Look what John gave me for Valentine's Day!

Samantha and Tara

Valentine's Day

This is the HUGE Valentine's Day card Samantha made for John and me....

New Haircut

Samantha said she wanted to get her hair cut short. We went yesterday after school and it was a surprise for John. She picked the style out and everything. It was so much fun watching her!

My Child Doesn't Wear Socks In February!

I Love Lists and All About Samantha

And so does Samantha. Her latest list is a pig list. It is a list (in order) of how she loves her pig:
1. Bacon
2. Pork Chops
3. Ham

Samantha also is Student of the Month at her school! She was so excited to come home and tell John and me as well as to get her certificate from the principal today.

Windy Weather and Wheel of Fortune...

Samantha is obsessed with "Wheel of Fortune"! It's kind of cute how she runs to the TV to watch her program each night like a little old lady. The other night she went running in to John's den to tell him that the cable box had locked up right in the middle of the good part of her show. John tried so hard not to laugh at her.

We had a wind storm last night. Lots of blowing and gusts that made a lot of noise and freaked Samantha out. This morning I found our neighbor's trash can blown over in our yard with bologna in our bushes. Yuck! And, she's not the type to clean it up either...

Dads and conferences...

We had Samantha's parent teacher conference last night and it went really well. I love Samantha's teachers. She has been so lucky each year to have such amazing teachers.

While we waited to be called in for our conference we chatted about my dad or BaBa as Samantha calls him. His name is Bob and when Samantha was a baby she heard my mom call loudly and always twice to him so much that she said : ba ba as one of her first words... so, we have always called him BaBa. Anyway, she asked me why BaBa always pokes her, pinches her, grabs her with bbq tongs and picks her up by the seat of her pants. I told her she had no idea! I told her all about the things BaBa used to do to me when I was little:

• My 2 front teeth had just come in. Mom went out to do errands and when she came home I was crying. She got me out of my crib and saw that my 2 front teeth were gone. She asked Dad about it and he said I had gotten out of my crib, he put me back in but I hadn't stopped crying... and no, he hadn't noticed that my teeth were gone.
• When he was putting an exercises bike together for Mom he told me to stick my finger in the spinning front wheel and I did.
• Once when he was changing a light bulb he told me to put my finger in the socket and I did.
• There were many many very well packed snowballs.
• He would hide in dark rooms and grab me when I'd walk by.
• He tried to tip over a port a potty I was in when we were skiing.
• When I went to college we had these Opus penguins with our names on them on our dorm room doors and Dad drew a widow's peak on the forehead of my penguin. (I cried & Mom yelled at him.)
• When I got married he told John that I had a no return policy so he was stuck with me.
• When we danced at my wedding he tried to pull the pearls off the back of my dress while the photographer was taking our picture.
• When I was in pre-school I was a clown for Halloween. We have all these happy pictures of me in my clown costume with my big orange balloon. Then there are the pictures where I am crying with no balloon. Mom asked him why he popped it and he said he wanted to see what I would do... duh.
• I used to slide down the stairs on my butt and one time Dad let me sit on his lap and we slid down the stairs. Then he sat on my lap and slid down the stairs.

This is only the list I could think of while were were sitting outside Samantha's classroom. I'm sure there are many other things! I called Dad on my way to work this morning and reminded him of all my memories. We had a good laugh.

A ham continuation...

So, yesterday on the way to school Samantha said: "Some people have pigs as pets. They say pigs are really clean. I don't know about that but if I had a pig I would cook it in a pot like that woman did in Fatal Attraction to the bunny. Then I'd eat it and lick all the ham off it's bones like a big ham lollipop."

It's February Already!

The weather here is wild. We had a winter storm with lots of ice an snow last week. Samantha had 4 snow days last week! All of our trees are covered with a coating of ice. I know it is so bad for the poor trees but it sure does look beautiful when they sparkle in the sun. Yesterday we had our front door open and the sun shining in really warmed things up. John was out trying to clear out the sewer drain by the road for all the melting ice to run off and not back up in our yard. Samantha built a snowman and I sat in the doorway and watched them.

I actually watched part of the Super Bowl! I think the only reason might have been because Ryan was over. But, I did see the Steeler's guy do that really cool thing where he ran really far with the ball... farther than anyone ever has in the Super Bowl. Huh...

