shooting straight.

I used to post blogs updating on life all the time. When my family was thousands of miles away, they wanted to know what my kitchen looked like, what my hair looked like, how we spent our hours on on our own.

Now my family is a morning's drive away... but then I have friends back in Texas who now ask the same. I'm grateful for blogs and facebook to keep us connected. But I supposed I should occasionally refrain from cryptic, poetic posts and just shoot straight.

So - are ya listening?

the home office today.

:: I sometimes pinch myself that I somehow get to do what I love from the comforts of my own home. Granted, I have to tell  myself to leave the house, get out and see the world. When working from home, it's so easy to just shut the doors and become a recluse. The problem with that is that I LOVE the outdoors. The leaves, this season, the wind, the smells... it all makes my heart skip a beat. (If you're curious about what my "day job" is, besides being a mom, click here to see my professional site.)

:: I dyed my hair. One of my best friends sent me a note after I did it and asked, "Is this a 'I can't control anything else' hair dye? Or is it just for fun?" I assured her, just for fun. It's growing on me. My mother tells me it makes me look more as I ought to look — Irish and all. She's always trying to get me to be more connected with the Motherland. I suppose red hair helps.

:: It is fall. The Texan in me is searching for my wool socks and digging out my sweaters. The rain feels cold and biting, and while others are strolling the streets with umbrellas, I'm wondering if it's cold enough for things to freeze yet. Lord have mercy on my Fort Worth feet.

:: But at least I get to bake these (pumpkin/cream cheese frosting sins cookies):

:: When I'm not working (with the BEST clients, I tell you. The BEST.) I have a little sweet who likes tea parties, staring out the windows at the birds and all other wonders. She turns three this week? Have I mentioned that yet? That I have an almost-three-year-old? Time flies.

:: We took a short trip to the mountains to visit my sister. That place will always be home. These hills hold so much of my history. Drove through the flood-tattered streets. Nursed a sick babe and drove back to Rochester.

the valley 

:: Otherwise, there is much to be grateful for. I don't know the big picture, but I know that there are plenty of small little reasons during the day to make me stop, smile, breathe deep, and look for hope. Long days lead to late nights, but I am grateful for the richness of it all.