Another book review

Yes people, I am insane. I started reading Devil's Food Cake yesterday afternoon. I finished it at 4:17 am today. I COULD NOT put that sucker down. I went into my bedroom at 11 thinking I'd just read 20 minutes. Then it turned into just one more chapter. Then just 1 more....Finally it was 30 more minutes. Around 2:30 I finally told myself "Oh forget it! You know you're going to just finish it so quit setting a time limit!"

If you've read Lemon Tart or English Trifle, you'll like this one too. I know I said I like English Trifle even better than Lemon Tart, but this one was THE BEST (so far). There's a new character introduced & I must say - I like him!

There was a line toward the end that had me laughing so hard I thought I'd pee my pants right there in my bed!

Today I shall venture to the library to see if they have Key Lime Pie on the shelf or if I must get on the waiting list for that too. I betting I get the waiting list!

A book review & other things

Last night I finished The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. It was 513 pages, which, if you ask me is too many for book 1 in a series. I did like it. However, if you've read the Percy Jackson books, you'll find it's essentially the same plot. The main difference is that Percy Jackson is Greek Mythology and The Red Pyramid is Ancient Egypt. I'm pretty sure the next book in the series isn't out yet. And to be completely honest, I'm not sure I would finish this series. If book 1 is this long, how long will the others be? Besides, since I read Percy Jackson, I feel like I've pretty much read this plot before.

I am still waiting for the library to call me & tell me that The Lost Hero is waiting for me. This is the first book in the follow up series to Percy Jackson. We'll see if Mr. Riordan disappoints or not.

I started Devil's Food Cake today. This is book 3 of Josie Kilpack in her "culinary murder mystery" stories. So far, so good. Once I finish this one (it's another library book I had to be on the waiting list for so I read it now or wait again), I will read The Mockingjay (which I got for my birthday - I was #28 on the waiting list at the library & they have 9 copies!).

I have managed to start on another round of Christmas stockings. I did get the one I embroidered sold (it was basically pre-ordered). I also managed to score a big sale on my hairbows last night! A girl I grew up next door to ordered a bunch from me. I must say, the ones she picked the ribbon for turned out absolutely adorable & now I think I must make more of those! One was a lime green zebra type print which would go perfect with Sam's LaShar's warm ups. So, I think that will be the next one she gets to keep. Tonight when I went to my mom's house I was looking at the ribbon in her sewing room and said, "Oh, I should get some of this to make some bows out of (white with cute red cherries on it)." Mom's mistake? She told me to take what I wanted and make what I wanted. A grocery bag later I've got some more ribbon to make bows out of! At least I didn't have to spend a bunch of money on this ribbon, right?

For those that are wondering what I'm charging on stuff...I want some feedback here. I was going to ask $25 on the stockings I don't embroider and $30 on the ones I do. Anyone think that's terribly overpriced? The bows I was going to ask 1 for $2.50 (the ribbon ones) or 2/$4. I was going to ask 1 for $3.00 on the flowers (they cost a bit more to make) or 2/$5. I'm trying to be a little cheaper than the ones I've bought for Sam because I have a hard time spending $5 for a single bow for her. Feedback on it would be great please! If you want something particular, let me know. I've got TONS of ribbon & fabric & would be more than willing to send you pix of either/both so you can see what choices you have.

Tomorrow is Sam's Halloween party at dance & Friday the kids are partying at school. Samantha is going to be a princess & dress in the amazing dress my mom made for her birthday last year. Nash is going as Darth Vader & I still need to hem up the sleeves & pant legs on his costume. Caleb is going as a devil (I made the costume for Nash when he was 2). And, just for some sick humor, I think I may borrow my mom's nun costume & go as a pregnant nun! Travis said he might be able to make it home for the weekend, but he still isn't sure. Either way, we will be out trick or treating & having a birthday party for Grandma Kris.

