Here is some stuff in no particular order (Can you tell I'm going for the Pulitzer today?).

1.  Fall in Western NY, although often gray, can be filled with a lot of fun for the kids.  There really is just nothing like a giant pile of leaves.





2.  Halloween was a complete success...



even when DD#1's pumpkin tried to eat her.


3.  I believe this is the visual definition of the word "standoff".


4.  I'm a label reader.  There's just an incredible amount of information available on the backs of packages.  Although sometimes you get one where the people who designed front of the package clearly have not consulted the people who designed the back.

Front of package which clearly, proudly even, says this product is "alcohol free".  OK.
 

Back of package:



Equally clearly states that the number one inactive ingredient is "benzyl alcohol" which, last I checked, is a form of alcohol.  Making this product not so "alcohol free" as one would think.

5.  Now admittedly, it is time for me to let the whole Second Grade Snack Snafu go.  But somehow, I can still find myself getting worked up about it.  (For background read my September 19th blog entry.)  Anyhow, here are the new items on the school lunch menu for today.


Really?  Are they going to ask the kids if they would like an amber or a stout with that because that certainly has crossed into the realm of bar food.  I'm not going to deny that this meal probably  tastes good and will be very popular but I think anyone would have a hard time making the case for a healthy lunch for the kindergarten through fifth grade crowd.  And I wouldn't  be on such a jag with this if I hadn't had to argue my case with principal and teachers that if I wanted to send whole wheat crackers in as a snack that my child shouldn't be escorted to eat them alone in the cafeteria upon arrival at school because they weren't on the "approved" list.  (OK now I really need to get over this.)  

6.  Hey, how about some fiber??


This is domestic wool that I spun from the Spunky Eclectic October club.  DD#2 has professed undying love for these colors so she has dibs. 


This is some BFL wool that I dyed and that DH has expressed an interest in so he has dibs.


This is a wool/mohair 2-ply I spun from Tintagel Farms in the tidepool colorway.  I have dibs.


And this lovely pile of wool and tencel fluff from Susan's Spinning Bunny will soon be yarn for socks.  (I may also have dibs on this one.)