The change in the air

Tomorrow ends the third week of school and the long weekend is definitely a much-needed break. It has been an interesting school year to date. The students aren't settling in as they normally do--last week, we had three or four fights with the resulting suspensions. I blame the weather. Last week was just too hot. Highs in the mid-to-upper 90's; swamp coolers just don't cut it in that kind of heat and it was causing tempers to flair. Even the staff members were a bit grumpy and disgruntled.

I spent most of last week just trying to lie low--after being out of commission on Monday with the stomach thing, I was back among the living on Tuesday and feeling great on Wednesday. And I completely overdid it on Wednesday. I spent all day in a hot gym helping out with school pictures and then we finally celebrated Paul's birthday with his parents that evening. Probably would have been okay if I hadn't indulged in the ice cream cake his mom had bought for the occasion. I spent most of Thursday being very, very quiet in the library, just willing myself through the day. I made it through the day and felt better by the afternoon. Open House was that evening and I had a record number of parents in the library. I usually have one or two wander through during the evening--this year, there were at least five every period, most just wanting to see the new space. It was great to show it off but as in year's past, I always save a few little tasks from the day to do during the two-hour time. This year, those had to wait until Friday when I was back to 95% (since I'm still having a residual sour stomach thing, I'm holding off on that last 5%).

This week, there has been a change. The students are calmer. Teachers are calmer. There has been a break in the weather. Today's high was only in the mid-80's. The sky looks different--the blue of the sky is softer and brighter. The hint of chiles roasting is beginning to fill the air. It is starting to feel like fall. This is always my favorite time of the year--school is back in session, football games are on the TV, the weather is gentler than the other seasons. Paul and I are actually talking this year--a very welcome change over last year. We've got a few plans made for September and October but our calendars aren't overly filled so we should be able to enjoy the fall together with a good bit of laziness thrown in.

Things are very busy in the library with a teachers trying to schedule classes to make the first library visit. I'm enjoying being able to start the school year in a library that isn't in boxes, something that hasn't happened the past two years. I'm again facilitating the monthly meetings of the cross-curriculum teachers group and that will be starting up soon. Because I've been a bit of a grump the past two years given my work situation and I'm trying to redeem myself, with the help of several coworkers, I am heading the school "Sunshine Committee" (the group in charge of the little goodies in boxes and birthday celebrations, etc.). The group had fallen by the wayside several years ago and because of the current low morale level at the school, we're trying to do a little bit to brighten the overall mood. And another coworker and I have agreed to get away for lunch once a week just to chat and gossip and grouse. It's so easy to become isolated as we all go into our respective rooms and do our thing, often going several days without talking to another grown-up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Hopefully we will stick with this plan throughout the year.

We have no real plans for the Labor Day weekend. Paul will be getting home tomorrow afternoon from a week in Berkeley. I'm going to try to convince him to tackle a few things on the honey-do list (at least change the lightbulb in the garage that has been burned out for about six months that he insists on changing himself so I'm finally going to insist that he does it). Maybe take a quick trip out of town. Finally celebrate Paul's birthday. Just enjoy this change in the air and the upcoming change in seasons.

Spring

I've spent the last hour or so watching a variety of sparrows and finches collecting bits of the decorative grass I cut back last weekend. The sprigs left behind are apparently perfect for nests.. The weather has been beautiful the past week--I even enjoyed the three rainy days last week. I need to get back out and do some more work in our yard--some of the plants didn't weather the winter too well. It can wait though. I hate to interrupt the necessity of nest-building.

We've now used our snow shovel more this year than the past five combined

Happy Valentine's Day a.k.a. Snow Day #4.

Paul roused out of bed a little before 6 o'clock this morning and took a peek outside. Seeing that it was still snowing, he suggested I check the television for the status of the school day. At 6:15, it was reported that there was a two-hour delay. Not unexpected given the conditions and I happily shuffled back upstairs, turned off the alarm and snoozed for another hour or so, when the cat decided we should be up and he should be fed. The non-stop insistent meowing and knowing we'd probably need to shovel the driveway before leaving for work, I got up to start the day. However, another check of the news showed that school had, indeed, been cancelled. These unexpected days off are always nice until it comes time to make it up. Because the three extra days taken at the end of Winter Break have already used the scheduled snow make-up days and added an extra day to the calendar, this snow day means extended school days starting some time in April. And, more immediately, there are all the school things that were scheduled for today--Student Senate carnation sales, yearbook group pictues, basketball games, and other meetings--that the other sponsors and I will have to reschedule when school resumes tomorrow.

