it's beginning to look a lot like fall everywhere you go

The rain is back. The leaves are starting to turn. I wore a sweater and a long sleeved shirt. All. Day. Long. My car windows have been covered with dew in the morning. We've been closing the windows at night. The rain is back. The sandals have been put away. I've made my first pumpkin recipe. Tasted good, but didn't set up right. It snowed all day up on Mount Hood. We watched TV last night covered up in a blanket. Recess was inside both times today. The rain is back. I want to stop at Starbucks every single morning for a piping hot mocha, but I don't, I opt for tea instead. I usually stop on Fridays - if the lines aren't too long - as a pat on the back for making it through another week in first grade. Phil has requested his days for time off during the holidays. (Dad, he's got five days at Christmas. Hint. Hint.) He's also making roasted red potatoes to go with the turkey breast I've got in the crockpot. Lately Sunday afternoons are all about football and naps. I'm currently counting three spiders on the ceiling. And did I mention that the rain is back?

In other news, I got my hair cut on Friday. It's growing on me. Literally and figuratively. My hair really does grow fast. And it's a good thing because it certainly did not look that short in the picture. It was one of those moments that you get turned around in the chair to look in the mirror and you are immediately holding in a gasp as you attempt a fake smile. While I love the color, I'm not used enough to the shortness to post a picture. Sorry.

You might've also heard about the tsunami today in the Samoan Islands. The coasts of California and Oregon are currently under a tsunami advisory. They don't expect much, just a 10 inch rise in the tides or something like that. You all know my paranoia of natural disasters, and I immediately thought about that when I saw the article on msnbc today. About how glad I wasn't on the coast having to evacuate on the tsunami evacuation route. However, I have since found out that the grandmother and aunt and uncles of a student I had last year have beach front property on one of the islands and their family members have not been able to reach them. Sorta puts things in perspective. Please pray for my friend Mila Polevia and his family. Here are his facebook updates:

please pray for my mother brothers, sisters and the rest of the family in Samoa. Haven't been able to contact them yet. please pray. they are about 5 miles from the capital and our land is on the beach. please pray.

thanks friends. my village is Puapua in the Village of Leone. The reports say water has gone a mile inland and I can see the beach from our house there. I am writing these things because I don't know what else to do. KATU called and want to do an interview, but I don't know anything. Maybe it will help other Samoans who don't know anything either and help the news find out more.Love you guys. please continue praying.