A little help from Grammy....

Working hard.....

Jake wanting not to miss out on any pumpkin sampling!

Mustn't miss any seeds for roasting.....

Like my top?

Sam chose not to have a pumpkin as he couldn't find one small enough, so he opted for a gourd instead!

The finished product!

What's up with the roses still blooming at the end of October?

One of the last Hollyhocks....

And today from Andrea we have this game......

Go to http://www.google.com/ and select Images. Type in your responses to the questions below and choose a picture from the first page only that represents your answer.

Your home town?
The town/city where you now live?
Last years favorite Christmas present?
Your occupation?
Your hobby or pastime?
What's your favorite meal?
Favorite smell?
Your ideal vacation spot?

Halifax

Where do I live now?
Time with my family was by far the best gift!
Stay at home mom is my job
Gardening
Thai food at Talay Thai
Vanilla
The Bahamas

Would you be concerned.....

if, when you turned your back, your three year old was trying to ignite his dinner roll using the candles in the center of the table?

Sam the dog farmer, all geared up for his pre-school harvest party.

Alone and other things.....

Hud is away this weekend with the youth. I am here with the kids. I love having the bed to myself, but I hate the noises of the night when I am alone. Last night I was awakened by a sound like dishes from downstairs. Me being me, was terrified and therefore frozen under my duvet. It didn't help matters when I started thinking about the show Criminal Minds that I had watched the night before, where women were being attacked in their homes in the middle of the day. I lay there torturing myself for a couple of hours 'til sleep finally won out again. I wasn't nearly ready for the day when the boys climbed in with me at 6:30.

Karen and her kids came later in the morning and we spent the day watching them tear through the house so glad to be together again. After we cleaned up from lunch we sat down while the kids played, watched movies etc, and made some christmas cards. YES....I know it's early, but it's best to get at it when a spare moment is found. Just like old times, hanging out, making plans for home renos, drinking far too much tea than is good for one's bladder and laughing 'til we wet ourselves. We enjoyed one of our favorite suppers together, loving the kids antics at the table. We had shared thanksgiving dinner at their place last week, so it was a real treat being together again so soon.

Andrea's post was very fitting, reminding us all not to take our friendships for granted as they can be altered so easily by circumstance. Distance is not my best friend, it sure makes things different, but I'm willing to do what's necessary to keep it alive.

Daniel's retainers are strange, having to crank his mouthpiece wider on a daily basis is odd, and a little nauseating as he gags when the crank gets to the back of his tongue. So far we have managed not to have a mess but it's been close a couple of times.

Underwear boy lives on, ready to take on any enemies he feels are present. He spends his days flying through the house with some sort of sword. Andrew sent he and Daniel some little wooden knives he carved for them and so now Sam is properly equiped for his rampages.

Claire is loving school and is so very organized in regards to her homework and everything else school. She has been on her toes keeping us as a family on the ball in regards to our thanksgiving leaves that we write on every night in Oct. After every supper she brings us leaves and a pen and we need to come up with what we are thankful for. Her best one yet is bananas dipped in chocolate. I'd have to agree on that one.

Off to tuck a wee boy into bed...planning on enjoying a good book listening to the rain as it continues to pour outside.

And now we give you ....

Bumbling Bav! AAAHHHH Whooo Hooo AAAHHHH!

**bav steps forward and motions crowd to settle back into their seats**

Thank you friends for such a warm welcome. Today I would like to talk to you about FRIENDSHIP.

** more cheering**

Thank you. I feel so blessed to be here and to speak of such a heart felt topic. You see friendship can be a life saving gift. We all have it in us to give... but do we all not drop the ball for time to time. Do we not get caught up in our own lives forgetting the things others may be going through.

**crowd is very quiet**

Lets start with this new thing called BLOGGING. You see when you go and start up a blog you slowly build friendships. And you may have things happening in your life and the blog gets put to the side. You are then taking your friendships that you were giving through said blog, and leaving you devoted (very beautiful and smart) friends just hanging.

**big gasp from crowd**

I know, I know ... you say you would never do that. But people I am telling you... I have been one of those people myself. Shshshsh, settle down. I know this sounds horrid. And I promise this will have a good outcome. Please stay with me.

You see, I have left my blog. I too have not updated for days. (tearing up) This is so hard to talk about. (wipes nose with sleeve) And I too have let my friendships go stale with no love or attention. But then I got a call. No it was not a burning bush. It was a call from my friend Alison. You will all get to know her in a minute. You see Alison saw that I was letting go. She, being a good friend called me on accountability. And with that call, (deep breath) I saw that the friendships I had planted on my blog had grown and become a park full of life.

Alison gave me friendship and I hope that I too can repay the favor. For Friendship should be given freely so that the garden can continue to grow.

