Job News

I was driving home this afternoon and was just marveling over the beauty of the sunny day and the freshly fallen snow.  It was so beautiful and crisp and shiny out.  I was thinking I need to blog about it all and then realized that 1) trying to write about what it feels like when it snows out is really hard and not my forte, and 2) my last post was about the new snow so I really should change things up even though we are getting a ton of snow.  Since the last post we've had several more snowfalls without melting between so the snow drifts are above my head in some places.  Gotta love it!  Here's a picture my step-mum just sent of dad's work up in VT shoveling.

Instead of snow I will report on the job front.  I feel like it's official since I finally filed papers today for unemployment benefits.  I am happy to report that I am currently jobless.  This last summer there were some massive layoffs in my office which basically changed things for me and gave me the heads up of what was in my future.  I don't want to write much here as 1) I legally can't disparage my work place and 2) things in writing have a tendency to show up later when you least want it.  But let's just say I was ready to move on and am enjoying a little break from the daily grind.

One of the first things I did was write a list of all the stuff I could work on now that I never had time to do before (or at least didn't think I did).  Things like jumping back into my book I started writing or sorting through the boxes of papers I've accumulated or doing more art work and knitting and all the chores I never get to.  Granted, I've not really done much on the list other then the knitting and even then only a little.  Instead, I'll give you a list of what I've found I've enjoyed so far having a much more flexible lifestyle:

1. Shopping in the middle of day.  The grocery store is no longer a crowded bumper car craziness.  Actually, if I realize it's evening or a weekend, I shy away from running errands.  I'm getting soft.

2. Knitting/Ravelry.  I took stock of my knitting and yarn supplies at the beginning.  Organizing is my happy place.  I went through and organized my yarn, knitting books/patterns and projects.  My list on ravelry (a knitting website) has grown exponentially recently of projects I want to start.  But I've been good.  I haven't started anything other than a pair of socks.  Trying to finish the 6+ sweaters I have that are soo close.  More to report on that in another post, hopefully.  I love yarn. 

3. Started Spring Cleaning.  I don't clean much and when I do I don't dust.  Five years of dust has gotten me to start an extensive spring cleaning.  At first I was frozen as it was too much.  Now I just work on a corner and stop when I want to stop not when the room is done.  I got most of the bathroom done - walls, ceilings, floors.  It's uber clean.  I'm just hoping that by the time I finish I don't have to start over again.  It's all about maintenance.  I need to get better at that.

4.  Hanging Pictures.  I've got all this great art work - most of it framed.  And some blank walls and I keep trying to figure out what to hang where.  I've tried hanging a coat hook and that doesn't work - it falls down.  Long story short - I've gotten closer to having just the right configuration - pictures later on progress.

5.  Watch Movies.  I've been enjoying lazy mornings and emy netflix and hulu.  I found tv shows I'd never thought I'd find again - try looking up something on the internet when you don't have a title, actors names or anything. I've come across a lot of great movies and shows.  I love how netflix categorizes selections based on your ratings.  Apparently I like not only comedies and action/adventures but also "Emotional Military 20th Century Period Pieces" and "Quirky Indpendent Road Trip Movies".  It's been fun watching and knitting and just recharging the batteries - much needed, especially after the holidays.  At first I went a little overboard, but I deserved it.  Now I have a more balanced schedule.  Having the office up in the loft helps - the ladder is arduous enough that I don't make too many trips each day.

6. Visiting friends.  I'm not as stressed out squeezing in seeing folks when events and parties pop up.  A lot less to juggle makes that so much easier.  I had a great time at a farewell party for some dear friends last weekend - hopefully I'll do a post on that in a moment, it deserves it's own.  The biggest indulgent is seeing my god-son, Cameron and his sister Maggie (and their parents of course).  I just downloaded pictures from the camera and here's one of Cam from this summers fourth of July festivities. 

I'll end on 6, a perfect number.  The only thing that is a downside is that I'm worried I'll get a little too used to this lifestyle.  It's like being retired in your thirties, only I'm not independently wealthy and still have about another thirty years of work in front of me before I officially can consider retiring... and even then.  But for now, I'm enjoying my little hiatus break from the daily grind.  And taking stock of what I want to do next.  Still trying to figure out that magical question - what can you do that is a ton of fun, pays a ton of money and doesn't take much time each week.  None of this full time craziness!