$18 richer

Today I got my state tax return, a grand total of $18. The federal return will be significantly more satisfying, as well as help to pay for some cute new glasses I've just ordered. My trip to the eye doctor's early this month revealed that my prescription has changed, which is sad, but new glasses are not sad. I haven't gotten new glasses since I was in college. Or was it high school? It's been at LEAST 6 years.

Month 2 of keeping-my-new-years-resolution is going well. My resolution to work out regularly (i.e. 2-4 times per week). I have a bunch of DVDs I do at home, namely Tae Bo or Core Rhythms. Yesterday, for the first time this month, Billy Blanks got back into the mix. I feel great - I have lots of energy and when I don't work out, I feel like I want to. This is where I was trying to get! Still, I have a calender to help me record the workouts and keep me motivated to see what I've done so far, on days when I feel like... slacking... I know you're shocked.

I recently got a new Vegan Cookbook, recommended by one of my friends who eats a vegan diet because of a stomach condition. Mmm-mm, African sweet potato and peanut soup. Good stuff!

Conversation stopper?

I wonder if my previous post was a bit of a conversation stopper. I can't help that some of my reality involves potty training strategies and that I felt the impulse to share.

I've been keeping myself busy with New Years resolutions to get into a good work out routine and manage my money better. Both are going well but are pretty time consuming resolutions! I feel like I have concrete results in both arenas. Yay!

Work is going really well, but I'm anxious to get into our new office building so I don't have to continue to utilize 2 space heaters, risking life and limb and power surges. Who knew it could be so dangerous? On a serious note, someone commented in a meeting that I've been doing a great job (and someone second-ed it, saying I should get a raise! if only it were that easy!)!

I've also been trying to spend more time keeping in touch with family. I think that's better than ever too. Recent quality boyfriend time too; I really can't complain!

OK, well I could, about my messy (shared!) kitchen, but that's only temporary...

If anyone still reads... That's what's up.

A break.

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break. It's rapidly approaching, and I've really needed a break. I feel more relaxed already; I have plenty of time to clean up my room, pack, and get on the road. I wonder if it will snow in New England for Thanksgiving.

Today I was babysitting for a friends 3 year old son and had someone ask me if I was his mother. With his blond hair and blue eyes, I guess I can't blame them, but no, not the mom. The funny part is dealing with bathroom trips. He apparently has a stool he can stand on at home to "aim" but not when in pubic restrooms - toilets are significantly higher, and you don't really want to put a kid close to the germs. So the trick, invented by the little guy's dad was to let him stand on your feet to give him a few extra inches to ready, aim, fire! Good trick.

Back to me-ing?

I don't suppose I mentioned that I was moving in with three male housemates. It's quite different than having one female roommate. I am still getting used to the frequency of dishes/pots/pans left in the kitchen and finding my mail in a variety of possible places upstairs or downstairs. And there is a big "mouse" who finds baked goods and left over delicious dinners and I have to stay on my toes. I think this is a character building experience to say the least.

In the meantime, I noticed that my processing in therapy has been impacted by my adjustment to these changes. I didn't really anticipate that it would, but in hindsight it makes a lot of sense. To figure out so much and to feel it slip away is no good, and I won't let it happen.

Walks in the fallen leaves while holding hands help steady my foundation. I love the fall!

Done moving

I didn't mention it, but the move is done! I've mostly finished unpacking and getting things back in order. The new housemates are so far so good; granted I've spent more time getting to know them than I have getting unpacked. Intentionally. I have my priorities.

And I got that raise I had been meaning to ask for. Woo-hoo!

Its Official.

I signed a new lease this week and it starts on July 1. My current lease ends on July 21, so I have plenty of time to move, and I am ready for the change. I would be wise to gather up some boxes this weekend and start the packing thing. Then, I can figure out if I want to do a gradual move or a one-fell-swoop move.

It's a relief, after so much searching, to find something that will be affordable, comfortable, and closer to work. I am not going to live with my friend after all, instead I have 3 housemates to get to know. I'll be closer to my current roommate and closer to some other friends who have also recently moved. Some within walking distance!

Moving

Yes, moving. That's the biggest change I've been sniffing out since April. It has been quite a roller coaster of scoping out prospective roommates and new places. I have a friend who decided to go the roommate route, so we're looking for housing together.

This is a good thing, I just have to get myself excited again about looking for a place because I feel like I've been looking for so long already. I hate moving and I love it. Once I know where I'm going, that is.

Otherwise I'm keeping myself good and busy. Mostly with work (and I'm asking for more money). The housing hunt is time consuming but I've managed to keep a decent balance and still visit with friends when I've got the time.

Who Moved My Cheese?

If you haven't read this book, it's a good one. It's about change and how we deal with it. In the last month I've been thinking a lot about change, and I think I have been resisting a thing or two that need to be at least considered for change in my life.

I may need to give the book a re-read because I feel a little miffed by the pending cheese move. And there's probably no need to feel this way, but for now I do.

Auto-pilot

This week I feel like I'm on auto pilot. I'm trying to get a lot of stuff done at work so I can take some time off next week to visit with my brother for a few days. It will help to break up the days of work that seem to meld together into one big blur of living.

I'm enjoying the extended light after work, but not the getting out of bed while it's still dark.

Today my therapist called me at work to reschedule, and it might have thrown me off, but that's how life has been lately... everything kind of blends into everything else. One big blur of living. Maybe it's time to mix it up again.

Daylight Saving Time

In one week we change our clocks for Daylight Saving Time. When I flipped my calendar to March and realized this, I was outraged. I looked at an old calendar, and it used to be that this time-switch happened in April! Just when we get used to writing 2008 in place of 2007, they go and take an hour away from our weekend. Who makes that decision??

The deer were back out tonight at dusk for the first time this year that I've noticed. They weren't happy about day light saving time either. All 5 of them.