Carving

For the first time in nine years, we carved pumpkins without a gray dog at our feet. You see, poor Greta hasn't been able to keep an ounce of food or water down since last night. After some IV fluids and tests at the vet, we're hoping she begins to improve tomorrow. Otherwise, Halloween will be a very scary day for this house.

Flanked by the girls' carvings, here's a pumpkin in ode to our sweet Greta Girl. Who hopefully will be back to her rambunctious, crazy self soon.

When it rains...

it pours!!

On Sunday, despite torrential rains and wind gusts, I ran a hilly half-marathon with a group of girlfriends and my big (but much littler) sis Amy. Now, when I say that I ran with them, I should clarify that I mean we all left the starting line together. But, they are all speedy gazelles, so I finished well behind them.

Those speedsters all managed to break two hours, and I came rolling in a few minutes after, to cheers and ringing cow bells from Curtis and the girls. But, I was delighted to finish with a smile on my face and without damaging my knees. As Grandma Fisher used to say to me, you are only given one set of knees. So, I tried to use them and not abuse them.

After crossing the finish line, I was meandering through the crowds to get some water when Lucy spotted me from her perch on Curtis' shoulders. She saw the finisher medal around my neck, and exclaimed in surprise, "Mommy, you won! You won!!" Yep, I feel that way, too.

Hip hip...

Hooray!

Our friends Heather & Pete have just returned from Ethiopia with the incredible news that they have passed court (aka legally adopted) their daughter. And, now that it's official, they can finally share photos of this beautiful little girl.

So, go congratulate sweet Aliyah Meseret on becoming part of an amazing family!!

Calendaring by Weim

Each season brings markers. Perhaps in your family, it's the absence of leaves on your maple tree. Or, the first morning that you glimpse frost on the rooftops.

At our house, we know that fall is creeping toward winter when we find Greta sleeping under our covers at night. People always look surprised (read: horrified) when we tell them where Greta sleeps. But she really does curl up small. Can you even tell she's under there? Honestly.
By 10am when the room is sufficiently warmed by the sunshine, she usually makes an appearance above the covers. Without even unmaking the bed. Now that is a well-trained mutt.

Cyclocross

When you're six, the closest thing to heaven is a Cyclocross race. Here's why:

1. Nutella-filled waffles to warm your chilly hands and your belly.

2. Cow-bells to ring to your heart's content.

3. A fun bumpy bike ride, with a ribbon waiting for you at the finish.

Come to think of it, when you're 36, it's still pretty heavenly-- because in addition to all of the above, you get free beer, too.

Parting is such bitter sorrow

... when the farewell wasn't planned!

This morning, I was up before dawn for a run with girlfriends. I laced my sneakers and sleepily exited the side door, when I noticed our carport's fleet of rides seemed lacking. Then, it dawned on me. My trusty old Cannondale and our Burley trailer were missing! Gone. Vanished. Taken by a thief in the night.

And the thief even had the nerve to leave evidence, in the form of a 32-oz. orange soda in our recycling bin. Hey, it is Portland after all, which means even the crooks try to be green.

Typically, the bike and trailer are under lock and key, but I was lazy yesterday afternoon and forgot. Which is a good reminder to me to be more vigilant. Curtis is convinced that we will catch the perpetrator and is already scheming a sting operation. Wish him luck...and don't attempt to enter our carport after dark unless you want to stumble upon a booby trap!

However, there is a tiny upside here. Curtis has seven bikes, and I now have zero. Which means the next new bike in the family will NOT be for Curtis. A small consolation.

Anticipation

This weekend was all about anticipation. My wonderful friend Heather is days away from a jet plane ride that will forever change her life. She and her husband are headed to Ethiopia to meet their daughter and formally adopt her. And then fly home and wait an excruciating 3-6 weeks until they can return to Ethiopia to bring her home for good.

On Sunday, Kate and I hosted a celebration with Heather's "village" of friends and family. Every child is anticipated and loved before his or her arrival. But our collective anticipation of sweet little Aliyah is overpowering, palpable, incredible.

Hurry, hurry, Father Time!!

Hip Nana

We went to visit Nana last week, and would like to officially declare her winner of the "Most Hip Nana Ever Award." She now has an iPad! Seriously, how many other 87-year-olds are this tech-savvy? She is amazing! (And probably reading this blog on her uber-fab iPad, in fact.)

As you can see, Lucy has already begun praying to St. Nicholas that one lands under her chimney this Christmas.