It's good to have goals

So my top ten vacation goals are:

1. Relax
2. Drink
3. Get a tan
4. Drink
5. Not gain back all the weight in 9 days that it took me 6 months to lose
6. Drink
7. Eat lobster at every meal (might make #5 a little hard but calories and carbs surely don't exist on vacation)
8. Drink
9. Read a book
10. Drink

Wish me luck!!!

Evening at the Oasis

My dad's birthday was last Thursday so we celebrated at the Oasis with some delicious mexican food and an amazing view! This was my first time to eat there since they re-opened and it's absolutely incredible! If you haven't been there yet, you really should drop everything you're doing and head over there immediately for some margaritas, chips and queso.

Long story short, our power went off at work yesterday at the end of the day and I couldn't access ANYTHING, except Photoshop and my own personal images. So they got a little more TLC than normal. I figured it was a good use of my time to practice my new Photoshop skills since nothing else worked around here. I used an action that Allison created on all of these images to give them a little spice and I retouched a few inconvenient blemishes and stains on Sheridan's shirt. I think Allison definitely got her monies worth out of that conference!! My mom and her best friend from California, Janey
Janey's son, John
One of the many times Sheridan wouldn't look at the camera because she was too busy trying to figure out how she was going to get down so she could run around and reek havoc on the multiple levels of decks

At least I've done ONE thing right!

Sheridan LOVES Chuy's creamy jalapeno ranch and as far as I'm concerned, my job as her mother is done. There's nothing else I can teach her.

At one point, we tried to take the ranch away so she wouldn't ruin her appetite for dinner. But she threw a FIT and I vowed to never deprive my child of ranch EVER AGAIN. It's just not worth all the screaming.Sheridan half closes her eyes now when we take her picture and this is what I get when my camera finally takes the picture. She either thinks the flash is going to hurt her eyes or I take too many damn pictures. Either way, she's just going to have to get over it. Because it won't and I'm not going to stop.
How many pictures do I need of her eating jalapeno ranch? One more.
And she loves dessert! I'm telling you, this kid is after my own heart. I attribute her fondness to these foods to ALL the mexican food and the HUGE BOWL of ice cream I ate EVERY NIGHT when I was pregnant. The things we do for our kids.

What's better than one car payment?

TWO!!! Cameron finally said good-bye to his '97 Jeep Cherokee with over 170,000 miles on it and we are now the proud new owners of a 2005 Jeep Cherokee. I can actually use the word 'proud' and mean it because it's NOT an HHR! But what's that saying? While the cat's away, the mice will play. Oh, and play he did as this purchase took place while I was at the photography conference last week. I know what you're thinking and yes, you are right. This is the SECOND vehicle my husband has purchased without me. However, I will continue to let him live because 1) unlike the first vehicle this one actually RUNS and isn't just taking up valuable space in my garage 2) I did have some knowledge of this vehicle much unlike the first time around, remember this phone conversation and 3) did I mention that it's NOT AN HHR?!!!! It is for this reason alone that I might just marry this man all over again!

I asked Cameron how many vehicles he was going to purchase without me and he claims the next one is ALL ME. I'm going to have to see an Acadia in the driveway before I believe that though.

Does your friend have a name?

WHY has a pimple the size of RUSSIA decided to take up residence on my face? Well, I have several theories.

1. I'm trying to 'change things up' a little bit so that mother nature doesn't join me on my vacation in June. To the beach. So my hormones might be a little "off".

2. With #1 in mind, it's probably not a good time for people to be throwing life altering changes my way. However, people rarely check to see if it's a good time or not and they just start launching crap at you. Like yesterday. When I learned that our daycare is closing at the end of June!!!! How do I handle that like a normal person? Normal is rarely used in the same sentence with my name on a good day, so this bombshell poses quite a little challenge for me. But I'm working through my sadness and worries and in a few days I'll be on the other side with a positive outlook in one hand and an empty bottle of wine in the other.

3. And speaking of my precious daughter. After spending four days away from her last week at the photography conference, I'm a little concerned how I'm going to manage being away from her for NINE DAYS when I'm on that beach vacation. I know. Get your little violin out and start playing a sad tune for me. But seriously, I already miss her and she's just in THE NEXT ROOM so this is a slight problem. I just might have to stuff her in my luggage and sneak her on vacation with me. Carry on, of course! I might be crazy but I'm not cruel people.

Thank goodness things come in three's and I've got mine. I've tried to take care of this pimple twice but if it decides to go for round three, Mimi, I'm letting you have the honors. That's just how good of a friend I am. You're welcome.

