Well I just finished loading our trip pictures on myspace and while I know some don't have myspace accounts it was the only place I could place all the photos I had to post.
This link will take you to the album that has all of those photos!
If you want to see the ones with the kids and Christmas ! Enjoy!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
This was sent to me today on myspace by one of my friends. I had to forward it to spread the politically correct cheer!
A Politically Correct Holiday Wish
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . . .
. . and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.
(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
I still believe in just saying...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
A Politically Correct Holiday Wish
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . . .
. . and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.
(By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.)
I still believe in just saying...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
"Monty"
So most know that we picked up a stray on our way through Montana. It was a little silly but leaving the feline behind in the sub zero weather and starving would have been a death sentence for sure. The rest area we found her was inhabited only by truckers who did not seem the type to take pity on a sorry looking kitty. It was also dark and the only rest stop for miles and miles. We coaxed her to us with food and placed her in one of the cat carriers placing both of ours in the other one. She was starving, so thin you could circle your finger around her tummy and she ate like she had never had food in her life. She never meowed and even took to the leash very well which was very necessary because pooping in the kennel was NOT an option! We quickly named her Monty for the state we found her in and the name has stuck.
After getting here we were able to see that she is a Siamese long hair with BIG blue eyes. She is friendly but does not trust easily and I can not blamer her. After giving her a bath we have found one really bad scar recently healed (still fur missing in a big patch), a wound still healing and bad frostbite on her nose. Her harness that she was wearing had rubbed off all her fur on her chest and she was skin and bones.
She has begun to fatten up now that she has food and doesn't quite gulp it up like she first did when we picked her up.
We have come up with all kinds of stories about this mysterious little Monty while sitting in the living room during the evening. The latest is that she was attacked by a giant squirrel and since she has no front claws to defend her self she must have fought an amazing battle. While we will never know her true struggles we are mostly sad at the family she has lost.
She has found a home with my uncle and even doesn't bother his cat like ours do! She loves to snuggle at night and has a funny way of meowing when you pick her up. Our cats don't really like her but who can blame we are theirs!
After getting here we were able to see that she is a Siamese long hair with BIG blue eyes. She is friendly but does not trust easily and I can not blamer her. After giving her a bath we have found one really bad scar recently healed (still fur missing in a big patch), a wound still healing and bad frostbite on her nose. Her harness that she was wearing had rubbed off all her fur on her chest and she was skin and bones.
She has begun to fatten up now that she has food and doesn't quite gulp it up like she first did when we picked her up.
We have come up with all kinds of stories about this mysterious little Monty while sitting in the living room during the evening. The latest is that she was attacked by a giant squirrel and since she has no front claws to defend her self she must have fought an amazing battle. While we will never know her true struggles we are mostly sad at the family she has lost.
She has found a home with my uncle and even doesn't bother his cat like ours do! She loves to snuggle at night and has a funny way of meowing when you pick her up. Our cats don't really like her but who can blame we are theirs!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Tis the Season...I guess.
So we are here and with us we seem to have brought the ideal white Christmas. Since we have gotten here we have have had several inches of snow with more to come. We took the kids to see Santa yesterday and what an amazing show it was. They had a magician and a ventriliquist! This was no small affair. It was held in the Peshkie Center (I think I spelled that correctly) and there were several hundred people and twice that many kids. The entire event was really neat and they went all out with candy for the kids ( I am talking bags of FULL size candy bars) and even had prizes for all. The line to see Santa was extremely long and took us about 45 minutes to get through. The only negative thing was a mother who stood behind me and my children and kept telling her kids to push past us! Her twelve year or so daughter kept telling her no, but the mother insisted and pushed past several people before making EACH one of her kids sit for at least 10 posed photos. Sissy just looked at me and said " I guess Santa will be bringing her coal for Christmas!" I just smiled. What do you do?
The kids went and picked out a tree and have brought some Christmas cheer to my Grandma and Uncle's house. Sissy has made sure the tree is trimmed JUST right hanging Christmas ornamants that were made by my now gone Great Grandma Barrett. They will be spoiled this year due to the fact that they hav not been seen by most of my family here and I think they feel they have some making up to do. The kids I am sure will be happy.
