FABULOUS FRIDAY

OMG! I just learned something new and IT ROCKS! Scroll down to the bottom of my blog and I have linked it up to You Tube. Now my favorite parts of Talledega Nights, which happens to be my favorite movie, are on here. The cool thing is, you can change it whenever you want. I was wanting music and couldn't figure that out, but I found this. I also found a news link. I'm kind of a news buff. Mo, if you are reading, I bet we could find the "schwetty balls" SNL clip. That is one of my favorites too and of course anything with the Spartan Cheerleaders or Mary Katherine Gallagher. HA. That's just a great show.

I'm watching August Rush tonight. It's pretty good. I don't think Juno was one of my favorites. Both of the kids have friends over tonight. Jeff and I got a lot done when I got home tonight. We pressure washed the concrete around the pool and the entire back covered patio. I did a little furniture rearranging, too. Now it is all set to be painted tomorrow. I'm so happy to finally be getting things done around here. Now if I could just have the same passion for studying.

Lelania was at work today. That was a major help. I've been so overwhelmed with work and I just want things to go back to normal. I realize normal does not exist for either one of us anymore, but I still want it.

Last night I fell asleep proof reading and I don't want to do that tonight, so I'm gonna cut it short. I ordered some batteries for my camera today, but I guess in the meantime, I'm just gonna go buy some. There is too much going on around here to not have a camera ready.

Enjoy your weekend. Love on those babies and share your love.

Cya,

Kacy

THURSDAY! OR IS IT FRIDAY? WHO KNOWS!

Ok, so I wasn't kidding when I said I had my days and nights all messed up. It is now the wee hours of Friday morning and I'm watching Juno, surfing the net for about 500 different things on my a.d.d. mind, laughing a little and crying a little. (I think this movie is responsible for a lot of that.) This movie has got some lingo that is WAY over my pea brain. I obviously need to get a little more hip on my teenage language skills.

No new pictures...my camera battery is dead. I want some rechargeable ones, but can't find any locally. I guess I'm gonna break down and order some. The problem is, I want a new camera and I'm having trouble deciding exactly which one I want. I've been getting lots of advice and am actually gonna test drive one this weekend. My neighbor is a bit of a closet professional photographer and has agreed to let me take hers for the weekend and see what kind of damage I can do. I'm actually pretty excited about it. I love me some pictures.

Last night, I painted my front porch trim. It was a little after 9 when I finished. I wanted to do the small side porch as well, but that's where Chiquita and Banana live. In case you forgot, Chiquita and Banana are my two beautiful little blue jays that have set up home under my side porch. They are absolutely gorgeous and as corny as this may sound, I feel blessed to have them living here. My brother has a little bird at his house. He figures he is a teenage bird that left the nest and has now decided to come back home. My brother named his Chip. That's how this whole bird thing started. I named mine Chiquita and Banana. See, Chip and Chiquita are second cousins. Chiquita is the redneck Mississippi cousin and her boyfriend's name is Banana (I thought that was appropriate for several reasons). Now, I've just grown to really like my little playful birds. Do you ever make up stories about people you don't know? My whole family does this and so do a lot of my friends. It's kinda fun and then it usually ends up really funny when you realize what you came up with for folks.

I was off work all day today. Not exactly by choice. Something happened with a CenturyTel fiber optic line, so I had no phones or computers today. I just left. If I had stayed, it would have driven me crazy. I got a lot done around here. Both kids rooms are now clean and the back porch is painted. I also got the stain for the doors so I can change the color. I'm trying to find some wall monkey decals for Savy's room. She wants polka dots painted on the walls and she wants these monkeys. I found several sites tonight. I need to do some measuring over the weekend and get that taken care of. I also bought fabric for the barstools downstairs and some for some roman shades in SavyG's room. I got it at Fabric 4 Less. They are going out of business and I got it for $3 a yard. You can't do better than that.

I rescheduled my test for June 5! That's the big day. I went and sat at the hospital with Lelania and her dad today. My heart just breaks for that family. Please, please continue to pray for them.

I turned in mom's medicaid paperwork today. Apparently, she has to be seen by multiple doctors over the next few weeks and then hopefully we will have a case built for disability. That would be a huge God send. I feel like I'm letting everyone down right now. I feel like I should have done more for my mom in the past. I say I wasn't able given the circumstances of my life these last several years but that's just an excuse to make me feel better. Anyone is capable of anything they put their minds to.

I really feel like I've failed Dalton. He got MAJOR sunburned on Sunday. I knew he was but I didn't think it was as bad as it really was. I reapplied that waterproof spray Coppertone SPF 30 four different times that day. He was burned several layers deep and his skin is so red it almost looks like it's going to bleed. I put A and D ointment on it and am just keeping a close eye on it. He asked me today why the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. That kind of came out of nowhere. I gave him the best answer I could and told him we would research it further together. Where do these kids come up with this stuff. Today he watched Oprah about her dog Sophie's death and what happens in puppy mills. Now he wants me to call the humane society and see if he can do some volunteer work. Jeff thinks it will break his heart. I think, if they have something he can do, he should try it.

We are going to West Monroe, LA for the 2nd Annual Shake 4 Jake on June 28th. I am so excited. I missed it last year because I was sick. I can't wait to go. We are trying to work out a vacation around this. Right now, we are checking out cruises out of New Orleans. I think that would be a blast.

We are also working on my 35th Birthday Party. I want to go play paintball for my birthday. My cousin Ashley is going to help me get this going. I've always wanted to go play and I can't think of a better reason.

It is now 1 a.m. and I am feeling tired. Jeff is behind me snoring so loud I don't know if I can go to sleep, but I guess I need to try.

Don't be to shy to say I love you. Have a happy Friday.

