And Even More Pictures - San Antonio's Riverwalk

Scott and the kids in the center of the mall on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

Ryleigh giving an unintentional peace sign while on a river cruise.

General gaiety at the Rain Forest Cafe for dinner.

More Pictures! It's Halloween

Ryleigh in costume. She was the pink devil for the Trunk or Treat at church, Scooby Doo for the Fall Festival in our community and the Blue Witch for Halloween night. None of the costumes lasted longer than one wearing! Candy drool is GROSS!!!

The video's were taken just this last week. She cracks me up!!! It gets cut off, but in the pink devil video, she says, "Yeah, I'm so pretty."

BTW - Her newest funny phrase is: That's gotta hurt!

HOLY COW - 2 in one week!!!

I know, it's amazing! I truly am posting a second blog in less than a week. So here is why it's such a red letter day ... I've finally uploaded pictures from my camera going all the way back to this summer. So really, this blog is just about eye candy. Enjoy!!

The first is of the bear we saw at mom's house this summer and the second is Scott in the same spot demonstrating that the bear was as big as he is.

The third is my FHE plaque that I had mentioned many blogs back. I still love it!

The fourth is of Ryleigh. She fell asleep on the chair curled up in the quilt from grandma (gorgeous!) and bunny ears, because you always feel good when you wear bunny ears!

The fifth is of Landon and Ryleigh in the firetruck at National Night Out last month.

More pics to come within just a few minutes!!!

PS - I just listed 12 items on Craig's list and as soon as I was finished, I checked my email and literally have four people wanting to buy 4 different items that I JUST posted. WOO HOO!

A Million Dollar Idea From A While Ago

Scott and I like to play a game of coming up with a million dollar idea. Scott's pretty successful at figuring out one more frequently than I am, but I regress. Last year some time, we were talking about our million dollar ideas with our neighbors and one of them was a registry for any and all occasions. I was specifically thinking about birthday's and Christmas, but of course it could be used for any occasion. They thought it was a great idea and couldn't understand why it wasn't already out there in use.

So, after much mulling, (my brain works slower now that OLD age is setting in) I decided I would make my own registry. Hence, if you look in the family links column, you'll see a new link, The Thompson Wish List. Ta da!!!

As this is a new venture, only Ryleigh's birthday is listed so far, but I hope to shortly have list's for everyone with the holiday season fast approaching. So if you are just randomly looking at people's blogs and come across ours, feel free to send us something from off the list. : )

Keep in mind, this is a dream wish list and I already know that some of the listed items would require the death of some unknown extraordinarily wealthy relative. So for any of you out there doing genealogy whose rich beyond measure and find a link in family ties to us, kindly add us to your will. : ) I can wait for a natural death, no pressure!!!

Yes, We live ...

I know it's been a long (ok, LLLLOOOONNNNGGGG) time since I last updated, but honestly, I've been crazy busy!!!

So let me tell you what's going on. I am now the committee chair over Homeowner Functions. That means, I get to plan parties for the rest of this year and all of next year. Our dates of working on the HOA board changed within the past month to run from January to December instead of September to September (which I think makes a ton more sense). So I'll have completed 3.5 years on the HOA when I'm through, and I truly plan on being through after 2009. But just to boast a little, check out our website ... carterranchactivities.blogspot.com. (I'll put a link to it on the side board with the other links.)

Right now, we've got the Fall Festival this Thursday. It's followed up with a Chili Cook-off in November and Flag Football Thanksgiving morning with a couple of Dallas Cowboys. Thank you to Sharon for having the contacts to provide our football pros! Then in December we are having a cookie exchange and Christmas party. As you can see, my plate is more than full.

I'm also volunteering at the elementary school in the Arts in Education program. I can't say I'm very impressed with it, but maybe it will get better as the year progresses. My first project with them is this Wednesday.

Colbey is still shaggy and it's driving me crazy, but apparently, that's the style right now. It doesn't get too bad because he needs to look presentable to pass the sacrament on Sunday's but why can't he yearn to be trendy with a close cut?!?!?

Landon is flourishing in kindergarten this year. He is head and shoulders above the rest of the class in comprehension. Reading is coming so much easier for him and I think he's happier that he's accomplishing so much in school. It was the best thing we could have ever done to hold him back a year! I know his teacher was terrified to tell me she felt he should be, and was more than amazed when I said, "I kind of was expecting that. I'm all for it. Let him repeat kindergarten so that he isn't struggling for the rest of his school career."

