Oh Deer!

Deer deer everywhere! I think I've seen more deer this fall than ever before. Is this a sign of something to come? Harsh winter? Unusually high snowfall? Early Spring? Who knows, but they seem to be everywhere. Last week we were on our way to the DC temple and saw a ton of deer on the Beltway and just outside the temple! Holy Cow! Deer in DC. It surprised me. 'Them are city deer, their cousins the country deer live out by us.

I posted all about my favorite things on Bossy! today. I know you are all dying to know my favorite things. :)

Turkey.

I found this while looking for FHE ideas about Thanksgiving. It made me laugh, and I am on a "Laughing is Important" kick, so I'm sharing it.

The Pregnant Turkey

Last year at Thanksgiving time, my mom went to my sister's house for the traditional holiday feast. Knowing how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to play a trick. She told my sister that she needed something from the store and asked if my sister wouldn't mind going out to get it. When my sister left the house, my mom took the turkey out of the oven, removed the mixed stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen, and inserted it into the turkey... then re-stuffed the turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back into the oven. When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something, she reached in and pulled out the little bird. With a look of total shock on her face, my mother exclaimed, "Barbara, you've cooked a pregnant bird!" At the reality of this horrifying news, my sister started to cry hysterically. It took the entire family almost two hours to convince her that turkeys lay eggs! Yes, my sister is a BLOND.

Being Bossy Again.

If you want more Monday Melissa, check me out over at Bossy! today.

My Space and My Face

well, my hair. But that wasn't as catchy. I got my haircut. I was so tempted by the cute short, a-line, trendy bob, but went a little bit longer because I still love my messy buns. It feels good to be blond again.


My sister in law Robin keeps finding pictures on her camera her kids have taken.
Very artsy fartsy. She calls them myspace pictures. I found these last night. I think Dave might be setting up a MySpace page. I laughed so hard it woke children up. Every time I see them I laugh. Laughing is so wonderful. Having fun and being silly is so terrific.




I also found a picture of me. Taken from the backside. hmmm.

Tradition gone awry.

My favorite Thanksgiving Tradition. For as many Novembers as I can remember I have put thankful feathers on a turkey. I have loved the depth of gratitude it brings to our family. I love my children being thankful really thinking and for things like Blue Skies, Primary Music, Bus Drivers, binkies, hugs, freedom, Prophets, salt! LOL.

This year though, it isn't going nearly as well as in the past.

Time for Plan B I guess. Maybe we can move the turkey to.... gee, on the ceiling? I dunno, the kid is into everything. Good thing he is so darling and gives such amazing hugs.

The Little Turkey.

Beautiful.

I was stopped in the car, waiting on road construction.
The dump truck ahead of me decided to do a U-Turn, the road construction engineer came to speak to me.
He said "Hi Gorgeous, wait just a minute then you can go."
Gorgeous. He must be referring to the 2 children in the back seat.
He came again, my window still rolled down. "You can go now. You really have a beautiful smile."

I blushed, then practically cried. A complete stranger. Why would this make me feel so good?

I'm going to start giving out more compliments. The woman at the market was amazingly grouchy and gruff. The orneriest I've met in a while. Is that a compliment?

Bossy!

I blogged over at Bossy! today. You should check it out. Put it on your reader, my sisters n law are clever, witty, wise and goofy. What a great combo!

Here is Robin's post about Bossy! She didn't give herself a shout out, but she is an amazing woman, a supportive wife, great hostess and phenomenal mother. I remember meeting her 12 1/2 years ago and being amazed. That goes for all my SIL's. I might have married Dave just to be related to all my in-laws! Not really, but a huge bonus.

anyway, read Bossy! See, I'm so bossy.

We did our part!

What does an Austin do with something sticky? Always on the forehead. Always.
Interesting to note that at 3:00 pm our voting place had 3 times more voters than 4 years ago --- and many people aren't off work yet to go vote! Hooray for educated voters!
Also, notice the colors! This is in our front yard... I love fall and I Love our neighborhood!

Only time will tell.

Who is it going to be?










I ran into these 2 Yahoos in Philly a while back. I wonder how it will all turn out....


Notice Obama's confident stance and posture and McCain's confused befuddled look? I don't know who created these, but there is some bias somewhere....

568

That is how many pictures I took during the month of October. That seems like a lot to me! Only a handful of them are "terrific" pictures with great composition, lighting and all that stuff, but they all represent our life and I treasure them.

Today is my Dad's Birthday. He turns 68 today. He is awesome. As I was thinking of things he has taught me through the years, the love of taking pictures is high up there.

5 things My Dad has taught me:

1. One great shot is worth taking a whole roll. Now that he converted me to digital I take gobs in hopes of getting one great shot. (He and Bev gave us a great camera 2 years ago... hoping for the occasional picture of grandchildren, I wonder if they regret it?)
2. The glass is half full.
   
3. Enjoy them. A few years ago Dad and Bev were visiting and he taught me this. He and Dave and Michael had gone to the hardware store (the "why the hardware store" will be clear, wait for #4.) and he noticed Michael was holding Dave's hand. He came home and told me to treasure the time that they hold your hand.--- Dad, if you read this, I'd hold your hand at Home Depot any day. :)
4. Put guests to work. No really, I think he taught me this. In the past 7 years, Dad and Bev have built a swing set / play structure (a terrific wooden one), installed a fridge, microwave, oven and dishwasher and built a TERRIFIC deck (the foundation was a killer, but we all know about the value of a firm foundation right?) They have also made and CLEANED Thanksgiving a few times when I had a month old baby in my arms and plans for Boston Market. ..... reading this I am realizing why they might have cancelled the last trip out here....
5. I am from good stock. Dad has told me this, he has sent me family histories of amazing, strong, courageous ancestors. He and Mom are good. I kid not, they are two of the healthiest people I know. I Cherish the fact that I am from good Idaho Stock (sounds cattle-ish, but I'm still lactating, so this doesn't rub me wrong.) I have known all my life the kind of people that came before me and what my potential and my obligation is.
   

So, Dad, if you read this. I hope you know that you have taught me well. I love you and miss you... and I'm planning on eating Pumpkin Pie in your honor this weekend.

Happy Birthday Dad!