All sickness aside, and everyone feeling more like themselves, I felt like things were back to normal this week! I've been thinking about PTT, and what this means to me. I've discovered through time and space, memories good or bad have a way of staying with us. I can tell you my first day of K, and the one time I got my finger jammed in the door. I could tell you about the day I got married or the birthdays of my children. I want to be able for my kids(and me) to see that I do remember the good things they do. It might actually surprise them, and hopefully remind them of good times they might not easily remember, but I do! This PTT is about my 3yo. Katelyn. She is a very thoughtful and a very sensitive little girl. It was lunchtime, and she wanted a ham and cheese sandwhich. I was feeding the baby and blogging, I let her know, that I'd fix her one. About 5 mins. go by and here she comes down the hall with 2 pieces of cheese, and 2 pieces of ham. Two for her, and two for me. I just thought it was cute, that she was thinking of her mother, and that it was lunchtime for me too! After I put the baby down for her nap, Katelyn and I had our lunch, shared a couple cookies. After that we read a new book, and then she took her nap. This was one of life's precious moments, that I want her to remember.

For PTT, Kelly started,you catch a kid being good, about the little things we witness everyday, that make us proud.

We did make it to a small Pumpkin Patch not to far from our house. My grandparents went to Tahoe, so I wasn't going to drive to Prescott to see them, if they weren't there, and when I found out how much the Big Pumpkin Patch in Queen Creek was, I might as well have taken the kids to Disneyland. It would have been almost $50 to just get in, that's not food or Pumpkins. The kids did have fun. There was a Hay ride, and some baby chicks Katelyn had fun watching. The kids also got to decorate their pumpkins with stickers and markers.Here are a few pics. I'll be uploading more.

This has got to be the longest week I've ever had. First last weekend, the baby, me and Katelyn were sick. Now my son and my oldest both were getting sick all night. I've gotten only a couple hours of sleep,every night this week. After reading Ocean's idea for a costume, that could work for me. Just call me The Zombie Mamma! My husband lucky him was bit by a mosquito, and being diabetic the doctor gave him antibiotics, so he'll probably miss this round of sickness. He was so sweet last night Josh came out of his room. Took two steps and did the Exorcist down my hallway at 9 last night. Usually my husband and I watch Shark. He actually picked up a mop and was trying to help me clean up the mess. Which I was shocked he even stepped up to help. Usually I'm on my own, but after taking care of the other two and myself, I'm just so exhausted. Things wouldv'e been easier if they all got sick together, instead of taking turns! Thank you all for well wishes. Josh is resting now, and Marissa's feeling better. It's an ugly 24hr bug. Katelyn was so cute the day after she was sick. Josh took a book out of the library, The Hungry Catepillar, and bright and early in the morning, she was back to her self. Loud as could be we could hear her trying to read the book,"Look at the pretty Butterfly!" I knew she was feeling better.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday's Feast #117

Join the Fun!

Appetizer

Create a new candle scent.

Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Soup

Name one way you show affection to others. A kiss, a smile, and lots of hugs.

Salad

What is your favorite writing instrument?

Pens, I love Sharpies. When I was about 16 or 17 my dad and I would do the crosswords together in the morning, and I'd start with a pen. He'd get a little upset, but always gave me a smile.

Main Course

If you were given $25 to spend anywhere online, from which site would you buy?

Amazon

Dessert

Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be?

I'm not sure.I want to, but I don't have any ideas. Anyone have any suggestions.

T13-#24

Thirteen Random Facts and Things About Me

1.) Halloween originated among the Celts in Ireland, Britain and France as the Pagan Celtic harvest festival, Samhain.

2.)Samhain is the word for November in the Irish language. The festival marking the ending of the summer season, and the end of the harvest.

3.)An Irish legend tells of Jack, a lazy but shrewd farmer who used a cross to trick the Devil, then refused to free him unless he agreed to never let Jack into Hell. The Devil agreed. When Jack died, the Devil wouldn't let him into Hell. So, Jack carved out one of his turnips, put a candle inside it, and began endlessly wandering the Earth for a resting place. He was known as "Jack of the Lantern", or Jack-o'-Lantern

4.)The Pumpkin by John Greenleaf Whittier (1850)

Oh! Fruit loved of boyhood! The old days recalling, When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

5.)My Little Computer Corner

6.)My Morning Life Saver

7.)My Art Gallery

8.) Things that help me keep track!

Here are 5 random things about my week, because of sleepless nights with being sick, and the kids being sick the rest of the week.

