Shall we dance?

Don't you miss the days when twirling was a perfectly acceptable activity?

The twirl girl

Had a great time with the kids last week. Chance and Hope both won their games Thursday night, then we watched the NBA finals and I foolishly agreed to buy dinner should the Celtics lose. A 12-point swing later, I found myself driving to Taco Bell at midnight to eat tacos and crow.

Friday and Saturday brought work, meetings, a long-overdue dinner with Sorne and Vance, hanging out with my grandmother, and a very fun wedding. More on that later.

After the dance recital, Hope decided she needed "one of those stiff skirts" like the ballerinas. She loved it!



Here's to a fun birthday week!

Amazing grace

I've always found it challenging to have tough conversations with kids. I never know exactly what to say, or how much to share in order to answer their questions without sharing too much. Poor Brady is probably still scarred from our Lady GaGa "disco stick" conversation around Christmas.

Last night I had a cool discussion with Hope that I won't soon forget. We were driving to Clarksville for a dance recital, and passed the cross on the hill near Ozark.

Hope: That's like the cross Jesus died on.
Me: Where'd you hear about that?
Hope: In a book.
Me: What book?
Hope: Um, I think it's called a Bible.
Me: Do you know why Jesus died on a cross?
Hope: No.
Me: So if we believe in Him, we can go to heaven when we die.
Hope: I believe in Him.
Me: Me too.
Hope: When it gets dark tonight, I'm going to make a wish on the wishing star that Jesus would live in my heart.
Me: You don't have to wish on a star, sweetie. You just have to ask Him, and He'll live there.
Hope (yelling): HEY, JESUS. WILL YOU COME LIVE IN MY HEART?

Now, I know she doesn't really understand how it works, nor does she understand why we need eternal salvation, but I love the simplicity of her acceptance of it. Because, really, we try to make grace too tough.

After that talk, she decided we needed to sing some Taylor Swift. Hope's philosophy: if you don't know the words, just sing really loudly.

A mani-pedi we'll never forget-y

Turns out Hope's mani-pedi was the first one she's had at the salon. I'm honored to have developed her diva ways even more. It's funny; she usually won't shut up, but she was quite mesmerized by the whole experience.

After dipping her toes into the water and leaning back into the massage chair, she looked at me and said, "Man, this is relaxing!"

I think I've created a monster. But I'm truly honored to have taken her to her inaugural mani-pedi. I think it's a memory we'll have for a lifetime.

Pampered Princesses

Meet the two biggest divas in my family: my niece, Hope, and my grandmother.

At 85, my grandmother still drives 80 miles every Friday to have her hair done. And Hope has been all girl since the day she was born.

So I volunteered to take them both for mani-pedis tomorrow afternoon. This should be interesting. Hope's already informed me she'll be getting pink fingernails and red toenails.

Give me patience.

Jesus was a chick?

Had a crazy day at work, then drove down for Taylor's baccalaureate service tonight. They had some students pray, and the girl doing the invocation said, "... most of all, we're thankful for Your Son, who was born as a woman... I mean, born from a woman..." Hahahaha! Is it irreverent to laugh out loud during a prayer?

Tomorrow I'm going to hang out with Alisa, Shauna and Amy for a bit at ATU, then head to NLR for a meeting. Hope the tornadoes stay far, far away from my hotel room tonight.

Oh, and a disclaimer about my blog: it's purely for entertainment. Most of it is accurate, but I have been known to embellish the truth a bit for both humor and story flow. So please stop taking me so seriously, k? I am my mother's daughter. If a true story is funny, adding details that didn't happen might make it funnier.

Rest of the pics from tonight are here.

Taylor made

Rick Altes took this pic of Taylor Tuesday night in Carlisle. Check out the acrobatic move. And check out Arney up there in the stands holding a sleeping Hope.

I'm still tired, but I made it back to NLR. I need to go to bed.

I did manage to run three miles tonight on the hotel treadmill. The unfortunate part is that it was the grand opening of this hotel, so they kept parading Chamber folks through the gym to watch me sweat. It is very motivating to run in front of a mirror. Two miles in and my thighs still looked huge, so I kept running.

Hopefully there's time for a nap tomorrow before the game. If not, it's going to be a long Saturday.

Broken odometer

I've always been blessed (cursed?) with wanderlust. I love to travel. I spend half of my time living out of a suitcase, and most days I'm okay with that.

But right now I'm really, really exhausted. I took a three-hour nap this afternoon and am already ready to go back to bed.

