Bub's Blog

Happy Birthday, Dad

2007-02-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

There are memories that I have of you that I hope time never erases:

How I used to be so excited when you came home from work

How you used to let me help wash your truck, which meant extra work for you

How helping you change the oil in the car meant me standing next you just talking your ear off

How on Saturday mornings, when mom was still asleep, you woulp play stupid made up games with me.

How we used to go out to dinner just the two of us

How when my date came for the prom, you got in the limo and mom had to make you get out so we could go

How you used to cart me and my girlfriends around, which probably drove you crazy

How I got your love of animals

How you used to pop my toes when you were playing with me - I HATED that!

How you can just clear your throat and I know that means I need to shut up even at 38 years old

How when I was pregnant with Court and it was your birthday you called me to see how I was doing. I secretly hoped she would be born on your birthday, but she waited until the next day.

How you called me mom got home with pictures of her to tell me how pretty she was.

How when you call me on my birthday and ask me how old I am you act shocked, but can remember how when you were driving mom to the hospital to have me it was raining.

There are a ton of things I could still write, but I just want you to know that I love you and hope you have a happy birthday!

Lissa

The Love Of A Dog

2007-02-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

When I was little we didn't have a dog. We had pets, but no dogs.

When I moved out of my parents house the first pet I got was a cat. She was a good cat, but she was just that a cat. But since I never had a dog, I did not know what I was missing.

When Courtney was about 2 years old, we rescued a black lab from the pound in Key West. She came with worms and was so skinny you could see her spine and ribs. She had seperation anxiety and acted like the village idiot in public. But we kept her and worked with her and now she old. She has bad hips that she has to take medicine for. That medicine is making her liver do something funky, so she can only take half of a pill every other day. Most days, it is hard for her to get up and down, and she can no longer get on our bed without help. Her nose is now white and her hearing isn't the best anymore. Lately, she has lost a lotof weight and is licking a pot on her paw until it is swollen and raw.

But everyday when I come home from work, she still greets me at the door wagging her tail the best that she can and ready to just love me. I can be too busy to pay attention to her, but that doesn't stop her from being content to lay on top of my feet, or to put her head in my lap while we are eating dinner, waiting for some bit of something, or to put her head in my hand while I am talking to Courtney to remind me she is there.

She has a vet appointment tomorrow. I think our time with her is limited. Scott thinks I am crazy. But I think I will go home and share a pop tart with her anyway.

She is a good dog.

We Are Not Moring People Or Middle Of The Night People O

2007-01-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

After the Gator's won their championship game on Monday night, we found ourselves tired.

So last night we decided to head to bed around 9:00pm, which means we actually get to bed about 9:30pm.

At 11:00pm, Courtney comes in to tell me there is something chirping in her room and it is not her birds. I get up and go to her room and discover it is the smoke alarm giving us a low battery alert. I am too short to reach it, even standing on a chair, and Scott was snoring, so I asked Courtney if she wanted to sleep on the couch. She did. I closed her bedroom door and tried to go back to sleep.

At 2:00am. Blue, our 11 year old lab decided that she needed to be let out. I took her out so she could do her business and came back in to try to go back to sleep. Blue proceeded to take a bath right in the middle of our bedroom. She is not a quite dog. In fact, she woke up Scott.

Scott heard the alarm and asked what it was. I explained and told him Court was on the couch. He went to her room and took it down and put court back in bed. He tried to take the battery out to shut the damn thing up, but he couldn't get it opened and refused to turn on the lights.

So he threw it outside.

And I tried to go back to sleep.

Parental Controls

2007-01-09T13:21:00.000-08:00

We got Courtney an iPod for Christmas.

I decided that in order to keep tabs on what she is listening to, I would be the only one who is allowed to download music to it. I set it up at my office.

Yesterday, I brought the iPod to work in order to load some music. I downloaded 7 songs. I was very careful not to buy any song with the note of "explicit" language.

I was a very responsible mother.

She comes to me this morning telling me I needed to remove a song becuase it had a bad word in it.

Turns out I didn't listen to the songs prior to downloading them to make sure.

My first time trying to be responsible and I failed.

Go figure!

Bitch Session

2007-01-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

Sorry but I just need to get this off my chest -

I absolutley hate it when an e-mail is sent out from the school regarding a decision THEY have made about MY daughter WITHOUT consulting me. Yet, when something goes wrong, I will be called to the school so fast, my head will spin.

and I don't hate too many things.

Happy New Year

2007-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

My Chirstmas Vacation by Melissa Coleman, 37 years old.

WOW! What a whirlwind kind of time I just came out of!

Friday, December 22nd, we left for our Christams Vacation. We drove 4 hours and stayed the night at Scott's parents house.

Saturday, December 23rd, we drove 4 hours and arrived at my brother's house in Florida. Also there were my parents from California. We went to church that night and out to dinner.

Sunday, December 24th, we played Nathan's new Wii and a bunch of board games. Scott and I took Courtney and Sarah to see A Night At The Museum, while the rest of the group went to see We Are Marshall. Both movies got great reviews from all family members. We then went to dinner at the Olive Garden. After we got home, and got the kids to bed to prepare for Santa's arrival, Scott and Kim watched the original Christmas Carole.

Monday, December 25th, we were all up at 7:00am to open gifts. Courtney's head about exploded when she opend her Cheetah Girls concert tickets. Nathan's head exploding gift was his cell phone, Joshua's was his Magic Bullet, Sarah's was EVERYTHING she got. I stayed in my pajamas all day until my mom told me that I couldn't come to the dinner table without showering. Kim cooked a great dinner and we ate ourselves stupid. Some of us napped while others played new games. I got back in my pajama's and we all watched Deal Or No Deal. then we watched Nathan's movie Babies Are Evil. You can view this yourself on You Tube. He won a radio contest for the movie most viewed. We are very proud of our 15 year old nephew. Bed time was early for everyone that night.

Tuesday, December 26th, Kim and I were up and out the door by 9:00am to return some items at Kohls. We were home by 10:30am. We all went to lunch at Moe's and said our goodbyes to the Graves' Family. We then drove the 4 hours back to Scott's parents house where his Grandparents were there also. Judy cooked a great dinner and we excahnged gifts with all of Scott's family.

Wednesday, December 27th, we said goodbye to Scott's grandparents and just hung out with his Dad, Mom and Brother. We all went to dinner and then to Walmart (there is not much to do in Valdosta)

Thursday, December 28th, Judy and I went to the movies and saw The Holiday. It was very good. We all ate dinner and then loaded the car and headed back home. We arrived home at Midnight.

Friday, December 29th, Laundry, laundry and laundry. Oh wait, our washer is broken. Courtney strapped on her Heely's and we all wnet shopping. Courtney fell in H&H Greg, Best Buy and at dinner. She finally figured out how to use them in Kohls and can even round a corner.

Satruday, December 30th, we went to the Titanic Exhibit downtown. What a great exhibit. I high recommend going to see it.

Sunday, December 31st, I took Courtney to the Cheetah Girls concert. I definitley earned my mother of the year award for that! Her and Ashley had a great time and are going to wear their shirts when school starts back. Then Court spent the night at Ashley's so Scott and I could attend the Ocean's Ball at the Georgia Aquarium. We had a lovely adult time.

Monday, January 1st, we all just laid around. I had to comeback to work today to get some rest!!

Here is to a great 2007!

Melissa

The Trombone

2006-12-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is a conversation that went on at my house at 2:00am this morning.....

Courtney: Mom?

Me: Hmm?

Courtney: Who invented the trombone?

Me: What?

Courtney: I want to take the trombone next year in middle school. Do you know who invented it?

Me: *maybe if I keep my eyes closed and don't respond, she will go away*

Courtney: I have a stuffy nose

Me: Go to bed Courtney

Do YOU know who invented the trombone?

Hope

2006-12-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

It is one of my favorite words.

Everybody needs hope.

Everybody deserves hope.

Last night was the holiday party for Camp Spectrum. This is the group that Courtney belongs to. It is for everyone in the Autism spectrum.

We didn't really have the time to go, but I thought it was important that we do, as they have been great with all of my family. They are a great group of people.

Last night we watched a presentation on last summer's camps and got all of the information for this summer's camps. It was sweet, but I kept looking at my watch trying to make sure we were out of there in time for Court to get to bed at a decent time. It was all about me.

Until......

I met Laura.

This was Laura's first visit. She has a 6 year old boy with Asperger's Syndrome. I introduced my whole family. Looking at her, I thought that she might "have something", but then, there are days I think everybody does, so I am not the best judge.

We were talking about our kids and (I don't know why I said this) I was talking about how I am worried about the future for Court. How it is so rare that a girl have Asperger's. That I really wish I knew what to expect.

She looked at me and told me she has Asperger's syndrome.

She is married with two kids, one is "normal".

She drives.

She lives with a husband just like normal people do.

She wound up being my hope.

And somehow it was no longer about me.

Let's be honest. It was never about me!

Guest Blog

2006-12-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

There a a lot of blogs that I read. But today's post from Heather Hogan is exceptional. Do me a favor, please go to www.heatherannehogan.com and read today's post.

I am proud to call her my friend.

Melissa

Tis The Season

2006-12-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

I think I am in a bad mood today.

I think it started last night.

I ad to run to a certain toy store to get a big brother gift for a co-worker's son, who just became a big brother the day before Thanksgiving and isn't too sure if he is happy about it or not.

Now, let me ask you a question -

WHY if it is the holiday season, and everyone on God's green earth is shopping, and most of those people are at this toy store, does this store only have one check out lane open?

AND if you are in the customer service/retail business during this time of year, could you at least ACT like you are happily employed? I am not asking for you to carry on a conversation with me, I just want you to look me in the eye when you speak to me and not start ringing up the person behind me before you half heartitly tell me to have a nice day.

Seriously

A Senior Moment???

2006-11-30T08:52:00.000-08:00

Courtney convinced me to take Karate with her. She told me it would be great.

I believed her.

So I signed up and in class number 2 I hurt the back of my left hand doing back punches and have a big ass bruise on it.

Last night was class number 3.

The instructor (keep in mind he is like 20 something) decided to work with me in this class and we were doing jump kicks. The conversation went something like this:

Instructor: When you jump, be sure to turn your hips to get a good high kick.

Me: Are you serious?

Instructor: You can do it. I stretched you out a lot before hand. When you are a senior like you are, your need to be careful of your joints.

Me: HEY! Senior? There will be no talkling like that allowed in a class that I am in!

Instructor: *laughs* Do your jump kick.

Me: *after kick* I twisted my knee.

