Puzzles

     In Junior High when I really began decorating my room like crazy I covered every inch of wall and then ceiling space. One poster I bought was a huge wordsearch puzzle. I remember it hanging on the wall next to my bed so I could work on it. I circled each word with a different color. When I finished I hung it up on the ceiling. It stayed there for many years. Probably all through high school.
    My dad used to bring home the Daily News newspaper from work sometimes. I loved doing the wordsearch they printed because beyond finding the words there was another word you had to find made up of all the letters that were not circled. I did every one, every time he brought the paper home.
   Senior year of high school I wound up with first period free. I didn't have a car so I wound up sitting in the library every morning with three friends who were in the same boat I was. Sometimes we'd do homework. Usually we did the Jumble puzzle in the newspaper. We would race to see who could figure out the word first. I think we ran about even. It was always a lot of fun and obviously something I won't soon forget being I've been out of high school for, well lets just say, over 15 years.
     Slow times at my former job we spent doing the crossword puzzle in the back of the People magazine. A few years ago me and a few other girls copied every one from 2 years worth of magazines and made sure we completed them all. We kept them all together in order and made sure we had all the answers correct. I believe the pile of pages was still hanging around the desk somewhere before I no longer worked there. No clue if it's there now or if anyone realizes where and what it is.
     Sodoku became a big new puzzle sensation a few years ago. I of course jumped on and still do them when I get the chance. I like how Newsday prints progressively harder ones as the week goes on. I'm always proud of myself when I can finish without any erasures on my game box. I was doing one at work one day when a patron came up and told me there was a secret to doing them. I knew what it was but didn't think it was a secret. Emily will sometimes try to do the kids one they print on Sundays. I love seeing her enjoying the puzzle.
     My mother used to do the crossword puzzle in the newspaper every day. I had tried a few times to do regular crosswords over the years but just could never get them. Or at least finish them. The People Magazine ones weren't quite as hard as they had to do with tv, movies, and pop culture and I'm good with those. The other day I was having a tough time with the Sodoku and my eyes wandered to the crossword. As I scanned it I realized I knew quite a few of the answers. I started to do that puzzle instead. It didn't take me all that long and I finished the whole thing. I was quite proud of myself. It's certainly no New York Times puzzle but I finished it. My first real crossword. It at least gave me a boost for the day as I was having a down one. I tried again the next day thinking it was a fluke maybe, and sure enough finished that one too! The third one I tried I wasn't as lucky with. Guess you can't win them all. But I'll keep at them for sure now I know it is possible for me to finish.
     I really enjoy looking for clues and finding the answers. I loved figuring out what book or movie someone was searching for just by the few pieces of information they gave me. Sure I knew how to use the computer to cheat if I didn't know it straight off but that was part of the fun of the search. I really do miss that. I was damn good at it too because whenever a question was asked if it wasn't posed directly to me they always came to me first for an answer if they didn't know it themselves. Sucks I need a lot of schooling and cash to become a librarian already. In the meantime I have my puzzles. I have quite a few books with tv crosswords and sodokus and word searchs, even fill-it-ins. They kept me busy in the car at times on our big trip, too. It just feels really good to find the answer or finish the puzzle. It's a great little ego boost I enjoy giving myself. One of those little things.
   

Missouri

     Day three of our big summer vacation we drove from Louisville, Kentucky to St. Louis, Missouri. Our first stop of the day, the Gateway Arch. We had some fun finding where to park and be close enough to it as the road the gps sent us to had been washed out from flooding. Once at the Arch you could see how really bad it was as they had boat and helicopter tours set up but not running as they were also in the overflowing area of the Mississippi. There was a huge line waiting to get in on the closer leg of the Arch, so we walked over to the other leg and had hardly any wait at all. We bought out tickets from our tram up and looked around the museum they have housed underneath. Great way to kill time while waiting for your tram time to go up.

     The tram itself was a weird egg shaped contraption that amazingly fit all six of us in. The ride was surreal as you feel yourself moving up at an angle following the shape of the arch. No standard elevator in here. Once at the top you can stay and view as long as you like. No matter which side tram you took up you can take either down. The view was of course amazing. The kids loved it. We took tons and tons of pictures from all sides. Unless standing directly in the middle of the Arch you needed to have some good balance  going on because you are in an arch. Very different. Very cool.

Emily, Ethan, and the Frog!

     After the Arch we stopped at Ponderosa for lunch. We used to have the chain here on Long Island and I loved it so I was excited. It still is pretty much the same with the salad bar on steriods with so many other good things to eat besides salad. Emily loved it and had we found another on the trip we definitely would have gone again. Unfortunately we did not. The good news is I believe there is one by our timeshare in Florida so we will visit that one come this summer.

     We checked into our hotel after lunch. We digested, relaxed and then got changed and headed off to our first Six Flags park of the trip. Six Flags Over St. Louis. It's probably about half the size of our Great Adventure park but had a lot of different things. The favorite for Jacob being the train that went around the whole park. Emily was happy with antique cars she could actually drive. Jacob passed for 42" and made it on a roller coaster and the swinger. He loved them both. I made it over to The Boss, a wooden roller coaster with the boys and we got off just in time for the massive down pour. And it wasn't a quick one. Our night was cut short and we were completely soaked along with a few thousand other people. Back off to the hotel. At least we knew we had a full day in the park tomorrow.
     That night was fun for me as I wanted to get our clothes dried and packed away. There was a washer and dryer at the hotel but after waiting to use them the dryer was no longer working. I asked and they were able to dry my stuff in their commercial dryer. It was great because it only took about and hour for 2 loads to dry. I did have to stay up making sure I got my stuff back. I hung in the lobby/breakfast area reading and waiting while everyone else was sleeping. Another guest came down while I was there and offered up his leftover White Castle he had bought for him and his son who had never had it. They had way too much and didn't want to waste it. The night clerk and I got an extra free meal. It was yummy too and perfect because my husband doesn't like it, so I knew we wouldn't be having it at all on the trip anyway. There was so much I even brought a few hamburgers back for the big boys who had them for breakfast in the morning.

     Day 4 was for Six Flags St. Louis. We dressed for the water park and headed straight there as soon as it opened. Everyone always loves the wave pool and it's nice because we can all be together there. This one was the grossest I had seen but we were in it anyway. Lots of leaves and dirt and then who could forget the frog! Yup, a frog swimming there in the pool with us! I asked the lifeguard about it she just shrugged her shoulders and turned around. Guess frogs in their pools are a normal occurance. Then a boy named Ethan came over, caught the frog and set him free outside of the pool. A few hours at the water park and we were done. Every water park is pretty much the same, some body slides, some tube rides, a kiddie area and a wave pool. It was hot so we did enjoy it but we wanted to get to the rest of the park.

     We drove through Steak 'N Shake for lunch on our way to our hotel to change and get ready for the regular park. With it's name we had to try the shakes and they were awesome. Another yummy new place we'd have to have again sometime. Rob left his credit card at the window and had to make a trip back while the rest of us ate and got ready to head out again. Thankfully they had it right there and it didn't cause any problems.

     The rest of the evening was spent riding the rides at the park. One of the favorite coasters was the Evil Knievel. Another wooden coaster we almost missed because we wanted to see the "Glow in the park Parade." Rob and I both thought it was really good and Andrew said it was his favorite too. The parade was fun and really neat as they turn out all the lights and the performers and floats are lit up. My kids are all about the coasters but I love the thrill rides. This park had one of the best called Xcaliber. Robert and I rode it twice. You spin around in your car while the whole ride rotates up and around 113ft in the air. An awesome ride. All in all a good time for everyone in Missouri. And a really fun park for us all. The next day we would make our way up parts of the original Route 66 on our way the Chicago!

