Days 10-12

Day 10 - a favorite recipe
My favorite recipes are for Thai food that I try to make like my Mom's but I never wrote them down.

Day 11 - three years ago today
November 11, 2009
We were living in Florida. The boys were 6, 4 and 2. Holden was in the 1st grade and Luc was in Preschool. We were making plans for our big trip to Disneyworld. I think Bill had applied for a job in California and we were hoping we could move back.

Day 12 - the last item i purchased
I just backed a kick starter project for an organic children's clothing line called "Kinds Stoff". They have 19 days to go and need $9,000 more. Their stuff is cute so I hope it makes it.

*3 years ago*

Day 09 - a close-up of my day

This morning.
Crocheting. Community.

Day 07 & 08

Day 07 - a song for the day
Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness

Day 08 - three inspirational quotes
I don't know if all of these can be considered inspirational but I'm not really a quote person. So these are just ones I like.

"I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try." - President Barack Obama

"However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act upon them?" - Buddha

"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." - Luna Lovegood

Day 06 - a book i'm reading

I can never read just one book all the way through before starting a new one. I need to be into a few and it depends on my mood at the time.

1. World War Z (Max Brooks) - I've been working on this one for a while. I don't think it's a very easy read because there's not a typical storyline to follow. But it's interesting. Kind of like reading a textbook. Which I like to read.
2. Emma (Jane Austen) - I've seen the movie and mini-series (and Clueless) so I already knew I'd love the book. Such a great story of love triangles that the British are so good at pulling off. I'm obsessed with Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters lately.
3. The Woman in Black (Susan Hill) - I just started reading this one but can only read it when Bill is around because I'm a scaredy cat. I saw the movie which I loved and now I have to read the book too. I want to see if the book is as spooky as the movie. So far, so good.

{I read this interview with Sophia Rossi and they had photos of her bookshelves. I was intrigued and saved the pictures. I want to check some of these out.}

Day 05 - my hometown

I lived in Oklahoma most of my life. But I still consider my birthplace in Kansas - the place I lived until I was 5 - to be one of my hometowns. My grandma lived there for a long time after we left and my brother still lives there with my nephew. There's not much to do because it's so small but I have such great memories with family there. My nephew graduates from high school this year so we'll probably be going back. I'm really looking forward to it because it still feels like home after all these years.

30 Days Hath November

Dee found this 30 Things Hath November blogging thingie and I want to jump in too - here's a little catch up on the first few days.

Day 01 - a place i'd like to travel
There are a lot. And my go to answer is usually Tokyo, Japan. But now that I've immersed myself in all of these British period TV shows and movies, I really want to go to England. London would be awesome but I'd love to tour the countryside, wandering around looking for castles.

Day 02 - a favorite movie
Wonder Boys. This movie epitomizes my dream alternate life as a novelist and college English professor at a small private university on the East Coast.

Day 03 - something i never leave the house without
A child. Whether it's 1 or 4, I pretty much always have a kid with me. Occasionally I do get to make a trip to Michael's or Walgreen's alone and it feels like a mini-vacation.

Day 04 - a friend i adore
I have many I adore and I should maybe start a blog called A Friend a Day so I can write about all of them. :) Today I want to write about my friend Vann. I met her on Xanga when Holden was a baby and she was only 18. I've journeyed with her as she grew into a woman, found her dream career, met a wonderful man, got married, bought a house and got pregnant! She asked me to be a bridesmaid before we even met each other in real life. I think that's a testament to our friendship and how well you can get to know someone online. And when we did finally meet it wasn't weird at all. It was like we had hung out every day in person up to that point. And we had - just on our computers. I'm so glad she's my friend and I'm so excited to see the next phase of her life as a new Mommy!

Autumn Love

1. We had such a great Halloween. The weather was beautiful all day. Ash and I carved one last pumpkin. After school the kids were in the best happiest mood. We had a fun early dinner together. Lucas and I made a last minute paper craft. Then we dressed up and headed out. Mina didn't cry once and actually fell asleep in Bill's arms as we walked around. We just moved to this neighborhood so it was nice seeing all of our neighbors out. I love all the little kiddos in their costumes and seeing parents dressed up too. There was one house decorated scary and the kids loved it. One house gave out big Snickers. The weather was cool but not too cold. It was just perfect.
2. Cancer has been on my mind this last week more so than usual. I kind of always think of it after losing my Mom. And now I have a close friend whose dad just went into hospice yesterday after only very recently being diagnosed. Winston is doing Movember. And Aunt Catherine is doing a 3 day walk in Arizona for Susan G. Komen. I have honestly been thinking hard about going back to college after all of the kids are in school and getting into oncology to become a cancer researcher. I have some investigating to do to find out if it's something I realistically want to do and would be good at.
3. I have been making tons and tons of hats for friends. I want to get them done soon because there are a few I have in mind for kiddos of my own too. I really want to make Mina and I matching fox hats. I've been attracted to little foxes lately. Just so cute. And the color suits her little ginger noggin. I also have some blankets to make and Christmas presents for family. Lots to do!
4. I need to get my wisdom teeth taken out. Ugh.
5. I started watching Community over again. I stopped after the first season but now I'm starting at the beginning. Love this show.