I swear...

I have some great pictures and video, but in my frantic "spring cleaning" that I engaged in the last few days...I have lost the cord to upload the pictures! Aargh!

And I have really fun video of the twins riding their first bikes! (Imagine, if you will, pajamas and fuzzy bear slippers, and first bike ride)

Back to hunting down that cord!

Happy, but tired!

I am still recovering...but Santa DID bring me a camera! After I find homes for the new toys I will dish all about it!

Should I be concerned?

That Jack begs for me to play this for him over....and over....and over?

Goodbye Lilly

My sweet kitten, who I thought was inside, was hit by a car Friday night. Hard explaining it to the twins... Very sad.

REALLY!!!??

Hey, I am all for a big family... as soon as the twins start kindergarten, I plan on jumping Paul. But REALLY? 18? Ouch. And this one was a C-section. hmmm... I thought this baby would have shot out like a champ! No offence...Really...

From my Mama

Candy Cane Meme

Preppy Sue has tagged me for a Candy Cane meme. The instructions are to copy, paste, answer, add a question, then tag the 3 bloggers with the most recent updates on your blog feed/roll.

1. What is/are your favorite Christmas Movie(s)?I love Love Actually.

2. Favorite Christmas Song?Rudolph and The Band Aid song from the eighties. Oh and the hippopotamusses song.

3. Favorite Holiday Memory?I distinctly remember my 4th Christmas. I remember the smell, and the magical feeling. I had an easel, and a kitten.

4. What is your favorite cookie/treat to make? Peppermint Bark

5. Have you ever made an igloo?Nope. Igloo and Christmas don't go together for me.

6. Do you love Starbucks? I actually don't like coffee. I am already a spaz...no need to add a coffee high to the mix!

7. What makes the perfect Snowman?Wouldn't know. We only get sleet. And if it does snow, it melts 2.5 seconds after hitting the ground.

8. Not sure what happened to #8 so we'll move on..

9. Best gift you have ever received?Hands down...Barbie dream house!.

10. What is the snowman's name on Rudolph?Not a clue.

11. Silver or Gold?Both?

12. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?My tree

13. What's your Christmas decorating style?Classic

14. Do you hang stockings?They're hung!

15. How many days do you celebrate Christmas?Day after Thanksgiving to New Years Day.

16. What was your favorite ornament on the tree as a child?I don't remember. But my Mom had this thing with tinsil. When she was done, it looked like tin foil puked on our tree. Ugh.

17. Where will you be spending this Christmas?Christmas Eve at SMAA, then at parents who will give me just enough alcohol that I wont be able to assemble ANYTHING, resulting in possible Santa disaster. Solution? I already assembled...HA Christmas Day...here, then parents

18. When do you open presents? Christmas morning.

19. Real tree or artificial? 2 fake trees. (J is allergic)

20. Is there any chance you'll have a white Christmas?Who knows. Like they say in Big D "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute"

21. Who do you have the hardest time finding a gift for? My Dad

Okay, I'm tagging...

The Impoverished Preppy

Preppy Southern Princess

The Shabby Princess

Santa pictures!

A friend of mine had a Holiday Open House with the best Santa ever!

(and an awesome photographer)

J would only lean in with me holding him. Great giggle face!

From the start, T is enchanted.

Watch the following pictures...Work the cuteness girly girl...Work it!

Isn't that just the cutest thang evah???
(As Grandmama Parker would have said!)

The only way J would sit on Santa's lap...This picture cracks me up so much! I almost wish I hadn't already sent out my Christmas Cards!

So all day...

I was so irritated with the white rock marathon. We live on the lake, and so no getting in or out without a huge mess. We were cursing everyone one, from the runners to the organizers... until I saw this... I am so sorry for my impatience today.

Please pray or her family.



http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/121508dnmetrunner.624c09e2.html

Couldn't resist...

So I opened an Etsy store.

Tutu

I made a tutu and princess fairy wand for T for her birthday.

The fairy wand...
The tutu


T hiding while wearing both.
My Mom thinks I should make them, and sell them. What do y'all think? Would any of you buy a set if you saw it?

Ya' know the economy is in a slump...

when the guy driving the Aston Martin is delivering Pizza's!

Sharing the savings

Party

Well, I have not posted about the family birthday party because I have been waiting on pictures!
All went well, and the tutu and "super J" cape were a big hit! Hopefully, later today I will have some pictures for ya'll!

Thank You!

