Dear February,
Thank you.
Thank you for making me love every single month of the year more than you.
Thank you for making me rethink my life and what on earth I am doing with it.
Thank you for making me wonder why I hate life so much, only to realize it is entirely your fault.
Thank you that it really is entirely your fault and has little bearing on anything else.
Thank you for helping me appreciate those brief glimpses of sun from behind your blanket of clouds.
Thank you for hosting a holiday made to make single people feel alone. I mean come on, who wouldn't want that rubbed in one's face during the most dreary month of the year. Brilliant.
Thank you for the rain, the snow, the lovely "wintry mix" you seem so fond of.
Thank you for turning your short days into the longest month of the year.
Thank you for slush.
And most of all, thank you for leaving. And not coming back for an entire year.
Thank you.
The Management
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Are you a manicure pedicure kind of gal?
For some reason today I am contemplating the extravagances of spa day yesterday. The massage was completely worth it. It wasn't the best massage I've ever had, but I'm pretty sure every massage I've ever gotten has been worth it.
But the manicure and pedicure? Let me start by saying I do not consider myself a girlie girl. Bright colored nail polish on my finger nails always distracts and annoys me. I rarely wear any nail polish on my finger nails, actually, and feel fine about it. My feet never look nice. In the summer I paint the toenails and in the winter I simply hide under layers of socks and slippers. In my life, I have had exactly 3 manicures and 2 pedicures (and that includes the ones yesterday). While I enjoyed the experience yesterday and while my feet and hands do look and feel better, I do not think I am a regular mani/pedi kind of gal. Maybe partly because I am so cheap. Or because I really just don't care enough. It strikes me that I basically paid some nicely made up woman to slough dead skin off my feet and trim my unsightly cuticles. Really?
So... my final thoughts on the matter are this:
1) It was a blast to spend the day with my housemates,
2) It was certainly fun to do something unnecessary and a little extravagant (especially this time of year)
3) I need more massages in my life, and
4) Next time I will slough off my own dead skin, paint the toenails, and call it a night.
But the manicure and pedicure? Let me start by saying I do not consider myself a girlie girl. Bright colored nail polish on my finger nails always distracts and annoys me. I rarely wear any nail polish on my finger nails, actually, and feel fine about it. My feet never look nice. In the summer I paint the toenails and in the winter I simply hide under layers of socks and slippers. In my life, I have had exactly 3 manicures and 2 pedicures (and that includes the ones yesterday). While I enjoyed the experience yesterday and while my feet and hands do look and feel better, I do not think I am a regular mani/pedi kind of gal. Maybe partly because I am so cheap. Or because I really just don't care enough. It strikes me that I basically paid some nicely made up woman to slough dead skin off my feet and trim my unsightly cuticles. Really?
So... my final thoughts on the matter are this:
1) It was a blast to spend the day with my housemates,
2) It was certainly fun to do something unnecessary and a little extravagant (especially this time of year)
3) I need more massages in my life, and
4) Next time I will slough off my own dead skin, paint the toenails, and call it a night.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Spa Day
A few weeks back, while creating our February lists, we decided we should have a Nichols Homestead spa day. So we scheduled massages at the massage school (so they are half price because they are by students) and manicures and pedicures in a spa here in town. It was a great day. We all lazied around when we woke up. Elana made us breakfast. We talked and laughed and enjoyed (or avoided) actually being in the house all at the same time (this happens once or twice a month, at most). One by one we showered and got ready and then headed out for massages. Mmmmm massage. Fabulous. Then the salon for the manicures and pedicures. Admittedly, I got a little bored waiting for my appointment. And of course, touched something and had to have a couple nails redone before leaving... but it was nice to have a day and have some pampering. And to be distracted from February. And mostly to have a fun day with the homies.
Worth the hype: Spa day with the homies
Worth the hype: Spa day with the homies
Saturday, February 19, 2011
That Elusive Balance
This weekend I am pondering how to find balance again.
