November, Where Art Thou?

So much for diligence on more than one blog.

I had high hopes that I'd be alert enough to keep this one up on a weekly basis as opposed to the daily regimen of my other blog.

Ha.

So far, I'm doing good to get a post in on a monthly basis, and it looks like that's in jeopardy, too.

At any rate, things are moving along around here. Football ended for both Randy (high school) and Matthew, who played coach this year at his alma mater. We stuffed ourselves silly yesterday, which was the official Thanksgiving, and today, which was the official Day After Thanksgiving.

And now I need a bigger pair of stretch pants.

In cabin news, it's time to think about Christmas trees, which have been hauled around in the county for what seems like a month already. The tree folks mean business.

Here are some links to Ashe County tree farms, including one we know is fun because Randy and I worked there a few years ago :)

Choose & Cut Christmas Tree Map

Christmas Tree Growers

Kitchens' 194 Choose-and-Cut Christmas Tree Farm

While I'm sure there is no shortage of terrific tree farms, we know Larry and Anita Kitchens personally, both as friends, colleagues (well, okay, they're math whizzes, but Randy coached their son in high school, Larry helped Randy coach high school football when Matthew played, and I took Katie to Anita's Math Camp at ASU a few years ago, which most definitely should count for something). Anita makes sure everyone has a grand time on the farm, and they do!

They also have fine workers.

If you're not close enough for a day trip to find a tree in Ashe County, you're certainly welcome to make a reservation :)

Happy Thanksgiving weekend....

It's Fall... in case you hadn't heard

I think someone's been toying with my clock again. It was just September... and now we're in the second half of October???

Boy.

It's looked like fall for a while. Gorgeous, if a bit nekkid in some spots and a little work in others.

It's felt like fall, too. Mostly perfect... although some seemed to know it was time to head outta Dodge.

(Geese. Real ones. Really.)

Others felt rejuvenated by the fall feel. Emma felt like singing...


and stalking the neighbor cows.



Kali felt like playing ball (oh, wait, she always feels like playing ball)...



and hollerin' about how good she feels, surrounded by sticks and stuff.



Sami feels like bein' on the prowl... as if she ever doesn't.



Randy and I feel like it's probably time to clean the heater, as much as I hate even pondering turning it on in October. Where's that global warming when you need it? Al? Al?

Anyone seen Al?

It's not just leaves falling this weekend. After promised flurries, we've been promised by the weatherman (yeah, I know) that we'll be back in gorgeous fall weather by the middle of the week.

And not a soul will complain, Al or not.

Been on Vacation... Not

I have been MIA in almost all things computer-y, thanks to the unfortunate and unexpected crash of my computer on August 26.

Since then, my brain has been on vacation, if not the rest of me, as I have attempted to get squared away again in the world of technology. To say I've had fun would be overstating it jest a tad, and if you want a sampling of what that means, you can catch up a little here.

Sheesh.

I believe the basic computer stuff is back in business, and I'm hoping that means my brain has come out of hibernation or wherever the heck it's been lately. It hasn't been on the premises.

While I've been 'away,' almost a month has passed, and football has started in earnest for Randy (coach) and Matthew (now a coach, too!). I-N-S-A-N-I-T-Y.

Football - with just a few letters whacked - is fall, though, and it's definitely looking and feeling like fall here. Leaves have been dropping off some trees, changing colors on others, and after a particularly mild summer, the temperatures are... well, you just have to BE here to appreciate them!

Take a break from your own looney bin and head to the cabin!

Emma will welcome you with unbridled energy. Well, okay, she'll sit by the sign on occasion.

Sit in the swing with Sami... if you dare.



If you look at Kali just right ( i.e., at all), she'll let you throw her ball.

We look forward to seeing you!

August Already? Really?

I think someone is pulling a fast one on the calendar. How could it possibly be the 18th of AUGUST already???

That means our daughter Katie turns 20 tomorrow. The end of the teens in the family. It would be a sad day if I had time to think about it. Thank goodness I don't.

All's fine here in the mountains. Randy reports back for teaching duties on top of football tomorrow, which means our summer 'break' has ended officially. Actually, I'm still waiting for it to begin officially. Coming home from practice/scrimmage/meeting at 1am and heading back out at 5-5:30 am doesn't sound like much of a break to me. Party-pooper, I am.

The weather has continued to be impressive for summer! Not too hot, plenty of rain, plenty of opportunities for Kali to learn two new games with her $$$ orange rubber ball -

1) Drop It Down the Hill and Go Get It (and Hope It Doesn't Go Under the New Steps Daddy Just Built), and

2) Drop It in the Pond and Go Get It... After It Magically Floats Out Just Enough to Warrant a SWIM.

With either one, R-E-P-E-A-T is a given.

Ahhhh... summer vacation.

For the hairballs, anyway.