It is shocking how much we rely on clean water flowing from our faucets.  I had guessed it was from the heavy rains, but it turns out it was simply a failure in filtration at one of the water pumping stations.  Either way I'm living with a boil water advisory.  So I can't use the ice from the ice maker or use the tap water for consumption without boiling it.  I'm lucky I had a couple of gallons of water downstairs for drinking purposes.

The bigger issue is cleaning bottles. So for tonight I just boiled a pot and sterilized the bottles that way.  I also boiled two other pots full to have water for the dogs tomorrow.  But this leaves open questions.  They say not to even use the water to brush your teeth... so can I shower?  I mean, I am still feeding kiddo and the water would be on me.  I guess I need to return to having an obscene stockpile of bottled water in the basement to avoid some of these issues.

The biggest surprise was I found out via text and email from the water company.  It's nice to know they don't assume everyone is glued to the nightly local news on a daily basis.  Hopefully they'll text when the issue is resolved as well, but in the mean time I'll be peeking at their website throughout the day.

The pounding rain didn't stop us this morning... and I'm glad it didn't as it stopped shortly after we left on our way to Jingletown. Of course, it had already done it's job derailing a car ahead of us on 70, so we were stuck in traffic for over an hour while we waited for the accident to be cleared.  This meant we got there way later than expected, but we still had quite a few people able to join us for a bite at El Jalisco, for which I am so grateful.  I can officially say Avery has been to Jtown and got to meet the Laws, the Rohannas, Jon and Heather, and Beff today.  More importantly we got to do some catching up.

The drive home was very uneventful.  I didn't do much but I'm bushed today.  Probably because my eyes were open at 5am, so not only did I not take advantage of the extra hour of sleep but I even got up an hour even earlier.  *sigh*  When The Walking Dead is over I'm showering and wiping out.

Today Davey T, Becky, and Mr Miles came to visit with us!

The only other not completely mundane thing to mention is that I've been dealing with a sore throat for a few days.  I really believe it to just be my sinuses acting up, just sinuses draining - especially since I had a bit of nose bleeding too.  But I was worried on Saturday morning when it became more of a stabby feeling than the typical sore throat.  I mean the last thing I need with a little one around is a cold.  The sore throat has now passed, but I'm coughing a little in an attempt to get some of the crap out of my throat that keeps slamming my windpipe shut.  Come on, it isn't even November yet.  The heat hasn't been running constantly and it shouldn't be that dry in here already.  How long until spring?

I had a lot of boring nights at home by myself in Johnstown too, don't get me wrong... but I'm feeling extra home bound here lately.  Yeah, I can go out by myself but to where... shopping?  To get starbucks?  Those trips out are limited in time too - or I'm stuck in a parking lot half naked for 25 minutes to stretch my time out.  Going out to eat?  I miss some of the places I frequented back in Jtown.  What I wouldn't give for good sushi, mexican, or chinese.  But it's hard to actually eat a hot meal at any point, so those things would be a waste to be near anyhow.

So far this week we left the house to go to church, to a chiropractor appointment, and - in an effort to get past budding grumpiness - two walks to take in the fresh air and nice weather.

I think I'd be better about it all if I were more rested and less stressed.  I know this will all pass - and too fast when I look back in hindsight - but it would sure be nice to have caught a nap earlier, or to know that I can sleep in tomorrow morning.  Heck, just not needing to get up in the middle of the night only to try futilely to get back to sleep would be great.

Saturday 80s, wee hours between Monday and Tuesday - low 30s.  I got the email early yesterday that there was a frost warning for last night.  It's the second half of October, so I shouldn't be surprised, but I feel like it is only July.

I had the space heater in the room overnight as to keep kiddo comfortable, but we still bundled her up.  The rest of the house dropped to 65 (from 70), so I switched on the furnace this morning.  Yay for that first run of the season, burning dust smell.

There is definitely frost out there, it is very apparent on the brand new mulch that just went down yesterday!  I trust my landscaper (since it is my Favorite Egg's father), but I do worry about those poor plants that just went in.  Due to a mix up on the order there are still a few more plants to come and they may not be here until December.  He dug the holes now, since heaven knows the ground may be too frozen to do so by then (heck my dirt is horrible to dig in now without it being frozen).  Hopefully Saffy doesn't decide to expand them or add a few more in the mean time.

I'm officially back to work - 50% vaca time 50% work for now.  Boo.  Starting back on a Friday.... the 13th none the less?  Winning.

Follow up to my previous post about rain (since we got more of it overnight and throughout today):  I have to state how happy I am to have a usable garage.  No lugging in groceries and whatnot in the rain.  I had this epiphany in a different variety the other day when I headed out and didn't realize how chilly it was until I got where I was going and climbed out of the car.

Rain.  It has been a while.  We need it, that's for sure.  The leaves have been trying to change for a few weeks.  Fortunately, we're still getting some decent temperatures.  Regardless, it's October.  The halloween leggings are out - and I even have the kiddo in her halloween outfit today.  Nothing exciting to post about today, but I wanted to take a minute to celebrate autumn's approach.

