Overachiever.

I would like to point out that this is my 2nd post for November.
Someone is reaching for the stars.
*insert cheering

*****

The holiday Lucky Day Sale went great!  I am afraid we have officially outgrown the Goss though.  Growing pains are tough but its a good problem to have.

The sweetest owls and fantastic furniture!

fun retro kitchen stuff galore

I always love the colors of the holiday sale!

Umm . . yeah . . . the first couple of hours were insane!!

And we filled up the sidewalk outside!

As always - - I can never thank you all enough for shopping our sale!
And the vendors are beyond talented!!

****
The Hamlin football team won the state championship.   HOORAY!!!
Boyd is a VERY LOUD athletic supporter (*hehe*).  I warned Cate that Boyd cheered loud so she might not want to sit with him . . . she looked at me and said: "That's okay. I like it!"
She's got spunk.  And loves the Touchdown Cheer. :)

After the game she insisted we track down the cheerleaders because she NEEDED to talk to them.  Brother2 could learn something from this kid.

A few of my favorite people.

Brother2 got in!!!

He is officially taller and weighs more than me.  Thank you, Jesus!

For those of you judging my 'non-Charger apparel" - in my defense, I originally had a Charger shirt on but then mom pointed out that we were supposed to wear BLUE (not gray and yellow).  So I changed.  And all day long I kept quoting Arrested Development in my head and snickering to myself:

****
I tried my first ever vendor fair.  My "neighbor" was a raspberry farm and their 6 year old daughter was along for the day.

What is your name?
Do you like My Pretty Ponies?
I lost 2 teeth.
I am in 1st grade.
My Pony's name is Rainbow.
Your hair is pretty.
I want a pony for Christmas.
What do you want?
And on.
And on.
and on.

*****

Boyd has started coaching 7th grade girls basketball.
Coaching gives me the shakes.
But not the good shakes . . .

*****
I realized that I have not done any book reports lately.  I have no idea if anyone likes book recommendations but since its my favorite hobby - I am proceeding.  Feel free to skip ahead.

1.  Blind Your Ponies by Stanley Gordon West:  This is my 2nd time reading this book.  I do this when I run out of new books to read and feel like I should not spend money.  Its annoying.  BUT this book is fantastic.  Its about a high school boys basketball team in rural Montana.  Parts of it are cheesy but overall you fall in love with the characters.  Plus, Gordon is one of my favorite authors.  (Until the Streetcars Come Back is one of my ALL-TIME FAVES by him)

2.  Pride and Prejudice.  Again - another reread by me lately.  But oh my . . . love this story.  I enjoyed it more the 2nd time than the first.  Which makes me think I should probably try Wuthering Heights again since I hated it the first time.  Love Lizzy and Mr. Darcy.

3.  The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion: ADORED this book.  The main character is socially challenged and goes about systematically finding a wife.  If you like Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory - you will love Don Tillman.   Hysterical read.

4.  Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler:  I'm not sure how to describe this book . . . beautiful?  Sad?  Inspiring?  This story alternates between present day and the 1930s where Isabella tells her friend/hairdresser about her past.  Romance.  Racism.  Friendships. Family Relationships.  It has it all.  Wonderfully well-written.  5 thumbs up!

5.   The Wanderer's Necklace by Henry Rider Haggard:  This book reads like an old fashioned adventure tale.  Prepare for epic battles, crazy plot twists and to fall in love with Olaf, the inspiring hero.  I thought the ending was a bit abupt and would have liked more closure but 98% of the book I thoroughly enjoyed.

Currently I am reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  So far so good.

P.S.  If you are an avid reader, please shoot me book recommendations! 

*****
Look at this cute little peanut!
And she is wearing Matilda Jane.
Surprise. Surprise.
I have no shame. ;)

Miss Ellie

******
Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Keeping on keeping on.

Today is Election Tuesday.
I do not love politics.
BUT, I did vote today.
Did I vote out of civic duty? Or because there was a bake sale next door?
I will never tell.

*********

Sister1 and her boys came for a visit.  It was so delightful to see them.
Oli got to spend the night with us and I had so much fun going for nature walks, Mario Cart, bonfires and snacks.  At one point he was swinging a large walking stick around and I asked him to be careful.  He replied with: "I'm giving us a force field!"
Oh . . well. . . in that case - keep up the good work!

Such a fun weekend with outdoor exploring! 

Papa made sure to have a few walking sticks that also worked as weapons should that be necessary.

*****

Kona has been extra special lately.  She was so excited to present me with a rabbit in her mouth.
I promptly ran back into the house and asked Boyd if it was dead.
He replied with "Well, that half of it is."
Gross.

She then promptly ran away and did not come back. 
I finally came to terms with the fact that she was gone forever.
As a last resort - I called the pound (which is 30 miles away).

Me:  Do you have a black and white husky there?
Pound:  Yes! We do!
Me:  ummm . . . . she might be mine.
Pound:  Is her name Kona?

*sigh*  yes. 
HOW DO YOU SEE HER NAME ON THE TAG BUT NOT THE CONTACT NUMBER?!

It is a mystery I have yet to solve.
Regardless, the runaway is back and we are trying Plan N which is to shave her neck and see if the shock collar works better.

She was DELIGHTED to be home and then promptly slept for about 48 hrs.

  ******
Hamlin just won their 2nd play-off game - one more AND THEN THE DOME!!
Love high school football.
Especially with these cuties.

Cate asked disgustedly: "Do we have to go to a game every time we come to Papa and Deara's?!"

And I really like this Charger - #2 (Brother2)

WHO DOES #2 WORK FOR?! (Austin Powers fans out there?)

*****

The Holiday Sale is nearly here.  (November 8th!!!)  The nightmares have begun.
And my strategic planning is well underway on how to get Boyd to finish a few projects for me without him realizing it.
Big.Fat.Fail.

Somehow he managed to dig up our entire yard in honor of sale week.
Love how it worked out perfectly for him to obtain the excavator at such a convenient time.
(insert sarcasm)

View from my front door

Let's all take a moment of silence.

This may look like dire circumstances but I just received an email from a "Barrister Alfred George" telling me I have an unidentified relative who left me $7.2 million in a West African Bank.

Things are looking up.

***
The other day Brother2 was over and I was showing him all the pictures I have of him when he was little - - proving how much we spoiled him.

He was the cutest:

Bunker with machine guns.

Side note:  I am pretty sure I saw him wearing this same jersey tonight at the volleyball game.

SNOW!!

Valleyfair with Nephew Jake and Brother2

Mom told us the story of how when he was in 1st grade he informed her he knew how to spell a bad word:
"S.H.T."
She told his first grade teacher and she replied with: "Sounds like we need to revisit the "it" family!"
Love Hamlin teachers.
Especially hot math teachers . . . .

  *****

Halloween has come and gone.

Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner.

Which means the HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US!!

Miss Ellie and some pumpkin magic.