Trick or Treat

We did Trick or Treating at the Green Hills Mall this year. Warm, clean, bright, indoors . . . the best option I can see!

Charity didn't get tons of candy, but enough, and that's all we need! Here she breaks into the stash before we even got to the car!

I told Dave I spent $10,000 tonight . . . window shopping, that is! Man, I love this place! I kept trying to talk Dave into getting me a treat from Tiffany's, Louis Vuitton, Juicy Couture, Betsey Johnson, he wouldn't even stop at Dillard's. No fair! . . . LOL

We even made it home in time to hand out some candy to a few stragglers. Charity loved it; seeing the costumes, putting the candy in their bags. I guess that's what we'll be doing next year. If you're around, be sure to stop by!

Party Time

Kindergarten had a Harvest Party this afternoon and after a much needed nap, I was ready to go! Though it was only a couple hours of rest, hopefully it gets me to and through the busy evening and then I'll try and go to bed early, but that hardly ever happens . . . oh well . . .

Started the party by making a bat:

Charity and Julia with the popcorn hand:

Charity opted for the apple over the cupcake!?! I'm not sure she's my kid! :P

Tuesday will be their teacher's, Mrs. Rhodes, birthday. So we all pitched in and gave her a gift certificate for a message and the kids made her a card. We secretly turned the Harvest party into a birthday party, too!

Kindergarten rocks!!

Sleepless . . .

Okay, so why blog I so early in the morning? Because I haven't slept one blessed wink this evening! Oh it makes me so mad!!! Sometimes my body just does this. I hate it! I love sleep!

I'm blaming it on the Tazorac®. I put it on as instructed. My face has stung so bad all night. I think it's keeping me awake. I'm beginning to think maybe the acne's not so bad. Is that what it's supposed to do?

I have a full day today. I'm off to Charity school party this afternoon. And got another nasty unemployment letter, I was supposed to register with some Job Service. Well, they never informed me of this. Somehow I slipped through the cracks. It's not something I can do online, so I have to go to some Scaryville place and fill out the paperwork. Needless to say, I'm not going without Dave due to the location, so when he gets out at 3:30pm we have to race there before they close at 4:30pm. That's going to throw off our plans for this evening, but we're hoping we can fit it all in . . .

By the way, Happy . . .

. . . however you celebrate!! This is we 3 Cookies. Guess who's who!

25 Years and we're all still kids!!

Housed in the back of the bonus room closet in a Rubbermaid® tote you will find Corinne Winnie, Bronwen Heartha and Lori Ann.

Now settle, no need to report me to child services! They aren't real people (though there was a day you couldn't have convinced me of that!). They are my Cabbage Patch Kids®, and yes, I still have them! I loved them!! Who didn't like Cabbage Patches®? Those cute little cheeks on the front and the back and their signature tattoo.

Corinne was an original. She is well worn, her eyes are even gone. I think I spilled something on her face and they came off, so I had to draw new ones on! Bronwen is my Cornsilk addition. She has shiny, thick, brown hair and a really pretty taffeta dress. She's my favorite and is in much better condition, since I received her at an older age. And Lori Ann, she's my little brown baby, with Crimp 'n Curl® hair. I was way too old for dolls when I got her . . . but you see I've never outgrown them.

I'm lead to believe there are others out there in the same boat. Because I should hope someone's not paying over $3000 for Election Exclusive: One-of-a-Kind Cabbage Patch Kids® Sarah Palin to give it to their 3 year-old for Christmas. Oh dear!

Right now, the current bid is $3,100.

John McCain and Barack Obama are tied at $1,025.

And nobody's too thrilled about Joe Biden, he's only at $610.

Ummmm . . . people . . . do you see who's in the lead? Oh, no media, no one likes Sarah Palin. Um-hummm.

Well, the auction actually ends on, you guessed it, Nov. 4th. So we'll just have to wait and see who comes out on top of this e-BaY action, as well as the race to the presidency.

Taz-o-what?!?!

. . . is what I thinking when the pharmacist told me this wee lil' tube of gel was going to be $50 (and that's after my insurance covered the first $85). You have to be kidding me!?!

But this is the option I had to go to since nothing on earth is making this acne clear up. It is ridiculous for a someone nearly 30, 13 I can understand, but 29, no way! I've already had my share.

All I have to say is, it better do the trick! I'll keep you posted, for sure!

Home Improvements

The Dining Room Revolution:

2005 (when we bought our house)

2006

2007And finally 2008!! I'm so proud of Dave. He did all this picture frame molding himself with his little miter saw! He's becoming such a handy man! . . . Dad, doesn't it look pretty good for his first time? . . .

Usually we tackle these painting projects together, but because I had such a crazy week/weekend he did it all himself. (Well, I did a little, little bit of sanding!)

It's not complete, we haven't got anything on the walls. We have drapes, but we need to get fixtures to hang them. So not finished . . . but getting there!

But I guess those finishing touches will be my job. And for now, Dave has moved onto his next molding project . . . doing something with the boring pillars.

