Trick or Treat 2008

I didn't get to go with the kids trick-or-treating this year because I had to work but Chris and my dad took them out and they had a blast. Hannah was a princess, Kyle was a tiger and Audrey was a ballerina.

Blankie from Great-Grammys

Audrey received a blanket hand-made by her 91-year-old Great-Grammy Cain.

Part-Time Job

Mid-October, I decided to apply for a part-time job nights and weekends. I figured Countryside Mall would be the best place to look since it's so close to home and I could look at several jobs in one location. I was determined not to leave until I had filled out at least five applications but on my second application (at Victoria's Secret) I got an offer for an interview the next day, so I figured I could call it quits.

I honestly didn't think I'd get the job because I have no retail experience whatsoever but I did. I think it's working out pretty well.

I went to a mandatory meeting just two days after my initial training and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was going home with two of the bras that were in focus for the month, a pair of panties and a bottle of the newest fragrance - all for free! One of the bras has already become my absolute favorite! I can see why they give the associates a free one. It makes it easy to sell when we experience it personally. I was really surprised at how much I like the perfume, too. Normally, I don't wear perfume because I don't like strong scents but it's a light fragrance and I love it!

The job does require a lot of standing for long periods of time and it's taking some getting used to. My back is not used to so much demand.

Family Visiting

Chris' older sister Amy came down to Florida with her kids for a visit. Her oldest, Ryann, was our flower girl seven and a half years ago. Now she's a teenager. Sophie, RJ and Sidney came later. Sidney's actually just a little younger than Audrey.


Hannah and Sophie hit it off right away and love each other. Sidney and Audrey are sure to be good friends when they grow up too. They look like they could be sisters instead of cousins.

Newlyweds

Saturday, October 11th, 2008, Chris' younger sister, Rachel married Robert "Bobby" Babcock. Their combined family includes Bobby's son Christian, Rachel's son Zachary and their son Austin and a little one on the way.

They live in Augusta, Georgia where Bobby is an Army Sargeant at Fort Gordon.

Baby Shower & Diaper Cake

Our friend Raneasha is expecting a little girl in November and I was glad to be able to attend her baby shower to help her celebrate the upcoming arrival. Mommy-to-be is healthy and happy.







I made a "Diaper Cake" for the occasion. For those who have never heard of one, a diaper cake is a decorative gift made up of diapers to look like a tiered cake and then decorated with baby care items.

For those who have heard of one and want to know how to make one...

Two round, cylinder-shaped items need to be used as the center. These could be a bottle, baby powder, formula, or any number of things. I have in the past used bottles, a Johnson & Johnson bath gift set that happened to be cylindrical in shape and rolled up receiving blankets.

Once you have the center of the bottom tier, place diapers overlapping in a circle around the object creating one layer. I've found that a large rubber band helps to hold them in place and then you can tie curling ribbon around to secure them in place. Then repeat to create the second layer, tie curling ribbon to secure in place and keep repeating for 4-10 layers, depending on the size you desire. You may use burp clothes or receiving blankets as a layer. On the last layer, leave extra ribbon for curling.

Place the second round, cylinder-shaped object on top of the bottom center object. Repeat the layering around the top object for 2-6 layers.

Then place the baby care items (accented with more curling ribbon) around the cake - in between diaper layers, wedged in under ribbon, or tied onto the ribbon. I like to use a rubber duckie for the center top but you can put a bow or toy on the top. It's a good idea to wrap the final product in either celephane wrap, lace or tulle material tied with a bow at the top in case any items fall off the cake.

Graduation

In September, I went to the graduation that would have been mine. My maternity leave with Audrey delayed my internship, which delayed my graduation so my classmates all graduated September 27th but I won't graduate until around next February. But I went to show support for my classmates and their hard work to get to that diploma. Scott Evans was the class valedictorian.