Projects

I have some time and wanted to post. We have been busy this week. I did 2 projects with Mariahs class, cupcake making and a project to make Halloween magnets. I really enjoyed both and think the kids had a blast esp with making cupcakes. We were pouring, cracking eggs, mixing and scooping. I loved how dirty the kids got and wonder what the parents thought of how dirty the kids came home. The folks here like to keep their kids really clean and only a few of the kids had ever experienced making cupcakes. Don't get excited we did use a box I am not that good of a homemaker.

Halloween is tomorrow and the younger kids not Drew will wear costumes at school and have a parade. Mariah is planning to be a hula girl with her bikini, grass skirt, and lays that Auntie Dawn got for her from Hawaii. I had purchased her a Mermaid costume but she has declined to wear it now and will loan it to her classmate who does not have a costume. Drew is a cool teenager and these guys do not get to have a Halloween celebration at school so I reminded him that growing up does have its disadvantages.
We will go trick or treating in Seahorse Ranch and hope that we get some treats because last year 10 houses participated and they had a record number of approx 300 kids, I am not looking forward to this because the houses are spread so far apart and it is in the heat of the day but this is what the kids do here so we plan to be part of the group.
Doug is leaving for a 2 week visit to the states on Sat. I will see him for a day in NC to get a winter coat for my trip to Ohio on Nov 17.
I have the weather marker on my computer and cant believe how cold it is up north, it is so hot here and we are still using the ac at night. I miss the cold sometimes but after a day or so I get my feel and want warm weather. The kids are still enjoying the pool and usually take a dip after school on most days.
I have also been cooking lots more this year, trying to plan meals and be creative. I can now make a mean guacamole and even cooked a pretty good turkey this week.
Still thinking about next year and what school the kids will attend. We are filling out applications and I will visit a few when I am home after the Ohio Star Ball. Drew and Mariah DO NOT want to return to the states so this is a sensitive issue we are trying to deal with. I thought they would like it here but never dreamed they would love it so much, its a nice challenge but makes for hard decisions. Whats that song SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO ???
We are having a big storm NOW with lots of water so I need to make sure the cats are OK, we just put them outside last week and they are not comfortable with the outdoors YET!!!
Smiles,
Missy

Blog Change

I had to give the blog a little face lift. Something fresh. The weather here is great with lots of sunny days. Kids are swimming a lot and enjoying the outdoors. Doug is doing great going to the gym and getting great workouts. We are preparing for Halloween. I don't need a costume I am planning to be just the MOM.
Off to the gym, will update more soon.
Missy

Back in Action

My MY My how time flies. It is October already and we have not blogged this month. Just an update on how things are going. We finally got rid of all the rats in the house and in the yard. We captured 7 rats altogether. living in someone elses house one never knows what you may find. we have blocked all the holes that these little creatures find their way into the house. Since this is my last year of a sabbaticle and I am not officially working full time I decided to finally get back to work on my 52 year old body. I have been to the gym for the past 2 weeks with 4 days a week and have made great progress. I have a great trainer in Pascal and he is starting me out slowly on the weighs since I have not ever been trained on them. I am spending from one and half to two hours of cardio, stretching,crunches and weights. I have started to feel like my old athletic self again. who knows I may even start to dance again. Missy is finally back from all her travels and we will be able to be together for a whole 3 weeks then I jet back to Durham and will be going into the FADS studios for some consulting. when I get back to the DR on Nov 17 Missy will be heading to the Ohio Star ball for more Dore Dress designs. We are planning on being in the DR all of December and the first half of Jan. Last year we went back to the states and we had friends that wanted to visit the DR but we were not there, so this year we already have a few of the people from the Durham area that will be spending Christmas and New Years here. I can help to get favorable rates on the all inclusives as I still have my travel agent status and we also get local rates.
Onto other news, I took on the challenge of coaching the 5-7 yr olds in soccer. what a trip. It is still like hearding cats and the patience to have them try anything new is a challenge but we are playing some good games, not soccer, but kicking games none the less. Drew is playing with the 12-14 yr olds but he is not so passionate about this years team. He is mostly interested in basketball, as Missy has once again found a great coach that will coach him and 3 other guys in a practice format. This guy is really really good. Drew says he is much better than any of the Duke or Tar Heel camps he attended. I will try and get Missy back to this post as she definately has more to write. Hope to hear from you and have a super duper Halloween!!!!!!! dougie