Halloween 2009

I got the giggles. I mean seriously. Nothing is better than dressing up for Halloween. I thought of our costumes over a month ago, before I knew John and Kate Plus Eight was going to be a global Halloween sensation. None the less we donned our Gosselin gear and had a blast. I wish you could see the full glory of my Hubby's costume. We used a little chocolate brown eyeliner to enhance, "John's," eyes AND we borrowed a pair of vintage rhinestone clip on earrings from the Nickster (thank you love). But, JV's best prop was a pack of ciggies. We roared with laughter as he pretended to be a veteran smoker. He looked the part until he inadvertently dropped his unlit smoke in his cocktail. The cat was outta the bag.

And then he figured out a ciggy would fit perfectly in this baby's mouth.

I mean this is frickin' hilarious. Thanks to Hank for letting us borrow his stroller and the neighbor girl for borrowing me the eighth Cabbage Patch Kid.

The whole gang dressed up!

But the most creative costume was definitely Amy B. She was the above girl from the famous Roy Lichtenstein paintings.

I mean look at the work she went to. I just bought a stupid wig.

Happy Birthday Nooncy!

Dear, Sweet Brutha Nooncy...

Happy birthday my friend! Come on over and I'll make you birthday dinner tonight!

LOVE this photo-damn Twins-he shoulda caught that! Do I really have to wait until Spring to see Mauer again :) ?

Love you!

A New Blog To Luv!

Heart. Be. Still.

www.kateturpin.blogspot.com

Keeping the Turpin family in our thoughts...

hey-lo everyone. it's a somber day today. if you haven't been updated about the loss of lil Jack check in on the Turpin family blog. no words can put it in perspective. love, support and well wishes are being sent to TX. KJ and Dan we luv you. Read more here.

Rest In Peace Jessie...

Recently, I have had a few deep blog posts, so I write this at the risk of being morbid.

This evening I attended a funeral for the young woman you see to the left. Young, as in 24 years, young. Young, as in born in 1984, young. Young, as in at the age where ones body should be fit, healthy, athletic. Perhaps this is the reason her death has me thinking about my own mortality and how a healthy life can often be taken for granted. She was an athlete, an artist, a singer, a graduate with a degree in interior design, an animal lover, full of charm and quick wit. She fought hard, at one point asking her doctor if she could have her slogan word, PERSEVERANCE, tattooed to the back of her bald head. She was a beautiful girl, remarkably stunning even sans hair. A bright smile and a courageous family supporting her in her fight. Nothing seems fair about loss of life, and a long, hard struggle with a incurable and inconsiderate disease, not when you have so much left to do on this earth.

I left the service tonight with profound sadness and a new sense of purpose. Jessie's family shared some entries from her journal. She was a woman wise beyond her twenty-four years. She talked of living a life without any should haves. No regrets, no wishing you had done differently. I will think of her often, living my life with her in mind... without any should haves.

To read about Jessie's journey from her Caring Bridge website follow this link.

Some days I ramble on. This, that, the other.

Today isn't that sort of day.

All I really want to say is Happy Birthday Oliver.

Brookid and Jerrid love you.

R.I.P. Brandy Wine

If you have ever had a pet you get it. It doesn't matter if it's a feline, canine or equine they make a huge impact on our heart and make life just that much sweeter. Sure, sure, they may shred a pair of two of designer shoes, but really, it was your fault for not putting them away anyway. And yes, they may give ya a little attitude when you strap the ole saddle around their midsection, but honestly, how would YOU like carrying YOU around? So, I guess what I am trying to say is, without doubt it's work, sometimes H-A-R-D work to raise an animal of any kind. Factor in the expense of food/hay/corn/shelter/vet bills/treats/pet sitters and you can kiss that fabulous Hawaiian get-a-way goodbye. But the fact of the matter is every pet owner I know would do it again anyway. Animals can provide this unconditional love like no other. They trust, they depend, they are never disappointed you had to come back home to make sure the curling iron was unplugged. The only time you find yourself wondering, "why the hell did I own this animal," is when you feel the raw emotion of having to say goodbye to them. Why would we fall in love, nurture and care so deeply for these animals knowing we will likely outlive them by years if not decades? It's because no one else would wag a tail harder when you come home from a bad day at the office. It's because no one else would whiney with glee at a rolled apple & oat treat and a bucket of corn. It's because the bond between animal and human is truly a miraculous thing to behold.

With that said we say a lump-throated, "so long," to Brandy, a perfectly appointed quarter horse. Who's heart was as big as her belly and her spirit as fiery and the white blaze marked upon her nose. I send a huge hug through the phone line and the blogosphere to Craig and Joanie, who's farm is a little quiet tonight. I (and I know they do too) picture Brandy, her mane tousled by the wind galloping through those big green fields in the sky. Some day when I meet her there I might just finally be brave enough to ride her.

A favorite video of Brandy and Miss Kato: