Explanations

This weekend I thought it prudent to have a little talk with Makenna. We're not huge on birthdays around here. We do celebrate with cake and ice cream with presents added in. The kids have had a party or two under their belt. It's just not alot of fanfare. It's how we roll.

This year is a little different. Paige is turning 16 in a few weeks. Wow. Sixteen years old. I gotta hold that thought for her birthday post because it just blows my mind.

Sixteen is special. Lots of grand things can happen with sixteen. You might can get a driver's license to further steps to freedom and Independence. Dating becomes a bit more important. I loved sixteen. I recall it fondly and I just believe it should be special.

I thought I would have a talk with Makenna about how this year, Paige may get a little more because it's a monumental birthday.

What was I worried about? That kid is smooth as glass and doesn't mind a bit. I love that my kids aren't jealous of each other. I don't know if having them five years apart has made them this way or if it's just how they are.

I know she was smooth about it all but I felt I needed to go a step further with the whole explanation.

It went something like this:

Me: I know it may seem like Paige is raking in this year and all but just think! Next year you turn 12 and I get to take you to the Clinique counter and have them show you how to apply make-up (age appropriate, of course) and really make a day of it!

Makenna: (confused look) Huh?

Me: You remember when I took Paige when she turned 12. It's a great thing to get your first little bit of make-up.

Makenna: (perplexed look) Why on earth would I want make-up?

Me: (confused look)

Makenna: I don't care for that makeup stuff. I mean, what is makeup but pancake on your face and what good is a pancake if it isn't edible?

Me: Alrighty then. Let me know if you change your mind.


See? My oldest child was chomping at the bit to wear make-up by age 10-11. Middle kid? Could care less at this point.

~sigh~

I'll never be able to keep at the rate they're going.

Grateful

One thing in this life that I am so very grateful for are the grandparents God has provided for my children. My children have no doubt that they are loved so much by these people.

It still amazes me that I have three children and they are all so different. We have the biggest melting pot of characters that live in this house. What would you like to see? Because we have it all. Comedy, drama, singing, dancing, loudness, laughing, crying, philosophers, advocates, politician wannabes....yes, we have it all here at The Edge.

I see my mother's hands and feet with my oldest. She moans and complains about her short fingers and stubby toes....but I think she secretly is thrilled that her Nana can't deny her one little bit. I see my father in law in my son. They have similar mannerisms that make us laugh. An example is being ticklish under the chin. The both of them will go into spasms if you go near that sensitive spot underneath the chin. I see my Daddy in the middle girl. How they both are deep thinkers and contemplate subjects deeply so they are able to present their cases with complete confidence that they are right.

Have I told you lately how much I love my mother-in-law? I am so blessed to have the best MIL in the entire world. I stand by that statement fully. The coolest thing? I am safe and secure knowing that I am her most favorite daughter-in-law. It doesn't matter that I'm her ONLY daughter-in-law. Being the favorite is what counts, Internets. I had to tell you that to tell you this little story.

Yesterday, I was cooking supper. The lid was on the pot simmering, and the biscuits were in the oven finishing up. I was sitting at the table going through some mail when I noticed Makenna over at the stove. I saw this odd expression cross her face before she laughed. She had walked up to see what was cooking in the pot. Normally, I use glass lids but my new set of pots have metal lids. She had walked up and couldn't understand why she couldn't see the food. Then, she saw the reflection of the microwave above the pot and realized the lid was metal. Bless her heart, she doesn't mind laughing at herself. Serious as can be, she said, "Well, I feel stupid."

I just laughed because it reminded me so much of my mother-in-law. (Mrs. M knows I'm totally saying this with love.) Mrs. M always claims that she's having "blonde senior moments". Makenna claims her own blonde moments. I felt it necessary to call my MIL after supper to tell her to come get her grandchild. I told her the both of them could have Senior and Junior Blonde Moments together. I'm here to tell you...if she lived closer? I'm willing to bet she would have been here in a blink. If she has her way? That girl of mine will go spend a summer in Nebraska with her Mimi one day.

I don't know if my children realize just how blessed they are. I was fortunate in that I grew up with wonderful Grandparents. I still have my Grandma and I get all comfy and cozy feeling knowing that woman loves me. She never fails to tell me that she loves me and is always praying for me when we get off the phone. Can't beat that feeling with a stick. If my children don't realize it now? I hope one day they will look back and realize that their grandparents love them dearly...even from far away.

I just had to give a shout out to Grandparents today. I was feeling the love and just want them to know that I appreciate them and all they do. My children may not see them on a regular basis....but love is always there.

Some House Stuff

Around the time my husband retired, I received a package in the mail. In it was something so special. A fellow sub-wife had made me something and sent it to me. What makes this so special? Well, for one, this fellow sub-wife is also an active duty officer in our USNAVY. She is a very talented individual and is able to take her craft and hobby with her on deployments. She put a little note in with the gift that said this pattern made her think of me and so she took it with her on a deployment to work on.



Wow.



How cool is that?? It just made me feel so special and I am humbled that someone who was so far away serving our country thought of me in her downtime.



The note also stated that this was a housewarming gift for the new house I was going to get and the new chapter my family and I were about to start. Of course, I hung it in a temporary place and packed it with care when the move happened. Since we got here, I have walked my house and squinted at walls trying to figure out the best place to display this favorite gift of mine.



Yesterday, the light bulb went off over my head. My favorite room in the house is my kitchen and breakfast area. The kitchen is roomy and the breakfast room is able to hold my big old wooden table with ease. When people visit, we end up sitting around the table talking and hanging out. Last week when Carla-Girl and her family were over eating, we sat 8 people around that table and we weren't overly crowded! I love that table. I love those two rooms together. We all know I'm Southern and we Southern people tend to gravitate to the kitchen. It's just the place to be, you know. I personally believe that hospitality begins at the table. For instance, there was a ...uh...woman that was married to a co-worker of my husband back when we were dating. Oh, how she hated the South. Oh, how she stated loudly and rudely to anyone who would listen her distaste of the South and all who resided in it. I looked at my then boyfriend and said, "Do NOT expect me or ask me to put my feet under that woman's table because I will NOT break bread at her house." Breaking bread is pretty important to hospitality.







So, you see, I finally decided that this gift would find a home in my favorite room. I want people to see how proud I am of it and how much I just adore it. Dani? I know we've never met face to face, but you nailed this one good! I just thank you again so much for thinking of me and sending the perfect housewarming gift! You are amazing. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful baby girl and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for serving our country.

I thought above the pantry was the perfect place. Everyone can see it and no one can touch it!

"HOSPITALITY........Welcome*Generosity* Kindness" And, yes, those are pineapples on the side!

p.s. If it doesn't show up? You can click on Dani's name to go visit her blog and she's listed to the right of blogs I read!

Homework Smarts and Such

The new school my son attends has homework in Kindergarten. At first, I was all a dither because why on earth would you give a five year old homework??? As the weeks progressed, we discovered his homework truly is only five minutes worth of work and not hard at all. It's just a small thing to get him in the groove for his school future. We haven't had any real issues getting him to complete it at night. He finishes supper before we do and brings his folder to the table so he and Dad can get it done while we all finish up.

Carla-Girl and her family were here last night eating supper. She and the kids are visiting her hubby this week and it was their ten year anniversary. (Her husband and mine got jobs at the same place, but she and the kids are still residing back where we came from as they have to sell their house before moving....it's tough living like that, folks.) Anyway, in all the hoopla, we forgot to do The Boy's homework.

At breakfast this morning, The Man pulled out the homework sheet so The Boy could get it done. He had to write a sentence using one of his sight words (list of words they work on each week). There were no arguments and the task was completed.

