Six Important Things.

1. The leaves are still on fire. I would like this to last as long as possible. The reason is simple - the longer it is fall, the later it becomes winter. Do you think maybe we can just forgo that whole winter thing this year? I could really do without all the snow and cold. Please and thank you.

2. TC's dog is the laziest canine alive. Everyday when I come home from work she doesn't budge from her spot on the floor. She doesn't even open her eyes. Not even a tail flop. Like, to the point that I have to look really close to make sure her chest is still rising and falling as she breathes. Slacker.

3. I have a new obsession with dresses. If I could never wear another pair of dress pants I would be a happy girl. I have this great navy and turquoise dress that I love but it needs tights or leggings, which begs the question - what color? I'm fashionably challenged. Grey? Navy? Black?

Please advise.

Oh, and boot color?

Send help.

4. Not only did I get a pumpkin spice latte the other day but I got it from our brand new, one and only, REAL Starbucks on the other side of town. Ya know, not the kind that's in a book store - a real one. Just like in America.

My life is now complete.

5. I've somehow managed to get a giant nail in my tire. My sister suggested taking it into the shop while wearing a low cut shirt. Apparently it worked for her and they plugged her tire for free. I have standards and wore normal clothes and low and behold they said it couldn't be fixed and I need a new tire. Do you think if I just leave it there it will magically heal itself?

6. I am a new woman! Six months later and six inches shorter, my hair is finally manageable again. It's amazing what a hair cut can do. Without any prompting, all the kindergartners at school today told me I looked pretty. Meanwhile, not a single adult noticed. Even though they pick their noses and can barely spell their own names, kids are smart.

A Walk in the Woods.

We needed some fresh air this past weekend. The last few weeks have been unusually busy for me and TC. Plus, I can tell Maple has been bored of us because of her nightly whine sessions.

So on Saturday we decided to head a little ways out side of town to Crooked Creek. I've been to the overlook before by never really exploring in the woods.

We met up with our good friend Serge and his two dogs. You may remember the big white polar bear from the day we picked him up and saw a moose on the way home. That was nine months and seventy pounds ago. 

So, you've got Thor on the left, then Odin, Maple and Hobie is on the right. We loaded all four of them into Serge's truck to head a little deeper into the woods.

Along our way down the dirt road Thor decided that he didn't want to be in the truck anymore. So he jump/tumbled out, while we were driving, and started trotting down the road. He turned into a rock quarry and proceeded straight down a giant rock hill to the river all the while completely ignoring our calls. It looked like we were going to be going home without the polar bear for a while but Serge finally caught him after a thirty minute chase.

Anyway, we eventually came to a small river where I assumed we would park the truck and start hiking. But then Serge just drove right through it like it was totally normal.

I mean, I'm from the South, but these guys kindda had me feelin' like a country redneck.

Fortunately, we finally made landfall safely on the other side of the river. The woods were gorgeous and we wandered down a nice solid path for a bit.

I hung in the back to take photos and tried to be all creative and artsy. Why, I don't know. The woods were speaking to me, I guess and I'm trying to increase my collection of useless weird photos.

We were following a river but with all the rain, there were tons of flooded areas that we had to traverse.

TC likes to do things the hard way (he calls it the fun way) while I prefer to head up stream a bit and find a nice set of rocks to hop across. Less chance of breaking my neck or getting my camera wet.

Eventually, we reached the notorious waterfall, jumping rocks and swimming hole. Apparently this place is a hot spot during the summer. As a former lifeguard I think it is safe to say that this would be my idea of swimming hole hell. Although, I'm sure a few beers would probably solve that problem.

Of course, waterfalls, swimming in creeks, and running through the woods isn't enough fun for Maple. No, she needs to carry around every stick and branch she can get her teeth on and then hit you in the ass while she runs in circles. It's fun for everyone!

And then she wants to take her stick swimming - in the river we have to drive through! That's how deep it was. Deep enough for a lab to swim in is apparently the exact depth a truck can swim in as well.

And you know what she does as soon as she gets out of the water, don't you? She runs over and stands right next to you and shakes. Twice.

She's lucky I didn't leave her in the woods.

Grateful.

I've got this idea for a November project floating around in my head. But I haven't worked out all the details yet. And I can't commit to a project. But I'm thinking about it.

Anyway, the project has to do with being thankful. Isn't that the theme of November, what with Thanksgiving and all?





Well, it's October. I know it isn't quite November yet, but that doesn't mean I can't be grateful this month too.

Anyway, tonight I'm feeling particularly thankful for my dad. He's a pretty great guy and basically the best dad ever.

Love you, dad.