October 27

The political sign in our front yard...

October 26

Yesterday, at the early hour of 7 a.m. several members of our ward all met on Ironwood Avenue, which is about 5 blocks south of where we live. We brought our shovels, rakes, gloves, and other paraphernalia. In exchange for granola bars, drinks, and yellow t-shirts, we did yard work. We dug up Bermuda grass and raked gravel. Other members of our stake trimmed trees, put up fences, painted houses, and did other yard work similar to what we did. The effect was dramatic. Becca and I drove down that street later in the day, and about half the houses looked totally refurbished and beautiful!

October 25

We had our ward trunk-or-treat party tonight. Becca asked me if I was dressing up. I asked her if SHE was dressing up and she said no, but I that had to because I am always a witch. She basically commanded me to dress up. So I did. Green face, and all. I wore these ridiculous tinsel eyelashes, too, and I couldn't get the glue to come off. I thought my eyelids were going to stick toether with my eyelashes for the rest of my life!

Here is Becca at the root beer stand. They put dry ice in there to make it look spooky, I guess. Cute little Carson comes up and asks what is that?

Me: It is Witches' Brew.

Carson: Witches' Brew? (His eyes get quite wide)

Me: Yes, and if you drink it it will make you fly.

Carson: Fly? I DON'T WANT ANY! (with a very wrinkled brow)

And then he runs away.

October 24

I baked these up last night for our game night at Relief Society. This the best and easiest recipe ever! Who ever heard of "3 ingredient cookies" ??

Amazing Low-Fat Pumpkin Cookies
(from Essential Mormon Celebrations cookbook)

1 spice cake mix
1 29 oz. can pumpkin
1 11 oz pkg chocolate chips (optional)

In a bowl mix together cake mix and pumpkin until smooth. Add chocolate chips if desired. Drop by tablespoons onto greased baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes 4 dozen.

Thanks to Liz Gunn, who shared this recipe with me.

October 23

Happy Birthday to my dear sister, LaRue!

October 22

Peggy (in the hat), the principal at the elemetary school on our campus, turned 50. Her secretary, Georgia (the one holding the plates), planned a whole "red hat" themed celebration.

October 21

I know this is quite silly, but I got my "school pictures" from work today. I can remember my dad bringing home his school pictures and giving me one to keep, so I made some cards for my grandkids and I am sending them a picture of me. I love those sweet kids, and I miss them. I want them to know how much I love them and not to forget me because I live so far away.

October 20

Becca has become enamored with playing the piano. She has had lessons two different time periods and has so much natural ability. She just hates the practice, though. So now she sits down and sight reads hymns. It is just amazing how well she does. She is very excited about this new skill. She has learned alot about reading music in her choir class and has applied it to her piano skills. Way to go Becca!

October 19

Becca's legs STILL have a line from her sunburn last August. The girls in her PE class call her "Whitey."

Octcober 18

Rod did the nasty job of taking out the caluking around the shower an replacing it with new caluking. We also got a new "shower caddy." Oh boy!

October 17

Crazy Hat Night for the band at Cortez.

October 16

This is a year's supply of shampoo and cream rinse, as well as the pasta we canned at our last ward canning day. We got some stepping stones to put the guest bed on so these cans will fit underneath. The guest room has become our secondary food storage room and there ar #10 cans everywhere!

October 7

Tonight was Becca's first choir concert. It was very enjoyable, and she was excited about the whole thing. We had to leave home at 5:15 to get her there early. The concert was from 7:00 to 8:00. Afterward we stopped in at Carl's Jr. for a bite of supper. What a fun evening! I think my favorite story about this is that she was originally on the front row (the place for short people). She complained to the teacher that the girl behind her spits when she sings, and she didn't like being showered during choir every day. The teacher switched places with the girls, so Becca ended up on the second row. We had a good laugh when she told that story!

October 5

Soooo...this late afternoon we walked a trail at Thunderbird. It has been along time. It was a totally beautiful day - only in the 80s. It was late enough that the shadows were long.


To our surprise, here comes a guy on a unicycle.
I guess it is not popular to carry the unicycle up the trail and then ride it down. He did have a couple of spills as he was dodging rocks...

October 4

Heidi, I made your enchiladas tonight. They were SOOOOOOO good!

October 3

Getting stuff to the bus for the "away" game at Dysart.

After seeing Nick off on his bus, we (Julie, Becca, Rod, and I) went to the Olive Garden for dinner and then to Barnes and Noble. I found a couple of cute Halloween books for my grandkids. I also got these darling Halloween T-shirts for them earlier in the day at WalMart. They light up when they move. That should be interesting! Wish I could see them with their shirts on. I think of my little guys every day. I miss them more than I can say. I try to send them stuff once in a while so they will know I am thinking of them.

October 2

Julie came to town! We went and got a pedicure - Even Becca!

Julie is "getting her groove," and Becca is wondering "what the heck?"

October 1

Time for my little witch friend to come out of the closet. Got out all my fall and Halloween decorations tonight and put them up. I love the fall, and I love Halloween!