Sunday, November 29, 2009

Dropped off the radar

Yes. I disappeared.

I couldn't finish NaBloPoMo. Couldn't do it! I totally missed out on more than 5 days of the month and feel like a failure. But alas, we sometimes can't finish up what we start. I think it's important that we recognize why we can't complete a goal.

Me? I realize why I couldn't keep up the daily posts. I work on the computer all day and I wasn't allowing my mind to wander and dream and be inspired. I was (yet again) being bogged down by my work commitments. Yeah. I let my mind get cluttered.

But I've been okay. This weekend has been very busy for me. No I wasn't fully consumed with work. I worked a little on Wednesday and then a little on Friday morning. The rest of the time? I've been busy with my family. Yeah!

Thursday, we drove up to spend Thanksgiving with the Hubs family. Thankfully, we met up on neutral ground. My married-in SIL and BIL hosted at their new rental home. I kept my focus on my kids, my nephew, and my married-in SIL. Focusing on them kept my mindset clear. Kept me sane.

Friday, the Hubs went to work in the morning. The kids played together while I worked. Then we hung out and played for the rest of the day.

Yesterday was a big day. The day we targeted to get our holiday cheer on. We did our chores and such in the morning and then focused on transforming our house the rest of the day. We've got our tree up and decorated. We've got other miscellaneous inside decorations up inside as well. But the stairs still need to be put into the holiday mood.

After we got the inside mostly done, we went outside to tackle the front yard. Actually, the Hubs was decorating while I played with the kids. I normally decorate the front yard by myself but this year I told the Hubs he'd be doing it. He had to re-do a few things since he didn't lay things out. Ha! We ended up running out of lights. He wrapped out one tree with lights and then turned the strings on. What's sad is that the last string he put up didn't work. He certainly was bummed. He couldn't finish up both trees.

We ended up going to Lowes before dinner to get more outside lights. Yes. We drove out to get MORE LIGHTS! We also ended up picking up a new item for the front yard. A Christmas Bear! Here he is!


We all ended up having a fun weekend together. The kids had a blast playing and helping put up ornaments. I didn't move ANY items they put up this year.

Now are you finished putting up your holiday decorations? Did you end up adding new items to your December arsenal?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 24

Tricked ya! I made the decision last night to go to the Urgent Care today, but wouldn't you know it? My toe felt "a little" better today and I chose not to waste any money on a visit to the doc.

I mean, really? It's money that I could spent on my kids, my husband, and my family for the holidays. What I saved from the visit to Urgent Care will definitely be put to good use. On what? I don't know. But on something.

Tomorrow, the kids have less than a half-day at school. I'll be going to pick them up around 11am and we'll eat some pumpkin pie together at their lunch tables. Then we'll head home.

I'm thinking that I'll bake some stuff with them the rest of the day. Maybe some pumpkin bread and/or banana bread. Maybe some berry cobbler? I just don't know.

I'm just glad my toe is feeling better. Seriously. I need to see some better health in 2010.

Monday, November 23, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 23

My left foot still hurts folks.

I'm planning on visiting the Urgent Care if my foot is still not any better tomorrow.

I had the Hubs look at my feet. I had him compare the left and the right bottoms.
Me: So does the ball of my left foot look less swollen today?

Hubs: [chuckling] It looks the same. Just as swollen as yesterday.

Me: Are you kidding me? It doesn't look better to you?

Hubs: Hate to tell you this babe, but it looks the same as yesterday.

Does my pain require a visit to a medical person? I guess I want to ensure that I don't have any broken bones in my foot. You know?

Ay-yay-yay! I can't believe how many blunders/sicknesses I've had this year. I think that my New Year's resolution should be that I'll try to be more healthy in 2010.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 22

Can you say injury prone?

Yes.

That's how I feel right now.

Yesterday, in an attempt to dress nicely, I put on a pair of wedge sandals with woven straps.

Folks?

I think I sprained my foot.

More precisely, the area around the ball of my big toe on my left foot.

Yes. I "think" I sprained the area. I checked myself based upon what this site says to do to help determine if a toe is broken or sprained.

My temperature didn't raise. At least I don't think it did.
I can wiggle my toe without too much pain.
There's no grating or popping when I move it.
There is a bit of swelling, but it doesn't look deformed compared to my other foot.
I can easily stand on my foot.

