Wednesday, June 15, 2011

ANNOUNCEMENT!

Anyone visiting Belinda's Project Life today... WELCOME! This is my Picture-of-the-Day Blog created to accurately depict my life in photos during my 49th year of life!

I also have a blog entitled A Simple Life (www.belinda-asimplelife.blogspot.com). On this blog, I share ideas about seasonal traditions, dates with kids and spouses, recipes and many, many other family activities. Due to some glitches recently, my website address has been changed to the above. Please make a note if you intend to visit A Simple Life!

Thank you.

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Day 365 - August 25, 2011

Day 365 - August 25, 2011
This is how I left The Boy this afternoon. He was looking at the view outside his dorm room window. He LOVES his view. He has said that several times over the past year.

It is a nice view as far as campus views go, I suppose. Actually, I like it, too. (But I'd like it a little better if it was 90 minutes closer to my house. Just saying.)

Day 364 - August 24, 2011

Day 364 - August 24, 2011
Just another day of school. It's only been a week and a half, but we are definitely back in "school mode." Thankfully, Roxie is bound and determined to never be late to high school... and Josh appreciates this very, very much. There will be no yelling at each other this morning.

Day 363 - August 23, 2011

Day 363 - August 23, 2011
Look at this. One pair of pants, two pair of shorts and SIX shirts. I went shopping with Josh for about five minutes after school today, and this is what we bought. Unbelievable. It takes me and Roxie THREE DAYS to buy a tank top... and then we have to take it back because it isn't the right color after all. I wasn't even tired when I came home after shopping with Josh. In fact, I had enough energy to take pictures of all of his new clothes. (I think I've found a new shopping buddy. He'll be thrilled, I am sure.)

Day 362 - August 22, 2011

Day 362 - August 22, 2011
I did it! I made the Cuppa Cuppa Cuppa Cake from Steel Magnolias. Isn't it pretty? Usually I don't go for delicious AND nice presentation. I go for one or the other. But I lucked up with this little recipe. Yes, sir. It tastes as good as it looks!

Day 361 - August 21, 2011

Day 361 - August 21, 2011
There are SOME things I wish were everyday occurrences. This is one of them. Meet the Strawberry Cake from Lucia's Italian Restaurant. Isn't it lovely?

It has everything you want in a Strawberry Cake. Giant strawberries from California, moist cake, light and flavorful icing... Oh. And it is as big as your head, too! Now that's a good-looking piece of cake!

Day 360 - August 20, 2011

Day 360 - August 20, 2011
This is Grill Master Mikie. He loves to grill, and on summer nights when I don't feel like cooking, I hand him the package of thawed meat. It works out wonderfully. I set the table and fix the drinks... and Mikie cooks supper and reads the paper. We're a good team!

Day 359 - August 19, 2011

Day 359 - August 19, 2011
Wow. I was driving on a little back road going from here to there, and out of the corner of my eye I saw... a giraffe. It took only a minute (or two) for me to realize it wasn't a real giraffe, but a fake giraffe in a pretty little park. Creeping past the park in the Big Gold Van a little later, I photographed him AND discovered an elephant, hippo and a small giraffe scattered throughout. There is even a GIANT fish in the back! I didn't take a lot of pictures because there were so many people around, but I intend to go back one day soon and photograph the rest of the animals.

Day 358 - August 18, 2011

Day 358 - August 18, 2011
A new tradition. The first volleyball game of the season... You HAVE to wear a dress and you HAVE to have breakfast with the team at Chick-Fil-A. I like a new tradition that doesn't require me to cook or clean. In fact, I think they should do it every game day!

Day 357 - August 17, 2011

Day 357 - August 17, 2011
This is not another pedicure picture. This is how I left the house this morning to drop Roxie off at school. That's right. Barefoot. No shoes in sight. I didn't even notice until I was walking INTO the house after dropping her off. I'm glad to report (after a quick wardrobe check), my shoes were the only thing I forgot today. Whew!

Day 356 - August 16, 2011

Day 356 - August 16, 2011
The drive-thru. The McDonald's drive-thru to be exact. There was a time in my life when I no longer went near a McDonald's. After years and years (and years) of Happy Meals, ice creams, more Happy Meals and bacon biscuits, I was tired of McDonald's. I needed a break, so the Chick became my drive-thru of choice. Then McDonald's invented the Caramel Frappe'. Oh... my... goodness. McDonald's grew up! But when I finally asked (and received) the calorie and carb chart for the Caramel Frappe', I had to limit myself to one every two weeks. That was difficult. But now, I'm back at McDonald's. Since they now serve Diet Dr. Pepper, I can split my drive-thru time between the Golden Arches and the Chick. If this isn't an everyday occurrence in my life, it is close!

Day 355 - August 15, 2011

Day 355 - August 15, 2011
Wow! It was really bright today. How bright was it? It was so bright, it completely washed these chicks out when I took their "First Day of High School" picture. And I mean totally! I had to make it a black and white so their faces would show... even a little. But you can tell they are excited... and nervous... and a little scared. It's a new chapter, and I'm looking forward to reading each and every page. (Ally, Ragan, Roxie, Kendall and Hannah.)

Day 354 - August 14, 2011

Day 354 - August 14, 2011
I've complained (whined, sobbed, gnashed my teeth, etc., etc.) before about The Boy leaving for college. This is the third year in a row he's done this to me. I don't take pictures of the front of him any longer because he looks so happy. This is much, much better. You can't even tell he's skipping all the way to the truck!

Day 353 - August 13, 2011

Day 353 - August 13, 2011
Okay. So the surprise Back-to-School Dinner was supposed to be at the Melting Pot. I had saved the money. None of us had ever been before. I was SO looking forward to cheese and chocolate fondue. But when I checked the address late Saturday afternoon, and decided to call to make sure I didn't need reservations, I was told I DID NEED RESERVATIONS! They had available seating at 10:30 p.m. I don't know about you, but the Faulkner Five NEED to eat before 10:30 p.m. We just do. So off to P. F. Chang's we went, and we had a lovely, lovely Back-to-School Dinner. For the record, the chopsticks are just for show.

Day 352 - August 12, 2011

Day 352 - August 12, 2011
Oh, the joy! Baby stuff. Pink baby stuff. I am going to be a Great-Aunt again in October, and tonight I got to shop for my new great-niece, Lauren. It was lovely, I tell you. I know it doesn't look like much, but if you look in the bottom right-hand corner you'll see a Wal-Mart card. Diapers, Baby! Buy that girl some diapers!

Day 351 - August 11, 2011

Day 351 - August 11, 2011
We had a back-to-school brunch with some of our buddies today. Southside may never be the same. Here the chicks are making a wish before tossing a lucky coin in a fountain.

Like I told them... These chicks don't need luck! Savanna, Ally, Roxie, Ciara, Ragan and Kendall... FRESHMEN!

Day 350 - August 10, 2011

Day 350 - August 10, 2011
This is Copper guarding my bedroom door. He never sleeps. He never falters.

This is Sparkle guarding the other side of my bedroom door. Two more protective pups you will never find.

I feel so very, very safe... NOT!

Day 349 - August 9, 2011

Day 349 - August 9, 2011
I guess if I'm going to run a really, really good Frat House, I'm going to need a few more beds. But that would mean more boy/men, more cooking, more cleaning, more laundry. Hmmm. Maybe not!

Day 348 - August 8, 2011

Day 348 - August 8, 2011
Austin had some college buddies visit for a few days. Each boy/man staying at the Faulkner Frat House receives "line-dried" linens. All I have to do now is put a chocolate mint on the top of the stack before distributing them to the boy/men. I know they aren't folded as neatly as they should be, but I can't stay in the kitchen for 20 hours at a time and PERFECTLY fold laundry, can I? No really? Can I? (Someone come help me!)

Day 347 - August 7, 2011

Day 347 - August 7, 2011
This isn't an everyday event, but we have spent many, many evenings at the Argo Drive-In with family and friends. I think it will be one of those places the kids remember as adults. Hopefully, there will still be a drive-in or two when my grandchildren arrive one day in the future. Because nothing says "summer" quite as well as watching a movie under the stars at the drive-in.

Day 346 - August 6, 2011

Day 346 - August 6, 2011
We are a cereal family. We eat it for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner on busy, busy days. As you can see, we like a variety of different kinds. I like to tell people the boys are so tall because they are "grain-fed," and I would only be half kidding.

Day 345 - August 5, 2011

Day 345 - August 5, 2011
Ahh. The finished product. It is now ready to hang. And just think... We only have two more of these to make! (I think I know where the phrase "the 12th of never" comes from.)

Day 344 - August 4, 2011

Day 344 - August 4, 2011
A picture frame. A simple, black picture frame. It needs eight pictures. Roxie is going to have three of these in her bedroom. One for friends. One for family. One for trips. This should not be difficult. It took Roxie 93 minutes to pick out SIX of the eight pictures. Ninety-three minutes I will never get back. Ninety-three minutes closer to the half-century mark. Ninety-three minutes of me saying, "What about this one?" or "Oh. That one looks nice," or "Please. I'm begging you. Just pick a picture." I'll let you see the finished project tomorrow. It should be AWESOME.

Day 343 - August 3, 2011

Day 343 - August 3, 2011
This is MOST DEFINITELY a part of my everday life. I call it my "Johnny Cash" load of laundry. All black. All Chick. Everyday! Good thing my guys look good in the "little black uniform."

Day 342 - August 2, 2011

Day 342 - August 2, 2011
Meet Tank, our "Neighbor Dog." He is just a puppy really, and a nicer "Neighbor Dog" could not have moved behind our house. He greets each of the Faulkner Five whenever we drive into our driveway... just one fence over. When we go outside to pet or play with Sparkle and Copper, he waits for us patiently at the fence. He barks only in response to Copper and Sparkle. All in all, he is a great friend to our dogs. I'm thinking about cutting a little door in our fence so the pooches can have regular play dates. (Shhh. Don't tell Mikie. He'll get all uptight about how much the fence cost, etc., etc. Or I may just put a little box on Tank's side of the fence for him to jump over. He's young. He could make the leap. Hmmm.)

Day 341 - August 1, 2011

Day 341 - August 1, 2011
If you have known me for two minutes, you know how much this bothers me. For almost ten years, we have had a ROW of boxwoods on the side of our house. Ten years! There was a little brown in the missing boxwood. Just a little. And when we came home from our vacation we were shocked and dismayed to see it on the ground. Did someone chop it down? Did lightning strike it? Had locusts descended upon it and destroyed it? Nope. It just gave up and died. And now we have this big gaping hole. My first thought was to paint the brick "Boxwood Green" and be done with it, but Mikie (being the sensible one) said we needed to replant and cut the other boxwood down so the new guy could catch up. Yeah. That's probably a better plan. We'll do that!

Day 340 - July 31, 2011

Day 340 - July 31, 2011
Well, it was inevitable. I avoided Angry Birds for as long as I could, but on a road trip, I asked Mikie to hand me his phone. I'm not proud of myself. Not at all. The fact my new goal in life is to shoot little angry birds across a phone screen hoping they will kill green pigs is probably one of the low points of my life. And yet... it makes me incredibly happy, too. I know. I'm an enigma!

Day 339 - July 30, 2011

Day 339 - July 30, 2011
This is our front door. This picture is a little blurry, but it kind of suits my mood this evening. I wrote a post today on A Simple Life featuring an article from HomeLife Magazine. It was all about "front doors." "When others enter your home, especially your spouse and children, are you extending grace, acceptance and hospitality? Are you embracing opportunities to make them feel home in the spirit of God who welcomes everyone with open arms? The door to your home is the everyday pathway to fresh takes on faith and family." Wow. That's a big responsibility for a door. And it's a huge responsibility for the woman living on the other side of the door. Makes you think, doesn't it?

Day 338 - July 29, 2011

Day 338 - July 29, 2011
For some reason, I haven't scrapbooked this year as much as I usually do. I still love it. I still take a million pictures a month (or sometimes a week). I'm not sure what the problem has been. I do know, I'm going to do better. I went to a "crop" tonight with my friend, Evelyn, and got a lot done. I feel accomplished. I feel creative. I feel tired. Being accomplished and creative really drains me.

Day 337 - July 28, 2011

Day 337 - July 28, 2011
Looks like one more Faulkner will be tickling the old ivories. That's right. Me, Austin and Roxie have all had lessons and practiced on this old piano. Josh has recently requested piano lessons, and will hopefully be starting in a few weeks. Lots of music going on around here!

Day 336 - July 27, 2011

Day 336 - July 27, 2011
Kelci and Roxie went to Volleyball Camp this past week. At the end of camp, there was a tournament. We were playing for the championship. We made a point. Kelci and Roxie were very interested to see if the scorekeeper was going to put the point on the board.

It was becoming evident the scorekeeper was NOT going to put the point on the scoreboard. It was also clearly evident Roxie and Kelci were going to INSIST she do her job and do it well.

It was all good. You're looking at the face of one of the Volleyball Camp Champions! We were Number One, Baby! (Thanks in part to Kelci and Roxie keeping the scorekeeper in line!)

Day 335 - July 26, 2011

Day 335 - July 26, 2011
"Why is the Enchanting Belinda showing us a picture of Kleenex and hand sanitizer? Why?" Because I am already having to purchase school supplies three weeks before school begins... and I got a bargain on these items. I do not want to be buying school supplies on July 26. Nope. But Roxie informed me the other day that NOT buying school supplies until the last possible minute does not mean school will not begin August 15. It just means she and Josh go to school the first day without all of their supplies... because they were sold out, you see. I am in severe denial about school starting in a few days. SEVERE! (And this may actually be the only supplies I purchase until August 14. Just saying.

Day 334 - July 25, 2011

Day 334 - July 25, 2011
Pretty cool, huh? I was standing at the back deck door watching and waiting, and I got this shot on the second try. And then I ran and jumped into my bed and pulled the covers over my head. It was a little too close for comfort. But for the Picture of the Day, I wanted to show not only do we have almost daily afternoon thunderstorms. Sometimes we have them at night, too. More July rain.

Day 333 - July 24, 2011

Day 333 - July 24, 2011
Ahhh. Brio. It has been well over a year since I last dined at Brio... one of my favorite restaurants ever. Over a year too long, I might add. Mikie and I had a little date tonight. I love the atmosphere there. The colors (golds and muted browns), the smells (Italian cooking) and the lighting (soft and relaxing). I always look at least two years younger when I'm inside Brio. Because of the soft lighting, you see. After we ate, we sat on a bench and solved the world's problems for a little while. Mikie and I have some very good ideas... and they all begin with an evening at Brio!

Day 332 - July 23, 2011

Day 332 - July 23, 2011
July in Alabama. Usually it is very dry in July. We even had a drought last summer. A very bad one. But this year, we are experiencing a very wet July. Drippy, drippy rain accompanied by big black clouds and thunder... almost every afternoon it seems. Unless I have planned an outdoor activity, I am always a big fan of the afternoon thunderstorm. Love them.

Day 331 - July 22, 2011

Day 331 - July 22, 2011
We had our Fourth Annual Cousin Girls' Night Out last night at Amy's house. It was very relaxing. While the Young Chicks swam, the Mama Chicks relaxed... and then we all went inside and the Mama Chicks beat the Young Chicks at Pictionary. We showed NO MERCY! We did the Victory Dance. We showed them the Loser Sign. We talked trash. Ahhh. Good times. Good times.

Day 330 - July 21, 2011

Day 330 - July 21, 2011
Roxie always likes to dress up and have her picture taken when we go to the beach, but since we already had our "houseboat" toes, we decided to have a "houseboat" photo shoot, too.

Not bad...

Not bad at all!

Day 329 - July 20, 2011

Day 329 - July 20, 2011
Finally! I get to cross an item off my "90 Things To Do Before I'm 90" list. Jet ski, Baby! Standing up! Going 35 mph! I did get it up to 43 mph, but to be honest, I was sitting down at the time. You may notice, I am not one of those chicks who has great "jet ski" hair. I suspected I would not, but I wasn't sure until I saw all the pictures. But I'm still happy. I may not have good "jet ski" hair, but I did get air... and that ain't bad.

Day 328 - July 19, 2011

Day 328 - July 19, 2011
We have a water slide, a hot tub, a jet ski and all of Lake Lanier for swimming. What do Josh and Austin want to do first? Jump off the second deck of the boat. (By the way... This is the only thing I didn't try this week.)

Day 327 - July 18, 2011

Day 327 - July 18, 2011
We're going to get on a houseboat tomorrow for a "different" kind of vacation. Roxie and I usually get "beach" toes as a treat before we leave for a beach vacation. We decided to get "houseboat'" toes this summer. Remind me to NEVER have my foot photographed next to a 14 year-old girl's foot again. It ages me!

Day 326 - July 17, 2011

Day 326 - July 17, 2011
Melia came over for dinner tonight, and when I asked her if she minded being the Picture of the Day, she gave me the correct answer. "Of course not." Ahhh. Music to my ears. And when she said, "Of course not," Austin automatically assumed the position and smiled just right. (I wish she had been around when he was ten and going through that "awkward smile" stage. It would have made things SO much easier.)

Day 325 - July 16, 2011

Day 325 - July 16, 2011
Roxie is our official "dog washer." She does an excellent job. Working with beagles isn't always easy, but she is patient and kind... and when she is finished they are clean for all of one or two minutes.

Believe it or not, before Copper rolled in the dirt to undo all the benefits of the washing, he actually posed for not one, but three, GOOD doggie pics. This one was Mikie's favorite, so I decided to post it on Belinda's Project Life for posterity. Is it just me, or is this an incredibly handsome beagle?

Day 324 - July 15, 2011

Day 324 - July 15, 2011
Get a load of the newest fashion craze! Hair feathers! Of course, I was the person who invented hair feathers over 20 years ago when a pigeon decided to fly into a building, stun itself and fall onto my head. I had many hair feathers that day. I will admit though Roxie and Ally's feathers are WAY cooler than my old pigeon feathers were. Too cute!

Day 323 - July 14, 2011

Day 323 - July 14, 2011
Did you know there are over 14,000 NCIS episodes taped on our DVR. I'm only exaggerating a little. When Austin came home for the summer, he introduced NCIS to Roxie, and Roxie introduced NCIS to me. We are hooked. We watch not one, but at least two or more episodes a day... and I have yet to see one twice. How many seasons of NCIS are there? Where have I been all those years? And doesn't Mark Harmon look wonderful? This is most definitely a DAILY event in our household.

Day 322 - July 13, 2011

Day 322 - July 13, 2011
Well, here it is. The Chocolate Pecan Pie. It photographs well, but in reality, it needs a little more "gooey." I can tell I like the flavor, but I think I'm going to use my old "tried and true" Pecan Pie recipe and just add a handful of white chocolate chips to the mix. Yes. That is definitely what I'm going to do. "So will your family eat this experimental pie?" you ask. Oh, yeah. Experiment or not, it will soon be gone.

Day 321 - July 12, 2011

Day 321 - July 12, 2011
I bet you didn't know we are VERY deep thinkers around here. We read. We ponder. We pontificate. (Yes. I know what "pontificate" means. "To speak in a pompous or dogmatic manner." We pontificate A LOT!) This little paperback is making its way throughout the Faulkner Five. Heaven is for Real is being read by me and Roxie, and Mikie is just finishing. The guys will read it next. It really makes you think... or, as we like to say at Faulkner Farms, "ruminate."

Day 320 - July 11, 2011

Day 320 - July 11, 2011
It's been awhile since I had a picture of The Boy on Belinda's Project Life, so I thought I'd just get a nice head shot of Austin. But then, the other guys were there, so I thought, "Hmmm. I could get a good head shot of the three of them." This is what you get when you ask guys to put their heads together for a nice "head shot." Not exactly what I had in mind.

Day 319 - July 10, 2011

Day 319 - July 10, 2011
This is one of my favorite things about having teenagers. At the spur of a moment, they can decide they want to get a hamburger or go see a movie. They call their cousins and meet them for an impromptu get-together. And I can stay home knowing they are having quality family time... just not with me. Roxie and Josh are on their way to see Zookeeper with Katie and Zac. Josh is trying to wink. Fun fact for you... The Faulkner Five are horrible winkers. It must be in the genes. Just saying.

Day 318 - July 9, 2011

Day 318 - July 9, 2011
Fun fact for you... When I was a kid, I loved the individual variety packs of cereal. Remember? There would be ten different kinds of cereal in one "package," and you could choose your favorite each and every morning. And most of the cereals weren't the "healthy" kind. Sugar Pops, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Puffs, etc. Those were the cereals I loved growing up. I know what you're thinking. Belinda has lost it. This isn't a picture of cereal. This is a picture of Edy's Ice Cream. But wait! There is a tie between the two. Winn Dixie had a "Buy 10 for $10" special on these tiny little cups of Edy's Ice Cream... and I bought ten different kinds. I know in the end it wasn't really a bargain. I know because Mikie did the math. But every once in a blue moon (whatever that means), I don't mind surprising the Faulkner Five with TEN different kinds of ice cream. That's just the kind of cool Mom I am!

Day 317 - July 8, 2011

Day 317 - July 8, 2011
There he is! There's my Joshua! His week at MAW (Music and Arts Week... a Methodist Camp), was a success. He said Monday and Tuesday were difficult because he was getting to know people, but by the time Wednesday rolled around he was having a very good time. He spent the week playing guitar, attending choir practice for the concert they gave tonight, eating, Bible study, etc., etc. He had a ball, as you can tell from the finale (Hosanna) seen here. The music was absolutely beautiful, but the best part was seeing Josh. No. No. The best part was putting Josh in the car and bringing him home. That was the best part! Oh. And he's going again next year. It was a good thing!

Day 316 - July 7, 2011

Day 316 - July 7, 2011
"I Commit To Not Quit." This is Roxie's t-shirt from Boot Camp. All the blood, sweat and tears, and at the end of the day all she has to show for it is a bright yellow t-shirt! Oh. And did I mention the $9 t-shirt fee? It's a good motto though. And it's proof of the saying, "What does not kill you only makes you stronger." Or is it, "What does not kill you only makes you more irritable." Now that would make a great t-shirt slogan!

Day 315 - July 6, 2011

Day 315 - July 6, 2011
Some things never, ever change. I was afraid when I switched totally to digital I wouldn't be very good at ordering my prints. It really worried me. At least with a 35mm camera, you have incentive to have the film developed. You want to see the images you captured. With digital, you can look at the pics on the camera, on the computer, etc. I'm happy to report I'm just as addicted to 4" x 6" prints as ever. I LOVE picking my pictures up and looking through envelope after envelope of photos. One of my favorite activities EVER!

Day 314 - July 5, 2011

Day 314 - July 5, 2011
If I came home and saw this box on my kitchen table, I would dance a jig. Yes, I would. Because I know inside this pretty blue box are three delectable cupcakes from YOLO Dessert Bar. So imagine my dismay and disappointment when I put this box on my kitchen table in front of Austin and Roxie (Josh wasn't home), and they simply said, "Thanks, Mom," and walked right past me. "Aren't you going to eat your cupcake? I picked out a flavor especially for you." They smiled (in a patronizing way) and said, "We're not really hungry right now. We'll eat it later." Well, here it is 9:44 p.m. Tuesday night and NO ONE has eaten their special cupcake. NO ONE! If I eat three cupcakes, it will definitely not be good for my diabetes. But if the cupcakes are still there when I get up from the computer, I may not have a choice. It is SO hard being a good mother. So very, very hard!

Day 313 - July 4, 2011

Day 313 - July 4, 2011
Happy 4th of July! On the 4th, my family comes together at my home to grill, make ice cream, swim in the local swimming pool (when it doesn't storm) and these last two years, play Bunco. I love Bunco because the Loser gets a prize. Guess who ALWAYS loses? That right. The Enchanting Belinda. I won a lovely plastic red, white and blue "I Love America" necklace. Oh. And if you're wondering why this photo was taken at such an odd angle, Roxie is trying her hand at some new photography tricks. I kind of like it. I think I look ten years younger at this angle. And unless I'm mistaken, I look a lot thinner, too. Get ready to see ALL photos of me taken from this angle. I think I like it!

Day 312 - July 3, 2011

Day 312 - July 3, 2011
Okay. So this isn't the finished product, but it's looking pretty good. Roxie baked and decorated cupcakes for Grandmother's 4th of July birthday cupcake tower this afternoon while I was running an errand. Every single cupcake (all 21 of them) is a work of art!

This is a little blog tease. I will not reveal the finished product until tomorrow, but I think you can imagine, can't you? I know I can.

Day 311 - July 2, 2011

Day 311 - July 2, 2011
What is your definition of a "perfect Saturday?" Staying up until 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning watching a movie with friends and falling asleep on air mattresses placed all over the den is a start. Waking up and eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts (chocolate glazed) also helps. Spending the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon at the pool swimming, sunning and talking is a big contributor to the "perfect Saturday." But the "clincher" would have to be coming home, taking a nice cool shower, curling up with the remotes and a big bowl of homemade ice cream and watching NCIS over and over and over again. Of course, this is Roxie's definition. My definition of a "perfect Saturday" wouldn't include air mattresses and quilts and pillows all over the den. Nope. My definition would have something to do with manicures and pedicures and an overnight stay at a luxurious Bed and Breakfast. But I have to admit... Roxie's perfect Saturday is a lot less expensive than mine would be!

Day 310 - July 1, 2011

Day 310 - July 1, 2011
What says "SUMMER FUN" more than a Disney movie at the Argo Drive-In? Beach... homemade vanilla ice cream... long days sitting by the pool... tubing on the lake. Good answers. All very good answers. But you have to admit, the Drive-In is pretty cool. Mikie and I enjoyed watching Cars 2 with a few young ladies this evening. Hot dogs, popcorn, Blow Pops, sodas... and bug spray. You CANNOT forget the bug spray! Good times. Good times.

Day 309 - June 30, 2011

Day 309 - June 30, 2011
We had a pool day today... which used to be an every day event when the kids were smaller. Well, every day between May 31 and August 6 or 7 (or whenever school started). Roxie and Katie still love their pool time... but not every single day. Shopping, movies, texting and talking, talking, talking take up a lot of time, too.

Day 308 - June 29, 2011

Day 308 - June 29, 2011
I would love to be able to capture the image of all of these caterpillars turning into butterflies. If that is, in fact, what they'll be doing. You cannot tell from the pic, but they are all alive and wiggling. And this isn't a spider web. There are over a dozen of these large "spun things" in the pecan tree next to our house. I'm going to keep an eye on them, and maybe something exciting will happen. (But I keep thinking it is too late for butterflies in June and July. Could I be wrong? It has happened once before, but I don't really like to talk about that much. I'll keep you posted on their development!)

Day 307 - June 28, 2011

Day 307 - June 28, 2011
Here's a "blast from the past" for you. Mike spotted this Limited Edition of QUISP on a shelf in Target tonight.

Do any of you remember QUISP? Anyone? The cereal shaped like mini-flying saucers? They kind of taste like a less sugary version of Cap'n Crunch? Anyone?

I will say one thing about QUISP. It's good eatin'.

