Do you remember?

Yesterday we got a catalog in the mail from an educational toy place. I flipped through it marking several pages for cool gift ideas, but it really made me think back to one of the most joyous annual days of my childhood - the arrival of the Sears Wishbook! Oh, how we would fight over that catalog! Page after page of toys and gizmos so we could start making our lists. Today's catalogs just pale in comparison!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Bunson Honeydew!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICH! I LOVE YOU!

Beaker

Menu Plan Monday

Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie hosts Menu Plan Monday every week. This week is still pretty hectic, but should be a little better than last week.

Monday: Roast Chicken
Tuesday: dinner out
Wednesday: Thai Shrimp Salad
Thursday: Teriyaki Chicken and Mushrooms (leaving on from last week since I didn't get to it)
Friday Bacon Bit Burgers with Steak House Smothered Onions
Saturday: TBD
Sunday: Grilled Sirloin

What does this say about me?

I linked to this one from Ginger's blog. Probably true, but the questions weren't really giving a lot of choices

Creepy weird but still funny

Thanks to Angie at Many Little Blessings for the link.

The return of Menu Plan Monday

It's definitely been a while since I participated in or contributed to anything for Menu Plan Monday. In fact, it's been so long that Laura at
I'm an Organizing Junkie changed her Menu Plan Monday picture. Alas, it's time for me to get back with the program even if this isn't a week where I plan to be doing much of any cooking.

Monday: Roast Chicken
Tuesday: Grilled Shrimp & Zucchini Salad
Wednesday: I'm going to do my darndest to not cook
Thursday: Teriyaki Chicken and Mushrooms
Friday: Dinner out
Saturday: TBD
Sunday: Bears on Sunday Night Football - probably wings or something

So, not highly original, but still a plan nonetheless!

Can it really be fall?

I was talking to my brother this morning and he asked me if the leaves were changing up here yet. I honestly hadn't bothered to look recently. So, today when Kyra and I were headed back from the park, I just glanced up at the trees by the river and noticed that some red is starting to appear at the tops of the trees. This being our first full autumn here, I can't wait to see how the color progresses.

Another day, another pair or broken glasses

Yep, got the call from school this afternoon. Ian broke his glasses taking off his sweatshirt. On the other hand, I think he broke his personal record for keeping a pair of glasses intact. Looks like we'll be headed to Eye Mart this weekend.

Tim Gunn - I need your help!

A lot of you probably already know that I am a reality show junkie. What is it about these train wrecks that I am so compelled to watch them? Alas, I digress. My newest venture into reality TV is Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. I love Tim from his days on Project Runway. He's just so cool and you know he just tells it like it is. I keep telling Rich that I need Tim to come to my closet for a makeover - but somehow I don't see that happening.

Anyhow, now that I have lost a "bit" of weight, I really need some new clothes that don't make me look like a frumpy school marm. At the same time, I still have some more weight to lose, so I don't want to go overboard. However, I'm still in my "overweight, plus size" mindset and so I'm having trouble picturing what would even come close to looking decent on me. The other problem is that when I do actually find something I like, my practical nature takes over. I don't think I can bring myself to pay $40-$50 for a shirt that may be out of style by say, next week.

So, if anyone has any connection whatsoever to Tim, please send him my way. Otherwise, I'll continue my quest.

That's one way to wake up!

So I have been going on my morning walks since May and it's a routine I have perversely come to enjoy. Actually, it's 50-60 minutes that I have all to myself even if I have to get up at the crack of dawn to do it.

Anyhow, in all this time of doing my morning walks, I've only been rained out once which is a pretty amazing record. This morning I woke up to discover it had rained during the night, but aside from being a little windy, it wasn't raining so I headed out. I made it about a mile and a half when I felt a drop or two but determined it was the trees spitting on me. About 5 minutes later, I was caught in a torrential downpour!

I turned around and went home where Rich had a towel waiting for me. All in all, it wasn't that bad, but now my shoes need some major drying out!

Nice Matters Award

I was nominated for a Nice Matters award by Angie at Many Little Blessings

Here is what the Nice Matters Award is all about: “This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass on to seven others whom you feel are deserving of this award."

Here are my seven:

Jen B. at Tellin' It On The Mountain

Mandi M. at Living in Creative Harmony

Arlyn at My Wordz (I know Angie nominated you too, but you are so deserving!)

Stephanie at Finding My Way

Susan B. at My life . . . in runon sentences

Jenni B at A Work In Progress

and of course,

Angie at Many Little Blessings

Back to school

Today is Ian's first day back to school. He was so excited to be going back. It was quite different taking him for the first day this year. I was amazed how few parents actually came to see their children off on the first day. Of course, Ian was excited because he has moved over to the "big kids" side being that he is now a THIRD GRADER!

(ETA: someone just pointed out to me that the school name is actually spelled wrong on the sign! Oops! LOL!)