Putting up the perfect tree....

After we got the tree in the house and it was actually to the ceiling, Allison started cutting the net. This was a complicated process that took both Allison & Lauren to work together in order to get it off.

She started at the bottom and then worked her way up. It was falling out beautifully! I couldn't wait to see what it looked like when she got done!

One by one she cut, they finally got everything cut and the netting out from around the entire tree. It was beautiful! I don't think we have ever had such a huge tree, it was beautiful!

Then, of course, I come around the corner to this! Nice skirt you have there Allison! Cute!

Yes, both my kids are complete opposites. Thats what makes them unique!

It actually is alot more full than this picture makes it look. It is gorgeous! I thought of Dad and the year he cut a Christmas tree down from the Capital lawn in Charleston years ago. It had to rival that. I told him he would be proud of me. It was the best tree ever!

Where do you buy the best Christmas tree? Pop-n-Son, of course!

This is the 1st year that we have gone to get our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving! So where else would we go except to Pop-n-Son. I think they should have a frequent buyer program. We could probably end up with a free tree! There really isn't anywhere else that sells better trees. When I pulled up I noticed they had paved the driveway and also had redone a ton of stuff.

As always, there were trees everywhere! Beautiful trees. Big, small, short, fat. You name it, they have it! We are picky tree people so it usually takes us awhile. And there were a ton of people walking around so we had to be sneaky. We had to find the perfect tree!

Lauren wanted this one for her room! Not sure where we would put it, being that you can never see the floor, but it was cute!

We ended up finding one in the front section where some of the taller trees were. I told the girls I hoped we had a house one day where we could put up 2-3 of these trees up. How pretty would that be. We found one we thought was perfect. I had the girls stand there while I tried to find someone to get it for us!

Even if it doesn't need shaking, the girls think this is the funnest part. The shaker machine. ha ha. It ended up falling and the guy had to get help to get it up in the stand again.

Up on the car it went, we paid and headed home! I couldn't wait to get it in the house! It was going to be gorgeous!

Allison cut it off the top of the car for me. We then attempted to get it in the house...we didnt have much luck. We then put one of the skateboards under it and tried to move it to the deck where we could get it in the tree stand and then bring it in the house. That didn't work either.

Allison then fell on it and thats when this picture was taken. I then had to resort to getting Tarek to help us. Again, maybe another reason why I need to find a man! ha ha...

Bring on Black Friday....

Kelley & I headed out for some Black Friday shopping. We had surfed the Thanksgiving Day ads and determined our plan of attack. Kohls had some good deals and it wasn't like we were going out to run anyone over for the $99 laptop, we just wanted to be part of the excitement. Kohls was opening at 0400, so around 0345 we headed to White Oak.We pull in and park and are hysterically laughing at the line that extends down the entire strip of stores. It was hilarious. Now, we had passed Best Buy and I don't think the line there was as long. But hey, we were here for the fun, right? About the time we got out of the car to walk toward the line, the doors opened. It was crazy. We ended up merging in with the line and some lady said 'uh, I've been in this line for 30 minutes' for which I wanted to respond 'believe me, I won't be attacking you for anything Kohls has on sale' Merry Christmas lady!

Needless to say, I ran into my tanning salon owner and Tara (pic above). It was funny and how long the line got to check out, even on both sides of the store, but Kohls sure had a way of keeping those lines moving. As far around the store we were in line, it didn't take 15 minutes for us to get checked out. Then off to our next stop...Target... they were opening at 0500. It was now 0445.

We pulled in, and again, the line from hell. All the way to Chik-fil-a. Really? Target? Again, what deal was going on that we obivously missed? We had our list there too, as far as what we needed. The Target Nazi's were out and when those doors opened they let the ENTIRE line in the store prior to the people that had just pulled up.

We did make it through without being trampled by anyone and actually laughed along the way.

We are still smiling as we are checking out! We did get gift cards based on how much you spent. We did realize after the fact, that we made a HUGE rookie mistake....if you buy $200 and get one $20 gift card. Maybe next time divide your purchase so you get 2 $20 gift cards since the promo was $20 if you spend $100. Duh!

