Mexican Spiced Cocoa!

Ok, I know it's been a while since I last wrote, but I've been having problems connecting to the internet at home. So...I'm sitting in a little coffee shop in on 3rd and ? (Old City area) drinking the above mentioned beverage. I'm between pet-sitting jobs. Today is my first 'full' day working for my new employer (Romp) and so far, SO DAMN GOOD! Man...even as I was sitting in the apt on 3rd and Spruce thinking about how stinky it was (very small, older cat - it's inevitable), I was STILL so happy that I wasn't sitting in a cubicle somewhere in Corporate Town, USA! The pay for my new gig isn't spectactular, but who can beat where I am right now? Cool coffee shop, lots of folks sitting around, drinking and eating and chatting about this and that, and me in my jeans and t-shirt drinking cocoa...!
Last week I got to catch up with Gen over a great meal at Bourbon Blue; I also got to catch up at the gym...my innertube was threatening to turn into a full-sized tire! I went bowling with some friends Saturday night, and although my score was pathetic (65...yes, the worst score on my team!), I still have a fantastic time and laughed my a$$ off! Got to catch up with Tan last night as well and we're talking about taking some trips...Nashville, New Orleans (we're vets there), and Egypt!
Watched the Oscars and was THRILLED that my predictions were correct...Colin Firth for Best Actor and The King's Speech for Best Film! I was hootin' and hollerin' like I was watching a game or something...(poor Jack and CJ, I scared the poo out of them).
So, the 2nd phase of  "adventures in unemployment" has started off with a bang (and a yell!).  :-)

The Grass is Always Greener...

...or so it seems alot of the time. Sometimes I feel 'less than' when I compare myself to people who have marriages, children, good careers, etc. I know I shouldn't compare myself to them, but I can't help it...it's an automatic reaction for me when confronted with what I see as my failures in life.
I recently reconnected with an old boyfriend, who has since married created a family. When I saw this, my first reaction was 'of course - he didn't waste so many years like I did.' That's where I'd be if I hadn't fucked up so badly. But...in our exchange of e-mails, I learned that it is an unhappy marriage and the only reason he stays is for his 6 year old son. I'm so sad for him, but it really puts things in perspective for me. What appears on the surface as a much better life may not be...and I really need to remain grateful for everything I have, even if I'm still coveting what you have. And while I'm still longing to find my partner in life, and perhaps a child, for right now I'll appreciate the fact that I have freedom to do things and go places that those with spouses and families may not have. I have privacy and 'alone time' that many do not have. I can clean and cook when I want, and eat out when I want. I am just where I'm supposed to be right now.

Settle Down Beavis...

1. This snow is bullshit...
2. But it is very pretty...
3. I can't believe how fast it's laying!
4. It's been a while since my last post...
5. I've had WAY too much caffeine tonight!
I think it's been a week, right? I don't remember. Last week was my last at D&Z, and the weather towards the end of the week put me in such a great mood (along with knowing that I didn't have to go back to work!). I had an interview Saturday morning with the owner of a petsitting company...went well and he's really great. I'm so excited to try this out! Not much money, but I think the 'work' will be so much fun for me.
I also reconnected with an old friend, which was nice. Facebook is good for that. Got to spend some quality time with the family this weekend, and tried a new German restaurant in East Falls - Fork & Barrel...good food and really cool look/ambiance (all candlelit). Planning a few getaways in the near future. I'm so excited...I have so much to look forward to. Maybe it's just the caffeine talking, but LIFE IS GOOD, MAN!

Clutz!

I almost killed myself this morning walking down my steps. As usual I was in a hurry to leave for work on time. My foot got caught in my pantleg and I lunged forward. I managed to catch myself, but holy $#!%! I scared the doodoo out of myself! It was a little 'message' telling me to slow down.
It's so beautiful out today! February 17th and I'm wearing short sleeves. This kind of weather really puts me in a great mood...I'm not such a good winter person - I tend to hybernate. Last night while driving home I could see both the gorgeous sunset and the moon at the same time. Mysteries of the universe and all of it's beauty...gives me hope.
Tomorrow is my last day (again) at D&Z. I'm meeting with the owner of a pet-sitting company on Saturday morning and will hopefully be trying it out to see if it's a good fit for me.
OMG, one of the women who works here just kindly informed me that there is leftover 'Square on Square' in the board room! SoS is the BEST Chinese restaurant in the city...yummy!!!! My fortune says "You will have many friends when you need them." - so true...
I'm SO excited to get outside and enjoy this weather...who's with me??!!!!!