My time at home is coming to a close very soon.  I almost feel like I need to get out during the day simply because I still can - not that there is anything I need to go do.  We're finding our groove in many ways, but of course challenges remain.  Regardless, I have to say - I get why people would rather stay home.  Sure it's emotionally fulfilling to hold her and see her smile, but more than that.  I don't want to see the role of Mother is easier, but it is in many ways and the stress is different.  I feel like I have more freedom of my time than I do with a full work day.  I can't imagine how consumed my life will feel when I return back to work.

For now I am focusing on achieving a few tasks each day - the ones I'd typically do if I were working (laundry, dishes, vacuuming, that type of stuff) but I'm also indulging when she relaxes.  Sorry, but if I have to sit still with a pump I am definitely turning on Netflix.  Girl gave me lots of peace on Monday, and I was able to cook up all of the squash that I had waiting to be consumed from the farm.  Needless to say I am a little backed up on fresh food.  This always happens with the farm basket as I can only eat so much, but I'm trying to keep up.

My new mattress is doing well for us.  But frankly, I think I'd sleep like a champ regardless.  Yes, I'm sleeping, but I'm still also getting up once or twice in the middle of the night for 30-60 minutes.

Well, the projector went back.  It was not worth the $ - crappy tripod, not a lot of video on there, and it was not going to set up well on the windows I wanted to use it on - nevermind my dislike of using double-sided tape on my windows.  The whirly ghosts are pretty awesome though - they're sticking around.  I had also bought some foam tombstones from party city.  Two of the 'nicer' ones didn't come with stakes and the others seem likely to get blown over, but they're up - we'll see how long they last.

The next thing I need to figure out is a legit full-sized Christmas tree (which I have to have now for what I think are obvious reasons) and stockings.  I either need another stocking like the ones I have or to find something new for all of us (dogs included) that 'match'.

Today, before my sister leaves us behind, we made the trek to Altoona to introduce Avery to all of her great Aunts and a couple of great Uncles.  I will still need to make a trip to Jingletown to introduce her to all of my friends.  But I feel better about it now that we got such a long trip under our belts with such success.

I caved and bought an FX projector for halloween (and Christmas).  I also picked up one of those whirly things that displays ghosts that I'll be trying to set up on the garage door.  I got rid of a lot of my junk halloween decorations before I moved, so there is room in the orange bin to put things away after the season.  I'll try to remember to report back on how it all looks.

Right now I can say that the screen for the projector is kind of crap - it isn't big enough to cover the entire double window and it comes with double sided tape to attach it.  My issue w/ double sided tape should be obvious, but if not - who wants to scrape that back off of the window after each season and then you have to keep buying more double sided tape - plus worry about it ripping the flimsy screen. It comes preloaded with a few videos, but my initial attempts to find some others for free has been fruitless, so this might be agitating to me - we'll see.

Boxes from the farm continue, and they continue to contain a great deal of peppers (several varieties).  I don't mind peppers, but I need them cooked so they don't repeat on me as much and there are only so many stuffed peppers I can stomach.  My sister introduced me to grilling them with some butter and seasonings, so that has been keeping the stockpile at bay.  We're also getting into some more of the fun stuff like spaghetti squash and butternut squash.

Girl child turns one month tomorrow.  Time has flown overall, but each day does seem to drag.  If you want more details on her progress ask for the link to the blog where I am focused on all things kiddo.

I shouldn't complain about my lack of sleep when I can also say that I've watched all but one episode of The Walking Dead, but to be fair, I turn it on when I am sitting here with a wee baby who is getting fed, wee baby being put to sleep after said feeding, or pumping - hence I must be awake.  Frankly, it seems like every moment is a must be awake moment and by the time I can put my head down to nap (if she's willing to zonk out not on my chest) I'm within an hour of the next feeding, so I may as well stay awake since that short of a nap just makes me grouchy.

We've tried to some venturing out.  Today included a meal out and Friday night was a trip to visit with some of my Favorite Eggs family.  Both of which went well, but those stretches definitely mean no opportunity to nap and they just drain me a little more.  I'm very lucky that my sister is here helping right now.  I can't imagine how little sleep I'd be getting if she wasn't.

I am sure I don't need to answer the question of where I've been. Baby came along on August 24th (5 days early) and we've been busy trying to find some new level of normal... or attempting to catch sleep where we can.  I'm figuring out how to leave the house and trying to still be me, not just me in the cloud of baby activities, but it's hard. This isn't a surprise, but it deserves to be said.

The house is a mess.  I'm trying to do a little thing each day in addition to the must keep up items (laundry/dishes/garbage).  Yesterday it was tidying more up in the nursery and scooping dog poop, the day before cleaning the kitchen floor and vacuuming, today was my bathroom sinks - and if I can a quick mow in the back yard would be a wise move.

Thank goodness that the last season of Walking Dead is now on Netflix, this is a bit of normal I need - although it is likely to distract me from getting extra sleep when I can.  I got pretty far behind last season, so I'd say I have 7-10 episodes to watch before the new season starts, but I got to watching those I did see earlier today - and allowed myself a nap during.

Around the house, my Favorite Egg's Dad has been employed to do some of the yard work I wanted done.  To this point the grass out back is looking good (like I said it needs mowed) and retaining walls are in out front and in the back.  Next up is planting and landscaping a bit to make it look nicer.  That is likely to happen in the next couple of weeks.  I hate eating through my savings while I am waiting for my first disability check to come through but it needs done, so - so it shall be.