Silver Bells

Silver Bells lyrics by LIVINGSTON AND EVANS

Christmas makes you feel emotional
It may bring parties or thoughts devotional
Whatever happens or what may be,
Here is what Christmas time means to me.

City sidewalk, busy sidewalks
dressed in holiday style.
In the air there's
a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing, people passing,
meeting smile after smile,
And on every street corner you'll hear:

[Chorus]
Silver bells, silver bells,
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.

City street lights,
even stop lights,
blink a bright red and green,
As the shoppers rush home
with their treasures.
Hear the snow crunch,
see the kids bunch,
This is Santa's big scene,
And above all this bustle you'll hear:

[Chorus]
Silver bells, silver bells,
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring,


I spent the weekend covering 3 arts events for my freelance gig. I heard Silver Bells a total of 3 times and now have songs from "Fiddler on the Roof" stuck in my head. I must confess that "Silver Bells" is on my top ten favorite secular holiday songs and I'm going to ask my work friend Nick to sing it with me at our office party.

I've got my holiday shopping mostly done (thank you Amazon!) and have decided to forgo the proverbial holiday card because email has kept me semi- connected to my far and dear ones.

There's one thing I'm really looking forward too. George and I have been getting asked about our permanent future A LOT and I'm keeping my manicured fingers crossed that after the 12 days of Christmas I will have a little bling :) It's been getting harder and harder to say good-bye to George after the weekend's done or date night comes to a close but hopefully by this time next year I'll get to see him every day!
I don't know when but I know he has my high school ring- the rest is up to him and his jeweler.

Time Passing By

I've been writing at my newspaper gig, seemingly non-stop since my last post. It left me completely forgetting about this free-space, so to speak. There's a lull (and I have some time to kill)so inspiration calls me to my keyboard once again.

The opportunity to write for myself comes and goes and I have a few half-full journals to prove it. Getting it into a cohesive project has yet to happen, however, the opportunity may be on my horizon. Last month, George and I talked about him supporting my desire to teach full-time next fall. The next week, my boss at the college where I adjunct said she would "try" and slot me for a full-time temporary position. Hooray- but I'll believe it when it's affirmed next spring.

A year ago, I was beyond miserable with my city job and was about to eulogize my grandmother at her memorial service. I stuck it out, thanks to George's seemingly endless amount of support and here I am a stronger, wiser woman. Central Park used to be my sobbing ground, now it's the sanctuary it should be for me during lunch breaks.

Last year, my relationship with my older sister was getting better but still a little awkward. Last night, we went to a concert at the Garden and the rapport we used to have before she got married returned. It just showed up over pad thai and carried us on the train ride home. Even though I'm the younger sister, I took the train part way home with her and made her call me when she made her connection. She doesn't like the city much and it was so late at night I just wanted to be sure.

My life as a writer continues to expand and change as well. My friend from grad school started up an ezine which I want to submit something to. I have to dig through my work and see what's worthy of submission.

At the newspaper, I've written theater reviews, concert reviews, walked through a golf course converted to an outdoor concert space to review a festival, and the list goes on. Sure, I'm getting paid peanuts but it does pay a bill or two that finds its way to my mailbox every month.

The one part of my life that I cannot write about is the specifics about George and me. Partly it's to protect our privacy and partly because I simply cannot put it into words.

I could list adjectives: enthralling, romantic, comfortable, helpful, supportive, predictable.

I will say this: we are the Tortoise (me) and the Hare (him) when it comes our approach to life. This will take some struggles to adjust to if we ever change the status of our relationship. I want to both move forward and hang back where we are at the same time. He tells me how he feels (sometimes) but I cannot put it into words here.

A year from now, I really hope I'm not writing a blog entry from this desk where I sit. I want to be home, making dinner and having a glass of wine. And I want a puppy next to me too :)

First Vacation with George- The Lowlights and the High Ones Too!

1. Sleeping 12 hours a day
2. The lanai and pool in the backyard
3. Cold Water
4. Pretty earrings from Siesta Key Beach store
5. Seafood galore
6. Getting to know George's Mom and Stepdad better
7. The beach (Siesta Key and Lido Beach)
8. Getting tan and not burned (thank you 45 SPF!)
9. Hanging out with George for 8 straight days
10.Crying on the plane ride back because I didn't want it to end :)

The Best Date EVER!

