I Don't Think They Are in Missouri Anymore...

While I sit here in Jefferson City on a Friday night surrounded by thunderstorms and tornado watches, the Moore family is kickin' up their heels in Gulf Shores. Mom, Dad, Shania, Julie, Tyler & Caleb arrived this morning. I think Ronnie, Angel and the girls should be there shortly. I am jealous - but I will be arriving tomorrow. Blaine and I had to stay behind to get some things done on the house.

Julie just called and said that they couldn't afford both of us, but they needed send a helicopter for Martha (aka Blaine). He is the "chef" in the family and I think that the family is getting hungry. Mom & Julie were at Wal-Mart (hence the photo of Mom in the Wal-Mart check out line.) She is posing in front of Regal Nails - and that is where I happened to get a pedicure last year. I thought it was funny to have a pedicure joint in Wal-Mart - but it worked for me!! Maybe I will venture back this year!



The other photo is a view of the beach from the condo balcony. I cannot WAIT to lie on the beach..... I hear that Shania, Tyler and Caleb are out there now wakeskating. That is a sport/hobby that I am not good at - I kind of do about as well on that board as I do on the mountains snowboarding. Uncoordinated is my middle name! But Tyler really knows how to rock the board.


PEDAL TO THE METAL TOMORROW MORNING.... Hey guys! The green bean (my car - if you didn't know) will be there soon! Make sure you have a margarita waiting for me!!

My Random Thoughts...

I am having many random thoughts about what I should post on the blog today. So here you go, folks - Misti's Randomness...

If I were to get married again (not to someone new, but just again), I would reconsider my choices of bridesmaids. Sometimes friends just grow apart and new ones spring into our lives. I would have to add my friend, Mitch! Who can resist a hot guy in a bridesmaid dress? (Here is a photo of my pal - who will no longer speak to me as soon as he sees this... The dress is mine. He found it while changing from his swimming trunks to his regular clothes. He decided to surprise us - yes, alcohol was involved.)

House update - the brick is on, the cultured stone is going up this week, we now have garage doors and the dry wall is up. I am a little nervous leaving for vacation in a couple of days and leaving our project. But a girl and a guy need a vacation!! The bikini is packed, the sunscreen is screaming "use me!" and the cooler on wheels is ready to roll.

Gulf Shores - Here We Come!!

Here is the whole family at the beach in June 2007. I am now counting the hours until we can relive our memories of Gulf Shores. There will be trips to LuLu's and shopping. Our fishing licenses are packed. Julie is dreaming of finding "the world's largest sea shell." Dad has his binoculars around his neck. And Shania has her Zune fully loaded of great tunes. Sophie is constantly reciting "let's go to da beach." I think it is time - let the fun begin!!

Her First Pedicure

For a few months now, I have promised to take Shania for a pedicure. So to start our weekend off just right (and to mark the beginning of summer), Shania and I headed for the mall in Springfield for a manicure and a pedicure. It was a treat!
(Here is a photo to prove our fun - Shania is lounging in the pedi chair getting a back massage showing off her freshly painted hot pink fingernails.)

Now Shania and I are REALLY ready for the beach!! Bring on the sun!

Life's a Beach

In one week from today, the Moore Family will officially be lounging on the beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Cue "Sweet Home Alabamba......") The whole family (yes, all 12 of us) are headed for a family gathering. I can't wait!!

(Here is a photo of the condo complex that we stay at...)

I will have to admit - last year, driving 14 hours to Gulf Shores, I began to think....can I really take all of the family for 7 days? Will we hate each other before the trip is over? After Mom layed out the rules...."there are no rules and we expect nothing of anyone," we were set for memories of a lifetime. I had a fabulous time and as soon as my car left the beach, I couldn't wait to plan the next Moore family adventure.

Well, here we are again - getting ready to leave for another week filled full of giggles, snickers and laughter. I hear rumors of Julie, Tyler & Caleb (Tyler's buddy) racing the Dan the Man truckster (including Mom and Shania) all the way to Gulf Shores....we will see who wins that race. Blaine and I are not arriving until a day after Mom & Dad and I think Ronnie, Angel and the girls will be arriving the same day. Although I am going to lose the race to the beach this year, I can guarantee that I will win the Shell Hunting Contest or the Castle Building Contest...bring it on, Julie!!

Last Update on Mom...

