Trick or Treating

The Indians on the treat-path! hehehe!
We ALL went as fast as their feet would take them. Ran from house to house. Notice! NO coats, no snowsuits, nothing that hints of cold weather apparel. The high today was 75*. In all the years we've been in Colorado we've never had a warm Halloween.


I have no idea who this lady was, but she was nice enough to pose with the kids.

What a night! All the kids had a great time and after about 20 houses they were ready to come home and even started complaining about their feet!

Darth Vader (Hunter) finally got tired of his mask bobbing up and down on his head. Red Power Ranger (Parker) took one look at his brother running without a mask and decided that his was history also!

Miss Kitty (Jolie) got tired of her Meowing nose and I wore it around my wrist (meowing on occasion) for the remainder of the trick or treating experience. Dead Bride (Olivia) just had a grand time running from house to house.

We're all exhausted...... I hope you all had a Wonderful Halloween!

Darren Shan

How often do you get to meet your very favorite author? That's exactly what Kristina got to do on Thursday evening. All the way from Ireland came Darren Shan.

David picked Kristina up from school at 2:10 and they immediately left for Denver. The book signing and talk was to start at 7 p.m. at The Tattered Cover on East Colfax Ave. David wanted to make sure that they were able to eat dinner prior to the 7 p.m. start time and find the place.


David and Kristina went out to eat and got back to the bookstore around 5:15. They were still the only ones there. There were some comfy chairs and so they grabbed two in a perfect viewing position. The bookstore employees set up a lot of folding chairs in the middle of the room which kind of pushed Kristina and David off to the side. Mr. Shan spoke for over an hour, reading from his recent books and a reading from a yet to be published book series starting in two years. When Shan came to a part in the story where a character said 'My name is Mr. Creapsly', Kristina let out a gasp! She knew exactly where the story was going to go and was very excited.

David told Kristina he would buy her a complete new set for Shan to sign and it would be one of her Christmas presents. This gave her around ten books to get signed. After Shan finished speaking the bookstore representative said 'OK, please line up and come down the center aisle'! So, Kristina and David were now almost at the end of the line instead of the beginning. And Kristina, always thinking of others, said 'Dad, we should move to the end since we have so many to get signed'. So, they did.


When they finally got to the signing table, everyone else was gone and Mr. Shan and Kristina began talking while he signed. She got to have a 10-15 minute discussion with her favorite author. To quote Kristina, 'It was the best fun EVER!'.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

A chilly afternoon with a good friend...

Karen was able to get away yesterday afternoon and I picked her up on the bike and we quickly rode back to the house to get David. He wasn't up for a ride so Karen jumped on his bike and we were off for a quick ride in the nice 70* weather.

Clouds started rolling in, the temp dropped and we found ourselves on Powers Blvd (across town) starting to get chilled. Burrrr. So we decided to head towards the house to warm up. The minute we turned to climp the hill to the house the sun popped out, the temps climbed up to reasonable and we decided to stay on the west side of I-25 to do the remaider of our riding. Not exactly what we would have liked, but definitely better than nothing, in my opinion. I guess we stayed out another 20 min's and once again the temps started dropping, legitimately for the evening this time.

We arrived at the house just in time to grab a cup of joe and warm the rest of the way up by cooking dinner. After finishing the coffee we started on dinner which consisted of trying some new mini pastas that we thought the kids would enjoy. They did! The adults didn't so much. Oh well, I never claimed to be a great cook. Karen and I enjoyed a glass of Pinot Grigio which I suspect was the best part of the meal. ;-) Though Kristina's salad was very good.

Soon it was time to drop Karen off at the USOC and head home to do some knitting. I, with all my knitting needles, didn't have a particular size that I needed to start another project. So earlier when I first picked Karen up I headed over to the Knitters Kove to pick up the required size. This project is a scarf of Baby Alpaca. I can't wait to wear it this year.

Space Cowboys!

James Garner, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, Clint Eastwood. All great looking men in their primes and still nice looking gentlemen. Last night I watched the movie Space Cowboys, directed and produced by Clint Eastwood. I don't know if its my age, or my "older" sense of humor, but I just cracked up most of the way through this movie. I can imagine each and every scenerio.

Now its not a Academy Award winner, but it is good couple of hours of entertainment.

Good Grief...