Day 306 - June 27, 2011

Day 306 - June 27, 2011
You might think I like this new game because it begins with the letter "F." That's not it. Although Faulkner Farkle Fun Night does have a ring to it, doesn't it? Grandmother has introduced this game to each of the grandkids... one at a time. They've all been talking about it, and since I LOVE dice games, I knew I would like this game. And I was right. It's easy. It's all about rolling dice. You don't have to be super intelligent to play AND win! It's my kind of game. (Oh! And it only costs about $5.) I urge everyone to buy Farkle today! I guarantee you'll love it, or they'll return your money. (That's just an expression, you know. I have no authority whatsoever from the Farkle executives!)

Day 305 - June 26, 2011

Day 305 - June 26, 2011
This is a picture of one of the Faulkner Five... leaving. But don't worry. He'll come back. They ALWAYS come back. Josh is headed to Kentucky and Ohio with a church group. They are going to King's Island Amusement Park AND the Creation Museum before heading back to Sweet Home Alabama and Faulkner Farms (circa 1842). I miss him, but I'm looking forward to hearing his stories. And guess what? He WILLINGLY took a point-and-shoot digital camera. I don't know if he did it to placate me, or if he's really going to take pictures. I'm going to stay positive, and continue to think he's actually going to use the camera. We'll all know by Wednesday!

Day 304 - June 25, 2011

Day 304 - June 25, 2011
Are we having fun yet? Oh, yes we are. Roxie has no problem getting in someone else's "space." In fact, I think she enjoys pushing people out of the way. I know she likes doing it at home! It was the last day of a three-day basketball camp... and we won seven out of nine games. Being a little "pushy" comes in handy sometimes.

Day 303 - June 24, 2011

Day 303 - June 24, 2011
Although we celebrated Bev's birthday last night, her actual birthday is TODAY! In case you didn't know, Bev is my younger sister. So instead of turning 50 this year, she'll only be turning 46. Lucky, lucky chick.

Oh. And for her birthday, I gave her a present, PLUS a bunch of Birthday Freebies. I met her at Firehouse Subs so she could claim her FREE ($5.89 value) birthday sub. I'm a very good big sister!

Day 302 - June 23, 2011

Day 302 - June 23, 2011
How cute is this? As is our family custom, Roxie bakes Aunt Beverly's birthday cake, and Katie bakes my birthday cake... every year... without fail... until this year. Roxie picked this cupcake design out for her Aunt Bev last week. (Bev is the artistic one in our family. She can paint anything.) So this idea wasn't only cute and doable. It also fit Aunt Bev's personality. Roxie is in Basketball Camp this weekend. Roxie didn't have the time OR energy to bake cupcakes, so I made a deal with her. I would bake Aunt Bev's birthday cupcakes if she would bake Grandmother's birthday cake. (We celebrate her birthday July 4.) Roxie eagerly agreed, and I made the lovely cupcake presentation you see below. I know what you are thinking. "Where are the other cupcakes?" Don't worry. There were 18 more cupcakes (all white) in a separate box. For only $299, I would be happy to prepare this cupcake presentation for you or your loved one. You know where to find me!

Day 301 - June 22, 2011

Day 301 - June 22, 2011
Ahhh. Teenage girls love to visit each other and talk, talk, talk. However, today's visit to Ragan's house was a little different. Ragan was in the hospital yesterday for some outpatient surgery... and today was Visitation Day. Roxie and friends have had their share of injuries, ailments and surgeries this year, but everyone is "fixed" now, and hopefully, this will be the last "Visitation" we go on for awhile. (NOTE - "Visitation" is not to be confused with "regular teenage girl visiting." It's totally different. The "teenage girl visiting" will continue!)

Day 300 - June 21, 2011

Day 300 - June 21, 2011
This picture is blurry. I took four or five, and this is the best one. Even with my BRAND NEW CAMERA, Mikie is almost too fast to photograph. It's ridiculous! I went walking with him this evening thinking we could walk, talk and laugh. Forget that! Walking is NOT a social hour for Mikie. If he doesn't do a seven-minute mile, he is not happy. I have no problem with the eight-minute mile (or even the occasional 12-minute mile). I had no idea Mikie was so goal-oriented. It was kind of annoying. After one mile, I called it an evening because I was perspiring, you see. That, and I needed to get supper on the table. I barely had time to have everything ready before Mr. Speedy Gonzales walked through the door. (I'm going to have to teach him a little about the Art of Walking. He has obviously been misinformed and thinks it is more about exercise than actually talking. Can you even imagine?)

Day 299 - June 20, 2011

Day 299 - June 20, 2011
Guess where I was today? If you said, "A basketball Play Day in Pell City," you would be CORRECT! What? You've never seen a fox at a basketball game... in Pell City? Me either, but since we had over FOUR HOURS between our two games, we took some of the Junior Varsity basketball chicks out to eat AND to the wonderful Bass Pro Shop. We literally spent two hours in the store... and we could have stayed more!

Day 298 - June 19, 2011

Day 298 - June 19, 2011
Roxie is a Daddy's Girl. I think that is one of the best things you can possibly be, and I'm proud she has that kind of relationship with her Dad. Whether she's snuggling next to him on the couch, greeting him at the front door with a kiss or flicking him on the end of his nose and running for dear life, they have a very special bond... and for that I am thankful.

Day 297 - June 18, 2011

Day 297 - June 18, 2011
Another Saturday with Monica... PERFECT! After spending the night, eating at Macaroni Grill and shopping, these two chicks said good-bye. I'm beginning to think they could live with each other, and that would be okay with me!

Day 296 - June 17, 2011

Day 296 - June 17, 2011
We are beyond hip in this household. This is "the look." People pay a lot of money to buy jeans with this kind of wear and tear already showing. And you might think these jeans belong to one of our kids, but you would be wrong. Mikie is the fashionista in this picture. And the fact that there's a "hip" hole in the leg of these jeans has more to do with Mikie changing the oil in the driveway over the years rather than keeping up with the latest fashion designs. (And Mikie will wear these "work" jeans until another hole this big appears in another spot... which should be any day now!)

Day 295 - June 16, 2011

Day 295 - June 16, 2011
This is what my den couch is supposed to look like. Pillows in place... blankets folded on corner... cushions in place... armrest covers on armrests. Yep. This is what I want to see when I walk into my den.

But this is what greets me each and every morning during the summer. I go to bed before my giant children do, you see. When I wake up, the entire den looks like it has exploded. I fold, pat and replace all the pillows, blankets, etc. And then the next morning... BOOM! Another explosion. I LOVE summer.

Day 294 - June 15, 2011

Day 294 - June 15, 2011
Our new favorite place to go is Yolo's Dessert Bar at Brookwood. Melia told us about it, and Roxie and I have been there several times. They make divine cupcakes. Simply divine! Roxie came up with a new recipe all by herself. Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes With Glazed Sugar Pecans. Sounds good, doesn't it? In reality, the cupcakes/muffins were pretty good, but they still need a little tweaking. However, the Sugar Pecans were beyond excellent.

It took an hour to make the pecans. And I mean a whole hour. Every 15 minutes she had to stir them. It was a long, tedious process for Miss Roxie... and the final verdict? Roxie isn't going to be patient enough to be a chef. I know this because after 45 minutes taking care of pecans, she completely lost it! Oh, well. We'll enjoy these today... because she informed me she was never making them again!

Day 293 - June 14, 2011

Day 293 - June 14, 2011
I have always been intrigued with "mini" things. I guess it is because most of the things in my life are rather big. My babies were big. Two of them are now giant boy/men. Roxie is still growing, but in comparison, she should remain a "mini-Faulkner." My vehicle is big... thus, the name Big Gold Van. My laundry pile is MASSIVE, and I live for the day when it might become a "mini" pile of laundry. So like I said at the beginning, I am intrigued by "mini" things.

This little watermelon can fit in one hand if I balance it right. And I bought it because it was cute. And because the sign on the produce stand at the grocery store said it was "sweet." I've also bought mini-bananas before. Of course, I had to buy three bunches to equal two regular-sized bananas, but they were so... Well, cute is the only word to describe them. I'll let you know if this little melon was indeed "sweet." (I'll probably just eat it before dinner. There really isn't enough to share.)

Day 292 - June 13, 2011

Day 292 - June 13, 2011
So this is what 50 looks like... Not bad. Not bad, at all!

Day 291 - June 12, 2011

Day 291 - June 12, 2011
This is one Mikie's favorite birthday traditions. He LOVES his Mom's Red Devil's Food With Divinity Icing Birthday Cake. It is not to be confused with a Red Velvet Cake With Cream Cheese Icing. No, sir. It is entirely different. Mrs. Faulkner has made this cake for him for 45 of his 50 years, and he is simply thrilled each year when it makes an appearance... along with homemade vanilla ice cream. (I made things easy on him this year. He only had to blow out two candles instead of 50!)

Day 290 - June 11, 2011

Day 290 - June 11, 2011
Today was pretty exciting. I drove by this little red car. I glanced over and told my cousin, Amy, "That guy looks like Will Ferrell." No one else had seen him, but then he passed us and Amy took his picture. You can't see it, but there is a black "WF" on the back windshield. Get it? WF? Will Ferrell? Okay. Everyone knows the Big Gold Van can't keep up with Will Ferrell in a red sports car, so we were lucky when he pulled into our lane... and we were able to pass him.

Okay. Okay. I know it isn't Will Ferrell, but pretend you're going by at 35 miles per hour and just glance over. There is a resemblence. Don't you think? Tomorrow I'm going to show you the picture we took of Tom Selleck in a yellow Volkswagon. I promise. It was him!

Day 289 - June 10, 2011

Day 289 - June 10, 2011
Roxie and Tuggle... together again! Today the high school hosted a Basketball "Play Day." Ten teams from all over the place came to play two 40 minute games each (sometime during the day). It's a scrimmage of sorts. The Junior Varsity played at 2:00 and 4:00. Look closely. Roxie and Kelci rarely look at each other. Instead, they talk to each other out of the sides of their mouths while looking straight ahead. They do this on the court, too. Volleyball AND basketball. It's their own little way of communicating with each other.

They're doing it again. Roxie's not really drinking... she's telling Kelci something funny. Kelci isn't really holding her head because the other team scored a basket. She's covering a remark and a big grin. It's very interesting. I intend to "break the code" before they graduate. It's one of my little goals.

Day 288 - June 9, 2011

Day 288 - June 9, 2011
It's a fascinating picture, I know. Every year, the kids give me three hanging baskets for my front porch. EVERY YEAR, two birds (a husband and wife, I am sure) build a nest in the middle hanging basket. Today I watched the nest-building process. The two birds flew from basket to basket, discussed the pros and cons, checked out the view from each individual angle, and finally, decided on Basket Number 2! I watched them for quite a while flying back and forth, back and forth. I assumed on each trip to the basket, they were adding to their nest. Late in the evening, I took a chair to the front porch and ever so carefully peeked into the basket. Nothing. Nada. Not a twig out of place, much less the beginnings of a bird's nest! Could I have been wrong? Had they chosen a different basket? I moved the chair to Basket Number Three. The odds of me NOT falling face first out of the folding chair looking in one basket are not good. Not good at all. But looking in all three baskets... HA! On the third and final peek, my foot slipped, the chair folded and I stumbled... tripped... fell on my big toe. If it hadn't been for my camera and the intense protective instinct only a BRAND NEW CAMERA owner has, I know the fall would have been much more serious. Tomorrow, I'm just going to tap on the baskets. If a bird flies in my face, so be it!

Day 287 - June 8, 2011

Day 287 - June 8, 2011
After a really HOT day, it was nice to sit on the back deck and enjoy a little coolness. Four of the Faulkner Five and both beagles chilled for about an hour. No homework. No bedtime. No school meeting to attend. Ahhh. Just a little peace and quiet in the middle of a busy, crazy world. I wish every night could be like tonight.

Day 286 - June 7, 2011

Day 286 - June 7, 2011
Mikie brought home a surprise. Candles. Lots and lots of little candles. And they all have different scents and names. From Salty Caramel to Caribbean Salsa (oh, my), most of the summer smells are captured in these little cylinders of waxy goodness. Yes. He could have bought me a dozen roses, but the man knows the way to my heart is through my nose! Not an everyday picture, but a nice one just the same!

Day 285 - June 6, 2011

Day 285 - June 6, 2011
I took a picture almost exactly like this one last year. I think I called it "View From the Pavilion." This is our community pool. We've been members for over a decade now. But things are changing. Today, Roxie and Katie decided to skip the pool. Bev and I took Zac and his friend, and they had a ball. I remember the summer days when we would pack lunches and six little squirmy bodies in the two vans and meet at the pool for a day of fun and sun. After 25 minutes of sunscreen application, we were ready to go. Bev and I were in the pool as much or more than the kids because even if they got out, you never knew when they were going to jump back in. I watch the "young" families at the pool now... as I flip through my magazine under the pavilion... and look up occasionally to see why a little one is crying. Do I miss standing waist deep in a pool three to four hours at a time catching little bodies as they come through the slide or jump off the side into my arms? Yes. Yes, I most certainly do.

Day 284 - June 5, 2011

Day 284 - June 5, 2011
See this fuzzy picture from the Internet? Can you tell what it is? That's right. It's a houseboat. Guess what else? Instead of going to New Orleans via train in the middle of the summer, I did some checking and the Faulkner Five are going to spend our vacation on a houseboat. And not just any houseboat. This baby comes equipped with a hot tub, air conditioning and a slide from the top deck. You heard me... A SLIDE! Fun fact for you... I love slides. I'll give you more details about our new vacation destination tomorrow on A Simple Life, but I think it's going to be EPIC!

Day 283 - June 4, 2011

Day 283 - June 4, 2011
Do you know why I like to make pepper steak for my family? Do you? It isn't because it is INCREDIBLY easy and delicious. Nope. That's just a bonus. I like to make it because it is just so pretty. A feast for the eyes. It doesn't even need a sprig of something to help with presentation. The pepper steak stands alone. And I like that!

Day 282 - June 3, 2011

Day 282 - June 3, 2011
This is Mikie's change drawer. It's looking pretty good. I'm checking it today (plus, the kids' change drawers, boxes, etc.) because I'm planning on taking ALL the change in the house to one of those "machines" in the next couple of weeks. That's right. It's time to cash in all this loose change for some cold hard cash! And I've got some very specific plans for the cash, too. I'll let you in on that little secret first thing Monday morning!

Day 281 - June 2, 2011

Day 281 - June 2, 2011
There are many reasons we love for Austin to be home during the summer, but for Josh and Roxie the main reason is sitting on her lap. An extra laptop in the house! Of course, Austin would prefer no one ever touch his computer, but when you're a member of a family of five, you have to share some things. As long as it's handled with kid gloves, Austin has given his permission. Oh, how Roxie and Josh will hate to see the computer (I mean Austin) go back to school in August!

Day 280 - June 1, 2011

Day 280 - June 1, 2011
I finally did it! I made the Chicken and Potato Pancakes for dinner. After a little hesitation (and who can blame him), Austin dug in... and declared the recipe a "keeper." Roxie had to be won over. (Code for I HAD TO SUBSTITUTE KETCHUP FOR THE CHICKEN GRAVY.) Mikie liked them, too. Josh doesn't know it, but as soon as he gets off work at the Chick at 11:00 p.m., he's going to eat some Chicken Pancakes. And he's going to be happy about it, too!

Day 279 - May 31, 2011

Day 279 - May 31, 2011
See Katie. See Roxie. See Katie and Roxie drive away... in a car... by themselves! Four out of six of the cousins are now driving, and Roxie and Zac will be behind the wheel before you know it. Tonight, I met Katie at the mid-way spot Bev and I use to exchange kids between our two towns. These are two happy chicks. Roxie would call this picture "Freedom!" I call it "Mom/Aunt Belinda is in the depths of despair!" Perspective, Baby! Perspective!

Day 278 - May 30, 2011

Day 278 - May 30, 2011
Well, here it is! The Faulkner Five Epic Summer 2011 List of things I want us to do as a family. This list will not be completed by summer's end. In fact, summer would need to last four or five months for us to knock this baby out. However, it is a go-by. I don't want to wake up the day before school starts and wonder why we only went fishing once or ate on the deck twice. It's an accountability "thing" for me.

Well... Accountability AND I like to mark things off. (I REALLY like to mark things off!)

Day 277 - May 29, 2011

Day 277 - May 29, 2011
Today we went tubing with the Tuggles. Usually tubing is all we want to do, but someone mentioned a rope swing. A rope swing sounded fun at the time, so we headed up the river and found the swing. Josh wanted to go first.

If you're a mom, you know every now and again you get a feeling in the pit of your stomach that something isn't going to end well. It could be an ice skating lesson... the first time your child rides a two wheeler down a big hill... your child wearing a white shirt and being served spaghetti and meatballs at a family friend's house. As a mom, you know those things are probably going to end in disaster. Well, I had one of those "mom" feelings when I saw Josh grab hold of the rope swing. And I was unfortunately right. This splash is Josh. You'll notice the splash is right beside the bank and NOT several feet out in the water. Josh landed on his back on rocks and logs.

Nine times out of ten, I'm one of those women who enjoys saying, "I told you so." Today was not one of those days. While his back looks like it had the worse damage, his ankle is really giving him problems. That was the first body part to hit the rocks. I love for the kids to try things at least once. Josh assured me this was his one and ONLY "rope swing over the river" attempt... and I am glad.

Day 276 - May 28, 2011

Day 276 - May 28, 2011
I'm sad to say, the Three-Day Anniversary Extravaganza is over. It's been fun, and Melia did an excellent job of planning wonderful surprises for The Boy. What's in the envelope, you may ask? Tickets to the Zac Brown Band Concert... TONIGHT! She gave him the tickets, and off they went. Oh, to be young and in love... and have the energy to plan all those romantic, sweet little surprises. Mike's excited when I remember to buy him his favorite cereal at the grocery store! But I remember being Austin and Melia's age. It's a special time, and it's a good reminder for me. (It's time to pick up Mikie's favorite cereal again!)

Day 275 - May 27, 2011

Day 275 - May 27, 2011
Melia and Austin have been dating three years. And to celebrate, Melia planned a three-day Anniversary Extravaganza. Part of Day Two's gift was a romantic picnic at Botanical Gardens. (No. I didn't stay for that.) However, Melia asked me to take three-year anniversary pics of her and Austin before they had their dinner... and I was happy to oblige.

They make quite a handsome couple, don't they? You don't have to respond. I already know the answer.

Day 274 - May 26, 2011

Day 274 - May 26, 2011
I was able to go to a reception after Graduation tonight. All the Seniors who attended the reception had a table decorated in their honor representing their four years of high school. Everyone's table had a different "personality." They were all excellent. However, this guy caught my attention as soon as I walked into the room. Since our high school is NOT located in Alaska, he kind of stood out as a unique and fun addition to this chick's table. Congratulations Class of 2011!

Day 273 - May 25, 2011

Day 273 - May 25, 2011
What does Summer look like at your house?

The Faulkner Five Summer is looking pretty relaxed.

Maybe a little too relaxed!

Day 272 - May 24, 2011

Day 272 - May 24, 2011
It's official. Roxie hasn't finished her finals yet, but she is technically a Freshman. And I've got the dozens of documents to prove it. We had our first mandatory Volleyball meeting tonight. These papers do not even represent the 42 other pages I left with the coaches. Paperwork is an amazing thing. Every page you fill out contains the exact same information. Then those pages are put into separate folders. Those separate folders are then put in separate filing cabinets. And then when the Basketball meeting comes around, we'll be filling out paperwork with the same exact information, etc., etc., etc. How cool would it be to just hand the coaches a flash drive with all the pertinent information, and they could put it in their computer or I-Pad or some other technical device I do not know how to work, and it would be done... FOREVER? But what is the fun in that? Can you tell I'm in a little bit of a mood? Perhaps menopausal women should be exempt from having to fill out paperwork. And that's all I'm going to say about that.

Day 271 - May 23, 2011

Day 271 - May 23, 2011
All alone, this little bunch of flowers looks scraggly... almost like weeds. But when you look at the big picture...

Well, it gives you a whole new perspective, doesn't it? I can get bogged down by the "little" things pretty easily. But every now and again, I am reminded to look at the big picture. Most of the time, I like the big picture much better.

Day 270 - May 22, 2011

Day 270 - May 22, 2011
Could it be? Justin Bieber in our humble abode! Well, guess what? If you shop at Toys R Us, you, too, could own a life-size Justin Bieber cut-out. He's the life of the party... as you can tell from Roxie, Ragan and Ciara's faces. Actually, this Justin is a gift for Kendall who just had surgery. If Justin can't make her happy, no one can!

Day 269 - May 21, 2011

Day 269 - May 21, 2011
Mike and I had the BEST time at the Garden Art Party at B & A Warehouse. It's a yearly event we attend benefiting Alzheimer's of Central Alabama, and we get to bid on all kinds of things at the silent auction. We also get to eat at "food stations" set up around the Warehouse. There is a "shrimp and grits" station, a "mini-cheeseburger" station, a "soft pretzel" station... and get this! They had a "cake pop/dessert" station. Happy on a stick! Mike and I bid on three things. (1) Paddle Board lessons for four. (I was going to give it to Roxie for a birthday gift to try with her friends. We didn't get that one, but I know who did, and I'm hoping to see pictures in the near future.) (2) An Anniversary Night at Soho. WE OWN THIS ONE! I'm making reservations this week for a night at Aloft Birmingham Soho Square, dinner at Lovoy's, a $150 shopping gift certificate AND an Edible Arrangement Bouquet of Chocolate Covered Strawberries. YES! And finally, (3) 20 tickets to The Comedy Club. We're going to use them to see Sinbad and James Gregory (really clean comedians). It will be something different and fun! This is not an everyday occurrence in my life, but I kind of wish it could be!

Day 268 - May 20, 2011

Day 268 - May 20, 2011
Guess who this is supposed to be? Have you got it? If you said Johnny Cash, you are wrong. This is a 100 point, extra credit John Lennon look-alike. Can you see it now? I know. I can't either. But for 100 points I'm willing to "Imagine."

Day 267 - May 19, 2011

Day 267 - May 19, 2011
Okay. It's official. Tuggle and Roxie are together again... volleyball AND basketball! After a very trying week, these chicks can go to bed happy knowing they'll be serving, spiking, setting, dribbling, shooting and fouling in HIGH SCHOOL! Life is good.

Day 266 - May 18, 2011

Day 266 - May 18, 2011
Guess what I did tonight? That's right. I diced strawberries. Sometimes I get in the mood to bake, and for whatever reason I will bake no matter what time of day it might be. These strawberries are the main ingredients to a muffin recipe. The muffins would have been perfect tomorrow morning hot out of the oven for breakfast. But I didn't feel like baking them tomorrow morning. I felt like baking them tonight... so I did. Pictures of the finished product will appear on A Simple Life tomorrow. The hardest part of this recipe is dicing strawberries, and since that really cannot be considered hard, it's a very easy, made-from-scratch muffin recipe. And get this. It's a British recipe. Since Austin is going to London this winter, I'm going to try to introduce him to some really good English food before his trip "over the pond." Maybe some bangers and mash or toad-in-the-hole. (Or maybe I'll just stick to Strawberries and Cream Muffins. I've gone this long without eating toad-in-the-hole. I might as well keep goin'.)

Day 265 - May 17, 2011

Day 265 - May 17, 2011
In case you can't tell, Tuggle and Roxie made the cut. And because parents weren't invited to the first volleyball meeting, the girls have been giving us little tidbits of what they remember from that meeting. Tidbits like, "They put up a cut list Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday we find out who made the team." That tidbit was incorrect. TODAY (also known as Tuesday) was the final cut day. TODAY (also known as Tuesday) was the day we found out who made the Jr. Varsity Volleyball Team. TODAY (not Wednesday) was the BIG DAY! Thank goodness I brought my BRAND NEW CAMERA with me when I picked Roxie up. I would have hated missing these faces!

Day 264 - May 16, 2011

Day 264 - May 16, 2011
One down... two to go. Roxie made the first cut in volleyball today. She's still not 100 percent, but she definitely perked up when she found out the news. I hope I can post a picture of her holding up TWO fingers tomorrow night. This is going to be a very long week!

Day 263 - May 15, 2011

Day 263 - May 15, 2011
Well, today was my Mother's Day. And Roxie was sick. So, needless to say, we didn't go to the Birmingham Zoo, but I am a parent so that sort of thing doesn't bother me. Because I'm so mature and all. Nope. Not a bit. (Let it be known, it would have been the PERFECT day to go to the zoo... cool and cloudy. I would have taken amazing pictures of all of the animals, and you would now be looking at a picture of a bull elephant. But like I said. I'm a grown-up. Roxie was sick, so we postponed the zoo trip... and I'm fine.) I'm fine because I still got my presents. That's right. Three big, beautiful hanging pots of impatiens. I love them! I'll be sharing my other loot on A Simple Life tomorrow morning, but let it be known, it was a very nice HALF Mother's Day. (My other HALF is in two weeks... and I'm going to the zoo, BABY!)

Day 262 - May 14, 2011

Day 262 - May 14, 2011
Just by looking at this little box, you have no idea the goodness hidden inside... do you?

But then you slide it open. It appears to be regular lollipop, doesn't it? But you would be wrong.

It's a CAKE POP! That's right. Starbucks invented it (I think). Cake shaped like a lollipop covered in icing and sprinkles on a stick. Genius! Pure genius! I call this photo "Happy on a Stick!"

Day 261 - May 13, 2011

Day 261 - May 13, 2011
Today is Friday the 13th. Nothing good can happen on Friday the 13th... or so the story goes. However, we had an excellent day. Roxie's surgeon FINALLY cleared her for volleyball and basketball tryouts! FINALLY! This is a picture of "finger tape." We have used well over 50 or 60 rolls of this stuff over the last 14 weeks. What will I do with all of this extra "finger tape?" Something tells me I may need to hold on to it for a while.

Day 260 - May 12, 2011

Day 260 - May 12, 2011
Another day, another Faulkner going to work at the Chick. I feel like we should have a banner across the front of our house. "Support the Faulkner Five. Eat More Chikin!"

Day 259 - May 11, 2011

Day 259 - May 11, 2011
We are NERVOUS! Volleyball tryouts are Monday (and we haven't been dismissed from the surgeon, so we cannot practice). Basketball tryouts are next Friday (and we haven't been dismissed by the surgeon, so we cannot practice). But wait! We found a loophole. If Mikie HANDS the ball to Roxie, thereby eliminating the chance of the ball "hitting" the finger, she can practice shooting. Okay. We went with this plan. Shoot, shoot, shoot. We're going to be a little tense around here next week. Just sayin'.

Day 258 - May 10, 2011

Day 258 - May 10, 2011
Josh is having quite the week! Today was the Top Twenty Luncheon (also known as the Academic Achievers Luncheon). This is his friend, Alex, who is also in the top twenty of his class. Two very impressive young men. (And I'm loving the tie!)

Day 257 - May 9, 2011

Day 257 - May 9, 2011
Big night! The Spring Choir Concert is a Talent Show of sorts. Josh accompanied a soloist and a duet on guitar (and did FABULOUS) and then sang his first solo ever... Be My Teddy Bear by Elvis. Nerves took over a little at the beginning, but he was on his note by the middle of the song. It was the best performance of the night... and I'm not just saying that because I gave birth to him 17 years ago. It really was!

