Halloween

I decided that Evan's costume would be tied in with our home life this year, so I got him a chicken outfit for Halloween. I had hoped to get all of the chickens around him to make the photograph look like he was just another chick in the coop. Unfortunately, neither chickens, nor Evan pose for pictures when asked, so I was lucky to get what I got.

Also, I don't know if I mentioned this earlier but Eleanor has gotten into the habit of jumping on me when I'm outside. She usually jumps onto my head and then I gently push her down to my arm. I guess it's fun for her b/c she seems to enjoy spending time riding on my head and/or arm. She's sweet. Anyway, Scott took a picture of her once and when I was photographing Evan, I got another pic of her hanging out on ME. She's a hoot.

I'm planning on taking Evan into town for Halloween to what it's all about. I hope it goes well...

The Chicks Are Growing Up

Wow, my little chicks look so different now. They are feathered out and look sort of like miniature copies of adult chickens. They are very cute. They have claimed the hummingbird garden as their turf. The older chickens don't normally hang out there so I guess they decided to take up residence there. They are kind of making a mess of it, though. They love to scratch and kick a lot of the mulch out of the garden and onto the walkways. I feel like I'm constantly sweeping it back in the garden. That's OK, though, b/c it seems to keep them entertained.

Evan is still addicted to the water hose. Anytime he sees it on, he runs for it. He ends up soaking wet but very happy.

Lucy past away

Something Killed Lucy Today.

She had a big gash in her side and there were two places under my "Hummingbird" Oak Tree that were scattered with white feathers.

I was out running errands and having lunch with my sister midday, which is when it happened.

She was a very good and very sweet chicken.

I'll miss her.

I still need to buy a book on dreams

I have always had weird dreams. Last night's has me curious as to its meaning.

I am in the Pioneer Days (approximately 1850's, I guess), married to a strapping "pioneer type" fellow, gruff but committed. We are all wearing typical "pioneer garb", it looks like we are straight out of "Little House on the Prairie". Apparently we have 2 young kids and a niece and nephew in our charge. In my dream, the pioneer days meant that communities traveled together in search of a place to settle and we would gather all of our brass beds together to make camp and sleep under the stars (no tents), in our lovely old-fashioned brass beds with patchwork quilts. I wonder what would happen if it rained?

ANYWAY, somebody attacked our camp, setting beds on fire, there was mayhem, death, and we were trying to gather up our family to escape.

Flash forward, what's left of the community (including us) sets up a new camp by the shore. It looks like the east coast (only b/c TX does not have the most attractive beaches and my dream beach was very pretty).

People are frolicking in the surf. I'm putting on sunscreen (yes, now the "Pioneer days" include sunscreen and swimsuits--thank goodness!) and I walk toward the surf only to find people getting out b/c some sharks have swam (is "swam" a word?) into the area. When the tide goes back out, everyone knows the sharks will leave, too, we just have to wait until that happens before we get in the water.

That's my dream. What does it mean?

Photo Update

I am so bad. When Evan was first born I must have taken a bizillion pictures of him but ever since he turned a year old I have been horribly lax in the photo department. An old friend I hadn't heard from in a very long time got in touch and I realized I hadn't taken a good picture of Evan and me since his first birthday. So, I took a few pictures of my adorable little boy. In one picture I think you can see a few specks of dirt around his mouth. He is such a boy.

My dearest old friend is having a baby!

Been a while since I wrote anything, huh?

Jeni and Dave came down almost a month ago and I'm just now getting around to documenting their visit. Jeni and Dave are having a baby!!!! I am sooooo happy for them. I'm predicting a girl for them. Actually, it feels like a bunch of people are having babies. Heather and Mindy, girls I used to work with are both having babies in the first part of next year, too. I still need to make time to get together with the few friends I have who are mothers to kids around Evan's age. It just seems like I don't have enough time in the day to take care of my own little family, let alone make dates with other people. I need to, though, and I plan on making it more of a priority again. I think it would be really good for Evan, too.

While Jeni and Dave were here Evan said his first word. He said "COW". It was very exciting! He says it all the time now. He points out the window b/c he knows that's where the cows live and he says "cow" perfectly. I think he thinks that the donkeys are called cows, too, but that's fine with me. He waves at all of the animals and occasionally at people. He is so cute. He also ate his first little bit of meat while Jeni and Dave were visiting. He ate some turkey. Again, this was exciting. He still doesn't eat any other kind of meat so far but, again, I don't mind.

I didn't take any pictures during J&D's visit but, fortunately, they did! Jeni and I are showing some love to a couple of my dogs. They relish visits from J & D b/c they get extra good love and attention.

I did not make my son's hair do this deliberately! I merely applied suncreen to his face and neck and this was the result. He looks a little nutty to me. Cutey-pie.

This past weekend we went to Galveston and stayed at a friend's beach house. The house is on a canal, so it's very serene and picturesque. It was supposed to be relaxing but we found out that we really cannot relax in a non-babyproofed house on the water. It was very pretty though, and I love watching the birds and fish.

My brother and his wife had their little boy at the beginning of September. It's been rough so far, but things are looking up. He's supposed to get out of neonatal ICU in a couple of weeks. I can't wait to hold him for the first time.