livingthedream

W.T.F.???????

2007-09-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

Happened to 96 WAVE? 96.1 Chuck-town??? there are so many things wrong with this picture and the music choices are crazy...

Surprise Visitor

2007-06-02T10:53:00.001-05:00

I was bringing in the stroller today out of the rain, and look at what I found! I tiny wren's nest. I love birds in particular watching them nest and their habits..anyway, this was a true blessing! but not to the poor birds that I dislodged all of thier hard work!! Notice, it is in the back pocket of the stroller where I keep gloves, keys, etc. They enjoyed using May's winter gloves and hat as background...

the Most Beautiful Day...

2007-05-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

This is the image out of my screened porch this morning. It was absolutely perfect-the breeze was blowing, the tide was unusually high and our new grass is so GREEN! Heaven I tell you!

What a difference a year makes.

2007-03-13T19:13:00.000-05:00

So I was scanning through PICASA and thought it would be neat to find pictures of May from a year ago. I know that there is so much growth in one short year, but looking at these pictures I can not believe it! May- you have gone from a newborn to a toddler OVERNIGHT.. Here are some things about you that I love:
*that you are a great sleeper (6pm-7am and two 1-2 hour naps a day)
*that you love to eat. with me as your mom-there is no way around it..(sorry)
*that you love music...anytime a song comes on you are bobbing your little head and flapping those arms of yours
*that you are beginning to give spontaneous hugs...I love them
*that you constantly smile
*that you do NOT cry-even when I think that you should.
*that you are mine and your daddy's...we love you more than you will EVER EVER EVER know.

OMG..

2007-03-13T19:04:00.000-05:00

DO YOU SEE A RESEMBLANCE HERE?????
I am glad that I birthed this child or you might think I stole her from the Fitzgerald Family Farm!

13 months

4 years old

Tulips are here!

2007-03-13T18:47:00.000-05:00

In January, I planted 100 Tulips in our front yard. Well they are in full bloom, and I must admit that I am IN LOVE! They are the most gorgeous colors of pink and red that you have ever seen...I will definitely plant them again next year. FYI- if you are in the neighborhood in the next week--please stop by-They are so PRETTY!!!

Birthday Picture

2007-03-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Here is a little photo montage of May's first birthday...She was such a big girl all day and enjoyed the hub=bub that was her first birthday party....We ended up having a family party and it was great....Perfect day and May had a Ball! Jeff's uncle, Bob took these photos, and I believe that they really do capture the essence of her sheer pleasure of eating the cake. IT was ADORABLE!
We love you big girl!!!

Smile!!!!

2007-03-07T13:22:00.000-05:00

I am a Big Girl Now!
Loving bath-time and grinning for the camera...a new camera i might add that is SO MUCH more fun to use than the old one and no DUCT TAPE!

Ummm..Hello!

2007-03-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

I am not dead to the world of blogging, although I have thought about giving it up once or twice...I have come to realize that it is sort of like a journal for me-and when I was a teenager all the way through when I met Jeff, I kept a journal of sorts that had sporadic entries. Some months-great. Others, well not so great. But instead of feeling guilty that I have not blogged, I will go from here- with some flashbacks mingled in. There was the cutest picture that I wanted to post to go along with this, but alas, the Blogger god is not with me today. I can not seem to upload any photos....Maybe tomorrow!

Things that have happened since I last wrote.....

2007-01-08T19:36:00.000-05:00

Since I last posted I must admit that I have been slack on the picture taking. I attribute it to being so busy that my life feels out of control and now I am beginning to reign everything in and begin anew. I could not do that however without highlighting some important events of the last 2 months or so...but who is counting, right?

Halloween...Sitting and waiting for our 4 trick or treaters. The numbers are growing year by year-but I am still always a touch disapointed when we do not have child after child ringing the doorbell....anyway---

May's first day of school at John Weslyn Methodist Church. She goes M/W/F from 9:45-1:00 (weird hours, right?) and she has absolutely LOVED IT...and I love it too- her teachers are great and it is a very small class..

Thanksgiving...Hmmm.18 people in my house. IT all went very well- the only casualty was me BREAKING our joggling board after some champagne and jeers from my nephews egging me on to "Keep double bouncing us"..Enough said-OUCH.

How I set up the tables to fit the diners. I must admit that it looked fantastic and everyone had a wonderful time-or so they said!

I am not dead!

2007-01-07T19:56:00.000-05:00

Someone, Please come help me update my Blog. I have been trying to fix it since it has been upgraded and I am a complete MORON when it comes to the computer....so here is a question: why if i have Picasa 2, does it not show the HELLO icon like the directions say? Also, why is it so difficult to upload pictures following the prompts from the icon on the screen???? Can someone please come over and give this girl a tutorial??? I will provide lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks-whatever!
Thanks.!!!

PS, next month- I will tackle the IPOD. i really do not want to be old before my time.

Chicago.

