Halloween Trivia Night

Last night we participated in the trivia night put on by the local community center. We got 3rd place. Out of 10 rounds, we scored 10/10 on five of them. Rahul, Sarina, and Mike dominated the "Harry Potter" category, and I rocked the "College Towns" category. However, "Beer Slogans" and "State Quarters" got us pretty good.

Us

Erin & Lance

Sarina & Rahul

Jackie & Marty

The Black-Eyed Peas

And, the BEST costume of the night...

Shrimp Cocktail

Succoth Celebration

Wednesday was Carlie's Succoth Celebration (Feast of the Tabernacles) at school followed by Harvest Parties. All the kids bring in various produce (apples, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.) to be donated to a local women's shelter. I had no idea she was going to be reading a passage from Psalms, and, luckily, I had the camera.

Birthday Prep

I decided to do a Lightning McQueen cake for Noah's birthday since he absolutely loves that movie. Luckily, I didn't have to buy the pan because a mother of a fellow kindergartener let me borrow hers. Splendid, now I don't have to spend $20+ on the pan. Little did I know that the decorating bags, tips, Cars icing gel, and frosting ingredients were going to cost over $15. Unless you do this for a business or decorate every cake you make with these items (which I don't), it is ridiculous to spend that much, in my opinion.

After being hunched over for 3 hours+, I finally finished the cake. I think it turned out okay, but I will probably be buying my cakes from Costco or making a basic cake with Betty Crocker frosting. Costco cakes run around $16, taste awesome, and you don't have to do the work. One thing I learned from doing this is that Wedding/Celebration Cake bakers are so worth the price they charge. They have been gifted with an unbelievable talent. As for me, I will stick to putting up closet organizers. Much more fun.

Over 3 hours (a sore neck, a sore back, and arthritis in my right hand) later...

Ready for my own DIY Show

I'm a little behind, so I will try to catch up over the next few days. Last weekend the closet organizer came, and I spent my time assembling it. I highly recommend easyclosets because it was, as advertised, very easy. If you can follow directions, you can do it. Mike was nice enough to do all the laundry and cleaning while I was showing off my DIY skills. I think it took about 10 hours of total labor, but I move kind of slow and measure twice so I only have to cut once. Plus, I wasn't going to drop $1000 for someone to do what I can do myself.

This part took the longest. Making sure the tracks were measured properly and leveled.

The drawer wasn't too bad, and I even have some space in it. I guess it's a good excuse to get a few more tops.

The bottom is a hamper. One less thing taking up floor space in our not-so-large bedroom.

Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback

I won again. This week's Beef-A-Reeno Player of the Week is TE Owen Daniels from the Texans. I think he is from Naperville. He scored over 20 points this week which is huge for a TE. Speaking of TE, did anyone see Dancing with the Stars last night when Michael Irvin put a coin between his cheeks because his instructor said he needed to dance like he had something stuck up his rear? Too funny. Anyway, next week I play Newman! Newman! has Tom Brady. This could be a rough week for Beef-A-Reeno as Adrian Peterson will only get you so far. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

Photo from AP/Yahoo Sports

A Way to Bless (Your) Children This Christmas

I'm sure you have already started thinking about what to get your kids this Christmas. I know I have. They are so blessed to have all that they have, and I am thankful for it. There are so many boys and girls throughout the world who live in orphanages that never get to open one Christmas gift. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse that delivers presents wrapped in shoeboxes to children living in remote locations throughout the world.

We participate in this every year. It is a great way to make a difference in a child's life that you don't even know, and you can teach your kids about giving and their blessings as well. Last year we did 2 boxes, and this year our goal is 5. I posted a video below about Rosi's shoebox story. For information about a shoebox drop-off in your area as well as guidelines for what to put in the shoebox, visit Samaritan's Purse (click here.) Please let me know if you decide to do this project and how many boxes you fill.

Another One Bites the Dust!

Just so you all know, we don't have patio chairs anymore.

Carlie said, "I think he is making a pillow."

He carried this all the way up the tree. Then came back.

Why stop at the head rest? Go ahead and take what you need out of the seat as well.

Ripped to shreds!!

A Little More Incentive

Sallie Mae has got to go. She has been taking up space in our house for far too long. I needed a little incentive to get this ball and chain out of the house for good. So, here is what we decided on.



It's the KLOVE cruise (or a Music Boat Cruise) depending on the headliners. I wish. I wish. I wish we could go in 2010. I really hope these artists will be there when we take the cruise. They are my very favorites.

CHRIS TOMLIN.


MERCY ME.


NEWSBOYS. Mike is not a huge fan of the Newsboys because he thinks their lead singer is "scary looking". (You can judge for yourself.) He is no longer their lead singer though so I hope their sound isn't changed too dramatically since the new guy is Michael Tait from DC Talk.


Once we get old Sallie out the house, we will be going. We will most likely take a side trip to Disney World as well. I hope people will join us. But, you can't join us if you have to put it on a credit card. You have to pay cash for it. Remember this is to celebrate being debt-free!! I'm pretty sure Grammy D. will be in because I know she has always wanted to go. Any other interest out there? I'm fun to cruise with!!

Monday Afternoon Quarterback

Yes, this is a day early, but I can safely say I lost this week.  Bummer.  I was bitten by the injury bug.  One of my better WR's, Calvin Johnson, was injured on an early play and did not return.  Hopefully he will not be out for very long.  His lack of point production, and the fact that I had a kicker whose team did not score one lousy point really hurt me.  So, there is no Player of the Week because I do not give them out if I do not win.  

On a side note, after 20 years in business, Ozzie's Restaurant in Westport is closing its doors.  Last day of business is this Friday, October 16th.  

Graphic from Ozzie's website

Broom Ball

Swept? Seriously? What an embarrassment. October ended way too early this year. I am so disappointed. I have nothing more to say.

Photo courtesy of flickr.com

Sniff Sniff

Game 1

Dodgers: 5

Cardinals: 3

Are YOU Ready?

Get your game on!!!! Don't you just love the shirt? Vintage. It's my shirt that I got WAY back in 1982 after the Cards won the World Series. Yes, it still fits.

GO CARDS!!!!

YEAH BABY!!

Go Crazy, Folks! Go Crazy!!

Spirit Shoes

Tuesday Evening Quarterback

I'm sure you have just been waiting on pins and needles to find out if I won my fantasy football game over the weekend... well, I did!! Barely. Only by 9 points. What a nail biter. If it hadn't been for a backup running back throwing a TD pass, I would have lost. So, my Player of the Week is Steelers' RB Mewelde Moore.

Photo from NFL.com

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yesterday was Mike's birthday. We actually celebrated on Sunday by surprising him with bowling. It was all Carlie's idea. She has wanted to take him since the birthday party she attended at the bowling alley. Noah was scared at first and just sat there eating popcorn, but eventually he came around and really enjoyed it. He did not enjoy having to wait his turn, but the popcorn was a good distraction. We'll be doing this again soon, I'm sure.





Good thing we had the bumpers up, or these scores would have been much worse!! I did manage to break 100 in the second game.

In Search of The Great Pumpkin

Saturday we battled the elements and headed to Thies Farm to pick out a pumpkin.


This one!

No, This one!!

This one is perfect!

Show the love...

And, we had to buy some gourds to decorate the table

Thursday Thoughts

If socks and shoe choice were any indication of future career path, Noah is destined to become a Dot Com Millionaire (or professor at Berkeley.)

"I wan to wear my sanduhs wit sots, I wan to wear my sanduhs wit sots!!"