“There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which  through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not  been!”

Percy  Bysshe Shelley

Most people talk about the energy of spring, but I find myself more energized by the crisp air and the feelings that fall brings each year. I love being able to pull out my favorite old sweater, and to wrap myself in a cozy scarf. It is a time many people get depressed as the darkness comes much earlier, yet I find the beauty in the early night sky. The colors are vibrant and the scents uplifting. To me fall provides a feeling of warmth and a feeling I do not get the rest of the year.

Last year I did not get to enjoy all the things I love as most of my fall was spent in the hospital or in the bed. In 2012 I plan to soak up all that I missed and to celebrate the vibrant fall! So if you drop by my house you may see bursts of autumn color and the occasional Halloween spook. Come in and you will smell the homemade applesauce I make for my kids, or the scent of pumpkin! If you bump into me somewhere I will likely be wrapped in a favorite scarf holding a pumpkin spice latte! If I do not answer the phone in the evening I am probably curled up with a throw, a good book, and some hot tea. Over the next few months I will be celebrating the welcome change in seasons.

Just the other day I stumbled across an awesome and oh so easy monogram printable that you can customize from For Chic Sake. It is awesome to personalize, print, frame and hang. I had to share! Happy monogramming.

With good reason I left my blog in the dust. I had two spinal surgeries then I had a little thing called brain surgery.  Of course Three Gals was the last thing on my mind on the long, arduous, and often exhausting road leading up to the surgery. I mean – come on – I had my head shaved and holes drilled into my skull. I was left with railroad tracks staples, a device in my brain, but ultimately a new lease on life.

A while back I posted about my illness here, and from that point everything went south. Essentially I had permanent damage done as a result of meningitis, and from there I set out on a long road of trying to figure out what happened. I won’t bore you with the details, but I will say I was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition where my brain acted as if it had a tumor (even my brain has tendencies toward the dramatic flair). After months of severe pain and high intracranial pressure, brain surgery was the only answer.

I’ve been on disability (thank the Lord for disability insurance I got two years ago) and I have been trying recover. Over the past weeks I have reached a proverbial fork in the road – do I struggle to continue on as I was before, or do I accept a new normal in my life? I will admit I was fighting the thought of never being the same until it dawned on me to just accept what limitations I may have. My limitations do not have to break my spirit the way they have broken my body. Don’t get me wrong – there are people in far worse shape than I am in, and those who have much greater struggles. My reality is that body is awkward at times and I find myself feeling as if I’ve been shot from a canon, I have some memory issues I am working to overcome, and I may always experience a level of pain I was never used to having. I’m OK with that. I have a remarkable support system, and those who are here to help if I ask. Bottom line – I am grateful.

One of the issues I deal with is that my brain seems to get scrambled after being on the computer for more than 15-20 minutes, so I am rarely on the computer anymore. I thought about closing everything down and letting go.

Shameless Apple plug – Thankfully the iPad does not present the same issue (I’m guessing the retina display), and I am trying to see what I can do with this awesome little device (I must remind my family how thankful I am for this awesome gift). Working with my blog may even be a form of brain therapy according to one of my doctors.  So I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Three Gals may help my wires uncross.

I am fortunate to have many readers, followers etc who travel to this site – thank you for being patient and understanding (and if you subscribe via email – surprise!). Hang in there with me as I regroup and return.

Recently I found myself in a position where the last thing I could do was feed my own family. We (even the Fourth Gal) received many phone calls from people who wanted to help feed us while I was ill. I have to admit there was nothing more comforting than a home cooked meal from a dear friend. If my culinary challenged wonderful  husband was in charge of feeding himself, two kids, and a sick wife we would be eating tater tots, frozen burritos, and boxed mac & cheese. A wonderful group of people knew I needed nourishment to help recover from my illness and set up a meal circle.

If you are like me and enjoy helping someone by feeding them good home-cooked food, you must check out Take Them A Meal. I’ve personally used the site to help coordinate a meal delivery system, but I have never been on the receiving end of the website until recently. What a wonderful, convenient way to get the job done! The coordintor’s job is easy, and the recipient is well-informed about what is happening. Take Them A Meal is simple and organized!

