Preppy is not for the weak!

Yesterday during a few hours alone I popped into TJ Maxx. None of my friends are shocked! They know if I have thirty minutes to myself ... you can have me paged at the local TJ ... I will be there!!

I had a maxi dress to exchange and I wanted to check out the bathingsuits for Babycakes. She has grown out of some of my favorites so we needed to revamp!!

I am walking through the men's section on the way out and I over hear a conversation between two women.

Plain woman #1 ... "This shirt has a whale on it ... if I brought that home my husband would laugh at me."
Sad woman #2 ... "And its pink which means I would never buy it!"

They were looking at the new display of Vineyard Vines polos. Solid pink, pink and white striped, and green and white striped. Absolutely darling of course!

The only reason I did not pink one up for Lawyer is that he owns the two striped ones and the solid pink was not available in his size. Not only does he wear pink things and things with whales ... he prefers them!

And that is why I adore him ...
MPM

What not to do when you are bored ...

Let's just say I had some time to kill this morning. And let's just say I was spending it looking up past boyfriends. We are talking guys I dated ... not like the one who got away or anything like that. There are none and most days I am happy with my choice. (Sorry Lawyer ... but there are days you would return me as well!!)

So ... the ones I could not privately stalk on Facebook I googled. I stopped when I found this ...

Seems like Mr. Stewart had a past. One I was not aware of ...

Thank goodness we only dated ... briefly ... three or four months ... and did not enter into a "relationship"! I would have been really shocked when I took him home to my parents and my dad did his routine "checking" and that popped up! And I am positive it would have considering he worked for the New York Times Company!

Holy crap ... no wonder Lawyer always referred to him as Boob!!

I think tomorrow I will read instead!!
MPM

The perfect day ...

I love to socialize ... I have been known to abandon my to do list to play with friends. I know I shouldn't and I always regret it once I return to the list ... but it is absolutely worth the fun to me. I think it stems from being an only child. I was so ready to play with my friends I would skimp on chores to get there.

Well the last three weeks of focus have totally paid off. I have finished projects that have been on the books for way too long!! I hung pictures, replaced bedding, re-decorated our guest room, hung lights, framed childrens artwork, and the list goes on ... I finished things that have bugged me for ages. My goal was to enjoy the summer. Really enjoy it! Without thinking about all the things I have been wanting to finish.

So, Saturday morning after I took my parents and Little Lawyer to the airport I met Lawyer at our friends The Cleavers. It was about 11:30 am. He and Ward were sitting in their driveway drinking coffee and watching the boys play. I drove up, sat down and did not move until almost midnight! We ate, drank, laughed, watched the kids play, grilled out, watched Iron Man, tucked the kids into bed with their friends ... and had the most amazing day. It was long overdue for all of us!!!

And I am so proud of myself. I came home ... shall I say I tipsyed home ... put away the items I had picked up from the house and climbed happily into my bed. No guilt, no unfinished to do list, just joy!

And just as Lawyer was falling to sleep he whispers to me ...

"That was the best day I have ever had!"

I completely agree!
MPM

Summer!

School is out.

17,000 teacher gifts are made, wrapped and delivered.

Thank you notes are written and delivered.

Back packs are unloaded and put away until August.

Tennis shoes are in the shoe buckets in the laundry room.

Chores are done.

Massive list is finished.

All three kids received new flip flops today.

Summer has arrived!!!

MPM

She is my absolutely my baby ...

Yesterday as a reward for excellent behavior all day I took the kids to the pool at 6 pm. Yes ... it was near freezing ... and no ... they did not care one bit. They swam for about an hour and had an amazing time. I sat in a chair and watched happily. There was no way my body was trying out the freezing cold water. Just as our time was winding down Babycakes decided to jump off the diving board. She jumps off ... swims to the side ... climbs out and starts over again. After about fifteen minutes of this she is exhausted and ready to take a bath and go straight to bed. Perfect plan!!

She is busy jumping, swimming, climbing and back in line and she is standing on the diving board when a boy walks up behind her to get in line. She is busy walking down the diving board and looking at the boy (total jack leg of a kid) and she slips with her left leg and falls off the diving board into the pool. On the way off the board she scrapes her right leg quite a bit and bangs up her knee. She emerges from the pool crying and our time at the pool quickly ends. The poor life guard, who I am convinced was brand new on the job, jumped up in his seat and prepared to dive in to save her.

We arrive home and and she is changing into warm pjs and bursts into tears. She wants to know if her "tete" with turn black like mine did. Oh ... it did not even occur to me! I did the same thing at the lake!!!

At the end of a girls weekend in March I was walking back to the lake house on the dock. It was after midnight and we had been jumping into the icy cold lake. It was so cold it would literally take your breath away. I have never been in colder water! But ... they dared me.

