39 and Holding buts it's complicated -- of course.

So today is my actual Birthday -- not the 20th. What? How? Well sit back and let me tell you the story about how I found out my Birthday was not my Birthday -- or was it???

The year is 1985. The location is Dallas, Texas at the Sears driving school -- yes, Sears. My Dad and his new wife had just moved to Dallas and I went to stay with them and to take drivers ed. I know no one. I am awkward. I am feeling so out of place at the Sears Driving school in Dallas, Texas. The class is watching a film and we have just turned in our paperwork. You know the stuff -- your name, D.O.B. etc.... Just when my eyes are glazing over from the BORING film...

"Christina Wilson?"

"Yes?"

"Do you not know your own Birthday?"

"I'm sorry??"

"Christina, when is your Birthday?"

"Ummm August 19th."

" No, it says right here on your Birth Certificate August 20, 1970. You , Miss. Wilson, wrote August 19th all over your paperwork. You would think by this point in your life you would know your own Birthday.!"


I was mortified. The class started to snicker and laugh. Thank goodness it was dark in there -- because my face was on fire and I'm sure it was blood red.

My Dad rolls into pick me up after class and I tell him what happened.

"Oh yeah -- that's right. The hospital made a mistake -- we told them about it but I guess they never fixed it. It's no big deal."

"Daddy, what day was I born on? Are you even my Dad? Who am I really?"

"Tina, you were born on the 19th -- that is your Birthday."

So, ever since that fateful day during the summer of 1985 -- I have used August 20th as my legal Birthday on forms and such. My Birthday that I consider to be my Birthday is the 19th.

Superstar Sophie

My sweet Sophie's pictured graced the Girl Scout Possibilities Fall/Winter 2009 catalog.

FYI : Now accepting resumes for her agent.

Our 24 hour Vacation

We have had a pretty uneventful summer. We took a 24 hour mini vacation to a hotel that is 45 minutes from where we live. The good news -- it was wonderful, the kids loved it, and we had good weather. The bad news it was our old high school's class of '89 reunion weekend. (Brad class of '87, me class of '88) I felt like I was in a bad dream, running into to people that I haven't seen in 20 years -- in my bathing suit.

Roller Babies

Jackpot!

We were at Main Event in Austin over the 4th of July weekend and Griffin hit the Jackpot and won 1,000 tickets. He is in shock -- Sophie is near tears.

What is my deal?

Good gracious! Why can't I take a decent picture? We went to Ryan's over the 4th holiday -- and it was pretty eventful to say the least. My favorite part was the incredible fireworks display in Austin. Why haven't we ever lived in Austin? We enjoy visiting there so much, and I think we would fit in better.

* Note to self: stop wearing sleeveless garments.

Happy 4th of July !!!!

Day 9 of THE DIET

Holy cow!


I have lost a total of 6 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kung Fu Grip

This is a picture of my parents circa 1969?? I love it that my Mom resembles Priscilla Presley. The way my Dad is holding onto her seems a little protective -- like she's about to make a run for it or something. Growing up, I never saw this picture -- ever. My Mom gave me an album with pictures of them early in their "blink and you might miss it" marriage, when I was in my early thirties since she was selling her house and moving. I could see where it would be weird to have old photo albums of ex-husbands. What do you do with them? I have never seen a an episode of Martha Stewart where she has addressed such an issue.

Best of Times

I am pretty certain that this portrait is from 1980 or 81. This type of photography is ridiculous at best, but at the time was all the rage. The awkwardness of my presence in this photo is almost painful to look at. It's like a car crash, or staring at the sun. The funny thing is that this was the happiest time in my childhood. I had a new baby brother. We lived in an awesome house. We drove a new car. I was doing great in school and had tons of friends. Two or three years later -- I would move out of my mother's house and move in with my Dad. My life would completely change forever.

Day 4

Toady is day 4 of the alli/enemy plan I have been trying to follow. So far so good. No accidents. Maybe I have found my motivating factor that I have been searching for to lose the weight. I just ate a pancake -- so I'm a little paranoid right now. I took Griffin to the Doctor on Tuesday and weighed myself on their scale -- and I swear I lost 3 pounds. Yes, yes, I know --- it's water weight. I DON'T CARE! There is less of me today than there was on Monday -- so ---- SNAP.

