I'm REALLY 46 now!

Last year I thought I was 46, when I was only 45, so now I am really 46. Dang! Getting older is obviously wearing out my brain functions.

We ate a delicious supper at La Dolce Vida.

Matt gave me this lovely crucifix with an Our Lady of Grace
centerpiece (OLofG is my favorite depiction of Mary).

Timmy enjoyed the evening as well, chewing on gift wrap.

Fall swap package

I joined a Ravelry Swap in the Fuzzy Mitten group and today received my package. We were to each knit a Fuzzy Mitten toy and then add whatever goodies we wished, and my partner did a wonderful job of treating me. Here is my new littel squirrel friend. The girls are going to help me name him (I think it's a"him.") The toffee is VERY good and I can't wait to get started on a siamese kitty with the yarn and pattern she sent. Pink--perfect!! Thank you, Margaret!

Isn't he cute?
Everything from the package. Wonderful!

Really, it was SO not an emergency!!

9-09-09, a date to be remembered......or not.

Naturally, Matt wasn't home when this event happened (he misses all the fun). Timmy had an accident on a favorite blanket, so I was washing it at 9:30 pm. I noticed that the washer was not agitating and went to check on it. Upon opening the laundry room door, I was met with a HOT electrical smell. I fully expected to see smoke behind the washer when I climbed up to look behind it. No smoke. Hmmmmm.....it could be nothing, it could be something, it could be a disaster inside the wall waiting to break free. What to do, what to do? Call Matt! He says wait awhile, then see if the smell goes away, if not call fire department. Waited.......still smelling. Now I'm nervous because it is time for bed and I really don't want to go to bed with a smoldering fire possibly in the wall .
Okay, I'll call, but I'm calling the non-emergency number. The recording says call 911. I do, and FIRST THING I say "This is not an emergency--there is no fire," but alas, they are trained for emergencies and dealing with people who are not smart enough to determine if it truly is an emergency. When she kept repeating "Ma'am, remove yourself and the children as quickly and as safely as possible from the home," I just figured it was no use and agreed. I opened the garage doors, turned on the lights, backed the van into the driveway, and we all went out to wait.
Imagine how excited the kids were when they heard the sirens! Imagine how chagrined I was when I heard ALL the sirens! To be exact, 5 trucks and an ambulance. I wanted to melt into the pavement.
They rushed out out their trucks and into the house, in full fire gear, only to emerge a few minutes later to ask where my fire was. Long story, short, they used the heat scanner to check the walls and there was no fire. The chief recommended that we did not use the washer anymore until a repairman checked it out, and the trucks left, one by one.
It was funny (and embarrassing at the same time) to watch the neighbors' lights come on, and see their blinds peek open. It was heart-warming to see our across-the-street-neighbor come across to make sure we were okay, and offer a place for us if we needed it. (Nickolas knows Matt is gone a lot and I think he watches out for us more than I know).
The kids thought it was all very fascinating and exciting, and I felt reassured that we could sleep in peace. We ended up going 4 days without a washer and I'm not real fond of the new one, but all is well in excitement-ville.

The next night held even more fun..........

to be continued.....

Recycled Club House

The kids and Matt are building a club house with the wood and various supplies they have scavenged from the construction sites on the cul-de-sac. The foreman said we could have what ever was in the trash piles--you wouldn't believe how much waste there is in house building!

We were told that the contractor won't pay to have the waste transported to new sites, so they just toss usable stuff. It's a waste of resources, and part of what makes building so expensive, I think. the club house is much further along now, and I'll have to get some recent pictures posted for you to see.

Part of the "lumber yard" that was Matt's side of the garage.
The frame. The houses behind are up and sided now; the sheet rock is in, too. Today it looked like cabinets were being delivered.

ps -- those are my green beans climbing over the fence this side of the club house

First Day of School

Amy is in 5th grade
Sarah is in 5th grade

Theo is in 3rd grade

Marty is in 2nd grade


Sunnie and Timmy are our mascots!

More catching up....

The kids made this back to school cake by themselves from a library book.

(You can see the new paint int eh living room in the background)

This is a cape I made for Lucie's 6th birthday.
Homemade drumsticks.....

Yummy!

Introducing..........

the newest member of our family!

Timothy John Deluhery came to us on August 8th, at the age of 4 months.
He's a miniature poodle, and because he has some "unusual" markings, he was not show or breeding quality.

Sunnie the cat is bigger than the interloper, and has claimed himself as king and leader.

Timothy has added a lot of fun to our house, and we
love him a lot!

The Marty-boy turns 8!

He woke up with a smile
and partied with his friends

and ate pumpkin bars (not cake)


and looked like a star in his new cape with his new bike.

Here he is opening his presents from the adoring siblings.

Where have the years gone? Just yesterday wasn't he the tiny, shy boy coming down the escalator at DSM Intl. holding his papa's hand? The one I fell in love with many months before that wonderful homecoming?

Marty-man is growing up, and he's quite a sweetie pie.

The night before his birthday I told him goodnight and said it was the last time I'd have a 7 year old. I teased him about being my baby and growing up so fast. He answered,

"That's okay, Mama. I'm going to live with you forever,

but when you die, I get your house."

Is that not the funniest thing ever?!?

Happy Golden Birthday to my baby.