Death of me

Friday.

It started out as a normal day.

I sorted Eva's clothes.

Long sleeves away and made a "needs for summer list."

Then we took a trip to Target.

We picked out some pink sandals...

and some new shorts.

Then our cart's wheel was broke.

I pushed-shoved the cart back up front and started making the switch.

All the goodies in first and then I went to put Eva in the new cart.

The seat was stuck on the little sandals box.

So I sat her down on the floor and went to work on unsticking the seat.

A second later I hear that infamous giggle...

the "I am doing something rotton" giggle.

It was coming from the other side of the carts, in the One-Spot Area.

Around I went with the cart calling her name.

Then I hear it again... from further away.

I get around the isle and I see her across the store...

all the way in the back of jewelry.

Giggles and she starts running.

I ditched the cart and started racing towards her.

Shouting Freeze, Stop, Don't Run!!!

Gone.

I am calling her name and racing around.

No more giggles and no more Eva.

I am trying not to freak.

I start calling her name and saying I am going to get her.

Hoping, praying to hear my naughty giggly monster.

Nope.

Another lady sees me and starts helping.

Then some Target employees.

I am freaking out.

Sweating and trying hard not to be hysterical.

Racing around, calling her name.

Describing her over and over and then handing over my phone with a picture.

They are checking people at the doors...

and there is a cop now.

Don't worry, they say, this happens all the time.

We will find her any second...

the little ones always start crying for their mommy.

20 agonizing minutes, felt like hours later...

We find her.

Men's Department...

hiding in pants rack.

Hi mommy.

I found a grumbly cave.

Big, huge smile.

I cried.

Everyone else laughed...

even the cop.

I thought about strangling her...

but couldn't stop hugging her to do it.

   

For the Cure

On Saturday, we cheered for Race for the Cure.

There were hundreds, thousands in support.

Support of all our neighbors, friends, mothers, sisters and daughters.

Our close friend's mom is a survivor.

I wish that label didn't make me happy...

just because I wish there wasn't this disease to survive.

For the little ones.

Let us all hope for a cure.

Lovely ladies... please remember to check yourselves.

On my front door...

When Eva and I returned from our walk yesterday, this was waiting on us...

Recommended by a friend, Local Yokel Foods delivers fresh produce, bread, meats and other goodies to your front door. 

You just order online and then there are presents waiting for you on delivery day.

Everything is locally grown, made, produced.  The meats are also free range and grass fed (beef).

Here is the bottom layer of my box...

On top were a bunch of carrots and some type of greens.

I am excited...

there were veggies in here that I never buy...

cabbage?  greens?

There will be some new recipes to be had here!

If you are from the Columbus area, take a look...

If not - try here or here.

Fresh, local and yummy... without having to take the monster to the grocery - awesome.

The monster hates the check-out lane.. hates it.

Saturday

Our first trip to pick apples was great... the second was even better.

It was a cool, crisp fall morning.

We went to a different farm, a much larger farm.

They were having a little festival, that was a surprise for us.

We arrived early, so we beat the crowd of people who knew there was a festival.

 There were sunflowers to meet...

 ... and apples low enough for Eva to touch them

 ... she tasted them

... all picked and ready to take home.

They also had pumpkins, squash, baked goods, veggies...

... these were Eva's favorites....

... so they came home too (not all of them, but a few).

Did you know that homemade applesauce is the best thing in the world?

Our first trip taught us this valuable lesson, and we might even have to make a third trip...