With all the global problems right now, we (meaning Jim, DO, Cliff and I) have decided to put off a trip to Niagara Falls until the Spring. It would have been nice to go up there when the leaves were turning; but with the border locked down tighter and all the commotion going on, we figured we'd be better off just staying within the U.S. of A. and spend our money here. However, we ARE going this spring! It's a beautiful and amazing site. (however, you wouldn't have been able to see any picture of my trip. My camera is still not back from the shop).

Breaking news: the camera (only a yr. old) can't be fixed. They no longer make or have the part need to repair it. Thank goodness my rule is to always get the extended service agreement on any item that I can drop. Even though I didn't drop my camera (or my laptop last year), I've been lucky to have that agreement since it allows for a replacement if it can't be fixed. As soon as I got the word (by calling and hassling everyone from the local BestBuy, to their service center, to the outside repair shop, to the JVC - the manufacturer), I rushed over to get a NEW camera. Not only a new camera; but, by throwing in another $20 I also got a new webcam (both shown below)

Believe it or not, this picture is ACTUAL size!

Actual size is double this picture's size. It sticks out about 1/2 inch in my shirt pocket.

Ah, you, all of my faithful friends and family, are in trouble now. He He He I've got my camera back. (I traded the PenCam webcam to Jim for a set of tires for my Taurus. The PenCam is really nice, but didn't do all the things I wanted it to do, so I re-installed my old Logitech QuickCam.) After 2 months, I have a ton of things to catch up on:

the Boyz are 2 months older and are 11 months old now; where my neighbors used to live is now a large fenced-in field; the flowers in my yard are all gone n (you're lucky on this regard - we only had some flurries and not a real snow yet, so there aren't snow pictures yet; however, Jim and I just fenced in the backyard, so there are pictures of that! (Zeus was able to escape a couple of times this last week, because the old fence that was up (since 93) just wasn't in shape anymore. Now instead of only having the patio enclosed, the almost the WHOLE backyard is!) Jim and I also replaced the kitchen faucet; but I won't bore you with a picture of that. (Although, since I have a sprayer with the new faucet, I should take pictures. LOL)

This is the field where my neighbors used to live. Notice the High Security fence to protect all that grass. LOL	Need a Christmas idea for me? Although it looks like a lot there, I still have plenty of room on my walls for more masks.
My Home at night. I just replaced the icicle lights that I put up this time last year. Since I use these lights instead of a porch light, the old sets did pretty good lasting for a full year running nearly every night.
Jim and I gave up trying the 3D puzzle of the Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) - especially since the Boyz chewed the picture off of 5 pieces - and put together this Christmas puzzle. It has a special 3D section in the center and lights. Stayed tuned for another picture of this puzzle after it's glued and the lights installed!

Me, the Kids, and the new Fence

Even though last week started out with a little snow flurry, this week has warmed up to Springtime temperatures. It's weird running around without a coat on this close to Thanksgiving and the start of the Holiday Season.

Speaking of the Holiday Season, I haven't gotten out any of my Christmas decorations yet; but I did get new icicle lights hung up on my front porch (I use clear icicle lights instead of the porch light throughout the whole year. FYI: a strand of Christmas lights turned on nearly every day and on nearly all night long will last approximately one year.), and, with Jim's help, along the new back fence (I don't have a back light, so I figured I used the same technique that I use to light the front of the house). Now not only can the doggies see where they are in the yard at night; but I can too! (especially since Zeus had been escaping the confines of the old fence, I like to be able to keep an eye out on the dogs).