Friends & Music...

Watched the Grammys last night - part of with a friend who's 'jamming' with me on some cover tunes. Most of it was hype, fluff, and crap (esp. "Lady" Gaga...wtf!), but there were a few good moments (like when Arcade Fire won and performed with huge smiles immediately after their win) and the Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, Avett Bros performance. I even enjoyed Gwyneth & Cee Lo...damn that girl can sing! I think it's cute that Miranda Lambert is my niece's 'original' name (before adoption)...maybe she'll go on to sing for a living as well...she does have some incredible pipes.
Had a great weekend and was particularly grateful for my friends. You ever have a moment that just really blows you away and moves you beyond words? I had one...my friend 'E' told me he missed me and it just really made me feel so loved and special. He's such a cool cat, man. Very spiritual, open-minded, and funny as hell. I was also thinking about my friend 'R' - she's my bestie. We've grown alot closer since 'the change' and have even learned how to argue without letting it get out of control. She's one of the most forgiving, loyal, and dependable people ever...and she cracks me the hell up (her driving antics are hilarious!). Anyhoo...I'm off to see 'my peeps'...talk soon.

Last Day!

So, the guy I'm working with just gave me the option to have next Friday be my last day (as opposed to today, I suppose). He said he senses my 'frustration' at not having enough to do. It's so interesting to me that, although it's very true, every single time I make a suggestion on how I can approach something or take initiative to get something done, he shoots me down...like I don't know anything...and then he explains how much experience he has doing his job. Yes, this project is out of my area of expertise, but there are certain things I AM very skilled at, but god forbid he admit that I have 2 brain cells in my head. Like right now, for instance - I'm re-formatting the corporate accounts payable policies & procedures and noticing that not only are many procedures missing, but they could use some serious improvement. Inconsistencies, poorly written, missing info, etc. But who am I to suggest improvement...because I don't have an accounting degree, right? Ugh...sorry peeps...had to vent. I'm so relieved that I won't have to deal with this crap anymore. Corporate America is such bullshit and the only f'n thing that matters is making money and stupid f'n office politics. They can keep it because life is so much more than the lifeless & stagnant world they live in. I'm not angry (although I'm sure you're thinking I am!)...I'm just finally starting to see things with a clearer head and heart. And climbing the corporate ladder is SO not for me.
Ok, on a more positive note...it's FRIDAY! And Spring is just around the corner...I'm so hopeful for the next phase in my life...and part 2 of Adventures in Unemployment!!!

Is That Bad?

I have a problem...I never know how long things will last in the refridgerator before they go bad. Example...my mom made bean soup from a ham that I got in November (that was frozen) and I had the soup in my fridge for about a week. I tried to eat it last night and had to call mom because it tasted 'tart' - like there was vinegar in it. 'No Kat...we didn't use vinegar...' - the frickin' ham went sour! EW!!! Tonight? Tried the chicken/broccoli/other stuff 'stew' that my dad made in the crockpot last week. Chicken was a bit chewy and there was a little fish-y-ness to it (was that the broccoli?), but I ate it, damn it! I really need to learn how to store food properly and know how long it keeps for! I hope my tummy doesn't regret my decision. I used to ask my friend Alveretta (at work) all the time about things like that...she used to get so frustrated with me and tell me to throw things out. Lord I miss her...
Work was extremely painful and tedious today. I don't know how much longer I can last. I'm working on a 'project' that is beyond my scope of expertise, and I get little-to-no and constantly changing direction from the person with whom I'm working. And he's frickin' moody. So annoying. Give me something I can sink my teeth into and I'll be off to the races. This? Torture. Between stinky work, funky meals, cramps, Jack's kitchen antics/destruction/mess in the kitchen yesterday, and the bitter cold...I'm ready for this week to be over! TGTF, right?

