I will always remember as a young college student realizing more than just Carolina residents knew about Myrtle Beach, SC.  I’d been going to Myrtle Beach since I was just in primary school and when I heard it mentioned on a TV show, I was flabbergasted.  “They just said Myrtle Beach! How do they know about Myrtle Beach?!”  Sure enough, I found out later people even come from Canada to go to Myrtle Beach!  Who knew?

My husband and I got engaged at Myrtle Beach and my kids, now 9 and 7, still enjoy our yearly trek to the coast.  After nearly 30 years I’ve got Myrtle Beach down to a science and I’m just about to share with you the best attractions.  Let’s say you want to spend 5 days in Myrtle Beach this summer with your kids.  What are the must-see attractions?

I’m answering that question over at TheTuckersTakeTennessee.com today.  My guest post is kicking off a summer series on making summer fantastic with your kids so be sure to subscribe when you’re over there.  And for you local folks, be sure to add all your favorite stops!

Five Ways to Have the Very BEST Summer in Myrtle Beach, SC is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Somehow, though, my brain figured out how to take a rest over the weekend and I had some nice moments.  Friday night I let both the kids have someone sleep over.  It felt good to clear my brain by popping popcorn and baking brownies.

Saturday Emma had her first horseback riding lesson thanks to a LivingSocial deal.  At first she was terrified.  As soon as she got on the horse and the instructor was explaining how they were going to go for a walk around the arena, she looked at me and mouthed “I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS.”  I told her we didn’t have to come back and she’d do fine.  That was one of those mother-lines.  Because have I ever told you how much I hate riding horses?  There was that one family vacation in the mountains and the whole family went and I stayed by myself.  And that one time at youth camp where I begged the camp counselor to let me stay back while the group went on their ride.  They made me get on the horse before I decided and that right there sealed the deal.  I sat for the next hour kicking dirt around the barn.  I do not ride horses.  They scare me to death.  I’ll pet one and cry more than anyone else when one gets hurt in a movie but I’m scared to death to ride one.  I think it’s a control thing.  I’ve never been taught how to control such a big animal and I’m just sure it will either buck me off or go running to who knows where. 

After Emma’s lesson Saturday she got off the horse and I gave her the biggest hug ever and told her how proud I was of her and how much braver than her mommy she is.  She said, “You know how I said I didn’t want to do this?  I changed my mind and I really love it.”  And after watching just one lesson and learning that those reigns really do mean something to the horse I honestly think I’d like to do a lesson with Emma.  So there’s that.  I’m still so proud of her for doing it even knowing how much her mother wouldn’t do the same in her shoes.  Here she is doing a steering challenge at the end of the lesson, weaving in between cones.

Sunday was Mother’s Day and with Scott working, the girls still did a great job of sharing all their school-made presents. Emma gave me a book of poems and had wrapped a piggy bank she had gotten from the principal and had written "It pays to be a mom" on the side. She cracks me up. Lexi gave me a card and a necklace made out of playdoh. I wore it all day.

I cooked lunch for my mom and family. I even brought out the china and made name tags. If you’d like to do the same, I put together a free printable for you with the butterflies I used. Just print it on colored card stock and cut out. Thank you, Pinterest, for the idea.

I begged the girls for a picture after dinner. It was one of those, "SIT HERE AND BE STILL AND SMILE!!" I didn’t think we’d captured any worth sharing but this doesn’t say “OH MY GOSH, WE’RE DYING” too bad.

We ate dinner with Scott’s family and then topped off the evening and weekend with mini milkshakes from Sonic. I highly recommend the chocolate and hot fudge mix.

Oh, and some little unnamed hands dropped my phone in the driveway AGAIN last night and shattered my screen. We’re off to the Apple store tonight in hopes they’ll fix it without making me buy a new one and for those concerned, yes, I ordered a LifeProof case this time.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and have a great week!

Weekend Recap is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Slacklining

I saw some teenagers doing this at the festival last weekend.  It looks kind of cool until things don’t go right and then it just looks like a means of torture.  The guys I saw couldn’t even get on the line without a death grip on a nearby tree and when they fell off, were slapped by the line.  Perhaps it should be called slaplining. 

These guys make it look easy.

Piecaken

I saw this from @SarahBessey on twitter yesterday and had never heard of such. You bake a pie INTO a cake. I can see Scott LOVING this for his birthday.

