Tattoo Tuesday

Another day, Another dollar.  Not much to share...just absorbing as much as I can and making lots of mental (and written) notes.  Today, I need frozen yogurt.  Maybe I can convince Mr. we need to do a grocery run so we can go by the FrozenYo and make little cups with yummy toppings.

- Rin

MANdatory Monday

So, once again here I am after a long stint away from ye ol' blog.  I do  miss it and despite my past months I am hoping to get back into the regular.  In the last few weeks I had more than a few "come to jesus moments with myself in trying to really pinpoint what I wanted in my career and what steps I'd need to lay down to get there.  I had so many feelers out in so many different paths that I finally realized... with Mr's wise and insightful help of course...that I really just need to hone down my true passions in life and go from their.  I really have always been so driven, but burn out before I see the fruits of my labor...or hit a wall like a crazy business owner that is stealing from his own business and making his staff insane.  So yeah...I really analyzed all of my past experiences...what I loved...what I hated...and then scratched out the stuff that I hated that is just part of normal work life, like putting on pants in the morning or having a salary that doesn't afford me all the luxuries I ever want when I want them.  So, when push came to shove I decided on a path...and the world heard my new focus and I got a new job!

I remember being so excited in January...about all the possibilities and creative outlet of my job now...and am hoping that this isn't round two.  But I was certain to cross some neccessary elements off this time...like will the schedule suck the living life out of me...and will I need to not only wake up before the sun, but actually already have half my day in by then.  Yeah, today was officially my last 3am wake up alarm.  I have 2 more days on the job and start my new gig next week.  Ironically it's the exact position I had before, just at a different site...with different owners...that are not emotionally tied to each other and a much better business model.  Lots more room for growth as well since they own a few practices. Already feeling the weight falling off my shoulders.  The last few months have been brutal.  Tomorrow is my first day off in 8 days and I am so looking forward to that never happening again.  I have already enlisted a team of friends to make sure I never say..."Hey, I miss retail".  And if I do, I am to be beaten and whipped.  Not in the good way.

So that's the job news.  Everything else is peachy.  Falling more in love ever day and really embracing all the possibilities of the future.  Dogs are crazy...which means they're well...and our little zen nest is truly home.  Of course we're wanting to buy a bigger place with a yard...but until then, we are cozy and enjoying our little den.  About to hit the kitchen and make some dinner...and I really am craving cake...so, I may just lose the battle to avoid it and throw one in the oven...like I even tried to avoid it.

Peace and Wine...more wine please! - Rin

Thirsty Thursday

Life is buzzing and summer is quickly setting in.  I'm just keeping my head up with work and maximizing every minute I'm not consumed by it in some way or the other.  I am not letting the year go by without taking full advantage of long weekends, PTO, and any chance I get to lay out and kick back.  Mr and I are headed to San Diego for a week in just four short weeks.  A weekend in Rehoboth Beach just to get in some last minute family time in and do a joint Mother's/Father's weekend.  Taking the dogs and planning to get plenty of R&R.

I've realized how much Mr. has helped me realize the importance of taking time for yourself and valuing that time.  I have never been good at just taking my down time to relax...always trying to get ahead on chores, projects, and what nots.  Always putting off what I would like to do for what needs done.  There is obviously a time and place where that just is what it is...but there is also a definite need to give yourself a break.  I realized that the less time you think you deserve to spend on taking care of your own mind and body, the more time you actually need to spend on it.  And the more you give yourself that time...the more free and grateful you are for all the rest of the time you have out in the world.

Anywho...that's my rambling.  After a 4am alarm and a long ass day at the sweat shop I am still going strong and trying to not freak out about my 9 straight days of work before my weekend.  I am still trying to squeeze out my Memorial Day off since it's been to crazy to take it since then...it'll get squeezed in somewhere I'm told, but I'm not holding my breath. :-)  I am squeezing in lots of baking...and working on an idea for another blog and eventual mini cookbook idea.  I'll have to test some pics on here and hide them in between hot men to see if anyone notices that they are yummy in a slightly different way.  

So...I must go, prep dinner for my man and maybe get a chore done here or there in between.  Breaking old habits takes at least 20 days.  lol.

Cheers - Rin

Tattoo Tuesday

I know, another disappearing act by me.  I just keep getting caught up in life's race and not giving myself time to sit down and unwind it onto the ol' laptop.  My final two weeks at my last gig were a blur.  Lots of mixed emotions and people that I unfortunately have to leave behind in the mess that is to come.  My last day wasn't even over and things seemed to be a bit unraveled already.  Not that I see myself as the reason we get through each day, but there were many things that were wrapped up in my job that not everyone was always aware of or recognized that helped keep things on task and at least functioning for the client's sake.  So, it'll be interesting to see how it pans out as people decide to leave and rolls get shifted.  At least I can go to sleep tonight knowing that I am going to work tomorrow and will definitely not have to deal with douche hole owner throwing his weight around trying to maintain his ego through the sacrifice of others.

