Another stupid yard sale.

So, if you have been following my blog since the beginning, you may remember an old post from the spring about a neighborhood yard sale. You may also remember that I HATE YARD SALES!!!!! Well, today my neighbors decided to have a cul-de-sac yard sale. So, At 8 am I went outside with all our old sh**. It was freezing cold, so I sat under a blanket while people walked up my driveway and criticized my OLD CRAP and it's $1.00 price tag. I found it very insulting. These items were once displayed in my house, and you think I am asking too much? a buck? Well, after 4 hours we made $27.50. However, my kids took some of our winnings and bought my neighbors' sh**. So when we had enough. we opened up our trash bins and through what remained in the trash. When all was said and done, I sat in the freezing cold for a measly $5.00 per hour. NEVER AGAIN...I HATE YARD SALES......

Pumpkineezer Scrooge is in the house!

Today I decided it was time to get out our Halloween decorations. Although Halloween is not my favorite holiday, I still enjoy decorating both inside and outside our house. As soon as the box of decos emerges from their storage bin, my kids are all excited....my hubby....different story. Halloween is definitely his LEAST favorite holiday. He would rather me decorate for Arbor Day, or Flag Day, or Election Day, or any other random, erroneous, holiday. But Halloween...forget it......it's just not his kinda holiday.

Apples, apples, and more apples

This Saturday we took the kids to an apple orchard to pick our own apples. When we arrived to the orchard there was an area full of pumpkins and hay for the kids to run around in. Then we all got on a tractor pulling cart for our ride into the orchard. Everyone got into the apple picking...so much so, that we ended up with 16 pounds of apples.

Metal Mouth Madi

Today Madison got her braces put on. She was a real trooper! I am the one who's currently in pain though. The going rate for full braces is currently $5,513. Thank God the orthodontist is nice enough to put us on a payment plan. Since Madi is Hartman #3 to get braces, I have been making ortho payments since 2003. And I still do not see an end in sight. But you will all be happy to know that my orthodontist drives a lovely, expensive, foreign sports car......Oh well, what's a mama to do?

Good friends, good wine, and an early b-day gift!

On Friday night my girlfriend from high school, Chrissie, her hubby, Steve, and their 3 gorgeous kids came over. Even though my b-day isn't for another 7 weeks, Chrissie gave me a present early. I LOVE IT! My own personal wine glass. How appropriate. Below are my 3 youngest kiddie with their 3 kids, watching tv. We always a fabulous time hanging out with them!

Family Up-Date

Okay, after I read Heidi's post today I realized it has been quite a while since I have updated. I am not even sure where to begin. So, here's an update on the fam!

• CJ has adjusted well to 9th grade. He is not playing a sport this fall, so when he is not studying hard..hahaha...he's hanging out with his friends, or babysitting Kamryn while I run everyone else around.
• Kylie is playing field hockey for her school. She has practice everyday after school. On Monday nights she has her Intermediate Jazz class. It's a tough class, but she loves it.
• Madi has PREP (the new word for CCD) on Monday's. She is getting ready for Confirmation this year. She has asked her God-Mother, Tara, to be her sponsor. She has chosen the name Teresa, because it is my mom's middle name. On Tuesday, she takes a hip hop class. She loves it. Next Monday she gets her braces put on. I'll be sure to post pics of Madi in metal!
• Avery also has PREP on Mondays. This year she receives the sacrament of Reconciliation. On Tuesdays she has jazz class. Unfortunately it is not at the same time as Madi's class, so I spend my Tuesdays running back and forth and back again to the dance studio. Avery is also playing soccer this year. She has a game every Saturday.
• Kamryn is my little love bug who just goes with flow! She is completely potty trained, through the night and all. That's right, for the first time in 16 years, there are NO diapers in our house.
• Paulie is still here. He hasn't eaten a shoe in awhile. (Which is why he still here.) He seems to be slowly moving out of the puppy stage. He still hates other dogs.
• Chris has been busy finishing up our renovations. He promises me that the family room will be done within the next two weeks. I think when he's done the family room, I will let him take a few months off before he starts to remodel all of the rooms upstairs.
• ME!!!! Nothing new at all. Just busy being a mommy.

Happy 75th Mom/Grammy

On Saturday the Hartmans gathered together to celebrate mom's 75th birthday. Here are a few pics from the day!

Heidi had a pillow made from one of dad's sweaters.

Mom blowing out her candles.
Grammy and her granddaughters and great granddaughters. The only person missing is Jaclyn. She arrived to the party after work, and after the pic was taken.
Here are the grandsons and great-grandsons minus Matt.
Hartmans hanging out.
More hanging out!
Avery, Jorja, Rylee, and Kamryn
Jaclyn, Casey, Kelly, Kirstin, and Madi.
Happy birthday Mom! We all love you so much.