A few more Halloween shots

The Path

Raph took the day off on Tuesday, err... I mean Raph was sick on Tuesday, and we finally got the walkway we've been trying to complete done. We still have so much to do before the snow falls, but we're slowly checking things off of the list. You can also see my vegetable stand turned into a temporary wood storage shed for the winter, since we installed a wood stove recently. Projects, projects, projects. Did I mention how much work was involved in this walkway? Let's just say Emily and Chris started the project two months ago when they visited...

While We Breathe, We Hope.

"...tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope."

I just watched the Obama acceptance speech again. And it made me cry. Again. I don't know why really. I knew he was going to win. I knew he would give a dynamo speech. I guess it just is that I am truly hopeful. Maybe we will survive the challenges we face. Maybe. He is my hope. Maybe we will be able to come together, to take care of ourselves and each other, to renew a committment to service and sacrifice and responsibility.

And I'd like to say too that I watched McCain's speech as well, which was without question the best speech he's given since this campaign began. I want to believe that the sentiments he expressed were the real man, not the campaign he ran. I want to believe that he can help bring us together.

Anyway, I'm going to go volunteer or do something for somebody while the fire is within me. And while I breathe, I hope. That line just cuts into me.

Alright Alright Already

I've been hearing it from all sides lately. Give a girl a break. I've been busy. That and we have a crisis on our hands - no computer space. Like none. We might actually go buy a new computer today. In any case, I had to delete pictures just to download these. And I have to say they don't really do justice to Halloween which might be my new favorite holiday. Holy crap was Makili cute. Seriously. First the ninja, then the ninja disguised as a skunk. We went to the Portsmouth Parade, which as I've written about previously is the greatest parade in the history of the world. Makili and I walked hand in hand through the whole town square and I was actually embarressed because so many people were looking at us and cooing over him. As you can see if the pictures, the skunk costume is terribly cute, but what you can't see is Makili's little accompanying waddle. He actually moved like a skunk. It was ridiculous. We went trick-or-treating on Thursday night with some friends, and I'll tell you what, Makili dug it. He dug it and he didn't even understand that he was getting candy. He just liked walking around with all the little kids. He would march up to every doorway, whether or not the light was on. It was terribly cute. I really do love Halloween. Easter has a lot to live up to this year.

Mooooommmmm!

Play with ME!  Look at my block tower!  

He really is awesome at building block towers which is his new favorite thing to do, but he only really likes to do it with me.  Sorry I've been slacking so much lately - busy busy busy.  We've got to get things done before the weather turns!

Home

The bugs finally got too cold, the trees beautiful and we could get out into the woods together again, like we did when we first moved into our house. On this hike, Makili even did some of his own walking!

On the Edge

I thought Colin Powell's reasons for supporting Obama were impressive because they were so realisitic and also addressed some of the feelings I've had about the McCain campaign.
Check it out

The Finish

In addition to fabulous weather and times in the Bay area, we spent several days with my sister and her brood.  Makili LOVED his cousins, and running around with them.  He loved their attention, their toys, their activity.  I could have taken many more pictures, but you know what, I was just too tired.  Those kids are damn cute though.  Makili also really loved their cuckoo clock.  He would beg anyone who happened to be near to press the button so the little birdie would come out.  It was cute and annoying at the same time.  We had a great visit, which is good because I can promise that I won't be getting on another airplane too soon.  Well, we'll see how I feel about it in another week...  Today I fly home.  Whew.  One more 1.5 hour trip.  And another hour drive and then that is it! 

A start

We returned last night from California.  I'm sitting in Pittsburgh recovering trying to figure out how I can spend the remaining years of my life without ever flying on an airplane again.  Mind you, it was a great trip, as the pictures will attest to.  But seriously, I must have been mad.  And I never want to do it again.  At one point I though I might even go without my mother.  You can laugh out loud at this point, which is the rightful thing to do.  Ha.  Hahahahaha.  Except that now I am crying at the mere thought of the endless hours in the plane and in the car and in the hotel.  Makili was a total trooper, but I might never recover.  Here are some pics of the fun side of the trip (I did actually go to do some work stuff there).  I can't post them all at once, so I'm starting with our time with our friend Kathy, who lived in Pittsburgh when I was a kid, but as you can see is clearly a Californian at heart.  She started our trip off at high pace, but in total beauty - picnic on San Francisco Bay, a lovely dinner with her family, a hike up Mt. Tamalpais, then another down the Tennessee Valley Trail the next day.  From the pictures it is hard to believe that we spent scarcely more than 24 hours with her.  Whew.  

Raph's To-Do List

I'm headed to California tomorrow morning before the crack of dawn for training for work and to see my sister and the rest of the fam. I left the following to do list for Raph. I thought it would be helpful to post it here in case he loses it. It is a pretty reasonable list of things to accomplish with no baby around. I'd be able to get it all done if it was me.

1. Clean entire house.
2. Install wood stove
3. Put walkway down (happy birthday)
4. Move and finish vegetable stand
5. Put up greenhouse
6. Check tomatoes (inside and out)
7. Water plants
8. Install new windows
9. Put on 2nd story addition
10. Get rocks from Tim's house for new garden beds.
11. Put in new garden beds.
12. Weed whack
13. Take care of dehydrated tomatoes.
14. Call your wife every day
15. Change brakes and rotors on the Jeep

Bagels and Bert Southwick's

First off, I'd like to pay tribute to Ann's homemade bagels. Homemade bagels are the new cobbler in case you wanted to know. I seriously cannot get enough of the homemade straight out of the oven bagels. I ate three for breakfast (the third I sort of shared with Makili - this was my excuse any way.) Obviously, I had to run extra to cancel that out. Anyway, they are completely heavenly or sinful, I'm not sure which.Also, Ann and Larry took us to the best kept secret this side of the Rockies - Bert Southwick's farm. This guy has been farming for his entire life. He is old, like missing lots of teeth, jacket full of holes old, but totally with it. Except that he apparently missed out on the price increases of the last half century because we bought 10 squash (big honking pumkins, blue hubbards twice the size of my head, etc.) and 40 pounds of potatoes for $20. Yeah $20 for everything! That is unbelievable. And the guy was so nice, showing us the abandoned wasp nests that he sort of collects. Coolest old farmer dude ever I think.

Monkey on My Back

A few quick cute shots of Makili and Kane, Kane and Ann, and Makili with a monkey on his back, a gift from Aunt Bunny and Uncle George. Makili really wasn't sure what to make of it.