So, I have BIG news! I am going to be going to California BY MYSELF for FIVE days in January! Well, actually, two of the five days are going to be spent traveling, but hey, traveling without kids is a BREEZE. After numerous transcontinental trips with two under 3's, under 4's and then under 5's, flying anywhere by myself feels like a vacation. I can read, sleep or even watch a movie!!
My trip came to be because Kevin was checking up on our (airline) point situation. I am constantly dreaming of our next trip. I have been suffering from some very serious withdrawals since we moved back from Europe. Kevin realized that I had enough points on my card for a free domestic flight...and they were going to expire in April. Well, the wheels started turning in my head!
My childhood friend, Kristal, lives in California. I have been wanting to visit California for the last little while. So, I pitched a proposal. I would use my points to go to visit Kristal, Kevin could take time off work to stay with the kiddies, and it could be my Christmas gift. We worked it out that I will be there over a holiday weekend, so Kevin and Kristal each only have to take two days off work. I will also get to be there for Kristal's birthday.
So, Kristal lives outside of San Francisco. Any suggestions as to what I should see while I am there?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
My Highlight
For me, the highlight of our trip to Vegas was actually visiting the Grand Canyon. It has nothing to do with Vegas, but it has been one of those things that I have wanted to see for a long time. It was even more vast and more impressive than I expected it to be.
We rented a car and drove to the canyon and back in one day. That is one LONG day! The drive is about 4 to 4 1/2 hours each way. We left at 8:00 am and got back to our hotel at about midnight. We were in the park for about 3 hours, and we actually stayed in the park to watch the sunset. We left right after sunset and drove the whole way back to Vegas in the dark. I have to say, it was worth it. It was beautiful.
Here is a pic from our vantage point as the sun was setting! I have no idea who that guy in our photo is....he was in every photo I tried to take. I finally just gave up and let him be in my frame.
I like this pic of Kevin watching the sunset....note the person in the background (again)!
Same guy.....dude in the blue vest! Would be a great photo otherwise, don't you think?!
Some deer (or are those elk?) that we saw on our way through the park. Yes, we were very close!
Trying to show the vastness of the canyon........
Not the best pic of us, I admit, but it proves we were really there!
We rented a car and drove to the canyon and back in one day. That is one LONG day! The drive is about 4 to 4 1/2 hours each way. We left at 8:00 am and got back to our hotel at about midnight. We were in the park for about 3 hours, and we actually stayed in the park to watch the sunset. We left right after sunset and drove the whole way back to Vegas in the dark. I have to say, it was worth it. It was beautiful.
Here is a pic from our vantage point as the sun was setting! I have no idea who that guy in our photo is....he was in every photo I tried to take. I finally just gave up and let him be in my frame.
I like this pic of Kevin watching the sunset....note the person in the background (again)!
Same guy.....dude in the blue vest! Would be a great photo otherwise, don't you think?!
Some deer (or are those elk?) that we saw on our way through the park. Yes, we were very close!
Trying to show the vastness of the canyon........
Not the best pic of us, I admit, but it proves we were really there!
I have dozens of other photos too, but I am having some problems editing and rotating them right now. I am guessing you don't want to view them at a 90 degree angle! I will try again later!
It's Official
I am officially employable in the USA! I just received my permit yesterday in the mail, complete with lovely mug shot.
I am not sure what I am going to do with the card....but it is nice to at least have the option of working (outside of my house, that is....I do plenty of work at home already). I was feeling a little bit 'limited' (that's really just a nice way of saying trapped) a little while back, so we decided to submit the paperwork for my permit. That way, if some unbelievable opportunity were to present itself at my feet, at least I could pursue it!
Now I just need to find a job that is only a few hours per week, pays really well, preferably with benefits, close to home, understanding of work home life balance, and looking for my skill set! Should be a piece of cake! :)
I am not sure what I am going to do with the card....but it is nice to at least have the option of working (outside of my house, that is....I do plenty of work at home already). I was feeling a little bit 'limited' (that's really just a nice way of saying trapped) a little while back, so we decided to submit the paperwork for my permit. That way, if some unbelievable opportunity were to present itself at my feet, at least I could pursue it!