Computer TV

     I've posted how I love my TV, which is why we have 6 in this house. The other day we were without it for over 24 hours as there was a problem with our satellite dish. One day is certainly not a problem. There's this thing called a dvd player and of course the wii to keep the screen glowing brightly for us throughout the day. And many other things of course like board games and books but you know what comes first and easiet always. My biggest problem was the new shows that would be on that night that I would not be able to see.
    Earleir in the day as I played around with all the tv's to try to fix the problem or assess how bad it really was I found the kids tv's were getting channel 2. At least until I reset them and then they got nothing. Once I realized that was happening I made sure to leave Roberts alone. Channel 2 was better than nothing I reasoned. I realized later the CSI was on ch 2 and I'd at least be able to watch that in Roberts room at 9pm and not have to miss it. By 9pm though ch 2 was out on his tv also. I was not a happy camper.
     CSI and Bones are two of my favorite shows. I used to have Cold Case and Without a Trace but they were cancelled. being they are all of the same sort of genre I'm obsessing over the ones I have left more and more. Of course they are both on Thursdays. The day of course I was without tv. Lucky me.
     That is until I remembered how many tv shows are available to watch on the computer now. I am so not a fan of watching tv this way but when push came to shove, guess who was gladly watching her 2 missed shows from Thursday night on her computer Saturday morning? Sure sitting here at my desk watching a 45 minute show is not as nice and comfy as doing it settled into my well worn couch. And of course there's no fast forwarding through those coputer commercials! Beggars can't be choosers though. I got in my CSI and Bones and was very happy both channels post the full episodes on their websites.
     I do not regularly go to tv channels websites. They're tv channels. To be watched on tv. What do I care about their website? Same goes with Newsday. It's a newspaper. I want to read and feel the actual paper and see the printed word in front of my face. I don't give a crap about your website when  I've got your paper in my hand. There is a great ad I've seen in a few magazines recently stating some of the same of what I said. Take your time sit back and enjoy the printed word, it's not going anywhere. The battery won't die, the internet connection won't fail, just turn the page and continue. It's an awesome ad.
     Yes I will consistantly complain about technology. Especially when it's not working the way it's supposed to or, the way I want or think it should. Truth is, I was so very happy for the technology of having my tv on the computer. I'm very glad for that. I do not want my tv to go away though. Same with my newspaper, magazine or book for that matter. The internet is a wonderful thing. It allows me to spew anything I want and have all you lovely people read about it. But I don't want it taking away or replacing anything I hold dear. Too bad I have no control over that.  

Toast

     Emily has toast for breakfast practically every morning. Yes, she loves waffles and was very excited on our big trip whenever the hotel we were staying in had a waffle maker for waffles with their free breakfast. When we came back I bought frozen ones and she would have one for breakfast every couple of days. Robert and my husband helped finish off the boxes when I bought them. Emily always went back to her toast. I can't say I blame her either as I love my toast for breakfast every morning also. I'm very particular about my bread and butter for my toast though. It has to be real butter and my favorite bread comes from BJ's Wholesale Club. So, on our big trip I wasn't as excited for breakfast as they usually didn't have real butter and the bread was never right.
     I've been having toast for breakfast in the mornings since probably before I was Emilys age. I'm a morning person and always have been. I used to get up with my dad a lot of mornings before he went to work at 5am. We of course would be the only ones up. He would make my toast for breakfast. I loved when he cut it into squares instead of plain old triangles. I would squeeze the pieces together and suck off the butter and than eat the rest. He showed me how at certain times of the year the sun came in through the side door and we could make hand puppets on the half wall of the kitchen.
     Emily is not a morning person. She doesn't like her toast cut up at all. She does prefer I cut off the crusts. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. When I don't, sometimes she eats it, sometimes she rips it off herself. She checks the bottoms of her toast before she eats it. The lighter the better for her. So really she likes it barely toasted. We don't have that early time to ourselves like me and my dad had but we have our toast. Usually most mornings I've already had mine before she even gets up. She eats hers watching TV or playing wii with her brother, waking up before getting ready to go to school.
     I gave in and stopped eating two pieces of white toast with butter on it every morning a few years ago when I lost some weight. I could not give up my white bread or toast completely though. Some days I try not to have it and I don't. That next morning though I'm having it. I do only have one piece and try not to use as much butter now, but I still have it! I don't think I'll ever stop eating it no matter how many times I hear how bad white bread is. It's my thing and I love it. Sure I'll make concessions and cut down but I won't stop. And as long as Emily likes having her toast every morning she'll be eating it too. Sooner or later I'll be having her make it herself but I wonder if she'll think about her mommy made toast breakfasts when she's as old as I am?

Timing

     There really is no such thing as perfect timing. Sure there's good timing and you can certainly get lucky with your timing. Like when we made the 11:16am train on Thanksgiving to get back home before the parade ended. It wasn't very crowded at all and we didn't have to worry about not having seats. We know if we want to get out for dinner on a Friday or Saturday night if you're not there by 5:30pm you're waiting for a table, unless you get lucky. There are plenty of things in life that happen because of timing. Good or bad. It's all what you make of it.
     In high school I liked this guy but never said anything or did anything about it. We were friends and that was that. I was afraid to do anything. A year after high school while he was home from college, we had a chance to get together. I found out he had felt the same way. And, of course did the same thing, nothing. Well, I was staying and he was going back to school but hey, you never knew right. Things were finally out in the open. The timing was still wrong. Turns out there was a girl and other crap going on for him at school. I learned about it all, again, a few years later. Which was why we never did talk much more than a few times once he left. Just not meant to be, timing or not.
     My husband, also out of high school, had applied for two jobs. One he really wanted, the other he just applied for because he was there with his sister. The latter called to offer him the job. He took it as he had not heard from the former and figured he would not. As he tells it, not five minutes later the other place did call to offer him the job. He could have taken it and called the other back. He did not. Because he did not we met. He wound up working with a group of people and then became friends with one of their friends who was friends with me. We met when a group got together for this friends birthday. He was there as was I and the rest is our history. Timing? You tell me.
     There is a really bad movie called Sliding Doors. It seemed to be about timing. It's two versions of the same story. One she makes the train and gets in those sliding doors only to arrive home and catch her husband cheating. The other she does not make the train but still finds out about his cheating and the outcome is still the same. Needless to say I didn't like it very much. I thought the point would have been to show the difference a moment can make sometimes. Not every moment but some. I definitely believe that. Think about it a little I bet you have one or maybe more. Maybe it's a choice? Maybe it's timing? Maybe its fate? Whatever it is it got your where you are today. Good or bad. Make the most of it.

