Saturday, October 30, 2010

Ghosts of Halloween Past

Halloween hasn't always been my favorite holiday. I'm going to tell you right now that this completely not my fault. Like many things...it's my parents fault.

The story has been told to me that when I was 2 years old they took me trick or treating for the first time and I was so excited! They told me that I'd wear a costume and I'd go door to door and people would give me candy! What's not to love about that? Then...they put my PRINCESS costume, complete with a plastic mask with the elastic string on me. The story goes that I ran to the full length mirror in my parents bedroom and SCREAMED bloody murder when someone else's face was looking back at me.

Here's where this story now goes terribly wrong. I went to the photo album of my baby pictures and I found a photo of my first Halloween and I was shocked to discover that I was not a PRINCESS....I was a scary freakin witch!

Scary Connie...age 2
Who the hell dresses their 2 year old as a scary freakin witch? 

Through the years....I remember dreading Halloween because I never had a good costume. I was always so jealous of the kids whose Mom's made them something to wear...heck, I didn't even have a decent way to carry my candy!  We used pillow cases!

As an adult, I tried a little harder for Halloween.  One year, my friends and I were going to a party as the cast of Alice.  I was going to be Flo.  I practiced snapping my gum, saying Kiss My Grits and dyed my hair RED.  A huge blizzard arrived on Halloween day and we couldn't go to the party....and I now had red hair.



**** 

The next year, I didn't feel like trying so hard so I decided to go to a bar as Trailer Trash. I wore my husband's plaid shirt, teased my spiral perm and bangs up real high, carried a cold Coors Light in my hand and put a sign around my neck that said my name was Becky and that I lived in a trailer park. I won 2nd place in the costume contest......

**** 


Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Mommy Cards

Mallory is kind of shy. She is unsure of new situations and people and hides behind my leg or her sunglasses whenever we're in public.

The only place that she appears to be comfortable and comes out of her shell is at the play thing at Burger King.  I've joked that I'm going to have to home school her and take her there for recess so she can play with other children.

The other day, she made friends with an adorable little girl. She introduced herself and asked the girl her name!  I got so excited as I watch her actively make a friend and they were even holding hands.  She ran over to me...her hair plastered to her head with sweat and proudly told me that she had made a friend.

I sat at the sticky table and decided I had to do something.  I couldn't let this friend get away so I wrote my name, phone number and email address on a piece of paper and I took it over to this girls mother and told her we were new in town and would love to get together sometime.

I should have left it at that.  I should have just walked away but I am a woman of too many words and I had to keep talking....telling her I don't usually approach women in fast food restaurants and that we are really nice people.  And then I had to tell her that I don't make friends easily and I almost told her that my husband thinks I'm a snob. Luckily...I stopped myself there and made my escape.

She hasn't called yet.....do you think I scared her off?  Or maybe she googled me, found this blog and went OH HELL NO!

Just in case....I decided I should have some Mommy Cards to hand out.  

Which one do you like best?


Choice A


Choice B

Choice C

Monday, October 25, 2010

Leaves

crunching, crinkling autumn leaves

This weekend we went to Golden Colorado to find a couple letterboxes. For a several weeks now...we were supposed to go up into the mountains to look at the fall colors and ride a train, but our plans kept falling through.

Turns out we only needed to drive for 10 minutes to find some amazing fall color and we discovered a really great walking path along Clear Creek.


Letterboxing is really helping us rediscovered the town that we love so much.  We're so happy to be home!



Leaves by Elsie N. Brady

How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow.



For Mimi:


Friday, October 22, 2010

Me: Only Better

Now that my computer is fixed...I'm addicted to making these videos!

What I Learned This Week: Crazy Edition

I learned that bonding with a child doesn't cost anything but time.

I learned that I'm stronger than I think I am and I'll do anything to protect my children.


I learned that iKeith voted for Ross Perot and his Dad had a giant sign in his yard which resulted in him being on the news because it was against the law to have a political sign that tall.

I learned that iKeith ate a fortune cookie whole and then couldn't figure out why it was so chewy. He's been stressed out....

I learned that my kitchen is big enough to make some delicious food...I'd venture to call it cozy.

I learned that I'm lucky to be in love with my best friend. 

I learned that every 29 days I need a 5150.




I learned that Don (of Don/Dawn*) likes to sit on the stairs outside my apartment...smoking and reading a book. He also likes to drink Miller Lite and make his dog howl. He howls and then his dog howls. Don...I hope it gives you hell.

I learned that if I eat too many carbs...I get insomnia. I'm turning into an old woman.

I learned that I can't run in the cold and that yoga makes me happy.

I learned that *my people* take their kids to the new Discovery Park in Wheat Ridge.  You know...my people....Mom's that bring McDonalds for their kids' lunch.

