It is NEVER ok...

...to wear socks with high heels! I don't care what movie you saw it in, or who told you it was cool...do NOT do it. And Dad, please refrain from snide remarks about how you had to throw all your sock/heel combos away due to this blog...or how you promise not to do it again. Just agree with me. Tanner and I were out and about today when I saw this heinous fashion crime being committed...right in my very own town!! I had to shield his eyes from the horror of it all. What is this world coming to when a fairly sophisticated woman feels that she has to don a pair of white athletic socks to go with her heels??? Truly tragic!

Aside from having to witness the aforementioned catastrophe, Tanner and I have had a wonderful day together. We made a fun little snack today...pineapple upside down biscuits. Tanner liked helping make them more than he liked eating them...but you can't win em all. We snuggled in my bed and took a two hour nap, we have played with new Christmas toys, we are still in the middle of a Scooby Doo Marathon, and the dog has only eaten half of the shoes in the house today. Right now I am cooking dinner...ham with pineapple glaze (I had leftovers from the snack), and later when Tanner is in bed, I am going to curl up under my new fuzzy blanket and read the new Janet Evanovitch. A perfect Saturday if you ask me!

Tomorrow is New Years Eve. I purposefully asked Jeremy not to make any plans for us. All I want to do is stay home with my family and veg out. I bought some bubbly (sparkling white grape juice) today so Jeremy and I could have our midnight toast, and we have rented a couple of movies that will help us ring in the new year with out having to be out on the roads. I hope you all have a splendid New Year as well. I want a post of at least ONE of your New Years Resolutions in my comments. Love to you all.

Jules

Give the People what They Want!

I am not going to say that I have been "hounded" to do a new post...but it was heavily suggested that I should. So I am giving the people what they want. Sorry about the delay in getting some Christmas pictures up, but it has been a busy week (read: it has been the worst week I've had in a while and I didn't feel like blogging). Hopefully, everything will be calming down now and getting back to normal.

As most of you know, since you were there, Christmas Eve was spent in Joplin (actually Purcell) with my wonderful family. We had a great time and I wish that we could have visited longer.

Tanner spent the night with Nana and Papa and Mommy and Daddy came back to Springfield childless. Which was great, since it gave us some time to get everything ready for the next day. When Mom and Dad arrived with Tanner the next morning he was so excited to see that Santa did not forget to stop, even though he wasn't here.

After opening some presents at home, we piled into Ramone and headed for Jeremy's Grandma Jewel's house (the mean one!). Surprise Surprise!!!! Santa had left some stuff for Tanner THERE too!

Even though going to Jewel's house is not my most favorite thing to do, Tanner really has a good time when we're there. It may have something to do with the fact that she is constantly shoveling sugar into him, or it could be that she lets him drive the farm truck up to feed the cows. In any case, he always has fun. So combine all of the above mentioned things with presents and you can picture the pure ball of euphoria that was my child.

He loved his kitchen, and has been cooking non-stop since we (by we I mean Jeremy) set it up. Who knows, maybe we have a master chef in the making?? Also at Grandma Jewel's house, he got some clothes, and a new coat, and a few toys and of course some money for his Piggy Bank. Jeremy and I took him up in the field to feed the cows, and then Jeremy gave him a driving lesson. Tanner was so proud of himself. I have to say he did a pretty good job, at least better than half the drivers here in Springfield. After some play time, we headed to Wayne and Erma's for dinner. This is my fifth year at the Philbert family Christmas, and I think it was by far the best. All of the cousins, but the youngest, had their boyfriends there, and Meleshia's boyfriend brought his cousin, so it was a full house. And Tanner was the center of attention! He LOVED it!

We got home pretty late that evening, and Tanner was completely wiped out. But I would have to say that this was the best Bradshaw Christmas by far. And I realize how truly blessed I am to have gotten to spend time with almost every single person that I hold dear to my heart this year. I hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas as well. And I hope that this post will satisfy your need for Christmas pictures...I'll leave you with one last one. I'm thinking of having it blown up and giving IT out as a present next year. I know Jessica, at least, will love it!