She is out of surgery!!
Dad just called and said that Mom came through surgery fine. She is in recovery. He had to leave the hospital to go pick up Shania...
As a daughter, I feel bad for not being there to help out - especially with Nia. Let's pray there is never another surgery....but if there is, I will be there...promise!

*****UPDATE (12:00)*****
I talked to Dad about two hours ago (12:00) and Mom had still not gone into surgery. I am guessing that this could be another long day for the Moore family. Remember when Dad had surgery...we got there like at 6:00 a.m. and he finally got out of surgery at midnight. Let's hope that Mom doesn't have to wait that long. She has to be starving!!

Watch out Cox South Hospital, the Etter may come out of Connie Jo unless you get this thing done!

*****Earlier post....(9:00 a.m.) *****
Today, Mom is having surgery to correct some weird bile duct blockage possibly caused by her gall bladder. She had her gall bladder removed several years ago, but evidently, the doctor didn't snip it all away and it grew back. (Maybe Mom is part starfish - nevermind...she hates the water.)

I will keep you updated on the results. She is going into surgery at 9:45 a.m. Keep her in your prayers!

Ba La La La La La Bamba...

Everyone has their favorite Mexican restaurant. Mine used to be Mexican Villa in Springfield - yummmm...burrito enchilada-style. But since I moved to Jefferson City and with much opposition, I have decided that my new favorite is La Bamba. Anyone that is anyone has their birthday photo finely displayed upon the brightly painted festive walls of La Bamba. Over the past five years, I had been unable to frequent this authentic establishment near my birthday.

My one birthday wish for this year - as lame at it may be - was to have my favorite dish (a steak fajita quesadilla with no sour cream and guacamole on the side with a small order of cheese dip) at La Bamba so my photo, too, could be displayed. Blaine's photo is there at least twice. (Funny, I know.)

Thursday night (and within a week of my birthday), Blaine surprisingly invited some friends of mine (including Becky, Jason and Lora, and a few others that didn't bother to show...cough, cough) to join in the festivities of a small, very random dinner. So here I am....in all my shining glory! Me and my sombrero - finally on the wall of fame!

Follow the (Yellow) Brick Road

I love the Wizard of Oz. And if I had ruby red slippers, I would click my heels and be home - in the new home that is. The building process is something that Blaine loves. Me? I just like it - on some days. Building (and contracting yourselves) is a very rewarding experience.

Someone asked me last week if I thought it was better to hire a general contractor or do it myself. Since she and her husband are looking to build, my response was, "if you like picking everything down to your screw color, contracting yourself is the way to go." On the other hand, if you like to snap your fingers and the house magically appear, call Jason Watts.

The house is coming along nicely though. I love my brick. Most of you know that I don't do too many things in a conventional, normal manner. So Blaine and I chose a larger brick with lots of character. I think that it really adds an old world spirit to the outside...just what I was looking for. I am creating a Ron Hill wannabe home!

Only a small mishap on the brick yesterday could lead Blaine to say to me, "Mis, you are not Ron Hill!" (Now for those that have never heard of Ron Hill - he is my idol, my guide for old world house designing and architecture, a pure genius - his offices are in Ozark, Mo.)

My response to Blaine was much like the Cowardly Lions on the Wizard of Oz: "Put 'em up, put 'em up!... I can fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I can fight you standing on one foot. I can fight you with my eyes closed. Oh, pull an axe on me, eh? Sneaking up on me, eh? Why, I'll... Ruff!"

Okay fine, I will admit - I am no Ron Hill (and neither is Blaine), but our old world style will be a miniature version (if only I could win the lottery!) And we love it.

I am clicking my black patent leather heels now, "there is no place like home, there is no place like home"....but nothing seems to be happening. All in good time, I guess.

Pat Green Concert Photos

My pal, Ryan, sent me some fun photos of my trip to Kansas City recently for the Pat Green concert. I thought I would share...

I am such a good babysitter...maybe I should get one of my own??

I know what you are thinking..."Misti is actually thinking of having a baby?" Well, if my baby could look anything like Jack, I would think about getting one. Today, I spent much of my day babysitting Jack - an 11 week old Pomeranian. A co-worker brought him to work today because he was sick. And instead of watching his sad little face stare at me through the bars of his cage, I took him to my office to play. This little guy was nameless until he began chewing on my carpet and I said, "Hey little jacka$$, quit chewing on my carpet!" Jack stuck and so that is what I will forever call him...Captain Jack to be exact.

Happy Mother's Day on Sunday!