I heard my husband laughing and asked what was up. My son had written:

"There are zero white birds (in the tree). (I *think* the (in the tree) part was in there.)

And drew nothing to illustrate it.

Because there were zero birds and they were white.

That's my boy.

I'm not sure if I should be proud he's smart enough to do that or worried about his future homework assignments.


When that kid of mine explained it to me and grinned? I wanted to eat him up.

Tuesday's Thoughts- Fashion Woes

I just have a teensy gripe about today's fashions. What is up with them???



I have two beautiful daughters who are different as night and day. Both encounter fashion woes on a regular basis and it just frustrates me to no end. Some times shopping becomes more of a chore than an fun pastime that girls of all ages like to do.



I'll talk about Paige first. My beautiful amazing Paige. She will be sixteen next month and I'm still in shock that I am the parent of a child who will be that old. She has inherited her petite height from her Nana and even though she doesn't want to hear it? I believe 5' 2" may be her lot in life. She is also very mature looking for her age. It's like she got all female DNA from both sides of her family and the result is a very voluptuous figure. Bless her heart. She's a modest gal and all but she still wants to be pretty and cute and all that is teenagery. Yet, the clothes for teenagers are made for those young ladies that are a size zero. You know the ones, right? They have no boobs or hips? How disheartening it has become because she just wants to wear the cute clothes other girls are wearing. Therefore, I make it my mission to find cute shirts and such that she'll feel pretty in. Thing is, I'm afraid, is that they are mostly low-cut and that just won't work. Camisoles under all she wears has become the norm. I'm betting she owns camis in every color known to man. I hate it for her and wish designers would just realize that not all teenagers are a size zero and make appropriate clothing for the gals with hips and boobs.



Then we have Makenna. My long legged blonde beauty. She just turned eleven, Fashion Designers! Why are you making clothes for her to wear that look like she should be walking the street corner? It confounds me that you go from adorable smocked sundresses and Disney Princess to Hootchie Mama. Add in the fact that she wears a women's size 8 1/2 shoe and there is trouble. Hold up now. You're probably thinking, "Wow! That kid has a big foot!" No, she doesn't. She has a long narrow foot that is dainty. What do you have to choose from in that size? Hooker Heels and Grandma's Pumps. Seriously? Tennis shoes are no problem, but try to find an age appropriate church/dress shoe and you, my friends, will be searching many stores all day long. I am so grateful that ballet flats came back in and I truly hope they stay. It is almost the only shoe that can keep an eleven year old looking eleven.



I truly hate that the fashion society has apparently made it their mission to age and mature our daughters way before it's time. I will be 39 this year. (ACK!) I remember being in my early 20's and loving life. Going to the clubs, bars, parties, and etc. Women are empowered in their 20's. Many are finishing college, finding themselves, and living life. A few might be looking for a husband and what would we do? Dress like we love life! I wore my share of short skirts and dresses (back when my butt was decent and would cooperate and not hang out). I wore the heels and low cut shirts to the club to get my groove on. I can guarantee you one thing. I wouldn't have been wearing that mess when I was 11 ....or 16. My Daddy would have turned me around at the door before I got one toe over the threshold. I fondly recall blue eyeshadow being the thing to wear in the late 80's and I did my level best to support the blue eyeshadow factory. Many times I was sent back to the bathroom to take some of it off. Especially before church. I have become my Daddy somewhat in that Miss Paige has been sent to the bathroom a few times to get a handle that godawful black eyeliner the girls favor these days. I gladly look forward to 10-15 years from now when these girls look at pictures from today and cringe over the heavy black eyeliner and duck bill lips in every single picture they take. We older ones know they look stupid because we did our own stupid pictures at that age. I can't wait until they figure it out themselves. I mean, hey, I am 5' 6" and in high school I was 5' 9" with the hair. I see pictures now and ask my high school friends, "WHY on earth did you let me walk around with hair like that???" Then I realize they had the same hairstyles I did. So, it's all good.



I just wish that people who believe themselves to be fashion designers would throw that standard mannequin out of the bloomin' window and make REAL clothes. Shoe designers? Girls have long feet at a young age. Keep that in mind, would you? I wore a size 10 in 5th grade...still do 29 years later. And let me tell you...I wore some ugly butt shoes back in the day with my Mama trying to keep it age appropriate. ~shudder~

One thought about dresses must be stated. I look at dresses today and I think...Wow. I find it sad that my daughter's have to wear a sweater to church over their dresses to appear decent. Am I old fashioned? Yeah, I guess I am. I look in stores today trying to find dresses for my daughters to wear to church and what I see looks more suitable for nightwear than walking around in public. Hey, Designers? It's really and truly okay for dresses to have sleeves and for hems to meet a knee or two. Sure, a slinky sexy dress is cool when the occasion calls for it(and you're the right age and shape for it). I'm just not cool with wearing that mess up in God's House. Get what I'm saying? Let girls be girls!!! We become women and grown ups soon enough with all the bells and whistles that go with it. Dang.

Oh, and Internets? My baby lost his first tooth and you didn't comment? Poor guy. He'll need some therapy over being ignored later in life, I'm sure.

I would love to know your thoughts on today's fashions for little girls, tweens, and teens. Am I a stick in the mud or a properly concerned parent? Remember playground rules apply. No finger pointing or sticking out the tongue.

Just a Couple of Thing to Catch Up on

You might just have to forgive me on this one, Internets. I may have already mentioned a few of the things I'm going to talk about, but now I got the pictures to go along and I want to make sure I put it all down because this is really all about the kids. Making sure I record stuff for them and all because I hate scrapbooking. We cool? Thanks for your understanding. Oh, and this might be a tad long because DANG I was too busy to blog for a little while there.

You all may recall that we arrived at the New Edge around 2:30 a.m. on New Years Eve. We were so exhausted from packing up that day, checking out of base housing, eating a good supper, and the five hour drive to our new home. Because I am a seasoned traveller with kids, I always make sure there's a snack or two within reach. This time was no different. Normally, The Boy would have been passed out that late, but adrenaline is a funny thing. We were halfway to our new home on the backside of nowhere when apparently he informed Makenna that he had a loose tooth. What??? She then informed me and I was like, "NO FLIPPING WAY! HE'S WAY TOO YOUNG." I had Makenna stick her finger in his mouth to see if he was telling the truth. He was! There I sat, driving in shock, that my BABY had a loose tooth. A short time later, he asked for a cookie and I had one of the girls give him one. Next thing I knew??? Makenna was losing her mind. When my son went to bite on the cookie, it irritated that loose tooth, so what did he do? Reach in his mouth and yank it out. (That makes me weak just thinking about it.) He had a little bit of blood going on, which is what freaked Makenna out. We grabbed a few napkins and I told him to bite down on them. Calmest one in the bunch? The Boy. I decided not to call my husband who was driving in front of me. When we got to our new home, I had that kid show his Dad a "surprise". The two of us were left standing in the cold in shock while the kids ran ahead to claim their new rooms. I don't think I will ever forget when my baby lost his first tooth.

