Elder Son...the basketball edition.

A couple of years back you may remember this post....(a tear jerker to say the least)...where Elder Son tried out for the JV basketball team in 7th grade and didn't make the cut (there were about 6 ninth grade boys who dominated that season). He did make the team the next year and had a good bit of playing time.  But this year, well, this year he's doing great! 

I am happy to report, Elder Son not only made the Junior Varsity team this year, he is a starter, and he's one of those 9th grade boys to watch out for.  I can't really say he dominates anything, even if he is my son.  But I can tell you that without a doubt he has made marked improvement upon last year.  And that's not just his mama speaking, that has been told from his Coach's mouth, and various other fans and parents in the stands.

For those of you wondering, Middle Child did not go out for the team this year.  For various reasons, I'm sure of which include the fact that his brother was cut in 7th grade and that's still fresh in his mind.  Also, he's not a fan of running.  I tried to encourage him and explain that there was no need to worry about his height being an issue.  In front of the coach, principal and fellow peers I said...."haven't you ever heard of Spudd Webb 5'6" and Muggsy 5'3"---short statures by baskteball standards sure, but they even played in the NBA".  Middle Child just smiled and politely nodded....but later while walking out of the gym, where only I could hear, he quietly replied, "yes they were short, but Mom, they were also black."  Oh, yeah, there is that.  He is a big supporter at the ballgames though, filming his brother when Temple can't be at the games.  And there's always next year, I'm expecting his excitement and confidence for the game to rise.  While he still won't be black, there's a good chance he will be taller.

Here are some pics from Elder Son's first game of this season.

I am so proud. They won their game 38-21 and Elder Son was high scorer with 11 points!! Yep, that's my boy.  And if you attend a game you will also recognize my mother in the stands...she's the one who yells phrases like "get him off of my grandson" -- loud and proud. :)

My boys of fall....

It's not that I'm a slacker...no, really, it's not.  I lost an entire laptop.  A spare laptop that I had been using after mine perished back in August.  And it was the laptop that I had saved pics from their Junior Varsity football games.  We've been searching for weeks...and finally, I found it! So, here they are, some very overdue football pics of my boys:

I lived to be 39...and then he made me get a job.

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read all about it. 

Apparently, due to my increase in years, dear husband decided I needed a hobby full time job.  Aside from the full time mama gig I had going.  So, he, along with a partner, bought a famous (to us) syrup plant.  Then handed me the keys to the front door and said, "go run it".

I'll let that sink in a bit. And while it's sinking in, let me remind you of a few very important facts:

• He didn't even ask for a copy of my resume. 
• Or any references.
• He never ran a drug test. Or background check.
• Nor did he conduct an interview...where he could have found out these important facts.
• I have been "retired" for more than 15 years.  
• I have never ran a small business in my life.  
• I do not have any actual experience in the syrup industry. 
• Let's just call it like it is...I've never had experience in this thing called the work industry, period.
• Therefore, I may or may not really be qualified to run a syrup plant.
• Or even be married to an owner of a syrup plant.
• Or own my own stock in that syrup plant.

My point is, if you like this syrup, go clear your grocer's shelves of it.  Pretend like it's Y2K all over again, and hunker down with cases of the stuff.  It may be your last chance to ever buy it.  From here on out, I'm the one in charge.  And while I have no idea of all the qualifications necessary, I am confident that I lack the majority of them.  

I do love the syrup. It was my PawPaw's favorite. That's the big reason behind how Temple suckered me into accepting this position. "Now, wouldn't your PawPaw be so proud?". 

I even have a bunch of those letters behind my name now, a famcy schmancy title. Chief Operating Officer--responsible for daily operation of the company.

Which spells COO.  Coo can be defined as "to make a low soft cry like a dove or pigeon".....

Yep, that's me.  The one who has made a few soft cries during the course of the past two months while I have been learning all about the syrup company and how to run it. Acquiring the ingredients for the syrup, mixing the syrup, cooking a batch of the syrup, bottling the syrup, packaging the syrup, shipping the syrup, promoting the syrup, selling the syrup, meeting with chemical treatment folks, learning how to work a boiler room, taking apart a conveyor belt with sticky syrup, managing employees, changing out a labeling machine, running a pallet jack, creating a shipment stack, wrapping a shipment stack, etc. etc. etc.

Slow and steady.... I'm trying my hardest not to sink the Golden Eagle ship, and so far, I'm managing to keep my head above the proverbial vat of syrup water. 

The Finished Goods.

So these pics are from part of the ongoing basement project.  This is the bedroom.  Don't pay attention to the funky, differing shades of green in these photos....camera operator error. 

It's actually a nice shade of green known as Asparagus and it makes the black and white bedding really pop.  We didn't want to "just" put up mattresses in the basement bedroom, so thanks to my parents for hooking me up with a headboard.  That plus a few cans of spray paint equals not only an economical solution, but a pretty addition to the room.   As for the dresser, once Temple stripped it down, the wood was really nice so we washed it down with a dark, black undertoned, wood stain. 

 I'm so happy with the results and how this room is shaping up.  Plus, it just feels good to do those jobs ourself.  

