Fisher Price ...

Fisher Price has regained their status in my book once again. After the dollhouse problem on Christmas Eve (read the previous post) I was upset so I called them this morning. It turns out that there was a short time period when they did make the product with sound, but then stopped production on the version and just made the one that doesn't make sound. My model number is for the one that still made sound so actually shouldn't have been sold. To make it up to me that are going to send me a coupon for $37.00, the amount I paid for this one. So basically, I get my money back minus the shipping. WOOHOO!! What a way to start the day!

Christmas...

Christmas was wonderful, even if Lydia's dollhouse didn't make noise. She enjoyed it and the rest of her goodies. She received books, markers, notebook paper, jewelry, candy, a new toothbrush, dress up stuff, clothing, pajamas, pink stuffed horse, the dollhouse, and a baby stroller set. I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but you get the idea - SPOILED. She would have been happy with just the mini M & Ms. She carried them around all morning. Enjoy the pictures.

Lydia was VERY excited about her new pajamas she got on Christmas Eve. Yes, she is wearing a diaper.

New stroller and baby doll set.

She enjoyed the stroller.

Her new stuffed pink pony.

Her dollhouse from Santa. (Read the previous post about Fisher Price before you purchse this.)

She did enjoy playing with it.

She kept trying to sit in the little rocking chair. Too funny!!!

Some of her new dress up stuff.

Lydia and I.

My beautiful family.

Curse Fisher Price...

Can you say irate? That's what I am. I spent a lot of money for a dollhouse and accessories for Lydia for Christmas back in August. The description said "Product Description:
Dollhouse play with a house that’s just right for girls. Chunky, figures and accessories, big rooms—and even fun sounds. Ding-dong! There’s a world of imaginative, nurturing play calling! Includes Mom, Dad,baby figure,kitchen unit with opening refrigerator and oven doors, toilet, table and two chairs.". Well, they lied. The doorbell doesn't ring, the telephone doesn't ring, and the stupid thing has no where for the batteries to even go. I mad first of all that they LIED!!! And I'm also upset that I waited until Christmas Eve to figure this out. I even have played with the stupid thing before (I had to test it out), and didn't discover this. Of course their offices are closed until after New Years, but you can bet your booty that I'll be calling first thing that morning and giving them a piece of my mind. Did I mention that I even bought it from the Fisher Price website?!? You think they could describe their toys correctly!! OK, I'm done venting. Thanks for listening. Until next time...

Christmas Eve...

It is finally Christmas Eve. I've got the house spotless - well close to it (I need to empty the trash). I can't wait for Christmas tomorrow. Lydia is at the age where she can actually open her presents and knows what she's getting. I can't wait to see her face tomorrow when she opens her gifts. We started a tradition last year of getting her a new pair of pajamas that she can open on Christmas Eve so she looks nice for pictures the next morning. This year I got some for Gail and I also. I am just so looking forward to it all. I hope you all are able to enjoy your holiday with family and good friends. I'll post tomorrow about how everything went. I have to get ready for "Santa to visit". Until next time...

Vacation, Here I Come...

I have five hours of work tomorrow and then I get to start my vacation. I can't wait. I got spoiled last week with 2 half days and an entire day off. My vacation is full of plans that I hope I'm able to keep. A good friend of mine is back from Washington and we have plans to get together a few times with other classmates. We have 3 Christmas gatherings planned as well as a New Years "party" planned. I guess I wouldn't call it a party because there will just be two other people coming. Anyway, I'm just ready for it to be here. What is everyone else doing for their vacations?

100 Things I've Done

Let's see....Things I’ve Done (RED)
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (When Lydia or the sitter's kids were sick.)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (A little boy didn't have enough money.)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business (Still going.)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (My dog torn it up after I'd had it for 27 years. I still have my little dog, there just isn't any stuffing.)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the State Capital
75. Been fired from a job (I got fired from the Ice House because I told them I was going to teach summer school at my current job. Ice House didn't think I had time for both jobs.)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (When I worked in the SC nursing home a lady choked on a plastic spoon. It was kinda scary.)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Sonny Bono)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

My Heart is Sad...

My heart is sad for little Caylee Anthony. The 3 year old from Florida who has been missing since June. The CNN website has updated that the remains found on Thursday are her remains. Apparently they were found only half a mile from her home. The area was underwater this summer when authorities were searching. As her mother, how could you drive by or sleep in a house knowing that your baby (that you killed) is in a trash bag half a mile away? What a monster she must be!! I hope she rots in jail for the rest of her life if she did this. I feel for the family member who actually did care and love this beautiful little girl. At least it won't be one of those cases where a body is never found. I think in a way that would be harder to deal with. Rest in peace, Caylee - America's Christmas Angel.

