I'm sitting at my kitchen table, watching one of those tea-leaf flowers bloom in my glass tea pot, and stalling on answering some of the tougher questions waiting for me in my email. It finally feels like fall, and I'm going to pack away the few halloween decorations that we pulled out this year, and swap it out for the wooden pilgrims with bemused expressions on their faces and the plush turkey while the kids are in school today. Because nothing says autumn like quizzical puritans, right?

Halloween was really pleasant this year - we got a lucky break in the rain twice - once so that the kids could have their parade at school, and once so that the neighborhood costume contest and trick-or-treating could happen unimpeded by umbrellas. The kids weren't as eager to race from house to house this year - and we only visited about 20 houses or so before all three kids were ready to head home for the night. In a shocking turn of events, all three kids were in bed by 9, and the husband and I were asleep - out cold asleep - by 10 pm. We know how to party.

All through the night the rain was drumming on the walls and ceiling, and I woke up still exhausted the next morning. I've been having some crazy dreams lately, very active ones that get my heart racing and probably make me flail and talk in my sleep, although the hubs hasn't mentioned anything. Of course, he sleeps like a log. Something about the rain makes me want to hibernate - at least the first rains of the year, at any rate. By 11 am, I was curled back in bed, re-reading Twilight and dozing in turns.

On a side note, why am I the last person on the planet to have read Twilight
? Were you people holding out on me? Holy moly, I just finished devouring all four novels. I'm going to make my sister go see the movie with me when it comes out - something tells me we won't be the only 30-somethings in a sea of teens.

After a drowsy day spent snuggling with the kids, reading and eating candy, I finally felt like my batteries were recharged, and I spent Sunday being productive. Maybe it is only that the skies were marginally sunny. Maybe it is because the hubs actually picked up and did dishes and swept the floor without me having to ask for help. I don't know. Seeing my face in the spot-free bathroom mirror this morning made me feel like I am ready to take on the week.

Maybe, that is...once I finish this cup of tea.