Hat Trick: Miraculous Recovery or Hockey Season?

If you remember a while ago I stated that Hat Trick was on a diet, because he had gotten fat. Well, come to find out he wasn't fat. He was sick. He had a bacterial infection that caused him to bloat. He looked like he had a balloon growing in him. It was tempting to take a pin to it and see if he popped. But, I didn't do that, don't worry. It was also very translucent, so when the sun hit it, it would shine through. (We don't have any great pictures, but I hope you can imagine this). Once we found out that he was sick, he decided to feed him again. However, we read that it was unlikely that he would recover. Therefore, we were waiting for him to die. Is there Hospice care for fish?

But, the story of our fish has not ended. It seems like Hat Trick is getting better. The bulge has shrunken. Now, I have two theories. First, it is probably good that we started feeding him again and that we started changing the water more often. That is probably the more realistic reason. However, I would like to believe he rallied back to life and good health because the Red Wings needed him! He started getting better around the same time Hockey season kicked into full gear. I think he was just depressed that there wasn't any hockey happening over the summer. Now, he is almost back to himself. (Hopefully.)

Fall Happenings

Here are some pictures from our fall this far. Sorry, I haven't been great about updating. I have gotten busy.

Apple Picking!

Making Apple Dumplings! They may not look pretty, but they tasted good!! We also made apple pie, but I didn't get a picture of this.

Dog sitting for Mo and Justin. Hapa is his name. We enjoyed a nice walk in the fall weather while dogsitting.Getting my craft on! I got Joel's scarf done! We decorated for fall and I have more pictures of different crafts, but I cannot put them up here until after Christmas! Also, I am now knitting leg warmers for a friend that lives in Florida. Who would have thought someone in FL would need leg warmers.

Free Handbag

So, I told Joel the other day that I wanted to get a fashionable purse/handbag. Then I read Christia's blog about a free giveway contest from Handbag Planet. Here is the link: http://www.handbagplanet.com. They are giving a free hand bag away ever hour on their launch day. How cool is that!

A Joy-Filled Heart

Above are my sister's kids. Nick is a model--the minute I got the camera out he posed for me. Elizabeth never really stops moving. Nate was the lucky one that got to go to the parade with Grandpa, Aunt Julie, and Uncle Jeff.

Below are my brother's youngest two girls. Peyton is in the pictures on the top and Sydney is the one pictured in the bottom row. Sydney is going through a princess stage. She was wearing a blue tutu/princess skirt over top of her pants and a crown each time I saw her during the weekend. David even said that she sleeps with her crown on. Funny! Nate and Syd got a lot of candy at the parade, so she is showing me and protecting her pile in the bottom left picture. :)


This past weekend I got the opportunity to go home to Zeeland, MI. It was so needed. My pastor and his wife, Winnie, have a daughter who lives in Holland, MI (right next door to Zeeland). Heidi, their daughter, was getting installed as a pastor at a local church. So, Winnie went to that and I got to ride to MI with her. (Joel had to stay in Des Moines to study for a big test he had on Monday.) We had an enjoyable ride there and back. It was the first time I ever listened to any audio books while traveling. It was wonderful. I always thought I would fall asleep, but the story kept me awake and it made the time go fast. (We listened to some of my favorite series--The Chronicles of Narnia: Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Horse and his Boy and we made it 1/3 of the way into The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.)

I didn't do a whole lot all weekend, which is just what I needed. I just got to spend lots of time with my family. Including seeing all of my nieces and nephews. The only one I didn't get a picture of is Mariah. I had fun at the Pumpkin Parade with them and eating pizza with all of them afterwards. I also got to spend some time with my Grandma VanFarowe and my Grandpa and Grandma Koning. It was just a good time to see my family and spend a little quality time with them.

Tagged: 6 Quirks

Melanie tagged me. I guess I have to share with everyone 6 unspectacular quirks about myself. Here we go:


1. After praying and before eating the first bite of dinner I have to have a drink of water (or whatever we are drinking that evening).


2. I either need to read or talk to Joel before I fall asleep. It is a way for me to calm down and not think about the day I just had or will have the next day.


3. I don't like to fly. The first flight I ever went on was to Spain. Before I went Joel gave me a teddy bear, because he knew I was scared of flying. So, now whenever I fly (which doesn't happen a lot) I take Louis--that's what we named my bear. In the meantime I keep Louis in a little compartment behind my side of the bed.


4. I don't like my feet being touched.


5. I was allergic to dairy products when I was younger. I have grown out of that allergy, but still do not drink milk even with my cereal! So, I eat cereal dry and with a spoon, which is what Joel thinks is so funny.


6. I like to wear my stocking cap inside during the winter months. Sometimes, I am even tempted to sleep with it on, because to save money on utilities we try to keep the temperature in our house very low and I can't not sleep with my head under the covers (maybe that is a 7th quirk, I'm not sure.)

Who to tag? Steph, Amanda, Amy, and Christia.