Snow Trapped Southern Girl

I was ROBBED!

2011-08-24T10:25:00.005-04:00

No seriously, not kidding this time. Here is the scenario. So yesterday morning I was taking the manchild to school and as I was backing out of the driveway I looked over to the side of the driveway and noticed something in the yard. I asked manchild "hey, what's that?". Of course he didn't know and then I said "Well, your Dad was working on the four wheeler in that spot yesterday, maybe he left something outside". And then I didn't think anything else of it.

Later that morning, as per our usual routine, the man and I grabbed a fresh cup o'Joe and headed out to admire our flowers. We started in the front and was making our way around the side and into the back to look at the garden when we saw it...the "thing" I saw in the grass was glass - the passenger side window to be exact. Someone had broken in to the truck. Great! Just GREAT! We were careful not to touch anything but leaned in to look inside....the glove compartment was jimmied open and empty and the center console had been rummaged through. BUT - the stupid idiots left the satellite radio....again I say...Really? You go through the trouble to break in and then don't take anything of value? (well nothing that we have noticed is missing at this point anyway).

I called the local Po-Po and the officer shows up within about 15 mins. He looked rather annoyed....not that we called but we were like number 10 on his list of people that got broken into in our neighborhood and the adjacent subdivision. He was annoyed that they got so many and didn't leave any evidence in order to catch them. Grrrrrr. Actually, after he did what he had to do, he was a nice man but I could see and understand his frustration.

So today, we are waiting for the glass company to come out and replace the glass in the truck. How frustrating....

Cheeky - who needs to train the outside kitty to be an attack kitty.....

Its called a J.O.B.

2011-08-23T07:26:00.003-04:00

And she's got one! OH yeah oh yeah - teenage daughter is a workin girl now - Woot Woot! (what? you thought I was talking about me? pffft!)

Teenage daughter is now gainfully employed at a local watering hole (its a brand new place actually and quite nice). Its really close to home (like within 3 miles) so I don't have to worry too much when she works those late shifts.

AND....she starts classes today - which means I will have the house...to.my.self! What in the world am I gonna do? Oh, don't you worry about me....I already have plans...hehe

Cheeky!

Its the return of Alarm Kitty!

2011-08-22T07:02:00.003-04:00

So last week, school started back for the manchild. Which means of course, that he now has to get up early. So, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday he was up early and doing his thing to get ready for school. Saturday rolls around and manchild is all sorts of giddy because he can finally sleep in. Well....that's what he thought. See, the alarm kitty (otherwise known as Fat Jack), thought that manchild was supposed to be awake....and decided to roll into manchild's room and proceed to yell (not meow...yell) until manchild was awake! HA! Love.it! Once you get alarm kitty on a schedule, he sticks to it and he doesn't know a weekend from a week day.

In other weekend news, we went to the MMA fights on Saturday. It was much more fun that I thought it was going to be. The crowd had their favorites and it was very apparent - we do live in redneck country after all (hehe). Not a bad night out. Manchild enjoyed it too I think. Would gladly go again next time they have it.

While I was in Charleston on Friday, made a trip down to Trader Joe's (oh how I miss Trader Joe's - we had one close to us when we lived in MN). While there, I got an old favorite - 3 buck Chuck and have been enjoying that this weekend as well.

I will try to do better this week on keeping the blog up. With the start of school, the schedules have been a little off but we are getting back in the swing of things here at Chez Cheeky!

Cheeky - who is off to play bus driver to the manchild....

And the verdict is....

2011-08-10T08:36:00.002-04:00

An internal hordeolum (go ahead google it) - now for the rest of us that are too lazy to google it...its an internal stye. Never ever had a stye before much less an internal one. But I have antibiotics and life should be back to normal soon. Well as normal as its gonna get around this place.

The countdown to the first day of school is continuing. One week and counting...hehehe. Manchild is not real happy about this. I am sure the kitties and I will have a twinge of loneliness.....NAH!

Not much going on around here - and so the posts are sorta blah. I could make something up if you would like.....

Cheeky who is off to play in her crafty room....

Weekend Update and Yes, I missed yesterday's post

2011-08-09T00:01:00.002-04:00

So....what did I do this past weekend?? Good question - I really don't know it went by so fast. I did do some school shopping for the kids. Ummmm I grilled a big fat honker. I either got bit or busted a blood vessel in my toe. I think it was the latter. See, Sunday afternoon I was raking the pine needles out of the yard from the storm we had Saturday night and I felt a sharp pain in my toe. I thought to myself "Stupid ants just bit me" and I slipped off my sandal to take a peek and kill that little sucker. But I noticed that my toe was turning purple and beginning to swell. I wasn't sure what had just happened. I mean, did something other than an ant just bite me and if so what the heck was it? So, since I was swelling I immediately went in the house and chugged some benedryl (I tend to be allergic to crap so I wasn't taking any chances). And of course, as soon as the benedryl kicked in I started draggin. Well, as the day went on the more purple and more black my toe became. It was tender at first but eventually it didn't hurt anymore...just looked really bad. As I look at it today, I am thinking it was just a burst blood vessel.

So, since I was fighting benedryl all day and really tired I decided to go to bed early Sunday night. I wake up around 7 AM on Monday and look in the mirror and.....HOLY MOLY....the eyelid on my left eye is red and swollen....bad. Starting in the inside corner and going about halfway across my eye. And man does it hurt and its so very attractive. I finally decide I should probably go to the doc and nobody could see me. Really? You don't hold spots or work people in for unexpected situations? UGH! So, I have decided that if it still looks bad tomorrow I am going to just show up at the docs office and once they take one look at my pitiful self they will fall all over themselves to help me....cause I do look pitiful. I am thinking it is just a clogged/infected tear duct but that doesn't make it hurt any less or look any better. I am gonna need drops. Oh Joy!

I am actually writing this post at around midnight so technically it is Tuesday. So we will see what the AM brings after a good night's sleep....

*Update is it now 9am and umm yeah - it doesn't look any better. Actually my eye was sorta stuck together this morning and it hurts a lot worse. Swelling is about the same. Off to the doc I go......

**Second update - called before heading to the doc - made an appt for 12:15....

Cheeky - who says....OUCH....my eye!

Who knows where a post will come from

2011-08-05T08:25:00.002-04:00

So this morning, I had already been awake for a few hours and I kept trying to think of something to write about....what did I come up with? Nothing.Zip.Zilch...NADA! So I had resigned to just letting this day go without a post (and breaking my blogging stride) but then....it all changed. As I was making myself a little breakfast this AM I became inspired by a bowl of Rice Krispies and Squeaker (see I really am a cat lady!).

Just a boring little mundane everyday kinda thing. Pouring myself a bowl of rice krispies....Squeaker sitting on the counter watching (I know shame on her - but she is still a kitten and learning). All was well until.....I poured the milk. You should have seen her little face - she was FREAKED out by all the snap, krackle, and pop action that was going on. I mean to look at her you would think the little cereal box characters had jumped right out of the bowl straight at her. She was truly FREAKED OUT! Her reaction caused me to giggle. As I carried my bowl to eat while watching TV (yeah I know....bad habit....but in my defense I was watching something semi educational - The Today Show - ha!) she jumped up right beside me and kept trying to look for those elusive characters in my cereal bowl. She watched intently with every bite I took. Then when I took my last bite....she looked at me all confused as if to say "where did they go?" Too cute!

Cheeky - who finds inspiration in the day to day....

One of the things I like

2011-08-04T07:23:00.002-04:00

About the teenage daughter being home (and there are many) - is that she watches trash TV too. So now we can watch it together and make our little comments. She is a true smart aleck in the making - I am so proud!

We are both anxiously awaiting the new season of Dexter to start....ahhh such quality time.

Today's post is cut short because I actually have to get moving and go to school...to register the manchild. I am sure there will be a PSA or three after this madhouse......

Cheeky - who thinks she needs to arm herself with another cup of java before heading to school.....

2 weeks and counting....

2011-08-03T09:46:00.002-04:00

Is it wrong that I am all giddy and doing a little happy dance that school will be starting back in 2 weeks for manchild and the teenage daughter? I mean, I have enjoyed having the kids in the house. We have had a few laughs. But to be able to just sit in my house and listen to the quiet.....Ahhhhhh. In reality I will only get about 2 hours a day of alone time and that's about right. Just enough to spend some quality time with me but not too much that I will feel all lonely....know what I mean?

I think another reason that I am happy that its school season again is that before you know it Fall will be here....I *adore* Fall and I am ready for it. Cooler weather, festivals, the ability to sit outside in the day without sweating to death...yeah - bring on Fall!

Cheeky - who is thinking really cool thoughts.....

Just when you think you know what you are gonna do....

2011-08-02T07:38:00.002-04:00

Life decides to change things for you. I had a good day yesterday. After a busy morning I spent pretty much the rest of the day in my crafty room. But instead of creating....I started re-arranging my work space. Not sure I am in love with the move but I needed something a little different. I may be changing it again soon. We will wait and see.

On a sad note, I received a call at 2am this morning that my neice's dad (that would be my sister's first husband) passed away. He has had health issues for years and in the recent months it has gotten worse. Yesterday they were told that he needed a transplant but he would not live through the procedure so the docs were not going to put him on the list. He was given 2 weeks to one month to live. Then later in the day my sister called and said that they were told he was not going to live through the night. His body was worn out and he was tired and ready to go. My neice on the other hand is NOT handling this well. So if you are of the praying mind, please send up a little prayer for her over the coming days. Arrangements have not been made yet, but we will be heading to NC sometime this week for services.

Cheeky - who can't really think of anything witty to say.....

I am a lazy girl.....

2011-07-31T11:23:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I had lots of good intentions for this weekend....yeah...didn't happen. I did play in my crafty room however and get made a few cards for my new crafty blog. I did mow the lawn. In.the.heat. Ummmm I did get groceries. And I did shop but that is about it. L.A.Z.Y.

In my defense this is the first weekend in a while where we were not running here and running there. Just needed a weekend of not doing much. And apparently the "lazy" was catching because the teenage daughter laid around all day yesterday too. Sometimes you just need a little lazy to get you thought.

This week is going to be a busy one for everybody. Teenage daughter needs to finish registering for college here in SC. Manchild has to get registered for 7th grade (in our district you have to register every year even if you are not new). Its time for back to school shopping and teenage daughter wants to take the manchild and pick out his clothes this year. She has good taste so he "should" be styling for back to school. I need to work on a little scrapbook to send to a friend. Nothing too major but its time to get back in the swing of things around this place.

Cheeky - who hopes the internets were not as lazy as the peeps in her house this weekend.....

She's moving in.....

2011-07-29T10:50:00.002-04:00

So now that it has been decided that the teenage daughter will be staying in SC for college - its time that she gets a room of her own. For those of you that are lost, when we moved from MN last year, teenage daughter stayed there so instead of making a dedicated room for her that was only going to be used a couple times a year, we decided to make that room an office. Now....its time to change that up.

Today, teenage daughter and I are going shopping (YAY! we love to shop) for paint (trying to decide on a color) and for bedroom furniture and decorations. The paint must come first so everything else can coordinate. Mostly today is a "let's look and see what's out there" kind of day. Hopefully she will find a paint that she likes and we will get started painting either this weekend or the beginning of next week.

This also means that we will have to move the desk and various other office items (printer, etc) up to the FROG. Which means we have to get rid of some items in the FROG all together. I see heavy lifting in my future. No, wait, I said that wrong, I see me directing the heavy lifting LOL!

Cheeky - who is ready to get her shop on!

What a crazy weekend

2011-07-25T07:12:00.002-04:00

So this weekend we decided to head to NC for a quick visit with family. What started as a quick visit ended up being full of revelations. Some good, some not so good and some that the jury is still out on HA!

One of the good ones (well for me at least) is that the teenage daughter will be staying in SC for college. So starting this week, its time to start getting her room in order. Painting, furniture, etc.

Another good one is that I finally (after almost ummm 9 months or so) got to meet my Uncle. We as a family have known for a while that my Granny had other children that were adopted out (after the original 5 that I grew up knowing). One, a sister, was found almost 18 years ago. Then last year, another, a brother, found my dad. Now we have learned there may be a set of twins out there somewhere. Apparently, we have family coming out of the woodwork. I was half joking that we need to get "The Locator" (you know from the TV show) on the case to just find them all - HA! I have always said my family was like a soap opera and see....it just keeps going LOL!

There were more revelations, but they are not mine to share so I won't. But, overall, I have to say, that at the end of the day, things will work out.

So, I am thinking I had enough drama for a while. Now, its time to enjoy the last of summer vacation!

Cheeky - who thinks she needs to find some shenanigans to get into.....

I am bad - I know it....

2011-07-20T09:11:00.003-04:00

I keep saying I am going to blog more and then I never do.....its sad really. I mean I have every intention of blogging, I even have great stories to tell, but then I just can't seem to sit down and do it. I blame facebook. So lets see if we can get caught up.....shall we?

The summer has been busy. Teenage daughter is home from college. We have been to the beach. Manchild has been traveling with his sister (couple weeks at the beach, couple of weeks in NC) which has really eaten into his Xbox time....he is not really happy about this...I on the other hand am glad that he is doing other things and disconnecting every now and then - even if he is forced to do so.

I am in full swing of celebrating my birthday month and having a grand ol time I must say.

The fur babies are sassy. I love it! Squeaker went into heat for the first time in June and let me tell ya - that was torture for every one involved. We promptly had a visit with the vet and remedied that situation.

Working in the yard has come for a full and screeching halt! Its just too dang hot Did I just say HOT?!? After whining and moaning for 5 years about freezing in MN I am complaining about the heat in SC? Why yes, yes I am! Cause its been pushing 100 for quite a while and well that is just HOT! Actually last weekend it was in the 80's and wow what a difference!

I have been getting my crafty mojo on lately and started a little stampy blog. Hopefully by keeping that one up it will force me to keep this one up too!

Cheeky - who wonders if anyone is still out there *insert crickets chirping*

A Week in Review

2011-04-25T15:51:00.002-04:00

So....I spent last week at.the.beach. Can you just hear the relaxation? The first part of the week it was just me and the manchild and a certain blonde Viking Vamp (I read 3 books while I was there - see previous post on getting my Vamp on so now I am on book 6 since I started re-reading the series). Mr. Cheeky made it down the last few days. It was a great week! True to form I took my cat whispering abilities with me. The day the manchild and I arrived to the house a little stray kitty came up to me and started loving on me. I am NOT kidding. Manchild and I just looked at each other and said "we can't take her home, we can't take her home, if she is still here by the end of the week we are gonna take her home". HA! Turns out that yes the little kitty was a stray but she had taken up residence with the neighbor beside us and was just coming to greet us and welcome us on our stay.

