My black thumb is showing signs of green

Sister-in-law B introduced me to the Joys of Gardening. Similar to introducing me to the Joys of Cooking. You know, B, you should really write a few books.
Anyway, I still had $20 left on that ever-living Home Depot gift card that I won in a contest at my old job. Old, as in, I won this card 2 years ago. Thank goodness they don't have expiration dates. Seeing as how renting an apartment prevents you from fulfilling all those Home Depot dreams you have involving colorful paint and decorative tile and other typically permanent items, I decided to use it on plants. I bought rosemary, lemon verbena, and a huge terra cotta pot last summer. The herbs promptly died when I went on vacation for a week and then really died for good when it got cold outside. So I purchased a miniature rose to fill their spot. Still had $10 left over. I do not want this card taking up space in my wallet any more! Ok, these two are on sale, I'll give them a try.
On the left is a Japanese fern in a flower pot my Grandma used to own, and on the right is a Northern Lights grass in my pot.

New hat!

I first saw this hat at the 2007 Art in the Park at the Hatterdashery booth. Hatterdashery is a small company based out of Washington, owned by a guy named Michael who I believe makes all of the hats himself. He didn't have my size that day, so he measured my head and took an order. It arrived in the mail about 2 months later with a handwritten note apologizing for taking so long. Small business = personal service (usually). I love it.
Please excuse the slightly wacky expression. It's hard to keep a normal look on your face when you're focused on getting the camera just so, and taking the picture for the 4th time.

The view from my place

This was taken a week or two ago, right before a rainstorm. I love the Japanese Maple (the tree with the red leaves) in neighbor Bob's yard.

Pain

I have this theory that God is increasing my pain threshold little by little as I get older so that when the day comes to have a baby I have a (however small) chance of making it. Case in point:
2 months ago: stubbed my big toe, separated the nail from the bed
3 weeks ago: stubbed it again which took the nail completely off
1 day ago: dropped the corner of a heavy wooden dresser drawer full of clothes on... yes, my bare, nail-less toe.

ouch.

I will now be buying stock in bandaids.

Dear Mr. Squirrelybob Nopants:

Please stop destroying my newly planted rosebush. Or I will stomp on every acorn in my yard so you have nothing left to bury and you will have to move to Bob's yard.

With sincere thanks and determination,
Your friendly neighbor who used to think you were so cute.

We're sorry, Marie's brain is having technical difficulties. Please try again later.

So. I was attempting to make caramel corn on my own. With only 1 person to stir. And 1 shelf in the oven. And a very small countertop. But two pans of CC. So the second pan of CC conveniently sat warming on top of the stove while the first pan was in the oven. And then I smell that distinctive odor of sugar burning. So I turn around, and the pan of CC on top of the stove is steaming. Oh yeah.... the burner is still on...

Ok, the CC issue gets worked out--I tossed the burnt half of the pan in the trash (after eating about half of it) and added the good half to the first pan to continue baking in the oven. So I go to check on my laundry, which I need to get done within the next hour, and wow! The dryer is done already! I just put those jeans in 15 minutes ago! Oh yeah... there's the matter of that little "start" button.

In other news: After months of whispering in its ear, promising to care for it until death do us part, my African Violet finally decided to say hello.

The full mile

I finally hit a mile today!! I jogged an entire mile, without stopping. This seems like a really small step to those in the fitness world, but to me it's a big deal. I haven't been running as much lately because I was so busy, but I am starting to see the cumulative effects kick in anyway. Sweet.
I've been doing a regular loop to Camel's Back--jog down there from home (1 mile), hike up Chickadee Ridge and down through the grove (2 miles) and try to jog back home (1 mile). I did jog most of the way home today, which was a huge improvement from previous efforts, but there were a few walking stops in the middle, so I don't really count it as jogging any sort of distance. It's cold outside, but if I wear layers, it's really nice. I don't overheat 5 seconds out the door.
I love fall. :-)