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

I Survived!

Training month was long and hard...much like the guys in all the pics I find...but I made it out alive.  Wasn't sure where my final location was going to be, but that came in a phone call on Friday.  It wasn't one of my original short list, but apparently I excelled enough through training to be moved into a key location where I'm told, "if you want to be known and have your name in with the big guns, you want to be here".  So I jumped at that chance and I should be starting there sometime this week.  Lots of variables in play as to how my transition into the new role goes and how the team takes to a new person at the wheel.  I'm going in with all the positives in mind and going to do my best to make an impact and move it in the right direction...gotta get up the ladder!

So, other than work life is grand.  Of course I sat down to do my taxes today so I can see how much fun Mr. and I can have on our trip out to SoCal, and realized I should invest finally in a CPA and try and get as much as possible so I'm not relying on the ol' web to give me a figure good enough to make me smile.  I wanna go out there to show him around and have a great time...not just a good time.  So, I at least organized receipts for my biz and have it all set.  I also redid my budget for the next few months and will be tracking things better to hopefully make a bit of a move in a year or so and get some real estate under my belt.  Not here though...hence the move and the need to prove myself to the big wigs...so they support a transfer and I can keep climbing.

Mr. is still amazing me everyday and brought home a huge orchid with double blooming stems that took a giant pot when he repotted it.  I swear if we get any more plants in this place we'll be giving garden tours this summer!  The palm he brought home a month or two ago is thriving and busting out in the bedroom.  Can't wait til it's warm enough to get it on the patio and get that side of my room back.  The boys are well...a bit stressful getting them through my training as my day away was stretched to the max with a massive commute that had me gone 2 or 3 hours more than normal...not fun for two needy dogs!  But they did well with the Mr.'s amazing help and many meaningful and appreciated potty walks before I got home.

I'm more ready for spring and summer than I can even bear to contain.  I just want my flip flops and moonroof back in action.  And my patio for sunbathing.  It's been so mild, I can't complain...but i'm just ready for that switch and confirmation winter is gone.  Here's hoping it's over soon.  Anywho...thats about the reader's digest version.  I've been working, thriving, and trying to keep myself sane in the traffic.  Very much looking forward to an easier and shorter commute and solidifying myself in a new team.  Watch out!

So, for my first post in a month...here's a bit of fashion that is not so street legal!
love it...keep smiling!  - Rin

    Check the site out and fill up your closet...you know you want to!  Slick It Up

Shades of Grey

Two days into training and it's going well. I feel very confident in my prior experience and how it relates to my new role with a new company. I just have to absorb as much as I can during the training while not wanting to shoot myself each day with the added 2.5 hours of driving to my training location. So grateful I stuck with my guns and didn't let any locations that would have been a slightly long commute...knowing my farthest drive could be 9 miles is a relief...and not the 30 each way I'm doing for training.

But I have once again been very blessed to have Mr. and his help with the dogs. He's home before me, walks, feeds, and entertains them to the point that they're calm and content when I get home. Something that is no easy task for sure. So amazed at his ability to just take on things and not stress or get caught up in the action of it all. He's more supportive and positive than anyone I've ever been with...and I'm so grateful to have him in my life. I will gladly be making dinners, coffee cakes, desserts, and anything else he wishes for in gratitude for then support over the next few weeks. Not that I don't already do that...but you know.

Came home last night and pan seared some chicken potstickers from Trader Joes. So good! I made a miso broth with some sauteed bok choy and added that to a few dumplings in a bowl for a quick dumpling soup. So good on a cold windy night! And leftovers for lunch today too!

So, that's about it. Just trucking along. Hoping everyone is keeping up with their healthy new years spurred lifestyle changes and feeling good! - Rin

MANdatory Monday

I hope everyone's been having as good of a Monday as me.  Actually, I'm on a string of great Mondays, which is rare in my historical archives of patterns.  It was so warm and delightful out today that almost my entire work crew joined in on my lunchtime walk to the bank which ended up getting extended even more than I usually do when I'm trying to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible in the work day.  Last summer a coworker and I started a tradition of leaving the office for an afternoon stroll on our downtime...and I think we have a much larger crew for this summer.  We're like a hip mall walkers club, without the blue hair, sweatpants, and mall!

And luckily we work in a very good area for manhunting!  My girls were watching out for me too.  :-)  It's a such a treat on a nice day to see the men out and about in their suits, gym shorts, and tank tops.  The diversity is just perfect.  I'd like one of each please!

The dogs had a great walk, wore them out in the heat!  They're passed out and I'm just doing my thing.  I put up a dresser online for sale last night...had 56 emails this morning.  I see why people use the site for prostitution!   I was like, "Damn, should have priced it higher!"  But i'm just glad to start seeing blank space in here.  The lady said she's on her way, but if she's not here soon, it's going to the next in line.

Until they show, i'll be enjoying a few of these. :-)