For Future Reference

Timo and Bubs should never, ever be given pokers.

Not much contemplating lately...

But there's very little time for it! Our pace has definitely kicked up a few notches. Baseball, meetings, work around the house...all keep us hoppin'. But that's alright. (Darius Rucker has definitely influenced that thought, especially since I'm listening to him right now)

But life is good. We're missing some people, so the pace is good. It keeps us from being sad, and keeps us moving forward.

Mountain Man to Mr. Fixit.

Really, I think if our car was torn to pieces and our house was blown apart, Big Dad could fix it. He can fix just about anything!

So as I walked...

past the cafeteria today, I heard a little voice say, "Mind if I walk with you?"

I looked down to see this little boy looking up at me, half my size, with this angelic facial expression.

I was honored to walk with him.

Totally made my day.

Missing Chris Today...

He would be 37 years old today. Wow. It has almost been 20 years since he passed away. He was a great little brother.

Think Bad of Me If You Will....

But I am a Survivor Addict. I don't know what it is, except that there's this sociological aspect to the game that I love. You're throwing 20 strangers together for 39 days, and they have to survive in rugged terrain, all while jockeying for a final position at the end of the game.

I lost interest for a couple of years. It seems that it was a bit too predictable. But last year sucked me back in with the whole Dragon Slayer bit, and it looks like I'm going to be sucked back in again this year. Manipulation and backstabbing is expected each year, but this time it's a contestant that throws things a bit. He's more than manipulative and backstabbing. He's mean and conniving! It will be interesting to watch and see how long it takes for everyone to realize what he's up to.

As much as I yell and scream at the TV when contestants fail to vote off the obvious troublemaker week after week, I have to say that if I were there, I would probably be one of them. I, too, tend to take people at face value and try to believe what they tell me, though age and experience has made me a little wiser. I do like the police woman. She's on to the bad guy right off the bat. I'd love to see the good prevail!

My vote: Police woman. We'll see how it turns out!

It's feeling a little like Fall

The weather is beginning to cool, the pumpkins are coming out at the stores, and the halloween decorations are making an appearance as well.

It's Fall. Or close to it. And I love it.

I'm not sure why this season appeals to me so much. I enjoy the rich colors of the season, the break from the weather, the busy-ness of life. It's the season of baseball, of school routines, of holidays and celebrations. It's about family and extended family coming together, an excuse to see each other after so many months or even years apart. It's about food, sharing recipes, talking and playing games around the table.... it's the thing that makes me just take in a breath and sigh.

I feel content during this time of year. Happy with how things are going in our lives.

Enjoy your Close-to-Fall day. I'm off to watch some baseball games.

Just finished painting

My livingroom. I think I'm gonna like it. Beach house. Where do they come up with these color names?

It's starting to feel Fall-ish

Time for a Gilmore Girls marathon!

So proud of Em...

OK, not only can the girl come back to the States, get her license in three weeks, go to school and get on the Dean's list.....

The girl can change the serpentine belt in her car!

Amazing.

More painting...

We're painting some more today. I wonder who will stop by....