Boo…was supposed to be

the title of this post, but sadly the surprise was on me.

This Halloween started out as a gorgeous day, considering the recent weather.  My mood is significantly improved over recent years, and while I wasn't quite ready to decorate for Halloween on Labor Day, I certainly came around in the past few weeks.  Our abode was strung with lights inside and out, candles everywhere, scary skull and spider banners and, my ulitmate thrift shop find:  an awesome black candelabra complete with spooky candles in place.

The kids planned their costumes, as usual, and did a fantastic job.  Cait was a last-minute Batgirl, Kelsey a vampire (with makeup help from Cait) and Nick was a knight (I think he was jealous of his buddy, Nate's cool costume).  By the time the first trick or treaters rolled around, I had the candy ready, Halloween music going, the lights flickering upstairs (go eco-friendly light bulbs!) and the pumpkins lit. Nicholas happily doled out candy to the first few sets of children and couldn't understand why they should *only* receive two pieces.

In Jack & Janet's Halloween decoration extravaganza.

The Little Guy and Kelsey lasted (as I expected) about three streets (and not even complete ones).  We had an additional destination, an annual visit to our friends in Alexandria, so Cait continued to hand out candy while we were gone.  Jack and Janet always have a most awesome display, and even with the hurricane threatening things, Jack did a bang-up job getting everything ready in an afternoon.  Sweet Kelsey even offered a bag of our candy when she heard they were *running low* after, what, 640 visitors?!

Enjoying their hauls…

Bestest candy-hander outer ever!

All in all, Halloween was awesome. Not what you expect when you are a single parent and feeling like you roll from one holiday to the next.  This was fun and easy (probably as Kelsey did an amazing amount of decorating) and I really got into the spirit this year.  Perhaps the only sad part was the phone call I received this afternoon…

And I knew…I knew what it was…it happens quite frequently, when I just *know* what the bad news will be, whether or not it is expected.  And this was not expected…yet…but today, my grandfather, affectionately deemed "Grandpere" by my grandmother upon my birth, died at the age of 99.

Grandmere et Grandpere circa…1988?

99…seriously, 99 years.  I am sad that he is no longer with us, but amazed that he had so much time. He knew all of his grandchildren and met all 4 great-grandchildren.  He came to my baptism, my first communion, and my wedding.  He was completely different from my other grandfather (as grandfathers should be) but amazing in his own way.  So quiet much of the time, yet he exuded the sort of companionable silence that is never uncomfortable.  

Grandpere with a newly born Cait, September 1998.

Nick and I will be off this weekend, once I can work things out for the girls.  We will go for the celebration of Grandpere's life and remind ourselves that even though he is gone, we did have so many special times together.

Missing you, Grandpere.

Love, 

Your Sport Buddy (a somewhat ironic nickname given my athletic *ability,* but I loved it)

It’s almost over….and then I swear I’ll

shut up and say thank God it's November.  Yes, the month of October is winding down and hopefully, we will see a lot less of *this* stuff out there.

I was actually admiring this soy candle at Great Country Farms until I saw this label on the back.

At a book sale;  I certainly understand why this was donated.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  I loathe the pink ribbon. If I never see another one, it will be too soon.  Why?

• There cannot be people not aware of this issue where pink ribbon items are sold.
• Just because there is a pink ribbon, does not mean money is going to your organization of choice.  You need to actually read the fine print and see if it is indeed benefitting a non-profit (and we know the K group…well, not a non-profit in my mind).
• Ask yourself, do I *need* this item?  If not, why not just make a direct donation to the organization the funds are benefitting?  I guarantee, a direct $5 donation will do a lot more good than 30 cents from the purchase of make-up that likely contains carcinogens or other nasty ingredients.
• Think about those who have been affected by breast cancer.  Do you think that 30 cents would be well spent on that make-up/pink pot/water bottle, or could you use it towards a lunch out/card/coffee treat with the person?  
• Last, but not least, there is SO much pressure out there regarding breast cancer awareness. Yes, be aware, buying a cruddy water bottle is not going to make anyone else more aware (except that you've likely paid too much for said bottle).  Don't forget other diseases and worries exist and they need your attention, too.  What about lung or pancreatic cancer? Childhood illnesses?  Food and shelter for those who don't have it?

I wonder if the product researcher actually uses this stuff?

Or does she read the ingredient list and know better? Scary, huh?

In fact, the commercialism regarding this issue just makes me sick.  It's pushed, pushed, pushed and the reality is that there is a lot of crap out there that could kill us.  Yes, there needs to be research on it, but there are other issues that need dollars thrown at them, too.  Breast cancer is neither pink nor pretty.  Let's all stop buying into the hype now and put our money where WE feel it should go…not what some corporation wants.

A cobb salad will not save lives…and I don't even want to think about what's in the dressing.

I rarely shop at Safeway anyway, but stunts like this just ensure I won't be back.

I will very glad to not be hassled at the cash register anymore, either by the machine OR the clerk.  No, thank you, I do not want to donate to *breast cancer.*  Seriously?

