Time to play catch up...

Might as well put on your coziest pj's, curl up in your favorite chair, and get comfy because this is gonna be a loooong one!!! With LOTS of pictures!!!

First, I should tell you all why I have been a bit pre-occupied lately. Actually, I want to ask a favor of you all. My Mom is going to be having heart surgery the first week of October. I know in my heart she will be fine and this will make her feel so much better but I am so scared. She is having a valve replaced. And I know that surgery is super common and done 100's of times a day. But...it's my Mom. My family...my husband, parents, brother, and nephew...are my life. I don't know how to be without them. I just want us all to get through this and have my Mom feeling better! So, my favor is this. Whether you are the praying type, or the sending good thoughts type, or the warm fuzzies type, or whatever you do, could you please do it for my Mom? I would appreciate it more than I could ever express in words! Thank you!!!

So, taking a cue from my Mom, who has THE best attitude about all of this, there are things to do and places to go. This is what we have been up to in the few days since I last wrote...

First, there is this guy...

Be still my heart!!! Yep, THE man Tom Brady is back, baby, and back in a BIG way!!! Last night, for Monday Night Football, was the Pats season opener. I have no nails left! What a stressful game!!! It was not looking like it would be the Pat's night. And keep in mind Brady hasn't played for a year. But, man oh man, they got the win! And once again Brady has proven why he is STILL the BEST there is!!! Oh those last few minutes of the game...gahhhh!!!

I finally had my first one of these of the season the other day...

Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. Nonfat, no whip, please. Mmmmm!

This past Christmas (yes, last Christmas...) my brother and sister-in-law bought us this fabulous fire pit for our deck. We, uh, finally set it up the other day. Yeah, I know it is already mid-September, but honestly, I don't want to sit outside at night in the middle of the summer when it is still ridiculously humid and get eaten alive by mosquitos. I swear the little bastards lust my Mediterranean blood! So not fun! But sitting out on a cool September or October evening, wrapped in a cozy fleece blanket, sipping a hot toddy...that's what I'm talking 'bout!

Isn't it pretty?!?

We set up a cute little seating area around it with our existing ugly furniture...

We finally got the chance to get some mums!!! The Home Depot garden center had AMAZING mums this year!!! I wanted them ALL. But I behaved. I got three (for now...)

I got one of those lush deep red mums in the pumpkin planter! Love!

There is Kevin trying to look all cool and aloof and trying to pretend he is not with the crazy lady snapping pictures in the middle of the Home Depot garden center!!! Silly boy...he ought to know better by now!!!

We also brought this pretty home!!!

This past Saturday was super rainy...

Still it didn't stop us from going to Brooksby to buy some apples...

...and by "us" I mean Kevin.

(Did you really think I was gonna get wet?!)

We had to warm up with some steamy hot coffee.

And by "we" I mean Kevin.

I just wanted some Dunk's in the Patriots cup!

Bailey just wanted his plain munchkins!

I got scrappy, too! I completed this minibook about my nephew's first year of T-ball!

He loves looking at pictures of himself in my scrapbooks. 

In other crafty/scrappy news, I made a few videos showing the steps to make the Grungepaper flowers that I showed in a recent post. I broke it up in to four videos since I just use my little point and shoot to videotape stuff. Each is only about 3 minutes long. If anyone wants to see them just leave a comment with your email and I will be happy to email the links to you!

I had a nice little surprise today...a message from Cheryl at Take a Second Glantz (you really should read her blog...so much fun!) that I won a prize in her blogoversary giveaway!!! Thanks again Cheryl!!!

We have some fun fall outings planned over the next several weeks! I am not going to share yet...you will have to wait and see the pics...I am such a tease!!!

My hubs turns 40 in a couple weeks!!! 40!!! So in the midst of everything else going on I am also planning a party for him and about 40 of our nearest and dearest! Don't worry...it is not a surprise...he hates surprise parties! I am actually really looking forward to it! I think our family could use a good party!!!

I think that is all for now. :-)