Back by popular demand...the post about the expired pantry items!
Above you will find the link to an entry I wrote back in April 2011. It was mentioned to me recently, and since I am off work and had the time, I went searching for it. I've included the link above if you would like to peruse once again, or for the first time, and hope you enjoy this small, but very typical, slice of my life.
TT
Monday, October 21, 2013
Good times
If Monday is the beginning of the week, then I ended last week marvelously! A trip out of town and down the road turned a regular afternoon into a time to smile, laugh, and feast on warm conversation. The food wasn't too bad either, and the nickels and dimes that were minutes turned to hours as they rolled quickly away and out of our grasps. I surely didn't want to part and say our goodbyes, almost as soon as we said our hello's, as it seemed to me.
But even though the most splendid of lunches came to an end, Jay and I only had time to do a quick regroup and reprimp for another event. We arrived promptly at 6:00 pm and were embraced by long ago friends still holding true. The outdoor splendor of the wildflower enhanced tables adorned the swirl of people that increased as the hour ticked forward. A glass of wine, a taste of rabbit pate, fried chicken with sweet potatoes and macaroons with hazelnut or citrus fillings were presented, as we lifted a sparkling flute to toast the occasion with hearts filled as surely as our appetites.
But Jay and I weren't finished. Another quick drive and we settled into a table to watch men with cases assemble their instruments onto the stage we faced. It was only a few sips of dark ale before the small room hung out the bouncing notes of sax, harmonica, and lead guitar. The jazzy float of melodies streamed past and into the night as the clock again pushed forward past the time to say goodbye.
A marvelous way to end an afternoon, a day, the week. And here I sit in a darkened hotel room, with a strong cup of coffee and nothing more to do than let the lovely time pass through my mind and spill over a page.
What a wonderful way to end a week and start a new.
TT
But even though the most splendid of lunches came to an end, Jay and I only had time to do a quick regroup and reprimp for another event. We arrived promptly at 6:00 pm and were embraced by long ago friends still holding true. The outdoor splendor of the wildflower enhanced tables adorned the swirl of people that increased as the hour ticked forward. A glass of wine, a taste of rabbit pate, fried chicken with sweet potatoes and macaroons with hazelnut or citrus fillings were presented, as we lifted a sparkling flute to toast the occasion with hearts filled as surely as our appetites.
But Jay and I weren't finished. Another quick drive and we settled into a table to watch men with cases assemble their instruments onto the stage we faced. It was only a few sips of dark ale before the small room hung out the bouncing notes of sax, harmonica, and lead guitar. The jazzy float of melodies streamed past and into the night as the clock again pushed forward past the time to say goodbye.
A marvelous way to end an afternoon, a day, the week. And here I sit in a darkened hotel room, with a strong cup of coffee and nothing more to do than let the lovely time pass through my mind and spill over a page.
What a wonderful way to end a week and start a new.
TT
Friday, October 18, 2013
No skipping
I managed another run yesterday afternoon. Whew! I raced home, barreled through the front door, kicked off work shoes and tugged a blouse over my head, to pull up running shorts and lace up street worn shoes. Yes, of course, I managed a tank top, too, and headed out the door again. Quick, make this fast, I only have so long before Selma shows up with the boys. I need to get back to the house to take care of Mr. L and the big boy so she can make it to her accounting class on time. Run!
And I did. And with the lower temperature and that extra drive I got the run in instead of skipping it. It brings me right on track with the simple goal I have for this week. Runs. Just about done.
Now, the writing portion of the goals...well. That isn't as far along as the other. But, I am staying confident I will be able to pull it off. Today. It's a matter of focus and putting it in front of me. Look. Here. Now.
It's simple. Do it. Besides, it's already Friday!
TT
And I did. And with the lower temperature and that extra drive I got the run in instead of skipping it. It brings me right on track with the simple goal I have for this week. Runs. Just about done.
Now, the writing portion of the goals...well. That isn't as far along as the other. But, I am staying confident I will be able to pull it off. Today. It's a matter of focus and putting it in front of me. Look. Here. Now.
It's simple. Do it. Besides, it's already Friday!
TT
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Zero Wednesday
Let's just say that yesterday was a zero. If I am spending this time recapping my simple, weekly goals from the day before, than I have nothing to report. I came home from work and I didn't run. I rationalized it would be a good day to take a break. I don't want to go full-on this first week and then fall apart and do nothing the next. It seemed a good enough strategy. I talked myself into thinking it was a good move.
But then I didn't take advantage of that time to go over my story, like I was supposed to, either. I didn't do anything. If was a minus Wednesday. Well, it wasn't exactly minus because it didn't take away anything, but it didn't add either. I guess if it was a math problem it was subtracting zero from what I already had.
Okay, so I've worked it out that it's fine. I should still have time after work today to get another 3 miler in before Selma drops off Mr. L so she can attend her accounting class tonight. That will put me back on track to accomplish my 13 miles for the week and even if I don't run this afternoon, I can do it Friday and finish up Saturday morning. And then the writing.
Since I didn't actually say I was doing specific writing, it shouldn't be a problem. I was going to rethink my story - my plot, my characters motivations, and where the story should actually start. It only comes down to giving what I've already written a little thought and some brainstorming. So there. Nothing much to say about yesterday. Let's move right along to today and see what I can do. It's Thursday!
TT
But then I didn't take advantage of that time to go over my story, like I was supposed to, either. I didn't do anything. If was a minus Wednesday. Well, it wasn't exactly minus because it didn't take away anything, but it didn't add either. I guess if it was a math problem it was subtracting zero from what I already had.
