So Why are We Going to Memphis?

Why Memphis? When I tell someone about our trip to Memphis, I get a lot of funny looks. And advice about how Memphis isn't the best place for two unaccompanied females to go. And so forth and so on.

But it isn't about Memphis, it's about the trip. Paige really wanted to fly somewhere this summer, and Memphis is a nice short relatively inexpensive plane trip (if you buy your tickets at the right time). She is turning double digits this year, and that's a really big deal to a child. As fast as the last ten years has flown by, I'm sure the next few years will too. Will Paige always want to go somewhere with me? I'm thinking "NO!". But right now, she is still willing to be seen with her mother, and I know I better hold on and make the most of these moments. Another big factor in choosing Memphis, is Graceland of course. But not for obvious reasons. You see, I'm not really an Elvis fan. I have nothing against him, but I could take him or leave him. But my mama loved Elvis (and William Lee Golden from the Oak Ridge Boys...she had weird taste), and when she found out that Paige liked Elvis, she greatly encouraged it. Mama never went to Graceland...or much of anywhere. I never went on a "spend the night in a motel trip" with my parents until after I was married. But I'm sure my mama would have loved to have gone to Graceland with us. Right after Daddy died, I tried to get Mama to go on trips with us. She came and spent a week in Milledgeville, we went to St. Augustine, and we went to Callaway Gardens. But it got harder and harder to get Mama to go anywhere...and when she did, she didn't want to do anything. So I stopped trying. Maybe if I hadn't stopped trying, she wouldn't have given up. I won't stop trying with Paige. If she wants to go, and I can take her...I'm gonna. And if Memphis to see Graceland is what she wants to do, then we're going to Graceland! For Paige, for me, and for my mama.

Tuesday, Tuesday

My day started off fabulous...I slept til almost 10! After that, the day flew by...I guess that happens when you sleep half of it away! Frank had today off of school, so we went to lunch at Lieu's and then bought new sunglasses. I haven't had nice sunglasses in a long time, but today I found the cutest pair of Vera Bradley's...I love them! I got them for less than half of retail, but then I saw them on Ebay for half of what I paid. That was a bummer, but it was a spur of the moment purchase, so I did absolutely no research. I never do that...I always look for the very best deal. But I still love them! Frank got a pair of Costas finally...they even fit his big head! Then we went to Kroger, and guess what yall...I cooked dinner! I found this yummy recipe for enchiladas on Beth Moore's daughter's blog (and if it came from anyone related to Beth Moore, it has to be wonderful, right?) and I made homemade salsa with tomatoes Frank grew. It was very good! Tonight, I have watched tv while Frank has done homework. The kids haven't fought as much today, and I'm so glad. They fought all day yesterday. Paige is getting very excited about our trip, and so am I. I'll have something cool to blog about then...not just about sleeping til 10!

You Say It's Your Birthday...

Well, it's my birthday too! Today has been a very low-key birthday...I spent most of it in bed watching daytime tv and on the computer. I did the bare minimum of chores, and didn't even get dressed until after noon. I wish I had a whole lot more of these days before I have to go back to work!
After the play last night, we went to Little Tokyo for dinner kinda/sorta for my birthday, but mostly cuz Paige wanted to go. Because I know Frank oh so well, I emailed him on his new blackberry to hint (very strongly) that I needed a cake for my birthday...I even specified Key Lime. Well, he didn't get the hint. He even went to the bakery to visit Becky today, and didn't get me a cake. When I found out there was no cake (and this is not my first birthday without a cake) I burst out crying. What a dork! But I couldn't stop. I came home and got in bed. He came in an hour later, and still no cake! He did have his leftovers from the bakery, 1 cookie, 1 donut, and half of a cherry thing. Uh, thanks Frank. He left to go to Monday night visitation, and he said he'd bring home ice cream since he messed up on the cake. Gee, thanks. I stayed in bed feeling pretty sorry for myself, and ordered pizza for the kids. About 9, I heard the dogs barking, and thought it was Frank, but it was Cindy, Becky and Matthew...with a cake AND petit fours! Frank had called Becky and begged her to help him out. :) Good Ol Frank! So we had cake and ice cream with my favorite peeps, and the day was saved! I also figured out I have PMS which partially explains the crying and pity party. Happy Birthday to me, from my dear Aunt Flo!