Instructor: *all smart ass like* It is becuase you are a senior. Seriously, it takes about two months for the body to get used to this.

Great! It takes two months to get used to having the crap beat out of you.

I am never listening to Courtney again.

A Tragedy Of Sorts

2006-11-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

Courtney earned her next belt in Karate last Friday. She is now an official orange belt. She learned seven of eleven manuevers and was able to perform them when called out by number and in Korean.

I was very impressed, and needless to say, I was proud too!

Afterwards, we went to dinner. We stopped at Chili's becuase it is a place that all of us can find something that we like. I always order the chips and salsa because they have the best chips ever. I mean the best. Ever. Light and crisp and just damn good.

So imagine my surpirse when the server brought out chips that were so far from the best chips ever that it wasn't even funny.

He brought drinks and chips and left us to look over the menu. When he came back to take our order, I politley asked him what the hell happened to the chips. He proceeded to tell me that the chip supplier of the best chips ever dropped them as a customer.

There are two things I learned from that statment:

1 Chili's chips now suck.

2 The supplier of the best chips ever should go out of business now, just for being stupid.

Does anyone know where I can get some good chips and salsa?

Another Trivia Question

2006-11-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

Who was the first entertainer that James Lipton interviewed on Bravo T.V.'s Inside the Actor's Studio.

Hint - He was also the school's president at the time.

NO Googling!

I Am Pretty Sure John the Baptist Was a Baptist

2006-11-15T11:45:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night Hebron Baptist Chruch was having a prents night out for children with special needs.

And since we have a children with special needs, we signed her up to go.

Let me just sing the praises of this program for a minute. They were so organized that there was a list of food available and I could pick what she ate. Which means, she had no sugar. (I don't care what report you have read or what Dateline NBC says, sugar affects my kid.)

They gave the parents goodie bags when they dropped off the kids. Each goodie bag had M&M's in them. Oh yeah! M&M's. Plus other stuff. You know, churchie stuff. Neat bookmarks and a miniature Bible and information on the church.

On the way to dinner as Scott was listening to the Florida Gators game on the radio and I wasn't really allowed to talk at that time, I read the information on the church.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Seriously, how cool is that?

But there is a problem. I have gone to the same denomination church all of my life. I have never even been to a Baptist service. But I think I really want to go to this church.

I don't think I know how to be a Baptist.

But I have decided that I am going to go and see about being a Baptist.

I think......

Are You Kidding Me?

2006-11-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Now, I like Christmas as much as anyone. Well, anyone excpet my sister in law. She has a kind of freaky excitment about it.

But, people, we have not even hit Thanksgiving yet and one of the radio stations is already playing Christmas Music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is too much too soon.

What A Time We Are Having

2006-11-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

There are times in life when you gotta crawl,
Lose your grip, trip an' fall
When you can't lean on no-one else:
That's when you find yourself
I've been around an' I've noticed that,
Walkin's easier when the road is flat
Them danged ol' heels'll get you every time
Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains,
So we could learn how to climb
-Lonestar

My fight song for Courtney is Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back.

But lately is have been Two Steps Forward, Eight Steps Back.

Courtney has had such a hard time with us selling our house and living in an apartment until our new house is built and the school is being less than understanding.

My question that I want to ask is - Do 5th Grade teachers only get to teach the students that they want to? Because I thought when you are a 5th grade teacher you teach all 5th graders, not just the ones who are easy or quiet or funny or smart or whatever - all of them.

Where are the teachers that actually care about teaching a child who is so smart and wants to learn things - has the desire to learn?

Who cares if she is different?

Or maybe I should just ask - Who Cares?

A Letter To The Two Men I Line Behind Me While I Was Voting

2006-11-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

Gentlemen:

I realize that technology is hard for older people to accept. I also understand that long gone are the days of simplicity and enjoyed listening to your views on church and stories of long ago.

However you are incorrect regarding the voting machines.

Now, I will preface this by saying that my husband works for the company that manufactures said machines, so I might be a tad bit biased. BUT you are incorrect in saying that when you vote Democrate, it shows that you voted republican. That statment could not be more wrong.

First of all, Diebold's corporate office is in Ohio and that state just won a Democratic seat, so obviously, those votes went throught as Democratic and not Republican.

Also, it is against the law to tamper with voting machines and Diebold would be extremely foolish to do something like that.

That is all I am going to say on that subject.

But I cannot end without saying that it is NOT wrong for chruches to have contemporary services. You said yourself that your kids prefer that type of service. Wouldn't it be foolish to discontinue that type of service and risk your children not attending church?

Today's Trivia Question

2006-11-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

In the 1977 sci-fi film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, what did actor Richard Dreyfuss use to make models of Wyoming's monolithic Devil's Tower?

Hint - there are three items

Book Fair

2006-11-02T12:58:00.000-08:00

"Hi, Mom"

"Hi. How's your day?"

"Good. Can we go to the book fair sometime? There is the book about Dachshunds that I want to get and there is a dog pencil sharpener in different colors that I want to get"

"Sure. How about tomorrow?"

"No, we have to go tonight. It ends tonight."

"You said sometime, not tonight"

"I know sometime tonight"

"I have to get a hair cut, but maybe your dad will take you. I will call the school and see what time it closes"

*all guilty like* "Fine. I just really wanted to go with you"

When do kids start giving you notice?????

Happy Halloween

2006-10-31T08:56:00.000-08:00

Scott and I took Court to her Karate party last night. As the kids ran around randomly kicking each other, we were looking at the costumes.

Scott pointed out that gone are the days of the plastic masks that you couldn't breathe while wearing them and the paper costumes that barely lasted long enough to trick or treat.

Now, all the girls are dressing in something to make them look way to old, and quite honeslty, is not something to dress up as. "What are you, a hoochie mama?"

The boys seem to like anything that you can carry a knife or a sword a fake blood is VERY cool.

Then there is Courtney. The witch. I think this is the 5th time in her 10 years that she has been a witch. She never tires of it.

I was going to mkae her be something else, but then I realized that next year she might not want to dress up at all and I will be begging her to be a witch just one more time.

What are you going to be for Halloween?

Weekend Movie Review - Flicka

2006-10-30T07:16:00.000-08:00

Courtney and I met Ashley and her mom, Nicki at the movies on Friday and saw Flicka with Tim McGraw.

This was a very sweet movie, but beware!!!! Take your tissues. There is a part where you will cry. I am not talking getting a little teary eyed, I am talking cry. All of the girls were sniffiling, bless their hearts!

Oh, and one thing I learned, I wll never let Courtney go to the mall by herself. Ever. I don't care how old she is. If you wonder why, go to the Mall of Georgia on a Friday night and I think you will agree with me.

Sleeping With The Sharks

2006-10-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

What a weekend!

I took my Girl Scout Troop to Gatlinburg, TN to the Ripley's Aquarium to spend the night.

To get there we drove through the Smokie's and the colors were amazing. This is why fall is my favorite season, hands down.

The progam consisted of painting on a pillowcase, 2 slices of pizza and a rice krispie treat, a show of feeding the sting rays, petting the just fed sting rays, a scavenger hunt, sleeping in the shark tunnel, breakfast and a snake show. I could have done without the snake show.

Sleeping in the tunnel was the best part. To lay there and watch all these fish swim around you was awesome.

Did You Know?

2006-10-16T08:55:00.000-07:00

That it is possible to extract DNA from a kiwi?

That if you put an Alkaseltzer into a 35mm film canister with a little water and set it on it's lid, it will shoot way into the air?

That the Mentos in the diet coke experiment really works?

That it is possible to suck a peeled hard boiled egg into a jar?

Well, it's true! Just ask my Girl Scouts!

If you want to know how to do any of these just let me know!

Happy Birthday To You!

2006-10-12T04:52:00.000-07:00

This is a very special day.

It is your birthday!

And because it is your birthday, I wanted to go over a few things with you.

Now I know that you don't think birthday's are not a big deal, but you also know that I do. I mean, your birthday is the day that God put you on this earth. THIS is a very special day. SO I thought I would tell you what I think is special about you.

The way that you sleep with your hand above your head.

The fact that you are a die hard Cubs fan.

The way that you can make me laugh even when I am so pissed I can't see straight.

How you love Frankenberry cereal and sweet tarts are your favorite candy.

How you are the best dad ever.

The way that you can figure something out that you have never done before (except the time that you took apart the watch I got you for your birthday and couldn't get it back together again. That made me mad)

How you are perfectly happy to be with just me and Court and no one else.

How my hand fits into yours like it was made to do so.

I love you.

Happy Birthday!

The People On The Second Floor

2006-10-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

There is the most darling little boy that lives above us. I think he is about 3 years old.

He is scared of my miniature dachshund, but not my lab, which is funny to me.

He also loves to throw stuff off of his balcony. So, each day, Scott picks it up and puts it on the stairs for his mom to get on her next time up.

This weekend we were leaving the house and we hear "Hey! Hey!". We look up and there he is throwing stuff off of the balcony.

Naked.

NAKED.

Courtney looks up and asked me what he was doing. I told her to just get in the car.

There were some questions that followed that scene.

Did I tell you he was naked?

Apartment Life

2006-10-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

We sold our house.

We are having one built.

In the meantime, we are living in an apartment.

There are things that I have come to realize about myself over the last week, living in this apartment.

1. I am not in my 20's anymore and communal living is not fun.

2. Boom Boxes in cars totally piss me off. No matter what time of day.

3. No matter how many times the apartment has been cleaned, I still feel other people's dirt.

4. I have to be nice for the next 6 months, and that will not be easy for me.

Take item # 4 for instance. Last night I failed at that one. I went to bed at 10:00pm and fell right to sleep. At 11:30pm, I was awakened to two men running up and down the stairs outside of my bedroom talking at the top of their lungs about some chick. It became apparent that they were moving in. At 11:30 at night. 11:30pm. Seriously.

At about 11:40pm, I had all I could take. I went outside in my pajamas and asked those two men to please keep it down. They told me they only had one more thing to move in and they would be done.

I slammed the door.

Scott is pretty sure I am going to get him beat up before our house is built.

A New Accessory

2006-09-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Courtney earned her next belt in Karate last Friday night. She also broke her first board with her hand!

She is very proud!

Well We Did It!

2006-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

We bought a house.

It has to be built, but once it is, it's ours!

This was such a journey for us. We were originally going to buy at Sterling on the Lake. But then we decided we were going to move closer to my work. However, none of the houses compared to Sterling, so we decided to go back to our original plan of Sterling.

So last night we went and signed our life away and the move in date is (hopefully) March 15, 2007.

