Fordcast - Wordless Wednesday

We sure do LOVE our Predators HOCKEY!!!!

Fordcast ~ Accomplished and Proud

(Anyone need a boyfriend?)

(Ummmm, any resemblance?)

(He just makes me *smile* )


(Jaxen even met Martina McBride)

Friday night was another one of the nights that will live in our hearts forever.

Ringside ~ A Fight for Kids 2009 was held at the Factory in Franklin, TN and Randy, Jaxen and I were guests of The Charley Foundation. The rest of the family stayed home since it was a special event that was not intended necessarily for children to attend (although Jaxen is a guest of honor!) It is a black tie boxing event with tons of cigars! LOL

I am always moved by how many people we actually know at this event. I mean, I KNOW with my brain that we know that many of them, but seeing it and feeling the love of it all as the night goes on makes it all so real.

This year, in addition to Jaxen singing the National Anthem, I was asked to go onstage and give a speech about our relationship with The Charley Foundation and Camp Charley. Simple enough, right… wrong. Trying to put into words your exact feelings about such an amazing group of people that hold such a treasured place in your life is extremely challenging. To add to that, it is always hard to explain to people how you can look at life as such a blessing in the middle of such hardship. Not all families are blessed with the ability to do that, but we definitely are.

Jaxen’s diagnosis has caused great financial hardship as well as the daily stresses of dealing with a sick child. Through all of that though, my natural instinct is to see the blessings it has brought to our family. I don’t mean the blessings of “things” like his Wish trip, or air plane flights or events… I mean the most valued blessings of friendships that will never be lost. Relationships that will always mean more to us than anyone could possibly comprehend. I really don’t believe the people that we care so much about even realize how much they mean to us! LOL
Even Jaxen's personal Caringbridge blog does it… the people that consistently go there to check on him are really more than just “followers” of Jaxen’s care. They are true friends in every sense of the word.

We are anxiously awaiting the “professional” copies of the performance and the speech from The Charley Foundation and we will post it once we get it! For now though, please enjoy the determined courage of our hero…. Jaxen Randall Ford, 8 years old, singing our anthem to a room full of guests, Ringside ~ A Fight for Kids…

Here are some pics too from an incredible photographer that was there! He is amazing!

Fordcast ~ Bargains Part 2 (minus the headache)

Okay, so now that my headache has eased up a LITTLE bit, I am able to add a little more information about my "bargain" clothing! LOL

This jacket, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, was purchased at Goodwill for $5..... That's right folks, $5...... Now you might ask, "Gee, Pamela, What's wrong with it, why would someone part with a totally awesome Ann Taylor LOFT, size 6 PETITE, lined jacket such as this WITH THE TAGS STILL ON IT....?????" and OF COURSE, my answer would have to be "Uh, DUH, so I could find it!!!! LOL"

I can't wait for spring every year so I can start wearing it and I am always *trying* to push the season a little closer just so I can put it on!


THAT folks, is what I call a PERFECT find that you can only find if you just keep looking!

The next two dresses, if you will PLEASE forgive the fact that they need ironed, are from Old Navy. What is so cool about these is that

1. I got them for a HUGE sale price of less than $12 each

2. They layer incredibly with long sleeve T's, tights, leather boots, OR sandals and no shirt under them!

3. IF, and I reply IF, I were pregnant.... which there is no chance in (a very warm location) that I would EVER do that again... I digress.... these dresses would STILL work!

I only iron them as I am about to wear them and I use a little bit of starch 'cuz they are 100% cotton. Very thin and flowy and really two of my "spring/summer/fall" staples. (kind of thin for winter!)

Okay, here is the GREATEST thing about these two dresses.....THEY BOTH HAVE POCKETS!!!!!!

Now, I have four kids. Someone is ALWAYS handing me something, asking me for something..... My cell phone is always in my hand (or I guess you could say my crackberry)... again, I digress....


Anyway, I just love these dresses!

My husband is not actually fond of the "style" of them but let's face it, he doesn't have to wear them (unless he wants to!)

I think he is a little freaked out by the fact that they could pass for maternity, but really they ARE NOT!

They are just very free flowing and extremely comfortable!

I heart them...... Have I told you that yet?







Okay, I mentioned yesterday about my absolute FAVORITE pair of shoes. I don't even know how old this pair of Chucks are.... I just know I LOVE THEM..... About every four months or so I throw them in the washer (which fades them a little more - LOVE IT) and give them a make-over with new fancy laces that cost a couple $$.





I even have my next laces ready, but I just bought the brown laces!





I have a hard time buying NEW Chucks because they look, well, NEW... LOL.... but I do have more than just this pair!





My kids friends call me the "cool" mom 'cuz I wear Chucks which totally cracks me up since Chucks have been around since before these kids were even thought of! But, hey, if I am the cool mom, then that means they can trust me and if my shoes are to blame for that then ROCK ON!





Last topic, belts. Can't provide a picture of my favorite because my 14 year old son borrowed mine today (without asking I might add) arghhhhh....