Now I just need to find a job that is only a few hours per week, pays really well, preferably with benefits, close to home, understanding of work home life balance, and looking for my skill set! Should be a piece of cake! :)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thankfulness
Noah brought this drawing home from school yesterday. He was supposed to draw a picture of something he is thankful for. That's me on the left, and it's supposed to be Kevin on the right. I love our haircuts, don't you?
I did notice that Noah conveniently forgot to draw Rebekah in the picture, but he redeemed himself tonight. We went around the table at dinner and each took a turn listing something that we were thankful for. Noah said that he was thankful for Rebekah. :)
I did notice that Noah conveniently forgot to draw Rebekah in the picture, but he redeemed himself tonight. We went around the table at dinner and each took a turn listing something that we were thankful for. Noah said that he was thankful for Rebekah. :)
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Sometimes Mommies Have Wings
Today, my baby lost his very first tooth! It was a long time in the coming, as it has been hanging by a thread for about four weeks now. Noah did everything he could to keep if from falling out. He was so worried that it would hurt, and that it would bleed, that even the lure of the tooth fairy bringing him a reward was not enough to convince him to let us pull it out. He wouldn't bite with it, he wouldn't let us brush it....nothing.
Well, eventually, nature took care of things for us. Noah was playing with a blanket, swinging it around and it must have hit his tooth, because out it flew! We had to search on the floor to find it.
This led to all sorts of questions about the tooth fairy. Where does she live? How does she get into our house? How does she know when I have fallen asleep? Will she still come if the night light is on? etc, etc, etc
This morning when Noah woke up, he told Kevin that he saw the tooth fairy. He said she was small and pink and that she had wings. He said he can't remember if it was a dream, or if she was real. I just smiled and thought to myself that if I get the chance to talk to Noah about it first hand, I will tell him that I think it must have been real.
They are little for such a short time.....
Well, eventually, nature took care of things for us. Noah was playing with a blanket, swinging it around and it must have hit his tooth, because out it flew! We had to search on the floor to find it.
This led to all sorts of questions about the tooth fairy. Where does she live? How does she get into our house? How does she know when I have fallen asleep? Will she still come if the night light is on? etc, etc, etc
This morning when Noah woke up, he told Kevin that he saw the tooth fairy. He said she was small and pink and that she had wings. He said he can't remember if it was a dream, or if she was real. I just smiled and thought to myself that if I get the chance to talk to Noah about it first hand, I will tell him that I think it must have been real.
They are little for such a short time.....
Cute Boots
I have to start out by saying that overall, I am a very practical girl. I do however, admit to falling in love with things that have a high 'cute factor' even if they aren't the utmost in practicality.
It all began when I gave birth to a little girl. I loved dressing my son when he was a baby, but as boys grow, the clothes just seem to get less cute. What's up with that? Well, right at this time of transition into the world of 'less cuteness' is when Rebekah made her entrance. How convenient was that?!
When we lived in Switzerland, I was a total sucker for the shoes. European shoes for babies....they are the cutest thing ever. Expensive as heck, but oh so cute. It was in Switzerland that I purchased my very first pair of 'cute boots' for Rebekah.
What is the definition of a 'cute boot', you ask? Well, it is basically a boot that has no practical use...it isn't warm,it isn't water proof, it is simply adorable...particularly with a skirt or dress.
I was in a shop in Geneva during one of the bi-annual sales (yes, things only go on 'solde' twice per year!) and I found this darling pair of boots for less than half price. I had to buy them!
Every time Rebekah wore these boots she got compliments on them. She loved them as much as I did. Well, of course, this year they are too small. I had planned ahead enough to buy another pair of 'cute boots' in a bigger size before we left Geneva, but the growth of Bekah's feet has been so slow that she hasn't grown into them yet! So, I had to go on a hunt for a pair of 'cute boots' here in the USA that would fill in the gap.
I found this pair on sale......
