Oops

So, as you can tell, I haven't kept up with this. Numerous reasons, but mainly because I kind of feel like I'm missing the point about this being my year. If I'm stressing out about posting mundane things like my tv viewings of the day.
So, here's a new proposal: I'll keep up the blog by posting truly Awesome things that happen, but I'm not worrying about what number day it is, or getting a bunch of them each day. I'll try to keep it up but really, isn't the point that I recognize year 25 as an awesome year and try to take chances? I'll keep you apprised of my doings!

Days 66-71

1) got the ball rolling for income-based payments for my student loans.
2) was there for someone
3) managed to get through a bad day and still be present with the kids
4) celebrated a friend's birthday and got lots of good conversation from her friends. Also got a bit tipsy and was made fun of by said friend.
5) saw a COWBOY riding a HORSE in the MIDDLE of the NIGHT! You must understand that this is not something to be seen in my city every day. Dude was talking on his cell phone.
6) babysat. Money!
7) was asked to babysit by another parent in the class. Excellent! More money!
8) closed two of my accounts with evil BBVA Compass. I hope to seamlessly open an account at a credit union and shift over
9) my body was cooperative at the chiropractor! Usually it isn't!
10) dance class again. I love being back in this!
11) someone from another classroom commending me on catching and preventing a bite. I'll take positive feedback wherever I can get it!
12) confirmed with my boss that I will get to observe parent teacher conferences this time!
13) allowed myself a little bit of heat. Perhaps I will go back on it later, but it's nice to have the apartment a little warmer than the outside.
14) made marshmallows!!! They are really good but also super rich. I ate four and had to lie down the rest of the day.
15) also made pumpkin spice pumpkin ale bread. It is delicious and unlike the marshmallows did not make me sick.
16) had a nice lazy weekend (apart from not feeling well)
17) we got rain all weekend long! Maybe the lakes will rise again.

Day 65

1. I'm not dead from soreness! Which means two things: 1) the bath worked! And 2) I've still got it!
2. I've been doing a weird collage thing from my ceiling. It's looking pretty cool! It doesn't photograph well so you will just have to believe me.
3. Got to finally start watching psych again. It only airs episodes online 30 days after the original airdate. I just saw the Halloween episode.
4. Got my new Netflix in the mail. Chess: in concert. It's a musical themed to chess, but the whole chess theme is more of a life metaphor rather than a bishop and a knight singing together. At least I think so. I'll keep you posted tomorrow when there is nothing on tv.
5. A child at work has started saying my name! Okay, it sounds more like "Day" but I know who she means. Now to get the other ones started.
6. I'm still just so happy I danced. I can't wait to go back.

Days 59-64

Again, I'm going to summarize.
1. Started a new collage project on the ceiling of my sunroom. It's lots of fun.
2. My aunt took me shopping for my Christmas present. We went to vintage stores around town and had sooo much fun!
3. Thanksgiving was great! Made rolls from scratch and had a great time with my family.
4. Saw The Muppets. Ah, it was so good! A real tribute.
5. Started decorating for Christmas. I don't have a lot but it works!
6. Got my desk back finally! All my furniture is present and accounted for.
7. Mom helped me clean up my apartment. It looks so good now!
8. I have leftovers for about four days worth!
9. Mom gave me a bunch of groupons and gift cards to cover for the days I'm not paid over the holidays. I probably won't have to buy anything with my own money for awhile!
10. Went to a contemporary dance class, kept up, and fooled them into thinking I was a teenager coming from another studio. They were shocked that I hadn't danced in eight years.

Day 58

1. Remembered to bring the pumpkin cake to work.
2. Potluck means no buying lunch.
3. Everyone loved my pumpkin cake! There was nothing left of it and so many people asked for the recipe I had to write out an original and let people make copies.
4. Chatted with Dad about our dissatisfaction with BBVA Compass and our impending departure in favor of a credit union. Losing my paycheck was pretty much the last straw.
5. In bed by 10:30!
6. Family will be in town tonight which means I get to see them tomorrow!

Days 54-57

You know what? I'm not stressing myself about this. I'm giving you a summary of the last few days in no real order. You can deal, right?
1. Finished the last chair!
2. Got lots of sleep over the weekend.
3. Got some good groceries.
4. Had an amazing chiropractic adjustment which was sooo very needed. My back was a wreck.
5. Baking a pumpkin cake! My grandmother developed this recipe decades ago, and we make it every holiday.
6. Figured out I can hook my computer up to my tv and still reach to get Internet access! I've been watching Netflix and hulu on my tv since!
7. Emma came over on Friday! Lots of fun just chatting, eating an entire large pizza, and watching Jim Henson's "The Storyteller"

Days 51, 52, and 53

Day 51
1. Babysat! Money!
2. Caught a yoga class afterwards. Kudalini yoga is so hard! Got a good burn though.
3. Went home for lunch. Got to see my penny!

