Things On Tuesday

Burnt bitter decaf that has been stewing in the coffee pot for hours (in a styrofoam cup, and the creamer is curdled)

- Getting to work before daylight really hits, and having it be dark again already when I leave. It makes me feel like a hibernating animal, only without the snuggle-up-and-stay-lazy-and-warm benefits of hibernation.

- The New Year's resolution crowds at the gym. Sometimes, it is hard to even get a locker, let alone the equipment I want to use! We slacked off while Lee was sick (I totally used it as an excuse to avoid the crowds I KNEW would be there). All those people make it really hard to get back into the workout routine. Plus, since I'm not a crowd person, the hub-bub totally nixes the mental stress-relief benefits of the gym for me. I'm ready for February when everyone starts slacking on their resolutions! We're actually thinking about starting to go to the gym at 5:30 a.m. instead of AFTER work, to see if it is any better.

- Kinda feeling "homesick." That sounds weird, or dumb even. But during my workweek with the gym thrown in after, I feel like I use my house as a place to wash up and crash and other than that I just don't see it. My poor little house becomes a hotel without room service. I actually MISS being home. And I miss my critters. I think the break just got me too used to having lots of time to enjoy my little place in the world.

- Lee's weeklong bug.

- Major van repairs causing our emergency savings to go "poof."

- My work pants almost all now being so big that I need to go shopping again, and I hate shopping. These are the ones I bought when I "downsized" back in October! On the one hand, that's really good. On the other hand, ummm ... I hate shopping. But I'm wearing long sweaters to work every day now to hide the fact that in my pants, my butt now looks like it is going swimming. I'm gonna have to break down and go pants shopping ... ugh. Luckily, this is NOT the case with all my jeans yet, because the only thing worse than work-pants shopping is jeans shopping!

Fresh-brewed high test java with white chocolate raspberry creamer (in the perfect wrap-your-hands-around-it-and-get-them-toasty-warm mug):

- Lee's new job. He likes it because it keeps him busy and the days go fast. Most of the time he's outside, which would NOT be a plus for me this time of year, but he likes that much better than being cooped indoors. I really hope this can become permanent!

- That the tiny local towing/repair place that fixed the van turned it around in 24 hours, AND charged us less than the original estimate. I love small family businesses.

- The Steelers whooping Charger butt and moving on to the divisional championship playoff!

- Being a Steelers fan in Baltimore when the divisional playoff is the Steelers versus the Ravens. You would think that would suck, but the contrary side of my nature finds it to be lots and lots of fun! At home, at work, at the pub ... everywhere I go I am defending my black and gold : ). There are a few other Steelers fan on the project at work too, so at least there I'm not alone!

- My pants now being so big that I have to go shopping again. The shopping part sucks. But this one goes in both categories because the fact that I'm in this situation in spite of holiday eating and sporadic gym visits during the holidays and then while Lee was sick and I was readjusting to work is a relief.

- Realizing we overlooked the fact that Lee's severance from the old job will include payout for a week of unused vacation. Extra money to compensate for blowing the last of our funds on the van is coolness.

- Continued catch-up with old friends on Facebook. It is so much fun seeing where high school friends I haven't spoken to in YEARS ended up, and chit-chatting about all the events and goings-on that have shaped us all since.

- Lee's chicken chili - yum!

Looking Forward To:

- Having Monday off for Martin Luther King Day (the timing is PERFECT, since I DO NOT want to go to work after Sunday night's playoff no matter what the outcome!)

- The Ravens/Steelers Divisional Championship playoff game

- Co-worker Happy Hour at the pub tomorrow

- Starting my new book (Stones From The River)