My new Alli/ Enemy

So yesterday was the first day of my newest diet adventure -- and I survived, but just barely. I started the alli plan, you know the one, where yo take the drug Orlistat that is basically a fat blocker. You are restricted to a low fat/low calorie eating plan and if you slip up and eat too much fat -- you will be punished with explosive diarrhea. Yesterday I did so great and was right on track and even came under the recommended fat grams and calories for the day. Brad was so sweet and made dinner for the kids and they ate a seperate meal filled with taste, and fat, and carbs, and calories. I was fine with that -- I really was, until I smelled the cheesey garlic bread baking in the oven. I almost started to cry.

The Zoo Campout

Sophie's Brownie Troop and I went to the Houston Zoo over the weekend for a camp out. It was like 115 degrees that day, so the zoo took pity on us and let us camp out in the auditorium in the super cold air conditioning. My camera was acting up like the bad kid on the bus, so my clips and pictures are terrible.

We had the zoo all to ourselves at night when it closed, and we went on a private tour with our guide with a flashlight. The zoo is freakin' dark at night. The animals are out and about then too, it was one of the coolest things I have ever done, and was worth the heat and sleep deprivation and the migraine that would not quit. In the morning, we had another tour before the zoo opened to the public, but the animals weren't as active. Why? Well, it was already 90 degrees by then.

Thirsty

Scary Stuff

Last week we had Sophie's Birthday Party at the Aquatic Center here in Brenham. It is a great place with water slides, fountains, big pool etc... It was sooooooooooooo hot, if you were not swimming. I honestly thought I would catch on fire in the sun. Of course I was dressed with make up on, hair somewhat presentable and my over sized sunglasses, (that smush my fat cheeks when I wear them.) After a two hour party in the Africa like hotness, and Vietnam like humidity, I was sweaty to say the least. This little girl, a younger sister of one of Sophie's friends, came up to me and said, "Hey, I don't even know what you look like underneath those big glasses. Take them off so I can see your face." I warned her, "Well, Mrs. Tina is very sweaty and hot, so I don't really look all that great when I take off these glasses but here ya go."

So I took off the sunglasses. Sweat pours out, like I have just released the water from a dam or something. I can feel the big marks that have formed on my fat cheeks from the over sized lenses and can only imagine what that must look like to a child.

She looked at me, and jumped back, and flinced. She was actually horrified, and then she said really loudly "EEEEEEWWWWWW!!!!"

Brow Beaten

Griffin has the most amazing eyelashes and eyebrows. They have their own zip code.

Jiffy Pop The Magical Treat

Jiffy Pop The Next Generation

This summer I am determined to teach my children the pop culture milestones of the 1970's.

(Yes, I do realize they should be at Vacation Bible School instead.)

The Friend Party

So today is party day for Sophie and I feel like I have let her down already. A couple of days ago we sat down and had a discussion about the event and what it would entail (did I just make that word up ?) Anyway, she started going down the list of people who are attending. The list started with friends -

Sophie: "Brianna, Alyssa, Natashsa, etc...." "Grandma and Grandpa?"

Me: "No, Grandma and Grandpa aren't coming to the "Friends" party honey."

Sophie: "WHAT????"

Me: "Remember, you are having it at the Aquatic Center -- you know in the afternoon -- you know in the fiery hot hot sun?" "Anyway, we are seeing them on your actual birthday for a special party just us and them."

Sophie: "Oh, okay." "What about Grammie?"

Me: "No, she is working that day" "Remember, this is a Friends party -- not a Family party -- we will be seeing Grammie on Saturday for a special celebration with just her, okay?"

Sophie: "Nana? Will Nana be there? Nana comes to everything. She has to come to the party? If she doesn't come to the party it will just be stupid!"

Me: "Sophie -- Nana is like an albino /Twilight character -- whose skin is so pale that she will burst into flames if left out in the sun for more than 5 minutes. Anyway, we are seeing her on Sunday for a special ...."

Sophie: "Don't even say it! Don't even say it Momma! "

Then she ran upstairs wailing.

Then I realized she is absolutely right -- how stupid is this? Next year -- one party -- period.

Saturday Mornings in the 70's

On this day 8 years ago...

The sweetest girl was born named Sophie.