Now we need to find an apartment.

I hate moving.

The Actual Tattoo

2006-09-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

You have to read my previous post and then look at this picture!

Da Plane, Da Plane

2006-09-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Key West, FL, I got a tattoo. It is on my ankle. It is my daughter's name. Right after I got it, I realized that I would have this for the rest of my life and literally made myself sick. But I eventually got used to it and now, 8 years later, I forget that it is there.

Right after I got it, I was invited to my brother's house for Christmas. My parents were also going to be there. I told Jeff and Kim that I got a tattoo, but asked them not to tell my mom and dad. Luckily it was winter and they lived in Tennessee, so I could keep it covered the entire time. However, my brother told them I got the tattoo before I even got there. And he made so much fun of me for getting a tattoo. He did basically everything but call me white trash.

My mom called me this weekend to tell me that my brother got a tattoo.

On his arm.

And it is big.

I am not going to say a word.

Spooky

2006-09-06T12:03:00.000-07:00

I work with a man who just bought a house out in Forsyth County. It is a little bit of an older house. The last owner was in it for 11 years. He has been in the house maybe two months. And since moving in they have a new addition to the family, a black lab puppy named Elvis.

But that is where the normal ends and the strange begins.

1.) Ever since moving in, he has been seeing someone out of the corner of his eye, and when he turns, no one is there.

2.) His wife was in the bathroom and the lights went out. When she reached her hand up to jiggle the switch, the lights came back on.

3.) All of the baskets on top of the kitchen cabinets were on the floor one morning when they got up.

4.) Elvis was outside playing, and came racing across the yard and went underneath the house. When they got down to get him, they saw a set of legs and the bottom of a white skirt on the other side of the house. When they walked around, no one was there.

So, they called the previous owner and asked her if anything had ever happened to her when she lived there. She said yes, that she saw a man in a black skirt and a woman in a white dress in the house. She told them that in 1970 a man and his wife were brutally murdered on the property by their kids for their money, and she believes that is who is in the house.

They freaked.

They contacted the Sci Fi network and told them what was going on and GUESS WHAT????? They are coming out to his house on Saturday.

I wonder what is going to happen????!!!!????

Does This Ever Happen To You?

2006-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

We were on a major house shopping spree this weekend.

We looked at so many houses, that I got overwhelmed.

Thank goodness our real estate agent is our friend. Because if she was just someone we hired, they would think I was a psycho.

We were on our second to the last sub division of the day. The man who was showing us the model homes was talking to me and I didn't hear a word he said.

I think it was his toupee.

I had this whole voice thing going on in my head. Wondering if it was a toupee and wondering if Court was being good at Grayce's house and wondering what was for dinner and wondering, wondering, wondering.

I missed everything he said.

We got to the car and Scott asked me what I thought. So I said I thought it was a toupee.

He just stared at me and shook his head.

I was either overwhelmed, or I am psychotic.

I chose overwhelmed.

It Was A Really Big Day

2006-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

I haven't slept in two days.

I can't.

There is too much to think about.

Let me bring you up to speed.

We fired our real estate agent and hired a real estate team. These two guys are great! They had me paint, but then they brought in all of this art work and plants and mirrors and decorated my house. We went back on the market 8 days ago.

We sold our house last night.

This guy looked at our house on Tuesday evening, made an offer Tuesday night, we countered Wednesday afternoon, he countered Wednesday afternoon, and we accepted Wednesday night.

All of the Wednesday happenings were going on in the middle of signing Courtney up for Karate. Who, by the way, is so stinkin happy about being signed up for Karate she can't see straight. She has been asking for two years. She is actually pretty good at it.

We close on the selling of our house on September 25th. We become officially homeless on the 28th @ 5:00pm.

I bet you we go looking for a house this weekend!

The Doobie Brothers

2006-08-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Scott surprised me with a Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits CD for our 4 hour trip to his parents house this past weekend.

It was great!

So, I brought it into the office to download at my desk.

Can you imagine my surprise when one of my co-workers did not know who they were!!??!!

Apparently is parents failed him. They did not raise him on great music.

They did not raise him on the Doobie Brothers! How did he get by in life?

Sweet Mrs. Yarch

2006-08-18T07:41:00.000-07:00

Where I live there are dry cleaners in about every strip mall. I always go to the cleaners that is on my way to work. That way, I can drop off in the morning and pick up on the way home.

Last year, I switched jobs and, therefore, switched cleaners. The cleaners I chose, is open from 7:00am to 7:00pm and they have same day service.

From the first day I went there, she has remembered me. She doesn't pronounce my old last name correctly, but she attempts it and always puts the word sweet in front of it. She notices when I have a new outfit being cleaned. She hangs my clothes in the car for me. She ALWAYS gives me a cookie. She just gives great service.

So, I would like to give a shout out to A1 Cleaners on the corner of McEver and Friendship in the Texaco strip mall. Please support them!

Daddies And Their Daughters

2006-08-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up, and even now, my dad can do no wrong. He is my best friend and I truly enjoy him. I enjoy being with him and just recently am enjoying email conversations with him. However, anybody who has talked to him on the phone knows how unenjoyable that is. Even me.

When I was a little girl I used to like to hang out with him on the weekends. Even if it was going to the dump. He always took me to the store with him and would let me get a pack of life savers, the butter rum kind that no one else liked but me. I would stand outside and talk to him while he changed the oil in the cars. If he was washing the car, I would be out there. As long as I was with him.

I am beginning to see that our relationship is not as special as I originally thought it to be. I thought I was the only girl in the world that had that kind of relationship with her dad.

But now I am seeing Courtney and Scott together.

Courtney is into this computer game called Webkinz. It is a site that you can go on and adopt a pet and take care of it. You have to play games to earn money to buy it food, or take it to the doctor. You have to buy it house and a yard and all of the things that go in a house.

I was downstairs the other night and could hear Scott and Courtney playing one of the games upstairs. They were laughing and carrying on. And I realized that Courtney feels the same way about her dad that I do about mine.

How cool is that?

Scary

2006-08-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I couldn't watch the Wizard of Oz because the wicked witch scare me so bad. I remember it was on one year and my dad was working late. My mom put it on for us and wanted to go take a bath, but I wouldn't let her. My brother wasn't good enough. It had to be an adult.

When I was older, my dad and I started playing this game. He had gone out one night to take out the trash. It was dark. I sneaked out and when he turned around to come back in, I jumped out and yelled with my arms waving above my head. He jumped back and covered his head. I laughed like it was the funniest thing I ever did.

He didn't think it was too funny and vowed to get me back. He told me to expect it when I least expect it.

He got me back good.

I had come home late from a date. My parents were asleep. My room was at the end of the hall. I had to pass my brother's (who had already moved out) room to get to mine. My dad was in that room, and when I walked by just reached out his hand and ran it down my arm. I sucked in so much air, but could not scream. He thought it was so funny.

Last Sunday, my work had a bowling party at Stars and Strikes. Courtney won 50 tickets and got this buzzer that you put on like a ring and it socks people when you shake their hands. We were driving home, and she was sitting in the back being unusually quiet. The next thing you know she lays her hand on the dad' s shoulder and bizzed him. He jump and jerked the wheel. She thought she was so funny.

Scott's last words to her were when you lease expect it, expect it. She doesn't know that he has the patience of Job and can wait her out until she forgets.

First Day of 5th Grade

2006-08-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Look at her! She picked out her outfit herself!

I am so in love with her!

School Supplies

2006-08-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Wal Mart.

If you know me, that is a really big statement.

I hate shopping at Wal Mart. There is no rhyme or reason as to where they shelve things. When you are grocery shopping, you have to buy your food on one side of the store, your toiletries on another side and dog food on yet another side of the store. It drives me absolutely crazy. I have even tried to shop at midnight, but it is just as crazy.

I guess I am just a Kroger kind of gal.

But I digress.

Last night Courtney and I were there for school supplies. We parked, got in and found the list for her school. It was the typical list. Paper, binders, pencils, glue and.....

adult scissors.

Yep! ADULT scissors. Courtney was so excited. ONLY 5TH GRADERS GET ADULT SCISSORS.

They were out!

I thought she was going to burst into tears right there. I told her we still had a couple of days, and that seemed to quell that. But if I don't come up with some ADULT scissors pretty quick, we might have a melt down before school can even start.

Swallow At The Hollow

2006-07-31T05:35:00.000-07:00

My Cousin and his 17 year old daughter came to visit me over the weekend. They are on a tour of the Southeast, and made a point to come visit, even though it was only for one night.

We never have visitors, except for my mom and dad, so I had no idea what we were going to do. I knew I wanted to do something that was authentic to Georgia, but to be quite honest, we haven't done anything like that in the six years we have lived here.

One of my co-workers suggested we take them to Swallow On The Hallow. For those of you who do not know what that is, let me explain.....

It is an old house that is off of the beaten path. You call and make reservations, but you don't get seated until they are ready. They only serve BBQ. You eat at picnic tables with other people you don't know.

And there is a show.

Let me tell you how awesome this place is! They have a big front porch that you wait on until they call your name. When you get seated, you eat some really goob BBQ. They had the best macaroni & cheese I have ever had. Then at 10:00pm, 3 song writers, who have all had number one hits in the country music genre, come out and sing their songs and tell you the stories behind them. How they were written. What inspired it. It is all acoustical. IT WAS GREAT!

If you are having company, or even if you are not, go to this place! You will have a good time!

Talk About Exceeding My Expectations

2006-07-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

This is the week that Courtney has been going to her Autism Camp. This is also the first time I have had her around other autistic kids.

From the time she was diagnosed with being autistic, I was told by every doctor to keep her with "normal kids". She will learn to be normal if you surround her with normal people.

Yeah, Right.

Here we are at 10 years old, and she still has trouble fitting in.

So, against most people's wishes, (and when I say most people, I mean relatives and friends)Scott and I enrolled her in this camp.

Can I tell you how wonderful it has been? I don't know if it is because she is around other kids like her, or because she is doing things at this camp that she truly enjoys doing (cooking and art projects and playing in the water), but she has been the happiest kid this week.

She made a friend. There is only one other girl there, who is a year younger than Court, named Grace. What a lovely name! Scott met her mom this morning and she said that Court is all Grace talks about. So, we got each other's phone numbers and are going to get the girls together!

This might have been against everybody's better judgment, but I have no regrets!

Not One!

I Think I Am Getting Old

2006-07-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

I took some kids to see Monster House, and decided that I am now officially old.

