What's Your Style?

So, which type of new humble abode would you prefer if you were one of the two lucky winners of the Mega Million Jackpot Lottery this past weekend and were going to split the money ($ 166.5 million each):

A $43,000,000 estate in Aspen:



Or, a $25,000,000 estate in Connecticut:



Maybe, you'd prefer your own island in Emerald Cay for $48m:



Or, perhaps, you're a city girl and would rather spend your $48m on a 6BR condo in San Francisco:



You may decide to maintain your Southern roots and drop a mere $31,500,000 on this property in Maysville, Georgia:



No fear, the good news is that you shouldn't have any problems finding a cool new house even if you take the lump sum and have the taxes withheld (no matter what your style is)!

Random

That about explains it for the weekend - "random". The activity level, emotions and tone of voice have been all over the board. So, in an effort to try and sum it up:

1. I went to: the little league football game, the grocery store and church.
2. I didn't go to: the mall or anywhere else that had something for me.
3. I should have: gotten my hair cut and my eyebrows waxed.
4. I should not have: eaten that chocolate muffin for dinner Saturday night.
5. I wanted to: get some exercise and take a brisk walk/run by myself.
6. I did not want to: go for a walk with ALL of the kids in tow.
7. I regret that: I yelled at K2 for saying "But, Mommy" for the 267th time.
8. I wish that: for a day no one would refer to me as "Mommy".
9. I was impressed when: K2 ate an entire ice cream cone without spilling or dripping any of it.
10. I'm tired of: washing bottles.
11. I thought about: how amazing God is when I watched the sunset on Saturday.
12. I never considered: how quickly our kids will grow up.
13. I loved it when: all three kids piled in our bed Sunday morning!

Hope your weekend was great!

Have You Ever Wondered...

...who you'd be if you weren't you?

Really.

Not in the sense of being schizophrenic or having mutliple personalities - but more in the sense of daydreaming of an alternative career choice (come on, I know you've dreamed of being something else). Ya know, what would it be like if you had moved to Hollywood at 18 and tried out for American Idol; dropped out of college and just hung out at the local homeless shelter and devoted your time to helping others; or, maybe, just maybe, your daydreams are more along the line of fancy cars, long blonde hair that put's any Pantene commercial to shame, a diamond ring that makes everyone wear shades and a body that denies even Halle Berry a moment of pride!

I actually heard a talk show host say this morning that he thought about law school but decided against it because he considered his eternity more important and he wasn't sure lawyers made it into Heaven. Wow, that's some heavy stuff! Truth is I'm very happy with my job and my career choice but it is always fun to let my mind wonder. For years, my alternative career choices were "Official House Flipper" or "Travels by Tracy"...I love to look for a good deal whether it's a house or a vacation. But then reality sinks in and it takes a lot of money to buy houses and a lot of babysitters to travel without three kids (let alone a husband with a sense of adventure outside of his suede recliner and three remote controls).

Now, I've added Amateur Photographer to the list (and trust me, amateur is an understatement). Below are some of my favorite shots from yesterday's outing - I've numbered them so be sure to cast a vote for your favorite shot!



#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

The Angels are Rejoicing!

Our precious daughter (they're all precious but this post is about the oldest, K1) went to the alter this morning to make public her acceptance of Jesus into her heart - yeah, girl!! Her Daddy and I are so excited and proud of her - she has been beaming from ear to ear all day!


After church, we went to Aldridge Gardens to have her cheerleading pictures made with her squad. I've posted a few pictures of her below (since this is her day). Next post I'll share more pictures - I'm really digging my new computer and would love to have feedback regarding what pictures you like best - so be sure and come back tomorrow for more photos.


But, for today, we love you K1!!

A Meal With Mrs. Rosie Lee Lewis

It's a running saga in our house that I don't routinely prepare meals for my family. Honestly, routinely is not the right word. Truth is I rarely prepare meals for my family. My analysis concludes that it's just not worth it - the girls eat like birds and while Heath eats like a grown man, he rarely appreciates the fact that there is a lot more to "making dinner" than simply standing in the kitchen for 20 minutes. It takes quite a bit of preparation, a trip to the grocery store (and all the trauma that comes with that experience), then the 20 minutes in the kitchen - next you move on to washing the dishes which is inevitably a daunting tasks with a family of five. Usually (on the rare occasion I have prepared a meal) I have to listen to tons of whining at the table about how nobody likes the food choices, etc etc etc. You know the routine - and, it's flat out not worth it. It's much easier, and typically cheaper, to pick up fast food. We can eat at Little Caesar's for $9.18 (pizza, crazy bread, sauce and a 2-liter), or we can get 5 sandwiches at Arbys for $5. We can get Sonic on Tuesday's for 1/2 off....

So, the next time someone thinks about saying something sarcastic about my failure to "cook a meal" I hope he remembers this article and the wrath of Mrs. Lewis:


Authorities: Wife whacked husband with frying pan



Posted: Aug. 18, 2009

Enfield, N.C. — An Enfield woman was being held in jail without bond Tuesday after Halifax County authorities said she beat her husband over the head with a frying pan.