Babies

     A week or so ago there was one day that was all about babies. I found out someone was pregnant. We watched a TV show where one of the main characters did nothing else but talk about having a baby and becoming pregnant. When that was over flipped to a classic "Family Ties" and what do you know it's the episode where Elyse finds out she's pregnant with Andy. During the tv viewing I found out another friend was pregnant. Nothing like a litle push to set something to the forefront of your mind.
     For a long time I thought there'd be another baby in this house eventually. I've been coming to realize, and adjust to, the fact that that just isn't going to happen. And it's probably for the best too. If I were rich I'm sure I'd have lots more kids. I'd also be able to have hired help to clean my house while I got to play and take care of them all day. And bring along on any fun trips like the one we took this summer so we'd still be able to do them. Ah, fantasyland, such a fun place to play in.
    Anyway, I do sort of feel like I'm done with diapers and formula and feedings every three hours. Sure, I still get some of it with my extras but it's a big difference when your not doing it 24/7. I'm sure every mom out there could tell you that. I can see how things like our spontaneous lucky trip to the parade this year would never have happened if we had had another. Same with our amazing cross country trip this summer. And I know that's a good thing. My husband has said he's done and just doesn't have the patience anymore for babies. I may not either but just can't commit to that, "I'm done" statement.
     I really loved being pregnant. Every time. No they weren't always easy and yes there were plenty of times I bitched and moaned about having no control over my body. Just the feeling of that baby growing in there is so amazing. It really does cancel out all of the crappy stuff. Nothing in this world compares to it. I think that's mainly what I can't say I'm done with yet. Getting to feel that feeling one more time. I also feel like I should have one good comfortable pregnancy where everything else in life is going well. My first I was 19 and living at home with  my parents. My second we were all living with my dad at the time trying to make our own way. My third we were figuring out how to fit us all into our small little house. My husband and I had our living room/bedroom. Lots of fun sleeping on a pull out couch being pregnant! But that's just life and I will certainly always remember each one very well. I don't really think there is such a thing as a pefect easy pregnancy anymore. But a comfortable one was still a hope. And since we're not quite comfortable another one really isn't in the cards.
     I really wish I had taken more big baby belly photos. Decency and fat be damned. I'm not happy I don't have those. A few girlfriends I know even did fashion shots. I wish I had done something like that. Oh well. We never get it all and there are always some regrets. We get what we get and we make the best of it. So Emily will be my only girl. I'll be able to do more with her. Give her more things and more time. And hopefully we'll be a whole lot closer than my mother and I are.
     I can see where I have more time for my kids without another baby in the house. That's a wonderful thing to have. I can be more involved in each of their lives. Sure, my husband doesn't like when I get on the big boys about girls but that's my priviledge as their mom. I grew up a lot with them too when they were just babies and I certainly don't want them making any of my mistakes. Sure there's a whole mess of things I might change if I had the chance. They would never be part of that. Hindsight is 20/20 right?
     It's been a running thing in my head all this stuff about babies. Maybe now I've gotten it out I'll be good. Maybe. I see the reasons, and there are lots and lots and lots of good ones. And I think I'm coming to accept just how good they really are. I didn't sleep well with all of this in my head last night. This morning when I was finally up for good I picked up a Glamour magazine I had in the bathroom to have some peace from Jake for a few minutes this morning. There was this whole article about surrogate moms. I thought it a little funny and appropriate for my mindset. Not that I could ever do something like that. Plus I think I'm too old for it already. And would carrying someone elses baby even give you the same feeling? Probably not, there's this whole thing about yours when your belly is full of baby I think. But I wouldn't know.
     My kids will get a better Mom I think without an extra sibling. I'll have more to give. And finances to do more. I need to see them as they grow and how each age is a wonderful thing. It's not all about the babies anymore. I think I'm already starting to see how I can enjoy them more without another demanding all my time. And that's really good for them. And probably me and my husband too. As there's never been just us. I had kids when he met me. But that makes it a little scary too. Maybe another reason why I'm holding onto the baby thing still. What will we be without kids around?

Christmas Music

     Now that Thanksgiving has past I can put back on WALK radio. I thought it ridiculous to start playing Christmas music even before Thanksgiving. The stores, I understand their thinking, that starting music and decorating earlier will get you to spend more as you start shopping sooner and then just don't stop. Of course, they are out to take as much of your money as your willing to part with, so why not. The radio station it just gets annoying after awhile. Sure it's nice at first but come on, we all know they play the same songs over and over even though there are a million other versions of all Christmas songs out there.

     That being said I do love my Christmas music. Sure, I'll switch it off the radio now and again throughout the month of December, but usually I'm turning it off in favor of my own Christmas music. And I have lots that I love to play. My Christmas cookies cannot be baked unless my favorites are playing on the stereo. It isn't really Christmas anyway until I've belted out all my favorites along with them a few dozen times. I've wanted to make myself the ultimate Christmas CD for some time now but I just keep finding more and more songs that would need to be on it. I'd probably need 3 CD's. At least.

     The cookie baking albums that must be played are many. There are a few favorites that I repeat many, many, many times. These are the ones I know the words to every single song and I don't skip any of them. First would be "John Denver and the Muppets A Christmas Together." How can you beat the Muppets? Growing up with this and then being able to actually purchase the CD with the classic cover of them all, lets just say I was super excited the day I found it in the grocery store bin of holiday music they put out this time of year. The next is Rosie O'Donnell's Christmas. I have a copy so I cannot be sure but it may be a combo of the two I believe she had out. Sure her voice sucks but you barely hear her on some of them and there's a lot of great fun stuff in there. It's definitely a peppy, move your booty while your baking, xmas cd for me. The last I play straight through without skipping is the "Oak Ridge Boys Christmas." Do you know who they are?
     Ok sure laugh it up now now but it reminds me of my family. My sister I know plays it every year also. My brother is the one who burned the copies of it for us. My mom is the one who played it every year. My husband and kids think I'm nuts but I don't miss a single word when it plays through. Yeah ok it's quite hokey, but what isn't from your childhood? And when I sing along it's me and my sister singing along and dancing around all excited for Christmas when we were little. Plus that first line from the first song before the music even begins on the whole cd, of course reminds you why we have Christmas in the first place, "Jesus was born today."
     I have lots of others but those three are my favorite albums. A Very Special Christmas 1 and 2 are played lots also but I do skip a few songs on each one. Same with the two Rock 'n Roll Christmas CD's I had the library purchase, and then made copies of, a few years back in search of a certain song. Glad I did it when I did now. There's "The Chipmunk Christmas Album" too. A true classic but when I grew up with this bright green album of "The Bunnyhoppers", a total chipmunk knock-off I still wish I could find it on CD.
     I think I have double the amount of favorite songs as I do albums. Of course they're easier. And as my taste varies so completely, if you couldn't tell from above, there are bound to be many. First ultimate favorite, which I do not even think I own, or if I do I never remember what cd it's on as I have so many copies and collections, is Bryan Adams' "Something about Christmastime." I know I can count on WALK radio or WBAB or WRCN even to play it so I do make sure I hear it a few times. It is my most favorite Christmas song. Don't ask me why though, maybe cause it's so sweet and I'm a big mush.

     The top two fun Christmas songs are the Dixie Chicks and Rosie, "Merry Christmas from the Family." How can you go wrong when a song starts out, "Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk, at our Christmas party." What is it with those country people and great lines. I'm so not a country music fan but I have to give that to them. Then we jump over to rock and the song the library bought 2 cd's for, Billy Squiers', "Christmas is the Time to Say I Love You." Just a good fun upbeat song.

     The next two are both on "A Very Special Christmas 2." "Christmas Time Again" by Extreme. And "O Holy Night" by Tevin Campbell. Probably the best version of it I have ever heard. The last favorite I have to hear before it feels like Christmas is, "Same Auld Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. I've got a feeling now that it'll remind me more of a good friend I don't see or talk to much anymore as I no longer work with her. She always took the cd of it out way before Christmas and kept it until after. I know I don't own that one and have probably heard it ten times already so it's never a problem getting to listen to it this time of year. 

     So there's my fun filled collection of favorites for you. Give a listen to some if you get a chance, if your not familiar with them or if only to see how crazy I am. It's really good stuff I promise. I would love to be a DJ at WALK radio this time of year if only I could find and play every version of the same song and see all the differences. Some certainly suck but some gems are there to be found I'm sure. You know one hour every single song could be "Jingle Bells." The next "Jingle Bell Rock." The next "Silent Night." The next all the different versions of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" And so on and so forth. It would be so much fun. My favorite on the last would most likely be the drunk one that goes, "and a beer, in a tree." Not sure who sings it or what it's called exactly but I may have it. If not the search is on for another favorite. Yeah it's been awhile since I've heard that one. I don't think I have it. Let the fun begin. Thank God the internet makes it so much easier for me now. And you too if you want to listen to my favorites! 

