The Calm

Fall has finally found Florida. I don’t know what it is, but as I walk through my home picking up random clutter and squinting at the sunlight pouring through the window, it feels like winter. At first I thought this was just a fluke; a byproduct of the head cold currently messing with my sense of balance, health, and (apparently) seasons. But even now, snuggled in bed with my essential oil diffuser blowing a number of hippie oils my direction, I feel winter. The sunlight specifically is throwing me off. In Michigan (and other snow infested places, I would imagine) there is this certain glint that sunlight gets when it’s reflected off of fresh snow. An extra layer of brightness if you will. That’s what I’m seeing. Crazy, right? It’s 80 degrees outside but I feel the early days of December. Maybe it’s just the drop in humidity, but I could seriously bust out an ugly Christmas sweater. Awesome sauce.

Daniela had picture day today :) 5th grade. Unreal. Thinking back, I felt so much older in 5th grade than how I now perceive her. Last night I just watched her. She reached for her white eyelet lace dress and her little eyebrows scrunched as she studied which sweater would match best. She made her decision and with a hopeful gleam in her eye, held the ensemble up for my assessment. Of course I love it. We have one style, that girl and me.

I love these slower days. The after school hours without commitments, the extra minutes over dinner just enjoying our own little company. Everything slows down in our family as we approach October. It’s an energy current that flows throughout our home. Even our music choice is changing. Daniela normally turns on Katy Perry when she gets home from school but yesterday she picked Adele. She feels it. The calm before the holiday months. I’m savoring it.

Practicing her smiles?

**I know the picture quality is crappy. I hate it too. Way too much morning to hunt for my real camera.