Giving birth to her, (how very new age of me -- I know) was a breeze. I mean I didn't even break a sweat and it was like one push and she was here. That pretty much sums up Sophie -- laid back, nice, thoughtful, an angelic child.

We are absolutely nothing alike. She is just like her Dad -- St. Brad , I like to call him. God please don't let her change.

What the????

I swear to you and everyone else -- that if Kate can go from this to this ....



For Goodness sake I should be able to lose weight from a child , one child mind you not 6, from the last child I had in 2001.

The Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school. I always look forward to this time of year. No set schedules, freedom, stay up late, the pool, the lake, etc.... It' s been 26 minutes and Griffin has already complained about 15 times that "we need to go somewhere, we need to do something, we never do anything !" It's going to be a great summer, I have a sixth sense about these things.

Hillbilly Nonsense

For some reason, in our silly family of 4, we use a Hillbilly voice when we are trying to be funny, or memorize things, or study spelling words. This clip is a prime example of such an event -- except Brad is just reading the label of the huge container of weight gainer - hey that rhymed!

79 years ago....

Happy Birthday to my favorite maternal grandmother Billie Jean. She turns 79 today and I wanted to give her a shout out! Love you Grandma!

WWJD?

A Jesus to Snack On @ Yahoo! Video

Just like my high school -- except with a Texas twang and bigger hair.

Betty Boop

This picture is from a Halloween Party that Brad and I had in 1995. I dressed up as a call girl -- I mean Betty Boop and Brad was an explorer. I hate this pic because it appears as if I am giving the camera the finger -- but I'm not. My hand just looks wonky in this picture -- that's all. This party was at our first house in Tomball and was way before kids. I love Halloween and wanted to throw the best bash ever -- so I begged my neighbors across the street to let me use their garage to store our living room furniture so that we would have a big empty space to dance in. I hired a DJ who was set up upstairs on the balcony and then I covered all of the white carpet (1995 and no kids remember?) with this black plastic liner covered in glow paint to protect the floor.

To keep the neighbors from freaking out -- I hand delivered invitations to them personally inviting them -- and most of them actually came. It was a great party -- to say the least. The party lasted until the wee morning hours, but by 11am the next day I was busy cleaning up the aftermath of the Halloween Bash of '95 -- when a neighbor who did not come to the party, stopped by to inform me that his token tree in his well manicured yard, had a pair of underwear and panties hanging high in the branches.

Crazy Hair

If Kate was my friend, I wouldn't judge her for her infidelity or her husband's for that matter -- that is between the parties involved.

What I would tell her is something like, "Girl -- what is is up with your hair? It makes you look like you are crazy! Please handle that situation -- I mean grow it out and put it in ponytail or something -- you've got too many kids to be worrying about already without having to deal with that Edward Scissorhands do you've got going on."

Ode to Valley Girl

This movie is a cult classic for the 80's. I was in 7th grade when it came out in theaters with it's R rating so could not see it then -- but I was able to watch it on video like 3 years later on our gianormous Betamax. To this day when I hear the song "Melt With You" -- I think of the ending of that movie. I wonder what ever happened to "Julie" from the Valley?

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day this year the family and I went to Hilltop to spend the day golfing, swimming and cooking out. Sophie and I were hanging out at the "Lake Park" when this fancy boat filled with 4 adults, one little boy and a dog carrier comes up to the shore and docks. You can see the boat in the pic directly above that features Sophie. Well, the group proceeds to barrel out of the boat and stakes their claim to a picnic table and starts unloading all of their stuff -- coolers, food, chairs etc.. One of the ladies carrying the small dog carrier, sets up a small fenced-in area for what I assume is a fancy little toy dog. To my surprise it was a fawn. She walked that baby deer, fed it with a bottle, and even wiped it's rear when it pooped.

Dog Sheet

If this is our idea of entertainment -- we need a vacation.

Judgment Call

So the other morning I was in a huge rush trying to get out of the house to take the kids to school. I had about 3 extra seconds before we had to sprint out the door -- so I took the liberty to scrape off a breakfast plate full of uneaten waffle pieces saturated in syrup into the trash. While scraping the plate one waffle piece went rogue and slipped into my shoe (these stupid ballet flats that I have that make my feet look like a 3 yrold's ) there was just enough room on the side of the shoe for the food to slip in and then I made another move and it was in my shoe -- officially. I had to make a judgment call -- should I take my shoe off and dispose of the sticky waffle piece and go wash my foot off and wipe my shoe out? This would cause us to be late for sure -- we really push it when it comes to the morning routine -- we are always like one minute from being tardy. I decide there was no time for cleanliness and that as a mother I could suffer with the waffle foot until my kids were safely at school and on time.

