You Should Be a Angel for Halloween |
 According to our quiz, you'd make an ideal angel. Your runner up costume: Geisha |
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hmmm...what do you think?
What Your Cute Monster Says About You |
 You are a deep, thoughtful, down to earth person. You don't put much stock in appearances. You are never superficial or flippant. You take time in life to study, learn, and get to know people well. You inner demon is laziness. You can get so caught up in your own world that you neglect everything around you. People think you're cute because you're intelligent. Your wit and wisdom are charming. |
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
October had been a great month for catching up. Not only did I have the visit from my long-lost (not really, just felt like it) brother earlier this month, but yesterday I was blessed to visit with my friend Lonna who I haven't seen in literally ten years! We had lost contact the last few years and I just finally decided I needed to track her down. Thanks to google it was easy! Well, as "luck" would have it she was at that time debating attending a conference here in eastern Michigan. So, to make a long story short, she was able to play hooky from her conference for the day, rent a car and drive up to see us! I am so glad we were able to reconnect. She is such a dear friend and someone I have so much in common with. Amazing how you can be without someone in your day-to-day life so long and then feel like no time at all has passed. The only bad thing about the visit is that now I'm going to be missing her all over again!
Lonna, I know it was not an easy trip to make; thanks sooo much for feeling we were worth your time and effort! Luv ya!
Lonna, I know it was not an easy trip to make; thanks sooo much for feeling we were worth your time and effort! Luv ya!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
We went to a local pumpkin farm today, kind of spur of the moment, and had a blast! Isaac and Lillian had a great time leading Arnel and I through the corn maze and nobody even cared that it took us a good, solid twenty minutes longer than it took the big kids to get through. They fed some very hungry goats and just all-around had fun. It was a beautiful Indian summer day with just enough chill to remind us it was fall.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
10 Things You Can't Live Without
So I've signed up for a blogging challenge on a scrapbooking site I frequent. The idea is to get us blogging more frequently by encouraging one another and having topics provided for us. So, if this works, you might finally find something of interest here now and then!
Anywho...the first topic is Ten Things You Can't Live Without. I was thinking about this and of course I could be a smart aleck and state the obvious (oxygen, water, etc.) but where is the fun in that? The most likely thing that you all would expect to read from me is that I can't live without my children, etc. But, while that is true...well, kinda boring, right? So I'm going to try and post something that might be actually helpful to you and post my top ten THINGS...maybe you will find something here you can use, as well!
In no particular order:
1. Zim's Crack Creme.
Hard to find locally but worth the effort of looking or ordering online. Nothing will take care of icky heel skin like this stuff. Stick with the original. Give it a week or two and you will be hooked.
2. Swingline Long Reach Stapler.
If you are a scrapbooker you NEED one of these babies. Even if you aren't I'll bet you'll find lots of uses for it. I can't believe how often I find myself reaching for mine.
3. Online library access. How did I ever survive without this? I can browse every library in the area at midnight in my jammies without noisy children along. Then I can put a book on hold and VOILA! In a few days it is there at my local branch to pick up at my convenience!
4. Mechanical pencils.
Really, with three kids homeschooling here and me enjoying those geeky word puzzle magazines...how much time have we saved standing in front of the pencil sharpener?
5. LADIES ONLY ----- Wings. You know what I'm talking about. How did we ever put up with those things before someone thought to add the wings, and why did it take so long? OKAY, GENTLEMEN MAY REJOIN US NOW.
6. My 64 ounce water mug.
If it is filled up, I drink it. If I try to use smaller cups and refill them, I don't. It is as simple as that. Really.
7. My Canon Rebel.
Some of you remember how I was drug kicking and screaming into the digital world. And then it was even longer before we took the big splurge on this puppy. But can I just say I ~heart~ my Rebel!
8. My clip-on-to-the-headboard little reading light. I'm sure there is a better name for this that escapes me but hopefully you get what I'm describing. Use it Every Single Night.
9. High speed internet access. I'm spoiled, what can I say? I would give up cable TV first.
10. My food co-op/buying club. We try to eat as much natural and organic food as possible and this makes it so much easier to get greater variety at a better price. Yippee for cooperation!
Well, there you have it. Ten random things that make my life better and/or easier. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these or suggestions for additions to the list; leave a comment!
Anywho...the first topic is Ten Things You Can't Live Without. I was thinking about this and of course I could be a smart aleck and state the obvious (oxygen, water, etc.) but where is the fun in that? The most likely thing that you all would expect to read from me is that I can't live without my children, etc. But, while that is true...well, kinda boring, right? So I'm going to try and post something that might be actually helpful to you and post my top ten THINGS...maybe you will find something here you can use, as well!
