I hate craft blogs

I always find myself looking at these craft blogs and feeling like a total loser. How is it that these women have beautiful families and homes and still have time to make all those dang crafts? And, to top it off, they all seem skinny too. I'll just tell you the truth-I'm jealous. I want to be cool and crafty. I want to create something that I can give to people that will be a keepsake forever. I want to make my daughter clothes and toys. I want to wear jewelry that when people say, "Oh wow, where did you get that?" I can say with a smug smile " Oh this? I made it." Instead I am just...me. Just boring me. Me, who found a few gray hairs this week. So, not only am I not crafty, but I am old. I am running out of time to be crafty. And honestly, I am not sure that I would be any good at being crafty if I did have time/make time. I tried sewing some burp clothes once. Wow. The stitch looked like Lombard Street. My sister in law (who could have one of those crafty websites) had to finish for me. I have always told myself that if I only had time to work on that kind of stuff, I too could be a craftster. But, when I found those gray hairs, the reality of life set in. I am already who I am going to be. I am not going to be crafty, or skinny for that matter. So, what do I do now? I guess I'll just order some stuff from etsy and pop another cookie. Is 28 too early to be having a mid life crisis?

a few minutes of doing something "naughty"

Okay, maybe not naughty, but it feels that way. I have several things that I should be doing right now, but this is my small rebellion. I am "sticking it to the man" by wasting my time while on their time. It feels good. They waste enough of mine shoving conflicting philosophies and data down my throat. So there administrators, take this. And there goes my time. Here comes the reason I teach.

Happy Halloween

We had a fantastic Halloween. The weather was so perfect-a gorgeous fall day! We started our celebration by carving pumpkins. I thought Zoey might be a little afraid or grossed out, but she just dove right it. She had her oversized spoon and was digging out the pumpkin guts like a pro. She even had a little raw pumpkin as a snack. She is such a weirdo. My family and some good friends came over to celebrate with us. The fam manned the homefront while us and the Harlans took our girls trick or treating. It was so much fun! The girls loved it! Zoey was loving rolling around in the wagon with the wind in her hair ( I have a feeling she is going to be a convertable girl). At first, they were a little unsure about what to do. Emma knew that she was supposed to knock on the door, but they didn't know what to do with the candy. Zoey figured it out pretty fast, and she had a dum-dum unwrapped before we knew it. The eventually figured out that people offering them candy was a very good thing. They were so funny!

so far today....

I have:

snuggled a kitty:)

arrived early to work:)

been forced to do the cupid shuffle:(

been lectured:(

been chastised:(

tried to come up with a solution to hair problems using a hand dryer:)

scarfed down the October birthday breakfast:)

and the bell just rang. The Cupid Shuffle? Really?

Little Punkin

We took our little punkin to a pumpkin patch this afternoon. The weather was perfect for enjoying some fall festivities. Zoey loves pumpkins; every time she sees one, she points and says "poumpin."She is turning out to be a true lover of fall. I am so proud.

A little girl in a BIG chair

She was serious about this sucker. This may have been after she dropped it on the ground.

A quick pose with mommy-kinda. She was still pretty intent on her sucker.

Giving daddy a big hug

Showing some love to the pumpkins (She kisses things she loves)

Happy little girl

a cute little punkin' amongst the other pumpkins

Sharing the love

She especially loved the Zoey sized pumpkins.

Birthday weekend

For my birthday surprise this year, John planned a weekend away from the bug. We bought us tickets to the King's Feast at the Renaissance Festival-something I have always wanted to do. It is a 6 course meal complete with entertainment. The weather was perfect for a weekend of outdoor entertainment. I could not have asked for a better birthday treat!

The King's Feast at the Renaissance Fair

We gorged on the food! It was so delicious! We were stuffed! (and the couple sitting next to us were SLOSHED-it was hilarious!)

Some of the entertainment was a troupe of belly dancers. They were fantastic. One of the girls even danced with a snake.

John tried his hand at knife throwing. He wasn't too bad.

After we enjoyed the festival, John whisked me away to the Messina Hof winery in Bryan.

The weather was so beautiful during our tour of the winery.

After sleeping in and a sumptuous breakfast at the winery, we decided to explore the town of College Station.

The George W. Bush Library at A&M-It was actually a really interesting museum. I was a little surprised:)

A tribute to the Berlin wall

Okay Nick Jr., we've had enough

I hate Dora the Explorer. There, I said it. I know that she is a much loved symbol to children everywhere, but she is SOOO bossy and loud. The girl never says please. She shouts all the time. She is offensive to all my senses. I can't stand her voice. It is grating and caustic. I can't stand the way she looks. Her eyes are so big and freaky, and if they move any further apart, they are going to fall off her face. Nothing she wears matches. And sometimes, you catch glimpses of her midriff. What a skank. Today, she told children across the world that one of her destinations was a river infested with alligators, essentially giving kids the "go ahead" to play with alligators. Thanks Dora. You have signed the death warrants of hundreds of innocent, naive children. You have pretty much wiped Louisiana off the map.
As much as I hate Dora, Zoey loves her. That is her favorite show. Today, she was sitting in her highchair eating dinner when Dora came on. She practically clawed her way out of the chair when she heard the song start playing. And when the part came that said, "Swipper no swiping!", she, who had contorted her body into unnatural proportions trying to catch a glimpse of her beloved heroine, promptly replied "Aw, man!" In that moment, I died a little. I'm not sure my sweet little girl will ever be the same. If she starts demanding that I "Say backpack! Say backpack!", I may break the TV.