Work, though I love it, is nuts. There are not enough hours in a day for me to accomplish everything there is to do. And I am having a really hard time trying to figure out what to do or not do. How to keep it all straight. What my priorities need to be. etc. I need to ask my boss, but frankly, I'm pretty sure he doesn't know either. I keep thinking it will slow down, I'll catch up, catch my breath. The 2010 books are closed and we're making appointments to do the taxes with the accountant. And I'm a week behind on everything else. And there's those little nagging things I need to find time to do and can't. To top it all off, L is on vacation next week, so somehow I'll need to cover for both of us... ahhhhhhhhhh.
The need for balance is highlighted by the fact that I am coming home on the weekend feeling guilty for things I didn't have time to get done, remembering details I couldn't quite accomplish because I was pulled into meetings or doing the high priority thing from my boss right then.
I've got to find enough balance to get my life back. To leave work at work. To stop dreaming about it. To leave at a reasonable hour. But for the life of me, I can't figure out how...
And, like all my rant about work posts, I am still enjoying it. I like what I'm doing and who I'm doing it with. I just need to find some balance in it.
Work, though I love it, is nuts. There are not enough hours in a day for me to accomplish everything there is to do. And I am having a really hard time trying to figure out what to do or not do. How to keep it all straight. What my priorities need to be. etc. I need to ask my boss, but frankly, I'm pretty sure he doesn't know either. I keep thinking it will slow down, I'll catch up, catch my breath. The 2010 books are closed and we're making appointments to do the taxes with the accountant. And I'm a week behind on everything else. And there's those little nagging things I need to find time to do and can't. To top it all off, L is on vacation next week, so somehow I'll need to cover for both of us... ahhhhhhhhhh.
The need for balance is highlighted by the fact that I am coming home on the weekend feeling guilty for things I didn't have time to get done, remembering details I couldn't quite accomplish because I was pulled into meetings or doing the high priority thing from my boss right then.
I've got to find enough balance to get my life back. To leave work at work. To stop dreaming about it. To leave at a reasonable hour. But for the life of me, I can't figure out how...
And, like all my rant about work posts, I am still enjoying it. I like what I'm doing and who I'm doing it with. I just need to find some balance in it.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The patio curtains
I made these a few weeks ago and keep forgetting to post pictures. I love them. They are certainly bold and very sassy, but I think are fun and fit the bright green living room. I also made small curtains for the windows on either side of the fireplace, but I haven't installed the curtain rods or hung them yet.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Ho hum
Valentine's day came and went... I refuse to let a holiday like that get me down about my single state in life. Not that I wasn't tempted, but seriously, life is too short.
Good things about Valentine's day as a single person, okay, maybe just as me:
1. No reason to scout around for the perfect romantic gift, evening, card, etc.
2. Received a flower and chocolate from the boss, very thoughtful.
3. Received no flowers or chocolate from large, dirty man at work who has a crush on me. Whew. That would have been awkward.
4. I left work "early" (before 5) after working an 11 hour day. Made it to Mass and then home for a movie. Definitely low key. No expectations.
5. Suzie always wants to be mine, no matter what day it is (and Maggie bitterly resents being mine).
6. I downloaded photos from my camera, posted a few on here, and enjoyed looking at the pictures of the last couple months -- and a lot a really cute munchkins that I love.
7. Home sweet home.
8. And I slept like a baby having gotten only a few fitful hours the night before, the combo of war movie, relaxed evening, and extreme exhaustion made for a great night's sleep.
There you have it. Happy un-Valentine's day friends.
Good things about Valentine's day as a single person, okay, maybe just as me:
1. No reason to scout around for the perfect romantic gift, evening, card, etc.
2. Received a flower and chocolate from the boss, very thoughtful.
3. Received no flowers or chocolate from large, dirty man at work who has a crush on me. Whew. That would have been awkward.
4. I left work "early" (before 5) after working an 11 hour day. Made it to Mass and then home for a movie. Definitely low key. No expectations.
5. Suzie always wants to be mine, no matter what day it is (and Maggie bitterly resents being mine).
6. I downloaded photos from my camera, posted a few on here, and enjoyed looking at the pictures of the last couple months -- and a lot a really cute munchkins that I love.
7. Home sweet home.
8. And I slept like a baby having gotten only a few fitful hours the night before, the combo of war movie, relaxed evening, and extreme exhaustion made for a great night's sleep.