Anyway ... we were done jumping and were walking back to the house on the dock. It was dark and I was talking to one of my friends. Just as we rounded the corner I stepped into the boat slip with one leg and fell into the water. It was awful and a night I would not like to relive any time soon. I was in shock ... hurt and crying. Not to mention laughing and a little overserved! I had to be pulled out of the water half conscious and completely embarrassed! All in all ... not good.

When I hit the dock I made contact with my "tete" and there was a bruise like no other in the nether regions. Not to mention bruised ribs, bruised collarbone and bruised muscles all down my ride side. The entire accident took weeks to heal and I am still suffering from sore ribs.

What does Babycakes remember ... the bruised "tete". She was convinced it would never be normal again!! I assured her last night that she would have bruises on her leg and the scrapes would be sore ... but the rest of her was perfectly fine!!! She was greatly relieved!

But as I fell asleep last night it occurred to me ... that apple did not fall far from the tree!!
MPM

swamped ...

Sorry to say I will not be posting much in the next weeks time ... the countdown to summer is on.

I have lots to organize, wrap, embroider, gather and mark off my list!!!

After that I will be totally devoted all summer!!!

Pinky swear ...
MPM

Happy Mothers Day!!!

Happy Mothers Day to each of you! You work harder than you ever thought you would and the hours are long, the pay stinks and the vacation days are few and far between ... but the rewards of sweet smiles and homemade gifts are priceless!!!

If you were here with me here is what I would share with you ...

Cuz I am just that kind of girl ...

Happy Day!!!

MPM

If you say so ...

Lawyer said this morning that if I found the recipe for the Key Lime Pie from last weekend he would make it for me. Well ... here it is shug ... bring on the pie!

Bubba's Key Lime Pie ...

Crust:
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1-1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Main Ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup Key lime juice
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the crust, combine ingredients and pat down into a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 5 to 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine the milk, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon zest; blend in the egg yolks. Pour the filling into the crust.

For the meringue, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar and remaining teaspoon zest until the mixture is stiff. Spread the meringue over the filling; spread it to touch the edge of the crust all around. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown.

Please note ... the pie at Bubba's did not have meringue ... but fresh whipped cream ... I am hoping for whipped cream ...

MPM

Mother's Day wishes ...

Hey sweet Lawyer ... I know you read my blog ... so here are my Mother's Day wishes ...

A long relaxing day with lots of laughs and surrounded by you and the kids.

Yummy appetizers and dinner from the grill (veggies for me please!) and a large pitcher of sangria or margaritas!

Homemade cards from the kids ... my favorite!

A challenging game of Scrabble after dinner!

Oh ... and if you get a chance and want to have a little something to wrap up ... here is a great idea from Bloomingdale's ...


... any color will do!! I even attached the link to match it easy peasy! (hee hee!)

You know I love you more than my boyfriend!!!

MPM

One last surprise ...

I may not have mentioned that Lawyer and I were in Hilton Head to attend a Highway Association meeting. I know ... you are so jealous! It is not all of us who get to attend these high brow functions!

The Westin was amazing, the spa was first rate and the service was impeccable! I was able to walk downstairs each morning and treat myself to a hot Latte and bran muffin and walk outside and enjoy the wind and sun whilst reading the paper uninterrupted! It does not get much better for me.

Once the meetings were over we shopped at the outlets and had a yummy meal at Charlie's Crab. I highly recommend the lobster grill cheese and the shrimp salad. We shared both and thoroughly enjoyed each bite!

We checked out yesterday at noon after Lattes and a long walk on the beach. We drove 45 minutes to Savannah and enjoyed a late lunch. Lawyer punched in an address in the Garmin and we arrived at Uncle Bubba's Oyster House. If you are not familiar ... Bubba is Paula Dean's brother. The Dean family makes amazing food and their service is first rate. You will never be disappointed!

We did not order the crab legs or the oysters ... I was afraid he would be too sleepy for the 4 hour drive home.

We enjoyed the Crab Cakes, Savannah Rice, Collard Greens and Fried Fish. It was a fabulous lunch!!! They do not disappoint!!!

... and the Key Lime Pie!!!!! Oh my god!!! I have never had anything more delicious! It was thick and tart and the crust was truly amazing! I think we litterally licked the plate clean!! I should have ordered a whole one to bring home!

All in all we had a great weekend. Re-entry is always rough ... but when you play, you pay! We are settled in at home and preparing for a day to celebrate with Clemsongirl's oldest who is taking his first communion today.

We will all be dressed and ready to go soon after lunch ... the kids are so excited!!!

Hope your weekend was just as lovely ....

MPM

Hiltonhead ...

Lawyer and I have stolen away for the weekend. So far I have eaten an amazing dinner, slept like I did before kids and had a hot Latte.

Does it get any better?

MPM

ok, so add in shopping, a game of Scrabble, two Vodka Cranberries (with extra lime) over a long lunch on the water and a cute husband dressed in seersucker to attend a marketing dinner ... it just keeps getting better!