LAST CHANCE!!!

Today is the last day to RSVP for my Favorite Things Swap.

I am completely overwhelmed with the response I have gotten thus far.

You guys are the best.

I tell ya.

I know just where to go if I want some juicy gossip spread around the internet.

I have tried to respond to each of your RSVP's.

If you did not get a confirmation email from me... like "I got your information. Thanks for participating.", chances are I did not get it.

You may want to try again.

Also there were several of you that commented on my blog that you wanted to participate, but never emailed me your information.

You need to do that.

Today.

I will start working on matching partners tomorrow.

I have not decided on my exact method yet.

I am thinking of the scientific approach.

Throw the names in a hat and draw out two at a time.

Very scientific.

Does anyone know if random.org offers an option for this?

I hope to have your swap partners information to you by the first of the week.

Start gathering your favorite things.

It helps if you channel Maria (Julie Andrews) and sing out loud while you shop.

It worked for me.

Everyone now.... Raindrops on Roses...

Happy Swapping!!!

TIME WELL SPENT

This has been the week of "COLE".

My intentions were to spend lots of time doing special things with him.

School started for Chase and Claire and it was going to be just the two of us.

The week started off as planned.

Sort of.

I took Cole and a friend to the Splash Park only to discover that it was closed.

Nice.

So they spent the afternoon frolicking in my sprinkler.

Water is water...right?

Tuesday we went to the library for story time.

We spent some time on the computers and checked out books.

We rented a movie and I picked up one of Cole's cousins to watch it with him and play.

Wednesday was supposed to be a day at the park.

Thanks to the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay...that didn't happen.

Instead we played games on the computer, played a few board games, and raced cars and trucks all over the house.

All while keeping an eye to the sky because we were under tornado watches ALL DAY!

On the way back from picking up carpool I looked back at Cole and noticed he had dark circles under his eyes.

Later that night.... the fever came.

The next day it was headaches and throwing up.

So much for Cole's special week.

His special week turned into his sick week.

Poor fella.

Yesterday he was so miserable.

He couldn't get comfortable.

Watching the television or computer hurt his eyes.

And all he wanted was to be held and cuddled.

That is right friends...I held, rocked, cuddled, and doted on my baby.

He let me hold him to read books.

He requested we read in the rocking chair.

Be still my heart.

We even took a nap together.

I can't tell you the last time that happened.

I hate that he felt so bad.

I wish he had been well.

But the quality time I spent with him yesterday made the whole week for me.

Maybe the whole year.

So thanks for understanding and giving us that time.

I will be back next week in full blogger mode.

See you then.

(ALMOST) WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

I know I have not been around to visit your blogs this week.

I am getting there.

Chase and Claire started school on Monday.

Cole starts preschool in two weeks.

He will go five days.

Every week.

I am trying not to jump up and down with excitement cry.

I decided that I would spend some quality time with Cole this week.

So pardon my absence for just a little longer.

This mommy is trying to soak in the last days of being home with her baby!

I BLINKED!

Today I became the mother of a middle schooler.

I am not really sure how that happened.

I blinked.

That is all I remember.

I am not ready for this.

He is not ready for this.

I thought HE was ready.

We took him to orientation last week.

We met his teachers.

We toured the campus.

We are carpooling with a great group of friends.

We bought his school supplies.

He told me last night HE was not ready.

He was nervous.

And full of questions.

At 9:30 pm, when he should have been asleep, he was pacing the floor and needing answers.

"What time do I need to be up?"

"What if you forget to get me up....should I set a clock too?"

"What if I don't remember where my classes are?"

"I don't remember where my classes are!"

"Will someone tell me it is lunch time?"

"They never showed us where the cafeteria is ...what if I can't find it?"

" No one assigned me a number...how will I pay for lunch?"

"What if I can't remember my combination to my locker?"

"How will I know where to go for you to pick me up?"

I will stop there.

There were more.

Many more.

My poor Chase.

He is breaking my heart.

He is so grown up in many ways...and yet, he is terrified of going to this new school.

How I wish I could simply make it all better for him.

I am not any better.

I am wringing my hands and pacing the floor too.

Wish us both well as we enter these new waters.


*UPDATE:
Chase survived his first day.
He came home with NO homework.
All is well in his world!

I NEED A SMALL FAVOR!!!

I have shared my love of Google Reader.


I even explained to some of you how to use it.


You have thanked me many times over for sharing my vast knowledge of all things computer.


Stop laughing.


I would now like to share with you another feature I love.


Replying to comments.


I love this.


I love it when you leave me a sweet comment or say something side-splitting funny and I can hit "reply".