2006-11-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

A month ago, Jeff ran his marathon in Chicago. As much as I would like to say that i knew how he did, or saw him run at different places along the course- i did not. I spent the weekend with our dear dear friend Melanie and her family. She has two gorgeous girls who are full of energy and personality and I loved getting to see them and Mel...I hate that we have such good friends who live far away, but being able to spend 3 days together non-stop and talk non-stop just reinforces the strenght of the friendship...Mel, I love you like a sister and each time that we are together-it makes me miss you!!!Here are a few pictures of the girls having a good time- i swear, Lila and Noa could move in to our house ANY time...
We love you guys.

Cashiers....

2006-11-20T20:27:00.000-05:00

Jeff, May and I on the porch..

A few weekends ago, We were invited to join Jessica, David and Georgia on their vacation to Cashiers, NC. To say that it was a great weekend would be an understatement. This was the first time that we have been on a trip as a family with friends and it was a blast. There were two other couples there with girls all around the same age as May and it was amazing seeing them all interact so well together. Not to mention that how special it was to spend so much quality time with friends. We all are so busy, and i loved getting to know the husbands better and seeing everyone on down time instead of at a party... Thank you Jessica and David for including us--it truly was a treat. Here is to next year--Love you!!!

Georgia, May and Madelyn

vent....

2006-11-20T20:10:00.000-05:00

Ummm.. ok, I have had one of the most frusterating experiences of my life unfold over the last few months. I am not sure if you know, but i have been a life and health/securities agent for the last 6 1/2 years since my days in charlotte at the grand ole bofa....(a GREAT employer by the way). Well when i was on maternity leave, my insurance license had Continuing Education that needed to be completed for me to keep my license current. Well, since I was on Maternity leave, it was not completed with BofA. When I decided to work with my dad, i needed to complete the CE. I signed up for the courses online and completed them. Well, when you work on your own versus have someone monitor you licences for you it is a completely different world....So i completed the courses which cost A lot of money ($150) and hired a proctor to come to my house and watch me take and pass each one of the tests for $25.00 a pop. A side note, I failed one of the tests several times, so the proctor had to come back to my house so i could take the test again. All in all, i think that I spent $150 for the tests...Well, the deadline was November 1st and I did everything that I thought that I needed to before that timeframe. One thing led to another and I FORGOT to check with the SC department of Insurance to make sure that everything was Status Quo. Forward to November 2nd. I called the Department of Insurance to make sure they received all of my information.....Here is the cincher, I failed to pay a $50.00 fee, so......I LOST MY LICENSE. AWESOME..... All of that work for nothing. It may not seem like that big of a deal but when working two different jobs and juggling a 10 month old that i love- it was a lot of time and sacrifice. So I move on and have to reapply for my license as a new producer. I call and schedule the exam (65.00) and think that I can study with Jeff's books. What I did not know is that i have to pass a pre-licensing exam which I can only do with purchasing the online study guides and tests (185.00). I do this and have spent the better part of the last two weeks studying, taking tests, generally being in a really really bad mood. So the test was scheduled for today which i took off from one job (grace little school) and get a babysitter==EVA. free i know, but still time for her not to be doing what she wants. I go to take the exam, ready to go and I get to the testing site and GUESS WHAT??????? THE bad word people at the testing site had set me up under my MAIDEN NAME. you know what that means??? I can not take my test because my license doe s not match the test name...GREAT. It is about 80 degrees at the testing office, i am beyond mad and they tell me that I have to call the customer care line and fix the problem. That would be awesome, but it took me 30 minutes of waiting on hold to get through to someone, for them to only switch me back in the Que. AWESOME! Still at the site, i try to explain to the customer care lady what had happened and she gave me some serious attitude. She finally realized that the mistake was in fact theirs, but I can not take the exam because of the name not matching. But, I can call back tomorrow and reschedule for another time. Right. Two hours later, I leave Prometric realizing that I am in fact not in charge of everything and that my 2nd job is lying in the hands of these dumb=a**es somewhere in Minnesota. Whew. I feel a little better, but not until having two VERY large glasses of wine and an equally large piece of chocolate cake. Tomorrow, maybe will be a better day==I hope.

.tagged...

2006-11-06T14:27:00.000-05:00

So, I was tagged to answer some questions by Amanda, and since I still am unsure how to link (someone please help me) to other blogs-i will try and post a link to hers later when i can focus a little better!! here it goes:

I am: an overly anxious person who struggles to keep everything in line/orderly etc.
I want: to be a better wife and mother.....
I have: an Amazing daughter and an even more AMAZING husband
I wish: that I had more energy to be as productive as I wanted to be while still maintaining a smiling face.
I hate: that I do not get to see my friends (close and far) as much as I used to (esp since we did not realize how precious that time was)
I miss: my sister in Newberry, friends in far away places and that feeling of freedom that you have when you are young and dumb-like a perfect fall day in college....
I hear: nothing! baby is sleeping and the dryer just finished it's cycle.
I wonder: what life would have been like if I did not go to college in SC.
I regret: Nothing. Everything that has happened good and bad has made me who I am today.
I am not: sugary sweet, but you always know where I stand and I am not mean.
I dance: with my husband at parties.
I sing: Constantly when I am alone.
I cry: reading some people's blogs/ during the evening news/ wherever there is a story that evokes true emotion.
I am not always: the nicest to my husband. Why are we the nicest to others and then you are grumpy with the person who means the most?
I make with my hands: flowers in the garden/ dinner.
I write: not as much as I wish.
I confuse: What is important with what can WAIT.
I need: quiet time.
I should: talk less and listen more...I am working on that.
I start: my day with coffee
I finish: the day utterly content.