While there I did work on trying to rid myself of my farmer's tan. I accomplished getting the arms evened out....however I still have a farmers tan on my legs (no I am NOT gonna provide a pic - just use your imagination).

On Saturday we drove down to Ocean Lakes to visit with family that were having a little vacay themselves. Also, Saturday meant that finally....finally....after being back in the south almost a year (woot!) and visting the beach several times during that year, we FINALLY made it to (insert the sounds of trumpets) CRABBY MIKES (insert the sounds of angels singing). If you have been a follower of my blog for any time at all you know that I *heart* Crabby Mikes. As I was literally in crab heaven I kept looking at the people that were seated two tables over. I looked at Mr. Cheeky and said - "I know them" and turns out he did too! We ran into some people we went to highschool with Oh so many years ago! It was great seeing them and catching up if only for a few minutes.

Sunday was our last day there and what did I go and do? Well I will tell ya...I went and got myself sunburned so now all that work on getting the tan even that I did on my shoulders....yeah its probably gonna peel now. Great. Actually I did a really good job of getting sunburned....my back and shoulders are not happy with me right now.

Speaking of things that are not happy with me.....that would be Ted Jr. (see previous post). Well midway through the week (and knowing that his impending doom is close at hand), Jr. started hurting and hurting and hurting....nice. I spent the last couple of days trying to put most of the weight on my toes when I walked. Luckily, I have an appt with the doc tomorrow morning to find out Jr's fate or I should say his moving day (aka the day he is getting cut OUT). I am thinking if they can just go ahead and do it this week then that would be the best. Yes, it will hurt....yes it will take a long time to heal and I have places to go and shows to go to....but....I want him (and any remnants he thinks he is gonna leave behind) gone for good!

Hope ya'll had a good Easter weekend! Tune in tomorrow for the continuing story of the last days of Ted Jr.

Time to get my Vamp on!

2011-04-15T10:49:00.003-04:00

This week I went to the bookstore in preparation of going to the beach next week for the manchild's spring break. While there, I remembered that the latest book in the Sookie Stackhouse series is coming out May 3rd! AND for the record I can't wait! So, I couldn't really decide on what to get for the beach so I picked up a Harlan Coben book (I think its his 4th in the series but I have read them out of order - either way they are all good and never disappoint) and I picked up Something Borrowed since the movie is coming out mid-May and it looks cute - and the book is always better than the movie.

I get home later that day and realize I wanted to read something.....now but didn't want to get into my beach stash....and then it hit me - time to re-ignite the love affair with a certain blonde Viking Vamp before the next book comes out. So I have decided to go back to where it all started....the beginning of course - duh! So yesterday I pulled out all 10 Sookie Stackhouse books and will re-read them. I am about 30 pages till the end of the first book (yeah I know, I read fast) which I will finish today and start the second one. Eric (my Viking Vamp) isn't in the first one as much as I would like but I am giddy with anticipation of the second book.

So, if you don't see me around much.....I am probably hiding in a comfy spot somewhere getting my Vamp on!

Ted's Revenge

2011-04-14T11:30:00.004-04:00

So.....for those of you that are new to the blog or started reading after the adventures of Ted....you can get caught up here...here...here... here and here (please read them in order to be able get entire story).

Caught up? Good. Well, it seems that Ted has decided to take his revenge. Something to the effect of...."Ted was here but now he's gone he left a secretly hiding seed for getting revenge to carry on" - yeah, that sounds about right.

See....I have been having an issue with my heel...(same one) again. And, like I always do...I just deal with it (read that as ignore it). I mean, I am NOT one that runs to the doctor for every little thing. I like to whine about it first - I mean you don't get to be a whining champ without some practice right? And I will whine and moan until it either goes away....or grows too painful to ignore. And that is what is going on - it is now too painful to ignore. Since I had to go to the doc today anyway to get labwork so I could get my meds refilled (no no no not crazy meds like some of you think I may need....meds because part of my system doesn't want to work like it should so therefore needs medical intervention so no big deal really). Anyway, its my first family practitioner visit since moving here last June. First off, I like this guy. Not as much as the one I had in MN (that dude was just funny) but I like him....and that's a good thing. So, while I was there I told him about Ted (yes, I called it Ted, I mean why name something if you are just gonna continue to call it...IT. And yes, he looked at me like I may need crazy meds - he may or may not have noted that in my chart) and how Ted caused me pain and agony but how I ultimately won the battle when Ted was evicted. Then I showed him my heel. And told him how its been there for a really long time (going on a year or more) and how its getting painful and its time to deal with it. He said..."Yep, I could try to do, this or I could do that but the reality is those things probably won't work. You are gonna need to see a specialist and have that cut out. Annnnd when you do, you are gonna be off your feet for a significant amount of time because I can tell that problem is really deep and really big."

Ok so I knew that most likely it was going to have to be cut out but ummmm how long am I gonna be down for the count? A "SIGNIFICANT" amount of time? This is NOT a pleasant thing to think about considering it IS the summer and there must be plenty of time for the beach and/or the lake and going bare foot and looking cute in sandals. So my timing on this has to be planned perfectly. See, I can't get it out until after I come back from going to MN to pick up the teenage daughter from college next month. But it has to be done in plenty of time for me to completely heal before going to the beach over July 4th.

One thing is for sure.....I WILL be getting some VERY GOOD pain meds this time.....I didn't have any last time and THAT will NOT be happening again - Capish?

Cheeky - who is standing (while she can) her ground while giving Ted Jr. the stink eye and saying "It's time to layeth the smacketh down on you Jr. Brace yourself cause I play to win".

It only took a week......

2011-04-05T08:18:00.002-04:00

Before little Squeaker spent the night in the house. Its been a really great week learning about her. She is really a sweetie. So, after my last post, that evening I let Squeaker in the house to play for a little and what did she do? Jumped on my lap and promptly decided it was a great place to take a little nap. She loves to climb up on your lap and sleep. Its so sweet! AND - she knew how to use the litter box without having to be "told". I was half expecting to find little "treasures" in the house but not only is she sweet - she is considerate too. She is quickly becoming queen of her castle too. Still not intimidated by the other cats at all. As a matter of fact Britches, who is twice the size of Squeaker, is scared of this little baby. So, when Squeaker comes in to play or nap, the other cats leave her alone. I think that's hilarious. This sweet little baby is getting her way - QUICK!

Now, I have been letting her in quite a bit at night to play and snuggle but I have been putting her in her bed outside when its time to turn out the lights. However, last night, it was stormy, and nasty, and raining HARD. I couldn't put anything out in that nastiness so I kept all 4 kitties (2 inside, 2 outside) in the house. Of course, Squeaker was the only one in the bed snuggling me, the others left her alone but gave her the stink eye - specifically Kitty Girl.

So far this morning, they are all getting along well. Squeaker is on my lap as I type. Yep, I think she has adopted us.

Every Neighborhood Has One

2011-03-30T19:51:00.004-04:00

And so, in this neighborhood, I guess its going to be me. What am I gonna be you ask? Well, the crazy cat lady of course! Just this week stray kitty #2 has shown up at my door step. If you will recall, stray kitty #1 (otherwise known as Kitty Britches) showed up back in October and has been here ever since. Of course, Kitty Girl and Fat Jack aren't completely "thrilled" with this but they are tolerant for the most part. There are times where Kitty Girl goes all "alfa-female" and gets froggy but usually they all co-exist quite well. At night they call a truce and all sleep in the bed. Yep - all.three.cats in the bed. Of course, now that the weather has turned warm, she spends the majority of her day outside but always comes in at night. This is her spot on the sofa and you better not be sitting in it when its time to come in for the night:

So apparently, miss Britches has been talking up how good she has it here at Chez Cheeky because word has gotten out and I have the occasional kitty run through the yard from time to time until this little baby - stray kitty #2 also known as "Squeaker" or "Squeaky" or "Little Squeaks" (you know me, all my babies have more than one name) shows up and has stayed so far. See, she showed up 2 days ago and started looking in the window of my back door - much like she is doing in this pic.

Curious little thing but pretty wild. She wouldn't let you get near her on the first day. Day 2 (yesterday), she let me get a little closer, I was on the bottom step of the deck and she was on the deck. Then, late last night, it happened. I went outside with some food and she came up to me and squeaked the tiniest little squeak and started going around in circles rubbing all over me. She didn't want me to leave her. Of course she won't let me pick her up (yet) and she won't she won't sit on my lap (yet) but that is just a matter of time - I am the Cat Whisperer after all. Today - she got a little more adventurous and has been stepping inside the back door to look around. Fat Jack is curious but Squeaker is not intimidated (like Britches is) by the massive 22 pound behemoth of a cat that is Fat Jack. Kitty Girl isn't happy about another baby at all....not.one.bit - but I expected nothing less from her. The jury is still out with Britches and her opinion of Squeaker. I did get the stink eye from her a time or two today but I have had a little talk with her and reminded her not so long ago she needed love too.

Now other than being ugly (but oh so cute), and tiny, and squeaking (seriously, she squeaks - she doesn't meow), she also has a wonky eye. One eye is normal with the pupil going up and down like its supposed to, but the other eye - its side ways. The pupil goes horizontal. Here, take a look:

But I think it just adds to her charm. And I think she is a little on the "special" side. You know the "doh ti doh" kind. Not sure on that one yet since I am just getting to know her. It could just be that she is so overcome with emotion that she can't contain herself. Now of course, I have been "told" that this new baby is "NOT" coming in the house and will "NOT" be sleeping in the bed. I just smile and nod cause Squeaker and I have other plans...hehe. But until then, I have made sure she has a warm place to sleep (this was Britches' first "home" too)...

Pyromania

2011-02-23T09:20:00.002-05:00

I am sure that the neighbors are loving us. Over the last several weeks we have been clearing out a lot of brush, leaves, trees, weeds, etc from the back yard and to the side where we are going to have a garden. Its been a LOT and when I say lot I mean A.LOT of hard work. We have been breaking it up in smaller pieces but now its getting to be crunch time. Its time to start planting root veggies and other various goodies and the garden section of the yard isn't ready yet. So, starting today and moving forward there will be lots of little fires in my back yard to finish clearing the brush. Yes, I am experienced fire starter - I know what I am doing.

And in case you are wondering, while I am out tending the fire, I will also be practicing my smoke signal skills.

Chez Cheeky is NOT a home for wayward animals....

2011-02-22T05:10:00.001-05:00

I repeat....Chez Cheeky is NOT a home for wayward animals...unless of course you are a cute little baby like little kitten britches. What I am referring to was the big, fat (pregnant looking fat), ugly, stinky, food stealing opossum. First of all, it scared me half to death. Here is the scenario...I went outside to call little kitten britches in for the night (she loves being out in this warm weather during the day). So, I open the door and look out and see this ugly thing run under the sofa on the porch. I knew immediately what it was....I didn't however know how huge it was. So....I did what any girl would do in my position....I called the man....on the phone....cause he wasn't here. DANG!

So I go out on the deck, armed with a broom to scare it away...but it scared me instead. I didn't immediately see the critter and when I walked around the table there it was....there went another two years off my life. It (I am saying it cause I don't know if it was male or female) managed to squeeze its fat bootay through the rails on the deck and either jump down or crawl under the deck - I don't know which. The critter had eaten all the kitty food, drank all the water and was eye-balling the kitty bed. Really, this is not a hotel for animals!

Then of course I started worrying about little kitten britches cause this ugly thing was bigger than she is. I went back out on the deck and she came running but was sniffing everything - she knew somebody had been eating her food and laying in her bed and it wasn't Goldilocks!

Ahhhh the joys of country living.......

Oh and as a side note, for those of you that have been following me for a while. Ted is taking revenge...its like a sad "B" horror movie sequel. There will be more details when I have them....but its not going to be fun. For those of you new to the blog, I will link the adventures of Ted when I update about his revenge so you can come up to speed.....

Work Work Work....All Day Long....

2011-02-14T08:30:00.003-05:00

Yeah - the title pretty much sums up the weekend - HA! It was a gorgeous weekend weather wise so we spent all day Saturday and three quarters of the day on Sunday in the yard. LOTS of work was completed but there is still plenty more to do. But I am happy with how much we did get done.

Although there was lots of work, there was my reward at the end of the day....fresh grilled shrimp - and the Shoot out Saturday night - oh yeah! So good.

OK - subject change - in honor of Heart Day, manchild and I will be going out on a date tonight....quote from the manchild "it will be an all expense paid trip to Applebees!" HA! That boy lurves him some Applebees. Also, I made some strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for Heart day and I have to say, Holy Moly they are GOOOD! Kitty girl even had a bite (with permission - ha). I swear that cat lurves her some cake!

Tomorrow's post? A recap of my date with the manchild.....

It has been brought to my attention.....

2011-02-10T05:35:00.005-05:00

....That I have not blogged since October 6, 2010! What?!? Well the dates, don't lie. So, I need to remedy that don't I?

The State of the Union at Chez Cheeky is good. We have a new addition to the family that came at the end of October. Her name is....wait for it....wait for it.....Kitten Britches! She is so sweet. She was a stray that showed up at my door and never left. She comes in and out of the house which totally makes Kitty Girl and Fat Jack jealous because they can't go out. Kitten Britches has been coming in every night and now sleeps in the bed. Yep - three kitties in the bed. If another shows up I will need to get a bigger bed - HA! She stays in the house during the day if its cold or rainy but if its sunny she would much rather be outside. This picture was taken the night she showed up....isn't she cute?

My sister got married in November. We spent Thanksgiving at the beach with family. We made it through Christmas with LOTS going on (hosted 3 parties in 4 weeks - whew - the one weekend we took off was actually Christmas so we were on the road a lot). We had some snow here in the south back in January and the manchild was out of school for a week. He was loving that and got a really big kick out of it. After spending five winters in MN and only having ONE snow day - he gets a week his first winter in the south. I have spent lots of time driving back and forth to NC over the last several months as well helping out a friend.

I haven't had the time to produce my annual valentine cards and I am sad about that but I am starting to feel some serious crafty mojo going on - I mean serious mojo. Which is good because there is a stamp show coming here to Columbia in 2 weeks (can I get a woot?!) AND I just found out that I am going to have an opportunity to work the show with one of my favorite stamp companies - Denami! So I will be spending lots of time with the owners (who are so freakin crafty and creative) that weekend AND even better - I will be getting lots...I mean LOTS of free product (aka stampy goodness) from them (can I get a woot woot?!).

Spring is just around the corner so this year it our intention to have a really big garden. Last year it was very small and thrown together quickly (since we didn't close on the house until May we didn't have much time to work on it properly). This year we are clearing out a pretty large section of the yard and getting it prepped and ready. This actually requires quite a bit of work (you should see the condition of the back yard - the previous owners were not into yard work to say the least) and weather permitting, we will be spending the next several weekends working on it. Last year we had an issue with rabbits getting into the garden. This year we have Kitten Britches on the prowl - lets see if she earns her keep by keeping the rabbits out of the garden (but if she doesn't I will keep her anyway - did I say she was cute? Cause she is).