I just got the ornament on the top left! moderneve had a ornament swap, and Kasey at
http://kaseyberry.blogspot.com/ sent it to me. Thank you!

Wow what a day!

Well, I did it! Wooo hooo! T was so happy with her tutu, she ran over with tears in her eyes and gave me a big hug! And J's cape came out pretty cute too! I also made all the cupcakes and cakes! Yeah for me!!!!

Busy as a bee

So around 10 a.m. tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of the twins birth... So to commemorate this special day, I have spread myself JUST a little thin.

In the next 24 hours I have to

Make 12 princess cupcakes

Make 12 Thomas cupcakes

Make 1 mini princess cake

Make 1 mini Thomas cake

Finish T's Tutu by adding a zillion tiny pearls that have to be hand tied. Aaargh!

Try to find time in all of this to get fabric, and make a "Super J" cape

Like Bob the Builder says "Can she fix(or in my case DO) it?"
Ummm I hope I can!

Pretty Babies

Is this not so pretty! If only our economy wasn't in this slump, I would try and justify shelling out the two grand (yes, two thousand!!) to buy the 17 by 20 wall portrait. But for now, I will settle for my 5 by 7. Or Santa? I was a very good girl this year!

Hi everybody!

Kitty cat camera!

Paul pointed out I needed an update. So this is what has been going on...

Sunday afternoon...remember when I was complaining about the lady in the back house who was angry because my kitty was killing "her" birds? Well the witch put out boobie traps, in the form of broken glass buried in her yard. So we saw Mack was not using his leg, and yes a HUGE gash from his paw to his tail. $500 later, all stitched up and doing better. If I had one of these... (picture above) I could have totally busted her. Oh well. Oh, and she dug it up after the fact!

Monday...twins back in school, YEAH!!!

Tuesday... cleaning, and organizing.

Today...I read to J's class, then off to SMAA for choir with the twins. They are going to sing at Christmas Eve services. Tee Hee. Let the waterfalls begin now. I tear up at everything these days. I am really going to lose it when they do the Nativity Pageant.

We call this "pulling a Paige"

I just saw this on Blissfully Domestic .

Oh what a day...

What a day! We had a GREAT Thanksgiving!! I put the turkey on the table, and you would have thought it was Christmas morning. Tee hee... J and T went crazy "WOW Mama, dat is sooo pweddy! Awe we gonna eat dwat biwd?" (When will they pronounce correctly?)

Anyway, good food on Thursday. Then Friday. No shopping for me! It is already done! Yup, I said it! Done! Yeah for me!!!! Then last night, I took the leftovers and made a turkey pot pie. We loved it, the twins, not so much. J and T are both going through this foods can't touch each other faze. Ooops! Sorry babies, Mommy forgot. But I made up for it withe the Polar Express on T.V. Wonderful, the twins two favorite things...trains and Santa!

Today, I need to go and get groceries for gingerbread cookies for the tree. Although, I am stuck watching this new show Ruby. What a neat girl! I wish her all the luck in the world.

How was your day?

I am Thankful for...

My health
Paul is healthy
T and J are healthy
Paul still having a job
Our home

T is thankful for "Horses"(Hey, she is a little girl, after all)

J is thankful for Nick Jr.

Paul is thankful that alcohol blends with water easily (Something about beer?)

Back Talk

J just back talked me! I told him "GO TO BED!"...
response?
"NO ,YOU GO TO BED!" huh? What now?
Henley, and Dunkin, HELP!!!!!
Time out and redbutt, of course, but really, NOT O.K.

Gobble gobble

Turkey is in the brine. Pumpkin Pie is in the oven. Now I need some sides that do not contain the following...
Green beans
Milk
Butter
Cheese (see where I am going? No dairy.)
Oranges
Yeah! Wish me luck. How is this gonna work with no "green bean casserole", cranberry sauce, or buttermilk mashed potatoes?

O M Goodness!!

The twins WILL NOT go to bed!!!!!! Aaaaargh!

Mattel

You are really ticking me off! T wants a sleeping beauty barbie. They do not make just the barbie. Only the barbie with three teenie, tiny fairies. Barbie won't light up and change colors without them. T will lose these fairies, she is going to freak out, and I already have a headache just thinking about it!!!

Whew!

What a weekend! I was supposed to do this with a friend, but she got called into work yesterday at noon. Today, not even a phone call! I tried calling her, but her phone is off. Oh well. I made lots of $$$ so far, but I am very, very bored.