Next stop..Home Depot! Can't write what I got because its Dad's Christmas present and they read this blog. But I will let you see the back of the car!

It was cold, we were tired and I still had to be at Wake by 11am. But we had conquered our shopping list for Black Friday. There were other stores that we would have liked to go to but it was now close to 0700 and EVERYONE was up by now and out, so we didn't want to mess with those crowds.

We did manage to pick up a bag of powdered doughnuts at Target and eat them between Target and Home Depot. Little did I know I had powder on my face and sweater as we hunted through Home Depot!

But we had a blast and it was great shopping with Kelley! Who happens to be the best neighbor in the world! Awesome Acres here we come!

Bring on the chemo....Round 1

Dad went for his 1st round of chemo today! About 5 hours worth! He has to wear an infusion pump for 48 hours and will have that removed on Wednesday. He does say that he has more sensitivity in his teeth and jaw that seems to be alleviated when he stops wearing the infusion pump.

He then goes back in 9 days for blood work and then 5 days after that back for Round 2. He has a total of 12 sessions to go through! As of right now, no side effects like nausea or vomiting! We are keeping our fingers crossed!

Too much H2O can be a problem....

Especially if its coming from your water heater. I had taken a shower, then Lauren, then I was on Allison about getting in the shower. She turned on the water, and then told me it wasn't getting hot. We had always been able to all three take showers without running out of hot water so I wasn't sure why it wasn't getting hot. So I said 'let me go down and look at the water heater'. I said that knowing that there wasn't anything wrong, but really didn't know what else to say.



Well, I walked into the garage to a huge mess of water all under the water heater. I went next door and got Tarek (whose water heater went out last month) and he came over and helped me shut off the gas AND drain the water heater. So Allison headed over to take a shower at Tarek and Kelley's. What a night!



The next day I called the same guy that Tarek had called. He came told me what I needed to do in order to find out what size of water heater I needed. I went to Home Depot and Lowes before calling the place he advised me to call. It was cheaper at the place he referred me to and I went and picked up the water heater. The next night he came over, replaced the water heater and had it running in an hour. Cost of the water heater and installation...$600. Not bad considering most places for installation and the product is close to $1100. However, all this happening a month before Christmas isn't good on the wallet. But we can all take hot showers now...so all of our friends are thankful!

A wedding I wouldn't have missed....Lizard & Brian

Lizard & Brian officially tied the knot on November 14, 2009. I have been Lizard's 2nd mom for a long time. It was a wedding I wouldn't have missed, despite the invitations being screwed up and not getting to their destinations. The pictures through this blog are not in order but it was an afternoon and evening of fun and excitement.The girls and I headed to the church. We ended up running into Shae, Tim and Emily in the parking lot, along with Rob and Karen.

The fact I got both girls to wear their hair down AND actually have something other than American Eagle or Hollister on, was amazing! Lizard should realize how important she is in order for them to accomplish this feat! ha ha

After the wedding we headed to Chili's for drinks and appetizers since we had about a 2 hour delay prior to the reception starting. Mark, Karen, Rob, Ashli, Elaine, Ed, Elizabeth, me and the girls all headed to Brier Creek.

As you can see, Karen was enjoying herself. As well as the rest of them and their margaritas! I wanted a Vodka Collins, but they were out of Collins mix, so I went with a Strawberry Daiquri which I ended up taking the glass. It was a good size glass and was perfect to add to the collection!

We ended up being there until the reception started and then we headed to the hotel, which we were actually staying for the night.

We ended up getting there before Lizard & Brian, so we ended up standing around talking for awhile.

Me & Elaine! Look how relaxed we look! Not at work, maybe thats it? Or maybe its the margaritas?

I miss Ashli, she pops in every now and then and its always great to see her! We sure do miss her!

Tim was helping me with a drink!

Had to get an A Team picture! Its always appropriate, no matter what the attire!

I had never seen Allison dance like this before. Lizard got her out there and that was it!

