scorpion

Ok, this is GROSS!!!! I decided to make french toast, as it is one of Scooters favorite foods. Anyway, I took out the griddle that I cook it on. I washed it, as I always do before using it and found this little gem in the grease trap.

This is the first scorpion we have encountered since we have been here. It is very small, and very dead. Don't think for 2 seconds I would have stuck around to take a picture if it was alive. This is Tobey's version of the face I made when I saw it:

Yep, he didn't like it either!! Here's hoping we don't encounter any more scorpions while we're here.

am I done?

Ok, yesterday I asked if I should be done with my painting project, and it was decided that maybe I should do a little more. I had to agree. So, here it is:





Well, what do you think? Should I do a little more or leave it alone? I can't sleep tonight. I am having a hard tome adjusting to not having a regular schedule, so I find it hard to sleep at night. Right now it is 1:10 a.m. here, so it's after 3 a..m. back in MN. Yep. Just a few months ago I had a hard time staying awake until 11 on the weekend, and now I have a hard time falling asleep before 1 a.m. Hmmm....I guess I should try to go to sleep....Anyway, let me know what you think again.

The comforts of home

I have been thinking of home a lot lately. I miss everyone, I even miss my job, what does that say?! It's not that things are bad here, just that I have been missing home. Recently someone I cared about passed away and I never realized how much it means to be able to go to a funeral and say goodbye. He will be missed. So, if you know me, I can't just sit around and think about it, I need to do something. Busy hands are happy hands. Well, it's hard here because there is only so much cleaning I can do, and I can't just go and visit with family and friends, sure I am on the phone a lot, but it's not the same. When you can't just jump in the car and go see someone it is a difficult feeling. Well, yesterday I was cleaning and rearranging and found that I remembered to bring some of the things I paint. I have always taken comfort in painting. I am no artist, but I really enjoy painting things like Christmas decorations. Here is the one I have been doing the last 2 days:



I can't decide if I am done or not. Should I paint some of the bricks a different color? Or should I leave it as it is? I don't know. All I know is that I am glad I remembered this comfort off home. Sometimes I wish life was as easy as this:

Now that's the life. All curled up on a blanket. His biggest concern is getting treats. He is a really big comfort to me, too. Yes, he still likes to drive me crazy (he is male!) but he can also make me laugh so hard it brings me to tears.

I have heard a lot about the weather back home, and I wonder what it will be like to have Christmas with no snow. As long as I can remember I have wanted to have a winter with no snow, but now that it is becoming a reality, it seems really weird. I know at home we are so excited when it is in the 60's at night, but here it really is kinda chilly at night. We have had to bring out the blankets a few times. However, 100 is still hot, no matter where I am. We are looking at upper 90's and low 100's until next week. When it is that hot during the day and then goes down to the 60's at night it is actually chilly. This whole experience has been different than I expected, but it's not all bad. After all, we still have little lizards in our tree!

Progress report

Well, today is Friday the 9th of October, and it was Scooter's final exam day. This means that his time in the classroom is done and he goes into the shop on Monday. He is maintaining a 4.0 GPA and is at 93% in his class. I am so proud of him. I just wanted to send out a progress report, so take care all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

Today is my moms birthday. This is the first year that I wasn't able to take her out to supper with my brothers. It makes me sad, so I will just have to make it up to her when I get home. It's days like today that make me really miss home, but it also makes me appreciate my family even more. I can't wait to see all of my family again, so, if you all are reading this I miss you all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I LOVE YOU!!! :)

sick of being sick

Those of you who know me know how I tend to get sick when it is really humid, such as it is in Minnesota. I thought that moving here where it is dry would help, but I was wrong. I guess I need some kind of balance. It appears to be too dry here for my sinuses and chest. I have felt like my nose and chest are on fire for 4 days now. Scooter went and bought me a humidifier, and that seems to really help. Even Tobey is sick. He has been having his episodes today where he loses balance and throws up, then seems to be fine. There must be something in the air. I have been sleeping on the couch, which is not all that comfortable, but I need to stay elevated, and I don't want to get Scooter sick. He can't miss any school, and I am sooooooo proud of him. He has a 4.0 GPA so far, and is in the top of his class. I think he is still in shock. He has never liked school, until now. I am so happy for him. So, moms, if you are reading this, I am trying the pull-out bed tonight. We shall see how comfortable it will be for the 2 of you.

Otherwise there is now much else to report. The weather is finally cooling off, so we have had the air off for 2 days. It's nice to be able to open some windows. It will also help the electric bill immensely.

Well, that's all for now, so take care everyone, and I miss you all!!!