Freestyle Friday: Never a dull moment

I had a brief 10 minutes moment of panic today at work when I thought I had lice. I found several small white bugs on my dark brown shirt. At first I thought they were little fuzzies, but then I saw one move. Needless to say, it freaked me right out. I ran to the bathroom, locked the door, and took off my shirt to look for more of the "fuzzies." I found a few and quickly squished them. Put my shirt on and ran back out to my desk. I made my co-worker come check my head for lice. He didn't find anything, but he did see the bugs I was talking about on my desk.

We of course checked Google Images for photos of lice. The things I was finding on my shirt were similar to the photos, but not exactly the same. Plus I wasn't itchy or anything. So we decided it couldn't be lice, and I tried to put it out of my mind. Which of course didn't work. I wasn't itchy, but thinking about it made my brain think I was itchy; so I kept scratching the crap out of my scalp and my arms.

My mind was racing a mile a minute. I thought about Emma and wondered if she was finding the same thing on herself, passing it along to all her classmates. I decided I'd have to go home and wash my pillowcase in scalding hot water to kill whatever needed to die. I was wracking my brain to think of all the surfaces my head had touched that could possibly be infected with lice. Was Big Daddy infected? Norbert? Would I have to bug bomb the house?

It was the end of my work day, so I took my time sheet over to the church as I left for the day. As I walked up to the side door of the church, I noticed that there were a bunch of tiny white bugs on the door. Same bugs I saw on my shirt.

I'd been through that door about 30 minutes prior to take something over to the church.

Mystery solved. Not lice. Just weird door bugs that had jumped onto my shirt to go for a ride, apparently.

I called my co-worker and told him about the bugs. He, too, was glad it wasn't lice.

Crisis averted.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Halloween costume ideas

You're welcome.

1. Brad Paisley
Wear a paisley button-down shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. Wear a "Hello, My Name Is" tag that says Brad.

2. Lego brick
Choose your favorite color of Solo cups and cut off the bottoms. Spray paint a cardboard box to match the cups. Attach cups to front of box. Cut head and arm holes in box.

3. Lumpy Space Princess
Wear a purple hoodie with the hood up, and attach inflated purple balloons all around your torso. Use a black Sharpie to draw two black dot eyes, eyebrows, and a sassy mouth on a balloon or two. Stick a yellow paper star to your forehead.

Could also skip the Sharpie and star and put a green leaf on your head and go as a bunch of grapes. Whatevs.

Wednesday: Where am I?

I'll tell you where I am. Stuck on Level 275 of Candy Crush Saga, that's where I am. I am about to chuck my laptop out the window because I'm so frustrated about it, that's where I am.

I am chauffeuring Miss Emma around to places so she can sell stuff for her school fundraiser. She's quite the little salesperson. {By the way, if you are in need of trash bags, we can hook you up. New this year: 33-gallon pink bags, and part of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Think about it.}

I am driving the Navigator again today so I can take it to get an oil change. I feel tiny when I drive it.

I am done with this ridiculous weather. Humidity is yucky.

Twitter Tuesday: Bacon Pancakes

"Bacon pancakes, makin' bacon pancakes/Take some bacon and I'll put it in a pancake." Darn you and your earworm, Jake! #adventuretime #funny

Dear Weekend: #navigating

Dear Weekend,
I can't remember a more relaxing Saturday. Emma, Big Daddy, and I were in our jammies the ENTIRE day. (Yes, I took a shower; but then I put my jammies back on. #lazybum) We watched several movies together and just vegged. I even took a nap (or two). It was glorious.

Dear Weekend,
I drove the Navigator for the first time on Sunday. I felt like I was driving a bus or steering a ship; but it was surprisingly agile and easy to maneuver. I even backed into the garage in it! By myself. Without hitting anything. #booyah

Dear Weekend,
Emma lost the final remaining front tooth: the bottom left one. I have been nagging her to pull it for weeks, it seems, but she was never interested. She just knew it was going to hurt. I finally wore her down yesterday while we were at MIL and FIL's house. Took two tries, and that little sucker just popped right out. She didn't even realize it was gone. FIL offered her $2 for it, but she declined so she could wait for the Tooth Fairy. I told her she should take that deal, but she still wanted to save it for Minnie (Minnie Chompers, our Tooth Fairy). Minnie came last night: she left a note that said she'd heard that Emma's Papaw had offered her $2 for the tooth and that she felt so honored that Emma wanted to wait for her that she decided to match FIL's offer. That Minnie, she's so generous. #toothfairyisbroke

Freestyle Friday: Sounds Like

I was thinking about fun sounds today as I was walking over to another building at work. You might wonder why, at that particular moment, I was thinking about sounds. Well, I'll tell you.

I was swerving back and forth in order to step on dry leaves. I just love the sound they make when I step on them. You can't just stomp on them; it ruins the noise. You have to slowly roll  your foot onto the leaf to get just the right crrrrunch.