I went to Parent Teacher Conferences for both kids tonight. Samantha is at or above the class average in everything. I'm not surprised because her teacher sent home a report the other day so I could look over it before the conference. She redid her star test on Oct. 20th and went from 2.5 (in Sept.) to 2.9. Yeah, she reads like her mother & sleeps with books just as often! Her teacher even got to tell me she isn't a drama queen in class like she is at home, so I was happy! Nash is doing good as well. He has moved up a reading group in the last few weeks and only missed a couple of things on the assessment they did in September (which his teacher told me they hadn't really worked on a few of the things they were tested on. So once again, I was happy! She also told me he isn't too much of a goofball or a smart alec in class, so that was good to hear! I have noticed that Sam's strong points are mainly the language areas (like me), although she doesn't do terrible at math. Whereas Nash on the other hand really seems to do well with numbers (like his dad) but struggles a bit more with the language areas. Funny just how opposite they are! Both of them enjoy school and are doing well both socially & academically so that's about all I could ask for!

Well, I have a tired baby so I'd better go tuck him in! Happy haunting!

Projects, projects & more projects!

My computer desk is slowly disappearing...this is the right of my computer desk....This is the left of my computer desk....
Somewhere under all this is my kitchen table...
I did get 5 of these finished tonight...
I only embroidered a name on 1 (special order)...
I can't even tell you the last time I saw the top of my kitchen table & used it as a kitchen table. I think it might have been when we celebrated Trav's birthday over Labor Day. Wow...I have a problem, don't I? I blame my mother entirely!

The boys get a haircut...

Well, I told you Nash cut his own hair.....His excuse? "I thought I was cutting above it." Right...like I'm really going to believe that! Sam did this when she was 3 & Caleb is the one I worry about doing it now. I didn't figure this one would be the culprit. Guess that's what I get for assuming, right?
You can still see where he cut his hair. I had to use the 1/4 inch on my buzzers. Nice Nash. It's not like it's snowing or anything!
Of course if big brother gets a hair cut, Caleb needs one too. So, we put the cape on him & I put the 1 inch attachment on the buzzers. I didn't think that much came off but this morning, I realized more came off than I thought had!
Much to my pleasant surprise, this is what I found at 7:30 last night. I figured he likely wasn't out for the count. He woke up once about 30 minutes later, but mostly just long enough for a mama hug and then he was out again. I thought he'd be up at the crack of dawn (he usually is anyway). He woke up at 5:30 but a sippy cup of pink milk knocked him back out until the pleasant hour of 8:30. Whooo hoo!

I'm still waiting to hear if I got the booth in Lewiston on Nov. 20th. I actually ended up buying one of the things my team put out at the auction at Relay for Life and I'm glad I did because it was good inspiration today! Grandma Bown gave me this tree thing for a display... (should have rotated the pic)...
But, I created a giant copy of what I bought at Relay this past July. Hair bow central!! Samantha (or maybe Nash) told me I need a bigger one! I think I'll just make a bunch more bows & stash them in a gallon zip lock bag to fill in the empty spots as they appear. What I thought was funny was that the fabric I used to cover the board is some that I saw this summer at JoAnns. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I loved it so of course I had to buy it! Glad I did! I might have enough left over to cover another board!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!

We got a new puppy when we went to Manti over UEA break. Samantha named her Chloe. She has a hernia on her belly but the vet said they would fix it when they spay her. Good. I only have to pay for surgery once! Charlotte tolerates her but I don't think she likes her too much at this point. Caleb on the other hand loves chasing her around listening to her bark & telling me "Kick her butt mom!".We went to the historical farm when Travis was home. They had this giant slide...
Sweet cowboy horses to ride & a bull that our dad roped over and over....
This pit of hay to jump into....
The corn maze (which we technically didn't go all the way through, but we made it in & eventually made it back out through the same entrance we went in through.)
We had corn stalk fighting throughout the corn maze....
We locked our children in the stocks....

