Oh hey there! I’m still alive, I promise. Not dead over here. Also, in case I’ve got any GOMI watchers, you should know that I’m not divorcing or pregnant either.
This is the face of an animal who doesn’t want me to be able to charge my laptop.
No, I’ve just been really busy running around. Every morning, I would sit down and tell myself “Today you will post.” Usually, it ended up being “Today you will half complete a really stellar draft that you can use next week.” most days and I’m pretty okay with that.
Busy is good.
But I still love you all, so I want to include you in all the fun stuff I’ve been up to.
— 1 —
Flag football season is upon us.
I basically look exactly like that every game. Except I’m not as pretty or coordinated
We’re playing flag football with the same folks we played softball with. So far, we’ve had two games that were a lot of fun. Not so great on the winning, but hey! we’re in a rebuilding year.
— 2 —
I’ve been bitten by the Christmas-prep bug.
When I was a kid, my mother would send hundreds and hundreds of Christmas cards to all sorts of people. (Big families + business contacts = a Christmas Card party time city.) Last year, we were so busy around the holidays that I only sent cards to people who sent me cards. Pretty miserly, I know, but we were newlyweds, so I think everyone gave me a pass.
I lost the original when my phone died. So here’s a screen shot from Instagram. Andplusalso, would anyone like a card? Email me your address and I’ll put you on the list.
This year, the all lady in-law shopping weekend inspired me to start preparing for the festivities in a timely fashion. I’ve already return-addressed and signed all of our cards, I’ve made and wrapped family gifts and we’ve made a detailed list/budget for everyone else’s gifts.
Now we just need some parties to go to.
— 3 —
Fall is here!
I’ve been saying that summer is over for awhile now, but since it’s October, we can officially call it Fall. I’m celebrating the change in seasons by upping my coffee consumption, enjoying the pitter patter of rain on the sidewalk and burning through all of my Yankee candles.
This is what it looks like outside my window right now.
Here’s an absolutely true story. For a few years, Bret and his mom would both give me candles for every holiday. After several years, I had more candles than I knew what to do with, so I asked them to stop. Now, I’m almost out of burnable candles, so I wouldn’t hate it if people started up with the candles again.
— 4 —
All my friends are moving away.
Alright, that’s not entirely true. Not all of my friends are moving away, but a good number of them are. Last week, we said goodbye to a friend who’s moving back home to start an exciting new job with Catholic Charities. We sent her off with a Burger King breakfast, matching candles and a trip through her grandmother’s cookbooks.
Friends buy friends matching candles.
From the cookbook collection. What makes it Jewish? Also, why is it on holly Christmas paper if it’s so Jewish? I have so many questions.
Her dog was pretty zonked out by the moving process.
Breakfast of Champions.
We’ll definitely miss her, but I know she’s doing what she should be doing.
— 5 —
I’ve been reading up a storm.
I can’t say for sure whether I’ll have time for “fun” reading come January. (If I had to wager, I’d go with no.) Given that, I’ve been trying to pack in as much pleasure reading as possible with the free time I do have right now.
This is a fun little memoir from an obituary writer in remote Alaska.
I don’t know where my mother found this book, but if you’ve never heard of it and/or read it, you should go out and find it.
Fact: You’re going to be seeing more of this book next week.
Have you read anything good lately?
— 6 —
School is starting soon.
Look at this folder. Doesn’t this look exceptionally important?
Admittedly, “soon” is a really relative term here, but I’ve already met with my academic adviser and I’ve started looking through the course catalog. The only thing I need to do right now is dig out my vaccination records and start filling out scholarship applications — which I will do as soon as Bret makes our printer work again.
— 7 —
Trip planning is underway.
It’s the final countdown. (doo doo doo dooooooooo.)
Here’s our stack of books.
Our trip is getting closer and closer. I’m so excited that I can barely stand it. (Special thanks to Cat for her excellent guide to Prague.)
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