This weekend, I officially made my apartment ready for fall.  It started, well to be truthful it started Saturday when I went to Target and saw a really nice throw and decided to treat myself to it.  So I did.  Then Sunday morning I woke up (for the third time: 4:00 to do a report, 7:30 to send the report and then 11:00 for real) and I figured it was time to take the air conditioners out of the windows and put them in storage.  Sigh.  As I stared at the empty spots in my windows, I realized summer, and everything that went with it, is really and truly over.

As I boxed up the units, I realized I needed some packaging tape.  Something told me Scotch tape with a satin finish wasn’t going to do it.  And remembering that I hadn’t picked up something for storage in the bathroom that I’d wanted to get, I decided to make a quick trip back to Target for those items.  Oh silly Cheryl.  Have you not learned by now there is no such thing as a quick trip to Target for only two items?  Silly, silly girl.

An hour and half later I returned home laden with Target bags (and rushing to the washer and dryers to make sure I hadn’t pissed off any neighbors when my quick trip become not-so-quick) that were guaranteed to fall-ify my house.  Ladies and gentlemen, I was Targeted.

Because it occurred to me when I got there, I’m gonna need something to hang coats on now.  And thus, decorative coat hooks for the entry way found themselves in my cart.  I went over to get my storage solution for the bathroom and passed by flannel sheets, on sale.  I’d resisted them the previous day, but now I gave in and deposited them into my cart.  And as I wandered the store I realized, pretty soon I and any guests would begin tracking in rain and mud, then slush, and eventually snow.  So I decided I should really have a mat outside my door to capture some of it before it got tracked inside.  So it joined the others in the cart.  And eventually they were joined by picture frames (to show off my new niece) and necessities and a new book. 

Once at home, I packed away the A/Cs and lugged them down to the storage room in the basement (that’s four flights of stairs my friends, and I did it all by myself, thank you).  I hung the coat hooks and made the bed, threw out the new throw and placed the welcome mat at my door.  And now my apartment is officially ready for fall.  And slowly, but surely, so am I.

I don’t usually get all political on this here blog.  And I don’t really like “Hey There, Delilah,” by the Plain White T’s…or the Plain White T’s.  But this was just too funny.

Confession: I do not like Miss Teen South Carolina, I mean Sarah Palin.  Not just because she’s inexperienced, not just because she can’t even name a newspaper (I mean really, even if you don’t read a paper or magazine you should be able to fake that question with a “New York Times” or “The Economist” or something) or that I disagree with most of her policies.  It’s also that this woman seems to have one gigantic chip on her shoulder.  And it comes out whenever I see her on TV, be it debate, interview or speech.  She gives women a bad name.  And John McCain is old, and she really could end up president.  And then, it’s Europe for me (sorry Canada, but right now…not so much).

Oh, and just some food for thought: Maverick = Tom Cruise = CRAZY!  Maybe someone should rethink that messaging.

I’m still kicking around the idea of a hiatus.  But the past two days, I couldn’t help but feel a little renewed that September is over and October has begun.  Don’t get me wrong, September had its moments, like the trip to Denver, and meeting my niece, or having my little nephew declare “Auntie Sare-uhl is funny!”  Yet it had other moments.  Moments I know won’t repeat themselves in October.  And that’s enough to lift my spirits just a bit.

Despite my plans, I’ve remained rather quiet of late.  I’m trying to sort a lot of things out, personally, professionally.  And for some reason, even though this blog used to be a tool for that sorting, it somehow isn’t serving that purpose any more.  So, some days I think of taking a break.  Going on hiatus if you will.  Given my activity lately, I’m pretty much halfway there. 

With a lot of things lately, I’m confused and uncertain.  Do I want to leave Chicago or not?  Where would I go?  Why have some things turned out one way and others completely different?  Am I just bored?  Do I need a vacation?  And to top it off: why? why? why?  Lots of why.  And one more thing I just don’t know right now: to blog or not to blog.  That is the quesiton.  Bear with me while I find the answer.

I promised a post on my Colorado adventures, my Rocky Mountain high if you will.  So, rather a bit late, here it is.

This weekend entailed: sushi, martinis, beer, vodka, tons of laughter, music, catching up, meeting new people and then a performance of Steel Magnolias courtesy of my new friends.  And that was just Friday night.

Kendra met me at the airport–after I reapplied some makeup and changed my shoes and whisked me off to sushi and drinks with two of her work friends.  And OMG, they had me in hysterics.  Awesome people, awesome time.  So says I.

By 1:00 in the morning (2:00 my time) my eyelids were a-drooping cause I’d been up 20 hours and honestly haven’t been sleeping all that well of late.  So all apologies to the Denver-ites for this flatlander’s eventual quieting down and sleepiness.

After some much needed sleep at the KCB&B, the rest of the weekend entailed manicures and pedicures, mountain drives and foothill hikes, breakfast burritos and a frittata (not made by me, mind you), coffee, couchpotatoism–Daily Show, cable movies and SNL, Thai lunch, some panting and wheezing from yours truly, THE BEST guacamole in Denver (I hear), dance preparations, bookstore visits, burgers and fries, a lot of advice-giving heart-to-hearts, and one brown dog.  Whew.  No wonder I’m tired.  Good thing I took Monday off.  We were so busy, we didn’t even snap photos.  Who had time to whip out the camera?  Guess I’ll have to go back.

In the meantime, I’m off to Minneapolis for work, but I get to stay on for the weekend to see my family–and that includes two of my best and oldest friends and their kids.  Wish me good flights.  I shall return.

The lovely Claire bestowed upon me an equally lovely award.  She  passed on the bloggy love, and now I will as well.

