How do you like them apples?

If you fancied a look at your thermometer in the Midwest on Saturday, it would have read as 90+ degrees for most of the day. Yet, as a Midwesterner, you realized that there are only so many weekends left for one of the best fall traditions - a trip to the apple orchard - before the cream of the crop literally get picked over.

We did what anyone in their right mind would do - we hopped in the car, took a drive to the orchard, and picked ourselves some apples. (It's a good thing I remembered not to buy any at the store this week!)

So, was it hot? H*** yes.
Did it feel like fall? H*** no...even with the apple cinnamon donuts and the festive fall decor.
Did we have a good time? Absolutely.

Irish eyes are smiling...even though we lost

Beautiful weather, dear friends and classmates, and a close game made for a picture-perfect game day in South Bend on Saturday. It was truly the luck of the Irish that my friend had an extra ticket so that I could take a break from the daily Chicago grind and enjoy some football...

There were some changes to the stadium (and to the ticket itself) - it was fun to see the updates!

And some views never change - we could see "Touchdown Jesus" from our seats one row from the top of the North end zone!

Hungry? Ben's Pretzels is the ONLY way to go. At least, that's our humble opinion...

And what would the game be without the band?? They sounded and looked as good as ever...

In fact, during halftime, they played "Wagonwheel," where they formed into a horse and carriage. They moved across the field, wheels spinning and everything!

It was a late night to make the drive back after the game, but it was good to sleep in my own bed. I didn't get a chance to do much this morning before getting ready for my sister's school's opening Mass and celebration, which is always a good time.

Needless to say, right now I am operating on nearly empty so I think I'll be hitting the hay momentarily. Lots going on this week, especially on the volleyball court for my 8th grade girls team. Busy as always...but that's the way I operate...

How do you like them apples?

Overcast with a touch of fall temps: 60s - not too hot, not too cold...(all you need is a light jacket...)

It was a perfect day for apple picking!

With apples and fresh donuts in hand, we made our way back to the city, and I now find myself staring at my computer screen, wishing these grad school readings and papers would take care of themselves. Since I know they won't, I have a lot to do before Mass tonight.

Hope you've been enjoying your Sunday!

"Find Your Happy Place..."

It was so good to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day to day here in Chicago by heading out to Starved Rock with my sister and a good friend from church. As the next few weeks get even more hectic with the close of the trimester, I can go to my new "happy place," even if only in my mind:

We also had ice cream after. That pretty much takes any day to the next level...

"Fall"ing

I keep joking with coworkers, family, and friends that maybe after the 6th grade girls' volleyball season is over I just might have a life. Seriously, though, there have been so many things that have been piling up that I want to blog about, but I just haven't had the time to sit down and do it.

And, just to be clear, I'm not saying that I'm not enjoying and learning from every bit of what life is throwing at me right now - don't worry, I haven't gotten to this point:

If I ever do get here, you'll know - I'll be miserable. :P

Enough about all of that; let's turn our attention to Fall!

Don't you just love the Daily Quipple?

Fall is my favorite season - it always has been, even though growing up in Florida we never had the changing leaves or cooler weather (at least not until January, really). It's football season, and school is still fresh & new. There are apples to be picked (doing that with some friends today!) and coats to be taken out of the closet (need to do that sometime soon). There are pumpkins to be carved and pumpkin treats to bake/taste.

And change is in the air - both changes we're excited about and changes we may have mixed feelings or be sad about. One of my good friends from church just got a new job (awesome!)...in St. Louis (not so awesome). As a few of us (including the gal who just got the new job) were sitting around at dinner last night (see image below for what our sushi looked like), we were talking about how on one hand we are going to miss her a lot but, on the other hand, how it's impossible not to be thrilled for this new opportunity where she will have more job satisfaction than she does now and be back with her immediate family. One of the other girls said something along the lines of "It's not about me. If it were, it'd be easy to say, 'You can't leave. I need you here.' But since it's not, I want what's best for you."

Mixed emotions, there we have it.

But all in all, there is so much to look forward to and be excited about on personal and professional levels. Here are just a few things:

Personal --> upcoming young adult retreat next weekend, apple picking with friends (today!), Chicago marathon cheering, friends' birthday celebrations, CST show...
Professional --> ongoing leadership opportunities with my school's data/school improvement committee, a unit on Catholic Social Teaching with 8th grade, a field trip to the theater with 6th grade, continued collaboration with the middle school team...

So, there you have it: Fall in a nutshell. I hope you find change and contentment in the beauty of this Fall...