If i knew how to tag i would!

Can you tell...

2006-10-24T17:58:00.000-05:00

Which one is the pumpkin or the child? Just kidding. But she sure does fit in well doesn't she?
Maybe next year she will really enjoy the Pumpkin Patch- but as for this year--well, let's just say that she could not have cared less where she was..but hey-it is all for us now isn't it?

This is for Jeff.....

2006-10-24T17:55:00.000-05:00

Bollerman that is! Thank you Jeff for continuing to purchase our little May these Furman outfits...I pray that when the time comes we will be able to send her there.........only if we can afford the tuition! :0

Newberry...

2006-10-24T17:47:00.000-05:00

Gaillard

Julianna
Are they not so sweet? Their progress has been nothing short of AMAZING. Both weigh almost 7 lbs...Can you believe that in a few short weeks of coming home, they have gained almost 2 pounds??? Although I have only seen them once in person (while they were in the hospital i could only see them through a window), I feel like I know what is going on at all times through talking with Anne and Mom. They are sleeping well, eating great and growing into full sized babies. I am so happy for Anne and Hugh- I know that they must feel so relieved to have a lot of the worry behind them...Remember her due date was not until November 10th!! The miracle of Modern Medicine!!! We LOVE our new baby cousins!!!

May and Lauren--

May getting some GaGa time in.....

Slack, Slack, SLACK!!

2006-10-24T17:44:00.000-05:00

That is what I am with my blogging. One day turns into the next, and before I know it--a month has almost passed. These are pictures taken of May several weeks ago, and now I am just getting them on the web! Things have been out of control busy--when will it EVER slow down? The sad thing is- it never will-so I just need to get used to this pace of life....

By the way- Isn't she ADORABLE?

8 months and counting...

2006-10-02T14:19:00.000-05:00

I feel that I have been neglecting my child...May just turned 8 months old, and I have not written about her in forever!! She still is such a joy to be around- inquisitive, deliberate, confident, happy and strong would be how I would describe her. She is aware of EVERYTHING now. She wants to hold it, lick it-feel it. It includes but is not limited to: dirt, shoes, Stella's toys, you name it, she is exploring!!
She is crawling so well and pulling up on whatever she can balance on. The most inventive thing so far is the face of the dishwasher. She palms her way up until she is standing up...
She is feeding herself finger foods ( last night i fed her Chicken Divan casserole)---What a hit!
I guess that I am not the best at expressing how I feel about her, but she is a bright light in my life. I have to remind myself that she is not going anywhere and that she is mine for life!! That makes me so happy..now in a few years when she is a teen=hmmm, i might be singing another tune. But for now-I treasure every second with you Maisy. I love you...Mama.

Gaillard and Julianna

2006-09-19T19:50:00.000-05:00

Well- The babies made their grand entrance on Sunday the 17th at 8:54 and 8:58 respectively. Alfred Gaillard Pinckney Smith was 3lbs15oz and Julianna French Smith was 4lbs1oz. Mom, Dad and the babies are doing great! Anne should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow, but the babies will be in the NICU for at least 2 weeks. They are breathing on their own and eating through a feeding tube- both of which are just HUGE for babies that we born almost 8 weeks early. God had his eyes out for these two!!

Anne holding Julianna ( i think that she looks like May)

Anne holding Gaillard ( he looks just like Hugh)

Gaillard
Julianna

hmmmm...tasty.

2006-09-14T16:13:00.000-05:00

Ok- so I have always heard that southern babies grow up sucking on a chicken bone and enjoying ever last second of it. I know that I was one of those babies-Jeff was one of those babies...still I was a little skeptical--but damn! May loved her some chicken bone...look below!

I am about equality in every situation gay/straight whatever but.....

