I mean some Green Beans

My daddy farms in Lufkin and is always growing a ton of food. He shares with me when he sees me. He has already supplied with me with a bunch of onions, potatoes, and now green beans, radishes, and zucchini. He asked me the other day if I wanted some green beans. I love to eat stir fried green beans so I said yes. He asked if I wanted them fresh or already frozen. I said fresh. I was expecting a few handfuls. He brought me this big bushel basket thing full. Wow! I am going to learn to clean, snap them, and freeze them tonight.



I'll have to blog about the response I finally got from my mother about being pregnant. That will be for another day. I hate to spoil a good green bean blog. :)

Clown Loaches

Here is a pic of 2 of my 3 clown loaches.



iPhone to blogger stinks and the pictures don't come through. Not very handy for yall iPhone users.

Super Quick Weekend Highlights

Went to Shreveport Boardwalk and shopped a good bit. Bought more makeup like I needed it.

Got an awesome package in the mail from 2 of my highschool friends that included a Purple Mexican Blanket, my first baby tshirt (awe), and a ton of great dental stuff because they are both in the dental profession.

Played my banjo a ton. Agreed to buy a new banjo. Another 1900 banjo - S.S. Stewart.

Found a leak in my utility room ceiling last night. Oh lucky me. It is a leak in our hot water pipe that runs over our utility room. Plumber coming tomorrow. Looks like a big boobie about to explode of water. We will have to do some sheetrock repair when this is over.

Made my first baby appt for June 8th. The doctor tells you to wait till you are 8 weeks before you call and then they take 2 weeks to get you in. I believe today I am 8 weeks and 2 days. Also, I finally tossed my cookies for the first time with morning sickness today. I have came close and been totally miserable in the past but never had it just come out of nowhere and BAM!

I just finished my second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. It was Living Dead in Dallas. Author's name is Charlaine Harris. It is the novels that True Blood was based on. Awesome book if you like Southern Vampire Mysteries. I have already ordered my next one on http://www.half.com/, Club Dead.

It's Ladies Night

On Friday night, Becka and Lele were going to do something. As soon as I heard food may be involved, I was like "I want to go." ha ha So, us sisters landed at Shoguns, a Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, for a ladies night. I decided to eat some California Rolls. I had only had the ones at Chinese Buffets which were never too fresh. These were good. I can't eat real sushi because the thought of raw fish disgusts me and also I am pregnant. It's no good for the baby. I can't even take the taste of salman. *cringes at fishy taste*


Yummy, this was sooo good.

We noticed that one couple at the bar was having a really good time with lots of alcohol. I saw one sipping some saki and the other two throwing back some beers. The lady sounded like she was trying to teach the Sushi Chef, Danny, how to speak his own language. It was crazy and a little hard to ignore. She did get lost on her way to the bathroom. haha Before they left, they had to give Danny, the chef, some Dap! She started staring at Becka and looked like she wanted to say something. I gave the weird glares back and then came a fake smile across her face and she started to yell "Heyyyyy!" About that time, her husband tapped her it was time to go.



The drunk people were cutting up with the Sushi Chef, Danny, and he sent a complimentary plate their way of some Fried Crab Ball things. They probably have a fancier name like Tempura Crab Roll, but it really was a crab ball. A few minutes later, a server brought a plate to our table as well and said compliments of the sushi chef. Woohoo! Free food. I asked him if it was scary. haha You know, being pregnant and all. Becka is allergic to shellfish so Lele and me tried them. I let Lele go first. haha Here is our plate of them below after Lele took one of the plate. They were round balls that had crab, seaweed, rice, and something maybe like cream cheese inside and a battered and fried with eel sauce. Wooh! I ate it, and it wasn't half bad. Not as great as a California Roll, but Free! They could grow on you.



So, after our evening and almost time for check. I thought I would see what they had for dessert. Been to Shoguns a million times and never tried dessert. I asked the server for some ice cream. He ended up giving us a free bowl of Plum Ice Cream. Woohoo! More free food. They were about to close so I guess they were in a giving mood. I asked for 3 spoons. It was very good with big chunks of fruit in it.