Tag...I'm it

Shaunna tagged me with this tag game - I am to list seven random things about me and then tag seven other people. Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours. Her name is linked above.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog. (if you don't know 7 bloggers, just tag who you know)

Seven random things about me that will help you sleep better tonight knowing:

1. My favorite guilty pleasure right now is Ghirardelli Ultimate Fudge Brownies and Blue Bell Tin Roof ice cream.

2. I am glad my favorite shows are coming back after the decade long writer's strike but I'm not really sure how I'm going to fit watching all of them into my schedule.

3. The million dollar question I hear quite often, "When are you doing to have another baby?" I. DO. NOT. KNOW. The jury is still out on the "if" rather than the "when" of that sentence people.

4. I've been doing 100 sit-ups a day in an attempt to find my abs again. I know they are there somewhere because every day they scream at me to LEAVE THEM ALONE.

5. According to my sign, Cancer, I am "moody" and emotional. Shocking I know! Good thing I played this little game or I never would have known that about myself. It also says I'm an excellent partner for life which I'm sure is good news to Cameron....unlimited emotional roller coaster rides FOR LIFE.

6. The thing I love most about camping is SMORES! Oh wait, and BEER!

7. I'm starting to embrace the possibililty of us owning one of those dreaded cars Cameron wants because I want a GMC Acadia for my next car. My theory is this: he gets what he wants, I get what I want.

I am tagging Mimi, Annemarie, Kelly, Kate, Sarah [but you have to be special to see her blog..sorry (said best with Simon Cowell's accent)], Tara, and Sara. I would tag Heather and Lincee but I don't think our friendships have reached that level yet. Or any level really for that matter, but a girl can hope.

Rhyme and Reason

Yesterday reiterated why I am not a stay at home mom. I simply don't think I have the patience for it day in and day out. By 6:20 when Cameron got home from work I had just finished feeding Sheridan dinner and that activity zapped every last bit of energy and patience I had left. One would think that with Sheridan contained in her chair that I would be able to cook dinner and drink a much needed glass of wine while she ate. Not so much. It was just as exhausting as if she were running around the house, getting into everything she shouldn't be while I try to control her shenanigans. Between trying to monitor her actually feeding herself as opposed the dogs that are permanently camped out at her feet and trying to teach her some sort of manners, like how we don't put our feet on the dinner table, there is simply no time for trying to multi-task and cook dinner for myself and Cameron. So in walks Cameron, fresh from working out, and within 5 minutes makes some sort of comment/remark about every room in the house being a wreck. What I heard was 'why didn't you clean the house today, you were off all day?"

Hold please while I try not to explode. Oops. Too late. ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Let's review today's events shall we. I have been going non-stop ALL day. Sheridan and I dropped off a prescription at HEB, went to the cleaners, and went to the outlet mall to try to pay the Banana Republic bill (which BTW, you cannot do in the store I found out and it is also particularly difficult to contain a certain toddler in a store when you forgot the stroller AT HOME). We took a short break (and I use the word 'break' loosely) to come home and eat lunch, then we went to several different stores to get birthday presents, and then onto HEB where Sheridan proceeded to drop a trail of goldfish throughout the entire store and would not sit down in the cart, which had a few employees quite concerned and they were sure to share with me that I shouldn't let her fall out of the cart. I'm so glad they set me straight because for a second I thought about letting her fall and considering it tough love or a life lesson. And if you weren't already aware of this, getting Sheridan in and out of the car forty-seven times is an exhausting process in and of itself. So when will the house be cleaned, dear? On Friday. When Brandi comes. (Note to readers: Brandi is our maid, who I'm actually thinking about adopting.)

Upon witnessing the steam shooting out of my ears and veins popping in my forehead, Cameron realized the fragile state of mind I was in and quickly acted to the benefit of everyone involved. He scooped Sheridan up and took her outside to play while he watered the flowerbeds and I did yoga while I daydreamed about going to work the next day and having lunch with my girlfriends and dinner with my HH group of friends. And just like that, peace and balance were restored in the Treece household.

My Mastercard commerical

Groceries for the week: $181

Co-pay for Sheridan's pediatrician visit: $20

Prescription for Amoxicillin: $5

Maid: $65

Ultrasound for Harley's heart murmur: $375

Finding out my dog is alright: priceless

Thank goodness I'm back at work today because it's been an expensive few days off!

Easter Fun

So next year Sheridan should be the queen of Easter egg hunts and find every hidden egg because she had four this year to practice and perfect her skills. One at daycare, one at preschool, one at the Rabb's house, and one at my mom's house. If only there were hunts for manners, listening and following directions, we'd be golden!

