Autumn is my most favorite time of year!
It’s still eighty degrees out, but I’m embracing all things fall.
I’m all about pumpkins and leaves and cotton up in here (up in here)
This is what it looks like when the pumpkins aren’t gathered up by Baby K.
There are other little collections in the living room, but I chose to share this one because I like the way it looks best.
My God, y’all! The light in this house never ceases to amaze me.
As September closes and we’re still having days in the upper 90s, it’s hard to pay attention to anything, much less what I’m grateful for. But Indian summer or not, I’m aware. And I’m grateful.
finishing my degree
celebrating finishing my degree
one of my alternative healthcare providers twice
my therapist
a truly amazing WHNP-BC who not only has helpful ideas but also really listens
YBW’s and my therapist
Rendon bobblehead even though Nats lost this game
my girls
Friday the 13th
finally going to school and teaching 2nd graders
my big sketch book
the shift in me
colored gel pens
productive conversations with my husband
making real plans for the future
watching Good Omens the second time
Rimmel Scandaleyes Curve Alert Mascara
porchlife drinking vodka lemonade with homegrown basil
Amber (she does my hair)
playing Superfight with Thing C and Girlfriend L
bookshop and lunch with Mike and Josie
celebrating a dear friend and neighbor’s birthday
hitting the game tavern with Nora and Dale
a whole afternoon baking with Holly
one rainy morning
reading books
particularly Daisy Jones and The Six
this line from Daisy Jones and The Six
September was a difficult month.
That wretched therapy appointment started it off.
YBW and I spent a great deal of time focused on the lack of effort Thing G spends on being responsible for his own life.
I didn’t realize how disappointed I would be when the time came for us to be holding a new baby and there was not one to hold.
That said, there’s much to be grateful for!
Boyfriend J’s birthday.
My therapist.
Our therapist.
Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company’s production of Gloria.
All three of my alternative healthcare providers.
Fall decorations!
Amber. (She does my hair, and it looks GOOD!)
Meaningful conversations with Sally.
The sun finally showed up!
Ridiculously fun meme sharing with Sundance.
The easiest blood draw I’ve ever experienced! (my veins roll and that makes for bad times)
Double date at the art festival with M and J.
Phone calls with Jessica.
Being in the park for the last home game of the season. (Nats won 9-3!!)
Sirius XM Broadway.
Cocktails with YBW.
Sitting in the sun at the Naval Academy watching our nephew play Rugby.
Spending time with great friends-as-family in Annapolis!
Talking with my girls.
Cooler temperatures. (Only by a smitch, but I’ll take it!)
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Comedy of Errors.
Finishing a successful school term.
Did I mention the sun finally showed up?
As I say goodbye to a summer I’m more than happy to have in my rear view mirror, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude for what I experienced in August.
Unexpected trip to New Orleans.
Mental health care providers.
Farmers market Thursdays with Meredith, Beau, and their Mommy.
Time with Nora and Dale’s kids.
SiriusXM Broadway.
Libran Provence Rose.
Back to school with people I enjoy.
Massage therapist.
Surprise packages from a friend that knew I needed a bit of love.
Celebrating the full and loving life of Sundance’s Grandpa.
YBW’s love and companionship.
Long phone conversations with the girls.
Independent book shops.
Bloom gin.
The Town of Vienna.
Old Town Manassas.
Crossroads Tabletop Tavern
Diet Dr Pepper.
Essie nail polish.
Analog clocks.
Gel pens.
Sleeping in my own bed.
Old Bust Head Brewery.
Tomorrow is the start of ‘Meteorological Fall’. I can hardly wait! I’ve got loads of Autumnal items in bins in the closet under the stairs waiting to be set free!
Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. I’m not a PSL kind of girl, though I do love pumpkiny things.
My point is, I’m not “basic” in my love of Fall. Sure I love sweater, jeans, and boots weather, but it’s so much more than that! The change of seasons brings all things new. And even though some consider this the ‘dying time’ I look at it as a time for rest, for recharging, for beginning all new things, and continuing older things with hope.
Hope is truly the greatest ability we possess.
As we move from Summer into Autumn I wish all y’all as much gratitude and hope as your hearts can possibly hold!
Little D came to spend the night Saturday!
He is currently obsessed with all things Halloween. I’ve decorated the house for fall, and he was actively trying to help me bring out the Halloween decorations too. After a long-winded explanation of the difference between meteorological fall and the autumnal equinox, and how Halloween stuff couldn’t come out till October, Little D was looking at me like, WTF? I just want to get out the jack-o-lanterns! YBW saved the day when he said, Remember, you can’t decorate for Halloween till after your dad’s birthday. (October 2)
Little D looked at YBW and nodded.