Before we left lower Georgia, we were running around all crazy-like when Makenna screamed. My poor girl had tried to put something in the car and slam the door before it fell out (we had the vehicles that packed). In the process, she slammed her finger in the door. I think by that time my brain was on overload and I just couldn't process anything else. I really couldn't. We did the best we could at the moment. The next morning, I examined it while the movers unpacked. It looked really bad. I started to worry. We couldn't stop the packers, I didn't know my way around, and The Man had to be there because this was all under his military identity. We promised that as soon as the movers were finished, we'd get it checked out. As soon as the movers drove off, we headed to the E.R. with just a few hours left in 2009. The place was deserted and we were relieved that prompt attention was given. I was feeling so guilty and like the worst parent ever. After an X-ray, we met her E.R. doctor. Wow. We were blessed right then and there. This guy was very obviously physically handicapped. He was short, very odd shaped, and had no thumbs. I kid you not. He was so jovial and all in to Makenna and what was going on. When he walked out to look at the x-ray, we were just in awe over this individual. I love my child. Did she see physical ailments? Nope, she just saw a cool doctor that she liked talking to. When we mentioned he had no thumbs, she hadn't even noticed. I saw her watching him when he came to clean a cut on her knuckle and he had to put on gloves. He never hesitated and kept up a great line of conversation. Thankfully, it appeared to be a bad sprain with some serious bruising. She had her fingers taped together with orders for no P.E. for a few weeks. (Her favorite diagnosis she's gotten a lot in the past year!) She told me later that if she was ever influenced to be whatever she can be? This doctor proved to her that you can't let anything stop you. Not even a handicap. He really inspired her and I want to say blessed her way of thinking. We were also home in plenty of time to bring in the New Year as a family.

I vaguely recalled that I may have mentioned in a previous post how we toasted our new home. The Man and I were doing a W*lmart run when we saw some sparkling fruit drink. We picked up with intentions of toasting our new home...eventually. The kids were all excited over that bottle and we were begged off an on for over a week to get the party started. Finally, one night after supper, we got down my nice wine glasses (that I got years ago and they're mostly dust collectors) and The Man did the honors of pouring it up. We toasted and did cheers a few times because it's just cool to clink your glasses together. My son especially enjoyed that part. Therefore, we clinked glasses with me cringing inside because I didn't want to lose one of my set. I leaning towards making this a new tradition for big deals in our home. Break out the sparkling fruit juice/drink in the pseudo wine bottle and make lots of toasts with loads of glass clinking!

These are a few things I really wanted to make sure I recorded. As you can tell, it's nonstop action around here. I am still taking pictures of the house when I do a little something. I think I may have enough for a post this week! I'll be looking for opinions and suggestions so be prepared, my friends.

Ready to enjoy some picture goodness? Thought so!

This is the picture I took before the movers got here to unload. I then sent it to every one I possibly could. Now he's lost two teeth and has great fun sticking his tongue through that bottom gap. I think kids with missing teeth are the cutest and I am thoroughly enjoying my last baby with a gap'd up mouth!

Those fingers looked really bad in person. We really made sure to follow doctor's orders and so did Makenna...especially the no P.E. part!

Look at that, would you? He may not have drank the fruit juice, but, by golly, a clinking good time was had by all!

Family Time

The Man and I have always agreed on no televisions in the bedrooms. I, personally, didn't grow up with a television in the bedroom. Probably because we were too poor and/or didn't have cable or satellite? All I know is that I wasn't influenced badly by the fact. I don't remember when my parents finally got a television in their bedroom but it was long after I moved out and was an adult.

Now, here I go again with my personal opinions. Okay? How I think and feel may not be how you think and feel and guess what? That is perfectly fine.

I personally feel that everyone going to their separate ways to watch television tends to separate the family. If you look at it, time with your children really is fleeting and short. We like to watch television together as a family. Okay, my kids may not agree with that statement all the time, but they do sit with us in the evenings.

We have put a television in the spare room upstairs with the Wii hooked up. The Boy goes up there and has his downtime when he gets home from school. An hour or so of playing one of his games frees his mind and lets him get the wiggles and jiggles out from a long day at school. The Elementary school starts late and gets out late (well, later than what I'm used to). He only has a short time to play before supper, homework, and preparing for the next day.

Because we purchased a new television, we had a "spare" one, The Man and I reluctantly put the spare in our bedroom. I am truly surprised by how little it gets used. The Man irons the next days clothes at night. (Yes, he irons. Twenty years in the military teaches everyone how to iron beautifully and no one is allowed out the house looking toe up.) Most times, he'll turn the television on when he irons to watch news or the Olympics.

Speaking of the Olympics. We have really watched them this season and thoroughly enjoyed the sports. I have a new found love for the snow boarders and think they are just adorable. The kids weren't too thrilled about this at first. We've explained that watching the Olympics is like supporting your country. It is where countries come together to compete and it's just flat out cool. The Winter Olympics really seem to empathize the agony of defeat to me. Each night we've been able to watch, there's been some injury or drama. Even The Boy has gotten into watching a little bit before heading to bed. When we win gold? We put our right hands over our hearts when our anthem is played. I'm also a huge fan of that Apollo guy. To the point where I tend to scream encouragement at the television and almost get up to see if I can help him go just a little bit faster. It's right exhausting for me to watch him compete. It's right embarrassing to Paige when I do.

There are some shows we don't watch anymore because the sexual content is just inappropriate for a kid Makenna's age. We had a favorite show that we always watched and one night, we were just blown away by the sexual innuendo and such. The Man and I decided right then that maybe it wasn't a good idea for the kids to hear such language and talk. Do we censor? Absolutely. I don't condone Paige watching R-rated movies. Why not? Because they're meant for older audiences. She's perfectly able to go see PG-13 movies now and I've told her I can't stop her. She is now her accountable to herself. She hates when I play the moral card. Drives her crazy.

This past Sunday, my husband was watching his beloved car racing. (I'm not mentioning their names because when they sing the national anthem at the beginning, the heathens (okay, some do but alot don't!) won't put their hands over their hearts and most still chat and act like respect is a thing of the past.) Makenna was put out with his choice of viewing and stated her displeasure. I stopped her and said that he adores sports with all his heart and he doesn't ask to watch every football or baseball game that comes on. (For those who know him? I'm shocked, too!) I feel it's fair that if he has one thing that he really likes to watch on the weekend, then he should. Yeah, I pulled the "who do you think goes to work and pays the bills around here?" card. I hated when my parents did it to me so I find it only fair to pass it on. I even offered for her to go to our bedroom, chill out on the bed, and watch what she wanted. Her response? "No thanks, I'll be lonely."

Every once in a while, Paige will go upstairs to watch a show by herself. I have no problem with this because she might do that once a week. Hey, I respect needing some alone time. I don't respect deliberate separation.

So, you can say The Edge is big on family time around here. We eat meals together. We watch television together. We hang out, the five of us. We're cool like that.

Blankie Two

Most of you will recall when I crocheted The Boy his very own afghan. Neighbor Debbie (who really was my neighbor at the time!) patiently helped me recall basic crocheting and taught me a few new stitches. I decided to make him one because both girls had a couple of afghans a piece from family members, but The Boy didn't have one of his own. I went large with that afghan. I didn't have a pattern, just some basic instincts. It was, of course, green with some brown mixed in. That boy of mine is very possessive of "Blankie" and it has travelled all over Georgia and South Carolina since its creation.

Little did I know it would raise a little bit of discord at The Edge. Next thing I knew? He and The Man were almost fighting over it. The two of them would sit in the recliner or lay on the couch before bedtime (to wind down) with that Blankie. When The Boy would go to bed, Blankie went with him. No matter how much The Man begged for him to leave Blankie...no dice.

Down the road of life a little ways, military life intruded and my friend, Coty, moved North. Before moving, she did some purging and offered me the yarn she had no plans for. I happily accepted because I knew eventually I would use it for something.

That "something" soon arrived. One day I was looking at my basket of yarn and I noticed there were quite a few skeins that were the same brand. Hmmmmmmmmmm. I decided to take all the hodge podge colors and make The Man his own Blankie. It wasn't going to have much rhyme or reason to it, just something to keep him warm when he was relaxing. I decided not to make it as thick as The Boy's because his weighs so much he can barely tote it! (What was I thinking??)

Crazy me tackled this project at one of the busiest times of my life. Planning and executing a retirement ceremony and starting a new chapter in our lives. The few minutes I took here and there helped me focus.