Day 52
1. Cleaned a bit.
2. Saw the chiropractor during lunch. I adjust so much better in the middle of the day.
3. Got my table, the last chair for my project, and a china hutch! My uncle helped and we got it all set up before 9:30.

Day 53
1. Got to work on time.
2. Home for lunch. It's just so nice to come lay down on my bed.
3. Ate lunch sitting at my table!
4. Found some roach killing solutions (you die! Die!)
5. Got to put kids down for nap rather than shadow lunch tables today. There are only so many times a person can say "take bites! Use your spoon to scoop and bite!"
6. Thanksgiving is soon! Week from today!

Day 50

1. FIFTY DAYS of proving this is my year. Fifty!
2. Came home for lunch, which is always fun!
3. My aunt sent me some quilts her grandmother made. Lovely pieces of history! She also sent me a ton of wine corks!
4. Got my electricity bill and --I didn't imagine this was possible -- it was LOWER than last month's! $37. That's it! I'm an energy saving fiend!
5. Drove out to look at the table and china hutch. I think I'll be able to make them work! I'll only take one chair though so I can complete my color spectrum!
6. So glad I had a can of beans in the cabinet. Hooray, dinner!
7. Babysitting tomorrow. Hooray money!
8. Mom sent me a groupon! Yay free food!
9. I wore my favorite new vintage skirt to work. Only got a little yogurt on it and got lots of compliments!
10. I'm about to make the smoothie to end all smoothies.
11. I've done some tidying and the apartment looks halfway liveable!
12. Found out I'll be paid $15 an hour to babysit tomorrow!
13. Facebook discussion with my dad about time travel. I'm sure it doesn't need to be said that my dad is the coolest dad in the dading world.

Day 49

1. Penny let me sleep in until 11!
2. Finished my chairs! I just need one more and a table!
3. Absolutely impeccable hair day.
4. Finished Journeyman (why do time travel shows never last?)
5. Even though I shattered my screen my phone still works!
6. Got Penny some more heartworm preventative and registered her for a wellness plan. Unlimited vet visits, all her vaccines and tests, and 10% off procedures for $24 a month. Considering that visit and test alone plus heartworm stuff cost me over $188, I'm saving quite a bit.
7. Thanksgiving is soon! I'll get to see my family!
8. I may have found a table. For $75 they are selling it, four chairs, and a china hutch. I might take the lot and repurpose the extra three chairs. My uncle is going to help me transport.
9. Got a lot of progress done on the baby blanket. I'm already into the second color!
10. Discovered that I made some numerical mistakes. I thought this was day 47!

Day 48

1. Went table shopping. Didn't find anything but at least I got out of the house.
2. Finished the red and orange chair!
3. Found another Hulu addiction: Journeyman. I'm such a sucker for time travel shows.
4. Discovered I can mix wood stains like paint. And I now have the building blocks to get basically any color I want. So long as that color isn't a natural wood color.
5. Got part of the orange and yellow chair done. After that I just need to find and stain the blue and purple chair. And, you know, get a table.
6. Penny let me stay in bed until 10! Sort of.

Day 47

1. Started the next baby blanket!
2. FRIDAY!
3. The owner of the preschool where I work came in today and told us that we were awesome. She said we had a swarm of wonderful, loving, self-centered, "LOOK AT ME NOW!" kids and we were doing an amazing job. I'm holding on to that one for a while.
4. Got asked to babysit next week by a new family. Yay for expanding clientele!
5. My kids were extra huggy today. I hope I never forget to notice that and count it as a blessing.
6. Made some migas.
7. Caught up on missed tv
8. Going to sleep late, but with no alarm clock. I love Saturdays.
(Have you noticed my number seems to be 8 on this thing?)

Day 46

1. Got the climber switched out at work. No more stupid tunnel!
2. Ate lunch during naptime so I had time to hang out and just read during my lunch hour.
3. Went to a meeting for the labor support organization where I volunteer. Good group!
4. Yoga. Yes.
5. Not only yoga, but a yoga instructor who made me laugh
6. Gave yoga instructor pamphlet for said labor support organization. He and his partner are having a home birth with a doula present so they don't need it, but I told him to pass it along!
7. Got gasoline!
8. Fuel station attendant was having some awful pain so I referred him to my chiropractor. Hooray for being useful!
9. Home feeling relaxed and sleepy.

Days 44 and 45

Day 44
1. Good Chinese food for lunch
2. Caught up on HIMYM
3. Bank found my paycheck (long story!)
4. Stopped by the last part of a storytelling meeting. Hopefully I can see them next month.

