Some Nature

The kids and I enjoyed a nature walk at a park outside of town earlier in the month. The weather has been so warm this fall and Buddy wanted to go rock hunting! We wandered the trails and did find some rocks [gravel]. They walked through the swim pond, all emptied out for winter.

I need to remember to take more opportunities like that. To take an hour and unplug. There is beauty to be found, year round. I don't have to wait for spring or summer. It's there waiting whenever we need a break...
 

That one time...when I almost didn't get to vote...

I thought I had registered to vote when I updated my driver's license. We've lived in Buffalo County for three years, why was my voter registration still in Douglas County?!

Confession: I procrastinated figuring this out.
Confession: I often procrastinate similar grown up type tasks.

I missed the voter registration deadline.

I was SO SAD that I had missed my chance to vote this year! It would be the first time since '96 that I had missed a vote. I was SO MAD at myself for letting that happen. Kicking myself. Pouting. Frustrated. Looking for the rewind button.

I threw up a hail mary this morning and emailed our election office. I got the answer I had expected, that I had missed the deadline and was out of luck.

Then, I got a second email from the same woman. PLEASE CALL ME! I really did call her (which is kind of a big deal because phone calls are another thing I tend to procrastinate). She checked out my record and I really had registered with the DMV, my registration just hadn't made it to the election office. I couldn't thank her enough for doing that, she made my day. It was so great that she did some checking, I didn't even know to ask her to do that!

So I get to go vote today. On a provisional ballot with some extra paperwork to prove I'm not trying to vote in two counties at once. Hooray!!

A Buffalo County election official saves the day!

And I can remember how important it is to vote, I realized that after I almost couldn't. I knew it was important, but I didn't KNOW. Until that point, I had taken it for granted.

Lesson learned.

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Carving

Bee and I spent a bit of time this year on our jack-o-lanterns. We cruised pinterest, looking for what we thought would be best. Then discussed how to put the plans into action. And finally did the carving. She helped with the eyes and the tiny one, I handled the teeth on both - one of which required a figuring out a new skill!

Buddy and the Hubs went for a more classic looking one and a scary-faced guy, the result was a very diverse population on the front steps this year!

I'm mostly just excited to roast the seeds and eat them. The jack-o-lanterns are second to that for me.

Busy and crazy or not, we are coming up on my favorite time of year. Halloween ~ Thanksgiving ~ Christmas...so much to look forward to!!

Happy Halloween!

our front porch ~ with a little help from pinterest this year

I can't seem to help myself. I'm a bit addicted to Instagram.

Rather than write, I just snap a photo and instantly upload it.

Facebook is sort of my new blog.

But those Instagram pictures are just so LOVELY.

I am smitten.

on a walk near our house

This Phase

July 2012 ~ Bee's birthday

No, Bee did not get glasses this summer. She sure likes to wear pretend ones though! She is a fourth grader with her own distinct sense of style.

Buddy is in first grade this year. He now takes spelling tests and tells us about lines of symmetry.

We are definitely getting used to being parents of school-aged kids. There is a new found independence, but also a new sense of busy-ness. Balance is something I am still seeking.

These days it's piano and flag football on Monday. Church on Wednesday. Volleyball on Thursday. Youth sports games on Saturdays. Mixed in with the work and recreational things we try to accomplish as well.

I looked at the calendar today and said out loud, "What??!". Can't believe we are halfway through this month. And that I do that every month.

Savoring each day for the day that it is.

And trying to capture the moments in a photograph, if I can, for when it is all a big blur later!

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The Dog

I woke her up to take this picture.

Our Mollie, who is almost 11. She has become this nocturnal animal and so is happily sleeping now, having just driven me crazy all night.

She walks around all night, in our room, shakes herself off, gives herself a bath. I am a light sleeper, so these activities wake me up! Sigh.

She has to be in our room because she would cry all night in a crate and pees all over if left to roam the house. We've had her for almost 11 years and she is no more trained than she was when we brought her home.

Failure on our part, I would say. She's trained us just fine.

My Mollie. I do love her so. But she is really quite a pain!

Yawn. She is back to sleep now and will do so happily all day. It's like having a newborn whose got his days and nights confused.

I need a nap.

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