They are cute too....but it just isn't the same. It isn't just the boots either. Bekah is still wearing a few pairs of shoes from Europe, and it never fails that she gets comments on how cute her shoes are. I love that they are unique...that she isn't wearing the same things as every other child we encounter. I love that these shoes provide a reminder of her unique and very special past. That as I dress her in these items each day, I get to reminisce a little bit about our past life in Switzerland.
It all began when I gave birth to a little girl. I loved dressing my son when he was a baby, but as boys grow, the clothes just seem to get less cute. What's up with that? Well, right at this time of transition into the world of 'less cuteness' is when Rebekah made her entrance. How convenient was that?!
When we lived in Switzerland, I was a total sucker for the shoes. European shoes for babies....they are the cutest thing ever. Expensive as heck, but oh so cute. It was in Switzerland that I purchased my very first pair of 'cute boots' for Rebekah.
What is the definition of a 'cute boot', you ask? Well, it is basically a boot that has no practical use...it isn't warm,it isn't water proof, it is simply adorable...particularly with a skirt or dress.
I was in a shop in Geneva during one of the bi-annual sales (yes, things only go on 'solde' twice per year!) and I found this darling pair of boots for less than half price. I had to buy them!
Every time Rebekah wore these boots she got compliments on them. She loved them as much as I did. Well, of course, this year they are too small. I had planned ahead enough to buy another pair of 'cute boots' in a bigger size before we left Geneva, but the growth of Bekah's feet has been so slow that she hasn't grown into them yet! So, I had to go on a hunt for a pair of 'cute boots' here in the USA that would fill in the gap.
I found this pair on sale......
They are cute too....but it just isn't the same. It isn't just the boots either. Bekah is still wearing a few pairs of shoes from Europe, and it never fails that she gets comments on how cute her shoes are. I love that they are unique...that she isn't wearing the same things as every other child we encounter. I love that these shoes provide a reminder of her unique and very special past. That as I dress her in these items each day, I get to reminisce a little bit about our past life in Switzerland.
And each time she grows and I have to put another item of clothing or another pair of shoes away, it feels like that past slips a little bit further away, and I sigh with the sadness of it all.
Friday, November 16, 2007
She's A Master
I decided not to register Bekah for any extra curricular activities this semester because I wanted to seriously tackle the task of getting her potty trained. I have been procrastinating for a few weeks now...using the excuses of visitors, appointments and illness to avoid the task at hand.
So, this week was the magic week.
Some readers may not want to read the details I am about to include in this post...so be warned. I am just so incredulous at it all, that I can't help but share the blow by blow.
Day one was on Tuesday. I got out the little potty, put Bekah straight into underpants and started talking about the wonderful world of going on the potty! She caught onto my excitement and was eager to sit on the little potty and be showered with praise. She sat for quite a while....distracted by the wonderful world of Dora the Explorer....until all of a sudden, the potty needed to be emptied! I don't know who was shocked more, Bekah or me! Well, after the big production of emptying the potty, standing on the big stool and washing our hands, she wanted to try again right away.
Fast forward to dinner time...and Bekah had been dry ALL DAY and had had FIVE successes! At dinner time things unravelled a bit with two accidents in quick succession. This really upset her, since she hates being messy. And let me tell you, the accidents were of the messiest variety. I think she was getting tired and beginning to lose focus.
Day two, Bekah was 7 for 7 on the potty, including the 'dirty deed'. No accidents!
Day three, Bekah was 8 for 8 on the potty. The real test came when we went out for three hours during the day. I thought for sure, this would be our downfall. We came home, and much to my surprise, she was dry. I put her on the potty immediately and she did ALL of her business right on cue! Later in the day we made a stop at a friend's house, and she used the potty there also. That was the first time she used the potty somewhere other than at home.
Day four, dry all day and dry at nap time too.
Today is day five, and we have had nothing but success again.
Unbelievable. If I had known it was going to be this easy, I would have done it a long time ago!
So, this week was the magic week.
