Just an Update

Halloween is almost here! But alas, this year we have decided to forgo our annual Halloween party due to the fact that I am throwing Pippen's Bachelorette Party on Saturday Nov. 1st, so it would have been way to much for us to do. I would be too exhausted to have two parties one after the other. Luckily, Greg and Joy are hosting a pumpkin carving Halloween party on Thursday before Halloween.

Oh I almost forgot! I did something crazy this last weekend, something I would have never considered doing in a million years! I auditioned for a musical!
I was fine before getting on stage and then when they asked me to sing, my heart started fluttering. I have never EVER sung in front of anyone before without any music, only in the car with the Hobbits and Tony, and in the shower-but that doesn't count. They were very gracious to me and didn't laugh in my face, which made me feel really good! The reading was fine, but the tap dancing was horrible! That was to be expected though because my back has been on the fritz. I took about 5 or 6 lessons to "get ahead" but I haven't had lessons in almost two months due to my back pain. I think the choreographer (who happens to be my dance instructor) thought I was more advanced than I actually am, and went so quickly I couldn't keep up. Oh well! They decided to take a chance and cast me anyway!!! And in the part I actually wanted! We will see how everything turns out! Here's to a new experience!!

Bridal Shower MANIA!

Sunday, blessed Sunday is finally here! (Insert a HUGE sigh of relief here!)
I say that for many reasons, the first being the obvious, It's SUNDAY! Before I get into details, I want to preface my words with the fact that Frodo and Pippen are getting married! Frodo in October, and Pippen in November. Both girls offered me the honored position of their Matron of Honour. So, after weeks and weeks of planning, meetings with Samwise, hours online looking for the perfect games, refreshments, and themes; Two, thats right I said TWO bridal showers happened in just two weeks! I am absolutely thrilled they are getting married, but because these ladies are just so absolutely busy, I had to schedule their showers one weekend after the other. The funny twist is that after all the careful scheduling on my part, both girls neglected to inform me they both would not be able to make it to each others showers AFTER they both told me the dates worked. Oh Well! I am not going to lie, I was incredibly stressed, and I felt that I was dealt very minimal amounts of time for planning, and even smaller amounts for the budget because Samwise and I paid for the showers out of our own pockets. My hopes for the brides-to-be are that they both had a fun and memorable shower,which they will look back on with fond memories. I was sort of dreading both days because I read in a magazine of mine that only 39% of women actually like going to bridal/baby showers, while the other 61% of women HATE going. I think both showers went well, and everyone seemed to have a good time and there were many smiles on everyones faces. Up next are the Bachelorette Parties! Yay! After this, I just hope no one else close to me decides to get married anytime soon! I need a break!

"Afternoon English Tea"

"Mad Hatter Shower" (Only Frodo, Samwise, and I wanted to wear our hats!)

Top 10 reasons I absolutely LOVE Autumn

In no particular order, here are the top 10 reasons why I Love the fall:

1. Our animals fur always gets so lush and soft. In particular, my cats fur is just so soft and fluffy I want to surround myself with her coat and drift away to her unyielding and hypnotic purr.
2. The color of the trees as they change from their electric green to the mustard yellow, burnt sienna, deep mahogany, and soft brown. I love the way the sunset hits the trees and a warm reddish-orange glow illuminates the horizon.
   
3. The cooler evenings, especially when we can sit out in the back yard and not sweat at 6:00 in the evening. I also love that we can leave the windows open during the day and not have to use the air conditioner to keep the house below 80 degrees.
4. We get to use our fireplace! I Love, love, LOVE having a fire going in the early evening just around dusk when we can just sit relax and snuggle together in front of the fire while enjoying our cup of hot cocoa, tea, or coffee. (Josie also loves to sit in front of the fireplace too, she is just so sweet laying there, peaceful as can be.)
5. Sweaters! I have too many sweaters to count! We live in a city where it only gets below 70 degrees maybe 3 months out of the year, if that. But for some reason I can't get enough of sweaters. That is why I think I would do well on the East coast, or a cooler climate where I can properly utilize the sweaters which I have so vigorously collected.
6. I love the change in the air, particularly the smell. There is just something about the subtle smell of woodsmoke floating on the crisp and cool air which brings a peaceful yet invigorated feeing throughout my senses. Sometimes it makes me think of my old neighborhood in the mountains where hundred foot pine trees would gracefully litter our yard with needles and sap and my sister and I would play on our rope swing in the front yard, and the leaves would float around us while we swung our cares away.
7. Harvest! I have never been a country girl, nor have I ever had the inkling to live on a farm, but I just enjoy the whole apple cider, pumpkin patch, log cabin experience! When I was younger, we used to go to this place called Apple Hill, and I remember having the best time. There is just something so safe and comforting about a log cabin...
8. I absolutely love carving pumpkins! I don't care that they are so messy and a bit smelly, I have the best time sitting with my friends and family talking and making "art". sometimes we get some really cool masterpieces. Plus, I enjoy the salted and roasted pumpkin seeds that come after the mess!
9. Halloween! Need I say more? What can get better than dressing up, giving little monsters, goblins, princesses, fairies, and super heroes a bunch of sugary treats and sending them on their merry way! Since I am a costumer, I love making Tony and I fun costumes (although, he gets stuck in his "I wanna be a pirate" rut) and having our friends over for our now annual Halloween party!
10. After a hot summer, I don't think there is anything better than finally putting blankets on the bed. There is just something so relaxing about snuggling deep into blankets of down-feathers, wrapping our freezing feet together, and drifting off into a blissful sleep.
11. Ok, I lied. I actually have one more favorite. I love camping in the fall. There is just something about sitting outside around a camp fire all bundled up, while roasting marshmallows, telling scary stories and looking up at the star sprinkled sky; then crawling into the tent and snuggling into our sleeping bag and drifting off while the crickets chirp the night away.

I urge everyone to take the time and think about their favorite things about the seasons, it reminds us how blessed we are to be able to experience all these things!