Dude was sad as hell looking.
So I told him he could come back over after his dad’s birthday and help me decorate for Halloween.
He decided he wanted to draw some pumpkin pictures, so we got out the crayons and paper.
This is a “kitty pumpkin” because it has a cat face. It’s also got wings so it’s a flying pumpkin.
I dunno, I’m just repeating what I was told.
I drew this one and then he embellished it with a brick wall and teeth and nose for the big pumpkin. He also mimicked the pinks and purples of the sky out the window. Then with great purpose added a crescent moon.
Here you see pumpkins and a witch’s broom sweeping fall leaves, also some ghosts saying “ooooo” cause “it’s scary like that”.
Next we decided to make scarecrows.
I’ll leave it up to y’all to decide which of us drew which one.
We watched Disney’s Robin Hood snuggled up on the sofa with a big bowl of popcorn before I read him a story and tucked him into bed.
Sunday morning we made bacon and had a little facetime chat with Thing 2. YBW got up and made the french toast and it wasn’t longer before Little D was on his way.
That kid. I love him so.
He said he’s going to be a bat for Halloween…but he’s worried about red eyes. He had a teeny little ramble about my daddy going to paint my eyes…I don’t want paint in my eyes…it hurts…then I have to wash my eyes…
He looked at me with a truly bewildered look on his face.
I reassured him that his daddy wouldn’t hurt his eyes, and he would be a great bat, even if he had his regular eyes instead of red ones.
He smiled with his entire being and wrapped his arms around my neck. “You are awesome!”
Yeah I am, Little D. And so are you!
I lula(ed) for the last three days straight. #wholelottalula
Friday night was a swap with four other consultants. Gave us a chance to freshen up our inventory and meet new people while we were at it. While all the women were nice enough, I especially liked one. It’ll be interesting to see if this new friendship develops. #lularoefriends
Saturday I photographed all the new merch. And today I returned as much to the racks as humanly possible.
When I finally loaded all the photos to my fb group page, let me tell you, the ladies were waiting like vultures! #lularoeobsessed
The new Carly dress has people absolutely salivating.
Sold seven items just by posting photos of new inventory. And not everything that sold was new. It pays to create hype…I don’t feel like I’m adept at that…but I’m learning. And finding that it’s kind of fun.
I created several adorable outfits that can only be purchased as a whole. That Randy (the baseball tee) makes me swoon. Too bad it’s not in my size.
Even went into the closet under the stairs to get props for an upcoming ‘holiday’ themed outfit and asked the question, “Any of you witches missing your hat?” #withesoflularoe
I finally quit working today when I realize it was nearly 6:00 and I hadn’t eaten since 9:00 this morning.
We ran to the bookshop to capitalize on a special extra 20% off for members that expired today. (Members already get 20% off so this was an additional 20% for a total of 40% off my entire purchase.) I ended up finding everyone’s Christmas Eve book…well, everyone but YBW. But I have time…and I was famished!
We ran to Target for a couple things and I went absolutely mad over this plaid pumpkin!
I mean, seriously. That pumpkin was made for me. #preppygirl
I’m ready for Autumn, y’all. Bring on the pumpkins. Bring on the leaves. Bring on the cool crisp air. Bring on the sweaters and jeans (and leggings) and boots. #falliswhereitsat
It’s the little things. The teeny little seemingly insignificant things.
These little things make the biggest impact.
I got a teeny little thing with huge impact this morning in the form of a text message from YBW.
I’m not going to tell you what it said, because, well…I don’t want to. And that’s not really what’s important. What’s important is the act of writing and sending the text.
Each of us gets caught up in our own “stuff”. Makes it tricky to remain aware of what’s going outside our own heads. I had a long talk with my friend and mentor the other day. It was lovely. But it took so much of my energy. I’ve been trying to have an important conversation with Thing 1 for well over a week now. I honestly haven’t had the emotional energy. Haven’t seen Sundance or even talked to her for a while. Haven’t even been doing simple hashtag communications with my sister in law.
I’ve been to much in my head. I’m working on slowly shifting my focus outward. It’s hard and I feel lazy…but I’m working at it.
That sweet message from my husband this morning furthered my effort and helped me see he’s working at the same thing.
Tomorrow is September 1. The start of ‘meteorological fall’.
Now, most people see fall as the dying time. I see it as a time of starting new. Perhaps that’s residual from all those years of new children in the classroom in the fall? I don’t know…
But I’m looking at fall as a time to start everything new. New attitude with old projects. New projects with excitement.
Perhaps the wretched hot and humid weather will decide to become new and bring cool crisp air for me to breath. And temperatures that don’t cause you to break out in a sweat the moment you walk outdoors.