Cya,

Kacy

MONDAY ON A TUESDAY

my days and nights are really getting messed up. or maybe it's my crazy family. it's 9:45 and everybody went to BED.

i thought it was summer time and we were supposed to party like rock stars. HA. i actually think i figured it out. they play all day now and swim for hours and by the time i get home they just want to know where dinner is and kiss me goodnight.

i have pictures to hang tonight but i'm gonna be nice and try to be quiet instead of hammering all over the downstairs. i really wanted to paint the trim around the ceiling of the back patio tonight but it started raining about the time i left work. that was OK though because when i got home, jeff said we have every other color paint in this house except the exterior trim. go figure.....after that party yesterday and my backyard looking like sanford and son's, i'm all fired up to get it in shape.

i wish my body could keep up with my brain. i have lots of ideas, i just don't have enough hours in the day or energy to get it all done. i wonder how long you have to live in a house before you feel like when you get home, you just love it and there is nothing to fix, paint, decorate or plant. i was in my last house for 4 years and i think i was to that point but it was the smallest house i ever owned. everybody tells me to take it one room at a time....they obviously don't have a.d.d.

my mom is worn out tonight. she's the local night owl and i think she was the first one to bed tonight. bless her. we filled out a bunch of paperwork today and hopefully can get this ball rolling with a successful outcome. prayer is powerful.

speaking of which, the mccown family can still use our prayers. for that matter, they always will, but it is truly a difficult time for them now. i haven't talked to lelania since early afternoon and can't get in touch with her tonight.

i've got a busy day at work tomorrow so i guess i'll try to join my family in catching some zzzzz's. lelania keeps me in line and focused so i'm all over the place at work in her absence. i did make a list today before i left and tried to prioritize. i hope it works.

ya know, tuesday nights are just not the same without american idol.

hug those babies (even if yours are worn out)!

Cya,

Kacy

MEMORIAL DAY!

We have had a big time around the Acree house today. It started early this morning with me in the flower bed. I was DETERMINED to finish those front flower beds if it killed me and it just about did. It was funny, this afternoon I was thinking about how I worked so hard to get the front yard in shape and then had a huge BBQ Cookout in my backyard and it looked horrible. That's ok. I spent so much time back there this weekend in the pool that I drew a layout of what I want back there. I think Jeff and I are on the same page with it now. The key now will be for him to get the darn brickers back over here. Check out some of my hard work.... Check out that fake smile. Did I mention it was about 284 degrees outside this morning and my front yard gets the full morning sun? Check out that sunburn would ya? It only got worse. It was all worth it though, here is the finished product. I am one proud mama. Ok garden gurus, I realize you may not be impressed, but if you could have seen it before I started you would understand why I am so proud. My flowerbeds and gardening is one of my true passions and to at least have a canvas to work with now is very exciting. I am very hesitant to just fill them up. There are so many flowers and colors that I love, I'm trying to be patient and get the things I really want and find just the right places for them.
I got my pictures from the cookout on here tonight. Look how much fun these babies were having. Does it get any better than a Cars Slip and Slide?

What good is a southern cookout without a fight breaking out? Don't you just love a huge soaking wet diaper? I miss my babies.

We had a big time in the pool, too. Dalton got his first pretty bad sunburn. Of course, he thinks he's dying but he doesn't have anything on me. I think the whole street is water logged but we sure had a great time.

That's my friend Jenifer and boy am I a DEAD woman when she sees this. We all had a HUGE diving contest this weekend. It was tons of fun. I'll have some pictures of that tomorrow. My camera is too slow. I'm still holding out for my new one. Well, Jenifer got one and she and her husband Art were taking pictures of the dive contest.

All I can say is that until yesterday, I had never done a back flip off of the diving board. I still wouldn't say I can do it, but I have definitely got some bruises to show where I was trying. Can you see them?

Pictures don't do them justice. Apparently, when I do my back flip off the diving board, I land on my shins and inner calf muscles. The problem is, when you've had courage in a cup in the form of Southern Comfort and Mountain Dew, the pain didn't set in until it was too late. Oh well, Mama always said, When you fall off the horse, get your ass back up on it! I did her proud.

It's 10:40 and I've got a load of clothes staring at me to be folded. Everyone else in the house is asleep. I'm having trouble in that area lately. I've got another load of clothes in the dryer and one in the washer. I guess I better shut this down and get back to work. I've got the ole TiVo going again tonight and I am watching Grey's Anatomy reruns.

I hope you had a wonderful day with your friends and family. Have a most excellent week at work and make the most of every minute. You aren't guaranteed another one.

Hug those babies super super tight...tackle them if you have to. Share your love. Today, I told everybody here I loved them when they left. Some thought I was crazy and some said it back. I never say I love you because I want a response. Why do people feel like they have to say it back? I'm not offended if I don't get one back, but I don't want to wake up tomorrow and wish I had said it. That happened with my father in law, and I decided then, it would be the last time.

Cya,

Kacy

Can't Sleep

Something's not right. I don't know exactly what it is, or maybe I know too much that is wrong, but I can't sleep. I took an Ambien (miracle sleep drug) well over an hour ago and still can't sleep. I was watching The Green Mile and the flood gates opened up (those would be my tear ducts). I have had the most awesome day today and I am worn out. Every muscle and bone in my body hurts and I have a lot of bruises to show for all of the fun I had, but something is wrong in my heart tonight.

In The Green Mile, John gives the Boss the "gift" of immortality. In the end, the Boss says he guesses that it is his payback for killing John in the chair when he knew he was innocent. I had those thoughts this week. I feel like everything that is going on in my life is payback for the wrong things I've done and the way I've lived my life. Sometimes I just feel responsible for the bad things that happen. Sometimes I wonder if I'm responsible for my own pain.... I don't know how to explain what my heart feels right now, but that movie hit home tonight.

How 'bout my Mr. Kahne tonight? I'm actually watching it AGAIN on TiVo right now. There is something seriously wrong...it's 12:30 and I'm watching NASCAR and blogging and crying. What a day. Maybe I'm just too tired.

