Halloween night...

A creepy fog rolled in just about the time the trick-or-treaters started making their rounds. Thankfully, they took my lights off to mean I wasn't home, and they skipped our house. However, my next-door neighbor called and invited me to pass out candy from her front porch. I headed over, thankful for the company and with a bottle of wine in hand. It was nice to see all of the costumes and chit chat in between the groups of candy mongers.

As the trick-or-treating winded down, Mandy and her husband started getting ready for a Halloween party at their other next-door neighbors' house. I had previously declined, but changed my mind when I debated going home alone or hanging out with some neighbors. I had a costume in mind, and at the ready, too (and free). Thankfully, Mandy does hair (and make up) and my costume was complete. The choice was easy as I already have the glasses, the suit, and the Maveric attitude...There I was thinking I was clever, only to run into a rival as soon as I walked through the door...

See? I ran smack dab into Michelle Obama. I, I mean Sarah, was all smiles though...

Sarah Palin with Freddy (?). This face says, "You're not that scary. I shoot large animals out of the side of helicopters. Bring it."


Here is our favorite vice-presidential candidate with Katie Holmes (sans Tom) and Juan Valdez (?) our host.

We ended up having a lot of fun, but it was a late night. I honestly can't remember the last time I dressed up for Halloween, and I'm not sure I will for a long time. Maybe when Sarah runs for president in '16? :)

Halloween...


...and I'm holed up in my house, on the couch, debating at which time I need to turn off the lights, head upstairs, and hide out. I'm not opposed to Halloween, but I am slightly opposed to trick-or-treaters on a Friday night after a brutal few days of conferences with parents.

I'm exhausted.

Happy haunting, everyone. Post pictures soon of all of your kiddos/pets/significant others in costume...

I think I'm nesting in preparation for Will's homecoming. Is that possible? Or rather, is that normal? The house is clean and gets cleaner every day. The yard is looking pretty nice. The pantry is stocked, some hearty soup is put up in the freezer, and I've used my crock-pot twice this week, which rivals as much as I have used it in the last year. The dogs are clean and brushed. (Do you have the Furminator? If not, get one. Holy cow.)

I can't wait for this (even the mustache, which he has grown again):

I guess it seems like if the house is clean and ready, if there is a well-stocked pantry, if the dogs are brushed and exercised, then maybe, just maybe, Will's homecoming will come just a little bit quicker. Maybe I'm crazy (okay, so that's probably not even debatable anymore) but it is what it is. I am so ready to have him home and have some normalcy back for a while. T-minus 9 days and counting (of course, that's incredibly likely to change, but I'm hoping it doesn't).

I made some pumpkin pie dip for a party last week and it was delicious - however, I couldn't truly enjoy it because of though of all the calories! I made it with reduced-fat cream cheese, but it still had a cup of powdered sugar in it, too. So I searched the internet and found a different dip, but still a high-calorie one. I modified it (and changed the flavor of pudding mix from vanilla to cheesecake) and it's a winner! Delish. Try it...

1 tub Cool Whip Free
1 pkg fat-free/sugar-free Cheesecake flavored instant pudding mix
about 12-15 oz. pumpkin pie filling (to taste)

Stir together the pie filling and pudding mix. Fold in the Cool Whip. Refrigerate for a few hours (it tastes great immediately, but even better after it sits a while). Serve with ginger snaps or graham cracker sticks (regular or cinnamon).

I've seen it served in a small, hollowed-out pumpkin, but that's a little ambitious for me. This filling would also be great in a pie shell! Enjoy.

I love this dog...and the other one, too. But this dog is something else. She has such a distinct personality. She absolutely loves to play fetch, she loves to cuddle (well, for a little while, then she jumps down to find her own place to curl up). She hates the rain and the wet grass, and she only puts up with so much of Dixie's stalking - then she shows her who's boss.


However, this pup gave me a little scare. She has a lump under her front right arm, kind of on her chest. Small, but a lump nonetheless. I tried to get her into our Aggie vet last week, but he was out of town. We finally saw him today, and it's nothing but a normal lump/bump, the kind that a 7-year-old dog gets. Totally normal. Sigh of relief.


I know that dogs don't live forever. I'd just like this one to be around a lot longer, and I'm glad she got a clean bill of health.

