I couldn't resist asking my Dad if I could share his weekly letter to me on my blog today. He is such a phenomenal writer in general, but this latest letter really touched me and I felt that the message was so well represented in his words, I wanted to share them with others.
In doesn't matter your political affiliation or belief, I believe we should all support each other as Americans - as people - no matter how we feel about certain situations. Example - when 9/11 happened almost 9 years ago, we all came together, flags flying from our front awnings, ready to find and condemn the man and group that dared attacking us on our own soil. Granted, my pride in our country faultered when our "leader" decided not to go after the group that ACTUALLY attacked us and instead went after old agendas. But that wasn't (and isn't) a good reason to stop backing our soldiers. The men and women who do what they are asked to do by their leader (their's isn't to question the direction of that leader, their's is to serve the country they protect). Although I do not believe in the war we are currently "fighting" (when are we going to go after those that ACTUALLY deserve it) and I do not believe in attacking countries in order to make them more like us (unrealistic), I do believe in supporting those who are risking their lives everyday in environments I can not even imagine living in. I may not believe in the cause, but I believe in the humanity.
My Step-Mom's brother, a Vietnam Veteran, died last week at a Veterans Hospital. He had been hospitalized for most of his adult life after returning from Vietnam with severe mental challenges - as many soldiers did. He suffered for many years but had made a turn around over the last couple to where he was feeling better and enjoyed life a bit more than before. My Dad, a Vietnam Veteran himself, reflected on her brother's life in the weekly letter he sends me. I am starting in mid-letter (leaving out any personal information/names). "D" represents my SMom's brother.
At the end of any given war, they hand out the citations and medals and the front pages pursue other stories, but the common soldier marches on carrying the weight of war with him. D is a casualty of Vietnam. The burden of that war took his youth and dreams and his future. We all owe so much to D and all those other old soldiers in his war and all other wars before and since...they sacrificed in our name, whether we believed in the war or not - they served in what they believed was their duty in order to preserve peace and freedom for us all.
We have no freedom or rights in this country - not a one, that thousands didn't give their lives for. American's blood was mixed in the mud of most every country of the world in the dirty work of "freedom." With that in mind, "Veteran's Day" is hardly noted in this country other than a title for some furniture store sale. Most soldiers don't expect a "thanks" but the certainly don't deserve such disrespect.
I don't know where I am going with this other than broken soldiers break my heart. I'm not one of them; I'm a lucky sucker myself. But there are places like where D lived most of his life all over this country, full of broken soldiers who lost their youth and their futures for us to go on to whatever we wanted in life. These guys are hid away from us...I don't know, maybe so society doesn't have to face the ones who paid for their happiness with their lives.
Anyway...that's where I am tonight. Saturday we are taking D to his Mom and Dad on top of a hillside cemetary...and his age won't matter, his innocence will be restored and, hopefully in his afterlife, his youth restored with the threat of war forever left behind in this world.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Work at home GET RICH QUICK scams
Being a stay at home wife and Mom after being in the corporate world my entire adult life has been quite a change and one that has been, at times, hard to deal with. I am very much a workaholic and LOVED working in the corporate environment. At times I miss it...a lot of times. I am definitely fortunate and appreciative of the fact that we are financially stable enough for me to stay home with H without having to bring in an income. My sole responsibility is taking care of H and keeping our house a home.
But I have also been fortunate enough in the last couple of weeks to pick up a job with a well respected financial institution as their meeting planner for an awards event in October. I am thrilled to be working again - especially since I can do it from home AND earn a great second income! But it is definitely more than just the money. Technically I don't need to bring in an income (I'm not saying that we are rich but we have been managing our finances on one income for over a year) so the money is just a cherry on top. What this job is doing for me is helping me get my "work fix." I get to use my brain for more than which load of laundry to do today or what to fix for dinner.
I saw an article the other day regarding get rich quick scams. Most of these target stay at home wives/moms who are looking for a way to have the best of both worlds - stay at home AND bring in an income. These types of jobs really are hard to come by but there are plenty of scam artists out there who would like for you to believe that you can work from home and make a five digit (or more) salary a year. There are envelope stuffing jobs that require you to pay for the materials, there are too many to name "jobs" that require you to pay a hefty fee up front in order to make millions. Most of these "jobs" are multi-level marketing scams that require you to try and suck in your family and friends in order for you to make more money. In my opinion, multi-level marketing = SCAM. I even worked as an event planner for a company exactly like this and, sure, there were a couple of folks that made a kick ass living but the majority of the poor saps that got sucked into the get rich quick world had to pay more than they ever made and probably lost friends in the process.
