25 things that shit me to tears**

I say when you can't be creative your ownself steal. (**I stole this from blackbird; I think she found inspiration elsewhere so I hope she won't mind. ) Please note these are not in any particular order.

1. Anything peach scented
2. Drivers who don't use turn signals
3. Diet soda
4. Anyone who makes my girls feel sad or anxious
5. Bell peppers
6. People who have "good" dishes, stemware and flatware, but never have an occasion "good enough" to use them
7. Wool next to my bare skin, even cashmere
8. That smoking is bad for my health
9. Scotch
10. The person in my office who thinks she's in a forty hour a week group therapy session.
11. Short days in winter
12. Folding laundry
13. Genetic diseases that have no cure
14. Chipped nail polish
15. Cellulite
16. Decaffeinated coffee
17. People who are always late
18. Rain on vacation
19. Perimenopause
20. Unmade beds
21. Carnations
22. Trying on jeans
23. My handwriting
24. "Well done" steak
25. Taylor ham without rye bread

NaMoBlowMe

Almost didn't get it done today folks. In fact, this is going to be lame so if you want to sign off now my feelings will not be hurt. And I will resort to bullets.

I painted the wall in the sun room (where the window used to be) Lemon Meringue. If all looks good in the daylight tomorrow furniture will get moved back.

I still need to paint the bathroom wall (where the window used to be) Sprout.

Precious Youngest was inducted into the National Honor Society tonight.

Thanksgiving is a week from today and I am anticipating the holiday with equal parts joy and dread.

This weekend will not be a barrel of laughs.

I am now out of ideas. So please let me know what you would like to read about:

a. The ridiculous things we do for our children

b. Home Improvement: What's Love Got To Do With It?

c. Holiday fun with extended family

d. My boss is CRAZY

Something wicked this way comes

This is the tenth fall for this "Autumn Flame" Maple. We panted it the first year we lived in this house. It replaced a giant Pin Oak that was struck by lightning.

Its had prettier years, but our weather has been wacky; a very late spring freeze, then too dry, then too wet (or so they say) for pretty fall foliage. Still, the last few days and into this week the weather has been gorgeous. Sunny, with cool crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Perfect!

My decorations have been up for weeks and I am all ready for Halloween. Over the years I've amassed quite a charming collection of unique Halloweenies. Like these:

And These:

But for me these are scary days. The days that are getting shorter, and grayer, and colder. Days that, in the past, I have slid down the slippery slope of anxiety, insomnia, depression. And I'm trying, really really trying, to keep a positive outlook. And I feel better this year than I have in a long time. But when I wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning and lie staring at the ceiling, the voice in my head? Does not have much confidence in me.