Catch-Up!

I realized today that I have been remiss in keeping up with my life on this blog. I didn't even share my trip to Utah, as I have been running as fast as I can as soon as I got home.... And no,....I don't mean in a marathon!


So, bear with me, as I recap the past month in pictures, and moments in my life. I have to brag occasionally about my G-babies---they are so amazing and the most adorable children that I know----well, except for my own little guy. I had an absolutely fantastic time with them over their short fall break----and Aydan and I spent a few relaxing days.

But before we left, we had a visit from our old friends----who moved to Georgia---
here is Sydney with Aydan----they have known each other from birth!

Here is my amazing hubby with Ryan.....

.....and here I am with Alicia and her littlest one, Melanie.

Now.....on to Utah.....and the most gorgeous eyes of my little twin, Lucy.

Lane, with her beautiful eyes....so sweet.

Lucy, having fun with Mimi and her camera----we laughed a lot!

Lucy and Lane----so alike, yet so different....

Lane finally had to put on her princess dress also, to show off to me.

After seeing Haileys show, "Little Shop Of Horrors"-----here is Ethan, Mila,
Hailey, and Aydan with the large eating plant!

We got to go back stage and wait for Hailey to get ready to go home---theres Mila
and I with Hailey.

A few days later, we went to lunch at Thanksgiving Point----here's Aydan and Lane.

Lane is my little sweetie----she loves pictures as much as her Mimi!

All of us at the lunch table---the food was YUMMY, by the way!! And I even had
a bit of dessert! Here's Lucy, Mila, Ethan, Aydan, Lane, and I.

We then went to a Fall Outdoor fair----here is Hailey with Lucy on the pony swing.

Mila and Ethan climb around on a wooden train.

The three scarecrows---in the corn maze! Aydan, Ethan and Mila.

Hailey and the twins at the Chicken Show----we waited and waited----but
never saw the show.....

And here is the Cow ride! Yes, you heard me----it was rough getting my booty
in one of those little cow carts----there's Hailey and Lucy in front of Lane and I.

Now shift to a few days later-----this is my sister, Margy's new dining room----she
just redecorated it----isn't it PHENOMONAL?

And Hailey is happy to sit in this amazing place, even though the rest
of my family is outside having dinner. (and yes, the twins were afraid of
Margy's dogs, so they had to stay inside...)

Here is my brother, Patrick, with his oldest daughter, McKayla, and my Dad.

Against the backdrop of my sisters fantastic garden, my nieces Sariah and Cami, give me a smile---they are daughters of my super sister, Janene----another blogger.

This is Patricks wife, Angie, holding McKayla now, as she wasn't feeling well.

All too soon, it was time to go home----as Hailey drives us to the airport.

Smiling for the girls, but inside I was starting to freak out, leaving my G-babies again.

I bought the twins little crowns for an early birthday present----Lucy wasn't
feeling well----but she loved the crown, nonetheless....

...and Lane had to show off her new crown also----so precious!

Back in New England, and a week later, we are carving our pumpkins
on Halloween.

Aydan wanted to cut his pumpkin all by himself this year, but I was close at hand.

LOVE this picture of the scary look Aydan is giving his pumpkin!! (He's such a ham
-----don't know where he gets that!)

And finally......the last day of the month....right before we left to go Trick or Treating---here
is Aydan in front of our scaaaaaaarrrrrry porch!!
If you want to see OUR costumes, you have to check out an earlier blog----
yeah-----you remember the one.....

Thanks for bearing with me to get these memories out----if I don't put them on my blog----they might be lost forever.

I am still feeling guilty because I am two years behind in doing my family blog----so I have to try and get some things down on this one.....


.....Or lose it forever in my external hard drive abyss!

Fabulous Find For A Friday-----Shade Shirts

As I was getting dressed this morning, I automatically reached for my usual layering shirt----a Shade shirt. Now------what is a Shade shirt, you ask?

It is a knit shirt that is fantastic-----fitted and extra long even on this body which has the longest waist ever. It comes in every color, has short sleeves or long sleeves, and if you really want it, they have it in the three quarter sleeve! They even have a long john, waffled style for the winter.

I have tried many brands of this type of shirt----but after trying them out, I usually come right back to this Shade brand. Its hard to describe the reasoning, but one of them is that the bottom of the shirt stays in place. You know how it is when you layer something over a shirt that is always riding up underneath the sweater that you have on.....it is SO annoying!! You have to keep reaching up under your over-shirt or sweater and pull the offending garment down and keep adjusting it!

