Saturday, June 30, 2012

My Blackberry Won't Leave Me Alone

Taking time off - why didn't I think of this sooner?  I'm so much calmer and really enjoying doing nothing for a change.  Unfortunately, "nothing" has a whole new definition.   "Nothing" now comes equipped with a laptop, Blackberry and iTouch.  It used to be just a book and maybe a remote control.  When did the shift happen?

I really miss the days when I took off time from work and just walked away and hid out in my apartment or went home for Christmas.  Now, every time that stupid little star shows up on my work email, I feel compelled to at least look to see who sent something and what the subject line is....it's a problem I know.

Add to that my OTHER email and then texts and of course there's Facebook to keep up with as well.  I have been off for three whole days and haven't read more than 2 chapters in my 'I can't wait to read this' book. 

I've watched some really bad TV - Wings reruns - while playing Words with Friends.  I've written blog posts, while watching Deadliest Catch episodes we had DVRd and I've talked on the phone while checking my personal email updates.  I think I have a problem.

I can't get comfortable anywhere unless there's a plug nearby and goodness knows when my phone dies I feel cut off from the world.  (Not that it works at home or anything.)

So what can I do to disconnect.  I could just let all of the batteries die on everything and leave them be until I have to go back to work.  But that won't work - I'll just get yelled at by everyone - where were you???  We left you a note?! 

Ahh, the pressure of technology.  Maybe I'll compromise and not check anything until I finish my book.  Maybe a balance of real world and technology is all I need.  I think I need to ration my technological time with my 'grounding' time....

In the meantime, I'll focus on playing with the Bubbies, reading my books and talking with B and spending some quality time together!  Go crazy!  Talking with my husband?  What a unique idea....hmmm....maybe I'll take a nap....



Happy Saturday Ya'll!

Friday, June 29, 2012

Swimming Ain't for Sissies

Has anyone else been watching the Olympic Swimming Trials?  Unbelievable.  It's almost too stressful to watch - I want all of the superstars to win, but I also want all of the newbies to win too!  I wish they could take more than the top two swimmers in each event....seems like a really hard thing to go through to get close enough only to lose by .001 of a second! 

Swimming was a big part of my life growing up.  I swam for years - I wasn't a fast swimmer by any stretch of the imagination, but I sure had 'pretty strokes'!  Just what a girl wants to hear!  I loved being on a swim team and the camaraderie that went with it.

I was only a 'summer swimmer' though....that meant I wasn't a really serious, get up at 5AM to go to practice type of swimmer.  My brother was though...I think once I was old enough to fill out the top of my bathing suit, it wasn't fun for me anymore.

My younger brother T though, he was a dedicated swimming geek.  I mean geek in the nicest way possible - after all, his teammates were all super fit, cut guys in speedos...nothing wrong with that when I was in high school! 

He actually swam for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club or NBAC - that's the team that Michael Phelps swims for/owns.  They are a serious group of swimming folks - let me tell you... he swam before school, after school and in every spare moment swimming was discussed.

It was really fun to be able to cheer my brother on during his races and I really loved seeing his name up on the records boards....so proud of my 'little' brother!  I wouldn't be surprised to see his name still holding a few records at his alma mater!

Because of growing up in a swimming household, I get a true sense of what the swimmers and their families are going through right now.  In fact, I find myself holding my breath when they race and pushing my feet against an imaginary wall when they do their flip turns to help them get ahead!   I guess once you love it, you never quite forget it.

For now though, I'll watch the trials and the Olympics and cheer on the Lochtes and the Phelps' and the underdogs from Swim MAC here in Charlotte and hope that many dreams will be met throughout these Olympics....and remember the sacrifices the families have made to get their kids to this point - and lets not forget about the shaving down that has to happen for all - ouch.  And those bathing caps...super ouch....

Swimming ain't for sissies Ya'll!  Happy Friday!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

I'm a Lucky Camper

Hey all - today was a big day for me here in Blog-land.  I won't go into details right now...but as things unfold, I'll fill you in.  Needless to say, I've started my super-duper vacation and so far haven't left my bedroom in 8 hours!  Whoopppeee! 

Today I wanted to talk about special people and how those special people in your life can get you through the tough times.  As you know, I've been a whiny, cranky, stressed out and oh, I don't know...pain in the buttocks kind of person for the last few weeks.   For some reason though, I've been surrounded by really special people who have sent me sweet texts, dropped me emails and in general have lent me support at a time when I really needed it.

It's amazing how when you feel at your lowest, you turn around and there are people there for you.  When you least expect it, you get a boost from out of the blue and you feel better.  So how lucky am I?   I've learned in life to deal with your 'stuff' and keep on those big girl panties....but it's always nice to know you have amazing people at your back. 

So today's blog goes like this....remember the people in your life that matter the most are the ones who are there for you when you least expect it.  There are sunny day friends and rainy day friends - and then there are ALL the time friends....

Thanks to all of my wonderful 'all the time' friends and family - without whose support I would have gone stir crazy.  I hope when you need someone to support you and hold you up, or celebrate with you, that I can return the favor.  I am blessed...a lucky camper in this crazy world we live in.


Happy Thursday Ya'll!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Blog Show and Tell

Ever wonder about all the 'stuff' I have on my blog?  I thought today I would walk you through where everything is and why it's there! 

So, welcome to JB & the Bubbies!  The title comes from my first initial, my husband's first initial and the nickname for our two sweet little dogs, the Bubbies.  I'm not really sure where that came from; but it started when Seamus was a wee pup.  And it just stuck.

Now that you know where my blog's name came from....let's walk through all the other 'stuff'!

Top of Blog - Right Margin - 1

Bottom of Each Post - 2
 

 
Middle of Page - Right Margin - 3


Bottom of Page - Right Margin - 4

Bottom of Page - 5
 
So now you know your way around my blog page - I hope things are a bit clearer and you can find some fun things to read and easy ways to keep in touch!

I love to hear your comments - so feel free to post!
Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Dr. Matt Cracks Me Up

Well today I had my first visit to a chiropractor.  I can sum up the visit in one word, OUCH!  Holy sweet Jesus it hurt.   My sacrum tilts.  It's just what it does and unfortunately that can hurt after a while.  Since my beloved insurance company cut off my physical therapy, and the exercises I learned in PT didn't help, I was left with no alternative.