Until next time...

Claudia Survived...

Claudia survived her procedure this morning. I went over on my plan time from school to visit her and see how things were going. She was VERY out of it, as to be expected. I guess she really freaked out because of the pain, IV, and thing on her foot to take her temperature. Darla said they had to give her morphine to calm her down. Her old tubes were really bad. There was a lot of "stuff" behind them that had to be sucked out with the vacuum thing.

Be Thinking...

Please be thinking about my niece, Claudia, today. She has had lots of problems with her ear tubes so today they are taking the old tubes out, cleaning out the infection behind them, and putting new tubes in. They are also going to take out her tonsils and adenoids as well. Poor little girl will probably feel like she's been hit by a truck.

What Happened?

I miss one day of school (six and a half hours to be exact) and I come back to a stack of papers to be grades that is six inches tall. Not joking at all - I just measured it. Although you can see that I waste time measuring the stack and writing this blog when I should be grading. Oh well. I have to go get my kids in 8 minutes - not enough time to start now. Guess my weekend will be full of grading.

Crazy Thursday...

Background Information:

My baby sitter's daughter got sent home from school on Tuesday with pink eye. Therefore, on Wednesday I had to use my back up sitter - my friend Courtney. When I got to Courtney's house Wednesday afternoon to pick Lydia up she told me that her daughter, Karlee, had been getting sick that day.

On To Today:

I took Lydia to the sitters as normal. I got about 5 miles away and she called me that her son had woke up with pink eye. (More background info: Lydia had pink eye a few week ago and putting those drops in her eyes was like trying to get blood from a turnip. It took Gail and I both to hold her down.) I didn't to deal with the eye drops again so my main concern was getting her picked up QUICKLY!!! I called Courtney not know that she had been up all night with two sick kids and was sick herself. So I quickly call my school and told them I needed a sub for the day. Lydia and I still had to make it to Kirksville to make lesson plans. On the trip Lydia got sick in the back seat - MILK - STINKY!!! We got into the school and changed her clothes, got plans made, and got home. I got an appointment for myself because my throat has been hurting for several weeks. While there I had to check Lydia out as well. We both got prescriptions and flu shots. Back to Kirksville for the meds and back home by 1:00. What a day off!! Hopefully tomorrow will be a normal day with no sickness and no emergency phone calls.

Until next time...

Sledding and Snow Pictures

Playing with the snow.

That is the little snowman that cousin Ashley made.

Riding on the sled at Grandma Mary's.

She loved the sled ride.



Daddy pulling the sled.

Weeeeee!!
Woops! She fell off.

She loved just walking around in the snow. Yeah for new snow boots.

Perfect Day...

This is my favorite type of day. There is a blanket of perfect snow on the ground, the fire is blazing in the house, the Christmas decorations are and lights are up, gifts are wrapped, and I don't have to go anywhere. I can stay home and actually enjoy it all. What a perfect day.

Until next time...

When Did She Grow Up?

I was sitting at dinner tonight and watching Lydia eat her food when I started to wonder when she grew up so quickly. Here is a list of a few things she does lately that just blows my mind.

1. She tells me what she wants for supper - "cracker, cracker, cracker".
2. She is actually able to tip her sippy cup up to drink. (She used to just lay on the floor when she wanted a drink. LAZY!!!)
3. She hands me the bath toys before she gets out.
4. She can climb on the rocking horse all by herself.
5. She has to eat with a fork and spoon or she refuses to eat

All of this within the past few weeks.

Some funny stuff she has started just this past weekend.

1. She'll walk up to the Christmas trees, touch the lights and ornaments, and whisper as loud as she can, "pretty, pretty, pretty".
2. She will stick her finger up her nose and laugh.
3. She'll lift the potty seat and sit down completely dressed. Sit there a little while and then stand up, put the seat down, and walk away proud as can be.

Thanks for listening.

Until next time...

Christmas Survey

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I'll do a gift bag if it's just to awkward to wrap, but not usually.

2. Real tree or Artificial? I'm all about artificial. We had a real tree one year when I was little and I had the job of cleaning up the needles. I wasn't good at it then and don't want to do it now. The one we have Gail got for me our first Christmas as a married couple. It is pretty.

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend or the weekend before. Thanksgiving is so last this year that I may put it up tomorrow.

4. When do you take the tree down? Before school starts back

5. Do you like eggnog? Never tried it and really don't want to.

6. Favorite gift as a child? I got a little radio one year and I thought I was HOT STUFF!! I would steal batteries from other places and walk around with it on my shoulder. I was such a dork!!!

