Bonkers for Beanie Babies

Oh yes, how could I write on toys of the 90s and not include the ever popular Beanie Babies. You would have thought it was the second coming the way people went nuts over these things. I can't think of a Beanie Baby I didn't have. Oh, and the bears, the bears were the ones you really wanted. They always said they would be the ones that would be worth something. Man, I have so many of those dang bears, where is my money?

I do remember my first BB ever- Blackie. I slept with this bear and loved him until his little plastic pellets were coming out and he had to be sewn up. Blackie even went to Paris with Mom when she was away for 10 days, the first time she had ever left with me with Dad and Bub.

But let's get back to how crazy people were for these things. There was this kid, Josh Driver, whose Mom would sell beanie babies out of the back of her car. Look, I can't make this up. It was like the Beanie Baby Black Market in the back of Dogwood Elementary.

 There were even waiting lists.  I can remember being on waiting lists at the Village Toymaker that were miles long. It was like winning the lottery if you got up there to get on the list and were on the first page.

There is no telling how much money wasted on these things. They sold for about $6 a pop and I literally had dozens if not hundreds. Where are they now? Who knows, so sorry Mom and Dad, sorry I spent your money on these things, I am sure I will get my payback some day with Caleb.

Pondering Pogs

Ok, so let's get back to these crazy toys of the 90s. Do pogs mean anything to you? If not, I am not sure if I can decide if you even missed out on anything.

Pointless toy number two: Pogs!

 I will never forget my neighbors, Jessica and Zach, coming back from California with these things called pogs and sitting on their living room floor playing with them. It was the most pointless game ever, yet the whole neighborhood gang was entranced. You would stack up your pogs and take the slammer and hit the stack as hard as you could. I don't remember exactly the specifics, but somehow depending on how they fell you got to keep certain ones, even your friends' pogs! The build up to seeing who was going to win and get the pogs was a little too intense for my juvenile anxious self. This game alone probably took a good 4 years off my life.

You had better believe I was a selfish pog player. Fully aware that my favorite pogs could be stolen with one hit of the slammer, I would stash my favorite pogs, including my favorite stolen pogs from won games and make sure they weren't played. Hey, I was like 7, so sue me why don't you?

As to why I was so territorial over colorful pieces of cardboard, we may never know. It may be one of those things I need to seek out therapy for to find some deep hidden cardboard attachment disorder. Come to think of it I have absolutely no idea why these things ever caught on, but nonetheless they did and they are pointless toy number two on my journey through childhood toy memories.

Just a little happy

Just a little happy to start your morning. I thought it was just too cute. It's like they're talking to each other. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeK2y4MBpYE

Tales of the Tamaguchi

So, I am definitely going to have to make my second working on me on procrastination because I am yet again breaking from that series to talk about the past. Consider this my series within a series. I guess since the original one is all about things I need to work on, this can go hand in hand. It's all stuff from my past that shaped me and thus led me to where I am and what I need to work on. No? Stretching it too much? Oh well, I tried.

Anyway, after yesterday's post I was talking to Kate and I told her I was thinking about writing on the crazy toys of my generation. Then I went to class and talked with some of my classmates and laughed so hard we cried. It was at that point I decided many of these toys merited their own blogs.

Pointless toy numero uno: The ever beloved Tamaguchi or Nano Pets.

Let's just take a stroll down memory lane.

The year was 1997 and Bub had just graduated from CBHS. We were in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at the Gros Ventre River Ranch for an relaxing week with the family. I, of course, brought along my Nano dog, Riley. I mean come on, I couldn't leave him at home, who would give my sweet pup water and belly rubs when he needed them?

So one afternoon, I am just minding my business when my cousin Matt is spotted with Riley in hand. Riley who was going on a good 70 days of life was being fed and fed and fed. Overfeeding of the Nanos was a no-no. It was merely minutes later that I watched my Riley sprout wings and digitally fly away to Nano pet heaven. Matt had done it, he had killed my beloved. How was a girl to go on with this vacation? How was I to enjoy my last few days when I was mourning the death of my loved one?

Riley and I had become one. He even came equipped with a hook so he could attach to my backpack or belt loops, whichever I preferred for the day. And now with about five minutes of overfeeding all of our good times and memories were stolen out from under us.

Ok, so maybe this wasn't as stupid of a toy as I thought when I originally was looking back. Obviously the creators of the Tamaguchi/Nano Pets were marketing geniuses. They had even found a way to give parents a break from the constant begging for a pet. I am sure something like this will come about again for our children's generation. It will probably make ours look like the computers of the earlier generations with the black screens that only displayed green text, images, etc.