I made a call this morning to an office located near my home and the doctor himself answered.  Dr. Matt.  Hmm....not used to that.  We spoke for a bit and he found an appointment for me late this afternoon.  I go there ready to roll with my 'new patient' forms and was soon ushered back into the x-ray room.   He did a brief exam and then we dove into the x-rays - won't get the results from those until Wed. 

But after looking at me and watching my movements, he told me my sacrum was tilted backwards which was affecting my SI joint and causing my legs to be uneven in length.  Once he actually felt my back he said, "You have a brick in your back."  Nice. :o)  We knew that. 

SO, we go into the exam room.  I hop (hesitantly) onto his table face down and he starts 'a-crackin.'  Mind you, I have a really bad muscle issue.  It's called Myofascial Pain Syndrome and because of it I have lots of trigger points or little knots all over my body.  Well, let me tell you, Dr. Matt had little magnets in his finger tips for those trigger points.

Every adjustment that man made, totally was a bulls eye for a trigger point.  He not only worked on my sacrum, he adjusted my neck - hey DD, that knot is gone! Woohoo!  He adjusted my shoulder on the right that just had Botox - and Voila!  I can move my shoulder.  Turns out, my spine was really out of synch with my muscles and vice versa.  Did you know that your right shoulder can be messed up because of your left hip?  Makes no sense, but that's just how the cookie crumbles my friends.  Apparently, I make a great deal of medical sense, just no common sense.

Ending that hellish fun, we moved onto the vibration machine (get your minds out of the gutter).  I stood on that thing for 30 seconds and was close to tears after it was done.  Pain. It's supposed to calm the joints and muscles after a treatment.  Well, this camper could only handle one round of 30 seconds. 

After all this fun, I get to go back and see him again on Wednesday morning!  Obviously having a straight sacrum is key to carrying a baby, so this is really important folks.  I guess I'll have to keep going back!  Say a prayer for me!  This is worse than any PT I've had and I'm now sitting on an ice pack.  Joy.

What a great Monday huh?  I can hardly wait until Tuesday.....I start with the dentist at 8:00 AM. 

Happy Tuesday ya'll!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Susie Cheerful Here

Well, today I have no pie.  I can't even find a pie plate.  It's a day when I just need to shut down and be.  So I am.  I actually spent most of today in the kitchen.  It was rewarding in a few ways - the fridge is nice and full.  It was also a mental health recharging opportunity.

There comes a time in your life when you just have to be and stop thinking about what's ahead or what's behind you.  I'm there.  Today is just a day to be for me.  I've prayed until I think God is tired of the same old thing.  So now, I've moved on to the saints.  If you're Catholic you know there are hundreds to choose from. I have my favorites, but I guess it depends on the situation.  Right now, I'm talking with all of them.  So far, no movement on their end.  We'll see what tomorrow brings...

Right now, I've done everything I can think of to get out of my funk.  None of it is working.  I'm open to suggestions ya'll.  I've watched three straight Hallmark movies, cooked, cleaned, played with the Bubbies, read a book and still nothing.   I even ate a rice krispie treat with butter cream icing on it.  It's a combo the neighbors love and my first actually and it was OK, but didn't make me smile.   I really wasn't kidding when I said I was out of pie was I?  I don't even feel like baking one right now.  Or eating one.  Or even talking about pie.

Everyone in the house is on edge too - Seamus is barking at everything, even when B stands up from his chair.   Paxton has pretty much set up house under the coffee table and B is snapping at everything that moves.  I guess my mood has spread through the house.   Oh joy; I owe everyone a happy day and soon. 

SO, now I'm open to any and all ideas for happy day thoughts and incentives.  I need things to look forward to and smile about.  As Scarlet O'Hara said...Tomorrow is another Day....  I'm really looking forward to going to bed tonight - maybe I'll sleep through the night and this will be nothing but a bad day to write off....

A girl can hope.  So, signing off for now - Happy Monday Ya'll.  Really.

- Susie Cheerful

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Bomb Pops and Fireworks

I enjoyed a somewhat lazy day - after a crazy morning.  This week coming up is going to be a real humdinger.  It's going to be loaded with lots of activity, both at work and at home and then I'm looking forward to a whole week off from work.  Now that doesn't happen often.  I'm really looking forward to an old fashioned Fourth of July.  I hope you have fun plans too!  I'm going to make homemade ice cream, we'll go see fireworks and maybe (if the weather allows) we'll go see a silly parade! 

I love the idea of homemade ice cream and fireworks - not sure why - but it really reminds me of being a kid.  Not that we had homemade ice cream a lot growing up - but we sure did go to fireworks.  I remember going to Bel Air High School early in the evening and putting out our blanket and chairs and camping out until dark.  We'd wait for the Good Humor man to show up and then line up for a Strawberry Shortcake, a Fudgecicle or a Bomb Pop.  (Bomb Pops always lasted the longest!)  Then we'd wait with the fireflies and mosquitoes and hundreds of other people and then lie back and ooh and ahh through the show.  They never disappointed.  Afterwards, you had to fight your way back through the crowds and the traffic to get home again, but it sure was fun while it lasted! 

I don't know why, but for the last ten years, I haven't seen fireworks on the Fourth of July!  So weird.  I don't think I really knew where to go see them in CLT.  Hopefully we'll find a great spot this year!  I want to go watch them in the humid air, laying on my blanket and do some people watching on the side. 

I think I might try strawberry ice cream in the old 'maker' this year.  What traditions do you have for the 4th?  Do you like fireworks or do you hate the noise?  Our Bubbies don't care about them all that much...noise doesn't really bother them like that luckily.  We wouldn't take them with us though...Paxton's Prozac doesn't really cover fireworks or crowds very well.

Now I just need to get more corn on the cob, make potato salad and bake something silly - maybe something with a flag on it...

In the meantime, I hope you have a great week!  Happy Sunday Ya'll!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

I'm Stressed and Tigger is on the Cape

Ever work towards something for so long, that when it was right in front of you, it really messed with you?  That happened to me yesterday.  I've been working towards something really important to me for so long, that when I found out it was imminent, my brain just shut down.  I guess I spent so long keeping it on the back shelf, that I forgot to move it to the front of my brain!

Now I'm not sure whether I should be excited, scared or just stay numb.  Numb is of course the easiest path.  I can go through the motions and just ignore the inevitable until I have no choice but to address it.   I can focus on the things that are in front of me for now and just pass the time....or, I just stay freaked out. 