Christmas arrived before I knew it and I so wanted that blanket done for Christmas. It wasn't like it was a surprise but it was Christmas, Internets! I finished all but the border and decided to go ahead and put it in a gift box. No lie, I put the two skeins of yarn AND the crochet hook in that box. I had to! We were in the midst of moving and I needed to keep it all together. The Man was so appreciative and I promised over and over I would finish it soon.

Fast forward a month and I found that box. I took out the blanket and yarn and set it to the side. A few days later I decided to finish that border so my husband would have his blanket. The Boy was all excited and telling his Dad that "Blankie Two" was almost done!

I am soooo glad to say that Blankie Two is officially done and has already been broken in properly by every member of the family. The Boy can hoard Blankie One and not have to share with anyone, but insists that Dad share his.

Like I said, no rhyme or reason, but I think in the end, the colors kind of go together pretty good. The yellow stripe in the middle is my favorite. I think it keeps it from being too "earthy". (Pretty little pillow with pineapples in the corner courtesy of Carla Girl.) Note there are no close up pictures to show the many flaws that seasoned crocheters (is that a word?) could see. Maybe now I can focus on getting projects around the house done!

A Snowy New Edge 2010

Suffice it to say we were one of the 49 states that woke up to snow on the ground on Saturday. I know there are some of you from up Northern way who chuckle at our excitement over snow. You just have to put it in a little bit of perspective, if you please. My son will be six in April and he has never seen snow. I take that back. If you said that statement in front of him, he would be quick to correct you. He HAS seen snow. There are pictures and the television shows it right regularly. How sad is that? His amazement and wonder when the white stuff started falling was just precious. It was like something he had waited for all his life.

My husband would just shake his head in disbelief because he has lived up North where people drive on frozen lakes and snow is common during Winter months. He exclaimed that he lived in this area of the country to get away from that weather present called snow. That this is why he won't visit his parents in Nebraska during cold weather months. I was quick to remind him that their snow lingers and lingers while ours is usually gone within 24-48 hours. Then, we don't see it again for another five or so years.

This past Friday (along with Monday and Tuesday) were days off from school for all three kids. I'm not sure why. Someone said something about a Winter Break? I had told the girls they could each have a sleep over on separate nights during the break. I just wanted them to connect with other girls and what better way than through a sleep over? Makenna chose Friday night and we were worried that none of the three girls would make it. They all came. Parents brought them before the weather got too bad. I have to admit....the parents were from states where snow isn't that big of a deal so it was just something they shrugged over. I was excited for Makenna because all three of the girls were cute and giggly. Until the power went off around 8'ish. Crap. I lit a few candles and everyone gravitated to the living room. I anticipated a bad time until those ladies started bringing out the DS's and cell phones for extra light. Well, sir. Technology won without power! The Man, The Boy, and myself headed on to bed a short time later and left them gaming and giggling in the living room. We put The Boy in bed with us. I had an ulterior motive on that one, you see. The two of them together are a flipping furnace so Miss Hope was right toasty warm. The power graced us with its presence around 11:30 so heat was welcomed with frozen fingers!

Saturday morning found some very excited children ready to hit the white stuff. Then Miss Hope handed down the law. No playing until everyone ate a good breakfast. No going in the front yard until I got my pretty pictures of the house. After those two things were taken care of, snow play commenced! By the way, can I just say I am so glad we lived near a beach and I have an amazing supply of beach towels? Not just for a sandy beach, Internets! (We ended up with around 5 inches of snow give or take.)

I took some really good pictures but did not get out in the white stuff. Miss Hope doesn't like snow. It's wet and freezing cold. No thanks. I'll take the pictures and threaten your very life if you come near me with a snow ball. I enjoy seeing the beauty of how God blankets everything and makes it look pristine. After an hour or so of this? I'm ready for it to head on out of town.

Another surprising thing is how much Prissy loved the snow. She was crazy! Paige and I took her on the front porch as it's covered for her to potty. Oh, no! Miss Ma'am went right to the snow and buried her face in it. Of course, we went and grabbed the camera. Next thing we knew? She was bounding around in it and having a large time. She also got to go outside with the kids and she came in shivering and shaking. After warming her up in the towel, a hot bath, and some food? She was passed out for a couple of hours. We had to watch her after that or she was right back in it.

I am thrilled my son got to experience snow and my husband wasn't out to sea or gone. That Man was right in the middle of them having a great time. I have to agree with a friend's status on F*cebook: "Southern children know how to build sand castles, not snow men!" While I was warming Prissy up inside, The Man brought his snow skills forth and helped these Southern kids make a special surprise for me. (Paige was in charge of creativity)

Oh, and to my mother-in-law? I know you told your son to get me good with a snow ball. Don't try to deny it! Thing is? He valued his life too much and his side of the bed to follow through! (Love you, Mrs. M!)

Thanks for the snow, God! We thoroughly enjoyed its white goodness. Wait another few years for another round?

P.S. I'll put pictures up on F*cebook now...the blog gets first dibs...loyalty and all that mess, you know. By the way, I've gotten notifications on FB that I've got a few new followers on Network Blogs on there. Thanks for visiting! If you have a blog? Let me know and I'll drop by!

Hope you enjoy the pictures...I sure enjoyed taking them!

Just couldn't wait til Saturday morning. I gave in and let everyone go out Friday evening and get some play in. This is one very happy kid right here.

This is Saturday morning. Miss Hope is inside and much warmer than those outside. Let's look at the background, shall we? The Man made pancakes from scratch. He makes amazing pancakes. He just doesn't put stuff back up and clean that well. If the pancakes weren't so good? I'd have to smack him one.

The Man recalling his snowball making abilities. Note Makenna to the right. I'm sure we're all on the same page that she is preparing to attack one of the three in the picture. My backyard looked like a war zone.

How cute is this?!? See where she hopped to get around? The snow was as deep as she is tall but it didn't stop her. Oh, no sir. She was a snow happy pup. (front yard)


Please, wear your hat. It's cold. I don't care if it messed with your peripheral vision. It's cold.


The Boy had just surprised attacked his sister and ran for it. He's quick as lightning, that one.

We took more pictures than was legal of this puppy and her "snow beards".

Post card picture of The Edge!

The best picture of all. This is what my kids made for me. Of course, this is going on my sidebar because it's one of kind Edge Goodness.

Makenna's 11th Birthday!

I may be a few days late, but I surely won't forget my baby girl's birthday post! It was decided a couple of weeks before her birthday that we would go to South Carolina to celebrate. We could get our taxes done (!!!) and be with family at the same time. It was to be a short visit but we knew we could pull it off. Her request was to eat at a favorite Mexican restaurant and have Nana make her cake. I didn't think that was too much to ask.

Time does have a way of healing wounds and feelings, you know. I invited Makenna's other side of the family (her bio-Dad's side) to come eat with us and spend time with the girls. We have all hashed out whatever happened in the past and now we just have a good time when we are together. How surprised we were when so many showed up! Makenna was the bell of the ball and Paige was the hostess with the mostest. They flitted from family member to family member and really soaked in some family goodness. It's good for the girls to see their parent's families getting along. Girl cousins giggled and squealed at their shared table. Little boy cousins ran around and were just boys. Adults caught up on happenings and laughed at the kids. It truly was a good time. I happened to have my old camera in the truck and I begged that thing to take just a few more pictures (she's old and worn out). The camera complied and I am so glad I was able to capture a few great family moments.

I can't believe I now have an official tween living in my house. Overnight she's turned into a five foot tall giggling girl! One minute she's picking on her brother and driving him crazy...the next she's hanging out in her sister's room just chillin'. (Their words, not mine- so don't be embarrassed I used your slang Paige.) She is a book-a-holic where she gets lost in her own world on a regular basis. The Boy calls her constantly to help him with games as she's pretty darn good at electronics, too. I know I personally call on her to help me set up the DVR on a regular basis. I could figure it out, but she already has it down and can fix whatever I want in 2.5 seconds. What would you do? She loves to bake and even has her own special dish she prepares for us that we love.