I can then reply to your sweet or funny comment without having to decide Do I leave the comment on my blog or hers?



I love it when I hit reply and you have an actual email to send a reply to.



I don't like it when I hit reply and it says no reply blogger.



It makes me a little crazy.



Do you see where I am going with this?



I didn't think so.



Here it is in a nutshell.



You should already have an email address associated with your blogger account.



You know...the place where your comments show up.



Go into your profile and check off the Show my email address box under edit profile.



If you don't have an email address associated with your blog...get one!



You can create one in seconds through Gmail. ( or anywhere frankly)



Add it to your identity under edit profile, then click that same little box.



I promise it is easy.



Don't think if you are emailing or chatting that this feature is already set up.



It is not.



Over half of my readers do not have their emails enabled.



Please do me a favor.



Go check.



You will get lots more email responses from everyone.



And that is all I have to say about that.

*Don't forget to sign up for my Favorite Things Swap!!!*

FAVORITE THINGS SWAP!!!

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

Oh, um... excuse me.

Singing to myself again.

I know you have waited with bated breath for the BIG announcement.

Here it is.

My first ever...

Favorite Things Swap!

I am so excited about this.

I recently did a

Favorite Things Swap

over at According to Kelly.

It was an amazing experience.

I hope that this one will be just as fun for you.

Here is how it works:

1. Let me know you want to participate.

I will need an RSVP by August 30, 2008.

2. If you choose to participate, you will simply pick three (or more) of your favorite things to share with your partner.

I am sure no one would complain if you wanted to send more.

I think I sent seven things...but I got a little carried away.

This does not have to be expensive.

It could be your favorite book, a new mascara, or a book of your favorite recipes.

It might even be some personalized note cards, or a box of your favorite chocolates.

Items can be new, bought, or even homemade.

Just remember to send a package that you would be excited to receive.

Be creative!

3. Email me at becausewendisaidso@gmail.com with the following information.

• Your name
• Your mailing address
• Your email address
• Your website/ blog /or flickr address.

(you must have one of these)

• A little something about yourself.
• Please let me know if you would be willing to ship internationally.
  
  
  4.I will email you the information about your swap partner shortly after the sign up deadline.

The delivery deadline is September 22, 2008.

Be sure to have your packages ready and postmarked by then.

So...are you ready to join in the fun?

Share this with your friends!

Tell your neighbors!

Email your associates!

Grab my Favorite Things button and post it on your blog!

Oh, speaking of my button.

Isn't it the cutest?

Alex, over at The Roaming Southerner whipped that up for me.

She is amazing.

A "genius photoshopper" I like to call her.

My own personal GPS!

Thanks Alex!

Okay.....are you ready to swap?

Me too!

I can't wait to hear from all of you.

*Feel free to contact me at becausewendisaidso@gmail.com with any questions.

SOMEONE HEARD MY PLEA !!!

Twas the night of Chad's party

and all through the house

Everyone was stirring, even my "mouse".

The presents were laid on the table with care.

Never knowing that Santa soon would be there.

The children were restless...they needed to go to bed,

While visions of cake still danced in their head.

And me in my kitchen, and Chad on the chair.

Had just settled down, though so much to do there.

When outside the door there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the dishes to see what was the matter.

Away to the door I flew like a flash,

Could this be someone late to the birthday bash?

I opened the door, I looked high, I looked low.

The moon shone upon an object below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a large black bag resembling travel gear.

I picked it up quickly and took it inside.

"Who could have left their luggage?", I cried.

More rapid than eagles I opened the case.

I soon felt the color leaving my face.

A sleek computer was found in the bag.

An early gift from Santa it said on the tag.

I heard an engine roar and they drove out of sight.

Then someone exclaimed, "Don't be on it all night!"

THANKS SANTA!!!

*HUGE announcement coming tomorrow!

Ya'll come back now...ya hear!

Gone Fishin'!!!

We took the kids out on the boat one more time before school starts next week.

I was thinking boating, tubing, swimming.

Chad was thinking FISHING!

I don't fish.

I don't like fish.

I don't eat fish.

If Chad could do anything in the world...he would fish.

You see why we are so compatible right?

And since I ALWAYS get my way... we FISHED!

Well, they fished.

I read a book and took pictures.

It was a beautiful day.

The fish were biting.

The kids were reeling them in quicker than I could snap the photos.

It was fun.

The first hour.

By the third and fourth hour...not so much.

The kids were fussing and arguing.

There was name calling.

And lots of "My fish was bigger than your fish".

By the time we arrived at the boat landing I was counting down the

seconds minutes hours days

until school starts back.