That's a pretty easy path too, but way too stressful.  Not to mention it can really screw up your sleep.  I learned that last night my friends.  (On a high note, at least The Truth About Cats and Dogs was on.  I love that movie.)  I think I'm done with the 'freak-out' phase, for now at least.  I hope.

SO I guess that leaves me with excitement.  I gather this post doesn't sound like I'm oozing with excitement just yet.  In fact, I think Eeyore has taken over my body.  Tigger has left the building and I think I heard a rumor that he went to the Cape for the month.  Of course Tigger would leave me in my time of need.  Butthead.

Maybe I can channel Piglet or Roo?  I'm sure I would scare both of them right now. 

The fear is probably just masking the excitement.  I don't know.  Either way, I want to be excited and am am just not there yet.  I guess that will be my goal for the rest of the weekend.  Be excited.  Yep...going to be a rough one. 

You know who Ben Stein is?  The Ferris Bueller, teacher who says, Bueller, Bueller, Bueller?  That's what the voice in my head sounds like right now.    Sheesh...I need to get a grip and just face things don't I.  What a roller coaster life is.  For now, think I'll go avoid my Eeyore thoughts and read a good book.  When I'm done with that, I'll give Tigger a call and see if he can coach me over the phone.

Happy Saturday Ya'll!

Friday, June 22, 2012

The Life of a Boring Rebel

Do any of you have that little inner voice?  I swear I've tried to shake it over the years, particularly during my boring youth.  But I've really come to rely on that voice the older I get.  Mine never really gives me a bum steer - not really.  I might not get it at the time, but I usually figure out why it told me to do what it did eventually.  Mine is very structured (surprise!) and at times a rebel.

I think I have split personality voice actually.  My voice will tell me to hurry and get to work as early as I can - but then on the way to work, it tells me to go find a Starbucks.  Anyone else's voice do that?  I mean, which one do I listen to?  My gut says listen to the one that says go early to work but I really like the one that says "who cares, your day will be much more productive with a cup of good coffee." 

I think I need to listen to the rebel voice more don't you?  Maybe that would help my life to become more audacious and fun.  I think I'm struggling with how I can have more fun but still 'hold down the fort' and manage my responsibilities.  That's an art that my gut says will take a great deal more practice.

The times in my life that I listened to that 'rebel' voice though, definitely led me down a path that I hope to never see again.  I dated a guy that was SO outside the realm of normality for me, I'm surprised my friends didn't do an intervention!  I took a job that was really a bad fit for me...but I took it anyway and threw caution to the wind.  I was miserable and was actually relieved when they laid me off due to poor sales.  Usually fate helped me out when I made bad decisions...sometimes it took a while.  So yes, I've had my share of stupid, 'rebel' moments.   

Now I think I want to have smart rebel moments.  I'm not sure what those are yet, but I'll definitely look into it.  I need to mix it up a bit and do the unexpected.  Ever just want to wear something that so wasn't 'you' or just be late for a meeting that you don't want to go to?  (Boy, even my rebel moments are boring.   Sheesh...anyone want to tutor me on being more of a rebel?)

In the meantime, I'll stick with my structure and maybe go to Starbucks before work once in a while.  Baby steps my friends, baby steps.  Happy Friday Ya'll!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Dance in your underwear

How would you describe yourself?  Most of us would use simple titles like Mom, Wife, Manager etc...but what do those titles really say about US as people? Does it tell others about who we are underneath our public persona or are they deliberate high level designations that give us anonymity?

I'm less of a high level person and more of a get-down-to-the-details sort of person.  I joke with people that I haven't spoken with in a while and say, 'Hey, it's Jennifer, you know, short girl, dark hair?'  (I should probably get a new line as I've used that one for years.)  That stems from wanting people to see me as I see myself. 

I know who I am.  I think that's important.  Sounds obvious I know, but I think a lot of us are still trying to figure out who we are and what makes us happy.  When I was younger, I was so concerned about what other people thought of me.  I still am to a point I guess.  Then I get to a point where I just don't have the energy to worry about others opinions and say who cares?   I'm comfortable in my own skin, so if they don't like what they see, they'll just have to get over it. 

I find it interesting that we put our fellow human beings into safe little categories and never spend time getting to know the person underneath.    I love this quote "Everyone looks "stupid*" once you put your mind to it."  David Sedaris  (* I edited this quote slightly as I didn't care for the word the author chose.) 

It's so true isn't it?  You can convince yourself that I'm a loud mouthed, pushy broad, but if you took the time to get to know me, you'd realize I'm not like that at all.  (Well, maybe the loud mouthed part is true...)  That's just part of the 'act.' I'd hazard a guess that most of us have an 'act' that you put on to keep people out of your business.

Other people's expectations or perceptions of us shouldn't act as a foundation for who and what we really are.   I'm not promoting telling people off - their perceptions are their own.  I'm simply advocating that we not give a damn about them!   

Woohoo!  What freedom comes with that!  Now I'm not suggesting you run around work in flip flops, cut off Daisy Dukes and a tube top!  Wear that at home...if you must!  There's a time and a place.  I can be 'me' at work for the most part, but 'me' is mixed with the appropriate professional decorum as would be befitting of a manager responsible for policies and "stuff."

I want people to understand who I am at the core - values, beliefs etc...but what they think of that is their business.  I'm a very direct (in case you missed it) person and have issues with being politically correct and tap dancing around the pink elephant in the middle of the room.  I typically start out conversations talking about the elephant actually.  

To quote Popeye's famous line, "I yam what I yam."    So I'll leave you with this, if you see an elephant, address it.  They get really lonely you know!  If you know someone who has the wrong perception of you - tell them.  There's something very freeing in that.  Otherwise, dance in your underwear, sing off key and enjoy who you are!  You're an original and you were made that way for a reason!

Happy Thursday Ya'll!

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Mr. Roger's Neighborhood it Ain't

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,  A beautiful day for a neighbor...Yes, I'm singing Mr. Roger's theme song.  I'm hoping beyond hope it will catch on with my neighbors and put everyone in a good mood! 