Makenna is just an all around good kid. We are so blessed to have her in our lives sharing her humor and love on a daily basis.

I bought this shirt for her three years ago. I'm sure if you search the archives, you'll see this shirt every year. As long as she keeps growing UP, she'll be wearing it a while longer. Everyone needs a Birthday Princess shirt to wear, don't you think?

Cousins are awesome! These four are close in age and close in heart. Emily, Erica, Makenna, and Trinity...a fabulous foursome when they're able to get together!


Yet another sweet cousin! Claussen and Makenna adore each other to pieces. We always get tickled because one will try to stow away in the other's car while the adults are talking. One day they might just succeed! These two are almost exactly 9 months apart. I always tell C's Mom that she got baby fever when she held Makenna in the hospital.

This kid lives for the sombrero. She honestly does. She wore this hat around the restaurant for a good 45 minutes after being sung to. I finally had to send an uncle or two to remind her that the hat had to stay. She was sad but already has plans to wear it again next year.

What a wonderful time it was and I'm so glad it was another memorable birthday for an amazing kid!!!

Need, Want, and Wish

I am learning how differentiate between what I need, what I want, and what I wish for. This new house we're living in has really turned that particular light bulb on. Good for those who can have whatever their heart's desire. We simply can't. We are learning to how prioritize what needs to be done.

I challenged my husband last night. I told him to make his list of needs, wants, and wishes. I would make my own and we would compare the two lists and maybe come to a good understanding. There hasn't been any disagreements going on over household issues, but I am curious as to how we classify things.

For example? He will most probably put tools on his need list. Not me. Give me a hammer and some nails and I'm all tooled up. I might put a high end vacuum cleaner on my need list since we now have carpet and a pet. He would argue that the el cheapo we have now works fine. See where I'm going with this?

Some of my needs might make him a tad unhappy. I want more shelves in some closets and that would mean extra work for him. Then again, it may justify his needs for tools.

Hmmm...this has potential to get complicated, Internets.

I've also issued a Design Challenge to my girls. Since we are die hard fans of HGTV and DIY (I just totally advertised for them- think they'll find out and be good to us?), I have decided to let my girls do their bedrooms. I haven't given them amount yet, but they are going to be responsible for bed sets, accessories, and what not. We will provide the wall paint if any is needed. When I told them this, their eyes got bright and I could see wheels turning. All they need now is an amount. I thought I'd let them window shop first and get an idea of what they want. They're old enough now, I think, to express themselves.

This isn't all that's going on around The Edge. We celebrated Makenna's 11th birthday this past weekend. I was unable to do my usual birthday post because we were out of town visiting in South Carolina. It turned out well and I got a few pictures to record this great event. Of course, I'm going to have to do a blog post or she'll feel slighted in ten years when they read my blog. Paige will be 26 then and Makenna 21 and I can guarantee there will be statements like "See? Mama just didn't love you, man." said and the drama will ensue.

I need to go work on my list now and and figure out how I can put a thing or two on the "need list" and convince everyone that I'm right.

Good Idea?

I have to admit that I have entered a whole new world raising a little boy. I tell people all the time that when the girls were little, I could pretty much put them in one place and they would be there or nearby when I got back! This boy of mine? A totally different story. Since he was five months old and got mobile, he has been wide open.

Shopping for a boy is different world also. I like it, though. Going from pink to green was an adjustment at first, but I managed. The Man has always loved shopping for the kids, but now? He gets to shop for his inner kid.

Then you have relatives who enjoy shopping for kids. All of them seem to think that little boys should have at least one gun. When both sides of the family believe this....the results are crazy. This past Christmas, my son received what he believes to be an "awesome" present. The Man's sister decided it was time he got a nerf gun to enjoy. Nerf is good, right? All soft and you can shoot in the house?

She went the extra mile, she did. She got The Man one, too! It is her belief that the two of them could have a massive good time and epic nerf battles.

Unless they band together against the world.

This is what happens when the two males in your home decide that a certain 10 year old female has slept long enough on a Saturday and it's time to get up. No prisoners were taken and after the dust settled, they felt victorious.

New Family Member and Such

Let me just start this with one statement. I am not an animal person. I don't hate animals. Well, I don't like cats, but that's because I'm deathly allergic to them and they have the power to about kill me. Growing up, we had outside pets. That was no problem. All my life, my mother has ranted and raved about how she would NEVAH have an inside dog. Now? My Sister-in-Law's poodle, Percie, loves nothing more than to sit in my Mama's lap all day long. In her house. And she surely lets him. She's even been known to cook him a special pot of butter beans because he loves them dearly. Amazing how things change the older we get.

Before now, the kids have begged and begged for a puppy to love and cherish. Over and over again I have refused this request because we all know where the responsibility will fall. On me. Plus, we were military enlisted folk and vet bills were nowhere in my monthly budget. When I would get fussed at by others for "not letting those babies of mine have a pet", I was quick to respond "I already have three to take care of...why add more?!?"

Paige has stated many arguments in the past years on why she and her siblings need an animal. There have been many pros listed and very few cons. (I swear that girl is going to be a lawyer one day.) This past Christmas she asked for two things: Ipod Touch and a puppy.

*The following paragraph is about MY personal feelings and thoughts. I'm only speaking for me. Okay? Okay.*

The Ipod Touch was out of the question. My child is fifteen and I *personally* am not comfortable with giving a teenager unlimited access to the internet with practically no supervision. To me, that's asking for trouble and I don't know about you out there in Internet Land, but if I can avoid trouble? Then I'll do my level best to do so. Maybe we'll change our minds in the future, but today's society is a scary thing and I am responsible for my children.

That left a puppy. Dangit. That was another thing I didn't want to get. I called an old friend I consider an "older sister" to have a talk. She listed pros AND cons to having a family member added to our home. By the end of the conversation, I stated that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea, but it would take a Christmas miracle to find a puppy we could afford that would make my teenager proud. We got off the phone with her promising to keep her ears open.

Five minutes later she called back and told me "I've found you a puppy!"

It was definitely a Christmas miracle. An old acquaintance from high school had a cherished Shih Tzu that she decided to breed one time. A lovely litter of 6 puppies resulted. I called her and we talked for over an hour about this breed and how her own Zoey saved her life. She had suffered from depression and this sweet puppy walked in and saved her. I have to believe this was all a "God Thing" because she lived near my parents. Here we were in Georgia and there was this litter of puppies right down the road from my parents. Wow. So began Operation: Shock the Mess Out of Paige Christmas 2009.

The Man reluctantly agreed that this might just be the thing for us to do. We were moving into our own home. Finances would allow proper care of a family pet. It was time.

It was on then. Miss Hope figured that if we were going to do this? We were going to do this right! I started shopping.

Talks with the owner had us realizing that this sweet puppy wouldn't be ready for a big red bow on Christmas Eve. The litter was born on Thanksgiving weekend and needed time to grow and be weaned. Really, this worked out perfectly overall as we were moving right after Christmas and needed time to get all that worked out.

What could we do to make this amazing?

I figured it out quick like. It was decided that we would be getting a girl. They had a better temperament and all I heard about was how Paige wanted a girl so she could "name her Prissy and put bows in her hair...make her the ultimate Diva Dog". I found the cutest tiniest pink leather collar with a heart of rhinestones on it. I wrapped it up in a jewelry box all pretty and fancy.

My father is very strict about how things are done. He has a schedule of events on Christmas Eve and Day that must be followed. We all go along with it because it makes him happy and works for us. I had to buck tradition and be the Rebel.

