Gardner Village

Our annual "witches night out" to Gardner Village happened today. It was vital for me to go this year. I went with my sister Teresa, my sister Kari, and their daughters.

My son never knew this tradition with his Gramma B. So, we walked around, we spotted oversized witches with oversized noses and chins and great big oversized behinds. We ate at Archibalds and had fried green tomatoes.

And I missed my mother today.

I had so much fun with my sisters and their daughters. I had fun finding the annual Christmas ornaments and going in the sweets shop and getting a sample of Orange Dreamsicle Fudge.

I loved the attempt to keep my son warm in 25 degree weather with a wind. I loved cuddling him when he coughed and needed a mom.

But I missed my mother today. I missed talking to her about the weather and Gardner Village and the witch that looks like she flew into the side of the silo. We laughed about that every year.

But I am also happy that I made today a priority for us. He is getting over the flu and I am coming down with it, but when will he start to remember the traditions? When did I start to remember the traditions? And I will be able to tell my son about how I used to do this with Gramma B around Halloween.

And how I loved to eat at Archibalds, get fudge at the sweet shop, and find Christmas ornaments for the year.

And hopefully keep that tradition alive.

Baseball by Text

I LOVE baseball. Live, televised, little-league, whatever. So, last night's opening game of the World Series is my own personal heaven. I was cooking last night and watching the game. My sister was at home watching the game with her family and we were texting back and forth. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Are you enjoying the game?

Kari: Mmhmm. Cept we don't really like either team. We just want the Phillies to beat NY because we really don't like NY worser.

Me: I kinda want the Yankees to win just because they lost to the Red Socks 2 years ago and I hate those dirty socks. Especially the red ones.

Kari: No, you have to NOT like the Yankees or your son will marry an ugly girl.

Me: That's okay if she's rich. :)

Kari:You would let your son marry an ugly girl who like the loser New Yorkers? SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!

Me: Like I said, she can like whichever team she wants as long as she is rich and is nice to my son. As long as she is not a Rockies Fan. (That was for Breanna's benefit who loves the Rockies so much this year...)

Kari: Well go ahead a like the Yankees when you are not talking to the Smedley household, but don't say you like them around us. Because any of my kids could beat you up.

Me:Yeah, but I can sit on them. Guaranteed.

Kari: Like who you want, and we will send sumbliminal messages to your son to grow up and be a Yankee Hater! Okay, not a hater, but a Yankee-not-liker.

Me: Oh, yeah? You wouldn't dare! This is the last time I let you watch my son! By the way, can you watch him again tomorrow while I go to work...you can tell I am really worried.

(After the game is over... and the Yankees were spanked on their own home turf...)

Me: Stupid Baseball.

Rotten way to spend your birthday

Aiden is sick with what is most likely swine flu. Sore throat, fever and generally has the "hold me's". Happy 4 month birthday kiddo. Mommy loves you.

It Starts.

Pretty white dusting on Smedley's maple tree.

My car is defiled.



I think it is a crime when it snows before Halloween. Really! How cute does a little Halloween princess feel with a winter coat covering her pretty ballgown? And none of the monsters look quite so scary with mittens.

DANG!! Not already. All we can hope for is some miraculous return of fall. I have Gardner Village to visit on Friday! And I want it warm... or at least bearable.

But the first winter pictures are pretty.

Moms Everywhere

7:00pm - Tylenol starting to wear off...



7:45pm. New Tylenol dose...


Moms everywhere owe their sanity to two men they have never met. A. Cahn and P. Hepp who discovered Tylenol in 1886. Bless them.

Sicky Son

ohhhh...see the tear?


My poor baby is sick tonight. Fever of 100.6 and a sad, heatbreaking cry.

Thanks to Aunt Kari who brought Pedialyte and Uncle Dave and Cousin Mikey who gave him a sweet blessing. I love the men in my family and their absolute willingness to bless us with their priesthood. Thanks, gentlemen.