The entire Rex crew, or at least the ones that matter were there! You definately NEVER get us dressed up all at the same time! Kind of funny!

My boss lady with my 3rd job. But of course being the Marketing Director of EmileeBeth Photography is not as easy as it sounds!

Don't look at the new fashion stockings Emilee has on. No, thats not a hole in her stockings, thats the new ventilation system designed by Anne Klein!

Again, Allison is at it! You go girl!

Another picture of 2 less stressed looking Rex employees. Whats wrong with this picture?

I love this picture! Allison actually smiling without her tongue hanging out, without her rolling her eyes! Both of them are simply, beautiful!

And I had to get a picture with the groom! Probably the closest to a groom Ill ever get! It was a beautiful ceremony and they both looked extremely happy!

Decisions, decisions....Charlotte it is!

Dad had another CT scan for follow up with spot on liver. Came back negative, so they are progressing with the plan of care. Pathology report is also back, gene is not mutated so that disqualifies him from the trial. Dad has decided to stay in Charlotte for the chemo treatments. His main reason was that if problems occurred he would be 2 1/2 hours away.

He met again with Dr. Freenett and had all questions answered to Dad's satisfaction. Dad got to tour the infusion facility, meet the staff. He had a teaching session the next day with the head RN. Dad is scheduled to have port placed next Thursday at 0730 so hopefully he will be home around lunch time.

Scheduled for 1st round of chemo on November 23rd. Infusion takes 5 hours, then a pump is placed for 2 days, then he has to have pump removed for 12 days until the next round starts.

I am hoping to go to be with him. Duke sure would have been closer, but no matter what he is my Dad and what else, is really more important? Absolutely nothing!

Daughtry anyone?

Greensboro Coliseum here we come! I had gotten tickets through Ticketmaster, then realized I hadn't looked at StubHub. After finding 11th row seats on Stub Hub, I sold the tickets from Ticketmaster. We picked up Brooke and headed to Greensboro. Chilis for dinner and then over to the Coliseum. The girls were excited.

Cavo and Theory of a Deadman were the cover bands and the girls actually knew some of the songs. The girls knew they were going to have to go to school the next day but now they really didn't want to go. I think they realized how late it was going to be before they got home!

As you can see, there is a reason why Allison & Brooke get along so well...they are both alike, in more ways than one!

It was a great show. Daughtry was great! The kids got shirts, had a blast and didn't sleep the whole way home.

I only wish I had a better camera. I love having great seats and you can't get a good picture!

But the kids enjoyed everything and loved being so close. It worked out!

It was bound to happen sooner or later..

Everyone knows I NEVER answer my phone if I don't recognize the number. A number came up that I recognized but couldn't remember who, exactly it was so I didn't answer it. I didn't see that a voicemail was left until later that evening. Once Mr. Wall (the Principal at North Garner Middle School) started talking I knew it wasn't good. He left a message about needing to talk to me about an issue involving Lauren that happened on the football field. He went on to state it was too long to discuss on the phone but wanted to get ahold of me. I immediately asked Lauren what happened that Mr. Wall was calling me.....heres how that went:

Lauren advised me that when she was at the football game a few days ago a girl (Japrasia) had said she like Donovan. Lauren said she repeated it loudly. Today on the football field, 2 girls came up to Lauren with fists and asked her if she had called them the 'B' word. Lauren said no. They then asked Lauren if she wanted to fight and Lauren said "no, I dont want to get in trouble'. Someone obviously had notified the school and Lauren was called to the office to give her account.

I called Mr. Wall back and left a message stating that I was doing carpool in the morning and that I would stop by the office and we could talk.

I felt like Mr. Wall was going to inform me what was happening and overview the situation.

I dropped the girls off and then parked, went in and saw a girl sitting in the office. As Sarah waited on her note for class, I motioned to Sarah that that was probably one of them. Sarah laughed and nodded. Then Officer Henson came in and escorted her back to his office where she could finish her statement. I knew then, that it probably, most definately was one of them. Then a set of parents walked in, they also were waiting on Mr. Wall.