But I’m not expecting that until October…Indian Summer is the way of early fall in the Metro area. I know this. I’m just feeling hopeful!
Hope springs new for this little red haired girl in the Autumn.
I’m ready to do the hard work.
This used to be my “catchphrase”…it’s been a long time since I felt like using it…but to life in general, I say a great big, “BRING IT!”
(Until I wake up tomorrow in a foul mood…then I’ll be back to my grouchy self and have to start all over again.)
Sometimes, Oscar is my spirit muppet.
With the beautiful weather we’ve been experiencing YBW and I decided to spend a little time outside yesterday afternoon. We debated heading over to one of the local wineries but I was in yoga pants and a Nats tee and didn’t really feel like changing to go out. So we decided create that winery experience at home on our lovely but sadly under-utilized porch. We ran to the grocery store for yummies and goodies to make a small charcuterie board.
We sat out there for quite some time. Talking, laughing, nibbling, and drinking wine.
I officially decided that prosciutto must have been the food of the Gods.
We talked wedding practicalities.
We talked about ourselves and each other.
Oftentimes we’re bogged down in the day to day runnings of our life. But last evening, we just were. We were authentic and immediate and we were completely engaged.
I liked it.
He liked it too.
He’s home with me for the next three days. We talked about taking a mini-break to the beach, but it didn’t really go anywhere. So we’re going to stay home. Tomorrow we’re going to an exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. And on Thursday we’ll go to the Arboretum.
That’s our plan, tentatively…
It’s warmer today, but I may suggest a repeat.
I love when we’re together and able to just be.
Without doubt, Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year.
Thing 2 calls me “basic” because I love to wear sweaters and boots and jeans. She says my saving grace is that I don’t drink Starbucks.
I’m not “basic”. I’m just me.
For me fall is cool crisp air and being able to be outside without wanting to die. It is jeans and boots and sweaters. It’s driving with the windows down and being able to breathe without gasping.
Fall brings in the end of the beloved baseball season.
I feel rather sad about that because my Washington Nationals won’t be looking towards October without a miracle. Which is just going to have to be OK this season. Everyone on and off the DL, a bullpen that’s somehow lost it’s way. I love my team no matter what, but it just seems a shame they couldn’t get it together.
I know all sports seasons overlap. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.
It really does irritate me that the ‘boys of summer’ can’t get off their diamond before the guys in shoulder pads and helmets take the gridiron.
I do not like American football. And it’s not just because I’m a girl, I know plenty of girls who live and die for football. I’m a Southern girl, but football isn’t my religion.
Thing C is a total football fanboy. His favorite team has fans that wear cheese on their heads. But it’s not just Packers games that he’s interested in. He follows all the teams, watches all the games.
He knows I am this meme.
So we negotiate television time during the fall and winter.
I don’t begrudge those who love the sport. I just choose to abstain. I honestly derive no joy from watching it. I’ve never seen people shout at their TVs more than during football season. And that’s saying a lot because I always holler at the baseball players.
It’s a matter of taste. What you like.
I like a spring and summer game that ends in October.
I like the weather Autumn brings.
I like to wear sweaters.
I like to play in the leaves.
I like scarecrows and pumpkin patches.
Autumn and I’ve come to a sort of agreement:
I leave football to the ones who love it. Who eat, sleep and breathe it.
I’ll eat chicken pot pie, sleep with the windows open, and breathe the cool crisp air.
And everybody’s happy.
Except the Nats.
It’s OK, boys, April is only seven months away.
We’re home from mini-break and back into the real world.
Please let me tell you that 5:15 came damn early this morning.
We had the most lovely weekend! The American Shakespeare Center/Blackfriars Playhouse and it’s production of All’s Well That Ends Well was spectacular!
We walked everywhere all weekend, ate delicious food at the quirkiest little places, my favorite of which was Cranberry’s Grocery and Eatery. We wandered through quaint little shops, even visited the Woodrow Wilson Presidential library.
Saturday morning we accidentally came upon Thornrose Cemetery and both had a wonderful time exploring!
We discovered a teeny little camera museum and I listened with awe to the strange little man talk about the history of photography and cameras. (Did I mention I’m a dork?)
We chose well when we decided which winery to visit on our way home and came away with five bottles!
The only thing we didn’t get to do was have decadent dessert and cappuccino…but that’s OK because I had slice of delicious cherry pie after my lunch on the way home.
The short time we were away seemed so long! It was the perfect opportunity to “check-out” for a little while. We enjoyed just being away together…but when we got into bed last night, each of us expressed our happiness at being able to sleep in our own bed.
Dorothy knew what was up when she said, “there’s no place like home.”
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