Is it Fall??

I finally ran out of Raspberry pump  soap in the kitchen.  I went to my soap supply cabinet and pulled out a soap....Spicy Cinnamon Pumpkin.  Each time I wash my hands, I smell pumpkin pie.  It was colder last week so it made sense at the time but today is 88 degrees and the pumpkin smells...out of place.  As much as I am anxious to have the hot summer gone, I'm not sure I am ready for Fall. 

You probably know I am a planner so I've already started my Christmas projects.  And I found myself out shopping yesterday for a hot deal on a Woolrich blanket (didn't like the pattern so I didn't get one) but the store was already decked out for Christmas.  There were two table areas with the Summer stuff strewn all over in a very unflattering manner.  Plus summer was all 90% off.  But guys, it is still almost 90 degrees!  As I was walking around in my mind turned to the thoughts of winter and snow shoveling.  UGH.

So while I was out, I drove past 2 condo communities I've sort of kept my eye on.  One was Brickyard condos.  I've always liked these condos and have actually looked at the two story condos in the past but obviously, this isn't an option any longer due to the stairs.  They do have main level condos with a little one car garage which I find very appealing.  Each has a patio entrance and green area around.  There are ponds and ducks.  These are old condos and a little "worse for wear" but the Sugarhouse location is great.  The thing I didn't realize is many of the main level condos have stairs getting to them from the parking...and the garbage was far.  I don't want to load my garbage in the car to get rid of it.  Maybe I could get a golf cart? (Not a Jazzy though...a golf cart)  Another is close to Grandma and Grandpa's place on Forest View.  They are actually on 2700 South above 900 East.  The Greystone condos also  have main level condos.  They have 1 and 2 bedroom condos which is perfect for me.  There is green space but it is more in the middle of the complex.  The condos are kind of a 4 plex with the entrances down an outdoor hall of sort.  And there are upstairs condos too  so you have someone on top of you.  I did see online that they do not allow pets.  If that is the case, it is out. And there were carports that were across the roadway.  Not as attractive as a garage but doable.  It was probably the time of day I drove through but in 3 cases, I saw elderly people just standing there looking sad...or one was even hanging out her window like she was waiting for something...what I am not sure.  I guess I would have to get used to living with older people if I am needing a community on one level.  Not something I have thought about before.

I am STILL working hard to get over my pneumonia.  The Prednisone did help some but my ears do still plug.  I am still on antibiotics (7 weeks).  Plus Philip brought home another cold on Tuesday that I caught so I feel like I am starting over.  I'm not sure I have the ummph to be sick longer.  It has left me feeling crappy and a little depressed about the whole thing.  I'm so tired of not feeling good and having no energy.  I'm using Zicam and hoping it doesn't really take hold but I'm back to a sore throat and cough.

To boot, I am headed out on a day trip  on Monday to Oakland for work.  I'm flying out in the morning and coming home late at night.  It is going to be a long day and I hope my body will hold out for me.  We are delivering a large project proposal we want to do next year.  There are several new players I would be working with and felt it would be good to meet them in person.  I am really hoping I won't have to keep traveling...but I do know I have a business trip to Texas in November already.  Two weeks ago, I tearfully (out of frustration mostly) told my boss that I need a job that doesn't travel so much. Mainly I wanted to know if he is willing to not make me travel so much or if I need to start finding a new job.  He actually thought I wanted to travel all the time....Duh!  So now, I have to tell him each time we have a trip that I just can't make it.  That is just too hard.  My old boss took care of that for me and just told me I didn't need to go. When I needed to go, she would tell me.  It is so tough for me to admit I have limitations and can't do everything I wish I still could.  It is like a slap in my face every time.

This week, my online scrapbook group has been having a crop.  "Crop" means you are challenged/inspired to create different scrapbook pages.  Each day they post a new theme for the day.  These ladies are crazy talented and do beautiful work.  My scrapbook style is very....1980s and simple so I've always been shy to share it but this group seems more open to different styles and it wouldn't hurt me to "raise the bar" a little.  The bad news is my scrap room is in the basement and I just don't like going down there much.  I thought I could motivate myself to do it anyway but I have yet to do it.  I swear I MUST go down today and get started.  I have 6 layouts to do to catch up with the group.  Although I am scrapbooking with Nola in November, I have tons of pages to do this year so it would be good to do some besides at Nola's.  There is no way I can get them all done with Nola.  If I can't make myself use my room downstairs, I need to start thinking about another idea for it.  Course, I swear I'm only scrapping until Philip is out of High School so I don't have that much longer. 

Philip has offered to move to the basement and let me move my stuff to his room but I'm afraid I will never see him if he is in the basement.  I know eventually he is going to go but I don't think we need to rush it.  Plus the alarm would be tricky since there isn't a control pad in the basement.  I think there would be a tendency to pig out the basement too.  Philip is getting more independent and makes it clear it is time for me to find something else to do with myself and my time than be all his business.  I know this is part of him growing up but it is tough as a Mom to hear and feel the separation.  I'm working on it though.

I hope everyone is having a good weekend and you are finding the joys of the season were you are.