Inktober doodles

Spiders, plump, and castle for Inktober

Hard to concentrate with the boys screaming at super smash bros right beside me but at least the doodles are getting done…

 

Beautiful fall

It’s been so pretty outside lately. Spring will always be my favorite, but I do find myself appreciating October so much more than I used to. We have LOTS of leaves who have decided it’s Jump Day but we still have a long way to go before everything is naked: 

 

My pizza loves me back!

Check it out! There’s a heart on my pizza crust! 😁

 

Tights in the trash

 Last Thursday night Thing Three had a Halloween concert in which they were allowed the wear appropriate costumes. I figured I'd dress up a little for the event so I pulled out a new-to-me dress to go over some tights and my tall boots.

I remember thinking, "these tights are way more comfortable than I remember them being. It's nice that I'm not being bisected for a change."

Well.

It was a good thing I was sitting down throughout the concert, because by the time I stood up, crossed the lobby, made it through the parking lot, and got back home, those dratted tights had shimmied down and almost off my buttcheeks, much to the mirth of someone I'm married to! I even had to stay in the car whilst we got ice cream (naturally- how else does one celebrate a job well done?) because I was afraid I'd lose them the rest of the way while we stood in front of the ordering window!

They went straight into the trash and I regrettably sausaged myself into a different pair for Sunday morning.

The moral of the story is ditch the tights and enjoy the concert. And the ice cream!

A mug of memories

 

Many, many moons ago (we are talking decades, just to be clear) I received the sweetest of greeting cards from my bestie. I only remember it saying Pinkerton on the back so I have no idea if that’s a division of Hallmark or someone else altogether. Either way, no credit goes to me, but I’ve never forgotten the rhyme:

Just sittin’ here, a-thinking

And wishing it could be

You and me a-sitting here

Instead of only me!

Isn’t it funny how sometimes things can make you sad and thankful at the same time? I’m drinking my first cup of coffee out of a mug from my friend Kimmy. The coffee beans themselves came from Peru, where Uncle Kelly picked them up as a Christmas present to us last year. The coconut creamer, which is now my favorite, I would never have even tried if my Lainie hadn’t had some at the beach and recommended it- it wasn’t even on my radar. So here’s me, enjoying my three-in-one mug of memories as I sit and miss them all, four when I count my bestie and her ages-ago card!

New addition

Some of you know that our eldest vehicle, Pepe the Pilot, is indeed on the elderly side. He's a 2005 Honda. We took him in at the end of last year to see what could be done to shore up his underparts since, like many similar models in our climate, the Ohio salt brine has done a number on him. Sadly, there was nothing to be done- his frame is too rusted to weld anything TO it to improve it. At some point his bum is just going to fall off, probably. So we have had it in the back of our minds that we should probably be on the lookout for a new-to-us vehicle. We've been test driving and checking things out slowly but surely, trying not to fall in love or anything. You know how it is. 

Assuming that towards the end of the year dealers might be more willing to make a deal and hitting the last day of the month during that time frame seemed like a good idea. 

What we probably shouldn't have done is take Thing Three test driving with us. I'm sure our purchase had absolutely nothing to do with his nonstop chant of "Jeep! Jeep! Jeep!" emanating from the backseat. At least we knew what his vote was. 

Either way, allow me to introduce (Badass) Gladys! There's been some pushback about having this Gladiator be a HER but I figured since it's been almost 18 years since I've had Seal, it was high time for a female. I Googled it, and there were indeed female gladiators back in the day. 

We've had the roof off once and a certain child keeps campaigning to take the doors off, but as it's gotten chilly that might have to wait until next year. We've also acquired our first duckie, which is apparently a part of Jeep culture; if someone likes your Jeep, they leave you a toy which you then display on your dash. Now you know why some Jeeps you see have an entire line of them across their front! 

We drove a lot of PIlots and some Highlanders and both of those felt completely comfortable and familiar. We ended up going with the Jeep because we figured if we got her we would be more intentional about building in fun activities. A Jeep can go places that a Pilot can't necessarily, or at least not well. We could drive her in the sand at the beach, something Pepe would really not appreciate. She's also a workhorse as she's part truck. We can't fit all 5 of us and both dogs in her unless the dogs ride in the back, but since it's increasingly rare that all 5 of us and both dogs go anywhere together, we didn't feel it was a big enough issue to pass on.

Thing Three's first crush, haha. 

Come on out and we will take you for a spin! 

 

Life just isn’t fair

Sometimes this happens:

That means sometimes this happens:

 

Let’s play a game

 Any guesses as to what Thing Three will be for Halloween? Here’s a clue!

Bounce

 

Toad

 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

 

It’s that time of year again, folks. Gearing up for trick or treat and Thing Two’s birthday boots us solidly into spooky season. What are the odds that the costume will survive until the end of the month when he actually needs it? I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

Fortune

 

One down

 #Inktober 2023

I got nothin'.

 Sorry, I still don't have anything drawn. I've been reading! I finished the Shirley Jackson novel and fell headfirst into a historical fiction recommended by my bestie. Now that one is done and here I am at the library with another stack to check out. I have an addiction.

I solemnly swear I'll doodle this weekend! Pinky promise!

Otherwise, we are all hanging in there. Not thrilled about some mornings being in the 40s already, but Ohio is always a little crazy, so it is what it is. Last week I mused to myself, "it sure is dark out there in the morning... when the heck is time change? It's gotta be soon..."

Folks, it's not until NEXT MONTH. Holy moly, what a long wait to get back to Standard Time. Once we are there, can we please just leave it alone!? Pretty please? Where do I sign!?

This fall seems to be a good bit of on again, off again. I subbed some of every day last week and then nothing this week. I suppose as the germs make their rounds that may pick up, but it's also nice to have the time to bake cookies or sort kid clothes or run an entire day of errands. 

Some of you are having a WAY more exciting week than me, so for those of you who'd like things to get back to normal, I wish you well. For those of you who can't wait for all things Halloween (like some people I live with), hang in there. It's coming, I promise!

Excuses, excuses

 I promise I haven’t forgotten to blog. I’ve been a little busy with other pursuits; all is well. Last week I subbed for three mornings in preschool, had an afternoon of lunch duty and classroom aide, and spent a morning manning the office. I’d rather take preschoolers to the bathroom five times a day than answer a phone, but the amazing woman who runs the office seemed pleased with my help. 

I intend to do #inktober, but here it is the ninth and I haven’t started yet. I’ve been reading books and am in the middle of Shirley Jackson’s “we have always lived in the castle” so that’s taking away from doodling time. I’ll get there and I’ll post them like last year. Keep on me!

I spent all of 45 seconds putting the dog out and trying to identify a bird I’d heard and accrued three mosquito bites on my neck for my troubles. Apparently I have delicious blood. Brood of vampires!

Have a spooktacular week, everyone!