Camp Out At Scarlet O'Kara's...

and the kiddos are having a blast!



Don't you just love Friday nights?

Hope you all have a great one too!

I'm Wearing Teal...

Are you? So is my husband, both daughters, and my extended family. Being the "Julie, the Cruise Director" in my family does have its advantages!



I also wanted to mention that I completely forget to tell you all that my wonderful Grandmother-in-law is also an Ovarian Cancer Survivor. Not sure if you all remember her, but I did a post on her. She is truly an amazing woman.



We wear Teal to honor her, as well as my sister-in-law's mother, and all of the other women whose lives have been touched by this awful disease.



Will you join us by wearing Teal too?

Touched By Teal Friday - Don't Forget! (Update)

Tomorrow, September 5, 2008, women and men around this wonderful country will be wearing Teal in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Show your support by wearing Teal too! I already have my outfit picked out.

Help raise awareness for this deadly form of gynecological cancers by sharing this event with others.

GET INVOLVED!



Each year, more than 21,000 women will be diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. These women -- someones mother, daughter, sister, wife ,aunt, grandmother, cousin, -- will be in battle with the deadliest form of gynecological cancer. In 2008 15,000 women will lose this battle. Sobering isn't it?

What makes this dreadful cancer so deadly is that most cases are not detected until an advanced stage wherein these women have a 30% chance for surviving 5 years. If the cancer is caught early enough, there is a 90% chance of surviving 5 years.



The big problem is that presently, there is no approved test for the early detection of Ovarian Cancer. How unbelievably messed up is that!

The best tool is to be aware of the most common symptoms...

Bloating
Abdominal / Pelvic Pain
Difficulty Eating / Feeling Full Quickly
Urinary Symptoms (The Need To Go Frequently Or Urgently)

If you have one or more of these symptoms and they last more than two weeks, please your primary care physician and / or OB / GYN. If you don't get any answers, than seek a second opinion.

The best way for a doctor to diagnose the disease is with a combination of symptoms, a vaginal / rectal exam, a transvaginal ultrasound and / or a CT Scan. If cancer is suspected, consult a gynecological oncologist.

*** UPDATE - Received this information from my Aunt Carolene.

"REQUEST A "CA125" BLOOD TEST... BEST EARLY DETECTION OF OVARIAN CANCER"

Wordless Wednesday - Cupcake Training

Rainy Day & College Football

Even though the weather isn't the best outside...



It sure is great on the inside!







Final score is 56 to 10.

~~~

And just in case you all aren't following the weather news, Gustav is already a Category 4 Hurricane. Florida is already feeling some of the outer bands...but it looks like Louisiana is going to feel the full brunt of the storm.

Keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers as you go about your holiday weekend celebrations.

BREAKING NEWS! -

Bryleigh just cut her first tooth!



Teething Gel always makes it feel better...

This Makes Me So Sad...

Poor little Kadence has had a really bad ear infection for the past couple of weeks...and isn't allowed to swim. So, she sits on the step and watches the others play.



Mikey & Kaleigh swim over to the step...



as Kyla calls to her from the deep end.



Then she looks at me and asks..."When can I go swimming again?"

Do You Know What I Just Realized?

Today is my One Year Blogger Anniversary! And what better way for me to celebrate...but to join MySpace! One more thing for my husband to tease me about. Not only am I a "Mommy Blogger", but now I am a "MySpacer".

So, how else should I celebrate? Any suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday -

What Happens When You Sleep Around



(Forgive My Warped Sense Of Humor!)

Will Gustav Be A Gentleman Hurricane?

Or will he be a scoundrel and visit Sunny, FL just in time to ruin our Holiday Weekend?

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

So last week when I was taking a ride on the Blog Train, I came across this blog that has a Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. Thought it was a great idea because not only am I always looking for new recipes to try, but sometimes this blog just needs a different type of post.

So, here is my current favorite recipe.

~~~

Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Sandwiches
(from Campbell's Kitchen)

Prep Time: 15 min. Cook Time: 8 hr. Stand Time: 10 min.

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
3 1/2- to 4-pound boneless pork shoulder roast, netted or tied
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's(R) Condensed French Onion Soup
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tbsp. packed brown sugar
12 round sandwich rolls or hamburger rolls, split

Directions:

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook
until it is well browned on all sides.

