Hannah meets a bank robber...

     Interesting title?  The picture above has nothing to do with it, but the kids have officially picked their Halloween costumes yesterday...our girl will be Hannah Montana (along with half the girls in her class!) and little man picked out a creepy mask that makes him look like a bank robber, so that is the title he gave his costume.  His mask has an eyeball poking out, and he came up with a story on the ride home that the security guard at the bank he was robbing poked out his eye while he was running out with the cash.  What can I say?  He's 10.  He has a wild imagination, no football player get up or an ordinary bum costume will do for him.  At Halloween, for him, it's all about gore, gruesome, scary, but most of all *fun*.

     Busy weekend, so first up...thank you to Dawn at The Feathered Nest for giving a sneak peek on her blog of Romantic Homes December issue and my Holiday Blogging column!  Looks like it's a really pretty issue.  Some of our blogger friends have exciting news to report (I can't reveal, but hopefuly they will on their own blogs soon!)  Ms. Babette ( aka Barbara Jacksier) is in California working on her mystery project (better known as the TMP).  Ladies... this is an exciting project and you will LOVE IT!  She has her new laptop with her and able to blog "live from the scene" 

    Exciting things happening around here too at Casa Bella..but can't share just yet...I hate teasers, but please bare with me...let's just say I am humbled and honored and you will soon know why! I took a break from work and we managed to squeeze in TWO trips to the flea market this weekend. YAY!  Lots of new goodies will be posted in the boutique this week, probably on Tuesday.  Love the thrill of finding a great vintage piece and knowing it will go to a good home, my customers are the best and we found a lot of beauties this weekend.

    Also helped my Mom pack for her early morning flight for a golf tournament that she is playing in (Mom is an avid golfer and once played with Michael Douglas!- great story for another post).  She will be gone an entire week with her friends in Myrtle Beach.  Did I mention that my Dad had a full knee replacement 3 weeks ago?  He has lost almost 30 pounds!  Good grief! My sister and I are in charge of his 'care' while Mom is away...first order of business is fattening him up.  He has made tremendous progress with his recovery and is now walking with a cane, so Mom doesn't feel too guilty leaving him for a week (Although, I think she considers this more of a vacation from being his nurse!)  Poor Dad, he is having cravings like a pregnant woman...all he wants is chocolate raisins and sherbet.  He's completely lost his appetite, so it will take us a while to get that weight back on.  Any suggestions are appreciated...I'm thinking milkshakes and McDonalds?, but I know that is NOT healthy! lol...Mom wanted me to say a big "HELLO" to the bloggers in South Carolina, she is coming to town with her golf mafia!

Comments

[Pam]

Hi Tara Ensure is a great nutritional supplement-lots of different flavors, too. Good luck!

[Junk 2 Jewels]

Tara,
How funny, we will have to compare Hannah's afterwards! lol, That is what Morgan is going to be as well. Tracy

[Dawn]

Hi Tara, I know what you mean about the appetite loss. My mom had the same thing with both of her knee replacements. It was the pain medicine for her, though. I'm sure if you load him up on carbs and vegetables he'll be back to his weight in no time. It's so good that he's already using his cane!! Thanks so much for the link to my blog ~ I wish you had a copy though...xxoo, Dawn

[chris]

You have your work cut out for you this week!LOL! can't wait for the issue of RH & your article! Halloween is so much fun watching the kids have FUN! & try to decide what they will be. My gabby is too cool at 13 to dress up anymore but my cole is trying to come up with something really ghoulish! That wreath on that old door is so gorgeous it looks good enough to eat!!!xo

[Lori Avery]

Tara ~ Your blogging article is awesome in this issue of Romantic Homes ~ It is fun to see you in RH !!! :O)

[Teresa]

Hi Tara!
I can truly say I really miss my kids being that age, and all the decisions about what to be for Halloween. Too much fun!! Looking forward to seeing the new Romantic Homes. Wishing your daddy a speedy recovery, and good luck with golf to your mama!

Teresa
xo

[Joy]

I suggest a protein shake of whey protein, vanilla flavored then get some organic frozen fruit at costco, I like strawberries and blueberries, some stevia for sweetness, I add a tablespoon of flax oil and a tbsp. of ground flax seed, I love it! I just use water and a little lemon juice and a few icecubes, the frozen fruit works great, I use this in the morning alternating acouple of days with a scrambled egg! Hope that he likes it, it's like a milkshake!!! Yum Yum!

[Jen R]

I say get the poor man some KFC mashed potatoes and gravy! He needs to put some weight back on! He had surgery, he needs comfort food! Give him the kid's Halloween candy too after Wednesday :)
Jen R

[Angela (Cottage Magpie)]

What a pretty wreath, and I'm dying to find out about your secret! Meanwhile, best wishes to your Dad and Mom! ~A :-)

[Linda]

Hi Tara,
I am so glad to hear that your Dad is on the mend. My mother had a knee replacement almost two years ago, and I truly believe we almost lost her. She had every complication under the sun, lost a tremendous amount of weight, had horrible pain, and ended up very depressed...fearing that she would nnever get her life back. It was a hellish year, and I am so very grateful I finally have my mother back...physically and with her spirit restored, if not slightly damaged.

Is your Dad on pain meds? Because that might be what is causing his lack of appetite. As far as getting the weight back on him, give him whatever he can eat. Of course, proper nutrition is very important during the healing process, but I also know from experience, that if an older person's weight is too low, they are much more likely to contract viral illnesses, and less able to recover from them quickly.

Sorry for the long comment, but your mention of his surgery caught the attention of the nurse in me!!

Love that wreath...
Linda

[kim]

Hello it's my first visit to your blog and it's beautiful, such wonderful photos
Kim x

[Victoria]

What a beautiful wreath.

I am happy to hear that your father is on his way to recovery. Milkshakes sound like a great option to me, but perhaps some warm creamy soups and fresh bread will add a few pounds. The South says a big WELCOME to your mother and her golfing posse.
We'll be escorting a LadyBug and a Pirate this All Hallows Eve.
Great article and can't wait for RH!
Happy Fall,
Victoria

[Lana]

My kids are past dressing up at ages 22, 19, and 17 ~ well the 19 year old is dressing up for one day at her cosmetology school!

Tara, I loved your blogging article. I was looking at RH while IM-ing a long distance friend in Idaho and HAD to tell her about the article ~ so she said she'd have to go out and get her own magazine. I've met so many wonderful people since I've been blogging ~ and it's so nice to see them get the recognition they deserve.

[Daisy Cottage]

Hi Tara!
I hope your sweet Dad is feeling much better soon! I know you'll take great care of him! I can't wait to hear about your exciting news - you deserve all things WONDERFUL!!

xo,
Kim

[frenchgardenhouse]

Hi Tara,

I haven't received my issue yet, but I am sure that your article is wonderful. (I did get a peek of it in a shop yesterday, but didn't want to stand there and read the whole thing!) I can't wait to get my issue, to savor it with a nice cup of tea.

I know that your Dad will be ready for some yummy treats made by YOU...and that you will take good care of him while your Mom is away. Wishing him all the best, and lots of hugs and giggles from his grandkids.
Lidy

[Joy]

Hi Tara,

Please email regaring your order :)

Thanks!

Joy

[Jeannene]

Hi Tara,
Thank you so much for leaving me a compliment. Yes, Sara is a Gem...but "YOU" are an inspiration to me as well;-))

xo~Jeannene