Some other sounds I enjoy:

• The drum riff and cymbal crash in Bohemian Rhapsody. You know the one I mean. The one you play air drums with every time you hear it. Like Mike Myers in Wayne's World.
• Emma's laugh. Seriously, I could listen to her laugh all day.
• Norbert howling when Big Daddy tickles Emma. It's hilarious. I'll make a video someday and post it on here. He gets so upset. It's a riot.

What sounds do you enjoy?

3 Thoughts Thursday: School Lunch

1. Having lunch at school with my girl is such a treat.
She asked me to come have lunch with her today. #ifeelspecial

2. Having lunch at school with my girl on the day a guy gives a presentation about the upcoming school fundraiser during the entire lunch time is less than awesome.
I mean, seriously?

3. Having lunch at school with my girl is special, regardless of the circumstances.
Not only did I get a huge smile and hug from Emma, I got waves and hugs from other kids as well. "Hi Mrs. Heacock!" "Hi Emma's mom!" "Can I eat with you and Emma?" "Look at my Hello Kitty lunch box!"

Wednesday: Where am I? Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Today I am celebrating my dad's birthday. I won't broadcast my dad's age, but I will say that he looks much younger than he is. I love my dad very much, and I'm lucky to have him in my life.

Twitter Tuesday: Fantasy Football

I will have a Fantasy Football team this year: Mama's Marauders. Not sure how this is going to go. It's been MANY years since I last had a fantasy team.

Dear Weekend: Shopping is fun

Dear Build-A-Bear,
Emma was super excited about building a My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle. Until we got to your store and she saw the weird bangs on the animal.

Yeah, this is what Twilight Sparkle is supposed to look like. Not so much.

Emma was so off-put by the look of the bangs that she decided to build a cheaper different animal. Meet Spots:

Spots is wearing this dress:

**NOTE: Emma has had a growth spurt this summer. She has basically outgrown almost everything in her closet.**

Dear Justice,
Your Buy One Get One Free sale is pretty fantastic. Emma got 4 fun t-shirts for a very reasonable price. Happy kid, happy mama.

Dear Target,
I LOVE your clothes. Especially when they are on sale. That is all.

Dear Kohls,
Got Emma one of the most beautiful dresses she's ever had. On sale, with an extra 15% off. Hooray!

There's this little cutout in the back. And it ties with black ribbon in the back, too. Stunning.

Dear Crazy 8,
Thanks for the 30% off sale on everything in your store. And for having sparkly shirts, both short- and long-sleeved.

Dear Yankee Candle,
3 for $12 sale on Car Jars/Car Vent Sticks? Don't mind if I do! My car needs to smell like Macintosh apples (my favorite YC scent). Have you smelled Midsummer's Night? It is really nice, too! Got that scent in the Car Vent Sticks for Big Daddy's vehicle. It smells terrific.

Freestyle Friday: Florida Photo Fun

Thought I'd treat you all to some more vacay pics.  Enjoy!

Supercalifragilistic Breakfast

Lunch at Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

Magic Kingdom

Princess lunch at Akershus (@ Norway area of Epcot)

Epcot (also met Mickey in his tuxedo)

3 Thoughts Thursday

1. This weather is wacko.
I mean, seriously; it's mid-August and I'm wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. I'm not complaining, just saying.

2. I love stationery and office supplies.
One of my favorite parts of back-to-school time is shopping for school supplies. Always has been. When I was younger, I'd go to Walmart and always come back with at least one new pen or writing utensil of some type. It used to drive my mom crazy. A pen that writes well makes me happy.

When I saw a commercial for this new pen called Inkjoy, I HAD to get one. Or 3. Whatevs.

3. I find cross-stitch very relaxing.
I'm working on a new cross-stitch piece. This is the pattern:

I found it on Pinterest.

Wednesday: Where am I?

I am having a powdered donut breakfast with Emma before her second day of 2nd grade.

I am making Emma's lunch for school. She wasn't interested in today's school lunch meal choices. Going the easy route (per Emma's choice): Lunchable.

I am at work. Two hours is a long time if you don't have much to do. I could go for a snack right now...

I am freezing my tush off. In August. #smh

I am going to Walmart. Lots of stuff to get after being away for 7 days; and I can never seem to remember everything, even with a list. This is my 4th trip to Wally World since we got back. (That's 4 trips since we got back on Sunday evening. You do the math.)

I am catching up on DVR stuff.  It must be done. ;)

I am excited to hear about Emma's day at school. Love that little punkin head!

Twitter Tuesday: Back to school

Emma is back to school today. Praying she has a great school year. Such a bright future ahead for that girl. Can't wait to see it unfold.

Dear [previous] week...

