A Little Bit of Rock Today...

It was time to change my playlist again...and I'm pretty excited about this selection. I am loving Kelly Clarkson's new song...and I must say that my life would suck without all of you faithful blog followers! I also enjoy some Nickelback, and Gotta be Somebody is one of my favs by them. And who doesn't love some Def Lepard?! If you don't love Pour Some Sugar on Me...well, then I really don't know how we are friends...just kidding! I had to put a slow tune in, so that's where my boyfriend, I mean...Bon Jovi comes in. Make a Memory is off of his newest CD, which really isn't that new, but as a loyal Bon Jovi fan he'll always appear on my playlist!

So...things here have been same ol' same ol'. I was so excited to see the SUN yesterday...after 4 straight days of rain and clouds it was great, and there's a rumor more rain is coming-yuck. I'm glad the sun decided to come out too because some friends of ours were doing a fundraiser and it was outside...so nice weather was helpful. Joseph and I are so thankful for all of the support that Martha and Robbie showed us when Jackson was here, so it was exciting for us to be able to help them now. You may remember they had a daughter Campbell born very early, at around 28 weeks. Well...it's been over a year and Campbell is doing great! You can read all about Campbell here and while you are there you can give a donation to The March of Dimes and be entered into a raffle to win some neat things. Here's a picture of the 4 of us at the fundraiser, and yes, that is a grown man in a playpen, with a bonnet and diaper, begging for donations. Otherwise known as "Doc" from 107.9 The Link...


In other exciting news...I have completed my April arrangements and will be delivering them on Wednesday and taking a picture. So, be sure to check back then! I might be getting a big head because my help has been requested in helping a friend make an arrangement...wow! I'm happy to help anyway I can. I must admit that Joseph was a big help in this arrangement...he helped with everything! There's nothing cuter then a cute man walking around a craft store making a flower arrangement...

And...my last big announcement. Joseph and I have booked a little vacation getaway, and I'm super excited. We kept going back and forth about it...so today I decided to just book it and that would be that. I'm not saying where we are heading off too (only 1 person knows, and I know she won't tell right Pam!), what fun would that be, but I am working on a little "Guess where the Hedge's are going" Game. Fun times! I will tell you that we are flying somewhere and staying in a hotel for under $500, not to bad. We are going to be leaving on May 15th which as many of you know will mark 2 years since losing Jackson. 2 years...are you freaking serious?! It's so hard to believe that it's been that long. There still is not a single day that goes by where I don't think about him and miss him. It is just crazy...it's approaching fast too. That leads me into my next adventure...should I attempt another fundraiser in Memory of Jackson?! I'm not sure what I want to do, I know the economy is rough right now, but there is so much money needed to help find a cure so that other families don't go through what Joseph and I went through, and so that we don't have to go through that again too. Anyone have any great ideas of what I could do?! I was going to steal, I mean copy, Martha and Robbie's idea and just do a raffle, but I'm not sure. I need help from all the creative people...give me some ideas please! I promise I'll let everyone know when I have come up with something! And at least you know that no matter what if you donate you'll get a shout out, what more do you need?!

Alright...I think that might be it for this time around. Thanks for checking in and sharing in our journey. As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Picture Overload!!!

Are you ready for picture galore?! I know I didn't get the finished pictures up of the kitchen, announce the winners, reveal the prizes...it was a busy weekend! After the major announcements we'll have a weekend picture tour with limited comments from me, maybe, if I can manage to stay silent. Anyway....drum roll please.....

Here's our new and improved kitchen



As you can tell, we went with a two toned blue. I absolutely LOVE IT! It has opened the kitchen up a lot, which is great because it's really small. Nothing like the our old house, which I do miss so much these days. But...I've now got my yellow room and my blue kitchen so I'm super excited!

Now...for my winners! I wasn't surprised when Chrissy and Michelle were the first two peeps to leave comments, that's what BFFs are for right?!? My Mom did surprise me with her third/fourth place entry. She's not technology savvy, so this was pretty impressive. And now, your prizes. Drum roll again, please....



Chrissy gets first choice...who is it going to be...Charlie, Tripp or Rocky? Then Michelle will get her choice (though I know she'll pick orange one). My Mom will get whoever is left, or if none are chosen, she'll get all three. What a great prize! Way to go Chris, Shell and Mom...go you! And thank you for taken the cats off of my hands!!

Now...our weekend in pictures because I'm super excited to have my own camera. Friday night, no pictures, pizza and a movie.

