It's amazing to me that several of the last few years, on this date, the weather is like this. Exactly (at least here) as it was in 2001. I can feel it all over again. That beautiful, "hooray for fall", crisp sunny day. It makes me want to go out and buy mums, and I usually do. Then I drive home, past my neighbors' house, and there are mums and candles and flag balloons.

I don't know if I mentioned that I'm losing childcare within the month. It was a really, incredibly slow summer, workwise, but those two days have been helpful for just household operations. But financially, not so hot. I was keeping the sitter on because searching for new is such a nightmare. Now, with kindergarten going, it seems silly to have a sitter. Not only do I pay for her to watch just the one kid, the same money, but the days when I'm with the girl, I can get tons of things done. I feel guilty and spendy sending the kids off on these 2 days. So as of October 1, I will be a stay at home mom, who can work as projects come and have family support. It won't be a problem for husband or mimi to watch a kid if I have a meeting, and life might be a little less nutty.