So...my conclusion is that my foot is just sprained. From using a pair of wedge sandals that I rarely wear. I guess my feet aren't used to being in that high-heel arch position. My toes aren't used to gripping when I walk in heels. Can you believe it? SPRAINED!

What a way to start my week!

Friday, November 20, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 20

An interesting holiday situation  has occurred.

On Sunday, the Hubs told me that he'd received a call from his Mom about Thanksgiving.
Hubs: By the way...

Me: What?

Hubs: My Mom said that we wouldn't be doing the gift grab bag this year.

Me: We're not doing it?

Hubs: No. She said we'd skip it.

Me: Okay....is it because she doesn't have a job?


Hubs: She didn't say that, but that's probably why.

Me: Interesting. So when I lose my job, we still do the gift exchange. But when she loses her job then she decides to skip it. 

Hubs: Yeah. That's the way it goes.


Me: Yeah. Typical. She can't save for the gift exchange that she organized, but she could afford to go to Florida for a week. Okay...that makes loads of sense.
Hubs: Yeah. I didn't say it made sense.
I know that lots of people have lost their jobs. We're all on a budget. But she's the one who started this gift exchange about 10 years ago. And now that she's lost her job, she's decided to opt out of it. Hmmm...

But the Hubs and I are thinking that it's just one less thing we need to deal with during this busy holiday season. We can concentrate on the kids and creating a wonderful atmosphere here at home for them. You know?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 19

This morning turned out to be a time for appointments.

I showed up to my dental cleaning about 15 minutes early in the hopes that they'd be able to get me in before my appointment time. They got me in the back about 10 minutes before my designated time but the cleaning was with a new hygenist who was VERY thorough. I appreciate that she was thorough but she was also very chatty. Which meant? The typical 20 minute cleaning took over 30 minutes.

Normally this wouldn't be a problem but I only had a half hour between my dental and hair appointments. Needless to say? I was late for my haircut. Thankfully I was able to grab my phone and make a quicky call to the salon to let them know I was running late.

Of course, my stylist was not phased by my lateness. She's now at the original salon where I found her. And wouldn't you know it? She's pregnant. Almost EIGHT months pregnant! She's due the first week in January. I am such a nerd that I didn't notice during my previous haircut but she BARELY shows.

Anyway, she had a grand old time hacking away at my hair. I was seriously in need to a cut. I was all bushy. She cut at least 2 inches off the back. It's only been about eight weeks since my last cut and she cut TWO inches off. She and I were both amazed at how much she had to hack off. My hair now has some shape to it. I am immensely happy with it. This cut will definitely take me through both Thanksgiving and Christmas without looking yucky.

Woohoo!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 18

I keep a dayplanner. One that I write in and keep in my purse.

Yes. I'm one of those dinosaurs that doesn't want to give up my little folder. I just can't get rid of it.

My reasoning? I throw receipts in there. I throw brochures in there. I make little notes in the margins. It's just something I do to keep the little bits of paper together.

But even though I do have my little organizer? I sometimes forget things. Like today.

[ring-ring-ring]
Me: Hello?

Caller: Grace? This is Susan from Dr. C's office.

Me: Oh hi!

Caller: This is just a reminder about your appointment tomorrow morning at 9am.

Me: Tomorrow? 9am?

Caller: Yes.

Y'all? I almost had a heart-attack as I grabbed my dayplanner from my purse to check something.

You see, earlier this week I made an appointment to get my haircut tomorrow. Thankfully? My dental cleaning is at 9am and my haircut appointment is at 9:30am. How is that thankful or good? Because the two offices are about 20 steps away from each other. That's right. Both places are in the same business complex. Yeah!

How do you stay organized? 

Monday, November 16, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 16

I finally colored my hair this weekend.

Wouldn't you know it that the Hubs didn't even notice that I'd colored it?

Folks? I had tons of little white hairs waving out above both my ears and all along my hairline. And he didn't notice those? Sheesh! He definitely hasn't been looking too closely at me.

Seems that now that I'm older, my natural hair color has toned down from black to a brown. It's not even DARK brown. It's lighter than that. So if I haven't colored my hair in a while (like this time around), there is a major difference in the overall look of my hair. Post-process my hair is not only one color (no more waving white hairs) but it's also way darker.

