1. Let’s embrace it shall we? What’s something you recently forgot to do? Is your memory these days more like a sieve or an elephant?

I have a pretty good memory, though will admit to having gaps lately. I haven’t forgotten anything major (though I almost always have the fear I will and have a totally “OH CRAP!” moment) but what I do find myself having a thought, thinking I’ll remember it in a minute, then immediately forgetting. I’m talking things like an item I need from the grocery I suddenly remember while in the shower. Then I get downstairs and it’s completely gone out of my mind.

2. Share a trick/strategy you have to help you remember things you need to remember.

I live and die by my Google Calendar. I NEED those reminders to pop up and now that I’m in the habit, I look at it often. Additionally, and I talked about this on the blog before, my husband made a calendar program that runs on a computer in our house. It’s based on my personal calendar but it then allows the kids to add their work schedules, grocery items (then that syncs back to my phone), and other items. It’s been helpful!

3. What’s your favorite fall vegetable to cook with? Do you prefer your fall veggies roasted, blended into a warm soup, or fresh in a crisp autumn salad?

Hmm, I don’t know that I really change anything in the fall. I will say, I looked up a list of fall veggies and it reminded me I need to eat some brussels; I love them! I think I would rather my veggies roasted. I always see pins on Pinterest that show these sheet pans with colorful fall veggies and I think I need to make them! My kids are not fans, however.

4. October 5th is/was National Do Something Nice Day. Did you? If so tell us about it. Or maybe someone did something nice for you, and if that’s the case please share.

I am trying to think of things I specifically did…. hmm. Well, one thing I have been aware of is how the faculty lounge door slams and it can be heard in my colleague’s room. So I have been careful to close it quietly. I can’t honestly think of anything people did for me… I wish though!

5.  Nathaniel Hawthorne is credited with the quote “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.”  

Do you tend to spend more time outside this time of year? 

YES! I mean, aside from the last four days when it’s been deluge after deluge (oh, and now a hurricane finally formed; ugh). We typically do more yardwork (of course, then I got poison ivy) and take long walks during weeknights. I love this time of year for weather! Though, I do not like the dark in the morning/dark at 7 nonsense. I am actually looking forward to daylight savings.

Do you actively pause to soak in fleeting moments of beauty in your daily routine? Elaborate.

Um, sometimes. There are moments where I see a great sunset or sunrise, as well as a tree that is actually changing color (somewhat rare around here) and revel in the beauty.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Well, I thought we might get away with no hurricanes this season but there’s definitely one down in the gulf developing fast. If it stays on course where they’re saying now, it’ll go way west of us. Unfortunately that is towards where I have family but we’ve done this before; no worries. I hope it does stay that way; we’ve had enough rain and I have a lot of stuff going on this week and next! Actually, I feel like saying “I have a lot” is simply an understatement. I have TONS from now until the end of the year! If we are being honest, looking at the calendar lately gives me heart palpitations.

My husband goes out of town next week, which is always stressful but sometimes a relief; I won’t have to think about what he’ll want for dinner and it’s sometimes easier to deal with the kids’ requirements. I’m making their favorite crockpot meatballs because Ash hates the smell of them cooking. They always know I’ll make them when he’s gone!

Before he goes, however, we have GOT to get the cover on the pool. I plan to get the leaves out today and hopefully get it all put on. Today is the only one this week where we aren’t supposed to have rain. It’s also the only one where we don’t have something else (picking up a kid, a kid school thing, a social obligation) so we have to do it! Funny thing is that it doesn’t really take long. We have the kind where it basically has trampoline springs and the bolts screw into the concrete. We installed it a few years ago and has been VERY worth the time and money.