October 26, 2002

Stew Weather

It smells like fall outside, which is a hard feat for Arizona to manage, since there are no leaves falling. Just try catching a cactus shedding magenta leaves. You'll be waiting a long time.

I miss the foliage. However, when I stepped outside this morning to get the paper (8:15 on a Saturday! What's gotten into me?), Gypsy at my heels, I took a deep breath and felt the familiar surge of happiness. The air is crisp instead of stifling, and a morning sprinkle put the "rain" scent in the air. The forecast is calling for chilly (hah, 70-something degrees is "chilly") temperatures and a significant chance for rain throughout the entire weekend.

Perfect stew weather. So I threw one together, listening to some peaceful CD's and tripping over Oz and Gypsy as I traversed between cutting board and crock pot. I brewed a huge pot of coffee, woke Calvin up, and we've been spending the morning talking about Marie's impending car (two years from now, but we still need to start planning), furniture we'd like to buy, and finances. Bugs Bunny is playing in the background, and we're gearing ourselves up to go out here in another few minutes and continue our slow conquer of the back yard.

Troubles seem further away than then did yesterday, and I can only hope that an upswing is in the works. I'm tired of feeling anxious, tired of being over-extended, and oh-so-ready to just slow down and be peaceful. I always experience this drawing-inward, nesting desire at the change of the seasons. Even though the change isn't as dramatic in Arizona as it is in Maine, I can still recognize the signs. The motivation to spend more time outdoors (with everyone else in the neighborhood, it seems - saws and leaf blowers and hammers, oh my!), the absolute cacophony of birds in the neighborhood (which, now that I think of it, may only be more noticeable now because we can have the windows open), and the sudden craving for a good, thick stew. I got to pull a blazer out of my closet I haven't worn since last winter, and am suddenly realizing that my inventory of sandals greatly outweigh my inventory of warm shoes. And I have, like, three pairs of socks. And no long-sleeved shirts.

There's another blanket on the bed, now, and slippers are definitely in order on our cold tile floor. Best of all, the onset of the cool weather doesn't automatically translate into the feeling of impending doom that comes with the first big snowstorm. We're getting snow up north, where it belongs, and the signs are good for a decent ski season. I'm optimistic that this is going to be a good winter.

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Just a couple of other things to update you on:

I've got a new fitness blog, called Operation :: Goddess, which I've been updating daily. It includes my daily food, energy level, and exercise activities, as well as good health and fitness articles and information I come across. Just in case you're interested...

I interviewed for a new position at work, so if everyone could cross their fingers/rub their rabbits feet/say "rabbit rabbit" as soon as they wake up/whatever you do for luck, I'd really appreciate it.

You know what I hate about interviews? I ALWAYS think of a better answer to the questions after the interview is over. I've been driving myself nuts, feeling like I doomed myself because the answers I thought of afterward were SO much better. The answers I gave were idiotic and moronic, while the answers I thought of are brilliant and display the mind of a woman who is eminently employable. Ah, well, it's in the hands of the Powers That Be, now. If I don't get the job, I'm absolutely no worse off than I am right now. And where I am right now doesn't exactly suck.

With that said, I could still use some more income. I'd like to take in typing or some sort of computer work that I can do at home in the evenings and on weekends. I want to earn more money, yes, but I don't want to have to extend the time I spend away from my family. Does anyone out there have any good sources or suggestions? If so, I'd really appreciate it if you'd drop me a line.

I leave you a goofy picture I exchanged with Heather last weekend, and a couple of pictures she took of Gadget while we were at Barktoberfest. Hope everyone has a good one!

Oz and I saying "good morning!"

Gadget getting a bath.

Gadget and a little girl who thought he was the neatest thing.

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Original content belongs to ME. Exceptions are noted. Stealing really isn't recommended, or necessary.
©Laura Charon 2000 - 2002.