2006-09-08T15:50:00.000-05:00

This is ridiculous. I feel stupid bringing up what celebrities say, but THESE PEOPLE ARE SO DAMN STUPID.

read on because I do not know how to link on this effectively:

Brangelina to Marry When Everybody CanFriday, September 8, 2006 2:56 PM EDTThe Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) Â Brad Pitt, ever the social activist, says he won't be marrying Angelina Jolie until the restrictions on who can marry whom are dropped.
"Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able," the 42-year-old actor reveals in Esquire magazine's October issue, on newsstands Sept. 19.
In the article he reflects on "fifteen things I think everyone should know."
Though Shiloh, the world-famous daughter of Pitt and girlfriend/earth mother Angelina Jolie, hogged much attention upon her birth in May, Pitt says he "cannot imagine life" without adopted children, Maddox, 5, and Zahara, 1.
"They're as much of my blood as any natural born, and I'm theirs," says Pitt. "That's all I can say about it. I can't live without them. So: Anyone considering (adoption), that's my vote."
Pitt, who plays a world traveler in the upcoming drama "Babel," subscribes to a laid-back parenting style.
"I try not to stifle them in any way," he says. "If it's not hurting anyone, I want them to be able to explore. Sometimes that means they're quite rambunctious."
Lucky kids.
"I feel it's really important to have that time to sit and talk to them," he continues. "I really like that last minute before they fade off. And always give them a heads-up before you jerk them out of something. You need to tell them, like, `You have three more minutes.'"

2006-09-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

Tonight-Jeff took me on a date to see the movie
">Little Miss Sunshine http://alliance.zap2it.com/zap2it/code/movies_toolkit/cda/zp_mt_main_template/1,1009,332-105---52874--,00.html
---What a great movie--It has been such a long time since I have been to a movie that was this funny--and poignant. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone----

numbers....

2006-09-06T12:32:00.000-05:00

5;45 am...time that May has been waking up in the morning
30 minutes....how long i let her cry before i go in to get/soothe her
3 number of times that she crawls up crib and thows the pacifiers over before settling in for nap/sleep
6 days that this has been happening
1 more day before i loose my HEAD!
..does she not understand that mommy and daddy NEED their sleep???

in case you were wondering....

2006-08-28T14:30:00.000-05:00

Today I ran to the grocery for my bi-monthly I hate grocery shopping visit. While picking our food for May, I noticed the most interesting thing... Both Beech Nut and Gerber foods have a Latin/Spanish variety of food. Hmmmm....Anyway-Tonight and for the next week- May will be having recetes/latinas Mango and Guava and Guayaba y camote ( guava and sweet potato). My little multi-cultural baby.......

my husband is a good man.

2006-08-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

Late last week I ordered a desk from Staples.com. Our old computer desk was my desk from childhood-so needless to say we needed some more space. I ordered it on Thursday and it arrived Friday. This would have been alright had it not been for the shower that i was throwing for anne on sunday...it arrived box broken and all of those pieces spewing all over my front steps. Great! just what i wanted to deal with. so my sweet husband put it together with absolutely no help from me and it is now finished and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it...and all of the space that it provides..

Thanks honey!

Jeff assembling the many pieces..37 page instruction manual.
Finished product=Yeah!

6 month pictures...

2006-08-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

last week-our friend Hayden came over and took some GORGEOUS pictures of May for us...(just a a side note she is super reasonable!!!)
Here are a few of my favorites..I have so many pictures of May--I just hope that our next child gets the same amount of love and attention...
Do you think that it really happens?

today.....

2006-08-11T13:03:00.000-05:00

Today has been quite a family day....out the window with quiet friday afternoon- enter: mom, julia-vivian and oh...annie on the phone. that is my day.... :-)

Bananas and More

2006-08-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

Spider #1.
Could not get a great picture b/c he is up in my tree.

After reading Amanda's blog yesterday-I had to post the pictures of my banana spiders..I love having them and secretly consider it an honor that they love my yard and have space to weave thier beautiful webs. Last year at my old house I had 9 spiders at one time. But we had several bad storms and I think only 2 matured. So now, I have 3 active spiders and 2 that have already matured and died. Enjoy!

Spider #2

Spider #3
Another view of Spider #2.

I was having a difficult time with the camera this morning...

Just as a side note- it is absolutely gorgeous outside. you can actually be out without sweating in 2 seconds...ah...85 degrees.....

6 months and counting....

2006-08-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

Birth Day..

Wow, I can not believe that May is 6 months old! (actually she is 6 months and 2 weeks but who is counting!) May is a precious child who brings joy to everyone who is around her. I may sound like a proud mom, but I AM! She truly is a good baby who gives her parents and trouble. She is on a great schedule of eating/sleeping and has been since month 3. A typical day is:
7:00 awake/ bottle
8:30 nap
11:00 eat lunch
12:00 nap
3:00 bottle
4:00 nap (sometimes!)
5:30 eat supper
7:00 bottle

that's it! she is perfect!

May has been eating solids since 4 months when she literally grabbed at all the food on my plate and practically leaped out of her exersaucer to my cereal bowl. Some people would say that it was too early, but my Doc said Ok and we were off! May's favorites are Peas, Carrots, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Bananas and Pears...Let's just admit it, she loves it ALL! I know that she is our child- Jeff and I have never turned down a meal. I bought stage 2's at the store yesterday and i can not wait to begin giving her those foods-

She is creeping around like crazy- getting frustrated when she can not get to where she wants to go as quickly as she would prefer. I have a feeling that once she is up and running- i will never slow down! May loves her johnny jump up and can stay in it for days! She bounces up and down-twists every which a way- she loves that thing!

