had stood up in the basket and took a swan dive over the side, tumblining in a full 360 before landing on his back and head on the tile. I went to put Ryan down, who was mad so a little grandma rushed over to hold him while I rescued Zachary. He cried a few minutes and I felt no lumps or bumps. Then he wanted down to walk. I put him down to walk and he was super excited and acting like himself.

The grandma thought maybe he should see a Dr. after that. I was worried too. I called Jacques, no answer. I called Lewis and got Shannon who also agreed I should have him seen. I called the ER too and they thought he should be brought in after a fall like that.

We were there and checked in right away. The doctor gave him a good check with all his normal stats and then checked his spine, back, head, eyes. He said it was a good thing I brought him in and that it was a good sign that he was being so Zachary-ish. You know, I knew he was probably alright, but I needed some reassurance. We were in and out within an hour and a half.

We left with no lollipops.

The babies fell asleep in the van so I took Jason for some soda and fries. He was a great sport during our misadventures. I got them home and successfully got them to their designated sleeping spots where they each napped for more than an hour.

I really needed like 5 minutes of down time. Like I said this was by far a very scary mommy moment. But instead I cleaned house like a mad woman.

Quickly.

Jason is home from school. He was sick once around 10 last night althought this morning, he did not know that he had been sick. And he did not believe us. I had to remind him that he went to bed in Batman pjs and was now in a Spiderman set. I thought it was fine to send him to school, his dad did not. However, we are still going to speech.

Jason also has a book report due Thursday. Who sends home book reports 9 days till the end of the school year?

Hurrican season starts June 1 and our weather is wacky this week. It is chilly in the 70's. Last night we turned on the heaters. Myrtle Beach was like 59 yesterday. Plus it is suppose to rain Thursday-Sunday. That is not good lake weather. Plus my feet are freezing.

I am stressing about bills, plane tickets and saving for Scotland.

Ryan ran a fever yesterday hitting 100-101, but seems okay today. Teeth??

Becca will be here in 2 days.

I am deep into a new novel.

Yesterday I touched up paint in the spare room and Jason's, not to mention did some spackling.

Thinking of hitting the Goodwill today for more junk.

We need diapers, wipes and milk, oh my!

Weight Check: 139.6 For a total of 30.9 pounds lost.

Four boys and me.

Okay, Monday here we go again. I must be like the only person on the planet that does not loath Mondays. For me, it is the day the family is back to work/school and I get back into the regularly scheduled house/mom duties.

Love, love, love our latest family photo. I took it yesterday before we left for graduation. And get this: it was the first photo that I snapped. Amazing. Usually I am just slightly satisfied with the outcome after five or six takes. We are all looking forward, and Zachary is hamming it up.

This morning I heard Ryan awake in the 4 o'clock hour, but he was cooing and content so I did not move to retrieve him, but pray that he did not want up for the day. He stayed in bed until 6:30 and then I heard him yelp. I went to get him and found him diaper-less. That little stink had taken it off! Thank goodness it was just damp and not stinky. Note to self: Ryan goes to bed with duct tape around his pants from now on.

Monday: Rain and karate. Ryan is watching Barney and dancing along. Zachary is playing with my feather duster. Jacques took Jason to school and I will pick him up. I need to run on to Fort Jackson to drop off some things to the hubby. Other than that, there are no plans. Sometime I need to get a new leather collar for Lincoln so he does not fray it and he is about to outgrow his first one. Jason has a school pool party on Wednesday and Becca will be here on Thursday.

More photos up on flickr today. Hugs, Mandy

The Graduate.

Here he is, our Kindergarten Graduate. He delivered his speech like a pro and was as handsome as ever. Eventually I will post the videos here and on flickr in this set: Graduate. I will post back here when they are up. It will be later tomorrow, but some of the photos will go up tonight.

It was only after I uploaded all these photos that I noticed his hat tassle charm is out of place.