When: Friday, 6PM
Where: Somewhere between the World Showcase and Future World (this is Epcot of course)
Status: I'm completely drenched in sweat and craving A/C. I've been with George for more days in a row than ever in our relationship.
Event: George turns to me and says "I'd say this is best date we've been on yet!"
Result: A smile and big kiss from me!

Debrief: George and I have been on a variety of dates in our almost 16 months (and counting, yippee)of dating. We've kyacked, hiked, visited museums, taken a couple river tours and attended a symphony performance. We even have "own place"- a restaurant in New Brunswick called Raff's (to us). Ironically my favorite thing to do is takea walk around the park near by house and hold hands.Does that make me too easy to please? I hope not, because parks are free and refreshing and beautiful (if you avoid the ducks and their excretions!)

Someting to Laugh About

Facebook can be a very dangerous thing but today it gave me a good, long and hard laugh. I found out that a man-child I dated before George who broke up with me because "he wasn't sure if he wanted to get married" has in fact gotten hitched. I saw the wedding pixs from a mutual friend and all I could do was laugh. My female co-worker says I have a good spirit for taking this news so lightly. And why shouldn't I. This peter pan man did me a HUGE favor by breaking things off. In my heart I was already starting to fall for George. My co-worker's boss (a single man George's age) came in on the discussion and concurred that yes a man does say he'll never marry then end up doing so with the next woman he meets.

Buzz Is Ruining My Life

I swear he is and we haven't even met yet. Since he is not one of George's heroes (it's Winston Churchill) I think I can delicately vent here about why this man is ruining my vacation plans for the rest of '09.

If you've been following along with me the last few months, I've been wondering what exactly is next. I've been "trying" to work harder and smarter. About a month ago I was told my performance at work was not up to par and my position was possibly going down to part-time. I kept it together until my lunch and went for a good cry in Central Park. I went on a short trip at the end of that week which was the best thing I could do mentally. Literally walking away was so beneficial to get some perspective.

I'm about 4 weeks into "the hunt" to get a new job when I'm whisked into yet another meeting to get my annual review. A very sudden 180 happens and I'm told that not only is my work on par but in lieu of a raise (they can't afford the $$) I'm getting an extra week of vacation. Yes- this is my work life. One day I'm in hell the next day in paradise.

So I confer with George about it and it's his turn to get the okay from his work for the extra week. This is part of relationships where you have to "work it out". His boss has already ok'd our original week in August but is now on the verge of redacting it in the name of a major shift of workload at the firm. George, being the amazing boyfriend, tells the boss that his traveling companion (without giving its gender) has already booked the time. And this is when it gets cute- the boss asks if it's a lady with a smirk on his face. George affirms it and gets the okay. That night I insist that we get this boss man a drink after work sometime. We'll see.

So how does Buzz come and screw up my life?
Well I wanted to go away in Sept., George can't make it and the week he's free in October Buzz is coming to my work for an event and I'll probably have to be here as backup to the Events Manager. Should I pray about this or just go and buy George's boss a bottle of expensive wine as a bribe? Maybe I'll do both ;-)

Real Girlfriend of New Jersey

I must be the luckiest girlfriend in the world (or at least N. New Jersey). I spent part of the weekend up in George's neck of the woods and got spoiled with the following treats:

1. Date in the James McFaul Environmental Center. There were lots of fun things to see (peacock opening its feathers W-O-W!) We only got a little wet towards the end.

2. Watching cooking shows on Sunday afternoon because I was coming down with his cold. I'm sure I'll be doing my part this fall watching football games on Sunday for his fantasy football thingie.

3. Yummy steak cooked on the grill by George's dad. His dad has the best stories of growing up on Long Island Sound. Last night was telling me about how many boats he built as a pre-teen. And I thought reading Socrates and Plato was a challenge at that age!

Learning the Lesson

It's been a year since I signed the papers to buy my condo and boy what a long, strange, trip it has been. This time last year, I had bruises up and down my arms from moving my stuff in and getting used to where things were and bumping into them again and again. Now, I can walk through my house in the dark and not bump AS hard into my furniture. I've traded some of it to my parents because it was just too big.

I have new windows (paid off finally) and some extra savings two fold that I was blessed with in the past few months. I'm looking forward to continuing to make better $$ choices and kick this burden of debt I chained myself to without even realizing it.

I was given quite a scare a few weeks ago when I was told my full-time position is possibly being reduced for budget reasons. This jump-started my job hunt once again and I met with a recruiter last week to get some help. Unfortunately, I was exhausted last week and couldn't do much on my own in terms of hunting. Hopefully this week will be better and I'll manage to get online after work and find some good leads. Officially I've been looking for a new job since last September when I broke down in front of my boss (my first time and hopefully my last) and told her I couldn't keep going on more than a few more months. It's been a few more months and that wake up call last week reminded me that I need to get out before I'm asked to leave.

