A Little Bit Country

I have had a few breaks in the saga of too much work. My sweet friend Keme came from San Francisco to Tennessee for her Daddy's birthday. We had a little city-fun with friends in Nashville before heading out to Charlotte on Saturday. Keme's daddy, Charlie Bonnett (who I wrote about here), has a little junk store in Van Leer, TN and he likes to say "well...I'm just country". He's one of my favorite people. It was nice to stop thinking about knowledge management, campaigns and best practices and have dinner at the Tri-County Farmer, where there was live bluegrass and all the fried okra you can eat. The only decisions were sweet or un-sweet? white gravy or brown gravy? Keme's momma got us up to date on all the gossip and I made room for cobbler.

There's A Reason I Haven't Posted...

...and the main one is that this has been my view for many hours,most days.
I always expect a little ramp-up time when I have a new job and this one is no different. Just when I felt like I was getting to a plateau, I got sick last week. So, just a little bit longer and I think I will find a good work/life balance. I have had a few good adventures lately: namely the ecochic swap, were I scored some awesome items (more on that soon) and the slow food event at I Dream of Weenie, were I got down on some condiments. A certain sweet fella has cooked me a few meals that have made me question my own culinary ability. I am forcing myself to sit back and enjoy it rather than challenge him to a cook-off. And what better to celebrate mothers than with smoked meats.

The Lemonade is Delicious

I never would have wished to lose my job in November, or find out my boyfriend was engaged in some interesting extracurriculars. But in that brutal cleaning out (and it was brutal) new things came come in. Things better than I imagined, more than I would have bargained for, and much more than I feel I deserve. I am waking up excited about what I'm doing and grateful for a paycheck I still can't quite believe.
Please cue the violins and enter my dream man. I'm ready.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Life has been tough lately. I was laid off from my state job in November. I ended my relationship in early December only to find out later that month he'd had another girlfriend for five months. These outside events have triggered some inside events that are shall I say... less than fun.
The job and the boy needed to go. I am clear on that. Knowing that hasn't made the transition smooth or less scary, but it has brought some clarity.
I believe some good things are in store for me. I also know that the growth (and it's associated pain) is not over. I have great support in many forms to get me through. As always, during these times, I have tremendous appreciation for my friends. My best friends, casual friends, online friends, my family: they carry me, listen to me, pray for me, and encourage me. I couldn't be more lucky to have them all.

Ready, Set, Hoop!

I miss my hooping friends.
I miss my hooping classes.
It's too cold most days to hoop outside.
So I signed up for the next round of classes AND I signed up to hoop the half marathon in April. I wonder if I will have time to learn new tricks with all of this endurance hooping?