I did have a bit of work stuff that I would be able to do today had I brought my laptop home. But not realizing that that this was even predicted (or the meteorologts were actually going to be correct ), I don't have it with me. Eh, well. It wasn't anything that couldn't wait. Paul has decided that he needs to go in to work this afternoon for a bit and stop by to get a leaky tire checked out. I don't like that because it usually means he's out longer than I think he should be. He did offer to stop by Sonic to pick up a fountain drink for me. That's love.

Paul and I had no plans for this evening--we're not typically ones to do anything for Valentine's Day (or VD as Paul loves to call it). I usually make a fancy dessert of some type as a treat for the day. I haven't decided yet what I'm going to make--it's a toss up between a chocolate-almond torte, devil's food mini-bundt cake, or hot chocolate cake. I don't have marshmallows for the hot chocolate cake (and what good is hot chocolate without marshmallows?) so it might just between the first two. Or maybe something totally different because now, I have all day to think about it.

And after this last six inches, it is official that I will never voluntarily live some place where snow is a common winter occurrence. I'm pretty much done with snow this year. I'm ready to go back to the 15 degrees above average that we had last week. 65 and sunny--that's what winter should be about. I'll consent to the occasional overcast and rainy day because those are nice to have to mix it up. But this winter stuff is for the birds.

Toasty

While we haven't been as cold as parts of the country, this recent bout of winter has definitely made me long for the warmer days of spring. Or even temperatures in the more moderate normal winter range. Because it's hard to argue when the normal temperature for January is 45. This below-freezing and snowy stuff is for the birds.

I think I found the solution to my chilly woes. And paired with one of these.* With all that fluff and fur, I'd never be cold again.

Growing up, my sisters and I would beg our parents for something from the Overland Sheepskin Co. We would stop at the store on family ski trips to Taos but our pleading, begging, and whining was always in vain. Each stop always resulted in us leaving empty-handed. When my oldest nephew was born some 15 years ago, my dad bought a pair of shearling booties for Preston to enjoy while in the 0-3 month range. That purchase caused my younger sister and I to flounce as only teenaged girls can flounce. We huffed, we puffed, we pouted, we glared, we gave the silent treatment. It was all in vain as nary a shearling scrap was purchased for us. I think we're both still a little bitter about that.

Fifteen years later, I decided there are some advantages to being a grown-up:

Being able to buy my own sheepskin slippers and have warm toes is just one of them.

*And I actually own a shearling hat but it doesn't include any large fur cuff. It is much more understated bucket hat. Very unflashy.

And it's a good thing too because I really need a nap

School was supposed to start back today after an already-long (but who's complaining) Winter Break. Mother Nature had other ideas with the recent snowfall. I told Paul on Monday that I wouldn't be surprised if we had a late start day today--just give everyone a little bit longer to navigate the still snow-packed side roads on their way to school and work. So I was pleasantly surprised to hear yesterday evening that school had been cancelled today. Of course, when we have to go that extra day in May, I won't be as happy. But today, it is good.

Probably my favorite picture of all from Christmas taken by my sister Amy. Click on the picture to enlarge it and fully appreciate the look on Abigail's face.

And it just dawned on me looking at this picture that my "normal" dance style and my Hoky Pokey are very similar.

Historic proportions

Almost two feet of snow at our house. Pretty much all of ABQ is closed--restaurants, churches, the airport, the malls. Snowfall records that stood for almost 50 years have been broken--over 15 inches at the airport, 12 inches on the Westside, 24 inches in the NE Heights. But everyone we've encountered outside is cheery and enjoying the weather. Paul called me to one of the windows this morning so I could watch one of our neighbors make a snow angel in the middle of the street. I think all the grouchy people stay inside when there is bad weather.

We shoveled another 8-10 inches off the driveway and sidewalk this morning. That first day I was out shoveling? And I said it was a novelty and "fun"? Yes, well, it's not fun any more. It's hard work. And I'm done with shoveling snow for another 5 years. Paul and I were discussing buying another snow shovel for the once-a-decade we get more than a few inches so both of us can be out clearing. I'm not sure there are any shovels to be had in town now. And I think our next-door neighbor is still out of town for the holidays so I didn't clear her driveway again. Maybe tomorrow.

An easy way to get a privacy wall that is two feet taller.