This is one of the most recent pictures that I have of May. I need to resolve to take more pictures!! I am just not a picture person and have to force myself to take them- So here is my pledge-I will take more pictures and give them to friends and loved ones!!!! Repeat over and over!

May eating her first cookie (zwieback)

YUMMY!!

What a difference 6 months make:

January 30th 2006: 8 lbs 11 oz
21 1/2 inches long

July 31, 2006: 18 lbs
27 inches long

May- your father and I love you more than we could have even imagined possible....Thank you for coming into our lives and making us better people.....
we love you maize.

More Gap!

2006-08-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

Mary Hasty holding May and William..
May had such a great time with the other babies....I know that she is ready to go to school- she loves kids and will flirt and play with anyone who comes over...as long as they are under the age of 12!

Mr. John hanging out in his new Bumbo seat. These things are like gold- you can not find them anywhere....I wish that we had a picture of all the ladies and babies there-but with 3 little ones- one was asleep-one was crying--you get the drift!

He's getting the hang of it!

Roaring Gap!

2006-08-08T08:05:00.000-05:00

May by the lake....

Thankfully, May and I were invited for a girls weekend in Roaring Gap, NC to escape the OPPRESSIVE heat that we have been having in Charleston. This was a big trip for Miss May and I, and I was exited to begin our journey by ourselves!! We began by traveling to Newberry to visit Annie...I wish that I took some pictures of her-she really is getting big!! Then Friday we were off to Roaring Gap, NC--which is closer to Sparta and Boone--Next to the NC/VA border. Let's just say that if there is a heaven on earth-it is Roaring Gap. I absolutely love it there- we always have a fabulous time and the weather is always great. I think that the highs were in the 70's and the nights were in the 50's. That is what I call living!!!!
Roaring Gap is a private club and it is a playground for adults and kids alike-Again- when I die- please let it be there :-)

This is where I fed May each day...notice the mountains behind her...lovely..... Isn't she a big girl in her Bumbo?

Playing on the porch..

More of the view........

I know what I am working off!

2006-07-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

Ok---

I know that I have been complaining about my weight recently, but look at what I have to work off!!!

It is funny- once you have the baby- you forget ( or at least I have) how big you were while pregnant...We did not have any pictures of my pregnancy and so the night before I went into have May- Jeff snapped some of these photos...

Hmmm...I need to get on the treadmill fast--

zinnias

2006-07-25T20:44:00.000-05:00

I by no means profess to be a gardener, but I do love being out in the yard. The last year has been a little hectic-moved/pregnant/etc....so now, I am finally able to play and plan for what I would like our yard to look like.....While I was on maternity leave, Mom gave me some Zinnia and Cosmos seeds and I planted them in my front garden...They did UNBELIEVABLY well and I know exactly what I am going to do with them next year. That is the fun thing about gardening-it is all about trial and error, and i am still learning the sun factor in the back and front yard.

Anyway- are these not the prettiest Zinnias that you have ever seen? the photos do not do the flowers justice...they are just the best- and my favorite. I swear, the littlest things make me happy- and flowers out of my yard top the list.

Now, i am on the hunt for a birdfeeder that attaches to my kitchen window- I am a freak about birds and would love to watch them feed while i am cooking....ahhhhh....peace!

good friends....now and forever!

2006-07-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

This weekend, Jeff and I drove with May to Litchfield to see Melanie, Morry and their children-Lila and Noa...are they not the CUTEST????

The girls were so good with May and she absolutely loved being with the BIG girls :-)
They played and played in the pool- and I must say, for two girls from up north- Lila and Noa are impressive little swimmers....They loved the water and swam like fish! and i must also mention that they made May laugh like she has never laughed before--she had the best time and slept for the ENTIRE way home.. Thank you lord :-)

Mel- it was great to see you- each time we get together- I realize how much I MISS YOU!!!
Much love to you guys always...

Caroline

T minus 3 and counting......

2006-07-19T09:22:00.000-05:00

Until my last day at Bank of America. If I am honest with myself, this is a really hard transition for me to make. I should have written about it sooner, but I HATE change and have such a difficult time dealing with it. I have been plagued with CRAZY dreams, anxiety and i have been how should I say--a little weepy. stupid things make me cry like episodes of Sex and the City and looking at the Keystone Camp website. Do not know what is wrong with me except for change is hard and all of these other weird anxieties surface and leaves me a little sappy and scared. In a week, i know that these feelings will be gone- but now, I have to deal. What is the worst that can happen? I have to go back to work full time and I call up Bank of America- or another bank in the city...I will find work. This is just a huge step, i have never relied on someone else before for survival (money) and have never not had a full time job.... Good parenting on my parents part! :-) So off to the next episode of life- closing one chapter and opening a new! Very exiting and will be a ride for sure.....