When he's done, they'll look more like these:

Dave, I love you! You're the best! Thank you for making my wishes your next assignment! :D

2008 Best Places To Work in Maine

(Small Category)

1 Jøtul North America
2 Manpower
3 MEMIC
4 Patrons Oxford Insurance Company
5 Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
6 Edward Jones
7 Pierce Atwood LLP
8 Cintas Corporation
9 Machias Savings Bank
10 SMRT
11 MOUNTAIN, LTD.
12 Tom's of Maine
13 Berry Talbot Royer
14 Oxford Networks
15 Pioneer Telephone
16 GreenPages Technology Solutions
17 PowerPay, LLC
18 Baker Newman Noyes

Thought this was a neat little report, since the 9th place company is a where I started my banking career. I am none too surprised since it was my favorite job I've ever had. I'd still be there today if we hadn't moved from Machias 9 years ago. Oh well, God had different plans. Can hardly wait for the next step He has for me!

Touched by an Angel

Had my annual wellness visit yesterday. Fun, fun! Everything's well, my blood pressure, cholesterol . . . . except, I think I'm losing my mind.

Parked my car in the wreckage parking garage (have I ever mentioned how much I had those thing? Yuck!!) and rushed into my appointment a little late. Of course, some 2 hours later, headed back out to my car. Thought I came out tracking my exact steps in. But couldn't find my car anywhere? 20 minutes later I called Dave and asked him what I should do. He told me to hit the key fob, but I knew I was nowhere even close to the car.

"You don't understand! I'm almost to the point of tears!"

He said, "Just be calm . . ."

And then I lost him, since service was sketchy in that crazy cement death trap.

Mind you, it was a little after lunch, the elevators were crazy busy, people, patients and paramedics coming and going non-stop. I couldn't really find anyone that would know were my car would be.

Finally, I got in the elevator, yet, again, this time for the first time all day, all by myself . . . at first. Just as the door started to close, a little old man jumped on. He was a valet parker, wearing the red vest, but his had a big heart button pinned to it. I figured he would know this parking garage like the back of his hand, so I'd ask him for some assistance. Before I could get the words out of my mouth, he asked me where I was going, hitting the button to the floor where he was headed. I explained to him I didn't know, but I knew I parked in the T section (I thought that would be enough to find my car, but evidently I wasn't on the right floor). He toke my ticket and looked at it. He said, "You're probably in the Basement level."

Sure enough. And that sweet, old man made sure I got to my car before he went on to his destination.

I was thinking I need to find a doctor closer to home and not in the middle the the gigantic Vanderbilt campus with those crazy parking garages, but when she asked me if I was having trouble with my weight (me thinking she was referring to the 5-8 lbs. I've gained while being unemployed). She interrupted my thoughts saying, "You're just so skinning!" It all came back to me, why I go through all the trouble to go see her!! She's so nice. She made my whole day!!

Thank God for people like that valet parker that went out of his way and helped this lost girl out. And my nurse practitioner who made me feel good despite my "expanding", unemployed self. God bless them!

Ladies of the House

After 3 years, I've finally figured out the timer on my camera! Oh dear . . . should I read the manual? Charity thought this was cool, so we were playing with this feature down at Gramma's. Not a lot of pictures of us 3, so I thought I'd share!

Laptop Time

I told Dave I'm not doing anything today but sit on the sofa and work on my laptop. Yep, he agreed. That's what I need to do . . . since I haven't applied for any jobs in a while!

So between applying for jobs, I'll be posting this weekends events. Stay tuned . . .

Fourth (and final!!): Trunk or Treat!

We headed to a community Trunk or Treat at a local church since our church didn't have a service tonight. Charity opted to be Cinderella (like any princess, she has a million outfits to choose from). The weather was very reasonable. It's no fun when it's freezing cold. Finally the end to a very busy weekend!!

They have a free hot dog dinner. Cinderella ate all her hot dog! :o)

I included some of these pics even though they're not too clear. The northern folks may be wondering what Trunk or Treat is. I didn't have a clue until we moved here. You go trunk to trunk and get candy. It very convenient. Wish we did this when I was a kid! Some people go all out. Others just sit in their trunk.

Boo!

Believe it there was a car behind that barn. These people went all out!

Third: Kylie's Birthday Party

As of Sunday morning we still didn't have a gift for Kylie (Charity's school friend, who we meet at school every morning so they can walk into together) and her party was this afternoon. Me, yep, Last Minute Lu-lu! Well, I didn't want to get it earlier in the week because Charity is horrible at keeping secrets!

When we arrived at church, Dave (he goes earlier than us, since we're usually late . . . imagine that!!) informed us that church didn't start until 10:30am. Since it before 10, I decided Charity and I would run real quick and get Kylie's gift . . . finally.

My intentions were to get her a Claire's gift card, we got there and they didn't open until 1pm, the same time as her party. Uuggggg . . . so we headed up to Target and got her some princess coloring book and markers. It will do the trick.

Didn't have it, but took a quick second and snapped some shots of Charity in her red boots by the guitar. Couldn't resist.


Off to church we flew!!

