October 2009 Mosaic

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I feel like I'm repeating myself. October was *so* hectic and so stressful, but it was also rather exciting and occasionally fun. November is shaping up to be equally hectic with the move pending, but I'm sure we'll manage somehow. Here are this month's fill photos.



I thought this was going to be the photo of the day for October 9, but when we walked out and saw that beautiful double rainbow, I changed my mind. But this is what we were doing at the movie theater, taking Luke to see the Toy Story Double Feature in 3-D.



My attempt at an artsy shot. I thought this stunning red leaf was so beautiful on the beige rocks next to the green plant. It reminded me so much of fall.



Even Kitty got a costume this year. I whipped this up in an hour or so on Halloween afternoon during Luke's rest time. He thought it was the funniest thing ever! I think it turned out just as cute as can be. The cape is actually shaped like bat wings, which you can see better from the back, but this was the better photo.



Our ghoulish collection for the evening. Left to right: our Pirates of the Caribbean skull bowl, the pumpkin DH carved (see October 25 photo), Luke's Boba Fett helmet, the Mickey Mouse trick or treating bucket that Mom and Dad bought for Luke this year, and Luke's pumpkin bucket (which is the one he decided to actually trick or treat with when given the choice). I think it's quite good for a hand held tricky exposure night shot!

2009-10-31

Boba Fett Luke, the most feared cutest bounty hunter in the galaxy. Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30

This year's "Hallow-wing" shirt, and ready to party at school.

2009-10-29

We closed on the new house today! We even have a key, though we don't take possession until Sunday night.

2009-10-28

Wednesday night is family night at Golden Corral. They even have a clown come in and make balloon animals and the like for the kids (not in full make-up, as shown, but in a slightly funky outfit with limited face paint like at the fair). This is her car, and the little wind-up thing on the back always makes me smile when we see it.

2009-10-27

This is the 2-3 inch deep "puddle" at the edge of our driveway. Okay already with the rain! Lake Lanier is already back to full pool. We're good for now, and I'm sure those with flooded basements and homes would very much like it to stop for a while.

2009-10-26

Ah-ha! Finally got him to eat one of the cookies we made the other day.

2009-10-25

We carved a pumpkin this year for the first time since Luke was born. I took all kinds of photos, and I know this one is a little blurry, but I absolutely love it. Luke had no idea at all what to expect when DH pulled up the top!

2009-10-24

Luke's first time helping me cook, and we made chocolate chip cookies. He measured the sugar, he used the mixer (with help), he added the flour, he stirred in the good stuff (chips and nuts, shown here), and he even helped me drop the first batch on the parchment paper. Wasn't interested in eating any when they were done (naturally), despite the fact that he has begged for a cookie everywhere we've gone for nearly 2 weeks now.

2009-10-23

Here is the fall version of the tree at Luke's school. Had to take a picutre in a hurry! The leaves all turned from green to this beautiful dark red in less than 2 days, and a mere 2 days later, the tree was practically bare. Welcome to fall in Atlanta, all one week of it.

2009-10-22

When is the last time *you* received a two page hand-written letter from someone? It totally made my day. There are advantages to staying in touch with your late grandmother's best friend!

2009-10-21

Hey, I actually got to *see* my coworkers today. The thing I miss most now that I work from home is the simple daily human interaction with colleagues. We talk on the phone nearly every day, sometimes one on one and sometimes as a team, but seeing each other happens only every few months. We had a face to face lunch and staff meeting today, and "the boys" were kind enough to pose for my photo of the day. Thanks for humoring me, guys! From the left are Jason, David, and Phil, and we held our staff meeting in David's "mobile office," a.k.a. his truck. One coworker was missing; Bill lives in New Jersey, so he joined us by phone.

2009-10-20

This suncatcher was a gift from my parents after years of coveting my mother's similar one. It hangs in my kitchen window, and I love watching the center crystal shoot rainbows all over my white cabinets in the morning when the sun breaks over the tops of the trees.

2009-10-19

We had the first real cold snap of the year this week, which always puts me in the mood for soup. Some days, there's just nothing better than a good ol' bowl of chicken noodle (with extra noodles, please).

2009-10-18

"Look, Mom, Saturn!" I guess he does listen and pay attention on occasion. We've been reading a book about the solar system before bed recently.

2009-10-17

Our own little private pumpkin patch in the middle of the toy room. Don't worry, three of these are going to school with Luke on Monday.

2009-10-16

DH was clearing out the areas where the dead bushes were in front of the house. As he was cutting through the roots, he hit on this. I would assume that someone intentionally buried it there for luck when the house was built back in 1998. I just loved the juxtaposition of such an ancient custom with a more or less brand new house. I couldn't help but smile at such an unexpected find. (And yes, we put it back.) Turns out that luck came in very handy today as I narrowly avoided what would have been a horrible accident while taking Luke to school.

2009-10-15

I haven't had a Toblerone in so long, I couldn't remember how much I liked them or not. I knew I had tried them, and I knew I liked them, I just didn't know to what degree. But when I had a dream about them earlier this week, then saw them in the check out line at Target today, I absolutely had to buy one. Turns out, I think they're just okay. Good to know; maybe now I'll remember.

2009-10-14

My grandmother gave me this as a baby gift when Luke was born. She said it reminded her of a baby yellow jacket (DH and I are both Georgia Tech alums). I hung it on the door, and Luke has seen it every night before bed since he was born. I don't think I'll hang it on the door at the new house, but I will most likely hang it up in his new room somewhere. He's just too cute!

2009-10-13

I love clever vanity plates! Thankfully I snapped this picture just to amuse myself, since it endd up being the only photo I took all day.

2009-10-12

This little tiny bottle has caused us several huge headaches in the past couple of days. Luke was diagnosed with pink eye on Saturday. He has to have eye drops every 4 hours for 7 days. For all of Saturday, Sunday, and half of today, he has screamed bloody murder about getting them. "They hurt, they hurt!" Then suddenly, this afternoon, he decided to "be a big boy" and sit still for them. Don't know what changed or why, but he's been fine since. I hope it continues for the rest of the week.

2009-10-11

Grill cheese for dinner, my idea of perfect fall comfort food.

2009-10-10

Seriously?! Why is there Christmas stuff out already? I'm pretty sure it's just early October. I may already be working on Christmas gifts for folks, but I'm no where near ready to purchase or put up decorations.

2009-10-09

As we left the movie theater this evening (saw the 3-D Toy Story Double Feature), we saw this amazing double rainbow in the light misty rain.

2009-10-08

I'm sure going to miss this large expanse of wall when we move. Not sure where we'll put this grouping of some of my favorite Disney art in the new house.

2009-10-07

Gee, I wonder what is special about today? Happy 5th Birthday to Luke!

2009-10-06

Naturally, the first day I send him to school in his brand new black jeans is the same day they use acid green paint in class. (Make up picture because I went to bed before 8 PM Tuesday night, but this is the photo I intended to take!)

2009-10-05

Look what I got in the mail today! It is the last of my pre-ordered birthday gifts. We really really like this show. Hope the book is as fun and funny.

2009-10-04

The Gaston cousins, watching cartoons the morning after the party.

2009-10-03

Luke, enjoying opening his birthday gifts at his birthday party.

2009-10-02

Naked birthday cake! Don't worry, he did eventually get dressed.

2009-10-01

Bengal, looking every inch the King of the House, showing off the new floors.