One thing I've been excited about is seeing how little changes mean big things. I don't miss NetFlix and the digital cable box and now that some of my debt has been paid off in full (3 debts in 6 months, horray) I can continue to snowball my payments (thanks Dave Ramsey) and work towards really living more within my income instead of just at the tippy top.

Is Gluten Free Living for Me?

I've been reading "Gluten Free Girl" this past week. I notice a LOT of things that are familiar with the author's account of realizing that she's been allergic to gluten her whole life. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that I may be too but on the other hand I was hoping that my allergies would not cross over into the food category.

In my downtime, I will be researching how to "go gluten free" and how to get locally grown food to see if that helps make my symptoms subside. Apparently it is a majorly under-diagnosed condition. I have a good friend who finally received a firm diagnosis over a decade after first showing symptoms.

If I have to, I will de-gluten my house and become a vigorous food label reader. I don't keep that much in my house but here's a short list of what I'll have to give to my mom/sister's pantry:
1. Flour
2. Pancake Mix
3. Beer bread mix

This is what I will have to stock up on:
1. Canola oil
2. Tapioca flour
3. Chocolate (not a bad thing :)
3. Polenta (always wanted to try that)
4. Unsalted butter (usually need that)
5. Champagne vinegar
6. Cooking wine
7. Gluten free sauces as needed
8. Quinoa
10. Almond Flour
11. Sheep's and Goat's cheese
12. Rice noodles and gluten free pasta at large

What I will keep: whole wheat pasta for George!

Citizen Spitzer

I was walking up Fifth Avenue to work this morning and across the sidewalk was no other than Mr. Spitzer. When the scandal revolving around him broke the day I began my current job, 16 months ago, I thought that it was good he was knocked off his high horse. He spent the last year in "hiding" and has gone back to work I guess. But looking across the street at someone who was such a public figure made me think of the Icarus story in Greek mythology.

For those of you who did not take 3 years of Latin, Icarus was the figure who built wax wings so he could fly. His father, Daedalus, warned him not to fly too close to the sun. But he did and plunged to his death into the sea.

I believe both Mr. Spitzer and John Edwards (see my blog post last month) suffered a similar temptation with wax wings of another kind, women. I guess you could also call it rock star syndrome but still I admire Mrs. Spitzer and Mrs. Edwards (despite her using it to launch her memoirs) for forgiving their respective husband.

An old friend reminded me the other day not to throw the first stone when it came to criticizing other people's fidelity but it doesn't mean I can't use it as a lesson in my own life. Fidelity is a cornerstone to my relationship with George because it's bound up with trust.

However, I'd have to be outta my mind to look at any other guy the way I do at him. George says he has never noticed a beautiful woman walking down the street and while I tease him about that, I really believe it's true.

My On Again Off Again Relationship with TV and Reading

I haven't been home much well since well I can't remember. I don't have a cable box and I don't have a DVR so that means I miss a lot of TV. I did not watch a single episode of "Big Bang Theory" (pending season 2 DVD release...arrgh!)

In terms of reading, well I get to read A LOT. I'm a train commuter which means I don't have to keep my eyes on the road. Currently I'm reading a vampire/werewolf book "True Blood" which I have to say is disappointing to "Twilight" but I'm managing to work through my growing disinterest. It doesn't compare to trying to read "Atlas Shrugged" which George is currently working through. I gave up 50 pages in and have been strongly encouraged to give it another try. It's more likely that I will remodel my bathroom before I try that novel again (Sorry George!)

Mango Smoothie Goodness

My life is like a Mango smoothie right now: ripe, sweet, and delicious.
Let me tell you why:
1. I have an adorable, healthy nephew. He laughs whenever my mom's cell phone rings.
2. There's this guy who is very special to me, his name is George. He will be reading this and laugh.
3. My parents: they've been married 36 years this weekend!
4. My house, my house. It will be one year in my possession next month.
5. It's wedding season (but not for me, phew!), enough said. I have a few more checks and gift cards to buy.
6. Travel plans in the coming months will take me: down the shore, to our nation's capitol, the city of brotherly love and finally to outer space and beyond (kidding).
7. I'm so lucky, I have to pinch myself sometimes.