Proud Mommy

Tonight, I am a proud Mommy. Well, I am always a proud Mommy, but especially tonight. My baby girl did something I could never do. She did a wonderful job as "Andie Buchwald" in our children's musical tonight. She even sang a beautiful solo. AWWWW! I knew what to expect because I had helped her with her lines and listened to the cd (over and over again) so I didn't cry like I was afraid I would do. I am also proud of Jacob because he was willing to do something he so clearly didn't want to do just because he's a good kid. He was the lead pirate. And Frank, my crazy curtseying husband, he was a natural at playing Paige, I mean Andie's, dad. All of the kids did a fabulous job, and they were cuter than any pirates I've ever seen. I am very thankful for Jamie and Amber and everyone else who helped put this musical together. I hope this is an annual summer event!

For the star's latest head shots, go to www.alainaforsheephotography.com and go to client proofing, July 2009, Paige, password 343. But prepare yourself, they are GORGEOUS! I only wish I had time to have prints made so she could have signed autographs tonight!

Memphis, Here We Come!

During the Great Road Trip of '09, we drove past Graceland (at a very high rate of speed, mind you) and Paige was quite disappointed that she didn't get to visit the home of the King. I had an epiphany that some day, just Paige and I would visit Graceland, and while wallowing in my epiphany, as I am prone to do, I looked on delta.com to see what a plane ticket from ATL to MEM would cost. Imagine my complete shock when I found out that they are merely $99. Now Paige was already pretty put out that we went on the Great ROAD Trip of '09, and she is the ONLY person in our family who has never flown, so my epiphany magnified (is that possible?) and I decided to take Paige to Memphis for her 10th birthday.

We've talked and talked about this trip, and I finally sat down Sunday to buy the plane tickets. It was my turn to be devastated when I found out that the plane tickets had jumped from $99 to over $400! Gulp! I couldn't bear to break the news to Paige, so I thought if I had another cool trip planned, it would lessen the blow. I spent hours and hours online Monday looking for a place at the beach that was affordable. HAHAHAHA!

Tuesday morning, I decided to look at air fares again, and sure enough, over $400 on delta.com. But then I looked at Hotwire, and YAY!!!! I found $99 fares! I did have to switch the days of the trip, but I am thrilled that we are still going. I spent my hours today getting the best deals I could find on planes, rental cars, and hotel rooms. We are set! We will be in Memphis 7/18-7/21, on the Girls' Birthday Trip '09. My birthday is 7/13 and hers is 7/25, and this year, we will celebrate them with the King!

I am attempting to participate in a blog hop this week. The theme is Favorite Picture, so in honor of our upcoming trip, here's Paige and Elvis.

The Good Life

I realized tonight that we have such a good life.

This has been a great weekend. One of my sisters came up Thursday night, and Paige and I showed her the sights Friday. We had lunch at the Brick, and dessert at Scoops. Then we went in several of the antique stores downtown. We even got a treat box from Ryals. We finished up with a short trip to the famous Milledgeville Mall and Paige got a set of 3 pairs of earrings for $1.00!

Today we had a house full of friends over for a fish fry. The food was delicious, and the fellowship was wonderful. I stayed relaxed, and never did get in a tizzy about the preparations like I usually do...I must be growing up!

After everyone had left, when I was cleaning the kitchen, I realized what a great life we have. We are so blessed. I know that all the blessings we have are not due to anything we have done. They are gifts from God, and I am so grateful. These are the good old days :)

Summer Reading

Cindy, Paige and I took dinner to Dr. and Mrs. Lingle today. There were two highlights to the trip.

1. Dr. Lingle said not once, but twice, that I am much too young to be Frank's wife. HAH! Considering that on the way to Walmart this morning I noticed that the lines under my eyes are getting deeper by the second, those were words I needed to hear today.

2. Dr. Lingle showed us some books from his extensive collection and he loaned Paige an old copy of Heidi. She has been absorbed into the book ever since.


Speaking of summer reading...look at this great blog post about encouraging your kids to read the most important book of all.