In no particular order:
1. Zim's Crack Creme.
Hard to find locally but worth the effort of looking or ordering online. Nothing will take care of icky heel skin like this stuff. Stick with the original. Give it a week or two and you will be hooked.
2. Swingline Long Reach Stapler.
If you are a scrapbooker you NEED one of these babies. Even if you aren't I'll bet you'll find lots of uses for it. I can't believe how often I find myself reaching for mine.
3. Online library access. How did I ever survive without this? I can browse every library in the area at midnight in my jammies without noisy children along. Then I can put a book on hold and VOILA! In a few days it is there at my local branch to pick up at my convenience!
4. Mechanical pencils.
Really, with three kids homeschooling here and me enjoying those geeky word puzzle magazines...how much time have we saved standing in front of the pencil sharpener?
5. LADIES ONLY ----- Wings. You know what I'm talking about. How did we ever put up with those things before someone thought to add the wings, and why did it take so long? OKAY, GENTLEMEN MAY REJOIN US NOW.
6. My 64 ounce water mug.
If it is filled up, I drink it. If I try to use smaller cups and refill them, I don't. It is as simple as that. Really.
7. My Canon Rebel.
Some of you remember how I was drug kicking and screaming into the digital world. And then it was even longer before we took the big splurge on this puppy. But can I just say I ~heart~ my Rebel!
8. My clip-on-to-the-headboard little reading light. I'm sure there is a better name for this that escapes me but hopefully you get what I'm describing. Use it Every Single Night.
9. High speed internet access. I'm spoiled, what can I say? I would give up cable TV first.
10. My food co-op/buying club. We try to eat as much natural and organic food as possible and this makes it so much easier to get greater variety at a better price. Yippee for cooperation!
Well, there you have it. Ten random things that make my life better and/or easier. I'd love to hear your thoughts on these or suggestions for additions to the list; leave a comment!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What Your Nose Says About You |
 It's likely that you'll be lucky with money, though this luck may come later in life. You are objective and logical. You make a good businessperson. You are helpful and giving. You like cooperating, and you're always willing to lend a hand. You are a nosey person and a bit of a snoop. You can't help but be curious! You are optimistic and trusting. You expect the best from people. |
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Seasons
I am so in my element right now. Autumn is my favorite season. And I don't know why but I prefer the term 'autumn' to fall. I guess it feels less mundane.
The fall weather is perfect. I am a bit of a princess (I know you are all shocked.) I like to be comfortable. I love a good thunderstorm but let's face it; summer is hot. And now here in MI it is muggy as well. I know there are places where it is much worse on the mugginess meter but I'm from CA and CO and for me, this is muggy. I don't particularly care for being sticky. Even on the less humid days, there is the sunscreen issue...more stickiness. Winter is nice...inside. But outside...not only is there the 'cold' factor but it is a pain in the neck to drive in (possibly literally if you lose traction!) And more often than not it isn't even pretty. The snow is gorgeous when newly-fallen but what most people from more temperate areas don't realize is that after a days worth of cars have driven through it, it is just plain dirty. Spring is beautiful but frankly, still a little chilly for me. And windy..always the wind. Don't get me wrong...I love each season's beauty in it's turn, and don't walk around grumpy nine months of the year. But autumn? I just can't find things to complain about regarding autumn.
The colors are gorgeous. I don't know if all of you locals here really appreciate it but growing up in CA we went from green to brown. Oh, sure, there might be an occasional yellow thrown in but esentially the leaves were just alive...and then they were dead. In CO we could see some beautiful fall foilage if we were able to drive a bit but here in MI it is just everywhere. The trees seem to know the cooler weather is coming even before we humans register the subtle drop in temperature, and they reward us for having to endure what will be coming up in a few more months. Sitting here looking out into my backyard I can see what are essentially weeds with such beautiful yellows and reds on the same plant. God is an artist in every way.
I'm also a book-lover and autumn means back to school...new books and maybe some clothes shopping thrown in. My birthday is in September, though not technically in autumn, it is within spitting distance as they say. Being after the school year starts, it has always felt more like autumn than summer in my mind. It is not too early to start thinking about The Holdays ~insert dramatic music~ because all of us over the age of 20 or so know that they will be upon us in the blink of an eye. I can start thinking about squash and stews and soups and hot chocolate.
All in all...I just want to make sure I take time every day to appreciate how much I love this time of year.
