Make a joyful noise

My oldest at her middle school band concert! I'd like for her to participate in CYC's upcoming "Fashionable Talent Show", but she may still be a bit shy on performing solo. Here's the info on the show, coordinated by amazingly creative CYC member Sharon Brown (she's also a talented writer and artist):

"The annual CYC Fashion/Talent Show will be Tuesday evening June 14 at Commonwealth Yacht Club. The GTB models will show fashions that are available from Green Turtle Bay's Chandlery, and the talent will be provided by Yacht Club members. The show is a popular event, and we always have a full house eagerly anticipating the long awaited talent and fashions. The fashion show will start promptly at 8 p.m. and it will be followed by a display of talent, the likes of which you have never seen at CYC. There will be fashions for the boating dog, for the captain, and for all his mates, and talent for all to enjoy. Be sure to mark your calendar, this is an event that you must not miss."

As always, resort guests receive a temporary membership pass to CYC so come stay with us and enjoy a fine evening of fashion, talent and great food! Condo reservations: 800.498.0428

Garden Goodness

Announcing the Livingston County Extension Office Farmers Market in Grand Rivers. The Farmers Market will be located beside the Badgett Playhouse Saturday mornings from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Early May markets will feature potted plants. As the season progresses, items for sale will include a wide variety of herbs and vegetables. Currently, four Livingston County farmers have signed up to sell at the market.

From my girls

How to get to third base

Just raise $750 for MDA! Paducah's Executive Lock Up for the Muscular Dystrophy Association last week was a huge success and I was proud to play a part. Congratulations to Paducah businesswoman Stephanie Capps (who coincidentally keeps her houseboat at GTB) for being the top fundraiser with around $7,000 in donations!


I am excited to break the news that the Executive Lock Up for Marshall County and Murray will be held at Green Turtle Bay's waterfront conference center on July 15! All those "locked up" will be treated to limo rides to the resort, gorgeous views of sparkling Lake Barkley, catering by Dockers Bayside Grille and the Commonwealth Yacht Club, and the chance to win fabulous prizes all for a great cause!

NEW RULE

I have decided that from now on I'm going to be really picky about the photos I post on my blog. No more scratchy camera phone pics, no more so-so images that I used because I needed some fill. I've decided on quality over quantity people!

That is all.

24 hours of momisms in under 3 minutes

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Derby Day at the Bay

Derby doings were a blast last weekend with not one but two parties! First was a private party for pretty much everyone...condo owners, guests, marina slipholders, and CYC members with complimentary appetizers and drinks and viewing of the Run for the Roses. Looks like I neglected photographing all the fine gentlemen present in favor of the ladies because they had the fanciest hats...sorry guys! Here's pics from the first beginning at 3 pm, leading off with the derby hat contest winners.







All this followed by a special menu dinner and evening party with live entertainment by Miss Dawn and the Misters. Do we have fun at GTB? You BET!

Yumminess

I just received the menu for Mother's Day Sunday Brunch on the Water! Wow! Just $16 per person and don't forget the "Chicken Soup for Mom's Soul" book signing! Reservations: 270-362-4444

FRESH FRUIT DISPLAY WITH CARAMEL CRÈME DIP
BUTTERMILK BISCUITS WITH SAUSAGE GRAVY
SCRAMBLED EGGS
SPICED BACON & SAUSAGE PATTIES
SAUSAGE-EGG CASSEROLE
OVEN FRENCH TOAST
ASSORTED PASTRIES
SALAD BAR

ENTREES
CHEF-CARVED PRIME RIB
LEG OF LAMB
ROASTED PORK WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE
CHARLIE CHAN CHICKEN
PARMESAN ROUGHY

ACCOMPANIMENTS
CREAMY RANCH POTATOES
GRANDMA’S SWEET POTATOES
PASTA PRIMAVERA
GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
VEGETABLE MEDLEY, HOLLANDAISE
SPICY CORN PUDDING

ASSORTED DESSERTS

Let kids be kids. Or, how to embarrass your 11 and 12 year olds, but with good intentions.

I'm the mother of 5th and 6th grade girls. I think I'm a pretty cool mom for the most part, but sometimes I show out a little.

