Fall in review

It has been a busy fall. So busy, in fact, that I haven't had time to get on the PC, which is where our pictures go, to blog. I finally snuck a few minutes, so before it becomes winter, I give you Fall 2008.

Abigail and I went to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. I was pleasantly surprised, it's a really nice zoo!

At the zoo, there were these great little birds called lorikeets that you could feed nectar out of a cup. The zookeeper told us that if we were still, the birds might land on our hand to eat the nectar.

Or head, you know, close enough. Abigail laughed delightedly for a few seconds, said she was okay, then asked in a slightly panicked voice: "Can you get them off me now?"

That was not long before Halloween. Last year's indian was followed by this year's cowgirl.

See the patch on the vest? Abigail sewed the ribbon and button on herself.

The next dress up opportunity was the grand Thanksgiving feast at school. "Beautiful Rose" enjoyed herself.


And more dress up! Aunt Amanda and Uncle David arrived for an early Christmas and scored big with a knight costume. Or rather rescue princess costume.


While they were in town, we took the Dunces to Uptown Charlotte and simply had to share with them the joys of light rail. Naturally, being Londoners, they had never heard of this new-fangled public transit notion.


And finally, to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, we present The Wee Tree. It's just so cute!


Off to Florida for a week of escapism. See you in 2009!

Have a seat

A picture on the front page of the Wall Street Journal caught Abigail's eye this morning. It was Ill. Gov. Blagojevich in a wood-paneled room. She asked me what room the man was in, and I told her I didn't know and it wasn't important. To which she replied, "I know who he is! He's the man who's trying to sell the chair!" Chair, chair -- oh!, Obama's Senate seat, yes, a chair! We let our little girl watch way too much national news. A few moments later she wandered over to feed her fish, where she announced, "I think the the prosecutors are right."

Move over, Patrick Fitzgerald.

Small parenting success

I have fulfilled one small duty as a mother -- or at least for me as a mother: My daughter loves Bing Crosby Christmas music. Chalk one up for Mommy.

Many things have been going on. Turkey was consumed. Pumpkin was devoured. Lots of games were played. It was a good holiday; I hope yours was, too. My dear sister and her Dunce stopped by for a very nice three day visit. We went to the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, via light rail, and enjoyed the very kid-friendly Charlotte-through-the-ages exhibit and some stunning photographs of rural eastern North Carolina. We tried to go bowling, but didn't quite plan on Sunday being league day and were hurried out after just one game. And my sister entertained Abigail wonderfully, playing anything Abigail suggested in exactly the manner Abigail suggested -- which is great for aunts who are here only for three days, not so great for mommies. Otherwise we spent lots of time indoors as it was about 40 degrees and raining all weekend. We did play lots of Ticket to Ride, probably my favorite game, and their new favorite, Chrononauts. A good time was had by all. Now we just have to return the visit to the Dunces in London soon. Well, after a few months of employment.

On that front, things are at least moving for Brad. He's gotten several initial responses from companies, some more desirable than others. He has a phone interview for a job here tomorrow and then theoretically an in-person interview in Atlanta this week -- hmm, maybe next week at this point. I haven't seen much for me, though I am doing some thrilling freelance writing for my old paper at the moment -- Shana, I got suckered into Career Connections. My former publisher is making serious noises about restarting the magazine in a new incarnation at the turn of the year, though, so if we are still around, that's promising. At least things are in motion for both of us.

I should have some lovely incriminating photos of family members soon. Stay tuned.

Happy December!