Day 45
1. Chiropractor!
2. The breakfast taco guy ran after me to my car to give me my taco when I told him I had to leave right then or else I would be late
3. Managed to make it through the day with very little food in my system.
4. Tried to go to yoga but got there too late. Did yoga in my dining room instead.
5. Ready for bed by 10:30. And I haven't once turned on the tv.

Days 42 and 43

Day 42
1. Rain!
2. Got to my volunteer orientation.
3. Shopping at central market
4. Once Upon a Time
5. French Vanilla Coconut non-dairy non-soy creamer
6. Coconut nog
7. Worked on chairs

Day 43
1. laundry done
2. Delicious taco for lunch
3. Long talk with Mom
4. Read a lot while waiting for laundry
5. Moroccan Mint green tea with French vanilla coconut creamer
6. In bed before 11

Days 40 and 41

Day 39
1. Friday!!!
2. PAYDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3. had a talk with my lead teacher about my feelings. She said I am doing a great job! I have a tendency to believe the worst until I hear anything good, so that was good to hear.
4. Came back from lunch to a fire truck by the school. All the kids were outside in their evacuation spots. Everything was fine but they had parents come early. I got off an hour early! And all our kids did really well.
5. Because I got off early, I got to stop by my favorite lys (local yarn store) and get some fun yarn! Baby yarn for my next baby knitting project an some sock yarn for a random weird scarf I'm making.
6. Got to spend the evening with my dear friend Shannon! We had such a good time and again, good talks.
7. Discovered the new comedy radio station in town!

Day 40
1. Stay in bed day.
2. I did manage to sped a little bit of time on my chair project. One coat of stripping agent on! It's still soaking because I don't know that I trust the stain on this chair.
3. My new neighbor invited me up to her apartment for drinks. New friend! I had like half of one, she and her friends had like a billion.
4. Good hair day!
5. I have tons of leftover candy from Halloween! Mmmm!
6. In bed and falling asleep by midnight!

Days 38 and 39

Day 38
1. Got to work on time.
2. Had a good chiropractic adjustment.
3. Managed to eat lunch on my way there. Spicy vegetarian sweet potato taco. It's spectacular.

Day 39
1. Made it through this crazy day!
2. Managed to keep somewhat calm in some frustrating situations with the kids. (weathered quite a few throw-your-head-back tantrums)
3. My lead said it looked like I had things under control.
4. I caught a kid biting right in front of my lead, which made me feel better about all the times she caught a kid biting right in front of me.
5. Got my volunteer orientation done! Partially.
6. Saw an opera. It could have been better but the lead role was played by a really great actress. She was pretty much wonderful.
7. Random guy sat next to me in the theater. I had fun pretending he was interested in me. We never exchanged a single word but gave lots of "hi! I'm sitting next to you but I don't know you so I'm trying to look approachable and not creepy" smiles. That counts for something.
8. Almost had to save someone who I thought was being chased by an attacker. She wasn't, but I was totally ready to ram that guy with my car and speed away to safety with her. I even made my car go "VROOOM" and drove up to them to find them hugging. Glad she was okay.
9. It's cold outside but my bed is super warm!

Day 37

Preface: I'm not gonna lie, kids, this day was hard and tiring and draining. Nevertheless, I am still convinced this is my year and committed to telling you why.
1. After a traumatic (for me) event that had me worried most of the day, my team had about a billion stories that put my mind at ease and reminded me kids get hurt on occasion.
2. Found out I will probably get to go to a conference I want to attend on scholarship from the parent association at work!
3. Got things squared away to meet up with the volunteer coordinator for the organization I hope to begin volunteering with soon! And we found a solution to the MMR 1 vaccine record for me being illegible. We can do a blood test to test for immunity or simply give me another shot. The nurse and I will talk later.
3. Thought I heard gunshots just now but it was a guy hitting his shoes together to get mud out.
4. Made some lovely spinach and mustard greens and chicken with curry and paprika and honey and sea salt. I love that I can be full after half a chicken breast. Leftovers!!!
5. I'm in bed and ready for it at 10:26. Perhaps I won't be so on edge tomorrow.

Days 35 and 36

Day 35
1. Slept until the sun burned through my blinds (about 10pm)
2. Finished my purple and red chair (see below!)
3. Had a lovely dinner with a friend and came home with at least three lunches worth in leftovers

Day 36
1. Got to work just in the nick of time
2. While at work, I got to see a ton of adorable costumes
3. Also while at work I managed to weather tons of craziness from the kids.
4. Got some lovely halloween candy for the trick or treaters who never showed up. That means, of course, I get ALL THE CANDY!
5. Finally got to catch the second episode of Once Upon a Time. I can't believe I have to wait a whole six days to see the next one.
6. Ending the evening with savory popcorn, candy, pumpkin beer, and the two best Halloween movies ever made: Hocus Pocus and Casper.

