Grayce's Zinnia Seeds

Last week Perry had a business expo. The point was to get businesses together and the public is supposed to come thru the displays and you are supposed to get business. The vendors, if you will, hand out pens and cards and little gifts. Well Cydney and Grayce worked it for us because we are short on employees and they know the business and can make up answers as good as the best salesperson. Anyway G went around getting the free stuff. One thing she picked up was a little cup from the credit union with a block of dirt and some zinnia seeds in it.

This is what the directions say: remove the seeds, plant in 1/8 inch soil, shovel and hoe not included, tap water is fine, spring, carbonated or vitamin water is not necessary. Place on windowsill and continue normal activites. Sitting and staring will not speed up the process! Feel free to smile, laugh or cheer once the sprouts appear.

Now you know someone called the seed company and complained because they were watching the cup and the seeds wouldn't sprout!

Now it seems we are almost back to everyday stuff. Softball for one. Homework like crazy, work and supper. Exersice when feeling guilty. Eat to be happy! Most people eat to live, I live to eat!

Children need computer for homework!

WoW, this is nice sitting around doing nothing!

Actually I did more before 9:00 that most people do all day. Brian and I did go the the dealership at 7AM! You can get so much done! We were able to correct two big stacks of files that I had been working on for 30 days.

I was thinking about not working Monday but now I want to go in and get some more stuff done. It is fun for me to be at work when I can get something accomplished!

Cydney still isn't home. Justin is playing with JB and Grayce is piddling around. I suppose I should be cleaning bathrooms or something but I did do the laundry!

Now if I keep typing I really will be rambling.

I don't know what to do with myself!

Cydney and G have gone to supper with some friends and then are headed to the game. JB didn't want to go, Thank heavens, so here we are. I took him to McDonalds for a treat, not to play just the drive thru. So we have had supper and we are waiting for Brian to come home. Justin had football practice so he couldn't come over tonight.

Brian and I were planning on going to work at 7 AM in the morning because I have a bunch of stuff I need him to help me with but I can't ever get his full attention so he said we could work on it early one morning. Well, Saturday is the only day we get to sleep late. He doesn't have to get up until 8 so I am not sure I am willing to give that up. I am thinking if I can that done I can take a few days next week and work in the house!

Nothing else fun to talk about. Saturdays softball got cancelled already. Cydney is spending the night with Abbie tonight. We don't have written plans all weekend. We thought about six flags but I don't know how well it would work out with Cyd's hand. Maybe we will wait a week or two. She did shower and wash her hair all by herself this morning. I got a little sad this morning thinking about her when she first broke her thumb. She would take the splint off and get in the shower and still wash her own hair. I told her several times I would help her and she didn't want help and then finally I told her she needed help. Anyway, as the story goes, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger? This family should be superman by now!

Nothing on TV tonight. JB is waiting for wrestling to come on. Yick! That is his new favorite thing to watch. No CSI, nothing good on animal planet. What is this world coming to?

Did I mention JB traded his snack for a baseball card. I thought that was pretty good thinking. So now I send him a good snack and then I send something no one is the house likes to eat and he trades it!

Oh, tomorrow Cydney, Brian and JB are headed to Cordele to the races. I guess G and I will shoe shop. I better get a nerve pill first!

It look like I did come up with something to write about. May the force be with you.

Making time to blog...

G had a softball game in Tifton tonight. It was just an hour away. I left work early, daddy picked up JB, I checked Cydney out and Zach rode with us. We had some nice quality time! They lost. The team isn't bad it just we keep trying to make some players better than they are and we can't produce. It will work out. Hopefully before the season is over!

I got back right as the dealership was closing so I picked up JB and now everyone is getting their showers except Cydney went by the grocery store for us.

We are busy at work. The clunker thing is making everyone nuts! Well mostly me and Brian! It takes hours to do paperwork on one car. I am sure in the back of Wayne's mind he is wondering when we are going and if we are really going to get the money. I am betting it takes a year!

Cyd is doing great with her cast. I think the security of the hard fiberglass makes a big difference.

