Settling In

A period of adjustment....well, that is maybe not the right word. There are some things that have changed; some changes have been minute, others a little larger. You know me and lists,so let's start there.

1. As of Labor Day, I have finished losing weight. In memorable history, this has not happened before. I reached my goal. That felt really great to type. Since that day, a month ago, I have begun this foreign concept of maintaining my weight. I am still adjusting to this new mindset between "I have to watch what I eat, I am trying to lose weight." and "SWEET! I lost a crapload of weight; I can eat whatever I want and not pay attention anymore." Some days are easier than others, but overall, I have felt a shift in my perspective, my outlook, my attitude. And that feels really productive, if nothing else.

2. I am an aunt. He is pretty stinking cute. SERIOUSLY....on the hair.


3. Fall is rapidly becoming a fave this year. The photo at the top is the balcony off our bedroom.....I love when the cattails dry out and the sky is a brilliant blue. It has been unseasonably warm here this month, but today is cool and crisp and overcast. I roasted a chicken and made dinner rolls for Sunday Dinner. It felt like the right thing to do.

4. I have been focusing more on saving money and this has led to living a different kind of life in a series of smaller steps. I made laundry soap, I have started packing lunches for both of us, I have started buying only things on sale at the grocery store and usually mostly ingredients to be used to make things from scratch. I have learned to knit and discovered that I really, really enjoy it as a past time. Which has led to knitting surprises for Christmas gifts this year. I was asked by a colleague what my new learning skill was going to be after past escapades and trials such as the sausage making and sugarbushing to make maple syrup. I believe I will designate knitting to be this season's skill learned.

5. I still struggle with the urge to ditch everything when life gets hard and move to another country. I don't know that I will every not do this. It is my daydreaming subject, it is my thought topic when I walk in the morning, it is less of a plan of escape, more of a plan of adventure. I love travel, I love seeing new things and experiencing things that work differently than what I do. Lately, my urgency has calmed down regarding this past time. I consciously have been trying to choose a "Bloom where you grow." kind of perspective.

I am adjusted and content with my life today. I am blessed with a warm home, "interesting" neighbors, a loving husband and dog, a job that I really do enjoy when I stop to evaluate it, and an undying hope that I will win that Powerball this week.