The part that I did not like, was that the parents went out of town and left the son with a sitter. When the sitter arrives, she is driving her own car, but we don't know her age. She quickly banishes the boy to his room, and has her boyfriend over. The boyfriend is mean to the boy. Then it shows them on the couch, he is drinking a beer and the girl wants to "make out" (that term probably made me old right there. What do kids call it these days?) with him on the couch.

I think that is just sending a bad message to our young kids.

And that is how I know I am old.

A Conversation

2006-07-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

I took Courtney and Ashley, both who are 10 years old, and Evan, who is Ashley's 4 year old brother to see Monster House on Friday.

Because it was opening night, I got the tickets from Fandango. (Can I get a big shout out to my friend, Heather Anne Hogan for turning me on to Fandango, please.) We stopped and ate dinner at Backyard Burger and were on our way.

This is the conversation that went on in the car on our way to the show:

Courtney - Oh, Evan. I forgot to bring you your treat I have for you.

Evan - What is it?

Courtney - Mom can I tell him?

Me - Sure (not knowing what she was talking about)

Courtney - It is a pirates head toy

Evan - Where did you get it?

Courtney - From a happy meal

Evan - YOU ATE MY MEAL?

Me - No, it was Courtney's meal. She is just giving you the toy.

Evan - But I want a happy meal. I am hungry.

Me- You can't be hungry. We just ate.

Evan - Oh yeah. Missalissa?

Me - Yes?

Evan - Can we get happy meals?

Me - Nope. We'll be late for Monster House.

Evan - I thought we were going to the movies, not a house.

Me - The name of the movie is Monster House.

Evan - I wonder if there are monsters in it.

Me - Me too, Evan.

It Is Almost Time For School

2006-07-19T09:05:00.001-07:00

Courtney got her postcard in the mail the other day telling her who her teacher is going to be.

In less than 3 weeks, school will start again. And again, we will go through triumphs and disappointments.

Here are two quotes that I found. I thought they were interesting:

C. S. Lewis noted:

"Think of me as a fellow patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier, could give some advice."

"People have said, violating the human rights of autistic people doesn't matter because autistic people don't know the word human rights anyway. That underestimates the language skills of many. We can't always demonstrate what we know, and when we do, we're often ignored. And the perceptiveness of others. You don't need to know abstract words like freedom and human rights to know what it feels like to have them taken away, or know the words discrimination or prejudice to feel their effects. If autistic people pick up on anything, we pick up that the way we are is considered deeply defective. Stupid-looking. Bad."

All people are real, in the deepest sense of that word. That means that there is no such thing as a non-human human... Eagerness to be like others didn't make Pinocchio real it turned him into a donkey! And eagerness by parents to cure autism or retardation or compulsiveness will not drive great distances toward the final solution to the actual problem. Because the person who believes "I will be real when I am normal," will always be almost a person, but will never make it all the way."

I decided this summer that maybe I should stop pushing my square peg into a round hole and start celebrating my square peg instead!

Here's to a great 5th grade year!

The Mind Bender

2006-07-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

We had a very busy weekend!

Courtney had three friends spend the night on Friday. Scott and I took them for Pizza at Stevie B's and gave them each $5.00 to spend in the game room. Basically, we had to spend $20.00 for each of them to get a $0.30 piece of junk.

Saturday, I took all of the girls to Lake Lanier Islands, where I met our friend, Donna, and her two girls. We got there at 10:00am and left around 4:30pm. ALL of us were pooped!

Sunday, we had to be out of the house because our real estate agent was hosting an open house. So, we took Courtney to Six Flags, where we met up with the DiMaggios. Scott decided that it was time to take Courtney on some rollercoasters. She, however, was not to keen on the idea. But, she relented on got in line for the mind bender.

We picked this one because it was the first one we came to that she was tall enough to go on. We get on the ride and she is sitting next to me, and Scott is behind us. I pushed down her lap bar as far as it would go and made the attendant check it again for safe measures. I was certain not to sit her in the very front. And I didn't tell her that the ride went upside down.

She did really well. And after the we went upside down, I (unknowingly) lied to her. Apparently, you do it twice! But when she got off of the ride, she was pretty proud of herself. She even asked her dad to take her on the Scream Machine. She felt good about it because it didn't go upside down. So, while I was watching the Miranda Lambert concert, Scott took her to go on that ride.

She would have been fine, EXCEPT that Scott put her in the very front seat. That is his favorite place to ride, and even though I told him, not to do that to her, he did. And she got off of the ride, not wanting to go on anymore rollercoasters.

BOYS!

This Is Why I Don't Carry A Gun

2006-06-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

My drive to work takes me over the lake. It is a curvey one lane each way road. If you don't pay attention, you could hit the metal guard rail, and possibly go over it, depending on your vehicle of choice.

Imagine my surprise today as the woman driving the car in front of me was reading a book. READING. She was not going the speed limit, she was going much slower. She almost got in an accident from crossing over into the other lane. Did she put down her book? No! There were a whole line of cars behind her, and none in front of her.

She did DROP the book at one time, and then looked for it and bent down and picked it up while driving. All the while swerving and breaking and going SLOW.

She ruined my ride to work this morning and almost made me late!

My Dad Can Beat Up Your Dad

2006-06-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Scott went with us Lake Lanier Islands this weekend. We took Ashley with us too.

They were in the wave pool, and Scott and I see them running towards us. Courtney is yelling something that we cannot hear because, well because we were at Lake Lanier Islands and it is loud.

When they finally get to us, I had to make them start all over. Apparently, some Asian boy was being mean to them. So we told them to just stay away from him. It is a big pool. Off they went. It wasn't 10 minutes that they are running back to us (Courtney fell twice on the way) telling us that they boy slapped Ashley as she was swimming by.

So, Scott had them take him to the boy. Scott got in this boy's face and told him under no circumstances was he to bother our girls again. He then told our girls to stay away from the boy. He came back and told me that little boys eyes got so big on his face and he was literally stuttering.

Then we watched as Courtney gave him the stare down from the other side of the pool. Almost daring the poor kid to do something to them, so Scott could get out there again.

I am pretty sure that Court will get Scott beat up at some point in our lifetime.

Sometimes, You Just Need A Wake Up Call

2006-06-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have always known that I am blessed with my husband. He is a great husband, but an even better father.

Last night I attended my first support group meeting for parents of kids with high functioning autism and Asperger's Syndrome. Mine has Asperger's Syndrome.

During the course of this get together, I heard a lot of women complain that their husbands don't do anything with the child. They blame the mother for the child's problems. Basically, they have nothing to do with their child.

I cannot fathom this.

My husband and I go to every doctors appointment together, so we get the news at the same time. We go to every meeting at the school together, so we are a united front. We discuss her treatments together and make a decision that works best for her.

We do not stick our heads in the sand, nor do we blame anyone. She is what she is, and we work together to make sure she is getting the help she needs.

Isn't that what parents are supposed to do?

Goosebumps

2006-06-21T13:23:00.000-07:00

I have finally found a series of books that Courtney will read. Goosebumps. We purchased two of them on Friday night. By Sunday she was finished. So Monday, after Scott and I celebrated our anniversary with a dinner of Sushi, we purchased two more.

She just called to say she finished one and is starting on the other!

Hopefully this series will keep her interest. I think it will because she likes the thrill of being kind of scared. We'll see....

A Beautiful Wy To Put It

2006-06-20T07:16:00.000-07:00

I have just joined a support group for parents of children with Asperger's Syndrome. I am very nervous. My first meeting is tomorrow. I have to walk into a restaurant that I have never been to and ask for a group of people that I do not know. Not my favorite thing to do. But I am, at the same time, excited to meet others who actually understand what my family is going through and who will know that we are not the freaks that we have been made to feel.

Please indulge me and read the story below. It is a beautiful way to put it!

Welcome To Holland
by Emily Perl Kingsley
c1987 by Emily Perl Kingsley. All rights reserved.

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.
After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... Because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.

But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

You're Still The One....

2006-06-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when we first married and all of our furniture was what people had given us and our TV was sometimes color and sometimes black and white?

Or the time that you were going to sea for a week and told me not to spend any money until after payday. For some reason the ship didn't get underway and you came home that night to find me sitting on the living room floor with a new purse?

Teaching me to drive a stick - enough said.

Stealing a car wash?

Finding out I was pregnant?

How I told you we were having a girl?

Breaking the kitchen window in Key West?

Moving to Georgia with no money in our pockets and putting groceries on credit cards?

How year 7 of our marriage sucked?

Buying our first home?

Courtney's first day of school?

Right before going on vacation in Kentucky with my parents, the car broke down and took all of our extra money to get it fixed?

All of your job promotions?

There is a lot of memories that are not listed, but I wanted you to know that I wouldn't trade the last 13 years in for anything.

Happy Anniversary!

Experiments Anyone?

2006-06-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

So I saw this video the other day that if you put Mentos Candies (the fresh maker) in diet coke, it will explode. So, I have decided that my Girl Scout Troop, 3515 needs to do this.

Not only are we going to try this, but we are going to try other experiments with soda also. All the while, we will be earning a badge for this.

I have heard some rumors that pennies will do the same thing, so we are going to try that.

Courtney wants to set things on fire with her magnifying glass. I am not too sure we will be doing that, though.

If you have any ideas, let me know! The messier the better!

An Oldie, But A Goodie

2006-06-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

I heard this song this morning on my I Tunes at my desk. It is by Diamond Rio and it makes me laugh. The video has Jm J. Bullock in it, and it is really funny. I think I was preganant when this song was played on the radio.....

Barney works down at the A&P
He drives a baby blue A.M.C.
Ain't missed of day of work in 13 years
He's a fire department volunteer
He's got a yard that's always just been mowed
Collected stamps since he was 10 years old
You've never seen a more regular guy
But when the sun goes down on Friday night

Slaps on his Hai Karate after shave
Puts on his Elvis jacket custom-made
Gets in his patent leather zebra boots
Fires up his super sport Malibu
He burns the rubber 'cross the county line
A honky tonkin' fool till closing time
You ought to see him metamorphosize
From Barney Jekyll into Bubba Hyde

Monday morning it's a suit and tie
Attention shoppers there's a two-for-one buy
Tuesday afternoon he mans the wheel
Makes his round in the bookmobile
He's got a Wednesday night canasta game
Thursday's the tourney at the bowling lanes
His friends would freak out if they only knew
The party animal he turns into

Slaps on his Hai Karate after shave
Puts on his Elvis jacket custom-made
Gets in his patent leather zebra boots
Fires up his super sport Malibu
He burns the rubber 'cross the county line
A honky tonkin' fool till closing time
You ought to see him metamorphosize
From Barney Jekyll into Bubba Hyde
You oughta see him metamorphosize
From Barney Jekyll into Bubba Hyde

Why Didn't I Get One Of These Things Sooner?