Enjoy your night!

Cydney got her cast today!

This person beside us at the red light. He has spray can painted 1/2 his car blue. Across the windshield it said DJ Thumper or something. All the way to the doctors office the girls kept making up names for him if he rearranged the letter. They came up with some good ones!

She really wanted camo! It is really bright pink! Cast are so much cooler now days!

You can see where they cut her hand open. Still a little swollen and green but looking really good.

After school Cydney, G and I went to the doctors office for her post op visit. She is moving along really well. She isn't even taking tylenol much these last few days.

G skipped softball practice to go with us but she does not want to be an orthopedic doctor.

Cyd's team had a game tonight. She dressed and went to sit on the bench to support them. Her attitude is a lot better than my would be.

JB stayed up half the night watching wrestling so he is a little grouchy. I am going to get him to bed early if possible. We have been getting up at 5:30 to get everyone ready and to school on time. I really think in a couple of days cast or not Cydney will be moving right along. I helped her with her homework last night. I truly helped her. She told me what to write and I wrote it. She didn't even ask me to do it for her! I complimented her. She has really been great!

Softball! Grayce pitching!!

Grayce on the mound. The girl catching for her is Chelsea, the girl that caught in the Little League World Series.

My phone cut off and when it did it lost my background picture. JB posed for me so I would have a pretty background picture!

Grayce has her third c team softball game tonight. Neither the starting pitcher or second string pitcher could get it done so the coach let G try. She did okay. The mound is 40 feet instead of 35 and she told me in the car she didn't have anything to push off of but at least she finally got her chance.

I think after a little practice she might get another chance. The other pitchers couldn't have hit a barn tonight. It just happens that way sometimes! She started off at third, moved to second and then pitched. I get dizzy keeping up.

I finally agreed to keep the "offical score book". I did good enough. Iwill get better and it isn't hard if no one is on base but when the bases are loaded and someone is batting my ADD kicks in and I forget what is going on. Only once did I have to ask the umpire the count. Of course daddy had JB and I was right up against the fence so I didn't lose my concentration.

Cyd is hanging in there. I moved her Wednesday appointment to tomorrow because G has a game in Tifton and she wants to go with me. She went to school and had a great day. She is only taking Tylenol. I am so proud of her because I know she is being strong! I could not ask for her attitude to be better and she is really appreciative!

I wasn't in the mood for curves today. I went to work and enjoyed it actually. Brian said he would take me to lunch. We ended up bringing back Chick Fil A but we did eat together without someone interrupting us.

Well my supper is almost ready. Good night!

Taking a break from clean up duty!

All of the sudden I am back in to the routine of cleaning on Saturday, yuk! I like to be lazy on Saturday if I have the opportunity.

Justin is here playing with JB. We took Brook home and G has gone to play with Caroline. Cydney is wearing out some lifetime movies. She even called Zach and told him to watch.

I have cleaned out the refrigerator. Gone to the grocery store. Tried to high jack lunch from the carlot. They had pizza and I was bringing the leftovers home but they were busy and didn't eat yet so I didn't get to have any left overs. I fixed Cydney and I a big huge salad for lunch and now I am playing on the computer. I am thinking about cleaning out the big freezer but I haven't made it that far yet!

The cash for clunkers thing ends Monday at 8PM so Brian was busy with customers. Unfortunately we don't have too many that fit into the program and what we did have, have gotten gone already!

Cydney is doing great with her pain. We had a little issue last night. She wanted pain medicine and I wanted her to take something not so strong. She doesn't understand the pain medicine only dulls the pain it doesn't make it go away. She ended up only taking Motrin and this afternoon she has only taken Tylenol and hasn't had a hard time. She is ready to go to school on Monday but is really worried someone will bump into her. So I told her I would handle that. I will just ask her principal to allow her to go ahead two or three minutes to get out of the way. She is a little stressed over all the work she is missing but I already talked to her Principal about that and they are more than willing to work with her.

I am looking forward to next week getting back to normal. There are some things at the car lot I really need to finish up! I can't finish them up if I am on sick leave!