It has been determined that teenage daughter will be coming home for the summer instead of staying in MN after this semester. So, I will be flying up in May (and perhaps catching another stamp show??) and then driving back with her so she can have her car here. Didn't I say I was NOT gonna be making that drive again? I must be outta my head. HA!

There is still lots of singing at Chez Cheeky and of course the new season of American Idol fits right in. I like the new judges. I like them a lot. It will be interesting to see how they do when the real competition begins and we get out of the audition portion.

So, that pretty much brings you up to speed with things at Chez Cheeky! Only thing missing is an updated pic of the family .....so for your viewing enjoyment.....White Christmas 2010....

SCORE!

2010-10-06T08:51:00.002-04:00

Well not in the jeans department but I did get a great dress that was normally $80 for $13 on the last chance clearance rack - I love a good sale.

Spent the day yesterday shopping and had really great day. After coming home and making dinner, spent some quality time in my weed garden (ha!) where a pencil thin but very long snake was discovered. He was moving very slow so I think the cooler weather is getting to him. He was scooped away with gardening tools and set on a different path....outside my garden. So he will live to tell the tale.....until the cold gets him. Now the funny thing is when I said the word "snake" manchild ran for the hills. Instant. No thought, just gone. HA!

Today there isn't a lot on the agenda. Just get some things done around the house in preparation for the weekend and coming week. Tonight's dinner - is clean out the fridge night.....could get interesting....haha!

Cheeky - who is off to instigate trouble between friends with a special football snap.....double snap with your back end in motion (hahaha Gabby and Suzi that's for y'all).

I am on the hunt.....

2010-10-05T06:13:00.002-04:00

For a good pair of jeans! It's that time of year again when the air turns cool (as much as I LOVE the heat - FALL is my favorite time of year - cool mornings, warm sunny days....but I digress) and you need a good pair of jeans. I have none. Not one single pair. OK that's a lie....I have 5 pairs and they are ALL.TOO.BIG. Like falling off of me too big so even if I wear them with a belt they look bad.

Now having a good pair of jeans is worth their weight in gold. But the search for that great pair - can be a long and tedious process. Find a pair that looks good, go to the dressing room, undress, dress, not sure if you like them (do they look good on? do they make your butt look big? do they fit in the butt AND the waist? and what about the legs? are they cut right?), undress, dress back in your original clothes and repeat process again 50 more times. Then there is the money factor. I hate paying a lot for jeans. I would rather spend that money on something else....but then again if they are GREAT jeans - sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

Oh - and I need fall shirts too. Literally me and another person could fit in my fall shirts - at the same time. Now this means they are totally comfy for wearing around the house but shouldn't be worn in public. I know - this is a good problem to have - everything being too big!

So today's agenda will go something like this....wake up (done), get some go-go juice (done), play on facebook (done), blog (in progress), wake manchild for school and make him breakfast (will be doing this in 45 mins), take manchild to school, come home and go for a run (didn't go yesterday), shower, eat a little something while playing on facebook, fight with the printer some more, then head out for a day of shopping, hopefully score a few deals, come home, unload the bounty (if I have one), make dinner (tonight its pork chops, pasta salad and baked beans), the rest of the evening is to be determined at that point.

Cheeky - who wants to know - what will YOU be doing today?

Weekend Update

2010-10-04T06:57:00.002-04:00

With your hostess....CHEEKY!

Where to start....Friday night date night with the man. Had a perfectly grilled honker with taters and a bottle of Pinot Noir....yummy! Settled in to watch Iron Man 2 (I saw this in the theather with manchild when it came out) and the man fell asleep on the couch - HA! Guess I am one exciting date - or the Pinot kicked in....I will go with the Pinot kicking in HA!

Saturday was World Card Making Day (woot woot!) so I spent some quality time in my crafty room finishing up my Halloween cards. All that is left to do is address and decorate the envelopes and I am done with Halloween.....now moving on to finish my Christmas design. I have been tweaking it a bit. I also got received a package on Saturday of supplies and goodies that I ordered last week so that will help with the design. Hopefully I will start actual production sometime in the next week or two. Went for my little run (can you believe it?) and then proceeded to make a really yummy dinner - my famous HOT WANGS! B-dubs ain't got nuthin on me (and y'all know how much I heart my b-dubs)! OK yes they do but not in the traditional wing department. On the traditional wings I have them beat but on the other flavors - they rock!

Sunday - the morning started out slow which is nice. Then one of Teenage daughter's friends from when we lived in Charleston came for a visit. She is going to college at USC which is just a few mins away. Had a really great time visiting with "A" and hope to see her again soon.

Oh wait - Sunday dinner was baked Spaghetti. YUM!

A few things that I learned this weekend? Kitty girl loves her some pizza bones and ruffles chips. She will almost knock you down for a pizza bone. LOVES it! Silly kitty. OH and I about fell over when she came and sat down beside me.....like right beside my leg.....for half an hour last night. She has become much more affectionate since we moved and I like it!

Cheeky - who is off to wake up the manchild - time for school!

Guess it must be true.....

2010-10-01T08:53:00.002-04:00

I think I am back in the swing of things as far as blogging is concerned. I have managed to blog every day this week - woot woot for me! HA!

Today is shaping up to be a rather busy day. Lots to do and lots of errands before my last "free" weekend for a while. Next week we are headed to NC for the weekend. The weekend after that we are headed to the beach. The weekend after that I am headed to Concord, NC for Christmas made in the South (yes my friends, its that time of year where the Christmas craft shows begin - LOVE IT!). The weekend after that is Halloween. So the month of October is already planned out for me and its only Oct 1st! November's calender is getting full too but, I am not complaining. Oh no....not me.

In other news, manchild has taken to calling me "woman". I guess it could be worse - HA!

Cheeky - who, in honor of Friday night, is heading to the meat market to get a big fat honker for dinner.......don't hate.

I must be losing my mind......

2010-09-30T05:15:00.001-04:00

Why, you ask? Because, this Cheeky, who sooo enjoys sitting on her bootay and not exerting too much energy....(HA!) has been....wait for it....wait for it....RUNNING! I will wait while you pick yourself up from passing right out on the floor from that bit of news.

Back with me now? Good. Yep, I have been doing this little run/walk thing. I start out running....go as far as I can, then walk to recover then run again. Knowing myself, I thought that I would have started this little program and given it up within a week or two but noooooooo.....I have been pushing myself to go further and further each day before I walk and I have been walking for less time. In the beginning my endurance was really quite pathetic, but I can see fairly significant improvement and I am pretty amazed with myself. Me.....running - next thing you know I might start bending at the waist and actually doing a crunch or something. Now don't think that I am gonna turn into one of those physical activity nuts. If that happens you can go ahead and have an intervention or just have me committed because I will have totally lost my mind - HA!

Thanks Scott.....Thanks a lot.....

2010-09-29T07:18:00.001-04:00

So last Saturday night I was checking out some friend's facebook pages. I know, I am awful and I don't get around to seeing what everyone is up to as much as I should. Anyway, I stopped by my friend Scott's page. Now, Scott is a year or two younger than me but we rode the bus together and were buddies. On his page, he had a link to a show that completely took me back to my childhood. H.R. PufnStuf. LOVED that show as a kid. Really I liked just about all of the Sid and Marty Krofft shows. Sigmund the Seamonster, The Bugaloos, The Far Out Space Nuts, Shazam!, The Lost Saucer....all of them - so very great! So I started looking at long lost episodes on youtube. Yep, up all night watching them and just having a blast. Manchild of course just thinks I am nuts and kept looking at me funny as I would sing the intros to these shows. Funny how after all this time I remember every.single.word. To see these shows now - well they are just very cheesey and silly and FUN!

From there I started searching for other shows that I used to watch as a kid.....The Groovy Ghoulies (so silly), The Bay City Rollers....oh there are so many.

Cheeky - who wants to know, what were your favorite shows as a kid??

You're the Inspiration....

2010-09-28T05:44:00.002-04:00

It has been entirely too long since I have posted. And I have missed it. I have been having a lot of great post ideas lately and just haven't sat down to write them out....until now.

But first let me get you all caught up on the happenings at Chez Cheeky of the South. Had a nice visit with teenage daughter in July and sent her back to MN. She started college in August and has adjusted quite well. There is a new boyfriend in the picture. I haven't been up to visit yet and not sure if I am going to make it before the holidays. She will be back here with us mid-December.

The manchild has been doing very well and quite frankly has surprised me. He had a good summer (made a new friend) and also started middle school (the 6th grade) in August. So far this year his grades are really really good. Sooooo much better than MN. Someone asked me if it was because the schools were easier here. I don't think so, I have seen a change in the manchild and a little more dedication in the school work department and I just think the teaching style is different (I know the attitudes are better). I hope he continues to keep it up.

The house is unpacked but not decorated completely. The kitchen is done except for finding a bistro table (can't find one I really like) and getting the tile up on the wall for my backsplash. The tiling will hopefully happen in the next couple of weeks.

The crafty room is unpacked and the mojo has returned. I am working full force with the Halloween cards and the Christmas idea is in progress. I don't have the luxury of having great crafty stores here in SC like I did in MN so I have been doing a lot of on-line ordering which is hard for me. I have to touch it, feel it and see it in person to really decide if I want it. Luckily, I did find a stamp show this past weekend and it was actually a pretty good one. I bought way too much but I did get a lot of ideas for future cards - woohoo!

The weather is cooling off a bit and I can tell fall is in the air. I love this time of year.

The next couple of weeks (months) are going to be busy busy busy which always makes for good posts.

Cheeky - who once again is back to the blogging world....now where did my readers go?

I am hooked....

2010-07-22T08:27:00.002-04:00

You know, one would think that I would be spending time unpacking and getting things done (and in my defense I have been doing some of that - ok a LOT of that - unpack this, recycle that, go here go there). But I have discovered that I love daytime TV. Now I am not talking about soaps (although I do love me some Y&R but have thus far resisted the urge to get sucked in again....but it may be a losing battle once school starts - just sayin'). I am not talking about talk shows and just general trash on the networks.....I am talking about....cable trash. Bravo and A&E are my new loves. LOVE LOVE LOVE these networks in the daytime.

This past Tuesday after dropping teenage daughter's friend "B" off at the airport, I just wanted to veg a little and catch up on some rest. So what did I do? Manchild and I planted our bootays on the sofa and watched ourselves a full day (not just an episode but A.FULL.DAY) of Gene Simmon's Family Jewels. I.LOVE.THIS.SHOW. And after having a marathon I had to DVR the new episode that night. HOOKED.

The one cool thing about these networks is that I don't have to watch my trash as it originally airs. I can go days without watching cause I know if I wait long enough....they will have a marathon day or they will show it again. Like the train wreck that is Housewives of New Jersey - pure total scripted trash....and I love every minute of it. But if I miss a few weeks, I know that I can catch up with no worries.

Now I know there are those of you out there that have your favorite trash TV....so come on....tell me what it is.....

This can't be a good sign.....

2010-07-13T07:41:00.003-04:00

So one of the new things that has been going on with the new house is a LOT and when I say a LOT I mean A.LOT. of yard work. The previous owners were not much on landscaping. We won't discuss the lawn (or weeds) that is in the front. Not much we can do about it this year. What they did do was plant ivy in the front of the house and proceeded to let it run rampant. It was horribly over grown and just looked horrendous. That was one of the first things that had to go. In the back breaking process of removing the ivy (did I say back breaking?) apparently there was some poison ivy mixed in (ivy is ivy right?). Well, Mr. Cheeky got a little bit on his arm - he itched but he doesn't react to it the way I do (remember the two-face episode from the summer of 2006 where my face was covered? - you don't remember that? Well, I do! and it wasn't fun). He has been dealing with it - no problem. Until today. I noticed that I had a little itch on my hand. At first I thought it may be a skeeter bite (they are crazy down here and love me and the man child like we were fine cuisine. Then I happened to look down at what I had been clawing at....just a little dot - but its NOT a bite. Ummmm this can't be good. This is NOT what I wanted for a birthday present from the man (oh for the new readers - the birthday is tomorrow - the 14th).

Cheeky who is off to do a little hoping, wishing, and praying that this dot is NOT what I think it is. So let us sing shall we.....perhaps a little old school - The Coasters....

She comes on like a rose...
but everybody knows
She'll get you in Dutch
You can look but you better not touch

Poison iv-y-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y-y
Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'
Arou-ou-ou-ou-ound

She's pretty as a daisy but
look out man she's crazy
She'll really do you in
If you let her under your skin

Poison iv-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y
Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'
Arou-ou-ou-ou-ound

Measles make you bumpy
And mumps'll make you lumpy
And chicken pox will make you jump and twitch
A common cold will fool ya
And whooping cough can cool ya
But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!

You're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion
You'll be scratchin' like a hound
The minute you start to mess around

Poison iv-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y
Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'
Arou-ou-ou-ou-ound

Measles make you bumpy
And mumps'll make you lumpy
And chicken pox will make you jump and twitch
A common cold will fool ya
And whooping cough will cool ya
But poison ivy, Lord'll make you itch!!

You're gonna need an ocean of calamine lotion
You'll be scratchin' like a hound
The minute you start to mess around

Poison iv-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y
Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'
Arou-ou-ou-ou-ound

la la la la da
la la la la da
la la la la da
la la la la da

Once again I am reminded.....and Thankful

2010-07-12T07:52:00.003-04:00

I am once again reminded of how thankful I am of my blogging friends. People that I truly call "friend" that I would have never met without blogging.

First of all my "twinkie" Tina! Girrrrl you have out done yourself this time. She has sent me a FANTABULOUS goodie box for my birthday (which by the way is Wednesday in case anyone forgot). I got it on Saturday and we were literally on our way out the door to head to birthday party and then to Carowinds. I had to wait to go through the box properly. Yes, you read that right.....I.HAD.TO.WAIT......ALL.WEEKEND. Oh the torture......but it was well worth the wait. LOVE it love it love it. You rock my friend. I will be sitting in awe of my new ceramic flamingo every time I get crafty. I already have a place in mind for it (just need to put up the shelf). Seriously my friend, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Secondly, there is Julie. Thank you for thinking of me and saying such kind things about me and my cards on your blog (which, by the way, I am almost ready to start creating again - the crafty room is unpacked, now I just need to remember where I put everything - HA!). It was totally unexpected and those are the greatest surprises - when they come "just because".

I do have some of the greatest blogging friends and I am thankful everyday for all of you!