Wow! I've had a morning already (its 6:55). I've totally flipped out over something that happened in front of my house almost an hour ago, e-mailed Karen about what unbelieveably occured (she comes into town for business and gets the LOW DOWN on what is going on over here, God and I both love her for her patience), and then I jump on the computer to check out some of my favorite blogs to calm down. Thank God for Coffee, High Blood Pressure meds and a computer that is working!

Deep breathe...... ahhhh.

My boys walk in separately this morning and at different times in their underwear! I guess they stripped down during the night. Is this a boy thing? We did go through a period where every time I checked on Hunter during the night he would be partially covered and as I was looking for his p.j.'s. I'd pull back the covers to discover that he was buck naked. I guess I should be proud that he has moved back into his underwear for nighttime use.
Finally finished my "car" socks. Now there's another pair of socks in the car waiting to be made. Hunter will get that pair.



Karen and I slipped out last night for Montagues and a light dinner. This is probably the last time we'll be able
to get together while she's here. Gotta love the Pumpkin/Tomato Soup. Its sooooo good.
When I dropped Karen at the USOC last night she pointed out that the Flame was lit. I've never in all the years we've lived here seen the flame. So on my way out I had to stop and get a pic.



Today is going to be a Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese day. ummmm.

First Snow!!!

Yesterday was a cold day, but one where the kiddo's still wanted to go out and play. So grabbing a rake Olivia started raking the leaves for a jumping pile, but was quickly distracted by sister climbing the Aspen tree and soon the games began. The boys were screaming about the girls, the girls were screaming (from the tree) about the boys. Boys running in the house screaming for me to grab the camera and come see the girls. What fun!

Jolie and Olivia were WAY up in the tree.

One of our huge bucks was visiting right across the street.


All the kids woke up this morning to our first snow of the season. Everyone is so excited and already the questions of "Can we go play in the snow after school?" have started. Unfortunately by that time there won't be any snow left. But that's o.k. We've started the morning off right with great bowls of flavored oatmeal to warm them up and good conversations about the snow.

Idea's are flying around the table about what to do on "Snow Days" and that they need to start doing the "Snow Day Dance". (This dance is to ensure that you'll have a snow day from school. Basically they dance around the outside of the house going backwards! Thank you, Kaitlyn and Kristina)

I've started on the sock again. I know your probably sick of hearing about the sock by now and if so just skip this paragraph. Anyway... I had to wait until everyone was in bed last night before attempting the re-start. I wanted all of my concentration to be devoted to this sock as it is the LAST time I'm going to attempt this pattern. I look at the yarn I've picked and just melt. It is beautiful and I want a pair of socks out of it. The yarn speaks "SOCKS". So I pick up my needles and start the cast on. 60 stitches cast on and all is going well. I divide the yarn onto 3 needles instead of 4 for the ribbing and proceed for 3 rounds. No mistakes! No interruptions! I think this time, maybe, I'll have a sock that fits when I'm done.

This is the sock that stays in my car waiting to be worked on twice a day while I wait to pick up the kiddo's from school. The matching sock is already completed and waiting in my "bag" for this one to be done.

Did you really think you'd get away without a sock picture? HAHA!

Today is my day to volunteer for about 45 min's in the a.m. in Hunter's kindergarten class. I wish I was allowed to take pictures of the kids. They're all so cute and excited about a parent being in the classroom. They all try so hard to impress you with their knowledge or good behavior. Just to cute! I think I'll take the camera and see if the Mrs. Bullock will let me take a couple of pictures.

Well as you can see I did get to take a picture of Hunter's 1/2 day Kindergarten class! Aren't they cute?!

Gottcha Day Anniversary

Jolie came to us exactly 7 years ago today. What an exciting day that was. Here she just finishing the physical in Guangzhou. Not a happy girl.

Except for a change of expression I'd know this child anywhere!

Love you, Jolie!

The Sock that almost was.... [sigh]

I'm almost to the point of frogging this pattern all together, but I can't stand the idea of admitting a sock pattern beat me! I have through the years prided myself in doing lots of stuff, especially when it comes to my knitting. But this sock pattern has really given me a run for my money in a combination of ways. All of which are NOT insurmountable, just frustrating. Most of all the damn thing has turned out to be to big for my foot! What you see in the picture is about 2 weeks worth of work for me. (I'm a very slow knitter and/or my kids have been interrupting more than normal ;-)

This sock was supposed to be for my riding boots, something to keep the tootsies warm in cool weather and comfy to wear around the house on cold days and nights. I reinforced the heel and was going to reinforce the toe.
O.K. so I just regroup, suck it up, pull out all the work I've done

and start over.

