It’s a drizzly wet rainy day here in the valley. I’m sitting on the couch, crocheting a new poncho for my littlest child. My outfit of choice is sweat pants, a tshirt, and a nice black shawl. All cozy and comfortable. Peaceful really.

And then my husband walks in. He takes one look at me and starts to laugh. Holding his pretend cane out in front, he stoops over and says in an oh so shaky voice “Would you care for some tea my dear?”

I was horrified. Suddenly, my mind was focusing on the fact that I am acting old!

I’ve always believed age to be a relative term. You have a chronological age, and a psychological age. In other words, you are as old as you think you are. I’ve always believed myself to be young in nature. So when did I turn so old?

Maybe it was this last July. My husband and I did just turn 30. Perhaps reaching that milestone was like flipping a switch in my brain. I am no longer allowed to do cartwheels with Abigail, or try to ride a skateboard. (One of my New Year resolutions.) Instead I have to drink tea, and wear shawls, and complain about the cold seeping into my bones.

And do you know what scares me the most? I don’t mind doing those things! I like curling up on the couch with my shawl. I like being inside the house in front of a roaring fire when it’s cold and drizzly outside. And I like tea! Actually, my new favorite drink is cappucino. French Vanilla if you have it!

So the question is, do I allow this change without a fight, or do I deny my urge to curl up in my “old woman” trappings? I then remember the adage “Growing old gracefully.” Yes, that sounds like my path. My husband can keep his comments and smug smiles to himself. I am going to continue to move in this direction. And I’m going to keep my shawl while I do it! I’m going to grow old gracefully.

But I think I’ll keep the skateboard lessons too.

The leaves are falling! I kid you not, I have little yellow leaves on the ground. I’ve looked and looked, but I cannot see any sign of changing colors in my yard. And yet there they are. Perhaps they have blown over from a neighbor’s yard? No, I don’t think so. The winds have not been blowing and my fence is 6ft high. So although it’s possible that these little yellow intruders are drifters from another’s tree, I’m still betting they fell from one of my 9 leaf throwers. So I lay on the ground and stare up into my apple tree. This tree being the largest and most in violation of trashing my lawn with it’s leaves in the past. I still cannot see a hint of yellow. Oh wait! Maybe… If I stare really hard and kind of squint with my head angled 10 degrees to the left and with my right ear’s tip touching the ground… Yep. It’s there. My apple tree has tinges of yellow gold near the very top. And it’s not even September!

All at once I’m excited and energized, thinking of all of the fun fall activities I can partake in. And of course I’m going to need a few new items for my wardrobe. Let’s see, what’s in style this year.

Ugg Boots. Ugh. Aptly named apparel. I hear they are as soft as walking on baby chicks. Ew gross! Who the hell would know what that feels like! And come on. Tan, baby blue, and pink. I am so not a pastel girl. What is this, fall or spring?

Corduroy. Ok, this totally takes me back to when I was a small child and I had the ugliest brown corduroy pants that I was constantly photographed in. I don’t know if they were my favorite pants, but as I was very small, I’m betting my mommy had something to do with this choice. At one point, the knees were even replaced with bright pink heart patches! On brown corduroy. Need I say more?

Pink, Black, & Tan. Speaking of pink… These seem to be the colors of the season. Black I can do. Tan is a stretch. Pink, did I mention I am so not a pastel girl?

Ponchos. Ok, this one makes me laugh. A few years back, I learned to crochet. I can make a few things. One of the items I perfected was a child size poncho. I made some for my daughters. Alexia is to young to really notice what she’s wearing. Abby on the other hand was five/six when I made them. She voiced her concerns in a very delicate way. “Mom! I will look like a dweeb!” So, into the back of the closet they went. Well guess what was dusted off and modeled this past week? “Mom, these are so cool. Can you make me more?” Hmm… Should I play the good mommy and make her more, or play the bad mommy and remind her of her ungrateful attitude in the past?… I’m gonna have to think about that one.

After lying under that tree and thinking about the new fall fashions, I came to a decision on what to buy. I of course took into consideration my age, size, & coloring, mentally envisioned myself in each of the above mentioned “must haves”. I therefore got up, dusted myself off, searched for my hubby, and made my proposal.

“The leaves are turning.”
“They are not.”
“They are. And as such, I need to go shopping.”
“Oh no, is it time for…”
“Yep. And this year I’m not going to be the only woman in this town without a leafblower!”