Now - on for a little update. Chez Cheeky of the South (I love saying that) has been busy. I hit the crafty room hard last week. It took me a looooong time to get all those boxes unpacked. Now I have stuff everywhere. I have to organize. I have to arrange. I must do this soon as I am feeling some mojo and need to create....but alas it will have to wait just a wee bit longer. Teenage daughter, who was left back in MN when we moved (as you remember she stayed up there to go to college because she has been brainwashed - she likes it there, in the cold - we will work on that - HA!) will be coming down tomorrow and staying for the next two weeks. While she is here we will be playing tour guide to her friend "B" who is coming with her. Which means we will be on the road - a lot. Also, while here, we are going to be having her graduation party. LOTS to do to get ready for that shindig but an old fashioned shindig it will be. We are having her graduation party in true southern style - a pig pickin'! Yee-Haw y'all!

I will try to blog during her visit but let me give you the run down of events so if I don't - you will understand why:

*Tuesday - go to Charlotte to pick up Teenage daughter (early AM) and while there just stay and go to Carowinds
*Wednesday - The zoo in Columbia and visit the ticket nazi (Katie I will tell her you said HI) - come home and eat something absolutely wonderful and sing Happy Birthday to ME!
*Thursday - Down to Charleston to see the sights and go to the beach
*Friday - rest in the AM and get the provisions for the party - drive up to NC
*Saturday - Up early to prep and then PARTY in the afternoon (if you are close stop by and say HI)
*Sunday - get up go to Church, visit family, and then come back home
*Monday - hit the lake
*Tuesday - back up to Charlotte to take "B" to the airport - stay and go to Carowinds again since we are already there
*Wednesday - through the next Wednesday to be determined - I am thinking we will hit the lake a few days, do some shopping and whatever else teenage daughter wants to do.

Adjusting rather nicely......

2010-06-28T07:40:00.002-04:00

Yes, I think the southern life suits me quite well. After a week of unpacking (and I must say - I got quite a bit accomplished thank you very much) we decided to take the day off on Saturday and hit the lake. Spent all day out on Lake Murray. Very nice. Very nice indeed. We found a little cove, beached the boat and hung out all day with some friends. Had a really great time. Spent from 11am until about 6:30p out on the water and the only reason we came in then was because a storm cloud was brewing. AND the best part - didn't even get sunburned! And that my friends is a miracle unto itself - I mean I am one pale chick after spending 5 years in the tundra. I was careful and kept reapplying the sunscreen like a good girl. Didn't realize how tired we all were until we got home and crashed. Whew! But it really was a GREAT day.

Yesterday, after goofing off all day on Saturday, it was time to get the garage unpacked and organized. I really should have taken before and after pics because - wow - we worked our bootays off but it does look good!

The garden is starting to produce some goodies. We have picked a few cucumbers already (and have made a fabulous cucumber salad - yummy) and the tomato plants have lots of green little maters just waiting to mature. The jalapeno pepper plants have already yielded some goodies too. Yep, I will be making homemade salsa in no time! LOVE IT! Oh and the kitties want me to tell you that the catnip that was planted just for them - has them in heaven. Its so funny, each night after watering I bring in a leaf for each of them - they go nuts. Silly kitties.

Today, manchild and I are heading out to Myrtle Beach and staying with my Aunt for the week. No internet. Yep, time for a little disconnect and relaxation.

Plan for next week - Time to get the craft room in order - yes, I am feeling a little mojo brewing and need to play.

Cheeky - who is grabbing her pink flamingo beach towel, hitting the waves and singing a little Surf City.......catch ya next week!

Two girls for every boy.....

I bought a '30 Ford wagon and we call it a woody
(Surf City, here we come)
You know, it's not very cherry, it's an oldie but a goody
(Surf City, here we come)
Well, it ain't got a backseat or a rear window
But it still gets me where I wanna go

And we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun
Yeah we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy......

They say they never roll the streets up, 'cause there's always something goin'
(Surf City, here we come)
You know, they're either out surfin' or they got a party growin'
(Surf City, here we come)
Well it's two swingin' honey for every guy
And all you gotta do is just wink your eye

And we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun
Yeah we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy......

And if my woody breaks down on me somewhere on the surf route
(Surf City, here we come)
I'll strap my board to my back and hitch a ride in my wet-suit
(Surf City, here we come)
And when I get to Surf City, I'll be shootin' the curl
And checkin' out the parties for surfer girls

And we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun
Yeah we're goin' Surf City, 'cause it's two to one
You know we're goin' Surf City, gonna have some fun, now
Two girls for every boy......

Starting to look like a home

2010-06-21T08:13:00.002-04:00

The movers arrived on Saturday with our household goods. They got here exactly when they said they would - 8:30am. It was kind of funny watching the driver maneuver that big transfer truck in my cul-de-sac but he did it. Once they got settled they started unloading at around 9ish or so. They kicked butt. They were all done by noon. Yep - completely unloaded and ready to leave by noon. Fabulous job. Of course when they left it was time for me and the manchild to start unpacking. Mr. Cheeky was at work catching up from taking the time off to move so it was just me and the boy.

Manchild and I hit it hard and got quite a bit done on Saturday. I have a bedroom again. Actually the master bedroom is 98% complete. I say 98% because I still have to decorate - but I don't have the things I need yet - they will need to be purchased - when I find them. This will take time. Manchild's room is 90% complete much for the same reason. The master closet is 90% done. Everything is in there but not organized. So it needs a little love. The love will come later. The priority is make it livable then love it. HA! The living room has furniture, tables and the television is mounted. That is about it. Still have some unpacking to do there. The dining room - same thing. Has a table, chairs and china hutch - that's it. Washer/dryer connected and usable. Office? Didn't really touch it at all. Crafty room - same thing (sigh - I really want to get up there. I am feeling some crafty mojo but I have to get the rest of the house done first - guess that will be my motivation..haha) Kitchen? - ummm still needs quite a bit of work. Have the essentials - coffee maker, pans, utensils, etc. but still a lot of unpacking still to be done here. I waited for the kitchen because I wasn't sure where I wanted to put things - I think I have a better feel for the kitchen now so that is what I am working on today.

All of that was done on Saturday. Sunday we took the day off and drove to NC for Father's Day. I have to say it is really really nice to be able to go on a DAY trip for a visit and come back to your own home. It was quick but nice visit. Scored some fresh veggies from various gardens (onions, squash, and my favorite home grown maters). When we got home we checked on our little garden (that didn't get started until late May cause we didn't own the home yet) and picked our first cucumber - woot woot!

Last night we pretty much crashed. Very tired and worn out.

Cheeky - who will be back to unpacking....once she harvests all her crops on Farmville - seriously, I can't believe I got sucked into that game.....

HOME in SC!

2010-06-18T08:23:00.002-04:00

Finally! The drive took just over 21 hours and we arrived late Wednesday evening but it was totally worth every single minute of it! It rained for much of the drive. I think we hit rain in every state except Ohio and Kentucky.

On the drive I learned that I have failed the manchild as a parent. As we entered Tennessee he had a discussion with Mr. Cheeky about songs that have Tennessee in them. The first song that immediately came to Mr. Cheeky was Rocky Top. They called me (since I was driving my car and they were driving Mr. Cheeky's truck) and immediately I came up with Rocky Top. Manchild had no clue what in the world we were talking about. Epic failure on my part that my manchild, who was born in the south and spent his first 6 years there does not know about such things - every self respecting southerner should know Rocky Top. Well, let the education begin my son. You are about to become schooled in all things southern - past, present, and future.

The kitties did well on the trip - much better than was anticipated. It has taken them a little while to get used to the new house. Right now its still pretty much empty so everything echos. Kittygirl gets pretty nervous and jumpy but she is coming around. Fat Jack has been pretty vocal - I think he likes the sound of his voice as it echoes.

Our moving shipment was supposed to be here today - Friday. Got word yesterday that it will not be here until Saturday which totally screws up our weekend plans - but it is what it is. So the driver said he would be here at 8am to unload. Anyone wanna help UNpack? haha While we have been waiting on our shipment, I have been planning out the layout of the furniture and thinking about what I want for decorating. Its going to take some time. I am going to be very particular and wait to find just the right pieces - so the walls may be bare for a while - but that is OK with me. I want it right the first time around.

Cheeky who is off to do some more shopping and is singing......a little Rocky Top

Wish that I was on old Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills.

Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear the other half cat
Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that.

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee.

Once two strangers climbed old Rocky Top
Looking for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will.

Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Ground's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar.

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee.

I've had years of cramped up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again.

Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top, Tennessee.

Rocky Top, Tennessee...

Makes me tired just thinking about it.....

2010-06-08T07:56:00.002-04:00

This is one more crazy week here at Chez Cheeky. Lots of things going on all at once.

Yesterday was day one of college orientation. I had to leave early but teenage daughter stayed over night and will continue on today. Most of the stuff I needed to know was yesterday anyway. Today is mainly for her to register for classes. Overall its an OK school. I say OK because - well, its a little liberal for my taste (I am southern after all) and its an MN school. Can't get thrilled about that. Would much rather she chose to go to a school in SC but hey - its her choice and I let her make it. It seems they have their stuff together so......

Today, I pick mom and dad up at the airport. They are here for teenage daughter's graduation on Thursday. Its sort of strange having people in my house with boxes everywhere, very little food, and general discombobulation everywhere. But when have I ever let something like that stop me? Its just a challenge. Mom will help me pack and Dad will be tasked with keeping the manchild out of the way (HA). Something tells me they will be going out to the movies a lot....hahaha.

Packing is continuing. Getting to a point where I just can't do much more until the final day - except for the garage and that is not my department. Mr. Cheeky is on his way home. He is driving from SC to here so he starts today and will get here by tomorrow night - just in time to join us for teenage daughter's graduation dinner. We are doing the dinner on Wednesday (graduation is on Thursday) because immediately following the pomp and circumstance she will board a bus for the all night grad party so she won't be coming home with us. The party reminds me of back in the day when I would go to all night skates and they would lock us in. They are doing it at one of the local bowling alleys and they are locked in. They get there by bus and they leave by bus. I am comfortable with it.

We will get everyone out this weekend and I mean everyone. Mom and Dad leave Saturday and so does teenage daughter - we are kicking her OUT! Kidding kidding. She is staying in MN with a friend for the summer before school (just doesn't make sense to move everything to SC just to turn around and move it back to MN 2 months later for school). Then final packing on Sunday. Monday the moving truck arrives!

Cheeky - who is in the mood for a little diddy ala the Muppets.....

Movin' right along in search of good times and good news
With good friends you can't lose
This could become a habit
Opportunity knocks once, let's reach out and grab it
Together we'll nab it
We'll hitchhike, bus, or yellow-cab it (cab it?)

Movin' right along, foot-loose and fancy-free
Gettin' there is half the fun, come share it with me
Movin' right along
We'll learn to share the load
We don't need a map to keep this show on the road

Movin' right along we found a life on the highway
And your way is my way, so trust my navigation
California here we come, that pie-in-the sky-land
Palm trees and warm sand, though sadly we just left Rhode Island

Movin' right along, hey L. A., where've you gone
Send someone to fetch us, we're in Saskatchewan
Movin' right along
You take it - you know best
Hey, I've never seen the sun come up in the West

Movin' right along, we're truly birds of a feather
We're in this together, and we know where we're goin'
Movie stars with flashy cars and life with the top down
We're storming the big town
Yeah! Storm is right - should it be snowin'

Movin' right along, foot loose and fancy free
We're ready for the big time, is it ready for me

Movin' right along....
Movin' right along....
Movin' right along....
Movin' right along....

This is not the end......

2010-06-02T07:52:00.002-04:00

It is just a new beginning. Today is the last day of work for me. I will once again be entering into retirement. Now don't be thinking that I am going to be getting all lazy and stuff. I have lots to do before the resting kicks in. First and foremost must finish the packing and get moved (June 14 is coming quick - tick tock tick tock). THEN....must get myself unpacked and settled. After that, its time for a little R&R. My Aunt has invited the manchild and I to the beach for a week the last week in June. I think I am going to take her up on that offer (Aunt D if you are reading I will send you an email later this week). So I want to get as much unpacked before I take that trip.

After getting all settled in I will be setting up and spending quite a bit of quality time in my new crafty room (oh yes, this house has a crafty room). I don't think I am going to have time to get July 4th cards out this year but I do have to replenish my stock of birthday, thank you, and "just because" cards. I was thinking about doing some "We've Moved" cards too. So I have plenty to keep me busy in that department. Of course with retirement, I will have more time for blogging too. I miss doing it on the regular.

Last night the following conversation was had with the manchild:

Cheeky: Did you know that tomorrow is my last day of work?
Manchild: So what are you going to do? Pack all your stuff and say "see ya suckers"?

That kid makes me laugh. How does he come up with this stuff out of the blue?

Cheeky - who seems to think that today may just draaaag by really slow....what do you think?

Sometimes things just aren't what you expect.....

2010-05-27T07:27:00.002-04:00

Take yesterday for example.....

I took manchild to the dentist for his 6 month cleaning. We really were not expecting to be there long (this is one awesome dentist and he is always on schedule - none of this "oh I am running late you so you can wait an hour" crap). So we go in and a few minutes later man child is called back. After about ummm I dunno twenty minutes or so (I really wasn't paying attention) they call me back - like they always do....but the dentist says "have a seat right here (beside manchild) I want to show you something"....yeah - its never good when that happens.

He proceeds to show me that manchild is in "transition" and lots of teeth are coming at the same time - but there isn't room and his baby teeth are not cooperating and so they may need a little help and at least 2 need to come out - now (a few more may need some "help" in a few months). The dentist knew I was moving soon and so we were trying to figure out when we could get this done. He was going on vacation for the next two weeks starting this Friday and the only other day that he would be able to do it would be Monday, June 14 - the day the moving van shows up or I could do it as soon as we get to SC but it needed to happen very soon (he stressed the urgency of getting it done). The dentist sat there for a minute and said "I was in the military - I remember what it was like all this moving and packing and unpacking and I don't want you to be stressed to find a dentist as soon as you get there to get this done - if you have time, I will just do it now". Yep, I love this dentist - I wish he could have been MY dentist.

So I informed manchild of what was about to happen - he didn't look happy. I went back out to the front and they gave him some nitrous, some Novocaine, and bam out the two teeth came. After the procedure the dentist then took the time to shake my hand and tell me what a pleasure it was to have manchild as a patient and wished us the best on our move. He also said that if I ever had any questions what so ever, even if I already have another dentist - call him - he would be happy to help. Customer service - he gets it! And the best part.....manchild's appt was at 1pm and I was still out of there by 2pm.

