Trick Or Treat

Meet Zombie Geisha and Pink Power Ranger.

The girls were excited for Halloween tonight.

Especially since last year we didn't get to trick or treat in our neighborhood because of the snowstorm.

E was so excited to be a pink Power Ranger this year.

D wanted to be something scary.

We came up with her being a zombie of some kind.

And then she found the geisha costume.

Hence, Geisha Zombie.

She loved having me make her face look all icky.

And she loved the messy hair.

Pink Power Ranger warding off the Zombie Geisha.

Before trick or treating we had a bunch of people over from the neighborhood.

It's fun to get together before we go out for the night.

The kids have a great time together.

It was a good trick or treating night.

Lots of loot.

Happy Halloween.

potd #303.  These are some scary kids.  Good, fun memories of Halloween.

Restored

What a storm.

The wind yesterday was just incredible.

The trees were bending like they were toothpicks.

We lost power about 7:30.

Bummer.

Had the generator hooked up by 9:30.

So thankful Hubby was able to find us the generator on Friday.

Although, it was daunting to think that we could be out of power for days.

And then........

Power came back this morning at about 6:30.

Woohoo.

I found out when a neighbor updated her Facebook status that said power was back.

Woohoo.

As wonderful as the generator is to have, there is just nothing like good old fashion real power.

And it felt good to be able to offer lunch and a shower to a friend and her kids.

Then off we went to the movies.

Since we had no school, it was a great idea.

Lots of other people thought it was a good idea too.

We saw Hotel Transylvania.

It was very cute and funny.

We met up with a couple other friends and their kids as well.

4 moms and 10 kids.

Great afternoon.

potd #302.  After the movie, the girls wanted to do the photobooth.  They are so cute.  Love their faces.

Amidst the Storm

Blogging early today.

Just in case we lose power later and I can't blog tonight.

The winds have definitely arrived.

And some rain too.

Woke up this morning and it was feeling a little more mild than I was expecting.

But, the winds have definitely picked up in the last hour or so.

The governor of our state has closed the state highways as of 1pm.

State police officers will be at on ramps trying to keep people off the highway.

Hubby went to his office today.  Glad he works only 8 minutes away, in our town.

My last load of laundry is drying.

Meatballs are cooking in the crockpot.

Power just flickered.

But it's back.  For how long, who knows.

Glad I decided to blog early.

Hoping we don't lose power again.  Though it most likely will happen at some point.

Lucy has a rough day today hanging out in the hurricane.

All these leaves are on our back deck.  So many have come down since Friday.

Well, here's to hoping that the storm isn't too bad and that when we lose power it comes back quick.

potd #301.  Blurry picture.  Windy.  Hurricane Sandy has arrived.  Hope she doesn't over stay her welcome and leaves fast.  

Batten Down The Hatches

The storm is on its way.

And we've done everything we just about can to be ready.

Generator is ready.

Gas is bought.

All wires to run said generator have been obtained.

Laundry is done.

Pumpkin breads baked.

Last trip to grocery store made.

School is officially cancelled through Tuesday.

Now all we need is for the storm to arrive.

Today we had clouds and some light sprinkles.

It was a little windy at times.

Just the very, very outskirts of the storm sending its effects our way.

And what a storm Hurricane Sandy is.

This morning on the Weather Channel they showed a radar of the storm.

And it covers 1/3 of the United States.

It is massive.

There is no doubt that we will be losing power.

The question is when will we lose it.  And for how long will it be out.

Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of when we had the October snowstorm.  No power for 8 days.

Really hoping that we don't have a repeat of that this year.  Really, really hoping.

This is what the outside of our house looked like after last years' October 29th storm.

Now this year we are facing a serious hurricane on October 29th.

I am thinking next year I am getting out of Dodge on October 29th.

Yup, sounds good to me.

Who's coming with me?

potd #300.  Yesterday I made 2 apple pies.  One to bring to a friends' house.  The second for us to enjoy here at home.  It is a good dessert to have with a cup of Earl Grey tea.  