Well, worry no more! These shirts are fantastic----so comfortable! AND they are fitted to the body, so they stay smooth and sleek under all those over-shirts or sweaters.

They have a website where you can buy them online----but they also have them at Costco in Utah, if you are ever in that area. I always get me several packages of them when I go visit my daughter. I don't know what I will do when she moves away from there.....

Here is the cap sleeve style.....

...and the crew neck long sleeve style.....

....and one of my favorites for winter, the scoop neck. longsleeved style-----
aren't the colors divine?

So, check it out----indulge in layers! Don't fight to keep your shirt down over your low rise jeans or pants again!


Get yourself some Shade.

Question For Thought...

I hope that the amazing Tiburon and the phenomenal Melissa don't mind that I borrowed this image..... They do a question for each week, but I couldn't possibly keep up with that----but every once in a while, I would like to post one.

Well....this week, my hubby told me about a person that we know----that decided just this week that he was going to quit his job and become a professional photographer.


He has never taken a class in photography.


He is not an artist.


He does Photoshop.


So, this brought to my mind this question:

Should a self-claimed "photographer" admit that they are really a photo-shop-ographer?
And should they be charging the same for their sitting fees as professional photographers that have studied?......

Just curious about YOUR thoughts.

(Ok, so obviously I am a bit partial to the studied photographer.....www.bbsnaps.net)

Oh Yes, It Has Definitely Been Heck Week

I have tried to get working on this post for four days now. I wanted to do a post on "what my week was like", but haven't had a MINUTE to do it!

Yes....that tells it all.........about what my week was like. Trust me, I haven't gotten to bed before 3:00 a.m. yet this week! Sigh.


BUT.....I did want to perservere and keep you all up to date on a few hap---hap----happenings!


FIRST!

Remember Mia Michaels and my tribute?


Well, I DID IT! This is my version: (taken in my hotel room in NY)



Then.....last week, I met several SUPER bloggers for lunch down in Conn. These ladies are so adorable and fun-----have fantastic kids and are such great women! There were supposed to be several more woman that were coming also, but they had small children "happenings", that result from being amazing moms, so they couldn't come. So, after the hour and 15 minute ride, I met Rhonda, from Conn. (her blog is private now----or I would share it with you!) and got to see Susette again. She was visiting Rhonda---and here to see her new grandbaby. What fun!


Here we are----laughing outside, as we tried to get all our faces in together----in the brisk windy day......and take turns holding up our cameras---it was pretty funny---trying to get a good enough picture.


I also was very flattered to get another award a few weeks ago from the FABULOUS Redhead Riter----her blog is so insightful, fun and I learn so many things from it....


I know that I need to give this great award along to some worthy bloggers.....but quite frankly----I am soooooo far behind on just getting this post done, as well as reading other blog.....well....you get the idea.....and to make it even more difficult----there are SO many deserving blogs that I read.


Lets just say that I would give this award out to all of them!



Hope your week was a bit more relaxing than mine....

Fabulous Find For A Friday-------Two Flappers And A Scary Guy

This year for Halloween, we are going trick or treating to our favorite neighborhood in Mass. We have gone there for about 5 years, as it is safe, has sidewalks, and you get good stuff!

Well, that is not really why we go there,....but it is where we used to live, and my daughter graduated from High School near there----and it is one of our favorite neighborhoods.....

And since we are gearing up for our show at my theatre, The Cannon Theatre, and our show opens next week, "Rookery Nook", (do you have your TICKETS yet?) we decided (or rather, I decided,) since my hubby usually has to be matching with me----(yeah, remember that I make him match sometimes?) to dress up like the 1920's flapper era. And yes, you guessed it----the play is set in the 1920's. And yes, we just keep trying to promote the play, as we could use some ticket sales!!


Now, last Friday night, my church hosted our annual Halloween Trunk or Treat-----it is where everyone dresses up, we get together to have yummy food, a costume parade, then everyone takes their cars or trucks, decorates the trunk or back and the kids go around getting candy from everyone. It takes place in the parking lot and you can let your kids go, as they are really very safe. Its a great tradition!


You may be wondering why Aydan isn't connected into the theme of our Halloween costumes. Well.......he usually likes to be something evil. Yes, every year, I try to get him to do something fun and positive, but he prefers to be something that has to do with death or some sort of a bad guy.....


So, this year, as I was trying to change his mind, as usual----and he was heading for the black and skeleton section, he let me know the reason that he likes to be evil at Halloween.
.