One of my favorite things is sitting in the car with Samantha in the mornings before school. We talk about the silliest things! Today Samantha went on and on about her love for bacon. She said, "I feel bad that they slaughter them but I sure do love those pigs!"

Samantha had a snow day today and she came to work with me. I was so proud of her for keeping busy and quiet for so long because I was really busy today. Lynn had some files that she needed help organizing so here is Samantha helping.

Last night was Samantha's first art class at Wagnall's. She really loved it and I am so proud of how well she did. My baby drew this monkey! I sat and read last night while she had class and every now and then I'd look over to see what she was doing. I really enjoyed watching her interact with Teresa, her instructor. She is great and I think Samantha really took to her. Tara's older brother is in the art class to and it was cute to watch them sit right next to each other and not say a word.

OH MY GOSH!!! I STILL CAN NOT DOWNLOAD PICTURES!!! I HATE BLOGGER RIGHT NOW!!!

Samantha starts art lessons today and she is very excited. We went out and purchased all her supplies that she carefully placed in her "art bag" and then this morning she insisted on taking the bag to school. She was so cute that I couldn't say no. I think she wanted to show them to her friends.

It is snowing here... a lot... except it never stays on the ground. I'm not sure which is worse: cold with lots of snow or cold with no snow and just grey slush. And of course I am having coat issues... I have this full length down coat which is the warmest thing ever but everyone laughs at it because it makes me look very puffy... then there is the comfortable fleece which is not warm at all... I have been wearing my latest thrift store coat: a vintage fur... beaver... it is very warm but it's not big enough to wear a sweater under... (You know John just loves asking everyone if they want to pet his wife's beaver...) And then there is my other vintage coat: long black with a mink collar but it is quite heavy... Anyway, I guess I am just thankful that I have a coat...

So, I thought I would fill you all in on the latest stupid thing I did: John and I are doing this block watch thing and we've been working with this police officer who sets these things up... Well, I'd seen him about 4 times or so but always in his uniform and police hat... so when he showed up at our door in his regular clothes with no hat I had no idea who he was... but I opened the door and held it open for him to come on in... He could tell I had no idea who he was and he asked why on earth did I open the door... um, he had a package, duh... He and John of course think I'm nuts but I totally am sticking behind my logic: guy with a package at your door... you want the package, right!

I have been trying to load pictures for several days now and I'm not sure what the problem is... but they won't load! AARGGHH!

We went to Wild Lights at the Zoo during the warm spell we had here in Ohio and I have a picture of Samantha in just a tee shirt in the middle of winter that I want to post.

We had freezing rain this morning and now, this afternoon it is just dark and grey.

Cha Cha Cha Chia

Samantha got a Chia Pet, the Garfield one. She is so cute in how she takes such good care of it. She lovingly talks to it and waters it everyday. So, last night I was in her bathroom and was about to use the sink when I saw something sticking out of the drain... when Samantha had set up her Chia Pet she had washed her hands and some of the seed mix germinated and is growing out of the sink!

Oh no...

So, I received an email form a friend of mine that she had just joined Facebook. I had overheard several of the girls at work talking about it so I thought: why not give it a try. It was really easy to sign up. You enter in your email and it pulls up your address book so that you can check people you want to notify that you have signed up. I checked a few names, like 4 or 5 names and then down at the bottom there is this button that says CONFIRM ALL. I pushed this button only to realize that it has just sent a notice about my joining Facebook to EVERYONE in my address book. Let me clarify that a bit... that is EVERYONE I HAVE EVER SENT AN EMAIL TO: my daughter's teaches going back to kindergarten, the police officer who is doing our block watch, everyone in our neighborhood I have corresponded with for the block watch, my dad's secretary, my father-in-law and on and on... I can't even imagine who else it was sent to that I have not thought of! I have not brought myself to go through my aol address book because I know I will cry. On a less embarrassing note though I have found lots of people whom I had lost touch with so I guess it's not all bad.

Merry Christmas

This was one of my nativity sets when I was little... the last time I was home my mom sent it back for Samantha... I really enjoyed seeing her play with it...

