My First Sewing Project

Instead of wearing the Honey Bee mini dress, I decided to go for a more family friendly approach. I sewed those stripes on with my sewing machine! Now I have the itch in my right foot to press that pedal! (After I finish addressing those wedding invitations, of course.) Thanks again Mrs. Linda for those lessons :)

Happy Halloween

Here are our pumpkins- mine, Michael's, and Theo's. I wore a bee costume to work and handed out candy to trick or treaters and homeless people. There was a big crowd and I had lots of fun. We just had hot dogs and chili and we'll have s'mores and hot chocolate for dessert.

Oh last night we saw the silent Phantom of the Opera film with live musical accompaniment. What's interesting is that each movie theater was responsible for creating their own score for silent films. So the guy in charge of the music last night wrote what he heard when he watched the movie. It was really cool. It cost 25 cents to see the movie and there was quite a crowd. A neat experience indeed. And this is what we came home to...

Now that he is completely off his allergy meds he is WILD. I guess we didn't realize exactly how sedated he was. He doesn't seem to be licking his paws so it could be possible that the medicine made him itchy which is one of the side effects. So the crate is back in the kitchen for when we're not home.

Is My Chin Really that Pointy?

Spirit Walk

After adventures in chinese cuisine (I made egg drop soup and we made sweet and sour chicken- double yum!) we headed downtown for the Charlottesville Albermarle Historical Society's Spirit Walk. Here's Michael (studying for his surgery rotation) and I waiting outside the oldest cemetary in town, Maplewood.
The tour lasts two hours and takes you to at least 15 stops around the Historic Downtown. Each stop had a local spirit dressed in period attire. They told their tales, some sang, and we sat in the original courthouse to hear the end of a trial from the early 1900's. One actor was a direct descendant of the spirit he was portraying. We also met the first Ms America, a man who had a part in starting the Pony Express, and Dolly Madison among others. It was very well done with lanterns lighting our way. I thought it was fantastic, and I learned a ton of stuff about Charlottesville.

To do:

• Practice practice practice calligraphy
• Address wedding invitations, stuff invitations, mail invitations before Dec 1
• Cake topper
• Crafting frenzy to finish Christmas presents

The month of November is looking like I will be traveling three weeks in a row- flying home after work on the 7th to be with Mimi on her birthday on the 8th and flying back on the 9th; Las Vegas the following weekend for Mim's bachelorette party; and Thanksgiving in Kentucky the following week - at least I will get some Christmas crafting in on the plane rides.

Oh how I love being so busy :)

We Now Return to our Regularly Scheduled Program

You've probably been losing sleep at night. Tossing and turning. Wondering what we've been up to...

The weather here was gorgeous when the Perry's came to town. Mrs. Linda came to the knitting night with me and made a cowl for Theo. We had a delicious dinner at Orzo. Mr. Ernie approved the yummy Spudnuts. Michael took his parents to Monticello while I worked on Saturday then cooked beef and vegetable soup while they watched the LSU game. Mrs. Linda and I went to the Fall Fiber Festival and Montpelier Sheepdog Trials. It's a shame the only picture I have from their visit is of some alpacas.

Mrs. Linda gave me a crash course in sewing and I am so excited to get started on a certain project I can't speak of since it pertains to Christmas. It was a very nice visit and I am so grateful to have such wonderful parents-in-law.

When the McChargue's came to town it was cold and dreary. We saw Frankenstein (1931) at The Paramount. We took a drive along Skyline Drive to see the fall foliage. We got a new toilet!
We went to enoteca after work for dessert and drinks. It was chilly enough to enjoy warm apple cider donuts from Carpe Donut and a glazed donut from Spudnuts.
We cheered on Michael and his classmates at their innertube water polo game (which they won, but unfortunately had to forfeit the next game in the playoffs because of schedule conflicts). We saw Gypsy: a musical fable at Live Arts. We ate at the Downtown Grille before seeing Loudon Wainwright III and Richard Thompson at The Paramount. We got cupcakes before work and saw Inglourious Basterds after work on Saturday. We had brunch in Fredericksburg with the Love-Bakers then went to the Belvedere Plantation fall festival where...

...we got "punkins"...

...we got lost in a maze...
(perhaps it was the shady do-it-yourself rubbing map)...and we slid down a slide.

Needless to say I was not up for level 2. We also raced some mini pedal tractors on a track. I failed to test my brakes ahead of time and crashed into the railing. I now have three lovely bruises on my legs. It was fun, especially seeing mom's face when she was cruising along the track. She beat me even though I think I started out a minute before her.

Finally the sun came out and we took advantage of the beautiful day to visit Monticello. I really enjoy the house tour and the new visitor's center is very spiffy.
Another wonderful visit and again I am so grateful to have such wonderful parents. I am looking forward to more family time during the holidays.