Have you ever had neighbors that you just don't get or get alone with?  No matter how nice you try to be, their kid is still ugly to you?  We have those in our neighborhood.  It totally bums me out. 
Don't get me wrong, some have been great.  Really.  Some though, not so much.  In fact, our next door neighbor mows their 'yard' with a weed wacker and a pair of scissors and that's usually at 6:30AM on a weekday.  There is so little grass that Neighbor X is just taming weeds...but it is a great visual.  Imagine someone in 80 degree weather, out in their yard with a yellow plastic dishwashing glove on one had and scissors in the other, bending over to 'trim' the tall weeds in the yard. 
We also have a food truck that sits in on the street - it's a pretty, shiny silver color - such a nice addition to the neighborhood.  Wonder if she has any gluten free snacks on board?? A few houses up from up from that we have the house that was abandoned.  They had two Great Danes, so I'm sure the inside looks great.  I'd bet a bag of gluten free pretzels that you can get it for a steal.

Back up the street is the neighbor who is our own Gladys Kravitz.   Remember her from the show Bewitched?  She's in everyone's business and she tells so many stories, I think she's forgotten what the truth is.  Based on how she talks about our neighbors, we certainly don't want to get on her radar. 

We do have great neighbors though - in fact we love them!  They are fun, caring and giving folks. I always wanted to live in a neighborhood where I'd have friends, kids to play with our children (someday), and just in general a warm, friendly, and safe environment to raise a family!    I think we've met some great friends, but I'm not sure we're in the neighborhood I was dreaming about.

But for now, we're okay...in fact, this past weekend we had a mini 'baby shower' for one of our favorite neighbors.  She's having her second child and is having a little girl!  We're so excited for her - I made some cookies for her (upon request).  We can't wait to meet her new little one! 

I think overall, this neighborhood has been great for us.  We've met some really nice people people and learned some important life lessons.  Eventually, when things calm down in our lives, we'll move...but we'll stay here in Charlotte.   I'm sure we'll find another interesting group of neighbors in the next neighborhood - maybe we'll find someone who mows their yard with a mower and doesn't care about whose car is parked in our driveway....well, a girl can dream I guess.  Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

No Pie for YOU!

Is there something in your heart you just know?  You don't want it to be true and you don't talk about it, but you know it isn't going anywhere.  Eventually you'll have to face it.  There's a song by one of my favorite bands, Cowboy Mouth, that helps me sometimes- It's called I Believe -

Whatcha gonna do with the restlessness inside your worried mind
How you think you´re ever gonna get ahead when you feel so far behind
Step inside this endless moment for a subtle touch of grace
I´ve always found my strength inside the act of faith

I believe in the spirit of Rock N Roll
In the eternal strength of the immortal soul
Cause sometimes everybody´s gotta let it go
I believe in the power of love
There's another line that says -
I have got to take the best of me and keep that heart alive
Why´d I ever want to shut that down and kill my soul?

This just puts it into words for me.  Be true to myself and let the rest go.  Believe in Love, Faith and Grace.  The three of them are all that keep me going some days.  Being human ain't for the faint of heart ya'll!  Sometimes it actually sucks to be me and I want to live the life of one of my bubbies!  I want to sleep when I want, eat when I want and chew on things....how simple life would be!  Unfortunately, I'm not a bubbie and I have responsibilities to live up to the expectations of life and God....

No stress there!   There's something to be said for having a strong support system, for having faith and love and hope in your life.  But I know there are times it doesn't feel like any of those things are there anymore.   When even Cowboy Mouth can't help, you have what my friend S calls, 'no pie.' 

Translated, you got nothing left sista - you're tapped out and have nothing left to give to anyone.  It's time to recharge your faith, hope and love and get YOU back.  In other words, bake a new pie or worst case scenario, go buy a new pie plate and start over. 

I've used that metaphor so many times over the last 10 years that I just assume all around me understand it.  It's a really quick way to tell your friends that you're in a bad place, that you just need to kvetch or complain or just get it out.  Sometimes everybody's gotta let it go.... Fred (Cowboy Mouth's lead singer) was really onto something with those lyrics wasn't he?

Now the whole 'pie thing' can be used in many ways; here are a few broken down for you:
1.  I need to go buy a pie - meaning - I'm done. I need to start over and just get a fresh perspective.
2.  I feel like a chocolate cream pie this weekend - meaning - I'm going to reset this weekend and 'eat some pie' - get a fresh perspective and just chill.  (Note the more toppings you add to the pie, the more you're going to just let go - chocolate cream pie with whipped cream and chocolate shavings means a REALLY checked out relaxed weekend.)
3.  I have no pie left - meaning- leave me alone right now.  I need to bake. (In my mind, that's not metaphorical!) :o)
4.  He ate all my pie - meaning - that loser just sucked the life right out of me!
5.  No pie for you! - meaning - I don't have anything nice to say so just leave me be!

See how well that works!  S is just brilliant isn't she?  Maybe all of us can get into the whole metaphor and use it as a nicer way to say 'give me some time to let me get ME back and retain my sanity!'  Maybe then we'll have time to deal with the stuff that's stuck in our hearts and just let it go....

Not to leave things on a mellow note - here's another silly song by Cowboy Mouth that just makes me smile - it's called Kelly Ripa and yes, they played it on Regis and Kelly for her!  Here are a few lyrics -

Kelly Ripa, Kelly Ripa
A mommy with the body of a stripper
Kelly Ripa, Kelly Ripa
She's so fine, I'd settle for her dad
Kelly Ripa, Kelly Ripa
If I had some chocolate, I would dip her
Kelly Ripa, Kelly Ripa
Why you wanna make a boy go bad?

Riding around in my car
Worshipping a TV goddess from afar
There's no way I can see
Her ever leaving Regis just to be with me
My girlfriend's mad cause I can pay
Attention to her, watching (Ripa all day)
It must be hard when you're a girl
To be an Angelina in a Kelly world

Here's to a freshly baked pie!  Have a great Tuesday Ya'll! :o)




Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday or Bust!

Sunday nights.  I love them and hate them at the same time.  Tonight's was great though; we spent a few hours over at my parent's house for a Father's Day dinner and just chilled.  It was a nice culmination to a pretty great weekend!  I almost want an extra day though because mentally, I'm just not ready for tomorrow.

The further down the acquisition road we head, the harder it becomes to psych myself up to go to work after the weekend.  I'm ready for bed, my lunch is made, coffee is ready to be brewed, clothes are laid out and the bed is pulled down.  I've basically prepared myself to crash early tonight in the hopes of putting off tomorrow as much as possible.

