November - a strange month

November is a strange month, at least for me. The weather is changing (and not). In this past week we have had 0 degrees wind chill and 55 + degree temperatures; snow, ice, and rain. It is also the month Thomas and I recognize the deaths of our fathers. Thomas's father died 50 years ago last Wednesday (November 23). The dates/days of the month of November are the same as 50 years ago. Dad H. had a heart attack on Sunday, November 20th, and died on Wednesday, the 23rd, the day before Thanksgiving. My father died 5 years ago November 18. In some ways, it's hard to believe it has been five years already and in others it seems much longer ago.

Not to be a total wet blanket, we do have some wonderful positives in November. Chris and Heather celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary on November 13th and Miss Riley turned 6 years old on November 15th (already!!). We also had a nice Thanksgiving dinner together at Chris and Heather's. We had plenty of food and have much to be thankful for.

Maybe it's the combination of cold and overcast days and coming of the end of another year, that adds to the strange feel to this month. I'm looking forward to December and the sights and sounds of the coming Christmas season.

Snow.............

It's winter today. Not officially, but the weather definitely is wintery.....snow flurries, some sticking, and WIND......... We seem to have had a lot of that lately. At least it's the tolerable kind and not the terrible stuff like in the hurricanes and tornadoes of recent. Seasons no longer seem gradual. One day it's nice and fairly warm (like a few days ago) and then it's gone and it's COLD. I guess it's the joy of living in the Midwest, but somehow I remember more defined seasons when I was younger. Oh well....I'm sure it's a perception thing. I'm grateful for a warm home....let it snow.......for today !!!!

Nothing is EVER Simple

The Sunsetter awning is installed on the house.........finally! It was not the 2-3 hour job as suggested in the video/instructions. We did have a few snags along the way, BUT it is now up and come spring, I'm sure we will enjoy it alot and forget all the hassle. It extends 13 feet across the house and when opened will extend 10 1/2 feet over the deck. It will help us be able to enjoy our deck more in the afternoons/evenings by shading us from the sun.


Another milestone was celebrated last night........Riley's 6th birthday!!! Seems like only yesterday that Chris and Heather were married on the 13th of November and two days later, Miss Riley arrived!! She is changing so quickly. On Monday she will celebrate with a few friends at Chuckie Cheese's and she is quite excited about that!! Here is our princess and notice her self-created hair style.....

And for the Krapf/Barr side of the family........Shelby has finally discovered "coffee cake"!! At first she couldn't have Grandma Marian's coffee cake (made with milk). When she could, she wouldn't eat it. But a couple of weekends ago, the girls spent the night and I had it for breakfast cause Riley loves it (with peanut butter on it!! - sorry Dad!!) and when Shelby saw me put butter on mine, she decided she would try too. I think she had 3 pieces. We called to tell Grandma Marian the good news!!!