Some readers may not want to read the details I am about to include in this post...so be warned. I am just so incredulous at it all, that I can't help but share the blow by blow.
Day one was on Tuesday. I got out the little potty, put Bekah straight into underpants and started talking about the wonderful world of going on the potty! She caught onto my excitement and was eager to sit on the little potty and be showered with praise. She sat for quite a while....distracted by the wonderful world of Dora the Explorer....until all of a sudden, the potty needed to be emptied! I don't know who was shocked more, Bekah or me! Well, after the big production of emptying the potty, standing on the big stool and washing our hands, she wanted to try again right away.
Fast forward to dinner time...and Bekah had been dry ALL DAY and had had FIVE successes! At dinner time things unravelled a bit with two accidents in quick succession. This really upset her, since she hates being messy. And let me tell you, the accidents were of the messiest variety. I think she was getting tired and beginning to lose focus.
Day two, Bekah was 7 for 7 on the potty, including the 'dirty deed'. No accidents!
Day three, Bekah was 8 for 8 on the potty. The real test came when we went out for three hours during the day. I thought for sure, this would be our downfall. We came home, and much to my surprise, she was dry. I put her on the potty immediately and she did ALL of her business right on cue! Later in the day we made a stop at a friend's house, and she used the potty there also. That was the first time she used the potty somewhere other than at home.
Day four, dry all day and dry at nap time too.
Today is day five, and we have had nothing but success again.
Unbelievable. If I had known it was going to be this easy, I would have done it a long time ago!
A Lesson Learned
Well, we have learned a valuable lesson.....soccer is not Noah's 'thing'. We got through the season attending only about half of the games. The half that we did attend, were more or less in an attempt to teach Noah that you have to give something a fair chance before deciding you don't like it, and packing it in. I hope he got the message.
Let's just say, soccer wasn't a big hit. The major problem....being crowded by the other kids. He wasn't into the contact part of the sport.
At least Noah was exposed to his first team sport, and I am hoping that some of the groundwork has been layed for future lessons in sportsmanship. We also got this really cute picture. :)
Here is Noah with his trophy and his little friend, Blackie the Webkinz dog. Noah was so excited when the coach stopped by to drop off his trophy. It was a huge hit....and at least we ended the season on a high note.
Let's just say, soccer wasn't a big hit. The major problem....being crowded by the other kids. He wasn't into the contact part of the sport.
At least Noah was exposed to his first team sport, and I am hoping that some of the groundwork has been layed for future lessons in sportsmanship. We also got this really cute picture. :)
Here is Noah with his trophy and his little friend, Blackie the Webkinz dog. Noah was so excited when the coach stopped by to drop off his trophy. It was a huge hit....and at least we ended the season on a high note.
Handsome Fellow
Noah came home with his very first school pictures earlier this week. Handsome little fellow, isn't he?
He is wearing one of those 'I'm smiling only because you told me to smile' kinda smiles, but it's still cute. :)
He is wearing one of those 'I'm smiling only because you told me to smile' kinda smiles, but it's still cute. :)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Viva Las Vegas
I have to say, I never had any desire to go to Vegas. Shocking, I know, since I want to travel just about everywhere else on the planet!
Well, our dear friends James and Tara have gone to Vegas twice. It was a great location for them, since they live on the west coast of Canada. They couldn't say enough good things about it. So, that got us thinking....
When my Mom and Dad extended the offer of keeping the kiddies for a few days so we could get away, the Vegas research began. Then Kevin found a great half price package, and that sealed the deal. The trip was on....
We stayed on the strip, at the MGM Grand. Over the top doesn't even begin to explain Vegas. It is larger than life, and totally crazy. It is really fun to see it once in your life, and we enjoyed the experience thoroughly.
We spent almost two wholes days just walking along the strip, in and out of the hotels, checking out all of the themes. We decided one of our favourites for its theme was New York. It was also really neat to see the Venezia and Paris, since we have traveled both of those destinations in the recent past.
The above pic is inside the MGM front lobby.