Wedding Cream and Proposals of an Everyday Kind

The "w" word, as it's officially know between George and me, has been used in the most peculiar way. One of the kids my mom takes care of called cupcake frosting "Wedding Cream". This is just one of many silly things this kid has said.
A few weeks back my sister and mom were eating lunch with this young man and he was walking around the table saying, "This is Mama Susan's Chair, this is Daddy Gordon's Chair..." and then he asked where George's was. He has never met George but he does hear his name mentioned in relation to me, so my mom said "it's on the porch."

My co-workers are aware that the "w" is being mentioned a lot from the ladies in my family. They are (almost) chomping at the bit to see me in white and all that. As a counter to this nagging, my coworker Saul suggested I say things like "George proposed... that we go out to dinner for date night this week." Luckily, George has taken (I think) a liking to this verbal teasing. I've also warned my mom that the more she asks,the longer she will have to wait!

Debt Proof Living

I've spent my entire 20s in debt, school loans and credit cards. I've leveraged it over the years through some good fortune only to find myself outspending my income.

I've made measurable progress in the last 100+ days to reverse course. My support crews of my family and George allow me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Uncle Sam was particularly good to me this year and I have to give God the credit on that one. By the end of this month I will have paid off 3 outstanding debts and started a reserve (aka emergency fund).

After much discussion with George about compounding interest etc., I decided to use the snowball method to pay off my remaining debt. That combined with part-time gigs that will take me through the summer, I'm getting traction and making better choices financially.

One example is movie rentals. I already have basic cable but I'm addicted to movies. Last weekend, for example I have Friday night AND Saturday afternoon to chill so I got two movies. One from Redboxredbox and the other from Blockbuster (because Redbox did not have the new release I wanted to see). A few months ago, I was renting from the library at the same rate as Redbox but their weekend hours are not exactly conducive to my commuters hours. So it's a compromise there. I could've gone to see a first run movie for $10, instead I stayed home and spent $6 on two movies.

Dangerous Love

Like many who are fascinated with the Craiglist's killer story, I was not surprised to learn that Philip Markoff and Megan McAllister have canceled their engagement. Apparently her parents will be using whatever money they haven't lost to deposits (the band the booked refunded their money) on a lawyer for their daughter. I just feel so sorry for Megan, I truly do. I know many are thinking: hey didn't she noticed that her fiancee had womens' underwear ( I depise the word panties, it sounds so creepy) in their apartment? And she will have to rebuild her reputation and have to (when she's ready) re-enter the dreaded dating pool.

Another form of dangerous love is dealing with an unwanted advance in the workplace. At one of my many jobs one of my co-workers is quite upset (and rightly so) that her boss will not stop pursuing her despite her relating her dis-interest. Unfortunately she knows that this means she has to look for another job because she knows if she complains she might as well look for another job anyhow.

Yesterday, I was getting to know a new friend better and we talked about why women put up with abuse in a relationship. We both know of a woman who is with an abusive husband. I remember picking our my friend's wedding gift based on what likely her future husband would not use to throw at or hit her with.

Luckily my new chicka and I are in relationships as safe as they could possibly be.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

I want to break up with you, NYC. It's been great but you are high-maintenance, expensive and stinky at times. Deep down, I'm a Jersey girl through and through. I even have a hoodie to prove it. I daydream about Memorial Day weekend at the shore and taking walks in parks that, while they pale in comparison to the largeness of Central Park, are still just the right size. In fact, George and I were thinking about taking a walk the other day. Then April showers came upon us and we headed to the movies instead.

By the way, do not see "I Love You, Man" unless you have insomnia. It was one of those films which has its best parts in the trailer. The only thing I liked about it was the funky wedding tent made from cloth draping and the bridesmaids dresses. I kept whispering to George "I'm so sorry I owe you two guy movies for this dude." As usual, he was very reasonable and said "don't worry about it." That answer is so typical him but I'm thrilled to hear it just the same.

In other random news, I had a dream last night that I couldn't find the bottle of sunscreen I own. Okay so it's about two plus years old. I think deep down, I'm really hoping to go on a vacation sometime this year to someplace warm.

The First Lady's Stylin'

I'm nothing short of impressed by Mrs. Obama's stylist. The First Lady's outfits are being looked out at closely as the red carpet at the Oscars. I appreciate that her style is short on shoulder pads and comes from a variety of retail and high-end designers. Her favorite is J.Crew, which her daughter's wore at the inauguration.

Speaking of style, I've taken my work blazers off the hanger and tried them out at work. Wearing a cardigan day in and out makes me look more like Pam from "The Office" rather than the executive assistant I want to portray as I continue to mold my professional aspirations.