I have gotten to see my sister and I am as happy as I can be for her. She is clean and has to take weekly UAs to make sure she stays clean which is good for her. Her husband is back in her life which is never a good thing but we can't choose. She is working and has her own trailer which is a huge step for her. She seems to be coming to terms with the loss of her children and while she knows she can never get the younger kids back she still hopes to Aric back. I am not sure if that will ever happen but it gives her something to look forward to and work towards.
We all went over and made cookies with my Great Aunt on Saturday and the kids had a ball! How many women does it take to figure out how to use a Pampered Chef Cookie Press? Obviously 3. Once we figured it out it was easy but man we were hopless there for a while. My family has accepted Heath with open arms and he is becoming good friends with my Uncle Phil. He is a big guy with an even bigger heart and my kids have conned him into several of his collectables to play with. Butch is now the proud owner of TWO model ships, the Mayflower and the Santa Maria, an inflatable guitar and microphone. Sissy has taken to all the stuffed animals my Grandma has made over the years and even found a doll that was made for me. I do not remember the doll but I guess I sent it back to her to fix the mouth on it! Funny. So the stories have been going around about the things I used to do when I was little and while I remember some of them, most of them I do not! It is nice to return to the place where you spent some of your happiest times and be be with the people who were the family you grew up knowing. I haven't seen them in almost twenty years yet they make it feel as though I haven't left! To understand how important that is you have to know that my father's family does not really keep in touch so while we have been in Alaska we did so miss the feeling of family.
Now for the negative.
Heath has been sad since we left due to how he was sent off and while I am not saying the choices we have made have always been the best I do feel that he did not deserve what he got the night we left. While some will claim it was done out of love or concern it was malicious and uncalled for. What right do you have to accuse him of using drugs especially in front of his mother? Why is it all right for that to be brought up when NONE of you are anything close to SAINTS? I have heard the stories you have all told about the things you have done in the past and even some in the past few years. Are we wrong if we tell these things to others and is turn about fair play? Nope, not in your world. Those were all things done in the past and you have all moved on. Why is it all right for you to pull up everything he has ever done in his life and throw it in his face with everyone there? I have been told that I have manipulated and controlled my husband and that I have taken all his confidence what do you all call this? Have anyone of you EVER had that done to you? Could you imagine his humiliation?
I also wonder why was it wrong for me to bring our "personal" probelms to blogger but others are allowed to write nasty remarks hidden in comments? I erased a comment left by him because I knew he would regrett it later but the mean part of me wanted to leave it so that others would know how he felt. Is what was done the night he left not enough? I was expecting these things to be done to me and figured I even deserved some of them, but him? What has he done to any of YOU? He is NOT the man you have all made him out to be and one day you will severly regrett what you did.
The only best wishes came from an unlikely person and while we don't see eye to eye it made my heart feel better that at least one person said they had wished they had not sent him off like that. I will say this, if my husband had any doubts about leaving you all made sure to erase them along with any desire to return to the state he loves.
Kind of sad.
The kids went and picked out a tree and have brought some Christmas cheer to my Grandma and Uncle's house. Sissy has made sure the tree is trimmed JUST right hanging Christmas ornamants that were made by my now gone Great Grandma Barrett. They will be spoiled this year due to the fact that they hav not been seen by most of my family here and I think they feel they have some making up to do. The kids I am sure will be happy.
I have gotten to see my sister and I am as happy as I can be for her. She is clean and has to take weekly UAs to make sure she stays clean which is good for her. Her husband is back in her life which is never a good thing but we can't choose. She is working and has her own trailer which is a huge step for her. She seems to be coming to terms with the loss of her children and while she knows she can never get the younger kids back she still hopes to Aric back. I am not sure if that will ever happen but it gives her something to look forward to and work towards.