"Mom, I am a really positive and good person all the time," he said.

"Right"...... I replied, "and that's a good thing!"

"I know....but the only time that I can be negative and evil,..............IS ON HALLOWEEN!"



Makes perfect sense, right?

Stepping back into the past.....1920's!

And here is that scary ghoul guy with Bret, the flapper dude----notice the great socks...

Yes, that little boy can be pretty scary!! He comes from
an acting family, by the way----what do you expect?

Mia Michaels----Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

As you know, I am a woman that likes change.


Yes, it kind of gives me a thrill to do something different, to move to a new place, to meet new people, to try out a new trend, to shake things up a bit.


But there are some things that I don't like about change. Especially when it has to do with my favorite TIVO'd shows. I don't like it if they change an actor on a favorite series----like MI-5. You haven't heard of it? Well, its on BBC and it was a great show about an under, under ground espionage group----even deeper than the FBI----and it starred that hottie actor, Matthew MacFayden. It was the only reason I watched it.

Then they changed the actor.

You heard it right----they GOT a new actor! My hottie left the show, and well.....I watched it two more times, then......you guessed it, I stopped.


Now, one of my favorite shows is "So You Think You Can Dance." I took some dance in college, but am mostly self-taught----and absolutely love to dance-----and I love to choreograph, so a big part of that show is watching the choreography.

And yes, one of my favorite choreographers on the show was Mia Michaels.


I love her! Yes, I do.....yes, I do. She is BRILLIANT! Her choreography is quirky, stylized, refreshing, passionate, and full of soul. I think that her personality is even amazing, as she tells it like she sees it----doesn't mess around----I think that its refreshing.

I even love her personal style. When I first started watching her on the show, I was inspired by her hair styles. I get so bored with my hair and yearn for change, so I am constantly trying to figure out how to accomplish that change.

And she inspired me. (Well, if truth be told, Pink was the other half of my latest hair trend inspiration....)

This is pretty much what my hair started out like, about a year or so ago...

....and don't you just ADORE this picture----the strength, poise, and creativeness of it?

And then, this year, she had gone for the longer-ish look.

My all time favorite picture of her....so strong, sultry.

And here is her latest phenomonal creation on the Canadian SYTYCD-----it BLEW ME AWAY!!

Do I have a gal crush on her? Well, maybe, in a kind of admiration, jealously, type of way.


But now I don't get to see her brilliant inventive dances anymore. She announced that she was leaving the show, even though the executive producer, Nigel, refused to agree that she was gone for good----hmmmm.

Well, I shall miss her. I really will.


Did you notice that she cropped off all of her hair for her last time at judging? I tried to find a picture of it, but couldn't.


It made me yearn for a change. It made me want to cut mine all off.



So, I was thinking...........that in honor of Mia not being on SYTYCD anymore, that I would chop off all of my hair. You know, just a buzz cut.


No big deal. What do you think? Do I dare?

My take on Mia's "do"....(with a new rockin headband--yeah)

.....BEFORE.

And after?

Fabulous Find For A Friday-----Fantastic Blogging Friends!

As you know, I have tried to get some blogging get-togethers off the ground here in New England. For some reason or another, I have only managed to have one blogger come to each event.

Well, I was in Utah to visit my amazing daughter, Hailey and see her show, which blew me away, by the by.... If you live there----you HAVE to go and see her----she is one talented gal! (Even though I do say so myself) She is at the Hale Center Theater in Orem----every Wed., Thurs. and Friday nights through the 21st of Nov.---Little Shop Of Horrors----she plays Audrey....

Now......I was able to meet some of my favorite bloggers this time out to Utah. I was going, going, and going with my daughter, and my G-babies, as well as spending time with my sister and family members,......but I was able to squeeze a show, a lunch and dinner with some super bloggers----and now super friends!

The first thing that I was able to do-----was to go to Haileys show....and sure enough, there were some uber cool blogging ladies there!

Julia, Me!, Hailey,(in costume and hair) Tanya, Lisa, and Kacy (check out their blogs---
you'll love them!)

And then, I had a great dinner with some more bloggers.... These women are strong, opinionated, warm, loving, intelligent, funny, fun, and just the coolest women ever!! Everything that attracted me to their blogs came through when we met in person----I loved it!! The only sad part in the whole plans, was when one of the bloggers, Melissa, who was the front runner in getting one of the get-togethers going, ended up in the hospital, after she had a reaction to the medication that she has been taking....for a fracture that she got when running one of her marathons. She is such a fantastic person----so positive, and such a great lady---I was SO sad when she couldn't make it, but I am now looking forward to seeing her the next time.