Day 34

1. Went to see a play! It was good!
2. It was put on by local doulas and I talked to one of them about shadowing some births. I'm going to join the local doula association so I can have a good network.
3. Started stripping a chair. This one will be purple and red!
4. Got some good groceries. It was great! I kept going around the store looking for favorite things and got super excited every time I found it. One of the great things about living in Central Texas: Fresh homemade warm tortillas at the bakery.
5. At the grocery store, I found coconut cream. As in half and half but made from coconuts. I've tested it and while its foaming properties leave something to be desired, it is a good substitute for something that will hurt my belly!
6. Ended the night knitting and listening to comedy radio.

Day 33

1. The weather is nice and cool! I hope I can find all my cold weather clothes
2. FRIDAY!!!!
3. chiropractor. We mostly laughed at how sore and stiff I was.
4. Put aside, for the most part, what I projected on the members of my team and just had a good time with the kids being me. It was a good day.
5. Babysitting.
6. Back before midnight!
7. Decemberists were on tv!
8. Nice hot tea before going to bed.
9. My A/C isn't going to have to work very hard at all!

Day 32

1. Found out last night there is a Celtic festival in town soon! I had just felt a longing in my heart to attend one, too.
2. Saw the girl I made the baby stuff for wearing the decoration for the present I gave her as a bracelet. It was just some leftover yarn braided and tied, but I'm glad she liked it that much!
3. Chinese food delivery! PLUS two fortune cookies.
4. One of the kids was really sensitive today, and the only person they wanted was, you guessed it, ME. Always makes me feel good.
5. Watching the Once Upon a Time pilot again. Love this show!

Day 31

1. A whole month of telling you why this year is my year!
2. Got rid of my farm boxes today! I'm looking forward to having money and fridge room again! I'll be going to farmers markets to get my produce from here on out.
3. Survived the first session of boot camp. I'm exhausted and my muscles will hate me for the rest of the week, but I made it!
4. Was told that I am very well-versed in my field and that they hope the people at work are paying me enough. That's always good to hear.
5. Got some greens and liked them! Also had the second half of a chicken breast and a sweet potato.
6. Good adjustment today at the chiropractor. Seems my back is nicer during my lunch break. Neck is NOT, but back is.
7. Got a shower and bath in (needed a good soak from that workout) tonight, so I can sleep in a little tomorrow. Ten minutes. Still good.
8. Got asked to babysit again! Hooray extra money!
9. Heard someone playing a pennywhistle today at lunch. They were quite good. It made me smile and reminisce about Celtic heritage festivals gone by.

Day 30

1. Had a nice chat with my lead teacher. I hope we can develop a friendship.
2. Had some funny moments with my one year olds. We cut open some pumpkins and my lead said we were going to put it in the sensory table to let them rot so the kids could experience the process. I said that sounded disgusting. Just then one of them started making the "omnomnom" sounds they make when eating. Just about died laughing.
3. Watched my Netflix movie, the most recent Jane Eyre. Would you believe they cut some of the most crucial scenes that pull the story from romance to gothic romance? They even cut the veil ripping scene! It's beautifully shot, but I'm glad I saw it through Netflix and not in theaters.
4. Finished my shrug! Quite warm. Now that I know they are this easy to make I am going to attempt one whose pattern I absolutely adored. Then on to more baby knits.
5. Had a lovely quick conversation with the woman behind me in line about my shoes and how I can't get away from purple. She said it was because purple is royalty.
6. Going to bed at like 10 pm. Yay sleep!

Days 28 and 29

Day 28
1. "Once Upon a Time" premiered. ohmygoodness that was wonderful! I definitely felt cheated that it was only an hour long. I've been waiting forever to see this and it's finally here! Did not disappoint.
2. Had a very restful day with my puppy. Perhaps I should feel guilty for not doing the dishes or cleaning or whatever, but I don't. I needed rest.
3. Finished "Being Erica". I had to find the last episodes on Youtube because Season 4 wasn't put on Hulu and you can't watch the online shows if you don't live in Canada. But I found them! I hope I can continue watching and keep up.
4. Knit some more. Found a wonderful stitch called the Daisy Stitch. I would link to a picture but I can't find one that does it justice. The stitch itself is wonderful, but the beauty of the stitch, in my opinion, can only be seen when you are looking through it into the light (as with so many things, I think). I am making a scarf for myself out of it.

