PICNIC AT HE BEACH

I woke up yesterday to another warm, sunny ski! Andrew was complaining about being bored five minutes after his feet hit the floor. My step daughter (who is 10) was staying the weekend with us and she was also whining about nothing to do before I could even get breakfast fixed. I had all intentions on spending the day sewing and working on the "Georgi" collection, but soon decided that it would be a shame to be cooped up in the house all day when it was so beautiful outside! After giving it some thought, I decided that it would be a perfect day for the beach!It was really a little too cool to do any swimming, but nice enough to pack a picnic lunch and let the kids play in the sand and maybe wiggle their toes in the surf for a while. Of course it didn't take much to convince Andrew and Jami-Marie into agreeing with me. You would have thought that I just offered to take them to Disney World! They were so excited about the idea of going to the beach that it took them all of about 30 seconds to strip down out of their p.j.'s and pull everything in their way out of the linen closet for beach towels, sunscreen,and the beach bag. Andrew had his swimsuit pulled on before the words "we are NOT swimming" got out of my mouth! I decided to go ahead and let him wear it, as it wasn't any different REALLY than wearing a pair of shorts. Scrambling through the frig, I pulled out apples, oranges, chicken salad (that I had made the night before), and some deli ham. I knew the kids would'nt eat the chicken salad, so made a sandwich with that for myself. I figured I was safe making them each one using the ham. Andrew, in an attempt to hurry things along, pulled some juice boxes and crackers out from the pantry and grabbed a few bananas off the counter. There, we're all done Mimi, he said! Looks good to me I replied as I slathered some mayo on the slices of bread.

Uh oh Mimi! You know what, Andrew asked? No, what?, I asked back. We didn't call and invite Hailee (my 4 year old grandaughter) to go with us, he said. You know, your right, I replied. Let's give her a call and see if she's up for the trip! Andrew grabbed the phone and quickly began dialing his aunt Stephanie's phone number. You guessed it, it took about 5 seconds to talk her into it. Okay, I can do this I thought to myself! No problem! It's only 3 kids. How hard can it be? Well, before we got the phone hung up good, my sister was calling. Whatcha doin?, she asked. Funny you should ask, I said. I was just thinking that it would be a great day for the beach. Andrew and I are packing some lunch, Jami-Marie is packing the towels, and I just got off the telephone with Hailee, who is also now getting ready. Wanna go with us? Well, I would love to, but I have sooo much work to do online today for my class next week (she teaches online classes for a University), but Skylar ( her 14 yr. old son, and my nephew) would probably love to go! All of a sudden I felt like I needed a prozac! In a matter of about ten minutes, a nice little trip to the beach for the day with two kids turned suddenly into a forthcoming stressful trip to the beach with FOUR kids and just ONE me. All I could imagine was a lot of "she's touching me, make her stop touching me" going on in the car. Trying to convince myself that it really wouldn't be that bad, after all, I made a couple more sandwiches, threw a few more drinks into the cooler and packed the car with kids, food, towels, sunscreen and sand toys. It's ONLY a thirty minute trip, I thought. What could possibly happen?

Off we went! Smooth sailing all the way there! No fights, no squabbles, no whining. Wow! It was too good to be true, but yet, there it was, right in front of me, a car load of kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 with NO problems for a whole 30 minutes!
The beach was PACKED! I guess everyone else had the same idea and no sooner did I have the cooler sat down and my chair unfolded, than I look up and where is Andrew? IN the ocean! Not wading, not just wiggling his toes in the surf, but IN the ocean, head and all! OMG! I couldn't believe it (really, I could)! I sent Skylar down to fish his nephew out of the freezing water as I grabbed a towel to dry him off! It's GREAT Mimi! The water's great! Andrew was yelling! It's not cold at all! Come on in Mimi, it's really great! You said it was gonna be cold! Just when Skylar had a good hold of him, Hailee decide to challenge that fact! And she did NOT have a swimsuit on! Meanwhile, Jami Marie had plopped down in the sand and was complaining loudly that she was STARVING and was relentless with the whining about needing a sandwich! What have I done? Yeah, the trip over here was good, but what about now? What about the fact that we have been here less than five minutes and I have two kids that are soaking wet, and one that is thinking she will die of starvation in the next two minutes if she doesn't eat.

Okay! take a deep breath, I told myself! I handed the two little ones each a towel, Jami Marie a sandwich, Skylar the sunscreen (with instructions on slathering it on all the kids), and I sat down in my chair, pulled a book from the beach bag, slapped a hat on my head, and said to them " swim all you want, play in the sand all you want, eat all the food you want, just PLEASE leave me in peace for twenty minutes"! Remarkably, everything went a lot smoother after that. Andrew decided the water WAS too cold after all, Jami-Marie was finally full, and Skylar and Hailee were, believe it or not building a sand castle IN PEACE just a few feet away!