A little DIY project

You know there are those moments where I think I can actually make some of those projects they show on HGTV, or things I find on Pinterest. And then usually I talk myself out of it before I even begin.  But not so, this time I managed to complete a nice room with refurbished pieces.

 Late this summer, I decided to try out my own project with a "free to me" headboard.  Circa 1978. 

Couldn't you tell by the nice wood tone and thick, bulky posts? Complete late 70's, early 80's all.the.way.  The previous owners...my parents.  

Also up for the redo was this cute little dresser I purchased a couple of years ago at an estate sale in Tennessee.  

A few years back, I was unsure why we couldn't install a pool in the backyard that we WANTED, but my husband clearly NEEDED a huge workshop that was built in record time.

Then I undertake a project like this.  These are the days I am thankful for my husband, his shop, and his stripping skills. Let me clarify, his furniture stripping skills. 

There you have it...the BEFORE's. 
Hopefully tomorrow, I will have the AFTER's posted. 

I know it doesn't look like much now...but I promise the after is worth the wait. They turned out SUPER. Really.

Denial.

I cannot believe it is already the middle of November.  Christmas is coming soon and I'm hoping to get my decorations out this weekend.  And 2012 is just around the corner!!! Where has this year gone? Absolutely flown by.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Elder Son

Elder Son surprised me.  I assumed at his delicate age, a "Mommy and Me" date would be highly uninviting.  Much to my delight, he was truly excited to plan a day for just us.  I relish those rare moments, as I know he is fast approaching the time zone that mainly includes activities with folks his own age. 

I think his first choice was for us to go to go-cart racing....I quickly informed him that would not be real fun with me at the helm, but rather something he should probably do with Dad. He chose the zoo, followed by lunch, and then a movie (Pirates of the Caribbean) complete with buttered popcorn & milk duds.   It had been several years since he had been to the zoo, and while he really wanted to go, he was concerned (tenderhearted chap that he is) about making me go again since I had just been a few weeks earlier with his brother.  I told him I'd be delighted to take him to the zoo, so off we went: 

  

 Elder Son was thrilled to see me squirm in the reptile building.

Each time I see one of God's creations, I am more and more amazed.  Here, a "leaf-nosed" snake: 

This guy was huge (see the pinecones around him)...his shell was so neat, and those squatty legs. :)  

One of our (Middle Child as well as Elder Son and myself) favorite exhibits--the predators.  During our visits, the lioness had just had cubs, barely a couple of weeks old, so she and the cubs were not on display as of yet.  Only Big Daddy...sitting high atop his rock...looking like a scene from The Lion King.  

He came down for showtime at the Predator Zone...better known as feeding time.  The zookeepers use this time to get close to the lion by feeding him several several pounds of ground beef on a stick, in order  to check his body, his agility, his teeth, etc...like a well check to make sure there are not any issues that need to be dealt with...all from the convenience of the chain link fence separation.  

Fence (which was constructed by the lowest bidder) or not, I'm not so sure I want to be that close to his paws.

Dude, you have some seriously hairy pits.

After his lunch bucket of meatballs on a stick have been exhausted, he gets a cool "treat"...goat's milk sprayed onto his tongue.  Again, this is another way for the vets to check his teeth/mouth area from safety.

 

They are beautiful creatures.  Powerful, yes, be certain of that, but looking in his face...majestic.  

Reminds me of Elder Son....powerful, majestic, king of my heart. Oh, and he eats a lot too.

Thank you, for a wonderful day with the animals...I remember taking you there so many times as a toddler...special memories made again now as a teenager.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Baby Girl

It was no big surprise that Baby Girl chose to utilize her artistic side for her Mommy and Me time. In fact, it was a day full of all things girly for her...a trip to All Fired Up to paint, pedicure complete with shiny star studs, shopping, and yogurt with all the fixings.  

Our pottery pieces after painting:

(she chose something to remember her 10th birthday)

The lovely purple toes with silver stars...a tribute to her birthday party invitations for the upcoming "night under the stars" event that month.

And our finished pieces of art after they had been fired. 

Honestly, any day, doing anything, with Baby Girl is a joy.

Daughters...what special blessings.

Mommy and Me date -- edition Middle Child

These Mommy and Me dates took place late summer, just a couple of weeks before school began.  Each child had their own day to plan all the events.  Middle Child chose to spend hours at the Birmingham Zoo, visit Smith's in the Village to purchase a few new knights and eat at Sumo Japanese Steakhouse.  Here are a few favorites from the day:  

I love this guy peeking around the tree!  

He needs to dip in a vat of lubriderm.  

Aw, hogwash.

Who is that masked man?

Camel rides....Lawrence of Arabia would have been proud. 

Talk about being able to just sleep anywhere....even with dozens of folks watching your afternoon nap. 

However, the summer heat gets to everyone, so you need a cool drink.  

We took that as a sign to take a break too.  Nifty coke machines.  

The tiger is always a favorite.

Of course this lion is my pick of the day. 

We stopped to smell the flowers. That's important, you know. 

A barn owl's eyes are mesmerizing. Really. 

Seriously, dude, does your mom just follow you around with that camera everywhere? 

Why yes, indeed I do. 

 Middle Child and I had the BEST DAY EVER.  I cannot express the joy in this one on one time with each of my kids.  Thanks, son, for memories to cherish forever...