After the ticket, I remembered we needed a to-go salad for my daughter because she loves the ginger dressing. Another server just gave it to us. I was thinking we hit the jackpot. haha I usually pay a fortune when I go out to eat so I was really enjoying this night.

There was one saki bomber left sitting at the bar who took a liking to Becka. He was funny and kept eavesdropping on our conversation. He had the sushi chef make up something for Becka to take home. haha A flower made from a Beet, Parsley stalk, chopstick, and foil. Aweee how sweet. We made sure this guy didn't follow her home. haha



All said and done, I paid a little over $8 for my sushi dinner complete with salad and soup, complimentary crab things and ice cream with Tea. I guarantee you I will never get out that cheap again.

Yearlings in the Canebreak - Clawhammer Video

I made a video yesterday playing my banjo. This song sounds like a trance to me. I am playing it in my living room with high ceilings and you can really how beautiful the banjo's tone is. I am around 2 months pregnant playing this. :) It took a few times for me to get it right because my daughter was making belly dancing hand gestures while I was videoing this.

This is more of that old timey style clawhammer. You can just picture some old dude sitting on the front porch at dusk playing this song.



Oh Yeah! I spotted another old banjo yesterday on the BanjoHangout that I think I may not cannot live without. It is another 100 year old beauty. It is called an S.S. Stewart. Fingers crossed that it rings like mine.

Smacks for Watermelon

My little fat pug, Chia, sat by me all wrapped up in her blankets on my couch and smacked her little chops the whole time I was eating watermelon. She loves it. I only gave her one little bite but she was happy. It is pitiful how much she begs.

Morning Sickness Blahs

So lately, I have been getting the morning sickness which has really been most of the day sickness. This has been for several days. You wake up and feel fine and then later, the nausea starts to creep in. I had been trying to do really healthy breakfasts and was doing so good, but once the nausea hit, it went out the window. For a few days I could only eat a few crackers. I have lived most days off of gatorade. Yesterday, I discovered how wonderful popsicles taste. This morning, I started with crackers and tried to move to something else dry before nausea set in. I found myself Chocolate Fudge Pop Tarts. I know, this is the worst thing I could eat for breakfast, but it stayed down and that is good. I feel like I just ate candybars for breakfast. The only good thing out of it is that I washed it down with milk and a prenatal. I just don't ever eat that stuff in the mornings. Usually, it is toast with peanut butter, apple or grapefuit, maybe some yogurt if no fruit.


Here is how bad they really are. The nutritional info tells you per 1 pastry. Well, they package them in 2 so obviously, you grab a pack and sit down and eat it. Bam. You just ate twice as much as you are supposed to. 402 calories, around 9 grams of fat, ungodly amount of salt and almost the sugar equivalency of 2 cokes. Only good thing is that it contains Vitamin A and Iron. I think I will not grab for these again.

I'll be glad when this yucky stuff is over because I haven't been able to go workout. By evening time, I have been so drained that all I want to do is lay around and veg on the couch. I'm ready to get some energy.

Grace went to Prom

Here is a slideshow of Grace and Ryan. He came to get her and forgot her corsage. They had to go back to his house to get it. We couldn't pin his boutteniere on so I told him he may need to get his brother to do it. He did let the top back down on the car to preserve her hair. That is good. Grace is 15, and this is the most beautiful I have ever seen her. We had a time getting ready.

Ragtime Annie Video

Earlier today I had a few minutes and thought I ought to make a banjo video. I haven't had much time lately. I just kind of went with it. No special makeup or anything.

This is one of my favorite songs to play on the banjo. It is fast paced, and I probably don't play it exactly like it is supposed to go. Anyway, here you go. First of my banjo videos where I am pregnant. ha!

Laura's Bodum Tip

My friend, Laura, who I went to school with back in the day with since elementary, took twirling with, marched in band together, and even did some brief flag corps time with, dropped a hint about a Bodum French Press. I got the French Press today, and I already love it. I got it from Amazon. She's right. The coffee is wonderful. I tried it out with some Millstone coffee that was flavored Chocolate Velvet. Yummy!



