Noticing

Sunset House

The Glory

Karma, Please Forgive Me

Eight raccoons and one possum have been removed via this trap. I'm not thrilled about the ultimate fate for these critters, but I'm even less thrilled about the myriad diseases a toddler who loves to dig in the dirt could acquire from them. This is just survival of those who would like to remain fittest.

She's Riding High. Her Load Is Light.

The best part about this autumn challenge is getting outside and noticing fall. We moved into our new house near the river a year ago, but I didn't pay enough attention to fall last year. Things were busy. This year things are still busy, but I can't help but notice how lucky we are to live close to this.

Dave actually grew up in this same spot and he used to "go out Hucking" by the Mississippi River. We were courting when he told me this story about Hucking (a reference to Mark Twain's most famous character), and while I already really liked him, this literary reference solidified my feelings. Then, when he told me he used to write poems about barges while out Hucking (see the title of this post), well, that just put me over the edge. My hope is that Sam will do his share of Hucking and poetry writing around this area too. Especially during fall. 

In the Thick of It

Good news, Everyone! I did fine on my Health Assessment, and it turns out I can do a solid number of push-ups compared with other women in my age range. So, it feels like I won that contest.

It doesn't feel like I'm winning the dissertation contest, though. I spent the last couple of weeks revising an article for possible publication (fingers crossed!), and I'm a little behind on the air-tight calendar of things to get done before December. That's a bummer, because I really love this fall weather and would like to get out in the daylight now and then. Of course, I'll finish this thing just in time to get out and enjoy February. And that's okay. Because any month will feel glorious when this thing is done. Also, I think I'll have a party.

In Slumber

We got a new bed. It's a platform and is very low to the ground. I think it will take some getting used to, but Sam surely loves it. He thinks we got it just for him and even tried to nap there yesterday. We don't have the new mattress yet, but that's the part I'm particularly excited about. The salesperson assured me I'd never have back trouble again. And that's what I expect. I'll be a new me. This bed purchasing experience also helped me realize how much Dave loves decorating. Every day this week a new throw pillow in some combination of grey and citron has arrived. I think we're up to seven now. I don't know where Dave plans to put all the pillows, but that seems like a small problem to have. The pillows are fab, after all.

Shift Work

Sam and I are on our new schedule this week. I spend the mornings with him and Heather, our nanny, takes over in the afternoons. I'm liking it so far. It's good to put time into the dissertation every day. But it also means I have to put time into the dissertation every day. You can probably see what I mean.