Here we go...it's officially fall both on the calendar and here at my blog. I'm not in love with the new background, but it will due for a few weeks until it's time to find a CHRISTMAS background. Have you thought about that lately? It's nearly October and Christmas is right around the corner.

A little update on my New Year Resolutions would bring mixed reviews, so I'm going to ignore my failings and focus on Christmas and my goal to really go all out this year. Mentally I've already begun planning and I've even [please don't faint on me] purchased Christmas cards. I know, I know what you are thinking, "Natalie Eades doesn't even send out Christmas cards." Ah, but this year, you would be wrong. I'm getting it together this year. So, if you see my kids' facebook status updates moaning about the Christmas carols ringing though out the house in October, you'll know I've really got my game on!

And did I mention I'm not spearheading any costumes for Nutcracker this year? I almost feel anxiety driving up to the dance studio just because it's the fall. But then I remind myself "I'm not in charge" and the knot that had begun forming in my stomach disappears. It's so freeing...so I truly am on my way to a fun, festive holiday season.

And, I've even heard rumors about a Christmas Ball. You just never know what rabbit I might pull out of my hat next.

How about you? Have you thought about Christmas or Thanksgiving? They'll be here before we know it.

Random Thoughts

I'm too tired for any creativity or cohesive thoughts, so you'll have to take what you can get.

Getting ready to load up for the big weekend.

Tie Dye shirts are only flattering on young girls...on me? Not so much. They are extremely fun and no one will mistake which group we are with.

A fun group of girls with their amazing and fearless leader.

A beauty pageant, uh...I mean, halter class for a horse is more work than I would have ever imagined.

Hannah banding Lacey's mane...making her all beautiful for the judges.

Unloading 5 horses and all their necessary gear for the next 3 days in temps hovering around 100 is beyond exhausting. I do believe we smelled worse than the horses.

Taking a ride to check out the new show arena. Rachel must have something interesting on her boot.

There's a chihuahua tied up a few stalls down from our horses, and it's lucky to be alive. Really...imagine a yippy chihuahua barking non-stop inside a metal building with concrete floors. No worries, Mr. Owner...those white signs with red lettering that say Absolutely No Dogs Allowed in the Barns...it only applies to everyone else. You and your hound are the exception because everyone loves that high pitched bark only small dogs can make.

No matter what happens in the arena tomorrow, I am incredibly proud of how hard Hannah has worked this summer. She is an amazing horse woman!

2010 Baseball Park Tour

We successfully checked off three stadiums in our quest to visit every baseball park in America.
While it pains this Cardinal fan to say it...I think the Brewers have the best food and it's hard to beat Wrigley for a genuine baseball experience. You just feel like you're stepping back in time - well, except for the $40 you have to shell out to park in a church parking lot 10 blocks from the stadium.

We also spent one afternoon at Tempel Farms, home of the Tempel Lippizans. Hannah loved it, and the other kids endured it. Personally, I thought it was fascinating, but then I've grown to have great respect for those who train such powerful, amazing animals.

Brainwashed

We adore having Caitlyn, Patrick's niece, with us during the school year. We think she's amazingly smart and articulate for a little girl who just celebrated her second birthday, and we all secretly think that we have somehow had a hand in her soaring intelligence. Well, okay, her dad being a math genius and her mom being amazing may have a little something to do with it, too. I sometimes wonder though if we are having too much effect on her...like are we teaching her things that she ought not know. After all she hangs out with teens and a pre-teen more than the average child.

But now I know for sure. We, especially Kevin, have had a profound influence on her. Living in Brave country, she is systematically being brainwashed into being a Cardinals fan. Kevin has diligently been teaching her names of the players, namely Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright. Kevin's room sports a Pujols Fathead and an autographed photo of Wainwright. Caitlyn gives Pujols high fives and points at Adam.

Sunday night Patrick's family was all eating dinner at a restaurant with televisions tuned to the Cardinal's game. Hannah was holding Caitlyn when #5 came up to bat. Hannah pointed at the tv and asked Caitlyn, "Hey, Caitlyn, who's that on tv?"
"Albert" came the immediate reply.