Under that drift, one of our Christmas presents is just visible--the Gnome-be-Gone with Flower (thanks again, Amy!)

It didn't get much higher before it toppled off the top of the chiminea.

Yet again.
(I should have taken a picture of Paul because he did more than I did this go-around.)
A little top-heavy.

Snow 2.0

Another week, another snow storm. Since we're not Denver, I think New Mexico has only warranted a passing comment on the national news about the snow storm we're getting. It started yesterday afternoon at our house but we didn't have any accumulation until overnight. The snow started falling in earnest mid-morning and has been steady since. We've gotten about 8 inches so far, and probably another half-inch since we shoveled the driveway at 4:00. And being good people, I shoveled our next door neighbor's drive as well. She can be a bit, um, crabby and will probably tell us we did it wrong. But in the spirit of goodwill toward men, I did it anyway. We chatted with a variety of neighbors when we were outside, each wandering out to shovel or just take a little stroll, all of us going a little stir crazy from being cooped up all day and needing to venture outside for a little fresh air and activity.

The local news stations are thrilled at the fact that there is weather! road closures! something to report! Each station has reporters stationed across the city and the region, braving the elements, many armed with rulers to measure the depth of the snow. One even had a thermometer so we would know exactly what the temperature was at 1-40 and Tramway. Exciting stuff, I tell you. The winter storm warning for the area is in affect until tomorrow afternoon, giving the stations at least 48 more hours of material (because they'll have to cover us all digging out when the snow finally stops).

Paul and I did venture out to the grocery store this morning, before the snow got too deep. Paul made me drive, in hopes that eventually I'll become a less nervous snow driver. On the drive down to the grocery store (a whole mile from our house), a coyote darted in front of the car. It startled me but happily, I didn't slam on the brakes. Just applied steady, even pressure like one is supposed to do in snowy weather. It's not that I don't know what to do--I just tend to forget everything when I'm actually in the situation. But we made it to and from with no problems even with the added obstacle of wild life. And as a double bonus, the trainer called to cancel our afternoon meeting with him (which we were going to do but he called first) so we didn't need to get out again and we didn't have to exercise.

Since I knew we wouldn't be going any place for the next two days, I wanted to get all the needed groceries for what Paul calls my "uber-cooking" days--the one day I spend every few months replenishing our freezer with pre-made meals. It was one of the projects I wanted to complete during the waning days of Winter Break. I know I could go to one of the many "make-your-meal" places that dot the city and it would be less mess and work. But I actually enjoy cooking and this busy cooking day. There's just a certain satisfaction that come with looking in the freezer and seeing all I accomplished. We now have two kinds of soup, chili, marinara, meatballs, and mac and cheese all ready for those nights when I'm too tired/lazy/busy to cook. I did forget a couple of ingredients so some of my other "standards"--breaded chicken, ziti, and a chicken dish--and another dish or two I want to make will have to wait until I can make another trip to the store. I recently purchased the new Real Simple cookbook specifically because there is a section on freezer meals. One of the soups I made today is a new dish from that cookbook--Mushroom Barley Soup. I had a bit for my lunch and liked it. Hopefully Paul will as well--he's worse than most small children when it comes to introducing new flavors and dishes.

Tomorrow, all of the Christmas decorations will be coming down. I'm still enjoying the Christmas tree but if I'm afraid that I don't take them down now, it will be March and the tree won't look quite as festive over Spring Break. I also feel the need to give the house a good scrubbing. I never did finish laundry on Wednesday so that's also on the list. I really hope the snow does clear up tomorrow. We've invited friends over for dinner/game night for New Year's Eve (another reason for the flurry of house cleaning). The evening will probably end by 10:30 so we can all be cozily tucked into bed before the crazies come out.

In the meantime, the snow continues to fall--we'll be back out in the morning shoveling the driveway and sidewalk in a repeat of last week--but inside, we're warm and cozy with popcorn and hot cocoa.

And here's another picture from the first day of last week's storm. Pretty much what it looks like today as well.

Or maybe those errands can wait until Thursday

We had another five inches or so of snow overnight. I'd say we have between 8 and 10 inches of snow. Crazy--I've never seen this much snow in ABQ before. I really need a sled. Growing up in the TX Panhandle, it was too flat to go sledding (if you don't count the car hood tied to the back of a pickup with a ski rope sledding that we did in high school--I was never actually stupid/brave enough to do more than ride in the truck). Paul thinks I'd hurt myself if I had a sled. I'm really not as clumsy as he thinks, and I've never *seriously* injured myself. It all goes back to the not very brave or very stupid aspects of my personality. We've got a great hill beside our house and at the park behind the house. And heck, there's a great big mountain just to the east of us. All perfect locations for sledding.

