Sleep Well, Chopper

Some of you will read this post and roll your eyes at what you might think to be a silly fascination, obsessesion, or relationship with a family pet. Some of you will read this and have genuine sympathy and empathy at the relationship and loss of a family pet. I relate to the latter.

This past Monday, my sister and her family had to put one of their beloved family dogs to sleep. Chopper was a 5 year old Pug that was full of life, energy and love. He was your typical Pug that snored when asleep and snorted when awake. He was hyper even to the point of frustration. Regardless, he was very loveable and loved just as much. And although he had a face that only a mother could love...his mamma certainly lived upto this statement.

He will be greatly missed as already seen by his fellow dog brother, Buster. For several hours after they buried Chopper, Buster layed on his grave and wasn't up for much fetch. Alex cried many tears this past week as this was her first experience of the loss of a pet. She has since come to terms while surrounding herself with his pictures and stuffed pugs.

Although Chopper will be missed, Buster and UGA will still be just as much enjoyed and loved.

"The pug is living proof that God has a sense of humor." ---Margo Kaufman

Until next time, HB

How Dry is it Georgia?

It's so dry in Georgia that the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling, the Methodists are using wet-wipes, the Presbyterians are giving out rain-checks, and the Catholics are praying for the wine to turn back into water. Now THAT's Dry!

I got this through email from a friend, thanks, Leah. Thought I would share the humor with the rest of the world.

Until next time, HB

I'm going Bare...

And I'm wearing nothing but the Escentuals!

I have never really liked makeup. And I absolutely hate wearing lipstick. However, my favorite makeup of the past has been Prescriptives because they would custom mix a foundation and powder to match my skin tones. When I began wearing makeup, I started with Clinique because my mom swears by it. However, I was never fully satisfied with the foundation colors Clinique had to offer. Their makeup tends to be too pink. And only when I put my Clinique foundation next the Prescriptives did I really notice just how pink Clinique's foundation was.

Part of staying home has required that I sacrifice a few things. Expensive makeup was one of them and the time it takes to go out trying new makeup and re-supplying my stock is another. I started picking some out from the local drug store or Wal-Mart, trying different brands and colors with every re-supply. Nevertheless, I have never been satisfied with the less expensive brands of makeup. They, too, tend to have pink tones when I need yellow to offset my pink toned skin. There are some you, my friends, that can use those brands and it looks great. I've even asked friends,"what makeup do you use?" And then find myself trying the same brand only to find, again, dissatisfaction.

Well, last weekend I spent with my best friend and college roommate, Rebecca. While in college, she only used Clinique and like my mom, swore by it. I learned while visiting her that she had left the Clinique "clique" and started wearing Bare Escentuals. I have actually been wanting to try this brand for sometime but hesitated because I didn't know anyone that used it. She took me to the local seller and had a "make over" using the Bare Escentual makeup.

I must say that I was very pleased. It's true what they advertise, it is very light feeling and less is more when applying. I am still getting used to it as it doesn't feel like I have makeup, nor does it cover as heavy.

I bought the starter kit and will use it til it's gone. I threw out my current makeup that was supposed to be so smart that it could "read my skin tone and automatically change it's color to match" as if it were some type of camellion lizard. I hated that makeup but used it anyway in order not to waste my money. Apparently my bottle was illiterate, because it couldn't "read" my skin tone correctly leaving the dreaded, horrific orange makeup lines.

Hopefully I will like Bare Escentuals. I'll keep you posted as I continue to wear it and let you know the long-term prognosis.

Until next time, HB

7 Things About Me...

Some of you may have already seen this on other blogs. However, I was tagged from other fellow bloggers to write 7 things about myself.

1. I love cereal. I could live off cereal alone. I prefer pre-sweetened...Frosted Flakes, Frosted Mini Wheats, Frosted Cheerios, Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks. You get the idea. There are many nights that I can not fall asleep until I have had my nightly fix of a bowl of cereal.

