Now that I am ‘pretty’ caught up on most things – not like when I first began this semester and was out of my depth – I can manage a post now and then. I’m glad because I have missed blogging!

1. ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’ How does this saying ring true in your own family, either the one you grew up in or the one you made? 

We are always pointing out things our kids do that are either me, my husband, or a combo of both. Isaac is super observant like Ash and intolerant of peoples’ lack of observation, like me. Elliot is aloof and nervous (maybe like us both?) and Dakota is very chatty and people-oriented like Ash. It’s so funny to see how we gave them good and not so good traits.

2. Something you’re nuts about these days? How about something that’s driving you nuts? 

The fall season. It’s supposed to be cool out Friday and I am halfway done decorating. I do love this time of year. Similarly, I am being driven mad by people who keep telling me the # of days until Christmas. NO. Let me have Halloween and Thanksgiving!

3. What does abundance mean to you? 

It’s kind of like when people say they’re rich but you might look at their life and not think they have a ton of money, but they have people. Abundance means that my family and I are comfortable – we have shelter, cars, clothes, access to all the food we really could need or want. We have the ability to travel (financially and physically) and we can have the kind of live that includes jobs, school, and extra activities. It means having that full and meaningful life.

4. Caramel apple-caramel cake-caramel corn-caramel sundae-caramel macchiatto…what’s your caramel treat of choice? 

I like caramel cake and corn; I don’t tend to eat any of that other stuff but I do enjoy caramel on many a thing.

5. What’s a childhood memory that always comes to mind as the leaves start to fall? 

It’s funny that the one I always think of is when I was probably 13 or so and we actually had a ‘cool’ morning in South Florida. It was probably in the 60s but I recall my mom coming into my room and twisting open the navy blue mini blinds, then cranking open the window. Cool air blew in and it was such a foreign feeling. Growing up down there meant heat and humidity almost all the time. On that same day, I had plans to meet my friends at the carnival at our church. It was part carnival games, part county fair rides and I got there early and rode my favorite ride, the Himalaya. The cool air paired with the sights and sounds of the fair is my favorite Fall memory.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I really am feeling fall this year, even though I didn’t get decorations up early due to traveling. Some years I am so busy or distracted that it doesn’t feel right. In fact, the first fire of the season – hopefully Friday – will solidify my warm (if you will) feeling towards this time of year.

Since we’ve been back, I find that I am more motivated to stay on top of stuff. It was nice to be away from everything; I think I really needed a break, a complete step away from the daily grind that was dragging me down. To that end, I got home yesterday after the store and immediately made my beloved mexican chicken and while the plan had simply been to go to Total Wine, my husband got motivated to work more on the deck so I too did work. I cut overgrowth and threw away some old meat. I ran the robot in the living room, put some boxes away, and put up our Halloween blow-ups. My daughter emptied her skimmer baskets on the pool, cleaned her bathroom, and finished up trash. She and I went around the house looking for little tasks to complete and everyone felt really accomplished! I want to say we watched something on TV but I don’t think we did! I read for a bit then we went to ebed early. It as a good night!