7. Easiest person to buy for? Lydia. She likes everything and too little to have an opinion yet.

8. What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Each year I get Lydia a new pair of pajamas that we open on Christmas Eve. That way she is wearing nice new pajamas for Christmas pictures. I read it somewhere and thought is was a good idea. Feel free to steal it if you want to.

9. Do you have a Nativity scene? I bought one several years ago at Dollar Tree. (Don't laugh.) It is actually really cute and won't break.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail and hand them out.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't remember any bad ones. We were happy just to get whatever we got.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is an all time favorite. I also like the classics like Frost and Rudolf.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually get some books at the BOGO free book fair in the spring at my school. The summer is when I get my list made and start getting the rest. I also one to add that I bought my last gift this morning before school (2 dog collars and a gift basket). I'M DONE!!!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Are you kidding. I'm a teacher who can only use so many coffee cups, candles, and bottles of lotion. I recycle all the time.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My grandma makes these fried cake things that are wonderful. She tried to get me to take over making them one year because I'm the only one who likes them. However, I have yet to start. I don't think I can make them as good and why mess with perfection?

16. Lights on the tree? Clear on my big tree, Lydia's tree, and two other small trees that I have. I bought some more little trees last year that I want to put colored on this year.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Any that I remember the words to.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? The weekend before is Christmas at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. Christmas morning is at home then we usually go to my parent's house. This year my brother-in-law has to work so we'll have it the day after. Gail's mom never decides when to have Christmas. I refuse to figure it out either. We typically just wait for the phone call to come over.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Sure can! Just ask me!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Last year I had a cowboy hat on top of my tree. Now I have a star to put on top.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? That Christmas isn't even here and I've already see Valentine's stuff out, that kids get really hyper and don't want to listen in school, that people are rude, and the cold weather.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? I like my western style trees and the ornaments that Lydia made last year at the sitters.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Noodles and mashed potatoes

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I got a vacuum and a food chopper (things I needed). I want a new phone for the house (ours is hard to hear on) and for Lydia to have fun.

26. Santa packages wrapped or unwrapped????? When I was little it was just the same paper. We never thought about it. Last year with Lydia we just used the same paper. This year I got pretty Tinker Bell paper to use.

All Is Right Once Again...

Last night when I got home Lydia was sleeping peacefully all cuddled up in her warm footed jammies and fleece blanket. It was the most beautiful thing I'd seen all day. And this morning when I woke her up she got a huge smile on her face and kept giving me kisses and hugs. It made everything OK again. Thanks for listening to me yesterday. It is hard for me to not be home at night. Not that I don't trust Gail or think he is going to forget something. That isn't it at all. We just have a routine and I don't like to change it for anything. It was only the second time since she's been born that I haven't been there to tuck her in and get kisses.

Sniff, Sniff

I consider myself luck to not have many night activities for my job. I teach an after school homework help class, but that it just a couple nights a week that I've signed up to do. Other than that we only have a few after school required events. One such event is the Fourth Grade Music and Art Program. This event is being held tonight. Why and I talking about it you ask? Well here it is: The program doesn't start until 7:30. Only lasts 30 minutes (thank you!!). Then we have to wait until the kids with their parents before we can head out. I won't be able to leave until pushing 8:30 and won't get home almost 9:00. Lydia will be fast asleep by that time. So this morning when I told her good bye at the sitters (after only seeing her for about 30 minutes) and also had to tell her good night because I won't see her until tomorrow morning. Sniff, sniff. Makes me wish that I worked closer to home so that I could go home on nights like this.

Until next time...

I Couldn't Take It Anymore...

I couldn't take the pressure anymore. I had to do it...

I put up Lydia's Christmas tree. It is the cutest tree ever. It has clear lights, Disney princess lights, silver balls, pink feather boas, silver bracelets, a big silver curly ribbon on top, and a pink and white receiving blanket wrapped around the bottom. When she first saw it she smiled really big and tried to touch it. I was thinking ahead and put in on top of her dresser so she couldn't reach it. This should tide me over until after Thanksgiving, but then Christmas will explode all over my house. I can't wait.

Until next time...

Thank You Lancaster Women...

Thank you Lancaster women for your comments to my "venting" blog. I would love to get together and get to know you all better. I think Bree said it all. Gail had his friends already when I moved here and now he is even too busy to spend much time with them. I work out of town so it is hard to met people. If you do start to scrapbook again let me know. I love to scrapbook although I don't get to do it very often.