The two little ones slept the whole trip home and the older two played video games!
Will we do this again next weekend? Probably NOT!

SUNNY AND HOT IN SOUTH GEORGIA

Hi everyone! I know I was just complaining the other day about it being cold here, but today I can't whine about that! It is 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky here! It finally feels like Spring! Actually it almost feels like Summer! It is sooo hard to be cooped up in the house on a day like this! I sent Andrew outside to play for a while, telling him he needed the fresh air. He responded with "That's not fresh air out there, Mimi, that air is stale"! Well, go on out there in that "stale" air and play for a while, I said! After about 10 minutes he came back inside and told me that it was too hot. Feel all my sweat, he said, pushing back his hair on his forhead! Yeah, well, that sweat is good for you, I said. I would much rather play my Wii inside the fresh air of the house, he said! You have about 1 minute to get back outside, I replied! Well, if you make me go back out there and I die of too much sweat, than you'll be to blame, he said! I'll take my chances, I said!

If I recall, as children, we played outside ALL the time. My mother even has a picture of me as a baby, (probably about 2) in a diaper and nothing else at the TOP of the jungle gym in our back yard! Another picture of me in same attire playing in the dirt with our neighbors little girl and my older brother. In fact most of the pictures from me from back in the day were taken OUTSIDE! We even lived in Florida at that time and it WAS hot! I don't think we even had air conditioning in the house! I think my mom even locked the door to keep us from coming in and out of the house so much! She would keep an eye on us, but would only let us come in to go to the bathroom. If she did that today, the authorities would be contacted by a neighbor and she would be accused of some type of abuse! Boy, times have changed.

I can remember riding my bike to school, walking several blocks alone to a friends house, sitting in the car alone while my mom went into the grocery store. During Halloween, a group of us would even walk for miles (seemed like it anyway) to trick or treat. I don't remember my mom worrying too much about it then. Now, sad as it is, I won't even let Andrew get out of my site for a minute! Would I let him ride his bike alone two blocks away? No way! We even live in a very small town, but these days you just can't be too careful! Did weirdo's just not exist back then, or are there just more of them out there these days?

This means of course, that if I send Andrew outside to play now, guess what? I have to go outside too so some "weirdo" doesn't kidnap him! Not that I mind so much, but it really defeats the purpose of getting some piece and quiet for a little bit while he is outside and I am inside!LOL!! Mom knew what she was doing!!!

Your right Andrew, it IS too hot out here! Lets go inside!!


Happy Weekend Everyone! Erin

SALE IN ETSY SHOP!!! DON'T MISS IT!!!

OKAY GIRLS, I have decided to run a sale in my Etsy shop today thru Sunday! ALL hair accessories are 25% off, the "Giddy UP GIRL" and the " VVVRRROOOMMM VACATION" outfits are both marked down to an AMAZING $14.00! Even the "WYNDHAM" AND THE "RACING FOR THE FINISH LINE" outfits are marked down to $24.00 ea. for this weekend sale! Don't wait, get on over to my shop at Etsy and SHOP!!!! All shipping is free with purchases $25.00 and over also!! Don't miss out! This sale is too good to pass up and will end at 12:00 midnight on Sunday!! Spring has made me feel a little giddy, I guess, so it is to your advantage! Happy Shopping!!


Erin

TOO TIRED TO WORKOUT!

Remember that New Years resolution? You know, the one where you swore that you were going to join the gym, lose 10 pounds, eat healthier, drink more water, etc...? Well, I haven't exactly forgotten mine, just kind of keep putting it off! I'm just too darn tired, I keep telling myself! Too tired for the going to the gym part, that is! I have yet to figure out WHY though! I don't do anything to BE tired! I SIT at the computer, I SIT at the sewing machine, I SIT while watching Andrew at Karate lessons, I SIT while on the phone, I SIT while driving, I SIT, I SIT, I SIT! Well, no, that's not COMPLETLY true! I do STAND while in the shower. But, I am TIRED of SITTING!! AH HAH!! (light bulb shining over my head),I think I know the problem! I am sooo tired BECAUSE of the sitting! Get off your lazy, always sittin, whining because your so tired rear end and MOVE, I tell myself!!! I am TIRED of being TIRED!