Italian Sodas

I’m very sure these aren’t new but they’re new to me.  Don’t these Italian sodas look yummy? I think I’ve found just what to do with all those yummy strawberries while they’re still around.

Kris Allen’s Vision of Love

In case you’re like me and you don’t normally watch American Idol’s results shows, you probably missed Kris Allen’s performance of his new single. I looked up the video and the message is even better. Love the chorus. The falsetto parts remind me of Enrique Iglesias and if you know me from waayyy back in the day, that’s a very good thing.

In other new news, Scott PASSED his drug recognition school with flying colors. We’re all so excited for him and I’m most excited that he’s home. What new things or news do you have going on?

Random New Things is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Source: piccsy.com via Eveli on Pinterest

Well, we ought to start off Tuesday night.  I knew I felt a UTI coming on but really didn’t want to pay for an urgent care visit or take the time.  I figured I could drown it with water.  By lunch Wednesday, I realized it was going to be a no-go and if I didn’t care to be in pain ala Tom Hanks character in The Green Mile I was going to have to buck up and go.  I did and was ever so grateful to have some meds.

Last night I panicked a bit because I realized today I had to go to the office.  Normally it’s not a big deal because Scott is home and he helps get the kids ready for school while I’m getting ready.  I had everything ready last night though and besides the fact I couldn’t sleep last night, this morning went well. 

The day started to go wrong when my manager and I sat down mid-morning for a meeting and the fire alarm sounded.  I looked at him and said, “Is that like a legit fire alarm?”  And yes, I’m known for asking unnecessary questions.  I quickly began to regret the fact I had worn my most uncomfortable set of heels I own.  We have to take the stairs 5 floors down and then go stand in a parking lot. 

Wouldn’t you know, though, as soon as we got down there I realized I’d left my badge at my desk.  I couldn’t just hop back inside to get it because, you know, I needed my badge to get in the building.  That meant more walking to a different entrance when all of this was over and probably a blister too.

Source: anneyhall.tumblr.com via Jerome on Pinterest

Then, as if we were in a dark and twisty poem, dark clouds started moving pretty fast overhead and a quick look at someone’s cell said that we had just a few minutes before we were all in the middle of a bad storm.  We had to walk even further to the nearby parking deck for cover and climb a few flights of stairs to the deck entrance since they were now letting people back in the building. 

At this point though my feet weren’t my problem.  My stomach started to feel a little funny.  Once I got to the stupendously long line for those who didn’t grab their badges I was feeling worse and the hall had almost zero air conditioning.  I got hot.  Really hot.  I started fanning myself with my composition notebook.  Fan, fan, fan.  I was going to faint.  If you know me, you know I never get hot indoors and something was very wrong.  I even sat down on a nearby bench to get a small break both from my heels and you know, make the fainting hurt less.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mary on Pinterest

We eventually made it in without any fainting but I told my manager I’d need a few minutes to get some water and gather myself.  Twenty minutes later I was no longer about to faint but just did not feel well.  I’ll spare you the digestive details.  My manager saw that I wasn’t well and we canceled our meeting and he suggested I head home.  I was all about going home.  When someone says go home, I’m the first out the door but I just wasn’t sure I could drive.  I stuck around trying to breathe through my nose and drink water for another 30 minutes and then packed myself up and prayed my way home, trying to calculate what bathroom I’d use at each exit if necessary.

I made it home, and a quick Google search told me that most likely I was having awful side effects from the antibiotics.  I’m thankful the kids were at school and I was able to writhe on my bedroom floor for the next two hours in between trying to play ball with Tucker who’d been crated all morning since I was at work. Don’t you just love when the medicine that’s supposed to make you feel better gives you other, worse conditions?

Just as it was time for me to get the girls, I let Tucker out one more time.  Once I let him back in my bedroom I realized there was suddenly an awful dead fish smell in my room.  It didn’t take long to realize it was coming from dog poo on his paw that he was traipsing around my bedroom carpet.  Tucker!!!  I was barely well enough to walk but had to go wash him off with the hose outside.  Never mind the fact my carpet now needed clean and sanitized, we headed to get the girls.

I finally got the girls from school, got my new meds and got home.  I decided I was finally well enough to log back into work.  And then I see that Tucker has decided to use my secure ID card as a chew toy and rendered it unusable.  Tucker!!!!