One of my newly vamped up outfits made someone at a meeting I covered for my freelance journalism gig mistake me for an assistant principal, ha! As if I would be an assistant principal. The paperwork, the unpaid overtime, I don't think so. I'd better off assisting an executive rather than being one myself.

Dreading Fridays

I found out my co-worker was let go this morning.All week I had a feeling that someone else was going to quit but it turns out it was a termination instead. That makes only 1 ally co-worker left for me to have as a work friend.

On the other hand, I think I might have just found my niche- web based marketing. The website hosting my company uses has great online classes and I found a solution to another challenge we've been having instead of what was acutally covered in the class. George can officially call me a Web Diva again, although I don't have the designation yet. I decided to wait another semester until I qualify for a tutition waiver where I teach (I think that will be Jan. '10).

So it's been a good day/bad day for me so far, and a Friday however.

A Holiday Abroad

Today, as everyone worldwide knows, is 11 days before my birthday. Oh wait- I mean it's St. Patrick's Day today. The drunken noises below my office building are revelers in the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade. Inside, there's a suave luncheon with traditional Irish food wafting up the staircase. However, it stops at "Danny Boy"-I don't like the song, never will and right now a marching band's marching down the street playing it!

In the last month, I've entered myself in two contests to win a trip to Ireland. I have no idea what my odds are but for some reason it's been kicking around in my head for a while that I want to go there. I own more than more movie that has scenes in Ireland. While I'm a bonny lass by ethnicity there's something ethereal about visiting Ireland as an American.

I am a U2 fan as well as the Corrs so that means I like Irish music, right? Actually as I believe I mentioned in a post last month, George took me to see the Dublin Philharmonic (I still don't know the difference between a symphony and a philharmonic by the way). So I guess you could say I like traditional and contemporary Irish music. I have a feeling that by the end of the day one of the street musicians will play a stirring (or disturbing) rendition of "Danny Boy".

Deadlines

I'm a procrastinator when it comes to writing academic papers. It's probably a good thing I didn't get into a Ph.D. program. I do fine taking classes but getting through a dissertation would have been torture.

I'm presenting a "paper" in a few weeks at a conference at my school. It's not done yet and frankly it probably won't be until the night before. I did think of a cheeky title (pending the okay from my mentor). I've also come up with a great analogy to make my point. I hope to use a segment from the film "Anne of Avonlea" to make my point about how adjuncts feel snubbed by the administration and the full-time faculty. I have no idea how many women will be in the room but I sure hope there a few.

This is the third time I've presented a paper, if you count my senior thesis defense. I should be thrilled that I even got into this conference at all but then again I work at the school and they don't often put on conferences. But I'm first on the panel so I better get my act together and have something ready. That is after I finish filing my taxes!

The only deadlines I actually like these days are the one for my newspaper gig. There's something thrilling about having only a few hours to push out a story that will be in print within a day or so. SO far so good with that work. I even got some positive feedback from the publisher.

NYC in the Winter-What I love and What I despise

It's wicked cold here in the big,bad city. The street corners are not cleared (thank you Mayor Bloomberg for canceling alternate side street parking on Monday). The wind is harsh but it's manageable for the 7 blocks I have to walk to get to work from the subway.

Right outside my subway stop is a very nice breakfast cart. Since my train was 1 hour late today- I missed breakfast at work. So I decided to grab this amazing pastry (which is not to be eaten except in such a time as this) . I could describe the tasting of it to how I feel when I get to see George after a few days absence- deliriously happy. But it's just a sugar rush that will get me only so far whereas seeing George well it's just better for me (and has fewer calories).

What I also love about New York City is having a great meal. Here are some of the places I've eaten at and would go to again:

Hill Country (W. 26th- near Madison Square Park)

Alice's Tea Cup (the Upper E. Side location)

Havana Central

Break Out the Bubbly

My nephew's 1 today!!

My sister's baby boy is one today. He's excited about the frosting on his cupcakes I just know it. I cannot believe I've been an aunt for one whole year already. My mom spoils him more than me but that's her job. I'm singing Mark Schultz's "You are Child of Mine" at his dedication on Sunday.

Taste and Memory

I just ate a rasberry in a most unexpected place- the freight elevator at my work.
I often use that elevator to get back and forth from the kitchen int he basement. As soon as the taste hit my tongue, my mind went to a field in upstate New York where we onced picked fruit during a summer family vacation.