I have been swimming since 11:30 this morning and didn't come in tonight until after 10. My friend Jenifer and her husband and daughter came over today to swim. They talked me into trying out back flips. I can do front ones, and I could do back dives. Until today, I had never tried a back flip. Well after about 25 of them and some serious mess ups, I got it. My legs from the knees down are black and blue, seriously. I'll take some pictures of them tomorrow. I landed on them about 22 of those 25 tries today. I'm a little stubborn and don't like it when I can't do something. I'm a bit of a daredevil. I'll try just about anything. We had a blast! Then we had a street party. We all went down to the end of the cove and cooked out and watched the kids play on the slip and slide. Before you knew it, all the kids were gone and it was just adults sitting around. All of the kids were in my pool. SO, we all came back down here and one by one, every adult got pushed or thrown into the pool in our clothes. We had so much fun. When we got out, the kids were all so tired they were about to cry.

I still have a few things to get planted. I just had too much fun playing with the kids today. Mom got back home tonight. She even got pushed in the pool and ended up swimming for awhile. I'm so glad shes home. I am cooking tomorrow and some more folks are coming over to play. I love being with my friends and family. I miss Jeff's dad. I've been thinking about him a lot lately. I know Jeff misses him. He passed away suddenly on July 30, 2005. He had a stroke at home and Jeff found him later that afternoon. He and I had a great relationship. I wish he was still here. He would have been here today and would certainly be here tomorrow if he was still around. I miss him terribly. I hate that my kids don't have him anymore. We was an amazing grandfather. We used to be at ball games and look over and he had snuck up and was over giving Dalton advice through the fence in the dugout.

Sorry about rambling tonight...I'm turning 35 this year and I have decided to have a paint ball party. I have never played but I think it would be a blast. There is a place in Hernando you can play and I want to. I'm ready to get that put together. Jenifer and I decided today that would be awesome fun. She's a great friend. We used to work together, but I left to open the insurance agency and she left when the market crapped out. We don't see each other like we used to, but she will always be a great friend. She and I were on a girl's trip in Nashville when Jeff's dad passed away. We were staying the weekend at the Gaylord Hotel in Nashville and had spent the day at the pool with the cutest cabana boy. Then we had massages scheduled at the spa. We got there and got about 15 minutes into our massages and they came to get me and told me I had a phone call. I knew something was bad wrong. I instantly thought it was my kids. Jeff was on the phone and told me what had just happened. We had to pack up and get home. I think I made record time that night.

Lelania is still at the hospital. She won't leave. I don't blame her. I intended to go see her tonight. How horrible of a friend am I? I'm talking about all of the fun I had and I should have gone to be a friend to her. I talked to her twice. She said things were just the same. She is having to be strong because her family is really struggling. I wish there was more I could do for her.

I don't like that Kyle Busch character. He really bothers me and he has been doing really good lately. Well, I've stayed up so late now, I'm hungry again. I think I have some left over pizza in there. I guess I'll go have a snack since sleep does not appear to be in my near future.
Have a great holiday. I'll get some pics up here tomorrow. Spend time with your family and friends.
Cya,
Kacy

Busy Day

After 6 more yards of mulch, 4 day lilies, two clematis vines, two flats of variegated monkey grass, two flats of impatiens, two flats of petunias, a thistle sock for the finches, and relocating the hummingbird feeders so not to disturb Chiquita and Banana, I am worn out and my hands and feet are black and will probably be that way for weeks. I also think my back might be about to break. Oh, I almost forgot the additional yard weeding I did, spreading the weed and feed and finally staking up my two small oak trees in the front yard. This was a busy day and I have more to do tomorrow. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love my yard and my flower beds. These are really big so they are a work in progress. The shutters for the front of the house are still not up. That is really throwing a kink in my landscaping. Hopefully, those are in the near future.

Tomorrow, I plan to play in the backyard with the kids. I want to lay out and just relax. Jeff is working until noon and then our cove is having a party for the holiday. They are probably just happy we finally got our yard looking better than a salvage yard. HA. Actually, we still have some work to get it looking better than that.

Mom is supposed to be back home sometime tomorrow. She took the girls up to stay at their house so they would be more comfortable. Mary went home really late last night. She started missing her mom and dad. Lelania spent the night at the hospital again, but Mary was happy to have her dad and brothers. Lelania left for a short time this a.m. and got cleaned up and visited with her kiddos. She quickly returned back to her mothers side. I haven't been since Thursday and plan to go tomorrow evening. Lelania is such a wonderful friend and her family is so dear to me. Seeing her go through this with her mom right now, just really freaks me out. With the news last week the feelings just intensified and became almost unbearable. It has made the time I have with my mom precious and something I will never take for granted. I don't know how I can ever go on without my mom. I never have. She is always there for me. That's where I need her. She tried to tell me today that wasn't the case, but she is wrong.

Sorry no pictures today. I was covered in black mulch from head to toe. I have a few more things to get in the ground tomorrow morning and then I'll take some pictures. We finally had to break down today and pull the truck into the yard. I managed to not throw up. Someday, it will all be pretty. Everything needs to grow a little bigger and needs to be pruned in the fall. I want to add some bulbs this fall and a bird bath. I also want some roses. That's about it for the front and then it will be on to the back. I'm going to have to go tropical out there. It gets the full afternoon sun.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. Spend time with friends and family and make those moments memorable.
Hug Your Babies and Share Your Love.
Cya,
Kacy

Enjoy the Moment

Life is going much faster than I am capable of...I shut down again this week and still don't have it all together. When I started this blog, "In The Blink of an Eye!" came to mind because my children were growing and changing so fast. It means so much more to me now. In the blink of an eye, not only will your children grow up, but your whole life can change. This proved itself to me multiple times this week. Cherish every moment you have with everyone in your life because you never know when God may call them or you for a bigger job. You never know when a loved one tells you they feel fine that they may just be scared of their own pain until it's too late. My faith is strong but my heart and my body ache right now.

