It's definitely fall!

The house smells divine, rife with rosemary, from our dinner: pork tenderloin studded with garlic and rosemary.

I've broken out my wool socks, all comfy & fuzzy. Cups of tea and chai are sounding more and more appealing by the minute.

Apples wait in the crisper, destined to be eaten with a satisfying crunch, perhaps with some peanut butter ... or that nummy low-fat caramel dip I scored at the store.

It's been dark outside for about 2 and a half hours ... and I won't be going to bed for at least another 3. It seems like I live half of my life in darkness, now that Daylight Savings Time has had a chance to interfere.

The leaves that looked so gorgeous on treetops are now scattered on the ground. On my drive to work, I see laws that are seas of yellow, gold, and peach. Soon, they'll turn brown, but for now, it's a treat for the senses to see the ground awash in color.

Yup. It's definitely fall.

Now, I just want some snow. Please? I know snow is a winter thing...and everything comes in its time. It's just so hard to wait for it, now that the temperatures are down to 30F most nights!

*purrrrrrrr*

She's been following me around all day, and when I went outside, she was frantically scratching on the front door & our bay window, from the inside of the house, as she watched me turn earth & plant bulbs for a couple of hours this afternoon. She's sweet & clingy ... and as soon as I give her the slightest attention, she starts purring madly. Is it any wonder I struggle to get much done today?

My Wellness Journey

I'm working my way through a class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called My Wellness Journey. It's a way to combine scrapbooking with improving health/fitness/diet type stuff. I like it, because it's (a) fun (b) keeping me accountable and (c) challenging me. Even though my average week consists of 4 cardio (30-45 min) workouts, 1 sword class (2 hrs), 1 tai chi workout (2 hrs), 1 fitness class workout (1 hr), and 1 yoga class (1 hr), there's still some room for improvement. So, I am
- adding in more strength training. I find this kind of thing to be inordinately dull. Thank goodness for my iPod.
- adding whole grains into my diet. I've already been eating less white bread ... but I am still a fan of simple carbohydrates. Give me time. Oh, Lord ... give me strength!
- increasing AND varying my fruits and veggies. I'm trying to "eat a rainbow a day". This is much harder than I thought it would be. I apparently eat very few brightly colored foods.
When I try to balance out my workout times with my food intake (calories) and my portion sizes and more whole grains and diverse foods ... well, it is a challenge all right. It's hard to keep everything in balance. But I am trying. I really really am. And the other big change? An official day of rest. You heard me right. Normally, I do not rest. On days when I am not working out, I feel like I am slacking, cheating, not doing the 'right' thing. Now, I'm giving myself permission to REST. Strange concept. I liked it last week, though. A lot. *grin*

I am laughing so very hard

And if you go over to Shelley's Snippets, you'll see why for yourself! I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am that my parents were never a slave to fashion!

I'm joining the crew!

Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in with? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Serenity (Firefly) You like to live your own way and don't enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you. Serenity (Firefly) 81% Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) 69% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 63% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 63% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% Moya (Farscape) 56% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 50% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 50% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 50% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 44% SG-1 (Stargate) 38% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 31% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 25%

Photography Scavenger Hunt!

Attention Scrapbookers!

It's time, again, for another photography scavenger hunt ... and the winner (randomly drawn) will receive a package o' scrapbooking goodies from ol' Latharia! Get your batteries loaded & lens caps off ... it's time to HUNT!

Locate & snap a picture of the following:
1. something slippery
2. diamonds
3. a branch
4. the inside of a dryer
5. an engine
6. something with four feet
7. music
8. water
9. something that smells divine
10. hands

Post them to your blog by 11:59 pm, Central Time (US), Saturday, October 27th, then link back here with a comment so we know to check out your blog.