W(h)ine Not?

Sometimes a girl needs to whine....or wine. They're really interchangeable if you know my friends (or women, for that matter).

I started my new job last week and my head has been reeling from all the new information. All my life, I have always had an aversion to anything medical..and where do I end up? Working at a hospital. We are talking about the girl who had the urge to turn down the job when she found out that I had to receive shots (and not the kind that come with a salted rim) to work there. MULTIPLE. Luckily, a little call to my pediatrician, and all I had to do was get a simple TB test. Relief...but I swear I'll faint if I'm ever in the ER at the wrong time

I love the job. I have my own office, I get along with the people, and I know that who I recruit will be bettering the qualify of life for so many people. I just don't quite get it yet....

Just when I thought my head was packed, David is studying for finals. 3 in one day, 2 in the other. We have learned enough to fill a a Danielle Steel novel ...well, hopefully we learned more than that.

So needless to say, I needed to blow off some steam. I needed to w(h)ine. That's what good friends are for. Good friends have a 6th sense that gives them the need to w(h)ine at the same time. So half a round of brie, half a carton of hummus, an entire plate of caprese salad, and a bottle of wine later....you've got yourself a successful catharsis.

So moral of the story is, bottoms up ladies! W(h)ine not?

Gym, Tan, Laundry....Minus the gym

Okay, so I had all these extravagant plans to work out during my "funemployment," but I've heard that you aren't supposed to work out on vacation. So that is what I did...or rather, did not do.

The good news is that I did hold myself to a (somewhat) good diet. Since I wasn't rushing to eat the closest thing to me in order to get onto the next task, I actually took the time to fix my meals. Who would have thought that when you are doing other things that you enjoy, you forget to eat? I suppose that the problem during the work day was the fact that I was eating to give me pleasure...and since I was finding pleasure in other things, I wasn't driven to eat my happiness.

The nice thing was that I had time to lay out (another reason I wasn't looking to eat a lot) and get some much needed Vitamin D....sunshine :) Time spent with a good friend and the sunshine is seriously addicting. No wonder why people say that they go to college for their "Mrs." degree. Who wouldn't want to be free up to pina coladas with the bffl's at noon and tennis at 2. Or the reverse, whatever floats your boat.

In addition, I had time to do actual "wife- like" things. I took the dog for a walk. I cooked dinner (see previous posting). I did laundry..without waiting a month. I vacuumed. I made the bed everyday.

But most importantly, I reconnected with some friends that I hadn't been able to spend time with. We met for wine and laughed for hours on end,  layed out and gossiped a little too much, and actually got to speak about current happenings...not something that has occurred in the past. Needless to say, two weeks of nothing puts a lot of things in perspective.

My funemployment ended yesterday..and I have been home before 5:30 pm both days. Glorious.

By the way, still no wine tonight (again, see previous posting).

So long for now....I'll miss you

Tonight I made a resolution. If you know me, the following information will surprise, and may even traumatize you.

I have created the two following rules for myself:
1) I only drink alcohol once a week, with the sole exception of celebratory events.
2) I will only eat carbohydrates with my dinner two nights out of the week.

Now to some, this would be a given, or already a way of life. To others (whom I prefer to surround myself with) would think that these rules are slightly absurd.

Since our wedding in November, I have gained some "fluff." I prefer to call it "happy fat" in order to preserve some optimism about my current situation. However, no matter the framing, I have had a hard time getting into my pants. Dresses have turned into a way of life in order to avoid a constructed waist band.

Now, I know that many can relate to my situation. The first word in the title of this blog is "work" and that is exactly why I have been restricted from gym time. I have been attempting to go the gym early in the morning before work...but trust me, I don't do 5 am and it is better for others if I spare them of that as well. My new job will allow me the freedom to work out after I work. I am going to Zumba my "happy fat" into "happy flat!"

So wine, I do apologize, but so long for now....I really will miss you.

