Halloween Evenings

I'm not really a fan of scary movies.  At all.  Sometimes I don't mind funny, "scary" movies, but I just don't like being scared, and mostly I think they are stupid. Each to their own though.  

But one thing I LOVE about Halloween is the kids shows and movies.  I've had to watch the Dora Trick or Treat episode a million times over the past 5 years, and I can't say I mind.  It's fun watching little Mikey watch it and interact and now it's Mia watching it and singing along.  (And Mikey too - he was off school today and happily watched Dora with Mia.)  

My personal favorite is Spookly the Square Pumpkin.  For starters, he is adorable, and it makes me want my own square pumpkin.  He's the outcast of the patch because he's square, and he tries to compete in the Jack A Lympics to be the best in patch.  But the contests are designed more for round pumpkins.  He's got 3 spiders helping him out called Edgar, Allen and Poe (teehee).  And at the end of the movie Spookly saves the day and all is well.  It's really sweet actually.  But the best part is snuggling on the couch with the kids, Halloween cake baking and just having a good time together.  In fact, that's what we're doing right now.

My AFS Year

During my last year of high school I left to go to Sweden for a year. It really was the best year of my life and changed me a lot. Before I left, I was the quiet music geek who was over-protected.  If it wasn't related to music or theater, you wouldn't find me there after school.  But in August 1997 I left for Sweden.

My first impression was me wondering why there were Swedish flags everywhere.  I found out later that it was because it was a national holiday. And flying over Sweden you will see some of the most breathtaking scenery.  

My first family didn't really work out well.  I lived in this 4 story building in the middle of nowhere that was being restored. It was an old orphanage and heavens only knows what else it was in the past.  Very creepy to say the least.  And they owned horses which were pretty cool actually. It just wasn't working out for me, but I did wind up with the best host family known to man once I moved into Karlstad.

To this day I still miss Pappa sitting down and explaining things to me.  Both in Swedish and in English.  I appreciate so much how he would tell me how it is, and then take the time to explain why things are the way they are. He really opened my eyes to some issues, both political and cultural which have really shaped the way I view things.  (And is the reason why my kids are going to be out of the house when they finish High School).

Mamma was the best cook ever! I can't wait until I can take my family there and we can all cook and eat together - I know her and Jeremy would have a blast together.  And secretly I hope he learns how to make the Cod dish with carrots and leeks because it was delicious and I miss it. And she always managed to make holidays so special with all the traditions, songs, meals, stories. 

And then there were my siblings.  My little brother towered over me last time I saw him which freaked me out, and Martin has 3 adorable kids now too.  And Helena really is just like my sister....we even bickered over how to cut carrots when she was visiting in New Zealand.  Fun times. I can just imagine all our kids getting together now.

I don't what has got me thinking of Sweden today.  I'm getting updates from AFS about all these people who are having the time of their lives now, and how decades later they still value their experiences. There are so many things I screwed up when I was there that I wish I could change.  But I can't dwell on it.  Thanks to Facebook I still have contact people I met over there, and Maggie and I are still close. And yes, I never really did reintergrate back into New Zealand - I had a wicked case of reverse culture shock.  I've only lived at "home" for 4 years since leaving Sweden in June 1998. This probably contributes to my feelings of not fitting in back home anymore.

I'm still the shy kid, but at least I'm the well traveled geek.  I've had so many experiences in that one year of my life which has helped me survive 3 deployments in America, and given me a lot of strength and insight. And maybe it's time to return "home" soon.  And to start brushing up on my Swedish.....

So remember a few weeks ago....

I posted about hating couponers at the grocery store.  Well, not that I have the time and energy to go extreme, but I have made a coupon folder in the past few weeks, and today Jeremy and I are going to........A Couponing Class!!!  

So, the story with the couponing folder is that it's actually a lot easier than one of those coupon wallet things - you can lay it all out in front of you and see them all, without having to stop and sort through them all.  Time saver.  

And the couponing class is free and we get an hour or so away from the kids.  And everyone wants to save some money.  I still maintain that I will never be extreme since I have no need to buy 50 of some items, I don't want a massive stockpile, and we don't eat a whole lot of junk food.  But if we can save money on cleaning supplies and canned goods, dairy products etc then it may be worth it.  And if it doesn't help, then it didn't cost us anything.