We didn't put up a whole lot of decorations this year but I had to get this cute little police officer Santa out...

Susie gave me this plate and wonderful decorated Santa cookie for Christmas... I was happy to share them with Samantha and am so glad her letter to Santa came out in the photo... That would be Samantha's letter, not Susie's letter... Susie's letter would be to Hanukkah Harry, not Santa...

Here is my precious stirring the custard to make creme brulee! She also made that giant salad in the background with chicken, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries and feta cheese... She has taken a real interest in cooking lately...

A Christmas Story By Samantha

Chapter one

Once there were two friends. There names were Samantha (but she went by Sam) and there was her best friend in the whole wide world Tara. Their favorite thing to do was play video games. Their favorite game was Journey Across the North Pole.

One day Tara said: “I wish we could go to the North Pole.”
“Maybe we can” said Sam.
“Yeah right, how are we going to get there?” said Tara.
“I know how we can get there” said Sam.
“How?” said Tara.
“We could ride on bacon” said Sam. Bacon was Sam’s favorite food.
“How are we going to ride on bacon? You would eat before we even get on it” said Tara.
“You have a good point” said Sam.
“I know we could drive” said Tara.
“Ok we are too young to drive” said Sam.
“Well your mom could drive us” said Tara.
“She is on a business trip” said Sam.
“Ok well how about your dad” said Tara.
“He is out of town” said Sam.
“What about your parents?” asked Sam.
“They went to Hawaii” said Tara.
“Ok well, wait a second I can order a pizza and maybe the pizza guy can drive us” said Sam.
“We don’t even know the pizza guy” said Tara.
“You’re right” said Sam leaving the living room and going into the kitchen.
“Where are you going Sam” asked Tara?
“I am going to get a snack” said Sam.
“What are you getting? Please tell me you are not eating my leftover ham” said Tara.
“I was planning to” said Sam.
“Well don’t. But you can have the leftover bacon” said Tara.
“Thank you” said Sam.
“Ok, so how are we going to get to the North Pole” asked Tara?
“This is bacon is so good” said Sam.
“Where you listening to a word I just said” asked Tara?
“No I was to busy stuffing my face with bacon” said Sam with her mouth full of bacon.
“Well listen this time” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam.
“Ok, how are we going to get to the North Pole?” repeated Tara.
“Well I do not know lets go outside and see if any thing catches our eyes” said Sam
“Ok” said Tara “we can go outside for a little bit.”
When they got outside: “SNOW” screamed Sam!
“Sam I thought we were out here to think” said Tara.
“Oh just have some fun. it’s the first snow of the year” said Sam.
“I know where there is snow ever day of the year” said Tara.
“Where” asked Sam?
“The place that we are tiring to think of how to get to” said Tara.
“And that would be?” asked Sam.
“THE NORTH POLE” screamed Tara! She said that so loud it was like the whole neighborhood could hear her.
“Well lets’ go inside and look on the internet” said Sam.
“What help is the internet going to do?” asked Tara.
“Well I don’t know” said Sam.
“Lets go and see what help it might do” said Sam. “But first lets go get ham.”
“Why?” asked Tara.
“Because I am hungry” said Sam.
“Ok. We can get ham” said Tara.

Chapter two

After Sam and Tara were done eating their ham they went inside and got on the internet.
“Ok what should we type in?” asked Sam. She was the one typing.
“I think we should type in vehicles” said Tara.
“If we type in vehicles a bunch of cars will pop up” said Sam.
“That’s true” said Tara.
“Maybe we should type in bikes” said Sam.
“Ok that’s good. I mean bikes are perfect” said Tara.
“Ok lets type in bikes: b-i-k-e-s” said Sam.
“Ok lets see… oh look there are two bikes that come together and they are made from recycled things” said Tara.
“Yeah but look how much they cost” said Sam.
“How much do they cost?” asked Tara.
“$450.00” said Sam.
“Oh my gosh!” said Tara.
“Ok lets go find this guy and try to get him to lower the price” said Sam.
“What is his name and where dose he live?” asked Tara.
“His name is Bob and he lives in apartment 3 room A6 and the apartment is on third street” said Sam.
“Ok how are we going to get there?” asked Tara.
“Um well we could walk” said Sam.
“Ok lets go” said Tara.
When they got there they rang the guys doorbell. He answered and said “hello”.
“Is your name Bob?” asked Sam.
“Yes, what do you want?” Bob asked.
“You know those bikes you are selling” said Sam.
“Yeah you want them?” asked Bob.
“Well yeah but we can’t afford them and we were hoping that you could lower the price” said Sam.
“For how much?” asked Bob.
“How about $200.00” said Sam.
“Ok. Here you go” said Bob.
“Thanks” said Sam.
Then Sam and Tara left the apartment and went back home. “Well that was easy” said Tara.
“You did not even talk” said Sam.
“I was scared of him” said Tara.
“Yeah right” said Sam.