My friend Devlyn thankfully made back-up arrangements for a friend of her mother to take care of Sparky if this storm truly did happen. While I probably could make it across town to feed the pup, I'm glad we don't have to get out today and brave the elements (and other, less cautious drivers). We've got "provisions"--chocolate, cheese, bread, Cokes--all the necessities for survival in our lives. The cat is going between snoozing on the bed to snoozing on the blanket on the sofa, happy to snuggle down and let us use him as a personal heater. I've made a loaf of banana bread and have a couple of books to read. Paul's able to work from home today. All in all, the makings for a very good day.
The view out the garage door this morning. I'm glad we decided to shovel the driveway yesterday afternoon so we only had four inches to shovel this morning rather than eight.
Yep, I'd shoveled that yesterday as well. The biggest mounds are the creeping rosemary and grasses we have along the front walk.
Looking north in the neighborhood--normally the base of Sandia Peak is visible
The Apache plume and lawn chairs this morning.
The bench and bear this morning
Paul mans the shovel for a while, clearing the front walk

So, I think I'll just put off all those errands I was going to run until tomorrow

It started snowing mid-morning. The various meteorologists/weather reports I saw said we would have "up to an inch" accumulation. That was about six inches ago. It's a wet heavy snow--unusual for ABQ but perfect for making snowmen. Most of the time, we just get powdery stuff that doesn't account for much.

Thankfully, we're out of school for Winter Break so I didn't have to get out in the snow. Paul went to work for just a bit in the afternoon--it took him almost an hour to get home because of wrecks and/or stupid drivers. Even with my Subaru, I know the best tip for driving in snow is to just avoid it if at all possible (and if not possible, make Paul do it for me).


It's such a novelty to actually have enough snow to need to shovel the driveway and sidewalks. Since I couldn't get to the gym, I figure this would count for something--maybe cancel out that cookie (or two) I had with lunch.
The tree in our front yard. I had a big festive red bow on the front gate but it blew off with the rotten gusty wind we had last night and this morning.

Our little house covered in snow. The wind stopped blowing before the snow started so looks right purty across the neighborhood.

Welcome! The planter by the front door

Bench, bear, and mums by the front door

Apache plume in the back yard

The lawn furniture in the back yard.

Red yucca in the backyard
The back yard
The little open space/park beside the mailbox (and my footprints in the snow to the mailbox.) On any other day, the south peak of the Sandias would be visible in this shot.
White Christmas--our across-the-street neighbor's wreath

Mail Order

After church, I spent several hours doing some holiday shopping. I rarely step foot into a store during the holiday season. I utterly dislike crowds and will try to avoid shopping during non-holiday madness because of the people. The crowds and craziness that come with all those extra Christmas shoppers is enough to make me want to collapse into a fetal position. But, it was unavoidable. We're hosting two different holiday parties this year. I needed to get paper goods and some other things for the parties. Just those two hours I spent in three different stores was just about enough to send me over the edge. Even though most of the other shoppers were still cheery and friendly, between maneuveering a cart through overly-crowded aisles and the masses of humanity, I left the last store with a splitting headache and not everything that I need. Hopefully I'll have some free time during the week to pick up those items before the first party on Friday although I'm tempted to just send Paul (who dislikes the crowds and shopping even more than I do but I can generally get one trip to the store out of him because he loves me).

People are always surprised to learn that I'm not much of a shopper (aside from those all-too-frequent trips to Target). There are times when I enjoy it--when I'm with a good shopping companion or just really in the mood. But normally, it's just a painful process because nothing ever fits me correctly or I can't find what I'm looking for at the store. I typically give up on the task at hand and end up buying a new pair of shoes. So most of the time, I stick to online shopping--I'm utterly addicted to the package tracking--and it makes for a much happier Carrie.

