Just a Photo Blog Today

I usually do not do this, but today I just want to share a few pictures! Saturday we took Regan and Samara to the New Iberia Humane Society's 2nd Annual Walk in the Park. It is their yearly fundraiser. Regan go to ride a pony and pet animals from The Goat Lady, Met Rouxfus from The Dawg, and even got to sit in a firetruck and set off the sirens!! We had a great family day!!

Here are a few of the highlights of the day! Enjoy!

Labeling People with "Disorders"

Why does our society this day and age think that everything needs a label or a name?! Take OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) for example. Why does this negative label even need a place in the world?!

When I was young, children or people in general who did things a certain way, preferred things organized just so or liked to keep things neat and tidy were......well....... picky or organized. Finicky even. They didn't have a "disorder" to speak of.

So really, what is wrong with developing a personality of your own? At my age, I have been doing things a really long time. Long enough to develop a system. A system which helps me complete tasks more efficiently and that are within my means and time restraints. One example is how I load my dishwasher. By doing this task in a certain order, I am able to make sure everything gets clean and in addition I am able to get everything to fit in one load. Somehow, this makes me "compulsive". And too, the fact that a cabinet door being left open driving me crazy, or my silverware not stacked just so bothering me is just no reason to tell me that I have a problem!

All I know is that I don't have a disorder or an issue. What I have is a system in life that makes tasks and life in general easier. And if preferring a simplistic and easier life means I have to carry a label, then I want to make up my own!

I hereby declare that I am an Adept Fastidious Matriarch. And the things I choose to be picky about can further be blamed on those three words! :o)

Have a great night my fellow Adept Fastidious Matriarchs (or Patriarchs).

Things I Need and/or Require in Life

Tissue boxes in each room and each bathroom!

Positive, encouraging people around me!

Music! It's is a staple in my life!

My family! I cannot live without them!

My friends/playgroup. They are just like family to me!

Laughter, I cannot go a day without it.
Lucky for me the people around me make are hilarious and fun!

Honesty! Without it life gets complicated and evil.

To Cook! I love to cook and I love to feed people!

Hope! It is what allows me to see things for the better!

Rice with my Chili - it is a must!

Modern Luxuries! Driving a car, having a cell, a computer, cable
TV.......it makes life easier!

Love! It is an amazing thing! I could not live with the love of
my husband, my child or friends & family. It completes me!

Comfort Foods! There is nothing like eating something that
reminds you of old times and warms your belly and your soul!

Faith! Having faith in God and in people I care about is what
carries me!

Self Worth! My success in life and what I leave behind is
important to me!

Memories! Everything changes and people pass on. I need
something to hold on to!

Dancing! I feel released when I dance - even if just around the
house with my daughter!

Critters! I love my cats and dog! Life would be lonelier without them around!

Confidence! Knowing and loving myself helps me to be a better me!

Wordless Wednesday

Regan is Going to be a Cub

Yesterday, March 23rd I did something I was really not ready to do! I had to go register Regan for Kindergarten. Yep, you read it right! My little girl will be in big girl school in just a little over 4 months!! Eeek!

About 10 am Regan and I headed into Youngsville to G.T. Lindon. I sat down in the tiniest of chairs and filled out the largest stack of papers. The amount of papers wasn't bad, it was the fact that each sheet required that I fill out a lot of the same information I had on the previous 2 papers! It seemed to take forever, especially with a very excited not yet 5 year old squirming next to me.

As usual, Regan wasn't shy at all. About halfway through our time there she started chatting it up with one of the teachers. She asked her what her name was, asked the lady if she knew her name and how to spell it. She then chatted about how long her hair was and that this was going to be her school. That she would be 5 soon and would come there to go to Kindergarten.

I also had a glimpse of what I am sure will happen for a while! Once I gave my stack of forms to the teacher to check over them, she wrote Regan's name on a ledger. After looking at her name on the paper AND Regan spelling it for her, she spelled it wrong! Sigh! I corrected her and she comment that she did it even with Regan spelling it for her. I have a HUGE problem with people not taking the care to spell her name right! I will definitely be upset if Regan arrives home with papers and her names is misspelled!

Once we were done I was told we would be getting a notice in the mail regarding a date they are scheduling Regan for her entrance evaluation.