Day 256 - May 8, 2011

Day 256 - May 8, 2011
Of course, on Mother's Day I'm going to post a picture of me, Mom and Bev. That was a no-brainer. And there's only one thing bothering me about this picture. No. It isn't the fact Beverly and I are wearing mismatched print shirts. And it isn't the fact none of us have lipstick on our lips. And it isn't the fact we ALWAYS take this pic on the couch. Nope. It's Bev's wayward curl. It is driving me crazy... and I don't know how to PHOTOSHOP it out! (Other than that, it's a fairly good pic, don't you think?)

Day 255 - May 7, 2011

Day 255 - May 7, 2011
Guess what this is. I'll give you a little hint. Mikie worked at the Gumbo Gala today. Different companies come together and make their very best gumbo. It's a pretty big deal with professional judging, etc. for the best gumbo. When I came home, there was a bag on the table full of these little cookie-type things. Of course, this is shaped like a Louisiana alligator. (Get it? Gumbo. Gators.) Anyway, I thought it was alligator-shaped gingerbread. Yes. I really did. I mean, after eating all that gumbo, wouldn't a piece of gingerbread hit the spot dessert-wise? Before anyone could warn me, I had bitten off a tail of an alligator... only to be very disappointed. The chef at Mike's place of work had decided to experiment with chewy alligator-shaped dog biscuits. That's right. I ate a bite of dog biscuit. To be honest, it wasn't that bad... but when you're expecting sweet gingerbread, it shocks the taste buds. Let's just say, I won't be sharing this recipe on A Simple Life Tuesday morning.

Day 254 - May 6, 2011

Day 254 - May 6, 2011
This isn't an everyday occurrence, but we do have a lot of birthdays to celebrate in our family. Tonight, it was Tommy's turn. He will be 48 years-old on Mother's Day. Since we didn't want to take any attention away from the "mothers" Sunday, we decided to celebrate Tommy's birthday a couple of days early. Zac and Grandmother made Belinda's Project Life this special day along with the birthday boy. Wow. I never thought I'd see the day when I was jealous of someone turning 48... but I am (just a little).

Day 253 - May 5, 2011

Day 253 - May 5, 2011
This is Roxie and Miss Tori at Honor's Day Tapping. It looks like a regular "friend" picture, but in actuality, this is the beginning of a TRADITION! Tori's older sister, Taylor, tapped Roxie into the Honor Society last year. This year, Roxie fought to get Tori's name so she could tap her. The Moms have decided the following... Taylor, Roxie and Tori should make all As (maybe an occasional B) during their high school careers. That being done, Taylor will be tapped. She will in turn tap Roxie one year later. Roxie will then tap Tori the year after that. We (the Moms) think it is a good tradition. What's a little more stress and added high expectations to a high school student's life? They'll thank us for it one day!

Day 252 - May 4, 2011

Day 252 - May 4, 2011
I just wanted you to know... I have a new outfit. And it isn't poopy green. I knew you'd be relieved.

Day 251 - May 3, 2011

Day 251 - May 3, 2011
This is an almost daily sight for me. I have a huge magnolia tree outside my bedroom door. Usually, I just see the tree and the dark green leaves. In May, I wake up one morning and there are HUGE magnolia blossoms. (The blooms are the size of Mikie's head. I am NOT kidding.) They weren't there the day before. They just suddenly appear... and they smell divine. The magnolia tree is not my favorite tree. (My favorite tree is the Japanese maple.) But it is a Southern tree... and I love ALL things Southern!

Day 250 - May 2, 2011

Day 250 - May 2, 2011
"IV! I don't need no stinkin' IV!" I'm almost 100 percent sure Roxie will NOT be going into nursing. It is not her thing. (Broken Finger - 4 1/2 months; Pins Put in Finger to Put Bone Back in Place - 3 months; Pin Removal - 4 hours; This Face - Priceless!)

Day 249 - May 1, 2011

Day 249 - May 1, 2011
It's an old, old rivalry... Samford vs. JSU. You probably didn't know that, did you?

The sport (in this instance) is X-Box NBA 2K11. It appears Melia has taken an early lead. Austin is showing all the signs of the "agony of defeat."

Uh-oh. Things are NOT looking good for JSU. I'm not standing in the den with my camera for another hour to see who the winner is. I'll let you know on A Simple Life tomorrow morning. (From the sounds I hear as I'm typing this, it would appear Samford is still leading... and JSU is pouting.)

Day 248 - April 30, 2011

Day 248 - April 30, 2011
Uh, oh! I knew Roxie was supposed to get the pins out of her finger this Monday. I didn't think anything about it. But when I looked at the instruction papers this morning, I saw the note from the lady who schedules surgery. "I will call Friday before w/time." Our phones weren't working Friday. She didn't call. I didn't call her. What time were we supposed to be at the hospital? Since she didn't talk to us, was our surgery cancelled? Was Roxie going to kill me if she had to wait ONE MORE DAY to have her pins removed? (I only knew the answer to the last question.) But guess what? In Mikie's travels today, he bumped into one of the nurses who works in recovery at the hospital. She is also the Mom of a young man we've known since kindergarten. She happened to mention to Mikie Roxie's name was on the board, and she WAS INDEED scheduled for surgery first thing Monday morning. YEA! I didn't have to tell her I messed up... or buy her new clothes to appease her... or let her wear my diamond earrings to church tomorrow. Everything just took care of itself. I love it when that happens!

Day 247 - April 29, 2011

Day 247 - April 29, 2011
When you take as many pictures as I do, you have to become creative with the men in the family. "I'm going to give you a big, fat, welcome-home kiss, Mikie." (He always falls for this one.) When he closes his eyes, I WHIP out my camera and snap away! (NOTE - This does NOT work on Austin and Josh. I usually just slip them a $20.) And, yes. I did give him a big, fat, welcome-home kiss! So good to have him back where he belongs.

Day 246 - April 28, 2011

Day 246 - April 28, 2011
It truly is the little things... the simple things we take for granted that mean so much. Our power was restored last night, but according to the news, well over 200,000 people are still without. I will not take this "simple" thing for granted.

Day 245 - April 27, 2011

Day 245 - April 27, 2011
This is just some of the debris we found in our yard... from Tuscaloosa. Plywood, insulation, boards... the list goes on and on. How do we know it could be from Tuscaloosa? People in our little area of the world are reporting finding bills, copies of letters, etc., etc. from Tuscaloosa. I am beyond blessed and beyond saddened as I continue to watch the news. And I am beyond comforted to know God is still in control.

Day 244 - April 26, 2011

Day 244 - April 26, 2011
If you've known me two minutes, you know I love candles. Isn't this one pretty and unique? It smells like hazelnut. This was my hostess gift from Sweet Sarah last weekend. She gave me, Robin and Jenny each a wrapped present. Of course, I tore into mine like it was Christmas morning, and once I saw what it was, I stopped so the other girls could be surprised. However, I did say, "Oh! I'll wait, but this is my favorite thing ever!" Robin and Jenny both said, "I guess it's a candle." Perhaps I talk about myself a little too much... or maybe they are just REALLY good listeners! Yeah. I bet that's it. They are just REALLY good listeners.

Day 243 - April 25, 2011

Day 243 - April 25, 2011
I know what you're asking yourself?

How old is "too old" to jump on a trampoline?

Without a doubt... the answer is 49!

Day 242 - April 24, 2011

Day 242 - April 24, 2011
The official Easter pic. If you had told me 14 years ago I would have a daughter who wore a charcoal gray Easter dress (and would look fabulous wearing it), I would have thought you were crazy. "My daughter will wear flowy, flowery, pastel dresses until she is 30." That's what I would have told you. But Roxie has a mind of her own, and she picked out the dress, shoes and accessories. You cannot tell from this picture, but the only colors in the dress are in the trim around the neck. And I used these colors to match the brothers accordingly. (Let's face it. They don't care about the color. They just care if the shirt is itchy or uncomfortable in some other way.) Charcoal gray Easter dress or not, it was a very good day.

Day 241 - April 23, 2011

Day 241 - April 23, 2011
I had one goal today. ONE! Well, if you don't count finishing Easter shopping, cooking two dishes to take tomorrow, ironing Easter clothes AND attending a 5:00 wedding as goals... I only had ONE goal! I went to Yucatan Trading to purchase the Butt Naked candle for my friend, Dawn, who won the contest. This is one-half of the candle room at Yucatan. The other half is the same. Boxes and boxes and boxes of candles. Guess what? They were "sold out" of Butt Naked candles. SOLD OUT! I guess I've talked about them too much on A Simple Life. I have that kind of power, you know.

More Butt Naked candles will be in by Wednesday of next week, but since I was there, I decided to show you some of the fun things this store offers. This rooster is almost as tall as I am... and I think I love him. Also, you can see giant urns AND giant tin sunflowers down the way.

This is one-half of the parking lot. This isn't even the inside of the store OR the backyard portion. Tons and tons of urns. I parked in the only parking space left, which is very difficult for me in the Big Gold Van. It's bad enough parking beside other automobiles, but to park in the midst of pottery is very nerve wracking... for me.

When I opened the door of my car, this is what I almost stepped into. You'll be glad to know I didn't break a pot... or a car... or the Big Gold Van. If I had left with a Butt Naked candle, the day would have been a total success!

Day 240 - April 22, 2011

Day 240 - April 22, 2011
We had our Easter dinner at Grandmother's house tonight. She bought this little bunny decoration after Austin, Brad, Josh, Katie and Roxie were born. Five little bunnies swinging away. Five little grandchildren playing at Grandmother's house. Then we found out Bev was expecting Zac. It just wasn't right. We needed a new bunny decoration with SIX bunnies. Not five. Grandmother has had this for 14 years. Fourteen years... and I never noticed the little bunny leaning against the tree waiting his turn for a swing. Zac! And guess what else... There are four boy bunnies and two girl bunnies. Just like our guys. This is one of my favorite Easter decorations/memories. Love it.

Day 239 - April 21, 2011

Day 239 - April 21, 2011
It was a big day at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) today. Josh was tapped into the National Honor Society.

It was a memory-making night for us, and Mikie, Grandmother, Roxie and I sat and took it all in. (Of course, I documented the event by taking 62 pictures, but that's just me. Always has been... always will be.) In this picture, the ceremony has just finished and we're about to go to the cafeteria to eat Chick-Fil-A chicken salad sandwiches, nuggets, brownies and fresh fruit. Now THAT'S how you end a National Honor Society Tapping Ceremony.

Day 238 - April 20, 2011

Day 238 - April 20, 2011
Things didn't work out as well as we would have liked. We had hoped Roxie would have the pins taken out of her finger today... ten weeks after surgery. However, the X-rays indicated she needed two more weeks of healing. At the end of the two weeks, she will have another surgery (minor) to remove the two pins. Although her surgeon is a very nice man, he is now on Roxie's list. And speaking from experience, that's a list you do NOT want to be on... EVER!

Day 237 - April 19, 2011

Day 237 - April 19, 2011
I don't know why, but this Spring I am so much more aware of the flowers. I've always noticed azaleas and dogwood trees, but the flowers in our neighborhood are just amazing... such vibrant colors. Even though I am a "gray day" person, I can appreciate a little color now and again. These are "mailbox flowers." I don't know the correct name, but they grow around a neighbor's mailbox, and thus, they are (and will always be) "mailbox flowers" to me. I don't know what your day was like, but I wanted to share something pretty with you just in case it wasn't the best.

Day 236 - April 18, 2011

Day 236 - April 18, 2011
Here it is! The Faulkner Five 2011 Family Portrait! I think the only thing I would change is my shirt. It's a little on the dark side of green... but I was trying so hard to stay away from "baby poop" green which looks SO good on me. Also, we are an incredibly white family. Mikie is the only one who appeared to have any natural color, but his blood pressure was probably up because of the "teenage stuff" he comes home to every day. Either that, or the "Enchanting Belinda" stuff he comes home to every day. Other than that, I think I like it. It's close enough to show we all have two eyes, a nose and a mouth, but not so close you can see wrinkles or other flaws and defects. Yep. It's a keeper.

Day 235 - April 17, 2011

Day 235 - April 17, 2011
Well, we did it! Jenny, Robin and I hosted our first shower in almost two decades. I may be exaggerating a little... but not much. Things haven't changed too much. Robin was super creative with green apples, purple daisies and purple and green tulle. I would never have thought of this, but it's really pretty isn't it? I'll have more pics from the Time of Day Shower on A Simple Life tomorrow, but for today, this is what you get. A feast for the eyes, and a healthy snack for the hostesses during clean-up. Pretty smart, huh?

Day 234 - April 16, 2011

Day 234 - April 16, 2011
Do you know what this is? Do you? I'll give you a couple of hints. I made it myself... and tomorrow (after a 12-hour period in the fridge), this will become ten pretty pinwheel sandwiches. That's right. Wrapped up in this skinny roll is cream cheese, shredded cheese, ham and spinach. I would never have attempted these on my own, but my Mom and I made 100 or so for my Grandmother's birthday reception a couple of months ago, and I found it was a doable recipe. I'll have pictures of the WHOLE process on A Simple Life Tuesday because it is also going to be next week's recipe! I know you are excited. (Yes. You can buy these in bulk at Sam's... in different flavors... in perfect shapes. But it's not nearly as much fun. Just saying!)

Day 233 - April 15, 2011

Day 233 - April 15, 2011
A Bible and a book called Marriage 911. I know what you're thinking. How are Mikie and Belinda REALLY doing? It's okay though. I always like a little humor when I finish my Bible readings, and Becky Freeman always comes through for me. She's a humorist who is also a Christian, and no matter how heavy my heart, she can usually put a smile on my face. This is the third time I've read this book... and Mikie and I are doing just fine!

Day 232 - April 14, 2011

Day 232 - April 14, 2011
Tennis, anyone? Anyone? Roxie doesn't play tennis, but today she supported her friend, Ragan, during her match. Tennis is an interesting sport. It is VERY quiet. Everyone speaks in hushed voices, and even if someone wins a match, the most you do is whisper, "Way to go!" Roxie forgot where she was a couple of times and spoke a little more loudly than allowed, but she was quickly shushed by the more seasoned spectators. Win or lose, it was a picture op with Ragan... and we took it!

Day 231 - April 13, 2011

Day 231 - April 13, 2011
Things have changed a little at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) the last 18 months or so. You all know about my nest being a little emptier than before. One-third emptier during school months. Our fall and winter months are extremely busy with football games, basketball games, choir concerts, volleyball games and life in general. However, I've noticed the spring and summer months slow down considerably for the Faulkner Five. So much so, the four Faulkners who are home Monday through Friday eat most of our dinners together. So much so, the four remaining Faulkners finish dinner, homework, etc. and bounce back and forth between television shows, computer time, listening to music, making music and visiting here and there with each other. I have been feeling a little disconnected with the family during the week even though four of us are in the house.... together. Just because two of us are adults and two of us are teenagers doesn't mean family interaction ceases to exist until the weekend when The Boy comes home. Nope. It was time to tweak and re-connect. From week to week, we'll check our schedules. Between Monday, Tuesday and Thursday we are going to have a game night AND a TV/movie night. Since I just instigated this at a Faulkner Family Forum last night, we decided to start with a TV series we all could enjoy. (We tried 3rd Rock From the Sun, but we're still looking for the perfect one.) Tomorrow night we begin game night. Because we all like Monopoly, or in this case, Auburnopoly, we'll play 30 minutes to an hour on Thursday nights and walk away. We'll continue and/or finish the game the following Thursday. As soon as The Boy comes home for the summer, we'll integrate him into the TV/movie/game night schedule, too. They might not let me read chapter books to them before bed every night, but they can most definitely let me beat them at Auburnopoly!

Day 230 - April 12, 2011

Day 230 - April 12, 2011
This is the poster that hangs on the wall in my Body Pump class directly behind me. It is for a class called Body Flow. I talked about it on A Simple Life last week. I thought about trying the class because it included stretching (I LOVE stretching), Pilates (I have no idea how I feel about Pilates) and some yoga (again, no idea). But the selling point for this class is the low lights AND the ten minute nap offered at the very end. However, when I studied the poster I realized the only way I can obtain this position is to have three to four spotters actually holding me up. Balance is not my friend. I mean I can walk and lift weights and ride a bike. No problem. But holding one foot behind my back while balancing on one foot and stretching my other arm straight up is an accident waiting to happen.

So I may be re-thinking my hasty decision to try Body Flow and just stick with Body Pump. After all, since I am now the official spokeswoman and poster girl, it doesn't seem fair for me to switch at this time. I think I need to stick to my original commitment.

Day 229 - April 11, 2011

Day 229 - April 11, 2011
There's a storm a-comin'. I'm going to take you step-by-step through the Anatomy of a Storm. Step One, we check the wind velocity using Roxie's head of hair. On a scale of 1 to 10, this storm is going to be in the 4 or 5 range in our area. James Spann may be our meteorologist, but Roxie and I are experts when it comes to her hair.

Step Two of the Anatomy of a Storm looks pretty harmless. Sunshine and white fluffy clouds. How bad could it possibly be?

Okay. Step Three of the Anatomy of a Storm involves watching the clouds roll in.

Step Four. When these clouds appear, it's time to turn on 33/40 and watch for James Spann. If he's standing in the studio wearing a white shirt and suspenders, you know it's going to be a LONG night! Spring in Alabama. Ya gotta love it!

Day 228 - April 10, 2011

Day 228 - April 10, 2011
This is an old couch... as if you couldn't tell. We had it made for us when we lived in Cullman over 20 years ago. It's on our list of "Things to be Replaced," along with kitchen appliances, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, etc., etc. But until that time arrives, this is the "nap" couch. You may or may not know, but I am a lover of naps... all kinds. I like short cat naps, long rainy day naps and "Why are all the teenagers in my life in a bad mood today" naps. I will miss it when it is gone, but today I took a lovely Sunday afternoon nap upon this light pink sofa. Ahh. Some things are almost too nice for words.

Day 227 - April 9, 2011

Day 227 - April 9, 2011
Roxie and Kendall have been friends since they were three and in preschool together. In elementary school, they started giving each other "Birthday Books." These "books" aren't just gifts... they are gifts of time. Today the girls had makeovers at a department store, lunch and a photo shoot at Morris Avenue (with 1,000 other teenagers going to proms all over the County). I made the mistake of letting them delete the pictures they didn't like while I drove home. Let's just say of the 191 pictures I took, 74 of my favorites are now MISSING!

But that's okay. They did keep a couple of the ones I liked.

Day 226 - April 8, 2011

Day 226 - April 8, 2011
We have a photo shoot tomorrow... and from the looks of things, "one outfit change" has turned into two or three. By the time we leave tomorrow, I'm thinking the number might be significantly higher. (I may be wrong, but I have learned 14 year-old girls don't really understand the concept of "less is more." I guess that kind of wisdom doesn't hit you in the face until you're in your late 40s!)

Day 225 - April 7, 2011

Day 225 - April 7, 2011
Mikie needed a head shot for something at work. (No. He doesn't work at a modeling agency.) And I was happy to oblige. Mike is like good cheese... he just gets better and better with age. (That doesn't sound right, does it?) Well, I meant it as a compliment.

Day 224 - April 6, 2011

Day 224 - April 6, 2011
I decided to let you in my laundry room today. Well, kind of. My dryer stopped drying, so Mikie and his trusty screwdriver fixed my heating element. YEA, MIKIE! It looks like he's sitting in time-out... or hiding from me. But tonight, he's my hero. I love a man who can fix things... for free!

Day 223 - April 5, 2011

Day 223 - April 5, 2011
Being the "perfect" Mom is very important to me. When the kids come home from school, I have two to three varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables cut up in bowls with appropriate low-fat dips. Their drink choices range from cranapple juice (which is made from scratch) to filtered water. This healthy snack holds them until we eat a wholesome seven-course meal at exactly 6:02 p.m. each and every evening. Ironed linen tablecloth... fine china... Waterford crystal... and classical music playing softly in the background. Yeah. Right! Roxie helped herself to the Reddi-Wip cream topping... and like any good Mom, I said, "Save some for your brother!"

Day 222 - April 4, 2011

Day 222 - April 4, 2011
Do you remember this picture from A Simple Life last week? Do you? Because our foyer is ALWAYS littered with giant shoes, I bought a shoe basket to keep everything neat and tidy.

As you can see, it's NOT working. And even though it is empty, for some reason the basket is starting to smell like giant feet. But don't worry about me. I'll figure it out... or die trying!

Day 221 - April 3, 2011

Day 221 - April 3, 2011
We celebrated Mike's Mom's birthday today. We travel this road several times a year. Sometimes the flags at Talladega are flying, and sometimes they aren't. Today was a flag-flyin' kind of day. I love to see these flags when we travel. They make me smile. (I also like looking over at the empty Talladega parking lot. Well, kind of empty. It looks like a million Port-a-Potties are lined up and ready for the race. And I smile then, too, because I know I'm not going to the race... or to the Port-a-Potty!)

Day 220 - April 2, 2011

Day 220 - April 2, 2011
Mikie and I had BIG plans. Mighty big plans. On this beautiful spring evening, we were going to Western by the Botanical Gardens and buy a picnic dinner in their deli. (They have the absolute best deli in the world.) We were then going to eat our picnic dinner while swinging to and fro, to and fro in the Gardens. The flowers would have been amazing, and before the evening was over, Mikie would be sneezing and hurrying home to take a Clariton. However, as things tend to do in a house full of teenagers, plans changed. One of our three decided to stay home, and we decided to stay home with said teen. How do you celebrate a beautiful spring evening? Why, with Milo's cheeseburgers, fries and sweet tea, of course. It was delightful. (I'm getting a little better at this go-with-the-flow stuff. By the time Roxie marries and leaves home, I should be a pro.)

Day 219 - April 1, 2011

Day 219 - April 1, 2011
Fun fact for you... Not only is the Zoo one of my favorite places, but Austin loves it, too. He was a teen volunteer for three years in middle school with two buddies, and I lived vicariously through him. I would have LOVED to have been a Zoofari Teen Volunteer back in the day. LOVED IT! I bought Austin this book because of our mutual love of all things zoo-ish. This book was written about the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa which we were fortunate enough to visit several years ago during one of Mikie's business trips. It was an amazing zoo. The kids rode camels, we petted sting rays, we watched a manatee feeding and presentation... and the zoo was so big, we even had to ride a sky bucket from one corner to the next. And guess what else? They had a McDonald's restaurant INSIDE the Zoo. That's right. INSIDE. You know you're in a place that understands kids when they offer McNuggets and other McFood inside the facility so you never have to leave. Brilliant. Anyway, Austin is finished with the book, so now it is my turn, and I cannot wait. This book received 4 out of 4 stars AND won a Critic's Choice Award. I don't read a great deal at the moment, but I think this one might keep my interest.

Day 218 - March 31, 2011

Day 218 - March 31, 2011
We had our church directory pictures made tonight. EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING) revolved around Roxie's skirt.

Roxie and Austin were nice enough to let me take a couple of pics when we got home. Josh looked incredibly handsome in his bright blue shirt, but he had to find out who was kicked off Idol.

Do me a favor. DON'T ask me who my two favorite kids are right now.

Day 217 - March 30, 2011

Day 217 - March 30, 2011
It's Wednesday night. Do you know what that means? It means after church (of course), we all dress up in our buffs, war paint and large knives and watch Survivor together as a family. It's a sweet time of bonding, and even though Austin is in Jacksonville now, I know in my mother's "heart of hearts" he is wearing his buff, war paint and sitting in his recliner with his 3" knife. (The school doesn't allow machetes in the dorm.) Ahh. Traditions are SO important!

Day 216 - March 29, 2011

Day 216 - March 29, 2011
This is a Spring Thing in my neighborhood. Before you turn onto our street, you are greeted by this beautiful azalea border and dogwood tree. The border lasts all of two weeks... just TWO WEEKS! But I always enjoy it while it lasts. It just screams SPRING, doesn't it? (I know I've been posting a lot of nature pics on A Simple Life, but after checking Belinda's Project Life, I noticed there were NO nature pics. That has been fixed!)

Day 215 - March 28, 2011

Day 215 - March 28, 2011
I'm a nervous wreck. Four of Roxie's best buds are trying out for the high school dance team tomorrow, and we attended "mock" tryouts today. I have no fingernails left. This week, I'm glad Roxie is a volleyball/basketball chick... and our tryouts aren't until the first of May. Hannah asked me if I would use this one for my Picture of the Day, so in honor of all the chicks trying out tomorrow, here they are, in all of their pre-tryout glory... Hannah, Roxie, Ally, Courtney and Ragan. (Roxie and Courtney are there for moral support only!)

Day 214 - March 27, 2011

Day 214 - March 27, 2011
Fun fact for you... On Sunday evenings, everyone is on their own... and nine times out of ten, Mikie and I eat cereal for supper. It's a "whatever looks edible in the refrigerator/pantry" kind of evening, and I like it! As you can see, I whipped up a delicious bowl of Apple Jacks for tonight's big meal. After a week of being asked, "What's for dinner?" I LOVE that the question is not allowed on Sundays. Not only is it not allowed, but if someone slips up and asks, they are punished to the fullest extent of my parental authority. Cereal Night is pretty sacred around here!

Day 213 - March 26, 2011

Day 213 - March 26, 2011
This just seems like a daily event in our lives sometimes. Tornado Watches and Tornado Warnings and James Spann... Oh, my! If you live in Central Alabama, sirens will become part of your life. Everyone has a job. Josh and Roxie get the dogs in, Mikie checks the flashlights, I sit in front of the TV and I watch. (If The Boy is home, he watches with me.) Luckily for us this evening, the Tornado Warning was quickly downgraded to a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Since our house was hit by a tornado five years ago April 8, we are pretty diligent when it comes to warnings. We don't live in fear... but we don't live upstairs either! (At least while the sirens are going!)

Day 212 - March 25, 2011

Day 212 - March 25, 2011
You would think there was a reward being offered for this much effort. You would be wrong. Mikie is standing empty-handed beside the pooches. All he said was, "Hi, Boy," and this was Copper's immediate reaction. No dog biscuit. No chew toy. No scratch behind the ears. Just "Hi, Boy." Copper is low maintenance when it comes to the "Enthusiasm Department." If you look at him, he is absolutely thrilled... and he shows it. And as you can tell, Sparkle needs a dog biscuit, a NEW chew toy and a scratch behind the ear before she will even acknowledge your presence.

Day 211 - March 24, 2011

Day 211 - March 24, 2011
Look what I got today. Your eyes are not deceiving you. It IS a Ghirardelli Canvas Tote... all the way from San Francisco, California. My friend, Melaney, was "sweet" enough to get it for me at the Ghirardelli Factory during her trip last week. If you've know me two minutes, you know I'm a huge supporter of anything and everything Ghirardelli, so I was thrilled with this lovely gift.

Of course, when I opened the bag to check for contents, I discovered it was a "fill it up yourself" Ghirardelli bag. And I said to myself, "I can do that. I can do that right after exercise class." And I did! Thank you, Melaney. (When are you going on another trip?)