I am little worried because Paul is on a cleaning spree and I am not in there to keep him from trashing something I might love! No Paul, those little pewter knives with the elephants are Arthur Court!!! NOT junk!!!! Pray for me y'all, or Paul, if he trashes something important!!

If you live in Dallas

Chi Omega Christmas market starts today. Tomorrow, I volunteer at the JLD table, selling cookbooks! Should be fun. I better leave my wallet at home so I don't get myself into trouble!

So I won't even pretend

that I know the bible.
Background- Dad's a surgeon, so church is just not gonna happen.The E.R. calls.

Mom went into Real Estate, open houses on Sunday.

So now we are going to Church sans Paul every Sunday and Wednesday. Love it. I am finally learning the Bible!!!

I have a peace today. I have never had that kind of peace before.

GOD bless my babies, and GOD BLESS YOU!!!

P.S. Paul goes to church almost every Sunday with us, and without a complaint!! I truly believe God does not give you "more than you can handle", we ARE blessed. We pray every day and as a family, and what a difference it has made!

xxoo
Paige

Did I ever mention...

the fact that I faint at the sight of blood? Well, I do... So imagine my panic when I got this phone call from school.
School "Paige? This is J's school. Everything is o.k. except J is going to have pretty bad black eye."
Me "Whew!"
School "Except he has this split open a spot above his eye and he is going to need stitches"
Me (palms sweating, feeling dizzy, panic setting in)"K. I have issues with blood, can you take him to the ER?"
School "Legally we can't"
Me "Let me find someone to help me, and I am on my way"
School "That's fine,he is loving the attention and is not even crying"

So I call everyone I know, and finally I am able to get dear friend J to help. (My fear is that I would faint while driving, and NO I cannot get over it!!)
So we get to the Dr. and it is time for the liquid stitches. All is going relatively well until Dr. says to let him up. Oops! The liquid stitches drips into his eye and he is really screaming. And I am really crying.
They got his eye partially open, but not all the way. So for the next week or so, we are stuck.

Below photo courtesy of the stitches he got this time LAST year. (On the other eye)

Another Give Away!

Monogram Chick is having a give away! I just love her products. Go and check her out. Wonderful quality, and great turn around!

Busy weekend

So my weekend began on Friday evening when I decided to attend the official Neiman Marcus tree lighting. Well, first of all, we had a cold front roll in. So I bundled us all up, and off we went. We got there at 6' ish. First mistake. They screw around until after seven thirty! It got really crowded as time went by, I have a death grip on the twins for fear I will lose them in the shuffle, and my arms are going numb from trying to carry each kid. Thank goodness, this guy, came over and offered to put J on his shoulders! Just in time too! Fireworks went off, and Santa came down the zip line. Right over our heads!

Saturday was spent recovering from Friday. Sunday, we split the twins up and took them to buy each other birthday presents. I told Paul that we should budget small, because it was supposed to be from one four year old to another. J bought T an Ariel bathtub barbie.

T (who Paul took) bought the biggest flipping Thomas train set there was! Very funny, Paul! that means I am going to have to spend hours figuring the thing out, and the bridges won't hold up, etc. I really just want the simple wooden track that J can handle on his own, and that we can easily take apart and put away. Sigh...

Then, Sunday afternoon... Lakewood Home tour Volunteer time! Pretty fun, since it was 3 doors down from my parents house, and it just got revamped in 2006. (It had been in the same family since it was built in the 1930's) New owners did a wonderful job!!!

How was your weekend?

GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!! Check it out. Beautiful work!

Looks like...

Harold's is closing. Very sad day for me. But, they started their sale last Saturday. And, from what I understand, will continue until their doors close.

From Dallas Business Journal

"Upscale clothing retailer Harold’s Stores Inc., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Oklahoma last week, has launched 30 to 50 percent off sales at stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Under Chapter 11, companies have the opportunity to develop a financial plan for the purpose of reorganizing while continuing to operate.
Harold’s Chief Executive Officer Ron Staffieri told the Dallas Business Journal the company is waiting to liquidate inventory to see what its next step will be. At this point, Staffieri says closing all the stores is a possibility. He says he’ll know more as the liquidation sale progresses."

