Not to toot my own horn...

but not only did I make a full Tasha costume yesterday... I put the icing on a toaster strudel in the shape of "a birthday boy holding a cake and wearing a birthday crown". And yes, the cake had five candles. He checked.

My resume keeps getting better and better.

Small talk in line at the Wal-M*rt

"Well, the media just makes it worse. That CNN on TV... they show these maps that say McCain has these states over here... but then they say that that Bahama... he has all these other ones over there. You just don't know what to believe."

And... small talk done. I stare straight ahead and focus on my pirate party decorations.

Costumes and parties

Back from a weekend at Mum's house. It was a great time. Both my sisters and their families were there and we celebrated the upcoming birthday trio birthdays (Brother and one niece on 11/3 and the other niece on 11/5) - and had a costume party - and a potato launching contest. What? You don't do that at your parties?

I'm not sure how Halloween is going to go this year. Little Bitty is not crazy about her costume, even though she picked it out. After much bribing begging she let me put it on her at my mom's, but then quickly declared "all done" and began pulling it off. My only hope is that once we leave the house and she's getting candy shoved at her on Friday - she'll forget that she doesn't like what she's wearing. It is a funny change from Brother - who lived in a costume from about 18 months until 4. Even now - the kid loves a good costume... it's just a little more sporadic than before. Some of you may remember that he went to his preschool open house last fall dressed in full knights armor.

We're gearing up for Brother's birthday party this weekend. And when I say "gearing up" - I really just mean thinking about it but not doing anything to prepare until payday at the end of the week. But, it is just a few friends and how hard can it be to throw together a pirate treasure hunt?!

7 interesting things about me...

I don't think I've ever been "tagged" before on my blog. But, now I have... by this fun friend. So - I will join in the fun. Here are 7 random interesting things about me.

1. I love to travel... but dislike flying - and driving for that matter... not crazy about the idea of being on a ship either.

2. I have lived in 8 different states and three different countries.

3. I will eat almost anything.

4. I have a pretty great job that let's me work from home, use my brain and pays me well. But, I don't really like it. I'm good at it but I don't think it is what I am "meant" to be doing.

5. I sometimes struggle with anxiety/obsessing/worrying... and also feel that I have a little ADD - so that means I spend time obsessing about the fact that I can't focus. (do you see the humor here?)

6. I have really vivid dreams every night. Some of them play out like a detailed movie script with foreshadowing, etc. They are really interesting and I remember almost all of them.

7.. I can't help it... I really do think my kids and husband are the best ones in the world.

I'm supposed to tag 7 more people... but don't know if I have 7 blogs that haven't done this lately... so I'm just tagging one friend who I've never seen participate in one of these: Kim. ;)

Pumpkin Patch

Anyone with kids in our area makes an annual trip to this pumpkin farm. It really is fun - and we don't even go on the hayride (which by the way is something I love to do).

Whheeee! We've gotta get one of these at home.

Look how happy I am...if I had known the faces my two kids were making, I may have had a different expression.

Oops, sorry honey. Didn't realize you were in there.

I think Little Bitty loves the pumpkin patch as much as we do.

As does Brother.

2nd Annual Papa's Sailing Camp 2008

Here is a recap of our past weekend in pictures. I know, there doesn't seem to be any pictures of sailing. Well, if you weren't there - you'll never know if we did any or not.

A question for you mothers out there...

Hey - Just a quick post to focus on my little biz for a second. If you haven't checked out my Etsy postings in awhile... I would love it if you would! This is not a request to buy something... just a request for you to view what I have listed and then comment below with a suggestion of something you think would be cool to see in my shop.

I have a lot of ideas swirling in my head but before I jump in - I'd love to hear from other moms out there. I can do girl and boy stuff. My business is slow right now, so it is actually the prefect time for me to get some new items added and then market for the holidays.

Thanks in advance!

The Campaign Volunteer

It was an uncharacteristically hot October day in Indiana. The 63 year old campaign volunteer found himself in very rural area this particular day. He was going door to door encouraging people to register to vote. His nearly 8 hour day had resulted in just a few new voters. However, he considered this a success. Every vote counts.

The knocks on the screen doors of the manufactured housing park were often unanswered or else met with resistance when he introduced himself and asked if he could talk to them about registering to vote. One particular knock, however, was met with a gruff voice shouting "come on in!" The Volunteer opened the door and entered the dark room. He could see the top of a man's head sitting in a recliner with his back to the door. The Volunteer cheerfully introduced himself and asked if the man was registered to vote. The man swiveled his chair around and stared at the Volunteer. His large size, bald head and multiple piercings were not completely surprising but his response was. "I can't vote" he replied simply. "Oh - why is that?" asked the Volunteer. "I'm a convicted felon" the man said. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that, " the Volunteer responded, "thanks for your time."

Undeterred, the Volunteer completed a few more stops and then drove the 15 miles or so back into town to be sure he got the few new registrations in on time - as this was the last day to register. Back at the campaign headquarters the Volunteer turned in his registrations.

At a stop for coffee afterwards, the Volunteer pulled out his phone to do a little research. He wasn't actually sure about the laws regarding felons and voting. As it turns out, convicted felons are allowed to vote under certain circumstances in this state. The Volunteer left his coffee and hurried to his car.

About a half an hour later, the Volunteer was again knocking on a screen door. "Come on in" yelled the familiar gruff voice. "Good news!" the Volunteer exclaimed as he entered the man's home for the second time that day.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This story is not about politics. This one vote is most likely not going to turn this traditionally Red state Blue. The Volunteer did not even know the man's political persuasion as he drove the miles back out to the rural housing development. This is about finding something you believe in. It's about being passionate and doing your part. It's about perseverance. It's about not judging others. It's about having Hope. It's about giving people a second chance. It's about treating people with respect. It's about realizing that most people are not all good - and not all bad.

It's about living your life in a way that makes your children respect you, even when you're 63 and they're grown adults. It's about paying attention and learning from your parents - even when you're a grown adult and they're 63. I just did.

I still love them but...

Little Bitty cried and wanted to go downstairs pretty much all night. I have no idea what it was about. Two year molars? Hungry? Just not tired? Needs a new mattress? I caved at around 4am and we spent the rest of the night/morning on the couch. Noggin was turned on around 5am. I was worried she was sick - but she was her normal feisty adorable self this morning. Good times.

And Brother... Brother is developing a little attitude that I thought wouldn't come until the pre-teen years. As in, "Mommy, why do you wear those moccasins EVERY day now?" or "Mommy, I know this is your favorite part of the song - you've told me 10,000 times!"

It all comes with the territory of parenting. I like to see them try out their little attitudes and show assertiveness. But- for the record - I've only worn the moccasins twice. And anyway, they're awesome.

Gone Fishin'

First off - the Race was awesome. We had a great run and a gorgeous day. I love the overall feeling at the race - thousands of people together to support a common cause. It's very inspiring and gives one hope that the world is mostly good.

Next, some pictures of our family fishing outing Friday night. It seems that from fishing to soccer to baseball, etc. Brother is picking up his father's athletic (fishing is a sport, correct?) ability. Little Bitty is a bit more like me - she likes the atmosphere of it all - but would really rather stand around and drink.