Set in My Ways?

I have so much I'd like to blog about, but I don't have the time......I really shouldn't even be stopping to post this, but it has been 5 days since my last post I decided to write something quickly and then get back to work.

Why so busy? I'm clearing a room and 2 closets for a refugee who's coming to live with me for an indefinite amount of time.

Before you think how charitable I am, it's not a refugee from Darfur or the Sudan, but rather a friend who has no where to go.

This friend has always been there for me and I'm happy to help, but I can deny I'm nervous about the whole situation. I won't go into all the reasons I'm feeling anxious about it, but instead will focus on my almost fanatical need to have total privacy and my own space. I've shared living space successfully in the past with two wonderful friends with whom I'm still in contact to this day.......but 37 years of age, I've become so set in my ways.

I love to be social and hang out with my friends, but at the end of the day, I can go to my house and enjoy total solitude. I can take off every stitch of clothing and walk around naked all day on the weekends, but all that will have to change. I could easily become a recluse, but I haven't gotten that bad, yet. I'm not so sure I'd be this anxious if I hadn't just come out the most challenging time of my life. 2008 brought more than enough change to last me a decade and I was sure that things were back to normal when I finally went back to work........WRONG!

I knew it was a possibility I'd be providing refuge for this friend, but it came much more suddenly and with no flexibility to give me time to prepare properly. Instead I have been up since 5:30 am to start making room in other parts of my home for furniture and possessions.

I really hope I'm not too set in my ways and this living arrangement ruins a friendship :(

Fair Warning!

Me and the girls are going out tonight for a little karaoke and conversation!

And I'm taking my camera.......
....with brand new, fully charged batteries!

I might even shoot some video to post!


You've been forewarned!

Post-Holiday Musings

Christmas was really strange this year......actually, the strangeness started at Thanksgiving and has just continued on. It's really a mixture of things, I think. I've never been one to just "make it through" the holidays, but this year, I'm glad most of it is past me.

Between my unemployment at Thanksgiving and putting Christmas on hold until my brother-in-law is home from Kuwait, the holidays were just really different for me this year. I still went to my parents house for a few days and enjoyed seeing all my nieces and nephews, but I hope I never have another year like this year. I won't go into all the little things that amassed to make it a big let down so I'm going to blog about something I find very amusing!

If you blog and haven't checked out Site Meter, you should! One of the features I love about Site Meter is being able to see what words people enter in search engines that will land them on my blog. Most are benign, but some are a bit scary. Most of the hits I get from Google or Yahoo searches are from people who are looking up, "what is stelliform". I was delighted to find that I'm the first search result on google when one types this (probably has nothing to do with the fact that blogger is linked to google, right?)!!!! The second most prolific search result that will lead one to my blog is, "Coney I-Lander chili recipe". I don't have the recipe (oh, how I wish I did!), but many people love Coney I-Lander as much as I do and covet the much sought after secret chili recipe. Other searches that have brought people to my blog which I find amusing are, "is the universe sending me a message", "shag balls", "psycho girl" and "starlight manifesto".

I think I find as much amusement in cruising through my blog stats as I do reading my favorite blogs. Seriously......if you're blogging and aren't using a stat counter, you need to check it out! Not only will you get amusement from some of the stats, but you can finally determine how many "lurky loos" are reading your blog and not commenting.

AND while I'm thinking about it, here's a shout out to all the "lurky loos"! It's fine with me if you don't want to comment. I appreciate your stopping by to read the frivolous bit of fluff I send out into the blogosphere!

Words....

Sometimes there are no words.....
....and other times, there are only words.

Here are my words....interpret them as you will (but please don't dump on me for the language....this is what's on my heart).


Road block
cell block
TICK TOCK
unblock

Chock o block
cock block
block kick
DROP KICK

BLOCKADE
block out
blockage
nerve block

Building block
butcher block
CHOPPING BLOCK
cinder block

Block letter
block buster
ball buster
HEART CRUSHER

Starting block
STUMBLING BLOCK
writer's block
head lock

Hip hop
non stop
mind fuck
I'M BLOCKED?!?

A Simple Girl with Simple Needs

It's amazing how just knowing I would be returning to work has had such a healing effect on my emotional state. It's usually very easy for me to keep things at an even keel as far as feeling blue goes, but the past two months sort of proved otherwise. Don't get me wrong.......although I had some pretty dark days, my worst days were a picnic compared to other's brushes with depression.

Nonetheless, this entire week has felt like I was emerging from the abyss and it is such a good feeling to feel normal again!

So, to get to the actual topic of this blog, I want to share some of the simple things in my life that make it bearable and normal for me.

A job......that goes without saying, but I've modified how I look at employment. I don't need the moon.....just a place to work and enough money to cover my bills and modest living expenses. Having just a bit more than needed is nice, but I've learned it isn't necessary and it won't make me any happier, so I'm very thankful for what I have. Paychecks are a wonderful thing.

A home....I'm so thankful the new landlord is going to keep me as a tenant!

Friends.....people who are there for the good and bad are priceless gems. I'm fortunate to have a fantastic network of wonderful friends who would do anything for me. [And....if any of you ever need anything, let me know. I'm happy to return the favor]

Instant Messaging.....again, it's the small things that make my life bearable and instant messaging is one. I'm not much for talking on the phone and texting fills up my phone mailbox too quickly and I hate to delete messages, so instant messaging steps in and fills my communication needs perfectly!

Good food....I'm a foodie and I love a good meal. It doesn't matter if it's home cooked, from a nice restaurant or a little hole-in-the-wall dive. If the food is good, I'll be happy. Those who know me personally and have eaten with me know all about the Happy Food Dance! When I put a bite of good food in my mouth, I do a little dance in my seat......it's totally involuntary but it's the true sign that my mouth is happy and a happy, full belly will soon follow. [If you're interested in my Top 10 favorite place to eat, you can check that out HERE.]

Those are my simple needs. Today, at least.