I totally have to laugh because I notice when the Hubs gets a haircut every 6 weeks. I notice. I can tell it's shorter. I can tell the back of his neck is crisply neat and clean. I can tell. I just can.

But this darn man can't even tell when I've colored my hair. [tapping my foot] Why? But you know what? He can't even seem to tell when I've gotten a haircut either. [tapping foot] Anyone? Help? Is my husband just oblivious to this kind of thing?

You know what though? He'd probably notice right away if I'd get a Brazilian like 24 did not so long ago. Now THAT kind of change my husband would notice. Go figure, eh?

Sunday, November 15, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 15

The sound of Sunday rings in my ears right now.

Football is playing in the family room.

From where the Hubs is sitting in the family rooms, the Hubs is throwing a Nerf football to the Bear and the Princess who are in the living room.


I'm here in the front den with the kids behind me laughing and talking loud to each other because they're having so much fun.

As everyone else is distracted, I'm here trying to casually do some online Christmas shopping.

A casual and typical Sunday for us. We're all together. We're all happy. We're all healthy.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 14

Tonight we attended the last baseball event of the year. The Bear's baseball team had a pizza dinner so the kids could get their medals.

The place they gathered was much like Peter Piper Pizza or Chuck E Cheese. So the kids played video games and driving games. It was an easy couple hours to spend out. It was nice to get away from the house. Remember I've not been feeling well for a while, so I've
been sticking close to home.

On the health front? Today was the first day that I've felt normal in over 2 weeks. No headache. No dizziness. No aches. Halleluia! And what did I do? I cleaned all our bathrooms, vacuumed the downstairs rooms, swept all the tile areas downstairs, and washed 5 loads of laundry. It was actually such a great feeling. To feel healthy and get the house clean. Yeah!

Friday, November 13, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 13

Today the headache settled into a dull ache. Not the pounding mess that it's been the last few days. I'm so glad I'm feeling better but seriously ready to no longer have a headache. You know?

Thankfully the kids haven't been hit with it like me. The Bear had a milder version of it last week but he's fully recovered. The Princess hasn't shown anything sign of a cough [knocking on wood]. The Hubs felt a little scratchy but hasn't had a headache.

Today I did manage to take an easy run/walk. I ended up only running about a mile and walking the other mile. I did feel good after. Tired but good. The rest of the day I did feel tired. I took a nap around 1pm. What's crazy? After dinner, I fell asleep on the couch! I was THAT exhausted that when I closed my eyes I fell asleep. Hopefully I'm just tired from my run/walk after not been exercising for almost 2 weeks.

Interestingly enough, I got a call from my Mom tonight. Out of the blue. She doesn't normally call unless she's got something going on that I need to know about. The reason she called? Because she'd been thinking about me the last few days. She felt that something wasn't right. She thought maybe it was my medication. I let her know that I've been sick and that I hadn't been sleeping well for 2 weeks. Aha! She had that strange Spidey-sense Mom-intuition thing going. She was very relieved to hear that I was on the upswing to feeling better. But I think she was also relieved that her sense of unease had a reason. Funny how a Mom can just "feel" when something isn't right, eh?

Anyway, I'm crossing my fingers that I'll feel all better tomorrow. It so totally sucks being sick....

Thursday, November 12, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 12

Headache all day.

Enough said.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 11

I'm definitely getting older. My body is definitely showing its age.

When I get sick nowadays, it takes me about 2 weeks to recover fully. This cough/throat thing? I'm just at the end of it. Tomorrow it'll be the 2 week mark.

I'm still taking my blood pressure medication. After all the blood work and receiving positive results, my doc told me to stop taking the meds and monitor my pressure. If my readings were higher than 140/90 then I'd give him a call. I stopped taking the meds on a Monday. I noticed that by Thursday my pressure was back up to 145/93. So I'm back on the meds. Even though I'm not overweight or anything my body just needs help keeping my pressure down. Probably a link to the preclampsia I had when I was pregnant with my daughter.

