I WILL have autumn...

Today is birthday number 31 for me. Usually the air is crisp, the leaves have nearly all turned brown, and everything has a faint scent of apples. But, alas, down here is is a record-breaking day with a heat index of 100, and there are no deciduous trees in sight. So I am faking it. On the stove is a pot of water with mulling spices simmering, for just the perfect aroma. And also on the counter is a little vignette of a bunch of lovely candles, lending the warmth that most normal people appreciate this time of year (normal meaning "living north of the Mason-Dixon.")

So it is a lovely day. Brad took the day off work and we're hanging out today. I'm going to get sewing in a minute, and he's going to work on his Passat project-car a bit. Tonight we're expecting a lovely time with the mattress-repair-guy, who hopefully will agree with us that the guest mattress sags horribly, and that we deserve a replacement.

Here are a few pics for your enjoyment:

This morning we picked up Ralph and Chris from the airport. As we waited in the cell-phone lot, we noticed movement in the grasses next to our car. Look closely and you'll see the little black snake creeping long a branch. He was only about 18 inches long. I was fantasizing about having two large Iron Chef-style cleavers and choppin' broccoli on him.


And this is where we went last night to celebrate. Cheese fondue, followed by chocolate fondue. Quite delish.


And this was a sweet moment in the church parking lot. A few little sparrows took advantage of a hard-to-find puddle and had themselves a little bath.



Hope your day is great!

P.S. I forgot to mention: last year, on my 30th birthday, I was fed up and disgusted with my weight. I vowed not to be that unhappy when 31 rolled around. Six depressing months went by and I only gained and gained. So on April 22 I joined Weight Watchers with the promise to myself that I had to do it for at least 6 months. It has been a slooooow journey these past 6 months, but I can tell you with glee that I am not as unhappy as I was a year ago. This past Saturday I got my "15 pounds lost" star. And I'm still going! See? I have a hint of cheekbones again!