Chocolate Stitches

As if I had nothing better to do, ya know like write an exit paper so I can graduate.



I found Polyvore via Posie Gets Cozy as I was again, avoiding the paper. It's a site where you can create a variety a looks by choosing from a gallery of fashion. You just drag and drop to create a set and voila! instant retail therapy...sorta. Retail therapy minus the purchase. But if you do feel so inclined to purchase what you've created, then Polyvore will send you to the site where you can buy those cute peep toe shoes or awesome cloche you just have to have.

So if you've got a few minutes or hours to kill, or just want to avoid something/anything then hop on over to Polyvore. It's like playing dress up!

Just this past week a new coffee shop opened up in our neighborhood. It's called Local Coffee and it's pretty cool. It's got a simple interior with exposed ceilings and concrete floors. The decor is minimal and the tables and chairs have clean lines. The staff friendly and the hot chocolate yummy :-) I'll try the coffee next time I'm there.


The place is literally 2 blocks away, but I had N drop me off on his way to his cyclocross race. I wanted to spend that time with him....a whole 3 minute car ride! I walked back don't worry. I can be lazy, but even I know where to draw the line.

Anyhow, I went there because I needed to spend some time working on my exit paper. This is my last semester of graduate school. This is my last semester of graduate school. This is my last semester of graduate school.

Sorry. I need to repeat that and make it my mantra.

There are moments when I begin to stress out. Our weekly class has become more of a therapy session than class.

I have to graduate. I will graduate.

I managed to get some work done even though the day was absolutely freakin' gorgeous! I even sat outside 'cause I could. Just me, my purple highlighter, blue gel pen, mounds of paper, and yummy hot chocolate.

It was a good morning.

A couple of weeks ago, N and I headed out to to watch a preview of the documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea, a film by Ken Burns. It was being shown outdoors at the San Antonio Missions, which is a national historical park in town.



It was a beautiful evening that wasn't too hot or too cool. A nice preview of what will eventually turn into Fall around these parts.


They had some matachines, traditional religious dancers, before the preview. I hadn't seen matachines in some time. They wear brightly colored costumes and typically dance to the beat of a drummer.





After the dance, there was some downtime between the showing so I wandered around the mission a bit. It was nice to walk around the old church and the surrounding courtyard. The only other time I've been to the missions is when I went on a group cycling ride.


I love the architecture of the church and surrounding buildings. These walls must have seen a lot and I'm sure if they could talk, would have amazing stories.







The screening itself had a few technical hiccups and we left before it was all over. It was worth the trip though. It was a beautiful evening in a beautiful setting. Plus, I got to kinnear the mission's priest :-)

Being sick stinks. Period.

I don't remember feeling as crummy as I had all this week. It knocked me off my socks and kept me there for a few days. No bueno.

I finally started to feel a bit more myself this weekend. I tried to keep activity to a minimum in order to let my body rest. I think my body is grateful.

Truth be told I think I've been going a bit too hard recently. My body needed a rest and it just took it without asking me. I don't blame it.

I'm sorry body.

The wonderful nurses I've had all week have also helped get me back to normal. N has been amazing and patient with my less than attractive, snotty-nosed, lung-hacking self. He kind of rocks.

Asia and Capone have also done there part. Not as good as N, but there part nonetheless.

In fact, Capone tried "laughter is the best medicine" earlier in the week when he proceeded to gut his duck just a bit more.

Sorry for the crummy phone pic, but please notice the tuft of stuffing hanging precariously from his mouth.

Is that a guilty look or what?

I know I owe you a picture of my finished sweater (sans buttons). I tried today, but it didn't work out. Hopefully next post.

Hope all is well whereever you may be and I hope you're staying healthy!

1. Go on antibiotics for sinus infection

2. Get loads of rain after a horribly hot and dry summer.

3. Rain causes ceiling in apartment bathroom to crack.

4. Rain leaks into bathroom and mold proceeds to grow.

5. Deal with apartment management. Semi-helpful.

6. Apartment management agrees to move us to new unit. (bigger too! Ok a good thing).

7. Move all our junk in one day.

8. Solidfy fact that I am a packrat.

9. Proceed to feel like crud today.

10. Find out that I am running a fever of 102.6

11. Don't have flu. Another good thing.

12. Back on antibiotics with steriods as a chaser.

13. Find out that even athletes get sick. Sean Elliot is in line at CVS. Wonder what's wrong with him?

At least I can rest to tomorrow. N has been amazing.

I finished my Garter Yoke Cardigan. Well, it's 99.9% finished. It just needs some buttons. Anybody know where I can get some nice buttons to go with a plum colored tweedy cardigan?

In the meantime, here's a picture of my basil plant. Exciting no?