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

Hats & Hoodies

It's been a week for sure.  Interviews and lots of decisions to be made.  The stress of it all sometimes just makes me wanna curl up and hibernate til spring.  Which is why I had hats and hoodies on my mind when I was going through my images.  Love them both this time of year.  I am planning of day of staying in, cleaning, baking, and overall purging to help me get a clear mind for the choices ahead.  Had a great second interview on Friday and really clicked with the actual person that would be my boss at the new gig.  We definitely had a great rapport from the start and my thoughts as far as my career path the company were the ones she had followed and is now making another move to get to her final desired spot on the corporate ladder.  So, I felt confident that if I took the position she'd be a great partner in getting me the connections to get to the role that I'd like to be in down the line.  She was very confident in the fact that I'd have the tools and support I'd need if I wanted them.  

So, I just have to weigh the fact that it will mean a bit of a drive, which I just gave up in May when I moved closer to my current job, and a more fluxuating schedule than I've been working. But Mr. made a good point...20 minutes more frustration in the car in the morning or a 2 minute commute and a day of frustration with douchehole boss breathing down your back.  You see the clarity I found in that image.  :-)  But, I'm going to make a visit to the location and do a sneak peak and see what vibe I get.  Then we can talk numbers and see if it makes sense.  

So, this weekend is about cleaning up and getting ready for what may be a great new start.  And baking...I have to have something in the oven if I'm buzzing around cleaning.  It just makes sense.  :-) 

Cheers to the weekend and the beautiful last full moon of the year we had last night.  It was gorge, and the sign of new beginnings I'm hoping.  - Rin  

Hump Day

At the office on my lunch break. Douche-hole boss always ruins the lunch break by mentioning that he needs to meet with me before the end of the day. I'd rather just be surprised and not lament for the next hour. On top of the gloomy weather...I'm just feeling the week beating me up.

On the upside...I rocked my interview yesterday!! So, I need to just keep trucking and think good thoughts. Hopefully my second interview will happen soon and I'll get some more concrete idea of the positions they are thinking I'd fit into.

Planning an exciting evening of rainy dog walks and laundry. Yawn...is it Friday? - Rin

Abs Fabs

I'm sure I'm not alone in saying, "What the Fuck...it's December?!?!"  Seriously, I'm not 80 years old, and saying this makes me feel that old...but time is flying by!  It's been such a crazy year, and here we are at the last 30 days of it...amazing.  Blink...it's gone. And onto the next year of amazingness...with hopefully more solid footing on the career front fo sho.

No  movement on the job front here, but I think the shit will hit the fan at work tomorrow...with good boss confronting douche-hole on how he's been treating me and making threats that are obviously rooted in his unprofessional response to my statements made e to court.  I'm not one to threaten the hand of law, but in this situation I do have a lot to go on.  But alas, I'm not wanting to open that can, especially when douche-hole obviously thrives on that sort of thing and has found an equally crazy lawyer to support his psycho ideas of superiority and lofty ego.

So, I continue to throw the old resumes out the door hoping someone grabs on and reels me in.  While I would love to stay, with one sane boss, and see the office at it's best...and on an actual clear path...the idea of a new start with new potential is beginning to excite me.  I never fear change...it actually usually fuels me to be better, so I see this moment as one of those great leaps of taking on bigger and better things.  So, here's to that.  Of course, I still bought lottery tickets hoping to just win big and tell everyone to eat it....cuz i'm going on a perma vacay!!!  Cross your fingers and legs on that wish!

Mr. is working again...on his day off.  Tis the season of making peoples homes and events fabulous.  I made homemade pizza dough, it's on its second rise.  I'm hoping that he can get out in time to enjoy it fresh from the oven, but at least it'll still be yummy tomorrow.  It'll be dressed with olive oil, mozz, spinach, pesto chickan sausage, and a few dollops of ricotta.  mmmm...so hungry!  I took my boys on a really fun new hike on a very unmarked trail.  I may have even been off the trail to be honest.  up through the woods with all the leaves covering the ground.  They get so excited when I give them the cue to go up off the paved path.  Like sending search dogs off on the hunt for a criminal.  So, I'm ready to eat after that type of off roading.

Here's some fab abs to get you through the evening. - Rin

Third Wheel Thursdays

Beautiful evening with Mr. last night.  We couldn't sleep so we just laid in bed sharing stories of our past and laughing.  It's moments like those that I just wish time would stand still so I could take even more in...memorize even more about where we are, who we are, and the excitement we feel so that we can carry it all with us into tomorrow.  Capturing moments like that is fuel for life.  They carry us through the tough days...through the tears...and create the strength that builds even greater bonds.   I can honestly say I've never felt this alive in love and with another.  Maybe I've said it already, but it's just unreal how it hits me each day in a different way or how it catches me off guard and steals my breath.  When he grabs my hand, it's as if I've just been picked up and moved a million miles away.  I want that to never change!

I'm super excited that this weekend my parental units are headed down and will finally meet Mr.  I know they will love him and I know he will get a kick out of meeting them and seeing why I'm the ball of quirky that I am.  My parents are quite fun characters and I think it will be fun to see the night unfold.  My mom hasn't seen the little home I've created for myself in my new space and I am excited to get a chance to share it with her and show them around my little neighborhood.  Taking them to my favorite breakfast place and will spend some time downtown at a few art exhibits.  Of course my mom has requested to get out onto the trail with my dogs too so I'm hoping for a nice fall day like today was.

Well, I'm up early tomorrow for another dog walk in the dark before an early morning at the office.  Luckily it'll be brighter in the mornings once we roll back the clocks this weekend.  I don't mind the dark morning walks with the headlamp...just prefer to actually see more than 30' in front of me.  At least it's Friday!  P.S.  The pics below have nothing to do with how I feel about me and Mr.  I am not sharing him...we're a pair, not a pack!!!!   toots - Rin

Tattoo Tuesdays

Sunday Funday

Woke up with my man curled up next to me...best way to wake up fur sure!  Of course we were hit with an ungodly early snowfall yesterday.  Luckily it mostly melted after hitting the ground.  It was even cold enough last evening that we broke out the dog's coats for the evening walk.  No they are not covered in Swarovski crystals.  They are utilitarian and yet remain adorable when the boys are out and about in them.  We rented "Paul" last evening...cute...not as good as the other movies by the same guys, but still had some good parts.  I of course adore Kristen Wiig!  She kinda stole a few scenes, which I had no problem with at all.  We wanted to get "Bridesmaids" but Redbox blew that plan, so at least she was in "Paul" and I wasn't totally disappointed.

Today Mr. is working...I'm just feeling really campy around the house.  I pulled up some extra paints from my storage room in the basement so I may get one of my new projects rolling.  I do have to pop out for some final elements to my costume for work...yes, we dress up at work.  I also am making chicken and dumplings for our potluck tomorrow.  I think i'll get everything cooked and just assemble it in the crock pot tomorrow morning.  The cold weather makes me want to bake and simmer shit til I can't stand it any more.  Weird how we're programmed to feel like that...the cave has a chill, we must make more food!

Anywho...must get rolling.  I figured some meat below would be a healthy way to start the day of cooking and what not.  - Rin