As we are heading down the hall toward the front of the building I saw the cafeteria. There are kids all lined up waiting for their little trays of food! It really was cute. I walked Regan closer to the door and told her that she would be eating lunch here next year. That is when the lump rose in my throat and it hit me, my daughter is far too young to be going to lunch like this. She is just not big enough yet! But before I could say anything else I lead Regan out the doors of the school before everything really sunk in and I was the dorky mom standing in the school hallway crying!

I am really not ready for this! As big as she is, this is just such a big step. This changes everything! Nothing will ever be as simple as it has been in the last 4-ish years! Starting in August my child will be away from me for 7 hours a day......FIVE days a week! It will be like I will hardly see her! Sigh! Granted, I do really enjoy the 2 days a week she is in school. I need those days sometimes to regroup and accomplish a lot of things. But 5 days?! And this is practically for forever! .....do you detect a slight hint of me freaking out?!?!

Well, maybe by August I will be more prepared for the huge changes. I guess the one bonus is that Regan is very ready. She really is ready to start learning and I am sure she will love everything about school. So I guess now it's time for me to "man up" and stop being so sad about all of it!

Self Portrait of my big not yet 5 year old!

Komen Acadiana's Race for the Cure 2009

Well, the 2 months of hard work, volunteering and pleading for donations and participation finally came to fruit yesterday! Acadiana's 10th Annual Komen Race for the Cure was yesterday morning.

This year I started my own team, with my playgroup - Active Moms. Last year I walked with Acadiana Moms, but this year decided to just make it one of Active Mom's yearly fundraisers. I signed us up with a goal of 10 team members and to raise $300. To my delight and surprise we raised $895 and had 33 team members! It was awesome and I am so pleased with my team and my friends and family!! We were also able to acquire sponsors for our team through the generosity of Chad Pellerin at C-n-T Productions (Professional DJ Company) , Don Johnson at Kart Ranch , Daisy Kerne who sell Gold Canyon Candles & Tupperware and PE Rentals.

Because of their generosity, our team was able to make T Shirts with the names of our family and friends who suffer from or have passed away because of breast cancer! This meant a lot to us to honor these ladies this way!! So another huge THANK YOU to all of these companies for caring so much and for supporting our causes!!

Here are our shirts!

The front - Team Active Moms - 10th Annual Race for the Cure


The back, proudly displaying the names of those we love and miss and also our wonderful sponsors!!




The actual day of the race was wonerful! I decided to volunteer prior to the race, so I was at Parc San Souci for 5:30am. The amount of volunteers they had this year was awesome! They said previous years there was lots of work to do and not enough hands to get it all done! I was happy to be a part of it all this year!

I stopped volunteering a little before 8 so that I could change out of my Volunteer shirt and into my team shirt and then meet up with my team. Not many were able to walk this year, though I know some signed up to help and donate! But it was a pleasure to walk with those that could make it!!

I didn't stay for the festivities afterwards, as getting up at 4 am made me pretty tired come 10 am! lol Regan was in New Iberia with Papaw and her Aunt Boobie and Uncle Chad at the Festival of Live Oaks, so I headed that way after the race.

All in all it was a great day! And all of the hard work the previous 2 months made it all worth it!

Again I want to thank each of my Active Moms ladies, my family and friends and our sponsors! Each of you made this event wonderful!

Komen of Acadiana raised over $183K and there was over 10,000 registered walkers this year!! It was an amazing year!!!!

Points to Ponder #2

When do people learn the difference between right and wrong? Moral and immoral? Being true to yourself and just being an idiot?? I am starting to thing some people just don't!

Rebecca told me the other day that 'You are who you are going to be by the age of 6'. ....meaning your personality, your passions, how you relate to people, problem solve, etc.... I think this is so interesting. I am going to have to write down everything about Regan during her 6th year and see! Should be interesting!

Did you know that women tend to blink nearly twice as often as men? I wonder if it's because we are twice as active or twice as observant?!

Supposedly, if you are right handed, you probably chew your food on the right side of your mouth, and vise versa. I am a ride sided chewer......hmmm.

Regan really loves to dance! She is so passionate about it, even at 4. I sometimes find myself watching her and thinking, is this going to be that moment I remember when she is on Broadway or in shows? Weird, huh? Can a child really take a love to something so young a pursue it all the way into adulthood? I know people do it, but does anyone "know" the people who have done this??