Yup, the Nano pet, that is a toy that will forever be a part of my cherished childhood memories. Love it or hate it, I don't care, just let me have my memories and I'm good.

Days gone by

So, I'm already taking a break from my "series" and breaking trend to write about this. I guess maybe my second working on me series should be procrastination, no seriously-- I'll get on that later.

Anyway, today I was waiting on a professor for a meeting he never showed for and while waiting I was on my phone looking at pictures on facebook and came across a photo.

Here is said photo:

Okay so let me explain. Kate and I were being lame, per usual, and preparing for my wedding. So we were walking done the aisle, hence the fake flowers and tear wiping She was my dad, obviously.  While the memories brought back some laughs, I couldn't help but notice that we both had the large belts that were so the style during our sophomore year. (2005-2006). What was the point of these belts, there was none-- they didn't hold clothes up, and in fact they didn't even go in belt loops there were just obnoxiously large and sat on your hips. When I saw this I couldn't help but think back to other fads and trends gone by and it got me thinking.

Not to dredge up painful memories but let's just think of some of the trends my generation has fallen captive to.

Fad number 1: Those dang necklaces that were intended to look like a Celtic knot tattoo. First of all, who would have ever wanted a tattoo that encircled your entire neck and secondly, what possessed us to think these were so good looking?  They were typically black or brown, or some other ink like color and they stretched so  you could get them over your head and onto your neck, but then they reshaped to fit tightly around your neck, thus completing the tattoo facade. This picture is the closest thing I could find to what they were like. Attractive, right? 

Fad number 2: Wearing our hair in knots. Okay, of this I am not completely guilty. I can remember doing it but only to sleep in with amounts of hairspray that would rival Snookie's poof spray because the next morning it would leave beautiful curls. But let's just take a look at this, shall we?  What about this look is even remotely attractive? Granted some girls wouldn't wear them all over their head like this picture, so I must give credit where credit is due. No, they would just wear a "knot crown", if you will, and wear a row of about five or so at the top of their head and then wear their hair down or in a pony tail, or whatever they chose, because clearly that made the look so much more glamorous.

Ok, sorry, I lied, nothing could rescue this look... Children of the 90's what were we thinking?

Fad number 3:

Sambas..... oh, Sambas. Don't tell me you don't remember this fad. It struck for me in about 4th or 5th grade.  Now, for those of you who don't know, Sambas are indoor soccer shoes. Did I play indoor soccer? Psh, yeah right. Did half of the kids who wore them play? Nope. I would even go so far as to say upwards of 95% of kids didn't even play any sort of soccer, but they still wore these stylish shoes. And we didn't just wear them with play clothes, nope, I threw these puppies on with everything, even dresses if Mom could get me in one. (This was definitely in the prime of my tomboy, anti-anything and everything girly stage.)

Well, this was a good laugh and a good break from studying, but unfortunately, if I keep thinking of past trends, I'll end up writing for hours. But honestly, take a second and think back. What trend are you most worried about explaining to your children? Come to think of it maybe I should just go ahead and get rid of some of those incriminating photos and spare myself the embarrassment and Caleb the satisfaction.

Working on Me #1

I have been thinking about starting to write blogs in a series. I think the first one I am going to do is going to be about things about myself I want to change. I feel getting this stuff out on the Internet will serve as a permanent reminder for me and keep me pushing toward these changes.

I know that this could take us into years worth of blogs, so don't worry I'll limit myself to 3-5 per topic. So, let's give this a go and see where we end, shall we?

Today Brother George, our pastor, was out of town because his daughter got married last night so our music director led our service. He spoke about God's will and how figuring it out isn't about what we should do, rather it is about who we should be.

He joked about praying that prayer we all have prayed, "God what is your will? What do you want me to do?", and having a loud trumpet processional followed by the answer. But like he said, the truth is it just doesn't happen that way.

I have been struggling with this a lot lately. Graduation is around the corner and that means there are a lot of decisions to be made. For instance, I currently have three internship offers on the table and I am having to make that decision. Today's sermon put me at peace (sort of).

I still can't help but think of the big picture and what God's plans are. Regardless of what I do, I know I will be moving in about a year and a half when Daniel finishes his doctorate. I have my dreams of where I'd love to end up, but what are God's plans?

I also know that I shouldn't worry, because God is bigger than any stepping stone that may come, but I am, by nature a worrier. It is just something I have always dealt with and am trying to curb-- I really don't want Caleb and future little ones to catch on to this and make it a part of who they are as well.

So, with all of that being said, now I worry where to even start figuring out how to calm the worrying. JK, it's not that bad. But how do you help relieve worry and stress?