Okay, so I get my sweats on, put on my New Balance's, set the tunes on my ipod to " Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts (Andrew must have had this last)and strike out down the road. I am on a mission!! I figure out my route, the distance, and get movin! With nothing but determination behind me(and a little too much hips)I get to the end of the first block. Not so bad, I tell myself, this is a piece of cake. Why haven't I done this before now? I've GOTTA change this music though! It's killin me! O.K., Now we're talkin. Nothin like a little Aretha Franklin to get your butt movin!!
Two blocks now, still goin strong, and o.h, did I mention, LOOKIN GOOD too? Oh Yeah! You know I got my make up on, lipstck and ALL! Fixed my hair real cute just before hittin the road and I think I even sprayed on some cologne! A girl's gotta look good ya know! You never know who you might run into!!LOL!! So far, so good! Workin up a little sweat, oh yeah! That's what I'm talkin about!

I start walkin faster, swingin my arms, and begining to think I'm a real athlete after all! Heck, I might even try out for the Olympics in 2012! You know, in the speed walkin competition! What? they don't have that? The NERVE of them! Well, maybe they SHOULD!! I'll write a letter as soon as I get home! Ok, I'm comin up on the 6th, or is it the 7th, block! Are those shin splints I feel in the front lower part of my legs? Naw! Couldn't be. I haven't done anything strenous enough to get THOSE! Darn it hurts though! Shake it off girl! You CAN do this! Just keep pluggin along! I turn Aretha up a little louder. Maybe I won't feel my legs hurtin too bad if the music is louder! Quick, smile and wave! There's that CUTE single guy that just moved into the Wainright's old place! Oh yeah, he saw me! AND smiled back! I knew I put that makeup on for a reason! My legs are startin to feel a little better now. They must've just need to loosen up a little! Turning the next corner, the road starts heading up hill! This is NOT the time to break into a jog! Maybe I SHOULD though because Carlton's dog is headed this way, barking and growling! Hi there Buddy! How ya been? good dog, good dog! OMG! He isn't being friendly today!I guess he doesn't recognize me in sweat clothes! Come on Buddy, it's me! Erin! You know, your neighbor, good boy!! Buddy is hot on my heels now, I have NO choice but to RUN! NOT JOG, BUT RUN like H_LL! Okay! my legs start hurting again! I am panting, gasping for breath, and tripping on my shoe laces. I can't stop, Buddy is still chasing me! My house is another 3 blocks away! I can't make it. D__mn, I should have brought my water bottle! Not just for the water, but for amunition!! Wonder if throwing my ipod at him would work? Better not! Probably just make him madder! I kick it into overdrive, hoping he will give up. Guess what? He DOESN"T! Just one more block, just one more block, I keep telling myself! By the way, Where is everyone? On any other afternoon, every neighbor within the surrounding mile and a half would be out walking, riding bikes, etc...! Oh no, not today! Today there isn't ANYONE out! Figures!!! I reach my driveway, head to the garage door and grab the rake laying in the yard. Turning around, I notice Buddy is gone! I think I am gonna pass out! Water, I need water! I walk to the hose and turn the faucet on. Wham! I am knocked to the ground! Buddy! as I roll over, I grab for the rake again! What is that? He is LICKING my face! NOT barking, NOT growling, but LICKING my face! I can't help but laugh! No make that HOWL!! I just about killed myself trying to get away from this dog, and here he is LICKING me and wagging his tail! D_mn you Buddy!

I wonder if it's too late to join that gym? Outdoors exercise is NOT for me!

Hope that made you smile! HAd to share it with you!

HUMP DAY

It's finally here! Hump day that is! At least that's what us SOUTHERNERS refer to as Wednesday! You know, the MIDDLE of the week! Maybe EVERYONE uses that term, I dunno!! Anyway, it's here and it's still cold outside. Suppose to start warming up a bit tommorrow, I think! I never know how to dress anymore when I get up in the morning! At least the sun is out!!! Remember me telling you all about Andrew and his "rock star" career that he was wanting to start? Well, last night I found him crying on his bed and when I asked him what was wrong, he mumbled " I don't have any fans yet" (I am assuming he meant rock n roll fans)! I tried hard not to laugh, and managed pretty well, but he caught me grinning a little! Can you believe it?? He was ACTUALLY crying because of this! I think he is taking this "wanting to start a band" thing REALLY SERIOUS!!! I had no idea just HOW serious until then! I patted him on the back and explained (what do ya say, anyway??) that he is only 6 years old and it takes even the biggest rock stars a while to develop a good fan base!!! He seemed pretty happy with that explanation and decided a popsicle might make him feel ALOT better! Whew!! Slid through that one pretty easy!