Turkey Day 2010

     Last Thanksgiving Rob and I had everyone, both sides of the family, at our house and cooked dinner. It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed it. We'd probably have done it again this year but my older boys get the holiday with their dad every other year. So, this year they wouldn't be home and I feel bad doing it when they're not around. Rob has to watch his football games and when he does he's in another world. It's like he's not even here he's so glued. Well both his teams were playing this year on Thanksgiving. I figured if he just wants to veg and watch his games then we can stay home and I'll make us a small Thanksgiving dinner for just me, him, em, and jake. This was our plan.
     We were invited to my mothers and his mothers and turned both down. That is until he changed his mind. Worried his parents won't be here for many more turkey dinners he told me he wanted to go there. I said fine. I hadn't bought much to make at home at the time anyway so it was fine. I'd just buy the things I needed to make for what we were supposed to bring to his moms for dinner. It was all good. I also figured I'd bring a book cause if he was going to zone out on TV then I could do the same with my book.
     Tuesday night before Thanksgiving I was on Facebook and saw a posting from a friend. It seems she had tickets to the parade and wasn't going to be able to use them. Four tickets she was giving away for free. When I first saw it I though, "wow that would be neat." But of course we'd have to get there and figure out how it all worked and would it really be worth it? I scrolled around Facebook for awhile but kept coming back to the posting about the tickets. Finally I asked my husband if he knew what the weather was supposed to be like for the parade. He joked, "Why you want to go?" Now we had talked about going some time but figure it's just insane. Take the kids out really, really early to push and fight for a good spot to see and then stand there for hours waiting so we wouldn't lose that spot. No way was that going to happen. Sure it'd be neat to go but not like that. Here was our chance and in a much better way with guarenteed spot!
     "Maybe," I answered. "Someone's got tickets to go and they're giving them away." We really didn't even know they had tickets for the parade but as we learned you needed to know someone or work at Macys yourself to get these suckers. They were also selling for thousands of dollars! Rob got on his laptop to look at trains and parking while I posted back about the tickets and how they worked. We thought about it and figured why the heck not try? Can't hurt. We'd see if/when my friend with the tickets got back to me. It was about 10pm when I saw the posting so we had to wait until morning.
     Bright and early I was on the computer again and there was a post back, "Do you want them?" I emailed her said, "yeah I think so." and sent along my phone number. She called a little later and brought me the tickets that evening after she got out of work. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited.
     So my quiet Thanksgiving at home this year became something quite different. It was wonderful and  I wouldn't change a thing about it. We were on a 5:30am train with Emily and Jacob. Had this wonderful adventure to get there. Got prime seats, even if they were on the curb, we were still up front and sitting at least. And only sat waiting about 45 minutes for the parade to start. Because we were so close Jacob was playing more with all the confetti thrown on us than watching at times. It was amazing. Something we'll all never forget. We were back home by 1pm. The kids got in little naps on the train. Off to dinner at a little after 2.
     Dinner was not what I expected either. With the crazy morning we hadn't eaten well and I was looking forward to the turkey even if I had to pick at it while we had the italian noodles first. At least it wouldn't be cold. Nothing was done when we got there and Rob and I took over in the kitchen. My mother-in-law had bought a turkey fryer and was using it for the first time. It wasn't on all the way and Mr. Turkey was barely cooking when we got there. Same for the noodles we have to have first. Rob and I got everything thing going and threw the pasta, sauce and cheese together and heated it up in the oven. Something my mother-in-law said may not be a good idea as the turkey fryer was not supposed to be near hear yet she had it sitting on top of the oven. There was no other way to get everything done in time so we hoped for no fryer explosions.

Within about an hour we were sitting having our first round, the pasta.

     Rob's sister and I got everything together and heated for the turkey round. It was the first time I saw his mom sitting and letting us take over, ever. I could understand his concern about her health all the more. I also was fine doing it. As she said later I seemed happier when I had something to do. Yeah I guess I like to be in control. Rob said the same thing of my mother when she came to our house the year before. She needed something to do to help. She was lost when it was all taken care of. I wouldn't go that far in reference to myself but I like feeling useful. I also think my comfort level at his parents house has built up enough to where I had no problem taking over even though it wasn't my house.

     A very different Turkey Day than I ever expected to have indeed. I saw the parade up close and personal with my little ones. The big boys had gone with their father previously and were skiing with him over this long weekend so I felt bad some, but not too much. I helped a lot to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table. And it was all very, very tasty. I'm just missing the leftovers. And I didn't even think about bringing the book as I was tired going in but doing all the work in the kitchen is part of what Thanksgiving is all about and I loved every minute of it!
   

Black Friday

     I've worked this day for the past ten years, though thankfully not in retail. This year sat on my butt and did nothing. The hubby went out to Toys R Us after the football game ended because they had awesome deals on a few things on the kids lists. Of course neither of the stores he tried had any of the things we wanted. Oh Well. Better him than me running around at 1am. I was nice and comfy and warm sleeping in our bed. I have never felt any need or desire to try to go to any of these crazy sales.My sister goes every year and if I see something I want I may suggest it to her to pick up in her travels. Or if she is going to a store there may be one thing I wanted I'll ask her to get it. Or it'll be what she gets for my kids for xmas. Rob has gone for specific things once in awhile. I think this was the first time he failed to get what we were searching for.
     I wonder if it was because Toys R Us was one of the few places open at 10pm Thanksgiving night. A lot of people are still up and could and would go then as their dinner is over and it didn't interrupt with their day or their sleep. I also think that the economy is not getting any better, especially not around our house, no matter what the media tries to tell us. Despite that, parents will always shop for their kids for the holidays so Toys R Us was complete madness from what I heard. And it's not surprising at all. Skip December credit card payments so the kids can have Christmas. Sure, why not?
     Of course everyone is out for the best deal. Why pay double for something when all you have to do it go out early on a certain day to get it cheaper. Well that is if you get lucky. What I learned too late is that all the deals were also available online and we could have probably gotten all we wanted online at 10pm. Oops. Now we know for next year. Rob tried again today as of course black friday sales were held over until today to keep people out and shopping and searching. He got two things, so thats better I guess, than nothing.
     I know we'll still get them plenty. They'll still wind up with plenty thanks to Grandmas anyway. I do like to be able to shop early but when you can't you can't. I've learned from my husband, the typical man last minute shopper, that we can always find plenty for the kids even a few days before Christmas. Sure sometimes it's hard to find things on the list but not getting everything on the list is something kids need to learn anyway. So if we get screwed at the stores my kids are learning a lesson. Works out well that way doesn't it?
     I do love shopping for them. I also like picking out what I want to get them, not always keeping to the list. I feel the same way about gift registries, but I may have said that before. It's all about the giving right? So if I don't want to give Emily a toy she wants that I think may be wasteful, or broken in a week, or never used, well of course I'm going to pick something better, something I want her to have. But of course that could also have the same fate as what she wanted. You never know. If it's something she really, really had to have she's also old enough to know to save her money to buy it for herself later if she didn't get something she wanted. So far that hasn't happened.
     The sales will go on all through December. With Hanukkah very early this year, I believe next week, that may be another reason why Toys R Us was so bad so early. Less time to shop for those parents. Maybe that'll be good for me. More availability since the Hannukah shoppers will be done early? Who knows. It'll be what it'll be. Stores will have more sales. I'll find presents. We'll have Christmas. The kids will have toys. And the parents will have to figure out how they're paying for them. Hopefully I'll luckily find the coveted items from the wish lists.

