You really need to go here and elf yourself, but first watch ours!!

 

Saturday was Alicia's birthday.  Her actual birthday is the 24th which is sometimes on Thanksgiving Day - but not always - and it seems that we celebrate it on Thanksgiving every year because all of the family is together.  This year was no different; I made her a small cake and she opened a few gifts.  We still had a small get-together for her on her actual birthday.  I made another small cake and her cousins and Aunt Karnette and Uncle Shawn came over.  We sang to her and she opened up a few gifts from Mike and I. She was very happy because she got more Polly Pocket and I was very happy because I found a carrying case for all that stuff!  Those little tiny pieces are a pain.

 

I would post pictures of it all, but my cord to my camera appears to not be working.  I knew it was coming, frankly.  I found it with a big kink in it the other day and I know from experience that a kinked cord is a cord that won't work for long.  So as soon as I get a replacement I can put the pictures on here.

 

Today we celebrated the November birthdays at her school.  There are 4 kids with their birthdays within a week of each other.  We parents got together and did lunch for the kids.  We had pizza, carrot sticks, mini cupcakes and punch.  It was a huge hit with the kids.  The birthday children kept coming up to me to show me all that they got for their birthday.  They get a pencil, sticker, hat, bookmark and a certificate.  Mrs. Tank really spoils them!!

 

I really can't believe that Alicia is seven now.  I told someone today that she was six.  I had to correct myself!  My first baby is just getting so big.  She thinks that she should be acting so much older than she is.  She even got makeup from her grandma for a gift so that she would leave mine alone!  It just happens far too fast.  It seems like yesterday that my poor little baby girl was in a plexiglass bed under the bili lights to combat her jaundice.  I wanted so badly to touch her, to hold her.  I lived for feedings because that was the only time that I was allowed to touch my new baby, although I did sneak in a few touches through the holes in the side of the bed when no one else was around.  I will never forget that aching, that longing, just to hold my baby.  We had to take her back to the hospital when she was only five days old.  She was only home for a few days with us and I felt as if she were being taken away from me.  It was so hard.

 

Now I can't seem to get away from her, even if I try.  Not that I try that often.

This has been quite a week.  Alicia went to school on Monday and then had half a day on Tuesday.  Reece had preschool Tuesday and got out about the same time as Ali.  Her class had a Thanksgiving meal and I was asked to bring squash, sliced and cooked.  As I was slicing and cooking the squash, I thought to myself that Ali would probably be the only child who eats it.  I was close; she and one other child asked for squash.  I'm proud of my girl; she doesn't shy away from the veggies!

 

On Wednesday I was supposed to be getting ready for Thanksgiving.  However, I had no...motivation?  I just could not get my rear-end moving!  I had to make a bunch (FOUR!) of pumpkin pies for the next day.  Did I get it done?  No....I was supposed to do laundry.  Yeaaaaaaaaah.  I didn't even really clean the house!!  Luckily, Anayla came over and did some cleaning for me.  I finally got some steam in the evening and started my pies.  For some reason, if I bake more than one pie at a time, my oven doesn't cook evenly.  I had to keep sticking them back in - over and over and over again - so that they would bake all the way through.  Finally, at 1:45 am, I went to bed.  Only to get back up at 6:30 am. 

 

I got up and grabbed a turkey, a roasting pan, put two pies into a basket and headed to my sister Karnette's house.  I didn't even put on pants!  I wore my PJ's all the way there!!  When I got to her house she was just getting started on her own - bigger - turkey and the stuffing.  She hadn't even started the stuffing!  I got my turkey all cleaned and prepped, popped it into the oven and headed back home at around 7 am.  When I got home I considered staying up but knew I was in for a long day so I crawled into bed for a nap.  I got back up around 9, but hadn't really slept all that time because Reece wanted to "sleep" with me and kept chattering and touching my face.

 

I finally got up, showered, dressed, got all the kids ready (my niece Anayla had stayed the night), baked a birthday cake for Alicia and got ready to go back up to my sister's.  I loaded up the other two pies and the cake and off we went.  When we got to Karnette's house, it was kind of chaotic.  My brother Josh and SIL Mary were there with my nephew Johnnie.  They also drove my grandma there as she and my dad and stepmom had stayed at their house for a few days.  My dad and my brothers were down at Dry Creek shooting the bow and arrow.  People were getting ready to go to the store.  Not much other than the turkeys was cooking.