Getting Ready

Well, there's a storm coming in the next few days.

Hurricane Sandy.

Boo.

Hubby decided yesterday that he was worried enough about this coming storm that he found us a generator on Craigslist yesterday.

So today after the girls had lacrosse, he spent the afternoon cleaning up the yard and getting ready for the impending storm.

Umbrellas put away, deck furniture moved, pool toys finally put away.

Deck furniture cushions put away too.

Lots of getting ready.

I made a trip to the grocery store.

It wasn't terrible.  It could've been so much worse.

And just might be tomorrow.

Hubby also went out to get gas for the generator and the car.

And he made a trip to Home Depot for the power cord to hook up the generator to our well pump.

All those preparations just in case we lose power.

I really, really hope we don't lose power.  Really, really.

And I really hope the schools don't have to close.  Really, Really hope.

If it happens, this will be the 3rd school year in a row with wacky school closings.

Can't we just have a normal weather year?

So Hubby and I are hoping that because we now have a generator that we will not lose power.  Really, really hoping.

We shall see.

potd #299.  Amidst Hubbys' storm prep, the girls made a leaf pile.  And had great fun playing and jumping in it with Lucy.  Good, fun fall memories made today.

Yummy

Hubby and I are off to a Halloween Party tonight.

Always fun.

Made some Baked Brie Bites that I found on Pinterest.

They are so yummy.

potd #298.  Here they are pre baking.  Yum.

Snapshot Thursday

Great night spent with my friends in the 'hood tonight.

M, R, & K.  So much fun.  So many laughs.

Mixed in some of our Hubbies tonight.

S, Rs' hubby, came and picked up their 2 children from our house.

All the kids had fun playing.

They were scheming on how to get S to stay longer.

Hubby hung out with us too.

Then after S left with M&S, he went down in the basement to play music and work.

Good night with good friends.

potd #297.  Peanut butter M&Ms.  A staple snack when the ladies come over.  Yum.

Quotable Wednesday

I am finding that Wednesday nights are tough to blog.

I get home from knitting around 9pm.

By then I am beat.

This weekend in Maine, I bought a notebook.

It has quotes along the bottom of each page.  100 pages.  100 quotes.

And each quote is perforated so it can be torn off and saved.  Or shared.

Since Wednesdays seem to be so tough to get a blog post written, I think I am going to share my favorite quotes from this notebook.

If I do 1 a week, that's 2 years' worth of Wednesday blogs.

Wow.

On a side note,  I have spent just about all my time since coming home from knitting trying to upload my pictures from my phone to the computer.

It hasn't worked so smoothly.

First Hubby had me try Dropbox.  And after a few minutes I was told I had too many gigs of pictures and not enough space.

I refuse to pay $100/year for the next higher amount of storage space.

Boo.  Double boo.

Next we tried  Iphoto.  That didn't work.

Boo again.

Finally we just uploaded the pics to the laptop.  Not using any kind of other program.

Success.  Yay.

And I was reminded multiple times by Hubby that I wouldn't have such difficulty if I just uploaded my pictures more regularly.

I guess next time I won't wait until I have over 1200 pictures to get off my phone.

I am just happy that I can now take pictures again with my phone.

Thanks Hubby for your help.

Try to make at least one person happy every day.  If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word.  If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought.  Count up, if you can, the treasures of happiness that you would disnece in a week, in a year, in a lifetime.  ~Lawrence G. Lovasik

How very true this quote is in life.  And it kind of goes along with my "be good, be kind, be helpful" rules for the girls.

Really good rules for all of us.  Young and old.

potd #296.  Here is a picture of my new notebook.  I just love new notebooks.  And I love it is labeled, "Papers for brilliant ideas and laundry lists".  Because both of those things are extremely important.  And I am being 100% serious.

Tuesday Snapshot

Good day today.

Good time spent with friends this morning.