**crowd goes crazy, people are cheering and crying**

People... People... My friend Alison!

TAGGED

I was tagged by Margie....

1. Go into your archive.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or closest to).
4. Post the text of the sentence in your blog along with these instructions.
5. Tag five other people to do the same.

Here's my 23rd posts fifth sentence:

" Oh daddy, I can't get to the door..there is just too much lava!"

I tag...Lori, Emily, and Cori, and anyone else who wishes to play!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I'm now sexier than ever!

Hear the sarcasm! Went to physio this afternoon, enjoyed the normal ultrasound, and electric stuff, and then got to have my knee caps taped in place! When I squeeze my muscle, instead of moving up and down they move side to side. The taping is supposed to force them where they are meant to go. Crazy theory...we'l see if it helps! So for now, I am walking around stiffly with giant bandaid type things on my knees. It's really a shame that summer seems to be back, and it's too hot for pants!

It's going to be a long month....

Sam came to me after it was dark outside last evening and asked if it was time NOW to go christmas treating! Not only is he confusing his festivities, he is also way ahead of schedule!

A Mix Of Things.....

Emily brought me a whack of tomatoes the other day...lots! It blows my mind how after you have scalded them, peeled them and then chopped and boiled them down with spices etc, how little salsa you actually get!

I find it amazing how the morning glories out front put on such a show day after day, leaving seed pods that eventually dry and give us hundreds of seeds. Far more than we started with in the spring. Lots to share, which is half the fun of gardening. The sweet william is the same, and the poppies, and so many others.

Went to curriculum night at the school last night. It's unfortunate that not all of the parents go. I think it is a great way to not only support the teachers but also to show your kids how interested you are in what they are up to on a daily basis. The first session was in Claire's building then all of the specialist teachers were in the gym in Daniels building then all of the 3-5 teachers were in their classrooms. We sat in our kids seats, allowing us to meet the parents of our kids classmates, and make connections for playdates etc. It was great to be filled in on all that Claire will learn this year. It's incredible how much they accomplish in primary.
The general meeting in the gym filled us in on the school's vision for this year. Exciting times ahead.
Daniel's teacher is younger than I am. She also lives on our street. She is SO organized! She has the kids responsible for so much and they are meeting her expectations. She is so big on them taking ownership of their own stuff. There was some concern from a couple of parents about the new curriculum as it is American. Our spelling is slightly different for some words, and it all seemed focused on American history. I don't have a problem so long as they are also getting their Canadian history.

Today is a day of running around, orthodontist appointments again, no school for the kids, craft supplies for the moms group on monday, more baking etc... Hard to believe that thanksgiving is next weekend. Must figure out what we are doing!

Yes it's true...

That when going through physio it hurts before it helps! Yikes. The pain is ridiculous. And I thought I was crippled before he twisted and pulled.

Update on the pear chutney. Absolutley out of this world. I'm going to pump out a bunch more and send it out as christmas gifts.... Emily and I had it with some cold chicken this morning for breakfast. Even better than cold pizza!

Well that was fun!.....

First physio appointment today. Assessment of the knees. After twisting, pulling etc Jeff is quite sure that there will be lots to see on the x-ray. He did some funky ultrasound thing, then something that made me knees feel like they were full of pins and needles, all the while a fabulous heating thing draped over my knees. He has decided that I seem to have external tibial tortion, and so is going to work at strengthening the muscles around my knee to help them get back in line. I even have homework, and get to go back again next week for more of the same...

Bought a half peck of pears the other day and am trying out pear chutney. Never had it but I like Mango chutney so thought I'd give the pear a whirl....

Emily and Jacob are coming for the night tonight. It'll be nice to have a good buddy here for a nice long visit.

Hope you have all enjoyed your Monday!

So it's Official...

I have screwed up knees. After much waffling, I decided that since I was no longer able to stand up straight that it was time I see the doctor. Of course, I had the neighbor telling me to go as she is watching me with tears in my eyes try to get from the front of our porch to the door.

I have always, as long as I can remember had discomfort in my left knee if I did alot of walking etc. I just assumed it was me. This summer after spending a week in a camp kitchen, crying myself to sleep because of the pain, began to think that this was ridiculous for someone of my age. Since we have been home it has bothered me much. In the last few weeks both knees have been bad. This week I was crippled. Walking Claire to school was a chore, standing to make meals no better.

Yesterday I went to the doctor and after my explanation of the pain and her examination and twisting of my legs, she has told me that I have Pattella Femoral Syndrome. Great I said.... what does that mean. It means, she replies, that my knees are out of line...no the aerobics that I was doing in the last years had not helped, the fact that I had a hard time at the gym using the quad extension machine should have indicated that there was a problem etc.... my days of flip-flops are over.....