The French Press doesn't take long to get right. No electricity required. Bodum is a good brand. So, you put your course ground coffee in, fill with really hot water, stir, put the lid on and let steep for 4 minutes. Then, slowly press the plunger down and walaah, perfect coffee.

Here is me and Laura when we were in Coldspring High School Flag Corp back in the early 90's. She was on left and I was the smiley brace face in the back. I really wish I had a picture from our early days when we were Cheryl's Twirling Stars. haha Laura, do you remember Land of a Thousand Dances? I can still do the first several 8 counts in my head. Nothing like some knee pops, a flash, and a shimmy. We step together stepped touched our little hearts away. Here is to the Twirling Stars - Laura, Liddie, Brandy Hill, Michelle Hill, The Ward Twins (Pat & Fern), Brandie Currie, Kerrie Jo Humes, and me. I know I am missing a few more.



Then, 15 years later, we got together when I was visiting my mom (this was about 3 1/2 years ago, maybe). I played the banjo, of course haha, and her husband Mike played the guitar. Our kids played together. It was great. Now, she has more, and I have another one on the way. We'll need another reunion soon.



I should probably lay off the delicious coffee now or I will never go to sleep.

Blanket Number 2 Finished

I started this blanket on Friday evening. I worked most of the day Saturday on it and could have finished Saturday night, but I ran out of yarn three rows before finishing. Isn't that my luck? So, I finished it on Sunday.

This was a super easy Granny Square Baby Blanket. This is not traditional colors. I am trying to reuse some of my prettier colors since I have a lot of scrap yarn. This blanket was made with an I hook and measures to be a 36" square. Two of my color choices were the Vanna Yarn. I really do love that and can tell the difference in softness.



Here is another shot of it from a different angle.



I started the third blanket shortly after finishing this one. I am reusing more of these colors, again. The one I am working on now looks like a Log Cabin quilt. It comes out of the Vanna book I have. It says it is easy, but it seems hard because you are supposed to turn your work 90 degrees every 3 rows. It's a learning experience for me.

Happy Mommas Day To Me

Well, yesterday on Mother's Day, I got the most special gift. My baby was supposed to get its first heartbeat. I am glad that Mother's Day is over though because it is sometimes stressful. My mom quit talking to me I guess going on 3 years now for the most dumb reason. I said, "You can't keep calling me fat and making fun of me." And somehow she became the victim so I guess she would rather not talk to me at all since I won't allow myself to picked on. It's good though. One day, she will come around. If not, I have other women in my life that are great and help guide me in the ways I need. Shoutouts to Nana, Momma Rose, and Grandma Charlotte. I love them so much. You have to keep postitive influences in your life.

Danny asked me what I wanted, and I said a big fish tank. I used to have a 29 gallon that I loved, but we outgrew our first house, and it needed to leave. We went fish tank shopping yesterday and ended up with probably way too much. I love it. Alex helped me put it together last night. It is a 47 gallon tall square tank instead of the rectangular tanks. When it is on the stand, it is as tall as me - over 5 feet.



That pic above was taken with all the lights off so there wouldn't be a glare. I still want to get a little more floating bamboo in there and then I will be done and can start picking out fish. I am guessing about a week on the water ph before I can put fish in.



That isn't as good of a picture, but you can tell what it looks like. The stand is cherry wood with metal poles on the side and a glass front. There is 50 pounds of rock in this tank, and I bet it weighs a ton.

New Beginning

Started a new baby blanket. I am doing a super easy one. It will be just a granny square blanket. This is the first kind of blanket most people start with. It was my first kind of blanket I ever made. I started my first baby blanket in 1st grade. Even though this is super easy, I got the pattern out of Vanna White's Color It Beautiful Book. That link will take you to the best prices for it on http://www.half.com/. Vanna has her own line of Lion Brand yarn that is really soft and the entire color pallette looks good together.