Evenings festivities

What better way to start an evening out than a bottle of wine in the car with a chaffeur (David). Karen and I had talked earlier in the week and jokingly decided that if the opportunity arose that we'd partake of a bottle of wine. Figuring that we both needed the diversion.

As Karen stepped in the car I had a glass of Beringer Merlot extended in her direction. Without flinching and with a hearty laugh she took the glass.

I think she had forgotten our conversation of earlier.
So with David driving our small party's adventure started with our arriving at Thai Basil.

When Karen comes into town we usually have dinner at Mirch Masala. But this time we got her to try a new Thai place that opened a few months ago. They have wonderful food and the people are so nice and friendly.

Up first was Chicken Satay (which I forgot to get a picture of) followed by our cups of soup.
I know that Karen will remember the name of each small bowl, but for the life of me I can't remember.
Now, dinner I do remember. Top left is the Spicy Garlic Shrimp, top right is the Drunken Noodles, and then bottom left is the Thai Eggplant! Yum!


This is the Beef Salad.

After dinner with 1/2 a bottle of wine still waiting in the car we headed off into the night with David still acting as our chaffeur. Enjoying the company and the ride David surprised us and....

we ended up at Montagues for dessert and a vanilla latte.

Thank you Honey for a wonderful evening and your great chaffeur skills!

And Thank you, Karen for the great company!

Yup! I can believe its Sunday!

What a beautiful day it is!

Its about 8 a.m. I walked outside to get the paper and let the dogs do their usual morning routine. I look up and Oh! The trees are just gorgeous in their color and up above is the moon. I run back into the house to get the camera to take some pics.

The kiddo's are getting up now and wanting breakfast and everyone is demanding to know just exactly when we're going to carve the pumpkins! When? Oh when?

After eating, all the kids are playing and getting louder and louder. So I eventually tell them to go downstairs with the knowledge that Dad and their big sisters will be getting up by 10:30 at the latest and then we'll carve the pumpkins. So its a little after 10 a.m. and I hear crying on the stairs. Its Parker. I run to the stairs and get him to climb up to me. By the time he reaches the top its obvious that he has busted his lip. So I grab him and pop him up on the countertop in the kitchen to get him cleaned up. Upon closer examination I realize that it is worse than I thought. We need to go to the ER for stitches. Great! I have the kids get Dad up while I clean Parker up a bit and then I run get dressed and we're off.
Thankfully the cut is a little one, but of course it had to be on the left side of his lip (opposite of the cleft) and extending further up onto the top of the lip. The bruising is extending almost to his cheek bone in a "Joker" like smile! When we get to the ER everyone is so nice and accomodating. We're quickly in a room and Parker is getting his cut stitched up. He did just great! Not a peep out of him with the anesthesizing. 2 stitches later, Parker has a new Teddy Bear, Thanks to the ER department and he is munching on a popsicle. Afterwards we're headed to the fish store for some water and then to Dang's Lemongrass Bistro for lunch. Parker is reveling in the attention and I get to call Dr. Foti's office (Parker's plastic surgeon) tomorrow about Parker's brush with our stairs. I'm sure all of his school mates will lavish lots of attention on him tomorrow also.

We delayed the carving of the pumpkins until this afternoon to allow Parker some rest time and Mom some re-grouping time. But in the end the carving was a success and so much fun!




Getting started...







The playing of the Pumpkins....




The finished product and everyone is delighted with their pumpkin!

Meme?

"A meme consists of any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that gets transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity. ..."

Hope tagged me. She takes beautiful pictures! Check out her blog!

Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write six random things about yourself. Tag six people at the end of your post. Let each person know he or she has been tagged. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

*6 Random Things About Me*

1. I'm PADI certified.

2. I ride my motorcycle for alone time.

3. I'm left handed and love it.

4. I'd love to have a HUGE Chocolate Standard Poodle.

5. I love coffee and would drink it all day.

6. I'm closing in on the half century mark and I'm actually looking forward to it.


I'm going to tag Jessica , Bonnie , Karen, Kay,
Jen - keeping their blog private for the time being
and one person I don't know,
Sarah - I hope she'll participate!

Another multiple posts day!

Well I guess today is going to be another multiple post day. Does anyone remember me mentioning "Ravelry"?

