Teri Poppino

I am wearing Evan's coat that my other son, Drew, located for me. Yes, I could buy a new gortex to replace the one Alice sold at the Farm sale, but...do I really need it or am I thinking about replacing it because I no longer have it? After a little time on reflection, I have decided that this funny snow/cammo raincoat is perfectly fine. Anyway, I'm not a hunter, I'm a tree! Win/win. 

Evan's Sweet Gum in the front yard is glorious and it's only partially turned. I send him photos of its progression so he can anjoy it, too, from Spokane.

George and I will continue our twice daily walks--and once I retire, I may add in another one or two because we love it so much!

It's the end of the no sugar challenge. I am happy to say that I had only a few indiscretions and , if it weren't for the Ecochallenge, there would have been MORE! Success.

I love the clouds. We have had such powerful, whimsical, interesting clouds this fall. Coming home from dropping my son off in Canby on Sunday, the clouds were lined in black all the way around. I'd never seen anything like that before. It was really spectacular. My granddaughter is noticing clouds on her own now. She said that one looked like Dumbo--and it kind of did!

My Granddaughter and I drove out to meet my son and his roommate in Aurora to watch the roommate ride a bull. (He stayed on the full 8 seconds!) "Eight Ball' was a tall black bull with one horn point up and one pointing down. On our way through Clackamas County, we marveled at the beautiful fall trees and bushes in the farms and fields. We are having the most lovely autumn!

How's THIS for decluttering? I have some handmade cotton gift wrap made from t-shirts (India/Ten Thousand Villages) and I've been hanging on to strips of remnants left over from previous packages. Rarely do these oddly shaped pieces actually cover a gift by themselves. I decided that I would make patchwork wrappings for my brother's birthday presents, so I got out the glue gun, some fun ribbons and created lovely works of "art." No two alike! Anyway, he'll appreciate it and I appreciated my Zen place I puttered around in for a couple of hours today. And, even better, I only have ONE piece left and it's probably big enough to use on a small gift! I feel so much lighter!

Decluttering is my (current) life! I'm even pulling out my kilts and cashmere sweaters, if they don't fit or I don't feel wonderful wearing them! (That's a BIG deal, trust me.) I'm digging w-a-y deep into the closet and sitting myself down to a serious conversation about the likelihood of me ever being able to fit into some of my favs again. Once I make a decision, I pull out the item--and it's done. I LOVE this feeling!

This weekend was a bust, in the sugar department, but I'm off to a fresh start today! Jenni Blossom brought in a decadent little chocolate cake, and I didn't even try to smell it! That's resolve, I tell you!

I feel much better without the sluggishness of sugar in my system. Being on this challenge helps me keep my focus and I find that I can pretty much honor the commitments I've chosen. I should have said that I would get more sleep!