Julie and Julia

     I believe I posted way back when about liking the movie and how it was a big part of getting me back on here and actually doing some kind of writing. Sure she had a gimmick that got her a book and movie deal and I wasn't exactly looking do go that route, but getting a book and movie deal, well hey wouldn't that be nice if it came from this. Yeah, so a few months later and reality setting in I now have a little cookie baking business going. Not bad so far. Having fun with it and enjoying baking and trying new things. Making a little money at it too, isn't too bad. Though it has kept me away from here for awhile. Sure it wasn't the only reason for my recent sabbatical but the other stuff I'm just not ready to get into on here.
     Like I said I loved the movie and the fact that it's somewhat true to life and this woman Julie Powell really exsists, really started blogging and got her book and movie deal. I believe she is still writing. Checked out her page and original blog some time back. But I had never gotten the chance to look at the book. Sure if I had still been working at the library I'd have been all over it and found it. Not the case. Last night at my in-laws for Turkey Day I saw a copy of it and flipped through and read some of it. No, I didn't even get through a whole chapter. Thought if i stayed in the potty reading that long it would be quite rude. Also, I really didn't want to.
     I was surprised by the beginning of it and have to say did not enjoy it at all. Sure I didn't get to the juice and meat of the book being the whole Julia project but something about the tone of the beginning really turned me off. Maybe she became more real, too real, and I like the picture of the movie better and don't want to lose it. Maybe I'd just become too jealous she got so lucky while I'm still here toiling away trying to figure out my life. Whatever it is I don't know that I'll ever pick the book up and read it again. Of course I could watch the movie over and over a hundred times though.
     I also recently learned an acquaintance is writing a book. I'm very excited for her and annoyed with myself as she's doing it for real and halfway done and I'm too afraid to get more than a few chapters down before I give up or find some reason to not continue. I have in my head lots of things to keep me from writing. A big one being this guy I dated told me how his mother had written a book. I thought that was great of course, but then he went on to tell me it was never published and so she never really wrote anymore when she used to all the time. So there's another big scary thought. What the hell would be the point in writing and finishing if no one ever saw it?
     Like I said I'm real good at talking myself out of actually doing any real writing. So I suck, and have not been happy with myself in that respect. And I have kept myself busy doing something I can do that I know people enjoy, my baking. Of course kept myself off of here too. Feeling like I wasn't even sure what the heck to write about here anymore. Hopefully I've knocked it out and I'll be back for you every day. I know I need to play back the good stuff over and over in my head and not the bad crap I do so well holding on to and reminding myself of constantly. So what if there are a whole bunch of new friends becoming bloggers too? I haven't posted in over a week and I've still had someone, or two or three or more, come looking at my page to see what I have to say every day. Though I've not been here in awhile. Now how many times should I repeat that to myself to keep in stuck in my head and myself going in a positive direction? 

     

Fall Leaves

     Went to pick the kids up from my mothers the other day and as we pulled up I spotted Andrew standing there with this big leaf blower in his hand. I'm sure he had fun helping Grandma clean up the leaves in her yard. And I bet the other kids all just played and jumped in the piles that were made. That's what leaves are for right? I was sort of surprised she even had a leaf blower as I always remember her out raking every fall, like I now do. I guess where she is living now has way more trees than we ever had when I was a kid. And of course she is geting older and has to do it herself. A leaf blower definitley makes sense and makes it easier. All I think of when it comes to leaf blowers is the damn annoying high pitched noise they make. That and how most people who have them, and even landscaping companies that use them, just blow the leaves into the street for them to blow onto everyone elses property. Needless to say I'm not a big fan of them.
     We have three trees on our property and a few others that come over from neighbors so we get a decent amount of leaves. I don't mind them at all. I love watching them change colors and fall. I love hearing the crunch they make under my feet as I walk around the yard. I like how they look on the lawn. I am in no big rush to get them cleaned up right away. They are to be played in first anyway. Today I raked up a pile in the easiest spot, closet to where the bulk of our leaves fall in the back yard. Emily wanted to jump into the pile from the swings. They are on the other side of the yard. She started making up her own pile. When I finished with the large pile Em, Jake and I raked the large pile onto a tarp and moved it across the yard to in front of the swings. They were very happy. When we lived at my dads I used to rake the leaves into a pile at the end of the large slide that still stands in the backyard. If I get over to help my dad before he does it himself I still do that for Jake.
     My pile will sit out there for awhile. This year in front of the swings. If it doesn't rain we can use it and play in it again. If it does we make a new one with the new leaves that have fallen and are not a gross wet mess. As it gets later in the year and the weather gets colder and closer to snow I start bagging the pile and putting it at the curb. I do like to leave it as long as I can but with a dog who is not perfect and loves the leaves also, I now have to make sure he's going potty in his spot and not on any of the leaves the kids want to play in.
     As I drove around the past few weeks I couldn't help think about people talking about going upstate to see the fall foliage. I always wonder if their trees are better than ours to see as they change color? I guess maybe because there are a lot more of them to see, people go. I feel we have enough trees here, at least around where I drive. I still see plenty of woodsy areas where the color change is gorgeous as you drive by. What I think is really interesting is how certain types of trees drop their leaves much earlier than others.             
     Driving Jake to school every day I would pass this house with a beautiful tree. I wish I could tell you what type it is but I have no idea. I never really noticed it until it started changing colors. The leaves became such a bright red, it was gorgeous. With each day there would be more and more leaves on the ground. It took only maybe a week before this tree had lost all it's leaves. It seemed so quick. It made me look at my large tree in the backyard. I believe it is a Maple. The leaves on my tree were just beginning to change and here this other one was completely empty already. Amazing. Yeah, I'm a sucker for nature. But I also realize why it seems as I kid I always had a pile of leaves to jump in on Halloween and my kids do not. We have different types of trees here than where I grew up. Plain and simple.
     Of course that doesn't stop my kids from having fun in the leaves. The leaves can stay in the backyard for as long as it takes for me to get to them as the kids get to play in them. The front is a different story. Yes I like the way they look but I hope they all fall before Thanksgiving. I also hope I get a nice day or two to rake up the front yard shortly after. We like to decorate for Christmas right after Thanksgiving. The leaves need to be out of the way before that happens. At least I really like them to. It makes it a whole lot easier than having to rake around all the decorations. My husband would just put eveything on top of the leaves not giving a thought to them. But that's his job doing the outside x-mas decorating. Mine is the leaves. I love it and the only way it seems like work is making sure I've gotten them up before he is ready to decorate

In the Kitchen

     I am now baking something just about every day. Some days a lot of somethings, depending on any orders I have received. I was worried cookies would go bad and I'd have to toss them. So far I've been going through them pretty quickly. The only ones getting tossed are the screw ups or broken ones. That is unless the kids are home and want to eat them. Jake is getting very accustomed to licking bowls and spoons before they hit the sink, and loving every minute of it. What's funny is he'll love every dough from the spoon but when the cookie is done he won't often taste it. At least the ones without any chocolate in them.

     I am really enjoying making the goodies and having other people enjoy them too. I am not enjoying the lack of down time. Any days I'm not baking I'm doing laundry. Most days having the washer and dryer in the kitchen is great as they make for extra counter space. The days I actually have to put them to use I find myself moving all my stock of goodies back and forth around the kitchen and dining room depending on where I need space. At least laundry days as the washer and dryer are doing their jobs I can catch up on my dvr'd shows and give my couch some loving.

     The other morning everyone was off from school. I ran to Target for some ingredients and had some fun on the kitchen aisles all by myself. It was like porn for me as I coveted the whisks and spoons, mixers, bowls and pans. I have never been a window shopper. If I'm not there to buy it, don't need it, or have any use for it I won't even bother looking or heading down the aisle. It's a big waste of time for me. And usually depressing as I don't have the cash for it either. That day I could picture using some of those pretty new shiny kitchen toys. I figure if I do well enough I may be able to have them to play with in my kitchen someday. 