Ryleigh is the pink of perfection. Ok, maybe not perfection, but pretty darn close! I think it's a combination of her being the only girl and our last, but I enjoy her like I never did the boys. Don't get me wrong, I certainly enjoyed the boys, but she is VERY different! Even when she's being a pill, you just want to hold and love on her. Oh to have that power over people! Wouldn't we all be happier if everyone just loved you no matter what? : )

Scott is still working with ACS, which we are so grateful for in this current economy. So many of our friends are struggling with work and so we count our blessings for Scott's job. He's not real thrilled with the work itself (something to do with computers - see how knowledgeable I am about his occupation!) but it supports our family and even occasionally sends us to the dollar theater for a date! Of course, I think he should be paid for being so super sexy, but sadly, we haven't found the employer out there looking for Scott's talents in that field. : )

We are all happy and healthy right now. It's the best time of year in my opinion. Cooler weather, warm scents, food, memories and the promise of more to come. I love the fall!!!

Quickly, on a more expanded family note ... my sister and her husband closed on their first house together and on the same day found out they are expecting their first baby. My brother and his wife had their second little one. Scott's brother was married. And if I missed anything else gi-normous in the family, I'm sorry.... My brains still smoking from all the other things I'm in the middle of so remind me and I'll try to remember better in the future! : )

PS - Don't forget to vote! PLEASE PRAY ABOUT WHO TO VOTE FOR!!!

Super Cat

http://www.makemesuper.com/r.php?i=5_24239-183346-f-Cat

HOA - the gory details ...

As most of you know, I've been on the community Advisory Committee for two years now. To be honest, I resigned last year but in some bizarro world twist, my resignation turned into me becoming President for this year. I know, life does crazy things sometimes. Well, yesterday was the annual Homeowner Meeting and my last official duty.

It was the loudest, angriest annual meeting I've ever attended in my four years here. The homeowners are ticked, for good reason, and they let it be known last night. I got to sit there and try not to laugh out loud. Only one or two snarfs escaped my lips, I'm proud to say.

My struggle with the new management company, Essex, was herald in on everyone's lips and at one point, (I couldn't stop myself) I asked the developer why did we even keep the management company when the developer was farming out his duties to homeowners. Essex didn't have a snappy comeback for that question.

In the end, I was walking out with Scott, ready and prepared for some serious celebrating that my duty was complete, when who should walk up to me but the developer himself. He stopped me and said he wanted me to continue on another year. I told him absolutely not! He asked me why and I explained that I couldn't work with Essex and specifically the company owner, Ron. Things were promised by him and then nothing done. Questions were asked and he couldn't answer them, etc.

So I'm thinking, whew, crisis adverted .... Not so, my friend! Mehrdad, the developer, paused me again, and posed this suggestion. "What if I work with Ron and if he doesn't improve, then I'll replace him?"

WOW!!!

Tempting ....

I hate being tempted like this ...

How I'd love to be able to create some true benefit and change for the community ...

Evil man, knew exactly which button to push ...

What to do? ...

So in the end, I told him I needed 24 hours to think it over. (Can you say "wuss"?)

So I've just finished composing a masterpiece of a letter to Merhdad in which I said ... drum roll please ... Yes ... with 2 stipulations.

1. The organization of the Committee needs to be changed. I fleshed it all out on paper for him to institute.
2. I am to be the chair for Homeowner Functions. I've already lined up my vice-pres. and treasurer.

So in the end, it's a win situation for me no matter what. Either I get exactly what I want in way of the running of the committee, or I'm off with my two years served honorably.

Crisis, truly, adverted!

FHE

I know this sounds silly, but I'm on a high today because my FHE vinyl lettering arrived in the mail this morning. I was so excited to finish my plaque, that I went to Walmart and got the finishing touches before lunch. (Magnets, and picture hangers) I'll post a picture in a bit, once I find the cord to the card reader.

We're back!