The article that I read on MSN was about "freebie trading," which is an internet, "work from home and make millions" scam. Like other MLM scams, there are some who make a good living off of it but only a handful. Maybe even a hand that is missing a couple of digits. Most people are being taken and feeling like they paid more in effort, dollars and friends than they ever got in return. If you are interested in reading about it, here is the link: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/ConsumerActionGuide/internets-biggest-work-at-home-scam.aspx?gt1=33010.
There are companies out there that support work from home folks such as Staffcentrix. They seem to be somewhat legit (with what little glance I gave their website) but you have to figure that, if it were that easy to obtain a work from home job, everyone would be doing it. But, if you are wanting to join the rat race, take a look at their website http://www.staffcentrix.com/. Why not...right?
I guess the way I have always looked at it, if I have to PAY up front in order to work a job and make money, something is fishy. And, like I said, if there were THAT many legitimate, work from home jobs, wouldn't more people be doing it? And, if they paid like the scam sights say they do, would the economy REALLY be in such bad shape? Just some thought to roll around in your head.
I am really glad that I have found an event that will probably (hopefully) be an annual gig for me that will make a nice second income and help my brain cells stay hopping. There is another organization asking me to bid on their silent auction management so we will see how that pans out. I really don't want to take on more than I can handle with a little one. I don't want to miss any of her special moments and I don't want to jeopardize my reputation as a planner if I get too overwhelmed with work and personal. So we will see how much I take on and where I go with my re-established business.
But I have also been fortunate enough in the last couple of weeks to pick up a job with a well respected financial institution as their meeting planner for an awards event in October. I am thrilled to be working again - especially since I can do it from home AND earn a great second income! But it is definitely more than just the money. Technically I don't need to bring in an income (I'm not saying that we are rich but we have been managing our finances on one income for over a year) so the money is just a cherry on top. What this job is doing for me is helping me get my "work fix." I get to use my brain for more than which load of laundry to do today or what to fix for dinner.
I saw an article the other day regarding get rich quick scams. Most of these target stay at home wives/moms who are looking for a way to have the best of both worlds - stay at home AND bring in an income. These types of jobs really are hard to come by but there are plenty of scam artists out there who would like for you to believe that you can work from home and make a five digit (or more) salary a year. There are envelope stuffing jobs that require you to pay for the materials, there are too many to name "jobs" that require you to pay a hefty fee up front in order to make millions. Most of these "jobs" are multi-level marketing scams that require you to try and suck in your family and friends in order for you to make more money. In my opinion, multi-level marketing = SCAM. I even worked as an event planner for a company exactly like this and, sure, there were a couple of folks that made a kick ass living but the majority of the poor saps that got sucked into the get rich quick world had to pay more than they ever made and probably lost friends in the process.
The article that I read on MSN was about "freebie trading," which is an internet, "work from home and make millions" scam. Like other MLM scams, there are some who make a good living off of it but only a handful. Maybe even a hand that is missing a couple of digits. Most people are being taken and feeling like they paid more in effort, dollars and friends than they ever got in return. If you are interested in reading about it, here is the link: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/ConsumerActionGuide/internets-biggest-work-at-home-scam.aspx?gt1=33010.
There are companies out there that support work from home folks such as Staffcentrix. They seem to be somewhat legit (with what little glance I gave their website) but you have to figure that, if it were that easy to obtain a work from home job, everyone would be doing it. But, if you are wanting to join the rat race, take a look at their website http://www.staffcentrix.com/. Why not...right?
I guess the way I have always looked at it, if I have to PAY up front in order to work a job and make money, something is fishy. And, like I said, if there were THAT many legitimate, work from home jobs, wouldn't more people be doing it? And, if they paid like the scam sights say they do, would the economy REALLY be in such bad shape? Just some thought to roll around in your head.
