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Yeah, I love Spongebob and his non-mute insanity. But that’s not what I’m alluding to when I exclaim any readiness. Well, not usually. What I’m ready for is Fall. September. October. I’m not much a fan of November (it’s never been my favorite month, and I haven’t always had the greatest luck with the people born during it, either. And that’s not an astrological dig.) But fall, in general, means better (cooler!) weather, reminds me of the fun of school shopping, if not the actual fun of school itself (again, school was my own personal torture camp. When is it ok to throw skittles, I ask? Apparently during algebra class.) And best of all, it means the holidays are getting closer

This year, I have decided to up my own personal ante on the homemade gifts. I’ve tried in the last couple of years to make the majority of our gifts be non-store items, but I wind up distracted, and some people, you just can’t create for (ex s-i-l comes to mind.) The biggest inspiration for this- other than maybe saving a few dollars- is that my sister is finally out on her own, and her place looks wrecked. Not just because she never cleans (well…partly) but because she’s too busy/broke to decorate. So, on the giftlist for KaeMae- embroidered stuff for her kitchen. She’s gone with a chili pepper theme, which is pretty simple. So curtains, dish towels (always useful!!! if you know anyone who has just moved out, please get them dishtowels. You can never have too many) place mats, maybe a table runner, pot holders, and I found recently a pattern for a braided rug- that should be fun to make in Fiesta ware shades For her living room- also southwstern-y, more curtains (add those to the list after dish towels. Curtains are vital and often too pricey for the newly freed.) A few throw pillows, perhaps and afghan or quilt, and the project I’m most looking forward to, and embroidered on canvas “painting” of Flamenco dancers, courtesy of one of the Jenny Hart books. I’ll also be hitting up local thrift stores to see what kind of frames I can buy. And lamps. Katie is odd in that she’d rather have her house pitch-black than even have one lamp, but darn it, I’m not standing for that. Plus, I can paint a cute shade so she’ll have to use it. So KaeMae’s gifts, done.

For the others, well, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. My brother is easy to shop for- any crazy movie on dvd and he’s good. My parents…my mom would usually wish for a clean house. My dad, perhaps a box of Morrison’s Meat Pies (I promised him a box several times now…maybe this is his year!) All the cats should be easy- catnip mice (all the better if we actually ever grow the catnip.) And Brian…well, he’s asked for shirts since I’ve known him. So maybe that’s what he’ll get. But I’m not promising that.  And for myself- because what fun is giving if you don’t give yourself a little something- I’m not too sure. I’d like to move into an apartment closer to town (or a house, I’m not that particular.) I’d like for my car to be fixed. Maybe most of all, I’d like to actually complete everything I say I’m going to. And take plenty of pictures and notes. And then put it all here So I should get to work on that.