But at the end of this month, I have an appointment with a specialist. You see, during the routine ultrasound of my kidneys they saw what appeared to be a cyst near my kidneys. Yes. A cyst. Now I have to go see a kidney specialist (a nephrologist) to figure out if anything needs to be done. When I was getting the ultrasound on my kidneys, I should have figured something was up when the gal had me turn back to my left so that she could do some additional scans on my right kidney. But dense me...I just thought she was retaking some shots. [sigh]

But thankfully? I'm pretty healthy overall. I'm going to get back onto my run/walk outings in the mornings after dropping the kids off. I stopped working out when I got this cough thing. I tend to breath through my mouth, so when I would run/walk my throat would become inflamed pretty quick with the dry air we've got out here in the desert.

Today was the first day in ages that I've run. And it was a nice one. I was still able to run the entire 2-mile route without walking. I've just got to get my body out there more than twice a week so I can get my blood flowing and stay strong.

How do you stay strong?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 10

Halloween has come and gone.

The kids' costumes are their dress-up box.

The candy that the kids' collected on their night out with Daddy is still sitting in their bags next to the front closet.

The leftover candy that didn't get handed out is still sitting in the big bowl next to the kids' Halloween bags.

What's funny?

The kids aren't asking about eating the candy. Seriously. Since Halloween they've maybe consumed less than 10 pieces each. They're not bouncing off the walls with sugar. Thank goodness!

Sweets aren't a big thing in our house. I know the kids enjoy eating cookies/cake/candy but it's not a prime thing in their minds. Maybe it's because we don't eat dessert? I'll definitely let them eat sweets when we're at a birthday party or holiday event. Yes. I will.

But what's crazy (in a good way)? They don't go overboard. Like the Bear and I went to a birthday party on Saturday. He ate 3 pieces of pizza and then chose not to have any cake or ice cream. None. He said "No thank you" when they tried to give him a little plate. He's SIX and he refused cake and ice cream!

In another week, I'll just throw out all the Halloween candy. You know what I tell them? That the candy "spoils" after a couple weeks. But this year they might not even notice when I do throw it out. Who knows?

Now is your household still in the throws of the post-sugar-high from Halloween?

Monday, November 9, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 9

I've been thinking about something since I saw it yesterday.

I've been contemplating about what I'd write on a list.

A list you say?

Yes.

I saw someone write about their experience with "101 Things in 1001 Days".

That got me to thinking.

What the HECK would I have on this kind of list?

Basic things? Like learn to actually use a sewing machine?

Or more complicated projects? Like actually sew a quilt?

Now that the idea is stuck in my brain, I'm going to have to mull it over for a bit so it can marinade.

Maybe I'll come up with a list.

And see how much I can possibly finish/cross-off on my list.

Maybe. Just maybe.

But I'll have to look into what others have written on their "lists" and see what I find.

What I find may push me forward. Or maybe just make me create a smaller and less daunting list.

We'll see.

Now have YOU created one of these lists? Or do you know anyone who has taken up the challenge?

Sunday, November 8, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 8

This weekend has shown me that my kids really do love each other.

Don't get me wrong. I do know they love each but this weekend they showed me how much they love and ENJOY each other.

You see, they played with each other so fabulously all weekend. They played Wii. They dressed up. They got all their stuffed animals together and did some kind of "show" upstairs. They took turns and played on the computer together. They watched our rented DVDs together. They chased each other & did somersaults in the family room. They played and played some more.

What's funny is that earlier today, the Hubs decided to trim some of our bushes out front. I told him that I was going to sit outside and read while he trimmed.

Me: Prin? Bear? Mom & Dad are going outside for about a half hour. Dad's going to trim the bushes. 

Kids: Okay Mom. 

Me: You coming?

Princess: No thanks. We're going to play inside.

Can you believe it? They were so engrossed with what they were doing that they decided to stay inside. Together!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 7

Don't you just love it when you're feeling under the weather and your kids have activities that they need to attend?

Oh joy!

I took the Princess to a Girl Scout activity at our local library around 10am. The girls are learning to quilt, so they were getting experience with sewing by hand and sewing on a machine. The Princess was able to make her first sewing project in less than hour. She made a nice little pot holder for me. She enjoyed using the sewing machine. Of course, she did have to get used to the foot pedal. But once she got it? She did great.

The Bear attended a birthday party for one of his neighborhood friends. They did a treasure hunt for "gold". They danced while the boy's older brother played guitar hero. They got into teams and "raced" to create a mummy with toilet paper. Of course, there was a pinata that took the kids a while to break. After each of the kids had two chances to hit the pinata, the Mom ended up turning it over and splitting it. Such a relief for everyone.