The welcome sign in town says 7 weeks until the fair. I promise every year that I am not going and hang out all day everyday but with only 7 weeks until then I am looking forward to it. I hope that don't expect me to help answer the phone at the dealership those 10 days. The fair would probably collapse without me hanging around!

I guess that is it. Melissa will tell me I am rambling!

I think we have the whole weekend off!

Of course it is only 4:30! But usually I would know if we had a game by now.

Cydney is having so much company that I feel like an air traffic controller! Several friends have dropped by to see her after school. I was starting to think the neighbors are going to think we are having a wake.

I went to curves three times this week! That is exactly what I am supposed to do. This morning I realized I wasn't doing another piece of equipment correctly so hopefully I have been burning more calories than I think. I will try to correct it on Monday!

After curves, Zach babysat Cydney and I worked for a couple of hours. I know I shouldn't leave them alone but you know what...Cydney is 16...I can only pray that I have raised a smart, respectful, God fearing young woman. No matter what I tell her she is driving and can really do what she wants! I don't like it but its the truth! She knows how her daddy and I feel and she knows what is right and biblically correct. We have done the best we can and I pray that is good enough.

Now it still isn't looking like we have anything to do. Grayce has her friend Brook over and I am waiting on Vicki to call with Justin. Then I need to run to the grocery store so we have something for supper.

I have a pretty good book to read that I can get into if everyone has something to do! Sounds like an easy night. Oh, and the nationwide race is on. Hmmm. Sounds like a perfect start to the weekend.

Grayce playing catcher???

Never tell this child she can't do something because she will do it just to prove you wrong!

She mentioned to the coach that she wanted to catch so guess what...there she is. She did good but she has a lot to learn if that is the position she wants to play.

Her team didn't do so good tonight. They lost but she did good so she was still in a good mood.

Cydney is hanging in there. She still is in some pain but trying not to take the meds. It is funny because she is slow to respond and keeps saying huh!

Enjoy your night.

Surgery was perfect....

I know I did it backwards again. This is leaving the hospital.

After surgery waking up. When they came and got me she was back in the room eating graham crackers and drinking juice.

The finished product.

Before surgery in the room where the doctor comes to visit you.

The IV was an ordeal. Great nurse just a little scary!

Waiting to be taken into surgery.

she should heal up nicely into about 8 weeks! She has a splint/plaster thing on her hand for about 10 days and then I think they will put on a cast for four more weeks and I forgot what happens after that point.

Cydney slept pretty good last night. She doesn't appear to be in much pain but I have tried today at least to keep her out of pain.

She is resting today but really wanted to go to school. I think knowing the healing process has finally started has made her feel better!

Cydney's Surgery Day

Unfortunately, we are on stand by which means we get to wait at home. The good thing is we get to wait at home the bad thing is she is going to wake up hungry in a minute and we don't know what time.

I do know there were three surgeries ahead of her and two of them are long but the last one was scheduled for 9:55. So I am praying it won't be much of a wait. While I am patiently waiting at home I can do laundry and clean my bathrooms! I suppose there is a bright side to everything! Her attitude seems good and she doesn't appear to be dreading it or scared. I am sure she is just ready to get feeling better.

Now on a lighter note, Grayce had her first game at school last night. She was on fire! She was definitely the strongest defensive player on the team this game. She started the game on second base. She is the smallest child out there. She caught pop ups made a double play. Covered first base for so many outs I forgot. She even had to jump for a badly thrown ball when she was covering first. A girl was running to third and she faked her back to second and threw her out! She looked like a professional! She bunted and made it to third base. She did pop out once and struck out but she was so pumped over her defence that she just sort of floated home. Then towards the end of the game when the coach was letting the benched girls play she said Grayce you can sit out and then after she put everyone in the field she said oops Grayce can you play third and she said yea okay go to third.

Cydney and Zach were both there supporting her. I know Cyd is missing playing. This is the first week she has gone without softball since November. I am praying that her hand will heal quickly and she can finish up the last few games. Her coach loves her and the bad thing is a girl quit on varisity so that would allow Cydney maybe to move up. As bratty as my girls can act thier attitude on the field is out of control. The coaches love them and there team mates love them.

