THE GREAT PUMPKIN

Trick or Treat!

This is my second post today!

I couldn't let Halloween go by without sharing these pictures of Mr. Bubbles.

I think he very much would like for us to get that dog we have been thinking about.

What do you think?

BROKEN IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE

This blog could take a turn and become a

"Whoa is me" blog.

But I won't let that happen.

I have never been one to sit idle for long and let all of the bad take over.

I do have my moments though.

This week ranks right up there as being one of the worst.

Faith, my friends, it has become about good old fashion faith.

Thank goodness for my Bible Study and the series we are studying right now.

I was reminded this week that now matter how many things are crumbling around you,

there is always one constant and THAT constant is all you need anyways.

God isn't gonna change, ever, never.

So now that everything is spinning out of control, I'm concentrating on what is not.

Okay, so now here comes the "Whoa is me" part.....

Wednesday:

• Man of the House left to go out of town. He had to drive to Charlotte for an over night trip. My mom saw an ENT, who ran several test and saw a mass in her throat.

Thursday:

• My mom saw the surgeon who did a biopsy last Friday. I got a phone call around 4:30 saying the results were not good
• 5:00 - the Man of the House arrived home just in time to pack a bag, hug me and head out to the airport. He had a court date in Miami early Friday morning.
• 6:00 - me and #3 headed out for soccer practice. It was my week to drive carpool.
• 7:15 - #3 was doing awesome at practice, really taking some awesome shots, good hard ones. She also was really being aggressive. I noticed her holding her wrist and doubling over. She continues to play but doubles over holding her wrist occasionally. She continues to play with tears in her eyes. I was not overly concerned, this level of soccer is pretty tough, she is pretty tough and I am a tough mom. I've pretty much seen my kids in some bad situations.... ambulances, heat stroke, broken bones, concussions, lips and cheeks mangled in braces.... just to name a few.
• 7:30 - Practice is over, coach and I talk about the possibility of a sprained wrist. I get in my big ol' SUV full of sweaty, stinky girls and #3 lets loose all of the tears she held in while on the soccer field. We drop off all the girls and get a dad to take a look at the wrist. He raises his eyebrows and gives me a nod - no word - just a nod.
• 8:00 - Emergency room - sitting among all of the H1N1 and flu victims - x-rays - a room of our own - the smell of vomit everywhere - hours of waiting and alas the verdict..... TWO broken bones in the wrist
• 12:00 Home finally!
• 1:00AM #3 gets to bed

In the waiting room....

Finally in our own little private room.....we watched Food Network and salivated because we were both starving!

All splinted up. I take her to the orthopedist on Monday for the real official cast.

She had to take shower when we got home after midnight because there was no way I was going to let her sleep with me all stinky and soured!

That too was an ordeal, because we were both so tired and uncoordinated. It took us forever to get her arm all wrapped just right and by then it was really hurting.

Friday

was loaded with much of the same....

phone calls, bad news, tears, traffic, lots of Advil for #3, and a soccer game that was across town during rush hour.

#3 didn't play of course, but still needed to go.

The good news is that The Man of the House got home, I got to actually sit down, have a glass of wine, put my feet up, take a few deep breaths and feel normal!

Normal......it is good thing!

Keep on praying friends!

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NEW FUNITURE

Thank you for your prayers. I know nothing more today, but will know something later this week. All I know is that I am exhausted. You know what they say about worry. It is just like rocking. It keeps you busy but gets you no where. It also wears me out. Keep the prayers coming!

On to something else.............

Back in July, we ordered a piece of furniture for our den. For years, I've struggled with a big wall in our den. It swallowed up every piece of furniture I put up against it and also made every picture I hung on it look way too small. I was always rearranging the furniture we had to get the balance right, but nothing ever looked good.

We had a hutch made for the room and it finally came in a few weeks ago. I was nervous about the size of it, but now that it is here, I love it! It fits in the room perfectly and after 10 years, I finally feel like I got it right.

I bought nothing new to put on the shelves (yet). I am looking for a new lamp with some color and a smaller shade. I also need to get some candles for the iron piece in the top center.

It was nice to have a place to put some of my fall decorations.

I cannot wait to get my Christmas stuff on there!

I know I want to add some old books and some color, but I will just do that as I find things.