Alot has happened over the past month. We went to Colorado for a family vacation. So much happened while we were there, but the highlights included seeing a black bear, tons of dear, rabbits, and oddly enough ... alpacas. We went to an amusement park called The North Pole and spent time on the Polaris and boat. We were able to see Taylor, Liz, Ashton, David, Sheilla, Skye, Bonnie, Kaye, Annedria and Scott during a 4th of July party. What a treat!

Since we've been back, Scott has spent a week in New Jersey for two Disaster Recovery exercises and is leaving in the morning for another in Philadelphia. I've spent the time re-decorating Landon's room, which looks fantastic, and cleaning out the garage. That was a HOT job!!!

Scott will get home just in time to leave once again for David's wedding. (His brother.)

I'm hoping to see Scott for approximately one week this month. I don't think either of us realized how much he would end up traveling with this position. Hopefully this is the worst of it, although I know there are two more trips coming up shortly.

The kids are doing well. Ryleigh just finished her session in gymnastics. We've decided to take some time off. It's getting a little crowded since they did away with her original class and combined it with another. Landon is thrilled with his bedroom and has been spending alot of time with Ryleigh, and Colbey. Colbey is the same as always. Playing games, skateboarding and spending as much time as he can with Brock, his best friend. (Brock's been unofficially adopted into the family and spends as much time with the rest of us as with Colbey.)

We were given a little surprise yesterday. Our neighbor who has been living in Florida for the past several years, came back and offered to give us her living room set. So now we have a new couch and love seat. They are beautiful and I'm thrilled to have them. I'm still working on the rearrangement of the other furniture. I still need to figure out where to put two chairs. Don't worry, I'll figure it out eventually. I feel very blessed to love all our furniture especially since very little of it was purchased together. Somehow, we've been able to find, buy and inherit pieces that all work well together and please the eye. (Well, my eye anyway.)

So this was on the bland side for a post, I know. I'm just overwhelmed with the work I've been doing and will continue to do so my mind is not up to cute quips and catchy phrases. After a little recovery time, (you know, once school starts and Scott's here for more than two days at a time) I'll get back to trying to entertain.

BTW - Breaking Dawn was wonderful. I got my happily ever after and feel good about the series ending. Looking forward to Midnight Sun (Twilight from Edwards perspective) and even the next two books in the Host series. Who would have ever guessed that I'd get into Sci-Fi?!?!?

Ketchup

So I only have a few minutes to "ketchup" everyone on our lives. Colbey is at Scout camp for the first time this week. It's rained big time here so whenever the phone rings at some outlandish time, Scott and I both look at each other wondering if it's someone from the camp telling us to come pick him up as camp has been cancelled.

Landon has become a pro and antagonizing Ryleigh and visa versa. The boys never annoyed each other to the extent that the youngest two do.

Scott is working horrible hours! He pulled a 20 hour shift last week and ... worked the following day with only three hours sleep. He leaves in July for NJ for two different DR (disaster recovery). Hopefully he'll be able to have dinner with Shaundra while he's there. Wish it were me! : )

I've spent the last 3 days trying to figure out where the hideous smell in the kitchen is coming from. Found it last night. Landon had placed a cup of chocolate milk behind on of my cook books and it had rotted and congealed into a solid mass. P-U!!! I'm still missing my curtains for the kitchen which I should have sewn weeks ago and never got around to. And two days ago, when I went to mop my kitchen floor, found that the mop had become so deteriorated that I had to get down on my hands and knees to hand wash it. It took more time and effort than going to Walmart and buying a new mop. But who has money for a new mop with gas prices so high?!?!?!

We leave Sunday for CO and will spend two glorious weeks away from this muggy, hot state. My laundry is nearly completed and just needs folding, Mom I'm waiting for you to show up to fold. My kitchen look fantastic and the family rooms will only take an hour to get beautiful. My bedroom was looking pretty good until Scott decided to start a mass project in there so now it only looks so-so. (He better have it all tidy before we leave because I'm no fun if I come home from vacation to a messy house.) I'm hoping to do a thorough cleaning out of the kids bedrooms on Saturday and make one large donation run to GW. (One big trip means less money spent on gas.)

Scott and Holly and Ryan are coming to dinner on Saturday which will ensure that the house is in tip top shape for the trip. Thanks for being my motivator, guys!!!

Will blog more when I have time.

PS - I came in second place for the gyms "Biggest Loser" contest. I don't win anything, but it never was about winning for me, just feeling better about myself.