FYI...my reading list

I updated my "What I'm Reading Page."  You will find tons of book recommendations on this page.  I will try to update as often as possible.

Fun, fun, fun...weekend fun.

*****Note, I was supposed to publish this post last week but didn't get a chance.  So this is one week behind.*******

 I have to tell you that this weekend I had an AWESOME time.  It was just what I needed.  Me and my bestie, Choalcie Goats (not her actual name but one given to her by a horrible, horrible sub in Geometry our freshman year...fyi I was Maria Ashbag.  The man was an actual ROCKET SCIENTIST, this is not a joke so I don't see why he couldn't get our names right.) had a night out.  There is no one in this world that I have more fun with.  NO ONE!  That lady and I had a great time.  I could not stop smiling Sunday, or Monday, the glee carried over.  How else can you explain nick naming people...Long Hair, Criminal, and Ray Liotta, plus also counting the security guard's laps around the bar?  And did I actually tell you that together we are the most interesting man in the world?  This may not sound hilarious to you, but to us it was so funny our cheeks ached.  This is what it means to have friends you love.  Friends that have been there forever and will be there, no matter what.  But I have to tell you that after Choalcie dropped me off at 2 am that I had a very rude awakening.  It is called "Murphy's Law of Parenting."  Here is a direct quote from my Facebook page.

"Murphy's Law of Parenting states that if you go out until 2 am for a much needed girls night you will awake early to the news that your youngest child clogged the toilet and let the water flood the entire bathroom. At that same instant your cat will bring in a live bird which will fly all over their bedroom, and your husband will have mud on his boots which he will track all over your house."


I should mention that I actually did call Erik and that he was in a foot pursuit and that is why his boots were covered in mud.  I should also say that the rugs in the bathroom weighed about 10 lbs because the handle wasn't lifted all the way up so the water continued to pour out of the toilet.  Erik really did track mud EVERYWHERE.  And later that evening I made gumbo (Our Port Aransas Shrimp).  I stabbed my hands with shrimp tails while decapitating them...quite painful to me...pretty sure the shrimp didn't feel a thing, but I can't feel that bad since we actually ate the stabbers.  Then we watched the Bronco game, and I texted my Daddy.  All was right in this world.  Oh wait, the cat brought in another bird sometime in the evening.  So while we're watching the game we hear more screaming.  My mom, who is terrified of birds, ran out the door.  Wolfie and Maddie captured the bird and took it outside all by themselves.  My boys are growing up.
And really the whole moral of the story is thank goodness for wonderful, beautiful, funny friends and Dad's who are always serious, and also cats who add to the adventure of life...

Memory Works Fall Catalog

The new catalog is out an you can go here to view it online.  If you wish to place an order you can message me at mariahashbaugh@hotmaildotcom.  I no longer have my website, but I can place the order for you.  Check out the catalog, there is a lot of cute stuff in it!

Remembrance

Remembering...It's been eleven years.  I guess what I find ironic is that as each year passes, it gets a little bit harder and a little bit sadder.  I'm not sure why.  9-11 was a horrendous day in this country's history.  My brother was in New York City when it happened.  He was there to hear the planes fly in and he was there when the buildings collapsed.  He saw the second tower fall.  9-11 is always a sad, sad day for me and my heart.  Last night, Erik and I were talking about a movie he watched the other day...Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  I could not bring myself to watch it.  In fact he was talking about it and I burst into tears.  Loud sobbing tears.  I think it gets harder each year because my kids have no idea what it felt like that day (Thank, God), but it has completely changed their lives in ways they will never understand.  The repercussions of that day ring loudly when you go to the airport or when you think of the soldiers who have fought for us.  Those who have lost their lives, their limbs, or time away from their family.  Soldiers that I know and love.  Even now, we will be dealing with the Guantanamo Bay trials.  Above all of this, I do know that the United States is the best country in this world.  There is no place on Earth where you can grow up to be what you want to be if you work hard enough.  There is no place where freedom exists the way it does here.  And Republican or Democrat, we should all stand united.  We all should really, really stand united.  This is a time to remember what our Country stands for.  What is best for our Country.  Not what is best for us as individuals.  Be glad, count your blessings that most of us readers get to live here, work here, grow here, prosper here, live in freedom here, and be what we want to be here.  God Bless the souls we lost that day.  God Bless the souls that have carried on and continued.  And God Bless America.

Summer Fun/I Heart Faces

It's that time again...the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge for September is Summer Fun.  Carnivals are part of summer fun, especially when you are sweating in 100+ degree weather.  If that's not summer, I don't know what is :)  This picture was actually taken last year.  My dad loves to take the boys to the Chile Festival so he has an excuse to ride the rides.  Sorry, Dad, if I outed you.  Actually, I'm not because he is a kid at heart.  That is always a good thing.  If you want to see more entries or enter yourself, head on over to I Heart Faces.

Around and Around We Go

I have been so busy these last few days.  It's been so crazy around here.  And on top of all that fun, I have managed to get sick twice in the last ten days.  Yesterday was the worst.  I felt as though I got hit by a bus.  And of course wise me takes the boys to the Chile Festival where I stand in the 100 degree weather for several hours.  I carried along my five pound camera just for this shot of the boys on the Merry Go Round.  I am that dedicated to photography...ha.  Oh, and lets not forget that I left the compact flash/memory card in the car and had to walk all the way back to the car and search for it for ten minutes.  Man alive, it was hot yesterday.  When I got home, my throat hurt so bad I could cry.  And so today my house looks like a wreck...when doesn't it?  My kids are slobs.  But if we don't pick it up for one day, it gets out of control.  I will be scrambling frantically today to get it all picked up as we have company coming this evening.  It's a never ending cycle around here.  Well, I guess I'm off.  Erik is home for lunch so I guess I should spend some time with him.  Have a good day.

Heller...A Book recommendation

This is the first book in the Tilly Chalmers series.  Tilly is a struggling actress who winds up working for Heller Securities.  This first book is free for Nook at Barnes and Noble, so you should try it.  You have nothing to lose.  You can download the Nook app to your iPhone, or iPad, or other smart device.    I really love these books.  The characters are interesting and entertaining.  I've read all of the books in the series and am now waiting for the next book, Heller's Decision to come out.