We all went over and made cookies with my Great Aunt on Saturday and the kids had a ball! How many women does it take to figure out how to use a Pampered Chef Cookie Press? Obviously 3. Once we figured it out it was easy but man we were hopless there for a while. My family has accepted Heath with open arms and he is becoming good friends with my Uncle Phil. He is a big guy with an even bigger heart and my kids have conned him into several of his collectables to play with. Butch is now the proud owner of TWO model ships, the Mayflower and the Santa Maria, an inflatable guitar and microphone. Sissy has taken to all the stuffed animals my Grandma has made over the years and even found a doll that was made for me. I do not remember the doll but I guess I sent it back to her to fix the mouth on it! Funny. So the stories have been going around about the things I used to do when I was little and while I remember some of them, most of them I do not! It is nice to return to the place where you spent some of your happiest times and be be with the people who were the family you grew up knowing. I haven't seen them in almost twenty years yet they make it feel as though I haven't left! To understand how important that is you have to know that my father's family does not really keep in touch so while we have been in Alaska we did so miss the feeling of family.
Now for the negative.
Heath has been sad since we left due to how he was sent off and while I am not saying the choices we have made have always been the best I do feel that he did not deserve what he got the night we left. While some will claim it was done out of love or concern it was malicious and uncalled for. What right do you have to accuse him of using drugs especially in front of his mother? Why is it all right for that to be brought up when NONE of you are anything close to SAINTS? I have heard the stories you have all told about the things you have done in the past and even some in the past few years. Are we wrong if we tell these things to others and is turn about fair play? Nope, not in your world. Those were all things done in the past and you have all moved on. Why is it all right for you to pull up everything he has ever done in his life and throw it in his face with everyone there? I have been told that I have manipulated and controlled my husband and that I have taken all his confidence what do you all call this? Have anyone of you EVER had that done to you? Could you imagine his humiliation?
I also wonder why was it wrong for me to bring our "personal" probelms to blogger but others are allowed to write nasty remarks hidden in comments? I erased a comment left by him because I knew he would regrett it later but the mean part of me wanted to leave it so that others would know how he felt. Is what was done the night he left not enough? I was expecting these things to be done to me and figured I even deserved some of them, but him? What has he done to any of YOU? He is NOT the man you have all made him out to be and one day you will severly regrett what you did.
The only best wishes came from an unlikely person and while we don't see eye to eye it made my heart feel better that at least one person said they had wished they had not sent him off like that. I will say this, if my husband had any doubts about leaving you all made sure to erase them along with any desire to return to the state he loves.
Kind of sad.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
First Part of Our Trip!
Well we are sitting in a parking lot outside of Kimball Nebraska and we are getting ready to get on I80 for the last leg of our trip. I have left a couple of posts on myspace but forgot not everyone reads myspace!
I hate to say this in fear of jinxing the rest of our trip but so far everything has gone WONDERFUL! The roads have been amazing and the scenery breath taking! I will put some pictures up of the first leg of our trip but due to time can't really go into to much detail! You know me love to ramble! Anyways the kids are doing well and really enjoyed the stop at the Battle of Little Big Horn, especially Sissy! I will post pictures from that stop probably tomorrow. Well got to go for now!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
You stay up for 16 hours.
He stays up for days on end.
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
So I was told today that I needed to catch up with blogging! While I have been surfing and enjoying everyone else's sites, I have spent little on my own!
I would like to say that I have been BUSY but that would be a lie.
The kids just returned from a weekend stay with Grandma and Grandpa and they even brought back delicious cookies covered in creamy frosting!
YUMMY!
Well so far we have been lining out our travel plans and with the MANY search engines to choose from and their MANY suggestions, we have saved a few hundred dollars.
While we haven't purchased our tickets yet we have been monitoring the sites on a daily basis and the prices haven't changed to much.
So far we are looking at about $1,200 for all for of us to fly down which is not that bad! The cats are being checked as part of our luggage and Koda will only cost an additional $50 for being over the weight limit.
They are all three booked for the Vet and will receive their shots and health certificates. This has to be the first time ANY of our animals have ever received their shots! I am sure they won't be so thrilled! They even have a special room for Koda so he won't get into any fights with the other boys there!