Here is what my Friday night looked like from my perspective. I had just started my new blanket. You can see that I have my basket with all my yarns in it beside me. I have my feet proppe up on my coffee table. Beside my feet, you can see Vanna's pattern book. And to the left, you can see my rescue pug, Mickey.

First Baby Blanket down

I am so excited to be crocheting blankets for myself. I may not do some of those more elaborate patterns since I wouldn't be able to do as much. I plan on getting a little chest and filling it with homemade blankets.

I finished my first baby blanket last night. I usually make blankets and give them away so this is kind of neat for me. As always, if anybody sees a blanket I made and wants a pattern, I am happy to scan the pattern and send it to you. I am not creative enough to make my own patterns.



This blanket measures at 32" X 36". It was made with a G hook. It was a combination of just a few stitches. The alternating solid color stripes (excluding the white) was done in a puff stitch so it has a bit of texture. The white edging does a little ruffling. Right now, I have to make generic color blankets since I am unsure what sex the baby will be.

Pregnancy Scrapbook & other Stuff

Elissa brought by the most beautiful pregnancy scrapbook for me yesterday. She is super talented. It was put together with paperbags that were bound like a book. Check it out.



You can see there is a place for each month.



My favorite is the last part is left open so you can put stuff in. Too cute.



I worked out last night for an hour while watching House at the Ultimate Fitness on my favorite Elliptical machine. I was wondering if Kasey was out there somewhere close sweating at her Ultimate Fitness. I dropped another pound. Woohoo!

My sister in law, Becka, has created a blog now called Becka Boo and had her first shoe haul blog post. I am sure there are many more great posts from her to come. You should go check her out.

Shoe Haul in a Tornado Warning

This is my first "Haul Blog." I would like to dedicate it to Dreamer0703. I splurged and fed my shoe addiction with 4 pairs.

I have already previously written about the tornado scare while at the mall on Saturday in the Texarkana, TX mall on my FaceBook. While my kids and my sister-in-law (bff) and I were in the Victoria's Secret, the lights went out. They pushed us out of there and into the service hall. We all sat in the dark on the floor and up against the wall for a bit. After it past, we were allowed to get up and exit the mall and run for our cars with cloud to cloud lightning happening. Always an adventure in my world. The first 3 pairs of shoes were purchased before tornado warning. After we left the mall, we then went to Kohls and to Target because it still had power.
Green and Paisley Platform Heels from Journeys. They were in the Forty Dollar range. Maybe $44. 2 inch cork heel with buckle and ankle strap. These shoes have been calling out to me for at least 2 weeks. I bought these so I can take a picture in them before I have to put them up for 9 months. I will also have to learn to walk in them properly. haha



Conservative Black Flats with little wedge from Journeys. These were on sale and had some cushion. The sales girl showed them to me, and they were an impulse buy. These were only $20. They have a cute little fastener on the toe.



Turquoise, Black, Purple Lightning Flats with black diamond studs from Hot Topic. I think they were $22. These cute little flats have a little strap across the top of the foot that kind of reminds me of a babydoll style. There are litle skulls on the liner of the shoe. They are very thin and can bend really easily. It is almost like walking barefoot. They are a shiny vinyl style. I love Hot Topic and probably shop there every week for something cool.



Black flats with brown stitching from Target. I thought I was done for the day, but these shoes caught my eye. They were $19.99, I believe. I have already worn these and they were uber cute. I really like the little strap across the top of the foot. A little blurry, but you get the idea.

Bass Fishing Tournament

Tomorrow, my husband (Danny) and his friends will be entering this fishing tournament, Uncle Jesse's Big Bass Classic on Pat Mayse Lake. This is the first year we have had a boat. I hope he does good and has a great time making memories with his buds. A prize would be nice, too. He loves to bass fish.

I haven't been bass fishing this year yet. I have been so busy doing other things. Working out, chauffering the kids, playing my banjo, shopping, planting, cooking, cleaning. You know the routine. Last year, I happen to hold the record among all of our friends for catching the biggest bass - 6 lbs. I caught it and then didn't go back all season. I was like "Wheh! - Snakes, I'm done." This picture was taken on 6-3-08. It was HOT!