~I'm happy to say that I did have a few trick-or-treaters....I only answered the door 3-4 times but there were multiple kids each time. And awfully cute costumes. Very young kids, too.
~There may have been more but it started raining again about 8, and that was that.
~I have a lot of candy left. Maybe I should've bought candy I don't like? But what fun is that?
~It's all chocolate :)
~I'm looking forward to an extra hour of sleep tonight, too. I'm really grateful, because tomorrow will be a very busy day. Two services, then run to Staples to get some supplies, then back home to set up for our All Saints' Dinner and Saints' Hall of Fame tomorrow evening. I'm a little nervous about that because even with a sign-up sheet I don't know what turnout will really be like, and how willing people will be to participate in the activity.
~I'm annoyed at having to go to Staples tomorrow. I should've gone today, but my local Stop & Shop has a Staples section that did (last week) have what I need (large pads of paper) so I thought I would get it there since it's 2 minutes from my house. Only when I went, that aisle has been redone to allow for--are you ready--toys for Christmas. Why do they need to sell toys for Christmas in the grocery store? Now? Gah. And at that point I didn't have time to go to Staples before time for trick-or-treaters.
~Oh, my petty complaints!
~My awesome Hallowe'en discovery? Dark chocolate Twix. YUM!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
I closed the door
on the puppy question this week.
When I last reported on this, I was still in limbo, wanting to go get the puppy, but worried about having the time to properly attend to her. And shortly thereafter the puppy's mom emailed me to say that she'd decided to keep the puppy after all. I had suspected that might happen and when it did, it felt like a relief.
So I was surprised when the puppy's mom emailed me this week and asked me to call her. When I did she said she'd had another change of heart--did I still want the puppy?
And you know, I could say that honestly, I just couldn't do it right now. Part of it was seeing her going back and forth--she has an older dog she adores, and she wanted the puppy as company for herself and the dog, but found she just didn't want the commitment of time and energy a puppy required. If she (who doesn't work outside her home) couldn't pull it off, how would I? And part of it was realizing (again) when WW was here and we went out for the day, how I probably wouldn't have been able to do that if I had the puppy.
So I've close the door on not just this puppy, but any puppy for the foreseeable future. This puppy was a breed I really liked, and she was coming to me free of cost. If I turned that down, it must mean that now is just not the time for a dog.
For me to have a dog now would require me having a pet sitter who could come anytime of day, any day I needed. And that just isn't likely to happen. Maybe I'm selfish, but I am enjoying not being accountable to anyone for my coming and going. Not that I go that many places, but I CAN, if I want to, just pick up and go.
I'm still thinking about a cat though.
When I last reported on this, I was still in limbo, wanting to go get the puppy, but worried about having the time to properly attend to her. And shortly thereafter the puppy's mom emailed me to say that she'd decided to keep the puppy after all. I had suspected that might happen and when it did, it felt like a relief.
So I was surprised when the puppy's mom emailed me this week and asked me to call her. When I did she said she'd had another change of heart--did I still want the puppy?
And you know, I could say that honestly, I just couldn't do it right now. Part of it was seeing her going back and forth--she has an older dog she adores, and she wanted the puppy as company for herself and the dog, but found she just didn't want the commitment of time and energy a puppy required. If she (who doesn't work outside her home) couldn't pull it off, how would I? And part of it was realizing (again) when WW was here and we went out for the day, how I probably wouldn't have been able to do that if I had the puppy.
So I've close the door on not just this puppy, but any puppy for the foreseeable future. This puppy was a breed I really liked, and she was coming to me free of cost. If I turned that down, it must mean that now is just not the time for a dog.
For me to have a dog now would require me having a pet sitter who could come anytime of day, any day I needed. And that just isn't likely to happen. Maybe I'm selfish, but I am enjoying not being accountable to anyone for my coming and going. Not that I go that many places, but I CAN, if I want to, just pick up and go.
I'm still thinking about a cat though.
