Halloween

Once again we have survived the Night of Horrors. I know why it has a reputation for being a 'scary' holiday--because it is full of costumes that don't fit right, kids that can't (or won't) keep track of all the odds and ends that belong with their costumes, parents repeating themselves endlessly trying to get overly excited children to focus, and sugar laden maniacs running amok way past bedtime. If that's not enough to scare any parent, I don't know what is.

But, be that as it may, for some insane reason I LOVE this holiday. It really is one of my favorites. This year was as stressful as any other, but now here I sit, surrounded by the candy my children collected, carefully selecting the pieces I steal (if you take the only box of milk duds they will most certainly notice), and enjoy the memories of another successful Halloween.

Jeremy's costume was a real hit--he went as Joe the Plumber. Travis and his friend Hyrum went as the Blues Brothers, and made a very convincing pair if I do say so myself. Jacob was a ninja, and sadly I realized after he went to bed that I didn't get a picture of him.

So I guess it's time to pack up my broom and cauldron for another year. Sigh. I guess I'll just head to bed with a handful of bite size candy and a contented smile on my face.

Rise and Shout the Cougars are out

No, I didn't go to BYU, but I cut my teeth on Cougar athletics. Make that Cougar anything. My family bleeds BYU blue. I come from a long line of Cougars and so it would only make sense that I would be one someday too, right? Um, wrong. I am the black sheep in the family--or Maroon as the case might be. Out of six children it was only a matter of time until one of them went awry and didn't go to BYU. But with all families it is hoped that at some time the wrongs of one generation might be corrected by future posterity.

Such seems to be the case for me. It looks like Heidi is strongly leaning toward BYU as her first choice. She and I spent last weekend in Utah on a recruiting trip for her and she seemed genuinely interested. They have a solid business program, offer degrees in her area of interest, and of course there were lots of cute boys. Not sure which might have played the larger role in her interest level, but it seems that I just might be able to come back into the fold finally.

Go Cougs!!

Antiques and friends

There is a saying that goes something like, "Good friends are like antiques. Time increases their value". Or maybe it's fine wine, but whatever, you get the point. Well, I think there's not much better than combining the two--good friends and antiques.

I spent a few days this past week with two of my favorite people in the whole world antique shopping. Laura, Kathy and I started this tradition about 4 or 5 years ago, but once a year we rent a travel trailer and go to a nearby antique show. It's so much fun. We walk miles and miles through cow pastures browsing through tons of junk for some great treasure. Sometimes we buy a whole trailer full of junk---literally junk. Other times we find one or two great pieces and not much else. But one thing is certain, we will have some great food, delicious pie and lots of laughs. It's such a fun getaway for all of us. We'd likely be just as happy sitting in the trailer all day talking and laughing and solving the worlds problems, because it's just the being together alone that's the good medicine.

I'm very lucky to have such a great husband who willingly lets me go away, spend money on stuff we don't need and not once make me feel like I'm leaving him behind while I play. He's a good man who knows that a little time away being ME is the best thing for our family.

So, thanks once again Kathy and Laura for a wonderful time to recharge. You are both the best, and don't worry--I'll never show 'those' pictures to anyone!!!