Day 210 - March 23, 2011

Day 210 - March 23, 2011
This is SO a part of our weekly life. On Wednesday, Josh has a couple of friends over after school. Before we leave for church, I order two large pizzas from Papa John's. One with extra cheese and one with half Italian sausage and half Canadian bacon. Wednesday night is the only night during the week I KNOW without a doubt I will not be turning on the stove... or the microwave... or the crockpot. I love Wednesday nights!

Day 209 - March 22, 2011

Day 209 - March 22, 2011
The time has come. That's right. It's time to start eating dinner on the deck again. It's not too hot, and it's not too cold. It's just right. The only thing that would make eating on the deck better is if it was catered... at least once a week... from a different favorite restaurant. (The closest thing to catering the Faulkner Five will have on the back deck is Papa John's pizza... and that's better than no catering at all. Right?)

Day 208 - March 21, 2011

Day 208 - March 21, 2011
I was kind of in a mood today. An "I don't want to cook dinner" kind of mood. So when Roxie came home, I asked her what she thought about cooking dinner. "Sure," she agreed. A little later she asked me if I meant "help" cook dinner or actually "cook" dinner. As you can see, I turned the kitchen over to her. Pasta, sauce, garlic toast, fruit, table set... and I'm sitting in the other room with my feet up eating chocolate bon bons. Ahhh. I knew there was a benefit to having teenagers. I just knew it! (I'm going to see if she'll rub my feet with Warm Vanilla Sugar Lotion before bed. I'm guessing NOT!)

Day 207 - March 20, 2011

Day 207 - March 20, 2011
Austin and Brad are 20 and 19, respectively. They were really, really cute little guys, but who could have imagined what good-lookin' men they would turn out to be? Wow! We celebrated Brad's birthday today with ice cream cake, cards and gifts. As with all six cousins on my side of the family, he's aging well. (Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for his aunt.)

Day 206 - March 19, 2011

Day 206 - March 19, 2011
I did it again!

I tried a new chip! Each and every chip has "A full serving of vegetables in every ounce." This, of course, is NOT how I pick a chip.

But I must admit, the Mediterranean chips are much better than the Sweets and Beets chips. This is also a beet chip, but it is seasoned with garlic, salt and little lemon! Not bad!

And, as promised, the large chip is the dreaded parsnip chip. It is surprisingly edible... but it has been my experience over the 49 years I've lived on this planet, most things do taste better when you add garlic, salt and a little lemon. Even a parsnip chip. Just saying.

Day 205 - March 18, 2011

Day 205 - March 18, 2011
This is 1/4 of the camping "mess." Only 1/4. We saw several families put up a tent and all the fixings and stay ONE night. We did that on our first camping trip, but since then we learned a valuable lesson. For all the hard work, you need to stay AT LEAST three nights. Otherwise, it just translates into setting up camp, taking down camp and doing 40 loads of laundry. (For some reason, the amount of laundry is the same for one day of camping OR three days of camping. It's one of those "mystery of life" things.)

Day 204 - March 17, 2011

Day 204 - March 17, 2011
Zac and Katie came to play all day Thursday. They fished, fed the deer, cooked out and let me take a sunset photo before they headed home with Bev and Grandmother. We had a great, fun-filled, cousin-lovin' day... which is always a good kind of day to have!

Day 203 - March 16, 2011

Day 203 - March 16, 2011
Austin, Mikie and Josh went a-fishing. Before Austin goes a-fishing, he does what he calls the "Captain Morgan." I don't know what this is, but I have pictures of Austin, Austin's friends and Austin's family doing the Captain Morgan. Here's another one to add to the pile!

Day 202 - March 15, 2011

Day 202 - March 15, 2011
You were probably expecting a Lake Guntersville "camping-type" picture, weren't you? Well, after many, many camping trips, I have come to realize I look worse and worse as the days tick by. My best shot of a decent photo of myself on a camping trip is to take the photo as soon as I arrive... with hair and make-up done. As you can see, I look marvelous in Women's Restroom - Section A at Lake Guntersville State Park. This will NOT be the case by Friday of this week.

Day 201 - March 14, 2011

Day 201 - March 14, 2011
I call this picture "Chicks With a Purpose." Or "Another Day, Another Mall." Or "Cousins Make the Best BFFs." All three sum it up! Roxie and Monica spent the day together watching movies, eating ice cream and shopping. Is that a good day, or what?

Day 200 - March 13, 2011

Day 200 - March 13, 2011
The pineapple is ripe! The pineapple is ripe! I couldn't find my machete, so a big kitchen knife had to suffice. (I think Mikie hid it after I used it to clear a path the last time we went hiking.) Cutting up a pineapple is messy, hard work. But from the look of this photo, I've got the "man" hands to do the job. I'm hoping the lighting or angle of the camera had something to do with the way my hand looks. I'm saving for plastic surgery for several areas, but I thought my hands were okay. Now I'll have to put them on my Top Ten Things To Have Fixed Before I Die List. And if things don't slow down, my Top Ten List is going to become a Top Twenty List very, very soon. (Oh... And the pineapple was very tasty.)

Day 199 - March 12, 2011

Day 199 - March 12, 2011
Today was the first official day of Spring Break. It was a glorious day in Central Alabama. Simply glorious! Warm weather, sunshine, birds singing, trees swaying in the breeze. It was the perfect day to spend outside. But what did Roxie and I decide to do on this most glorious day? Why, go to the mall and shop, of course. (It was pretty glorious in the mall, too. We had a great time!)

Day 198 - March 11, 2011

Day 198 - March 11, 2011
You may recall, Austin received this giant Jug-O-Pretzels at his birthday party, February 27. Look at it now... a mere 12 days later. The Boy has consumed an enormous amount of giant pretzel logs. When I asked him if he was eating them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, he replied, "No. I just snack on them during the day." If you are what you eat, The Boy is now a walking, talking giant pretzel log. I'm just glad I didn't buy him the Jug-O-Twinkies or Jug-O-Snickers. It's obvious The Boy is a non-stop eater. Hmmm. I wonder where he gets that from?

Day 197 - March 10, 2011

Day 197 - March 10, 2011
This is one of my new "favorite things." (I sound just like Oprah, don't I?) I mentioned on A Simple Life I had been introduced to Yucatan Trading in Cahaba Heights by my friend, Susan. This is the candle I purchased. Most, if not all, of the candles are this color, so just by looking at this candle you cannot tell if it is Pumpkin Pie, Ocean Breeze, Cranberry Spice or Butt Naked. Being a simple person who writes a blog called A Simple Life, I went with the safe choice of Cranberry Spice. And I love it. It smells wonderful. But I started thinking... What could be more simple than Butt Naked? So I'm going back next week. Cranberry Spice is just too, too much for a girl as simple as myself. (And since I've justified it so very well, I now have no problem with buying a candle named Butt Naked. Especially when it smells SO good.)

Day 196 - March 9, 2011

Day 196 - March 9, 2011
It rained all night last night and some this morning. After receiving 3 to 5" of rain, we honestly thought we were done for the day. During church tonight, it started to rain again... a lot! We had parked two miles away (tiny exaggeration), and we ran/walked to the car. By this time of day, I no longer care if my hair is perfectly coiffed or if my make-up is or isn't running down my cheeks. By this time of day, I am in pajama mode. On the other hand, Roxie cares what she looks like pretty much all the time. She's at that "I care a lot" stage. There's a lot to be said for the "I don't care any more" stage. It's pretty great. But Roxie refuses to believe me. One day, Roxie! One day!

Day 195 - March 8, 2011

Day 195 - March 8, 2011
This picture is a total misrepresentation. Ally and Roxie APPEAR to be doing their homework... as instructed... by me. However, if you had seen them seconds earlier, they were playing a spinning quarter game in the floor and couldn't be bothered with math and/or science. I lowered the boom! Homework first! Actually, I told them to act like they were doing homework for the Picture of the Day... and I left. I'm pretty sure they're playing the spinning quarter game right now... or listening to their I-Pod... or texting. I'll check on them again in little while.

Day 194 - March 7, 2011

Day 194 - March 7, 2011
Well, I did it! I've been looking at this particular bag of chips at Wal-Mart for over a month now.

You are reading it correctly. These are Beet Chips.

It's pretty, don't you think? If you want my unsolicited professional opinion on this chip, tune in to A Simple Life tomorrow for the highlights. What I do for you, the reader! (All three of you!)

Day 193 - March 6, 2011

Day 193 - March 6, 2011
The day after BLAST should be called CRASH! Roxie and Josh had a great time, but two nights with "not enough" sleep took it's toll. It was a perfect "nappy" kind of day!

Day 192 - March 5, 2011

Day 192 - March 5, 2011
The 8th grade chicks are doing an 80s theme for the big BLAST Derby Car Race tonight. Laci asked me if this was going to be the Picture of the Day, and I told her I would use it if I could get all the hair in the frame! Laci, Kendall, Roxie, Hannah, Ally, Savannah and Ragan are just a few of the 21 girls who are living in this host home. I was a young woman of the 80s. I truly cannot remember ever looking this cute... or my hair being this incredibly BIG!

Day 191 - March 4, 2011

Day 191 - March 4, 2011
Two out of three of the Faulkner kiddos are heading to BLAST weekend at our church. Mikie's at the church helping load the 8th grade girls' luggage into the vans (which should take at least two hours), and I'm baking cookies to take to the 8th grade girls' house and the 11th grade boys' house later this evening. Everyone is in BLAST mode... except for Austin. He's playing X-Box at the moment enjoying some peace and quiet. (Just for the record... There is NO peace and quiet unless all THREE of the kiddos are out of the house. Just saying.)

Day 190 - March 3, 2011

Day 190 - March 3, 2011
I'm not a "Spring" person. I'm an "Autumnal" person. Winter is my second favorite season. Because I'm a gray-day person, Winter appeals to my eyes. Because it is cold, Winter appeals to my choice in wardrobe. (That means I look better in a sweater and jeans than a bathing suit and flip flops.) However, Spring is my third favorite season. I'm a sucker for green grass, blue skies and tiny purple flowers. And the birds! Oh, I love the birds. So in honor of my third favorite season, my Picture of the Day is of tiny purple flowers blooming in my backyard. They aren't orange, red and yellow leaves, but they are pretty just the same.

Day 189 - March 2, 2011

Day 189 - March 2, 2011
When Roxie had her surgery, she received this from some friends. A gumball dispenser. It was the perfect gift. Fun fact for you... There are few things on this earth Roxie enjoys more than a piece (or two or three) of gum. It makes her happy, and we all try to keep Roxie happy. If one of her brothers happens to have a pack of gum and fails to keep it on his person at all times, she will sniff it out and chew the whole pack. She will not apologize. She has no remorse. If there is gum in the house, she automatically claims it as her own.

And as this old photograph indicates, she also has a little sucker addiction. The Blow Pop is a favorite because it combines her two most favorite things... a sucker AND gum!

Day 188 - March 1, 2011

Day 188 - March 1, 2011
I needed a "healthy" snack after a rigorous day of exercise... walking AND Body Pump. This is what I chose.

Is it just me, or do other people want to eat an entire cheesecake right after exercising? Anyone? Anyone? I decided to use what I already had in the pantry. These are semi-sweet chocolate chips. A must for every yogurt-eating, health-nut out there...

Who doesn't have immediate access to an entire cheesecake. (Don't judge me.)

Day 187 - February 28, 2011

Day 187 - February 28, 2011
It's a story which will be told in it's entirety tomorrow on A Simple Life... but we have a pineapple on our countertop. Melia gave it to Austin as part of his birthday present. (Again, I'll explain tomorrow.) It isn't quite ripe, but this innocent, tropical centerpiece is going to be our dessert this weekend... if everything goes as planned. I'm going to be making mini-pineapple upside down cakes (in muffin tins), and they are going to be fabulous because they are going to be made with the freshest ingredients possible. I keep a machete on hand for just a time as this. No regular kitchen knife will do. And when I'm wearing my coconut bra and grass skirt chopping pineapples and mangos and other tropical fruit into edible goodies, I feel very Polynesian. And that's what every Alabama girl wants deep down... to feel Polynesian... and to look good in a coconut bra and grass skirt. Why, it's every Southern gal's dream! Am I right?

Day 186 - February 27, 2011

Day 186 - February 27, 2011
Another day, another birthday. We celebrated Austin's 20th year on this earth today. Melia gave him the best gift. She packed a big box of 20 of his favorite things. (I'll show you the entire box tomorrow on A Simple Life.) One of the gifts was a mini-Nerf gun. I warned him not to start something that might cause trouble...

But he just wouldn't listen.

Day 185 - February 26, 2011

Day 185 - February 26, 2011
It was a big day! A big, bright, beautiful day for a birthday party! MamMa had dozens and dozens of guests, but before everyone started arriving, I quickly snapped this photo of her and Zac. They're a handsome couple, aren't they? Today was most definitely a good day to turn 90!

Day 184 - February 25, 2011

Day 184 - February 25, 2011
This was my "job" for MamMa's 90th Birthday Party tomorrow. The picture board. I still have a little more decorating to do, but for the most part this is it.

She could have been a model, couldn't she? And 70 years later, she's still very, very attractive. I'll have a more up-to-date picture of her as my Picture of the Day tomorrow, I'm sure. It's going to be a day to remember!

Day 183 - February 24, 2011

Day 183 - February 24, 2011
Can you keep a secret? This is a gift for my grandmother. She's having a 90th birthday party this Saturday. This is her gift from her nine great-grandchildren. Pretty cool, huh? The oldest is 20 (Austin), and the youngest is seven (Tyler), and she knows them all and can tell stories about each and every one of them. I admire a great many things about my grandmother, but one of the things I admire the most is the fact "in-law" isn't in her vocabulary. She has two children... and when they married, she had four. She has five grandchildren, and when four of them married, she had nine. And now she has nine great-grandchildren here (and one in Heaven). What a legacy. I know I have a lot of silly goals, but one of my more serious goals is to be like my grandmother... and never use the word "in-law." (Oh... and I'd like to live to have a 90th birthday party... and receive lots and lots of presents!)

Day 182 - February 23, 2011

Day 182 - February 23, 2011
Things get a little trickier when the kids don't live at home during the week... and their birthday falls on a Wednesday! However, we made it work. We met Austin, Grandma and Grandpa at Golden Rule in Oxford tonight to have a little celebration dinner. We took a picture or two, ate ribs and gave him a present to hold him until his birthday party this coming Sunday. When the kids are small, you NEVER imagine not being with them on the day they were born, but I can see where that might happen in the future. Especially if one of the kiddos eventually lives out of state. Mikie and I are going to have the RV discussion again this evening. He's tired, so it's a perfect time to once again go over all the pros of having "three children living who knows where, but being able to park in their driveway for a day or two when special events come up." Hmmm. Wish me luck!

Day 181 - February 22, 2011

Day 181 - February 22, 2011
The Boy has his own sports radio show now. It's called The Red Zone. However, we live too far away to pick it up on a "normal" radio. Mikie has to set up his computer, and we listen to Austin talk about sports with two or three other broadcasting hopefuls. It's very similar to the conversations around our dinner table. I understand very little about what is being said, but I smile and nod occasionally. Every now and then I laugh. Can I tell you what the show was about tonight? Not really. Can I tell you who is the best radio announcer at JSU on Tuesday evenings between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.? Uh, yeah. That would be The Boy... also known as Austin!

Day 180 - February 21, 2011

Day 180 - February 21, 2011
We did it! We survived a weekend in the mountains with SIX teenagers... and we're all still speaking to each other. Next year, BIG NUMBER 15! We'll need to do something extra special for that trip. Maybe ziplining! (Yeah! That's the ticket!)

Day 179 - February 20, 2011

Day 179 - February 20, 2011
We haven't been to Cade's Cove in several years, so that was our planned outing for Mountain Trip Number 14. We saw one deer and a herd of hiking nuns. I'm sorry. I found this fascinating. Where are they going? Are they camping? Are they trekking across America for a specific cause? Or are they waiting for kind Southern Baptists to pick them up in a Big Gold Van and take them into town? I guess we'll never know.

Day 178 - February 19, 2011

Day 178 - February 19, 2011
I took a picture just like this 14 years ago. Austin was six years-old at the time. Grandmother was... Well, we'll just skip that number. I now have 14 pictures like this one. Almost like this one. Either Austin continues to grow, or Grandmother continues to shrink... or both.

Day 177 - February 18, 2011

Day 177 - February 18, 2011
We're on our way to the mountains. This is our 14th annual trip to a log cabin in Wear's Valley, Tennessee with my side of the family. When I asked Mikie if he was excited to be going on a trip with SIX teenagers for three days, this is the reaction I received. Pretty accurate, I think.

Day 176 - February 17, 2011

Day 176 - February 17, 2011
This is the face of someone eating caramel fondue which hasn't been burnt! Can you sense the excitement and anticipation. Oh, yeah! (Josh is going to patiently wait for chocolate fondue night... which will probably be held one night next week... with strawberries!) It's always nice to have something to look forward to!

Day 175 - February 16, 2011

Day 175 - February 16, 2011
Can you say "overprotective?" That's okay. Only five to seven more weeks before the pins are removed... and then we'll think about removing some of these bandages!

Day 174 - February 15, 2011

Day 174 - February 15, 2011
Roxie received NINE balloons when she had her finger surgery last week. NINE. That's a lot of balloons. And while they were all cute, and we have them all floating here and there throughout the house, these four guys have stuck together in the living room... like a little family. An annoyingly happy little family. I have to admit the last few times I've walked into the house from dropping Roxie off somewhere and Josh and Mikie have been gone, it's a little unnerving to be greeted by these guys. I know I shouldn't let a group of balloons get to me, but I think these guys are going to bunk in Austin's room until they naturally deflate. It's just too much "happy" in one place... and I can't take it any more.

Day 173 - February 14, 2011

Day 173 - February 14, 2011
I was really looking forward to today. I had completed a rigorous Body Pump class AND walked 1 1/2 miles. It was Valentine's Day. I was going on a date with Mikie tonight. Roxie came home happy. Josh came home happy. Austin called in happy. Everything was going my way... until I opened my mail. WOULD YOU LOOK AT THIS? Mikie just laughed and laughed and said, "I'm older than you, and I haven't received my card yet. This is pretty funny." Yeah. It's hilarious. Do not misunderstand. I don't mind turning 50, but according to my calculations, I have 192 days to go. That's more than half a year. These AARP people are pushy... and just a little rude. But you know me. I'm that "glass half-full" kind of gal. I kept the card, but until I turn 50 (in 192 days), AARP stands for Adults Against Reticulated Pythons. Now that's an organization I can get behind!

Day 172 - February 13, 2011

Day 172 - February 13, 2011
We had our annual Valentine's Day Banquet a day early so Austin could be present. Balloons, roses, candles, heart-shaped plates and pink food. It was pretty festive. The only thing I forgot was the Barry Manilow CD I use for background music EVERY Valentine's Day Banquet. It never occurred to me the Barry Manilow CD may have been hidden after last year's Banquet... or worse yet, destroyed! Whoever is responsible for the missing CD is going to be very, very sorry. I'm going to buy more Barry Manilow CDs, and we're going to have theme music during our green St. Patrick's Day dinner, our Easter luncheon, our 4th of July celebration... and every birthday in between. Big mistake, Guys. BIG! You don't mess with Mama's Barry Manilow CD... or Justin Bieber's Greatest Hits CD. It just isn't right.

Day 171 - February 12, 2011

Day 171 - February 12, 2011
Guess where we are... and why we're wearing such attractive glasses? That's right. Never Say Never, Baby! I had to cancel a couple of things this weekend because of Roxie's recovery, but I thought she might be able to handle the movie. She did pretty well. However, by the time we got home, it was time to crawl into bed for a little more rest. In this 49 year-old's opinion, Justin Bieber is as cute as can be. He is surrounded by family and friends 24/7, and I'm hoping he grows up to be a fine young man. That being said, I've decided on my very first tattoo... BIEBER FEVER! I showed Roxie pictures of the "boys" I had a crush on when I was a 14 year-old chick... David Cassidy, Donny Osmond and Bobby Sherman. She had the nerve to make fun of their hair. (Bobby Sherman and Justin Bieber have the exact same haircut!) It was a good movie... and I loved it was rated G! So worth the dorky glasses!

Day 170 - February 11, 2011

Day 170 - February 11, 2011
I ask you... Is there anything better looking than a Faulkner in a tux? No. I mean it. Is there? I asked for a GQ pose before the choir concert tonight, and Josh gave me "the smolder" look. It's okay, but as his mother, my favorite look is the one where his dimple shows. Either way, the boy can rock a tux!

Day 169 - February 10, 2011

Day 169 - February 10, 2011
I ask you... Does this chick look like she needs surgery? Really?

Well, maybe a little nip here and tuck there. Other than the finger, she's in pretty good shape!

Day 168 - February 9, 2011

Day 168 - February 9, 2011
James Spann was right. Once again, it is snowing in Central Alabama. We're averaging a snow day every week now! We might as well be living in Minnesota! Thankfully, we had no ice this time. Just beautiful, fluffy white snow. It's so quiet outside. Peaceful. I know snow can be a pain sometimes, but tonight I needed a little of the "quiet."

Day 167 - February 8, 2011

Day 167 - February 8, 2011
As I add this photo to Belinda's Project Life, Mikie, Roxie and Josh are in the den laughing out loud. There's just something about watching someone fall off a trampoline, or off a roof, or off a cliff, or into a large body of water that is inherently funny. And don't get me started on the wedding bloopers, the recital bloopers, the pageant bloopers, etc. America's Funniest Videos may not be a daily part of our life, but I can assure you it is a weekly part of the Faulkner Five's life. You just can't beat the classics!

Day 166 - February 7, 2011

Day 166 - February 7, 2011
Fun fact for you... I LOVE sharing my passion with other women. And if you didn't know already, my passion is "collecting" family traditions, devotions, ideas, dates, etc., etc. One of our church's Sunday School classes asked me to "talk" during their monthly Girls' Night Out, and it was so much fun. They are all young, and have small children (or are in the process of having young children). I remember those days SO well. They were sweet, warm and welcoming. They even asked questions at the end. And guess what? They gave me a present. That's right. Beautiful Martha Stewart linen towels (which I totally need and want) and a new Thirty-One make-up bag (which Roxie wants, but she'll never find)! Thank you for asking me, Carmen! This may not be a daily part of my life, but I wish it was. I had a blast.

Day 165 - February 6, 2011

Day 165 - February 6, 2011
In every game, there must be a WINNER... and a loser. Today's pic is of the WINNERS! Austin, Mikie, Sarah (Melia's roommate) and Melia were the committed Packers fans in our group. You probably cannot tell, but Sarah is holding a Packers plate. In order to get Austin and the plate in the same picture... Well, one of them had to go. I, too, was a Packers fan. I started out as a Steelers fan, but as the game wore on, I quickly hopped over to the other team. (I'm not a "go down with a sinking ship" kind of gal. Never have been!) That being said, I'll be showing the LOSERS tomorrow on A Simple Life. They're nice guys and all, but if you wanted to be in a picture at my house tonight, the one above is the one I would have picked!

Day 164 - February 5, 2011

Day 164 - February 5, 2011
This is one of my favorite "things" to do with Roxie. I take her to have her eyebrows waxed. Roxie has an excellent set of eyebrows. In fact, if she had been born during my generation, she would probably be a Brooke Shields look-a-like. She has tried plucking (too painful for her)... she has asked me too pluck them (too painful for me)... and occasionally we ask our eyebrow waxer friend, Melissa, to wax them (still painful for Roxie, but quick and painless for me). Of course, this is the method I prefer. If I took a hamburger and fries into the salon with me, it would be considered dinner and a show.

Day 163 - February 4, 2011

Day 163 - February 4, 2011
Well, Faulkner Frat House is open for business. Austin and his two college buddies, Brad and Tyler, are home for Super Bowl weekend, and this is Meal No. 1. Roast beef, carrots, mushrooms, potatoes (two bowls), blue cheese crescent rounds (two bowls), cooked onions and Ghirardelli candy bars. That's not bad for the first meal of the weekend. They'll wake up around noon tomorrow, and I'll serve them cathead biscuits with sausage gravy, a mid-day snack (roast beef sandwiches) and tomorrow night I'm planning on homemade chicken noodle soup, chili, two pecan pies and lots of cornbread. (Bread helps fill them up, you see.) I know you're thinking this probably wasn't enough food, but since Josh and Roxie ate at other places tonight, we made it just fine. The guys are great, and we enjoyed a nice, long dinner getting to know them better. Don't worry. I'll have pictures of them before they leave Monday morning. I just didn't want to spook them their first night.

Day 162 - February 3, 2011

Day 162 - February 3, 2011
If you are part of the one-third of the country sitting in a blizzard right now, please look away. What I'm about to say will probably just make you angry... and perhaps bitter. However, if you're in the deep south, you'll know exactly what I mean. This little ice/slush storm caught us by surprise today in Central Alabama. I received a call from Roxie at 2:25 p.m. saying, "We're out of school and walking. Come pick us up, please." Surprise! I thought it was just a snow flurry, but as I hurried down the steps to pick up Roxie and friends, I slipped. Don't worry. I didn't fall. But it was definitely a slip. ICE! Why didn't I know about the ICE! I didn't have chili cooking on the stove. We only had two loaves of bread and two gallons of milk in the fridge. Not to mention, there was nothing sweet in the house... and I mean NOTHING! And I was out of my "Austin is in College, Josh is Driving and Roxie is a Teenager" meds. Total and complete panic engulfed me. I quickly picked up Roxie and friends, dropped them off, made sure Josh was home and headed to the pharmacy. (First things first!) Next, I navigated the ultra-dangerous roads to the grocery store where I bought more bread, more milk and sweet stuff. When I finally pulled into the driveway, I felt I had accomplished great and mighty things in just a short amount of time. Oh. And then the ice turned to rain, and now it is just wet. And since I didn't have a chance to cook chili in time for the ice/slush storm, we're going to eat bread and fixins' for dinner. That's right. Bread and butter. Bread and jam. Bread and peanut butter. Just lots and lots of bread... and milk!

Day 161 - February 2, 2011

Day 161 - February 2, 2011
"Please, Mom. Please. Let me go to church tonight. I feel fine. I want to be with my friends. I want to learn about God!" She really thought the, "I want to learn about God" remark would make me change my mind. The chick is still sick. She's on her second roll of toilet paper (used for nose-blowing purposes), and she is very ill-tempered. And just to prove how sick the chick really is, when I asked her if I could use this photo as my Picture of the Day, she said, "Sure." Never, in the history of Roxie, has she agreed to such a photo being put on the blog... which means I'll probably have to remove it in the morning, but tonight it stays!

Day 160 - February 1, 2011

Day 160 - February 1, 2011
Roxie was sick today. She has the croup. She also had an appointment with her hand surgeon. Since our day was pretty much SHOT anyway, we went to see the hand surgeon to schedule her "bone re-attachment," and then we ate at Klingler's. Oh, how I love Klingler's. Roxie enjoyed the outing, too, as much as she was able (with croup, a broken finger and all). We made it back to our house in time for a much-needed 20 minute rest before heading out again to the regular doc. It was a wet, dreary, bone-chilling, blustery day... my favorite kind of day to stay home and cuddle with a sick kiddo watching movies. Since that didn't happen, at least we'll always have Klingler's.

