HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!

The whole Dough family loves ya!

Skanky

It took me hours of online searching to find a NON-slutty Halloween costume for Julia. She originally wanted to be Hannah Montana - but was easily talked into being the BoPeep for Emma's Sheep.

I found some, but they were almost $50 and/or still waaaaaaaaaaaaay too slutty for my sweet 6 year old.

I made one instead. As in... SEWED!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and other than some serious miscalculations in my attempts to construct bloomers without a pattern, it went without a hitch.

I think it turned out precious. I even made a matching trick or treat bag from the purple gingham and the lace edging. She'll be the cutest (non-slutty) Bo Peep out there.

Pressing

Today the Dough Family headed out to an apple pressing party. Dan's friend from his past job invited us and the girls to their house. I was a nervous wreck at having to meet other grown-ups in a social setting, but it went well. One of the ladies even came up to me as she was leaving to tell me how much she enjoyed talking with me and she was so glad she met me. Weird.

It's a funny thing that anxiety does to people.

The girls had a blast decorating foam pumpkins and pressing apples in a real old-time apple press. My girls were so well behaved. It was a warm afternoon, and wasn't particularly Fall-ish but the atmosphere was great.

He's home

After a week of being a single mom, I'm so glad to say that Dan has returned.



Things were a bit hectic and crazy. Julia was not on time to school a single day this week. Seriously - I became THAT mom this week.

He makes the house a mess faster than the kids... he leaves his dishes all around... his clothes on the floor... but he makes my life easier in so many ways.

Proud Momma

Here's the thing... Julia is wicked smart. We've learned things about her over the past year that indicate she's a smart chick. I'm amazed by it but I just accept it as part of who she is. I am proud of the fact that she works so hard, because that's what impresses me.



Today though, I received a note that brought tears to my eyes. I often have moments where I'm proud of my children. They regularly show glimpses of kindness and politeness and all the things that really mean something to me. Today though, my heart exploded with pride.



Julia has been recommended for a peer group to help some of the kids that are having problems making friends - as a role model. The letter said that she's deomonstrated the kinds of behaviors they would like modeled for these other children.

She rocks.

Yep... It's October which means it's time to get PINK!

For all of the women who have won or lost their battles against breast cancer - and to those who have had their lives touched by this cancer, my blog has gone pink for the month of October.

I think it's wonderful that everywhere you go from the end of September through the early stages of November companies are in some way spreading awareness and donating proceeds of their products to various Breast Cancer charities. Yes, I know that most of this is a major marketing ploy - but I do believe that awareness is key and so for that I support the cause. I also will encourage you to click on the links on my sidebar to make donations directly to various breast cancer organizations.

Early detection is instrumental in the battle against this disease. Make sure that you and your friends and your loved ones are squeezing those boobs (click on that link for a tutorial on breast self exams from the Komen Foundation) every month. Talk to your sisters and mother about getting their annual clinical exams by a doctor. PLEASE get your boobs squished annually once you reach age 40 or earlier if you have a family history.

I hope that by the time my girls are older this isn't the same scary situation as it is today.

I want to tell my my family and friends battling this cancer to keep on fighting, stay strong and keep on surviving. In honor of those still fighting and in memory of those who lost the battle - THINK PINK!

My mother in law P
My husbands Aunt S
MyAunt P
My Great-Aunt LJ
My friend Deb
My friend Pam

And yes - I have heard of the Boycott October movement - and although I'm not a BC survivor, but I can completely understand the sentiment. I feel that it's not my place (not having had BC) to weigh in on the situation. I do know that my MIL and aunts proudly wear their pink ribbons and wave them as their battle flag - so for now - I still support the pink movement. In anyway, shape or form, awareness is awareness.