#2 and Lysol

*if queasy, might want to skip.

Yesterday, Allyebug came over to play with Wiley while I exercised. When I got home, Wiley wanted to try to go potty, so he tried, didn't need to go, then as Allyson and I were talking and we look and there Wiley is...going #2 on the carpet in his room.
I won't go into more detail, but you can enjoy the picture (it doesn't show anything) of the cleaning and then the Lysol picture. Who knew I'd be talking about Lysol 2x in one week?

Flashback Friday: Beach

I decided I would do My Tiny Kingdom's Flashback Friday.

Here it is:


Rollerderbys, bathing in the floats naked, fashion shows from the balcony, our moms drinking beer, bloody marys, anything with alcohol in it while listening to the oldies station on the radio (i think it was called the rose?), gigantic roaches jumping on Will, Spice Girls, and goodness knows what else...all memories from my days at the beach as a child.

There are not many pictures, aside from Wiley/Wil pictures, that I love more than this one. Taken goodness knows when (I think we look like we might have been lower elementary, 6/7/8 ish years old among us, except Beau), it is my childhood in a nutshell. I stole, I mean borrowed it, from my mom last time I was home.

This was taken at Lucy's grandparent's beach house in Seagrove...the Strandhausel (spelling?). I love that we are wearing Umbros, tshirts, and Tevas. It also includes this stray dog that we took care of for the week. I don't think we had a dog at the time, so it was pretty exciting to have one at the beach!

The most special part though of this picture are the people that are in it. Gillian, Beau, Lucy, and my sister (where is Wooly Bully?)--people that will most certainly always be a precious part of my past, present, and future. Gill and Lucy are Brooke and my other sisters.

I love you girls (and boy) and can't wait till we can go back to the Strandhausel. You can thank me later that I didn't get my hands on the nakey pictures of yall bathing in that big float under the outdoor shower.

Tiny Kingdom and Dicky V.

This is a blog that has been around for awhile I think...I just rediscovered it, and laughed out loud multiple times.

My Tiny Kingdom

It makes me excited about watching Wiley become a funny little boy. I can't wait to see all the shenanigans he tries.

In other news...I met Dick Vitale (Dicky V) last night when Wake beat Duke! "Met" should be interpreted loosely, however. By "met" I mean we walked up to him, he handed us autographed advertisements for his own books (?), handed the older man seated behind Dicky V our camera, listened as older man promised Dicky V more hair if he took a picture with us, older man shows Dicky V his equally balding head, (awkward glances b/w girls), we gather around Dicky V who smelled odd, Dicky V writes with his autograph sharpie on my arm (I will never wash this forearm again...Not.), "Cheese," we turn to say thanks, and before we know it Dicky V has turned the other way to pass out more autographed advertisements. Meanwhile older man laments that he didn't realize that Carrie was to be in the picture and he may or may not have her in it. Not sure how he didn't get the memo since we had our arms around each other, but let's be honest, we were taking a gamble by giving older man a digital camera anyway.



I give you another picture from the game, taking a chance that Paige will have me remove it.
Here is our very own Paige with her sign that she created, along with Carrie and I (this is pre-Dicky V. stalk). Notice that it is not Obama, but actually Jeff Teague who is quite the basketball player. *I would like to add Paige's own clause to her enormously clever sign for her when complimented on it. And I quote "Yes, but I'm a Republican."



And an insider's scoop on the difference between Wake's performance last night compared to the disappointing meeting with Va. Tech...Movement for Men.
Yes, the men's dance class that husband participates in along with other basketball players apparently left its mark on the players pre-Va. Tech. They were exhausted from their pliees, pas de beurres (I can't spell, but you know what I'm talking about), and hip thrusts, thus negatively affecting their performance. Apparently quick to learn from their mistakes, the players sat out class before the Duke game, opting to rest their legs and muscles and instead observe their fellow dancers looking most likely quite ridiculous as they spun and jumped across the floor. Hey, whatever it takes.

Linoleum

*disclaimer: I know, I know. I am very fortunate and very lucky to have a cozy wonderful heated apartment a few feet away from friends, however, hear me out on this topic.

