Feeling all mixed up

The neighbor cut down a big tree that was going to fall soon

Had a good home renovation meeting today. It looks like we are going to maybe get started soon.

This weekend is looking a bit weird. We have some vague dinner plans for Saturday. That is about it. Maybe we will just be mellow. I want to work in the kitchen a bit (make hot sauce, breads). It could be nice to spend some time outside, and work on a plan to empty the garage room before the renovation begins. I guess I should be happy with a mellow weekend. Next week is Thanksgiving, and that will surely not be mellow. Virginia and the kids are leaving Tuesday, and me on Wednesday after work. It is making more and more sense to conserve my vacation time. I will surely need it in the upcoming year.

I found a book that I am desperate for, called the Professional Chef. It is the textbook for the Culinary Institute of America. It is available for the Ipad and has been made very interactive. It is a complete cooking course, and so interesting. I got a free chapter about soups, and have already learned so much. It is pretty expensive at $50, so it isn't an instant purchase. I have been thinking about things I want to buy, and bought myself a Jawbone Up band. It is a bracelet that keeps track of your movement. It gives a graph of steps taken and hours slept each day. I think of it as a little friendly reminder to be healthy. It vibrates to remind me to be active, if I sit still too long. I am wanting to get a pedaling thing that goes under my desk at work, so that I can pedal while I work.

I have been trying to stay active, going to the gym every couple of days and using therabands and taking push up breaks, and drinking lots of water, and taking some supplements. I don't want to be obsessed, just healthy. I have several pounds to lose and I like the way this is feeling.

I am feeling happy and very sad. It is a tough mix to come to terms with. I've got to get my head straight.

Go get it. It is ready to be picked. (Henry's fortune)

There have been a lot of changes lately. I will simply leave it at that and talk about now. I am taking health very seriously now. I mean thinking about it. Trying to not neglect, or think about my days in retrospect (I should have ...).  I have been thinking about people and relationships, and appreciation for others and situations. I am pretty young. I have time to enjoy everything and if I realize that, I will love it all the more. I have been running and walking, with my eyes closed just to think.

I was out of the office last week, on bereavement leave. The time to myself and with family was very good for me. I have been crying but also laughing. I visited an old friend at his house with his sweetie and there garden spot in the middle of a rough city. I am making some homebrew and some kombucha, and doing things that make me smile, and playing with the kids.

The photo is of one of the first houses that I lived in. I lived there from when I was two until I was about ten years old. I shared a room with my sister and had friends around. Now that neighborhood is full of strip clubs.  I recently visited a bunch of houses that I grew up in. I think this one holds the most fun memories. I am trying to think of the fond past, and concentrate on that.

I am sad right now, but I am going to be alright, and I am learning a valuable lesson about appreciation, and doing what I feel to do.

Halloween is over

So many costume events, and the party - this has been our busiest Halloween ever.
Tonight will be clean up, and getting back to normal.

The kids have loved it, but the candy is definitely getting to them. Honestly, it is getting to me as well. Last night, I could not sleep at all. Today I am surviving on coffee.

Things are still busy. This weekend we have dinner plans and a date night. Next weekend we have a big yard sale planned. I am super busy in many ways and not much time for posting. I will say that I am smiling quite a bit. We had a really nice time at the Halloween party, and also with trick or treating. I don't want to make it seem like things did not go well. We are just left a bit tired.

The weekend is here

Toby, a photo by Hamstocks on Flickr.

The weekend is afoot. Virginia planned a date night for us this evening. I get out of work early and plan to put my bike in the shop for a tune up. Then it is movie time (the film 50/50), and dinner at Liquid Ginger). Saturday we are going to the Coon Hollow Corn Maze and then to Joey and Melissa's wedding. Can't wait for that. Open bar and old friends. On Sunday, we have brunch with friends and then the Asian festival at the Thomas Center. It is a pretty busy weekend, and fun too. Hopefully, I can find time to start getting the house ready for next weekend's Halloween party.

This all makes for a pretty busy weekend, and it is beautiful out. The Fall is here and it is so nice to be outside. I have been listening to lots of audiobooks and talks lately. It makes my days seem like growth, even when I am just working.

Great cover

They Might Be Giants covers Chumbawamba

Love this video and more

Thinking a lot about where life is taking me, my family, friends, and lots of other people. Thinking about my goals and others. I am pretty happy, and it is easy to just let things be, but isn't work important. I go to a job and sacrifice that time, and really I like what I do and agree with much of what I do. I have other things to work on though and those things deserve at least the energy that I give the County.

I have been thinking about growing up versus growing content, or jaded. How to raise kids to love and know community, but also how to love math, science, and learning in general. How to stay happy even though my to do list is unfinishable on any given day. I have been thinking about my ideals and how to keep them. How to keep my focus, that is the big question. 

Not posting too much, but maybe they will come back. Projects going on: lots of kitchen prep., house getting ready, party coming up, getting to the gym and running, and reading.

Gators game

Met up with some friends at the bar to see the gators game. They do not look like winners tonight. It is fun to see the bar crowd reaction. They started strong with lots of momentum. Lots of high fives around. I guess Chip gets this one. Have I mentioned that I have been drinking. Sampling the entire swamp head catalog.