Gift opening starts at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Because the owner of the litter had her own plans, we went over to my parent's around noon. (Paige stays there when we visit because she has to be up her Nana's butt.) I asked everyone to come in because something was going on. I made this lovely speech about how Daddy has his way of doing things, but this time Hope had to change things up a bit. Everyone was clueless as we hadn't told anyone about this particular present.

We made Paige open her present and she was right confused and a little scared. She saw that collar and started shaking. She asked what it was. I asked her what did it look like. She asked what it was. I asked her again what it looked like. The Man and I then told her Merry Christmas and to get dressed...she was going to pick out her baby.

It was an amazing afternoon. The owner, Carissa, was so sweet and considerate. We went to her house where Paige was able to pick out the one she wanted. Then we spent a good hour or so letting her hold her and love her. Zoey was unsure of all of this because someone was holding her baby. The collar went on this tiny puppy and she was named from that moment on.

A couple of weeks then passed with lots of text messages between Carissa and Paige. Paige received almost daily updates on how Prissy was doing. Paige anxiously awaited her baby's arrival and faithfully studied the book Santa brought her on the care and loving of a Shih Tzu. She could recite facts left and right on this breed and had a plan in mind on how to train and raise her "baby". Did I mention that Santa brought Prissy a starter goody box full of things to get her started. He's so cool like that.

Then, it was time. Aunt Lu was coming to visit and she was bringing that baby with her. Friday night when she got here, we accepted a new member into our family. I thought it was perfect timing with a three day weekend, so Paige could really get into training and bonding.

She is now in school with a lot less sleep and a whole new appreciation for parents who potty train. Heh heh.

The Boy has found a partner to chase him all over the house and he is thrilled. Prissy isn't tall enough to climb stairs at a whopping 2 1/2 pounds yet, heck she has trouble getting into the back door that is 3 inches off the ground. She is all decked out with all a puppy should need (curse you Petsmart!).

It really is like having an infant in the house. Since I've started this post, we've been outside to potty (and she did!), a used band-aid has been rescued from her mouth, and we're going to head back outside because around 9 is "poop time". Whew. What have I gotten myself in to????

Really, though? How can you NOT love a face like this?

Yeah, we've all been suckered in by this sweet face. Any dog raising advice you might have? Please share! We're a clueless bunch finding our way here. I see a whole new family portrait in our future.

Routine

Life is about routines. The older we get, the more we tend to settle into comfortable routines that help us get through each day. This isn't a bad thing. No, not at all. It's almost...soothing, for lack of a better term. I think routines mostly happen when we have children. Children need routines to function. Structure is the key to keeping a kid on the smooth side. If a kid is smooth? Our lives are much easier.

That was the most terrifying part of moving to a new place for me. Disrupting The Boy's routine just isn't the best idea anyone has ever had. I haven't talked about his ADHD lately, but it's still there. Trust me. It's there. I look at him now and remember him in October of 2008 and the difference will make you speechless. That sweet baby of mine craves a routine like an addict craves their drug of choice. From the moment he wakes up to the moment he lays his head down at night, routine and structure are the key for his survival (and sometimes ours!)

I'm not saying we don't ever do spontaneous things because we do. We also have to realize that there may be a price to pay for spontaneity. We all know for a fact that under no circumstances is he allowed in a place like Super W*lm*rt in the evenings. There is an abundance of fluorescent lights and if you didn't know already, fluorescent lights are the WRONG thing to expose an ADD or ADHD kid to unless heavily medicated. Fluorescent lights flicker constantly. People normally don't notice it but a certain part of the ADD and ADHD brain will see those flickers and it will drive that person crazy. And they won't know why. It will inspire meltdowns and behaviour problems of high magnitude. It is a given that after 4-5 p.m., someone will sit outside in the vehicle with The Boy to keep him from going in a place such as this. How about pay attention the next time you are in a store like this. I'm willing to bet that the more towards evening you get, the more kiddie meltdowns you will see because they are tired and can't understand what the flip is causing them to act on the crazy side.

Thanksgiving to Christmas saw such a roller coaster for my baby. He knew he was getting a new house and a new school. He had to say good bye to his teacher and friends. I don't think he really grasped it because a big vacation happened right after that with a visit from Santa thrown in for good measure. We had days with meltdowns. We had perfect days where we marveled at how well he was doing.

When I went to register him for his new school, I was all excited and chatty about how great this place was and how many friends he was going to make. (I make myself sick now just thinking about how "happy" I was.) Inside? I was a nervous wreck and almost about to throw up over being so anxious about how he was going to deal with yet another new loop in his life. He sat in the office while I filled out paperwork and watched the people walking by outside. Next thing I know? He's getting all rowdy and jumping and hitting his sister. Seriously, he was just being a flat out froot loop.

The lady who would take kids to meet their new teacher asked him if he was ready to meet his new teacher. Immediately, he was still and solemnly shook his head no. Nope, not interested. Again, I turned into Muffy Cheerleader, injecting enthusiasm into my voice over how wonderful this all was! (ugh) I went with him to meet his new class and teacher in the cafeteria.

This was so hard. So very hard. He did end up going somewhat willingly with his new class...with one last wave over his shoulder. It took all I had not to bawl right there in the hallway watching him walk away holding his coat in his arms. It reminded me of when I had to drop Makenna off for her first day of 2nd grade in a new school and drive away. She told me her knees were shaking she was so nervous. Yet, she got out of that van and walked right in. I cried the whole way home that day.

Not surprisingly, The Boy didn't have good behaviour at first. I cringed when I opened his folder to see where he hit AT a person that day, which is a no-no. ~sigh~ It makes me want to rush to his teacher and talk in very fast sentences about how special and wonderful he is...he just has a few issues. I will refrain right now. He has to find his way in this wonderful world of Kindergarten. He has to establish his relationship with his teacher and understand her classroom rules. He has to develop social skills with his peers. Yes, he does have issues. Yes, he has to fight that monster in his head on a minute by minute basis. Life is full of issues, though. If it's not ADHD a person is fighting? I'm pretty positive there's going to some other kind of issue in their lives. It's like asthma or diabetes. You learn to live with it and you learn how to deal with it.

It's just so hard when it's your baby.

Have I mentioned the Alpha Male deal we got going on? Oh, yeah. The Man being gone during the week left The Boy as the man of the house. Now, Dad is around on a full-time basis and there is, what I call the "Alpha Male Pissing Contest" going on. I know that's not a pretty term, but it is what it is. They've gone head to head more times than I care to count. I don't interfere either. I let the two of them have it out. I'm just the Mama. I'm the soft one that is still allowed to kiss a certain five year old and say, "That's my baby!" I will tell you this...that kid got a dose of stubborn from me AND his Dad. You tell me how you think things go down when they start barking at each other?

I also had a revelation of sorts last night. I'm kind of glad I don't have any friends here yet...or people I do things with. I have got to get this house straight before I go doing that kind of stuff. Back in Saint Marys (which is where we lived before...I can say it out loud now because we no longer live there), I was one busy butt gal. There was always something to do, lunches to go to, appointments all the time. It's kind of nice to be able to take it easy and not have to run somewhere every single day. I'm not saying it won't eventually happen, but I'm enjoying the break while it lasts. I didn't realize just how much I stayed busy until just a couple of days ago. I miss lunches with my friends and spur of the moment shopping, but it'll happen again.

Now I'm off to unpack yet another few boxes. Lu is coming to visit this weekend with her girls and I'm so excited. She'll be our first overnight visitor and I'm excited to share my new town with her. It's also a bonus that instead of five hours away...we're only three hours apart. I can live with that MUCH better. Makes me feel like I'm almost home.

