October

It feels a bit like the entire month of October was just lifted out of normal time and space. It started out with General Conference, which always feels like a different sort of weekend. In addition to Conference, Karen was in town, which set those few days apart even more. Then we set off on our week long Mexico trip, which was as dreamy and out of the ordinary as one could hope for. The rest of the month was then spent in a haze of sickness. Mercy was still recovering from the seven day virus when we returned from our vacation, then Matthew caught it, then I came down with it. Just when I thought we were in the clear, Abraham got sick and my eye troubles began. We literally spent three weeks straight with at least one person debilitatingly ill. Despite all that, I still managed to go on two field trips (one with Hyrum and one with Mercy), stop by the school fall carnival, participate in the ward dinner and trunk-or-treat, do Activity Days twice, sew a commissioned rag quilt, create the pattern and sew a Nazgul costume, attend book club, and host a Relief Society activity. Matthew and I helped at a stake youth bonfire activity, the kids participated in the primary program, and Hyrum earned his Webelos and Arrow of Light. Matthew got called to the High Council and went on a deer hunt with Matt and Jeb. We also did all the Halloween stuff. It was a strange month as a whole and I've felt about half a step off kilter the entire time. 

Mission Prep:

I fell off the calorie counting/exercising wagon at the beginning of the month due to the business of getting ready for a house guest and traveling, and then with all the sickness going around, I just never got back on. Amazingly, my weight at the end of the month isn't any different than it was at the beginning, though I can feel my muscle gains have waned and my overall energy levels are way down. Because I spent so much time either being sick, or nursing the sick, I watched a rather ridiculous amount of TV, which always makes me a bit depressed. Our family scripture study lacked a bit while we were on vacation and we haven't done a great job of really picking back up again. My personal study has been a bit lackluster as well, and since the Temple has been closed for cleaning and renovations all month, I haven't attended at all. Generally speaking, it wasn't a great month for personal development. I look forward to November and a fresh start.

Meals:

Beef stew and homemade bread

Pork loin and mashed potatoes

Chicken and pasta

Homemade pizza

French toast and sausage

Squirrel confit sandwiches and halibut potato salad

Halibut and rice

Ceviche and shrimp fajitas (Jeb)

Baliadas

Lots and lots of Mexican quesadillas

Crab

Chicken and asparagus

Beef stir fry

Carrot soup and biscuits

Burger King

Chicken noodle soup (Cassie)

Milanesa and mashed potatoes (Hyrum helped)

Chicken and cheese enchiladas

Beef Stroganoff