Lydia's Sick

My baby girl is sick. Makes me sad to see those big watery eyes, red runny nose, and hear her terrible "I'm a pack a day smoker" cough. She has also had to be going to a different baby sitter this week. The regular sitter's father-in-law has been really sick. He has been living with them since right after Lydia starting going here because he was dying and couldn't live by himself anymore. Her father-in-law just passed away today, but she has taken off the last week because he has been getting a lot worse. It makes me sad because he was such a nice person who seemed to really care about Lydia. He was always sneaking her snacks, taking her picture, and playing with her. Because of all of this, she has been staying at my friend Courtney's. This has been a big ordeal for Lydia this week and last. The only places I've ever left her are with Tina, my mother-in-law, and my sister. (I don't leave her that much.) So it was been hard for her. Now she is cutting 2 more teeth (top eye teeth) and she is sick as a dog. She's been to the doctor once already this week, but I've got to take her back. The didn't give her anything!! Not a happy mother was I.

I am also glad that I got the guts to write my last post. It was hard to me to put into words how I felt, and I'm also guilty of keeping my feelings inside most of the time. Anyway, thanks to everyone who commented about it. I hope that I'm able to become close with some other fantastic women in the Lancaster area.

Until next time...

Strange Feelings

I'm going to blog about something that I will probably later regret and delete. I have an empty feeling inside where I wish I had some girlfriends. I love my husband and we have a great friendship. My daughter is my world. I work with creative women whom I love to have conversations with. However, I long to have a true best friend or group of friends (besides my sister) to do things with and hang out. In high school and college I had a lot of friends to do things with. However, I moved to a new town where I didn't know that many people and I still don't feel like I fit in. It's been almost 8 years that I've lived in Lancaster and I know a lot of people, but not to the point or level I would like to. The church I'm a member of doesn't have a lot of young women like myself that I feel comfortable around so I get no friendship there. I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself. Thanks for listening.

Until next time...

Good Fall Pictures - Enjoy!

Trick or Treat

Halloween was so much fun yesterday. We left our house at 6:00 and didn't return until 9:30. 8:00 was my plan, but that didn't work out. With 3 and a half hours you would think that we have visited everyone is town, but no. We only went to 6 houses. Gail, Lydia, and I spent more time talking and playing than anything else. I didn't actually get pictures of Halloween night because my camera was at my sister's house, but we went to Hayden's birthday party today which was a costume party so I still was able to get some good pictures. She ended up going as an MU cheerleader. She wouldn't wear the spider costume and it was a bit chilly the fairy costume. Here are some pics.

Update on my Mother...

Her tumor is cancer. It is a branch of the breast cancer that she had. Before they treated her breast cancer a few cancer cells went through her blood to her brain where they have been hiding out until now. It is a large tumor, but it is treatable. She is having another PET scan to be sure the cancer isn't anywhere else in her body. If it is only in her brain, she will start radiation on Wednesday and will continue it for 15 days. Then she will start some medication. It is elsewhere she will have the radiation and medication at the same time. Her doctor was pretty optimistic about it so it was a relief to us. She does have some limitations. She can't drive at all, can't work, and she isn't even to walk by herself without a walker. The area of her brain with the tumor controls her balance so the doctor said she could call easily. She isn't thrilled about those restrictions, but will have to obey or face the wrath of my sister and I. I will keep you updated on her progress. Thanks to all of you who have expressed your concerns through e-mails, calls, and prayers. It means a lot.

Until next time...

Could It Get Any Worse?

I think this single handily has to be the worst week of my life. Oh, and it's only Tuesday.

Monday - 7:00 a.m. my car broke down. We thought it was the transmission, but hopeful that it was something cheap. I have to drink Gail's truck to work (which I hate) and I was almost 30 minutes late.

Tuesday - Started out really well. My niece was having her gallbladder removed, but got along really well so I was happy. My mom went to the doctor because she hadn't been feeling well. Come to find out she has a brain tumor. It seems like she just got over her breast cancer and not this. She goes to the doctor tomorrow and I'm going with her. Hopefully we'll find out some good news. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...

"Hiking for Hooters"

Today I participated in a 5K walk for Breast Cancer. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to complete it because I'm not in the best shape. Now I am completely thrilled with myself. Not only did I complete the 5K walk with my sister, but we were able to have a wonderful conversation along with way, finished in 4th and 5th place, and got a t-shirt also. The three people that finished ahead of us were training for a 10K Breast Cancer walk. The closest person to us was more than a block away. Several people didn't even finish.

Now on to the shirt. I was really excited to get a Breast Cancer shirt that I would be able to wear to school. However, that is not what I got. All of the shirts, along with the walks theme, was an owl wearing the pink ribbon and the saying "Hiking for Hooters". I don't think I will be wearing it to work anytime soon.