Deputies responded to an assault call Friday morning on the 5000 block of Justice Branch Road and found paramedics treating James Lewis, 85, for head injuries. Lt. Stevie Salmon of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office determined that Lewis and his wife, Rosie Lee Lewis, 71, had argued over what she had cooked for breakfast.

The couple continued to bicker as Rosie Lewis cooked another meal, Salmon said, and the argument escalated to the point that James Lewis raised his cane as if he were ready to hit his wife. Rosie Lewis then hit him on the head several times with an iron frying pan, knocking him to the ground, Salmon said.

Rosie Lewis was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, and authorities said she was being held without bond because the charge stemmed from a domestic dispute.

James Lewis was taken to Halifax Regional Medical Center, where he received 50 stitches to close his head wounds, Salmon said.

Good Stuff

Got these in an email today from a great friend. If you've already read them - well, read them again 'cause if some of them don't make you laugh you are wound way too tight, ha!

Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again.

There is a great need for sarcasm font.

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

Was learning cursive really necessary?

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers!

MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

Bad decisions make good stories

If Carmen San Diego and Waldo ever got together, their offspring would probably just be completely invisible.

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from; this shouldn't be a problem....

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

"Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever.

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it.

I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

Cupcakes for Daddy's Birthday

The girls had a great time dressing up like chefs and baking cupcakes for Heath's birthday. If you notice a strange animal hanging out on the kitchen table - don't worry - it's not another loose animal in the house. K2 was "Student of the Week" so she had to entertain the class animal, Chester (a stuffed raccoon). Chester was lucky enough to help the girls make cupcakes for Daddy. Other than that, a pretty uneventful weekend. Just hanging out and moving clothes around from one girl's dresser to another (or the attic) and vice versa.

We're Movin' On Up...To The Top...

...We finally got a piece of the pie!

Just kidding - we are the Calvert's, not the Jefferson's, but it was fun to hum along and remember the days of sitting in front of the TV after school eating a bowl of dry cereal (Cocoa Puffs, of course).

Seriously, the Calvert's have "moved on up" this week. It started Saturday when K3 turned 7 months old. She literally hit the ground running..actually, crawling!

Then, on Monday, K2 started her first day of K4 (no, not another Calvert child - but 4 year old Kindergarten). She was so excited and it was great to see her grow up and move into the "big girl" room. She was so stinking cute in her new skinny jeans.


And, on Monday, K3 moved out of the infant room and into the next room where she could roam like a Queen - they actually said she might need a helmet, ha!


Then, on Wednesday, K1 started 2nd grade. Do you remember 2nd grade?


Here's what I looked like in 2nd grade (1982)


- it really doesn't seem that long ago. I had Ms. Gordon, absolutely without a doubt the meanest teacher I ever encountered. That's also the year I began to understand that boys were weird and dumb things made them laugh.

So, it's been a busy week around our neck of the woods and everyone seems to have adjusted exceptionally well to their new rooms - we thank God for that, and the teachers that will help our girls grow and learn this upcoming year!

I Have a Problem...Surprised?

Truth is - I have many problems but I selectively suppress most of them; however, the last couple of weeks I have really struggled at trying to keep the "I expect nothing less than perfection" side of me at bay. I mean, I've really tried, but I have failed miserably at keeping my big mouth closed. It just so happens the last couple of weeks have presented with a culmination of one thing after another that has been done incorrectly - without fail, and without excuse!

I always get a little frustrated right before school starts - something about the Supply List sends me over the edge - seriously, I rage about it before I even open it. I will NEVER understand why my child has to bring paper towels, Clorox wipes and Kleenex' to her public school. I'll NEVER understand why an elementary school student has to have a "transparent" backpack - and therein, lies the key to my frustration - Transparency - what a concept!

You have a problem - address the problem. You have a student(s) who can't afford crayons or pencils - ask if parents would be interested in helping for the less fortunate. You have a new teacher without many resources, ask if parents or other teachers have items of interest for that teacher. Tell me that each teacher gets $525 to use at their disposal and in certain circumstances that may not be enough - tell me your goals for the year as a school, as a teacher, as a classroom and the obstacles you see in accomplishing those. Tell me your financial situation and your shortfalls and how those affect my child. Ya see, I will ALWAYS support my children's education and my family with ALWAYS (as long as we are able) help those, in ways we choose, who are less fortunate than us. I will not blindly give a school $6.00 for a "Communication Donation" without some explanation of what that is - I received 3 mailed letters last year at .42 each. Email is free - and, for the most part, so are phone calls. And, websites, what a concept - our school has failed to upload ANYTHING to their site. So, don't ask me for a "Communication Donation"!

The good news, I've rediscovered what ignites me - it's the absolute lack of transparency, competency and efficiency on behalf of human beings. I'm not even talking about Barack Obama - there's not enough battery power on this MacBook for me to write how I feel about that. I'm talking about people that I encounter in my routine "day in the life of an American mom in her mid-30's with three young kids" life.