9.) Tried to put Katelyn's shorts on the baby.

10.) Tried to give my husband some chocolate milk, instead of Katelyn.

11.) Thought I was calling my husband, not sure if I called him or his grand-parents, his grandfather's name is Bill too, but I called him Honey, and he started laughing, it wasn't my husband, but his grandfather. He told me that was OK, I could call him Honey anytime.

12.) Called my MIL, thought I was calling my Mother, left a message calling my MIL, HI Mama! That's OK, she's like a second mother to me.

13.) Left for my son's school to the nurses office for lunch. He has lunch at 12. I was an hour early. I get an A for effort!

Today the family is feeling much better, and I'm doing a T13, so my day's looking pretty good! Halloween trivia provided by Wikipedia.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It is easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Other T13's to visit I'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.

1.) Tracie

2.) Whiskey Talking

3.) Chelle Y

4.) Carmen

5.) Just Expressing Myself

6.)Amy the Black

7.) Baby Powder

8.)Mama Duck

9.)Kukka-Maria

10.)Catch

11.)Brony

12.)Jane

13.)Tug

14.)ChupieandJ'smama

15.) Gail

16.)Stacie

17.)Kay

18.)Something Blue

Wordless Wednesday #4

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Do you like Trivia as much as I do?

Trivia has always fascinated me. I'm always curious to learn something New. At Aviva Blog you can find a ton of really cool facts. With Halloween right around the corner, I enjoyed reading about the History of the Jack O' Lantern. I was just amazed at other great posts including Things I didn't know about Coughing, or 10 Things to do with Hairspray. There is also some unbelieveable information about Christmas Trees. There are posts that are really freaky too, one about Burial Customs, and one about Weird jobs. I'll be sure and check it out again, because I find Trivia facts really cool.

Sorry no PassTheTorch post for me today, the kids and I have been a little sick this weekend. I'd like to Thank Kelly, she did inspire me to start a new blog. It's over at Crafty Kids . In the beginning, I think I'll only be posting once a week like my garden/photo blog A SW Oasis. And if that isn't enough, I'm thinking of starting another blog all about my Digital Scrapbook Layouts. Like I don't have enough to do allready. Everything ties in here at home, and gives a little variety to my blog. Everyone have a great day!

Five of my favorite shows

I don't watch too much TV, but ceartain days especially Thursday nights, my husband just leaves me alone to watch my shows.

5.) Heros-On Monday nights, new show about these people with super powers who are all connected. One can fly, one girl is invincible, one can stop time and teleport, and one can take on all the others powers. They are all trying to save the world, and I just love sub-titles, two of the characters speak Japanese.

4.)LOST-Every episode leaves you with more questions. It always hooks me into having to watch the next weeks.

3.)Shark-It's on Thursday night after CSI.A new one about an L.A. lawyer, and being a single dad.Great show! My husband and I actually watch this one together.

2.)CSI:Las Vegas-My husband just pointed out that Grissom was in this Western movie way back when, I think it was Young Guns, anyways, Crime scene and mysteries have always intrigued me.

1.)Survivor-This season is great. They divided the teams up into racial groups. Whites, Asians,Hispanics, and African-Americans. In the begining you could tell the groups would stick together and which race was the best, but now the teams are all combined, it's Survivor, it doesn't matter what race you are, can you play the game!

Got Pumpkin? The Second Annual Intricateart.com Pumpkin Carving Contest is now open! If you’ve carved your pumpkin, go on and get a Wicked picture of it and enter the contest!

Contest dates:

Monday, October 23, 2006

through

Monday, October 30, 20065PM CST

Voting will be held on Halloween only!

Check out last years entries HERE!

Read the rules & enter the 2006 Carving Contest here.

I found the Perfect Christmas Gift for my Grandmother
Can you believe there are only 61 days until Christmas? This year I'm trying not to be a last minute shopper. I'm not sure what to get my Grandmother that has everything? I came across Thomas Kinkade Christmas Gifts, Kinkade art collectibles, Music boxes ,with hundreds of gorgeous collectible items, I could easily find the perfect Christmas gift for her. She just loves The Painter of Light!Have you seen his paintings of beautiful, luminous scenes. I found this Thomas Kinkade Wall Clock with Stained Glass Art for under $40.00. It features 4 breath taking beautiful pieces of lighted stained glass art that are easily interchangeable for seasonal decorating. I know she would just love it!