There you have it. Happy un-Valentine's day friends.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Recommendations
I am watching a series called "Island at War" by Acorn Media (thank you Saline library). It's about the Channel Island of St. Gregory during the nazi occupation. Reminds me of a great book I re-read recently and highly recommend: "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. History is so full of heroism and heartbreak.
I highly recommend the book, and the DVD series was mostly good ...But you should know there were a couple scenes that were well, unnecessary. Brief, but still unncessary. The first four episodes were so good but the last two included less than recommendable behaviour -no matter how historical. Sigh.
I highly recommend the book, and the DVD series was mostly good ...But you should know there were a couple scenes that were well, unnecessary. Brief, but still unncessary. The first four episodes were so good but the last two included less than recommendable behaviour -no matter how historical. Sigh.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Mid-February
The Good:
-- I love Sundays. It is soooo good to have a day set aside to worship, and to rest, and to be.
-- Today I sewed a bag for my ice skates out of an old curtain. Sometimes I am proud enough to post pics of a sewing project, in spite of knowing sewing geniuses like Jodi and Karen who can literally make amazingly beautiful things out of nothing (You ladies inspire me!). This bag, however, is not worth posting. It is great because: a) I reused a sunfaded curtain b) it fits my ice skates and gets them off the closet floor c) I started and finished it in one day and d) it got me sewing and doing something creative on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But it sure isn't pretty and now that I've finished it, I know what is wrong with the design. Ah well, live and learn :)
-- My February list is proving to be a good distraction and I'm getting some stuff checked off. More on that later. But if you don't have a February list, you should probably make one. :)
-- After weeks of sunlessness, and the last few days with the high temperatures around 15 degrees F, the sun came out today! And the high was upper 30's or lower 40's. It was glorious, felt practically like spring! And the robins are back- they were congregating in the tree out front while I sewed. I'm hoping they remember how awesome that rosebush nest was and do not remember the scary lady with the camera who peeked in several times a day.
-- I had a Saturday at home and got some little things done around the house. And cleaned out the front cleaning closet-- that had become disorganized, dirty, and ridden with dog hair. Sure, I could have worked on other things and probably should have, but it feels nice to accomplish something- no matter how insignificant.
The Bad:
-- I am still feeling like I am no where near achieving my work life balance again. Just when I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I am proved wrong and land back in the overwhelmed and working a lot of hours camp. That being said, I am SO grateful for a job that I like, fun coworkers, and good work to do. God is so good to me. So although I am whining about it some, I am also profoundly grateful for the gift of work and this work even.
-- I miss my friends, my kiddos, my people... near and far.
-- I am never as productive as I want to be. Ever.
-- Flumaggedon... I'm still optimistic about avoiding it, and in the past week was around several people who were in various stages of getting over it... but two of my housemates are sniffling now, and it feels dangerously close all the sudden. And I clearly do not have time to be sick! So I'm taking vitamins like it's going out of style and hoping for the best.
The Ugly:
-- I have no idea what Suzie ate (and I know it wasn't the usual culprit -rawhide) but she is making smells that no person should have to endure. It's like something died in there (and worse yet, it isn't staying in there).
-- The end of a weekend...
-- I love Sundays. It is soooo good to have a day set aside to worship, and to rest, and to be.
-- Today I sewed a bag for my ice skates out of an old curtain. Sometimes I am proud enough to post pics of a sewing project, in spite of knowing sewing geniuses like Jodi and Karen who can literally make amazingly beautiful things out of nothing (You ladies inspire me!). This bag, however, is not worth posting. It is great because: a) I reused a sunfaded curtain b) it fits my ice skates and gets them off the closet floor c) I started and finished it in one day and d) it got me sewing and doing something creative on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But it sure isn't pretty and now that I've finished it, I know what is wrong with the design. Ah well, live and learn :)
-- My February list is proving to be a good distraction and I'm getting some stuff checked off. More on that later. But if you don't have a February list, you should probably make one. :)
-- After weeks of sunlessness, and the last few days with the high temperatures around 15 degrees F, the sun came out today! And the high was upper 30's or lower 40's. It was glorious, felt practically like spring! And the robins are back- they were congregating in the tree out front while I sewed. I'm hoping they remember how awesome that rosebush nest was and do not remember the scary lady with the camera who peeked in several times a day.
