The 6 best things about September

Honestly, this September has been quite the bitch. In the past three weeks, here's what has been going on:

* I've had a trip to the emergency room (totally fine, but long, weird story which I'll tell later)

* I was picked to be a juror for an 11 + hour murder trial (!)

* My sweet grandmother's house was robbed when she was at the hair salon! Thank goodness, she is shaken, but okay. (Unsurprisingly, the robbers did not take her t.v. Click here and you'll understand why.)

* I've dealt with the usual stress with starting school, with all the long days, tutoring, and meeting parents that go along with it.

Let's just say I have had a reason or two for not blogging these past three weeks.

Things are much, much better now, though! Because I need some endorphins and you all know I love anything seasonal, here are the five things I do love about September:

1. Gorgeous weather and long bike rides!
I've been taking Schwinn (my hunky bike) out for rides with Dan. Over the past four trips, we've ridden over thirty miles, past rattling corn fields and even out in Williamsburg. Which brings me to...

2. The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg
September to me is the perfect time to picnic outside and people watch. And eat fancy cheese sandwiches. And giggle at the actors dressed in colonial-style britches and three corner hats, while carrying their Starbucks drinks.

3. Date nights are even better.
Every night is "date night" in the summer, but when Dan and I have to go back to teaching full time each September, those Friday and Saturday nights are our lifelines and we look forward to them all week long. This Saturday, we had Thai food and saw The Town. (Who knew Ben Affleck could bounce back after Gigli?)


4. Apples!
Dan and I are going to try to pick apples next weekend like we do every year. Until then, I'm making pumpkin-apple muffins with ones I buy from Kroger. I'll let you all know how they turn out!

5. Beginning of year optimism and new school clothes
I got the above dress in navy and a few new tops. And people think that only the students plan out their "first day" outfit!

6. The sixth best thing about September? It's almost October! :)


Yep, I think I'm ready for next month. Wine tasting, fall walks, pumpkin carving, pumpkin-flavored foods, Halloween, Octoberfest, leaves changing colors = Bring it!

Pictures from here, here, and here.

Back to school, back to school...

Oh, Billy... you had it right. Snack packs do make it all better.

You see, tomorrow is the first day of school, otherwise known as "Black Tuesday" in our household. Dan and I have been in denial for some time, still guzzling that last bit of summer like rock stars on a final binge. We slept in until 1:00, sneaked into our old apartment pool, enjoyed our bikes for one more summer ride, and mauled food with friends. Tonight, though, we realized there was no more putting off the inevitable: back to school. Dan will be starting his sixth year of teaching high school seniors, and I am returning to the hormonal, immature, fist-pumping-to-parody-Jersey-Shore's-Snookie eighth grade sect.

So what is a girl to do to make going back a little easier?

I...

1. bought a new dress
2. purchased a brand new box of Crayola crayons just to get a whiff of that waxy smell
3. packed a kick-ass lunch
4. included a snack pack for dessert


What did Dan do?

He...

1. ate his feeling by downing four of said snack backs in a moment of gloomy gluttony.

And I thought I was his snack pack. Sniff.


Off to bed
(although we never get any sleep tonight.)

Hope all teachers/librarians/ people with school aged children have a good first day tomorrow!