Day 29
1. Switched shifts with my lead, which meant I worked the middle shift, which meant I got to leave work 45 minutes before I usually do!
2. Had dinner with one of my very dear friends I don't see too often. It was, as usual, a wonderful time. I am so glad to have friends I can see once in a six month period and feel no time has passed. (It would be quite lovely to see her more often, but what can you do?)
3. I finally got some unsolicited positive feedback from someone on my team at work!
4. I might finish it all off by watching Once Upon a Time again. I LOVE that show!

Days 25, 26, and 27

Day 25
1. Got some good affirmation from a boss
2. Finished knitting and weaving in ends for a baby gift
3. Got some good stuff with my HEB gift card
4. Bought myself some flowers
(Thursday was a hard day for me. Sometimes flowers help)

Day 26
1. She loved the baby gift!
2. Being Erica marathon
3. Started my first shrug knitting project

Day 27
1. Got lots of knitting done
2. Listened to bunches of NPR
3. Walked between two of the MANY festivals going on this weekend. Debating attending others tomorrow.
4. Wore my new skirt I got last week. It was perfect for the weather!
5. Literary Deathmatch. It's a yearly tradition for me. It's also awesome.
6. Since I spent the day alone, enjoyed a few inside jokes I have with only myself. I crack me up.
7. Babysitting now. Yaaay money!
8. Will probably finish this shrug tomorrow!
9. Prairie Home Companion with guest John Lithgow while laying upside down on my bed cuddling with Penny and knitting. Excellent.

Day 24

1) I'm starting to realize I have quite a few friends here if I just reach out! I have to itemize this one BIG proof so forgive the outline format
a. The woman who hired me and who is now in charge of continuing education and professional development came up to me today and asked me about a play I'd mentioned. I told her when it was again and she said 'Okay good, and are you going with anyone?' I said no, and she said 'Well can we go together?' and of course I said yes and then we did a silly happy jumpy thing because we are both ridiculous. She, honestly, is a big part of why I accepted the very odd offer they gave me in late July.
b. I was all set to go to a very exciting festival full of food alone on Saturday, but I decided to go ahead and ask people whose company I enjoyed. I didn't get definite plans from anyone, but very aloofly said that I would be around and I'd keep my phone handy if they wanted to meet up. I'm sure this festival and the other one I'll be walking back and forth between won't disappoint.
c. These people are actually excited about the chance to see me. [Sidebar-why does that always surprise me?]
So yes, exciting stuff.
2) I was stressed at the end of the day and one of the admin just decided to hang out with me and the kids. It seemed to help a bit.
3) The chiropractor worked HARD on my body today. I'm so glad for our standing appointments. I can't imagine how bad my back and neck would be with the amount of bending over, lifting, and carrying I do during the day if I didn't have her.
4) Penny decided to try to be cuddly. She really is such a sweet dog. She just couldn't get into the papasan chair with me. No way we'd fit like that tonight!
5) Watched more episodes of Being Erica but didn't overdo it tonight. I'm going to sleep before midnight tonight (I hope!)
6) Got another babysitting gig pinned down for Saturday night. That means more moolah! Hooray for cashflow! (Sadly that means cutting off another opportunity but I choose the bright side on this blog)
7) Very easily rescheduled one of my standing chiropractic appointments so I can try out my lead teacher's boot camp that she leads after work twice a week. I'm absolutely terrified because I'm so out of shape, but I'm looking forward to it. Maybe it'll be fun if it's with a group of people.
8) I don't think I can fully describe to you how much fun I have when putting sunscreen on these kids. One guy got a fauxhawk and another got an anime do worthy of Dragonball Z.
9) I have a bunch of inside jokes with myself. One I am reminded of every day at closing as I do the final wash-ups pictures me as Cinderella, in great melodrama, saying something like "gee, I wish I could go to the ball...." and it always makes me chuckle.

Day 23

1) used my free chick-fil-a sandwich!
2) slept in just enough but still got a shower in!
3) chatted with Mom
4) got to talk to Catia. Unfortunately we won't get to hang out this weekend but we had a fun chat anyway and we will have to settle for a phone date. BUT we did get to chat a bit
5) a few episodes of Being Erica
6) finished mittens and a baby hat. I may make a second one just in case she doesn't like it and to make something that fits a little better with the mittens. they are all super cute.
7) I get to wear yoga pants and t-shirts to work. Every day.
8) My lead teacher gave me a starbuck's gift card today for my birthday! Hooray for freeness!

Days 21 and 22

Day 21
1) got yarn for a baby knit project! Knitting things for babies is so fun because they are super cute and usually knit up really quickly. These did!
2) my aunt not only did laundry for me (long story) but gave me a huge care package. So blessed.
3) got the shelf hung on my wall in my bedroom. It's started looking More lived in already
4) knitted the first mitten of a hat and mitten set for baby V
5) watched about a billion episodes of mythbusters.