If I haven't told you yet, Andrew is actually my grandson, but I have had custody of him since he was about 1 1/2. I had two girls, so this boy stuff (especially this late in my life) is a whole new ball game! I must say though that it has been alot of fun and somewhat easier(although he hasn't hit those teenage years yet!!)so far. I have had him enrolled in sports ever since he was 3 and he LOVES all of them. I have spent NUMEROUS Saturdays cheering him on while he has played T-ball, soccer and now, this year, flag football! Oh, and lets not forget Karate, which he has been taking for about a month now! This Karate stuff has been pretty good though, now that he kicks and chops the punching bag in class instead of the furniture at home!LOL!! My sister's youngest son, who is 14 ( and more like Andrew's brother) has been taking kickboxing for a while and wanted Andrew to try it, so off we went to enroll!

I think T-ball starts again soon too, so I better get my cheerleading gear out of the closet and dust it off! Isn't it ALWAYS SOMETHING??? My car has a taxi light on top, doesn't yours?

Back to the dining room, uh, I mean the "studio" again for some more sewing!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY EVERYONE!!!

GETTIN SPRING FEVER

Okay, I realize that I live in the South, and we don't have it near as bad as those of you that live in the North or Mid West, but to US , it has been COLD!! No we don't have the snow, and no we don't have the ice, but we are used to wearing fip flops and shorts most of the year, so when we have to lug out even a windbreaker from the closet, we get depressed! Just when I thought that Spring had Sprung, WHAM!! We were hit with another cold snap! I am SOOOO ready to break out my warm weather clothes! It IS March, after all!! I know, I know, all of you that are snowed in right know are REALLY feeling for me! LOL!!! If it makes you feel any better, I DO hope that YOU also get warm weather soon!!!

It's really hard working on the Spring collection when it is 30 degrees outside! While I'm all bundled up (hubby thinks our house is a meat locker, I think) in a sweater, I am cutting out and sewing together shorts and sundresses!! I guess I could wear a pair of sun glasses, lather on some sunscreen and play some hula music to make it more authentic!! Naw!! My family would think I had lost my mind!! If they haven't ALREADY!!!

The "Wyndham"collection is coming together (slowy but surely) and I even had a chance to work a little on the "Gator Tails" and "Pirates Treasure"collections last night! They are turning out SOOO cute!! Hailee, my 4 1/2 year old grandaughter, who by the way is ALWAYS in everyone elses business, loves to come into my sewing studio ( really it's just my dining room, but it IS a FORMAL one, so I call it my "studio" cause it sounds more professional. LOL!!) and wrap herself up in fabric and pretend that she is Cinderella, Ariel, or Snow White! It really is cute, but oh does she ever make a mess with everything!! No doors on my "studio" makes it hard to keep little, sticky fingers out! She DOES make for a great "model" to adjust sizes on though!!

I spent most of this morning catching up on e-mails and orders from yesterday, but I did take some time to visit a few other blog sites ( which, by the way, I was very impressed with)to see what was going on. I actually joined a couple that I thought I might like and it was fun to read about other women's drama for a change! Picked up some great tips and made some new friends also! Someone told me once that this is VERY addicting! I NOW believe them!

Have a HAPPY day!!! Erin

WHERE DID THE WEEKEND GO???

Here I am, Monday morning, thinking about the two days that just past! Wasn't that the WEEKEND? Well, technically I had only ONE day off since I worked Sat. but Sunday seemed as though there were only two hours in the day! Okay, I'm telling myself to quit whinning and get over it, but I will allow myself a few more minutes of depression! Okay, enoughs enough!!

Not much of anything exciting happened the last couple of days unless you want to consider the part where Andrew (my 6 yr. old grandson) decided that he was starting his own "Rock Band" LOL!!! The seriousness of it was hilarious! Down to the moment he asked me how to find a website that sold "stage lighting"!! We all got a good laugh and it made the day a little brighter watching him as he sang along (loudly) to "Rascal Flatts" and thinking he was a BIG star! Oh, to be that age again!!! I DID think about making that SUPER WOMAN t-shirt, but thats about as far as I got with that idea! I convinced myself to stay focused on working on the Spring collection for Georgikids and I actually finished a few pieces! Woo Hoo!!! Taking great photos of my work has been a challenge for me though! The light never seems right somehow! I bet I took 20 shots of one item before giving up finally! I WILL get it right, I keep telling myself! But after adjusting and re-adjusting, it doesn't get any better! I think I need to study up on the subject of photo taking!!

Today I am determined to get down to work and stay focused at the tasks at hand, which is once again working on my Spring collection! I guess I will try to finish the "Wyndham" line, which I worked on yesterday! It is turning out sooo cute! I HAVE to finish these pieces and get them posted! I have given myself a deadline that I am determined to meet so I HAVE to stay on track! Like the little engine that could, I will keep telling myself - I THINK I CAN - I THINK I CAN - I THINK I CAN!!!!

Spring is among us, It is MARCH already!! Let me get sewing!!!