Chapter three

Now that Sam and Tara have bikes they are going to start heading for the North Pole.
“Ok before we leave we should call our parents and tell them that we are going to the North Pole” said Tara.
“Oh we don’t have to” said Sam.
“But what if they get home we are gone. They will get worried and call the police and say that their kids are missing and then the police will come and won’t be able to find us. Then we would come back and they would say where were you two and we will say we were at the North Pole and we will be in big trouble” said Tara.
“Calm down we will call them ok” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
So Sam called her mom and dad and Tara called her mom and dad.
“Ok my mom and dad said I could go to the North Pole” said Sam.
“Mine did to” said Tara.
“Yeah! We are going to the North Pole” said Sam and Tara.
“First we should pack some food” said Tara.
“Ok you do that and I will pack some cloths and stuff to keep us warm” said Sam.
“And I will pack some things for us to do” said Tara.
“And I will pack my ipod and mini moveable television” said Sam.
“Ok you do that” said Tara.
“Oh and can you pack ham?” asked Sam.
“Yes” said Tara.
“Thank you” said Sam.
“Ok I am done packing” said Tara.
“Me too” said Sam “lets go”.
Sam and Tara went outside and got on there new bikes and headed off to the North Pole.
“This is going to be so fun” said Sam.
“I know” said Tara.
“Are we almost there?” asked Sam.
“We just started like an hour ago” said Tara.
“But it feels like we have been riding for days” said Sam.
“Stop your complaining Sam” said Tara.
“Why?” asked Sam.
“Because I don’t want to here it all the way there and besides this was your idea” said Tara.
“No, it was your idea” said Sam.
“No it was, oh wait, it was my idea sorry Sam” said Tara.


Chapter Four

Sam and Tara finally made it to the North Pole.
“We made it” said Tara and Sam.
“Hello” said a voice.
“Who was that?” asked Sam.
“I don’t know” said Tara.
“Um hello… who is there?” said Sam.
“I am Caesar” said the voice.
“Will you come with us and help us survive in the cold? We are just visitors” said Tara.
“I will. That is my job, I am a rescue dog” said Caesar.
“A dog?” said Sam.
“Yes… see?” said Caesar.
“You are so cute” said Sam and Tara.
“Thank you” said Caesar “and I will come with on your journey”.
“Caesar I have a question” said Sam.
“Yes?” said Caesar
“How many visitors do you say you have a year?” asked Sam.
“I would say maybe 10” said Caesar.
“And do you always help them?” asked Tara.
“Only if they want my help” said Caesar.
“So why are you guys here?” asked Caesar.
“Oh we just wanted to come we thought it will be fun” said Sam.
“Well it is. You never know what crazy thing will happen here” said Caesar, “especially on the Christmas week”.
“Yeah that’s just like at home” said Sam.
“Where are you guy’s parents?” asked Caesar.
“On trips” said Sam and Tara.
“What made you want to come here?” asked Caesar.
“Our video game” said Tara.
“What is the video game called?” asked Caesar.
“It is called Journey Across the North Pole” said Sam.
“Interesting” said Caesar.
“When did you come here and how long have you been here?” asked Tara.
“Oh I came not to long ago and I was probably here for a year” said Caesar.
“What is it like where you guys live?” asked Caesar.
“Well it is a long way from here and it is warm in the summer and cold in the winter” said Sam.
“What continent, country, and state do you live in?” asked Caesar.
“We live in North America, we live in the USA and we live in Ohio” said Tara and Sam.
“Interesting” said Caesar. Sam and Tara were starting to think interesting was Caesar’s favorite word.
“So how about I show you around” said Caesar?
“Ok” said Sam and Tara.