I am grateful for dear people who knew we were struggling and kept my family fed with some awesome food. When I am 100% you’d better believe I will be cooking for and nourishing the next person who needs something besides frozen meals and takeout.

The fourth gal - My mom, Mary.

From November 11th to now, I have been dealing with meningitis. It was a rough time for all of us, but it seems to be looking up as we are poised to enter 2012 – THANK GOODNESS. For 7 weeks I have been in and out of the hospital and dealing with the nasty effects of this illness. Through the entire ordeal there has been one constant – our fourth gal, my mother.

Mom is one of those “go to” people. She is one smart cookie and is a problem solver. Her strength is indestructible and her calming personality is profound. She always comes in like a superhero when disaster strikes and saves the day. Through my recovery she has been ever-present and has run two households.

You don’t mess with Mama Mary. We have lovingly begun to refer to her as “Shirley” – as in Shirley McLain. When something wasn’t being done (or done to her satisfaction right) in the hospital, “Shirley” came out in my mother. We all know that Terms of Endearment scene:

 Though I was not dying, I was in a great deal of pain and one sick puppy. I know from my own experience as a mother – you can’t stand to see your babies sick and in pain. Apparently it is no different when your baby is in her 40′s. Number one lesson learned as a result of meningitis – Don’t mess with “Shirley.”

Though my mom is not officially a contributor to the site, much of her is with us. She is ever-present and always contributes positively to our lives. Much of what I do and have learned is a result of the fourth gal, Shirley Mary.

 Mary Beth’s Senior Photo Shoot

The Three Gals

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”  ~Stanley Horowitz

Each year I am thrilled to say goodbye to the heat of summer and welcome everything autumn! Spring may bring a feeling of renewal to some, but fall provides me with an energy like no other. I am thrilled with the crisp mornings of November, and love the evenings curled in a comfy throw.

Each year we begin this season with the tradition of Pumpkinfest, homemade applesauce, and a plethora of Starbuck flavors we love. November is the doorway to the Christmas season, and brings that feeling of anticipation even to the adults in our family. Even though the air is turning colder, there is something warm and welcoming with the month of November.

This year I am taking part in the 30 Days of Gratitude and reflecting on all the things – big and small – I am grateful for in my life. I am also pulling together a beautiful little “Tree of Gratitude” for my second grader’s class. They will write their sentiments on decorative little leaves, and hang them on the branches of the little “tree.” I cannot wait to read the comments from these children, and to see what their little 7 & 8 year old hearts appreciate.

After many years of being away at Thanksgiving, we are going to remain at home. We are going to enjoy our turkey and trimmings, and spend time doing -well, nothing. It will be difficult being away from other family members we do not often see, yet there is a great appeal to spending a day in PJ’s watching movies with my family! This November is being welcomed by all of our favorite things, as well as much needed down time!

My dear friend, Thea, sparked my work from home nostalgia in her recent Lint Trap post! I also worked at home with a small child, and often walked that same fine line of balance as Thea is doing with her Sassy Lady Baby. Thea’s post also reignited my plan to get my office back into working order rather than a place to pay bills and store board games. I still work from home here and there, and have ideas to gain even more productivity  – not to mention more style – in this space of mine.

Operation Office Re-do  has been in motion for years, but the timing was always off. The operation was recently revived when my husband announced that he was going to add another built in shelf system – Oh, the excitement! This means my plans to do what I want to do are more than hatched – Now I have bargaining power (enter diabolical laughter). As I have often mentioned my husband is ADD Type B, and takes forever to finish a big project. You see where I am going? If I allow him to do all that he wants to do with the shelves – I will be able to do what I want to do with the design/decor.

I have been collecting ideas for my dream office since the days of conference calls, loads of laundry, marketing plans, babysitters, and virtual staff management. I will now be able to incorporate all that I love from my gallery (aptly titled “Home Office Love”) into my very own small, but treasured, office space. I think you will agree these office spaces are magnificent.

Kaye Winiecki has rescued me and millions of other parents with this amazing idea. I believe I am going to steal borrow her idea for Sarah. Having a child who adores art,and is constantly creating something new, causes space issues in my house. Now I can catalog all of the wonderful pictures and save them forever.

 Thanks Kaye – now I don’t have to look into those big blue eyes and know that I am crushing dreams of being the next Picasso.