I am sure not everyone is interested in the Little League World Series but we have been watching it on the computer. Last night it was on ESPN. We are excited because the girls from Georgia are from Warner Robins and two of them are in Grayce's class. One is James Brians teachers daughter from last year and two of them we went to Texas with a couple of years ago. So we are cheering them on from Perry! I think they are on ESPN again tonight. Go team Georgia!

I guess that is all. I will update you on Cyd's surgery. Please pray it is easy and she tolerates being put to sleep. I have tried keep her up and tell her how good she will be sleeping. I pray that is true. Then I read an article in Guidepost this morning about a man being awake and they were thinking he was out!

Cydney's emergency room visit

Thursday night at the emergency room.

This is a strange place to spend quality time with your girls!

I don't know if everyone know this but Grayce wants to be a doctor. For as long as I can remember thats what she has wanted. She already has her school picked out. She studies hard to get good grades so she can get into a good school.

Anyway, this thing with Cydney is about to make her crazy. She just found out we have pre-op on Tuesday. She really wants to go. I wished I could talk the doctor into letting her in the OR with them. I am afraid she would just take over!

Last night Cyd went to the Braves game with Zach. Brian and JB went to Toys R Us and then to dinner and Grayce and I went shoe shopping and the to eat. It looks like we could meet in the middle some where doesn't it.

We went to church and Sunday school. Cydney went to the Buck a rama :( doesn't sound like much fun to me but she enjoyed it.

The rest of us have been working in the house and trying to prepare for Monday. It has been raining most of the day so in a minute I am going to sneak to bed! It is already dark outside.

Baby Jacob is a year old

Jacob teaching me to clap!

Zach loves me!

Marc loves me! Shhhh! It's my blog...

Hayden and Grayce.

Michael and Jacob

James Brian climbing on something

One day last week Mark brought Hayden over and JB and Justin were teaching how to play guns? Is that a good example?

Actually his birthday was on Friday. Michael and Brandi had him a party at monkey joes. It is a kids place where they have all those blow up jumping things. Jacob didn't like it but all the other children did! JB took Justin so he would have someone to play with.

Zach is taking Cydney to the Braves game today for thier anniversary. The game is at 4:00 so it will still be daylight when they start home.

I hate having a helpless child. I had to straighten her hair for her! She really isn't milking it like I would have expected. Probably because she doesn't want to stay home all day.

When Justin calls, he is at football, Grayce and I are going shoe shopping. I enjoy having one child at the time every now and then so we don't have to share each other!

JB made a 100 on his first spelling test. I don't know about the girls yet. Cyd ended up staying at home all day because the clothes she could get on didn't pass dress code and I was really afraid someone would bump her arm. I don't know what she is going to do about writing. I guess it will work out.

We are just enjoying the weekend after a busy school and work week. I went to curves three times last week. Yea, Me! Hopefully on Monday I can keep with the program.

Enjoy the sunshine...if your having some!

Accident Amy does it again.

I think everyone know that George Lopez is my latest favorite show. On George is Accident Amy who is played by Sandra Bullock. She is always hurt or getting hurt or causing someone else to get hurt.

Well it seems Cydney has taken her place. Yesterday she chipped her thumb at softball practice and has to have surgery on Wednesday! It was such a freak accident. She was running home, the center fielder threw the ball home and her hand got caught between the ball and the catchers mitt. But before that the girls were doing drills and she lost the ball in the sunshine and it hit her in the head. So at the emergency room we checked accident amy for a concussion and a broken finger!

I watched a new show last night on animal planet about an animal emergency clinic in Alaska. It was good but it was 3:00 AM so I am not sure when I will see that one again.

The whole family had a bad night last night. James Brian got in bed with us at 2:00, G heard him and came to check things out. Then I had to go to the bathroom, Brian had to go to the bathroom, Grayce heard us up so she got up again. My children are just a mess. But a mess worth putting up with!