I also am looking for smaller pictures to put on the wall beside it, but they shouldn't be too hard to find.

I love the extra storage I have now. I don't have anything in there yet, but

I know I will not have any trouble finding things.

PRAYERS NEEDED

I am not sure that I really want to post this. I try to keep my blog about my immediate family and use it as a way to "scrapbook" our lives and time. I don't really post about our troubles and problems, I just try to keep it lighthearted. I really love meeting people from all over and enjoy reading your blogs and commenting. I feel, although we've just met via computer screens, some of us have a lot in common and our journeys are very similar.

The past several weeks have been really trying for me and I thought I'd share it with you and ask for your prayers. I know most of you are very faithful. I will the limit the story and details, but just know that there are a lot of things that are heavy on my heart right now.

My mother is potential very sick. She has been not feeling well for about six weeks and has lost weight. She has seen an oncologist and yesterday had a biopsy done. She has had an ultra sound on her throat and because of the results, she also will see an ENT specialist tomorrow. Blood work has been done and results will be given to her on Thursday.

Her doctor has told her that he didn't like the looks of things.

If you are a praying person please pray for her. Please pray for healing and strength. I have tried to stay positive and faithful, but like I said before, I am struggling right now.

Thanks Friends! I will keep you posted.

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TOP

I am not usually good at awards. I usually put them off until I forget about them or actually am too embarrassed at how late I am at acknowledging them.

I am doing good this time.

Frau, at West Family Adventures, gave this to me. Her blog was one of the first that I ever commented on. She moved to Germany just over a year ago from Utah and I have loved hearing about all of her travels and experiences. Right now she is trying to make me jealous because she is in Rome! It worked - I'm jealous! This is a one word challenge. I had to think about a couple of them.

1. Where is your cell phone? Car
2. Your hair? Flat
3. Your mother? Scottish
4. Your father? Irish
5. Your favorite food? Fattening
6. Your dream last night? None
7.Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Dream: 15lbs - Goal: Health
9. What room are you in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? This
11. Your fear? Drowning
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Beach
13. Where were you last night? Kitchen
14. Something that you aren't? Mathematical
15. Muffins? Chocolate
16. Wish list item? Furniture
17. Where did you grow up?NC
18. Last thing you did? Breakfast
19. What are you wearing? Sweats
20. Your TV? Live (with Regis and Kelly)
21. Your pet? Lap
22. Friends? Away
23. Your life? Evolving
24. Your mood? Lazy
25. Missing someone? No
26. Vehicle? Big
27. Something you're not wearing? Watch
28. Your favorite store? Shoe
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Recently
31. Last time you cried? Awhile
32. Your best friend? God
33. One place that I go to over and over? Grocery
34. One person who emails me regularly? Husband
35. Favorite place to eat? Brio

I'm to pass this award along to six Over The Top Blogs that I don't think have participated in this yet. If you'd like to play along too, feel free to join in. If not, NO pressure. Cut and paste these questions to your post. Please let me know if you play along.

1. MCW @ http://savingbestforlast.blogspot.com

2. Carrie @http://queenbullock.blogspot.com/

3. Joyce @http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/

4. Betsy @http://atimetoloveatimetolearn.blogspot.com/

5. Liz @http://www.amomonspin.com/

BACK FROM DISNEY

We got back from Disney World on Wednesday.

The Man of the House had a conference there.

I didn't realize it had been so long since our last visit, but #3 was four and she is now 12.

This was the first time I had been to Disney and didn't have a stroller to push around.

Let me just say, that it is a "whole new world" (pun intended) without a stroller and with only one child with you.

We had a great time!

#3 had never been anywhere with just us. This was the first time it was all about her and whatever she wanted.

We spoiled her, or at least tried to.

She at one point asked to stop asking her what she wanted or wanted to do.

This was our view from our room every morning.

We stayed at the Contemporary which is on the lake by Magic Kingdom.

I loved watching the fog over the lake as the sun came up.

This was the first time #3 went to Epcot.

In Animal Kingdom, there were a lot of unusual costumes and characters literally coming out of the woods. This was a girl dressed like a tree and she would walk in a way that looked like she was almost floating. I wish I could describe it better.

These boys were mesmerized by her and were really trying to figure her out.