Broil Ban

I have been banned from broiling. Seriously, it just happened. I personally think that it is an unjust sentence. Here's what happened. Tanner and I decided that we wanted cheeseburgers for dinner. I thought it might be a good idea to broil them. You know, less fat and all that. As the burgers were broiling one of them caught on fire. It wasn't a BIG fire, and I put it out without any trouble whatsoever. I told Tanner it was flame kissed. DON'T JUDGE ME!!!!! The smoke alarms went off and there was a big to do about trying to open a window. (They were all caulked shut by the maintenance man.) But everything was FINE. The burgers were good, and I thought the house was mostly smoke free...Jeremy has informed me otherwise. And he proceeded to ban me from the broiler. I think his exact words were "The broiler is not for your use." So there you have it. There will be no more broiling at Casa de Bradshaw. It is a sad day indeed.

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I just saw these pics of my beautiful friend Sara's baby Barron, and HAD to share them with you. Is he not the cutest thing!

Here's one of Baby Bear and Mommy! I love you guys and Miss you tons!!! I have a room with your names all over it!

Only 6 Shopping Days Left!

Do YOU have all of your shopping done?? We do! Jeremy did ALL of it. He told my mom that he was saving several little old ladies from me...as if I am a somewhat unpleasant shopper. Ok, so I MIGHT be a little tense in a store this time of year. Here's the thing, I have a very low tolerance for anything annoying. That includes long lines, people blocking aisles, and ugly Christmas sweaters. They set me off. So Jeremy braved the crowds Friday and took care of presents for Tanner, his side of the family, and mine. Go Team!

I have already "opened" my present. I really was kind of looking forward to opening it on Christmas morning and being surprised...BUT Jeremy thought it would be a good idea to show the present to Tanner. Approximately 5 seconds after seeing the present, Tanner ran into the kitchen to inform me of what it was. I was prepared, and covered my ears so I couldn't hear him and crisis was averted. Saturday morning we woke up and were having a leisurly morning in bed with Tanner, just kind of rough housing and having a good time when he jumped up and said, "Mommy!!! Daddy got you a watch and it's in the dresser drawer!!!" Since the surprise was kind of ruined, I got it early. It's a beautiful watch, and it came just in time as my other one just bit the dust. Tanner has opened one of his presents also. Carol got him a robot. His name is Elroy and he has "great abilities". Or at least this is what he tells us. He dances and walks and makes robot noises. Tanner just loves him. Mommy could do without him, but anything to make Tanner smile. They are tucked into bed together as I type...Elroy is Tanner's new best friend. So long Tikki!

Well, I will be seeing most of you this weekend...so if I don't blog again...LOVE YOU LOTS and see you Sunday!!!

Do I get paid for this???

I worked from home today...sort of. That means I did about an hour and a half of actual work and spent the rest of the day chasing Tanner around the house, or cleaning up something that Daisy decided was shred-worthy, or getting TW a drink, or something else that drained five minutes of time away. I accomplished NOTHING. At three, I gave up and took a nap. Sadly, I will have to do some work after Jeremy gets home and Tanner is in bed. The kitchen is trashed. The living room looks like a war zone, and Tanner is covered from head to toe in ink.

I don't really know what time this little "art project" happened, but I think it was when I was in the middle of payroll...or when I was cooking lunch. This is one of those moments when I, as a mother of a boy, just have to realize stuff like this is gonna happen. It will come off in the wash. Besides, how can you be mad when he is so proud of what he has done? Side note: Jeremy would DIE! At the moment, my little man is sitting next to me on the floor, singing a little made up song as I used to do, and being devilishly cute. So I will leave you all, and go get in some cuddle time with my turkey before he goes to bed and I get back to work.

COME ON, FRIDAY!!!

Let me open with some randomness. The ceiling fan in my room CAN NOT be safe. It has three speeds--low, medium, and helicopter. I thought I should tell you, because if I have to lie awake at night in fear of being decapitated by the ceiling fan--then you all should have to know about it--I share this thought with you, the people that I love--knowing that you won't laugh at me...or if you do, you will at least have the good grace not to do it to my face.

I am tired. My eye (the left one) has been twitching for the better part of three weeks...should I be worried? I found THREE gray hairs this morning (perhaps not a big deal to you--but I promise they grew in overnight), and I haven't sang along with the radio (unheard of!) since Monday.

Friends, I need some rejuvenation!