Good night!

Trying to get a routine going, again!

Why is it so hard to get a good nights sleep and get up on time when you have school and work facing you the next day?

I never have been blessed with people that just jump right out of bed on a school day and get going. James Brian usually is up but even these last two days I had to wake him up. The girls will lay in bed for a solid hour before they get up! For one thing no one can settle down and I am not sure why. We drink caffeine free coke and tea. Well, sometimes I sneak the good stuff!

The girls are practicing softball after school. Today there teams are practicing together which is neat. I will pick JB up and Cyd will bring both girls home.

This morning Cydney and James Brian were ready for school before G. So they left and I told G I would take her. Well she had left her gym bag in Cyd's car because she was planning on riding with her. So I had to drop G off. Go in find Cydney get her keys go to the car get G's stuff. Return the keys and put G's stuff in her locker! I embarrassed them both I think. I was wearing gym clothes on the way to curves.

I did my exercise thing and got ready and went it for 15 minutes or so maybe an hour and then left! I know I have to work all day tomorrow so I had to go to the grocery store! I have done some laundry and my plan is to work really hard on Thursday when Brian is working in the yard! We will see. I ask my mother and law and my grandmother to come and help me but neither are here yet!

Westfield!

Grayce's birthday cake. The girls love a cookie cake. My friend Dana can make them but where is she when you need her!

Cyd on second base after her hit. It was a single but she stole second or maybe she got hit over I can't remember but anyway she ended up on second and third. The ball got away from the catcher and the coach sent her home. She got thrown out but the coach apolgized to her for sending her!

There's my girl hitting the ball. Isn't her uniform cute with her name on! Go Ninnee!

She batting! I know I got the pictures backwards.

Cyd and I on the way home from the beach being silly!

First day of school. Everyone is so grown up. JB won't even let me walk him in class.

When Cyd left yesterday for the game she was a little down. She is in the 11th grade but is playing junior varsity. When the coach drafted the team she pulled her to the side and said I cannot put you on varisty because you have never even walked out on to the softball field. Cydney told us that was fine but I honestly think she was a little disappointed. Her friend who is also in the same grade is on JV with her. She played varsity last year. This child is only the designated hitter. She hits and if she gets on base they put in a runner for her.

Cyd started the game at second and did a great job. She popped out her first at bat but at least she made contact and she got on base her second at bat. Her attitude was better and I told her to stay away from that other child. The good thing is JV only plays 10 games and it looks like varisty plays about 25. Cyd isn't having as much practice so it does have its advantages. She probably wouldn't admit it but I know she is tired. She has been playing since November with a season of soccer mixed in.

G should know her fate next week!

My brain is all washed out??

I ask James Brian what did he learn today and he said he couldn't remember...his brain was all washed out! He would tell me in a year!

Cydney has her first school game today. I am so excited for her. She was a little nervous last night and probably would have backed out if we let her!

Grayce has tryouts again today. Hopefully she will find out soon about making the team. They are waiting on some of the players. Three of the children on her team are on the little girls little league team that are going to Oregon for The Little League World Series!

Today is G's 12Th birthday. I don't know how we can celebrate when we are at the ball field all the time. I have her a cookie cake but we won't be home until late. I left it at the car lot so JB and I wouldn't be tempted to eat it!

I am back on the curves schedule. It was alright. My friend went with me. I do feel better about myself when I go.

I worked after curves but it is hard to get stuff done during normal business hours. I don't want to work early on Saturday because Brian will be home. I guess I can go on Sunday before church. Brian could get the kids ready for Sunday school! Hmm, I will think about that!

Update tomorrow after Cyd's first high school softball game. Yes, she has been in high school for several years but this is the first time she has played softball on the school team.!

How about a little detail from the weekend?

I sent the ball team off early Friday morning. I broke the news to them when I arrived at the ballfield with their directions. Cydney rode with her friend Abbie. Margarett said why do they need you. Because they cannot pee without me telling them when to go. So help me they were gone 1 hour and 20 minutes and I got a text that said "Coach said there is a place to stop in eleven miles is that okay?"