SOOOO, all I can do is live in the moment. Today, I had many great moments and took a lot of pictures to remember those moments. I had my normal day at work and got home about 5:30. That's where it got better. My nieces, Mallory and Georgia were here at my house, along with Princess McCown (Mary) who moved in for a few days while her mom (Lelania) camped out at the hospital with her mom. She and Savannah have had a blast and gotten a lot of sun. Jeff had bought two yards of mulch and we quickly figured out that we were not capable of the flower bed situation. HA
Apparently we need at least 4 more of these.

Here is what we started with...

Ok, the wheelbarrow quickly turned into a big joke....even Ethel showed up to help...............

Mallory thought this was really funny!

We eventually had to bring out the heavy artillery. I wouldn't let Jeff pull the Suburban into the yard. We just layed all that sod last July and the thought of the Suburban on it made me want to throw up. So we progressed and pulled the trailer into the yard with the 4 wheeler.....

Thank goodness for big boy toys! I can't believe I actually said that. Did I mention that Savannah side swiped a convertible Corvette on our street with the golf cart this week? I think I probably left that out during my couple of days of blog rebellion. That big boy toy thing was really not a great thing that day.

OH, also during my "rebellion" David Cook won American Idol! YES! I finally picked one and got it right. I love it. Of course, I haven't heard a single thing about it after the show. I've been too busy with more important matters I guess.

Ok, sorry for the picture overload...well, not really. I'm a proud mother and aunt so just bear with me.. This is Savannah and Princess Mary. Are they beautiful or what? I love Savy G's eyes in this picture. That child is going to be the death of me. Mary is the sweetest child you have ever met. I absolutely love her and those girls had a blast and are totally exhausted tonight.

I'll start with Baby Georgia. She had a tummy ache this afternoon so catching her with a smile on her face was a bit of a daunting task.

No hair jokes. I get it cut tomorrow. Look at this sweet baby...her Aunt Kacy loves her so much.

Her Granny loves her, too. Mom was singing to her. This is a picture to treasure even though if mom knew I put her picture on here, she would literally KILL me...

Ok, it's Mallory's turn. This baby girl is just a mess. The funniest thing is, she looks just like I did when I was a baby and she has MANY of my traits. It's funny to watch. She is much more like me than either of my own children. I got one of her and mom, too. Mom wasn't happy about it but again, it's a treasure to me. It's so funny to see her with these girls. She's so protective with them. It's completely different of the way she is or was with my kids. She was completely different with my brother and I, too. Humm, I'll have to give that one some more thought.

I guess you can tell, I love me some babies! After all of the work in the mulch department tonight, we decided to hire it done. That's great, it gives me more time to play with all of these kiddos!

Have a WONDERFUL holiday weekend. Cherish every moment! I know I will.

Hug those babies and don't forget to say, I LOVE YOU. One day, it will be too late.

Cya,

Kacy

Idol Night ALWAYS Rocks!

I LOVE MUSIC!! I love American Idol!! Lelania and I decided to have a little celebration tomorrow night. SOOOO...we are having an American Idol Finale Party/Last Day of School Celebration!! How awesome is that? I'm so excited. Jeff is off work this week, so we put him in charge of the festivities. He actually went shopping today. By the way, I LOVE DAVID COOK. It's a really complicated relationship he and I have. I won't be upset if he doesn't win, but I really want him to.

Jeff is sitting across the room from me texting his no one tonight. That's always fun! He thinks if I'm blogging I'm not paying attention.

OK, on to other things. Lelania's son Michael came and worked for me today. He delivered bags with goodies in them to neighborhoods surrounding my office. I've had the bags ready for awhile sitting in the floor and they finally got out today!! Yeah!! That was a relief. I also had some commercial help today which turned out to ROCK. By the way, I am scheduled to take my test next Thursday the 29th. Better start praying now. I need all the help I can get.

Medical Updates....they aren't so good. My Uncle Joe is in ICU tonight. He had a heart cath done today and things went a little crazy. He has a lot of blockage. They did put a stint in one side of his neck today. The other side they are going to treat with medication. He has a blockage in his leg that they couldn't fix today because things got a little hairy. His throat started to bleed and so did his nose so that landed him a nice cozy spot up in the ole ICU. He is very frail to begin with so this is just not good. Only two people can see him every four hours. My mother (she did come home) is about to go NUTS. She is in cleaning overdrive. He needs our prayers.

Lelania's mom is still not doing well. Everyday that passes is another emotion for Lelania to deal with. I pray for her mom daily, but I know she is being taken care of. It is Lelania that I am worried about. She's just angry and I don't blame her. Her mom is not in pain but the future is unclear. That's causing a lot of pain for her Dad and her and her children. I wish there was more I could do, but I don't know what to do. Once again, I can just ask for prayers.

How about this thing I found on my kitchen counter yesterday? It came home from school with Dalton.

I forgot what he called it. It had something to do with grass. I called it phallic.

It's some kind of project they did and he keeps watering it. I'm not sure how long I'm gonna be able to stare at this thing. I really try to support the kids in their projects, but this one is really pushing the envelope.

This thing is right by my kitchen window. I have some new little bluebirds that have been hanging out on my trellis outside of my kitchen window. There are two of them. I named them Chiquita and Banana. Don't ask, it's really an interesting story but it's kinda long. Today, Dalton found the nest! It's outside under the side porch. We got the ladder out this afternoon and he looked in the nest when the birds weren't there very careful not to touch anything. Check it out. I love the little birds.

I'm not real fond of having a bird nest under my side porch but I love the little birds. They are so pretty.

I got some hummingbird feeders today at the store. I had to go buy teacher gifts and picked these nice little feeders up while I was at it. I mixed up the food to put in them and Dalton helped me get them out in the flower bed. Hopefully they will be mulched by the end of the weekend.