The perfect post-church, eat-by-myself, Sunday lunch. I enjoyed the time alone to process the sermon, which was political in nature, but very refreshing and poignant.


And I had a nice view. Our local pho place has a very obviously ethnically-based seating philosophy...the gist of which is that white people don't get window seats, and have to sit at long, family style communal tables (with strangers). However, eating alone means I get a window seat - a very tiny table that is desirable only for the view, definitely not for the overall location (it backs up to a kinda stinky fish tank). I'll take what I can get, especially on a non-rainy fall day.

If home's where my heart is, then I'm out of place.

Lyrics from Mercy Me's "Homesick."

And so true for me right now.

I have some terrific friends here, and it is truly a beautiful place to live. However, I miss my husband, and I hate being so far from the rest of our families. I want to cuddle my sweet niece, have a glass of wine with my sisters, and spend time with a friend of mine as she embarks on a new journey. I want to see my friends' kids and know their personalities, and I want to not worry about time zones and airline travel and coordinating schedules. But, this is the life I signed up for, and this is the perfect time in our lives to have these adventures of living away from "home." And, I have two sweet pups to keep me company as I curl up on the couch with the fire going, enjoying being alone and being still.



It does not help that I feel as though I live in the most liberal place on earth, and it's an election year.

Friday Morning - during which time I should be going to work, but I am blogging instead...

-Will and I had a good chat this morning about mortgages and financial stuff. I've been so agitated and frustrated and [fill-in-the-blank jaded/negative emotion] over the current financial crisis. All I know is that our name is on our mortgage, not "U.S. Government."

Where has the personal responsibility gone in all of this mess? If you don't pay your car loan, your car gets repossessed. When you owe someone money, you pay it back. This should not be news to anyone. This has become a debt reliant country of people who feel entirely entitled to spend without limit - spend completely out of accordance with income. Where are we headed and what can be done?

-A group of kiddos from my class is going to see "City of Ember" tonight, and they and their parents invited me to join them. Should be fun.

-Will's return is rapidly approaching...but there are a bunch of hurdles to jump first, including parent/teacher conferences and progress reports. I just hope no one brings their dog this year.

-My house is very clean because I hosted a Southern Living at HOME party last night. I truly love having a clean house. It makes getting up and getting out the door to work so much more pleasant if I know I don't have to come home and clean at the end of the day (especially at the end of a Friday!).

I took myself on a date last night. The food was top notch, and the wine was spicy and delicious. Oh, and the company was good. And I picked up the check.


Then, I woke up this morning to our first frost. I'm not ready for winter, but (as Will would say, jokingly of course) that's irregardless. :)

This Monday might be a bit of a let down after the novelty of Friday's learning environment...

...and a big shout out to my JLMS friends! These activities always make me miss you guys so, so much.

Does your public library have one of these out front?

Rain...


...on my parade, not outside (at least not today). I have a co-worker who constantly rains on my parade. It is obnoxious, childish, and (even though I try hard not to let it be) hurtful. I know the reasons behind it, or at least I guess at them. I know that in reality it's not personal - it's just that I'm there and just being makes me a target. By the end of last year I felt much stronger in dealing with it, but I think that with Will gone, and several things happening at work to fuel this ire from said co-worker, it's gotten worse lately. All this to just say argh. It's frustrating, end of story.


On another note - we've entered the last month of this deployment, and the end of it could not come fast enough for me. I'm missing his company, and his yelling at college football (as I'm watching the Red River Shootout and wishing to be in Texas and not here). Gratefully, there are only a few weeks left until my mustachioed man makes his way home!

Morning Walk...

After dropping Mom off at the airport early Sunday morning, the pups and I took advantage of the fact that it wasn't raining and set off for a walk. It was pretty chilly, but very enjoyable. I brought along the camera for fun...

Here's my fall front porch decor (I love this Aggie Maroon mum):


I really like these droopy trees, but I have searched the internet and can't find what they are called. This one is in a front yard down the street. It was still really early in the morning, or else I might have been a little more apprehensive about snapping pictures of people's yards...


When we made it to the park that's in our neighborhood, I let the dogs run. Maddie started zigging and zagging as if she was picking up a scent trail - and apparently she was! She found this tennis ball in no time, so we spent 20 minutes or so playing fetch. Dixie doesn't play fetch, she plays "Chase Maddie" which at least gives them both exercise. Maybe her daddy can come home and start working with her again!!!


