What a Way to Go

This is likely this tree's last fall.  It makes me sad.  When we moved here 17 years ago it was such a pretty young tree.  Then a couple of years ago, it just decided to die.  The few leaves it has left, though.  Wow.  They are on fire.  What a way to go.

#84 of #100gratefuldays:   Always extremely grateful this time of year for the street I live on.

 And a rainy fall day might just call for an impromptu shopping trip to purchase a sweater dress I've been wanting since I saw it a couple of months ago.  Cute new clothes = Happy Lani Girl

Doing His Thing

Throwback Thursday: In honor of his half a century week, here's Craig a few years ago.

The first is Craig from his high school baseball days.  The second is Craig doing his thing in the 80s... post-college, I think.  As you can see, the picture didn't translate real well into digital media, but you get the idea.

Still Making Wishes

#83 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful to be in the frame with this guy as he celebrates turning half a century.  But not so thankful that he didn't notice I had my skirt on inside out. Kinda hard to put things in your pockets when your skirt is on inside out. How does one, say, walk around for part of the day with their skirt on inside out without noticing?

Made the annual trek to Aunt Maude's for our little birthday tradition.  Peanut butter pie!

Happy Birthday to my favorite 50-year-old!

Not Rushing It

#82 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for an enjoyable, pony tail swingin' 6.2 mile run on a beautiful evening. And for modern phones that help translate schweaty into artsy. Heh. And for calenders made out of little boy handprints, bats on the wall, and for the stuffed animal wolf sitting on my countertop. Not rushing it. They could stay this age forever, if they want to.

Like the Leaves of Autumn

"Climb the mountains and get their glad tidings. Nature's peace will flow to you as the sunshine flows into the trees. The winds blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares drop away from you like the leaves of autumn."

#21 Got Burned

A little Throwback Thursday action... the football player I never got to watch. Heard lots of stories, though. Craig as #20 in high school and as #40 in college. Looks like defender #21 got burned in both cases.

Feeling the Fall Thrill

#69 of #100gratefuldays: Feeling the fall thrill.  You can't make this stuff up.

Hard Day at the Office

#68 of #100gratefuldays: Hard day at the office.  I don't talk about my work much, but I'll give you a sneak peek into one of my better Mondays.  It was a beautiful harvest day here in the Midwest and I visited a family farm for pictures and an interview with a few lovely ladies.  It was a thankful to be alive kind of day spent with a cute little "dirt magnet" and his Mom and Grandma.

While the videotaping was happening, this little farmer and I were busy building roads, railroads and planting.

Oopsie.  Missed one.

The Secret Recipe

#67 of #100gratefuldays:  Thankful for Sunday night with the family. Mommy's run is done. Gavyn ' s getting ready to practice his guitar. Gonna watch Ratatouille soon. And dad? Well. He's retired.

This after I ran. I wasn't breaking any sound barriers.  And I felt like I had lead in my butt.  Even though it never felt amazing, do I regret it?  Never do.

But the highlight of the evening?   Kekoa's secret recipe for chocolate milk. I'm not sure but I think by secret he means add lots and lots of whipped cream. Delicious.

Car Full of Magic

#66 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for a new blingy ISU sweatshirt that fills my car full of magic on a sunshine day. Cold? What cold? Happy.

And this new Cyclone shirt.  Not to explain the obvious, but I'm still practicing with this new smart phone. This selfie business is not as easy as it looks! I think the secret is holding the camera straight... versus 
angled?... and holding it as far away as possible. Anything else I'm missing? Are there classes for this stuff??!!

Ok... I might have spent a little more than what the gift card allotted.... shhhhh... don't tell.

And then my niece and nephews went and turned 14, 15, and 16.  ALL of them are driving now.  Ack.  It went warp speed.

Then Demolish Them

#65 of #100gratefuldays: Happy Friday morning! Wearing one of my favorites from a good friend... "Set some goals. Then demolish them." Thankful for Fridays.  Also.  I love clothes.  Wore leggings today.  It's beginning to feel a lot like fall.

I About Cried

#64 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for birthday surprises from little brothers. It pays to open up your e-mail. I about cried. You never know what awaits...

My brother, Ryan, is consistently one of the most thoughtful people I know.  I could learn a thing or two from him.

I Think I Heard Angels Singing

#63 of #100gratefuldays: First day of retirement lunch at Aunt Maude's with this guy. I think I heard angels singing. Thankful for vanilla bean creme brulee.

"I see your lips, the summer kisses..."  - Autumn Leaves, Nat King Cole