Evil Delicious Peppers!

Yesterday, like any other Monday Regan had dance class. At 6 pm I was scheduled to help make team packets for the Komen Race for the Cure this Saturday. Well, instead of driving all the way home just to drop off Bub and Regan, we took seperate vehicles. We were going to grab a bite to eat after her class, then they were going to head home while I went volunteer.

So I picked Hub City Diner. One, because it is right around the corner and two, because it's a pretty good place to eat with a wide variety of foods! Plus, we tend to get stuck eating at the same restaurants all the time.

Anyways, I had time to eat only a banana all day. So I was starvin Marvin! I opted to order an appetizer, but didn't decide this until she was standing at our table. Bub and I LOVE stuffed jalapenos. I mean REALLY love them! Bub actually makes his own we he BBQs! So I glance quickly at the appetizers and see "fried jalapenos". I thought Mmmm Yum! I skim over the description and see something about batter, so I'm excited about getting a few peppers before our meal.

Bub and Regan are just coming back from the bathroom when she delivers our appetizer. She sets the heaping basket of peppers down and my jaw literally drops! I then glance over at Bub as he is walking up, eyes widened saying "Oh my word!! Do you see them?!" (my voice might have even cracked at this point!) He asks what and with eyes still widen I exclaim "I ordered a huge basket a battered jalapeno slices!!!". I was scared to death to try one! I am a fan of hot, but not when hot burns your mouth and prevents you from tasting your meal!

So, I tried one. Dipped it in ranch and went for it. Do you know these things were SO good. They were pickled jalapenos, so there was this awesome tang to them! Some of them were pretty warm though. I would decide, okay, last one for me. But then they tasted so good I couldn't resist!

Needless to say two people should never eat a large basket of fried peppers by themselves! Or maybe a large anything of peppers! lol By the time I was finishing up volunteering I was getting shooting pains in my chest and under my ribs! I walked in the house and Bub asked if I was feeling okay. He said his stomach was pretty upset! I had to laugh! I was laughingaaallll the way up until this morning, when I realized that not only did those peppers burn on the way down, they burned on the way out! LMAO! Funny thing is, I think I will be ordering these evil little delicious peppers should I dine at Hub City again!!

The All Mom

Yesterday evening I was sitting at the kitchen table filling out the registration form for Regan to play Tee Ball again this year. We lived in Iberia Parish last year, so this year it is with the BYYA and a few thing are different. One being the cost! Willow Wood was only $25, whereas BYYA is $65. Granted though, we only got the kid's shirts last year and BYYA includes shirts, hats and trophies. I had to coordinate the trophies, the coach's thank you trophy and the parent's T shirts for our team last year.

On to the form. It really was pretty standard. As I got to the bottom I paused. And for quite a while I will say. It was the part where you check off if you wish to be a Team Mom. I literally leaned onto my elbows and but my face in my hands and stared down at the form. I am sure this seems odd to everyone, but at this point I am perplexed!

See, I am sort of the "All Mom". I am the one who organizes a playgroup, the charity events, the social events, does the volunteering, offers to come early to set up, stays late to clean up. I was Team Mom last year for Tee Ball, Room Mom this year in her dance class......

Frankly, I am just always too involved or should I say OVER involved in everything! lol I truly do not know what it is like to be the one who just sits and lets other people handle things! I honestly sat and struggled for a few minutes on whether I would do what I always do and offer or if I would for once enjoy JUST being Regan's mom and enjoying her activity.

I didn't check anything. But, because I guess I cannot help it, I did ask the lady at registration if they usually do have people offer to be Team Mom. She said they do, that the age group of the kids there is usually a few offers. This made me feel better, and I explained that I needed an activity "duty free" if you will. She assured me that there would be someone!

So as hard as it was to pass on the task, I feel better knowing I was actually able to say no, so to speak! I figured if things needed direction or nothing was getting done, that I would offer to help a LITTLE! lol During Tee Ball Season Regan will still be in dance and will also have swimming lessons! I think my plate will be pretty full! Could I have made time to be Team Mom, sure! But I am trying not to induce burnout yet!

