passages

 The ever-evasive Garret managed to skip all of Halloween's fussiness and go right to the candy.  (Mostly with the sleeping skill of a teenager.)  So it was up to the little ladies to keep traditions alive.

Yes, I know it's mid-November.  You're the one still reading... 

Traditions are a right of passage.  As in, we can't move on to ________ without doing ________.  

We wouldn't dream of discussing Thanksgiving/Christmas without completing all the October necessaries.  And why would we?   They are delightful! ...and necessary.

(As is posting these belated adorable pics.  ...See what I mean?)

SO.

(go to blog calendar.  check off October.)

Now the house is moldy-pumpkin and all that goes with that FREE! 

YAY!

But ...but

...it's the HOLIDAY season!  We mustn't be without decor!

It's garbage-bag flowers!  ...On my wall!

GARBAGE BAGS! 

Pinterest is the bomb.

Bring on November! 

The magic of Halloween

I certainly can have my humbug moments but having little kids keeps me young and ...gorgeous.  So why is Halloween magical?  Because my kids think it is.  Doesn't believing something is magical give that something magical powers?  Just like Brenda believes the Tooth Fairy forgot her tooth THREE DAYS IN A ROW because of a candy-related record tooth-loss weekend, she also believes that costumes are a serious matter, essential for a most glorious celebration of candy and ridiculousness.  How could a street choking with zombies and characters from Frozen not be magical?  I even saw people COMBINE the two.

What a holiday, am I right?

Here's the trick-  Approach Halloween like a child.  NO cruel pranks.  NO horrific decorations/movies.  NO prostitution-advocating costumes.  NO Satanic references of any kind.

There.  Let the magic go forth!

P.S.  I have to admit that I was CRAZY proud that my girls weren't interested in the Frozen theme.  Nothing wrong with the movie or costumes, but there was only 1 other ladybug and NO other race car drivers on that super-crowded downtown street.  Uniqueness shows thought and bravery, in my opinion.  It's like that penguin poster my little brother had on his wall, oh so many years ago...

Sorry, I guess "being me" could include a Frozen costume, now and then.  

...humbug.

 

THIRTEEN

Against the wind
I'm still runnin' against the wind
I'm older now but still running
Against the wind

Garret with supercousinbuddy Michael

 

Well I'm older now and still running
Against the wind

Cake by Darcy. Kid by me.

Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. – By Jack Benny

A man is getting old when he walks around a puddle instead of through it. – By R. C. Ferguson

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun.  Enjoy the trip. – By Unknown Author

Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life. – By Daniel Francois Esprit Auber

just some texts

Going back through old texts for some bored amusement pulled up an old conversation between Mike and me.  ...It's a great example of what different thinkers we are and what a nuisance I can be when hubby is trying to work...

If the secret to a healthy marriage is communication we're screwed.


...In other news I AM SO FUNNY!

EVERYBODY FEARS BEARS

While hiking around Mt Hood I faced a fear that I didn't realize was a big deal.

I'm afraid of heights.

 
Not terribly.  I can frolic in trees, ride ski lifts, go up the Space Needle in Seattle but apparently, if I'm not tethered or in the safety of some mechanical structure, I get spooked.  I was chatting with my mom as we climbed and came to a steep spot on the trail.  (steep cliff to my right, drop off to my left  ...and the trail is about 18 inches wide)  Keeping my eyes on my mom's feet in front of me I marveled at how relaxed she was.  After a couple comments she just breezily states, 'Oh, I just don't have a fear of heights'.

What???

 I came back saying 'THAT'S LIKE BEING CONFRONTED BY A BEAR, SHRUGGING YOUR SHOULDERS, AND SAYING- WELL, I JUST DON'T HAVE A FEAR OF BEARS'.

WHAT????

 I believe I have a perfectly rational reaction to heights but compared to the fine folks I was hiking with I am a baby.  (Nobody called me that.  They're way too nice)  But as I pep-talk myself along the steep spots, knowing I HAVE TO continue on or just die on the mountain, I'm thinking LOOK AT THIS DEATH-DROP OFF AND JOIN ME IN MY "IRRATIONAL" FEAR WHY DON'T YOU PEOPLE????  

Obviously, as I sit here at my computer, I MADE IT.

 I did something REALLY HARD.

9+ miles per day.  35 lbs on my back.  No bears.  Thousands of feet of elevation ups and downs each day.   28+ miles total for me.  (I just had 3 days while the group was going to complete the trail in 5, so I had left my car at an access point.)

My legs and feet and back ached.  Sleeping on the ground was a sad reward each night...  But GOSH DARN IT I LOVED IT.

 There's something indescribable about the reward that comes from hard work.  ...a reward that has no shortcuts.  (maybe a helicopter?)

It was deliciously difficult and I'd only do it again if my mommy and daddy come again to help me.

The end.



p.s.  For an overall better account of the 3 days visit my mom's blog HERE.