Now while I have never had to have the dentist pull any of my teeth, especially ones that were stubborn and didn't want to come out, I can imagine its not a happy experience. Luckily, manchild does not take after me when it comes to dental work. He is in and out - no big deal. I on the other hand would be all kinds of torn up - anyone that has been reading for any length of time knows my feelings on this so I would rather not go there...ha! Manchild (being MY child) decides to milk this whole teeth pulling experience for all it is worth. And to be honest - I was feeling bad for him so I catered to the melodramatics. So after eating anything he wanted for dinner - it was off to dairy queen for some blizzardy goodness.

I don't do this often - but here goes - for anyone that is in MN and reads my blog....If you EVER need a pediatric dentist (or know someone that does) I highly recommend Dennis Carreras at Dentistry for Children. He has an office in Monticello, Sartell, and Princeton (he works out of each of them). Seriously, they are really really great.

Cheeky - who is off to go pack some more boxes and realizes that two weeks from TODAY her baby girl (known to the blogging world as teenage daughter) will be a high school graduate.....

Once again.....and long over due I might add....

2010-05-18T21:29:00.004-04:00

I am a home owner in SOUTH CAROLINA BABY!!!! While I could recount for you the details of the things that went WRONG with my closing....and they were extremely numerous....I am choosing to focus on the joy of the situation....I once again own a home in South Carolina. Oh the stories I could tell about the closing....really - you would laugh, you would cry, its quite the drama.....but in the end.....I have a home in SC!

I, once again, have South Carolina license plates on my car (I didn't waste one single second on changing that one over...no siree....and yes, there are stories like how my rental car got hit by a little old man.....but I am being positive). I will have a drivers license soon....(there were issues....I am being positive so I am NOT gonna go there on the ridiculousness - is that a word? - of the process).

In less than 4 weeks....I will once again be a South Carolinian....I don't know if I have to tell you how completely THRILLED I am at this fact.

Yes, I am starting to feel the stress (not a bad thing - just a thing) of everything that has to happen before I move but I am so looking forward to it all. My life, in so very many many many ways, (yes, it needed three manys to convey the sentiment) is about to change.

Teenage daughter will be graduating in 3 weeks and staying in MN to go to college. My little girl will soon be flying the coop. My life is about to go insane......and I am looking forward to EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT ALL!

Minnesota tried to break me.... tried with all it had....but in the end....I am coming out...VICTORIOUS! You can try as you might but can't break THIS southern girl!

Cheeky - who is dancing and singing ....who is completely happy.....AND is wearing a FLAMINGO bra and skivvies....(tmi? who cares...its fun...and really if its flamingo and wear-able....you know I am gonna have it on!) and dancing around.....and wonders if her new neighbors will appreciate her Flamingo Fabulous-ness.

Buying houses can be such fun......

2010-05-14T08:26:00.005-04:00

So, its Wednesday night. I am stuck at the airport in MN trying to get to SC so I can close on my new house. I end up going home and trying again the next morning - which was yesterday.

Finally, I am on the airplane at "0 dark thirty" Thursday morning just cruising along listening to my ipod and I may or may not have been "be bopping" my head. I may or may not have been that person who decides she needs to sing out loud and serenade the plane. I will neither confirm nor deny this allegation.

I get off the plane and walk outside and I know I had the biggest, cheekiest grin on my face. Ahhhh the sun.....Ahhhhh the heat. LOVE IT! So happy to be moving back home to the south. So very happy.

I did the final walk through on the house. Ummmm the sellers haven't even started packing yet (dude, I have 4 weeks left in MN and I have already started packing 2 weeks ago) and they have to be out by 5p tomorrow....I really hope they have a lot of help or a company coming in cause its not gonna be a happy time in their lives if not).

Closing didn't happen. Lots of people with various banks and the underwriters did not do their job. I wouldn't be so concerned except for the last 3 weeks we have said to the bank daily "is there anything else you need" and daily they have said "no, we've got it under control" then in the eleventh hour they are asking for things we can't put our hands on because ....HELLO the files are in MN! So we get the bank names and numbers and the bank is claiming no one is calling them back. Well, see, here is the thing, you have to make the initial call and leave a message if you want anyone to call you back. The bank didn't even bother calling these people to start with. And yet they are trying to say no one is calling them back. I have the feeling lots of people are not being truthful. Heads should roll but unfortunately, just like the airlines....they don't care. There is NO customer service and they are acting like they are doing us a favor. I have bought and sold LOTS of houses over the years. I know how it works. This is the worst experience we have ever had. We are scheduled to close at 1:00p today. Any bets on whether or not it happens? As of right now (8:30a) things are not looking good.

But let's be positive for a moment. IF it does happen, then the rest of the day will be spent with me running around like a mad woman trying to get new tags for my car (my MN tags expire this month and why should I pay for new ones there and turn around and get new ones here? Plus the new SC ones are so pretty), getting a new SC license cause lets face it - I HATE my MN one - but if I run out of time this can wait....maybe, getting insurance for said cars and boat(its in place just need to go pay for it), then heading out to find happy hour SOMEWHERE! HA!

Cheeky - who, in spite of all that has happened or could continue to happen, is sitting in the sun with a smile on her face!

Good Facebook Night and Stinko de Mayo

2010-05-05T08:17:00.002-04:00

First Facebook - last night I found 2 very long lost friends on Facebook and I couldn't be happier. Once, from when I was waaaaay young - she was my "pen pal" from ME. Seriously, real pen, real paper and snail mail. Oh we were such good pen pals and for whatever reason we lost touch....until now! We have lots of catching up to do.

Another friend I found was just about the only person that got me through the navy years in GA. Her hubs and mine were on the same sub and we were instant friends. Our kids too. So glad I found her again.

For all the frustrations that Facebook can bring (with the links, and games, and viruses) it has also brought a lot of really great people back into my life.

Now - Stinko de Mayo

This is a post that I resurrected from 5/5/06. The events in this post are true and factual. There were no artistic liberties taken. Now for your reading enjoyment....my blog post from 5/5/2006:

Stinko de Mayo

Last night at dinner - we were talking about Cinco de Mayo the conversation went something like this:

Cheeky: Do we have any plans for Cinco de Mayo?

Teenage Daughter: When is that?

Cheeky: Tomorrow.

Little Man Child: Stinko de Mayo?

Cheeky: (laughing) Yes, do you know what that is?

Little Man Child: Yeah, that's when you eat beans all day and then stink up the joint - Stinko de Mayo.

Yep, he is a guy - 100%!

Cheeky - who will always and forever remember this little story every time May 5th rolls around. Happy Stinko de Mayo everyone!

How do I have so much stuff?

2010-05-04T08:05:00.003-04:00

This past weekend was spent cleaning out and purging in preparation for the move. I currently have 8 big garbage bags full of items to donate and my trash can out front is full and I have 5 more bags to go in it. It really wasn't hard letting some of the stuff go. I was even proud of manchild who really went through the process of purging his room with a minimum of fuss.

We now have a "calender of events" between now and the move with everything that needs to be done and when. It looks like a lot but its nice to have it all down and not have to stress and remember when things need to be done.

I am slowly starting the packing process of things we don't use everyday and also my crafty room. I figure if I can get a box a day and several on the weekends, I should be in good shape come moving time in June. Oh and we have set the move date for June 14 to be out of this house and on the road to SC.

Work is not going so well. Now that I am at the end, all of a sudden they don't want me taking days off. Well, I am sorry but I gave a 5 month notice so that they would have their ducks in a row. It is not my fault they chose to wait until the last minute to try and hire someone. I will be taking the days off because I need to be in SC for the house closing. It seems I may be going out on a bad note....I really don't like that, its not my style, but at the end of the day I have to do what I have to do.

Speaking of closing we are at C minus 13 days and counting. Everything seems to be going good. Need to do some follow up to make sure. I get paranoid around these things.

OH and for those of you that are wondering about the bootay....yeah....still HURTS! Manchild is cute following me around the house during cleaning days so he can pick stuff up for me (bending over at the waist is a pain - I can stoop with my knees slowly but when you are cleaning that is not very productive). He helps me in and out of the car - which I don't really need the help, I can do it, I just have to do it slow but he thinks he needs to help - how cute is that? Driving is really bad. Its basically how the seats are constructed and I have adjusted and readjusted and its just not helping. I am a little concerned that if the bootay doesn't start getting better soon, a 2 day drive will not be possible. The longest I can drive now and tolerate it is about 30-40 mins (which is up from 10 mins so I guess there is some improvement).

Cheeky - who is checking her "calender of events" and can now mark off - new blog post.

An update of sorts.....

2010-04-26T07:52:00.002-04:00

For those of you that aren't on Facebook with me....an update on my bootay....

The fall I took down the steps last week (see previous post and yes, its OK to laugh)apparently did more than just bruise the ego. I have a hairline fracture and a dislocated coccyx. This, my friends, is extremely painful AND the kicker....there is nothing that can be done for it. N.O.T.H.I.N.G. Which means I get to suffer for the next several weeks to months. I have some pain meds but can't take them at work and quite frankly they just make me loopy and nauseous and really don't help with the pain. Driving....is agony. I can handle about 10-15 mins and then I have got to get out of the car. So after working all day (where I now try and stand more than I sit because sitting is not only painful but makes the problem worse - and yes I have a donut pillow) I go straight in the house and put an ice pack on my bootay - yep go ahead - that deserves a visual - I will wait - and its OK to laugh - cause really it is funny.

I can lay on my side or sit on the sofa sort of on my side and be ok except now my hips are getting sore from sitting improperly. Luckily my lower back is not having any issues. Yet.

Walking and standing are no problem. Well, after I get up and move a minute then the pain stops so I see a lot of walking in my future. Guess that is one way to keep me moving - HA! Bending over is a problem. So no toe touching for me. I can bend at the knee and make a big production over trying to pick something up - or I can just yell and get one of the kids to come do it.

So needless to say, I caught up on a lot of movies from Netflix this weekend and stayed in bed a lot trying to rest the problem area. I have a regularly scheduled doc appt tomorrow for my blood work and I think I will get a second opinion to see what else I can do to help get some relief. But from the research I have done, I am not hopeful.

On a happier note, the purchase of the new house is going along nicely. Inspections are done. Everything looks good - just one or two minor issues. Getting everything lined up for closing next month.

Cheeky - who hopes her bootay gets better sooner rather than later...because I am moving soon - woohooo!

Are you kidding me?

2010-04-21T08:04:00.002-04:00

I have said it before and I will say it again....this house, the one that I currently live in, is trying to kill me. I can't tell you how many times I have fallen down the stairs in this house since living here and this morning was no exception.

Here is the scene: I am sitting at the top of the stairs petting Kitty Girl cause she was showing a little affection. That right there should have been my first clue that something just wasn't quite right. She finally has enough (after about 30 seconds) so I get up to go back downstairs and make myself some breakfast before my shower. Yeah, didn't work out so well. I take one step.....one little step down....and the next thing I know I am at the bottom of the flight of stairs, on my bootay, covered in hot coffee and in pain. Yep. The bootay is now in pain. So I sat there for a litle while, still covered in coffee cause I couldn't move just yet. Fat Jack (the boy cat) comes to see what the crap just happened or he may have been laughing - I am not sure yet. Kitty Girl just stood at the top of the stairs and looked at me like...."I didn't do it" - I am sure she was laughing. After a few minutes, I manage to get up and get the coffee cleaned up off the floor and myself. I sort of hurt to move. I hurt to sit. I don't think I broke anything....just a nice bruise but its going to make for an interesting day at work if standing hurts and sitting hurts.

Cheeky - who should be moving in about six weeks - unless this house kills me first.

Time keeps on slippin....slippin....slippin....

2010-04-16T05:52:00.002-04:00

Wow - I was looking at the calendar the other day and realized that my move is coming up.....very very soon. Well, not soon enough if you ask me but soon enough to know that I have a lot of work to do in the meantime. We have the house decision made and closing on May 14.

Now its time to decide, move myself or pay someone. Ordinarily, I would just say pay someone but.....I can save a considerable amount of cash to do it myself. AND since we are getting rid of a lot of stuff (read that as purging, throwing out, donating, selling, etc) and getting new furniture down there, it may just make sense to do it ourselves. I may regret this statement down the road when I am in the midst of packing and unpacking. The decision isn't final yet. But I may start packing a few things here and there in the meantime.

I have cleaned out my closet and dresser and have several LARGE over flowing bags fo clothes to donate. I can't wear them any more (cause they are too big - woot woot) so I am just getting rid of them. My closet is looking pretty thin but I am only buying essentials until the move. My crafty room may be where I start doing some cleaning, purging and packing this weekend. I have a lot of work to do in there. I know of one project that I am going to do by mid may. A girl I work with is leaving the company and has been there for 10 years. There are lots of pictures and memories for her so I decided to do a scrapbook for her gift. It should be a fairly quick and easy project so I think I will be fine with starting to pack a few things.

Of course I have lots going on but I am trying to be better about blogging. I am sure that once I am moved and settled I will have lots of time for blogging.....but now....not so much.

Cheeky - who is up way to early on a Friday....its going to be a looooooong day.

Memories are a funny thing.....

2010-04-14T22:18:00.003-04:00

Funny how the smallest thing will bring the fondest memories. So I was watching TV the other night and AT&T has this new commercial using a song from the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Now I have seen this movie hundreds.....yes literally hundreds of times. I can quote it for you if you would like. But when I saw this commercial....and heard this song I immediately went to my childhood and was reminded of the first time I saw this movie. I was young...very young and staying with my Granny in Lincolnton, NC for a few days. I remember it was warm so it must have been the summer since I was out of school. She had cable TV (we didn't). And Willy Wonka was showing on HBO. I immediately fell in love with this movie from the first time I saw it. Sitting there, on her chair, drinking chocolate milk and being mesmerized. I am not sure I moved for the whole thing. When I saw the AT&T commercial all of the memories of that visit sort of flooded back and I smiled when I thought of my Granny.

Cheeky - who in honor of her Granny is singing......sing along with me.....

Status update

2010-04-02T06:21:00.004-04:00

OK so after 2 full days of going in and out of houses, we have narrowed it down to 3 - with the house with the pool coming in third. I sooooo wanted to love it. And I do love the layout and the style but it is older and needs some love. I don't mind giving it love but there are some other things that are putting it in third - and that is a total bummer.

House #1 and 2....now there is the problem. I can't decide. One is in Lexington. It is newer, has a great yard (landscaping looks professionally done), great floor plan. Big back yard with privacy fence. Room for the boat, room for a shed, room for a garden AND room to build a pool. Like I said....BIG backyard and it is closer to work for Mr. Cheeky. Little further out in "the country". The other house is in the Northeast. Same floor plan as the house with the pool (which is a really great floor plan) but newer. In a subdivision but sits on a lot that is over an acre (part of it is wooded in the back but that just means no one can build right behind me). Decent size back yard - room to build a pool. Not sure I can store the boat in my back yard though (will have to check with the restrictions but I didn't see anybody with anything like that after driving through so....). A little cheaper price wise than the house in Lexington and has been on the market longer so they may be willing to negotiate. Super close to shopping - close to the mall, etc. Which is good and bad. Good because I don't have to go very far but bad on my wallet and traffic could be a concern.

