Punkin time

Today there was a day off of school.  I had to run to the DMV and for once in my life (and I do mean once) I had every single piece of paper I needed.  I was early for my appointment and they called me right up.  This has never happened.  Ever.  I was so excited.  And then - their computer glitched and they could not print my new license.  Of course.  It did get fixed, and I will be driving the bus legally this week.  

When I got done, I had a date with some people for our traditional punkin pickin day.  Cameron and Mallory both had today off, so it worked out awesome. 

Jim didn’t want to pick pumpkins, but he did meet me so I didn’t have to go all the way home from Ottawa where I got my license renewed.  Sadly, Quincy had the day off, but had agreed to work at her old job today, so she could not join us. Colin and Spencer, Preston and Sunny all live too far away, but everyone else was headed our way.   The girls and I were early.  I felt a trip to Michael’s to see what they had on the 50% off Halloween and fall decor sale was warranted.  We found some amazing crafts for our Halloween party night!   Cameron met us there.  Yesterday, he told me he needed a welcome mat, as everyone else on his floor had one.  They had light up Halloween mats half off!   Score!  

We had a little lunch and then hit the patch.  My photos are again out of order, but I think it is fairly self explanatory.  

I love going to the pumpkin patch.  I grew up in 4-H with the people who own Shaake’s in Lawrence. It is always fun to see them, even if only for a few minutes once a year.  And I will always love supporting a small family business.  Although it doesn’t seem to be small any more!   There were quite a few people there today, but not near as many as when we go on a weekend!  They have expanded to have apple cider slushes, and kettle corn, and lots of cool things in their gift shop.  

It was a great day!   Everyone got a pumpkin and cider slush  (thank you GG)!  We enjoyed watching the girls play and just having an afternoon to hang out together.  I enjoyed it immensely. 

Of course, on the way home we had to get our traditional pumpkin patch dinner - the pepperoni jack-o’-lantern pizza from Papa Murphy’s.  Somehow, o think because we ate lunch kind of early, and it had turned off cloudy and rainy, I came right home and cooked dinner.  As I was serving it, I realized it was 4:30 pm.  Ok so that was sort of unnecessary, but we rolled with it and now we are all fed and ready for bed at 7:30!   Will we go to bed early?  It’s a crazy fest around here!  

Cameron’s new mat and his pumpkin look nice- but I am convinced he needs a wreath for his door.  Luckily for him, I bought some supplies last year and never finished the wreaths I intended to make (due to having shoulder surgery- not because I am a crazy craft supply hoarder).  

 I can’t even fathom how we blew a 3 day weekend and have to go back to work/school already but it looks like that is the case.  I did have some fun.  I did accomplish a few of the things I wanted to get done.  And I did get a little down time.  All things that were necessary.  

New week. New things to do. 

Fall fun

Cameron’s bank had a fall fun day today at the KC Pumpkin Patch.  He could have a guest and asked me if I wanted to go with him.  He knows I’m a sucker for the pumpkin pickin’ and for free lunch. 

I have heard of the KC pumpkin patch before but had never been there. The first thing I noticed is that it was incredibly crowded.  The second thing was that it was sort of expensive.  But we got in for free, so that was good!   The place has tons and tons of activities for kids.  Things to climb, things to throw, things to try.  The problem I had was that three fourths of them had an added charge.  Seems like a really expensive day for a family.  Especially if you had many children. 

Cameron and I stuck with the free activities.  He smacked talked a bunch of kids and then rang the bell on the first try (which was good so they didn’t beat him up).  

Cameron called this a “cheater patch” because there were no vines to trip over. They obviously got these pumpkins from somewhere else.  That is blatant pumpkin patch cheatery.  

I did have a fun afternoon with Cameron and am glad he invited me to go along. 

And as a bonus - highland babies!  (Whyyy are they so cute?). 

I got home in time for Sunday dinner. Jim made bbq chicken on the grill.  Wrenley was very excited to show me her new earrings!   I guess they went to get Evelyn’s ears pierced.  Evie sort of stressed out.  Wren climbed in the chair and they pierced her ears instead.  Madison said she didn’t really even flinch. She showed me several times. She was pretty happy with herself. 

