Squash.

Okay, the denial has to stop. Autumn is here. It is October. The leaves are pretty. I have started wearing socks around the house. Sigh.

Us three (yes, the dog) have a photo session coming up shortly, which I am super nervous for. Getting in front of the camera? Much scarier than behind. Trust me. Outfits, hair-do's, shoes, getting the dog ready... I've almost cancelled several times! How do you all handle the stress I put you through with these photo sessions?! ;)

One random for today, as I am struggling to get back into the mode of working from this wonderful convention haze I have been in for the last two weeks...

Not only have I started enjoying squash, but... *drumroll* ... so has Joel!

Granted, it was convention squash, with plenty of butter (yum) and probably even more brown sugar (not so lovely). I think I need to make some squash. Any recommendations to varieties? Have any directions for me? I'm open to using tons of butter, but would like it as sugar-free as possible.

Convention has also got me back into the mode of a little more coffee in the afternoons... Eeep. I'm heating water for a second cup now.

I have had some fun workouts lately... being gone from home and working out/running outside before breakfast (yes, in the freezing cold), has lead me to body weight exercises in high volume. Lots of burpees, situps, air squats, etc. The other morning I did 5 rounds of 20 hand-release pushups, 20 situps, 20 burpees, and 20 air squats. It took me a little while. Nothing like 100 burpees to start your morning off right!

Yesterday morning, I warmed up with an 800m run, then did 400m of walking lunges, and finished with a 400m run wobbly-legged-jog. I wasn't trying for any speed records, but the whole mile took me about 19 minutes. That was lovely. Until this morning. Ow.

Anyway, I'm back to my normal schedule now with life, work, working out, etc. I am feeling so thankful for my privileges the last two weeks, very grounded, quite refreshed, and a little more ready to tackle some of the things I need to work on... mentally and spiritually as well as my work. I am looking forward to photographing my last wedding of the season this coming weekend. :)

Enjoy your Monday!

Tomatoes. Apples.

In the last month, I have not only tried, but seriously enjoyed eating tomatoes... fresh garden ones, obviously. They were delicious. And apples. Plain. Without caramel. Yum.

Eep, I'm turning into such an adult. Mom, be proud. hah! :)

Wow. So long.

Well, it has been forever since I've updated. Hello, August? How about we try that again?

I suppose being overwhelmed and exhausted to the point of tears doesn't leave much time for personal blogging, eh? :)

My recovery from the whole mess earlier is going pretty well. I'm back into some decent workouts the last few weeks.

Today was particularly fun. Nothing like a 10x10 squat sequence to get your heart rate up! Plus some deadlifts. Last week, I hit a new PR of sorts... 205x3, so that was pretty sweet.

I was pretty bummed at having to miss the Tough Mudder on Saturday, so when I happened to see this Diva Dash for this evening down at the TNT Obstacle Course south of Fond du Lac, I jumped on the opportunity.

I think I could get used to living in workout gear. ;)

It was a blast, and I have already marked down the next one in my calendar... which is Monday, October 1st, at 5:45pm... Come join us!

In other news, I've been running around like a photographer with her head cut off, literally praying for the strength to get through each day until I make it through October. I am super looking forward to conventions coming up, where I will be nearly shutting down Baseman Studios, my phone, email, and Facebook for almost two entire weeks.

It terrifies me to do that, as I know the aftermath will suck the life out of me.... but by then I will be refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle life again (rather than hide in the corner and suck my thumb)... right? Please? Heh.

Anyway, August was busy, crazy, and full of lessons, so that deserves its own post in the future. Summer is technically over, which deeply saddens me.

However, the coming of autumn doesn't just mean the coming of winter with snow, slush, muck, heavy layers, and short days. It also means some really good things. Like leather boots, cozy sweaters, feasting holidays, good shows back on TV (plus the time to watch them!!), and finally, the most important... the slow season. Ahh.

Okay, time to go do my dishes and head to bed.

Until next time,
~M