I apologize for the cold weather that is happening. Me blogging twice in one week might have something to do with that. Stay warm!

New All Around

Hi there! Can you believe we're already starting the second full week in January? I personally feel like it was just Thanksgiving last week!

The Edge has now officially relocated to a new place! The time period between Thanksgiving and New Year's was like a hurricane, tornado, and tidal wave all rolled into one. Once we got the new house deal rolling, life took on a new gear that I didn't even know existed!

I'm going to stop a second now to ask you out there in Internet Land: Do you ever just wish that real life would stop so you can catch your breath and take care of a few things?

That's where I was and where I am today. Christmas was still going to happen no matter what was going on in my life at the moment. The Man closed on the new Edge on the 21st of December. I packed the kids up and all our Christmas goodness and headed here to spend a night before heading to South Carolina for the holiday. We had a short short stay there before heading back to "old" Edge to pack it all up.

The 28th found us greeting packers into our home to start wrapping it all up. I was so grateful The Man had the time off to be there to help out. Apparently, all the running and going tried to catch up with me and I honestly thought I was fighting the flu. Neighbor Debbie (God Bless her!!) came out to keep us company whilst the packers packed it all up. She is a veteran mover in the military world and I trusted that she would keep a sharp eye on things and help a sister out if it didn't look right. Tuesday was a hard day. I was literally in a stupor I was so sick. I got to the point that they packed up my bedroom (left the bed). I found my way between boxes to that glorious bed where I passed clean out until the next morning.

Wednesday, the movers showed up to load us up and carry us away. Whew. They worked like dogs to get that truck loaded with our worldly possessions and we were right behind them cleaning since we wanted to check out of base housing that day. Neighbor Debbie is a beast at working and I tried like heck to keep up with her but I just didn't have it in me. I was fighting like crazy just to keep upright and focused. USS Retired and her family stopped by on their way to an afternoon movie and we were just all teary and junk because dangit, leaving friends just isn't right.

Neighbor Debbie kept swearing up and down we weren't going to be able to check out that day. I just shrugged and said it was worth a shot. She finally had to get home to her family but we were kind of almost but not sure we might would make it with checking out. The movers kicked it into 6th gear and so did we. It was a race against the clock.

USS Retired and family showed back up to pick up where Neighbor Debbie left off. There was mopping going on, hauling stuff to vehicles, and lots of kid's giggles going around. The movers had packed my cooler on the truck and were gone by this time. Uh oh. That meant Mizz Retired got to take alot of food home with her!

We scored. Check out happened without incident and we were cleared from living there ever again. I walked through each room one more time and just thanked the Lord for providing us with a happy home in that place...if only for a short time.

I have to pause a second here to make sure you all understand how much I appreciate what Neighbor Debbie and Mizz Retired did for me and my family. There is no way we would have been able to do what we did without their help. They brush me off when I keep thanking them but I just love those gals and am so very proud to call them my friends!

It was decided that we would eat a hot meal at the Barrel of Crackers before hitting the road for a 4-5 hour drive to our new home. We all just needed to sit down a minute and catch our breath. Miss Retired and her family joined us and it was a festive laughing occasion. We had to regret one more time that we didn't find each other sooner.

That drive took every bit I had left in me, Internets. Paige tried her best to keep me company but had to doze off now and again. Makenna was riding shotgun with The Man and the poor thing had worked harder that day than in her whole entire life so she was out like a light. My husband and I kept calling each other to check in and make sure the other was functioning. The Boy was watching a favorite movie when he finally gave in and fell asleep.

We arrived at our new home at 2 a.m. I don't hardly remember coming in and falling into a deep sleep on the aerobed we had left here. It wasn't a long sleep as the movers were showing up at 7 a.m. They wanted to unload so they could be with family as it was New Year's Eve.

Tired of reading yet? I lived this and I'm tired of reading it all!!

Suffice it to say that our New Year's Eve was spent in our new home surrounded by mountains of boxes. We slept in our own beds that night and decided to just take the next day off and try to recover.

I am sick of boxes. I feel like I unpack at least ten a day and there's no end in sight! The kitchen is the heart of the home to me and I feel like it is mostly done. I don't feel like this is home because there are none of my pictures on the walls as of yet. I need to get a feel for things first. I don't want to go putting holes in a wall and the next day change my mind and move whatever is hanging there. The wall colors are a neutral selling color and I really really want to paint and make this place my own. I have been scouring sites for ideas for paint and decorating . If you were to call and ask me what I think of a decorating/paint idea? I can picture it and tell you what I think. But, for my house? Eh, not so much. Crazy, I know.

About this place where we live. It. Is. Cold. Dear Joseph and the baby lambs is it cold. I feel like I've moved to this whole new region of the country instead of higher up in the state of Georgia. I miss smelling the sea air and birds that hang out at the coast. I have never been this chilled in my entire life. Truly, I haven't. Some locals have informed me that this is NOT the normal temps for this area. I'm going to take their word for it and pray this is a fluke that happens every five years or so.

I got the kids registered in their new schools and started. The Boy is having some issues adjusting, but we anticipated that happening. He's riding the bus for the first time and is totally enjoying the freedom of no seat belt. Makenna is going along like she always does and enjoying her new busy schedule. She's had an issue with some little snotty girl making comments and Paige and I keep offering advice. Makes me want to go to the school and snatch this kid up and cut her butt. Paige is rolling right along in her new high school. She's got a vacation semester taking half credits. She may have to hit up summer school to get back on track with how their credit system works, but that's no biggie. She'll just end up with way more credits than needed when graduation time hits.

I am glad to say, though, that some things never change. The past week, I have cooked supper every night because we were just flat out tired of eating out. (Plus, that gets right pricey after a while!) Same table, new house, our usual Dinner Theater! By night two of our family supper, the kids were back in form and entertaining us. Paige discovered a plastic wine glass while unpacking and has taken to drinking "bubbly" Ginger Ale out of it with her meal. It makes her happy and fancy, so who am I to crush easy happiness?

We are adjusting to this new life. I shall be asking opinions and such in the upcoming weeks because I'm ready to put my stamp on this place and make it my own. Err...our own?

You all try to keep warm and know that no one will judge you if you have to wear socks to bed. I'm just saying.

Girls Rock

Being a single parent and Navy wife is, to me, a boot camp I just don't ever want to go through again. I'm not dissing it, but I am so glad for it to be OVER.

There is a popular saying amongst military wives, and it goes something like:

"As soon as your spouse leaves? The whole house falls apart. Appliances break and vehicles fall apart."

I've heard it modified for the submarine wives in that, "When they pull up the anchor, all things breakable tune in to that sound and break."

I can vouch for this. It's happened to me a few times. A few times too many for my liking.

Now, my husband isn't out to sea (Thank You, Lord!), but he's not here. He's been 300 miles away during the week since the end of September.

I've taken the Tahoe in to the dealership THREE TIMES (for regular maintenance and such) and done all running around concerning family members.

The other night, I guess God had to get one more thing in.

My washing machine quit working. Are you kidding me? I had mountains of laundry and no one had clean jeans for the next day.

Are you kidding me? I even looked up and asked the Big Guy this...but didn't really expect an answer back.

I was just done, Internets. I was beyond huffy and put out with the whole shabang. I just did NOT have time to mess with this. Sure, we got the warranty and such, but I did not have time to call for repairs, for the repairman to take his sweet time...like A WEEK....to get it fixed. Just DANGIT.

I got my trusty little stool and I sat down in front of that washing machine to study that bad boy. Surely, there was something I could do to make that hunk of metal start washing my clothes again. Surely.

I got the book out that I made sure I saved when we bought the washer. There was a troubleshooting section. How about that? I started reading and mentally crossing off what I knew for a fact wasn't the issue. Then I saw it...the section that might be my issue. A clogged water line. Hmmmmm......

