Good Morning Everyone! I keep trying to get the hang of the picture adding thing, but alas I am too computer stupid to get it right. At least I got a blog going! What a week it has been at my house. As you all know my Mom was here for a visit, and most of you know what a stress inducing event that is. It was even more stressful this time because she has never been here before and I had to convince her that Michigan was better than Astoria even though it was further away. I also know that she holds the benchmark for all nice houses with my brother's house in California, so I was hopeful she would like mine. His house is very contemporary and mine, although newer, is a bit more country. Well she loved it! and she loved where we are living. She was so impressed with how clean and well taken care of the whole town is. She loved all the great places to go and the fun things to do here. I am not sure how many more times she will visit, but at least she made it here once and liked it. We took her to the pumpkin patch (thought of you Melissa and than saw your pics and knew we were on the same wave length) and got lots and lots of pumpkins. We tooke her out for a nice birthday dinner and to the local museum. She had so much fun and the kids loved having her here. We baked her a homemade birthday cake that I know was better than anything she would have had in CA, and had a nice little present party. I think my favorite gift for her was the Electronic Fish Tank that H picked out. It goes around and around in circles, but has no real fish in it. Mom thought it was great.

I did not give her the "Duck", and yes I do have it! I know some of you don't know what the duck is. In 1993 when I moved back to the States and I was living with my Mom she kept putting a little wooden duck in my bathroom and bedroom, and I kept giving it back to her by placing it in her bedroom or bathroom. When I moved out she put the duck in the Christmas decorations I took with me, so I didn't find it for a few months. I gave it to her for her birthday filled with ice cream. So for 15 years we have traded the duck back and forth. We can never give it the way we got it and we can never do the same thing twice. I have it, she gave it to me for Valentines day by sending it to Astoria Florist and they added it to a vase of flowers. I knew she would expect me to give it to her on her birthday so I decided to wait. I am going to give it to her on the cruise in December, actually, the Captain of the ship is going to give it to her at dinner one night.

In other news....H is on the swim team here. Tryouts were last weeks, and he really liked it and so we signed him up. G is still in lessons. I finally thought enough is enough, I could fund a college education on what I spent on swimming lessons, so I enrolled her in private lessons, and now she is swimming like a fish! School is going great. H is in the middle of MEAPS, which is the state testing for third through fifth grade. He is having no problem with it. I think he isn't stressing because he doesn't really know what it is. I just got back from the school which is why this is posted so late in the day for me. I was helping in G's class and in the Library. I am going to start helping in the Library once a week. I had the best time in there today and finally feel like I found my place. I loved every minute of helping there and can't wait to go back. The Librarians where wonderful and we had a rockin' good time together. G's teacher also asked me to be in charge of the Halloween party which sent me over the moon (I may have to buy a lotery ticket if this day gets much better). They have a big Halloween parade and a party afterwards. It is on our 10 year wedding anniversary, but hey it's a Halloween party with a bunch of little kids!

Paul and I got a very nice check from my Mom for our big anniversary, so we decided to splurge and bought a golf club membership. We have been golfing almost everyday this week. It is a two person membership, so I can go with Paul or one of the kids can go with him. H has turned out to be a better golfer than me, so he usually goes with Paul. Well the DH is home from his strenious day at work....NOT...and now I think I will trick him into taking me out for lunch. I hope you all have a nice week.

ooooohhhhhh before I forget

Tara-where are you in Gilmore Girls? The rest of you should all start watching this series, it is fab!

Amy- I can't believe they didn't vote out Sugar! and, I am bummed the geeks were philiminated.

Laurie-I am so happy for Dave that he got a job, and I am even happier for you that you get your computer back!

Michelle-I miss you!

Melissa-I am so happy that you are getting a super Target. I wish I had one, but at least I have a regular Target and a Starbuck's and a Wal-mart.