I finally got around to writing a new diary entry! The truth is, there hasn't really been much going on over the past couple of months to write about. Plus, it seemed to take us forever to get pictures developed. Anyways, here is what we have been up to lately.

I know that I talked about our visit from Kylan's dad in the last entry, but we finally got the photos back so I had to post them here. We had such a great time while he was here. And we can't wait until he makes a return visit in the spring. I was really happy over how nice the photo of Kylan with his dad at Six Flags turned out. (The coaster in the background is "NightFlight", one that Kylan always says he is going to try but still hasn't gotten to yet!)

I also decided to post before and after photos of our patio area. It's not entirely finished, but it is currently large enough for a patio table and a couple of chairs. Next spring we are going to expand it out just a little more and over past the side of the house. We might stain it too...the plain cement looks rather stark next to the old cement steps at the back door!

And sticking with the theme of long-overdue photo postings, I finally got a good shot of our Mod Squad (Spirit, Banzai, & Elvis) all together. It is difficult to get one or two of them to stay still long enough to snap a good picture. All three at once was sheer luck! For those who are wondering, the dogs are doing well. Elvis and Banzai still have a love-hate thing going on, but that will probably never change. Elvis is just a crotchety old man sometimes and Banzai gets on his nerves! On October 15th, Banzai celebrated her 2nd birthday. Of course, we took her to Petsmart where she picked out her own treats and she had a small cake as well.

On Sunday, October 19th, Kylan and I, along with our friends Sheila and her daughter Emily, took part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk through downtown Akron. There were over 3,000 people there and they were able to raise more than $169,000 for the cause. We had great weather that day...clear skies and just a bit of a breeze. Kylan and I could tell that we are in better shape than the last time we did the walk two years ago. We weren't the least bit out of breath and we made really good time!

Just a few days before we did the walk, I went to get my hair cut. I haven't had a cut in over three years and my hair hasn't really been short for even longer. So, deciding that it was time for a big change, I cut it all off. I was able to donate my ponytail (12 inches long!) to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients. I like having short hair again...I don't have to fuss with it much when I go out, even though I do have major bedhead in the mornings now!

And finally, Kylan celebrated his 33rd birthday on November 3rd. I gave him a collectible statute of his all-time favorite Steelers player, "Mean" Joe Green, and tickets to a Cleveland Cavaliers game at the end of the month. He plans to use birthday money received from his mom, sister, and my mom to buy a PS2 game and the 4-disc special edition of "The Two Towers" when it comes out. We went out for a steak dinner. I let our server know it was Kylan's birthday and, at the end of the meal, a group gathered around our table, put a cowboy hat with a red balloon attached to it on Kylan's head, and did a birthday chant. It was hilarious! Kylan got to keep the hat too!

That's all for now!
D.


Books Recently Read
Dawn:
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde.....6 out of 7
(A very funny mystery novel involving kidnapped literary characters and time travel. Highly enjoyable!)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.....5 out of 7
(Rowling's writing is maturing, making the plotlines less predictable and more interesting.)
From the Dust Returned by Ray Bradbury.....4 out of 7
(A bit disappointing. Bradbury is an amazing storyteller, but this "ghost story" just didn't grab me.)
Wonder Woman : Mythos by Carol Lay.....5 out of 7
(A little predictable, but otherwise an enjoyable novel involving the Justice League of America.)
A Winter Haunting by Dan Simmons.....6 out of 7
(A very well-written "ghost story" sometimes told from the ghost's perspective. Some nice twists.)
Artemis Fowl : The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer.....6 out of 7
(A really fun read and more action packed than the first installment.)