So I did it
~I just signed up for NaBloPoMo for the third year. The first year I really wasn't sure I could do it, but I did; the second I was coming up on the end of a year of posting every day. This year feels more challenging than the first--I haven't been blogging much, and honestly, the blogisphere is pretty quiet these days, compared to two years ago, at least the corner where I hang out. But I am going to try to write SOMETHING every day, or post a picture, and hopefully not be dreadfully boring.
~Speaking of pictures, after my hard drive crashed in April, I upgraded my Photoshop, and ever since then I have not been able to get the interface between iPhoto and Photoshop to work correctly--at least as I understand it. It used to be that I downloaded my pictures into iPhoto and then easily opened them to edit in Photoshop. And they were easily accessible in my photo library. Now, if I download them into iPhoto, I can't open them in Photoshop, and if I download them into Bridge (which photoshop really wants me to do) I can't seem to access them outside of Photoshop. Making me nuts, and it's a major disincentive to working with my photography.
~Speaking of pictures, after my hard drive crashed in April, I upgraded my Photoshop, and ever since then I have not been able to get the interface between iPhoto and Photoshop to work correctly--at least as I understand it. It used to be that I downloaded my pictures into iPhoto and then easily opened them to edit in Photoshop. And they were easily accessible in my photo library. Now, if I download them into iPhoto, I can't open them in Photoshop, and if I download them into Bridge (which photoshop really wants me to do) I can't seem to access them outside of Photoshop. Making me nuts, and it's a major disincentive to working with my photography.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Good morning!
~It's a bright sunny Monday morning, and I woke up feeling rested, despite once again staying up too late last night (although part of that 'staying up' was actually sleeping on the couch.) And it's my day off. Sweet. Especially since last week was busy and this week promises to be more so. Fewer meetings but lots of planning and things to get set in place.
~WW, Mr. WW and Baby M spent a week here with me, which I greatly enjoyed. Baby M is, of course, adorable, and I had a chance to get to know Mr. WW (who needs a better pseudonym) a little better--after all, I'd only known him through FB until he arrived in this country a mere 48 hours before Baby M was born. WW has been seriously lacking sleep, but they all seemed to sleep fairly well here, and I could do some baby holding, so all was good.
~While they were here we spent an afternoon in nearby Ivy League City, which I had thus far only driven through. Found a couple of nice coffee shop/bookstores, walked through the university, and enjoyed the sunshine. Will be back. The next day they took the train into the city and went to the Museum of Natural History, which thrilled Mr. WW.
~Saturday I attended our diocesan convention where a new bishop for our diocese was elected. Sadly to me I didn't get to vote, not having met the three-month residency requirement, but it was fun to observe. Election came on the second ballot which to me indicates a high degree of consensus--some episcopal elections go 15+ ballots before someone gets the required number of votes.
~Have I said here that I live in a very cool house? I'm really liking it (and I promise to post pix as soon as I figure out my new (six months ago) photoshop. Sigh. ) I don't have enough furniture for this house, and as it happens there a number of antique shops in my new town, right on the main street. So I've been perusing them for things I might use here. Truth is I can't afford really expensive antiques, but I like funky old things of the less expensive sort, and I bought a very cool old oak hall tree a couple of weeks ago. I have my eye on a couple of other things--this will be a work in progress.
~Can this really be the very last week in October? I am hoping for trick-or-treaters this year, and yes, I will give them candy. (I'm all for healthy living, but come on, it's Hallowe'en!) We never had any trick-or-treaters at our last house because it was down a long dark driveway, and not in a heavily residential neighborhood, but it should be different here. I love Hallowe'en.
~And if November is coming, will NaBloPoMo be coming too? Perhaps that's what it will take to reestablish a new blogging habit. If I can do it.
~WW, Mr. WW and Baby M spent a week here with me, which I greatly enjoyed. Baby M is, of course, adorable, and I had a chance to get to know Mr. WW (who needs a better pseudonym) a little better--after all, I'd only known him through FB until he arrived in this country a mere 48 hours before Baby M was born. WW has been seriously lacking sleep, but they all seemed to sleep fairly well here, and I could do some baby holding, so all was good.
