Thanksgiving

I am thankful for good friends and family and good times this Thanksgiving. The turkey was the juiciest ever, the cheesecake was the creamiest, the green bean casserole got just the right amount of crispiness on top, the pumpkin pies were perfect, the stuffing was the best ever. I hosted Thanksgiving with my friend Curtis in town to make his mom's famous rolls from scratch. I kicked off the day running a 10 K turkey trot with Mark, lucky to have Curtis at the house to pop the brining turkey in the oven! Nancy and Tamra came over around noon. We had the perfect dinner, then relaxed and cleaned up. Curtis made us all turkey sandwiches and then the Marin family came over for games, fun, and dessert. We had so much fun, laughing and gorging ourselves on desserts and lots of great drinks. Everybody stayed late, had a blast. I am thankful for my turkey day!

State Meet

Lizzy had her first state meet on Saturday. She competed against 30 other 8 year olds from around the state. they were all within 6 months of her age, they break it down further than by year since there are so many kids. She got her first 9, a 9.275 on vault, which was good enough for 6th place. Now I won't get the question, when am I going to get a 9 Mommie? The thing I love about this sport is that Lizzy can see her improvement. She works hard, and sees the results. Of course, sometimes the results take a while and in a sport where you are "judged" there is always subjectivity. Overall it was a great meet. She got her highest score on bars, 8.8. She didn't do so well on beam and looked great on floor, scoring her average. She did make her highest all around. Her team finished second in the state. They were going for first, but as we all know, anything can happen in competition. Today at practice they had a pizza party and played games. It is nice to see they gave them a little break at practice. As far as being a mom goes, I am glad for the break until spring season starts late January. It is a lot of pressure, she has to be there on time, or she can't compete, she has to have this certain bow in her hair, or she can't compete, she has to have the right leo on, (yes, there are two competition leos) she has to have the right color flip flops. I am getting tired just thinking about it. Anyways, she still loves the sport, and is starting to experience a little success, so all is well in the Lizzy/gymnastics world.

In honor of Veteran's Day, for all the Veterans.

(Anon - alleged to have been found on a CSA casualty at the Devil's Den, Gettysburg)

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but got everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

Veteran's Day

Time spent waiting for the parade to start: one and a half hours
Money spent at Starbucks waiting for parade to start: $11.50
Watching my nephew Ben Moore in the parade: Priceless

Senior Pets

I took Pumpkin, our beloved cat we have had since our first year of marriage back when we only had Izzy and lived in an apartment, to the vet last week for a check up. He has been slowing down a lot, and being that he is 15 I wanted to get him checked out. He is in good health I discovered from the exam, for another $200 I can run blood work and be sure, but I just took the vet's word that she is healthy. The vet proceeded to tell me she is a "senior cat" and our two dogs, Millie and Zelda, 10 and 16, are senior as well. She then proceeded to tell me only our new cat, smudge, was not senior, and in case I still didn't get it she told me 75% of the pets in my household were senior. I guess her point is that we should bring them in for regular visits when they are "senior". Actually I am not sure what her point was. I took Pumpkin, who was completely freaked out, and headed next door to our grooming appointment, Pum kitty has not been taking very good care of her fur in her senior years. The groomer took one look at her and made me stay to hold her so to not traumatize her. After I got bit twice in the first 5 minutes of her shaving off her matted fur areas, she finally put a collar thingy on her. Actually pumpkin is a boy, but for 15 years I have been calling her a girl. Anyways, 30 minutes and $20 later, I had a very angry half shaven senior cat. We went home and she sulked around the rest of the day.

Zelda is still doing well in her senior years, she stole my entire carls jr burger off the table tonight with no problem. She takes rimadyl every day for her arthiritis, at $1 a pill, we try to just give her a half a day, she moves like a puppy again. Millie is still our baby, so I can't even begin to think of her as senior, I am sorry but she is only 10!! Actually 9 and a half I think. Smudgy will turn one on May 17, her Aunt Kim's birthday! My nana's birthday as well. I knew that cat was special when Mark and Lizzy brought her home from Petsmart resue adoption center. Most of my pets may be senior, but they are mine for life, and I will care for them and love them through their best and worst.

More Halloween photos

Halloween 08 on the books.

As we wrapped it up last night, and the trick or treating was done, the candy had been "checked" and inventoried, the parents had relaxed in the driveway with some adult cocktails, Nicky from across the street wrapped it all up, he said to his mom, "Well, another Halloween for the record books." It was a great night, Markie, Lizzy, Bella, Ben and Alex went trick or treating with Max and Nicky from across the street. The princess and superman, (Bella and Alex) made it aroung the little block once and settled in with a movie in the driveway. They both had a great technique for their trick or treating, take the candy in their hand from the passer outer, look at it, pop it in their bag and on to the next house. They were both pretty prouc of their candy, especially Bella as this was her first official trick or treating. The big kids hit the whole neighborhood, only slowing down when their bags were full. This morning when Markie woke up I looked at his legs and feet and they were completely brown. TOo much fun in flip flops last night. The whole evening was a big success, another Halloween on the books!