Miss Basketball

Miss Basketball

I'm surrounded by athletes in my family:

There's Brad, athlete elite.

Mr. Baseball.

And now, I must introduce to you, Miss Basketball.

Kayleigh recently started playing basketball with the Young Women at church. Her improvement in four games is amazing. The first time a teammate passed the ball to her, she took the ball and just ran with it. We made sure after the game to teach her about not "walking" with the ball. Kayleigh is now a confident little ball player.

I have been very excited to interview her about her basketball skills:

Me: Did you ever think I would be interviewing you as an athlete?

Miss B: No, actually, I thought you would be interviewing me as the star of the Suessical Musical. (Kayleigh dramatically puts her arms up in the air as she says this) But, instead, I am just part of the Wickersham gang!

Me: Kayleigh, you will enjoy your part. Now, on to basketball...

Me: Do you know what a hidden talent is?

Miss B: Hmm...

Mr. Baseball interrupts us and screams, "I do, I do!"

Me: Excuse me Mr. Baseball, this is not your interview.

Mr. Baseball: Sorry, my bad!

Miss B: Yes, it's a talent you have, but don't show it.

Me: Well, I think you are more athletic than you think you are.

Me: Do you ever hear me cheering for you?

Miss B: Not usually, but I did hear you today. I wasn't sure why you cheered for me though, because I threw the ball to the wrong person.

We all start to laugh.

Me: I didn't realize that you did that. I was cheering to give you moral support.

Miss B: What?

Me: Moral support, you do know what that is?

Mr. Baseball interrupts AGAIN saying, "I do I do. It's when you support someone to make them feel good."

Me: Cool it, Mr. Baseball.

Miss B: I know what moral support is.

Me: Do you enjoy basketball practice?

Miss B: No.

Me: Why not?

Miss B: We have to run suicides.

Me: What are suicides?

Miss B: (laughs) It's when the coach decides to torture you by making you run and run and run and run and run from line to line across the court.

Me: Oh My! That sounds hard!

Miss B: It is hard.

Me: Do you have any words of wisdom for future basketball players?

Miss B: Just don't be afraid of the ball like I was at the beginning.

Me: That's excellent advice! Do you see yourself having a future in basketball?

Miss B: No, but maybe in wedding planning, singing, acting, or tennis. I want to take tennis lessons.

Me: We will have to look into it. Thanks for the interview.

Miss B: Anytime.

Miss Basketball then leaves the room and breaks into song and dance!

And now a word to the wise:

BEWARE OF GANGSTA BABIES!
Yo Yo Yo!
This is our Homey C!

Photo courtesy of Miss B!

My 15 Minutes

Alicia Barnes and Anderson Burns
ABC News Anchors
Columbia, SC

My 15 minutes of fame just got lengthened by a couple of minutes. My new friend, Anderson Burns, ABC News Anchor, finally updated his blog. We have only met once, but I like to refer to him as my friend. I had been wondering when he was going to update his blog and do a new post about "Hidden Columbia." I was also curious if we were ever going to hear from him again.

He finally updated his blog.

And it was about me!

Well, actually I have to be honest and admit it was about all of us Simpson's.

Click here to read it.

He did write a very interesting post about J. Marion Sims. You will have to click here to learn who this man is.

Thank you, Andy, for once again making our day.

33 Cheers for Meredith

Happy Birthday, Meredith.

It would be my sincere wish that everyone could have wonderful sisters-in law. I have been blessed with three: Barbara, Dawn, and Meredith. Today is Meredith's birthday. I hope that you will be blessed with all that you hope for. It is important for me to say that if it were not for her, I would never have started my blog. She taught me everything I need to know.

Thank you for being my true friend.

And for being my go-to person for all things considered crafty.

I also love you because you're not afraid of calories and like to eat a lot like I do.

If you were here, I would bake you a GREAT BIG birthday cake. I would take half and give you the other half.

We would not gain a single pound!

Jeannie and Meredith

Say Cheese

"Cozette, please say cheese!"

We are constantly goading Cozette to say something or to do something cute for us. She never tires of it, and is eager to please us just like a little performing seal. We all agree that life was boring before she arrived.

Cozette is starting to say a few words. Her favorite is, "Night Night." She says it clear as a bell as she waves to Brad before I take her to bed. Cozette falls asleep every night in my arms. We have our favorite lullabies that I sing to her; Cozette's favorite is, "Chin-up- Chin-up," from the animated version of Charlotte's Web. She can't say the words yet, but she can hum the chorus of the song perfectly. Sometimes, while I am trying to introduce her to new songs, she will interrupt me by humming that chorus.

"Papa" is the other word Cozette speaks perfectly.

And I finally got her to say cheese!

Cozette will say, "Ch-ss," as she pops a cubed piece in her mouth. Then she'll applaud for herself and start to laugh.

She is also discovering all of the animal sounds and can point to each animal when I ask her to. Her favorite animal sounds are, "Quack- Quack and Meow."

Kayleigh gave Cozette a new nickname and I am not sure if I like it:

Cozilla!