I obviously don't have pictures from the festivities at daycare or preschool because I wasn't there. And oh yeah. I don't have any from the fabulous Easter party at the Rabb's house (complete with the Easter bunny, a clown making animals and shapes out of balloons, and the cutest (and most delicious) cookies decorated as bunnies, eggs, carrots, and chicks, and over 700 hidden Easter eggs) because Sheridan was temporarily possessed by the devil and spent most of the time throwing herself on the ground showing everyone her signature temper tantrum and I didn't want to risk it during the few pleasant moments that we did have by trying to take pictures. Those moments happened to be the ones that involved searching for the sugar-filled eggs. I guess it takes a lot of energy to throw ALL THOSE FITS and she knew she needed to recharge if she was going to keep up at that pace for the rest of the day. Lucky me, she brought her 'A' game and cleaned house! And I don't have any of the pictures from the egg hunt at my mom's house because my mom took the pictures and she still probably hasn't figured out how to download them to her computer, much less email them to me. So here are a few pictures from Easter morning and dinner at my mom's house that I do have.....

3 things...

Those of you who know (or know of) my Graminy know that there are a few things that are VERY important to her. First and foremost on the list is going to college. She's already talking about my sister's unborn child's college education. Seriously. And she's even more pleased if you attend the "college of knowledge" (as my dad calls it) which is of course, in my family, Texas A&M. The rest, in no particular order, include: being a Republican and an Episcopalian, clipping coupons from the paper, and saving every last penny unless you are buying a Cadillac or an expensive suit, because then it's alright to splurge on certain things. Lately I've done a few things that would make her very proud and I need to take a moment and document this because I've got tattoos (well, just one actually) to make up for. And most likely, a few other things from my college years that I just won't recap (like the one time I took a semester off and made up stories about classes I was taking when she came to visit...which my mom still doesn't think she's ready for) because I've probably hidden them from her for her own good. Back to the positive.....

1. I contributed to my Roth IRA.

2. I contributed to Sheridan's college fund.

3. I have attended church 3 out of the 4 Sundays so far this month. And yes, Easter was one of them.

However, since I belong to the Methodist church now...GASP.....I feel like a bonus gesture is necessary to stay in her good graces and remain in my highly sought after position of Favorite Grandchild. So, I'm doing a little spring cleaning and will be making a nice donation to a local thrift store. Because oh yeah, that's another thing she's fond of since she pretty much runs her church's thrift store. Actually, I take that back. But only because I have something better I can donate to. I'm going to give all of my treasures to Mimi for her garage sale to raise money for her endeavor of Saving the Ta-Ta's! These girls need some state-of-the-art gear to walk 60 miles people and I think my grandmother would approve of splurging a little for such an occasion!

Cameron needs his head examined.....

Cameron's car is 10 years old and has a billion miles on it but it's paid for and we love that about it. However, with the high mileage comes repairs and it's inevitable that a newer car is in our not so distance future. There's a list of several cars and SUVs and trucks that I think would be great for Cameron to get as his next vehicle. This is what Cameron thinks would be great to get.....

Seriously?? Out of ALL of the cars out there, THAT is the one he wants????? What? You don't know what kind of car that is? Don't worry, neither did I! It's an HHR and Chevrolet makes them. It looks like something out of a Dick Tracy movie. We would look like we belong to some organized crime, mafia group and would have to pack heat if we drove around in that. He might as well have said he wanted a minivan. Neither of them are at the top of my list. Correction: they aren’t even on my list.

He claims that he likes this car because it gets great gas mileage and this has become very important to him lately. Me? Not so much. I like my gas guzzling SUV just fine. In fact, I think we need a bigger one….with a 3rd row. If he wants a full efficient car, I think he should just cut holes in the bottom of his Jeep and kick it Fred Flintstone style.

Perhaps we need a vehicle with a 3rd row......

Thankfully, we don't travel with our dogs very often.

When did my kid become easier to take care of than my dogs???

When I didn't have to drive to Lampasas "on the way" to Dallas to drop her off at the ranch with my in-laws so I wouldn't have to spend $150 boarding her at Dog Boys.

Note: For those of you who are geographically challenged, Lampasas is NOT on the way to Dallas. It's about a 2 hour detour in the opposite direction. Two extra hours of nonstop Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer in a very small, confined space......

Good Times

Saturday night we went to Jasper's in the Domain with Tara, Steve, Mimi and Will to celebrate Steve's birthday. Good food, good drinks, good friends...it doesn't get much better than that!

