It actually feels like Fall here.......

........well, not really, but I can pretend, can't I ?? It does, however, seem like the rainy season (which is cooler) is starting, because we've had several rainy days in a row. (The rainy season, if I remember right, is about November to January, but last year was much longer, both earlier and later than "normal") It is always cooler in the shade here, but the days also cool off by 1-5 degrees - which makes it tolerable in the shade. So when it's 34' C here, which is fairly hot, that is 93.2' F. It feels much cooler than that, though. For example, today was only 30.6' C, which is 87' F. Their all-time low here is 19.5' C, which is 67' F (Singaporeans wore their coats those days - hehe) -- that was many years ago, and I've never felt it that cold, no even in the theatres, where it is mandatory to wear long sleeves and socks to stay warm for the duration of the film. BBBrrrr.... Amazing that 87 feels cooler to me but that doesn't mean I've acclimated to it or like it!! Steamy...... and, oh yeah, it's always very high humidity, which always makes it seem hotter than it really is. Another reason I think the rainy season will soon be upon us in full force is because with the rains comes the lightening and thunder - FABULOUS!

When I was back in Virginia in mid-late September, we went on an apple picking adventure, the first of the season. The farm was higher in elevation, so it was considerably cooler than where Emily's house is, and I got the first feelings of 'fall' there -- bad time to go back home to Singapore, because fall is my most favorite time of year! I LIKE putting back on the turtle necks, flannels, cords and heavy socks & boots :)

Funny thing! Here in Singapore, where the only place you see snow (and it's manufactured) is inside a BIG building -- they are selling all the latest in winter wear - from Gucci on down .....funny.......who wears that stuff here I wonder??

Today, while I was holding Evoly, I tickled her neck and she laughed!! :) :) And she's really getting good at holding her head up and 'still' (not so many crashes any more) She'll be 2-1/2 months old next week.

Well, I love you all. Hope your experiences are as fun in the fall as they have always been for me. Some day I'm going to make that famous drive in the upper Nor'east to see all the pretty colors. And this Christmas-time, when we go back to Virginia for Emily's new baby and Christmas, I am going to visit Colonial Williamsburg -- all decked out in their early-American finery! It should be lots of fun - I can hardly wait, I'm so excited (excited about the baby, too, Em! hehe)

You've simply got to read my daughter Olivia's blog - it's #3 to the left - lots of laughs!!

Some random pictures to enjoy...

I'm soooooo strong :) I'm almost 2-1/2 months old now.


Angel baby :) I laugh and coo and talk all day long :)


At first it's really cold.... and then it's not so bad ;) Maybe I'm a fish :)

It's 5:07 AM................

... and I've been awake since 3:45 AM! Does this sound like jet-lag still ;) I'll fall sleep tonight in the middle of an early prime-time and "favorite" American-repeat show, no doubt! Now, wait, you ask?? You're still having jet-lag even though you've been back in Singapore for 2-1/2 weeks?? And I will answer, yes, even though I exercise almost everyday (thanks, Sarah!) and eat normally; I've lost the ability to control what my body does (could I ever control that?) I've been enjoying reading some new blogs I've not read before -- my kids have such funny friends!! And I know I've promised to post some pictures and I will -- at a more decent time slot. So I guess you'll just have to wait some time longer -- sorry:( Anyway, now it's 5:14 AM and I'm going to try to go back to sleep - again! Wish me luck and TTYL :)

Ok, I know :)

I know that I have promised that I would post pictures -- and I will -- eventually :) please bear with me. I've been entertaining the troops and helping Sarah and "Cashew". I've still got to download pictures from 2 cameras, organize, decide, etc., etc. Excuses? Maybe!

Right now I am tired -- yes still -- so indulge me another couple of days. I really haven't had time to properly recover from my own jet-lag, but now that the kids are gone (sniffle, sob) I can do that -- it usually takes me up to 2 weeks - hope this one isn't as long. Being up early each day with the kids might have helped, but by 9 PM my eyes are closing! NOT NORMAL!

