2 Topics

Today was day 6 of poor little Erin's croop.

She's been dealing with her "condition" pretty well. She's (thankfully) not a complainer.

None-the-less, tiny little microscopic, butt ugly, flesh starved, fun squelching germs are probably everywhere...on Gina's fingers, in the corner of both my eyes, on Daddy's bathrobe (..because the girls like to cuddle up in that.)

Well, we are more than conquerors and they are tiny little things...right? Onward troops! Through the battlefield of virus and plague! Never surrender ..and never let the little boogers think they've won! ...I'm obviously very tired by the end of day 6... But I am truely confident that we can destroy these invaders and live to see another day, week, month of pure heavenly health!

Now for the second topic...

Are my kids happy about not going trick or treating? I think so.. The last time Erin went (the only time) she was scared out of her gourd by some kid (the only other trick or treater around) dressed in the Scream Mask. Gina's never gone ...she doesn't know the difference.

And are they ok about not handing out candy to trick or treaters at our house? I think so... The last time Erin did that she (again) was scared out of her gourd by some teenage sized person dressed as a skeleton. Gina's never done that either ...so we're good.

Am I making it clear to them why they can't trick or treat? I don't know.. I think fondly on the days of my youth when I would trick or treat. I loved handing out candy at home.. except for the time I was scared out of my gourd by kids dressed in the KISS Band outfits...geesh that was horrible!

None-the-less, I think my mixed signals will become evident one day soon. I need a plan. A tradition that is fun enough to take the place of that ultra exciting feeling of rushing home from school, painfully trying to get through supper, and then dressing up ...in preparation to be handed candy from every neighbor I could possibly get to in an hour.. and beyond!

And I need them to get it. To understand why we think it's important to not conform to this particular holiday.

Erin did ask to go out to eat tomorrow night.. if she can muster the health. She must think that it is fun to get dressed up in a silly costume and go out to eat. ...Only because she doesn't know the thrill of the other. But, if it works for now ... I guess it's ok.

Still looking for a better plan (in regards to Halloween!)
Debbie

Big Hill's having quiet fun...

GREAT minds talk about IDEAS..

AVERAGE minds talk about EVENTS..

SMALL minds talk about PEOPLE!

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you Eleanor for putting this in perspective for me.. Deb.

Last night the girls went right to sleep after some reading of Junnie B. (love her) and some giggles from Gina's bed. THEN Matt and I made it ...Date night! Fired up the grill and got out the veggie pepper! We had Ribeyes and Baked Potatoes!! Mmmm! Mmmmm!!! Matt and I are destined to reconnect one of these days....little by little... It was soooo funny to hear us talk about how "we were eating like kings" and how much we liked our own food! blah blah blah! We're throwing around the idea that steak and potato is good and all ....but why not next time do steak and hot fudge sundaes? Why not!?

Well, I was worried about Erin's weekly spelling test yesterday as she only had 3 days to study this time and some of the words were hard -- "use" and "very." SHE ACED IT!!! What a gal! So proud of her...and a side note -- the kid can read music. She picks on her Dulcimer and sounds like Alison Krauss... Go to sleepy, go to sleepy, go to sleepy, do not craayy...

I'm proud of you too Gina! Cutie! Although Daddy and I are having fun quoting a Saturday Night Live skit lately about a little girl who is always doing something mischievious and having to apologize for it...sounds familiar to us...

Pants on Fire!

Today I was supposed to close a purchase on a cute little cottage in Terre Town. The lender ...lied!

Ok, ok, he doesn't probably think he lied. He tried to get something done that he couldn't -- is probably what he thinks. I, on the other hand, think -- he LIED!

Tisk, tisk, I am not above a slip, a slide, a flat out moral fall on my face once in a while. But, as PW (you know who you are) told me when I first started selling real estate...ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH! Never hide something, never fib. It will come back to bite you...and all the rest of us involved in this here mess.

I think in the business of Real Estate, lying is an indicator of amateurism. Pros don't lie. Neither do people of character...

