THANKSGIVING '08

So I realize most of us have moved onto Christmas, but I'm still reflecting on some of our recent memories which include Thanksgiving.

Grandpa & Grandma Speidel invited us down to Crystal River, FL where they are 'hibernating'. We would be just a few short hours from them after Cumberland Island so we accepted their invitation and made some great memories.

We spent our time canoeing, swimming with manatee (cue Veggietales...."Barbara Manatee, Manatee, Manatee...You are the one for me, one for me, one for me...), playing on a great playground, consumming yummy turkey, and playing shuffleboard and darts.

Even after swimming with the manatee, Rett and Asa couldn't get enough petting of these docile creatures.


I don't think Ivy can take a bad picture.

Shea was a great subject that day!

Rusty and his Dad are young at heart. They had to hop on the swings just like the children.

I have so much to be thankful for!

ONE WORD GAME...

Where is your mobile phone? AWOL
Where is your significant other? Basement
Your hair color? Brown
Your mother? Compassionate
Your father? Bass
Your favorite thing? Rusty
Your dream last night? interrupted
Your dream goal? punctual
Room Your In? Office
Your hobby? forgotten
Your fear? snakes
Where do you want to be in 6 years? debt-free
Where were you last night? Church
What you're not? organized
Where you grew up? AZ
The last thing you did? napped
What are you wearing? coat
Your TV? projector
Your pets? Alive
Your computer? slow
Your mood? Chilled
Missing someone? Grandma
Your car? BIG
Something you're not wearing? ring
Favorite shop? REI
Your summer? memorable
Love someone? YES!
Your favorite color? Blue
When is the last time you laughed? Dinner (another ASAISM)
Try keeping it to just one word.
TAG to Whomever wants to play along

I LEFT MY HEART ON.....

Cumberland Island with the wild horses, bazillion dead horseshoe crabs, ghost crabs, deserted beaches, amazing live oaks...





You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was in absolute bliss!

You can view more pictures (a whole album of 20+ pics) on my facebook

Why I'm a SAHM

I actually don't like the label SAHM (stay at home mom). I prefer CEO of Spytribe, Inc. I'm responsible for more than staying home and being a mom. I'm a cook, taxi driver, nurse, maid, teacher/tutor, events planner....Some days I don't even stay home. I do love being home when I am and this is what it's about...


Ivy learning to use scissors

Ivy fed the fish...the whole NEW cannister of fish food

Ivy giving her good friend, Prince Sinatra, a ride on her bike (He just sat there lounging across her arms for like 5 minutes)

I LOVE my Man!

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had some wonderful memories ingrained into my mind of Rusty. I guess it started in LV. The week after LV was Rusty's big 4-0 birthday. I hadn't planned anything because of our trip, funds, timing, etc. So for his big day...he gave himself a mohawk. Some of you may have noticed the hair change from LV to Halloween...or not. His driver's license expired on his birthday. So being due for a new license, he gave himself a mohawk, went down to the DMV, and documented his rite of passage "over the hill." You've never seen someone so willing to flash his license. He's proud. Upon his return from the DMV, he finished the job, hence the very short hair for Halloween. Which brings me to another great memory...shopping for costumes 2 eves before Halloween. Let me just tell you, that is the way to go. They mark Halloween stuff way down. Rusty and I had a great time and well....you've read that blog. So a few days later, Rusty came home from work and I had noticed the water pressure way down. I told him it had been like that all day. After contrasting with the neighbors, scanning the perimeter of our home, and finding the water meter at the street spinning insanely fast, we concluded "Broken Water Pipe!" Shoot! We called our friendly plumber and recieved some guidance in finding the break. Rusty rose bright and early on election day to go vote and then rented a diamond blade cement cutter because we figured the break was UNDER the cement driveway. UGH So I prayed and my prayers were answered. The break was near the house, thankfully. Rusty had to sledgehammer out a 2 1/2 foot by 2 1/2 foot square that was about 12 inches deep. I was glad for my brawny, rugged guy.


And it just hasn't stopped...we were in the local building supply (Rusty, Ivy, and I) and another customer just casually threw out an offensive expletive. My husband was so awesome! He called him out. He said "There are small children present." The man apologized and later apologized again. My man left with a nice goodbye. How I love that about the male race. They just get it out and move on. Later, we were discussing it and he said he should have included "Lady" with "children." I knew that.

Soooooooo...I just am so thankful for his love, support, respect and appreciation.

I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've kinda fell away from country music. Loved it, but like Donny and Marie, I'm a little bit country and he's (Rusty) a little bit rock and roll, which wins over most days.

So my obsession with Taylor Swift? She totally awes me! The CMAs were 'bout as impressive as ACMs! And her new song Love Story reminds me of my life about 17+ years ago (Which was about the time she was born! Yes I'm old)

CMAs know how to throw a party. I'm headed off to buy Taylor Swift's Fearless.

The Munster Family

So while Ivy vascilated between batgirl and Cute little Witchy Poo, Shea chose to be a vampiress, and Rett an......iduhno scary guy, Asa opted to be a vampire. Which is the EERIE conclusion. 6 Years ago, Rett was Dracula and Shea was Batgirl. There was no cohersion on my part for this. IT JUST HAPPENED! (start the twilight music) DOO DOO DOO DOO.........
BEFORE...
Halloween 2002 - Shea (batgirl), Asa (Robin), & Rett (Dracula)
FAST FORWARD 6 YEARS...

Halloween 2008 - Asa (Vampire), Ivy (Batgirl), & Shea (Vampiress),
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL...
Rusty dressed up in a creepy, rib cage bearin', robe touting, skull faced creepy guy and I lived out my dream of 3 years to be a Witch. With our makeup, we were unrecognizable.


It was another Candy Loaded, Fun Halloween Season!