Happy 40th!!!

Last Tuesday Chad turned 40.

I had been thinking and planning for months as to what I might do.

In my head.

Tuesday came.

I still had nothing.

Yes, I am THAT indecisive.

Somehow I planned and threw a party on Saturday night.

My disease was in overdrive.

In four days I managed to have all my flower beds weeded.

(Thanks honey!)

Including most of the flowers.

We put out 25 bales of pinestraw.

(thanks kids!)

We painted the birdhouse.

We painted all the patio furniture.

We painted the kitchen chairs.

We painted a light fixture.

We hung pictures.

We hung ferns.

We painted a bathroom.

(thanks again honey!)

We cooked and baked.

We scrubbed.

And cleaned.

And organized.

And alphabetized.

And I remembered why I don't throw more parties.

Too. much. work.

But it was worth it.

You only turn forty once.

It was a reason to celebrate.

And celebrate we did.

Happy 40th Birthday Chad!!!

It was THIS BIG!!!

I lied.

I said no more vacation stories.

I lied.

Chad was tying the boat to the dock and the kids and I were chatting about their fishing trip.

Cole had caught a rather large fish and was showing us just how large.

Of course each time we asked, his hands were wider apart.

He is just like his Father.

While we were talking I asked what happened to his life jacket.

He looked down.

He saw nothing wrong.

Then he proudly announced that he had buckled it himself.

Really?

Are you sure Daddy didn't help?

I guess the teasing got to be too much when Chase and Claire piped in.

Siblings.

Cole walked down the dock, turned around and gave me "the look".

And then he announced he was walking home.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

I promise this will be the last time I mention my vacation.

Maybe.

Thirteen Reasons I Didn't Enjoy My Vacation:

1. I didn't have a laptop.

2. I couldn't get my blog fix.

3. I had no Internet.

4. I couldn't read your funny stories.

5. I couldn't see your precious family photos.

6. I couldn't comment.

7. I couldn't write.

8.I worried my pre-post wouldn't post.

9. I missed you...I did.

10. Did I mention I didn't have a laptop?

11. I couldn't email.

12. I couldn't check the weather or find a recipe.

13. Because I didn't have a laptop.

Honestly I had a wonderful time with my family.

It was a fabulous week.

But when we got back on Saturday afternoon...my hand was twitching to touch that mouse.

It was the first thing I did.

Okay second.

And I stayed glued to the computer screen for the next two hours.

I announced rather vehemently that I would never take another trip or go on another vacation without a laptop.

And I won't.

So if anyone out there happens to work for Dell, Compaq, Sony or Apple....help a girl out.

I am not above begging.

And I am not pretty when I cry.

I know there is such a thing as "gifting" people with things.

I need to be "gifted" a laptop.

I will sing your praises.

I will write a post about your generosity.

Please oh please just send me one!

Or I will have to ask my husband.

WATER LOGGED!!!

Yesterday I documented the first hour of our vacation.

You didn't honestly think I was going to write the next 143 posts on the rest of my trip did you?

I didn't think so.

I would lose all my readers for sure!

The rest of our week pretty much looked like this.

And this.

And sometimes this.

Mixed with a lot of this.

Sometimes we ventured away from the water and did a little of this.

At the end of the day we usually looked like this.

It really was a wonderful week at Emerald Isle.

We miss it already.

HOUR ONE OF OUR VACATION

The sky was blue.

The sun was shining.

Perfect beach going weather.

The suburban was packed and I managed to leave everyone just enough room

to breathe.

Which is usually important when driving for an hour and a half.

The boat was filled with more poles and tackle than I am certain

any one person could possibly need .

Big Bertha was brought out of the closet, blown up, and placed lovingly

on the boat.

Oh how we love our Big Bertha!

We were off for what was to be a glorious week at the beach.

Ten minutes into our drive there was a bump.

And a thump.

And a slight swerving of the boat.

And I knew all was not right in vacationland.

I looked out of my rearview mirror and saw the problem.

We had a flat tire.

On the boat trailer.

We pulled off the highway and Chad hopped out to investigate.

I hopped out too.

Armed with my new

Nikon.

I had an empty memory card and a fully charged battery.

I could hardly wait to document our fun.

So I did.

Much to Chad's chagrin.

I snapped the first 16 photos of our vacation standing on the side of the road.

My strong, burly husband tried with all his might to get the tire off.

He tried.

And tried.

Nothing.

Some friendly folk from across the highway came out to see what all the

picture taking commotion was about.

Nice people.

No help.

Then a friend of ours passed by and stopped.

He was all dressed up in his Sundaygotomeeting attire.