Here are my cute little feeders!!

I think I'm turning into my Grandmother. I even decided tonight that I wanted to go to the Farmer's Market this weekend. I cooked tonight and decided I wanted some fresh veggies. Tonight I cooked roasted chicken, asparagus, corn, sweet peas and black eyed peas. Yum Yum. Project 125 is now within single digits! Woo Hoo.

I told the kids their rooms had to be cleaned by Friday and that I was going to kill the next dog that went upstairs. Now, I'm a bad mother again. Dalton took me seriously and started to cry. He's not been taking his meds, but I feel about a half inch tall. Kids...I learn something new everyday. Once they get out of school, I pray things will be better. I just feel like I'm running ragged right now. Savannah is worn out from cheering and gymnastics and school. Dalton quit taking his meds and isn't coping well and I just can't take much more either. I did take last weekend to refocus and it has helped but boy I could sure stand to catch a break right now.

It's now 9 p.m. and I have to go to Wal-Mart. I got all of the teacher gifts today but didn't get any cards, so here I go.

Hug those babies, they are tired too and share your love. It's the right thing to do.

Cya,

Kacy

TRYING REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE

WOW! A hiatus with no guilt, I wish I could do that at work! Ok, it's early and I'm having a brief quiet moment. Savannah is at cheerleading. Jeff is over at the house he is building and Dalton is having a bowl of sugar packed cereal for dinner and watching cartoons. Yes, thank you, I know I am a WONDERFUL mother. I am so down on myself about that lately. If I had super powers I would fix it, I promise. But I don't, so now I'm just trying to make it through these last few days of school. Well, Dalton has gas and he's not shy. At least that snapped me out of my pity party.

I'm just having trouble keeping up. I'm much better now. I actually used the weekend to do some fun things with my family and clean my house and throw some work ideas around in my head for awhile. Today, I got those ideas out and on paper, got some advice and am trying to start putting them in place. I'm still working on laundry, but I figure I'll be doing that until I'm buried and I finished weeding the flower beds. Now, if I could just tackle the kids rooms, I'd be doing good. My goal this week is to study for this test that I want to take next Thursday and get the pictures in the downstairs hung and out of the living room floor where they have been since last July.

The kids don't know it yet, but since Thursday is the last day of school, Friday they are going to clean out their rooms. I have never decorated them. I bought new bedding and got the basics done when we moved in, but I never hung anything or finished. SO, after they clean them out and Jeff and I finish mulching the beds I just finished weeding, this weekend I am going to finish their rooms. It's already time to have the carpet cleaned. It's a mess.

Those are my goals. We'll see how it goes. I can't go without mentioning this is Idol Finale week! I love David Cook but I won't be heartbroken if he doesn't win. He will be great either way. Dalton just had the nerve to ask me what was for dinner. HA. Since he is close to my size, I guess he is feeling pretty brave these days. Project 125 is going well. I'm actually deviating from my diet and still doing well. I'm not nearly as miserable as I was.

Sorry about my outburst last week. Sometimes, you just can't take anymore and I was there. It was one of those moments where I felt like God had my identity mixed up. I was completely overloaded on every level and didn't have anymore shut and up and fake it smile left. I couldn't have bit my tongue and acted nice if I had tried (and I really tried). Somewhere in all of that, I learned that I needed to quit letting it all pile up. I used to really say whatever I thought. Then I mellowed out a little bit, possibly too much. I'm searching for the happy medium right now. I've learned to be careful who you trust. That was a painful lesson learned but a valuable one. Thank you to those that taught it to me, I hope things go really well for you: ).

It's time to go unload the dishwasher. I think my mom quit. I haven't seen her in days. I'd say she's probably coming home but that would probably jinx it and I won't see her all week. I guess I'm gonna go figure out what to feed this big boy of mine and clean the kitchen back up.

Find your love and share it. It just makes you feel better. I kept mine all in and tried to be really tough for a week or so and it only made me feel bad. The people around me didn't care.
Hug your babies super tight and give them a big smooch. Tell your friends you love them and have a great night.
Cya,
Kacy

UPDATE

Did your mother ever tell you, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."? Well, mine did. That's why I skipped yesterday and don't have much to say tonight. Don't get me wrong, I see blessings around me everyday, but until I can turn my attitude around and gain a new perspective, I'm going to be on blog hiatus. It may not be a good trait, but stress causes me to shut down and turn inward. For several good reasons, my trust in friendships has been shattered and I need to work through that and put some pieces back together.
I apologize for the negativity, I'm just human and not all of life is peachy. Life, does however, teach us lessons along the way, and I try to pay attention to what it tells me. I will say though that I'm pretty tired of learning the hard way.
Cya,
Kacy

Treading Water

When will Friday be here? I need a weekend to regroup. The devil posessed Savannah last night in her sleep and so when I woke her up this a.m. it quickly turned into a scene from "The Exorcist". I chased my tail all day at work and missed all the afternoon fun with Dalton. I'm down on my "mommy skills" right now. I'm having a hard time finding the balance. School is almost out and hopefully things will get better. Mom was here to have all of the fun with Dalton and I'm blessed that she can do that, but I can't help but be jealous.
Project 125...oh yeah, I can say that's going well. I'm seeing light at the end of that tunnel and actually wore a pair of pants out of the closet today.
I'm out. Six a.m. seems to come sooner and sooner everyday.
Hug those babies!
Cya,
Kacy

