Drizzly October

It's cold and dreary out. I just put slippers on- and a second long-sleeve layer. The heat's not on, the a/c is off. It's only 60 degrees outside! I opened my windows this morning, but shouldn't have, because the chill is still hanging around. My toes are cold. It must be October.

Zulu is sitting on my lap-trying to help cure me of my writer's block, which seems to be around more often than not lately. We've got a cozy apple cider candle burning to warm us up- if that's possible, which I believe it is.

I got up early to finish my library book today- I had already renewed it twice and really just needed to finish it and turn it in on it's due date. It's a checklist-lover thing. I sat on my couch, with a mug of chai, and Zulu curled up next to me. It was a good way to spend a drizzly fall morning. But now, I'm still stuck in the rut of not accomplishing much. We made it to the library, got some crockpot chicken ready to go for supper, and got the kitchen cleaned. I tidied up a bit, but that's as far as I've gotten so far. How is it that I am so efficient some days and struggle so much the next? Oh well...I'll catch up on my homework tonight.

As for it being October, I still can't really believe it. Slowly, I'm easing into the chill. I've been using my cast iron skillet more, throwing meals in the crockpot more, smelling vanilla and cinnamon more, and confusing myself by alternating tea or ice-cream for an after supper treat.

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Last week was the week of organization. Other than reading and studying for my classes, I really had no other responsibilities. Keagan was gone all week, Zulu was spayed and had to take it easy all week, and I didn't babysit. So, out came the nerd in me. First, I started by pulling out a little fall decoration. Nothing big; I just switched out the brighter colors with lighter colors, for more mellow-fall-feel. I swapped out a couple lamps for additional coziness, and bought a new candle- because that's what I do. Then, I tackled every little cupboard, box, and drawer that needed a little organizing TLC and went to work. And finally, I took care of some long-lost to-do-list items. You guys, that's my favorite thing to do. Zulu just jumped off my lap- she knows how lame I am.

~~~

Getting a dog spayed is a very interesting experience for someone who's never had a real pet before. I was nearly in tears when I left her at the vet- in a cold building with a slippery floor that she really didn't like. The vet tech was not personable. Without saying a word, or looking me in the eyes, she took Zulu out of my arms, slipped a leash around her, and whisked her away. I finished filling out paperwork, hearing Zulu cry the whole time, and then had to leave her there for four whole hours. It was miserable. After picking her up, she whined non-stop for a couple hours, before finally allowing herself to fall asleep- her head balancing awkwardly on the cone she had to wear. She was pitiful the first day, but was ready to get back to real-life the second day. Sorry, Zulu. We still have a few days before you can run, jump, climb stairs, and play. We're almost there!!

~~~

As for having fun...don't worry...I didn't just organize. I went for a walk with a friend, had supper with a bunch of military wives, and spent Sunday in Richmond with Kiley and Keagan. We went to a very Southern Baptist-y church, enjoyed some food (of course), and swam in the James River. It was almost 90 degrees, believe it or not! I guess the Midwest isn't the only place with bi-polar weather.

So far, the current week has been lovely. Keagan has been getting off at a decent supper-time, and we're looking forward to enjoying a long Columbus Day Weekend.

And the best news? It's 3:24 and I just got a text saying Keagan is on his way home!! What a treat. TBS you're being nice this week.

Sunsets

Seven forty-five is too soon for the sun to set, just like any time is too soon for good company to leave.

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In the past, I've been thrilled about September. I could feel the change of season in the air. In the Midwest, it seemed that September came, and always brought with it a gentle breeze that blew in the wonder of fall. Oh, I couldn't wait for that breeze to come. I always had a fresh schedule, I couldn't wait for the trees to begin to turn, and I lived for walks outside in the comfortable temperatures. Out came the jeans, out came the candles to burn, and apples, oh yes, apples.

This year just seems...off. The air still feels very much summery and not a bit fall-like. We're all still wearing shorts and tank tops 99% of the time. Giant bugs are still flying everywhere. The pace of life has not changed. Every year, up until last year, September meant the beginning of school. Last year, meant the beginning of married life. This year, I'm in Virginia, on the same schedule I've had for months now. This year, September just seems like another month of summer, with the sun setting too early.

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I am a very nostalgic person. It's in my nature, as much as I try to put it behind me. I'm also a major thinker. I get lost in my own thoughts way too often. Sometimes, I view these characteristics as non-threatening, and sometimes I have to curb them from taking over my present joy.

The past week was a week that I wanted to hold onto forever, but unfortunately, I could not. Wrapped in that week was our first anniversary and a week with Keagan's parents and sister. I truly wanted to write so much. I wanted to write about a year ago, the time leading up to the wedding, the wedding, and the early life after. I wanted to write about this year, our anniversary, and the fun we had all week. Unfortunately, my writing impulses were slowed once again-- thank you, laptop, for biting the dust.  Now, I have Keagan's laptop as a temporary substitute, but going back on writing impulses never seems to work for me.

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Like unpacking a suitcase after vacation, putting an apartment back together after having company is emotionally deflating. Normally, I like a neat, clean, apartment with everything in it's place. But having company means blankets in a stack, air mattresses against the wall, suitcases in the corner, coffee cups on the counter, and towels hanging all over the bathroom. Putting each thing back in it's place just means....our apartment is empty again. I like quiet, I like order, but having good company throws those likes to the back burner.

