Last Week flew by

I had a nice relaxing birthday. They got me up early to give me my presents, T had to work early on Sat. Ethan knew I wanted Taylor Swift's new cd, so he was excited for me to open his present. T also threw in Sugarland!

I had hinted that I would love a real ipod, specifically the cool purple one.

He had it inscribed, so I didn't get it until Monday. I love it so! The new Ipod Nano 8gb.

Later we went late lunch at my new fav Mexican place.

Yesterday I got gas for $1.77/gal!! How awesome is that?

We don't have to travel out of town this year for Thanksgiving. First time staying here in many years. My grandparents are not in their new place yet. Grandma is still recovering from her hip replacement and Grandpa is moving to a nursing home for a few weeks.

We are going to T's parents first and then my parents later for dessert.

I'm making 3 things:

Green Bean Casserole

Corn Pudding Casserole

Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake

I have all the ingredients for everything, got it all today. Meijer was so crowded, I wanted to avoid crowds at the store I would expect in the next 2 days!

I went to Toys R Us last Friday with my sister. We got most of the toys we needed. I avoid that store in Dec. I can't handle it! They didn't have the DS game I wanted to get Amanda, though. I'm checking Target tomorrow.

I'm working thru Wed. this week. T gets to chaperone Ethan's field trip to the circus on Wed. He better take a lot of pics!

Last weekend recap

Last Sat. we raked our whole yard. I think it took T & I about 2.5 hours! So happy that it got done. T had already raked some 2 other previous times without me.

Ashton of course had to keep laying down in bad spots...

Of course there are more leaves there now, but not as bad as it was. Hopefully, just 1 more time of getting them all raked.

Then on Sunday we went to see Madagascar 2. T actually suggested it!

Ethan really liked it. He stayed awake and paid attention, too! We got him his own little popcorn and drink, again. He really was a fan of the first one-so much that is was the them to his 3 birthday. He loved the I Like to Move It song back then.

It is really rainy and over cast today. Add to that I had to go back to the dentist! My dr wanted to change a silver filling to a white one. It had stained my tooth, a blueish tint! It was a back molar that you really couldn't see when I smiled, but still got it done. It was only $25 and they said it would take only 45 min. Well, it took 1 hr & 40 min. I really hate going to the dentist. Plus, I was in a room without a tv and was so bored waiting. Right now, I'm still numb but my tooth is white and nice.

Tomorrow I'm going shopping with my mom, she is getting me a new coat for my birthday, hopefully. Not sure what all my birthday plans are yet. Just hang with the fam.

A New President

I was glued to the tv last night. Plus, I was on T's laptop constantly refreshing the map of Indiana. I was waiting to see if it would turn blue. And it did, this morning!

I was so touched as the new first family walked on the stage.

This artwork I love, it is awesome...

I just found this online...Obama escorting his daughter trick or treating in Chicago! How precious!

What a historical night...glad I saw it at least on tv!

Election Day, Did you vote?

Trent's mom was working at where we vote and called and said the lines were the shortest she had seen all morning. I was planning on going between 8:30 & 9, we got there at 8:45am.

We only waited about 30 minutes, too! Ethan hung out at the precinct that Ga was working at. A girl I graduated with was behind and we chatted and it really passed the time.

Indiana doesn't give out those cool I voted stickers. Or Lake County doesn't.

But I found one online!

I think T cancelled my vote out. I can't get a straight answer from him!

Purdue Reunion

On Sunday we went down to PURDUE and see my college friend, Sherry and her family.

We met up at noon, their time, at Chauncey. Had lunch at Jakes, which was great!

Only thing was that all their seating was on a step up, which was tough with Buddy's stroller.

They did have the wooden high chairs, so he just was on the lower level.

Their kiddie meal was too cute in the cool car. I was surprised since it is mainly a college bar hangout. Ethan loved that they had mini corndogs, too!

Next we all walked around campus and saw how much everything has changed. No reflecting pond, no TA Toms, but a lot of new buildings and garages.

The Union...

I was worried how much Ethan would complain about getting tired walking. He only said he was thirsty a couple of times.

I found the new Block P statue! It is really neat, but in an odd area on campus. I thought it would be in Memorial Mall, but it was just north of Stewart Center.

It has such a nice fitting inscription for alumni..

Engineering Fountain that wasn't working...I don't think it shoots water anymore, that big silver thing in the middle didn't used to be there. We used to be able to walk right through it, it was awesome! Plus there were lights the lit it up like a rainbow!

Then we made it to our house! This is where Sherry and I met. Luckily a girl saw us on the porch and let us in! We were so excited to see all the remodeling changes to the house. I know they had done a lot of work to it, from our newsletter updates.

Right away I noticed how the front entrance had changed. The railings are new and the stairs are different.

The side entrance is totally changed, too! The balcony is gone and there is this new patio area with a walkout off of the formal living room. I love the patio area with the tables and chairs! I wonder if they use it and how soon they will be stolen!

