A Great Man

I just heard that Paul Newman has passed away. What a great, honorable, dedicated man he was. He carried himself with such class and dignity. This is such a huge loss to the entertainment business and to the philanthropic world he so prided himself in. His charities donated millions. He was such a giving man.

What's just as amazing to me is that he also had one of Hollywood's rare long term marriages, marrying Joanne Woodward in 1958. Now that's a love story!!

I had a childhood friend who did a commercial with him years ago and she said he was unbelievable to work with.

Tag, You're It!

I've been tagged by Preppy Cricket. So here it goes. Might as well start off with an embarrassing one first.

1. In sixth grade, I won a "Pinky Tuscadero" look-a-like contest. (Talk about showing my age. Yep, you guessed it...Fonzie's girlfriend from"Happy Days". And no I didn't have her hair style. I had a white motorcycle helmet on.)

2. I buy at least one fountain drink every day. It just taste so much better than soda out of a can. I keep telling hubby we need one installed in the house.

3. My husband and I are both right handed and all three of my kids are left handed.

4. I can't leave the house in the morning without checking my favorite blogs. Sometimes it's the first thing I do.

5. Presentation is a huge deal to me. From gift giving, to parties, to even how a meal is presented. The prettier something looks, the more enjoyable it is.

6. I'm a horrible cook and I hate the clean up afterwards so probably fives times a week I eat out for lunch. For dinners, we do a lot of take out which I'm trying to change. It also has to do with all of the kids activities at night. It's much easier to grab something on the way home.

7. A few years back, Jessica Simpson sat two rows behind me on a flight to Vegas. It was when all the rumors were going on that her marriage was in trouble. So I checked out her ring finger and no wedding ring. We then proceeded to get off the plane with her, rode the train with her right next to us, walked to the baggage area together and then our limos were in the same area. Hey... I could actually say she was following us. (And I never saw one paparazzi.)

So now I'm tagging:
Boo and Hooties Mom
Capegirl
Preppy Mama
Mom on the Run
Just a Girl
Doodle Bugs Paper

Preppy, Preppy, Preppy

For all of us who love pink and green, I just found these on clearance for $6.00 at Stash. They are so stinkin' cute. These would be perfect for a spring or summer swap.

One Of My Favorite Places To Shop

I recently participated in a Fall Preppy Swap that Preppy Mama hosted. I purchased a few things for the swap from one of my favorite home and garden stores, Pasquesi. If you live around Lake Bluff, IL, you have to visit this place. It is amazing!!! I buy so much from this store. They have a wide variety of flowers, garden containers, holiday decorations, plus a great assortment of quality home goods. It is well worth the trip.

While there, I bought my swap partner Vera Bradley note cards, an aromatique candle in "Pumpkin Spice" and an "Autumn" scent sachet. And of course I couldn't leave without treating myself to some things. Here's a photo of how I wrapped everything for her. I think I have more fun wrapping than I do shopping!!!

Overload!!!!

Looking at this weekend's schedule...can I just say overload!! Both boys have hockey tryouts tonight, Saturday and Sunday and of course they are at different times all three days. Two baseball games on Saturday (missing one because of try-outs). Two softball games on Sunday. Thank goodness horseback riding lesson is cancelled Sunday, but still need to find time for Miss C to ride this weekend. Hockey parents and kids all getting together for dinner tonight. Hubby goes solo because I thought I should stay home with Miss C and have some mommy-daughter time. I was going to take her to the "cheapie" place for manicures. Forgot she is a teenager now...the big 13...she invites friend over. Oh well, I guess I'll catch up on housework. NOT!!! Boys aren't here which means house is quiet. Hubby not home. Miss C is with her friend. Mmmmm...lay in bed with laptop and catch up on reading some blogs! Yep, that's what I'm doing.

Wait, figuring out schedule for this fall. Three Kids: fall baseball, fall softball, two travel hockey teams, away tournaments, horseback riding and one or two horse shows. Add in school, homework, and doctor appointments which leads to breakdown for mom. Thank goodness for hubby who pitches in a whole lot. Actually he does more than me, so change that... breakdown for dad.

I wouldn't have it any other way. Have a great weekend everyone.

Super Soaker Gustav

Super Soaker Gustav has left the area after a day and a half of constant rain and gray skies. Thanks to all the rain, the color green has come back to our parkways and open areas. Yeah, green grass!! Well...except in our new neighbors yard. It is brown, brown, brown. It makes a crunching sound as you walk on it. They have lived here a year and have never watered their lawn. It's driving all of the neighbors crazy.

This week before Gustav arrived, we were having 90 degree weather, so I started watering their front lawn by hand a little some mornings when I knew they had left for work. My husband laughed at me one morning because I was out there watering and he said every time a car drove by I would turn around, like I was hiding. Well I was!!!!...I didn't really want to be noticed. I was very tempted to hook up a sprinkler to our hose and put it in their front lawn, but I'm not that bold. Now they have some big bare spots with nothing but dirt, so the "Grass Seed Fairy" just might have to come by their front lawn and do a little sprinkling.

Conversation between hubby and I:

Hubby - (laughing) "What are you doing and why are you turning around every time a car goes by? Do you think you are hiding?"

Me- "What does it look like I'm doing? And actually yes I'm hiding. And from the back I could pass as our neighbor and nobody will know it's me."

Hubby - (In his sarcastic tone which he is so good at.) "The hose going across our front yard is kind of a giveaway. Or if people actually think it is her, they'll think she's really cheap for using our hose and water on her lawn.

Me - "Fine, your right. I'll stop but the grass is screaming for water."