The definition of work needs to be updated I think.  It's no longer 'work,' it's more like drudgery now.  I think saying I'm going to drudge in the morning would be pretty much a mental nightmare though.  One of my favorite quotes is, "Work is either fun or drudgery.  It depends on your attitude.  I like fun" - Colleen C. Barrett.  This is something I aspire to - focusing on fun.

I think if we knew something, anything specific, it would make things easier to handle.  We don't even know the specific date of the sale yet.  We don't know if ANYONE in IT actually has a job!  We do know that the office where we are right now is where things will  be headquartered, but I'm not sure if I will still have a seat there.

So, add that stressful fun to a normal Sunday night feel and I really, truly do not want Monday morning to get here!  I have a few other stressful things going on in my life, so I guess the work thing is a good distractor, but if it's all the same to you guys, I'd prefer to just skip Sunday nights going forward and just fast forward to Monday night.

Who do we have to call to skip Mondays in general?  I'd lead the charge if someone could tell me who to get in touch with.  Hey, maybe I'll just schedule my vacation for every Monday I have left!  Maybe if we had 'bring your dog to work day' on Mondays it'd be more fun to go in and more relaxing to work.  I'm sure Seamus and Paxton would be up for that...I'm grasping at straws here I know.

I guess I'll have to be a grown-up, remember my Ghandi quote of guarding my thoughts, paste a smile on to my face and hope tomorrow will be a great day!  Hmm...maybe I'll  go see if I can get a Slurpee...

Happy Monday Ya'll!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

You Can Never Go Home Again

I spent about half of my adult life living away from 'home.'  Home was Maryland and I could NOT wait to get out of there and head out into the world after I graduated from college.  It never felt like my forever home you know?   I'm often jealous of people who have stayed and made a life for themselves where they were born and raised. 
I never felt like I was supposed to stay where I grew up - I always felt like I was supposed to be somewhere else.  Of course now there are many things I miss about where I grew up and through Facebook I can keep in touch with how things are there.  I've wondered what my life would be like if I had stayed in the Mason Dixon area - but I guess I'll never know! 

My life has taken me to towns all over the US and I've got favorite places and people in each of those towns.  I've really liked all of the places I've lived, but in some cases, not until after I'm gone! :o)  When I lived in Cleveland, I could NOT wait to get the heck out of there.  The only thing I liked about it at the time was Malley's Chocolates and Lake Erie in the summer and going to Huntington Beach to the Honey Hut for Orange Blossom ice cream.  I hated the snow with a passion and couldn't figure out why people chose to live there!

Now that I've been gone for seven years, my viewpoint has shifted.  I miss many things about Cleveland. I miss the Irish Festivals, the Westside Market, the Lake, the Jake and the Indians, and the great restaurants and ethnic foods.  Sadly, the Honey Hut is no longer at the beach -I hear the owners have changed - but my memories sure are great!  I can also get Malley's Chocolates in the mail!

I think there's probably something about each town I've lived in that I miss and have fond memories of - but  the point I'm at in my life helps me to focus more on make memories here in Charlotte.  The Queen City was such a gamble for us.  We moved here pretty much sight unseen - just because there were jobs here (and no snow!)

So time has blown by and we've been here for seven years.  I was sitting here thinking I don't hate it here - nor do I feel the urge to 'move on' and find a new place. Wow!  Maybe we're finally 'home?' Maybe it's because my parents and B's parents are here - so it makes it feel more permanent.  Who knows!  I do know I love many things about Charlotte and I have lots more to learn and explore.  After all, the Nascar Hall of Fame is here - haha!  I'll focus on making great memories, but also in making a great life here.  Who knows, maybe we'll stay?!

I think Maya Angelou says it best -  You can never go home again, but the truth is, you can never leave home, so it's alright.

Happy Father's Day Dads & Happy Sunday Ya'll!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Oops, He Did It AGAIN!

Yes he did.  He did the whole, paper at the last minute thing.  It was a bit earlier than last week, but it's still midnight and I'm sitting here ready to crash.  Today was a rough day - lots of forced deadlines and cranky people.

(The other thing that makes me crazy is my dear, sweet husband talking to me while I'm trying to write this post! :)  Love you HB, but let me focus now please!)  I have a sleeping dog next to me on the love seat and I'm a bit cold from the ceiling fan...and we won't even talk about the butter cream icing on my t-shirt.  (Guess you know what I did tonight huh?) 

I'm a wreck...what a long and crazy week.   I feel like this week was blurry and I'm tired of losing weeks like that.  I guess this is just a 'pass the time' kind of period in my life.  I get up and go through the motions of the day and really don't have anything wonderful happen that makes it stand out for me.  So, the week just flows by and life moves on.  Yawn.   I follow the structure I created and think I'm good because I did everything on my mental checklist.

I wonder what would happen if I updated my mental checklist and mixed things up.  I need to find new things to think about, worry about and dream about.  The current list is just boring me.  Any ideas?  Maybe I could dream about having twins instead of just one baby - maybe I could dream about being tall and blond.  Nah.  Too predictable.  :o)    Maybe I need to start looking for ways just turn off my damn brain and chill.  (Of course my brain WON'T take time off when I want it to.) 

In reality, I think I'm just avoiding things and focusing on nothing so I don't get caught up in more worrying. I'm so tired of worrying.  Is that the bane of the female existence?  Are we all doomed to think about things that will just stress us out in the long run?  I've been so focused on 'Living in the Moment' that I've stopped revelling in the moment.   

So that's my mission  - to have more fun, find more joy and play.  I want to live it UP in the moment - not just skate through and call it a day!  It's going to be a gorgeous weekend here in NC, so I think I'll start living my full life today.

I'm not sure what that means yet, but I know it will be bigger, better and have more meaning. Maybe it means more Slurpees and less V8 Juice...so, to use a cliche, life is short.  I've spent way too many of my adult years just biding my time...now is my time to really live life and have FUN!  I think I want to learn how to be audacious!   Look out world....

Happy Saturday Ya'll!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Binging on Slurpees

What does summer mean to you?  To me, summer is a time to head to the Cape, eat ice cream and enjoy fresh produce.  I love fresh strawberries and blueberries - our fridge has a quart and pint respectively of each right now.  One of the local farmer's markets in town sees me every Friday at a minimum - sometimes I'm there more than once a week.  We've gone through at least 20 ears of corn, 8 quarts of strawberries and 6 pints of blueberries since May and there's only 2 of us.  Impressive and yet indulgent isn't it?

