Too Cute to Spook

Today is Halloween!! My kids love this holiday. I have to admit, I love it also! I can remember as a kid getting dressed up in our plastic costumes with the masks, and then putting on heavy winter coats to go out trick or treating. Of course, I lived up north then. This year was my youngest daughter's first time trick or treating. She's 3. At first she didn't want to even put her costume on, but once it was on her and she saw herself in the mirror, she didn't want to take it off! Even without her costume, she is a princess.

My oldest daughter was the Bride of Darkness. She wore the same costume last year, but this time added white face paint and sprayed her hair black. For some reason, she always get comments on her costume!

My oldest son decided that he was too old to trick or treat and wanted to just go around the neighborhood with his friends and scare little kids instead! However, I did see him later on during the night with a bag of candy. So much for being too old!!

My youngest son went out as a blue power ranger this year. He is 6 and really gets into the thought of free candy. Who can blame him?

This year I bought a costume and went out with them! I was the queen. This dress is pretty cool. It has a hoop skirt, so unfortunately it makes you look much larger than you are! Oh well.

Once the sugar rush wears off I am heading to bed. Tomorrow we are going to the Montgomery Zoo. I hear that it's pretty nice. Hopefully the weather will be good and I can get lots of pictures.

I hope everyone had a nice, and safe, night!!

Finally Fall!!

I love the fall!! It's my favorite season, when the weather changes and you can tell someone has their fireplace going just by the smell in the air (rather than lighter fluid from backyard bbq's). I like seeing the leaves change colors and hearing them crunch when you step on them. I like to wear warm sweaters, see my breath when I talk and have that "rosy cheeks" look. It's the most perfect time of year.

I decided to take Maeve up to Warm Springs to look at the leaves changing colors. When I lived in New England I only had to look out the window, but here in the south, if I want to see red and gold leaves, I have to drive to them. It's true what they say. Once you don't have something anymore, you realize how much you miss it. Anyhow, I did manage to see a red tree or two, but most of them are still green. Sorry the photo didn't come out great, I took it through the windshield because it started raining when we got there! Story of my life!!

I put up a few decorations for the holidays. You have to when you have little kids. Maeve likes climbing on the bales of hay! Hmm, it's missing something - oh yeah! Pumpkins!! I haven't made it to the pumpkin patch yet. It's on my to-do list, along with a hundred other things! This past Friday night I went to my kids' school's fall festival. I bid on a few silent auction items, and WON!! I can't list a couple of them because they are Christmas gifts, but the scrapbook basket is all mine!!

Tomorrow I am having someone from my cable company come out to fix my phone, cable and computer problems. I've had no home phone, and my computer has only started working today. If I had a home business, I'd be out of business by now. They'll be here sometime between 8 and 12. Nothing like sitting around all day waiting. Maybe I can clean something? Nah.

I'm baaaaack!

Since there was no school on Monday or Tuesday, I decided to take my kids for a quick trip to Florida for the weekend. It wasn't a planned trip or anything. It really depended on report cards. Well, Aislinn was right, she had all A's and 1 B. Aidan, who never said a word, got all A's!! Even Declan brought home a great card. He is in Kindergarten so they don't get the letter grade yet. More like "Meets", "Exceeds", etc. He either exceeds in everything or meets the requirements for the grade. His teachers are always commenting on how smart he is. Enough on my genius kids!!

So, we didn't really have an agenda while we were in Florida. I had thought I'd take them to a theme park. It didn't happen. First off, the car ride there was from hell. From the time we left the driveway, the kids argued almost the WHOLE way! Did I mention that it's about a 7 hour ride? I also forgot my sunglasses. Not a big deal, but when you get really bad headaches daily, the sunglasses are a blessing. Less than an hour after we got to my mom and dad's place, Aislinn and Declan started arguing over who gets which cupcake! Give me a break - it's flour and water!! Well, Aislinn pushed Declan into a kitchen cabinet and it broke. Do you have any idea how hard you need to hit a cabinet for it to break?! In the end, Aidan got that cupcake. They also picked at their supper and complained about it. When did my kids decide that they are entitled to things and get bratty? They sure act that way. Needless to say, I think my parents were glad to see us go.