Sunday.

Jason: "My gum is in my pocket. Except for the piece I am chewing, it's in my mouth."

Mom: "Ummm huh."

It's 10:40 and we are already well into our Sunday day. We were up before 7 and I had cinnamon rolls in the oven for breakfast. I had coffee. Black, as usual. Dressed the babies and we were out of the house by 8:40 and on our way to North Pointe for groceries. After that, we ran to the Depot for two vent covers for the dining room.

Zachary fell asleep on the way home. I brought him in and successfully got him down. Ryan was awake and we put him in his crib with some milk. Awesome. Now we have some time to accomplish random things.

Jason is out with the dog and the hubby is busy on my to do list. I am at the puter with more coffee and am ready for a round of early morning phone calls.

Jason has his kindergarten graduation this afternoon at 330. Look for photos and video later here and on flickr. My baby is going to be in cap and gown. Hooray!

Saturday.

We are starting this Saturday off with karate and a huge to do list. Lots of yard and house work. We will need a trip to the Depot for what nots and later a grocery run. I will try to put that off until tomorrow. Ugh. Now back to my coffee. Here's to hard work at 8:15 on a weekend morning.

Today's Babies.

Today the babies had an iron check up and weigh in. Both babies weigh 23 pounds. Zachary is a little heavier in the ounces than Ryan. Ryan is like an inch taller than Zachary.

We already knew that Zachary was the heavier of the two. Jacques performed his very own scientific test here. He strategically placed one baby on each end of the teeter-totter. Ryan's end went up in the air and Zachary's was on the ground.

Thursday Things.

This morning, I was reading a fellow blogger's blog and she mentioned that at 916 posts, she ran out of photo space and realized you had to buy more space. OMG! This is my 902 post. I need to get this blog book published soon.

I am out of 2 color printer inks. I can not print in color.

My Grandpa is still in the hospital. They have run tons of test, but have no news. We will see what today brings. I wish I was home.

I hate it when the toothpaste container is not left upside down.

There is nothing better than early morning coffee on the back patio. When I am a grown up, I want a tiny step out patio off of the master bedroom. However, I also want to win the lotto.

Yesterday we had speech and karate.

Today we have speech and rain.

Jacques went to see Star Trek. If I had known he was a Trekkie, I may have not married the nerd. And he said there will be sequels. Oy!

Ryan is obsessed with watching Barney. He dances and sings along. He also loves pointing out airplanes in the sky. He hears them and looks up.

Zachary loves all tools. Screwdrives, pliers.. He always looks up to late to see the airplane. He likes Barney too, but can say "Bob" for Spongebob.

I have one new scrap page to post.

Last night, Jason weighed himself and I hear, "42 pounds! That's a new record. I am going to go write it down." Can you imagine being excited to see bigger digits on the scale?

Before I left for my hair appointment, Jason said if I came back beautiful, he would kiss me. When I walked in, he said, "Woah, that's a good one." So I asked for my kiss.

Today I emailed Julie and Becca.

I need to call the vet to rearrange Lincoln's check up and call the doctor to schedule the boys' 18 month check up and shots.

I uploaded 37 new photos. Look for them on flickr. I am also debating making my photos un-private that way I can link photos up here and you just have to click, nothing else.

I was watching Ferris Buller earlier.

Wednesday with Photos.

Lincoln plays nice with the babies and his toys.

A Spring Summer Mini Collection that I have up for sale $5 each.

A new scrap page. Simple. Jason. More photos up on flickr. All photos from yesterday May 12, 09.

Hello, Remember Me?

Here is the new do. I kept it the same base, a brown and went with some very settle highlights. The cut is the same as last time. I call it the Mandy Signature Cut because it is the cut she gives me that keeps me going back to her as a client. I probably pay too much for her services, not to mention a tip, but only see her twice a year probably helps. I need to be better at maintaining myself. It is a little shorter than I would of liked, but all that split end crap had to go. I am going to add more to flickr of me and the cut. M

Jason, The Handsome Genius.