I am really glad that I have found an event that will probably (hopefully) be an annual gig for me that will make a nice second income and help my brain cells stay hopping. There is another organization asking me to bid on their silent auction management so we will see how that pans out. I really don't want to take on more than I can handle with a little one. I don't want to miss any of her special moments and I don't want to jeopardize my reputation as a planner if I get too overwhelmed with work and personal. So we will see how much I take on and where I go with my re-established business.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
You know what works so great for our home? The fact that we have a great system when I put H to bed! T cleans up the entire kitchen, takes out the garbage/recycling, dusts the downstairs furniture and cleans up the bath items (after giving H a bath). It is so wonderful to come downstairs after putting H to bed to a clean downstairs! And it makes the next day wonderful too! Granted, I usually let the pans soak so they have to be washed the next day, but what he does makes a HUGE difference!
I am still looking for a housekeeper for twice a month. I have two very good prospects that I still need to call. I need them to do a DEEP clean twice a month; floors, bathrooms, blinds, fans, etc. I am so excited to get this started. That will allow T and I to just have to maintain for the remaining time between cleanings...and that is all we really have time for...with T and his job, me with H, my work-at-home job, and laundry (which is VERY time consuming) - then throw in my quest for getting in shape...we really need help on deep cleaning the house. I definitely don't want H growing up in a messy, dirty house...especially when she starts to crawl.
I went to the grocery today to get my health food supply. I realized that I haven't clipped coupons since before I had H. I did buy the newspaper the last two Sundays so I am sure there are some waiting for my scissors. But I haven't use coupons in over 4 months. My mission tomorrow is to clip my coupons from the last two papers and then stay on top of saving opportunities...again, that is my role as someone not bringing in an income...wait, I AM bringing in an income this year!!! I am SO excited to be contributing to our household income this year by working from home on an event that I love. Yes, I do feel lucky and remind myself of that everyday!!
To answer the question from one of my bestest friends, this blog is for anyone willing to bore themselves to sleep! Of course my single friends are welcome! Anyone that has any responsibilities in life knows how hard it is to make ends meet, to make sure that all bases are covered and that quality of life is max! You are ALWAYS welcome to ANY part of my life...my friend, you are a part of my life!
Comments are welcome...
I am still looking for a housekeeper for twice a month. I have two very good prospects that I still need to call. I need them to do a DEEP clean twice a month; floors, bathrooms, blinds, fans, etc. I am so excited to get this started. That will allow T and I to just have to maintain for the remaining time between cleanings...and that is all we really have time for...with T and his job, me with H, my work-at-home job, and laundry (which is VERY time consuming) - then throw in my quest for getting in shape...we really need help on deep cleaning the house. I definitely don't want H growing up in a messy, dirty house...especially when she starts to crawl.
I went to the grocery today to get my health food supply. I realized that I haven't clipped coupons since before I had H. I did buy the newspaper the last two Sundays so I am sure there are some waiting for my scissors. But I haven't use coupons in over 4 months. My mission tomorrow is to clip my coupons from the last two papers and then stay on top of saving opportunities...again, that is my role as someone not bringing in an income...wait, I AM bringing in an income this year!!! I am SO excited to be contributing to our household income this year by working from home on an event that I love. Yes, I do feel lucky and remind myself of that everyday!!
To answer the question from one of my bestest friends, this blog is for anyone willing to bore themselves to sleep! Of course my single friends are welcome! Anyone that has any responsibilities in life knows how hard it is to make ends meet, to make sure that all bases are covered and that quality of life is max! You are ALWAYS welcome to ANY part of my life...my friend, you are a part of my life!
Comments are welcome...
Monday, March 22, 2010
And then there's laundry...
I am actually pretty proud of my day. May I share?
I successfully had a conference call (doing real work), worked out, took care of nugget and...oh...did laundry. Nothing new there...is laundry EVER done? EVER? I did get it to a manageable level. All hampers upstairs are empty...which means the three section hamper in the laundry room is maxed! But I did get probably about 6 loads done. Whew. That actually does feel like an accomplishment!
I also am proud to say that I made dinner tonight. Not just any dinner, a low fat, healthy dinner. Yay! Some days I feel like I am totally on top of things when other days I feel like the four walls of this house are going to crush me alive. Today was a great day! I was on top of everything. H and I stayed right on schedule with her feeding, naps and playtime! I feel like I accomplished a great deal both as a housewife and as a professional planner. Today was a good, "on top of it" day!
