When I think of the colors of Thanksgiving, I think of reds and oranges and yellows, but the fact is, I look outside and everything is very brown. Thanksgiving day is after all the vibrantly colored leaves have been sucked dry by death and the pumpkins and apples have been harvested, leaving the vines and excess to rot. We're ready for the weight of winter now. I guess the reds, oranges, and yellows have simply moved inside. Their warmth makes home cozy and evokes a greater sense of Thanksgiving as I dwell in the richness and overwhelming sense of thankfulness at the bounty God has brought in my life. I love the colors of a Thanksgiving feast and all its delightful aromas, but I also enjoy the sense of warmth that comes from celebrating this day with the people I love in such a rich context. It's something I may not always have, but I hope I'll be able to enjoy the reds, oranges, and yellows.

Ummm...yeahh. So it's now September. Summer has flown! What can I say? I started a new project today. Finally decided to reupholster that old chair I've had sitting in my room for too long. It had a part-time job collecting things instead of actually being used for its intended purpose. My fingertips hurt from the sanding already, but hopefully it will be well worth the effort. I really don't know much (or anything) about this sort of thing, but half the fun is trying my hand at it. If it turns out something hideous, I can through it in the trash just like where it was headed before I claimed it as my own. I'm glad God doesn't do that to me. :)

Fall is upon us. I've woken up these last few nights needing to close my window because I was cold. The crispness in the air makes me crave sipping hot tea and wanting to curl up under blankets with a good movie or book. Thankfully the days still warm up. We had a great weather over the weekend, albeit a tad chilly, which was an answer to prayer. I had fun going to my first Steelers game Saturday where they blew the Buffalo Bills out of the water. Sunday I had a picnic for my Sunday School class that included both the kids leaving and coming. We had a fun time. This year I'll be teaching 5-8th graders and so I'll be getting a few more than I'm use to. I am also thankful that I'll have someone else to help teach the class so I get a break once in a while. It'll be a good year. :)

I finished my marathon of monthly travels in July when I went to New Hampshire and Massachusetts for the weekend. We left Friday night and drove up there so after twelve hours or so of driving, we didn't get in until Saturday morning. Then I turned around and flew home on Sunday afternoon. It was tiring but well worth the trip since I was able to see a lot of family and old friends. I'd like to take another trip before the year is up, but we'll see what happens. Things at work will be a bit rocky while we transition to electronic medical records so I'm not sure I'll be able to get away for more than a weekend. Good thing is that I discovered a new little coffee shop around the corner from work and it's very artsy. :)

This summer has been filled with good memories and I'll commemorate some of them with photos as I did before.

Kennywood with the youth group June 20


Took a trip to Georgia see Odessa and got together with a bunch of other college friends. Great trip! June 30


Regatta at Point Park. We played frisbee, watched the boat races, and enjoyed the fireworks. July 4


Thirtieth Birthday at my store. 7-11


My wonderful parents. I wouldn't be here without them...literally.


Kayaking with the gals from my small group. I need to do this more! July 12


Les Miserables-what an amazing show! July 18


Oasis (youth group) retreat. I showed up for a day for the fun of it. August 15


Live Jazz concert at Hartwood Acres. This is for you, Birk, because I know you read this haha! August 16


WallE at Schenley Park and the CUTEST nephew in the world! August 26


Here We Go, Steelers! Here We GO! My first football game. August 29


Sunday School picnic with the old, present, and new kids. August 30

I don't suppose anyone will notice that I messed up the look of this page. Most people who bother reading this "subscribe" and don't see it anyways. It wasn't my original design to start with, which is rather a shame. I'm sure I could make something more interesting out of it than this very plain layout. You might expect more out of an "artist, but this is where art and I are now. We're sitting together on a plain sheet of paper, not really saying much to each other. I guess that's how it gets when you don't interact much. I've neglected drawing long enough that I don't see things on paper anymore and it takes much more effort than it use to. So for now, plain it is.

To contrast the dullness of some aspects of life, I've been making a conscious effort on staying busy. There hasn't been a weekend recently that I've had nothing to do. Up to this point, I really haven't been the type of person that typically enjoys going out and socializing much. I would rather sit at home and relax, but lately it has become rather unsatisfying and almost agitating, especially when I go to bed and know I haven't accomplished anything. Life has dealt a few holes, if you will, this month that I've been trying to ignore by doing something new. As it seems typical, I dislike change more and more as I grow older, but I realize that if I stay close to my Lord, I can still be moldable and embrace the new direction.

And on the not so serious side of life, some pictures. :)

Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright with Yohko and Lori-anne


Isaac's 10th birthday


Friends coming and going, but I love the bunch I have!


Alan and Ginny's wedding-some of us old youth group people.


Ksenija, Antonia, and I at the Le Mont for Yohko's celebration dinner.


Medical school graduation.


Getting ready for Yohko's wedding.


Bridesmaids with the bride (Liz,Yohko, Becky, Lori-anne)


I caught the bouquet ;) Yetunde and I


Friends of the past and present meeting in Houston.


Kayaking on Pittsburgh's rivers with Kathryn.


Saturday dinner at Rose Tea.


Daniel's 16th birthday.


Christy's 25th birthday.


The most adorable nephew in the world eating my ice cream cone after saying "peas". :)