Back to reality

We're back! Although apparently some of you never realized we were gone--or just were too busy doing other things (obligatory family feasts, etc.) to pay attention. Don't worry. We're not that offended. Well, much. I think JJ and Dave were actually relieved that Friday night ended up just being a "quiet" night at home as both were exhausted from their work week and unplanned baby-sitting escapades on turkey day. Just the five exta Q's there to mess up their home.....

Anyway, I'm glad we got to see the folks we did and sad we missed the folks we missed. It's getting harder and harder to do the whirlwind Indiana tour. Here is an official apology to those we missed (specifically to the Michigan folks whom it was just impossible to fit in this go-around). Maybe next time.... And please everybody don't forget that I-90 DOES run both ways. (That's how we get HOME every time). Now we've got a house and can put you up for a visit!

I came back to work Monday morning to a blue screen on my pc. It's been downhill from there. Last week was a horrendous week for my co-workers (not sure if my presence there would have made it much better or if I just would have been yet another person "dealing with the drama"). Anyway, I've been spending the last two and a half days attempting to clean up THAT mess plus get my day-to-day work done, and I STILL don't have my pc back. And the IT guy can't find a certain folder that I have to have--and I'm the only person in the company who had access to it. Uh oh.

It's hump day. Surely the next two days will be better, right?

You say it's your birthday?

Well, it's my birthday, too, YEAH!

Other folks who share a birthday with me:
-my step-mother
-an old friend from high school with whom I've sadly lost contact (HB, Michelle, wherever you are!)
-a co-worker (Lisa, you can share my cake with me)
-Petula Clark (Finian's Rainbow; Goodbye, Mr. Chips)
-Edward Asner (wow--miscellaneous)

And please note it is also America Recycles Day AND National Teddy Bear Day.

I'm still waiting for my honorary trash and teddy bear gifts to appear in the mail from you all.

And onto a different subject: YES, the rumor is true, and I'm pregnant. OH, GOD, NO!!!! NO! NO! NO! BITE YOUR TONGUE, DAVE!! But, yes, we ARE coming to Indiana next week. Problem is that we can't figure out where and when yet. And no clue with whom we're spending Thanksgiving day. We have four cities to visit and scattered viewing availability for our relatives/friends. (Reminds me why we haven't done this in a year.)

So, the tentative plan is: Indy, Monticello, Fort Wayne, Three Rivers.
Wait, no, no: Fort Wayne, Indy, Monticello, Three Rivers, Fort Wayne again.
Wait, NO, that won't work, either: Three Rivers, Fort Wayne, Monticello, Indy?
NO: bun, bun, patty, ketchup, SHOE.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!

*sigh* Screw it. We're staying here and ordering Chinese.

More Halloween pics

Yeah. The whole department got into it this year.

Flickr account

Just downloaded the whole camera onto flickr. It still needs to be organized, but hey, at least the pics are out there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47576375@N00/

Halloween pic

The Ballerina, The Obi-Wan, and the Hatless Witch and their Lame Adventures in Trick-or-Treating

Our kids have been pretty spoiled in trick-or-treating years' past. We've always gone with our daycare provider and close friend Leona, her husband, and their two daughters. Usually in Scottsville, but one year we did go to a mutual friend's neighborhood in Henrietta. Both places were great. LOTS of kids, LOTS of lit-up houses, pretty low on the traffic--not to mention the fun of hanging out with good friends. This year Leona and Co. Decided to go to their church party instead of the neighborhood scene. No problem. John and I have a new house and new neighborhood to check out. I did get a little antsy last week and almost called our Henrietta friend to "bum a ride" on their neighborhood. I mean, our area has very few sidewalks, NO street lights, and our particular street has more older folks about than young families. But, what better way to learn things about your new neighborhood/neighbors then to go around in the dark demanding candy from them?

I got off work a few minutes early, raced home, threw a pizza in the oven, and threw the costumes on the kids. We gulped down our food, and then we set out around 6-ish.

The very first house we hit is our next-door neighbor (of course). After adoring our cute kids in their cute costumes, she warned us right off the bat, "Did anyone tell you we just don't get a lot of trick-or-treaters out here?" The second house, we got tons of exclamations of "Wow! We actually got some trick-or-treaters this year?" (And almost acquired a new pet as their dog followed us right out to the street.) The third house: "OMG, where did YOU come from?! We NEVER get trick-or-treaters. No, seriously, where did you come from?!" (Had to explain that we'd just moved in last summer.)

We saw all of two trick-or-treating groups (each with two kids and one parent) while we were out (and one of them were from the third house we'd hit--and I think they were still in awe of us). John and I decided to try a different tract of homes close by. We walked over to a nicer, they-so-make-more-money-than-we-do tract: you would have heard the crickets if they weren't already gone for the winter! Plenty of lit up houses, but NO trick-or-treaters!

All told, we were out about an hour. I'm sorry, but it's just no fun to go out on Halloween without seeing a bunch of other kids in their costumes. And it's no fun going down a road with no sidewalks when you're toting a (almost) 2-year old in a stroller. And even though it IS fun for your (almost) 7-year old to brandish a flashlight since there are no street lights, it is NOT fun to pick up all her candy in the grass after the THREE times she tripped in the dark.

Next year we're driving to Scottsville. Or Henrietta. Even if no one invites us!