Hanging in there?

Yeppers, we are.  We had had somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 flickers, but no *outage* lasted longer than 5 seconds.  Yes, I realize we are still in the middle of the whole thing, but, here's the deal:

this is taking me right back to our last year in Reykjavik.

Remember this?

Cait & Josie investigate the remains of the trampoline.

Gale-force windstorms on a regular basis that shook the house…the wind whistled around what felt like an aluminum foil construction (in reality, a bit stronger) for hours.  In fact, the destruction above took place the night before Nicholas Quinn was due (due…not born!).  The kids can thank (and Pete can blame) the same winds for their only day off from school in 3 years.  No snow days (nope, not even with a foot or more of snow…but guaranteed sledding at recess), but they did get 7/8 of a day off in December 2007 when the winds were so high that flights were canceled out of Keflavik.  Now, if you want a windy day…well, if Icelandic pilots aren't flying, that's some weather craziness!

The winds have officially reached the point where they remind of that winter.  The house is quite sound and we don't hear that much, but the dog's extraoridinarily quick sojourn tonight was enough to give me that familiar feeling.  You know, the one that says it's time to skedaddle inside now?

Am I worried or scared?  Nope.  We dealt with this on a weekly basis, if not more, in Reykjavik that last year.  However, I'd also add that I won't be venturing outside for a long walk until the winds die down just a bit.  I'm grateful for my warm and cozy house (still with electricity!) and think I will enjoy the excuse to spend another day hanging out in my jammies.

I'm fairly sure fort-building was all the rage today….

Sandy is coming….

and we are ready….I think.

We have an abundance of food, mostly fruits and veggies, stored in the fridge that should last for several days even without power.  I have bags of ice and empty coolers ready to go.  The car is gassed up and I've done tons of laundry the past few days.

We have a gas stove.  Barring a gas outage (which we have not had to date…knock on wood it won't happen), we will be able to cook.  I loathe electric stovetops and vow never to have one again if I can help it (and being able to cook during a power outage is invaluable).  

See? Is that prep or what?!

I have the car-jump thingy that can also charge my cell phone ready to go and oodles of candles and matches.  Kelsey has flashlights galore, Nick has tons of energy and Cait has volunteered to sleep through the whole thing, if need be (you have no idea the sacrifice).

Might as well enjoy the autumn scents…

Of course, we have water, and I won't have to worry about oodles of empty bottles in the recycling bin.  They claim recycling and garbage will be picked up tomorrow, but I genuinely hope they change their minds if it's remotely crazy.

Yep, I know…a water crock and stand just scream Foreign Service and to think I thought about donating them!

Last, but not least, perhaps the most important items that will help me through the next few days…

I swtiched to a dripper years ago, so only need hot water for a good cup…

I think given they canceled school at 2 p.m. today…well, the need for this goes without saying.

And if things get really bad?  I'm safehavening myself in the basement with my iPhone and Halloween candy.   Hopefully, this will all blow over very quickly, but if not, and you need me….just look for that trail of the candy wrappers….

(I'm not worried about us…but, seriously, folks anywhere near us…please be safe!!).

{this moment}: Foreign Service Friendships Rock

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. One photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Cait & Heiða, friends since our move to Iceland in 2005.

This photo says it all.  Well, almost all, you can't see the two bags of kleinur (now 1.5 bags…) Heiða brought us.  Yum!

Being that

Grandpa Kirk was in town last weekend, we felt it only proper that we do a bit of the touristy thing.  Well, truth be told, we'd planned this agenda item ages ago, as it is fall in Northern Virginia and we cannot pass up a trip to Great Country Farms.

Did I mention Saturday was utterly gorgeous?

It is the third year in a row we have managed to spend the day out there with the Salty Dog Crew (and extended family) and it was, of course, a blast.  We didn't manage every single activity, but Nick and Kelsey finally got to see P-Rex eat a pumpkin, Kelsey did the swing-thing, Nick hung out with Nate and Dad and I thought the place might shut down with Nick and Kelsey still on the bouncy pillow thing.

Oh, and Cait?  Yep, she went and had a blast hanging out with Nate in the playground and the cow train.  However, she also took some private time to read in a quiet area and I can't say I blame her, as it was the perfect day to read and laze a bit while everyone else runs around.

Of course we took pictures by the giant pumpkin and the ruler. I've posted pics from last year, as I simply cannot believe this is the same little guy from a year ago.  His face has changed so much and, seriously, when did that happen?

October 8, 2011

October 20, 2012….Seriously, is that the same Little Guy?!

My Kelsey D., just a wee bit taller (okay, several inches).

She is actually 5'8". The sign is tilted, so she doesn't get her full height credit.

And if you are wondering, I just didn't have the heart to tell Kelsey there is likely not a Great Country Farms in Managua.  Guess we will just have to make do with a weekend at the beach instead!

Being that

Grandpa Kirk was in town last weekend, we felt it only proper that we do a bit of the touristy thing.  Well, truth be told, we'd planned this agenda item ages ago, as it is fall in Northern Virginia and we cannot pass up a trip to Great Country Farms.