So we are planning on leaving Homer on the 28th and will head to Anchorage till our flight on the 5th the day after Heath's birthday. (We were thinking that maybe the night of the fourth we could meet somewhere for Heath's birthday but not sure if that works for anyone.)
Once we fly into Omaha we will be picked up by my aunt and Grandma and then we will head to Lincoln! They have already been searching for houses down there and even started collecting furniture for us!
After that it will be get a house and then JOBS!!!
We have applications out but can't do anything until we get down there for interviews!
Anyhoo all is good down here and the kids are doing well! I will post some pictures including a video of freak for all to see!
I would like to say that I have been BUSY but that would be a lie.
The kids just returned from a weekend stay with Grandma and Grandpa and they even brought back delicious cookies covered in creamy frosting!
YUMMY!
Well so far we have been lining out our travel plans and with the MANY search engines to choose from and their MANY suggestions, we have saved a few hundred dollars.
While we haven't purchased our tickets yet we have been monitoring the sites on a daily basis and the prices haven't changed to much.
So far we are looking at about $1,200 for all for of us to fly down which is not that bad! The cats are being checked as part of our luggage and Koda will only cost an additional $50 for being over the weight limit.
They are all three booked for the Vet and will receive their shots and health certificates. This has to be the first time ANY of our animals have ever received their shots! I am sure they won't be so thrilled! They even have a special room for Koda so he won't get into any fights with the other boys there!
So we are planning on leaving Homer on the 28th and will head to Anchorage till our flight on the 5th the day after Heath's birthday. (We were thinking that maybe the night of the fourth we could meet somewhere for Heath's birthday but not sure if that works for anyone.)
Once we fly into Omaha we will be picked up by my aunt and Grandma and then we will head to Lincoln! They have already been searching for houses down there and even started collecting furniture for us!
After that it will be get a house and then JOBS!!!
We have applications out but can't do anything until we get down there for interviews!
Anyhoo all is good down here and the kids are doing well! I will post some pictures including a video of freak for all to see!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Yummie!!!
Well if you want to try something easy and YUMMIE this was really good!
Stuffed Apple Pork Chops
First take two apples (I used GALA) and chop them up into small squares. Then take celery and do the same. When you are done you should have equal parts of apples and celery. Take three pieces of toast and REALLY toasted them then cut them into squares. I did them plain but you could even add seasoning to them if you would like.
I didn't have onions but I bet that they would really add extra flavor.
Then take several pork chops and cut pockets into them, basically the whole pork chop. At this point pre heat your oven to 350 degrees.
I then rubbed pepper and salt on the inside of the pork chops but you could add what ever you want!
Then take butter and melt enough to cover but not drench the apples, celery and bread cubes. Mix in some salt lemon juice and just a little bit of cinnamon and mix.
Then stuff the pork chops as full as you can.
Place them a deep side dish (there will be LOTS of juice) stuffed opening side up and take remaining stuffing and place liberally all over pork chops. Bake for an hour depending on the thickness placing tin foil over the top for the last 20 minutes or so.
Very good!! Got great reviews!
Stuffed Apple Pork Chops
First take two apples (I used GALA) and chop them up into small squares. Then take celery and do the same. When you are done you should have equal parts of apples and celery. Take three pieces of toast and REALLY toasted them then cut them into squares. I did them plain but you could even add seasoning to them if you would like.
I didn't have onions but I bet that they would really add extra flavor.
Then take several pork chops and cut pockets into them, basically the whole pork chop. At this point pre heat your oven to 350 degrees.
I then rubbed pepper and salt on the inside of the pork chops but you could add what ever you want!
Then take butter and melt enough to cover but not drench the apples, celery and bread cubes. Mix in some salt lemon juice and just a little bit of cinnamon and mix.
Then stuff the pork chops as full as you can.
Place them a deep side dish (there will be LOTS of juice) stuffed opening side up and take remaining stuffing and place liberally all over pork chops. Bake for an hour depending on the thickness placing tin foil over the top for the last 20 minutes or so.
Very good!! Got great reviews!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Oh DARN!!!
