K.I.S.S.

I've been aching to get back in to blogging, but every time I sit down to do so (if I even get that far) I either draw a blank or draw a novel that is far too long to be posted. Either way...nothing is happening.

Today I have decided to make out with my computer, or more correctly...K.I.S.S. blogging style.

That would be Keep It Simple Stupid in case you lived under a rock in junior high.

My timer is set for 15 minutes. Whatever I type gets published at the end of it.

Ready??? GO!

Today I cleaned, labeled, and packed away the last batch of canning for the year. 13 more quarts of peaches. So pretty. I canned for years in my mother's kitchen, but I was usually placed in the middle of an estrogen-filled assembly line so I failed to truly learn how to CAN. This year I vowed that I would learn how to can all by myself. How did I let myself take this long to do it?!

It's so doable! It's so rewarding! It's so--dare I say--fun!

This year I canned tomatoes, peaches, and raspberry jam ALL BY MYSELF. (My inner Red Hen is practically bursting at the seams.)  Then my sister and I worked together to make applesauce, but this time I made sure to see how every part of the process was done so that next year I can do it alone.

Next year...Pressure canning. (Eeep.)

Other than canning, I've been busy playing chauffeur and tutor. I have three kids in school this year (wahoo!). Dee is in second grade, Jeigh is in first, and Elle is in preschool. Baby Cee just makes sure to wave and blow kisses anytime anyone is headed out.

Every year I am shocked at the amount of homework assigned to school children. It can be such a struggle to get homework done every night in any kind of a timely manner. And it doubly frustrates me because as soon as homework is done, it's time to make dinner. Then it's time to eat dinner. Then it's time for bed. And our day is totally gone. I can't help mourning the loss of my children a bit. Even if I do enjoy the quiet, clean house for a few hours while they're all gone. Ahh the beautiful conflict.

What else can I say in 6 minutes?

Can you believe it's October?! I'm simultaneously delighted and distraught. (This seems to be a common theme with me.) What a fantastic time of year! The sights, the smells, the sensations. I love it all! But, really, who doesn't?

Well, that's all the randomness I can produce for today. Tomorrow? I'll pucker up again.