Until next time...

New Pictures...

Picking apples.

OK, so we ate some too.

Lydia and I at a costume birthday party.

She is such a ham.

"I didn't do it, Mom. I swear."

Venting...

If you screw up, don't try to make other's feel bad for your mistake.

Until next time...

New Motherhood Experience...

Last night I has a new motherhood experience that I hope to never have again. Yesterday was a busy day and I didn't get home until after 6:00. Gail was fixing supper when I got home so I took that over, did a little cleaning, washed the dishes, and was giving Lydia a bath all by 7:30. All I wanted to do was to sit down for 5 minutes. I decided that while she was in the bathtub was the perfect time. She was all washed up and was playing. I sat on the floor and began to look through a baby magazine that had come in the mail. Before I know it she gave a little grunt and there it came floating to the top. Two little corn filled floaters. I yelled for Gail to come and help me. I could see her grabbing it and starting to play. He came and got her ready for bed while I cleaned the tub. Oh, the little memories. I still needed to fold the laundry that I has washed on FRIDAY night, but didn't do it. It is still in the laundry baskets just waiting for me.

Until next time...

Terrible Weekend...

I had planned on having a nice and relaxing weekend. However, that is not what happened. Friday I cleaned and did laundry so that it was done and out of the way. That was the only thing that worked out. Saturday I spent all day working on the third fence that Gail and I had to build. Except for attaching the barbwire to the posts with wire it is finished. My part was to help Gail set corner posts and use the shovel to put dirt around the post holes. I know it doesn't sound like a hard job. My shoulder on the other hand would beg to differ. It feels like I pulled something and hurts worse that labor. After that was done I had high hopes for Sunday. I was going to visit some good friends that are in the process of moving. While Lydia and I were there Gail called and said that he had a mess here at home. I didn't want to ask what that mess was but I sorta had to. It turned up that he was using a tractor and blade to smooth and move some dirt where we had to replace the water line back in June. There was a shut off valve sticking up that he didn't see and hit it. That broke the water line - AGAIN!!! We spent all afternoon repairing the line. So here I sit on a Sunday night with laundry to fold, school work to do, a VERY sore shoulder, and I don't want to do anything. Hopefully this next week will be better.

Until next time...

Potty...

My baby girl isn't a baby anymore. I'm thrilled to see her learning new things and changing. On the other hand, it's sad how quickly she is growing up. Currently she is learning to use the potty. She pees at least twice a day in the potty. She has also pooed in it three times at the sitter's house. We have only been using it for a week, so I'm a proud mommy.

I have also been really getting into fall and Halloween lately. I decorated a few weeks ago and this weekend I've made applesauce until I never want to see an apple again. The bad thing is that I still have a wagon full of apples and an entire 25 foot tree still full of apples. I think I'll be working up apples for the next several weeks. If anyone wants some apples come up over. It BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag.

I'll leave you with some pictures of my Halloween Decorations.

Lydia loves the jack-o-lantern light.

Lydia loves the singing and dancing witch. She is fiber optic and sings "Ghouls Just Want to Have Fun".

I've become obsessed with gel window clings. I have them for just about every holiday and season.

Finally Back to Normal...

Things are finally getting back to normal for us. Gail has been back to work for a week now and doing alright. He is pretty sore, but doesn't complain TOO much. He is stressed about getting stuff done around here. He got the chimney cleaned out so at least we could start a fire if we wanted to, we got the propane tank filled up, our cattle are home (much to Annie's dismay), and the calves are treated for the winter. We still have to build two fences by the first of October. I have no idea how it will get accomplished, but I just hope it does.

Speaking of October, I'm so ready that I can't wait. If fact I couldn't wait. In August and September not much goes on to decorate for. So this weekend I gave in and decorated for Halloween. Just call me Wal-Mart - pushing the holidays. I brought out the fiber-optic witch that sings and dances, the pumpkin that lights up, my Halloween window clings, and I put up my orange and purple lights around the front window. I just love to sit around and look at a decorated house. Before I got pregnant I liked for everything to say the same (except for Christmas of course), but now I love to get my house all decorated. In fact, I've had to get labeled boxes to keep everything in so I can keep track of it all. I'll try to put up pics later.

For now, her are some recent pics of Lydia. Enjoy...

Lydia playing in a diaper box.

Learning her numbers with mommy.

Mom playing with the color on the camera.

Crossing the bridge at the Catfish Place.

Taking her carebear for a ride.

Making cookies with mommy.

Until next time...

Birthday Pictures...

Birthday Cake made my me.

Lydia's personal cake.

She loved the car the we got her.

Until next time...