Friday Faves

So, second week coming to a close...besides having to go in tomorrow for a bit...but so far still feeling great about it and excited to see some growth in the biz.  Staff meeting went great and everyone seems on board with where we need to be and what we all need to do to get there.  Took the dogs in to the office yesterday to meet everyone and they did great.  It's always a bonus that they are so excited for car that they come home and sleep like they just ran a marathon...actually, they're both still zonked out after breakfast this morning too.

Today is a late start...I have to hang around and help close up today...so it just means I have to force myself to be lazy and lounge about more than feels normal.  I made a friday treat to take in last night...rice crispy treats, but with fruity pebbles.  So good.  I never was allowed to have sugary cereals as a kid...thank you mom and dad for being so wise...and so now sometimes they just seem like a good dessert option.  When we used to go to the cabin as kids that was the only time we were allowed to pick a "bad" cereal...and the farthest my rents would usually stretch was Golden Grahams...which by today's standards...actually doesn't seem that bad.

In other news I've been back on track with the new Interventions...I just get sucked it so easily to these shows.  It's either because of my psychology and behavior background...or because it makes my daily stressors seem like a party. Or a healthy combination of both.  Anywho...Hoarders is starting up soon too...and so I can only assume I'll be on board there and having my late night cleaning/purging fits just to ensure I am not holding onto anything for the wrong emotional reasons.  I am naturally an antihoarding individual...but I still have a junk draw and a shelf in a closet that seems to collect things I am sure I need, but have no use for now.  So, after I watch an episode of Hoarders, I am either purging one of those areas, or rearranging my spice and baking shelves to at least be able to sleep.

Well, for now I must shave, shower, and get the boys out on the trail.  Happy Friday - 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

Wednesday Wonderings

Today is a weird day.  I have the day off since I'm working this weekend...closing both Friday and Saturday nights.  Awesomesauce...or not.  But anywho, woke up and walked the boys.  Came back and crawled back into bed with Mr.  We slept another hour and could not get going from then on.  He went off to work and I went to meet up with a past coworker for some shopping and what nots.  It's weird how when I go out with the intent to spend, I always come home empty handed.  But when I'm out trying to be good I find shit I want but don't need. Oh well.

Came back and the weather all day has just been gloomy, a bit humid, and just not the kind of weather that makes me motivated to do anything.  I ended up napping a bit to take advantage of some quiet time, but woke up cranky pants again and decided to take the boys out on a longer hike to see if any of us could get going.   Came home from that in full on cleaning mode...so the walk was at least helpful in that dept.  Whipped out some cleaning, bathroom, floors, vacuum, kitchen, and dusted even too.  Now I'm pondering the next "to-do" or "to-don't" on my list.  I always try and make my days off productive when they're in the middle of the week, but why does there need to be that pressure not to just enjoy not having to do anything.  Is that just me, an american thing, or does everyone feel guilty for giving themselves a break and just being a bit lazy.  I guess lazy people don't mind, but I've never been one who has an easy time letting go of the never ending list of things I want to do, get done, experience, and so on.  Plus, sometimes I just feel guilty.

Anywho, I'm back up and running so I had planned a long run today...but when it's this humid and miserable, I just really hate getting out in it.  I'm hoping that the evening brings a bit of a cool down and at least not the muggy stuff that was going on when I was out with the dogs.  I can't run in that.  Other than these ramblings it's all just chugging along.  Kinda fuming about the North Carolina thing...but I had never planned to move south any time soon...but I would like to think that the US could move forward and  not keep taking these huge steps back in the world of equality.  It's kind of unbelievable when you think about it.  But if we're not educating our youth...they're just going to be as stupid and backwards as their parents, and that's just sad.

