Please keep his number close at hand. I may need bail over the weekend.

http://www.dogthebountyhunter.com/

Just in Case.....

41 hrs and counting.......

These awesome photos are of the Japanese gardens that are at the hotel where I will be in about 42 hours. Not a bit excited am I???

Come see - http://www.kyotograndhotel.com/hotel/index.html

The bad news is I am getting sick- I have been sneezed on and coughed on all week but was holding my own until tonight. I feel it in my face-sinus funk. I will be bathing in Vicks and hoping for the best.

A few co-workers are saying the best thing to get over it all is to get there and immediately start drinking. That is sounding like a plan to me.

The OH conference has added some new things including Casino night.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/events/uzone,events/action,event_details/event_id,2201/

The 2 days will be filled with weight loss surgeons, plastic surgeons, fitness experts, motivational speakers and most importantly Melting Mama and Eggface.

They will be showing us the best ideas about good food after weight loss surgery.

http://www.meltingmama.typepad.com/wls/

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

Check them both out-They are the leading ladies when it comes to post-surgery food and cooking.

I am hoping to see the plastic surgeons speak about a total body transplant, the relationship expert and hopefully see some product first hand. It is tough to order things you aren't sure you will like and pay big shipping.

I will update with multiple photos and stories as soon as I get back. Boy does this Berry need this!

Signed the paperwork.

Look for yard sale signs real soon.

Halloween Carnival at Heritage Museum

Friday night we went to the Heritage Museum for their Halloween Carnival. It is a sell out event so I ordered the tickets about a month ago. It was fun for me as I have never been there before. The car museum and carousel are both beautiful. They had games at different buildings and a maze of twinkling lights where you had to find the treasure chest. We got our faces painted, fished for prizes, rode the carousel and the girls even did a 3 legged race. In the we also made our own slim as a science experiment. We got a chance to walk thru the pirate display before it ended at the end of the month. The kids were able to see where pirates sleep and the jail of a pirate ship.
I almost forgot-Nana even dressed up as a clown note the bright red wig in the top photo. Ava was a dalmatian and Olivia was Ariel on her wedding day.

Jolly Jaunt Hyannis-December 7, 2008

This could be us on Decemebr 7th. We MUST dress up for this 5K - Who has the guts?!?!?!

Follow the link-http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=273912&lis=1

Lesson Number 2,195

2,195-Never try to be a Lumberjack the day after you run a race that you are totally not prepared for.

Earl brought home a log splitter so we could finally cut the rest of a huge pile of firewood that has been in my yard for a million years. Anyway as a girl I am not able to use the gas powered equipment so I am a humper-LOL!! In more ways than 1!
Anyway I stacked for about 2 hrs then ran to the store for more oil for the saw. When I returned we cooked burgers on the grill to feed the lumberjacks. I promptly fell asleep in a camping chair while they went back to work. I was almost late for work!!

Now I am walking like an 80 year old lady and all I can take is Tylenol-UGH!

2nd Annual Mashpee Firefighter's Raw Bar Road Race

I have to admit I really was not going to run in this race. I dogged a bunch of people for quite a while about running with me and soon we had a group from the Police Department of about 11-12 people. As it got closer I was not wanting to do it. I really didn't want to walk it but haven't run in almost 2 months. I care for too many babies to run on a regular basis and I have been just too tired but I am so glad I did it.

My time -not so great.I clocked 37:39. I can't complain, as I said, I haven't run in almost 2 months. Now that it is done I feel great. I wish I could find the time to get back to it. Of course now it is below freezing but I am full of my own excuses.

We had (I think I can say we) a great time. I stayed until the end when the raffle was over and even won a gift certificate-WooHoo! Unfortunately I had to work at 4 so I missed out on the free beer but next year.

There were 117 runners last year and 266 this year. All the proceeds went to the Make a Wish Foundation.

Thanks for the photos Mrs. Good. They are terrific.

Caleb

The first step has been taken.
I have contacted a Boxer rescue and they will hopefully help me find a good home for Caleb. I also posted an ad on Craig's List hoping to find a husband and wife that seemed to like him. I had met them at a Boxer event but didn't get there names. I posted this ridiculous ad asking if anyone knew them and how I could contact them. I think she responded but it looks like I am just going to follow the surrender route with Boxer Buddies and hope they apply.
Why do things that in the end will be better hurt so much while you are doing them?