The store sales began on Saturday and will continue until all merchandise is sold, Harold’s said. The retailer added in a statement that “store closing sales” are occurring at the following locations: Inwood Village, 5550 Lovers Lane, Ste #163; Dallas Galleria, 13350 Dallas Pkwy #3080; Fort Worth’s University Park Village, 1604 S University Drive; Plano Preston Park Colonnade, 2101 Preston Road; and Southlake Town Square, 190 State St. in Southlake.

The retailer says outlet "store closing sales" also have been implemented at the Harold’s Clean Sweep Closeout, a retail outlet located at 5100 Belt Line Road, Ste. 400, Dallas."

Looks like it's Harold's for Christmas!

I know it's only November 11th...

But I am going to milk this "Santa is watching" deal for as long as possible!
A few weeks ago, I had a brilliant idea! Ya know how all stores have security cameras, and those glass dome balls on ceilings? Well, in an act of desperation when the twins were really about to act up in Target...I told them those are actually camera's that leads to the North Pole, and Santa is watching to see if they are behaving. I know, shame on me, but to avoid public break downs, other Moms have done worse, I am sure. The best part? Not one in store tantrum since. Just little voices chiming "Look Mama, I am being a good girl/boy, 'cause Santa is watching" After Christmas I will go back to "because it is the right thing to do" but for now, I love it!

Also, yesterday, I started a new tradition. Each twin received a letter from Santa to be a good girl and boy. J's letter said the reindeer are getting excited, and Rudolph said "Hi". T's letter said that the elves are working hard making special toys for the good girls and boys. They are so excited, they cleaned their room, made their bed, AND cleaned their playroom. Without being asked! I am proud of myself, if I do say so!

Twitter

I just opened a twitter account. Hmmmm, anyone else? Looks like fun!

Preppy Pink Crocodile!!

Please e-mail me with your address, if still interested in the book give away. I have tried to contact you, but have not received any of your information.
Thank you,
Preppy Pettit

Nasty Neighbor

So, we are renting the house we are living in, and I realise that sometimes you have to deal with headaches. But not THIS headache!

The owners rent out the back house to a nasty, nasty spinster. She was nice, until Paul and I spent a weekend landscapng and weeding the yard. By lease standards, OUR yard. The huge yard that we pay ALOT to have mowed every week. Well, she went crazy. She said we killed "her" plants and has been nasty ever since. Even nasty enough that the twins don't like to play in the backyard when she is out.

First of all, ummm what? "Her" plants? She isn't paying thousands to live here. She is more than welcome to pick up the bill for the yard. Then she can do as she pleases. But she doesn't. She has a tiny yard that is fenced off just for her. This yard looks like something out of Sampson and Son. Weeds everywhere with junk in between.

Today was the last straw. After finally getting the twins down for a nap I hear "BOOM BOOM BOOM" on our backdoor. Great, kids are up again. She started yelling at me because my outdoor cat killed "her" birds. Ummmm, again, what? She now owns the wildlife too? Now I don't want the cat killing birds either, but really, you must be kidding. She said My cats got into "her" yard (at least she got that one right), and what was I going to do about it? I just kinda stood there and put the cat next to me inside.

What should I do? I am really angry.

Oh, and BTW, there was NOT a dead bird. I have been hunting, I know how many feathers are involved in a bird death. Not one feather anywhere!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Wow. I really need to see this film. When my parents lived in England, they had a housekeeper who was a victim of the Holocaust. They did medical experiments on her, and my parents could hear her at night wailing in her sleep. So, from these stories I have been fascinated with the holocaust ever since.

I have seen all sides. My first roommate's grandfather was one of the highest rated officials in the Gestapo. Apparently, you went along, or you were imprisoned along with you entire family. It was interesting to hear her Mom talk abut it because her Mom was the little girl in the posters with the braids handing Hitler the flowers.

Later, I dated a Jewish boy whose grandparents on both sides had been imprisoned. What amazing stories they had. To be so brave, so young.

I am happy that we have two children who I will raise to see the person. Not the color, or race, or religion.

Love that Elisabeth.

What a wonderful conversation she had with her daughter!

Congrats

Congratulations to the Obama and Biden families. Wonderful concession speech, Mr. McCain. I was dissapointed that when Obama's name was mentioned people "booo'd"! However, when Obama mentioned McCain, only applause. Very dissapointed, indeed.

Do I really need to remind you?

Betcha I didn't!

Funny

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

See more Natalie Portman videos at Funny or Die

Hmmmm

This BETTER not be my birthday present Paul!!

Paul wanted

me to let ya'll know he did not forget. He had the wrong day.

Well, he DID forget my birthday...

