Well, I went Christmas shopping with Stinkerbell and my mom today. I didn't watch the Single Most Important Football Game in Alabama and, IMHO, the game featuring the most vicious rivalry in the country. But I don't always watch it. Sometimes, but I'm not obsessed with it.

The Mighty Hunter hasn't watched it in years. It always falls on the same weekend as "opening day" of gun season here. He can listen to the game and hunt at the same time. He can't hunt and watch the game at the same time.

A little background:

The game was at tuscaloosa. alabama has never beaten Auburn at tuscaloosa. teehee.

Auburn has beaten alabama the last 4 consecutive years.

Auburn t-shirts say "fear the thumb" - and "alabama's official drink Choke" HAHA!!

Well, I actually didn't see a single second of the game - live. I did record for later viewing and posterity.

Final score

Auburn 22

alabama 15



WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!!!

I love it!


Oh, I got a good bit of my Christmas shopping done. My back decided to break in half after dinner, so we had to quit. Well, that and the stores were closing. Anyway, I'll have to finish again over the next few weeks - OR I'll be shopping online a lot.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!!

After these messages, we'll be right back!

I hope you will understand and be patient and continue to check back with me here.

Right now, as much as I love and get pleasure from blogging, I must take a short break.

I'm still working and am feeling much anxiety to finish my projects here and get home to prepare for the impending - and fast approaching - arrival of the SON.

"What could you possibly need to do to?" you ask. After all, it's not my first child. I should have at least a small supply of things still lurking around.

Well, yes, I do.

somewhere

in plastic storage tubs

in the barn

on a high shelf

that's too high for me to reach

and there might be Dust Cooties on the boxes

and I'll probably sneeze

and get my precious pg clothes dirty

and need to wash my hands

and sit down and rest

and watch "What Not to Wear"

and drink some orange juice

...

What was I saying?

...

...

...

Oh yeah.

So, I'll be posting a little less frequently for a little while. I would much RATHER do this than work. That's obvious to anyone who's looking over my shoulder right now.

Here I am, at my desk, "working HARD".

I'll put some pictures up soon from our Veteran's Day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. We stayed here. No, it hadn't been redecorated in about 25 years, but it was very clean with new carpet and room enough for 3 insane women and 5 wild kids. We ate here (worth the $ without a doubt!!! the whilte chocolate cheesecake and mixed berry cobbler and moonshine chicken are TDF!!!), and here, and here.

And we went here (I'm tired of this place. I'd rather nap. Yes, I'm spoiled. I know it. I've been there several times. Almost every year. Yes, fish are interesting and the moving sidewalk underneath the shark tank is cool. But it doesn't change enough to keep me and my ADHD entertained. Sorry, all you marine biologists wanna-be's.) We also went here and got some yummy candy. And here to visit this guy (he's there year-round, ready to hear your kid's claims of good behavior and requests for the most expensive and unrealistic of gifts - mine wanted a $30 stuffed reindeer "with a pretty red harness and pretty red color with jingle-bells"). And we had a picnic behind there, next to the Little Pigeon River.

And then we drove this pretty little road and then we went to visit our ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PLACE IN THE SMOKIES - no website can do it justice - Cades Cove is a big slice of heaven with chocolate sauce on top.

We also went here and played mini golf for FREE - yes, free with no gimmicks and clean bathrooms!!!

And we saw the beautiful, but early, Christmas lights.

The Smoky Mountains and the towns that have sprung up around it to support the tourist industry are very special. Yes, there are cheesy things about it, just like any tourist area. But it's a safe place, with a low crime rate. The staff of the businesses you visit are regular "folks" like you and their values are similar and they're not afraid of your values. Their faith in the Lord is not a secret and they make you feel comfortable expressing your faith in your way. You can get married up there within 24 hours for less than $300. You can get a tattoo (real or henna) and go to Hard Rock Cafe. You can ride a horse and see whitetail deer, black bears and wild turkeys - maybe even a bobcat! You can buy the drink of your choice or build a fire in your condo with REAL WOOD - cut from the trees surrounding one of our nation's beautiful natural treasures - yikes. You can watch musical shows ranging from Southern Gospel to Elvis to Bluegrass to a kid-friendly hodge podge songs. You can buy obscene t-shirts or have Christmas ornaments personalized with your child or pet's name. You can eat cheap beanee weenees and pbj's or $45+ per plate meals served with linen napkins and cooked by highly skilled chefs. You can reminisce about the beauty and purity and hard work of our heritage and peek into the past at the humble homes they struggled to build for their families. And you can walk your feet off and spend your children's college education on the newest styles in the dizzying variety of outlet stores.

I live within a 3 hour drive of this beautiful, special place and am glad of it. The only problem I've experienced on a regular basis is there's entirely too much Volunteer orange.

So, now that I've given you warning of my upcoming infrequent posts and described my crazy weekend in a beautiful place, I'm ready to click that little orange button.

Have a great November.