This is a real lion...it lives inside the MGM hotel. Unbelievable. There are about 5 lions that rotate into and out of the glass enclosure in the hotel. They have trainers that are employed full time to feed, exercise and care for the lions. They really get up close and personal with those lions too! We watched one trainer exchange kisses and rub noses with one of the lions. It is really amazing to see.
Having said that, I don't think either Kevin or I are anxious to quit our day jobs!
Monday, November 12, 2007
While We Were Out.....
Since August, Noah has had a security object. He has never in his life had one before...not as an infant....not ever. Well, that changed in August when my good friend Paula and her daughter, Alexa came to visit. They brought Noah a Webkinz black Lab which he named Blackie. Blackie and Noah have been inseparable ever since. Blackie goes to school, the doctor's office, out to play and to bed with Noah.
The second week of October, Kevin and I went away for four days to Las Vegas (still on my list of things to blog about). The kiddies stayed with my Mom and Dad who were visiting us at the time. Well, while we were away, Bekah developed a security object too....it was a rat. Yes, you did read that correctly.
Back in the heyday of Ty Beanie Babies, I admit to having collected them. When the Beanie Baby bubble burst, they ended up in storage, while we went off to Switzerland. Since being back in North America, and having all of our belongings in one place again, the Beanies are back. The kids have been having a field day playing with all of the unusual animals. That's where the rat comes in.
His name is actually Tiptoe, according to the tag that he once had. My Dad, however, dubbed him 'Ratty' and that is the name that stuck. Apparently, Bekah slept with him and carried him around by the tail the whole time we were away.
My reaction was, 'why not a bear or a horse or a cute little kitten...why a rat?!'.
So, hear is my adorable little girl playing with a pink boa, and yes, that is Ratty in her right hand.
Here is a close up....Bekah and Ratty.....I can't help but shake my head!
The second week of October, Kevin and I went away for four days to Las Vegas (still on my list of things to blog about). The kiddies stayed with my Mom and Dad who were visiting us at the time. Well, while we were away, Bekah developed a security object too....it was a rat. Yes, you did read that correctly.
Back in the heyday of Ty Beanie Babies, I admit to having collected them. When the Beanie Baby bubble burst, they ended up in storage, while we went off to Switzerland. Since being back in North America, and having all of our belongings in one place again, the Beanies are back. The kids have been having a field day playing with all of the unusual animals. That's where the rat comes in.
His name is actually Tiptoe, according to the tag that he once had. My Dad, however, dubbed him 'Ratty' and that is the name that stuck. Apparently, Bekah slept with him and carried him around by the tail the whole time we were away.
My reaction was, 'why not a bear or a horse or a cute little kitten...why a rat?!'.
So, hear is my adorable little girl playing with a pink boa, and yes, that is Ratty in her right hand.
Here is a close up....Bekah and Ratty.....I can't help but shake my head!
Trick Or Treat
The whole 'choosing a Halloween costume' experience was a little less than smooth for us this year. Bekah decided that she wanted to be Fairytale Dora and Noah decided on Scooby Doo. So, I went online to discount costume warehouses and started comparison shopping.
The first problem arose when I found out that the Fairytale Dora costume had been discontinued. Any website that listed it in their inventory was followed by a notice of 'currently unavailable'. Each time I would get my hopes up, and then they would be dashed! Why don't they just take it off the site entirely?! It is no longer being produced....it isn't like they are going to get more in stock!
Upon a suggestion from my friend, Audra, I decided to buy a Belle costume and try to alter it. I am not enough of a seamstress that I could tackle making a costume from scratch, and although my Mom was coming for a visit, she was looking after our kids for four days (while we went to Vegas) and I didn't want to burden her with making a costume too!
Well, the costumes arrived and I was sorely disappointed. They were flimsy and cheaply made. I investigated returning them, but the shipping costs to do so just didn't make it worth while.
The Scooby Doo was supposed to be a size 6, and it barely fit Noah is is wearing a size 4-5. The Belle was the same deal....barely able to fit a small 2 year old, despite the fact that it was a size 4!
