Wednesday, October 19, 2005


Esme was especially intrigued by the "Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe" display and spent a lot of time with "the babies."  Posted by Picasa

Today Stephanie and I took Esme to Turners Falls to see the Pumpkin People. Posted by Picasa

She stopped at about 15 different pumpkins and said, "Let's get this one, Mommy!" Posted by Picasa

Esme had a really good time running around and seeing all the different kinds of pumpkins.  Posted by Picasa

On Wednesday we made our annual trip to Brown's Harvest in Windsor. Every year I take Esme there to choose our pumpkin for Pumpkin Fest. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 16, 2005

We had such a nice weekend! We woke up fairly early Saturday and went to see Sesame Street Live. Esme and I had been earlier in the year but this time Ethan got to go. We came home and took a family nap afterward, which was very relaxing. Today we went to Six Flags. We all painted pumpkins and we took turns going on rides with Esme. It was just a fun day all together - my favorite kind of day!

We had a nice day at Six Flags all together! Posted by Picasa

Thursday, October 13, 2005

I'm so proud of Ethan! He interviewed several times and landed an awesome new job! He was the Textbook Manager at a severely struggling college store, and now he's got a cooler Textbook Manager job at a healthier trade and textbook store! I'm so happy for him because they take him for granted where he is now and I know he'll be given more respect and appreciated more at his new store. It seems like a more professional environment, and will definitely give him some new skills. Plus they have a great trade (regular) book section and my discount on books is going up to 40% off! Whoo-hoo!

Esme said, "Mommy, watch me dance in the wain!" Posted by Picasa

Monday, October 10, 2005


Our ladybug holding her current favorite book! Posted by Picasa

Lisa and Tim picked us up today so we could go to Six Flags' Fright Fest with them! It was so fun to spend the day with them! Part of the fun at Fright Fest is painting your own pumpkin. Esme used a variety of colors and brushstrokes. Posted by Picasa

Quite possibly the funniest photo ever taken with this camera - Esme met the ghost of Elvis today during the costume parade. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, October 08, 2005

I'm finally feeling a bit better!

Ethan and I are hooked on Dr. Mario again. We have the game for his original Nintendo set, and it's set up in our basement. In the past we've gone through spurts when we played maniacally for hours every night. The last few days since he set it up we've been playing a few rounds every night. Although we are almost equally matched, he is slightly better than me and wins more. I blame my parents for not letting me play video games at an early age!

Between being sick and playing Dr. Mario, it's no wonder I'm hardly getting any sbing done. I'll get back down to business when my next DT package arrives next week.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

I'm so tired of being sick now. This cold is now officially kicking my butt. I woke up this morning with a sinus headache so bad I couldn't open my eyes. I have to work tomorrow so I am pray that this improves before then.

I started reading The Sound and the Fury a few by William Faulkner a few days ago. Normally I am the kind of person who HAS to finish a book if I start it, but I am considering putting this book down. I got through the first section, which is from Benjy's perspective and is supposed to be the hardest to read, but now that I'm in Quentin's section I'm not so sure I want to go through with it. I might stick a bookmark in it and set it aside for a time while I decide.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005


Last night we had the Alfredos Angels reunion! It was so good to scrap with our group again. It had been a really long time and I've missed having that regular scheduled time to meet with friends and get out of the house. I finished two pages with difficult journaling, which is always more difficult at a crop. Plus I got to sit next to Stephanie which is always a pleasure!  Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Even though I wasn't feeling well I managed to do 2 pages last night that I'm really happy with. You can see them here:
My Scraptalk Gallery. Silly is really a departure for me from most things I do - I don't usually leave anywhere near that much negative space!

I've done a lot of pages for my All About Me album lately but I feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what I want to express. I want this album to really express who I am. I'm going to a crop tonight (health permitting) and I might take my copy of The Book of Me along for inspiration.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

I woke up this morning with a sore throat. I feel like I just got over being sick and I am sooo no ready to be sick again! Plus I have a big crop on Tuesday that I'm really looking forward to, and I really don't want to miss it! Wah!

Saturday, October 01, 2005


Have you ever in your life seen cuter boots than these? I went into Target to get some nice, pratical white tennis shoes for Esme, but when I saw these I had to get them instead! Posted by Picasa

These boot were made for walking! Posted by Picasa
I love October. I never cared much about Fall until Esme was born, but the last two years Fall has been a fun and happy time for us. We do lots of Fall activities like going apple picking, hayrides, pumpkin picking, playing in the leaves, baking Fall foods, going to see the Pumpkin People. I love the weather because it is just so generally comfortable. Last year in October I got to see Stephanie a lot and that made is great too. I'm so glad today is October 1st.

Wednesday, September 28, 2005


Checking out the baby chicks Posted by Picasa

Just because this blog needs ONE MORE carousel photo! Posted by Picasa

Esme enjoyed her first caramel apple! Posted by Picasa

My self portrait from the House of Mirrors! Posted by Picasa
OMG I am so tired right now. We spent 6 great hours at the Big E today, and it wore me out! I love going places with Ethan and Esme. They are so fun to be with, and Esme loves getting both her parents all to herself to take her on exciting outings.