My project for this week? I want to get the office in tip-top shape. It is a disaster again! Holy cow. But I can't clean it when T is working in it so I am picking Wednesday as the day that this goal is reached. He has meetings outside of his home office so I can get in there and give it an enema!
I am so excited for this weekend! I am getting my hair done, my wooly mammoths waxed and, hopefully, my nails done (if not before then). I canNOT wait! I have waited way too long to take care of ME. It is time...I am due.
I successfully had a conference call (doing real work), worked out, took care of nugget and...oh...did laundry. Nothing new there...is laundry EVER done? EVER? I did get it to a manageable level. All hampers upstairs are empty...which means the three section hamper in the laundry room is maxed! But I did get probably about 6 loads done. Whew. That actually does feel like an accomplishment!
I also am proud to say that I made dinner tonight. Not just any dinner, a low fat, healthy dinner. Yay! Some days I feel like I am totally on top of things when other days I feel like the four walls of this house are going to crush me alive. Today was a great day! I was on top of everything. H and I stayed right on schedule with her feeding, naps and playtime! I feel like I accomplished a great deal both as a housewife and as a professional planner. Today was a good, "on top of it" day!
My project for this week? I want to get the office in tip-top shape. It is a disaster again! Holy cow. But I can't clean it when T is working in it so I am picking Wednesday as the day that this goal is reached. He has meetings outside of his home office so I can get in there and give it an enema!
I am so excited for this weekend! I am getting my hair done, my wooly mammoths waxed and, hopefully, my nails done (if not before then). I canNOT wait! I have waited way too long to take care of ME. It is time...I am due.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
I am looking for ideas to make this blog more interesting for other housewives, stay at home moms, working moms and regular, everyday wives! A little something for everyone (and the guys can just read it in amazement at how awesome we really are!). I haven't decided yet if I will allow Google to run ads on my blog. I want to pimp it and all but I don't know if I want to whore it out. Just sayin...
I do want to make it more focused on all of us. You know who we are. The ones who make the trains run on time, who have the calendars in the pantry with the entire family schedule. The ones who wake up wondering what we will be making for dinner and what needs to be taken out of the freezer to thaw. The ones who see the dust and dirt quicker than any allergic nose could! The ones who never feels like enough is enough and always feels like there is more to do. The ones who have babies/children that take up a lot of precious (and, boy, they sure are precious) time and we love it so much. You know who we are!!
I figured since, we are all looking for good deals and offers, one thing I will include in my daily blog is any specials that come through my email. I have no idea how or when I signed up for half of this junk but some of the specials that come through aren't too terrible...if you are in the market for certain things. I can start with one today:
JCPenney online has a promotion for tomorrow only...save an extra 15% off of clearance items and 30% off of regular prices online tomorrow ONLY (March 22). Use the code SPECIAL2 at JCP.com.
So, ideas like that. I am also hoping to eventually be able to do giveaways, contests or something fun to really get your input and interaction. If you have any ideas as to what YOU would like to see, let me know in the comment section!
I am also going to do product reviews when I have any, cleaning schedules (or the need for one, or just what the heck I am doing to try and clean), dinner ideas, craft projects, or anything else I can think of that others of our kind might be interested...what do YOU think?
But I am still going to keep it personal too. You will get the wonderful privilege of seeing inside my hectic household and my newly unorganized life (organization...my old friend...how I miss you). I will still keep this blog as a diary of my life as a housewife and a stay at home Mom with a few external "work" projects!! Always trying to keep busy...to a fault.
Please feel free to follow if you'd like - openly or behind the blinds. I would love to hear your feedback as to how you think I should spruce up my blog to include things that would be of great interest. I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!
I do want to make it more focused on all of us. You know who we are. The ones who make the trains run on time, who have the calendars in the pantry with the entire family schedule. The ones who wake up wondering what we will be making for dinner and what needs to be taken out of the freezer to thaw. The ones who see the dust and dirt quicker than any allergic nose could! The ones who never feels like enough is enough and always feels like there is more to do. The ones who have babies/children that take up a lot of precious (and, boy, they sure are precious) time and we love it so much. You know who we are!!
