TIME ON MY HANDS

Since now I only work ONE job (at the airlines) and then it is only 20(+/-) hours a week, I find myself with more time on my hands to accomplish "stuff". This is the first time, in the longest time, that I actually have time to smell the roses, so to speak. Forever (and that's a long time) I have either worked two jobs- a full-time and a part-time- or been in school full-time while working a full-time job. So when I have some free time, I catch up on sleep, social life, or housework. Now with only one part time job (but this will change soon, I am afraid) I have been able to catch up on sleep, relax in front of TV- the Food Network and HGTV. I have actually had time to contemplate what I really like to do with some free time. My ex-Boy Toy was really into what would please him and the things he wanted to do. So, when together we just did what he wanted..... I was always happy with this, because frankly, I was too busy/tired to stop and figure out what I really liked to do. Plus I loved spending time with HIM.



Fast forward to now ..... time on my hands, time to reflect, time to study my life as it is, make goals, see where I am and where I hope to be next year. As the wait continues, to survive, I need to focus on other things. SO....



I have become FASCINATED with the cooking blogs, and the cooking shows. Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) has become one of my favorites right now. As I type this, there is smooth JAZZ sounds in the air, and Ina's Lentil's are simmering on the stove infusing the house like you would not believe. On the to do list is more cooking, Cowboy pinto beans and corn bread from this blog tomorrow. Soon, a family favorite recipe for chili. All three will be enjoyed for a meal now and then packed and frozen for later enjoyment. Could this be NESTING? Enjoyment?


Now that I have more time, I have really hit the books. Not the quick read a page or two while in the bathroom kind of reading (TMI) ..... I love to get into a culture or people in my books. My latest have been recommendations from another blogger. The Kitchen Boy, The Mermaids Singing, Veil of Roses.... and now Peony in Love.

I have started to attend my church on Sundays. No longer do I feel that it is ONE MORE thing that I needed to do when I had free time. I think this is a great step in the right direction and hope to join in on the choir. Oh boy I really missed singing and not just in the shower!

DVD's.... My recommendations? The Good Year... Russell Crow, Miss Potter..... Renee Zellweger.

I could really get into spending time think of what I like to do, accomplish, and become. It kind of feels good getting up in the morning relaxed and ready for a little self indulgence.

PEACE OUT!!!

AUTUMN

I think that it is starting to be Autumn time!!!

One of the first signs of the Autumn season approaching is seeing the bugs.... Katydids, Praying Mantis' and Grasshoppers. I have sighted all three of these insects in the last few days.

While at the dog pond in Park City this evening, there was a definite chill in the air. I wished I would have brought my hoodie in the car.

Did I mention the cravings? Every Autumn I crave soups and stews. All the way down the canyon I was trying to figure out what I would be cooking tomorrow.

Shocking how fast the Summer has twinkled on by. I am only so very thankful that time is passing quickly. You can only imagine why.

So everyone, lift a glass of what entices you and join me in a toast to the welcoming in of pumpkins, corn stalks, ghost ,witches and goblins. Turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.


Time moving quickly by.

STARRY NIGHT WITH TONY

Equals a great time....

Tony Bennett still has "it" in him even at age 80+ years?! I actually surprised myself how much I enjoyed this outdoor evening of pic-nic-ing under Starry skies at the Deer Valley Sky resort. Symphony music by the Utah Symphony and the old crooner himself.... Tony!

A GOOD USE FOR THE CRIB

Since I don't have anything else to do with this crib, it has become the catchall for paperwork. My office/spare room will become Tate's Kingdom (room). So far I have moved the guest twin bed out of it and replaced it with the crib. I used to use the twin bed surface for piles of paperwork, receipts, bills. Kind of like a file system, I guess. Slowly Tate's crib has turned into a landing space for such items. Hey at least Tate has her stuffed animal friends and blankie in there. Sadly, Mesa has discovered the stuff animals. In true Golden Retriever fashion, she loves to rip the animals apart, pulling out the batting and playing with the empty body. Now she just stands tall and whines for some of these animals. I am sensing that this passion for stuffed animals will become a problem when Tate is around. Until the meantime, I will have to put up with ignoring the whining as I am in the office and onto my blog reading.

NIGHTMARE of a Dream

I finally started having one of THOSE dreams. You know the kind I'm talking about? People would comment on how well I seem to be handling this wait for Tate. I've been feeling that I would just carry on until the time finally comes for the referral for Tate. This is what my intellectual side was tell myself and as well as what I was telling others. Who would have known that my subconscious had other feelings. The other morning I woke up with a dream fresh on my mind. This dream was me frantically looking for a phone number and once dialed not connecting. I was so unset that I could not find who had my TATE. The whole time I was sobbing silent tears. Ever since I have had this dream, I feel a knot in my chest and a longing for my future to start.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE DOGS GONE????

Holy Crap....

I headed back to the campus of my previous student life, and boy have things changed! Back in "my day", we were poor STUDENTS!!! Beater cars, bikes, simple backpacks, Levis and tennis shoes or clogs. Frisbee's, hickey sacks, music and DOGS!!! LARGE DOGS.....Long haired, short haired dogs everywhere, just layin' on the grass waiting for the next person to stop just to give a scratch on that soft mound of fur. With this in mind, I head to campus to get proof of graduation, with Mesa in tow. Yippee, an outing and a walk for me and Mesa down memory row. Off runs the snuggle pup to discover vast areas of traffic- free grasses, hills and smells. I stepped back and I observed that there is not a sign of one single dog on campus. Just students and people rushing around in pristine clothing and laptop bags. The only sign I saw of a backpack was one on wheels, packed as if someone was going on a weekend retreat and not for a day in a carefree student's life. When did college get to be so serious??? And the saddest part of all this was that not one person stopped to give a snuggle to the golden mass of fur tipped towards them eagerly waiting for a quick snuggle. I just wanted to scream out on campus and say, "SLOW DOWN YOU KIDS!!! Stop and enjoy the joy and freedom of education. Feel the warm sun on you face. Breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy this time of your life before an 8-5 job traps you indoors.....and please, STOP AND PET THE DOG!!!"

I HAD TO THINK THIS MONTH

Hmmmmmm... What number LID am I celebrating this month??? But of course, it is number-



Time is a marchin' on so very quickly!!! So much to keep my heart a fluttering with so much panic and stress going on in my complicated little world. I hope to share what is all a flutter in a week or so.... But it does feel good to sit back and think, I have made it 17 moinths!!!!