~While they were here we spent an afternoon in nearby Ivy League City, which I had thus far only driven through. Found a couple of nice coffee shop/bookstores, walked through the university, and enjoyed the sunshine. Will be back. The next day they took the train into the city and went to the Museum of Natural History, which thrilled Mr. WW.
~Saturday I attended our diocesan convention where a new bishop for our diocese was elected. Sadly to me I didn't get to vote, not having met the three-month residency requirement, but it was fun to observe. Election came on the second ballot which to me indicates a high degree of consensus--some episcopal elections go 15+ ballots before someone gets the required number of votes.
~Have I said here that I live in a very cool house? I'm really liking it (and I promise to post pix as soon as I figure out my new (six months ago) photoshop. Sigh. ) I don't have enough furniture for this house, and as it happens there a number of antique shops in my new town, right on the main street. So I've been perusing them for things I might use here. Truth is I can't afford really expensive antiques, but I like funky old things of the less expensive sort, and I bought a very cool old oak hall tree a couple of weeks ago. I have my eye on a couple of other things--this will be a work in progress.
~Can this really be the very last week in October? I am hoping for trick-or-treaters this year, and yes, I will give them candy. (I'm all for healthy living, but come on, it's Hallowe'en!) We never had any trick-or-treaters at our last house because it was down a long dark driveway, and not in a heavily residential neighborhood, but it should be different here. I love Hallowe'en.
~And if November is coming, will NaBloPoMo be coming too? Perhaps that's what it will take to reestablish a new blogging habit. If I can do it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Almost missed it
It just occurred to me, as I was going down my blogroll, that today is my fourth blogiversary. How time flies!
After not missing a day for 400 and some days, (EVERY day in 2008 plus some this year) my writing has dribbled off to nothing. I keep saying I'm coming back, with no results so far. But as much as I've come to love FB, I hate to let the blog go. There are so many of you I wouldn't know at all if it weren't for our interactions in the blogisphere. My life is richer for "knowing" all of you, and in the really rough part of the last year or so, your support meant a great deal to me.
Raising a glass of virtual bubbly to all of you (or at least anyone who still stops by). Here's to another year!
After not missing a day for 400 and some days, (EVERY day in 2008 plus some this year) my writing has dribbled off to nothing. I keep saying I'm coming back, with no results so far. But as much as I've come to love FB, I hate to let the blog go. There are so many of you I wouldn't know at all if it weren't for our interactions in the blogisphere. My life is richer for "knowing" all of you, and in the really rough part of the last year or so, your support meant a great deal to me.
Raising a glass of virtual bubbly to all of you (or at least anyone who still stops by). Here's to another year!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Friday Five--Shoes, shoes, shoes
A topic near and dear to my heart...
1. What is your favorite footwear at this time in your life?
Danskos, Keenes, Ecco, Chakos. I'm all about comfort but with at least a modicum of style. I learned in the city that as my feet go, so goes my day, so I just won't scrimp on shoes (although I've never succumbed to teh Mephistos).
2. What was the craziest shoe, boot, or sandal you ever wore?.
2hat was the craziest shoe, boot, or sandal you ever wor
Probably the sandals with the 1 1/4 inch platforms and 2 1/2 inch heels I wore back in the seventies--and walked to work in. Yikes. Don't know how I did that.
3. What kind of shoes did you wear in your childhood?
Flip flops and Keds or Red Ball Jets in the summer, patent leather Mary Janes for Sunday, and I don't remember what but they were probably ugly for school. I only recall the saddle oxfords I had in about second grade because I remember wanting them intensely and being so happy when my mother agreed to them.
In high school Bass Weejuns were all the rage, and I was allowed to have them but it was a BIG DEAL.
4. How do you feel most comfortable? Barefoot, flip-flops, boots, or what?
I would wear sandals all year round if I could. But since I live in New England that really isn't an option. So, sandals when it's warm and some sort of Danskos or the like when it's not, and my furry Ugg slippers when I get home from work. Sadly my barefoot days seem to be over.
5. What kind of socks do you like, if any?
I wear black trouser socks when I wear pants to work, and I like ones with cool patterns--my favorites have a lacy pattern.
Bonus: Anything you want to share about feet or footwear.
