Growing up, I always looked forward to mid-August because it meant two glorious words: School Shopping. Maybe I was destined to do work in the field of stationery, because I got way too excited about notebooks and folders in fun colors with fantastic designs on them (Lisa Frank anyone!). And as if picking out which #2 pencils would be gracing my loose-leaf lined paper wasn’t exciting enough – there was a whole new wardrobe that awaited. I’ve been out of school for a little over 4 years now. While I don’t get a whole new wardrobe and notebook selection, I do pick up a few staples for my closet and sometimes a new planner.
I’m finding myself in a particularly ‘fall’ state of mind this weekend. While at DSW returning a pretty ridiculous pair of shoes that I had to buy for a wedding, I traded up for a fantastic pair of boots to tuck my jeans into this fall. Later, while I was sitting outside on my parent’s patio I felt, dare I say, a little chilly and made a mental note to bring a light sweater back to their house with me when I returned to watch the Olympic Closing Ceremonies with my parents. Bring on the boots, jeans and layers – I don’t know if I can mentally take much more of the 80 degree commutes to work, which paled in comparison to the sweltering 90s I’d experience on the commute home. You’re not doing your mood any favors when you arrive at your destination perspiring more than after a light workout.
Not that I’m looking forward to the blistering cold either – but fall, splendid fall, is what living in Chicago is all about. With fall comes crisp evening walks, watching my brother partake in his various sporting & outdoor musical events, a little more ‘regularity’ to Mike’s schedule (though he’ll protest that his work schedule is anything but regular) and more birthdays than I can count (10 between October 11 and November 1). There’s also the slowly building anticipation to the ‘holiday season’ that contrary to what the retail stores would lead you to believe (Christmas in July sales?!) pretty much kicks off the day after Halloween.
Now that there are upper 70s/mid-80s and intermittent rain back in the 10-day forecast, I might give the vegetable garden another ‘sow’ to see if I can garner a Fall Harvest, if we do in-fact have a nice long fall (knock on wood). You may have noticed that my zealous posts about progress in my yard and vegetable garden had been lacking lately. While last summer I over-watered my plants, this summer I just couldn’t keep the garden watered enough for the excessive heat that we experienced in the months of June and July. While I did get to eat my arugula in a delightful salad, and give a bag full to my friend Amanda, I’m more than a little bummed about the beans and pumpkins (who along with the arugula seemed the most promising).
So August, keep on being awesome – and lead the way into a stellar fall and exuberant holiday season!
Sydney & Mike 