Here we are by the Sigma Kappa sign..

I didn't take too many pics inside though, just reminiscing too much!

I didn't get any of the foyer area and looks different. The dining room has been expanded and took some areas of the front foyer.

Sherry was excited to find a composite that she was on! This was right outside the first floor rooms. It was for 95-96, we graduated in Dec. 95 together. Both of didn't live in the house fall 95, because we were both student teaching then. I don't know why she was included on it and not me! We were both arguing about, but it was funny!

We weren't living there then, so I don't think we should have been on it. But somehow I never got to be on the top row with all the seniors, though!

The bean has been moved to the formal living room now. We were rebels and didn't take our shoes off in there, too! The bean is this curved couch and symbolic and old to our house.

Sherry- I know it needs refluffed or something! I thought it was really low to the ground, too.

Then we find a composite that we are both on! I was happy that it wasn't moved to way downstairs in random hallway.

I did feel old when I told the girls we are '93 pledge class, poor girl was like 15 years younger than us!

Ethan and Lindsey got along wonderfully again! Ethan is taller than her now! She is a year older. I loved that they were playing in the driveway to the house. Ethan had to kick at the smashed pumpkin!
Harry's Chocolate Shop...couldn't go in that bar with the kiddies. Both husbands have been in there with us on previous visits.

We went to 4 different bookstores to check out their sweatshirts. There are so many options for hoodies. S and I were noticing that must be the trend with the young kids now. Aww, to be that young again!

I got a yellow sweatshirt with Purdue embroidered in an arch in black. I also got a new alumni license plate frame. S got a long sleeved tee that was yellow, right?

I love that in University Spirit they display the alumni that have made it to NFL.

Only they are missing Orton, hello?? I didn't see if it was displayed in another area. My era was Alstott and Drew Brees. I wonder if they have signed those helmets for them?

Trent had fun laughing at the funny shirts...so much he had to take pics of them...

This is always a good one...

He actually bought a green tshirt that said "Rudy Sucks". I told he had to get it since he laughed out loud and it was $10.

It was such a fun day with Sherry and her family. We got our 60 cent Discount Den fountain drink and said our goodbyes and hit the road back home.

And then this happened...

Trent got his first speeding ticket!!! It was on a back road to 65 that is almost always deserted and boring. I thought he knew it was 55 limit, I know I saw 2 signs.

It was so bad, the cop passed us & turned around to pull him over! He was going 74! 19 over! He said he thought it was 60 and he was going around 70. So now he has to pay $130!! Luckily he can do it online.

Ethan was so engrossed in his dvd he didn't know we stopped or the policeman!

Wondering about the lines to vote tomorrow! I think we will go closer to 9am.

Remember to vote!!!

Halloween & Amanda's birthday post

Halloween night was so nice here. Unseasonally nice, like 70 degrees! I was worried about having to layer Ethan up in his costume.

My sister watched him that day, since he didn't have school. She took all 3 kids to our parents for the first round of pics. So I picked him up from my parent's house.

This year we have Ethan as a hotdog, Amanda as Gabriella (from HSM) and Matthew as Superman.

We went next door to Mrs. MacDonald, she wanted to see all the kids dressed up.

I was able to get everything outside lit up before anyone showed up for candy.

T got home by 5:30 so he took over passing out duty.

Here they are with the pumpkins they carved. T did the mummy one. T drew on the design, but Ethan carved the face out.
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This one neighbor has made up a special little goodie bag for him.

Ethan didn't really want to go to too many houses thoughbag for him. So neat & cute!


Another neighbor-two houses away is the secretary at his school. She goes all out decorating her porch and always dresses up. This year she was a colorful hippie.

And our next door neighbor went low key this year. For years they had a major show, spooky sounds & strobes & scary stuff, but they stopped doing that 3 yrs ago.

I took E over to T's parents around 6:45 and he got a bucket full over there! Plus a whole box of Capri-Suns they didn't pass out. They pass out cans of pop & juice boxes to the little ones.

Cousins were coming over to our house around 7:30, so we got back to our house in time.

I got them all these neato funny faces that were like ring pop suckers. Great photo op, huh?

I think Amanda thought she was too old for it, I'm not ready for that yet!

Here is me with Sally at work, earlier that day. First time using my timer on my camera & I got it to work! I had to get a pic of our similar Halloween shirts, well that they were both long sleeved black tees. Oh, and we both had on cute Halloween socks!

She is so great to work with & I hope she never leaves me!

On Saturday was Amanda's birthday party.

We had pizza & breadsticks-yum!

She is now 8 years old. I can remember holding her for the first time on Halloween 2000 in her little orange Halloween booties I got her.

She asked for this cupcake maker. (and now it is on sale at Target, crap!)
Her aunt made this huge cake, it is like 12 in across! It was good, but my sister had already made a yummy choc with choc frosting cake. So yes, I had both!

On Sunday we are going to Purdue and meeting up with my friend, Sherry! Can't wait to see and walk around campus.