Friday Favorites: Winning!

It's finally Friday! Win!

Since I got all of my year-end book work done at the hardware store last weekend, I don't have to go in for an extra day this weekend! Win!

I won a $100 Target gift card at Day Job by completing the annual No Gain Challenge with a 13 pound weight loss; two of my favorite co-workers also completed the challenge by maintaining their weight, so, they each won a rolling massager. Win and win! (although, I won the best prize, I mean, obviously. Not that I'm competitive or anything.)

I scored this Pier One entertainment center for free because it was left behind when the last tenant of the apartment above the hardware store skipped out on the rent. I'm going to transform it into a shabby chic wine buffet for the dining room and, because I already have the supplies on hand, it's only going to cost me the price of four new drawer pulls. Win!

Let's see...what else...oh, I haven't gnawed my own arm off yet, despite the constant nagging pain it's in due to my rib still being out of place. Win?

Whatever, I get to sleep in tomorrow!

WIN!

Choose Love

After two particularly harrowing trips between Petticoat Junction  and Hooterville today, I was completely prepared to write a tremendously venomous and scathing post about idiots who monopolize the passing lane whilst most definitely not passing other cars, thus impeding the progress of the cars behind them, driven by drivers who most definitely do want to use the passing lane for actual, you know, passing, like the good lord intended, but, then, I was like, "no, Chelle; you're better than that", so, instead, I'm going to post this text exchange that I had with Queen B yesterday, because, what the world needs now is love (sweet love), and, I choose to be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Aren't you glad I spared you the rage?

Yes, I thought so. And, I digress..

...this is our conversation, starting with the screenshot that she took of her text conversation with her nana.

I can't even! They are seriously the cutest humans on my planet. This totally makes up for all the lane-hogging assholes on the highway. Totally.

A Day In The (Really Boring) Life

As someone who works closely with all different types of people, learning about their family dynamics and unique culture, I am always looking for ways to better understand what makes them tick. One exercise that I use when first engaging a new family is the "day in the life" exercise, wherein they share what a normal day looks like, and, let me tell you, it is always fascinating to hear what they have to say (by fascinating, I sometimes mean horrifying, but, those are stories for another day).

I can't compete with some of the stories I've heard, but, here is what a typical day in my life looks like, currently.

5:00 a.m. My alarm goes off and I head to the shower, where I will stand under a strong pressure jet for as long as it takes to sufficiently wake up, after which I slap some make-up on, dry my hair, throw on the first thing I grab from my closet and call it good. What can I say? I'm not my best before coffee..

6:00-6:45(ish). Drink coffee, feed cats, take collagen supplements, check email, read blog, and generally surf the web until it is time to roll out to the hardware store...

6:50 (ish)-8:00. Count money until my fingers are black (money is hella dirty; trust me on this). Do whatever else needs doing and then make a mad dash for Hooterville and Day Job.

8:15 (ish)-12:00. My view for the morning consists of my computer and the quarterly report that I am currently working on. I sip on my breakfast smoothie and drink several cups of herbal tea as well.

Today, my morning routine was broken up by our weekly staff meeting, at which I am required to don a wig and to channel my inner Jewish woman. What? You heard me. Meet Hildy, my alter-ego.

Hildy co-hosts the weekly staff meeting, using a morning talk show format, complete with a microphone and a ditzy sidekick, known affectionately as "Office Mom". This morning, Office Mom and Hildy welcomed a special guest, the CFO of the corporation that runs Day Job; he appreciated Hildy's fabulous energy and awesome Bronx accent, not to mention the (two sizes too small) T-shirt  presented to him for making the trip down from Neighboring City.

(Hildy was supposed to be a one-time thing, a fun departure from our usual lame office meetings; then leadership got involved and the next thing I knew, it was part of my job duties. Life is weird, y'all.)

12:00-5:00 (ish). Lunch at my desk, generally a pre-packaged, portion-controlled, low-calorie entree that I have liberated from freezer camp, aka: my stash in the office deep freeze.

In a total departure from the usual, today, Co-worker Kristi aided me in a dumpster diving adventure, aimed at recovering the local newspaper, which had been thrown out by the cleaning lady before I had a chance to clip the articles on Petticoat Junction's basketball team for the Boosters. Kristi is good people.

Then, we took our daily walk. We were joined by Co-worker Erin and we made our way to a local neighborhood, where we fed the flock of domesticated ducks that live in the canal.

After work, I hit the gym, where I finished off my 10,000 steps for the day on the treadmill. You know, for it being less than two weeks into the new year, there doesn't seem to be much of a rush to pack the gym in Petticoat Junction; guess fitness resolutions weren't super high on the priority lists of the locals. Hey! More privacy for me!

