Little Red Riding Hood

Maddi Rayn was Little Red Riding Hood for Halloween this year...and what a beauty she made. My girl has charm, among other amazing qualities! We headed to larchmont Village this year and trick or treated at Sundown. Along the way we were surprised to see Nicole Richie w family and body guards. We aren't Papparazzi, so settle down bguards. We tricked and treated for a good hour, which Maddi got the hang of as soon as she realized that candy was being thrown in her pumpkin. She even knows how to say trick or treat, even if it's in baby speak. What a nice evening!

Carving pumpkins

At first I thought I'd do some fancy carving, but with a 19 month old, less is obviously more. So, after waking up Wed morning we decided to carve the papa and baby pumpkins before bath. Yay. I think we did a pretty smash up job, if I do say so myself. Maddi liked squishing the slimy stringy stuff with seeds...she thought it was pretty neat-o and I loved cleaning the mess. A mother work is never finished!

Fall Festival

Ryan and I decided to start the Fall Festival tradition, so this year we headed to the Valley for our pumpkins. We raced through the corn maze, petted some goats and sheep, road on the carosel, took a hay/tractor ride, ate some shaved ice, and picked our pumpkins out (for carving later). The only downside was that it was nearly 95 degrees (and we don't likey the HOT weather), it doesn't signal Fall to me. There's suppose to be a slight chill in the air, you know...sweater weather. Alas, our small, but wonderful family had a good time...making memories, one at a time. Until next year...

Happy hump day!

It's raining, it's pouring the little lady's nose is running!

Doo Doo the bunny is sickie poo. Yuck! Poor thing! And getting her molers in, so she's just a happy camper. Decided to not infect any of the other kids at school, and skipping it tomorrow. Feel bad for her, but what can I do. Just trying to get her healthy and back in a feeling good groove.

On a me note- need a crown on my tooth. Dentist says it's not my fault and it's maintenance on a tooth that had a filling, but is now cracked. Thanks for the wonderful teeth mom! Her and I have such problems no matter what we do. Brushing, floshing...nothing stops us from having issues. It's the hand the Lord dealt...must be his grand plan! And my poor husband needs two, and not because he has bad teeth...he grinds them. We got him a night guard 8 months or so ago and he never wore it...now he has cracks in 2 teeth and needs crowns. The doc said if he had worn the night guard like he was told this wouldn't be an issue. I really don't think that he thought anything would happen and I feel really bad for him. Of all the luck, he deserves a different hand. Such a good husband, father and provider. I wish there was something I could do for him. He deserves a biggie...something unexpected and totally fabulous. I have to come up with somethin'.

I just received a note from the mailman to pick up an envelope from the post office from Pia. Ughhhhh...4 months late...guess I wasn't a priority. I don't even think I'll have the heart to read the document. The final meanness from the meanest man ever. Maybe someday, maybe never. It makes no difference either way. Time is the only healer...and we'll see how I feel when my dying breaths come. Will I forgive, can I even forgive? All I know is that I could never, and would never do something so awful to another human being, let alone my own flesh and blood. I have learned valuable lessons. I know how ugly hearted people can be, and it isn't pretty. It isn't nice, and it's almost inhuman. Aren't we on this planet to love and be loved? I know I don't have all the answers, and if I did...well then I would know why. And as I'm blathering on I just want to stop. I'm stopping. It's negative. And most importantly, it doesn't change anything.

On a more positive note...LA has rain and the trees are crying with joy...I can hear them! My family is all safe, healthy and loved. What a wonderful beginning to fall it is. Pumpkin patch on Saturday...hopefully I can get dodothebunny healthy by then. And hopefully I'll win another round on FantasyFB. Goooo weda's!! Oh, and the bolts are playin' this week. Can't beat that!! Gooooo Chargers!!

Busy as bees

Wow, the month has flown by...

We've been monstrously busy with Football, pre-school, storytimes at the library, shopping, parks, errands and 'US' time. The pre pre-school with parents is a blast; boy do I love seeing my daughter eyes shine. She loves other children, so what could be better than socializing my sweet girl...Not a darn thing! She's still scared of the parachute, but I'm sure she'll be use to that in no time.

I haven't had many free moments lately, and the ones I do have are spent cooking and cleaning the house. So those aren't so free, and I'm exhausted. Funny how I don't see an end in sight...scary! Geez, I hate cleaning. Football is here and my fantasy team won their first game, thank you very much. My husband and I are now tied...and he's a great coach. I love some football, but I didn't think I could master a fantasy team, but he's a great teacher when it comes to Football. We have fun sharing this together. And, I won my first game last Sunday...oops, I already said that. I rule! haha Finally picked up Mads costume...oooh lala. She's a doll and a keeper! Halloween is going to be awesome this year, I can feel it I tell ya. Scored an awesome and free interior and exterior car detail. Love free people. Bought a ton of fabric to start and finish a few projects I have in the works. A dog big and fluffy pillow, and owl pillow, blanket, skirt, doll...etc.e..etc. My sewing machine was dusty and I need to get on with it...sad when you get in a ruts. Blah!