The fix? Well...I get to get fitted for orthotics which will help get my feet, ankles, and knees in line again. I get to have x-rays to determine the extent of the damage. I also get to go to physiotherapy. The neighbor told me of a great spot right here in our community where she went when she broke her ankle. What she neglected to tell me was that the therapists are very young and very good looking males! When they asked what they would be working with me on , I told them I had messed up knees. Their response, looking at what the doctor had written was yes....you certainly do. Great! I felt myself getting redder and more flustered at the thought of them working with my legs....laughing outloud when they asked if I was a runner....

When I got home, I went next door to suggest that it would have been nice to be prepared for good looking young guys as opposed to seasoned older therapists... Her husband and I had a good laugh when he replied he hadn't been aware that that's who had been working with his wife!

Hud says he has had pain in his knees for years and so he's thinking maybe he should go find a young female physiotherapist to help him out.......

And so Routine it is.....

Real life has started....freedom of summer is gone for sure. The first week of school still seemed exciting and new. Now we are into everything full swing. Monday night ball hockey for Hud, Tuesday afternoon ballet for Claire, evening meetings for Hud, Wednesday night small group, Thursday night guitar for Daniel, piano for Claire maybe Daniel, Friday night youth group for Hud. Add in orthodontist appointments, play dates, all my stuff and of course homework, there is no need to worry about what to do in our "free" time! Swimming lessons need to get squeezed in as well. Never mind the stuff that needs to happen around here.

We have a serious leak somewhere on the west side of the house, not quite sure of the location, just hoping the kitchen floor doesn't need to come up. Water running down electrical wires in the basement through the kitchen floor above is never good.

Claire has settled in well at school and is happy to go each day now. She has come up with a funny quirk though. Before school she could print her name properly. Now that she is in school, she prints it in perfect mirror image. Everytime!

Sam is missing the big kids but is enjoying the boy next door and is often over at the neighbors for the better part of the morning.

Life is busy but we all know what's coming and somehow it seems to make life run more smoothly. Ask me in a month how we are doing and I may have changed my mind. Hope you are all enjoying what fall has brought you.......

Is it really necessary.....

To label a package of cheese with the words " ALLERGY WARNING! contains milk ingredients"
I may not be the smartest thing around, but I'm quite sure that we all know that cheese comes from milk.

And so it goes.....

We had a wonderful surprise yesturday when friends from the valley called to say they were in town and could they visit. They ended up coming for supper and we had a blast. She is preggers, and so we had lots of extra stuff to talk about. She played our new piano that we were given from the camp that Hud speaks at. It was so nice to have fabulous music in the house.

Claire had a hard time at drop off time at school. It was a day three melt down in the extreme. Tears and all. She was mad the first day, and a bit frightened but today she was sad and that is harder to watch. Her teacher took her by the hand and in they went. Off now to pick her up so I'm anxious to see how she made out.

Claire quite sure that we shouldn't be making her do this. Nothing like her "grampy" lips!

Claire was not so pleased to be sent with her teacher. All 150 primary students and their parents had to gather in the gym and find their teacher. Once that was done, they started filing them out by the class. Notice the sound of screaming in the background. It was tough for everyone.

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What I came home to after all the dropoffs! My Rose Mallow had bloomed!

Sam thrilled to be with his friend Katy at pre-school....what a morning for firsts!

Do I really need to stay? I'm NOT very happy with you!

A little overwhelmed at the sheer number of primary students....

I have yummy stuff in my lunch Dad....

Ready to head out with the neighbors

Grandmother's birthday garden.....

An Angel in need.......

Rebekah is a little treasure who is struggling with inoperable cancer of the face. She has been undergoing intense radiation and chemotherapy. Her little body is fighting a raging fever, and she is having increasing difficulty breathing. Her parents are incredibly strong and her daddy is amazing at keeping everyone up to date on the latest info.
If you can find it in yourselves, I would ask that you head over to their site and offer your support. There are also lots of practical ways in which those of you close by can help.
Let's surround them with our love and prayers, ever mindful of the blessing of all of our healthy children.

Morning Glory

Balloon Flower

Purple Bee Balm

Columbine

Spiderwort

Poppies for Cheryl

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!

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Sam so very happy to be training wheel free!

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PRAYERS NEEDED

Please go check out this website. The family could certainly use all the support we can offer....
www.rebekahspage.blogspot.com

The latest cake I did for the neighbor...

Gnorm surfing on the waves of the Northumberland Straight in Malagash Nova Scotia.... It was quite a cold day but he seemed to love it!

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One of Daniel's favorite things to do at the ocean is find hermit crabs and pit them against each other.....

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Claire playing around with the skimboard....

