The Mummy by Henry

It was a dark misty night and the birds were squealing for their lives. Then five boys saw a mummy string with green liquid on it. A mummy formed behind them. He smelt so bad all the plants around him died. The green liquid dropped from his eyes and nose like blood.

The mummy tackled them. It ate one of the boys. The mummy's eyes glowed and all the plants around became its army.

The sky turned blood red. The boys started running. The plant army made a pit trap. They fell in and the mummy jumped in with a "plaaaaaaaaa!". They jumped out. They started running toward the dark forest. Everything started fading to the mummy as he ran. Then, he fell apart, and the other boy came back, but the mummy never returned.

-Watch out M. Night Shyamalan-

Halloween by Chandler

The ghouls on Halloween night got out of their graves, too hungry that night.

They scattered the street making havoc wherever they went.

One child was wearing a mask so scary the ghouls ran in fright.

Now that the "monster" was there, they went back to their graves until next Halloween.

What can you afford to hand out?

Update on Halloween night: Kids beg, so you better have something! I would kill my kids for saying, "I don't like that candy." or "Can I have two?"

Suave - Can you fix this hair?

I love this commercial. All the stages of motherhood it illustrates, simply fantastic.

Can Suave help me?

How about this for a lawn ornament!

During a recent search on Amazon.com for a food mill, this item came up under
"Customers who bought items like this also bought..."
3-D Coyote










This is the description:
Coyote replicas are a well-established method of deterring geese. Bird-X, Inc. developed its 3-D Coyote in 2007 based on 43 years of research and experience with goose problems at golf courses, corporate, school and hospital campuses, city parks and homes. It incorporates unique features to ensure long-term effectiveness with no maintenance. The Bird-X Coyote is a realistic, life-sized 3-dimensional replica in frightening, stalking posture, 37 inches head to tail, 8 inches wide and 16 inches tall. Its furry tail and true-to-life markings add to the terrorizing look and imposing presence. Unlike stationary deterrents, this coyote moves and changes positions in even the slightest breeze. It is visible from all angles for full 360-degree coverage, making it far superior to flat silhouettes that must be viewed " full-on."

Can you imagine pulling up to a school with that on the front lawn? Although if you had the coyote, you probably wouldn't need this sign. See previous posting

Understand?

Peppers are easy to freeze, just cut, de-seed(if you can't handle the heat), devein and freeze. We love jalapenos for toppings and to cook into our chili and taco meat.

This particular day, while I'm slicing and de-seeding, Henry walks into the kitchen to watch me:

Henry: Mom, are you cutting jalapenos?

Mom: Yes, I am.

Henry: Are we having them for dinner?

Mom: No, I'm preparing them to freeze for future use.

Henry: Oh, make sure you wear gloves while cutting those jalapenos. (starts to walk out of room, turns and looks at mom) Kapeesh?

Mom thinking: Did he just say Kapeesh? He got that from eitherGreat-Aunt Barbara or Grandma.

Layaway?

Last week Suze Orman commented on not buying what you CAN'T afford....if you can't pay cash don't buy it...and so on. Very smart, very sensible, whether you are in bad economic times or not. She also reflected on "the good old days" when credit cards didn't exist, so consumers bought only what they had the cash to buy. She also mentioned layaway. Do you all remember layaway? I do and I used it. When did it stop?

Which came first, retailers stopped offering layaway or I stopped using layaway? I had to think about why I stopped using it. My guess is kids. Taking advantage of shopping while the kids were with Wade or friends. Just buying it in the moment to keep gifts a surprise. Or because going to a store once a week to put a payment on the merchandise just didn't work. Who knows!

A few days after Suze talked about layaway, I see a commercial for Kmart, they are offering layaway for holiday gifts! Actually they never stopped, like Wal-mart and many others, but now they are advertising the offer. Such smart marketing especially for the times. Down side...you need a Kmart near you. We don't have one within flying distance of Forest Grove!

FYI, Walmart stopped offering layaway in 2006. That is just a fact, not a dig!

A few other online layaway sites:

laymeaway.com
elayaway.com

Sprite is 11 today!

I can't believe my baby is 11 years old today! Seems like yesterday we were calling family and friends to tell them Chandler was born 8 days early and on our 3rd anniversary.

Chandler, life can and will bring you magnificent treasurers. I always thought you were shy, but I've learned you are more of a thinker, an observer. Considering the who, what, where, and how of your surroundings. Your adjustment to our new life in Oregon is amazing. Keep smiling, you have your father's eyes, they smile when you smile.

PS thank you for understanding about Mom and Dad picking the restaurant for dinner out.

We can't wait to have dinner with you and Henry. Your party on Saturday will be awesome!

What a comeback!

Follow-up to It is all in the wording posting. Way to express your artistic talents Henry!

Friend to Friend

Have you visited Desert to Forest yet?


Five weeks ago, my friend, Wendy and I have started a photo blog. We met in Arizona many years ago via MOMS Club. Our first connection (for me) her first child's name, Henry. I loved the name and admitted to her, "If I have another boy, I will name him Henry." Sure enough in 2000 I did just that. Over the years we have come together in coffee talk, pottery, belly dancing, nutrition and just good old-fashioned friendship.
Now, she still lives in a southwestern suburb and I now live in northwest wine country. This is a way for us to continue our friendship and daily lives.
Our wonderful friend Tina, who started me blogging, has visited and commented on the photos, please take the time to do the same...they are beautiful.

Cows With Guns

Along with flying the Peace Dove during Peace Day, we enjoyed the performance of Dana Lyons. Not only did he sing Circle The World during the Dove flying, but many other environment related songs, including Cows With Guns. Watch this animated video with lyrics by Dana Lyons: (pause blog music at bottom of page before starting video)