Here are 2 of our 9 kittens :) - these are 4 weeks old.

The beautiful Konza Prairie Preserve! - what a nice trip, I highly reccomend it - (LittleMan took this shot)

Today is our13th Anniverary! - I was blessed to spend the day with Brian doing something I love...enjoying nature and seeing new places. :)

The 5th graders are lined up and ready to learn about Geomorphology...Brian and I found it very interesting too. :)

The students are measuring stream velocity - here, LM is catching the bobber used in the experiment.

LM collecting insect specimens with classmates at Kings Creek - he found a Mayfly larvae.

The Konza Prairie Preserve studies this large herd of bison (buffalo) & their affect on the prairie - they live with little human assistance.

Brian riding the field trip bus with the WHOLE 5th grade - fun times! :)

Girlie playing dress up - and crackin' me up! :)

I visited Girlie today in her 1st Grade classroom. She was happy to see me. :)

Sepa doing the sack race during Field Day

LM and his 5th grade science project..nicely done - got an "A". :)

Hospice Celebration Walk - Girlie and her cousin waiting in line for their balloons. :)

We had a wonderful evening at the annual Hospice Celebration Walk. Complete with a cookout, balloons, facepainting, popcorn, music, & bouncey house!

Girlie shows me her butterfly...being very gentle - Monarch Release Ceremony 2009

Sepa catches a butterfuly at the Monarch Release Ceremony - Hospice Celebration Walk 2009

Aunt Terri shares one of her favorite treats - Funnel Cake! yum - nothin' hits the spot like pure sugary fried carbs! :)

Little Man gets a cool face painting at the Hospice Walk - Grrrrrr....

A January afternoon....Sepa says, "Mom, let's make chicken enchiladas!" Our boy is getting so big. :)

Little Man spends his Saturday afternoon doing origami....he's gotten really good at the swan. :)

The Good Old Days....

I am so blessed....I would not have originally imagined myself doing what I am doing now, but its really a great job. I have been doing the medical transportation for a local retirement village. Therefore, I spend the weekdays loading up folks with their walkers and in wheelchairs, and safely taking them to Dr. appointments and procedures or picking them up from the hospital, etc.

So, you ask why I think this is such a blessing???....the people of course. The personalities, the wisdom, the experiences are so rich. I have lots of new friends and most of them are over age 80. (ha!) Me being in my early 30's....this is not too common. :) Edna and I talk politics - Mary T. and I exchange coupons and good book suggestions - Frank and I (a retired minister) discuss religion - Corrine and I talk about what's new with the celebrities - and I could go on and on...since there are 100's of people at the village. How many people from my generation get to hear first hand about WWII or the depression? Yep, like I said....blessed!

Well, anyhow, I was taking one of my most interesting ladies to an appointment last week - a fellow book lover - she's 97 years old and very spry. I suggested a book she might enjoy, then she proceeded to get a little notepad and pen out of her pocket to write down the title and author for rembrance. As I watched her carefully write in neat cursive on this notepad, it donned on me that this individual learned to write in 1916....60 years before I was born. This amazing thought spurred others in my head...what a resource of life wisdom she must be! The things she has seen.... So, in the course of our conversation, I decide to ask her a question very few can answer. Is it true that life is worse now than it used to be? She told me that her father used to say, "There isn't any such thing as The Good Old Days." That life is and always will be hard - but also with good." So, she's saying life is good and bad at the same time. That's just the way it is. She went on to say, there is no perfect or utopia. So, take notice of the good parts and accept that there is the bad. There you have it folks!....wisdom from living on this earth 97 years. Take it or leave it - I'm gonna take it! :)

Sepa being silly...this kids' spirit is infectious. :)

A funny moment from our place....

Last week Brian had one of his colds. (that's not the funny part - ha!) You know, where he mopes around for days sniffling and looking miserable. He took one day off work and slept most of the day...then the next day he went to work, but was absolutely zonked that evening. He stretchted out in a recliner and feel asleep. Sepa and I were sitting on the sofa in the same room when Brian made a high-pitched moan in his sleep. Of course, Sepa and I found this hilarious, looked at eachother, and started laughing. :) Then I said:

"I wonder what he's dreaming about?"

Sepa: "Probably that he is in heaven"

Me: "So what would that be like..."

Sepa: "He's dreaming he's at a concert of the best rock band IN THE WORLD...and HE is the drummer!...or (Sepa ponders) that he's eating saltine crackers"

Ha! - yep, this kid knows what his Dad likes. Those things would definitely be Brian heaven.

Take care everyone and have a good Thanksgiving! :)

Some fun pumpkin carvin' time with the kids.

This pictureis proof that Girlie will pose cutely with anything...even pumpkin pulp! :)

The finished products...

Now roasting the pumpkin seeds...Sepa says this is his favorite part :)

Some pics to share...Grandma's annual Birthday Weanie Roast!

Happy Birthday Grandma (aka Jane..Mom...)

We had lots of topping options...chili dogs, relish, cheese, onions and West Virginia dogs (coleslaw, etc.)

Me, Sepa, and Tigress...(yes, I know I have a piece of Smore in the corner of my mouth - ha!)

Autumn Climb...

4th Grade Writing...

Sepa wrote this paragraph at school. He chose the topic of his trip to the Buffalo River last summer. Some of the facts are actually from his imagination...but that is all the better! :)

Sepa writes...

Last summer I went to the Bufulo River. I was disgusted when a bird went to the bathroom on my food. On down stream there was lots of shade. Along the way I saw an old, old raft with moss on it. Then I got to a fast current that brought me downstream even faster. There were scattered sand bars. I saw a cluttered rats nest. I saw a doe nuzzle her baby. I had a great time at the river.

THE END

The road to our place....