Brian and I couldn't leave until we made sure Ford Credit wasn't going to be there. I don't know what good I would have been. Moral support I suppose.

I left about 11:00 by myself! Isn't that funny. We make a big deal out of never riding together and then I take off for Sumter, South Carolina all with just me for company. I loved it. I got to listen to what I wanted to on the radio. My best friend is myself! I don't argue with me too much!

Brian and our friend David left about 12:30. Daddy and Margarett left about 1:00 and brought the little ones with them.

Brian ended up being only about 20 minutes behind me because I had to stop at Turner Field and pickup somethings from the stadium.

We had opening ceremonies Friday night. The girls picture was in the local paper. We played our first game against Mississippi on Saturday at 10:00. We lost. No need at this point to wear out anyone.

My friend Dana who only lives an hour away came to the game with her family. We had lunch at the mexican place. Hung out at the motel and had a nice visit.

For supper the team went to Mexican. I did the girls laundry. Yes the whole team. Brian helped me. The whole team went bowling. Then hung out at the motel.

Sunday we had a game at 9:00. We lost. Still no use in wearing anybody out. Cydney did really good. She was on base 3 out of 4 times. She made some great plays at third. Plus she continued to keep a great attitude the entire time.

We packed up and went Myrtle Beach on Sunday afternoon. It is really pretty. The children at least since they are old enough to remember have never seen the Atlantic Ocean. The sand feels good but it isn't Panama City.

We ate at some really good places. Our motel was awesome. It had 15 pools and a bowling alley plus a lazy river.

We left at 6:30 on Tuesday morning for G to make it to softball tryouts at school. The coach hasn't announced who made the team yet but she already ask me for help so I am sure G is a shoe in! As soon as we got home I had to run G back to Warner Robins for a sports physical before she could tryout. She had to have three shots. She was such a big girl she chose to get them now and didn't even cry.

We enjoyed our last day off. Wednesday. We had to buy tennis shoes, oh joy!

The children went to school today. Only until 1:00 and then we had lunch with daddy. Everyone had fun. James Brian was so excited he couldn't sleep last night!

Cyd's first school game is tomorrow. I am excited for her. I wished everyone could be here to cheer he on! I will take lots of pictures. She didn't get the number she wanted but her uniform is cool. It has her name on it. I told her that was important so when she makes the sports hall of fame I can donate it!

I went straight to work when I dropped the children off. I am going straight to curves tomorrow even though I really don't have time, my friend Patti is hassling me about going. Grayce's birthday is tomorrow and I have to get her a cake somewhere. There is so much to be done at the carlot. There is so much to do at this house. I may have to take a nerve pill over it. Brian still expects me to go to work at 6:00 but I am not going until I get the children ready for school. I can catch up when they are all grown up!

I guess thats it until tomorrow.

View from our motel room!

I have no idea what they are looking at.

They were looking at the rain drops?

Cydney sat with me while JB and Grayce played in the lazy river that was at our motel.

G and JB playing in the lazy river.

Walking on the beach! It sure isn't as pretty as PC.

The entire team after the final loss removing our state flag from the playing field.

Cydney accepting her award for participation.

Cydney at bat. She was on base 3 out of 4 times at bat. That was better than anyone else! Go Cyd!

In the dugout....thinking about the next inning?

Brian and Cyd having a pow wow!

Cydney stepping in the batters box.

Coach Mendi telling her something.

My friend Dana's girls. McKenzie, G, Cyd and Butler.

My best friend in the entire world Dana. She and her family came to the game.

All the Georgia teams.

Not much to tell about our World Series trip.

Cydney had fun. Probably more fun at the motel with her girl friends. We went to Myrtle Beach after our final loss for a few days.

Now we are back at home. I am wondering why I even go anywhere because it is so much work when we get back.

JB lost a tooth while we were gone. I forgot to put that picture up. He is so cute snaggle toothed.

School starts tomorrow. I am not looking forward to it. I will miss them terribly.

Both girls have school ball practice today. We got a two day break from softball! When will it ever end??