The only way I can walk both dogs at once is by using these Gentle Leaders. They immediately work, require no training time, and both dogs respond so well to them. They work like a horse bridle and guide the dogs by the snout. Although, the dogs tend to look at me like I'm crazy when I buckle them up in these!



Here are some more trees I like (and don't know the name of) - they remind me of the Beatles and their mop-head hair. There is a very young one in our neighborhood that has rocks tied to the branches which I suppose is how they get them to grow this way (these below are from the neighborhood next to ours - it's been there longer and the landscapes are much more established)...who knows, I just really like them!


We ended up being gone an hour and a half, which was great because it poured the rest of the day...and Monday...but it's just sprinkling this morning. The rainy season is started and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a book and the fire going. However, I've got 29 twelve-year olds who might want to learn some math and reading and writing today (right?) so I'd better get on my way. Happy Tuesday!

I had a truly amazing day...all thanks to Office Max, and my principal!

I am blessed.

This is what showed up at my room, a little after 9 am yesterday (and apparently in almost 1,300 other classrooms across the country, in a coordinated effort of surprise...I was certainly surprised)...

Yesterday's agenda...

-Watch bobbleheads' (5th & 6th graders) football game
-Hit up the farmer's market for apples, plums, peppers, onions, beets (2 kinds), parsnips, and a snack of smoked cheese and sausage.
-Appetizer and Mac & Jacks on the patio at Budd Bay Cafe...Yes, there was sun!
-Mall, Costco, etc. (just your run of the mill errand running).
-Lattin's Cider Mill for fresh spiced cider and apple fritters.
-More errands (Lowe's, Home Depot, and Target)

I love having my mom here! We wore ourselves out and I was dead asleep (on the couch) at about 8:45. Whew.

Today we're headed to Trader Joe's, then back to the house for yard work! We had perfect Fall-in-WA weather yesterday, and it should be nice today once the incredibly thick fog lifts. Hope you're having a wonderful first Fall weekend in your neck of the woods!

I sure miss this guy...
...especially on his birthday! Happy, happy day, my love. See you soon.

Recipe Exchange!

My s-i-l, Charla, put out the call for recipes...Here's a favorite of mine - my niece, Marla, introduced me to this over the summer. Super easy and delicious.

Spinach Sausage Pasta

Ingredients:

2 cups rotini or penne pasta, uncooked

1/2 lb. hot or mild Italian sausage (you can use the kind that comes ground, found by the ground beef or breakfast sausage, depending on the store...it's also great with brats - just slice them up into bite-sized pieces!)

1 pkg. (6 oz.) baby spinach leaves (7 cups)

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained (the kind with oregano, garlic, and basil already in them)

1 cup Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese

COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, crumble meat into large deep skillet. Cook on medium-high heat 10 to 12 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally; drain. Add spinach and tomatoes; cook 2 min. or until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.

DRAIN pasta. Add to skillet along with the cheeses; toss lightly.

*Note - be sure to add the cheese right before serving...otherwise, it tends to clump. Oh, and you may want to double this recipe, it's that good.

I'm sure I'll think of some more to share, but that one is the easiest to remember, and turns out great every time!

I can hit my hybrids.

Yes, I can.

On the ground.

No tee.

(This is a milestone for me, so I thought I'd document my new golf progress - mainly for my own memory preservation, but also for Will to see I'm making some gains. This might have been the last decent day to go to the driving range for a while.)

**Update: My doctor (I say "my" but in reality I see a different person each time) says I do have carpal tunnel. She pressed and manipulated my wrists and my fingers went tingly then slightly numb, which apparently is a tell-tale sign. I haven't really felt that before her prodding, though. Also, I have only been having serious pain in the mornings...it seems to subside in the afternoons/evenings. Apparently, this is normal. The doctor also ordered x-rays to have as a baseline to check back with later as this hopefully improves. I will wear splints on my wrists/hands every night and when I'm at home just hanging around. Oh, and I will take anti-inflammatories daily. I'm just hoping I can sleep with those things on my arms!**

Weekend Updates...

-I got an email about this today. Well, I got an email with the info, and I looked on Snopes myself. What do you think?