When I was a kid I loved to go barefoot, and there was a summer when I didn't put shoes on from the day school was out until the day school started, not for any reason. But when I was in grad school I had to walk great distances across campus every day, wearing my Sam and Libby ballet flats and I wrecked my feet --painful bone spurs were the end result. Ever since then my feet have not been happy about me walking around barefoot.
1. What is your favorite footwear at this time in your life?
Danskos, Keenes, Ecco, Chakos. I'm all about comfort but with at least a modicum of style. I learned in the city that as my feet go, so goes my day, so I just won't scrimp on shoes (although I've never succumbed to teh Mephistos).
2. What was the craziest shoe, boot, or sandal you ever wore?.
2hat was the craziest shoe, boot, or sandal you ever wor
Probably the sandals with the 1 1/4 inch platforms and 2 1/2 inch heels I wore back in the seventies--and walked to work in. Yikes. Don't know how I did that.
3. What kind of shoes did you wear in your childhood?
Flip flops and Keds or Red Ball Jets in the summer, patent leather Mary Janes for Sunday, and I don't remember what but they were probably ugly for school. I only recall the saddle oxfords I had in about second grade because I remember wanting them intensely and being so happy when my mother agreed to them.
In high school Bass Weejuns were all the rage, and I was allowed to have them but it was a BIG DEAL.
4. How do you feel most comfortable? Barefoot, flip-flops, boots, or what?
I would wear sandals all year round if I could. But since I live in New England that really isn't an option. So, sandals when it's warm and some sort of Danskos or the like when it's not, and my furry Ugg slippers when I get home from work. Sadly my barefoot days seem to be over.
5. What kind of socks do you like, if any?
I wear black trouser socks when I wear pants to work, and I like ones with cool patterns--my favorites have a lacy pattern.
Bonus: Anything you want to share about feet or footwear.
When I was a kid I loved to go barefoot, and there was a summer when I didn't put shoes on from the day school was out until the day school started, not for any reason. But when I was in grad school I had to walk great distances across campus every day, wearing my Sam and Libby ballet flats and I wrecked my feet --painful bone spurs were the end result. Ever since then my feet have not been happy about me walking around barefoot.
Monday, October 05, 2009
On living alone...so far...
~I've been here just a little over a month and the Kid's been away at college for almost a month, and I'm trying to settle into a normal routine...just don't know what normal is, yet. Everything is different--my daily routine, my day off, my work routine. Until last week I still felt like I was in transit because everywhere I looked there was evidence of moving. But that's gone now--well, mostly. There are a few things that still need attention, but it looks like I live here now. So I don't have that pressure.
~I'm doing okay here alone. Being really busy helps, no doubt. The first few days the Kid was gone, his absence was palpable (as it was when each of the other kids left home but probably exaggerated this time since he's the last to go). But you become accustomed to it. I still walk by his unnaturally neat room and wish he were there, and I had a little pang last night when I was doing my pathetic grocery shopping for one (more on that). And I miss his music. I don't tend to turn music on (I don't mind quiet and I just don't think about turning on the iPod or stereo) but the Kid would play music, or even better, play his guitar and sing, and I'm surprised at how much I miss that. Overall, though, I'm fine, and as predicted, in some ways it's very easy to be on my own, and really, accountable to no one.
~I would like to settle into a better daily rhythm. Because the office staff works from 9-1 each day, I've adopted those hours plus. So I've been coming home for lunch 1:30-2:00ish, and then either working at home or going back to church for a few hours. And then not getting around to thinking about dinner until 7-8, by which time it feels too late to really cook anything. And I've been staying up way too late has had become my habit. Yesterday after a long week I realized how very exhausted I felt, and how much I need to make sure I get enough sleep every night. So I need to go to be earlier. Sounds simple, but I rarely make it to bed before midnight and it's often 1 am. Must work on that.