Day 22
1) TONS of compliments on my hair. Really that's the best part about coming back to work or school with a hair cut.
2) got pictures and posters up on my bedroom walls. Again, I am starting to make this place look like mine.
3) remembered to do my survey in time so I can get my free chick fil a sandwich.
4) best transition from lunch to nap time yet, in my opinion.
5) had a good phone convo with my dad. Somehow we went from discussing the crime scene I passed by yesterday to talking about artificial intelligence, cylons, and Battlestar Galactica. You know, the usual.
6) finished knitting the second mitten of the set. Now on to the fun part: designing the hat!
7) in bed earlier than I was last night. Knitting sure does make me forget to do basic self care.
Night, kiddos!

Days 19 and 20

Day 19
1) had a lovely lunch!
2) woke up and realized it was FRIDAY!
3) Internet was consistent so I got to catch the Psych season premiere on Hulu and have a bit of a "Being Erica" marathon.
4) finished off the amazing chocolate chip cookies
5) drank the last of my wonderful almond milk

Day 20
1) got a haircut!
2) got to explore some of the shops in between the salon and home
3) got a skirt at one of those shops at 50% off! $8 fall fashion!!
4) got chick-fil-a for lunch. Treat yourself!
5) did laundry at my aunt and uncle's house, yay free laundry in HE machines!
6) my aunt left two bags of groceries out for me. And an HEB giftcard.
7) babysitting! Hooray for catching up on missed tv and getting paid for it! Up next: Doogie Howser: MD.
8) I found looots of baby stuff I want to make. I have like 3 baby gifts and 2 sibling gifts to make. I'm so excited!

Day 18

1) great hair day today!
2) netflix movie came in: Follies in Concert with big names such as Elaine Strich, Carol Burnet (whom I love) an Mandy Patinkin (whom I also love), George Hearn, Barbara Cooke...Betty Comden and Adolph Green...
3) just found penny's brush! Yes!
4) had an encouraging talk with mom
5) got new shoes! $36 for a $60 pair and they are comfy as all get out! Running shoes. Lovely. Purple. And necessary, as my Simples literally fell apart today.
6) made chocolate chip cookies. Love.
7) penny is being super cuddly right now
8) I think I might get to turn off the a/c completely soon. Hooray for saving money!

Day 17

1) got to work with time to spare AGAIN!
2) had a conversation with my curly girl co worker all about curly hair and the hairstylist she recommended to me. Others looked on, mouth agape, at the level of care curly hair takes.
3) after witnessing the aftermath of something that will be really traumatic when the parties involved find out, I came home to a healthy, happy dog who hung around in the kitchen with me and somewhat patiently waited for our evening walk. After which she went crazy and threw my keys around for awhile.
4) had a good long talk with Catia about food, chairs, ideas, and the awesome weekend we will have when she comes to visit!
5) confirmed that I may go to my aunt and uncle's house on Saturday and do laundry for free!
6) farm box day, and it didn't go to waste. I baked up a sweet potato, sauteed sweet potato greens, and baked some chicken for dinner. It was excellent. Also made some pickles (hope it works! How long should they sit in the liquid?) and got like a billion apples, plus one with a leaf still attached. Adorable! I'm trying to figure out what to do with the shallots and pears.
7) got the Internet to work long enough to watch two episodes of "Being Erica" which is probably my guiltiest guilty pleasure on Hulu, with Doogie Howser, M. D. nowhere near it because I don't feel guilty for loving it. Being Erica is a Canadian drama where the main character gets to relive past events an make her life come out better. Or at least make her feel better about herself. It sounds like the later seasons are kind of crazy but I'm loving the first few episodes.
8) going to sleep a very content person. I have food for lunch, clothes for tomorrow and the next day, and a sweet sweet pup sleeping at my feet.

Day 16

1) woke up and got to work with like ten minutes to spare. Always nice to sit and be for a bit before joining the fray.
2) got the final chair. I'm not sure how I feel about it. It's kind of gigantic compared to my other five. My plan is to go ahead and stain it, keep my eyes open for new options, and if I don't like it, sell it.
3) a co worker made pumpkin bread mini muffins with cream cheese frosting for everyone. I definitely ate like four
4) my parents surprised me with $50 to spend on groceries. It will probably go toward Penny's bag of food in addition to my flour I need.
5) parenthood was great tonight
6) had a good conversation with a dear friend on the way home
7) today is the last day of my z-pack!
8) my kids at work were extra cuddly today. It was great!