After church it was a quick lunch, clothes change, wrap the gift and off to "Circus World". That place scares me, but since it wasn't really an option, I endured. However, there were lots of paint cans Kylie's mom had to asked to be moved, so it looks like they're making some improvements?!

Charity, Faith & Sarah Elizabeth in the Bus!


Enjoying pizza with Faith:



Dancing Queens:



Pelting poor Adam with balls. Girls!



Relaxing in a ball bath! (These things scare me . . . can you imagine the germs!! Ewwwww!)

Have your cake and eat it too!

Bumper Cars (I knew Char was getting a little tired when she went out to get a car and when there weren't any open she ran back crying. The 2nd time around we were able to get one.) I could tell she was hesitate, but I think she had fun once she figured out how to "drive"!


Shifting it into overdrive!! (My little camera and the poor lightening made these pictures turn out pretty lousy.)

Happy Birthday, Kylie!

Second: 1st Annual Beet Fest

So it turned out to be a real fun time, not that I thought it would be anything different. And the beets weren't that bad! Believe it or not. We had a small, quaint group. I guess the whole theme kinda' scared some?!?

Allison, greeted party goers at the door with her festive glasses!

Here is the Beet Gallery. Allison, a major contributor, took the beet pictures, scrapbooked the beets and painted the beets.

Charlene donned a shirt she made herself from beet juice! How creative!
"My ♥ beets for beets!"

We ate our beet fare.

Allison made Chilled Beet Soup, Charlene made a rice/beet dish, and thankfully Mysty made a chicken dish, just in case anyone was allergic to beets! Ha! She also contributed her mother's pickled beets, to whom we hail our Beet Fest. Everything was very yummy and colorful as you can see!!

My beet cake, you would never know it had beets, they're pureed and just make extra moist.

We did beet art:

We wore black and denim! Thought that was neat!?! It wasn't planned! You would think we would have all worn red . . . beet red! Guess we were worried about the stains! :)


Then I challenged the girls to the "Beet Trivia" I came up with.

Allison beet!! She got 4 out of 10, so she gets to take home the "You beet" prize . . . a homemade beet.


Here's the questions. If you think you can do better than Allison . . . maybe I"ll make you a beet!

~ Beet Trivia ~
Do you know your beet facts?

1. __________ True or False: 1/5 of the world’s sugar supply comes from sugar beets.

2. How many pounds of sugar beets are needed to produce five pounds of sugar?
a. 5 b. 20 c. 50 d. 100

3. __________ True or False: In prehistoric times beets were cultivated using the root as food and their leaves as a hallucinogen.

4. __________ True or False: There are numerous varieties of beets including golden, white, candy cane, sugar and mangold.

5. If you eat 1500 calories in a day and eat only beets, how many cups would you eat in one day?
a. 4 b. 10 c. 14 d. 20

6. __________ True or False: The name beet comes from the fact that when the seed pods swell they look like the Greek letter beta.

7. The beet, a member of the order of flowering plants called Caryophyllales , is not related to this plant:
a. carnations b. Venus fly traps c. dandelions d. spinach

8. Which god/goddess did the Greeks once presented beets to as a form of worship?
a. Hestia, goddess of the hearth and home
b. Gaia, goddess of earth.
c. Dionysus, god of wine, parties/festivals, madness and merriment.
d. Apollo, the sun god.

9. In which country are pickled beets commonly put on hamburgers?
a. Lithuania b. Morocco c. Australia d. Canada

10. ________ True or False: Some people are susceptible to the harmless condition: "beeturia," the passing of red colored urine and stools after eating beets.

Charity wanted her picture with the beet Mommy made. She was a little sad we didn't get to keep it, but I assured her, I could whip her one up if she really wanted one. I wonder what she'll think if she finds a beet in her stocking this year!?!?

~ Beet Trivia Answers ~

1. False. One-third of the world’s sugar supply comes not from sugar cane, but from a special variety of beets known as the sugar beet?
2. (d) 100 ~ Approximately 100 pounds of sugar beets are needed to produce five pounds of sugar.
3. False. Beets were cultivated in prehistoric times for their leaves. The early Romans ate the tops, reserving the roots for medicinal purposes.
4. True. There are numerous varieties: Common Beets (for consumption and for food coloring),
Golden Beets, White Beets, Chiogga (otherwise known as Candy Cane due to its white and red marbling color), Sugar Beets (used for sugar production and fermentation), and Mangold (mainly for fodder) are some of the most popular.
5. (d) 20 cups x 75 = 1500 ~ One cup of beets contains about 75 calories.
6. True. The name beet comes from the fact that when the seed pods swell they look like the Greek letter beta.
7. (c) dandelions ~ Beets (beta vulgaris) are a member of the order of flowering plants called Caryophyllales, which also includes bougainvillea, cacti, amaranth, carnations, spinach, and Venus fly traps.
8. (d) Apollo, the sun god ~ The Greeks presented beets to the sun god Apollo in the temple at Delphi.
9. (c) Australia ~ In Australia, pickled beets are commonly put on hamburgers.
10. True. Beeturia is harmless but is often mistaken for the dangerous conditions of blood in the urine or stool.