I figured since, we are all looking for good deals and offers, one thing I will include in my daily blog is any specials that come through my email. I have no idea how or when I signed up for half of this junk but some of the specials that come through aren't too terrible...if you are in the market for certain things. I can start with one today:
JCPenney online has a promotion for tomorrow only...save an extra 15% off of clearance items and 30% off of regular prices online tomorrow ONLY (March 22). Use the code SPECIAL2 at JCP.com.
So, ideas like that. I am also hoping to eventually be able to do giveaways, contests or something fun to really get your input and interaction. If you have any ideas as to what YOU would like to see, let me know in the comment section!
I am also going to do product reviews when I have any, cleaning schedules (or the need for one, or just what the heck I am doing to try and clean), dinner ideas, craft projects, or anything else I can think of that others of our kind might be interested...what do YOU think?
But I am still going to keep it personal too. You will get the wonderful privilege of seeing inside my hectic household and my newly unorganized life (organization...my old friend...how I miss you). I will still keep this blog as a diary of my life as a housewife and a stay at home Mom with a few external "work" projects!! Always trying to keep busy...to a fault.
Please feel free to follow if you'd like - openly or behind the blinds. I would love to hear your feedback as to how you think I should spruce up my blog to include things that would be of great interest. I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Isn't it about time?
This poor blog has been so neglected. Since having nugget (check out Hayden's Corner - the button is to the side), my life has been turned upside down and inside out (isn't that a Blondie song?). All in a good way, of course. But life has definitely taken a turn down Busy Ave. I have not only neglected this blog, I have neglected a lot of housework, hair coloring (the gray is overtaking), dinner making and gym going. I have a lot to catch up on and this blog is just one of'em.
In the spirit of starting again, I think it is time to do a major overhaul, redesign and re-love of this blog. I will work on a new design and some new features but, in the meantime, let me talk to you about a new love of mine...the pre-packaged chicken breast singles that are individually sealed and just ready to put in the freezer (or in the oven). I knew that there were chicken breasts in the freezer section that were individually packaged but I had never seen them this way in the meat department - fresh chicken breasts individually sealed. Thank you!
Oh, and a product review...I decided to step away from Pledge for a while to try out the new Swiffer polish. It worked GREAT! I was very happy with how it didn't leave streaks if you didn't rub it in all the way (and I definitely don't have time for that anymore) and it smelled clean...not like lemons. However, my last trip to the Walmart grocery was a big FAIL when looking for Swiffer. So, instead, I had to buy something different for our nightly dustings (that T has so graciously taken on for me as I put nugget to bed). I picked up the Pledge multisurface. What a huge bust! My sweet T was very unhappy with its performance saying that it was too "waxy". FYI.
In other news, I am looking to invest in a housekeeper. Now that we have nugget, I just desperately need someone (that I don't know) to come and deep clean the house twice a month. I honestly feel that, with this help, I could keep up the maintenance between the cleanings. But there are just things I really can't get to during the day. I don't even know the last time our bathroom floors have kissed a mop. Embarrasing but true. I will let you know what comes of this adventure. I left a message with someone that a friend of mine uses but I haven't heard back. Hell, maybe our house already has a reputation out there!
Laundry...oh good gracious, laundry! Does it EVER get done? And, really, how do TWO people, a baby (that never spits up or has butt blow ups) and a six year old who is only here two days out of the week compile SO MUCH laundry?? I really don't understand and I really should be working on that right now instead of typing in this entry (but isn't it nice to have a new entry on this blog - maybe that was just a question for me). I swear I could probably do four loads a laundry a day for the rest of my life and STILL never be done. It is such a vicious circle. I told T that we should make ourselves wear the same clothes and use the same towels until all of the laundry is done! Maybe THAT will be a motivator to get it done. How do you manage the laundry situation? Throw dirties in the trash and just buy new? Would disposable clothes be a big money maker? A new million dollar idea?
Ahh, I remember the days when I had more time to organize the house, make my cleaning schedules and think of interesting dishes to make for dinner. I remember starting this blog and having so much free time to make it what I wanted - and to check out other blogs by other housewives. Now I am lucky to get lunch in or even a pee break! Nugget has me running most of the time...and then there's the laundry...
So, back to this blog. I am going to pump it up, pimp it out and make it sweet. Another place to visit if you are interested or downright bored. I hear that you can make money off of blogging. I am not sure how that works but it can't hurt to find out. But, in the meantime, I will be the housewife/stay at home Mom that blogs when she can and tries to keep you in on the fun and the insanity.
