Happy Halloween!

            Happy Halloween everybody! I hope all of you enjoy the holiday and all the little trick r treaters have a safe time getting their candies. The boys and I are at my SIL's so they can trick r treat with their cousins. DH stayed home he has to work today. So lots of pictures to take today. We are going to try to do holiday theme food at each meal we had halloween pancakes and sausage mummies for breakfast.

      The girls seemed to really like the pancakes, my boys prefered the mummies. Now to figure out what we will be having the rest of the day. Once again Happy Halloween!

Day 9743

      Today for work we dressed up for Halloween.. Okay some of us did. The slackers didn't. Lol just teasing. So I am a witch today. My office mate is a pirate and our boss is a cowboy..  Fun stuff. So I have my shimmery feathery witches hat of amazingness (not really a word but whatever) that cost me all of 5 bucks. That's right big spender me. Lol. And then I am just wearing black clothes I normally own and wear. I got up a little early (ugh) willingly (shocking I know) and did some funky eye make up. I actually liked doing it so I will probably do a different funky one on Sunday. It reminded me of dance team in high school. Ahh memories.. If only I still had my figure from those days..

taking a picture myself didn't turn out as well as I would've hope but oh well

        The boys are super excited about Halloween and trick r treating. The town is doing their "safe" trick r treat event on main st today from 3 to 5 (I will be at work :'( ) and I think their dad is going to take them. DH is wonderful, even if he refuses to dress up. We are still going to my SIL's this weekend so they will be trick r treating with their cousins on Sunday, it will be so stinking cute.

     On a side note I have an appointment this afternoon and errands to run. I will be doing this sans the witch's hat but I am sure my eyes will garner me a few looks oh well. I will conclude with a pic of our completed pumpkins. Hope you all enjoy your Halloweens. :)

day 9738

                Today we started the process that will be our carved pumpkins... I helped the boys draw their pumpkins faces and scribbled a picture on my pumpkin to be cut out. All that's left is DH's pumpkin but since he is at work I will give him a chance to draw it or whatever himself. Tomorrow the cutting commences...

My pumpkin hopefully it will look similar after it's cut out

My pumpkin with the boys' pumpkins

Day 9736

Don't be deceived by the picture this area is sorely lacking trees.

They aren't native to the area but this farmer or somebody planted them.

       Today we (DH and I) took the boys to the pumpkin patch and on a hay ride. They loved it. We took some pictures of them on the hay bales with pumpkins and scarecrows. But as a terrible mother that I am no pictures of them no the hay ride or in the patch picking their pumpkins. Oh well, next year right?? DS1 picked his pumpkin and carried it all by himself. DS2 not so much. In the end fun was had by all and we spent way too  much for 4 pumpkins we picked out of the field ourselves. But when I look at it as $20 (don't judge me for a flagrant disregard of financial smarts savvy) for they hay ride (which technically was free) and the boys' joy of getting to go pick their own pumpkins I say it was $20 well spent in my opinion. Besides it was fun much more fun then the buying them from the store right? And at least I know they are locally grown.... Anyways I can live with the extra $8 it cost us. The $8 is merely a guess based on an amount given during a discussion by a coworker as I have not paid any attention to the cost of pumpkins at the store myself.

               Next year DH says we are growing our own pumpkins.. I scoffed at him. While I work at an ag lab and have the science down and the knowledge of how to do this growing thing, I am not a gardener. Not even by the slightest amount of imagination. My flowerbeds have wild flowers planted in them. Why? Simple because I am not a gardner but love pretty flowers. And I did the dig out all the old stuff from the previous owner and the till in the potting soil/fertilizer needed, depended on what was needed (see I said I got the science part down.. Lol) I put the seeds in and water for germination and was done with it. Much to the disappointment of my husband. 

Aren't my wildflowers pretty? And low maintenance...