Dear [last] Monday,
Long day. Emma, Big Daddy, and I left our house at around 6:30 a.m. to drive to Florida. Destination: Disney World. After stopping for lunch and dinner, we arrived at the Pop Century resort at around 10 p.m.

Dear [last] Tuesday,
Had a delicious buffet breakfast (which included lobster eggs benedict) with Tigger, Pooh, Alice, Mad Hatter, and Mary Poppins. Park visited: Hollywood Studios. Rides/attractions visited: Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror (I loved it; Emma not so much), Star Tours (Star Wars-very fun!), Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Fantasmic (ah-mazing!!!). Lunch at Pizza Planet. SUPER delish Polynesian dinner at O'Hana.

On the Great Movie Ride

Dear [last] Wednesday,
Animal Kingdom day. Saw Finding Nemo the Musical (wow!); rode Expedition Everest (Emma's first roller coaster ride - rode in row 1). Met and got photos with and autographs from Baloo and King Louie, Chip and Dale, Safari Donald, Safari Mickey (I was starstruck when I saw Mickey), Safari Goofy (he's so tall!), and Safari Daisy (she even wore cute brown heels). Yummy African buffet lunch at Tusker House. Swam in the resort pool during the evening.

Baloo playing keep-away with Emma's autograph book.

Dear [last] Thursday,
MAGIC KINGDOM day. Rides: Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean (broke down while we were on the ride), Haunted Mansion, it's a small world (broke down while we were on it), Hall of Presidents (the one Big Daddy was desperate to do), Stitch's Great Escape (Stitch the stinker spat on Emma twice during this one... LOL!). Characters: Fairy Godmother (sweet, sweet lady who saw Emma in the crowd while she was riding in the parade later in the day and mouthed "I remember you" to her), Princess Tiana, Jasmine and Aladdin, Mermaid Ariel, Rapunzel, Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Cinderella. We went to Typhoon Lagoon at the end of the day. Favorite day.

Wearing her Pirate Princess ears, waiting to meet the blonde princesses: Rapunzel, Aurora, Cinderella.

Dear [last] Friday,
Epcot day. Rides: Soarin' (very neat) and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Characters: Tuxedo Mickey, Pluto, Minnie. The last thing we did was have lunch in Norway at Akershus with the princesses: Belle, Snow White, Ariel, and Aurora. Emma also got her photo taken with the new character, Duffy, who is a bear Minnie made for Mickey. Fun fact: Duffy was the only left-handed character we met. We left Epcot around 1:30 p.m. and drove to my Aunt's condo in Largo, where we spent the night.

A little hug with Ariel.

Dear [last] Saturday,
Went to the beach this morning for a few hours. I got major compliments on my bathing suit from a woman who was at the beach. No, there are no photos of me in the suit. It is two pieces: the top is black with a strap on one shoulder, and the bottom is teal and has an attached skirt. It was so relaxing to be at the beach even for a little while. We went back to the condo and swam in the pool a little, then we cleaned up and headed back to Orlando to Downtown Disney. Emma had an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for a princess makeover. We surprised her with a full makeover, including a Belle dress, wand, and tiara. She LOVED the whole experience. It was well worth it. After it was over, we drove about 4 hours north and stayed the night in Valdosta, GA.

Princess Emma

Dear yesterday (Sunday),
Got up early to get a head start on the trek home. We ended up stopping for lunch at the exact same place we had stopped for lunch on the way down. Same cashier and everything. Funny! We made it home at around 8 p.m. We had a great trip, but it is SO NICE to be home.

Freestyle Friday: Back to school

I can hardly believe Emma is going to be an official 2nd grader this coming Tuesday. She is growing up so quickly! I can't wait to see how she blossoms and grows this school year.

3 Thoughts Thursday: Did you know?

1. Rubber bands last longer when they are refrigerated.

2. There are only four words in the English language that end in
"-dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous, and hazardous.

3. In a 1917 letter to Winston Churchill, Admiral John Fisher used the phrase "O.M.G." Talk about ahead of one's time...

Wednesday: Where am I?

I am enjoying some of the last glorious days of summer break spending some QT with my girl and Big Daddy. These are precious, lasting memories we're making.

I am blessed beyond measure.

Twitter Tuesday: The Great Nose Ring Debate

Do you think it's feasible to have a nose ring if you also have allergies and sinus issues? 'Cause I want one.

Dear Weekend

Dear Weekend,
The concert was SO fun! I'm still excited, exhilarated, exhausted... That is all.

Freestyle Friday: Say NO to scary

Two-sentence horror story

This is one of the many reasons I don't like scary stories, scary movies, scary ANYTHING.

Freaks.
Me.
Out.

3 Thoughts Thursday

1. Time seems to drag on endlessly when you're counting the days until an event.
Then it seems to speed up and fly by during the actual event. I hate that.

2. I'm tired of doing laundry.
Seriously, it never stops.

3. The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel is a must-read.
Fascinating.