2006-06-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

My brother is always getting the newest electronic gadgets. Always.

A couple of years ago, he started singing the praises of something called TIVO. When he explained it to me, he just said that you can tape a show and fast forward through the commercials. I thought to myself, that I have a VCR that can do the same thing. Why get a TIVO?

Let me just tell you how much I did not understand what the man was talking about.

My friend, Donna, had an extra one and just gave it to us. Gave. It. To. Us. And I must tell you that I do not know how we have got along without it. I cannot explain it, but you need to get one.

You will never look at a commercial again.

The Invisible Line

2006-06-13T05:29:00.000-07:00

I had decided not too long ago to stand up for myself more. Now, I know you are thinking how could I stand up for myself more? The truth is, I stand up for everyone else except myself.

SO, Friday when you said what you said, I should have stopped you right there. But I didn't. I just let it make me feel bad. Actually, it has made me feel bad ever since. Bad that I didn't tell you that you crossed the line. Bad for my daughter because you feel that way about her and she adores you. Bad because I thought you were my friend, when actually you are not.

Maybe you think it is okay to tell me what you did. And the child in me wants to tell you everything that is wrong with your kids, but then I would be just as bad as you are.

Just for the record it is NEVER okay to say what you said about my kid.

Never.

Update On Courtney

2006-05-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

There is a lot I have not told you about her lately.

The last day of school was last Friday. She received three awards. One for A/B Honor Roll for the year. One for Outstanding Citizenship for the quarter. But the most important one was for Highest Word Recognition for the ENTIRE 4th Grade!!! I am pretty proud of that last one!

Earlier this week, her and Ashley, her BFF (best friend forever) went to Lake Lanier Islands to ride the water slides. Keep in mind that she has only been to White Water and only went once. Apparently at White Water, she only went on slides that went straight down. Lake Lanier threw her for a loop, because these slides curve. She was scared of them, but didn't want to tell Ashley or her mom for fear they would think she was a "baby". So, she didn't have the best time. But I told her I would take her and we would go on some curves, so she could see that they were nothing to be scared of. *note* I have never even been down a water slide, so this should be interesting*

She came to me a couple of days ago asking to cut off her hair. So I told her I would make an appointment. She told me should would like to have it colored too, but I said no. Last night she had 8" cut off. SHE LOOKS TO MUCH OLDER!

Saturday I am taking her and her BFF to Bogan Park to swim. She is so excited! This one belongs in the water. She loves it.

If I Never See The Inside Of The Social Security Office Again, It Will Be Too Soon

2006-05-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. Our last name is now Coleman. With the name change comes some work, one thing we need to do is change the name on our Social Security cards.

As most of you know, I just did this not to long ago when I finally took my husbands name. So the thought of going to the God forsaken place again did not thrill me. They had a waiting room full of people. They have four windows to help these people. They only had one window opened, with a person who could not care less that she is moving at the rate of a snail.

I hate that place.

Saturday I get to go to the DMV.

The fun just keeps coming!

House For Sale - Anyone? Anyone?

2006-04-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we are trying to get our house ready to put on the market to sell. The sign goes in the yard on May 12th.

We are desperately trying to paint a couple of rooms before then. Scott told me in order to make it happen in time, I was going to have to help. Of Course I would help. Duh. WE are trying to sell the house NOT just him.

So Saturday we decided to paint Courtney's bathroom. First we had to remount the towel rack that she pulled off the wall doing her pull ups. Then we had to tape it off. I was in charge of sitting on the counter and tearing the tape for Scott.

Then it was time to paint.

Courtney's bathroom is small, and two people working in it, plus a ladder was cramped. SO I was in charge of keeping Oliver out of the bathroom, which I apparently was not successful at because he has paint on his ear and tail.

I did hang the new towels on the towel rack all by myself though.

This working together as a team is GREAT!

Pull Ups

2006-03-31T10:27:00.000-08:00

"My towel rack broke"

"Okay, Dad will fix it"

*Scott goes downstairs*

"WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Nothing. It just broke"

*Melissa goes downstairs and finds entire towel rack on floor and hole in wall*

"Courtney what did you do?*

"I was doing pull ups on it."

Note to self - don't let 50lb 10 year old do pull ups on towel racks.

The Little Things Were Big Back Then

2006-03-29T13:06:00.000-08:00

I was watching some videos of you when you were a baby. They are so funny. Mainly because you were funny, but a little because I was a first time mom, and didn't know what I was doing.

When we brought you home from the hospital it was February. Apparently, I didn't take into consideration the fact that that we lived on Key West and it was hot. Your dad filmed you in your crib and I had you in a hat and swaddled in more blankets than was necessary. I was so worried you were going to be cold.

I must have gotten over that pretty quickly, because the rest of the videos you are dressed in these cute little sun suits. No shoes. Always bare foot.

In one video you are wearing my favorite outfit. The one that I saved and it is in the attic along with your bassinet. You had just started saying mama. Actually, it was mamamamamamamama. All one run on, but I answered to it and made you say it over and over.

Then at your first birthday, your dad is filming you, and I call him by his name, and then so did you. It took us forever to get you call your dad "daddy" and not Scott.

Your eyes stayed that lavender color until you were four.

You used to pretend to read to me. You were so serious when you did so.

Now, I can barely get you to tell me what you had for lunch.

I know this though, me heart just melts when I watch those videos. And it melts the same way every night when you are asleep and I go sit on your bed and watch you.

Mom, Can I borrow Your CD?

2006-03-28T12:50:00.000-08:00

Before you point your finger,
get your hand off of my trigger.
Kelly Clarkston - Walk Away

Courtney comes to me the other night and asked to borrow my Kelly Clarkston CD. She had just got a new CD player with birthday money, and like to take it in the bathroom while she bathes at night. She is becoming a diva.

The bath water starts about the same time as the music. I finally realize that it is running a little longer than normal, so I go back there. She is naked as a jay bird in front of the mirror singing with all of her might.

She doesn't see me, so I stand and watch her for quote sometime. She had pulled her shirt almost all the way off, except for her head and is dancing around. I didn't know whether to be bothered because she was not doing what she was supposed to be doing, and the tub is almost overflowing, or to laugh out loud at her.

I chose laugh.

She was so embarrassed, she shut the door and locked it.

There is just something strange about your 10 year old singing about a man.

Open All Night # 2

2006-03-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

My hisband found this for me. I have highlighted the important comments

Open All Night
First Show 1981
Last Show 1982
Genre Comedy
Network ABC
Slot Day Saturday
Slot Time 8 pm

Other Thoughts:
There was a show in the early 80s that was not on during prime time, and may have been shown on independent network channels (pre-"FOX"). "Open All Night" was on kind of late. All I remember is that it was about a convenience store and this teen that worked the graveyard shift. He was pretty funny in his own unique way, but the other aspects of the show were barely 2nd rate.
There was a TERRIBLE show on for a season in the early 80s called "Open All Night" It was on Friday night. The only reason I remember it is because when the credits were rolling for that show one night, they broke in to say that John Belushi died. Was there anyone of note in that turkey?
This show was never on long enough to jump anything...it was about a guy whose last name was "Feester" i believe, who was born on the day before easter ( noted in the lyrics to the opening song) and he married this dumb woman who had a son who was even dumber...he owned a convenient store and the wife and the kid screwed everything up making this poor guys life a lving hell, the show was funny but short lived
Am I the only one who liked this show? Especially liked Sam Whipple as the irresponsible son -- he's now the scientist in the wheel chair in 7 Days. I have some episodes on tape and still like it. Catchy theme song too.
In OPEN ALL NIGHT, the lead (Gordon Feester born in Ohio the day before Easter said the theme song) was played by George Dzundza the original heavyset cop from LAW AND ORDER and had a recurring weird role for the guy who played the dad on ALF.
I used to watch this show when I was in high school. I remember liking it. One interesting thing I remember is that David Letterman made a guest appearance on the show as himself, I think about the time his own show was starting up, when he was still relatively unknown. Other than that, not much about this show is very memorable.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't David Letterman make a guest appearance on this show? If I remember right, he came into the store to ask if they thought it was stupid for someone to make a guest appearance on another television show to simply promote their own show.
This show wasn't on long enough to jump much of anything, but I do remember watching an episode in the hospital, right after my son was born. My room mate and I were in so much pain from laughing!
We watched the first episode of the show and that was it. The store owner was fine, but the supporting characters were just unbelievably dumb (especially the police officers.) Stereotypically stupid characters are a staple of many comedies, but in this case they overdid it.
This show was excellent. Sam Whipple and Susan Tyrell together at last. You just don't forget a combination like that. The last great episode was when Susan's characters in-laws came to stay for the weekend. They brought lawn chairs, and pretzel salad, and smoked constantly. This show would do great on MTV or Comedy central now. It was simply ahead of its time as Susan Tyrell and Sam Whipple are, generally. We will never see the likes of this again.
This really was a hilarious show, from the same production team responsible for "The Bob Newhart Show", with that show's kind dry, warped humor. I wouldn't mind it's quick cancellation so much if only TV Land or somebody would make a home for it, maybe in the vicinity of 3 AM--I'm not picky.
Day one...But one question. Was it not Bubba Smith on this show who said a line (that I must admit I use rather frequently)..."People can change, ten years ago I was a skinny little white kid from Cleveland"...?
Never jumped. Another example of unappreciated genius. My favorite subplot was where some guy was wearing swim fins and playing the saxophone outside the store, tapping his foot/fin back and forth to keep the beat. To this day, every time I put on my fins, I tap my foot and wish i could play the saxophone.
It never jumped..I wish I could watch it today..Actually I'm just glad to see someone else remembers this show.

Middle Of The Night Phone Calls

2006-03-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

*3:00am and the phone rings*

"Hello?"

"May I speak with Melissa?"

"Why?"

"Because I have to pick her up for a job interview tomorrow and I have $200.00 for the rental car."

"You have the wrong number."

"Is this the women's shelter?"

"No."

*3:02am and the phone rings*

"We are still not the women's shelter."

"Oh. Sorry"

*4:00am and the phone rings*

"Are you married to someone named Melissa?"

"Yes"

"Oh. Do you have a phone book so you can look up the number of the shelter for me?"

"Call Information"

"Okay. Bye."