Needless to say, the foods of summer make me happy!  I love a good cookout - burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, sliced tomatoes, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake - one of my favorite menus.  If I have room in the freezer and that's a big IF (that's another story), I'll make homemade ice cream; it's one of my favorite things.  In fact,  were having a cookout this weekend at my parents' home for Father's Day - see menu above!  Culinary school be damned.  The comfort foods of summer rule. 

Remember back when you were a kid and the Good Humor man drove through the neighborhood?  I still love that man.  We have a version of that here in town that rolls through the 'hood once in a while.  B and I are usually standing out there with whatever kids are around.  We'll never grow up. 

I love summer things like going to baseball games, getting an ice cream on a hot day and going for a walk with the bubbies at 8:30 at night and feeling like it's only 6.   Mind you, the heat down here in NC is brutal.  I'm an air conditioning girl once June hits, pretty much around the clock.  I layer up like it's fall because I freeze at work and then shed layers when I hit the car at the end of the day.   It's just a way of life here.  That's exactly why we head north for our summer vacations.  It's much cooler on the Cape and therefore more fun to play outside.

Traditionally when we're at the Cape we go for ice cream every night at the Sundae School - just awesome homemade ice cream.  When we're home we go out for ice cream every once in while, but not often.  There just aren't many ice cream places nearby.  There's something to be said about going to an ice cream parlor, picking out your flavor and then eating it before it melts.  It's not quite the same when you're home is it?

Not sure what we're doing for the 4th, but I have high hopes that we will have our own 7-11 by then!  We don't have them in Charlotte right now, but all of our Shell station convenience stores are converting to 7-11s!! WOOHOO!  (Sorry Chevron)  I'm really excited about the option of a Slurpee now and again.  I haven't had one for years - I know it's not ice cream, but they sure do taste good on a really hot day!

Maybe that's what we'll do over the 4th weekend - binge on Slurpees!  I'd love to go see some fireworks, drink my Slurpee and get a brain freeze, and just pretend I'm a kid again.   I need to go see some stars and be outside for a while too - my country girl roots are screaming at me right now. 

Here's to Slurpees, the Good Humor man, stars and fireworks.  We all need to focus on the simple things a bit more and just enjoy being.  In the meantime, I'll watch for progress on our 7-11 and keep an ear out for the Good Humor man.

Happy Friday Ya'll!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

But I only have 2 lipsticks....

I'm a handbag stuffer.  There.  I said it.  It's an organized stuff mind you, but I am a stuffer.  Currently, I would estimate my purse weighs about 11 lbs.  That's based on my latest doctor visit - I held it when I got on the scale and then put it down - so it's a ball park figure, but scary all the same.

In my defense, my purse is quite heavy all by itself.  This is a relatively new one from my birthday in May - a gift from B.  I'm spoiled I know....but I work hard and it's cheaper to buy leather handbags than diamonds isn't it?  :o)

So, why is the thing so darned heavy?  I don't hoard crap - I have a few lipsticks, eye drops, a small brush, my pill holder, my wallet and a notebook that holds all of my paper stuff.  I carry a pen (sometimes) and my Blackberry and Bluetooth.  That's it.  And really, lipstick, a plastic brush and papers are NOT heavy! 

I've tried to reduce the amount of things I carry to ease the pressure on my shoulder - but to no avail.  I just can't figure out what I can do without that weighs enough to make it worthwhile.  I need to carry my checkbook/wallet combo.  I ditch my change into B's change jar at least once a month - and I have limited the number of lipsticks to two. 

Any ideas people?  I've even carried a quilted bag in the hopes of fixing the issue - didn't work.  Still got heavy.  I'm organized mind you - and I'm not kidding about that, but I like to be prepared too. 

Maybe that's the problem!.  I do have meds in my side pocket - you never know when you'll need Sudafed or Imodium.  Oh, there's the packets of Truvia for my coffee and the StarbucksVia packets for those times when I can't get decaf. There's a tin of mints in a side pocket....oh and look!  I forgot I put a cucumber in there this morning.  (A guy at work has a huge garden and likes to share the leftovers at work.)

I do have a partial bottle of water in there right now too.  I get thirsty a lot - don't judge me.  Holy cow, I almost forgot to put my hand lotion on the list - I cannot exist without it - use it multiple times a day.  It's antibacterial you know....important.  We'll not even discuss how cranky I can get without my lotion!

Ya know?  It could be my key chain(s).  I do have a couple that are heavy...but all of them have a story behind them, so how would I get rid of them?  After all, my key chain has to be big enough to find it in my purse and I've had that clip for 20 years.  I use it all the time to clip it to my purse - so it's essential!



Sigh.  It's true.  I'm an organized hoarder and I can't stop.  I need help.  I guess that's the first step.  I'll have to write myself a note to look into a help group of some kind - I'll write it in the notebook that I carry.   Maybe I can get a smaller notebook....one of those Vera Bradley ones...does Coach have notebooks? 

I'll get help.  I promise.  In the meantime, please do not pick up my handbag without bending your knees and sucking in your core.  You've all been warned.

Happy Thursday Ya'll!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Yoga For Dummies

Life is good.  When you think it's not, think again.  Right now, I have Paxton on my feet, curled up in a tight ball with Seamus laying next to him, watching TV. (Yes, he does.)  Seriously, when you're having a bad day, go find a dog and cuddle.  It makes all bad things better.  They just 'know' don't they?

Today is sort of a free association day for me....my mind is wandering.  Just too many things banging around up there.  I have a much better frame of mind though and have totally surrendered those things I can't control; I have really felt much calmer because of it too.  I highly recommend it!  I've never been one to give up on 'fixing things', but boy, when everything is just 'done broke', you sure need to take a virtual time out and just let things be broken for a while.

Right now, my kitchen dish drainer is full of dishes and flower vases, there are grass clippings all over the once clean floor - thanks to the Bubbies' jaunts outside - and I have coupons on the coffee table from two weeks ago that still need to be clipped.  So what am I doing?  Watching the Food Network and free associating with you!  I have to say, it feels good too.  :o)

I had an wonderful dinner with a great friend last night - she's the newest member of Team McGowan!  Woohoo!  She's a yogi - some day when I grow up I truly want my arms to look like hers.  At this point though, I'll settle for learning how to breathe and stretch and in general, make my body stronger.  We've talked about it for a few years now, and I think my poor body is finally ready to move forward.  My brain has been ready for a while - but you know to do Yoga, you need the whole package engaged, mind and body.

