Happy Halloween...

...from our house to yours.

'twas the Night Before Halloween

John and John-Heath carving Mr. Jack-O-Lantern!

Like Father, Like Son

 

Most of my family, both on my mother's side and my father's side, will tell you how my son is the spitting image of yours truly - in looks, of course (especially when he was younger), but also in personality.  I was known to be sweet and thoughtful (see how I wrote that in the past tense?), a little on the hyper side (that is also very much in the past tense), and a little on the mischievous side.  "There comes little Tyla," someone will usually say at a get-together with extended family.  I tell you they are absolutely correct, and I love that little stinker all the more for it. 

Well, should my husband ever feel a little left out, he can always look back on today and swell with pride.  Just as my mother-n-law recounted to me a time when my husband, as a lad of only two or three, swallowed a Christmas bulb, my husband will one day be able to tell a future daughter-n-law how her husband swallowed a lego brick, as a lad of seven, while attempting to detach it from another brick.

And as that light bulb made a grand re-entrance into the world a day or so later (just as Dr. Carter had told my mother-n-law it would), we are anxiously awaiting the same result here.  Say a little prayer that it will be a smooth voyage. :)

Fall Mantel 2012

Well, here she is...Miss Fall Mantel 2012.  I know what you're thinking...she bears a striking resemblance to last year's winner.  Had I not waited until the last minute I could have done a little shopping and invested in some new pieces, but I think it still looks pretty good.  The mirror is the only new piece (and I have no idea what those criss-cross lines are you see reflecting in it).  I do like the look of this new addition, but I am still just sick over what happened to the print it replaces.

In addition to the mantel, I was finally able this weekend to do a little decorating for Halloween. John-Heath still feels we have much we should add, and he is somewhat disappointed I have not put up our Halloween mice this year, but since he's been sick most of the weekend he hasn't complained too badly. If I have time tomorrow afternoon I may just have to make that little fellow some mice.

 I love this white ceramic owl and orange plumage.  They were bought last year at Chef's Market.  I wish now I had bought another set for the other end.

 And here are, what I like to call, my headstone bookends.  Don't they look like something you'd see on an old tombstone? 

Now this isn't part of our Halloween decor (although it is somewhat of a scary feeling to look at this picture and realize how fast time goes).  This is Ren's senior picture, framed by Melanie's, and it hangs on a small wall to the right of the mantel.  Since I had the camera out I thought I'd snap a picture of it, too.



That's all for tonight.  Have a frightfully wonderful week! 

In Case You've Been Wondering...

Hello, again, my friends. It seems I have been busy these past few weeks with a whole lot of nothing interspersed with a few somethings. Really, my life has become quite unblogworthy these past couple months. I guess that could be a good thing. Then again, it could be incredibly boring and depressing. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. Just to catch you up on the goings-on in our little world here is randomness at its finest – in reverse, with a few pics thrown in for good measure.

Army Strong

For his 8th Halloween costume John-Heath decided he wanted to be a soldier. After spending more than a few evenings online pouring over costumes and browsing pattern books and fabric stores my brilliant little brain had an epiphany this past Tuesday. Actually, it was more of a “well, duh!” moment. Helllooo…Army Surplus Stores!!! So, that afternoon we headed 15 minutes down the road to one located in an area known around here as Payne’s Crossroads.

$63 and 30 minutes later and we were set. The $63 for a costume made John’s jaw clench a bit and I’m almost sure I heard him swallow hard as he handed over the debit card, but as I reminded him, the pants and coat will be something John-Heath will be able to use again and again. I guess I could have forgone the dog tags and colonel pins, but what real soldier doesn’t wear dog tags and dream of advancing to a higher rank?

Indian Summer
We have been experiencing some warm temperatures in my neck of the woods. While nice, I say bring on the cool, crisp fall weather. I’m ready for some bonfires, sweaters, and chili.

Family Pics
We had our pictures taken this past weekend. It’s somewhat shameful to admit, but it was the first time since John-Heath was TWO that we’ve had some professionally made. Speaking of pictures, I found out a few weeks back that my favorite store for developing photos was going out of business. Goodbye, Wolf Camera of H’ville!

