IT IS FALL!!

It is! I don't care what the calendar says or what the astrological position is right now. Fall is upon us!

My nose is itching, and I'm sneezing, as always happens to me in the early fall and the early spring.. The spiders have begun a concerted march from the beautiful out of doors in which they have enjoyed the summer, determined to take over the greater part of my home! Trees are turning yellow down the mountain from me. While the temperatures are still nice in the mid-70s most days, there is a distinct crispness that is felt only in fall. The sun is shining beautifully every day, but it's not quite enough to convince the cool hint to begone. And I'm seeing woolly worms with long dark coats around the neighborhood. Yep, it is fall.

I've started a bit of a make-over. A couple weeks ago, I began changing my eating habits. Actually, I wasn't way off base, but I'm trying to be more thoughtful about what I eat, as well as how much. Trying to cut down of all those no-nos and do more healthy foods. Most days during the week I have yogurt, carrots, apples, other fresh fruits and veggies through the day and a light dinner. When I go out for a meal, I'm being more careful about the amount I eat. I've brought home enough for one or two meals most times I've eaten out. And I'm feeling better.

I began some exercise. Nothing strenuous, but some things to tone my body. A specific area is to really concentrate on reducing and firming my belly, while just making everything else get back into the place it is supposed to be! My purpose is to be more proportionate in a few months. I'm less concerned with "losing" than in being in better form, improving my posture.

I've also overhauled my housework. Well, I'm overhaulING. I've always been a casual housekeeper. My house was usually clean, but if there was a little kid clutter or evidence of life in the house, that was OK with me. During my husband's last years, it was very difficult to keep the house organized for a number of reasons, and at the top of the list was the word "Overwhelmed." Then I moved here, and I did well for a long time, but a few months ago realized I've developed some bad habits and slipped back into some others. When I'm done with something, I set it down where I am rather than putting it away. I always say, "I'll put that away when I get up/when I go to room/later/[fill in the blank]." A spool of thread and needle might sit in the living room for weeks when I could have put it away in about 15 steps and 30 seconds! So I'm forcing myself into some better patterns, cleaning specific rooms on specific days, making myself put things away as I am done with them, etc. I'm also pushing myself to get clothes out of the dryer or off the line as soon as they are done, fold or hand them and put them away, rather than leaving them in the dryer or hanging on a doorknob for days. So far, so good. The house isn't perfect (I've missed a few days because of special events happening), but it is much more livable. I need to do a garage sale!

Would you believe I've cleaned out the inside of my truck about every two weeks lately, also? Yeah! I know! Something is obviously wrong with me! I guess it is just part of my better organization. I'm almost ready to get back outside to do some fall yard work a few days a week, too.

I've kept this pace for about a month, so I'm almost believing it might be nearly habit. I hope so. I'm feeling better about all aspects of my life, and that is always a welcome realization. Don't you love those moments when you feel a certain positive direction taking hold in your life?