Finally I was called back to Mr. Walls office and he asked me what Lauren had said about the incident. I told him exactly what I wrote above. He then responds, 'well, she left out a very important part'. My heart sank, and then I got very upset, before he even said anything.

Everything Lauren had said about the football game was right. But then Lauren told Kendall that Japrasia was a "b****", which Kendall proceeded to tell Japrasia. Japrasia then went and told the other 2 girls that Lauren called them a b*****. Which is what led the 2 girls to Lauren on the football field.

When questioned by Mr. Wall, Lauren lied. Even with tears running down her face, she lied. Until they brought Kendall in face-to-face with Lauren. Then Lauren changed her tune. Mr. Wall told me he tried and tried to get her to tell the truth but she didn't. He stated he didn't know why, I told him I did. I also advised him she knew she was going to get way worse punishment from me than him.

He advised me that all parties involved were being punished. Lauren was to receive one day of In Class Suspension (ICS). She has nothing on her record, is in WOAH, A honor roll, etc and now this. This, luckily will not go on her record. And I assured Mr. Wall he would not be dealing with Lauren again for the remainder of her time at NGMS.

I came home and asked Lauren again, what happened. I gave her the opportunity to tell me the truth. She finally did. I then told her what her punishment was going to be once returning to school. I then asked her to go pick out a board from the excess pile of bamboo flooring. She came in with one and I told her it was too short. She then went and got one long enough and I told her she was getting 3 whacks! One for lying to Mr. Wall, and one for lying to me originally and one for lying to me again this morning. I made her bend over, touch her toes and told her that it hurt me more than it hurt her. I also told her to remember what it felt like, because if we come to this situation again, we will repeat it!

Which do YOU think tastes better?

Laurens Science Fair project was "Does Sight affect Perception of Taste?" So Lauren's idea was to make different colored sugar cookies and then have people 'vote' on which one they 'thought' would taste the best.

Then they were blindfolded and took samples of all colors and asked to pick which one tasted the best. As you can see we made blue, green, yellow, and we also made a dark green which was actually made up of all the food coloring I had left, because we couldn't find the red food coloring.

Allison helped Lauren make the cookies. I think mainly because its Allison's favorite cookie! But they turned out great and I packaged them up and took them to Rex for everyone to 'vote'. Surprisingly, yellow was the most voted on by sight, and there wasn't a clear cut winner for taste.

Can you believe it? I don't think I got a picture of the finished cookies! Believe me, they didn't last long!~

Duke, really?

Dad headed to Duke today to have his 2nd opinion oncologist appointment. Dad was very satisfied and said the MD went over all aspects of staging and all other variables of the cancer and explained all courses and all down sides. The 1st major point he explained to Dad was that there was 'no cancer in' him, which 'almost put me in a good mood'. Something I could see Dr. Weiss saying.

He did go on to tell Dad that without chemo there is an 80% chance of reoccurance, and even after there is a 20% chance of reoccurance. The chemo regimen that was described in Charlotte was the same as Duke. He did agree the drug trail was good if Dad would qualify. Results from pathology are still pending, so not sure if he qualifies or not. Depends on whether or not a mutated gene is present.

If he does not qualify he wants to go to Duke for Chemo. I think Dad said that it would be every three weeks for 6 months.

No more brace....well almost...

We missed 2 rehab appointments last week. But today we went for follow-up with Dr. Barrie. Lauren still is hesitant to move that wrist, and isn't as far along as Dr. Barrie would like as far as range-of-motion. Lauren did get more x-rays taken and it looks as if the wrist is still angled but remodeling well. There is still alot of visible swelling in the wrist area. She still does not have 100% feeling in her 1st and 2nd fingers. We are still hoping that every day that gets better. She has been cleared to not wear the brace at all, and Im not 100% confortable with that, so I advised Lauren to wear it at school. Thats all I need at this point, someone to bump, push, etc. I definately don't want to go through what I did the last time. ha ha.

So we will continue to do range-of-motion exercises and follow up in a month with Dr. Barrie again. Hopefully for the last time with her for this case.