 

We all buckled down and got the side dishes going.  Mike came up and started to hint about needing to eat soon as he had to be at work at 3.  We managed to get all the food ready and on the table by 2 and he was able to eat before heading off to a busy day at work.  My brother Josh brought his Wii with him, which kept the kids (and all the men) busy for most of the day.

 

I sat and talked to my grandma and teased my stepbrother, who is on the very shy side.  I met his sweet new girlfriend, who is also on the very shy side.  We sang Happy Birthday to Alicia since most of the family would not be able to come to our house on her actual birthday.  She opened a few gifts and we ate cake.

 

By the time I loaded everything up and headed back home it was after 8 pm.  I got home and luckily Mike was allowed to come home 4 hours after starting his shift.  I hit the sack at 9:20.  I rarely go to bed before 11, but I was so tired it was all I could do to take off my makeup.

 

It was a great Thanksgiving, full of family and laughter.  The perfect Thanksgiving day.

This is a two-page layout of the kids at the pumpkin patch this year.  Of course, they can be clicked to see bigger.

 

I have a migraine; that's nothing new.  I get them pretty often and since the weather is changing, I expect I'll be getting them more often.  However, today I experienced my first aura.

 

I was driving around and my vision seemed....blurred?  It was as if there were gas fumes or hot air waves in a portion of my left eye.  I actually thought to myself, "I need to get my eyes checked."  An hour later I had a migraine.  It took me quite awhile to realize that it was an aura.  I've heard of them.  I've read plenty about them.  I've just never personally experienced one.

 

It was quite odd and not just a little unsettling.  I hope to never experience it again.

I swear, I'm losing my mind.  I am.  Maybe it's age taking its toll on me. 

 

I had to model today for the tea party/fashion show.  I went at 10:00, picked out a bunch of outfits, and didn't leave until 2:00.  My feet are so sore!!!  I also didn't get my meal because I had to get going.  Now I have a headache from not eating, my feet hurt and my ankle is throbbing.  It's such a fun thing to do, though, that I don't want to skip it!

 

I was supposed to take Alicia to the doctor's office today to have her heart checked.  Would you believe I completely forgot about the appointment until 45 minutes later?  I do not know what is wrong with me!!  So, I called and left a message for them telling them that I was sorry.  I should have made it for later anyway; 3:15 is kind of hard to make when she gets out at 2:30 and I didn't pick her up until 2:45.

 

I still can't believe I missed it.  I could just kick myself.

The van is back and running!!  I am so excited!!  It was heavenly, being behind the wheel of my big, safe machine again.  I felt so far up from the road and so pampered since I wasn't feeling every bump in the road.  The kids were happy; they weren't in fighting distance and they were so peaceful! 

 

It cost $599.64 when all was said and done.  That is including the hubcap that I had them put on since I wasn't able to stop on the freeway and get my old one.  That sucker was $42 alone!  I should go and make sure that they are ALL on there tightly!!

 

Alicia's teacher Mrs. Tank is happy the van is working again, too.  I was supposed to drive on a field trip and she was so disappointed when I wasn't able to do it.  I was disappointed too; they went to see Seussical the Musical at the new Gallo Performing Arts Center!!  Who knows when I'll have another chance to get into that building - for free?!

 

Alright.  It's bath time.  Off I go, again.

 

I've never really tried to do a fancy signature for message boards before, but I did one today.  I like the way it turned out but it took a long time.  As usual, click on it to see bigger.

 

"I don't like showers; I'm just a little kid!"

We finally gave in and took the van to the dealership.  The problem is something to do with the cam shaft but apparently not the cam shaft itself.  It is going to cost us $560 to get it fixed.  I asked my brother Josh about it and he said it's because they have to take the motor out to get to the part.  I assume a large part of the cost is labor.  While I am not happy about having to fork this money out right before Christmas (doesn't it always work that way?), at least I will have my van again.  It has been very hard trying to work around having just one car.

