Fall is here!

Yes, 7:35 am is early for blog posting, but I have a pretty full day ahead of me and I figured now was as good a time as any. This morning (like most mornings) I woke to the sounds of shuffling, kicking and snorting coming from the baby monitor. I went into Weston's room to feed him and realized just how chilly it was outside! I have been leaving his window open a crack to make sure that fresh air gets into his room (and to make sure the stinky diaper air has a place to get out!) but I found that my poor little guy's hands were chilled! I guess it's time to close his window.
I am looking forward to sweater weather. Aside from the allergens, this is my favorite time of year. I love sleeping with the windows open and waking up next to my warm, comfy husband under the covers. There's just something nice about changing seasons, regardless of what season is going and which one is coming.
I spent the last few days vigorously applying for jobs and making mental check lists about the tasks that need to be accomplished in the next couple of weeks. Weston's baptism is next weekend and I'm trying to plan the meal. I love to cook but I love it because I enjoy going into the kitchen without a plan and creating something from the resources that are available to me. I'm not a big fan of planning meals ahead of time or of cooking for crowds so dinner for 10+ next weekend is a little intimidating.
I was able to meet my dear friend, Kelly, for lunch on Wednesday. Weston and I packed up a sandwich and a bottle and headed over to the EP mall to meet her. We had a nice chat about faith and jobs and letting God determine where we are supposed to be. She is still (unfortunately) working at ITT. It was so nice to talk with her and I am thankful that even though ITT was a pretty awful job, I met a lot of wonderful people who have turned into some of my closest friends.
After our lunch date, I went to get a pedicure. Jamie had given me a gift certificate for my birthday back in May and I determined that it was time to put it to use. Let me tell you, that was the BEST pedicure I have ever had in my life! Mind you it was only the third time I've ever had one, but it was definitely a nice experience. Since it was a slow afternoon, the salon lady took her time and let me sit in the massage chair for over an hour. I had Weston in the baby sling the whole time and he was a perfect angel. It was the most relaxing hour I've had since he was born and my toes look pretty darn cute now. Sigh....refreshing.
I spent the rest of Wednesday looking for jobs and getting groceries. I was a rock star grocery shopper and managed to get 45 dollars worth of groceries for only 15 dollars. I've become the queen of coupons over the last year. We headed to Richfield for Roamin' Catholics in the evening. It was a small group which is sometimes very nice as small groups tend to lend themselves to more intimate conversation.
Thursday came and went. I made a fantastic chicken salad! I'll post a picture and the recipe at some point this weekend. My goal for this weekend is to get some pictures posted! Otherwise my long, rambling entries will get quite boring. I also took a trip to the Goodwill (my favorite Thursday activity) because Thursday is 1/2 off children's day. I got Bsmo a few inexpensive toys and a very nice Columbia winter jacket and snow pants in 18 month size for next winter. I got it all for less than 10 bucks! I spent Thursday afternoon applying for jobs and then Tom and I (and Weston) went to EP to meet our group for trivia. We had a good round and thought we had done well, but another team edged us out by two points so we didn't place. I made a solid contribution for the night by knowing who wrote "The Importance of Being Earnest" and knowing the name of the theater in which Garrison Keillor records his radio show. Tom knew that Favre caught his own first pass (random?) and something about some video game that was made into a movie..... you can tell where our interests lie :)

Today brings lots of exciting things. My friend Randi is GETTING MARRIED! YAY! I've been looking forward to this wedding for quite some time. It should be a good time! And we are going to stop at the Rogers' house on our way to meet little Anna and check in on the new parents. I swear I will post pictures at some point this weekend!

So.... that's what's been going on in my world. Tom's world has mostly been working. Weston's world has involved lots of sleeping, cooing, pooing, and smiling. I'll keep you posted on the Smolensky news with an entry at some point during the long (yay!) Labor Day weekend.