I'm FREE!!!

Can you tell I am excited. Yesterday was the perfect end to a crazy year. I almost cried telling some of my bratty kids (I actually love them all in their own way!) goodbye as they head off to High School for next year. But anyway the kids were so well behaved. I was so shocked.

But I am free. I can do absolutely NOTHING for the entire summer.

OK yeah I know that's not really going to happen but I have high hopes so in remembrance of past years of summer nothing and hopes for future nothing, here is a well wishing picture from last summer doing nothing with our good friends!!

Sam, Maia, and Hannah summer '06

Pretty picture for the day

The Starter Wife

I found a book around March that looked somewhat interesting. I picked it up once and read about 10 pages and put it down and started another book. Then about 2 weeks ago, I saw the preview for the books upcoming television show. Game on I must read book to be on top of what may come up in the show. I picked up The Starter Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer and read. I read and read. The book is very good. If you don't mind all the name dropping from Hollywood.

I have to say ( I really don't want to ruin too much if you want to read the book) that I am so excited to watch the show. Now I know that many times the shows fall short of the book. I already know that I am sad that they changed the main characters name from Gracie to Molly and her friend Will to Rodney. But let me set up the reason I think this happened. The main characters name is (was) Gracie. One of her best friends is a Gay man named Will. Guess who the actress is that's playing the lead on the show......... Debra Messing
While reading the book I laughed about how Will and Gracie reminded me of Will and Grace. Guess that they had to change it. Another funny I can't wait to see is that Gracie's husband Kenny dumps her to date none other than Britney Spears. Yes you read that right...... so wonder how that will play in the show.

So add the Starter Wife to your summer reading list and then check out the show with me this Thursday on USA channel.

Flowers

As some of you know flowers are one of my most favorite things in the world. I love looking at the colors, textures, and uniqueness of each one. Thru the summer I am going to try to add another flower picture along with each blog I do to share my favorite shots with you. I encourage all you readers to share your favorites as well. This gives all of us something to try to do. Catch that most prized flower shot possible. I will also toss in a few shots of my other favorite things too some may be things you didn't know about me. Good luck and hope you enjoy the shots yet to come!

This picture was taken today in my back yard. It is of my Clematis....I believe it's the Jackmanii Superba haha I will have to look tomorrow to find out exactly what variety it is. If you click on the picture thru this entry it will enlarge it. From there if you center the flower just right to me, (anyway) it could almost pass for a painting. I love the marbling of the shades of purples on the petals. And to be able to see the fallen pollen pieces is amazing. I used the Macro setting on the camera. WOW. I didn't know I was that good haha.

So Pretty

OK I had to share a couple of pictures I did get to take at the St. Louis Zoo yesterday. I will have to go back. Ashley took the camera and I had to fight tooth and nail to get it back just for these shots. But OOH so worth it!!

Class Trip

Ashley and Hannah on
First day of School 2005






Yesterday was Ashley's 6th grade class trip. It was so sad. I was looking at the children that started out in Kindergarten together realizing that some will never see each other again. Because her school is a Magnet School, the kids get bussed in from all over the city. So your typical school in the neighborhood isn't where your child is going. The neighborhood kids they play with aren't their classmates. So many of them will be going to the only two regular Middle School for the district. A few will be paying tuition to go to the other alternatives such as Decatur Christian or LSA. Some will be moving to go to Mt. Zion, Forsyth, or Argenta. Then there is Ashley. She is making the transition by her little ole' self. I feel so sorry for her. How hard this is going to be for ther girl who has had the same class mates for 7 years now. We have never moved, its always been the same , same , same for her. She won't have the comfort zone of the teachers she has know and made smile over the years.

But we have to have positive thoughts. This is still the best option for our family and I am excited to see how it's going to go. And it will be nice to be able to see the girls before school in the mornings again.

So as we say good bye to an old chapter in our lives, we open a new notebook, and break out our new pens and get ready to start a new story!




My group of girls on trip
Tye, Ashley, Tessa, Taylor, and Chelsea

Title!!!

OK as you can see I was playing with the settings this morning and I got my spot to put entry title back. I know I am a major dork but hey, this feature was missing for quite awhile!!

I wish I had a graphic of someone peeking their head thru a crack in the door. That's how I feel about my blog. I am peeking in briefly to let you all know I am still around just very busy. A, hats off to you for always getting what you do done. I don't know how you do it.

This last week was hectic with trips, trips, dentist visits, counseling, and more trips haha. This next week is trips, trips, play day, class trip, whew and then 4 glorious days off. The only thing I positively need to accomplish is get my stinking garden planted. Yes I know it should have been in by now but my spot is COMPLETELY grown over with weeds and grass so I need to dig up my entire area.

I did go shopping for myself!! Can you believe this?? Now I did go shopping on Saturday only to find myself w/o any money or any way to pay so it was a cheep day haha. But I made up for it today with deals left and right. And it was shopping that I (I used to believe that every woman did this but I am learning I am wrong its just the women in my family with the huge knockers) haven't done in forever. I bought new bra's and panties. Now I know what your thinking, Jamie you can buy bra's right here in Decatur. But those of you with the big girls up front, My pal A convinced me to go into a Lane Bryant and try on some of their padded push up bra's last year..or was it the year before? Anyway much to my arguing I did (I mean when you already have alot why do you need to shove them to your chin and padd them as well?) and fell in love. There is something magical about the padding being just thick enough that when you wash them and yes I am so bad and will change my ways, but I throw them in the wash in with everything else and after well over a year of being washed this way they still look new. Not wrinkled, caved in or falling apart like so many others. The straps DO NOT DIG IN YOUR SHOULDERS, and you hardly realize the underwire is there. Have I gushed enough?? OK on with the day LOL (go buy Lane Bryant Bra's ......subliminal message over )

Sigh I know the girls don't NEED cropped cardigan sweaters in May but at under $5 each from GAP who can pass right?? Even at 2 each it was cheaper than one at original price.

Anyway hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for summer!!
Have a great week everyone and I will catch up on the big weekend!

Yes I am still around it's just been so busy in the Frederick household. I have been working mega hours lately which makes some nice paychecks but boy oh boy does it get exhausting. On Mark's days off it's been dentist appointments, counseling sessions, or other fun chores that make being a couple so fun. We did get to buy the girls a Trampoline thanks to Grandma Denise. (pictures will come soon I let my camera batter go dead and haven't charged to get picts yet haha) I got all my flowers planted and all my yard work caught up (ok well except the garden) and it looks lovely. (picts to come haha) Can't wait for the end of school we have 11 more days and I think I am counting down more than the kids. These next two weeks will be crazy so bear with me if I don't post. I will be back haha Happy Mothers Day to all my mommy friends!!