Little Cupcake's Birthday

We spent the weekend celebrating our Kate's first birthday in Madison! I caught Kate's cold, but that's okay -- it was well worth it to get to kiss on that cute little face!



She still takes a while to warm up to us, but she smiled and waved (she's got that beauty queen wave down pat) at us when we arrived! If you can get her away from her mom and keep her occupied, she's pretty happy -- but one look at Casey, and she's gone!

Everything was "cupcakes" for her birthday, including cute little cupcake lights that Nanna Kaye got for the party! I got her the cupcake PJ's for Valentine's Day -- and she even had a "cupcake cake" (it's made from a silicone cake form I gave Casey for Christmas). And Casey made the smocked cupcake dress that she wore.

Kate actually handled all the attention and people very well, but she was so tired at the end of the day. All the families came -- and with friends, it got kind of crowded in the house! She loves the slide her PawPaw and I got her -- plus a few other things! But that's the fun of getting to be a grandparent -- spoiling the child! The parents can straighten her out later!

She's just beginning to walk -- and she loves anything Elmo (from Sesame Street). She got an Elmo talking phone, and she kept holding it out toward the TV like she was trying to turn on her Elmo DVD! If she points at the TV, that means "turn on Elmo!" She also loves books and got several as gifts. Probably her favorite gift was the Little People Farm Set great-grandma MawMaw got her! Her PawPaw loved that, and he let Kate play in the back of his truck

Her official birthday is the 24th, and we all wish her a wonderful first birthday and many more to come! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATER!

Clear the Stage

This is a great song by Ross King -- and it makes you to think about your worship. Do we have too much noise in worship now? What happened to the time of silence to focus and wait on God? Clear the stage and get rid of all those idols we worship instead of God . . .

Snow, snow, snow . . . and Kate's frilly tee!

Kate's cute little birthday t-shirt came today (you know, the one I spent too much money on)! In fact, the mailman woke me up ringing the doorbell! It's just too precious! I can't wait to see her in it next weekend. It's hard to see, but it has her name embroidered on it, and the icing is a pink frilly tutu! It even came in its own pink cake box! Thanks for the suggestion of Pettiskirtstyle, Anna!

Casey says Kate's favorite thing to do now is throw food off her high chair -- and Cherokee sits right there to catch it! Ha! And they didn't want him begging at the table! It will be wonderful to see them next weekend for the big birthday bash! I only have a few things for her . . .

We got snow yesterday! We didn't get as much as they did just 40 miles above us -- but we did have a gound covering! It was great to see all the pictures of the snowmen everyone posted on Facebook! But the sun came out today; and although it's still cold, the snow is now gone. Maybe that's the best kind to have -- here for a day to enjoy, then gone tomorrow and back to normal. Seeing what they're going through in D.C., I wouldn't trade places with anyone -- even to be able to get snow more than once every 20 years!

Small Crowd . . . Good Show!

Bec and I went to a play Friday night at the Featured Players in Dothan -- Bell, Book and Candle. It's kind of a "laid back" type of place that has open mike night and music during the week. I had been there before with Tammie back in October. Instead of theatre seats, they have sofas and chairs that they've picked up from various places. Kind of cool and bohemian -- eclectic, like me!

I had emailed and made our reservations, and we got there about 15 minutes before the play was to start -- and we were the only ones there! I mean, we had a choice of seats! So, I thought, maybe everyone else is running late, and they'll come in a few minutes. But, no -- no one else -- except one guy . . . who was the boyfriend of one of the girls in the play!

So we took our seats . . . on the front row of course! At least I didn't have to worry about someone with a big head or hair sitting in front of me -- which always happens to me! We got our door prize tickets (good chance we might win)! And it's a really wierd feeling to be the only ones there!

The play was actually really good. All of the actors did an excellent job -- and they must have felt wierd too, playing to only three people -- on opening night! I had seen the movie before (Kim Novak, Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon) and kind of remembered the plot. If Jimmy Stewart was in it, it can't be bad, can it? Here's the movie at Amazon.

It's a love story about a witch Gillian, her suave brother Nicky, her kooky aunt Queenie, a drunk author and, of course, the normal guy Shepard that Gillian falls in love with -- making her a witch no more! It even had a live cat! I was really getting into the story and enjoying the show. We clapped at intermission -- Bec won the door prize (two tickets to a future performance) -- and we gave a standing ovation at the end! It was hilarious!

But it's also really sad that they did all that preparation for just us! We're grateful, of course. I can only hope they had more the next night -- and will have even more as they play out for the month of February. We went because Bec's nickname at work is "Witchy" -- it's a long story for another time! But I look forward to more performances there and will go back. Maybe I should hope for a small crowd next time . . . so we can have those great front row seats again!

What grandparents won't do!

I've always heard that grandparents will do anything for their grandchildren. Well, I've just proven it. Never in a million years would I have bought a t-shirt for one of my children for $50! But I've done just that.

Of course, it's custom embroidered with a tu-tu cupcake on the front -- but really, $50? But Kate will look soooooo cute in it for her first birthday! (This isn't Kate, but it's the t-shirt!) Isn't it cute? From Pettiskirt Style online.

And I've bought plenty of cheaper things from Kohls and Target too! There are just so many cute clothes out there, it's hard to decide -- so I get several!

Casey says Kate took eight steps by herself yesterday and now has a tooth -- finally! The kid's been teething for months! I cannot wait to see her! We're going up the weekend before her birthday for the big bash!