~Cooking and eating: Gah. Now I love to eat, but I lost my motivation to cook a few years back. And cooking for one? Seems like a lot of trouble. So I eat a lot of frozen dinners--Lean Cuisine and the like, supplemented with some extra veggies. And easy things like omelets, nachos, baked potatoes, veggie burgers. But real cooking has gone by the wayside for now. I had visions of cooking on the weekends and freezing single servings--sounds like a great idea, doesn't it? But I'm not sure I'll ever do it. If I were in the city, or even in City by the Lake I'd be eating lots of take out, but I haven't discovered that many options that are really close by yet, which may be just as well. And the Kid and I ate out fairly often, but I'm not (yet) motivated to eat out alone.
~As for my work routine: On the one hand it's really easy because I can set my own hours to a degree, and yet at the same time, it's challenging to use my time well. The whole coming home for a late lunch and then getting back to work is okay some days, but others I feel like I'm not being very productive after I come home for lunch. Part of it is working out what exactly my day to day tasks are, and that is becoming more clear as time goes by. And part of it is, as my clergy coach says, working smart.
~Managing my time off is a challenge, too. In my last position I had Mondays and Fridays off. Saturdays were considered work days, but in truth, every other week when I wasn't preaching, Saturday also could be a day off. I knew then I had it good. Ironically, I was criticized by my boss for working too much because I sometimes worked on one of my days off (and very occasionally on both of them). Now I have Monday off, and I suppose theoretically Saturday, except I still write sermons on Saturday and this month I have lots of Saturday meetings as well. And last week I had a funeral on Monday, so no day off at all (but how do you say no to a family scheduling a funeral for a loved one?) So my off time is drastically reduced. I've been encouraged to take comp time, and I guess I could do that by taking some afternoons. off I just don't want that to make me look like I'm a slacker. It's all a balancing act, I guess.
~The whole should-I-get-a-dog question remains in limbo. When I left my previous location, the option was still open for me to claim the puppy, but I haven't had time to go get her. And as time goes by, I wonder if I could do the day-to-day? I have days when I need to be gone all day (tomorrow for instance is Clergy Day) and while I've had offers for pet care, I'm not sure any of them would be able to do mid-day on week days kind of care. Part of me still wants the dog--and I'd like to train her as a therapy dog--but part of me still says are-you-craaazzy??? And the latter part seems to be ahead right now. Maybe a cat instead?
~ETA: I actually did cook a from-scratch dinner tonight: corn on the cob and sauteed veggies (onion, zucchini, yellow squash and green tomato--yummy!) Of course the Kid (were he here) would say, "That's not a meal, that's sides" but it works for me.
~I'm doing okay here alone. Being really busy helps, no doubt. The first few days the Kid was gone, his absence was palpable (as it was when each of the other kids left home but probably exaggerated this time since he's the last to go). But you become accustomed to it. I still walk by his unnaturally neat room and wish he were there, and I had a little pang last night when I was doing my pathetic grocery shopping for one (more on that). And I miss his music. I don't tend to turn music on (I don't mind quiet and I just don't think about turning on the iPod or stereo) but the Kid would play music, or even better, play his guitar and sing, and I'm surprised at how much I miss that. Overall, though, I'm fine, and as predicted, in some ways it's very easy to be on my own, and really, accountable to no one.
~I would like to settle into a better daily rhythm. Because the office staff works from 9-1 each day, I've adopted those hours plus. So I've been coming home for lunch 1:30-2:00ish, and then either working at home or going back to church for a few hours. And then not getting around to thinking about dinner until 7-8, by which time it feels too late to really cook anything. And I've been staying up way too late has had become my habit. Yesterday after a long week I realized how very exhausted I felt, and how much I need to make sure I get enough sleep every night. So I need to go to be earlier. Sounds simple, but I rarely make it to bed before midnight and it's often 1 am. Must work on that.
~Cooking and eating: Gah. Now I love to eat, but I lost my motivation to cook a few years back. And cooking for one? Seems like a lot of trouble. So I eat a lot of frozen dinners--Lean Cuisine and the like, supplemented with some extra veggies. And easy things like omelets, nachos, baked potatoes, veggie burgers. But real cooking has gone by the wayside for now. I had visions of cooking on the weekends and freezing single servings--sounds like a great idea, doesn't it? But I'm not sure I'll ever do it. If I were in the city, or even in City by the Lake I'd be eating lots of take out, but I haven't discovered that many options that are really close by yet, which may be just as well. And the Kid and I ate out fairly often, but I'm not (yet) motivated to eat out alone.
