why don't you just paint a tree on it?...

I didn't paint this tree but it cracks me up whenever I get that feeling...like I should be painting a tree. Matt and I have this, now infamous, argument we often refer to where he says, "you can't just make it all better by painting a tree on it!" Well, I think I can and that's one of the things I like about myself. So, now that the air is clearing over San Diego and the mists are rolling in thankfully, I will send out some TREE LOVE to all my friends and family...and if you look closely, this is a Halloween Tree...for the babes.
So far it looks like the kids have decided on very homemade costumes by the way, entirely salvaged from the dress-up chest and blessedly involving zero tweeking from me...a lost ghost girl and a chinese emperor. Silas is, as of yet, undecided. Amy will be happy to know I have committed to being a flower in honor of the garden which is NOT a flower-child and involves more than my usual clothes by the way, although not much. (Still think she should be Zsa Zsa from Green Acres!! ) I can't wait to see the Halloween posts...especially from you far away folks I won't get a chance to see. Hey, C&C&F...what are you guys gonna be...is Finley still a deer tick? (HILARIOUS and a bit twisted!)

FIRE!

Well, this is where I have spent the last few days. I have been working at the Harris Fire. I have done evacuations, coordinated rescues, drank a lot of stale coffee (Starbucks gave it to us for free!), inhaled some ash, patrolled for looters and lookie loos, and watched the mountains I work in burn to the ground. The Patrol usually doesn't get the credit for the amazing amount of work we do in these fires that the Fire and Cops get (we work the 16 to 24 to 36 hour shifts too!) but that's not what's important. I have seen some brave rescues and some amazingly stupid people refusing evacuation. I have seen charity and stubborn attachment to "things". Send good thoughts for the injured firefighters, and of course, for the folks who have lost everything.

Matt

just look at this picture of Mac and Morgan...

...came across it by accident and its just so sweet! First day of kindergarten!
Mac has grown so much and Morgan hasn't changed one bit...love 'em both!!!

Great Idea for all the Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles and Cousins and Brothers and Sisters and Baby-Sitters and Circus People out there...

(idea borrowed from my friend Lydia...)
The kids have a "jog-a-thon coming" up where you can pledge a certain amount of money per lap they run and it goes to their school. Keep in mind that last year Emmett ran 36 laps and Mac ran 19. (her course was bigger, she'll want you to know!)


Here's Emmett 'running for the money' last year!
It's a really fun event actually. I even LIKE it and that's saying a lot as I am not the hugest sports enthusiaste and generally avoid fundraisers.
So, if anyone is interested let us know your pledge!

we've only just begun...

Amy and I had this idea that after Oct 20th we would sleep like babes...the big project being over. But at about 2:00 am, with my mind racing I realized that this is the beginning.
I can't tell you how cool it was to see everyone working yesterday!

I always wanted to be a part of a "barn raising" and this felt like just that.
Unfortunately I didn't take very many good pictures...but Emil did and soon there should be some before-and-after shots at the sdccs garden blog.
Of course, nothing is planted yet (that's where the kids come in!!) so its a mere blank canvas...but thanks to some incredibly hard workers, its an awesome beginning.