-My to-do list for when Mom is here (she comes Friday and stays through the next Sunday) already has a few things: finally hang fan in the Man Room, fix the back door (won't latch anymore), repair damage to the coffee table caused by Will's dog (a.k.a. Dixie, who, as of this week, has munched three of the four legs), and tackle the overgrown planter box. But don't worry, we'll have time for fun, too.

-Also about Mom (& Dad), I made over their blog and I'm going to give Mom a tutorial while she's here. Expect random posting soon.

-I'm going to the doctor in the morning. I hate going because it's not close and I have to take off a whole day (they tend to be running late, and then if you need any meds you have to wait eons for the pharmacy). However, we have quality doctors and don't pay anything (other than months away from our spouses, but it is a good feeling to walk out with bags of meds without paying a dime). Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I noticed something was wrong with my right hand. I thought at first it was sore from pulling so many weeds...then I attributed it to holding the bar in my weight training class...and now I think it's something more chronic (I have not done that class since last Monday, and I have not done any yard work besides mowing). I have it on good authority/advice that it might be carpal tunnel syndrome - and this would be very ironic because for a long time I thought carpal tunnel was something people made up so they didn't have to work...I know that sounds ignorant, but my experience (years ago) with people who had this was limited, and they were totally the type of people who would claim to have such a thing and really not. This paragraph has gotten way too long, and I will hopefully have more information tomorrow as to why I can't pick up a full coffee pot with my right hand.

-I was catching up on blogs this morning and saw this posted on Donna's blog. This guy is amazing, and I especially like this video. What a tribute...

-This is a great site (thanks, Uncle Rocky!).

-I tried a new class at the gym tonight. Afterwards, I decided it's the perfect hump day class - not too strenuous, but definitely a workout, and lots of fun! I looked like a total fool! At one point we were zumba-ing to Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" and mine sure didn't - they told the true story that this girl has got no moves...

-I'm so glad my mom is coming to visit soon! I just wish I didn't have to work while she's here.

-About work, it's going so well. I love my class and the other sixth grade teacher. We just mesh well, and collaborate, and (shocker) we both actually enjoy kids! This relationship makes all the difference in the world as far as boosting my want-to factor...I want to work with this person and I enjoy our meetings. Things aren't perfect (are they ever?) but they are far and away better than last year.

-If you know someone who's husband/wife is going to be delployed and they don't already use Netflix, you should get it for them as a gift (just for the months of the deployment, or go in together with a few friends to cover it). It has been really nice to be able to fill some of the hours that I'm home alone, hours that I don't feel like doing anything but curling up on the couch and relaxing with a movie. One of the guys who is deployed with Will takes care of the Netflix queue for his wife - she never knows what's coming next and it's been fun for her to see how well her husband knows her tastes. I think you could do this for a friend, especially one that you know well.

...Just my two cents. Hope you have a great end to the week!

This is some of the best stuff I've heard lately.

My favorite part:

"I am tired of the Obama supporters thinking that if you aren’t voting for him you are stupid, or ill-informed, or don’t care about our country. And that you are probably racist.

I am tired of the McCain supporters thinking that if you aren’t voting for him you are stupid, ill-informed, or don’t care about our country. And that you probably hate war veterans."

Chris, from Notes from the Trenches, is nothing if not refreshing. The banter in my part of the country has gotten especially ugly, and I need a dose of refreshing every once in a while. Also, my brother-in-law-in-law Barry has written an eloquent, thought-provoking post entitled "Blue Like Obama: One Evangelical's Case Against the Evangelical Case for Barack Obama." Very much worth checking out.

Bountiful Harvest

(Yes, more on my gardening...there's not a lot going on, and I'm feeling overwhelmingly domestic as fall approaches.)

Well, I only ended up with two successful "crops" this year (because they overtook the rest)...however, the abundance of those, zucchini and cherry tomatoes, has been surprising to say the least.


So, what did I do with my abundance of zucchini? I shredded my two monster zucchinis (using what is possibly my all-time favorite kitchen gadget, my Cuisinart food processor - thanks Leslie!) and ended up with 30 cups! Yesterday, I decided to make some zucchini bread for the troops (well, my troop, even though he's not sure that he even likes zucchini bread). I opted for the healthy version, replacing half of the oil with applesauce and cutting the sugar way down while adding 1/4 cup molasses to give it a sweet, caramel flavor. Well, it's pretty...