Source: bit.ly via Marshall on Pinterest

That’s when the laughing started.  Could this day get any worse?  Yes, much.  But, wow.  What a day.

The Story of that One Bad Day is a post from: Permission to Peruse

So, this time, we went for a very simple, traditional, easy-to-maintain grown-up look.  I’d show you an after picture but that will have to wait until all the sod is put down and I’ll do a separate post.

Friday afternoon I was never so happy to have Scott back home after a week at training.  Happy, happy, happy.  The week went well as far as maintaining the house.  I stayed right on top of laundry, dishes, clutter and dinner but my goodness, I was about up to HERE with the dog and kids.  The dog kept eating things and the kids kept disobeying and breaking things and I just needed someone else to back me up for a little while.  I mean, honestly, the teenager at Chickfila Thursday night basically told me I ought to buy my kids dessert to bribe them to act better.  Seriously!  It reminds me of the time the teenager at Harris Teeter covered his nose while he checked my groceries out and told me how bad Lexi’s diaper stunk.  Mom of the year right here!

Friday night the kids ended up at sleepovers so Scott and I got to go out to Beef and Bottle with a LivingSocial deal I’d gotten.  I think I’d forgotten just how good the steak was.  Seriously, it’s a close your eyes and moan  sort of first bite.  I chose the creamed spinach as a side this time and that was so good too.  After that, we were ready to completely veg out and forget the week.

Saturday morning we slept in and then got some things done around the house.  Scott cut the grass, I planted some plants and watered the garden and such (PS, it’s doing so well!).  Saturday afternoon we spent some time at a local Earth day celebration.  It was hot and we didn’t stay long but stopping to get some fresh strawberry ice cream was the perfect closer. 

(Lexi on the right and surprise! Scott and Tucker are there under the tree)

The family was finally all back together Saturday evening so we just enjoyed some time outside.

Sunday was the norm…church, grocery store, lunch, naps, pizza for dinner.  Scott had to leave out for his last week of training so the girls and I finished off the night by watching Dr. Quinn.  The DVR happened to have caught the Pilot episode and I really don’t remember ever seeing that and wow, it was SO GOOD.  Just like a little mini movie.  The best part is the girls are in love with it too.  Maybe they can learn some old-fashioned manners so I don’t look like a complete incompetent parent all around town.

So I’m taking another deep breath and trying to get through another single parenthood week.  They’re having Girls Night Out at Chickfila tonight.  I’m planning to threaten the girls with no TV for at least 10 years if they don’t behave.  Wish me luck!

Hope you had a great weekend and your week goes well!

Weekend Recap is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Saturday morning we did some yardsaling.  The girls made some great decisions spending some of their money from Easter.  It always makes me laugh crazy proud how very careful they are with their own money.  Saturday evening the girls and I went out with my mom and sister since both my dad and Scott were working.  We had a great dinner out (yummy filet at Hickory Tavern!) and did a little shopping.

Sunday’s highlight was a tea party.  The girls really had a blast.  Both the girls were Bingo winners, got to do a craft and hear some great speakers.  Emma couldn’t quite figure out why everyone was crying during the poem readings.

Scott is in training all week and after a tough weekend, I’m trying to pull it together to be a single mom for the rest of the week.  Pretty sure I have PMS and it’s making it all the more dramatic.  This morning I had a beautiful sunrise to greet me though and I know Friday will be here before we know it.

Make sure to check out the Simplify Your Family Life eBook Sale!  Hope you have a great week!

Weekend Recap is a post from: Permission to Peruse

With my two extra days off work and family in town, I felt like we crammed in a full week of Spring Break into the last four.  We had a great time shopping, bowling, Mellow Mushrooming, Easter egg hunting, racing, eating and generally having a good time together.

We finished out the weekend at home getting back into the swing of regular life.  I baked bread, went grocery shopping and the girls and I had fun playing their new Wii game Just Dance.  Ouch.  That’s all I’m sayin’.

Hope you had a wonderful Easter celebrating with friends and family!

Weekend Recap is a post from: Permission to Peruse

This morning I made pancakes for the kids and we got ready at leisure.  We then did some consignment shopping and picked up a few things for summer.

For the early afternoon, my uncle took us all out on his boat for a few hours.  Man, was that relaxing.  The wind made it a little chilly so no tubing or skiing but with little to distract us except a nice hum of the engine, I could have nearly gone to sleep.  Just the perfect thing for a day off near home.

