People Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout My Yankee Twin...

"People let me tell ya bout my Yankee Twin...She's a warm hearted person ....who I hope I'll know till the end" (thank you creators of The Courtship of Eddie's Father!! - wow I used to love that show!!)

When I started this blog, almost three years ago, I had no idea the limits it would stretch me to, the people who I would connect and reconnect with or the therapeutic value it would provide me.
I just thought since I read some really fun and interesting blogs that it might be fun for me to try and record for myself the life and times of a stay at home mom, friend, wife, daughter and wannabe writer! I cannot imagine life without the outlet it provides me...but wait, this is not a post about my blog! It is a post about my YANKEE TWIN!

We met on a mutual blog, where we were both commenting on our great love for the greatest of all American Idol winners - Mr. David Cook. (and just for the record T, he likes me better...hee hee hee!!) From there, we began to read each other's blog and as bloggers often do, we would comment back and forth. Then one day we found each other on Facebook and before long it was evident that we were twins! We would find ourselves listening to the same music, often at the same times! We are about the same age, both have been married FOREVER to wonderful, hard working men who would rather not be the center of attention...which works out great - cause we both love being the extroverts!

We are Irish girls, only she got the red hair which I crave...and although she has a GANG of kiddos and I only have one...we each have a child through the miracle of adoption! She obviously got the patience gene in our weird twin world, cause she homeschools and that is definitely not something I could ever do, oh, and she handles her church bulletin every week and I used to be a church secretary...and the list goes on and on! One of the craziest things happened this summer when I posted a picture of myself on the steps of Oprah's home church during our trip to Mississippi. My friend sent me a note to tell me she had the same dress that I was wearing in the picture!! Too freaky and funny for words!

We tease each other about being so alike, and living in two totally different parts of the country -- and we are forever scheming to find ways to actually meet in person. Yes, you read that right...I have never met her - but you know what --through the last few years, all the changes in our lives, the joys and sorrows of life that have been shared through facebook posts and blog posts and blog comments... I think of her as a dear friend. It is the miracle of the Internet I guess. If she emailed me tomorrow and said she needed something...I would count it the greatest honor to drive to her home and help her out. I think of her when certain songs come on the radio, when I am shopping and see something I just know she would like (cause I like it too!!) or when I am watching a tv show and wishing there was someone sitting next to me I could discuss it with (cause, yes, we like the same tv shows too!!) .

Today is my Yankee Twin's birthday. I am hoping she has a great day...full of all the fun her Gang can create for her - she truly deserves it. Happy, Happy Birthday to YOU! I am thankful for the gift you are to my world...even if it is just my cyber world...FOR NOW!!!!!!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Beverly

The Tooth, The Whole Tooth and Nothing But The Tooth

Not much to report today other than the TOOTH is still with us and I am still queasy!

I have several random thoughts pertaining to said tooth and since it is 200 degrees here today and my brain is bit frazzled, I am going to resort to a list for a post today!

1. It seems worthless to me to have a best friend who is a dentist (and could be very helpful with this dangling bit of calcium in my child's mouth) living in Colorado...it is just not very convenient for me...maybe if you all flood my comment box with requests for him to move back into at least driving range of me...he will consider my pleas!!

2. My little lovely girl takes great pleasure in torturing me with her tooth...she also likes roller coasters and haunted houses and driving really FAST! I think I am gonna be in for a wild life with this one!

3. And finally, if you are nearby and desire a cool bowl of ice cream or frozen yogurt, Popsicle, fruit bar, frozen yogurt pop, or some grits, eggs or mac n cheese, feel free to stop -- my freezer is pack to the hilt with this stuff. Old Snaggly Tooth has discovered she gets to eat this stuff cause her mama feels bad about her tooth situation...she is too smart for me, this tooth may dangle forever!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

Edited to add....one hour after I posted this...The TOOTH fell out while the sweet little girl was taking a bath! No pain, just elation!! Whoo Hoo! Tooth Fairy shall fly again tonight!

A Tidal Wave of Coconut!

Whenever I have a hard day...like the last two days have been in my little corner of the world, I like to come home and indulge in a little coconut therapy. I found this wonderful candle in my favorite grocery store and it is cheap and lovely and the smell of coconut wafts through my house and gives me instant calm!

I feel like I am on the beach, slathered in coconut scented suntan lotion and listening to the waves lull me to sleep.

Of course, after all that beach dreaming...I am usually famished - cause that is what life at the beach does for me -- makes me HUNGRY!! I have found my favorite treat to keep handy in the freezer this summer is also coconut related. I will say that my favorite cake is my mom's coconut cake (placing my order NOW for Christmas...thanks mom!) but since she doesn't make it very often, I have learned to settle for this sweet little cake by Pepperidge Farms. Now you know how I ended my very hectic, very unnerving, very stressful day and if only I had one of these right now...


the day would be ending on a PERFECTLY coconutty note!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

Oh - and yeah...that tooth is still hanging on....YUCK!

I Want To Run Away...

Ah...so far....it has been a bad day!

