we had our first fire a couple of nights ago. after an afternoon of soccer games, jason & his father came over and sang campfire/folk songs while playing the guitar....some of them are pretty hilarious. then we all had smores...mmm chocolate. i am so excited about having a fireplace to use all winter...but not excited about the price of firewood. i can't find anyone to deliver 1/2 cord for less than $100. that seems so steep to me.

i got an awesome care package from the bookclub ladies. so wonderful, with lots of goodies! julie, you are wonderful. and now i have my own copy of a tree grows in brooklyn. i started reading it last night in bed and love it so far.

i just wrote out our first mortgage check tonight. it still hasn't fully sunk in that we're homeowners now. but i'm sure that after a couple more of those, it'll hit in full force. ;o)

so, i tentatively said yes to participating in an 190 mile relay race next june. the great midwest relay goes from madison, wi to chicago, il. if i do get on a team it will definitely be motivation to start working out and running again!

anyone have a clue as to where to obtain a tumi wallet circa season 2003 (or so)? specifically i am looking for the tumi mini-zip glove leather wallet in yellow with green inside accents and i can't find it anywhere. i emailed tumi, no luck. i've been scouring ebay, nothing. i really want to replace my wallet that got stolen and i'm still in love with my old wallet. i hate the four new colors tumi sells now, but i might just break down and get it in black....not sure. i need to find it in the next couple of months to replace it with insurance reimbursement money before my 6 months are up.

OH! the biggest news of all: i'm heading back to portland nov 2-7th. coming in late thursday night and leaving wednesday morning. i'm coming for kate's bday (the 8th!), to see nicole in her third trimester, and because i love coming home. i love portland. i've already made a super long and probably unattainable checklist in my head on stuff i want to do and see and EAT (burgerville, nicolas', depot deli, tin shed...).

anyone want to come over and carve some pumpkins with me? i wanted to have an evening pumpkin party with a fire and cider and desserts and roasted pumpkin seeds but i have zero people to invite over that i know within 100 miles. sad.

sorry mets.