Beginners Luck

2006-07-16T19:11:00.000-05:00

Today- Jeff and I went fishing in the pond in front of the country... This trip was years in the making- Jeff has been wanting to take me fishing and we only had one pole-so i said as soon as you get a pole- then i will go. SOOOOOO....after a trip to the local wal-mart- i became the proud owner of my very own "ugly stick". Funny name, and at first I thought that Jeff bought it for me becuase of the name, but he assured me that the Ugly Stick is a fisherman's staple. Next was the task of getting the boat in town- the motor did not work after hours of jeff trying, so we were relegated to dad's Folbot or their rowboat. we chose option B. Anyway- no sooner had I casted did I have a bite=BINGO! lost it: Darn!! but before Jeff could even bait his hook- I caught the biggest spot-tail bass that I had ever seen. But to be fair, I could not tell you the last time I have seen one- but Jeff was impressed....
Then we waited and waited and Jeff caught a HUGE flounder...The afternoon was completely fun and I can not wait to go back out on the pond..So easy and we have dinner for a week!!

Jeff's Flounder!

Our Supper...YUMMY.

Does anyone have a good way to BAKE fish?

a guy compliment?!

2006-07-12T13:35:00.000-05:00

ok- so i feel the need to preface this post with stating that I have a very kind, warm and loving husband-one who treats me like a queen and always is respectful....that being said, sometimes he spews things out of his mouth that are intended to be sweet, but come out WAY WRONG....

here is the scenario:

driving down the road, i pinch at my stomach ( i know--i just had a baby-whatever, i still feel HUGE) and i complain, AGAIN, that I am so fat and how gross I feel. to which husband replies:

"you know who you look like?"

me: "no, who"

husband: " the people at the end of 'The Biggest Loser', where they lose all this weight and their skin is droopy. you are not fat- just a lot of skin left over from losing a lot of weight'.

to which i replied: "awesome, my husband thinks I am fat."

FITZ FOURTH

2006-07-11T19:58:00.000-05:00

Could not help but add these pictures to the blog.....This was the 4th evening party at the Fitzgerald's house...Such a good time and May was the hit of the party in her Flag dress.....(thanks Mel!).

4th of July Catch Up

2006-07-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

Ok-So i know that i have been lax in my blog entries, but things have been rocking and rolling along in the Fitzgerald household...we had a busy 4th weekend,. Anyway.....We began the weekend with a SUPER FUN 80's party for Alton and Elizabethat the Charleston Gun and Rifle Club.I have heard that the place ispretty cool--kind of in the 'hood, but it has a beautifulwaterfront--too bad we got there at 9:30 and did not see it. Thecostumes were hysterical and needless to say, Jeff and I looked like theparent's of the bunch- not like to cute party people of the 80's..I amso sad that I do not have any pictures of my outfit, but let medescribe...LizSport...one piece.....madras coulott outfit...........witha purple belt...super cool. Well, I know that you are so sad that youcan not see my outfit, but here are some pictures from the evening.....

Let's just say that the night ended with Jeff and I goingthrough the T-Bell Drive through and then chowing down and me waking up confused because Jeff was not there and then padding around the house and finding Jeff on the couch-TV on--lights on--all the doors open. So,if you ever want to break into our house- you could have that night or really any night that we go out too much!

we spent the rest of the weekend traveling between Wadamalaw and home and on the 4th-finishing the day in the Village with Jeff'sparents...such a beautiful 4th- began the day with the FLOAT--Jeff and Ipaddled instead of floating and that is definitely how I am going toroll the float from now on..much more in control of the day....then we got off the water-cleaned up and drove the the village where we had awonderful evening with the Fitzgeralds and their friends. I swear, it is so much cooler at their house---crazy.

We had such a ball with May--she went swimming in the river--her 2ndtime! She loves being in the water, but she does NOT love being in herl ifejacket..She looks like she is stuck inside with no room to breathe--but other than that- she has a great time. I really thought that when I had her, that my life would change so much, and it has, but we still get to enjoy all of the fun things that we used to do--like lazy days on the dock being dock monkeys

So stinkin fun to sit around on the dock and swim...Anne was in town with her brood, well only Lauryn and Loretta, but itwas fun nonetheless. Anne looks great- she is now 21 weeks along andbeginning to feel like she is pregnant with twins. I just hope that shecontinues to feel good for the next 20 weeks....hmmmm...might not, butwe will make it through.

ok-last ones!

2006-06-24T20:58:00.000-05:00

here are the last pictures! again- what a wonderful afternoon, thanks to everyone for bringing yummy food and great conversation.

we love you guys!

Georgia and May...chillin...

What a cute family!

Friends Forever.......

more pictures....

2006-06-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

Dorothy and MK!--Sweet Smiles!

Georgia.. what a doll!

looks like little dorothy, spencer and mary sitting there..

what a day!!!

2006-06-24T20:49:00.000-05:00

Today we had the CDS crew over for a little or should i say BIG cookout...It was a wonderful day--It is amazing to be surrounded by friends who know me like family, and still want to come around! :-)

We had a great time and each child is a gift--sweet, loving and such great personalities..I love them all!! Here are some pictures, unfortunately, i never take enough...

love you all and thanks for coming!!

Miracle....In a can.