The fall weather is perfect. I am a bit of a princess (I know you are all shocked.) I like to be comfortable. I love a good thunderstorm but let's face it; summer is hot. And now here in MI it is muggy as well. I know there are places where it is much worse on the mugginess meter but I'm from CA and CO and for me, this is muggy. I don't particularly care for being sticky. Even on the less humid days, there is the sunscreen issue...more stickiness. Winter is nice...inside. But outside...not only is there the 'cold' factor but it is a pain in the neck to drive in (possibly literally if you lose traction!) And more often than not it isn't even pretty. The snow is gorgeous when newly-fallen but what most people from more temperate areas don't realize is that after a days worth of cars have driven through it, it is just plain dirty. Spring is beautiful but frankly, still a little chilly for me. And windy..always the wind. Don't get me wrong...I love each season's beauty in it's turn, and don't walk around grumpy nine months of the year. But autumn? I just can't find things to complain about regarding autumn.
The colors are gorgeous. I don't know if all of you locals here really appreciate it but growing up in CA we went from green to brown. Oh, sure, there might be an occasional yellow thrown in but esentially the leaves were just alive...and then they were dead. In CO we could see some beautiful fall foilage if we were able to drive a bit but here in MI it is just everywhere. The trees seem to know the cooler weather is coming even before we humans register the subtle drop in temperature, and they reward us for having to endure what will be coming up in a few more months. Sitting here looking out into my backyard I can see what are essentially weeds with such beautiful yellows and reds on the same plant. God is an artist in every way.
I'm also a book-lover and autumn means back to school...new books and maybe some clothes shopping thrown in. My birthday is in September, though not technically in autumn, it is within spitting distance as they say. Being after the school year starts, it has always felt more like autumn than summer in my mind. It is not too early to start thinking about The Holdays ~insert dramatic music~ because all of us over the age of 20 or so know that they will be upon us in the blink of an eye. I can start thinking about squash and stews and soups and hot chocolate.
All in all...I just want to make sure I take time every day to appreciate how much I love this time of year.
Monday, October 13, 2008
You Are a Hazelnut Latte |
 You often having the craving for something exotic. You get bored easily. You are a true adventurer. Nothing makes you happier than traveling. You're a very cosmopolitan and worldly person. You have sophisticated tastes. You have a keen attention to detail. Little things matter to you - you are a bit of a perfectionist. |
You Are a Bullmastiff |
 You are confident, reasonable, and very calm. Nothing shakes you up. It's likely that you were a bit wild when you were younger, but you've gotten that out of your system. The only time you get aggressive is when someone tries to threaten or harm you in some way. There's a little bit of wolf underneath all that sheep's clothing! |
Friday, October 10, 2008
Stuff To Do On The Elevator
Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
Blow your nose and offer to show the contents of your kleenex to other passengers.
Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering: "Shut up, all of you just shut UP!"
Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
Sell Girl Scout cookies.
On a long ride, sway side to side at the natural frequency of the elevator.
Shave.
Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
Offer name tags to everyone getting on the elevator. Wear yours upside-down.
Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
Lean over to another passenger and whisper: "Noogie patrol coming!"
Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
One word: Flatulence!
On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go "plink" at the bottom.
Do Tai Chi exercises.
Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on!"
When at least 8 people have boarded, moan from the back: "Oh, not now, motion sickness!"
Give religious tracts to each passenger.
Meow occasionally.
Bet the other passengers you can fit a quarter in your nose.
Frown and mutter "gotta go, gotta go" then sigh and say "oops!"
Show other passengers a wound and ask if it looks infected.
Sing "Mary had a little lamb" while continually pushing buttons.
Holler "Chutes away!" whenever the elevator descends.
Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
Burp, and then say "mmmm...tasty!"
Leave a box between the doors.
Ask each passenger getting on if you can push the button for them.
Wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers "through" it.
Start a sing-along.
When the elevator is silent, look around and ask "is that your beeper?"
Play the harmonica.
Say "Ding!" at each floor.
Lean against the button panel.
Say "I wonder what all these do" and push the red buttons.
Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your "personal space."
Bring a chair along.
Take a bite of a sandwich and ask another passenger: "Wanna see wha in muh mouf?"
Blow spit bubbles.
Pull your gum out of your mouth in long strings.
Announce in a demonic voice: "I must find a more suitable host body."
Carry a blanket and clutch it protectively.
Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
Wear "X-Ray Specs" and leer suggestively at the passengers.
Stare at your thumb and say "I think it's getting larger."
If anyone brushes against you, recoil and holler "Bad touch!"
Bring a water pistol. Soak everyone's shoes.
Start brushing off invisible bugs from your arms, screaming "Aaughh! Get them off!"
Challenge your neighbor to a "Tic-Tac-Toe" tournament.
Laugh hysterically for five seconds, stop, and glare at the other passengers like they are crazy.