They got so close to her once and when she turned to look at them and moved it scared them to death! I think they might have needed to change their clothes after she scared them.

Gorilla Drama

So these two guys were having some kind of issue with each other.

The one in the back was really ticked off with the other one.

The one in the front was pouting about something. Everytime

he would turn to look at the other one, the one against the wall would fold his arms in front of him and just glare and roll his eyes.

They reminded me of a bunch of girls!

This is the roller coaster in Animal Kingdom that I didn't ride.

#3 and her dad did and couldn't wait to get in line the second time.

They are in the fourth car from the left.

#3 was waving to me.

My feet hurt just looking at these shoes!

I hate any ride that drops.

Drops send me into a little panic.

I was terrified of the Tower of Terror.

I did it though!

That is the three of us on the back right side.

I buried myself under the Man of the House and didn't open my eyes the entire time.

I haven't been reading a lot of blogs the past couple of weeks.

Now that I am back, I cannot wait to catch up and see what everyone is up to.

It is good to get away from things, especially when Mickey is involved, but there is no place like home!

See you real soon!

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EXCUSE ME WHILE I RAMBLE AND COMPLAIN

I cannot believe it has been over a week since I last looked at this page. I have had a lot on my plate in the past week. Every night I promised myself I'd sign on and at least read and catch up with everybody, but I haven't even done that.

Here is what I've been doing over the past week...in no particular order of importance:

• #2 was home for Fall Break. It was so nice to have her here. The house just feels so different when she (or #1) is home. I love hearing them move around upstairs, the shower come on, the TV on or hearing them talking on the phone. I especially like hearing them talk to their little sister. She really misses them when they are at school. I know it sounds strange, but when I lay my head down at night, the house just feels different when they are here. ( I know I just repeated myself, but there no other words to describe it. )
• The Man of the House celebrated his B'day. I feel like such a bad wife because I didn't post one of those sweet celebratory posts about/to him. (sigh) We went out to eat at the Angus Barn, his favorite, and all of the girls were able to go with us. #1 drove from school and met us at the restaurant. #2 was already home because of Fall Break. We picked #3 up early from soccer practice and she wiped off in the car and changed clothes on the way. Seeing that she is 12, I think the days are numbered that she will actually let us cart her off somewhere all sweaty after practice. I see showers, blow-dryers and make-up in our future!! I don't blame her!

• My aunt from Texas was here for a week. I love it when she is here! She comes and stays at my other aunt's house here in Raleigh for a few days and then she and my mom go to my parent's house. There was a family reunion last weekend and we were not able to go because of.... you guessed it, an out of town soccer game. It is a shame, but it is just the way it is when your child is on an advanced traveling team. We did get to go out and eat and visit several times with her. They even surprised the MOTH with a birthday cake.

my two aunts and my mom (right)

• I have been cleaning like crazy. I started this "project" a month or so ago and took a little break from it, but now a I am back on track. I am/was so tired of all the stuffed drawers, cabinets, boxes and containers. I just couldn't take it anymore. I wish I took a picture of all of the big green trash bags full of paper that I have thrown away in the past week. I have been emptying and dumping things into piles and sorting through it one piece of paper at a time. Right now I am undecided how to get it all organized, so I have just made little piles all around my house. I am going to the office supply store or container store next week to figure out what I am going to do and how I am going to store and organize all of the stuff I am keeping. It is kind of funny that I am cleaning out containers, boxes and files just to go buy some more containers, boxes and files!