I learned that I forgot to watch The Event this week and I didn't miss it. Sorry Jason Ritter.

I learned that if I try to win friends and influence people by baking amazing muffins that the universe will try to screw me and will have iKeith's bosses wife send in muffins to the office too and then my awesome muffins will make her look bad and I'll be challenged to a re-match even though my muffins where clearly better.

*You remember Don/Dawn...my downstairs neighbors.  

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Taking A Break

I've been thinking about taking a little break. I'm feeling burnt out and I need to finish answering my questions from yesterday.

The decision has been made for me. My computer is broken. I have a post for Friday...that I finished before the screen went black.....

Post sent from my iPhone

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

National Evaluate Your Life Day

I bet you didn't know it was National Evaluate Your Life Day did you? That's why I'm here...to keep you informed!

On my 40th birthday I decided to keep a journal for this year and to try to write in it every day and really get to know myself and what makes me happy. So far, I'm loving writing in it....every couple days. I've found some questions to ask myself and I decided to share them with you...today...on National Evaluate Your Life Day.

Answer these questions for yourself. You don't have to share them...this is just for you!


1. What makes your heart beat with excitement?

2. What would be that one thing that would make you happy?

3. What are you constantly think of day and night?

4. What do you want to do with the rest of your life?

5. What makes you feel successful when you do it?

6. What are you obsessions, passions?

7. What one thing makes you jump for joy every time you do it or see it done by others?



Have a great day! I'm off to do some Letterboxing with a migraine!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

For the Love of Letterboxing

You may remember a few months ago....we tried Letterboxing.  It didn't go too well and I think it was because iKeith and I were having an off day and he wouldn't listen to me when I was obviously right...as I'm known to be.

Side note: Many people's lives would be going a lot smoother right now if they would just listen to me and do what I tell them to do.  Just sayin.

My little boy Alex loves to go on *Adventure Walks*. These normally take place in the evening after iKeith get home from work but these walks have come to an abrupt stop because of the sun disappearing into the Rocky Mountains too early every afternoon.

I've had to pick up the slack a little bit.

Every Tuesday, Nana watches one of my children. They take turns having some one on one time with me. Mallory loves to go to the library and to Whole Foods. Alex loves to go for adventure walks.

We decided that we'd give letterboxing another go because of my new friend JoAnn from The Casual Perfectionist. She's newly addicted to letterboxing and she got me excited about it again. Thanks JoAnn!

I've added a Letterboxing Tab at the top of my blog to record our finds!  I borrowed this idea from JoAnn with her permission.

We've become completely obsessed with finding these letterboxes and it combines the fun of a treasure hunt, exercise that doesn't feel like exercise and spending quality time together as a family.  We've had the best time...if you aren't doing this fun activity, you should start!




Monday, October 11, 2010

It's Not Fall Til You Visit The Pumpkin Patch

Last week we went to the Hills Harvest Pumpkin Patch in Thornton.

 They have a lovely little field that you can trapse through looking for the perfect pumpkin, or you can just jump out of your vehicle and chose from a nice assortment of pumpkins.  They also have a spot for a photo opp.


For some reason...my kids were shy and wouldn't look me in the eye.  I think it had something to do with the smiling scarecrow with the price tag still attached.


We traveled back in time to see what Mallory would look like in 1977.


I made the yummiest Corn Chowder over the weekend...here's the recipe!






Hill Harvest is one of the nearest pumpkin patches to the city of Denver. I researched many of them and if you don't want to drive a long ways...this is your best bet. They also have free hay rides Friday-Sunday, and have a little store with lot of other products such as honey, green chili, salsa and veggies. They had a nice assortment of apples and buckets of pie cherries.

Hill Harvest Fresh Farm Produce and Pumpkin Patch
3225 E 124th Ave
Thornton, Co 80241
303.451.5637
Hours: 9am-6pm 7 days a week 

Friday, October 8, 2010

What I Learned This Week: Cujo Edition

Things I learned last week.


I learned that Friday it is Suit Up Friday at iKeith's office.



I learned that I'm afraid of my own Halloween decorations.

I learned the location of the dog that keeps waking me up at 5am...I've learned the phone number to call to complain about him.



I learned that a neighborhood grocery store had bacon on sale this week because Don/Dawn* made it every day this week.

I learned that I can't not eat cookie dough even though the package says not to.

I learned that my in laws will be moving to California soon...and I have to find a storage unit for my belongings that they are storing.

I learned that my daughter thinks she has a penis.

I learned that our new favorite game is Zingo (which we call BA Zinga...10 points if you can name the TV show that is from)

I learned that I am not very bendy....yoga is hard!!

Don/Dawn....my downstairs neighbors. How confusing must it be to call their apartment.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

NHL GameCenter 2010 App

Finally....what you've all been waiting for.