...but not sweet at all. It was an unexpected taste, but good nonetheless. It would be really tasty with a drizzle of cream cheese icing, but that would totally defeat the point...sigh.

I have truly enjoyed the normal-sized fresh zucchini, especially sauteed with a little olive oil, garlic, and onion. Mmm.


Now, onto the tomatoes. This plant is unreal. I have so many cherry tomatoes that I am giving them away in droves. One day I had seemingly thousands of green clumps, almost like grapes, and now every day they are ripening and begging to be picked and enjoyed. I pick a bowlful each day, eat what I can/want, and bring the rest to coworkers. I'd love to share them with Will, who chose this plant, but I don't think they freeze - right? Maybe I could simmer them into a tomato sauce base and freeze that? Let me know if you have any ideas/advice. Anyway, aren't they gorgeous?


The dogs love them - they get all of the fruit that has already split open with ripeness. And they try to get the rest...

...as I attempt to photograph my bountiful harvest.

This little guy was interesting...


So, it's feeling a lot like fall with harvesting going on, with youth football kicking off (I love watching my bobbleheads in action - some of them are really good for sixth graders), and a distinct chill in the air each evening...That, and the fact that I picked these up at Target the other day:


They're good, but I think they'd be a lot better if they were coated in dark chocolate with the pumpkin spice as filling.

Happy fall, y'all.

-Did anyone else hear Obama this morning on "This Week" when he said he's for exploring the idea of performance pay for teachers?

-I was feeling lonely today after church (and really missing post-church lunches at the pho place with Will) so I decided to go to the Farmer's Market. It was a gorgeous day and people were in the mood to talk. I had some really interesting conversations about produce and learned quite a bit. I also was able to help a lady put a name to a vegetable that she had once had - jicama (she was trying to describe it to one of the vendors and they didn't know what she was talking about). She found me later while I was having a snack and watching the bluegrass band perform, and she invited me to visit her church. If you know anything about where I live, you know how incredibly rare that kind of thing is.

-There are a lot of people on strike around here. I wish there was some other way for everything to be resolved, but I don't have any more ideas than the next guy. An interesting twist to one of these strikes is that the teachers in the Bellvue school district are posting videos of their strike on You Tube, providing their insight, reasoning, and personal stories.

-I hosted a going away party for a coworker yesterday. We had good food and good conversation...I cleaned the house and got the yard looking pretty nice for the party, so it was great to wake up and be able to relax and enjoy the sunny Sunday. I washed the cars and now I have a few Netflixed movies to catch up on.

-I'm making pasta with leftover chicken sausages and grilled chicken from last night's party, and I'm throwing in some fresh basil and garlic from the Farmer's Market. I'm hoping to take full advantage of that place before it closes in December (and doesn't open again until April). I also need to whip up some zucchini bread to send to my sweet husband along with some other goodies.

-That's all I've got. Happy week...hope it's a good one.

My next-door neighbor, Mandy, just got a blog up and running (not an easy feat when you're busy running after a two-year-old and getting your older one to Kindergarten for his first week of school)! Check it out!

This is how I feel after the last two days...I'd like to cry but I am too tired. I have a very large group of students with various needs (which is not different in and of itself from any year). But, this group is so, I don't know, needy. They need more of me than I'm sure I can give. I was relieved at how this first day went, especially after Open House - it was a constant barrage of parents telling me about their kids issues/meds/IEPs/family situations/allergies/etc. It was wonderful to finally meet them today, instead of their problems. They are a very, very special group and amazing things are happening in their lives...life changing things...and most of them aren't even 12 yet. Adoptions, a degenerative disease, divorces, marriages, any and all manner of ADD, ADHD, behavior disorders...And they are funny, sarcastic, bright, sharp as tacks, and they seem to kinda like me. It just seems as though this group, more so than any of my other past classes, has come to me at a time where their character is truly being molded. And I think they're the kind of group that will let me play a bigger role than just spectator. It's overwhelming.

It's likely I'll come out of this year with nothing left, an empty tank, but I am certain I'll be pouring it all out for a very good reason...make that 29 good reasons. And we're off...

