Do I smell...

...SMOKE?

that was the question Jeff posed as he stepped out of the shower, just as I was opening the blinds in our bedroom at 6:15 this morning. The flashing lights and sirens had woken me. This is what we found upon closer inspection out the FRONT of the house:

4 ALARM FIRE:
9 fire trucks/four ladder trucks/3 billions other fire-emergency trucks/3 paramedics




Holy smokes batman!!! I must say, it was a bit creepy. Especially before the sun came up. I've never seen anything like it. Firefighters scaling the ladders into the top of that house. Smoke. Holy cow...the SMOKE billowing out of that poor house. It was under construction and they were going gangbusters on it. They had just poured cement and loaded tile into the garage. uggg. those poor owners.

The firefighters put on a show...that much is true. But the MEDIA circus was equally crazy. We certainly had the birds-eye view. EIGHT news media trucks parked in front of my house for HOURS. We watched all the live interviews, the set up, the HOOP-LA and the chaos. They interviewed my neighbor shoveling his walks. I kept a low profile since I'm wearing "ho-ho-ho" red Christmas socks and am currently on day-4 hair.




The dude below was the source of the FIRST embarrassing moment of the day. We didn't realize for over an hour that there were actually TWO houses burning. The second was RIGHT NEXT DOOR. I ran to my bedroom and opened the side blinds to find this:


Tell you what. I felt like a peeping-tom moron. He totally CAUGHT us taking his picture. But when we passed him a little later while taking the kids to school he smiled and waved to the kids. stupid curious civilians!!

An (extremely handsome) fireman/ fire investigator came to my door a while ago to see if we had heard/seen/smelled anything suspicious. We hadn't. Jeff was in the shower and I was dreaming of cake, at the time in question. I was still in my red ho-ho socks. And it's still day four- just for the record.

It's arson, according to handsome fire investigator. And apparently these A HOLES like to come back around and survey the damage they have caused, so best be keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. Who new owning opera glasses(tiny binocuars, for those non-artsy/nerdy) would come in handy OUTSIDE of the theater? I'll be getting my Nancy Drew on.

I heart Guernsey

You MUST read this book. I don't do the book thing here on Anyhoodle much these days, thanks to the convenience of Goodreads (which is AWESOME, by the by...go join today!!!), but I had to make my adoration for this little book public.

I knew NOTHING about this book before I turned the first page. I did not want it to end. I am in love with these characters. It was enjoyable on EVERY LEVEL. It's delightfully witty. Charming, even. Touching, unexpected, insightful...name your adjective. I'll tell you nothing about it other than it now resides SOLIDLY in my top 5. Forever. Trust me. I'm doing you a solid. Don't wait at the library (I was number 187!) so I finally bought it myself and will re-read and re-read this little piece of literary bliss.
Buy it here.

thankyou Kristi and Daisy for the recommendation. I owe you.

Merry Merry Ho Ho.

Well well well!!! What better way to wipe away the bitter January doldrums than an unexpected Christmas recap? Well, as always, I am here to serve YOU.

Christmas was WONDERFUL. You can see all the highlights below in the super duper hand crafted collages:) Libby hated Santa BOTH times their paths had the unfortunate opportunity of crossing. We LOVED being with our families. We played hand and foot till our eyes popped out. We reenacted the nativity (but of course!), we all enjoyed Steph's incredible "Watch the Lamb" guitar/vocal masterpiece (nary a dry eye in the room...even the chitlins...if you haven't heard her do this song, you really really are missing out on a genuine pleasure), I escaped a small kitchen fire, obliterated 3 lbs of bacon (the SHAME!), and certain death while preparing my baked potato soup, laid out the treats and COKE for the FAT MAN (coke is his preference, so we've been told), and watched the happy wonder enfold on Christmas morning. The FAT MAN totally delivered. He's magic, don't you know!?!



Better late than never, I always say:)

The HFAV (H family adventures) clan also added a snow shoeing expedition to it's fine tradition of exercise fun. This was my first outing as an active participant, and actually, it was rather enjoyable. Beautiful too. But, due to an unfortunate career ending groin-pull, it may just be my last. I'm a girl who know her limits.


Thanks for keeping me company on the way back to the car Alisa.

oh, and the, uhh...."injury" is healing up nicley, thankyouverymuch.

FYI...

...if the ONLY uploads you have to photobucket proudly portray naked kids and their body art, or your gloriously happily-naked, smiling hubby in Cabo, (or both!) they will FLAG your account and FLAG YOU HARD.


oh, and remove your photos and leave this little reprimand in their place.

you best believe I spent the better part of today uploading rainbows, unicorns, and kittens to photobucket, lest the perve police come a'knocking.

consider yourself warned.

LuLu

This little 8 yr old started a blog today! Being as I AM her mother I thought she deserved a proper WELCOME!!!

Check her out HERE:)

Have fun Gracie Lu!

Happy New Year To Me

I am a cleaner. It's true. I loathe clutter and openly embrace organization. It's a well inherited trait from my mother and her mother before her. I have relaxed with time, for sure, and that's a good thing. I've gotten lazier. I no longer know exactly which barbie shoe belongs with which barbie. I don't go all OCD IN YOUR FACE like I used to. I can live with a dirty shower and laundry unfolded STILL SITTING IN THE BASKET !!!! gasp! (or basketS...which is usually the case).

One thing I DO hate is MOPPING. I do believe I've documented this before. Floors have been my bitter ugly enemy since the dawn of time, and this house has been no flipping exception. These porous travertine floors are just as annoying as every other flooring I have loathed in the past.

UNTIL NOW!!!!

I was glued to an infomercial for THIS wonder product for a solid HOUR late Saturday night. I even got OUT OF BED to find a pen. I was nearly giddy with the possibilities, and have been on a MISSION to obtain this product since.


Target better deliver this gorgeous piece of genius to my front door in 3 DAYS or I'll leave the UPS man his own little treasure on the front stoop.

(don't waste your time driving two TWO different Targets AND BedBath&Beyond. They are only carried on the website, as it is clearly noted....not that I would ever be that stupid....I'm just saying...)

Oh boy

Libby has tapped into a knew part of her personality and I'm not exactly sure I approve. But then, exhibitionism, body art, and nudity were never high on my list.

help me!