Sunday, November 29, 2009


Because Big C. WOULD NOT LET ME REST this weekend until we had at least SOME Christmas lights on the house, I give you - Our Front Porch. Aren't we festive? He wanted to put lights on the shrubbery and the potted plants, too, but Muma just plain ran out of energy to complete the assignment. I think he's going to grow up to be one of those adults whose house causes traffic jams because of the sheer volume of Christmas lights adorning his home's facade. We all know the type. I just happen to suspect I'm raising one....
Photographic Interpretation of Muma's brain after five days of no school and three days of (the children eating) too may sweets:
After the Thanksgiving feasting, we headed downtown to participate in the annual "Lighting of the Christmas Lights". We managed to take a few pics with the famous downtown Christmas tree. We also indulged in the awesome cupcakes at the Cupcake Bakery downtown. 'Coz we needed a few more calories....
While it would appear to be below freezing, based upon my children's attire, all I can tell you is that living in the south has severely impaired our ability to withstand even the slightest cold. Seriously, in Pennsylvania they'd still be wearing shorts in this weather....

The pictures really speak for themselves...this was our first - of two - Thanksgiving Feasts, which was held at school. The second feast was held at home, and Muma neglected her camera in favor of actually preparing a decent meal. So, we've eaten our share of turkey and pumpkin and cranberry! As for the "Native American" headdresses the urchins are sporting, let's just say I wasn't really prepared to go there......



Thursday, November 12, 2009

The real reason Dada has a bad back.....
A few shots of the farmhouse from last weekend...as you can see, we're making progress.

The "new wing" is up and the siding is on and painted. We still need the shutters, and I'm reserving judgment on the siding color until then. (I think the siding is too light. And too similar in color to the trim color. But the thought of re-painting it is giving me hives So, here's hoping the shutters make everything look better.)


And inside, ahhh, it's beginning to look like the inside of a house ought to...which is to say, we have real walls, now!
The kitchen has walls, too. Big C. and one of the sissies inspect the handiwork of the plasterers.

This weird shot is from the back field looking toward the rear of the house. The three long things that look like we've buried super-sized snakes just under the surface are the areas where the geothermal system has been buried. Apparently, the soil on the surface is eventually supposed to "settle" down to level, but I'm thinking that we're going to have to help it along some.
That, or we can start our own Nazca Lines site in Virginia. That'll get the archaeologists' attention....

Monday, November 02, 2009

Halloween Redux.
Field Trip!!!
Sadly, not to France but to the local Special Ops museum (because, hey, when in Rome....)



Here, Little Miss. P. assists in a search and rescue operation.

Here, local military stand watch while my urchins run about, throttling dolls and looking for things to TOUCH. You know, the look on this mannikin's face is eerily similar to the expression on my face after spending two hours at the museum running after my punks.....coincidence? I think not.


And finally, we sat down and had some tea with these guys.
So the birthday boy celebrated his birthday in style, with lots and lots of Star Wars themed pageantry and some good friends and some good food. And some cool presents. Because that's how a birthday should be, no???
Thanks to Julie for taking the pictures, as my camera battery died about 6 seconds before the guests arrived. Sigh.