White Linoleum:


I think that you should be outlawed in all 50 states. Home Depot and Lowes should be sued for selling you. While I can see how clean you might appear in the showroom as people look for that clean, kitchen/bathroom, sleek look, you are in fact deceitful. There is nothing clean about you. You attract dirt. You hold dirt. And your hue contrasts my dirt, bringing it to my attention as if there was a spotlight on it. I detest you in my kitchen and in my bathrooms. Do you like being high maintenance? Do you like feeling my futile sweeps multiple times each day? Do you like hearing my groans and moans of annoyance when my Swiffer attempts are worthless and hopeless? Do you like seeing me on my hands and knees, Lysol in hand along with a paper towel? Do you just beg for my husband, I mean someone, to step on you with tennis shoes that leave scuff marks everywhere, thus leading to the Lysol movement?

Someday, White Linoleum, I will move on. And I will not miss you. You will be left for another poor soul to slave over you, sweep you, Swiffer you, Lysol, Clorox, burn you.

Until then, I will remain, broom/Swiffer/Lysol in hand.

It goes something like this...

Driving home from church yesterday,we ask Wiley about what he did during his class. Here is what he said...

us: Wiley, what did you do during church?
Wiley: I know. (which means I don't know)
Us: You don't know? Well, did you sing?
Wiley: Yes. I sing wonderful song.
Us: Oh, what wonderful song did you sing?
Wiley: Baa Baa Black Sheep. (pause) It goes something like this...(and he proceeds to sing Baa Baa and the Wheels on the Bus).

We were so tickled when he said "it goes something like this..." We can't figure out where he heard that phrase, either!

Here are some pictures (notice the new, very short hair cut):
Before church


Going to school


Coming soon: our daily life from Wiley's perspective...

snow day, again!

We woke up to maybe an inch or two of snow (i'm really bad at estimating measurements), and it was so pretty! wiley was so excited!

Miss Maddie's Snow Angel


Wiley's Snow Angel

Productive Sunday

Wow! What a day! After a couple of not very productive ones, this day made up for it all!

First of all, breakfast with a friend and Wiley. What more could you want. And Wiley was nice...for a 2 year old.

Second, Cole and Raymond came over and helped to organize my closet by the door AND Wiley's closet. The closet by the door is organized...my pack n play won't crush me when I open the door, and I can roll the vacuum in without running over leftover gift bags. Thank you so much Raymond! And Wiley's closet! WOW WOW WOW! Cole and Raymond helped figure out bins and then helped put stuff in bins, clean out stuff in the closet to make room for the bins, then put the bins in an organized fashion in there. All the baby bedding, blankets, bottles, keepsakes, everything is in its bin. They even helped attack and conquer the desk full of goodness knows what! Pictures to come soon of those! I am so lucky to have friends who donate a Sunday afternoon to help you organize and clean up! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Third, Wiley with his big, bad cold and me with my coupons went to CVS. The new ad came out and I had a $5 off purchase of $15 coupon I had to use today. Here is what we did:

Transaction #1:
Crest Whitestrips
regularly $24.99, on sale for $19.99
-coupon: -$3
-ecb earned: $5

Colgate toothbrush
regularly $4.49, on sale for $3.49 with card
-coupon: -$.75
-ecb earned: $1

Then, $5 off from $5/$15 coupon...

Total: 15.98
Saved: $14.75
Earned: $6 ECB

[so that one was really to get the $5 ECB from Whitestrips which I think that one of us will use. I always want to get those, but usually too expensive]

Transaction #2
Herbal Essence Shampoo
regularly $4.69, on sale for $2.99
-coupon: -$1
-ecb earned: $1

Colgate toothpaste
regularly $4.39, on sale for $3.49
-coupon: -$1
-ecb earned: $1

Excedrin migraine
on sale $1.99
-coupon: -$1

Nature's valley Bar: $.79

Then, used $5.99 ECBs

Total: $0.46
Saved: $14.89

TOTAL SPENDING: $16.44
TOTAL SAVED: $29.64
ECBs EARNED: $8

So, if you subtract that from the total, then I spent $8.44 for ALL of that!

[I think that is how they do it when calculating savings for CVS on the other blogs]

What I learned:
1. You cannot use more than 1 coupon per item. One coupon for each item. This was news to me.
2. The cashier at this particular CVS was not very friendly and promptly yelled at me to get my card out, and then unpolitely/tactfully informed me about #1.
3. I don't know if doing 2 transactions helped or not. I just thought I would try it. So, if you know about these things I'd love the advice.

And now Becca is bringing me authentic, Cajun (not Bourbon) GUMBO!

what a fabulous day. made fabulous by precious precious wonderful friends. and a silly 2 year old with an especially snotty face today.

update

Here are a couple more pictures from our time in London. It was so cold (kinda like it is now in the States), but fun. We had an amazing tour guide who literally knew everyone in London, saw 2 plays, slept late (well, I did), and ate SO well. I was definitely glad to be back home, though!

So an update on us here. Wiley has turned into a great cuddle-buddy, giving his mama random kisses. He's going to be a heart breaker one day. It is freezing, so being outside is not a great idea. So we are kinda climbing walls...or throwing tennis balls at the refrigerator in W's case.

Matching plaid flannel. W and I were matching on Tuesday, me in my scarf and he in his pants.

School has begun for the boys. Wil is taking an easy load and Wiley is learning about the color white and rectangles this month. They even are working on manners with them! Amazing.

Cole is having a baby girl! A girlfriend for the little man...I won't let him break her heart! For the first few months, maybe year, I expect Wiley to be obsessed with her hands, feet. He will then transition into teaching her all those little tricks little people have. They will have so much fun together!

Wake basketball. The UNC game was so fun, so loud, so exciting. Go Deacs. Undefeated so far! And we love seeing Ben and Jimmy on the tv, too!

And we are waiting to hear back from Wil's interviews in London...scary...maybe exciting...and crazy to think that we are all going to be going our separate ways in May.

I wish there were more exciting stories. I'm going to try to record more funny stories from W this semester.

I'm getting attacked by a plastic shark, must run.

8 Things

8 Things Quiz from Jennie
8 TV Shows You Watch

1) American Idol
2) The Office
3) Greys Anatomy
4) Private Practice
5) Today Show
6) Thomas the Train
7) Jack's Big Music Show
8) Anything on Noggin

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1) Hot and Hot Fish Club sitting at the Chef's counter (B'ham)
2) Bottega Cafe (Bham)
3) Zoe's (Bham)
4) Jim N Nicks Barbecue (Bham)
5) Miss Myra's BBQ (I'm sorry, both in B'ham b/c NC BBQ is fake.)
6) I need something in Winston-Salem...Diamondback Grill (so good, in Buena Vista)
7) Simply Yummy (Simply the best grilled cheese and sweet potatoes)
8) Putters (Judge me, but that place is amazing...chicken sandwich, mild with crispy chips, please)

8 Things that Happened to Me Today:
1) Woke up to "Mommy Mommy Come Get Me!", Breakfast, watched about 8 doves, cardinals (or Mr. Redbird to Wiley)
2) Watched sister-in-law play basketball...brought me back to the glory days...haha
3) Caught up with my 5th grade teacher at the game...one of my most favorite teachers and a legend at Cherokee Bend!
4) 2 cups of coffee
5) Folded clothes while listening to Willie Nelson, random, but that guy is good....Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
6) Played matching sock game with Wiley
7) Watched Wiley chase Daisy outside...he narrowly avoided all the poop piles...
8) Packing to go home...interrupted by blogging...


8 Things I Look Forward To:
1) Coming back to Winston!
2) Seeing all of our Wake friends again!
3) Learning how to match coupons/clip them/save money at grocery and CVS!
4) Being a stay-at-home mom this semester!
5) Watching and waiting for what/where the Lord wants us to do and go after graduation
6) Watching Baby Harbert (Papoose)grow in the belly and then meeting him/her!
7) Visiting my second-graders I taught this past semester!
8) RUF starting again and trying Redeemer Bible Study

8 Things I Wish For:
1) Peace of mind and spirit
2) direction for next year
3) Wiley to grow up knowing how much God loves him, as well as his family loving him.
4)Wiley to be a Godly man--a light in a dark place.
5) On the shallow end of things--to stick to Weight Watchers a little bit longer (goal= bikini for spring break)
6) Wil to find a job/company he loves and is passionate about.
7) Our friends to be in wonderful places doing things they love next year!
8) patience with the little man

And I challenge Lindsay (Ole Miss Mom)!

a few pictures from paris...

greetings from europe!

here are a couple pictures from our time in paris. it was freezing but fun.
my 6 or so years of french did not get me very far unfortunately. wil says i knew enough to be dangerous. that is true.

in front of the arc de triomphe


louvre at night (pyramid too)


louvre, too


Notre Dame at dusk/night...best time to see it...absoulutely amazing!


au revoir!