Bzzzzz...

Have you ever done anything completely out of character? I was de-pooping the snow in my backyard and noticed a bee (yellowjacket), submerged and on its back, in the snow! A bumblebee??? At this time of year??? What the...? So, out of curiosity I scooped it up with the poop shovel (I know, shut it!) and placed in on a wooden step-stool in my yard. And then it started to move! It was alive! I've never been much of a fan of bees, especially as a kid. I used to kill them whenever I could, for God's sake. They sting us...they're the enemy, right? Not tonight...
So then I decided to breathe on it (my 'hot air' might warm the little guy up, right?)...and the bee started to move! And THEN I thought it might be a good idea to transfer him to what's remaining of my fall mum. So I scooped him up again and placed him gently in the dirt...and then he REALLY started to move. Whoohoo! I really hope the little guy survives and pollinates lots of flowers this Spring. I'm so glad that I saw him, didn't kill him, and that I put a small, positive act of kindness out in the universe...

Blended Potatoes...

Yup...I got impatient with the hand mixer (and the potatoes were spraying all over the place!), so I put them in the blender. I'm not sure how well it worked, and I think my blender is still mad at me. Evidently I need the 'Hand Mixers for Dummies" manual! Jack was able to enjoy some potatoes with his dinner tonight, so maybe it was worth it. It's been a pretty low-key day so far...poopie weather as well. I made it to the gym (finally!) after my visit with Nadina. That poor girl has been through so much in the past week...but she still manages to crack me the hell up.
Gonna hang close to home tonight (and perhaps enjoy some more of "Justified, Season 1"...Timothy Olyphant is quite entertaining to watch, and super easy on the eyes!). Not too much going on tomorrow either except running some errands, etc. Uh oh...here comes Jack...I think he wants more potato milkshake!

Brokeback Snowmountain...

Yesterday was quite a day! I got to work and attempted to park on top of what turned out to be snow-covered ice. Spent an hour trying to dig out, crying, and sweating my ass off, until 2 wonderful men driving an American Signature Furniture van stopped and pushed me out. Interesting that a police officer and a PPA tow truck both passed me without a word or gesture of help. Lord, was I thankful to get out of that jam, and to Mike and Manny for their selfless gesture.
I also found out that my dear friend, Nadina was in the hospital after a terrifying fall down her steps with her son Colin in her arms. She somehow managed to protect him from injury, but wound up fracturing 2 sections of her spine. So frickin' scary...how your life has the potential to change in an instant and how it's so easy for us to take the simplest movements for granted. I went over to her house and helped her out with a few things and hung out with her for a while. Man, even with a fractured back that girl is a bad-ass...and funny as hell too! Mere kept my Jack company while I was gone and I was so relieved to find a mess-free home when I got here at 11pm. I have such incredible people in my life...I know I keep saying that, but it's so true and I'm so thrilled about it...
Just finished getting a package together for Mandy and included some pix of her sons, John Thomas (JT) and Jayden, along with some funny pix from Christmas (example: my brother was wearing a t-shirt that said "I'm with Stupid" that included an arrow pointing to the person next to him...yeah, he's a riot).
I was thinking about trying to get to the gym tonight (my new schedule has made it a challenge to get there as often as I'd like), but between my sore back from yesterday, and just sheer exhaustion, I decided it can wait 'til the weekend...
Now I'm going to watch a scary movie...by myself...what is wrong with me??  :-)

Abundance...

...this is a word I've been thinking about alot lately. My friend, Erin, gave me a copy of "healing masters" cds and this word stuck with me. I think many of us do this, but I'll speak for myself when I say that I take so many things for granted. Like this morning, in the shower, it occured to me that many, many people do not even have the luxury of hot water. Or a roof over their heads, or food and drink in their cabinets and refridgerators, or steady income, or a car, or supportive family and friends. Gratitude is an incredibly powerful tool, when we remember to use it. Things could always be worse; remember this and your life will be put into perspective. There is so much abundance in my life...too many things to list besides what I've noted above. May I always remember to use the tool of gratitude...