The Experience

This year, as mentioned in the previous post, Brad came with us to the pumpkin patch. Brad's technique in choosing a pumpkin differs significantly from mine. He likes to grab and go while I like to wander around and look at all my options and visualize what the possibility of each choice could be. At some point during our trip I told the kids one of my favorite stories about the time when we were first married, when Kelsi was a baby and we went 2 days before Christmas to choose a Christmas tree out of a Christmas Tree lot. And how we finally made it after dark and it was raining, and how while I was unbuckling Kelsi out of her car seat and getting out the stroller and the umbrella, Brad had jumped out of the vehicle, grabbed the first tree he saw, paid for it and had thrown it in the back of the truck. We were on our way back home before I even got started. Of course we all laughed at the story and then Brad made a comment that I've been thinking about ever since. He said, "Kids, mom just likes to enjoy the experience." You know what? That is very profound and absolutely true. The thing is, while I like the experience for me, I also want my friends and family to enjoy the experience with me. And, this year, amazingly enough everyone humored me in that. Everyone went to the pumpkin patch, almost everyone carved their pumpkin and everyone dressed up, got pictures taken and participated in halloween festivities. It was AWESOME! Brad even went with the disguise of my choosing. I hope I didn't pressure him, I just made it available, if he should choose to wear it. But you have to admit we made a cute couple!?

Kelsi, costume queen, decided to be a chimney sweep. She didn't need any help putting it together and true to form, she just took a little bit of this and a little bit of that and voila! She could seriously be on the set of Mary Poppins!

Afton has definite ideas about what she does or does not want to be. But time and time again she has chosen to be some sort of witch. Unfortunately to find a modest and cute costume she has to look in the "tween" section of the halloween store and because of her height most of them are too short and too tight. This year was no exception, she wanted to be a candy corn witch but we had to settle for this instead (a tiny bit short, but over all not too bad) Unfortunately because we ordered online we didn't realize that hat would be too small. She cut the band off and used it in her hair, but still, not quite the same as wearing a pointy hat.

Brady also has definite ideas about costumes. We have been talking about his costume all year. The girls and I were big advocates of him being Ace Ventura, Pet Detective! (How cute would that have been?) He humored us for a while and then went with... "Blind Guy". Whatever! Again, he knew EXACTLY what he wanted right down to the shape of the hat, the tint of his glasses and the specifics of the trench coat. I was dying, I knew there was no way we would find what he was looking for, but amazingly enough we found the perfect trench coat at Goodwill for $12. I didn't think that was possible at Goodwill anymore. He looked good and loved being in character.

As mentioned Brad went with a costume of my choosing. I wanted us to be an angel and a devil. He wanted to be the invisible man, frankenstein, austin powers and a myriad of other characters. I don't know if he was just being nice, ran out of time, or thought my idea MIGHT actually be a good idea, or maybe it was a combination of all. But we did end up going as an angel/devil couple. He fits the character though, right?

Since I was in charge of the Trunk or Treat at church I wanted to be festive and dress up, but I didn't want to be something that would detract. How perfect! And angel! I was amazed though at how hard it was to find a modest angel costume (lame). I was gearing myself up to make a costume (not my desire or my strong point) and then I came across an inexpensive "toga" costume! It worked out just right!!

I don't think we've ever dressed as a "couple". This is something I've always wanted to do (ever since watching the Brady Bunch where Mr. and Mrs. Brady go as Anthony and Cleopatra) Thanks Brad for giving me the "experience." I don't know why I'm like that, but it's good to be humored once in a while.

It's Tradition

It had been a tradition in the past few years for the kids and me to bring one of our dogs with us to the Pumpkin Patch. This year, one was not available, so we brought Brad. We like it better that way.

Guess What Today Is???

IT'S MOLE DAY!!!

(I bet you thought I was going to say something else huh?)

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it,

Mole Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated among chemists in North America on October 23, between 6:02 AM and 6:02 PM^[1], making the date 6:02 10/23 in the American style of writing dates. The time and date are derived from the Avogadro constant, which is approximately 6.02×10²³, defining the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in a mole, one of the seven base SI units

Humph! I have NO idea what that even means -- lol

For Chemistry AP Kelsi had to make a "Mole" with a cute and clever name. She chose "Sherlock Molemes" (Elmolementary Dear Watson) It was adorable! Akkkk! Why didn't I take a picture of it? Suffice it to say it had a hat, pipe, magnifying glass, coat and tie.

Her other options were "Phantom of the Molepra" (Rodent of Music) "Moleses"(Let My Peopmole Go) or "The Scarlet Pimpermole" (Sink me, your gardeners have betrayed you.)

Still Sweet, Still Sixteen...

Did anyone out there realize that Kelsi is 16 and has been for more than 6 months? Ok, some of you may know, but it is no thanks to me. I hog-tied her back then and made her pose for some pictures (not her favorite activity). I fully intended to post about her 16th birthday but alas, I never did. I am repenting and posting about her now.

