Becoming Mollie

I am in a play. It will be opening in less than 2 weeks. This is quite a scary revelation (not the fact that I'm in a play...just the part that it's coming up so soon!!). I feel like I have so much more work to do to prepare for this. There's the lines for one. But there is a lot about becoming a character that one has to think about...and I do think about it...but then I get stuck on how to portray that to others properly. I don't see myself as a very expressive person, in fact I'm often quite reserved, but I have to remind myself that Lori isn't on the stage...Mollie is. (And Mollie apparently doesn't laugh nearly as often as Lori does). So that's my pep-talk to myself. Other than that, I am very excited for performances. It has been a lot of fun getting everything together and I hope that everyone will enjoy it!

New Home-Owner Diaries: Fall edition

I thought I'd be clever and wait till all (or at least most) of the leaves fell off of my trees before cleaning up my yard. This seemed like a good idea to me especially when I watched my neighbor rake multiple times...it seemed futile to me to be out there raking every other day. But then I felt a little bad because my yard was a bit of an eyesore and the leaves on my yard kept blowing onto the neighbor's yard. One day when I was outside the aforementioned neighbor kindly showed me her new leaf-blower and offered (or more like strongly suggested) that I could borrow it any time! I then decided I probably should clean up the yard. Most of the leaves were gone anyway, so I thought it would be okay. So I mowed up the leaves (which is probably cheating, but it sure beats raking). My dear neighbor lady had already made a pile of leaves for me on the side of my yard that joins with hers. (Very passive-aggressive move on her part.) The next day my lawn had leaves on it again. It's never ending. So, mental note for next year...don't worry about what the neighbors think...and maybe do something extra nice for the neighbor who raked a pile of leaves for me (since she probably hates me by now).

My next project is to get my fish in from the pond and clean out the pond for the winter. I'm not looking forward to that.

Hikes, Haircuts, and Happiness

Last week Jessy, Bentley, and I went hiking in the hills. I didn't think Bentley would last very long...but I think he had more energy than me by the end!

Today, Bentley got a haircut, so this is his "Before" shot (yes, I know I'm geeky like that).

And this is his "After" picture:

I think he's pretty cute...and he thinks he's quite the stud muffin...especially with his "girlfriend" Pippin! I'm trying to teach him how to be a gentleman, but I guess that takes time. :)