When you wear jeans that have loops, wear a COOL belt... NOT a frumpy belt, a COOL belt. I got an really inexpensive belt at Kohls that the buckle snaps onto so you can change it out. The buckle I bought for it is the body part of a guitar! It is completely my personality (and aparently my sons as well) but I LOVE IT! Cheap, inexpensive belts don't last as long, but if they are inexpensive then it means you can change your look up by getting more than one or in my case buying several nice buckles and when the belt itself falls apart, just buying the belt!!!!

So there. The rest of my blog from yesterday! Now I have to go prepare to get all "frumpy" for a big charity event tomorrow night! I am most excited about my "watermelon" colored shoes and my Forever 21 jewelry I bought to match the shoes! The dress was all black, silver and white... couldn't stand to be that drab!!! :-)

Fordcast - BARGAINS!!!!

Over at Kelly's Korner a discussion has started (thanks to her fabulous blog)

Kelly's Korner: Recession Fashion - Dressing Cute for Less!

about the recession and fashion!

Some tips I gave were:

*shopping at Goodwill for the PERFECT look!
*BIG clip on earrings to serve as accessories for your pumps!
*Layering a sweater and maybe even a belt OVER a dress so it looks like a skirt!
*Pants that button at the bottom to make capri's... as pants with a pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars (with amazingly cute laces I might add) and as capris with precious sandals!

I am sure i could come up with a ton more, but on this morning with a splitting heachache, it was all I could bare! LOL

Fordcast ~ Proud as We Can Be!

For the past few years, Jaxen (my youngest son) has been asked to attend the annual event, "Ringside ~ A Fight for Kids" in Franklin, TN. Last year was the first year he actually sang the National Anthem for the event and we were all so very proud!

Friday night he will be singing again. The difference this year will be that I will be introducing my son. I am sure I will get through it just fine. Jaxen and I are ambassadors for Make a Wish and speak all the time at events about Make a Wish. Introducing him may prove a challenge for me though since he is my hero and I am somewhat passionate about that!

This event, by The Charley Foundation, raises money for Make a Wish and Camp Charley as well as other organizations (these are the two that immediately effect our family.)

What an amazing night with an amazing group of people that we call some of our most treasured friends! We are honored to be a part of it.

The event includes three boxing events, a fabulous dinner and an amazing auction. Oh, and Jaxen singing! What could be better! :-)

Picture of the three of us from last years event. Dad and son wear matching tuxedos!

Jaxen singing the anthem with his hands in his pockets... LOL... We will see what he does this year to make us all laugh!

Notice the significant puffiness in his face? He was receiving massive amounts of steroids at the time. He looks completely different this year! He is back to being Just Jax!

Rock on Jaxen ~ We are proud of you... we love you!!!! Break a Leg

Mom and Dad
Bryce, Amanda and Bre' Lynne

Fordcast ~ Madness Season 8 - Bring it!

Every year for the past few years I have hosted a bracket pool for the top contestants on American Idol. I don't recall if I have ever won, I do recall how amazingly fun it is. The smack talk, the nail biting, all of it!

This year there are 13 contestants which throws a new twist in it for us!

We have the most participants ever for season 8 and the most brackets ever!

The brackets are set up as an elimination bracket. Predict who will be eliminated each week and you receive points for each person who continues on.
Simple enough right? Well, NOOOOO... , Duh!

Take into consideration the Sanjaya debacle... Who would have ever thought that he would have continued for THAT long in the competition. Or the other end of the spectrum, Chris Daughtry who went out way too early during his season, only to release a top selling album almost immediately!

Hard decisions have to be made, tough choices of who is going, who is staying. Basing your decisions on popularity as well as voice, looks as well as their "story!" UGH......

I chose three different brackets, as did others involved this year! We will see how it goes.

Tonight is the night - Let the games begin!
(please let me win....) had to throw that in there, LOL

Fordcast * White?

What? Is that? It can't be....

We've heard about it... often actually. Weathermen mention it in their reports like it will be all the time. We've seen it on the news all around us this year. TONS of it north of here. It's been cold enough here that it SHOULD have been here but no, it never did show up!

Until now...finally.... Fluffy, cold, beautiful SNOW!

Yes folks, MIDDLE Tenessee had snow.
* for about 4 hours this weekend* LOL

That's all we could squeeze out of it before the beautiful sun melted most of it!
Funny how West Tennessee had TONS of it, East Tennessee always gets it... we get "snow" days off of school because "it's coming" and it never gets here!

Enjoy our pics, starting with Jaxen's snow celebration!

What could be better than snow angels?


Amanda looks like it must be 10 degrees outside, but really it wasn't all that cold!

Jaxen over-acting a "rocket" snowball from his brother! LOL

Okay, I admit it... This is how I rock the snow!


Jaxen waiting for another rocket! LOL - he could really use some acting lessons!

And voila! Our pathetic, lopsided, leaf covered, once a year (if we're lucky) snowman! Which as of today is still standing, and is VERY skinny now..... lol

Come on SPRING!

Welcome all!

Wow, who would have ever thought I would venture into another blog!

BUT, here we go again...

Welcome to the Ford Family!

The crazy, sarcastic, insanity of our life will either drive you crazy or drive you to join us!

As I get this blog started, I will be preparing myself to share the side of our personalities only our closest friends get to see! The side some *naturally* don't understand!

So, sit back and enjoy

Today's Fordcast - Sunny with a Splash of Sarcasm!