When I got home, I washed my face, leaving a layer of bubbles in the sink that appeared to really, really fascinate Finnigan.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Guinness was perfecting his roadkill impersonation.

Recently, I have been suffering from a displaced rib in my back, so, Hugh hooked me up to his tens machine and I twitched and spasmed for an hour or so while I ate left-over blow-out chili (three bean recipe, gets the job done!) and am currently surfing the internet and watching Drunk History (love this show!) while waiting for the Man-Cub to get home from a basketball game in a nearby town (he's also been making his rounds this week, saying his farewells until summer).

It's almost 9:00, which is my bedtime, so I hope he gets home soon.

And, that's about it for a (really, really boring) day in my life. No wonder I find the antics of my clients so much more interesting.

Friday Favorites (On a Saturday, Because That's How I Roll): Appliance Edition

You know you are an empty nester when the most exciting thing you can think to share on your personal blog is your love for your appliances (consider it a gift that I'm not talking about battery-operated appliances. Yet); but, here we are.

In my defense, I had a healthy appreciation for my electronics well before the children grew up and abandoned me.

Anyhoodle, on to the list.

1.  The Nutri Ninja. Ahhh, you wonder-blender, you! I use this appliance five days out of the week, to blend my morning smoothie. When I initially bought it at Sam's Club, Hugh rolled his eyes and claimed that it was destined to languish in the appliance garage until our next yard sale. How wrong he was.

2. The Canon Pro Pixma 100 printer. If I can point to one purchase that I don't regret in regard to my photo hobby, it would be this printer, for sure. I've used it for so many projects, including Booster stuff, family photos, and my paid gigs, which, means that it is on it's way to paying for itself. You know, eventually.

3. My panini press. Another purchase made rashly, according to Hugh. Ha! We use this on the regular, and, I am thisclose to perfecting the ham and cheese breakfast panini that I first fell in love with at The Corner Bakery in Denver.

4. Crock-Pot, oh, Crock-Pot, how I love thee. This modern marvel has seen us through every winter since I purchased it, many, many years ago. It's currently showing it's wear, chipped insert and all, but, hey; it still works. And, I can't say good enough things about the Reynolds liners, either; I first encountered them during my days in the baseball concession stand, when the seasoned concession-stand moms used them to eliminate the need to chisel baked "cheeze" off the crock-pots in between games. I've used them ever since. Well, when I actually remember to pull them out of the cupboard prior to tossing every ingredient into the pot, that is.

5. The Lazymaker. Bless it's heart. When Hugh purchased her back in 2010, I wasn't sure I wanted her, ha, ha,ha,ha,ha! What a tool I was. She has been quite the trooper, and, this blog has been published on her more often than not. She is currently exhibiting her age, sadly, and, it's just a matter of time before I will have to face up to the fact that she deserves retirement, but, until that day, it's me and her against the world. Or something like that.

6. Speaking of electronics that allow me to be lazy, let's chat about The Maids. This is Alice Nelson, the upstairs maid...

...and this is Rosie Jetson, the downstairs maid.

When I brought Rosie home, I was hopeful that she would be everything that I was wishing for, and, she delivered, in a big way. Which, was why, a month or so later, Hugh ordered Alice as my birthday gift. We got both models on sale, at really good prices, but, truth be told, they would have been worth it to me at full price; they are just that good. In fact, in the year or so that I have had them, I have pulled out the big vacuum a total of maybe, seven times, and, three of those were so that I could vacuum the front porch. Hey, maybe I need an outdoor maid? Ha! Just kidding, Hugh.

7. Clarisonic. I invested in this appliance about, oh, let's see...eight years ago? Something like that. At the time, it was a stretch, budget-wise, but, it proved to be a sound investment over the long run, which is why I later purchased the smaller Mia unit for travel. I use one or the other almost daily, and, credit them with keeping me from looking like a total hag, given my advanced age and all.

8. The Fitbit. Or, as I like to call it, my little accountabilabuddy. I didn't bother to take a picture of it, but, it's been a constant feature in my life for the past four months. I haven't taken it off, except to shower (they claim it is completely safe to keep it on, but, I'm not taking any chances) and to charge it. I do feel that it has helped me to hold myself accountable for the healthier choices that I am making, and, as a result, I have been more successful than I would have been, otherwise.

And, that's it for this week's favorites. It's been scintillating, I know.

Random Thoughts in This New Year

- Is it Friday yet? No? Why not?