Day 15

1) had inservice today which meant I got off work at 4 instead of 6!
2) also meant I got a free lunch
3) the director who hired me and I got to chat a bit. After training she pulled me aside and told me that the new director had mentioned on many occasions how impressed she was with me and how she holds me in high regard. That was pretty much the best ever.
4) I am almost ready for bed and it isn't even 10 PM. Maybe I'll get like a ton of sleep tonight?

Day 14

1) rain for the second day in a row!
2) made tomato soup and bread
3) had a lazy day with the pooch
4) found "Being Erica" on Hulu. I love those time travel/fix your life type shows!

Day 13

1) Woke up early, couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to be productive.
2) finished the green and blue chair for my color spectrum dining room. Before and after below.
3) took Penny on a huge walk through the neighborhood. She loved it an came back exhausted, which is good! I even had to tether her outside for a second to grab a soda at the gas station and she was so good!
4) got three more chairs for my color spectrum project and all the remaining materials except for finisher, which means all I lack is a chair. The chairs I got at a thrift store for $17 total, one of which was about $2.49.
5) finally hung up the shelf in my dining room which holds my cook books!
6) it rained off and on all day!
7) went to a Mediterranean Festival with Emma. She bought a silly jingly belly dancer skirt, I got an elephant garland the nice lady informed me would remove all the obstacles from my life, we split a spanakopita, three baklava, and a Shish-ka-bob, and I got to do a Greek dance with a bunch of people.
8) came home and it was only then that my body reminded me I was sick.
9) also, had leftover Chinese food for lunch and have more leftover for today!

Day12

1) woke up with pinkeye. BUT that meant I could go to the doctor before work and even be a little late. Once there, I got refills for the prescriptions I've been out of for a month, a z-pack for my other sickness, a breathing treatment, antibiotic eye drops, and a new rescue inhaler! (making lemonade here!)
2) the prescriptions were expensive, but Wednesday was pay day, and I got to use the $25 target gift card a parent gave me to help pay for it all.
3) I made it back to work with the low fuel light on. And made it to a gas station after work.
4) I had a consultation with a hairstylist a coworker recommended to me. She was AWESOME. Everything I wanted to hear came from her without prompting. It sounds like I've finally found an amazing stylist who listens and will make my hair look great!
5) finished staining the green and blue chair. Off to find another chair to be either orange and yellow or blue and purple!
6) ordered Chinese food. Awesome. This thing will last for like four meals!

Day 11

1) Managed to wake myself up at 5:30, get a cup of tea to help my asthma, and still get back to sleep for another hour.
2) Left the apartment in time to stop at Central Market and buy a muffin for myself! Chocolate and toffee with hazelnut!
3) Still made it to work with time to spare.
4) Had coffee with a friend from grad school. She had a smoked black tea, which smelled like campfire. It was amazing.
5) THEN had some time with ANOTHER friend from grad school and chatted about life while Penny made herself useful as cute dog who needs petting.
6) Stained some more of the second chair, a part of my color wheel project. (I'm getting six unmatched kitchen chairs and making them into a color wheel. Then I will get a table and they will be my regular dining chairs.)
7) Some more of my current obsession show: That Mitchell and Webb Look
8) Toast with honey and tea. On home made bread. Indeed.

Day 10

1) PAY DAY!!!!
2) not only that, but it was $82 more than I expected!
3) chick fil a for lunch. I love it so much!
4) had a staff activities committee meeting in one of my favorite parts of town
5) got a chiropractic adjustment and found out she can adjust my JAW! She worked on it a bit today. Maybe my ear pain will go away.
6) got to try pumpkin beer for the first time! It's excellent.
7) my Netflix movie came in. "Yellowbeard", a farce of pirate movies.

Day 9

1) made it to work just in the nick of time after leaving late.
2) had another encouraging talk with my support staff
3) lots of moments today where I was getting task oriented and a child I was helping stopped and gave me a big hug. That is a little awkward when changing a child's diaper, but precious nonetheless. Reminding me what's important. Win.
4) had a long talk with a far away friend today. It's always good to talk with her. No matter what we talk about I leave feeling filled.
5) got my tickets today during lunch and got back to work after getting turned around a couple times in this crazy city and made it back--you guessed it--just in time.

day 8

1) Woke up feeling sick but made it through the day WITH the absence of my lead teacher, who was doing conferences.
2) Chiropractor Monday. (let's all say aaaaaahhhhh)
3) Made it back to the apartment and found my check book in time to turn in my rent check AND made it back to work in time
4) Found out about a wonderful organization that provides free labor support to...well, women in labor. I don't know if it will work towards doula certification, but I still want to do it! Imagine!
5) Managed to catch the last 10 minutes of How I Met Your Mother
6) I can go to sleep right now if I want to. Isn't being graduated an amazing thing?