Okay, so I've worked it out that it's fine. I should still have time after work today to get another 3 miler in before Selma drops off Mr. L so she can attend her accounting class tonight. That will put me back on track to accomplish my 13 miles for the week and even if I don't run this afternoon, I can do it Friday and finish up Saturday morning. And then the writing.
Since I didn't actually say I was doing specific writing, it shouldn't be a problem. I was going to rethink my story - my plot, my characters motivations, and where the story should actually start. It only comes down to giving what I've already written a little thought and some brainstorming. So there. Nothing much to say about yesterday. Let's move right along to today and see what I can do. It's Thursday!
TT
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Stand up, sit down
It's cool and rainy on a Wednesday morning. I'm looking forward to another short run this afternoon now that I have two behind me already. The weather might have me rethinking that later if the rain doesn't ease up, but even so, that would give me the writing time I need to start on that other part of my simple goals for this week.
I have my story ready to work on. I have the task I want to complete. Now comes the part that is always the toughest. I need to do it.
But I've already identified what I need to do so it's just a matter of sitting down and making it happen. It's sort of the reverse of getting my running goals done for the week. For that, I need to get up and make it happen. Stand up, sit down. It's either a child's game or the lyrics of a RadioHead song. But whatever helps me get motivated, I will take. The idea of setting up short goals for the work-week was a good idea. I only need to concentrate on 'what do I need to do today', instead of 'I need to do all of this and I haven't done any of it'. Much better.
So let it rain, or let it ease up, I will still have my simple to-do for today. Not too hard, not too complicated. Just something simple. Happy Wednesday!
TT
I have my story ready to work on. I have the task I want to complete. Now comes the part that is always the toughest. I need to do it.
But I've already identified what I need to do so it's just a matter of sitting down and making it happen. It's sort of the reverse of getting my running goals done for the week. For that, I need to get up and make it happen. Stand up, sit down. It's either a child's game or the lyrics of a RadioHead song. But whatever helps me get motivated, I will take. The idea of setting up short goals for the work-week was a good idea. I only need to concentrate on 'what do I need to do today', instead of 'I need to do all of this and I haven't done any of it'. Much better.
So let it rain, or let it ease up, I will still have my simple to-do for today. Not too hard, not too complicated. Just something simple. Happy Wednesday!
TT
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Simple goals
I cleared out the old, saved draft posts. I didn't even open them, but just hit delete, delete. I'm bad that way. I didn't even want to spend an extra moment to reread them.
I realize there might have been a sentence that was magical, electrifying, mesmerizing. *throws back head and laughs* Right. Sure. You can tell the level of confidence in my belief in that actually being true by my simple action of poising my finger over the key and pressing down. delete. delete.
Start over stupid.
I wrote myself some easy goals for this week. Easy because I have to start somewhere. I've been floundering again and need to focus. So I wrote a couple of simple goals.
Go back to the short story I have 4000 words on (it will be longer than short) and rethink the following:
- my plot arc
-my characters internal motivations
-is where I begin the story the best place to start
That is for this week. I haven't sat down yet and gotten started yet but since it is an official goal, a simple one, I will. I also put down that I wanted to run 13 miles this week. Not much, but what? 13 miles more than last week. So, now I've made my goals and only need to get started. Happy Tuesday!
TT
I realize there might have been a sentence that was magical, electrifying, mesmerizing. *throws back head and laughs* Right. Sure. You can tell the level of confidence in my belief in that actually being true by my simple action of poising my finger over the key and pressing down. delete. delete.
Start over stupid.
I wrote myself some easy goals for this week. Easy because I have to start somewhere. I've been floundering again and need to focus. So I wrote a couple of simple goals.
Go back to the short story I have 4000 words on (it will be longer than short) and rethink the following:
- my plot arc
-my characters internal motivations
-is where I begin the story the best place to start
That is for this week. I haven't sat down yet and gotten started yet but since it is an official goal, a simple one, I will. I also put down that I wanted to run 13 miles this week. Not much, but what? 13 miles more than last week. So, now I've made my goals and only need to get started. Happy Tuesday!
TT
Monday, October 14, 2013
Runaway thoughts
I have posts that I've started but didn't have time to finish that are stored up as drafts. I didn't have time to finish them and now I have to figure out if I have time to go back and do something with them. I doubt they are worth the time to bother with and I should just delete them. Just as I should probably delete this one and all the ones from the past. Don't worry. Nothing that dramatic will happen.
I'm just at that point where I have lost focus on what this is all about (again). It didn't help that at the beginning when I started, I didn't have a clear understanding of what exactly I was doing here. At the time, it seemed a good place to push me to write. And write, and write. Everyone said the more you write, the better you get and, well, I believed it.
I also threw in a lot of stuff about food and family, but then almost 2 years ago, my new grandson was born and I got very protective about saying or sharing anything about those things anymore. Good, bad, wrong, right, that is what happened. And things here became weird and boring because it went back to just writing to keep writing because you have to write and write to get better. No matter. What.
Hmmm. Now I've gone and given a history lesson when I was only wondering about draft posts that I should possibly delete. I really should get my thoughts in order!
TT
I'm just at that point where I have lost focus on what this is all about (again). It didn't help that at the beginning when I started, I didn't have a clear understanding of what exactly I was doing here. At the time, it seemed a good place to push me to write. And write, and write. Everyone said the more you write, the better you get and, well, I believed it.
I also threw in a lot of stuff about food and family, but then almost 2 years ago, my new grandson was born and I got very protective about saying or sharing anything about those things anymore. Good, bad, wrong, right, that is what happened. And things here became weird and boring because it went back to just writing to keep writing because you have to write and write to get better. No matter. What.
Hmmm. Now I've gone and given a history lesson when I was only wondering about draft posts that I should possibly delete. I really should get my thoughts in order!
TT
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