Day 159 - January 31, 2011

Day 159 - January 31, 2011
This is Josh's guitar. It's getting a lot of use these days. At this time in our lives, the only instruments being played in our home are the baritone (Austin) and the guitar (Josh). However, if you put all of the instruments the Faulkner Five know how to play, it would indeed be a very impressive band. Roxie has played the piano and sax. Austin is still playing the baritone. Josh is playing the guitar, but has played the tuba in his younger days. I was once a fair to middlin' piano, organ and harmonica player. And Mikie... Well, my Mikie sings. He's the only one of the Faulkner Five who has actually cut an album. Of course, I'm on 32 wedding videos across the United States accompanying wedding singers and such... and I used to get paid for my gigs, so I guess I'm the only real professional. When you put it all together, we really ought to go on the road. We could paint the Big Gold Van like the Partridge Family Bus and perform at county fairs. I'll just go ahead and say what you're obviously thinking... Mikie doesn't need to quit his day job!

Day 158 - January 30, 2011

Day 158 - January 30, 2011
My nephew, Zac, went to the circus yesterday. That one sentence is the beginning of the explanation that goes with this picture. Zac bought a big, white circle boomerang-type toy at the circus. It was made of lightweight plastic. Although it was supposed to come back to you when you threw it (that would be the boomerang part), it kind of never did. As we were leaving our family get-together at Grandmother's today, Josh threw the boomerang-type toy up, up, up in the air... and it got stuck in a tree branch. Had it not been a brand new toy OR a souvenir from the circus, we would probably have let it go, but Zac is our youngest and we tend to want to fix things when it comes to him. This is Brad and Beverly throwing basketballs into the tree. At one point, Josh, Katie, Roxie, Austin, Brad and Beverly were throwing two basketballs and one volleyball into the tree. At another point, one of the basketballs got stuck in the tree, too... beside the boomerang-type toy. Twenty minutes into our mission, clothes started peeling off. (Brad and Josh... not Bev.) Finally, Brad threw the ball which dislodged the boomerang-type toy. Zac grabbed it, threw it into the back of the van, and we all headed home... 30 minutes late. It was great fun. Grandmother, Bev and I have decided we're going to put our kids' favorite things in the trees during our mountain trip, and let them spend hours and hours and hours trying to knock them out! Good, clean, wholesome fun!

Day 157 - January 29, 2011

Day 157 - January 29, 2011
I know you can't see the two guys in this picture... because they're wearing camo, you see. Once again, they are deerless... without deer. Once again, they had a good time. Once again, Austin didn't take a shower before he went hunting because he thinks the "natural" smell will draw the deer to him. I'm thinking he's wrong. Really, really wrong. (NOTE - The third Faulkner male didn't make this hunting trip due to illness. But if he had, you wouldn't be able to see him in the picture either.)

Day 156 - January 28, 2011

Day 156 - January 28, 2011
Fun fact for you... I love trees. All kinds. I would not be happy living in a house that did not have trees surrounding it. This tree is a weeping willow. It is located behind Roxie's middle school. There are few things more sad to me than a weeping willow in the winter. The long, empty, wispy branches look a little ridiculous during this season. But in the spring... Oh, I love a weeping willow in the spring. My grandmother had a huge weeping willow in her front yard when I was growing up. In the summer, the branches touched the ground. When you walked through the branches, it was a like a secret hideaway, and my sister and I would play under the branches of that tree on hot summer days. It was one of my favorite kinds of trees growing up. When I see a weeping willow now, it always takes me back to my childhood. Isn't it funny what we remember as adults... and when the memories come flooding back? I see a tree in January, and I remember my grandparents' two story house, their one-eyed bulldog named Peanut (who didn't like me very much), playing with my grandmother's costume jewelry and climbing on the giant gray boulder in their backyard. All of those memories in my mind just from looking at a scraggly old tree behind Roxie's school. (Don't EVEN get me started on white pine trees!)

Day 155 - January 27, 2011

Day 155 - January 27, 2011
This is part of my life lately. I am working in the Hospitality Room for the County Basketball Tournament our school is hosting. I pick up food, bake food and wear a lunchroom lady glove to serve food to coaches, officials, bus drivers, etc. It takes a lot of skill and effort to be a really good Hospitality Room worker. For example, tonight when one of our workers, who is also the Youth Minister at our church, reached into a chicken bucket when it was clearly apparent that I, The Gloved One, was supposed to handle all chicken products, I kept my cool. Right after I smacked his hand, I apologized. I know the meaning of the word "hospitality," and nowhere is "smacking" allowed when you are working in the Hospitality Room. Just between you and me, I might be a better fit in the Hostility Room.

Day 154 - January 26, 2011

Day 154 - January 26, 2011
I'm not a fabulous cook. I'm not. I like to try different recipes. I love new cookbooks. I am "over the moon" when all of the Faulkner Five like something I fix for dinner enough to ask for it again (and again). I am, however, aware of my very basic culinary skills. My family will never starve, and I will continue to strive to improve my cooking skills as time goes on. All of that being said, I made something REALLY, REALLY good tonight. It's a new recipe, and I was trying it out for next Tuesday's recipe section on A Simple Life. It is basically a layer or two of this and a layer or two of that... and then you bake it for 30 minutes. But I did want to show you the first layer. It looks like a stick of melted butter, doesn't it? It is! It is a stick of melted butter. And that's not EVEN the best layer. I cannot reveal any more of the layers until next Tuesday. I can't. (Okay. Okay! Just one more. The very last layer is a can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk.) I think I just made Paula Deen very, very proud!

Day 153 - January 25, 2011

Day 153 - January 25, 2011
The County Basketball Tournament. It's a big deal when you're an 8th grader and it could possibly be your last game EVER in middle school. It's an emotional game. It's a game that really, really counts. Tonight the girls lost to the number one team in our league. In fact, the team we played hasn't lost a game in over three years. But our girls played great. They played hard. They played smart. They played until the final buzzer sounded, and then they congratulated the winning team with class and went to the locker room with their heads held high. I was proud of them tonight. I've been proud of them all season. A sweeter, funnier, sassier bunch of girls I have yet to meet, and I'm glad Roxie had the opportunity to play ball with them. One of the best parts of the evening... a new tournament t-shirt! You've gotta leave with the t-shirt!

Day 152 - January 24, 2011

Day 152 - January 24, 2011
Well, I decided to try the Twenty Second photography project with Sparkle.

I thought perhaps a beagle would be the equivalent of a five year-old boy in cuteness.

It would appear I might have been mistaken.

Let's face it. I love her, but when it comes to Twenty Second photography, Sparkle is a bit of a dud. (For the record, I did try to photograph Copper for the Twenty Second project, but he wasn't in any of the shots... at all. I think I'm going to give up... until I have a five year-old grandchild.)

Day 151 - January 23, 2011

Day 151 - January 23, 2011
I was reading The Pioneer Woman's blog the other day (see Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List).

She called the post "Twenty Seconds," and she held a camera in front of her youngest child for 20 seconds snapping away.

I thought I would try it with Roxie.

I'm thinking it works best with kids five and under.

Day 150 - January 22, 2011

Day 150 - January 22, 2011
Twenty-three years of ups-and-downs-and-all-arounds with this guy! I can't imagine spending the past 23 years with anyone else. (Not even Tom Selleck.) Great husband! Fantastic dad! Best friend! I'm a very blessed chick.

Day 149 - January 21, 2011

Day 149 - January 21, 2011
Mike and I wanted to do something a little different to celebrate our 23rd anniversary. We talked about a lot of different options, but guess which one we finally decided to try?

Day 148 - January 20, 2011

Day 148 - January 20, 2011
This, my friends, is a dinosaur. When we moved into this house nine years ago, it was already a dinosaur. Nine years later, it is a dead dinosaur. That's right. The microwave is dead. I told Mikie it wasn't a big deal, and we could get another "whenever." However, I did not realize how often in a 24-hour period I use a microwave. (At least 63 times.) I would never have called myself a "microwave cook." I will admit to being a "crockpot cook" and a "stock pot cook," but never, ever a "microwave cook." Every morning I walk into the kitchen and press every button on the panel... thrice, but to no avail. It is indeed dead, and a new one has to be purchased sooner than later. "Could Belinda's Project Life BE more boring today?" you may be asking yourself. Probably not. But I'm trying to do that "honest depiction of my life" thing, and today the microwave is IT!

Day 147 - January 19, 2011

Day 147 - January 19, 2011
I told you we were going to see a doctor about a jammed finger over a week ago (on A Simple Life). Roxie jammed her finger mid-December playing basketball. We didn't think much about it, except when the swelling went down, you could tell it was more than a "jam." Off to the pediatrician we went. He didn't think there was a broken bone. He thought it was a tendon problem which could easily be fixed with a simple surgery after basketball season... but we had to see the Sports Medicine doctor to be sure. Because of the Blizzard of 2011, our appointment was rescheduled. And look what we found today, January 19, 2011! Can you see that dot? It's not supposed to be floating around in her finger. It's a broken bone! As Roxie glared the doctor down, he told her she could finish the season (three to five more games), but then she needed surgery... pronto. They'll perform surgery on her hand, and a wire will have to be inserted to hold the bone fragment in place for six to eight weeks while it heals. After that amount of time, they will pull the wire out (OUCH!), and she'll be good to go! Her main concern now is being put completely under, and not just having an arm block. (She gets that from me!) We've been really fortunate. Austin had stitches ONCE and his wisdom teeth cut out. Josh had a surgery when he was eight. This will be Roxie's first surgery/stitches. NOTE - While Austin and Josh wanted a milkshake after their surgeries/procedures, Roxie has requested a new surgery outfit. I'll let you know what a "new surgery outfit" looks like after we purchase said outfit.

Day 146 - January 18, 2011

Day 146 - January 18, 2011
The guys in our family aren't the only ones who are wearing National Championship garb these days. Nope. Roxie didn't want a hat, but she's always willing to wear a t-shirt or hoodie supporting her favorite team. Let's face it. You don't spend 90 minutes a day on your hair to put a hat on top of it... no matter how much you love Auburn!

Day 145 - January 17, 2011

Day 145 - January 17, 2011
Remember this project? Roxie's birthday present... a new bedroom. Remember I actually painted something... black? Can you think back that far? It is slowly, but surely, coming together. Having to ask Roxie for input and permission has slowed me down considerably, but I understand a 14 year-old chick has a few opinions of her own, and I respect that... I guess. After three weeks in the box, she decided to see if she really liked her giant jewelry box from Christmas. Okay. She liked it, but she didn't like the black on black. I suggested white tulle under the jewelry box, but the tulle was vetoed. I grabbed the silver lame' silk material we use for her tree skirt every year, and what do you know? She liked it! I have to say, my heart was happy, if only for a minute. I'll show a few more pics of her room on A Simple Life tomorrow, and then I'll wait until everything is finished and do a final reveal sometime in 2011 (I hope). Just so you know, I'm the reason Rooms To Go was created. Now if someone would put the Money To Go store right beside the furniture store, I'd be set!

Day 144 - January 16, 2011

Day 144 - January 16, 2011
This is my beautiful niece, Katie. She is 17 years-old now, which makes me extremely sad... except for the fact she is so excited about being 17. The two things you notice most about Katie (in my opinion) are her eyes (unbelievably big, brown eyes) and her laugh (totally infectious). I can say without a doubt, Katie has the best laugh of anyone in our family... perhaps in anyone's family. It's been an honor to be her FAVORITE AUNT for 17 years. (She would want me to tell you I'm her only aunt... but I'm almost positive I would still be the FAVORITE if there were other contenders. Almost positive.)

Day 143 - January 15, 2011

Day 143 - January 15, 2011
I had high hopes for this crew when they left this morning. I just knew one of them would call with news of killing the biggest buck in the history of the state of Alabama. Yep. That's what I thought. I waited all day to post this picture just in case there was a better one at the day's end. A picture of Mike, Austin and/or Josh holding up the head of a 42-point buck. Alas, that picture doesn't exist... but this one does. No deer, but a good time had by all. They'll be home in an hour or so and I'll listen to their hunting stories, feed them and do four more loads of laundry. But you can't compare loads of laundry to male bonding, can you? No, really. I'm asking. Can you?

Day 142 - January 14, 2011

Day 142 - January 14, 2011
It takes more than just a Krispy Kreme doughnut to make chicks look this happy. It takes WINNING a basketball game, and then going to Krispy Kreme to celebrate to get smiles like this! However, it is a well-known fact women my age tend to smile like this JUST because they get to eat a Krispy Kreme doughnut. We don't have to win a game to be this happy about a hot, glazed doughnut. We just have to walk in and order. The older you get, you learn to be happy with the little things. (Kelci, Claire, Roxie and Courtney are the picture of happiness.)

Day 141 - January 13, 2011

Day 141 - January 13, 2011
Our last "snow day." Heavy, heavy sigh. We decided to meet Katie, Zac and Aunt Bev for a fast food lunch at Jack's. (It's the halfway point between our two homes.) We enjoyed hamburgers while we froze beside the faux fireplace. What it lacked in ambiance, it made up for in good company. Everyone is going back to school tomorrow, but we get to see the cousins again on Sunday to celebrate Katie's 17th birthday. (Guess what the Picture of the Day will be Sunday?)

Day 140 - January 12, 2011

Day 140 - January 12, 2011
This is Roxie. She doesn't have to go to school tomorrow because of Monday's ice storm. I'm beginning to wonder if she's ever going back. When I mention the word "school," she flips her hair, smiles an all-knowing smile and walks out of the room. However, I'm an expert at making kids want to go back to school. Tomorrow she's scrubbing the floors with a toothbrush and giving the dogs a bath outside, cleaning out my closet, cooking dinner and cleaning up afterward. My plan is to have her begging to go back to school Friday morning... and I bet I win.

Day 139 - January 11, 2011

Day 139 - January 11, 2011
We're not keeping the secret any longer. Roxie has a little drinking problem. If I'm not with her, she will drink dozens of these... coffee creamer shots. I know. She was raised better than that, or so I thought. I checked her hoodie pockets before we left the Chick, and it was just as I suspected. Coffee creamers AND mints. I think we need to join a support group.

Day 138 - January 10, 2011

Day 138 - January 10, 2011
Don't expect to see this photo on my 2011 Christmas Card. Austin is a firm believer in NOT feeling the cold. He looks like he's about to rob someone's home. But this is our 2011 Winter Weather Event photo. I'm thinking I probably won't be going to Hobby Lobby for a new frame when the roads clear... if you know what I mean!

Day 137 - January 9, 2011

Day 137 - January 9, 2011
I decided to do a "Winter Weather Event Timeline" for the Blizzard/Ice Storm of 2011. This is the view from my den window at 8:58 a.m.

And now it is 12:37 p.m.

And finally (for today's post), at 4:27 p.m. it looked exactly like this. The only difference in this picture and the 8:58 a.m. picture is the sleet. Yes, sir. It is sleeting like crazy, but even with my BRAND NEW CAMERA, I am unable to photograph sleet in the beginning stages. Stay tuned. I'm hoping the Picture of the Day tomorrow is a totally different one from today. I'm hoping it's WHITE, Baby! All WHITE!

Day 136 - January 8, 2011

Day 136 - January 8, 2011
I miss this. "This" used to be a big part of my life. Theme birthday parties. We had a Super Hero Party, Circus Party, Little Mermaid Party, Farmer Party, Indian Party, Princess Party... just to name a few. However, we never had a Thomas the Train party. My guys were never "into" Thomas. But my great-nephew Matthew is a HUGE Thomas the Train fan. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at his three year-old celebration today. He's such a sweet little guy... so genuinely excited and thankful for each and every gift. At a very young age, it was apparent to everyone in attendance he has a truly grateful heart. How many of us can say the same?

Day 135 - January 7, 2011

Day 135 - January 7, 2011
What necessities do you buy before a HUGE "winter weather event?" In case you're not able to identify all the products, allow me to help. Two large containers of ice cream, ravioli, hot dogs, expensive bread (the cheap bread was long gone), Little Debbie Cakes, Diet Dr. Thunder and RC, Crest 3-D Whitening Toothpaste (a must during all "winter weather events") and store-bought potato soup. What about milk? Where's the milk? You must have milk! I bought one of the last containers of chocolate milk at Wal-Mart. No white milk remains in the entire state of Alabama. (Keep in mind, I'm not afraid to trudge to a neighbor's house in two inches of snow if I run low on some of the "necessities." I'm not proud. Never have been. Never will be!)

Day 134 - January 6, 2011

Day 134 - January 6, 2011
I don't know if this will ever get easier. Austin left for his second semester at JSU as a sophomore this morning. It has gone by SO quickly. In a few short months, he will be a junior in college. While he thoroughly enjoyed his break from school, he was ready to get back to college life and his friends on campus. As usual, when he turned around to wave good-bye, he had a stupid grin on his face. (I now reserve the right NOT to photograph that particular face. His back is just fine!)

Day 133 - January 5, 2011

Day 133 - January 5, 2011
Ahh. The thrill of victory! I'm not allowed to take the "agony of defeat" pictures. But she wants me to take the "thrill of victory" photos ALL day long. We beat Erwin tonight. Every girl on the team played their best, and it showed in the final score. Mikie's pretty happy, too. Winning makes the drive home SO much more enjoyable!

Day 132 - January 4, 2011

Day 132 - January 4, 2011
This is an everyday occurrence at our house. Austin, Josh and Roxie have become USA Network fans... particularly Psych fans. Austin asked for Seasons One and Two for Christmas, and during the holidays, the three of them have watched one, two or three episodes anytime they've been in the house together. Mikie and I like the show pretty well, but we can't sit down and watch episode after episode after episode back to back. It's not like it's 24, LOST, Cake Boss or Bridalplasty. I mean, kids these days don't really understand quality TV. Am I right?

Day 131 - January 3, 2011

Day 131 - January 3, 2011
The Faulkner Five went out to eat tonight for our "Back to School After Winter Break" celebration. Thankfully, the kids bought us a Logan's gift certificate for Christmas, and Mikie had two more coupons to put with the certificate. Since the brothers started eating (I mean REALLY eating) around seven and eight years-old, it has always been our practice to (1) save a certain amount of money before going out to eat at a "real" restaurant; and (2) feed the boys before we leave the house. I haven't uttered the words, "Don't eat. You'll spoil your dinner," in years and years and years. In fact, I usually put out a platter of peanut butter crackers, bananas and fruit cake for them to munch on minutes before we leave to eat at a "real" restaurant. Anything heavy and filling, I offer to the brothers... and they eat it... and when we sit down to order they ask, "How many entrees can I order?" I'm not kidding. I like going to Logan's because they help a Mom out by serving endless yeast rolls AND buckets of peanuts. (We ate two buckets.) We had a good time tonight. Everyone was almost full before we left, and it was a lovely way to end a very nice holiday break.

Day 130 - January 2, 2011

Day 130 - January 2, 2011
This is an unprecedented event in Faulkner Five history. We actually finished the Faulkner Family/Friend Christmas Puzzle BEFORE New Year's Eve. We finished the Faulkner Family/Friend Christmas Puzzle PERIOD. Roxie requested a January puzzle, and I agreed. I wanted to get one to go with the season, but that meant "snow." Lots and lots of "snow." Have you ever tried to a work a puzzle with lots and lots of snow? It ain't easy, folks. (Fun fact for you... Ocean puzzles are very similar to snow puzzles. Very, very difficult!) So Mikie and I picked out this rather charming European market scene with lots of different colors. I also liked the name of this puzzle... "Contentment." (Another fun fact for you... "Contentment" isn't really a good name for a 1,000 piece puzzle. Just saying.)

Day 129 - January 1, 2011

Day 129 - January 1, 2011
I don't know what your family did on the first day of the new year, but the Faulkner Five had WAR! Nerf Wars, that is. I bought four identical Nerf guns with automatic fire power, extra clips and a flashlight attached to the barrel of each gun. I bought extra darts. I bought extra batteries. And tonight, the fun began. In a totally blacked-out house, everyone hid. The only light to guide them was the eerie red light attached to their gun. It was every man for himself. If you were shot, you were out of that particular game. Everyone was on the honor system. That might work in some families, but Roxie has such thick skin, she declared she never felt a single dart. Sadly, that meant the brothers and her sweet Daddy had to shoot her from the neck up. After a few darts in the ear, Roxie became much more aware when a dart hit her in other areas like her arms, legs or back. "What about the Enchanting Belinda?" you might ask. Well, I am the official timekeeper, peace maker and photographer. You know... my usual job at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842).

Day 128 - December 31, 2010

Day 128 - December 31, 2010
These guys look like they are up to no good! In fact, if they're doing what I think they are doing, I might be getting a new mailbox tomorrow. We get together with Kerry, Nancy and their two girls, Mary Elizabeth and Anna, every New Year's Eve... and usually we shoot off a few simple fireworks. Because of the EXTREMELY windy conditions on this particular New Year's Eve, it was necessary to light everything in my mailbox.

Unfortunately for me, everything went according to plan, and they didn't blow up my ugly mailbox. Oh, well. Happy New Year anyway!

Day 127 - December 30, 2010

Day 127 - December 30, 2010
I gave Mike and the boys paintball gift certificates to Fort Red Rock for Christmas. I thought, "This would be good male bonding time. This would be a memory maker. This would be something they could talk about for years to come." Look closely at Mikie's neck. You can see the redness. You can see the spots of blood. What you cannot see is the lump. What you cannot see is the close proximity of the lump to the carotid artery. Guess who inflicted this wound upon Mikie? Guess? The Boy! That's right. Our firstborn shot his Dad in the NECK! When I asked him, "What on God's green earth possessed you to shoot your Dad in the neck? The man is practically half a century old. He's not made to withstand direct hits to the carotid artery. What have you got to say for yourself?" Laughing, and shaking his head ever so slightly, The Boy simply said, "He ran in front of me trying to get behind a boat. It was just pure luck." Good memories. Good memories!

Day 126 - December 29, 2010

Day 126 - December 29, 2010
After going on the Christmas Home Tour in my home town, attending a progressive tea and visiting some friends' beautifully decorated homes AND looking at virtually DOZENS of Christmas decorations on a Christmas Home Tour hosted by Nesting Place (under My Blog List on A Simple Life), I discovered the one thing I was missing to make my Christmas decorating complete. A chalkboard. I saw so many chalkboards. They were cute, too. The boards had Bible verses written upon them... or lists for Santa written upon them... or pictures of the manger scene drawn upon them... or family recipes of a favorite dessert copied upon them... or even just "MERRY CHRISTMAS" in all caps written upon them. (I'm using the word "upon" because this is my last Christmas picture of the year, and I wanted to use a Christmas-type word. "Upon" is a Christmas-type word.) So I left the house to find a chalkboard to pack up with my other decorations. It would be brand new next year when I pulled everything out, and I would be so in "Christmas decorating" style! But I came upon these moss covered star shapes, and I bought three to hang on my front porch next year with white gossamer ribbon. I know. Totally NOT a chalkboard. Focus, Enchanting Belinda! Focus!

Day 125 - December 28, 2010

Day 125 - December 28, 2010
Okay. I don't care if I get another Christmas card or not. This one really got to me. I now want to pose sleeping newborn babies wearing cute hats and take their pictures... all day long... seven days a week. Who knew you could do this 19, 17 and 14 years ago when I had tiny, poseable babies? Who knew? This is just one more reason I should have one more baby. Of course, there are literally thousands of reasons why I shouldn't, but I forgot most of them when I opened up my 72nd Christmas card of the season. Thank you, Terri. By far, one of the best of the season!

Day 124 - December 27, 2010

Day 124 - December 27, 2010
It was a Klingler's kind of day. I met up with two out of three of some of my oldest friends for brunch/lunch today, and we had a wonderful time playing catch-up. Celeste, Alesia and I have been friends for 27 years now. That's a long time... even in human years. We were all in the Singles Department at Shades Mountain at the beginning of our relationship. We were in each other's weddings. We helped with each other's baby teas. We held each other's babies in the hospital and loved on them. (Fun fact for you... Alesia's Andrew was born February 20. She left the hospital on the 22nd. I checked in to have Austin in the wee hours of the 23rd. Guess which room Austin and I were given upon his arrival? That's right. We checked in right after Alesia and Andrew checked out.) It will be a long time until next Christmas, but I'm already looking forward to those two or three hours of re-connecting. Those hours go by like seconds.

Day 123 - December 26, 2010

Day 123 - December 26, 2010
Do you know what I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE? I may have mentioned it before, but I LOVE the big movie photo ops they have in theaters now. For our Day After Christmas Movie Extravaganza, we went to see the new Chronicles of Narnia movie. It was wonderful. And when we were leaving the theater, I found this interactive photo op station. (The ship's wheel really turns!) Mikie is wearing his "I've just seen a giant sea serpent" face. Perfect. (Close up below!)

He could have been an actor. Just saying.

Day 122 - December 25, 2010

Day 122 - December 25, 2010
We borrowed a tradition from Robin Oakley's family. Every person in our family had to buy a $1 gift for every other member of the family. (There are 12 of us, so we each had to buy 11 gifts.) Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, each person in our family had to visit Grandmother's house and put the bought items into the appropriate stockings. We also had one more rule. We wanted a "meaning" behind the gift. Why did you feel the need to buy that particular item for that particular person? As you can see, two different people bought Katie and Grandmother the same item... but for different reasons.

Katie was given the giant glasses because she has such big, pretty eyes. Grandmother was given the giant gold glasses because she likes big bling. It all makes sense now.

Day 121 - December 24, 2010

Day 121 - December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve. Which picture should I use to sum up our Christmas Eve? Do I use the photo of Roxie's manicure (and mine)? Do I use some of the photos of the kids opening sibling gifts? Do I use the pretty picture of Austin and Melia in front of the Christmas tree? No. Even though it's a bit golden/red, I'm going to use the picture of our family and Melia at our church's annual Christmas Eve Service. It is by far one of our favorite events of the year. It clearly puts everything into perspective. For 30 minutes, the hustle and bustle melt away. The "To Do" list takes a backseat. In the huge sanctuary with babies making sweet noises and toddlers wiggling and reaching for Mommy or Daddy, nothing else really matters... except the fact that God sent His only Son as the most precious gift to all mankind. It's a time to breathe, sing and remember the one true reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. Merry Christmas!

Day 120 - December 23, 2010

Day 120 - December 23, 2010
Warning! This picture is very upsetting. As you can see, an antler has been knocked almost completely off my illuminated deer. It didn't take long to find the culprit. Austin admitted to falling on him in the middle of the night. To be honest, it's a wonder he still has ears, head and legs. Austin fell on me once, and I wasn't sure if I would ever completely recover. We've tried the super glue "quick fix," but to no avail. Mikie is going to try working with gold colored wire to stablize the wayward antler. If that doesn't work, I'm afraid The Boy is going to have to go out in the crowd tomorrow to replace my beloved little deer. And I'm sending his sister with him. She made me a little angry when she said, "If he had been outside where he belongs, this wouldn't have happened." How do you teach whimsy to your kids? That's what I want to know.

