THE JOOVY JAVA LEMON ELECTRIC RACE CAR

Its kinda a long story, but not really. So last night Mark mentioned that Rose was starting to "venture" away from HER Apps and explore the IPad. What that means is, she was doing more on the IPad than playing games or watching Mickey. Suddenly, she is entertained by texting random people jibberish, nosing her eyes through emails (which she cant read), and most recently - Making transactions. As we were getting ready for bed last night, Mark said "you might want to check your shopping carts on the IPad. Rose was punching buttons and playing on some of your shopping apps." So I glanced through them last night. Zappos. Etsy. Joss and Main. Zulilly. (the list goes on).... But the coast was clear - all baskets were empty.

It wasnt until this morning when I got my friendly email thanking me for my most recent purchase to Zulilly. 205.88$ Joovy Java Lemon Race-car and a set of Orgnanic Baby Swaddling Blankets. Interesting.... I didnt remember purchasing those.
I take full responsibilty for the craziness of my 21 month old shopping on the internet. For one, she has my blood and she cant help herself. For two, her mother should not have clicked the "keep me logged in" status. For three, Paypal makes purchasing something incredibly easy. You dont have to even enter any info. One Click and your done.

I have spent my entire morning working to cancel the order and have Zulilly reimburse my Paypal account. Hindsight, I prolly should have just kept the Race-car and given it to her for her birthday. After reseaching what had caught her little eye this much, the thing actually does look pretty darn cool.

If anybody wants to know what Rose wants ... This is it. The JOOVY JAVA RACE-CAR. and just so you know... she prefers LEMON (yellow). And of course, its apparent she wants a baby. I'll have to mention that one to her daddy ;)

THIRTY ???

OR 21 ?????

Our neighbor, Sarah, turned thirty last week.  I think she is the last one of the bunch to hit the milestone.  Her husband rented a party bus for the night. It was only a few couples - we took the ride to Does Eat Place and came home.  Kinda comical, We felt like it was Prom night.  It really was a lot of fun.  The only difference was.... (drum-roll please) - It was a Thursday night, and we were still home in our pajamas in the bed by 9:45!!!  Eeeeekkkkk..... and that's how you know it was really the BIG 3-0, and not 21!  Don't get me wrong, We were a crazy crowd! We sure know how to party!!! (well up until about 9:30pm) :)

Sorry... I couldn't help but include these pictures...

Gotta Love how Clean Does is....

It just never gets old.  I don't understand why Its so good...  I mean look at this place.

ADVENTURES AT THE LIVESTOCK SHOW

(WELL UP UNTIL THE PIG SNORTED IN HER FACE - THEN THE PARTY WAS OVER)

First of all, let me state, this blog entry is written by yours truly, the past Sunflower County Livestock Princess herself - In full glory.  I still remember the night I got crowned like it was yesterday!  I started showing pigs when I was about 4 or 5 - in the pre-livestock age division.  Lambs were my passion.  Bo-Peep was my Grand Champion Lamb.  I went all the way to Dixie Nationals with her.  I really should give my dad all the credit.  I don't think I ever knew how big of a job participating in the livestock show really was.  I "helped" feed and walk my sheep, but honestly he did 99.9% of the work - feeding them twice per day, walking them, bathing them, sheering them, etc.  We use to tie them on treadmills to walk them to make the hind quarters thicken up.  At the time, I thought it was for the health of the lamb.... little did I know the purpose for wanting her fit......  (that makes me so sad).  I have never eaten lamb, and I never will eat lamb.  They are the most clean, sweet, gentle creations of all of heaven (next to Rose).  Pigs on the other hand - bring on the bacon!  I showed my first heifer when I was about 8.  It belonged to Edgar Donahoe.  They spent the big money on cattle and raised them - all I had to do was show her.  That was also extremely fun - no work - all glory!!!! I actually won the C.K. Fisackerly Showmanship Award my Senior year of High School.  It was enough money to pay for my sorority all the way through college, and that is precisely how I used the money.  And if your thinking, "Cassey, showing cows and pigs and lambs ... that's so tom-boy and doesn't fit" - oh, don't you worry - I had a different outfit for each time a stepped foot into that arena and all my heifers had matching bows in the tails (to match my outfit of course).  I can still be stylish - even while showing cows.

Rose, on the other hand, I'm not so sure if she will love the livestock shows or not.  When we first got there her little expressions were priceless: "Ahhh.... PIG" and "Moooooooo."  She petted the sheep and even gave one a hug.  However, she did venture to get up close and personal with one pig and he looked her straight in the face and snorted and it was over.  She was done.  Rose started screaming like someone was amputating her foot with no medication.  Pure terror crossed her face.  So much for that.  She could care less about a pig.  As far as Rose was concerned, it was time to go home.  She wouldn't play with the other kids, she wouldn't get down from my arms, she wouldn't take her pictures on the hay.  Nope. Nada. Negative.  So....  We took the adventure home and looked at pigs in our favorite farm book! :) Better luck next year!!!

The pig that changed her life

Never wake a sleeping pig (or two)

Clenching on for dear life

Still Clenching...  

"I am over this Momma.  Take me home."

CHRISTMAS WITH A COUGH

(AND MORE CHRISTMAS... WITH MORE COUGHS...)

Rose was sick the entire Christmas Holiday.  I'm pretty sure and feel 100% confident she had RSV; however by the time we actually got her tested for RSV (bood draws, chest xray, etc.) it was negative.  That was after 3 shots, a round of antibiotics, a round of steriods - 2 doctors - one nurse practioner - and one RN later.  That's the kind of treatment you get when your not a "true patient" and its the holidays....  After 2 weeks of having my sick baby I did the unthinkable... I MADE AN APPOINTMENT.  Holy Smokes.  Of course by then, I was hysterically crying that my child had RSV and wasn't breathing good.  Papa said he thought I may be over-reacting...  ???  Whatever it takes to get seen by the Doctor!!!  Another shot, and miraculously the next day Rose was great!!!  Finally. I guess its kind of like the saying goes "the cobblers child shall have no shoes..."  Basically in our family, your NEVER TRULY SICK.  

All in all, even after being sick, we had a great Christmas.  I enjoyed my time at home with Rose, and I came back to work feeling very blessed in 2013.  I always try to remember that a reflection of each year is not always positive for everyone.  2013 may have been the year that someone lost their job, their home, their parent, or even worse, their child.  We have surely been blessed and the last few years have been such a joy to my family.  Rose is an added bonus but a key reminder to count my blessings.  I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Cheers to a wonderful 2014!

I ADORE THIS PICTURE!

SANTA

FUN STUFF FROM THE HARDIN FAMILY CHRISTMAS

A LITTLE OVERWHELMED I THINK....

TIME TO CHILL AFTER AN EXHAUSTING MORNING...