I think at this point....I am leaning toward Lexington. I am going back to both of them again today and will make my decision then. I could go with either one so if the deal falls through on one I will have a back up - which is nice.

After looking at both houses again, we are headed to Carowinds to get our season passes and maybe hit a roller coaster or two on our way to visit the parentals for the weekend.

The weather has been absolutely fabulous! I know after getting here this summer I may whine that its hot...but I really don't think that will happen until NEXT summer. This summer I am just gonna smile cause I am back home in the south!

A hunting I will go.... A hunting I will go....

2010-03-28T20:18:00.002-04:00

Hi ho the merrio....a hunting I will go! That's right - Cheeky here is going HOUSE HUNTING baby!! Can I get a woot woot? Its going to be a busy somewhat stressful trip but also very exciting.

The kids and I leave out on Tuesday after work and will spend the next 6 days in the south looking for the next house to be christened...Chez Cheeky! There are already a few prospects and I am hoping to make the final choice this week. The front runner is a really nice home with a pool. Manchild is pleased to hear that.

I know I have been a little slack....ok ok a LOT slack on keeping up the blog but ....in my defense....I am tired - not just a little tired but really really T.I.R.E.D. I have lots of great and wonderful and witty things to say....but by the time I get home and settled and ready to write....its time to crash! I will get better....cause I do miss blogging. I took some time to go back and read some past posts and wow....I had forgotten some of the things that had happened. So yeah, I need to keep this up a little better if even for my own purposes. But come on....be honest...y'all know y'all like lurking - HA!

In my absence, you will be pleased to know that I have still been singing.....and this time....in PUBLIC!! Oh yes, me and a little karaoke.....and there are pics to prove it! Once I get copies you know I am gonna share them.....

Cheeky - who is packing and getting ready to go buy a new house!

Well, I meant to update....

2010-02-22T07:46:00.003-05:00

So last week, I had lots to say and no time to say it. Now, I forget what I was gonna say. This is why I must blog when I get the idea - otherwise it just disappears. So I will just pick up here instead of trying to figure out what I was gonna say.

This weekend was a really fun one and went by too fast. Saturday we went to the water park and whew, I was tuckered out by the end of the day. The water park is about a mile and a half from the house. So we went early, swam and played then came home and had lunch, ran errands and then went back. Stayed till early evening and came home for dinner. At that point we could have went back but we were all pretty tuckered out - including manchild. By the time dinner was done we were all ready for bed.

Sunday we got some things cleaned out and packed up. Went to pick up the boat out of storage so Mr. Cheeky could take it down south. I did a little research on a new device for my kitties when we move. Its called a cat genie (just google it). I currently have a litter robot but I think the genie may be the way to go with the new house. Speaking of the new house, we are still undecided on whether to build or buy. At this point, we are looking at new construction in progress or maybe a model home or something. Again, not sure. I will be planning a trip down in the next couple weeks to make the final call.

We did get our taxes completed and filed this weekend. Glad to have that out of the way. Getting a little bit back. Not a huge amount but much better than paying that is for sure.

We also got our computer cleaned up. Last weekend we were hit with a pretty nasty virus and it took forever to get it cleaned up. But its clean. I was almost to the point of buying a new computer. Only because this one is several years old and while it runs OK I wasn't about to put a lot of money into it when I could just get a new one and then reformat this one to play on....know what I mean? But in the end we were able to save this one and life goes on.

Cheeky - who is headed off to work.....

Few more bullets...pew...pew

2010-02-12T08:34:00.002-05:00

*I am taking the day off....cause I wanna....its gonna be a 4 day weekend for me....don't hate.

*After making the manchild french toast this morning the house will be ALL.MINE....don't hate.

*I may make some plans for our upcoming move back south (don't hate) - but that is debatable.

*Kittygirl is doing some serious loving on me last night and this morning.

*Survivor started last night and I LOVE.IT!

*Happy Heart Day to everyone out there!

Cheeky - who is off to do whatever she wants...don't hate

Its Bullet Point Time...pew..pew...pew (thats the sound of bullets y'all)

2010-02-09T07:13:00.004-05:00

*I saw Hangover this weekend for the first time Friday night. How in the world did y'all let me go this long without watching it? Seriously funny. Lots of laugh out loud moments. I spent the rest of the weekend quoting that movie. So next time when something that good is out there....tell me. Mmmmkay?

*OK here is a little TMI for you. My skin is seriously itchy! This dry air is killing me. I walk around clawing at my tummy of all things. Been using tons of moisturizer. Not helping. Slept with the humidifier last night. Will continue this for a few days to see if that helps.

*One word - SNOW - enough said.

*WoW - I may need an intervention. But I am a 73 and want an 80 so bad I can't stand it. (for those of you that play you will understand that statement and if you don't play well - you should).

*I get two 4 day weeks - woot woot. I am taking this Friday off (just cause I wanna) and I have off next Monday. Don't hate.

*Still debating the build or buy option - I need to hurry up and make a decision. To quote a movie: "Sometimes if you don't make a choice, the choice makes you" (and HUGE kudos if you know the movie it comes from - I will tell ya later in the comments after you have had a chance to guess - here is a clue - comic book.)

*I had a dream this morning and woke up (at 4:30am) with high blood pressure and furious (not just mad but FURIOUS) with my kids. From.a.dream. Luckily I have time to calm down before they get up. Isn't it funny how dreams can make you mad?

*OK that is all I have for you (and yes, this needed its own bullet).

Cheeky - (who is getting serious for a moment) - Remembers her FIL - we lost him one year ago today. Miss you Big O.

Not a lot going on

2010-02-05T07:57:00.002-05:00

Yeah, its sort of boring around Chez Cheeky these days.

I have been using the new treadmill regularly. Its good for me....right?.

I will be putting the finishing touches on the cards this weekend. If you want on the list, speak now otherwise you will miss out.

Members of the house are getting the sniffles and crud like symptoms....they better keep them to themselves....just sayin.

I have tickets to Bon Jovi in April. I hear they added a second show. I think I may need to get tickets for that one too.

That's it - that's all I got.....kinda sad isn't it?

And now its time to make decisions....

2010-02-03T08:07:00.002-05:00

So, with the upcoming move, I have been looking at houses for sale. There are quite a bit to choose from. But I have time. So, the idea was brought up to build. Now do I build or buy? There are arguments on each side. But at this point in time I am leaning toward building. I have never built a home before, always bought (although I always said that if I was ever going to build it would be the house I would stay in and not move again - but that is not the case here). After looking at what is on the market and preliminary (very preliminary) looking at builders it seems that I can build cheaper. Let me say that again....in a down market where foreclosures abound it looks like I can build cheaper. Amazing isn't it? And there is the issue of time....I have that luxury and can be flexible in my relo date. Of course there is a lot more research to do but that is what the thought is now....but if ya'll know anything about me that will change....and change again HA!

Oh and a side note: For those of you that are wondering. I LOVE the new treadmill and have already been on it - running. Yeah, you read that right....running. Me. And manchild may or may not have taken a video of me doing said running with his cell phone. I will neither confirm nor deny the existence of said video.

Cheeky - who is off in search of manchild's phone - there's some deleting to be done.

I like to move it move it....

2010-02-01T04:45:00.001-05:00

This was one of the laziest weekends I have had so far this year. Did a few things around the house, played a little (ok ok a LOT) of WoW, did some laundry, watched some movies. Yeah, pretty lazy....but I LIKE IT! And...it was topped off with the delivery of my....new....treadmill courtesy of Sears. Thank you Sears - you are the best.

The dudes that came to deliver and set up - now they know what they are doing. Bing, bang, boom and it was done. Seriously, it would have taken me the entire weekend to figure out that set up but not them - they are the pros. But it is one sweet treadmill. Brand spankin new. And with the new treadmill goes my excuses for not getting on it - damnit! Kidding kidding....well sorta. I am excited to have it and get back on it.

Can't say that I am excited about the work week. No no I am NOT getting short timers attitude. Its just that its Monday.....and I have to give orientation every Monday. And it the same stuff - over and over. I try to make it funny but they just stare at me....like I have two heads or something. I just want to say (ok sometimes I do say it) "lighten up people - you have to go through this once, I go through it EVERY.WEEK." - that usually gets them. Perhaps I will get a little extra go go juice this morning...AFTER my treadmill....and show up perky. That'll show 'em.

Cheeky - who is singing..... I like to move it move it....I like to move it move it....I like to move it move it... I like to...MOVE IT! (and yes, I am singing it like they do in Madagascar....just in case you wondered)

For those of you not on Facebook....

2010-01-28T05:12:00.000-05:00

I have made my "announcement". And so I am going to make it here too. The Snow Trapped Southern Girl will no longer be "snow trapped" as of June of this year. That's right....southern girl is going home! I am moving back to South Carolina. Back to the land of Merita bread and Dukes Mayo and the Piggly Wiggly.

The only reason I am waiting until June is because I promised teenage daughter I would not move until she graduated. Its a sacrifice....but I am a mom....that's what we do right? Right?

Manchild is ok with the move - he really doesn't care as long as we get a pool he said. I think I can accommodate that request.

Now of course moving does come with its "problems". Mainly, what will I rename the blog? I may have to hold a contest or something.....

Cheeky - who is ready for the warm weather....

I know I complain a lot

2010-01-26T08:23:00.002-05:00

But really.....being this busy at work is just not right. I mean, I need time to goof off right? Something must be done about this....pronto! HA!

Last weekend was a good one. It was cold and rainy but that didn't really bother me. Watched Angels and Demons on DVD. It was better than I thought it would be. Of course its been a couple years since I read the book so I didn't remember every tiny detail that was left out of the movie. I think that is what ruined the movie of the DaVinci Code for me. I had just finished reading the book and remember every little thing they left out.

I was a little disappointed they didn't give a lot of attention to the ambigrams in the movie. I thought that part was really interesting. But that just may be the crafty/arty part of me.

Valentines cards are 80% complete. I will have them done by this weekend and in the mail by the next.

Cheeky - who is headed out to get poked by needles (its time for lab work).

Friday....

2010-01-22T07:47:00.002-05:00

This has been one of the longest "short" weeks in recent history. I am soooo glad that the weekend is upon us. Of course I have tons to do around the house and then there is the Monster Jam Truck Show on Saturday night and the football game on Sunday....but its ok. I like that kind of busy. The kind that I control.

Sounds like I have been complaining a lot lately. Hmmmmm I have to think about that because I don't want to be a whiner.....well unless I can get something out of whining. I think I know where it is all coming from.....but I can't talk about it.....yet. BUT....I will be able to very very soon. The seed has been planted and the hints have been dropped.....

Cheeky - who wonders if she is being mysterious enough.....

John Edwards

2010-01-21T09:23:00.002-05:00

Just needs to shut up and go crawl under a rock never to be heard from again. That sorry excuse of a man can't tell the truth if his life depended on it.

That.is.all.

She likes me

2010-01-19T06:55:00.003-05:00

Kitty Girl that is. Little miss priss who won't let anyone cuddle or snuggle spent 2 hours laying with me this morning in bed and is now beside me as I type. Think she knows I have to go back to work this morning?

She hasn't been really snuggly since I went to GA for the new year. I think she wanted to go and well, she is the type to hold grudges. I guess she is over that now.

I am not - let me repeat that - NOT wanting to go to work today. I enjoyed having my extra day off yesterday. Luckily its a short week, but that also means it will be busy.

Cheeky - who is off to get her first cup of go go juice for the morning and singing....9 to 5

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
Yawnin', stretchin', try to come to life
Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin'
Out on the streets
The traffic starts jumpin'
And folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
Its all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
Its enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5, for service and devotion
You would think that i
Would deserve a fair promotion
Want to move ahead
But the boss wont seem to let me in
I swear sometimes that man is out to get me
Mmmmm...

They let your dream
Just a watch em shatter
You're just a step
On the boss mans a ladder
But you got dream hell never take away

On the same boat
With a lot of your friends
Waitin' for the day
Your ship'll come in
And the tides gonna turn
An it's all gonna roll you away

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by
Its all takin'
And no givin'
They just use your mind
And you never get the credit
Its enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you think about it don't you
Its a rich mans game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin' money in his wallet

Workin' 9 to 5
What a way to make a livin
Barely gettin' by
Its all takin'
And no givin'
They just use you mind
And they never give you credit
Its enough to drive you
Crazy if you let it

9 to 5, yeah, they got you where they want you
There's a better life
And you dream about it don't you
Its a rich mans game
No matter what they call it
And you spend your life
Puttin money in his wallet

Wherein I spurt out randomness.....

2010-01-18T05:37:00.001-05:00

It may help to keep track of my craziness if I use bullets...

**First and foremost - Happy Anniversary to my Mommy and Daddy!

**I have started the valentines creations. They are pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. I will be sending them out to the usual group but if you are new (and lurking....I see you out there) and want to be added to the list - just shoot me a note and I will add you. You won't be sorry. Just ask those that are already on the list.

**It was practically bikini weather this weekend - it hit the 30s! And rumor has it it will be in the upper 20's lower 30's all week. Now where is my sunscreen?

**Picked out my new treadmill yesterday. And you know how much I am paying for it? Zip, Zilch, Nada....that's right - Sears is picking up the tab....good thing I got the extended warranty. AND the new one is much fancier with more bells and whistles than my old one - woot woot! I love Sears - best customer service EVER! They get it right!

**So glad today is a holiday. I like having an extra day just to veg a little.

**Did ya watch that Vikings/Cowboys game yesterday?

**Yesterday while shopping there was a song playing over the load speaker....I found my self singing out loud....in the store....with people around.....looking at me. I thought about breaking into a dance and really giving them a show.

**24 started last night....now there is another night of the week where I won't get anything done. Monday 24, Tuesday and Wednesday American Idol, and then starting in Feb - Thursday will be Survivor night......yep my productivity around Chez Cheeky is about to come to a screeching halt.

**Maybe I am dating myself here - but did you watch the new show Human Target last night before 24? The show itself isn't great but the main dude on there....he reminds me of a young Lee Majors (hello....The Six Million Dollar Man...the Fall Guy?) - looks like he could be his son or something.

OK that's enough randomness for one day.....

Cheeky - who is off to sing and enjoy her holiday.....

Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate
Just one day out of life
It would be, it would be so nice

Everybody spread the word
We're gonna have a celebration
All across the world
In every nation
It's time for the good times
Forget about the bad times, oh yeah
One day to come together
To release the pressure
We need a holiday

If we took a holiday
Took some time to celebrate (Come on lets celebrate)
Just one day out of life (holiday)
It would be, it would be so nice

You can turn this world around
And bring back all of those happy days
Put your troubles down
It's time to celebrate
Let love shine
And we will find
A way to come together
And make things better
We need a holiday

If we took a holiday (holiday)
Took some time to celebrate (celebrate)
Just one day out of life (just one day)
It would be, it would be so nice

Holiday Celebrate
Holiday Celebrate

If we took a holiday (oh yeah oh yeah)
Took some time to celebrate (come on let's celebrate)
Just one day out of life (holiday)
It would be, it would be so nice

Holiday (oh yeah oh yeah) Celebrate (come on lets celebrate)

Its that time of year again....

2010-01-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

AMERICAN IDOL!!! Ahh yes, that time of year where at least at this point there are two nights a week I won't get anything accomplished because I will be in front of the TV!

So far this season I am pleased. I have liked the guest judges (Mary J Blige was crackin me up last night). There are a few early favorites (just be cause I like them not necessarily because I think they will win).

I am anxious to see how Ellen is going to do. I have high hopes. I was going to do a loooong post critiquing each one but that will come later, after they have it narrowed down. Your excited...I can tell....hahaha

Cheeky - who is doing her mic check....check check....is this thing on?

Focus

2010-01-12T08:01:00.002-05:00

I am having issues focusing at work. I am sort of all over the place these days. I think that there is so much on my plate that I do a little hear and a little there and well nothing ever gets completed. This is not my style. Oh I am good at multi-tasking but I am usually good at completion in the process. I think part of it it was the whole office move and then the holidays and just not having any normalcy. This of course should be changing now that all of that is over with. Of course then there are days like today, when I am motivated to get things DONE but nooooo I have to spend the day off site at a forum. I really don't want to pull any long hours to get it the way it needs to be....but its looking like that may happen.....

Cheeky - who needs to get things done!

Clearance Clarence....

2010-01-11T05:20:00.002-05:00

Oh how I love a good clearance sale. This weekend I headed out to Kohl's in the Grove to use one of my gift cards I got for Christmas and can you say SCORE!!!! I got $200 worth of stuff for only $40! That is not a bad deal. There were a few other things I could have gotten, but they didn't have my size....cause it was all...TOO BIG! Love that. I may hit the Kohl's that is right up the street this week just to see what they have.

Otherwise the weekend was pretty uneventful for us....but if you were to ask Kitty Girl she would tell you it was traumatic. She got her chest shaved....again. Being Himalayan her fur has a tendency to get matted on her chest and it mats really close to her skin and well the only way to fix it, is to shave it. Of course you can't even tell to look at her - she is just a giant fur ball anyway.

Cheeky - who is singing (that's right y'all - I'm singing again)....It's just another Manic Monday .....

Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream

But I can't be late
Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made

It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday

Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an aeroplane
I still couldn't make it on time

Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train
When the bus is already there

It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday

All of the nights
Why did my lover have to pick last night
To get down
Doesn't it matter
That I have to feed the both of us
Employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
Time it goes so fast
When you're having fun

It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
Cause that's my funday
An I-don't-have-to-run day
It's just another manic Monday

Interesting...

2010-01-08T08:40:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I received this comment from an anonymous source:

"Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!"

Funny thing is the comment was left on a post that was dated 11/30/2006!!! Over 3 years ago. Now, the question is.....did this person bookmark that particular post, has been lurking since then, and just decided to comment there? Either way, the comment was really nice and really made my day....so I hope who ever it was that left it, continues to read....and critique me (good, bad, indifferent). Because I really like writing....even if it is just a blog.

Cheeky....who may never know who my anonymous commenter is.....

Ok so yesterday totally felt like a Monday....

2010-01-06T04:30:00.001-05:00

And actually it was my Monday but...still....it was a bootay kicker of a day. I don't like being quite THAT busy....but its job security right? (just agree with me here mmmkay?)

Luckily with me starting my week on a Tuesday that just means Friday will get her that much sooner. See, I can look on the bright side.....maybe....for a minute....

I am feeling a little crafty so I am thinking its time to start working on some Valentine designs. I have so many hearty cutesy type stamps that well....its just so hard to decide. I love them all so. And well, when you send out Valentine's in mass you have to be careful not to be too mushy....know what I mean?

Cheeky - who is ready to get her craft on!

I think someone missed his Mommy

2010-01-05T07:52:00.002-05:00

After a day of traveling (driving 3 hrs and then flying 3 hrs) and then sitting in rush hour traffic (took over an hour to get home), and then coming straight in to cook dinner (didn't want anymore take out) and unpack.....when I finally sit down to relax a little, good ol fat jack jumps up in my lap.

No comments on the night gown please...yes, its striped....yes, its long sleeve...yes, it comes down to my ankles....its cold here so just hush up mmmkay? Oh and EA...honey do you see what my fat boy has his tail wrapped around? In my absence he decided to adopt a flamingo....now its his baby.

Cheeky - who is NOT ready to get back to work.....

Back to life......

2010-01-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

Back to reality....back to the here and now....yeah.....

This morning as you are reading this I will be leaving Valdosta and driving to Atlanta with the manchild to catch a plane back to the frozen tundra. Had a good visit. On Saturday we went to Wild Adventures and while it was chilly it was one of the best theme park visits I have ever had. Absolutely NO waiting in lines. It was great. The weather was nice but after the sun went down it did get a wee bit chilly.

Oh and I have a pic of me hand feeding some birds. Of course I have to wait to post it because they are not on my phone.

Tomorrow it is back to work and reality again for a while.

Cheeky - who is ready to plan another trip.

I know I know

2010-01-01T08:52:00.002-05:00

You have heard it ALL before but this time....I think I mean it...well at least I am gonna try anyway....no no no - I am gonna do it! I am going to get back to blogging in 2010. I have lots of new and exciting things that are going to be happening this year and I just know that I am going to want to share them. So, my resolution this year is to blog.....daily....well at least during the week. I will allow myself breaks for holidays and vacations and the like.....but I will blog at least a little something daily.

Now I could recap 2009 but lets face it.....the beginning of 2009 totally stunk up the joint and well....it didn't really turn around until June. BUT....the important thing is that it did turn around. So instead I will I share my New Year's Eve. I am down in GA for the new year.....and lets just say it beats being up in the cold cold cold of MN. Manchild and I are down here visiting with my cousins (teenage daughter has the house to herself....on New Year's Eve...now I am not naive enough to think there wasn't a party at Chez Cheeky...but I will just say - sometimes ignorance really is bliss - HA...actually she was at a friend's house with parental supervision for the evening or so I am told and we will just leave it at that). He didn't know he had quite so many cousins on this side of the family. He met some of them once or twice before but he was little and quite a few more have been added since that time....last night he had some quality time with his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins. I think he had a really good time.

I bonded with my cousin Linda and we talked about how much weight I have lost (41 lbs in the last few months - woot woot) and how I should just throw out anything that is too big and get all new stuff (in case you didn't know - Linda likes to shop). She also said that I needed to go and buy myself some lacy draws (that would be lacy panties for you non-southern speaking people). And so that is what we are gonna do today....for the first day of the new year, Linda and I are going to continue to bond and go buy me some lacy draws to start the new year right.

Cheeky - who thinks everyone needs something new for the new year.....so go out there and stimulate the economy....buy you some lacy draws!

See that little ticker to the right....

2009-11-16T08:10:00.001-05:00

Yeah the one with the New Moon countdown? Notice how it only has 4 days left...woohooo.

Went this weekend to see 2012. It was what I expected. It ran about 45 mins longer than it should have. Some scenes were a little drawn out. A few too many "close calls" but that is what you expect from this type of flick. The special effects were good. If you like this sort of movie - see it on the big screen for the effects.

Office move went well last week. Still lot of organizing to do in my new office but it will be ok.

Ready to start my Christmas shopping but I needs lists. I better get the lists soon....cause this here Cheeky doesn't do last minute shopping....oh no no. Too stressful.

So....come on.....tell Cheeky Claus what you want for Christmas....

I - wanna rock and roll all night.....

2009-11-06T10:01:00.001-05:00

And party every day!!!!

Tomorrow night - I am heading out to the KISS concert. I am debating on whether or not I want to don the make-up. I think it would just be fun.

Other than that - no really big plans on the agenda for the weekend. Maybe clean out a closet or something like that - I know you all must be trying not to be jealous over that one.

Bon Jovi tickets are on sale too....I will be purchasing that as well. Manchild has insisted on being my date. I told him he would have to take me out to dinner first - he just laughed.

Hope ya'll have a GREAT weekend!

Once again....the manchild never ceases to amaze....

2009-11-02T07:15:00.002-05:00

Dateline Saturday morning. Its Saturday so everyone is sleeping in but me (I can never sleep past 7) so I go downstairs to sit by the fire and read. At around ummmm 8:40ish manchild gets up, promptly comes into my bedroom and yells at Mr. Cheeky and says....."Why didn't you wake me up?!?" Manchild, clearly agitated and frustrated stomps back out to go to his room, get dressed, go downstairs, eat a poptart and then comes back up to say "OK I am going now see ya later".....wait....what?....going where?

Mr. Cheeky: Manchild, where are you going?
Manchild: School...
Mr. Cheeky: What?
Insert strange look on manchild's face?

They come downstairs to me where I am sitting by the fire reading the latest book of Sookie Stackhouse (thanks EA!) and proceed to tell me. Where I start to laugh. Really laugh. I mean a belly laugh. And then I am trying NOT to laugh cause it hurts the incision where my gallbladder was removed last week - I swear I thought I was gonna bust a stitch or two. But the look on manchild's face was priceless.

Cheeky: Manchild? Where are you going?
Manchild: School
Cheeky: Why? Its Saturday!
Manchild: Huh?
(me and Mr. Cheeky rolling at this point - dazed and confused look on manchild's face)
Mr. Cheeky: You shouldn't have told him....(laughing) you should have let him go (more laughing)

Yep, never a dull moment at Chez Cheeky......

Very Busy Day....

2009-10-26T07:13:00.003-04:00

Today is going to be a very busy day today at work. Not only am I prepping to be out for two weeks but I am also getting things in order for the office move. The week I return to the office we will be moving to our new building.

Also, today is a "clear liquids only" kinda day in prep for surgery tomorrow. So yeah, on top of being really really busy I am gonna be really really tired and have no energy.

I spent some quality time in my crafty room yesterday cleaning things up and organizing from doing Halloween cards. I hope that while I am out of work I can come up with my Christmas design and get a jump on my Christmas cards.

OK so I better get to work.......

I love people that can laugh

2009-10-22T07:46:00.002-04:00

I had my pre-op doc visit last night. What a hoot. I have found a new doc! I saw this particular doctor when I had my physical back in August. My regular doc was on maternity leave. Well I liked the new one and when I needed to schedule my pre-op I asked for him. I don't think I have ever laughed so much at a doctor's visit. FUNNY! He is also a lover of books and we started talking about that and he made a few suggestions for me. I told him "ok, I'm gonna go get these books and if I read them and don't like them I am gonna call you and fuss and tell you I want X days out of my life back!" He thought that was funny. The topic moved to celebrities and we both have an appreciation for those that can laugh at themselves. Case in point - William Shatner. What a hoot! So of course the doc tells me about a CD that William put out where he is singing in the voice of Capt Kirk and then the doc proceeded to show me what he was talking about by imatating it. Hilarious! I am sure the nurses wondered what was going on....but then again they work with him so I am sure they are used to it.

So, yeah, I am changing primary docs. Why couldn't I have found this guy when I first moved?

Back to work

2009-10-21T07:10:00.002-04:00

The retreat for work was pretty fun. I laughed a lot and now I have a few "inside" jokes. I learned to play cribbage. I have never played and each year there is a "tournament" and apparently its hard core. So I thought I would give it a shot. They said the tournament usually lasts until about midnight. I thought to myself "pffft I will be out by the first game so no worries". Yeah, right. I made it to the semifinals and came in 3rd for the entire tournament so of course I had to stay for the final round. I have now been designated as "the one to watch" for future tournaments.

So lets get caught up...shall we?

2009-10-19T07:05:00.002-04:00

Last week was one big blur. I have been so busy I turned around and the week was gone! Work is busy busy. Home is busy busy - ok busy goofing off but that totally counts. So here are a few random things to get us back on track.

I will be having surgery on the 27th and will be out of work two weeks so I have been busy trying get things ready for that. Try to get things prepped and ready for someone to step in and keep things running. I will be in the hospital two days and actually be out of the office two weeks but its my plan to do some work from home the second week. I said that was my plan....doesn't mean that it will happen. It will depend.

Flowers, gifts, and flamingos of all shapes and sizes will be appreciated during my time of recovery and just may speed along the process (hint hint HA!).

Halloween cards are made, addressed, and ready to be mailed! I plan on sending them toward the end of this week. I have a few extra so if you want one just email me with your addy and its yours! Now its time to start coming up with my Christmas card ideas. I am thinking simple might be the way to go this year. Not sure yet.

Fall has returned (instead of winter) and the weekend was very nice. Sunny with a little nip in the air. Just the way fall should be. So we got somethings taken care of outside in prep for winter. Got the flower bed tilled under, the boat winterized and put in storage, sprinkler system blown out, hoses drained and put away.

So that is it....not exciting but hey....I am ok with that!

Its snowing....

2009-10-12T08:27:00.002-04:00

Again....as I type.....this is going to be a loooooooong winter.

This weekend was a little on the lazy side. Played some WoW. Finished up a big chunk of my Halloween cards. Just a few more to go and then I will be mailing them out next week.

Saturday I went to the Rubberstamp Expo down at the fairgrounds in St. Paul. I always enjoy this show and I always spend too much money. The fall one is usually smaller than the spring show. I did get some really cute stamps though and I am anxious to use them.

Now it is the start of yet ANOTHER week....Here we go....

Its too early for this stuff

2009-10-09T07:25:00.003-04:00

Tonight....in the forecast....S.N.O.W! I can't like it. Not on October 9 for Pete's sake! Yes, it will only be a little bit. Yes, it will melt and go away rather quickly but you are missing the point. Its is OCTOBER 9 and its gonna snow!?!?

Cheeky - who is off to get a warm sweatshirt....

On this date.....

2009-10-08T07:34:00.001-04:00

11 years ago......

The Manchild was born!

Happy Birthday! Tonight we will dine at your restaurant of choice. This weekend we will do what YOU want to do! It is your weekend buddy!

TRIFECTA!!

