Moseying Monday Musings

Happy Monday to you!

"New week, new fun!" is what I wrote in my children's assignment books this morning.

I hope it will be a week full of fun!

Well, our early weekend rain gave way to cooler weather yesterday for Edward's last soccer game. *Sniff* We really, really enjoyed his soccer season, despite how busy it made our lives. It's hard to believe it's all done now. Still, he's looking forward to signing up again for the spring season.

We had our first frost of the season last night. Stuart went out to the car this morning and realized that it wasn't condensation on the windows but ice. *brrrr* Seemed a bit surprising after last week's humid weather. But then I guess it is Autumn.

I changed the sidebar video to Bond's "Explosive" in honor of the 24 Season 7 trailer we went to see in New York City last week. I thought it was fitting, given the nature of the show.

Speaking of the show...the cast and crew are filming in Washington, D.C., the first time they've filmed outside of L.A. apparently. They're only doing a few shots near the Capitol. Hmm... Only 2 1/2 months until it premieres! *BIG grin*

We've been watching Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother. We're looking forward to watching Season 2 of The Closer, too. Prison Break is off this week since the World Series was scheduled to show on FOX -- but the Red Sox won the Series in 4 games so PB could have played. *sigh* Oh, well. Who knew? Next week will have to do...

Let's see...

Emily had a friend over on Saturday for a "birthday party." She opted for just one friend to come and watch the Princess Diaries movies with her. They had a "sleepover" in the afternoon, lounging on sleeping bags with a big bowl of popcorn and my mini DVD player in front of them. We didn't hear a thing from them all afternoon. Digital shutterbug that I usually am, I forgot to get a photo of them during their viewing.

We finally got a pumpkin last night....*sigh* (I also purchased two plastic ones with lightbulbs inside. They're reusuable and so cute!) Edward is excited about roasting the seeds. We'll be carving it soon, I guess, since Halloween is nearly here.

Ugh.

I don't like this holiday for some reason. I guess I should dress up as the "Grinch." I always struggle to help the kids figure out what they should "be." Emily wants to be a bat this year. That won't be too hard to do...a black sweatsuit, some chiffon gauze, pointy ears.... But Edward wants to be the Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm not into the prepackaged costumes, but I'm ready to go on a search...

The kids in our PreK/K Sunday School class wanted to know if 6'7" Mr. Foote is going to be "Tinker Bell." *grin*

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• taking that risk

• making applesauce

• finding a good deal

• a new record player for old albums

• the dark expanse of a countryside night

* * *

I've always been the cautious one in my family.

"Better safe than sorry" seemed to be my motto.

My parents didn't really worry about me getting into trouble because I never took any risks. Then again, they did worry about me not doing anything at all because of the same-said safemindedness.

I guess it comes from being the third in three girls.

My sisters were in no way "naughtier" than any other kids, but they got themselves into their fair share of trouble for which they caught "trouble" from our parents. I observed that and decided it wasn't worth it. I usually got caught right away anyway...

My mom recounts a tale about my next-oldest sister and me during our childhood.

It was Spring, when the mornings are cold but the days warm up by afternoon. She put us on the morning schoolbus with our jackets zipped up, hoods tied on. The weather was still quite chilly.

When we got off the bus in the sunny afternoon, my sister (who was probably 10 or 11) climbed down, coat off and swinging in her hand. I got off...my jacket zipped up, hood tied on.

"Safe Susie," I was always called.

While one sister climbed trees; I kissed the ground.

Never one to take risks...until I grew up...

Somehow I learned in recent years, that sometimes you have to take a risk -- a chance on something -- or you might just miss out on something exciting and fun.

I did that when I married my Englishman...and then when we chose to have kids...and then when I temporarily changed my career path from journalist to Mommy...and then when we decided to homeschool our little people...

It changed my life, for sure. But it enhanced it as well.

Life is all about learning... And learning brings adventures untold to us.

Pretty exciting, huh?