Am I Really?

I'm beginning to think that I'm the only person who doesn't love autumn. All around me I hear people talk about the weather, the pretty colors, etc, but I just don't get it. I look out the window and the neon yellow-orange trees across the street hurt my eyes. In the morning it's 40 degrees and in the afternoon it's 70 and the kids leave their jackets at school so they freeze again in the morning because they don't listen. Our allergies are back with a passion from something and I've developed a sinus infection from it. There are some people around here who think they can burn their leaves whenever they want so the neighborhood stinks. We can't decorate the yard with pumpkins because the disrespectful brats around here think it's funny to destroy them. It's not a good season. I miss summer. I know that in summer it's going to be hot. In winter I know it's going to be cold. There's no kids arguing about if they need a coat or not. Sometimes I like winter - warm socks and sweaters and blankets are so nice. I don't much care for spring, though, either - it's mud everywhere, including in my house. There are a couple of things that I enjoy about fall, though. I can't get enough caramel apples and pumpkin pie.
I'm listening to Coggie and the Savvy Girls talk about their adventures at Rhinebeck with envy. I want to go! Eric said he'd help me save up so I can go to some knitting events and party with my podcasters. It would be so much fun to laugh and be silly with Coggie, Deborah, and Melanie, don't you think? I hope that when I go all of the podcasters will be there so that I can meet them all. I think the best part of any festival would be meeting people. When Khloe gets a bit bigger I could take her with me if she wants. Of course, she'd probably want to run away with Melanie to be a gerbil mom.
Speaking of Khloe, I just went to a parent-teacher conference. My girl is a straight-A, above average, excellent reader. She loves math. Unfortunately, though, she gets a bit chatty in class. She's had the same classmates and teacher for the past two years so she's very comfortable with everyone. I'd like to make her teacher a shawl as a thank you gift - Khloe loves her and really listens to her. It will be for the end of school, so there's time to plan. Maybe by then the perfect pattern and I will find each other.
More Kerry news - I tookhim to the doctor because he's got a big bump on his leg. It turned out that it's not a bruise - it's a cartilage and bone growth called osteochondroma. He had an MRI last week and did really well - no freaking out or getting scared. The result from that is good news - it's not cancer. We will go back and discuss options with the doctor in a week. Most likely he'll need surgery.
I'll finish up here with a request - if any of you know of some Steampunk or Victorian waistcoat/vest patterns or where to buy one affordably, please let me know. I'd like to add to my wardrobe and a snazzy vest with a chain would be great. Thanks!
Pictures soon, I promise!