Spring Break Mom Style

Well, this past week was my last official spring break, and while you may think I'd go out with a bang, having an 8-month-old and a husband working on his doctorate kind of throws a kink in the plan, so it was Momma/Baby road trip time.

On Friday, March 11, Caleb and I were scheduled to leave out of Montgomery on a 4:25 flight to Memphis. Well, lo and behold, the flight was delayed and long story short we ended up flying out of Atlanta on a flight that was also delayed. Anyway, we made it to Mom and Dad's by 9.



Annabelle and Caleb swinging



That weekend was spent having quality Caleb and Papa time as well as some "cousinly" bonding. We even had time for a quick lunch with part of the Nicholson gang-- our non-blood Memphis family.

Monday it was off for the road trip part of our Spring Break. Mom, Caleb and I drove 9 and a half hours to Kansas City. While many may think we are crazy to undertake such a trip with a little one, he was an angel. I think he fussed for more than 2 minutes once-- which stopped once we set up a dvd player and got the little guy watching Barney (yes, I am a terrible mother plopping my baby in front of a screen, but endless hours in a car call for desperate measures).

Our reason for going to KC was to visit family and friends. We spent the majority of our trip with my dad's youngest sister, Aunt Lori, and her three kids. (Uncle Kev was out of town). Aunt Biff was even able to come in for a day, and we were also able to meet up with the Wombles-- my babies before my baby. Other than visiting we got shopping done-- lots and lots of shopping.

Caleb, the Womble gang and me! That place is SERIOUSLY windy!

Also, on a side note, I need to tell you if food is your thing, Kansas City is your place. Never have I EVER seen so many restaurants. I told Dad that the ratio must have been 3 to 1 when you compare restaurants in KC to Memphis (or any other place I can think of), and I am seriously not over exaggerating, it was absurd and ridiculous. However, I shouldn't complain, because quantity means options and options, in this case, means Imo's Pizza. For those of you who aren't from the STL area, Imo's is our favorite pizza and it is only found in the Missouri/Illinois area.

Other trip highlights included a much-needed outlet mall excursion and Caleb's first swimming pool experience. I loved the shopping and he loved the pool. It excites me for this summer and all that my big guy will be able to enjoy!



Caleb and Annabelle enjoying
 a bedtime story with Yammy.



Mom and I decided that splitting the drive in two would be best so we drove part of the way to Springfield on Thursday and finished the trip Friday, stopping in Jonesboro to have lunch with mom's childhood best bud Janice.

When we got back to Memphis the excitement continued with a family dinner at Russo's. It wasn't just a family dinner, however, it was the unveiling of Baby Bubbette 2's gender.... and, drum roll please,.....

Daniel and I will be having another beautiful niece. I am so excited for Annabelle-- an instant best friend for life, how wonderful.

It was a great trip, but both Caleb and I were happy as can be to get back to Daniel. Sunday Caleb turned 8 months, said "Bye-Bye" on purpose with association and pulled up without any help... the little guy is growing so quickly.

The Final Chapter?

The day has finally come.

Tonight at 5, the fate of EBS will be decided by  four board members, only one of which has openly supported the school.

Community members, led by Frank Holly and Jean Mosley, will finally have their final answer. Short of selling their souls, there isn't much this avid group hasn't tried. They even reached out to the law school at the University of Alabama, only to be referred to an attorney who then referred them to Ronald Jackson of Birmingham, Ala. It wasn't until last Friday that the group learned that Jackson, who they had been working with since last fall, wasn't an attorney as they had been led to believe.

Mosley has remained hopeful despite the circumstances, saying she still believes Jackson will lead them in the right path, citing his claimed 20 years of experience with dealing in education law.

As of now, those four members are they only ones who have any idea as to what the outcome will be.

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OK, now that you kind of have the newsy short of it. Let me tell you my personal take.

I have almost lost all hope.

While sweet Ms. Mosley is still putting trust and faith in this Mr. Jackson, I am wary of what he's selling. He has a website that is novice at best. It is filled with typos and broken links. I don't mean to cast judgment, I just feel as though a man with 20 years of experience, claiming to be the executive director of an organization, would have a better website set up.

I watched a 60 Minutes on fraudulent medical treatments and the snake oil salesmen of past -- I feel as though this Jackson may be the snake oil salesman of education outreach and reform.

I don't think there is much that can be done at this point. It's like we're in the 9th inning, EBS is down by two runs, there are two outs and the pitcher is coming up to bat. Short of a miracle, I am sad to say I believe the school I have grown to love so deeply will be closing its doors.

But who knows, stranger things have happened, right?

I will keep you guys posted and let you know what happens, and if you think about it say a short prayer that either way the Camp Hill community makes the best of the decision and continues to better themselves like I know they can.