This app is full of information like schedule and standings, stats and profiles for each player, current scores, ice tracker and play-by-play, hockey news and you select which teams are your favorites!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

The Last Days of Raggedy Ann

Once upon a time in land not so far away in the village of Edelweiss...there lived a prince and princess that loved all of their toys. 

It came to pass that their selfish uncle who was third in line to the throne would give them a gift and this gift was cherished by the queen (the mommy) because the selfish uncle never gave gifts.

That is how Raggedy Ann and Andy came to live in Edelweiss. 

Raggedy Ann and Andy lived a boring existence at the bottom of the stuffed animal pile until one day when the prince and princess became curious and removed their clothing.


The queen could not tell the non-anatomically correct dolls apart so she took it upon herself to correct the situation and give Ann a boob job.

Which One of These is Not Like the Other?
Ann spent several days as a buxom red head, enjoying a renewed love affair with Andy and the attention of the prince who recently decided he's a boob man.

And then the unthinkable happened!  The queen's father arrived for a visit with his vicious Jack Russell Terrier.  The queen has a policy that whenever someone comes to visit they are forced to babysit so she'd left the dog and Grandpa with the prince and princess.

She returned from the store to find that Raggedy Ann had been murdered and her stuffing, head and arms where strewn about the castle. 

Raggedy Andy is distraught and plotting his revenge agains the villainous Jack Russell named Scooter and the queen banished him from the kingdom because he also pooped in her chambers.

Monday, October 4, 2010

We'll Always Have Paris

I love movies!

I love going to the cinema and I love watching movies at home in the privacy of my home. I adore popcorn and raisinettes!

It came to my attention recently, that I have not seen many of 'the classics'. And I don't really think I can call myself a movie buff....if I don't see some of these iconic movies.

Saturday night....I watched Casablanca! I loved it and now I'm on a mission and I'm dragging iKeith along with me because we looked over the list of AFI's Top 100 movies and it's pitiful how many we've seen.  Of course, iKeith has seen more than me. 



Here is a list of the top 20.  Once we've seen these...we'll move on to the next 20.  To see the entire list of 100 movies....click here.

Movies we've seen in RED.
  1. CITIZEN KANE 1941
  2. THE GODFATHER 1972
  3. CASABLANCA 1942
  4. RAGING BULL 1980
  5. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN 1952
  6. GONE WITH THE WIND 1939
  7. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA 1962
  8. SCHINDLER'S LIST 1993
  9. VERTIGO 1958
  10. THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939
  11. CITY LIGHTS 1931
  12. THE SEARCHERS 1956
  13. STAR WARS 1977
  14. PSYCHO 1960
  15. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 1968
  16. SUNSET BLVD. 1950
  17. THE GRADUATE  1967
  18. THE GENERAL  1927
  19. ON THE WATERFRONT  1954
  20. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE 1946


How many of these have you seen?

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Don Draper Doesn't Change Diapers!

Our local newspaper does this thing where they give you a blank cartoon every week and you are supposed to supply the caption and send it in.

I thought this cartoon had great potential.


What would your caption say?

Check out this one....so funny!

Friday, October 1, 2010

What I Learned This Week: Octoberfest Edition



I learned that my father in law can't hold his liqour and gets extremely tipsy after three beers at Octoberfest. What kind of alcoholic is he?

No more beer for me....

 I learned that some people like to wear crazy outfits in public for attention.



I learned that a certain time share in Breckenridge won't let you come check out the resort if you don't own your home.  Good Luck with that guys....

I learned that I should stop making football bets with my friend Jessica. Thanks a lot Broncos.  Enjoy your candy Jessica and Craig!



I learned that going for a run with my giant maxi pads only slows my ass down.  Literally.

I learned that my daughter has social anxiety when she refused to go to story time at the library.  And then she was put out because they don't serve snacks.  We checked out books and went to Starbucks.  I learned that she likes Jazz.
Starbucks is where it's at!

I learned that my daughter doesn't like babies because they make too much noise and they have big butts.  She doesn't care for the cloth diapered heiny look.

I learned that I can walk into a room full of people I don't know and make friends.  As long as they are bloggers.  Thanks Mile High Mamas for making me feel so welcome! 

I learned that I need to shop at better stores because someone in my group had my military style jacket on. Embarrassing!  

People in mirror are larger than they appear

I learned that I don't really want to visit the Amazon because there are some scary fishes there. 

I learned that I miss my Dad.

I learned that weeks when iKeith is on a deadline at work are long, hard and stressful. But the app is awesome and I can't wait to tell you about it.

I learned that the kids and I love to have lunch with iKeith in downtown Denver.  

I learned that some of iKeith's former co-workers were laid off yesterday and I'm thankful that we got out of there when we did!  

I learned that if I leave the house a lot during the week...my google reader post unread number gets incredibly large.


What did you learned this week?


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