Saturday...



My favorite three men, in no particular order!



Me and Joseph at Shawny and Lauren's for a little family dinner party, with some March Madness Basketball in the background of course!

Sunday's festivities found us going to my first hockey game. We rode the Light Rail downtown and I forgot to take a picture...can't believe it! But...here are me and my sweetie at the game...



The next picture is us girls at the game...me, LG (I'm practicing my new nickname for her, so it's LG now) and Chrissy. Shell had the flu and had to cancel (we missed you) but I'm glad my parents came with us...look at the excitement of my parents behind us! Thanks for braving the cold and missing some b-ball games Mom...for you, I have a cat, or three!



A little FYI too...it's cold at a hockey game. I seemed to gather more layers as the evening wore on! The Checkers lost-boo, but we did get to see a guy ejected-fun, and a shoot-out too-fun. And probably the best part of the game was sitting right behind this here penalty box and listening to this rather animated fan heckle the other team...



We had a jam packed, super fun weekend. That's all for this time around! I'm off to find something else to do! Thanks for checking in on us and for sharing in our journey. As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Finished!!!

YAY! It is safe to say that my house is back to normal...except for that fact that I've got Bunko here tomorrow night and had to move some furniture around. Anyway, the kitchen was actually completed yesterday, so today was more of a touch up day and clean up all the freaking dust day. But, it's finished and I'm very excited about the BIG reveal, which will have to be tomorrow, sometime, when I have down minute...ummmmmm, which I'm not promising. I promise it will be worth the wait. And to make things interesting, I've added a little spin to the reveal. Several have voted over on my little poll, and if you haven't, you still have about an hour to get in on the fun. Anyway...I've decided to give away some prizes for 3 lucky people who guessed correctly. Now...in order to win one of these fab prizes, you have to do the following...

1-Be honest!
2-leave a comment telling me your name and color
3-keep checking back to see if you won, and what you won!

Now...this is how it will work. The first person to leave their comment and right color gets to choose which one of the prizes he/she wants. The second person then gets to pick from what's left and the third person gets the last prize, but hey, it's a free prize so be happy. Anyone not winning will get "shout outs" so hurry up and leave a comment already!

Alright...I'm off to do more stuff. Gotta get my food for tomorrow ready, gotta do my picks for the tournament, gotta go, gotta go, gotta go! As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Pity Party!!

I have thrown myself a pity party today! It has been raining for 4 days straight, which is enough to put anyone "on edge." On top of nasty rainy weather I've also had to deal with this...

This is NOT true...

I would go to my relaxing red room to get away...

BUT, it's housing all of my kitchen stuff, which the cats have made a mess out of! Who's great idea was this to paint the kitchen anyway?! I'm just hoping and praying it's done before Thursday's BUNKO festivities, which Joseph assures me it will be.

And...even though I'm not suppose to be talking about it I'm still not pregnant and I'm really bummed out about it, which was a pretty big factor in my "lets go home and get in my pj's" day. It's so hard to continue month after month of frustration. Joseph and I so badly want to be parents again, and it's so hard to get a negative, after negative, after negative every month. The medicine says it takes anywhere between 1-3 months to work, and we are starting our third round. I really need this time to work so the baby will come before January. If it doesn't work, we will probably have to take a month off because I don't want to have the stress of having a baby close to Jackson's birthday, I just don't want to have to worry about it. BUT, THIS HAS GOT TO BE OUR MONTH! Please just remember us in prayer please!

And finally...though my kitchen is a complete mess, I did manage to produce this...

Which will have melted cheese on the top too. And NO, I would never give you a hint to the color of the my new kitchen. Have you voted yet? I'm off to have dinner with my wonderful husband! As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

I've Created a Monster!

So...some girl in our house (don't know who) decided that she wanted to do some painting to the house. We've been here almost 2 years and we've done a few things here and there...but there were still some things I wanted done. The first order of business, I wanted a yellow mud room. I picked yellow because I wanted something bright and cheerful to see when I got home and walked into the house, so yellow it was. We picked out our colors and I put Joseph to work on Friday, since he is back to working 4 days a week, 4 10's. I now have a yellow room. Here's a picture of it, and I hate that I don't have a before picture...



