Fall is Here (but who knows how long it will stay)

Fall is my very favorite time of year. I love the smell of the air. I love going to the state fair. I love watching all the scary movies that come on TV in October. I love getting ready for our huge Halloween party (even when I spend way too much money on my costume). I love corn mazes. I love apple cider and donuts (ooh I found a recipe for actual apple cider donuts).

All in all I have to say that I absolutely adore fall!

Amanda is not loving how cold my feet are from standing out in the rain this morning.

Fundamental Differences

I've had some interesting experiences with guys over the past couple of months. I always knew that men and women were different but lately it has become clear how completely opposite our brains work. A couple of examples for you:

1) I had a friend who was having car trouble. Instead of catching a ride into work with his sister, he planned to take the bus (which would cause him to leave the house an hour early in order to hike to the bus stop and would make him get home an hour later than usual). His reasoning - his sister goes to work earlier than he does and he didn't want to sit around at work. Hmmmmm. . . . the logic there is not equaling out.

2) I was recently at the fair with a friend. He wanted some bbq sauce but his hands were full. It was one of those giant pump bottles only the pump wasn't working. He tried to maneuver one handed and when that didn't work he gave up and started to walk away (until I made him give me his food container and suddenly it all worked out).

Here' s a few funny jokes about men & women (and I'll give equal opportunity to both sexes). If you have any stories/comments, please feel free to share!!

Women are like apples; men are like wine
Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt.

Instead, they sometimes take the apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy.

The apples at the top think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who is brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.

What are men like? Men are like a fine wine. They begin as grapes, and it's up to women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to enjoy with dinner.

Men:
Men are like computers. . . .hard to figure out and never have enough memory.

What would be different if men really ruled the world:
Nodding and looking at your watch would be deemed an acceptable response to "I love you."
Telephones would automatically cut off after 30 seconds of conversation.

Understanding Men:
"I CAN'T FIND IT."
Translated: "It didn't fall into my outstretched hands, so I'm completely clueless."

"THAT'S INTERESTING, DEAR."
Translated: "Are you still talking?"

"IT'S A GUY THING"
Translated: "There is no rational thought pattern
connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical."

Women:

Slogans for women's t-shirts:
Princess, having had sufficient experience with princes, seeks frog. (Boy do I need this one!!!!)
I used to be schizophrenic, but we're OK now.
Sorry if I looked interested. I'm not.

Understanding Women:
FINE
This is the word we use at the end of any argument in which we feel we are right, but need to shut you up. NEVER use 'Fine' to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of those arguments.

FIVE MINUTES
This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so I feel that it's an even trade.

NOTHING
This means something and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing"
usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with the word "Fine".

Amanda is quite happy.

Look how far I've come

**Warning - this posting may contain some scary pictures of me (and by scary I mean fat)**

I was looking over some of my old pictures and boy do I look different. So I thought I would so a few side by side comparisons (nothing like a little before and after to stay motivated).

Top(7-12-06) Ann & I on our cruise








Bottom (8-29-09) Ann & I at Christopher's (Janna's brother) wedding reception



Top (Fall 2008)
Bottom (7-10-09)













Top (2-5-08)
Bottom (7-3-09) Look how much Sage has grown!

















Left (11-25-07) with my niece Sage. This jacket is made to hook in the middle; NOT happening.

Right (7-14-09) Same jacket but it closes now. Just wore jacket on 8-30 and it fits even better!


Amanda is happy with the changes I've made in my life.

Things aren't what they appear

Some days we need a little laughter to help combat all the stress. This video certainly made me smile. Hope it does the same for you!

Amanda is making plans.