Kevin will be so proud when he returns from the Amazon and hears the story.

Dan and Katie

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post here. I've given up the delusions that summers will be a time to catch up on my "to do" list. I know they are just crazy with no chance of significant projects being accomplished. I WILL catch you up on our lives...soon, but for now, here's a peak at our vacation through my niece's blog.

Dan and Katie, it was great to see you. Portillo's was the perfect place to suggest for lunch. Hope you are having an amazing time on your cruise. Congratulations on five years of marriage.

Sapalo Island Field Trip

Cap'n Bill

As I made final preparations for the Low Country Boil for family and friends on Friday to celebrate Alyssa's graduation, the last item on my errand list was to buy shrimp. I pulled into the parking lot of the local seafood market where I normally buy shrimp only to discover it was closed. Well, not just closed, but out of business for good. Great, what's plan B? I had no plan B as I had noticed the shrimp at Publix were farm raised in Thailand - and I certainly can't serve those! I decide to try out a new little place that had recently opened. I couldn't even remember the name, but knew it was fairly close by and I didn't have time to drive downtown to the only other fresh seafood markets I was aware of.

In the middle of a downpour, I pull into the parking lot of a convenience store and walk up to the tiny portable building off to the side advertising shrimp for $4.99. Wow...that's a terrific price! As long as it's fresh, I'm in great shape. I'll be home in a jiffy and will have saved a bundle of money.

Dodging puddles I run up to the sliding window of Cap'n Bill's and an old lady with a raspy voice asks: Whatchya need today?
Natalie: Ugh...shrimp. Do you have large?
Old Lady: Yeah. How many you thinkin' you gonna need?
Natalie: I think 8 pounds will do me. Thanks. Are they fresh?
Cap'n Bill jumping up from his folding chair: Just off the boat this morning. Those guys were alive just a few hours ago.
Natalie seeing the old lady (who I now surmise is Cap'n Bill's wife) slinging, what looks to be, whole shrimp onto the scales: Umm...do you have any shrimp WITHOUT heads.
Capt'n Bill: No ma'am. That's how shrimp is caught - with heads.
Natalie: Well, yes, I realize that, but I normally buy them WITHOUT the heads. I confess, I've never deheaded a shrimp. (Not really knowing if "dehead" is the proper verb to use - but then I don't think Cap'n Bill and his wife are big on formal grammar)
Cap'n Bill: Oh, it's easy (he demonstrates popping the head off while I calculate how long it will take me to do 8 pounds) - would take me five minutes, maybe seven to do all of 'em.
Natalie: Wow, um, I'm a little pressed for time this afternoon. I'm thinking I wouldn't be nearly that fast. (Nor do I want to smell like raw seafood for the party) Can I pay you to do them? (Knowing full well he could really take me to the cleaners, but with four hours until forty people arrive for dinner - I'm fully prepared to pay him top dollar)
Cap'n Bill: Is this for a Low Country Boil?
Natalie: Yes.
Cap'n Bill: Oh, well, then you should just throw 'em in the pot just like they is. They taste a whole bunch better with the heads on. People can just pop the heads of theirselves.
Natalie: Wow, I never knew that, but I'm accustomed to the head being off and so would really love to serve them that way tonight. I then notice his wife smirking and suspect he's simply having a good time pulling my leg.

After a little more begging and flattery directed at the great price and freshness, Cap'n agrees to decapitate the shrimp - for no charge. Hmmm...sweet talk pays off, and I'm invited inside the one room, smoke filled shop. Great - now I'm going to smell like a cigarette. But it's that or stand in the rain. He does indeed complete the job in less than seven minutes only for me to see the scales and realize I bought just over five pounds of shrimp. The heads comprise nearly half of the weight so this is not going to be nearly as cheap as I had originally thought. I sheepishly ask for him to prep a few more pounds to bring me up to eight pounds total, and I again offer to pay him for his trouble. He refuses my offer, hands me my crustaceans and instructs me to tell my friends about him and come back the next time I host a Low Country Boil.

Consider it done, Cap'n Bill.

The final product!