SAD?

I'm not dumb enough to complain about the weather. The weather is what it is, will be what it will be. But I know for sure that this whole month (January) I have been drastically affected by the weather, not in a good way. It kind of came to a head yesterday when I happened to look up out the window after spending too much time looking at the computer screen, and I just burst into tears because it was snowing AGAIN.

Cat Naps and the Will to Cook

I have a kind of new habit which really makes me happy .... napping with the cat. When I am working at home and feeling weary in the middle of the afternoon, I find I can refresh my spirit by taking a break and getting in some kitty love time.

Too Much Holiday

Already I am overwhelmed with too much holiday this and that. I got to yesterday and found I could barely function any more. I had some ideas about going out and doing something or another. I didn't do any of that. I stayed in all day. I DID do quite a bit of knitting which made me feel good.

There are too many events for me. Too many dinners. Too many parties. Too many get togethers. Too many public events. To many end of year things. I'm quitting after tomorrow. Today I have our knitting group yarn exchange, which I can't miss, and tomorrow there is a nice luncheon for the Osher Institute (free food) which I have rsvp'ed for. I need to go up to the office anyway, so this will get me out of the house and up to work. Then I quit.

After the Trip

I am back home a from a short business trip, and now I am trying to catch up on my ordinary life. So much goes on hold while I am away, but nothing goes away. I just have to do things later.

There's work, of course. It will take me several days until I am caught up on all the delayed things I have to do for my classes and our writing project. I'll chip away at all that over the course of next week.

But then there are all the things at home that need doing. Laundry, for example. Grocery shopping. Paying bills and managing finances. Cleaning. Everything is on backlog, and everything takes time to accomplish.

One Year Later

Hi, there, Smokey Rose here. Most of the time my Mom writes about me, but this time she's letting me have the keyboard. It's now been one year since we have been living together. I have to say, I had no idea what was in store for me last year about this time. I mean, I just kind of schmoozed up to that lady with the blonde hair and glasses because I just like people. She wasn't anything special. But before I knew what was happening, I was inside this travel box going who knows where for a very long time just with HER. All my favorite caregivers from Best Friends .... haven't seen them since that day.

Take Me As I Am

I had an appointment with a wonderful personal trainer who works for our employee wellness program.  I went to see him as one thing on the list that will lead to a reduction in my health insurance premiums. What I really liked about him was how he listened to me, worked with me on what I wanted, ignored totally what I didn't want. He was, well, PERSONAL. As I was leaving I told him how much I enjoyed talking with him, and he said he has learned that it's best just to take people as they are and to work with that. Pushing unwanted change just doesn't work.

An Introvert Reaches Her Limits

I am an introverted person. I was very happy to read a new book that came out this year Quiet by Susan Cain which is all about introverts. The author has a little set of questions to ask yourself if you are introverted or extroverted. I knew I was an "inny" from the beginning, but the set of questions just confirmed it. You should just read the book if you want to learn all about questions like what makes intro / extroverted people, what are our various strengths and weaknesses, how we introverts can overcome some of our difficulties in life & how parents, teachers, managers, co-workers can best work with us.