 

This past weekend was my niece Lindsay's birthday.  She turned 12.  She loves all things Betty Boop (and all things frogs) and had asked her mom for a Betty Boop birthday cake.  My sister wasn't sure how she was going to get this cake done and basically told Lindsay that she could only do a regular old rectangular cake this year due to time and finances.  We were talking about it and I offered to make the cake for her.  I used a Strawberry Shortcake pan that I already had and printed out a picture of Betty Boop and did my own design.  I'm very happy with how it turned out!!

 

Isn't it cute?  She was so surprised and excited!

I'm very happy with the whole thing.  She was happy because she got not only Betty Boop, but also black icing, which she wanted so that everyone's tongues would turn black, lol.  It worked!

With the recent scares of toys made in China - lead paint, DATE RAPE DRUG INGESTION - it may be more life-saving than patriotic to buy toys made in America.  Just keep in mind that because it says "Made in America" doesn't necessarily mean it IS made in America.  For example, Melissa and Doug floor puzzles are apparently painted in China.  Always double-check the fine print!   Anyhow, a friend of mine has compiled a list of Made in America toys and companies.  It is not a definitive list and it may even have errors (Melissa and Doug was originally on the list), but it's a great reminder to be careful of what we buy for our children.  Here's the list:

 

 AMERICAN MADE TOYS ~

www.fatbraintoys.com
there is a link to American made toys down the page on the left

www.sensoryedge.com
scroll down on the left to “Other Fun Stuff” for American made toys

www.americantoys.com
American made trucks, cars and planes

www.step2.com
Scroll down and to the right for their position on American made toys

www.backtobasicstoys.com

Down & to the right for “Shop With Confidence” for American made

www.durabletoys.com
Lists their American made toys with “USA”

www.stillmadeinusa.com/toysngames.html
Lists several American toy companies

Here are several American made brands:

• Crayola Crayons
• Play-Doh
• Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat
• Radio Flyer Discovery Wagon
• Chutes and Ladders
• Clue
• Connect Four
• Boggle Jr.
• Battleship
• Candyland
• Life
• Monopoly
• Operation
• Mouse Trap
• Parcheesi
• Scrabble
• Sorry
• Stratego
• Pop-O-Matic Trouble
• Trvial Pursuit
• Yahtzee
• Tri-ominos
• The Wiggles Lil' Big Red Car
• Step 2 Tag-Along Trailer Plus
• Step 2 Push Around Buggy
• Step 2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen
• Little Tikes Explorer Wagon
• Little Tikes Cook 'n Clean Kitchen
• Little Tikes Shopping Cart Caddy
• Scholastic Fruity Gummy Activity
• Scholastic Rock Tumbler
• Bicycle Playing Cards
• Rallye Rescue Rider
• Rallye Little Ms. Rider
• Runabout Wagon

Alicia at the park on a beautiful fall day.  Click on the picture to see it bigger.

 

Another day without the van.  Scarily, I am getting used to this business of only having one vehicle.  Donna did drive us to school this morning because Mike worked a NOC shift and didn't get off work until 7:30.  That means he wouldn't be home until closer to 8:00.  She graciously offered to pick us up on her way.  It was a nice way to start the day.  Once I got home, Mike was here and I was able to use the car.

 

Tony did call and say that he talked to his friend at the Ford dealership who gave him a couple of ideas on what the problem could be.  He's coming over on Sunday to check those out and to do a tune-up on Mike's Neon.  I can't wait for that tune-up because the car is going through too much gas and running a bit choppy.  Since it's Mike's commuter car it would be nice if it got better gas mileage.

 

I had plans to clean the house and be done before Sabbath tonight, but those plans were kind of smooshed.  I had to call the insurance company and get us signed up since Mike started with Tenet this month.  It's retroactive to the first, but we still needed to get it done.  I was on the phone for, and this is the God-honest truth, ONE HOUR, EIGHT MINUTES and some seconds.  I was on hold for most of that time.  I was afraid to do too much for fear that I would accidentally hang up the phone with my ear.  It's happened before and I definitely didn't want it to happen today!!  At any rate, we are all now covered from head to toe and in the slim chance that any one of us should die, that will be covered, too. 