Today was our last day of playing tennis together.

Til spring.

Good thing our friend K puts up with our antics.

We have had fun for the last few weeks playing tennis together.

And K is a good and patient teacher.

Already looking forward to spring.

A had a little accident with my friend Ms' car a few weeks ago.

It happened while leaving Bunco from Rs' house.

So, A & M are needing a few repairs on their back/front ends.

I just love the way the insurance adjuster/mechanic(I am really not sure which) marked the back of As' car.

Replace.  Repair.  Repair.

Good as new.

potd #295.  Here is A hanging out at Ks' house with Ks' little dog, D2.  Smarty pants A didn't want to have her pic taken.  I took it anyway.  Maybe next time she'll smile pretty for the camera.  You're the best, A!

Artwork

I have commitment issues when it comes to buying artwork.

Just ask Sissy.

I hem.  I haw.  And most of the time I don't buy anything.

No matter the type of store I am in it is the same.

Retail or thrift.  Hem.  Haw.  Nothing.

Most of the time.

Every now and then I will find something that I really do want.

My main issue is spending money on something that I may not like in a few months.

And that just seems wasteful.  To buy something and then take it down not long after.

I am trying to get over this issue.  But it's hard.  Very hard.

And poor Sissy is usually with my during my lamentations while shopping.

Usually she threatens to buy it for herself if I don't buy it.

I know what she is doing every time.

And it works.

Because if I really want it, it's the push I need to make the purchase.

If I don't want it, then I let her buy it.

It works for us.

On Saturday we were in a consignment shop with the Knit Wits.

And I saw a print.  A vintage 1960's Paris print.

I loved it.

But, I hemmed and hawed.  Not sure I wanted it that bad.

But I really did.

Sissy told me what a great print it was and I should buy it.

More hemming and hawing.

She knew I wanted it.  And that I needed a little shove.

So she said the magic words.

If you don't buy it, I will.

That's all I needed.

I am so happy I bought it.  I love it.

And Hubby likes it too.  Even better.

potd #294.  My vintage 1960's Paris print.  I love it.  And I have found some more prints by the same artist on Etsy.  I may just need a couple more.

What A Weekend

What a weekend us knitwits had this weekend.

We had lots of fun.

So many laughs.

And we all get along.

Even after 48 hours together.

That's lovely.

After a leisurely morning eating breakfast and doing laundry, 5 of us knitwits got on the road to head home.

Our 6th knitwit had to leave a bit early to head to her future daughter in laws' bridal shower.

We missed PKB when she left.  She is great fun.

Yesterday she had B and I in tears laughing when we were driving with her.

She actually told us not to distract her by making her laugh or else she might forget to keep her foot on the gas pedal.

Huh???

And so what did B & I do?  We burst into laughter, of course!

As did PKB.  And yes, we slowed down a bit on the highway.  So very funny.

Such good times this weekend.

Leaving today we stopped at an area where there were some rocks that we could walk on.

The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.

Here is the view as I looked to the left.

Pretty rocks.  Pretty water.  Pretty boats.

I.love.the.beach.

It soothes the soul.  Truly.

Many thanks to M, my fellow knitwit who graciously opened her vacation home this weekend.

What fun.  And I can't wait to go again.

No matter the crazy, interesting things I learned this weekend.

potd #293.  5/6 knitwits that went to Maine this weekend.  Clockwise from the top: M, Sissy, B, Me, and T.  So much fun.  So sorry that PKB missed being in this picture.  Next time. Because there will be a next time, for sure.

Til We Drop

We shopped til we dropped.

It was a great day.

Six women shopping.

Look out.

I made out well.

A picture to hang somewhere in the house.

A new scarf.

A new top.

A couple of Christmas gifts.

A super sweet matryoshka doll. It's tiny and gets even tinier.

And a great notebook that has different quotes on the bottom of each sheet.

Portland is a great little town.

I love cobblestone streets.  Portland has many.

