It's finally over...

Seriously - baseball lasted for-EVER this year. I really do enjoy baseball - but come on! It took forever for this season to end. So, HOORAY for the Red Socks ending the misery.
According to my Mom, baseball players are really suspicious. At least that's what she said at dinner. Maybe it's their shifty eyes? Or all those hand signals? Or maybe she really meant superstitious. Funny.

Another openin', another show...

Stars of the show: (left to right) Andrew, Kenny, Connor, Peter.

Last night was the Webelos performance at the Pack meeting...and it was great.

The boys each played two characters and had to listen for their cues for their lines. They also chose their own "tag lines" and created their own costumes. Behind them in this picture is the model set that they designed and painted. My personal McGyver built the stage to house their backdrops and set wagons. It was a really cool deal - and they EACH earned their Showman Activity Badge! WOO HOO!

Take a look at the second half of their skit!

Mom's ramblings in the night...

So - Mom has trouble doing things after she's fallen asleep. She often doesn't remember...like last night she requested a toasted cheese sandwich - and ate it and then chatted with Dad and eventually fell asleep. And today she remembered nothing about it.

Tonight she could barely walk up the stairs - and then when Dad had taken her a drink, she yelled after him, "Don't forget Garren Murdoch!" I think she means Garrett Parker...but what!?

She's a sleepwalker...or something...

I've come full circle...

Of course, like many families, we all get new pajamas each Christmas. We also get a new set of towels. I don't think I get much say in what kind of towels I want - but I do think I can express my feelings about jammies. I no longer want a shirt and jammie pants. I want this super cute nightgown from L.L. Bean. I love the neck and and pleated front. It's the grown up version of smocking, which I also love. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Time to get started...

I'm sure you've all visited the 2007 Neiman-Marcus Christmas Book - and perhaps like me, you were a little disappointed. It was all either so over the top that you don't even dare dream that big - or so BLAH that no one would lower their "Wish List" bar that low.

So - now I begin my own wish list collection. Some things will be the way over the top and some will be legit wishes - but I promise you this: I would love any of the items I feature here...I'm just sayin'...none will be unwelcome.

My first wish is for this:

Let's be honest here: I really do need a new MacBook - but how better to go than to go gold?

We Be Loyal Showmen...

Over the last three weeks I've been working with the Pack 854 Webelos prepare for earning their Showman activity badge. The four boys in the Webelos I know from Primary...and this is a pretty spirited bunch of boys. On Sundays they are a zestful group to handle and I was nervous about how it would go, especially since we had to write and rehearse a skit together. But the boys were...AMAZING. So funny and open and willing and smart. I really was blown away by how much fun I had the first week. The second week was all about building our set model and holding dress rehearsals for the pack meeting. This week at 7:00 p.m. the curtain will go up on "Captain Blackbeard and the Seven Seas." I am so proud to have been part of it and hope that these boys have had as much fun as I have. Probably not.

Dear Diary...

I am dreaming of the smell of: plain cookies baking. Mom is the only person (other than my Grandma) who can make them...and man, do they smell good baking.

I am dreaming of the sound of: my brother's voice on Christmas Day. This week his letter was so great and had so many great little daily life details - I can't wait to hear more.

I am dreaming of the taste of: caramel apple cider from Starbucks. Nothing says Fall officially like having a cider...coupled with a few fun errands to run.

I am dreaming of the sight of: an empty laundry basket. Dagnabit - how hard is it to get ALL the laundry done?! Sheesh.

I am dreaming of the feel of: the meditation yoga mat. I really do love my meditation class - it's just that it's hard to leave class because I'm so relaxed. Even when the mats smell like the wrestlers who also use them...

Oh, and diary...

I am loving the smell of: a dry, Fall day in Oregon. Last week it was so rainy - and rain smells good, too, but the crisp leaves and the cool air is so lovely.

I am loving the sound of: "Girlfriend" on Guitar Hero II. It's been so fun to play and apparently get a little better. I'm rockin' out, man!

I am loving the taste of: Bolognese from a great little Italian place downtown. Oh, hold me!! Meat sauce and big noodles and delightful company. What could be better?

I am loving the sight of: those tables in the garage. If you know what I'm talking about - then you know why they are such a great sight! So much space - and so much easy access. Way to go, Dad!

I am loving the feel of: folded laundry being put away. It just feels so good to have laundry done

But, really, Diary -

I am missing the smell of: babies. I can still smell their sweet faces and hands. Oh, dear, do those babies smell good?

I am missing the sound of: laughter at Bedknobs and Broomsticks. The scene where Angela Lansbury finally makes inanimate objects come to life...she's got some special dance moves and those sandy trousers are running amok. But the squeals of laughter are what really make it.

I am missing the taste of: Irresistible Ribs. Because really - even if you wouldn't die for ribs - they make you want ribs...RIGHT NOW!

I am missing the sight of: Seth Malley trying to find a binky in crib in a pitch dark room - despite being legally blind...while at the same time trying to get his own chin...

I am missing the feel of: Penny's ears. They are so soft and expressive at the same time. I love her...and I love her ears.

Oh my mother...

Fighting with her wallet...

In her jammies - waiting for her birthday cake.

Just a typical morning...

See Jane sit in time out...

What's going on here?!

A New Game to play...

Boomshine is a new game that is really simple. You just click one ball - and then they expand when they come into contact with other floating balls. Of course, it's simple and mindless and my favorite part is the soundtrack. Go check it out.

My dad cracks me up...

This is where the party is!

He's just so happy...now get to work, mister!

The most specialist elf...

Service with a smile.

Glad you finally got to those windows!!

The Raccoon gets some ribs...awesome...

Wrasslin' with the muse of dance...

I lurve my dad

A ladies luncheon

On Wednesday, Mom and I went with Katie and Ian Maxwell to lunch at The Stratford House, a lovely tea room in Hillsboro, Oregon. We had such a great time! Of course, I always love lunching - but a catch up lunch is that much more fun - we get all kinds of news!!

Mom and Katie and Ian - having such fun

Oh the Hungarian Mushroom soup - de-lish. The only problem during the meal was the waitress brought me a hazelnut mocha and not what I actually ordered - a hazelnut hot chocolate. I couldn't figure out why my hot cho tasted burnt.

I finally coax a capturable smile from Ian!

Counting the days...

Noa Bembibre has designed a pretty cool calendar. I think this would be such a fun gift for word-loving, designy types.

Classic designs...

The good people over at Rosebud Designs have some pretty great postcards and other prints - but right now this is my favorite:

I don't know, but I like it...

Pass The Ball is a website that I found - that is just odd and hard to explain. I'm not sure why I like it but I do...please do enjoy.

Sleeping...

My Aunt Connie is the newest member of the CPAP club. I know a lot of people who use a CPAP machine when they sleep - and tonight is Connie's first night with her machine. I really hope it goes well - and that she won't suffocate!!

When it comes to sleeping - I am a pro. But, I am a sleep mask kind of gal. Right now I use one from Brookstone, that has built in speakers and a variety of soothing sounds to help you fall asleep. It also has a jack so you could listen to music or something just in your sleep mask and not disturb anyone else. I really like the mask - but it can't last forever. In preparation for the day that it dies, I've visited DreamEssentials.com and think I've found a good replacement:


The only thing is - I really like the pressure on my eyes - and as you can see this one makes room for your eyeballs. I'd have to test it for a while. Someday. I'll let you know what I think.