September is for--nesting.

Yes, I'm still alive. I apologize for neglecting the blog, but I've not really put hands to fiber in a while, and I've been focusing on other things lately. I will do better, but it will probably be a few weeks before I can begin blogging again on a regular basis.

For some reason, September has become the month to "nest"--or actually, to CLEAN. I guess it was the cooler temps that kicked in my nesting gene, because I've been jonesing for a cleaner, neater lifestyle for weeks. I took the first week of the month off and spent it working in the apartment. I'm proud of the progress I made, but sadly, I didn't get as far as I wanted--I just don't have that kind of stamina any more. The big accomplishment was cleaning the fridge (don't ask, we'll just leave it at that). I'm now enjoying a clean and relative empty refrigerator, and I'm hoping it will stay that way for quite a while.

My mother used to tell me that I took after my Aunt Wanda, my dad's sister. I always wanted to take that as a compliment--Wanda was very creative and was always making something. I loved to go to her house to see what she was making next. However, the down side to my sweet auntie was that she was the world's worst packrat. There was not a free spot in her entire house. You even had to clear a path to get to the bathroom. It is only now in my older years that I see that I could be headed in the same direction.

So, I have spent quite a big of time throwing stuff out. In the week I was off, I filled up half a trash dumpster full of stuff from the living and dining rooms--mostly magazines and junk mail. While I have a ways to go, it feels so much better now, I can't tell you.

The problem now is that I need storage. I'm off to Target tomorrow to buy a cabinet to use as a pantry--I don't have much storage space in my tiny little kitchen, so I've been using the linen closet as a pantry, but I'm tired of that arrangement.

The bedroom is a total disaster--not a lot of junk, but again, I need some storage and organization. I did go to Garden Ridge this weekend (and remind me next time to take a chaperone with me-I spent way too much money there) and found a new quilt for the bed and some things for the bathrooms and kitchen. Things are definitely looking up!

As for the garden, I'm still watering, but it's on its own for now--I don't have the time or the desire to do a lot. I have a second growth spurt of tomato plants, so I may have some fall tomatoes after all. At some point, probably after October 1, I'll get out there and start tearing stuff down for the winter, but right now I have other priorities.

Life here at the apartment hacienda has been worrisome, to say the least--lots of new neighbors and lots of new problems, some of which have included both the fire and police departments. While things seem to have calmed down some, I not sure how much things will improve. It definitely has me thinking about other options.

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall weather, even though it's not really Fall yet!