Halloween Costumes Revisited and Boo at the Zoo!

A little Flashback Friday for you --
A Ballerina from 2005 -- 10 years ago!!

Perfecting her princess wave in 2006!

Back to present day . . . 

Our annual Boo at the Zoo this year did not disappoint!
We arrived later than usual and found a parking spot in the first row!
Yippee -- that never happens!

Here she is -- Little Red Riding Hood
with the Zoo Wizard -- our
fabulous local Zoo Director!

My only complaint is that too
many paper coupons and ads were distributed
and not nearly enough chocolate!

Hope that the school's Trunk or Treat tonight
and real Trick or Treating tomorrow yields
more chocolate
and less paper!

Happy Halloween!!

Pumpkin Patch 2015

Our traditional visit to the pumpkin patch

was a bit delayed this year,

but we did make it last weekend!

Perfect time to go as even though it was crowded,

it was fun and their french fries did not disappoint!

The funnel cake smelled so good and was so tempting, but we decided

on the fries this time instead!

Werewolves of London musicians!
Who doesn't love that song! :)

The crazy haunted house also did not disappoint!

Even though it's fairly small, it makes me crazy

dizzy at one point.  Luckily, Maddy was

in front of me in her neon sweatshirt

so I was able to wobble my way through!

The bouncing pillows were a blast

as usual and her socks were the only

casualty!

We love our yearly visit to Roca Berry Farm!!

Here's a little blast from the past -- 2011!

Yes, she did pick that really big pumpkin!

A Fab Four Friday!

Do you know the Fab Four . . .

The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Band!

On what would have been John Lennon's 75th

birthday (October 9), the Fab Four played here in 

our sweet little hometown!

Maddy and I attended and had a crazy fun time.

We rocked and swayed to the music ---

who knew I was so cool???

Not that I was a teen or anything even remotely close to a teen

when the original Fab Four were popular, but

I've always been a big fan of the oldies! 

Happily, Maddy loves the oldies too and has been 

learning both the Beatles and Beach Boys in her ukulele lessons.

Unfortunately, it was not the most fabulous of 

Fridays, as Mr. Miata was in the hospital

with a Crohn's disease-related issue. :(

He insisted we go ahead and attend the performance as he 

was a bit groggy and very tired.

He was out of the hospital in a couple

days and is feeling better every day.

Crohn's is an auto-immune disease and it is a beast!

So, let's move on to happier topics, shall we.

Stay tuned for Maddy's Halloween costume -

it is super cute and sweet just like her! 

Dear Fall -- What I Like About You!

Dear Fall:
What I like about you . . .
Besides the lovely cool temps
and low humidity
. . .
I Love Pumpkins!

Big ones, little ones, stripey ones, warty ones -

I love them all!

Lately, the "different" looking ones have appealed

to me a bit more than the usual jack-o-lantern pumpkins.

Though we haven't made it to the Pumpkin Patch yet

this year, Maddy and I are still hoping to get there.

The haunted house there is calling my name and if the
heat and humidity returns, I'm sure me and my frizzy locks will be recruited for
some witching duties!  :)

My other favorite pumpkins -- velvet pumpkins --
 oooh la la - I love these, don't you?

And who could forget gourds!
We used to dry out gourds
(I'm sure there is a tutorial out there somewhere)and
make them into maracas!
Weren't we clever! :)

Hope you are having a fabulous Fall too!

While I Was Away

In case you're wondering (or not)

while I was away visiting my Dad,

Mr. Miata and Maddy had 

a fabulous time together!

They sent me updates with photos of 

what they were doing during my absence.

Maddy had a golf lesson!

Momo's

They went out to eat at a new restaurant

and both gave it a big thumbs up!

They played tennis!

They ate at a favorite Chinese restaurant.

They went horseback riding.

They went to the movies -- Everest -- too scary for me!

The bookstore and frozen yogurt shop were also on their list to places to go

and they went to both!

Bonus for me - they had my big red jeep cleaned and detailed!

And, of course, they missed me!

But, they absolutely had the best time together!

A Special Visit!

Last week I was away a few days 

on a special visit to see my Dad, Al, 

who lives near Cincinnati.

It was such a wonderful visit!

Did I tell you that my Dad recently turned 92 years old!

My sister, Amy, who lives in Florida joined me there, so we had
some "sister" time and "Dad" time.
Amy and I enjoyed seeing him and visiting him and

having lunch with him a couple times at the

assisted living facility where he now lives.

It's such a nice place - the aides and workers 

genuinely care about the residents.

Bonus -- they make a tasty grilled cheese for lunch!

When we weren't there visiting Al (aka Alberto or Albert),

we did some power walking, power shopping and

power wine-tasting!

Yes, that trip had it all!

Our big disappointment was that our sister who 

lives there was out of town, so we

didn't get to hang out with her.  :(

On our next visit, we will introduce

her to all of our "power" activities!!  :)

However, we did get to enjoy some time with one of 

her cats!  I'm afraid I scared the poor kitty

with my rather loud rendition of

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty!!"

She finally came out from her under-the-bed

hiding place a couple days later!

Sorry kitty!

All in all, 

it was a very good visit  with my Dear Old Dad!