Nash chased down the historical farm cat and tortured it some....
We bought pumpkins from the historical farm & went home to carve them....
This is Caleb's all finished...he DID NOT like the pumpkin guts and wanted pretty much nothing to do with it other than to take his shirt off and watch mom do all the work!
Nash did really good on his....
From left: Travis, Nash, Samantha, Caleb, Misty....
We roasted pumpkin seeds (and then mom was the only one that would actually eat them!)....
Mom left the boys unattended for 5 minutes while she checked her email this past Friday morning and the boys found a pink sail boat stamp....
We went & cheered Sam on at the Homecoming Parade on Saturday....
The boys had a prime spot to watch...
Caleb's favorite floats were the vet science ones (cows & tractors)....

Grandma Kris helped Nash chase down candy throwers & get some candy....We visited my Grandma & Grandpa Reeder at their new house....
Mom got fatter (12 weeks now)...
I put a new bedspread on my bed to brighten up the room (thanks Grandma)...
And my favorite photo of all: Caleb & Grandpa Butter on the tractor!

We also went to the pumpkin walk this past Friday but I was stupid & forgot my camera! And I discovered this afternoon that Nash has cut his own hair (picture coming later) so now I have to shave him down. Guess it's a good thing they've already had school pictures!

Pregnancy update

I got to go see my doctor today. This was my first official appointment. He did the "first" ultrasound and the baby is actually measuring at 11 weeks and 1 day (which is 1 week ahead of where I was at my nurse's consult). Dr. Fowers said that would put my due date at May 8th instead of May 15th but he isn't ready to change my due date yet because it's still so early. He did check for twins too! ;)
It also seems that I've got the beginnings of placenta previa. I didn't have that with the other 3. Dr. Fowers said that it is possible for the placenta to move and be just fine on its own. However, there is also the possibility that it won't move or if it does move that it could be bad. If the placenta doesn't move that means I'll have to have a c-section. Dr. Fowers said he'd watch it closely because if it does move and it doesn't go well on its own, baby only has 4 minutes before losing brain cells, and, as he told Travis, "Baby won't live long that way." Otherwise, things are looking and going well.
We spent the last 4 days down in Manti. Caleb has become Grandpa Bruce's little shadow. Caleb has got this one completely and totally wrapped around his little finger! I have never seen Grandpa this way with any of the little kids. For example; yesterday Grandpa was ready to sit down to lunch and Caleb comes up and says "Grandpa? Tractor ride?" and Grandpa totally caved & took him out for a ride! He got to ride the tractor probably a half dozen times as well as that many times on the 4 wheeler! He fed the baby puppies, the horses, herded cattle, turned off water. Basically, you name it and my baby helped Grandpa do it! I think he is a farmer at heart! I'm sure he would have been perfectly content if I had left him there!
Speaking of feeding baby puppies....yes, we got one at our house now too. Sam loved this one in particular and Uncle Brad accidently ran it over. Oops. We told Sam someone must have come & picked that one up to take it home. So then she picked another favorite which she promptly named Chloe & carried it around like a baby all weekend. I told Travis, "You know this baby is going to be a boy, just let her have one." Thus, Chloe the puppy now lives at our house with Charlotte. Pictures to come soon.
Nash was up on the mountain elk hunting with his dad the entire 4 days. I understand he was quite the trooper. Trav's uncle rolled his 4 wheeler and once they were all back at camp and sitting around the fire Nash says, "Well...I'm glad you didn't die." Typical Nash!
I managed to get a bunch of Christmas hair bows done during our stay in Manti as well. I'm hoping to hear back about the booth in Lewiston on Nov. 20th soon. I'm also going to go into Sugar & Spice to see about getting a booth.
I'll post pictures from our trip soon!