Maybe I should not say anything - cause I really have nothing good to say! Let's just start with - I have had my share of panic attacks today -- enough already! Also, I really dislike baby teeth and the drama around them that is happening in my house this afternoon. My child in pain, me not being able to really do anything about (or more honestly - not really wanting to deal with it at all - cause loose tooth equals - YUCK! in my life!!) and her daddy being at work and not available is slowly sending me over the edge. Please add to this that my wallet is E.M.P.T.Y. with a capital E and I am trying to keep that @&(*$)* tooth in her head until tomorrow - otherwise, the tooth fairy is gonna be giving out pennies tonight! HELP!

See, told ya I should have not said anything! Hope your day is going better than mine....

Bev

Frozen Thin Mints Make The World A Better Place!

This weekend has been stressful for me...I had to make some decisions that were hard and after praying about them, I can only hope that the decisions I made were in the best interest of everyone involved. Only time can tell...but at least for this afternoon, I am at peace after a particularly rocky few days.

My child keeps calling her grandparents and arranging for them to either come get her or for us to meet them somewhere -- it is crazy, who taught her to use the phone? Thank goodness her grandparents (all four of them) are happy to spend time with her...we are truly blessed in that area of our life.

This week is chucked full of activities, work for me, playdates for my girl, a hair appointment (THANK GOODNESS!!) all in the last real week of summer before life and first grade come crashing down on us.

I hope you are having a restful Sunday afternoon, I am headed to the couch for a quick snooze before my daughter comes back home!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

P.S. -- a friend turned me on to frozen Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies - it is the best treat ever, and the Lord has smiled on me because today I found a box in the back of our pantry and put it in the freezer!!!WHOO HOO!

Friday, Friday, Friday!!!!!!Whoo Hoo!!

We are off to our friend's house for a day of swimming and fun and sun and probably some five year old squabbling but hoping for more some cute five year old silly giggles instead. We love going to their house -- today I may even remember to bring the camera and get some pool shots -- my little tadpole has become quite the mermaid in the water this summer!

This is a rather random and rambling post, mainly due to the things I want to write today my husband said I couldn't - not that I conform to any type of censorship on this here bloggity blog, but his cooler head is probably right. I do however, feel a blog brewing on a subject close to me -- soon! I'll give you a hint -- I can take pretty much anything life and other people throw at ME - but someone try and mess with my daughter and my sweet, thoughtful, generous nature will be overthrown! I have the blood of the fighting Irish in me - don't test me!

Have a great Friday!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

Two Down...Who Knows How Many More To Go...

Guess who got another visit from the tooth fairy last night? And yes, thankfully, once again -- she pulled the tooth herself!

I was brave though, I did run and get a bath cloth for her...all I can say is ICK, ICK, ICK!!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

Back to Life, Back to Reality!

I know....smack my hand....I have not been very good at keeping up with this blog this summer! I truly had good intentions, and heaven knows I need the therapy it provides in my life, but I have just been so busy. No one told me that being an activity director for an almost six year old was gonna be so exhausting! But the countdown is on for the start of school, so I am truly soaking in all the fun and festivities we can find.

This past week my child and I joined three other MOOGs (that would be Moms Of Only Girls!) at the beach...in a one room condo...and did I mention the kiddos were ALL girls and ALL five and a half years old????? Oh my goodness!! It was an interesting trip - full of fun, tears, laughter, fits of rage, stomping feet and pouting lips...and that was just us moms!! Seriously though, the adults had a great time...the little girls..well, they adjusted...and eventually learned to fight it out amongst themselves and share and pick up their toys...of course this was all on the last morning as we were packing up - but all in all - I think the thought of a trip next year to try it again doesn't really scare any of us too much!

Because my blogging tool is worn out and exhausted and having trouble forming complete sentences I am just going to leave you with a few random thoughts that are rattling in the brain... I hope to be back here again soon, please don't give up on me!!

Random Thoughts...
- my mattress is just about dead -- so I have bought a memory foam topper for it, here is hoping tomorrow morning I do not wake up with a broken back like I did this morning.

- I made homemade banana pudding (with the meringue and EVERYTHING!) and I must say...it was scrumptious - I am never going back to the fake kind!

- forgetting to make a hair appointment at the regular 8 week mark was a huge mistake. I am praying my hair guy will make room for me in his world sometime this week....aghhhh

- my dining room is still not painted, this is causing me sorrow!

- we asked my husband last night for the 100th time if my sweet girl could get a kitten...and for the first time ever -- he didn't say NO!! Didn't say YES, either, but I am gonna claim it as a chink in his anti-feline armour!

-my new office at work is painted purple -- I can't wait to decorate it - although I really don't want to have to have the summer end to do it!

- I have decided I am pretty much cooking everything in the crock pot from now on...so far this summer I have mastered Meatloaf, Hamburger Steak and ten gazillion types of chicken... I think this is a doable resolution!

-And finally....if someone could please point me in the direction of the person who invented Little Pet Shop Pets...I would gladly kiss them. They have made my summer so much more bearable!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July!

We are headed to church, then lunch, then fireworks...hope you and your family have a wonderful day too!!

Living Happily in the Moment!
Bev