Kansas City Lost!!!!
This is not just a divisional loss but
A loss between Husband and Wife!
How will I live with him now!
Ha Ha Ha!!!
This is not just a divisional loss but
A loss between Husband and Wife!
How will I live with him now!
Ha Ha Ha!!!
A good game non the less!!
I am sure I will survive the teasing!!!
I am sure I will survive the teasing!!!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
What a Week!!
Well first the kids have been doing wonderful in school! I am really pleased with both of their efforts and patience. This last week went smoothly with only one day missed due to their teacher having the flu, it was short though and school resumed the next day. It has been nice since most of what they are learning is a refresher with some new material. Sissy is moving into some math that looks a lot like algebra due to the letters that are in the problems and they give me several different ways to present the info to her so she has grasped it really well. She also likes mythology and American history.
Butch is sailing through math since he is back to patterns, but this next week he will be back on number basics. He is doing well in reading and enjoys science since he is now the proud owner of a microscope.
Last Saturday we went to the haunted Hickory, for those who do not know the Coast Guard decorate their ship as a haunted house and take canned food as admission. We sat in line for over an hour at the Coast Guard dock listening to the creepy music and screams that floated from the ship. When it was finally our turn and we were about to enter the doors and Butch decided that he was DONE. This pictures proves it all!
He is telling me that HE WASN'T going in there!!! He scored big time though. Me and Sissy decided to go ahead (after Mommy told her that it was just fake) and Butch was escorted to the bridge where he got to sit in the captain's chair! Sissy made it about fifteen seconds and was ready to leave after the strange man tapped her on the shoulder. She did admit after making it safely to the well lit parking lot that she wishes she would have went on. Oh well next year! They are both on the SPOTTED page of the Homer News though if you want to take a peek!
All week was spent doing school and making Halloween costumes. Butch decided due to a REAL police badge found around the house that he was going to be a cop. GREAT! Sissy decided that she wanted to be a cat which was a little easier. I was making their costumes from scratch so the more complex the more worried I was that I could do it. While I am sure that a store bought version would have looked better he wouldn't have been any happier and Sissy was really happy with her ears that "didn't fall down". I think considering that I made his hat and her ears completely from scratch (cardboard, cloth and hot glue) it all came out pretty good.
They went trick or treating and finished the evening up at the Salvation Army church where they claimed several stuffies and LOTS more candy. Nachos, popcorn and lemonade was served and they even made it home with two plates of desserts! Sissy also conned Granny and Larry into taking home a a gold fish she had won. Her argument? "Its gonna die anyway!" Who could argue with that.
The fish was named Buster and had to be put in the cupboard every night so that it did not become food for the cats. Sadly this morning Buster was found floating sideways and it was decided that a burial at sea would appropriate. Larry suggested that the kids say a few words in memory of Buster so they said "Good Bye." and flushed 'em. No tears or second thoughts for dear poor old Buster!
So this is the CAT ZOO. Stone and Shadow spend their days out here playing and lounging in the cat hammocks. It even has a sky bridge and if the want to climb they have almost ten feet of climbing wall. They also have a little bird that stops in to torment them, but they have recently lost interest due to larger prey, a Rhode Island Red rooster who has decided to adopt the back yard as his. As far as we know he has no owners and is not even afraid of Koda, which strangely doesn't mind the funny bird either.
This is the best picture I have gotten of him so far but right as I took the picture he turned his head so he looks like the headless rooster! He is a really beautiful bird though so hopefully when I can afford batteries for my camera I will get a better picture of him.
As for me I fill my days with teaching the kidos and while at first I thought it would be hard it has actually turned out to be a lot of fun and rewarding!
In the evenings I have turned to reading and watching a few shows with my mom. I have missed last weeks episode of Shark but I will NOT miss it this weekend!
In the evenings I have been studying the work of John Hedgecoe, he teaches all styles of photography, and I have just become fascinated with some new styles and can't wait to really try some new techniques! (damn batteries!) I am also starting from the basics with DIGITAL CAMERA SOLUTIONS which I need to do so desperately. Unfortunately the camera is out of commission for a awhile, which is ok because it gives me time to read.
