Apples, Bugs and other fun!

So we live near the apple orchards and that bring with it bugs. Fruit flies to be exact! Never did I consider this a by-product of where we live, but we have developed a way to kill them that is non-toxic to the cats. Apple cider vinegar in a bowl - you put saran wrap over the top and poke a few holes and magically they are dumb enough to get trapped or maybe drunk enough to not care? They are everywhere. The kitchen of course, the bedroom, the bathrooms and probably the basement! argh! Can't wait for a frost to snap them off!
And in other news Mark has had fun with his new toy and also got a new weed whacker to chop down the weeds. Did you know that you shouldn't do this to poison ivy? Or if you don't know what you are whacking (meaning you can't identify) to step away with the whacker and let them grow? So yes, he now has poison ivy all over in little dots. Since we weren't sure it was poison ivy as it's all over and spotty he went to the med center and they gave him some drugs. I hope they work fast! It is not something I can get so that's good. Need to find a way to kill the poison ivy in the spring so we can be itch free all summer! And if you aren't scratching your body by now rest be assured my legs itch really bad! It's just the thought mind you that is causing it.

Mark's New Toy

If you can't tell what this is it's Mark's new John Deere - words can not describe it better than pictures in this case.

West Point Football!

Helen and Barry with West Point in the background. This is off the road we take going to the game and is VERY high up. It's a long ways down.

Saturday we took our guests - Mark's parents over to West Point for the Army game against Akron. Of course we are not even going to discuss the game as we all know how good they are not this year. We tailgated a little bit and then hopped on the handicap bus for the trip down the hill. I was all excited as we were moving along pretty fast, but as we approached the stadium we got stuck for 30 minutes while the Superintendent exited his bus. We were blocked from one drop off area, but being it is the handicap bus there are no other spots to drop off so we wait and whined. We missed the jumpers who sky dive into the stadium and that is so cool. Since only Mark and I knew what we were missing we were the only ones bummed (and whining to the 10th degree). I have a feeling it was really the Hall of Famers getting off the busses as it turned out there were seven of them! Bobby Knight was one of them. Argh. I did get a few pictures, but only this one had Knight in it.

He is the 2nd from the left (I think)

One last shot from about West Point. To fit in we wear our Army gear. Even though they totally stink the lunch boxes we got at the 1st game are now going for over $40 on E-bay. Weird.

My Big Fat Owwie

by Cali (the cat)

Since she isn't up for sitting still and typing I'll take over. About two weeks ago Cali had surgery and I'm finally around to posting the pictures. As you can see it was quite the ordeal. Who would have guessed that her skin was so spotty! Dr. Fischer did a great job and if you ask me I think he has great name for a cat vet - cats love fish right?. He has the coolest "ranch" probably not so cool if you are the patient however, but I thought it was very fun looking. The tumor was not cancerous and shouldn't grow back. Her fur is not growing fast so I probably won't need to get out her Halloween outfit from Aunt Stef this year.

The stitches (above)

All better! And we can finally pet her without avoiding the stitches. She even sat still last night while I tweezered out one last remaining stitch. She likes it when Mani grooms her so I'm hoping she doesn't think that is my new job. He can keep it!

slacker

Yes, I know I am a slacker this week in terms of blogging and this past month in terms of no pictures. Boring I know. Not that it's been that busy or anything. We do have company for the weekend so just maybe I can get a few pictures taken - we do have a few rooms pretty done. The walls are still bare so ok not done. The fun for this week was a trip to NYC today for a seminar for me. 3 hours on the train roundtrip is the new time. Longer than before. I almost finished my book on tape. Ok enough drival ... off to bed so we can have fun tomorrow at the Army game! West Point here we come!

Mallomars

Mark found a coupon for something he thought was a new product and bought a box at the grocery store. Turns out it's not new they've been around for ages and it's just something that is mostly sold in the New York City area - 70% of them in fact! Normally I don't like store bought cookies - I love the homemade ones! However these are very good and not that bad for you. Kind of like a piece of candy, but not. Unfortunately Mark doesn't like them so the box is mine! The chocolate coating isn't dark chocolate, but it's more of a cross between semi-sweet and dark. The cookie is crumbly and the marshmallo is soft and gooey. Yummy!