The Fall List

I got home yesterday after cramming as much as possible into four days in Seattle.  I nearly left my camera in the Harrisburg International Airport, dealt with 3.5 days of rain, and sat in New Jersey while my connecting flight home was delayed by a half an hour, then an hour, and then three.  Today, I had a test and completely forgot about a 5 point assignment, and beat myself up over the result of each far too harshly.  Because, I'm tired and I'm anxious, and there's a lot and a little to do at the same time. 

So, there will be a post about the trip, and all of the ups and downs, but I'll get to that another day.  My bag won't be unpacked for awhile, so it's fitting that there won't be a post right away. 

There is a new header though, and that Fall List that I promised last week.  

I came home to an abundance of yellow and red trees.  It's like Fall decided to officially leave it's mark while I was gone.  The garden has changed too, and there's not much left to do to it at this point, but to let the leaves of tomato vines crisp and the flowers wilt like they will.  Maybe the plants can contribute to a Halloween party, and that will be their final hurrah. 

Last week, I told you all about the rain.  It was a rejuvenating rain, and plants and veggies got their second wind.  It seems now though, the cold has caught up with the season, and it's just too cold to be a marigold right now. 

Our puppy pool is still in the ravine from the bad storms we had.   

To which, I'm sure Lilly is just fine with that. 

Not all is lost though.  We have signs of life outside still.  In the form of pumpkins.  Crazy, beautiful pumpkins. 

Tonight, K and I were all shippy again, passing in the night.  Each of us busy and on different wave lengths and schedules. I find myself increasingly frustrated because I have yet to have established a routine for myself.  I thrive with routines.  I rely heavily on lists.  I feel lazy after days like today where I can't come up with anything productive that I've done.  And I get to the point where I feel like I can't even blog properly, without it turning into a "and then we did this, and then I did this, and the dog did this" kind of writing.  Yes, I know at these kinds of moments, I should just hit save, and close the laptop. 

Sometimes, I feel like something's missing.  Yes, we're busy with school and with work, but something's missing.  I always feel like there's something that I need to see and experience.  Or, I feel like what I'm doing isn't good enough.  Right now, I feel unfulfilled.  I know that all I should be doing right now is taking tests, studying, turning in assignments, and working.  But, it isn't enough for me personally.  I don't want the next 8 weeks to be colorless.  I don't want to just survive until Christmas, I want to thrive. 

So, here goes.




The Fall List
Not to be as fantastic as The Summer List, because more is expected in the Summer.

Throw the 1st Annual K and C Halloween Party

Pick a pumpkin from a patch

Pick an apple too

Bake an apple pie

Start a new scarf for K

Take Lilly on a Trick-or-Treat walk

Capture the fall leaves on the camera

Transform the house for the party

Start a Fall routine

Become a Fall runner

Buy a fab new sweater

Trade flats for boots

Fill the basement with Fall scents

Finish a book amidst the studying

Write a thank you note to the doctor who saved Lilly last year

Take a hike

Have more dates like these:

Coming home after a long shift last week to kielbasa, chips, wine, and smores.  And a well-lit fire.  I didn't give you the mad props that you deserved babe.  Good job!    You just can't beat a date night outside, under the stars, with the garden putting on a show.  

Today was weird.  I did nothing with it.  I know it's because I travelled yesterday and I haven't gotten back into the swing of things.  It might take a couple of days.   But, I've done this before and I recognize this feeling, and I have to force myself to go to sleep, let go of the day, and start over again tomorrow.  My equilibrium will balance. 

At least I'm not still in New Jersey, right?