Queenies Little Kingdom

Well, today was departure day. The Jazz Band & Swing Choir left for the big city of New York. They were so excited! Heck, I was so excited and I’m not even going. They will be driving all night and arrive early Sunday morning just in time to crowd around the Today show (hoping for some tv attention!). Yes, we have tivo all set just in case. 🙂

Getting ready for the trip was a wee bit stressful. Why? I have no idea. But the entire family had emotions off the scales. Everyone was snappy and short. By the time we were leaving the house to take him to the school, he was a wreck. I guess everyone was nervous. Darn that satan for trying his best to ruin a good day! But we didn’t let him have it all.

I forgot to take a picture of Gavin’s trip shirt. The entire group received a cool shirt with the NYC skyline on the front and a personalized name on the back. What did my sweetboy’s say? BIRTHDAY BOY! No, it’s not his birthday. When I asked him why it said that….he smiled real big and said….”I’m getting some free dessert SOMEWHERE!!!”. Oh so creative, my boy! I have told you he’s pre-med, right? He’s such a fun kid! I just love him!

Here’s a departure shot as they left North Vernon, Indiana.

Bye bye, Sweetboy! Enjoy your trip to the big city. Sing and play your heart out! We’re so happy for you!

Can I just say……the President and his Hollywood lifestyle is driving me insane? Is anybody else feeling like this? What in tarnation? Why do I keep seeing him at the craziest places? At NBA games sucking down brewskies (as if he’s just left the office to catch the game)…..now tonight he’s a guest on Jay Leno!!!! Jumpin Jehoshaphat! Give me a break. How can security keep up with him?

People, I am praying for the guy. I hope you are too. He’s out there (mentally as well as physically) and I am seriously concerned. It just irks me! It’s official…this presidency is like none other! What’s next? A segment on MTV’s Cribs? Obama Up In Da WHITE House? At this point, it wouldn’t surprise me.

Get real!

Our fearless leader and President! Appalling!

I like to think we’re a fairly normal family. I know that we have some “quirks” that make us a little different than most other families. But there are things that we have in common with the people around us. Our pets may not be it though. We have some wacky dogs! I mean it….both of them are a hoot for different reasons.

Maggie our older dog is what I would describe as the queen of my double wide trailer (if I had one that is). She is huge! We bought her from the breeder that blessed us with our beloved black lab Molly in 2001. Molly was the most amazing dog. She loved guns, dove hunting birds, soccer balls and her family. She was killed by a motorcycle in front of our house driven by two unlicensed badguys! They were driving at a high rate of speed and could have died themselves from the crash. We loved her so much and knew that we could rely on the bloodline of that breeder to come through again. So we took another shot and bought a sister from another litter.

I’d say JACKPOT! This girl is the sweetest thing. She is the neighborhood dog. Every single neighbor loves her and feeds her. Many of them invite her in for a rest or a treat daily. I’M NOT KIDDING! She has the full figure to prove it. The lady is LARGE! She’s about 8 1/2 years old now and blind in both eyes. She runs into just about everything….but you won’t ever hear this girl complain. Her attitude is stellar! If happiness is measurable by a dog’s behavior…she wins the Miss Congeniality award. She is always happy to see know we are home. She runs out to greet us in our driveway, but we have to stop to let her get around our cars so we don’t run over her….she can’t see us! 🙂 Hubby thought he could weigh the big kahuna….the scales showed error. She’s easily 150lbs. (yes….we are embarrassed by that…and yes we know how UNHEALTHY it is….but you come tell all these neighbors to stop feeding her!). We realize our time with her is limited, she’s old, blind and obese….but she’s really happy.

Then we have the psycho dog. Lizzy is a complete freak of an animal (she would certainly be more in line with our family). She is a peachy colored miniature poodle. We purchased her in a fit of craziness. Ally had been asking for a pink poodle on every wish list since she was born. We were weak, people! We’ve been suffering the consequences ever since. This dog is all attitude! She’s bossy, obnoxious, high-need, jealous, annoying, selfish/piggy, playful, protective, very smart and incredibly loyal. One thing that drives us all crazy about her is her infatuation with me. She is addicted to the mama. I can’t get away from her, ever. And I don’t even like her that much. I love her…but….I like my freedom. Hence the fact I’m not nursing the offspring any longer. I’m free! This dog bugs me till I let her tag along. Pest!

Both of them are spoiled and well cared for. They are living the lives of royalty. They spend the day “resting” inside all day while we are out and about in the real world. When we arrive back home they are so excited to see us back where we belong. It’s a great feeling to be loved that much. Neither of them EVER complain! They’re content just having us around to love and sit with. I appreciate that about them. Having them to love is a sweet blessing (alot of work…but still). I’m reminded how simple life should be. Dogs don’t rush around stressed out. They take it easy….they rest….they love….they give attention to where it’s needed most. I want to be more like that. So, I’m slowing down and chilling out more. Starting now! Gotta run, it’s naptime! 🙂
Me and my dog girls!

Today was not only the big “sweet sixteen” birthday….it was also take the driver’s permit test day. She really wanted to have today’s date on her permit license….you know so people would know and all. The only problem with all that is…she didn’t really know the book enough. So dear old dad picked her up from school at 10:00am and took her home to go on a crash course training lesson.