~As for my work routine: On the one hand it's really easy because I can set my own hours to a degree, and yet at the same time, it's challenging to use my time well. The whole coming home for a late lunch and then getting back to work is okay some days, but others I feel like I'm not being very productive after I come home for lunch. Part of it is working out what exactly my day to day tasks are, and that is becoming more clear as time goes by. And part of it is, as my clergy coach says, working smart.
~Managing my time off is a challenge, too. In my last position I had Mondays and Fridays off. Saturdays were considered work days, but in truth, every other week when I wasn't preaching, Saturday also could be a day off. I knew then I had it good. Ironically, I was criticized by my boss for working too much because I sometimes worked on one of my days off (and very occasionally on both of them). Now I have Monday off, and I suppose theoretically Saturday, except I still write sermons on Saturday and this month I have lots of Saturday meetings as well. And last week I had a funeral on Monday, so no day off at all (but how do you say no to a family scheduling a funeral for a loved one?) So my off time is drastically reduced. I've been encouraged to take comp time, and I guess I could do that by taking some afternoons. off I just don't want that to make me look like I'm a slacker. It's all a balancing act, I guess.
~The whole should-I-get-a-dog question remains in limbo. When I left my previous location, the option was still open for me to claim the puppy, but I haven't had time to go get her. And as time goes by, I wonder if I could do the day-to-day? I have days when I need to be gone all day (tomorrow for instance is Clergy Day) and while I've had offers for pet care, I'm not sure any of them would be able to do mid-day on week days kind of care. Part of me still wants the dog--and I'd like to train her as a therapy dog--but part of me still says are-you-craaazzy??? And the latter part seems to be ahead right now. Maybe a cat instead?
~ETA: I actually did cook a from-scratch dinner tonight: corn on the cob and sauteed veggies (onion, zucchini, yellow squash and green tomato--yummy!) Of course the Kid (were he here) would say, "That's not a meal, that's sides" but it works for me.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
October
HOLY COW--HOW can it be OCTOBER already? Where has the time gone?
Honestly, the last few months seem like such a blur--packing, the relentless packing, then reversing the process, and all while first saying goodbye and processing everything I'd been through, and then while starting a new job. I don't want to do that again for a long time! I am happy to say that after I stayed up very late night before last hanging pictures, now the "moving in" is just about complete. It looks like I'm here to stay, and it looks like home.
And I'm SO happy to be here. Really. I love my job, and so far I like the area. I have STARBUCKS and a FARMER'S MARKET both less than a mile from my house (and if you've read here for long you will appreciate how very happy that makes me). I can drive 10-20 minutes and get to anything and everything I could possibly want in terms of shopping (Ikea, Target, Whole Foods--well in a couple of months, WF). I can take the train into the city. I live in an awesome house, and I have wonderful people to work with.
I know this honeymoon won't last forever, and that little superstitious part of me is almost afraid to be too happy for fear of what might go wrong, but really, right now life is good!
Honestly, the last few months seem like such a blur--packing, the relentless packing, then reversing the process, and all while first saying goodbye and processing everything I'd been through, and then while starting a new job. I don't want to do that again for a long time! I am happy to say that after I stayed up very late night before last hanging pictures, now the "moving in" is just about complete. It looks like I'm here to stay, and it looks like home.
And I'm SO happy to be here. Really. I love my job, and so far I like the area. I have STARBUCKS and a FARMER'S MARKET both less than a mile from my house (and if you've read here for long you will appreciate how very happy that makes me). I can drive 10-20 minutes and get to anything and everything I could possibly want in terms of shopping (Ikea, Target, Whole Foods--well in a couple of months, WF). I can take the train into the city. I live in an awesome house, and I have wonderful people to work with.
I know this honeymoon won't last forever, and that little superstitious part of me is almost afraid to be too happy for fear of what might go wrong, but really, right now life is good!
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