Check back for updates - I will let you know when they happen. And, always feel free to leave comments or just show me love by becoming a follower. You don't have to pay to do it...maybe I will pay YOU! In hugs, of course.
Until next time, my friends...
In the spirit of starting again, I think it is time to do a major overhaul, redesign and re-love of this blog. I will work on a new design and some new features but, in the meantime, let me talk to you about a new love of mine...the pre-packaged chicken breast singles that are individually sealed and just ready to put in the freezer (or in the oven). I knew that there were chicken breasts in the freezer section that were individually packaged but I had never seen them this way in the meat department - fresh chicken breasts individually sealed. Thank you!
Oh, and a product review...I decided to step away from Pledge for a while to try out the new Swiffer polish. It worked GREAT! I was very happy with how it didn't leave streaks if you didn't rub it in all the way (and I definitely don't have time for that anymore) and it smelled clean...not like lemons. However, my last trip to the Walmart grocery was a big FAIL when looking for Swiffer. So, instead, I had to buy something different for our nightly dustings (that T has so graciously taken on for me as I put nugget to bed). I picked up the Pledge multisurface. What a huge bust! My sweet T was very unhappy with its performance saying that it was too "waxy". FYI.
In other news, I am looking to invest in a housekeeper. Now that we have nugget, I just desperately need someone (that I don't know) to come and deep clean the house twice a month. I honestly feel that, with this help, I could keep up the maintenance between the cleanings. But there are just things I really can't get to during the day. I don't even know the last time our bathroom floors have kissed a mop. Embarrasing but true. I will let you know what comes of this adventure. I left a message with someone that a friend of mine uses but I haven't heard back. Hell, maybe our house already has a reputation out there!
Laundry...oh good gracious, laundry! Does it EVER get done? And, really, how do TWO people, a baby (that never spits up or has butt blow ups) and a six year old who is only here two days out of the week compile SO MUCH laundry?? I really don't understand and I really should be working on that right now instead of typing in this entry (but isn't it nice to have a new entry on this blog - maybe that was just a question for me). I swear I could probably do four loads a laundry a day for the rest of my life and STILL never be done. It is such a vicious circle. I told T that we should make ourselves wear the same clothes and use the same towels until all of the laundry is done! Maybe THAT will be a motivator to get it done. How do you manage the laundry situation? Throw dirties in the trash and just buy new? Would disposable clothes be a big money maker? A new million dollar idea?
Ahh, I remember the days when I had more time to organize the house, make my cleaning schedules and think of interesting dishes to make for dinner. I remember starting this blog and having so much free time to make it what I wanted - and to check out other blogs by other housewives. Now I am lucky to get lunch in or even a pee break! Nugget has me running most of the time...and then there's the laundry...
So, back to this blog. I am going to pump it up, pimp it out and make it sweet. Another place to visit if you are interested or downright bored. I hear that you can make money off of blogging. I am not sure how that works but it can't hurt to find out. But, in the meantime, I will be the housewife/stay at home Mom that blogs when she can and tries to keep you in on the fun and the insanity.
Check back for updates - I will let you know when they happen. And, always feel free to leave comments or just show me love by becoming a follower. You don't have to pay to do it...maybe I will pay YOU! In hugs, of course.
Until next time, my friends...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Post-Halloween Boos....
What a fun weekend it was with Tay! She has always been such an awesomely cool kid but she just keeps getting better! We started our weekend off with pumpkin carving and the traditional, weekly movie night. We watched Harry Potter for our movie du jour. I am like the last person on the face of this planet that hasn't seen any HP movies or read any of the books. Which I guess is an ok thing since I wasn't very impressed with the movie...at all. It isn't my thing. Plus I am dreadfully critical of movies in general.
Tay was only partially interested in the movie and partially interested in dancing around the living room. But, with about an hour left in the movie, she fell asleep up against me and Cashew.
Pumpkin carving
Saturday was a pretty low key day. Just doing final touches on dinner for the family and getting a few things straightened up in the house. It was really no drama since I had done most of the cooking the day before and, with the daily cleaning routine, there wasn't a whole lot to do other than pick up after Tay and clean the kitchen up after lunch.