• Speaking of cleaning things out..... it went from summer to almost winter here overnight and #3 has hardly anything to wear. She has grown so tall since last winter none of her clothes fit her. Also, last year she loved Limited Too and Justice style clothes and now there is no way she would be caught wearing any of those sparkly, glittery things. I have cleaned out her drawers and closet plus our cedar closet and have taken several loads to Goodwill. I have had to go shopping just to get her enough things to get her through this cold spell until she can actually go shopping with me. With soccer and homework, our time is very limited.
• Bible Study started back. My church has a Wednesday morning Bible Study that I have been going to for years and it runs from fall through spring. We are doing the Beth Moore study on Paul. I love her studies.
• My computer is acting up. It is running so slow and websites ( blogs) with pictures won't ever completely open up. I need to go the Apple Store next week to get them to teach me what to do when this happens. The Man of the House is a PC guy and he acts like my Mac is an alien or something every time I ask him to take a look at it. :) I know nothing about the upkeep of any type of computer. It is just not what interests me.
• Mr. Bubbles had to go to the vet three times last week. First he had his yearly check up and then because his bladder wasn't being cooperative, he had to go back to try and give a urine sample twice. I am not sure how they get a urine sample from a cat, but he looked traumatized every time they brought him back to me. I think it literally scared the tinkle out of him! So after three trips to the vet last week, I found out that he needs to go back next week for a bladder x-ray. There are crystals in his urine and that means there may be a stone. It will show up on the x-ray if there is one. If there isn't, he has to go on a special diet (in other words: expensive diet) to help clear things up. If there is, depending on size, he may have to have it removed. Good Grief!!
• My mother in law had a stroke several weeks ago and is in the hospital near us. Because this blog is about my immediate family and home, kind of like my scrapbook, I haven't shared that with you. I feel like it isn't my place to put that information out there..... but looks like I just did! I won't go into a lot of detail, but it has kept us out of our normal routine. I have been doing more car pool driving than usual and we've had company staying at our house during the week because of the location of the hospital. There is something to say about having a routine.
• We are going to Florida in a few days and I have been getting things together for the trip. The Man of the House has a conference smack dab in the middle of Disney World and there was NOWAY I was going to let him go by himself. We definitely are taking advantage of a hotel room that is already paid for! It has been cold here for only 2 days and I already cannot wait to go somewhere warm and sunny! I think it is going to be a long winter!
• I've wanted to watch Mad Men for along time and my aunt happened to have the first season on DVD. I love it! I want to start watching it when it comes on on Sunday nights, but hate not being all caught up. Something tells me, I am going to be purchasing the entire series. Why didn't I know about this show earlier? I went onto the Mad Men website and Mad Men(ed) myself. (Is that how you say that?)

• My piece of furniture for the den came in and I love it! It finally completes the room and after 10 years I am thrilled! I'll show you pictures soon.
• #1 had her Parent's Weekend at her sorority. We had brunch there that was delicious and then went to the football game.

Let me just say two things about the picture of me:

1. I just had my hair cut a couple of days before this picture. Don't you hate getting a bad haircut? The same girl has been cutting my hair for several years now and it is a love hate relationship. I hate trying someone new because then I'd be so embarrassed about having to go back to her if that didn't work out, but sometimes I feel like I have nothing to loose. I don't think they teach people how to cut hair anymore. It is all about over texturized short pieces. I've told her several times that my hair doesn't do what it is supposed to do when it is over texturized. It does just the opposite. I think I am growing it out to all one length, which I already know will make me look ten years older, but I am sooo tired of trying to get on the same wave length as my hair dresser. I am too old to be upset about my hair!
2. That is a new Lilly cardigan that I paid full price for and I hate it. Yep, I hate it. It looses it shape and stretches out after having it on for ten minutes. It made me feel like a extra large rag-a- muffin all day. On top of that, one of those fancy buttons fell off while I was in line at the brunch..... out of the blue, just fell off my brand new full price pricey sweater and rolled across the floor. While I am on my soap box about Lilly, all of those cute little shrimp, anchors and bumble bees fall off the shoes too! I think I am sticking with Lilly skirts. They always deliver and make me feel cute and I've never had to chase one across the floor!

Well, I've rambled on and on and I feel much better!

Thanks for listening!

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DUMPLINGS

I love fall food and I love when the weather cools off outside and the produce department starts looking like fall and the upcoming holiday season. I use a lot of apples in things when I am in the kitchen. I bake them, saute them, use them in salads and slice them up for dips and caramel sauce. I am not patient when it comes to peeling and coring them by hand. One of my favorite things to bring out in the fall is this "apple contraption" that I have. It peels, cores and slices with just a few turns of a handle. It is so much fun to use and it makes things so simple and fast.

Here, I have an apple all lined up and ready to go.

When you are finished, you are left with a beautiful stack of apple rings!

Here, I am using the slices to make apple dumplings.

These are so easy to make and are a great thing to take tailgating or to a cookout.

The house smells so wonderful while they are baking.

I bundle up apple pieces and cinnamon in crescent roll dough.