Before I went to my mother-in-law's house, I met up with an old friend of mine, Sally, from high school. I haven't seen her in over 11 years. We met at her sister Mary's house for a cookout. Well, between Sally, Mary and myself, we have 11 children. Talk about outnumbered! Their ages are from 3 - 18. See them all! A good looking bunch of kiddos! I miss seeing them already. It's amazing how fast kids grow up. I was there when several of these kids were born, and I'm not talking about my own. Anyhow, in high school I used to be very thin. I mean, I wore a size 3 at graduation! I figured rather than worry about the weight I've gained over the years, told myself we all probably gained some weight, right? Humph. Apparently God has a funny sense of humor. Mary and Sally look exactly the same as they did years ago. Where are my anti-depressants!! Time to do something about it. I mean it. This time, I really mean it. Well, at least I'll try. What can I say, I love food. Til later....

Part 2

My phone is working again! We just got our service back this morning. Pretty soon our phone will be ringing off the hook and we will wish it didn't work. For now, friends of my kids are calling my cell phone!! They can't remember to do their chores or homework, but my cell phone number is just resting at the tip of their tongues waiting for a friend to ask what it is.

This coming Monday and Tuesday my kids are having their "fall break" at school. I was thinking of taking the kids to Florida to see my parents. I know that they were just here, but now that gas is dropping I thought it would be nice to take advantage of it. Who knows, next month over Thanksgiving it could be back up, and we won't be going anywhere. If I do go to Florida, I thought I'd take the kids to a theme park. Maybe Sea World or one of the Disney parks. Not sure yet, still undecided.

I stumbled across a new site/blog today. It's a Cuttlebug Challenge blog. It provides so many great ideas. Folders that I have never been interested in, are starting to look appealing. Not such great news for my husband!! Actually the folders are pretty cheap and if you have a hobby lobby or Michael's, you can get them even cheaper. Gotta love a bargain. I promise to create something soon and post a picture. Not now though. I'm off to bed.

School Days and More

Yesterday I had a conference with my one of my daughter's teachers. I've never met her and wanted to see how Aislinn was doing. I am happy to say that all went well. Report cards come out tomorrow. If she is telling me the truth, she will have all A's and 1 B. My son, however, isn't saying a word. I'm sure he will do just fine. Last year they were both in a private school. I would have liked to have kept them there, but the tuition spiked way up. That and the gas hike wasn't going to cut it this year. The public school seems to be working out. My youngest son went there last year and liked it. I also had good experiences with the teachers and administration. Plus the school is only 3 miles away. So, it's like getting a pay increase this year!

Declan had his birthday party this past Saturday at the karate studio. He liked it and wants to have it there next year, too! Even though the kids from his class at school didn't come (or even RSVP, but that's another story and a HUGE pet peeve of mine), we had not only a good number of kids come, but the right mix of kids. No one got hurt and they all had a great attitude. I hope they all had fun. I know at least one did, his mom booked his party right then and there.

Today I made a cake. Yup, I baked. Betty Crocker I am not, but every now and then I manage to come up with something worth sharing. Anyhow it's called Butterscotch Swirl Cake. My kids were all excited and couldn't wait to dig in. The problem: my husband asked me to make it so he can take it to work tomorrow. Oops. Looks like next time I have to make 2 so my kids can have some. I first made it for Father's Day and it was so good, my son requested it for his birthday! Want the recipe...

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
6 eggs
3 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream
1 package (3.4 oz.) instant butterscotch pudding mix
3/4 cup butterscotch ice cream topping

GLAZE:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 5 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in extracts. Combine the flour, baking soda and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition.
Transfer 2 cups of batter to another large mixing bowl; beat in the pudding mix, butterscotch topping and remaining egg until well blended.Pour half of the plain better into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Top with half of the butterscotch batter; cut through with a knife to swirl. Repeat layers and swirl.
Bake at 350 for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar and mil. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth and creamy. Drizzle over cake, sprinkle with pecans.
Yield: 12 servings YUMM-O!!!

No phone service?

No wonder it's been quiet here. I haven't had home phone service for at least 3 days now. It's kind of nice not having to answer the phone, especially when it's just going to be for your daughter anyways. Although when you're waiting for over 15 people to RSVP to a birthday party that you have coming up THIS WEEKEND, it's rather difficult. I mean, how many kids am I supposed to plan for? Hopefully the phone will be restored soon.

