Happy Halloween

I'm determined to soak up as much of the goodness of October as I can this weekend. That's why I'm still wide awake despite being exhausted. SOAKING. IT. UP. This weekend is full of wild and crazy things. Things like watching a Shannen Doherty movie on Hallmark about pumpkins.

But I digress.

First on the last weekend of October agenda: pictures with Riley at Bernheim.

























more of them are here

This was something I'd wanted to do for months now. And we got it done, even if I had to shake off that inferior feeling as I looked around the arboretum and noticed all of the real photographers working with senior photo subjects.

Dear Mom,



Your baby wranglin' skills are epic.

Quotable

My mom puts quotes on her refrigerator. Sometimes it's bible verses on those little cards the nuns put out in hospital waiting rooms. Other times it's something she read in a magazine or heard on tv, scribbled on whatever paper she can find.



Life is not the way it's supposed to be.
It's the way it is.
The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
-Virginia Satir

Ways to pull yourself out of a funk

Earlier today I had a sad. I have tons on my mind. Stuff regarding my grandmother. Feeling like I have no friends to chat with. Worrying about life in general. You know, the usual. But I've learned to deal.

Here are my fool proof pull yourself out of a funk methods:

• Buy a bottle of nail polish. An at home manicure ensures yourself a few moments of relaxation. It's also way cheaper than paying someone else to do it. A new color of polish is a total pick-me-up.
• Take a few minutes for a quiet lunch. I was feeling super overwhelmed earlier so I hauled myself off to a quiet spot, pulled out my book and ate my packed lunch. My phone was on silent. I didn't have a computer with me. It was a 30 minute digital cleanse. Perfect for a midday reflection and get over it session.
• Go for a drive. This isn't always the cheapest option around (oh man, do I miss $1.50 gallons of gas) but many times a good car ride with your favorite tunes will clear your head. (I recommend Taylor Swift's new album which is on heavy rotation in my life right now. Go ahead, judge away.)
• Write. Even if nobody ever reads it. My blog inbox is full of unpublished posts from moments when banging against a keyboard is the next best thing to ranting. I rarely hit publish if only to avoid hurt feelings from anyone who might stumble across it. But the ranting? Totally cathartic.
• Search for Gifs on the internet. Because you can always find one to match your mood.
• Exhibit A:

• Exhibit B:

• Cry. Which sounds awful. But most of the time if I just let it out I am able to get over it quicker.
• Hit something. Preferably not people. Or animals. Or yourself. So like, take up boxing or something. Just don't end up like Amber on Teen Mom.
• Don't eat your feelings. But if you must: ice cream works wonders.

Hairography

I got a haircut this weekend. And then I attempted to wear it down and straight on Monday and ended up looking like a poodle.

At least I tried.

October, Thus Far

Octoberfest with the neighbors


Pumpkin Pie Blizzards


Overpriced festival games


Joy rides




Pumpkin Cheesecake


Fall Nail Polish


Playing around with the pups


Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (I'm obviously eating my weight in pumpkin and cream cheese this month.)


Soaking up the warm sunny days before frigid temps arrive.


Pugs!


Midterms (boo)


Oh, and Bill Clinton


No big.

I Don't Want to Say Goodbye

She's not gone yet. But she's very quickly and succinctly slipping away. There is so much about the entire situation surrounding the last 2 1/2 months of her life that I wish I could put into words. There is so much anger on my part over what has transpired that I don't know how I'll ever deal with. So much I wish I could say, but can't.

Tonight when I left her I had to tell her I was going to pick up my car so I could take her to her mama's house. Because right now in her world her mama, who died in 1962, is still alive.

She is refusing to eat much and barely drinking anything. She's frail and confused.

She's tired. She's ready. She wants to leave me. And it's breaking my heart.