Missing her...

The sight of you...

is as necessary for me as is the sun for the flowers.

I am missing my girl today. Of course, I miss her every single day, but today there is an extra tug at my heart making me want to leave work to go get her. It is going to be a long day.

FINALLY

Why the $2 you ask???

Because this big guy FINALLY lost his first tooth!

BOO!

GiGi was more interested in picking pecans than posing for pictures. It was like a big Easter Egg hunt for her until she got stung by a Yellow Jacket. OUCH! It was a little traumatic for the both of us, but she got over it fast. I thought I would go ahead and share these since the lighting and color is so pretty. Have a great weekend! P.S. #1 ranked USC lost to Oregon State last night. YIPPEE!

This is CRIMINAL

I have to admit that I would consider myself in the group of Chocoholics. I have been known to eat my fair share especially around Halloween when I can secretly raid my kids' Halloween stash. I was a little devastated when I heard about what Hersey's had done. I have copied the story below.

On Friday, TODAY consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman reported that Hershey’s has switched to less expensive ingredients in several of its products. In particular, cocoa butter — the ingredient famous for giving chocolate its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture — has been replaced with vegetable oil. Products such as Whatchamacallit, Milk Duds, Mr. Goodbar and Krackel no longer have milk chocolate coatings, and Hershey’s Kissables and M&Ms are now labeled “chocolate candy” instead of “milk chocolate.” The removal of cocoa butter violates the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s definition of milk chocolate, so subtle changes have appeared on the labels of the Hershey’s products with altered recipes. Products once labeled “milk chocolate” now say “chocolate candy,” “made with chocolate” or “chocolatey.”

Are you as shocked as I am? Cocoa butter replaced with vegeatable oil?? THIS must be a joke. I decided to try it out for myself. I purchased a bag of M&Ms yesterday that were labeled Chocolate Candies, and there is clearly a difference. They are not smooth and creamy in the middle, and the taste is different...almost a little grainy. I think I may have to ban Hershey's products for a while. (okay, maybe after Halloween....LOL!).

I couldn't help but think of the Friends episode where Monica tries her best at making a synthetic chocolate which she called Mocholate. Yes, that is what Hershey's is doing...they have changed their Milk Chocolate to Mocholate. SHAME ON YOU, HERSHEY'S!!!

ROCK STAR IN TRAINING

GTO has completed about three months of lessons, and I am so happy to say that THIS WONDERFUL passion of his continues to grow. He had been practicing on a keyboard, but we went to the lake house last weekend to bring back the piano. It belonged to my Grandmother. I believe she purchased it around 1957. I know it would have made her so happy to know that someone is learning to play on this piano. My mother learned to play fairly well and tried to teach me, but I never stuck with it. It is still one of my big regrets in life. I think GTO has the ability and talent to be really good. Maybe someday, he can teach me.

I have added his current favorite song to my playlist. He can really jam to Pink, "So What." Enjoy!

Dancing with the Stars Premiere

Last night, you would have never guessed that Hubby is usually attracted to blondes. I think Brooke Burke just moved passed Jennifer Aniston on the husband's best looking women list. Derek Hough must think he is the luckiest guy ever. First Shannon Elizabeth (another actress on the hubby list) and now Brooke Burke.

Does Stanley Steamer know how to clean all the drool off the living room floor?

TGIF

Act happy, feel happy, be happy, without a reason in the world.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and happy weekend!

Too Cute To Spook...

SOME KIDS ARE DRESSED

TO SCARE AND SPOOK

BUT NOT ME...

I'M DRESSED TO BE CUTE!

CHECK OUT THE TJ'S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE LINK TO FIND THIS ADORABLE JUMPER!

A New Favorite...

Claus Couture

Click here to see all the beautiful outfits for sale.

Halloween in September

I LOVE Halloween, so I was extra thrilled when this cute set arrived at our doorstep. We immediately set out to capture pictures for TJ's Clothing Boutique.

Fall is COMING...

...and that means our mailbox is filled with fun and exciting packages. I love when the seasons begin to change and I get to clean out the closets and make room for new dresses, shoes, and boots. GiGi is so accustomed to receiving packages in the mail that she expects one to come everyday. When I pick her up from school, she always says, "I wonder if I have a package today." The designers have been busy creating beautiful items for the upcoming Holiday season, so that means new pictures and lots of fun! I will be posting a couple this week, so check back. I bet my mailman thinks I am crazy! :)

On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!

GTO decided he wanted to run track this season. I don't think he knew he was signing up for Cross Country, but he is doing really good at it. He completed his first one mile cross country meet today, and we are so proud of him. They group all the kids together...1st through 6th grade. He knew he would be the youngest, most inexperienced in the race, but he didn't care and ran his little heart out. He was happy that he didn't come in last place and we were just happy to see him finish a one mile race. He has three more track meets this season, so hopefully his time will improve with each race.

When the coach fired the gun to start the race, you would have thought GTO had been shot. He jumped out of his skin and froze. It took him a few seconds to actually start the race.

Home Again

Dear Summer,

Please stick around for a few more weeks. We are enjoying you too much at the lake house for you to leave. We are still in need of a few more morning ski runs and a few more hours of fishing off the dock. While it might seem nice for us to throw on a sweatshirt and watch some football, we are not quite ready to see you go. I am only asking for a few more weeks...okay?