Things are good!  I am just a bit on edge today with all the unknown that sits in starting a new job with a new company and getting into the brunt of it all.  After my first day is under my belt, I'll be good to go.  I will be training in a location different than my final spot, so I'll have that transition, but at least by then I'll have a greater understanding of my day to day job and what all the expectations are.  First days are always a blur though, so I'm just going to go in with an open mind and be ready for anything.  I at least know that my training will be organized and follow some corporate plan...which to me is a huge benefit  after having to train myself in so many of my last positions.

My boys are good...still trying to find that balance in keeping myself in order while giving them, especially my younger one, enough time and exercise to prevent issues and pent up energy.  Nothing worse than two 80 pound dogs that haven't had enough exercise or mental stimulation in a one bedroom condo in the middle of winter...even if it's a mild winter.  But so far so good.

Mr is, as always, amazing and such a blessing to me.  He is so open and creative and carries so much life that I at times just have to stop and take it all in.  Lots of exciting plans in the works and looking forward to a few trips with him in the spring and summer.  Already worked out the pet sitters so I'm good to go.  Just need to make sure the new gig is cool with the plans and I'll be booking the flights this weekend.  Can't wait!

Ok, I must prep myself, shave, and be ready for the early morning.  Long commute to my training location...so the next few weeks will be a whirlwind!

Peace, Health, and Happiness - Rin

A great quote from MLK to share today...I found this one quite on par today.

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” 
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Ho Ho Ho-down!

So excited.  Just home, walked the dogs, and now Xmas break can finally begin.  Sure, it's only 3 days for me...but still...it's a break!  Mr. just walked in with a palm tree the size of the Washington Monument...for our condo.  I'm going to have to do some creative arranging to find room for this sucker.  It's almost brushing the ceiling...and they're 10' tall.  Anywho...i'll do my best to find it a happy place to live and try and keep it alive.  My other plants are doing well so far...and my orchid is actually sprouting new leaves and hopefully will shoot  another stem for buds out soon.

So, it'll be a whirlwind weekend between trying to relax and trying to bounce from family function to family function, but I'm still super excited.  Headed out to do a bit of shopping tonight...mostly parental gifts and wrapping paper.  I love wrapping presents!  Bring out the ribbons, bows, and shiny shit.

This week has been a crazy one fo sho and I'm so glad I survived without imploding from people's bullshit at work.  You'd think the clients would cause the most drama, but not this week.  And it was even harder to deal with since I'm sitting on some good news that I am taking the weekend to make a final call on...butt let's just say it's leaning towards a new path and a new beginning...with a huge amount of growth potential.  It's just always scary thinking about starting fresh...even when the current situation is so unbearably ridiculous at times.
Anywho...must feed the pups and figure out what is in store for this evenings adventures.

Happy last minute prep to all - Rin

Right to Bear Arms

Countdown to Christmas!  Loving the holiday season this year, which is a bit odd for me.  But I'm just going to roll with it.  Today I'm not going to make any major self induced pressured plans...so I'm just going with the flow.  Hoping Mr. gets off early enough to make it to a show we've been wanting to see tonight.  We were bummed not to make it last night, but I just found out it's playing tonight too.  Fingers crossed.

Anywho, up for another cup of coffee and then onto something else I'm sure.  I can't find my good set of art pencils and pencil sharpener and it's driving me nuts.  I can see it in my hands the last time I used it, and i've looked at all the usual and unusual places I put things and still it's nowhere to be found.  I wonder if the underpants gnomes took it.  Damn them!  I have to find the sharpener so I can get one of my little art projects farther along.  I'm going to get more caffeine in me to fuel my hunt.  Things may get kray kray up in here.

Mkay...happy weekend - Rin

Partly Sunny with a Chance of Showers

Been a bit busy and unable to sit down and collect my thoughts enough to get them down here.  I am so ready for a new start and just waking up each day makes me more aware of it.  Like senior year of high school after your university acceptance letters have arrived...you know it's over, but you still have to show up until it's officially the end.  Being in love more and more everyday is certainly easing the stress of work.  I can never exactly express with the right words, but I couldn't imagine my life now without Mr. in it.  I've never experienced anything like it!  

My boxer boys are doing and things outside of work couldn't be better.  Love sharing my home, mornings, and evenings with all my boys, Mr. included.  The tree is lit and I'm always in the baking mood during the winter.  I whipped up a pumpkin bread with cranberries last weekend and am planning a few batches of cookies this weekend for a cookie swap a few coworkers and I are doing next week.  Hoping to make a few batches of  bath salts and bath bombs this weekend too.  I usually tend to try and make stuff for people for the holidays as much as possible...besides Mr. of course.  Can't wait for him to open his!  

I'll have to share some pics of and recipes of the salts and bath bombs if they come out well.  Crossing my fingers it's not a complete bust of an idea.  :-)

Well, after fishing for these pics below, I'm going to go take a nice hot shower and get dinner going.  Sweet Potato and Pepper Soup with Smoked Gouda grilled cheese.  Mmmm.  - Rin