Today’s Catybug’s first day of 4th grade.

Finally.

Oh it’s not that I don’t love the little bug, but boy she was ready to go back! She was bored. Oh, so very bored with everything. I don’t think magic tricks would have entertained her that last week of summer vacation!

One down, one to go. Tomorrow I’ll register Chickeymonkey, and she’ll be starting preschool in a couple of weeks. Phew. They grow so fast, don’t they?

Me, I’m ready for it. I’ll be starting therapy after the Chick heads off to school and hopefully in about 5-6 weeks I won’t be writhing in pain most of the day. I had an appointment yesterday at Neck To Back, and they have this neat stretchy machine that will give my 2 bulging discs space to de-bulge. I’m also going to begin swimming (prior to therapy sessions) for 30 minutes a day, because it’s about the only thing left that I can do until I’m healed.

For now, I’m over here scurring about like the madwoman I usually am! I’ve been getting kids ready for school, finishing one custom graphic illustration and starting another, updating pages in my gallery, maintaining a constant (and long) to-do list, and planning out a last-minute garage sale I’m going to have this weekend.

Those of you who experience Fall, the trees are changing color. Have you noticed? This, I believe, is what has me in a tizzy over here. Once the chill hits the air, I hate being outside. Runny noses, goosebumps (aka “growing”!), layers upon layers of clothes. Blechy. Now I’m going to cram all of those things I’ve been wanting and needing to get done into the next week or three!

For your eye candy today, I took this photograph in downtown Rock Island this past weekend. I thought the composition was striking and interesting, and of course the bonus is that it’s art! It’s just not my art, but hey! It’s still purdyful!