quickie post to update. and chat a bit.

This is stuck in my head:

{via}

"I'm malicious, mean and scary

My sneer could curdle dairy

And violence-wise, my hands are not the cleanest

But despite my evil look

And my temper, and my hook

I've always yearned to be a concert pianist

Can'tcha see me on the stage performin' Mozart?

Tickling the ivories 'til they gleam?

Yep, I'd rather be called deadly

For my killer show-tune medley

Thank you!

'Cause way down deep inside

I've got a dream"

Lovely. :P The sun is shining, the trip is over, I'm absolutely positive I want a Goldendoodle, and even more, absolutely-positive-sure I must move down South. Tennessee, to be exact. Ate a juicy peach, got my nanny-kiddos down for a nap, feel like I have zillions of emails to answer, and excited that with my lack of Facebook, I actually think about my blog. All the time. I even have a blogging schedule. . .written out and waiting on my desk at home. Which means I don't have to scramble for post ideas. Score. 

The funeral was bittersweet--a tribute to a 16 month old little boy who touched the lives of thousands. I left feeling convicted, refreshed, and challenged by the message of hope--looking toward the future, and remembering that every moment is precious. Please pray for Avery's parents, friends and family.  

ATT readers in TN--this is one very jealous blogger. ;) It seems the older I get, the more shopping and observing I do, there is but one conclusion: Yankee's are RUDE. And I'm opposed to the sharing-your-backyard-with-the-entire-neighborhood idea. Don't remind me that this is how I've *always* lived. Country-Southern-girl wannabe? All the way.

{via}

Down south you can breath. Folks are kind--genuinely kind, caring, quick with a smile or a wave. Ok, so maybe the effect is more dramatic to this very-much Northern gal. Then again, I'm not very-much Northern in lifestyle/principle/personality. Could be the Italian. ;) Whatever the case--I feel at home in the South. Like I belong there. . .have always belonged there, and by fate wound up in Ohio. :P Fine, fine, it's not all bad. I love my little small town with the cupcake shops and old-fashioned barber. But there aren't ACCENTS and men who like to shoot things and Smokey-mountains and. . .well, I guess we do have bluegrass music.

So the big question is: where should my family vacation?--TN or Virginia? Too hard to choose. TN I love with all my heart, but I was just there. Simple, laid-back, Dollywood/outdoorsy. VA is much more commercial. . .Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and the ocean. Yeah, we can't decide either. o.O

.Ordinary pick-me-ups for an ordinary day.

• something hot, drink-wise. Preferably coffee, or peppermint tea {the curse of TMJ and caffeine fasts.} 
• Grooveshark Playlist. To enjoy a very cultured blend of Crossover, Broadway, Celtic, and soundtrack. {don't judge. :P } 

• late night talks with ones 3 youngest sisters. About. . .we shan't say. Locked in the tower of sisterly secrets. 

• The Andy Griffith Show. Or Little House on the Prairie. Or the Waltons. Or Road to Avonlea.

• a garden to hoe in. {please tell me thrilling over watering and weeding is normal?}

• shopping trips involving ones mom, new fabric, a possible free-phone, amusing bouillon conversations, {don't ask} and hummus samples. 

• a 100 year old  piano that still plays. . .and sounds decent, considering it hasn't been tuned in ages.   

• Adventures in Odyssey. . .for several hours each day {thanks to an addict-sister!}

• long walks around the neighborhood. Especially when there are cats to pet.

• double scoop ice cream cones {cookie dough and chocolate} for $1.25. Bliss.   

And that's about it, ya'll. Any little tid-bits you'd like to share?