Happy Halloween!

 Well, Halloween has passed.  It was a little hard to get in the mood.  Most years I start decorating at work which helps me get in the mood for decorating the house.  I was also thrown off by the fact that we celebrated Thanksgiving before Halloween.  So for 40 years, Halloween is before Thanksgiving so by the time Thanksgiving comes, Halloween is over and done with so my holiday clock is off.  Add the fact that our house is set behind cedars so no one really sees it...all made it difficult.  But we did it.  We only got out the minimum but it was festive and we did get some trick or treaters...maybe 75?  We bought chips this year so that if we had a lot left we wouldn't be stuck with candy.  The day started out with snow flying but it never accumulated at our house so the girls went out and got some candy but got cold and came back in.  We put the hot dog costume on Molly, and then I got the idea of putting the pumpkin costume on the cat.   Can you dress up a cat?  Yes...but they don't like it.  I think Simba thought that if he backed up it would come off so we have video of the cat walking backwards around the room.  Definitely good for a laugh.

 Back to my previous post. My boss at D-20 got the answer right. She is a hockey mom so she has the experience to know. We are right behind the bench and if they don't close the door, not only do you have the possibility of getting hit by a puck but you get the wonderful aroma of sweaty, smelly hockey players.   Oh, but it starts fine and gets bad later right.....NO!!  ...it starts smelly and ends worse.  I have a lot more respect for hockey moms...because having that smell in your car or house.....WOW, something only a mom can be proud of.  LOL!

The girls went to Canada's Wonderland with the youth group.  They left on Friday night on a big tour bus and stayed at the youth pastors wife's sisters house and then went to Wonderland on Saturday and got back late Saturday night.  I guess they had a blast.  Very cool rides and fun with friends.  The weather held out for them...chilly but bearable.  If you want to check out the website to see the rides, check out their website: www.canadaswonderland.com/ .  Tiana went on Behemoth twice and Tabitha went on Drop Zone so they both went out of their comfort zone a little.

While the girls were gone Wil and I went to Watertown, New York to pick up my wedding set from being sized.  YAY!  I am very happy to have them back on my finger.  We did a little shopping and then met some friends for dinner in Kingston at a Greek restaurant recommended by a friend.  Very yummy food and great company.  I treasure the times that we have with friends now.

On a personal note, I have been in a very dark place but have not given up hope.  I watched an Oprah the other day and it was about a couple that while the husband was a work, the mom, grandma and their 3 little kids were hit from behind by a semi.  The mom and grandmom survived but the 2 girls and 1 boy were killed.  The show was on hope and one of the things that was said was if we can inspire someone to know that on their worst day, it could be worse and there is always hope.  That really hit home with me.  THEN..the show went on to talk about this couple, how they got through it together and then how awhile later decided to have another child.  They had to have invitro and ended up with triplets, 2 girls and 1 boy.  Who says miracles don't exist???  But it got me thinking about how even though a tragedy happened, beauty came out of it.  I don't know why this show spoke to me but it did so I am trying to claw myself out of the dark hole.  One thing I am trying to do is get into the Bible more.  This verse has been echoing in my head since the show:

Thessalonians 5:18   Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

I am to be thankful in ALL circumstances.  ALL circumstances.  Really?  ALL?  Yuck..that's no fun!  It is not effortless and it requires thought....so here is a look inside my head right now.

The girls are bickering and irritating me again.  Thank you Lord that the girls are healthy and going through the normal stages of life.

The house is a mess again and I am tripping over stuff that no one seems to be able to pick up.  Thank you Lord for giving me a house and thank you for giving me all of the stuff that is messing it up.  Thank you for giving me a family to mess it up.

I have to go to work and I don't feel like it and I wasn't supposed to be working yet.  Thank you Lord for providing me a fantastic job that is close to home, part time and in a very friendly place.

I could go on and on.  I am reading the book Personality Plus right now.  What I have found out is that what I have always called realism as part of my personality is really pessimism.  Bummer, I never thought I was a pessimist.  Don't you just hate finding out stuff like that?  I am 40, I shouldn't be having to find out those surprises now.  Anyways, I don't see the light yet but I have a feeling that the light is coming...which is a nice.

Next week Wil and I are going to a Newfoundland dinner/dance put on locally.  I am excited to go try to food and hear some music native to Wil's birthplace.  I will let you know how it goes.

Work is going well.  It is a lot more laid back than in the states.  I am still trying to figure out what is laid back because of Canada and what is laid back because of the office.  There is definitely alot more responsibility put on the patient.  What a concept!!  If the doctor isn't in...I don't answer the phone and our machine does not take messages. So if the doctor isn't in, you don't talk to the office.  The doctor is very laid back and independent and will help you when needed.  It is a well established office so all the patients no how it works and they are OK with it.  Here is an example:  you are instructed to bring all your meds in for your appointments and get all of your refills at your appointment.  If you don't and you call us, we will be glad to get your refills but you pay us 15 bucks.  So, you say, I will call the pharmacy and have them call you....go for it ...we will still charge 15 bucks.  And that is billed to you and you will pay it or we won't do it again.  Ha!  Really??  That is awesome!  I am starting to enjoy it.  I really haven't let myself enjoy it because I have been too sad that I am even working...self pity is so powerful.  Anyways, I am working on enjoying it now.  I will keep you informed.

Wil got the lawn tractor fitted with the snow blower so I think we are prepared.  We also bought a garage/shelter for it so with the shed and that, everything is under cover.  Tabitha is getting ready for her birthday next week and Tiana is counting down to hers next month and then Christmas and I am so behind on that.  My goal right now is to try to get into some sort of routine for groceries and house cleaning and work and stuff.

I think that is enough for now.  I love your comments and feel free to email me...I love hearing from you.