And so it begins...

D and I just got home from our first (of many) orthodontist appointments. Today's appointment was to put in spacers - those things they put between your teeth to make room for the bands. Funny...I don't recall ever having to do the 'spacer' thing. I do remember having to wear that awful thing - the headgear - to correct an overbite for a couple of years before getting braces. Thank goodness D doesn't have to wear one of those.

Being the 'good' parents that we are, dad and I told D that her mouth would likely be sore after today's appointment. She comes waltzing out less than 5 minutes after we get to the ortho's office saying "That didn't hurt a bit. I don't know what you and Dad were talking about." *snicker* She'll be up during the night wanting pain meds 'cuz her mouth hurts.

Hmmm...wonder how next Thursday's appointment will go. Better stock up on lots of soft, easy to eat foods - i.e. ice cream and yogurt.

Dinner with Friends

Last night was my book club night. It was soooo much fun! I had not seen my friends since March for one reason or another - anniversary, dance recitals, end of school year activities, and just generally feeling a little anti-social (I do that sometimes, though I'm not sure why). It was a wonderful evening - I really needed a night out with the girls. I've been a little stressed lately and needed to decompress. It was fun just to talk about our book (The Secret History by Donna Tartt) and then let the conversation digress as it will with 9 women in the room. Boy oh boy, could we write some stories. :) As a matter of fact, I mentioned creating a blog so that we could share our conversations with y'all. Still waiting on the consensus about it. Anyway, when my friend, B, dropped me off at home afterward, I had no idea it was 11:30pm (didn't wear a watch). Thank you to my friends - you made my week. Love you all!!!! :)

Me from A to Z

This meme comes courtesy of Tense Teacher, one of my favorites.

A - Available/Single? Very happily married for 18 years

B - Best Friend? My Hubby
C- Cake or Pie? I make a pretty mean dark chocolate cake!
D - Drink Of Choice? Diet Coke

E - Essential Item You Use Everyday? Lotion and of course, deodorant.
F - Favorite Color? Pink...and black.
G - Gummy Bears Or Worms? Gummy bears
H - Hometown? I was born in Arizona, but now call Northern Alabama home since we've been here for 17 years.
I - Indulgence? My once per week jaunt to Starbucks for a non-fat, sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte - no whip, of course. And Italian chocolate from Perrano's in Torino, Italy.
J - January Or February? February 'cuz it's my birthday month and that spring is just about a month away.
K - Kids & Their Names? Two - daughter (14) and son (12)
L - Life Is Incomplete Without? Hubby, kids, a good book and an even better glass of Italian wine.
M - Marriage date? April 22, 1989

N- Number Of Siblings? One - brother
O - Oranges Or Apples? Gala apples
P - Phobias/Fears? I don't dig carnival rides - they make me sick.
Q - Favorite Quote? "Let us make one point, that we meet each other with a smile, when it is difficult to smile. Smile at each other, make time for each other in your family." Mother Teresa, in her Nobel lecture

R - Reason to Smile? There are many reasons to smile: my hubby, my children, a great book, seeing family that you haven't seen in a while.
S - Season? I have to choose just one?! I love fall the most, but spring comes in a close 2nd.
T - Tag 3 or 4 people? No tagging - as I'm new to all of this, but take it if you want to. :)
U - Unknown Fact About Me - Hmm...let me think about this one. I know - I fractured my right ankle running in P.E. 20 minutes into 1st period in 7th grade. That was fun - NOT!!!
V - Vegetable you don’t like? I loathe eggplant, mushy red tomatoes and fried green tomatoes. Yuck!
W - Worst Habit? I put things off until the last possible minute.
X - X-rays You’ve Had? Let's see I've had one done on my right ankle, dental x-rays, mammograms (are they x-rays?), chest (to rule out pneumonia). I think that's it.
Y - Your Favorite Food? Bruschetta made with fresh bread, fresh mozzarella cheese, garden-fresh roma tomatoes, basil, garlic and balsamic vinegar.
Z - Zodiac Sign? Aquarius

Have a GREAT weekend!

Errands with children

OMG - can we say 'STRESSFUL'? That describes running errands with my children - D is 14 & S is 12. Growing up I was taught if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Mind you, I have repeated this mantra to my children. However, it doesn't seem to sink in.

D has just about pushed me over the brink with her hatefulness towards her younger brother. I had a younger brother who used to drive me crazy, but I don't remember ever trying to HURT him (mainly 'cuz he was bigger than me). She does everything possible to belittle him (publicly & privately) and hurt his feelings. S, on the other hand, is no angel. He does things to get her goat on a regular basis, but nothing that deserves the viciousness that she dishes out. Dad & I have told D time and again that one day she'll regret being so hateful toward him. I just hope that she starts to see the light before it's too late.

Sigh...how many days til school starts.

Rest in Peace, Kelsey

As a parent, it is very distressing to me when stories like Kelsey's come to the forefront. I know that I cannot protect my children from everything - although I want to lock them away until they are 21.

This young lady was just finishing up shopping (something we all take for granted) when she was abducted. What is this world coming to when we can't even let our children go shopping without worrying about someone snatching them. My heart is broken for her parents and friends. May they find peace knowing that she's is home.

Parents...give your children a big hug & kiss and tell them that you love them before they go to bed tonight.

Rest in peace, Kelsey.

Birthday meme

I'm new to this thing called a meme, but this one sounds like fun.

Idea borrowed from Cranky Epistles.

1. Go to Wikipedia and put in your birthday, without the year, in the search bar.
2. List on your blog 3 events, 2 births, 1 death and 1 holiday that happens(ed) on your birthday.
3. Then tag 5 more friends to do it!

Here's what happened on February 5th:

Events:
(1) 1778 - South Carolina becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation
(2) 1988 - Comic Relief holds the first "Red Nose Day", which raises £15 million in the United Kingdom for charity.
(3) 1971 - Project Apollo: Apollo 14 Mission - Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell aboard LM, Antares land on the Moon at Fra Mauro formation.

Births:
(1)1948 - Christopher Guest, American actor (Nigel from 'This is Spinal Tap' & hubby of Jamie Lee Curtis)
(2)1943 - Michael Mann, American film director (executive director of Miami Vice & Crime Story)

Death:
1995 - Doug McClure, American actor

Holiday:
Bummer!!! No holidays for me.

No one is tagged, but feel free to do it and post your results in the comments. I'm interested to see what y'all come up with.

No Rain, Again...

Darn! It didn't rain today. The weather dingbats predicted as much as a 50% chance of rain today. Hmpf! So much for that prediction. As much as I don't want the coastal areas to go through another hurricane/tropical storm, it is what we need to break our drought. Since 2005, our area is 48 inches below normal for rainfall. Besides, I'm already tired of watering the lawn and it isn't officially summer yet.