He does not have a growth. I couldn't figure out how to photo shop J's head off his face.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

And the winner is...

All of the names in a bucket

T reaches in ...

She stirs the names up...

She picks one...

And the winner is...

Preppy Pink Crocodile!!

E-mail me, and send me your info please!

Winner!

Winner will be announced tomorrow with pictures of the drawing.

WOW

I was born 36 years ago today.... Pre-mature, and so small Mama put me in Madame Alexander doll clothes, and I could fit in the palm of her hand...

A Note...

To parents... I am very aware that we live in a great "safe" neighborhood. So when you bus or drive your children into my neighborhood, please remember your manners!

I went through 300 pieces of candy in a ten minute time span. Not ONE "please", or "thank you", just grab, grab,grab. And then the little brats stole my decorations!! I swear, next year I am attaching an electrical current to everything, so if you try to steal it, ZAP!

Happy "Boo" Day!!

Are these puppies not adorable? My birthday is Sunday, I wish I could have one on my special day. I wonder if Paul will remember... I think I am going to play a dangerous game and NOT remind him... Stay tuned to see if he passes!

It's Boo Time Soon!

Worried Mama

J has been coughing for forever. We took him to the Dr. last week and he has bronchitis. So we did the antibiotics, we are doing the kids mucinex, and at least once a day, we have to do a breathing treatment with his nebulizer. I pray he gets better, I really don't want this to turn into pneumonia. While thinking about the possibilities of a stint at Children's, I found these pictures. He was around 5 months old. So, home from NICU for only 2 months.


J was admitted because he was sitting propped up on the couch, I look over, and a trickle of blood came out of his mouth. So after nearly killing us both to get to Children's, we were admitted.
He had a torn esophagus. Now, I know that he is allergic to grass, so he is sensitive to dairy.

If I had known this little fact, J would have had a much easier babyhood. Why did not one doctor put us on Soy formula? Instead, he had horrible reflux that led to a trip to the hospital.

Very funny, if you have cats.

Thanks to InALittleMinute , I really needed a laugh!

That HAD to hurt!

My husband was outside his office, with camera, and caught this. Notice 1. Stunned bird. 2. flying bird imprint on glass, even a beak!!

VOTE!

I did this today, very easy because there were not any lines! First time I have gone early, and I highly recommend it! If in Dallas, go here to find a location. Dallas County Elections Web site or here http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/pamphlets/earlyvote.shtml

Give away..

I thought this was a wonderful book, and I wanted to share. Please comment, and I will enter your name in a drawing. The twins will pick the winner. Open through October, 31st.

*Note- This is not a new copy, well kinda new, it was new when I bought it!

Recession Hits Home

Paul may have been hit. He has been warned that his guarantee may be cut. For the last two months, his guarantee is what has kept us afloat. In case you were wondering, is is the automotive industry. Specifically, he offers pre-owned on Ebay.

A few weeks ago, when people were getting cut left and right around him, he went to inquire about his position. "Oh NO, Paul, because of you, we are up 1000% from last year."

But things are getting worse, and worse... So here we are. Paul says not to worry. But I am.

Am I too old to move in with Mom and Dad?

Trick or Treat!

I had to borrow this from preppy little dress and Our Journey to Forever .

Bookworm Award

I was sent this by Preppy Southern Princess . How fun!

Here are the rules:Pass it on to five other bloggers, and tell them to open the nearest book to page 56. Write out the fifth sentence on that page, and also the next two to five sentences...The CLOSEST BOOK, NOT YOUR FAVORITE, OR MOST INTELLECTUAL!!

Here goes. Ya'll know this is going to be a kids book, right?
Page 6, from Fancy Nancy, because there are not 56 pages.

"My favorite color is fuchsia.

That's a fancy way of saying purple.

(actual picture from this page in the book)

I like to write my name with a pen that has a plume.

That's a fancy way of saying feather.

And I can't wait to learn French because everything

in French sounds fancy."

-Fancy Nancy

by Jane O'Connor

Illustrated by Robin Price Glasser

Now I invite...

The Beaufort Lookout

FriedOkra

Henley on the Horn

Tickled Pink and Green

The Westie Crew

A Target Find

Look at these cute pajamas at Target! They are called Nick and Nora sleepwear. J picked this pair out for himself. Very cute.

This is the pair that T wants, but our Target was out of her size. If you live in Dallas, and see these in a 3T, hide them, then tell me where they are. LOL