So, I am going to make a real go of potty training-starting Friday. I figure it makes sense to start on a weekend where we don't have big plans to go anywhere. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I suppose that's the fun part. Right?! Hope so. Wish us big pees and poopies. Ah, the joys of motherhood!

My girl turns 18 months old in just a few short days. My cup runneth over...literally. I have an amazing husband who supports and cares for the two of us...a daughter who adores and needs me. I couldn't be luckier I tell ya. I must have done something right in a past life or something. The word I'm looking for is 'thankful,' because that's exactly what I am.

Till next time folks...have a wonderful Hump Day!

The Beach

We spent our sunday at the beach in Laguna. Beautiful day, beautiful family...what else could I ask for?! Dolphins...there was a pod about 100 feet out, about 6 of them. They were enjoying the beautiful weather and company as well.

My dad

Today I've learned a valuable lesson, and that lesson is that life isn't fair or just. Good people, and I mean the kind of people who would give you the shirt off of their backs, rarely get ahead and that to me is just a shame. My dad is one of those people, the good ones. He is everything I value in a human being (there are a couple things he does that irritate me, but who's counting anyway :o)) and he is always being taken advantage of in some way or another. Today it's his family, our family. Bottomfeeders. I'm sad, disappointed and furious because they don't care about him. They worship money.

We have each other, and what we have can't be bought or sold. We have solid values and ethics, and won't trample dead bodies to go onward and up for the sake of power and money. We are the good ones, the righteous ones...I'm proud to be his daughter...I just wish something wonderful would happen for him, and my mom!!

Saturdays

Why is it whenever (even with a new car) you take your car to the dealership for a simple 100 buck fluid change you end up spending 5 bills. New tires, balance, and brakes. Geez, money sure does go quick! and I sure do hate spending money like that, it's not even fun!

Had a nice brunch with my husband and daughter, went to Barnes & noble, got a cone from McDonalds and even hit Target. Been a busy day, but a nice one with the family...even errands are more fun when you're with the ones you love...and the ones who love you.

Happy Saturday!

Reading

So I just finished My Sister's Keeper this afternoon, and wow what a tear jerker. Ryan finished the audio version to it during his drive at work yesterday and called me choked up(and this is a man who rarely cries...and generally it's because a dog died...never ever to do with people). He said it made him think about our daughter and what it would feel like to be going through such a heartbreaking ordeal. It really does make you think that there are some things in this world you can't control...do the best you can with what you have and leave the rest to God. AND cherish every stinking moment with those you hold dear, even the bad/sad ones.

I love my family...they are my world!

Salinas

Not the best reasons to visit the Salad bowl, but we'll be heading North to see my grandpa in the Hospital. He just underwent surgery for Colon cancer and is in recovery. I'm very excited and nervous to see him. He's 75 and with everything that's wrong with him the doctor says he's an a amazing man, and shouldn't be alive. Wow! That's hard to hear, but it's also wonderful cause he's such a stubborn old fart. Since the big family blow up 11 years ago, I've only spoken to him once and sent letters...so this will be the first time since 1998 that I've seen him or my aunt, uncle and cousins. I'm most excited to see Zak, a cousin who as a teenager I use to take care of 24/7. He use to call me mom, because I was with him more than his own mother (my aunt). He's now 6 foot and almost 14...seems I've missed out on ALOT. I am trying to be the bigger person and put all the hurt and anger aside and try to start fresh. Even though I still feel as though they should apologize. I will try my hardest NOT to see my other aunt, because frankly, I can't stand her and she was the source of the whole problem in the first place. A family with money always spawns a sibling to feel as though they are entitled to EVERYTHING. That is her, in a nutshell. Anywho, I'm VERY excited to introduce my husband and daughter to my dads side of the family...and possibly mend some very old wounds and have some closure on that portion of my childhood. Yay! It will be nice to drive by the old home and reminese about my childhood. Sometimes I miss Salinas, old friends, old places and just the area in general...with the temperate weather and vegetation everywhere!

It will be a short trip, but long time coming. I just want to be reunited and heal from the experience!

The first one

Sooooooo, I thought that I'd start blogging our hectic lives as a sort of time-capsule to come back to now and again (great idea I encountered by an old grammar school friend...thanks to Andria for the idea)...see where we've been and where we're headed. It's a crazy life, and we're living it one moment at a time...soaking it all in and learning something brand new each day we're together...Me, the hubbs and Miss Maddimonster. Let's see where our adventures lead us!