Freeport is fun shopping.

Irish pub for dinner. Yummy Guinness.

It was a great day.

And now I am tired.

potd #292.  Nothing like lobster pots in Maine.  Love them.

Away Again

Yes, I am away again.

This time with some of my knitting group.  

The Knit Wits. 

We are up in Maine this weekend. 

A fellow Knit Wit has a house in Maine. 

It is beyond lovely. 

We had a great day traveling up here. 

Shopping along the way.

A wonderful lunch was enjoyed. 

Lots of laughter so far. 

More to come I am sure.  

It's fun to be the youngest of the group. 

It's fun to learn things about this group of women I've spent the last 4 years with for 2 hours each week. 

Looking forward to a great weekend. 

Pics to follow when I get home. Blogging from my phone.

potd #291.  What do a bunch of women who knit do?  Why, stop at at a yarn/knitting shop of course!  Fellow knitwit, B, and I decided this would be a perfect sweater for her to knit for herself.  So, I took a picture of the sweater and the tag that had the pattern on written on it. New project for B.  Yay!

Random Thoughts

Random thoughts for today.

Giada De Laurentiis has an awesome Bolognese recipe.

I have been making it for a few years now.

It is delicious.  And the girls love it too.

I love White House Black Market for dresses for weddings.

I bought one today for Hubbys' younger sisters' wedding in November.

I love it.

potd #290.  Found this maple going through a neighboring town today.  The colors are stunning.

October Colors

October is one of my most favorite months.

Guess that's why Hubby and I got married in October.

Octobers' colors are just brilliant.

The reds, yellows, and oranges.

There is nothing like them.  Except maybe all the shades of green come spring.

See, brilliant.

On a sunny, clear day the blue sky against all the different fall colors is just breathtaking.

One leaf.  So many different colors.

Fall is the season that keeps us New Englanders in New England.

Because every autumn, the feeling is the same.

Awe at the beauty of the colors that come from our trees.

So as much as I may complain about the winter, it is the change of seasons from summer to spring to fall to winter that keep me living in New England.

And there is nothing like the smell of fall either.  

The crisp air.  The leaves falling.  Leaf piles burning.

Autumn.  

Cool mornings, warm days.  Beautiful colors.

A favorite of all New Englanders.

potd #289.  There is nothing like a maple tree in the fall.  Simply beautiful.

T.I.R.E.D.

I.am.so.tired.

Yup.

As in needing some toothpicks to keep my eyes open tired.

I think my exhaustion from getting back into routine has caught up with me quick.

I don't think it helps that I was awake last night from about 2:30-4am.

Yeah, that definitely doesn't help.

D had woken up and was having a hard time getting back to sleep.

She complained that E was breathing too loud.

Really?

Let's just say I was not the nicest of mommies in the middle of the night last night.

I don't like my sleep to be interrupted at 2:30am, especially for a complaint of her sister breathing too loud.

Nope.  That didn't fly well with me last night.

So, I pretty much told D that she needed to quit it and go to sleep.  And get over the fact that she may *think* that E was breathing too loud.

Not one of my best mommy moments.  But, I was ridiculously tired.

And a bit tired of Ds' sleeping issues.  We had some trouble while we were away. But that's a whole other story.

By this time I was awake.  That's not good for me.  No sireee, not good at all.

I went back to bed and tried to go back to sleep.

I tossed.  I turned.  And repeated the process.  Then I read a bit in hopes of making me tired.

To no avail.

So I tossed and turned some more.

By this point I was just mad that I was awake and not sleeping when I was soooooooo tired.

Finally, finally exhaustion won out about 4am.  At least that was the last time I looked at the clock.

And all day I have been tired.

I am also hurting a bit from getting back to bootcamp yesterday after not going for 2 weeks.

So my body is physically tired too.

Let's just say I can't wait to go to bed tonight.

Hopefully for an uneventful night of sleep.

A full nights' sleep.