Disney
When my niece Megan graduated this past May with her BSN her parents asked her what she wanted as a graduation gift. She chose a trip to Disney and wanted the whole family to go. I said we would be happy to go but only if they would plan it for the fall. Ren and I had done Disney in the summer a few years ago and I said never again. Well, turns out Central Florida in the middle of the October can be a little on the warm side, too. We had a great time, but by that last day we were all Disney’d out and ready to head home to Tennessee. 

Football Senior Night

The most favorite and fun thing Ren has done all through high school is coming to an end. Who would have thought several years ago that our daughter would be recognized on senior night as a member of the football team? I cannot begin to tell you how much she has loved being the team’s water girl these past few years. She will certainly miss it and we’ll miss it, too.

Ren with some of the seniors...(L-R/T-B) Lane, Wyatt, Spencer, and Steven.

Meet the C*****’s

One Friday afternoon, as I was heading out the door to grab a bite to eat before a football game, I took a phone call from a reporter for one of the county papers.  John and the kids and I had been selected to be featured as a "focus family" in this year’s Fact Book, a county-wide publication.  They conducted a little interview with us (via email) and asked us to submit a picture.  Well, as indicated above, it had been a few years since we had any formal pictures taken, so we got all gussied up and had our picture taken on our front porch by my niece.  The paper may have reconsidered their decision in selecting us had they been privy to the behind-the-scenes of that particular picture-taking session.  Oh, well...there are few things that can't be masked with some great smiles. 

October 1

John-Heath began counting down to October 1 that whole last week of September. He loves it when we decorate for Halloween. Each day I was given an update. Only 7 more days to October, Momma. Only 6 more days to October, Momma. Only 5,4,3…you get the idea. It’s now October 25 and we have our wreath hung on our front door. Yeah, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do this weekend.

Talk to you again soon.  Hopefully.

The Spare to Our Heir

Our daughter was to be our only child.  We never planned to have another and that was just fine with us.  Oh, I have to admit, when I was a teenager and would dream of the future, I would usually envision having four children - a boy, twin girls, and another boy - in that order, I might add.    Of course, this little fantasy also included a New York City penthouse and a houseful of servants to help raise my passel of kids while I was busy being something fantastic.

Skip ahead a few years and I was the mother of a single child, still in Tennessee, and in something several stories short of a penthouse.  However, life was good and I had matured enough to be (mostly) content with it.

In the fall of 2004, John and I hosted a fall party for Ren, who was nine and in the fourth grade, and her friends.  One friend's mother, who was closer in age to John than me, was expecting.  By the way, my dear husband is seven years my senior and Ren, at times, lets this fact weird her out, especially when she begins to reflect and asks questions like so when you were in college, mom was just in the sixth grade?  Anyway, when the party was over John and I talked about what it would be like to experience a pregnancy at that point in our lives and how utterly thankful we were that we were not in our guest's shoes. 

Little did we know that during that very conversation I was already pregnant. 

I cannot lie and say we became unexpectedly thrilled when we found out.  Actually, I remember both of us walking around for a while as if we should have been shrouded in black.  Soon enough, though, we embraced our turn-of-events.  And now, this story and the gift it brought with it the following June, is just another reason we love the fall!



P.S.  I do feel the need to clarify one bit of information...John and I actually didn't know each other when I was in the sixth grade.  We met during my freshman year of high school and did not begin dating until my senior year.  There.  I feel better.  Maybe Ren will, too.

Welcome Back, October!

Riding down the road on a rainy October night, their coats flying out behind them in the wind, come two horsemen.  As a car approaches, the riders signal for it to stop.

“Which way to Charlottesburg?”, shouts one of them and the driver of the car begins to give directions, but before the words have left his lips the two men ride off into the night.  Who are they and where do they come from?  Why do they ask everyone they meet the same question?

Motorists who have seen their faces have hurried on for they say the faces are too horrifying to describe and are the faces of men long dead.  Year after year this dreadful pair comes riding, riding out of the past, out of the world of the dead.  They come with a message to deliver.

Listen to their story and when you meet them some rainy October night you will know why they still ride.

Ahhh...October.  How I have missed your stories!

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