So, Belle got tossed into the costume trunk to play with....when it wouldn't have to fit over outerwear and we decided to make due with the Skimpy Scooby.
Now, what to do about Dora?!
Mom to the rescue...she decided to make one. We bought the fabrics for an affordable price and Nana went to work. Complications arose (no surprise there...considering how things were already going!) and Nana didn't finish the costume and had to take it back to Canada with her. Kevin picked it up there when he visited about 2 weeks later. Dora ended up with lace sleeves instead of fabric, because some ripping apart and re-sewing ended up causing a shortage of fabric. Sigh......
Well, all in all Dora turned out wonderfully, and Bekah was thrilled!
Here is the Skimpy Scooby....it actually looks kind of cute in the photo. Too bad it wasn't as good in person! It already has come apart on a seam!
This is Fairytale Dora. The hat caused another whole drama. I made the hat out of foam covered in fabric. The hair is made of pipe cleaners that I rolled around a shot glass to give them the look of loose curls. It looked really cute, but it was SO heavy with the weight of the pipe cleaners that it wouldn't stay on her head!
The first problem arose when I found out that the Fairytale Dora costume had been discontinued. Any website that listed it in their inventory was followed by a notice of 'currently unavailable'. Each time I would get my hopes up, and then they would be dashed! Why don't they just take it off the site entirely?! It is no longer being produced....it isn't like they are going to get more in stock!
Upon a suggestion from my friend, Audra, I decided to buy a Belle costume and try to alter it. I am not enough of a seamstress that I could tackle making a costume from scratch, and although my Mom was coming for a visit, she was looking after our kids for four days (while we went to Vegas) and I didn't want to burden her with making a costume too!
Well, the costumes arrived and I was sorely disappointed. They were flimsy and cheaply made. I investigated returning them, but the shipping costs to do so just didn't make it worth while.
The Scooby Doo was supposed to be a size 6, and it barely fit Noah is is wearing a size 4-5. The Belle was the same deal....barely able to fit a small 2 year old, despite the fact that it was a size 4!
So, Belle got tossed into the costume trunk to play with....when it wouldn't have to fit over outerwear and we decided to make due with the Skimpy Scooby.
Now, what to do about Dora?!
Mom to the rescue...she decided to make one. We bought the fabrics for an affordable price and Nana went to work. Complications arose (no surprise there...considering how things were already going!) and Nana didn't finish the costume and had to take it back to Canada with her. Kevin picked it up there when he visited about 2 weeks later. Dora ended up with lace sleeves instead of fabric, because some ripping apart and re-sewing ended up causing a shortage of fabric. Sigh......
Well, all in all Dora turned out wonderfully, and Bekah was thrilled!
Here is the Skimpy Scooby....it actually looks kind of cute in the photo. Too bad it wasn't as good in person! It already has come apart on a seam!
This is Fairytale Dora. The hat caused another whole drama. I made the hat out of foam covered in fabric. The hair is made of pipe cleaners that I rolled around a shot glass to give them the look of loose curls. It looked really cute, but it was SO heavy with the weight of the pipe cleaners that it wouldn't stay on her head!
You can see in this picture that Scooby is holding Dora's hat in place so it doesn't fall off! The hat only lasted as long at it took to take these photos. It didn't even make it out of the house..... I quickly did a swap and put a pink cone hat on Dora. It was one that was in the afore mentioned costume trunk. It was cute, but it didn't have any hair on it. That one lasted for half of our street and then I ended up carrying it.
The sad thing is, my kids probably won't even remember how hard I tried!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Please Comment!
I know you all are out there....either that or you are lying to me! Please leave comments for me in the comments field....so that I know that you have been here, and that you are actually reading. When I don't see comments, it makes me feel like I am spending this time for nothing! I look forward to seeing what you all have to say. :)
Thank you GoMom for your diligence to this matter!
Thank you GoMom for your diligence to this matter!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Pumpkin Carving
I took on the task of carving pumpkins with the kiddies while Kevin wasn't at home. It would have been a lot easier with another adult present, but what can you do?!