That will be heavenly.

potd #288.  I just love the hydrangeas in the fall.  So pretty.

Monday Snapshot

Well, reality is settling in here at our house.

Back to the grind.

No more vacation land.

It was tough to get up this morning.

Good to be home, but oh so hard to get back into the regular routine.

Few more days and all will be good.

And it sure does feel good to sleep in my own bed.

potd #287.  Lucy, happy dog in the grass.  One great thing about being back is that the fall colors are looking fabulous.  Fall is a favorite season.

17

Today is Hubby & my wedding anniversary.

17 years.

Wow.  How did that happen?

October 14, 1995.

That feels so long ago and yet it feels like it wasn't that long ago.

Do you know what I mean?

We were young when we got married.  I was 22 and Hubby was a month shy of 22.

Babies.  Yet we didn't feel young.  And yet we were so young.

But,  I wouldn't change it for the world.

It was the right thing for us.

I love Hubby more today than I did the day we were married.

He is loving, funny, sweet, generous, kind, and hard-working.

Hubby is also the best father I could ever hope to have for my children.

And he puts up with my when I am, shall we say it, a wee bit cranky.

Yes he drives me nuts sometimes and can annoy me as well, but there's no one else I'd rather grow old with.

We genuinely have lots of fun together.

He is my best friend and my love for life.

And I love the life and family that we have made for ourselves.

It is the perfect life and family for us.

My heart is happy.

This was our wedding song.  (I Love You)For Sentimental Reasons.

I love you Hubby.  Always.

potd #286.  D loves her coon hat.  Here she is finishing up her vacation report.  I love how she wears it sideways.

Back on the East Coast

We are officially home.

Today was a long travel day.

It could've been much longer.

When we first got to the airport this morning we were told that our flight leaving Phoenix to Detroit was going to be delayed an hour.

Because of that it was going to be iffy if we made our next connecting flight to get us home.

Uh-oh.

So they thought about switching us to another flight with more layover time.

But it wouldn't get us home until just about 11pm tonight.

Blech.

Our ticket agent was doing whatever he could to try to get us home at a reasonable hour.

And then he disappeared to talk to his managers.

He was gone quite awhile.

I was wondering where he went to.

Finally he came back to the counter.

He told us that there were enough people on the 2nd flight that were also delayed that they would most likely hold the flight for us.

Our layover was going to be about 20 minutes.

We decided we were willing to take our chances on getting the 2nd flight.

So off we went.

Thankfully we had a tail wind and landed in Detroit with just about 25 minutes to get to our next flight.

We had to go from gate 70 to 31.

That's just about 40 gates.

Thank goodness for people movers.  If it wasn't for those, we never would have made it those 40 gates.

As it was we were just about the last people to board the plane.

Ahhhh.  Now we were really getting home on time.

Then I had the thought of whether our luggage would make the flight.  Hmmmm.

And wouldn't you know it our luggage made the flight.

All I am going to say is I love Deltas' Sky Priority program that Hubby belongs to.

Sky Priority means your luggage is 1st on and 1st off of flights.  They attach special yellow stickers with the luggage stickers that say "Sky Priority".

Love that.  I am convinced that is the only reason why our luggage made the 2nd flight.

Thank you Delta.

The other part of Sky Priority is that you get to go in a special side line when boarding.  Loved that too.

And there is a Sky Priority check-in counter when you get to the airport.

It made traveling this trip very nice.

Guess I won't complain too much about Hubbys' traveling in the future.

So, it's nice to be home.

But we are already missing our family in Arizona.

We had such a great time sightseeing and visiting.

potd #285.  All boarded on the plane.  Ready to head home

Winding Down

Today is our last day of vacation.

We had a great morning at the cabin with Aunt J and the cousins.

Just hanging out and relaxing.

The weather was crazy.

Cold.  Rainy.  Then sunny.  Then hailing.  Then sunny.  Then rainy.  Then hailing. Then sunny.

You get the picture.  It was a bit schizophrenic.