Family Tradition

Tonight we drove to Jacksonville to stay with my in- laws so that we could get to the airport in the morning. As I'm lying here in pain, I'm regretting all the food I inhaled.

Whenever my husband gets around family, he wants to spoil then with his cooking talents. Stick me with a fork sir- because I am surely done!

Tonight we had:
1) Bacon filled burgers covered in;
A. Balsamic cream sauce
B. Guacamole
C. Cheese
2) Grilled onions
3) Corn
4) Pasta with the balsamic cream sauce

If you just sighed in agony for me, bless you.

In other news, we are off to Denton, TX. We spent one of our first nights as a couple there, and we are headed back to watch two other love birds tie the knot. I can't wait to see a wedding from the other side. I'll be updating you all as I sink my teeth into the cotton candy of Texas- brisket!!

Until then, the daily pour was far from red... Gin and tonics were flowing tonight!

And now it's gone...

When you wake up on the morning of payday, you assume it is going to be a feel good day. Never have I been more wrong.

My 2001 Volvo S40 hit a point where there are nothing but problems. Externally, internally....just 'ternally in general. It is doing this thing where it just stalls out in the middle of turns...particularly intersections and parking spots- and no, it is not a manual. So after a few visits to the dealer and no help at all, we took it to a Volvo Specialist. So after spending almost 500 bones to fix the "heart of the problem," it stalled out on my drive back home....not once, not twice, but three times.

So this morning we took it back...which is why I am currently at home blogging.

After dropping off the car, we then proceeded to the DMV for a title transfer and a new tag. My parents recently gave me my car that had been in there name for my birthday. With a few signatures and a swipe...we are $490 dollars poorer. Happy Birthday. Who knew a tag (not the FSU tag that I wanted) would cost $287.

To boot,  we paid rent yesterday.

And now it's gone.....

A Toast For the Pot Roast

So I had the chance to cook dinner tonight. Awesome...and at that, the ultimate comfort food: Pot Roast.

Who doesn't feel like they are in their mom's kitchen when the smell of pot roast wafts through the air?

We had a chuck roast that we had wanted to cook for a while, so I put on my "never been used because I haven't had time to cook apron" and opened up Allrecipes.com (my husband's go-to). I deviated a little, but this is what I ended up with:

In the pot:
- 7 carrots (Still not enough! Love those things)
- 3 medium red potatoes
- 1 large onion
- Half carton of mushrooms
- Chuck roast

Poured on top:
- Cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup of water
- Onion flakes
- Half a packet of beef stew seasonings


Delicious! It was refreshing to be able to have the smell of a home cooked meal lingering in the air as my husband came home. That has NEVER happened...a day of firsts, my friends.

As for the daily pour: Menage Trois Cabernet Savignon...A birthday present from a fabulous sorority sister, Cheers!

Just so you know..

I did love my job.  I just needed a little more "we" time.

I was surrounded by hilarious people and competition....basically a perfect work environment, right?

I'm a little anxious about my next venture, but who isn't nervous about change?

I even faced some change today....I woke up at 8 am (that is sleeping in!), blogged...quite a change, took the dog for a walk midday, I AM COOKING DINNER, and doing laundry....I am confused, this may be a Sunday.

I am changing my to-do list to a to-done list...

Work, Wine, and Wed

These three things seem to sum up my life recently.

One, I have been working over 12 hours a day in the staffing industry. If you have ever known a recruiter, you know that there is no such thing as a work/life balance. Like we say "staffing aint easy."

After a kiss at the door from my husband and my beautiful black lab puppy, I reach for a glass. Typically I reach for the red- anything that is buy one get one at Winn Dixie and take a deep breath. Ironically, I call it detoxing.

It seems like the leftovers go to my husband. Not food- but leftover energy...leftover me. Which brings me to my next venture in life. I left my commission structured job, for a straight salary and shorter hours. On the day that I gave my two weeks, I was told to pack my things and go....with a paid 2 week vaca. Cheers!

Hence, why I now have time to blog....and here we go.