-- I had a Saturday at home and got some little things done around the house. And cleaned out the front cleaning closet-- that had become disorganized, dirty, and ridden with dog hair. Sure, I could have worked on other things and probably should have, but it feels nice to accomplish something- no matter how insignificant.
The Bad:
-- I am still feeling like I am no where near achieving my work life balance again. Just when I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, I am proved wrong and land back in the overwhelmed and working a lot of hours camp. That being said, I am SO grateful for a job that I like, fun coworkers, and good work to do. God is so good to me. So although I am whining about it some, I am also profoundly grateful for the gift of work and this work even.
-- I miss my friends, my kiddos, my people... near and far.
-- I am never as productive as I want to be. Ever.
-- Flumaggedon... I'm still optimistic about avoiding it, and in the past week was around several people who were in various stages of getting over it... but two of my housemates are sniffling now, and it feels dangerously close all the sudden. And I clearly do not have time to be sick! So I'm taking vitamins like it's going out of style and hoping for the best.
The Ugly:
-- I have no idea what Suzie ate (and I know it wasn't the usual culprit -rawhide) but she is making smells that no person should have to endure. It's like something died in there (and worse yet, it isn't staying in there).
-- The end of a weekend...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Take Down the Sign Reenie
I know, another recurring theme... today it was my boss coming into the office early afternoon and begging for someone to take his three girls for the night, he'd had a business meeting he really needed to be at rescheduled for the day he has the girls. He cajoled R, one of the auditors, at length trying to get him to take them. Both J and R gave flat "no". Then he pulled one of those mean sales tactics on me, where he says he feels bad asking me since its too much like piling on... but he really does need someone to watch them... I resisted as long as I could, and then agreed to take them. I know (hangs head in shame), this clearly isn't the balance I'm searching for... but really his girls aren't that bad. Don't get me wrong, the afternoons he has brought them into the office are completely unproductive, but they really are sweet kids.
This foiled my "work from home thursday afternoon" plan, but tomorrow I'm planning to work from home. Though E, the CFO, caught me as I had my arms full of J's kids stuff and said we should meet tomorrow. Ugh. I said I was working at home for at least the morning but heard myself agree to a noon meeting. What is wrong with me? When my boss got the girls tonight (at 9:15 pm), he said to work from home all day and rolled his eyes at the meeting... maybe this means I can skip out... we shall see.
I will also say that I did enjoy the time with John's girls. They are really entertaining kids, ages 10, 8, and 4. The older two are great and the youngest is a pistol but was very well behaved for me. She even fell asleep on the couch before the evening was out.
Besides "kids" is on my February Survival List. So technically I couldn't have said no...
This foiled my "work from home thursday afternoon" plan, but tomorrow I'm planning to work from home. Though E, the CFO, caught me as I had my arms full of J's kids stuff and said we should meet tomorrow. Ugh. I said I was working at home for at least the morning but heard myself agree to a noon meeting. What is wrong with me? When my boss got the girls tonight (at 9:15 pm), he said to work from home all day and rolled his eyes at the meeting... maybe this means I can skip out... we shall see.
I will also say that I did enjoy the time with John's girls. They are really entertaining kids, ages 10, 8, and 4. The older two are great and the youngest is a pistol but was very well behaved for me. She even fell asleep on the couch before the evening was out.
Besides "kids" is on my February Survival List. So technically I couldn't have said no...
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Surviving February
This may be a theme here for the next while… it’s kind of the theme in my life right now. My annual February Funk stayed away longer than usual because I was so busy working I didn't realize it was February. But then it hit with a vengence. And it feels particularly bad on the heels of job adjustment and being overworked in general... so suddenly it hits me that I have no life... I have no balance... I never see my friends... AND I also haven't seen the sun in weeks.
Once I realized I was headed into the February Funk, I began making lists of activities to do to survive the next stretch, the longest part of winter. Even making lists makes it sound more acheivable.
