It's like this...

I can't remember many costumes I wore as a child. I asked my father on the phone this morning if he could recall any of my halloween costumes and this is what he said to me: "No, you just dressed like you usually did and when the people answered the door they'd scream in horror. AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" This from the man who used to give me the following advice when I was going out at night: "Just make sure that when someone grabs you, they do it in the light so they can see your face. Once they see it, they'll let you go" Self-esteem builders for sure. He was joking of course. At least I think he was. I do remember one costume I wore as a child. I used to have hair down to my rear. One Halloween I flipped my head over, brushed the hair down then put a pair of my grandpa's glasses over the hair on the front of my face. I was Cousin It from The Adams Family . I recall using paper grocery sacks for trick or treating and most Halloweens it seemed to rai...

It's hard to believe that this boy playing his guitar for me as I made dinner this evening was the same maniac who filled his pumpkin with gasoline and set it on fire last night. I was making stirfry for dinner, one of his favorites. Some chicken, water chestnuts, carrots, broccoli, a sweet onion and my secret ingredients. He loves it. After a bit The Daddy joined in and they jammed some incredible tunes for me. Then they played The House of the Rising Sun while I belted it out. Such fun. I love little unexpected sweet moments like this... I live for them. And no pumpkins were harmed. An added bonus.

My son is insane. I say this with affection and love, but with the conviction borne of having known him these fifteen years and 7 months. He almost didn't make it to fifteen years and 8 months. Today he carved his pumpkin. It is a small pumpkin, a tiny one in fact. He did it quickly, and at one point was having difficulty getting the knife into the gourd, so he stuck it between his legs and took the knife down there to cut it! "STOP THAT!! I would like to have grandchildren by you at some point in time. You + sharp knives close to your bits and pieces reduces that prospect considerably! Are you insane??" He mocked me for being 'over protective' as usual. This from the son who has placed his fingers into a blender, jumped from a second story onto a trampoline and been drug by a dirtbike about 20 feet into traffic. So yes, this was me being 'over protective'. After the carving, he disappeared for a minute and then went out the sliding glass door ...

Here is a cool little place to go and take a time out from life and carve yourself a cute little pumpkin. I stole this from my friend's blog What on earth is that smell? It was steal-worthy. Also, if you like fruit, and specifically bananas as art, you may wish to indulge yourself and go here . Try to find the one that's my favorite and you win a prize.

The girls are cleaning their room. If they were to do it right, they would be there in their room for the next five days or so. It's not dirty, it's just messy , as only little girls can be. They fling their stuffed animals and toys all over the place. Their clothes are pulled from drawers and tossed onto the floor as they search for just the right ensemble for second grade. You can never be too careful in your clothing choices. At any rate, they are doing this amazing feat without complaint and do you want to know why? Because I promised to take them to the pool this morning if they did so. Nothing lights a fire under them faster than the promise of chlorine laced water. So I'll go play with them and this time hubby wishes to stay home and get some things done around here. He too them to the carnival last night, I'll take them to the pool this morning. Tag team parenting. It works. Tonight there is the Trunk or Treat at our church for the kiddies. Everyo...

Today was beautiful. Especially after the strain of yesterday. Lovely blue skies, a nice pool workout this morning and a leisurly drive out in the country while the children were at school. I found some adorable little lakes south of me, surrounded by the oranges and reds and yellows of leaves trading their summer greens for fall brilliance. Tiny vacation cottages dotted the sides of the lakes, some built down steep inclines so harrowing that I wonder how the people that live there manage to climb down to their homes without injury. Where they live probably compensates for any possible downside. I feel refreshed. I drove to the end of long deserted roads, turned off my engine and got out of my car to listen to the silence. Breathing fresh mountain air, touched with the kiss of woodsmoke from someone's beachside fire, I marveled at the beauty I am surrouned by. Solitude can be a wonderful thing. I wish I'd not forgotten my camera. Tonight my husband has taken our two young...

I'm whining today. I think I have the right. My friend's mom sells Cookie Lee Jewelry and I agreed to host a party for her at my home tonight. I sent out about twenty invitations via the mail and I only had two people call me to say they couldn't come. Two. Two kind people called to let me know they would not be able to make it. The rest ignored the invitation. I cleaned my house, I made two apple crisps. This afternoon I called everyone I sent invitations to. I know people are busy. I get that. it's not that I'm not busy either. I'm just...disappointed in people. I feel let down. Silly of me, huh? But I do. Good thing I have apple crisp and vanilla ice cream for my family tonight. On a positive note, I went to the pool this morning and had a nice workout. Felt better for having done that and plan on going tomorrow as well. Now I'm getting the 'what's for dinner mooooom???' queries. I think tonight it will be fast food. I...