Hello? ....God?

I am totally sold on this idea... I think God gave me a wake up call this morning.. literally -- via the phone... Hmmm? ....well, here's what happened:

I was having a wonderful night's sleep...one of few.. on my freshly laundered sheets AND PILLOWS (thanks to my hubby....I may go into our laundry situation at another time..) Suddenly the phone rang. I always feel the need to jump up and answer the phone as if I have been up for hours doing mouth exercises... 'Hello?' No answer.. the phone is still ringing... I picked up the other extension.. 'Hello?' Dial tone.

Oh well, I'm up. I fall on the couch and turn on the tv. ABC, Charles Stanley. He's talking about how to handle conflict. Practical advise on what to do, what to say. I REALLY NEED THIS!!

My job, as a realtor...this is good advice. My marriage...always looking for good advice. Thank you Charles Stanley...and thank you Lord for the wake up call!

Realy likin' this new season!

Fire is supposed to make everything pure...Fall air makes everything FEEL clean.

The Fall Festival "happened" last night. As PTO President I was excited to plan my "first one." I didn't have a nervous stomach, there were no anxious moments...but I would wander from time to time if this was going to be acceptable. If parents would like it enough to get involved in the next event.... Notoriously low parental involvement is staring me down right now.

Oh please! Please! Come, bring your children! Let's have fun.....AND WE DID! Well, I didn't have "fun" persay...as we ran out of all the food and I never did get to play with bh3 (big hill#3) at any point in the evening. But, more chili and hotdogs were delivered, bh3 got her face painted, played in the Jolly Jump, had grandma, grandpa, and daddy there to play with, and was genuinely understanding of my plight. Even bh#4(big hill #4) got to make herself a necklace (she was such a good little girl ..mostly hangin' out with grandpa.)

AND...there was ALL KINDS of POSITIVE FEEDBACK -- from parents AND teachers! I love it when people actually bother to compliment...I was diagnosed by my 2nd grade teacher as a child who needs constant reassurance...that hasn't changed..

...Then in the same Fall themed weekend...my little fam donned our jackets and headed to Pioneer Days. Where the MEN wear the FURS! Very fun, the girls made candles...which we forgot to light when we got home this evening. They also made some kind of picture-twister-thing (a Thaum----ajigger) that is supposed to be what started the whole science of film...and maybe tv? My daughter is certainly thankful for this little invention...as she has told me once before... "I was born to watch tv!" ...?

I wish (BH#1 -- my husband -- hates it when I say "I wish") .. I wish I had taken pictures during both of these events...didn't happen. Too busy livin' it out.

So, I hope the cool weather lasts. I LOVE IT.... Two punkin's and a mum... Something hot and spicy on the stove... Something warm and sweet in the oven... a cozy sweatshirt... rosy cheeks... and bright eyeballs.. mmmm... Priceless!

Big Hills ~ Little Mountains

What to call my blog? I'll give this some thought, may change it one day..maybe soon ..maybe not.

Big Hill's refer to my sweet little girls and my ...sometimes not "sweet," but always my partner in ANYTHING -- husband..my love.

Little Mountains...the challenges we have to face. Wether we face them as a family or as individuals, I hope those mountains never remain ominous in our lives. But that our faith, however great or small at any moment, will move whatever terrifying, annoying, or just-plain-in-our-way mountain we run into.

And there are mountains currently on our horizon. I am not scared. I think about them and pause for a moment sometimes. I know if I wanted to I could slip into fear. But, I also know that on the other side of that mountain is where I want to be! On the other side of that mountain is freedom, security, MY GOAL. I want to move that mountain AND I'M GOING TO!

Lord, meet me here in the morning after you've sat by my bedside all night watching over my little family. Touch my mind as I lift that coffee cup and give me wisdom to make the right choices. And Lord when you see that it's the right time MOVE THAT MOUNTAIN FOR US! I am waiting on you...moving my feet...and thanking you in advance.