Couple Holds Out For Visit From Leaf-Raking Fairy

What a wonderful day. I took a long walk through the neighborhood. The air was crisp, the sky bright blue, and colorful fall leaves were falling and rustling across the sidewalk. I listened to the Amelie soundtrack as I walked, which lent my whole day a vaguely magical and dramatic air. At one point, I looked down at the sidewalk and saw that there tiny round shadow next to my own shadow. I looked over and noticed that there was a bumblebee buzzing right alongside me. It walked beside me, hip-level, for half a block, like a little pet. I could have had it on a leash or something. Yes, an enchanted day. I walked to Stacy's house and played with her baby for a few hours, then to the coffee shop to read my book. I left at 10:30 this morning, and returned home just a short while ago. Given the general feeling of enchantment, I was certain that the cleaning fairies would have visited whilst I was away. No dice. Shad is at the book festival so it's just me and the kitties, who refuse to be trained in the art of staying off the table, much less the arts of dish washing and toilet cleaning. My hands were shaking and I realized I had forgotten to eat all day so I heated up some tasty leftovers from Buca. Those four enormous trees in my yard are so very lovely, I know, but this time of year I can't help resenting them a bit. Shad and I are holding out. We say we'll rake it tomorrow, or next weekend...but each of us is ready to slip twenty bucks to the neighbor kid while the other isn't looking.

I'm on break from school for the week. I'm planning to work full time, so it may not be terribly break-y but at least I won't have to do homework. I've been planning a symposium that is now only a few weeks away, so things are coming to a head. I think I'm managing to remain sane while being tugged at from all sides and I hope that I've not become to difficult to deal with. But I'll tell you who is difficult to deal with--Car. She has decided to sit on my hands. So I better go.