Day 119 - December 22, 2010

Day 119 - December 22, 2010
Can you name this movie? Tonight was my family's sixth annual Christmas Movie Night. Every Thanksgiving, I put everyone's name in a bowl. I pick a name, and that person gets to pick his/her favorite Christmas movie of all time. Bev and I then take turns hosting the Christmas Movie Night at one of our houses. (It was Bev's turn this year.) The first five years of this tradition, a male in our family picked the movie. In fact, the only male who hasn't picked a movie is Mikie. I was very tempted NOT to put his name in the bowl. It all worked out... or so we thought. We picked Grandmother's name. Grandmother who doesn't have a favorite Christmas movie. So we had to give her one. If you haven't guessed by now, Grandmother's favorite Christmas movie of all time is Santa Claus... the first one. When it ended tonight, she was overheard saying, "I've seen the second and third one, but I don't think I've ever watched this one." See what happens when you don't have a favorite? More pics will be shown on A Simple Life tomorrow morning!

Day 118 - December 21, 2010

Day 118 - December 21, 2010
Is there anything more fun than seeing a movie at the Historic Alabama Theater? No, really. Is there? I think not. Roxie and friends didn't just watch the movie Elf... they experienced it! They participated in the Sing-A-Long with the fabulous organist. They cheered at appropriate times along with about 1,900 other people in the theater. (Uh, remember the snowball fight?) They sang "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" at the end of the movie when we were trying to get Santa's sleigh off the ground in Central Park. We talked to the organist at the end of the movie. And then we had our picture made in front of the gigantic tree before leaving. No. We didn't just watch a movie! We lived it!

Day 117 - December 20, 2010

Day 117 - December 20, 2010
I know you've heard the phrase, "I almost died of embarrassment." Well, here's a mental picture to put with the phrase. Within seconds of Roxie putting the "doggie" Santa hat on Sparkle, she went limp... and she didn't show any sign of life until we removed the horribly undignified hat from her head. Thus the phrase, "I almost died of embarrassment." (You wouldn't think a slightly overweight beagle would be so particular... but she is!)

Day 116 - December 19, 2010

Day 116 - December 19, 2010
Well, here we are. The Faulkner Five. We spent the day celebrating Christmas with Mikie's family. We, of course, took a ton of pictures... mostly of Matthew (my great-nephew extraordinaire). But we also took family group pics. My nephew, Jared, took this one, and unless I change my mind, ya'll are looking at the Faulkner Family 2011 Christmas card. Sure. We might change a little here and there over the next year, but this one is too good not to use. Everyone is wearing a solid color except Roxie (who is wearing a Christmas shirt... perfect). I am standing just so giving the illusion of being a curvy, youthful "mom of teenagers." Mikie looks exactly the same as he did 23 years ago. The kids may grow another inch or so, but I'm not expecting anything major. Yep. If I can figure a way to "photoshop" the beagles in, you're looking at next year's Christmas card!

Day 115 - December 18, 2010

Day 115 - December 18, 2010
There were so many good events today. It was hard to pick a Picture of the Day, but I decided on this one. Twelve years ago, I began the 12 Teas of Christmas with ten friends. I was 37 at the time. Today, we celebrated our 12th Christmas tea. Over the years, we have visited 11 different tea rooms. However, because today was "special," we had a Progressive Tea and went from home to home for the different courses. We finished the tea at my house. What started as ten women is now down to seven (because three live in other states). When we first began this little tradition, I told the girls I would give any chick who came to ALL 12 TEAS a pair of 4-carat diamond earrings. Well, you're looking at the four who NEVER missed a tea. So what's a poor girl to do. Four pair of 4-carat diamond earrings is quite costly... especially in this economy. Thankfully, I have a teenage daughter, so I know all about a little store called Claire's. These four girls are wearing 4-carat "looks like a real diamond, but it isn't" earrings. And look at their faces. They are just as happy as if they had received the real thing. (At least, that's what I'm telling myself!) Congratulations LeAnna, Dawn, Dee and Tonya! You all deserve the very best... and I wish I could have given it to you!

Day 114 - December 17, 2010

Day 114 - December 17, 2010
It was recently pointed out to me that with the addition of the inflatable Nutcracker now residing in Roxie's bedroom, the lit reindeer which has been bunking in Austin's room AND this little wicker Christmas tree that lives in my dining room each Christmas, my "inside" looks like most people's "outside." I must admit, these large "outside" decorations are easy to display AND even easier to put away. I'm beginning to wonder what would happen if I somehow squeezed my JOY and Giant Santa Penguin through the front door and up the stairs to Josh's room. Would my entire family revolt? Would they continue to see me as whimsical or just plain nuts? I'm tempted to try it for just a day to see what the response would be. Stay tuned. It might get interesting at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) next week!

Day 113 - December 16, 2010

Day 113 - December 16, 2010
This is my living room. Do you see the door frame in the distance? Do you? This isn't even the first door frame filled with Christmas cards. It is the second. Tomorrow is going to be a good day. One week before Christmas, I always watch for the mailman, and when he leaves our street, I run up and down to all of my neighbors' mailboxes and grab one or two of their cards for my collection. I know what you're thinking. "Isn't that a federal offense?" And I'll tell you what I tell my kids... "Only if you get caught." This is one of those family traditions I won't be sharing on A Simple Life, but it's something we all enjoy doing together just the same. (Please tell me you know I'm kidding! Do not force me to put JK at the end of this post. I'm begging you.)

Day 112 - December 15, 2010

Day 112 - December 15, 2010
We played basketball tonight. Roxie and this young lady look like the best of friends, don't they? Well, they aren't. Spider-Man had Green Goblin. Superman had Lex Luther. Batman had Joker. Roxie had #23. She met her arch nemesis tonight, and it wasn't pretty. (And just for clarity, Roxie is Spider-Man, Superman and Batman in this scenario.)

Day 111 - December 14, 2010

Day 111 - December 14, 2010
Look what I won! We went to Mikie's office party tonight, and we always play Dirty Santa. I was lucky number 29 this year... the last one to get to pick a gift. Out of the 29 gifts, it became evident the theme for the evening was Starbucks Coffee gifts. (Cups, Christmas Blend and gift cards.) And that would have been great, except I'm not a coffee drinker. Now I like my Caramel Frappe' from McDonald's on occasion, but we all know that isn't really coffee. So as the evening wore on, I watched and waited. A man had opened this candle (the candy came with it, too), and he wasn't having any luck getting rid of it. I wanted it. I wanted it real bad. (Bad grammar alert!) He was more than a little thrilled when I "stole" it from him. And I was more than a little thrilled to bring it home. And look. It has my favorite Christmas word on the top. JOY! It was a very good night.

Day 110 - December 13, 2010

Day 110 - December 13, 2010
I know what you're thinking. "Why is the Enchanting Belinda putting an inflatable on Belinda's Project Life INSTEAD of The Twelve Days of Inflatables? It makes no sense." But there's a little story behind this inflatable, and I feel the need to share. I have a dear friend named Cam Law. She has been my walking partner for over two years now, and during those two years I have learned a great deal about being a mother of teenagers. She's a great mother of teenagers, and I love her. But Cam was not the first Law I loved. Nope. There was a boy named Garrett in my Children's Choir many years ago when he was just a little guy. He was sweet, pleasant and sang with gusto... and he was the first Law I loved. After a few years, I met Haley, the eldest Law child, and she became the babysitter for my three guys. She was sweet, funny and very responsible. She was the second Law I loved. Next came Peyton, the baby of the Law clan. The Boy (a/k/a Austin) started teasing her in high school, and as their relationship grew into an odd, but sweet friendship, I got to know Miss Peyton better, too. She was the third Law I loved. I started walking with Cam, and as that relationship grew, she became the fourth Law I loved. Around the same time I was getting to know Cam, Jordan, the second oldest Law child, started teaching in our Middle School Department. A finer young man I have yet to meet, and since I already loved four out of six Laws, I quickly decided to add him to the mix. But Jordan and I had a parting of ways a few months ago. You see, he is engaged to be married. Upon hearing about his engagement, I quickly and sincerely offered my services. I would sing, serve, wash dishes, etc., etc. Anything Jordan and his beloved needed throughout the festivities. It was at this time Jordan informed me he appreciated the offer, but if he needed help he would probably ask Mr. Mike. SAY WHAT? I will have to admit, I did not find the "joke" amusing, although Mikie got a huge kick out of it. Since then, although I still love Jordan, our relationship has been a bit "strained." That is... until tonight. When I arrived home from Roxie's basketball game, my inflatables were not blown up. (They are frozen to the ground, and if I pull them too hard, I'm afraid they will tear.) However, I noticed another deflated inflatable had been placed beside my Giant Santa Penguin. I ran into the house and plugged him into the outlet. Oh... my... word! A brand new nutcracker inflatable just for me! And that's not all, folks. Jordan also left me a Christmas card (number 19). It reads, "I hope this helps our relationship." Let's just say the boy is getting a five-piece place setting of wedding china AND a glass! Our relationship is FINE! Thank you, Jordan (and Sarah). (As for the sixth Law, Jeff, as husband and father of this wonderful family, I will admit to being fond of him, too. I didn't want to leave anyone out!)

Day 109 - December 12, 2010

Day 109 - December 12, 2010
It snowed today. However, even my BRAND NEW CAMERA couldn't pick up the tiny, tiny snowflakes. It was also VERY windy today. The gusts hit 35 miles per hour at times. But wind is a hard thing to photograph, too... even with a BRAND NEW CAMERA. So Roxie agreed to be my "wind model." I don't think this gust was 35 miles per hour. It was probably in the 20 to 25 mile per hour range. And that's my expert opinion!

Day 108 - December 11, 2010

Day 108 - December 11, 2010
Wow! Major progress has been made since my December 7 Picture of the Day. After our baking session yesterday afternoon, my friend, Julie, sat down and put together the entire border of our Faulkner Family/Friend Christmas puzzle. Of course, I was very helpful in the "finding the edge pieces" department. And I'm very good at the "finding the pieces that accidentally stuck together when the puzzle was boxed up" department. Other than that, I'm pretty useless. Well, unless you count being good company and saying "Yea! You found another piece that fits!" useful. That's what I am. I'm a puzzle cheerleader! (Stay tuned for the finished project. Remember... the goal is January 1, 2011 or 2012. No pressure.)

Day 107 - December 10, 2010

Day 107 - December 10, 2010
Let's bake some cookies. It was Tuggle/Faulkner Cookie Baking Night. These chicks made Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies. Well, actually, they mixed up two big batches... then Roxie and Kelci kind of left the vicinity of the kitchen. Allie hung in there for a little while longer filling tray after tray with green cookie dough. But even she lost interest after a little while. Three more hours of baking paled in comparison to the trampoline, hot dogs and movies. (Oh. And we renamed the cookies. Mint Chocolate Chip just didn't sound festive enough. They are now and will forever be known as Grinch Cookies. Pretty clever, huh?)

Day 106 - December 9, 2010

Day 106 - December 9, 2010
Let the holidays begin! The Boy is back in town! I don't need a Christmas present under the tree. (Well, except for a new wallet... and some brown boots... and some dangly earrings... and a new Martha Stewart Living subscription.) Hmmm. Maybe Mikie didn't hear me say, "All I want for Christmas is the Faulkner Five to be together again." I may have spoken too hastily.

Day 105 - December 8, 2010

Day 105 - December 8, 2010
Remember? I said I had an Angel Tree. This is one of my oldest angels. I have all shapes and sizes and colors. This is a very peaceful tree to me. I like that I have a tree in my living room covered tip to trunk in angels, angels, angels. Truth be told, I like my angels MUCH better than Roxie's grumpy old nutcrackers. (Much, much better!)

Day 104 - December 7, 2010

Day 104 - December 7, 2010
Ahhh! The Faulkner Five Christmas Puzzle. One thousand pieces of good times and major family bonding. And except for the 1,000 piece part, it looks pretty easy, doesn't it? I mean, at least half of the puzzle isn't light blue sky while the other half is dark blue ocean. Surely, a family of five fairly intelligent adults and teenagers could put this kind of puzzle together before January 1, 2011. Am I right? (I know. The odds are very much against us.)

Day 103 - December 6, 2010

Day 103 - December 6, 2010
Roxie's room is progressing. Slowly, but surely, it is progressing. We still have pictures to be framed and hung, an original painting from Sips N' Strokes to be created (as well as a light switch plate), but all in all, it's coming together. I think my favorite part of her room right now is the little black Christmas tree surrounded by her nutcracker collection... and that's the part which will soon be gone. If someone had ever told me I would one day buy a black Christmas tree (on purpose), I would never have believed them. Now, if the same person told me I would dress the Big Gold Van in reindeer gear and have a Giant Santa Penguin in my front yard... Well, that I would have believed!

Day 102 - December 5, 2010

Day 102 - December 5, 2010
We love, love, love the Christmas Home Tour every year. Katie and Roxie posed in front of a great Alabama/Auburn tree. Can you tell it's separated right down the middle? Great tree! We saw a lot of beautiful decorations, pretty houses and we have tons of new ideas. I hope when I'm 90, Katie and Roxie will come by my house, pick me up and take me on the Christmas Home Tour. (Did you hear that Katie and Roxie? Did you? Could you tell it was more of a "demand" than a "request" since I've taken you both everywhere imaginable over the last 16 and 14 years! I don't want you to feel guilty or obligated or anything like that. Just saying!)

Day 101 - December 4, 2010

Day 101 - December 4, 2010
Now this is what I like to see under my tree. The Boy and Melia. Austin came home for a short 24 hour period, but after Thursday's finals, he will be home for the holidays, Baby! Melia and I are both very happy about that!

Day 100 - December 3, 2010

Day 100 - December 3, 2010
This is kind of the story of my life. "Copper. Come here, boy. Look at me. I'm over here. Here Copper. Follow the sound of my voice. Use your keen sense of hearing and look toward my voice." It's not only Copper. My kids react the same exact way. "Austin, Josh, Roxie. Come here. I've fallen and I can't get up!" Nothing. Nada. I may as well be alone in my little world. "Hey! Are you out there? Did anyone read this? Does anyone know this blog exists?" That's what I was afraid of.

Day 99 - December 2, 2010

Day 99 - December 2, 2010
Well, my dream has come true. The Big Gold Van is now the Big Gold Reindeer. Mikie bought me the "kit" last night, and it was promptly hidden by Roxie. This morning after I dropped her off at school, she sent me a text (before school began, of course), and told me where she had hidden the kit. That was her way of saying I could "accessorize" the Big Gold Van. So far she's handling it well. My only problem with the decorations is the size. The Big Gold Van is GIGANTIC, and it only makes sense I should have much bigger antlers and a red nose the size of a dinner plate. I don't like to complain, but I may have to modify the Big Gold Reindeer in the next day or so. We'll see.

Day 98 - December 1, 2010

Day 98 - December 1, 2010
I have the usual number of things that frighten me. I'm afraid of snakes... and sharks... and accidentally biting into a water chestnut hidden in a casserole. I'm afraid my Zumba instructor will one day ask me to leave the class because I'm not getting any better... at all. I'm afraid my grandchildren will be born and raised in a foreign country... and I'm afraid of the airplane I'll have to board to get to them once a month for the rest of their lives. I'm afraid Roxie will fall in love and marry a man totally covered in tattoos who has multiple body piercings, a heart of gold and a Harley. I'm afraid my grandchildren will think it's okay to ride a Harley. So you see... I have all the normal fears women my age have. Except for one. I am afraid to paint. I am terrified I will mess something up if I paint it. I'm afraid it will be sloppy, or drippy or totally unacceptable. So what do I pick out for my first painting project. Something easy, right? WRONG! I'm painting some of Roxie's furniture black to go in her new room. BLACK! Tune in to A Simple Life tomorrow to see the finished product. The room's still a work in progress, but it is definitely coming along. (I would say "coming along nicely," but I'm also afraid I'll jinx the "painting with black paint" thing.) I know. I have issues.

Day 97 - November 30, 2010

Day 97 - November 30, 2010
Tonight Roxie and I attended her Volleyball Banquet. Mikie and Josh attended the Christmas Choir Concert. I don't know what we used to do when all three of the kids had something on the same night. I am sure I handled it in my usual calm, go-with-the-flow manner. Not! But back to the Banquet. Jim N' Nicks catered the event, and as always, it was very good. Roxie can put the grub away. I don't know where she puts it, but at least one meal a day looks like this... and the brothers (and Dad) had better keep their fingers and forks away!

Day 96 - November 29, 2010

Day 96 - November 29, 2010
Fun fact for you... I collect Disney ornaments. This specific ornament is from a collection of miniature Disney decorations with the original character faces. It hangs on a little wire tree and acts as the centerpiece for my dining room table. However, in one of my dresser drawers in my bedroom, I have many, many more Disney ornaments. One day, I will have a tree in my bedroom filled from top to bottom with hundreds of these special decorations. I've already got a special name picked out for the tree, too. It will be my "When You Wish Upon a Star" tree, and the tree topper with be a huge... Well, I guess you know what the tree topper will be, don't you? (Let's not mention this to Mikie. There's no sense getting him upset and nervous about adding another tree to our home. I'll give him a year or two to adjust to the giant Santa Penguin inflatable, and I'll spring it on him then. He can only take so much Christmas spirit!)

Day 95 - November 28, 2010

Day 95 - November 28, 2010
Some of Mikie's family joined us for soup and cornbread after church today. We rotate Thanksgiving between his family and mine each year. (We celebrated with my family this year.) Since we were missing Grandma and Grandpa (and Aunt Becky, of course), they came to our house for a visit. In a few short weeks, we'll all be together for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner started out as a couple... and now the family has grown to 13. We'll be taking a "big" family pic for Christmas, and I'll share that with you as the Picture of the Day! (Because The Enchanting Belinda will be in that one!)

Day 94 - November 27, 2010

Day 94 - November 27, 2010
Well, we went to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our Christmas tree, and guess who we saw? That's right. My Josh, the lumberjack. Austin and Roxie did the cutting. Josh did the hauling, shaking, chainsaw trimming, bagging and loading. It was a very busy day at the farm, but he seemed to be enjoying the people and the work. I was very proud of him, and except for the chainsaw part, I was pretty impressed with his lumberjack skills. Don't get me wrong. He probably did fine with the chainsaw, but as a mother, I felt the need to look away before I yelled something crazy like, "Be careful!" or "Put that chainsaw down!" or "Does your mother know you use that particular piece of equipment?" Yep. It's best to go look at Christmas ornaments in the Christmas shop during chainsaw time.

Day 93 - November 26, 2010

Day 93 - November 26, 2010
Black Friday, Baby! We tried something a little different this year. There were 20 stores opening at midnight. We decided to get up at 2:00 a.m. and visit those stores before the Galleria let the millions of other shoppers in at 4:00 a.m. Do these chicks look like they have had less than four hours sleep and it is 2:24 a.m.? Do they? (There's a reason there isn't a picture of the moms as my Picture of the Day.) It was a good day, but we have finally perfected the whole experience for our group. Next year, we will stay up until 10:00 p.m. or so, sleep until 6:00 a.m., head straight to the small, busy stores with huge lines (Bath & Body Works, Hollister, etc.), and just take our time with the rest of the mall. It was a unanimous decision that the time we spend together in the hotel the night of Thanksgiving is just as important as the shopping itself. Sleep deprivation notwithstanding, Monica, Roxie and Katie were troopers and we had a wonderful time.

Day 92 - November 25, 2010

Day 92 - November 25, 2010
Of course, on Thanksgiving Day I'm not going to have a Body Pump pic to share! These are some of the people I'm most thankful for this holiday. My MamMa, Roxie and Zac. The matriarch of our family, MamMa will turn 90 in February. The youngest of our clan, Zac will become a teenager the same month. We are very blessed to have a family which spans 13 to 90 years... and everyone in between!

Day 91 - November 24, 2010

Day 91 - November 24, 2010
Roxie made her first pecan pie for Thanksgiving. She did a great job (as you can see), and she made the mistake of saying, "I want to bake more pies." Holiday pie baking duties have now been assigned to the eager 14 year-old... who may regret her words in the very near future.

Day 90 - November 23, 2010

Day 90 - November 23, 2010
This is my first Christmas card of the 2010 Season. Only 99 to go. Thank you, Aunt Connie! (What are the rest of you waiting for?)

Day 89 - November 22, 2010

Day 89 - November 22, 2010
We're feeling very rebellious at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) for some reason. Tonight, Roxie and her friend, Ragan, made Christmas cookies... and listened to Christmas music... and watched a made-for-television Christmas movie (with Mario Lopez, no less). I can honestly say, this is unprecedented. Mike refuses to partake of the Christmas cookies. Maybe next year we'll make him some Thanksgiving cookies shaped like turkeys. I'll have to look around for that special cookie cutter. And maybe Mario Lopez will make a Thanksgiving movie we can all watch together. That would fix everything.

Day 88 - November 21, 2010

Day 88 - November 21, 2010
Well? What do you think? Is he everything I told you he would be? I LOVE HIM! After the 1,000,000th time Mikie told me he wasn't putting up Christmas decorations BEFORE Thanksgiving, I finally gave up. Normally, I agree with Mikie on this issue. I like to enjoy Thanksgiving and start decorating the days following... But I really, really wanted my Santa Penguin inflated for some reason. Late Saturday night, I wasn't feeling very well. In fact, I was feeling very, very "yuck." Mikie, having pity on my poor sickly self, put up my Santa Penguin around 11:00 o'clock last night to make me feel better. And it worked... a little. But I feel much, much better now. I feel good enough to pose with my 9' friend! This is the one and only Christmas decoration you'll see on Faulkner Farms (circa 1842) until next weekend, but I think he'll do until then!

Day 87 - November 20, 2010

Day 87 - November 20, 2010
I thought I would have a picture of my giant Santa Penguin for Day 87 of Belinda's Project Life. I really and truly did. When I left at 3:32 this afternoon to run errands and pick up Roxie from Grandmother's, I just knew when I returned home at 5:47, I would turn the corner on my street and see the glow of the Santa Penguin. But, alas, Mikie failed me. So, I'm still not talking to him. Instead I'm going to share a picture of something pretty cool. They sell lumberjack accessories at Wal-Mart! Did you know that? These are called "Toastitoes." (Very catchy.) And I'm sure all the hunters out there think Toastitoes are hunting accessories... and all Christmas parade participants think "Toastitoes" are Christmas parade participant accessories. But we lumberjack folk know "Toastitoes" are strictly lumberjack accessories. However, since Josh didn't set up my Santa Penguin either (after only nine hours at the tree farm he said he was too tired), I'm still not speaking to him, AND I'm hiding his Toastitoes. Yep. things are getting kind of tense at Faulkner Farms (circa 1842)! Very, very tense.

Day 86 - November 19, 2010

Day 86 - November 19, 2010
Mikie said, "No. No inflatables until the Friday after Thanksgiving." (Mikie and I aren't speaking right now.)

Josh said, "No. I'm a Christmas Lumberjack, and I'm tired from working at the Christmas tree farm all evening." (I'm no longer speaking to Josh either.) Someone has to be the adult in this family, and since it isn't going to be me, you would think one of these guys would step up to the plate. Tune in tomorrow. This fight isn't over yet!

Day 85 - November 18, 2010

Day 85 - November 18, 2010
Do you know what this is? Do you? It's the box that holds the inflatable Santa Penguin I spied a week or so ago at Wal-Mart. The Santa Penguin is inside the box. The box is in my house! That's right. It's mine, Baby! I don't think I'll be able to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to inflate my JOY and my Santa Penguin. In fact, I am sure I will not wait. Oh... and one more thing. I thought the inflatable was only 8 feet tall. You can see clearly on the box it is 9 feet tall. He is HUGE! He will quite possibly be the tallest Christmas inflatable in our entire town. Not that it's a competition or anything like that. I'm just saying! Be looking for my picture with my Santa Penguin in the next few days because you know it's coming!

Day 84 - November 17, 2010

Day 84 - November 17, 2010
This is called "practicing before practice." It's kind of like when I was pregnant with Roxie, and I wasn't able to clean the house for three weeks because of "complications." I had a lady come to the house and clean for me... heavenly! But before she would arrive, I would pick up everything, clean the kitchen, wash down the bathrooms and vacuum a few of the rooms. You know. So she wouldn't think less of me. "Cleaning before the lady who cleans your house comes" and "practicing before practice" are practically the same thing. Kind of unnecessary, but we're crazy enough to do it anyway!

Day 83 - November 16, 2010

Day 83 - November 16, 2010
Usually, I have on dress pants, a silky blouse, pearls, heels and full make-up when Mikie arrives home in the evenings. NOT! Tonight was Body Pump night, so I have on my sweats, socks and ugly gray t-shirt. "What's with the shoes?" you may ask. I had to deliver something to my friends, Cam and Joan, and I was too sore to bend over and tie my tennis shoes... Thus, the attractive brown slip-ons. Bending over to tie your shoes is one of those things you give up when you start exercising a lot. Also, I'm pricing recliners that actually lift you from a sitting position to a standing position when you push a button. As I get healthier and healthier, I'm pretty sure that's going to be my next big purchase. Well, that and slip-on tennis shoes.

Day 82 - November 15, 2010

Day 82 - November 15, 2010
This is a Tuggle. To be exact, this is the youngest Tuggle. His name is Bryant. He is the brother of Kelci and Allie who are on the volleyball AND basketball teams. He gets to hang around after school a LONG time on game days, and as you can imagine, it is sheer torture for a guy this age to wait from 3:00 to 5:45 when he could be doing all sorts of other interesting things... like playing X-Box. I come home after Julie (Bryant's mom) and I feed the chicks on the team. Julie has to hang around because she is the official "something or other." On the days I come home for an hour or so until game time, this Tuggle tags along. If Josh is home, he plays X-Box with him, but if Josh is gone, he's still pretty content. I like him. I like him a lot. When I asked him if he would be my Picture of the Day, instead of groaning and gnashing his teeth, he said, "Sure." Is this a great kid, or what?

Day 81 - November 14, 2010

Day 81 - November 14, 2010
Josh started his new job today, and I'm very excited about it. It's one of those professions you don't hear much about these days. Well, not in this part of the world. Josh is a now an official lumberjack! That's right. He's working at a Christmas tree farm down the road. OUR Christmas tree farm. The Christmas tree farm we have gone to for the past 16 years to cut down our family tree. Since it is seasonal work, I guess technically he is a Christmas Lumberjack... which is still pretty impressive. He was tired, dirty, hungry and sore when he came home... Just what you would expect from a lumberjack. (I think this is going to look so cool on a resume, don't you?)

Day 80 - November 13, 2010

Day 80 - November 13, 2010
The Faulkner Five supported three Alabama football teams today... JSU, Auburn AND Alabama. Mikie and his folks went to Jacksonville to watch the Southerners and the game. Roxie went to Tuscaloosa with a friend to see her "first ever" Alabama game. And Josh and I (and a friend) stayed home to support the Auburn Tigers. Needless to say, I only cooked for two of the Faulkner Five today. The other three were on their own! Sliders for all the Auburn supporters! (Sliders aren't a daily occurrence at our household, but they make an appearance at least once a week!)

