today I cried

Today I cried.

The tears were of grief over a national election. 

Is that silly?  Surely as a country we will be fine? 

America spoke and democracy was carried out right?

Not for me.  I will not be fine.

I now see it for what it is.  My faith in humanity is broken.

I see that we value the cost of a gallon of gas more than my daughter's freedom to have control over her own body.

I see that we are more worried about the price of bread than we are of keeping democracy

That we are willing to trade off protecting the planet from further damage.

Does it make me a bad person?  I don't care.  In the name of Christianity, they spew hatred.  They love their neighbors unless the neighbors are different.  What about my gay friends?  What about my cousin who is married to a brown, Muslim man?  Did they give one thought to those people?  Do not tell me you are a Christian who wants babies protected, but then vote against programs to feed them, to insure them, to help their mothers raise them.  Do not tell me you are pro-education and then dismantle every safeguard put in place to insure that every child has the right to get an education.  The list is just too long.  And for my mom, who has tirelessly worked her entire freaking life driving a bus, and planned to retire next year,  I am sorry that you will probably have to continue to work until you die.  

Am I going to storm the capitol?  No.  Am I mad?  No.  I am hugely, vastly, grossly disappointed in my fellow citizens right now though.  And I sincerely hope that America survives this disgusting time in history.  And the price of the damn gas better be worth it.

 

Last marching band night

Harper had her last marching band performance last night at the football game.  I think she was happy about it, as it is starting to be cold and wet for the practices in the mornings, and the game was pretty chilly! 

They performed “Danger Zone” which we enjoyed.  

Cameron drove down to watch her.  He also had a small mini reunion with several of his old friends at the game.  It was a fun (but cold) night!

I enjoyed getting to see Harper perform and visiting with Cameron for a little bit.  It was a good night.  

I also got a few more photos from Halloween from the kids.  I will always love Halloween photos!  

I also have to share these photos of Wrenley. She wore her first pony tail this week.  This is the aftermath! 

And I cracked up when Madison sent me this.  She was getting fuel in the school van - Wrenley was trying to escape!  She is such a funny little thing.  

This weekend is going to be all about getting caught up around here.  We already picked up the goat’s from the breeder (thanks to Jim for doing the heavy lifting parts). I am bound and determined to find the bottom of the excessive piles of laundry and clean this place back up after an insanely crazy week!  

 

Happiest day of the year!

I’m sure you are well aware of this, but my favorite holidays are Halloween, followed closely by 4th of July.  I have my reasons but I think the biggest one is that both were days when you got to do stuff that in my parents world were huge no-no’s.  4th of July- meant an invitation to play with fire.  Halloween meant going to people’s houses and asking for things (a huge pet peeve of my mother- don’t beg, you wait to be asked etc).  

Also, Halloween is all of the fun, but none of the stress of planning, cooking, cleaning etc.  

Anyway….not that any of it matters, and it definitely doesn’t take anything away from a truly amazing day!  

Jim’s office hands out candy to the grade school kids at their annual parade.  Jim’s co-worker used to be a teacher. She loves this event more than most people. She handled buying the candy (which is always nerve wracking - the school sends out a note saying they have let’s say 350 kids - but then every kid there seems to have a younger sibling who comes along. Some of the day cares also join in.  They end up needing more like 500 pieces of candy).  Jim was happy because he could sit and enjoy the parade.  My mom and I joined him.  We had to watch for Evie- she instructed us carefully multiple times!  I love seeing all the costumes. Some people are so creative.  Also, i can tell my children are getting older, I had no idea who some of the characters were.  One thing is for sure though - there was a deer and a wonder woman who were the cutest ones there! 

My nephew was a little ducky!

Wrenley was a baby deer!

This chicken rider was one of my absolute favs! 

Bella and Cameron were David S.Pumpkins 

Evie was “Wonder woman” although in my humble opinion, the “S” on the dress might indicate that it was superwoman. But who am I to judge?   

Madison helped with Evelyn’s party, and the parade.  Wrenley refused to sit in the stroller! 

Poppy wanted to be a baby deer too I guess!  

Mallory was a witch 

 

Saige was a Wolfe, Harper was an evil clown.  

Carlos was a dragon. He was super unimpressed with Jim’s choice today!  

It was a really fun day.  We met up with Madison’s crew and the girls all went to the trunk or treat together.  Harper and Saige then went trick or treating. They told me they really miss going trick or treating with Quincy- she would do all the talking and all they had to do was hold up their bags!   I can’t believe she’s all grown up and not begging to go “just a couple more streets pleaaassssseeee! Harper and Saige are lightweights, and were all done by 7:30.  I then decided we could fix an issue I was having time wise, and we ran to Topeka for goat/chicken food.  Also,  if sonic wants to serve 50 cent corn dogs in honor of a holiday, I will make time for it! 

I’m so glad we had this day!  It was so much fun!  

Also - my gate ghost, and grim reaper are sooo cool when you light them up! 

31 years

31 years ago, we got married.  Time is such a weird thing.  In some ways it seems like it was yesterday. In other ways it feels like a lifetime ago.  We were kids. I see that now.  At the time, I didn’t think so though.  

I am more than proud of the life we have built, of our children, and grandchildren,  of the dreams we have accomplished together.  It would be a lie to say there haven’t been bad days, but in all honesty, they were just that - days.  Times when we were hurt or sad. Or hurt each other.  But at the end of those days, there is nobody else I would want to do life with. Jim is my rock.  I often say that he is everything I  am not - you know- kind, quiet, mathematical, analytical, reserved.  I am thankful for that - because someone has to be the nice one.  Someone has to be the polite one.  Someone has to balance the checkbook….

He is definitely my opposite but also my best friend   I am lucky that I found him   I am lucky he chose one night in a bar to not be shy or quiet   I hope we can always remember, even in the hard times, how worth it our relationship is   Happy anniversary Jimmie - love you long time   

 

My fav - party day!

A couple years ago, I started thinking about all the Halloween recipes  that I have saved, but have never made.  Things like feet loaf, witches fingers and jalapeno mummies should not just be a cool file in your computer!  

This year, we made finger dogs (and chili), vampire teeth jello, and marbled green and purple deviled eggs. GG made a cool meat tray (she wins with best Halloween dish) and cute Frankenstein roll ups.  

Evelyn trick or treated us.  

Wren was taking a nap! 

We did ghost crafts. 

We carved the pumpkins. 

We snuggled Dwight.  

We added sprinkles to our ghost bubbles!  

We decorated cookies. 

We tried eating the cookies while wearing vampire teeth. 

And we got a little scared when the evil clown showed up. 

I loved every thing about this!  I wish all holidays could be Halloween!   Best holiday ever! 

The girls then had to run out the door because Carbondale had their city wide trunk or treat, and costume contest.  We got photos- and I’m glad because I didn’t get to see the baby deer in her costume since she was crashed out! 

I am hoping to make this a tradition we all look forward to!

 

And this is not Halloween related, but the rabbits I purchased at the auction yesterday appear to be healthy.  Sometimes purchasing at auction is a risk, since you’re buying by sight, and not really checking them over.  I am absolutely in love with this little blue buck.  He is the cutest little thing!  Harper is also rather excited about him.  

We had a 4 day weekend off school.  It was just as fast as any other weekend.  We did accomplish a lot, and we had a ton of fun!  I’m thankful for it- as we head into a week that is the first 5 day week of school this month, contains our anniversary, a couple of meetings, a class in Emporia for me, Halloween, and All Souls’ Day which means a night of church.  I think having the rest and relaxation is probably going to be exactly what we needed!