9.10.11

I'm tired and it's only 8:30pm.  We still have at least 6 hours until the boys get home and I'm sure they are far more tired than we are.  But no complaints here.  When you spend the day with great friends supporting causes that are close to your heart, you end the day happy...no matter how sleepy.  Today that included the DSAGC Buddy Walk and Vinoklet (a fundraising event for the marching band).  So while the boys were off performing with said band, we were selling wine tickets to ensure that all kids that want to march can. 

If you spend a minute or two looking around, you'll find someone that inspires you to be a better person.  I was lucky enough to spend the day with several of those people...Pamela and Sharon, the Tomlin family, Bev, Mark, Jeff, the band parents and lots of others.  All people that give their heart, soul and time to make someone else's life better or easier.  It was an honor to be part of that group.

Jeff and Dylan's Cincinnti Enquirer Picture

Annual favorites at the Buddy Walk (and they let me hold the gun!)

Vanna and his lovely sidekick (Thanks Bev!)

Winter Uniforms

As I've mentioned the last few days, cooler temperatures are upon us.  Nothing says fall like Marching Band Uniforms.  You know its cool when the band trades their polos and shorts for full uniforms, complete with tails and a plume!  I know I've raved about the boys before, but seeing them dressed in full uniform was one of the coolest things I've seen...ever.  All I want to do tonight is share it with you!

W's grand entrance.....

H's stoic stance......

And this is H's solo.....

The Life of a Cat

In between working and chores today, I found myself sitting watching the cat.  I've decided that in my next life, that's what I would like to be.  Really, it's got to be the life.  She looked so peaceful all curled up on the couch, not a worry in the world.  And when she's not snoozing, she's running the house.  She has the dogs well trained.  For that matter, she has Jeff and I well trained.  It's the life of a queen. 

After further reflection, I've changed my mind.  I no longer want to be a cat.  The litter box has completely changed my outlook.

Slipper Day

There are always signs that Fall is just around the corner.  Completing yard work becomes a priority.  A leaf or two starts to float through the air.  The air conditioning unit doesn't run nonstop.  Football games take the place of dropping the boat in the lake.  However, the sure sign that cooler temps have arrived is the appearance of Jeff's slippers.  They're not just any slippers.  To him, they are the closest thing to heaven.  H and W have followed in his footsteps when it comes to the slippers too (no pun intended!).   They'll all be walking though the house with toasty tootsies by the weekend.   

Evening Treats

It's no secret, we all love sweets.  Well, all of us except Jeff.  Ice cream is my first choice.  H and I have that in common.  Although, he likes his with brownies or Coco Pebbles.  W, he's an Oreo guy.  You can set your watch by both of them, 9pm and not a minute later.  The chocolate sauce and milk are just the final touches.  I've tried to tell them that they won't be able to eat like this forever, but it's more of a "do as I say, not as I do" lesson.  Maybe we should all take up jogging together to work it off. 

And yes, those are strawberry Oreos...from Columbia.  Another find at Jungle Jims.

A Star is Born

The "unofficial" end of summer arrived today.  It brought with it our first taste of some cooler temperatures and plenty of rain.  Not that I'm complaining about either.  I do admit that we will all be complaining about the cold temperatures soon though.  But what a great end to a long weekend.  We had  great time with Jan and Gary, followed by a wonderful evening of dinner, laughs and Superman.   The final event of the day was slicing up W's star fruit and providing samples to the whole family.  Such a bright and sunny fruit, on such a cold and grey day.  One more first food covered.  Over all, it was a hit.  Although, I'm not sure that H would agree!

Jungle Jims

Foodie.  A person having an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of good food.

Can you be a foodie if you're only interested in the consumption part and not the preparation aspect of food?  I love to eat.  I love food.  Something that I have in common with all of our family.  Jeff likes to cook as does H on occasion.  W and I aren't chefs, but we can certainly eat.

So when Jan and Gary mentioned visiting Jungle Jims while there were here, W and I were jumping for joy.  Lots of things to see, foods to try and places to explore.  Once we finished scouring Ikea for deals, we headed over.  Remind me never to visit there again on a holiday weekend though!

After fighting all the crowds, W and I found lots of things that we'd like to try.  Our food for tomorrow will be the star fruit and tonight I'm sure W will be digging into the strawberry Oreos he found in one of the foreign food isles.  We have enough green beans to last the week and a new smoked cheese that W picked to try too. 

And as always, Jungle Jims was full of new things!