Magnolia Grandma

For Grandma Ellen.



Would someone (family) mind printing it off for her?

I took this picture back in May at the Birmingham Zoo. Why the zoo? Heck, if Iknow. Zoo...80 first graders...boredom...take your pick.

It's a closeup of a Magnolia bloom. My Grandma Ellen once commented about how pretty Magnolia Trees were (in pictures) and she would love to see a Magnolia Tree. She also heard they were huge. I've never forgotten that comment and, she's right, they're huge and they're beautiful, especially in full bloom. This picture is just a small bloom and it probably would cover my five year old's entire face. Perspective.

However, the darn trees NEVER stop growing and become a nuisance if you don't trim them regularly. Their leaves are huge also, as you can well see and they drop constantly, not just in the fall like most other tree leaves.

The flowers though, only last as long at the first big wind; they are a beautiful contrast of stark white against the very dark green leaves but the white quickly starts to spot brown. Beautiful, nonetheless.

We have a Magnolia on just about every property around us. I was a tad disappointed when we decided to buy our house that there was not even one huge, beautiful Magnolia to be found. Not long after we bought the house, I was commenting to a neighbor that I was mulling over buying a Magnolia sapling. "NO!" she exclaimed, "the trees are a pain and if you don't keep them under control, they're major trouble."

We still have yet to buy a sapling even though I'd love to go against neighborly wisdom and plant one anyway. We do have some neighbors that just let theirs grow out of control and they're quite a sight to see, with limbs extending all the way to the ground that create a cave-like enclosure. My kids like to play under them, as it's cool in temperature and as a fort/playhouse/hideout/club headquarters/chill zone.

Click on the picture and print it, someone, will ya' and then pass this along to Grandma Ellen, with my love.

More Monday than Usual

I'm officially a working mom as of the last two weeks. *Please, hold the applause until the end.* It's a school uniform store, not rocket science, but it has me dealing w/Moms who can be severely anal and they're on my everlasting nerve today. The job is only part-time and will be significantly moreso after school starts next week, so I'll still be in the SAHM club, just a little more wigged out than I used to be.

Mondays. I remembered today why I hated them so, back when I was a "career woman". I forgot to time in this morning so when I timed out for lunch, the computer was actually timing me in to work for the day. My day was all backward after that.

Well, just thought I'd check in to see who might be reading; apparently, everyone has checked out since my signing off last month. Bums.

Well, off to bed, it's late.

Fibber McGee

I admit it - I'm a Fibber McGee. We use the term affectionately around here when we catch someone in a white lie. Whatever that means.

Despite having sworn off any new posts just a short month ago, I had to post a video for family. Friends are welcome, as always, because honestly, mostly I like you better. And I'm sure I'll pay for that sentence. Oh well.

So, how are things in your neck-o-the-woods, 'cause let me tell ya', it's been hellishly hot in Alabama and it's not yet even August.

How hot is hellishly hot? Here's a visual for you:



Please note THE TIME on the clock....

That's PM! (although it was actually only 4:30 - cheap batteries.)

What in the H.E. (fill in your choice)?!?

Under such harsh conditions and with four of my own and three of their friends sleeping over for three nights, I only had one choice...throw them ALL in the pool, ALL DAY. The pool water felt just slightly less refreshing than bath water in HADES.

So, boredom struck after spending five or six hours in the pool, (not really thaaat long, Mom...crossing my fingers behind my back ;] ) the kids had a grand idea and I just "happened" to have my camera handy. The grand idea kept them content for another hour, at which point we emptied a popsicle box for the fifth time this week, then went inside for some Hannaaahhh Montanaaaa. Woo! What? ME? A CYNIC? I'm not a cynic, palease.

Watch this cool video and stay COOL wherever you are. :0)