     Years ago my sister-in-law bought me two new cookie sheets for Christmas. They are the best ones I've ever had. I've saved them and only use them once a year at Christmas time to make my cookies. Now that I'm making cookies all the time I was hoping to get some more. I emailed her about them and she wrote back saying what kind they were and they were on amazon.com. But only 4 were left at the moment. I panicked and thought how, "if things take off and I really do need them what if I can't get them?" Well I talked to my Daddy and got myself an early Christmas present ten minutes later. Once they came I didn't use them right away. I waited until I felt I really needed them and then it was like playing with a new toy. The cookies baked perfectly on my pretty new toy too.

     A few days later I noticed one of my wooden spoons had a crack in it. Being I hand mix all my stuff I've been known to break a spoon or two each season. I figured it best to check my other spoons and sure enough one of the other ones also had a chip in it. I was annoyed I had to toss two of my favorite mixing spoons. Again my Daddy came to the rescue. He works in the housewares dept. part time in a local store and is always bringing home crazy stuff for the house for me and my sisters. I texted him about my broken spoon knowing he was at work. I asked if he had the chance and saw any if he could grab me one. The next time I got over to his house I found he had gotten me 7. Two packages of three spoons each in different sizes. One package was plastic the other wooden. And one huge Paula Deen wooden spoon that probably cost twice as much as the two packages of spoons together. Again new toys to play with thanks to my Daddy. I had never even used a plastic spoon before, but now they are my new favorite. At least as long as they hold up and I don't break them. Time will tell on that one. Over the past few days I keep fantasizing about letting him get me some new whisks next. Like a kid in a candy store.

     I soon may have to start using a mixer. I really don't want to as I've never liked them and don't even own one. My back is definitely not happy about me standing stirring and baking a lot of hours, a lot of days now. A friend had given me one at my bridal shower. As I have been a baker for a long time it was a logical gift. Unfortunately I never used it. I don't even think I took it out of the box except maybe to store it, in hopes I might use it. Years later after moving into our then little house I needed space and I gave it to a girlfriend I worked with who I knew would use it. I'm pretty sure she still has it. The biggest problem I have with a mixer is their bowls are usually made from aluminum. You can't microwave aluminum. I microwave my butter and chips and cream cheese all in the same bowl I mix by hand. Why would I want to make more dishes for myself having to melt everything seperately? 

     I am having a great time in my kitchen cooking up all kinds of great things. I am still addicted to the chocolate mocha cappuccino cookie. I swear I eat a few every day. Thankfully I'm moving so much in the kitchen baking they haven't translated into an extra 5lbs yet. I do have to cut myself off though before they do. I miss thinking. Just time to myslef to let my brain wander. Thats usually when I come up with fun things to blog about. Haven't had too many lately. When cooking I have the radio going and usually I'm singing along or thinking of packaging and pricing and all other things related to this new business. I guess maybe once I get it all figured out my brain will be able to wander more. Time will tell. In the meantime I have to make a concerted effort to get on and blog. And if an idea strikes me no matter where or when I have to write it down or I know I'll lose it. There's just too many other things going on up there right now.  

    

Level 26

     Finished off reading one of the weirder books I've ever read the other night. I call it weird in that it dubs itself as the first DIGI-NOVEL. The title: Level 26 Dark Orgins. The author: Anthony E. Zuiker with Duane Swierczynski. Mr Zuiker is the creator of my favorite CSI shows. If you're not into them then you certainly won't be into this book, as it goes deeper and darker than most things I usually read. I Love CSI! The original, though the replacement of Gil with Dr. Ray leaves much to be desired for me. And NY. I watched Miami for a little while at the beginning but just couldn't take it anymore and gave up on it.
     I found this book from and episode of CSI. If you're a watcher- the one with Sqweegel. I noticed right away the storyline for that episode had come from a book. With my love of books and of course the character still at large at the end of the episode, I had to get the book to see what happened. It is a bit sick and twisted but very entertaining. If you're not into dark things don't bother picking this up to read.
     The premise is of course about the character Sqweegel. It's stated that law enforcement recognizes 25 levels of evil. From naive, innocent, happenstance criminals to the sick, twisted, digusting, torture ones. Well with Sqweegel they have made a new class. He's so bad he's on a new level all by himself, level 26. It took me awhile to get into it. As I've said it's quite twisted but once I got into the characters I was hooked and flew through it in a few days' time. I also like my horror movies so some of this stuff in the book wasn't so bad for me.
     Now onto the whole digi-novel premise. Of course it being the first, I had never heard of it and wasn't sure exactly what it meant or what to expect. Well the book is tied into a website. As you read the book after about every 20 pages you unlock a code. On the website this code unlocks a cyber-bridge. A video that ties into the story and lasts anywhere from thirty seconds to about 4 minutes or so. The book states you don't have to watch but of course in the beginning I was too curious and had to watch before moving on to the next chapter. This became too annoying as I love to sit and read and relax not being plugged in anywhere. As I skipped my first code and kept reading I learned I wasn't missing anything to the story as it was talked about in the next chapter. I was however missing the visual aspects I had gotten used to. So I'd read all I wanted and when I had a chance would go back and catch up on the cyber-bridges. My curiosity being too much for me to not watch them. 
     Overall I think it's a great concept, hooking the book in with the website and getting to watch the characters come to life. They are not changing anything of the story as movies often do to ruin books. These enhance and make it more interesting. Sure, Steve Dark, the main investigator hunting Sqweegel, didn't look anything like I had originally pictured him in my head but I got used to it, and he became the character for me. The story was very interesting and kept me riveted. And the thought of a psycho like this possibly ever exsisting has certainly kept me on my toes and aware of my surroundings as I'm out and about lately.
     I was a little disappointed that the last cyber-bridge led into the next book, as in sequel, which I'm not always fond of. But I am happy to be able to continue reading about Mr. Dark and learning more about his character. I just hope it's the next chapter in his story I will be reading and not Sqweegel part 2! Waiting for it from the library and will keep you posted on if it's worth it.

Kentucky

     The second day of our big trip this past summer was spent in Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after we booked all our hotels we learned that Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, our planned stop there, would not be open. There was some kind of dipute between Six Flags and Kentucky about the land lease so Six Flags did not renew the lease and closed the park. We had also planned to visit the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, at least that was still on. We found out early enough about the park closing so we were able to find some other things to do instead. Although the drive-in movie theatre I had found and thought we'd visit wound up being closed too. We also stayed only a day instead of the day and a half we had originally planned.

     First up was the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. We figured we'd do the tour and be done in about and hour or so. Boy were we wrong. This place was amazing. There was so much to do and see there. Wonderful stop for baseball fans like us. Rob had to go out and feed the meter again because we were there for so long. Over three hours. The tour was interesting and everyone got their free mini bats. We all got to hold a Mickey Mantle game used bat at the museum, which was full of so many great things. We took a tour upstairs through the offices and saw old contracts from past players. There were batting cages Rob and the kids played in. A small one for Jake too.And a huge glove playground. We saw a short baseball history movie. And we had a live internet chat with Cooperstown (Baseball's Hall of Fame). It actually worked out well Kentucky Kingdom was closed or we would have felt rushed and missed some of the great stuff we wound up doing and seeing at the Slugger Museum.

