It's the Great Pumpkin

So begins my attempt at pretending it is the holiday season. It just doesn’t feel right without the nippy air blowing against your face as you burrow down into your sweater. David says we are going to crank down the AC on Christmas Day, wear the one sweater we brought, and drink some hot wassail.


But we are not there yet, so in shorts my sister and I headed off to a pumpkin patch to find the canvases for our astounding carving abilities (not really). I don’t care what anyone says about convenience – picking up a pumpkin as you walk into the grocery store just doesn’t create the memories that come when you head out into a field yourself to hunt down the perfect one. Which sometimes involves strategic planning and always involves running. Luckily, our legs are longer than most 5th graders. Ha ha! Take that, kiddos.

The Pumpkin Selecting Process:

Search

Find



Inspect



Deliberate



Select

Or in Courtney's case, choose two since you can't decide.

Oh wait, make that three becuase this one is cool and warty. She was very excited.

Anyway, our husbands conveniently found other things to do, so we headed off into the patch by ourselves. It was nice, with all the noise, kids, and hayrides that over the years have replaced horses with smelly tractors. After many goofy pictures, and changing pumpkins like 5 times each, we took our treasures and headed home to schedule their lobotomies.

A few nights later was the big day, and after much deliberation we set to carving. As you can see, I have to give Court mad props for her howling wolf, as all we had to work with were steak knives. I’m still not sure how she did it. I’m not patient enough for that. Hence, Scary Snake Man. Much easier.

However, he was not too scary, as he failed to intimidate Paul’s Pirate Pumpkin in an arm wrestling match (which I lost. Big surprise).

I absolutely love pumpkin seeds.

Here is Courtney, high on sugar. Somwhow, the amazing Wilson genes were called into question regarding our jumping skills. Naturally, Courtney's sugar-addled brain decided a jumping contest was in order to prove we could actually jump higher than 2 inches (we can't) and as usual, Paul decided to spice things up by attempting to light our feet on fire as incentive. I wish I could find that picture.

So that’s it. Pretty tame. The scariest thing about this Halloween was how much a pumpkin cost.

***Here's a warning, people: This might be a theme for the first few months as we adjust to living in a high-priced area. My girlish shriek of incredulity has become common at the local grocery store. It is going to be like a party once we move back to the mainland.***

David was in CA, so we chilled in the house and watched a movie; it was a Will Ferrel flick, so we got our calisthenics in as we repeatedly leapt up from our seats to turn down the volume during inappropriate parts lest we emotionally scar the cute trick-or-treaters looking for candy. Unfortunately, I think I was Court’s best customer.

Hiking

Remember how I said trying to find a place to live had been stressing me out? After flipping out on Courtney about how David and I were going to be homeless forever, she decided that we should get out and go for a quick hike before she had to go to her next job. So we went on a really easy 5 mile loop hike that was close by, because as we all know, I possess toothpick legs.





We had a nice time with the dogs - Lily was amazed to discover the world isn't flat after all - and it was pretty easy-going. Court pointed out this fruit called strawberry guava that was growing wild along the trail, and since it was about to go out of season for another year it became my little game of hide-and-seek on the trail. We'd be going along, and suddenly Court would realize she was all alone bc I had seen a patch of red and climbed a tree to get them. It was fun.





Bear was upset that she couldn't follow.



We're kind of goofy.



All was going fine until, with my infinite grace, I managed to twist my ankle pretty good a mile away from the end of the trail. Those who know me well are probably not surprised.

THIS was a bit difficult to get over on one leg.



Anyway, Courtney, (very quietly) started to freak out, bc she was now going to be late for work, which prompted her to insist on carrying me on her back for some of the way back. She was DETERMINED. We eventually gimped out of there, and Court made it to work on time. So much for a nice, stress-free time! Oh well, it was still good to be out.

We Own A Car Again!

Hallelujah, we once again own a car of our own. As many of you know, David and I were totally pimping out my grandmother's Grand Marquis the month before we left. Nice. (Although we are very thankful that we didn't have to rent one. Thanks, Grandmom!) What's funny is what rental car they had for us when we arrived in Hawaii - yes, that's right; another Grand Marquis! A few days later we tried to trade it out and ended up with a minivan. Getting closer to our age demographic, but still not quite there. So I am excited to say we finally found one to call our own. And here it is in all its glory:



I decided against a Wrangler bc it is kind of impractical since it will be our only car. Not to mention it's noisy. But, we kept it in the family and ended up with a Liberty. It has 4x4, so watch out, wilderness!