Sarah and I are going to try to start a regular exercise/swim program to get BUFF! well, at least to lose weight! hehe :)

It's been extremely fun being able to get each of our kids/families here to Singapore! We've enjoyed every sweet-stinkin' moment! there were never any major injuries, and sometimes we were even able to go to other countries around us. It's been a once-in-a-lifetime (x's 5) experience and I'm so glad that we were able to do that. I hope that for each of you it has been a great experience, too. Now the work of putting away money for our own retirement begins, and we've got enough time left to accomplish a good savings.

I love you all -- more later, after today's church and sleep.

Well.....

Jet-lag can be a real 'killer'. I've been awake, again, from 230 AM and it's now 319 AM (I've been paying bills, reading blogs and checking my email), and I am going back to bed..........but I really have a few things to say about "truth, reality and responsibility" so...return later.

Hey, I found the "Title" again - hooray!

But it's still too early in the day for me to sit down and add some more.....well, maybe that is the best time, oui?? Tim and Livvy have only a few more days here, so we must be busy; Sarah got her hair cut yesterday - quite short and cute!; Bryan's been sick, but is slowly getting better (he's not real good about taking care of himself and I'm not his 'mommy', though I do give suggestions only once, now - hehe! ;) I'll be posting some pictures today or tomorrow, hopefully; bye for now.

Well, I've been reminded that I haven't written in a month -- so I will attempt to add SOMETHING today....okay....here goes. Sarah, Evoly and I are flying to Singapore in 3 more days, haven't started packing up all our junk yet, I'm starting to get panicked just a bit, because we also still have to finish cleaning out her room at Emily and Carlos' and put all the "umnecessary" stuff in storage. We've moved over to the hotel (2 days ago) so that we have better access and can move more freely, and I know it will all get done nicely...but still it's stressful!!!
Sarah will live with us for the next 3 months, and during that time we will be looking for and studying all her options as to what to do next. I'll explain later.
I'll do the rest of this blog later, too, so check back

uummmmm

Late last night as I was falling asleep, a spider (or some other such creeepy creature) fell out of the air-vent above my face and landed ON MY CLOSED EYE!!! >:( aaaaaaaaaaaa - well....naturally, I got out of bed (couch) flinging my arms violently around - and shaking and jumping ... and I didn't see it again...must have been afraid of a crazy woman ...hehe...then this morning, the toilet backed-up for most of today -- plunge!, suck! won't drain --- plunge!, suck! won't drain--- YOUR'E RIGHT , IT'S YUCKY!!.........soooooo, I had 2 Krispy Cremes late tonight!! yeah >:) what of it....life happens so eat dessert first ... and last :):) have a nice day :-)

Evoly making her first fashion statement and sunbathing techniques

just trying to get rid of that nasty, excess bilirubin 8~)

School days, school days (lala lala la la)

Mommy is our driver :) It's 'tax free' day!! Yippee!

Miriam is our happy Kindergartener

and little Elaine is our shopping hostage >:(

"why are we shopping again - I don't want to go shopping again - wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"


First, we drove to Target and bought some jeans and some supplies.

Then we got really excited and went to WalMart :)

First we found my pencil/supply box - in GREEN, not pink or blue (I've even bought all my new shirts is orange, black, green, red and brown - I have enough pink and purple and turquoise, I think.

Next is glue sticks - 6 BIG ones!!

Mom is helping me find the 8 crayon box and the 16 crayon box - I guess I need both - I don't know why ?? Teacher wants them both for some reason. Weird.

I get to put all my stuff in the cart :)

Next, I am looking for a clip board - I get to choose from pink, green, brown and clear - guess which one I choose - pink - well I guess I'm no totally done with pink >:~)


Boy we sure worked hard today (especially trying to find plain white underwear - did you know that they don't sell packs of those anymore! what!?!?) so...............we eat - that helped Elaine calm down a little bit -

Guess it's time to go home now - phew! glad that's done!

Now let's get to school :~)