We're off to see the Wizard

At least the Munchkins.

We went to OztoberFest, just so I could get my picture with 3 of the 5 last surviving original Munchins from The Wizard of Oz. Here is Margaret Pellegrini with "munchkins" right after they arrived. She was a flowerpot girl and I believe the one who told Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road as well. (She played several parts.)

Jerry Maren, the Lollipop Munchkin, with wife Elizabeth.

Wife of the late Clarence Swenson (a solider) and Karl Slover, which I believe was a trumpeter.

While waiting to meet them, we posed with the cast members. Matthew with my old boss, Christy.

Matthew and I with the witches. I always wanted to be Glenda, as a child, for Halloween.

Matthew and Melissa with another Glenda.

It was so thrilling to meet them.

I've loved the movie for as long as I can remember. We had to watch every year when it was played on national tv. Our first VHS tape was The Wizard of Oz 50th anniversary edition, because I just had to have it. (We finally got a VCR so I could watch it!)

Think about it, they are movie stars! I finally got to meet and touch and pose with 3 movie stars and they were charming.

Afterwards we went through the museum. Matthew with Melissa and Michael.

We saw so much stuff it was amazing. I loved seeing the illustrations, I think they are the originals, but don't quote me.

But the most fun was seeing my Wizard of Oz lunchbox behind the glass and then to realize the troll I've had for years, and thought was just a princess, was instead Glenda. I'm sooooo glad I didn't donate her to the thrift store now!

We had such a great time! I'm still so excited! And of course, now the whole family has the movie on so we can see the people we saw today on the silver screen. Ahhhh...

Paneling coming down

Here I am saying "DON'T TAKE my PICTURE!" Wall without radiators and paneling.

Another view with paneling against wall.

Another view with me saying the same thing as above darn it.

All his life I've taken pictures of him sleeping off and on. I can't help myself, I think he just looks too precious asleep.


This has been a very productive day. Since Phil is home and we are on the verge of making a very big purchase of baseboards, door trim, plinth blocks, 2 types of special trims and flooring; we decided to make tracks getting the room in shape for the arrival. We managed to get rid of the radiators so we could take down the paneling and actually took the desk and it's hutch apart. I'll be so glad to get it out of the dining room because it takes up so much room. It is an awesome desk though. It's going to go in Phil's room and possibly the hutch. The hutch sits great alone on the floor and may find new life as a hall bookcase. We also got more carpet tack up and steamed off a section of wallpaper. We found a lot of places that need to be patched. At least one point we can feel the breeze it's letting in. No wonder the dining room gets so cold. The walls are letting in a breeze as well as the windows! This is why you are suppose to have the appropriate baseboards on the walls... Anyway, we are really excited with the changes so far. Phil is hoping that we don't have to put the radiators back in, but steam heat might be most efficient for us.

While we were busy tearing up the place, Matthew got to be entertained by his grandma and grandpa. Lucky boy. He has been super spoiled all weekend. Friday we planned to stay home, but Dad offered to come up in the morning and take us to get milk and diapers. So we went with him and ended up going home with him. We stayed long enough that Mom got to see him for a little bit before Phil picked us up on his way home. Saturday we went and picked up my Oz toys and shopped at Hastings and Sears. We went to Hobby Lobby and debated buying the same Christmas tree that we missed buying last year and couldn't decide again. It didn't look as good as last years, but I think the problem is that we made it better in our minds than it really was. After that we took off for Mom and Dad's again to move stuff out of my room, to make room for the crib. I threw away quite a bit, brought more boxes home (tons more notes it looks like-holy cow, did I throw nothing away???), and managed to make a big enough place for a crib and set it up. YES! I guess all weekend has been productive...

T.G.I.T (thank goodness it's Thurs because it's this weeks Friday for me!)

I'm really tired so this will be quick, but I know several of you are wondering how my battle with the pack rat is going. Here is the update I got from Dan, the service guy.
Me: Just checking in, how is it going?
Dan: (groan) It's still alive and it's a fast little sucker.
Me: (groan) It's still ALIVE?? I've had poison in the car for a week.
Dan: I know. We tried to get it with a live trap. It triggered it, but managed to squeeze out. It is working on some Orbitz gum. It likes Orbitz gum so I left it by the trap as bait.
Me: Well I'm glad it has fresh breath.
Dan: (laughs) Tonight I'm leaving a bowl of liquid poison, maybe it's thirsty. If that doesn't work I guess we'll try to tear you car apart tomorrow. It has to go. I'm sure everyday it's tearing more stuff up.
Me: (misunderstood last comment) in panic WHAT HAS IT TORN UP NOW!?
Dan: NO, no, I haven't seen damage, I'm assuming.
Me: Oh, I thought you were going to tell me half a seat was gone. Ok, well I'll keep waiting to hear from you...

I just don't understand why me and why it's soooo stubborn? I tried to coax it out with all escape routes open and it refused. It's like a smart suicide bomber. Death is now it's only option. And I've lived with my husband long enough now I feel bad. Thanks alot Phil.

Matthew was so tired when he got home he refused to eat and went pretty much straight to bed. After 2 hours he woke up crying and I could smell he was poopy so I got him up. Poor guy, he must have done it in his sleep and slept in it awhile. I think it undid all the good work I'd done for his butt. I think we are going to have go see the doctor and get something stronger because he lives slathered in all kinds of ointments and still has horrible diaper rash at times. Either that or he's allergic to something and I just don't know it. Anyway, I gave him some water, a tiny bit of yogurt, changed him into pjs, brushed teeth and let him go back to sleep. We'll see how early he wakes up.

My only other news is that I made my first ebay purchase. I pick up my prize Sat. in person since it's too close to ship. I feel like a dork to admit it's the set of McDonalds Wizard of Oz toys, but I love the Wizard of Oz and they are really cute. If I lived next to McDonalds, Matthew and I would have gone all the time, but since we don't, I bid on it. And won it in the last sec. Literally it said 1 sec left and my bid ended up highest. It was exciting, stressful, and scary, all at the same time.