So...yesterday afternoon after the mess from painting the mud room was cleaned up Joseph and I looked at each other and couldn't decide what to do for the rest of the day, since it was cold and rainy outside. The silly girl said...let's paint the kitchen...it's the last room downstairs that really needs some attention. I decided better not start it tonight because on Thursday 11 of my friends will be over for Bunko, and I can not have a torn up kitchen. However, Joseph decided the room needed to be done, and promised it would be done before Thursday, so I agreed. Now, I have a torn up kitchen and a monster on my hands that goes by the name of Joseph. We decided the wallpaper had to come down, there was no way we could paint over it since some of it was textured, it just had to come down. We thought that would be our biggest challenge. We got a steamer and started talking it down. After 5 hours of scrapping and steaming, all the wallpaper is down. I must admit, it went a lot smoother then I thought it was, and I'm glad to see it all down. Now Joseph is putting up putty and sanding the walls. I have picked out my color...which will be a surprise, but I had to take it back because we did a test run last night, and well, it was not working. I think we've got a good color now though. Anyway...I did take a before picture of the kitchen...here it is before...



The after picture will hopefully be up before Thursday, so you'll just have to keep checking back to see it!

While I'm in the mood of posting pictures, I took this picture of Charlie, the smallest of the three cats. Remember in my "Free to a Good Home" post how all three precious little kitties were snuggling in the bed? Well...here is another picture of the same bed...



with just one kitty!!!! They have gotten so big, it blows my mind. Anyway...I'm off to go supervise the activity in the kitchen. Hope everyone has a great week, and I'll post a picture soon! Until next time, as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!



PS-I added another poll. Take a guess at what color you think the kitchen might be. Maybe I can break my new high record of 6 votes...we'll see!

I'm Trying!!

I don't know what it is, the time change, going out to the horrible club this weekend or gaining two pounds from 1 stinking night...I just CAN NOT get my stuff together. It's only Wednesday and I'm pretty much done, zero energy left.

Anyway...things here are crazy! This weekend we went out to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday, man oh man, we are not youngin's anymore that's for sure. I think we were at the bar for 2.5 minutes and my eyes were burning..wow! Needless to say, I don't really need to go back, I'm good!

I did manage to buy a new camera this weekend-GO ME! I absolutely love it and have been taking pictures here and there. My only subjects at the moment are three cats (who are still free people...come on!) and if I'm not careful people are going to start referring to me as the crazy cat lady. So, I will not grace you with pictures of my babies. But...I did take a picture of the St. Patrick's Day flowers I made (by myself, yes) for Jackson. Here it is..



So..yes I made both arrangements by myself, but I'm a little limited in my craftness, so I will admit that a co-worker made the bow. I did everthing else though. Not too bad huh? Considering the amount of money I saved (umm, over $100) I'm pretty proud of myself. I will begin tackling an "Easter" arrangement for April soon. My goal is to have a set of flowers for each month...wish me luck!

Is anyone else struggling with this time change?! Take my little poll over there
-----> I'm enjoying it, kind of, we have had beautiful weather all week...80 degrees today WOW, but it's ending really soon, high of 50 something tomorrow with the rain coming in too. I work with some pretty smart people here in SC who also planned the PASS (that's the statewide testing) for this week...ummmmm, if the time change is killing me I can't imagine how some of the kids are feeling. Maybe in the future we should be aware of this people!! If I only ruled the city/state/country/world!

Alright, that's all for this time around. I'm off to do something wifey-clean, cook, watch TV...I don't know! Until next time, as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

For Sale

Maybe even not for sale, but FREE to a great home (or good, or fair, or horrible home) I have 3 kitties that use to be SO cute...see

They are REALLY great cats, just ask me! Just so you know what you are getting into if you decide to take these precious kitties here is a list of things that have done since they moved to the Hedgepeth House-

1-They chewed a library book cover. Do you know how embarrassing it is to return a book and say I have to pay for damages. She asked me if my dog got it. Nope, just my 3 kittens.

2-They have peeled paint off of not one, not two, but THREE different walls. I'm surprised they don't have lead poisoning, but I guess they don't put that in paint anymore.

3-They have torn up one cat post already. It's had to be re carpeted once, and could really use it again.

4-They love to play with their water bowl. I've come home to a water filled mud room because they love to knock over the thing. It is now bungee corded to the cat post.

And the best for last...

5-They have destroyed a beautiful, signed to Joseph and I by the illustrator Christmas print that I left on the coffee table.

Everyone of these stories is true. There is no lying, not exaggerating. My precious little kitties have turned into this...



Say a prayer for us that they don't eat something while we sleep tonight. Until next time, as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!



PS-my precious ones really aren't for sale...well, unless you are willing to pay some good money!

OMG...