It worked! The birthday girl passed! Yay! Now she can drive “legally” while we are out and about. In September she can get her regular operator’s license. This will surely be the big thrill…..as you know most teenagers are ready to grow up all at once and all. We are praying that her driving skills and maturity level reach what it takes to actually make that next driving step. She’s sorta special to us….we just want her safe in everyway. For now, we appreciate Gavin and Tyler who haul her around on a pretty regular basis without complaining. Thank you to two of the sweetest guys I know.

Going in to take the test! (THANKS DAD!!! You are the BEST!!)

UPDATE:The prom dress arrived today too. IT. IS. GORGEOUS!!!! It fits perfectly. Maybe needs a slight bit of hemming. But it is THE dress! The picture doesn’t do it justice.

Ally, we love you so much! Happy Birthday beautiful girl. We are proud of you.

I really thought she was a boy! Each time I went in for an ultrasound…there was something amiss and no one could say for sure if it was a boy or girl. So disappointing! I really wanted to know. It wasn’t until March 17th 1993 that I would find out she was all girl. A beautiful 9lb. 6 1/4oz fat girl. I remember how she looked the first time I saw her. She was mad (something I would see a bit more of) and crying. Her lips were so thick and perfect. I couldn’t wait to hold her and make her into my girl. She was more wonderful than I could’ve imagined. That’s how I feel about her still today. To celebrate her special day today….I thought I’d share 16 things about my Ally!

1–She is very girly! We used to call her cheerleader girl because she was so prissy and insistent on staying in perfect condition.
2–She loves going shopping. That runs in her bloodline. All the women in her family love it too.
3–She’s a Starbucks/coffee shop-a-holic. She loves yummy drinks and doesn’t like sharing.
4–Her favorite food is FAST food! She would eat out for all of her meals if I let her.
5–She is very talented. Her voice is beautiful and she is a great actress and dancer.
6–Underneath her tough girl persona…..she’s sensitive and soft. Her heart is very tender.
7–She loves Jesus. She loves to journal and write out her thoughts (like her mama).
8–Her favorite musical ever is Wicked! She’s dreaming of going to see it someday.
9–She loves the world of politics. She’s grown up in the most conservative family. Her dream would be to work in that area someday.
10–Music is her passion. All kinds. She is always singing.
11–She loves to give and receive gifts. It’s one of her love languages.
12–She loves a good backscratch! The more the merrier! Oh and if you’ll sing while you’re doing it …that is even better.
13–She really likes one on one attention from her parents. Sharing with siblings can be hard sometimes.
14–She is so funny! This runs in her bloodline too. I laugh at her sense of humor and she can think up the craziest stuff.
15–She’s so good at working with children. Little kids really like her. Big kids do too. 🙂
16–She is so beautiful! From the moment I met her I thought she was extraordinarily pretty.

I can’t believe how fast sixteen years has flown by. It just seems like yesterday she was a baby. I feel so blessed to be her mama. These next few years are going to go by pretty fast too. I am learning to let her fail and make her own mistakes. Something I’d rather not do. I love her and want the best for her. I pray God will rule her life with love and mercy and that she would allow him to do so.

Ally, I have loved being your mom. Every single day that you’ve been in my life you have made it better. When I look at you…I see how much God loves me. He picked me to be your mom. For that I am forever thankful. I hope you have a fantastic day and feel loved and cherished everywhere you go.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! SWEET SIXTEEN!!!

I’m feeling all over the place today. I’ve been insulted by two of my kids (don’t ya just love teenagers?…..I know I do), argued with my husband and done two weeks worth of grocery shopping today. I’m worn thin! I wish it were bedtime already. But since it’s not….I’m gonna blog for my sanity!

This past week we did a little shopping online (Ally and I). We stumbled upon what we hope will be a “keeper” dress for the prom. We planned to shop during our spring break week for the special occasion, but….. We couldn’t let this deal get past us. Besides, if this isn’t THE dress…we can take it back. Yes, I am the “take back” queen! Don’t judge me! 🙂

Gavin is in a quandary. He has his own prom and Allison’s to contend with. He’s willing to forgo his own to attend hers. His logic? He’s been every year for the last 3 years to JCHS’s prom. Allison is pretty special and she’s a senior too….going to hers would be fun for him as well as her. He loves her friends and it wouldn’t kill him to miss out hanging with his own classmates. Both proms are a week apart. So double renting a tux is his concern. I spoke with the lady at the tux store and she has a limited amount of in-house tuxedo’s that she rents out just for this sort of problem. So, anything can happen. We’ll just see.

Me….I’ll be at the prom either way. I work as a ticket taker/greeter every year. I love seeing the students all dressed up and excited as they enter the event. They are so nervous (many are on a date for the very first time) and feel awkward all dressed up. It’s a great night!

Now about bedtime….for the last few weeks I’ve spent Sunday night laying in bed AWAKE until the wee hours of the morning (that would be MONDAY morning!!!). I have to get up and work on Monday morning. I cannot sleep in since I missed some much needed rest the night before. It’s part of the whole “being responsible” thing. So, tonight…I’m hoping for some REST! I want to close my eyes and sleep like a baby so I don’t have to wake up and act like one tomorrow! 🙂

Can it be??? We’ll see!