Open All Night

2006-03-23T06:37:00.000-08:00

When I was in junior high, there was a T.V. show on that my family loved. It was called Open All Night. Apparently, my family was the only one who liked it, because I don't think it lasted an entire season. I can still remember some of the theme song:

This is a story about Gordon Feaster

Born in Ohio on the day before Easter

something something something something

Graduated from Columbus in 1962

Now he's Open All Night

Open All Night

The premise of this show is that Gordon owns a grocery/convenience store that is, you guessed it, open all night. His family works for him. His daughter is married to a nit wit, and they live with him. He has a son, who I am pretty sure, looking back, was smoking something when his dad wasn't around.

This show gave my family some classic quotes that we still use.

The first one goes like this:

The nit wit son in law walks into the kitchen. His wife is sitting there and he says "put on your shoes, were takin in a movie." Everybody knows that you put on your shoes to go dancing. That just cracked me up.

The second one (the best one) goes like this:

The dad walks into the store and finds his son inside the freezer. (back then, freezers in stores did not have doors, they were long and open topped.) He says to his son, why are you lieing in the freezer? And his son responds - I am not lieing, I am in the freezer. I must have repeated that a million times.

I wish I could see that show just once more to see if it is still as funny as I thought.

A Witness of Faith

2006-03-22T07:36:00.000-08:00

My Pastor called me a couple of weeks ago and asked me to give my witness of faith at church. It went something like this:

My journey through faith started somewhere back in 1952, which is strange, since I was born in 1969.

My mom joined First Christian Church of Fullerton, CA in 1952, when she was 7.

She married my dad in that church in 1965.

My brother married in that church in 1990.

I was married in that church in 1993.

And between the time my parents were married in 1965 and I was married in 1993, there weren't too many Sunday's we missed. We still sit in the same exact pew. On Sunday's we went to Sunday School and church in the morning, and youth groups at night. I think my dad was pretty happy when my brother got his driver's license and could start taking us back and forth.

I went to church camp from the time I was in 3rd grade until the summer I graduated high school.

When I started dating, the rule was, no matter how late you were out the night before, you were to be in that pew on Sunday morning. There were plenty of times when I was cutting the choir off to get in said pew.

Church was what my family did. My faith was taught to me from the beginning.

Now jump ahead to 1993 when Scott and I were married. We moved to San Diego, CA, and he was in the Navy gone all the time. I didn't want to go to church alone - I don't know why, I do it now - so I didn't go. But I still had my faith. That never changed.

Now jump ahead to 1996. We moved to Key West, FL and it was the first time I was ever away from my family. Ever. Courtney was born that February, with no one to show her to . No one waiting in the waiting room for Scott to go tell that we had a girl. Sure, my mom came the next day, but it was somehow different. But even through that, I never lost my faith.

Then, my faith was tested.

For those of you who do not know my daughter, she has Asperger's Syndrome, a rare type of autism mostly found in boys. Our road to getting her diagnosed has been long and hard. When she was about two years old, we knew something was wrong and started taking her to doctors, who confirmed that something was wrong, but couldn't tell us what. We have been told that we are bad parents, that we do not discipline enough, that we discipline too much and even that something is wrong with her because of some sin that her dad and I committed before she was born - which is absurd.

I could not wrap my hands around why God would bless me with a child that I prayed for (we were originally told that there was a good chance that I could not have kids) and then give me a child that something was wrong with. And it was something that nobody knew what it was. And so I got mad. I took my bat and ball and went home. I didn't need God, thank you very much.

Now jump ahead to 2002. My mom was coming for Easter, and she told me I was to find a church for us to go to. I told her I would, when I actually had no intention of doing so. Then that very same day, I went to my mail box and there was a flier for Spirit of Joy. I stood in my driveway and read it twice. Then it sat on the counter for a couple of days, and I finally called. I think my first words to Pastor, were "my mom is making go to your church and I need directions."

A co-worker of mine is attending a program called Why Church Is Like Going To Starbucks, and that is what going to Spirit of Joy was like for me. I knew the order of worship - the songs - everything. And I was hooked back in.

As for my faith, I have learned that sometimes you learn from your Pastor, sometimes you learn from a stranger and sometimes you learn from a little girl....

Night

2006-03-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

That is what the book is entitled. Simply, Night.

I read this book this weekend. It took me two hours, thank goodness. If it was more, I probably would have put it down and walked away.

It is about a 15 year old Jewish boy who was sent to a concentration camp.

It is an excellent book, but you will not be uplifted when you are done reading it.

If you are human, you will cry.

Chuck A Puck

2006-03-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

The past couple of weeks we have been going to the Gwinnette Gladiators hockey games. These have been really fun. Courtney even gets into them. An indoor place where she can be loud and it is okay.

After the second period, Kroger sponsors something called Chuck A Puck. You can purchase as many orange foam hockey puck as you want for $1.00. Then, everybody throws them on the ice. If you get them in the Kroger target, you win a gift certificate to the store. One time it was $250.00, but once I saw it for $2100.00.

Well last Saturday, we were sitting kind of far from the ice. And I really thought I could make it to the ice, but it turns out that I couldn't. I wound up nailing a man several rows away. I hit him so hard, his hat turned on his head and his glasses came off. Once I realized what I did, I sat down real quick and left Scott standing there throwing his pucks.

This weekend, even though we were only three rows from the ice, I didn't participate in Chuck A Puck. I let Scott and Courtney do all the throwing!

I Am 37 And I Don't Know How To.....

2006-03-18T07:42:00.000-08:00

I was listening to Ray and Cindy on the ride home last night and Cindy was complaining that she was however old, and didn't know how to make an omlette. Ray was however old and didn't know how to download his pictures of his camera. Then, they had people call in to state their age and what they didn't know how to do. The big winner was make coffee. I, myself, can make coffee.

However, I am 37 years old and don't know how to whistle......not even a sound comes out. Nothing but air and spit.

How old are you and what don't you know how to do?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

Last minute Melissa waited until this morning to figure out if her daughter had something green to wear to school today. Once, the crisis was averted, I moved to myself.

As I was standing in my room, ironing my shirt, Scott says to me that next year, St. Patrick's Day will be different. I thought maybe we would be going to a party or something, and was impressed that he was planning an entire year in advance!

But it is just that our name will be Coleman and that is an Irish name.

What does a gal have to do to get party anyway?

Softball Story #1

2006-03-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Monday was Courtney's first official soft ball practice. She showed up dressed in her new black and pink cleats, pink glove, blue bat and amazingly white softball.

Things were going pretty good UNTIL she missed a catch and the ball hit her square in the jaw. She started to cry, but I think it was more out of embarrassment than being hurt. She came running up to me and told me she wanted to go home. And for the first time, I MADE her get back out on that field. I felt like such a jerk. Usually, I would let her sit with me until she calmed down, but I just felt that if I did that this time, she would never get back out there.

So she pulled herself together and went back. I thought she might be afraid of the ball, but she wasn't. And the rest of practice went well.

The next day was picture day, and I was secretly hoping she would have a bruise or something to show for her hit, but, to my disappointment, she didn't.

There are reasons why I am not the mother of the year!

Humans Are Suppose To Walk Upright, Right?

2006-03-15T12:04:00.000-08:00

When I first moved to Georgia, and got a job, I made friends with a coworker. She is my best friend. How we met was simple. I was walking through her office, and fell. Instead of getting up to make sure I was okay, she laughed out loud. For a long time. And every time she saw me after that, she would burst out laughing.

Then one day we were at The Three Dollar Cafe for lunch and the server was walking us to our table. She fell right in the middle of the restaurant. I called her safe and proceeded to our table. The poor little college boy who was seating us, didn't know what to do. He WANTED to laugh, but KNEW he shouldn't. Meanwhile, I am at the table looking over my menu. We only had an hour, and I was hungry.

Last week, I was walking out of my coworkers cube, and fell. There was nothing to fall over. I just fell. And it was one of those falls that took forever to happen. It was like I was moving in slow motion. When I finally did hit the ground, it was hard. Laughter ensued from the entire office. They then judged me on my fall and told my my dismount could use some work, but, overall, I scored better than Bodie Miller in the Olympics.

I made the mistake of telling Kathy. She laughed and made fun of me, as I knew she would. Then she got sentimental, because that is how we first met. But mostly she made fun of me.

Until today.

She e-mailed me to tell me that she fell in the grocery store the other day. She was shopping and slipped on a potato peel. She went down on both knees. She said she held onto the cart for dear life. There was no one around, so she got right back up and kept on shopping like nothing happened.

Oh to be a fly on that wall. To see that fall. Where is Candid Camera when you need them?

All Of A Sudden, She Wants To Join Everything!

2006-03-09T11:51:00.000-08:00

Courtney just finished cheering for basketball last Saturday and announced that she wants to join softball.

I stood there and stared at her.

" You want to joint softball?"

"Yes!"

"Do you know how to play softball?"

"No."

"Okay, you can join."

So with checkbook in hand, we went down to the school and signed her up. Last night was the first team meeting. This is so the parents could meet the coaches and sign up to help out. We were instructed for the girls to bring their mitts and they were going to play catch.

Mitt, huh?

So, we'll have to get a mitt.

I arrived late to the ball field last night due to my working 800 miles away from home. When I arrived I had no problem find Courtney, she was the one who had the pink, blue and purple mitt.

Yeah, pink.

I called my dad to tell him. He told me to be sure to put her in right field because nothing goes out there.

How many trips to the hospital do you think we will make for broken bones and stitches over the upcoming weeks?

I would rather answer how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

Birth Control

2006-03-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

This weekend, 28 Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts spent the night in the gym at Friendship Elementary. This is to get the girls who have not been camping used to sleeping in a tent before we go camping in May.

They all arrived at 6:30pm on Saturday night. Giggles and squeals arrived also. We set up tents, ate dinner, earned a badge, did an art project and was supposed to go to sleep. Lights out was at 11:00pm. They were supposed to get into their tents, lie down and sleep.

YEAH RIGHT!

Whispers, giggles, burps, you name it went on until 1:00am.

I got home at 9:15am the next morning and didn't leave the house for the rest of the day.

If you are thinking of having a baby, you should do this. They grow up to be girls!!!

Catch Up And I Am Not Talking The Tomato Kind

2006-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Whew! My life has been so hectic lately. No time to blog. Here is a recap.

I was off of work for two days because I had the sinus infection from hell. And true to form, Scott was out of town on business, leaving me to take and pick up from school and get to cheer practice.

Thursday was my dad's birthday. Courtney bought him a card that she took her time picking out. There was a big pickle on the front of it and it read It's Your Birthday. Inside it said Big Dill. She thought it was hysterical. She laughed every time she read it.

