Today was a very nice day!   It was so sunny and warm.

Gardening: I got my bulbs planted today.  Also, the Whole Foods yam that I planted is growing very nicely.

There was a chipmunk outside, poking around my flower bed.  My husband shot and killed it.  Normally, I would've been upset, as I made it clear that the only animals that he was "allowed" to kill were rats. I wasn't thrilled, but I am happy that he protected my bulbs from being eaten.

I saw a praying mantis outside yesterday, the cat's were "playing" with it.  Today, I found it in my planter that I keep some of my gardening supplies in.  I didn't want it to get hurt, so I picked him up and put him in the ivy plant.  Yesterday, as I moved the Clematis to another spot in the yard I accidentally picked up a worm...and I didn't freak!  I feel that I can now I can honestly say that the term "city folk" no longer applies to me.

Other: After my gardening, I took a shower and decided to dress up a bit.  We weren't going anywhere except on our daily walk to the store, but I felt like getting dolled up...so I did.

I'm glad that I give you inspiration.  As I mentioned a few posts ago, I get inspiration from you all, all of the time.   As you know, Lisa does potting and has lot's of plants.  So if you can't garden outside, I'm sure that potting would be great too.  There's just something about being surrounded by greenery, even if it's only a few plants.

I used to be the biggest chicken when it came to insects, snakes and things.  But seeing them so frequently, makes you a little immune to the shock and icky factor.  Although, I've yet to see a large snake.  I can't wait to see how I handle that.  I talk lot's of stuff about being a country girl now, but I think that if I saw a large snake, I'd probably faint.

Wouldn't it be cool if we were neighbors?  I could teach you what I know about gardening and you could teach me to embroider....and we could learn to use a sewing machine.  Actually, it would be cool (imo) if we were all neighbors.  We have a fun and interesting group of women on this site.  Too bad we all live so far away.

Ugh...it was very chilly and rainy this morning.  Instead of my ususal breakfast of cold cereal, I had cream of wheat with cinnamon.

Family Matters: My grandmothers niece did call me after all.  Didn't talk to her (thank goodness) she left a message.  She said that she'd send the ashes but wouldn't offer any sort of a time frame, and that was it.  Oh, it was followed by a very harsh "BYE" and a click.  Um, okay.  Well, at least she's cooperating.  It seems...

We'll also be going to visit pretty soon.  My FIL is having an operation tomorrow so we'll be going up to visit him as he recouperates.  We'd planned on going to New Orleans but we're still trying to work things out.  We may just go to New Orleans and go to Pittsburgh at the end of the month...a day or two after Halloween.  We're still debating though.  Pittsburgh is going to get flurries while New Orleans will have lovely weather...and we already planned it.

Hair:I don't want to keep doing frequent CO's eventhough I'm working out daily, so I've just been wearing it up.

Other:

View of the Autumn leaves from my yard today...


My planted yam is still growing nicely...


New Halloween flower arrangement.  Wasn't liking the flowers in the artificial pumpkin.

Curlgirl & Michelle:

Halloween:  Forgot to mention that someone stole my tombstones while we were away.  I would've suspected that they just blew away, but since the stakes that were firmly in the ground are also gone, I'm certain that they were taken.

Hair: Done looking for new products, yay!!!  Right now my arsenal includes my Aubrey Revitalizing Conditioner & Shampoo.  I still have Burt's Bee's shampoo left although, either shampoo is okay, conditioning is usually my main concern.  

After washing, my products are Rusk leave in conditioner followed by CHI silk infusion and ocassionally CHI keratin mist.  

I'll still do ACV rinses.  I no longer need to mist my hair with moisturizing sprays and I'm done with oils (which I never really liked anyway).  I still have a big almost full jug of aloe juice and a half bottle of avacado oil.  I may just toss the aloe juice and I'll use the oil on my body.  

I'm still thinking about getting a bonnet hair steamer, I just haven't figured out where it is going to fit in, in my regimen.

Vegetable Gardening: My aerogarden still hasn't produced even one tomato.  I think I'll call them and get some free lettuce or something.  This is the second time that I've tried tomatoes in the aerogardens with no success.  I'm giving up.  I'll try them outdoors next year.

I finally got a chance to try the peppers that I've grown. Yesterday, my husband made a pepper steak.  It was VERY GOOD!!!  The peppers were so tasty!  I was a bit dissapointed with the black (purple) ones though.  They were tasty too but only the outer skin is black, the inside was green, so it didn't make for the colorful dish that I was expecting.

Fitness: Been doing excellent with my "sticktoitness" and it's showing.  My body is definitely getting smaller and firmer.  My husband thinks that I'm running the risk of getting too small, but I know my body, I'll be okay.  

For me right now, it's all about cardio.  I'm doing anywhere between 2 to 4 hours a day.  Once I get to my goal weight, I'll cut down signifcantly on the cardio and do more yoga and bellydancing.

Other: We're getting new next door neighbors.  Not shocked though.  The guy has been out of work for a long time.  However, his wife just got laid off, so now they're both out of work and can't afford the rent.  They're sad, and I feel a little sad for them, but we've all been down before...that's life.  It just makes you appreciate so much more what you have when you have it.  They'll be staying with relatives, but I hope that they're able to get back on their feet soon.  

Here is a pic of a cake that my husband and I made last week for Halloween movie night.  It was a yellow cake and I separated the batter and put red and black food coloring in it.  It was fun making it and fun eating it.  

My husband makes the best cakes.  I'm not sure what he does but they come out so much more moist and fluffy than when I bake them.  He's already realized that baking part is his job now.