Halloween Parties

We went to two Halloween Parties this year - one at the MAG and one at Church. Wil and I were feeling a little under the weather for the MAG party. That fact combined with the very loud music meant we only stayed a short time. Abigail was very shy that night, probably because of the music and a few scary costumes. We stayed for most of the church party but then had to leave when the kid's activities were over to get Wil over to the barracks before his flight to Yuma. I made Abigail's costume out of felt and I think it turned out pretty well, especially considering it was all sewn by hand. Hope you enjoy the pictures of our little Pocahontas.

Abigail surprises me every day - I was so sure she would fight her costume and try to take it off but she did so great. She got a little annoyed in the car when her car seat harness was making the feathers poke up at her face but other than that we had no problems.

Congratulations Wil on making Captain! I'm so proud of you and I wish I could be there to pin you myself.

My running progress is going to have to take a step back - I may have broken a toe last night. I stubbed it on an electrical outlet and now the entire tip of my toe is a brilliant shade of purple. I thought about taking a picture of it but I figured you'd enjoy these of Abigail more. Was I right? Plus I'm still fighting a cold. These things always seem to happen when Wil has to go out of town. Oh well, fortunately it's Hawaii so flip-flops or "slippers" as they're called here, are always in style.

Pumpkin Patch

We took Abigail took a pumpkin patch on the other side of the island on Saturday. They had a bunch of kiddie rides and she had so much fun trying each one. She wanted to climb the rock wall but she was too small. I think she would have stayed all day if we had let her but it rained several times that morning so everything was wet and muddy. She, of course, didn't mind the mud at all. Her attention span on the rides was somewhat short, she would start out so happy and excited and then after a few minutes she would just sit there not smiling. But as soon as the ride was over she was ready to go on another one. Fortunately there was no crying or screaming though - we saw quite a few kids have meltdowns after their parents put them on the rides.

Words to live by

An American Creed

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange
—————
*Originally published in This Week Magazine.
Later reprinted in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.

The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922. He attended Columbia University where he received his law degree and opened a practice in Manhattan. In 1942, Alfange was the American Labor Party candidate for governor of New York and a founder of the Liberal Party of New York. Dean Alfange was also Professor Emeritus at UMass Amherst and a leading figure in various pro-Zionist organizations. Between other actions, in November 1943, he appeared before the House of representatives and addressed them on the rescue of the Jewish people of Europe. He died in Manhattan at the age of 91 on October 27, 1989.

I've been tagged

I've been tagged by Sarahbee with the following rules:
1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
5. If you don’t have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.

The facts:
1 - I've been married for 6 years (does that make me old?)
2 - I used to take steers to the fair for 4-H
3 - I've lived in 5 different states - Michigan, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, and now Hawaii
4 - I'm getting back into running
5 - I love watching America's Next Top Model and Army Wives
6 - I just finished making my daughter a Pocahontas costume for Halloween - pictures coming soon
7 - I drive a stick-shift

7 Bloggers tagged:

1 - April Bryant
2 - Mindy Wilson
3 - Geigers
4 - Bonny
5 - Alvarez Family
6 - Marcelle
7 - Tonia

Um, yeah I'll get around to actually tagging them soon

Honolulu Zoo

For those of you who were wondering, Wil's squadron is the Ugly Angels so the Ugly family day was a family day for his squadron. Just in case there was any confusion.