Pick or Treat - At the Pumpkin Farm!

On Saturday morning, I rolled over in our bed and asked my hubby if we could take our Halloween baby to a Pumpkin Patch. He was quite happy with the idea, and so we decided to make it an extended family affair. I'm so glad that we did! You see, Bob's family lives in York, PA which is not far from the Maryland/Pennsylvania border. His mom knew of the cutest little farm to go visit. So; have baby - will travel! We also found out from my dad who is local to Annapolis, that there was a farm located right near Bob's job... But family is important to us both - so off to PA we went! We met Meredith, Bob's sister, and his Mom just outside of Shrewsbury around 2PM at the pumpkin farm. It is funny, looking back just three short days ago... We took TONS, and I mean TONS, of pictures! But we didn't pick a pumpkin, go on a hay ride, or even play in the corn maze (yes, it is a play on words!) However, we absolutely had a BLAST!!! His is a family that loves spending time with each other, and with my Alivia. She was the belle of the ball, as usual, even if she was dressed only in Levi's jeans and a onezie which read, "Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch." Oh and she was! Auntie Mer had worn a big black-beaded necklace which caught Alivia's eye, and she immediately borrowed her Aunt's jewelry! It really added to her outfit; making her stand out just a bit more than she normally does because of the crazy hairstyles I usually give her, and because she has her daddy's beautifully breath-taking deep-sea blue eyes! She stood on hay bails and we took at least fifty (50) pictures! She ate a-just-picked apple, and enjoyed munching on the skin and juice way better than on a teething ring! I really preferred this apple over her chewing on her crib!!! We also tasted fudge and drank warm apple cider. Alivia ordered a whole bottle full of the stuff. Apparently, my little pumpkin REALLY likes apples! All in all, we had a fantastic day :) As we were leaving, I noticed a large box full of pumpkins and gourds which had a "sold" sign on it. I put Alivia in the box, just for fun, and naturally, she tried to climb out of it. This created a perfect photo opportunity. She may be a Halloween/Pumpkin baby - but she is definitely NOT sold!

Bob's Grandfather had a successful surgery! And therefore, I am back to writing again! Thank you God for hearing our many prayers... For now though; I'd really like to focus on my Women's Fiction Novel, but I need to set up the conflict (Chapter 3) and I'm totally psych-ing myself out for some unknown reason. I guess because I don't really know how to set up a convincing crime scene (probably for good reasons!), and I haven't read enough of my "true crime" book yet to pick up on the morbidity that needs to be present in the language and tone. I watch Law & Order more than is probably healthy, and now I pick the plot to shreds. But, I can't just sit down and write out my own damn plot! (And yes. I'm aware that I just mimicked Shakespeare's Lady MacBeth!) Ahhh! I'm just scared. That's it, plain and simple. This week has been so stressful, for so many reasons and I'm doubting myself. Enough about my doubts! The book ain't gonna write itself...

This Is Only Half of My Face...

And kind of a silly picture! But - what do you think? Does my bestest baby look at all like her mommy?

I didn't think so...

Projects! Projects! Projects!

Last week, I was on the phone with my sister-in-law, Meredith, who I definitely consider more of a friend than an "in-law." I knew that she had taken a picture of herself with one of my pink extensions in her hair, and I called her to ask if I could post the picture to my BCA blog. Here it is below, instead.

While we were talking, I started telling Meredith about my current projects... First and foremost -- of course! I am loving and caring for my darling little Alivia Marie. I'm learning so much about child development, and I really do enjoy managing the blog which I have dedicated to her! Additionally, I have been writing a Women's Fiction Novel which has a sub-genre: Crime. With all of the detective shows that, because of their popularity, have been taking over television lately; I believe this is the perfect subject matter for a new author. I am also working on a fun project, which is just for myself. I have gone through the last four or five Glamour Magazines and I'm creating a sort of "fashion guide." I've divided my guide into three sections: 1) make-up, 2) clothing, and 3) body/exercise/health suggestions. I've also made a point to read the non-fiction articles contained in the magazines which feature women who have survived a major tragedy within their lives. I'm interested in their tone and the type of language each woman uses to describe these awful life events. I think this detail may help me write my novel in a more realistic manner. I'm also reading two books: 'Time of My Life,' by Allison Winn Scotch, and 'A Date with Death,' by Michele R. McPhee. Lastly, I've been brainstorming on a business development project for one of Bob's colleagues. All of this keeps me quite busy! Especially since I have vowed to take Alivia for pancakes at least once a week :) We also spend a good amount of time dancing and playing patty-cake (with her feet, funny enough)! Since her birthday party is in two weeks, I've added event/party planning to my resume! I typically make dinner for my darling husband, and his work clothes are usually both clean and folded... And they say that "stay-at-home" moms have it easy!? Actually, I just LOVE watching my baby and taking on projects; I only hope that when it comes time to look for a job again, that my projects will be recognized as important to any future employers!

If You Follow This Blog...

...Please know that I won't be writing this week. Bob's Grandfather is in the hospital having a procedure done. We are all praying for you Pa! Of course, any and all prayers and support for the family would be very much appreciated.

~ Carrie

What's a girl to do?

I'm kind of superstitious even though I know that as a Christian, and especially as a practicing Catholic, that I shouldn't be... But the weirdest thing happens sometimes regarding my marriage, and I'm almost too scared to write about it! Whenever I go on and on and on about how wonderful my husband is; either on facebook or on this blog, etc., we always end up getting into some kind of stupid disagreement about nonsense. For instance, a few posts back you probably noticed that I posted pictures of roses that were simply gorgeous! Two dozen for my birthday? -- "Wow! that's so sweet, baby. Thank you so much." Fifteen roses a week later that literally looked like red velvet, just because? "Oh my! I'm so loved!" Now, wouldn't it figure that we would end up having an argument just days later, while the roses were still very fresh from the florist? Uhh! So, last night I was surprised with FOUR DOZEN ROSES from Bob, "just because it's Wednesday," my hubby tells me! Ahhhh!!! What's a girl to do?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

When Abby came to visit yesterday (please see the entry below), she mentioned to me that she & her mom are getting pink hair extensions put in to support Breast Cancer Awareness. That is actually pretty common for women to do these days in the month of October. Two years ago, I was telling Abby, I used to snap in pink hair extensions on any random Friday night just to go out with my friends! So maybe I was a bit wild!?! On one particular night, I had scheduled a first date with my now husband, Bob, but we ended up canceling it. Well, what a good thing; you see, my husband does NOT believe in pink hair at any time, for any reason, and he is entitled to his opinion. On the other hand, I'm sure he did plenty of things when he was single that I would not have approved. But we are married now and our daughter, Alivia, will turn One-year-old at the end of this month (October). So, let's just let the past stay there. Although, I will say that my mom bought me a pink breast cancer support long-sleeve thermal shirt last year, and I wore it into the hospital while I was actually in labor. I wrote a previous blog about how Alivia was born at the end of this particular month because she is a true Scorpio, and now I am writing this... Once she is old enough, Alivia will be taught to support breast cancer research. Even if Bob doesn't like pink hair! :)