And here's the progress so far... Actually, I’m giving myself a gold star for last night. I left work after 7 pm, having been there since 7 am, with a short break for Mass at noon. I finally leave and head for home; it is cold, dark, and I strongly suspect that I hate my life. But even I know it has a lot to do with February and not so much to do with actually hating my life. I walked in the door, trying to ignore the half of the driveway I still haven’t gotten back out to shovel. The boots are overflowing in the entryway. I slide on my slippers, greet the mutts, feed them, and consider turning on a movie, laying on the floor and giving up on life (aka falling asleep as soon I hit the floor). I sat there pondering it for a few minutes and realized I couldn’t afford to fester in the funk. Don’t give in!!! I put my boots back on, bundled up, and headed for the library. Book club awaits (and I am trying really hard to finish the book before we meet). I found that book. Checked out several gardening books (a girl can dream right?) and a few DVDs that I won’t have time to watch. Then I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things and stopped by a local sick house to deliver the items, which turned into me coming in and visiting with said sick friends for a bit. And that’s all it took. Festering in the Funk avoided!! Thanks to the library and Busch's and most of all for the Mitzels for taking me in and saving me from a fate worse than death, the Funk. And a gold star for Reenie for putting the boots on and walking out the door.
And then today, after working hard, getting a lot together for accounting meeting, having the meeting, getting more assignments, scheduling follow up meetings, I walked out the door at 5:20!! Incredible! Look at me leaving the office while it’s still light out! And the sun was even shining!! And to make the day even better, I talked to my sister the whole way home and through a game of ball in the yard and dinner preparation. I got a phone call from my other (adopted) sister (also far away). And then a couple of my friends came by to chat and catch up. And my sister in law was here visiting with one of the homies. Talk about a one two punch for February!! Funk avoided two days in a row!! Hurray!!
Other things that make me really happy: That I haven’t experienced the Flumageddon that is plaguing so many of my friends and their offspring. I may be speaking too soon since I visited said Flumageddon zone yesterday and hung out with two recovering victims tonight… and got sneezed on a lot this weekend. But still… I am grateful. And to those of you still in the war zone, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with you!! Take heart, it can't last forever!!
Once I realized I was headed into the February Funk, I began making lists of activities to do to survive the next stretch, the longest part of winter. Even making lists makes it sound more acheivable.
And here's the progress so far... Actually, I’m giving myself a gold star for last night. I left work after 7 pm, having been there since 7 am, with a short break for Mass at noon. I finally leave and head for home; it is cold, dark, and I strongly suspect that I hate my life. But even I know it has a lot to do with February and not so much to do with actually hating my life. I walked in the door, trying to ignore the half of the driveway I still haven’t gotten back out to shovel. The boots are overflowing in the entryway. I slide on my slippers, greet the mutts, feed them, and consider turning on a movie, laying on the floor and giving up on life (aka falling asleep as soon I hit the floor). I sat there pondering it for a few minutes and realized I couldn’t afford to fester in the funk. Don’t give in!!! I put my boots back on, bundled up, and headed for the library. Book club awaits (and I am trying really hard to finish the book before we meet). I found that book. Checked out several gardening books (a girl can dream right?) and a few DVDs that I won’t have time to watch. Then I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things and stopped by a local sick house to deliver the items, which turned into me coming in and visiting with said sick friends for a bit. And that’s all it took. Festering in the Funk avoided!! Thanks to the library and Busch's and most of all for the Mitzels for taking me in and saving me from a fate worse than death, the Funk. And a gold star for Reenie for putting the boots on and walking out the door.
And then today, after working hard, getting a lot together for accounting meeting, having the meeting, getting more assignments, scheduling follow up meetings, I walked out the door at 5:20!! Incredible! Look at me leaving the office while it’s still light out! And the sun was even shining!! And to make the day even better, I talked to my sister the whole way home and through a game of ball in the yard and dinner preparation. I got a phone call from my other (adopted) sister (also far away). And then a couple of my friends came by to chat and catch up. And my sister in law was here visiting with one of the homies. Talk about a one two punch for February!! Funk avoided two days in a row!! Hurray!!
Other things that make me really happy: That I haven’t experienced the Flumageddon that is plaguing so many of my friends and their offspring. I may be speaking too soon since I visited said Flumageddon zone yesterday and hung out with two recovering victims tonight… and got sneezed on a lot this weekend. But still… I am grateful. And to those of you still in the war zone, my prayers and deepest sympathies are with you!! Take heart, it can't last forever!!
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