Is it October already?

Yes indeed, September was a full month. We started of with a bang - September 4th was a wonderful day - Labor Day AND Ryan's birthday.

We celebrated with new gifts:
like a Mizzou brand for those especially interested in sizzling their team spirit onto a hunk of meat.
Yes - a red hot Mizzou branding iron is the perfect gift for all.
Even vegetarians! You can brand buns, portabello mushrooms, tofu too!
Yes, this is kind of gross. I totally agree, but I knew Ryan would really get a kick out of it.
The finished product!
(well not a cooked product, but the branding was finished)

And then it was time for cupcakes!


We also had to party with friends...sure, twist his arm!
Can you see how the flames sucked toward him as he drew in a deep breath to extinguish them?
Mary Frances and Starr were crowd control....everybody was trying to get at that snickers bar birthday cake. Thank goodness for Southern Charm and Northeastern Assertiveness. A great combination when you're trying to beat back the hungry masses.

Then it was time for Apple Picking around Lincoln, MA. Yes, Lincoln is a town in Massachusetts. One of our favorite towns.


Oddly enough, I picked the first apple and suggested Ryan try it. Sound like any other couple you've heard about? Sigh. Some things never change. Fortunately there were no snakes involved and I am wearing an outfit more "appropriate" than Eve's. Fig leaves as a "style" has "wardrobe malfunction" written all over it if you ask me.

Just a small sample that didn't make it into the bag. Just one.

Nearby in Harvard, MA we found another apple picking place.
The cider truly was delicious.
Truly free, but also truly small.

And lest you think that September was only about cupcakes and apples. There was also the Tri-state Century. The wha???

100 miles
3 states
1 man
Eating breakfast at 5:30 AM

Loading the car at 5:45 AM

Running back to the house for socks at 6:02 AM
Repairing a flat tire at 7:42AM


Checking out the competition at 8:06AM
Yes, their jerseys say "organ donor"

Riding to the starting point through sand and grass at 8:13 AM

Ready to race, despite the clouds and mist at 8:16 AM


Without the necessary rain gear, but still on his way at 8:20 AM

Soggy riders at the 40+ mile checkpoint at 10:47 AM


Soaked and packin' it up at 10: 57 AM

Cursing the weather channel and inept meteorologists at 12:38 PM


Tri-State Century Rain - a truly unique souvenir.

There was also the preparation for and taking of the GRE, the finishing of a quilt, the start of classes, and a lot of planning for our Jamaica trip. At this rate, we won't really rest until 2007, but if the months continue to fly by like this last one, I doubt we'll have a moment to notice.