But, it's what I really wanted

I may be a sorry excuse for a girl, but this is what I really wanted for my one and only Christmas present this year.  I got it early too.  I have already used it a few times and so has Jon.   I smile whenever I see it there in the garage, it's like it's always calling out to me, "I love you and let me help you with the yard work".  A leaf blower gives me joy.  I will be using it again today.  The weather is mild and the leaves have dried from the snow.  Did I mention that is also a vacuum AND it mulches?!  So awesome.

Also, here are the five things I am grateful for today:
1.  Mr. Jewels came home last night, safe and sound.
2.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
3.  My playlist of Christmas music.
4.  Exercise, I'm trying the CrossFit Mamas WODs.
5.  Food Storage

Before and afters

Last year on Jon's birthday we had a terrible terrible windstorm that knocked out power, tore out trees, sent roofs flying, fences crumbled, tree branches flying.  There was even a tree that was torn in half and landed on a car parked on the street and crushed it.  Luckily no one was inside.  For the most part our home was pretty well protected.  We had some damage to the roof, the front screen door, the awning over that door and our vinyl fence.  So after some negotiating we were able to get those things fixed.  We love the outcome.  The company we hired to do the roof suggested to us metal for the turret.  That way we wouldn't have to replace it again in 30 years.  The finial was taken down and we painted it to match the color of the front door and the metal on the turret, it really makes it stand out.  With the awning we choose black with white trim and we changed the lanterns on the door.
The castle or otherwise known as the "witch's house" before the roof redo.

And here are the afters.

The finished castle

empty hearts

Taking it solo this week.  Mr. Jewels is at what we like to call a "nerd conference" and will be presenting his project on wednesday to a bunch of fellow professional nerds.  My heart feels empty without him here.  So I am listening to this song and that song over and over again, the way I like it best.

Going through life

Sometimes we just have to accept what we receive with a glad and willing heart and remember that the best is yet to come.

Over and done with

Halloween, over and done with.  I waited all month to put up the decorations around the outside of our home and finally got it decorated a few days before the holiday. I was waiting for our roof to be completely finished and it is.  I will post pictures soon.  It really looks amazing.  Anyways, back to Halloween, I had a lot of fun being Eme's Room Mom for the party.    We played Last Man Standing, Pass the Eyeball, Witch Toss, and made mummies from toilet paper rolls and marshmellow ghosts and owl cupcakes.  The kids drank swamp water and ate poison apples and had witches brew, Mary's blood and spider venom candy sticks.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids are so cute and have fun with whatever games or crafts and foods you have them do and they all look so fun in their costumes.  I think the best part of the day was walking her to school and seeing all the kids run to school in their costumes.

Robin, Hip Hop Dancer, Himself