GOOD DEALS

Oh how mama does love, love, love good deals, especially when one is on a fixed budget.

In about a month the snow season will be falling upon us here up north. It has already been snowing quite a bit up here at Stevens Pass.

Yesterday mama saw the commercial for TJ Maxx ski and snowboarding clothes sale at half the price you would pay at the sport store. I saw on the internet that the jackets alone ar $95.00 or more at the sporting good stores. Therefore today before taking Mimi to school, she decided to check it out.

At first when Mimi and I arrived at the store, we were told that the ski and snowboarding were only for the youth and not toddlers. Mama was about to give up and leave but thanks to Mimi, we stayed and broused around. Lo and behold, what to my wondering eyes did I see?! One ski suit on the rack that is just Mimi's size!!! We bought it for $32.00 and the original price is $100.00!!

Afterwards we went to Big Lots and got a good deal there too on some Halloween outdoor decorations. This has been a good day oh yeah, yeah yeah!

PUTNEY FAMILY GROUP HUGS

Every night when papa comes home from a "Hard Days Night", we have family group hugs and kisses. We have been doing this forever. This is the first time that mama tried to do what our good friend Allyn suggested. This is the best one out of five. This is also the very best part of the day for all of us.

GAME TIME

While goofing around on the internet yesterday, mama found a cool website for kids. It is called http://www.askforkids.com. It has some fun games for kids and the best part, it is free!

GENERATOR/GAS LEAK

Besides the rain, Washington is known for its wind storms. At this moment, it is quite windy outside. The wind storm happens around late October and early November. The neighbors say that last year the wind storm caused all of the power to go out for about one week, especially where we live here in Maple Valley. We live not too far from Mount Rainier and the wind funnel goes right through our neighborhood. So needless to say, mama had papa go to Costco a couple of weeks ago and purchase a generator. As did every other family in the neighborhood. Grandma says that if her power goes out, they're coming over. Our neighbor/friend Andy will install it for us sometime this week.

As I'm writing, I just remembered that we need to get our fireplace fixed. About a week ago, I could smell gas around the fireplace. The gas company was called and they came out right away. Sure enough there is a leak. Therefore of course our gas to the fireplace was turned off. If anything, papa has learned to listen to mama's nose. The same thing happened at our other home in California. That time papa DID NOT listen to what mama had to say until she threatened him to have the gas company come out. This was on a Saturday when papa was home. Sure enough, there was a gas leak in the wall behind the dryer!!!

ANOTHER KODAK MOMENT

Oh my my, will wonders ever cease?! Mimi has decided to play dress up today!! Mama can't believe it!!! I think that her two girlfriends Erin and Josie are finally having an effect on Mimi. This makes two days in a row that she has worn a dress.

ARTIST AT WORK

Mimi loves painting with her Disney Princess watercolor paintset. Here is the artist at work and the finished product.

DINNER WITH NEW FRIENDS

Tonight we had dinner with our new friends Toshiko, her husband Mark and their two daughters Julia (right) and Michelle (high chair),

They are friends of papa's brother David and his wife Setsue when they were all living in Virginia. David and Setsue still live in Virginia.

When we moved up here to Washington, Setsue had given mama Toshiko's phone number and asked mama to give her a call since Toshiko had just moved up here at the same time. Mama called and called but never got an answer. Then lo and behold, we met by accident last Friday at the indoor gym where Mimi goes to on rainy days! We wanted to get together last week, but Toshiko and Mark had other plans and could not come to the house. So again, mama and Mimi met with Toshiko yesterday at the indoor gym. This time we were able to get together for Sukiyaki dinner at Mimi's house. It was delicious!!!

Toshiko and her family live less than 5 minutes from us. Their daughter Julia goes to the elementary school behind our house. It is the same school that Mimi will go to next year.

We will definitely be getting together more often for playdates and such. A very good time was had by all. Papa was especially happy when he found out that Mark is also a Grateful Dead head too.