Chapter five

When Caesar, Sam, and Tara were walking they heard a voice it said “hello there”.
“Who said that” said Sam.
“It’s me Fred the penguin” said the penguin.
“Oh hi, we are new here and we were just walking and talking with Caesar the rescue dog. He is helping us on our journey” said Tara.
“Cool while you are on your journey would you guys and Caesar like to stay with me in my igloo home?” asked Fred the penguin.
“Sure” said Sam, Caesar, and Tara.
So they got all unpacked in Fred the penguin’s guest bedroom and then they went in is living room and had a snack and told him why they wanted to come to the North Pole and how they got the bikes from that guy and where they live and how they meet Caesar and they told him that there parents were on trips and out of town and they told him about their video game and how it gave them the idea to come to the North Pole. After they were done with story they all went to bed and dreamed of what they were going to do tomorrow excepted for Sam she was dreaming of ham.


Chapter Six

In the morning Sam woke up to the smell of bacon. “What is that sweet smell?” Sam asked. She was the last one to wake up.
“It’s turkey bacon” said Fred the penguin.
“Can I have some?” asked Sam.
“Of course. You need your breakfast” said Fred the penguin.
“This is so good” said Sam with her mouth full of turkey bacon.
“So what do you guys want to do today?” asked Tara.
“How about Fred and I show you two around” said Caesar.
“Ok” said Tara.
“But can we have ham first” said Sam.
“You just had breakfast” said Tara to Samantha.
“She loves ham and bacon” said Tara to Caesar and Fred the penguin.
When Sam was done eating her ham they went outside and Caesar and Fred the penguin showed them around.
“If you go through those woods you will end up at Santa’s work shop” said Fred the penguin.
“Cool, lets go” said Sam.
“Wait I want to see the rest of the North Pole” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam. “After we are done can we go see Santa?” she asked.
“How about before we go home we can go see Santa ok?” said Tara.
“Ok” said Sam.
When they were done with the tour they went back to Fred the penguin’s home and had dinner. They had fish and Sam had fish and ham.


Chapter Seven

In the middle of the night Sam went in the kitchen to get some ham. When she went in the kitchen she saw Fred the penguin sitting on the couch crying.
“Why are you crying?” asked Sam.
“I don’t want to talk about” said Fred the penguin.
“Come on” said Sam.
“NOOO” screamed Fred the penguin.
“Ok” said Sam. “Chill.”
When Fred the penguin screamed it was so loud it woke everyone up.
“What was that scream?” asked Tara.
“Oh nothing” said Sam.
“Why are you crying?” asked Caesar.
“I don’t want to talk about it” said Fred the penguin.
“Come on” said Caesar.
“Caesar” said Sam.
“What?” said Caesar.
“Why did you say that?” said Sam.
“I DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT” screamed Fred the penguin at the top of his lungs!
“Ok let’s not bother Fred the penguin today” said Tara.
“Let’s go outside” said Tara.
“Let’s have snowball fights” said Caesar.
“First can we have ham?” said Sam.
“Sure” said Tara and Caesar.
After they were done eating ham they went outside and had a snowball fight. When they came back inside Fred the penguin was not crying any more so he made them dinner. They had French onion soup with crackers and fish and asparagus and apple slices and French fries and of course just for Sam they had ham! It was like a feast.


Chapter Eight

The next day Tara, Sam, Caesar, and Fred the penguin all went and took a walk around the ice pond. Then they went ice fishing and they had lunch. They had ham sandwiches.
“These were good” said Sam.
“Why were you crying yesterday?” asked Tara.
“Well I was watching the news and there was a fire. I was looking very closely and I saw that it was an apartment. It was the apartment that my mom lives in. Then I got scared so I turned off the television and started to cry” said Fred the penguin.
“Oh I am sorry” said Caesar, Sam, and Tara.
“That’s ok” said Fred the penguin.
“So how about we go outside and build snow forts” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
“Are you coming Fred the penguin?” asked Sam.
“No” said Fred the penguin.
“Ok I hope you come out soon” said Caesar.
“I really feel bad for Fred the penguin” said Tara.
“I do too” said Sam.
“I know we should make him dinner” said Caesar.
“Yeah let’s go” said Sam and Tara.
They went inside and made Fred the penguin a big feast and they had fun eating it with him too.