I need to soak my cares away in a hot bath, and watch a chick flick.
I need to read a good book that makes me laugh.
I need to have a cuddle fest with Tanner.
I need to go on a date with my husband (or at LEAST find someone who WANTS
to go on a date with my husband--I think he's to the point he would accept either
option).
I need to take a good, long nap on the couch.
I need to smile, and I need to sing. I need to be me again.

As much as I LOVE this time of the year, I hate that I forget to take just a moment for me...and inevitably, every year, I become lost...and grumpy...and very unJuli-like. So COME ON FRIDAY!!! Get here as quickly as you can...because I need you.

This weekend I vow to:
1. Not say anything bad about any of the other shoppers I encounter.
2. Take at least one nap on the couch.
3. Take a bath with an outrageous amount of bubbles.
4. Rent "Talladega Nights, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby" and laugh my head off.
5. Snuggle, and tickle, and love on my boy!
6. SING!
7. Call at least two people that I haven't talked to in awhile.
8. NOT think about work...not even once.

I am fairly certain that if I can mark off all the items on my list, I can go back to work on Tuesday (I have 3 three day weekends in a row!!!!) and feel like a normal person again. Hopefully the rest of the week will fly by and the rejuvenation process can begin. OH, don't fret, I will be back with good stories. Tomorrow night is the Company Christmas party. I am guaranteed at least one good laugh...red neck construction workers...open bar...need I say more?? I look forward to sharing them with you. Now I am going to bed---where the ceiling fan is waiting.....

You Saw it Here First

Christmas present alert! Christmas present alert! The Bradshaw family Christmas present for 90% of the people on our list is almost complete. All we are missing is some nice frames and some ribbon and we will be set. We decided this year to do pictures of Tanner for just about everyone, and after much fidgeting, fussing, and fighting it is done. I guess in retrospect it wasn't TOO bad. Tanner just can't hold still, but I was victorious! So, here's a sneak peek at the hottest Christmas present going this year! Funny how the last picture you take is ALWAYS the best, isn't it???

How to Build a Castle

Step 1: Wait until your Mom is not in the room (when she is cooking dinner is the best time).

Step 2: Remove every single pillow and couch cushion from all the furniture in the living room and pile them in the floor. Do this quickly--if you can finish before you get caught, you are more likely to be able to play on the castle.

Step 3: Repeat step two with all the pillows from all of the beds in the house.

Step 4: Climb to the top of the castle and declare yourself "King".

Step 5: When asked, "What happened in here?!?!?", blame it on the dog!

Despite the mess that has now been cleaned up twice ( I let him do this again today--on purpose), Tanner has enjoyed the castle building. At one point, he was using the large couch cushions as slides. Thank you, Corinthian, for making such durable, yet attractive furniture! It has been a great day here with just me and my favorite guy. We've been enjoying the ABC Family Classic Christmas marathon (he has now been introduced to Heat Miser and Snow Miser), and playing with play dough. And we dusted and did some laundry too. I am trying to decide if I want to give him a nap this late in the day, and let him stay up late with me tonight...or if I want him to go to bed at the usual time and spend the evening alone in solitude. I have to say that as much as I love my little guy, option number two is sounding very appealing. He's not really wanting to take a nap right now anyway. SOOOO, an evening alone in solitude it is! Right now, it is time to make some dinner. I think Tanner is going to let me off the hook with cooking, he has been wanting a PB&J all day. Bless him! So sandwiches and chocolate milk all around, and then back to relaxing on this most wonderful of Saturdays! Love to you all.

For the Ladies...or Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Brad Pitt and Angelina are in town this week...whoop-de-doo. This, to me, is pretty uneventful...but to the rest of Springfield...well, let's just say it's been the biggest news so far this week, and I can't turn on a radio without hearing about the newest Brangelina sighting. Brad Pitt holds no appeal to me. Everyone I work with has a Brad Pitt story. Keisha went on a blind date with him in high school. Matt and Brad were good friends...and on and on and on. My Brad Pitt story consists of me watching "Meet Joe Black" and thinking it was a terrible movie.

I have a list (one of you, maybe two, will know which list I speak of) and Brad doesn't even come CLOSE to

getting on it. Thorsten Kay and the Rock are on my list...but no Brad.