Day 79 - November 12, 2010

Day 79 - November 12, 2010
It's fun to have fans in the stand. And fans with a sign... Well, that's just icing on the cake. Ragan and Laci were very supportive friends. They even added glitter. Alas, we needed more than just a sign to get a win tonight. But there's always Monday night... and hopefully, another sign... and more fans... and maybe a milkshake after the game! Yeah. Win or lose, that would be a good game!

Day 78 - November 11, 2010

Day 78 - November 11, 2010
When we drove into our driveway today, Roxie said, "I love this. I love the leaves, the colors, the beagles running around the house when we pull in, the red tree beside our neighbor's blue house. All of it." And then she sighed. I feel that way when I drive toward home. My favorite thing isn't necessarily this "messy... needs to be raked" view from our driveway. For me, it is the crunch of the acorns in the street in front of our house as I drive along, the red door, the mums (or begonias or ferns depending on the season), the flag fluttering in the breeze. All of it. I guess what Roxie and I are trying to say is we just love coming home.

Day 77 - November 10, 2010

Day 77 - November 10, 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Yes, sir. You know Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is just around the corner when the Snowflakes go up all over our downtown area. I'm always interested to see what other towns use as their Christmas decorations. I've seen Santas, Christmas Bells, Candles, etc., but in my mind, nothing is better than the Snowflake. It is just the right color, and because it is a Snowflake, it is at home on the telephone pole November, December AND January. It signifies winter just as much as it signifies Christmas time. If I was an elected city official (which I know we are all glad I AM NOT), I definitely would have voted for the Snowflakes. Definitely.

Day 76 - November 9, 2010

Day 76 - November 9, 2010
Don't hate me because I have well-defined calf muscles. I'm beginning my fourth (and perhaps final) week of Zumba and Body Pump. I was on the way to the couch for yet another face-down picture when Roxie stopped me and took this photo. Pretty impressive, isn't it? I would like to say it was the product of Zumba and Body Pump, but I think It may be from 12 years of walking. Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's where it came from. And forget what I said before. If you want to hate me because I have well-defined calf muscles, that's okay by me!

Day 75 - November 8, 2010

Day 75 - November 8, 2010
Well, tonight's game was a violent one. No. Roxie's ankle is fine, but she had a little limp so it had to be checked by the trainer. What concerned me was the girl who had Roxie's head between her knees... on the ground... and repeatedly kept trying to remove her head from her body. That bothered me a lot. And it concerned me when Roxie finally removed her head from the knee-crushing girl and started to "bob and weave," which in the Faulkner household means one thing... someone is about to face Roxie's Wrath. While we don't worry about Roxie being arrested in the safety of her own home, we try very hard not to let Roxie's Wrath be seen in public. "Why didn't you take a picture of that?" That's the question you're probably asking right now, isn't it? Well, I didn't want any documented evidence... like a picture... on a blog. I'm not planning on "that" ever being photographed!

Day 74 - November 7, 2010

Day 74 - November 7, 2010
I always say, "Never say never," but I think this may be the last Mystery Bag Party. If it is indeed the last, I can honestly say we went out with a "BANG!" Joan, Cam, Jenny, Ann, Becki, Dawn and I had a very nice afternoon together doing a few of my favorite things (eating, taking pictures and eating some more) at some of my favorite places (Klingler's, Aldridge Gardens and Flip Burger). Dawn and Jenny were two-timers (meaning they have each attended a prior Mystery Bag Party), but they had so much fun the first time, they wanted to come back for more, more, more. Making new friends, strengthening old friendships and just having a good ol' time is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Day 73 - November 6, 2010

Day 73 - November 6, 2010
We have no shame! Roxie, Katie and I spent the evening at Christmas Village (as is our custom), and we took advantage of the very professional photo op at the front door. (A friend who happened to be walking by offered to take a pic with me included.) It was a very good show this year with several new booths. Roxie and Katie both bought new shirts. I was happy just testing all the new dips offered this season. Delicious! It was a fun way to spend three or four hours with my daughter and niece. (Oh, and the strollers didn't bother me a bit. It was wonderful seeing all the beautiful babies dressed up in their finest little outfits. I loved it. I even spent a little time watching a young man sit on Santa's lap and very seriously tell him everything he wanted for Christmas. He looked like a very good little boy, so I'm hoping Santa will come through with the loot!)

Day 72 - November 5, 2010

Day 72 - November 5, 2010
It's not the best picture of The Boy. You may even wonder why I bothered using it. Why is it special enough to be my Picture of the Day? Well, because today is Friday. Austin hasn't been home on Friday since August. He's been home on a few Saturdays and most Sundays... but a Friday. Now, that's something worth documenting! No game AND/or exhibition. It's going to be a good weekend!

Day 71 - November 4, 2010

Day 71 - November 4, 2010
This is where I park the Big Gold Van each and every day. I don't pull further down into the driveway because I block the basketball goal. I ALWAYS park beside the shrubbery which grows on our retaining wall. I don't know what it is. It was there when we moved into the house nine years ago. I've given you all this trivial information for a reason. There is something quite large living in the shrubbery. I came outside today to get into my car and the bushes were violently moving. Growling noises were being made. Something bigger was evidently eating something smaller in the bushes beside the Big Gold Van. My guess is a badger or wolverine has moved into the shrubbery growing on my retaining wall beside my driveway. I've been an avid Animal Planet fan since Austin was a little guy... almost 18 years now. I know the damage an angry badger or wolverine can do to the unsuspecting housewife. If they ever get hold of a person, you cannot beat them off with a stick. (I saw that on Man vs. Wild once, too.) "How did you get in your van to run your errands?" I'm glad you asked. I made a big circle AWAY from the shaking, growling shrubbery and crawled through the back of the van to the front of the van. When I arrived home from any destination today, I blew my horn... long and loud. The bushes stirred, but it obviously scared the badger and/or wolverine long enough for me to make it to the front door without being attacked. Mikie doesn't believe me, so guess who is going to do a badger and/or wolverine check tonight at 11:00 p.m.? That's right. Mr. Non-Believer is going outside with only a flashlight and small stick... and I bet IF and when he comes back he'll be a believer! (I know the "better" Picture of the Day would be of a badger or wolverine. However, I tend to throw whatever I'm holding at the moment at any and all attacking animals... and I'm not risking tossing my BRAND NEW CAMERA at an animal. I once threw Baby Austin at a Great Dane who ran up to me and barked. But that's another story... and another reason I haven't won "Mother of the Year" yet.)

Day 70 - November 3, 2010

Day 70 - November 3, 2010
One day I will like this, but today... not so much. Today we had some painting done in our home. Roxie asked for a new bedroom for her birthday and Christmas, so she picked out "Tidal Teal" for the accent wall and white for the remaining three walls. The bed is leaving and being replaced by a BLACK iron bed. New bedding, rug, pillows, picture frames and accessories (mostly black and black print) will make this room more 14 year-old girl friendly. But it takes a little time, and this part drives me CRAZY! The bed will be here Friday, and we can start moving things to their proper place in the room. Until then, chaos will reign. Thank goodness for doors! And thank goodness this is NOT a daily part of my life!

Day 69 - November 2, 2010

Day 69 - November 2, 2010
It was a big day in our family today! It was Austin's first time to vote in an election. He registered in time, but he didn't make the cut-off for an absentee ballot. Sadly (NOT), he had to drive all the way from JSU to our little town to cast his vote. He surprised Roxie at the Tip-Off Tournament, and although the Lady Rockets didn't win again tonight, Roxie was awarded one of two All County Certificates. (And since Austin is the brother of an All County VIP, he got to eat in the Hospitality Suite! Even without a win, it was a very good night!)

Day 68 - November 1, 2010

Day 68 - November 1, 2010
Basketball season has begun. Roxie is doing one of two things... She is vehemently disagreeing with a call made by a ref, OR she's singing Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts. I choose to believe the Rascal Flatts' version. (Oh, and by the way... We won our first game of the Tip-Off Tournament 28 to 21. Sing, Roxie! Sing!)

Day 67 - October 31, 2010

Day 67 - October 31, 2010
I'm having a little deja vu. When Roxie was two years-old, she was a red M & M. She wore a white turtleneck, white tights and white Keds. Her hair was cut in a cute little bob and she was precious. Twelve years later, she sees a kid wearing one of these and asks where she bought it. I ran to K-Mart before church this morning and got the last one... 50% off! The unique and fun thing about this M & M costume is the fact it has a battery pack AND it is an inflatable. That's right. There's a cool breeze blowing inside that M & M suit. Genius. Pure genius. (I'm wearing it next year. I've already called it!)

Day 66 - October 30, 2010

Day 66 - October 30, 2010
Unless you're a Survivor fan, the Picture of the Day will probably not make sense to you. At 17, Josh wasn't really into "dressing up" for Halloween. However, 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave for our annual Hobo Dinner at Grandmother's, he told me he would be back in a few minutes. He walked in with the hat and the 'buff." The perfect shirt was hanging in the closet and the khaki shorts completed the outfit. Josh went as Russell from Survivor... one of the best players EVER to appear on the show. The only thing missing from being the perfect Russell was a 5 o'clock shadow... which his Aunt Bev happily applied once we arrived at Grandmother's. He looked pretty sharp. And to make the night a total success, one woman finally recognized him. (We discovered there aren't too many Survivor fans out there!)

Day 65 - October 29, 2010

Day 65 - October 29, 2010
This is a sad, sad day. Not only is every tiny part of my body screaming with pain (and I mean EVERY TINY PART), but I did the unthinkable. When I ordered my small McDonald's Caramel Frappe' to make the pain go away, I asked the girl at the window to give me the sheet with all of the content information. It was bad. It was very, very bad. Not counting fat content and caloric content, the one number I really have to be aware of is the carbohydrate count. As a diabetic, I am allowed 45 carbs per meal and 15 carbs per snack. This tiny, tiny cup of Caramel Frappe' goodness contains... are you ready for it... 62 grams of carbs. OH... MY... WORD! That's more than my lunch AND my 3:00 snack. So, without really knowing it, I ordered my LAST McDonald's Caramel Frappe' today. And because of Body Pump, I cannot tell what is frappe' withdrawal pain and what is Body Pump pain. I'm a mess. (I could really use a frappe' right now to get me over the hump!)

Day 64 - October 28, 2010

Day 64 - October 28, 2010
Okay. So this is getting a little repetitive. But this is not from Zumba. If you recall, my second Zumba picture I was sitting in an upright position on the couch. And every Zumba class has gotten a little better. Nope. This picture is brought to you today by our friends at "BODY PUMP." That's right. I let my insane Zumba buddies, Joan and Lauren, talk me into taking a Body Pump class. It's a lot of weight lifting, Today we worked on lunges and biceps. I think the last time I actually lunged was in 1993 when I was holding baby Joshua and toddler Austin ran from me in the church parking lot. Yeah. I'm pretty sure that was the last time. And I remember thinking to myself, "I'm never going to lunge again. It was quite unpleasant." Sixteen years later, it isn't better. Anyway, I didn't make it facedown on the couch, and I certainly didn't make it sitting up on the couch. But I was a proud "hardbody wannabe" when I was able to get the "core" part of my body on the couch. I would have to say Body Pump was a huge success, wouldn't you?

Day 63 - October 27, 2010

Day 63 - October 27, 2010
The last week has been Doctor Week around here. Yesterday, I visited my favorite doctor... my rhuematologist. He's been my doctor for 11 years now, and I see him every six months or so. When he asked me how everything was going, we discussed my various aches and pains, but then he grabbed my feet. "My toes are killing me," I told him. "Yep. You've got some big ol' toes there," he replied. What the heck was that supposed to mean? For one thing, my toes are perfectly in proportion to my feet AND the rest of my body. They are NOT big ol' toes. Secondly, as anyone can plainly see, it's not like my toes are so gigantic just "existing" would make them hurt. I was a little perturbed, but because he is my favorite doctor (as I stated earlier), I was willing to overlook his faux pas. But then he did something that may have damaged our doctor/patient relationship beyond repair. He picked up one of my new black slingback shoes I had just bought for church AND doctor visits. They have a one inch heel and they are totally comfortable. "What is this?" he asked holding it up by it's pretty black strap. "Those are my new shoes," I replied. I was getting a little agitated with him now. "Well, if you're going to wear heels, then your toes are going to hurt. You have osteoarthritis. You have to wear sensible shoes." Okay. That was just about enough. "Yes, I have osteoarthritis, AND my toes hurt, but I am 49 years-old, and if I want to wear a one inch heel strappy shoe to church on Sunday morning for 90 minutes and to the doctor's office once every six months for TWO HOURS, I don't see the harm!" We were at a standoff. "The next time you come into the office, I expect to see you in tennis shoes." I know. It's time to get a new doctor. When a doctor becomes familiar enough with you to criticize your shoe selection AND the size of various body parts... Well, let's just say his days are numbered. And I am not being too dramatic and emotional because of menopause. (I'm currently looking for a new OB/GYN, too, because my old one suggested my behavior was a little erratic. Can you imagine? Me? Erratic? I think we can all agree that's not possible!)

Day 62 - October 26, 2010

Day 62 - October 26, 2010
These are a few of my favorite things. I have ALWAYS loved Winnie-the-Pooh. The movies, the books, the characters... all of it. I love the word "blustery," and today in our little part of the world it was quite "blustery." I love fall colors. I love taking a picture of something or someone close up and the subject is clear as clear can be, but the background is fuzzy. I love simple, little things, and today has been very simple. Very simple, indeed.

Day 61 - October 25, 2010

Day 61 - October 25, 2010
This is becoming an "almost" everyday event in my life. Meet Mia. Mia belongs to my friend, Dee, who lives a few houses down. Mia is like the Energizer Bunny on Caramel Frappes. Her energy knows no bounds. She is smart, too. Although Dee and family plug up hole after hole after hole in her big fenced-in backyard, Mia manages to escape quite often... "almost" daily. And while she wants to get out of her very nice yard, she doesn't wander too far away. This morning when I pulled into my driveway from walking, Mia was sitting on my front porch beside my burgundy mums. I let her run around the yard for a few minutes before I put her in the "dog room" we have in our unfinished basement. One of our big goals in life (mine and Dee's) is to keep Mia safe in between plugging up fence holes. And so far, so good!

Day 60 - October 24, 2010

Day 60 - October 24, 2010
This is Roxie and her cousin, Monica. Roxie is 16 days older than Monica, which in cousin-speak means "automatic BFF." Although the girls live in different counties, each year these two get together for their birthdays and do something "special" together. Today, we ate at Chili's and went to Charming Charlie's to shop. Oh, and did I mention Roxie and Monica got their ears pierced... again. They are now "double-pierced" with tiny, cute studs above the original hole. Roxie handled the piercing much like she did the eyebrow waxing earlier in the week... not very quietly. However, both girls recovered. BFFs for 14 years. Now that's an accomplishment to be proud of!

Day 59 - October 23, 2010

Day 59 - October 23, 2010
True love means you never have to apologize for not smelling fresh as a daisy! Austin had marched in the Homecoming Parade, played some football, played in the pre-show, played at halftime AND played in the after-show. He's a deodorant commercial waiting to happen. But Melia didn't seem to mind. Ahhh... To be 19 and 18 years-old again. It was a very good day!

Day 58 - October 22, 2010

Day 58 - October 22, 2010
There's a reason I don't usually watch documentaries... even one about babies. There's no animation and there's no "acting." There were no "words" spoken in this movie except a few mumblings in the background. It really and truly was just a video of four different babies from four different parts of the world filmed from birth to 14 months old. It took me some time to become comfortable with the "no words" thing... and the "no animation" thing... and the "no plot" thing, but all in all it was interesting. This was my favorite baby. He lives in Africa, and in this scene, he was playing in the dirt and the object in his hand and mouth was some sort of animal bone. The mother was watching him because seconds after this picture was taken, a hand reached down... but instead of grabbing the dirty bone out of his mouth, she gently rubbed his head. In one scene, the Mongolian baby was taking a nap and a rooster jumped on the bed and walked all around him. That's right! A rooster! It's a good Documentary as far as documentaries go. Watching this type movie is not part of my everyday life, but I'm trying to grow as a human being! I see more documentaries in my future... or maybe not.

Day 57 - October 21, 2010

Day 57 - October 21, 2010
Now this is what I'm talking about. Nestle... Making Warm Chocolatey Memories. Whoever came up with this is a marketing genius, I tell you! I've always thought if I hadn't gone to college to get a teaching certificate... and then continued working as a legal secretary for seven years after I received the teaching certificate... I would have enjoyed a career in Marketing. I don't know if I would have been very good at coming up with the ideas, but I definitely have a knack for appreciating a good idea. And I must say, I'm not too shabby when it comes to thinking up catchy little phrases. I mean, I am now known far and wide as The Enchanting Belinda. And correct me if I'm wrong, but when you see a Big Gold Van, who is the first person you think of? Me... right? Yeah. I could definitely have a career in marketing. Definitely!

Day 56 - October 20, 2010

Day 56 - October 20, 2010
Zumba... Part Two. I am getting better. I am sitting up... kind of. Tonight was almost totally different from last week, so if I thought I was going to learn the steps I didn't know Thursday, I was mistaken. The African music was nowhere to be found, and the instructor added a Greek dance to the exercise routine. I LOVED the Greek dance. All I needed was a plate to break! As of this moment, I am not in any pain, but I took the liberty of taking some medication PRIOR to the class tonight! Things I like about Zumba... I like the word "Zumba." I like the warm-up song. I like the warm-down song. I like the little sarong with jingles attached to it. Oh, and I like the new Greek dance. Things I do NOT like about Zumba... I do not like any exercises that work on my "core." I do not know exactly what part of my body that is, but those exercises do not go with me and my 49 year-old self. I do not like standing on one foot and balancing. At this point in my life, it seems very unlikely I will ever need to stand on one foot for any length of time. I don't like the Samba. It is too fast and too frenetic. Oh... and I don't particularly like clapping my hands over my head. (It just seems like a waste of good energy.) Other than that, I'm hooked. I'll be there tomorrow night!

Day 55 - October 19, 2010

Day 55 - October 19, 2010
I have seen this chick bounce, not once, but many times across a volleyball court on her hands and knees. I've seen a volleyball spiked into her face breaking her glasses, not once, but twice! I've seen her bounce off girls on the basketball court and land squarely on her bottom. She has had busted lips, busted knees and jammed fingers. She has been held upside down by "the brothers," fought in vicious acorn fights (and won) and has had several bike wrecks. She has even had a bad hair day or two. But never has she made a face like this during all those painful experiences. Beauty hurts... and obviously from her reaction, eyebrow waxing hurts the most!

Day 54 - October 18, 2010

Day 54 - October 18, 2010
Roxie and I enjoyed a little time at Hanceville Drug Company today. I know. I know. We're out of school for the day and the first thing we do is drive to Hanceville... to a drug store? That's right. This particular drugstore has red patent booths and stools and a REAL old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Roxie had cotton candy ice cream (which is a stretch for Miss Vanilla, let me tell you), and I shared a chocolate malt with another friend. Although it isn't something we do every day, wouldn't that be a fun goal? How many old-fashioned ice cream parlors can you find and try in a year? My Zumba instructor would probably say this was not a good goal at all... but I don't remember asking her!

Day 53 - October 17, 2010

Day 53 - October 17, 2010
More hiking. That's the description of our last day at DeSoto. The only thing missing from this fall weekend was Austin. He not only had to play at the JSU game, but he had an exhibition AFTER the game. He missed out, but, as always, he LOVES being a Marching Southerner!

Day 52 - October 16, 2010

Day 52 - October 16, 2010
After spending the morning in Mentone, Alabama and enjoying a picnic under tons of fall foliage, we decided to hike while Mikie and Josh went to the room to watch the Auburn game. Grandmother, Aunt Bev, Katie and Zac rode up to spend the day with us, and we had a lot of fun walking the trails of the park. (Zac's shirt was a mistake. He totally blends into his surroundings. He needed red or orange or bright blue. ANYTHING but gray camo. At least he didn't wear khaki pants with gray camo. My one and only pet peeve!)

Day 51 - October 15, 2010

Day 51 - October 15, 2010
We had every intention of camping at Guntersville this weekend. However, around 10:30 Friday morning, everthing started to change. We were going to have to take two cars because we had not had time to swap vehicles with Austin to get his truck. We were coming back Sunday afternoon instead of Monday because Josh and Roxie had some "friend" things they wanted to participate in, and Mikie and I were more than willing to oblige. Mikie wasn't getting off work until after noon on Friday, so we probably would not have left the house until 1:00 or 2:00 Friday afternoon. It was just becoming TOO complicated. Since we had already camped once this year (last spring), I decided we would try something a little different. I checked the "Vacation" envelope for funds, called a few State Parks and settled on DeSoto State Park Lodge in Fort Payne. Affordable. Bathroom only two steps away. Rocking chairs outside our room. Nineteen miles of hiking trails. AND nearby Mentone was having a Fall Festival this weekend. Uh... Can you say no-brainer? After a leisurely 90-minute drive, Mikie and I were happily rockin'. It was going to be a good weekend.

Day 50 - October 14, 2010

Day 50 - October 14, 2010
I would love to be able to say, "I took a Zumba class, and I ROCKED!" Instead, I have to say, "I took a Zumba class, and while very enjoyable, I did NOT rock." NOTE - I am going back. There will be more pictures on A Simple Life tomorrow (along with a narrative). I no longer love African music. Oh, and I'm going to bed at 6:32 p.m.

Day 49 - October 13, 2010

Day 49 - October 13, 2010
One of the October Photography Challenges I'll be sharing with you Friday on A Simple Life was called "What Screams Fall To You?" At first, I couldn't really pick just one thing, but then it became very obvious as I stopped at our local grocery store this morning. It isn't the most beautiful display in the world, but as soon as I see the bales of hay and the pumpkins on the curb, my heart starts beating a little faster and I check my money envelope labeled "Pumpkins and Gourds." (I keep that envelope between the "Family Vacation" and "Wedding Fund" envelopes. I know. I'm pathetic!) So while this picture will not win any rewards, it absolutely DOES scream "FALL IS HERE, ENCHANTING BELINDA! IT IS HERE AT LAST!" Can you hear it?

Day 48 - October 12, 2010

Day 48 - October 12, 2010
This isn't what you think. You think I have ten bags of garbage in my music room, don't you? Nope. I have TEN bags of Hannah Home giveaways! TEN, Baby! And the truck is coming this Friday. By Friday, I hope to have at least five or six more bags. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to remove things from my house. I never call Hannah Home unless I have at least TEN bags or boxes. I pile them high on my front porch... like a small mountain... and I anxiously await the arrival of the truck. It's a wonderful, wonderful feeling. (And if you really want to see the ecstatic Enchanting Belinda, come over when Mikie puts an old weed eater or boat oar or large box of "I don't know what it is" with my pile of TEN bags. I am happy for weeks, I tell you... WEEKS!)

Day 47 - October 11, 2010

Day 47 - October 11, 2010
Do you see it? Do you see what I have to put up with? I buy this gorgeous pumpkin, and then chipmunks start nibbling holes. This isn't the only damage either, My swan gourd looks like it has been under attack, too. I'm glad this wasn't my $15.89 pumpkin. It is apparent to me now if I do indeed purchase the $15.89 pumpkin, it will have to be displayed prominently INSIDE my home! Cute or not, Chip and Dale better watch out. We don't take kindly to pumpkin tampering in these here parts! (And just so you know, I am aware there are ALL kinds of grammatical errors in that last sentence. It was supposed to be a joke!)

Day 46 - October 10, 2010

Day 46 - October 10, 2010
He has returned... bearing gifts... uh, sort of. (I have very low expectations. You can tell, because I just accepted "the gift of laundry." I have got to get out more!)

Day 45 - October 9, 2010

Day 45 - October 9, 2010
This is not an everyday occurrence in our life. It is an ANNUAL occurrence! Roxie decided not to participate in our middle school pageant this year. However, that did not mean she would not be attending the festivities. Several of her friends did participate... and Ally WON! That's right. She WON! It was a wonderful evening, and Roxie enjoyed celebrating with her friend. (Roxie and Ally have been friends since the beginning. Roxie was born two days before Ally, and the rest, as they say, is history!) Two beautiful friends... and now a really cool tiara! Hey, Ally? Would you mind letting The Enchanting Belinda borrow it one day? I'll be careful with it. I promise! Oh, the pictures I could take wearing that crown!

Day 44 - October 8, 2010

Day 44 - October 8, 2010
It's Homecoming! For Roxie, Homecoming means a new dress, a photo op with friends two hours before the game AND a chick get-together afterward. For Josh, it means new clothes, a corsage for his lovely date and dinner at Chili's after halftime. (They wanted to beat the crowd!) But before these two went their separate ways, they allowed me to take a picture. STOP! BREATHE! ENJOY THE MOMENT! (And a lovely moment it was, too!)

Day 43 - October 7, 2010

Day 43 - October 7, 2010
Hi. This is me wearing my blue fleece. Because every few minutes of my life is documented, you have seen this fleece many, many times over the last two years on A Simple Life. Heck... I'm pretty sure you saw it on Project 365, too. Looking back in albums, the first picture I had made in this particular blue fleece was on my tenth anniversary when Mikie and I went to the mountains. That means I have worn this fleece (religiously) for almost 13 years. It looks brand new. There are no holes. There are no worn spots. Once I even pulled it off and used it to put out a small kitchen fire. Did it scorch it, you ask? Nope. If a bomb is ever dropped on Alabama, I'm not heading to the nearest Fallout Shelter. (I know where all of them are, by the way.) I'm crawling into my fleece... and I'm taking Mikie and the kids with me! I'm sharing this photo with you today because five months out of the year, this is sadly part of my daily life!

Day 42 - October 6, 2010

Day 42 - October 6, 2010
This is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. My Mom bought it for me several years ago because it has a pumpkin (see bottom right). What she didn't notice at the time, was it also had a clock, a horse drawn carriage, a key and a glass slipper. It's a Cinderella pin... not an autumn pin. But I like it for both reasons. What would be the perfect day for me? An October day in front of Cinderella's castle at Disney World wearing my "pumpkin" pin. Ahhh. That would be a perfect day, indeed!

Day 41 - October 5, 2010

Day 41 - October 5, 2010
One of my favorite things is to try a new, easy recipe. Especially a crockpot recipe. My friend, Joan, gave me this recipe for Chicken Corn Chowder last night, and I couldn't wait to try it for dinner. It was delicious! Sometimes on A Simple Life, I like to say, "I'm feeling very Martha Stewart-ish today," or "I'm feeling very Southern Living-ish today." Today, I felt very Joan Patrick-ish! (I ask you, Joan, how often does that happen?)

Day 40 - October 4, 2010

Day 40 - October 4, 2010
So this is what 17 looks like on Joshua... He wears it well!

Day 39 - October 3, 2010

Day 39 - October 3, 2010
We had Josh's family birthday celebration today. As is our custom, we take a picture of the birthday boy with EVERYONE! Since Katie was sick and Brad had a work meeting to attend, the Martin clan was a little short, but these three came bearing gifts so all was well! As with most pictures, there's a little story behind the photo. While I was taking this pic and telling everyone to relax, Austin was pelting Zac with acorns. You will notice he just took a blow to his wrist. Also, if you look even more closely, both of Josh's fists are closed... each containing acorn ammo. Beverly and Tommy are laughing assuming for some strange reason they will not be hit in the cross-fire. Having suffered from many acorn shots ("Sorry, Mom!"), I know what poor aim my two guys have. The Martins would be wise to get in their van and leave!