The results are in and this kid is a smart one. Looks and Brains, both from his mom.. Okay, maybe the smarts came from his dad and all the that Discovery channel crap.

First, the picture is a scan so looks awful, but it is really amazing. This is the cap and gown that cost me $30 that he will wear on Sunday at the graduation ceremony. Anyone who can attend, it is at 3:30 on May 17.

Now about his conference. I don't have the paper with me, but once it is sent home, I will scan it and post all the digits. First off, he passed kindergarten and will move up to first grade next year. Not only that, but he will be in an advanced class.

Let me explain their testing. It is the national test, not just a state or school test. They had the sections each broken into where the child is graded at a % wise, grade level wise, and based on the curve too.

The average curve is 1-3 is below average 4-6 is average and 7-9 are all advanced. Jason had one 6 for listening (They were read a story then had to answer questions about it. He missed 2 out of 40.) The rest were all 7 and 9's. Again, I don't have the paper in front of me, or I could give you the specifics in what areas.

So % wise he was a 78% with listening (he missed 2 questions out of 40) that meant he did better than 78% of the other kids. With the other subjects he was all a 99% and over all a 98% again because of the 78%.

Now are you ready for the most amazing news?? Grade level wise he was at 2nd grade and 5 months. So basically the middle of second grade. And even more awesome?? With social studies, history and science he was at 3rd grade and 6 months! The kid is in kindergarten and testing at the middle third grade level.

Who knew that a private school education actually paid off?

Tuesday with Saturday Photos.

Today there are two things on my agenda: Parent/Teacher conference at 12:40 and a hair cut and color at 5:30. Plus a trip to the post office and I need to pick up diapers. It just would of been to convenient to have picked up the diapers last night when the hubby went to get wipes. I had to cancel speech due to the conflicting times with the conference. I will post Jason's graduation photo later and give you the 10/20 on his year in Kindergarten from his teacher's perspective.

Look for a hair do photo late tonight or tomorrow. I only get my hair done twice a year and it is suppose to be done about every 6 weeks. I let it go until it is a horrible mess. Not today. I just loathe spending that money on me... on my hair. Ugh.

All photos are from Saturday May 9, 2009. The photo of Jacques, Zach and I was taken by Jason. I love my little Lincoln and all my boys. Zachary is rubbing his eye because I had dowsed him in Off.

A Spring and Summer Mini Collection.

Summer and Spring are by far the best seasons ever. To kick both off with a bang, these little mini's are up for sale in my etsy shop. You can kick your own summer off a bang and get your own.

Ninety is Great.

Today is my Grandpa Long's ninetieth birthday, Happy Birthday Grandpa. I wish I was there to celebrate and wrap my arms around you. Let's try for another ninety, he? Photo from June 08.

Mother's Day went well. We spent the majority of the day in jammies and me in the studio. It was awesome. I slept in until 8:01 and woke up with three boys and a hubby handing me an amazing card with their photos. Then the hubby made french toast and sausage. Yum. I worked on a new scrapbook and got a lot done. Look for it sometime this week and a baby shower gift book. Shannon, I assume that is okay to share by now. No baby name surprises and all?

So over the weekend, Lincoln got out of the fence. We were aware there was a problem area. Luckily, he just maybe it into the neighbors yard and never left there. Jacques fixed the fence right away. We were lucky. That dog cost more than the kids combined. But what else was crazy.. Lincoln killed a snake, Yuk! It was more like an earthworm in size. But still a snake is a snake. Ugh.

Monday: No plans. Rain is called for. Jason is at school. I have changed 4 diapers and it is just now nine. Two were stinkies. Tonight is karate and the last episode of House this season.

