My last two Craigslist dealings have been much better. Both buyers showed up on time (OK, one was late but she called to tell me so at least) and with the agreed upon cash in hand. Woo-hoo! I'm constantly combing the house now for more things to sell. I am determined to buy all my Christmas presents with cash this year - none are allowed on credit cards - and I don't want to have to scrimp in order to do it. I can get some fairly expensive tastes, especially when buying gifts for people. I always want the best I can possibly get them and sometimes that just costs more. Anyway, I'm wondering if I can finance Christmas this year by selling all the extra stuff currently tucked away in boxes in the basement or in the back of closets. Hmm. It would certainly help in my quest to pay off all our debt! I'll be listing more items tonight or tomorrow. I'm hoping they sell!

We had a fairly low key weekend. Saturday we went to view the 35W bridge. It was unreal to see. We walked on the Stone Arched Bridge and from there we could see the middle section sitting in the water. Then, on our way out we drove over the University Avenue bridge and from there we could see the southbound lanes abruptly end and then nothing but horizon. And on the northbound side we could see some of the destruction, mainly a piece of road sitting at an extreme angle. Disturbing is the first word I can think of when trying to describe it. To think that I drove that road 4 days a week, well, I can't even think about that.

Yesterday I got a few chores done around the house and then the kids and I got ready to go to the mall. We were there on Saturday afternoon and somehow lost James' blanket. I called and they had it in the lost and found so Sunday we headed back to retrieve it. I wanted to start on my fall clothing shopping for the kids too so I asked Annika to come upstairs for me please. She responded with a no. I asked her why and she said "I'm busy!" Busy? My two year old is busy? After chuckling I asked her again to please come upstairs because I wanted to see how tall she is. Then she said "Oh, you want to see how tall I am? OK, I'm coming." What a card. So, Annika is 38" according to her growth chart in her room. (Hopefully it was hung on the wall accurately!) When at the mall I found some clothes for her at Kohl's and ended up getting her 4T's! The 4T pants range from 38.5 - 40.5" and I figure that Annika will be fitting into them nicely very shortly. And now she can wear them all winter long too. I also got 4T shirts just because I've noticed some of her 3T shirts getting a little short on her midsection. We don't need any belly baring around here!

Annika has been very interested in time lately. She has a book that shows a clock on each page and then an activity that you do at that time (7am wake up, 8am breakfast, etc.). At 7pm in this book you have an evening snack. Friday my friend Lisa gave me a few outgrown baby toys from her kids. One of them had a clock with hands that you can move. Well, last night Annika moved the hands to 7 o'clock and looked at me and said "It's snack time!" I giggled then looked at our wall clock. It just happened to be 8 o'clock on the dot and according to the book (and the rules in our house) 8 o'clock is bedtime. So I told her that it wasn't snack time, it was bed time. She looked at the clock, looked back at me and said "Yep! It's bed time." Then she went upstairs and went to bed. I wish every night was that easy!

James has really taken to vegetables. He really likes green beans and today ate squash like it was no big deal. And yet he hates - HATES - pears. And doesn't really care too much for peaches. Is my child strange or what? He likes his vegetables and doesn't care much for his fruits? Ah well. We keep trying new foods. So far I think he's really liking eating food in general.

And James' favorite new activity is standing. He'll crawl over to the stairs, the couch or his personal favorite, the recliner, and pull himself up to standing. Over and over and over again he does this unless you can get him distracted by something else. He is barely six months old! What is with this standing business? Before I know it he'll be walking. WALKING! He's so cute though when he stands. And he is so proud of himself too. I love that big grin he gives me as if to say Look Ma what I can do! I've uploaded a few pictures tonight from the last week so you can see him looking all proud of himself.

And what is Annika doing with all those Cabbage Patch Kids? Well, two are hers, two are mine and two are Kris' from when we were kids. Annika now has six Cabbage Patch Kids to play with. And according to her, three are Cinderella's and three are Prince's. Girl is huge into Cinderella right now. I think we're going to get her some princess dress up clothes for her birthday. I think she'll really like that!

OK, I have literally been right this entry for hours now. I started it at lunch today and I am finally posting it just shy of 9pm. I think that's enough carrying on for one day.