I got an email today from Mom. In the subject line it said, "In Honor of Mother's Day." I get it, Mom - Mother's Day is Sunday. I remember! It is my birthday, too, on Sunday, so this year you are going to have to share! (Tongue sticking out!)
(I am going to be slapped - into next week - for posting this photo from 2002. But I love this photo of us and always have.)
There are many reasons why I love my mom. (And no I am not sucking up to get a better birthday gift - okay, maybe a little. Hee Hee.)

My Mom has the know-how to put me in my place especially when I need it most. (Just this week to be exact!) She also has the ability to know the things that I want even before I know I want them. (Yes, I have turned into my mother!) Connie Jo knows her fashion! And knows how to decorate her house (and mine) to perfection. But most of all, she is genuinely just a great human being. And we know those are far and few between nowadays!

(So I don't get slapped as nearly as hard, here is a more recent photo of Mom & Dad from our Gulf Shores trip last year.)

In her email to me, there were 25 Reasons Why I Owe My Mother. Here are just a few:

My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'

My mother taught me RELIGION.
'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'

My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'

My mother taught me LOGIC.
' Because I said so, that's why.'

My mother taught me about WEATHER.
'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'

My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'

My mother taught me WISDOM.
'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'

I have literally heard every single one of these phrases come out of her mouth. Thanks for setting us straight! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Finials, Shingles and Front Door

House Update!

We now have finials, shingles and our front door installed. Love it, love it, love it. I took the photo on the right on Sunday. And since then, the roof has been completed and they began bricking this morning.

We went to pick out cabinets on Monday. We had met with Dan the Cabinet Man last week for nearly 3 hours laying out what we wanted. Monday took another 4.5 hours of deciding. And we are not even done yet. A week from today, we head back to to visit Dan the Cabinet Man for one last time (hopefully) to continue on. Here's to winning the lottery before then!

Someone Pass the Hand Warmers...

Let's just say that boating in early May can be a little chilly. But we weathered the cold and still headed to the lake on Saturday for some boating fun. We didn't get the early start that we anticipated, but when we finally arrived, we had quite a shock. Not only was it 50-something degrees outside (see photo), but where was the boat...and more importantly, what was wrong with the boat?

Our boat was stored over winter at Glen Cove Marina. Blaine had called to make sure that the boat would be in the water when we arrived (it's first trip into the water since October.) When the green Ford truck pulled up with all four of us (me, Blaine, Kristina and Shandon) piled inside, the boat mechanic walked over and said, "your boats taking on water so we had to pull it out so it didn't sink!" WHAT? I wanted to scream...but I didn't. I don't think I could - I had already swallowed my heart and it was pounding in my stomach. I looked at Blaine. Pale, blank look he had. I think a few choice words came out, but I can't remember.

After a couple of quick tweaks to the boat (by our rockstar mechanic, Mr. Blaine himself), all problems were fixed and we just crossed our fingers that the boat would float. It did, we hopped on and away we went. My only question at that time was, "why did mr. boat mechanic have to throw in the 'so it didn't sink' portion of his comments?" I am too young to go into cardiac arrest!!

Anyway, we were off - Destination 1 - Horny Toad. Destination 2 - Backwater Jacks. Destination 3 - Shorty Pants. Finally we came to a stop some time several hours after dark had set upon us and we settled in for the night at our boat dock. A bit chilly again. But worth the trip.

Our summer has just begun!

...Bringing Sexy Back!

Awww...the sounds of prom. Cue the Justin Timberlake song...."I'm Bringing Sexy Back..Yow!"

Wait - Rewind. Cue Def Leppard's "Love Bites!" Even better...

My pal's, Shandon and Kristina, are in town this weekend whoopin' it up for the Harbor Hop at the lake. Although the weather is rainy and chilly, I know these two will add some fun to the weekend. (Check out the latest photo of these Illiniosians from 2 weekends ago. I will defend them by saying that they were at a prom party... I won't out them on their ages, but I know they loved 80s music.)

Regardless of what these two do in their free time in Illinois (which is obviously questionable), this weekend kicks off summer for the Preston's. And I am ready. Bring on the sunscreen, bring on the bikini, bring on the weekend fun! Everyone raise your glasses high and say, "Cheers to long days at Cove 18, longer nights at Shorty Pants, smoked wings and mojitos, Mitch's pranks and retarded jokes, Lora's list of accomplishments for the summer and Jason's attempts to get us kicked out of the dock with loud music and engine roaring!" CHEERS....Yay!!!