We went online to choose some patterns...that was a bit of a production in itself! Noah decided on Scooby Doo...after much deliberation. Bekah decided on a kitty cat, after two milliseconds of deliberation.
This was Noah's first attempt at scooping the guts from his pumpkin. Right after this picture was taken, he informed me that he didn't like the feel and he needed to wash his hands.
Bekah wouldn't even stick her hand in the pumpkin. This was the closest she got.....three feet away and scooping one seed at a time with a spoon.
Here, Noah decided to try it with a spoon......
The 'cheese faces'........
Bekah with the finished product. To hear her tell it.....it is called a 'coo cat' instead of a kitty cat.
Noah with his Scooby Doo jack o' lantern. We had to prop him up a bit because otherwise his chin wouldn't show. Well, actually, that is Noah's book under the pumpkin....some light reading for him. :)
Meow.....
We went online to choose some patterns...that was a bit of a production in itself! Noah decided on Scooby Doo...after much deliberation. Bekah decided on a kitty cat, after two milliseconds of deliberation.
This was Noah's first attempt at scooping the guts from his pumpkin. Right after this picture was taken, he informed me that he didn't like the feel and he needed to wash his hands.
Bekah wouldn't even stick her hand in the pumpkin. This was the closest she got.....three feet away and scooping one seed at a time with a spoon.
Here, Noah decided to try it with a spoon......
The 'cheese faces'........
Bekah with the finished product. To hear her tell it.....it is called a 'coo cat' instead of a kitty cat.
Noah with his Scooby Doo jack o' lantern. We had to prop him up a bit because otherwise his chin wouldn't show. Well, actually, that is Noah's book under the pumpkin....some light reading for him. :)
Meow.....
Blogging by the Fire
Tonight, we are having our very first fire of the season...and the first in our new house! I am sitting with the laptop in my lap right in front of the fireplace as I type this. :)
The air has become crisp, and with the American Thanksgiving just around the corner, the Christmas festivities will be going in full force before we know it! I am starting to be in the mood for hot chocolate and fireplaces on a regular basis now.
Earlier this week I went on a wood hunt. I am looking for a supplier from which to buy wood for the fireplace...and so far I haven't been overly successful. I sent out an email to several people that I have met since moving here.....that email only netted me one lead...and it seems to be an expensive one at that. I then started calling places from the yellow pages. I left about 4 or 5 messages and none of them even called me back! I guess they aren't too hard up for business!
In the meantime I stopped at a garden center and bought a small amount of wood that had been dried and seasoned for 9 months. Apparently, this is less than ideal for a fireplace, but better for a wood burning stove, which can tolerate wood containing a higher moisture content. I was told that for a fireplace, one would want wood that has been seasoned and dried for a year to a year and a half, but that it is harder to find (and more expensive). So here I am typing this and sure enough, the fire is beginning to sizzle. The flames have all but disappeared and I have three unburned logs sitting in there.
Back to the yellow pages......
The air has become crisp, and with the American Thanksgiving just around the corner, the Christmas festivities will be going in full force before we know it! I am starting to be in the mood for hot chocolate and fireplaces on a regular basis now.
Earlier this week I went on a wood hunt. I am looking for a supplier from which to buy wood for the fireplace...and so far I haven't been overly successful. I sent out an email to several people that I have met since moving here.....that email only netted me one lead...and it seems to be an expensive one at that. I then started calling places from the yellow pages. I left about 4 or 5 messages and none of them even called me back! I guess they aren't too hard up for business!
In the meantime I stopped at a garden center and bought a small amount of wood that had been dried and seasoned for 9 months. Apparently, this is less than ideal for a fireplace, but better for a wood burning stove, which can tolerate wood containing a higher moisture content. I was told that for a fireplace, one would want wood that has been seasoned and dried for a year to a year and a half, but that it is harder to find (and more expensive). So here I am typing this and sure enough, the fire is beginning to sizzle. The flames have all but disappeared and I have three unburned logs sitting in there.
Back to the yellow pages......
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