So here we are in all our glory.....eating at Chili's----yeah, I know, not very inventive, but when people are coming from almost 45 minutes away!! And we had to meet late, as everyone had different schedules, etc.----and no really cool restaurants stayed opened past 9:00----yep----its Utah, what do you expect?

Susette, Hailey, Me, Arianne, Tiburon, Corrie, Rachel, and Hannah (Yes.....and
they each have splendiforus blogs also---check them out!)

Me, Rachel, and Hannah for an extra hug after the dinner....the wind was freezing and what
the heck is growing out of my head? Hmmmm.

Then, the last day before I left, we got together with Lisa for lunch. I called and tried to
get ahold of one of my favorite bloggers, Lynne, but she didn't call back-----I left the message with her hubby---hmmm. And then I never got back with her----as we were hustling around
trying to get ready for me to get out to town the next day-----so much to do and always so little time! I just hope that I will be able to catch her on my next trip!

Lisa (who also writes for Light Refreshments Served) and I----isn't she gorgeous?

And last, but NOT least----my beautiful daughter, Hailey and I! (Rockin' those
mustard color earrings...)

So, I would recommend that any time you are going to another city around this great country---try to get with some favorite bloggers. By the by----Susette is planning on coming out to visit Connecticut and Boston-----she is going to stay with another great blogger, Rhonda, and then coming to stay with her daughter.....so I am hoping that we can hang for a bit more.


So, who wants to come out and check out Boston? I would love to have some visitors.....

This Really Makes You Think

I know that I have been a huge slacker about reading blogs and commenting.

Shame, shame, shame on me!


But I left to go out of town on Tues. morning, and I have been hanging with the family and my G-babies this entire week and will be----most of this next week, so I HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE! Finally.

I can always tell when I haven't been out there reading your blogs----I have a huge drop in comments----I know....it shouldn't matter, but since I actually love to comment, as I ENJOY making someone feel good that their blog is being read, I hope that everyone out there understands that it does the same for me!

My day has been brightened many a time from comments from all of you-----so keep commenting! It can turn a rough day into a fantastic day.....

That said.......I read this in the blog of a super amazing blogger, M Cat, as she likes to call herself----she is an uber athlete, a terrific lady and I am really excited to be meeting her this week-----it is going to be one of the highlights of my visit to Utah! I am also hoping to meet the super-de-duper Tiburon, aka the Shark, the dancing queen, Arianne, the amazing Mom, Susette, and the feisty Rachel! I have grown to love these ladies from their blogs and am super excited to meet them in real life.

Don't worry, I will be posting about it after I get back----and yes, I WON'T FORGET MY CAMERA!!


So----back to this interesting article.....

...And yes, I have to preface it with the statement that I don't think that Bush was a perfect President,-----he had his faults, but this certainly makes you stop and think....

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter
installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have
laughed and said this is more proof of how he inept he is on his own and is
really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura
Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plan's holdings of GM stock
by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics,
would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and
incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and
historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos
of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic
and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have
approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the
non-existent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor
slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with
people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you
have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de
Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May
(Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you
have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word advice would you have hammered
him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce
he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single
tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If George W. Bush's administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over
millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing
widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what
happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout
the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans ,
would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of
racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major
corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would
you have approved?

If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had
taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have
approved?

If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10
years, would you have approved?

****So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and
impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 5
months -- so you'll have three years and seven months to come up with an
answer.*****

Oh, Yes------It's The Alphabet Quiz

I really wanted to post about our busy Columbus Day, as we went on a great bike ride---it was brisk-----about 54 degrees outside, but beautiful all the same---with leaves falling on the path as we rode our bicycles leisurely. But, I am the loser extraordinaire and didn't take my camera, so I don't have any pics to share. Then we went to lunch with some old friends that moved to Georgia, and I did have my camera for that one, but I don't have the time right now to get them downloaded and on here....I will have to do it later. Then my hubby took some great shots all afternoon, of Avery, a super cute gal that was getting senior pictures done----if you want to see those, go HERE.


So, I decided to do this Alphabet Quiz. Yes, I thought that it was rather clever----thanks to Arianne at Little Pink Houses and could be done in a short period of time, and well....I guess it would give you a bit more insight as to who I am.