      Don't get me wrong I love getting home grown veggies and fruits from DH's grandma and my lovely friend/coworker. And I even enjoy canning and making of stuff like jam and applesauce. But alas I am busy (yes a cop out I know I know) and am not really in the mood to be a gardener. DH would love it if we had a garden like his grandma's with veggies and fruits and such. And while it might not take a whole lot of work it would take a decent amount of work because I would insist on doing it the "right way". The "right way" being my way of course. You know taking to soil probe and getting a sample have it tested and then onto the soil amendments based on crop. And I mean each item we planted not the general veggie amendment (though based on each item planted is OVERKILL and I know it)that would suffice and be quite accurate. There would be no random adding of this and that and then when it didn't or did grow being like oh I am glad or disappointed or whatever that we did/didn't do such and such. That's right I would be all crazy lady insane overzealous about it. And I just don't have the energy for that at this time in my life, little lone the desire for it. I hear you thinking then do it but don't be all psychotic about it. Sorry I refuse to do that it would drive me nuts and I am already crazy quirky enough as it is. So for now my gardening will be wildflowers and lawns only. I tell anybody who thinks I need to be gardening the same thing I told DH if you want it done so bad do it yourself because I am not doing it right now.

                In other news today was a slow day, I did some cleaning and laundry. I was lazy after our friends left last night and did not do all the cleaning up. For shame, I know. But I remedy that today, yay me, right? lol. And my so not a fall flower bouquet is back on the table where it belongs. Again don't judge, I like bright cheery flowers and they were at the store on sale (go figure). So I got them and did a cheery bouquet, which DH teased me about. I guess the next one will need to be season appropriate. Shucks. I was lazy and didn't feel like cooking lunch so we had pizza much to the boys delight. To their disappointment I wouldn't let them have it for dinner also. I will not do two unbalanced meals in a day, I refuse. I try to avoid even one but some days I fail on that and they get something like pizza. Sigh, so so very unhealthy but oh so yummy. As the evil mommy I am I even made them eat extra broccoli and cauliflower for dinner. Muhahaha. Seriously though, I must have done something right both my children love fruits and veggies, they will even pick them over other foods (even candy). They even ate their steaks like good little children.. Sometimes they are resistant to eating meat. Don't worry I don't force feed my children. But they understand that in this house I am not a personal chef to make multiple different dinners to cater to their every whim. Oh the horrors.. My oldest even says when he doesn't want to eat what we made for dinner or lunch or something "it in the fridge I will eat it later when I whine that I am hungry" Maybe we've told him a time or two before that if he refused to eat it we aren't making him something else he can just eat it later when he whines that he is hungry. I may have even followed through on the threat a time or too.. Ah such a mean mommy am I...

       So now the little ones are suppose to be in bed for the night... I've already put them back into bed at least half a dozen times between the two of them. DH is at work and I just want some me time to relax. Me time would be drink a glass of red wine (or iced passion tea) in one of the  pretty glasses my sister bought me for Christmas the year before last. So pretty.. That's right my sister is awesome and I am so lucky. You know you are jealous. ;) Along with this wine or tea I plan to read the rest of the blog that I found via my friend/coworker. I enjoy reading her writing. You all should check out her blog.

         

Looks like this but only a wine glass..

I know I should take a picture of mine but I don't want to at this time.

Day 9735

apple cake num num num

          So far the day has been decent but it's only lunch time so that might change.  My best friend and her SO is coming over for dinner tonight. We are planning steak and potatoes with corn and rolls for dinner. My apple cake for dessert of course. Yummy. :) It felt like a fall dessert to me so that's the way I decided to go.  Hopefully it will be lots of fun.. Maybe we can even play some games, like Apples to Apples. Or my favorite...

photo from Amazon

             I am weird yes I know.. Tomorrow is my neice's 2nd birthday. We won't be able to all be there because DH works and it is a 2 1/2 hour drive. And the plan is to take the boys to the pumpkin patch in the morning. I am sure they will love it. I plan on driving to my SIL's next weekend with the boys and maybe they and their cousins can go trick 'r treating together. I think it would be fun and cute. I would have to drive back on halloween since I work but it would be fun for them I think. DH works so he would stay home but I don't think he would mind the peace and quiet for two days. LOL.

            My knitting project is going nowhere. I repeat nowhere. I guess I need to get on to the ball because I am being a slacker. But I will no admit defeat I will finish a minmum of one of them before christmas. I've done some sketches. I really think I might mat and frame some of them for gifts for certain people. I am also thinking of making a calendar with pictures of the boys for each month and dress them up in a theme for each month. I think it would be cute. And they are still young enough to tolerate it enjoy it. 