It is WRONG that little league sports have turned into the National Football League. It is unnecessary that pom-pom's cost $38 and have to be purchased every other year. It is more WRONG that I am told what charities I have to support (in the form of "you are expected to buy xx tickets for xx dollars to xx event") Hello? Are you serious? You are telling me that I have to spend $50 to support an organization of which I do not participate - I don't think so.

And for those of you (my two readers) that live in Jefferson County - our incompetent Commissioners have completely duped us all and as a result of their incompetence and lack of transparency we are all forced into the giant black hole with no choice in the matter. As a licensed professional who practices my profession in the County of Jefferson, Alabama I have been exempt from the Occupational Tax - not because there was favoritism when it was initiated but because EVERYONE who must buy a professional license in the county is exempt. Despite the fact that the 3-ring circus known as the media wants you to believe that only doctors and lawyers are exempt - that is a flat out deliberate attempt to mislead the public. It is false and represents their failure to communicate effectively. Guess what? Your hair dresser is "exempt", too. And for those of you who may be lucky enough to get a massage every once in while - well, the beloved goddess who massages your body and takes away all your worries for 27 minutes is/was "exempt", too. "Exempt" - is not the appropriate way to characterize it. I prefer to explain that while I do not/have not paid the occupational tax I am required to purchase an annual license to practice my profession - a license which is revenue to the bottom line of the government, just like the occupational tax. And, don't worry, the special session of the Alabama Legislature has no bill before them this week to remove, abolish or reduce the requirement that I buy an annual license. They just choose to stick me with, you guessed it, an additional tax. More money that I can funnel to incompetent officials elected by incompetent residents so that welfare recipients can have their 14th child for free at Cooper Green Hospital. (sorry, but the truth hurts)

Okay, breathe, Tracy, breathe!

Back to my everyday life, the carpool line at the public elementary school wherein K1 embarked on her first day of 2nd grade today was horrendous - terrible, absolutely incredible. I understand, and appreciate, the extra time spent to ensure that every child got on the right bus, was accounted for, etc. I will NEVER understand why a Jefferson County Sheriff was there this morning standing around looking at leaves on trees and was not there this afternoon when traffic was backed up for miles. I will NEVER understand why some parents saw no fault in completely blocking traffic. It was the epitome of confusion due to lack of planning - all the way around. So, as I am steaming, literally screaming from within my car (I kept the windows up) I look up at the flag pole and realize that two of the three flags flying at the school are torn and tattered beyond reproach. Now, folks, that is a sad day. And, don't even give me the, "well, if you would have paid the donation they requested they might could buy a new flag". They had new mulch, they had fresh flowers, they have a HUGE nice sign telling ME to turn off my cell phone, notifying ME of the earliest time I can drop off my child, telling ME when my child is tardy and instructing ME where not to enter the carpool line.

I'm feeling a little better but don't be surprised if you see me on the news after one of those Town Hall meetings expressing my complete discontent with the direction of this country. It's not hard, really, all you need is:

1 a relationship with God
2 morals
3 a general understanding of basic economic principles
3 the ability to communicate
4 recognition of people's efforts
5 respect for the dollar (and the person who earned it)
6 a desire to do more with less; and
7 an open book (transparency)

Good grief, I'm going to bed!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Tomorrow, August 10th, is my Daddy's birthday. So, in honor of his day I thought I'd share a few pictures and send happy wishes his way for a great day and wonderful year!!


(Mom and Dad - many years ago!)



(My wedding, 2000)

A Walk Down Memory Lane...

So, I'm in my office today preparing for a 4:00p meeting with some auditors. The two guests from our auditing firm walk in and sit down as I finish up an email. As I turn my attention to the auditors, one says to the other, "you have to address the newspaper article first." I noticed that the auditor from my hometown was holding a yellowish newspaper - he handed it to me and said "My wife was going through some old stuff and found this article about you". Unbelievable - what a small world! He and his wife both graduated from my high school. The newspaper article is from 1992 (17 years ago) and boy did it bring back memories.

So, for tonight's entry - you get a little walk down memory lane back to Tracy's senior year - 1992. I have fond memories of that year and am proud to say that I accomplished exactly what I set out to do in that yearbook - attend Birmingham Southern College and major in political science. (although I'm scorned for life over graduating #3 out of 302 students - no speech for me at the graduation ceremonies!)


My Senior Picture: (what about that hair?)


Most Likely To Succeed (remember, I went to Hueytown, ha!):


And, the Student Council whose participation was minimal - the meetings were at 7am:


So, what were you doing in 1992?

CRAZY THOUGHT: My youngest daughter will graduate from high school in the year 2027 - wow!!

Seven Oaks

We had a great time this weekend despite a trip to the pediatrician on Friday!!

My sister and her family have a cabin in the woods in Kemper County, Mississippi and they were so gracious to invite us over - my dad and his wife joined us and it was a great summer weekend with good food, good family and good times!





Some highlights included:

K1 riding her bike (without training wheels);

K2 catching 7 fish;

K1 being 'kissed' by a fish;

Riding go-carts and 4-wheelers;



The new waterslide; and, of course, no weekend in the country would be complete without -

Roasting marshmellows and eating smores - yum!

K3!!