Yesterday I went to the library. I left with 3 books that ranged in pages from 300-500. What can I say? We're going out of town for 4 days! I started with The Last Olympian - the last of the Percy Jackson series. Wow. I read the whole thing! All 381 pages. I finished at 1:30 (not too bad) and then wanted to know what the author was going to do next. I had to go to WalMart this morning & happened to walk over to their book section. The next series - that sorta continues this one - was there. The first one is called The Lost Hero. I was only in hardback or I might have snatched it up right there. Now I have to go back to the library & see if they even have it (I didn't see it on the shelf yesterday). I did however manage to pick up The Red Pyramid which is also by the same author. I was thinking perhaps that was the next series, but no, it is a whole new one! What a busy man!

I started on the 2nd Hunger Games this morning. I think I'll go through it pretty quick too. I am amazed at how easily I'm getting sucked into books! I thought it would be hard for me to renew my love of reading because it's been SOOOO long since I was able to just sit and read what I wanted to for fun. But, as you may have noticed, my list of Books I've recently read continues to grow nearly daily!

I took my sewing machine into Bernina last Friday to get it serviced. They told me 4 days. I haven't heard anything from them yet so I haven't felt quite so guilty about not getting my sewing projects done. I am hoping they'll get it done soon so I can start sewing again. If I get that booth out at the Lewiston Craft Fair on Nov. 20th then I've got a lot to get done! I am planning to take my hairbow & watch band stuff to Manti today though so I think I'll be able to get quite a few of those done the next four days as well.

Tomorrow is my 30th birthday & I must admit I'm somewhat in denial! I remember when I was little & I thought 30 was SOOO old. Now that I'm here, I don't think it's so old anymore! I told Samantha on the way to school this morning that tomorrow is my birthday and I'd be 30. Her response? "Wow mom. You're gonna be old." Gee, thanks! Now I'm fat & old according to my daughter! What more could I ask for??

The kids haven't for sure decided on Halloween costumes. I did find an Optimus Prime costume at Shopko a week ago that was only $20. Maybe I can get Nash to go for that one? Sam is thinking vampire. I wonder if my mother in law has a cape we can borrow? Unfortunately, she keeps seeing pictures of girl vampires in dresses, etc. and she wants THAT one. Yeah, maybe not? I haven't decided whether to put Caleb in the devil costume I made Nash when he was that age or opt for the Tigger outfit Sam wore. Maybe I'll pull them both out & let him decide. They are getting excited though the closer it gets. Sam came home the other day & informed me that she MUST get her costume because they were going to have a costume party at school - oh, and Nash too. What a thoughtful sister. :)

Yesterday I worked outside on my yard. My mom gave me some starts that I'd been wanting so I figured I'd best get them in the ground. Plus, I figured I'd be too dang fat to bend over in the spring so I'd better get it done now or it would be next October before I got to it. I'm happy with the way things turned out - now if I could convince my leg & back muscles that I'm happy, maybe they wouldn't be so sore!

Well, I'd best get back to my laundry. I have to pack for the kids & myself for four days. It might take awhile!

Random Things

This past week hasn't been too exciting. I did finish English Trifle and if you haven't read it, I would totally suggest you do. It's by Josie Kilpack (she wrote Lemon Tart). I actually think I liked this one better than Lemon Tart. It's not very often I like the second book better than the first!

Today I made Halloween sugar cookies with the kids. I haven't done that in forever! I'm so bad! I don't like having the kids in the kitchen very often because I always feel like I'm tripping over them & I'm going to break something. Travis & my mom are WAY better at letting the kids help in the kitchen than I am. If it's something like chopping up olives (with my egg slicer) I'm ok. When it's cookies - well, I can't keep the dang kids off the counter & their germ infested hands out of the bowl no matter how many times I say "Stop please!". Guess I'll just have to get more practice in! Today is also the 2nd day in a row that I made bread. I tried a new recipe last night (cheesy potato & bacon soup) that I thought would go really good with fresh bread. It did & now there's only 1/2 of 1 loaf left. So, I whipped up another batch today & I can smell it baking in the oven now.