Here are some things I love and appreciate and admire about Kelsi

~ easy to have a conversation with

~ has her own style

~ isn't overly concerned about how others see her

~ a hopeless romantic

~ loves to learn

~ a deep thinker

~ beautiful

~ truthful

~ good sense of humor

~ not embarrassed about her family (too much)

~ has a VERY creative mind

~ feels deeply

~ resourceful

~ stunning eyes

~ careful

~ loving

~ keeps her cool (mostly)

~ good student

~ chooses the right

~ solid and stable

~ good example

~ talented in piano playing, movie editing, writing, drawing and scriptural knowledge.

At the risk of sounding too much like a proud and pleased mother, I'll curtail my list. But my heart is full and my tears are overflowing thinking about my sweet, loving 16 1/2 year old. I love you Kelsi!

P.S. She gets her braces off starting in tomorrow! Woot! Woot!

Doctors I've Loved

As most of you know I drive around a lot during the day. Sometimes I put my time to good use by memorizing poems or scriptures or listening to conference. This is what I did today. I thought about all the TV shows I've watched over the years and I started realizing that I like lots of shows with Doctors. Here's a run down, because I know you love my comentary about useless, meaningless trivia about pop culture. (In no particular order)

Dr. Doug Ross - E.R.

Of course I have to put him first! Brad calls him "The Head Wagger" - but he's still quite charming don't you think? E.R was never the same without him.

Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable - Cosby Show

I learned lots of life skills and human relation skills from the Cosby show.

Dr. Hawkeye Pierce - MASH

I never watched this show in primetime (more like I wasn't allowed to watch.) But when Brad and I were first married we watched the reruns almost every night. Hawkeye is a brilliant character.

Dr. Gregory House - House

Could there be a more quirky, dysfunctional, brilliant doctor? Ya gotta love him. And I just have to say, I LOVE this photo, something about the blue tile in the background! And here's to all the other doctors on the show too. I like them as well.

Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy - Star Trek

I have many people to thank for this, Quentin Decker, Sharon Kennsinger, and now Brad - he has downloaded a lot of these old shows.

"For gosh sakes Jim, I'm a doctor not a physicist!"

I also have to give Karl Urban props too. I loved him as Bones in the new Star Trek movie!

Dr. Fraiser Crane -Fraiser

Again, dysfunctional and totally lovable and funny!

(Niles always got the best lines though.)

Dr. Doogie Howser - Doogie Howser

Again, I never watched it while it was in primetime. I caught up with it on Nick at Night back in the day. And Neil Patrick Harris still cracks me up. Have you seen his commercial for Old Spice? Google it!

Dr. Adam Bricker (Doc) - Love Boat

Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Hee hee hee! Ho Ho Ho!

That's all I have to say about that.

Dr. Michaela Quinn - Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

I LOVED this show. I'm sure it wasn't as great as I remember, but I couldn't get enough of it. And why, almost 20 years later does Jane Seymore look EXACTLY the same? not fair.

Dr. Beverly Crusher - Star Trek The Next Generation

I love that her real name is Gates.

Also, in all fairness, I have to mention Dr. Katherine Pulaski who "took over" for Dr. Crusher in season 2. The audacity. Really, no one can replace Dr. Crusher. But after watching the reruns several times, I grew to appreciate her. But I was thrilled to get Dr. Crusher back.

And just for fun, I have to include someone from my stint of watching General Hospital. I remember the Quartermaines and several other doctors but I would never say I loved them. I liked Tony Jones, but was unable to find a picture of him. So I'm posting a picture of his "brother" Frisco Jones (who wasn't a doctor). He was played by Jack Wagner whom I liked better anyway. He sang on the show and was "married" to Felicia. (Ok, so it was a low point in my TV viewing)

(and just incase you were wondering, I didn't forget Grey's Anatomy and Scrubs. I just never really watched - you'd think I would since I am such a fan of shows with doctors.)

It really IS all about me!

This post is not to talk about my amazingly beautiful, smart and talented daughter. It's not to talk about our undefeated football team. It's not even to say how wonderful my husband is for splurging for a family season pass to all the high school home games. This is to talk about me, and my amazing photography skills! I took this picture last week of Afton cheering at a Freshman home game. I love everything about it. The colors, the lighting, the movement, the composition. I can't stop looking at it. Afton will tell you it is a horrible picture of her (which isn't true), but it doesn't matter... it's not about her, it's all about me! Yay ME!!!

Don't call us... We'll call you. NOT!

(this is a scrapbook page I did about my phone)

Today is Oct. 1st. I am looking forward to a day of peace and quiet. On Sept. 1st, I signed up at the "Do Not Call" list. The website said to give it 30 days and then any solicitor or telemarketer who calls after that date can be reported and fined. I don't know if I plan on reporting anyone, but I do hope it keeps the calls down.

As we all know these types of calls usually come at meal times or in the evening around 8pm. Sometimes I'll get 3 or 4 right in a row (usually while I am eating). Annoying!! I usually don't answer if our caller ID says any of the following... "Number Available" "Out of Area" or shows any number beginning with 888 or 866 (or pretty much any number that isn't an 831 or 408 number). I say good riddance.

If you want to go do this for yourself, go to www.donotcall.gov. It's easy! Why didn't I do this a long time ago?