So we're going to schedule time and she's going to kick my butt - well, my body from the waist up to start.  I call it the 'ignored zone' - everything hurts above the waist, so I typically only work out from the waist down - you know, bike riding, walking etc...it's time to wake up my back and shoulders and get some tone back.

I think if you look up atrophied at Wikipedia.com, they show my body.  Sad, but true.  K has a great deal of work to do with me!  I really think half of it is mental....but that's the hard part - turning my brain off and just moving.

You know, that's going to be my mantra - Turn off my brain and just move.  I like it.  Of course I'll still bake and worry a little, but that's allowed right? 

Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Bubbie Love

Paxton - our sweet Bubbie is on Prozac....yes, bless his little heart, we had to medicate him.  Paxton is our sweet little rescue mutt who has some pretty serious issues.  When he was a puppy, we thought it was so cute when he stole Seamus' toys - all of them.  We laughed when he laid on top of all of the toys and in general was a little cute, black furball of a bully.

Little did we know that the little lip curls and snarls would evolve into a scary, slightly possessed behavior that he has very little control over.  Right now, he's curled up on one of his beds - yes, he has two downstairs and two upstairs.  (Get over it.)  He's calm now, but 20 minutes ago, he was lunging and biting at B because he made the mistake of bending over to pet Paxton in the kitchen.  Maybe it was the dim lighting, maybe it was the fact that B bent over, who knows.  Whatever the trigger, it set him off and he became the Tazmanian Devil in 5 seconds flat.  It's scary when it happens.

Sometimes you can see it coming and others, he just lunges without warning and you have to jump to get as far out of his way as possible.  Otherwise, you'll end up with a bite mark, a scratch or worse, bloody.  He's a brutal little one when he's in the zone.  You can see it, his eyes glaze over and he's not there anymore.  Paxton as we know and love him is gone.  It's a darned good thing he's only 11 lbs...otherwise, he wouldn't be here.

When he snaps out of it, he's very upset and shakes, moans and typically is either under the coffee table or in his crate - all dependent upon whether it happens upstairs or down.  If you can get him to focus by getting him to sit - using his brain - he snaps out of it faster, but if you can't, he will continue to attack and try to get you to stay away from him.  It's totally based on irrational fear.

We've had two different trainers and have been to our vet numerous times.  The latest visit sent us to a behavioral specialist (veterinarian) who was bloody expensive.   After the first 3 hour visit with him, we learned Pax has something called, Owner Based Fear Aggression.  Basically, if he moved in with another family, he'd do it to them too.  It's just how he's wired.  He's also socially handicapped.  He doesn't pick up on cues from other dogs.  Basically, he doesn't speak doggie-ese. 

It's so heartbreaking it's hard to describe.  He's sweet and loving and so attached 90% of the time.  He's so happy to see me when I get home and he waits for me when I'm upstairs no matter what.  He sits at the top of the steps and won't go down until I do.  We love him to pieces - but boy is he a mess.

So, we've gotten him to a point where the outbursts are fewer, but still just as unexpected - and we figured we were being bad 'parents' if we didn't try to help him with medication too, so here we are.  He's been on the meds now for about 5 days and so far he's gotten even more affectionate - if that's possible.  The outburst with B wasn't AS bad as it's been in the past, so maybe, just maybe it's starting to take off the edge.  We should know more in about a week's time.

In the meantime, we'll spoil him, we'll love on him and we'll give him boundaries.  We'll keep slipping him Prozac in his peanut butter and we'll pray that it helps him to calm down and realize that we're here to take care of him, not hurt him.  We love him so much and can't imagine ever giving him up, but if we're ever going to bring a child into our home, it's a reality that we can't ignore.  So in the meantime, please keep him in your prayers and pray that the little sweet ball of fur gets a chance to feel calm and safe for a change.

Happy Tuesday Ya'll and I'll leave you with one of my favorite Paxton pictures - he was doing a bit of yoga...working on his inner peace -


The dog knows how to get comfortable doesn't he!  :o)

Monday, June 11, 2012

Passionless in Charlotte

Hmm...It's time for Monday again.  It was a really crazy 'up and down' weekend; so mentally, I'm not sure I'm ready for Monday.  Not that I have a choice, so I'll suck it up and face it head on.  Right now, I have baked oatmeal cooling in the kitchen for breakfast  - most important meal of the day right?  My lunch is made, my coffee is ready to be made in the morning and I think all of the dangling participles of the weekend have been tied down.

So all that's left is to get my brain back in the game.  I think I told you my brain had off on Saturday - well today it was in and out.  Honestly I'm hoping that it shows up full time for Monday.  Could be ugly without it.  I just need to get my heart involved.  Isn't it the usually case that when you're heart is in the game, the head follows?

I think that's what has been troubling me lately.  My heart isn't in the game because of the buy-out.  I hate that.  At one time, I loved everything about my job - the craziness, the stress and the deadlines.  Now, they just annoy the crap out of me.  They are someone else's deadlines now - I think that's the real issue.

How do I make them mine again?  I feel like I need to have an intervention with my counterparts at the other company and get them into the game.  I need to get the passion back and get my heart into things.  I need to ignore the stress around me, no matter how palpable and just get it done.

I've been through many downsizings in my time.  I've done the layoff thing, job changes and wishful career dreaming - but selling my passion to another company that was taking over my job and getting rid of all of my hard work, is new to me.  

SO that my friends is the goal for Monday.  Bring back the passion and get my heart back into the game.  What a simple sentence - yet so important.  I'm open to any and all ideas of how to do this.  Seriously.    I'm in deep water on this - so if anyone has a pair of swimmies I can borrow let me know!  Happy Monday Ya'll!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

My Brain Has Left the Building

I think my brain took today off - no warning, no planned vacation, just vacated the premises and left me hanging.  It also left me with a big, fat headache and little to do except watch a bunch of movies - cue Ferris Bueller and Larry Crowne (a brief shout out to Direct TV for that free HBO thing going on.)