Chapter Nine

It was Sam and Tara’s time to say good-bye to Caesar and Fred the penguin.
“It was nice spending time with you guys” said Tara and Sam.
“We’ve got to get home for Christmas Eve. We will miss you” said Sam and Tara.
“Well see you guys later” said Caesar and Fred the penguin.
“Let’s go and see Santa” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara.
So, Sam and Tara went through the woods and ended up at Santa’s work shop.
“Let’s go inside” said Sam.
“Ok” said Tara .
So they went inside and said “Hello Santa are you here?”
“Ho ho ho. Hello. How are you two? Is it Samantha and Tara?” said Santa.
“Yes but I go by Sam” said Sam.
“Well what are you two doing here?” asked Santa.
“Well we just wanted to see what the North Pole is like” said Sam and Tara.
“Are you two heading back home?” asked Santa.
“Yes” said Sam and Tara.
“Well would you like me to give you a ride? I was just about to start going around to start dropping off presents” said Santa.
“Sure” said Sam and Tara.
So, Santa took Sam and Tara home.


Chapter Ten

On Christmas day Sam and Tara went down and opened presents and there was a special present from Caesar, Fred the penguin, and Santa. It was a photo of them! They put it in a special spot and they told there moms and dads about there trip and how they are going there every year and Santa is going to give them a ride home. At the end of the day Tara and Sam said “this is the best Christmas ever!”


THE END

Oh my... I had another thumb incident...

Yup... I was using super glue while making Christmas presents and glued the darn tube of glue to my thumb! John was in the other room and I yelled for him but the glue set by the time he got to me... Isn't it odd how the ribbon I was tying to glue had to be held in place to set for several minutes but it only took seconds for the tube to stick tight to my skin!

John read on line how to unstick stuck skin... we soaked my thumb in nail polish remover and John used a pencil to try and pry my skin from the tube... OUCH!!!!

More soaking in nail polish remover and waiting....

Then we washed it in warm soapy water... then back to the nail polish remover...

And after about 45 minutes we had victory! I have me thumb back!

Samantha told me I really should be more careful when I use super glue next time...

Clyde

Samantha has had this marionette puppet hanging in her room for years... Last weekend she asked if we would get him down for her... His name is Clyde... So, last weekend Clyde went everywhere with us... and when it was raining he wore his raincoat (from one of Samantha's dolls)... Samantha and I went to a Christmas play at the Children's Theater and Clyde came too... and when John took Samantha to a gun show with him Clyde went along as well... Gun shows are quite a site to begin with but to see Samantha walking along talking to Clyde and making him trot along was quite a site!

Happy Thanksgiving

Samantha helped me bake the bread for Thanksgiving dinner... She did a really good job kneading the dough...

This is what I found in the kitchen this morning...

Misc. and such...

So, on Saturday I turned 40... wow! I can't believe I am 40... I'm not sure what 40 is supposed to feel like but I can say I don't feel 40... On Saturday I talked to my mom and she re-told the story of when I was born: She said she got the call that I was bout to be born when my dad was out of town. So, my mom flew from Buffalo and my dad flew from Illinois to Kansas. They did not arrive on the day I was born but I think it was the next day maybe. They met with the lawyer and then went before the judge to finalize my adoption. Then to get home they chartered a plane to Kansas City and then flew first class home from there so I was spoiled right from the beginning!

I think we all love hearing stories from "when we were little"... I know I do and Samantha is starting to ask for me to tell her a story from when she was a baby... The stories always warm my heart and make me smile...

At our house we have been watching The Amazing Race... Well, in my mind I imagine that my dad and I are doing the race together... that would be so cool! I think we could do pretty well, probably not win but I think we could have made it so far... Last night Samantha and I totally thought Dan and Andrew would whine about carrying the bags of flour but they didn't, wow! We think / know that they will go home next week... We like all of the pairs that are left so we really don't care who wins...

I am reading this really good book: "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent. It is about the Salem Witch Trials. That sure was an interesting period in history but I sure would not have wanted to live there back then!