(and that's all I've got for texting lingo) but did you watch the Bachelor?!?! I must admit that I knew what was going to happen via my brother. I don't know what's worse about that statement...my brother watching the Bachelor or my brother knowing Bachelor gossip. They are both pretty bad. Anyway, enough about Shawn, the Bachelor...everyone is giving him a really hard time. I say, what the heck? He picked Melissa (the wild card in my opinion) and then they leave the show and there's nothing, magic romantic journey over. I feel bad that she got dumped on TV, but Jason had to out of contract obligations. So, he decided he loves Molly. Maybe things will work out better for them...who knows! Tonight they promise one more dramatic event, but it's on from 10-11 which means that one moment will be at 10:58, and well, I'm in bed then so I'll catch it in the morning.

Just a quick side note for the Charlotte area peeps. McDonald's is doing a promotion to help build a Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte (I can't believe there isn't one with the 2 big hospitals downtown). Anyway, go to McDonald's, buy a milkshake, some money gets donated to the new RMH, enjoy a great milkshake and repeat daily...until March 23rd. Who cares about diets?!

Now I'm off to run a mile on the elliptical. Joseph laughed when I told him how long it took me so I'm determined to improve my time. He's at the gym, and then bringing home milkshakes, so I better get running! Thanks for checking in on us! As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Snow Day!

So...today was a snow day in case you missed it from the news or the previous post. And though I was none too happy about losing my Memorial Day I must admit that Joseph and I had a great day...even after being woke up at 7:30 to laughter from my Aunt Connie and Rich...thanks guys! Anyway, after we were awake it was breakfast casserole time and then we built a snowman. I wish I had a picture, but I don't since my parents decided to take back their camera. One of these days I'm going to get one of my own-promise. Anyway-we made a big ol' snowman, about 5 1/2 feet tall, so YES, he is taller then me. Next time we get a great snowfall remind not to ask Joseph to build a snowman. My thought, we'll roll some snow around, stack it up, add some accessories-done! Joe's idea...get the wheelbarrow, roll some snow, shape snowman, add more snow as needed, shape some more, more snow, shape, more snow. Finally I gave up and just started accessorizing because I was so over the let's build a snowman. Anyway...he's the biggest one in the neighborhood, and I'm sure the 17 kids across the street are jealous...sorry little snowman building people! HA!

I also watched Fireproof today which was great. It's actually based on the book "Love Dare" which we just started a series on at church...that's a full circle. I went and bought the book because no matter how strong or close to ending your marriage is there's always room for improvement and I want to be the best wife to the best man I know. I'll let you know how the dare goes!

Alright...got to run! Bachelor in 5 minutes...it's a big one so they say! My brother gave me some gossip and if it's true, man oh man are we in for a treat. Holler if you are a Bachelor fan, leave some comments about what you thought of the show! I wouldn't be surprised if he left with DeAnna, but we'll all just have to see. As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON...which reminds of one other thing. Today, by myself (assisted slightly by Joseph) I picked out and created my own St. Patrick's Day flowers for Jackson. Total cost $30, and I normally pay over $50 for one, so do the math, 2 flower arrangements @ $50 equals $100, but today I made 2 by myself for $30. Once I get that camera thing worked out I might be able to share some pictures...who knows. Anyway, REMEMBER JACKSON!



Oh...gosh I'm gonna be late, but students are on a 2 hour delay in the morning. Teachers are to report when roads are safe, which I'm prediciting is around 9-YAY!

no, No, NO....

The snow is coming (or so they say) and I'm not a happy camper! I can feel my Memorial Day Holiday slipping right through my fingers. Arrgghhh...I'm so over snow days, which really mean days that you have to make up. Oh well...guess there is really nothing I can do about it since they are calling for anywhere between 1-8 inches, so surely they can't be that wrong and it not snow at all right?! I'm prepared though...I've got spaghetti going for dinner tonight and the stuff for a breakfast casserole in the morning-YUM! That's all I've got this time. It's a pajamas and movie kind of day, on the big screen we have The Dark Knight (bluray, which Joe is super excited about) and Fireproof (which I'm super excited about). Nothing like cuddling up with my hubby and watching some movies. I'm sure you'll hear about what happens with the snow. Until next time, as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!



Update...as of 6:00 the rain has switched over to snow and it's starting to stick. Looks like another snow day. Off to enjoy the "Southern Snowstorm" from the comfort of my couch...

Update...at 6:50 school has been cancelled. At least we get to sleep in!!