Thorsten (pictured here) has a gorgeous cleft in his chin, molten chocolate eyes (I'm a sucker for brown eyes), and a deep gruff voice that makes my heart palpitate. Oh, did I mention he writes poetry and gives the money from the books he sells to underprivileged children. Yeah, I know...dreamy.

The Rock is equally as beautiful, with his square jaw, dimples, and again chocolate brown eyes. I became attached to him during my wrestling phase. I think it was his great smile and personality that reeled me in more than anything, or something like that. Doesn't matter...I DEFINITELY smell what the Rock is Cookin'. I LOVE the People's Eyebrow.

Eeek! I have digressed. So, I don't love Brad Pitt--but because of him I, Juli Bradshaw, can be linked to Kevin Bacon. Now you all know how the game works, so I won't explain it. Instead, I will just share MY connection to Kevin Bacon with you all. Feel free to revel in the wonder of it all. I, Juli Bradshaw, work for Matt Miller, who lives next door to Doug Pitt, who is Brad Pitt's brother. Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston who was in Picture Perfect with Kevin Bacon. TA DAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're probably not impressed, huh? Hey, I can't please all the people ALL the time. Well for those of you who are not easily impressed, let me amaze you with the picture of the cutest guy of all time--the one who has my heart completely! Now THIS is the face of a heart breaker!

Heffalump Cookies

Today, while grocery shopping, Tanner pointed to a bag of cookies and said "Mommy, Can I have some Heffalump cookies?" Even though we went in with a "no junk food" policy today, we quickly caved when we saw that he was referring to a bag of iced animal crackers. Jeremy and I looked at each other guiltily.

Jeremy: I was going to tell him no, but he asked so cutely.

Juli: We caved because he's cute?? We're horrible parents!

SIGH! Does this parenting thing ever get ANY easier. I was reflecting on how it seems now that MY parents were always right...so how come I feel like what I am doing isn't??? It's so frustrating! But regardless of whether we are horrible parents or not, one thing is true...Tanner IS cute.

We spent much of the afternoon outside building the snowman that I couldn't build yesterday. I wanted Tanner to get as much time outside as possible since by next weekend it will all be gone. He shoveled, and threw more snowballs, and helped us build his very first snowman. The snow was so fine that we had the hardest time getting it to pack...so we grabbed the water hose. He's not as tall as we would have liked for him to be, and he is a little crooked, and then there's the fact that he has a hot dog for a nose, but Tanner was so proud! He keeps running to the window to look outside and make sure he is still hanging out in the back yard. He even suggested taking some toys outside for him to play with...in case he should get bored. I may be a little biased...but I think he's the cutest snowman in Springfield!

After we were all sufficiently frozen, we trekked back inside, changed into some dry clothes and

then, on the advice of one of my favorite people, I made Tanner some hot cocoa--in the very same mug that MY mom used to make hot cocoa for me and snuggled up with him. Sadly I don't have "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (but I'll see if I can't find it somewhere), but I can tell you that he was excited to be inside snuggling with Mommy, watching the Fox and the Hound and drinking his hot chocolate. It has been a pretty splendiforous afternoon.

Later I plan on taking a wonderfully hot bubble bath and treating myself to a facial before I have to begin my week...Don't you wish that the weekends could last forever?

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's cold, but that hasn't stopped Tanner and I from having some outdoor fun. This is Tanner's first real snow, and he is loving every minute of it. The first thing he did was fling himself onto the ground so that he could make a snow angel. It was comical watching him try to move his arms and legs at the same time...oh I hope the poor child didn't get his mother's coordination! He was mostly successful in the actual MAKING of the snow angels...but the "getting up so that you don't completely destroy what you have just created" part still needs some work. He'll get it eventually!


Next the snowball throwing began...sort of. This snow is pretty fine and hard to pack together. So Tanner was picking up a handful of snow and just tossing it at my head. No harm done, and it made for a super cute picture. Daisy has been playing outside with us. She's a trooper, but she definitely doesn't like the snow as much as Tanner. Currently, we are inside thawing out so that in a little while we can go and do it again. Tanner has been rummaging for a carrot in the hopes of building a snowman. I wonder if a baby carrot will work--I think that is all I have. He is now BEGGING me to go outside...so I am off again. Perhaps later I'll be back with pictures of Tanner enjoying some snow ice cream. YUMMY!