Day 7

1) made a whole week of postings! Hooray!
2) woke up on my own time and rested as I saw fit.
3) went to Whole Foods and spent my gift card on some lovelies, going a mere $12 over the card amount (which I had in cash!)
4) WON FOUR TICKETS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND!!!!! (I haven't won something in a long time!)
5) found out that not only is the gypsy trailer picnic on the weekend Catia comes to visit, but also the statewide book festival!
6) cleaned the kitchen and the bathroom, with only the living area and dining area left to be cleaned this week before Emma comes to visit in celebration of finishing Comprehensive Exams. (shouldn't be too bad)
7) baking bread in my bread maker. Hypnotic.
8) penny went crazy and ran around the apartment at top speed because I put a sticker around her leg. Quite entertaining.
9) reading some while I wait for my bread to finish. (a HPB find: "Politicizing Magic: An anthology of Russian and Soviet Fairy Tales". So far Baba Yaga is in all of them.)
10) I THINK I have enough clean clothes to last me through the week!

Days 5 and 6

Day 5
1) it's FRIDAY!
2) I realized I will have enough money to pay both rent and electricity!
3) had a good conversation with my lead teacher today.
4) a co-worker gave me the rest of her brisket so I got some free delicious protein today
5) went almost directly to bed with the full knowledge that I wouldn't have to be up early

Day 6
1) SATURDAY!
2) got an oil change that was very long overdue
3) bought one new license plate light and the oil change place gave me the other one free
4) took a nap (I haven't napped in ages!)
5) the latest season of Psych is on Netflix!
6) the family I'm sitting for tonight has Internet tv with Netflix and Hulu Plus.
7) I'll have enough to make rent and have some money leftover until payday on the 5th!
8) had a great barbecue dinner, fried okra, and some interesting conversation at a barbecue place near my apartment today.

Day 4

1) got one of the problems with my car fixed! Window now goes up and down!
2) got a ride to the mechanic from a work friend
3) got asked to babysit tomorrow and the next day. $50 a piece!
4) added some tuna to my pasta dish I made yesterday, extending my meal, adding protein, ya know, normal good stuff.
5) co-worker offered me a hug when I was stressed today.
6) got a birthday check for $50!
(so if you are running a total, by the end of this weekend I'll have $150!)
7) in love with my air popper right now. About to make more popcorn.
8) I JUST HEARD THUNDER!!!!!!
I'm also about to have maybe a cup of tea or a glass of wine out of a cup I made on the pottery wheel!
Still thinking about a shorter haircut. We shall see.

Day 3

1) Making air popped popcorn at home during lunch and tossing it with coconut oil and sugar (omgthemostdeliciousthingever)
2) getting a request for my address so I can get an invite to my friend's wedding!!!!
3) Being at home and putting out the old farm boxes just before the new farm box came in (felt rather ninja there)
4) getting a chiropractic adjustment. My neck is getting so much better, and hopefully my mid-back will follow.
Speaking of farm boxes, I have like a trillion roma tomatoes now. Pasta, ahoy!
Also...6) first meal in my hand-thrown bowl from my trip last summer in North Carolina!

Day 2

1) I woke up to Rosie Thomas singing "Songbird" on my iHome
2) I realized I could tell the apartment complex about the roaches today and have a few weeks for it to be clean when they come through and spray.
3) I left my lunch at work yesterday so I had the other half of my pbh sandwich to enjoy today. No need to pack!
4) It rained on me twice on the way back from lunch. And more on the way to reason #5
5) I got to see Matt and Shannon, two of my favorite people, and Shannon made dinner for us!
So, as you can see, today was really my day.

I have decided that this will be my year.

Hello! Welcome to my new blog! I thought I'd explain the purpose of this one by sharing my journal entry from today:
I'm 25 years old today. Birthdays never feel different to me. Never. They are awesome days but nothing big.
Today was different. I feel older in a good way. I feel different. I feel powerful.
I have decided that this will be my year.
And I'm going to prove it.
I am going to decide every day that today is my day. And I'll spend all day looking for reasons why.
Starting with today:
1) I got two gift cards today, for $25 at Target and $30 at Whole Foods. Hello groceries!
2) I got a lot of "Happy Birthdays"
3) At work we had cookies, cake, and candy in the break room
4) I woke up to freshly baked bread thanks to my new breadmaking machine.
5) Chick Fil A and Sauvignon Blanc. Natch.

Basically, the plan is to keep a list of things that show me why the day is my day. I may not blog every day, but I will definitely keep my list up and weekly posts will have outlines of each day's proof.
In comments, feel free to tell me why today is your day! A day is big enough to belong to multiple people.

I'm excited! I hope you are, too!
Kate