          Even though all some of my friends think I am crazy weird quirky for listening to bubblegum oldies and maybe I'm guilty of often sometimes quoting lyrics from songs that came out decades before I was born, I still love enjoy listening to it. And my the lovely lady I share an office with at work doesn't complain when I play songs from before either of us were born. Don't worry I don't do it all the time, just occassionally. I enjoy all types of music to some degree. I am definately a mood listener. My mood determines what I enjoy listening to at the time. Is anybody else that way or am I just a freak of nature weird?

Day 9732

           First let me start by saying I can't wait not to be sick anymore. I haven't gone to the gym like I should be because of being sick. Boo. I am still working so obviously I am not on deaths door but the achy, headache and sore thoart just need to go already. Yeah yeah rest and plenty of fluids. I have the latter part down pat but the beginning not so much but more then I was since no gym time. But that doesn't help me lose any of my fatness. Let's see I am super excited to see my sister in November. Yay! I love my big sis and am so proud of her and all she has done and all she does for our country. November is going to be a good month, I am also excited to have family photos done by the amazing Diane of Aland Photo. I love her work and as she said "I love photography styles from the 70's, the use of props (especially sweet treats and vintage items), unique locations, and natural light." Diane also has a blog on blogger that I believe I linked in the last blog, so if you haven't check it out you should do so. The link again. You can check out some of her photos there (or at the first link which is her web site). And if anybody is in the area where she takes pictures you should so have them done. The prices are great (in my humble opinion) and the pictures are AMAZING. Maybe I am biased but I think they are awesome. And no I am not related to her in any shape or form. But I do know Diane, she is a great wonderful person with a big heart, who is a fab mommy and a talented photographer. Okay I will leave the bragging about her alone for now.  :0)

           Now onto bragging about my children. Lol. So as you may (or maynot know) I have two sons, DS1 is 3 and DS2 is 2. DH and I have been learning japanese. DH would really love to live visit Japan for a time. And while yes I know they are one of the amazing countries who actively teach multiple languages to their students until they are fluent and a lot of them do speak English I demanded thought we should learn Japanese. So we are going to take courses at the local Community College in Japanese. But some of the basics you can learn online, like counting. As the crazy lady go getter I am, we have begun.  So my wonderful sons can now count to ten in english, spanish and japanese. I haven't got them to learn it in French yet. DH put the kabosh on me teaching them spanish and since my spanish is spotty at best I didn't push it. I was going to teach them some French, might as well put my 3 years of French classes to some use right? But then I decided we agreed to learn Japanese so they boys are going to learn whatever we can teach them. Since I doubt the College will let a 2 and 3 year old take the class. So if it isn't obvious yet I am obsessed enjoy learning other languages. Unfortunately I can only hold beyond a basic conversation in English, French and American Sign Language (my paternal grandma was deaf). I have the basics down is Spanish and Italian but I never took beyond a 1st year introductory class in either of them (not even that when it came to spanish). Anyways I am so so proud of my kids they learned to count to ten in Japanese before daddy could remember it all.  DH doesn't have knack for learning languages but he tries and I am sure in the end he will at least get the basics down.
    While hopefully one day we will visit Japan, first we are visiting England (to visit my sister once she is there), Scotland, Ireland and France. Which if all goes as planned we will be doing that in the year 2011 (that's right next year). Can't wait it should be fun. We will have to get the boys their passports. DH and I already have our's from when we went to Mexico last year. So I really need to crack down and start going to the gym again, sick or not. I need to get into decent shape before snowboarding season. DH says the better shape your end the less hurt you get when if I bif it. That's right I am a crazy lady person who enjoys hurtling sliding down a mountain at fast speeds avoiding trees and other crazy people skiiers and boarders.  The best part is in December when we go I get to see my amazing friend and go boarding with her and her new husband. Yay! We have a 2 bedroom suite booked at the resort so we will probably invite another couple to go with us and cover part of the cost.

where we will be in December (see plenty of trees)

Where DH boarded in Alaska (see the lack of trees)

              Now don't worry DH has been boarding down in the lower 48 also, so he knows how to board around trees also.

