Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Happy Halloween!

This is Jack. The newest edition to the family. Only for one day though.
We carved him up last night and tonight he gets to glow in the dark. He also gave us some really great pumpkin seeds to toast.
Jack is ready to greet everyone with a smile.

Meet Jack

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Our New Specs!

PRAISE!! I passed my 90 days at my new job. As of September 4th, I officially have health insurance with my new job. Talk about a nervous Nelly!! I was a nervous wreck for 90 days without health insurance. Jonathan has finally ditched his overpriced health insurance with his job and has joined with my job.
SOOOOOOOO, the first thing we did was, go to the eye doctor. I haven't worn glasses for about fifteen years and desperately needed to be able to see my computer screen at work. Jonathan just needed glasses from this decade. (lol)
And to those who have teased me for so long about my squinting, I finally have glasses. Thankfully the eye doctor told me that I didn't need to wear them all the time just yet, just when I wanted to see clearer. Right now, that's only when I'm at work. Jonathan, poor guy, can't see across the room without his.
So here we are! Our New Specs!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Nothing Exciting this Weekend.

This was the first weekend in a long time that Jonathan and I were not obligated to be anywhere. Of course that was nice for Sweetest Day weekend. On Friday, we heard a secret about a restaurant in New Madison that was serving all you can eat Walley for on $9.95. With the salad bar, drink and ice cream included for the price, we could only manage to eat one plate of fish and fries. And it was still worth the price. Anyway, this place could be worth making a monthly trip to for the fish. Maybe next time we will drag our parents there!
On Saturday, I started the day with breakfast and a Sweetest Day Rose. Then we were busy with yard work. We took advantage of the slow weekend to get things done around the house. My slowly dying marigolds finally got the Yank this weekend. The lawn furniture got put away and we spent a bit of money at the hardware store buying miscellaneous yard tools. I now know what they mean by "start up costs".
After we spent most of the morning and afternoon outside, Jonathan headed to his chair for a nap and I headed to the kitchen. It was time to make my yearly batch of applesauce. Unfortunately this year, I got my apples kinda late, so it was slim pickens. A small batch for this year. I have left "how to" pictures for anyone who may be interested or might just be bored. I have only been doing this for a few years (only since I've known Jonathan's mother) and I totally look forward to it every year. It's one of the few Suzy homemaker things I can do well. Next year we hope to start my first garden. If all goes well, I may need some help learning how to can my veggies. Any volunteers??
For Sweetest Day dinner, we didn't want to go out since we were tired from the long day. So, we rented some movies and threw a porterhouse steak on the grill to split. MMMMMMM. A nice night at home.
On Sunday we went to church, ate dinner and then visited Jonathan's parents.
A beautiful October weekend to be at home.

How To Make Applesauce.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

A Cute Joke

I recently heard a joke from a lady at work. I thought it was cute enough to share.
Here it is:
A lady was lying on her death bed when her husband walks into the room with a shoe box. Her husband says "honey, I brought you the box you asked for. Why was it hidden in the back of the closet?" The wife replies "well, I had it hidden from you because I wanted to give it to you as a last dying gift." The wife tells her husband to open the box. When he opens the box, he notices 2 crocheted dolls and $90,000. The husband asks "why do you have 2 crocheted dolls in here?" The wife replies "I crocheted a doll for every fight or disagreement we had". The husband was blown away. He thinks to himself "WOW, she says we only had two fights in our fifty years of marriage!" The husband then asks, "so honey, now where did you get this $90,000 from?" The wife replies, "that's from all the crocheted dolls I sold".

Monday, October 15, 2007

The 21st Annual Swigart Hog Roast

One of the days I always look forward to is the second Saturday of October. That is when the Swigart family comes out of the woodwork and gathers for the annual family Hog Roast. We have it at Swigart Park (yes, that is where we got married) every year and it's always a good time. I would say we had close to 200 this year. No, it's not ALL Swigarts. We also invite our family, friends and also neighbors that live near the park along with anyone driving by that wants a pig sandwich. For the most part, we see a lot of the same faces every year. It's a time when people can show off there best dessert or hot dish. (How many ways can we make potatoes?)
Unfortunately, this year, we didn't get there in time to see them pulling the pig off the roaster. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the pig for everyone to see. At 5pm we all seem to migrate around the food shelter as if we are ready to charge. My cousin Monte gives the blessing (via bullhorn)and kindly reminds us to go easy on the first round so everyone gets to eat what they want. After the blessing is over, it's a mad dash for the front of the line. CHAAAAAARGE! We weren't fast enough. We were about midway in the line. Since the line moves slow, we are left to ponder and fret over what may or may not be left when we get there. But never fear, there is always enough to go around. And everyone manages to be sickly full by the time it's over.
When everyone is finally filled up, they fire up the old John Deere for hayrides. We ride up and down the paths that are set through the woods. Don't forget to hang on tight! You never know when you might hit a rock and get a good bounce in the air. When the sun goes down, the hayrides are especially fun. The moon and stars are out to guide our way (along with the head lights). The older kids like to hide in the woods to try and scare us along the path.
After everyone has had there fill of fun, it starts to get cold. People either leave or head to the campfire. One of my favorite things is to be sitting next to Jonathan in front of the campfire. We enjoy the apple cider that heats over the fire while some grab a stick and bust into the marshmallows. The marshmallows usually end up looking like light torches swaying in the air.
At about 10pm, we are completely satisfied with the fun for the day and we are ready to go home. We give our hugs and say goodbye then make the cold mad dash in the dark to our car.
Another year in the books for the Swigart Hog Roast.

Hog Roast Fun!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

All By My Lonesome

Well, I'm all alone. My hard working husband was given orders to work out of town this week. He told me on Friday and I thought, no problem!! I lived for nearly 4 years on my own. I can handle this.
Now that he is gone, I notice every little noise in the house. The traffic by the house seems louder. I have to keep the TV on so that these other noises don't startle me.
What has happened?? I think I miss my husband and it's only been 2 days!
I guess this is a good time to get some cleaning done, maybe catch up at work or crack open a good book. I was so desperate last night that I went and pulled weeds in the yard!
I think tonight I will start chapter 3 of my new book and just read until I fall asleep.
Hopefully Friday will come quick.