The upside of the season for Jub--lots of paper and boxes from all the gifts ordered online:

Warming Trend

This morning, I woke up earlier than I do during the week, bundled up in several layers of clothing, only deciding against the wool ski socks at the last minute (a decision I would later regret), and left the house just as the sky was beginning to grow light. I picked up a friend for our early morning volunteer session. This morning's destination was Old Town Albuquerque and the Posole Ole' Special Olympics Walk. As we made our way across town, Kim and I laughed that we really need to find volunteer events that occur later in the day--we both help with one of the breast cancer walks every spring, an event that also begins before dawn for us.

When we signed up for the event, it was unseasonably warm for November and it seemed like a grand idea to volunteer for such a wonderful organization as the Special Olympics. And it was a grand idea--just much colder than we'd anticipated thanks to the very cold front that came through this week. It was a brisk 23 degrees this morning when the walk began at 8:00. Unfortunately, the cold weather this morning did reduce the number of walkers. But the hearty souls that were in Old Town this morning, either as volunteers or participants, were cheered by the thoughts of the money being raised and posole and warm drinks at the end of the walk.

After our services were no longer needed, and we'd sufficiently warmed up at a nearby extension of a coffee chain, Kim and I headed to a craft fair at the high school near her house. It's amazing to me, having attended "craft shows" for many year, how much these have changed in the past 10 years. There were still the tissue box covers and other overly-tufted and tassled items I remember from childhood craft shows. But more common at this show were table after table of pottery, jewelry, glass and metal art, photography. Even the handcrafts available seem to have stepped up a notch. I picked up a few things--a stocking stuffer for my mother-in-law and a baby gift for friends.

I picked up several ideas of things that I need to share with the craftier among us--simple, cute, and not yet overly done by others. If I had any patience, I would tackle them since none seemed difficult to do. However, I also know myself and know that I would buy all the supplies and then tucker out before actually accomplishing the task. (I write that as I stare at the "learn to knit" kit I bought early in the year with every intention of learning to do this year that still sits on the hearth where it hasn't moved in several months except when I need to dust around it. I have worked on it--just not recently.)

The day isn't over yet--I'm heading up to Santa Fe with another friend for another volunteer obligation. This one will be less fun and more obligation (but still enjoyable since I'll get to work with someone I know/like). I think this one is indoors--definitely a plus.

(And the picture is the downspout at the front of the house--it had warmed up just enough when I got home at noon for the ice to slide out.)

A pleasant, but chilly, surprise

I got up and around this morning as usual. I don't typically listen to the radio in the mornings--Paul gets up after I do and even during times when he's not here, like now, I'm not in the habit. I did look out the window when I first got up and saw snow. We had snow off and on all day yesterday and it just looked like a heavy dusting this morning. It's not unusual to have snow where we live, since we're fairly high at around 6000 ft, but not in the rest of the town. Usually just a mile below our house, the snow tapers off to just a dusting of the white stuff and it gets less and less as you continue down. It's unusual for all of ABQ to have snow or ice.

When I went downstairs to get breakfast and finish the morning routine, I turned on the television to check the weather and traffic. I knew it was freakishly cold outside just given how much the heater has been running (and it is--around 15 degrees at 8:00). I was just in time to hear the newscaster say something sounding similar to APS on a 2 hour delay. Of course the scroll at the bottom was frustratingly slow as it went through the 150+/- closings or delays reported across the state--and it picked up just past the listing for APS.

But,finally, yay! I had a two-hour delay today--totally unnecessary since there wasn't more than a dusting across the town and the roads weren't slick. There have been much worse conditions that didn't warrant any delay or snow day. Not that I'm complaining about going to work two hours late. I started putting up the Christmas decorations last night and I was able to finish decorating the tree in the time I had. It was definitely the right weather to be in the holiday spirit. Then I'll bundle up (probably beyond what is necessary but I really hate being cold) and head to school for another round of unpacking boxes. The unpacking is going smoothly and quicker than I expected. My inlaws came up to help on Wednesday, along with a parent volunteer. The parent volunteer also came today--she's good but she's a bit of a task master. If she wasn't around, I'd probably be doing the unpacking a bit slower, taking a few breaks now and then, wandering around the campus to visit coworkers. Yeah--I've done none of that thanks to the tenacity of the parent. But we'll probably get the boxes finished tomorrow or Monday at the latest. Not a bad thing at all.

Corn Maze, October

Last weekend, Paul and I went with a group from our church to the local corn maze. The general attitude among the group was that even if this was a bust, at least it was a new experience for all of us.

