Have a "Hard Core" Halloween!

A few weeks ago (don't ask me WHY they had it so early), the base had a big Halloween party. Everyone in Sam's training class was supposed to go in a united theme--the 80s. Really creative, I know. So instead of being the typical, side pony-tailed aerobics instructor type, Sam got his own idea.

(Side Note: Many of you probably don't know this, but Sam gets SUPER into dressing up when it is his own idea. If I try to force him into a costume of my own creation, he is not so interested. But when he comes up with the idea, he runs with it! )

Another thing you may or may not know about Sam, he is a HUGE music buff.  So he decided we should go as Slash and Axl Rose from Guns 'n Roses. I was shocked by how many people actually recognized who we were. I guess that just proves that I am not really a child of the 80s.

 

For some reason, the picture of Axl that we used as inspiration won't link into my blog.  Annoying!  But Sam drew the tattoos exactly to match, and I really did look just like the original picture (minus the fact that he was topless--meow).  We decided the cigarette was too nasty to include, even if it would make Sam more authentic. :)

HAPPY MOLE DAY!

That's right, folks.  It is October 23rd . . . Mole Day!  Today is entirely devoted to celebrating that fabulous number, 6.022 x 10²³.  For those of you non-chemistry lovers out there, a mole is a number similar to a dozen.  You could say you have twelve donuts or a dozen donuts.  Same with a mole.  You could say you have a mole of atoms or 6.022 x 10²³ atoms.  Lovely, isn't it?

So to celebrate mole day, I decided to do a little real-life chemistry.  I cleaned all of the rust off my beautiful chrome handlebars and fenders with aluminum foil.  Yep, no fancy products needed.  Rust is just oxidized iron, so I wet some aluminum foil and scrub, scrub, scrub, looks like new.  The aluminum acts as a reducing agent to get rid of rust.

Now you see it . . . 

 Now you don't!

Go for it!  Do some chemistry today, even if it is just pouring vinegar on some baking soda and watching it bubble.

Sew and Tell Numero Dos

I did it again!  I successfully sewed something for Amy's "Sew and Tell." I followed the free Amy Butler Nigella Yoga Bag Pattern.

I LOVE this fabric and part of me wishes I had done something with it that I would carry more often than my yoga mat.  Especially because this pattern was a pain and I made a lot of mistakes.  Oh well.  I daresay that I can find other stuff I like too.

I can definitely see how this is addicting.  Sam asked if I am going to need a new bag for everything I own soon.  The answer--yes.

Sew and Tell

My sister-in-law hosts a "sew and tell" on her blog every Friday, and I finally have something to contribute. Hooray for sewing my first bag ever and only having to call Amy once. I figured out everything else on my own (admittedly using google a few times). I am pretty proud of myself.

The glorious product:

Outside

Inside

What do you think? I think I will modify the pattern a little next time, but this was a good place to start.

My losing streak

That's right. I am a a natural loser. I enter all sorts of door raffles, giveaways, you name it, and I never win. Then there are those freaks out there (-cough- Amy) who win everything they ever enter. So not fair. I did win a door prize ONCE at the American Chemical Society teachers' luncheon--a chemistry demo book. The way I reacted, you would have thought I won a car. I was that thrilled.

So here I go again to try to win another giveaway on my cousin Amber's blog. If Amy is my sickening sister in law, then Amber is my sickening cousin. :) She has a Halloween goodie box up for grabs, and I want it.  So here it goes . . .

My favorite Halloween photo--the KILLER Yzma pumpkin Sam and I (fine, mostly Sam) carved last year.

 

1. What is your all time best Halloween costume?
When I was in Kindergarten, my mom made me an awesome princess riding on a horse costume. I wish I had a photo with me. My legs were the horse's two front legs. So cute!

2. What is your favorite Halloween tradition?
Busting out the Halloween bows my mom made us and the decorations on October 1st.

3. What is your favorite Fall tradition?
Stuffing my face with pumpkin chocolate chip bread--over and over and over.

4. What is your favorite book?
I can't pick favorites!!! But probably the whole Harry Potter series, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

5. Name 3 great things that happened to you today.
I just woke up thirty minutes ago, so sleeping in until almost 10 should definitely count! But yesterday Sam and I went thrift store shopping for Halloween, and Sam surprised later last night me with a frosty. YUM!

6. What is your all time favorite dessert?
Hot brownies straight from the oven with ice cream on top.

7. Tell me something you look forward to doing in the next month.
Meeting my new niece!

8. Tell me something you are going to give someone else for Christmas.
The only presents I have picked out are for people who read this blog. So I am pleading the fifth. All I can say is that maybe I will use my new sewing skills . . .

Love at first sight DOES exist

I had been searching on the internet for months to find the perfect bike. Then I saw it--and I knew. We were made for each other. A beautiful pink and silver beach cruiser with speeds. (Those of you who aren't in the market may not appreciate how unusual that is.) I LOVE IT! Aren't we a perfect match?

Costume Contest

My sister, Sarah, is hosting a costume contest on her blog. The problem is, I don't have access to the family photo albums with photos of all my my mom's masterpieces. So this is the best I can do . . .I was Tiger Lily (a fabulous costume made by my mom for Sarah), and Sam was a cruise boat captain. (Please note the skin tight turtleneck from the ladies' department and fake cocktail--he is a good sport.)

Although this has to be my favorite costume Sam has ever worn. He hopped on one leg for HOURS!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Playing catch up

So I busted out my camera for the first time in awhile the other day and discovered some stuff I never posted. So here it goes . . .

The best thing about our current location--only 1.5 miles to the beach, baby!!! And it is a perfect bike ride. That's right, be jealous. It isn't as nice of a beach as the ones in San Diego, but it is a lot closer. The one annoying thing about this beach is that it is covered in seagulls (and I still haven't forgiven them for pooping on my head a few months ago). So I found this too irresistible to pass up.

Also, as I mentioned in the post about my dad, Sam had to spend a week out in the middle of nowhere doing "hard core" field exercises. Well they commissioned him about a million pounds of combat gear (seriously), and I couldn't get over how anyone could even walk in that much stuff, let alone dodge bullets. Sam got a kick out of me trying on his armored vest and gigantic helmet. Notice the crotch protector? I got a kick out of that.

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

Seriously.  I know everyone's real favorite holiday is Christmas because of seeing family and all that jazz, but I think my very close second is Halloween.  I start wearing the adorable Halloween bows my mom made us girls on October 1st.  And you know what?  It makes people smile for the whole month.  I remember one year in high school that I wore one every day of the whole month.  (I am not that extreme anymore.)

And do you think living in a hotel over the holidays was gonna cramp my style?  Think again!  I am not sure housekeeping knows what to think of my orange lights all over or my Halloween decals/towels/etc. :) (I couldn't take a good picture--sorry)

I also brought my mom's sewing machine back to California with me so that I can learn how to sew in all my free time.  My first project--Halloween purse!  I mean, just look at that fabric--how could I pass it up?