- Part of my "Fabulous by Fifty" goal is going to include hiring the personal trainer at my gym. I'm specifically asking for a program to de-flatten my ass; all those years of sitting in the bleachers have done my derriere no favors, whatsoever.

- Queen B and I need a new show to binge-watch together (well, as "together" as two people can be when separated by 45 miles, geographically).

- I have three DIY projects lined up and waiting for me to get started. All three will require some assistance from Hugh, who, will be abandoning me for the next eight weeks to pursue his wrestling committments. I think I may need to take a few classes at Home Depot; I hate being dependent on other people when I want something done, right now.

- I need to come up with some new flavors for my morning smoothies; I have four or five recipes in rotation currently, but would enjoy some more variety.

- The Man-Cub returns to Hawaii in ten days. Insert sad face, here.

- I really, really, really need a Girl Trip.

- Yesterday, Day Job's annual "No Gain Campaign" challenge ended with a weigh-out; not only did I meet the challenge by not gaining weight, I lost thirteen pounds. I'm entered into a drawing to win $500 along with everyone else in the company who met the challenge, but, I think my name should go in one additional time for every pound lost. I mean, come on! I went over and above! Somehow, I don't think it's going to go that way. Fuckers.

- I need to get to work.

- I am already jonesing for another vacation.

Random picture of the next sign that I am going to make at my friend's next pallet-painting party. Just because.

Productivity, Thy Name is Chelle

So far, I am rocking 2018! My house was completely de-Christmased before the 2nd day of the year, including proper storage of the tree, which, Hugh was kind enough to remind me, had remained in our way in the garage until March of last year. March! That's crazy-making!

I also have my winter decor up, and, it's making for a very cozy setting in the evening; the cats even appear to feel the intense pull to lounge in the flickering candle glow. Although, I suppose it could be argued that cats will lounge under any conditions.

Still!

I spent yesterday getting my oil changed in my car, renewing my gym membership, paying bills, and making a genuinely healthy meal for dinner. As a reward, I poured a glass of wine and soaked in a hot bath for an hour or so.

Today, I am heading back to Day Job, where, I'm confident the productivity will continue. If this keeps up, I'm certain to make 2018 my bitch. And, let's be honest; I'm due.

Welcome 2018!

This is...different; I'm not currently freezing my ass off on top of Cerro Summit, watching my offspring fling themselves down an icy hill on a tube inflated with hot air and prayers. That's a first for us as we've thrown a New Year's Day sledding party for the past eighteen years.

Currently, I am lazing about in my lounging pants and a cozy cardigan, checking in with the Girls via Facebook Messenger and debating the merits of going into the store today vs. going in tomorrow (I only have a few more months left to get on the computer, go, me!).

If this relaxed attitude is an early indication of my general demeanor for the coming year, I'll take it. But, I have my doubts.

So, rather than making resolutions, which, let's face it, I never manage to keep; I'm going to set goals. I am really rather successful at setting and achieving them, as opposed to embracing those damn, elusive resolutions.

Goal #1, the first-born: Fabulous by Fifty! I'm on my way, having managed to drop a few of those pesky pounds that added up over the course of 2016/2017. I want to lose a bit more, and, tone up and tighten what is left. I'm hoping for my best body by November, when I turn 50. Yes, that's happening. 50. Gah.

Goal, the 2nd: Decide what I want to do with the next half century of my life, professionally speaking. Currently, I am an accidental social worker; I never set out to do the work that I do, and, on a lot of days, it's soul-sucking and depressing. No one needs that in their life. I want to put some conscious thought to what I enjoy doing and try to figure out a way to make a living at it. Staying in a job because it offers decent insurance is just plain stupid. I need less stupid in 2018.

Sir Goal, III: Live a more intentionally fun life. It's a sad fact of life that we have to intentionally look for the things that make us happy, but, I think that's more of the rule than the exception for most people. So, I intend to seek out fun like it's my life's mission. When I can't find fun, I'll freaking make fun. So help me, God.

Goal #4, the baby of the family: Make time for family and friends. I miss my tribe. Time to be more available, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Time for my kids, time for my Girls, time for my relatives, time for my Booster Posse, time for meeting new friends along the way. This will make me a happier person and will provide ample opportunities for meeting Sir Goal, III. Win-win.

In closing, I would like to say, 2017, you were a transformative year for me; you shook me up in ways both good and bad. 2018, you are going to be the year that gathers up the fallout from that transformation and fine-tunes the person that I am going to become. The words that I will be using the most this year are surrender and embrace. I will surrender to change and embrace new directions, I believe, in biblical terms, that means I will Let go and let God.

Clearly, I am in good hands.