Tuesday: Parent teacher conferences and a hair appointment for me. One of my goals this year was to take time on me. That hasn't really worked out with the upkeep of me. I haven't gotten my hair done since December. And I have yet to purchase any new clothes, even after losing the 28 pounds. My clothes look awful on me and do nothing for my self esteem. I complain daily about them, but never take Jacques up on the new clothes shopping trip. I guess mainly cause I want to purchase new clothes in September for Scotland.

Monday, be my friend, okay?

Two Thumbs Up.

I went to the movies last night with Kristine and we saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. It was super cute and too funny, not to mention yummy with some McConaughey eye candy. Grrr!

A Grown Ups Quiz.

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? House Alarm/Security System, I rarely set it at night lately cause I take the dog out every 2.5 seconds and always set it off.

2. Do you miss being a child? Possibly.

3. Chore you hate the most? All the tons of "wash by hand" kid cups that would fly all around in the Kenmore. Ugh.

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? Ha, you do know I have three kids right?

5. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be? Would of went off college.

6. Name of your first grade teacher? Geeze.. I can picture her, but no name comes to mind. That was 20 years ago.

7. What do you really want to be doing right now? Soaking in a tub, uninterrupted.

8. What did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher.

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It was semi clean and I knew where it was located.

10. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? It's Saturday. No alarms were set.

11. Last thought before going to sleep last night? Hope the babies sleep some.

12. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Ellen Degeneres, Lance Armstrong, Vince Vaughn.

13. Have you ever crashed your vehicle? Yes, at 14. Minimal damage to mine, but 3 other vehicles were involved.

14. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer? Yes.

15. Get up early or sleep in? Early bird catches the worms.. Or babies.

16. What is your favorite cartoon character? Judy Jetson, she is just too chic.

17. Favorite thing to do at night? Read. Computer. Scrap.

18. When did you first start feeling old? Gray hairs.

19. Favorite lunch meat? Ham.

20. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? Milk and diapers.

21. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? No way.

22. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about? Brokeback Mountain

23. What's your favorite drink? Taco Bell Mt. Dew or Chai Tea Latte with Soy

24. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now? Ha! We rock to Barney. That's how we roll.

25. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives? Nope. Neither.

26. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back? To hypocritical.

27. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work? SAHM.

28. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes? No, but seem them used correctly at Wendy's a handful of times.

29. Last book you finished reading? Year of Wonders.

30. Do you have a teddy bear? Used to and I think Ms. B may still have him.

31. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth? In the van before visiting the dentist.

32. Do you go to church? Not since leaving Iowa. I loved my church there. Went weekly.

33. How old are you? 27

The simple joys of sugarless icicles.

Photos: April 2009

Year of Wonders. May's Read.

Where to begin with this lovely work, Year of Wonders A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks. It is her first novel. It is an autographed copy that I got at the Goodwill for 50 cents. The page numbers are on the inside of the pages instead of where they are normally place. I did not like this as it was hard to fumble through and find the desired page. But that is the only thing bad I have to say about this book. I did cry. It was a well read and a very quick page turner with 305 pages.

"God warns us not to love any earthly thing above Himself, and yet He sets in a mother's heart such a passion for her babes that I do not comprehend how He can test us so."

This could be my very favorite quote ever. I shared it with Shannon, Grandma, and some ladies at Jason's speech building. For today, it will be my Facebook status. And another:

"Greater love no man hath than this, that he lay down his life for a friend."

"As for your children, why do you not commit them to the care of God, whose love for them is mightier and more constant than yours? Believe this, and then you will see that God has already made provision for your children."

Don't that just make you go Awwwww.. I took notes on my bookmark, a piece of paper with scribbles of my most recent grocery list, so I would not forget to share such great pieces with you.

Bell and Julie- This is no Twilight Saga, but worth a weekend.

I was surprised to learn that the Plague still exists. The World Health Organization reports between 1,000-3,000 cases a year. It is no longer a mass killer because of antibiotics.

Moving on to Capote for the next May read.