It's more than a month away but I'm already dreaming of my birthday cake (as well as what to make George for his...). I think I've settled on lemon/rasberry merguine cake. It's light and tasty (and hopefully dairy free!).

My nephew's first birthday is coming up next weekend and I await what my semi-domestic sister will create for his party. I begged her to let me make it but she flatly refused on the grounds of being his mother.

This summer, I've offered my baking skills as a wedding gift for a new friend. She is an artist so I'm up to the challenge of bringing whatever vision she has (checkered cake was put on the table as an idea).

Abundant Living

During the last few weeks, the lifestyle changes I committed to for the New Year have brought about a great feeling: abundance. I literally looked in the closets of my house and found what I need. Despite the fact that I consider myself organized, I didn't realize how much was actually in there.

Lifestyle changes must take on a realistic expectation for long-term success. For example, I committed to drinking more water and less prepared beverages other than tea. The result: my pants are slightly looser and I don't feel too bubbly inside (i.e. I am bubbly but it's coming from my heart instead of my stomach if you know what I mean).

George and I discovered the joy of splitting meals during our last few dates and found out it was just enough food to feel sated. I'm working so much now (3 part time jobs!) that I'm never home to watch cable so that was easy enough to cancel.

The frustration I felt a few weeks ago at the lack of work at my second job spurred me to use that same skill set in another capacity. Now I've launched a small tutoring service as well as joined the stringer staff of a local paper.

The emotional help I needed has continued to buoy me and the shame that literally made me shake is starting to ebb. My fear of the future is minimized and my hope is now an abundant spring from which I draw extra measures of joy.

No Way, Lisa!

I think it was Saturday afternoon, in between appointments as a matter of fact. I was thinking about Lisa Loeb. I've been a fan on and off since college, in my post Sarah McLaughlin phase. This phase consisted of songs about why guys do what they do to girls and the angst of trying to figure if a guy likes us or not.

I'd watch her on VH1 a year or two ago on a looking for love reality show.

Anyhow, just for kicks I threw in "Firecracker" into my CD Player. My prior rule to playing this CD was when a guy was driving me crazy, which on Saturday was not the case. I folded laundry and thought to myself "I wonder if she ever got married?"
And sure enough, she did THAT VERY NIGHT. How weird is that? It's like "Lorelai's Sense of Snow" episode (which I also watched that day).

Depth Perception

The last few weeks have been a strong upheaval of life changes. My focus in life has majorly shifted (for the better) and the reality of what I can (and cannot) do. Some of those closest to me have had even more significant life changes than me. People have died and children born since my new year began. I went from worrying about the future to focusing on just today.

Abraham Lincoln said "The best thing about the future is it comes one day at a time." I know I should have lived my life like that up until this point but it wasn't until I was absolutely broken last weekend that I began to live that way. I put away my thoughts of what I should do 6 months from now, 1 year, 5 years.

I dug up a notepad I got years ago for planning that has two columns "Today, Tomorrow". I leave it by my front door and now try to make a record of things I am grateful for Today and things I'm excited/hopeful for tomorrow.

I also changed my quiet time from the train ride in the morning to the last thing I do at night. Lately I've been using late night TV watching to help me fall asleep and it didn't work. Now I'm down by 11:30 p.m. instead of 1:00 am.

More changes on the way but nothing too drastic...

List Update

1. Sista E had her baby before Christmas and she's beautiful!
2. My friend finally signed a lease for her new business, it will hopefully open this spring.
3. My nephew's first Christmas was fantastically funny.

Not a bad way to end 2008 and lots of fun to look forward to in 2009!

House Mending

I'm trying very hard to resist the urge to start too many projects and not finish them. Right now my bathroom is about 75% done with the re-hab. I look at the tiles every single day and wish they could come down like wallpaper. I look at the ceiling and see where I let the wall color spill over. But soon enough all of this will be done. Since I'm a recovering perfectionist it will never be as I imagine in my head. It will never be like my friends who have brand new houses or recently rennovated on a larger budget. It will be what I put into it (sweat equity) and George's too when he's free :).

When I feel really overwhelmed by all my ideas, I simply write them down in a notebook that I keep under my coffee table. That way it doesn't roll around indefinitely in my head and drive me i-n-s-a-n-e. It doesn't helped that I watched 2 hours of HGTV on Saturday, a marathon of "Sweat Equity". Luckily it was on basement finishing and garage rennovation for a workshop. But oy vey, if it had been bathroom rennovation, I would be worse off than I am now!