And remember.......









WAR EAGLE!!!!!

eBay - your friend and mine

new post over at wordpress blog...


http://augalinfp.wordpress.com/2006/10/05/ebay-your-friend-and-mine/



and, by the way. will the mosquitoes EVER die this year??? I've had enough of them!


And, how do you like my test blog.... http://augaltestblog.blogspot.com/ I'm trying out a template I snagged at www.misszoot.com



Oh, and War Eagle! My Auburn Tigers are doing great still this year. This weekend will be a tough game, at Arkansas. Since the hawgs beat the university of alabama, Tuberville BETTER make sure he's not too conservative like he was at South Carolina - come on boys! Show 'em all how good you are! Make us proud!

See the pretty girl in that mirror there?

Yes, this evening, after work, I will be hearing this song from West Side Story in my head. Except it won't be the West Side Story version. It will be the Anger Management version.

I'm going to get my hair trimmed and fresh high-lights. Woo hoo!!!

I've neglected my hair care - among other things about my personal appearance - over the past few weeks, months, year(s).

As I've said before, I'm pretty low maintenance. I prefer my Nike running shoes to most any of my other shoes.

Although I LOVE to shop for shoes and have some great ones. Like these. These were from DH for Christmas last year - I feel like quite butch in them, but they're great with a pair of jeans and in the rain and cold of Alabama winters.

Clothes that are comfy and look like the non-pg me are quickly becoming very difficult to find. DD and I are making a trip to the mall tomorrow so that I can visit the maternity store and increase my wardrobe from the measley 2 pairs of jeans, 1 cargo pants, 1 denim skirt and 4 tops. But aren't these jeans great? Mine are the "gold bling pocket".

I feel stunning.

I'm 4 months. (Look up at the top of the page and double-check me with my ticker. I lose count.) But my tummy and non-baby organs moved up to the bottom of my ribcage long ago. My ribs are already spreading out and my bra band-size is crazy. The poor little 16 y-o who measured me for a bra Wednesday night had probably never seen a pg woman's naked belly in all its glory. She stretched the measuring tape around my chest and said suck in your breath.

"More"

"Honey, this is as much as I can suck it in. Wait...." big wheezing sucking noise as I manage to somehow inhale a little more and get the tape pulled in very snugly.

"34"

big blast of air gushing out of my mouth as I laugh at her. "There's NO WAY I could stretch the elastic of a 34" anything around these ribs. I'm in a 38 now and it's hooked in the last hooks!"

My belly button is already deformed. It never actually turned into an outie, but had more the appearance of Marge Simpson's overbite. Well, I'm thinking about getting my belly painted with a portrait of Marge for my Halloween costume. That might be entirely too scary, even for Halloween.

The skin on my chin and around my mouth is rough and bumpy. I've used a variety of cleansers and exfoliators and masks, trying to fix it. Only to make my skin so dry it peels and flakes. But there are still the ugly little pimples too. They're holding their territory with the tenacity of those in the Middle East conflict. I'm soooo looking forward to September 30.



DH is clearly afraid of me already. His fear and intimidation level that appeared during pg #1 was funny as crap to me. When I start talking about having to buy clothes, he just smiles and says nothing. I saved all my maternity clothes from pg#1 but I must have forgotten how to wash and dry clothes at the end and shrunk all my pants about 3" in length. A few of my tops are ok, but the sweaters are all "pilled" up. When I leave work in a few weeks, I'll have to try this to make those sweaters presentable. Not that any of them are cashmere. But DH hasn't complained at all about my shopping binge.... Yet. I think he has a pretty high level of enjoyment that I've had to shop for larger bras twice already.

He's not good at keeping this a secret.

DH is on a hunting trip through Sunday. He got his gift for Christmas, birthday, anniversary, Valentine's, Arbor Day, National Beheading Day and every other obscure holiday that MIGHT justify the cost and is getting to use it on this trip. But when gun season opens, he has to put his gift in a box, wrap it up and stick it under the Christmas tree! He has no problem with this, as long as he gets to hunt with it NOW! I wonder if he'll observe International Rabbit Day..... probably NOT!

Now, for those reading this that are supporters of PETA and have stayed with this post this long. Bravo! You're a lot more tolerant than I expected you to be. So, in recognition of your patience with the above paragraph, I'll tell you a little more about DH.

He's the kind of guy who was raised on a cattle farm. Not a big operation. Just enough cows for his parents and him to handle. He helped care for the cattle and pets at their home. Cattle require injections of medications of varying kinds from time to time. It made him physically ill to do this. He's terrified of needles. When a cow was struggling to give birth to her calf, he was right there to reach his long arm in and help deliver the calf. If you don't know what that means, then watch the scene in City Slickers where Billy Crystal's character loses his watch. When a cow's labor is difficult like this, a barn stable C-Section is not an option. And usually the calf and/or the cow are in danger of losing their lives. Many times the calf is breached and can be too large to deliver. It was never pleasant for anyone involved, cows or humans. But DH would be sick for days over losing a cow or a calf.