At the end of the day, I think I made the right choice! And I know there will be many, many more opportunities to help out! As it stands though, I need to get through the Race for the Cure, Dance Class, Swimming, the Summer and Tee Ball, and I think that's a great goal! lol

Inside the Mind of Regan

I found this "interview" on Facebook and decided to give it a try! You ask your child the questions listed and note their responses! Believe it or not it was pretty interesting and insightful!

Here is the way it went::

1. What is something mom always says to you?
to clean my room

2. What makes mom happy?
when I am good

3. What makes mom sad?
when people are ugly and mean

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
by being silly

5. What was your mom like as a child?
helped momma plant some plants

6. How old is your mom?
I don't know, 21
..........man I love this kid! lol

7. How tall is your mom?
very tall

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
cook

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
stay home and go to dance class

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
a dancer

11. What is your mom really good at?
cooking

12. What is your mom not very good at?
nothing, you are good at everything
......aww....she is too sweet!

13. What does your mom do for a job?
nothing, you don't have a job

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
rice & beans & stew
......nope! lol

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
cooking

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
a dance teacher

17. What do you and your mom do together?
we go to playgroup

18. How are you and your mom the same?
we have long hair

19. How are you and your mom different?
we don't have the same earrings

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
cause I smell good!
..........LMAO!!

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
when he takes a shower and shave
........heehee too funny!

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
The Pizza Place

Kids Say the Darndest Things #1

So as you can see I am stealing my title from that ever funny and popular show!!

So here is our Kids Say the Darndest Things moment..........


While cooking supper last night, (Regan was starving and watching me cook) Bub or I said something that to Regan must have sounded like Obama. So she spouts off something undecipherable followed by Obama. We asked "What honey?". She said "A-Rock of Obama is our very first President." I had a look of stun at this point because how much does a 4 1/2, almost 5 year old pay attention to politics anyways?! Bub then says, Barack Obama is our President, good job. But he isn't our first President. He is our first black President and he is the first new President since you were born." Regan says, "well, I just wanna say he is our first President". And as usual, Bub takes it one step further and inquires "Do you know who our Vice President is??" She of course says no.....hell I couldn't even recall who it was at that moment...shame on me! lol


Bub tells her that our Vice President's name is Joe Biden. I cannot even describe the look on Regan's face! With a look of surprise and pure shock she exclaimed "HE BITES?!"
talking about!

Insert belly laugh here! I could have DIED at this point!! Bub said, "no he doesn't bite, it's Biden....B-I-D-E-N." Thinking Bub was crazy she then proceeds to bring her arm up to her mouth and pretend to bite to show her daddy what she is talking about!

So, our President is Mr A-Rock of Obama and his Vice President is Joe......be warned, he bites!!! LOL

Can't Seem to Catch Up!

I am feel the pressure the last few weeks and it sucks! Since moving into the new house I had gotten into my rhythm doing the household stuff and was really staying on top of everything! Well after Mardi Gras and a few weekends of get togethers I have totally fallen off track! I cannot seem to catch up, nor do I have the drive or energy to just tackle it all!

Now is my house a disaster? No. But I cannot seem to catch up on laundry and as soon as I finish one task I am running out the door to do something or go somewhere or I am wasting time doing something else and putting everything on the back burner!

I am really starting to feel overwhelmed, but really I have no one else to blame but myself! Maybe I am going through burn-out and just need to take some days off and do nothing! But I do know I need to get motivated and catch up. Cause at the rate I am going I am having to do twice as much because I am unable to stay on schedule with my stuff!

I know it is truly just housework and it isn't killing anyone! But I love a spotless, put together house! I love knowing that if someone "drops by" I don't have to worry about dust bunnies or a dirty bathroom! I guess that's my "thing" lately!

Dressed to Impress....Or Not!?

Why is it when I look like a total bum.....unshowered, no make-up, ill fitting baggy jeans and hair pulled up....that I run into people?!

At least 5 days out of 7 I am dressed decent, have taken a shower, applied make-up and look totally presentable! On these days I see my friends and run errands and visit family! But on the days that I just have too much going on or haven't had a chance to look "purdy" I run into people who recognize me from my groups or AcadianaMoms or my blog?! I just don't get it, but it makes me laugh!

I literally never run into people, but when I do I look like crap and just feel so embarrassed! I guess it is nice to be recognized, and I thoroughly enjoy meeting new people. But why does it always have to fall on a day where I am so unkept?! LOL

As ashamed as I am......here is me today!! LOL