As dinner time approached, Tay became more and more excited. We put her in her Tinkerbell costume following her bath and she danced around the living room with her wings and wand. Most everyone arrived between 5:30 and 6. While we had dinner, Tay had a blast handing out candy to the early bird trick or treaters but, about an hour after everyone got there, she was READY to be on the other side of that door!
We headed out into the neighborhood. I feel like we kinda got a late start so a lot of houses had their lights off - out of candy!! If we are in town next year for Halloween, we will be sure to get a much earlier start for Tay.
Halloween dinner and trick-or-treating:
The finished pumpkins - Cashew's pumpkin has a pacifier
The cemetary
My S-MIL and FIL - the lion and the lion tamer (Linda made the costumes)
My MIL and S-FIL - the bandits!
Lauren and Ryan as hippies and Londyn as a zebra
T's and my attempt at offending an entire religion (don't let my Grandma see this)! Hey, if there is a god, they must have some sort of sense of humor...at least I hear that, if there is a hell, there could be beer there (gotta bring your own cooler though)
And the lovely Ms. Tinkerbell herself
Tay's first trick or treat experience!
Sunday was the usual paper and ice tea morning followed by low key cartoon watching. I put away the clean dishes that I did the night before and I did laundry which included Tay's school uniform which I do every weekend. I headed out before they did to go to a book club meeting. That was a lot of fun and I met a lot of great women who are my age with newborns and/or young children. I was really happy about that because I really want to get to know others out here that are similar to me and have similar lifestyles. So I am looking forward to getting to know them better. Not to mention I may have found a new hair stylist for my next hair appointment!!
So that's the wrap up of the weekend and of Halloween itself. I can't believe that we are already a week into November! Where in the WORLD has the time gone?? I have so much to do and I have less and less time to do it! I hope Cashew sticks to my ribs a little longer (no early arrivals please) so that I can get everything done.
Next stop will be Thanksgiving! YIKES!!! Happy FALL all!
Tay was only partially interested in the movie and partially interested in dancing around the living room. But, with about an hour left in the movie, she fell asleep up against me and Cashew.
Pumpkin carving
Saturday was a pretty low key day. Just doing final touches on dinner for the family and getting a few things straightened up in the house. It was really no drama since I had done most of the cooking the day before and, with the daily cleaning routine, there wasn't a whole lot to do other than pick up after Tay and clean the kitchen up after lunch.
As dinner time approached, Tay became more and more excited. We put her in her Tinkerbell costume following her bath and she danced around the living room with her wings and wand. Most everyone arrived between 5:30 and 6. While we had dinner, Tay had a blast handing out candy to the early bird trick or treaters but, about an hour after everyone got there, she was READY to be on the other side of that door!
We headed out into the neighborhood. I feel like we kinda got a late start so a lot of houses had their lights off - out of candy!! If we are in town next year for Halloween, we will be sure to get a much earlier start for Tay.
Halloween dinner and trick-or-treating:
The finished pumpkins - Cashew's pumpkin has a pacifier
The cemetary
My S-MIL and FIL - the lion and the lion tamer (Linda made the costumes)
My MIL and S-FIL - the bandits!
Lauren and Ryan as hippies and Londyn as a zebra
T's and my attempt at offending an entire religion (don't let my Grandma see this)! Hey, if there is a god, they must have some sort of sense of humor...at least I hear that, if there is a hell, there could be beer there (gotta bring your own cooler though)
And the lovely Ms. Tinkerbell herself
Tay's first trick or treat experience!
Sunday was the usual paper and ice tea morning followed by low key cartoon watching. I put away the clean dishes that I did the night before and I did laundry which included Tay's school uniform which I do every weekend. I headed out before they did to go to a book club meeting. That was a lot of fun and I met a lot of great women who are my age with newborns and/or young children. I was really happy about that because I really want to get to know others out here that are similar to me and have similar lifestyles. So I am looking forward to getting to know them better. Not to mention I may have found a new hair stylist for my next hair appointment!!
So that's the wrap up of the weekend and of Halloween itself. I can't believe that we are already a week into November! Where in the WORLD has the time gone?? I have so much to do and I have less and less time to do it! I hope Cashew sticks to my ribs a little longer (no early arrivals please) so that I can get everything done.
Next stop will be Thanksgiving! YIKES!!! Happy FALL all!
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