Also another good book my mom turned me onto: Wicked: the Life and Times Of the Wicked Witch of the West. I guess it explains why the wicked witch is the way she is and how she was turned wicked by others misunderstanding of who she was. I will let all know if it is any good!
Well this post has been long enough so I will say good night to all and until next time...my book is calling!
Butch is sailing through math since he is back to patterns, but this next week he will be back on number basics. He is doing well in reading and enjoys science since he is now the proud owner of a microscope.
Last Saturday we went to the haunted Hickory, for those who do not know the Coast Guard decorate their ship as a haunted house and take canned food as admission. We sat in line for over an hour at the Coast Guard dock listening to the creepy music and screams that floated from the ship. When it was finally our turn and we were about to enter the doors and Butch decided that he was DONE. This pictures proves it all!
He is telling me that HE WASN'T going in there!!! He scored big time though. Me and Sissy decided to go ahead (after Mommy told her that it was just fake) and Butch was escorted to the bridge where he got to sit in the captain's chair! Sissy made it about fifteen seconds and was ready to leave after the strange man tapped her on the shoulder. She did admit after making it safely to the well lit parking lot that she wishes she would have went on. Oh well next year! They are both on the SPOTTED page of the Homer News though if you want to take a peek!
All week was spent doing school and making Halloween costumes. Butch decided due to a REAL police badge found around the house that he was going to be a cop. GREAT! Sissy decided that she wanted to be a cat which was a little easier. I was making their costumes from scratch so the more complex the more worried I was that I could do it. While I am sure that a store bought version would have looked better he wouldn't have been any happier and Sissy was really happy with her ears that "didn't fall down". I think considering that I made his hat and her ears completely from scratch (cardboard, cloth and hot glue) it all came out pretty good.
They went trick or treating and finished the evening up at the Salvation Army church where they claimed several stuffies and LOTS more candy. Nachos, popcorn and lemonade was served and they even made it home with two plates of desserts! Sissy also conned Granny and Larry into taking home a a gold fish she had won. Her argument? "Its gonna die anyway!" Who could argue with that.
The fish was named Buster and had to be put in the cupboard every night so that it did not become food for the cats. Sadly this morning Buster was found floating sideways and it was decided that a burial at sea would appropriate. Larry suggested that the kids say a few words in memory of Buster so they said "Good Bye." and flushed 'em. No tears or second thoughts for dear poor old Buster!
So this is the CAT ZOO. Stone and Shadow spend their days out here playing and lounging in the cat hammocks. It even has a sky bridge and if the want to climb they have almost ten feet of climbing wall. They also have a little bird that stops in to torment them, but they have recently lost interest due to larger prey, a Rhode Island Red rooster who has decided to adopt the back yard as his. As far as we know he has no owners and is not even afraid of Koda, which strangely doesn't mind the funny bird either.
This is the best picture I have gotten of him so far but right as I took the picture he turned his head so he looks like the headless rooster! He is a really beautiful bird though so hopefully when I can afford batteries for my camera I will get a better picture of him.
As for me I fill my days with teaching the kidos and while at first I thought it would be hard it has actually turned out to be a lot of fun and rewarding!
In the evenings I have turned to reading and watching a few shows with my mom. I have missed last weeks episode of Shark but I will NOT miss it this weekend!
In the evenings I have been studying the work of John Hedgecoe, he teaches all styles of photography, and I have just become fascinated with some new styles and can't wait to really try some new techniques! (damn batteries!) I am also starting from the basics with DIGITAL CAMERA SOLUTIONS which I need to do so desperately. Unfortunately the camera is out of commission for a awhile, which is ok because it gives me time to read.
Also another good book my mom turned me onto: Wicked: the Life and Times Of the Wicked Witch of the West. I guess it explains why the wicked witch is the way she is and how she was turned wicked by others misunderstanding of who she was. I will let all know if it is any good!
Well this post has been long enough so I will say good night to all and until next time...my book is calling!
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