Don't Have a Title Tonight

Do you ever wonder if everyone has as much drama in their lives as you do? It just seems like one thing after another....like a soap opera. I guess everyone's life is like that when you sit down and think about it. I think you just tend to focus on the really chaotic times. If things were just perfect we probably wouldn't notice. What is normal anyway?
Kacy's "Chronicles". This is the best way I have figured out to keep up with my family, friends and even myself. I don't tell my whole life in this blog but I do put things in here that mean something to me or those that I talk to regularly. I miss my friends and family I don't get to see often because there aren't enough hours in the day or because of the miles in between.
I'm tired tonight. Day one of the "The Diet" went well I guess. The food is disgusting but at least I wasn't hungry. Ashley told me Day 3 would be the worst and I believe it. Based on how I feel tonight, my body is going to be pretty angry with me by Day 3.
My cousin has a friend in brain surgery right now from a bad car accident today. L's mom is still in the hospital with no more answers than the day she got there only now she seems to have developed double pneumonia. One of my little guys at St. Jude is at home in isolation which is one step up from the hospital where he and his family spent Mother's Day, but his body is not acting right or cooperating with the doctors right now. Another friend who just began a second type of chemo is having a very difficult time adjusting and is completely wiped out. I need some prayer help. I'm doing my part and would really appreciate anything you might have to offer.
Dalton said he was so brain dead from the MCT's today, there was no way he could make a decision on what he wanted for dinner and found it absolutely absurd that I would even ask him. That 9 year old little turd weighs 93 lbs.
Savannah did about 4 back hand springs tonight all by herself. I missed them. Once again.....mom of the year award! NOT! I wish I could be more, but I don't know how. I wish I could find balance, but I don't know how.
Cya,
Kacy

EARLY MONDAY

I'm doing this early tonight. I've got a busy night tonight and I don't need anymore guilt in my life. Savannah has cheerleading practice from 5:30 to 7:30 and Dalton has the MCT's starting tomorrow. He informed me this afternoon, that I should really let his little friend from school come over to play for awhile because he wouldn't be having any fun once the testing begins. How can you say no? I personally think it stinks they have to take these tests the week before school gets out, but I guess that's why I don't get to make the rules.

A couple of updates, I've been studying ALL day. That's a good thing. I'm gonna keep at it.

Bunny's ears are still not good. Savannah was an absolute wreck Saturday night. I did the best I could do. I put Neosporin on Bunny's ears and Band-Aids. That's working for now. She just doesn't know what we should do about it. She said the Doll Hospital is out of the question. She will not part with Bunny. So unless I'm going to pack her up and ship her off too (which isn't a bad idea) that is not an option. She doesn't want new ears made because then that wouldn't be Bunny. She is considering a patch on each ear, but for now the Band-Aids are doing the trick. Aren't Band-Aids awesome when you have kids? I don't leave home without them! They can fix anything, including boredom.

Thanks to my dietitian cousin, Ashley, we are entering a new level of Project 125 tomorrow. That's part of why I'm busy tonight. I have a lot of preparation to do. I'm not gonna be in a very good mood for the next two weeks, but hopefully at the end of that time my clothes will fit. Jeff thinks I've totally lost my mind and maybe I have, but this morning I layed in my closet floor and cried. I'm not sure, but I think that's rock bottom (no pun intended). Anyway, once I drug myself up and found something that would fit Notorious B.I.G. I called Ashley. She told me how to do it and let me tell you it's gonna stink! but I'm finally ready. So, after a trip to the Wholesale Nutrition store, and the grocery store (in just a little bit) and my running shoes back on, I'm getting rid of this FAT. I haven't run since the St. Jude marathon. I don't know that I've ever mentioned doing that this past year. I gave up running afterwards. I lost my big toe toenail on my right foot!! That's just nasty. I'll fundraise all day long, but I'm not giving up my toenails. It's about half way back now. I'm gonna have to do some running for the Project but not more than about 4 miles a day.

Keep those prayers coming for Lelania and her family.

I'll try to get a picture of Bunny on here shortly.
Hug your babies extra tight and share your love.
Cya,
Kacy

As promised earlier, here is poor Bunny.

Mother's Day

I think Mother's Day is a little over rated personally. Everyday that I get a hug from my children or an "I love you" out of the blue is Mother's Day. Everyday that I have a bad day and I just want my mom is Mother's Day. Everyday that I hold a baby in my arms whether it is mine, a relative or a perfect stranger's it is Mother's Day. I don't know how to describe the feeling you have for your children. Love is not enough. Until the moment that baby breathes it's first breath, you don't understand. I've read a lot about motherhood, but I've never found any words that do it justice. How can words describe a bond that is so specific only a woman can feel it?
I'm not a crier, but have teared up several times today. I've done it thinking about my own children. I've done it thinking about friends and family that have lost their children and I've done it thinking about family and friends that have lost their mothers. I thanked God today for my own children and I thanked him for allowing me to still have my mom. I didn't get to spend much time with her today, because she was with my brother. I decided not to feel selfish, though. After all, she lives here with me. Both of the kids made me awesome cards and gifts at school. Those are always the most special. I even felt like the dogs gave me some extra attention today. While so many of us had wonderful days with our families, I can't help but think about those that struggled through it. When you become a mother, you forget about yourself. Your own feelings and needs are secondary and that lasts for life. I don't like the recognition for something I wouldn't trade for the world. It pains me see those that hurt because they miss their moms. God has a purpose for everything and that includes death. Don't mourn the loss of your mother. If she had the choice, she would go for you any day. I have even thought a lot lately about the death of children. I have been faced with that recently and while I don't understand it, I've turned it over to God. Once again, I believe all things happen for a reason. I don't understand but my faith is strong and even such a tragic loss will not allow me to question that faith. It has proven itself too many times.
Wow, all that really seemed like a downer. I didn't mean to be. I guess several times today, I felt guilty for feeling blessed to have such wonderful healthy children that I can grab and hug and love anytime I feel like it. Dalton made me pancakes this morning all by himself. When I cut into them, batter poured out even though the outside was dark brown. What more can you ask for? I LOVED THEM.
OK, a new task is upon us. Actually, it's an old task. I have to pass a test for work. I've already tried it twice and got within 2 to 3 points from passing but didn't make it either time. This time, I HAVE TO. I started studying again today. The problem is, I know it, I just haven't passed the darn test. SO, here we go again. I'm going to do it this time. I need to look at my schedule tomorrow at work and I'll set the date. I guess we'll have a count down.
ALSO, I'm getting really serious about Project 125. I'm very disturbed about this weight loss thing. I've never done it. Tonight, I was talking to Jeff after my little workout routine and once again got all emotional. I'm frustrated. I know I'm probably lucky to have never dealt with this before and nobody seems to understand my frustration, but that's making it worse. I know I don't look fat but I'm not the right size for me. That weight went on really fast and I didn't even have to work at it. Well, I have been working to get it off and it won't go away. My clothes don't fit and it's upsetting me. I'm not eating the food I want or the food I normally do. I'm exercising and I don't want to and it still isn't going anywhere. Today, I read about all of these quick fixes that I know are bad for me and probably don't work anyway. I'm trying to find my blessings in all of this, but I'm having trouble at the moment.
Since I'm not finding much positive to talk about tonight, I guess it's time to go crawl in bed with Izzy. She's laying here beside my chair staring at me anyway. I guess I'm tired.
Savannah has another field trip tomorrow. She is so excited. She told me today on our little golf cart ride that this was unprecedented. Back to back field trips were just unheard of. She is a nut. Dalton on the other hand, has his work cut out for him. He has the MCT tests this week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I went and got cards for him tonight so his teacher can give him one every morning before the test. They have really been studying hard and reviewing. I'm so proud of both of them. Jeff gets to be the fun parent again tomorrow and go on another field trip. I know that's what you get when you've been at your job for 20 years but I can't help but be jealous. Before my Agency, I could take off and do whatever. Now, I can't. I could, but business would suffer and that's not where I need to be right now. GROW, GROW, GROW. I'm working hard.
OK, now even the cat is screaming at me to go to bed. I honestly have no idea what I'm still doing up.
Hug your babies if you haven't already and share your love. It comes back to you if you do and it might just happen when you really need it.
Cya,
Kacy