This past Sunday I went to my first Stampin Up club. We meet once a month and make some really cute things. I always have a good time getting together with some nice ladies who share the same hobby as myself. Whenever I talk about scrapbooking or stamping, my husband gets this glazed look over his eyes, like he's trying to mentally will himself in front of the television to watch the baseball game. I know he's pretending to listen to be polite, but it's really nice having the conversations with women who get it. Anyhow, this month I got to be the hostess! Yay!! I didn't order hardly anything, mostly used my credit. But I can't wait for everything to get it so I can play with it all.

The rest of the week has been the typical chaos at home. I am almost done organizing my scrapbook room. I'd really like to paint it and add shelves, but for now I will keep it as a dining room. I like staying busy, but today I had a terrible migraine. I don't get them often, but when I do, it's awful. I wanted to just lie down and sleep it off in the dark, but my kids wouldn't let me. Naturally. That's alright. Someday they'll have children of their own and...WAIT! Oh my God! I sound just like my mother!!

I am going to Wrapper's Delight in November. It's a weekend thing in Alabama where you can scrapbook for over 36 hours straight. I am really looking forward to it. I signed up for the secret santa swap and yesterday I received "my person". Armed with everything she had written down on her wish list, I went shopping. I had a lot of fun browsing the stores today looking for just the right things to buy her. I hope she enjoys them. I have to send out one more package this month and then I can meet her at WD. It's going to be a blast!!

Happy Birthday to you, you live in a zoo!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my beautiful daughter, Aislinn!! These past 11 years have gone by so fast. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. You have always been such a joy in our life and each day when I wake up, I thank God for giving me another day to be your mom. I love you. Oh yeah, enjoy your new ipod (and the clothes!)!!

Deja Vu

Ever have deja vu? Lately I have it all the time. I think I need medication. Either that or I am losing my mind.

I've been looking for new music to add to my blog. I heard the end of this song on the radio the other day and have been looking for it ever since. Last night, oh, around 3am. I was wide awake reading a magazine and came across an article about this song, "Mercy" and it's singer. I LOVE this song. It reminds me of the 50's and 60's music. Anyhow, it's been added to my blog, so if you get a minute, listen to it. :)

Well I am all set for company. I've gone to the grocery store and have pretty much cleaned my house. I know that it is going to be completely trashed within minutes of my parent's and son's arrival, but at least it will be clean when they get here.

Is it Thursday already?

My son, Aidan, finished his Disney cruise this morning. He called me all excited to tell me that he bought Webkinz on the ship. Who goes on a Disney cruise and buys something you can get at a store in the mall?? Apparently, my son does. Hopefully when he comes home tomorrow he will have other treasures with him that have those telltale ears on it. He did bring his digital camera, but I guess whenever he took a picture, it only saved until he took another one. God only knows what he has it set on. I am so thankful that my mom took over 500 pictures!! I can't wait to get started scrapbooking them! They are bringing him home and are spending the weekend with us. My daughter, Aislinn, has her birthday Saturday. Right now, it's all about her. She does not want to hear about Aidan's trip at all. She wants all the attention. She's going to be 11. I bought her a really cool gift that she's going to love, but in case she happens to read this, I can't post what it is. :) I told her it's clothes!! Nothing like tormenting a child. hehehe!

So, my friend Michelle had a glitter accident in her scrap room, which has inspired me to get mine in order. I have a lot of stuff, but it's all over the place. Oh, guess what I found in there this afternoon. A scorpion! Near my scrapbook stuff! A scorpion! No matter how many times I say it, it still amazes me. Yes, it was real, and thankfully dead. Apparently I must not have made myself clear when I moved here. I am a city girl. Animals like this need to stay away from me. Dogs and cats along with the occasional bird are fine, but all else - YUCK! Anyhow, I still want to move in another table so I have a separate cutting area. In my mind, the room turns out fabulous and I never want to leave it. Hopefully it will live up to my expectations! When it's all done, maybe I'll post a photo or two.

Yesterday was close to chaos around here. Think you're busy? Three of my kids are into something. Declan has karate on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6pm. Aidan has cub scouts Wednesday evenings at 6:30. Aislinn has soccer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, games on Saturdays, chorus Wednesday immediately after school, and immediately following that she has girl scouts until 6pm. I have soccer practice on Wednesday evenings with games on Sundays. I am running every day of the week, except Friday. Wednesday is the only day I need to be in four places at once. If anyone can figure out how to do that I'd love to hear it! Anyone??