After my three days in Atlanta, I was in Hector on Saturday, Hartford on Sunday, jury duty yesterday, and Carlisle last night. I got home this afternoon in time for a couple of meetings on campus prior to my nap, and now I'm doing laundry and getting ready to unpack and repack my suitcase for tomorrow.

I have a luncheon in the Fort and then I'm headed back to NLR tomorrow afternoon for a Friday morning meeting and another jaunt to Carlisle Friday night for Taylor's state Elite 8 game.

So. Very. Tired. Thankfully I'm in Benton County all week next week. I hope.

This is how I currently feel.

Hurricane Hope in Hackett Homecoming

Before we go any further, let's all agree that NO ONE tells my grandmother I'm staying in a hotel about a mile from her, and that I didn't take her to see my niece in homecoming. Because I'm a bad person. You solemnly swear? Ok, let's move on.

Hope carried the flowers in Hackett homecoming tonight. Isn't she gorgeous?

Happy birthday, Hope!

Six years ago this beautiful, loving, always talking child came into our family. Things 1, 2 and 3 did a tribute for her from Texas (yes, Avery is always like that). Happy birthday, sweet girl. We're glad you chose our family.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

I'm not quite sure why I bother to update this thing anymore, sporadic though it may be. According to my trusty web stats, I have fewer readers than ever. I've always known my life was dull, but evidently others are starting to figure it out as well.

My holiday plans have been hijacked by the possibility of winter weather. I mean, I'm all about a white Christmas, but can't it just be pretty on the trees and grass and leave the roads alone? I totally wanted tomorrow to just veg and finish last-minute tasks. Tonight I went to four stores in search of canned pumpkin so that I could make a cheesecake for Friday. I just hope it turns out okay after all of that schlepping around and heavy-duty mixing.

So, to the three of you who still read this thing, I am announcing a possible hiatus. Tomorrow afternoon/early evening I'll be headed south (so Memaw, if you're reading this, keep the couch warm for me), then Friday includes spending the morning with the kids and Vickie and then heading back to Memaw's for the traditional Hester Christmas fish fry. Saturday plans are still tentative, but Sunday I'm headed back to Texas, so I'll be out of pocket until the first of the year.

Hmmm... if I'm out of town for 10 days, are 37 outfits enough to pack? I'm sure I'll be throwing stuff in the car at the last minute since I'm headed out earlier than planned.

Just in case: Merry Christmas, everyone! Fleas on your dog. I leave you with a pic of Hope and me, at the Plunkett festivities last night.

Brain fart

I need a vacation.

I know... I know. I've been on vacation a lot of days this past month. But driving for 20 out of the 96 hours of your vacation does not count as rest. I need sleep.

Even though I was sick today and sound like I should be charging $1.99 a minute to talk to me on the phone, I have been productive all day. Crossed a lot off my to-do list at work. Bought some more Christmas gifts (one for Hope, four for me). Addressed and stamped Christmas cards. Baked eight dozen cookies. Oh, and I went to the gym at 6 a.m. and did 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. NO MORE FAT CLOTHES!

But I also sat in an admissions meeting this morning and we were discussing a student (no FERPA violations here) who was born in 1975. " So how old is she?" someone asked. "29" I replied. Um, not even close, stupid Director of Admissions.

Then I had lunch with my friend Paige at PF Chang's, and it was very expensive for her since she not only bought my lunch, but I talked her into ordering a new MacBook Pro when she got home tonight. You're welcome, Bryan.

Tomorrow it's the gym, meeting (yawn), work, then driving to Mountain Home.

When is it time to sleep? Oh yeah, that's what I should be doing now. Oops!

Lucky girl

I'm finally back in the land of the living. I exercised today for the first time in two weeks. No activity + increased caloric intake = 5 new pounds. Or 5 returning pounds. Now I have 15 to go instead of 10. Ugh.

I was so depressed this morning after stepping on the scale that I threw away the Oreos, did yoga and then walked three miles.

I threw away my fat clothes. Gaining back the weight is not an option.

Thank goodness I'm feeling like working out again since my life these days revolves around food. Ok, that's no different than usual. But I am finding it difficult to find the time to see all of my friends while I'm in Central Arkansas this week.

Tomorrow and Tuesday I'm lunching with some of my UCA friends. I'm meeting guy friends for dinner at my favorite place the next two nights. (I'm here to work... need to make that happen, too!)

Tonight I had dinner with Vickie, Brad, and the kids in Fort Smith. It was so great to see them all. I got to see Brad's crew last weekend, but I haven't seen V in a long time. (And I forgot to say so, but you look really fabulous, V!)

