Vroom Vroom

Folks, I have a new baby! In a whirlwind of phonecalls and planning, on Monday, mom and dad brought home my NEW CAR! (Ok, it's not technically new, but pretty close-and it's new to me!) Thanks to a VERY GENEROUS and loving Gandfather- I am now the owner of his 2007 Honda Civic LX. It's AWESOME, and fancy, and much like this house, makes the old one PALE in comparison. Let's face it, the neon had more than it's fair share of problems. It was fine for my first car, and I learned a lot about car ownership (and maintenance) but this new one is like my grown-up car. It is the adult version of "Old Blue" (the civic Emily and I both learned to drive in when we turned 16). Basically I'm in love. How could I not be:

I've completed week 2 of my "Couch to 5 K". It's still hard, but my body doesn't totally fight it anymore, and it feels really great to be exercising again(or, to be exercising. period.).
Labor Day weekend, Bethany (and boyfriend Jay) and Liz, Charlie, and baby Belle were in town, so I actually got to socialize a bit. Last night I went out for dinner with friend Paven, who I haven't seen in months, so we had lots to catch up on. Wednesday, I fly to SEATTLE!!! September is shaping up to be pretty fantastic!

Outdoors

Here is the front porch with all my new lovelies:
And here is the patio, complete with furniture, big citronella candle, and plant:

Time

I was blessed this week to have 3 whole nights off! In a row! And while I've really enjoyed (and needed) the time off, it has flown by, and tomorrow I have to go back! So what have I been up to?
Well, I've completed 2 days of the "Couch-to-5K" workout program. It's basically a training program on a podcast (thing you listen to on the Ipod), that consists of intervals of walking and running. It's a nine week program that builds from week one, where you alternate walking for 90 seconds and running for 60 seconds for a total of 30 minutes, to week 9, where you run the whole 30 minutes (approximately 5k). Those of you who know me well know how much I despise exercise, and while I still do, this seems fairly manageable. We'll see if I stick with it. I have seen all different (and interesting) parts of our new neighborhood, and my body feels a little bit stronger already.
I also have been doing a little gardening. I bought some fall pansies and mums, and our front porch is bursting with greenery! (Pictures to come) I did get two bug bites on my foot- one on my big toe that ITCH, but that's ok! Hopefully I can keep all the plants alive until winter!
Last night I did some major quilt work. I still haven't gotten to any actual sewing yet, but we're getting close! I have completed the whole front half (by completed I mean cut out, ironed, and backed the squares), and tonight I'm gonna start on the back half:

Two weeks from today and I'm off to Seattle again! Yay!