Take the Leap

Ever want to take the Leap but just feel like it is way to big and you may not make it to the other side??
Or worse the other side is not what you thought it would be.
One time at band camp.... No really once I tried a rope swing into a pond-a real leap for a girl that never took many chances. Instead of swinging out into the pond so gracefully I slide down the rope and dragged my body down the hill and ended up a bloody mess in about 4 inches of water. That is my Fear.
I am a adult child of alcoholic parents and can pretty much foresee all of your responses - I know, I know. People tell me all the time that taking on the gastric bypass was huge and I should feel strong but truth is I don't. I did it and now I have no control over it, pretty much the same as before. It also leaks into the rest of my life. It is not just a weight thing.
Money sucks -I am not sure how much longer we can keep the balls in the air. For a while we have thrown around the idea of dumping the house but what a failure that is. We will never get anything near what is owed and who wants a house that needs work when you can get mansions for our desired price. It was easier when we lived in a rented house and kept it simple. As the income increases your creature comforts increase and now " Not so much". I am tired of explaining that we have no money to the bill collectors and listening to everyone else when I am just plugging along as I have no other choice. Is there anything I can do for you?? I am always on the yes,yes list and have a serious problem saying no. I am trapped.
What a failure I will be to explain to my children why we are moving from the only house they have known but it is difficult to see houses renting for half what my house is costing. My husband hates his job but he is forced to take what he can get to pay the bills. Sound familiar??
Right now millions of us are in this same boat I know but there just doesn't seem to be any relief in sight.

Another Pumpkin Story

So although I am poor as dirt as you know I took a trip to the Apple Fest this weekend. On the way in I saw a picnic table covered with gourdes and pumpkins and decided if it was my last $ I was stopping on my way out. Well with my last $20 I stopped and picked out 15 pumpkins for Olivia's class. I am a sucker like that. First I liked that the money went to a local grower and family and the kids could use them for the Harvest Fair at school.

This is what they did with the pumpkins.

The large pumpkin was donated by the PTO and is Mrs. Nilson and each kid was able to make themselves with the small ones. Some of them are even attached to Scarecrow bodies. I thought this was awesome. I love the crazy pipe cleaner hair.

Take me to the....

Want one?? I have a friend of the maker and will forward the link when available.
Anything that supports the candy lover in us all.

Happy Birthday to me

After the day we had it was the best present to come home to a hot roast beef dinner and a cake

from my favorite- Wind Fall Market. As you can see I had much help blowing out the sparkling candles. They even added my name in Reese's PB cups. These people know how to get to my heart.

My Birthday and the Apple Fest

Today we drove to Wachusett Mountain for the Apple Fest. It is going on next weekend too and I would highly recommend it.

Follow the link - http://www.wachusett.com/default.aspx?tabid=362

It was free for our kids because they were under 6 and most of what we did was included. There were 3 large Jumpers, a hayride that was pulled by a giant snow tractor, a Monster truck, and German dancing which happened to be right next to the Beer Tent. Only $4.50 for some Pumpkin Ale -please and thank you.

The foliage was beautiful and much missed by this Worcester girl. Cape Cod just can't hang when it comes to the leaves changing color.

The bad news was that the camera battery died about 30 minutes into the day-UGH!!! I just can't seem to remember everything.

The food was great and bountiful. They had normal German fare and then regular food in the cafeteria but the goods were outside in the tents. Maple cotton candy, kettle corn, apple donuts ( which I am enjoying now hot from the micro) and the greatest sugared waffles fresh off the waffle iron and into your hand.

There is also a huge section of crafter from local and as far as Cape Cod. A woman is trying to sell my daughter a purse( funny enough) and she is from Centerville. I did take her card as she does purse birthday parties. Try explaining to a 5 yo how we can make this at home for a lot less than $20.

God what else- Balloon makers galore and even a couple of teenagers painting faces.

We brought my sister and that was fun - the kids really enjoyed her coming along too.

Big Birthday Plans

Applefest- Octoberfest Weekend
October 18 & 19, 200810 am - 5 pm daily

Featuring:
German music, entertainment, food and beer.
Oberlander Hofbrau Band (Sat.)
Austrian Boys Band (Sun.)
Gemeutlichen Enzian Schulplatter Dancers
Robinson's Paddling Pig Porkers
Birds of Prey the Raptor Project
The Big Nazo
Live Monster Truck

Click Here For A Schedule of Events!

Purchase your tickets in advance and $ave!! To Purchase call 978-464-2300 ext. 3200 NOTE: Advanced tickets must be purchased 24 hours in advance.
Admission -Adult $9
Junior 6-12 $5
5 & Under FREE!!

Ongoing Activities Each Day Include:
Beautiful hand made crafts available for sale inside the lodge.
The ever popular Farmer’s Market with lots of delicious foods from area vendors featuring our apple orchard sponsor Red Apple Farm!
Moonwalks, face painting, pony rides, hay rides, magic shows!
Blueberry pie eating contests will be taking place each day at the WSRS Booth!
Apple Pie Recipe Contests at the WSRS booth- bring in your Apple Pie with the recipe and you get one free admission!

Featured AppleFest Attractions:
Craft Fair
Farmers Market
Live Music
Dance Exhibitions
Featured Entertainment
Moon Bounces
Hay Ride
Face Painting
Clowns and other Walk-Around Talent
Pie eating contests
SkyRide (*)
Climbing Wall (*)
Pony Rides (*)
(*) Additional Fee Required

Forever a Round girl

Apparently I can remove the outside rolls but they are still clogging my brain.