Note the large trunk area - since we are apparently going to be homeless, I've got dibs on the back. Although we will let the guests use it when they come to visit. Classy!

Lily Meets the Ocean and Goes Batshit

This is Lily's first introduction to the ocean - it was a bit of a surprise for Court and Paul, as they were used to Lazy Lily who has been doing nothing but sleeping for the whole week that she has been here.

However, once out (and wet) she proceeded to tear up and down the beach like a madwoman, lay down, and then randomly get up, rinse and repeat. All in all, she had a great time, and will become a beach dog yet.









Whenever she got wet, she would run up the beach and dive face-first in the sand. I'm not sure how that is comforting to her, but whatever.





Lily rests for a moment and regards the place where her parents got engaged.



Also, Lily is apparently mortally afraid of feathers - it was great entertainment.

We're Here

Aloha!

We all made it here safely, in case anyone was wondering. Although there was a bit of drama when at 5 am the day we were scheduled to leave we tried to drop off Lily and they told us they couldn't transport her bc they thought the cage was A BIT TOO SMALL. Well. I'm afraid that was the last straw of our sanity, and it think it showed because in the end Lily was allowed on the flight.

Other than that, no problems - we're staying with my sister and brother-in-law while I look for a job/house/car. Starting from scratch may sound exciting in foresight, but while living it I would call it anything but. I am hoping after these things are all taken care of I can breathe again. I really don't know how Court & Paul did this by themselves.

Anyway, there really isn't much to update - I spend my mornings on the computer looking for jobs and apts, visiting said apts, and wondering if personal safety is worth an extra $500/month. David got sent back to the mainland on business for a week, but he should be back by the time our things show up (finally) on the 5th. We really have been very blessed with this whole situation of David's job, and a place to stay. It is my failing that I am letting all the exterior pressures stress me out. This is a great chance to work on peace and trust that things will work out in His time. Let's hope I make the most of it.

Until then, whenever I feel like my head is about to implode, Court will take me out of the house to try to relax a bit - so I have a few pictures that aren't of run-down buildings. Hopefully these posts will get more enjoyable soon!

And now for the randomness -



This first one is a pic of my sister's backyard. Not too shabby. One problem with living on a golf course is that they don't want to disturb the golfers, so....



You have to mow your lawn the old-fashioned way with no motor. I tried to help out, but - holy crap, that grass is resilient.



I'm a surfer girl without a board. Or any skill whatsoever.



Court and Paul tried to make us some local food - ug, oysters. As you can see, I'm thrilled.



The beach! Yay. Yes, I really am that white. Do not look directly at me for your own protection.



David monitors the ocean - and that speck of brown and neon green to the left is my sister's dog, Bear, who is about to get thrashed by the surf.



And finally - our first party invite! And yes, it is a Wii party. We apparently still give off Nerd Rays over here. Whatever, they were very nice and I had fun. Also I kick ass at Wii Tennis. Paul will tell you he beat me. He's lying.

Farewell, Texas!

Our last night in Texas - thanks to my bible study group for throwing me an awesome party! You guys are the best, and I miss you greatly - I hope you all come out to visit me at once! Talk about party.

Thank you to everyone who came - it was wonderful to see you all, and it meant a lot to both David and I. The thing we miss the most are all the wonderful people we left behind. Please know that we would love to have you all out to come visit us sometime.

Here are some party pics - of course it was a luau - we had a great time with all of you!



I forced many people to take a picture with this - it took me forever to make! This is Katrina and Simon - unfortunately, their adorable daughter Carsen is hiding behind mom.







Abbey and Zack



Welcome to the Dyer Family - this is David's bother John doing the hula.



Amy and Mike Maskow - they are coming out to visit in November!





The thrill of victory and agony of defeat.



This is a spear I made for the 'Spear the Pig' game.



I decided to try it out on the 'pig'.



Ruthie and Josh - David's sister and her husband.



Some of my bible study girls!



Stephen tries out his skills -



See the spear at the top of the picture?



Dyer brothers and sisters.



Lily is ready for bed. Little does she know we will be heading for the airport in about 4 hours from now.