SATURDAY ROCKS!

If we weren't under severe weather warnings tonight, it would be pretty close to a perfect day. It has been relaxing but I got a lot done and got to spend a lot of time with my family at a birthday party. I'm sitting down to update this and watching the race at Darlington.....I love me some NASCAR.

The day started out early at Wal-Mart. I had to get Rhett a birthday present. He turned 3 today. I am just crazy about that boy. I'm crazy about his mother, my cousin Ashley. She and I have grown up together and until I moved into this house she was my neighbor for 3 years. I used to get to see her and the kids and her husband Shane everyday. I miss that.

After Wal-Mart, I came home and Savannah and I layed out until it was time for the party. At the last minute, she bailed to go to a friends house and Dalton and I headed to the party at The Little Gym. I took 114 pictures. Did I tell you I was crazy about that little boy? Of course, I have to show them off....Here is Rhett, The Birthday Boy!!

He had a BLAST!! He ran around and played and played! His little brother Nash wasn't far behind. We just had his birthday party at the same place a couple of months ago. Look at what a cutie he is......

He looks so much like his momma did when she was a baby. I have some pictures of she and I when we were little that I'll put on here in a little bit. I am the oldest of all of the grandchildren and Ashley was the next in line. We are 4 years apart I think, maybe 5. Here is our beautiful Grandmother. She is a nut. She used to be so calm and meek and level headed. I think we have all finally gotten to her. Now she is a mess and just a lot of fun.

Ok, lets get something straight right now. Grandmother does not like to have her picture taken and I would be one dead woman if anyone told her I put her picture on my blog. So, I suggest everyone just keep their mouths shut and lets go on our merry way.

Now, Ashley has a little sister who was third in line in the ole age of us grandchildren. She now has two precious boys Ty and Judd. Judd is the most photogenic baby I have ever seen. Ty is precious, too, but he had a bit of a tummy ache today and was not really loving the camera. Judd got the Campbell (my Grandmothers) red hair. Here you have the Albans' brothers. Ty has some killer eyelashes that I'm pretty sure any woman would pay to have.

If my life depended on him looking at the camera, I wouldn't be here to type this tonight. That child was not going to cooperate in the photo taking today for anything. Believe me, I tried. Here is one of the three of us cousins.....We still hang pretty tight and ALL just had a "little procedure" done by the same doctor. Ashley is about 8 weeks out, I'm about 3 weeks out and poor Rachel is only 1 week out.

That's Ashley in the middle and Rachel to the far right. Fortunately for them, they didn't do 3 weeks of steroids right before surgery. Ashley's super thin model pose had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. They are a mess. By the way, a little update on Project 125, we are making progress. I am now down 10 pounds of the 20 I needed to lose! CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES! Just not with chocolate. I'm ready to start exercising but Jeff and my mom won't let me yet. They still say it's too soon. I think it's a conspiracy. Jeff has Savannah baking brownies as I'm typing.

Alright, I've got a great blast from the past here. My Aunt Nancy (Ashley and Rachel's mom) brought some old pictures of Ashley and I to the party today. Jeff took pictures of the pictures and they turned out AWESOME. I have to put them on here.

Check out the resemblance of Ashley and Nash. Cute gap between my two front teeth, huh?

This one is my favorite........

I'm a picture freak and I am so happy to have these old ones. What is really funny about this one on the right, it was taken at the KMart on Summer Avenue and I remember that day. I remember my Aunt Nancy taking us to get our picture made. HA.

Ok, the weather is getting worse and the power is blinking and I'm gonna lose battery power soon on my laptop. So for now I'll have to end it here.

I'm looking forward to Mother's Day tomorrow. I have two friends that are really on my mind tonight in regards to Mother's Day. One lost his mother this year and has really been struggling with it. I'm thinking about you and praying for you and hoping that you will soon find peace. I love you and thank you for your friendship.