I stopped to see my grandmother on my way out of town, and attempted to explain to her how my cousins Carrie, Jen and I can keep up with each other without actually seeing or talking to one another. She doesn't get it. Mostly, she's just mad that I know stuff that she doesn't. Useless Facebook updates? I don't think so!

I love that my job gives me the chance to travel and see friends and family, but sometimes I get overwhelmed by trying to fit everything in. Then I feel grateful that so many people want to see me. Or at least pretend to.

Seriously, I am so very lucky. This afternoon I stopped in Van Buren to go to the bathroom and some dude stopped me and asked if I could spare a dollar so that he could buy some gas to get to Georgia. My first (smart alleck) thought was that it would take a lot more than a buck to get to Georgia, but then I felt humbled. So I took three dollars out of my $400 handbag for him.

I confess that I usually refuse to give money to people who ask for it because I'm skeptical. I assume they're too lazy to work. Or are making a lot of money from the generosity of others.

But today I started thinking about what Jesus would do. And I decided that giving isn't as much about the receiver as it is about the giver. And the spirit in which things are given. I am blessed so far beyond what I deserve. I should take the time more often to remember that, and to help others.

Heh. Consider my attitude adjusted.

Happy, happy day!

So excited about the start of football season! I had nearly given up on the 'Boys last night, but they managed to pull out the win. I'm afraid it's going to be another long season, Dallas fans.

In a few I'm headed south to pick up Chance and Hope (and maybe Taylor, if he's really, really bored) and go hang out with Jen, Lon, and Huey, Dewie and Louie. I'll spend tonight with Peep and Meem, and that's always interesting. Their house is like a zoo when we're all there. It's Beaver's birthday, so we're headed to his party at 2 p.m.

Tomorrow I'll be on Nebo with Scott, Alisa, and Grey. Not sure what we're doing since all our best laid plans got either rescheduled or are tentative due to weather. Nevertheless, I haven't seen them in months and can't wait to just chill and eat.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!

Lookin' good

I'm happy to report that Hope survived her first day of Kindergarten and, more importantly, so did Mrs. Howard. I didn't learn much about her academic endeavors, but she happily described recess, her new friends, and what she wore. She is so much like her sister (and a little bit like her aunt).

It's been a great week of work. Tonight I joined Kelly for yoga at the gym (my goal is to look like her, but I don't think it's happening), and now we're hanging out at her place. I can't wait to move to Rogers and be her neighbor. I can see my office from my bedroom window here.

Tomorrow after work I'm headed to Tulsa to hang out with Joe and the Tullgrens all weekend. We've got major plans of lounging by the pool and taking naps.

It's a beautiful night... the weather is crisp, and football's on TV. All is well in my world. (And yeah, I met LB one year ago today, but who's counting? Enough!)

Back to school

I don't know which is harder to believe: the fact that Taylor is now a SENIOR in high school, or that Hope starts Kindergarten tomorrow. They both make me feel very, very old.

Our last Father's Day

A few weeks ago the awesome Shannon took some family photos for us. They're priceless.









I've been awake for over 21 hours, so I'm fading quickly. At this point we only know the service is Tuesday, but not sure what time. Details as I know them.

Thanks for the prayers!

Rest of the pics are here.

Best of 'Bo' Worlds

This is my niece, Hope, singing for us this weekend. Her new favorite song is "Best of 'Bo' Worlds" by Hannah Montana. No amount of talking could convince her that it was "both."

She also does a rousing rendition of "Girlfriend" by singing "I fink you meed a new one..." But she refused to do my personal favorite, "Low."

Had a great weekend with Brad and the kids. More later.

Puppy love

Those of us with older brothers know what it's like to have a crush on one of his friends. I remember trying to impress Brad's friends while growing up. They usually ignored me.

Hope has a colossal-sized crush on her brother's friend Blake. I don't know if she realizes that Taylor even plays basketball. For her, they're Blake's games. How many five year olds have their sights set on a 17-year-old? She's like the Anna Nicole Smith of the preschool set.

Here's her face paint for the game last night.



I'm happy to report that the Hornets were victorious in the finals of the regional tournament (three years in a row!). And after the game, the leading scorer didn't hug his mom or a girl his own age, but the cute little girl with the big ol' crush.

Double the fun

Since Hope's birthday was Tuesday and Dad's is today, we celebrated both of them today with a joint party at my house. We had standard New Year's fare: pinto beans, fried potatoes, cornbread, dumplings and mac and cheese... yes, we ate from the beige food group. I guess the food was okay; Taylor ate three helpings of dumplings, so it was worth the sweat and tears to make them.

Here are some pics from today.













Chance tried to run on my treadmill in socks and jeans at 8 mph and fell off. His pride hurt worse than his elbow.