     Next we took the kids roller skating. They had loved it the one time we took them up in Lake George years ago and were looking forward to it again. Jacob was just a baby so it'd be fun to see how he did too. We don't have any skating places too close to home so we really don't get to go. I believe the nearest to us is about an hour away. It was quite cheap, I think something like $4 per person for the session. We all had fun skating around and around. It wasn't very crowded so that was nice. Jake had a tough time out on the floor and stuck mostly to the carpeted area for his skating. Rob and I relived our childhoods somewhat when roller skating was a big thing. Emily got tired easily as she was not used to having those heavy skates on her feet. Who was?
     We went back to our hotel to change for some relaxing in the pool. Rob went up to the room with the kids while I cleaned up some of the car. Soon he was yelling down to me from the balcony railing saying how the cards weren't working for the door. I was immediately pissed not to mention really hot and dying to get into the pool. Told him to throw the cards down to me and I'd get it fixed. He did and I was on my way to the office with all my pissed off NY attitude. There was a man and woman working behind the desk and she immediately asked if she could help me. I slapped the cards onto the desk and said, "Yeah! My family and I just got back! We want to get into the pool! It's hot and our cards are not working so we can't get changed!" The man in his lovely southern drawl, speaking much more slowly than I had just done said, "Well I did that just so you'd come in here to say hi to me." It was the last thing I ever expected him to say and was so taken back by it didn't know what to say next. And I couldn't help but smile. I think I may have said, "Well Hi." He then engaged me in some conversation about where we were from and what we had done that day and the day before while the woman fixed up the cards. He told me he was wondering who had come from Cleveland when he saw the postcard I had dropped off for mailing before we took off that day. He was so nice, sweet and laid back I calmed down immediately. Guess he was an old pro with customer service. In no time the cards were fixed, we were in the pool and I had had my first fun filled encounter with a local on our trip. Wish I had gone back to take a picture with him.

     Later we went out to dinner at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. It was this off the wall place I had seen on some TV show that when I saw the ad for it in the lobby I knew we had to go try it out. The food was wonderful and the atmosphere plain crazy. There were trees with lamps and all kinds of other things hanging off them in the middle of the dining room. Not to mention all the other crazy stuff hanging off the walls and outside around the building. We loved it. After dinner we went down to waterfront park. A huge area with lots of open space, playgrounds and water features the kids got a kick out of on the Ohio River. We walked around and let the kids run and play awhile before heading back to the hotel and ending our day in Kentucky.

     We did have to take a ride to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom for our own Griswold Moment of the park being closed when we got there. At least we expected it but it had to be done. And pictures needed to be taken. All in all we had quite a good time in Kentucky. The next day we'd be off to St. Louis, Missouri!

  

      

Pumpkins

    Every year it's the same thing. We HAVE TO have pumpkins for Halloween. Just part of the decorations and fun right? It's not Halloween if I'm not stuck chopping up a pumpkin for the kids sometime in the days leading up to it. Frankly, I'm quite sick of it. But as Jacob is only four, know I'll still be doing it for some years to come. At least this year I was comfortable enough with the big boys and knives to let them chop up their own. So that was only 2 not 4 I had to pull the guts out of and do my best to make a face like they had drawn on it.

     I am not a great pumpkin carver. I'm ok after doing it for so many years. I've been trying to hand this job over to my husband with no luck as of yet. I don't eat any kind of pumpkin anything. Don't know how to make any pies or what not. Wouldn't really want to anyway. The only one in the house who'd eat t anyway would be Robert. The one thing I've done is rinse some seeds and bake them for the kids to eat. Only Robert really liked them so we did it maybe once or twice.

     Pumpkin picking seems to be such a big family outing type of thing now. I don't remember ever going out to a farm and picking my own off the vine. Maybe once when I was a kid. We went to a stand where they were already picked and got to pick our own there. At least that's what I remember. Last year, or maybe the year before we took the kids pumpkin picking. Holy cow, what a waste. At least for me anyway. Sure it was fun and cute to let them run around the field and pick their own. But then they changed their minds too many times or when they saw what someone else had picked. Fun, fun for mom and dad.

     Then there was the cost. I don't remember it exactly but four pumpkins for four kids that they got to pick out themselves in the field was somewhere between $50-$60! Way too much for this family budget. Especially now. It's just too much for me to even think about spending on something that's going to get chopped up and thrown in the trash in a few weeks time. We did it once. We won't ever do it again. From now on we go pumpkin picking at Walmart. Under $4 a pumpkin no matter the size. So we hang there awhile and I let them dig out the biggest or whatever and change their minds a few times. For 4 pumpkins they got to pick themselves out of a box it's under $20! Can't beat that for me.

     Now before anyone goes off about supporting the local farmers and what not let me finish. We do, just not with pumpkins. More and more farms seem to have these harvest festivals now every weekend in October. All the kids are old enough to enjoy some parts of it as long as their is enough choice in what to do. I love the corn mazes. Rob and I went to one ourselves a few years ago it was so much fun we took the kids to a different one. Now we find a farm with a corn maze and then look to see what else they might have to do. We all do the corn maze together and then the big boys can do it again on their own while the little ones enjoy the animals or other things catered more to them. There can be a small playground, tractor or hayrides or both, pig races, music, food and of course a pumpkin field we generally stay away from. This years farm had a bounce house, corn shooter and pumpkin fling. It's a good day for everyone and we support the farm paying our admission, which times 6 adds up for them anyway. Without the extra cost of pumpkins we are able to do this. And we eat before we go and bring snacks in the car. It's what works for us to make it affordable and enjoyable. It would be nice to go do a maze without them again too though. Maybe next year.

    

Click Clack

     My husband is not a big fan of me wearing high heeled shoes. I guess it goes along with the alpha male thing in that he feels better being taller than I am. I like that too. But I also like not having to stretch to reach up to kiss him. Even with my high heels on I'm never taller than he his anyway. I don't think I would want to be. There's just something about how you feel putting on those high heeled shoes.
     Not working out of the house for about three months now I've rarely had occasion to dress up and put on some nice spiffy shoes. I miss it. The days I went to other libraries to put in applications I made sure I looked nice. From my experience if you came in to drop off an application all of us at my desk were checking you out. I wanted to make sure I passed any once over I may have gotten. So, I put on a nice sweater and jeans and my high heeled black boots.
     Just walking down the hallway in my house in those shoes I felt better about myself. Hearing that "click clack, click clack" as I walked around felt good. I felt like I looked good. I had to stand up straighter thanks to the shoes and felt like I projected a better image. All because of a pair of shoes? Yup. I think the ladies reading can understand. The men probably haven't a clue. When you feel you look good, you feel good and you project that to other people. Am I right ladies? And for me lately my high heels do it.
     A few weeks ago my former co-workers had a dinner for me. I didn't want to get there first and as a result wound up leaving even later than I planned and got there last. All eyes were going to be on me anyway and I don't usually like that sort of thing, but made the most of it. I went in confident with the click clack of my high heels keeping me going. Having people tell me I looked great when I felt like crap inside was also a big boost.

     I don't have to leave the house for much anymore. I have to drop Jake off and pick him up and get groceries and things for the house. I always thought it weird or funny seeing women who were all dressed up doing these daily chores. Maybe they are for a reason, headed to or from work. Maybe it's a little more than that. Maybe it's a chance they get to get out and look good so they make the most of it. After running into Target the other day in my comfy Garfield fleece pajama pants for two things to finsh my baking that day, I think maybe I should take time to dress up better even if it's just for a run to the store. Although when I was out for five minutes and baking the rest of the day it doesn't seem worth it. Other days when I'm out for longer and not baking the day away I just may have to. Because hearing that click clack throughout the store is a little self esteem booster for me, and who couldn 't use one of those every now and again?