Friday I was off of work because it was Courtney's birthday. She turned 10 and I cried. I cannot believe it. TEN!!!!! I took a cookie cake to her school and checked her out early. She came home, opened presents from us, my parents and Scott's parents. She was resting when my brother's gift came. It was from the popcorn factory. We tore into that thing like there was no tomorrow. IT WAS GOOD. Then off to her pep rally, where she cheered and did her routine to Boogie Shoes. After that we went to dinner with her best friend, Ashley and her family. It was a really long day.

Saturday morning we were up early going to learn about earning her religious award for Girl Scouts. From there we ordered her cake for her party on Sunday and then off to cheer to games. It was snowing by the time we were done, so we were in for the rest of the night. Court went to bed at 7:00pm.

Sunday we were up and off to church - even Scott - because it was wedding vow renewal Sunday. Then Courtney invited 17 friends to go bowling at Oasis Bowling for her birthday. 16 girls showed up and a great time was had by all.

Needless to say, I fell into bed on Sunday night. I had to come back to work just to get some rest!!

Little Boys

2006-02-07T04:46:00.000-08:00

Lately, there have a couple little boys in our life and I am rather enjoying it. They are so different than little girls.

Evan - This is Courtney's best friend's little brother. He is almost 4 years old. He thinks Courtney belongs to him. He goes NO WHERE without his gun in it's holster on his belt. An old cell phone on his belt. And a key chain calculator on his belt. He has so much crap on his belt, that is pants are always falling off. But his mom says he insists on wearing all of it all the time. You know that commercial for Milk, where the tag line is Got Milk? He thinks it says God's Milk, and asks for God's milk for breakfast to drink. We went out to dinner on Saturday, and he insisted on wearing his mittens in the restaurant. The next thing we know, he is falling off the chair and couldn't grab anything to stop his fall because of the mittens, and landed on the floor. He got up like nothing was wrong and went right back to eating dinner. He is an awesome kid!

Caleb - He is the little brother of one of Courtney's cheerleading team mates. He is 3 years old. He is hell on wheels in every sense of the word. He pushes and punches and thinks it is funny, but he has a smile that would melt your hair. During cheerleading practice, he insists on sitting on my lap. He is the most drooling kid I have ever met, but for some reason he has stolen my heart. It could be because he does not have a dad. I don't know but I like him.

But the best are the little Becker boys at church. I have only met them once, but I want them to come live with me, which I am sure their dad won't appreciate at all. Sunday at church they come in dressed alike, which I absolutely love, and the youngest one is pissed. His head is down and he won't look at anybody. When he sits down, he pulls his legs up and buries his face in his knees. I go ask him what is wrong and he told me he did not want to tell me. (I later found out his brother and him were fighting over the gameboy. Apparently, his brother won.) I asked him if he was going to get happy and he told me no. So he sat there and pouted. It was adorable. Then they called for children's moment, and he smiled real big and ran to the front of the church. He must have forgot that he was not going to get happy. As I was leaving I caught his eye and he smiled at me and waved. I want him.

Yes, boys are totally different than girls.

And I want one.

Where do you go to get one?

Basket Ball Game Gone Awry

2006-01-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Courtney had two games to cheer. The first games was normal. The second game was completely out of control.

Apparently, the ref did not like where Court's cheer team was standing, so he moved them. Then he blew the whistle at them for cheering, which pissed the cheer coach off big time.

Let me tell you about this cheer coach. She is a bleach blonde. She cheered all through high school. She owns her own gym. She thinks she is one hot mama. She wears way too much make up and tells the girls it doesn't matter if they cheer the wrong cheer as long as they are pretty doing it.

She is also a cheer Nazi.

I swear she needs a little black mustache.

When the girls are not cheering, they are to be standing in the "ready position". I don't know what 4th grade girl can stand in the ready position for two minutes, much less during an entire free throw part of the game.

But I digress.

She hauled her blonde butt over the the ref and chewed him a new one and then called the head of the Hall County recreation sports something or other and told him we all wanted our money back because they weren't letting "her girls" cheer.

She won her case and then came back to the stands and told all the parents what she said, which spurred some dad on to yell at the ref in the middle of the game, which led to us all being threatened by the Hall County Community Center man in charge to clear the stands.

At some point, the basketball police were called.

Wouldn't it have been easier to move the cheerleaders to the other side of the court?

Total Jerry Springer Game!

Ode To My Husband

2006-01-27T11:31:00.000-08:00

So last night my husband says to me that every time I post a blog that involves him I make him look stupid. Therefore, I wanted to let all of you know some things about my husband that are worth mentioning:

He cleans the house every weekend so I don't have to.
He is the BEST father ever, and that is something I would never lie about!
When we were dating, he made me a tape of love songs.
At Christmas, he wraps all of my packages in foil paper because he knows that is my favorite.
When I was pregnant, he shaved me legs for me.
A man was being men to me at a gas station when we were engaged and he was going to fight him, even though he had a broken finger.
He tucks me in every night.
He is so smart it is scary.
He fought in the first Gulf War when he was in the Navy.
He is loyal, loyal, loyal!
He always tells me the truth, even if it is going to hurt my feelings.
He is my hero and I love him.

There is a lot of things that are not on the list, but I just want all of you to know that I lucked out when I met him and can't imagine spending my life with anybody else.

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me!

2006-01-25T08:56:00.000-08:00

Something strange has come over my husband! For Christmas he got me, among other things, a new diamond ring. Then for my birthday, he sent me flowers.

I know you are all thinking - What's the big deal?

The big deal is this - this man does not send flowers. The last time he sent me flowers was when he forgot our anniversary and made me cry. I can count on one hand how many time he has sent me flowers.

He has not bought me a piece of jewelry since he found out I was pregnant over 10 years ago.

So I said to him last night that I think he is starting to love me since he is doing these things.

He told me not to read too much into anything.

I Wonder If You Get To Celebrate Your Birthday In Heaven?

2006-01-19T08:54:00.000-08:00

All of my life, my birthday has been a big deal. A big deal because my parents made it so. It was, and still is, a day to be celebrated. The day that God put me on this earth. On really special birthdays, my dad would send me flowers. My mom always got me a new outfit to wear. It was just a big day.

I shared my day with my Uncle Wayne. His day always took a back seat to mine. He so got cheated out of his birthday once I came along.

He died this past October, which has me wondering, do you get to celebrate your birthday in Heaven, or is every day a celebration?

Uncle Wayne, whatever you are doing today, I hope there is a party and there is cake!

Happy Birthday!

A New Game - Sort Of

2006-01-16T12:04:00.000-08:00

I have been playing this game with my friend, Kathy over the last week. I e-mail her a line from a song and she has to tell me what the title is or who the artist is. I have done all sorts of songs. Current songs to songs from when were little.

This is actually harder than it seems. You see, if you don't have the tune to help you out, you can get stuck pretty fast.

Well, now I am calling her cell phone and singing songs into it. And she is quickly pointing out that I have the words wrong to most songs. Which makes me laugh out loud!

Scott and I were driving somewhere not too long ago listening to a Billy Joel song. There I was singing the wrong words. Sitting there singing loud and proud. Even though he told me the right words, I have sang the song wrong for so long, that I cannot sing it correctly at all. Even though I want to.

Then, if you know me , you know this, I cannot sing for the life of me. So there is that to contend with. But I love to sing, and I believe if you can't sing good, sing loud. And I do. Apparently, these voice mails have been played for her family and her co-workers.

But I am not embarrassed. I am hoping there are really good songs on the radio for my ride home tonight.

By the way, did you know that the B52's song Love Shack, the words are not hand rail rusted, it is tin roof rusted? Well, that's what I am told.

When I say Friendship, You Say Falcons.....

2006-01-13T10:47:00.000-08:00

Courtney is an official cheerleader for the Friendship Falcons Basketball Teams for 4th and 5th graders.

Last Saturday was her first game, and true to form, you could hear her above everybody else. (I have no idea where she gets that! - Obviously from Scott's side of the family.) She is the tiniest one on the team, and her skirt is loose, and keeps twisting so her slit is on the front instead of the side. But man is she cute.

This Saturday we are cheering at Martin Elementary and at the Flowery Branch Community Center.

And she is very excited!

A Letter From Courtney's Teacher

2006-01-11T08:50:00.000-08:00

I was helping the new teacher with some paperwork today. I pulled out Courtney’s file to show her how to word some things. As I was looking through it, I realized the dramatic improvements she has made. Many students are unable to transition out of a self contained class and few do it with the success she has. I know she has her days, but her improvements are huge. I am very proud of her. Thanks you for your support in making Courtney a successful 4th grader.

This letter made me cry. This is why Scott and I work so hard.

This letter makes it all worth it.

Have You Tried These Things?

2006-01-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

I am talking about the new Dibs from Edy's. Oh my gosh!!

Courtney had a girlfriend spend the night on Friday and I took them to the store to pick out a treat. This is what they had and MAN are they good.

There are 60 bite sized pieces in a container. Chocolate covered ice cream bites.

Does life get any better than this?

What I am NOT Doing For Our Name Change

2006-01-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

I am not taking the last name Ethridge. It is already taken by a lesbian singer.

I am not taking the last name Cox, so Courtney will not have the same name as the chick from Friends.

And most of all, I am not going to go on e-bay and take the name of the highest bidder, and then tattoo the name on my forehead for an extra $50,000.00.

Thanks for your input, though.

I've Got The Music In Me

2006-01-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

When I was growing up, I was surrounded by music. All kinds of music.

My grandmother and her two sisters used to sing on the radio when they were growing up, and whenever the family got together, everybody sang. They sang the old hymns that most churches do not sing anymore.

My parents always took us to dinner theater's and plays growing up, and that is how I know every show tune out there. Which drives my husband absolutely crazy.

My dad taught me about music on the radio. What was going to last and what was just a "flash in the pan." That is why on the way to work this morning, Bob Segar came on, and I immediately thought of my dad.

It is amazing how something never leave you.

Letter To MY Side Of The Family

2006-01-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Graves Family:

First of all, I owe you all an apology. I am sorry that you had to find out that I was changing my last name by reading my blog. For that, I am sorry.

HOWEVER

I must ask all of you why you are so upset that I am changing my name? I haven't been a Graves in almost 13 years. Surely, you understand why we want to change our names, don't you? After all, I am not changing my first name. I am keeping the name you gave me when I was born.

I should let you know, that we have decided on a name and have started the paperwork process. We are going to the court house on the 20th. The paperwork has already been notarized. We are now going to be the Coleman's.

