Sample Pictures

Well well well I'm back. Did you all miss me? Of course you did. The lovely pictures I've posted are the sample pictures my new computer came with. (seeing how I lost all my other pictures when my computer crashed last week.) Yes that brings me to my next favor request. Mom and Pooh I need all the pictures you have as soon as possible.

My old computer had been with us for almost seven years, and it was over worked and under cared for I guess. We did everything we could to save the computer and alas it still said farewell. Going out shopping for a new computer was down right horrible. The biggest difference for me is the Windows. It's different. That's all I'm going to say for now. Lots of pros and some cons, nonetheless different. The other big difference I've noticed is all the short cuts I use to have build in my old computer, and all the programs I have to apply to my new computer. It took seven years to get that computer user friendly for my family, and now my family wants me to make this one user friendly in a day.

Here is the update with us. Brandon is still working with football, and even did a cross country run today for fun. School is changing a lot for him this year with a lot more homework and projects, but he is slowly starting to adjust. He went out for student council again this year and is hoping to be involved with that again this year. (he finds out the results next week)

Madeline is starting her fundraiser to raise money for her Washington DC trip coming up later this spring. She is really enjoying her Choir elective this year, but can't wait to pick up art next year. (they cut out a lot of electives for middle school including gym and art this year).

Heather is planning for her April wedding, and Gabe is still very active for her. Their house is almost done, and she is really looking forward to moving in their new place.

I am still looking for a job plugging away daily. The more jobs I apply for the more people I see applying for the same job. One day at a time. That's the family update.

The Wind Storm

As most of you are aware we had one of the biggest wind storms Sunday that Ohio has ever seen in my lifetime. The power went out for us a little before 6pm and didn't return till around 2pm on Monday. We were extremely fortunate compared to so many others who are still without power. School was even closed for my kids on Monday because of it. Being without electric in today's day and age is something that I definitely wasn't use to. The kids melted down at about 7pm (that's right they only lasted an hour). I spent the rest of the evening trying to come up with things they could do by candle light, and keep them calm with the wind howling outside. They played board games, dominoes, and cards. It was good seeing them play together. It had been a long time. (They usually have different interests or choose to fight instead) Around 9:30 I started getting a little restless. The boys went out to the truck to listen to the football game on the radio, and Maddie and me found a battery powered radio that mainly got AM stations no FM (you heard me right). We got to stations an oldie country station and a jazz station. We listed to the jazz. We really enjoyed ourselves. It really clears your head when you can't make phone calls, can't do no cleaning, can't work on laundry or any other projects, no computer, no tv.....just family. I'm grateful that my power is up and working, but I'm glad it went out for a little while.

First Game of the Season

Brandon had his first game Sunday before the big wind storm, and won against New London. He got lots of playing time. He is in the sixth grade this year so this is his last year playing for the league. Next year he plays for just the school. (complicated I know) He is number 50 I didn't post up any pictures that you can see him in really well, but I still can pick him out. He's directly behind number 82 in the top picture. I used Brian's camera and that thing has all kinds of settings (which I don't know how to use) so some of the pictures are different to say the least. I love the black and white one, but have no idea how it has green grass. (technology and me need some more time to get acquainted) Brandon is having fun with football, but it definitely is getting harder for him. I notice as the kids get older the sports get harder and they start picking just certain sports they really like. They also start finding other interest as well. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Shoes

A good pair of shoes can make anyone feel like a princess. I strongly think my nieces feel the same way. My own daughter likes shoes based on comfort, and the appropriate shoe for whatever sport she is in. I wear most of my shoes based on comfort. However, I do own a pair based on looks alone. With fall approaching and a new job coming any day now (I can feel it) I needed some shoes for interviews, job, etc. So I ventured out to the buy one get one half off sale. I picked up FIVE pair of shoes and a pair of trouser socks for $34. I was more than proud of myself. Most of the shoes were comfortable heels. One pair stood out from the crowd my black heels (which I'll post a picture of as soon as I find my camera). I was excited about these heels so of course I showed them to my mother. She asked a question that now has me worried. She said are you sure those type of skinny heels can hold up a chubby girl? Now she used fancier words, but you get my point. I said of course they can, but after she left I started thinking about this. Is there a weight limit of shoes? I checked the box there was no warning labels. Most of the time I wear block heels, but what if the skinny heels won't hold a chubby girl. You know me, I will wear those shoes proudly and keep a back up pair close by.

Festival Weekend?

Labor Day Weekend! The sign of summer being at an end, and fall approaching. The first picture is of a cake that I couldn't pass up. I thought it was a perfect fit for the weekend. The ants are plastic just in case you thought differently.

Emily and her family came up from Chicago this weekend and we were able to visit with them on Saturday. I took my camera, but spent too much time talking and forgot all about taking pictures. (Sorry about that) It was great to catch up with her.

I had almost made it through the weekend without having to attend the melon festival. I was a little excited to tell ya the truth. And then like a twist of comical fate the kids friends and Grandma showed up to invite them to the New London festival. I had dinner on that I'd been preparing for hours so I said 'no'. The Grandma wouldn't hear of such a word. So we decided to meet them at the festival after dinner. We all went, the kids got to be with their friends and we got to walk around and visit. The festival was very similar to the Melon Festival but the lay out is a little different (more roomy). The festival was $5 a piece to get in and included parking, rides, the special event (which happen to be the tractor pull last night), and the fireworks after the festival (which we did not stay for since it was a school night). The kids had a great time and especially enjoyed being with their friends. Friends always make a festival better. They since a bunch more friends from school, and friends that had moved away. It made me think of this....The melon festival was where I always met up with friends and socialized. Now my children are going to festivals to meet up with friends and socialize. So even though we didn't go to the melon festival this weekend, the same tradition of going to the festivals and meeting up with friends and socializing is still the same for us on Labor Day weekend, and obviously not something I'm going to be able to skip out on.