The day goes on and I get busier and busier until about maybe 2 in the afternoon when I decide to take off the stupid looking baby shoes and put on flip flops. Yes, the waffle piece fell out upon the removal of my shoe, and before I could bend down to pick it up and throw it away -- my Yorkie, Cally, comes by and snatches it up and eats it.

Today is the Greatest

Today I actually plucked a snow white hair off of my face that was embedded in a pimple that was was on top of a wrinkle. Pure joy.

Cupcakes

Griffin gets dragged to almost all of Sophie's Brownie events. This one was a cupcake symposium and he was not at all interested in it from the get go. The baker demonstrated how to make all kinds of cool cupcakes -- really detailed and unique in design. The girls wanted to make their own original creations -- Griff however, wanted to mimic one he saw in the design book. Interesting.....

I LOVE Paula Deen

Culture and Fast Food

These pics are from a field trip in Caldwell Texas that Sophie's Brownie Troop took last week. Caldwell is a really small rural town outside of College Station, Texas. What is this sculpture all about? Is it like a Indian Dream Catcher? You just don't see modern art in Caldwell.

Gratitude

Me (in the car with the family)

"OMG -- what is that smell?"

Sophie

"Griffin farted! EEEwwwwwww!!!!"

Griffin

"You're welcome."

Mamas and Pajamas

Sophie's Brownie troop attended the annual Mamas and Pajamas event last night. The theme was Disney and you are encouraged to dress up and participate in the fashion show/contest. Last year we won first prize for our matching pajamas. This of course fuels my fire and I spend countless hours planning our costumes/pajamas, shopping for items etc.. Needless to say this year we rocked the red carpet with our 101 Dalmatian theme and took home the gold again. Yes, I painted my hair half white with actual paint. Yes, it was almost impossible to get out. Yes, I am insane.

Winky

Tortoise Gets A New Wheel @ Yahoo! Video

Putting the Baby to Bed

Every night before he goes to bed, Brad tucks in his new television. Wiping it down it with a special "electronic friendly" cloth and then he covers it up for the night. I haven't heard him say, "Night night -- sweet dreams" yet but I'm sure he does -- in his head.

Threes Company

My brother and his wife are expecting a baby in August. It is going to be a boy -- who will most likely have a hard time trying hard not to laugh during the majority of his childhood.

Meet Baby Boy

This past weekend was my brother Ryan's Birthday Party in Austin. It was good fun and nice weather and we were able to partake in a BBQ at his brand new house. Their dog is so grumpy and hates everyone and everything except for his Momma -- Jessica, who is 6 mos. pregnant, so Baby Boy is in for a surprise come August, when a Baby Boy of the human variety comes into this world. Anyway, he cracks us all up every time we visit them. He reminds me of a K-9 Marlin Brando from the Godfather.

The Little Engine That Shoud Stop -- No, Really

I can guarantee one thing -- that almost every ten minutes a big loud annoying train runs through the town of Brenham -- day or night. I have this one friend who calls me on my cell phone and every time a train is going by.

The Fallout

I'm sure by now you have seen the Domino's employee video where they are goofing around blowing boogers on sandwiches, and laughing about the gross things they have done in the past. So of course, Domino's has to do damage control -- and this was it. WOW what a mess. It reminds me of the time that I worked at a restaurant when I was in college and I saw a few things being done to food by older employees. I was so young and stupid , I never told a manager because I knew people would lose their jobs or be punished. For all of you that think when you are short or crappy to the waitstaff , that they blow it off -- well they don't. Be careful, be nice, and look at your food and drink before consuming it.

Homework and Griffin

Griffin HATES doing his homework. He makes great grades and works hard -- but I swear he would rather go to the dentist than start his homework. For some reason, he put his gym shorts on his head to help him think the other day. He wore them the entire time while working on Math and History homework.

My Favorite New Song

Holy Cow! I am love with this song -- it's like Cheap Trick meets the Bay City Rollers and the year is 1979!! Tinted Windows is the band -- the lead singer is the kid from Hanson, and of course there are other credible musicians like the guy from The Smashing Pumpkins. It's like Ear Candy!! (Griffin said that ear candy was gross, sorry.)

