It's done

The next stage in writing my final project is done - well the draft was just emailed to my adviser for proofing!

Ahhhh, that feels good.

Now for the weekend - quiet house (boys gone, Kal gig), sewing with Stephanie, reading (for pleasure and for school), and loafing around!!!

I'm so ready for this weekend.

Enjoy everyone!

6 Random Things...

A while back I was tagged by Stephanie to comment on 6 random "things" about myself. Well, here goes:

• I am terrified of chickens. I have always been - especially when they fly up and fluff their feathers and put their legs out like they are going to attack you. They make this horrible racket and feathers fly every where...I only pretend to be brave around them now when I am with the boys because this is really irrational.
• I hiked most of the Chilcoot Trail in 1998 with a friend. It was one of the routes used during the Alaskan gold rush starting in Skagway, AK to the gold of the Klondike. We got as far as the 10,000 stairs area (not literally anymore - stairs were cut in the snow during the winter to aid the prospectors in getting up and over the pass) and my friend couldn't go any further. I haven't been on any major hikes since then.
  
• I learned to knit six years ago. I learned to crochet in 4-H eons ago - I wasn't a very good crocheter BUT think I am a fairly good knitter though.
• There was a time when I wanted to quit teaching to become a trained chef/baker. I wanted to go to the American Culinary Institute in New York. I didn't do it though. I guess I like teaching work hours better.
• I am a morning person - love it.
• I am a semi-earth mother. I do take remedies and try to eat naturally. I try to buy healthy and local BUT it is hard. Don't get me wrong, we eat our fair share of McDonalds, boxed food and we do see a traditional doctor. I wish it was easier (read less expensive) to buy healthy food and use holistic medicine.

Well, there it is. I think it is pretty random, don't you think. If you want to play along go ahead.

My Task Master

Here's my task master for getting projects done for the Craftacular on December 6th at the Masonic Temple in Madison (shameless plug. I will be sharing a booth with Zoe and Stephanie). I mentioned that I needed to spend some time in the craft/guest room every day this weekend. Well, I was there for a while Friday morning, today and who knows about tomorrow, BUT I'm pretty sure my little guy will be reminding me to "go downstairs and get some work done".

Seriously though, if you are going to be in the Madison area and want to go to a craft show. Try the one on December 6th at the Masonic Temple. I hear it is going to be a good one!!

Halloween

It was a perfect Halloween. The boys didn't have to wear jackets over their costumes. We walked up the street, but didn't ask for candy at many places. Ian was mostly looking for buddies from school to yell "hey....". He had fun though. They also went treat-or-treating at Heidi's work.

It was warm enough to have a fire and hand out candy outside this year. Heidi and Gerry came over to enjoy the evening with us.

ps. Happy Birthday Dad.

Peticure

Part of last night's dinner conversation.....

Me: I'm going to meet Anne for a girl's day.
K: When?
M: November 14th. We are going to meet in Beaver Dam for pedicures.
Simon: Beaver Dam?
M: Yup.
S: Why are you taking Eddie (the cat) and Shadow (the dog) to Beaver Dam for petacures? What ARE you going to do to them?

Halloween party

We went to a Halloween Party on Saturday afternoon. It really was a lot of fun for the kids and the adults. There were lots of games, prizes and all of the money went to a good cause - UNICEF. The haunted house was a hit with the older two boys.

Here are some pics that the kids took.

Spidey

A good one of Simon smiling (maybe E should come and take our family pictures)

A happy one of Zoe

Me

And one of Ian being just "too cool"

Week in review

We had a very busy week. Man was it busy. On Saturday, we carved some of our pumpkins. We had fun deciding what designs we were going to use. Ian did his all by himself. Simon has some "issues" with textures and wasn't going to put his hand inside the pumpkin, so I cleaned it out and he drew the design. Kal spend 3 hours - I'm not exaggerating - cleaning and carving his pumpkin. I only have a picture of the process. I'll have to get a pic of the pumpkins lit up at night before they get all mushy.


Now, please don't email me about this picture. Ian thought Eddie needed a Halloween costume. Our cat Ray, used to love (ok not love - tolerate) being dressed up, so it is only logical in a 6 year old's mind that Eddie would also like to dress up. Let's see...what do you think?

Our biggest event of the week was Ian's 6th birthday. He chose fruity rice crispies as his cake. When he woke up, he asked me 3 times if it was"really" his birthday. I kept saying yes. When he finally got out of bed, he came to the kitchen and said, "I really do feel bigger today!"

On the paper front, I took my IRB quiz (required by the university) and passed SO now I need to write up my proposal for the research. As Dorie (in Nemo) says, "Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming."

This weekend promises more fun - crafting, a Halloween party, and hockey!