Late this afternoon we had my cousins (close to the girls’ age) over and then we spent the evening at my parents’.  Just some BBQ and a lot of talking. 

I have to say, I need to do these random days off at home a lot more often.  Exactly what I needed.

Spring Break Staycation is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Scott worked the weekend so those are always the times the girls and I get out and have some sweet girl times together.  Friday night we got out to the park.  Emma was hilarious as two younger boys tried to join in their fun in the sand box and Emma kept looking at me and mouthing, “Save. me.”  It made me giggle even though we all know she’s been the busy little girl no one could keep up with before.

Saturday morning we got out to the library.  I love, love that both of the girls are becoming bookworms and nothing makes me happier than all of us carrying an armful of books out the door.  Their current favorite is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  I was shocked when Emma ended up reading one of them in less than 24 hours.  We hit up the grocery store and then did a little spring clothes shopping.  We didn’t make any plans for Spring Break and the only request Lexi had was to go to Justice.  I don’t know if that’s good or bad but I do know one outfit is a lot cheaper than a Spring Break week at Disney.  We had someone come out and talk to us about landscaping the front yard since we never planted anything after the addition last year.  We had another friend stop by and then the girls and I just spent the night at home, capping off the day with an episode of Little House of the Prairie.  I’m not sure the girls quite appreciate the show yet.  In the middle, Emma exclaimed, “This is so pointless!”  The episode was about a couple in the town on the brink of divorce so I’m just not sure she connected.  Ah well, at least I’m trying.

Sunday we had church and lunch and then the girls stayed over with their cousin.  I did some heavier grocery shopping, laundry and the like.  My niece stayed over last night and we ended up at my parents’ house for the evening where they played, visited a neighbor’s horse and watched a movie in their theater room. 

Today is the first day of Spring Break.  We have family coming in to town on Wednesday so I decided to take Thursday and Friday off.  It’s a short work-week and I couldn’t be more excited. 

Before I end, I wanted to highlight the blog’s newest (and first!) official Sponsor.  Casey Coley is a Thirty-one consultant.  You’ll see her ad on the right sidebar.  I’m proud to say I managed to put that button together in Photoshop.  Musings of a Housewife has a great tutorial on creating a button.  Go visit Casey’s Thirty-one site and check out the latest Spring patterns and bags.

Weekend Recap is a post from: Permission to Peruse

Emma’s liver is now testing clear and she does not need to take her liver pills anymore.
Emma’s emotional test was clear so she does not need to take her drops.
As for her milk, he still wants her to stay away from milk on its own. Cheese, baked goods with milk, etc are fine but if she’s going to have a glass of milk or a bowl of cereal, she should either have a dairy-free alternative OR he said he felt comfortable with her having drinking raw milk which I thought was interesting.
As for her gluten, it is better but she should continue gluten-free. I asked about a NAET treatment and he said it was not an allergy, but a sensitivity which is totally different. I had suspected as much after doing more reading these past weeks. He thought she may outgrow it though and could be tested in a few years.

Scott’s sinus is clear of the fungus but we haven’t seen much improvement. It turns out his other sinus cavity has a different fungus so he gave him a different anti-fungal medicine for that. He had indicated last time that might be the case so no surprise there.
As for his stomach, he doesn’t need the Amalyse anymore to help digest carbs but kept him on the Digestin. He ran out of that last week and his acid reflux returned immediately. He said his body is just not producing enough acid to break down his food.
As for his seratonin, he is also continuing that as we believe it could replace his OCD meds.

Overall, he said he could see improvement in both of them. I’m a little bummed we are sticking with gluten-free but it’s great to have the milk back. It opens up so many more Italian dishes and snacks she can have. We have found so many good gluten-free products. Oh, he also gave us a pill to take in case we did have gluten and it would help break it down. He didn’t see any need to see us again. He’d just check on Scott by phone.

Even though gluten-free is hard I’m so glad Emma is not suffering. While its no fun to miss out on some foods I think it’s better than hurting every time she eats and have no idea why. And even though Scott could be on that Digestin for years I feel better knowing it’s a homeopathic solution.

So that’s that. What questions do you have about gluten-free living? I’m just a baby gluten-freer but would be happy to help if I could.

And We’re Still Gluten-free is a post from: Permission to Peruse