I'll just start off today's post with this little guy I found in my garden today. . .
He's working so hard, despite the season!
Me, too. Working hard, that is. I'm adjusting pretty well to working full time. It helps that I enjoy my job and like the people I work with. I'm still finding time to do most of the things I like to do . . . knitting, reading, cooking, walking Jenny, blogging. I'm having a hard time, though, finding a way to fit my workouts into my life! I used to swim a couple of times a week, take a dance class, and do pilates -- all in the mornings. I tried to swim earlier in the morning. Ugh. It's just so hard to drag yourself to a pool. . . with all of your gear and clothes. . . at 6:00 am. I'm having a problem getting motivated for that! And I tried the treadmill and eliptical routines. Ugh. I'm having a problem with the boredom factor, even WITH my iPod. I'm going to try Zumba next week -- it meets in the evenings. It might be a good substitute for my dance class. I'll figure this out, eventually! (Just going to have to cut down on the Ben & Jerry's in the meantime. . .)
I'm also re-thinking the way I blog. I usually try to . . . say something. . . each day of the work week. I think I'm just going to go into a more free-flowing routine. Maybe my Friday Round Ups will become. . . Weekend Round Ups. Maybe Ten on Tuesday will be . . . Ten on SOME Tuesdays. I'm not so sure what will happen. But I don't want to give up the blog. (I also don't want to be trapped by the blog!)
I just finished reading Nicole Krauss' new book, Great House.
Oh, man. It's another five-star book! I adored her last book, History of Love. This one is just as good -- although I don't think it's quite as moving. While I had to stop reading - frequently - just to gasp, or think, or re-read - I didn't cry (or even feel like it). The book is about loss, and loneliness, memories and family connections, dealing with being . . . left. (In hindsight, it may not have been a good choice for me to read just now -- when Erin has decided to move even farther away after she graduates in May; when I've had enough time away from him to discover I actually DO miss having Brian around; when Tom is away in Mumbai. Just sayin'.) Anyway. It's an excellent book.
I've been doing some knitting. . .
It's Bonne Marie Burns' Mondo Cable Vest. I'm making it in honor of my fav Project Runway designer, Mondo! (That's really not true; it's been in my queue for a long time. But I am in the Mondo-corner for this week's PR season finale!) The knitting is easy and quite relaxing.
I'm ready to be inspired. . .
My favorite issue of the year arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I plan to sit down with a cup of tea and. . .well, drool. . . later this afternoon.
And check this out. . .
Last week when I was dropping Brian back on campus (after his fall break), I stopped in at one of my favorite Holland downtown shops, The Bridge. This is such a cool store -- it's a 100% Fair Trade shop, featuring jewelry, scarves, baskets, art objects, and unique handmade gifts from over 35 developing countries. I love the interesting things they carry. I visit often -- and this time, I came home with this wonderful necklace and earrings. Fun! (If you're ever in Holland, be sure to drop in!)
Have a great weekend!