Stir the soup, ketchup, vinegar and brown sugar in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add
the pork and turn to coat.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours* or until the pork is fork-tender.
Remove the pork from the cooker to a cutting board and let stand for 10
minutes. Using 2 forks, shred the pork. Return the pork to the cooker.
Divide the pork and sauce mixture among the rolls.

*Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.

~~

The kids love it and it is so easy!

Am I The Only One That Had A Friday Like This?

After having a relatively uneventful morning, Bryleigh & I were getting ready to load up in the Jeep and head over to pick up Great Grandma. The plan was to surprise Kyla by having Mom Mom Mom in the front seat. Then we were going to have a late lunch and order the cupcakes for her Hannah Montana Yoga Birthday Party.

Well before any of this could happen, the phone rang. It was the school nurse, telling me that I needed to pick Kyla up right away and take her to the doctor. She had put an un-popped kernel of popcorn in her ear! So, while I was making the "mad dash" to school, I call ahead to the pediatrician to tell them to prepare for the extraction. Then I had to cancel with Great Grandma.

It started sprinkling as I came to a screeching halt in front of the school. (Darned Tropical Storm Fay! When will you go away?) I practically ripped Bry out of her car seat and made the crazed mommy dash to the Nurse's Office. I got the "Oh that was your daughter" look for everyone in the office while waiting for the nurse to bring my injured baby to me.

My tiny Kindergartner peeked around the corner and looked at me with sad, teary eyes..."Are you upset with me, Mommy?"

The nurse pulled me to the side and said, "You have a smart little girl there."

I replied that I know...but she said it again, "No, I mean you really have a smart little girl there."

Then she starts telling me about her time with Kyla...and how Kyla asked her several times if she was upset with her and if she was in trouble because she had put a popcorn kernel in her ear when she knew that it was not suppose to go there. She told me that I had my hands full with her.

During the "way over the speed limit" drive to the doctor's office, I asked what made her think to do something like she. And do you know what she said?

"My brain made me think to do it..." and then she started to whimper. The pressure was starting to build up and the anxiety level was increasing. So, what's a mom to do?

Take pictures to make her unhappy pumpkin smile...



Not even a smile as we wait at the traffic light.



"This is the ear that hurts. Can you see it, Mommy?"



"I can hold really still for the doctor."



And here is the problem. Look how big that sucker is!

Kyla asked if she could keep it. She wanted to take it to Show & Tell.



"Look, I can make music with it too!"



Now my little princess is much happier! And Mommy has to have a little talk with her about not putting anything else in her ears.

Hope you all have a much better Friday than me!

UPDATED - Happy Birthday To You...

Happy Birthday To You...
Happy Birthday To My Baby Pumpkin Kyla...
Happy Birthday To You!



I cannot believe that it has been 5 years since you made your way into the world and captured the hearts of your daddy and me.

We are blessed by you.

~~~

Just had to add these photos of the birthday girl as she left for school this morning. She was channeling her inner super model!

Wordless Wednesday

Bored Because Of Fay -

and the kids are getting cabin fever...No school wasn't the most brilliant idea for today. It probably should have been cancelled for tomorrow. We have been outside riding bikes and swimming...but plan to come inside when the wind starts to gust.



Still waiting while Fay takes her own sweet time...will probably get pretty nasty later tonight or tomorrow. She isn't a Hurricane, but she isn't a weak Tropical Storm either...

So, do you think they will cancel school tomorrow?

~~~

Not sure about the rest of you, but I am counting the days until College Football starts! Only 1 week and 4 days until the Gators play their first game...against Hawaii...so when I saw this on ClemsonGirl's Blog...well, I had to borrow it...

So, Roll Call! Which team does your household cheer for on Saturdays? Try not to be too surprised by my answers...

CONFERENCE - The one and only conference that counts...SEC!

SCHOOL - University Of Florida

MASCOT - Gators

TRADITION - Albert & Alberta, The Swamp, Mr. Two-Bits, "We Are The Boys", & The Gator Chomp!

BIGGEST RIVAL - In state would have to be Half A$$ed Who (aka FSU). As for biggest conference rival, its a toss up between UGA, UT, & LSU.

Now, I just have to say this...# 5 in the Preseason Polls!

Can I hear "It's Great To Be A Florida Gator!"