It is the third year in a row we have managed to spend the day out there with the Salty Dog Crew (and extended family) and it was, of course, a blast.  We didn't manage every single activity, but Nick and Kelsey finally got to see P-Rex eat a pumpkin, Kelsey did the swing-thing, Nick hung out with Nate and Dad and I thought the place might shut down with Nick and Kelsey still on the bouncy pillow thing.

Oh, and Cait?  Yep, she went and had a blast hanging out with Nate in the playground and the cow train.  However, she also took some private time to read in a quiet area and I can't say I blame her, as it was the perfect day to read and laze a bit while everyone else runs around.

Of course we took pictures by the giant pumpkin and the ruler. I've posted pics from last year, as I simply cannot believe this is the same little guy from a year ago.  His face has changed so much and, seriously, when did that happen?

October 8, 2011

October 20, 2012

My Kelsey D., just a wee bit taller (okay, several inches).

{this moment}: Little Teachers’ Night

{this moment} – A Friday ritual (two days late, sorry). One photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Little Teachers' Night at Nick's Montessori.  Grandpa came along…what a special treat!

Idea courtesy of Soulemama.

I’ve got class!

No, really, stop laughing, as of January 2, I will begin Spanish at FSI!  Just an 8 week Fast Course, but given that I don't see myself debating foreign policy in Spanish, I will probably be set with that and maybe a follow-up distance learning course.

I cannot tell you how happy, happy, happy this makes my little heart.  Why?  Well, I've probably never blogged this story, but I have not had as much Spanish instruction as I would like.  Yes, I can say "creespy cheecken streeps" with the best of them (how you HAD to order chicken strips at the Friday's in Caracas), but that didn't get me too far in political debates with my housekeeper.  Then again, she was a Chavista, so that was a no-go to begin with.

So, back in 2000, I was all set to take Spanish.  Peter had signed me up for an early morning course, as I was no longer working full-time and we did not have the extra $1000K/month just to put Cait in daycare so I could go to class.  We only had one car, so it was already going to require careful coordination for me to get to class, back home, and get the car to Peter.

I was STOKED, though.  Any class was better than nothing, right?  So, I showed up bright and early at the proper location at FSI on the first day of class.  I gave my name and pertinent info and was promptly told, "Oh, that class was moved."  Oh?

Yes.  They moved it to Main State.  In the city, with no parking and rush hour traffic.  Fabulous.  I slinked back home and realized it would be self-tutoring, remembering one year of high school Spanish and classes at the Embassy, if I was lucky.  As it turned out, I did quite well with that and other than the cheese guy not understanding me when I clearly said, "cheddar," I had no issues.  I could communicate with my maid, get the meat at the butcher and the grocery store was a lesson in and of itself.  My past tense sucked, but my vocabulary rocked and that's all that mattered to me.

Fast forward 12 years (gulp).  Peter's out of the country, all three kids are in school and no one else is vying (yet) for the use of the car.  So, yippee-skippee, I am going to rock the heck out of that 8 weeks of Spanish!  I think I've earned it! 

And while we are on the topic of State again, I'll throw another tip (you know, tip #1:  you can survive on one year of high school Spanish in Caracas, even though you shouldn't have to do so).  I've been hearing again that not everyone is aware of certain *benefits* (if you will) of an unaccompanied tour.  Now, mind you, this does not include those on UTs who are doing them voluntarily (e.g., for educational or other reasons).  However, if your spouse is overseas, say in A, I or P, and you are in the U.S. or on virtual ISMA while overseas and have children who would like to meet him or her somewhere, they are allotted one trip per year to see said parent.

Yep, I kid you not.  I didn't believe it at first, but it is true.  It is very clear in the FAM and is allowed due to the nature of the circumstances.  Let's face it, Dad isn't over there yukking it up and having a fabulous time and you might be here getting a little stressed out over being a parent 24 hours a day/7 days a week/365 days a year.  So, if you decide it's easier for one R&R to be somewhere in the middle, voila, the kids' airfares are covered (yours is not, but still…).  

Only cost of the flight is covered, but that alone can be a huge help.  Mind you, this applies to those who are in the States or who have PCS*-ed overseas and are receiving virtual ISMA.  If one decided to remain at a previous overseas post (via TDY**) while the other parent embarked on the UT, the children would not be eligible for said travel. Another issue to ponder while already making a tough decision.

And before anyone gets their panties in a wad, remember, when the officer serves at an unaccompanied post, the whole family serves.  Something like this can make a year of hardships a tad bit easier.  Where will we go?  Only time will tell….

*Permanent Change of Station

** Temporary Duty

{these moments}: Fall for Peter

{these moments} – A Friday ritual. Four photos- no words – capturing moments from the week. Simple, special, extraordinary moment. Moments I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Peter saw a photo last week of turning leaves and gasped, "Is it fall there already?  I miss the leaves!"  So sending a bit of autumn spirit his way. Idea courtesy of Soulemama.