What was he going to do?

He offered his moral support.

After 30 minutes of prying and pulling and wrestling with my children the tire,

an angel from on high was sent to us.

In the form of a Farm Service Provider.

With an Air Gun.

And power tools.

At first he was no help either.

But after much grunting, whining and sweating on my part...

the tire was off.

The spare was put on, my camera was put away, and we were off once again.

A small detour was made at Nana's house for her delicious fried chicken

and homemade biscuits.

A detour my thighs are still thanking me for.

And all was right in the world.

SELFISH LITTLE ME!!!

It seems that I may have upset a few of you.

I didn't announce my vacation until that last line of my 100th post.

I gave you no warning.

It took you completely by surprise.

I was simply trying to listen to my husband.

For once.

He was a little disturbed that I announced we were going out of town for three days a few weeks ago.

He wasn't sure that was very smart.

To let the whole world wide web know we were leaving.

I tried to tell him he had nothing to fear.

He seemed to have a few.

I think he thought there might be some crazed Mommy blog stalkers waiting to come to my house when I was gone.

What did he think they might do?

Mess up my pantry?

Put the sweet corn in with the asparagus?

De alphabetize my spices?

Mix the colored clothes with the whites?

I shudder to think.

So, I am sorry.

I was only thinking of myself .

I will try to give you a little more warning next time.

Forgive me?

Cheap Gas?

I was riding home from an afternoon of blueberry picking with the kids.

I spotted an old run down gas station.

Called Ma's.

They are quite famous for their hot dogs.

I pulled in with the thoughts of greasy pork products swirling around my head.

Then I saw this.

My thoughts went from grease to GAS!

The memories of $.79 per gallon gas were not so far back.

Was it?

Could it be?

Dare I try?

And then I saw this.

Oh well, it was a nice dream.

I just settled for the greasy hotdogs with extra chili.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

It's so EZ to giveaway!!!

The winner of the EZ School Supply giveaway is.......



drum roll please!



Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:12
Timestamp: 2008-08-03 13:05:24 UTC



Kelli was comment number 12!



Here was Kelli's comment:



Oh! My heart is all a pitter patter....the teacher in me LOVES school supplies. "Back to School" time is always bittersweet for me since I left teaching 4 years ago when I had my daughter. As much as I love being home with my 2 kiddos, I really miss teaching.
This year, however, I will get a little of my teaching fix. I'm going to start substituting a bit to get my foot back in the door and I'll be teaching an early morning scripture study class for the high schoolers at my church so these supplies could come in handy! Especially since I have a miniscule budget for supplies. $50 for 20 students...not sure how that is going to work. :)



Congratulations Kelli!



Sounds like you could use some supplies!



Please email me your mailing address and I will pass it along to EZ School Supplies.



They will ship your prize directly to you.



Don't forget that you are ALL winners.



Click on the EZ button at the top of the page and shop til you drop.



Don't forget to use the code provided so you can get an additional 10% off.



Thanks to everyone for playing....this was fun and so EZ!!!

MY 100TH POST!!!

Thanks for all your great suggestions for this post!

I loved all your ideas.

I especially loved sharing my 100 favorite photos or photos of 100 of my favorite things.

Fabulous idea.

Have you ever tried to upload more than 4 photos on blogger?

Exactly.

That my friends is. not. happening.

I also loved the idea of a 10x 10.

Ten things about ten different subjects.

Another great idea.

I had a hard time coming up with the subjects.

Pathetic...I know.

So...I am going with 100 random things about me.

I know what you are thinking.

There is more?

What hasn't she told us about herself?

Bear with me.

Before I begin, I want to Congratulate my friend, Dana over at Supernanny, Where Are You?

Today is her 100th post also.

Please go visit her today and learn more about her.

You will love her!

Here goes nothing.

100 things you may or may not want to know about me:

1. I became a mother 12 years ago.
2. My life has not been the same since.
3. I had all three children by c-section.
4. I can not relate to matters of dilating, pushing, or crowning.
5. I can relate to epidurals.
6. I love epidurals.
7. I also have a fondness for Nubain.
8. I picked all my kids birthdays.
9. Being a mother is the hardest job I have ever had.
10. It is also the most rewarding.
11. I would not trade this job for anything.
12. Though, I would love a PAID vacation.
13. I love my family.
14. Both my immediate and extended.
15. I consider myself blessed.
16. I love to talk.
17. I always have.
18. I rarely got an "O" (outstanding) on conduct in school.
19. I had an excessive chatter problem.
20. My children inherited my talkative gene.
21. I have never been very good at the quiet game.
22. My home is usually noisy.
23. You can usually find quiet here between the hours of 1 and 5 am.
24. I suggest visitors come between those hours.
25. I don't have a lot of company.
26. Five type A personalities can sometimes be too much for one house.
27. Rest assured...it is always entertaining.
28. I love to laugh.
29. Laughing is one of my favorite things to do.
30. Laughter really is the best medicine.
31. I need several doses a day.
32. I love to write.
33. Seeing my thoughts on paper is therapeutic.
34. Seeing my thoughts on a blog is even more so.
35. I love my blog.
36. I love your blog.
37. I love blogging. Period.
38. It has become a bit of an addiction.
39. I am also just a little obsessed with my sitemeter.
40. And comments.
41. I check both way too many times a day.
42. I love my house to be clean and tidy.
43. I clean, wash, or scrub something everyday.
44. My house never reflects my hard work.
45. My children are not that into clean and tidy.
46. Which is why my house never stays that way.
47. I gave up soda a year and a half ago.
48. It was one of the hardest habits I have ever tried to break.
49. Next to eating.
50. I am still working on the eating thing.
51. I will occasionally have a "sip" of Diet Coke.
52. It doesn't do that much for me anymore.
53. I was hoping it would improve my health.
54. And shrink my waistline.
55. I am not sure it did either.
56. I am a Carolina girl. Born and Bred.
57. I have lived in NC my entire life.
58. I am 38 years old.
59. I have never wanted to live in another state.
60. I have always wanted to live in a different city.
61. I am not sure that will ever happen.
62. I love to travel.
63. I have a passport.
64. It is my second one.
65. I would love to have more stamps in it.
66. I would love to cross the pond again.
67. I don't think I will be traveling far for a while.
68. I love to cook.
69. I love to bake.
70. I love to eat.
71. I love to organize.
72. I love to alphabetize.
73. I like things in groups of three.
74. Three candlesticks on the mantel...Three kids.
75. I am not sure why I like things in odd numbers like that.
76. I do not like odd numbers when it comes to laundry.
77. I like to find and match all socks....that is one time I prefer even numbers.
78. I do entirely too much laundry.
79. I do laundry every day.
80. And still there is more.
81. I have a little game I play.
82. How quickly can you get to the bottom of the hamper?
83. I love my hampers to be empty.
84. They don't stay that way long.
85. Hence, the reason for doing laundry every. single. day. (except Sunday)
86. I am on the planning committee for my High School reunion.
87. It has been 20 years.
88. I am sure that is not possible.
89. I was hoping this impending reunion would inspire me to get back to the gym.
90. I have not been to the gym in 5 months.
91. So far...it has not been inspiration enough.
92. I really love going to the gym.
93. The pain and the sweating...not so much.
94. Going down a pant size or two is a huge reward.
95. I may have just talked myself into going back to the gym.
96. I am glad I wrote this post.
97. I am leaving for vacation in 1 hour.
98. I am trying to finish all my pre-posts.
99. I will miss Blogville.
100. I will miss you and will visit you again next weekend.


Whew!

I just composed the fastest 100TH post ever.

Chad only gave me an hour to get my computer time in.

He wants me to help load the truck.

Whatever.

If that wasn't enough unimportant information about me... you can read more here.

See you all when I return.

Don't do any good blogging without me!

I JUST HAD A FACE LIFT !!!

I just had a face lift and I am feeling great!

It was virtually pain free.

No needles.

No scalpel.

No blood.

No staples.

No stitches.

Actually... I came through it with no scars at all.

No, not me silly.

My blog.

You see...I have been coveting admiring all your cute blog designs.

And your three columns.

And your cute little signatures.

So I asked Krystyn over at Krizzy's Designs if she could help me out.

She got right on it.

She had a design for me in no time.

This girl works FAST!

The only problem was ...ME!!!

I can be extremely a little indecisive at times.

Just a little.

Things like "Choose between white or pink " can sometimes stump me.

These things take time.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Lets just say it took me a while.

Then I just couldn't quite envision it.

And she might have had to create it so I had a clearer vision.

I think she called me a visual person.

So I am.

Visual.

I finally made my decisions and I am sure Krystyn gave a big sigh of relief.

And she probably did a happy dance.

And I am pretty sure she has blocked me from Gmail chat and her blog.

I tease.

I hope.

Krystyn was wonderful, super helpful, and she bent over backwards to help me.

If you are looking for a creative genius to give your blog a little face lift...

look no further than Krizzy's Designs.

Throw out that blogger template.

You can thank me later.

*Don't forget today is the last day to participate in my Giveaway!