Charge into the elevator dripping wet, holding a towel and wearing only a bath robe. Mutter something about how husbands/wives always come home early just when it's getting to the good part.
Make chalk drawings on the walls.
As the elevator is going up, jump violently up and down, shouting "Down! I said down, dammit!"
Crouch in one corner and growl menacingly at everyone who gets on.
Try to get a game of "Twister" going.
Wrinkle your nose and smell the air repeatedly. Sniff at your neighbor suspiciously, give a disgusted frown, and take a step away.
Blow your nose and offer to show the contents of your kleenex to other passengers.
Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering: "Shut up, all of you just shut UP!"
Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
Sell Girl Scout cookies.
On a long ride, sway side to side at the natural frequency of the elevator.
Shave.
Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
Offer name tags to everyone getting on the elevator. Wear yours upside-down.
Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
Lean over to another passenger and whisper: "Noogie patrol coming!"
Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
One word: Flatulence!
On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go "plink" at the bottom.
Do Tai Chi exercises.
Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on!"
When at least 8 people have boarded, moan from the back: "Oh, not now, motion sickness!"
Give religious tracts to each passenger.
Meow occasionally.
Bet the other passengers you can fit a quarter in your nose.
Frown and mutter "gotta go, gotta go" then sigh and say "oops!"
Show other passengers a wound and ask if it looks infected.
Sing "Mary had a little lamb" while continually pushing buttons.
Holler "Chutes away!" whenever the elevator descends.
Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
Burp, and then say "mmmm...tasty!"
Leave a box between the doors.
Ask each passenger getting on if you can push the button for them.
Wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers "through" it.
Start a sing-along.
When the elevator is silent, look around and ask "is that your beeper?"
Play the harmonica.
Say "Ding!" at each floor.
Lean against the button panel.
Say "I wonder what all these do" and push the red buttons.
Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your "personal space."
Bring a chair along.
Take a bite of a sandwich and ask another passenger: "Wanna see wha in muh mouf?"
Blow spit bubbles.
Pull your gum out of your mouth in long strings.
Announce in a demonic voice: "I must find a more suitable host body."
Carry a blanket and clutch it protectively.
Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
Wear "X-Ray Specs" and leer suggestively at the passengers.
Stare at your thumb and say "I think it's getting larger."
If anyone brushes against you, recoil and holler "Bad touch!"
Bring a water pistol. Soak everyone's shoes.
Start brushing off invisible bugs from your arms, screaming "Aaughh! Get them off!"
Challenge your neighbor to a "Tic-Tac-Toe" tournament.
Laugh hysterically for five seconds, stop, and glare at the other passengers like they are crazy.
Charge into the elevator dripping wet, holding a towel and wearing only a bath robe. Mutter something about how husbands/wives always come home early just when it's getting to the good part.
Make chalk drawings on the walls.
As the elevator is going up, jump violently up and down, shouting "Down! I said down, dammit!"
Crouch in one corner and growl menacingly at everyone who gets on.
Try to get a game of "Twister" going.
Wrinkle your nose and smell the air repeatedly. Sniff at your neighbor suspiciously, give a disgusted frown, and take a step away.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Once again, way too long without an update...
Gabe's football team is still undefeated with only one game to go. He has had a blast but lost about ten pounds!
Between illness and her coaching responsibilities Julia has only been able to play in one of her soccer games but they did win that and she really enjoyed being back on the field. Her team of little guys she coaches is also undefeated.
Our computer died but thanks to brilliant friends it has been revived. In the meantime we went ahead and added a bit to our joint birthday money and splurged on a laptop. Seven people sharing one computer was getting more and more difficult!
We just received a long-overdue and much-too-short visit from my brother Zak. It was great and we so appreciate the incredible amount of driving he put into such a short time to come see us. We are looking forward to next time!
If I would have been keeping up as I went there would be much more to say but this will have to suffice for now. Will try to get some pictures up before too long and will try to carve out time to do better at more frequent updates!
Gabe's football team is still undefeated with only one game to go. He has had a blast but lost about ten pounds!
Between illness and her coaching responsibilities Julia has only been able to play in one of her soccer games but they did win that and she really enjoyed being back on the field. Her team of little guys she coaches is also undefeated.
Our computer died but thanks to brilliant friends it has been revived. In the meantime we went ahead and added a bit to our joint birthday money and splurged on a laptop. Seven people sharing one computer was getting more and more difficult!
We just received a long-overdue and much-too-short visit from my brother Zak. It was great and we so appreciate the incredible amount of driving he put into such a short time to come see us. We are looking forward to next time!
If I would have been keeping up as I went there would be much more to say but this will have to suffice for now. Will try to get some pictures up before too long and will try to carve out time to do better at more frequent updates!
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