Anyway, yesterday Jeremy and I did something very scary and grown up.  We picked out a granite slab that will eventually be our kitchen countertop. Now, I don't know how many of you have actually gone and looked at granite, but it's very overwhelming and well....if you make a mistake it's an extremely expensive mistake.  There are grades varying from grade 1 to exotic.  Level 1 is very common, and the patterns and colors get more intricate and complex due to the patterns and rarity.  Apparently I have an eye for the exotic ones.  Then you have to take into account your floor color, backsplash color, your wall color, your cabinet color, and the color the person who buys the house next may like.  Then there are the patterns that looks like patterned tortishell cats, or look like a paintbrush have been flicked at it; larger uniform patterns; patterns with movement......AAAAAAaaaaaarrrrggghhh!! Talk about stressful! 

So we ended up picking out a level 5 granite which was about $700 more than a level 1, but nothing really did it for me.  And when it comes down to it, what's $700 more when we are paying out the ass for a new kitchen anyhow.  I may as well love what I get.  Right? So we got one which has a pale green, beige and brown which is relatively light which has both pattern and movement in it.  It really is beautiful, and I hope that it looks right in our kitchen.  I hope, I hope, I hope.  The check is written to finish the cabinets which is by far the largest check we have ever written.  I don't want to think about it.  It makes me ill.  Just hopefully in a few years when we sell the house and PCS again that it will increase our property value, and help the house to sell quickly.  And at least we have a few years to really enjoy it.  Let's face it, I hate it for people when they make all these improvements on their houses just to sell it, when they could have enjoyed the fruits of their labor years ago.

So now you all know why we need to go to this couponing class.  We'll need it to avoid ramen noodle dinners for the next few months.  OK, so that statement is a little on the dramatic side but you know what I mean.

I get it - I'm a slacker

I just haven't had much to say lately.  But I have been happy.  Nothing in particular has been bothering me.  That's a good thing though!  

I've been kept busy with our kitchen remodel which is halfway done right now.  We had the top cabinets removed and replaced (minus one by the microwave which he forgot to order.  I think its funny so it doesn't bother me). They are a dark espresso color, and we've added a pantry and I am in love with them!!  Tomorrow we go to pick out our granite which I'm a bit nervous about - it's an expensive decision.  It took me 5 years to pick out paint colors.  I'm thinking we need to go somewhat light because it will be too dark with the cabinets otherwise, and with a gold/brown/green speckle in it to highlight the paint.  But a neutral enough color that it works for the next people who live in the house. I can't wait for the kitchen to be done!!

Mia is sick yet again.  She's had issues with allergies since she was a little baby, although we've been through all the allergy testing and nothing came out of that.  She gets a lot of ear infections and some of them are pretty bad.  Like this one.  She was fine on Tuesday night, but woke up Wednesday morning with a fever and some vomiting.  She spent the day snuggled on me and asleep, wouldn't leave my side. She wouldn't drink or eat, meaning she wasn't peeing.  And at one stage she said her head hurt. I thought in the morning that I would just wait it out, but towards the end of the day my instincts told me to take her in to the AMIC clinic.  The doctor was so rude to me, talking to me like I was stupid, that she didn't have a fever and that I brought her in for a common cold.  He even laughed me off when I said she had a history of ear infections.  Sure enough she did have an ear infection which was pretty damn nasty - had I left it, her ear drums may have burst.  She couldn't leave until she could keep down some Pedialite, which she was refusing.  If she hadn't drank it she would have been sent to the ER. Fortunately I bribed her with watching Tinkerbell in the car, she kept it down and we're at home.  I'm not a doctor, but I'm thinking tubes for her ears may be in her future, and we have to find some way of controlling her allergies. Maybe I do need to do more research into gluten free diets.

So, I'm also a minivan Mom now.  Shudder.  So there were great deals with the end of year closeouts, and the Pilot just wasn't working for us anymore.  We only owed $2000 on it, it needed $2000 in repairs.  It wouldn't fit Charlie and luggage for us to take it to Florida which means for Christmas we would have to either take two cars, fly and board Charlie or some other expensive solution.  And as much as I would love a Suburban or Yukon, I just wasn't willing to spend that much  money on it.   So we got a great deal on a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan RT.  It's totally souped up with leather seats, captains chairs for the kids, heated seats and steering wheel, navigation, hands free phone, satellite radio, TV in the back...you get the idea.  It's actually REALLY nice.  And Charlie doesn't mind it so much either. And the kids love it too.  So yeah, the only thing I don't like is that it's a minivan, but if minivans are as nice as ours, I'm OK with it.

My next mission is to be inspired to decorate for fall, so watch this space.  Maybe I'll get crafty....