When Mimi sent us the pictures from the evening, she was kind enough to point out how gracefully we are aging. If I didn't agree with her, I wouldn't be posting these pictures for comparison. Further proof that Oil of Olay firming night cream ROCKS! But back to the pictures. Here's one of all of us on our night out before Tara and Steve moved to DC.

Before 30....young and free

After 30...with a few kids...

And these little treasures are brought to you by two bottles of 14 Hands wine and whatever Steve was drinking. Wish I could remember what face we were trying to make and why.....

Tara and I had issues getting past all the laughing.....

20 weeks and growing

My sister is expecting a baby on July 29th and today they found out if they are giving me a niece or a nephew! I always thought they would have all boys...so did she for that matter. Rough and tough and messy little boys for my little sister who is a girly girl and likes things neat, clean and perfect. Makes sense right? I am also convinced that her children will be the little hellions and mine will not. I know I completely and 100% deserve them and she does not, but life's just funny like that. And I'm not going to lie, I think it would be highly entertaining to watch her with a rebellious child when she was the perfect one growing up that NEVER (or rarely) got in trouble and simply did not do the things I did. The thoughts never even crossed her mind. But the jury is still out on that...what we do know is.....

It's a GIRL!!!!

And here is quite possibly the cutest pregnant person I have ever seen! And I must admit, it didn't hit me until Sarah sent me these pictures that my little sister is HAVING A BABY! She told me she was pregnant before Christmas and 17 weeks later it finally hit me that she was in fact pregnant! My little sister people! I just recently accepted the fact that she was old enough to get married 4 years ago! At least I have four more months to let this reality sink in. Until then, I'll just be high on excitement and buy something (or lots of somethings) pink!

17 weeks

19 weeks

Go Ahead. ID Me and Make My Day! Or not....

The other night Cameron sounded like he had been smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 50+ years. The coughing was out of control. So being the good, little wife that I am (and maybe I was slightly motivated by how annoying that cough was every two seconds) I went to Walgreens for some Robitussin CF and as a bonus to curing my husband's cough for 6 hours and a good nights sleep, got the pleasure of this conversation......

Julie: Placing the cough medicine (and a few other essentials...Burt's
Bees Lip Shimmer and cherry Chapstick) at the register, "Hello."

Cashier: Scanning the cough medicine, "You are over 18, right?"

Julie: Puzzled by the question and its relevance, "Uh....yeah." A few seconds later light bulb moment: oh yeah, kids these days like to get drunk off of cough syrup. Crazy kids. What will they think of next? I'm sure Sheridan will be first in line with a few ideas of her own. Proceed with swiping my debit card and completing the transaction.

Cashier: "Just be glad I don't ID this late at night."

Now usually I find it completely flattering when someone asks for my ID and I have to contain myself from tackling them with kisses. But dear readers, this was NOT one of those times! The cocky, threatening, unbelieving tone in his voice made me pretty sure that it wasn't meant as a compliment (not even a backhanded one) and few thoughts crossed my mind:

1. Why is he still talking about IDs? Let it go already.
2. Apparently I'm not the "young one" if he thinks 8:30pm is late. Maybe his boss should let him off early so he doesn't miss curfew.
3. Hmmm....or maybe that Oil of Olay firming night cream really is working! Excellent.

And this response almost came flying out of my mouth:
"Kid, I could buy a case of beer to chase this cough medicine down with if I wanted to, so go ahead, ask for my ID. I double dog dare you."

Fortunately for him though, he caught me at the right time of the month where I'm not completely possessed by the devil and have a little control over my actions and what I say and I let him have his moment. Because apparently he needed it and well, I'm just a giving person. No, we all know better than that. That's not why. I was worried Cameron might have coughed up a lung and I had to get home quickly......right after I dropped off Sheridan's swing at Tara's mom's house and visited for an hour.

Sheridan's 2 year portraits

Ok, so maybe they're more like her 26 month portraits instead of exactly right on at 24 months. But hey, I'm getting better! True to form, Sheridan was quite challenging during this session and wore us ALL out! Let me paint you a little picture of why we were exhausted. Allison's behind the camera, I'm right next to her acting like a fool (dancing, jumping up and down, singing, etc.) trying to get Sheridan to look at the camera and smile, and my mom is chasing Sheridan around the studio and bringing her back to the backdrop. Repeat these steps 87 times and that's a shoot with my kid. Good times. Now you know why I felt like I could divulge in a little pizza Friday night....I EARNED IT! But true to form, Allison captured so many amazing images! I was excited that I got to edit the portrait session and put to practice my Photoshop skills. :) To see all of the images from the session, you can use the following access information:

http://www.fpphoto.com/
Click on 'Client Login'
Event: Sheridan - 2 year
Password: sherbear

A milkshake a day...