Well, I decided to see what that was all about. I have a front loading washer so I was all bunked over the top of it trying to get to the back. The younger ones were already in bed, but that Paige? Was laughing so hard at my big butt up in the air, she could hardly stand up. Little did I know she had a squirt bottle and was wetting my butt. Teenagers. I sent her on her merry way because I had work to do.

I got the water line off and lo and behold, it was clogged with sand. Gotta love living so close to the coast. It looked like beach sand to me. I put that sucker back on and tried a cycle. No go. Argh. I took the line off again and there was another clot (for lack of a better term) of sand. I had to clean that line four times before I got water in that machine!!!

But, guess what? It's working. A few skinned knuckles later and two broken nails, and I had a machine washing some clothes.

Whew.

Now, I know why guys drop by the bar and drink a beer. There's something really cool about fixing something that wasn't working. If I had had a cigar and a beer? I probably would have had to go outside and bask in my accomplishment. I'm just saying.

I'm still feeling ten feet tall and bulletproof over the whole deal a few days later. Men may read this and scoff at me because it was a simple fix. Kiss my butt. I analyzed the problem, used REAL tools, and got that bad boy fixed. All by myself.

While I'm somewhat grateful over the life lessons I've had to learn in the past ten years with being a single parent and Navy wife.....can I just say I'm graduated and not have to do any of that anymore?

Sit a Spell

Well, hey there! Come on in and sit a spell while I catch you up on what's been happening at The Edge. There's coffee in the pot, creamer in the fridge, and toaster strudels if you're hungry. Make yourself at home.

Where to start?

Oh, I know.

We got a house!!!

We got us a BIG house. That's not bragging, either. That's me sitting here with my eyes wide open wondering how in the heck I'm going to keep that bad boy clean. All I can say is God was all over this. Shoot, He's been all over the whole entire deal as far as I'm concerned.

The kids and I have been to the Augusta (Georgia) area a couple of times to house hunt with The Man. Now, one thing you need to understand about my husband. That man has been all over the blessed world and he just adapts to where ever he is. Nothing really fazes him and he goes with the flow. Paige was my co-pilot as we drove to meet him the first weekend. Did you know Augusta is a hilly place??? Lawd. I know there are those of you who live near or in the mountains and you're laughing and thinking, "Sister? You ain't SEEN a hill yet!" I've been to the mountains, thank you very much. You have to realize that this girl has lived near the East Coast all my entire life. What I personally didn't realize is this is apparently the Flat Lands..with lots of trees. Imagine my huffiness when we finally reached our destination and I confronted that husband of mine about why on earth didn't he tell me about the HILLS?!?! Yes, he had a confused look on his face and couldn't understand my angst.

Can I pause a minute to say, "Thank you, Lord, for a GPS navigation system." ? If I hadn't had that bad boy leading me.....my kids and I would be wandering back streets starving by now. The first time we arrived at night. Paige and I were thrilled and then a little scared. Of the hills, man. My learning driver gasped and fretted as we followed Mr. Tom's directions to our destination. She asked me in a panic, "How will I tell my friends how to get to our house? Go over six hills and take a left????" It was a new experience to be sure and it wasn't until the next week that I realized that HOLY SMOKES! I have to learn how to drive in that place and soon!

I have to admit that house hunting got old quick. You look at so many in such a short time and they all start running together. Curse you, HGTV, for making it look so simple and all 30 minutes long. We didn't find "The House" on my first trip and I was just disgusted. The Man persevered and kept looking after work until he found a few he liked. It was time to head that way again. We headed out the Sunday before Thanksgiving to spend a day or two with him before we all headed to SC for Thanksgiving (separate post with cute pictures on that subject). I thought I had found a house that I really really liked. To where I dramatically leaned against the stairs in true Scarlett fashion and declared, "I LOVE THIS HOUSE!"

Then we saw it. It was fabulous. It was in our price range. It was The House. I walked and looked and walked and looked. I just knew there was no way we could do this amazing house. (that was before money was discussed.) I kept looking at my husband and giving him the How-dare-you-show-me-this-when-I-know-we-can't-afford-it look. We played it cool since the broker was there. Our amazing realtor got the low-down for us as we waited outside and discussed what was sitting before us.

We headed back to the hotel to discuss this and just decided to put on some floaties and jump right in. Monday after work, we took the kids with us and went to talk business. The kids were beyond thrilled and after I gave the camera to The Boy and he learned how to video? We had no problems out of them.

Our offer was accepted and a bidding war with another family was avoided (whew!). We walked away anxious and excited and ready for the builder (this is new construction!) to accept the contract.

We haven't looked back.

We headed to South Carolina for Thanksgiving and that Wednesday we got word that the builder signed! What a moment.

Yesterday, we got word that all things financial are a go. The only thing we're waiting on now is the appraisal to go through. Closing is set for December 21st. DECEMBER 21ST, INTERNETS!

Hold on whilst I panic for a moment, please.

We are moving. Into a house. Before the end of the month. I am just giddy, scared, excited, and dreading the packing, unpacking part. At least the Navy will move us and I won't have to pack up on my own like I did before we moved down here.

Want to hear something funny? My husband has already called the power company about putting the power in our names on the 21st (the builder has it now). He intends to sign papers and sleep there that night because he got himself an aerobed on Black Friday. The Man is serious, Internets. I have asked this question to a few friends and they all got it right the first time. What else would a man take care of...that would have high priority?

Yep.

He's got the cable and internet lined up, too. I told Neighbor Debbie he'll have a bed, laptop, and a roll of toilet paper. We might not see him again!

I am busy here getting school stuff taken care of for the kids. The Boy has been to Dr. M a few extra times so we can get him as straight as we can before leaving. I'm going to miss Dr. M. We have a good thing going concerning my son and I hope I can find someone in the new town that really works with me to insure the well being of The Boy.

I have moments where I am very overwhelmed with what has to be done and I'm not so sure I will be able to get it all taken care of on time. We all know I will...but I still worry and I don't care how big of a nerve pill you take, those things can only help so much.

I think one of the hardest things is not decorating for Christmas. Oh, how I love to decorate for Christmas. I have some fabulous decorations (because I am old and have had time to collect) that I always look forward to putting up. We tried to explain to The Boy why we're not able to put a tree up, but I don't think he gets it. I'm an inch away from going to W-mart to get a small pre-lit tree and some balls to put up for him. Something that will only take a few minutes to take down.

My husband is just a wonderful man, Internets. I am a simple girl. Sure, I like nice things and I have a couple of nice things, but I truly am not a materialistic person. I made the comment a couple of times that I'm not sure I'm good enough to live in a house this nice. I'm not putting myself down, it's just that I've dreamed and figured that's all it would be...just nice dreams. My husband has worked his butt off for twenty years in service to this country and because he chose a good rate (or it chose him?), he's able to find a good job in this economy we got going on right now. I am blessed that he loves his family as much as he does and wants to provide for us the best he can. I can't wait to hang all his Navy stuff up on the walls so that others will know what he's done. I thank God for the mate He has provided for me every day.

Yes, I do have pictures, but I hope you'll be patient and let me put my stamp on this home before putting some up. I only took a few so I would have something to look at to remind me this is a dream that's becoming a reality (as long as the appraisal goes well!).

Don't forget you have to let me be sad that I'm leaving this wonderful place that has been our home for three and half years. I will miss it so much and the people that have become so special to me. One good thing about a military family, though. They'll go visit! I hope and pray they will come visit me so we can continue to share our lives.

Look for the Thanksgiving post. I got a few cute pictures I want to share with you and I know you'll like them, too. Now, I'm off to start my mountains of laundry and wait for my husband to get here for the weekend.