I am leaving in .....I can't remember like 17 days for a trip to sunny California. I, as you know, need a halloween costume and am also learning it is about 90 degrees so that means peeling off some layers. As I start to shop on the internet and think about what is home in the closet I realize that I have already become more comfortable in my larger sweatshirt and long pants.

Do I have the strength to let it all hang out in Summer clothes again??? At least this Spring it started gradually but now I will leave a place at 50 degrees and get to a place where it is 90.

I am also going by myself so I can wear something I like and not something that is kid/dirt friendly. I am not even sure I know what I like in clothes. 3X clothes are pretty much the same but in different prints-a box with some sleeves sewn on so there was not much variety in my life when it came to clothes.Now I walk into clothing stores and I am overwhelmed. Can I wear something like this?? I was shopping Hot Topic online because at heart I like a little freak but aren't I too old for that crap? I have walked out of a few of these stores lately as I think the 19 yo employees are looking at me like I must be lost and looking for Marshall's.

I have to look at myself to find a costume I can wear and want to wear. That is two different things.

Why am I all stressed out over my fat when I should be thinking about a fantastic opportunity to see a side of America I have never been to before?

In my head I see this....

But I will be 36 on Saturday so maybe I need to go back to Dress Barn and get something to cover my knee and not with a leather boot.Nana Pole Climbing Boots-You have to think these are HOT!

Fall is Here

We are in full swing into Fall now on Cape Cod although it was upwards to 70 degrees the other day. We were lucky to catch them harvesting the cranberries on the Old Barnstable Bog the other day. I was trying to explain to the kids how you get from the watery bog to a muffin. I laugh when these conversations come up as I am now on the other end. I have to come up with the answers to all the crazy and numerous questions my daughters have. They are definitely my daughters as they only became interested when we got to the muffin part of my explanation about what that man was doing out there.
Now the bogs are covered with water so soon I explain we can try out some ice skating-Brrr!!

Craft Fair was a BUST!!

Quick history on the Berry Bag-

I got a sewing machine for a Christmas Gift- Never used it (1yr), in the mail comes the extension of the warranty-Shit-I should probably open it.

I sign up for a beginner class and make a dress my daughter refuses to wear and basically rips off her body. I then find this great bag which I love and make for myself. It is popular with some friends so I make a few. Next thing you know I make and give away or sell about 15.

Now I decide to re-coop some money and hopefully make some so I find a small local craft fair and buy a table for $40. I figure I can sell 2 bags to make that back and maybe make a few $$$$.

Today was that day. I have been nervous about this for the last week. Am I good enough to be in a craft fair?? Do I have enough bags?? Will I be laughed out by real sewing folks??

The end result is I can hang-I guess. I am not better or worse than what I saw today. The bad news is you are only as successful as the success of the Fair. The fair people were also new to this and it was the first year they had organized one. There was just NO advertisement or signage. People coming in saw 1 sign and it was not very visible. I was too busy getting myself ready that I hadn't noticed the lack of news about it. While there people were getting antsy, I even started text messaging friends and family asking them to stop by or spread the word. The organizers finally got the message and added some more signs out front and a bunch of balloons but the damage was done. I mean isn't that why we pay them to organize???

All in all the turnout sucked and after all the stress, worry and midnight sewing I sold 1 bag.

Know anyone who needs a bag- I have about 35!!

Ringling Bros. Circus-Girl Scout Night

No I didn't eat any of this cotton candy- I swear!!

We got the tickets from the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Mass. and I guess I had high expectations. The circus was great and we had a good time just Olivia and I unfortunately we were in the nose bleed seats. I would have paid more to be like 100 rows closer.

They had a screen but the lighting and overhead items hanging from the roof blocked it we were so high. (5 rows from the ceiling to be exact.)

They had dogs, tigers, elephants,clowns galore. Not too many photos came out but I thought I would share a few. Olivia and I even had my picture taken sitting on a lion. They ended with 2 people being shot from a cannon.

Pumpkin Day at Bourne Farm

Today was a raging success.

The weather was perfect, the pumpkins were great and we did everything except the kayaks.

The pumpkin patch was a little rough and we were there 1st thing as they opened but I understand that was due to the weather this year. There were alot of casualties due to rot and I don't remember all those weeds growing. We still had no problem filling our wagon with pumpkin. After loading the wagon and all the pumpkins into the car we got to the good stuff.

1st we rode the hayride. Then we had to get to the costumes and face painting. The Buffoonery bus is always a blast. The kids got to dress up in costumes and play Potty Toss.

We jumped in the jumpy, slide down the slide and then broke for lunch. We even painted some ceramics while the boys rode the ponies.

All in all it was the best year we have had there. I do have to admit it was a bit costly at $3 per ticket and most activities were 1 but ponies and ceramics were 2-3. It was well worth it to enjoy the day outside with the kids. All of the money goes to the Bourne Farm which is non-profit.

http://www.saltpond.info/ Follow this link to the Bourne Farm.