1.  The winner puts this logo on his/her blog.

2. Link to the person who gave you this award.  See above

3. Nominate and link to seven other blogs.

1. Marissa’s It’s All About Me.  Marissa is a talented and gifted writer, and an equally amazing person.  She got me blogging in the first place, and her own blogs rings true to everyone.  She has a way of connecting, even virtually.
2. Jessica’s The Everyday Adventures of Me in the City.  A more recent bloggy find for me.  But really, we’re so much alike in our philosophies on flying, vinyl records and the Beatles, among others, how could I not heart her blog?
3. To Kiss The Cook.  Food, style and design.  What’s not to love?
4. Access Anisa.  I’ve been reading her for so long, it’s like the comfy sweater you wrap yourself up in.
5. Life Goes On, I Think Because she could write about her sock drawer and I’d find it fascinating.  Yeah, she’s that good.
6. Erin’s I’d Rather Be Dancing.  After a hiatus she returned.  We all cheered.  Welcome back Erin!
7. Kendra’s Just Me, KC.  Because even though she’s taken a break from writing on her blog, doesn’t mean I love it any less.  And because she’s awesome.

Thanks all for your wonderful words.

I now interrupt the insanity of my work day/week to draw a breath and say: sorry I haven’t been such a great bloggy buddy lately.  I may have to mark you  as read, but it’s just to get a fresh start.  I’m still here.  I’ll be coming soon to a blog near you and leaving a comment.  Promise.

And this weekend, I’m taking a trip.  To visit Kendra in Denver.  It’s pretty much guarenteed to warrant some posts for you all.  So you won’t have to stare at memes for so long.

Blatantly stolen from Erin.

A. Attached or single? Single

B. Best friend? Three of them–Best Friend (aka Jessica), Erica and Erin

C. Cake or pie? Cake, any day of the week (and twice on Sunday)

D. Day of choice? Sunday

E. Essential item? Concealer

F. Favorite color? Red, it makes me feel warm and happy

G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms I guess, but I don’t do the gummy candies really.

H. Hometown? St. Paul, Minnesota (ok, West St. Paul to be exact)

I. Favorite indulgence? Chocolate.  Bubble baths.  Wine.

J. January or July? Tough call, July I guess because usually January is when I hit my wall with winter.

K. Kids? Someday.

L. Life isn’t complete without? Books, music, food, laughter, people to share it with.

M. Marriage date? I think that ideally, I’d like a fall wedding, but it’s not happening any time soon.

N. Number of brothers and sisters? One sister

O. Oranges or apples? Apples.  They have to be crisp thought.  I hate a mushy apple.

P. Phobias? Knives, falling

Q. Quotes? “The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” -e.e. cummings

R. Reasons to smile? Sunshine,friends, surprises, chocolate

S. Season of choice? Spring.  I like the promise everything holds, it feels hopeful to have things growing again.  Warming up, daffodils, the promise of summer, sunshine

T. Tag 5 people. Ug, I don’t like tagging , anyone who wants to do it can do it.

U. Unknown fact about me? Oy, is there something I haven’t shared about myself?  kidding.  I’m more sensitive that people might think.

V. Vegetable? Corn, peas, asparagus, green beans, spinach

W. Worst habit? Picking at and biting the dry, dry skin around my nails.

X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound.  I hate the heavy bib and coverings for an X-Ray and for some reason, they always need you to contort your problem area in a really painful way.

Y. Your favorite foods? Chocolate. Wine. Pizza.  Sushi. Coffee.

Z. Zodiac sign? My sun sign is Libra. And some it of it is so true–fair minded, like balance and harmony, indecisive,  empathic, kind, idealistic, easygoing, self-indulgent, easily influenced, impatient of criticism, likes: finer things in life, sharing, dislikes: violence injustice and being a slave to fashion.

Things I haven’t written about lately:

Saturday: Ending a week of drinking with…more drinking!  German American festival in my neighborhood, and I got my wine drinking on.  Once again, if only I drank beer.  When I came home after midnight, I noticed I had no internet or cable.  I still didn’t have it Sunday morning at 9:30 or so, so I got to call Comcast.  Y’all know how fun that is, right?  Anyway, after 45 minutes on hold, an appointment was made and when I left to go get coffee, I noticed my cable hanging off the building, not connected to where ever it is that it should go.  But when I tried to explain that to the cable guy Tuesday morning, well it took a lot of convincing.

Monday:  If I see someone on the train reading a pamphlet on borderline personality disorder, should I be concerned?

Monday night football, Vikings vs. Packers, at the Vikings bar here in Chicago–Redmonds.  I hate the Packers.  I wish the Vikings would pass the ball a bit more.  We lost.  Sigh.

Tuesday: I missed him. I continued to struggle with making sense of the last week of my life, and to some extent the past few months.   But like the Beatles once sang, “I get by with a little help from my friends,” who have continued to help me through it.

Went back to my old neighborhood for dinner with Best Friend at the neighborhood pub where they know us.  It’s like our own Cheers over there.  Plus, I tried to help Best Friend do her homework; tried is the key word there.  I may have been more of a nuisance.

Wednesday: Fratellis at House of Blues.  Special thanks to Sixth Degree for offering me an extra ticket.  I have a few Fratellis songs in my iPod, which I’ve always enjoyed.  Now I’d like more, because they put on a really good show.  Now I’m tired.  Hence, this abridged post. 

And how are you all?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about trying new things, broadening my horizons, meeting new people.  So I have been wanting to take a class of some kind, and now it seems I can afford it.  That means the new questions is, where the hell do I start?  A class in what, exactly?

Dance? Music? Painting? Photgraphy?  I want it to be somewhat social, creative and of course fun.  Anybody have any suggestions?