Day 9721

                The gym routine that I have been doing has not been working for me. Probably because I have been doing the same as DH just lower weight higher reps. Don't get me wrong toning or whatever is fine but I want to loose some weight. And loose it like yesterday. So I am going to be doing more cardio 4 days a week. And by more I mean instead of the measely 20 to 30 minutes of cardio (which is mainly bikes and running) I will be upping it to about 2 hours of cardio. That's right watch me die from exhaustion and lack of oxygen. I will still do some weight training. By some I mean very little. I figure I will go from 20 to 30 minutes of cardio and 1 1/2 to 2 hours weights and switch it. Around 2 hours of cardio and 20 to 30 minutes of weights. Postive point is with DH schedule change for the next 6 months I won't be working out at 11:30pm like a crazy person. Why 2 hours of cardio 4 days a week you may ask. Simple I do NOT do diets, I get cranky and mean when I am hungry and I like being able to eat what I am hungry for. If I want frozen yogurt by golly I am going to have some frozen yogurt. And besides I LOVE fruit and most diet are down on fruit because of the sugar content. Salads and I are not friends nor will we ever be. So 8 hours or more of cardio a week will help I hope. Along with 3 to 4 days of yoga.  Maybe this will help me not hate excerise. Doubtful me thinks but who knows.
           The plan is to have family photos done by the end of the year, hopefully by this amazing photographer I know. I included a link, you all should check it out. Not only is she a talented photographer, she beautiful, smart and nice.

A picture of the costume my oldest will be wearing

           We have the boys's costumes for halloween now, they are both going to be dragons and they look adorable. They are so excited, it's so cute. DH has to work on halloween so it will just be the boys and me this year. I am still trying to decide if I want to dress up with them. My oldest keeps saying mommy you should be a princess. It's so cute. lol. My amazing sister will be home on leave (she's in the air force) at the end of November/beginning of December. It will be nice to see her, I know the boys are very excited to see their aunt. We have a snowboarding trip planed for december also. I get to see one of my very good friends when we go on this trip. I am so excited. I don't get to see her that often since she leaves up by Canada now. We were roommates for awhile and even after we weren't anymore we hung out alot. But as the years went on we wended up living hours apart from each other and so we don't see each other near often enough in my opinion.
            As an end note I would like to say tonight has been a much better day than yesterday and I am looking forward to my weekend.

Day 9720

    Today isn't a great day thus far. Somebody called in sick today at work, which means more work for me. :( I woke up with a headache. I didn't get a chance to drink all my coffee before it was nasty cold. :| I had to stand in line for what seemed like hours (which was probably only 20 minutes) for my sub which was made incorrectly. When I pointed it out the looked at me like I was crazy and told me I could go to the end of the line and they would make me a new one. When I told them no and that I wasn't paying for it they offered it to me at a discounted rate (I took it since I didn't want to stand in line for another 20 minutes). I must of picked up a nail or something in my tire since it was low. And by low I mean crazy low, so it must have been leaking for awhile and I didn't notice. Lame. So I paid $1 (yes it seems that's the going rate for air around here) so that way I didn't burn out the inner tubing (hopefully I haven't already). Now I will have to find time to go have the tire checked (and patched) or buy a new tire (which means 4 new tires because I don't want to replace one and then have to replace the other three in a few months). Maybe that's weird. But that's like $480 more then I planned or wanted to spend this month. Argh. Hope with me that that's not the case. It's looks like it's going to rain outside. I hope it does.
       I am ready for day 9721 of my life already. Wish I could go to bed until then but I can't I am at work and my lunch break is essentially over. Maybe day 9720 is still salvageable, it's still early I guess.  Here's hoping.

Day 9717

Grr Blogger just lost my post with it's lovely pictures and I don't really have time to retype it all now. So a quick rundown and hopefully I will have time to post more later. I want to make scarves for some people I know and love for Christmas. And since give aways seem to be a common thing in the blog sphere if I have time maybe I will make one to give away. Now I am going to post some pictures of options and hopefully get some feedback (sorry this is rushed)
Option 1

 Option 2 and 3 (Option 2 on the left Option 3 on the right)

 Option 4

Thanks for the help in advance. :)