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Sam trying out his skimboard for the first time. It was freezing and he was sick so he gave up after this one attempt.

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Just relaxing......

Enjoying what the ocean threw up in the night!

Can you find the gnome?

Claire en-route to Malagash with Gnorm

SHE'S BACK!

Lisa is back at blogging. Pop on over and say hi!

DISAPPOINTMENT IS A NASTY FEELING................

For what it's worth ......here we are!

Kitten vs unknown beast =129$ vet bill,antibiotics,pain meds, and a revisit in 7 days. Oh and we musn't forget warm compresses on shaved leg at the wound site for 5 mins twice a day for five days.....

For the record......

The berries on a honeysuckle bush are not poisonous according to Poison Control....

The amount of dirt on ones deck that goes un-noticed 'til one starts to pressure wash it is disturbing!

OOPS!!!!

My grandmother who is 84 has ended up with shingles. She is a very frail little being to begin with and she is now down to 70.5lb. Sam, my birthmom and I went to take her supper last night and while we were sitting there chatting we hear this very loud "Health call in progress, please wait, health call in progress please wait." This went on for a minute all of us a little confused. She has a lifeline thing set up so we figured they were just testing it. Next thing we hear is someone calling my grandmothers name through the special phone asking if she was ok. My birthmom says that all is well and that we hadn't called, then we look around the room and see Sam under the coffee table grinning, and Grandmothers Lifeline hanging from her walker. Sam had pressed the lifeline and of course they were responding. Glad to know it works, now if only we could get her to wear the stupid thing! She's afraid of it strangling her and her wrist is too thin to have it on a watch type strap.

The next time I go out I think I will go minus any kids!

After watching these craftsmen work, I will never look at my crystal the same again. We have the privelege of being able to watch these craftsmen mouthblowing their pieces right here in thier shop on the Halifax waterfront.

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Daniel speaking for Gnorm at Buttermilk Falls

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We're Back....

Good times were had by all. Gnorm had a great time, loves to explore, eat, swim, etc.....

Tonight we go to the Natal Day fireworks that they are setting off on the harbour. None of us are really sure how Gnorm will like them, although he loves thunderstorms. He is very intelligent. He had a great time at the science center and really enjoyed the musical stairs.

Hope everyone is well, and not suffering too much with the heat. Gnorm is wishing he wasn't wearing so much!

Pinnacle Rock at buttermilk falls.

Resting on the way...hiking is hard work in the heat!

The boys on a hike!

Gnorm wishing he too were a heron!

A heron in a tree......

The recently found Ivory Billed Woodpecker thought extinxt! Gnorm was so glad to be able to celebrate the find!

A visit to Cornell's bird sactuary....

Gnorm LOVES corn on the cob, and he's not too bad at husking it!

Claire and Gnorm en-route to Ithaca.

Sam and Gnorm resting after Gnorms journey here. Notice that Sam has shared his hat!

Sam and Gnorm, too excited to sleep, decided to get up EARLY to bake cookies for our trip!

Goodnight Gnorm.....

After a relatively relaxed afternoon, Gnorm has hit the hay with Sam. They are sharing Sam's spiderman pillow.....

Sam thinks gnorm is beautiful and has put himself in charge of gnorms well being at the dnner table. Tonight all we heard was, " eat Gnorm eat " Turns out, he likes peanut butter and jam sandwiches!

Tomorrow we hit the road, so we will see what Gnorm thinks of travel by car versus a box!

In answer to Robin's questions.....

1. 1. Do you or have you ever had a nickname and if so what is it?
   
   Big Al,by the people I used to babysit for
   Grandma, by my husband
   
   2. When you go out with your husband, what do you like to do?
   
   We like to go out to a movie,and maybe dinner...but we usually don't get out these days
   
   3. What is your favorite beverage and why?
   
   I love tea because it is so soothing, but I also enjoy coconut rum, and orange creamsicle pop
   
   4. If you could go anywhere in the world without regard to cost, where would you go?
   
   I would like to visit Portugal, and Mexico, Germany would be nice too.....
   
   5. What time do you go to bed usually?
   
   I'm usually in bed by nine.
   
   Now the rules,1) If you want to be interviewed by me, just say so in my comments.2)I will respond by asking you five questions ( not the same as above)3)You will update your site with the answers to the questions.4) You will include ths explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.5) When others comment asking to be interviewed you will ask them five questions

GNORM HAS ARRIVED

He's a little weary from his travels so is resting now but the kids are anxious to take him out. They have already determined the seating arrangements in the van for our trip!

They also think that he looks like our oldest son Daniel. Not sure what Daniel will think of that when he hears about it but anyhow.... I'm off to make Gnorm some lunch.

Happy boy after his oatmeal bath!