I won!

I got news this morning that I won a $45 giveaway to an online store.  Yea!  It was through the blog of a good friend of mine - Kim.  I knew her husband while we were living in Indiana (he was still in high school at that time and hadn't met his lovely wife yet).  Anyway, Kim and I have become good friends over the last half year.  You should check out her blog in the link above.  If you like me, you'll like her.  As Aaron likes to say, "Melissa and Kim are redundant."  But there are some slight differences to us such as she's a psycho running chick who will soon be completing her fourth marathon since June of this year.  I think there may have been a half marathon in that time period as well.  She mainly likes me because I have access to fresh raspberries all summer long.  Anyway, Kim is cool.  And because of her blog giveaway, I am now $45 richer in merchandise.  Not sure what I will get yet.  I struggle with open ended gift certificiates because my options are too vague and out there.  I have to look at pretty much everything there is to look at to make sure I'm getting what I really want before I buy and then I'm wracked with doubt on what I really want/need.  I was once given a $15 gift certificate to Kohl's about 10 years ago.  I went into the store three different times that year and looked at everything, but couldn't decide what to get, so I continually walked out with nothing.  Finally, I took my sister-in-law with me with orders that she could not allow me to leave the store without buying something.  Yes, I know.  I need help.  I will try to not be so indecisive with this one.  Plus, it expires on Dec. 31, so I have to decide by then or I lose it.

On other happy news, I took my kids to the dentist for their teeth cleaning today.  It's always so nerve-wracking for me.  If my kids have cavities, I feel like such a horrid mother, since I am the one in charge of what they eat and reminding them to brush.  But I was determined to relax today and I did.  I even got to read a magazine in the waiting area because they took all three back at once.  What a treat!  The dentist came out with a great report of everyone is doing great, doing good with brushing and no cavities - even David who has to brush around all the metal in his mouth did awesome.  Yea kids!  Yea Mom! 

And finally, I went out today and harvested the remaining things in my garden.  It's supposed to get down in the 20s tonight, so I brought in everything I could.  There are still a few smaller tomatoes and peppers out and a tiny bit of spinach left and some kale.  But if it gets killed off tonight, then my garden will be officially done for the season and all I have to do is clear it off.  I still have things to preserve yet, but I'm getting there. I took care of all my beets and carrots this past weekend and made some yummy pear butter too.  I will rejoice when the last scrap of food is put away somewhere and the swarm of fruit flies that have taken up residence in my kitchen will be gone!