I checked out the best video ever from the library: The complete Fawlty Towers collection with John Cleese... That man doesn't even have to do anything to be funny! Fawlty Towers has to be the best TV series of all times and is just so gosh darn funny! I laugh so hard at it that my sides hurt...

For my birthday my family gave me some wonderful gifts: my parent gave me the money to purchase a really good skillet... I am so excited! And, John and Samantha gave me a whole plethora of goodies including: a gnome book that I had enjoyed as a child at Camp Blue Heron... At camp on rainy days we would sit inside that lodge and read about gnomes... they gave me a 2009 Get Fuzzy page a day calendar as they have for the last 6 or 7 years, it's always my favorite gift! They gave me the DVD of "What Lies Beneath", one of my favorite movies. I thought it was also one of Samantha's favorites but she can't remember watching it with me. I also got a gift card to Starbucks and some lip gloss and bubble bath. My friend Ellen gave me the most beautiful spa style bath robe that is just so warm and snugly. It was a great Birthday!

Tea and Cookies

After book club Kelly and I stopped in the little thrift store in town where I found the cutest little tea cups and saucers for Samantha... they have these sweet little yellow frogs on the handles and the saucers are little yellow lily pads... Samantha had a tea party with Amber, Dandelion and Maggie... She made play doh cookies which are the little pink things...

Yeah Snow!

It snowed today... and we put the bird seed bell out on the deck... no birds came this morning though... hopefully they will find their treat soon...

Here is our deck with the dusting of snow... isn't it pretty... we love snow...

Samantha tried to catch snowflakes with her tongue...

Samantha thought it was really early to get snow... and it got me to thinking about when I was little... we always had snow by Thanksgiving...

Which is the real Tacey?

For Halloween at Skyline Kelly dressed up like Tacey... with a long pony tail... Kelly was dressing up as Princess Leah for trick or treat and she'd gotten these long fake pony tails that she was going to use for her buns... so, we were at her house and she clipped the pony tail on and said: "hey, I look like Tacey now!" And she wore her hair like that to Skyline...

I just love that little girl...

I woke up and realized that Samantha had a ton of homework and I imagined that she was probably in her room playing and not doing the homework like she'd promised me she would do first thing in the morning... So, I opened her bedroom door and this is what I found... she had all her papers arranged and there she was doing her homework... she looked up and said: "I'm almost done!"

Dear Samantha:

I am sorry you are sick again today. I don't like it when my little monkey doesn't feel well. I almost forgot to call you off school today but I remembered in the nick of time.... when I called Jill said she was just getting ready to enter the un-excused absences! You would not have like an un-excused absence would you!

Today while I was perusing my favorite blogs saw that my friend over at The Chic Life had posted about an article on gratitude... you know, being grateful and thankful for things in you life... and it gave me an idea: we need to keep a family gratitude journal! Let's talk about it at dinner tonight... I hope you are feeling better because we are having chicken fajitas... yum yum!

Love,
Mom

I usually drink coffee, 2 or 3 cups, in the morning but today is one of those days where I just feel like having more, right smack in the middle of the afternoon... Nothing particular is going on... I guess I'm just thirsty...

The weather here in Central Ohio has been glorious! Last weekend and this week the temperature has been in the 70's and we are loving it... And, the leaves are really changing... the road that leads out of our neighborhood is lined with maple trees and burning bushes all of which are this amazing, brilliant red... It is seriously the prettiest red I have ever seen... Then as we sit at the end of the street and wait to turn onto the busy main road we can see wonderful yellows and oranges up against the dark green of the spruce trees at the farm across the way... Usually I despise pulling out onto the main road but this fall it has been nice being able to gaze upon such beauty...

We went and voted yesterday... this is always a family activity... and this year I brought a book, a puzzle book, my journal, cookies, peanut butter crackers, leftover Halloween candy and water in anticipation of a huge long line... Samantha brought her homework, 2 books, her Nintendo DS and a teddy bear... And, I don't think John brought anything... We walked over to avoid a mess in the parking lot and boy were we shocked... there was absolutely no line whatsoever! Woo Hoo... that was easy! I'm glad it's all over... all that political stuff was messing with my shows!