It's beginning to feel a lot like Halloween

Halloween's acomin'!!!!! I can't wait. I don't know why but All Hallow's Eve has always been my favorite holiday. Is it because you can dress up like a princess and people toss free chocolate at you? Hmmm....maybe I should seek a therapist about this. Plus, I love witchy stuff wayyyy too much for a confessing Christian. Anyway, the last couple of years we went to Guthrie for a Scottish Fair they hold at the Scottish Freemason Temple. So cool. I hope they'll have it again this year. Sometimes, it's way too cold to be running around regimental under the old kilt, if you know what I mean. We took Rachael to Tulsa for her first Scottish Games and Gathering. She and I bought matching celtic knot rings and wove hairbands in the craft tent. She seemed most taken with the Scottish Fainting Goats, even though none of them keeled over while we were there. We missed a lot of the cool stuff but managed to torture her for about 4 hours with the Ceiledh ("kaylee" = concert) but we enjoyed the dancing (Hey, Cary and I even danced a jig) and the last band really rocked. The Elder's singer is actually from Ireland and Rachael had to have the entire band's autograph which we thoroughly enjoyed asking them for!!
We also took her this weekend to a Midnight Matinee at the Broadway Theater here in Edmond. The play was called "The Passion of Dracula" and of course, afterward we again got the entire cast's autograph. I'm gonna have to get her a scrapbook, I guess. It was the first play she'd been too and I think the only thing holding her eyelids open at 2 a.m. were the stars in her eyes. She's going to be in Drama next semester (if her grades hold up). I think I'm as excited, if not more than, she is. She's currently at the Oklahoma State Fair with her "friend" Donnie and his family. *sigh* He's cute too, I know why all the girls are vying for him now.
Well, I always wondered why parents can't shut up about thier kids all the time, now I know. It's like every other thought in my brain is about her. I love having her around although I need to cut this off and do some writing while she's out of the house. I haven't learned how to concentrate with distractions yet.
Mimi, I just wanted to say that your comments ALWAYS count, even if the numbers don't roll up on the counter. Hope you are all doing well. Love ya and I'll talk to you soon.

Changes

Well, they say life is about changes right? Recently my niece Rachael has come to stay with us and though the circumstances are not ideal, secretly I couldn't be happier. We all know that my sister (Rach's Mom) has had one tragedy after another to deal with and she's really seeking help this time, so we're grateful and hopeful that everything works out well. In the meantime, Rachael has brought immense joy to my life (as usual!) and brightens my afternoons (she's not exactly Ms. Mary Sunshine in the early mornings though! heheheh sorry Rach!). My husband and I moved into our "office room" and Rachael has turned my pretty yellow bedroom into a glittery/hot pink/stuffed animal/sponge bob pillowed /Napolean Dynamite-postered teenage domain! But its her space now and I only hope she can forgive me for infringing on her closet since there's no where else to store stuff!
We got her enrolled in school and luckily she's been able to join a few classes like art and choir, next semester DRAMA! yay! These are opportunities that her old school didn't have, so I hope the fact that its a larger school won't be too hard to get used to.
My biggest fear is that I'll be so strict with her that I'll freak her right out, but Rach understands that this stuff is kind of new to me too, right? One thing I want to be is fair. Firm but as fair as possible. Consistancy, right Dad?
Well, wish me luck!
On another note, Cary and I have started school again also and this semester we have two classes together! I'm really excited about next semester, I think I'll be able to start teaching some classes-English Comp. probably. I start my tutoring position soon and I look forward to getting back to the kids. I don't know if I'll be at the same school this time or not. Cary job's are going well. He's designing lots of features for The Vista and publishing 1-2 political cartoons a week as well. He's still drawing caricatures at Frontier City until October and he's still loving it! He's had quite a few offers for freelance work this week and so he's darn busy what with all this going on! Don't worry though, he still has plenty of time to help Rach figure out Pre-Algebra! lucky him...
I guess thats about all my new news. I need to get busy on my homework, fun fun, fun on a Saturday night, huh?!
Love you guys and I hope to hear from you soon!