Cookies 'N Moore

The Treat Tray of all my goodies

     I know it's only been a day or two here and there I've missed but there have been a lot more missed days lately. Sorry for that. I guess I can say I am officially a baker, in that I've had 6 orders for my goodies since the launch of Cookies 'N Moore yesterday! We'll see how it goes from here but I'm having a lot of fun.

Sure I love my writing too but the need for cash flow prompted the start of Cookies 'N Moore. And of course I need to give that a lot more love and attention than my blog here to be profitable. So sorry again in advance for my crazy cooking days that I just can't get to the computer.

    We are only a Facebook page right now but my husband assures me a website is best and in the works. The computer genius he is that's all his job. I'm loving mixing together new things to try out. It sucks when they're not perfect right away. Once they are it really is so good, and I become quite proud of myself. Of course then I can't wait for everyone to try them too! Rob has yelled at me about it being he's been so good with losing weight and going to the gym for a year now. I told him he just has to try one of each thing. If he goes back for more it's not my fault. That is also a key for me to know his favorites, when he can't stop himself from eating them!

    When we first started talking about it with the kids Emily was not too thrilled because she wanted the money from selling cookies. Like when they had sold them to the cars stuck being diverted up our street that time I guess. We explained how she will be getting the money in that we can go and do more things with it, like parks and dinners and clothes and shoes and toys she may not need but would want. I think she's all good with it now. The boys are good taste testers as they have completely different likes when it comes to taste. Jacob has been having the most fun with me in the kitchen. The choc. chip brownie bar we have came from me just trying to give him something to do to keep busy. This morning he wanted to make his own cookie with choc. chips and marshmellows. They tasted awesome but didn't look so good. So he's onto something there and that could be our new cookies soon if and when I get the chance to perfect it. 

     I am exhausted but who isn't on a regular day. I wanted nothing more than to come home after dropping Jake and take a little nap today. I don't know what it is but the drive to take him I'm yawning the whole way feeling like I could so easily fall asleep. But when he's gone is a good time for getting things done. Especially when there are no extras here today. I also had a dough I made up ready for baking after drop off. So I'm baking and writing at the moment what a fun mix for me. I long for a day I can stay in my pj's and watch all the shows my DVR has been piling up for me. Maybe this weekend?

     I can hope for that. I can also hope Cookies 'N Moore does well and I don't get that chance because I'm busy baking and feeling like I'm doing something to contribute for us. Either way it's all good. Besides I'll sleep when I'm dead right?

The Chocolate Mocha Cappuccino Cookie my own creation and my new favorite cookie ever!

 

Capacity Crowd?

     We took the kids for one last trip to Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday. Emily and Jake were excited to dress up early yet again for Halloween. We got there shortly after they opened and were able to get on plenty of rides. The bigs boys hit all their favorite roller coasters while the little ones saw some shows and did the free trick or treat trail. It was really cute in that they had the Looney Tunes characters all dressed up giving out the candy. Very, very nice.
     Shortly before 4pm we headed to the car for our late lunch/dinner of sandwichs and snacks we had brought along with us. Much cheaper than eating in the park, of course. Not much later we grabbed our coats and headed back into the park. As we walked up the path for the entrance I couldn't help but notice huge orange signs stating that "due to the popularity of fright fest the park is extremely busy today wait times may be much longer than normal." Once back inside the park there was no doubt how much busier the park had gotten.
     We brought the kids to another ride as we waited for the "changeover" show to begin. This was where the park went from daytime to fright time. I was on a small roller coaster with Jake as the crowd began to form in front of the stage not far from us. I could not believe the amount of people I saw. A quick estimate maybe 100 x 100 people in a small area in front of this little stage by the big wheel. It was plain crazy. After our ride ended we headed over to find the rest of the family. Somehow we did but it was ridiculous to stay. The show wasn't much of anything. We could hardly see it anyway. And we were getting pushed and jostled around constantly by people trying to get closer or to see better themselves.
     Rob wanted to try for one more roller coaster himself and I figured if all the people were where we were(and it seemed to be) maybe the line wouldn't be too bad. I took the little ones and Robert to the kiddie area we had yet to get to that day. Rob headed off with Andrew. Robert decided he wanted to try a different coaster himself so I sent him off too. In no time I was getting texts that the lines were waaaaaay too long and not worth standing in and they were headed back to me. The little ones went on a few more rides and we were all done. We headed out to go home only 2 hours after our dinner in the car. Much sooner than I thought as the park would still be open another 4 hours.
     As we made our way to the exit the amount of people we saw on line for everything was staggering. The roller coasters, the haunted trails, even some of the food lines were incredible. I had never ever seen it like that before. I was very glad we had gotten there early and were able to enjoy some time there before taking off one last time with our season passes now useless. I would certainly never stand on lines like that and was amazed how many people were. They were also a younger crowd, mostly teenagers and twenty somethings. Still I don't think I ever did when I was their age either.
     It got me wondering if there is a maximum capacity. You see those signs posted in all buildings. You know the ones, "Not to exceed x amount of people" blah, blah, blah. I wonder if theme parks have those rules too. Saturday night I definitely didn't think so. As we pulled through the parking lot we saw cars parked on the dirt, and in between trees at the edge of the property. Never saw that before either. Guess I can't say  again. But I will have to look into the capacity crowd laws/rules for future reference since I've no doubt this was our last theme park adventure.

Trick or Treat

     Ah, Halloween! On a Sunday no less. When I was a kid Halloween's on the weekends were the best. We'd be out all day. Though we did wait until after lunch to start, which is what I'll do with my kids today. Even though Jake has been asking to go or when he can give out, candy since 7am. My big boys are hanging around the house and plan to help the little ones eat the goodies they bring back home. And maybe scare some kids at the door with masks they have.
    Sixteen is tough for anyone, boy or girl. I had a group of friends who dressed up, sort of, and still went trick or treating even as seniors in high school. I read on Yahoo recently that there are some towns in some states where it is against the law to trick or treat past the age of 13. If you aren't willing to dress up to trick or treat you shouldn't go. But 13 is too young. Everyone complains kids are growing up too fast, well when you take away things that keep them being kids of course they are. I know one of my sons thought about dressing along with Emily and Jake and coming out with us but decided not to. My husband will be dressing up with them, though he won't be coming to your door with a bag. He knows better.
    There are still adults that do not know better, though. Or maybe they do and want to see what they can get away with. I will never forget the Halloween while still living at my dad's house where at the door were a few kids and their mom, none dressed up. All, including the mom, were holding bags for me to put candy in! I felt weird refusing to give her a piece of candy but also felt put upon. Like "Come on! You should know better why should I have to tell you that!" Anyway she got her candy from me because I just didn 't know what to do at the time, but I've complained about it ever since. I think if it happened now, as I'm older and more outspoken than before, I'd have said something to her. Embarrass her in front of her kids. Maybe she needed that. Maybe someone else gave it to her all those Halloweens ago. I can only hope.
     I'd have dressed up with Rob and the kids had it not been a last minute decision for him to. I like dressing up. It was always so much fun. I've said we should have a Halloween party, it just never works out. He was able to find a costume that went along with the kids 2 days ago. I was not. So now I look like I'm the party pooper who won't dress up. When had it been planned I could have gotten something. Oh well, maybe next year. I also think $50 for a costume is a bit much for one outfit for one day. Although if we needed to dress up for a wedding or something that's one day too and $50 wouldn't seem so bad. Maybe the re-use value would be more but you never know. Same with the Halloween costume I guess.
     Maybe you'll see us all out and about next year as Star Wars characters. Something my husband has wanted to do forever. Only the kiddies will have their bags of course. Because as in my favorite Garfield special "Halloween is where dogs help cats get lots of candy." When in reality we all know it's the kids that help their parents get lots of candy! Now don't go making yourself sick on it! Happy Halloween!