random stuff

1. The kids at Amherst College are playing Assassin. It's hysterical to see how caught up in it they get. They fly across the caf to kill (tag with a sticker that says deceased) their person. Fun stress reliever before exams. Makes we wish (again) that I had lived on campus.

2. I am reading I Am Legend before the movie comes out. Who knew it was about vampires?? Since it was originally written in the 50s I'm guessing there isn't any vampire sex. Damn... The human (played by Will Smith in the movie) laments about being lonely/celibate and his urges, but I think that's as juicy as it get. Did you know there is a whole vampire erotica genre? I found one at Big Y the other day in the romance section. It was book 3 of a series, so I didn't get it. But I looked it up at home and apparently there are a ton of books like that. Who knew? The series is called "The Immortals After Dark" series. I may order one after Christmas. I heard I may be getting an Amazon gift certificate. I'm filling my cart in preparation.

3. I have been wanting fake popcorn and cranberry garland for YEARS. I used to make it as a kid with the real stuff and then we'd put it out for the birds after Christmas. Very labor intensive and lots of poked fingers. And it would not last in my house now with the dogs. I tried to find it online and didn't have much luck. Found it at one site, but it wasn't really how I pictured it, and it was pricey. Well today at Target I found exactly what I had pictured. And the Christmas decor was 20% off! I love Target.

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

This weekend is crazy for us. Thursday we do Thanksgiving at the Odell's, Friday at my parents, Saturday we get the tree, Sunday we decorate. This year we added a sleepover guest - Caitlin. She reminded me that we also did that in 2004. I included a pic from that Thanksgiving sleepover too- sniff, sniff, they grow up so fast!

Thanksgiving Day at the Odells - Lily, Erin and Jack - I took no pics that day - Emma took this

Thanksgiving sleepover 2004

Thanksgiving Sleepover 2007

Jack, Emma and Erin in front of our tree

Emma and Jack watching Matt cut down the tree - looking old. The kids, not Matt.

swim meet/sleepover Saturday

Emma had a home meet today. She rocked the relays. Her team came in first both times, in one race by almost a whole pool length. Her backstroke individual was more of a challenge. (3rd out of 4 racers) Poppy stopped by to cheer her on though. And Christina, who is sleeping over tonight, came to the meet too. Jack and Matt sat this one out - they stayed home and did yard work. I was actually grateful to have Christina around to keep me company. Swim meets are very long - and frankly, a little boring. 85 races - Emma swam in numbers 1, 21 and 51. We stayed until the end because we thought the ribbons would be awarded. (They weren't) Oh yeah, and to cheer on her South Hadley Swords teammates.

scanning pics...

for my Shutterfly calendar. This is the one I'm using for May '08 - the month of our 10 year anniversary. Don't we look like babies? (Skinny babies...)

Happy Halloween!

Hamming it up at our house...

the trick-or-treat gang - cousins and company

my favorite costume - worn by Jake