An apple for the teacher?

Its breezy outside today, more like windy I suppose and I am absolutely loving the sound of it through my open balcony door. Now, if it were just about 10 degrees cooler, even 5, it would be a fantastically Fall day. In case you haven't noticed, I have an affinity for the season. Christmas carols are even starting to pop in my head, but can I really help it with all the Christmas-decor springing up? Admitingly, even if there wasn't such decor I would still be singing tracks off of The Rat Pack's Christmas Album in my head.
I have found it very hard to concentrate on job-searching today because of it all.. the Fall like weather that is. I'm pretty good about spending several hours of my day online and focusing on follow-ups and hunting for my next gig but today all I really want to do is listen to the leaves rustling (while drowning out the occasionally loud birds, planes, and car horns) and read a good book.
Any suggestions for a good book by the way? I'm thinking maybe a classic, or a really good mystery (not too scary of course). I miss the Library.

Tomorrow is going to mark Day 1 of a 3 day diet experiment for Chris and I. Not so much for the purpose of losing with fast (although I do need to cut back on my baking. Waist lines can only hold for so many chocolate-chip cookies before expanding another inch.). We have been reading and hearing a lot about fruit diets lately and the huge benefit they're suppose to have. It's supposed to detoxify your body and kid of reset your system I guess. I've read its arguments, though, that since you have a liver and kidneys, your body doesn't really need to detoxify in this way. None-the-less, it's something we're going to try. If anything well just eat really healthy for 3 days and maybe that'll make us (okay, not us... just me) not want to have that popcorn when we go to a movie. I went to Sprouts today and got some fresh fruit and veggies. I expect to feel pretty hungry throughout the day tomorrow but I will stay strong and ignore all the starch and treats in my pantry!

Ask me how we did on Friday.
Also, I think I'm going to start my certification process to become a teacher. This time next year I could be in a classroom of youngsters
. . . . But that's for another post.

Coffee Coffe Coffee

I like me some coffee.
My relationship with coffee has been a dynamic one over the years. In college, I loved it. I loved it sweetened. I loved it cold. I loved it hot. I loved it as a Reese's frappe. (I really miss my college coffee shop!) I can almost smell that frappe. But by the time I graduated and spent some time away from "free" coffee I felt that swiping a plastic card that had my money connected to it was just not the same as swiping my student I.D. We were on a break. I'd have the occasional small cup at home (usually with some French Vanilla creamer. Would you like some coffee with that creamer?)

Then a funny thing happened. I got engaged, and a few days before the wedding, my lovely aunt and cousins from Holland flew in. The girls stayed at my sister's house with us and on several of the mornings we asked them if they wanted coffee. Being the hip foreign girls they are they said yes and I asked them what they wanted in it. They said, "black is fine". Wow! Gutsy. Or normal I suppose. So, I decided to try it a few times over the following weeks and surprisingly, I kind of liked it! Okay, so I had it with a little sugar. I remember an especially good cup when we came back from our Honeymoon and were opening gifts on our living room floor.

So for the past couple of months I have had a hankering for coffee fairly regularly - more often in the past few weeks. Last week my heart said yes to coffee but my tummy said please stop!I listened to that until the next morning. Chris wanted some before work so I had to support him in his decision. Now I'm exploring the flavors I like post-college. I have found that I really like Starbucks' Cafe Mocha with soy. Ever since I found out I have a bit of an aversion to dairy, I try to be better about having coffee with soy. It's pretty tasty.

Right now, I am waiting for my freshly brewed coffee to get cold in the fridge so I can attempt to make a frappe. I'll let you know how it goes. Here's hoping!

movies, potholders, and wedding bells

We have clearly established my love for Fall. Or, maybe we haven't and my just stating it is clearly establishing it. This Autumn seems like a brand new adventure since I've never lived this season in this particular city. Although it's still an average of 82 degrees outside, there is a fresh, crisp feeling in the air that is delightful when paired with a steamy cup of coffee. Usually, I prefer my coffee a little less than steamy. I'm not a fan of the 24-hour stay when I burn the tip of my tongue. Chris and I went out on our Autumn-Saturday last weekend and just ventured around. It was fun and proved productive at the same time. He took me to a Christian book store he frequents on his lunch breaks just to show me around. It was large and in charge with much more than books - pastors. Every man in the place looked like a pastor. But that's besides the point. On our way out I saw these:
They came as a set and I loved them as my very own right away. Chris laughed at me and said "honey" (you know the one, with a sigh but a little laugh because he secretly loves your materialism..). We walked away and I noticed he lingered. I smiled my sneaky smile and he said, we'll get 'em. It was like Christmas early. They're just so darn cute!

Fast-forward to this week. I thought mosquito season was over, but clearly it is not. Chris is the groomsmen for his friend Bryan's wedding (which is this evening) so we had the rehearsal on Thursday night. I sat and waited in the chilly air and while I did, the mosquitoes decided to have round 2 on my legs. Round 1 was 3 weeks ago while a bunch of us played softball. Mosquito-bite count was 18 red ones. Needless to say, I was up half the night last night itching and applying anti-itch gel. Tonight I think they're going to spray the area before the wedding. Phew. I might still bring my own though. Regardless of whatever irritating insects might be there, Bryan and Tara will have a simply beautiful wedding at the winery... full of twinkle-lights and of course, the wine.

I also have to make a quick plug for the movie, Life As We Know It
We went to see it last night, and although critics said to "Skip It" I say See It! I've always liked Katherine Hiegl movies, and this was no different. Bring plenty of tissues and choose good seats (away from noisey families). I'm a sucker for a good romantic comedy and this is at the top of the list and hopefully will be in our DVD collection. The movie portrays a difficult life circumstance and shows real emotion, I appreciate that. Maybe the basic emotional/relationship story line is typical but I don't care. Grab the girls and go see it, you won't be disappointed. If you've seen it and disagree with me, I respect your opinions but also think you're nuts.