The other one's mom is in the hospital and really doesn't even know when you are in the room with her. We talked tonight about how to celebrate with someone in that condition. I think we came up with some really good ideas. Please know that I love you too and wish I could take the pain away for both of you. Find your peace and happiness and draw strength from your own children.

Hug your babies extra tight tonight and share your love.

Cya,

Kacy

Oh Goodness, we have MAJOR drama in the Acree house right now. Savannah has a blanket doll that I got for her before she was born. It's "BUNNY". Everybody knows Bunny. Savannah still does not go anywhere without bunny. Well, as you can imagine, Bunny is pretty tattered at this point. Considering the bad weather right now, she is carrying Bunny everywhere she goes. Well, she accidently laid Bunny in the candle while she was eating her brownie. Both of Bunny's ears are burned up and Savannah's heart is broken. She is crying HUGE crocodile tears. We are going to have to have new Bunny ears made. She is crushed!

Friday But Not Quite Paradise

I made it and it has ended well. Today, I was able to focus on selling and work and my agency and my employees. I am very thankful for my business and feel privileged to do a job that helps people with their lives. I've been upset this week and questioned what I was doing, but I realized that I love what I am doing. I love the flexibility it allows me and it is such a wonderful fit for me.

Of course, even better than work is coming home. I never know what I'm coming home to. Jeff gets off of work at 2:30 everyday so he picks the children up from school. Well, I don't get off until 5:30 so by the time I get home they have had plenty of time to get into some trouble. Today there were 5 kids here and they were in the heat of a water balloon battle. Somehow I got caught up in it. They didn't care about getting wet because they were already in bathing suits and in and out of the pool.

We are really working on Izzy trying to teach her that she doesn't have to save everyone that gets in the pool. She is doing well with the kids so far. The true test will be when I get in. If it's not raining in the morning, mom and I are thinking about it. I burn so badly, I won't be able to stay out long, but I'd like to get some sun.

Here are the kiddos swimming....

From left to right, that is Savy G, Big Gabe, Heavy D, and Erik. Gabe lives down at the end of the cove when he isn't here. He's a great kid and Dalton has a really good time with him. We have really just met Erik in the last week or so. His family lives in the neighborhood, but his aunt and uncle live two houses down from us and they are customers of mine. I really like them and Erik is a good kid too.

This is Gabe. He's a great kid. Dalton really likes him and he seems to keep Dalton in line. He lives down at the end of the cove and they play outside all of the time. They ride the bus home from school too. He's a sweet heart and his parents are great too.

Here is Miss Priss. She has had a long busy day today. She had a field trip today and then her daddy checked her and her best friend Riley out of school. I met them for lunch at Abners and then they came home and got in the pool. She is really a brat when she has friends over. Jeff just left with the girls on the golf cart to take Riley home. She just lives a few streets over.

I've got to come up with some sort of organization scheme around here. I'm feeling like I can't keep up. Jeff is working tomorrow. The babies are coming down and we have two birthday parties to go to. I'm tired just thinking about it.

Enjoy your weekend. Hug your babies and share your love. Don't forget your prayers or your "3 spots".

Cya,

Kacy

Looking For Some Positive

Well, if you have something positive, please share it with me. I have had several people comment on my blog lately through my email address. I realized tonight that folks couldn't leave a comment on my blog itself so I think I fixed it. Somebody try it for me.

Today was trying. I made it through the day and managed to keep some sense of humor, but I am in bed typing this and worn out, not physically but mentally. I'm still in the dark about the outcome of this chaos. Everyday, it seems to go a step further. I held back the tears today but once I was really close to losing it. I'm a tough chick, but gees I'm kinda thinking the Man upstairs has my identity confused with someone else right now. I've been told that He doesn't give us more than we can handle, I keep telling Him I've had enough.

I came home tonight to a pool full of kids again. As I'm typing this, they are all outside on 4 wheelers, golf carts and scooters. What ever happened to the good ole bicycle? I took a picture of the kids in the pool when I got home, but I left the camera in the hearth room and the Notorious B.I.G. is too tired to go get it (yes, I am referring to myself).

A little update on Project 125...Not going so well. I don't know how to diet. I was just cleared to exercise again this week but honestly, don't feel ready. I still have quite a bit of soreness and just don't want to take any chances. I've cut back on what I eat and I have lost some weight but my pants still don't fit. I guess I have about 4 pair that do now. The rest, the hips say no! I watched Savannah's gymnastics lesson yesterday and wanted to get out there with her so badly I could hardly stand it. She's got a really bad case of the fear fairy again. I don't know why. She's doing great and her coach keeps telling her, he's done all he can do. Now it's up to her to throw it. She's been taking 9 weeks tests all week. Dalton has the MCT's next week. They have been reviewing all week and getting tickets for answering questions correctly. The person with the most tickets wins a prize at the end of the day. Dalton won Monday and today. I thought that was pretty good considering at home we have to literally beat him to do any work. He likes to make his teacher proud of him. He thinks she's kinda hot.

That's about all of the excitement I have for the day I think. Thanks for hanging with me even though I was in a bad mood yesterday. I guess it happens to everyone from time to time. I just try to be real.

Have a great night, hug your babies and share your love. (I'm finding mine again.)

Cya,

Kacy

P.S. I don't usually mention names on here of friends or anyone other than my husband or my kids but tonight I'm going to and seek forgiveness later. My dear friend and co-worker, Lelania, is having a very difficult time right now and I am asking all of my friends to pray for her. She is an only child and her mother is battling colon cancer. She is currently in the hospital for pain management and diagnostics as well as hydration and nutrition. Lelania's husband travels often and she has 3 marvelous children plus she keeps up with me all day everyday and tries to keep me straight. It is really wearing on her. Please pray for strength for her family and healing for her mother. I love her and her family as if they were my own.