My Week in a Word: COLD!

That is frost INSIDE my car one afternoon this week.

I think that was the day it was in the single digits with windchill below 0. So cold it hurt.

A Perfect Day

Today I am going to attempt having a perfect day.

We have a snow day in these parts, so I am home from school. I slept late and now I'm in my Christmas pajamas, drinking cup of coffee number 2 (cup number 3 is staying fresh and hot in a thermal carafe) and reading a book, while cinnamon bread bakes in the oven. Jill and I texted a few minutes ago and she's going to call in a little bit. I will enjoy that third cup of coffee with her. 

Later I will brave the bitter cold and subzero windchill to clear off my car and move it into a visitor spot so that my spot can be cleared. When I come back in, I'll get in some comfy sweats and warm up by making a pot of chili. While it simmers I will take care of some Christmas clutter and prepare the containers that I will use to share the chili will my friends. (My Christmas chili is late this year.)

This evening, when my kitchen is back in order and the chili is put away, I'll chop some onions and start a pot of French onion soup. While the onions caramelize I may attempt a project. Or maybe I'll write some more. Or maybe I'll just pour a glass of wine and read some more before I eventually enjoy a bowl of soup as a late, light, but comforting dinner. 

When I go to bed tonight I hope to be happy with what I made of my day instead of thinking, why did you wait for a snow day? 

I Am Alive

Although this blog may show no signs of life, I assure you I am alive. And relatively well.

Sometimes I can't get out of my own way, sometimes I can't sit down long enough to write, sometimes I can't stay awake long enough to write when I finally sit down, sometimes I post on Facebook when I should be posting here. I do plan to write again, and to do so regularly, more than "my week in a word" posts, which I can't even manage lately. I know I'll get there. I'll start working through my list of post topics.

While I struggle out of this lazy, distracted, tired state I thought I would say hello. I hope that you are enjoying a happy holiday season. 

My Week in a Word: Challenging

Home Bound and Happy

Wow. October and November flew by without a chance to hunker down and nest. (You know how I love my fuzzy slippers and Sunday soup!) Every weekend for the last seven I've had an event or been away for a day or a whole weekend (or out buying a car!). Don't get me wrong; I am not complaining. It has been fun. Adventurous even. (I went glamping!) Just busy.

The benefits of being busy, aside from trying new things and being in good company, include preventing me from dwelling all weekend on how awful things are at work. The downside is that I haven't really had a chance to do projects and spend a Sunday cooking, getting ready for the week. I know, there are worse things. Anyway.

Finally, after a busy work week (including a dinner out with friends one night, my niece's concert with my parents another), this weekend--perfectly timed before the Thanksgiving holiday--I had nowhere to be. 

I thought I might hibernate for both days, but I didn't. I spent the afternoon out shopping (and returning) yesterday (my winter wardrobe is all set now), but today have been content to be at home, with the wind howling outside. I tackled some chores, broke down some boxes (have I mentioned I have been doing some on-line shopping?), talked to Jill around noon, got around to making and eating breakfast around two, and started chopping onions at three for French onion soup that was ready at seven.

See? I'm not really high maintenance at all.

My Week in a Word: Predictable

I know now that it is typical for me to fantasize about taking a mental health day without following through (because calling in is harder than showing up), so that on Friday I'll be exhausted but proud. (I agree, there is something wrong about both fantasizing a sick day AND deciding it's easier not to take one. Every week.)

In the middle of it I'll go out to eat one night, do a little retail therapy (probably the same night I go out for dinner) (and probably with Amy), visit with my parents another night, have a (little) burst of energy to work on house projects another night, and go to bed ridiculously early yet another without feeling refreshed in the morning. 

And at the end of it, before I've fully recovered from the previous week, I will gear up to do it all over again the next. 

[Heart] Note to... Bluetooth in My Car

I love a lot, make that everything, about my new car. The shiny, dent-free, scratch-free newness makes me smile. As does the new car smell. And the way it drives. I have experienced before that kind of newness and the happiness that comes from it exactly twice in my adult life, but this time on a scale of one to ten my happiness is an eleven (a la Spinal Tap). One better.

Because my phone talks to my car.

I know, right?

Every song I have downloaded from iTunes I can play in my car. My contact list is available to me on a touch screen. My phone rings through my car speakers. No more fishing through my purse to find my phone. No more second guessing if I forgot my phone once I belt in and start the engine. I turn on my car and it tells me if it's there: Bluetooth Connected. All those moments of digging around my purse I won't get back, but I am happy never to have to waste another moment like that again.

Driving is a joy again. Singing along to my favorite 123 songs in random order this past week has been delightful.

Bluetooth, I love you.