I never posted much about my summer adventure, but I've been thinking about it a lot lately as summer has officially ended and work has begun...So here's a short recap as I reminisce about warm weather and warm company.

While in Oklahoma, my parents and I went peach-picking. We went early enough that it wasn't too hot, and we picked a bunch. It was a nice morning and we found a spot towards the back of the orchard that still had plenty of fruit left on the trees. It was something fun to do, and mom made some delicious cobbler from, literally, the fruits of our efforts.

We took Miss Dixie to the lake with us one day, and she LOVED it! I had no idea she'd be such a swimmer, but she would have crossed the lake if we would have let her. We all had a blast - the water was nice and the beer was cold!
I had to venture to Denver for a conference for work. It was very informative, and I especially enjoyed our breakout sessions. I walked around the city a bit and enjoyed the scenery (but not the 100 degree weather). I talked the other lady who was with me (another teacher at my school) into checking out the dueling piano bar Sing Sing...Well, I had a lot of fun! After the work part was over, I was able to spend an evening with Will's aunt, uncle and cousin. They live in such a neat town, just outside of Denver, and we had a wonderful evening catching up over a good bottle of wine. I wish we all lived closer (or had millions of air miles).
I had to include the following picture from Denver as a shout-out to my friends in College Station! You've got your own hotel, Curtis? You've been holding out on us!


After Denver, I headed to Georgia for my niece's 13th birthday celebration in Atlanta, followed by a week of relaxing poolside at my sister's house. We went to the Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts concert, and we had such a good time! We adults were all a bit skeptical, but it was an amazing show. That Taylor Swift is one talented girl - she wrote "Our Song" when she was a freshman in high school - whoa! Rascal Flatts was also really good and had an incredible set. It exceeded our expectations tenfold and made me want to see more big concerts.


My niece got Guitar Hero, the Aerosmith edition, for her birthday. She's a rock star - just look!

My older niece started playing softball this year (because she wasn't busy enough with cheerleading, twirling, basketball, annual...). I got to go to her first game. She plays center field, and I need a much bigger zoom on my camera.


After Georgia, I rented a car and drove to Panama City Beach, Fl to meet up with my former neighbor and good friend, Rhonda, and her kiddos. They recently moved across the country, so this was kind of our last hurrah. The weather did not cooperate for the first few days...
The winds tore the roof off of the building next to our condo!

We spent some time indoors, including visiting Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. It was a blast, especially for the kids (they had a pirate on stilts making balloon hats and swords and such). Arrrr, matey!

Also, we danced the night away at Tootsie's! This place was great - live music during the day (and night), kid friendly (until about 9:30 pm), and a dance floor. I had one GREAT dance parter, even if he is only 5!

Thankfully, the weather cleared up and we were able to spend a few days at the beach and by the pool.


The night before I left there was a concert in the park. It was perfect weather, the perfect location, and the music was okay. If I lived there I would go every week - I think they said it goes from May through the end of August. It was neat to see every one's spread - some people brought small tables, complete with candles, wine and hors d'oeuvres. We brought beer in a cooler, fried chicken, and a key lime pie from Publix. We had fun just the same.

After the concert in the park, Rhonda and I headed over to the Hofbrauhaus to meet up with her nephew and some of his friends, home from school for the weekend. We got to enjoy some great German folk music from a father/daughter band straight from the great state of Texas! They picked Rhonda from the audience to compete in a yodeling contest...She didn't win, but it was close!
Finally, I spent more time with my sweet niece before heading back to Oklahoma, then back to Washington. Sweet Hannah was being so serious while I was taking these pictures...She didn't actually make this face - I was making her furrow that brow, you just can't see my hand - but she sure wasn't giving me any smiles!

However, how could your heart not melt when you see those big, blue eyes?!? She's gorgeous and I miss her like crazy. I can't stand being so far away!


I am so glad I was able to spend this summer with family and friends...and get some face time with the sun! I wish I had had more time to see everyone, but it just flies by so fast. We have Open House tomorrow night, then the big first day of school on Wednesday! Where did the summer go? Oh, and have I mentioned that it's been getting in the lower 40's at night? That's practically freezing, which makes it practically winter, which is a bit depressing. At least the cooler, cloudy weather makes me feel like working inside...