I've been planning on taking the kids to the Pumpkin Patch since the first weekend in October, here it is almost the last weekend, and we still haven't gone. I don't think they are as disappointed as I am.Hopefully we will get to go next weekend. This weekend, the baby had a fever and wasn't feeling too good. Then we had unexpected friends of the family come and visit, with a 2 day notice. I'm glad they let us know they were coming, but I still had to rush and clean the house and get things ready for them to come. And I wasn't looking forward to them coming. My husband and I aren't materialistic who try and keep up with the Joneses, but these friends have to have the New everything, or whatever we have isn't good enough. They always do things better or have more than us. Thank God it was only for Saturday, and they left Sunday morning. Anyways, whatever flu bug the baby picked up, she shared with me, and Sunday night, I just felt horrible. This morning I feel better, but still icky. I kept my son home from school, because he said his tummy felt sick too, and I'm not taking any chances. Back to our friends, when we were working with them about 15yrs. ago, we all got along, and we still do, I just feel like if we don't have what they have, we don't fit in. With two diabetics in the family, I try and explain to my oldest daughter, we'd have more in life, but taking care of my husband and son is more important, and they are worth more than anything, or any trip. She's been feeling some pressure from her friends too about not fitting in, and not having the things all her friends have. I've tried to explain to her too, that she may not have things like they do, but she's got what she needs, and a family that loves her. That having what they have wouldn't make her who she is, she makes who she is by being herself, and they'll either accept her, or not, the important thing is that she needn't try and impress them or change who she is to be their friend. She's seeing how her real friends treat her, and that makes me feel good that she can see what I'm talking about, even if that means she doesn't have an IPOD, or those expensive tennis shoes. If I had the money I'd take us all on a trip. Somewhere with a beach, where I could watch the kids chasing the waves, while my husband I can relax. If you had money, what would you do with it?

Design by Lara Payton I just want to thank each and everyone of you for all your wonderful comments. Hope you all enjoy your Monday!

I'm having a hard time deciding on a costume for the baby. I've got Katelyn's and Marissa's costume. Josh knows what he wants to be, but the baby, I can't make up my mind. All my children were pumpkins for their 1st Halloween, but the baby's nickname is Koala, and Tom Arma's Koala costume is so cute. I also think she'd make a cute Ladybug. I also finished Janet Evanovich's Eleven on Top, and I'd like to Pass it on to anyone who would like to read it. First come, first serve.

Friday's Feast #116

Appetizer

What is your favorite beverage? It's a tie between Diet Pepsi and Diet Peach Snapple.

Soup

Name 3 things that are on your computer desk at home or work. Cell phone, digital camera, a cup of coffee.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how honest do you think you are? 9. The only time I'll cover something up is if it will seriously hurt someone's feelings.

Main Course

If you could change the name of one city in the world, what would you rename it and why? This is so cute, when my oldest daughter was 3 or 4 at Thanksgiving dinner, with a Turkey leg stuffed in her little mouth, asked if we lived in Al-Bu-Turkey!!(Albuquerque)

Dessert

What stresses you out? What calms you down?

Bills and my son's Diabetes. I don't sweat the small stuff, but dealing with insurance companies, just drains me! When I get a chance, a nice HOT Bubble bath, a glass of wine, nice soft music, and the soft glow of candles, help renew me emotionally,mentally, and physically!

I'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.

Other Great Places to dine.

1. Amy

2. Pilot Mom

3.Caylynn

4.Catch

5.Kailani

6.Steven Novak

7.Haleigh Anne

8.Kay

Thursday 13-#23

13 Pumpkin Things I Like

1.) Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte

2.)Halloween Pumpkin spice cookies

3.)Pumpkin Chocolate chip muffins

4.)Pumpkin bread

5.)Pumpkin ice Cream

6.)Pumpkin seeds

7.)My grandmother still makes Spicy Pumpkin butter

7.) I do like a Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

8.) and a Pumpkin Cheesecake

9.)Thai Pumpkin soup

10 .)Pumpkin Creme Brulee

11.)Pumpkin Spice candle from Yankee Candles

12.)Pumpkin Pecan Pie Bars

13.)It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

My first TT this week was going to be of these awesome carved pumpkins, but since blogger was being difficult about posting pics, I opted for these delicious recipes. My friend emailed me this as a slide show, but you can view them here at www.pumpkingutter.com!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants Other T13's to visitI'm linking to everyone who leaves me a comment. I'm not using Mr. Linky, because it betters Technorati rankings this way, and I know how Blogger goes down , so you can email me a comment anytime, and I'll still link you here. It takes a little time, but I promise I'll link to everyone.1.Tug2.Uisce3.SlackerMommy4.Kailani5.Just Expressing Myself6.Maggie7.TBirdonaWire8.Amy9.Barbara 10. ChupieandJ'smama11.Haleigh Anne12.Ali13.Laurie14.Socks and Abby15.Patent Princess16.The Mistress of the Dark17.Momish18.My 2 Cents19.scribbit20.Mar21.Gail22.Kelly23.Deb24.Chaotic Mom25.Susan26.DK