In Style in town is going out of business, and I hate to see them leave. Such cute things in there, and now everything is 25-50% off. I bought so many cute pink bug things for Kate -- which she's too young for now, but I'll hang on to them to give her when she's old enough. And she doesn't just have kid things -- angels, purses, luggage, jewelry, notes -- great way to stock up on baby gifts!

Just like my mind . . . cluttered!

Woah! This month was supposed to be calmer and slower, but as each day goes by, my calendar gets more and more cluttered! Now here it's the end of the month -- and where did it go? Thought it would be a catch-up month, and I just keep getting more and more stuff to do. And when I get home, all I want to do is chill. My Christmas stuff is still sitting in the hall to go up in the attic! At least it's boxed up -- and the tree is down! It was the second week of Jan. before I got that done. But it's going up tonight -- then I won't have to listen to the President talk!

Not even going into politics. I'm convinced no one in Washington DC has any common sense. They need to listen to Dave Ramsey -- budget and don't spend it if you don't have it. Don't make laws if you can't fund it -- from the budget. Every time they make a new law or rule, it results in more paperwork and expense for those of us who have to pay taxes and live by those rules.

Can't believe our baby Kate will soon be one year old! She's trying to learn to walk -- by holding on to people or things! She's so cute -- and determined. I feel a Skype session coming on! I can't wait to see her and hold her again! Casey's video is too cute . . .

100124KatePlayingMov4 from Casey Cooper on Vimeo.

Anna's redesigned her blog site and logo. She recently started designing for paperstyle.com and had her first sale this month -- with great comments from the buyer! It's so exciting for Anna -- and for me, the Mom!!! Paperstyle is an online place to buy custom invitations and stationery. Click here to check out the rest of Anna's designs at PaperStyle! And her photo and bio are on there also in "Meet the designer"! And Casey took the photos of Anna that she used for her photo!

My mom's doctor is closing her practice this week, so she was in search of a new doctor. I talked to her about seeing Dr. Gabrielson, who Stacy and I both have begun using after bouncing from Hartford's sometimes clinic and Slocomb. I really like him, and he's been working on my cholesterol and high blood pressure. So yesterday Mom called to check on moving her medical records, and she told me who she talked to (Amy) and that they had discussed Mom's other doctor. I had to laugh. I told her that I had been there twice and I still didn't know anyone's name except the doctor. She gets to know everyone everywhere she goes -- and their life history, where they grew up, how many kids they have, their favorite food! She's so funny!

So, enough rambling . . . time to pick up my book and read myself to sleep! Night!

TV reality woes

Like the books that I love to read, the shows I love to watch on TV are the ones that are a little quirky and funny. Life is too serious to have to spend my evenings watching serious shows. Keep it light -- that's my motto.

I'm holding my breath for Dancing with the Stars to start back -- plus Design Star. Can't wait for Project Runway which begins a new season this week. I don't like reality shows that feature people's lives and intrusive TVs into those lives. The people on those shows must be really hard up for money or have a really high opinion of themselves.

The Bachelor on ABC started last week, and since I watched last season's Bachelorette and thought Jake was cute and seemed so "guy next door" -- I decided to watch the first show. Plus, Anna's ex-roommate auditioned for the show in Atlanta and almost made it -- so I wanted to see the girls that did make it. Good grief! They were so cheesy and put on -- and some were downright slutty! And the girls Jake picked were the most shallow ones there! That's it for me -- not watching any more.

However . . . immediately after the Bachelor was a show called "The Conveyor Belt of Love." Now how's that for a name? Five women sat before a conveyor belt that and ran about 30 guys through on a conveyor belt. Their job was to convince the women to choose them. It was hilarious! And the goal wasn't everlasting love -- it was just a date! The beautiful blond chose the chubby nice guy with a great sense of humor. The shallow princess chose the shallow buff guy (that I really thought was gay)! Evidently it will be a series -- but it's received bad reviews in the press as a "meat market." No worse than The Bachelor is with women -- and much more entertaining!

HGTV's finally got something new going besides real estate shows. "Design Interns" is okay, but a little dull -- it's not a "Design Star." I like the "Outdoor Room" and the new "Curb Appeal" and "First Time Design." The Antonio Treatment looks interesting -- last season's Design Star winner is different but likeable.

I'm watching "Launch My Line" on Bravo, but it's not Project Runway -- and I liked "The Fashion Show" better. I wish they'd bring back Top Design, but it isn't listed on their website. I love "Shear Genius" though -- a hair style reality show. It's been pretty entertaining the past couple of years and starts back Feb. 3! But I can't stand those "Housewives of every big city in the country" shows. Just a bunch of whiny rich you-know-whats.

Color Splash, Divine Design and Design on a Dime are still my HGTV favorites. I wish any of those shows would come do my house!

They've also had some pretty good shows on the FOOD channel. The Next Iron Chef was good -- now they have a quirky "Worst Cook in America" on Sunday nights! Now that's pretty good for a new twist!

And I love "The Tudors" on Showtime, but it wasn't worth the money for a subscription last year. They didn't have any movies I wanted to watch, and their original shows are only about sex addicts, drug addicts or lesbians. I'll just wait for the DVD to come out on Netflix and skip the regular season this time.

Maybe they'll bring back The Newlyweds on ABC. But until then -- I'll keep watching for those quirky shows and "made for TV" movies on the Hallmark Channel (but not Lifetime TV movies)!