Ahhhh...fall. Maybe I love it so much because it doesn't exist in the desert. Yep, they skip right from blazing hot summer to slightly less blazing hot Christmas. I mean, I have more Christmas memories that involve a turkey on a grill and shorts then I do any recollections of snow. But I digress....

Fall in the South Bend area is a magical time. Where else can a whole populous of normally sane people collectively lose their minds pursing a college football team? Some of you out there are saying to yourself, "yes, I know exactly what she's talking about, happens in college towns all over this fine nation." But guess what? You're wrong! I'm not being a jerk, just stating a fact. EVERYONE here is insane for Notre Dame. Even people who don't like sports find themselves reading the sports page and following recruiting sagas.

Case in point, me. Before I moved here I hated Notre Dame. The little leprachaun guy? Come on people! He looks so mad. There's a whole fed-ex or UPS commercial that deals with his attitude and unapproachability. I came to South Bend and my wonderful husband got student tickets to the football games. I went, and whined. I didn't like standing for 4 hours, I was cold, I was hungry, I wanted to go home and study, blah blah blah.

Slowly, slowly, the Notre Dame magic started to work on me. Sure, the Notre Dame logo's scary, but the actual leprachaun doing flips on the field, adorable! Yes, the concessions are overpriced, but if you leave too early you miss the puns about driving safe by Officer McCartny. It may be so cold you can't feel your feet, but they'll wake up on the mile long walk back to your free parking.

Notre Dame football isn't the only fall event to look forward to. There's the pumpkin patches, fall festivals, apple orchards, and fish frys. You could spend your September and October weekends going from event to event and never do everything. Today my neighborhood had their fall festival. We took the girls and Olivia decorated a pumpkin, got her face painted and rode on a wagon. Come on, that just screams fun! The weather was beautiful, high 60's low 70's, and the bees weren't too agressive. You all know I like being indoors, but I'm thinking of making an exception for fall.

Fun news in our house, we may be getting a new (old) car! We've finally decided it's about time to replace the Saturn. Well, Mike decided that a long time ago. Here's how the conversation usually goes....

Mike "I've graduated college and am earning a decent income, I think it's time to get a new car. I'd like to buy a Ferrari."

Me-"Wait, doesn't the Saturn still run? And I was thinking more along the lines of a nice used Yugo."

Mike (shaking his head)- "Really, the interior of the Saturn roof is coming down, the transmission needs replaced, and the coolness factor is zero."

Me "You finally got the circus tent effect in your interior, and now you want to get rid of it? Crazy!" Insert deflection of choice (buy new house, have another baby, etc). Mike gives up for another year,

Well, it's gotten to the point where I have to agree with him. The Saturn may last a while longer, it may not, but I don't want to be the person getting up at 6 am to take my husband to Elkart for work when his car dies.

So, I'm driving along Adams and I see a car, FSBO. First time by I think, ooooooo.....shiny.

Second time by, I notice it's a Toyota. Good dependable brand, those Toyotas. I mention the car to Mike, but his excitement level is definetly lower then I'd hoped. Yes, he's not a used car lover, and I think he hoped for something with a more style, but he does humor me.

Third time, I stop and get out to look at the car. It's an 09 Camry, with all the bells and whistles (heck, I want this car!) and the price is decent. I call Mike and tell him about it, and he decides to give it a chance. Excitement level, rising :)

We look at the car, looks great. Now we have an appointment to test drive/have the mechanic once over on Saturday. If everyone can agree to terms it looks like it's time to put the Saturn out to pasture. Of course there's probably some teenager out there in need of a circus tent interior.....

October 1-3rd

We had such a busy weekend here at the Evan's house. On Friday I stayed home and worked on the yard. I have such a type A perfectionist attitude that once I got started I couldn't stop. Well, I could have stopped, but I didn't so huh! I was outside about 5 hours, Olivia was with me for about 3 hours and Clara about 1 1/2. And for the record, I do take care of my children, they were napping part of the time. Well, Clara naps and Olivia runs around her room creating chaos and havoc, and calls it "rest" time, but all mommies know that we're the ones who need the rest!

I finally cut out some nasty bushes I've hated since we moved in. I can never remember what they're called, besides, those ugly bushes, but Mike knows, I'll post the name later. Anyways, they were growing all sideways and crazy, and I'm sure the neighbors across the street with the perfect yard just hated them. So I hacked them down with a handsaw and some loppers. Olivia helped but the pieces in a pile, all the while telling the bushes, "you have to go so you don't poke Clara," and "don't try to get away from me I'm the police!" Yes, the mind of a four year old is an interesting thing :)

Mike got home and I couldn't wait for him to be all, "hey, where are those ugly, ugly bushes? You know, the ones you've wanted to get rid of for a year?" But he didn't even notice they were gone. Probably too much glare from the shinyness of the rest of the yard and my hard work. Right? Right? Right.......