What Goes Around

So, hubby and I had the thought that it would be a good idea to buy an investment rental in Corvallis some years ago when the kids started college. We didn't do it. Then, life for daughter took an unexpected turn ... as life tends to do. She and her fiancee ended up back in Corvallis in graduate school. Guess what? There was not a rental (apartment or otherwise) to be found. That's right folks, Corvallis rentals were at 100 percent. What? So, we decided to go for the investment rental again. This, mind you, was a total pain in today's economic climate. Come on lenders ... snap out of it. You goofed up but, life goes on. But, I digress. The purchase was made and the work began. Somewhere in the madness, I realized that this little house was as close to my first little house (lo those many years ago) as is possible. Cookie cutter houses you know. So, the past couple of weeks have been all about painting, cleaning, and teaching these young ones how to improve and maintain a home. They are quick learners and hard workers but, I have got to say ... I really feel like it is deja vu .... all over again.

In Over My Head

Okay, I thought (actually still think) that blogging is a really neat thing. I have found some blogs to be of interest because I actually know the blogger(s). Other blogs are fun and interesting because of the themes. So I like to write. I always have. I find it a nice way to preserve my thoughts. Occasionally it is cathartic. But, I admit it ... I am in over my head. I am so technologically illiterate that it is mind boggling. I view many blogs that I have to believe must take hours to create ... and yet, these people are spending their time creating beautiful homes, beautiful things, and beautiful families. Still, they have figured out how to take and post fun and helpful pictures to their blog sites, not to mention explaining in detail how to achieve said project. Now I don't have a very wonderful computer, which may be part of my poblem but, really, why can I not figure out how to do this stuff? I hate asking my kids because its so humiliating ... the way they look at me as if to say "Really Mother?" Gads, I hope I didn't do that to them when they were little and trying to learn something. Anyway, I keep thinking I should take a computer class ... or three. But then again, I guess I don't really care that much. I mean, I'm not blogging about cute home projects, etc. I'm just relating my life as a 50 (cough, cough) something-year-old woman getting on with life. If I live long enough perhaps technology itself will figure out a way to deal with people like me. In the meantime, I'll just 'write on' and satisfy my 'cute blogs' fix by looking at those of the 'younger set.'

Favorite Things

I have always liked the changing of the seasons. I look forward to spring because I can get back out into my yard and get my hands dirty putting out the plants I've been studying in garden magazines. So, it goes without saying that fall brings the same sense of change. I love to put out the fall decorations. This year I had a helper in my daughter and it was much appreciated. I love that trip to the nursery to buy chrysanthemums and pumpkins. I love the bright colors of the changing foliage. I love the crispness in the air and the occasional smell of smoke that drifts through the air. Its time to get out the warm sweaters and change up some of the home decor to reflect the change in the season. Now, I don't even like to cook much but, I will actually get in the mood to make comfort foods at this time of year. There is nothing like the aroma of a pot of chili or a pumpkin loaf baking in the kitchen. Of coarse, I also love all of the wonderful scented candles that appear in stores in the fall. Who could resist some of the names, let alone the scents. A candle that smells like apples and cinnamon that is called 'Home Traditions'? Oh yes! Another favorite .... the twinkling smile of a jack-o-lantern. Its fun to see what people do with their fall and Halloween decorations. So, not only is fall a favorite time of year, full of changes, it is the lead in to the holiday season and so many favorite family traditions. Its time to settle in, nest and slow down. Its time to really appreciate this wonderful life in Oregon and the wonderful changes that come with the seasons.