2006-06-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I witnessed a true miracle. Jeff and I are blessed with an all WHITE tile shower, that is borderline the bane of my existence. I can never keep it clean enough, and the amount of grooves to clean in between drives me INSANE. I am always on the hunt for the magic cleaner. I have tried Bleach, Clorox, Comet, Soft Scrub, EVERYTHING....until my last ditch hope--Scrubbing Bubbles....I sprayed it on the floor and forgot about it until I hopped in the shower last night. I merely wiped my foot and the grime was gone! No scrubbing to be had. I almost cried tears of joy over the fact that I may have a clean shower floor. It is the little things........

King and Queen of Newberry

2006-06-15T12:27:00.000-05:00

That is right, we are going to have a King and Queen of Newberry, SC come November! Anne found out today that she is having a boy and a girl!! I am so exited that I do not know what to do with myself! Anne is so lucky, and those children will be a constant source of support for each-other, and the competition aspect of twins of the same gender is not there! How lucky are they? I always wanted a brother, and to have a brother that was my age, who would always be a protector--how lucky is she? So, from now on, they will be King and Queen in my book FOREVER!!

guilty?

2006-06-14T10:51:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I was doing the happy dance around the office going "i'm going away this weekend, i'm going to sleep late, ha ha ha ha ha..." feeling very exited about the fact, that Jeff and I are going to Charlotte saturday for a party and will not be back until Sunday afternoon. Then, someone said, "Aren't you going to miss May". To which I did not really have a great reply. I AM going to miss her, but I am also equally exited to have a little B-R-E-A-K. Am I going to hell in a handbasket?

Whose baby is this anyway?

2006-06-12T18:54:00.000-05:00

Whose baby is this anyway???? May changes every day, but I am totally stumped by who she looks like. I could not resist snapping some photos of her tonight playing while I was cooking supper and when i looked at them--could not believe how much she has changed- even in the last week....WHO DOES SHE LOOK LIKE????????????

first meal

2006-05-31T20:11:00.000-05:00

ok...i thought that i would not do this, but I could not pass up this picture of little May. She was eating her first meal of cereal and Jeff snapped this cute picture...will write more later....

Update...

2006-05-25T15:08:00.000-05:00

So, I bought the dress today. Feel very very fancy and exited. Other than that- nothing to report at all. It has been painfully slow at work today and the only redeeming thing is that we have Spoleto this week and the office has been so relaxed. YeaH. Makes it better, but still I have almost ripped my hair out several times this week due to absolute boredom. Let me make a list of the websites that I have visited today so far:

vibeboutique.com
gap.com
oldnavy.com
shopbop.com
thecharlestonmls.com
eychner.com
msnbc.com
google.com
cnn.com
bankofamerica.com

number of times that i have heard certain songs on the radio

Mary j blige- Be with you (4)
Hips don't lie- (4)
Promiscous Girl (3)
hmmmmm......

American Idol must be the only thing newsworthy today, because that is ALL that has been on MSNBC today (which by the way is right in front of my desk)

so- i hope that tomorrow is faster/better/whatever! I am going numb and dumb over here.

:-)

The Dress.

2006-05-24T14:17:00.000-05:00

Today I found The Dress. You know the dress that makes you feel fabulous, it is timeless and you will treasure it always. Power dress. I did not purchase it becuase we are kind of in a crunch right now and that would be a definite splurge. But, Jeff said that if I was still thinking about it in a few days that I could get it- an investment he called it. SOOOOO. I have the nicest husband in the world. Let's just see if I still am thinking about it in a few. Hmmmmmmmm......Pretty Pretty

Maya Hirsh

2006-05-23T16:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I received the worst kind of news. My dear friend Melanie's 4 year old niece was killed in a hit and run accident in Chicago. Words can not describe my sadness for Danit and David, their two little boys and the rest of the Steinbach family. Trying to come up with something positive to say to Mel was not easy, nor was there anything to say. I will continue to pray for them in this time of grave despair and may one day they feel a sense of peace and understanding of what has happened. Danit and her children were leaving the Lincoln Park zoo when a driver ran through a stop sign and hit all three of them. Little Maya was dragged behind the car and was killed from trauma to the head. This has outraged the community of Chicago because this was a well known traffic area that people routinely blew through and disregarded all of the signs. I will never know the pain that they feel, but I do hope that they feel the love and support from friends and acquaintances. God Bless them today and forever. And to little Maya- We love you and miss you.
(click on the title to view story)

All better....

2006-05-22T13:08:00.000-05:00

So, after re-reading my last blog, i feel like i may have been a little too dramatic. I do have friends, and I have lots to do. Just sometimes it is hard because i still wish that it was easier to see people and coordinate activities than it is. Like college-remember how many hours you spent wasting time? I do not know what I would do with myself if i had a quarter of that free time. It sounds frighteningly boring.
Our weekend was really great- went to the pool and had a ball with May. I need to figure out how to upload some pictures to make the blog a little more interesting and show you how cute she was in her float. That night we had dinner with Eliz. G. We had a wonderful supper and it was one of the first times that we have been able to hang out like that in a relaxed setting. Eliz is smitten with a new man, and i am thrilled for her--these are the fun stages in a relationship when everything is an adventure.

no body likes me...