I line them up in a baking dish (seam sides down) that I sprayed with Pam and...

melt together and bring to a boil:

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup regular sugar

1/2 cup water

1/4 of honey

(stir while it cooks for a few minutes - you may need to turn the heat down a little bit)

Pour this over the dumplings.

Sprinkle with pecans.

Then bake at 350' for 30 minutes.

YUM!!

THE WEEKEND AHEAD

We have so much planned this weekend. I am sure it is going to go by so fast and we are all going to exhausted when it is all over.

It is all about sports this weekend and The Man of the House is thrilled!!

We just back from the home opener of the

Carolina Hurricanes.

Who would have ever guessed we would be into NHL Hockey here in Raleigh, NC?

#1 came from Chapel Hill to go with us to the game.

Unfortunately the Hurricanes lost tonight.

That's okay. They have 80 more games left and we got some good tailgating in!

Can you imagine playing in so many games? It exhausts me just thinking about their schedule.

The members of the team had to leave the arena after the game and get on a plane for a game tomorrow night in Boston.

Tomorrow, early in the morning we are headed to Chapel Hill which is all of 35 minutes away from our house.

#1's sorority is having their parents weekend.

We have to be at the sorority house for breakfast and then go to the football game together.

Last year we went and had the most wonderful shrimp and grits I have ever had,

so I cannot wait to see what is on the menu tomorrow.

They have a top notch chef at the sorority house. He used to cook for celebrities on movie sets and fell in love with Chapel Hill when he was working on a movie set that was being filmed there. He decided to take a job as the chef in the sorority house and moved his family to the area.

One day I will show you some pictures and share an article about him.

It is a really neat story.

Sometimes I think my daughter chose her sorority based on the food!

When all of her friends are going to eat chicken fingers at their sororities she is looking forward to grilled fish and roasted veggies with frat boys waiting on them!

She and all of her sisters are some very spoiled ladies!

While we are in Chapel Hill, #2 might bring some friends to our house to watch the NC State/Wake Forest game on TV. Nobody has a big enough TV in their dorm room for them all to huddle around.

I have never met the "new friends" so of course I am worried about how the house looks...

you know, first impressions are everything!

I am going to have to get up really early to be ready in time in the morning!

Sunday, we will head out of town once again.

This time to Mebane, NC, which is about an hour and a half away (maybe).

#3's soccer team has a game around lunchtime.

Their team is in first place in their bracket for the state and they are very excited about that.

Sunday evening #3 has Youth Group at church so she will have to have all of her homework done and be all cleaned up and ready for that around 6:00.

Short weekend.... once again!

Time flies when you are having fun!

Hope you have a great and productive weekend!!

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

I've been playing nurse again!

I got a phone call Tuesday night from #2. She was sick and sounded awful. She was already in her pajamas and in bed so she decided to stay at school until the morning. Wednesday morning she came home. I stayed home from Bible Study so that I would be home when she got here. I was certain she was going to end up having the H1N1 virus like #3 did last week, but she didn't. There is another virus going around her dorm and just about everybody has had it. It is a really bad sore throat and slight fever. #2 laid around the house all day Wednesday and today and she headed back to school after dinner this evening. I do love her just being across town! It is so nice that she can come home when she isn't feeling well.

We were worried about her missing classes. She was worried about something else. She has her first date function with her sorority Friday night and of course that was her primary concern! I think she is going to live and I'll bet she will feel just fine come Friday night!

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

While #2 and I caught up on some of our DVR'd shows, I spent some time organizing my photos on my laptop. I came across some pictures that I took this summer and I just had to share them with you.

Have I ever told you we are a PERFECT family?

I have the pictures to prove it.

During the summer, I spent some time teaching the girls how to cook some of their favorite things. Braised spare ribs is one of the most requested meals I cook.

I asked #1 and #2 to watch and stir the pot of sauteing onions and garlic while I did something else.

Trouble was brewing and as you can see

#1 was stewed about something!

So like any good mom would do, I grabbed my camera.

A fight ensued.

I promise the really do love each other.

Honestly, they do.

So who won,

the karate trained #1 or the scrappy #2?

It was

#2.

She is the one with the longest arms and farthest reach.

And what were they fighting over?

The very popular onion goggles of course!

***************

FYI

No sisters were injured while taking pictures for this post.

(unfortunately)

:)

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