Evie can try again another day! 

It was a good day and I am excited that we have tomorrow off!  Off to the DMV I go - before my license expires! 

Mallory has decided to advertise for photography services to supplement her teacher income.  She is pretty good at it!  And it sort of seems like Harper, who took this picture isn’t too bad at it either!  

 

What did I say?

When I speak before the day plays out, I should just know that nothing I said will pan out.  Absolutely nothing ever works out like I plan. I think when I make a plan, God laughs.  

What did I say? I was hanging out at home. I was putting my hands in dirt and disengaging from the world.  Lies.  All of it was lies.  

Early in the morning , I came to the realization that the shop where we left the car to get the tire repaired is no longer open on Saturday.  At first, I thought no problem we will just get it Monday.  Then I panicked.  I have an appointment early Monday morning to renew my CDL.  If I do not renew it, I will not have it to drive the bus. Since the kids have the day off, I also made an appointment for Harper to take her driving test.  She needs my car for that test.  Aunt Berta works at the DMV and she had to squeeze us in, and I would feel bad if I rescheduled.  The car had to be fixed today 

So we picked it up, aired up the tire and ran it to Firestone.  Then I took Jim out for Chinese food to make up for cancelling our original plans. 

And then we entered the chamber of doom (Sam’s club on Saturday). The car still wasn’t finished, so I talked Jim into getting the fish for the newest project tank that I felt the water was finally sufficiently cycled on.  

Since I was a small child, I have had a fish tank or 2.  Or some number that I don’t like admitting to.  I have been unnaturally infatuated with fish for as long as I can remember. I don’t really have a desire to try something really new like a saltwater tank, but I absolutely love African cichlids. I designed the back tank (the free 75 gallon tank)  with the idea that I was going to finally get some of these amazingly beautiful fish and challenge myself to keeping something a little more difficult.  Also, these are photos off the internet, as the light is being delivered this week. So the tank is too dark for photos right now- these photos are what we got though.  

Retail therapy is still therapy!  

Today, my dream became a reality.  I got 2 electric yellow, one blue and one strawberry cichlid.  And yes, I do plan to get a couple more, but I am experimenting right now and didn’t want to spend too much money just yet.  

And while I was there. I saw something I haven’t seen in a pet store for a very long time. And on a whim I bought 2 Bichir Dinosaurs.  They are basically fresh water eels. They can live out of the water and breathe air.  They use their front fins to walk.  They can get a little bit aggressive and eat baby fish.  They can also get up to 24 inches long.  Because they are small right now, and so are the fish I got, they will grow together and should be ok living together I hope.  I say I hope because I am very attached and excited about them.   Jim also got some new Cory cats for the living room tank.  

I was done with my shopping and we headed back to Firestone to get my car.  Oh no. Tire was ruined.  Oh no decisions must be made, new tires needed.  Jim and I decided to go ahead and get all new tires. Which meant someone had to wait for the car and someone had to go home and put away the groceries and new fish. Since Andrew was coming to take Jim fishing, I was elected as the car waiter.  At least it was quiet there and they had good WiFi. By the time I got home, Jim was long gone into fishing world - Andrew does tend to indulge my desire for photos.  

I ran some eggs over to my parent’s and used it as a time for Harper to practice driving.  Then we came back and ate dinner and I thought - well this day is burned up, and nothing I set out to do was really done.  Except I did get the strawberries and a couple of my trees mulched out for winter. I can’t complain though, I had a nice few hours with my husband and got new fish. Side note - at the Chinese food place they gave us the senior discount today.  What on earth is happening.  I didn’t complain because hey- discount. But what?  We are not senior citizens!!  Geeszzz.  I did really like the food there and will definitely go back. Today was part of their grand opening and it was busy, but I feel like we hit it a just the right time. Lucky I  guess.  

Madison amd her crew utilized some free tickets to The Rolling Hills zoo in Salina.  They had a great time and they got to wear their Halloween costume too!   

And if this doesn’t look like she’s plotting something!   Crazy girls. 

This wasn’t the day I needed or wanted, but it is the hand I was dealt and I’m still thankful for it.  

 P