Winter Dixieland

Today it actually snowed! Starting around 6:30 tonight the predicted "Winter Storm" moved through our part of the South. Now, to my northern in-laws this storm would be considered a joke, I'm sure. Case and point, the year we got engaged my husband and I spent Christmas in Ohio and we experienced their version of a "Winter Storm"...all 18 inches of it. Nevertheless, because snow is such a rarity here I always enjoy the treat it gives me. This picture was taken from my front porch. It's one of the few that actually turned out decent, because whenever I tried to use the "night" setting on my camera the flash went off, and instead of taking the breathtaking pictures of my backyard that I'd hoped, it took pictures of every little snowflake within 10 feet of lens. What a bummer, because it sure looks b-e-a-u-tiful.

The Life and Times of Lacey

Recently my husband and I moved my office into what was once the dogs' room (and technically the house's living room). They were initially confused, but have gotten used to it, and one of our dogs, Lacey, loves to jump onto the couch so she can sun herself and look outside at squirrels or whatever happens to be going by. This is a picture of her taken today. She looked so cozy! However, she was also trapped as her nearly identical looking (and domineering) sister had parked herself in front of the office door to keep her away from BOTH food bowls in the kitchen. When Lacey eventually did try to make a break for some afternoon grub she nearly got a cap busted in her canine kiester as Molly pinned her to the ground and knocked all of the food around the kitchen. It's no wonder that the dog has put on so much weight since we got her; she must figure that she must eat all she can when she can because who knows when the next butt-whipping will be.

Sleeping Beauty

This morning I went through my normal get-a-shower routine: put Livers in her Jumperoo, popped Baby Einstein in the DVD player, and get myself sparkly. Usually when I am showering Livers is entranced by the sounds of Beethoven and colorful images of toys (yes, I pseudo-bought into the whole classical music builds baby's brains bullhockey). However, when I finished came back to check on her I did not find her smiling face looking at me, but the above image. It sure looked uncomfortable, but she didn't seem to mind. Ahh, to be a baby....

Happy Birthday to My Firstborn!

(above: Livers, January 2, 2007)

(above: Livers, January 2, 2008)

It seems very strange to me, but one year ago at this very moment I was at St. Francis Women's Hospital, trying not to swear at my nurse because my epidural had worn off and back labor had also commenced. Meanwhile my husband was watching Louisville win the Orange Bowl as he held up one leg during contractions and my mom held the other while questioning the doctor as to exactly how long this was going to last before he'd give me a C-section. Yes, today is the anniversary of the birth of my child, "Livers". It is very hard to believe that a year has passed by. Sometimes it seems to have happened so quickly and sometimes it seems like an eternity. No matter how time seems to be passing, I can say that I have been truly blessed this year. Though there are times when parenting is hard and you ask yourself what in God's name have you gotten yourself into (like when she is crying uncontrollably, particularly at 3 am, or she is flinging all of her food on the floor or feeding it to your eager dogs, or when she discovers she can make a new, God-awful noise), all it takes is one toothy baby smile or belly-laugh or garbled first words to make you realize how special it is to have this person in your life.

With all of this said, I say Happy Birthday to you, Livers, and I raise my sippy cup of big-girl drink to this first year of your life and wish you many, many more. :)

P.S. It is my hope that I will be a more faithful blogger this coming year. We shall see how long it lasts.

Fall for Greenville: Pictures

Culinary Stage (above)

The family in front of the Reedy River

Livers on the suspension bridge over the Reedy River

Livers behind a tree

Two random, unrelated thoughts of the moment

Much as I expected, I suck at blogging. However, I will try to get back in the groove.

First of all, I am not all that impressed with people of the world right now. I will be one of the first to say that I am absolutely horrible at keeping in touch with people, but I figured that with Facebook and MySpace that I could at least give it a whirl. Maybe it's the fact that I'm the only one of my friends in almost all social circles that I run in who has a child, which makes it more difficult to related with, or the fact that I HAVE been out of the loop with some people for quite awhile, but most people suck at the communication. I send emails and leave voice mails for those that I am actually interested in keeping in touch with, but nothing. I understand that some people are incredibly busy. I get that. But throw me a freaking bone here. This is what I get for trying....

Also, I could punt one of my dogs right now. I don't know which is the culprit, but after coming home from a relaxing lunch and afternoon Friday with my Mom and cousin I find that one of them had vomited on MY spot on the sofa. I've washed, scrubbed, FeBrezed, Urine-goned, and detergented the spot to death, but it still smells like butt crack.

Not so happy right now; however, tomorrow is the start of a brand new week and it IS fall, and it actually feels like it tonight, so maybe there is hope...

Big Mac!

Excuse me as I thieve this hilarity from my husband's blog...