Around Here....

Last week Ali Edwards urged her 52 Creative Lifts newsletter readers to think about what's going on "around here." So I thought I'd give it a try.

Loving.. taking yoga at 8:00 pm. It's been a great way to wind down and I'm finding that on those nights I'm sleeping better and much more energetic the next morning. Next week, the late class goes candlelight. I'm really looking forward to trying that.

Pondering... how to keep myself motivated at school. Fall can be difficult and this is yet another year of changes. I'm in the same building, same classroom, but we've changed the schedule and while I'm enjoying shorter periods with the kids (I've picked up my teaching tempo), adding another period to the day really wears me out.

Transitioning... my wardrobe. I left for school today in capris, sandals, and a coat. You have to love the fall days in Oregon with temperature swings of 40 degrees. But seriously, I do love this weather, and I'm going to enjoy it as long as possible.

Planning.... some time spent with my mom this weekend; family and friends during the next couple weeks. And if all goes according to hopes, a little road trip before the crazy holiday season kicks in. I'm also looking ahead to next summer and the trips it will bring.

Enjoying.... the reemergence of creativity. This year I've attempted to get back on the creative band wagon. For too long, I've been stuck in a rut. I've was really into Project Life before being gone for a month and since then I've lost my focus. I had a great time at the crop last weekend. I need to schedule those more often even though the time to put together kits and layouts takes time. If I don't do that, I take way too much or way too little with me.

Contemplating.... some life changes in the next year. With a birthday coming up in a few months, I want to make some changes. There are so many possibilities. And isn't that a cliffhanger.... :)

Watching... TV. I'm happy some of my old favorites are on (NCIS, CSI: New York, Sons of Anarchy to name a few) and checking out some of the new shows (Elementary, Last Resort). I've also still have so much recorded on the DVR that needs to be watched. Plus, it's College Football Season. Go Beavs! Go Griz!

Eating.... apples. Mom and Dad had a bumper crop of apples this year. I've made applesauce (three times), apple salad, apple cake, and on Monday Mom gave me an apple pie. I've tried to scale back my Pepsi consumption. I'm missing that, because I really love it. But it really isn't a breakfast food, right?

Remembering.... a former co-worker from the bookstore days who has passed away. She was smart and funny. And she God called her way from her husband and little boys way too soon. RIP Nat G.

Currently... it's past time I should be heading to bed, but the Kitter is sacked out on my lap and I can't move without waking him up.

First Day of Fall

I spent the first day of Fall in a meeting. It was a good meeting, but the weather was gorgeous and I would rather have been outside.

This meeting was held in Hood River, and since sitting a meeting would be followed by sitting in the car for a couple hours, I took the time to stop at Multnomah Falls on the way home and get a little walk in.

Multnomah Falls is the fifth highest waterfall in the United States. And up until a certain casino was built, it was the number one tourist destination in Oregon. It's still incredibly popular. Today I took time to walk to the bridge before having an ice cream cone. Someday I need to go back and climb all the way to the top.

Week 3

Of school has begun and I'm really missing silence. Eighth graders are noisy, and I'm noticing that this age group is not comfortable with silence. If I had to hypothesize why, I'd guess that it has a great deal to do with living in an overstimulated world. I understand it's the world we live in, but I can't help but sometimes miss the unplugged world that I grew up in.