Certainly not weather I would expect in Arizona.

Crazy Arizona hail.

Later in the morning, hubby took the girls and L out for a ride in the Rhino.

The Rhino is an open air, almost off-road vehicle.

While they were out, it hailed.

Ouch!  They said it stung a bit.  And it was cold.  But, they got a ride in the Rhino.

And it was quickly decided that we will need to come back so they can go for a longer ride.

D in her coon hat and neon green sunglasses.  Just the perfect outfit for a ride in a Rhino.

On our way back to Phoenix, we needed to eat lunch.

So we found an In-N-Out Burger and ate.

It was just as yummy as the 1st time.

And Hubby & the girls all got my Neopolitan milkshake.

Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry swirled.  Yum.

E loves her coon hat.  Here she is in In-N-Out.

Cousin D bought a coon hat this summer when she was in Wisconsin.

E saw it when D came up to the cabin on Wednesday.

She loved it.

And it was perfect that we found them on the way to the Grand Canyon yesterday.

She's worn it just about non-stop since we bought it.  Too funny.

We have had a great vacation.

Tonight we are meeting family out for dinner.

Aunts, uncles, cousins.  All at The Big Fat Greek Restaurant.  Fitting for a big Greek family.

Can't wait.

And tomorrow we head home.  Another long travel day.

This is one of those vacations that I really don't want to end.

But, sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night sounds pretty good.

Now to get some of the Arizona family to visit us back East.

potd #284.  Hubby and D sharing some of Ds' milkshake.  Hubby snuck a sip of the milkshake at first.  Then he scammed more sips while E and I took pictures and they posed.  He's sneaky.

A Grand Day

**again, this post is for Thursday, October 11, 2012.  Crazy time zone!**

Today was the day.

The day we were going to the Grand Canyon.

We were all up early and ready to go at 8am.

It is about a 2 hours drive from where we are staying to get to the south rim.

So, off we went.

And wouldn't you know it, it started to rain.

Oh no.

Before we got to the park entrance, we stopped at a gas station to hit the restrooms.

And while there, we decided to buy ponchos.

And boy were we glad we did.

Because when we first got to the Grand Canyon, it was raining.

And cold.

Oh my.

Cold and rainy as in my I couldn't really feel my hands cold and rainy.  Brrrrrrr.

Here is part of the group.  Most in green ponchos.

It was quite the memorable start to our visit.

And we were a bit worried about the rest of the visit.

And then, hope against hope the rain lightened.  And then it stopped.

And the sun started to come through the clouds.

By the time we got to our 2nd viewing point, it was turning out pretty nice.

Hubby.

Family photo at the Grand Canyon.  A must.  Clouds in the background.  Started to clear up.

Here is Aunt J and her girls, D, S, and L.

The kids.

Simply amazing.  Pictures don't do it justice.

Group shot.  Love this.

Happy girls smiling for their daddy.

Amazing.  Really words cannot describe the beauty.  

On our drive out of the park, we came across elk on the side of the road.  Very cool.

The trip to the Grand Canyon was amazing.  We definitely have decided we want to come back.

There is just so much to see.  It is truly one of the most magnificent things I have ever seen.

On our way home, Aunt J took us up a back road that they drive to see fall foliage.

Fall foliage in this part of Arizona are the amazing yellows of the Aspens.

The yellows are just beautiful.

I just love the white bark of the Aspen.  They remind me so much of the Birch trees we have back home.

Aren't they just amazing?

E amidst the Aspens.  With her coon hat.  Hysterical.

D with her coon hat.  So cute.

Coon hat explorers.

Aspens.  So, so pretty.

Yellow on fire.

Mountains in the clouds and yellow aspens.  Beautiful.

What a day.  Simply amazing.  

And oh so much fun to do with family.  That makes my heart happy.

potd #283.  What an amazing sight this is in person.  The colors of the rocks and the shadows of the clouds are indescribable.  Can't wait to get back.