2006-05-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

why don't i go eat some worms?
today, i am having a pity party, really with no merit behind the pity. i am tired, grumpy, it is a pretty day, and i have no one to hang out with. wah. wah. wah. my husband can go out when he wants, and i have to coordinate a babysitter and we have no money..wah wah wah. plus, all of my friends have lives and i do not except for my precious little boodle who i love so much. there. i said it. feel a little better. i am just tired of always being by myself.

Baby Brain

2006-05-18T14:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, today I have been a complete moron at work. Spaced out; Zoned; whatever you want to call it, I am it today. And honestly, I can not figure out why. I really believe that two clients may close their accounts because I was not able to efficiently explain why their accounts were messed up. Well--not really, but you get the point. Help! How do I permanently un-tongue tie myself!!!

Britney..Britney...Britney

2006-05-17T16:40:00.000-05:00

Ok. I feel like such a loser for admitting that I care about celebrities and their dumb lives at ALL, but Britney really needs to get a clue before going out in public with her child. I mean really; I get nervous that my child may poop in the pool therefore i double swimmy her for God's sake, and here Britney is driving around town, with the car seat the WRONG way and in a convertible. Where is the child's hat? I think that is more irresponsible than having him the wrong way--there is a chance that he could be big enough to be turned around at least. But no hat or cover??? Would you do that to your child??? Enough on that. She just needs to ask herself before she walks out the door--"Am I doing anything dangerous to my child that will land me on the cover of every magazine/newspaper known to man and do I care?".

The one left out......

2006-05-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

You know the feeling of when you graduate from school and then you go back for a game and the same people are there, but everything else feels different? As if you do not belong anymore? Well, today is my second day back on the job at the big ole bank and that is how I am feeling at the moment. Sitting at my desk, same calls-problems-etc but everything else feels a little off-odd. Maybe that is a good sign that I have changed over the last 3 1/2 months, that my priorities are not here, but at home. Who knows? But one thing is certain, things are drastically different and I am happy to be the one leaving and not the one left.

hmmmm...work.

2006-04-03T17:02:00.000-05:00

Well, the time is beginning to count down when I have to begin thinking about getting my rear back into gear and go to work......Trust me, I have thought of all the ways to get around going back, but have not come up with one that is suitable...The benefits are the key to our happiness, and my work is where it is at. Did you know that you can work part-time at Starbucks and get benefits? That may not be such a bad idea-there is one right around the corner from me that would be super convenient. The reality is that I am not very good at the whole hippie, cool, artsy thing, so I am sure that it is not the place for me. I do not think that they hire psduedo conservative Republicans...On second thought, maybe I should go check it out.
Have you ever thought what ridicule you face by admitting out loud that you are a (gasp!) Republican? All sorts of opinions are generated about you in a second--It is almost like admitting that you are a Christian. Everyone has something to say about your beliefs or what they think that your beliefs are. What is the big deal about having opposing views? I like it and feel that you can learn quite a bit from just listening to what is said. You do not have to believe it, like it, or agree with it, but you can not help but learn SOMETHING from someone who has a different opinion than you. Sorry for the rant, but what a pet peeve of mine!!!

The day that changed or will change my sister's life forever!

2006-03-29T17:13:00.000-05:00

Today, my sister found out that she is expecting twins....Very exiting to say the least, but as a new mom to a wonderful 8 week old, today I must say, her life changed forever. She is about to be on the biggest ride of her life, from being pregnant WITH TWINS, to birthing them....Do any of us know what we are getting ourselves into when we get pregnant?? Quick change....just got off with the sister and she is freaking out about having the two boodles in her belly...wants nothing more than to freak out over a glass or bottle of wine, to which i said, "So sorry honey, welcome to the next nine months- or in my case, at least until week 13 and then i imbibed a bit (during a trip to Miami, but that is another story entirely). So to sister--welcome to the rest of your life, it is going to be wonderful, exhilarating, not to mention scary as hell, but we will ride this one out together- I love you!

What is the dream?

2006-03-29T17:06:00.000-05:00

You may ask, "What is livingthedream?". To be honest, it is a quote that I have stolen and used often from one of my sisters...I am one of three and the youngest. The phrase is most often used like this:

Me: "Sister, how is your day at the Conservative Small Upstate University?'
to which her reply is:

"oh, you know, LIVINGTHEDREAM"

or from one new mom to the other;

Me: "New Mom: How was your night/morning?"
to which her reply is:

"oh you know, LIVINGTHEDREAM"

So, LIVINGTHEDREAM, can be sarcastic in nature, true to what you feel, or just a lazy answer when you do not want to go into the nitty gritty deatails of your otherwise kind of boring day. So with this blog, I hope to give an insite to my life and all the dreams that come into play day in and day out.
Enjoy!