La Cucaracha

Back in Pennsylvania, we are plagued with stink bugs at the change of every season. The sight of a stink bug sets me on edge, and my roommate became quite accustomed to my squeals and ultimate panic when I discovered them in my room.  She never failed to arrive with a Kleenex or other stink bug-extinguishing piece of equipment.

I worried about stink bugs in Alabama. It would seem that was for naught.  There are no stink bugs here thus far...only cockroaches. Ugly, fat, shelled cockroaches.  And I am the one who always seems to spot them! Luckily, Karl has been home every single time.  Poor thing hates cockroaches as well.  But he mans up and chases them and captures them for me so that he can take them away.  I try to help.  The last time, we chased a stink bug around the living room until nearly midnight.  Armed with a broom, a flashlight, a cardboard box and our own swift feet, we discovered the little bugger was hiding under my dry sink. As soon as he shot from underneath, I threw the box in the air and climbed onto the couch.  Karl, my hero, was finally able to capture him and duct tape him in a box.

Afterwards, I tried apologizing profusely for my lack of aid.  Karl only gently sighed, in a resigned sort of way, and told me it was all right.  I am just not able to look a cockroach in the face yet.  Or in the back.  Or from behind or on the side.  Perhaps some day I will be brave.

Weekend Collection

Karl worked this weekend, so we hung out when we had the time.  Friday night, we went out to eat at The Olive Garden (craving breadsticks), then off we went to the movie theater to see the  new release of "Rush."  We are both fairly critical of movies, and while we do not necessarily have the same taste, we both enjoyed the movie and the story behind the film.  We felt it was well done.  Definitely worth renting or seeing.

The next morning before he went to work, Karl told me we could go to Chipotle (which I had been begging for).  After he left, I was a little baffled.  I mean, Karl is always giving things up for me or trying to make me happy (God bless him), but to just agree to go to Chipotle was beyond me.  Then I figured it out.  Chipotle is beside Best Buy.  Karl always bribes me to go to Best Buy- usually it is with a trip to Barnes and Noble with
 the promise of a book or two.  Now he was trying to go through my stomach.  So I let him.  And while he went to Best Buy, I got out of it by going into Home Goods.  Where I bought things for my mantle.  It is  not finished yet, but at least it has "stuff" on it now.

I like to get the bowl because it isn't messy.  Not because I'm a wimp.

The  books, by the way, are "Jane Eyre," "Wuthering Heights," and "To Kill a Mockingbird."  I did not want a Halloween mantle, but these books do have the spooky aspect to them.

The rest of the weekend was spent in yoga pant and supporting Alabama with some new gifts.  It was a slow weekend, but a family visit this weekend will keep me busy during the week.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

These tea things...

...because these items are so handy.

This bed...

...because the guest room is finally coming together.

Karl working...

...because he can build a nightstand and watch TV at the same time.

This Panini...

...because the salami, tomato, ricotta, mozzarella, and pesto creation was out of BFCAT-withdrawal.

This Bible...

...because it is lovely in so many ways.

To Decorate

This is my first time where I've had my own space to decorate.  Of course, Kenz and I had decorated the house for Christmas.  She picked "the stuff" and we both happily put the spirit of Christmas all over.

This time, my husband has happily informed me that he pays for the apartment, and I decorate. That's a lot of  pressure.  There are blank slates all over, specifically the walls.  Thus, I've decided to start small.

The mantle.

Karl has finally removed all his Pittsburgh fan gear from the mantle in order to let me decorate for autumn and then eventually (*whispers*) Christmas.  I have been searching my main source of inspiration for multiple ideas.  I am certain that my mantle will eventually combine aspects of each of these mantles.

I love the books.  I already know which ones I will choose- Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and To Kill a Mockingbird.  I'm not trying to have a "Halloween" mantle, but these books are spooky enough.

I love the glass jars with pumpkins, stones, and gourds.  I also love the orange swag, pine cones, and fake leaves.

First off, there will be no creepy picture (no offense to them). I would like to incorporate a small candle rack in the middle or those tiered candle sticks.

Thoughts?  How do you decorate for the Fall season?

Weekend Collection

Karl had this weekend off, and so together we ran the errands that I normally run myself.  First trip was to the Farmer's Market.  Unfortunately, I was not in need of any fruits and veggies, so we left with a large bouquet of colorful flowers and fillers, a bargain for the price.

A few more errands eventually led to the marvelous Bridge Street plaza, where I earned another trip to Barnes & Noble because Karl planned on watching football games the rest of the weekend. What's a girl to do but read?

Snuggled on the couch under our respective blankets, we spent the rest of the weekend napping, reading, attending church, and watching football.  But at least we did them together.

But a little something to look forward to in November- a visit from a friend. Flight ticket confirmed!

Weekend Collection

Unfortunately, I was struck with a cold this weekend.  Thus, my days were filled with lots of green tea and honey.  There was also orange cough syrup involved...it was like my husband forgot he knew me when he brought it home.  I hate cough syrup.  But mixed with orange juice, it is not so bad.

Friday was my first day of subbing.  And needless to say, I was highly impressed with the school.  In fact, one might even call the campus impressive.  Only three years old, the concrete building spreads across an empty lot and is filled with all the newest equipment.  I am also gathering that it is filled with the newest thinking.  Why else would they pretend that they are actual jets?  Their school name is "The Jets."  And instead of employing bells to signal the beginning and end of class, pre-recorded announcements are made over the fuzzy-sounding speaker. Phrases like "depart your stations" and "your journey has ended" continued throughout the day to my puzzled amusement.  However, I accomplished a lot more reading.

Even with cold, we ventured out to a famous BBQ diner.  On the outside, it was fairly shady-looking.  I admit, I was quite nervous to enter.  On the inside, the diner was full of elderly people- it eased my fear a bit.  We were infinitely impressed by the international-winning BBQ sauce and in all our experience and wisdom, we voted the sauce the best.  Then we proceeded to buy four bottles for gifts.

Karl worked this weekend so the rest of the time was me passing the time through books and movies and grocery shopping.  My great temptation is to buy fall decorations and put them all over the house.  I am resisting, and so far, I have only bought fall-scented candles.  I'm holding out for Christmas.

Wish List

Excursion Quilted Vest

Excursion Quilted Vest | J. Crew

In other words, the most beautiful vest in the world.  I would love to have one in blue and black.  Unfortunately, Pinterest has filled my head with all sorts of outfitting possibilities...scarves, flannel, chambray, sweaters, and layers in general.  Paired with brown boots, of course.  I can't keep my eyes off the vest, and I can't stay off of jcrew.com or out of J. Crew's store.  This truly would be the perfect fall piece, and I hope to acquire one (if not two) before the weather becomes warm.


* Neither "Wish List" posts nor "Wish List" photographs have been endorsed by any company. I do not (currently) own any items, and all views expressed are entirely my own.