One can assume why Kayleigh calls her that. I do believe that Cozette could give Godzilla a run for his money. Cozette can't make messes fast enough. It's like she becomes frenzied if she is not making a mess.

The scariest sound of the day is Cozette's silence.

I usually know to run as fast as I can to the living room. There I will find her, quiet as a little mouse eating my lipstick with it all over her face and the carpet. She also likes to put my mascara on, and her favorite is putting her hand in the jar of Vaseline. She pulls all of the pots and pans out of the cabinets. Our favorite is when she climbs on top of the kitchen table and does a little jig. We love to watch her dance to the beat of the music.

Mommom told me this morning that she and Papa were discussing how cute and petite they think Cozette is.

Mommom said she had to quote Papa,"Yes, little Cozilla is so darling!" I think I may send her over to their house this week, so she can work her magic!

Sometimes Cozette is a little E-E-E, that's code for naughty.

I hate to admit it, but it's true.

She has started to hit us.

Brad and Kayleigh get the brunt of it. She does not respond very well if are firm with her. So, we decided to use a little baby psychology, since we are trying to out smart her!

Instead of saying, "NO Cozette!" with a firm voice (which always makes her laugh and strike again) we will say in a very easy voice, "gentle and tender, Cozette." She will usually caress our face very softly with her little hand and then follow it up with a scratch to the face.

We really do try not to laugh.

We are working on it.

Truthfully, I believe that Cozette is working on us!

Wish Dilemma

As I was about to blow out my birthday candles, my sisters instructed me to make a wish. I hope it will not disappoint them terribly knowing that at that moment I could not think of a single thing to wish for.

I was with Brad, the love of my life.

My children were with me.

Mom and Dad were in the room, still in love and in good health.

My sisters, my truest friends, were cheering me on.

Bill and Shirley, my dear in-laws, made the trip to be with me.

My sister-in-law, Meredith, flew all the from Arizona to spend the week with me.

I was surrounded by those I love the most, I have a happy marriage, I am blessed with family, and I am blessed with the gospel.

I just could not think of anything to wish for.

I am still thinking about it.




We celebrated my birthday by going to the Macaroni Grill for dinner. We then went to Mommom and Papa's house for cake and dessert. I received so many gifts that it seemed like I was turning 10 instead of 40! I do need to mention that Brad surprised me with dancing lessons. I can't wait to serve everyone in my family dinner on my beautiful new dishes that they gave me. Bill and Shirley have always been so generous to me and I am looking forward to reading my new book. I am proudly displaying the beautiful picture framed of my family, that Meredith made me, in my family room. Quincy gave me the loveliest handbag that she sewed herself.

It was all I could do to hold back my tears of gratitude for my family and their kindness and generosity. Thank you, Nikki, for being such a great party planner!



Meredith and I had the best weekend. We went to Costco. Yes, sadly, it was the first time I had been there. She purchased me some of Mr. Yoshida's marinade as part of my birthday gift. I had been wanting some for the past 10 years, when I had it at her wedding reception, but I could not find it here. That is why I am modeling the jar of sauce like I am a Bob Barker Beauty.

It was sad for Meredith to leave.

I think I finally have a birthday wish.

I wish that everyone turning 40 could have a happy and blessed life as I have had. I hope they will be surrounded by those they love the most and can know, as I do, how loved they are.

That is my wish.

And that I had long curly hair again!

Andy Burns, ABC News Anchor

Notice that I got to stand next to Andy Burns, Simpson family's new friend.

"Ok Ok... I read the blog entry on your trip to Columbia. I also love the picture with the ABC Columbia News Anchors, and the caption, which read, "The Simpson family pictured with with our new friend, Alicia Barnes, ABC News Anchor from Columbia SC." One small note: WHERE IS MY SHOUT OUT??!!!! I'M THE 'OTHER' ANCHOR--THE ONE WHO ACTUALLY INVITED YOU INSIDE THE STUDIO!!!!! THE TALL, HANDSOME MAN PICTURED WITH HER! REMEMBER ME?? ANDERSON BURNS. WEEKEND ANCHOR AND ALL AROUND AWESOME GUY WHO INVITES PEOPLE INTO THE STUDIO WITH NO RECOGNITION AFTERWARDS.

Anyway, Alicia says hi. And this entire post, of course, is a big joke. I really am Anderson, but we happened upon your blog... so glad you had a great trip. Come back anytime,
-Andy "

How in the world did ABC weekend news anchor for Columbia SC, Andy Burns, find my blog? My family will probably have a heart attack when they read my blog and realize that I failed to acknowledge him. I just about died of embarrassment when I found his comment on my blog. I was blogging at 1:30 in the morning and must have lost my mind. He was so gracious to us. I even heard him suggest to Alicia Barnes that some of us come up so we could be televised at the end of their broadcast. This did not happen, but they did give a big hello to us.

We were not THAT news worthy!

Thank you, Andy, for your kind gesture on behalf of our family; especially for giving our children a lasting happy memory.

We wish you much success in the future.

Trust me, we will be back.

Just look for the jumping maniacs outside.

And now, I really am famous!