Independence is good- I like it. I am good at it. But a lot changes when your favorite company is across the country. It's a good thing, to have people worth missing, but it's also hard to bounce back from the treasured days spent together. Yet, we move on. We enjoy those days, enjoy the present days, and look forward to the days ahead. We accept that sometimes the sun sets sooner than we want it to, but it's all a part of the change of seasons. The wonderful, hopeful, change of seasons.

---

currently

gearing up for a crazy last half of the semester.
chaos.

life.

blessings.

short visits with family.

a clever small-town "terror" maze.

long drives.

watching a certain someone run cross country. 

work.

papers, projects, exams, and evals.

bedtime routine: reading a couple chapters of the mitford series.

observing therapy.

empty fields and dwindling leaves.

one of the last warm streaks of the year.

on and off fever.

figuring out life. or..at least accepting that we can't.
finding order.

re-learning how to pray.
1 peter, 2 peter, 1 john.
jason gray- good to be alive.

new coldplay album coming out tomorrow.

to do list the length of an elephant's trunk.

sunday nap time.

October

The beginning of October is consistently the time when the leaves are at their best. The red, yellow, and gold have definitely started their gradual take over of the green. The green is doing it's best to hang on, and is surprisingly succeeding. The tree outside my window, however, is beautiful, crisp gold. I feel so lucky to have such a "view" from my apartment window. Most have parking lots or a street. What do I have? A tree! Well...with a parking lot in the background. But still, I enjoy it. 

This weekend was spent driving down to Kansas City for a Vikings vs. Chiefs game. Driving by the colorful hills of Missouri and the time spent with friends (and eating BBQ) made for a great, unforgettable weekend. 

Now, once again, it's Monday and back to reality =)

This week and the next two to follow will be quite busy. There's a lot to think about, and unfortunately I think studying is going to keep me inside more than I would like to be. The forecast says 80 degrees all week...what? For now, I'll sit at my desk working away at homework, occasionally getting distracted, and remembering this:

Matthew 6:31-34: So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has trouble of its own.

falling

I seriously cannot stop talking about how much I love fall. 

It's busy, it's hectic, school threatens to drag me down into the deep, dark, depths of depression. Okay, so maybe that last line was a bit of an exaggeration. But really, it's a busy, crazy season. I'm spending 14 hours in class a week, observing therapy sessions about 4 hours a week, and working about 25 hours a week. The rest is spent trying to keep up (or should I say catch up) on homework and assignments. It's crazy. BUT fall makes it so worth it. The moments that I open my window and smell fall (and try to ignore the seasonal allergies), the moments that I can sneak a short walk or a run, and yes, even the moments that I spend sitting at my desk doing homework with a candle burning are worth it. 

This weekend, my best friend/boyfriend came up to Mankato. We've both been busy and a bit overwhelmed with school and decided we needed a fun weekend. So, we ate out at a fun pizza parlor downtown (you can draw on the tables), we bowled, we went to an apple orchard and attempted to make apple turnovers and applesauce out of the apples, we made a delicious supper, watched a movie, went to church, ate lunch, and walked outside at Minneopa State Park. Whoa! Busy, but fun. It was good. So good. Fall is wonderful. I dread the day when it's too cold to stroll outside comfortably. Maybe I'm not meant to be a Minnesotan. But let's not think about the cold quite yet. Until that day comes, I'm soaking in every color-changing leaf, every breath-taking view from the hilltop, and every moment of solitude that I can. Nothing beats fall. Oh, and cornbread muffins fresh out of the oven.

P.S. Someone got a new camera, but I won't tell you who. It's not a professional one by any means, and not even close. It is, however, an upgrade from the free digital one I have been using. Now just to learn how to manually operate it =)

Balmy Weather and Cancelled Classes

Mondays. Let's face it, they're Mondays.

However, today I enjoyed:
1. My second class of the day (2 hours long) got cancelled!
2. A run with my uncommon spare time. Perfect weather and beautiful down and up hill trek.
3. Oriental Stir Fry. Mmm.
4. A re-organized room. It feels so good to have everything in it's place.
5. Enjoyed the 70 degree weather. It felt SO good after nearly a week of chilly temperatures.
6. Got the night off of work and enjoyed supper with good friends =)
7. Drank lots of water. Mmm.

Mondays aren't always so bad.

day. over.

ever had a day where you get home for the evening and you are so tired that you don't even want to hit the shift key and use capital letters and proper grammar and you write really long run on sentences? that's me. yup. class, big exam, class, second day in a row of five hours at work training the new staff (wearing business casual clothes..yeah, i'm not used to that). i grabbed a bowl of cookies and cream ice cream (don't worry, i'll run it off tomorrow morning) and my laptop and propped my feet up. yay for the end of the day.

BUT

it was a good day. i woke up to the chilly fall air creeping through my open window. bliss. i read matthew 24. i wore jeans and an olive green 3/4 length sleeve shirt. i had soup for lunch. i had time in between my exam and next class, so i sat behind the bell tower on our gorgeous campus. the fall breeze mixed with leftover summer sun was so...refreshing. the quiet (yes, quiet in mankato!) afternoon hour was so wonderful. i got jason gray's new cd. i was reminded at how awesome freelance whales are. i heard that we're in a freeze warning. (WAIT. what was that??) okay. so maybe i'm not too thrilled about that. but i am thrilled about the fact that I'm leaving my window open tonight and that means i can curl up under a million blankets. mmm. that's my favorite. and you know what makes it the best day?? i'm going to bed right now. goodnight world. until tomorrow, hannahbrooke. 


p.s. yes, that photo is terrible quality. i took it on my phone. it looks beautiful on my phone screen. i promise.