2. I love hot chocolate with hazelnut flavoring. And it must me made with real milk. Don't give me that powdered stuff you mix with hot water. That's just chocolate flavored water...YUCK! I also can't fall asleep some nights until I have had my nightly fix of hot chocolate with hazelnut flavoring. It's my guilty pleasure. Oh, and it can't be with any milk less than 2%.

3. I HATE onions. I don't care if they are the teeny tiny dehydrated onions. It's not necessarily the taste but the texture. It's like eating sand. My mom has seen me pilfer through food in search of those little bits of grain. And once I've found them...I'll no longer eat the food. If they are big enough to pick out, it's ok, I'll eat around them.

4. I have Social Anxiety. I get very nervous and anxious in large crowds and around people that I don't know very well. I am scared to silence in front of a crowd but do rather well in a small group of people. There have been times when JB has accepted an invitation to eat with friends and I have literally cried all the way to their house out of anxiety. (Don't worry my friends, this happened years ago). I didn't even repeat vows in my wedding due to my fear of being in front of people. I simply said, "I Do" and "I Will". I occasionally take medication which works wonders. But I typically get off thinking that it actually cured the problem only to find myself taking the medication again.

5. I have to have a project. When I first became a SAHM (stay at home mom), I hated it. Don't get me wrong, I loved being home with my children, but needed more than just being mom and wife in which I had when working as a Social Worker. I knew there was more to me than being a mom and I had to find ways to express my creativity, hence the reason for me monogramming. Now I have the best of both worlds.

6. I am not a phone person. I usually call with what I have to say and soon end the conversation. Occasionally my conversations will last awhile, but it didn't start off with that intention. It's not that I don't like talking to the person on the other end, but I am just not a phone person. I actually prefer communicating via email. I know this very impersonal, but I think this has evolved when I had children. When I get on the phone, they are like magnets...grabbing for attention which can make phone conversations unpleasant.

7. I absolutely can't stand fakes and those who try to impress others and me with their material things. I will write you off, if I perceive you to be that way. Don't try to impress me by being someone you are not and definitely don't try to impress me with your material things. I don't care what you have, how much you paid for it, or where you got it. I know this may sound cold...but how can be a friend to someone that's not who they say they are. Another words, I wouldn't be a friend to you, I would be a friend to who you want me to think are.

Well, I am through. I could write plenty more about myself. But instead will "tag" others to do it. Shana, Elaine, and Tracey, I'd love to read what you have to say about yourself.

Until next time, HB

Gizmo's New Hide-Out

The other night, I was up late as usual when I heard a "chicken scratch" type sound coming from the boys' tent. I peeked inside to find Gizmo making a nest amongst the pillows that had been piled in there. She has found that the tent is a great place to hang out late at night while I'm at the computer designing or emailing.

Gizmo is my late night "buddy" when everyone else has gone to sleep. Her new hide out has made for one more use of the tent.

Until next time, HB

You Had A Bad Day

JB sent this to me and he has been laughing since the first time he saw it. I too find it hilarious. I don't know if the onset of laughter comes from actually relating to the people and their frustration. Regardless, I think we can all say that we have been there and done that. Every time I watch this video I seem to live vicariously through the workers. They did what I wanted to while working but never had the courage to actually "kill" a computer.

I will never hear this song the same again. I used to listen with a thought of someone having a day of hurt feelings and emotions. Now when I hear this song, I will probably break out into laughter as I picture people throwing rages of frustration.

To activate the video, click on the triangle at the bottom of the video screen. Also be sure and turn on your sound to get the full effect. Hope you enjoy this bad day!

glumbert - Bad Day at the Office

A*L*E*X

This past weekend, Alex was in another cheerleading competition. She and her squad did great as expected but didn't place 1st this time. Regardless, we are all still so proud of her.

As usual, I'm there with my camera taking all kind of phot ops.

Abbey had fun being herself...

She needs no entertainment as she tends to be the entertainment.

I look forward to cheering on my cheerleader in the future...until then a few more photo ops from the day.