Aren't we an attractive couple?? Dave was a great sport about my idea for a Halloween party that we went to. When we pulled up to the party they had a bonfire outside. Imagine my darling husbands surprise when everyone was in Jeans. He said "I am going to kill you, no one is wearing a costume." I was dying laughing, it said costumes optional, I figured more people would be dressed up. I think he secretly enjoyed wearing the short shorts. We have another party this weekend, hopefully more people will be in costume.

We finally got together for our family Christmas card photo on Saturday. The kids were all less than thrilled for our annual photo shoot. Erin called Lauren earlier in the week and asked her whatever possessed her to take all the black heels with her to college. She couldn't understand how she could be so cruel. She said "Come on Lauren, you are already set, you have a boyfriend, do you really need all the good fall clothes and shoes??" She asked her to put together a little "goody bag" and bring it to the photo shoot to bring her out of her cute clothes depression. We went to Sam's college for our pictures, the kids moaned and groaned through the whole thing. They asked "How many more years are we going to have to do this?" I said "until someone gets married." Unfortunately for Mike he came along to watch this little episode of family dysfunction. The kids all started whining "Mike, hurry up and marry Lauren so we don't have to do this anymore." It's funny I think the picture that I am going to use is the very first one that I took. I didn't even have to take the next 80 shots.

I am posting the email that my husband sent out to his family about the Murphy happenings this week. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Due to constant whining at the Murphy Mansion last week since I only put out information on Sam scoring a goal, I thought I should provide an update on each person in the house:
Dave: Still a stud, no worries there
Colleen: Still secretly wishing Dave was Rick Springfield or Rick was Dave. I don't know, she has me confused. I do know that there is a giant Rick poster in her closet as of last week.
Sam: Spent last weekend with Bobby's foreign exchange student friend he dropped off on her so he could go have real fun. Called Dad for 7 days straight, talked for at least 20 minutes without taking a breath and never once asked how Dad was doing.
Lauren: Claims to have helped Mike build a dog house for their new dog, Mike's story is that she hammered only one nail and held a board while asking him "what does flush mean?" Spent weekend trying to determine which clothing items of hers Erin has stolen.
Erin: Was extremely excited that Colleen gave her a free doughnut coupon from QT, her life is now complete. Hint, good Christmas present idea for her. Spent remaining time on internet trying to find the sleaziest Halloween costume possible. Thinking up new clothes of Lauren's to steal.
Shannon: Text messaged over 1500 times and spent the better part of 5 days on facebook. Gave out 27,843 dirty looks to family members and brought laziness to a new level, unsurpassed in Murphy history.
Kelsey: Only tripped once coming into the house and spent entire week attempting to pass along to younger siblings any chore that was asked of her. Started fights and arguments with anyone willing to be around her.
Ryan: Did not get called to the principal's office or get a detention. Can do no wrong now that his teacher told Colleen that he really loves his Mom and he talks about her a lot. Maggie: Maggie who? Oh yeah, #7.
Maggie got her second Halloween costume, she can now be either a witch or a very sexy/skanky Raggedy Anne. I am betting on the sexy Raggedy Anne
Grandma: Spent entire week glued to TV talk shows about election coverage and Dancing with the Stars.
Seamus: Managed to still pee in the house despite Colleen's best efforts in having him wear a diaper. The dog looks silly in his diaper and I think he is now going to pee on Colleens stuff the minute she takes it off of him.

I am still unemployed and getting pretty used to drinking coffee with Regis and Kelly. I wonder if I can get good enough reception to still watch Regis and Kelly in the van when we are living in it since I don't have a job. The experts say it should take anywhere from 8-10 months to find a job. If I could stay out of Wal Mart we might be OK. Maybe Dave should hide my car keys from me every morning. Dave woke me up the other morning to ask me what color his pants were. Hello, they are on your body, are you serious??? He is not color blind so he has absolutely no excuse. He said "come on, please help me, are they khaki or green." I decided to really mess with him and said "they are a green khaki." I am going to make him some color flashcards that we can go over at night after I quiz Ryan and Maggie with their spelling words. It's not bad enough that my dog wears a diaper now I am teaching my husband his colors. No wonder we are so dysfunctional. Speaking of dysfunctional, it is that time again to do our family Christmas card. It is next to impossible to find an afternoon when everyone is free. Between work and soccer schedules we are struggling. I found shirts for everyone except Kelsey. I found one online but the shipping cost more than the shirt. If we don't get this coordinated I am just sending out a picture of me and Rick Springfield as our Christmas card.

I have seriously neglected my blog lately. I would like to say it is because I am so busy but I still haven't found a job, so I actually have plenty of free time during the day. One small problem is that my lap top has something wrong with it. You have to keep it plugged in and propped up at an angle in order to get power. It is still under warranty but dropping it off is on Dave's to do list. I would do it, but it came with Dave's tuition for school so it has to be him to bring it in. It took him eighteen months to get the doorbell fixed so I won't hold my breath. I am still flying high after meeting my all time crush. I have practically worshipped Rick Springfield since I was eleven so Friday was quite a day for me. Dave was a real trooper. Meeting him was a long time goal for me, it is funny how I felt like that same awkward eleven year old all over again. Rick is 59 now and my crush is still that of a sixth grader with wild hair and crooked teeth. He looked pretty good for 59 and his abs were pretty tight I might add. Of course he is no Dave Murphy!!!

Lauren turned 21 on Sunday. Her boyfriend Mike made her this really cool memo board for her dorm room. She saw one similar at Pottery Barn a while back and commented that he could probably make that. He made one square dry erase, one was cork, one was fabric and one was metal for magnets. He picked out all the materials himself and even went to the fabric store. The fabric store was next door to a hockey store. He stopped in to get his skates sharpened and got back in his car and drove four spaces down to the fabric store so no one would see him go in. It was really sweet, what a neat gift!!! My pearl earrings paled in comparison. Oh well, I gave her life. Top that Michael!!!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ryan got his recorder and book from music class yesterday. He is now an expert at Hot Cross Buns. Of course little Sybil is not enjoying the constant sound of Hot Cross Buns. I finally talked him into practicing on the deck, I have never really liked the sight of blood. Now I think my neighbors feel the same way as Erin does. My big concert is tomorrow, I went tanning again yesterday. The girl talked me in to going in a stronger bed. Now I have hot cross buns. The weather is kind of chilly, that combined with my sunburn is making me freeze. Kelsey was at the foot of my bed this morning at 5:15 asking me to go running with her. I pulled the covers up over my head and said maybe tomorrow. I bought her an alarm clock last week, she got tired of me not waking her up in time to go to the track before school. I think that new alarm clock might mysteriously disappear now that colder temperatures have moved in. tomorrow. I am really excited about the Rick Springfield concert, the thought of being that close to my teen idol has me a nervous wreck. I feel like Marsha Brady with Davy Jones. I was told that the acoustic concert before the actual concert will only be 30 or forty people. Holy cow, I may have to borrow a diaper from my dog. Hopefully I won't embarrass my husband to much.