Easter in the Country

We spent Easter weekend with my in-laws who live waaaaaayyyyy out in the country on Lake Limestone. They organized a super fun Easter Egg Hunt for the kids and this was one of the prizes an Opossum Punch Ball. I thought it was so funny, in a creepy kind of a way. It reminded me of that scene in Shrek where Shrek and Fiona were walking and she made a animal balloon out of a snake and Shrek picked up a frog and blew it up to make a balloon and put it on a string for her.

Happy Easter from Downtown Brenham Part II

Fish Kiss


Bluebonnet Cow

Grandma Chick

Polka Dots and Sunflowers


Ballerina Bunny

Happy Easter from Downtown Brenham

Coco Chanel

Creepy Guy with Fried Egg Eyes

Sunflowers and Bees

Rocketman

Easter Bunny in a Basket

Siding Fish

Every Easter Brenham has a giant plywood egg decorating contest downtown. Visitors have ballots and vote for their favorite creations. They are so over the top -- it's really cool and fun. My favorite is the Coco Chanel Egg. I am surprised that there is not a Coach purse egg, I really am -- it seems like every lady here has one. This is only a few of the many awesome art pieces. Happy Easter to All!

Olan Mills

This is a pic of my brother Ryan, now almost 28, and I in 1980. I love my poor posture and bunny teeth. What I love the most about this pic is the fact my mother put us in matching Izod polo shirts and that if you look closely I have a Conroe belt on. I remember buying that belt at a local children's boutique and sporting it all around town and school like I was hot stuff. It also reminded me of how I used to pray every night asking that my boobs would stop growing. Let me assure you, God answers prayers. Let this picture be a lesson to all the parents of pre teen girls or tweens, that yes, they might need a bra at ten.

Bluebonnets Part III

Here is the last Bluebonnet post -- really, I promise. I am just tryingto prove my point.

You Know You're Fat When......

A few weeks ago, Sophie came home from school with a bag of goodies from HEB (Grocery Store Chain here in Texas). In that bag there was a pedometer -- you know, it counts your steps. Supposedly, you are to take a good 10,000 steps per day to be heart healthy. I have never used one before and was curious to see just how many steps I take in an average day. It feels like a run around constantly. The first day I put it on my waistband of my jeans and went about my daily life. By lunchtime, I realized that the thing had turned off. Whatever. I tried again the next day and the same thing happened but it was a little later in the afternoon. I tried again (third times' a charm) and was actually out to lunch with my grandmother when I realized that I was turning the button off with my roll of fat when I sat down.

That's No Cat

My Mom, (shown in the pic above during a lighter moment at the party store), works as an apartment leasing agent in The Woodlands. The complex that she both lives in and works for

was built in sometime in the mid 1970's, so suffice to say it is one of the oldest, funkier apartments out there. It is still The Woodlands -- there are trees everywhere -- and critters run all over the place. Well Mom told me a funny story about one of tenants:

The tenant was complaining about a rat in her apartment coming out from under her refrigerator and roaming around her kitchen. Well this lady is elderly, and kind of kooky -- so no one really took her very seriously. My Mom called the maintenance man and asked him to go check out the situation. The maintenance guy goes out there, takes a look in the kitchen and then finds the lady and tells her that he needs to pull out the refrigerator from the wall to take a look, but she needs to get her cat out of the kitchen first.

The lady looks at him and says "I don't have a cat."

What I have in Common with a Supermodel

Check out this article : http://http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/goddess/kathy-irelands-shocking-weight-gain-and-loss/205?nc

New TV

We have not bought a new television since 1993. This past Saturday, my husband out of the blue, declared "Today is the day we buy a new TV." We went to 4 stores and I totally let him make all of the decisions. I love to watch television -- but I really could car less about HD and resolution. He enjoyed reigning supreme on his special day. Now, we can see the picture and we don't have to use the subtitles anymore because the sound is muffled. On a side note: I think my invitation to be a guest on Oprah's show today was lost in the mail or something. "The Mom Show" featured Mom bloggers --- maybe next time.

The Incredible Shy Guy

It runs in the family... http://http://theincredibleshyguy.blogspot.com/