So now, it's 10:30PM on Saturday and I still have a nagging headache and my brain has finally decided to do the walk of shame back home.  What an incredible waste of a day.  Don't get me wrong, I totally stressed out my brain last night editing the term paper (duh duh duh) - so I do understand a little of why my brain was mad with me today.  After all, last night I was supposed to bake something - I even had butter out on the counter getting to room temperature - so my mind was totally set on doing something that relaxed and smelled good. 

Instead, it got a red pen (although a really great red pen) and a really dry, 'shoot me in the foot' kind of paper to read.  Add to that it was awake much later than it has been in probably years; thus this morning was a write-off.  Hey, I did have a great bath - but since I couldn't even focus on a paperback, it was a short one.

I sadly skipped my workout as that might have incentivized my brain to stick around - but after "Decadent Digits" kicked my ass yesterday during a beat down masquerading as a massage. I wasn't really in the workout mood!   Thanks DD - my back feels great!  My head is beginning to forgive you! :o)

I'm hoping tomorrow will be better - I think my brain owes me a great Sunday after blowing me off all day don't you?  Unfortunately, and don't tell my brain this, I have to be at the doctor at 7AM for blood work and then we're off to race to church in time for 8:30AM mass - so it won't be a normal Sunday morning at all. 

So I'll keep my fingers crossed that my brain isn't hung over in the morning and pray that the early morning call is enough to kick my brain into motion.  I'm all for lazy days, but only when I enjoy them. The kind I had today did not qualify as an enjoyable day.  The Bubbies really appreciated the downtime though....so there's that....

Tomorrow I promise I will do something to feel productive and check something off of my proverbial list - but for the rest of tonight, I think I'll watch hockey with my eye lids shut.

Happy Sunday Ya'll!  Here's to making it a great and fully engaged day!


Saturday, June 9, 2012

I'm on hormones & my dog is on Prozac.....

Well, I was going to write this yesterday, but as usual life got in the way.  So here I am, at midnight, sitting here in the bonus room while someone finishes his homework.  Talk about moral support!  What a good wife I am!  'We' had a paper to work on tonight!  YAY!  It's nice to know I can still pump out the BS when I need to - and I'm really digging the Zebra red ink pen that I got to use to edit the 11 page nightmare - so I guess there are a few pluses to the evening! 

What a great date night huh? :o)  When B signed up to do the grad school thing online - full time - I thought - cool.  He'll do homework and I'll read or bake!  What a great deal that is right?  Sometimes though, even when I don't want to get sucked in, it happens.  The stress grows, the Bubbies are uneasy and I just have to help.  That's all I'm doing though I promise you....my brain isn't up to doing real work at night these days.  I took today off too - and I'm post my massage - so you know my brain and muscles are just useless due to 'you know who'! (I'm still working on her nickname!  On a side note, the Botox seems to have helped my right wing, so here's hoping it's going to get better! Yipee!)

At one time, earlier in life, I thought it was the thing to do to go and get my MBA - I even took the GMATs.  Did pretty well on those as I recall, but I never went to school - was planning on Loyola in MD too.  Got sidetracked though when I was transferred down to the big ATL and all thoughts of school went right out the window!  I mean really, why would I go to school when I could go to Moe's & Joe's and drink cheap PBR?  Silly people!

Of course my path changed many times over the next few years and I ended up in Culinary School instead of grad school. I guess if I had to do it over, I might have let my old company pay for my MBA, but I would have hated doing it.  Seriously.  IF I was to ever go back to school, to would be to study something I know nothing about.  To go to get my MBA now would be tough - I'd probably argue with the teachers and get mad at my books because they weren't real life examples and weren't 'true!'

Maybe I'll go back and learn Gaelic - have always wanted to do that....then I could understand some of my favorite music.  Or maybe I could go take a knitting class - nah.  I'd break the needles - not enough patience for that.  I've got it, belly dancing! :)  HA!  I'd need MUCH more than Botox to even think about doing that!

Perhaps I'll just sit tight for now and keep my red pen handy and keep baking those cookies.  They do help B get through those long haul nights like tonight!

SO for now, I'll leave you with this...I'm on hormones, my dog is on Prozac (another story to come), I'm typing this at almost 12:30AM and B is yelling at me about how on-line is supposed to be spelled....you reckon I have enough to write my first book yet????  :o)

Night Ya'll and Happy Friday/Saturday morning to you!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Mousse Anyone?

Left -Toll House Cookie Bars
Right - Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie
Baking is my zen time.  Call me crazy, but when I have a really bad day, week etc....I bake.  Now my baking style has kind of morphed over the last year because of the gluten free thing, but I still love it.  I typically will play with a gluten free recipe for something I'm craving and then bake something for B (and anyone else he'll share with!)

Most people these days don't care to bake and think it takes too much effort.  When you can buy ready made dough or frozen treats, why go through the effort of measuring, sifting, and mixing?  I get that.  But when I see how excited people can be over a simple Snickerdoodle or a Chocolate Chip Cookie, it seems silly to not go through a little more effort.

When I was in culinary school, I will cop to the fact that I coasted through my 'regular' classes, just to learn more about baking.  There were only a few baking 'types' in my class, so when we got to our baking & pastry class, everyone else was in hell.  It was so much fun making things like pain au chocolate and mousse until it came out my ears.

During my preparation time for my final semester 'exam' I think I made at least 100 batches of mousse, (thanks Margaret!) trying to perfect my recipe.  I don't think I've made mousse in 15 years - and I KNOW I haven't made pain au chocolate since 1996!  Sometimes you can just kill a recipe I guess.

I love to play with small desserts - the kind with immediate gratification potential - like cookies, brownies or muffins.  With a cake, you have to pray it's cooked correctly, ice it and then cut it.  Too much stress there.  It's much easier to make a cupcake or a cookie and know whether or not it's turned out - plus they bake much faster and give you a quick fix when you need it.

Oddly enough, I've never craved sweets (under normal non-hormonal circumstances that is).  I'm a salt craver and would prefer a slice of cheese and some pretzels over a cookie.  However, now that I can't eat wheat I, of course, crave sweets.  How ironic - and typical for me!   So now, I'm on a mission to create gluten free baked goods that don't make the consumer feel like they're eating gluten free!

Bryan is a trooper and is more than happy to be my 'sampler' - of course the Bubbies like to do that too!
 
So for now, until I figure out the secret to gluten free baking, I'll keep my day job and bake at night and on weekends.  In the meantime, keep your eye on Facebook.  You never know when I'm going to post that I baked something and there might be a delivery over the fence for you!