My yuckiness has turned into a head cold. I've now got nasal congestion along with some sneezing. I seriously don't like it when there's pressure in my head. I've been taking a Motrin about twice a day to take the edge off. Mainly I've just been drinking water and attempting to rest. Ha!

But I do hope that tomorrow will be a HUGE day of rest for me. Hopefully the Hubs will let me sleep in since I woke up with the kids this morning. I hope...I hope...I hope...

Friday, November 6, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 6

For the last week or so, the Hub's car has been making a funny sound when he starts it up in the morning. When it's a "cold" start.

Earlier this week he called the small mechanic owned auto repair shop that he goes to for an appointment. He brought it into the shop this morning around 8:30am so it could get fixed and it was all fixed by 11:30am.


According to the mechanic, the Hubs' car was in desperate need of a tune up. The spark plugs were down to the nub. The fuel injectors were almost clogged up. With over 120k miles, the Hubs was just gunked up. And the mechanic fixed it up in no time flat.

Thank goodness for the work ethic of the small business owner!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 5

I'm trying to ever-so-patiently wait for a return call.

Important, you ask?

Yes. To me.

This week I've been dealing with my hacking cough and haven't been sleeping well. Not only did I wake up on Tuesday night at 3:30am, I also woke up last night at 1:05am. [sigh] I got up drank some water, took more cough syrup, then lay on the couch so that the Hubs could have a good night's sleep.

Alas, sleeping on the couch was not the best thing for me. I never really got back to sleep the night before. I barely dozed last night. Sleep? Sleep? Where art thou? Definitely not with me!

Today I'm tired. And I've felt a bit off. Since I've been "sick" I chose not to run. The last time I ran was last Wednesday! Curses! Been way too long. So around 10am this morning, I decided to go take an easy 2-mile walk. But before I went for the walk, I decided to take my blood pressure.

Did I happen to mention that my last dose of blood pressure meds was taken on Monday morning? Yes. I spoke with my doc's nurse and she said that I could get off the meds since they didn't find anything out of the ordinary with my tests.

So I stopped taking my meds. I'm still sick. I'm not sleeping well.

My blood pressure at 10am this morning? 134/83.

Definitely NOT where it's supposed to be.

This made me even MORE motivated to go out for my walk. Maybe a good long walk would get my pressure down.

After my walk and a quick rinse? It was still high. 138/85.

So I decide that since I'm unusually tired that a nap might do the trick. I took a brief & restless snooze of about 45 minutes. My pressure post-nap at 1:30pm? 143/94.

Okay. Okay. Red bells in my head!

I called my doctor's office and left a message.

And now at 3:30pm? I'm still waiting for a return call back.

What I need to find out is if I should get back on my meds today or wait until they see me? You know?

[twittling my thumbs]

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 4

I've basically been awake since 3:30am.

THREE THIRTY in the FREAKING MORNING.

Why? Why was I awake that early?

Because I had a huge coughing fit.

I was coughing so much I had to get up out of bed so I wouldn't wake up my husband. [sigh]

I got a glass of water and some cough syrup before sitting in the front den. I first sipped on the water to calm my throat some. Then I drank the cough syrup.

Even after I took the cough syrup, I had some lingering irritation. So I stayed up and watched a show online for a little bit. Then I laid on the couch and tried to get some sleep. I didn't get back into bed with the Hubs because I wasn't sure if I would have another coughing fit. You know?

Anyway, I am now tired. My throat still feels a bit dry/irritated. I will again keep the Bear home with me. If I'm feeling yucky, he's probably feeling yucky too. I'll be able to cuddle with him on the couch today since I did a bit of work yesterday AND because I'm feeling gosh-darn tired.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 3

Anyone dealing with the scratches?

"Put Neosporin on it" you say?

No. Not that kind of scratch.

I'm talking about the scratches that irritate your throat. The kind of scratches that make on feel like coughing when you lie down on your side to sleep.

ARGH!

I've been dealing with a scratchy throat for almost a week now. I thought that the darn cough was getting better over the weekend. But last night and today? Ultra-scratchy! It feels DRY and scratchy. Ugh!