Not that you would remember anything, but here goes:

A: Addiction: Movies and books---say no more, say no more.
B: Breakfast: A ham and cheese omelet---yum!
C: Chocolate or Chips: Don't like chocolate that much---except dark chocolate covered pomagranate. So, I guess that it would be salt and vinegar chips!
D: Dessert or Appetizers: DESSERT! Duh.
E: Essential Items: Lip chap, moisturizer, undereye concealer, mascara, lip gloss, valerian, nose spray, and my white noise machine.
F: Favorite Color: Green,.....no, purple....no, green,......aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!
G: Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms: Bears, I guess.
H: Hometown: Is this where I was born? Denver, Colo.---but my hometown is where I live now, if it is what I call home....
I: Indulgence: Books---have to own them----no library, thank you.
J: January or July: Neither is my favorite, but I guess, July.
K: Kids: Depends on the kids....
L: Life isn't complete without: My family, books, TIVO, food, movies, music and theatre!
M: Most exciting memory: Well, its one of my favorite memories....the last time we all went on a family vacation together---all the kids and Bret and I. We spent a week on the Cape and a week in a cabin by a lake in New Hampshire.
N: Number of Brothers and Sisters: Two brothers, and three sisters.
O: Oranges or Apples: I really love fruit and it depends on when each is in season---but it might be apples the most....
P: Phobias or Fears: Oh, so many! Heights, claustrophobia, snakes, mice or rats. Ugh!
Q: Quote: Its at the top of my blog-----"In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can BE WHATEVER I WANT TO BE!"
R: Reading: The Forbidden Garden
S: Summer or Spring: I'm really a Fall kind of gal, but I love spring second!
T: Tag 6 people: Hailey, Michelle, Rachel, Melissa B, Karen, Julie
U: Unknown Fact About Me: I was in several T.V. movies---yes, WITH lines!
V: Vacation I want to go on: Back to London and visit The Isle of Man someday.
W: Walking or Running: Walking. Never running. Ever!
X: X-Ray or Ultrasound: Really rather have neither, but what the heck---x-ray?
Y: Your favorite food: Hot pot Japanese, chinese, and salad all the time.
Z: Zoo or Bowling: Bowling. But not candlepin like in the East. I like REGULAR bowling---the one where you can get a strike once in a while!

A little blast from the past....

.....fierce, huh?

And, yes, if I tagged you, you are supposed to give it up.....information about yourself, that is.....

A Fabulous Find For A Friday------A Place To Take a Dump!

I don't know if you read about my pets in a former post. Yes---the cats that are naughty and my dogs that are naughty----they seem to poop everywhere except where they should! Read ALL about it here.

AND THE SMELL!! THE SMELL!! THE SMELL!! No matter how good your litter box is, there seems to be some sort of urine smell-----aaaaccckkkkk.

So, about a month and a half ago, we decided to give a new product a try. Yeah, I would love to be able to say that I tried it out for the company that it came from and could do a giveaway or something. But, no,....I wish I could do that, but don't know how to go about it. (I could use a few free products!)

This new litter box is called the Breeze Litter System. I found mine at Walmart, not too expensive---about $34.00----and it includes the pan, a pad that catches the pee and a bag of pellets. But get this.....you only have to change the pellets about once a month, and the pads only have to be changed about once a week. And the best part? NO SMELL!! I kid you not!
You just have to scoop out a poop or two a few times a day----and flush them right down the toilet, then change that pad once a week-----open the tray, roll up the soaked pad, and throw away! Then put a new pad into the tray and push it back it.

Here are some strong points:

Odor Control: System separates urine for outstanding odor control.
Anti-Tracking: Cat-friendly BREEZE™ Litter Pellets stay in the box, leaving your floors
clean and litter free.
Clean and Easy: BREEZE™ Cat Pads absorb urine odor for up to one week.


As far as the money goes----I would usually spend about 12 to 15 dollars on litter each month----have to keep dumping it every few days, and the urine smell NEVER went away.
Now it costs about 6 dollars for the pellets for the month, and 4 dollars for four of the pads.
So----the cost is about the same----we are even SAVING on litter purchasing!


And did I mention that there is no smell? The pee goes down through this vented bottom and is absorbed in what is much like a woman's feminine pad----yeah, you get the idea! Its awesome!

Here it is! And the green is pretty, too!

If you have cats-------GET ONE-----you'll thank me!



Oh, and one more thing---speaking of taking a dump.....


Are you a golfer or do you have a golfer in your life?


You might want to put this on his or her Christmas list. Hmmmmmm.



Fun, huh?