The Going Once Going Twice Edition

As you can tell I've dusted off a new template and changed the look of TGIF once again- with a new photo, new color scheme etc. I like it...it's pleasant on my tired old eyes. This week we visited an auction at Shell's Aunt Pat's place. They are moving and held the auction to pare down some of the odds and ends. We came away with Shelley's Great Grandmothers antique sewing machine, which if we had not been forced to temporarily stash at her vacationing parents' house you'd be able to see..alas since it isn't here yet I don't have a picture...perhaps next week. Shell was so excited to be able to get a hold of the sewing machine. Here she is proudly displaying her auction number... Gracie was fabulous as always, and for once didn't seem to mind being strapped into the carseat...much... Aunt Pat really seemed amped up to get all the stuff cleared out, but I think even she couldn't understand the auctioneer who carried around his portable sound system (by the way that's the antique sewing machine sitting behind her there in the garage)... One of the things that got the most bidding was Shell's late Grandpa Amos's row boat, that she remembered being taken out in by her Grandpa many times when she was young... I felt very sad also because one of my very favorite people in the world is Shell's cousin Renee who grew up in this house, and on this land. She seemed to be okay with the house being sold, but I still feel that she belongs there. As a military kid we moved around, though we did finally settle in one spot for about 11 years or so, I remember seeing my parents in many many different houses before they finally wound up in the one they have been in for the last dozen or so years. I still never felt like we had a 'homestead', so I'm jealous of people who have had strong roots in one place for their whole lives. I got Renee to take me around and tell me a few stories, one of which was that she remembers planting this tree that I forced her to stand under while I took the picture...she thought I was silly... It was nice being deep in Mennonite country and seeing a few of the people arrive in their horse and carriages... Uncle Gary got to fire up his own ride for one last time too... It was a very fun (and tiring) day...Gracie was yawning for all of us when it was all over... Once safely ensconced back home, the puppies had to check out Gracie, as they seem to do everytime we come home, and make sure this is the same creature in case we tried to sneak in a new one on them... And after kisses from Mommy it was time for one big long day to be over... Well today Gracie is 5 weeks old. I keep remarking how much she changes constantly and how big she's getting. She's learing to smile, to make some eye contact, to listen for Mommy and Daddy, especially in the morning when she seems extra bright-eyed and bushy tailed... I can't believe it's almost November...my birthday is in 2 weeks!! Sheesh where did the year go? I already have 3 papers due in the next 3 weeks, and then midterms and blammo it's Christmas. I have had some wonderful emails (and IM messages) in the last weeks from some old friends. It's so great to hear from you all and I'm glad that you enjoy the TGIF updates. I know I haven't written in depth about a lot of anything other than the baby and the wife lately but I promise to again as soon as a topic reaches up and taps me on the shoulder. I'm enjoying my classes this semester, even though my Epsionage prof has had to miss a few lectures. I've got to throw myself into library/research mode this weekend and get my two longer papers sketched out, and then write a short 4 page paper for my Ancient Egypt class. I find it hard to tear myself away from the house though for some reason... Wish me luck. Till next time... Cheers