...keeps the doctor away?!?! This would be my mom's justification when she wants to have a milkshake and not feel guilty about it. She claims it's her calcium. Not unnecessary calories but necessary calcium to keep her bones strong and osteoporosis away. Interesting. This might explain where I get my justification skills from. It's genetic. But that's not what this post is about. What is it about you wonder? Why I am rambling on about milkshakes? Well because. Months of a low carb diet will do that to a person! Make you go crazy. Where thoughts of sweets and chocolate consume your every thought and almost make you believe your mom's justification for having a milkshake isn't so crazy after all. The 111 grams of carbs in a delicious cookies n' cream milkshake from Chick-fil-a are in fact 111 grams of calcium that are absolutely necessary for strong bones. But I just couldn't bring myself to give in. So instead, I'm going to enjoy the hell out of some pizza tonight! Turns out I'm a nicer person when I've had my daily dose of carbs!

Cameron uncensored

Even though this is my blog and my signature phrase is "it's all about me"....sometimes it's a little bit about Cameron. Sometimes. A little bit. I saw this questionnaire on another blog and thought it might be interesting to see what Cameron's answers would be. So we had a little Q&A session last night after I got home from bible study while he read his Bronco manual and watched some horribly intense and unenjoyable movie (my opinion).

Julie: "How long have you been married?" 3 years (thinking to himself, why is she asking me this? Is this a trick question?)

"What's your dream job?" No job.

"What's your dream car?" Jeep.
Julie: Are you talking about a jeep jeep? (thinking to myself you drive a Jeep now)
Cameron: Yes. To drive to the lake.

"What's your claim to fame?" Streaking. (No, he's NOT kidding. This was a regular occurrence at his college fraternity parties. I'm so proud.)

"What do you like to do?" What? You know what I like to do.
Julie: just answer the question.
Cameron: Sail. Tinker. Fix up old things. Yard work.

"What's your biggest fear?" Losing a close family member prematurely.

"What animal best describes you?" (looking around the living room at our two dogs laying on the couch and floor) A lab.
Julie: Why?
Cameron: Because they're all laying around, doing nothing with occasional bursts of energy.

"If you could live in any era which one would it be? 1800s. 1700s. No, 1800s. Actually I think it was the 1700s. Whichever era there were pirates.
Julie: Why?
Cameron: Because there was lots of sailing back then.

"What's a goal for 2008?" Better health.
Julie: How's that going so far? (knowing that I pay attention and he's been doing really well)
Cameron: I haven't smoked a cigarette since my birthday.
Julie: And I'm very proud of you!

"What's your guiltiest pleasure?" Drinking too much.
Julie: A guilty pleasure is something you don't want people to know you enjoy.
Cameron: Right. Drinking too much. Final answer.
Julie: Alright. But everybody knows you enjoy drinking too much.
Cameron: Yes, but I never get to anymore.
Julie: And it's a tragedy. Really.

"What do you love about me?" (Long pause.) What was the question?
Julie: What do you love about me?
Cameron: What is this for?
Julie: Material for my blog.
Cameron: Seriously?
Julie: Yes.
Cameron: (Huffing and puffing and sighing.) I thought it was for your bible study or something like that.
Julie: No. This has nothing to do with bible. So answer the question. What do you love about me and remember tens of people are going to read your answer.
Cameron: There's lots of things.
Julie: Aww, that's sweet. But really. What do you love about me?
Cameron: You're a really good mom.
Julie: Aww. What would your answer have been before we had Sheridan? (obviously still fishing for more compliments)
Cameron: Everything.
Julie: Good answer honey. Thanks for playing. Now I'll let you get back to your horrible movie. By the way, do you mind if I post this on my blog?
Cameron: Whatever you want.

And that's why I love that man....because he knows what's good for him!

You'll never guess who's throwing a temper tantrum????

No, not me. I prefer the silent treatment if I don't get my way. And it wasn't Cameron. I've actually never known him NOT to get his way so I can't really say what his reaction would be to something so foreign. So that leaves Sheridan as the guilty party. She certainly seems to enjoy throwing herself on the floor just about all the time. It's fabulous. Really.

I can't remember what inspired this particular tantrum...does she really need a reason? No, of course not. Don't be silly. Hmmm. No one seems to be paying attention.
Guess I'll get up and move on to something else.
Don't take any pictures of me at my finest!
I'm an angel...really!
I can "help" start the dishwasher but I don't like the settings you use so let me turn the knob 47 times and surprise youI can get something out of the fridge for you...like a BEER. But wait, here's my milk. I'm good.Or I can turn on the charm and remind you how cute I am