One of the things I think I will miss most when we finally go cruising is all of the silly American Holiday traditions. Halloween means many different things in different countries. In America is seems to be geared toward spending money. There are however a few traditions that I love. Trick or treating and carving jack-o-lanterns especially. Even these require you to spend money unless you can grow your own pumpkins. And God knows kids today often don't want to wear a home made costume. My children are about half and half. Some years they have a favorite character that they want to be and many A year they have come up with some truly original creations of their own. Robbie announced that he wants to be a 4 armed man this year. Two in the front and two in the back so that he can get twice as much candy. I of course countered with "what that really means is we can go to half as many houses". However he hasn't wavered. But time will tell he usually changes his mind 2 or 3 times.

The boys carved jack-o-lanterns yesterday and we had a bit of a competition going.

Which one do you like best?

This is our cat she is not black but she can be kinda scary!

Cool pics PAPA!

The Caloosahatchie River

Do you ever feel like your just marking time? Swimming up stream? Running in place? Getting no where fast? Watching paint dry? One step forward two steps back?

And my favorite.

Hurry up and wait!!!



I am always doing something. For some one. It seems though that the things that I want to see done the most get put off for later. I'm not even sure what those things are most of the time. I take care of my husbands grandmother, my Mom, go on field trips, take Robbie to practices, meetings, and appointments. Pay bills, handle all letters, correspondence, and birthday and holiday presents and cards for EVERYONE in mine and my husbands family. I'm an awesome aunt who lately has attended many a volleyball game and even a Brownie tea party. I pick up nieces and nephews from after school events and deliver them safely home. I am the President of my local Woman's club where I plan and run meetings and committees. Volunteer to work at many an event. Write news letters and news paper announcements. Watch the budget and make repairs on the club house.

These are all of the things I do because I want to. Not the ones I do because I have to. You know work, cook, clean, and don't forget the ever growing pile of laundry.

But what about me? I read in the middle of the night when it's quite and the house is still. Exercise? That's funny. When should I do that. Oh wait I could get up early and go before they get out of bed and before I go to work. Then maybe I could nap in class. Like the kids do. I started a Quilt, for Robbie, years ago maybe I can give it to him as a wedding present. The yard I was always so proud of has been taken prisoner by the weeds. But I'll get to that tomorrow. Now I have wasted my 30 free minutes and I must go do the dishes.



I think I'm just cranky, hormonal, and tired.

This is a desert rose in my front yard and some cool anchors.

Reason # 63

to sail off into the sunset.

The economy sucks! It's cheaper to live on a boat.

Has everyone been keeping up with this whole bail out plan? This is some of the craziest sh$#@ I have ever seen. Why would we want to give all this money to people who can't seen to run their own business. I read a thing that said if they divided the bail out money between every legal American adult, even if we then paid taxes on it, each person would get over 100 thousand $. I think that would fix the economy for sure. We would all pay our mortgages and those companies wouldn't be in so much trouble. Not to mention all the dead beat dads that would be forced to pay ALL of their back child support. It would be deducted right off the top! You don't even want to get me started on parents who don't support their children.

I think I want to move to Nicaragua.

And now a picture to make us smile.

Family Bliss!

Talk to you soon.