Esme was very interested in the animals, the rides, and the food. She got to try a lot of treats today like a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, fried dough, a cider doughnut, and a caramel apple. Of course these were all things she just had tastes of. Her favorite ride was a little train she went on with Ethan. She was happy because they got to sit in the engine car. She also got to see a parade right before we left and the marching bands were a big hit.

I got to do something new too - I went into a house of mirrors for the first time. I went in by myself and took my camera to get some fun self portraits. I think I got a couple good shots.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

I haven't scrapbooked in over a week! OMG that is a looong time for me! I usually scrap at least 3 nights a week and for an extended period on Thursday. Last week I was sick and then I was helping my MIL with her craft fair so I didn't have time to do anything. I'm soooo excited to get back to it tonight! Now I just have to decide what I want to work on!

Monday, September 26, 2005

One more list for tonight...some of the reasons I love Ethan:

1. He's so cute.
2. He's very interesting to talk to.
3. He's very thoughtful in both his actions and opinions.
4. He's a great dad to Esme.
5. He has cool hair.
6. He's very supportive of everything I do.
7. He's made and is continuing to make a real effort to understand my religion.
8. He has a great sense of humor.
9. He plays the video games I like with me.
10. He makes me dinner when I don't feel up to it.
11. He lets me sleep in a lot.
12. He runs errands for me.
13. He's a good listener.
14. He understands me.
My results from TheColorQuiz.com:

Existing Situation
Defensive. Feels her position is threatened or inadequately established. Determined to pursue her objectives despite the anxiety induced by opposition.

Stress Sources

Eager to make a good impression, but worried and doubtful about the likelihood of succeeding. Feels that she has a right to anything she might hope for, and becomes helpless and distressed when circumstances go against her. Finds the mere possibility of failure most upsetting and this can even lead to nervous prostration. Sees herself as a 'victim' who has been misled and abused, mistakes this dramatization for reality and tries to convince herself that her failure to achieve standing and recognition is the fault of others.

Restrained Characteristics
Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense. Sensitive and sentimental, but conceals this from all except those very close to him. Very exacting in the standards she applies to her choice of a partner and seeking a rather unrealistic perfection in her sex life.

Desired Objective
Urgently in need of rest, relaxation, peace, and affectionate understanding. Feels she has been treated with a lack of consideration and is upset and agitated as a result. Regards her situation as intolerable as long as her requirements are not complied with.

Actual Problem
Depleted vitality has created an intolerance for any further stimulation, or demands on her resources. A feeling of powerlessness subjects her to agitation and acute distress. Tries to escape from this by relinquishing the struggle, and by finding peaceful and restful conditions in which to recuperate in an atmosphere of affection and security.

Actual Problem #2
Disappointment at the non-fulfillment of her hopes and the fear that to formulate fresh goals will only lead to further setbacks have resulted in considerable anxiety. She is trying to escape from this into a peaceful and harmonious relationship, protecting her from dissatisfaction and lack of appreciation.
This is a challenge from 2 Peas - Ten Weird Things About Me:

1. I hate tomatoes. Lots of people don't like tomatoes, what's weird is how much I abhor them. I hate tomatoes more than I hate social injustice.
2. If I start saying the alphabet I have to say the whole thing, even if it's only in my head. It must be an OCD thing.
3. My family secretly pretends that a former U.S. Congressman my mother knew as a child is my real father.
4. I cannot eat food that was stored in a community space or fridge. I don't mean in someone's home, but like at work. I bring a cooler so I won't have to put my soda in the fridge.
5. I still love listening to what was my favorite record at 4 years old. (Peter, Paul, and Mommy.)
6. I do not like people to sit on my bed. My only exceptions are my DH (of course), my DD, my nephew, and one of my brothers. I don't know why it doesn't bother me with one of my brothers, but it does with the other.
7. I cannot develop an accent for any language but English, no matter how hard I try. I've been told I have a strong Connecticut accent.
8. I am only good at video games that move vertically rather than horizontally.
9. I never get any suggestion of sex or homosexualtiy in movies unless it is specifically spelled out.
10. I love listening to a couple conservative talk shows even though I'm a die hard liberal.

Sunday, September 25, 2005


When Esme looked in the mirror she was soo pleased with the butterfly. She loved looking at it and talking about it.  Posted by Picasa

Esme was a little apprehensive about getting her face painted. She'd seen a little girl earlier with her face painted though and she was very interested. The girl had a pink and purple butterfly and she said they were also doing pumpkins. I asked Esme what she wanted to get and she wanted a butterfly.  Posted by Picasa

Esme got to go on her first Pony ride at teh Fall Fair Posted by Picasa

Friday, September 23, 2005


My mom and I took Esme apple picking at a small farm in South Hadley today. Esme had such a great time! She ran around and around and loved picking the apples off the trees. Posted by Picasa

Grandma watches Esme pick an apple. Posted by Picasa

More picking apples... Posted by Picasa

Thursday, September 22, 2005


I love this photo of Aunt Cathy and Esme together! Posted by Picasa

Esme and Aunt Cathy enjoy the Up Down together.  Posted by Picasa