2009-10-07T07:23:00.000-04:00

First the Vikings won on Monday night football against the Packers. Then the Twins won last night (in 12 innings) against the Tigers....then....my WILD won in their home opener in OT against the Ducks. Yes, it has been a GREAT couple of days for sports around these parts!!!

I love Friday!

2009-10-02T07:37:00.002-04:00

Not only because it is Friday but also because I have a little routine on Friday's. I stop and get a "foo foo" coffee instead of making it at home. The coffee dude knows its Friday when he sees me and knows exactly what I am going to order and makes it perfect every time.

That my friends is good customer service.

An unpost....

2009-09-30T07:34:00.001-04:00

See...I am busy today and don't have time to do a "real" post but by typing this, it is sort of a post so I am calling it an unpost....Anyway something better will be along tomorrow.....now back to work for me.

Revenge is sweet

2009-09-29T07:12:00.001-04:00

Just ask Kittygirl. You will recall that last week I took the clippers to her to remove a few mats in her fur? Well, this weekend, Saturday morning to be exact, I was sitting at my dining room table. In the center of said table was a very lovely Compote Bowl from Princess House (was is the key word here). Now this piece of crystal has moved with me ummmm no less than 6 times with not even a scratch. Well, not anymore. Kitty was walking around doing her "look at me even though I don't want you to touch me" routine. There were some papers laying on top of the bowl that she thought she needed to read or something because she sort of sat up and swatted them down trying to get attention.....along with the Compote.....that managed to shatter on impact. Not just one or two little pieces....but lots of little tiny ones.

Never let it be said that cats don't take revenge....cause mine obviously do.

Cheeky who is off to find a Princess House rep to replace my compote!

Totally Lazy

2009-09-28T07:37:00.002-04:00

Yes, that was me this weekend.....L.A.Z.Y. And it was.....AWESOME! The fall finally arrived and the air was cool. Went shopping for lots of great crock pot meals this week. Last night we had baked salmon (obviously not in the crock pot) with sour slaw and baked taters. Tonight its roast (we will also have steamed veggies on the side). Mmmmmmm nice warm comfort foods and crisp fall air......LOVE IT!

We were going to go to a festival yesterday and maybe an apple orchard but the wind was whipping something fierce. Actually it still is today. So we just went to the movies and hung out around the house. Went to see Surrogates - the new Bruce Willis flick.....ummmmm rental ....wait for the rental. I did see the trailer for 2012 again....I want to see that. Not sure how good the plot will be but I definitely want to see it for the special effects. Saw the trailer for Avatar too. The jury is still out on that one.

So, what did you do this weekend?

Finally Friday

2009-09-25T07:16:00.002-04:00

Man.....it took long enough getting here didn't it?

It hasn't been a particularly stressful week. I haven't had any major issues. I think I am just ready to veg for a little bit. I have a few things pop up at work but I am not even stressed about them because well....its DUMB! I mean really dumb. As in I can't believe you are going to complain about me for following THE LAW dumb. Seriously? At first I got a little irked but then I just laughed....it was quite funny.

I am not sure what my weekend plans are. I am supposed to do a charity event but I have yet to register.....cause I am a slacker. So we will see if that happens.

Been feeling a little cranky as of late. Must be the vitamin D deficiency. Of course I will be using that little excuse for as long as I can....hey milk it for all its worth right?

Cheeky - who is dusting off her microphone....(check...check).....for a little George Jones.....come on now - sing with me, you know you want to.....

I got a hundred dollars smokin' in my billfold
I know I oughta save it but it's burnin' a hole
Right through my pocket and into my skin
Come Monday morning I'll be broke again.

It's finally Friday
I'm free again
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
I'm outta' control
Forget the workin' blues
And let the good times roll.

I got a little sugar baby down the road
She's sittin' on a radio and rockin' on roll
We'll dance up a storm and later all night
We'll be workin' on doin' all the wrong things right.

It's finally Friday
I'm free again
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
I'm outta' control
Forget the workin' blues
And let the good times roll.

Monday, I'll be hurtin with my head in a vice
Tuesday, I'll be wonderin' if I'll ever survive
Wednesday and Thursday, I'll be slowly tunin' in
Friday, I'll be revin' up my motor again.

It's finally Friday
I'm free again
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
I'm outta' control
Forget the workin' blues
And let the good times roll.

It's finally Friday
I got my motor running for a wild weekend
It's finally Friday
Forget the workin' blues
And let the good times roll...

I know its only Thursday....

2009-09-24T07:32:00.003-04:00

But it should really be Friday. For some reason I have been thinking today was going to be Friday. Wishful thinking I guess. I don't have much, just a few random things....

*For those keeping up on Y&R - the stash got shot?!?! Oh the horror....Oh the drama...

*Hell's Kitchen is on the downward slide and will be finished soon.

*Survivor is in full swing....I have a few favs already....woot woot!

*My Halloween cards are coming along nicely....and I must say...they look very Halloweeny!

That's is - that is all I have for the day....tomorrow's post will be better....I hope

Its Official....

2009-09-23T07:27:00.002-04:00

This state is bad for my health. I am vitamin D deficient. And not just a little bit either. Apparently a lot of people in MN are deficient and just don't know it. Something about the lack of sun and then the angle of it when we do have it...blah blah blah. Oh and when I do go outside - because I am pale white like a vampire (hehe) I tend to use sunscreen. Yeah, good for not looking like a lobster (which I tend to do) but not so good if you want to get vitamin D from the sun.

Good thing is that I am finding out before the "winter blues" set in (yes, D deficiency is a key factor in that too...oh joy). I have a prescription for 50,000IU of vitamin D (the stuff you get over the counter is only 1,000IU so ummmm I don't wanna take 50 pills at once). Should be better in a couple of weeks.

Cheeky who says....I knew this state was bad for me.....

Ever give a cat a hair cut?

2009-09-22T07:14:00.002-04:00

Well, I have....twice. Kitty girl is Himalayan. Girlfriend has got some fur - that likes to mat. Well at the beginning of summer she had a really big one on her chest and it was too big and close to the skin to use scissors. So, out comes the buzz cliper. She didn't seem to mind too much, well once she realized what we were doing. I think she knew that it was going to make her feel better - I can only imagine that having a big ol mat on your chest would hurt a little (you know all the hair pulling and restricting movement)>

Well, last night, the buzz clipper comes out again. This time with two big mats on the back. Once again she didn't put up too much of a fuss. The last time we clipped her it was a place no one would notice if you didn't tell. This time....well....its not pretty. But, it needed to be done. Now, if someone would just brush her regularly we wouldn't have to go through this again.

Cheeky - who says, if you see me coming with a pair of clippers, RUN!

Got my scrap on!

2009-09-21T07:27:00.002-04:00

This weekend was the annual Scrapfest! Had a great time and met some really great ladies. The "giveaways" were not as good as in years past. No, wait, that is not accurate. The giveaways from EK Success were not as good - the ones from Stampendous were FANTABULOUS!!

I did get a very good jumpstart on my Halloween cards and some good ideas for my Christmas cards. I know you what you are thinking....Christmas cards already? But, when you make as many as I do....well it takes time. I won't start of on them until November but I have to start working on ideas now....

That was pretty much my weekend. We did go out to the local town festival and car show. It was nice to get out and walk around a bit.

So, what did you do this weekend?

I always get sucked in.....

2009-09-18T04:58:00.000-04:00

So last night I went and picked up the new Dan Brown novel The Lost Symbol. I haven't started reading yet. I want to. But, I know when I do I will not put it down and I can't do that during the week. I always get sucked in to stories when I read them. I have a pretty active imagination and can visualize the story and put myself there.

Most recently I have been reading the Sookie Stackhouse novels...I am up to book 4 and I LURVE them. I would be reading book 5 right now but....I don't have it yet and well that can cause a problem with reading....when you don't have the book.

Oh and what else do I get sucked in to? CRAFTINESS BABY and this weekend is the start of the crafty season for me. Scrapfest 2009 is this weekend and then it will time for Halloween and Christmas card making - Woot woot!!

Cheeky - who is off to get her craft on!

Its a bird....its a plane....

2009-09-17T05:46:00.000-04:00

Nope…its just the return of your friendly neighborhood Cheeky. I know it has been just a wee little bit since I last updated…so let me give you the recap:

Work…
Work…
Best B-day gift EVAH from my girl EA…
Work…
Uncle John’s Funeral…
Work…
WoW…
Mom and Dad visit…
Work…
WoW…
Work…
MIL visit…
Medical Procedure…
Milk said medical procedure for all it was worth...
Work…
WoW…
State Fair…
Work…
Work…
Rediscovering the crafty mojo…
Work…

Yeah, that about sums it up. See, you didn’t miss much at all. BUT I surely did miss all of you and I will be catching up with you over the coming days.

As some of you know, I have been doing some catching up already with my highschool peeps on facebook! Hmmm maybe facebook is the new blogger? Nah……I don’t think so.

So spread the word….near and far…..CHEEKY IS BACK!

Ahhhhh Rain

2009-06-16T08:17:00.002-04:00

Had a little rain last night which means I slept really really good. Its supposed to be rainy and stormy today....I am ok with that. So is manchild cause crappy weather outside means he can stay inside and play WoW without getting fussed at too much and being told to "get outside". Ha!

My mater plants are looking gooooooood and starting to bloom. I can hardly wait for my very own fresh maters.....

That's all I got this morning....

Monday Monday

2009-06-15T07:52:00.002-04:00

Its actually a beautiful morning....too bad I have to go to work...HA!

This was a busy weekend. Saturday we did a few things around the house and then I headed out to get some new shoes and a hair cut. Totally scored on the shoes. Got the kind I wanted, in the size I needed AND they were on sale! Love it. Totally struck out on the hair cut. Ummmm its short.....and ummm I don't think I like it. Teenage daughter doesn't like it. Manchild said I look different. When I asked "good different or bad different" he said "Bad different". I am not sure yet. But I am leaning toward not liking it. After dinner we, the whole family, yes, including teenage daughter, went fishing at the river. Made a little campfire. Sang the C-A-M-P-F-I-R-E-S-O-N-G Song. Had a good night.

Sunday was volleyball practice where I needed to work on my serves. Yes, I am NOT the volleyball queen but really, I can't be everything now can I? I did get better and then we struck up a little scrimmage with some kids that were there for a graduation party (when I say kids we are talking 18, 19, 20 yr olds). They had about 6 on the team, we had 4. Rally scoring. We won! Woot Woot!!

After volleyball, where I got a nice shade of pink and my neck did too (cause ummm its exposed now...it hasn't seen the sun in years), we headed out to Shakopee to the races. There were a couple really close ones. Didn't get home until 10ish where I promptly died.

So busy busy weekend. How was yours?

I love this

2009-06-12T09:55:00.001-04:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

I'm Skeered

2009-06-11T07:57:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I just don't think I have enough time to prepare for
THIS. Oh the horror.

What?! Two posts in the same week?

2009-06-10T05:07:00.000-04:00

Amazing, I know.

Last night was another WoW marathon. I think I feel carpal tunnel setting in or something. For those of you that are wondering, we have been playing since Sunday and I am a level 11 Night Elf Priestess.....and yes....I am a bad mamma jamma.

I am glad that today is Wednesday and the week seems to be moving along rather quickly. I think the most exicting thing that has happened so far is that I broke a nail last night....it was a really long pinky nail. I am still in mourning. In lieu of flowers please send gift certificates for a mani/pedi.

Summer is full force for teenage daughter and the manchild. I will give them about a week before I start with the chores. I know...I am too good to them.

That's what's happening here at Chez Cheeky - what's happening in your neck of the woods?

Wonder where I have been???

2009-06-09T07:57:00.002-04:00

Yeah, me too. I didn't realize it had been so long since my last update. Well let's see.....I will give you some bullet points.

* I have discovered Geocashing and been going to lots of parks and riding bikes.

* I have been going 4-wheeling.

* I have been gaining weight (I didn't say everything I have been doing was good).

* I have joined the volleyball team at work and we have games every Thursday (we were beat down last week...but we had a blast doing it).

* And most recently I have been addicted to WoW (that would be World of Warcraft for you non geeky types).

* I haven't been crafty - just seems like there isn't enough time.

So...what have ya'll been doing?

Poor little ducky....

2009-05-22T05:53:00.000-04:00

So yesterday was a cool gray sorta day. Around 11:15ish I decided to take an early lunch and go get some new shoes. Well, because I haven't had a shoe fix lately and I needed some new sneakers since my got trashed last weekend in the mud....but I digress....

So as I am walking out of the glass building I hear this loud THUD and then see something fall out of the corner of my eye. I turned around and there it was....a duck....its partner had flown away when it heard the thud and didn't even come back to check on it....must of been a male. It was there with its little broken neck all twisted and on the glass was a big blood stain. I was going to try and help it but with a broken neck there really wasn't anything that could be done. A moment later it was gone to ducky heaven. I am sure he didn't mean to do it....there was a tree just in front of where it hit so I sure that it just thought it would fly through the limbs and be fine. Poor thing didn't even see it coming.

Another sunny morning

2009-05-19T07:40:00.002-04:00

I am getting used to this. I like waking up and its sunny and not all gray and icky.

Last night was the season finale of 24. I am not sure how I feel about it. Of course it left me hanging but I don't know if it was enough to keep me excited about it in the fall when it comes back. Maybe. We will see.

I haven't had much time to play with my new goodies since Saturday. I hope to get some quality craft time in soon. Perhaps I will schedule a local crop and that will force me to do some work/fun!

I am sooo looking forward to the three day weekend.....not sure what we are doing. I have been wanting to go camping for months but seeing how its sooo late to try and think about going.....I don't know if it will happen.

Cheeky - who is off to tackle another Tuesday

Anybody still reading out there?

2009-05-18T05:24:00.001-04:00

Can't really blame you if you aren't. I mean....I have been such a blog slacker.

This weekend was GOOOOOOOOD. Saturday was the rubberstamp expo where this Cheeky....this one riiiiight here.....racked up! Oh yeah....she did.

Sunday, it was all about the mud. Went 4-wheeling and came home covered in mud. There will be pics to share....tomorrow cause I have to go through them all and get some good ones for ya.

Sunday night...SURVIVOR BABY!

Tonight....its the end of 24 and the end of my shows for yet another season. I don't quite know what to do with myself. I just may start feeling all empty inside.

Mothers Day.....revisited

2009-05-12T08:28:00.003-04:00

I had a really mothers day weekend. Yes, it was a weekend. It started with shopping and a movie and then for dinner Saturday I dined on shrimp, scallops and king crab. Yum! Sunday was a day of doing what I wanted to do. I got some nice gifts....a Vera Bradley handbag in raspberry fizz, a bird feeder (complete with bird seed), two plants from the man child (one tomato and one flower) and a gift card to Panera. Very nice day indeed.

How was your Mother's day?