today's entry is brought to you by the number "35"...

Today is my birthday. I'm 35 years old. eeek, did I just say that out LOUD?

It wasn't as fun as birthdays in years past; in fact, it was kind of suck-y. Must have everything to do with the husband being like 45 million miles away, eh? No one to take me out to dinner, no one to take me shopping... although I did get some kewl gifts from my parents and my sister. I'm hoping for a more fabulous celebration next year.

So, I'm 35 years old.

Man.

Oh, guess what I did yesterday? I dyed my hair DARK. Okay, my hairdresser actually did it, but I made the big decision... She says that more people are going darker these days and ditching the light hair. So I guess I'm sorta keeping up with what's new and happening... It's not black-black, but it's like a black cherry. I wanted dark and I got dark. So long, highlights... I was so tired of them. My hair looks shinier and healthier. I'll take a pic when I'm not so lazy.

Laters!

our Thanksgiving...

Well, Thanksgiving was a little somber without my husband... But we all perked up when he called us that evening, from who-knows-where. The girls and I (all six of us) enjoyed a simple Thanksgiving meal with just our favorites. It was so low-key, it made me wonder why I usually go all out and work myself until I feel faint. It was a bit of relief, not having company. {Really} Hmmm... maybe we could do this EVERY year!

No pictures to share, but we did have a great dinner. I hope you all had a fun holiday as well!

christine needs...

So I was visiting Colleen's blog today (she's one of my regular stops), and she posed this question:

"So, what's up with your name? What needs do you have according to Google?"

Let me explain. There's this new thing going on in "Blogland" where people are typing in "{your name} needs" in the search box and writing down the first 10 things that come up in the search results. So I typed in, "Christine needs" into my Google toolbar and this is what Google claims that I am currently in need of:

1. Christine needs help.
Um, yeah. Tell me something we all didn't know already.

2. Christine needs your active support.
Hmmm...

3. Christine needs to have an attorney.
Uh-oh.

4. Christine needs a new fashion template.
Well! I admit it has been forever since I've been shopping for myself, but...
Is it really that bad?

5. Christine needs to go.
Am I in trouble?

6. Christine needs to see her doctors.
It appears I am sick.

7. Christine needs some lovin'.
That's for sure... my husband has been gone for FOUR LONG MONTHS. :: sigh ::

8. Christine needs you to vote.
Too late, sister. Election day has passed.

9. Christine needs to get some rest.
That's for sure. Two teenagers and the triplets, a house, a dog and numerous other commitments... I'm pooped!

10. Christine needs to get a life.
What the...
Is someone spying on me?


That was fun blog entry for today. But all these needs have given me some food-for-thought for today...

By the way,
what do you need?

dinner tonight.

Homemade Potato Soup.


In the words of Rachael Ray, one of my favorite Food Network personalities...


"YUM-O!"

employed.

My girl is a working girl now. I can't believe it.

Well, she is 17 years old after all. I shouldn't be surprised, since I started working at 15-1/2...

She's so proud of herself. And I'm so proud of HER.

Halloween

We had a great Halloween. This year the triplets were old enough to enjoy it. They definitely loved the trick-or-treating!!!

Here are our butterflies...



and the entire gang: from left, Marisa, Kimberley, Julia, Malia and Kaia on the end (with our next-door neighbor as Tinkerbell)...



Hope you had a great Halloween, too!