Travis will be home on Tuesday night and Samantha will get her cast of Wednesday afternoon. After Sam's cast comes off we're heading back to Manti until Sunday. We have to pick up Trav's truck (it died while we were there last week & they had to put a new intake manifold in). It's also Elk hunting opening so Trav and Nash will head back up on the mountain. Meanwhile the other two & I will stay at the farm and keep Grandma Butter entertained (and likely get a zillion more hair bows done). Nash is pretty excited about going. He had a ton of fun when Trav took him last week.

I got paperwork done and sent in to do a booth in Lewiston the Saturday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 20th). Hopefully I'll be able to get a booth. It gives me a deadline to get all 33 Christmas stockings I have cut out finished! Speaking of sewing - Thursday my machine tried to kill over on me. Every time I'd stitch about 3 stitches the feed dogs would drop. So, I'd open up the bobbin case door & flip the switch. I'd go 3 stitches and it'd do it again. I finally gave up & decided I'd better take it in to get serviced. I knew it needed serviced but I kept putting it off because it's going to be about $50 and my mom said last time she asked it was about a week turn around. I decided this would be good timing though because I likely wouldn't get things done this weekend with the kids gloming me and we leave Wednesday night. To my surprise though when I took it in they said it would only be about 4 days. So, hopefully I can pick it up right before we head out of town! I took it to Bernina (that's where it's from) and they have some seriously cute fabric. Too bad that most of it is $10/yd. No way will I pay that! I have no idea how they stay open with those prices!

I told Travis on the phone last night I'm getting fatter every day. In fact, I saw my sister yesterday (who's 2 months ahead of me) and I look WAY more pregnant than she does! Great. I just hope I don't get bigger than I did with Caleb! 62 lbs gained in one pregnancy is way too much! Even when you do lose 80 lbs after!

I keep thinking I need to get outside and move some plants around because I'll be too fat and too busy in the spring. Now, if I can just find the incentive to do it! I have had ZERO incentive to do just about anything these days. Anyone have something that can fix that?

Samantha will be in the USU homecoming parade on Sat. Oct. 23rd. I'll be sitting in front of Smith's Marketplace if anyone wants to join me. She has to be there by 10 so I'll be there shortly after that! I'll save you a place if you wanna join me! Just let me know!

News

Last week I told the kids to come inside and sit down. I told them I wanted to tell them what Nash was getting for his birthday. They both looked at me like I'd absolutely lost my mind.

I handed them an ultrasound picture and Sam picked it up. She looked at it and then back at me with a somewhat confused look on her face.

Me: "Do you know what that is?"

Sam: "Yeah, it's you in Grandma's belly."

Me: "No."

Sam: "Is it me?"

Me: "No."

Sam: "Is it Nash?"

Me: "No."

Sam: "Is it Caleb?"

Me: "No."

Sam: "Well who is it then?"

Me: "Nash is getting a new brother or sister for his birthday!"

Sam: "Oh gross!" and then she tosses the picture at Nash.

Me: "What's gross? It's just a picture?"

Sam: "Oh great. Is that why you've been getting so fat lately?"

Me: "Um...yeah."

Sam: "Oh great. Is it a boy or a girl?"

Me: "Well, we won't know until about Christmas time."

Sam: "Oh great!" and then she gets up and walks away!

So not the reaction I expected from her! She's been asking us 3 times a week since Caleb was born when she could have a sister. I figured she'd be jumping out of her pants at the news (so did Travis). I guess she's resigned herself to the fact that she's getting another brother!

During the whole conversation Samantha & I had Nash just sat there looking at me and then back at Sam and back at me, etc. until we were finished. He didn't say a word. As soon as Sam walked off he jumped down off his bar stool and walked away. I guess he isn't impressed with the idea!

So, now I am 8 weeks and I look like I'm 5 months (pictures soon). My due date is May 15th and Nash's birthday is May 12th. All 3 kids came early and Trav isn't scheduled to be home that week. I'm hoping my Dr. will start me early so Trav can be home.