Like the time I received a teacher's email that said "All the children who don't have half of their Accelerated Reader points by halfway through this grading period will be in our reading club. They need to learn not to wait until the last minute to get all their points. They will SET by themselves and read in gym when they are waiting for class to begin, and as soon as they finish their lunch, and when waiting on the bus". I responded by writing "This is ridiculous. So now not only do they have to earn a total number of points each grading period, they have to do so in a schedule that is to the teacher's liking. The kids don't even enjoy reading anymore, all they do is stress out about their points, how many they have, how many more they need, and if they are earning them according to the proper schedule. While we are at it, how about a spelling and grammar club for the teachers? They can SET by themselves during their lunch and practice." (I copied all the parents on this and received nothing but positive response.)

Or the time Ashlynn tried out for middle school cheerleading. There was a lengthy parents meeting before they even had tryouts, complete with a stack of rules with lots of bolding and all caps that was read aloud with proper feeling: Cheerleaders CAN NEVER let anyone else try on or wear their uniform. They CAN NEVER wear only part of their uniform such as the top with a pair of jeans. It is AN HONOR to wear the BMS Uniform. Cheerleaders MUST ALWAYS arrive to games 15 minutes before game time. Those arriving less than 15 minutes before game time WILL BE BENCHED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. Cheerleading comes before all other sports. This is not one of those squads you pay to be on. YOU MUST EARN YOUR SPOT on this squad. ALL PRACTICES ARE MANDATORY. Each candidate must provide 5 teacher references and 1 coach reference. Coach references must be turned in directly to the school. IF THE COACHES REFERENCE IS GIVEN BACK TO THE STUDENT, THEY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. etc, etc, etc. I have a horrible disease called Single Mother Syndrome and am frequently late to pick up one child because I am dropping off another and one of them can't find her track shoes to boot. I must have been rolling my eyes alot in this meeting due to my disease because my older daughter Savannah kept saying "Don't comment, mom. Restrain yourself." (Ash didn't make the team, but got over it in a day or two.)

The kicker was just last week. I thought I knew what to expect because we went to the "Puber-Tea" last year. You know, for 4th and 5th grade girls; let's have punch and cupcakes and let's talk about all the weird things our body may be doing in the next year or two. This year they decided to change it up a bit and call it "Girls Night Out". Sporty Savannah said "No way! I already went last year!" so off Ashlynn and I went to the Marshall County Extension Office who sponsors it. When we arrived they asked if she'd like to sign up to win a makeover. I encouraged Ash to sign up thinking she might win a haircut or something but she wasn't interested. So we went on in for the punch and cupcakes and a nice speech on self esteem. After the self esteem part was over a lady in her late 50s or so got up and said "Hi! I'm so and so from Merle Norman and now I'm going to pick a winner for the makeover!". She called the lucky winner up front (who according to Ashlynn is in the 4th grade) and got started. She gave her some cleanser to use and talked about how important it is to wash your face. Then she proceeded to the face powder and how to choose a color, and put that on the little girl. I started squirming in my seat a little. Then she moved on to the blush. At this point I turned around and shot a dirty "Who's stupid idea was this?" look in the general vicinity of the female extension agents. By the time she got done with that and was moving on to the next "how to make your 4th or 5th grader look like a hooker" tip I told Ashlynn "That's it, we're outta here!" She knew enough to only muster one "Mom! Please??" before she gave in and decided she'd rather go get an ice cream cone.

Let kids be kids. Let them read for enjoyment because they want to, quit bombarding them with ridiculous rules and regulations and for God's sake don't encourage them to look and act older than their precious years. They're only young once, so let them play. Play.

Come, bring your kids and stay with us at Green Turtle Bay. We have planned children's activities all summer long! We won't make them SET by themselves if you're running a bit late, we don't keep track of points during story time, and no lipstick is involved. Click here to download the pdf of activities.

Brunches are back!

Everyone's welcome for brunch on the water every Sunday from 11 am - 2 pm at our Commonwealth Yacht Club here at the resort! Enjoy delicious food overlooking a harbor or colorful yachts and sailboats. Bring your church bulletin and receive 10% off! Special for Mother's Day this Sunday, we'll have a book signing by Stephanie Ray Brown of the Chicken Soup for Mom's Soul series. Come on out!