He is also the kind of guy who saved a puppy from certain death. Sport, aka "the stinkingest dog in the county", was abandoned by some heartless soul on a remote dirt road in an area where DH used to hunt. The cute little black lab mutt hit the Super Mega Lotto for strays when DH found him.

He brought home Tigger, aka "demon cat", home one night. Now, that one he regretted. Tigger was never very tame or sweet. Pretty, yes. Soft, yes. Snuggly, yes but only for a few moments and then without warning, he'd bite the crap out of you and run for his life.

DH is, like all the really good ones in the world, a rawhide creature with the soft, fuzzy underbelly of a kitten. He grumps and growls and sulks like all grown-up boys, but loves tenderly and fiercely. Kisses sweetly and softly. Hugs close and tight. Holds hands when riding next to me. Brushes DD's hair with care and patience. Rubs my belly and back and shoulders and feet. Andhe wept pitifully when he and his dad and brother buried his mom 6 years ago after her battle with leukemia. It was during those last few days, weeks and months of her life that I fell crazy in love with him again.

I've got a good one. I'm keeping him. He's all mine. Mine and DD's and Peanut's.










Good luck finding one as good as DH.



How do all the things in this post relate to each other? It's all about DH...

• DH loves Anger Management.
• The scene with the singing cracks him up.
• He likes for me to look nice - even if he can't tell what the guy did to my hair to make it look so great and cost so much.
• He picked out my Merrell shoes and the boots were gifts from him.
• Boobs. 'nuff said
• He loves to hunt but is a caring man who works hard to care for his family (human and furry).
• We eat most of the meat from his hunting trips and give away the rest to those without funds to buy meat.
• He's out of town. DD is staying at Nanny's tonight. I'll be home alone and having to deal with the highly likely bout of insomnia that generally strikes when I'm home alone at bed-time.
• I miss him.

Oh, almost forgot...

One of my favorite things about DH... He converted from the university of alabama cult so that he could go to Auburn University and yell.....

Waaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrr Eagle!!!! Hey!

Goldsmith knew his stuff

“My-friend-Rachel” sent me this picture of Toomer’s Corner.














For those you who are not-in-the-know, Toomer’s is the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street in Auburn, Alabama. (War Eagle!) This is the historic place where crazed, elated college students, parents, fans, etc. celebrate Auburn University sports victories by rolling the trees there. Again, for those of you not-in-the-know, rolling is throwing rolls of toilet paper into the air to beautifully (?) decorate the tree limbs.

But alas... Hurricanes have changed the landscaping of that area since I walked that route from dreary apartment to classes.

My memories are…

Rushed walks (because I never left for class early OR in plenty of time to get there without rushing!). The UNHOLIEST of heat and humidity. Rushing beneath the prettiest, towering, shady pines, oaks, magnolias, and other trees I can’t identify and past beautiful Samford Hall the antique lathe (with its questionable legend probably created by some horny frat boys back in the “good ol’ days”). Past the rose garden and its reflective pool that always seemed like a great place to yank off my socks and tennis shoes and cool my feet in the middle of that UNHOLIEST of heat and humidity. Wearing shorts with a heavy coat in January (because if you have classes from early morning to lunch or later without the chance of going home to change, you’d be freezing on your walk to class and sweating on your walk home!). Being caught in the middle of a victory celebration (AU vs FSU, 1990) and being shoved to the middle of Toomer’s to play the fight song with the other marching band members in uniform (THEY had shoved to the center of Toomer’s to celebrate – Toomer’s was merely on my way back to my apartment – besides, a clarinet doesn’t really contribute to the celebratory mood with the verve of a trumpet, tuba and trombone.) Lemonade at Toomer’s anyone??? Hoping against hope that I could get just a little bit of cash out the ATM so I could have that lemonade – really, which is more important, lemonade or rent?


I was not a Greek. I was a band geek. So my memories of “rush” are of hearing the glass-breaking, shrill squeals of the sorority pledges, their whining about the heat as they “rushed” from one air conditioned dorm building to another (this was particularly disgusting when contrasted with the band’s outdoors practice ALL DAY in the UNHOLY heat and humidity (They meet inside. The football team even practices inside an enclosed cooled field. Only the band must endure the UHH of Auburn’s summer and fall weather! I guess that makes me even on the whining score-card.) I have quite a fond – some might say devilishly fond – memory of the marching band’s tuba line gathering outside the dorms to arouse the sleeping pledges very early one morning following a very late night of rush parties. Muhahahahahaaaa

This time of year, I don’t need a picture of Toomer’s Corner to make me long for the wonderful combination of experiences that is the Loveliest Village on the Plains… Sweet Auburn. Oliver Goldsmith, you were so right.

I have tickets for me and DD to go to the homecoming game vs Tulane. We're both excited.



Waaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrr Eagle! Hey!