Wordless Wednesday #3

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OK, this week, my kids were good, but they were themselves this week, nothing out of the ordinary! My BIL came to visit us this weekend, which was a complete shock. He told me that when we went to visit my SIL this week, and my neice let me son, and tried to teach my son how to Rollerblade, that she does not share her RollerBlades with anyone. That she must really like my son to share them with him. My son had a blast learning how to skate, and she had fun teaching him.What was so funny, is that my son is a true clutz. He trips on air. My SIL and I were holding our breaths that he wouldn't crash and break something.He just fell forward, then pulled himself back and almost fell over, but he got the hang of it, and got the biggest grin that he didn't FALL! So, a lesson learned, if there is something to be enjoyed, how much more fun it is to share it with someone else. :P Pass the Torch Tuesday Guidelines: Every week, we share simple and stupendous times kids make us proud. Just write about catching a kid being good, link to this specific post (it may ping in comments) or put your link in comments so we can find it, and read everyone’s posts. Or if you’d prefer to share your story in comments, that’s fine as well! Complete guidelines and former PTT links are >HERE< .

OK! I've cleaned up my page a little. Still editing. I was trying to match my new site on my own domain. I have my own domain, but I read something this weekend at Plain Jane Mom's blog that had me a little more than upset, and now changing my mind to stay on Blogger a little while longer. If anyone else had heard of this let me know if you have any more info. There is a site called Bitacle that is scavaging and theiving not only our posts, but our entire blogs. My garden site A SW Oasis is only a couple weeks old and has been collected allready. Bitacle, uses our posts to make money with AdSense. It wouldn't bother me too much about the copying of my posts, because I'm not a very good writer . The fact is the Principle of the matter, It's Piracy!! I spend a good amount of time on my posts and someone comes along and is making money off of them. . She's not alone. There are plenty others. No one asked my permission to copy my blog. The other fact, they are HOT LINKING Photos, which if I moved my site to my own domain my bandwith wouldn't be very much, and I'm not very Techy to figure out how to stop them from stealing it! So I'm looking further into this. Just thought I'd ask to please keep Kailani from the Pink Diary and family , in your prayers and good thoughts, she was in an EarthQuake Hawaii had, and has been without power*Edited:She's got power now*. It's been a long day today for a Monday! Which reminds me how much I H A T E Monday's, especially ones after a long four day weekend! How is yours going??

My husband took this pic of Katelyn our 3yo. one day and thought it would be cute to send it to everyone and ask them if they could find the baby doll?? I don't normally participate in Saturday Scavanger Hunt, but this week's Theme is LOST, and one of TC's pic reminded me of this one, so I thought I'd post it. Josh did really good at bowling today! He's a real natural everyone says, but I know it's because it's just Fun for him and he enjoys doing it! He used my ball which is a couple pounds heavier, but he threw it like a champ.

What did I do these last couple days instead of spending time blogging, you may be asking?? Missed all of you of course. Did you miss me?? Thursday I spent with my neices and my SIL, having lunch and catching up. My neice tried to teach my son how to rollerblade, he's not too gracefull, and both my SIL and me were holding our breaths, that he didn't brake anything. He had a blast. Friday I spent packing my daughter up for the weekend, her girlfriend invited her up to Flagstaff, where her grandparents have a cabin, and it's supposed to snow, so my daughter's really excited. She started packing, T-Shirts and thin cotton PJs, I unpacked her and put in sweats and long sleeved thick cotton shirts. We really don't have too many cold weather clothes, because most of our winter is spent in the 80s. I just love the winters here in AZ. While the kids were riding their bikes, I had a candle lit dinner on my patio, watching my husband work in the garage putting drawers together for his cabinet job. There's got to be a term , other than cabin fever, for us here in AZ not being able to go outside in the Summer because it's too HOT! There is nothing like fresh air and watching the kids play after dinner. My 3yo even got excited because the sprinklers came on, and she was running in them. It's not even Summer weather, but it still felt good. I did want to let you all know how much I missed you all! I'm going to catch up with all of you tomorrow! Have a great night!