 

The house is a bit messy, but at least I have peace of mind!!

 

I'm going to leave you with some funky pumpkin action:

I think I'm getting a migraine.  Yuck.

 

In other news, my friend Carol told me that Modesto is getting a Fuddruckers!!  If you haven't been there, they offer tons of variety on hamburgers, including ostrich and buffalo.  That's not what impresses me so much.  No, it's the garlic fries.  Oh my goodness, the garlic fries!!!  *drool*  The bonus is trying to get whomever you brought with you to mispronounce the name of the restaurant.  Fun stuff!!

 

Speaking of fun stuff, I got this in my e-mail today.  It's a redneck sports bra.

 

Can you see it?  Look really, really closely.  It's men's underwear with the crotch cut out!!  How....crafty?....disgusting?....weird is that?

 

I also received this video.  Coincidentally, my aunt sent both of these to me.  I think she must have wacky friends.

 

Seriously funny stuff.

 

 

The van STILL is not in working order!!  Tony came by tonight and replaced the tensioner rod and belt - which needed to be replaced - and the van is still chirping, squealing and stalling.  He's not sure what it could be now.  Everything is checking out fine; the van just won't stay on.   He is going to check with a friend tomorrow who has a book for Fords.  Hopefully we can get it done soon!!

 

Tomorrow looks to be a busy day for Mike and me.  We have to go to Modesto and sign up for the new health insurance package through Tenet.  We'll be driving around to a couple of places.  Then I will drop him off at work and pick up Alicia.  He has a friend who will bring him home tomorrow night after work.  We've had to be very compromising in our activities since we're down to one vehicle.

 

I filled the car up with gas today, which was painful.  The gas is now at $3.22 a gallon.  Ouch!!!  It was over $30 for around 9 gallons of gas!  Ridiculous!!

 

I hope tomorrow goes smoothly.

My van is still not working.  Tony came by today and checked it and thinks it is the tensioner rod for the alternator that pulls up the slack on the belt that runs the alternator.  He ordered the part and hopefully he can fix it tomorrow.  I can't wait to have my van back and running!!  Mike's Neon is fun to drive, but it's a pain because it is so hard to fit the kids in that tiny backseat with backpacks and all.

 

Reece and Alicia had so much fun with their friends.  The kids ran in and out and in and out and kept leaving the screen door open.  Once they left, I was rinsing a dish at the kitchen sink and I felt something skitter across my bare foot.  I thought it was a candy wrapper because I had been picking those up all day (thank God the Halloween candy is now gone!), but instead of a wrapper, this is what I saw:

 

Yes, that is a lizard!!  He (actually, I think it's a she) was very fat and well-fed.  I wonder if someone had her as a pet and let her go or she got loose.  At any rate, I covered her with a Tupperware bowl and guided her to the door and past the threshold, at which point I had presence of mind to take a picture.

So we are still down to one vehicle.  Our friend Tony is supposed to come by tonight and check out the van.  I hope he remembers!!  We just don't feel safe taking it anywhere because we never know when it is just going to die on us.  It starts right back up, but what if we are going at a good speed?  So far it's been only when the van is idling or going under 5 mph, but who knows?

 

Last night was Halloween and of course we didn't take the kids trick-or-treating.  I did, however, let them wear costumes while they answered the door and handed out candy.  Some of the older "kids'" costumes scared them; I don't know why they feel everything has to be blood and gut, but at least they put forth some effort.  I couldn't believe how many teens were out gathering candy and not even in costume!!  I am going to put my foot down next year and tell Mike no on the candy because I'm sick of teens/young adults coming around for free food.

 

We were going to take the kids to Mystery Night at the school, but poor Alicia had a UTI.  I took her to the Urgent Care and we got out a little after 6.  I had to wait for the prescription and picked it up around 7.  Mystery Night started at 6:30, so it was far too late to head up there afterward.  Alicia was disappointed but she still managed to have a good evening.

 

Update:  Tony can't come look at the van because he had to take care of some personal business.  We will still be down to one car until Sunday!!  At least we are able to work it all out.  God is looking out for us!!