Happy Halloween!

Although one might not know by my actions, Halloween might just be my favorite time of year. I volunteered at Boo at the Zoo last weekend and worked at the Church Halloween Ball Wednesday. They were both GREAT! I love seeing all the creative costumes - both children's and adult's - unfortunately mine didn't fall in the category. I am okay with that.

Last night was possibly my favorite night since I've moved - no offense to my girls b/c we always have a great time! I saw so many people last night that I haven't seen in ages and I loved every minute of it. I went to the Dude's house and saw his beautiful pregnant wife, and my MG and David and their 2 awesome kids. The Dude cooked! I know! I couldn't believe it either. This is the guy who used to say 'I'll buy the ingredients...but I won't make the meal' when we had Thanksgiving Dinner and other meals. I was impressed to say the least. We caught up and it was excellent. I missed those guys so much!!

Then on my way home I got a call from an old friend... we dated almost five years ago and have recently reconnected. Somehow it slipped my mind to tell him when I moved. Oops! I totally thought he knew. He and his friend, who I love, came over and it was great! It was all a little surreal. He was in my kitchen. He was on my couch. We talked for hours! It was almost like no time had passed. Almost.

All in all I had an amazing night! ...and to think I almost bailed on the whole evening.

For those who may be wondering...

It's been a long time since my last post.... sorry.

Just a quick update. I have moved and am settling in to my new place and new job. I love being back near my friends and family (although they may disagree). I have a "roommate" although we don't share rooms or even places... really, he's my landlord. James. He's pretty super! I still need a few more things to complete the "home" but for now everything is wonderful. I love being able to have my friends over and for them to feel comfortable and welcome. It's a great feeling!

Nothing too extraordinary is going on, but hopefully I'll have more resources soon enough so that I can post the mundane in the meantime.

A sigh of relief

I am moving...in one week...

I have been stressing like you wouldn't believe. I have tons to do at work and seem to be making very little headway. AND I have been preoccupied trying to find a place (within my budget) to live. I realized that you can't get too much with a small budget, but I really wasn't asking for much...a dishwasher and a place that takes pets (a cat to be exact). You wouldn't believe how hard that is - especially from 3.5 hours away! My mother has been more than helpful, contacting people and looking at properties for me, but nothing was working! There was one place that I thought would be great, but it was actually a little too shady, and after the girl told me for a week and a half there was a dishwasher...there wasn't!

Completely unimpressed, I continued to search. I found another place, two actually, that met my requirements and were within, or around, my budget. But it turns out that I couldn't get in (a special thanks to someone who helped ruin my credit. I appreciate it. Really.).

That was my week. I found out I couldn't get in to my next to last resort yesterday, one week before I needed to have keys to my new place. One week. Needless to say my stress level rose like you wouldn't believe. And I was so preoccupied with trying to find a place to live that I got very little work done yesterday. This stressed me out even more, since it was already a short week.

Well.... today I continued with my plans of buying things to put in a place that I don't have. I went to Macys today and racked up on essentials for my nonexistent kitchen. (I did well) Then I went to the zoo with my family for a little R&R, or at least a little excitement. The zoo was great! I saw so many animals I had never even seen! Unfortunately my camera died about 1/2 way through our nearly 5 hour trip. I was crushed.

I left the unbearable heat of the reptile house when my mother called...

She told me all my worries were over, I have a place!!!! Turns out her friend James has a great apartment available. It's a 2 bedroom and even has a washer and dryer. the rent includes all my utilities...oh, and it's furnished! This is the best news yet! Now I just have to finish packing...

Ode to The Dude

Dude, you are the nicest and most selfless guy I know. You are always there to help and to listen, no matter my indiscretions. I really appreciate you, probably more than you know. And, one day, I will try to return all the favors. Thank you. And thank you to your wife too.

I love you mister! (but not in that way)

Help Me!

I have apparently messed this little blog up and don't know how to fix it! I added a site feed so that everyone could learn the "Word of the Day" with me...well apparently that made it look like that's what I was blogging. I have gone in and deleted the RSS but it still looks like all I have to say is the WOD. How do I change it? Although I don't always have a lot to say, it is usually more than 1 word... 

Good News

I got a cell phone today! ...trust me, this is good news...

And that's fine

It's been a while since I've gotten a wonderfully thoughtful email that I felt I needed to pass on. The EDCT of TN sent this one and it really hit home for me, I know I'm not alone.

I'm in the middle of a big transition. I've been in the middle of it for quite a while now and I ended up where I am now because things "weren't fine". Since then, I could list a million things every day that also, weren't fine. Things just weren't what I had hoped for. Maybe it's because I have a continuous internal conflict between optimism and pessimism. Sometimes it makes for a difficult outlook. I try so hard to look for the good in situations and people; I can always offer a friend another, better way to look at things, but I have a hard time doing that for myself - or at least believing it when I do. As I begin yet another chapter I can reflect on what has been "fine" or even great since I've been here - I've made friends, I've reconnected with family, I've learned new things and visited new places, I've gotten a car and have had a place to lay my head. Now I am able to move on. I can reflect on what has been fine, good, or even great and I know that I'm alright.

Below is an excerpt from todays Weigh-In:

When things aren't as we'd hoped for, the temptation is to look at all the
things we can't do and the list of reasons why. The human ego always
encourages us to hold on to our limitations. It is easier to look at what
is wrong rather than stretch to what could possibly be just fine. If we
would see things as perfectly fine, just the way they are, no matter what they
are, we might realize we are fine too. For some of us, this is a far
stretch. But that's fine, and so are you.