Out of touch with america's youth

So, a few days ago I was at Target trying to find a little nugget to send to my nieces for their birthdays. I have come to the conclusion that 1) I'm proabably not the "cool" aunt and perhaps haven't been for some time and 2) the reason I am not cool is I don't have a clue about the pulse of 3-12 year-olds. It's too young for gift cards, right? Because I completely get that once you're in junior high/high school you wouldn't be caught dead in anything that a relative over the age of 20 would buy you. So I'm in the checkout line at Target and I ask a young girl if she would like (insert gift) if she were 10. I think I totally freaked her out because I'm of course a stranger; if I had kids and some random lady started talking to them, I would be freaked out. She replied with a meek "I guess," which left me uncertain. Does your older-but-clueless auntie get a gold star because she meant well but had no clue, aka her heart was in the right place?

Autumn

The rain finally quit yesterday and the last two days have been absolutely glorious. I've been so sad because of course all of the most sunshiny days I am at work, only able to see the cacaphony of color when I leave the office and peer out toward the lake. The trees are becoming intermittenly bare, so I think I have to go take pictures tonight. Fall is hands-down my favorite season because everything is changing and becoming so rich in color. I really want to drive north along the shore to see its majesty, so I may have to make time for that this weekend.

Fun friday - sunday

I was thinking about what I wanted to post from this past weekend, and realized I had pictures from every day. Friday I had a little Sex and the City viewing get together, so some gals and I happily made some cosmos and snacks while we watched the movie, most of us for the first time. Definitely worth seeing--lots of laughs, and some tears, too. Saturday we went to DJ & Pam's wedding (and I don't have any pictures of them--oops), where strangely, I took few pictures. Honestly, though, 2 nights of being up late really did me in and by Sunday, my cold had really knocked me over. I went with Katie & some of our other friends to the Buddy Walk, and it turned out to be a really beautiful day. The sun was glorious out on the lake, a great reminder of why we live in this godforsaken cold city. Thanks again to all of you who donated!

Soundtrack of my life

The drive back home with my parents went smoothly because there is actually some music that we agree on! I've always been a sucker for muscials and soundtracks (just ask the other Sound of Music afficiniados from Cottage 8), so I have 2 to recommend. Both of these are great Broadway productions and will not disappoint. Mamma Mia was an excellent movie as well--great for the ladies to see together! I saw Jersey Boys when I was in San Francisco--amazing singing! These 2 definitely cross the generation gap.

Birthdays and baptisms

This weekend I drove to Krista's with my mom and dad for Nathan's 3rd birthday party and Sydney's baptism. I didn't even bring my camera since I knew there would be so many shutterbugs, so I stole these from everyone else.

Weekend visitor

Friday night I went to bed at 10:15--a telltale sign that it's been a long week. Liz came up on Saturday to visit; we had such a good time. It seems like we haven't seen each other in ages, but I just saw her in August...It rained all weekend, but that didn't stop people from traipsing around town. We hit some local shops downtown, and then headed to the bookstore. We had a good laugh rifling through some baby name books for her little bump. She got a baby book, too, so it was fun to help her in baby mode. We stayed up late watching silly movies; thanks for coming, Liz! I missed ya. Sunday I made lasagna, regular for Corey, GF for me; it was a little runny, but it tasted really good. I hid 1/2 cup of pureed spinich in it, but Corey either didn't seem to mind or he didn't notice. I'm really enjoying cooking these days; it takes a lot of prep work, but it's so wonderful to come home from work and have something wonderful that's ready to eat.

Don't give the girl bread

So, I know that I have always had a "sensitive" stomach. I am sure there are about 50 million reasons why this may be, but I've learned that when things work, you may not know why, but you just have to stick with them. Case in point: I know that for me, for a while anyways, any more than a little of most bread products is bad news. So when I'm feeling good, I tend to forget that I need to refrain. So, please, my friends, help me in this very lonely period of detaching myself from items that my insides reject. I am mourning it now, but I know in the long run I am doing myself a great service. Maybe it's in my head? I'm doubtful. If you see me with a baguette, crostini or submarine, I give you permission to slap me silly. I'll see how it goes and if it makes me feel any different.