Show your love of America

If you do nothing else today, GO VOTE!

I submitted my early ballot last week and plan to wear my "I Voted Early" sticker all day. The first Tuesday in November is one of the days that I love America best. We are so blessed to be able to make our voices heard, have the freedom to choose how we want our country run, and have the freedom to complain when it doesn't go our way. Even if "your guy" doesn't win, you must do your patriotic duty and cast a ballot. Otherwise when you complain that the guys in Washington are screwing you, I don't think I should have to listen.

Still Life

Introducing the Shaunee tested and approved Maximum Efficiency Caffiene Delivery System. Check out the size of that straw! I have the best husband in the world. Always thinking of me, even when he thinks it's stupid. And it is stupid....but I love a good straw. That sucker is big enough for me to put my pinkie in it!

Halloween Open House

Sadly, my kids are too old to go trick-or-treating. Well, I could let them go but then they'd just get into trouble. Anyway.... we decided to have an a open house so that they could have friends over, dress up, etc. The kids dressed up pretty lame...Jay and I went all out.
This is Bekah and her friend Carly. I think I wore a dress similar to Carl's 80's beauty queen to my prom.

Chase and Brady. They know each other from preschool, and were happy to see each other. (they go to different schools now.....Chase is Julianne's son and Brady is my friend Krista's son).

Bekah, Kelsey, and Carly. Like the mice on my stairs?

Cute Colby was all poses and smiles. And, he really liked climbing the stairs.

Bats and Spiders attacked the house everywhere!

Fizzy Blood Punch. (before it turned to slush because I put the whole block of dry ice in it...oops)

It looks like the makeup on the end of my nose rubbed off.... lame. And we took pics before I put on my black lipstick. oops again. And I'm feeling too fat for a full body shot, so you don't get to see my black and white striped witch stocking either.

I thought for sure that the little kids would be afraid of Jay but they were all fine. His contacts freaked Eric out more than ANY of the little kids that came by. Bekah wouldn't even look at him.

I hope you all had a fun Halloween.......and thanks to everyone that stopped by last night. It was so much better than just hanging at home waiting for the 3 trick-or-treaters to come by. Food, friends, Guitar Hero, CANDY, awesome.

Trunk or Treat

I love being bit- I mean witchy. Halloween brings out my inner witch. I'm looking forward to Friday night......

This pic is from Saturday's truck-or-treat at church. It was my test run. I need to pain my nails black and get out my "dead guy gray" makeup. This one is pale, but not dead enough. More black around the eyes, too.

Last weekend, my friend, Krista didn't scare anyone..........she was Sarah Palin. She reminded everyone to "get out and vote!". I'm pretty sure she won a prize, but we didn't stick around til the end. We had to pick up Jay's car from the mechanic before they closed (now that was scary!)

You should have seen the poor kid at Sonic who brought me my Diet Coke on the way home from the mechanic. I think he almost peed his pants. Sucker. He should know better than to expect a normal looking mom to be in the window of the mini-van. It's Halloween, we moms turn into be-witches at any chance. At least I do. Do you have any inner be-witch?

Button Bustin' Fashion Frustration

I need new jeans. I got rid of all my old ones. They were either too big or too high waisted. Now I have none. I went to the mall today. 3 hours later, no jeans. I think I tried on over 10 styles and sizes. Apparently, I am a very popular size because there were NONE to be found. The one pair I did find were too long and the store didn't have any more "short" lengths...just "medium". Hey, buyers...... not all of us are medium! Is it too much to ask for even ONE store to stock ONE pair of jeans in my size? I went shopping in search of jeans, a crisp white shirt, casual shoes to wear with the new jeans, and a new purse. I came home with a box of See's chocolates. Fashion frustration at its finest. Anyone have any ideas for where to find jeans for a curvy girl? All I want is straight leg, mid-rise, in a dark-ish wash. Simple, right?

The economy is in the crapper and the retail stores are feeling it. I've never encountered so much pressure from the sales people! Even Bath and Body Works had the sales girl practically running after me to get me to buy some new aromatherapy stuff. All that pressure for $15? Maybe if the stores got some smarter merchandise buyers that actually buy clothes for everyday people (not size 2 and not 6 feet tall) retail sales wouldn't suck so much. Ya think?

Weekend Adventure

This weekend, we decided to get out of town. We went up to our favorite place up in Flagstaff (The Little America Hotel), played, hiked, and drove home through Sedona to see the leaves changing colors.
The rooms at Little America are soooo nice. There are the usual two queen beds, but also a couch that makes into a bed, lots of room, a plasma TV, shopping, restaurants, pool, jacuzzi, did I mention the tons of space in the room! It's spick-n-span clean...... love it.
The boys went paint balling. David and Jay were covered in welts. Eric-not a scratch. Lots of practice, I guess.

The boys stripped to their skivies at Oak Creek Canyon to get wet.......it was FREEZING. Crazy boys. Most of the pics are on Jay's camera. Which.... he broke when he slipped and fell on the slippery rocks in the creek. Hopefully they can be salvaged. Tip: next time you go climbing around on wet rocks in the middle of a creek, make sure your $400 camera is not in your hand.

Here's also some update photos:

Bekah's cross country finals meet yesterday. She did so good!

My latest crafty creations:

I saw this in a magazine that I was reading while getting my hair done. Of course, I can't remember which one...so this is from memory. It's made of newspaper, cardstock, and ribbon. Love it!

Another Halloween craft.

Okay, I suck at taking photos. This "flirty apron" is way cuter in person. I made two for xmas gifts. One more to go...for me:)

My first project back at sewing. It's a pin cushion. I couldn't get a pic of the decorative stitch around the edge. Again, cuter in person.

I couldn't bear paying Pottery Barn's price......so this is my version.

The next two pics are of the fam at David's b-day dinner....Texas Roadhouse. Yum!

These next two are of David's b-day party. Fun was had by all.

Did you know?........

...I met baby Grady a couple of weeks ago. I am in love with his absolute perfect cuteness and wish desperately that I lived closer to him. I really wish I could sit and watch his mama adjust to life with a newborn....a little bit of payback for the hardtime she gave me way back when.

...I crave creative outlets in Fall. In the last month, I've taught myself to crochet (made a scarf for PITA2), taken a sewing class and re-learned how to sew (MANY thanks to my friend, Laurie, who is doing the class) (made a couple fancy-schmancy pin cushions, a couple flirty aprons, 4 pillows for my TV room, napkins for Thanksgiving dinner, etc...lots of small "detail" projects), cleaned out and organized ALL my craft-y stuff...sewing, painting, scrapbooking, knitting, etc., knit half a dozen hats...hmmmm, I'm still restless and wanting.

...I'm the meanest Mom in the world. I won't let PITA1 go to Homecoming because he's not 16 yet. I lost PITA2's sports bra right before she had to be at a race (it was miraculously in the dryer where I must have hidden it...it wasn't there when PITA2 looked), and I made PITA3 go to a church thing for 12-18yr olds...two days BEFORE he turned 12. I know.... how do I live with myself?

...My baby, PITA3, turned 12. It's a big b-day, religious-wise, around here. So there was LOTS going on. My pants are still a little tight from all the cake, ice cream, and expecially Texas Roadhouse (for his b-day dinner). The kid's got good taste:) It's a little weird for all my kids to be "teens". I thought it was just yesterday that they were all toddlers. Time does NOT hold still. For all of you baby/toddler moms.....take a big deep breath next time your little one hugs you tight...arms barely reaching around... They won't be that little, or smell that good for long.