Meanwhile, back at the Ranch...

I love Spring Training

...on my way.

Happy 8th Anniversary Montage!

Gosh, I love my job...

It's a new life for me...and I'm feeling good...

Party in the USA

Find a job that you love and you'll never work a day in your life...

~Confucius

There's no place

I am currently in a (temporarily) permanent state of preoccupation.

Preoccupied:

1. 1. Absorbed in thought; engrossed.
   2. Excessively concerned with something; distracted.
   
   

That's me, all right.
Since my home has been on the market, I seriously cannot focus on anything besides trying to figure out where I am supposed to be going.
In the past, when searching for somewhere to live, I have walked into a place and have KNOWN this is where I am supposed to be.
In the last 30 plus years, when choosing a home, I have always FELT it was right from the minute I walked in. But in the past 30 days of house hunting, I have not yet felt the 'I am supposed to be here' vibe. I've viewed over a dozen apartments/condos/town homes. None of them has felt like home.
Sadly, my own home has now become 'my house.' My furniture is gone, most of the place is empty and there are packed up boxes every where.
I don't belong here anymore either.
It is no longer my home.

Home:
1. a. An environment offering security and happiness.

b. A valued place regarded as a refuge.

And so I am preoccupied.
Where am I going?
Where am I supposed to be?
I apologize for this (temporary) distraction from my otherwise highly enjoyable life.

I know, this, too, shall pass.
I so look forward to being home again.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our annual Valentine's Dinner and Chocolate Souffle at Opah!

HAPPY Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day

Thanks for filling my life with love.

Oh what a night...

My friend, Sharel invited me to MusiCare's tribute to Barbara Streisand!
What a treat!!

OfficialFreaking Amazing...Yep, SealTony Bennett

Stevie WonderBabs...and so much more...

My new favorite song...

Well read

Every night for the last few weeks or so, I have found myself reading in bed. This is mostly out of necessity at this point of course, as I have sold both my couches, my big chair and my upstairs restaurant booth. Basically, I have run out of places to sit and read...and thus, the bed has become my library.
...and I love it.
Last night I was literally hunkered down inside my bed--a blanket, comforter and a quilt neatly surrounded me. Three pillows were propped behind my back and one sat gently on my lap, where my book, The Great Gatsby for {at least} the third time, rested at perfect distance. I relished the free feeling of sinking deep into the fabulous feather bed while soaking up fine Fitzgerald fiction.
And I smiled.
I stopped reading for a moment and took a good look around.
My beautiful house was silent.
It is beautiful you know, and, albeit for a limited time, it is still mine...
...and I love it.

I realized--in that moment--that I was exactly where I always wanted to be...that I AM exactly where I want to be. In the quiet, in the calm, comfortable, in my bed, with a good book.

As I head into this upcoming, exciting yet uncertain season of life, it is interesting to think that I am choosing to only take a few things along with me on the journey...
Among them, my bed.
And my books.
I know the quiet, calm comfort will be coming with me too.

Frugal Rocks

Frugal Update:

Today, I saved $32.14 at the market. I had several coupons, my Ralph's club card and they now deduct 5cents for each reusable bag you bring in. I had four.

I sold $630 worth of stuff on Craig's list this weekend. Sure, I am running out of things to sit on, but heck, I don't sit down very often anyway.

I have been eating (low carb) pancakes three or four nights a week. I make up one batch and eat two a day...I've figured up that that's just about 75cents per meal. And may I just say, smothered in "I can't believe it's not butter light"--they are delicious. You can't beat that!

Having turned off my cable last year, I've been watching every single movie I own (watching Young Frankenstein right now.) Amazingly, I'm saving $80 a month and enjoying movies I haven't seen in years.

I gotta admit...I love living like this.

PS I have not been to Target yet this year. My goal is to not go there...well, ever again actually. I am buying my toiletries and household items at Wal Mart. Unlike my trips to Target, I am not tempted by anything else at Wal Mart.

Time for the next round...

'Letting go of something is so much more beautiful than possessing it.'

~Leo Babauta

Love these ladies.

Dwindling down

'With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.'

~Lope de Vega

Stuff saved in my 'blog' file...