We were given a map that quickly turned out to be utterly useless. Some (probably) teenage hooligans had gone through the maze and taken out the 10 informational guideposts. The Boy Scout troop that was putting the posts back didn't do too good at getting them back in the correct place. And they tuckered out before the task was completed so they put three posts side-by-side. Paul declared that I wouldn't have made a good teenage hooligan because I would have caused trouble by simply knocking the posts down not actually moving them which is, of course, the way a true hooligan operates. But Paul decided he would have made a great Boy Scout because he, too, would have stuck all the posts together although it would have been more to mess with the visitors to the maze.

It was an enjoyable afternoon and I hope Paul and I will go back again to future mazes. The group did decide that the corn maze might be better earlier in the season, when the corn stalks are still green and before other wandering groups had trampled new pathways. And before vandals and Boy Scouts got ahold of the guideposts. Despite our best wanderings, we never could find two of the posts.

Kate and Sam, who were leading the charge--this is shortly before they decided the map was completely and utterly useless

It was a beautiful October afternoon--cool, crisp air with beautiful, sunny blue skies

Looking through the corn stalks

Sandia Mountain as a backdrop for the changing leaves of the cottonwoods

Owning a flashlight is probably one of the requirements for adulthood

We, like many in ABQ, have an evaporative cooler a.k.a swamp cooler for our A/C. The annual maintenance is one of the many challenges that as been thrown as us in the How to Be a Grown-up game. We're getting better about the hook-up in the spring. We buy the new pads early and usually get up on the roof to do the maintance and turn it on before it gets freakishly hot.

What we're not so good at doing is getting it disconnected in the fall. We've been in our house for six years and I think Paul has only actually unhooked the cooler once during daylight. That was the first year we were in the house and the builder did it for us. So I'm not sure that actually counts. Since then, we always talk about how we need to get up on the roof starting in mid-September and it isn't until we notice a weather report showing that it might actually dip below freezing that we finally do something about it.

We've had a cool fall and haven't needed the A/C in over a month. But, you guessed it, it wasn't until tonight that we decided to do anything about it.

At 8:00, Paul came downstairs declaring that he'd seen a weather report on the Internet and he'd decided to disconnect the cooler. It's a short process--10 minutes or so--and probably more exciting in the dark. Which is a good thing because WE DON'T OWN A FLASHLIGHT. How can people not have a flashlight? I'm not sure but we've managed to do it. I'm sure we have this conversation every year at 8:00 on a random night in October when Paul is headed onto the roof. He finally scrounged up a Mini-Maglite that thankfully worked and unhooked the cooler with no surprises or belly flops off the two-story roof. And because I'm no longer in charge of the task of turning on the heater after I managed to screw it up and had to call out a repairman who basically hit the heater with a rubber mallet and charged us $75, Paul did that as well.

Of course, when the heater kicks on, we'll be reminded of another of the many Things We Need to Get To--fixing the vent in our bedroom that has rattled for six years.

Mum's the word

This was me trying to be arty and snap some pictures of the mums in the yard that are just starting to bloom out. The maroon ones I just planted; the yellow and purple ones I managed to keep alive since I planted them last year. That is a feat in and of itself for she-of-the-fake-grass-yard. There's a reason beyond water conservation as to why we got the fake grass. :)

These purple mums really loved the cool, wet summer. They were little stumps in June but have just sprouted up since and are covered with buds.

I picked up some pansies yesterday to replace the fading petunias I'd had in the pot. My grandmother had johnny-jump-ups (little purple & yellow pansies) in her yard for years. I'd love to find some to plant in my own yard.
And my daylilies are blooming out again. I planted them this spring and they were fairly lackluster all summer. I was pleasantly suprised to notice the new buds a few days ago.

Fall is easily my favorite time of the year. I love the feel of the air, the smells, the look of the landscape. I love the crisp air in the mornings and evenings, when it's time to start thinking of jackets but still too warm during the day to wear one. The colors of leaves changing and fall flowers are my favorites and these figured into the decor of our wedding. The centerpieces for our wedding reception were hollowed-out pumpkins with mums that my mom later planted at their house in Canadian.

I noticed yesterday as I was looking at getting some new plants that I had a genuinely happy smile on my face. I'm generally a pretty cheerful person so it's not unusual but this was different. This was a smile that was there because I was feeling so peaceful and relaxed; a smile I haven't had in some time as I have muddled my way through the last few months. Things have calmed down, my head is in a much better place, and while all still isn't "right" in my world, it just seems that I'm better able to handle those troubles in the fall.