The Great Pumpkin Patch

Today, we took Ariyana to the Pumpkin Patch for the first time. I can remember going last year - as big as a whale, pregnant with her. It's so fun watching her see and experience new things. I can't imagine what the world is like through the eyes of a child. Seeing everything for the first time. I'd imagine that it's quite an amazing experience. I can't wait for the future. There is so much to look forward to!


When I was a little girl, I can remember going trick or treating in the small town that I lived in at a strip motel. People would rent out rooms and decorate the outsides of them and hundreds of children would go door to door and trick-or-treat. This year, we plan to take Ariyana to a Halloween parade and costume contest. She's obviously too young to trick-or-treat. But it will be a fun family time to get her out and about. 

Wagon wheel

Mommy & Daughter

I want this one, Daddy!

Daddy and Daughter. 

A pumpkin her size! She loved to try and roll it. 

Between Daddy's legs

In a wheelbarrow 

Enjoying a new view

Checkin out some halloween items

Pulled pork and brisket sandwich

Antique Scale.

Family Visits

We really don't have much family to speak of in the area. We do and we don't. The family we do have, we don't see a whole lot. Not necessarily out of lack of interest, but out of lack of time. But it is always nice when we do get to see each other. Now that Ariyana is getting bigger, she is a bit more fun for her cousins to be around. Up until recently, she mostly was a young infant who just would lay around not doing much of anything. It won't be long before she's chasing after them. 

Ugly Phone Call

I got an ugly phone call today. For several years, my mother hadn't been in the best of health. She hadn't been taking care of herself - the better part of twenty years. Increasingly, over the last several years, it continued to get worse. My mother and I have had some rocky moments here and there. Not seeing eye to eye - and specifics aren't really necessary for this blogs purpose. But I will say, hurt feelings were felt all around. 


So, the phone call. I had given my folks a cell phone on my plan so that they wouldn't be without one when they made trips into town and what not. My step-father, called me today. From the hospital wanting to know the number of their cell phone as he had never had cause to need to know it before. For several days my mom had been in the hospital with an infection of some sort. It wasn't all around clear why she was there. Her liver functions tests weren't the greatest with accompanying acitis,  and pneumonia was tossed around in discussion as well. With my background in nursing I spoke with the doctor and I wasn't told anything that gave me warm fuzzys. 


I got on the phone with my brother and told him that mom was in the hospital. Knowing that he was in Germany, there wasn't much he could do. But should things get worse, at least he had a heads up. 


They drained a lot of accumulating fluid out of my moms abdomen. Several liters at least. Pounds of fluid gone and my mom started to feel better as the day wore on. She was able to breathe better, but who wouldn't with all that fluid taken off and her lungs able to expand better. Or as best as they can with underlying COPD and what not. 


I can't help but to be worried though. 

Our Fur Family

I love these little guys so much. Of course, we had the two kitties first. Tux and Angel. Then along came Toby. They are finally starting to warm up to each other. We will see how long this lasts!

Toby and Angel

Toby and Tux. Then fur-men of the house protecting the home front from the neighbor cat.

& Toby makes 5

I got the call from Arfan today. I was in the middle of classes and he asked when I had a break. This never, and I mean never happens. So interested I naturally asked what was up. I found myself shortly leaving class and driving down to the SPCA. After my arrival, it wasn't long before I found my sweetie, and the cutest little puppy sitting on the bench next to him. I couldn't say no to that cute little face if you paid me. He was so sweet, with chocolate brown fur and a little black nose and floppy ears. He is are dog from right then and we gave him the name Toblerone - Toby for short. He is perfect!