Day 38 - October 2, 2010

Day 38 - October 2, 2010
I couldn't help it. Of course, today's Picture of the Day was supposed to have something to do with tailgating. It's what I talked about on Friday. It's what I planned on Saturday. I actually have SEVERAL good tailgating pictures! But at the end of a very long day, this is the one I liked. JSU won against Murray State 40-34. It was a good game, except for the fact there was more than one BAD call from the refs in Murray State's favor. My philosophy about bad calls has always been, "Those men are only human. They make mistakes. And there isn't enough money in the world to pay me to be a referee." Thus, I don't let the kids boo or yell at refs. (In reality, Roxie has done this several times before I could get to her. She's not one to hold back unless I threaten to take her phone away from her.) In this picture, Josh and Roxie are laughing at two gentlemen directly in front of them who obviously never had a mother teach them how to act at a ball game. As you can see, it was so bad, it was comical. And since I couldn't do anything to correct the bad behavior directly in front of me, I decided to snap Roxie and Josh's reaction. Remember. They didn't start it... but they certainly did enjoy it!

Day 37 - October 1, 2010

Day 37 - October 1, 2010
This was once part of my life. The Fall Carnival. In this picture, they are just beginning to set up tents, booths and rides. Back in the day, I worked in many of these booths. My favorite was the Inflatable Bungee Pull. It was great. You would harness a kid into a... well, a harness. Then you would drag the child back to the entrance of the inflatable. When you didn't think you could hold on any longer, you turned him/her loose and watched him/her smack face-first into the soft inflatable wall. It was great fun, I tell you. And to be able to do it legally while their parents watched and cheered me on was an added bonus. Believe me. If you ever need a really good stress reliever, slinging a kid into an inflatable mountain will most definitely do the trick. (I highly recommend it.) Ahhh. I miss elementary school!

Day 36 - September 30, 2010

Day 36 - September 30, 2010
He's back! I guess most of you didn't even know he was gone, but Mikie has been in Albany, New York the last three days. And boy, did we miss him! He came home AND brought his own dinner (at 10:00 p.m. tonight)... which was wonderful, because the thought of "whipping something up" in the kitchen was not very appealing. Don't get me wrong. I would have gladly gotten in there and "whipped away," but I was thankful for his little Krystal run this late at night. Mikie doesn't travel much with his job, but when he does, we definitely notice. The house is quieter. I don't sleep as well because he takes the sleep apnea machine with him. (I miss the sound the machine makes.) Oh, and I don't smell very good because he takes the shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant, too. (I know I could run out and buy all new toiletries, but that would take a lot of money out of our "pizza every night" budget! Mostly, I just try to stay downwind from the people I love the most. Welcome home, Mikie... and hurry up and unpack the toiletries!)

Day 35 - September 29, 2010

Day 35 - September 29, 2010
We've been over this all before. I hate projects. And you would think at the ripe old age of 49, I would no longer break out into a cold sweat when then word "project" is mentioned. (I'm actually sweating as I type this.) In just a few minutes, Roxie will be finished with her Mummy Folder Project. Tomorrow she will turn it in, and sometime next week she will receive her grade. My name is not on the project, but I am still considered "support personnel." I'm invested in this little Mummy Folder Project... and I will die a thousand deaths (absolutely DIE) if we (I mean Roxie) don't get a good grade! You see, it took up a big chunk of her life. (And I had to take extra "Austin Goes to College, Josh is Driving and Roxie is a Teenager" meds since this project was assigned. See what I mean... INVESTED!)

Day 34 - September 28, 2010

Day 34 - September 28, 2010
The volleyball has officially been replaced by the basketball. Roxie has four full days of NOTHING before basketball tryouts begin Thursday. She's very close to "picking" a sport, but since volleyball season is SO short (six weeks), we have bent our rule a little concerning extracurricular activities. Since our kids outnumber us three to two, we implemented the "one extracurricular activity per kid per year" rule awhile back. It may sound harsh, but without it, we're just passing each other in the driveway! Personally, I think Roxie's pick will one day be basketball which happens to be one of my favorite spectator sports! I love that it's a fall/winter sport, and it is always held inside a gym. Gyms which have bathrooms instead of portable potties! (You've got to love indoor plumbing!)

Day 33 - September 27, 2010

Day 33 - September 27, 2010
You've seen it before on Project 365. There's a little "nip in the air" and all of sudden Sparkle has a little "pep in her step." After months of drinking water and trying to find a small spot of shade to call her own during the hot, humid summer, Sparkle is the first to celebrate the first sign of autumn. She's a lot like me. Except when the weather turns cooler, you will most likely find me sipping hot chocolate out of a pumpkin mug... not running around the yard with my ears flapping in the breeze. (Or maybe it's the other way around!)

Day 32 - September 26, 2010

Day 32 - September 26, 2010
I know. I know. Today was Roxie's family birthday celebration, so the Picture of the Day should at least include her. However, Brad just bought a red convertible... and he took all of us for a ride... and while I have a million birthday celebration pictures (which I will use on A Simple Life next week), I LOVED this one. Loved it, I tell you! Austin and Brad are our two college guys. Totally, completely unbelievable! Almost as unbelievable as Roxie being 14 years-old. Fun fact for you... When Brad took me for a ride in his red convertible, I turned A LOT of heads. That's right. This 49 year-old chick (in a convertible) has still got IT! And when I returned home from riding in the red convertible, I was shocked to look in a mirror and see I looked exactly like Jimmy Neutron... Jimmy Neutron in a wind tunnel. I love it, but the convertible is NOT my friend. (And, no. There isn't a picture!)

Day 31 - September 25, 2010

Day 31 - September 25, 2010
These two young ladies were chosen for the All County awards today in volleyball. A high honor indeed! (However, I could hardly get over the fact I was taking the picture in front of a purple and white wall while Roxie and Kelci were wearing maroon jerseys with medallions trimmed in gold and purple ribbon hanging around their necks)! Arghhh! It's a good thing these chicks are so pretty... They were able to pull it off! Congratulations! (Since it was Roxie's 14th birthday today, I let her pick the Picture of the Day. This was a good one!)

Day 30 - September 24, 2010

Day 30 - September 24, 2010
I had a very good day. I received not one, but two, gifts. My friend, Jonella, recently went on a trip, and in one week she did everything I had planned on doing when I visited Amelia Island in July. She ate at new restaurants. She spent an afternoon looking for houses of famous people who lived in the area. She was on a boat with dolphins swimming so close you could reach out and touch them (or jump in and swim with them). And she saw a real live manatee swimming in the wild. (She really did. I saw the pictures.) And look what she gave me. A little book called Mary Manatee. And guess what else. There's a manatee in the book named Mikey. It is now with my other favorite children's books... waiting for grandchildren. She also remembered I LOVE children's books. It has been an excellent Friday... and I can honestly say I'm glad she was able to experience MY perfect vacation. Well, I can say that now that I have a present. A few days ago, I was a little bitter!

Day 29 - September 23, 2010

Day 29 - September 23, 2010
Well, there she is! Roxie Co-Captain Faulkner. Roxie gave a speech in front of the entire student body Pep Rally today (along with Co-Captains Kelci and Shelby). I was amazed and impressed with the girls' eloquence and composure. They did a wonderful job! We are going into the County Tournament this weekend in second place... but we're leaving the Tournament in FIRST PLACE, BABY! Maybe I should have given the speech. I'm totally fired up... and half of my face is painted maroon and the other half is painted gray. Just saying!

Day 28 - September 22, 2010

Day 28 - September 22, 2010
Look what my friend, Cam, spotted this morning during our walk. A little snowman. He has probably been sitting in this spot ALL SUMMER LONG! He has survived 125 degree heat each and every day since May. (Yes, I exaggerate, but I'm sure most Alabamians would agree it has been UNUSUALLY sweltering these past few months.) This little fellow is a sign of things to come. He gives me hope. Thus, I have named him (as I do most things in my life). This is Bob... Bob Hope, the Snowman. There is no legal way I can take him home with me, so for now I will admire him from a distance. And if for some reason I decide to break the law in the next few weeks or months, and he finds his way to my back deck... Well, let's just say that probably won't make the blog.

Day 27 - September 21, 2010

Day 27 - September 21, 2010
I don't know what has gotten into me. I'm trying to be a Martha-Stewart-Southern-Living-Employee wannabe. I'm stacking pumpkins as fast as I can buy them, and oh, the pumpkins I want to buy. They come in every color, shape and size imaginable. I almost bought a gray pumpkin, but I couldn't get over the fact it looked a little sickly. While I'm all about buying the poor pumpkins no one else is willing to take home, the gray ones just don't look like they are going to make it... at all. (That being said, I'll probably have two gray ones by day's end tomorrow... and I'll probably paint them orange!)

Day 26 - September 20, 2010

Day 26 - September 20, 2010
They're here. Nuff said! (Well, almost "nuff said." I always pick the little pumpkins someone else might ignore. As you can see, the stem on this pumpkin is WAY out of proportion to the actual gourd. I always go for the "under-pumpkin.")

Day 25 - September 19, 2010

Day 25 - September 19, 2010
Roxie: Are you coming to my tournament Saturday? Austin: I don't know. I have to play for an exhibition, and I don't know what time it will end. Roxie: But it's my birthday, and if you come, you don't have to buy me a present. (This is a lie, by the way.) Austin: I'm going to try my best, Roxie, but I don't know when the exhibition will end, and I'll be coming from Georgia. Roxie: I know... but it's my birthday AND my tournament. Austin: I promise. I'm going to try my best. Roxie: I'll see you Saturday! Austin: If I don't see you Saturday, I'll be at the birthday party Sunday. I promise. Roxie: Okay! See you Saturday! (What Miss Roxie doesn't know is I gave Austin the GPS before he left... so if he finishes playing at the exhibition in Georgia early, he can TRY to come to the county tournament in Hueytown. Wouldn't that be the best gift ever?)

Day 24 - September 18, 2010

Day 24 - September 18, 2010
I had the opportunity to spend some time with 13 year-old girls today. Thirteen and soon-to-be 14 year-old girls are most definitely a part of my everyday life. The chicks of our species are very interesting to observe. They are laughing hysterically one minute, earnestly talking the next and then singing at the top of their lungs any and every song which comes across the radio. (They absolutely know them ALL.) They are all legs and arms and hair and make-up... and they always smell wonderful. They carry purses the size of small children packed with a myriad of items to get them through a typical day... hair straightener, hair product, extra flip flops, more make-up than America's Top Model, phones, I-pods and chargers. They are their most beautiful in the morning when they wake up or when they crawl out of the water after swimming... fresh-faced and natural. However, they would never believe you if you told them to their face. They are full of hopes and dreams for the future, but they are still able to live in the moment... such a sweet trait. When chicks are three, four and five years-old, they think nothing of walking hand-in-hand with a friend. Teenage chicks no longer walk hand-in-hand, but they hug, pat, touch and hug some more. They are fascinating creatures. This is Roxie with her chick friend, Laci. Laci came up to me today and asked me which picture I was going to use for my Picture of the Day... which led me to believe that Laci (at an incredibly young age) has very sophisticated taste in reading material. Miss Laci... You are my Picture of the Day!

Day 23 - September 17, 2010

Day 23 - September 17, 2010
Well, it has come to this. I now rent my movies from the mailman... or a red box in the grocery store. I waited and waited and waited for Movie Gallery to re-open, but they did not. I then started asking the grocery store check-out clerk what she thought of this movie or that movie, but to no avail. She was not a movie expert. "My Guy" at the Movie Gallery was the movie expert. The grocery store check-out clerk looks at me slightly annoyed and tells me, "I don't watch movies." Uh? What? I am unable to comprehend. So now I've started a "movie relationship" with an envelope the mailman leaves in my mailbox every day or so. It is not satisfying. It is not satisfying at all. But times are changing, so I will change with them. I will be a pioneer. A brave little pioneer... who doesn't whine... but hates getting movies in the mail.

Day 22 - September 16, 2010

Day 22 - September 16, 2010
Here are two of my favorite things... Faux fall china (paper plates) AND a new quick and easy recipe for dinner! I saw this on The Today Show yesterday, and guess what? It's a Martha Stewart recipe. She did a segment on recipes you bake in muffin tins, and this one was so easy and un-Martha-like, I had to try it! I'll post the step-by-step recipe next Tuesday on A Simple Life, but let me just say it's basically a bacon, egg and toast muffin. It's pure genius, I tell you! Anytime I can make a Southern Living recipe or a Martha Stewart recipe in five steps or less, I feel pretty good about myself. (And as we all know... it doesn't take much for me to feel "accomplished." Bon appetit!)

Day 21 - September 15, 2010

Day 21 - September 15, 2010
Fun fact for you... I play the harmonica. Most of you probably already knew I played the organ and piano at my church from the time I was 15 until I was 22 years of age. That's right. I used to be talented! When I turned 16, I asked for a really nice harmonica... and I got one along with my other gifts. As you can see, the case and the harmonica are both in excellent condition 33 years later. I mastered several songs on this little instrument, but I quickly learned playing in front of people was out of the question. I am what is known as an "ugly harmonica player." My cheeks puff out and turn red and blotchy. If I close my eyes, they squint. If I keep them open, they bulge. And sometimes (just sometimes) spittle comes out of the other side of the harmonica. Very, very unattractive. So, I make beautiful music in private. (I'm also an "ugly cryer." I get the same red, blotchy cheeks AND nose when I cry as I do when I play the harmonica. However, I have been known to cry in public on occasion... like when I trip and fall OR I laugh too hard. But for the most part, I try NOT to play the harmonica OR cry when other humans are around. As you all know, I'm a giver!)

Day 20 - September 14, 2010

Day 20 - September 14, 2010
Tonight we were invited to a Thirty-One Party. If you aren't familiar with the products, they have purses, wallets, totes, baskets, notepads, etc. (all with cute, cute designs). Of course, the real purpose of such a party is food and friends. As a grown woman, I've been to enough of these parties (Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Creative Memories, etc.) to know fellowship is key... along with two cute baskets, designer fingernail files and an adorable flat iron holder (Roxie's pick of the evening). I feel like I'm passing on the torch to the next generation of "Party Givers" and "Party Goers." Roxie, Savanna, Ally and Ragan did good. They did real good!

Day 19 - September 13, 2010

Day 19 - September 13, 2010
Sometimes if you hold your leg just so, it helps your teammate spike the ball over the net... which gets the point... which wins the game! Not always. But definitely sometimes. (By the way, we won both of our matches against Rudd and McAdory tonight. And it was all about the position of the leg!)

Day 18 - September 12, 2010

Day 18 - September 12, 2010
I had several pictures to choose from today for Belinda's Project Life. I watched four different volleyball games at the weekend tournament, so I had many, many volleyball action pics. We went to church with Grandmother for Grandparent/Senior Day, so I had several family pics. I took Roxie and friends on a photo shoot around our fair city, so I had 13 year-old girl pics. I took close up photos of flowers using my BRAND NEW CAMERA, so I had some gorgeous foliage pics. But then, as I was dropping 13 year-old girls off at their respective homes, I passed a driveway and saw not one, BUT FOUR, roosters... and they were all different colors. I stopped the car and Roxie leaned out the window and took my Picture of the Day for me. Are roaming roosters the norm in my simple life? Nope. But I like him. I like him a lot. So he's my Picture of the Day. His name is Rooster Cogburn. (Roxie has NO idea who that is... but I do!)

Day 17 - September 11, 2010

Day 17 - September 11, 2010
Volleyball... All day today! While the girls didn't come away with a trophy, they just got better and better as the day went on! And as you can see, their spirits were high. Shelby, Jessica, Jackie, Roxie, Kaitlyn, Allie, Courtney, Taylor, Katie and Kelci were awesome! And the other four teammates who left the room before the picture was taken were equally awesome. We'll get the big group shot before Belinda's Project Life is over. I am certain!

Day 16 - September 10, 2010

Day 16 - September 10, 2010
I bet I know what you're thinking! What talented floral designer created such a fantastic centerpiece for our volleyball tournament table? Well, wonder no more! My friend, Julie, and I are the creative geniuses. Actually, it was quite simple. NOT! And it cost practically nothing to make. NOT! And the fact I'm missing fingerprints on two of my fingers from a faulty hot glue gun is totally inconsequential. NOT! In reality, I think we learned a lot about what NOT to do next time, but it was fun trying a new craft. And hopefully the girls will not be critical. If they are, I will be packing a pair of scissors in my pocket and... Well, let's just say it won't be pretty!

Day 15 - September 9, 2010

Day 15 - September 9, 2010
I went to Krispy Kreme with some friends tonight. You know... just to talk, drink coffee and eat a doughnut. When we arrived, one of the girls asked the young man behind the counter which doughnut was the "healthiest." He quickly replied, "None of them." My other friend asked for a "bran doughnut," which caused me to gasp aloud. A "bran doughnut." What was the world coming to? I'm taking fiber supplements, calcium supplements, Vitamin D supplements and fish oil supplements the size of a large bass. I eat plain oatmeal and Cheerios with Splenda to keep my cholesterol where it should be. I drink a glass of ice water as soon as I get up every morning because I read it opens the pores and plumps up the skin. I walk two miles in the morning and I'm down to ONE McDonald's Caramel Frappe' a week. ONE! I have the metabolism of a dead snail. I'm okay with all of those things. Really, I am. But if Krispy Kreme becomes a politically correct, "bran doughnut" serving establishment, I may lose it. I'm a 49 year-old woman on the edge. (Just so you know, my friend was kidding. There is no such thing as a "bran doughnut," and hopefully, there never will be.)

Day 14 - September 8, 2010

Day 14 - September 8, 2010
The Little Debbie fall cakes are here! The Little Debbie fall cakes are here! Wow! That phrase doesn't flow smoothly at all. But the fact remains, they are in the stores now, and I purchased one box of each... even though I cannot eat them (legally). When I saw these in the back of Wal-Mart, I threw them into my buggy and rushed to the front of the store. If the Little Debbie fall cakes were in the back, it only made sense that actual pumpkins would be in the produce department. NOT! I have to say, I was a little disappointed. And to ease my disappointment, I bought two fall magazines to go with my Little Debbie fall cakes... which I cannot eat... but I'm using as fall decorations around the house. I'll show you that picture tomorrow!

Day 13 - September 7, 2010

Day 13 - September 7, 2010
Ahhh! It's time for the pumpkin scented candles. The day after Labor Day is officially (in my book) the beginning of fall. Never mind the temperature was 93 degrees today. Never mind there was a lot of humidity. Never mind the water in the dog bowl evaporated before my very eyes. Inside my house, it was a cool, crisp 70 degrees (sometimes 69). The smells of autumn were everywhere... pumpkin spice, apple crisp, warm cinnamon, cool melon... Wait a minute! Cool melon? How the heck did that get in the mix? (Oh. I forgot to mention I found a very good candle sale. Those particular candles were green, so I snatched them up. Don't worry. I've got enough pumpkin spice to overcome their summery aroma!) Happy Fall, Y'all!

Day 12 - September 6, 2010

Day 12 - September 6, 2010
I guess Mikie wasn't going quite fast enough. Tubing was the activity for the day, and Mikie made sure The Boy eventually held on for dear life. The first time we went tubing, I couldn't stand the thought of the kids being slung 30 feet into the air... but now, I kinda like it! In fact, I encourage Mikie to fling them off the tube. (I've decided it builds character.) And totally off the subject, if Austin was a bird, his wingspan would be incredible, wouldn't it? Just saying.

Day 11 - September 5, 2010

Day 11 - September 5, 2010
ENOUGH ALREADY! NO MORE POOL PICS! Okay. No more pool pics until NEXT June. But this one is special. This is the OFFICIAL last day of swimming at our pool... for us. Roxie and Katie didn't even get their hair wet because the water was so cold. (SHOCK!) That's right. Our cooler temps at night have finally given the water that cold, refreshing feeling we missed during the extremely hot, summer months. But the lounge chairs worked... and talking to the cousins worked... and being lazy on a Sunday afternoon worked. It was a GOOD last day at the pool.

Day 10 - September 4, 2010

Day 10 - September 4, 2010
Well, I almost didn't make it with today's picture! We just got back from the JSU v. Ole Miss game played in Oxford, Mississippi. We went to the game solely to watch The Boy and The Marching Southerners. So imagine our disbelief and utter amazement when JSU brilliantly tied the final score 34 to 34. And then if you will, try to imagine our ecstasy and joy when JSU went on to beat Ole Miss 49 to 48 in DOUBLE OVERTIME! Or... I guess you don't have to imagine at all. I think Josh's picture pretty much says it all! (I want to give a shout out to the Ole Miss fans who sat around us. They were a class act. A couple even congratulated us on their way out of the stadium. Or at least I think they congratulated us. It was hard to hear over Josh's... excitement!)

Day 9 - September 3, 2010

Day 9 - September 3, 2010
Fun facts for you... I lived in apartments in Hoover during the time The Galleria was being built. Every morning before I went to work, I would step out onto my balcony and give a thumbs up to the workers atop the Wynfrey Hotel. If you recall, one morning a few weeks before The Galleria was due to open, a fire broke out. I was responsible for alerting the Hoover firemen and police of the black smoke billowing from the almost-finished structure. Well, me... and all the workers... and all the people driving to work on Highway 31 past The Galleria... and the traffic helicopter which just happened to be in the vicinity that morning. You might say, I saved The Galleria single-handedly! The day The Galleria opened, a friend and I took off work (vacation day) and spent the day shopping, eating in the food court (three meals) and signing up for giveaways. It was one of the best days of my life! So while The Galleria is unfortunately not a daily event, whenever I do shop there, it is very much like coming home. I love the smells, the lights, the carousel. Roxie and I fought traffic for a couple of hours to buy school shoes this afternoon, and as always, I enjoyed myself immensely! It was time well spent.

Day 8 - September 2, 2010

Day 8 - September 2, 2010
Well, it is official. The Big Gold Van is now the NUMBER ONE MOST RECOGNIZED VEHICLE in our fair city. And the little thing that put me over the top is this ultra-cool giraffe print car tag with my initials emblazoned on it (in lime green, no less)! My Three Teens gave this to me as part of my birthday gift. And what can I say... It fits my mood! If you see me around town, feel free to honk three times and wave... or totally ignore me. You choose!

Day 7 - September 1, 2010

Day 7 - September 1, 2010
Can you tell what this is? Can you guess? It is a STYLISH giant purse with a funky rose design on the front. And guess what else? It doesn't belong to Roxie. It belongs to ME! That's right. I decided to break down and buy a STYLISH giant purse before they went out of style. I was drawn to the purple one... and then to the lime green one... but baby steps, People! I can't jump on board the Fashionista Wagon by buying a lime green STYLISH giant purse my first time out. I'm a newbie... a rookie... a fashionista wannabe. But I have to say, I do have my eye on some turquoise skinny jeans that are just screaming, "Buy me, Enchanting Belinda! Buy me!" Someone stop me, please!

Day 6 - August 31, 2010

Day 6 - August 31, 2010
I know. I know. It's very repetitive. Volleyball. But what can I say? This is supposed to be an honest depiction of my life right this very moment. And right this very moment, volleyball is pretty much IT. Beginning Saturday, it will be a combination of volleyball AND JSU Marching Southerners. That doesn't even take into consideration what Josh might be up to in a week or so. Well, back to the picture. This is Kelci and Roxie. Roxie sets and Kelci spikes. It's what they do. And together, they are a formidable pair. If I didn't know how sweet they really were, I'd be a little intimidated. (But they are sweet, and I can say that because I know they will never set and spike a volleyball in my face. At least, that is what I choose to believe.)

Day 5 - August 30, 2010

Day 5 - August 30, 2010
I met two friends for lunch today. I worked with Reida and Sue back in the day many, many years ago during my legal secretary career... 20 years ago to be exact! Last month, Sue and I talked on Facebook and decided to have lunch at a restaurant only 15 or 20 minutes from my house. That's how close we have been these past 18 years. Today I drove another 20 minutes, and met with Reida AND Sue. I haven't seen Reida in about 19 years. It was wonderful talking about "old" times. It was time extremely well spent... and I cannot wait until we do it again next month! (And if I'm going to do Belinda's Project Life, I think I'm going to need to invest in some new clothes. How can I keep the readers' interest if I wear the EXACT SAME THING on Day 2 of Project 365 AND Day 5 of Belinda's Project Life? It can't be done. A new wardrobe must be purchased... and soon.)

Day 4 - August 29, 2010

Day 4 - August 29, 2010
Here they are! My Three Teens! It sounds like a new reality show, doesn't it? And if it wasn't for the PG rating they would have to give us (language - mine; violence - also, mine), I would feel pretty comfortable having a crew in my house 24/7 filming away. NOT! I cannot keep up the "Fabulous Faulkner Five Facade" if there is documented proof somewhere showing we are normal... average even. Maybe even boring. No, I cannot even go there! Today My Three Teens took me to Chuy's for a birthday lunch, and it was lovely. Alas, my birthday is officially over... and things can finally get back to normal!

Day 3 - August 28, 2010

Day 3 - August 28, 2010
Josh is trying a new hobby. Hiking. And not just a "mile here" or a "mile there" kind of hiking. He's starting out with ten-mile hikes! That's right, Baby! Ten miles... straight up... both ways! He and a friend spent several hours at Oak Mountain this evening, and he came back looking like this. He gets his adventurous spirit from me, I think. Oh, and those black things in his hands... those things that were white when he left... are his socks. (He gets his clean laundry from me, too.)

Day 2 - August 27, 2010

Day 2 - August 27, 2010
This one was hard. Austin called Tuesday evening and said he was on the way to the Emergency Room with a dislocated or broken finger. He had someone driving for him. He had his insurance card. He sounded calm. I asked him to send me a picture of his finger, and when I received it I wasn't too concerned. It was very swollen and a little bruised. I was pretty sure it was just jammed. However, he did need an X-ray to make sure. Mikie and I stayed put and let Austin handle it. Two hours later, he sent us pictures of the X-ray. I have to admit, I got a little sick. And I know not being by his side puts me out of the running for "Mother of the Year." (And I was a real contender this year. Once again, it slipped through my fingers... no pun intended.) P.S. I know this happened Tuesday, but it made Project Life because I didn't see Austin (or his hand) in person until TODAY! I didn't want you to think I was cheating!

Day 1 - August 26, 2010

Day 1 - August 26, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I made it to 49! And to celebrate, Sweet Mikie fixed me breakfast in bed... and woke me up 15 minutes early... which usually would have made me grumpy, but how could anyone be grumpy when Sweet Mikie brings them breakfast in bed? Peaches and cream oatmeal, orange juice and toast with apple butter. And as is our custom, not one, but two cards... one funny and one serious. Fun fact for you... Mikie always signs his cards to me "Sincerely, Michael E. Faulkner." You would think after almost 23 years together, we'd be on a first-name basis, wouldn't you? It was a great start to what I hope will be a great year! Only time will tell. (Oh, and welcome to Project Life!)