Mr. has been out a lot with work, workshops, rehearsals, and what nots.  Missing him, but very happy for his successes and his ever growing network of major possibilities and connections to greatness.  He's doing some amazing stuff for some pretty amazing people, and I think the skies the limit for him and his artistry.  In more ways than one too.  Maybe I'm destined to be his social media wizard and work from home and tour with him...I'd make a fucking amazing house husband for sure.  Of course I'd have to get used to doing a little relaxing by the pool...no one wants to come home to a stressed out house husband!

Ok, that's it for now.  Peace out and love the ones you love...regardless of what other assholes think.  - Rin

Saturday and Such

Again...after a long break I found some time to check in and post some thoughts and pics.  Things are grand in the man front...Mr. is still amazing everyday and I get more excited about the future for us each new day.  We are taking our first big trip this summer so planning that is in full swing.  Of course we're taking a few small weekend get aways before to get out of town and hopefully keep from getting bogged down by work and routines.

Speaking of work...what an adventure.  Roller coaster is more like it.  There are days I'm inspired and excited by all the possibilities that my recent jump into a new career has brought...and days I wish I could turn and run back to the comforts of routine and ordinary days.  Some of the downs in the coaster are working themselves out as team members that aren't pulling their weight drop off and we get new ones in that are excited and motivated to make changes.  Overall I think I am seeing change...slower than I'd hoped, but change none the less.  It takes time to affect a large group that has been left uninspired and underwhelmed for so long.  Building a team out of individuals never happens overnight...even if they've been working together for months or years in some cases.

My dogs are good...my old guy ages a bit more every morning and it makes me cherish every minute with him and makes me try to absorb every wiggle and every smile he shares with me.  No matter how old he gets he still bounces with excitement and jumps off the couch to greet me.  If only I had that energy about the morning I'd probably be much farther along in life.  I am back up and running on a regular basis...without the assistance of a treadmill and gym membership this time too.  The trail is always a harder run, but I'm pushing for a good summer on the beach free of the old doubts and insecurities that I've had since I was a chubby kid pretending I was afraid of the ocean so I could sit on my town with my shirt on.  Gone are those days, but the past has a way of creeping in at times and sucking a bit of the fun out of life...so I'm working hard to make sure that all is dealt with on the running path so I can focus on living now and being exactly where I want to be each day forward.  It's not always easy, but at least it's life...and I'm always grateful for every second.

Hope life is good in your world  - 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

Friday Fave Five

I am still in talks with the new potential company.  Really clicking with the person who would be my future  boss.  She's great and I love the fact that the path I'd see myself going down with the company is one that she's walked and adored.  She'll be a great resource and support to find the resources I need to get to where I wanna go.  If I get in.  Once I'm in...it's up to me to get myself there for sure.  

I just love the potential of something new and the rush of adrenaline you get when you start somewhere as the new person.  Proving yourself, and making new connections with people.  Every door that opens is a new journey and potentially new friends for life.  It's crazy to think of all the times I've started at a new place, and how some of the greatest people I've met in my life and some of my closest friends today were there on day one of that journey...a complete stranger.  y That one choice to start new or take on a new challenge was all it took.  And today I couldn't imagine my life without these friends...as if I never really existed as the same person before they were in my life.  People are definitely very much like pieces of the puzzle that makes up our beings as individuals.  There are parts I wouldn't know about myself without some of the people that have come into my life.  Without them, I wouldn't be me.  Intensely amazing gifts they've given me just by being my friend or sharing their life with me.  I can never repay, just hope that I have in some way done the same for them. 

So, that's what I think about when I begin to consider myself in a new position...with a new company...and with a new network of coworkers.  Where will these seemingly strangers be woven into my life in two or three years.  What debts will I obviously owe to them or in what ways can I support their journey in life.  Crazy how simple choices can end up having such crazy big influences on our life.  

Well, that's my deep thought for the moment.  I'm going to stew on it a bit more.  Meanwhile...I thought I'd start a Friday Fave Five.  I'll be picking 5 guys that have some characteristic that makes them particularly favorable.  If you'd like to share a guy for the Fave Five...please send it my way!  

Love & Laughs - Rin