ammogirl

I drove to the Frankfurt Airport to pick up John yesterday and you know, only on the Autobahn can you be driving 80mph going up a hill in the rain and be passed as if you were standing still…by a Ford Fiesta.

Of course, what comes around goes around, and not 10 minutes after I was passed (by several cars, I mean, 80 in the rain? I’m careful!) all of us came to a grinding halt for a traffic jam. It took me two hours to make it three miles. Holy crap, I was so out of my mind. I spent the time alternately reading a book, signing at the top of my lungs to the immense delight of the people around me and yes, I knew they could see me but I didn’t care, and fuming because what the fuck?!? I hate being stuck in one spot, HATE HATE HATE. Why is there traffic? It makes me upset. Not road-ragey or anything, just frustrated. The ADHD in me cannot STAND being forced to be still. Also, I was nearly two hours late picking John up, and hi, that’s bad wifery right there.

Anyway, it all turned out well in the end, and John brought me (okay, the girls) (but really, me) home a Wii, which is the most fun ever. I fall into the generation of people who did not grow up playing video games, and henceforth, did not ever acquire the skill needed to work the controllers. Also, the patience. The Wii is perfect for people like me, because you are supposed to wave your arms around and utilize your entire body. I have only played Wii Sports, which comes with it, but I kicked ass on Tennis, got my ass kicked on Baseball, and wound up being the Boxing supreme fabulous Queen of Everything. You guys, boxing was freaking intense! I played three games, maybe ten minutes, and afterwards my heart was beating like I just got done with a race, and I was drenched in sweat. Good times, that.

Speaking of races, today was the first Cross-Country race of the season. I did super good, and I was totally stoked…I spent the entire day whining about the race, and praying it would rain, and then once we started, I felt fast and strong and so not tired. I know, I’m crazy for saying this, but I really love running. In fact, I just signed up with a running club, and I think…think…I’m going to shoot for a half-marathon in the spring. We’ll see.

Lindsey got contacts today. It made me cry. And then I wanted to strangle her because she was all “…colored contacts!” and I said “…uh, no.” and she said, “…ohmyGOD! so unFAIR!” Eh. Teenagers. Gotta love them.

Alright. Bye.

Tschuss!!

As much as I love the sun and the heat and the freedom from layers and layers of clothes and any shoes that are not flips, as much as I love Spring and the newness and energy and pure giddiness it brings to me, I think I might like Autumn more than just a little bit too.

I don’t know why, either. I mean, everything is dying. When I look around, all I see is various shades of brown, and that deep yellowy-green grass turns when it is getting not enough sun (or maybe that’s because John’s been gone for nearly four weeks and…I suck at lawn care). And of course, the mornings are colder and the nights get darker earlier, but still. I get this feeling of something about to happen, an anticipation that I really can’t quite grab a hold of. It’s right at the corner of my eye, and when I turn to look at it, it’s gone.

It’s the feeling of a new school year about to start, the anxiety and excitement and unknown that brings. A closet full of brand-new clothes, ready to put into an outfit. Shoes that have never touched anything but carpet. New pencils and pens. I’ve never grown out of any of that, I don’t think. I am edgy to shop, and over the past week have spent nearly $250 buying school supplies for the girls, because I want everything I see in those back-to-school displays. Rulers they will never use because we already have three or four laying around. Notebooks full of clean, crisp college-lined paper.

The air smells different, too. It smells crisp, and cold, and earthy, and dusty, like the old leaves on the ground. Seeing mounds of crispy leaves on the ground makes me turn into a three-year-old, and I cannot resist stepping on them, every single one, just to hear the crunch. The sky looks different, and the air is just brisk enough to need a sweatshirt. Hot chocolate starts sounding good, and I crave spiced chai instead of regular green tea in the morning. I want to start a fire in the woodstove, and make stew (but not really, because stew is pretty gross to me).

I know many, or probably most of you are still in your summer, but here in Germany I think September is it. I got showered with dead leaves today on my walk, which I was lucky to sneak in before the rain clouds that were rolling in drenched me.

I wish Autumn was it. I don’t like for it to end, because when it does Winter is here and there is nothing about Winter that is redeeming. I don’t like being cold, therefore, outdoor activities are not fun to me. I don’t like being constricted by layers and layers, so I am cranky when I have to go out. Snow is only pretty for the two minutes after it’s fallen, before it gets packed down and dirty. And above all, I hate never seeing the sun, so, I might or might not get a bit bitchy–maybe.

Anyway, enough of that. My parents sold the candy store, and while it didn’t go far–my brother owns it now, so technically it’s still in the family–it’s still the end of an era for me. I grew up there, and most of my childhood memories revolve around it. I’m happy for my parents, because the day after Labor Day, they will finally be retired instead of “retired”, but I have to admit I’m a little sad.

*sniff*

But…the fudge and caramels will still taste just as good. And now they make peppermint patties. Umm…I really hope my brother knows my address.

Tschuss!!