Love,

Melissa

A Name Change For 2006

2006-01-01T12:31:00.000-08:00

When Scott and I were engaged, he asked me if when we got married, he could take my last name. You are reading that right, he wanted to take my last name. Being young and foolish at the time, I insisted on taking his. Besides, I had already practiced my signature using his last name, like, a million times. You girls know what I am taking about.....Mr. & Mrs. Yauch, Melissa Yauch, Melissa M. Yauch over and over all over everything.

Then we got married.

For the last twelve, almost thirteen years, I have endured what he has all of his life, and what Courtney is just beginning. People not knowing how to pronounce it, and when you tell them, they make fun of it. Nobody being able to spell it correctly, much less pronounce it.

When Courtney was born, Scott decided he wanted to change our name. He had some ideas as to what, but I said no. Now, kids are starting to make fun of Courtney and I don't like that at all. So, I did the research and found out what we need to do to change our name. We talked to Scott's parents about it while they were here for Christmas, and they don't have a problem with it. So I think we might do it.

I think. We still have to decide on a last name.

You Know What Food Is Underrated?

2005-12-30T09:09:00.000-08:00

Avocados.

Being born and raised in California, we ate avocados all the time. My favorite was a bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado sandwich on sourdough bread with mayo. Yum!

Out here is Georgia, they have them, but they are never ripe. They are not "just right".

Last night we had Mexican food for dinner, and Courtney wanted to order some guacamole. All three of us ate it up rather quickly.

I think I am going start exploring the best of avocados and recipes for them.

They will not be underrated for long.

A Christmas Party

2005-12-19T12:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend was my work Christmas party. It was at the Four Seasons downtown. Because it was an overnite, we had to find someone who would watch Courtney and the dogs. Blue is too old to go in a kennel, and Oliver has to sleep with someone, or he cries. So Scott, bless his heart, took a vacation day on Friday and drove all the way to Valdosta to drop our troop at his parents house. What was supposed to be a 4 hour trip, turned into a 5.5 hour trip due to traffic and accidents. He stayed the night and came back Saturday.

We were able to check into the hotel at 3:00pm. As we were changing our clothes, Scott pulled out a pair of jeans. I stood there and stared at him.

"You are not going to where jeans are you?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Because this is the four Seasons, and you are NOT going to walk in wearing jeans."

"Again, why?"

"Because it is the FOUR SEASONS."

*rolled eyes and put on a nice pair of cords*

We got to the hotel, and when we walked in, there were three other couples standing there. They had just arrive also. And they were all wearing jeans. I so acted like I didn't notice.

We went to our room and did the whole inspection. They had a phone in the bathroom right next to the toilet. I guess that is so you can go potty and talk, but I can't imagine what there would be to talk about that couldn't wait until you were done.

Then we had a key to the mini bar, and were told that we could help ourselves. But then I looked at the prices, and I couldn't justify spending $7.00 for a drink in our room. Even if someone else was paying for it. OH, and the candy was expensive too. The gummy bears were $9.50. Yep, $9.50. Those must have been some endangered bears, because they are expensive.
So we decided to go down to the bar and have a drink. They were a dollar more down stairs. $16.00 for two drinks. WOW!

We visited with some coworkers for a while and then went back to the room to get ready for the party. It was quite an event and a good time was had by all.

The next morning, breakfast was served in the restaurant. We were instructed to charge it to our room. We ordered a simple breakfast that came to $50.00. FIFTY DOLLARS. I have never spent that much money on breakfast before in my life. EVER.

It was a very nice evening and a very generous gift from my boss.

An Ice Storm

2005-12-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning at 7:30am our power went out due to an ice storm. School was canceled, which left Scott with Courtney all day long.

When I got home, the power was still out, and the house was freezing. Courtney decided that it was no longer fun to live like Laura Ingalls.

We went to dinner and came home and started a fire. We brought the birds down from upstairs, so they could get warm too, poor things. Then, at 9:00pm, we all went to bed. There we were, me, Courtney, Scott and Oliver under 100 blankets. It got down to 29 degrees last night.

Apparently, Courtney tried every light switch in the house, and at 1:00am, when the power came back on, every light in the house came on.

That was fun!

The Finger

2005-12-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, my dad could hush me mid sentence with his finger. No matter what I was saying, if he held up his first finger, that meant stop talking. The house could have been on fire, and I would have shut up.

I remember we went to buy my first car. We were getting down to the nity grity of the whole thing, and my dad didn't like something, and told them that we were going to take our business elsewhere. I was coming unglued sitting next to him. All I did was open my mouth, no words had started to come out of my mouth, and I got the finger. My mouth closed, and I said nothing.

Yesterday at work, I turned to ask a coworker a questions. Apparently, he was on the phone, and gave me the finger. I shut up immediately. I felt like a kid again.

It is just a finger.

A Book Review - Kind Of

2005-12-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter.

Great Book.

It is one of Oprah's picks, but that is not why I read it. I just wanted to read something different.

It takes place in Georgia. It has four different sets of characters, and somehow, she got them all tied together.

Very interesting. Highly recommended.

It Is Girl Scout Cookie Selling Time!

2005-12-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

Ready! Set! Go!!!!!

Get me your orders. They will arrive on Feb 18th. $3.00 a box, which is $0.50 cheaper than other councils!!!

Let me know!

You Have Bewitched Me Heart and Soul.....

2005-12-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

I was invited to dinner and a movie with two ladies that I work with. I said yes before I knew what they were going to want to see. They decided on Pride and Prejudice. I must say that I was disappointed. (hear me out, Heather)

I have never read a Jane Austen book and didn't think that I would like the movie. Let me tell you how wrong I was. The movie held my interest right from the start. The actors were great and the story line even better.

So, I apologize, Jane Austen and Heather Anne.

On the Road Of Life, There Are Passengers, And There Are Drivers...

2005-12-03T17:40:00.000-08:00

I, myself, am a driver. On the roads. Literally.

We went to Scott's parents house for Thanksgiving. It is in Valdosta, and it is a 4 hour ride. Scott does not like taking a trip in the car with me anywhere that is over an hour ride. APPARENTLY, I tell him how to drive, how fast to go and what route to take. (If he would drive faster, and not get behind papa, who goes 12 miles and hour and take the road LESS traveled, we would not have any arguments.) So, we talked and decided that we would not fight traffic on Wednesday night, we would leave on Thursday morning. When we loaded the car, he got in the passenger's side. I stood there, staring at him. He informed me that I was driving since I could do it so much better.

Might I tell you that it was a much more enjoyable trip with me as the driver. Scott thinks it is because he was right - that I tell him what to do, but we all know that it is because he drives too slow.

Don't Go In The Street

2005-11-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

My mom tells the story that when I was little, the way she taught me not to go in the street, was to go outside with me and tell me not to go in the street. Then she would go inside, watch me through the window, and when I did go in the street, she would come out, swat me on the bottom and tell me not to go in the street again. Then she would start the whole process over again. Apparently, by the end of the day, you couldn't bribe us with anything to go in the street.

This must work only on humans, because it certainly is not working on my dog.

Oliver insists on going across the street. He is too small. Cars will not see him. He does not care. And when you go after him, he waits until you get right up to him and takes off again. When I do catch him, he gets a spank and a firm talking to, but he doesn't care. He'll do it again.

Maybe my mom will come visit and train him..........

You'd have to know my mom, but that is hysterical.

We've Got The Spirit, Yes We Do!

2005-11-15T04:47:00.000-08:00

Well, we signed Courtney up for cheerleading. She is now a Friendship Elementary School Falcon's Cheerleader.

Her practices are on Tuesday's and Thursday's. However, they are scheduled before I can get home, so Scott has to take her. Bless his heart. I walk in on Thursday for the last 5 minutes of practice, and there is Scott with all the other cheer mom's. I swear that man is earning his seat at the right hand of God. Last year, he sat with all the dance moms.

From what I can tell, she is going to be pretty good at this cheer stuff, EXCEPT the part that is called "showing your spirit"...this is when after you finish a cheer and you jump around and do your kicks. I have seen Courtney show her spirit and it is not pretty. Then, at practice, she showed so much spirit she fell over.

I guess that is why they have practice.........

When She Grows Up.....

2005-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

I have this friend, well actually, she might call me her friend. She is the granddaughter of a very good friend of mine. Her name in Heather Anne Hogan.

Heather Anne Hogan is the type of person that truly tries to be the best person she can be. She knows she is not perfect, and admits it. But she tries. Hard.

Heather Anne Hogan's heart belongs to Jesus.

And because her heart belongs to Jesus, her heart is pure and full of love for everybody. It doesn't matter what race you are. I doesn't matter if you are rich or poor. It just doesn't matter.

If you don't believe me, go to www.heatherannehogan.com and read for yourself.

I want my daughter to be like her when she grows up. That would make me proud!

Asperger's Syndrome In The News

2005-11-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

There was a 19 year old boy in California shot two of his neighbors and then killed himself. This boy had Asperger's Syndrome.

My daughter has this syndrome.

This boy was not diagnosed until the age of 16.

My daughter was diagnosed at age 5.

The hell his parents must have gone through is heart breaking to me. The hell they are going through now is inconceivable to me.

The hell this boy went through is conceivable to me. Kids would spit on him and one time forced his head in a toilet.

My daughter recently had a boy throw a football and basketball at her face, one right after the other and then two girls dared her not to cry after it happened, and laughed at her when she did. They told her she was gay and that her parents should put her up for adoption.

This boy went to a website that was designed by and for people with Asperger's. On his blog he stated that he just wanted to make some "real friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (for those of you who were counting, that was 75 exclamation points he ended that statement with. 75.

Over a two week period, when no one responded to his request for friends, he became agitated and posted that he was going to hurt the people who had been mean to him. He then shot two of his neighbors.

What happened in California is a tragedy in so many ways, and my heart hurts thinking about the dad and daughter that was killed. How will the mom and son go on? And thinking about the parents of the boy. How will their lives go on?

One of my coworkers read the article and made a comment that the parents clearly failed the boy by not getting him diagnosed until he was 16. He said that they could have helped him sooner. Who is to say that they didn't try?

Now, the media thinks that people with Asperger's are violent. Not all of them are violent.

Some of them are getting help at an early age to make sure that they have the tools needed to meld into society. Some parents will go to the ends of the earth to help their child.

The Good Witch

2005-11-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

Look at her! This is Courtney in her Halloween costume this year. She was a witch even though I wanted her to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. She had her friend, Ashley, come over and trick or treat our neighborhood. Then came inside and had hot chocolate!

What a great night!