The center of the known universe for knitters, crocheters, weavers, spinners, etc. I joined "Ravelry" about a month ago. Took 4 days to get the invitation and then I just let it sit, not knowing exactly what to do with all the information or how to set up the personal information. (I'm so computer illiterate and easily overwhelmed)

I finally sucked it up and dove into the "Ravelry" site and did the personal information. This took me a few hours to do. But along the way I discovered exactly what I have available in my own home. I'm shocked to say that I have 49 different yarns for projects, 62 crochet hooks and/or knitting needles, I'm working on 4 projects simultaneously, I have many book(let)s on knitting or crocheting.

Its all so exciting!

FYI - Ravelry now has a membership totaling over 198,000 up from 135,000 a month ago.

Perspective

I guess I'm so excited about this blog entry that I'm having trouble sleeping. Quite literally I'm dreaming about how to write what I want to say about "Perspective".

I had something occur yesterday that I think was a unique opportunity. Have you ever ridden in the back seat of your car for any length of time? Do you have any idea how comfortable or uncomfortable your back seat(s) is/are? I drive a Ford Excursion. I had never ridden in the 3rd row of seating in that vehicle until we went to pick up Jessica and Bill with Bonnie from DIA a couple of years ago. At that point I got a one hour and 45 minute ride on that seat. Was it comfortable for an adult? NO! I will never contemplate putting an adult in that row of seating and frankly I can't see how "Ford" ever thought of it. I'm 5'4" and I was very uncomfortable with the leg room and the "cushiness" of the seat (Can you say, quite literally, hard as a rock!) O.K. well moving on.....

David had his bike worked on this week and yesterday when we arrived home from our Pumpkin Patch trip there was a message on the answering machine that his bike was ready. So me being the ever ready to go for a ride type of gal, I was ready to leave the minute he and Kaitlyn walked through the door. (Oh! I forgot to mention that Kaitlyn drove the Caddie to the Pumpkin Patch with David. She did a wonderful job from what I could tell and her dad even agrees. I drove the rest of us in the Excursion) Well the weather was just perfect and I decided that we needed to ride up to PPHD on my bike. Well, once again, me being the wonderful individual that I am, (batting eyes furiously here with mischievous grin) I decided that David would ride my bike and I'd be the passenger! (I know, I know! What fun I could have had with this situation.) David has never ridden my bike and for obvious reasons I've never been on the back of my bike. So this is, FINALLY, where the perspective comes in. Yes! I got to ride on the back on my own bike. There... I finally got to say it. The ride was wonderfully comfortable. I was higher on the back of my bike than on his bike, the speed bumps were smooth by comparison (Thanks to the wonderful suspension system on my bike!), my bike does have a somewhat decent rumble to its sound. The entire experience was unique and quite pleasing. David on the other hand enjoyed riding my bike. He liked the way you can relax your arms with the mini ape hangers. He liked how smooth my bike operates and runs. My bike is built for relaxation and comfort, plus with the improvements its even more so. Yes, I'm quite satisfied with my bike. yeah.

What fun we've had!

I thought I'd show everyone what shopping for 8 people looks like. Of course your only seeing 1/4 of the kitchen, but you get the idea. We can expect this to last about 1.5 - 2 weeks. Some items may last longer and others not as long. You know the game. Its always so much fun to put it all away. This time David put it away and we still have stuff stacked in the utility room. Oh well it will get eaten soon enough.
What a glorious day we've had! A visit to the local Pumpkin Patch was the surprise of the day for the kids. Everyone had such a good time and all did great.

Here's my group! All excited and ready to get started...


The slide was the first stop and probably the biggest thrill for our group. They had 3 slides. 2 were very fast and the other was really great for smaller kiddo's.

The "petting zoo" (3 or 4 goats) was frankly a bit disappointing, but the kids were all trying to pet the same goat! I felt sorry for the goats! Needless to say we heard the usual, "I want a goat!" With Mom responding the usual, "You can't have a goat!!!"

I didn't have the heart to tell them that their father ate "Jerk Goat" while in Bermuda a few years ago, and loved it!

Next we waited patiently for the hay ride. We probably ended up waiting for about an hour to do this, but the kids loved the wait and played in the stacks of hay that they had set up as a boundary.

Our turn!

After a couple of more trips down the slides we headed over to the pumpkin patch (big boxes) to make sure everyone picked out their pumpkin. All satisfied..... we headed home with designs in our heads of just what each pumpkin will look like tomorrow after the carving.

Check back in a couple of days for the "carving" outcomes....