Why I Luv Southwest Airlines

Monica recently wrote about how she loves this airline and I do, too.

Here's why:

The safety instruction speech is more often than not, quite interesting to listen to. Every part has some sort of joke tied in. My favorite from a recent flight (paraphrased):

"Above you, you'll find the oxygen mask......if you're traveling with children, put the mask on yourself first.....choose the child with the most potential, start with him first and then work your way down. Go ahead, take a good look and have a game plan."

Yes, he said just that. Wicked and wrong, but pretty darn funny.

Fall Favorites 2009

I love fall decorating. Love it. It gives the house such a warm feeling and the kids enjoy seeing it...and dreaming of all of the fun ahead.....spooky outings to the theme park and Halloween costumes. Life is good for these little ones. Simple, but good.

While I usually do a more traditional design, I was feeling funky this year and took a different approach. So, I painted our pumpkins in unusual colors and designs.....added a new banner that I bought on Etsy.com.....and created a whimsical mantle.

Of course you know that trail of spiders lasted all of 30 seconds before Dumb and Dumber (did I say that out loud?) ripped them off.

Please ignore the smudge on the monogram. I basically fell on it while arranging the bats. It will be fixed this evening. Or next week. As soon as my OCD kicks in and I feel obligated.

The banner arrived in a slightly different fashion....I added the green border to increase its impact. Love how she used old bingo cards. Who thinks of these cute things?

Fitz made me that frame several years ago when we worked at Pier 1 together. Right? Maybe it was when we were at Michaels. The tiniest punkin, Laine, at 2 weeks is featured inside of it. She doesn't look so cute. Our kids look like aliens as newborns. The books are from our standard collection of kooky reads on all things haunted. We're weird, remember?

Carter and Jack are featured in this one. Silly boys. The small painted pumpkins are courtesy of the little ones. More on that later.

And, I dug out the puppets and soft toys from Carter's first Halloween. Think we got them at Baby Gap. Years ago.

So, we're pretty much decorated for the fall. Glad it's done and we're enjoying the results!

3rd Round In Dallas

We're getting good at this routine! Caroline and I are like clockwork here....we have it all down....wish I could just move into ICU and stay until she leaves.

And, next move to the floor with her.

Then, home.

But, I'm returning to Kansas City Sunday night and will be back again shortly thereafter.

This trip was less eventful and in a very good way. Caroline is continuing to strengthen and although she still has a long way to go, I'm feeling good about the direction she's headed. Thanks, again, for the prayers.

While in town, I visited for a long time with my sister-in-law, Alyssa, and with my brother, Colt. Happy to hear about their lives face-to-face and in conversation, rather than via Facebook or email or text or other ways we all tend to keep in touch. Had two nights with both of my sisters.....always enjoyable. We tend to laugh at me more than anything (note: "at", not "with"). Seems like I provide an abundance of opportunity. Hmmmm......

Had dinner with Fitz and then my SIL, Britney. Enjoyed both of my evenings out, of course. Managed to squeeze in a brief visit with Pa (hush, ladies) and Mae Mae, too. ICU shift changes are twice a day and a total of 6 hours that we are unable to see Caroline. So, I spend my time wisely and see who I can!

Back soon with another Fall Favorite. For now, some stale chips in the vending machine are calling my name. Delish!

Fall Favorites 2009

You can't beat this time of year to get outside and enjoy the changing weather. Yes, even you southerners with your high 80 degree days.....it's still a relief from summer. I always love the change in temperatures and cool air sneaking in gradually, reminding us of snowy days approaching.

Since arriving in May, we've had unusually mild days here in the Midwest, which makes us wonder if we have an eventful winter ahead. Colorado seems to be headed in that direction and often their weather veers toward us and then lands in lesser strengths. Time will tell!



My favorite things to do outside? Walk. Play with the kids. And, soon, visit Halloween Haunt at Worlds of Fun. You know my all-things-haunted loving self is more excited about this than the kids. I can't wait.



And, if you live in Texas, you can't beat the State Fair. Please go and have 3 corny dogs for me. OK, 4. With lots of mustard. Live a little.

Some discounts on the $15 admission price:

Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays--Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3. Most rides (excluding the Thrillway and the Texas Star) are 5 coupons.

Kroger "Three for $1" each Wednesday--Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.

Coke $4 Thursday--Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.

Seniors FREE Thursdays--Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.

FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.

Any Day--McDonald's offers $3 off General Admission with one of their State Fair coupons any day of the Fair. Each $3-off-General Admission ticket allows you to bring in one child for free. Offer may not be combined with any other offer.

All of the information regarding State Fair discounts was found on http://www.dfwareamoms.com/. Great resource for you Texans!

And, no matter where you live, there are options for scenic drives and hiking. I found this for the Kansas City region:

Fall colors will start to become more pronounced as nighttime temperatures drop lower. The peak in the Kansas City Region should be sometime around October 20-27. We're expecting a good color display this year. However, the intensity and duration of fall color depends on the weather between now and leaf drop--the best fall color will occur if we experience warm days, cool nights and enough rain. For scenic fall color drives in the region, try Highways 45 and 224 along the Missouri River. For hiking opportunities, the following areas are showy in the fall: Big Buffalo Creek Conservation Area, Benton County; Maple Woods Natural Area, Clay County; Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area, Jackson County; White Alloe Creek Natural Area, Platte County; Knob Noster State Park, Johnson County.

This is a great site for Missouri's options. I have been excited about seeing the leaves change here since arriving in May. In Colorado, we saw lots of yellows in the trees, but not a ton of range. Most Midwestern areas see more traditional fall colors.

Lake of the Ozarks seems to be the place to be near us and I can see why:


Click here for nation-wide options. Take a look and plan a day trip. Fill up the car, pack a picnic, and go!

Fall Favorites 2009

Let's kick off these favorites with Candy Corn!

I look forward to this sugary treat all year long. Never have been into the impostors.....Indian Corn (brown-instead-of-white version used at Thanksgiving) or the Reindeer Corn (Christmas colors).

I think the orange, yellow and white combo must be part of the appeal. They're as cute as they are tasty!

The pumpkin shapes bring back fond memories of school cafeteria spike cake with a single pumpkin candy on each one. Man, those were good times.

I try the Jones Candy Corn Cola each year because Carter enjoys the novelty of the sodas, but it's just too much for me. This coming from a Red Bull lover. So, you know it must be super sweet and in a not-good way.

Coco just sent me the cutest martini glass hand painted with candy corn colors. Looks similar to this one, but even cuter:

One of my favorite things to do each year is to secure a candle in a hurricane glass filled with the corn. Simple, inexpensive and fun!


And, it just occurred to me.....wouldn't it be fun to do Whatever's Rainbow Cake in orange, yellow and white? The light bulb just went on over this noggin of mine. I like it. Might just have to do it this year.

And, finally....candy corn costumes. But, let's make one thing clear.

This is cute:

This is not:

What man was sitting around thinking......let's make a candy corn witch. And, make her sexy!!!!!

I mean, really?