What's even worse? The Bear seems to have caught whatever throaty ailment I've got. I mean, there's no fever. No congestion in my nose. Actually? My nose last week was SO ultra-dry it wasn't even funny. The Bear had a nosebleed on Sunday, so he's definitely got whatever I've got.

And the Bear? Because he's got an irritated throat that makes him cough? He stayed home with me today. And it was a pretty uneventful day. It's so nice when the kids are home sick but not really THAT sick. There's no medication to give them. There's no constant vomit watch. I just had to make sure the kid stayed hydrated. I made him bring a thermos filled with water with him wherever he went today. Why? Because I know that this throat thing feels better for me when I'm hydrated.

So the Bear and I were actually able to head out for some fresh air this morning. We stopped by the library. We stopped by the bank. We even stopped by the DVD store to pick up the latest action movies that were released.

The Bear is now on the couch with the Princess watching one of the movies we picked up. They both have finished their homework. They've both done their 15 minutes of reading for the day. Now they're relaxing before the Hubs gets home.

Pretty easy day. Right?

Monday, November 2, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 2

Since the middle of last week we've been dealing with sketchy cable service. Unfortunately for us, we get our television and internet service via cable. So both of these "essential" services were sucky for more than a couple days. In the mornings and at night, the tv screen would break up and the sound would come in hiccups, so we couldn't really watch any shows.

The Hubs? He seemed unconcerned. He figured it was an area outage issue. Some equipment from the "station" in his mind was messed up. He said he'd call the cable company to find out what was going on.

Wednesday night? I asked him about it. He said he didn't call.

Thursday night? I asked him about it. He said he didn't call.

You seeing a pattern here?

Friday morning? I saw that we were still having the reception issue. So I called at 7am when the Hubs was getting changed for work. The customer service rep tested the signal going to our house and she said that we were getting a "low" signal. What she actually meant by that? I have no idea. Suffice it to say. It wasn't good and would need a technician to save the day. Since it was Friday, the earliest appointment available was Monday (meaning today) and we got set up for the time frame of 1pm-5pm. And I verified that the technician would call before they came by because I pick up the kids at 4pm and it takes about 30 minutes round-trip.

The technician came at 3:10pm. He was super nice. He changed out some cables & splitters. And everything LOOKS to be okay now. We'll see though tonight and in the morning.

Just another example where the Hubs is leisurely about getting things done while I want things done NOW.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

NaBloPoMo - Entry 1

This year was the Hubs' turn to take the kids out for Halloween. Yeah!

As always, the kids had a blast going out and prancing around the neighborhood.

Rather than buying their costumes online this year, I went to our neighborhood Target once the Halloween section got set up in the store. I went through the area with the kids twice before I had them choose the costume they wanted to wear this year. This way they could mill in their minds what they actually wanted to put on. My son? He chose a Bumblebee Transformer costume. My daughter? A pirate.

Here they are with their garb on acting like silly monsters once again!


Costumes are just something we cannot typically reuse each year. The kids grow. Right? As a sidenote, the costume that the Bear wore to the zoo on Friday? That was his costume from last year. But generally speaking the costumes usually last one Halloween and then are put into their dress-up clothes box. And by the time the next year rolls around, the costumes aren't so nice. Good for at home dress-up, but not quite right for a night out.

But can you believe? As we were eating an early dinner last night, I suddenly looked at the Hubs and realized we didn't have an important element.

Me: Oh no! What are they going to use to hold the candy?

Hubs: What? Don't they have those old pumpkin bags?

Me: Those teeny-tiny things that are in their dress-up box? Those are too tiny...

Princess: Mom, don't we have those Libby-Lou bags?

Me: Oh...the Libby-Lou bags? Where are those?

I immediately left the dinner table and ventured into the garage. I went to one plastic container that I thought the bags would be in. I took off the lid and FOUND the bags! I was so relieved. The bags have nice thick handles that aren't too short or too long. And they're large enough to carry a bunch of candy. When the kids were little, I would carry a backpack so they could "off load" their candy when their bags got too heavy. But these bags we got last year (or was it the year before?) were just the right size. I attached some inexpensive glowsticks that I found at Target this summer.



Thankfully, the bees that I told you about yesterday were quiet last night. And when I looked outside earlier this morning there was a pile of carcasses out on the sidewalk. Like I said yesterday, I'm just glad the majority of the bees are happily in a new home with the bee guy.