Failure, Table for 1

I think I am going to have a camera permanently affixed to my hand. That way, I'll never forget it for important family events. Like Thanksgiving.

I was so mad at myself when I realized that I had forgotten the camera for Thanksgiving at the farm on Thursday. Of course, I thought about it once we got there, not while we were still in the freakin' driveway at home. I hate missing out on pictures of the kids and their cousins. And of course, the rest of the family eeks out a pic or two. So, yet another family gathering that won't be remembered by pictures. I'll just have to rely on my failing memory and brief back-flashes of the whole thing. That ought to get me far.

Another prime opportunity passed me by today, too. Emma went to a classmates birthday party at a roller rink. Catch that. A six year old. At a roller rink. Never been on skates. Barely manages walking most days. It was a beautiful site. When she first caught a glimpse of the skates, her face said it all. "What the hell are those and why are you coming at me with them?"

After some initial hesitation she was gliding along without a care in the world. Well, maybe a couple, but she did better than we all thought she would. She actually started falling on purpose. Who does that?!?!

She had a great time. It was fun to watch her venturing into something new. We may see if Santa can bring her some skates for Christmas.

Great holiday weekend. Wonderful family time. The girls had a blast.

Some sadness, though. Lil Bint, an amazing horse, sadly had to be put down on Friday. After many years of producing beautiful foals and providing my mom with hours of love and joy, she is now gone from this earth. She was a great horse and will be dearly missed. Amazing how an animal can make such an impact.

Turkey Week

Why does it seem like when there is a holiday the week blows by and you feel insanely busy? That's how it has been, and yet, I don't feel like I have done anything. Have I accomplished much? In my eyes, NO.

Everything seems to be taking longer. Has become more annoying. And less sleep, if that's even possible, is being had. I'm hoping to recoup some of it in the next couple of days.

Hoping to remember the camera tomorrow and to be able to post pictures of our Turkey Day festivities Friday. Since I won't be lining up anywhere at 4 am to get trampled by crazy people, I should have time.

Mini Bipolar Episodes

Olivia is such a charming little person. She is so cute. So sweet. So unsuspecting. You never see her coming.

Today, she displayed classic behavior that I like to call 'bipolar baby'. Her mood swings were so sudden and unpredictable. Pitty the poor people at the mall that had to bear witness to her tyraids.

Oh, she's capable, believe me. That sweet little face hides a master manipulator and best bipolar baby nominee. I think she is offering a class next semester at the local college. She needs to share her knowledge and mass talent with the world.

It is really best to keep her at home when these episodes flare up. The problem is, you never know when they will strike. You could already be out and about and BAM, she flips out on you. Then it's too late. You're screwed. That was us today. We were already well into the depths of our outing and she turned on us. The little green hulk emerged and anyone in its path be damned.

Everyone should really experience it. Truly uplifting. Makes you feel like a success. The envy of all around you.

Productivity

I like being productive. There are very few times that I truly feel like sitting around and wasting the day. Today, was not one of those days.

The girls and I headed out this morning to do a little shopping while Jason took care of some work stuff. We met up for lunch and dropped the van off to get some brake work done - kind of important I suppose.

We decided that since it was an unseasonably warm day here in MI that we would go test drive some cars. We are in the early stages of considering the replacement of the van. We've certainly loved having it. But now that the girls aren't babies and we don't need all that space anymore, it's time to move on. I've loved the van and its versatility. It has served us well. Oh, except that time for Olivia's birthday that it crapped out on I-94 and we had to walk in the freezing cold and have my dad come help us out.

New car considerations right now - Nissan Altima, Toyota Prius or Camry and the Ford Taurus. Didn't get to drive the Ford today since they were on 'winter hours' and closed at two today. Who knew. Guess we'll try again next weekend.

It's fun looking at cars. Love some of the things that have changed since we got the van. Nifty technology. Realizing how lazy and convenience driven we have gotten. Sad when you think about it.

Take Two

I can't decide if I like the new look. I may have to try another. What do you think, little blog? Do you like your new look? How many should we try before we find just the right one?

Test Phase

So, for less than an hour's worth of work, here's the first test run.

There are a few kinks to work out. Still not sure if I like this template. Sleep on it. Look again tomorrow with fresh eyes and brain.

Promises & Neglect

So a couple of weeks ago, I made a promise to my little blog. We passed the year anniversary of its start and I wanted to celebrate. Live big. Toast its inception and continuation.

A big fat nothing has happened.

With the whole gallbladder thing and Halloween and the Zoo Boo and many other things, my poor little blog has been forgotten. Tossed in the corner. Left to wilt like my plants (note to self - water plants).

So, with renewed zest and more promises (some that will surely be broken due to my inability to follow through on everything I want to do), I will set out on a journey. One that will hopefully lead me to a new blog design and some fancy stuff. I'm not sure how this will all work out. I am computer savvy, but not as much as I should be to do this stuff. Hopefully I don't screw it up.

Time will tell. Until then, dear blog, I hope you will forgive my shortcomings and eagerly await your face lift.

Halloween Weekend Joy

We live on a dead end street. It makes for a quiet environment. Safer for the girls. And it also means that they make a killing at the couple of houses that actually hand out candy. "You'll probably be the only kids I get tonight so why don't you take more." Music to their ears. For the ten houses we went to (only three on our street), the girls came home with full bags.

They were over the moon happy.

They approached the houses with different M.O's. Emma bounded up gleefully awaiting the door to open to say 'trick or treat!'. Olivia sauntered up not caring much, but immediately laughing from the time the door opened until she turned to leave and yell 'bye bye!'. Every house. The same thing. People thought she was cute. We thought she was crazy. The sight of all that candy nestled in her bag was already swimming through her veins and causing a massive imbalance in her senses.

Our girls don't get a lot of candy, so just holding onto more than they eat in a year was just too much for their little souls to handle.

So, with a successful Halloween safely behind us, we decided that Sunday would be catch-up-on-all-the-outside-shit-you've-put-off-because-you-didn't-want-to-do-it day.

The girls helped.

Emma was rather proud of her leaf piles. She kept raking leaves into a pile for her and Olivia to play in. They rode bikes. They ran around. They loved the fall day. It was good for them to have a day out of the house. Crappy fall days here in MI tend to keep us indoors way too much. Cabin fever = crazy kids.

Much was accomplished this weekend in and out of the house. Too much candy now resides on our kitchen table. But we're happy.